Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) as a prognostic marker in chronic hepatitis C infection.

This study aims to assess the value of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1), as a non-invasive serum marker, for the evolution of chronic HCV infection and hepatic fibrosis. Seventy-two patients with HCV positive serum RNA and 15 health volunteers were enrolled in this study. Out of 72 patients, 10 patients had decompensated liver with ascites. Quantitative analysis of CPS1 was performed in the harvested sera and corresponding liver biopsies using ELISA and immunohistochemistry techniques respectively. Also, mitochondrial count using electron microscopy, urea analysis and conventional liver tests were done. Patients were grouped into (F1 + F2) and (F3 + F4) representing stages of moderate and severe fibrosis respectively. Tissue and serum CPS1 (s.CPS1) correlated significantly in moderate and severe fibrosis. Patients with severe fibrosis showed significantly higher levels of s.CPS1 (p-value ≤ 0.05) and significantly lower mitochondrial counts (p-value = 0.0065) than those with moderate fibrosis. S.urea positively correlated with s.CPS1 only in the decompensated group, at which s.urea reached maximal levels. In conclusion, s.CPS1 is a potential non-invasive marker for the assessment of severity and progression of HCV in relation to mitochondrial dysfunction. Also, increased s.urea with the progression of the disease is mainly due to a concurrent renal malfunction, which needs further investigation.

The efficacy of laser-assisted hair removal in the treatment of acne keloidalis nuchae; a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Laser-assisted hair removal causes miniaturization of hair shafts which are the principal contributors to inflammation in acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN). OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of hair reduction by long pulsed Nd-YAG laser as a therapeutic modality for AKN. METHODS: This interventional pilot trial included 16 patients with AKN who received 5 sessions of long pulsed Nd-YAG laser. Lesions were objectively and subjectively assessed at the third and fifth laser sessions, and 1 year after. Global response to treatment was rated using a quartile grading scale regarding the percentage improvement in the count of papules and the size of the plaques. Biopsies were taken before and 2 weeks after the fifth session to evaluate the pathological changes associated with improvement of the treated lesions. RESULTS: All patients showed a significant improvement. The percentage of improvement in the early caseswas significantly higher when compared to late cases.Two weeks after the fifth session, all biopsies showed a significant decrease in the inflammatory infiltrate except one case. Sclerosis was markedly decreased. Complete absence of hair follicles and adenexawas observed, apart from in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Laser hair depilation can significantly improve this disfiguring chronic disorder. Starting treatment as early as possible achieves the best results and can stop the disease process if followed by maintenance sessions.

Autologous Stem Cells Therapy, The First Baby of Idiopathic Premature Ovarian Failure.

Introduction: Stem cells (sc) are the foundation cells for every organ, tissue and cell in the body. They are self sustaining and can replicate themselves for long periods of time. Stem cells can differentiate into different types of cells. Women below the age of forty and showing ovarian function loss are defined to have premature ovarian failure (POF). It is associated with sex steroid deficiency, amenorrhea, infertility, and elevated serum gonadotropins. Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of autologous Mesenchymal sc (MSC) transplantation in women suffering from POF. Out of 112 high risk patients for POF(cases with amenorrhoea befor the age of forty), diagnosis was confirmed in10 cases. The ten POF patients were scheduled for MSC transplantation at Al- Azhar University Hospitals. MSC preparation from the bone marrow of the iliac crest was laparoscopically injected into the ovaries. Endometrial fractional biopsy was histopathologicaly (HP) and Immunohistochemically (IH) stained and evaluated according to Edessy stem cells score (ESS). Ovarian reserve was evaluated according to Edessy ovarian reserve score (EORS). Results: Showed that after transplantation two cases (20%) (ESS = 5 and 6) resumed menstruation after 3 months, one of them (10%) (Case no 5) (ESS = 6) got pregnancy after 11 months and delivered a healthy full term baby (Zeinab).Ten months after transplantation EORS of patient who developed pregnancy (case no 6) was found to be 7 after being 0 before therapy. EORS of the other menstruating case (case no 10) was 5 after being 0. The 2 menstruating cases showed focal secretory changes after being atrophic endometrium in case 5 and distorted proliferative endometrium in case 10. Conclusion: Stem cell transplantation is a good procedure and regarded as a real and hope to get healthy pregnancy and baby for cases of POF. It showed good clinical, HP and IH outcome.