We conclude that the 12-week treatment regimen of the fixed dose combination of grazoprevir plus elbasvir achieved high SVR rates in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection. The addition of ribavirin to this regimen did not add a significant benefit.

The current meta-analysis showed a high efficacy for the OBV/PTV/r regimen in the treatment of HCV genotype 1 (with DSV) infection, regardless of the presence of cirrhosis or former treatment failure. Adding RBV to this regimen slightly decreased the relapse rate. Future studies with larger sample sizes are required to investigate the efficacy of this regimen in other HCV genotypes and to establish the evidence about the effect of adding RBV to OBV/PTV/r + DSV.

No abstract

Clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of daclatasvir for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 infection are scarce and yet with small sample sizes. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review to investigate the efficacy of daclatasvir in HCV genotype 4 treatment. A computer literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Ovid, Web of knowledge, and Cochrane central was conducted. We selected studies comparing daclatasvir plus peginterferon-alfa/ribavirin versus placebo plus peginterferon-alfa/ ribavirin in patients with HCV genotype 4 infection. Pooling data from two randomized controlled trials (n = 154 patients) showed that daclatasvir/peginterferon/ribavirin treatment achieved a moderate sustained virologic response rate of 76% after 12 weeks and of 79% after 24 weeks. The daclatasvir containing regimen was superior to the placebo containing regimen in terms of virologic response rates after 12 weeks (RR=1.9% CI 1.3 to 2.6) and 24 weeks (RR=1.8% CI 1.3 to 2.5). More effective regimens are needed for HCV genotype 4. Article InfoReceived:10 October 2016 Accepted:13

Introduction: There are considerable ethnic variations in the incidence and severity of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). To date, there have been very few studies from Africa and the MENA region and none that have focused on CVD. Ballana Heart Study (BHS) is a prospective cohort study of Egyptian Nubian population who live in the Ballana village (29,000 inhabitants) in the south of Egypt. Aim: Defining the cardiovascular phenotype, genotype and risk factors combined with follow-up visits for 30 years. Methods: Participants ≥18 years old after consenting go through a series of stations. A fasting venous blood sample is collected for diagnostic, genetic, molecular biomarkers testing and biobanking. Followed by a detailed questionnaire on demographic characteristics, anthropometry, vital signs, CVD risk factors and family history. Detailed clinical phenotyping including ECG, and Echocardiography. Follow-up visits and/or phone interviews occur every 1-3 years depending on their severity risk for a period of 30 years. Participants with evidence of CVD are referred to the Aswan Heart Centre for management. Results: A random sample of 1,200 representative households was obtained from official government bills. To date, 549 households were analyzed. The preliminary findings in the first 2000 participants showed a mean age of 46 years (62% females). The rates of consanguinity between spouses and parents were 45% and 39% respectively. Seventy percent were either obese or overweight (BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 .), 65% had LDL ≥ 100 mg/dL and 37% reported a family history of CVD. Investigation showed diabetes (23%), hypertension (20%), ischemic heart diseases (3.5%), only 15 patients (0.8%) had echocardiographic evidence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) as defined by the world heart federation criteria and 7 patients (0.4%) were diagnosed with adult congenital heart disease. Conclusion: Population-based studies and community engagement have become an increasingly prevalent means of improving health. BHS is among the first population studies in Egypt and the MENA region to focus on CVD . BHS provides a phenotypically well-characterized population, the preliminary results has shown a very high incidence of consanguinity, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. Future research integration of OMICs data and other determinants of health is essential to advancements in precision medicine, CVD understanding and prevention. It is anticipated that this ongoing study will yield valuable information for formulating healthcare policy.

The purpose of the research is to identify the characteristics that should be reported in the first sentence of the text. An eloquent statement, in which the first sentence investigates its role. This paper starts with an introduction, followed by an epilogue that outlined the outcome of the research. In the light of the applications adopted by the research, text of prophetic speech, rhetoric and poetry in drawing the relationships between the sentences you stand as well as in drawing the rhetorical context.

Purpose: the aim of this study was to evaluate the color masking ability of three dental ceramics with different translucencies. Materials and methods: Fifty-four discs of ceramics were made from three dental ceramic materials (High translucency zirconia, low translucency IPS E.max CAD and translucent Vita Suprinity). Shade of three dental ceramics was A2. They were divided into three equal groups (n=18). Each group was subdivided into three subgroups (n=6) according to composite substrate shade (A4, B4, C4) on which each ceramic disc was cemented with translucent resin cement. Color difference(∆E) and translucency parameter (TP) were evaluated by spectrophotometer.Results: Before cementation, IPS E.max showed the highest median TP values. As regards color change, no statistically significant difference between the three dental ceramic types was found. Also, non-statistical significance difference between three shades of composite substrate (A4, B4, C4). Conclusions: IPS E.max (low translucency) shows better translucency than translucent vita suprinity and High translucency zirconia.In all types of ceramics, there was statistically significant decrease in translucency parameter (TP) after cementation with translucent resin cement. The color changes (∆E) exceeded the perceptible limit for the three types of dental ceramic, so it was concluded that the tested ceramics didn't exhibit sufficient color masking ability to hide the dark substrate of the composite shades used (A4, B4, C4).

Objective: To investigate the effect of different surface treatments on biaxial flexural strength and translucency of two different glass-ceramics. Materials and Methods: Sixty disc-shaped specimens (10 mm x 0.3 mm) were divided into two groups (n=30) according to the type of the ceramic material; lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS e.max CAD), and leucite reinforced ceramic (IPS Empress CAD). Each group was divided into three subgroups (n=10) according to the surface treatment applied; whether hydrofluoric acid etching, sandblasting, or no treatment. Translucency Parameter was measured over black and white backgrounds using dental spectrophotometer VITA Easyshade Compact, while bi-axial flexural strength was measured using a ball on ring fixture test. Data was statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc analysis (α = 0.05). Results: There was a significant difference (P <0.05) in translucency parameter between all surface treatments used for IPS E.max CAD groups, while for IPS Empress CAD there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in translucency between both the control and hydrofluoric acid groups as well as between hydrofluoric acid and sandblasted groups. There was no significant difference in bi-axial flexural strength between different types of surface treatments used for IPS E.max CAD. IPS Empress CAD groups showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) only between the control and the hydrofluoric acid groups. Conclusions: IPS E.max CAD had higher translucency and biaxial flexural strength. Different surface treatments used affected the flexural strength and translucency negatively in both materials used.