Background and aims Recurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is still a matter of debate. We conducted this study to evaluate the probable factors that predict the recurrence of SBP in patients who recovered from the first episode of SBP and the long-term outcomes of SBP recurrence. Methods One hundred twenty-four patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, SBP and did not receive secondary prophylaxis either with norfloxacin or other antibiotics were included in this prospective cohort pilot study. Clinical, biochemical and ascitic fluid analysis parameters were evaluated. Ascitic fluid interferon-γ-induced protein (IP-10), calprotectin, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured by ELISA. Results Of these, 76 patients survived with an in-hospital mortality rate of 38.7%. The survivors were classified into two groups according to recurrence and nonrecurrence of SBP and survival time, clinical parameters and cause of death were investigated. Thirty-one participants had one or more attacks of SBP, with a recurrence rate of 40.8% within one-year follow-up. Before discharge, multivariate analysis showed that ascitic IP-10 (≥1220 pg/ml), ascitic calprotectin (≥550 ng/ml), serum albumin (≤2.5 g/dl), nonuse of prophylactic β-blockers and use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) were the independent variables in predicting recurrent SBP. Sepsis-related organ failure was the most common etiology of mortality in the recurrent SBP group within 3 and 6 months. Conclusion Increased ascitic calprotectin and IP-10, hypoalbuminemia, nonuse of prophylactic β-blockers and use of PPI were independently associated with increased SBP recurrence rate. Sepsis-related organ failure was the most common etiology of mortality.

Liver fibrosis is the excessive extracellular matrix accumulation of proteins, such as collagen, which follows the chronic liver diseases. Advanced liver fibrosis leads to cirrhosis and liver failure. Nilotinib is a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which showed antifibrotic efficacy. Stem cell therapy still has some limitations such as oncogenesis, unexpected differentiation, and ethical consideration. Stem cells secrete cytokines and growth factors that showed paracrine-mediated antifibrotic and antiinflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro. Thus, stem cell-conditioned medium (SC-CM), which contains the secretory proteins of stem cells, may have an antifibrotic role. This study was carried out to examine the antifibrotic effect of Nilotinib and stem cell exosomes on CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis in rats. Male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCl 4 twice a week for 9 weeks and given daily treatments of Nilotinib (20 mg/kg), stem cell exosomes (0.5 ml/rat), and the combination treatment of Nilotinib and stem cell exosomes during the last 5 weeks of CCl 4 intoxication. Liver fibrosis and also antifibrotic efficacy of the treatments were estimated with liver function tests, oxidative stress parameters, apoptotic parameters, histopathological examination, and hydroxyproline contents. Results showed that the combination of Nilotinib and stem cell-conditioned media had more antifibrotic effects than each one alone (P value < 0.001).

Background: Prediabetes, defined as impaired glucose tolerance and/or impaired fasting glucose, is a risk factor for future type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease and all cause mortality. High serum levels of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as oxidative stress markers were determined in diabetes, however no studies have investigated these markers together in prediabetes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the circulating levels of both IMA and MDA in a cohort of prediabetic adults. The possible associations between both markers and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were also evaluated. Methods: This study enrolled 100 adults with prediabetes and 50 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Anthropometric measurements, fasting and 2-hour post load glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c), lipids profile, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high sensitivity Creactive protein (hs-CRP), AIP, IMA and MDA were assessed. Results: IMA, MDA, hs-CRP and AIP were significantly higher in adults with prediabetes than in healthy controls. Male gender, fasting and post load glucose, A1c, fasting insulin, TGs, HDL-C, hs-CRP, AIP and MDA were independent predictor variables of IMA, whereas male gender, WC, fasting and post load glucose, A1c, fasting insulin, TC, TGs, LDL-C, HDL-C, hs-CRP and AIP were independent predictor variables of MDA. Conclusion: The elevation of IMA concomitantly with MDA reflecting the antioxidant status in prediabetes, and their associations with hs-CRP and AIP should reinforce the idea of screening and treatment of prediabetes.

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Background and Aims The clinical paradox of high ferritin levels and low TSAT is a condition known as "functional iron deficiency." This occurs when the body has adequate iron stores, as indicated by high ferritin levels, but the iron is not available for use in the body, as indicated by low TSAT levels. This can be caused by inflammation, chronic disease, or other conditions that interfere with the body's ability to absorb and utilize iron. Hemodialysis patients may suffer from both absolute and functional iron deficiency. Most studies was directed to study effect of absolute iron deficiency even without anemia, and the important of supplementing with oral or intravenous iron ; however, impact of functional iron deficiency without anemia and subsequently decision of iron supplementation especially in presence of high ferritin is still undetermined. Our aim is to assess the impact of functional iron deficiency without anemia in neurocognitive function and quality of life among hemodialysis patients in dialysis unit in urology and nephrology center Mansoura University. Method Patients on regular haemodialysis were screened using complete blood picture, transferrin saturation (TSAT) and serum ferritin to determine iron status. The Saint Louis University Mental Status assessed cognitive function. (SLUMS) Examination used for detecting mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Quality of life was assessed by 36-item short-form (SF-36). The SF-36 measures eight scales: physical functioning (PF), role physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), and mental health (MH). Results Among 70 patients maintained on regular hemodialysis, A 42 patients have normal hemoglobin level (above 12 mg/dl with high serum ferritin &gt;300 ng/mL). They classified into two group: A 26 patients with high ferritin, high TSAT &gt;20%, and normochromic red blood cells, A 16 patients with high ferritin level,low TSAT&lt;20% and hypochromic red blood cells. Among the 26 patients, 17 male and 9 female, and among the 16 patients, 11 male and 5 female. The 26 patients have mean age of (41 +/- 13) and the 16 patients have mean age of (39 +/- 10). No significant difference between the two groups regarding sex and age with p value (0.5 and 0.1 respectively). Assessment of cognitive function by SLUM score revealed regarding normal group (4 have normal score, 18 have mild impairment of cognitive function and 4 have dementia score) and the iron deficient group (4 have normal score, 9 have mild impairment of cognitive function and 3 have dementia score) with no statistically different between the two group (P = .6).requarding quality of life, no statistically difference was fond between the two group regarding : physical functioning (p= 0.18), role physical (P = .11), bodily pain (p = 0.33), general health (p= 0.5), vitality (P = .41), social functioning (P = .2), role emotional (P = .4), and mental health (P = .21 ). Conclusion Non-anemic hemodialysis Patients with Functional iron deficiency has no statistically difference regarding neurocognitive function and quality of life from normal iron non-anemic patients.