Background Most Hepatocellular Carcinomas (HCCs) are diagnosed at an advanced stage. However, HCC early diagnosis is complicated by the coexistence of inflammation and cirrhosis. The unsatisfactory sensitivity and specificity of Alpha-fetoprotien (AFP) for screening of early-stage HCC paved the way for new novel biomarkers to complement AFP such as AFP-L3. The aim of this study was the Evaluation of alpha fetoprotein-L3 (AFP-L3) as earlier marker in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients. This study was conducted on 80 patients categorized into 2 groups; group 2 (40 patients with chronic active hepatitis) and group 3 (40 patients with HCC). HCC diagnosis was done by clinical, triphasic CT and positive US for focal lesion, in addition to 20 healthy individuals as controls (group 1). Results The median range of AFP and AFP-L3 were highly statistically significant difference between HCC group and other groups [ p < 0.001]. In this study ALT, AST, Total & direct bilirubin and albumin results showed highly significant differences between HCC group and other groups. Serum AFP-L3 shows sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100% and negative predictive value 100% with AUC = 1 in HCC cases. Conclusion Serum AFP-L3 may serve as a diagnostic biomarker for the detection of early stage of HCC and show higher sensitivity than AFP.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of domperidone on duodenal and cecal motility in donkeys. Six adult donkeys (n = 6) were used in a crossover study. Domperidone was administered orally via nasogastric tube at a dose rate of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg kg-1. Duodenal and cecal contractions were evaluated by ultrasonography using a 5 MHz curved-linear transducer. Examinations were performed before administration and at 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes post-administration. There was a significant (p< 0.05) increase of duodenal contractions after 15 minutes of domperidone administration at 1 mg kg-1 and lasted until 60 minutes. The cecal contractions were also significantly increased after 15 minutes and lasted until 60 minutes at a dose rate of 1 and 2 mg kg-1 (MANOVA fit, p< 0.01; Wilks, Lambda for dose × time interaction, p < 0.05). The results of the present study indicate that 1 mg kg-1 domperidone is the most effective prokinetic dose on duodenal and cecal contraction. Domperidone may be an alternative prokinetic drug for intestinal and cecal disorders in equines.