Background and study aims: Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is an important complication of portal hypertension (PHT) in cirrhotic patients. We aimed in the current study to investigate the validity of serum serotonin as a probable non-invasive marker for PHG in cirrhotic patients with PHT. We conducted this study on 100 HCV-related cirrhotic patients divided into three groups according to their endoscopic findings; group I: patients with no endoscopic signs of PHG; group II: patients with mild PHG; and group III: patients with severe PHG. All subjects had routine laboratory investigations, serum serotonin level using ELISA kits, calculation of Child’s score, abdominal ultrasound, and upper GIT endoscopy.
Results: Serum serotonin was significantly higher in those with PHG than those without (t= 5.128, p <0.001). Moreover, it was significantly higher in patients with severe degree of PHG than those with mild PHG (t=7.357, p<0.001). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between serum serotonin and Child Pugh score (t=7.357, p<0.001). Roc curve analysis revealed that serum serotonin at a level ˃ 26.5 ng/ml had a 78.82% sensitivity, 73.33% specificity, and accuracy of 78% to discriminate between those with signs of PHG and those without.
Conclusion: Serum serotonin is a valuable non-invasive marker of PHG in HCV-cirrhotic patients. Furthermore, its serial measurements could be used to monitor disease progression.
Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis C are strongly associated. The current work aimed to study the expression levels of microRNA-331-3p and microRNA-23b-3p as propable biomarkers for detecting liver cancer (HCC) at its early stages in patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis. The current prospective study included two hundred participants, divided into three groups: group I, 100 patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis; group II, 50 HCC patients at early stages; and group III, 50 apparentlyhealthy controls. All patients had routine laboratory workup and ultrasound hepatic assessment. Values of microRNA-331-3p and microRNA-23b-3p were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.
Results
Levels of miR-331-3p were significantly higher in HCC patients than in cirrhotic patients and controls (p < 0.001), while levels of miR-23b-3p were significantly lower in HCC patients compared to cirrhotics and controls (p < 0.001). ROC curve revealed that miR-23b-3p had 80% sensitivity and 74% specificity, miR-331-3p had 66% sensitivity and 61% specificity, and AFP had 64% sensitivity and 61% specificity of 61% in discrimination between HCC patients from controls.
Conclusion
Serum miR-23b-3p is a more effective predictor than miR-331-3p and AFP for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C (HCV)-related cirrhotic patients.
Background: ARID5B SNPs have been linked to ALL in many research studies in which it was identified as a risk factor. From this context, we had great interest to investigate the relationship between ARID5B rs4948488 and ARID5B rs2893881 genotypes and ALL susceptibility and relapse in this study. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed for ARID5B rs4948488 and rs2893881 gene polymorphisms by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 80 ALL patients and 80 controls. Results: Our results showed that the C/C genotype of ARID5B rs4948488 and A/G genotype and G-allele of rs2893881 were linked to higher ALL incidence. Regarding the relapse of ALL, rs4948488 C/C genotype and C-alleles were significantly associated with relapse of ALL. Meanwhile, rs4948488 C/C genotype and rs2893881 A/A genotype and A-allele are associated with T-ALL, while rs2893881 A/G genotype and G-allele are associated with B-ALL. Conclusion: The results of our study suggested that ARID5B rs4948488 and rs2893881 SNPs might be used risk factors for genetic susceptibility for B-ALL and T-ALL, and that ARID5B s4948488 is related to relapse in ALL patients.
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