IntroductionEpidemiological and genetic studies have recorded the association between proinflammatory cytokines and the development of insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The role of interleukin 6 (IL-6), NH2-terminal portion pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and resistin in the pathogenesis of heart disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still a matter of controversy. The current study aimed to evaluate the role of these biomarkers in the development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and the ability to use them as non-invasive test in the prediction of left ventricular hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction in T2DM.Research design and methods150 participants were included in this case–control study. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to echocardiographic findings: group 1a included 46 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and echocardiographic evidence of abnormal systolic function; group 1b included 54 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and with normal echocardiogenic study; and group 2 included 50 apparently healthy controls. Routine laboratory investigations such as complete blood count, liver and renal function tests, and lipid profile, serum IL-6, NT-proBNP, and resistin were measured in all participants. Conventional echocardiography was done with special concern on the assessment of left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction).ResultsThere was a significant increase in the level of resistin, NT-proBNP and IL-6 in group 1a patients compared with group 1b and in healthy controls. Echocardiographic parameters showed a significant increase in left ventricular mass index, left ventricle posterior wall thickness, interventricular septum thickness, and left ventricle mass in group 1a compared with group 1b and the control group. The increased left ventricular mass index was associated with higher levels of IL-6, NT-proBNP and resistin.ConclusionsProinflammatory cytokines had a clear relation with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and hypertrophy and can be used as early non-invasive markers for detection of left ventricular remodeling and systolic dysfunction in patients with T2DM.
Background: High number of losses may occur among health care workers (HCWs) who are the key contributors in the COVID-19 battle. Objectives: To explore the baseline knowledge and perception of HCWs who will join working in our isolation unit, correct the wrong believes and investigate their safety at the end of their quarantine period. Method: The study was implemented on 206 HCWs [133 nurses, 28 physicians, 8 pharmacists, and 37 technicians and housekeepers] by assessing HCWʼs knowledge and attitude via on-line questionnaire, improve misconceptions via health care program prior to start their work in the unit and inspect the COVID-19 infection by laboratory and radiological investigations. The inclusion criteria were being HCWs in the isolation unit of COVID-19, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Egypt for in the period from of June 10 th to August 10 th , 2020. Results: Base-line questionnaire results revealed good knowledge and positive attitude of HCWs towards 16-COVID-19 items in spite of ignoring the incubation period of the disease. There was significant positive attitude of the HCWs groups, and the total group attitude showed a significant good knowledge score. Health care workers had highly significant good knowledge score and positive attitude towards the importance of training on personal protective equipment (PPE) donning and doffing. Continuous health education on infection control practices and importance of social distancing during the isolation period was emphasized. At the end of the quarantine period, the infection rate was 5.8%. The HCWs with positive SARS-CoV-2 showed negative COVID-Ab results, significant changes in their C-T scan findings and lab findings. Conclusion: Health care workers with good knowledge, perception and who follow strict precautions in an isolation unit are the basis of success in winning the battle against SARS-CoV aiming at keeping HCWs safety with optimum patient care and less harm to the health facilities.
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is an important public health problem worldwide and in Egypt. It has a bad prognosis and few treatment options. HCV and HBV infection and exposure to pesticides and aflatoxins are major risk factors for its development, so paying more attention to prevention via raising population awareness about its risk factors may be useful in lowering HCC incidence. This study was implemented to study knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of a rural community of Menoufia governorate, Egypt, pre-and post-health education intervention about HCC and prevention of its risk factors. Results: Seroprevalence of HCV among study participants was 12.3%, and the health education intervention about HCC and the prevention of its risk factors was effective in increasing the percent of pre-intervention good knowledge score groups about HCC, HBV, and HCV, pesticides, aflatoxins, and total knowledge score from 66.5%, 88.8%, 83.8, 41.9%, and 73.7% respectively to 98.9%, 100%, 100%, and 98.9% post-intervention (p value = 0.000 for each) and was also effective in increasing the pre-intervention positive attitude score groups from 61.5 to 98.9% post-intervention. It was also effective in increasing the pre-intervention safe practice score groups of male and female study participants from 20% and 23% respectively to 94.3% and 93.1% post-intervention.Conclusions: Health education intervention was effective in improving KAP about HCC and prevention of its risk factors and could be adopted by MOHP as a part of comprehensive program for HCC prevention in rural communities of Menoufia governorate.
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