Low-fat beef burgers were produced with four different fat replacer (carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose, soy flour and goat meat) which were added at three levels (0.3, 0.5 and 1%), (1.5, 3 and 4.5%), (5, 10 and 15%) and (25, 50 and 100%); respectively. Total lipid fractions were determined by using thin layer chromatography technique for beef burger in both raw and grilled state after 3 months of frozen storage. Data revealed that phospholipids contents were less and triglyc-erides contents were more in the studied beef burger. Low-fat beef burgers containing 0.3% carrageenan, 5% low-fat soy flour, 1.5% carboxymethyl cellulose, 25% goat meat + 75% beef and control sample (without any fat replacer) gained the highest sensory score, so it was important of determine the fatty acids composition of these samples by the end of frozen storage. Saturated fatty acids were C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C17:0andC18:0. Predominated, major monounsaturated fatty acids were C16:1, C17:1, C18:1 and C20:1; and the major polyunsaturated fatty acids were descendingly: C18:2, C18:3. Among these fatty acids, the fatty acid C18:1 represented the highest relative percentage of all identified fatty acids.

Low-fat beef burgers were produced with four different fat replacer (carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose, soy flour and goat meat) which were added at three levels (0.3, 0.5 and 1%), (1.5, 3 and 4.5%), (5, 10 and 15%) and (25, 50 and 100%); respectively. Total lipid fractions were determined by using thin layer chromatography technique for beef burger in both raw and grilled state after 3 months of frozen storage. Data revealed that phospholipids contents were less and triglyc-erides contents were more in the studied beef burger. Low-fat beef burgers containing 0.3% carrageenan, 5% low-fat soy flour, 1.5% carboxymethyl cellulose, 25% goat meat + 75% beef and control sample (without any fat replacer) gained the highest sensory score, so it was important of determine the fatty acids composition of these samples by the end of frozen storage. Saturated fatty acids were C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C17:0andC18:0. Predominated, major monounsaturated fatty acids were C16:1, C17:1, C18:1 and C20:1; and the major polyunsaturated fatty acids were descendingly: C18:2, C18:3. Among these fatty acids, the fatty acid C18:1 represented the highest relative percentage of all identified fatty acids.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM), an almost incurable disease, is the second most common blood cancer. Initial chemotherapeutic treatment could be successful; however, resistance development urges the use of higher toxic doses accompanied by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The establishment of more effective treatments that can overcome or circumvent chemoresistance has become a priority. We recently demonstrated that venom extracted from Walterinnesia aegyptia (WEV) either alone or in combination with silica nanoparticles (WEV+NPs) mediated the growth arrest and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of WEV alone and WEV+NP on proliferation and apoptosis of MM cells. METHODS: The impacts of WEV alone and WEV+NP were monitored in MM cells from 70 diagnosed patients. The influences of WEV and WEV+NP were assessed with flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: WEV alone and WEV+NP decreased the viability of MM cells. Using a CFSE proliferation assay, we found that WEV+NP strongly inhibited MM cell proliferation. Furthermore, analysis of the cell cycle using the propidium iodide (PI) staining method indicated that WEV+NP strongly altered the cell cycle of MM cells and enhanced the induction of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal the biological effects of WEV and WEV+NP on MM cells that enable these compounds to function as effective treatments for MM.

To assess regulatory T cells (Treg) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infected patients and to evaluate the presence of a possible relation between them and hepatitis B markers, flow cytometry analysis was carried out to calculate the percentages of Tregs, Tregs secreting IL-10 and CD4(+) T cells secreting interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers in 59 patients and 32 healthy controls. CD4(+)CD25(+), CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+), CD4(+)D25(high), CD4(+)CD25(high)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells and Treg cells secreting IL-10 were higher in CHB patients than in healthy controls. CD4(+)CD25(+), CD4(+)CD25(-), and total CD4(+)T cells secreting IFN-γ were generally lower in CHB patients than in healthy controls. Fair correlations were observed between CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and between HBsAb and both CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CD25(high)Foxp3(+) T cells. CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells were significantly higher in CHB virus infected patients positive for HBeAg than in those negative for HBeAg and a good correlation was observed between CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells and HBeAg. Fair negative correlations were observed between CD4(+)CD25(high) T cells and both HBeAb and HBcAb. These data suggest that Tregs contribute to viral persistence. It was not possible to say that Tregs were the cause of immune suppression in this group of patients

BACKGROUND: While prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) who are undergoing dialysis has decreased significantly during the past few decades, it still remains a distinct clinical problem. The immunosuppressive nature of renal disease often leads to chronicity of the HBV infection and an opportunity for nosocomial spread of the infection among dialysis patients. Egypt is among the countries with intermediate endemicity of HBsAg (range, 2%-7%). Large-scale geographic heterogeneity in HBV prevalence has been reported worldwide and HBV prevalence is especially heterogeneous in Egypt. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of occult HBV infection (OBI) in hemodialysis patients with or without chronic hepatitis C (HCV) from Minia and Assuit, Upper Egypt, using HBV DNA assays. PATIENT AND METHODS: Sera from 145 hemodialysis patients with negative HbsAg were investigated for HBV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Only serum samples with repeatedly detectable HBV DNA were considered positive. Patients were divided into 2 groups: HCV RNA positive and HCV RNA negative, based on the results of a third generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) anti-HCV test and HCV RNA PCR. RESULTS: HBV DNA was detected in 6 of the 145 patients (4.1%) and HBcAb was detected in 29/145 patients (20%). There were no statistically significant differences in the age, duration of hemodialysis, biochemical parameters, serological markers of HBV, or HBV DNA between patients with and without HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Four percent of the hemodialysis patients had OBI. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of OBI between hemodialysis patients with or without HCV co-infection.

It has been suggested that patients with ITP have an increased thrombotic risk compared to the general population and compared to those with other causes of acquired thrombocytopenia. The pro-coagulant role of microparticles in some clinical situations has been reported, yet, very little data is available about microparticles in ITP and their effect. AIM OF THE WORK: To assess the levels of red cell microparticles (RMP), platelet microparticles (PMP) and their possible relation to some haemostatic parameters in ITP patients PATIENTS AND METHODS: The levels of RMP and PMP in addition to FVIII, FIX, FXI, PC and aPTT were assessed in 29 patients with chronic ITP (8 of them had splenectomy). Ten apparently healthy volunteers served as controls. We compared the levels of the studied parameters in ITP patients with that in controls. Correlations of these parameters with each other and with the platelet count were studied. RESULTS: RMP (p=0.0001), PMP (p=0.0001), D- dimer (p=0.048), FVIII (p=0.049), FIX (p=0.0001) and FXI (p=0.0001) were significantly higher in ITP patients compared to controls. aPTT was significantly longer in ITP patients (p=0.0001) but PC showed no significant difference. However, RMP was associated with shorter aPTT. Generally, the coagulation factors were negatively correlated with platelet count in ITP patients. Compared to controls, ITP patients preserved higher levels of RMP and PMP even in those with near-normal platelet count. Splenectomy was associated with lower FIX (p=0.0001) and FXI (p=0.028) and higher RMP (p=0.0001). IN CONCLUSION: Chronic ITP was associated with increased levels of RMP and PMP. FVIII, FIX and FXI were increased in ITP patients but showed a negative correlation with platelet count. Splenectomy was associated with increased levels of RMP and lower levels of FIX and F XI. The high level of microparticles in ITP might point towards a prothrombotic tendency.

Objectives: Conventional fractionated irradiation (CF) has major implications on both patient quality of life and radiotherapy (RT) departments. Hypofractionated (HF) RT schedule would be more convenient for patients and for health care providers. We retrospectively evaluated OAS, DFS, locoregional control, and treatment related toxicities, in patients treated with CF and HF schedules. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of female breast cancer patients with infiltrating duct carcinoma, and underwent surgery and received adjuvant systemic and radiation therapies.The schedule of adjuvant radiotherapy was divided into two groups; CF (n = 162), and HF (n = 181).The log-rank test examined differences in OAS and DFS rates. Data of radiation toxicities, and disease relapse in both CF and HF groups were compared using Chi-square test. Results: The median follow up was 42 months (range: 6 - 127 months). Four-year OAS & DFS rates for the whole group were 86.5% & 83.8% respectively. There were no significant differences in 4-year OAS regarding age at diagnosis (p = 0.18, HR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.36 – 1.22), disease stage (p = 0.06), HR status (p = 0.1, HR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.241 – 1.135), type of surgery (p = 0.28, HR 1.44, 95% CI: 0.74 –2.79), and fractionation schedule (p = 0.12, HR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.35 – 1.34). Disease stage (p = 0.032, in favour of early stages) and fractionation schedule (p = 0.039, HR 0.553, 95% CI: 0.315 – 0.970 in favour of HF) were associated with significant differences in 4-year DFS rates. Conclusion: Hypofractionated radiation therapy was safe and resulted in comparable OAS and disease relapse rates, to that in CF.

Objectives: Conventional fractionated irradiation (CF) has major implications on both patient quality of life and radiotherapy (RT) departments. Hypofractionated (HF) RT schedule would be more convenient for patients and for health care providers. We retrospectively evaluated OAS, DFS, locoregional control, and treatment related toxicities, in patients treated with CF and HF schedules. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of female breast cancer patients with infiltrating duct carcinoma, and underwent surgery and received adjuvant systemic and radiation therapies.The schedule of adjuvant radiotherapy was divided into two groups; CF (n = 162), and HF (n = 181).The log-rank test examined differences in OAS and DFS rates. Data of radiation toxicities, and disease relapse in both CF and HF groups were compared using Chi-square test. Results: The median follow up was 42 months (range: 6 - 127 months). Four-year OAS & DFS rates for the whole group were 86.5% & 83.8% respectively. There were no significant differences in 4-year OAS regarding age at diagnosis (p = 0.18, HR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.36 – 1.22), disease stage (p = 0.06), HR status (p = 0.1, HR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.241 – 1.135), type of surgery (p = 0.28, HR 1.44, 95% CI: 0.74 –2.79), and fractionation schedule (p = 0.12, HR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.35 – 1.34). Disease stage (p = 0.032, in favour of early stages) and fractionation schedule (p = 0.039, HR 0.553, 95% CI: 0.315 – 0.970 in favour of HF) were associated with significant differences in 4-year DFS rates. Conclusion: Hypofractionated radiation therapy was safe and resulted in comparable OAS and disease relapse rates, to that in CF.

Anti-angiogenic therapy has fundamentally landmarked the clinical new era of anti-cancer therapy. It was demonstrated that the blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor results in regression of the disease and prolongation of survival. In contrast, it was clarified that the differential sensitivity of the therapeutic impact exists. Many thought-provoking questions have been raised in this field. Herein, we focus on the clinical data and attempt to summarize some clinical trials of anti-angiogenic treatment, highlighting the sparkling articles, the differential sensitivities to these agents beyond progression continuation, and how to individualize treatment according to validated biomarkers.