Background: Helicobacter pylori is a common gastrointestinal pathogen in low- and middle-income countries, linked to childhood dyspepsia, anemia, and long-term gastrointestinal sequelae. The aim was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and endoscopic features of H. pylori infection in symptomatic children in a tertiary care setting. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among children (aged 3–18 years) with chronic dyspepsia or hematemesis referred for endoscopy. H. pylori infection was diagnosed via histopathological examination of gastric biopsies. Sociodemographic, environmental, and behavioral risk factors were assessed and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors. Results: A total of 100 children were included. Mean age was 7.5±3.0 years and 62% were males. H. pylori infection was confirmed in 70% of the children. Multivariate analysis identified five independent predictors: low socioeconomic status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.97, 95% CI: 1.02–4.39, p=0.041), maternal education below tertiary level (aOR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.13–4.21, p=0.009), irregular handwashing (aOR=7.83, 95% CI: 4.66–18.55, p<0.001), utensil sharing (aOR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.01–3.20, p=0.041), and positive family history (aOR=7.99, 95% CI: 3.54–19.88, p<0.001). Infected children frequently had antral nodularity and lower hemoglobin levels. Conclusions:H. pylori infection is highly prevalent in cohort of dyspeptic children referred for endoscopy at a University-affiliated center. Modifiable risk factors, particularly poor hygiene and intrafamilial transmission, are strongly associated with infection. These results underscore the need for targeted, household-centered public health interventions focusing on hygiene education for mothers and caregivers, and family-based prevention strategies for symptomatic children and their households.

Background: Children's gastrointestinal problems are frequently caused by Helicobacter pylori infections. A non-invasive method of diagnosing H. pylori infection is stool antigen testing.
Aim of the study: to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of stool antigen tests in children and their correlation to upper endoscopy and gastric mucosal biopsies.
Methodology: Children and adolescents with persistent or recurring unexplained dyspeptic symptoms and/or non-variceal hematemesis were the subjects of this cross-sectional investigation. The study was conducted over one year, from June 2023 to June 2024, and participants were recruited from the Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy Unit at Assiut University Children's Hospital.
Results: Based on the histology of the stomach biopsy, patients were divided into two groups: 19 (30.2%) were H. pylori-negative, and 44 (69.8%) were H. pylori-positive. There were 33.3% males and 66.7% females, with an average age of 8.43±2.9 years. The most prevalent symptom in H. pylori-positive cases was epigastric pain, and the two most important endoscopic findings were antral nodularity and nodular duodenal bulb. The stool antigen test demonstrated 91% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 92% accuracy. Infected cases with stool antigen-positive results and moderate-to-severe H. pylori colonization density were significantly correlated.
Conclusion: The H. pylori stool antigen test is a reliable, cost-effective, and non-invasive diagnostic test for detecting H. pylori infection in children, owing to its high sensitivity and specificity.

Wilson’s disease (WD) is a rare genetic disorder of copper metabolism that results in dysfunction of copper excretion into bile leading to its accumulation in the liver, brain, cornea, and kidney. Only a few epidemiological studies about WD have been carried out, with limited available data about the disease. The most common liver disease in Egypt is viral hepatitis, which masks other liver diseases, especially in adults. This review describes the establishment of the first specialized WD clinic in the Assiut Liver Center, Upper Egypt. This multidisciplinary clinic comprises stakeholders working in WD management from different specialties, including hepatologists, pediatric hepatologists, neuropsychiatrists, dieticians, radiologists, pathologists, and ophthalmologists. Over 2 years since the launch of the WD clinic in February 2020, a total of 64 WD suspected cases were referred to our center. The WD clinic at the Assiut Liver Center is a step to provide an integrated service for neglected diseases like WD. Besides the provided integrated services for WD patients, a family screening program is applied with satisfying results.

Background: Prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in Egypt. Multiple lines of biological treatment have been but still there is failure of treatment to these medications and because of high cost it is of great importance to personalize treatment options. Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the factors that can predict the response to biological treatment. Subjects and methods: This study included 133 patients with IBD who were indicated to biological treatment (AntiTNF), and followed up for 2 years. All demographic, clinical laboratory data and disease activity were recorded at 1st presentation. Patient were classified into 2 groups one group who showed nonresponse to treatment and the other one who responded well to treatment. All factors were analyzed as predictors of nonresponse using univariate and multiple regression. Results: Out of 133 patients of IBD, 77 patient showed non-response. Younger age, family history of IBD, long duration of disease, previous surgical resection and presence of extraintestinal manifestation could be predictors of non-response. Increased levels of inflammatory markers of ESR, CRP and fecal calprotectin were associated with poor response to therapy (p value < 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.001 respectively). Moreover, increased activity and colonic extent in UC associated with nonresponse also marked activity and behavior of CD patients could be predictive factors of relapse. In multivariable analysis the factors independently associated with non-response were younger age, long duration of disease, presence of extraintestinal manifestations, elevated ESR and fecal calprotectin. Conclusions: Multiple disease related factors can be associated and could predict the response to anti-TNF treatment. Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, biological treatment, Anti-TNF, non-response to treatment.

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) proved to be highly prevalent all over the world. H. pylori may modify the absorption of many nutrients. Studies have suggested that, beyond iron, H. pylori infection may affect the homeostasis of other micronutrients such as vitamins and trace elements. Our study’s aim was to assess the effect of H. pylori infection on some blood micronutrient level including zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin B₁₂ in children with chronic or recurrent unexplained dyspeptic symptoms and/or non-variceal hematemesis.

Results

A cross-sectional case-control study was carried out in 32 children (4–18 years) with chronic or recurrent unexplained dyspeptic symptoms and/or non-variceal hematemesis. Patients were divided according to the results histopathology and rapid urease test into two groups, H. pylori-positive patients (18 patients) and H. pylori-negative patients (14 patients). Another control group of 18 children was included. Serum levels of zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin B₁₂ were measured in all children. Prevalence of H. pylori infection was 56.2%. The mean serum zinc levels were significantly lower in H. pylori-positive cases than in control group (84.2 ± 13.85 versus 94.6 ± 6.52 with P = 0.009) and lower than in H. pylori-negative cases but not statistically significant (84.2 ± 13.85 versus 92.2 ± 8.53 with P = 0.054). The mean serum vitamin C levels were significantly lower in H. pylori-positive cases than in negative cases and control group (220.7 ± 46.16 versus 305.1 ± 28.83 and 313.1 ± 31.43 with P < 0.0001). The mean serum vitamin B₁₂ levels were significantly lower in H. pylori-positive cases than in negative cases and control group (167.8 ± 76.98 versus 290.1 ± 69.92 and 326.1 ± 38.67 with P < 0.0001). The mean serum selenium level was slightly higher in H. pylori-positive patients than in H. pylori-negative patients and control group but not statistically significant (118.2 ± 11.13 versus 112.1 ± 8.69 and 113.1 ± 13.76 with P = 0.096, 0.243 respectively).

Conclusion

Helicobacter pylori infection in children has a significant negative effect on the serum levels of zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin B₁₂.

Abstract:
   Objectives: Managing type 1 diabetes in young adults involves distinct difficulties, especially when associated with depression, which contributes to difficulty in achieving glycemic control. The study focused on evaluating the effects of a virtual diabetes care program on Depression.

   Methods: A total of one hundred and thirty-two students from Assiut University diagnosed with type 1 diabetes who met the eligibility requirements were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group consisted of university students with type 1 diabetes who participated in the virtual diabetes care program. The control group included university students with type1 diabetes and provided routine, usual care at the students' clinic of Assiut University. Both groups were assessed for Depression (via online designed questionnaire) and HbA1c at baseline and after six months. 

  Results: After six months, the mean score on the CES-D scale did not differ statistically significantly between the two groups. There was a significant rise in depression symptoms among male patients in the control group (P = 0.038) after 6 months, but the virtual diabetes care program participants showed a slight, insignificant decrease in depressive symptoms.

 Conclusion: The virtual group attendance and mobile app usage were associated with preliminary results of improvement in depression in males. Long-term exposure to the virtual diabetes care program should be investigated in young adults with T1DM, focusing on the reasons for the gender differences in response to the program.

    Keywords: Type1 Diabetes, Young adults, Depression, Telemedicine, Virtual care.

Background Opioid use is a growing concern worldwide with high relapse rates and psychiatric comorbidities.
Emotional intelligence (EI) has been associated with positive health outcomes, yet limited research exists on EI-based
interventions for opioid use disorders. The study aimed to assess EI levels among individuals with opioid addiction
and implement an EI program to reduce addiction severity and relapse rates, as well as examine potential factors that
contribute to enhancing EI.
Methods A quasi-experimental study assigned 40 males with opioid use disorder into an intervention group
receiving a 2-week EI program (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). Healthy comparison group (without opioid use
disorder) (n = 20) was also included. Measures including the Emotional Intelligence Scale, Personality Inventory for
DSM-5, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Addiction Severity Index, and Advance Warning of Relapse (AWARE)
questionnaire were used to assess the groups at baseline,2 weeks and 3-month follow-up in patients with opioid use
disorder.
Results The healthy group exhibited lower scores on disinhibited personality subscales, maladaptive personality
traits, and SCL-90-R subscales than the opioid addiction groups at baseline. The EI intervention group displayed
substantial increases in EI subscale scores at the second and third follow-up assessments compared to the
control group. At AWARE scale follow-up, all control group patients had relapsed, versus only one patient in the EI
intervention group.
Conclusions Participants with opioid addiction demonstrated lower baseline EI and higher rates of psychiatric
symptoms and maladaptive personality traits than healthy group. A brief EI intervention led to significant EI increases
and lower relapse rate versus standard treatment alone.
Keywords Opioid, Emotional intelligence, Psychiatric comorbidities, Relapse, Addiction

GBM, the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, has an overall dismal prognosis. Immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis has shown limited success in GBM. Resistance to therapies involves different pathways like autophagy. Detecting LC3B expression provides a simple technique for monitoring autophagy. Our goal was to understand the interplay between PD-L1 and LC3B in GBM prognosis and treatment strategies. The study analyzed 61 GBM specimens to assess the immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 and LC3B with investigating their correlation with various clinicopathological parameters with assessing the impact of PD-L1 and LC3B expression on patients’ survival and the relation between both markers. Both PD-L1 and LC3B were significantly associated with clinicopathological parameters, including Karnofsky performance score (KPS)(P = 0.028 and 0.004 respectively …