Direct-acting antiviral treatment significantly shaped the gut microbiota in chronic hepatitis C patients: a pilot study

Research Authors
Nahla M. Elsherbiny, Omnia M. Kamal El-Din, Elham Ahmed Hassan, Helal F. Hetta *, Roba Alatawy, Mostafa A. Sayed Ali, Fawaz E. Alanazi, Mohamed S. Abdel-Maksoud, Hashim M. Aljohani, Mohamed Saad Badary, Zienab Gaber Mahran, Marwa Abo Kresha, Khaled Abo Ba
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Research File
paper 8.pdf (1.15 MB)
Research Journal
Frontiers in Microbiology
Research Member
Helal Fouad Hetta Hussein
Nahla Mohamed Kamel Elsherbiny
Research Year
2025

Global genomic epidemiology of chromosomally mediated non-enzymatic carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii: on the way to predict and modify resistance.

Research Authors
Wedad M Nageeb, Nada AlHarbi, Amani A Alrehaili, Shadi A Zakai, Ahmed Elfadadny, Helal F Hetta
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Research File
paper 7-.pdf (691.63 KB)
Research Journal
Frontiers in Microbiology
Research Member
Helal Fouad Hetta Hussein

Antibacterial and wound-healing potential of PLGA/spidroin nanoparticles: a study on earthworms as a human skin model

Research Authors
Fatma El-Zahraa A Abd El-Aziz, Helal F Hetta, Basma N Abdelhamid, Noura H Abd Ellah
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Research File
paper 4.pdf (1.92 MB)
Research Journal
Nanomedicine
Research Member
Helal Fouad Hetta Hussein

Virulence Characteristics of Biofilm-Forming Acinetobacter baumannii in Clinical Isolates Using a Galleria mellonella Model

Research Authors
Mahmoud A F Khalil , Fatma A Ahmed , Ahmed F Elkhateeb , Eman E Mahmoud , Mona I Ahmed , Randa I Ahmed , Amal Hosni , Saad Alghamdi, Ahmed Kabrah , Anas S Dablool, Helal F Hetta , Sawsan S Moawad , Enas Mamdouh Hefzy
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Research File
paper 2.pdf (987.28 KB)
Research Member
Helal Fouad Hetta Hussein

Molecular and HPLC-based approaches for detection of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A released from toxigenic Aspergillus species in processed meat

Research Authors
Abdelazeem M Algammal, Mahmoud E Elsayed, Hany R Hashem, Hazem Ramadan, Norhan S Sheraba, Eman M El-Diasty, Sarah M Abbas, Helal F Hetta
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Research File
paper 1.pdf (909.06 KB)
Research Member
Helal Fouad Hetta Hussein

Development and evaluation of dexamethasone-loaded bioadhesive polymeric nanocapsules for mitigating cardiac and gastric adverse effects of free dexamethasone

Research Abstract

Development and evaluation of dexamethasone-loaded bioadhesive polymeric nanocapsules for mitigating cardiac and gastric adverse effects of free dexamethasone

Research Authors
rania Abd elmenem
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Pharmacology
Research Member
Rania Abdel Monem Abdel Emam Abdel Aziz

Impact of L-Arginine on diabetes-induced neuropathy and myopathy: Roles of PAI-1, Irisin, oxidative stress, NF-κβ, autophagy and microRNA-29a

Research Abstract

Background

T2DM is a chronic disorder with progressive neuromuscular alterations. L-arginine (ARG) is the most common semi-essential amino acid having several metabolic functions.

Aim

to investigate the impact of L-arginine in combating diabetic-induced neuromyopathy and its possible mechanisms.

Materials & Methods

24 rats were divided into CON, CON+ARG, DC, DC+ARG. Behavioral tests, Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and irisin were done. Creatine kinase-MM (CK-MM), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 6 (IL-6), TAC, MDA, expression of microRNA-29a mRNA & light chain 3 protein were determined in muscle. Histological and NF-κβ immunohistochemical expression in muscle and nerve were assessed.

Results

ARG supplementation to diabetic rats improved altered behavior, significantly increased BW, insulin, TAC, irisin and Il-4, decreased levels of glucose, microRNA-29a, NF-κβ and LC3 expression, PAI-1, CK-MM and restored the normal histological appearance.

Conclusions

ARG supplementation potently alleviated diabetic-induced neuromuscular alterations.
Research Authors
Heba M Galal, Alaa T Abdelhafez, Manal M Sayed, Walaa MS Gomaa, Tohamy Anwar Tohamy, Asmaa MS Gomaa, Tarek H El-Metwally
Research Date
Research Journal
Tissue and Cell
Research Member
Heba Mohamed Galal Mohamed
Alaa Talat Abdalla Abdel Hafez
Manal Mohamed Sayed Gomaa
Tarek Hassan El-Metwally Dabah
Asmaa Mohamed Sayed Gomaa
Research Year
2024

Biallelic variation in the choline and ethanolamine transporter FLVCR1 underlies a severe developmental disorder spectrum

Research Abstract

Purpose

FLVCR1 encodes a solute carrier protein implicated in heme, choline, and ethanolamine transport. Although Flvcr1−/− mice exhibit skeletal malformations and defective erythropoiesis reminiscent of Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), biallelic FLVCR1 variants in humans have previously only been linked to childhood or adult-onset ataxia, sensory neuropathy, and retinitis pigmentosa.

Methods

We identified individuals with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders and biallelic FLVCR1 variants through international data sharing and characterized the functional consequences of their FLVCR1 variants.

Results

We ascertained 30 patients from 23 unrelated families with biallelic FLVCR1 variants and characterized a novel FLVCR1-related phenotype: severe developmental disorders with profound developmental delay, microcephaly (z-score −2.5 to −10.5), brain malformations, epilepsy, spasticity, and premature death. Brain malformations ranged from mild brain volume reduction to hydranencephaly. Severely affected patients share traits, including macrocytic anemia and skeletal malformations, with Flvcr1−/− mice and DBA. FLVCR1 variants significantly reduce choline and ethanolamine transport and/or disrupt mRNA splicing.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate a broad FLVCR1-related phenotypic spectrum ranging from severe multiorgan developmental disorders resembling DBA to adult-onset neurodegeneration. Our study expands our understanding of Mendelian choline and ethanolamine disorders and illustrates the importance of anticipating a wide phenotypic spectrum for known disease genes and incorporating model organism data into genome analysis to maximize genetic testing yield.
Research Authors
Daniel G Calame, Jovi Huixin Wong, Puravi Panda, Dat Tuan Nguyen, Nancy CP Leong, Riccardo Sangermano, .........., Nourelhoda A. Haridy, ........, Henry Houlden, Fowzan S Alkuraya, Kinga Bujakowska, Reza Maroofian, James R Lupski, Long N Nguyen
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Neurology and Psychiatry
Research Journal
Genetics in Medicine
Research Member
Nourelhoda Ahmed Ahmed Haridy
Research Publisher
Elsevier
Research Vol
Volume 27
Research Website
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1098360024002077
Research Year
2025

Platinum and Taxane-Induced Neuropathy and Its Impact on Quality of Life: A Single Institution Study.

Research Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and challenging complication of platinum and taxane agents and can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QoL).
Objective: This study aims to detect the frequency and severity of CIPN in patients receiving Platinum and Taxane compounds and their effect on QoL.
Methods: This prospective study enrolled 47 patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy (taxanes and platinum-based agents) at Assiut University Hospital's Clinical Oncology Department between March 2023 and July 2024, with a median 6-month follow-up. CIPN was detected, graded, and assessed clinically by using the NCI-CTCAE v5.0 criteria and electrophysiologically through nerve conduction studies conducted in collaboration with the Neurology Department. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30).
Results: In this study, altered sensory symptoms occurred in 80-86.7% of patients across all regimens. Neuropathy grading revealed grade II in 44% of patients, grade I in 29%, and grade III in 25%. Platinum-based regimens were
significantly associated with grade II neuropathy (p<0.001), while platinum+taxane combinations showed the highest rate of grade III neuropathy (p=0.05). Nerve conduction studies demonstrated significant post-chemotherapy reductions in sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) and motor conduction velocities (MCV) (p<0.001). Higher CIPN grades correlated significantly with worse global health status (commonly with patients received platinum + taxane combinations), reduced physical function, and increased symptom burden on both QLQ-C30 and NCI-CTCAE V5 scales (p<0.014).
Conclusion: CIPN is a frequent and devastating complication in patients receiving taxane and platinum-based chemotherapy, with significant clinical, neurophysiological, and QoL implications. Future research should focus on strategies to prevent and mitigate this debilitating side effect.

Research Authors
Hassan MA El-Morshidy SM, Haridy NA, Mohamed TZ, Fathey WK
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Neurology and Psychiatry
Research Journal
SECI Oncology
Research Member
Nourelhoda Ahmed Ahmed Haridy
Research Pages
253-261
Research Vol
Volume 13
Research Website
https://secioj.journals.ekb.eg/article_457677.html
Research Year
2025
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