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Background/Aims: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is defined as an abnormal heart structure and function in cirrhotic patients. CCM includes systolic and diastolic dysfunction, electrophysiological abnormalities, and structural changes, both microscopic and macroscopic. Currently, there is no one diagnostic test that can identify patients with CCM. Evaluation of the validity of galactin-3 and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as biomarkers in the early detection of CCM in comparison to conventional echocardiography. Materials and Methods: A case control study was carried out in the Departments of internal medicine and tropical Medicine, Assuit University, Egypt. Seventy-one subjects were divided into the following three groups: 26 cirrhotic patients without ascites, 25 cirrhotic patients with ascites, and 20 healthy controls. All groups underwent clinical examination, and laboratory investigation including BNP, galactin-3, and echocardiography. Results: There was a significant difference between the three groups (p0.001) with regard to corrected QT (cQT), BNP and galactin-3. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with different grades was the most recorded cardiac abnormality in the patient group I and II (88.5% and 96%; respectively) with significantly increased frequency and severity in ascetic patients and with the advancement of liver cirrhosis. BNP and galactin-3 were sensitive and specific biomarkers for the detection of diastolic dysfunction in cirrhotic patients (77.6%, 95.5%, 89.9% and 86.4%; respectively). Conclusion: Diastolic dysfunction is a common cardiac abnormality in cirrhotic patients that worsens with the advancement of cirrhosis. BNP and galactin-3 had higher sensitivity and specificity in the early detection of CCM compared with those of conventional echocardiography.

Background: Worldwide, the incidence of skin cancer has increased due to increased UV exposure to solar and artificial sources. In Saudi Arabia, skin cancer ranked the 9th most common cancer for both sexes. However, it is considered to be a preventable disease. WHO has proposed several preventive methods to avoid the damaging effects of excessive exposure to UV rays including; social education and adopting positive behavioral changes. The present study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of people in Riyadh city towards skin cancer. Results: The mean respondent's age was 35 years (12-65 years). Females represented about two-thirds of the 341 respondent. A statistically significant associations were detected between awareness about skin cancer with the age (Beta =0.03, p =0.047), educational level (Beta =0.63, p =0.042) and skin color (Beta =-2.14, p0.001) being significant predictors for disease. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this was the first study to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding skin cancer in Saudi Arabia. Despite the limitations, the present study’s findings suggested that Saudis lack the sufficient knowledge to understand and assess the importance of skin cancer risk. In addition, the level of knowledge, attitude and behaviors are influenced by several factors as age, education level and skin color.

Background: Striae distensae are linear atrophic dermal scars covered with flat atrophic epidermis. They may cause disfigurement especially in females. Many factors may cause striae distensae such as steroids, obesity and pregnancy. Although, there is no standard treatment for striae; many topical applications, peeling and light and laser systems have been tried. Aim: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser with intense pulse light in treating striae distensae. Methods: Forty patients with striae distensae were recruited. Twenty of them were treated by fractional CO2 laser and 20 were treated with intense pulse Light (IPL). Length and width of the largest striae were measured pre and post treatment. Patient satisfaction was also evaluated and graded. Patients were photographed after each treatment session and photos were examined by a blind physician. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement after treatments (P0.05). Patients treated with fractional CO2 laser showed significant improvement after the fifth session compared with those treated with ten sessions of IPL (P0.05) in all parameters except in the length of striae (P>0.05).Conclusion: The current study has provided supportive evidence to the effectiveness of both fractional Co2laser and IPL as treatments for striae distensae. Fractional CO2 laser was found to be more effective in treatment of striae distensae compared with IPL

Transforming growth factor- beta1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of keloids and was reported to be the target of several therapeutic modalities. However, the effect of cryosurgery on its expression in keloid tissue has not been yet investigated. In this cohort study, 26 consecutive keloid patients were treated with cryosurgery for 2-6 sessions. Keloids were biopsied before starting cryosurgery and after two treatment sessions for the immunohistochemical evaluation of the expression of Transforming growth factor- beta1. The average volume reduction, after two treatment sessions (in 22 patients completed the study) was 68.77±15.82%. Dermal over expression of Transforming growth factor- beta1 was demonstrated in all keloid specimens before treatment. Following therapy, significant reduction of that expression was detected in all keloid specimens (P=0.016). In addition to attesting the clinical value of cryosurgery, our findings indicate that cryosurgery effectively suppressed Transforming growth factor- beta1 expression contributing to keloid regression.

Transforming growth factor- beta1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of keloids and was reported to be the target of several therapeutic modalities. However, the effect of cryosurgery on its expression in keloid tissue has not been yet investigated. In this cohort study, 26 consecutive keloid patients were treated with cryosurgery for 2-6 sessions. Keloids were biopsied before starting cryosurgery and after two treatment sessions for the immunohistochemical evaluation of the expression of Transforming growth factor- beta1. The average volume reduction, after two treatment sessions (in 22 patients completed the study) was 68.77±15.82%. Dermal over expression of Transforming growth factor- beta1 was demonstrated in all keloid specimens before treatment. Following therapy, significant reduction of that expression was detected in all keloid specimens (P=0.016). In addition to attesting the clinical value of cryosurgery, our findings indicate that cryosurgery effectively suppressed Transforming growth factor- beta1 expression contributing to keloid regression.

Transforming growth factor- beta1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of keloids and was reported to be the target of several therapeutic modalities. However, the effect of cryosurgery on its expression in keloid tissue has not been yet investigated. In this cohort study, 26 consecutive keloid patients were treated with cryosurgery for 2-6 sessions. Keloids were biopsied before starting cryosurgery and after two treatment sessions for the immunohistochemical evaluation of the expression of Transforming growth factor- beta1. The average volume reduction, after two treatment sessions (in 22 patients completed the study) was 68.77±15.82%. Dermal over expression of Transforming growth factor- beta1 was demonstrated in all keloid specimens before treatment. Following therapy, significant reduction of that expression was detected in all keloid specimens (P=0.016). In addition to attesting the clinical value of cryosurgery, our findings indicate that cryosurgery effectively suppressed Transforming growth factor- beta1 expression contributing to keloid regression.

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