Objectives: To evaluate the results of using a shorter ileal segment (40 cm only) in reconstructing Studer ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy. Subjects and methods: Radical cystectomy and modified Studer ileal neobladder was performed in 60 patients for invasive bladder cancer. Only 40 cm of the ileum was used; 32 cm segment for constructing the body of the neobladder, while the remaining 8 cm as an isoperistaltic intact limb for ureteral reimplantation. After one year, evaluation included clinical, laboratory, radiographic and urodynamic studies to determine the functional and oncological outcomes. Results: Early complications occurred in 5 patients (8.6%). According to the modified Clavien system, two patients had grade I complications, IIIb occurred in one patient and two patients had grade V complications. Late complications (8.6%) included incisional hernia in 2 patients, deep venous thrombosis, bilateral ureteroileal anastomotic stricture and intestinal obstruction each occurred in one patient. At one year, daytime and nighttime continence was 93.1% and 89.7%, respectively. Reflux was observed in 6 patients (10.3%) which was unilateral in 3 patients and bilateral in 3 without affecting the renal functions. Neobladder pressure was 7–18 cmH2O at half capacity and 13–38 cmH2O at full capacity with no uninhibited contractions. Conclusion: Minimizing the length of the ileum for Studer neobladder reconstruction is feasible and with acceptable results.

Objectives: To evaluate the results of using a shorter ileal segment (40 cm only) in reconstructing Studer ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy. Subjects and methods: Radical cystectomy and modified Studer ileal neobladder was performed in 60 patients for invasive bladder cancer. Only 40 cm of the ileum was used; 32 cm segment for constructing the body of the neobladder, while the remaining 8 cm as an isoperistaltic intact limb for ureteral reimplantation. After one year, evaluation included clinical, laboratory, radiographic and urodynamic studies to determine the functional and oncological outcomes. Results: Early complications occurred in 5 patients (8.6%). According to the modified Clavien system, two patients had grade I complications, IIIb occurred in one patient and two patients had grade V complications. Late complications (8.6%) included incisional hernia in 2 patients, deep venous thrombosis, bilateral ureteroileal anastomotic stricture and intestinal obstruction each occurred in one patient. At one year, daytime and nighttime continence was 93.1% and 89.7%, respectively. Reflux was observed in 6 patients (10.3%) which was unilateral in 3 patients and bilateral in 3 without affecting the renal functions. Neobladder pressure was 7–18 cmH2O at half capacity and 13–38 cmH2O at full capacity with no uninhibited contractions. Conclusion: Minimizing the length of the ileum for Studer neobladder reconstruction is feasible and with acceptable results.

Objectives: To evaluate the results of using a shorter ileal segment (40 cm only) in reconstructing Studer ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy. Subjects and methods: Radical cystectomy and modified Studer ileal neobladder was performed in 60 patients for invasive bladder cancer. Only 40 cm of the ileum was used; 32 cm segment for constructing the body of the neobladder, while the remaining 8 cm as an isoperistaltic intact limb for ureteral reimplantation. After one year, evaluation included clinical, laboratory, radiographic and urodynamic studies to determine the functional and oncological outcomes. Results: Early complications occurred in 5 patients (8.6%). According to the modified Clavien system, two patients had grade I complications, IIIb occurred in one patient and two patients had grade V complications. Late complications (8.6%) included incisional hernia in 2 patients, deep venous thrombosis, bilateral ureteroileal anastomotic stricture and intestinal obstruction each occurred in one patient. At one year, daytime and nighttime continence was 93.1% and 89.7%, respectively. Reflux was observed in 6 patients (10.3%) which was unilateral in 3 patients and bilateral in 3 without affecting the renal functions. Neobladder pressure was 7–18 cmH2O at half capacity and 13–38 cmH2O at full capacity with no uninhibited contractions. Conclusion: Minimizing the length of the ileum for Studer neobladder reconstruction is feasible and with acceptable results.

Objectives: To evaluate the results of using a shorter ileal segment (40 cm only) in reconstructing Studer ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy. Subjects and methods: Radical cystectomy and modified Studer ileal neobladder was performed in 60 patients for invasive bladder cancer. Only 40 cm of the ileum was used; 32 cm segment for constructing the body of the neobladder, while the remaining 8 cm as an isoperistaltic intact limb for ureteral reimplantation. After one year, evaluation included clinical, laboratory, radiographic and urodynamic studies to determine the functional and oncological outcomes. Results: Early complications occurred in 5 patients (8.6%). According to the modified Clavien system, two patients had grade I complications, IIIb occurred in one patient and two patients had grade V complications. Late complications (8.6%) included incisional hernia in 2 patients, deep venous thrombosis, bilateral ureteroileal anastomotic stricture and intestinal obstruction each occurred in one patient. At one year, daytime and nighttime continence was 93.1% and 89.7%, respectively. Reflux was observed in 6 patients (10.3%) which was unilateral in 3 patients and bilateral in 3 without affecting the renal functions. Neobladder pressure was 7–18 cmH2O at half capacity and 13–38 cmH2O at full capacity with no uninhibited contractions. Conclusion: Minimizing the length of the ileum for Studer neobladder reconstruction is feasible and with acceptable results.

Aims: We evaluate the effect of enzyme replacement therapy "ERT" on the plasma levels of some biochemical markers of the disease burden, in pediatric patients with Gaucher's disease "GD", in the form of plasma chitotriosidase "ChT", total acid phosphatase activity, ferritin and globulin to evaluate the therapeutic monitoring efficacy of such biomarkers. Methodology: A cross sectional case control study, carried out on 26 GD pediatric patients, divided into group A (13): On ERT and group B (13): Not receiving ERT, and in addition to 20 healthy age and sex matched controls. ELISA assays of plasma ChT and ferritin, colorimetric assays of plasma total acid phosphatase activity and globulin, were done for all groups, while, plasma proteins electrophoresis was done for GD patients only. Results: Significant higher plasma levels of ChT, total acid phosphatase activity, ferritin and globulin among GD not receiving ERT versus both GD on ERT and Control group. Positive correlation between plasma ferritin and total acid phosphatase activity (r = 0.465 and P-value 0.05). Conclusions: Plasma ChT, total acid phosphatase activity; ferritin and globulin are collectively helpful in evaluation and follow up the effect of ERT.

Aims: We evaluate the effect of enzyme replacement therapy "ERT" on the plasma levels of some biochemical markers of the disease burden, in pediatric patients with Gaucher's disease "GD", in the form of plasma chitotriosidase "ChT", total acid phosphatase activity, ferritin and globulin to evaluate the therapeutic monitoring efficacy of such biomarkers. Methodology: A cross sectional case control study, carried out on 26 GD pediatric patients, divided into group A (13): On ERT and group B (13): Not receiving ERT, and in addition to 20 healthy age and sex matched controls. ELISA assays of plasma ChT and ferritin, colorimetric assays of plasma total acid phosphatase activity and globulin, were done for all groups, while, plasma proteins electrophoresis was done for GD patients only. Results: Significant higher plasma levels of ChT, total acid phosphatase activity, ferritin and globulin among GD not receiving ERT versus both GD on ERT and Control group. Positive correlation between plasma ferritin and total acid phosphatase activity (r = 0.465 and P-value 0.05). Conclusions: Plasma ChT, total acid phosphatase activity; ferritin and globulin are collectively helpful in evaluation and follow up the effect of ERT.

Aims: We evaluate the effect of enzyme replacement therapy "ERT" on the plasma levels of some biochemical markers of the disease burden, in pediatric patients with Gaucher's disease "GD", in the form of plasma chitotriosidase "ChT", total acid phosphatase activity, ferritin and globulin to evaluate the therapeutic monitoring efficacy of such biomarkers. Methodology: A cross sectional case control study, carried out on 26 GD pediatric patients, divided into group A (13): On ERT and group B (13): Not receiving ERT, and in addition to 20 healthy age and sex matched controls. ELISA assays of plasma ChT and ferritin, colorimetric assays of plasma total acid phosphatase activity and globulin, were done for all groups, while, plasma proteins electrophoresis was done for GD patients only. Results: Significant higher plasma levels of ChT, total acid phosphatase activity, ferritin and globulin among GD not receiving ERT versus both GD on ERT and Control group. Positive correlation between plasma ferritin and total acid phosphatase activity (r = 0.465 and P-value 0.05). Conclusions: Plasma ChT, total acid phosphatase activity; ferritin and globulin are collectively helpful in evaluation and follow up the effect of ERT.

Schizophrenia is a typical N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) hypofunction disorder. Decreased d-serine (d-Ser) levels in the periphery occur in schizophrenia and may reflect decreased availability of d-Ser to activate NMDA-R in the brain. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of d-Ser metabolism in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia via biochemical assays and correlates, the serum level of d-Ser, d-serine racemase (SR) (responsible for its formation from l-serine [l-Ser]) and d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) (responsible for its catabolism), among different clinical types of schizophrenia patients. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional case–control study was carried out on 100 patients and 50 controls. They were recruited from the outpatients’ psychiatric unit of the Neuropsychiatric Department of Assiut University Hospital, Upper Egypt. The type of schizophrenia was determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), while the severity of schizophrenia was determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Serum d-Ser levels were estimated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while serum SR and DAAO were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: There were significantly lower mean serum levels of d-Ser and SR and significantly higher mean serum levels of DAAO (P-value ,0.01 for each) among schizophrenia patients when compared with the control group. Paranoid schizophrenia had the highest frequency, with a significantly lower serum levels of d-Ser and SR in the residual type and significantly higher serum levels of DAAO in undifferentiated and catatonic types. Combined receiveroperating characteristic curve for serum d-Ser, SR and DAAO indicated that the best serum level cutoff points at which schizophrenia manifestations started to appear were 61.4 mg/L for d-Ser, 15.5 pg/mL for SR and .35.6 pg/mL for DAAO. Conclusion: The present study confirms that disturbed d-Ser metabolism could be implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a typical N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) hypofunction disorder. Decreased d-serine (d-Ser) levels in the periphery occur in schizophrenia and may reflect decreased availability of d-Ser to activate NMDA-R in the brain. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of d-Ser metabolism in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia via biochemical assays and correlates, the serum level of d-Ser, d-serine racemase (SR) (responsible for its formation from l-serine [l-Ser]) and d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) (responsible for its catabolism), among different clinical types of schizophrenia patients. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional case–control study was carried out on 100 patients and 50 controls. They were recruited from the outpatients’ psychiatric unit of the Neuropsychiatric Department of Assiut University Hospital, Upper Egypt. The type of schizophrenia was determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), while the severity of schizophrenia was determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Serum d-Ser levels were estimated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while serum SR and DAAO were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: There were significantly lower mean serum levels of d-Ser and SR and significantly higher mean serum levels of DAAO (P-value ,0.01 for each) among schizophrenia patients when compared with the control group. Paranoid schizophrenia had the highest frequency, with a significantly lower serum levels of d-Ser and SR in the residual type and significantly higher serum levels of DAAO in undifferentiated and catatonic types. Combined receiveroperating characteristic curve for serum d-Ser, SR and DAAO indicated that the best serum level cutoff points at which schizophrenia manifestations started to appear were 61.4 mg/L for d-Ser, 15.5 pg/mL for SR and .35.6 pg/mL for DAAO. Conclusion: The present study confirms that disturbed d-Ser metabolism could be implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a typical N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) hypofunction disorder. Decreased d-serine (d-Ser) levels in the periphery occur in schizophrenia and may reflect decreased availability of d-Ser to activate NMDA-R in the brain. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of d-Ser metabolism in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia via biochemical assays and correlates, the serum level of d-Ser, d-serine racemase (SR) (responsible for its formation from l-serine [l-Ser]) and d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) (responsible for its catabolism), among different clinical types of schizophrenia patients. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional case–control study was carried out on 100 patients and 50 controls. They were recruited from the outpatients’ psychiatric unit of the Neuropsychiatric Department of Assiut University Hospital, Upper Egypt. The type of schizophrenia was determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), while the severity of schizophrenia was determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Serum d-Ser levels were estimated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while serum SR and DAAO were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: There were significantly lower mean serum levels of d-Ser and SR and significantly higher mean serum levels of DAAO (P-value ,0.01 for each) among schizophrenia patients when compared with the control group. Paranoid schizophrenia had the highest frequency, with a significantly lower serum levels of d-Ser and SR in the residual type and significantly higher serum levels of DAAO in undifferentiated and catatonic types. Combined receiveroperating characteristic curve for serum d-Ser, SR and DAAO indicated that the best serum level cutoff points at which schizophrenia manifestations started to appear were 61.4 mg/L for d-Ser, 15.5 pg/mL for SR and .35.6 pg/mL for DAAO. Conclusion: The present study confirms that disturbed d-Ser metabolism could be implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.