Ras-related domain family member 1 transcript variant A (RASSF1A) controls apoptosis and cell proliferation while p14/ARF gene has a regulatory role in cellular senescence. Failure of apoptosis and cellular senescence occurs during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). To reveal the role of peripheral leukocyte promoter methylation of RASSF1A and p14/ARF in the pathogenesis of IBD subtypes and CRC we investigated the methylation state of the two genes by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP-PCR) in 60 CRC patients, 60 patients with IBD; 27 with ulcerative colitis and 33 had Crohn's disease and also in 30 healthy subjects. Methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF genes were detected in 55% and 60% of CRC, while the frequency of the methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF genes was 23.3% and 43.3% in IBD patients and 3.3% and 13.3% in the control group (P = 0.000, each). Also, the frequency of methylated RASSF1A gene was significantly higher in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn's disease, while a non-significant frequency of methylated p14/ARF was detected between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Furthermore, methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF were associated with the grade of CRC but not associated with the age of patients and family history but methylated RASSF1A associated with tumor location. Results suggest that methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF are related to CRC and IBD pathogenesis and may be used as molecular biomarkers for early detection of CRC and IBD.

Ras-related domain family member 1 transcript variant A (RASSF1A) controls apoptosis and cell proliferation while p14/ARF gene has a regulatory role in cellular senescence. Failure of apoptosis and cellular senescence occurs during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). To reveal the role of peripheral leukocyte promoter methylation of RASSF1A and p14/ARF in the pathogenesis of IBD subtypes and CRC we investigated the methylation state of the two genes by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP-PCR) in 60 CRC patients, 60 patients with IBD; 27 with ulcerative colitis and 33 had Crohn's disease and also in 30 healthy subjects. Methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF genes were detected in 55% and 60% of CRC, while the frequency of the methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF genes was 23.3% and 43.3% in IBD patients and 3.3% and 13.3% in the control group (P = 0.000, each). Also, the frequency of methylated RASSF1A gene was significantly higher in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn's disease, while a non-significant frequency of methylated p14/ARF was detected between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Furthermore, methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF were associated with the grade of CRC but not associated with the age of patients and family history but methylated RASSF1A associated with tumor location. Results suggest that methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF are related to CRC and IBD pathogenesis and may be used as molecular biomarkers for early detection of CRC and IBD.

Background: The incidence of spontaneous spondylodis-citis is increasing per year and this attributed to an aging population, increasing prevalence of immunodeficiency and improving radiological technique. Aim of Study: To evaluate the results of conservative versus surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis as regard efficacy, complications and functional outcomes. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial study included 16 patients with spontaneous spondylodiscitis presented only with axial spinal pain. They were divided into 2 groups: One managed conservatively and the other surgically. Results: 9 patients were managed conservatively and 7 were managed surgically. After complete course of treatment; only 3 patients of conservative group and 4 patients of surgical group showed fusion assessed by imaging. There was no significant statistically difference between two groups in final clinical outcome using visual analogue scale and MacNab's outcome criteria. Conclusion: Both conservative and surgical methods are sufficient for achieving the goals of treatment of spontaneous spondylodiscitis as both are safe, feasible, and effective procedure in relieving pain.

Background: The incidence of spontaneous spondylodis-citis is increasing per year and this attributed to an aging population, increasing prevalence of immunodeficiency and improving radiological technique. Aim of Study: To evaluate the results of conservative versus surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis as regard efficacy, complications and functional outcomes. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial study included 16 patients with spontaneous spondylodiscitis presented only with axial spinal pain. They were divided into 2 groups: One managed conservatively and the other surgically. Results: 9 patients were managed conservatively and 7 were managed surgically. After complete course of treatment; only 3 patients of conservative group and 4 patients of surgical group showed fusion assessed by imaging. There was no significant statistically difference between two groups in final clinical outcome using visual analogue scale and MacNab's outcome criteria. Conclusion: Both conservative and surgical methods are sufficient for achieving the goals of treatment of spontaneous spondylodiscitis as both are safe, feasible, and effective procedure in relieving pain.

Background: The incidence of spontaneous spondylodis-citis is increasing per year and this attributed to an aging population, increasing prevalence of immunodeficiency and improving radiological technique. Aim of Study: To evaluate the results of conservative versus surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis as regard efficacy, complications and functional outcomes. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial study included 16 patients with spontaneous spondylodiscitis presented only with axial spinal pain. They were divided into 2 groups: One managed conservatively and the other surgically. Results: 9 patients were managed conservatively and 7 were managed surgically. After complete course of treatment; only 3 patients of conservative group and 4 patients of surgical group showed fusion assessed by imaging. There was no significant statistically difference between two groups in final clinical outcome using visual analogue scale and MacNab's outcome criteria. Conclusion: Both conservative and surgical methods are sufficient for achieving the goals of treatment of spontaneous spondylodiscitis as both are safe, feasible, and effective procedure in relieving pain.

Background: The incidence of spontaneous spondylodis-citis is increasing per year and this attributed to an aging population, increasing prevalence of immunodeficiency and improving radiological technique. Aim of Study: To evaluate the results of conservative versus surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis as regard efficacy, complications and functional outcomes. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial study included 16 patients with spontaneous spondylodiscitis presented only with axial spinal pain. They were divided into 2 groups: One managed conservatively and the other surgically. Results: 9 patients were managed conservatively and 7 were managed surgically. After complete course of treatment; only 3 patients of conservative group and 4 patients of surgical group showed fusion assessed by imaging. There was no significant statistically difference between two groups in final clinical outcome using visual analogue scale and MacNab's outcome criteria. Conclusion: Both conservative and surgical methods are sufficient for achieving the goals of treatment of spontaneous spondylodiscitis as both are safe, feasible, and effective procedure in relieving pain.

Morphea (or Localized scleroderma) is an idiopathic disorder characterized by local inflammation followed by fibrotic changes in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Despite a shared histologic appearance between systemic sclerosis and localized disease, the clinical distribution of lesions serves to distinguish these two disorders. Some literature recently reported systemic manifestations with morphea which resulted in changing concept for the nomenclature – using the term morphea in localized scleroderma and preference of the terminology. We present a 20 years old male patient with circumscribed markedly thickened skin lesion over neck, chest and part of the abdomen associated with systemic manifestations after investigations and after excluding other differential diagnosis. We propose using the term “morphea with systemic manifestations.

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Background and aim: Diabetic retinopathy is a serious and common complication of diabetes that causes irreversible blindness. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding diabetic retinopathy among patients attending a diabetic clinic and identify the effect of an educational program about diabetic retinopathy. Patients and methods: Two hundred diabetic patients were recruited from the outpatient’s diabetic clinic, Assiut University hospitals, Egypt. Quasi-experimental (pretest-posttest) research design was applied using a structured interview questionnaire; including socio-demographic data, assessment of the patients’ knowledge, attitude, and practices toward diabetic retinopathy. Results: The mean score of knowledge and attitude showed significant improvement (5.3 and 15.1, respectively in pretest vs 16.7 and 16.8, respectively in posttest) among the diabetic patients (p0.001). From multivariate linear regression model; the predictors for knowledge score were educational level, family history of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy and hypertension. Likewise, attitude score predictors were age, residence, and smoking. Predictors for practice score were hypertension, blood sugar level, and weight. Conclusion: There was a statistically significant relationship between educational level and mean knowledge score. The diabetic education program significantly helped to improve awareness of patients in relation to diabetic retinopathy.

Background and aim: Diabetic retinopathy is a serious and common complication of diabetes that causes irreversible blindness. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding diabetic retinopathy among patients attending a diabetic clinic and identify the effect of an educational program about diabetic retinopathy. Patients and methods: Two hundred diabetic patients were recruited from the outpatient’s diabetic clinic, Assiut University hospitals, Egypt. Quasi-experimental (pretest-posttest) research design was applied using a structured interview questionnaire; including socio-demographic data, assessment of the patients’ knowledge, attitude, and practices toward diabetic retinopathy. Results: The mean score of knowledge and attitude showed significant improvement (5.3 and 15.1, respectively in pretest vs 16.7 and 16.8, respectively in posttest) among the diabetic patients (p0.001). From multivariate linear regression model; the predictors for knowledge score were educational level, family history of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy and hypertension. Likewise, attitude score predictors were age, residence, and smoking. Predictors for practice score were hypertension, blood sugar level, and weight. Conclusion: There was a statistically significant relationship between educational level and mean knowledge score. The diabetic education program significantly helped to improve awareness of patients in relation to diabetic retinopathy.