This study aimed to investigate the virulence (adhesion and invasion) of clinically isolated multidrug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii on different mammalian cell lines. It also determined the role of the outer membrane protein (OmpA) extracted from such isolates in cytotoxicity to these cell lines. In this study, hundred thirty-seven clinical isolates were obtained from intensive care units (ICUs) at tertiary hospitals in Cairo, Egypt and were identified by API system. Identification was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the oxa-51 gene. Based on their susceptibility to different antimicrobial agents, tested by disc diffusion method, isolates were classified into different groups. Representative isolates of each group were assayed for adherence and invasion on HEp-2, A549 and Hela cells. OmpA was then extracted from selected strains. The cytotoxicity and caspase activation of the extracted OmpA was determined on different cell lines. The isolates were found to harbor the oxa-51 gene. Multidrug resistance was accompanied by higher binding capabilities on HEp-2 and A549 cells than Hela cells. A relation between cytotoxicity and Caspase activation was suspected among the isolates. These results suggested that apoptosis induced by OmpA of MDR A. baumannii might be attributed to caspase activation, though other mechanism could not be ruled out. In conclusion, A. baumannii has the ability to cause adhesion and invasion on respiratory cell other than other types of cells. OmpA has a vital role in the pathogenesis as it causes apoptosis to the respiratory cells.

Background: Liver fibrosis is the result of a sustained wound healing response to chronic liver injury. The main reasons include chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Non-invasive methods of assessing fibrosis are often used in clinical practice as a safer, more accessible, and less costly way than liver biopsy to stratify individuals by risk. The current study early diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis B, C, and NAFLD using indirect non-invasive biomarkers and evaluating the diagnostic impact of the Study applied on 250 patients divided into five equal groups: HBV Group, HCV Group, HBV + HCV Group, NAFLD Group and Control Group, for each with the same inclusion and exclusion criteria in order to monitor the prevalence of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) (g/L), Lipoprotein A (mg/dL), Serum Amyloid A (SAA) (mg/L) and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) (ng/ml) as biomarkers reflecting the grade of liver fibrosis in hepatic patients. Results: In the terms of Alanine aminotransferase ALT (p<0.05), Gamma-glutamyltransferase GGT (p<0.001), Glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1C (p<0.001), and Apo B(p<0.001), in the NAFLD group, had the highest value. Meanwhile, the terms of Aspartate aminotransferase AST (p<0.001), Aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index APRI (p<0.001), total bilirubin (p<0.05), and Serum Amyloid A SAA (p<0.001)in the HCV group had the greatest value. In ddition, the HBV+HCV group had the highest AST/ALT value (p<0.001), 2 macroglobulin(p<0.001) values. platelets (p<0.001), haptoglobin (p<0.001), lipoprotein A (p<0.001), and Insulin-like growth factor 1 IGF1(p<0.001) were all greatest in the control group. The biomarkers Lipoprotein (A) in HBV and NAFLD; Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) in HCV and HBV+ HCV group were found to be predictive of early fibrosis using Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) curves. Conclusion:The estimation of non-invasive biomarkers (ApoB), (IGF1), (SAA), and Lipoprotein A were the most predictive of early fibrosis in hepatic patients with significant accuracy. These biomarkers can be used as liver biopsy alternatives to support the early diagnosis of liver fibrosis

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis; a number of pharmacological and nonpharmacological (including dietary) approaches being employed to reduce it. Up until now, the trials to prove the hypocholesterolemia effect of probiotics have not been convincing. There are only few data suggesting that the supplementation of the diet with functional food products containing probiotic bacteria lower LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration in patients with moderately elevated cholesterol concentration in plasma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro the anti-atherosclerotic effect of a probiotic (Lactobacillusrhamnosus, casei, plantarum, and reuteri), prebiotic (Flaxseed & Cinnamon, green coffee, ginger, and green tea extracts) & combination mix using MCF-7cell line. Recording data showed that probiotic compound administration to hyperlipidemia: a significant decrease of the total serum cholesterol & triglycerides, a significant increase of the serum antioxidant potential. In conclusion, our data support the administration of probiotic Lactobacillus bacteria and prebiotic and combination to decrease serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipid droplets increase the antioxidant potential in hyperlipidemia subjects.