Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females, it accounts for one third of all malignancies affecting women. Appropriate biomarkers play significant role in predicting the prognosis and decide the specific therapy to each patient. In this study we aimed at evaluating the value of Ki-67 as a prognostic marker in breast cancer patients and to analyze the associations between Ki-67 and their clinicopathological parameters. This study included 92 patients with developed non metastatic breast cancer and 10 women had benign breast tumor served as controls. We measured the serum level by ELISA technique and tissue expression of Ki-67 by immunohistochemical technique. Our results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in serum Ki-67 levels between the two studied groups. As for Ki-67expression in breast cancer cells, the score increases with increase of tumor size, grade, premenopausal, Ki-67 expression in estrogen and progesterone receptor positive tumors showed lower values than estrogen and progesterone negative tumors, while higher Ki-67 expression was more frequently associated with HER2-positive. In conclusion; our study supports the finding that tissue Ki-67 expression may add prognostic information to that obtained from classical prognostic factors and can provide data of significant value to other important prognostic indicators such as pathological grading, and axillary lymph node involvement.

AIM:To determine the relation between serum microRNAs and apoptotic markers as regards development of HCC to understand the underlying mechanism of HCV related hepatocarcinogenesis.PATIENTS AND METHODS:A total of 65 serum samples (25 samples from controls, 20 samples from hepatitis and 20 samples from HCC patients) were collected for miRNAs (mir 21, mir 199-a, and mir 155) detection. Human Programmed cell death protein-4 (PDCD-4) and Human Cytochrome-C (CYT-C) were determined.RESULTS:miRNAs 21 and 155 were over expressed in sera of patients with HCC compared to patients with chronic hepatitis (p < 0.0001). While serum means values of miR 199a was significantly decreased among HCC group patients when compared to patients with chronic hepatitis (p < 0.0001). The serum levels of PCDC4 and CYTC were increased in patients with HCC when compared to chronic hepatitis patients. They were also increased in patients with chronic hepatitis when compared to controls (p < 0.05, significant). There was direct correlations between apoptotic markers and oncomirs miRNAs 21 and 155 while apoptotic markers were inversely correlated with miRNA 199-a.CONCLUSION:Both microRNAs and apoptotic markers have roles in HCC pathogenesis. It seems that oncogenic microRNAs induce liver carcinogenesis in HCV patients irrespective of suppression of apoptosis.

Background and Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a silent disease; its spectrum includes simple steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines play roles in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and insulin resistance (IR). Moreover, plasma cell antigen-1 (PC-1) is related to IR and associated with NAFLD progression. Therefore, we aimed to detect biomarkers, ultrasonographic and anthropometric findings capable of differentiating NAFLD grades, since most previous investigators were concerned more with NAFLD patients without classifying them into grades.Methods: A total of 87 NAFLD patients (31 with grade 1 (mild NAFLD), 26 with grade 2 (moderate NAFLD) and 30 with grade 3 (severe NAFLD) were included in the study, in addition to 47 controls (grade 0). All subjects underwent ultrasonographic examination for NAFLD diagnosis. Serum interleukin-10 (IL-10), plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18) and plasma PC-1 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR was higher in different NAFLD grades than in controls. Ultrasonographic and anthropometric findings and lipid profile indices (except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which was decreased) were increased with NAFLD progression. Grade 3 patients showed significant increase in levels of IL-18 and significant decrease in IL-10 and PC-1 levels when compared to grade 1 patients.Conclusion: Anthropometric and ultrasonographic findings were valuable in differentiating NAFLD grades. IR is very important in NAFLD pathogenesis. IL-18, HOMA-index and PC-1 levels could be used to differentiate between NAFLD grades, together with other measurements.

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic inflammatory disease concerning insulin-producing β-cells destroyed by the conjoined action of auto reactive T cells, inflammatory cytokines and monocytic cells. Recent proof favors crucial role of cellular autoimmunity as well as its mediators in pathogenesis and following T1DM. We aimed to investigate whether IL-1α, IL-1β, or IL-10 an easily available inflammatory marker is associated with T1DM. Results: The onset of T1DM was accompanied with elevation serum levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-10. ROC curve revealed that IL10 > 5.95 pg/ml predicted T1DM with sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 90%, respectively. Conclusion: The raise of serum inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-10 of the patient may be exploited as potential markers for development of T1DM. The study proposes that level of inflammatory markers is upregulated in T1DM individual in an age-dependent manner and suggesting activation of the inflammatory immune response system.

Background: This study investigates the effects of nano-curcumin on gene expression of insulin and insulin receptor in diabetic rats. Forty female rats were divided into four groups (ten rats for each). The first group was non-diabetic rats acting as negative control and rats of the second group were rendered diabetic by STZ served as positive controls. The third one was induced diabetic and received oral Diamicron for 3 weeks. The fourth was rendered diabetic and administrated oral nano-curcumin for 3 weeks. Results: A significant increase of blood glucose was showed in diabetic rats with significant reduction of insulin level compared to non-diabetic controls. The gene expression of insulin and insulin receptor were more significant in diabetic untreated rats compared to the control non-diabetic group. The induction of curcumin as well as Diamicron to diabetic rats normalized significantly their blood sugar level. Also, curcumin-treated rats indicated significant higher in gene expression of insulin and insulin receptor than positive and negative controls. Conclusion: The results suggest that nano-curcumin could be used as antidiabetic therapy, induced hypoglycemia, and increase the gene expression of insulin and insulin receptor in STZ-induced diabetic rats. More studies are needed to illustrate the definite mechanism of action of nano-curcumin concerning the upregulation of gene expression of the above-mentioned genes.