Maissa Noaman | Cairo University (original) (raw)
Papers by Maissa Noaman
The aim of this study was to assess smoking behavior of medical workers in the National Cancer In... more The aim of this study was to assess smoking behavior of medical workers in the National Cancer Institute (NCI), their knowledge and attitude towards smoking. This is a cross-sectional survey with anonymous selfadministered questionnaires for physicians and nurses. It included three sections; 1) demographic data, 2) questions about knowledge of smoking hazards, religious and lawful aspects and 3) questions regarding smoking status and attitude towards quitting and prohibiting smoking in work and public places. Participants were 246; 185 responded (75.2%). Smokers constituted 25.4% of the sample. Responding current smokers were 37. The majority of smokers reported previous trials to quit, mainly due to health concern (73.3%). All workers know that smoking is harmful to health, the majority were positive about the hazard of passive smoking as well. Ever-smokers showed a negative attitude towards total prevention of smoking at workplace; however, current smokers react positively to smoking restriction in work and public places, about 2/3 stop immediately when confronted by a stop smoking sign. Twentyseven workers (73%) reported less smoking in response to restriction. A large percent (73%) smoke in presence of nonsmokers, however nearly 92% respond to a colleague's demand to stop smoking. It is concluded that smoking remains a common habit among medical works in the NCI in spite of having a good knowledge about its hazards and direct contact with smoking victims. We should search for the suitable approach for this category of smokers to motivate them to quit other than talking about health hazards. [Manar M. Moneer, Nargis A. Labib and Maissa K. Noaman. Smoking behavior, knowledge and attitudes among medical workers in the national cancer institute, Cairo University.
Journal of Liver Transplantation
Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has been increasingly used as a biomarker of bacterial infection ... more Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has been increasingly used as a biomarker of bacterial infection and as a tool to guide antimicrobial therapy. Despite its increased use, data in patients with solid organ transplants are limited. The study aim is to assess the frequency of rising procalcitonin associated with infectious complications in immunosuppressed living donated liver transplantation.Methods: A single center, retrospective observational study. Preoperative patients' demographic data, operative, anesthetic data and postoperative clinical course are analyzed till discharge from intensive care unit.Results: Sixty patients were classified according to the culture results' into a positive culture group & a negative one, then following up sepsis variables in each group. Total leukocyte count (TLC) and procalcitonin (PCT) were high in the positive culture group in the first 4 and 5 days respectively and was statistically significant (P-value < 0.05).PCT at a cutoff value ≥ ...
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP, 2017
Purpose: To identify statistical errors and pitfalls in dissertations performed as part of the re... more Purpose: To identify statistical errors and pitfalls in dissertations performed as part of the requirements for the Medical Doctorate (MD) degree at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University (CU) to improve the quality of medical research. Methods: A critical assessment of 62 MD dissertations conducted in 3 departments at NCI, CU, between 2009 and 2013 was carried out regarding statistical methodology and presentation of the results. To detect differences in study characteristics over time, grouping was into two periods; 2009-2010 and 2011-2013. Results: Statistical methods were appropriate in only 13 studies (24.5%). The most common statistical tests applied were chi-square, log-rank, and Mann-Whitney tests. Four studies estimated sample size and/or power. Only 37.1% and 38.7% of dissertation results supported aims and answered the research questions, respectively. Most of results were misinterpreted (82.3%) with misuse of statistical terminology (77.4%). Tabular and gr...
The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 2016
Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a challenging malignancy of worldwide importance. It is... more Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a challenging malignancy of worldwide importance. It is the third most common cause of cancer-related death globally as most patients present with unresectable disease. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the widely and solely used biomarker for HCC diagnosis; yet, its usefulness is hampered by low sensitivity and specificity. We aimed to identify more sensitive biomarkers for HCC diagnosis and a surveillance algorithm that may facilitate early detection of HCC. A total of 305 Egyptian and Saudi participants grouped as healthy controls, cancer controls, benign hepatic lesions, chronic viral hepatitis and HCC were included. Serum AFP, prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and Golgi protein-73 (GP-73) levels were quantitated by enzyme immunoassay. Significantly higher levels of GP-73 and PIVKA-II were detected in the HCC group than in all other groups, while MIF showed a highly significant increase in HCC from all groups except the cancer control group. The HCC group showed no significant difference between the studied biomarkers and the type of chronic viral hepatitis. On the basis of multiple ROC curve analyses, GP-73 and PIVKA-II showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for surveillance and diagnosis. In conclusion, PIVKA-II and GP-73 offer an effective approach for early HCC diagnosis and surveillance of high-risk groups with a higher accuracy than AFP. MIF may serve as a promising screening tumor marker for the detection of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) malignancy.
Population-Based Cancer Registry Program in Egypt (2008-2011); BC is the most common cancer in fe... more Population-Based Cancer Registry Program in Egypt (2008-2011); BC is the most common cancer in females representing about 32% of all female malignancies with the crude and age-standardized incidence rates of 35.8 and 48.8 per 100,000 population, respectively (Ibrahim et al., 2014).
Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, 2014
ABSTRACT Rationale Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive a... more ABSTRACT Rationale Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow limitation that is associated with an enhanced inflammatory response in the airways and the lung. The remodeling process in COPD is greatly under the influence of growth factors. Lung fibroblasts in COPD demonstrated alterations in its functional capacity that is mediated by TGF-β1, therefore, could play a role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Fibrocytes are bone marrow derived cells that migrate to the injured sites and differentiate into fibroblast-like cells. Objectives To test the hypothesis that assay of circulating fibrocytes may provide a biomarker for exacerbation and severity of COPD. Methods Fibrocytes were defined by flow cytometry and quantified in fifty male patients with stable COPD and during exacerbation. We investigated the clinical and prognostic value of fibrocytes by comparison with standard clinical parameters. Thirteen healthy subjects were selected as control. Results Fibrocytes were significantly elevated in stable COPD patients (n = 25), with a further increase during exacerbation (n = 25; P < 0.001 vs. control subjects n = 13). Correlation analysis between fibrocyte counts and mMRC score, 6-MWT, BODE index, arterial oxygen saturation, pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC, FEV1, FVC and FEF25–75 showed a direct relationship in COPD patients. There was a direct correlation between fibrocytes with the mMRC score and the serum levels of TGF-β1 only in COPD patients in exacerbations (n = 25). Conclusions Fibrocytes are an indicator of COPD exacerbation and might be useful as a clinical (bio) marker for disease progression.
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to cancer incidence and mortali... more Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to cancer incidence and mortality. HCC is a highly fatal disease and is the third leading cause of death from malignancy worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine long-term survival and prognostic factors predictive of the overall survival of HCC patients at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University. Patients and methods: A prospective study was conducted on a cohort of 212 HCC patients attending to the medical oncology clinic at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) during the period from July,1, 2007 till August, 31,2008 and they were followed up by phone till November 7th, 2010. Results: The study revealed that 1-year, 2-year, 3-year survival rates of HCC patients were 26.9%, 9.4%, 5.0% respectively, and median overall survival was 6.3 months (95% CI 5.4-7.2). Multivariate analysis revealed that independent predictors of poor survival were pretreatment presence of extrahepatic metastasis and ascite...
The aim of this study was to assess smoking behavior of medical workers in the National Cancer In... more The aim of this study was to assess smoking behavior of medical workers in the National Cancer Institute (NCI), their knowledge and attitude towards smoking. This is a cross-sectional survey with anonymous selfadministered questionnaires for physicians and nurses. It included three sections; 1) demographic data, 2) questions about knowledge of smoking hazards, religious and lawful aspects and 3) questions regarding smoking status and attitude towards quitting and prohibiting smoking in work and public places. Participants were 246; 185 responded (75.2%). Smokers constituted 25.4% of the sample. Responding current smokers were 37. The majority of smokers reported previous trials to quit, mainly due to health concern (73.3%). All workers know that smoking is harmful to health, the majority were positive about the hazard of passive smoking as well. Ever-smokers showed a negative attitude towards total prevention of smoking at workplace; however, current smokers react positively to smoking restriction in work and public places, about 2/3 stop immediately when confronted by a stop smoking sign. Twentyseven workers (73%) reported less smoking in response to restriction. A large percent (73%) smoke in presence of nonsmokers, however nearly 92% respond to a colleague's demand to stop smoking. It is concluded that smoking remains a common habit among medical works in the NCI in spite of having a good knowledge about its hazards and direct contact with smoking victims. We should search for the suitable approach for this category of smokers to motivate them to quit other than talking about health hazards. [Manar M. Moneer, Nargis A. Labib and Maissa K. Noaman. Smoking behavior, knowledge and attitudes among medical workers in the national cancer institute, Cairo University.
Journal of Liver Transplantation
Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has been increasingly used as a biomarker of bacterial infection ... more Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has been increasingly used as a biomarker of bacterial infection and as a tool to guide antimicrobial therapy. Despite its increased use, data in patients with solid organ transplants are limited. The study aim is to assess the frequency of rising procalcitonin associated with infectious complications in immunosuppressed living donated liver transplantation.Methods: A single center, retrospective observational study. Preoperative patients' demographic data, operative, anesthetic data and postoperative clinical course are analyzed till discharge from intensive care unit.Results: Sixty patients were classified according to the culture results' into a positive culture group & a negative one, then following up sepsis variables in each group. Total leukocyte count (TLC) and procalcitonin (PCT) were high in the positive culture group in the first 4 and 5 days respectively and was statistically significant (P-value < 0.05).PCT at a cutoff value ≥ ...
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP, 2017
Purpose: To identify statistical errors and pitfalls in dissertations performed as part of the re... more Purpose: To identify statistical errors and pitfalls in dissertations performed as part of the requirements for the Medical Doctorate (MD) degree at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University (CU) to improve the quality of medical research. Methods: A critical assessment of 62 MD dissertations conducted in 3 departments at NCI, CU, between 2009 and 2013 was carried out regarding statistical methodology and presentation of the results. To detect differences in study characteristics over time, grouping was into two periods; 2009-2010 and 2011-2013. Results: Statistical methods were appropriate in only 13 studies (24.5%). The most common statistical tests applied were chi-square, log-rank, and Mann-Whitney tests. Four studies estimated sample size and/or power. Only 37.1% and 38.7% of dissertation results supported aims and answered the research questions, respectively. Most of results were misinterpreted (82.3%) with misuse of statistical terminology (77.4%). Tabular and gr...
The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 2016
Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a challenging malignancy of worldwide importance. It is... more Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a challenging malignancy of worldwide importance. It is the third most common cause of cancer-related death globally as most patients present with unresectable disease. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the widely and solely used biomarker for HCC diagnosis; yet, its usefulness is hampered by low sensitivity and specificity. We aimed to identify more sensitive biomarkers for HCC diagnosis and a surveillance algorithm that may facilitate early detection of HCC. A total of 305 Egyptian and Saudi participants grouped as healthy controls, cancer controls, benign hepatic lesions, chronic viral hepatitis and HCC were included. Serum AFP, prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and Golgi protein-73 (GP-73) levels were quantitated by enzyme immunoassay. Significantly higher levels of GP-73 and PIVKA-II were detected in the HCC group than in all other groups, while MIF showed a highly significant increase in HCC from all groups except the cancer control group. The HCC group showed no significant difference between the studied biomarkers and the type of chronic viral hepatitis. On the basis of multiple ROC curve analyses, GP-73 and PIVKA-II showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for surveillance and diagnosis. In conclusion, PIVKA-II and GP-73 offer an effective approach for early HCC diagnosis and surveillance of high-risk groups with a higher accuracy than AFP. MIF may serve as a promising screening tumor marker for the detection of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) malignancy.
Population-Based Cancer Registry Program in Egypt (2008-2011); BC is the most common cancer in fe... more Population-Based Cancer Registry Program in Egypt (2008-2011); BC is the most common cancer in females representing about 32% of all female malignancies with the crude and age-standardized incidence rates of 35.8 and 48.8 per 100,000 population, respectively (Ibrahim et al., 2014).
Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis, 2014
ABSTRACT Rationale Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive a... more ABSTRACT Rationale Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow limitation that is associated with an enhanced inflammatory response in the airways and the lung. The remodeling process in COPD is greatly under the influence of growth factors. Lung fibroblasts in COPD demonstrated alterations in its functional capacity that is mediated by TGF-β1, therefore, could play a role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Fibrocytes are bone marrow derived cells that migrate to the injured sites and differentiate into fibroblast-like cells. Objectives To test the hypothesis that assay of circulating fibrocytes may provide a biomarker for exacerbation and severity of COPD. Methods Fibrocytes were defined by flow cytometry and quantified in fifty male patients with stable COPD and during exacerbation. We investigated the clinical and prognostic value of fibrocytes by comparison with standard clinical parameters. Thirteen healthy subjects were selected as control. Results Fibrocytes were significantly elevated in stable COPD patients (n = 25), with a further increase during exacerbation (n = 25; P < 0.001 vs. control subjects n = 13). Correlation analysis between fibrocyte counts and mMRC score, 6-MWT, BODE index, arterial oxygen saturation, pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC, FEV1, FVC and FEF25–75 showed a direct relationship in COPD patients. There was a direct correlation between fibrocytes with the mMRC score and the serum levels of TGF-β1 only in COPD patients in exacerbations (n = 25). Conclusions Fibrocytes are an indicator of COPD exacerbation and might be useful as a clinical (bio) marker for disease progression.
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to cancer incidence and mortali... more Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to cancer incidence and mortality. HCC is a highly fatal disease and is the third leading cause of death from malignancy worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine long-term survival and prognostic factors predictive of the overall survival of HCC patients at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University. Patients and methods: A prospective study was conducted on a cohort of 212 HCC patients attending to the medical oncology clinic at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) during the period from July,1, 2007 till August, 31,2008 and they were followed up by phone till November 7th, 2010. Results: The study revealed that 1-year, 2-year, 3-year survival rates of HCC patients were 26.9%, 9.4%, 5.0% respectively, and median overall survival was 6.3 months (95% CI 5.4-7.2). Multivariate analysis revealed that independent predictors of poor survival were pretreatment presence of extrahepatic metastasis and ascite...