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Papers by nermin raafat

Biochemistry Letters, 2019

Meta Gene, 2021

Abstract Background Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic disease of the connective tissue caused... more Abstract Background Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic disease of the connective tissue caused by an autoimmune inflammatory process. Genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P2D6 (CYP2D6) enzymes have been implicated in the SSc disease etiopathogenesis. Aim Our work was designed to investigate the association between the CYP2D6 gene mutation and the risk of SSc development and its relation to different SSc clinical manifestations. Methods One hundred SSc patients were involved in the study and one hundred healthy individuals were included to serve as a contol group. CYP2D6 *1, CYP2D6 *3, CYP2D6 *4 allelic frequencies were analyzed by the Polymerase Chain Reaction- Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results The heterozygous extensive metabolizers (CYP2D6 *1/*4) genotype showed a statistically significant risk for developing SSc, assessed by the odds ratio (OR = 2.4, P = 0.003). The homozygous extensive metabolizers (CYP2D6 *1/*1) which are the wild genotypes, were expressed less frequently in SSc patients with a significant difference (OR = 0.23) in comparison with the control group. As for the alleles frequency, a significant increase in the risk of SSc was associated with the mutant CYP2D6 *4 allele frequency (OR = 2.2), indicating that the presence of allele CYP2D6*4 is a risky genetic factor for SSc. Diffuse type systemic sclerosis, gastrointestinal (GIT), cardiac, pulmonary manifestations, positive anti-scleroderma 70, moderate restriction in pulmonary function tests, and abnormal Echocardiographic findings were significantly associated with the (CYP2D6 *1/*4) genotype. Conclusion Finding of the study revealed a higher prevalence of the heterozygotes extensive metabolizers (CYP2D6 *1/*4)genotypes and the mutant alleles (CYP2D6*4) in SSc patients, suggesting the high impact of the CYP2D6 gene mutation on the SSc development.

Dietary fibres are a type of carbohydrates that are found in plant-based foods. They are not abso... more Dietary fibres are a type of carbohydrates that are found in plant-based foods. They are not absorbed or digested by the body but play an important role in maintaining good health. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate, are metabolites formed by gut microbiota from these complex dietary carbohydrates. The formed acids have a role in the secretion of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulin tropic polypeptide (GIP) that help the body to control diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot use it effectively. The hormones GLP-1 and GIP, which secreted after a meal, like other enteroendocrine hormones help to orchestrate the body's response to the availability of newly absorbable nutrients and are noteworthy, stimulate postprandial insulin secretion. This study clarifies the effects and the roles of organic compounds ...

Sodium fluoride (Na-F) is added to drinking water as a decay preventive ingredient. Lungs are sus... more Sodium fluoride (Na-F) is added to drinking water as a decay preventive ingredient. Lungs are susceptible to oxidative injury because of their constant exposure to air containing toxic fluoride particles. Curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antioxidant properties. To study the toxic effects of Na-F on the lungs and to evaluate the protective role of curcumin, 3 albino rat groups; control, Na-F treated & curcumin protected, were used. Lung tissues were visualized by light and electron microscope. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) & catalase (CAT) activities were determined. Na-F treated group showed collapse of the alveoli with marked thickening of inter-alveolar septa with dilated congested blood vessels, increased collagen deposition. MDA level showed significant increase while erythrocyte SOD and CAT activities showed significant decrease. Curcumin protected group revealed normal shaped alveoli separated by thin inter-al...

Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, 2021

Background Dendritic cells (DCs) recognize different pathogens and cancer cells and activate the ... more Background Dendritic cells (DCs) recognize different pathogens and cancer cells and activate the adaptive immune response. The generation of effective DC-based cancer vaccines depends on the appropriate differentiation of monocytes in vitro. This study aimed to standardize a protocol for the in vitro differentiation of human peripheral blood monocytes into immature DCs upon treatment with growth factors and generate monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated from peripheral blood. After monocyte enrichment by plastic adhesion, monocytes were cultured for 6 days in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 to generate immature DCs. The cells were examined by microscopy. Using flow cytometry, DCs were evaluated for the expression of the CD83 and HLA-DR surface antigens, for the uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated dextran, and also for the expression of CD80 and CD86 mRNA. Results CD80 and CD86 ge...

Zagazig University Medical Journal, Sep 1, 2013

Background: Microalbuminuria (MA) is a well-known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) i... more Background: Microalbuminuria (MA) is a well-known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetics and non diabetics. It is associated with higher cardiovascular mortality. However, the impact of MA on the morbidity and mortality of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in diabetic patients is not definitively known and the relationship between the degree of albuminuria and outcome of ACS is unclear. Aim of the Work: To Study the morbidity and mortality of diabetic patients presenting with acute coronary symptoms in relation to presence of MA during ICU admission. Patient and Methods: This study was planned to evaluate the impact of MA on outcome of ACS in diabetics patients admitted to ICU in internal medicine department Zagazig University. The study included 80 patients with acute coronary syndrome 60 diabetics and 20 non diabetics. Patients were classified into four groups: Group (A): 20 ACS non diabetic patients with no albuminuria. Group (B): 20 ACS type 2 diabetic patients without albuminuria. Group (C): 20 ACS type 2 diabetic patients with MA. Group (D): 20 ACS type 2 diabetic patients with macroalbuminuria. Urinary albumin excretion rate was performed to all patients with ACS. They were followed up during their staying in the ICU for the occurrence of heart failure, pulmonary embolism, shock, arrithymia or death. Serum lipid profile and HbA1c were performed also for all patients. Results: Complications occurred more significantly in albuminuric patients with MA (70%) and with macroalbuminuria (65%) than non albuminuric patients (20%);(P<0.001). Complications also occurred more significantly in patients with HbA1c>7%(69.7%) than those with HbA1c<7%(30.3%);(P<0.001). Also complications occurred more significantly in patients with serum triglyceride>150 mg/dl(78.4%) than those with serum triglyceride<150 mg/dl(14%);(P<0.001) and LDL>100mg/dl(82.4) than those with LDL<100mg/dl(15.3%);(P<0.001). Conclusions: There is a significant prevalence of albuminuria in diabetic patients in comparison with non diabetic patients. Complications including life threatening disorder as arrhythmia, heart failure, shock and cardiac arrest occurred more significantly in diabetic albuminuric patients with ACS during admission to ICU. Complications occurred more significantly in patients with abnormal lipid profile especially patients with hypertriglyceridemia or LDL > 100mg/dl.

Cardiac iron overload is secondary to chronic blood transfusion in patients with sickle cell dise... more Cardiac iron overload is secondary to chronic blood transfusion in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Iron overload cardiomyopathy is a restrictive cardiomyopathy associated with systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases responsible for tissue remodeling. Many studies offer strong evidence for the role of MMP-9 in LV remodeling. We aimed to detect plasma levels of MMP-9 in patients with SCD and its correlation to myocardial iron overload. A case control study was carried out on 50 patients with SCD and 50 age and sex matched healthy controls. Assessment of cardiac iron overload in patients by MRI T2* was performed. Plasma MMP-9 levels were measured for patients and controls using ELISA. SCD patients had significantly higher levels of MMP-9 than controls. There was highly significant correlation between plasma levels of MMP-9 and serum ferritin. Patients with vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) > 5/year had sig...

Cancer Investigation, 2021

Abstract Circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are dysregulated in several diseases, especial... more Abstract Circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are dysregulated in several diseases, especially cancers, e.g. non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Of specific notice in this regard is growth arrest-specific 5 gene (lncRNA GAS5), which is principally recognised as a tumor suppressor gene in numerous cancers. Functionally, GAS5 is involved in arresting cellular growth and induction of apoptosis. We analysed plasma GAS5 expression by qRT-PCR in 100 patients with NSCLC before and after tumour resection surgery. We reported a downregulation of GAS5 expression in NSCLC tissue and plasma, which showed elevation after surgery. Downregulation of GAS5 was associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients.

Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine, 2021

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy diagnosed in children, represent... more Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy diagnosed in children, representing one-quarter of all pediatric cancers (Seibel et al., 2008). The survival of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia has increased in the last years due to the progressive intensification of multiagent chemotherapy. Osteonecrosis is one of the most common and debilitating therapy-related side effects of anti-leukemic treatment and can adversely affect

International Journal of General Medicine, 2022

Circulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) have the potential to be employed as markers for cancer detection ... more Circulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) have the potential to be employed as markers for cancer detection and as prognostic tools for disease management. As a result, our goal was to explore the effectiveness of serum miRNA-96-5p and miRNA-99a-5p as diagnostic tools in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and methods: Blood samples were collected from 55 patients with HCV-induced HCC, 55 patients with HCV-induced liver cirrhosis, and 55 healthy controls. The expression levels of miRNA-96-5p and miRNA-99a-5p were measured using quantitative RT-PCR. Results: miRNA-96-5p expression levels were increased in HCC patient sera, while miRNA-99a-5p levels were reduced. According to ROC curve analysis, using a combination of circulating miRNA-96-5p, miRNA-99a-5-, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) improves the accuracy of diagnoses for HCC, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.97, compared to AUCs of 0.82, 0.86, and 0.73, respectively, for the individual biomarkers. Furthermore, the present data suggested that higher serum miRNA-96-5p levels were linked to larger tumors and metastasis, whereas lower serum miRNA-99a-5p levels were exclusively linked to HCC metastasis. Conclusion: Using miRNA-96-5p and miRNA-99a-5p in combination with AFP increased both sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of HCC. Furthermore, serum levels were linked to tumor size and metastasis. These findings suggested that serum miRNA-96-5p and miRNA-99a-5p could be used as non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC.

Whole blood assessment of antigen specific cellular immune response by real time quantitative PCR... more Whole blood assessment of antigen specific cellular immune response by real time quantitative PCR: a versatile monitoring and discovery tool

Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy, 2021

Phagocytosis of autoantibody-sensitized coated platelets through Fc gamma receptors on phagocytic... more Phagocytosis of autoantibody-sensitized coated platelets through Fc gamma receptors on phagocytic cells is an important mechanism of thrombocytopenia in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Objective: We aimed to investigate the contribution of the FcgRIIa and FcgRIIIa genes polymorphism to the risk of ITP and their association with disease characteristics in Egyptian children. Methods: A case control study was conducted on eighty children with primary ITP and eighty age and sex healthy matched subjects as a control group. The FcgRIIa and FcgRIIIa genes polymorphism was detected using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: We found that the FcgRIIaÀ131H and À131R allele frequencies were 51.3 % and 48.7%, respectively, in children with ITP, versus 75% and 25%, respectively, in controls (p = 0.002). The compound heterozygous HR genotype was significantly higher in ITP patients (p < 0.05). The FcgRIIIa-158F and À158V allele frequencies were 46.3% and 53.7%, respectively, in children with ITP, versus 70% and 30%, respectively, in controls (p = 0.002). The compound heterozygous VF genotype was significantly higher in ITP patients (p < 0.05). The combined HR/FV genotype was 47.5% in ITP patients, versus 10% in controls (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between children with newly diagnosed ITP and those who developed chronic ITP, regarding the frequency distribution of the FcgRIIa and FcgRIIIa alleles and genotypes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: There is a possible association of the FcgRIIa and FcgRIIIa genes polymorphism with the risk for, and genetic susceptibility to ITP in Egyptian children, but large-scale studies are still needed to support our findings.

Diagnostics, 2021

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a malignant tumor of the mesothelial lining of the thorax... more Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a malignant tumor of the mesothelial lining of the thorax. It has been related to frequent exposure to asbestos. Diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma is considered a criticizing problem for clinicians. Early diagnosis and sufficient surgical excision of MPM are considered the cornerstone success factors for the management of early MPM. Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1) is an intracellular protein found to be extensively distributed in all cells, and it belongs to the GPX group. In the current study, we included ninety-eight patients with MPM that underwent surgery at the Zagazig University Hospital in Egypt. We assessed GPX1 gene expression level as it was thought to be related to pathogenicity of cancer in a variety of malignant tumors. We observed a significant elevation in GPX1-mRNA levels in MPM relative to the nearby normal pleural tissues. It was found to be of important diagnostic specificity in the differentiation of MPM from norm...

Meta Gene, 2020

Objective Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) is known to be significantly expressed in a variety o... more Objective Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) is known to be significantly expressed in a variety of cancers, and associated with different oncogenic molecular processes, such as Wnt and NF-kB nuclear factor, which influence cancer growth and metastases. In the current study, we evaluated the prognostic role of circulating and tissue AEG-1 in esophageal cancer (EC) and its possible use as a non-invasive molecular marker to predict the prognosis. Methods AEG-1 was evaluated by qRT-PCR in plasma and tumor tissues excised from 82 patients with esophageal cancer. Results AEG-1 was highly expressed in the plasma and tumor tissues. This high expression was associated with the known adverse prognostic factors in EC; also, this high expression was linked to short overall survival. Finally, we found the expression of AEG-1 in the plasma is sensitive and specific as its expression in the tumor tissues. Conclusions Our results revealed that AEG-1 can be used as a possible molecular marker to pre...

In spite of developments in breast tumors management therapeutic approaches, relapsing, metastasi... more In spite of developments in breast tumors management therapeutic approaches, relapsing, metastasis and resistant are highly observed among the patients, consequently, reduced overall survival. previously, considerable attention has been placed on the intrinsic subtyping depended in the existence or absence of traditional immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers for example estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-related protein (HER2). However, it is extensively understood that cancers are consisted of heterogeneous populations of cells with a hierarchical organization established by cancer stem cells (CSCs). In breast cancers, this CSCs displaying stem cell characteristics is identified as breast CSCs (BCSCs). This small population display a CD44+/CD24−/low phenotype with high ALDH activity (ALDH+ ), and owns advanced tolerability to chemotherapy, other cancer therapeutic approaches and has the capability of tumor bulk reproduction a...

Background Type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has severe impacts on quality of life throughout the wo... more Background Type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has severe impacts on quality of life throughout the world. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most serious microvascular complications of T2DM. Objective To explore the relationship between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and folate levels, and their related methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and reduced folate carrier-1 (RFC-1) A80G genes polymorphism in T2DM accompanied by CAD. Methods This case-control study enrolled 120 T2DM patients, 60 of them had CAD, and 60 healthy control subjects. Plasma Hcy and folate were measured by ELISA and genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP. Lipid profile was analyzed by spectrophotometer. Results Plasma Hcy was increased and folate was decreased in both diabetic groups in relation to control group. T2DM with CAD showed significant difference with T2DM group. Hcy level was positively correlated with total cholesterol and triglycerides in T2DM and with LDL in T2DM with CAD patients. MTHFR ...

Genes, 2021

Early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most important factor in deciding its prognosis... more Early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most important factor in deciding its prognosis, so the need to develop an accurate screening test is a must. P-element induced wimpy testis (PIWI) RNA-823 (piR-823) is one of the first piRNAs recognized to be linked to malignancy. We aimed to investigate the expression levels of piR-823 in both serum and tissues of colorectal cancer patients and the ability to use its serum level as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker to detect colorectal cancer. We determined piR-823 expression levels in 84 serum samples of CRC patients, 75 serum samples of healthy controls, and biological specimens obtained from the 84 patients with colorectal cancer from both the tumor tissues and the normal neighboring tissues using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. We showed that piR-823 had significantly higher serum and tissue expression levels in CRC patients compared to the controls. We observed a significant positive correlation between piR...

Mycotoxin Research, 2021

Aflatoxin (AF) contamination of food products is still a major health issue globally. Prior studi... more Aflatoxin (AF) contamination of food products is still a major health issue globally. Prior studies suggest that exposure to AFs during pregnancy has harmful fetal outcomes. This preliminary study was designed to assess serum AFB 1 levels in neonatal jaundice (NNJ) secondary to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Twenty-four full-term neonates with hemolytic jaundice secondary to G6PD deficiency were enrolled in the study. Erythrocyte G6PD status was assessed colorimetrically, and serum aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results revealed that AFB 1 was detected in 58% (14/24) of the studied newborns while detected in 75% (18/24) of their mothers. AFB 1 positive cases had a highly significantly lower birthweight and G6PD activity ( P = 0.001, each). Birthweight ( r = − 0.574, P = 0.032) and G6PD activity ( r = − 0.585, P = 0.028) negatively correlated with serum AFB 1 levels while serum alanine aminotransferase activity positively correlated with serum AFB 1 levels ( r = 0.536, P = 0.048). Maternal AFB 1 exposure is associated with adverse birth outcomes as verified by the low birthweight and the evident decline in the activity of G6PD enzyme with the resultant hemolytic NNJ.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021

Nipah virus is one of the most harmful emerging viruses with deadly effects on both humans and an... more Nipah virus is one of the most harmful emerging viruses with deadly effects on both humans and animals. Because of the severe outbreaks, in 2018, the World Health Organization focused on the urgent need for the development of effective solutions against the virus. However, up to date, there is no effective vaccine against the Nipah virus in the market. In the current study, the complete proteome of the Nipah virus (nine proteins) was analyzed for the antigenicity score and the virulence role of each protein, where we came up with fusion glycoprotein (F), glycoprotein (G), protein (V), and protein (W) as the candidates for epitope prediction. Following that, the multitope vaccine was designed based on top-ranking CTL, HTL, and BCL epitopes from the selected proteins. We used suitable linkers, adjuvant, and PADRE peptides to finalize the constructed vaccine, which was analyzed for its physicochemical features, antigenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, and solubility. The designed vaccine...

Journal of Translational Medicine, 2008

Background Monitoring of cellular immune responses is indispensable in a number of clinical resea... more Background Monitoring of cellular immune responses is indispensable in a number of clinical research areas, including microbiology, virology, oncology and autoimmunity. Purification and culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and rapid access to specialized equipment are usually required. We developed a whole blood (WB) technique monitoring antigen specific cellular immune response in vaccinated or naturally sensitized individuals. Methods WB (300 μl) was incubated at 37°C with specific antigens, in the form of peptides or commercial vaccines for 5–16 hours. Following RNAlater addition to stabilize RNA, the mixture could be stored over one week at room temperature or at 4°C. Total RNA was then extracted, reverse transcribed and amplified in quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays with primers and probes specific for cytokine and/or chemokine genes. Results Spiking experiments demonstrated that this technique could detect antigen specific cytokine gene expression from 50 cy...