Eman El-Abd

Background: 3DCRT is the most common form of radiotherapy for prostate and bladder cancers, and reducing the uncertainty is becoming critical.Aim: The study aimed to assess the set-up error in the 3-DCRT.Methods: Ten prostate and ten bladder cancer patients were included. Digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) were used to import electronic portal imaging devices (EPID) from radiotherapy planning (RTP) and used for comparison with portal images (PIs) as reference images, which were reconstructed from CT images. The mean displacements between DRRs and EPID were compared (for all images in the three axes). The planning target volume (PTV) margin was calculated using, Stroom, van Herk’s formulae, and ICRU report 62. Results: Set-up error was within 9.82 for prostate and 8.36 mm for bladder cancers. The overall mean values of displacements were 7.96, 4.16, and 3.97 mm for the prostate and 6.59, 3.66, and 3.63 mm for the bladder along lateral, vertical, and longitudinal axes, respectively. For the prostate, the systematic error was 4.91, 3.32, and 3.23 mm in Medio-lateral (ML), Anterior-to-Posterior (AP), and superior-inferior (SI) directions. The random error was ML; 6.2, AP; 2.3, and SI; 2.5 mm. For bladder, the systematic error was ML; 4.1, AP; 2.55, and SI; 2.65 mm, while the random error was ML; 4.1, AP; 2.55, and SI; 2.65 mm. The best PTV margin is achieved by using van Herk’s formula in all directions for cancers. Conclusions: Set-up alignment protocols should be followed drastically for prostate and bladder cancers in Egyptian RT new centers.

Background: 3DCRT is the most common form of radiotherapy for prostate and bladder cancers, and reducing the uncertainty is becoming critical. Aim: The study aimed to assess the set-up error in the 3-DCRT. Methods: Ten prostate and ten bladder cancer patients were included. Digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) were used to import electronic portal imaging devices (EPID) from radiotherapy planning (RTP) and used for comparison with portal images (PIs) as reference images, which were reconstructed from CT images. The mean displacements between DRRs and EPID were compared (for all images in the three axes). The planning target volume (PTV) margin was calculated using, Stroom, van Herk’s formulae, and ICRU report 62. Results: Set-up error was within 9.82 for prostate and 8.36 mm for bladder cancers. The overall mean values of displacements were 7.96, 4.16, and 3.97 mm for the prostate and 6.59, 3.66, and 3.63 mm for the bladder along lateral, vertical, and longitudinal axes, respectively. For the prostate, the systematic error was 4.91, 3.32, and 3.23 mm in Medio-lateral (ML), Anterior-to-Posterior (AP), and superior-inferior (SI) directions. The random error was ML; 6.2, AP; 2.3, and SI; 2.5 mm. For bladder, the systematic error was ML; 4.1, AP; 2.55, and SI; 2.65 mm, while the random error was ML; 4.1, AP; 2.55, and SI; 2.65 mm. The best PTV margin is achieved by using van Herk’s formula in all directions for cancers. Conclusions: Set-up alignment protocols should be followed drastically for prostate and bladder cancers in Egyptian RT new centers.

Background: Ectoine is a compatible solute that acts as a natural protectant. In mice model, a single post-irradiation ectoine dose showed protective effects by modulating both inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. The current study aimed to explore the pre-irradiation effect(s) of ectoine on radiation-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods: Forty female Swiss albino mice (17.6-23.1 gm); controls (injected intraperitoneally for ten days with 0.2 ml saline), ectoine groups injected with 20 mg/kg of ectoine for ten days), irradiated groups (injected intraperitoneally for ten days with 0.2 ml saline then received six Gy whole body x-irradiation single dose), ectoine irradiated groups (injected with ectoine for ten days then irradiated). Animals were sacrificed on day seven, and 14 (five animals each). Hearts were examined for histological changes and immune-stained for Bax. Ectoine concentration in hearts was measured by HPLC. Serum cardiac troponin T, Total antioxidant capacity, and apoptosis-inducing factor were evaluated by mice ready to use ELISA kits. Results: Heart histological changes were documented in 40% of the 7- & 14-days post-irradiation. Ectoine concentrations (0.63×10^(-4) mg/mg of heart weight) were higher in ectoine groups than ectoine irradiated groups (0.011×10^(-4) mg/mg) 14-days post-treatment. Serum troponin T significantly differed between the 14 days groups (p = 0.032). Apoptosis inducible factor significantly increased in ectoine irradiated group (at 14 days) than those of control (p = 0.014), irradiated (p = 0.020), and ectoine (p = 0.033) groups. Bax showed strong to moderate immunostaining in ectoine and irradiated groups. Conclusions: Ectoine has pre-irradiation partial protective effects on heart cytotoxicity.

Walterinnesia aegyptia is one of the most venomous snakes belonging to the family Elapidae found in the Middle East and Africa. In addition to its ecological importance, it is accused of millions of deaths due to snakebites. Because molecular identification of snakes is crucial for the antivenom drug industry, mitochondrial genes are used to identify, characterize, and infer genetic diversity among different venomous snake species. Data of Walterinnesia collected from samples across Saudi Arabia were compared based on the mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA sequences with other congeners to assess the phylogenetic relationship. The phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the monophyly of the genus Walterinnesia based on two genes that represent different species of Elapidae. In addition, a close relationship between Walterinnesia aegyptia and W. morgani was found. Our molecular data showed that W. morgani from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is nearly genetically identical (D=0) with W. aegyptia from Ha`il and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Sinai, Egypt. Further study is required based on more material and detailed morphological and genetic analysis.

To compare the apoptotic efficiency of AuNPs, ionizing and non-ionizing radiotherapy, phototherapy, and AuNPs-ionizing-radiotherapy), MCF-7 cells were used as a model for luminal B subtypes of breast carcinoma. A mixture of AuNPs [66% of Au-nanospheres (AuNSs) and 34% of Au-nanorods (AuNRs)] was synthesized and characterized by optical spectroscopy, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). MCF-7 were divided into six groups (triplicates); after each treatment, cell viability was tested by MTT assay and relative gene expression levels of Bim and Noxa proapoptotic markers were assayed by qRT-PCR. A dose-dependent significant reduction in cell viability of MCF-7 was detected by all examined treatment protocols. Lower viability detected at extended exposure (48 hours) to AuNPs (≥ 1 μg/ml) was mediated by the upregulation of Noxa gene expression. AuNS and AuNR in vitro PTTs were mediated by differential expression of Bim and Noxa while AuNPs mixture had a combined effect on both Bim and Noxa. Cellular recovery was observed two days-post x-rays irradiation at does < 3 Gy. AuNPs showed dose enhancement factor (DEF) > 12 indicating a high radiosensitizing effect that was partially mediated by Noxa. In conclusion, AuNPs combined therapies exert better anti-proliferative effects via differential regulation of Noxa and Bim gene expressions.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most frequent cause of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in about 33% of diabetic patients. The present study aimed to explore the renoprotective effects of simvastatin (SV) and rosuvastatin (RSU) on the kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model. As a result of induction of diabetes, serum [cystatin C, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and 8-hydroxy-2' -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)] and tissue [interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 10 (IL-10), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytochrome c, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), GSH/GSSG ratio) markers showed significant increase than negative controls except tissue total glutathione (tGSH). Both SV and RSU significantly shifted the levels back toward near non-diabetic values. Both exerted the same renoprotective effect indicated by a significant decrease in cystatin C. However, SV significantly lowered IL-10, GSH/GSSG ratio, MDA, and 8-OHdG than RSU. Similarly, RSU significantly lowered cytochrome c and GSSG than SV. In conclusion, SV and RSU have differential renoprotective effects via alteration of growth factor, inflammatory, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptotic signaling pathways.

Cancer patients require attention after COVID-19. ACEI and/or ectoine could represent potential adjuvant therapy. Clinical trials are required to investigate this hope to mitigate COVID-19 infectivity and cell invasion.

The present study aimed to investigate the possible post-irradiation protective effects of ectoine on CNS and testes of male mice. The study included thirty male Swiss albino mice (20-22 gm). Mice were divided into five groups (six each); controls (injected intraperitoneally with 0.2ml saline), irradiated group 1 (received six Gy whole body x-irradiation single dose, injected with saline, and sacrificed after one day), irradiated group 2 (x-irradiated, injected with saline, and sacrificed after one week), ectoine group 1 (x-irradiated, injected with 200mg/kg ectoine, and sacrificed after one day), and ectoine group 2 (x-irradiated, injected daily with 200mg/kg ectoine, and sacrificed after one week). IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, PGE2, MDA, GSH, GSSG, and GSH/GSSG ratio were evaluated in CNS and testes. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, PGE2, and MDA are significantly elevated in the CNS and testes of x-irradiated groups when compared with controls. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and PGE2 significantly elevated at one week than one day while MDA significantly decreased. A significant decrease in the concentration of GSH and in the GSH/GSSG ratios coupled with an opposite effect on GSSG was noted. Ectoine treatment significantly ameliorated the biochemical effects induced by whole body x-irradiation. All the tested parameters tended to go back to near control values. It was noted that the modulating action was dependent on the accumulation of ectoine as it was more effective after repeated administration. Ectoine has post-irradiation protective effects on CNS and testes via its action on inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways.

BACKGROUND : The key regulator of tumor metabolome is the glycolytic isoenzyme M2-PK which favors the generation of nucleic acid via glutaminolysis as hypoxic adaptive mechanism in the tumor cells. AIM : The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic rol