1. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, and despite advancements in therapy, the prognosis remains challenging [1].In Egypt, HCC ranks as the fourth most prevalen...

Background: Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is a life-threatening event that mostly occurs in the first month after liver transplantation. Genetic polymorphisms in the nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor-alpha (NFKBIA) and protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor (PTPN22) genes are linked to organ rejection. Our study aimed to assess whether NFKBIA (rs696;126 G/A) and PTPN22 (rs2476601;1858G/A) gene polymorphisms are associated with ACR in liver transplant (LT) Egyptian recipients. Methods: Our study was observational prospective cohort study. The study was conducted on LT Egyptian recipients on immunosuppression to investigate the influence of NFKBIA (rs696;126 G/A) and PTPN22 (rs2476601;1858G/A) gene polymorphism on the incidence of ACR after liver transplantation. Results: Our study enrolled ninety-eight patients. Twenty-nine patients experienced ACR, while 69 patients showed no ACR. The homozygous allele (GG) of the PTPN22 (rs2476601;1858G/A) gene had lower rejection episodes when compared with heterozygous genotypes. Higher trough levels of tacrolimus and cyclosporin have shown a lower risk of ACR ( p = 0.044 and p = 0.008), respectively. Conclusion: Trough levels of immunosuppressant are not the only predictor for ACR but also genetic polymorphism plays a role. Graphical

Background and aim of the work: Current therapeutic attempts for management of Parkinson’s disease primarily focus on providing symptomatic relief. The current study investigated the potential effects of levodopa/carbidopa administration in the chronic rotenone-induced parkinsonian rat model. Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were accustomed to laboratory conditions for one week prior to study initiation. The animals were assigned into either the vehicle, rotenone, or treatment group via random allocation. The vehicle group received subcutaneous sunflower oil (rotenone vehicle) and oral distilled water (L-dopa/carbidopa vehicle). The rotenone group received subcutaneous rotenone (1.5 mg/kg) and oral distilled water. The treatment group was given subcutaneous rotenone (1.5mg/kg) and oral 100mg/kg levodopa + 10mg/kg carbidopa. The study regimen was conducted over 30 days. Subcutaneous injections were administered every other day until day 21. Starting from day 10, oral therapy was given daily until day 30. The extent of rodent locomotor activity was assessed using open field (square crossings, grooming, and rearing behavior). Rodents were subsequently euthanized and dissected for determination of dopamine concentrations in striatal tissue homogenates. Results: Rodents in the rotenone group showed significant dyskinesia with markedly reduced crossings, grooming, and rearing, whereas treatment with L-dopa/carbidopa markedly improved their motor function. Additionally, L-dopa/carbidopa treatment significantly elevated striatal dopamine content compared to the rotenone group but did not approximate dopamine levels for the vehicle control rats. Conclusion: The study findings indicate the potential benefits of L-dopa/carbidopa administration in amelioration of motor dysfunction and improvement of striatal dopamine content in the chronic rotenone model.