Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has emerged as a global health challenge due to its complex pathophysiological processes. Systemic inflammation may profoundly affect disease progression, but the correlation between inflammatory markers and disease severity remains inadequately explored. This cross-sectional analysis within a prospective cohort evaluated associations of inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, hsCRP) with MASLD severity (five non-invasive scores) and metabolic indices, primarily with early-stage disease (66.7% mild fibrosis by TE). Methods: We recruited 120 patients diagnosed with MASLD. Assessment included anthropometric measurements, laboratory analyses, and non-invasive fibrosis evaluation using five validated scoring systems (APRI, FIB-4, NAFLD fibrosis score, FAST score, and transient elastography). Inflammatory markers were quantified using high-sensitivity ELISA techniques. Medication/comorbidities were recorded (statins 23.3%, diabetes drugs 26.7%), and multivariate regressions and FDR correction were applied. Results: Patients showed remarkably elevated inflammatory markers compared to reference ranges: IL-6 (15.1 ± 9.3 pg/mL), TNF-α (38.8 ± 29.1 pg/mL), and hsCRP (12.3 ± 11.1 mg/L). No correlations were found between inflammatory markers and disease severity across any non-invasive scoring system. However, TNF-α correlated significantly with waist circumference (r = 0.28, p = 0.002) and ALT (r = 0.19, p = 0.03), while showing inverse correlations with total cholesterol (r = −0.27, p = 0.03) and LDL (r = −0.22, p = 0.02). In contrast, hsCRP correlated positively with LDL (r = 0.20, p = 0.02) and WBC count (r = 0.24, p = 0.008). Conclusion: This study reveals a dissociation between systemic inflammatory markers and hepatic fibrosis severity in MASLD. Inflammatory Markers showed stronger metabolic associations than fibrosis, limiting their utility as fibrosis surrogates in early MASLD. These findings support a dual-pathway approach to MASLD management, targeting metabolic and hepatic components independently. The divergent associations of TNF-α and hsCRP with lipid profiles suggest distinct inflammatory mechanisms in MASLD.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is considered the most common cause of hepatic focal lesions in Egypt. TACE is still the recommended treatment approach for patients in the intermediate stage. In the current research, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for a selected category in the intermediate stage (BCLC stage B). Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University between September 2022, and March 2024. In addition to AFP, Pelviabdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT) were used for HCC diagnosis. According to the Child–Pugh score plus Milan and up-to-7 criteria, we used Modified Bolondi’s Subclassification (Kinki Criteria), to sub-classifies the BCLC B stage into B1/B2/B3 subcategories. Radiofrequency ablation was done in the interventional ultrasound unit. Treatment efficacy was assessed 6 months after tumor ablation. Results: One hundred twenty participants were enrolled in our research trial, 72 (60%) were within the intermediate stage, and 48 (40%) had early-stage HCC. Most of our patients were males, 78 (65%). All the early-stage-HCC patients were Child–Pugh Score A (n = 48), while the intermediate-stage (BCLC B) group was classified in both Child–Pugh Score A (n = 59) and B (n = 16). Within the intermediate group (BCLC-stage B), All enrolled cases fell within category “B1” within the Kinki Criteria. Logistic regression analysis illustrated that the pre-treatment level of Platelet count and post-treatment level of AFP shows a statistically significant prediction effect on treatment response rate with p-value (0.028 and 0.007 respectively). Conclusion: percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is considered an effective treatment option for the B1 subcategory according to Kinki Criteria for intermediate-stage HCC (BCLC-B1) but long-term follow-up is recommended.

Background: Thyroid nodules (TNs) are frequent and often benign. Accurately differentiating between benign and malignant nodules is crucial for proper management. This research aims to use ultrasonography to examine TNs and identify possible risk factors in order to improve patient outcomes and diagnostic accuracy. Methods: The study included 128 euthyroid participants who underwent thyroidectomy, splitted into two groups (benign and malignant) regarding the histopathological outcomes. Data on age, sex, family history of thyroid cancer and radiation exposure were collected. Ultrasound (US) was used to assess nodule number, size, vascularity and TIRAD scores. US Lymph node status was also evaluated. Statistical analysis compared benign and malignant nodules. Results: No significant differences were found between benign and malignant groups regarding age, sex, family history, and radiation exposure. Significant differences were observed in nodule size (p < 0.05), echogenicity (p < 0.001), and margins (p < 0.05), with larger, hyper/isoechoic, and smooth-margined nodules more common in the benign group. TIRAD scores (p < 0.001) and lymph node status (p < 0.001) also differed significantly, with benign cases showing TR3 scores and non-suspicious lymph nodes, while malignant cases had more TR4 scores and suspicious lymph nodes. Additionally, malignant nodules were significantly more hypoechoic (p < 0.001). Most benign cases were nodular colloid hyperplasia, followed by follicular adenoma and thyroiditis. Most malignant cases were Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). PTC was associated with younger age (p = 0.006), smaller nodule size (p = 0.04), and hypoechoic nodules (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Sex, age, family history of thyroid cancer, and radiation exposure history did not significantly vary between groups with benign and malignant thyroid tumors, according to the research. Higher TIRAD scores and hypoechoic nodules were more common in malignant nodules. Benign nodules had smoother margins, were bigger, and were more likely to be hyper/isoechoic.

Background: Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 maintain a fine balance of glucose homeostasis by acting as insulin agonistic and antagonistic. Objective: In this study we aim to asses insulin resistance in patients who have thyroid disorders. Methods: the current inquiry was a case-control study with 60 participants. The subjects were split into three equal groups: 20 individuals with a hypothyroidism, 20 individuals with hyperthyroidism and 20 euthyroid individuals. Gathering medical history and measure body mass index. In addition, check the thyroid gland locally. Testing for HOMA-IR, TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 .Results: There was a statistically significant moderate negative linear correlation between free T4 and HOMA-IR (r=-0.491, p=0.028) only in hypothyroid patients' group. There was a statistically significant moderate negative linear correlation between free T3 and HOMA-IR (r=-0.505, p0.05). There was a statistically significant moderate positive linear correlation between TSH and HOMA-IR (r=0.644, p0.05). Conclusion: There is a significant association between thyroid dysfunction and HOMA-IR.

Helicobacter pylori is a microaerophile Gram-negative bacillus, resistant to the activity of gastric juice. The bacteria may take the vegetative form (spiral shape) or sporulation form .Liver cirrhosis and H.Pylori infection are two common diseases in our population and reducing the incidence of complications in cirrhotic subjects is an important step in current gastroenterology practice. The aim of the present study is to determine incidence of H. Pylori infection among patients with liver cirrhosis secondary to HCV infection and study the correlation between esophageal varices degree and H. Pylori infection. This study involved 50 patients with liver cirrhosis secondary to Hepatitis C Virus infection were selected from gastroenterology and internal medicine clinics at Beni-Suef general hospital and Beni-Suef university hospital. Our results illustrate that the percent of H. pylori infection among studied patients was 68%, our results illustrate that there is statistically significant association between the grade of varices and the detection of H. pylori; p value is less than 0.001.

Background: Social determinants of health are responsible for up to 55% of health outcomes. Studies have found a relationship between social determinants and chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). The objective was to assess the social needs among patients with diabetes in Upper Egypt. Additionally, to detect the predictors of health-related social needs and the relationship between social needs and the quality of diabetic control. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at diabetic care outpatient clinics at a university hospital. Interviews were conducted to collect data on social needs using a structured questionnaire which included, socio-demographic characteristics, social needs screening toolkit, and health care quality assessment. Results: A total 236 patients were included, 69.5% were females, and 86.4% were below the age of 65 years. The prevalence of health-related social needs was 63%; 9% one need, 15% two needs, and 39% multiple needs. The prevalent health-related social needs were financial resource strain (42.8%), educational challenges (41.9%), food insecurity (33.1%), loneliness (29.2%), and transportation challenges (28.4%). Illiteracy (OR= 2.603 and CI= 1.058-6.404) and presence of health insurance (OR=0.346 and CI=0.170-0.702) show significant associations with social needs. Uncontrolled diabetes was significantly associated with financial resource strain (p=0.004), educational challenges (p=0.023), and housing instability (p=0.014). Conclusions: Social needs are prevalent among Egyptian patients with T2D. Unmet social needs in these patients can affect the disease control. The findings underscore the importance of screening for social needs and offering appropriate aids to minimize their impact on management outcomes.