Background: One of the most serious health issues worldwide is colorectal cancer (CRC). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the EGFR tyrosine kinase receptor family, is a significant regulator of various cellular pathways and is essential for both normal and malignant processes. Enhanced activity or overexpression of EGFR appears to be a substantial factor in tumorigenesis. Objective: Our study aimed to analyze the gene copy number status of EGFR in CRC and its association with clinicopathological characteristics. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted on tissue samples, fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin from forty histologically confirmed CRC patients and forty age and sex matched histologically normal colorectal tissue samples obtained from individuals without malignancy who underwent surgical resection for nonneoplastic conditions. EGFR gene copy number was evaluated via chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). Thirty tumor cell nuclei were evaluated per specimen (with additional 30 counted when required). EGFR amplification status was classified as no amplification (2 copies of the gene in each nucleus), low amplification (5–10 copies of the gene in each nucleus), or high amplification (more than 10 copies of the gene in each nucleus). Results: EGFR amplification was detected in 35% of CRC patients (22.5% with low amplification and 12.5% with high amplification), whereas no amplification was detected in the control group (0%), with a significantly increased association with the presence of CRC (OR=44.3208, P< 0.001). EGFR gene amplification status was significantly linked to advanced tumor stage and grade (P = 0.004 and P = 0.002, respectively). In contrast, no significant associations between EGFR gene amplification and other clinicopathological variables, such as age, sex, tumor location, or histological type, were revealed. Conclusion: Both tumor progression stage and tumor grade were associated with EGFR gene amplification, suggesting an association with more aggressive CRC; however, these findings do not establish a causal role in disease progression, and further studies are warranted.
Background: Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a unique polypeptide containing 133 amino acids that possesses ribonuclease 3 activity. ECP is a critical marker in the pathophysiology of asthma and serves as a cytotoxic protein secreted by activated eosinophils; hence this biomarker also indicates eosinophilic airway inflammation. It harms the airway through bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), raising mucus production, and killing epithelial cells. Objective: To determine serum Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in adults with asthma and to assess whether it can predict asthma severity (moderate vs severe), poor asthma control (controlled, partly controlled, uncontrolled), and its performance as a diagnostic marker. Methods: We studied 90 adults with asthma and 90 healthy adults. Patients were stratified by GINA severity (moderate n=56; severe n=34) and control (controlled n=31; partly controlled n=34; uncontrolled n=25). ELISA was used to measure Serum (ECP). Results: Serum Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) concentrations were significantly higher in patients with asthma (Mean = 37.81 ± 12.77 ng/mL) than in control subjects (Mean = 13.80 ± 2.70 ng/mL; P < 0.001). ECP levels were elevated in severe asthma (Mean = 41.9 ng/mL) vs moderate disease (Mean = 35.3 ng/mL; p < 0.0049). The mean serum ECP levels were significantly higher in GINA Uncontrolled than Controlled subjects (p = 0.0130). Mean ± SD values for Controlled, Partially Controlled, and Uncontrolled groups were respectively 32.8 ± 10.6, 36.6 ± 9.9, and 41.9 ± 10.1 ng/mL. Conclusions: ECP levels are significantly higher in uncontrolled asthma. ECP is a dependable biomarker for detecting uncontrolled disease and evaluating asthma severity.
Pregnancy loss is a common clinical problem and around 15% of all recognized pregnancies will end in an early pregnancy loss. Recurrent miscarriage is defined as the consecutive loss of two or more pregnancies before 24 weeks of gestation is a profoundly difficult condition impacting 1% to 2% of women, many remains idiopathic, which in turn might be indicate to a communication breakdown within the body's neuro-endocrine network. this research seeks to determine if a primary failure in these master neuropeptides ultimately drives the hormonal imbalance associated with early pregnancy loss. To explore this missing link, the main objective of this study is to assess the serum levels of two master brain signals Kisspeptin-54 and Phoenixin-14 and their association with routine endocrine parameters (Progesterone [PG] and Prolactin [PRL], Thyroid Stimulating Hormone TSH, Triiodothyronine T3 and Thyroxin T4). The 120 women sample was evaluated, collected 60 patients with recurrent miscarriage and 60 healthy pregnant as control. The comparison of these biomarkers in two different reproductive age groups (18-27 years and 28-40 years). One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis and the overall model was found to be highly statistically significant. The laboratory result for recurrent miscarriage patients had highly decreased serum levels of Kisspeptin-54, Phoenixin-14, T3, T4 and PG as compared to the healthy controls. At the same time, their PRL and TSH volume was soaring, which is the symptom of a severe case of hyperprolactinemia and thyroid distress. Phoenixin-14 was found to have a statistically significant difference between all age-groups.
Background: Obesity is a common problem around the world; it occurs as a result of eating a high amount of food, especially that rich in lipids. A High-fat diet (HFD) is considered a significant contributor to obesity development. Objective: To investigate the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on the livers of female mice by examining the histological structure changes using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, as well as detection of mast cells labelled by anti-CD117 mast cell marker. Methods: The study was conducted on 20 healthy female albino mice outbred randomly. The animals were assigned to two groups: a control group received standard feed, and an experimental group received HFD. At the end of ten weeks, all animals were anaesthetised, and liver tissues were carefully excised for histological examination. The tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to evaluate the histology of the liver tissues. To detect CD117-positive mast cells, immunohistochemical analysis was conducted. Results: The quantitative evaluation and statistical analysis were performed with the help of SPSS software. The control group showed normal liver histological structure, while the HFD group showed significant structural changes in the liver, including hepatocellular ballooning and sinusoidal dilation. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the number of CD117-positive mast cells in the HFD group (25.4 ± 10.58) was significantly greater than the number in the control group (12.9 ± 4.77) (P = 0.003). Conclusion: High-fat diet triggers severe structural changes in liver tissue and is linked with increased mast cell infiltration. The high levels of CD117-positive mast cells imply their possible role in the mediation of hepatic inflammation and damage in diet-induced liver disease.
Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins present in nature in various plant and animal sources. Lectins have been shown to play vital roles in immunological responses, identification of pathogens, and applications in medical therapies like cancer treatment and antiviral drugs. Purity of lectins is crucial for biological activity, hence the need for efficient methods of isolation. One of the most effective ways of purifying lectins is by means of affinity chromatography, because of the reversible lectin-carbohydrate binding mechanism. This review focuses on the purification of lectins using affinity chromatography, highlighting commonly used matrices, ligands, and elution strategies. The advantages of this method, such as high purity, selectivity, and preservation of biological activity, are discussed alongside its limitations, including cost and operational complexity. Recent advancements in matrix development and ligand design are also briefly addressed. Looking ahead, researchers are developing cheaper, reusable materials and automated systems to make lectin purification faster and more scalable. Affinity chromatography remains the undisputed gold standard for lectin purification, and new innovations will expand its impact in medicine and biotechnology.
