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Background Heart failure (HF) is associated with systemic inflammation and hypercatabolic syndrome, impacting body metabolism. The advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) is a novel inflammatory and nutritional biomarker. We aimed to investigate the prognostic role of ALI in patients with HF. Methods We comprehensively searched PubMed, WOS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and CENTRAL through October 2024. We conducted a pair-wise and prognostic systematic review and meta-analysis with a reconstructed time-to-event data meta-analysis. All analyses were performed using R V. 4.3.1. This meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42024535227). Results We included five studies with 2,795 patients. In the pair-wise meta-analysis, ALI ≤ 25 was significantly associated with an increased incidence of all-cause mortality compared with ALI > 25 (risk ratio [RR] 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36–2.21, P  < 0.01). On the adjusted prognostic meta-analysis, higher ALI was significantly associated with a reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality (hazards ratio [HR] 0.45, 95% CI 0.35–0.58-, P  < 0.01). The reconstructed Kaplan Meier showed that ALI > 25 was significantly associated with a 56% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality compared with ALI ≤ 25 (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.38–0.50, P  < 0.000001). Conclusion Among patients with HF, a low ALI was associated with a higher incidence of all-cause mortality rate than those with a high ALI. These findings suggest that ALI can be used for prognostic stratification and aid clinical decision-making in HF management.

This study addresses the urgent need for culturally sensitive cognitive assessments in Egypt by validating an adapted version of Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) to the Egyptian context. This version is to be used as a part of the Egyptian Aging Survey (AL-SEHA). We enrolled 300 participants aged 55 + from diverse backgrounds and meticulously adapted the HCAP for Egypt's linguistic and cultural context. Demonstrating strong reliability and validity (sensitivity 87.6%, specificity 89.2%, accuracy 89.7%), the Egyptian HCAP effectively identified cognitive impairment. Integrated into the AL-SEHA, this validated HCAP offers valuable insights on cognitive function decline in Egypt's aging population. Our findings not only contribute to global understanding of cognitive health but also set a precedent for future cross-cultural HCAP validations, informing policies and early diagnosis for dementia care.

There is emerging evidence suggesting that vitamin D and fibrinogen play contrasting roles in ACS pathophysiology and their combined impact, expressed as the vitamin D/fibrinogen ratio, can be a potential biomarker for ACS severity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D, fibrinogen, and their ratio with ACS types, and assess their potential as risk stratification biomarkers. This multicenter observational study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals in Afghanistan, Egypt, and Pakistan, including 300 ACS patients. Serum vitamin D and fibrinogen levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and the Clauss method, respectively. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, post-hoc Games-Howell tests, Spearman's correlation, Fisher's Z-test, and multivariable logistic regression. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001) and fibrinogen levels significantly higher (p < 0.001) in STEMI patients compared to NSTEMI and UA. The vitamin D/fibrinogen ratio showed a stronger correlation with ACS severity (Spearman's rho = -0.45, p = 0.01) than vitamin D alone (-0.41, p = 0.01), but this difference was not statistically significant (Fisher Z = 0.34, p = 0.73). Logistic regression revealed that a 1 nmol/L increase in vitamin D reduced ACS severity by 7.1% (p = 0.043), while a unit increase in the vitamin D/fibrinogen ratio reduced severity by 6.2% (p = 0.048). The contrasting effects of vitamin D and fibrinogen can prove useful biomarkers and modifiable risk factors for ACS. The superiority of the vitamin D/fibrinogen ratio over vitamin D only, however, needs further validation in larger studies.

Background Current guidelines advocate for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in adults who are at risk by using direct visualization methods such as colonoscopy. However, in Egypt, there is a paucity of data regarding the current practice of colonoscopy screening. Moreover, more information is needed about the knowledge and attitudes of potential participants regarding the procedure and possible barriers that can limit their participation. Methods We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study using an interview-based survey of patients aged 45 years or above who presented to outpatient clinics of nine university hospitals throughout Egypt. Participants were surveyed to assess their compliance with CRC colonoscopy screening guidelines, their knowledge of and attitude towards colonoscopy screening, and their perspective on potential barriers to colonoscopy screening. Results A total of 1,453 participants responded to our survey in the nine study centers. Only a minority of participants (2.3%) were referred for CRC screening. Referral rates were higher among those who knew someone with a history of CRC (5.3% vs 1.5%, p  < 0.001) or had a discussion with their physician about CRC (25.8% vs 0.7%, p  < 0.001). Few responders (3.2%) had good knowledge regarding CRC screening. After introducing the concept of CRC screening to all participants, most patients (66.7%) showed a positive attitude towards having the procedure. Financial burden and fear of results were the two most frequently cited barriers to undergoing CRC screening (81.1%; and 60.1%, respecteively). Conclusions Despite the positive attitude, there is insufficient knowledge about CRC screening among eligible participants in Egypt. This has probably contributed to low compliance with current CRC screening guidelines and needs to be addressed at the national level.

Purpose: To compare efficacy and safety for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) versus penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for macular corneal dystrophy. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) to identify eligible studies reported up to January 2024. Using STATA 17, we reported outcomes as log risk ratios (log RRs) or mean difference (SMD) and confidence intervals (CIs). A p value ≤ 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results: DALK was superior to PK in terms of BCVA (Hedge’s g: −0.32 with 95% CI [−0.64, −0.01], p = 0.05), PK was associated with a higher risk of graft rejection in comparison with DALK (log RR: 1.21 with 95% CI [0.25, 2.18], p = 0.01), and there was no difference between PK and DALK in terms of risk of glaucoma, cataract (log RR: −0.02 with 95% CI [−1.00, 0.95], p = 0.96), and (log RR: 0.09 with 95% CI [−0.53, 0.71], p = 0.78). The pooled data were homogeneous ( I 2 = 0%; p = 0.84), respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that PK, compared to DALK, is associated with worse visual outcomes, with a lower risk of recurrence and a higher risk of graft rejection in macular corneal dystrophy patients.

Background The rare nature of dystrophic and non-dystrophic myotonia has limited the available evidence on the efficacy of mexiletine as a potential treatment. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mexiletine for both dystrophic and non-dystrophic myotonic patients. Methods The search was conducted on various electronic databases up to March 2023, for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing mexiletine versus placebo in myotonic patients. A risk of bias assessment was carried out, and relevant data was extracted manually into an online sheet. RevMan software (version 5.4) was employed for analysis. Results A total of five studies, comprising 186 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. Our findings showed that mexiletine was significantly more effective than placebo in improving stiffness score (SMD =  − 1.19, 95% CI [− 1.53, − 0.85]), as well as in reducing hand grip myotonia (MD =  − 1.36 s, 95% CI [− 1.83, − 0.89]). Mexiletine also significantly improved SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Score in patients with non-dystrophic myotonia only. Regarding safety, mexiletine did not significantly alter ECG parameters but was associated with greater gastrointestinal symptoms (GIT) compared to placebo (RR 3.7, 95% CI [1.79, 7.64]). Other adverse events showed no significant differences. Conclusion The results support that mexiletine is effective and safe in myotonic patients; however, it is associated with a higher risk of GIT symptoms. Due to the scarcity of published RCTs and the prevalence of GIT symptoms, we recommend further well-designed RCTs testing various drug combinations to reduce GIT symptoms.