Negative effect of leptin on bone mass in type 1 diabetes

Studies investigating the effect of leptin on bone mass were inconsistent and some related it to the effect of insulin. We intend in this cross-sectional study to investigate the effect of leptin on bone mass in type 1 diabetic patients. We recruited 42 patients with type 1 diabetes for which we determined weight, height, HbA1c, microalbuminuria, serum leptin, bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD), and body composition. The patients had an average age of 20.1 ± 0.6 years, an average body mass index (BMI) of 23.6 ± 0.5 kg/cm² and an average duration of diabetes of 9.1 ± 1.0 years. The Z-score was not correlated with HbA1c or duration of the disease, and the average Z-score was not different in patients with microalbuminuria as compared to patients with no reported microalbuminuria. On the other hand, Z-score and BMC correlated negatively with leptin (r = −0.31; p = 0.04 and −0.60, p < 0.01, respectively). These correlations persisted after adjustment for fat mass. We conclude that not metabolic control of diabetes, but serum leptin has a negative effect on bone density in young patients with type 1 diabetes. This negative effect of leptin on bone density maybe, in part, due to deficiency of endogenous insulin secretion in these patients.     

Clinical trial: dextofisopam in the treatment of patients with diarrhoea-predominant or alternating irritable bowel syndrome

Background  Dextofisopam modulates stimulated activity in animal models of stress, altered bowel motility, and visceral hypersensitivity.
Aim  To evaluate the effects of dextofisopam in men and women with diarrhoea-predominant or alternating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (d-IBS or a-IBS).
Methods  In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients were randomly assigned to receive dextofisopam 200 mg b.d. or placebo for 12 weeks. The prospectively defined primary endpoint was number of months of adequate overall relief of IBS symptoms. Bowel function was assessed primarily via stool frequency and consistency.
Results  Of 140 enrolled patients, 66 received dextofisopam and 74 placebo; 73% of the patients were women, and 78% had d-IBS. Dextofisopam was superior to placebo on the primary endpoint ( P  = 0.033). In d-IBS patients treated with dextofisopam, both men and women had improved stool consistency, but stool frequency was reduced only in women. Benefit diminished over time on the primary endpoint, but persisted on frequency and consistency. Dextofisopam and placebo had similar rates and types of adverse events, with more events of worsening abdominal pain with dextofisopam (12% vs. 4%) and more headaches with placebo (12% vs. 5%). Constipation was rare.
Conclusion  Dextofisopam should be further evaluated as a new treatment for men and women with d-IBS and a-IBS.     

Hybrid renewable energy/hybrid desalination potentials for remote areas: selected cases studied in Egypt

For many socio-economic and demographic issues, majority of the Egyptian population live near the Nile River for thousands of years. Shortage of freshwater resources at remote and rural areas is limiting population settlement and development. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternative solutions including saline water desalination processes to assist obtaining fresh water for domestic and industrial purposes in these remote areas. The energy needed for the desalination process represents another challenge due to the available fossil fuel limitation, increasing prices and their negative impacts on the environment. These challenges may be tackled by applying hybrid renewable energy (RE) resources such as solar and wind energies as the driving power for the desalination technologies. Many studies are conducted in Egypt, Middle East region and worldwide investigating the possibilities of different desalination systems driven by RE. This article presents a recent review of the global desalination processes with a focus on membrane desalination systems such as reverse osmosis (RO), membrane distillation (MD), hybrid desalination technologies and processes as well as advanced plasmonic nanomaterials for water distillation derived by RE suitable for remote and isolated areas. Some recent activities for coupling desalination systems with hybrid RE carried-out by the co-authors will be highlighted.

For many socio-economic and demographic issues, majority of the Egyptian population live near the Nile River for thousands of years.     

Complicated IVC anomalies: Are they more common than we thought? An experience of 100 MDCT venography examinations

Objective

The aim of this study was to monitor the incidence of complicated inferior vena cava (IVC) anomalies and evaluate the role of Multidetector Computed Tomographic Venography (MDCTV) in diagnosis and assessment of associated venous collaterals, lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or varicose veins (VV).

Omental deposits surveillance in gynecological malignancies at first setting follow up: 18F-FDG PET/CT compared to CT

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan and CT scan in follow up of proven gynecological malignancies omental deposits in first setting follow up after treatment.

Follow up CT angiography post EVAR: Endoleaks detection,classification and management planning

Objective

The goal of this study was to highlight the role of follow up CT angiography examination in detection and classification of endoleaks and therefore deciding management plans after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR).