Background: Angiogenesis is defined as the expansion and remodeling process affecting the vascular network and it occurs in many pathological conditions including cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the hyper-vascular cancers. Understanding the process of angiogenesis and its regulatory mechanisms are crucial in HCC treatment. Almost all approved systemic therapies used in HCC target the angiogenesis process especially the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. Studying genetic variations and other factors that affect angiogenesis could allow tailoring systemic therapy with the most benefits to patients. Aim: Investigating the association between the VEGF variant (rs699947) and the progression of HCC was the main target of this study. Methods: A total of 122 subjects were enrolled in this study (64 patients with HCC, 24 patients with cirrhosis and 34 subjects served as a control group). Genotyping of the VEGF gene (rs699947) was performed by tetra primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Results: The AA genotype and the A-allele were found to be lower in patients with HCC compared with other groups. In HCC patients, the AA genotype was associated with higher serum albumin and lower total bilirubin level. Conclusion: The variant allele (rs699947) could be considered as a predictive factor for HCC development.

Introduction: The emergence and spreading of Rifampicin-resistance strains of mycobacterium tuberculosis pose significant challenges to tuberculosis control programs in resource-limited countries like Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the proportion and factors associated with primary rifampicin resistance. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2019 among 570 new pulmonary tuberculosis patients. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants from 8 Gene-Xpert testing hospitals. Rifampicin resistance was detected by Gene-Xpert assay from sputum specimens. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews, document review, and laboratory results using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. We developed the questionnaire from different kinds of literature and the World Health Organization resources. Variables with P-value <0.2 in simple binary logistic regression were included in the multiple binary logistic regressions. A statistical test was reported as significant when p-value < 0.05 in multiple variable logistic regressions. Fitness of goodness was checked by using the Hosmer Lemeshow model fitness test. Results: A total of 570 individuals have participated in this study. Of those, 43 (7.50%) 95% CI: 5-10) were resistant to rifampicin. Persons, have a contact history with known tuberculosis Patients (AOR 2.5 [95% CI: 1.21-5.11]), with human immune virus infection (AOR 2.3 [95% CI: 1.11-4.73]) and being diabetic Mellitus cases (AOR 4.2[95% CI: 1.51-8.78]) were factors significantly associated with rifampicin resistance. Conclusions and recommendations: The proportion of rifampicin resistance was high. Identified factors significantly associated with rifampicin resistance were persons having contact history with known tuberculosis patients, human immune virus infection, and being diabetic Mellitus cases. Strengthen the prevention of rifampicin resistance tuberculosis transmission, strengthening contact tracing, improve TB/HIV coinfection health care services, and screening tuberculosis patients for diabetic Mellitus is crucial.

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, symmetrical, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primarily affects small joints, progression to large joints. About 1% of the world's population is affected by rheumatoid arthritis, women three times more frequent than men. The onset is more common between the ages of 40 and 50 years. Other than genetic, environmental factors have been associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with several autoimmune disorders especially with RA. One of the candidate gene of RA is vitamin D receptor (VDR). The role of VDR has been well-known in variety of metabolic disorders and in regulation of inflammation. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of VDR Fok1 (rs10735810) and VDR Bsm1 (rs1544410) gene polymorphisms in RA patients and controls from North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Methods: A total of 300 samples (150 RA patients and 150 controls) were included in the present study and genotyping was accomplished by using PCR – RFLP technique. Results: Data was analyzed by SPSS 19 software. Chi square ‘p’ value revealed that VDR Fok1 (rs10735810) polymorphism has association with RA and VDR Bsm1 (rs1544410) polymorphism does not shows association with RA. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study revealed that the VDR FokI (rs10735810) gene polymorphism is associated with RA and VDR Bsm1 (rs1544410) gene polymorphism does not shows association with RA.

In spite of promising outcomes, significance of colostrum probiotics in human wellbeing, just as assurance of their utilization ought to be studied as our comprehension of attributes needed for their usefulness in the gut is deficient. The goal of this study is to create awareness about the nutraceutical properties of colostrum and to examine the different source of colostrum and its dynamic ingredients just as to address colostrums nutraceutical and therapeutic ramifications. Nutraceutical, a term consolidating the words nourishment and drugs, is a food item that gives medical advantages as an adjuvant or elective treatment, remembering the therapy and anticipation of irresistible illnesses for youngsters and grown-ups. Since colostrum is a rich source of fundamental supplements, their utilization in useful food sources has considerably expanded lately. BC is wealthy in immunity, growth and antimicrobial elements, which advance tissue development and the development of stomach related tract and immune function in neonatal creatures and people. In spite of the fact that bovine milk is ordinarily thought to have insignificantly higher dietary benefit, goat milk has been portrayed as fair nutritious font with better allergenic properties.