Objective: Systemic chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidine regimens is the cornerstone of management for
unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and potential
molecular mechanisms of adding vitamin D3 supplementation to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy in metastatic
CRC patients. Methods: This study evaluated the clinical effects of vitamin D3 addition to fluoropyrimidine therapy.
Serum vitamin D3 levels and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cellular myelocytomatosis
(C-Myc) were determined at baseline and after two months of therapy. Clinical endpoints such as overall response
rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Results: Patients supplemented
with vitamin D3 had a significant rise in the median vitamin D3 levels after two months (8 (6–14) to 13.5 (8–16.3)
ng/mL; Δ +5.5 (3–8); Wilcoxon p<0.001), whereas those in the control group, who did not receive supplementation,
experienced a decline in median vitamin D3 levels (11 (8–14.3) to 9 (8–16.3) ng/mL; Δ −2 (−4 to +1); Wilcoxon
p=0.01). Supplementation was also associated with greater downregulation of VEGF and C-Myc expression (p<0.05).
The overall response rate was higher in the vitamin D3 group of patients (63.3% vs. 25.8%; p<0.01), and median PFS
was significantly prolonged (9.1 vs. 6.5 months; p=0.028). Conclusion: Our study suggests that vitamin D3 enhances
fluoropyrimidine efficacy in metastatic CRC patients by modulating angiogenesis and proliferation pathways, supporting
its potential as a safe, low-cost adjunct to chemotherapy.

Introduction: Fascioliasis, a significant global zoonotic disease caused by trematode parasites of the genus Fasciola, affects various livestock species. Aim: This study aimed to identify demographic, epidemiological, clinical manifestations, pathological, and genetic characteristics in New Valley, Egypt’s human, and cattle populations.

Methods: This study is made of two parts, the first part is a cohort study of 1000 cattle slaughtered at three abattoirs in El Kharja, El Dakhilah, and El Farafra from February 2023 to January 2024. A retrospective analysis of patients visiting El Kharja hospital with clinical symptoms and confirmed with coprological and radiological examinations.

Results: The study revealed a high prevalence in cattle (23%) and humans (3.6%). Enrolled human fascioliasis was diagnosed in 58.3% and 41.7% by coprological and radiological analysis, respectively. A 66.7% of enrolled cases were females, with a median age range of 37 ± 13 years old. Treatment outcomes demonstrated a response of 25%, 50%, and 25% to single, two, and three doses of the treatment, respectively. In cattle, infection rate was 20.0% in females compared to 24.9% in males with low prevalence in animals <1 year (12.7%) and high in animals >3 years (30.4%). Autumn had the highest prevalence (28.7%), whereas summer had the lowest prevalence (18.0%). A significant difference in the prevalence of fasciolasis was observed between human and animals. Morphological and histopathological analysis elucidated acute and chronic manifestations of hepatic fascioliasis with ectopic migration to cattle lung tissue. Genetic characterization of ectopic worm confirmed Fasciola hepatica infection, with genetic similarity to human isolates from Iran.

Discussion: The study highlights the importance of one health approach in understanding and managing fascioliasis. 

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most widespread chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by impaired skin barrier, higher immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated sensitisation, and pronounced inflammatory and immune activity. In this study, mizolastine-loaded spanlastics (MZSPs) with edge activators (Brij 35, Tween 80, and Cremophor RH40) were formulated using ethanol injection method. Spanlastics were assessed for their average particle size, surface charge, encapsulation efficacy, morphology, in vitro drug release, and ex vivo skin permeation. MZSPs showed average particle size ranging from 186.2 ± 13.0 nm to 380.7 ± 25.9 nm and high MZ encapsulation efficiency percentage of (95.8 ± 0.68%–98.1 ± 0.86%). The prepared MZSPs were incorporated into 2.5% HPMC hydrogel base to facilitate its topical delivery. The in vitro release experiments showed a sustained release profile of MZ from …