Diagnosis of breast cancer by using sensitive and specific biomarkers is necessary. Cell- free DNA (cf-DNA) is a candidate biomarker in various cancers. Contrasting, shorted uniformed DNA released from apoptotic non-diseased cells, DNA released from malignant cells varies in size. DNA integrity is a ratio between 247 and 115 bp. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic values of cf-DNA using ALU -247 and ALU- 115 and DNA integrity in peripheral blood of breast cancer patients as a noninvasive marker. Also, to determine correlations between ALU-247 and ALU-115, DNA integrity, cancer antigen (CA )15-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with each other in breast cancer patients and in different stages of breast cancer. This study included 100 females, divided into 3 groups. The first group consisted of 20 apparently healthy females as the control group. The second group included 20 patients with benign breast lesions. The third group included 60 patients with breast cancer. Serum levels of both ALU-247 and ALU-115 as well as cf-DNA integrity were statistically significant higher in breast cancer patients as compared to the control group (p=0.018, p<0.001 and p=0.009 respectively). Compared to the control group, ALU-247 had the best diagnostic sensitivity for diagnosis of breast cancer (86.78%) with 75% specificity with area under the curve of 0.848. We concluded that measuring ALU-247, ALU-115 and DNA integrity in peripheral blood would be a promising novel approach for diagnosis and early detection of breast cancer.

Background. COVID-19 is an illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2). Laboratory healthcare workers (LHCWs) are at highest risk for COVID-19 infection due to direct exposure to
COVID-19 patients and/or infected samples. Objectives. Our primary objective in this study was to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 Ab
testing as a screening tool for detecting COVID-19 infection among asymptomatic LHCWs. Our secondary aims were to establish
the relationship between exposure to COVID-19 infection and subsequent asymptomatic disease and working in di”erent areas of
the laboratory. Method. e detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was done by di”erent methods (rapid testing, electrochemiluminescence,
and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay). e study included 199 asymptomatic LHCWs at
Assiut University Hospital, Egypt, from di”erent laboratory areas including molecular biology, microbiology, parasitology, and
outpatient clinic laboratories in addition to LHCWs involved in automation, phlebotomy, rotating physicians, and those working
in the sample receiving area. Results. e incidence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by rapid testing and immunoassay among
asymptomatic LHCWs was 29.6% and 24.4%. Laboratory phlebotomists (55.6%) were most likely to be exposed to positive
patients and samples, followed by those working in the sample receiving area (32%), LHCWs in the automation area (29.6%),
rotating doctors (28.6%), and LHCWs in the diagnostic molecular biology laboratory (15.4%). e sensitivities of the rapid test
and SARS-CoV-2 total antibody were 94.1% and 92%, whereas the speciœcities were 92.6% and 91%. Conclusion. Rapid serological
testing is an e”ective screening method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection among asymptomatic LHCWs and the
identiœcation of the groups of workers who have a signiœcantly higher seroprevalence than the rest of the laboratory population.

Introduction: Head injuries represent a major threat to public health and are significant risk factors for disability and death across all age groups worldwide. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the medico legal aspect of traumatic head injuries and to identify factors affecting the outcome and mortality rates following these injuries. Methods: This was cross-sectional study of 2917 cases with head injuries attended to the Emergency and Neurosurgery Departments at Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut, Egypt, over a period of one year between September 2021 to August 2022. Demographic data and injury characteristics were gathered. The severity of head injury was assessed by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Results: A total of 2917 individuals with head injuries met the inclusion criteria. Nearly one third (34.2%) were in age <10 years and (27.9%) were between (25 to <50) years old. More than three quarters (79.7%) of cases were males. Fall from height was the most common mode of injuries (23.3%) followed by motor car accidents (21.2%). Accidental manner of exposure was the most common (94.2%). Nearly one third (32.7%) of head injuries were found at multiple sites of skull vault. Concomitant abdominal injuries were found in (87.4%) of cases. Vomiting was the most frequent clinical presentation (53.6%) among study cases. Mixed types of intracranial hemorrhage (18.7%) were the most frequent Computed Tomography (CT) scan findings. Three quarters (75%) of the study patients had complete recovery while 9% of them died. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most leading cause of death (37.5%). Conclusion: Adult males were most frequently exposed to head trauma, and falls from height were responsible for the majority. Most of the patients sustained mild head injuries. Death rate was significantly high in old age, in those with GCS score ≤13 and in those with associated cardiothoracic and urogenital injuries