Hemodialysis (HD) may adversely affect the immune system. It is established that intercurrent infection rate and severity may be increased in prevalent HD patients. Moreover, hepatitis C viral infection, a common infection in many HD centers, may further inhibit the immune system. To our knowledge, no previous study in the literature has attempted to investigate the possible effects of hepatitis C seropositivity on rate and severity of intercurrent infection in prevalent HD patients. The aim of this study was to assess the peripheral blood CD16-natural killer cells, CD4/CD8 ratio, as well as rate of intercurrent infection in hepatitis C seropositive prevalent HD patients as compared with hepatitis C seronegative prevalent HD patients. Twenty hepatitis C seropositive stable prevalent HD patients (group A), as well as another twenty hepatitis C seronegative stable prevalent HD patients (group B), were randomly selected from our HD unit and enrolled in the study. Both groups were similar in age, sex, body mass index, and duration of HD. Diabetics, smokers, and cases with advanced liver disease (Child classification stages B and C) were excluded from the study. A third group (group C) of 10 apparently healthy subjects (of similar age, sex, and body mass index), was also enrolled in the study. All subjects were investigated by complete blood count, routine chemistry, assessment of peripheral lymphocytes CD3,CD16, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio by flow cytometer, as well assessment of intercurrent infection frequency retrospectively (since the start of HD therapy and seroconversion in HD patients, and prospectively for a period of six months. Although we detected statistically significant higher frequency of intercurrent infection in both HD groups compared with the healthy group, we did not detect significant differences between hepatitis C seropositive and seronegative groups regarding frequency or severity of intercurrent infection. Moreover, we did not detect significant differences among the three studied groups regarding levels of CD16, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio in peripheral lymphocytes. It may be concluded that hepatitis C seropositive prevalent HD patients are not at increased risk of intercurrent infection as compared with hepatitis C seronegative prevalent HD patients, contrary to what is reported in hepatitis C seroconverted organ transplant candidates.

H. pylori infection has a nonsignificant effect on iron deficiency anemia in hemodialysis patients. We recommend that routine screening for H. pylori is not needed among dialysis patients with iron deficiency anemia.
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The increased drought and soil salinity are two effects of climate change that threaten global food security and food production. Soil salinity is a major challenge for agriculture in arid areas, creating conditions that may be unsuitable for the growth of crop plants. Here, we use recycled organic tree waste combined with low-pressure plasma treatment as grain coating to improve the ability of Egyptian wheat seeds (Misr-1 and Gemme-za-11) to survive, germinate and produce seedlings in highly saline soil. We coated the seeds with biofilms of lignin and hash carbon to form a protective extracellular polymeric matrix and then exposed them to low-pressure plasma for different periods of time. The effectiveness of the coating and plasma was evaluated by characterizing the physical and surface properties of coated seeds using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and wettability testing. We also evaluated biological and physiological properties of coated seeds and plants they produced by studying germination and seedling vigor, as well as by characterizing fitness parameters of the plants derived from the seeds. The analysis revealed the optimal plasma exposure time to enhance germination and seedling growth. Taken together, our study suggests that combining the use of recycled organic tree waste and low-pressure plasma may represent a viable strategy for improving crop performance in salty environments.

Introduction One of the greatest challenges for physicians caring for hemodialysis (HD) patients is assessing their extracellular fluid volume (ECFV), so different strategies have been investigated to aid in this evaluation. The clinical examination, biochemical markers of volume overload, Inferior vena cava ultrasound, lung ultrasound, Continuous blood volume monitoring (CBVM) and Bio impedance measurement of intra- and extracellular water (ECW). Aim Aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of fluid management guided by bio impedance spectroscopy on CV parameters and BP in high risk HD patients. Patients and Methods This is a prospective interventional one year study. Fifty (50) maintenance HD patients have been recruited from Nasr City Insurance Hospital dialysis centre, the study population divided into two groups followed over (12) months, the groups were classified as follows: Intervention group (high risk group) included (25) CV compromised HD patients. (FO pre (L)) was assessed by BIS monthly before dialysis session. Control Group (low risk group) included (25) clinically stable HD patients. Dry weight was assessed clinically in the control group. Results Statistically significant decline in pre& post-dialysis systolic BP, the rate of use of BB & ACEI drugs& the rate of IDH in the intervention group. FO pre (L), TAFO (L), IDWG (L),post-dialysis weight (Kg), but in intergroup analysis, however it became evident that pre FO (L), TAFO (L), IDWG (L) and post-dialysis weight (Kg) decrease in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group. (LVMI, LVIDD, RVDD and left atrium volume) values assessed by Echo showed a statistically significant decline in the two groups, however in intergroup analysis; it became evident that (LVMI, LVIDD and RVDD) values and left atria volume decrease in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group. Conclusion Assessment of fluid overload with bio-impedance spectroscopy is a helpful tool beside clinical examination to better recognize hidden fluid overload which leads to significant improvement in the CV status of high risk HD patients.

Background Anemia is a severe complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that is seen in more than 80% of patients with impaired renal function. Hepcidin, an acute phase reactant protein produced in the liver, is a key regulator of iron homeostasis. Aim of the Work to assess hepcidin level in 45 non-dialysis patients (CKD stage IV and V with negative virology) and its relation to iron parameters. Patients and Methods A cross sectional study was conducted at Nasser Institute for Treatment and Research on 45 patients with chronic kidney disease stage IV and V. All patients included in this study were subjected to the following: Careful history taking, full clinical examination and proper laboratory investigations. Results A statistically significant difference was found between CKD stage 4 and stage 5 according to Hb., iron, TIBC, Frerretin, serum and CRP. Also, there was a significant positive correlation of serum hepcidin with serum ferretin and hsCRP, while Hb and iron were significantly negatively correlated with hepcidin. We found statistically significant decrease in Hb level, serum Iron level, and TIBC in CKD stage 5 less than stage 4. We found statistically significant increase in Hepcidin level, serum ferritin, and hsCRP in CKD stage 5 more than stage 4. We found statistically significant Positive correlation between serum hepcidin with serum ferretin among patients with CKD stage 4 and 5. We found statistically significant Positive correlation between serum hepcidin with hsCRP among patients with CKD stage 4 and 5. We found statistically significant negative correlation between serum hepcidin with Hb among patients with CKD stage 4 and 5. A statistically significant Positive correlation between serum hepcidin with serum Iron among patients with CKD stage 4 and 5. Also we reported a statistically non-significant negative correlation between serum hepcidin and TIBC. Conclusion Elevated hepcidin can predict the need for parenteral iron to overcome hepcidin-mediated iron-restricted erythropoiesis and need for relatively higher rhEPO doses to suppress hepcidin in CKD patients with negative viral markers.