No abstract

Diabetes mellitus represents a major independent risk factor for developing fatal cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) presumably through accelerating atherosclerosis; the underlying cause of most CVDs. Notably, this relative risk is reported to be higher in women than men. Endeavors directed towards identifying novel reliable predictive biomarkers are immensely thereby urged to improve the long-term outcome in these diabetic female patients. Sclerostin (SOST) is a Wnt signaling antagonist whereas irisin is a muscle-derived factor released after exercising which enhances browning of white adipose tissue. Emerging lines of evidence hint at potential crosstalk between them and CVDs. The present study aimed to assess the serum levels of SOST and irisin in Egyptian type 2 diabetic (T2DM) female patients with and without atherosclerosis and explore the possible relationship between both markers and other studied parameters among the studied cohorts. In this case-control study, 69 female subjects were enrolled; 39 type 2 diabetes patients with atherosclerosis (T2DM+ATHR), 22 type 2 diabetes patients without atherosclerosis (T2DM-ATHR) and 8 healthy controls. Their serum levels of SOST and irisin were assessed using ELISA. Significant increase in SOST levels were found in T2DM+ATHR compared to T2DM-ATHR and control (259.9 ±17.98 vs. 165.8±13.12 and 142.0±13.31 pg/mL respectively, P<0.001). Conversely, irisin levels were significantly lower in T2DM+ATHR (P<0.001) and T2DM-ATHR (P<0.01) compared to the control group (32.91±2.545 and 58.55±13.19 vs. 473.6±112.7 pg/mL). Interestingly, significant correlations between the levels of SOST and both irisin and fasting blood glucose were noticed in T2DM+ATHR group (r = 0.3754 and 0.3381 respectively, P<0.05). In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the correlation between SOST and irisin levels in atherosclerotic T2DM female patients implying their potential implication in diabetic cardiovascular pathophysiology and supporting their use as reliable diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers for monitoring and preventing CVDs progression of T2DM female patients.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging coronavirus causing respiratory disease commonly known as COVID-19. This novel coronavirus transmits from human to human and has caused profound morbidity and mortality worldwide leading to the ongoing pandemic. Moreover, disease severity differs considerably from individual to individual. Investigating the virology of COVID-19 and immunological pathways underlying its clinical manifestations will enable the identification and design of effective vaccines and potential therapies. In this review, we explore COVID-19 virology, the contribution of the immune system (innate and adaptive) during infection and control of the virus. Finally, we highlight vaccine development and implications of immune system modulation for potential therapeutic interventions to design better therapeutic strategies to guide future cure.

No abstract

The relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, severity of liver disease, frequency of infection, and degree of gastric lesions was not yet fully investigated in Egyptian patients. The present work was performed on 100 Egyptian patients with HBV from the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Institute and 70 healthy volunteers as control group. The participants were subjected to full medical history taking, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations. All patients were positive for HBV surface antigen (HBV sAg), HBV DNA, and negative for hepatitis C virus antibodies. The severity of the liver disease was assessed using Child-Pugh scoring system. Screening of all participants for Ag in stool was performed. Biopsy specimens were taken from the gastric lesions of -infected patients for histopathological examination. The mean age of the patients and control group were 34.9 and 33.4 years, respectively. The levels of the liver enzymes were statistically higher in HBV patients than the control group. Ag in stool was detected in 45.7% of the control group, and a higher percentage (60%) was detected in the patients group. Chronic gastritis with glandular atrophy and metaplasia was found in 15.6% of patients of Child-Pugh A, 70% of Child-Pugh B, and 100% of Child-Pugh C. It could be concluded that the prognosis of the liver disease significantly influences the severity of the gastric pathology in infection.

prevalent cancers worldwide. In Egypt, its incidence has been doubling due to hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in hepatocyte regeneration and had a role in malignant transformation. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) G/G genotype was associated with higher risk for HCC development. This study was done to evaluate the correlation between EGF polymorphism and HCC in patients with HCV. METHODS: Routine investigations for liver cirrhosis and HCC, also EGF genotyping were done on 2 groups; patients with HCV related cirrhosis and patients with newly diagnosed HCC on top of cirrhosis, while the control group performed EGF genotyping only. RESULTS: EGF gene polymorphism 61*G was dominant in HCC patients. The G/G owns the highest concentration when compared with A/A and A/G genotypes, with high statistical significance between studied groups as regard number and percentage (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: EGF gene polymorphism 61*G was associated with HCC risk. Moreover, the increased concentration of EGF was associated with G/G genotype.

An early tracheostomy is beneficial in reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation among patients with CSCIs, irrespective of the level of injury.

There is a knowledge gap in primary school teachers that affects their ability to detect attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study measured primary school teachers' knowledge about ADHD, and implemented a training programme to improve early detection of ADHD. The prevalence and risk factors of ADHD were also studied. The training programme was implemented through a 2-day workshop for 39 primary school teachers who completed a validated Arabic version of the ADHD Rating Scale for 873 primary school children. The children's parents completed the questionnaire to explore ADHD risk factors. The teachers' pre-training knowledge scores of ADHD ranged from 17.9 to 46.2%. Post-training, their scores improved significantly to 69.2-94.9%. Prevalence rate of ADHD was 12.60%. On logistic regression, independent predictors of ADHD were female gender, unemployed fathers and rural residence. In conclusion, ADHD is a significant health problem among primary school children in Mansoura, Egypt. Efforts should be made to improve teachers' knowledge about ADHD and control modifiable risk factors. RÉSUMÉ Il existe certaines lacunes en matière de connaissances des enseignants du primaire qui affecte leur capacité à détecter le trouble de déficit de l'attention avec hyperactivité (TDHA). La présente étude a permis de mesurer les connaissances de ces enseignants à cet égard et de mettre en place un programme de formation visant à améliorer le dépistage précoce du TDAH. La prévalence et les facteurs de risque de ce trouble ont par ailleurs été examinés. Le programme de formation a été mis en place sous la forme d'un atelier de deux jours destiné à 39 enseignants du primaire qui ont réalisé une évaluation du TDAH pour 873 élèves du primaire en utilisant une version arabe validée de l'échelle. Les parents des élèves ont rempli un questionnaire visant à déterminer les facteurs de risque du TDAH. Les scores à l'échelle d'évaluation du TDAH portant sur la connaissance des enseignants avant la formation allaient de 17,9 % à 46,2 %, et affichaient une nette amélioration après formation (69,2 % à 94,9 %). Le taux de prévalence du TDAH était de 12,60 %. La régression logistique a révélé que les variables indépendantes étaient l'appartenance au sexe féminin, le chômage du père et la résidence en milieu rural. En conclusion, le TDAH représente un problème de santé important parmi les élèves du primaire à Mansoura, en Égypte. Des efforts doivent être déployés pour améliorer les connaissances des enseignants sur le TDAH et contrôler les facteurs de risque modifiables. ‫بمرص‬ ‫املنصورة‬ ‫يف‬ ‫االبتدائية‬ ‫املدارس‬ ‫أطفال‬ ‫لدى‬‫املتوسط‬ ‫لرشق‬ ‫الصحية‬ ‫املجلة‬ ‫العرشون‬ ‫و‬ ‫الثاين‬ ‫املجلد‬ ‫الثامن‬ ‫العدد‬ 587