Geriatric nutritional risk index and adverse medical outcomes among Egyptian patients admitted to a geriatric hospital: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Elderly are one of the most heterogeneous and vulnerable groups who have a higher risk of nutritional problems. Malnutrition is prevalent among hospitalized elderly but underdiagnosed and almost undistinguishable from the changes in the aging process. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a tool created to predict nutrition-related complications in hospitalized patients. This study aims to measure the prevalence of nutritional risk using the GNRI among hospitalized elderly Egyptian inpatients and to determine the association between the GNRI and selected adverse clinical outcomes. METHODS: A hospital-based prospective cohort study was conducted among 334 elderly patients admitted to a tertiary specialized geriatric university hospital in Cairo, Egypt from August 2021 to June 2022. Within 48 hours after hospital admission, socio-demographic characteristics, blood biomarkers, anthropometric measurements, and nutritional risk assessment by the GNRI score were obtained. Patients were divided into three groups based on their GNRI: high, low, and no nutritional risk (GNRI<92, 92-98, and >98) respectively. Patients were followed up for the occurrence of adverse outcomes during hospital stay (bed sores, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), hospital Length of Stay (LOS), and hospital mortality) and three months after discharge (non-improvement medical status, appearance of new medical conditions, hospital readmission and 90-day mortality). Multivariable regression and survival analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of high-nutritional risk was 45.5% (95% CI, 40%-51%). Patients with high risk had significantly longer LOS than those with no risk. The high-nutritional risk was significantly associated with the development of bed sores (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 4.89; 95% CI, 1.37-17.45), HAIs (AOR: 3.18; 95% CI, 1.48-6.83), and hospital mortality (AOR: 4.41; 95% CI, 1.04-18.59). The overall survival rate was significantly lower among patients with high-nutritional risk compared to those with no risk. CONCLUSION: GNRI is a simple and easily applicable objective nutritional screening tool with high prognostic value in this Egyptian sample of patients. The findings of this study signal the initiation of the application of this tool to all geriatric hospitals in Egypt.

Comparative efficacy of intralesional 5 flurouracil and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in localized plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a papulosquamous disorder that causes significant social and psychological trauma to the patient. It is characterized by the presence of erythematous, indurated plaques covered with silvery-white scales. Despite the availability of several systemic agents that have been approved for the treatment of psoriasis, usually there are some residual lesions and there is a need to treat them for cosmetic reasons or symptomatic control. 1. Treatment of resistant localized psoriatic plaques or residuals after systemic treatment. 2. Recently, some intralesional agents have been used successfully for the treatment of psoriatic plaques as 5-FU, methotrexate, and botulinum toxin type-A, and nearly for four decades, no study focused on the effect of intralesional corticosteroids in the treatment of these psoriatic plaques. We decided to highlight their role and compare intralesional Triamcinolone to intralesional 5-FU regarding efficacy and safety in the treatment of plaque psoriasis. This study included 24 patients with localized plaque psoriasis. Each patient was treated by split-body therapy where one psoriatic plaque was treated with intralesional 5FU and another plaque with intralesional TAC. A total of three injections were given at 2-week intervals and follow up was regularly every 2 weeks up to 12 weeks. There was a statistically significant difference between both groups (p = 0.008) as the response rate on 5-FU side was 12.5% with no response, 29.2% with a moderate response, 41.7% with an excellent response, and 16.7% with a complete clearance, while on the TAC side it was16.7% with a moderate response, 20.8% with an excellent response and 62.5% with a complete clearance. Hyperpigmentation was the most irritating side effect of 5-FU that occurred. Pain, during and after injection, was greater in 5-FU group. Hypopigmentation and atrophy only occurred in TAC group in some patients but it seems to be reversible and not disfiguring. 1-Intralesional TAC injection may have more efficacy and less side effects than 5-FU injection in the treatment of localized plaque psoriasis. Hyperpigmentation and pain were the most irritating side effects of 5-FU 2-Intralesional TAC can be effective in the treatment of localized psoriatic plaques with minimal side effects, especially in patients not suitable for systemic agents.

Validation of the Mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination in Mild Cognitive Impairment in Arabic Speakers.

INTRODUCTION: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a target for early detection and intervention in dementia, yet there is a shortage of validated screening tools in Arabic to diagnose MCI. The mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (m-ACE) is a brief cognitive battery that is scored out of 30 and can be administered in under 5 min providing a quick screening tool for assessment of cognition. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to validate the m-ACE in Arabic speakers in Egypt with MCI to provide cut-off scores. METHODS: We included 24 patients with MCI and 52 controls and administered the Arabic version of the m-ACE. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) on the total m-ACE score between MCI patients (mean 18.54, SD 3.05) and controls (mean 24.54, SD 2.68). There was also a statistically significant difference between MCI patients and controls on the total score and the fluency, visuospatial, and memory recall sub-scores of the m-ACE (p < 0.05). Performance on the m-ACE significantly correlated with both the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III). Using a receiver operator characteristic curve, the optimal cut-off score for MCI on the m-ACE total score was 21 out of 30 (87.5% sensitivity, 84.6% specificity, and 85.5% accuracy). CONCLUSIONS: We validated the Arabic m-ACE in Egyptian patients with MCI and provided objective validation of it as a screening tool for MCI, with good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy that is comparable to other translated versions of the m-ACE in MCI.

Validation of the Egyptian-Arabic Version of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) in Diagnosing Dementia.

INTRODUCTION: The Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) (2012) is a brief cognitive battery that assesses five sub-domains of cognition (attention and orientation, memory, verbal fluency, language, and visuospatial abilities) which are commonly impaired in dementia. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to validate the Egyptian-Arabic ACE-III in dementia patients, and to provide cut-off scores for the ACE-III in diagnosing dementia in Egyptian-Arabic speakers. METHODS: We included 37 patients with dementia (Alzheimer's disease, n = 25, vascular dementia, n = 8, and dementia with Lewy bodies, n = 4) and 43 controls. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in the total ACE-III score between dementia patients (mean 49.81 ± 18.58) and controls (mean 84.84 ± 6.36). There was also a statistically significant difference between dementia patients and controls in all sub-score domains of the ACE-III (p < 0.001). Using a receiver operator characteristic curve, the optimal cut-off score for dementia on the ACE-III total score was 72, (89% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 92% accuracy). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide objective validation of the Egyptian-Arabic version of the ACE-III as a screening tool for dementia, with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy comparable to other translated versions of the ACE-III.

Adaptation and Validation of the Mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination in Dementia in Arabic Speakers in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: The mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (m-ACE) is a brief cognitive battery that assesses 5 subdomains of cognition (attention, memory, verbal fluency, visuospatial abilities, and memory recall). It is scored out of 30 and can be administered in under 5 min providing a quick screening tool for assessment of cognition. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to adapt the m-ACE in Arabic speakers in Egypt and to validate it in dementia patients to provide cutoff scores. METHODS: We included 37 patients with dementia (Alzheimer's disease [n = 25], vascular dementia [n = 8], and dementia with Lewy body [n = 4]) and 43 controls. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) on the total m-ACE score between dementia patients (mean 10.54 and standard deviation [SD] 5.83) and controls (mean 24.02 and SD 2.75). There was also a statistically significant difference between dementia patients and controls on all sub-score domains of the m-ACE (p < 0.05). Performance on the m-ACE significantly correlated with both the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III). Using a receiver operator characteristic curve, the optimal cutoff score for dementia on the m-ACE total score was found to be 18 (92% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 94% accuracy). CONCLUSIONS: We adapted the m-ACE in Arabic speakers in Egypt and provided objective validation of it as a screening tool for dementia, with high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.

Validation of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III in Mild Cognitive Impairment in Arabic Speakers in Egypt.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents an important point on the pathway to developing dementia and a target for early detection and intervention. There is a shortage of validated cognitive screening tools in Arabic to diagnose MCI. The aim of this study was to validate Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III) (Egyptian-Arabic version) in a sample of patients with MCI, to provide cut-off scores in Egyptian-Arabic speakers. METHODS: A total of 24 patients with MCI and 54 controls were included in the study and were administered the Egyptian-Arabic version of the ACE-III. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in the total ACE-III score between MCI patients (mean 75.83, standard deviation (SD) 8.1) and controls (mean 86.26, SD 6.74). There was also a statistically significant difference between MCI patients and controls in the memory, fluency, and visuospatial sub-scores of the ACE-III (p < 0.05) but not in attention and language sub-scores. Using a receiver operator characteristic curve, the optimal cut-off score for diagnosing MCI on the ACE-III total score was 81, with 75% sensitivity, 82% specificity, and 80% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide objective validation of the Egyptian-Arabic version of the ACE-III as a screening tool for MCI, with good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy that are comparable to other translated versions of the ACE-III in MCI.

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of trichloroacetic acid 70% after microneedling vs intradermal injection of 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo; A prospective comparative study.

Vitiligo is a skin disorder commonly acquired. Although different therapies are used, they are refractory to therapy in many cases. Trauma has been reported to cause hyperpigmentation by the pigment incontinence, which results in the build-up of melanophages in the upper dermis after basal cell layer destruction. To detect the effectiveness of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 70% in the treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo after skin microneedling by dermapen or intradermal injection of 5-fluorouracil. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective comparative study was enrolled with 32 patients with vitiligo who were assigned to two equal groups. Each containing 16 patients; group 1 was treated by microneedling followed by TCA 70%, group 2 was treated by intradermal 5-FU injection. This was done every 2 weeks for 2 months. RESULTS: According to the Physician's Global Assessment, there was no significant (P < .05) difference in the therapeutic response between the two studied groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both microneedling plus TCA 70% and 5-FU intradermal injection are a simple means of treating vitiligo with cosmetically accepted repigmentation of all age groups, as well as a relatively safe alternative or additive method that can be used before (or in combination with) any of the well-known and widely approved method for stable nonsegmented vitiligo treatment.

Genetic variants of interferon-gamma and its mRNA expression and inflammatory parameters in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Although genetics plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, vitiligo pathogenesis is still unclear. Our aim was to investigate the role of IFN-γ expression and polymorphism in vitiligo susceptibility and whether intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and TNF-ß play a role in vitiligo pathogenesis as important inflammatory parameters. Eighty-five patients with vitiligo and 90 controls were investigated for IFN-γ gene expression by quantitative real-time PCR and genotyped for IFN-γ +874T/A (rs2430561) and IFN-γ +2109A/G (rs1861494) gene polymorphisms by sequence-specific primer (SSP)-PCR and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), respectively. Serum levels of inflammatory parameters were measured using ELISA. Frequencies of the +874 TT genotype and T allele were significantly higher in patients with active vitiligo than in stable patients (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). Calculation of odds ratio suggested a 1.7-fold increased risk of vitiligo in individuals having the TA haplotype. We observed overexpression of IFN-γ mRNA with elevated serum levels of IFN-γ, ICAM-1, TNF-α, and TNF-ß in patients with vitiligo when compared with the control group (P = 0.001, for all). In addition, these levels were elevated in patients with active vitiligo compared with stable patients with vitiligo (P = 0.008, 0.006, 0.01, 0.01, and 0.03, respectively), which suggests the involvement of these cytokines in disease activity. In conclusion, IFN-γ is a promising immunological marker in vitiligo pathogenesis.

Treatment of striae distensae with needling therapy versus CO2 fractional laser.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Striae are atrophic dermal scars with overlying epidermal atrophy causing cosmetic concern. This study assesses and compares the efficacy and safety of needling therapy versus CO2 fractional laser in treatment of striae. METHODS: Twenty Egyptian female patients with striae in the abdomen and lower limbs were involved in the study. The patients were treated with needling therapy and CO2 laser every 1 month for 3 sessions. Follow-up by digital photography and skin biopsy was conducted at baseline and 6 months after treatment. Clinical improvement was assessed by comparing photographs and patient's satisfaction before and after treatment. RESULTS: Nine of 10 (90%) needle-treated patients showed improvement. Among them, 3 (30%) had good, 4 (40%) had fair, and 2 (20%) had poor improvements; however, 1 (10%) did not show any improvement after the treatment. In CO2-laser treated patients, 5 of 10 (50%) of the patients showed clinical improvement; 1 (10%) were good, 3 (30%) were fair, and 1 (10%) were poor; however, 5 (50%) did not show improvement. CONCLUSION: The results support the use of microneedle therapy over CO2 lasers for striae treatment.

Polymorphisms in the TNF-α and IL-10 gene promoters and risk of psoriasis and correlation with disease severity.

Several cytokines were assumed to play an essential role in the induction and the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of TNF-α-308 and IL-10-1082 polymorphisms and their serum levels in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and determine their relation to disease severity. 110 Psoriasis patients and 120 healthy volunteers were genotyped for TNF-α-308 and IL-10-1082 polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction. Serum level of TNF-α and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Our study demonstrated an association of IL-10-1082 polymorphism and psoriasis and between TNF α-308 polymorphism and psoriasis disease and severity. Serum TNF α increased in patients, while serum IL-10 decreased in patients with significant correlation between serum TNF-α and psoriasis severity. These results indicated that TNF-α-308 and IL-10-1082 polymorphisms imparted significant risk towards the development of psoriasis.

Response surface optimization of a single-step castor oil-based biodiesel production process using a stator-rotor hydrodynamic cavitation reactor.

In order to combat environmental pollution and the depletion of non-renewable fuels, feasible, eco-friendly, and sustainable biodiesel production from non-edible oil crops must be augmented. This study is the first to intensify biodiesel production from castor oil using a self-manufactured cylindrical stator-rotor hydrodynamic cavitation reactor. In order to model and optimize the biodiesel yield, a response surface methodology based on a 1/2 fraction-three-level face center composite design of three levels and five experimental factors was used. The predicted ideal operating parameters were found to be 52.51°C, 1164.8 rpm rotor speed, 27.43 min, 8.4:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, and 0.89% KOH concentration. That yielded 95.51% biodiesel with a 99% fatty acid methyl ester content. It recorded a relatively low energy consumption and high cavitation yield of 6.09 × 105 J and 12 × 10-3 g/J, respectively. The generated biodiesel and bio-/petro-diesel blends had good fuel qualities that were on par with global norms and commercially available Egyptian petro-diesel. The preliminary cost analysis assured the feasibility of the applied process.

Association Between Renalase Gene Polymorphism (rs2296545) and Hypertension in Egyptian Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Background Renalase gene polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of essential hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. One of these polymorphisms is a common missense (rs2296545) polymorphism, which was reported to be related to hypertension. The aim of this work was to investigate the possible relation between renalase gene polymorphism (rs2296545) and hypertension in patients with CKD patients. Subjects and methods Ninety patients were included in this case-control study: 30 normotensive CKD patients, 30 hypertensive CKD patients, and 30 apparently healthy controls. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from peripheral whole blood, and renalase gene (rs2296545) polymorphism was genotyped in all patients and controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% CIs were calculated. Results We found that the CC genotype and the C allele renalase (rs2296545) were statistically associated with the risk of CKD (OR= 9.4; 95%CI 1.2-7.2; P= 0.036) and (OR= 3.78; 95%CI 1.57-9.08; P= 0.003), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the hypertensive CKD patients and the controls regarding the CC genotypes and the C allele, (26.7% versus 3.3%, P= 0.018) and (40% versus 11.7%, P< 0.001) for the CC genotype and the C allele, respectively. The mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the normotensive CKD patients with the CC genotype compared to other genotypes (P= 0.014 and P= 0.022, respectively) and also were higher in hypertensive CKD patients with the CC genotype when compared to other genotypes (P= 0.001 for both). Conclusion This study demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the renalase gene (rs2296545) CC genotype and the C allele in CKD patients, especially hypertensive CKD.

Prevalence of Hypopigmentary Disorders in Primary School Children in Zagazig City, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic data derived from population-based studies are very important to understand human diseases and their implications. Highlighting skin problems by identifying their incidence and prevalence is vital to direct suitable medical attention toward them. AIM: The aim of the study was to detect the prevalence and most common causes of hypopigmentation in primary school children in Zagazig City. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on 185 students selected from two schools. Data were collected by filling a questionnaire, clinical examination, and Wood's light examination to detect hypopigmented skin disorders. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypopigmentation among studied population was 45.4%; the commonest cause was pityriasis alba 58.3%, followed by pityriasis versicolor 17.9%, postinflammatory hypopigmentation 10.7%, hypopigmented nevus 9.5%, and finally 3.6% vitiligo. CONCLUSION: Hypopigmented skin disorders are important and easy to diagnosis skin diseases that need medical attention.

Acceptability of "High sn-2" Infant Formula in Non-Breast Fed Healthy Term Infants Regarding Gastrointestinal Tolerability by Both Parents and Pediatrician: An Open-Label Pilot Study in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries.

Recent studies have highlighted the positive impact of high sn-2 formulas on gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance. We assessed the GI tolerance, acceptability, and safety of high sn-2 infant formula among non-breastfed healthy term infants in the Gulf countries. A multicenter observational study was conducted on 227 healthy-term infants who were prescribed high sn-2 palmitate infant formula and received a minimum of two formula feedings per day for the past two weeks prior to the study's initiation. The number of stools per day decreased significantly from a median of four (interquartile range [IQR] = 4) at baseline to 3.0 (2) stools per day at the end of follow-up (p = 0.015). The percentage of stool amount changed significantly, where 61.2% and 33.7% of the infants had an amount of 25-50% of the diaper and >50% of the diaper, respectively (p < 0.001) at the end of the follow-up. Similarly, the percentage of hard stool decreased significantly from 17.4% at baseline to 0.4% of the population at week 12 (p < 0.00). The prevalence of colic and abdominal distention declined from 21.4% and 39.9% at baseline to 2.9% and 9.4% at week 12, respectively (p < 0.05). The same decline was observed in abdominal distension and regurgitation score (p < 0.05).

Efficacy of 1064 Q switched Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of oral lichen planus.

Background: The erosive-atrophic form of oral lichen planus (OLP) is usually presented with severe pain and burning sensation that is usually refractory to traditional treatment. Topical corticosteroid is considered the first line despite their adverse effects. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are required.Aim: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of long-standing erosive-atrophic OLP.Patients and methods: Twenty-four patients diagnosed with OLP were included in this study. A total of 59 lesions was assessed as regards to the degree of pain by visual analog scale and clinical scores by Thongprasom sign scoring system before and after treatment. All patients were treated by Nd:YAG laser therapy with (1064 nm 0.5 W, 30 s, 1.2 J/cm2) three times weekly and for 1 month. Treatment efficacy index was determined after the end of therapy.Results: A significant pain reduction was detected after Nd:YAG laser treatment (p < .0001). In addition to that, complete resolution was achieved in about 37.3% of the lesions and improvement in clinical signs was found in 59.3% of the lesions. By the end of therapy, about 30.5% showed score 1 while 11.9% of them were scored 3. Also, 8.5% of the lesion was scored 2, 6.8% were scored 4 and 5.1% were scored 5. Actually, all of the participating patients showed some degree of improvement and most of them achieved moderate recovery.Conclusion: The results of this study can indicate that Nd:YAG laser is an effective modality that can be used safely in the management of erosive-atrophic OLP.

Combined long-pulsed Nd-Yag laser and itraconazole versus itraconazole alone in the treatment of onychomycosis nails.

Background: Oral antifungal therapies are effective for onychomycosis but it was complicated by systemic effects. Effective and safe therapy is needed to improve esthetic appearance of nails.Objective: The present study is an attempt to evaluate and compare the efficacy of of combined treatment of onychomycosis with 1,064-nm long-pulsed Nd-Yag laser and pulse itraconazole therapy versus pulse itraconazole alone.Methods: Thirty onychomycosis patients were divided into two groups: Groups I and II. Patients of Group I are treated by itraconazole pulse therapy. Patients of Group II received six laser sessions with long-pulsed Nd:Yag laser and itraconazole pulse therapy. The investigators rated clearance using "Onychomycosis Severity Index (OSI)", photographs, and mycology at 6 and 9 months after treatment.Results: Group I's clinical improvement response was excellent in two cases, good in six cases, moderate in five cases, and mild in two cases. Mycological improvement response was excellent in two cases, good in two cases, moderate in six cases, and mild in five cases (OSI before treatment was 13.4 ± 3.02 and after was 6.67 ± 3.6). Group II's clinical improvement response was excellent in 10, good in 3, moderate in 1, and mild in 1. Mycological improvement's response was excellent in two cases, good in two cases, moderate in six cases, and mild in five cases (OSI before treatment was 13.33 ± 3.11 and after was 5.07 ± 4.15). There were no adverse effects. The clinical response showed best results with Group II, but the mycological cure was equal in both groups.Conclusions: The use of combined long-pulsed Nd-Yag laser and itraconazole pulse therapy gives the best clinical results and patient's satisfaction.

Evaluation of Galectin3 levels in psoriatic patients treated by narrow-band UVB phototherapy.

Background: Psoriasis-specific proteins dysregulated in keratinocytes and involved in the pathophysiological process of psoriasis remains elusive.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the serum and tissue levels of Galectin3 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris before and after narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy.Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional case-control. This study included 30 patients with psoriasis Vulgaris and 20 healthy individuals. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score were used to evaluate the patients with psoriasis Vulgaris before and after treatment. All patients were treated two times per week for 3 months with NB-UVB phototherapy. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess serum levels of galectin 3 of the healthy control subjects and psoriatic patients before and after treatment by NB-UVB phototherapy.Results: The serum level of galectin 3 was significantly lower in patients with psoriasis Vulgaris versus healthy control subjects (p value < .001). There was a significant increase in the serum levels of Galectin 3 and decrease in PASI scores after 3 months of treatment with NB-UVB phototherapy in patients with psoriasis Vulgaris (p value < .001).Conclusions: This study concluded that NB-UVB phototherapy for 3 months in patients with psoriasis Vulgaris was an essential method for decreasing PASI scores and an increase in the serum levels of galectin 3.

Risk and severity of psoriasis vulgaris in relation to angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory and proliferative skin disease, characterized by the formation of itchy, erythematous skin patches or plaques. Patients with psoriasis are at an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Recently, angiotensin II (Ang II) has been reported to be associated with the development of psoriasis. Ang II not only increases the blood pressure but is also a potent proinflammatory modulator and functions through interaction with angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R). Moreover, it is hypothesized that the AT1R gene expression could be correlated with the severity of psoriasis and/or metabolic syndrome. AIM: We examined the association of Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C gene polymorphisms and metabolic syndrome with the severity of psoriasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present case-control study included 25 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 25 healthy subjects in Egypt. The psoriasis lesions in the patient group were assessed using the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score. The AT1R polymorphism A1166C (rs5186) was studied using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the gene from the whole blood sample in both groups. Serum lipid profile and blood sugar levels were assessed post 12 h and 8 h fasting, respectively, in both groups. The severity of metabolic syndrome was evaluated using the severity score. RESULTS: The results of the present study demonstrated that the AT1R A1166C gene polymorphisms increased the risk of developing psoriasis in the Egyptian population. We found that 70% of patients with AC genotype and 100% of patients CC genotype reported a PASI score >20 and were considered to be severe cases with a statistically significant difference as compared with patients with AA genotype (p=0.003). In addition, a high statistically significant difference (p=0.001) existed among AT1R genotypes with respect to the percentage of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis patients. Similarly, a statistically significant difference (p=0.004) among AT1R genotypes with respect to metabolic score was found, with the highest level of score and percentage observed in patients with CC genotype than in patients with AC genotype. The lowest level was present among those with AA genotype. CONCLUSION: Patients with psoriasis expressing the C allele of AT1R1166 are susceptible to developing metabolic syndrome and have higher PASI scores as compared with patients carrying the A allele.

Role of Inflammatory Markers in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The etiology of cognitive impairment in people with T2DM is uncertain but, chronic hyperglycemia, cerebral micro vascular disease, severe hypoglycemia, and increased prevalence of macro vascular disease are implicated. OBJECTIVES: To determine the serum levels of soluble vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in elderly type 2 diabetics with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: Our study was conducted on 90 elderly subjects (aged 60 years old or more). They were divided into Group І, 30 patients with T2DM and mild cognitive impairment, group ІІ, 30 patients with T2DM without cognitive impairment and group III, 30 healthy subjects as a control group. They were subjected to history taking, full clinical examination, anthropometric measurement, the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE---III 2012), Fasting plasma glucose, 2 hours plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, protein/creatinine ratio, serum sVCAM-1 and hs-CRP. RESULTS: Serum levels of sVCAM-1 in diabetic elderly patients with MCI were significantly higher (946.7 ± 162.01 ng/ml) than diabetic elderly patients without cognitive impairment (479.06 ± 65.27 ng/ml) and control (263.7 ± 72.05 ng/ml) with (P=0.002). Serum levels of Hs-CRP in diabetic elderly patients with MCI were significantly higher than as diabetic elderly patients without cognitive impairment and control with (P=0.005). CONCLUSION: Elderly diabetic patients with mild cognitive impairment have higher levels of soluble adhesion molecules and markers of low-grade systemic inflammation than other groups.

Consensus Opinions on Facial Beauty and Implications for Aesthetic Treatment in Middle Eastern Women.

BACKGROUND: Middle Eastern women worldwide increasingly seek aesthetic treatment to enhance their beauty and improve self-esteem, but literature describing standards of beauty across the Middle East are scarce. Knowledge of facial anthropometry and Middle Eastern subregional beauty preferences and aesthetic weaknesses are key to develop an effective facial enhancement strategy that does not jeopardize ethnic identity or facial harmony. METHODS: Dermatologists and plastic surgeons from 8 Middle Eastern countries who had 7.5-25 (mean 13.5) years of experience in aesthetic medicine examined female Middle Eastern beauty in 4 geographic subregions: the Gulf (comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), Iran, Lebanon, and Egypt. They developed consensus opinions regarding facial beauty, aesthetic deficiencies, and injectable treatment solutions. RESULTS: Facial anthropometry differs between Middle Eastern and Western women, and also within the region. Although subregional differences are seen, beauty is generally recognized by an oval or round face; temple fullness; pronounced, elevated, arched eyebrows; large almond-shaped eyes; well-defined, laterally full cheeks; a small, straight nose; full lips; a well-defined jawline; and a prominent, pointed chin. The relative prominence of the nose necessitates attention to the lips and the shape and projection of the chin. Aging is often accompanied by midface sagging that leads to increased heaviness in the lower facial third. CONCLUSIONS: Middle Eastern beauty is characterized by striking eyes, defined cheeks, and full lips. These consensus opinions inform aesthetic practitioners who treat Middle Eastern women worldwide about their aesthetic ideals and the implications for treatment.