The Intergenic Type LncRNA (LINC RNA) Faces in Cancer with In Silico Scope and a Directed Lens to LINC00511: A Step toward ncRNA Precision.

BACKGROUND: Long intergenic non-coding RNA, is one type of lncRNA, exerting various cellular activities, as does ncRNA, including the regulation of gene expression and chromatin remodeling. The abnormal expression of lincRNAs can induce or suppress carcinogenesis. MAIN BODY: LincRNAs can regulate cancer progression through different mechanisms and are considered as potential drug targets. Genetic variations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lincRNAs may affect gene expression and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) stability. SNPs in lincRNAs have been found to be associated with different types of cancer, as well. Specifically, LINC00511 has been known to promote the progression of multiple malignancies such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and others, making it a promising cancer prognostic molecular marker. CONCLUSION: LincRNAs have been proved to be associated with different cancer types through various pathways. Herein, we performed a comprehensive literature and in silico databases search listing lncRNAs, lincRNAs including LINC00511, lncRNAs' SNPs, as well as LINC00511 SNPs in different cancer types, focusing on their role in various cancer types and mechanism(s) of action.

The Effect of Myopia on Vessel Density in Glaucomatous Patients by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Background: Glaucoma is a degenerative optic neuropathy that causes anatomical and functional visual impairment. Aim and Objectives: This investigation's primary goal was to perform a qualitative and quantitative assessment of macular and peripapillary vessels to detect the impairment of blood flow in glaucomatous patients with or without myopia which can affect the prognosis of glaucoma and visual field. Subjects and Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional, observational research was performed for glaucomatous patients with and without myopia who attend the outpatient clinic at the ophthalmology department, at Benha University. The study was conducted on 50 subjects with glaucomatous eyes, divided into two groups: the first group consisted of (25 subjects) of glaucoma with myopia and the second group (25 subjects) of glaucoma with the same severity of mean deviation in the visual field of group 1 without myopia, using OCTA to measure retinal vessel density (superficial vessel density) and OCT thickness ILM-RPE, RNFL thickness, GCL and small vessel density (RADIAL PERI PAPILLARY PLEXUS). Results: Regarding demographic data of myopia in the studied eyes, there were (9) 18% with low myopia with no significance, (32) 64% with moderate myopia, and (9) 18% with high myopia, with open-angle glaucoma patients showed a highly significant decline in total retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, superior-nasal RNFL thickness, Inferior-nasal RNFL thickness, superior-temporal RNFL and inferior-temporal RNFL thickness compared to open-angle glaucoma patients without myopia. Conclusion: Our results show that microvascular attenuation occurs more significantly in OAG than in myopia. When both myopia and OAG are present, there is a higher reduction in microvascular attenuation than with either disease alone. The development and progression of glaucoma in individuals with high myopia are more aggressive than in low or non-myopia, so by using OCTA detection of early microvascular changes in high myopia, individuals help the early detection and management of glaucoma.

Serum Interleukin-36 in Pityriasis Rosea: A Potential Biomarker for Disease Severity.

Objective: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a self-limiting acute rash with unclear etiology and pathogenesis. The cytokine profile of PR is an infrequently investigated field of research. The aim of this study was to assess the level of IL-36 in sera of patients with PR and its possible interrelation with disease severity. Methods: Forty patients with PR were included in this case-control study, and 40 comparable healthy control subjects. Severity was assessed using pityriasis rosea severity score (PRSS) and serum IL-36 was assessed using ELISA. Results: Serum IL-36 was significantly higher in patients (30.36±12.35) pg/mL compared to control subjects (18.76±10.24) pg/mL (P=0.003). It correlates positively with severity as assessed by PRSS (r= 627, P= 0.003). Patients who reported a history of COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of IL-36 (32.66±11.79) pg/mL compared to those who have not (17.33±2.08) pg/mL (P= 0.000). Conclusion: Serum IL-36 could be considered a potential biomarker for pityriasis rosea that correlates with the disease severity.

Upregulation of necroptosis markers RIPK3/MLKL and their crosstalk with autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 in primary immune thrombocytopenia.

Necroptosis is a novel form of programmed necrotic cell death involved in various autoimmune diseases. The potential role of necroptosis in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and the possible interlink with autophagy have not been fully investigated. The gene expression of mixed lineage kinase-like domain (MLKL), receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and Beclin-1 were quantified in peripheral blood of 45 ITP patients and 20 healthy controls. Their associations with clinical, laboratory parameters and response to steroid therapy in ITP patients were evaluated. RIPK3, MLKL, and Beclin-1 were significantly upregulated in ITP patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Beclin-1 mRNA levels were positively correlated with both RIPK3 and MLKL mRNA levels in ITP patients (P < 0.0001). In addition, MLKL, RIPK3, and Beclin-1 mRNA levels were inversely correlated with platelet count (r = -0.330, -0.527 and -0.608, respectively). On the hand, positive correlations between MLKL (P = 0.01), RIPK3 (P = 0.005), Beclin-1 (P = 0.002) mRNA levels and severity of bleeding in ITP patients were reported. Steroid responders (n = 18, 40%) had significantly lower MLKL, RIPK3, Beclin-1 mRNA expression levels than their levels in the non-responders (n = 27, 60%). Necroptosis may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ITP and provide both novel therapeutic targets and promising biomarkers for the prediction of bleeding severity and treatment response in ITP patients. Additionally, this study highlighted the crosstalk between autophagy and necroptosis in ITP patients.

Cytotoxic T Cell Expression of Leukocyte-Associated Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor-1 (LAIR-1) in Viral Hepatitis C-Mediated Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis involves liver inflammation, therefore, despite successful treatment, hepatitis C virus (HCV) may progress to HCC from initiated liver cirrhosis. Cytotoxic T cells (Tcs) are known to be involved in HCV-related cirrhotic complications and HCC pathogenesis. The inhibitory checkpoint leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) is expressed on Tcs. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether the Tc expression level of LAIR-1 is associated with HCC progression and to evaluate LAIR-1 expression as a noninvasive biomarker for HCC progression in the context of liver cirrhosis related to HCV genotype 4 (G4) in Egyptian patients' peripheral venous blood liquid biopsy. A total of 64 patients with HCC and 37 patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled in this case-controlled study, and their LAIR-1 expression on Tc related to the progression of liver cirrhosis was examined and compared to that of the apparently healthy control group (n = 20). LAIR-1 expression was analyzed using flow cytometry. Results: The HCC group had significantly higher LAIR-1 expression on Tc and percentage of Tc positive for LAIR-1 (LAIR-1+Tc%) than the HCV G4-related liver cirrhosis group. LAIR-1+Tc% was correlated with the HCC surrogate tumor marker AFP (r = 0.367, p = 0.001) and insulin resistance and inflammation prognostic ratios/indices. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that adding LAIR-1+Tc% to AFP can distinguish HCC transformation in the Egyptian patients' cohort. Upregulated LAIR-1 expression on Tc could be a potential screening noninvasive molecular marker for chronic inflammatory HCV G4 related liver cirrhosis. Moreover, LAIR-1 expression on Tc may be one of the players involved in the progression of liver cirrhosis to HCC.

Doxorubicin-induced hepatic toxicity in rats: Mechanistic protective role of Omega-3 fatty acids through Nrf2/HO-1 activation and PI3K/Akt/GSK-3ß axis modulation.

Doxorubicin (DOX), a common antibiotic used to treat a variety of tumors, has several substantial adverse effects that limit its clinical use. As a result, finding effective protective agents to combat DOX-induced organ damage is a necessity. The current study was set to delineate the hepatoprotective role of omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3FA) against DOX-mediated acute liver damage in rats and the underlined mechanism of GSK-3ß inhibition. Five groups of rats were orally received either saline (groups 1 & 2) or ω-3FA (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day; groups 3, 4 & 5, respectively) for 28 consecutive days. Single DOX intraperitoneal injection (20 mg/kg) was used to induce hepatic toxicity in all groups except group 1 (negative control). Blood samples and liver tissues were collected 48-hr after injection. Our results revealed that pre-administration of ω-3FA (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) to DOX-induced hepatic injured rats showed a significant reduction in serum hepatic injury biomarkers (ALT, AST, total and direct bilirubin) as well as hepatic contents of MDA, GSH, Nrf2 and HO-1. Additionally, hepatic PI3K, pAkt and GSK-3ß have been restored significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, all the hepatic histopathological features have been retained upon ω-3FA treatment together with the immunostaining intensity of tumor necrosis factor-α and caspase-3. These results suggest that ω-3FA have shown a marked activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and modulation of the PI3K/pAkt/GSK-3ß axis against DOX-induced hepatotoxicity.

Anticancer Effects with Molecular Docking Confirmation of Newly Synthesized Isatin Sulfonamide Molecular Hybrid Derivatives against Hepatic Cancer Cell Lines.

The current study investigated the cytotoxic effect of ten sulfonamide-derived isatins, following molecular hybridization, based on the association principles, on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines, compared for safety using human normal retina pigmented epithelial (RPE-1) cells. The ten compounds showed variable in vitro cytotoxicity on HepG2 and Huh7 cells, using the MTT assay. Four compounds (4/10) were highly cytotoxic to both HepG2 and HuH7. However, only 3 of these 4 were of the highest safety margin on RPE-1 cells in vitro and in the in vivo acute (14-day) oral toxicity study. These later, superior three compounds' structures are 3-hydroxy-3-(2-oxo-2-(p-tolyl)ethyl)-5-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)indolin-2-one (3a), N-(4-(2-(2-oxo-5-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)indolin-3-ylidene)acetyl)phenyl)acetamide (4b), and N-(3-(2-(2-oxo-5-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)indolin-3-ylidene)acetyl)phenyl)acetamide (4c). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the tested compounds (3a, 4b, and 4c) on HepG2 cells were approximately 16.8, 44.7, and 39.7 µM, respectively. The 3a, 4b, and 4c compounds significantly decreased the angiogenic marker epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) level and that was further confirmed via molecular docking inside the EFGR active site (PDB: 1M17). The binding free energies ranged between -19.21 and -21.74 Kcal/mol compared to Erlotinib (-25.65 Kcal/mol). The most promising compounds, 3a, 4b, and 4c, showed variable anticancer potential on "hallmarks of cancer", significant cytotoxicity, and apoptotic anti-angiogenic and anti-invasive effects, manifested as suppression of Bcl-2, urokinase plasminogen activation, and heparanase expression in HepG2-treated cells' lysate, compared to non-treated HepG2 cells. In conclusion, compound "3a" is highly comparable to doxorubicin regarding cell cycle arrest at G2/M, the pre-G0 phases and early and late apoptosis induction and is comparable to Erlotinib regarding binding to EGFR active site. Therefore, the current study could suggest that compound "3a" is, hopefully, the most safe and active synthesized isatin sulfonamide derivative for HCC management.

Interleukin-17A gene single nucleotide polymorphism and its relation to fungal growth in psoriatic patients: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Although dysbiosis and the role of the microbiome in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases have been intensively investigated, fungal colonization or infection has received minimal attention. AIMS: To isolate and identify different fungal species namely Candida, Dermatophytes, Malassezia, and Aspergillus from plaque psoriasis patients, evaluate the association of IL-17A gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with psoriasis, and to reveal the relation between IL-17A gene SNPs and the fungal presence within the psoriatic plaques. PATIENTS/METHODS: Fifty plaque psoriasis patients and fifty healthy age and sex volunteers as controls were enrolled in this study. From psoriatic plaques, mycological isolation was done by direct microscopic examination (10% KOH mount), culture onto the three sets of media then species identification by phenotypic procedures. Genomic DNA extraction and genotyping for IL-17A (rs10484879) SNPs using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were also done. RESULTS: Psoriasis cases showed higher frequency of fungal growth 86% vs. 14% in controls; (p < 0.001). The frequency of IL-17A GA, AA, and total polymorphism (GA+AA) genotypes in psoriasis cases was significantly higher than in controls. There was non-significant association between different IL-17A genotypes and fungal growth except Aspergillus flavus, which decreased gradually with GG, GA, and AA (37.5%, 20.8%, and 0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis cases are significantly associated with fungal growth, which may be a contributing factor in its pathogenesis. SNPs of IL-17A (rs10484879) G/A gene led to increased susceptibility toward pathogenesis of psoriasis. Fungal growth and IL-17A GA+AA genotypes are suggested to be independent predictors of psoriasis susceptibility.

Competitive Endogenous Role of the LINC00511/miR-185-3p Axis and miR-301a-3p From Liquid Biopsy as Molecular Markers for Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of female cancer-related mortalities. Evidence has illustrated the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) and microRNAs (miRNA) as promising pool of protein non-coding regulators, for tuning the aggressiveness of several malignancies. This research aims to unravel the expression pattern and the emphases of the diagnostic value of the long intergenic ncRNA00511 (LINC00511) and its downstream microRNA (miR-185-3p) and the pathogenic significance of the onco-miR-301a-3p in naïve BC patients. LINC00511 was chosen and validated, and its molecular binding was confirmed using bioinformatics. LINC00511 was measured in 25 controls and 70 patients using qPCR. The association between the investigated ncRNA's expression and the BC patients' clinicopathological features was assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was blotted to weigh out their diagnostic efficacy over the classical tumor markers (TMs). Bioinformatics and Spearman correlation were used to predict the interaction between LINC00511, miR-185-3p, and miR-301a-3p altogether to patients' features. LINC00511 and miR-301a-3p, in BC patients' blood, were overexpressed, and their median levels increased significantly, while miR-185-3p was, in contrast, downregulated, being decreased fourfold. LINC00511 was elevated in BC early stages, when compared to late stages (p < 0.0003). LINC00511, miR-185-3p, and miR-301a-3p showed AUC superior to classical TMs, allowing us to conclude that the investigated ncRNAs, in BC patients' liquid biopsy, are novel diagnostic molecular biomarker signatures. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) and advanced tumor grade were directly correlated with LINC00511 significantly. Additionally, both LINC00511 and miR-301a-3p were positively correlated with the aggressiveness of BC, as manifested in patients with larger tumors (>2 cm) at (p < 0.001). Therefore, these findings aid our understanding of BC pathogenesis, in the clinical setting, being related in part to the LINC00511/miR axis, which could be a future potential therapeutic target.

Mixed Lineage Kinase Domain-Like Pseudokinase (MLKL) Gene Expression in Human Atherosclerosis with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL), one of the main downstream components of the necroptosis or programmed necrosis has recently been demonstrated in advanced atherosclerotic lesions. However, its precise role in the atherosclerosis pathogenesis still requires more elucidation. Our study was set to delineate both the changes in peripheral MLKL gene expression and its influence on disease severity in atherosclerotic patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: The study involved 50 patients (20 non-diabetics and 30 diabetics) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft and 20 apparently healthy controls. Taqman RT-PCR was used to quantify MLKL mRNA expression levels, while ELISA was employed to estimate serum insulin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. Results: Compared with the control group, MLKL gene was up regulated significantly in cardiovascular diseases (CVD; p ≤ 0.001). Higher MLKL expression was demonstrated in diabetic CVD group than non-diabetic group (p < 0.05). Correlation studies reported positive associations between MLKL and markers of dyslipidemia, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that FBG levels, hsCRP levels, and total white blood cells count were significant predictors for MLKL levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed a significant diagnostic value of MLKL for CVD. Moreover, regression analysis demonstrated that MLKL and hsCRP were independent predicting factors for the severity of CVD. Conclusion: MLKL is linked to hallmarks of atherosclerosis and could explain increased cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. Thus, it can be a potential drug target for treatment of atherosclerotic patients.

MicroRNAs' role in the environment-related non-communicable diseases and link to multidrug resistance, regulation, or alteration.

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) 20 years ago has advocated a new era of "small molecular genetics." About 2000 miRNAs are present that regulate one third of the genome. MiRNA dysregulated expression arising as a response to our environment insult or stress or changes may contribute to several diseases, namely non-communicable diseases, including tumor growth. Their presence in body fluids, reflecting level alteration in various cancers, merit circulating miRNAs as the "next-generation biomarkers" for early-stage tumor diagnosis and/or prognosis. Herein, we performed a comprehensive literature search focusing on the origin, biosynthesis, and role of miRNAs and summarized the foremost studies centering on miR value as non-invasive biomarkers in different environment-related non-communicable diseases, including various cancer types. Moreover, during chemotherapy, many miRNAs were linked to multidrug resistance, via modulating numerous, environment triggered or not, biological processes and/or pathways that will be highlighted as well.

Serum Zinc and Inflammatory Cytokines in Vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: The relation between zinc and the cytokines involved in vitiligo pathogenesis has not been studied well. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the serum levels of zinc in patients with vitiligo and to assess their relation to serum interleukins (IL)-4, IL-6, and IL-17. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients with active vitiligo and 100 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy volunteers as a control group. Serum zinc levels, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17 were evaluated in all participants. RESULTS: The mean serum levels of zinc was significantly reduced in patients with vitiligo, while the serum levels of IL-17, IL-4, and IL-6 were significantly elevated in the vitiligo group when compared with the controls (P<0.001). The serum zinc levels showed significant negative correlation with serum IL-6, IL-4. and IL-17 levels (P< 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the serum levels of the three studied interleukins (P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Zinc supplementation could potentially be used as a beneficial treatment for vitiligo, but the required dosage needs to be studied further.

Structural changes of hair shaft after application of chemical hair straighteners: Clinical and histopathological study.

BACKGROUND: Chemical hair straightening becomes popular for managing frizzy hair. Keratin in hair care products can penetrate the cortex of the hair fiber improving the mechanical properties of damaged fibers and promote a surface coating that prevents or decreases water diffusion through the hair fibers. This may have beneficial effects on the hair structure; however, the side effects and safety of this treatment have not yet been completely evaluated. AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of chemical hair straightening application on the hair shaft. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty female subjects older than 15 years with hair curl types III-V were included. They were subjected to full history taking and dermatologic examination of hair and scalp prior to and after application of chemical hair straightener. To detect the presence of transverse fissures, split ends, or possible side effects, the distal 3-5 cm of hair fibers were cut before and after the last step of chemical hair straightener application for light microscopy examination. Three randomly selected samples were examined by transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Chemical hair straightening led to significant decrease in the degree of hair curl and increased hair smoothness and shine. The treated hair fibers showed significant repair of the broken cuticle (P < 0.001), while no significant improvement was observed regarding transverse fissures or split ends (P 0.60 and 0.74, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although chemical hair straightening application has a beneficial effect on hair shafts, some side effects may occur after. Hence, it is necessary to develop a more safe tool.

Peripheral leucocytes and tissue gene expression of granzyme B/perforin system and serpinB9: Impact on inflammation and insulin resistance in coronary atherosclerosis.

AIM: The imbalance between proapoptotic granzyme B (GZB)/perforin (PRF) system and proteinase inhibitor-9 (PI-9; serpinB9); the only known inhibitor of human GZB, has been demonstrated in atherosclerosis. However, their role in atherosclerosis with the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) as well as their contribution to hallmarks of atherosclerosis is not clear. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: ELISA for serum insulin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and GZB levels in atherosclerotic coronary artery diseases (CAD) patients were estimated in comparison to apparently healthy controls, while GZB, PRF and PI-9 mRNA expression levels were quantified by Taqman RT-PCR in both peripheral leucocytes and atherosclerotic tissues. RESULTS: Atherosclerotic patients showed significantly higher insulin, hsCRP and GZB levels than controls. There was a significant increase in GZB mRNA expression and significant reduction in PI-9 mRNA in both patient peripheral leucocytes and atherosclerotic lesions, while PRF mRNA increased significantly only in atherosclerotic tissues. PI-9 mRNA levels were significantly lower in patients with diabetes than patients without diabetes. In contrast to positive modulating effect of GZB, regression analysis revealed negative modulating effect of PI-9 on inflammation and insulin resistance. Circulating PI-9 mRNA was inversely contributed to CAD severity. CONCLUSIONS: GZB and PI-9 could be effective modulators for inflammation and insulin resistance in atherosclerosis.

hsCRP, sICAM-1 and TAFI in hemodialysis patients: linking inflammation and hypofibrinolysis to cardiovascular events.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Growing evidence suggests that inflammation, oxidative stress and hypofibrinolysis may have a pivotal role in the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study aims to investigate the association of these processes with the incidence of CVD in hemodialysis (HD) patients and to examine the modulating effect of oral L-arginine in HD patients having CVD. METHODS: Blood malondialdehyde (MDA), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) levels were measured in 12 healthy controls and in 62 CKD patients divided into 15 renal impairment, 21 HD, and 26 HD+CVD. Of the latter, 15 patients received oral L-arginine (15 g/day, 5 g t.i.d.) for 1 month. RESULTS: MDA, hsCRP, sICAM-1 and TAFI were significantly elevated in renal impairment patients. HD and HD+CVD experienced higher levels, but only MDA and TAFI were significantly higher in HD+CVD than HD patients. Only MDA was significantly reduced by 41% after L-arginine intake. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the association of inflammation and hypofibrinolysis with hemodialysis especially in patients with CVD. We found no added therapeutic value for L-arginine at the used dose and duration to ameliorate these cascades of events.

Proliferative changes of epidermal cells in lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

In 35 parasitologically proven zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis patients, the histopathological and immunohistochemical picture were studied. The haematoxylin and eosin stain, the monoclonal antibodies for T & B lymphocytes, peroxidase anti-peroxidase for P53 protein, and Feulgen staining for DNA imaging cytometry to DNA contents and S-phase (DNA synthesis of cycling cells were evaluated. The out-come results revealed that P53 and S-phase fraction and DNA content must be in mind when dealing with a human cutaneous leishmaniasis. Consequently, the early detection of any nuclear mutation and cellular proliferation in the skin leishmaniasis lesion(s) must be taken into consideration to avoid the miserable formation of the skin cancer.

Eucalyptus globulus (camphor oil) in the treatment of human demodicidosis.

Demodex folliculorum (Follicular or Demodicid mite) is a zoonotic obligatory parasite with clinical manifestations range from normal infestation to complicated ones. Treatment of human facial demodicidosis with freshly prepared camphor oil with or without glycerol dilutions gave complete cure with concentrations of 100%, 75%. and 50%. Incomplete cure but marked drop in infestation density was achieved with diluted camphor oil at concentrations of 25-20%. Camphor oil application proved to be safe with no side effects.

Ant allergy in Benha District Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt.

Individuals from the suburb of Benha City and some adjacent villages were presented with various degrees of skin allergy. In addition, chiildren who spend the night (sleep) on the floor suffered generalized lymphadenopathy, with or without fever. The patients were successfully treated with carbolic acid (1:25). Besides, oral anti-histamine (H1) and systemic antibiotics were indicated in the complicated cases. In the concrete houses of the patients, a huge number of the large ants (mainly Catagliphus bicolar) were found moving here and there, particularly in animal house included indoors. Spreading or burning dried leaves of camphor tree proved to an effective repellent for the ants. Discussion focused on the medical importance of ants.