Organochlorine pesticide residues in raw and grilled freshwater fish (Oreochromis niloticus) collected from various locations along the Nile basin in Egypt.

The current study aimed to assess meat quality of samples of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus), along with examining organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in these samples and their potential risks to humans. About 55 samples were collected from eleven sites on the Nile River in Egypt: Damietta, El-Behera, El-Dakahlia, Kafrelsheikh, El-Gharbia, El-Menoufia, Cairo, El-Giza, El-Fayoum, El-Menia, and Aswan Governorates. Fish samples were analyzed fresh and grilled for meat quality characteristics and the presence of OCP residues using the QuEChERS method for extraction and cleanup accompanied by detection using GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) system. Then, risk hazards of OCP residues were calculated. Results showed that all quality criteria of raw and cooked meat samples were within the permissible levels set by the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOS). The detected residues of OCPs in fresh samples were hexachlorocyclohexanes (α-HCH, ß-HCH, and δ-HCH), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin aldehyde, endosulfan, and p,p'-DDE. Endrin aldehyde was detected in all tested sites, while heptachlor epoxide was found in eight (73%) out of the 11 tested locations. After grilling, aldrin, heptachlor epoxide, endosulfan, and endrin aldehyde compounds were found in fish meat. Cooking fish samples reduced the OCP residue amounts by at least 95% of detected amounts in fresh meat.

Soil Contamination with Europium Induces Reduced Oxidative Damage in Hordeum vulgare Grown in a CO2-Enriched Environment.

The extensive and uncontrolled utilization of rare earth elements, like europium (Eu), could lead to their accumulation in soils and biota. Herein, we investigated the impact of Eu on the growth, photosynthesis, and redox homeostasis in barley and how that could be affected by the future CO2 climate (eCO2). The plants were exposed to 1.09 mmol Eu3+/kg soil under either ambient CO2 (420 ppm, aCO2) or eCO2 (620 ppm). The soil application of Eu induced its accumulation in the plant shoots and caused significant reductions in biomass- and photosynthesis-related parameters, i.e., chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency of PSII, Rubisco activity, and photosynthesis rate. Further, Eu induced oxidative stress as indicated by higher levels of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation products, and lower ASC/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios. Interestingly, the co-application of eCO2 significantly reduced the accumulation of Eu in plant tissues. Elevated CO2 reduced the Eu-induced oxidative damage by supporting the antioxidant defense mechanisms, i.e., ROS-scavenging molecules (carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols), enzymes (CAT and peroxidases), and ASC-GSH recycling enzymes (MDHAR and GR). Further, eCO2 improved the metal detoxification capacity by upregulating GST activity. Overall, these results provide the first comprehensive report for Eu-induced oxidative phytotoxicity and how this could be mitigated by eCO2.

Assessment of hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammation among inactive HBsAg carriers in Egypt.

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION. The inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier state is usually characterized by minimal or absent liver pathology. However, in developing countries, owing to the very early age of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), this state is reached after a very prolonged immune tolerant and immune reactive phase, during which considerable liver damage may have occurred. The extent of liver damage in inactive HBsAg carriers has not been thoroughly assessed in developing countries. We thus sought to characterize liver pathology among Egyptian inactive HBsAg carriers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Liver biopsy was conducted on 30 inactive HBsAg carriers [positive for HBsAg; negative for HBeAg; positive for antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe); HBV-DNA levels < 2,000 IU/mL; persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)]. Liver histopathology was assessed according to the Ishak scoring system. RESULTS: Among the studied carriers, 6.7% had no hepatic fibrosis, 73.3% had stage 1 fibrosis, and 20% had stage 2 fibrosis. The majority (80%) of carriers had minimal hepatic necroinflammation (grades 2-4), while 20% had mild hepatic necroinflammation (grade 5). All patients with stage 2 fibrosis were males, while no gender predilection was observed for necroinflammation. Age, ALT and HBV-DNA levels did not differ significantly according to fibrosis or necroinflammatory scores. CONCLUSION: Our study findings do not support the presence of significant hepatic fibrosis or necroinflammation among Egyptian inactive HBsAg carriers. However, follow-up studies on these carriers may be required to monitor any further pathological progress of the disease.

Association between circulating MicroRNAs (hsa-miR-92a-1* and hsa-miR-454) and multiple sclerosis phenotypes and activity status.

Efficient diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease along with early prediction of its progression will ultimately lead to better management, control of complications and improvement of therapeutic outcomes and patient's well-being. Blood based biomarkers like circulating microRNAs represent a non- invasive, fast, and easily measured markers with a promising potential. This work intended to assess the relative expression of circulating hsa-miR-454 and hsa-miR-92a-1* as a diagnostic and prognostic tool among Egyptian MS patients in terms of correlation to disease type and severity. hsa-miR-454 and hsa-miR-92a-1* relative expression was measured in the plasma of 31 MS patients, relapsing remitting MS (RRMS, n=21) and progressive MS (PMS, n=10) and 20 age and sex matched normal controls by using reverse transcription followed by real time PCR. Disease severity assessment was done in the form of patient expanded disability status scale (EDSS) evaluation. Relative expression of hsa-miR-454 and hsa-miR-92a-1* did not show a statistically significant difference between MS cases and controls. However, hsa-miR-454 was significantly higher among RRMS patients in comparison to PMS patients (P = 0.04). Additionally, both markers showed a statistically significant upregulation among patients in disease exacerbation in comparison to patients in remission (P = < 0.01) and both showed a negative correlation with EDSS. In conclusion, microRNAs may represent potential valuable non-invasive biomarkers for assessment of MS type (RRMS vs PMS), as well as for prediction of disease activity and severity in MS patients.

A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tool for purchasing off-patent oncology medicines in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Multi- criteria decision analysis (MCDA) can assist policymakers in objectively choosing between alternative therapeutic options based on multiple value attributes. Our aim was to create an MCDA tool for the national tenders of off-patent oncology medicines in Egypt. METHODS: An initial list of criteria was developed through a literature review complemented by local expert interviews. Price or cost-related criteria were excluded to abide by the national regulations of the tender process. Next, a workshop hosting diversified stakeholders representing different governmental bodies was held. Anonymous voting was used to rank and weigh the criteria as well as assigning scores. Price was added as a separate step to identify best option based on price per point. The tool was then tested on a national tender sample of off-patent oncology medicines to assess its performance, and it was readjusted accordingly in a second workshop. RESULTS: Seven non-price criteria were selected, including use in reference countries (23.49% weight), equivalence with the reference product (18.79%), manufacturing quality (15.53%), provision of pharmacovigilance services (12.94%), supply reliability (10.78%), previous use in local settings (9.8%) and macroeconomic benefit (8.67%). A medicine receives a score ranging from 0 to 100% of each criterion's weight. The aggregated score is calculated on a hundred-point scale. Based on participants' consensus, an overall score of 65 was set as a cut-off for passing the technical eligibility phase of the tendering process. Any product receiving a lower score would be disqualified from the tender. For qualified products, the lower price per point represents preferential option for the national tender. CONCLUSIONS: The created MCDA tool is capable of objectively comparing similar off-patent oncology medicines by considering multiple value attributes and providing reliable scoring functions for each.

Electrocortical and Biochemical Evaluation of Antidepressant Efficacy of Formulated Nanocurcumin.

The present study aims to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of curcumin nanoparticles on rat model of depression induced by reserpine. Rats were divided into control, the rat model of depression induced by daily i.p. injection of reserpine (0.2 mg/kg for 21 days), and the rat model of depression treated daily with the formulated CNPs (20 mg/kg for 7 and 15 days). The behavioral evaluation was assessed for all groups of animals by the forced swim test (FST). Monoamine neurotransmitters were measured in the cortex and hippocampus via fluorescence spectroscopy. The electrophysiological evaluation was carried out by recording and analyzing the electrocorticogram (ECoG) in a group of animals that served as self-control. The chronic administration of reserpine resulted in a significant decrease in the duration of the active phase in the FST; a significant decrease in the cortical and hippocampal levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine; a significant increase in spectral power of alpha and delta waves; and a significant decrease in spectral power of theta, beta-1, and beta-2 waves with respect to control values. Administration of CNPs for 7 days has improved the performance of animals in FST indicated by the increase in the duration of the active phase. Additionally, the levels of serotonin and dopamine have been restored; however, the level of norepinephrine has been not completely recovered in both cortex and hippocampus. A significant increase in alpha and beta-2 waves, an increase in theta and beta-1, and a decrease in delta waves have been recorded after 7 days of treatment. Extending treatment with CNPs for 15 days has succeeded in restoring the active phase in FST and monoamine level in the cortex and hippocampus to control like values. In addition, ECoG waves have returned to near control like values. It could be concluded that the formulated nanocurcumin has an effective and potent antidepressant activity that was evidenced by electrical, chemical, and behavioral tests.

Vitamin D Increases Percentages of Interleukin-10 Secreting Regulatory T Cells in Children with Cow's Milk Allergy.

Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is known to be either IgE- or non-IgE mediated. Regulatory T (Treg) cell defect is involved in the pathogenesis of both types. Vitamin D has been suggested to improve the generation of allergen-specific Treg cell populations with the potential to provide safe and long-term alleviation of disease symptoms. This study aimed to assess Vitamin D status in children with physician-diagnosed CMA and to investigate the effect of in vitro cultivation with Vitamin D on the percentage of antigen-driven CD4+CD25highFoxp3+IL10+ Treg cells following in vitro stimulation of cells with cow's milk allergen in culture. This cross-sectional study included 20 children with CMA and 20 healthy age and sex-matched children as a control group. All patients were subjected to clinical evaluation, cow's milk skin prick test (SPT), cow's milk elimination and oral re-challenge test in patients with negative cow's milk SPT and in those with gastrointestinal presentation, measurement of serum Vitamin D level and assessment of the percentage of antigen-driven CD4+CD25highFoxp3+IL10+ Treg cells in response to stimulation with cow's milk allergen extract with and without Vitamin D in culture. Vitamin D deficiency was detected in 80% of children with CMA. Percentage of Foxp3+ and IL10+ co-expression on Treg cells was significantly increased after stimulation with cow's milk allergen extract in the presence of Vitamin D. A significant positive correlation was observed between serum Vitamin D level and percentage of antigen-driven CD4+CD25highFoxp3+IL10+ Treg cells as well as level of Foxp3+ and IL10+ co-expression on Treg cells at baseline (control cultures without stimulation) and after PBMCs stimulation with cow's milk allergen extract in the presence of Vitamin D. Re-stimulation with cow's milk allergen extract was performed in vitro in order to evaluate milk-induced immune stimulation and regulation. In conclusion, patients with CMA whether IgE- or non-IgE mediated had Vitamin D deficiency with a decreased number of CD4+CD25highFoxp3+IL10+ Treg cells which increased after in vitro addition of Vitamin D with increased Foxp3 and IL10 co-expression.

Human Umbilical Cord Blood CD34-Positive Cells as Predictors of the Incidence and Short-Term Outcome of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of neurological handicap in developing countries. Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) CD34-positive (CD34⁺) stem cells exhibit the potential for neural repair. We tested the hypothesis that hUCB CD34⁺ stem cells and other cell types [leukocytes and nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs)] that are up-regulated during the acute stage of perinatal asphyxia (PA) could play a role in the early prediction of the occurrence, severity, and mortality of HIE. METHODS: This case-control pilot study investigated consecutive neonates exposed to PA. The hUCB CD34⁺ cell count in mononuclear layers was assayed using a flow cytometer. Twenty full-term neonates with PA and 25 healthy neonates were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: The absolute CD34⁺ cell count (p=0.02) and the relative CD34⁺ cell count (CD34⁺%) (p<0.001) in hUCB were higher in the HIE patients (n=20) than the healthy controls. The hUCB absolute CD34⁺ cell count (p=0.04), CD34⁺% (p<0.01), and Hobel risk scores (p=0.04) were higher in patients with moderate-to-severe HIE (n=9) than in those with mild HIE (n=11). The absolute CD34⁺ cell count was strongly correlated with CD34⁺% (p<0.001), Hobel risk score (p=0.04), total leukocyte count (TLC) (p<0.001), and NRBC count (p=0.01). CD34⁺% was correlated with TLC (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: hUCB CD34⁺ cells can be used to predict the occurrence, severity, and mortality of neonatal HIE after PA.

Viral etiology, seasonality and severity of hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2007-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the role of viral respiratory pathogens in the etiology, seasonality or severity of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. METHODS: Sentinel surveillance for SARI was conducted from December 2007 through February 2014 at 20 hospitals in Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Qatar and Yemen. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from hospitalized patients meeting SARI case definitions and were analyzed for infection with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (AdV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and human parainfluenza virus types 1-3 (hPIV1-3). We analyzed surveillance data to calculate positivity rates for viral respiratory pathogens, describe the seasonality of those pathogens and determine which pathogens were responsible for more severe outcomes requiring ventilation and/or intensive care and/or resulting in death. RESULTS: At least one viral respiratory pathogen was detected in 8,753/28,508 (30.7%) samples tested for at least one pathogen and 3,497/9,315 (37.5%) of samples tested for all pathogens-influenza in 3,345/28,438 (11.8%), RSV in 3,942/24,503 (16.1%), AdV in 923/9,402 (9.8%), hMPV in 617/9,384 (6.6%), hPIV1 in 159/9,402 (1.7%), hPIV2 in 85/9,402 (0.9%) and hPIV3 in 365/9,402 (3.9%). Multiple pathogens were identified in 501/9,316 (5.4%) participants tested for all pathogens. Monthly variation, indicating seasonal differences in levels of infection, was observed for all pathogens. Participants with hMPV infections and participants less than five years of age were significantly less likely than participants not infected with hMPV and those older than five years of age, respectively, to experience a severe outcome, while participants with a pre-existing chronic disease were at increased risk of a severe outcome, compared to those with no reported pre-existing chronic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Viral respiratory pathogens are common among SARI patients in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Ongoing surveillance is important to monitor changes in the etiology, seasonality and severity of pathogens of interest.

Presepsin a Diagnostic Marker for Sepsis in Intensive Care Unit Patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of presepsin as a diagnostic marker of sepsis in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Presepsin was measured by a rapid method based on a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (PATHFAST). The clinical usefulness of presepsin to diagnose sepsis and septic shock was studied and compared with procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and total leucocytic count. This study was conducted on 53 individuals divided into 3 groups. Group I included 28 adult ICU patients with at least two diagnostic criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) as patient group, Group IIa 15 patients admitted to ICU for any medical cause but with no evidence of infection were enrolled as patient control group and further 10 apparently healthy subjects as healthy control group. Patients were further subdivided retrospectively according to the final diagnosis into: patients with sepsis 16 (57.1%) and septic shock 12 (42.9%), from which 17 (59.3%) improved while 11(39.3%) did not survive. The presepsin values were significantly higher in patients with sepsis than the control groups. The area under ROC curve (AUC) for discriminating sepsis from non septic conditions for presepsin was greater than the AUC of PCT, CRP or TLC. This suggests that presepsin has high specificity and sensitivity for sepsis diagnosis. In conclusion, presepsin can be used as a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis. It is readily available, cost-effective and able to distinguish septic patients in a complex population.

Detection of CD34/CXCR4+ stem cells in peripheral blood of patients following acute myocardial infarction.

Bone marrow harbors a population of tissue-committed stem cells that are CD34+/CXCR4+. These potential cardiac progenitors which express cardiac and endothelial markers may contribute to cardiac regeneration. The ability of injured myocardium to recruit extracardiac stem cells after injury would be beneficial to aid in myocardial repair and regeneration. The aim of this study was to answer the question whether acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related stress may trigger the increase of CD34/CXCR4+ stem cells number in peripheral blood in response to myocardial ischemic injury which might be accompanied with increased release of this population of stem cells in peripheral blood as well as to correlate this phenomenon with other clinical and laboratory parameters such as diabetes, chest pain, smoking, streptokinase administration and elevated cardiac enzymes. The study was conducted on 25 newly diagnosed AMI patients who attended the emergency department of National Heart Institute. They were compared to a control group of 25 apparently healthy sex and age matched individuals. The percentage of CD34+ cells as well as percentage of cells coexpressing CD34/CXCR4+ and their expression intensity were assessed by Flowcytometery. These parameters were correlated to other laboratory and clinical data. The absolute CD34+ as well as the CD34/CXCR4+ cell counts were significantly higher in patients upon admission in comparison to control group (P < 0.01). While CD34 expression was significantly higher in patients compared to control group, CXCR4 expression on CD34+ cells was significantly lower in patients than control group (P < 0.05). Diabetes, duration of chest pain and streptokinase administration had no significant effect on CD34/CXCR4+ number or the expression intensity of both markers (p > 0.05). Otherwise, CXCR4 intensity was lower in non-smoker than smoker patients (P < 0.05). Patients admitted with normal cardiac enzymes, including Creatine Kinase (CK) and Creatine Kinase MB fraction (CK-MB) activity, showed no significant difference in CD34/CXCR4+ number or the expression intensity of CD34 marker in comparison to those admitted with high levels of enzymes (P > 0.05). However, the expression intensity of CXCR4 was significantly low in patients admitted with elevated cardiac enzymes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, there is a pool of CD34/CXCR4+ stem cells circulating in large number in peripheral blood of AMI patients post infarction together with low CXCR4 expression on these cells which are likely to contribute to myocardial repair following the acute ischemic injury.

Umbilical cord blood CD45(+)CD34(+) cells coexpression in preterm and full-term neonates: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) is rich in stem cells. The CD45(+)/CD34(+) coexpression in hUCB is a marker of hemopoietic progenitor cells. The objective of this study is to compare the coexpression of hUCB CD45(+)/CD34(+) cells in preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) neonates. METHODS: We studied the coexpression of hUCB CD45(+)/CD34(+) cells in PT and FT neonates. The study included 25 PT (29-36 weeks gestation) and 25 FT (37-41) neonates delivered at Ain Shams University, Maternity Hospital. Absolute mononuclear layer cord blood CD45(+)/CD34(+) cell count were measured by flow cytometry. Morbidity was assessed for 12 of the studied 25 PT infants, using Morbidity Assessment Index for Newborns score. RESULTS: The absolute CD45(+)/CD34(+) count did not differ between PT and FT infants: Z =  -0.485, p = 0.63. There was no correlation between absolute cell count and GA (r = 0.013, p = 0.9) for all 50 neonates. Mode of delivery did not affect the absolute count in the PT infants: Z  =  -0.6, p  = 0.57. There was no correlation between the degree of morbidity and absolute cell count in PT neonates; r = 0.13, p = 0.69. CONCLUSION: The absolute cell count is not affected by gestational age and did not relate to morbidity scores in the studied PT infants. Further, wide-scale work will be needed to study CD45(+)/CD34(+) count in hUCB in sick PT neonates.