Neutralizing antibody responses in asymptomatic close contacts of COVID-19 patients and in asymptomatic healthcare workers.

The identification of novel antibodies that could neutralize SARS-CoV-2 is one of the novel approaches to use in combating COVID-19. This study aimed to explore the level of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in asymptomatic close contacts of COVID-19 patients and asymptomatic healthcare workers. In vitro qualitative detection of serum antibodies of participants from both populations was done using an anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay. The study included 107 participants, of which 59.8% were healthcare workers and 40.2% were family contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Their median age was 22 years. The percentage of positivity and median titer for NAbs were significantly higher among family contacts than mong healthcare workers (P = 0.013 and < 0.001, respectively). We also measured C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the median value of CRP was significantly higher in the family members who had been in contact with COVID-19 patients than in healthcare workers (P < 0.001). In the family contact group, there was a significant negative correlation between the absolute lymphocyte count and CRP (r = -0.409, P = 0.034). There was no significant correlation between neutralizing antibody titers and either CRP or absolute lymphocyte count (P > 0.05 for both). In conclusion, the indication of elevated NAb titers in asymptomatic family contacts could help lay the groundwork for further studies to explore the potential utility of these antibodies to provide future immunity from infection within a family as well as for potential use in general during passive antibody therapies for COVID-19 patients.

Thermal Effects on DNA Degradation in Blood and Seminal Stains: Forensic View.

Forensic investigations using DNA analysis have been grown rapidly. Samples retrieved from crime scene may be exposed to different conditions before proceeding. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different grades of temperature and burn on DNA extraction and typing. METHODS: Seven mL of blood and four mL of semen were collected from each volunteer. Effects of temperature grades (100 °C, 50 °C, 37 °C, 4 °C, -20 °C, and burn) on blood and seminal stain were tested. RESULTS: Bloodstains exposed to temperature grades 100 °C, 50 °C, 37 °C, 4 °C, and -20 °C can be identified using preliminary test while burnt blood stain cannot. Seminal stains exposed to temperature grades 37 °C, 4 °C, and -20 °C can be identified by Florence test while those exposed to 100 °C, 50 °C, and burn cannot. Blood and seminal stains exposed to temperature grades 100 °C, 50 °C, and burn show marked reduction in DNA concentration while maximum DNA conc could be recovered from stains exposed to temperature grade temperature. Both blood and seminal DNA was affected only in case of burn without significant difference between THO1 and Amelogenin primers. CONCLUSION: High environmental temperature affect the quantity of extracted DNA from different stains but less effect on the quality of extracted DNA. Burn affects both preliminary test, DNA quantity, and quality in stains.

Secondhand smoke as a risk factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is recognized as a common childhood psychiatric disorder with a worldwide prevalence estimated at 5%. In Egypt, early exposure of children to smoke occurred due to many causes mainly tobacco use. This exposure is linked to a variety of developmental and behavioral consequences for children. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and ADHD in children and find the association between the level of exposure to SHS and the degree of ADHD symptoms.Method: Case-control study was done by a random selection of children from the outpatient Clinic of Assiut University Hospital of Children. Data were collected by a questionnaire to evaluate home exposure to SHS and blood sampling for serum cotinine measurement as an indicator of exposure to SHS.Results: Of 70 ADHD children, 62 (88.6%) of them reported home exposure to smoke while only 14 of 30 control children (46.7%) reported home exposure to smoke. The serum cotinine level was insignificantly higher in the ADHD group than the control group.Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a significant association between ADHD in the examined sample of children and exposure to SHS. Serum cotinine is a biomarker reflecting current exposure to SHS but it is not a reliable indicator of past and long-term exposure to SHS.

Role of Autophagy Biomarkers In Burn-Age Estimation and Progression.

BACKGROUND: Determination of time passed since burn injury in the living is critical in forensic science. Autophagy biomarkers and vitronectin can play an important role in determination of the age of burn injuries through their levels in the tissue. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of autophagy biomarkers in dating burn injury and to correlate them with the histopathological effects of deep second-degree thermal burn. METHOD: Fifty-four male rats were used in this study after infliction of second-degree thermal burns to their skin. Samples were taken from them after 30 minutes and one, four, 24, 48, and 72 hours following burn to be examined histologically and also for autophagy biomarkers and vitronectin. RESULTS: Significant reduction in the autophagy biomarkers (p < 0.001) over the first 24 hours then began to increase but still not reach the normal level up to 72 hours after burn. Vitronectin level increased after burn infliction 1.5-fold after first hour, then up to four-fold after four hours and after that began to decline but still did not reach the normal level up to 72 hours. CONCLUSION: Autophagy biomarkers can be used as a forensic tool in determination of the time passed since burn infliction in living.

Correction to: Genetic aberrations of the K-ras proto-oncogene in bladder cancer in relation to pesticide exposure.

The original publication of this paper contains a mistake. Line 6 in the abstract, line should read "One hundred patients were diagnosed with bladder cancer and two hundred controls attended the outpatient clinic;"

Toxic metal(loid)-based pollutants and their possible role in autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and stereotypic behaviors. Many studies support a significant relationship between many different environmental factors in ASD etiology. These factors include increased daily exposure to various toxic metal-based environmental pollutants, which represent a cause for concern in public health. This article reviews the most relevant toxic metals, commonly found, environmental pollutants, i.e., lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), aluminum (Al), and the metalloid arsenic (As). Additionally, it discusses how pollutants can be a possible pathogenetic cause of ASD through various mechanisms including neuroinflammation in different regions of the brain, fundamentally occurring through elevation of the proinflammatory profile of cytokines and aberrant expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Due to the worldwide increase in toxic environmental pollution, studies on the role of pollutants in neurodevelopmental disorders, including direct effects on the developing brain and the subjects' genetic susceptibility and polymorphism, are of utmost importance to achieve the best therapeutic approach and preventive strategies.

Genetic aberrations of the K-ras proto-oncogene in bladder cancer in relation to pesticide exposure.

In Egypt, bladder cancer is one of the most popular cancers, accounting for 31% of all cancer cases. It ranks first in males about 16.2% of male cancer. The incidence in rural areas among males is near 32 per 100,000. The exact etiology of bladder cancer is still unknown; K-ras gene is known as a critical DNA target for chemical carcinogens such as pesticide. Some occupational hazard exposure is thought to be directly genotoxic, while others might enhance the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of directly acting genotoxic agents. Analysis of the relationship between pesticide exposure and mutation in the K-ras gene in human bladder cancer. One hundred patients were diagnosed with bladder cancer and two hundred controls attended the outpatient clinic; after taking consent and filling a questionnaire for age, sex, occupation and pesticide exposure, surgically resected specimens were collected and the samples were used to determine the k-ras mutation. Blood samples were taken to analyze the level of acetylcholinesterase enzyme and level of P53. The present study indicated that pesticide exposure may play a great role in malignant transformation of the bladder cells through mutation in the K-ras gene; there was a significant correlation between the acetylcholinesterase enzyme level and k-ras mutation (p < 0.001). The results revealed that the level of P53 was significantly high in comparison with the control group (p < 0.001). These findings give an alarm to decrease the amount of pesticides used in our area; also, p53 may be used as an indicator to bladder cancer.

Folic acid improve developmental toxicity induced by aluminum sulphates.

Aluminum sulphate has a significant toxic effects for humans. Aluminum is one of the most abundant metal on the Earth crust. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of short term exposure to aluminum sulphate on the bone development of the fetuses in rats, and if folic acid has a protective role upon that effects or not. Forty female rats were used, ten per group, GI served as negative control (receive nothing except normal feeding and water), GII served as positive control (receive water by gastric gavage), GIII treated with aluminum sulphate orally by gastric gavage and GIV treated with aluminum sulphate with folic acid. Mating occurred and known by presence of vaginal plug in the female rats. Rats were killed on day 18 of gestation. RESULTS: The female rats weight were significantly reduced in the treated group if compared with the control group (p>0.001), all parameters of the fetuses, fetal weight, malformation and the crown rump length reduced significantly p value were <0.000, <0.001, and <0.000 respectively. In histopathological results the aluminum treated group showed severe limited area of preossfication in fetuses vertebrae. Folic acid gave a protective role for all the hazardous effects of aluminum sulphate and prove the diameters measured and also the histopathological effects. CONCLUSION: Aluminum sulphate can produce hazardous effects on bone of the fetuses, which may affect the life style of these fetuses later on. Folic acid might give a protective role and so should be given to females who tried to conceive.

Autism: a form of lead and mercury toxicity.

AIM: Autism is a developmental disability characterized by severe deficits in social interaction and communication. The definite cause of autism is still unknown. The aim of this study is to find out the relation between exposure to Lead and/or mercury as heavy metals and autistic symptoms, dealing with the heavy metals with chelating agents can improve the autististic symptoms. METHOD: Blood and hair samples were obtained from 45 children from Upper Egypt with autism between the ages of 2 and 10 years and 45 children served as controls in the same age range, after taken an informed consent and fill a questionnaire to assess the risk factors. The samples were analyzed blindly for lead and mercury by using atomic absorption and ICP-MS. Data from the two groups were compared, then follow up of the autistic children after treatment with chelating agents were done. RESULTS: The results obtained showed significant difference among the two groups, there was high level of mercury and lead among those kids with autism. Significant decline in the blood level of lead and mercury with the use of DMSA as a chelating agent. In addition, there was decline in the autistic symptoms with the decrease in the lead and mercury level in blood. CONCLUSION: Lead and mercury considered as one of the main causes of autism. Environmental exposure as well as defect in heavy metal metabolism is responsible for the high level of heavy metals. Detoxification by chelating agents had great role in improvement of those kids.

Camellia sinensis (green tea) extract attenuate acrylamide induced testicular damage in albino rats.

UNLABELLED: Acrylamide is a proved toxin for testicular function, found in food when heated for long period of time. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a potent antioxidant; the aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of green tea extract against the toxic effects of acrylamide in rat testes. METHODS: acrylamide was administered orally to rats in different doses and also the extract of green tea was administered orally to different groups of animals in combination with the acrylamide. The weight of animals, testosterone hormone level and histopathological effect upon testicles were evaluated. RESULTS: Testosterone hormone level in serum, and histopathological findings were significantly improved with the co-administration of green tea extract with the acrylamide. Green tea extract reversed all the toxic effects of acrylamide even in high dose for long period (90 days). CONCLUSION: Green tea extract is a potent antioxidant antidote for the acrylamide toxic effects upon testicular function.

Suicide trends in Upper Egypt.

Suicide is an important problem, ranking among the top 10 causes of death for individuals in all ages in developed countries. This article is a retrospective study evaluating suicide cases in Assiut, one of the largest provinces in Egypt, from 2005 to 2009. There were 117 cases, of which involved 68 male victims (58.12%) and 49 women (41.88%). Suicide rates ranged from 0.6 to 0.8 per 100,000. Age predominance was from 20 to ≤30 years. The method of suicide was different between male and female victims, as male victims tried to use more violent methods than females. The most common cause of death in men was usage of toxins and by hanging 29% and 28%, respectively, while in women was usage of toxins (70%). This study showed that suicide rates have increased since 1987, indicating a grave problem that needs to be solved.

Subchronic toxicity of cannabis leaves on male albino rats.

Cannabis is the most commonly abused drug in the world. In Egypt, the Anti Narcotic General Administration showed that the narcotics problem costs the Egyptian economy approximately 800 million dollars annually. LD(50), lethal dose that kills 50% of the treated animals, of the bango was determined and then selected groups of rats were given tenth of LD(50) for 90 days. The histopathological effects were determined. All the studied organs were affected markedly in the form of shrunken cells in brain. The liver cells were affected in the form of rarefaction of the cytoplasm, kidneys were with severe congestion. The testicles were with disruption of the spermatogenic cells from the membrane.

Risk factors for bango abuse in upper Egypt.

Cannabis is the most commonly abused drug in the world. In Egypt, the Anti Narcotic General Administration, showed that the narcotics problem costs the Egyptian economy approximately 800 million dollars annually. The present study was designed to determine the risk factors that lead to bango abuse among secondary school students and drivers in Assiut province. Urine samples were taken from 1000 volunteers after filling questionnaires and the risk factors were determined. Ethical consideration and informed consent was taken on. In drivers, the study found that bango abuse was concentrated in age group (21 to <31 years) and in those driving microbus, van and half van. In students, abuse concentrated in male students by 100%, and in those with high daily fund. The abused students tend to be more aggressive. Also, tend to be lazy to share in school activities. Abused students present in large family (8-11 persons) and families with troubles between parents (81% in divorced parents). In conclusion, bango abuse leads to deterioration of the academic achievement, and may be associated with antisocial and violent behavior.