A case-control study on health-related quality of life of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic rheumatic autoimmune condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms and problems that may affect the health-related quality of life. The main objective of the study was to assess the SLE burden by exploring the effect of the disease on health-related quality of life. The study consisted of 29 female SLE patients and 27 healthy female controls; they were matched for age and parity. A 36-item Short Form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) was used to collect data from participants through face-to-face interviews and to assess their health-related quality of life. SF-36 summary scores for the physical and mental components were decreased in the studied patients compared with controls; PCS was 28.81 ± 16.63, 77.25 ± 15.75 for cases and controls, respectively; and MCS was 32.75 ± 18.69, and 78.75 ± 10.63 for cases and controls, respectively (p < 0.05). The high correlation between the two dimensions characterizes this decrease. SLE negatively affected the quality of life of the patients. Measures such as lifestyle modifications, physical activity, and a healthy diet should be taken to improve the health-related quality of life in SLE patients. In addition, raising the patient's awareness about the disease and its consequences could help to cope with the illness and engage in social and physical activities.

Environmental risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complicated chronic autoimmune disorder. Several genetic and environmental factors were suggested to be implicated in its pathogenesis. The main objective of this study was to examine how exposure to selected environmental factors was associated with SLE risk to support the development of disease preventive strategies. A case-control study was conducted at the Rheumatology outpatient clinic of Alexandria Main University Hospital, in Alexandria, Egypt. The study sample consisted of 29 female SLE patients, and 27 healthy female controls, who matched the cases on age and parity. Data were collected by a structured interviewing questionnaire. Blood levels of lead, cadmium, and zinc of all participants were assessed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The multivariate stepwise logistic regression model revealed that five factors showed significant association with SLE, namely living near agricultural areas, passive smoking, blood lead levels ≥ 0.075 mg/L, and exposure to sunlight (odds ratio (OR) 58.556, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.897-1807.759, OR 24.116, 95% CI 1.763-329.799, OR 18.981, 95% CI 1.228-293.364, OR 9.549, 95% CI 1.299-70.224, respectively). Whereas walking or doing exercise were significantly protective factors (P = 0.006). The findings of this study add to the evidence that SLE can be environmentally induced. Preventive measures should be taken to address the environmental risk factors of SLE.

Combined therapy of oncolytic Newcastle disease virus and rhizomes extract of Rheum ribes enhances cancer virotherapy in vitro and in vivo.

Phytotherapy has been used to treat a different type of diseases including cancer for a long time, and it was a source for different active anti-tumor agents. Oncolytic Newcastle disease virus (AMHA1) are very promising anti-tumor therapy. Nevertheless, NDV-based monotherapeutics have not been very useful to some resistant tumors. Thus, the efficiency of oncolytic NDV must enhance by combining NDV with other novel therapies. The current study aimed to determine the possibility of improving the oncolytic effect induced by NDV through Rheum ribes rhizomes extract administration in vitro and in vivo. Methods, the in vitro study include exposure of the crude extract of Rheum ribes alone or NDV alone or combination of both agents for 72 h. The cancer cells tested were murine mammary adenocarcinoma AMN3, Human Rhabdomyosarcoma RD, and Human Glioblastoma AMGM5, and using rat embryo fibroblast REF as normal control cells. MTT cell viability assay was used and analyzed for possible synergism using the Chou-Talalay analysis method. In vivo experiment included study the combination and the monotherapeutic modalities in the transplanted murine mammary adenocarcinoma AM3 line and tumor sections analyzed by histopathology. Results, Combination therapy of NDV-R. ribes showed enhanced oncolytic activity on cancer cells. With no cytotoxicity on normal cells. In vivo study showed that monotherapeutic modalities had lower growth inhibitory effect on transplanted tumors in mice in compare to combination therapy. Histopathological examination revealed the broader area of necrosis in tumors treated by combination therapy. In conclusion, the novel combination recommended for clinical application for cancer therapy.