Generalized lymphatic anomaly: A case report and review of literature.

Generalized lymphatic anomaly (GLA), previously known as lymphangiomatosis, is a rare developmental disease characterized by abnormal proliferation of lymphatic vascular structures that may involve the dermis, soft tissue, bone, and visceral parenchyma. Being an uncommon condition and the lack of specific symptoms often result in a delayed diagnosis or even misdiagnosis, which, in addition to its progressive nature, can lead to dysfunction of vital organs, and ultimately, a poor prognosis. In this report, we present a unique case of GLA in an upper Egyptian female child. Increasing awareness of the possible phenotypic presentations of such anomalies can lead to early diagnosis and possibly more effective management before significant organ damage ensues.

Fermented botanical fertilizer controls bacterial wilt of tomatoes caused by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum.

This study demonstrates the effect of fermented botanical product (FBP) on Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum-induced bacterial wilt disease and unravels its action mechanism. Soaking with diluted FBP solutions (0.1%-0.5%) significantly suppressed bacterial wilt in tomato plants, and FBP-treated tomato plants grew well against R. pseudosolanacearum infection. Growth assays showed that FBP had no antibacterial effect but promoted R. pseudosolanacearum growth. In contrast, few or no R. pseudosolanacearum cells were detected in aerial parts of tomato plants grown in FBP-soaked soil. Subsequent infection assays using the chemotaxis-deficient mutant (ΔcheA) or the root-dip inoculation method revealed that FBP does not affect pathogen migration to plant roots during infection. Moreover, FBP-pretreated tomato plants exhibited reduced bacterial wilt in the absence of FBP. These findings suggest that the plant, but not the pathogen, could be affected by FBP, resulting in an induced resistance against R. pseudosolanacearum, leading to a suppressive effect on bacterial wilt.

Association between hepatitis C virus genotype 4 and renal cell carcinoma: Molecular and virological studies.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common infection worldwide. The correlation between HCV and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is still mysterious. Therefore, the relationship between HCV and RCC was investigated. The study included 100 patients with RCC; 32 with HCV infection, and 68 without HCV infection. Expressions of viral proteins (NS3 and NS5A) were tested using an immune electron-microscope (IEM) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC and quantitative real time-PCR investigated the presentation of human proteins TP53 and p21 genes. Transmission electron (TEM) detected viral-like particles in infected RCC tissues. The gene and protein expression of P53 was higher in HCV positive versus HCV negative patients and p21 was lower in HCV positive versus HCV negative in both tumor and normal tissue samples. Viral like particles were observed by TEM in the infected tumor and normal portion of the RCC tissues and the plasma samples. The IEM showed the depositions of NS3 and NS5A in infected renal tissues, while in noninfected samples, were not observed. The study hypothesizes that a correlation between HCV and RCC could exist through successfully detecting HCV-like particles, HCV proteins, and (p53 and p21) in RCC-infected patients.

The effect of toxic leadership on workplace deviance: the mediating effect of emotional exhaustion, and the moderating effect of organizational cynicism.

BACKGROUND: Toxic leadership is abusive, destructive, and detrimental to nurses, can decrease nurse morale, increase stress levels, diminish organizational performance, and cause employee emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion, a key component of burnout, has been linked to decreased job performance and increased likelihood of engaging in deviant behaviors at work. Organizational cynicism, as a negative attitude or distrust towards the organization and its leadership, may exacerbate the relationship between toxic leadership and workplace deviance. This study aims to explore how toxic leadership, workplace deviance, emotional exhaustion, and organizational cynicism are interrelated in the nursing profession. METHOD: A multicenter descriptive, cross-sectional research design was conducted at three university hospitals affiliated with three Egyptian governorates: Zagazig, El-Fayoum, and Alexandria. Two hundred forty-three nurses completed the Personal and Job-related Data Questionnaire, Toxic Leadership Scale, Emotional Exhaustion Scale, Workplace Deviance Scale, and Organizational Cynicism Scale. Mediation analysis using SPSS PROCESS revealed that emotional exhaustion indirectly influences the relationship between toxic leadership and workplace deviance, while hierarchical multiple regression showed that organizational cynicism moderates this relationship, with linear regression confirming the predictive impact of these variables on workplace deviance. RESULTS: Toxic leadership exhibits a substantial positive influence on workplace deviance (B = 16.132, p < 0.001), as does emotional exhaustion (B = 8.760, p < 0.001) and organizational cynicism (B = 5.376, p = 0.036). Furthermore, the interaction terms of toxic leadership, organizational cynicism, and emotional exhaustion are significant (B = -3.012, p = 0.036). The negative coefficient of the interaction term implies a mitigating impact, indicating that the combined presence of high toxic leadership, high emotional exhaustion, and high organizational cynicism may counterintuitively reduce workplace deviance (t = -2.110). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that while toxic leadership, emotional exhaustion, and organizational cynicism each independently increase workplace deviance, their combined presence may unexpectedly reduce deviant behaviors. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING: These results highlight the significance of tackling toxic leadership practices and cultivating a positive organizational culture to enhance a healthier work environment and reduce instances of workplace deviance. Healthcare settings should prioritize interventions to improve leadership practices, enhance employee well-being, and cultivate a supportive organizational climate.

P4HA2 involved in SLUG-associated EMT predicts poor prognosis of patients with KRAS-positive colorectal cancer.

This study aimed to examine the immunohistochemical expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers: P4HA2 and SLUG in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) specimens, then to assess their relation to clinicopathological features including KRAS mutations and patients' survival, and finally to study the correlation between them in CRC. The result of this study showed that SLUG and P4HA2 were significantly higher in association with adverse prognostic factors: presence of lympho-vascular invasion, perineural invasion, higher tumor budding, tumor stage, presence of lymph node metastasis, and presence of distant metastasis. CRC specimens with KRAS mutation were associated with significant higher SLUG and P4HA2 expression. High expression of both SLUG and P4HA2 was significantly unfavorable prognostic indicator as regards overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In KRAS mutated cases, high P4HA2 expression was the only significant poor prognostic indicator as regarding DFS. In conclusions, our data highlight that both SLUG and P4HA2 expression may serve as potentially important poor prognostic biomarkers in CRC and targeting these molecules may be providing a novel therapeutic strategy. In KRAS mutation group, high P4HA2 expression is the only independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence, so it can be suggested to be a novel target for therapy.

High density of FOXP3 predicts better prognosis in germinal and non-germinal centre diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

This study highlights the prognostic impact of FOXP3 and CD68 expression in DLBCL, NOS and in its GCB and non-GCB subtypes. This may help the development of individualized therapy, prognostic prediction and therapy stratification.

Recent Advances in Floating Photovoltaic Systems.

In recent years, floating photovoltaic (FPV) technologies have gained more importance as a key source of clean energy, particularly in the context of providing sustainable energy to buildings. The rise of land scarcity and the need to reduce carbon emissions have made FPV systems a cost-effective solution for generating electricity. This review article aims to explore the rapidly growing trend of floating PV systems, which can be a practical solution for regions with limited land areas. The article discusses the structure of the PV modules used in FPV plants and key factors that affect site suitability choice. Moreover, the article presents various techniques for cooling and cleaning FPV to keep optimal performance and discusses feasible trends and prospects for the technology. Finally, this paper proposes the potential integration of FPV systems with other technologies to enhance energy generation efficiency and discusses other research aimed at the advancement of the technology. By examining the various features of FPV systems, this review article contributes to understanding the advantages and challenges associated with using this sustainable energy technology in different regional contexts.

Airway-Occluding Mucus Plugs and Mortality in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Importance: Airway mucus plugs are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, the association of airway mucus plugging and mortality in patients with COPD is unknown. Objective: To determine whether airway mucus plugs identified on chest computed tomography (CT) were associated with increased all-cause mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants: Observational retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients with a diagnosis of COPD in the Genetic Epidemiology of COPD cohort. Participants were non-Hispanic Black or White individuals, aged 45 to 80 years, who smoked at least 10 pack-years. Participants were enrolled at 21 centers across the US between November 2007 and April 2011 and were followed up through August 31, 2022. Exposures: Mucus plugs that completely occluded airways on chest CT scans, identified in medium- to large-sized airways (ie, approximately 2- to 10-mm lumen diameter) and categorized as affecting 0, 1 to 2, or 3 or more lung segments. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, assessed with proportional hazard regression analysis. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, body mass index, pack-years smoked, current smoking status, forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration, and CT measures of emphysema and airway disease. Results: Among the 4483 participants with COPD, 4363 were included in the primary analysis (median age, 63 years [IQR, 57-70 years]; 44% were women). A total of 2585 (59.3%), 953 (21.8%), and 825 (18.9%) participants had mucus plugs in 0, 1 to 2, and 3 or more lung segments, respectively. During a median 9.5-year follow-up, 1769 participants (40.6%) died. The mortality rates were 34.0% (95% CI, 32.2%-35.8%), 46.7% (95% CI, 43.5%-49.9%), and 54.1% (95% CI, 50.7%-57.4%) in participants who had mucus plugs in 0, 1 to 2, and 3 or more lung segments, respectively. The presence of mucus plugs in 1 to 2 vs 0 and 3 or more vs 0 lung segments was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of death of 1.15 (95% CI, 1.02-1.29) and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.10-1.41), respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: In participants with COPD, the presence of mucus plugs that obstructed medium- to large-sized airways was associated with higher all-cause mortality compared with patients without mucus plugging on chest CT scans.

Effectiveness of TaDreb-B1 and 1-FEH w3 KASP Markers in Spring and Winter Wheat Populations for Marker-Assisted Selection to Improve Drought Tolerance.

Due to the advances in DNA markers, kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers could accelerate breeding programs and genetically improve drought tolerance. Two previously reported KASP markers, TaDreb-B1 and 1-FEH w3, were investigated in this study for the marker-assisted selection (MAS) of drought tolerance. Two highly diverse spring and winter wheat populations were genotyped using these two KASP markers. The same populations were evaluated for drought tolerance at seedling (drought stress) and reproductive (normal and drought stress) growth stages. The single-marker analysis revealed a high significant association between the target allele of 1-FEH w3 and drought susceptibility in the spring population, while the marker-trait association was not significant in the winter population. The TaDreb-B1 marker did not have any highly significant association with seedling traits, except the sum of leaf wilting in the spring population. For field experiments, SMA revealed very few negative and significant associations between the target allele of the two markers and yield traits under both conditions. The results of this study revealed that the use of TaDreb-B1 provided better consistency in improving drought tolerance than 1-FEH w3.

Prevalence and determinants of antimicrobial resistance of pathogens isolated from cancer patients in an intensive care unit in Alexandria, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are a globally increasing threat among critically ill patients, especially those with underlying malignancies. We aimed to assess the prevalence and susceptibility patterns of MDROs among cancer patients in intensive care units (ICU), and their predictors. METHODS: Over 4 years, we retrospectively reviewed medical records of 497 malignancy patients in the ICU of a tertiary hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. The data for various factors, such as demographic characteristics, comorbidities, causative pathogen, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), were collected and analyzed using univariate analysis. Logistic multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate the probability of developing MDROs among this population. RESULTS: A total of 748 isolates were obtained from 1249 specimens. Gram-negative bacteria detected (459) comprised 61.4% of all isolates, while only 75 (10%) were gram-positive, and 214 (28.6%) were fungal pathogens. The most frequently encountered isolate was Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 183), of which 107 were carbapenem-resistant (CR) and 62 were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing. This was followed by Escherichia coli (n = 136), of which 17 were CR and 100 were ESBL-producing strains, while 3 were resistant to quinolones. Acinetobacter baumannii came in third (n = 67), with 63 being CR. The overall susceptibility of gram-negative bacteria was recorded as highest to colistin (97.3%). The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcal species among gram-positive bacteria were 54.6% and 33.3%, respectively, with no resistance reported to vancomycin or linezolid. Among the MDRO infection predictors were neutropenia, recent antibiotics use, and receiving chemotherapy. Neutropenia had the highest odds ratio (OR: 2.3, CI: 1.28-4.09), followed by recent antibiotics use (OR: 1.8, CI: 1.22-2.59). CONCLUSION: Gram-negative bacilli were the most frequently reported MDROs, with resistance to higher generation cephalosporins and even carbapenems limiting antibiotic treatment options to older class antibiotics, such as colistin, with potential side effects, including nephrotoxicity. Estimating AMR probability using the prediction model of risk factors, such as neutropenia and previous antibiotics use, may be functional in the rapid identification of higher-risk patients.

Predictive value of immunological markers after bacille Calmette-Guérin induction in bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive value of different immunological markers on treatment outcomes after bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) induction in high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumour for NMIBC were assessed for study eligibility. Urine and blood samples were taken from patients at baseline (immediately before first dose of induction) and after induction (4 h after last [sixth] dose). Urine samples were evaluated for interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-10 by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood samples were evaluated for tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and transcription factors (TFs) (GATA-binding protein 3 [GATA3], T-box expressed in T cells [T-bet], and forkhead box protein 3 [FoxP3]) using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Change pattern and fold change of each evaluable marker was assessed in relation to different treatment outcomes (initial complete response [ICR]/recurrence/progression). RESULTS: Between July 2013 and May 2019, 204 patients were included. Among evaluable markers, urinary IL-2 and serum TNF-α increased in all patients, serum CTLA-4 and FoxP3+ showed a predominant decreased pattern in 188 (92.2%) and 192 (94.1%) patients, respectively. An ICR was achieved in 186 (91.2%) patients. Serum TNF-α fold change and urinary IL-10 change pattern were significantly associated with an ICR (P = 0.001 and P = 0.03, respectively). At a median (range) follow-up of 37 (20-88) months, 104 (56%) patients developed recurrence. Urinary IL-10, serum CTLA-4, T-bet+ , FoxP3+ change patterns and GATA3+ /T-bet+ ratio were significantly associated with tumour recurrence (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.02, P = 0.009 and P = 0.001, respectively). Tumour progression occurred in 34 (18.3%) patients. Urinary IL-10, serum CTLA-4, serum T-bet+ change patterns and GATA3+ /T-bet+ ratio were independent predictors of tumour progression (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.02 and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary IL-10 and serum TNF-α can significantly predict ICR. Moreover, change pattern of urinary IL-10, serum CTLA-4, TFs (GATA3, T-bet and FoxP3) and GATA3+ /T-bet+ ratio after BCG induction can independently predict further BCG response. These markers could be implemented in clinical practice when management options are discussed or in systems with severe BCG shortage.

Renewable Furfural-Based Polyesters Bearing Sulfur-Bridged Difuran Moieties with High Oxygen Barrier Properties.

With the goal of achieving high barrier with bio-based materials, for example, for packaging applications, a series of novel furfural-based polyesters bearing sulfide-bridged difuran dicarboxylic acid units with high oxygen barrier properties were synthesized and characterized. For the novel poly(alkylene sulfanediyldifuranoate)s, a 11.2-1.9× higher barrier improvement factor compared to amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) was observed which places the novel polyesters in the top class among previously reported 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and 2,2'-bifuran-based polyesters. Titanium-catalyzed polycondensation reactions between the novel synthesized monomer, dimethyl 5,5'-sulfanediyldi(furan-2-carboxylate), and four different diols, ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and 1,5-pentanediol, afforded difuran polyesters with high intrinsic viscosities (0.76-0.90 dL/g). These polyesters had good thermal stability, decomposing at 342-363 and 328-570 °C under nitrogen and air, respectively, which allowed processing them into free-standing films via melt-pressing. In tensile testing of the film specimens, tensile moduli in the range of 0.4-2.6 GPa were recorded, with higher values observed for the polyesters with shorter diol units. Interestingly, besides the low oxygen permeability, the renewable sulfide-bridged furan monomer also endowed the polyesters with slight UV shielding effect, with cutoff wavelengths of ca. 350 nm, in contrast to FDCA-based polyesters, which lack significant UV light absorption at over 300 nm.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: a modified approach for chemo-prevention of bladder cancer in a rat model and molecular studies of antineoplastic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVES: To test the chemo-preventative effects of omega-3 against bladder cancer (BC) induction in a rat model and its potential antineoplastic mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety male Fisher rats were divided into three groups during a 22-week protocol: group 1 (control), group 2 (Placebo + N-butyl-N-4- hydroxybutyl nitrosamine (BBN) for induction of BC and group 3 received omega-3 (1200 mg/kg/day) + BBN. At the end, blood samples and bladder tissues were collected and checked for the presence of malignancy, markers of angiogenesis (VEGF relative gene expression), inflammation (IL-6), proliferation (KI-67 expressions), oxidative stress (serum MDA and serum SOD) and epigenetic control (miRNA-145 level). RESULTS: At the end of the study, 60% and 86.6% rats survived in group 2 and 3 with significant weight loss among rats in group 2 when compared with other groups. In group 2, all rats developed visible bladder lesions of which five and 13 developed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). In omega3-treated group, only one developed low grade SCC and one developed high grade non- invasive TCC. Bladders from omega-3-treated rats showed lower expression ofKI-67 (p < 0.05), VEGF (p < 0.001) and IL-6 (p < 0.001) and significant higher expression of mi-RNA (p < 0.001). Also, omega-3-treated group showed statistically significant lower MDA level (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Omega-3 inhibits bladder tumor growth in the BBN-induced BC rat model, due to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and anti-angiogenic properties together with epigenetic control.

Design, synthesis, and molecular docking of novel pyrazole-chalcone analogs of lonazolac as 5-LOX, iNOS and tubulin polymerization inhibitors with potential anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities.

Uncontrolled inflammation predisposes to pleiotropic effects leading to cancer development thanks to promoting all stages of tumorigenesis. Therefore, cancer-associated inflammation has been delegated as the seventh hallmark of cancer. Thus, raging the war against both inflammation and cancer via the innovation of bioactive agents with dual anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities is a necessity. Herein, a novel series of pyrazole-chalcone analogs of Lonazolac (7a-g and 8a-g) have been synthesized and investigated for their in vitro anticancer activity against four cancer cell lines using the MTT assay method. Among all, hybrid 8g was the most potent against three cancer cell lines, HeLa, HCT-116, and RPMI-822 with IC50 values of 2.41, 2.41, and 3.34 µM, respectively. In contrast, hybrid 8g showed moderate inhibitory activity against MCF-7 with IC50 28.93 µM and with a selectivity profile against MCF-10A (non-cancer cells). Mechanistically, hybrid 8g was the most potent inhibitor against tubulin polymerization (IC50 = 4.77 µM), suggesting tubulin as a molecular target and explaining the observed cytotoxicity of hybrid 8g. This was mirrored by the detected potent pre-G1 apoptosis induction and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Moreover, hybrid8gexhibited selectivity against COX-2 (IC50 = 5.13 µM) more than COX-1 (IC50 = 33.46 µM), indicating that 8g may have lower cardiovascular side effects, but is still not potent as celecoxib (COX-2 IC50 = 0.204 µM, COX-1 = 35.8 µM). Notably, hybrid 8g showed promising inhibitory activity towards 5-LOX (IC50 = 5.88 µM). Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity of hybrid8 g was confirmed by high iNOS and PGE2 inhibitory activities in LPS-stimulated RAW cells with IC50 values of4.93 µM and 10.98 µM, respectively, that accompanied by showingthe most potent inhibition of NO release (70.61 % inhibition rate). Molecular docking studies of hybrid 8g confirmed good correlations with the executed biological results. Furthermore, hybrid 8g had good drug-likeness and suitable physicochemical properties. Taken together, the combined results suggested hybrid8gas a promising orally administered candidate in the journey of repurposing NSAIDs for cancer chemopreventionand treatment.

Accuracy of Cerebrospinal Fluid C-Reactive Protein and Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction and Serum Procalcitonin in Diagnosis of Bacterial and Viral Meningitis in Children.

BACKGROUND: Meningitis is one of the most dangerous infection affecting children. The need for rapid and accurate diagnosis is mandatory for improving the outcome. AIM OF THE WORK: to evaluate the role of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum procalcitonin (PCT) in diagnosis of meningitis and to detect its accuracy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in University Children hospital, Faculty of Medicine, between November 2019 and September 2020. The study was approved by the Ethics Review Board of Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, and informed written consent was obtained. The committee's reference number is 17200161. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ID: NCT03387969. 48 Children aged 2 to 18 years with meningitis were included. Detailed history and examination. Blood glucose level at time of admission prior to lumbar puncture, serum CRP level, serum PCT, CSF-CRP level and Multiplex PCR were evaluated. FUNDING: The study was supported by Grant Office of Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University with grant NO. 2018-01-04-006-R2. RESULTS: The mean age of children was 3.27 plus or minus 1.27 years. 35 (72.9%) cases were bacterial meningitis, while 13 (27.1%) cases were viral meningitis. Patients with bacterial meningitis had significantly higher serum CRP, serum PCT and higher CSF-CRP and significantly lower CSF/blood glucose compared to viral meningitis. Multiplex PCR had 94% sensitivity and 100% specificity for diagnosis of bacterial and viral meningitis. CONCLUSION: CSF-CRP, CSF/blood glucose, PCT and Multiplex-PCR may help in diagnosis and differentiation of bacterial and viral meningitis.

Management of the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges, practices, and organizational support.

BACKGROUND: Health organizations currently face tremendous challenges in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. To do this, successful and proven scientific practices and support are needed. AIM: This study aimed to explore the challenges, practices, and organizational support dealt with by nursing managers in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A qualitative content analysis study evaluated 35 nursing managers in five university hospitals through a semi-structured interview. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research were used for this qualitative study. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged: Challenges include the development of a COVID-19 crisis management plan, a shortage in nursing staff, and psychological problems. Practices include; changes in work schedules for nursing staff, the exchange process, hospital preparation, and training and education. And organizational support includes both support at an organizational level and support at an individual level. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that nursing managers are faced with many challenges in the management of COVID-19, requiring good practices and organizational support. This study offers evidence for nursing managers to expect problems that may arise during the pandemic. RECOMMENDATIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic requires the development of an integrated plan, and this plan must be disseminated to the hospital's nursing and medical teams to better equip them for the current and future crises.

Study of gut microbiome in Egyptian patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases.

BACKGROUND: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD) are the most prevalent forms of autoimmune thyroid disorders (ATD). A pathogenic link with gut microbial dysbiosis has been described in different autoimmune disorders but not yet fully elucidated in patients with ATD. AIM OF THE WORK: The present study aimed to elucidate changes in gut microbiome in Egyptian patients with ATD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The gut bacterial composition of 20 patients with ATD and 30 age, sex, and BMI-matched healthy subjects as controls was analysed using Quantitative SYBR Green Real-Time PCR technique targeting 16S rRNA of selected bacterial genera and/or species. RESULTS: Compared with controls; the Firmictus/Bacteroidetes ratio (known to be representative for healthy status) was significantly decreased in patients with ATD (P < .001), without a significant difference between GD and HT patients. Also, the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria associated with the gut barrier and anti-inflammatory state; A. mucinophilia, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and F. prausnitzii, were decreased in ATD patients. TRAb in GD patients and anti-TPO in HT patients showed a significant positive correlation with Bacteroidetes (P = .001) and (P = .018), respectively. CONCLUSION: Egyptian patients with ATD show dysbiosis of the gut microbiome that can be related to the pathogenesis of ATD. This hopefully points to the potential therapeutic benefits of manipulating the composition of the gut microbiome in the management or even protection from ATD.

Immunohistochemical signaling pathways of triple negative and triple positive breast cancers: What is new?

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease with different clinically heterogeneous phenotypes. Triple negative BC (TNBC) (ER-/PR-/HER2-) and triple positive BC (TPBC) (ER+/PR+/HER2+) are characterized by unique clinical behavior and therapeutic challenges. However, their exact molecular pathogenesis is not well studied. This study aims to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of androgen receptor (AR) and c-Myc in TPBCs and TNBCs, correlate their expression with the clinicopathologic features, and assess the correlation between AR and c-Myc expression in TPBCs and TNBCs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: AR and c-Myc were immunohistochemically assessed in 45 TNBC and 15 TPBC specimens. RESULTS: AR expression was detected in 17.7% of TNBC and in all TPBC specimens. c-Myc was expressed in 46.7% of TNBC and in all TPBC specimens. AR and c-Myc expression in TNBC was not associated with any of the clinicopathological features. In TPBC, AR expression was higher in older age, larger size, higher stage, and lymph node metastasis while c-Myc expression was higher in tumors with perineural invasion. This is the first study that reported a significant positive correlation between AR and c-Myc expression in TNBC and TPBC. CONCLUSION: The current results suggested that AR and c-Myc proteins may contribute to the pathogenesis of TNBC and TPBC. The positive correlation between the two proteins in these subtypes sheds new light on a distinct pathway by which BC cells can modulate their proliferation. Targeting both molecules may provide new therapeutic approaches to improve therapeutic sensitivity and patients' outcomes of these subtypes.

A Hybrid Algorithm to Enhance Colour Retinal Fundus Images Using a Wiener Filter and CLAHE.

Digital images used in the field of ophthalmology are among the most important methods for automatic detection of certain eye diseases. These processes include image enhancement as a primary step to assist optometrists in identifying diseases. Therefore, many algorithms and methods have been developed for the enhancement of retinal fundus images, which may experience challenges that typically accompany enhancement processes, such as artificial borders and dim lighting that mask image details. To eliminate these problems, a new algorithm is proposed in this paper based on separating colour images into three channels (red, green, and blue). The green channel is passed through a Wiener filter and reinforced using the CLAHE technique before merging with the original red and blue channels. Reducing the green channel noise with this approach is proven effective over the other colour channels. Results from the Contrast Improvement Index (CII) and linear index of fuzziness (r) test indicate the success of the proposed algorithm compared with alternate algorithms in the application of improving blood vessel imagery and other details within ten test fundus images selected from the DRIVER database.

Mustard Seed (Brassica nigra) Extract Exhibits Antiproliferative Effect against Human Lung Cancer Cells through Differential Regulation of Apoptosis, Cell Cycle, Migration, and Invasion.

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and development of novel lung cancer preventive and therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Brassica nigra (black mustard) seeds are commonly consumed in several Asian and African countries. Mustard seeds previously exhibited significant anticancer activities against several cancer types. In the present study, we have investigated various cellular and molecular mechanisms of anticancer effects of an ethanolic extract of B. nigra seeds against A549 and H1299 human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. B. nigra extract showed a substantial growth-inhibitory effect as it reduced the viability and clonogenic survival of A549 and H1299 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. B. nigra extract induced cellular apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion as evidenced from increased caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, treatment of both A549 and H1299 cells with B. nigra extract alone or in combination with camptothecin induced DNA double-strand breaks as evidenced by upregulation of γH2A histone family member X, Fanconi anemia group D2 protein, Fanconi anemia group J protein, ataxia-telangiectesia mutated and Rad3-related protein. Based on cell cycle analysis, B. nigra extract significantly arrested A549 and H1299 cells at S and G2/M phases. Additionally, B. nigra extract suppressed the migratory and invasive properties of both cell lines, downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), MMP9, and Snail and upregulated the expression of E-cadherin at mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, these findings indicate that B. nigra seed extract may have an important anticancer potential against human lung cancer which could be mediated through simultaneous and differential regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage, cell cycle, migration, and invasion.