54 research outputs found
Biochemical assessments of thyroid profile, serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and cluster of differentiation 5 expression levels among children with autism
No full textTarek Desoky,1 Mohammed H Hassan,2 Hanan M Fayed,3 Hala M Sakhr4 1Department of Neuropsychiatry, 2Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 3Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, 4Department of Pediatrics, Qena Faculty of Medicine, Qena University Hospitals, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt Background: The exact pathogenesis of autism is still unknown. Both thyroid hormones and 25(OH)D are important for brain development, in addition to CD5; all have immunomodulatory actions by which their dysregulation may have a potential role in autism pathogenesis.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the thyroid profile, serum 25(OH)D levels and CD5 expression levels among autistic patients and to find out the correlations between the measured biomarkers with each other on one side and with the disease severity on the other side.Patients and methods: This cross-sectional case–control study has been conducted on 60 children with autism and 40 controls, recruited from Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt. Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) score was used to assess the included patients. Biochemical assays of thyroid function in the form of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and 25(OH)D were done using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, while CD5 expression levels were measured using flow cytometry (FCM) analysis for all the included patients and controls.Results: The overall measurement results show significant higher mean serum TSH levels, mean CD5 expression levels with significant lower mean serum 25(OH)D levels among autistic children when compared with the control group (p<0.05 for all). Significant negative correlations between CD5 with FT3, FT4 and 25(OH)D were observed. CARS score showed significant negative correlations with both FT3 and 25(OH)D, while it was positively correlated with CD5 in a significant manner (p<0.05 for all).Conclusion: Elevated CD5 expression and decreased 25(OH)D stores could play a potential role in the pathogenesis of autism via their immune-modulator actions. High TSH serum levels among autistic children, although within the physiological range, reflect the presence of thyroid dysfunction among such children, which needs further assessment. Keywords: thyroid hormones, 25(OH)D, CD5, autism, flow cytometry, ELISA 
Daclatasvir and Sofosbuvir Therapy Enhance Monocyte Phenotypic Changes in Naive Chronic Hepatitis C Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
No full textBackground. Liver inflammation influences monocyte function, recruitment, and consequently inflammatory and fibrogenic responses. We aimed to investigate changes in the circulating monocyte phenotypes in response to Daclatasvir-Sofosbuvir (SOF/DCV) therapy in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and relate findings to the viral kinetics and the fibrosis score. Methods. A longitudinal study involving 100 treatment-naïve patients and 30 healthy controls, tested for liver function, fibrosis scores (AST to platelet ratio index, FIB-4), and blood monocyte subsets based on CD14/CD16 expression by flow cytometer. Results. CHC patients had significantly lower albumin, higher ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and increased fibrosis scores [Fib-4 (1.85±0.98) and AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) (0.6±0.35)], higher monocyte and eosinophil counts and lowered neutrophil to monocyte ratio (NMR), and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) compared to week 12 and control. CHC patients had significantly increased median [classical (52.2% versus 25.8%, P=0.004) and inflammatory CD16+ monocytes (23.1% versus 13.58%, P=0.035)]. Therapy results in achievement of sustained virological response in 92% of cases, liver function improvement, and normalization of the inflammatory monocytes subsets. Monocyte counts showed positive correlation with viral load, calculated fibrosis scores (APRI and FIB-4 score), AST, ALT, ANC, and inverse correlations with serum albumin, leukocyte, eosinophil, NMR, and LMR. Multivariate regression found eosinophil count as predictors of CD16+ monocyte count in CHC patients. Conclusion. CHC infection promotes a proinflammatory and profibrotic monocytes profile. SOF/DCV therapy efficiently decreases viral load, reduces fibrosis potentials, attenuates monocyte activation, normalizes monocytes phenotypic abnormalities, and modulates monocyte subsets recruitment and differentiation later in the liver
Biochemical assessments of thyroid profile, serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and cluster of differentiation 5 expression levels among children with autism
No full textGame-like interactive exercise versus visual feedback in patients with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy post mastectomy: A randomized comparative study
No full textBackground Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most frequent side effects of antineoplastic agents, with a prevalence of 19 to 85%. In terms of clinical manifestations, CIPN is primarily a sensory neuropathy with motor and autonomic alterations of varying intensity and duration. CIPN consider as major problem for both cancer patients and survivors, as well as for their healthcare providers, possibly increasing the risk of falling. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of game-like interactive exercise versus visual feedback training on the risk of falling and sensory integration in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy after mastectomy. Methods: In this randomized comparative study, 30 female patients diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy after mastectomy were randomly allocated into two equal groups; group (A) underwent game-like interactive exercise using the Biodex Balance System (BBS), while group (B) underwent a visual feedback training program using BBS. The treatment was applied for three sessions per week for four consecutive weeks. All subjects in both groups were assessed using the fall risk index and sensory integration test (sway index) in four sensory conditions at baseline and at the end of the study for both groups
Assessment of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in children with iron deficiency anemia
No full textAbstract Background Iron plays an important role in body defense and essential for normal immune system development where its deficiency may result in an inadequate immune response. We aimed to assess the lymphocyte subsets in childhood iron deficiency anemia (IDA) with their laboratory correlations. Methods Fifty IDA (< 18 years) and 25 age and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled and a complete history was obtained and clinical examination was performed. Complete blood count, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and serum ferritin, were performed. Flow cytometric determination of peripheral blood CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes and CD19+ B-lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratio were done. Results Patients had significantly lower hemoglobin, Serum iron, ferritin levels and higher lymphocytic count in patients compared with controls (p = 0.001, 0.03, 0.001, 0.001 respectively). CD3 count and percentage were significantly lower in IDA patients compared to controls (p = 0.007 and 0.005 respectively). There was a Significant reduction in the CD4 count, percentage and CD4/CD8 ratio in patients compared with controls (p = 0.001, 0.001 and 0.005 respectively) while there was no significant difference regarding CD8 count and percentage. No significant difference between the two studied groups regarding either CD19 count or percentage (p = 0.28 and 0.18 respectively) were found. Conclusions IDA is associated with impaired cell-mediated immune response specifically T-cell mediated immunity
Correlation between platelet count and outcome of chronic HCV patients treated with direct-acting antivirals
No full textBackground: Egypt has the highest prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The
direct acting anti-virus (DAAs) are available, with a reported 95% sustained virological response
after treatment for 12 weeks (12w-SVR).
Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the correlation between platelet count and the
DAAs therapy outcome in chronic HCV (CHC) patients.
Patients and methods: three hundred CHC patients, Child–Pugh grade A, both naïve and
treatment experienced patients were enrolled in this study, from outpatient Clinic, Department of
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Tropical medicine, Qena university hospital, Qena, Egypt,
treated with DAAs for 12 weeks, either dual or triple therapy, according to criteria recommended
by the national committee for chronic viral hepatitis (NCCVH). Patients categorized into three
groups: (1) Group I (non-thrombocytopenic group): included 100 CHC patients with platelet count
≥ 150 (109/L); (2) Group II (mild thrombocytopenic group): included 100 CHC patients with
platelet count 100-149 (109/L); (3) Group III (moderate thrombocytopenia): included 100 CHC
patients with platelet count 50–99 (109/L).
Results: The Overall CHC patient's mean age were (48.2 ± 11), 226 (75.33%) were males and 74
(24.67%) were females. 97.6% (293/300)of CHC patients attainedSVR; 97 % in (Group I), and 98
% in both (Group II), and (Group III), after 12 weeks DAAs therapy with no significant difference
between groups.
Conclusion: both DAAs treatment modalities were efficient in the eradication of HCV; however,
thrombocytopenia in CHC patients does not affect the DAAs therapy outcome
Vitamin D levels in patients with Behçet’s disease: Significance and impact on disease measures
No full textAbstractAim of the workThis study aimed to investigate serum levels of vitamin D in patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) and to evaluate their relationship to disease activity as well as different disease measures.Patients and methodsForty-two patients with BD were enrolled into this study. These patients were subjected to detailed history taking, thorough clinical examination including assessment of disease activity according to Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) score and performed laboratory investigations including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum calcium, serum phosphorus and serum alkaline phosphatase. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D) levels were determined using Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). A control group of 41 age and sex matched healthy controls was also included.ResultsThe mean level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (30.65±12.87ng/ml) was significantly decreased in BD patients compared to the controls (37.98±15.76ng/ml) (p=0.02). Significant negative correlations of serum vitamin D levels with patients’ ages (p=0.03), ESR (p<0.001), CRP (p<0.001) and BDCAF (p=0.003) were found; whereas, there was no significant correlation with disease duration (p=0.6). In multivariate regression analysis age (p=0.02), colchicine therapy (0.008), ESR (0.02) and CRP (0.03) were found to be the independent effectors on vitamin D serum levels.ConclusionSerum levels of vitamin D were significantly lower in BD patients compared to controls. Associations were found between vitamin D levels and age, BDCAF as well as ESR and CRP in BD patients. Low vitamin D may predispose BD patients to active disease, especially in older subjects
Assessment of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in children with iron deficiency anemia
No full textGame-like Interactive Exercise Versus Visual Feedback in Patients with Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Post Mastectomy: A Randomized Comparative Study
No full textBackground Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most frequent side effects of antineoplastic agents, with a prevalence of 19 to 85%. In terms of clinical manifestations, CIPN is primarily a sensory neuropathy with motor and autonomic alterations of varying intensity and duration. CIPN consider as major problem for both cancer patients and survivors, as well as for their healthcare providers, possibly increasing the risk of falling. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of game-like interactive exercise versus visual feedback training on the risk of falling and sensory integration in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy after mastectomy. Methods: In this randomized comparative study, 30 female patients diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy after mastectomy were randomly allocated into two equal groups; group (A) underwent game-like interactive exercise using the Biodex Balance System (BBS), while group (B) underwent a visual feedback training program using BBS. The treatment was applied for three sessions per week for four consecutive weeks. All subjects in both groups were assessed using the fall risk index and sensory integration test (sway index) in four sensory conditions at baseline and at the end of the study for both groups
Impact of the follicular fluid Coenzyme Q10 level in women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the pregnancy rate
No full textBackground: The most crucial problem with in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is still oocyte quality. The women age and the condition of their ovarian reserve are the primary determinants of oocyte quality.
Objectives: to assess the effects of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the result of pregnancies and the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) value in follicular fluid (FF) in the women who had the procedure.
Patients and methods: this cohort investigation was conducted on 81 infertile patients (age between 20-42 years, both normal or poor responders’ patients and patients with unexplained infertility) who underwent ICSI cycles.
Results: patients were divided into two groups: the pregnant group (n= 32) and the non-pregnant group (n= 49).There was a statistically insignificant difference in antral follicle count (AFC), number of retrieved oocytes, number of embryos, number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes, and maturation index between pregnant and non-pregnant females. CoQ10 level in FF was substantially greater in pregnant than non-pregnant females.
Conclusion: FF CoQ10 levels were positively correlated with eventual embryo quality and rates of conception. Our findings might be in favour of CoQ10 supplementation in women undergoing IVF for enhancement of the ovum and embryo quality
- …
