The role of lymphoid tissue SPARC in the pathogenesis and response to treatment of multiple myeloma.

Background: Despite the significant progress in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the disease remains untreatable and its cure is still an unmet clinical need. Neoplastic transformation in MM is initiated in the germinal centers (GCs) of secondary lymphoid tissue (SLT) where B cells experience extensive somatic hypermutation induced by follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and T-cell signals.

Objective: We reason that secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), a common stromal motif expressed by FDCs at the origin (SLTs) and the destination (BM) of MM, plays a role in the pathogenesis of MM, and, here, we sought to investigate this role.

Ankle and foot pathologies in early rheumatoid arthritis, what can ultrasound tell us?

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune polyarticular disease. Despite being commonly affected in RA, the ankle and foot do not receive much attention, particularly in early disease. The precise diagnosis of their involvement and its impact on health is a clinical challenge that requires accurate assessment.

Profiling of secondary metabolites and DNA typing of three different Annona cultivars grown in Egypt.

Objectives: Natural products are often efficacious and safe alternatives to synthetic drugs. This study explored secondary leaves and bark metabolites profiles in extracts of a new Egyptian hybrid, Annona cherimola × Annona squamosa, known as Abdel Razek. This hybrid exhibited 100% similarity with A.

Quality Assessment and Clinical Utility of Plasma Obtained Via Apheresis vs That Obtained from Whole Blood.

Objective: We studied the impact of storage of thawed plasma (TP) on the in vitro coagulation quality and posttransfusion outcomes of apheresis plasma (AP) vs whole blood plasma (WBP).

Methods: One hundred units of each product were analyzed. In vitro assays were performed on TP on day 0, day 2, and after refreezing, evaluating international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, and factors V and VIII.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence rates among Egyptian blood donors around the third wave: Cross-sectional study.

Background: Seroprevalence studies may provide a more representative situation of the disease burden and population-level immunity in a country.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies among asymptomatic blood donors attending the Cairo University blood bank services at various points in time around the third wave.

Methods: This cross-section study included 3058 eligible blood donors, representing a demographically and socially heterogeneous healthy population and categorized as: Group 1, 954 donors in the period from March 20 to 30/2021; Group 2, 990 donors in the period from June 3 to 10/2021.