Endoscopic third ventriculostomy with or without choroid plexus cauterization for preventing shunt dependence in pediatric hydrocephalus: preliminary results of a prospective clinical case series in a lower-middle-income country (Egypt).

Purpose: Pediatric hydrocephalus imposes a significant clinical and financial burden in developing countries. Traditional treatment by ventricular shunting in this setting suffers a high rate of shunt infection and malfunction. This study aims at assessing the efficacy and safety of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), either alone or combined with choroid plexus cauterization (CPC), for preventing shunt dependence in pediatric hydrocephalus within a healthcare setting of a tertiary hospital in Egypt.

Azithromycin Exposure in a 10-Day Window of Myocardial Infarction and Short- and Long-Term Outcomes.

Background: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned in 2012 that azithromycin (AZM) can cause potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm, particularly in patients with known cardiac risk factors.

Immunohistochemical Expression of CXCL 10 in Vitiligo.

Background: Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by the loss of melanocytes from the epidermis. Cysteine x cysteine motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) is linked to the Th1 pattern and has been suggested as one of the most relevant chemokine axes that promote T-cell migration in different autoimmune and inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to assess the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of CXCL 10 in skin lesions of patients with vitiligo to explore its possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Endogenous adenine is a potential driver of the cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome.

Mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome are unknown, although key small molecule metabolites may be involved. Bulk and spatial metabolomics identified adenine to be upregulated and specifically enriched in coronary blood vessels in hearts from patients with diabetes and left ventricular hypertrophy. Single nucleus gene expression studies revealed that endothelial methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) was increased in human hearts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Interferon-induced protein 44 () and interferon regulatory factor 4 () gene expression in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background And Objectives: The type I interferon (IFN) signature has been found to be overactivated in many systemic autoimmune diseases. This may be explained by impaired regulation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) as well as interferon-induced protein 44 (IFI44) expression via their regulatory mechanisms via interferon regulatory factors (IRFs).

Patients And Methods: This case-control study includes two groups: 50 RA patients and 50 healthy controls.

Autotaxin Inhibition Reduces Post-Ischemic Myocardial Inflammation via Epigenetic Gene Modifications.

Myocardial infarction (MI) triggers a complex inflammatory response that is essential for cardiac repair but can also lead to adverse outcomes if left uncontrolled. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of epigenetic modifications in regulating post-MI inflammation. This study investigated the role of the autotaxin (ATX)/lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling axis in modulating myocardial inflammation through epigenetic pathways in a mouse model of MI.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming induce macrophage pro-inflammatory phenotype switch and atherosclerosis progression in aging.

Introduction: Aging increases the risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease and its complications. Macrophages are pivotal in the pathogenesis of vascular aging, driving inflammation and atherosclerosis progression. NOX4 (NADPH oxidase 4) expression increases with age, correlating with mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and atherosclerosis.

Inherent Metabolic Adaptations in Adult Spiny Mouse ( ) Cardiomyocytes Facilitate Enhanced Cardiac Recovery Following Myocardial Infarction.

The adult mammalian heart has limited regenerative capacity following injury, leading to progressive heart failure and mortality. Recent studies have identified the spiny mouse ( ) as a unique model for mammalian cardiac isch3emic resilience, exhibiting enhanced recovery after myocardial infarction (MI) compared to commonly used laboratory mouse strains. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms behind this unique response remain poorly understood.

Tamsulosin 0.8 mg daily dose in management of BPH patients with failed tamsulosin 0.4 mg monotherapy and unfit for surgical intervention.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of administering double-dose tamsulosin (0.8 mg) for treating patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who have not responded to the standard single dose of tamsulosin (0.4 mg) and are deemed unsuitable for transurethral resection (TUR) intervention.

Cadmium and zinc accumulation and tolerance in two Egyptian cultivars (S53 and V120) of L. as potential phytoremediator.

One of the most important oil crops in the world, sunflower ( L.), is recognized to help in soil phytoremediation. Heavy metal (HM) contamination is one of the most abiotic challenges that may affect the growth and productivity of such an important crop plant.

Direct vertebral rotation versus simple rod derotation techniques in correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: One method for treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is characterized by abnormal spinal alignment in the coronal, sagittal, and rotational planes, is surgical correction. The two surgical techniques most typically used to correct spine alignment are simple rod derotation (SRD) and direct vertebral derotation (DVR).

Aim: The study's goal was to assess the effectiveness of two treatment methods for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: simple rod derotation and direct vertebral rotation.

Lysophosphatidic Acid-Mediated Inflammation at the Heart of Heart Failure.

Purpose Of Review: The primary aim of this review is to provide an in-depth examination of the role bioactive lipids-namely lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and ceramides-play in inflammation-mediated cardiac remodeling during heart failure. With the global prevalence of heart failure on the rise, it is critical to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to its pathogenesis. Traditional studies have emphasized factors such as oxidative stress and neurohormonal activation, but emerging research has shed light on bioactive lipids as central mediators in heart failure pathology.

Tissue distribution, placental transfer and excretion of silver nanoparticles in pregnant rats after a single oral dose.

A quantitative assessment of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in fluids and some organs of pregnant rats as well as their fetal blood were carried out in this study. A single oral dose (1mg/kg) of AgNPs with a size range of 4-20 nm was administered to pregnant rats on the 19th of gestation. Five groups were euthanized after 10 min, 1, 6, 12, and 24 hr as well as the control group.

Emotional intelligence, workplace conflict and job burn-out among critical care physicians: a mediation analysis with a cross-sectional study design in Egypt.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between the effect of emotional intelligence on job burn-out and the mediating effect of workplace conflict management among critical care physicians.

Design And Setting: A cross-sectional study design was deployed.

Participants: The studied sample comprised 144 critical care physicians working at two Egyptian tertiary care public hospitals.

Prognostic Significance of Activated Monocytes in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Circulating monocytes have different subsets, including classical (CD14++CD16-), intermediate (CD14++CD16+), and nonclassical (CD14+CD16++), which play different roles in cardiovascular physiology and disease progression. The predictive value of each subset for adverse clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease is not fully understood. We sought to evaluate the prognostic efficacy of each monocyte subset in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

C-Reactive Protein Levels and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Two-Sample Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study.

Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are an indicator of inflammation, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, this potential association in observational studies remains inconclusive. We performed a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study using publicly available GWAS summary statistics to evaluate the relationship between CRP and CVD.

Neuro-immunohistochemical and molecular gene expression variations during hibernation and activity phases between Rana mascareniensis and Rana ridibunda.

Low temperatures and the lack of food during the winter lead the marsh frog Rana ridibunda and the grass frog Rana mascareniensis to hibernate in order to survive. The present study aimed to investigate the cytoarchitecture of brain sub-regions affected by the thermal cycle's fluctuations during the hibernation and activity period, besides the regional distribution quantitative expression of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Pax6 transcriptional factor, the molecular gene expressions of some heat shock proteins, uncoupling protein, and metallothionein. The two frog species were isolated from the field during summer and hibernation time in winter.

Nanoconjugated long non-coding RNA MEG3 as a new therapeutic approach for Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive human cancer with a poor prognosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have multiple functions: epigenomic regulation, gene transcription, protein-coding gene translation, and genome defense. The involvement of lncRNAs in therapy offers a vast step in cancer treatment.

Immune mechanisms of cardiac aging.

Advances in healthcare and improvements in living conditions have led to rising life expectancy worldwide. Aging is associated with excessive oxidative stress, a chronic inflammatory state, and limited tissue healing, all of which result in an increased risk of heart failure. In fact, the prevalence of heart failure approaches 40% in the ninth decade of life, with the majority of these cases suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Autologous CD133 + Cells and Laser Revascularization in patients with severe Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that targeted TMLR combined with intramyocardial injection of autologous CD 133 progenitor cells is safe and feasible in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and no revascularization options.

Methods: Eight male patients (age 62 ± 2.4 years) with multivessel severe ischemic heart disease and no revascularization options were enrolled.

Gelatin coating enhances therapeutic cell adhesion to the infarcted myocardium via ECM binding.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) results in weakening of the heart muscle and an increased risk for chronic heart failure. Therapeutic stem cells have been shown to reduce inflammatory signaling and scar tissue expansion, despite most of these studies being limited by poor retention of cells. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) coatings have been shown to increase the retention of these therapeutic cells near the infarct.

Combined Transplantation of Human MSCs and ECFCs Improves Cardiac Function and Decrease Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Ischemic heart disease, often caused by an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite significant advances in medical and procedural therapies, millions of AMI patients progress to develop heart failure every year.

Methods: Here, we examine the combination therapy of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) to reduce the early ischemic damage (MSCs) and enhance angiogenesis (ECFCs) in a pre-clinical model of acute myocardial infarction.

Characteristics, Process Metrics, and Outcomes Among Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Rural vs Urban Areas in the US: A Report From the US National Cardiovascular Data Registry.

Importance: Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) living in rural settings often have worse clinical outcomes compared with their urban counterparts. Whether this discrepancy is due to clinical characteristics or delays in timely reperfusion with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) or fibrinolysis is unclear.

Objective: To assess process metrics and outcomes among patients with STEMI in rural and urban settings across the US.