Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in Egyptian multiple sclerosis patients.

One of the most common neurological illnesses in the world is multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS has both a genetic and an environmental origin. In terms of environmental factors, vitamin D deficiency is one of the most important risk factors and closely connected with gene polymorphisms involved in vitamin D metabolism, transport, or activity.

Study of intercurrent infection pattern in hepatitis C seropositive renal transplant recipients, relationship with T-cell function.

Background: We assessed the effect of hepatitis C seropositivity on the percentage of various T-cells in living donor renal transplant recipients (LDRTRs) and their association with intercurrent infections post renal transplantation (post-Tx).

Methods: One hundred and thirty-three matching LDRTRs [A (seronegative) (68 patients) and B (seropositive) (65 patients) by ELISA] were studied prospectively 10 days, 6 months and 12 months post-Tx for intercurrent infections, acute rejection and T-cell% by flow cytometry.

Results: CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4/CD8 were significantly higher 10 days post-Tx in Group B compared to Group A, p < 0.

Study of peripheral blood natural killer cells, T-cell helper/T-cell suppressor ratio and intercurrent infection frequency in hepatitis C seropositive prevalent hemodialysis patients.

Hemodialysis (HD) may adversely affect the immune system. It is established that intercurrent infection rate and severity may be increased in prevalent HD patients. Moreover, hepatitis C viral infection, a common infection in many HD centers, may further inhibit the immune system.

Value of entheseal ultrasonography and serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in the preclinical diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of entheseal ultrasonography and serum COMP in the preclinical diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.

Methods: 60 psoriatic patients were divided into: 30 patients with psoriasis (group I) and 30 patients with psoriatic arthritis as control (group II). They underwent independent clinical and ultrasonographic examination of both lower limbs at the calcaneal insertions of Achilles tendons.

Keratinocyte and lymphocyte apoptosis: relation to disease outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with and without cutaneous manifestations.

Our aim was to assess the relationship of keratinocyte and lymphocyte apoptosis and macrophage function to disease outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with and without cutaneous manifestations. 50 systemic lupus erythematosus patients [25 with cutaneous manifestations (group I), 25 without cutaneous manifestations (group II)] and 20 normal controls (group III) were studied. Assessments of disease activity, peripheral lymphocyte apoptosis, macrophage function and apoptotic cells in skin and renal biopsies were carried out.

Plasma interleukin-1beta levels in children with febrile seizures.

Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines regulate the febrile response during infection. In this study, the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures was investigated, through comparing levels of interleukin-1beta in the peripheral blood of children with febrile seizures and in a matched control group of children with febrile illnesses without seizures. The study included 33 children with febrile seizures (mean +/- SD, 29.