Serum angiopoietin-2: a promising biomarker for early diabetic kidney disease in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Albuminuria has been considered the golden standard biomarker for diabetic kidney disease (DKD), but appears once significant kidney damage has already occurred. Angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) has been implicated in the development and progression of DKD in adults. We aimed to explore the association of serum Angpt-2 levels with DKD in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) of short duration (3-5 years) and to evaluate the predictive power of serum Angpt-2 in the early detection of DKD prior to the microalbuminuric phase.

Wall panel structure design optimization of a hexagonal satellite.

Considering that it satisfies high strength and stiffness at a low weight, the grid structure is the ideal option for meeting the requirements for developing the wall panel structure for the satellite. The most attractive grid structures for the satellite wall panel industry are isogrid and honeycomb structures. The first part of this work involves studying the mechanical and dynamic performance of five designs for the satellite wall panel made of 7075-T0 Al-alloy.

The Potential Impact of MYH9 (rs3752462) and ELMO1 (rs741301) Genetic Variants on the Risk of Nephrotic Syndrome Incidence.

The kidney lost a lot of protein in the urine when you have nephrotic syndrome (NS). Clinical manifestations mostly common in NS include massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is currently classified into steroid-dependent (SDNS) and steroid-resistant (SRNS) based on the initial response to corticosteroid therapy at presentation.

Phosphogypsum and poultry manure enhance diversity of soil fauna, soil fertility, and barley (Hordeum aestivum L.) grown in calcareous soils.

Enrichment of calcareous soils with phosphogypsum and poultry manure amendments could increase nutrient availability, improve calcareous chemical characteristics, and enhance barley plant growth. In the current study, phosphogypsum (PG) and poultry manure (PM) were used to determine the effects of PG and PM application on soil fauna diversity, soil fertility, and barley yield. The pot experiment treatments were: C: control; PG1: 4.

Nanocomposite Hydrogels Containing Few-Layer Graphene Sheets Prepared through Noncovalent Exfoliation Show Improved Mechanical Properties.

Hydrogels show great potential as soft materials for biomedical applications and flexible devices. However, conventional hydrogels exhibit poor mechanical strengths owing to the presence of water in their polymer networks. Therefore, improving the mechanical properties of hydrogels by controlling the chemical and physical structures that affect their macroscopic behaviors is a challenging issue.

Clinicopathological Impact of Gene Polymorphism of Nephrin and Glucocorticoid Receptor Genes in Egyptian Children with Nonfamilial Nephrotic Syndrome.

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) is one of the most common primary glomerular diseases in children. In this study, we investigate the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of nephrin gene and glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and susceptibility to develop NS and the response to steroid therapy in 100 Egyptian children with NS using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. We also analyzed the correlation between the genotypes and clinicopathologic features of the patients.

Postdiarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome in Egyptian children: An 11-year single-center experience.

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a leading cause of childhood acute kidney injury (AKI) worldwide, with its postdiarrheal (D+HUS) form being the most common. Scarce data are available regarding D+HUS epidemiology from developing countries. This study aims to reveal the characterization of D+ HUS in Egyptian children.

Intramolecular electron transfer of light harvesting perylene-pyrene supramolecular conjugate.

Electronic interactions between the cationic N,N'-bis(2(trimethylammonium iodide) ethylene)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxyldiimide (TAIPDI) with two electron donors, namely, pyrene (Py) and 1-pyrenesulfonic acid sodium salt (PySA), have been investigated. The spectroscopic studies showed the formation of the supramolecular conjugate between TAIPDI and PySA via ionic interaction, but not with Py. Density functional theory (DFT) combined with a natural energy decomposition analysis (NEDA) technique showed an S-like structure of the supramolecular conjugate TAIPDI-PySA via an ionic interaction.

A subphthalocyanine-pyrene dyad: electron transfer and singlet oxygen generation.

A light harvesting subphthalocyanine-pyrene dyad has been synthesized and characterized by linking pyrene (Py) with subphthalocyanine (SubPc) at its axial position with the B-O bond through the para position of the benzene group. Upon photoexcitation at the pyrene unit of the dyad, an efficient electron transfer from the singlet-excited state of Py to SubPc was observed. The electron transfer features were also observed by exciting the SubPc entity, but with slower rates (∼10 s).

Spectroscopic and thermodynamic studies of light harvesting perylenediimide derivative - zinc porphyrin complex in aqueous media.

Self-assembly of perylene derivative such as N,N'-bis(2(trimethylammonium iodide) ethylene)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxyldiimide (TAIPDI) can produce one-dimensional form (1D) in an aqueous media. The ability of one-dimensional TAIPDI to form light harvesting complex with water-soluble zinc porphyrin (ZnTPPS) via the π-π and electrostatic interactions has been described. Owing to electronic interactions between the π-systems, the complex formation is accompanied by pronounced absorption spectral changes in the UV/Vis absorption bands.

A light harvesting perylene derivative - zinc phthalocyanine complex in water: spectroscopic and thermodynamic studies.

A perylene derivative, namely N,N'-bis(2(trimethylammonium iodide)ethylene)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxyldiimide (TAIPDI) forms nanoscale columnar stacks in water that have been characterized by using optical absorption and emission measurements, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This behaviour was compared with that of unstacked TAIPDI in methanol. Assembly formation between the one-dimensional TAIPDI stacks and zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulphonic groups (ZnPcS) via strong π-π and ionic interactions has been described in an aqueous medium.

Comparative performance of cement kiln dust and activated carbon in removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions.

This study compared the performance of cement kiln dust (CKD) as industrial byproduct and commercially activated carbon (AC) as adsorbent derived from agricultural waste for the removal of cadmium (Cd(2+)) from aqueous solutions. CKD and AC were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface areas demonstrate the differences of physicochemical properties. Batch equilibrium experiments were conducted for various intervals extended to 96 h at 20, 25 and 30°C to investigate the efficiency of the sorbents in the removal of Cd(2+).

Montelukast as an add-on treatment in steroid dependant nephrotic syndrome, randomised-controlled trial.

Background: The underlying mechanisms of nephrotic syndrome (NS) are still under debate and the need for more effective and less toxic treatment is challenging. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist as an add-on therapy, and to explore the leukotriene (LT) biology in steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted including 32 patients with SDNS who were randomly assigned to receive standard steroid treatment only [low-dose steroid (LDS) group] or standard steroid therapy plus montelukast (Montelukast group).

Schimke immune-osseous dysplasia: A case report.

Schimke immune-osseous dysplasia (SIOD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia (SED), progressive renal insufficiency beginning as steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) and defective cellular immunity. This article reports a case from Egypt with a mild form of SIOD. A 14.

Serum cystatin-C and BETA 2-microglobulin as accurate markers in the early diagnosis of kidney injury in neonates: A single center study.

Early detection of kidney injury in neonates is very important for appropriate management and prevention of serious complications; however, commonly used detectors as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) do not directly reflect early renal cell injury. Serum cystatin-C (Cys-C) and beta 2-microglobulin (Β2M), serum creatinine and BUN were assessed in 20 neonates who developed renal impairment after admission to the neonatal intensive care unit and 10 healthy neonates. The means of serum Cys-C, Β2M and creatinine on Day 1 of admission in the cases and control groups were 2.

Lupus nephritis in Egyptian children: a 16-year experience.

We retrospectively evaluated the clinical features, histo-pathological patterns, treatment modalities, and outcome of children and adolescents with lupus nephritis (LN), followed-up in Lupus Clinic, Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Mansoura University Children's Hospital between January 1997 and December 2012. Out of 194 patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), LN was reported in 136 (70 %) patient, they were 27 males (20 %) and 109 females (80 %). The mean age at presentation was 12.

Fifteen years of kidney biopsies in children: a single center in Egypt.

This study retrospectively investigates the indications and results of renal biopsy in children to determine the patterns of childhood kidney disease in a single tertiary children's hospital in Egypt. We included all the patients who underwent ultrasound-guided renal biopsy from 1998 to 2012. All the kidney biopsies were studied under light microscopy, while immunofluorescence and electron microscopy were performed when indicated.

Pathological profile of biopsied Egyptian children with primary nephrotic syndrome: 15-year single center experience.

Background: Primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) in children is a common problem worldwide. The pathological pattern of PNS differs between countries. However, data on the pathological pattern of PNS in Egyptian children are scant.

Sleep quality assessment using polysomnography in children on regular hemodialysis.

Studies examining sleep patterns in children on hemodialysis (HD) are lacking. This cross-sectional, control-matched group study was performed to assess the sleep quality in children on HD. The assessment was made using a subjective sleep assessment and sleep questionnaire and objective analysis was made using full night polysomnography.

Comparison of intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange in treatment of mechanically ventilated children with Guillain Barré syndrome: a randomized study.

Introduction: Respiratory failure is a life threatening complication of Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS). There is no consensus on the specific treatment for this subset of children with GBS.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized study to compare the outcome of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange (PE) treatment in children with GBS requiring mechanical ventilation.