Effect of Nutrition in the First Two Years of Life on Body Composition of Preschool-Aged Children.

Background Feeding and growth during infancy have been associated with later life body mass index and early excessive weight gain is associated with obesity later on. This study aimed to assess the effect of feeding in the first two years of life on the body composition of children at the preschool age and detect the importance of using bioelectrical impedance (BIA) analysis in identifying individuals at risk of overweight and obesity. Methods A cross-sectional study included 160 children.

Morin attenuates sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by regulating inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and tubular regeneration (morin and sepsis-induced acute kidney injury).

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a health complication, encompassing excessive inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and tubular necrosis; leading to kidney failure and death. Sepsis treatments are nonspecific and palliative. In this study, we evaluated the effect of morin, a flavonoid with known nephroprotective capabilities, on sepsis-induced AKI by dividing eighty male mice into: normal, morin-treated, septic, and septic mice treated with morin.

CELF4 (rs1786814) gene polymorphism and speckle-tracking Echocardiography for cardiovascular complications in childhood cancer survivors.

Background: Despite a well-known dose-dependent association between the risk of cardiac dysfunction and anthracycline, the risk of cardiac dysfunction for any given anthracycline dose varies between patients. So, we assessed CELF4 (rs1786814) gene polymorphism on anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors (CCS).

Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 53 CCS who had regular follow-up visits at the Pediatric Oncology Unit, Menoufia University Hospital.

HbA1c or fructosamine on evaluating glucose intolerance in children with beta- thalassemia.

Background: Beta-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients are more likely to experience blood glucose intolerance and to date; the blood markers that could evaluate this are debatable. So, this study aimed to assess the roles of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fructosamine in evaluating glucose intolerance in children with β-TM and figuring out role of insulin resistance in these patients.

Methods: One hundred children diagnosed with β-TM and 100 age and sex-matched controls were enrolled.

Epstein-Barr Virus Promotes Tumorigenicity and Worsens Hodgkin Lymphoma Prognosis by Activating JAK/STAT and NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is detected in 40% of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). During latency, EBV induces epigenetic alterations to the host genome and decreases the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins. The present study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of mRNA molecules and the end product of proteins for the JAK/STAT and NF-κB pathways, and their association with clinicopathological and prognostic parameters in patients with EBV-positive and -negative classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL).

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) selective agonist G1 attenuates the neurobehavioral, molecular and biochemical alterations induced in a valproic acid rat model of autism.

Aims: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a rising prevalence in boys rather than girls. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) activation by its agonist G1 showed a neuroprotective effect, similar to estradiol. The present study aimed to examine the potential of the selective GPER agonist G1 therapy on the behavioral, histopathological, biochemical, and molecular alterations induced in a valproic acid (VPA)-rat model of autism.

Timing of parenteral nutrition initiation in critically ill children: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: The optimal timing of parenteral nutrition (PN) initiation in critically ill children remains controversial.

Purpose: To identify the optimal timing of PN initiation in critically ill children.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Menoufia University Hospital.

MTHFR C677T Polymorphism, Plasma Homocysteine, and PDGF-AA Levels and Transcranial Doppler Velocity in Children With Sickle Cell Disease.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism on plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA) levels in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), and ascertain their role in predicting high transcranial doppler velocity (TCD).

Methods: We estimated MTHFRC677T gene poly-morphism, plasma tHyc and PDGF-AA in 44 SCD patients and 44 healthy children.

Results: The prevalence of mutant homozygous MTHFR (C677TT) in SCD was 13.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neuroimaging in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease.

Background: The risk of neurological complications is increased in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), such as silent cerebral infarction (SCI) and stroke. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a nerve growth factor associated with elevated transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocities and increased risk of stroke in SCD patients. So, we assessed the BDNF level in children with SCD and its relation to neurological complication as silent stroke.

Pediatric sepsis diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers: pancreatic stone protein, copeptin, and apolipoprotein A-V.

Background: We assessed serum concentrations of pancreatic stone protein (PSP), copeptin, and apolipoprotein A-V (APOA5) biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of pediatric sepsis, a condition associated with high mortality.

Methods: This prospective study included 180 children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and 100 healthy controls at Menoufia University Hospital. Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM), Pediatric Index of Mortality-2 (PIM2), and Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (pSOFA) scores were calculated.

Assessment of asymmetric dimethylarginine and homocysteine in epileptic children receiving antiepileptic drugs.

Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disease that requires long-term antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The old generation of AEDs may affect serum homocysteine and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and disturb lipid levels. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum ADMA, homocysteine, lipid profile, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in epileptic children.

The anti-androgenic effect of quercetin on hyperandrogenism and ovarian dysfunction induced in a dehydroepiandrosterone rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multi-factorial endocrine disorder associated with hyperandrogenism. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration to prepubertal rats stimulates androgen biosynthesis and generation of the PCOS model. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-androgenic effects of quercetin (Q) in comparison with metformin (MET) on hyperandrogenism and ovarian dysfunction in a DHEA-induced PCOS rat model.

Relationships among consanguinity, family history, and the onset of type 1 diabetes in children from Saudi Arabia.

Aims: We aimed to demonstrate the relationship between parental consanguinity and positive family histories of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and autoimmune disease and the development of T1DM among children in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional case-control study. In total, 192 patients and 188 healthy controls were enrolled from the Pediatric Diabetes Clinic at King Salman Military Hospital between January 2000 and December 2010.

Quercetin stimulates the non-amyloidogenic pathway via activation of ADAM10 and ADAM17 gene expression in aluminum chloride-induced Alzheimer's disease rat model.

Aims: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by declined cognitive functions in the elderly. Quercetin (Q) is a potent flavonol that has neuroprotective effects on AD derangements. The present study aimed to evaluate the α-secretase stimulatory function of Q through activation of ADAM10 and ADAM17 gene expression in the aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced AD rat model.

The severity and atypical presentations of COVID-19 infection in pediatrics.

Background: Emergence of 2019-nCoV attracted global attention and WHO declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern. Therefore we aimed to explore the severity and atypical manifestations of COVID-19 among children.

Methods: This is an observational cohort study conducted on 398 children with confirmed COVID-19 by using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid during the period from March to November 2020.

Assessment of Subclinical Renal Glomerular and Tubular Dysfunction in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major.

Background: A good survival rate among patients with beta thalassemia major (beta-TM) has led to the appearance of an unrecognized renal disease. Therefore, we aimed to assess the role of serum cystatin-C as a promising marker for the detection of renal glomerular dysfunction and N-acetyl beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) as potential markers for the detection of renal tubular injury in beta-TM children.

Methods: This case-control study was implemented on 100 beta-TM children receiving regular blood transfusions and undergoing iron chelation therapy and 100 healthy children as a control group.

Neurophysiological and Neuroradiological Changes in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on maintenance hemodialysis frequently present with neurological complications. These complications include peripheral neuropathy, encephalopathy, and stroke. To detect the prevalence of neurological manifestations and complications in children with CKD through neurophysiological and neuro-radiological findings.

Spirulina inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma through activating p53 and apoptosis and suppressing oxidative stress and angiogenesis.

Background: Most hepatocellular carcinoma cases are diagnosed at late stages of the disease, which makes it the second cause of cancer mortality worldwide. For advanced-stage patients, chemotherapeutic drugs are the best treatment option; however, their adverse effects and high cost are still major obstacles for effective treatment. Spirulina microalga is a rich source of nutritional and bioactive elements and potential pharmaceuticals, which has an -proliferative effect against several cancer cell lines.

The relation between mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and different genes expression in patients with beta Thalassemia.

Background: β-thalassemia is an inherited hemoglobinopathy resulting in quantitative changes in the β-globin chain. Understanding the molecular basis of that disorder requires studying the expression of genes controlling the pathways that affect the erythropoietic homeostasis especially the MAPK pathway. The MAPKs are a family of serine/threonine kinases that play an essential role in connecting cell-surface receptors to DNA in the nucleus of the cell.

Assessment of ventricular dysfunction in Egyptian children with Beta-thalassemia major.

Objective/background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum cardiac troponin I and serum N-terminal (NT) pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) levels and the utility of tissue Doppler imaging in assessing cardiovascular changes following left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in children with beta-thalassemia major (β-TM). In children with β-TM who depend on regular blood transfusion, cardiac iron toxicity is a common serious complication. The most common cause of death among these patients is congestive heart failure.

Efficacy and safety of intralesional steroid injection in the treatment of melasma.

Background: The etiopathogenesis of melasma is not yet completely elucidated; however, certain inflammatory cytokines are involved in its pathogenesis as interleukin (IL) 1a, IL 1b, IL6, prostaglandin (PG) D2and PGE2. Corticosteroid suppressive effect on these cytokines may explain its therapeutic effect in the treatment of melasma.

Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone versus Kligman's formula in treatment of melasma.

Outcome of Core Binding Factor Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Mutation.

Background: Core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) encodes 2 recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities, t(8;21) and inv(16), which carries an overall good prognosis. However, some patients will develop a relapse. We sought define the unfavorable group of CBF-AML by analysis of (c-KIT and FLT3-ITD) and to correlate them with treatment outcome.

Down-regulation of circulating microRNA let-7a in Egyptian smokers.

Altered miRNAs were associated with cigarette smoking. The study aimed to examine the gene expression level of plasma let-7a among healthy smokers and compared it with the non-smokers. Forty subjects were recruited for the present study and classified into 21 smokers and 19 non-smokers, age, and sex were matched.

Morus alba L. Diminishes visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, behavioral alterations via regulation of gene expression of leptin, resistin and adiponectin in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.

Ethanolic extract of leaves of Morus alba L. (M. alba), known as white mulberry, was orally administered (100 mg/kg b.

Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on the liver of perimenopausal rat: multiple doses study.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a widespread nutritional "anti-aging" supplement. Exogenous supplementation of DHEA is now being commonly used to augment ovarian stimulation in perimenopausal women with diminished ovarian reserve. Whether DHEA causes side effects in such age is, however, unknown.