Bone mineral density in egyptian children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: possible correlation to serum RANKL / osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio and OPG gene polymorphisms.

Background: Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are at higher risk of decreased bone mineral density (BMD) compared with healthy children due to genetic, disease and medication-related causes. This study aims to investigate the possible effects of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene polymorphisms and serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB-ligand (RANKL) and RANKL/OPG ratio on BMD in children with JIA.

Methods: OPG gene rs2073617, rs3134069, serum RANKL, OPG and RANKL/OPG ratio were evaluated in 60 JIA children and 100 matched healthy controls.

Health Related Quality of Life in Juvenile-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate health related quality of life (HRQOL) in Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using 3 different tools.

Methods: In this questionnaire-based study, 100 children with SLE were included. HRQOL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales (PedsQL™ 4.

Association of Interleukin-17F Polymorphism and Mortality Predictors with the Risk of COVID-19.

Background: Th-17 cells, a proinflammatory subset of CD4 T lymphocytes, have been suggested as a possible cause of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19)-related immunological injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between IL-17F (rs763780) polymorphism and the susceptibility to and outcomes of COVID-19 infection and to determine the clinical and laboratory predictors of COVID-19 death.

Methods: This case-control study included 132 COVID-19 patients and 135 healthy age- and sex-matched controls.

Toll-Like Receptor 4 Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Study.

Schizophrenia is a common psychiatric disorder that exhibits a variety of symptoms. The exact etiology and pathogenesis are still doubtful. However, genetic and environmental factors seem to have a role.

Analysis of selected polymorphisms in FOXP3 gene in a cohort of Egyptian patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder with different symptoms. The environmental and genetic factors are suggested to be the etiology of schizophrenia. However, the exact cause and pathogenesis of schizophrenia are still unclear.

Predictors of decreased bone mineral density in childhood systemic lupus erythematosus: possible role of osteoprotegerin gene polymorphisms.

Objectives: This study aims to explore effects of osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene polymorphisms and other possible factors on bone mineral density (BMD) in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Osteoprotegerin gene rs2073617 and rs3134069 were evaluated in 74 SLE patients and 100 controls then genotypes, alleles and haplotypes' frequencies were compared between cases and controls and between patients with BMD z-scores above and below -2 evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Disease activity was evaluated by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI).

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis C-Related Cirrhosis: Are Advanced Glycation End Products a Key Driver?

Background And Purpose: The advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been implicated in different diseases' pathogenesis, but their role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a matter of debate. This study aims to investigate the association of AGEs with HCC development in patients with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis.

Methods: Only 153 of the 181 non-diabetic patients with cirrhosis were consecutively involved in this pilot cohort prospective study, along with 34 healthy control participants.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor II and PTPN22 genes polymorphisms and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptian children.

Background: Many genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent cytokine stimulator acting through 2 cell surface receptors (TNFR I and II). TNFRII gene which controls expression of these receptors has been linked to SLE susceptibility through promoting apoptosis.

Portal Vein Thrombosis in Non-Cirrhotic Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A 9-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Approximately 30-40% of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) remains of unknown origin. The association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and PVT is a matter of debate. This study aimed to investigate the association between PVT and NAFLD.

Health-related quality of life in Egyptian children with nephrotic syndrome.

Purpose: This research aimed to evaluate Quality of life (QoL) in Egyptian children with idiopathic Nephrotic syndrome (INS) in comparison to healthy children and children with chronic non-renal illnesses.

Methods: In this questionnaire-based study, 300 children were included, 100 with INS and 2 matched control groups: healthy group, and chronic non-renal illness group. QoL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.

Nonadherence to treatment and quality of life among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common respiratory diseases. Assessment of medication nonadherence and quality of life (QOL) is important in such chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to describe treatment nonadherence and QOL of COPD patients and their associated factors.