The role of lymphoid tissue SPARC in the pathogenesis and response to treatment of multiple myeloma.

Background: Despite the significant progress in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the disease remains untreatable and its cure is still an unmet clinical need. Neoplastic transformation in MM is initiated in the germinal centers (GCs) of secondary lymphoid tissue (SLT) where B cells experience extensive somatic hypermutation induced by follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and T-cell signals.

Objective: We reason that secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), a common stromal motif expressed by FDCs at the origin (SLTs) and the destination (BM) of MM, plays a role in the pathogenesis of MM, and, here, we sought to investigate this role.

Quality Assessment and Clinical Utility of Plasma Obtained Via Apheresis vs That Obtained from Whole Blood.

Objective: We studied the impact of storage of thawed plasma (TP) on the in vitro coagulation quality and posttransfusion outcomes of apheresis plasma (AP) vs whole blood plasma (WBP).

Methods: One hundred units of each product were analyzed. In vitro assays were performed on TP on day 0, day 2, and after refreezing, evaluating international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, and factors V and VIII.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence rates among Egyptian blood donors around the third wave: Cross-sectional study.

Background: Seroprevalence studies may provide a more representative situation of the disease burden and population-level immunity in a country.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies among asymptomatic blood donors attending the Cairo University blood bank services at various points in time around the third wave.

Methods: This cross-section study included 3058 eligible blood donors, representing a demographically and socially heterogeneous healthy population and categorized as: Group 1, 954 donors in the period from March 20 to 30/2021; Group 2, 990 donors in the period from June 3 to 10/2021.

Anti-Factor H Antibodies in Egyptian Children with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

Background: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is an important cause of acute kidney injury in children. It is primarily caused by dysregulation of the complement alternative pathway due to genetic mutations, mainly in complement factor H genes, or due to anti-factor H autoantibodies (anti-FH), leading to uncontrolled overactivation of the complement system. Early diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune HUS (AI-HUS) is essential and leads to a favorable outcome.

Genetic variations in DNA-repair genes (XRCC1, 3, and 7) and the susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma in a cohort of Egyptians.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a worldwide etiology of chronic hepatic insult particularly in Egypt. DNA-repair systems are responsible for maintaining genomic integrity by countering threats posed by DNA lesions. Deficiency in the repair capacity due to genetic alterations in DNA-repair genes can lead to genomic instability and increased risk of cancer development.

The effect of different methods of leucoreduction on plasma coagulation factors.

Removal of leucocytes from blood products, namely leucoreduction, improves the safety of blood transfusion by reducing adverse events associated with the incidental transfusion of leucocytes. Coagulation factors might be compromised during leucoreduction because of exposure of plasma to a variety of filter materials. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of different methods of prestorage leucofiltration (apheresis and whole blood filters) on prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, partial thromboplastin time and factors V and VIII.

Frequency of Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HFE) Gene Mutations in Egyptian Beta Thalassemia Patients and its Relation to Iron Overload.

Aim: This study aimed to detect the most common HFE gene mutations (C282Y, H63D, and S56C) in Egyptian beta thalassemia major patients and its relation to their iron status.

Subjects And Methods: The study included 50 beta thalassemia major patients and 30 age and sex matched healthy persons as a control group. Serum ferritin, serum iron and TIBC level were measured.

Peripheral expression of hepcidin gene in Egyptian β-thalassemia major.

Iron overload is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in transfusion dependent β-thalassemia major patients. There is a sophisticated balance of body iron metabolism of storage and transport which is regulated by several factors including the peptide hepcidin. Hepcidin is the main iron regulatory molecule; it is secreted mainly by the liver and other tissues including monocytes and lymphocytes.