Eicosapentaenoic Acid Improves Endothelial Nitric Oxide Bioavailability Via Changes in Protein Expression During Inflammation.

Background: Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction involves reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability due to NO synthase uncoupling linked to increased oxidation and reduced cofactor availability. Loss of endothelial function and NO bioavailability are associated with inflammation, including leukocyte activation. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) administered as icosapent ethyl reduced cardiovascular events in REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial) in relation to on-treatment EPA blood levels.

Clinical and molecular characterization of myotonia congenita using whole-exome sequencing in Egyptian patients.

Background: Myotonia Congenita (MC) is a rare disease classified into two major forms; Thomsen and Becker disease caused by mutations in the CLCN1 gene, which affects muscle excitability and encodes voltage-gated chloride channels (CLC-1). While, there are no data regarding the clinical and molecular characterization of myotonia in Egyptian patients.

Methods: Herein, we report seven Egyptian MC patients from six unrelated families.

Brain metabolic profile assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in ‎‎children with Down syndrome: Relation to intelligence quotient.

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common causes of intellectual disability. Children with DS have varying intelligence quotient (IQ) that can predict their learning abilities.

Aim: To assess the brain metabolic profiles of children with DS and compare them to standard controls, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and correlating the results with IQ.

Lipid profile after omega-3 supplementation in neonates with intrauterine growth retardation: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Neonates with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have a high lipid profile that predisposes them to cardiovascular disease later in life. We aimed to evaluate the effect of omega 3 supplementation on serum leptin level, lipid profile, and growth in neonates with IUGR.

Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 70 full-term neonates with IUGR.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduces pulmonary endothelial dysfunction and inflammation due to changes in protein expression during exposure to particulate matter air pollution.

Aims: Inhalation of air pollution small particle matter (PM) is a leading cause of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Exposure to PMs causes endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction as evidenced by nitric oxide (NO) synthase uncoupling, vasoconstriction and inflammation. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has been shown to mitigate PM-induced adverse cardiac changes in patients receiving omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.

Hydroxychloroquine in children with proliferative lupus nephritis: a randomized clinical trial.

Unlabelled: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an antimalarial agent used to treat mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, constitutional manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study assessed the efficacy and side effects of HCQ in children with proliferative lupus nephritis (LN). This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial study was conducted on 60 children with proliferative LN classes III and IV treated with steroids and a mycophenolate (MMF) regimen.

Mycotic Aneurysms and Recurrent Intracranial Hemorrhages in a Patient With Infective Endocarditis.

The increase in the use of IV drugs has been accompanied by an increase in the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE). The clinical picture, vitals, examination, blood cultures, laboratory tests, and imaging can help diagnose IE. The Duke criteria also play a role in the diagnosis of IE.

Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome as an Uncommon Cause of Intractable Postprandial Abdominal Pain: A Case Report.

Celiac artery compression syndrome (CACS) is an uncommon and poorly understood condition. Compression of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament causes intractable postprandial abdominal pain, weight loss, vomiting, and nausea. We present a case of a 68-year-old male who suffered recurrent severe episodes of postprandial abdominal pain associated with occasional nausea, vomiting, and elevated blood pressure.

Disseminated Blastomycosis in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Blastomycosis is caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is endemic in certain areas in North America. It usually causes lung infection, and it can disseminate to other organs in immunocompromised individuals. Common sites for dissemination include skin, central nervous system (CNS), and bone.

Acute Intermittent Porphyria as a Rare Challenging Neuro-Metabolic Disease; a Case Report.

Porphyria is a challenging metabolic disease due to its heterogeneous presentation symptoms and its difficult diagnosis. Many affected individuals can complain of recurrent neuro-visceral attacks per year, some of which may be persistent and life-threatening, which is confusing if there is no established diagnosis. Although the motor manifestations, autonomic changes and seizure are highly suggestive, the diagnosis is often overlooked and needs confirmatory genetic testing.

Acute Non-glue Pulmonary Embolism Following Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-Guided Glue/Coil Treatment for Gastric Varices: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Decompensated liver cirrhosis (DLC) is sometimes associated with the development of esophageal varices (EV) and gastric varices (GV). GV is less common than EV. One of the treatment methods for GV is the injection of glue into the varices, which can be complicated by the embolism of the glue into the pulmonary vessels called glue pulmonary embolism (GPE).

Brown Recluse Spider Bite Resulting in Coombs Negative Hemolytic Anemia in a Young Male Requiring Blood Transfusion.

Spider bites, including the bites of recluse spiders (, also known as brown spiders), usually lead to local symptoms; however, severe systemic symptoms have also been reported in the literature. Management of spider bites is based on symptoms. In severe cases involving the development of angioedema, hemolytic anemia, skin necrosis with superimposed bacterial infection or disseminated intravascular coagulation, antibiotics, steroids, blood transfusions, and plasma exchange may also play a role.

Lysosomal storage diseases in the era of COVID-19: a report of an Egyptian case of alpha-fucosidosis and a summary of the lysosomal storage diseases-COVID-19 relationship.

Background: We present a case of alpha-fucosidosis, a lysosomal storage disorder, from Egypt. The report also includes a brief review of the COVID-19 and lysosomal storage diseases relationship.

Case Presentation: A female patient aged 18 years, diagnosed with type II fucosidosis, based on the cutaneous signs, characteristic facies, and systemic symptoms, and diagnosis was confirmed using genetic analysis.

Two new patients with focal dermal hypoplasia: A novel PORCN variant and insights on the diagnostic considerations.

Mutations in the PORCN gene cause an X-linked dominant condition; focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH), characterized by atrophic skin, pigmented skin lesions in addition to several ocular and skeletal malformations. FDH is rare with around 275 cases reported so far from diverse ethnic groups. Herein, we provide a report of two new patients with FDH from Egypt.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have distinct effects on endothelial fatty acid content and nitric oxide bioavailability.

Treatment with high dose icosapent ethyl (IPE), an ethyl ester of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), significantly reduced ischemic events in patients with either cardiovascular disease (CV) or diabetes plus other risk factors (REDUCE-IT) but the mechanism is not well understood.  We compared the effects of EPA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA) on bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and fatty acid composition. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with EPA, DHA, or AA (10 µM).

Propionic and Methylmalonic Acidemias: Initial Clinical and Biochemical Presentation.

PA and MAA have numerous nonspecific presentations, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. In this paper, we present the clinical and biochemical characteristics of MMA and PA patients at initial presentation. .

Clinical Course and Nutritional Management of Propionic and Methylmalonic Acidemias.

Propionic and methylmalonic acidemias result in multiple health problems including increased risk for neurological and intellectual disabilities. Knowledge regarding factors that correlate to poor prognosis and long-term outcomes is still limited. In this study, we aim to provide insight concerning clinical course and long-term complications by identifying possible correlating factors to complications.

Impact of Acute Eccentric versus Concentric Running on Exercise-Induced Fat Oxidation and Postexercise Physical Activity in Untrained Men.

Introduction: This study aimed at comparing the rate of exercise-induced fat oxidation and postexercise free-living physical activity after constant-load flat running (FR) and downhill running (DHR) bouts at an intensity that elicited maximal fat oxidation.

Methods: Participants were 11 healthy untrained men (mean age 25.6 ± 3.

The added value of digital breast tomosynthesis in improving diagnostic performance of BI-RADS categorization of mammographically indeterminate breast lesions.

Background: Mammographic findings are seen more clearly in tomographic images with consequent improvement of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) in categorization of indeterminate breast lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the added value of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) to BI-RADS classification in categorization of indeterminate breast lesions after digital mammography (DM) as an initial approach.

Methods And Results: We prospectively evaluated 296 women with BI-RADS indeterminate breast lesions (BI-RADS 0, 3, and 4) by DM between January 2018 and October 2019.

A prospective study of contrast preservation using ultra-low contrast delivery technique versus standard automated contrast injector system in coronary procedures.

Background: We aimed to assess the decrease in contrast media volume (CMV) with ultra-low contrast delivery technique (ULCD) developed at our institution versus the usual automated contrast injector system (ACIS) contrast delivery in coronary procedures.

Methods: We analyzed the amount of contrast given in the consecutive 204 patients of the operators who use ULCD technique versus consecutive 200 patients of the other operators who use ACIS without ULCD technique for coronary angiograms and/or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) from May 2017 to July 2018 at our center. We calculated the mean CMV between these groups.

Gynecology Imaging Reporting and Data System (GI-RADS): diagnostic performance and inter-reviewer agreement.

Objective: To evaluate diagnostic performance and inter-reviewer agreement (IRA) of the Gynecologic Imaging Reporting and Data System (GI-RADS) for diagnosis of adnexal masses (AMs) by pelvic ultrasound (US).

Patients And Methods: A prospective multicenter study included 308 women (mean age, 41 ± 12.5 years; range, 15-73 years) with 325 AMs detected by US.

Eicosapentaenoic acid improves endothelial function and nitric oxide bioavailability in a manner that is enhanced in combination with a statin.

The endothelium exerts many vasoprotective effects that are largely mediated by release of nitric oxide (NO). Endothelial dysfunction represents an early but reversible step in atherosclerosis and is characterized by a reduction in the bioavailability of NO. Previous studies have shown that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA), and statins individually improve endothelial cell function, but their effects in combination have not been tested.

Nanomedical studies of the restoration of nitric oxide/peroxynitrite balance in dysfunctional endothelium by 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D - clinical implications for cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Clinical studies indicate that vitamin D improves circulation and may have beneficial effects in hypertension. This study uses nanomedical systems to investigate the role of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D in the preservation/restoration of endothelial function in an angiotensin II (Ang II) cellular model of hypertension.

Methods: 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO) concentrations were measured in situ with nanosensors (200-300 mm diameter with a detection limit of 1 nM) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells of African American (AA) and Caucasian American (CA) donors exposed to Ang II.

Metformin treatment decreases nitroxidative stress, restores nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelial function beyond glucose control.

Reduction of nitric oxide (NO), a potent vasodilator, and an increase in cytotoxic peroxynitrite (ONOO) may be associated with the uncoupling of NO synthase (eNOS) and endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction. In addition to its effect on glucose control, metformin, may also directly benefit in the restoration of the function of eNOS and EC. Obese Zucker rats were administered vehicle or 300 mg/kg/day metformin for 4 weeks.