Comparative study of neutralizing antibodies titers in response to different types of COVID-19 vaccines among a group of egyptian healthcare workers.

Background: Defining the protective thresholds against the severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome-related corona virus-2 pandemic is a crucial challenge. To reduce the risks of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, various COVID-19 vaccines have been rapidly developed.

Aim Of The Work: This study aimed to assess the impact of three common COVID-19 vaccine types; two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines: (Pfizer/BioNTech's BNT162b2 and Moderna's mRNA-1273), one adenoviral vector vaccine: Oxford/AstraZeneca's ChAdOx1, and one inactivated vaccine (Sinovac Biotech/China's Sinovac) on the level of neutralizing antibodies, considering factors such as vaccine type, demographic characteristics, and hybrid immunity.

Antimicrobial activity of cefepime-tazobactam combination against extended spectrum beta-lactamase and/or AmpC beta-lactamase- producing gram-negative bacilli.

Background: The problem of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, which is caused by ESBL and AmpC β-lactamases, is getting worse globally. Infections caused by bacterial isolates harboring these enzymes are difficult to treat with carbapenems being the sole effective treatment option for such infections. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of ESBLs and AmpC-producing Gram-negative bacilli isolated from clinical specimens and to evaluate the sensitivity of cefepime-tazobactam combination against them.

Green synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanodots from sage leaves for selective anticancer activity on 2D liver cancer cells and 3D multicellular tumor spheroids.

Carbon nanodots, a family of carbon-based nanomaterials, have been synthesized through different methods from various resources, affecting the properties of the resulting product and their application. Herein, carbon nanodots (CNDs) were synthesized with a green and simple hydrothermal method from sage leaves at 200 °C for 6 hours. The obtained CNDs are well dispersed in water with a negative surface charge (-potential = -11 mV) and an average particle size of 3.

Detection of ERG11 gene in fluconazole resistant urinary candida isolates.

Candida species resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole were screened for the presence of ERG11gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also, the association of this gene with the demonstration of Candida virulence factors; biofilm formation, phospholipase and proteinases activities were studied. A total of 61 Candida isolates were collected from urine specimens.

Treatment of gingival recession.

Gingival recession is an intriguing and complex phenomenon. Recession frequently disturbs patients because of sensitivity and esthetics. Many surgical techniques have been introduced to treat gingival recession, including those involving autogenous tissue grafting, various flap designs, orthodontics, and guided tissue regeneration.

Herpes simplex virus type-2 in Egyptian patients with bladder cancer or cystitis.

The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) in Egyptian patients with bladder cancer or cystitis and to evaluate the performance of different diagnostic HSV-2 assays. The study included 50 patients: 27 with bladder cancer (group I), 23 with cystitis (group II) and 20 subjects as controls (group III). HSV-2 DNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on bladder tissue and buffy coat cells (BCC).

Role of human papillomavirus types 16, 18, and 52 in recurrent cystitis and urinary bladder cancer among Egyptian patients.

Background: Bladder cancer is a common malignancy in Egypt. Human papillomavirus (HPV) could have a possible etiologic role in bladder carcinogenesis. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of HPV-16, -18, and -52 in Egyptian patients with bladder cancer or recurrent cystitis, and to study the correlation of type-specific HPV-immunoglobulin (Ig)G with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results and different clinicopathologic parameters.

What can be revealed by extending the sensitivity of HBsAg detection to below the present limit?

Background/aims: We investigated what can be revealed by extending the sensitivity of HBsAg detection to below the present limit.

Methods: We examined the sensitivity of this immunoassay in comparison with real-time PCR detection of HBV DNA using serially diluted sera from HBV carriers. Low HBsAg was measured in 210 healthy volunteers and 368 patients with non-B chronic liver diseases who were negative for HBsAg by a standard EIA method.