Do oxidized low-density lipoproteins link to extra hepatic manifestations in chronic, non-cirrhotic HCV patients?

Background: Tissue damage by viral hepatitis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Oxidation reactions and reactive oxygen species (ROS) transform proteins and lipids in plasma low-density lipoproteins (LDL) into the abnormal oxidized LDL (ox-LDL). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection induces oxidative/nitrosative stress from multiple sources, including the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the mitochondrial electron transport chain, hepatocyte NAD(P)H oxidases (NOX enzymes), and inflammation.

Revealing the significance of early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: insights from healthy lung initiative data at COP27 conference.

Background: Climate change poses a significant threat to respiratory health, exacerbating conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and respiratory infections increasing morbidity and mortality indirectly through exposure to greenhouse gases. During the 27th Climate Change Conference (COP27), the Healthy Lung Initiative (HLI) for the early detection of COPD among smokers was launched in Egypt.

Objective: We aimed to detect the prevalence and predictors of confirmed COPD among smokers and assess physicians' adherence to prescribing pulmonary function tests (PFTs) among the COP27 conference attendees.

Total Hip Arthroplasty Complications in Sickle Cell Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: Microvascular occlusions caused by sickle-shaped erythrocytes in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) can lead to increased intraoperative and postoperative complications during total hip arthroplasty (THA). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the overall rate of complications following THA in patients with SCD and to identify the predictors of these complications including the surgical approach. : The search was conducted across the grey literature, Google Scholar, and seven databases: Scopus, MEDLINE Central/PubMed, ProQuest, SciELO, SAGE, and Web of Science.

Interplay between Comorbidities and Long COVID: Challenges and Multidisciplinary Approaches.

Long COVID, a name often given to the persistent symptoms following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, poses a multifaceted challenge for health. This review explores the intrinsic relationship between comorbidities and autoimmune responses in shaping the trajectory of long COVID. Autoantibodies have emerged as significant players in COVID-19 pathophysiology, with implications for disease severity and progression.

Acceptability of Tele-mental Health Services Among Users: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Mental disorders are currently a global public health concern, particularly after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Mental health services gradually transitioned to teleservices, employing various methods like texting and videoconferencing. This meta-analysis aimed mainly to quantify the acceptability of tele-mental health services among both beneficiaries and providers.

Quality of life among the Arab population two years after COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in severe consequences worldwide. Our study aims to assess the quality of life (QoL) domains and its determinants among the general population in Arab countries after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: An anonymous online cross-sectional survey using the short version of World Health Organization QoL (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument was distributed among Arab adults in 15 Arab Countries.

Survey to measure the quality of life of patients with tuberculosis in Alexandria, Egypt: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Assessment of quality of life (QoL) in patients with tuberculosis (TB) may improve healthcare providers' understanding of the disease burden. This study aimed to investigate the QoL of patients with TB in Alexandria, Egypt.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in chest clinics and main chest hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt.

How can imported monkeypox break the borders? A rapid systematic review.

Background: Monkeypox was designated as an emerging illness in 2018 by the World Health Organization Research and Development Blueprint, necessitating expedited research, development, and public health action. In this review, we aim to shed the light on the imported cases of monkeypox in attempt to prevent the further spread of the disease. Methodology An electronic search in the relevant database (Web of Science, PubMed Medline, PubMed Central, Google scholar, and Embase) was conducted to identify eligible articles.

Quality of life among health care workers in Arab countries 2 years after COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Assessment of the quality of life (QoL) among healthcare workers (HCWs) is vital for better healthcare and is an essential indicator for competent health service delivery. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic strike, the frontline position of HCWs subjected them to tremendous mental and psychological burden with a high risk of virus acquisition.

Aim: This study evaluated the QoL and its influencing factors among HCWs residing in the Arab countries.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the catastrophic costs incurred by tuberculosis patients.

One of the strategies of the World Health Organization End Tuberculosis (TB) was to reduce the catastrophic costs incurred by TB-affected families to 0% by 2020.Catastrophic cost is defined by the total cost related to TB management exceeding 20% of the annual pre-TB household income. This study aimed to estimate the pooled proportion of TB affected households who incurred catastrophic costs.

A multicenter cross-sectional French study of the impact of COVID-19 on neuromuscular diseases.

Background: Due to their health condition, patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are at greater risk of developing serious complications with COVID-19. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of COVID-19 among NMD patients and the risk factors for its impact and severity during the first wave of the pandemic. Clinical data were collected from NMD-COVID-19 patients, between March 25, 2020 and May 11, 2020 in an anonymous survey carried out by expert physicians from the French Health Care Network Filnemus.

Optimizing pharmacotherapy of systemic lupus erythematosus: the pharmacist role.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. The management of the disease includes nonpharmacotherapy and pharmacotherapy.

Aim Of The Review: To provide an up-to-date review of the etiology, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic findings, and treatment options for SLE.

Overcoming barriers to diabetes control in geriatrics.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is approaching epidemic proportions in most countries and has captured the attention of physicians at local, national and global levels. The elderly population remains at a higher risk for diabetes mellitus (1), and the disease poses unique concerns for geriatricians, primary care physicians, nurses and specialised pharmacists who provide care to the elderly. Glycaemic control, geriatric-related syndromes and cardiovascular risk factors considerably affect the elderly patient's functional status and life expectancy (2).

Molecular epidemiology of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis is a major cause of ocular morbidity and may lead to visual loss. Adenovirus types 8, 19, and 37 may cause epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. The main objective of this study was to determine the types of adenoviruses causing keratoconjunctivitis in Saudi Arabia.

Periodic salbutamol in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects on muscle strength of salbutamol administered for 6 months using a periodic regimen in patients presenting with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).

Design: Placebo-controlled double-blind randomized study.

Setting: Three clinical centers involved in neuromuscular disorders.

Clinical outcome in 19 French and Spanish patients with valosin-containing protein myopathy associated with Paget's disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia.

We report the clinical, histological and genetic findings in 10 families (19 patients) presenting mutations in the valosin-containing protein (VCP). The mean age at onset was 42 years. The clinical pattern was characterized by an early involvement of the proximal upper limbs with scapular winging.

Analysis of the DYSF mutational spectrum in a large cohort of patients.

Dysferlinopathies belong to the heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive muscular dystrophies. Mutations in the gene encoding dysferlin (DYSF) lead to distinct phenotypes, mainly Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B) and Miyoshi myopathy (MM). Here, we analysed the mutational data from the largest cohort described to date, a cohort of 134 patients, included based on clinical suspicion of primary dysferlinopathy and/or dysferlin protein deficiency identified on muscle biopsy samples.

Childhood blindness at a school for the blind in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: To determine the major causes of eye diseases leading to visual loss and blindness among children attending a school for the blind in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A total of 217 school children with visual disabilities attending a school for the blind in Riyadh were included. All children were brought to The Eye Center, Riyadh, and had complete ophthalmologic examinations including visual acuity testing, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, tonometry and laboratory investigations.

Effects of dehydration on corneal tissue absorption of topical azithromycin in rabbits.

Purpose: To assess the corneal tissue absorption of azithromycin in desiccated and normal eyes of rabbits.

Methods: A total of 25 New Zealand Albino rabbits weighing 2-3 kg each were included. One eye of each rabbit was desiccated.

Dysferlin mutations in LGMD2B, Miyoshi myopathy, and atypical dysferlinopathies.

DYSF encoding dysferlin is mutated in Miyoshi myopathy and Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type 2B, the two main phenotypes recognized in dysferlinopathies. Dysferlin deficiency in muscle is the most relevant feature for the diagnosis of dysferlinopathy and prompts the search for mutations in DYSF. DYSF, located on chromosome 2p13, contains 55 coding exons and spans 150 kb of genomic DNA.

Azithromycin prophylaxis and treatment of murine toxoplasmosis.

Objective: To evaluate the azithromycin effects alone and in combination with other agents in the prophylaxis and treatment of murine toxoplasmosis.

Methods: A total of 280 BALB/c mice were included, and 2 x 103 Toxoplasma organisms of the RH strain Toxoplasma gondii strain ATCC50174 were given intraperitoneally to each mouse. In experiment one, 40 animals were given azithromycin 200 milligram/kilogram/daily for 3 days starting the day of inoculation, 40 mice were control.

[Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy: study of patients from seven Spanish families with different GCG expansions in PABP2 gene].

Introduction: Autosomal dominant oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), with late onset due to ptosis and/or dysphagia, is caused by short (GCG)8-13 triplet-repeat expansions in the polyadenylation binding protein 2 (PABP2) gene, which is localized in chromosome 14q11. The severity of the dominant OPMD as well as the number of expansions that cause the disease are variable. (GCG)9 is mentioned as the most frequent and the genotype/phenotype has still not been well-determined.

High incidence of sudden death with conduction system and myocardial disease due to lamins A and C gene mutation.

We studied 54 living relatives from a large French kindred, among which 17 members presented with a cardiomyopathy transmitted on an autosomal dominant mode. Five of these individuals had clinical manifestations of muscle disease phenotypically consistent with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. Genetic analysis of this kindred had demonstrated a nonsense mutation in the LMNA gene located on chromosome 1q11-q23.

Treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis with topical lomefloxacin 0.3% compared to topical ofloxacin 0.3%.

Purpose: The main purpose of this prospective study was to compare the efficacy, local tolerance, and safety of topical lomefloxacin 0.3% and topical ofloxacin 0.3% in the treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis.