Aberrant Expression of Serum MicroRNA-153 and -199a in Generalized Epilepsy and its Correlation with Drug Resistance.

Background: Epilepsy is one of the common neurological disorders affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide. Despite the recent introduction of new antiepileptic drugs, about one-third of patients with epilepsy have seizures refractory to pharmacotherapy. Early recognition of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy may help direct these patients to appropriate nonpharmacological treatment.

Randomized controlled trial on immunomodulatory effects of azithromycin in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Azithromycin (AZM) is a macrolide antibiotic with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Our aim was to compare the immunomodulatory effects of AZM combined with steroid therapy with that of steroid therapy alone in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS).

Methods: We enrolled 57 patients with SDNS in a multicenter randomized control trial.

Clinical spectrum of primary hyperoxaluria type 1: Experience of a tertiary center.

Background And Aim: Primary hyperoxalurias are rare inborn errors of metabolism resulting in increased endogenous production of oxalate that leads to excessive urinary oxalate excretion. Diagnosis of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a challenging issue and depends on diverse diagnostic tools including biochemical analysis of urine, stone analysis, renal biopsy, genetic studies and in some cases liver biopsy for enzyme assay. We characterized the clinical presentation as well as renal and extrarenal phenotypes in PH1 patients.

Safety and Efficacy of Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2b Monotherapy in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Children with End-Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is an important issue before kidney transplantation (KT). The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy and tolerability of HCV treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG IFN)-α 2b in children with ESRD. The study included 17 children, aged 3-18 years with ESRD on hemodialysis (HD), with chronic HCV.

Urinary Transforming Growth Factor β-1 as a Marker of Renal Dysfunction in Sickle Cell Disease.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that results in deformity of red blood cells. Renal dysfunction affects 5-18% of patients with SCD. To date, few studies have described urinary levels of transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF-β1), which is a marker of fibrosis, as a biomarker in identifying patients at risk of developing renal disease in SCD.

Clinical utility of chitotriosidase enzyme activity in nephropathic cystinosis.

Background: Nephropathic cystinosis is an inherited autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by the pathological accumulation and crystallization of cystine inside different cell types. WBC cystine determination forms the basis for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring with the cystine depleting drug (cysteamine). The chitotriosidase enzyme is a human chitinase, produced by activated macrophages.

Job satisfaction and stress among MCH physicians in Alexandria.

Physician satisfaction with their job is a topic of importance to physicians in practice, physicians in training, health administrators, and health executives. Stress among physicians arises due to inadequate demands of the job in relation to worker's abilities, frustrated aspirations, and dissatisfaction with regard to aimed goals. The cross-sectional study design was conducted at 7 randomly selected Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centres, affiliated to seven medical zones in Alexandria.