Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (G8790A) Gene Polymorphism as a Risk Factor for COVID-19 in Egyptian Children and Adolescents.

Objective: Recently, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene has emerged as a potential candidate gene for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We investigated whether ACE2 G8790A (rs2285666) polymorphism could be a genetic marker for susceptibility to COVID-19 and disease severity in Egyptian children and adolescents.

Methods: This was a prospective case-control study included 580 cases diagnosed with COVID-19, and 580 matched control children and adolescents.

Severe hyponatremia in obstetrics: Presentations and outcome. Retrospective cohort over 10 years.

Hyponatremia in labor and the postpartum period is generally underreported. In this study we aimed to identify attributable causes of severe hyponatremia in an obstetric population and define maternal outcomes. This was a retrospective cohort study, in a single center over a period of 10 years.

Pregnancy outcomes for women with pre-existing renal disease and the role of a dedicated joint maternal medicine and renal clinic: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To reaffirm the value of a joint obstetric and renal clinic on obstetric outcomes in patients with high-risk pregnancies due to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who attended the clinic between 2005 and December 2021. The hospital is a regional tertiary unit for renal medicine and a maternal medicine hub.

Association of ACE1 I/D polymorphism and susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents.

Background: Given the sparse data on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and its biological effector molecules ACE1 and ACE2 in pediatric COVID-19 cases, we investigated whether the ACE1 insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism could be a genetic marker for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents.

Methods: This was a case-control study included four hundred sixty patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and 460 well-matched healthy control children and adolescents. The I/D polymorphism (rs1799752) in the ACE1 gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), meanwhile the ACE serum concentrations were assessed by ELISA.

Managing couples with recurrent miscarriage: A narrative review and practice recommendations.

There is significant variation in practice when managing couples with recurrent miscarriage (RM), with guidelines differing on the definition of RM, recommended investigations, and treatment options. In the absence of evidence-based guidance, and following on from a paper by the authors-FIGO Good Practice Recommendations on the use of progesterone in the management of recurrent first-trimester miscarriage-this narrative review aims to propose a global holistic approach. We present graded recommendations based on best available evidence.

Vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor FokI polymorphism as risk factors for COVID-19.

Background: Given the sparse data on vitamin D status in pediatric COVID-19, we investigated whether vitamin D deficiency could be a risk factor for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents. We also investigated whether vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism could be a genetic marker for COVID-19 susceptibility.

Methods: One hundred and eighty patients diagnosed to have COVID-19 and 200 matched control children and adolescents were recruited.

Thrombophilia screening in women with recurrent first trimester miscarriage: is it time to stop testing? - a cohort study and systematic review of the literature.

Objective: There are numerous studies reporting a disproportionally high prevalence of thrombophilia in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage (RM), which has led to overdiagnosis and treatment without an improvement in clinical outcomes. The objective of our study was to assess the prevalence of inherited and acquired thrombophilia in a large cohort of women with a history of early RM using internationally agreed diagnostic criteria and inclusion parameters and compare it to the meta-analysis results of existing literature.

Methods: DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study and systematic review of literature.

Cytokine profile in Egyptian children and adolescents with COVID-19 pneumonia: A multicenter study.

Background: To date, the cytokine profile in children and adolescent with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not been reported.

Objectives: We investigated serum levels of a panel of key cytokines in children and adolescent with COVID-19 pneumonia with a primary focus on "cytokine storm" cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and two chemokines interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and IL-8. We also studied whether these cytokines could be potential markers for illness severity in COVID-19 pneumonia.

Recurrent miscarriage: evidence to accelerate action.

Women who have had repeated miscarriages often have uncertainties about the cause, the likelihood of recurrence, the investigations they need, and the treatments that might help. Health-care policy makers and providers have uncertainties about the optimal ways to organise and provide care. For this Series paper, we have developed recommendations for practice from literature reviews, appraisal of guidelines, and a UK-wide consensus conference that was held in December, 2019.

Identification of harmine and β-carboline analogs from a high-throughput screen of an approved drug collection; profiling as differential inhibitors of DYRK1A and monoamine oxidase A and for in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer studies.

DYRK1A (dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1a) is highly expressed in glioma, an aggressive brain tumor, and has been proposed as a therapeutic target for cancer. In the current study, we have used an optimized and validated time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET)-based DYRK1A assay for high-throughput screening (HTS) in 384-well format. A small-scale screen of the FDA-approved Prestwick drug collection identified the β-carboline, harmine, and four related analogs as DYRK1A inhibitors.

Association of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G Polymorphism and Susceptibility to SLE in Egyptian Children and Adolescents: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a key molecule residing at the nexus between thrombosis and inflammatory processes. Recently, PAI-1 and its gene expression have emerged as a potential candidate for autoimmune disorders such as SLE.

Objective: To investigate whether the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism at position -675 could be a genetic marker for susceptibility to childhood-onset SLE and development of lupus nephritis among Egyptian children and adolescents.

QRS Duration as a Predictor of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Velocity Time Integral in Patient with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has a morbidity and mortality benefits in moderate to severe heart failure. It reduces mortality and hospitalization and improves cardiac function. It can be used according to the European guidelines in severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (i.

Sperm DNA fragmentation is a novel biomarker for early pregnancy loss.

Research Question: Spontaneous pregnancy loss affects 10-15% of couples, with 1-2% suffering recurrent pregnancy loss and 50% of miscarriages remaining unexplained. Male genomic integrity is essential for healthy offspring, meaning sperm DNA quality may be important in maintaining a pregnancy. Does sperm DNA fragmentation measured by alkaline Comet assay act as a biomarker for early pregnancy loss?

Design: Sperm DNA fragmentation was measured by alkaline Comet test in 76 fertile donors and 217 men whose partners had recently experienced miscarriage.

Metformin in Pregnancy Study (MiPS): protocol for a systematic review with individual patient data meta-analysis.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common disorder of pregnancy and contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Metformin is often used for the prevention and management of GDM; however, its use in pregnancy continues to be debated. The Metformin in Pregnancy Study aims to use individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis to clarify the efficacy and safety of metformin use in pregnancy and to identify relevant knowledge gaps.

Metformin use in obese mothers is associated with improved cardiovascular profile in the offspring.

Background: Maternal obesity increases the risk for pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcome and has been associated with long-lasting adverse effects in the offspring, including increased body fat mass, insulin resistance, and increased risk for premature cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle interventions in pregnancy have produced no or modest effects in the reduction of adverse pregnancy outcomes in obese mothers. The Metformin in Obese Pregnant Women trial was associated with reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes and had no effect on birthweight.

Modeling and optimizing Acid Orange 142 degradation in aqueous solution by non-thermal plasma.

The effects of the high voltage electrode material, initial pH of the solution, initial concentration of Fe, and time of plasma treatment on the efficiency of Acid Orange 142 (AO142) degradation were studied and evaluated. Furthermore, based on the Box-Behnken response surface methodology (BBD-RSM), a model between response (decolorization efficiency %) and influencing factors was proposed to estimate the interactive effects and optimize the process conditions. The proposed model was adequate with an R of 0.

Metformin in Pregnancy: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications.

Metformin use in pregnancy is increasing worldwide as randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence is emerging demonstrating its safety and efficacy. The Metformin in Gestational Diabetes (MiG) RCT changed practice in many countries demonstrating that metformin had similar pregnancy outcomes to insulin therapy with less maternal weight gain and a high degree of patient acceptability. A multicentre RCT is currently assessing the addition of metformin to insulin in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes.

Association between insulin resistance and preeclampsia in obese non-diabetic women receiving metformin.

Objectives: To examine whether the reduced incidence of preeclampsia in non-diabetic obese pregnant women treated with metformin is mediated by changes in insulin resistance.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of obese pregnant women in a randomised trial (MOP trial). Fasting plasma glucose and insulin were measured in 384 of the 400 women who participated in the MOP trial.

Thermo-and pH-sensitive hydrogel membranes composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-hyaluronan for biomedical applications: Influence of hyaluronan incorporation on the membrane properties.

Interpenetrating hydrogel membranes consisting of pH-sensitive hyaluronan (HA) and thermo-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) were synthesized using redox polymerization, followed by N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) and epichlorohydrin (EPI) were added as chemical crosslinkers. The interaction between membrane compositions has been characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and discussed intensively. The result indicates that HA incorporation in membranes increase the gel fraction, swelling uptake, and the flexibility/elasticity of crosslinked membranes, however it reduced oppositely the mechanical elongation of membranes.

Managing Recurring Obstetric Cholestasis With Metformin.

Background: Obstetric cholestasis is a pregnancy-related disorder associated with an adverse pregnancy outcome. It is characterized by generalized pruritus, elevated bile acids, and abnormal liver enzymes. Recent publications show that obstetric cholestasis is associated with, and likely to potentiate, the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus.

Metformin versus Placebo in Obese Pregnant Women without Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Lifestyle-intervention studies have not shown improved outcomes. Metformin improves insulin sensitivity and in pregnant patients with gestational diabetes it leads to less weight gain than occurs in those who do not take metformin.

The importance of visceral fat mass in obese pregnant women and relation with pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Maternal obesity is a well established risk factor for gestational diabetes but it is not known if the pattern of maternal fat distribution predicts adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance using Inbody 720® in 302 consecutive obese pregnant women attending a weight management clinic. The relation of visceral fat mass and total percentage body fat with the development of gestational diabetes and perinatal outcomes was evaluated.

Gastrointestinal and liver disease in pregnancy.

This chapter on the gastrointestinal and hepatic systems in pregnancy focusses on those conditions that are frequent and troublesome (gastro-oesophageal reflux and constipation), distressing (hyperemesis gravidarum) or potentially fatal (obstetric cholestasis, acute fatty liver of pregnancy and HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome). It also highlights the clinical challenge obstetricians may face in managing rare conditions such as the Budd-Chiari syndrome, liver transplantation, primary biliary cirrhosis and Wilson disease. The clinical presentation of liver and gastrointestinal dysfunction in pregnancy is not specific, and certain 'abnormalities' may represent physiological changes of pregnancy.