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.

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.

Optimization of electrochemical activation of persulfate by BDD electrodes for rapid removal of sulfamethazine.

Boron-doped diamond electrodes have been employed for the removal of sulfamethazine (SMZ) from water by electrochemical activation of persulfate (EO/BDD-PS). A set of experiments with a central composite design (CCD) was conducted to optimize the operating parameters such as persulfate dose, solution pH, and current density by response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental results indicated a rapid degradation of SMZ even at high initial concentrations.

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.

Association of interleukin-17A gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptian children and adolescents: a multi-centre study.

Background: Recently, the interleukin-17A () gene has emerged as a potential candidate gene for autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether IL-17A polymorphisms at rs2275913 G/A, rs8193036 C/T and rs3748067 C/T could be susceptibility markers for juvenile-onset SLE (JSLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) in Egyptian children and adolescents.

Methods: In this multi-centre study, we genotyped 320 patients diagnosed with JSLE and 320 matched control children for three IL-17A polymorphisms at rs2275913 G/A, rs8193036 C/T and rs3748067 C/T using TaqMan probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Ivermectin-compounded Feed Compared with Topical Moxidectin-Imidacloprid for Eradication of in Laboratory Mice.

Demodex musculi is a prostigmatid follicular mite that has rarely been reported in laboratory mice. Although prevalence of this species has not been assessed formally, we have found that many imported mouse strains from noncommercial sources harbor Demodex mites. To assess whether an acaricide can be used to eradicate this mite, infested immunocompromised mice were provided ivermectin-compounded (12 ppm) feed without restriction for 8 wk (n = 10), were treated topically with moxidectin and imidacloprid (MI; 3 and 13 mg/kg, respectively) weekly for 8 wk (n = 10), or remained untreated (n = 10).

Comparison of Diagnostic Methods and Sampling Sites for the Detection of Demodex musculi.

Demodex mites are microscopic, cigar-shaped, follicular mites often regarded as commensal microfauna in mammals. Although Demodex spp. can cause dermatologic disease in any immunocompromised mammal, they are rarely reported in laboratory mice.

Characterization of Infestation, Associated Comorbidities, and Topographic Distribution in a Mouse Strain with Defective Adaptive Immunity.

A colony of B6.Cg-Rag1tm1Mom Tyrp1B-w Tg(Tcra,Tcrb)9Rest (TRP1/TCR) mice presented with ocular lesions and ulcerative dermatitis. Histopathology, skin scrapes, and fur plucks confirmed the presence of Demodex spp.

Cardiac injury after convulsive status epilepticus in children.

Objective: Convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) is a medical emergency with high mortality that usually occurs within 30 days following the seizure activity. One of the potential mechanisms contributing to mortality in this period following CSE is cardiac injury. The aim of the present study was to evaluate cardiac injury after CSE in children.

Pathology of Aging in NOD scid gamma Female Mice.

In the past decade, NOD.Cg- Prkdc Il2rg/SzJ (NSG, NOD scid gamma) mice have become a model of choice in several areas of biomedical research; however, comprehensive data on their spontaneous age-related pathology are not currently available in the literature. The prevalence of spontaneous morbidity affecting aged NSG female breeders enrolled in a parasitology study was documented with classification of neoplastic and non-neoplastic (inflammatory, metabolic, degenerative) lesions.

Aripiprazole in bipolar depression: a pooled, post-hoc analysis by severity of core depressive symptoms.

Objective: This post-hoc analysis of pooled data from two similarly designed trials assessed the impact of aripiprazole monotherapy vs. placebo on treatment outcomes based on baseline severity of core depressive symptoms in patients with bipolar I disorder.

Methods: Patients were classified as severely depressed (Bech-6 Total score > 15) or less severely depressed (Bech-6 Total score < 15).

Mechanistic studies on the biosynthesis of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha.

The isolation, structure and biosynthesis of a novel metabolite of arachidonic acid formed during incubations of rat stomach homogenates is reported. This product was formed from unlabeled, tritium-labeled and deuterium-labeled arachidonic acid and the prostaglandin endoperoxides, G2 and H2, demonstrating its formation via the "prostaglandin endoperoxide synthetase" pathway. Its structure, 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha, was based on mass spectral interpretation of several derivatives (undeuterated and deuterated) and confirmed through chemical synthesis.

Prostaglandins and the control of muscle tone in the ductus arteriosus.

Several lines of evidence implicate E-type PGs in the maintenance of patency of the foetal ductus arteriosus. The PGE mechanism is functional in man, sheep, rat and rabbit, but it is seemingly absent in guinea pig. The role of the PGs in the closure of the vessel at birth is uncertain.

Catabolism of an isolated, purified intermediate of prostaglandin biosynthesis by regions of the adult rat kidney.

1. A heat labile, cold-stable, stannous chloride-reducible intermediate of prostaglandin biosynthesis was formed in good yield (greater than 60%) from 3H-labeled arachidonic acid during brief incubations (30--90 s, 37 degrees C) with sheep seminal vesicle microsomes in the presence of p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (4 mM). This intermediate appears to have properties similar to one of the endoperoxides (15-hydroxyprostaglandin-9,11-endoperoxide) recently isolated by Hamberg and Samuelsson (Proc.