Factors Affecting the Recovery of Renal Function in Geriatric Multiple Myeloma Patients after Hemodialysis.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease of the elderly. Renal failure is a common complication in MM. In this study, we evaluated clinical and laboratory parameters that might contribute to the recovery of renal function in geriatric MM patients.

A study of red blood cell alloimmunization and autoimmunization among 200 multitransfused Egyptian β thalassemia patients.

The development of hemolytic erythrocyte alloantibodies and autoantibodies complicates transfusion therapy in thalassemia patients. These antibodies ultimately increase the need for blood and intensify transfusion complications. There is a scanty data on the frequency of RBC alloimmunization and autoimmunization in Egyptian β thalassemia patients as pretransfusion antibody screening is not routinely performed.

Micro RNA-192 Is Negatively Associated With Cardiovascular Events Among Wait-Listed Potential Kidney Transplant Recipients on Hemodialysis Over a 5-year Follow-up Period.

Background: Patients with chronic renal disease are susceptible to accelerated vascular calcification and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) have been linked to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in the general population.

Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the link between miRNA 192 and vascular calcification, pre-existing as well as newly occurring major adverse cardiovascular events, and mortality among hemodialysis patients who are also considered to be potential kidney transplant recipients.

Incidence of Silent Thrombosis in Patients Younger Than 60 Years With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Single-Center Egyptian Study.

Background: Identification of janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutation even in absence of myeloproliferative disorders (MPNs) was found to be related to venous thromboembolism occurrence. Venous thrombosis screening is not routinely requested in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms unless the patient is symptomatic. It has been reported that the incidence of thrombosis in elderly patients is much higher than in young patients.

Role of Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in Acute Myeloid Leukemia/Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

Purpose: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) cytokine stimulates growth, differentiation, and function of myeloid progenitors. We aimed to study the role of GM-CSF gene expression, its protein, and antibodies in patients with acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndromes (AML/MDS) and their correlation to disease behavior and treatment outcome. The study included 50 Egyptian patients with AML/MDS in addition to 20 healthy volunteers as control subjects.

The Effect of Monophosphoryl Lipid A on Maturation of DCs from Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

Background: Generation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) is induced in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4, and a maturation stimulus is added to the monocyte culture to obtain mature Dendritic Cells (DCs) suitable for therapy. TNF-α is the most common cytokine used for activating DCs and generating mature MDDC either alone or in combination with other cytokines.

Objective: To compare effects of traditional cytokine cocktail (TNF-α + IL-1β) versus TLR4-agonist monophosphoryl lipid A on the viability, phenotype, cytokine profile and functionality of MDDC.

Correlation between JAK2 allele burden and pulmonary arterial hypertension and hematological parameters in Philadelphia negative JAK2 positive myeloproliferative neoplasms. An Egyptian experience.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms are characterized by a common stem cell-derived clonal proliferation, but are phenotypically diverse. JAK2 is mutated (V617F) in more than 90 % of patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and approximately 60 % of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) or primary myelofibrosis (PMF). Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major complication of several hematological disorders.

New insights on iron study in myelodysplasia.

Objective: Hepcidin plays a pivotal role in iron homeostasis. It is predominantly produced by hepatocytes and inhibits iron release from macrophages and iron uptake by intestinal epithelial cells. Competitive ELISA is the current method of choice for the quantification of serum hepcidin because of its lower detection limit, low costs, and high throughput.

A descriptive study of plasma cell dyscrasias in Egyptian population.

Background: Plasma cell dyscrasias (PCDs) refer to a spectrum of disorders characterized by the monoclonal proliferation of lymphoplasmacytic cells in the bone marrow and, sometimes, tissue deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulins or their components. These disorders include multiple myeloma (MM) and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, as well as rare conditions such as light-chain deposition disease (LCDD) and heavy-chain diseases (HCDs). The worldwide annual incidence of MM is estimated at 86,000, which is approximately 0.

Multiple myeloma: a descriptive study of 217 Egyptian patients.

Multiple myeloma is a neoplasm of plasma cells that results in the overproduction of light and heavy chain monoclonal immunoglobulins. The incidence rate increases with age, particularly after 40 years, and is higher in men. To determine the clinical and laboratory characteristics and survival of diagnosed Egyptian multiple myeloma patients admitted to the Haemato-Oncology Department between 2000 and 2010.

Relationship between vitamin D and IL-23, IL-17 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 as markers of fibrosis in hepatitis C virus Egyptians.

Aim: To assess vitamin D in hepatitis C patients and its relationship to interleukin (IL)-23, IL-17, and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1).

Methods: The study was conducted on 50 Egyptian hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype number IV-infected patients and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. Venous blood samples were obtained.

Outcome and relapse risks of thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura: an Egyptian experience.

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura (TTP) is a rare life-threatening disease. Plasma exchange has significantly decreased the mortality from this disease, which still tends to recur in a substantial proportion of patients. This study describes the clinical spectrum and response to treatment and explores the risks of relapse in a cohort of patients.

Evaluation of serum level of tumor necrosis factor receptor II in hepatitis C virus (genotype 4)-infected middle-aged men with and without diabetes and its complications in Egypt: a pilot study.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a type of cytokine produced by macrophages and other cell types in response to various stimuli. Many studies have shown that TNF-α is involved in the development of diabetes. It also has a pivotal role in the inflammatory process of chronic hepatitis C.

Impact of trace element changes on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in healthy and diabetic states among middle-age and elderly Egyptians.

The aim of this study was to confirm if there is a link between the alteration in blood levels of trace elements (chromium, copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in healthy and diabetic states. This study is the first study to test these parameters in Egyptians. The study included 150 subjects divided into the following four groups: healthy middle-aged, healthy elderly, middle-aged diabetics, and elderly diabetics.

Aggressive cutaneous vasculitis in a patient with chronic lymphatic leukemia following granulocyte colony stimulating factor injection: a case report.

Introduction: Vasculitis has been reported in a few cases of chronic lymphatic leukemia and with granulocytic colony-stimulating factor therapy. Those with granulocytic colony-stimulating factor occurred after prolonged therapy and there was a rise in total leukocyte count unlike that in our patient who received just a single injection for the first time.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 64-year-old Egyptian man with chronic lymphatic leukemia who developed progressive cutaneous vasculitic lesions following injection of a single dose of a granulocytic colony stimulating factor before a third cycle of chemotherapy to improve neutropenia.

Serum prohepcidin level in myelodysplasia.

This study highlights the iron profile of myelodysplastic patients in the era of hepcidin and its pro-hormone, pro-hepcidin. Previous studies have focused on the anemia of chronic renal failure, thalassemia, and hemochromatosis. We determined if pro-hepcidin played a role in iron overload in patients with myelodysplasia (MDS).

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis associated with immune thrombocytopenia.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a lipid storage disease inherited in a autosomal recessive way. CTX is characterised by childhood-onset cataract, adolescent to young adult-onset tendon xanthomas and adult-onset progressive neurological dysfunction (dementia, psychiatric disturbances, pyramidal and/or cerebellar signs and seizures). Xanthomas appear in the second or third decade; they occur on the Achilles tendon, the extensor tendons of the elbow and hand, the patellar tendon and the neck tendons.