Performance of two multiplex flow cytometric assays for antibody detection in Egyptian patients.

Background: Autoantibodies are vital biomarkers for the diagnosis, assessment and prognostic determination of various autoimmune disorders.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the two AtheNA Multi-Lyte systems for the detection of various autoantibodies.

Methods: A total of 105 systemic lupus erythematosus patients, 35 patients with other autoimmune diseases (diseased controls), and 30 healthy volunteers (healthy controls) at Zagazig University Hospitals, Zagazig city, Al Sharqia governorate were tested for anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and the AtheNA Multi-Lyte anti-nuclear antibodies-II system between May 2020 and April 2022.

HLA-DRB1, IRF5, and CD28 gene polymorphisms in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis: susceptibility and disease activity.

This study was established to assess the effects of IRF5 rs10488631 and CD28 rs1980422 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE) allele on the prognosis and disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. A total of 150 RA patients and 150 healthy controls were genotyped for the selected SNPs by real-time PCR. HLA-DRB1 SE was determined using LAB Type SSO Class II DRB1 typing.

Serum YKL-40 and IL 17 in Psoriasis: Reliability as prognostic markers for disease severity and responsiveness to treatment.

YKL-40, a mammalian chitinase 3- like protein that was associated with multiple inflammatory and immune diseases. Previous studies have suggested a role for YKL-40 in psoriasis based on its significantly higher levels in the serum of psoriatic patient compared with healthy controls. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between serum YKL-40, psoriasis severity using PASI score and serum levels of IL-17 before and after narrow-band UVB therapy.

Serum angiopoietin-2 level as a novel biomarker in atopic dermatitis.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin disease. Angiopoietin is an intrinsic mediator induced by T helper 2 cytokines and has been reported it to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between circulating angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in AD patients and to determine its correlation with the severity and chronicity of the disease.

Association between CD4+, CD25+, FOXP3+ Regulatory T-cells and Cardiovascular Complications in Diabetic Patients Type 1.

T regulatory cells (Tregs) are a cornerstone regulator for immune responses and inflammatory reactions. Abnormal number or function of Tregs causes deranged immune response that increases the autoimmune disorders and inflammatory conditions. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease associated with many complications, of which, Cardiovascular complications are fundamental and responsible for profound morbidity and mortality.

Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40): novel biomarker of lichen planus.

Background: Lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory skin disorder of unknown etiology. Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) is a multifunctional proinflammatory protein, which has an important role not only in immunity and inflammation, but also in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.

Aim Of The Work: The present study was designed to investigate the serum level of YKL-40 in patients with different clinical presentations of LP in comparison to healthy participants in order to study its possible role in the pathogenesis of LP.

Metered-dose inhaler with spacer instead of nebulizer during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Singapore.

Background: The use of metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with spacer instead of nebulizer may be important during an outbreak of an airborne infection. However, there is a paucity of data on patients' and nurses' abilities and perspectives on MDI with spacer for the treatment of acute airway obstruction during such an outbreak.

Methods: We evaluated 50 consecutive MDI-with-spacer treatments administered in the respiratory wards of the National University Hospital of Singapore, and interviewed the patients after each treatment during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).