Hepatitis B Immunization Status in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease: Experience at a Single Center, Egypt.

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those who require hemodialysis (HD), are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The HBV vaccine non-/hypo-response rate among HD children remains high, and it is critical to investigate the influencing factors and their linkages. The aim of this study was to identify the pattern of HB vaccination response in HD children and to analyze the interference of various clinical and biomedical factors with the immunological response to HB vaccination.

Pulmonary function tests and plasma nitric oxide levels in pediatric hemodialysis.

The relationships between the lungs and the kidneys are clinically important; however, the impact of nitric oxide (NO) on respiratory function in renal patients is less known. The aim of this study is to evaluate pulmonary function tests (PFTs), NO level and their correlation in children on treatment with hemodialysis (HD) for the end-stage renal disease. This study was performed among 20 patients on regular HD and 20 controls.

MicroRNA-21 as a novel biomarker in diagnosis and response to therapy in asthmatic children.

Background: The underlying molecular mechanisms leading to asthma remain largely unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs exert powerful effects on immunological function by tuning networks of target genes that orchestrate cell activity. However, the role of miRNAs, specifically microRNA-21 (miRNA- 21), in the regulation of allergic airway inflammation is not well defined.

T helper 1 and T helper 2 cytokines in atopic children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

Introduction: A higher incidence of allergic disorders has been documented in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS); however, the role of cytokines associated with T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells is not fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the role of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cytokines in both remission and activity phases among atopic versus nonatopic children with SSNS.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-two children with SSNS (21 with atopic disorders and 31 nonatopics) and 60 healthy children were enrolled in the study.

The influence of leptin on Th1/Th2 balance in obese children with asthma.

Objective: In individuals with asthma, obesity induces the production of leptin and is associated with disease severity. Our objective was to evaluate the levels of serum leptin and their effect on Th1/Th2 balance in obese and non-obese children with asthma, as well as to investigate the association between serum leptin levels and clinical outcomes.

Methods: We evaluated 50 atopic children with physician-diagnosed moderate-to-severe persistent asthma and 20 controls.

Soluble interleukine-2 receptor and MDR1 gene expression levels as inflammatory biomarkers for prediction of steroid response in children with nephrotic syndrome.

Introduction: Upregulation of interleukin-2 may be involved, not only in the pathophysiology of nephrotic syndrome, but also in steroid resistance treatment, by increasing expression of multidrug resistant gene-1 (MDR1) gene on lymphocytes and its product P-glycoprotein effluxing corticosteroid. Our aim was to assess the relation of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL2R) levels and MDR1 gene expression on lymphocytes with nephrotic syndrome and its corticosteroids therapy.

Materials And Methods: We examined 40 children with nephrotic syndrome (15 cases of recent onset and 25 known cases with relapse) and 20 healthy children as a control group.