Circulating spexins in children with obesity: relation to cardiometabolic risk.

Background/objectives: The role of spexin (SPX) in energy metabolism, endocrinal homeostasis, and vasculopathy is emerging. However, scarce data are available about its role in childhood obesity and obesity-related vasculopathy. Hence, we aimed to assess the level of SPX in obese and normal-weight children, and to correlate it with aortic distensibility (AD) and aortic stiffness index (ASI).

Aberrant Expression of Immune-related MicroRNAs in Pediatric Patients with Asthma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated as regulatory molecules that could play a considerable role in the pathogenesis of different diseases including asthma. This work aims at exploring the role of miR-146a and miR- 106b in the pathogenesis of asthma and their association with asthma severity, IgE, and inflammatory cytokines in asthmatic children. Thirty asthmatic children and twenty age-matched healthy children aged 4-17 years old were enrolled.

Assessment of Quality of Life of Primary Caregivers of Egyptian Asthmatic Children and Adolescents.

Background: Asthma as a serious public health problem worldwide exerts a serious load on children's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and their families.

Objective: We assess the HRQOL of the primary caregivers of Egyptian asthmatic children and adolescents and its relation to HRQOL of their children and asthma severity.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 128 pairs of asthmatic children (7-16 years) and their primary caregivers.

Using LIBS as a diagnostic tool in pediatrics beta-thalassemia.

Beta-thalassemia major is a common inherited single-gene disorder. Thalassemic patients are at risk of changes in some important trace elements. To detect alteration of iron, copper, zinc, and calcium serum levels in beta-thalassemia major patients, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used.

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on thymosin-β4 and CD4 concentrations.

Vitamins are evaluated for their role in immunity. Recently, vitamin A received a particular attention as a critical micronutrient for regulating immune system. Therefore, the present study aimed to search for new about vitamin A.

Mercury Materno-fetal Burden and Its Nutritional Impact.

Background: Mercury exists worldwide in food, water and air throwing its health hazards on all body systems.

Aim: To show the influence of the presence of mercury in pregnant mothers' blood on its level in the umbilical cord blood; and to display the relationship between the different foodstuff on the mercury levels in pregnant mothers' and umbilical cord blood.

Patients And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly chosen 113 pregnant mothers at the time of labour and on their newborns.

Body Weight Concern and Belief among Adolescent Egyptian Girls.

Background: Body weight concern and belief in adolescent females are of great importance. They are the keys to successful dietary interventions including dietary habits' modifications to practice a healthy diet. This critical phase of transition from childhood to adulthood is the most sensitive stage of behavioural rectification.