Clinical characteristics of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody among aquaporin-4 negative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in Egyptian patients.

Some patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)-like symptoms test negative for anti-aquaporin-4 (anti-AQP4) antibodies. Among them, a subset has antibodies targeting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), a condition now termed MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). MOGAD shares features with NMOSD, like optic neuritis and myelitis, but differs in pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and biomarkers.

Circulating MiR-126 as a potential biomarker in Egyptian colorectal cancer patients: A case-control study.

Background: Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent malignant tumors. It is characterized by unlimited proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) has been shown in many studies to play a significant role in CRC, but data regarding its role in CRC Egyptian patients are limited.

The beneficial effect of probiotics as an adjuvant treatment in childhood drug resistant epilepsy: A prospective pilot study.

Background: One of the most common long-term neurological disorders affecting children is epilepsy. Even with effective antiseizure medications, one-third of epileptic patients develop drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Numerous treatments have been offered to these DRE patients, though with varying degrees of effectiveness.

Role of Interleukin-17 in Predicting Activity of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: Although high serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17 and its producing cells have been found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in earlier research, it is still unclear how these findings relate to disease activity.

Objectives: This study examines the link between serum levels of IL-17 and the activity of both RA and SLE.

Design: This pilot case-control study included 100 patients with RA, 100 with SLE, and 100 healthy controls.

MiR-146a (rs2910164) Gene Polymorphism and Its Impact on Circulating MiR-146a Levels in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) has been involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the precise processes are still not entirely understood. Contradictory studies suggest that miR-146a expression could be influenced by the miR-146a rs2910164 C > G polymorphism.

A pilot study of monocytes in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: Correlation with disease activity.

Numerous immune cells are involved in developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Monocytes are believed to be the first to enter the brain and initiate inflammation. The role of monocyte subtypes in MS needs to be better understood.

Association of XRCC1 p. Arg194Trp gene polymorphism with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV Egyptian population: A pilot case-control study.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and fatal primary liver cancer. Genetic variants of DNA repair systems can reduce DNA repair capability and increase HCC risk. This study aimed to examine, in Egyptian hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients, the relationship between the X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) rs1799782 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and HCC susceptibility.

Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein-3 Rs12252-G Variant Increases COVID-19 Mortality Potential in Egyptian Population.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represented an international health risk. Variants of the interferon-induced transmembrane protein-3 () gene can increase the risk of developing severe viral infections. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between rs12252A>G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and COVID-19 severity and mortality in 100 Egyptian patients.

Evaluation of serum interleukin-17 A and interleukin-22 levels in pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder: a pilot study.

Background: Many neurodevelopmental abnormalities are connected to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which can result in inflammation and elevated cytokine levels due to immune system dysregulation. Interleukin (IL)-17 A and IL-22 have been linked to the regulation of host defense against pathogens at the barrier surface, the regeneration of injured tissue, and the integration of the neurological, endocrine, and immune systems. Several studies have investigated the possible connection between IL-17 A and ASD as well as the severity of behavioral symptoms, but few of them included IL-22.

NLRP3 inflammasome (rs10754558) gene polymorphism in patients with atopic dermatitis.

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a high molecular weight protein complex that has been linked to a variety of allergic and inflammatory disorders in humans, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Polymorphisms in NLRP3 genes could lead to immune dysregulation. This case-control study aimed to assess the association between NLRP3 inflammasome (rs10754558) gene polymorphism in AD and the incidence and severity of the disease.

Metabolism and memory: α-synuclein level in children with obesity and children with type 1 diabetes; relation to glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity and executive functions.

Background/objectives: Children with obesity and those with type 1diabetes (T1D) exhibit subtle neurocognitive deficits, the mechanism of which remains unknown. α-synuclein plays a fundamental role in neurodegeneration. Moreover, its role in glucose and lipids metabolism is emerging.

Assessment of serum chemerin levels in acanthosis nigricans: A case-control study.

Background: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is an asymptomatic skin condition linked to several underlying systemic conditions. Chemerin is an adipokine that increases during inflammatory disorders such as metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Aims: This case-control study investigates the link between AN and the underlying MetS and serum levels of chemerin in individuals with obesity.

The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Quality of Life Among Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis Living in Egypt.

Background: Several studies have linked metabolic syndrome (MetS) to osteoarthritis (OA), but they have not looked into how MetS can affect the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of OA individuals.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the association of MetS and its components, including obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, with HRQOL among Egyptians with knee OA.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 116 adult Egyptian participants with knee OA.

Can Complete Blood Count Picture Tell Us More About the Activity of Rheumatological Diseases?

Background: In clinical practice, distinguishing disease activity in patients with rheumatological illnesses is challenging.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate clinical associations of hemogram-derived indices, namely: red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: In 250 patients with rheumatological disease and 100 healthy age-matched controls, we investigated disease activity scores and indicators and evaluated their association with hemogram-derived indices values.

Comparison of COVID-19 characteristics in Egyptian patients according to their Toll-Like Receptor-4 (Asp299Gly) polymorphism.

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 plays a vital role in recognizing viral particles, activating the innate immune system, and producing pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to compare COVID-19 severity, progression, and fate according to TLR-4 (Asp299Gly) polymorphism in Egyptian patients.

Methods: A total of 145 COVID-19 patients were included in this study.

Toll-Like Receptor-4 Gene (Asp299Gly) polymorphism in allergic conjunctivitis.

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is an allergic reaction that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential innate immune receptors that contribute to developing various allergic diseases. This case-control study aims to determine the correlation between TLR-4 gene (Asp299Gly) polymorphism and AC incidence and severity.

Post-COVID-19 arthritis: is it hyperinflammation or autoimmunity?

Background:  Various musculoskeletal and autoimmune manifestations have been described in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and etiology of arthritis in post-COVID Egyptian patients. Methods: We included 100 post-COVID Egyptian patients who recovered 6 months ago and assessed several inflammatory and autoimmune markers.

Mannose-binding lectin serum levels and (Gly54asp) gene polymorphism in recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A case-control study.

Dysregulation of the immune response appears to play a significant role in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) development. The main objective of this case-control study is to investigate the blood levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and the frequency of the MBL2 gene (gly54asp) polymorphism in RAS patients, including 40 RAS patients and 40 healthy controls. Serum MBL levels were determined by ELISA, while the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used in MBL2 genotyping.

Toll-Like Receptor 4 Polymorphisms (896A/G and 1196C/T) as an Indicator of COVID-19 Severity in a Convenience Sample of Egyptian Patients.

Background: The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is extremely variable. Thus, it is likely that the heterogeneity in the genetic make-up of the host may contribute to disease severity. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 plays a vital role in the innate immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Association between serum zonulin level and severity of house dust mite allergic asthma.

Background: Increased intestinal permeability, either due to the exposure to antigens in asthmatic patients or due to a barrier defect, plays a critical role in susceptibility to environmental allergens. House dust mite allergy occurs more commonly than any other type of allergy among Egyptian asthmatic patients.

Aim: To assess the relation between serum zonulin level as a marker of increased intestinal permeability and the severity of house dust mite allergic asthma.

Comparison of hemoglobin level and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as prognostic markers in patients with COVID-19.

Background: Anemia can negatively affect the outcome of many diseases, including infections and inflammatory conditions.

Aim: To compare the prognostic value of hemoglobin level and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for prediction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data from patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were collected from hospital records from 10 April 2020 to 30 July 2020.

Polymorphism in Egyptian Children with β-Thalassemia: Relation to Phenotypic Heterogeneity.

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is a potent genetic modifier of β-thalassemia phenotype. B-cell lymphoma 11A ( ) gene results in significant silencing of HbF. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of different genotypes among a cohort of Egyptian children with β-thalassemia and to correlate them to HbF and clinical severity score.