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Background: Red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets have been linked to inflammation in various rheumatological illnesses. As a result, the present research sought to assess the association between each of the RBC- and platelet-related parameters and disease activity in JIA patients, as well as to compare these indices between JIA patients and normal children. Methods: A case-control study included 88 subjects, 44 in each group (JIA & control). The variations in platelet indices between normal and JIA children were documented. The associations between CBC-related parameters and disease activity, disease subtype, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. Results: JIA patients had significantly higher hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), plateletcrit (PCT), HB to platelets (HPR), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) platelets count, platelets to lymphocytes ratio (PLR) & WBC count and lower mean platelet volume (MPV), RBCs to platelet ratio (RPR), and compared to healthy children (P <0.05). Active JIA patients had considerably less MPV, Hb, MCH, RPR, and HPR, but significantly more platelets than inactive JIA patients' children (P < 0.05). Both CRP & ESR levels showed significant negative correlations with MCHC, hemoglobin levels, MCH, RPR, and HPR in JIA patients (P<0.05). Meanwhile, ESR values displayed a significant positive correlation with platelet count and PCT, and CRP values showed only a strong positive correlation with platelet count. Conclusion: In JIA patients, HB, MCV, and MCHC levels were considerably lower. Active JIA patients had considerably lower HB, MCH, RPR, and HPR levels than inactive group. Polyarticular subtype had the lowest HPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The use of hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease has increased patient life span significantly. Infectious diseases caused by viruses that are commonly found in the liver include hepatitis C virus (HCV), SEN virus (SENV), and the Teno virus (TTV). This work aimed to find out the frequency of SENV & TTV infections and to correlate their viral load with their clinical condition among hemodialysis patients in Zagazig University Hospitals. Methods: In a case-control study we included 44 patients divided into 2 groups; 22 hemodialysis patients attending to hemodialysis unit and 22 apparently healthy individuals served as control group. Detection of anti HCV antibodies & anti HBsAg was done by ELISA. Detection of SENV DNA and TTV as done by nested PCR analysis. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the studied groups regarding prevalence of SEN D, SEN H, coinfection SEN D and H, TTV and combined SEN/TTV genotypes (p=0.048, 0.021, 0.048, 0.026, and 0.021 respectively). SEN D, SEN H, TTV prevailed in 22.7%, 45.5% and 50% of patients on HD. Combined SEN V D and H prevailed in 22.7% while 45.5% of HD patients had coinfection with SENV and TTV. Also, statistically significant differences were revealed between the studied groups regarding prevalence of combined SEN H/D and TTV genotypes among hemodialysis patients and comorbid hypertension, diabetes ALT, AST, and hemodialysis duration (p=0.004, <0.001, 0.002,0.002 and 0.008 respectively). Conclusions: We found a significantly higher prevalence of SEN virus D, SEN virus H, TTV, and concurrent infections involving combinations of these viruses among hemodialysis patients compared to healthy controls. The viral infections associated strongly with comorbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and liver enzyme abnormalities as well as longer duration on hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keloid is skin disorder of excess fibrous tissue deposition that usually follows a noxious insult to the skin. Irregular arrangement of connective tissue components together with exaggerated collagen deposition are noticed on histological examination of slides of keloid tissue. The definitive cause is not yet well-known. Diverse array of risk factors including family history and black race are thought to share in the development process. Because of unaccepted cosmetic appearance and negative impact on patient's quality of life, keloid is widely investigated by many researchers. The treatment panel of keloid includes large number of treatment tools. Many substances are available for direct intra-lesional injection such as triamcinolone acetate and botulinum toxin A. Cryotherapy of the keloid can result in occlusion of small vessels and reduce its size. Other modalities of treatment include laser therapy and radiotherapy. Modalities of laser treatment include fractional laser or pulsed dye laser. Laser assisted drug delivery is a recently developed modality. Surgical scar revision is often associated with recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of mammary gland development depends on a variety of signaling pathways, that are concerned with cell differentiation decisions and cell fate. The Neurogenic Locus Notch Homolog 4 (Notch4) pathway masters and preserves a balance among cellular multiplication, differentiation and cell death through its crucial role in stem cells regulation. Notch4 receptor is a member of the Notch family which is expressed in mammary epithelium and endothelial cells of vessels. Abnormal expression of Notch4 receptor has been detected in different types of neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions, suggesting that Notch4 may act as a proto-oncogene. Overexpression or genetic mutations of Notch4 receptor and its ligands may induce breast cancer by activating target genes, cross-talking with other pathways and giving the spark for stem cell deregulation, causing tumor initiation, maintenance, progression, treatment resistance and relapse. Notch4 Overexpression in breast cancer has been documented as a prognostic marker, and is related to the development of aggressive clinico-pathological and biological phenotypes of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The fact that the incidence of RA in women reaches its peak during menopause (45-55) years, highly recommends a strong estrogenic role in disease etiology. Although in some studies postmenopausal women who experienced RA had less joint scores than pre-menopausal patients, the post-menopausal period has been associated with increased disease activity and more severe functional disability. Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the relation of serum estrogen (E2) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) in menopause and disease activity and severity in postmenopausal RA patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was carried out in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation deparment, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals on 84 postmenopausal RA patients. Disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28). Severity of RA was assessed by the RA severity scale (RASS). Laboratory parameters were recorded including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP). Estrogen (E2) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured for all patients. Results: Our study showed a statistically significant difference between serum estrogen (E2) levels among different stratifications of DAS28 in postmenopausal RA patients. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between E2 levels and disease severity RASS score. FSH levels showed no significant correlations with disease parameters. Conclusion: Although it is well known that menopausal women have very low levels of E2 compared to women of reproductive age, in postmenopausal RA patients, higher disease activity and severity was associated with higher levels of estrogen denoting its prominent pro-inflammatory effect even in the postmenopausal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]