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Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune neurological disease affecting patients’ motor, sensory, and visual performance. Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT) is a medical intervention where a patient is infused with healthy stem cells with the purpose of resetting their immune system. SCT shows remyelinating and immunomodulatory functions in MS patients, representing a potential therapeutic option. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis that included randomized control trials (RCTs) of SCT in MS patients to investigate its clinical efficacy and safety, excluding observational and non-English studies. After systematically searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library until January 7, 2024, nine RCTs, including 422 patients, were eligible. We assessed the risk of bias (ROB) in these RCTs using Cochrane ROB Tool 1. Data were synthesized using Review Manager version 5.4 and OpenMeta Analyst software. We also conducted subgroup and sensitivity analyses. SCT significantly improved patients expanded disability status scale after 2 months (N = 39, MD = − 0.57, 95% CI [− 1.08, − 0.06], p = 0.03). SCT also reduced brain lesion volume (N = 136, MD = − 7.05, 95% CI [− 10.69, − 3.4], p = 0.0002). The effect on EDSS at 6 and 12 months, timed 25-foot walk (T25-FW), and brain lesions number was nonsignificant. Significant adverse events (AEs) included local reactions at MSCs infusion site (N = 25, RR = 2.55, 95% CI [1.08, 6.03], p = 0.034) and hematological disorders in patients received immunosuppression and autologous hematopoietic SCT (AHSCT) (N = 16, RR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.23, 4.39], p = 0.009). SCT can improve the disability of MS patients and reduce their brain lesion volume. The transplantation was generally safe and tolerated, with no mortality or significant serious AEs, except for infusion site reactions after mesenchymal SCT and hematological AEs after AHSCT. However, generalizing our results is limited by the sparse number of RCTs conducted on AHSCT. Our protocol was registered on PROSPERO with a registration number: CRD42022324141.

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to investigate, through finite element analysis (FEA), the biomechanical behavior of the built-in angle corrected dental implant versus implant with angled multiunit abutment used in All-On-Four treatment protocol. Methods Two (3D) finite element models of a simplified edentulous mandible were constructed with two different posterior implant designs based on the All-On-Four protocol. Four implants were placed in each model, the two anterior implants were positioned vertically at the lateral incisor/canine sites. Depending on the implant fixture design in posterior area, there are two models created; Model I; the mandible was rehabilitated with four co-axis (4 mm in diameter × 15 mm in length) implants with distally built-in angle corrected implants (24-degree angle correction) .While Model II, the mandible was rehabilitated with four conventional (4 mm in diameter × 14 mm in length) implants with a distally inclined posterior implants (25 degree) and angled multiunit abutments. CAD software (Solidworks© 2017; Dassault Systems Solidworks Corp) was used to model the desired geometry. Axial and inclined Loads were applied on the two models. A Finite element analysis study was done using an efficient software ANSYS© with specified materials. The resultant equivalent Von-Misses stresses (VMS), maximum principal stresses and deformation analysis were calculated for each part (implants and prosthetic components). Results When applying axial and non-axial forces, model II (angled multiunit model) showed higher deformation on the level of Ti mesh about 13.286 μm and higher VMS 246.68 MPa than model I (angle corrected implant). Model I exhibited higher maximum stresses 107.83 MPa than Model II 94.988 MPa but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion Within the limitation of the FEA study, although angle correcting implant design is showing higher values in maximum principle stresses compared with angled multiunit abutments, model deformation and resultant VMS increased with angled multiunit abutments. The angle correcting designs at implant level have more promising results in terms of deformation and VMS distribution than angle correction at abutment level.

Abstract Background Patients with pneumonia exhibit similar clinical presentations despite having different causative organisms; thus, a rapid and easy test is needed to differentiate between the diseases. Here, we use lung ultrasound to discriminate between causative organisms in correlation with other diagnostic modalities. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 67 patients diagnosed with atypical pneumonia admitted at Ain-Shams University hospitals in the period from July 2019 to June 2021. Study population was divided into three groups according to the causative agent based on the results of PCR: Group 1 included 23 patients (influenza A), group 2 included 30 patients (COVID-19), and group 3 included 14 patients (atypical organisms). Included patients underwent lung ultrasound scan via a 12-zone scanning protocol and CT scan with 24 h in between. The present study was approved by the ethical committee at our institution. Results The mean age ranged from 39.93 ± 19.26 SD to 60.3 ± 13.02 SD years; 64.17% of them were males. There was also a highly statistically significant difference between the three groups as regard B-lines and thickened pleural line being higher among group 2; 100% of cases had B-lines in their chest ultrasound assessment, while thickened pleural line was found in 53.3% of cases. Dynamic air bronchogram was found with higher percentage in group 3 (71.4%) with a highly significant association. Higher mean Soldati score was associated with more severe disease among cases with viral pneumonia. Conclusions Lung ultrasound may be used as an aiding tool to estimate the etiology of atypical pneumonia. It can be useful during pandemics of acute respiratory diseases for rapid triage and stratification of patients as through calculation of modified Soldati score and detection of the most common finding. Also, modified Soldati score correlates with disease severity.

Abstract Background Cervical pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. The management of cervical pregnancy is challenging because of the rarity of the condition, late presentation, which is associated with increased risk of failed medical treatment, and excessive post-evacuation bleeding that may require hysterectomy. There is no good evidence in the literature regarding the pharmacological management of living cervical ectopic pregnancy of more than 9 + 0 weeks of gestation, and there is no standard protocol on methotrexate doses in these cases. Case presentation We present this case to describe a concomitant medical and surgical management of a living 11 + 5 weeks cervical pregnancy. The initial beta-human chorionic gonadotropins (ß-hCG) serum level was 108,730 IU/L. The patient received 60 mg of methotrexate intra-amniotically followed by another dose of 60 mg of methotrexate intramuscularly 24 h later. Fetal heartbeats stopped on day 03. On day 07, the ß-hCG was 37,397 IU/L. On day 13, the patient had evacuation of the remaining products of conception with the insertion of an intracervical Foley catheter to minimize the bleeding. On day 34, the ß-hCG was negative. Conclusion The concomitant use of methotrexate to induce fetal demise along with surgical evacuation may be considered in the management of advanced cervical pregnancy to avoid excessive blood loss, and ultimately hysterectomy.

Abstract The misuse of antibiotics has led to antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, making it even harder to combat and eliminate their infections. Staphylococcus aureus causes various adverse infections and diseases, including skin abscesses, bloodstream infections, pneumonia, and joint infections. In this study, we aimed to test the cytotoxic and antibacterial effects of bee venom-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (BV-loaded CS-NPs) in comparison to gamma-irradiated BV and native BV from Apis mellifera. The physiochemical characterizations of our treatments were determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), zeta-potential, release rate, and Encapsulation Efficiency (EE). Our study was conducted on both levels, in-vitro and in-vivo. For the in-vitro study, a bacterial model of Staphylococcus aureus with an ATCC number of 6538 was grown in tryptic soy agar (TSA) medium, and the inhibition zones of our drug candidates were measured with the appropriate statistical analysis performed. For the in-vivo study, levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Creatinine, Urea, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were analyzed. BV-loaded CS-NPs showed relatively better results than the other alternatives, which are native BV and gamma-irradiated BV. The results showed that the antibacterial effect of BV-loaded CS-NPs was greater than the alternatives. Furthermore, its cytotoxic effect was far less than the native and irradiated bee venom. These outcomes ensure that loading BV on CS-NPs makes it a promising drug candidate for an antibiotic alternative with minimal cytotoxicity and enhanced antibacterial activity.