Genetic variants in vitamin D pathway in Egyptian asthmatic children: A pilot study

Objectives: Asthma is a genetically heterogeneous disease. Genetic variants in vitamin D pathway have been reported to be involved with asthma risk. The study aimed to test whether vitamin D binding protein (VDBP or GC-group component) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms were associated with asthma characteristics as well as vitamin D level in Egyptian children.     

The Global Online Sexuality Survey: Public Perception of Female Genital Cutting among Internet Users in the Middle East

IntroductionFemale genital cutting (FGC) is a ritual involving cutting part or all of the female external genitalia, performed primarily in Africa. Understanding the motivation behind FGC whether religious or otherwise is important for formulating the anti‐FGC messages in prevention and awareness campaigns.AimThe study aims to provide an investigation of opinion over FGC, the root motive/s behind it, in addition to the current prevalence of FGC among Internet users in the Middle East.MethodsThe Global Online Sexuality Survey was undertaken in the Middle East via paid advertising on Facebook®, comprising 146 questions.Main Outcome MeasuresThe main outcomes are the prevalence of and public opinion on FGC among Internet users.Results31.6% of 992 participants experienced FGC at an average age of 9.6 ± 3.5 years, mostly in Egypt (50.2%). FGC was performed among both Muslims (36.9%) and Christians (18.8%), more in rural areas (78.7%) than urban (47.4%), and was performed primarily by doctors (54.7%) and nurses (9.5%). Whether or not it is necessary for female chastity, FGC was reported as highly necessary (22.5%), and necessary (21.6%). This was more among males, particularly among those with rural origin, with no difference as per educational level. This is in contrast to only 3.7% regarding FGC as a mandate of Islam. Religious opinion among Muslims was: 55.4% anti‐FGC and 44.6% pro‐FGC.ConclusionAn important motivation driving FGC seems to be males seeking female chastity rather than religion, especially with FGC not being an Islamic mandate, not to undermine the importance of religion among other motives. School and university education were void of an effective anti‐FGC message, which should be addressed. There is a shift toward doctors and nurses for performing FGC, which is both a threat and an opportunity. We propose that the primary message against FGC should be delivered by medical and paramedical personnel who can deliver a balanced and confidential message. Shaeer O and Shaeer E. The Global Online Sexuality Survey: Public perception of female genital cutting among Internet users in the Middle East. J Sex Med 2013;10:2904–2911.     

Study of factor VII, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and monocyte tissue factor in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Changes in plasma tissue factor (TF)-activated factor VII (FVIIa) and plasma tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in type II diabetes mellitus are assessed, vascular complicated and noncomplicated patients compared, and whether these novel hemostatic activity markers predict vascular complications in diabetic patients, improving risk assessment, is determined. Fifty type II diabetic patients and 20 healthy controls (age, sex and body mass matched) underwent medical history and examination, fasting plasma glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, hemostatic parameters, plasma TF activity, and TFPI and TF expression on blood monocytes. Mean TF, TF activity, TFPI, and FVIIa significantly increased among hyperlipidemic compared with normolipidemic diabetic patients, and normolipidemic diabetic patients compared with controls. Mean percentage TF-positive monocytes with and without lipopolysaccharide, plasma TF activity, TFPI and FVIIa were significantly higher among complicated than noncomplicated diabetic patients. Mean percentage TF-positive monocytes without and with lipopolysaccharide, plasma TF activity, plasma TFPI and FVIIa were higher among diabetic patients with macrovascular compared with microvascular complications. High significant correlation occurred between HbA1c, triglycerides and percentage TF-positive monocytes with and without lipopolysaccharide stimulation, plasma TF activity and both FVIIa and TFPI. High activity levels of plasma TF and FVIIa with increased circulating TF-positive monocytes occurred in type II diabetic patients, especially with vascular complications. Results reflect high procoagulant activity possibly involved in diabetic vascular complications. Elevated TFPI levels were observed, but were not sufficient to balance high procoagulant activity. Correlation of procoagulant activity markers with HbA1c reinforces the importance of optimal glycemic control in type II diabetes.     

Novel Pirfenidone Analogs as Antifibrotic Agents: Synthesis and Antifibrotic Evaluation of 2-Pyridones and Fused Pyridones

A new series of substituted 1-(2-ethylphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitriles have been synthesized. Moreover, substituted bicyclic derivatives e.g. thieno[3,4-c]pyridone, pyrido[3,4-c]pyridone, benzo[c]pyridone, and tricyclic derivatives, chromeno[3,4-c]pyridones have been prepared and evaluated for their antifibrotic activity. Among the tested compounds, compounds 4d and 5a exhibited potent antifibrotic activity without harmful side effects on liver and kidney functions. Detailed synthesis, spectroscopic and biological data are reported.     

Awareness of hormonal emergency contraception among married women in a Kuwaiti family social network

OBJECTIVE: Awareness and use of hormonal emergency contraception are not known in the Arab world. This study investigated awareness and perceptions of hormonal emergency contraception among women within a Kuwaiti extended family and their social contacts. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire which was distributed to 66 married women within a Kuwaiti family's social network. The questionnaire provided a short explanation of hormonal emergency contraception and then elicited the respondent's prior awareness, concerns and perception on future availability. RESULTS: The mean (S.D.) age of the respondents was 35.1 (6.3) years. Over 30% were currently using oral contraceptives; 28% were using no contraceptive method. Four women (6.1%) had heard of hormonal emergency contraception before, one had used it. Most respondents (65.2%) would not use or inform a friend about hormonal emergency contraception. Main concerns were risks to the health of the woman (83.3%) or the baby (54.5%) or that it was abortifacient (21.2%). However, 90.9% of respondents wanted hormonal emergency contraception to be available. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of hormonal emergency contraception is low among Kuwaiti women. Despite some concerns, they feel it should be made available. Health care providers and policymakers should address this situation.     

Effect of Topical Application of Black Seed Oil on Imiquimod‐Induced Psoriasis‐like Lesions in the Thin Skin of Adult Male Albino Rats

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects about 1%–3% of the world's population. Black seed oil, i.e., the oil extracted from black seeds (Nigella sativa seeds), possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological actions including anti‐inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of black seed oil on imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriasis‐like skin lesions. To this end, 30 male albino rats were divided into three groups: group I, control group; group II, psoriasis‐induced group receiving daily topical applications of IMQ cream (5%) on the shaved back skin for 10 consecutive days; and group III, black seed oil group receiving a daily topical dose of black seed oil 5 mg/kg body weight for 10 days after induction of psoriasis. Animals of all groups were sacrificed and specimens obtained from the skin of the central part of the back were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). IMQ application led to epidermal inflammation, hyperplasia and alterations in the normal appearance of keratinocytes with degenerative changes observed at both light and electron microscopic levels. Collagenous fibers were abundant in the dermis and PCNA‐positive cells were detected in all layers of the epidermis. However, topical use of black seed oil strongly inhibited IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like inflammation and alleviated all epidermal and dermal changes observed after IMQ application, allowing us to conclude that black seed oil can be used as an adjuvant topical therapy for treating psoriasis. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 301:166–174, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mechanisms of COVID-19-induced kidney injury and current pharmacotherapies

The COVID-19 pandemic created a worldwide debilitating health crisis with the entire humanity suffering from the deleterious effects associated with the high infectivity and mortality rates. While significant evidence is currently available online and targets various aspects of the disease, both inflammatory and noninflammatory kidney manifestations secondary to COVID-19 infection are still largely underrepresented. In this review, we summarized current knowledge about COVID-19-related kidney manifestations, their pathologic mechanisms as well as various pharmacotherapies used to treat patients with COVID-19. We also shed light on the effect of these medications on kidney functions that can further enhance renal damage secondary to the illness.

     

Epidemiology and clinical outcome of candidaemia among Jordanian newborns over a 10-year period

This retrospective study includes all newborn patients with culture proved candidaemia who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Jordan University Hospital through the period January 1995 to June 2006. Among 24 patients included, 13 (54.2%) died. The incidence of candidaemia was 0.27%, the mean age at diagnosis 25.9 d and the mean gestational age at birth 34.6 weeks. Species most frequently isolated were Candida albicans (50%) and C. krusei (20%). Previous gastrointestinal pathology was present in 41.7% of the cases. A comparison of cases due to C. albicans with those due to other species of Candida revealed no statistical differences in terms of demographic factors, age at onset of disease, mortality, clinical manifestations or risk factors. Based on our results, empirical antifungal therapy should be considered in neonates who have gastrointestinal pathology and other risk factors.     

Epidemiology of bacteraemia in Hamad general hospital, Qatar: a one year hospital-based study

We conducted a one-year observational study from July 2007 to June 2008 to describe the epidemiology of bacteraemia at Hamad general hospital. During this period, a total of 452 episodes of bacteraemia occurred, which corresponds to a rate of 19/1000 hospital admissions. Most patients 58.8% (266/452) had community acquired bacteraemia, and primary bacteraemia accounted for 62.2% (281/452) of the cases. The most common source of bacteraemia was intravenous catheterization in 19.2% (87/452) but no source was identified in 42.9% (194/452) of the episodes. Gram-negative organisms were isolated in 63.1% (285/452) episodes with Escherichia coli being the most frequent 21.5% (97/452). Multidrug resistance was observed in 33.3% (7/21) of all Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, 50% (6/12) of Acinetobacter isolates and 28.6% (6/21) of Enterobacter isolates, whereas all ESBL producing Klebsiella spp. and E. coli were multiresistant. The percentages of oxacillin resistant coagulase negative Staphylococci isolates and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates were 81.8% (27/33) and 13.2% (7/53) respectively. In hospital mortality was 22.5% (102/452), and inadequate treatment and septic shock were found to be independent predictors of mortality. Therefore, bloodstream infection surveillance is crucial to produce meaningful guidelines for prevention (e.g., catheter-related) and empirical treatment of bacteraemia in Qatar.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of some new cyclooctanones and cyclooctane-based heterocycles

The versatile synthon (E)-2-((dimethyl amino)methylene)cyclooctanone (2) was used as a key intermediate for the synthesis of cyclooctanones and cyclooctane-based heterocycles with pyrazole, isoxazole, pyrimidine, pyrazolopyrimidine, triazolopyrimidine and imidazopyrimidine derivatives via its reactions with several nitrogen nucleophiles. The newly synthesized compounds were screened in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms (Listeria monocytogenes, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans). Most of the tested compounds showed moderate to high antibacterial and antifungal effects against the tested pathogenic microorganisms. Among the synthesized compounds, 2-((p-sulfonamidophenyl)methylene)cyclooctanone (5) showed excellent activity against Listeria monocytogenes.