Is Magnetic Resonance Imaging Play a role in aiding the diagnostic value of COVID-19 Musculoskeletal induced pathologies?

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the seventh strain identified within the coronavirus family capable of infecting humans, is responsible for the onset of COVID-19 infection. Although musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations frequently emerge as among the initial symptoms of COVID-19, their documentation remains comparatively limited, possibly resulting in their under recognition. Acute MSK symptoms, which manifest within a span of four weeks post-infection, typically encompass generalized fatigue and myalgia, exhibiting nonspecific characteristics. Objectives: This study’s goal is the use of MRI examination for evaluation of the different musculoskeletal pathologies in complaining COVID-19 patients. Patients and Methods: In this prospective study, which included 30 patients confirmed with COVID-19 through December 2023 to May 2024, MRI was tailored based on the area of interest depending on patient’s complaint. Results: Among the enrolled patients, myalgia was the most common presentation (36.7%), the most common MRI finding was synovitis and effusion (33.3%), and the least common was bone infarction (10%), with knee joint being the most commonly affected joint. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, either with or without contrast can help diagnosis and assessment of COVID-19 symptoms and consequences affecting the musculoskeletal system

Added value of Diffusion-Weighted Images & Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Diagnosis of Perianal Fistula

Background: The perianal surgical procedure is aimed at removing all infection sources related to the fistula and its tract, while preserving anal sphincter functions. Various peri-operative risk factors impact perianal fistula recurrence. Managing perianal fistula faces many challenges. MRI represents the preferred imaging technique for detecting the fistula's type as well as related adverse events Objectives: This work was aimed at differentiating between plain, DWI as well as contrast MRI studies, thus establishing the final protocol. Patients and methods: This prospective non-randomized study included a sample of 80 cases suspected to have perianal fistula, MRI was done for all of them including T2, contrast injection & DWI. The radio logical findings were correlated with surgical outcome. Results: This study included 80 patients developing perianal discharge or external perianal fistulous opening, contrast deemed to be beneficial within twenty-eight subjects since the enhancement of perifistulous inflammatory changes as well as the abscesses exhibited better delineation. Regarding to original tract; there was an agreement between Plain T2 and (DWI, contrast and surgery) while there was no agreement between DWI and (contrast and surgery) . Regarding to fibrosed tract, abscess and 2ry tract; there was an agreement between the four groups.. Regarding to internal opining; there was no agreement between Plain T2 and DWI and between DWI and (contrast and surgery) (P value =0.001). Conclusions: DWI represents a beneficial tool while assessing perianal fistula, yet contrast administration exhibits more sensitivity as well as specificity when identifying fistulas as well as their complications. It can be reliable especially in patient with any contraindication to contrast injection

Dual mTORC1/mTORC2 blocker as a possible therapy for tauopathy in cellular model

Tauopathy comprises a group of disorders caused by abnormal aggregates of tau protein. In these disorders phosphorylated tau protein tends to accumulate inside neuronal cells (soma) instead of the normal axonal distribution of tau. A suggested therapeutic strategy for tauopathy is to induce autophagy to increase the ability to get rid of the unwanted tau aggregates. One of the key controllers of autophagy is mTOR. Blocking mTOR leads to stimulation of autophagy. Recently, unravelling molecular structure of mTOR showed that it is formed of two subunits: mTORC1/C2. So, blocking both subunits of mTOR seems more attractive as it will explore all abilities of mTOR molecule. In the present study, we report using pp242 which is a dual mTORC1/C2 blocker in cellular model of tauopathy using LUHMES cell line. Adding fenazaquin to LUHMES cells induced tauopathy in the form of increased phospho tau aggregates. Moreover, fenazaquin treated cells showed the characteristic somatic redistribution of tau. PP242 use in the present tauopathy model reversed the pathology significantly without observable cellular toxicity for the used dosage of 1000 nM. The present study suggests the possible use of pp242 as a dual mTOR blocker to treat tauopathy

Tubulin and Tau: Possible targets for diagnosis of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and pathological accumulation of some proteins. Developing new biomarkers for both diseases is highly important for the early diagnosis and possible development of neuro-protective strategies. Serum antibodies (AIAs) against neuronal proteins are potential biomarkers for AD and PD that may be formed in response to their release into systemic circulation after brain damage. In the present study, two AIAs (tubulin and tau) were measured in sera of patients of PD and AD, compared to healthy controls. Results showed that both antibodies were elevated in patients with PD and AD compared to match controls. Curiously, the profile of elevation of antibodies was different in both diseases. In PD cases, tubulin and tau AIAs levels were similar. On the other hand, AD patients showed more elevation of tau AIAs compared to tubulin. Our current results suggested that AIAs panel could be able to identify cases with neuro-degeneration when compared with healthy subjects. More interestingly, it is possible to differentiate between PD and AD cases through identifying specific AIAs profile for each neurodegenerative states

Prevalence of camel trypanosomiasis in Gulf region: a systematic meta-analysis

Trypanosomiasis in camels is a worldwide major clinical problem. The objective of this review was to present analysis of comprehensive studies on camel trypansomiasis in the Gulf region through meta-analytical investigation. This meta-analysis was conducted according to the rules of PRISMA. Data were extracted after complete search; then finally eligible articles were identified. Using comprehensive meta-analysis software program, the data were analyzed. The results of meta-analysis were effect size, confidence intervals (CI), heterogeneity, and publication bias. Out of 11837 camels in 19 accepted studies, 3179 were proved to be infected with T. evansi (26.85 %). At random, and fixed effects, the Z-value of -6.724 (P-value = 0.000) -30.349 (P-value = 0.000) was recorded, respectively. The Q-value (917.361), I-squared (98.038), and P- value (0.000) are the final heterogeneity variables. Additionally, the Tau-squared is 0.632 with a 0.403 Standard Error. Egger’s linear regression test for asymmetry did not indicate publication bias, Intercept (-4.95), 95% confidence interval (from -9.54 to -0.35), t-value (2.27), and df = 17.00. The 1-tailed P-value (recommended) is 0.018, and the 2-tailed P-value is 0.036.  The outcome of Kendall’s tau with continuity correction (-0.29240), with a 1-tailed P-value (recommended) of 0.040 and 2 -tailed P-value of 0.080. Duval and Tweedie’s trim-and-fill method (no studies trimmed) resulted in an adjusted correlation from 0.32702 to 0.34658 (95% CI). In conclusion, the present results indicate that camel trypanosomiasis is a common infection in Gulf countries. Therefore, strict prevention and control policies should be formulated

Tubulin and Tau: Possible targets for diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases - Fig 1

<p><b>Serum autoantibodies titers of Tubulin (A) and Tau (B) in investigated groups.</b> Higher levels of both AIAs were higher in patients of PD and AD compared to controls.</p

Tubulin and Tau: Possible targets for diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases

<div><p>Neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and pathological accumulation of some proteins. Developing new biomarkers for both diseases is highly important for the early diagnosis and possible development of neuro-protective strategies. Serum antibodies (AIAs) against neuronal proteins are potential biomarkers for AD and PD that may be formed in response to their release into systemic circulation after brain damage. In the present study, two AIAs (tubulin and tau) were measured in sera of patients of PD and AD, compared to healthy controls. Results showed that both antibodies were elevated in patients with PD and AD compared to match controls. Curiously, the profile of elevation of antibodies was different in both diseases. In PD cases, tubulin and tau AIAs levels were similar. On the other hand, AD patients showed more elevation of tau AIAs compared to tubulin. Our current results suggested that AIAs panel could be able to identify cases with neuro-degeneration when compared with healthy subjects. More interestingly, it is possible to differentiate between PD and AD cases through identifying specific AIAs profile for each neurodegenerative states.</p></div

Data_Sheet_1_Neuroprotective and therapeutic effects of calcitriol in rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease rat model.docx

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Treatment of PD is challenging, as current treatment strategies are only symptomatic and do not stop disease development. Recent studies reported neuroprotective effects of calcitriol in PD through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The exact pathomechanisms of PD are not yet fully understood. So, investigation of different molecular pathways is challenging. Sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) modulates multiple physiological processes, including programmed cell death, DNA repair, and inflammation. Furthermore, defective autophagy is considered a key pathomechanism in PD as it eliminates protein aggregation and dysfunctional cell organelles. The present study investigated the involvement of autophagy and Sirt1/NF-κB molecular pathway in rotenone-induced PD and explored the protective and restorative effects of calcitriol through these mechanisms. Therefore, behavioral tests were used to test the effect of calcitriol on motor disability and equilibrium. Furthermore, the histological and neuronal architecture was assessed. The expression of genes encoding neuroinflammation and autophagy markers was determined by qPCR while their protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis and immune-histochemical staining. Our results indicate that behavioral impairments and dopaminergic neuron depletion in the rotenone-induced PD model were improved by calcitriol administration. Furthermore, calcitriol attenuated rotenone-induced neuroinflammation and autophagy dysfunction in PD rats through up-regulation of Sirt1 and LC3 and down-regulation of P62 and NF-κB expression levels. Thus, calcitriol could induce a neuro-protective and restorative effect in the rotenone-induced PD model by modulating autophagy and Sirt1/NF-κB pathway.</p

Tubulin and Tau: Possible targets for diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases - Fig 3

<p><b>Distribution curves of AIAs against tubulin (3A), tau (3B) and the combination of tubulin and tau (3C) in different groups.</b> Curves showed possible differentiation between cases and controls (3A and 3B) and the possibility of identifying profiles specific for PD and AD (Tubulin in blue and Tau in red) (3C).</p