Defiance and compliance : Negotiating gender in low-income Cairo.

This thesis explores how low-income women in Cairo respond to gender inequalities in their daily lives, both in the household and in the informal labour market. The aim is to generate knowledge about the diversity of gender relations and ideologies in the Egyptian context and to contribute to broader theoretical debates regarding gender and resistance, with a view to informing both policy and feminist activism. The thesis argues that a modified concept of "everyday forms of resistance" provides a way forward for a more nuanced and contextualized understanding of women's responses to their positions of relative subordination, than do either Marxist approaches to power and consciousness, or the a-historical usage of the notion of patriarchy. The study is based on participant observation and in-depth interviews in four low-income neighbourhoods in Cairo over a period of 15 months. Within the household, research focused on four specific arrangements: pre-marital expectations, marriage negotiations, sexuality, and intra-household decision making. With the labour market, two types of women's work were explored; home-based piece-work, and waged work in small-scale workshops. The links between women's options in workplace and in the household were examined. Results of this exploratory study show that women's perceptions and responses are varied, complex, contradictory and in continuous flux as they interact with broader socio-economic conjunctures. Women displayed both defiance and compliance, both a lack of articulated awareness of their self-interest, and high levels of awareness of some of the injustices against them as women. Sometimes, their actions were pragmatic seeking immediate relief. At other times, they sought more medium or longer-term gains. In some instances, they acted individually and covertly and at other times they acted collectively and articulated their discontent forcefully. Any single conclusion about women's agency would thus be erroneous. Attempts to advance women's interests are also bound to be varied and complex

Expression of FGFR3 Protein and Gene Amplification in Urinary Bladder Lesions in Relation to Schistosomiasis

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer represents the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and death. Incidence and mortality rates have remained relatively constant over the past four decades. Urothelial bladder cancers have identified multiple risk factors.AIM: We aimed at evaluating the expression of the FGFR3 protein and gene amplification in the urothelial cells of neoplastic and non-neoplastic urothelial lesions of the urinary bladder, and correlation with tumour grade, stage and associated bilharziasis.MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and five different urinary bladder lesions were studied, including 15 cystitis cases (9 bilharzial and 6 non-bilharzial cystitides), 75 urothelial carcinoma cases (18 bilharzial associated and 57 non-bilharzial associated) and 15 squamous cell carcinoma associated with bilharziasis, beside 5 control cases. Data concerning age, sex, tumour grade, stage, and associated bilharziasis were obtained. Each case was studied for FGFR3 expression, and FISH technique was applied on forty malignant cases that show high protein expression.RESULTS: The highest incidence of cystitis was in the fourth decade while of bladder cancer was in the seventh decade. Tumour grade was correlated significantly with tumour stage. FGFR3 correlates significantly with tumour grade, stage and with a bilharzial infestation. FGFR3 gene amplification was reported mainly in low grade and NNMBIC tumours.CONCLUSIONS: FGFR3 overexpression in malignant cases was significantly higher than in chronic cystitis. FGFR3 gene amplification was reported mainly in low grade and NNMBIC tumours. FGFR3 may be further studied as a subject for target therapy of bladder cancer

Expression of ERG Protein and TMRPSS2-ERG Fusion in Prostatic Carcinoma in Egyptian Patients

AIM: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancers in men worldwide. Its incidence can be influenced by several risk factors including genetic susceptibility. Therefore the search for the expression of a certain gene (ERG) and its rearrangement could give us clues for proper identification of PCa. And the study of ERG expression and its comparison to FISH in Egyptian patients can show whether ERG immunophenotype could be used instead of FISH, as it is cheaper.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 85 cases of PCa, showing 30 cases with HGPIN and 30 cases of prostatic hyperplasia. All were immunohistochemistry stained using ERG monoclonal rabbit antihuman antibody was used (clone: EP111). FISH analysis was performed in 38 biopsies of PCa cases to detect TMRPSS2-ERG rearrangement using the FISH ZytoLight TriCheck Probe (SPEC TMRPSS2-ERG).RESULTS: ERG expression was found in 26% of PCa cases and 20% of HGPIN cases. FISH analysis showed fusion of 21 cases of PCa (out of 22 cases showing ERG immunoexpression).CONCLUSION: Our findings emphasise that only malignant and pre-malignant cells and not benign cells from the prostate stain positive. ERG expression may offer a simpler, accurate and less costly alternative for evaluation of ERG fusion status in PCa

A comparative randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus versus hydrocortisone as a topical treatment of atopic dermatitis in children

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) aetiology is not exactly identified, but it is characterized by pruritic skin reactions with elevation in the levels of inflammatory markers. Despite the fact that Corticosteroids are the mainstay therapy in the management of AD, they have many local and systemic adverse effects.Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical tacrolimus ointment in comparison to topical hydrocortisone cream in the management of the AD of children diagnosed with AD.Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 200 children with AD. They were simply randomized into two groups, the tacrolimus group treated with 0.03% topical tacrolimus ointment and the hydrocortisone group treated with 1% hydrocortisone cream twice daily during the 3 weeks study period.Results: At the end of the study, both the tacrolimus and hydrocortisone groups showed a significant decline in the mean serum level of IL-10, IL-17, and IL-23 (p < 0.05) when compared to their baseline levels. However, the tacrolimus group showed a more significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean serum level of IL-10, IL-17, and IL-23 as compared to the hydrocortisone group [Mean differences = 1.600, 95% CI: 0.9858–2.214; 1.300, 95% CI: 1.086–1.514 and 4.200, 95% CI: 3.321–5.079]. Moreover, the median mEASI decreased similarly from 32 to 21 in the tacrolimus group and from 30 to 22 in the hydrocortisone group (p > 0.05) [Median difference = −2.000, 95% CI: −2.651 to −1.349; Median difference = 1.000, 95% CI: 0.3489–1.651]. Mild to moderate transient stinging and erythema were the main adverse effects that showed higher incidence in the tacrolimus group than in the hydrocortisone group (p < 0.05). In most cases, they resolved within 3–4 days. Besides, tacrolimus ointment did not cause skin atrophy as compared to the hydrocortisone group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Tacrolimus ointment is more beneficial than hydrocortisone cream in managing AD in children in terms of lowering the inflammatory markers, however, there is no difference on the dermatitis severity scale. Moreover, tacrolimus is safer with a better side effect profile compared to hydrocortisone.Trial Registration: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (CT.gov identifier: NCT05324618

Inside\Out: the Native and the Halfie Unsettled

[abstract not provided]https://fount.aucegypt.edu/faculty_book_chapters/2257/thumbnail.jp

Insulin resistance in obese pre-pubertal children: Relation to body composition

Background: Abdominal obesity is a strong determinant of obesity related metabolic complications. Data about pre-pubertal children are scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the presence of insulin resistance using different insulin sensitivity indices and investigate its relationship with abdominal fat distribution by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (DXA). Secondary outcome is to determine the frequency of the metabolic syndrome components. Subjects and methods: Twenty-three pre-pubertal obese children were recruited (14 females, 9 males). Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, waist to hip ratio, and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were withdrawn for glucose, insulin, lipid profile, thyroid and liver functions. Patients underwent oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) and DXA scan for body composition. Insulin sensitivity was determined using homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting glucose to insulin ratio, Matsuda, and Cederholm indices. Results: All patients had BMI, waist circumference, and DXA trunk fat more than 2 SDS. Mean fasting glucose, insulin, fasting glucose to insulin ratio, 120 min glucose and HOMA-IR were within normal limits, but mean Matsuda and Cederholm indices exceeded cut off limits. Dyslipidaemia was detected in 13 patients (56.5%), disturbed glucose homeostasis in 8 patients (34.8%), and systolic hypertension in 1 patient (4.3%). Metabolic syndrome diagnosis was established in three patients (13%). More insulin resistant patients were detected by Matsuda index. Trunk fat SDS correlated with Matsuda and Cederholm indices only. Conclusion: Dysglycaemia and dyslipidaemia are common among pre-pubertal obese children. Insulin sensitivity indices based on OGTT are superior to fasting indices in identifying at risk children. OGTT should be included in assessing obese children with BMI > 2 SDS. DXA scanning has limited value for this purpose in clinical settings

Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty: the Patient’s Perspective

Introduction: Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is a common cause of psychosocial upset among adolescents and their families. Concerns about reduced final height often urge patients to ask for urgent treatment rather than to wait for observation.Aim: The main objective is to evaluate the concerns, knowledge, understanding, and expectations of a group of children with CDGP and their families. Secondary objective is to study the auxological and socioeconomic characteristics of the patients.Patients and Methods: Forty nine patients with CDGP were included. Fifteen were followed for two years, and seven until final height. Patients and parents completed a designed question sheet to identify their concerns, knowledge, expectations from treatment, and willingness to follow up for observation. Socioeconomic standard scoring and anthropometric evaluation were performed.Results: 59.2% presented because of the concern of the whole family. There was a delay of 1.8 years between the time when patients were concerned about short stature and/or delayed puberty and presentation to clinic The delay was greatest in patients who stopped following up. Twenty seven patients (55.1%) were of low socioeconomic background, 17 (34.7%) were medium low, and 5 (10.2%) were medium high. 69.4% of patients were concerned about their height, not puberty. Two thirds were not convinced that shortness was not due to growth hormone deficiency and that treatment if needed would be sex hormones. 69.4% were not convinced to follow up without treatment.Conclusion: Short stature rather than late puberty is usually the reason for consultation in CDGP. Incomplete understanding of the condition among families and dissatisfaction with the treatment options available remains a problem even after detailed explanation. Extra effort is needed to raise the awareness and avoid the adverse psychosocial sequels in patients with CDGP

Combined (physical and medical treatment) therapy versus physical treatment alone and medical treatment alone in the management of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease

Context Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is the inflammation of the upper genital tract involving the fallopian tubes as well as the ovaries. Symptoms of PID are fever, cervical motion tenderness, lower abdominal pain, new or different discharge, painful intercourse, uterine and adnexal tenderness, and irregular menstruation. Aim The aim was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of combined shortwave diathermy and medical treatment in the management of chronic PID in comparison to either therapy alone. Materials and methods Sixty participants were recruited and diagnosed as chronic PID for more than 6 months by history, clinical examination, cervical swab, and ultrasonography. They were divided into three groups: Statistical analysis Descriptive and analytic study by SPSS version 16 on IBM compatible computer. Results There was a statistically highly significant clinical improvement regarding itching, discharge and pain relief, laboratory improvement regarding the number of pus cells in cervical swab, and radiological improvement regarding US parameters in the first group of patients with PID compared with the baseline and compared with other groups. Conclusion The greatest therapeutic efficacy can be obtained from combined physical and medical treatment compared with each line alone in the treatment of chronic PID

Ameliorative Effect of Thymoquinone and Thymoquinone Nanoparticles against Diazinon-Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats: A Possible Protection Mechanism

The health benefits of thymoquinone (TQ) have been a significant focus of numerous studies. However, more research is needed to ascertain whether its nano-form can effectively treat or prevent chronic diseases. In this study, we investigated how thymoquinone and its nanoparticles can mitigate liver damage induced by diazinon in male Wistar rats and explored the intracellular mechanisms involved. Forty-two Wistar male rats (n = 42) were randomly allotted into seven groups. Group 1 served as the control. Group 2 (vehicle) consisted of rats that received corn oil via a gastric tube daily. In Group 3 (TQ), rats were given a daily oral administration of TQ (40 mg/kg bw). Group 4 (thymoquinone nanoparticles, NTQ) included rats that received NTQ (0.5 mg/kg bw) orally for 21 days. Group 5 (DZN) involved rats that were administered diazinon (DZN, 15 mg/kg bw) orally. In Group 6 (TQ + DZN), rats first received TQ orally, followed by DZN. Group 7 (NTQ + DZN) consisted of rats receiving NTQ orally, then DZN. After 21 days of treatment, the rats were euthanized. After oral administration of DZN, liver enzymes were significantly elevated (p p < 0.05) in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and anti-apoptotic markers. However, the oral administration of thymoquinone or its nanoparticle form mitigated these diazinon complications; our histopathological findings corroborated our biochemical and molecular observations. In conclusion, the significant antioxidant properties of thymoquinone, or its nanoparticle form, in tandem with the downregulation of apoptotic markers and inflammatory cytokines, provided a protective effect against hepatic dysfunction caused by diazinon