IL-13 R130Q single nucleotide polymorphism in asthmatic Egyptian children

Background: Asthma and its associated phenotypes are under a substantial degree of genetic control. The common variant IL-13 gene polymorphism R130Q is reported to be associated with the risk of development of asthma in some populations. Objective: We sought to study the association of IL-13 genetic variant R130Q with bronchial asthma in Egyptian children and its relation to various clinical and laboratory phenotypes of the disease. Methods: IL13 gene polymorphism (R130Q) was detected by PCR amplification followed by sequencing using pure script total DNA in 20 asthmatic patients in acute exacerbation. The results were compared to 20 healthy age and sex matched children. Results: Asthmatic children had significantly higher frequency of distribution of R130Q genotype (50%) than controls (15%). The serum total IgE as percent of high normal for age was significantly higher in asthmatic patients as compared to controls with a mean of 208.77 ±237.06% and 14.21 ± 8.08% respectively. No significant difference was observed in the mean AEC(as a percent of high normal for age) of both groups (80.85 ± 116.4% and 82.50 ± 81.4% respectively). No significant differences were observed between patients with IL-13 polymorphism R130Q and those without such polymorphism as regards family history, relation of exacerbations to upper respiratory tract infections, history of food allergy or asthma grading. Serum total IgE was significantly higher in asthmatics with GA genotype as compared to those with GG genotype with a mean of 373.25 ± 238.11% and 44.28 ± 42.65% respectively. A similar finding was also observed among the control group with a mean of 28.03 ± 9.12% and 11.77 ± 5.00% respectively. Finally a significantly higher AEC was observed in controls with GA as compared to GG genotype with a mean of 250.00 ± 51.96% versus 52.94 ± 36.87% respectively. Conclusion: The common variant IL-13 gene polymorphism R130Q is frequently associated with pediatric asthma. This variant is more active than the wild type in inducing allergic inflammation as reflected by the higher serum total IgE and AEC. Hence, IL-13R130Q may be candidate for future gene therapy targeted at reducing the ill-effects of this polymorphism.Keywords: IL-13R130Q – bronchial asthma - pediatricsEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010;8(1):9-1

Allergen-specific immunotherapy in children

Egypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012;10(2):55-6

Chaotic behavior of a coupled system of the Riccati map

In this paper, We present the equivalent discrete system of coupled Riccati map. We study some the dynamic behavior such as (xed points and their asymptotic stability, the lyapunov exponents, chaos and bifurcation) of the system. Numerical simulation is presented to ensure the analytical results

P2Y2 nucleotide receptor activation enhances the aggregation and self-organization of dispersed salivary epithelial cells

"May 2014."Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Gary A Weisman.Includes vita.Salivary gland dysfunction affects millions of Americans whose quality of life is severely impacted by dry mouth, oral bacterial infections, poor nutrition, and other disorders that are associated with decreased saliva production. Over the past decade, progress has been made in cell-based reconstitution strategies for salivary glands. Understanding the mechanisms and signaling pathways that regulate the salivary gland reconstitution process is a necessity to enhance the ongoing efforts to develop better regenerative therapies for damaged salivary glands. The P2Y2 nucleotide receptor (P2Y2R), a G protein-coupled receptor equipotently activated by ATP and UTP, is upregulated in a variety of tissues, including salivary gland epithelium, in response to injury or stress and is proposed to play important roles in the regeneration of a variety of tissues. The results presented in this dissertation indicate that P2Y2R activation with UTP enhances the migration, aggregation and self-organization of dispersed salivary epithelial cells forming spheres that display characteristics similar to differentiated acini in salivary glands. Moreover, our data suggest that the afore- mentioned P2Y2R-mediated response s depend on the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) via a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAM10/ADAM17) and the [alpha-5 beta-1] integrin/Cdc42 Rho GTPase signaling pathway. This study sheds light on the P2Y2R as a target in salivary gl and reconstitution strategies and introduces [alpha-5 beta-1] integrin and Cdc42 as novel downstream components in the P2Y 2 R-mediated signaling network. Future studies will optimize the activation of P2Y2R-mediated signaling pathways to promote the self- organization of salivary epithelial cells into acinar-like spheres that secrete saliva components and have utility for replacement of salivary gland tissue damaged by autoimmune disease or radiation therapy used to treat head and neck cancers.Includes bibliographical references (pages 62-84)

On modeling two immune effectors two strain antigen interaction

In this paper we consider the fractional order model with two immune effectors interacting with two strain antigen. The systems may explain the recurrence of some diseases e.g. tuberculosis (TB). The stability of equilibrium points are studied. Numerical solutions of this model are given. Using integer order system the system oscillates. Using fractional order system the system converges to a stable internal equilibrium. Ulam-Hyers stability of the system has been studied

Electrohydrodynamic Instability of Two Superposed Viscous Dielectric Fluids Flowing down an Inclined Plane with Thermal Conductivity Variation

The linear electrohydrodynamic instability of two superposed viscous dielectric fluids flowing down an inclined plane in the presence of thermal conductivity variation and applied electric fields is investigated. Using long-wavelength approximation, a new instability is presented. It is shown that when there is a variation in thermal conductivity in the fluid even in absence of electric fields or when applied electric fields are present even in absence of thermal conductivity variation, instability can occur under a longitudinal gravitational field. The effects of various parameters as Prandtl number, Reynolds number, electric field, inclination angle, and thermal conductivity variation on the stability of the system are discussed analytically and numerically in detail. The presence of electric field is important to prevent the drop out of the analysis when there is no stratification in thermal conductivity. Key words: Hydrodynamic stability; Viscous fluids; Flows down an inclined plane; Thermal conductivity; Electro-hydrodynamic

On the solvability of a nonlinear functional integral equations via measure of noncompactness in

Using the technique of a suitable measure of non-compactness and the Darbo fixed point theorem, we investigate the existence of a nonlinear functional integral equation of Urysohn type in the space of Lebesgue integrable functions Lp(RN). In this space, we show that our functional-integral equation has at least one solution. Finally, an example is also discussed to indicate the natural realizations of our abstract result

Phytochemicals and protective effects of Moringa oleifera seed extract on CCl4- induced hepatotoxicity and hemotoxicity in rats

Background: Moringa oleifera is high valued plant and used in many countries around the world. The seed of Moringa oleifera (MO) is an important part and has a remarkable medicinal, nutritional and socio-economic values, this study, therefore, was designed to clarify the protective effect of Moringa oleifera hydroethanolic seed extract (MOSE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatoxicity and hemotoxicity in rats.Methods: A total of one hundred and five male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups of 15 rats each. The hydroethanolic seed extract (30%) was administered orally for one month at 250 and 500mg/kg body weight. Samples were collected after day1,15 and 30 post administration.Results: Phytochemical, biochemical, hematological and hisopathological examinations were utilized to investigate hepatoprotective activity of MOSE. The results obtained demonstrated that, phytochemicals such as alkaloids, glycosides, anthraquinones, tannins, flavonoids, gum, resin, saponins, terponoids, protein and fats were detected in the seeds. Treatment with the MOSE caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, triglyceride and lipid peroxidation (MDA), while total protein and albumin level significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to CCl4 group. Also, treatment with the MOSE showed a significant (P<0.05) increase Hb content and RBCs, whereas WBCs and lymphocyte count significantly (P<0.05) decreased throughout the period of administration when compared to the rats in CCl4 group. The results obtained were comparable to silymarin. Histopathological examination of liver tissues confirmed the biochemical data.Conclusions: It could be concluded that, CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity and hemotoxicity is ameliorated by MOSE especially in high dose of (500mg/kg). This effect is attributed to free radical scavenging activity and potent antioxidant activity of its components (Flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid and saponin)

The Ishraq Program for out-of-school girls: From pilot to scale-up

In response to the needs of adolescent girls in Egypt for improved schooling, health, and livelihood prospects, Ishraq (sunrise)—a multidimensional program for 12–15-year-old out-of-school girls—was launched in 2001 by the Population Council in collaboration with CEDPA, Save the Children, Caritas, and local nongovernmental organizations. The program combined traditional tested program elements (literacy, life skills, nutrition) with more innovative ones (sports, financial education). It focused on building a multilayered platform to support and institutionalize the program by educating and mobilizing communities around issues of importance to adolescent girls; forging partnerships between international NGOs, government institutions, and local NGOs; and building capacities of local facilitators and partners to implement the program. This report identifies ways to continue expanding Ishraq, for which community demand remains high, including a new generation of girls’ programs to support graduates in exercising their rights and becoming active members of the community; and notes many important lessons on recruitment strategy, program structure and implementation, capacity-building, and partnerships