Diagnostic performance and predictive value of rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic-citrullinated peptide antibodies and HLA-DRB1 locus genes in rheumatoid arthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We evaluated the significance of the genes, defined as <it>DRB1*04 </it>or <it>DRB1*01</it>, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We focused on the role of genetic and serologic markers to predict disease activity and destructive process of joints.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty patients with RA were examined. Radiographic changes were evaluated by (Larsen score) and disease activity was measured by disease activity score 28 (DAS28). The markers analyzed were: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP2) and HLA-<it>DRB1 </it>alleles typed by PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, anti-CCP antibodies, CRP, RF and AKA were detected in 83.3%, 56.7%, 71.7% and 52% of patients respectively. HLA-<it>DRB1</it>*01 was found in 45% of patients and 35% of them had one or two HLA-<it>DRB1*04 </it>alleles. According to <it>DRB1*04 </it>subtypes, (<it>DRB1* 0405</it>) was present in of 80% them. For prediction of grade of activity, the independent predictors were anti-CCP (OR 19.6), and <it>DRB1*04 </it>positive allele (OR 5.1). The combination of <it>DRB1*04 </it>+ anti-CCP antibodies gave increase in the specificity and positive predictive value to 92% and 90 respectively. As regards to the prediction of radiological joint damage, the independent predictors were HLA-<it>DRB1*04</it>, HLA-<it>DRB1*01</it>, RF, and CRP > 18 (OR 5.5, 4.5, 2.5, 2.0 respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings suggest that anti-CCP2 is superior to RF for the detection of RA and provided predictive information on joint destruction and disease activity. The presence of RA associated antibodies (ACCP or RF) and/or the SE genes are indicative for a poorer radiological outcome and higher grade of activity.</p

Persistence of TEL-AML1 fusion gene as minimal residual disease has no additive prognostic value in CD 10 positive B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a FISH study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives </p> <p>We have analyzed t(12;21)(p13:q22) in an attempt to evaluate the frequency and prognostic significance of <it>TEL-AML1 </it>fusion gene in patients with childhood CD 10 positive B-ALL by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Also, we have monitored the prognostic value of this gene as a minimal residual disease (MRD).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All bone marrow samples of eighty patients diagnosed as CD 10 positive B-ALL in South Egypt Cancer Institute were evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for t(12;21) in newly diagnosed cases and after morphological complete remission as a minimal residual disease (MRD). We determined the prognostic significance of <it>TEL-AML1 </it>fusion represented by disease course and survival.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>TEL-AML1 </it>fusion gene was positive in (37.5%) in newly diagnosed patients. There was a significant correlation between <it>TEL-AML1 </it>fusion gene both at diagnosis (r = 0.5, P = 0.003) and as a MRD (r = 0.4, P = 0.01) with favorable course. Kaplan-Meier curve for the presence of <it>TEL-AML1 </it>fusion at the diagnosis was associated with a better probability of overall survival (OS); mean survival time was 47 ± 1 month, in contrast to 28 ± 5 month in its absence (P = 0.006). Also, the persistence at <it>TEL-AML1 </it>fusion as a MRD was not significantly associated with a better probability of OS; the mean survival time was 42 ± 2 months in the presence of MRD and it was 40 ± 1 months in its absence. So, persistence of <it>TEL-AML1 </it>fusion as a MRD had no additive prognostic value over its measurement at diagnosis in terms of predicting the probability of OS.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>For most patients, the presence of <it>TEL-AML1 </it>fusion gene at diagnosis suggests a favorable prognosis. The present study suggests that persistence of <it>TEL-AML1 </it>fusion as MRD has no additive prognostic value.</p

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Chemical resistance of some irradiated ceramic-glazes

514-524The effect of neutrons irradiation on the chemical durability of some ceramic-glazes with different compositions has been investigated with particular attention to the change in the corrosion rate. Different factors have been studied such as glaze composition, irradiation dose, concentration of the leaching solution, immersion time and temperature of leaching solution. It was found that zircon improved the chemical durability. Corrosion rate increased with increasing concentration of immersion solution up to 2N HNO3 then decreased, also it increased with increasing immersion time and raising the temperature of leaching solution. The amount of the silica released in solution showed a maximum weight loss percent up to 2N HNO3, and then decreased dramatically with increasing the concentration of the tested solution. The corrosion results have been explained in relation to the hydration, diffusion and selective dissolution. The density increases with successive increase of zirconium oxide content reaching the highest value of 2.59 g/cm3. The induced defects obtained on irradiating a glaze, either in the surface or in the bulk, have been assumed to result from neutron irradiation which decreases both the chemical durability and the density

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-IN">Optical studies of gamma-irradiated SmF₃ doped Li₂O-B₂O₃-SiO₂ glasses</span>

714-721The effect of the gamma-radiation doses between 0.001 and 11.4 kGy in SmF3-lithium-boro-silicate glasses is characterised by the presence of two pronounced optical peaks, due to radiolytic activated relaxation of structural defects, typical of amorphous materials. The intensities of the two bands at (400 and 560 nm) were measured .Visible absorption in the range 200-900 nm and the decay bands over six months were studies. The data obtained indicate that the self-quenching of Sm+3 irradiated in lithium-boro-silicate glass matrix is due to forbidden transitions involving the 4f levels which is allowed by electric dipole effects. The results obtained indicated that the sensitivity of lithium-boro-silicate glasses to low doses of γ- rays increased with the introduction of samarium fluoride and more predominantly with increasing samarium content. The sensitivity reached a maximum at the absorption band at 400 nm

Focus stacking technique in identification of forensically important Chrysomya species (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Entomological evidence showed great role in death investigations during the last decades. This depends mainly on identification of insect samples by expert taxonomists who are not available among forensic investigator teams in Egypt which represents one of the obstacles that prevent the use of entomological evidence. This study aimed to provide easily used key for identification of Egyptian Chrysomya species using focus stacking technique that can be applied in forensic investigation. Materials and methods: Collection of flies was done using fly traps that were hung in urban districts of Cairo during June–September 2014. Continuous shooting photography of the collected flies was done using a Nikon Stereomicroscopy and camera of smart phone (Galaxy S5), stacking of partially focused images was done by Zerene Stacker software. Chrysomya species were identified and separated from other metallic calyptrate dipteral based on its characteristic morphological features. Results: Seventy six Chrysomya specimens were collected; Chrysomya albiceps was the most abundant (39) with 16 male and 23 females, followed by Chrysomya megacephala (34) with 13 male and 21 females. Three Chrysomya marginalis were recovered; one male and two females. Conclusion: This study presents simple method for photographing of insect samples that can be used by untrained personals for further identification by expert taxonomists. Recommendations: Further studies on the blowfly species that occur in Egypt and documentation of their key for identification are recommended to facilitate the diverse applications of these important insects in forensic investigations