Serum mucosa-associated epithelial chemokine (MEC/CCL28) in atopic dermatitis: a specific marker for severity

Background: Mucosa-associated epithelial chemokine (MEC; CCL28) is considered pivotal in mediating migration of CCR3 and CCR10-expressing skin-homing memory CLA+ T cells. CCL28 is selectively and continuously expressed by epidermal keratinocytes, but highly upregulated in inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective: This controlled longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the expression of CCL28 serum levels in childhood AD and bronchial asthma (BA), and its possible relations to disease severity and activity. Methods: Serum CCL28 levels were measured in 36 children with AD, 23 with BA, and 14 who had both conditions as well as in 21 healthy age and sex-matched subjects serving as controls. Sixteen patients in the AD group were followed up and re-sampled for serum CCL28 after clinical remission. Serum CCL28 levels were correlated with some AD disease activity and severity variables. Results: Serum CCL28 levels in AD whether during flare (median = 1530; mean ± SD = 1590.4 ± 724.3 pg/ml) or quiescence (median = 1477, mean ± SD = 1575.2 ± 522.1 pg/ml) were significantly higher than the healthy children values (median = 301; mean ± SD = 189.6 ± 92.8 pg/ml). However, the levels during flare and quiescence were statistically comparable. The serum levels in BA (median = 340; mean ± SD = 201.6 ± 109.5 pg/ml) were significantly lower than the AD group and comparable to the healthy control values. Serum CCL28 levels in severe AD were significantly higher as compared to mild and moderate cases and correlated positively to the calculated severity scores (LSS and SCORAD). CCL28 levels during exacerbation of AD could be positively correlated to the corresponding values during remission, the peripheral absolute eosinophil counts and serum lactate dehydrogenase levels. Serum CCL28 did not vary with the serum total IgE values in AD. Conclusion: Our data reinforce the concept that CCL28 might share in the pathogenesis of AD probably through selective migration and infiltration of effector/memory Th2 cells into the skin. It may also represent an objective prognostic marker for disease severity. Further studies may pave way for CCL28 antagonism among the adjuvant therapeutic strategies.Keywords: Mucosa-associated epithelial chemokine, CCL28, allergic diseases, atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthmaEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2005; 3(2): 64-7

Plasma macrophage-derived chemokine (CCL22) and its receptor CCR4 on peripheral blood T lymphocytes of asthmatic children

Background: The macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) acts on CC chemokine receptor-4 (CCR4) to direct trafficking and recruitment of T helper-2 (TH2) cells into sites of allergic inflammation. It was previously found overexpressed in lesional samples from adult asthmatics. Objective: This study is aimed to investigate the participation of CCR4/MDC axis in the development of TH2-dominated allergen-induced childhood asthma in relation to disease activity, attack severity, and response to therapy, and to outline its value in differentiating atopic asthma from infection-associated airway reactivity. Methods: Proportion of CCR4-expressing peripheral blood T lymphocytes (CCR4+PBTL%) were purified and quantitated by negative selection from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometry, and the concentration of MDC in plasma was measured by ELISA in 32 children with atopic asthma (during exacerbation and remission), as well as in 12 children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI), and 20 healthy children serving as controls. Results: The mean plasma MDC level (925±471.5 pg/ml) and CCR4+PBTL% (55.3±23.6%) were significantly higher in asthmatic children during acute attacks in comparison to children with ALRTI (109±27.3 pg/ml and 27.6±7.5%) and healthy controls (99.6±25.6 pg/ml and 24.2±4.1%). Both values decreased significantly after subsidence of attacks (502±284.3 pg/ml and 32.5±10.5%) although remained higher than the other 2 groups which were actually comparable in terms of MDC and CCR4%. MDC and CCR4% values were higher among children with acute severe than mild or moderate asthma exacerbations, and in persistent than intermittent cases during stability. Positive correlations could be elicited between both markers during exacerbation or stability, and between the exacerbation level of each and its corresponding value during remission. Corticosteroid-treated patients had the highest expression of both markers when relation to therapy was studied. Conclusion: Our findings reinforce the concept that up regulation of CCR4/MDC axis is implicated in the pathogenesis of pediatric atopic asthma and may represent a useful biomarker of monitoring allergic inflammation and response to therapy. Neutralization and manipulation of CCR4-expressing T cells, as well as MDC antagonism, may represent an adjuvant in the treatment of severe allergic disorders.Keywords: MDC; CCR4; T-lymphocytes; flowcytometry; asthma; childrenEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2005; 3(1): 20-3

Alkali Activated Eco-friendly Metakaolin/Slag Geopolymer Building Bricks

Alkali activation of alumino-silicate materials is a complex chemical process evolving dissolution of raw materials, transportation or orientation and polycondensation of the reaction products. This study explores the physico-mechanical characteristics of geopolymer bricks using eco-friendly slag/metakaolin binder. Alkaline activation of slag – metakaolin binder of geopolymer brick results in formation of C-A-S-H as well as N-A-S-H gel, which adopts different structures depending on the nature of the alkaline activator. Activators used are 10% NaOH solution in addition to 5% liquid sodium silicate both used from the total binder weight), Geopolymer bricks prepared by partial binder substitution of metakaolin (fired kaolin) by water cooled slag in the ratio from 0 up to 100 %, while the used fine sand(passing 1 mm) in the ratio of 15% from the total weight. The properties of the produced geopolymer bricks have been studied through measurement of compressive strength, water absorption, FTIR, XRD and SEM imaging. Results demonstrate the possibility of substitution of metakaolin by water cooled amorphous slag materials in producing geopolymer bricks with superior properties where an increase in mechanical strength with water cooled slag increase up to 40 %  was noticed giving compressive strength values exceed 70 MPa which can be used for production of  heavy duty  bricks which can be applied in a severe weathering condition as well as special purposes building applications, however further increase results in lowering strength values as a  but still exceed 30 MPa after 28 days of hydration. Keywords: slag, metakaolin, bricks, eco-friendly, sustainability

The effect of placenta previa on fetal weight and feto-maternal blood flow: a prospective cohort study

Background: The current study aims to evaluate the effect of placenta previa on the fetal weight and to explore its effect on the uterine and umbilical arteries blood flow.Methods: The current study was a prospective cohort study conducted at Assiut Women’s Health Hospital, Egypt from 1st of October 2016 to 30th of September 2017 including placenta previa and non-placenta previa women. They were followed up by two-dimensional ultrasound and Doppler blood flow in the uterine and umbilical arteries. The main study outcome was the number of low birth weight (LBW) babies delivered at or beyond 37 weeks and blood flow changes in uterine and umbilical arteries.Results: Two hundred twelve women were divided into two groups; group I included 106 placenta previa women (PP group) and 106 non-placenta previa women (NPP group). The number of LBW babies were comparable in both groups without statistically significant difference (P value= 0.555). Neither; uterine artery nor umbilical artery blood flow had any significant differences between the groups.  Preterm delivery was significantly higher in the PP group (p value=0.000).Conclusions: Although there is no agreement, in the literature, on the association between placenta previa and LBW, authors suggest that placenta previa is not a reason for LBW babies. In addition, placenta previa shows no effect on uterine artery or umbilical artery blood flow

Chemical and isotopic fractionation of lead in the surface soils of Egypt

Chemical fractionation via sequential extraction (SEP) combined with isotopic analysis of Pb was used to investigate the origins and reactivity of Pb in 66 topsoil samples collected from 12 different locations in Egypt. The total soil Pb concentrations (TPb) covered a wide range (∼80–16,000 mg kg−1), but were only elevated in four industrial and urban locations within Cairo and Alexandria. In all the other locations values of TPb were generally low and were close to the average crustal Pb concentration of 14 mg kg−1. The largest Pb fraction in all soils, with the exception of two industrial locations, was the ‘residual’ fraction (38–63% of TPb) followed by Pb bound to ‘organic’ and ‘metal oxide’ phases. The Pb isotopic signatures (206Pb/207Pb vs 208Pb/207Pb) of all samples in all SEP fractions were highly variable, suggesting a heterogeneous mix of Pb contamination sources; however, they aligned closely to a binary mixing line between geogenic and petrol Pb sources. There were similar Pb isotopic patterns across all of the non-residual fractions with measureable data (F2 – F4) suggesting that the non-residual anthropogenic-Pb and geogenic-Pb have been assimilated into common pools within the soil. Binary and ternary source-apportionment models based on Pb isotopic ratios and abundances showed that the relative contribution of petrol-Pb and geogenic-Pb can be ascribed with reasonable certainty. However, the contribution of further sources can only be accounted for if the isotopic abundance of all end-members are known and are at the periphery of the soils dataset

Hydroxychloroquine enhances anticancer effect of DOX/folate-phytosterol-carboxymethyl cellulose nanoparticles in A549 lung cancer cells

Purpose: To study the in vitro anticancer effect of doxorubicin-loaded folate-phytosterol-carboxymethyl cellulose nanoparticles (DOX/FPCMC NPs), alone and in combination with the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on human lung cancer cells (A549 cells). Methods: Human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line was treated with blank FPCMC NPs, HCQ, free DOX, DOX/FPCMC NPs, free DOX + HCQ or DOX/FPCMC NPs + HCQ. The concentrations of HCQ, DOX and FPCMC NPs varied within the ranges of 20-120 μmol/L, 2-12 mg/L and 50-500 mg/L, respectively. Cell viability and free folate competitive inhibition were determined using MTT assay. Cell proliferation and migration were investigated with wound healing assay, while confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to determine cellular uptake of drugs. Results: In all formulations, the DOX/FPCMC NPs + HCQ produced the highest cytotoxicity in A549 cells due to high cytotoxicity arising from folate-receptor-mediated endocytosis and HCQ-induced inhibition of autophagy. Free folate competitively inhibited the cytotoxicity of DOX/FPCMC NPs on A549 cells. Wound healing assay showed that A549 cells treated with DOX/FPCMC NPs + HCQ had the lowest cell levels of proliferation and migration capacity. The cellular uptake of DOX/FPCMC NPs by A549 cells was higher than that of free DOX. Conclusion: The combination of DOX/FPCMC NPs and HCQ produced the best antitumor effect and had a promising potential for reversal of MDR Keywords: Folate-phytosterol-carboxymethyl cellulose, Doxorubicin, Hydroxychloroquine, Anticancer, Lung cance

Serum OX40 ligand: a potential marker of atopic dermatitis disease severity in children

Background: OX40 ligand (OX40L) and OX40 are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF receptor (TNFR) super families respectively. Recent studies have indicated the critical involvement of OX40/OX40L interaction in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. To our knowledge, no data could be cited in literature concerning OX40L levels in serum or in other biological fluids of atopic dermatitis children. Objective: This study was done to explore the expression of OX40L in the serum of atopic dermatitis children with respect to disease activity and severity. Methods: This follow-up, case-control longitudinal study was conducted on 64 children as a stratified non-random sample; 34 with atopic dermatitis and 30 healthy children. Serum concentrations of OX40L were measured by sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The severity of atopic dermatitis was assessed according to the Leicester Sign Score (LSS), Simple Scoring System (SSS), Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, and Objective SCORAD. Results: Serum OX40L levels (pg/ml) in atopic dermatitis patients were significantly elevated as compared to controls (176.6 ± 45.9) whether during flare (1007 ± 241.5) or quiescence (699 ± 198.5). There were significant positive correlations between serum OX40L levels and each of the LSS, SSS and SCORAD indices of atopic dermatitis disease severity, while it was insignificant regarding the objective SCORAD. However, when atopic dermatitis children were classified according to the objective SCORAD index of severity into mild, moderate and severe, it was found that the mean serum level in the severe group was significantly higher than the corresponding values of the mild or the moderate group. OX40L levels did not correlate with serum total IgE or absolute eosinophils count. Serum total LDH levels correlated positively with each of the serum OX40L levels and the LSS and SCORAD indices of severity. Conclusions: Serum OX40L level is an objective reliable marker of atopic dermatitis severity in children. It may be useful for follow up and may help to improve research and management of this disease. Blockade of interactions between OX40 on Th2 cells and OX40L on activated dendritic cells using an OX40L-specific monoclonal antibody could represent a novel strategy for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.Keywords: Atopic dermatitis, LSS, OX40, OX40L, SCORAD, SSS, TNFEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2009;7(1):15-2

Water And Alcohol Extraction Of Thyme Plant (Thymus Vulgaris) And Activity Study Against Bacteria, Tumors And Used As Anti-Oxidant In Margarine Manufacture

Isolation had been done for active substances from Thyme plant (Thymus Vulgaris) such as volatile oils, Saponins and Tannins. The percentage in form was (21.1%),(59.2%),( 9.7%) respectively. Also a study of anti-bacterial activity of extracts from Thyme using two types of pathogenic bacteria Escherichia Coli and aurous Staphylococcus showed the ability of inhibition for all different extracts by vary inhibition diameters for different active substances, concentrations and bacteria. One type of cancer cellular line used to study the effect of Thyme  extracts on the growth of cells in the laboratory and thus know the specifications of extracts as anti-tumor, (L20B) cell line have been used which  is mice Transformed cell Line. The possibility of using alcohol extract as anti-oxidant to be add to ghee or vegetable oil, the sensory evaluation and physical results were very good over full year. Keywords: Thymus Vulgaris, Antibacterial and  anticancer activity. Extraction, Anti-Oxidant