Alpha 1 Acid Glycoprotein as a Marker for Diagnosis of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Full-term Neonates

Background: Neonatal sepsis is defined as a clinical syndrome of bacteremia with systemic signs and symptoms of infection in the first 4 weeks of life. Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein is one of the lipocalin family and members of acutephase protein; it appears to function in modulating the activity of the immune system during the acute phase reaction. Objective: This study aimed to assess α-1AGP as a marker in the diagnosis of EOS.Patients and Methods: This study was a prospective case-control study conducted on full-term neonates up to 7 days of life, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Zagazig University Hospitals. The studied neonates were divided into 3 groups first confirmed cases (20) of early-onset sepsis, confirmed clinically and with a positive blood culture. Second suspected cases (20), with clinical features of sepsis and non-specific lab markers. Third group control (20), are apparently healthy term newborns, delivered in the Zagazig University Hospital. Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein was measured for all neonates. Results: There was a statistically significant difference among the studied groups as regard alpha one acid glycoprotein. It is a good diagnostic marker detection of cases. Conclusion: Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein appeared to be a useful marker for the early detection and diagnosis of earlyonset neonatal sepsis

Multidrug resistant Acinetobacter species infection among neonatal sepsis

Background: Neonatal septicemia is regarded as one of the leading causes of mortality as well as morbidity globally. There is emerging evidence that multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) and mortality are linked in the scientific literature.Objective: It was the goal of this work to improve the prognosis of neonates with Acinetobacter species through early detection of infection and risk factors associated with increased mortality and effective management.Patients and Methods: Our study was done on 60 neonates who were suspected to having sepsis at Zagazig University Hospitals, Pediatric Department. All neonatal blood samples were taken aseptically and the bacteria that caused septicemia were identified. Acinetobacter species were identified. Drug sensitivity tests were performed on a variety of risk variables.Results: Only nine patients had Acinetobacter infection (15% of all patients) and two thirds of them had multi drug resistance (resistant for ≥3 antimicrobials). Gestational age more than or equal 36 weeks was protective factor against getting infection with MDR-Acinetobacter among the studied patients. Acinetobacter was most sensitive to ciprofloxacin and tigecycline antibiotic, while it was most resistant to sulphamethoxazole /trimethoprim antibioticsConclusion: Neonatal MDR Acinetobacter septicemia is on the rise, and it's connected with high morbidity as well as mortality rates. There must be an infection control policy in place at every neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in order to control Acinetobacter infection and enhance outcomes

Assessment of level of serum cardiac troponin T in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome

Background: One of the most prevalent reasons for admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is respiratory distress syndrome (RDs). When myocardial cells are damaged, cardiac troponin I (cTnT) is released as a biomarker of myocardial damage, which is very specific and sensitive.Objective: To determine the level of cTnT in preterm infants who have respiratory distress syndrome as a marker of cardiac dysfunction.Patients and Methods: This study was carried as a case-control trial on forty preterm infants, 20 patients of respiratory distress syndrome at neonatal intensive care unit as a group I, 20 apparently healthy newborns as a control group. Serum cardiac troponin T level sample was taken on the 3rd day of delivery.Results: A statistically significant difference in blood troponin was found between the groups tested, with a negative connection between serum troponin and gestational age, length, and APGAR scores at the first and fifth minutes of life. Respiratory rate and serum troponin were found to have a statistically significant connection. Any one of the echocardiographic measures had a statistically significant positive connection with serum troponin. Serum troponin was able to diagnose respiratory distress syndrome with cutoff ≥ 93.5 ng/mL with the area under the curve, Positive predictive value: 83.33% Positive predictive value: 83.33% Negative predictive value: 100 percent Accuracy: 90%.Conclusion: Cardiac troponin T can be used to detect cardiac dysfunction in ill newborns, especially in centers that do not have in-house echocardiography

Vitamin D Receptor Gene (Fok-I) Polymorphisms in Type 1 Diabetic Children; Case Study in Zagazig University Hospitals

Background: Many meta-analyses studied the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism and type 1 diabetes (T1DM) susceptibility. Objective: This study was designed to assess the role of VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms in type 1 diabetic children from Zagazig University Hospitals in Egypt. Patients and Method: In this case-control study, the genotypes of VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms were assessed in 180 type 1 diabetic children and 120 healthy matched age controls by PCR-RFLP analysis. Results: A high statistical difference between patient and control regarding VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms, where 44% of the patient group had heterozygous genotype (AG) compared to 8.3% in the control group. AG genotype has almost a higher risk nine times odds ratio (OR) = 8.8 than AA genotype in diabetic patients. There was a significant increase in the G allele in the patient group. Moreover, a significant association between (FOK-I) polymorphisms and T1DM complications was also observed. Conclusion: (AG) genotype of VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms could be a risk factor for T1DM complications. So, VDR gene (FOK-I) polymorphisms should be performed with other genetic studies for early prediction, detection and prevention of microvascular complications of T1DM that adversely affect health-related quality of life of Egyptian children and burden the primary care units

Long-Term Use of Omeprazole: Effect on Haematological and Biochemical Parameters

Background: Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is believed to have various potential adverse events. Omeprazole is a part of PPIs most commonly prescribed worldwide; it irreversibly binds to H+-K+ ATPase enzyme system in the gastric parietal cells to reduce secretion of H+ ions into the lumen of stomach. The main objective of the current work is to assess the adverse effects of omeprazole medication on certain haematological and biochemical parameters in patients who were on treatment for one year and more. Methods: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study between October 2021 and March 2022. A total of 90 participants of both sexes were enrolled in this study, aged between 25-58 years. The participants were categorized into two groups: 40 patients on long-term omeprazole medication (40 mg) as a patients group and 50 healthy subjects as a healthy group who did not use omeprazole. Complete blood count and biochemical parameters were measured for both groups. Results: Patients of a group 1 had remarkable significant reductions in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) (p0.05). Alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) (p0.05). Creatinine level (p<0.001) and nitrogen blood urea (p<0.0001) were significantly increased in patients group treated with omeprazole medication. The results also showed that group 1 had a high significant decline in serum ferritin (p<0.0001), vitamin D3 (p<0.01) and calcium levels (p<0.001) than that of healthy group. Conclusion: Prolonged use of omeprazole might result in adverse effect on hematological profile, particularly RBCs and their indices leading to develop anemia in patients on this medication. Furthermore, it might result in disturbances in biochemical profile, levels of minerals and vitamins as consequences of affected absorption

Synthesis, crystallographic characterization, molecular docking and biological activity of isoquinoline derivatives

Abstract The main objective of this work was to synthesize novel compounds with a benzo[de][1,2,4]triazolo[5,1-a]isoquinoline scaffold by employing (dioxo-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2-yl) thiourea as a building block. Molecular docking was conducted in the COX-2 active site to predict the plausible binding mode and rationalize the structure–activity relationship of the synthesized compounds. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by HREI-MS, and NMR spectra along with X-ray diffraction were collected for products 1 and 5. Thereafter, anti-inflammatory effect of molecules 1–20 was evaluated in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema method, revealing significant inhibition potency in albino rats with an activity comparable to that of the standard drugs indomethacin. Compounds 8, 9, 15 and 16 showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. However, thermal sensitivity-hot plat test, a radiological examination and motor coordination assessment were performed to test the activity against rheumatoid arthritis. The obtained results indicate promising anti-arthritic activity for compounds 9 and 15 as significant reduction of the serum level of interleukin-1β [IL-1β], cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] and prostaglandin E2 [PGE2] was observed in CFA rats