Role of thyroid transcription factor-1 and P63 immunocytochemistry in cytologic typing of non-small cell lung carcinomas

AbstractPurposeEvaluation of the value of thyroid transcription factor (TTF-1) and P63 in subtyping of non-small cell lung cancer in cytologic material.Patients and methodsThis is a retrospective study including 40 cases of primary lung lesions who underwent image guided FNAC from pulmonary nodules. The final histopathologic diagnosis was the gold standard. Cell blocks were stained with anti-TTF-1, and P63. Nuclear immunoreactivity for both markers was considered specific. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, of the cytologic diagnosis and of the two markers, as well as the accuracy of the combined markers were calculated.ResultsCytomorphology achieved a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 91%, PPV of 91%, and NPV of 83.3%, for the diagnosis of AC, and 91% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity, 83.3% PPV, and 91% NPV, for the diagnosis of SCC. The concordance between cytologic and histopathologic diagnoses of AC and SCC was 87%. TTF-1 achieved 87.5% sensitivity, 94.7% specificity, 95.5% PPV, and 85.7% NPV for AC, while P63 achieved 94.7% sensitivity, 95.8% specificity, 94.7% PPV, and 95.8% NPV for SCC. TTF-1 enhanced the sensitivity of cytomorphology for AC from 83.3% to 87.5%, and specificity from 91% to 94.7%. Similarly P63 enhanced the sensitivity for SCC from 91% to 94.7%, and specificity from 83.3% to 95.8%.ConclusionTTF-1 achieved moderate sensitivity, and high specificity in the diagnosis of AC, while P63 was highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of SCC. Immunocytochemistry raised the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC in diagnosing AC and SCC using TTF-1 and P63, respectively

Lymphocyte apoptosis in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background: Beta cell apoptosis has been associated with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) onset in newly diagnosed diabetic patients. There is an emerging evidence that T cell-induced apoptosis is a dominant effector mechanism in diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1). Pancreatic β-cells derived from newly diagnosed type 1 diabetics were found to have increased cell surface expression of Fas (CD95) compared to β-cells from healthy subjects. Objective: The study investigates the spontaneous lymphocyte apoptosis via CD95 molecule expression to demonstrate activation induced cell death in children with high risk of DM1 and in type 1 diabetics under insulin therapy. Methods: This study comprised 90 children and adolescents, divided into 3 groups. G(1) comprised 40 type-1 diabetics, their ages ranging from 8.0 to 17.0 years and disease duration between 2.0 and 12.0 years. G(2) (prediabetics) included 30 euglycaemic subjects who were first degree relatives of type 1 diabetics, with normal fasting blood glucose and positive first phase insulin release (FPIR) and/or positive islet cell (ICA) or glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies. G(3) comprised 20 healthy, age and sex matched subjects with no clinical or laboratory signs or family history of type-1DM. Patients were subjected to clinical evaluation with special emphasis on signs suggestive of microvascular complications. The study measurements included random blood sugar (RBS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urinary microalbumin assay and flow cytometric assessment of apoptosis by measuring CD95 percentage expression on CD3 lymphocytes. Results: The percentage of CD95 positive T-lymphocytes was significantly higher in prediabetics than in type-1 diabetics and controls (57.687±6.68, 45.01±6.648,16.75±4.98% respectively; p < 0.001). CD3 positive lymphocytes were significantly lower in prediabetics than type-1 diabetics and controls (52.93±11.64, 66.23±7.04, 63.910±3.4% respectively; p < 0.001). The percentage of CD95 on T-lymphocytes could not be correlated with age, insulin dose and RBS, but HbA1c was positively correlated with both CD3 lymphocytes and CD95% expression. Complicated type-1 diabetics showed higher CD95% expression compared to noncomplicated patients. Conclusion: Peripheral blood lymphocytes with CD95 antigen expression are increased in prediabetics. As CD95 is an important receptor for activation-induced cell death, CD95 mediated apoptosis could play a potential role in the pathogenesis of DM1.Keywords: lymphocyte apoptosis; CD95 system; type 1 DM; prediabetesEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2008; 6(2): 57-6

Comparative Untargeted Metabolic Profiling of Different Parts of Citrus sinensis Fruits via Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Multivariate Data Analyses to Unravel Authenticity

Differences between seven authentic samples of Citrus sinensis var. Valencia peel (albedo and flavedo) and juices from Spain and Uruguay, in addition to a concentrate obtained from Brazil, were investigated by untargeted metabolic profiling. Sixty-six metabolites were detected by nano-liquid chromatography coupled to a high-resolution electrospray-ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (nLC-ESI-qTOF-MS) belonging to phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoid glycosides, limonoids, terpenes, and fatty acids. Eleven metabolites were detected for the first time in Citrus sinensis and identified as citroside A, sinapic acid pentoside, apigenin-C-hexosyl-O-pentoside, chrysoeriol-C-hexoside, di-hexosyl-diosmetin, perilloside A, gingerol, ionone epoxide hydroxy-sphingenine, xanthomicrol, and coumaryl alcohol-O-hexoside. Some flavonoids were completely absent from the juice, while present most prominently in the Citrus peel, conveying more industrial and economic prospects to the latter. Multivariate data analyses clarified that the differences among orange parts overweighed the geographical source. PCA analysis of ESI-(−)-mode data revealed for hydroxylinoleic acid abundance in flavedo peel from Uruguay the most distant cluster from all others. The PCA analysis of ESI-(+)-mode data provided a clear segregation of the different Citrus sinensis parts primarily due to the large diversity of flavonoids and coumarins among the studied samples

TOWARDS THE ADAPTATION OF GREEN BUILDING MATERIAL SYSTEMS TO THE EGYPTIAN ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT This research briefly reviews the definition and the principles of green architecture, making a comparison between the global green building rating systems in respect to materials only. These systems are the [1, 2]Green Pyramid, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method), [3] LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the [4] Green Star in the form of Credits %, importance and its Requirements

Therapeutic potential of dexamethasone Nano chitosan synthesized from chitosan as a novel treatment of pulmonary fibrosis in C57BL/6 mice

Back ground: Pulmonary fibrosis is an irreversible disease with excessive scarring and fibrosis of lung tissue. Glucocorticoid therapy of dexamethasone attenuates lung inflammation with severe adverse effects. Subsequently, synthesizing Nano chitosan from chitosan macromolecule and loading dexamethasone onto Nano chitosan particles have shown improved pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone. Purpose: The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize dexamethasone Nano chitosan particles chemically and then to evaluate the effectiveness of loading dexamethasone onto Nano chitosan as a treatment of pulmonary injury induced by bleomycin-induced in C57BL/6 mice. Results: This study elucidated significant elevations of serum malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase with an increased lung tissue inflammatory mediators, collagen profile, Caspase-3, and MUC5AC gene expressions. This was accompanied by a significant elevation in total and differential leukocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Besides, there were recognized histological and histopathological alterations in lung tissue sections following both 14 and 28 days of bleomycin instillation. Consequently, treatment of lung injury by dexamethasone alone or dexamethasone loaded onto Nano chitosan particles revealed a significant reduction of MDA and LDH, a decline in lung tissue inflammatory mediators, collagen profile, Caspase-3, and MUC5AC gene expressions. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in total and differential leukocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. However, loading dexamethasone onto Nano chitosan provided novel insights in pulmonary injury treatmen

EFFECT OF AMIODARONE ON RABBITS' OPTIC NERVE AND THE AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF VITAMIN E: FTIR STUDY

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the structural and conformational changes induced by short-term administration of the amiodarone in the optic nerve besides validating whether vitamin E coadministration with amiodarone will improve these changes. Methods: Thirty New Zealand white rabbits from both sexes were haphazardly categorized into three groups, whereas each group contains ten rabbits (20 eyes). One of these groups served as a control that received an intraperitoneal injection of normal saline. Rabbits in the second group intraperitoneally (ip) injected daily with 160 mg/kg body weight (bw) of amiodarone for two weeks. The last group orally administration 100 mg/kg bw of vitamin E with the 160 mg/kg bw of amiodarone ip daily for two weeks until the time of sacrifice. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was conducted on the optic nerve of the all groups. Results: The results obtained from the FTIR spectrum revealed that the short-term administration of amiodarone caused a significant alteration in the stretching NH-OH region. A newly detected component centered at 3739±1 cm-1 was assigned as strO-H. There was a significant decrease (p˂0.05) in the bandwidth and band position of one component of strO-H that centered at 3598±1 cm-1. Moreover, remaining vibrational bands (O-Hasym and O-Hsym) were shifted to higher frequencies. Coadministration of vitamin E with amiodarone reduced the contour to four components as a control with significant increase in the band position of O-Hasym and the bandwidth of one component of str O-H. Amiodarone administrations lead to reducing the area ratio of asymCH2 to symCH2 and elevation of the area ratio of asymCH2 to asymCH3 while the coadministration of vitamin E returned it as the control ratio. The percentage of the β-turn was significantly increased while the α-helix content was decreased due to amiodarone. The contents of both components were considered mimicking the control values when Vitamin E was co-administered with amiodarone. Conclusion: The study stated that amiodarone could change the solubility and folding of the optic nerve proteins. Finally, vitamin E intake with amiodarone turns many of these changes induced by amiodarone to normal levels, which make it a good supplement for amiodarone users

Comparative Metabolite Fingerprinting of Four Different Cinnamon Species Analyzed via UPLC–MS and GC–MS and Chemometric Tools

The present study aimed to assess metabolites heterogeneity among four major Cinnamomum species, including true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and less explored species (C. cassia, C. iners, and C. tamala). UPLC-MS led to the annotation of 74 secondary metabolites belonging to different classes, including phenolic acids, tannins, flavonoids, and lignans. A new proanthocyanidin was identified for the first time in C. tamala, along with several glycosylated flavonoid and dicarboxylic fatty acids reported for the first time in cinnamon. Multivariate data analyses revealed, for cinnamates, an abundance in C. verum versus procyandins, dihydro-coumaroylglycosides, and coumarin in C. cassia. A total of 51 primary metabolites were detected using GC-MS analysis encompassing different classes, viz. sugars, fatty acids, and sugar alcohols, with true cinnamon from Malaysia suggested as a good sugar source for diabetic patients. Glycerol in C. tamala, erythritol in C. iners, and glucose and fructose in C. verum from Malaysia were major metabolites contributing to the discrimination among species

Contribution of coagulation factor VII R353Q polymorphism to the risk of thrombotic disorders development (venous and arterial): A case-control study

Background: Elevated factor VII (FVII) level is a risk factor for thromboembolic disorders. It was reported that the FVII R353Q polymorphism is associated with variation in plasma FVII levels, where Q allele carriers were more associated with lower levels of FVII than R allele carriers. However, the association between coagulation FVII R353 Q polymorphisms and the risk of thrombosis is uncertain.Aim of the study: Is to investigate the contribution of factor VII R353Q gene polymorphism to the risk of thrombotic disorders development (venous and arterial) in a group of Egyptian patients.Subjects and methods: This study was conducted on 310 subjects: 110 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, 108 deep venous thrombosis (DVT) patients and 92 healthy controls. FVII R353Q genotypes were assessed using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of FVII R353Q polymorphism between each of the AMI and DVT patients and the control group (P = 0.9, 0.1). However the Q allele showed a significantly higher frequency in the AMI group (15.4%) vs. controls (8.7%) (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 0.98–3.7). Bivariate analysis demonstrated no significant association between FVII R353Q genotypes and different studied risk factors, neither in arterial nor venous thrombosis.Conclusion: FVII R353Q polymorphism did not contribute to an increased risk of thrombosis (arterial and venous); also carrying the Q allele (of R353Q) did not confer protection against acute thrombotic events

The economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physicians/health care work force in Egypt

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare workers physically, psychologically, and economically. The industry has struggled financially with the cancellation of elective procedures and hesitancy from patients to seek medical help. Thus, this study aimed to assess the economic and work burden of COVID-19 on the health workforce in Egypt. Methods a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Egypt from October 2020 to May 2021. A purposive sample of 763 healthcare workers (HCWs) from Egyptian governorates was included. HCWs were asked to fill out a self-administered questionnaire on Google Forms and printed copies. The questionnaire link was shared on social media forums. Results a total of 763 HCWs responded. Females were 88.2% and more than half were 33 or less years old. Physicians constituted 42.5%, while paramedics 57.5%. The governmental sector represented 61.2%, private sector 14.7% and those who combined both 24.1%. Regarding specialties affected, pediatricians, dermatologists, and nephrologists reported a considerable drop in their regular private work rate, while radiologists were not affected regarding workload or income by the closure. The HCWs acknowledge that COVID-19 has put extreme stress on the healthcare workforce physically, mentally, and financially in a pre-existing challenging environment. The results can help evidence-based decisions by policymakers in Egypt

MAT-725: SELF LEVELING MORTAR: WHY AND HOW?

Concrete floors can develop faults over time which can cause damage thus hindering smooth transportation, industrial aspects and some residential drawbacks. In addition, flaws and cracks are known to progress into more serious damage with time and use. Self leveling mortar has been used on a relatively limited scale worldwide to allow for more even, higher performance and easy-to-apply flooring. However, there has been little information available with respect to their use and best practices. The primary focus of this work is to prepare mortar that possesses self-levelling flow characteristics. Hence, several mixtures have been designed using various constituents with moderate 28-day strength of 35 MPa. Chemical and mineral admixtures have been incorporated together with limestone to enhance the flow and cohesiveness as well as improve performance. The results reveal that self-levelling mortar can be successfully produced with comparable properties to ready-to-use market product. These mixtures were evaluated to have both performance and economic merits