Nephropathy and Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Introduction: Several reports described an association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Chronic HCV infection is prevalent in Egypt. The present work aimed to evaluate the prevalence of proteinuria and neuropathy among diabetic patients with and without chronic HCV infection Methods: A total of 70 diabetic patients were recruited from patients that attended the outpatient clinic of Mansoura Specialized Medical University Hospital. They were evaluated for diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, high blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion (UAE), serum creatinine, lipid profile and assay of HCV-RNA. Results: The prevalence of HCV infection among this group of diabetic patients was 35.7% compared to 10% in a matched control group (P< 0.05). Diabetic patients with chronic HCV infection (n=45) and diabetic patients without HCV infection (n=25) had no significant differences in diabetes type, diabetes duration, prevalence of hypertension, level of glycosylated hemoglobin or prevalence of diabetic retinopathy. The prevalence of macroalbuminuria, peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropahty was higher among diabetic patients with chronic HCV infection (P < 0.05). Also, diabetic patients with chronic HCV infection had higher mean arterial pressure, higher serum creatinine, higher triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and higher UAE (P < 0.05). Conclusion: A high prevalence of HCV infection is observed among this group of Egyptian diabetic patients, and it was associated with higher rates of nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy compared to diabetic patients without HCV infection. Key words: Diabetes mellitus; Egypt; HCV infection; Nephropathy; Neuropahty; Retinopath

Prolongation of corrected QT interval in diabetic patients with ketoacidosis

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the most common acute hyperglycemic complication of diabetes. According to a recent report DKA affects approximately 8 per 1000 diabetics annually. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with a worldwide mortality rate of 2-10%.Objective: The aim of the work was to assessment of QTc interval prolongation among patients with DKA.Patients and Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 100 patients who were diagnosed with DKA. The mean age of patients was 37.29±11.63 years, and 53% of them were males. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking, full clinical examination, laboratory investigations and 12-lead ECG.Results: Frequency of Prolonged QTmaxc amongst studied patients was 59%. Mean QTmaxc declined significantly after treatment to be 414.6±44.1ms compared to 482.45±63.56ms before treatment with p&lt;0.0001 and Frequency of prolonged QTmaxc was significantly decreased with treatment from 59% to 20%. Anion gap was significantly higher for Prolonged QTmaxc patients compared to normal QTmaxc patients p&lt;0.0001. While ABG (PH, HCO3) were significantly lower for Prolonged QTmaxc patients compared to normal QTmaxc patients p&lt;0.0001. Logistic regression revealed that anion gap was significant independent risk factor for QTmaxc prolongation while.Conclusion: patients with DKA have a potential risk of QTmaxc interval prolongation due to acidosis regardless electrolytes abnormalities, and associated with a relative risk of 1.732-fold for mortality. Carful measuring of anion gap at time of admission can be used in diagnosis and prediction of occurrence of prolonged QTmaxc with high sensitivity and specificity

Microwave-assisted synthesis and antitumor evaluation of a new series of thiazolylcoumarin derivatives

A new series of thiazolylcoumarin derivatives was synthesized. The designed strategy embraced a molecular hybridization approach which involves the combination of the thiazole and coumarin pharmacophores together. The new hybrid compounds were tested for in vitro antitumor efficacy over cervical (Hela) and kidney fibroblast (COS-7) cancer cells. Compounds 5f, 5h, 5m and 5r displayed promising efficacy toward Hela cell line. In addition, 5h and 5r were found to be the most active candidates toward COS-7 cell line. The four active analogs, 5f, 5h, 5m and 5r were screened for in vivo antitumor activity over EAC cells in mice, as well as in vitro cytotoxicity toward W138 normal cells. Results illustrated that 5r has the highest in vivo activity, and that the four analogs are less cytotoxic than 5-FU toward W138 normal cells. In this study, 3D pharmacophore analysis was performed to investigate the matching pharmacophoric features of the synthesized compounds with trichostatin A. In silico studies showed that the investigated compounds meet the optimal needs for good oral absorption with no expected toxicity hazards

Optimization of mosquitocidal toxins production by Lysinibacillus sphaericus under solid state fermentation using statistical experimental design

Taguchi’s experimental design of surface response methodology was applied to optimize the culture medium conditions for Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Ls) mosquitocidal toxins production under solid state fermentation (SSF). The predicted results of this design revealed that the optimum culture medium conditions for the maximum mosquitocidal activity against second instar Culex pipiens larvae were: 3.08 ± 0.05% substrate concentration, 33 ± 1.5% moisture content, 7.8 ± 0.1 initial pH, 1.35 ± 0.15% (5.7 × 107 CFU) inoculum size and 5.9 ± 0.2 days incubation period. Sporulation titer of Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Ls 14N1) and mortality percentage of second instar Culex pipiens larvae of the fermented culture under these conditions were 2.8 × 1010 CFU/g fermented culture and 97.5 ± 1%, respectively. The results of practical validation of the design were incomparable with the mathematical results. Sporulation titer was 2.7 × 10 10 CFU/g fermented culture; LC50 was 2.8 × 10-5 final fermented culturedilution and toxin protein concentration was 2.24 mg/g fermented culture

Synergizing effect of poly quaternary ammonium salts and metal oxides nanoparticles on wool and wool/polyester fabrics

213-220A new finishing technique using quaternary ammonium groups (QAG) via polymerization of methacryloyloxyethyl ammonium chloride (PMAETAC), in presence of TiO2 /ZnO / TiO2+ZnO nanoparticles in wool, wool/polyester fabrics has been studied, using K2S2O8 as initiator for the graft copolymerization reaction. The antimicrobial activities of the finished fabrics have been assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as Candida albicans. The findings show that, the finished fabrics with PMAETAC and their hydride combination with metal oxide NPs have outstanding activity against E. coli & S. aureus as well as excellent UV protection as compared to that finished with PMAETAC alone. The finished fabrics are also characterized by Fourier transformation infrared. The topography of the fabrics surface is examined by SEM and EDX. After five washing cycles, the acquired properties are found slightly affected, indicating an excellent wash durability

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8–13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05–6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50–75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life. Funding Pfizer, Amgen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Sanofi–Aventis, Daiichi Sankyo, and Regeneron

Skeletal Muscle Pump Drives Control of Cardiovascular and Postural Systems

The causal interaction between cardio-postural-musculoskeletal systems is critical in maintaining postural stability under orthostatic challenge. The absence or reduction of such interactions could lead to fainting and falls often experienced by elderly individuals. The causal relationship between systolic blood pressure (SBP), calf electromyography (EMG), and resultant center of pressure (COPr) can quantify the behavior of cardio-postural control loop. Convergent cross mapping (CCM) is a non-linear approach to establish causality, thus, expected to decipher nonlinear causal cardio-postural-musculoskeletal interactions. Data were acquired simultaneously from young participants (25&thinsp;±&thinsp;2 years, n&thinsp;=&thinsp;18) during a 10-minute sit-to-stand test. In the young population, skeletal muscle pump was found to drive blood pressure control (EMG&thinsp;→&thinsp;SBP) as well as control the postural sway (EMG&thinsp;→&thinsp;COPr) through the significantly higher causal drive in the direction towards SBP and COPr. Furthermore, the effect of aging on muscle pump activation associated with blood pressure regulation was explored. Simultaneous EMG and SBP were acquired from elderly group (69&thinsp;±&thinsp;4 years, n&thinsp;=&thinsp;14). A significant (p&thinsp;=&thinsp;0.002) decline in EMG&thinsp;→&thinsp;SBP causality was observed in the elderly group, compared to the young group. The results highlight the potential of causality to detect alteration in blood pressure regulation with age, thus, a potential clinical utility towards detection of fall proneness