Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of morbidity and death in all age groups, with an estimated 50 million people having brain injury due to trauma each year. Accurate blood-based biomarkers are needed to assist with diagnosis of patients across the spectrum of time and severity. Our objectives were to explore the diagnostic precision of time- and severity- related four blood-based biomarkers: AKT3, GSK-3β, hsa-miR-16-5p, and MALAT-1 for TBI for the purpose of diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up. 40 samples were recruited as the following: 30 TBI patients and 10 healthy volunteers as controls with matched age and sex. They were divided according to the Glasgow Coma Scale into mild (mTBI), moderate (modTBI), and severe(sTBI) TBI. Blood samples were withdrawn at entry, and after 5 and 30 days, RT-PCR was used for measuring the expression level. The results showed upregulated expression levels of AKT3, hsa-miR-16-5p and significantly downregulated expression levels of GSK-3β in TBI patients compared to controls at all timings measured. mTBI patients showed a higher expression level of hsa-miR-16-5p compared with modTBI, and sTBI patients. MALAT-1 level showed a significant increase in severe cases only. We concluded that AKT3, hsa-miR-16-5p, and GSK-3β are excellent diagnostic biomarkers in TBI patients at initial assessment, as well as at 5 and 30 days following the injury. Moreover, MALAT-1 had good diagnostic value in sTBI patients, and its prognostic value extends to 30 days. GSK-3β was an excellent biomarker for detecting mTBI.

Background: Burn victims have higher levels of cell free DNA (cfDNA), which allows its use as a direct indicator of cellular damage and burn vitality. Aim: Determination of cfDNA levels in burn patients and their correlation with total body surface area burned percent (TBSA%). Subjects and methods: Burn cases were evaluated to determine the prevalence of age and sex variations, period of admission, TBSA%, and the etiology and manner of burns. The plasma cfDNA concentration was measured within 24 hours of the burn injury in 40 burn cases and 20 control subjects. Results: The mean age of the cases was 34.38 years (median 33 years). Most patients were males (62.5%). Burning by flame or scalding represented 50% of the cases. Accidental burns were the most predominant. The mean of admission periods was 36.55 days while the mean value of TBSA% of the cases was 16.68%. There was a statistically significant difference in cfDNA values between cases and control subjects (p = 0.001). A positive correlation was found between cfDNA levels and TBSA% (r = 0.7; p < 0.001). Conclusion and recommendations: Levels of cfDNA were significantly different between burn cases and controls.

Virginity is the nullity of sexual experience in females. However, the use of virginity testing as proof of previous involvement in sexual relations is dependent on having an intact hymen, which refers to a hymen with no signs of previous penetrating injury. Although the quality of this evidence in questioned virginity is extremely poor and considered a violation of human rights, it still constitutes a major facet in medicolegal investigations of sexual assaults. This work evaluates virginity testing as currently practiced in many countries, including Egypt, in terms of medical and legal considerations.

Background COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and rapidly spread worldwide, being declared global pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. Since its emergence, COVID-19 has raised global concerns associated with drastic measures that were never adopted in any previous outbreak, to contain the situation as early as possible. Main body The 2019 novel corona virus (2019-nCoV) or SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19. 2019-nCoV genetic sequence was rapidly identified within few days since the first reported cases and RT-PCR kits became available for COVID-19 diagnosis. However, RT-PCR diagnosis carries a risk of false-negative results; therefore, additional serologic tests are needed. In this review, we summarize the clinical scenario that raises suspicion of COVID-19 and available laboratory diagnostics. Conclusion The most important approach in the battle against COVID-19 is rapid diagnosis of suspicious cases, timely therapeutic intervention and isolation to avoid community spread. Diagnosis depends mainly on PCR testing and serological tests. However, even in the context of negative lab test results and clinical suspicion of COVID-19 infection, clinical decision should be based on clinical suspicion.

This work was designed to study the effect of daily oral administration for two groups of male albino rats suffering from weight gain (obese rats) with both 10% aqueous extract of green tea and 21 mg L-Carnitine/kg body weight for 9 weeks. Green tea (GT) and L-Carnitine (LC) cause significant body weight reduction in overweight rats with low thyroid hormone levels (triiodothyronin T-3 and thyroxin T-4) as well as testosterone. Treatment of obese male rats with GT caused decrease in count of red blood cells and blood haemoglobin and elevate in both count of white blood cells WBCs and haematocrit PCV%, while LC caused elevate in blood haemoglobin levels Hb, RBCs, WBCs and (PCV) % compared with both negative and positive groups of control while haematocrit PCV% in rats of positive contrl group was reduced compared with rats of (C-ve) group and all treatment groups.

The presence of vaginal fluid as a bio-stain in the crime scene of sexual assaults provides pivotal evidence. The vaginal secretions are known to be rich in Lactobacillus; hence the current work aims to identify vaginal secretions via detection and quantification of Lactobacillus DNA in pre and postmenopausal females and to test its stability over storage time using Critical Threshold method applied by Polymerase chain reaction approach. Comparative study is done by Critical Threshold and Relative Expression methods aiming to evaluate the two methods. Results showed that (ΔCT) <9 powerfully indicates the presence of vaginal fluids. Values of ΔCT in all vaginal samples are stable and not affected by storage. Two novel cutoff values are obtained in order to differentiate between premenopausal and postmenopausal vaginal fluid samples which are (8.42) using the Critical Threshold method and (0.24) using the Relative Expression method. One novel cutoff value is obtained to differentiate between fresh and stored vaginal samples by the Relative Expression method which is (0.39). It is concluded that Lactobacillus DNA quantification via PCR is a good positive identifier for vaginal secretions which is remarkably stable over storage time.

Purpose This research aims to examine the mediating role of innovation between market and learning orientations and organization performance in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as examining culture role to enhance the relationship between innovation and performance. Design A questionnaire is designed with number of statements about each dimension for the purpose of data collection. A number of 80 respondents of Egyptian enterprises are collected and data analysis is done using SPSS, where correlation and regression analysis are constructed to figure out results of hypotheses testing. Findings Results showed a significant change in Innovation with different Market Orientation groups, as well as a significant impact of Innovation on Organization Performance. Also, it was found that there is a significant role of culture as a moderator between Innovation and Performance.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a worldwide health problem and has been for long an attractive point of research due to diversity among different genotypes regarding unique geographical distribution and diverse treatment outcome. HCV is considered a major cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, which leads to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma requiring liver transplantation. Of the HCV genotypes identified, HCV genotype 4 (HCV-4) is the least studied. HCV-4 is responsible for ∼10% of HCV infections and is common in the Middle East and Africa; recently it is increasingly prevalent in European Countries. HCV-4 is a continuing epidemic in Egypt, having the highest prevalence of HCV worldwide. “Know your epidemic, know your response” concept necessitates better understanding of HCV-4 characteristics to control disease dissemination and progression, which compromises the life quality of chronic HCV-infected patients. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, natural history, and treatment options for patients with HCV-4 infection.

Background: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity toward organophosphorus(OP) compounds shows inter individual variations, rendering the identification of individuals' PON1 allozymes valuable in treating patients suffering from organophosphorus intoxication. One of the most important cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs) is CYP2D6. The CYP2D6 G1934A polymorphism leads to good, poor or no enzyme activity. Genetic testing helps identification of high risk individuals as well as management of chronic intoxicated patients.Objective: to investigate a possible association between genetic polymorphisms of PON1 Q192R, and CYP2D6 G1934A as well as PONI and pseudo-cholinesterase (PChE) enzyme activity levels and chronic organophosphate exposed patients, and hence, susceptibility for organophosphorus chronic poisoning. Design and methods: Thirty chronic organophosphate exposed farm workers were compared to 29 healthy controls as regards PON1 Q192R and CYP2D6 G1934A polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP technique. Also serum PON1 and PChE activities were determined spectrophotometrically.Results: Serum PChE was significantly reduced in chronic intoxicated patients compared to the control group (p = 0.02), while PON1 activity was increased, but just failed to reach significance (p = 0.06). PON1 192 RR genotype and R allele were significantly increased in chronic OP intoxicated patients (p = 0.005 & p = 0.002 respectively). CYP2D6 1934 A allele was significantly increased in chronic OP patients (p = 0.045). combining the two SNPs showed a significant statistical difference between the two groups with PON1QQ and CYP2D6 GG genotypes being more represented in the healthy controls (p = 0.001). Fatigue and motor weakness were the most prevalent neurological symptoms seen in chronic cases (56.7%), followed by headache and lacrimation (30% each), depression (23%), tingling and sensory symptoms (20%), sleep disorders and limb pain (13%). The mean duration of environmental exposure to organophosphates was 7.7 +/- 5.2 years and no association was found between chronic symptoms of intoxication and duration of exposure, provided that all workers were exposed for at least 3 years.Conclusion: PON1192RR genotype and CYP2D6 1934 A allele were found to be related to the susceptibility to organophosphate chronic toxicity in Egyptians. Larger scale gene-environmental interaction studies are recommended to confirm results and Genotyping is recommended during selection of agricultural pesticide workers to exclude high risk group. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background: Organophosphates are the basis of many insecticides, herbicides, and nerve agents. They were listed as highly acutely toxic agents. Findings in knockout mice suggest that paraoxonase 1 may modulate the toxicity resulting from exposure to organophosphorus compounds. In human, there is no enough data about genetic modulation of acute organophosphorus intoxication. CYP2D6 is involved in the metabolism of about 30% of xenobiotics. Prompt accurate management of OP acute intoxication can promote patient's survival.Design and methods: Forty acute organophosphorus intoxicated patients were divided according to presence of clinical toxicity manifestations and serum level of pseudo-cholinesterase into two groups of acute symptomatic and acute asymptomatic patients. A third group of 29 healthy volunteers served as control. Paraoxonase 1 Q192R and CYP2D6 G1934A polymorphisms, (QQ QR, and RR for PON1) and (GG, GA, and AA for CYP2D6), were studied using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Serum paraoxonase 1 and pseudo-cholinesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically.Results: Serum pseudo-cholinesterase was significantly reduced in both acute intoxication groups compared to the controls (p = 0.000). Paraoxonase 1 was significantly reduced in the symptomatic acute intoxication patients in comparison to the asymptomatic group (p = 0.002). There was a significant increase in paraoxonase 1 192 RR genotype and R allele in the symptomatic patients in comparison to the controls and asymptomatic patients (p = 0.006 and p = 0.01, respectively). For CYP2D6 G1934A genotypes and alleles, no significant difference was found between groups (p = 0.3 and p = 0.18, respectively). However, one case of the two recorded fatalities was for a symptomatic female patient with the only traced AA genotype. The combination of both single nucleotide polymorphisms revealed a significant distribution difference between groups, with QQ + GG genotypes being more represented in the controls, while RR + GA genotypes were exclusively present in the group of symptomatic patients (p = 0.04), none of the participants was found to have RR + AA genotypes. Some nicotinic (fasciculation and weakness), and muscarinic symptoms (bronchospasm, salivation, lacrimation, and diarrhea), increased with high significance in the symptomatic group compared to the asymptomatic one (p < 0.001 for all). Convulsions also showed significant increase (p = 0.02).Conclusion: Paraoxonase 1 Q192R modulates patient's response, and CYP2D6 may be related to the acute organophosphorus intoxication in the context of other genetic-environmental factors. Paraoxonase 1 enzyme level is related to symptom severity in acute OP poisoning, while pseudo-cholinesterase level indicates exposure to OP rather than severity of clinical manifestations. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Female circumcision is a frank picture of female child abuse that is practised widely in many countries especially in Africa. This procedure is considered a fundamental violation of human rights. The procedure is expected to be declining in Egypt in response to the recent medicolegal litigation in 2007. The aim of this study is to record the prevalence of female circumcision in 2010, in the region of Cairo and Giza, seeking to show if there is difference in the practice after the change in the law and banning of the procedure. A formatted questionnaire for 244 female volunteers was conducted. Statistical analysis revealed that 63.9% of the sample had been victimised by circumcision. The mean age of circumcision was 10.846±1.98 years. Circumcision took place at victim’s home in 56.5%, private clinics in 38.5% or at hospitals in 5%. The procedure was performed by medical personnel in the majority of cases. The motivation behind the practice was primarily traditional beliefs (64.1%) followed by religious considerations (35.9%). Experienced complications were emotional trauma in 94.9%, haemorrhage in 33.3% and dysuria in 7.7%. Sexual problems were exclusively reported by the victimised subjects in 72.7% of sexually experienced subjects.

Age-related cataract is a leading cause of blindness throughout the world. Regular exposure to sunlight increases the risk of cataract development. Ultraviolet light causes oxidative stress which induces DNA damage in the lens epithelium and the development of opacities. The existence of DNA repair in lens epithelial cells has been reported, and polymorphisms of DNA repair genes may affect repair efficiency. This work aims to study the frequency of polymorphisms of two DNA repair genes, xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) codon751 and X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) codon399, in cataract in the sunny weather of Egypt. Forty-two Egyptian patients with maturity onset cataract were compared to 41 control subjects using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. There was a significant increase in frequency of XRCC1-399 Arg/Arg genotype in cataract patients (42.8%) compared to healthy controls (22%) (p = 0.042).This increase remained significant after redistribution according to occupational exposure. No significant difference was found for the genotypic and allelic distributions of the polymorphisms in XPD-751 gene (p > 0.05) between groups. There was a significant increase in cataract development in subjects with high exposure risk to sunlight more than those with low risk, either due to their occupation (p = 0.034) or to residence in sunny areas of upper Egypt (p = 0.037). Findings suggest that polymorphism in XRCC1 codon399 may predispose to the development of maturity-onset cataract and support the hypothesis that sun exposure is a leading factor for cataract development.