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Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is a common finding in diabetic patients especially high-risk populations such as postmenopausal women. Sclerostin is a glycoprotein chiefly secreted by mature osteocytes and is considered a main regulator of bone formation. The C1q/TNF-Related Protein 3 (CTRP3) was found to be significantly associated with OP in postmenopausal women. The effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on sclerostin and CTRP3 levels in postmenopausal women is rarely investigated. The present study aimed to assess the impact of T2DM on sclerostin and CTRP3 levels and their relation to OP in postmenopausal women. Methods: The study included 60 postmenopausal women with T2DM and 60 age-matched postmenopausal non-diabetic women. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Serum levels of sclerostin and CTRP3 were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: Diabetic group expressed significantly higher serum levels of sclerostin when compared with non-diabetic group (110.0 ± 29.0 versus 51.5 ± 23.2 ng; p < 0.001). Oppositely, CTRP3 were significantly lower in the diabetic group (3.5 ± 3.5 versus 9.9 ± 3.7 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified HbA1c levels [OR (95% CI): 0.49 (0.26–0.93), p = 0.028], sclerotin levels [OR (95% CI): 1.06 (1.0-1.012), p = 0.041] and CTRP3 levels [OR (95%) CI: 1.64 (1.0-2.68), p = 0.047] as significant predictors of OP in diabetic patients. Conclusions: Sclerostin and CTRP3 levels are involved in OP in postmenopausal diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fungal sensitization is usually associated with increased asthmatic severity, morbidity and mortality, including higher rates of hospital and intensive care admission. However, the possible association between fungal airway colonization with regard to sensitization remains controversial. Objectives: to investigate the presence of severe asthma with fungal sensitization among asthmatic patients and to find evidence of Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) role in severely asthmatic patients. Methods: this study investigated forty asthmatic patients and twenty controls. Demographic data of all subjects within the study was collected, as well as total serum IgE, A.fumigatus specific IgE and A. fumigatus galactomannan antigen ELISA test. Results: our results showed significant elevation of total IgE, Aspergillus specific IgE and A. fumigatus galactomannan antigen in 75% of severely asthmatic patients, compared to patients with mild asthma and negative values in control. Conclusion: We report a high percent of A. fumigatus colonization among severely asthmatic patients. This supports the hypothesis of the role of fungal elements colonization in the airways of patients with severe asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obstetric hemorrhage is the most prevalent cause of maternal death. Uterine atony accounts for around 80% of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) cases. Objectives: This study aimed to compare between oxytocin and carbetocin in the prevention of PPH in Caesarean section (CS). Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out on 100 female participants with risk factors of PPH delivered by CS at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Menoufia University Hospitals. They were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 that included 50 pregnant women who received 100 mcg/ml of carbetocin and group 2 that included 50 pregnant women who received 10 IU of oxytocin infusion (8ml/m over one hour). All participants were subjected to full medical history and full clinical examination. Vital signs, intraoperative blood loss estimation, routine investigations (CBC, ABO, Rh, RBS, Coagulation profile, S. creatinine & urinalysis and LFT), and obstetric US were done for all females. Results: Overall 100 participants that were recruited, there was no significant difference regarding demographic data. Group 2 (oxytocin) had significantly lower hemoglobin levels and hematocrit l2 hours & 24 hours postoperatively. Group 1 had better uterine contractions than group 2. There were 17 cases in group 2 that needed additional uterotonic drugs with a p-value <0.001. There were 6 cases in group 2 that developed PPH and 4 of them needed blood transfusion. Conclusion: A single intravenous injection of carbetocin (100 mcg) was more effective than a continuous intravenous infusion of oxytocin (10 IU) for maintaining uterine tone and prevention of PPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]