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Abstract Background Maternal diabetes during pregnancy may alter the metabolomic profile of the offspring, increasing the risk of perinatal complications and potentially predisposing them to adverse metabolic consequences during later life. To assess this risk, we aimed to study the levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines in the cord blood of infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). Methods Fifty term-IDMs were compared to 25 healthy newborns. Of the diabetic mothers, 37 had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and 13 had pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM). Amino acid and acylcarnitine concentrations were measured in dried spot samples of cord blood using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Results We observed significantly higher levels of valine, aspartic acid, the leucine-to-isoleucine (Leu:Ile), and leucine-to-phenylalanine (Leu:Phe), and decreased values of methionine and the phenylalanine-to-tyrosine (Phe:Tyr) in neonates in the GDM group compared to controls. Neonates of mothers with GDM showed higher levels of C2-carnitine, C5-carnitine, C5:1, and C4-OH (C3-DC) compared to controls. Neonates of mothers with PGDM also showed higher levels of C2-carnitine, C0-carnitine, and C5:1 compared to controls. There were no significant differences in amino acids or acylcarnitine levels between IDMs with GDMs and PGDMs. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that principal component 1 (PC1) was responsible for the majority of differences between IDMs and controls. PC1 consisted of aspartic, valine, leu:lle, C4-OH(C3-DC), C2-carnitine, C0-carinitine, C5-carnitine, C18:1, and C16:1. Variable importance in projection (VIP) scores based on PLS-DA loadings showed high values for aspartic, valine, leu:lle, Leu:Phe, C4-OH(C3-DC), C2-carnitine, C0-carnitine, C5:1, C5-DC, C18:1, C16:1, C5-carnitine in IDMs, and high values for Met:Phe, methionine, and Phe:Tyr in controls. Conclusion Maternal diabetes leads to alterations in amino acid concentrations and the carnitine shuttle pathway of their offspring.

Abstract Background Post COVID symptoms are a series of chronic symptoms that patients may experience after resolution of acute COVID-19. Different post-COVID-19 condition phenotypes might exist, although exact causes, management, and outcomes are not known. Aim To assess the functional status among post-COVID-19 survivors and identify the associated socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory risk factors of the poor functional status among those cases and to identify the most common persistent symptoms among post-COVID-19 survivors after discharge. This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 150 recovered cases who had been infected with COVID-19 as confirmed by swab during hospitalization and being interviewed regarding functional status 6 months post-hospital discharge. Cases were divided into two groups: the decreased functional status group (n = 74) and the non-decreased functional status group (n = 76). Results The present study indicated statistically significant differences between the studied groups; receiving the influenza vaccine was significantly associated with keeping the pre-COVID functional status (p = 0.02). The reduced functional status group had a significantly more severe disease course, prolonged hospital as well as ICU stay (p < 0.001), and worse CT findings than the normal functional status group (p = 0.004). Long-term symptoms such as headache, mood changes, insomnia, hearing problems, dry eyes, breathlessness, and chest tightness were significantly more prevalent among those who reported limitations in their functional status (p < 0.001). There were significantly higher CRP, serum ferritin, and D-dimer in the reduced functional status group. Conclusion The present study highlights that most COVID-19 recovered cases have different degrees of functional limitations ranging from null to severe based on the PCFS scale. These limitations were affected by periodic influenza vaccination, ICU admission, and length of hospital stay. Some laboratory parameters were associated with reduced functionality: CRP, D-dimer, and serum ferritin. Psychological/neurological symptoms and breathlessness were significantly associated with reduced PCFS. This calls for public health action and necessitates widespread health education of post-COVID-19 health consequences.

Abstract Background Since many newly diagnosed breast cancer patients have breast MRI, the value of preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging would improve if molecular subtypes could be consistently identified, and prognostic information provided in addition to diagnostic imaging. Breast edema may improve the ability to predict molecular subtypes and clinical and pathological outcomes in invasive breast cancer patients. The prognosis for breast cancer prognosis based on the findings of breast edema by magnetic resonance imaging will be useful in both pretreatment planning and prognosis. Breast edema on T2-weighted images and STIR was scored on a scale of 1 to 4, as follows: (a) breast edema score (BES) 1, no edema; (b) BES 2, peritumoral edema; (c) BES 3, pre pectoral edema; and (d) BES 4, subcutaneous edema (suspicious for occult inflammatory breast cancer “IBC”). Axillary lymph node status and number were also evaluated in T2 and STIR and after contrast administration. The aim of this work was to assess the role of tumour-related breast edema MRI features in distinguishing molecular subtypes of breast cancer and its effect on pathological axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. Results There was a highly significant difference between BES with respect to the molecular subtypes of breast cancer, size of the mass, Ki-67 expression, LN status, and LN number (p

Abstract Background To identify and report flaws of Internet-published articles in the Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute (JENCI), Cairo University, through a retrospective documentary study on articles published during the period from 2011 to 2016. All sections were reviewed against a collective checklist. Articles were grouped by publication year into 2 intervals: early (from 2011 to 2013) and recent (from 2014 to 2016) to identify changes in study characteristics over time. Results The study included 139 original articles. Half of the titles represented aim and 9.4% represented study design. Abstracts were concise, clear, with structured writing format in 98.6%, 93.5%, and 35.3%, respectively. Most introductions included the study aim, while 41% had a rationale. Study timing was reported in 59.0%, while the study design was reported in 25.9%. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were clearly reported in 43.1% and 40.1%, respectively. Statistical methods were mentioned in 80.6%, complete in 30.4%, and appropriate in 85.7%. Four studies reported sample size estimation. Only 52.5% and 58.3% of results were exhaustive and answer the research question, respectively. Incorrect statistical calculations occurred in 41.0%, inappropriate statistical tests or descriptive parameter selection in 26.6%, while inappropriate test application occurred in 49.1%. About 60% of discussions did not completely cover results, 31.7% fully justified the findings, 56.1% followed a logical flow, and 36.7% had contradiction within the text. Conclusions were mostly linked to aim, imprecise, and extrapolating beyond results. On comparing both periods, only a significant less misuse of statistical terms, more reporting conflict of interest, more missing references for cited texts in the recent period, and more participation of NCI over other institutes in the early period were found. Conclusion Articles published in JENCI (from 2011 to 2016) had many methodological and reporting defects and some points of strength. Using the collective checklist developed by this study, continuous training of researchers, involving epidemiologists throughout the whole research process, and applying strict journal reporting and publication rules should be encouraged.

Abstract Objectives The current study revealed that the used stabilizers greatly affect the morphology as well as the aspect ratio of the obtained gold nanoparticles. Background Control of the morphology and dimensions of gold nanoparticles during the preparation is an important task for targeting certain applications in demand. Material and methods Gold nanoparticles were prepared by the reduction of tetrachloroauric(III) acid in the presence of different stabilizers: polyethyleneimine (PEI), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and chitosan. Results In the case of using polyethyleneimine, the produced nanoparticles showed a homogenous spherical structure. Meanwhile, in the case of using polyvinylpyrrolidone and chitosan, the produced nanoparticles experience non-homogenous morphology with great diversity. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis) techniques were employed to study the criteria of the obtained gold nanoparticles. Conclusions It was obviously concluded that the type and concentration of the reducing agents that were added during gold preparation and acted as stabilizer templates affect to a great extent the morphology and particle shape. Also, stabilizers affect the homogeneity of the produced gold nanoparticles. In the case of using polyethyleneimine, the produced nanoparticles showed a homogenous spherical structure. Meanwhile, in the case of polyvinylpyrrolidone and chitosan, the produced nanoparticles experience non-homogenous morphology with great diversity.

Abstract Background As the copper ferrite gains more attention due to its unique electronic, thermal, and catalytic properties, the need to explore the mechanism of its formation is becoming a task to be studied. Results The mechanism of copper ferrite formation was studied by in situ XRD, and IR results showed comparison that the formation of Fe3O4 was formed by in situ heating. Conclusions These results shed light on the formation of ferrite first begun with the formation of Fe3O4, and then, incorporation of Cu2+ ion is done.

Abstract Background Green synthesis as a technique of preparation of metal/metal oxide nanomaterials is becoming an important and competitive method of preparation replacing the conventional method of preparation. Among metal oxides, nanocatalyst copper(II) oxide is considered as a very important and potent catalyst/photocatalyst with a very wide range of applications. Results In this work, copper(II) oxide nanoparticles were prepared with the assist of aqueous spinach extract from copper metal powder. Spinach extract catalyzes the formation of copper oxide nanoparticles with manipulation of chlorophyll that exists in the extract. The produced copper(II) oxide nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Conclusions It was proved that spinach extract catalyzes the preparation of copper(II) oxide nanocatalyst. It was elucidated from the characterization technique that the produced nanoparticles are pure copper oxide with particle size range of 60–100 nm.

Background Vaspin is a compensatory adipokine with anti-inflammatory properties that can improve insulin sensitivity and plays a cardioprotective role. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of vaspin in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (HD) and to determine whether it has any relation to the presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in these patients. Patients and methods The study was carried out on 45 HD patients who were divided into 15 patients with risk factors of developing IHD (group I) and 30 patients (group II) proved to have IHD by echocardiography and ECG compared with 20 healthy individuals (group III). Results We found that the mean±SD of serum vaspin was significantly lower in HD patients with IHD (0.57±0.27) ng/ml compared with the control group (0.74±0.20) ng/ml and there was a negative correlation between serum vaspin and serum creatinine in group I and group II. Also, an receiver operating characteristics study for patients with IHD (group II) yielded a vaspin cut-off value of 0.410 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 40%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and an negative predictive value of 53%, whereas the cut-off value for serum vaspin was 0.485 ng/ml in patients at risk of developing IHD, with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 85%, a positive predictive value of 83%, and an negative predictive value of 100%. Conclusion Lower vaspin level is associated independently with IHD in HD patients and can be used as a predictor of IHD in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Objective: Primary objective was to verify whether breast cancer patients aged less than 40 years at diagnosis have poorer prognosis than older patients. Secondary to assess prognostic factors influencing disease free survival. Methods: 941 women were diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer at NCI, Cairo in 2003. Epidemiologic, clinico-pathological characteristics, treatment modalities and disease free survival were compared among the two age groups. Prognostic factors were evaluated for association with disease-free survival. Results: One hundred-eighty-one patients (19.2%) were younger than 40 years and 760 (80.8%) were older. Older women presented with higher rates of comorbidities and younger women presented with more hormone non-responsive tumors. Young women presented with larger tumors pT4 = 13.8% compared to 8.6% in older women, yet not significant. Young women were treated with more conservative surgery, more adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy while older women with more radical mastectomies and more hormonal treatment. Recurrence rates were significantly higher among young women 44.2% compared to 34.5% in older women. Five year disease free survival in young women was 38.9% ± 4.6% compared to 48.6% ± 2.5% with adjusted hazard ratio of 1.22 95% CI (0.91–1.64), p = 0.19. Multivariate analyses identified positive axillary lymph nodes (pN2-pN3), larger tumor size (pT3-pT4), hypertension, lobular carcinoma type and lack of adjuvant systemic treatment as independent factors associated with poor DFS. Conclusion: Young women were not found to have poorer prognosis, yet they presented with more ER negative tumors. Most of women presented with advanced stage and young women had higher recurrence rates.