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The treatment options for mycosis fungoides (MF) have been expanding but unfortunately many of the currently used treatment modalities are unavailable in Egypt and other African/Arab countries. In addition, there is a lack of consensus on the treatment of hypopigmented MF (HMF), which is a frequently encountered variant in our population. We aimed to develop regional treatment guidelines based on the international guidelines but modified to encompass the restricted treatment availability and our institutional experience. Special attention was also given to studies conducted on patients with skin phototype (III-IV). Treatment algorithm was formulated at Ain-Shams cutaneous lymphoma clinic through the collaboration of dermatologists, haematologists, and oncologists. Level of evidence is specified for each treatment option. For HMF, phototherapy is recommended as a first line treatment, while low-dose methotrexate is considered a second line. For early classical MF, we recommend Psoralen-ultraviolet A (PUVA), which is a well-tolerated treatment option in dark phenotype. Addition of either retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist and/or methotrexate is recommended as a second line. Total skin electron beam (TSEB) is considered a third-line option. For advanced stage, PUVA plus RAR agonist and/or methotrexate is recommended as first line, TSEB or monochemotherapy is considered a second line option. Polychemotherapy is regarded as a final option. All patients with complete response (CR) enter a maintenance and follow-up schedule. We suggest a practical algorithm for the treatment of MF for patients with dark phenotype living in countries with limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is an infectious disease caused by the hemoprotozoan parasites Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and the recently identified species T. haneyi. Hereby, we used a multiplex PCR (mPCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi and B. caballi for the simultaneous detection of EP in Egyptian equids and examined the presence of T. haneyi infections in Egypt. Blood samples from 155 equids (79 horses and 76 donkeys) collected from different governorates of Egypt were examined by mPCR and PCR targeting T. hayeni. The mPCR method revealed a prevalence of T. equi of 20.3% in horses and of 13.1% in donkeys and a prevalence of B. caballi of 1.2% in horses. B. caballi was not detected in donkeys in the current study. The mPCR method also detected coinfections with both species (2.5% and 1.3% in horses and donkeys, respectively). Additionally, we report the presence of T. haneyi in Egypt for the first time in 53.1% of the horse and 38.1% of the donkey tested samples. Coinfection with T. haneyi and T. equi was found in 13.5% of the samples, while infection with the three EP species was found in 1.9% of the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of 157 Egyptian adult goat females from four breed groups (Saidi, Barki, Wahati, and E. Nubian / Zaraibi), and distributed over eight geographic regions. Results from various analyses revealed high levels of genotypic diversity. Shannon values ranging from 3.89 in the Serw region population (within the Zaraibi breed) to 2 in the Kharga region population(within Wahati goats), and low linkage disequilibrium. The Simpson index for diversity varied with values ranging from 0.97 in the Serw population to 0.875 in Kharga population. Analysis of gene diversity using Nei's unbiased method found high levels of heterozygosity, with values ranging from 0.38 in Aswan and Assuit to 0.3 in Serw populations. Principal component analysis separated the studied populations into three groups. The first group displayed Zaraibi and Saidi populations as genetically distinct populations, and the second group showed interbreeding between Barki desert breed, and Wahati oasis breed. Bayesian Information Criterion identified four distinct subpopulations, and the discriminant analysis of principal components revealed intermingling between Wahati and Barki populations, as well as the independence of Zaraibi population. Structure analysis of the subpopulations revealed six gene pools with admixture of Wahati and Barki goats, which were confirmed by the kinship analysis. In conclusion, the study revealed clear diversity between the studied populations, with the regions having their own distinct breeds. These findings suggest that interbreeding between some populations may be due to the exchange of genetic stocks and hybridization programs could be necessary to sustain Egyptian breeds and produce offspring that can survive environmental diversity and CC. • The study assessed genetic diversity and population structure of Egyptian adult goatfrom four breeds (Saidi, Barki, Wahati, and E. Nubian), over eight geographic regions. • Results revealed high levels of genotypic diversity, and low linkage dis- equilibrium. • PCA divided the populations into three groups, with the first group showing significant interbreeding. • BIC identified four distinct subpopulations, and revealed intermingling of Wahati and Barki populations and independency of Zaraibi population. • The structure analysis of the subpopulations revealed six gene pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the possible anticancer mechanisms of Pteris vittata [PV] n-hexane extract on MCF-7 [breast cancer cell line]. Cultured cell lines were treated with various concentrations of this extract ± Baf-A1 [autophagic inhibitor]. Cells' viability, apoptotic markers [caspase-7, Bax, and Bcl-2], autophagic markers [light chain 3 [LC-3] and P62/SQSTM1]], and the tumor suppressor P53 and its mRNA were checked by their corresponding methods. Treated cell lines showed significant concentration and time-dependent reductions in cell viability in response to PV-n-hexane extract and also exhibited a concomitant induction of apoptosis [increased chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, and pro-apoptotic Bax, and cleaved caspase-7 levels while decreased Bcl-2 levels] and autophagy [increased autophagosomes vacuoles, and LC3B II levels while decreased P62/SQSTM1 levels]. Moreover, PV-n-hexane extract-treated cells showed significant increases in the P53 and its mRNA levels. The addition of Baf-A1 reversed the PV-n-hexane extract autophagic effects and increased apoptotic cell percentage with a much increase in the cleaved caspase-7 and P53 protein and its mRNA levels. We concluded that the PV-n-hexane extract exhibits cytotoxic effects on the MCF-7 cell line with significant reductions in cell viability and concomitant autophagy and apoptosis induction. Inhibition of autophagy in the PV-treated MCF-7 cells enhances apoptosis via a p35-dependent pathway., (© 2023. The Author(s).)