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In this paper the dynamic behavior of linear induction motor is described by a mathematical model taking into account the end effects and the core losses. The need for such a model rises due to the complexity of linear induction motors electromagnetic field theory. The end affects by introducing speed dependent scale factor to the magnetizing inductance and series resistance in the d-axis equivalent circuit. Simulation results are presented to show the validity of the model during both no-load and sudden load change intervals. This model can also be used directly in simulation researches for linear induction motor vector control drive systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people are born with the ability to digest lactose. Approximately 75% of the general population loses this ability, to some extent, going into adulthood (adult hypolactasia), while others retain such ability. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of lactose intolerance, and its correlation with gastrointestinal symptoms, in primary school children aged 6-12 years in Qena Governorate, Egypt. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 300 school children with clinical suspicion of lactose intolerance. Biological and clinical data were obtained from children's parents or guardians. The history of diarrheal attacks especially following ingestion of milk or dairy products, as well as the incidence of diabetes in the children or family history of such diseases was also obtained. The children were instructed to maintain a low fiber diet without lactose for 48 hours prior to the day of examination. After 12 hours of fasting lactose tolerance test was carried out. The data obtained revealed that 74% of the participants in the study were intolerant to lactose. However, only 56.8% of lactose-intolerant children had positive clinical history of abdominal pain, abdominal distension or diarrheal attacks following ingestion of milk or dairy products. The prevalence of lactose intolerance in the studied cohort increased with age. Such genetically determined intolerance was 58% at 6-7 years of age and increased to 90% by the age of 11-12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The child presenting with recurrent infections is a frequent clinical situation in which the physician has to determine if the patient requires immune-logical evaluation, For the clinical differentiation between a primary immunodeficiency and other causes of recurrent infection, it is of foremost importance to consider factors conditioning host environment relationship and the clinical history of the patient. Important factors to consider are frequency of infections, age of onset, sites of infection and types of infecting organisms. This review discusses such factors and the relevance of physical examination and laboratory evaluation on the disclosure of primary immunodeficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer worldwide and the second major cause of cancer-related death. Thus, we attempted to ascertain the relationship between the genotype and allele frequencies of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and immunohistochemical PTEN expression with clinicopathological characteristics in patients with CRC. 150 individuals were allocated into two groups for this cross-sectional randomized case-control study: Group I consisted of 100 patients with histopathologically proven CRC of various stages. Group II: Fifty healthy volunteers. Genetic analysis of PTEN (rs701848 T / C) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was performed using TaqMan TM assays and real-time PCR, while PTEN expressions were assessed using immunohistochemical staining. PTN SNP genotypes and alleles did not significantly differ between CRC patients and controls. PTEN expression was lost in 28% of CRC patients, while all healthy controls exhibited PTEN expression. Negative PTEN expression was present in 16 (80%) of stage IV CRC cases, 9 (23.7%) of stage III cases, 3 (37.5%) of stage II cases, and none of stage I cases. It was shown that PTEN expression was weakly positive, moderately positive, and strongly positive in 15, 10, and 9 (respectively) cases of CRC stage I. However, the expression was only weekly positive in 4 (20%) of the patients in stage IV. In the stage IV group, neither moderately nor strongly positive PTEN expressions were found. So, Among Egyptians, the emergence or course of colorectal cancer is unrelated to the PTEN gene mutation. However, the formation and progression of CRC may be influenced by weak or lost PTEN expression., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Objectives:  We aimed to assess the serum levels of caspase-3 as a marker of apoptosis and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (MAP1-LC3) as an autophagy marker in epileptic children with various clinical and pharmacological types., Methods:  This case-control study was carried out on 90 participants (50 pediatric patients with epilepsy and 40 healthy matched children), the patients were categorized into three groups: Group (A): 25 pharmacosensitive epilepsy, Group (B): 25 pharmacoresistant epilepsy, and Group (C): 40 (age, sex, and body mass index) matched healthy children selected as controls. Serum caspase-3 and MAP1-LC3 were measured in all study groups, using commercially available ELISA kits., Results:  Serum caspase-3 was significantly higher among epileptic children, especially in the pharmacoresistant group, cases managed with multiple antiepileptic drugs, and cases with abnormal EEG findings. Conversely, circulating MAP1-LC3 levels showed a significant reduction in epilepsy cases, particularly in pharmacoresistant cases, in cases treated with multiple antiepileptic drugs, and in cases with abnormal EEG data. A significant negative correlation between serum caspase-3 and MAP1-LC3 was found among epileptic children ( r  =  -0.369, p  = 0.0083). Serum caspase-3 was a more valid biomarker in helping diagnose childhood epilepsy, while serum MAP1-LC3 was more valid in predicting pharmacoresistant type., Conclusion:  The study reveals that serum caspase-3 levels were significantly elevated, particularly in pharmacoresistant cases and those managed with multiple drugs. Conversely, MAP1-LC3 levels were significantly reduced in epilepsy cases, suggesting potential involvement of altered apoptosis and autophagy in childhood epilepsy., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Fifty diabetic nephropathy (DN) children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and 50 healthy matched controls were included. Chromatographic assays of 14 amino acids, free carnitine and 27 carnitine esters using high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy, and genetic testing for JAK2 v617f mutation using real-time PCR were performed. Patients had significantly lower levels of tyrosine, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and BCAA/AAA (aromatic chain amino acids) ratios, glycine, arginine, ornithine, free carnitine and some carnitine esters (C5, 6, 12 and 16) and higher phenylalanine, phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio and C18 compared with the controls and in the macro-albuminuria vs. the microalbuminuria group (p < 0.05 for all) except for free carnitine. Plasma carnitine was negatively correlated with eGFR (r = -0.488, p = 0.000). There were significant positive correlations between tyrosine with UACR ratio (r = 0.296, p = 0.037). The plasma BCAA/AAA ratio showed significant negative correlations with UACR (r = -0.484, p = 0.000). There was a significantly higher frequency of the JAK2 V617F gene mutation in diabetic nephropathy patients compared with the control group and in macro-albuminuria than the microalbuminuria group (p = 0.000) for both. When monitoring children with T1DM, plasma free amino acids and acylcarnitine profiles should be considered, especially if they have tested positive for JAK2 V617F for the early diagnosis of DN., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The chronicity of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is reported to be associated with various psychological disorders. The current study aimed to evaluate the levels of serum ammonia and various neurometals (zinc, copper, and magnesium) in patients with T1DM with and without ADHD and to correlate their levels with glycaemic status. A prospective case-control study was conducted with 60 diabetic children with T1DM (allocated into a group of 20 patients with a diagnosis of ADHD and a group of 40 patients without ADHD) who were comparable to 60 matched controls. Assays of glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), ammonia, zinc, copper, and magnesium were performed. Overall, ammonia and copper levels were significantly higher in the diabetic patients especially those with ADHD than in the control group (p ˂ 0.05 for all). The calculated copper/zinc ratio was significantly higher in the diabetic patient group than in the control group and higher in diabetic children with ADHD than in diabetic children without ADHD (p ˂ 0.05 for all). Diabetic children had significantly lower magnesium levels than the controls (p ˂ 0.05), but no significant difference between the diabetic subgroups was detected. A positive correlation between glycaemic control (HbA1c %) and ammonia level was found in the diabetic group and subgroups, and a positive correlation was found between HbA1c % and the Cu/Zn ratio in diabetic children with ADHD (p ˂ 0.05 for all). The current study confirms an association of elevated ammonia and copper/zinc ratio with poor glycaemic control and ADHD development among children with T1DM.

Patients with dengue virus infection have a different symptoms range from asymptomatic to sever form depending on primary and secondary immune status of host, infecting genotype and patient's age. The current study aimed to describe the clinical and laboratory profile of dengue fever outbreak and acute pancreatitis as a late complication, in Egypt, as two case reports only were available in literature regarding this issue. This prospective cohort study was carried out on 100 patients confirmed to have dengue disease out of 200 clinically suspected patients. Clinical, laboratory (serology for dengue specific IgM, real-time PCR for dengue virus, serum amylase and lipase) and abdominal multi-slice CT were done to all included patients. All patients presented with fever, headache and fatigue, which are the main clinical manifestations of dengue fever. The mean age of studied patients was 40.34 ± 15.74 years. Thirteen patients (13%), with their mean age 44.57 ± 11.53, presented after 3 months with typical clinical, laboratory and radiological manifestations of acute pancreatitis with positive serum dengue virus IgM, antibodies and negative serum dengue virus PCR. So, acute pancreatitis as a late complication of dengue fever disease should be keep in mind for its early diagnosis and management, thus minimize the morbidity and mortality from dengue fever., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (© Indian Virological Society 2019.)

Background and Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common prevalent disease. We aimed to assess the dynamic changes in the peripheral T lymphocytes and lymphocytes infiltrating the esophageal mucosa after treatment with proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) in patients with GERD., Patients and Methods: A total of 200 patients who presented with upper GIT symptoms were included in this prospective study. All patients were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, and complete blood count. Upper endoscopy was performed to detect the grade of GERD, followed by 4 quadrant biopsies before and 1 month after acid suppressive drug therapy. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination were carried out for all biopsies. Flow cytometry analysis for the peripheral T lymphocytes and cytokine profile assay before therapy and after therapy were also carried out., Results: In total, 200 patients comprising 132 male individuals (66%) and 68 female individuals (34%) with a mean age of 47.9±18.3 were included. The risk factors for development of GERD were smoking in 87 (43.5%), spicy food intake in 26 (13%), analgesics in 46 (23%), excessive tea and coffee in 35 (17.5%), and nondetected risk factors in 6 (3%). Endoscopic examination using Los Angeles grading system revealed that 102 patients (51%) were grade A, 57 patients (28.5%) were grade B, 38 patients (19%) were grade C, and 3 patients (1.5%) were grade D. No statistically significant differences could be detected in HGB levels and WBC, PLT, monocyte, granulocyte, and eosinophil counts before and after treatment with PPI. Histopathologic examination of esophageal biopsies showed significant posttreatment improvement in 132 cases (66%); however, 66 cases (33%) including the 2 cases (1%) of Barrett's esophagus showed nonsignificant pathologic improvement compared with the pretreatment picture. Immunohistochemical staining of esophageal biopsies with CD3 (T-cell marker) and CD20 (B-cell marker), before and 1 month after treatment, showed the presence of a very large number of infiltrating B cells in the esophageal mucosa (700±30/10 HPF) with large aggregations; in contrast, T-cell infiltration appeared less marked (570±23/10 HPF), and they formed smaller aggregates than those of B cells in pretreated patients, with P<0.01. However, 1 month after treatment with PPI, esophageal biopsies revealed a marked decrease in the number of both B (10±2/10 HPF) and T (290±12/HPF) cells in 66% of patients, with a P<0.01 in comparison with the pretherapy pattern. However, the remaining 33% of patients still showed a significantly high number of T cells (490±28/HPF), with a P <0.05 in comparison with the responder group that formed small aggregates with larger cell sizes, indicating their activation. Cytokine profiles before and after treatment revealed significant posttreatment reduction in their levels in the 132 cases with improvement in their clinical manifestations, and endoscopic and histopathologic findings, but there is no obvious change in the measured cytokine levels in 66 patients who simultaneously had no improvement in their endoscopic, histopathologic findings and mild improvement in their clinical manifestations. Moreover, significant posttreatment reduction of IL-8 and IL-1β in the 98 (49%) patients with Los Angeles grading B, C, and D was observed. With regard to serum levels of IL-10 and IL-4, there were no statistically significant differences before and after treatment with PPI. Peripheral blood immunologic parameters revealed a statistically significant reduction of the total CD3 absolute count, T-helper lymphocyte (CD4/CD3) percentage, T-helper lymphocyte absolute count, and the percentage and absolute cytotoxic T-lymphocyte count (CD8/CD3) after treatment with PPI. Moreover, the same significant difference of peripheral blood lymphocytes was detected after exclusion of patients with Los Angeles grade A, which may be considered normal., Conclusions: Acid-induced T-cell-related cytokine production plays an important role in inflammation occurring in patients with GERD. Mucosal and peripheral inflammation reduces with PPI use.

The present cross-sectional, hospital-based study was carried out on 146 Egyptian male children, 73 males with autism who were comparable with another 73 healthy age- and sex-matched children, recruited from the outpatients' psychiatric clinics of the Neuropsychiatric and Pediatric Departments of South Valley and Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt. Neuropsychological assessments of autistic males were done using CARS, short sensory profile and intelligent quotients. Serum markers of mitochondrial dysfunction (lactate, pyruvate, and lactate to pyruvate ratio, creatine kinase (CK), L-carnitine, ammonia, lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase), oxidative stress and blood levels of heavy metals (mercury, lead and aluminium) were measured. Serum cholesterol, cortisol, free testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrostenedione, adenosine deaminase and Helicobacter pylori antigen in stool were also performed. There was evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction among autistic children. Additionally, there were significantly lower serum total cholesterol, cortisol and estradiol as well as significantly higher dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA) and free testosterone (p < 0.05 for all markers). Twenty-eight (38%) cases were positive for H. pylori antigen in their stool with significant higher serum ammonia and lower adenosine deaminase than in H. pylori-negative autistic children. Mitochondrial dysfunction, H. pylori infection and low cholesterol were prevalent among autistic male children, which should be targeted during autism management.

Febrile seizures (FS) are frequent convulsive disorders, occurring in infants and young children. The present study aims to assess and compare the serum levels of oxidative stress markers and some essential trace minerals in FS with normal or abnormal EEG and evaluate the effect of antioxidant therapy on the clinical outcome. This study has been carried out on 80 children with FS (40 with simple FS and 40 with complex FS) and 40 febrile children without seizures. Clinical and EEG findings were recorded for the included patients. Biochemical assays of serum nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se), using colorimetric methods, were measured in the studied groups. The overall results showed an increased values of NO, MDA and Cu with decreased values of SOD, Zn and Se in patients with FS (simple and complex) in comparison with febrile children without seizures (p < 0.05 for all). Additionally, NO and MDA was increased in complex FS patients with EEG abnormalities in comparison with complex FS with normal EEG findings (p < 0.05); NO and MDA were also significantly decreased after valproate therapy in complex FS patients (p < 0.05 for all). In conclusions, oxidative stress, decreased Zn and Se with increased Cu may play a role in FS. Valproate improves the oxidative stress status in complex FS.

In the present study, 45 children in Upper Egypt (less than 16 years old) were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for scorpion envenomation (SE). They were compared with 30 apparently healthy children of matching age and sex as controls. Out of the studied victims, 35 children (78%) showed signs of severe envenomation, while 10 victims (22%) showed signs of mild envenomation. The case fatality was 33%. The serum levels of cardiac markers, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and I (cTnI), as well as the enzymatic activities of creatine kinase-MB (CPK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined for both victims and controls. In addition, the serum levels of oxidative stress markers, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and zinc (Zn) were measured. Electrocardiography and echocardiography were done. All the envenomed victims showed significantly higher mean values of cTnT, cTnI, CPK-MB and LDH than control group. These cardiac markers were elevated in severe cases and in non survivors in comparison with mild cases and survivors respectively. Furthermore, the serum levels of NO and MDA were significantly higher while the serum levels of SOD, GSH and Zn were significantly lower in all envenomed victims than the controls (p < 0.05 for all). There were no significant differences in the serum levels of oxidative stress markers among severe and mild cases or between survivors and non survivors victims. There were no significant correlations between the serum levels of cardiac markers and the oxidative stress markers in envenomed victims. In conclusions, oxidative stress occurs in scorpion envenomed children, but does not determine prognosis. Cardiac markers, but not the oxidative stress, remain the most important determining factor for the severity and the outcome of SE., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Impairment of hearing is a common birth defect which may be associated with varieties of psychological abnormalities in childhood. Knowledge and research of such issue are much lacking in Egypt; so the aim of the current study was to characterize and assess various psychological co-morbidities which could occur among hearing-impaired children. This prospective study has been conducted on a total of 40 male children, with age range between 7 and 12 years, divided into two groups. Group I included 20 children with different degrees of hearing impairment (HI), and Group II included 20 age-matched, healthy children with normal hearing. The studied children have been recruited from two schools (Al Amal School for the Deaf and Dumb, and Copts School) at Minia City, Minia Governorate, Egypt. Psychometric assessment, electroencephalography (EEG), and audiological evaluation were done for all included children. EEG abnormalities and anxiety scores were significantly higher in patients group compared with controls ( p < 0.05); however, intelligence quotient did not differ. The present study revealed that HI is associated with psychological and EEG abnormalities. Early management of these children is expected to improve their quality of life.

Introduction: Information about oxidative stress in preterms with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is defective, so various researches in this area are required, which may open new roads in understanding the pathogenesis of the disease, hence provide additional helpful therapeutic approaches., Aim: To assess and compare the plasma level of protein carbonyls as a marker for oxidant status and the antioxidant enzymes; Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and the related trace minerals in the form of Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Selenium (Se) as markers for antioxidant status, in preterms with and without RDS., Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted on fifty-seven preterm neonates (37 preterms with RDS and 20 preterms without RDS) admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Qena University Hospitals after approval of the University Hospital Ethical Committee. Plasma protein carbonyls assay was done using commercially available ELISA assay kit. Plasma Cu, Zn, Se, erythrocyte SOD and GPx activities assays were done using commercially available colorimetric assay kits., Results: Significant higher plasma levels of protein carbonyls and oxidant/antioxidants ratio (protein carbonyls/{SOD+GPx}) with significant lower plasma levels of Zn, Cu, Se, erythrocyte SOD and GPx activities were found in the preterms with RDS when compared with the preterms without RDS (p<0.001 for all measured markers for both groups). In terms of birth weights and gestational ages, they were negatively correlated with both plasma protein carbonyls and oxidant/antioxidants ratio and positively correlated with plasma copper, zinc, selenium, erythrocyte SOD and GPx activities in a statistically significant manner. Non-significant correlations were found between the measured oxidative stress markers and the severity of RDS., Conclusion: Oxidative stress may have a contributory role in the development of RDS among preterms. Lower birth weight and prematurity may increase the susceptibity to oxidative stress among such patients.