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Aly A Yousef,1 Faisal Y Mohamed,2 Naglaa F Boraey,3 Nagwa E Akeel,4 Attia A Soliman,4 Nevin M Waked,5 Mustafa IA Hashem,4 Hassan Shehata,4 Dalia S Fahmy,6 Ali Ismael,7 Lamya M Ibrahim,8 Mohamed AM Ibrahim,9 Hanan F Salem,10 Sherif M Yousry,11 Sherif F Osman,12 Rania A Fouad,13,14 Eman T Enan,15,16 Mohammed A Attia,17,18 Mona R Afify,19 Nancy MS Zeidan,20 Mohamed Nashat21 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt; 2Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt; 4Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; 5Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, October 6, Egypt; 6Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; 7Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; 8Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; 9Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt; 10Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, Banha University, Banha, Egypt; 11Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 12Department of Radiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, USA; 13Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, El-Mareefa University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 14Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; 15Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, El-Mareefa University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 16Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt; 17Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine, El-Mareefa University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 18Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt; 19Department of Medical microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, 21589, Saudia Arabia; 20Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 21Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, EgyptCorrespondence: Faisal Y MohamedFaculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, EgyptTel +201113363638Email Faisalyousef69@gmail.comBackground: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a key molecule residing at the nexus between thrombosis and inflammatory processes. Recently, PAI-1 and its gene expression have emerged as a potential candidate for autoimmune disorders such as SLE.Objective: To investigate whether the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism at position − 675 could be a genetic marker for susceptibility to childhood-onset SLE and development of lupus nephritis among Egyptian children and adolescents.Methods: Three hundred fifty patients diagnosed with childhood-onset SLE and 350 well-matched healthy controls were included in this multi-center study. All subjects were genotyped for the PAI-1 promoter 4G/5G polymorphism at position − 675 using PCR– restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Serum PAI-1 levels were measured by ELISA.Results: The PAI-1 (- 675) 4G/4G genotype was more represented in c-SLE patients, as compared to the control group (38% vs 23%; OR =2.7; [95% CI: 1.47– 2.9]; P < 0.001). Patients carrying the PAI-1 4G/4G genotype or 4G allele were more likely to develop lupus nephritis (OR: 3.38; [95% CI: 1.9– 5.9]; P < 0.001, for the 4G/4G genotype and OR: 2.6; [95% CI: 1.85– 3.67]; for the 4G allele; P < 0.01). The PAI-1 4G/4G genotype was associated with higher PAI-1 serum concentrations (mean; 86.6± 22.7 ng/mL) as compared to those with a 4G/5G genotype (mean; 48.3± 16.5 ng/mL) and the lowest for the 5G/5G genotype (mean; 34.7± 11.4 ng/mL); P = 0.004.Conclusion: The PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism may confer susceptibility to childhood-onset SLE and development of lupus nephritis among Egyptian children and adolescents. Moreover, the PAI-1 4G/4G genotype and 4G allele were associated with higher PAI-1 serum levels and higher disease activity scores.Keywords: plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, PAI-1, gene polymorphism, SLE, children, adolescents

Yousef AA, Mohamed FY, Boraey NF, et al. J Inflamm Res. 2020;13:1103— 1111. The authors have advised the affiliation list on page 1103is incorrect. The correct author list and affiliations are asfollows: Aly A Yousef, 1 Faisal Y Mohamed, 2 Naglaa F Boraey, 3Nagwa E Akeel, 4 Attia A Soliman, 4 Nevin M Waked, 5Mustafa IA Hashem, 4 Hassan Shehata, 4 Dalia S Fahmy, 6Ali Ismael, 7 Lamya M Ibrahim, 8 Mohamed AM Ibrahim, 9Hanan F Salem, 10 Sherif M Yousry, 11 Sherif F Osman, 12Rania A Fouad, 13,14 Eman T Enan, 15 MohammedA Attia, 16,17 Mona R Afify, 18 Nancy MS Zeidan, 19Mohamed Nashat 20 Read the original article

Background: Given the sparse data on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and its biological effector molecules ACE1 and ACE2 in pediatric COVID-19 cases, we investigated whether the ACE1 insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism could be a genetic marker for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents., Methods: This was a case-control study included four hundred sixty patients diagnosed with COVID-19, and 460 well-matched healthy control children and adolescents. The I/D polymorphism (rs1799752) in the ACE1 gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), meanwhile the ACE serum concentrations were assessed by ELISA., Results: The ACE1 D/D genotype and Deletion allele were significantly more represented in patients with COVID-19 compared to the control group (55% vs. 28%; OR = 2.4; [95% CI: 1.46-3.95]; for the DD genotype; P = 0.002) and (68% vs. 52.5%; OR: 1.93; [95% CI: 1.49-2.5] for the D allele; P = 0.032). The presence of ACE1 D/D genotype was an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 among studied patients (adjusted OR: 2.6; [95% CI: 1.6-9.7]; P < 0.001., Conclusions: The ACE1 insertion/deletion polymorphism may confer susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in Egyptian children and adolescents., Impact: Recent studies suggested a crucial role of renin-angiotensin system and its biological effector molecules ACE1 and ACE2 in the pathogenesis and progression of COVID-19. To our knowledge, ours is the first study to investigate the association of ACE1 I/D polymorphism and susceptibility to COVID-19 in Caucasian children and adolescents. The presence of the ACE1 D/D genotype or ACE1 Deletion allele may confer susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and being associated with higher ACE serum levels; may constitute independent risk factors for severe COVID-19. The ACE1 I/D genotyping help design further clinical trials reconsidering RAS-pathway antagonists to achieve more efficient targeted therapies., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Given the sparse data on vitamin D status in pediatric COVID-19, we investigated whether vitamin D deficiency could be a risk factor for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents. We also investigated whether vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism could be a genetic marker for COVID-19 susceptibility., Methods: One hundred and eighty patients diagnosed to have COVID-19 and 200 matched control children and adolescents were recruited. Patients were laboratory confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 positive by real-time RT-PCR. All participants were genotyped for VDR Fok1 polymorphism by RT-PCR. Vitamin D status was defined as sufficient for serum 25(OH) D at least 30 ng/mL, insufficient at 21-29 ng/mL, deficient at <20 ng/mL., Results: Ninety-four patients (52%) had low vitamin D levels with 74 (41%) being deficient and 20 (11%) had vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with 2.6-fold increased risk for COVID-19 (OR = 2.6; [95% CI 1.96-4.9]; P = 0.002. The FokI FF genotype was significantly more represented in patients compared to control group (OR = 4.05; [95% CI: 1.95-8.55]; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency and VDR Fok I polymorphism may constitute independent risk factors for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents., Impact: Vitamin D deficiency could be a modifiable risk factor for COVID-19 in children and adolescents because of its immune-modulatory action. To our knowledge, ours is the first such study to investigate the VDR Fok I polymorphism in Caucasian children and adolescents with COVID-19. Vitamin D deficiency and the VDR Fok I polymorphism may constitute independent risk factors for susceptibility to COVID-19 in Egyptian children and adolescents. Clinical trials should be urgently conducted to test for causality and to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 taking into account the VDR polymorphisms., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: To date, the cytokine profile in children and adolescent with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not been reported., Objectives: We investigated serum levels of a panel of key cytokines in children and adolescent with COVID-19 pneumonia with a primary focus on "cytokine storm" cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and two chemokines interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and IL-8. We also studied whether these cytokines could be potential markers for illness severity in COVID-19 pneumonia., Methods: Ninety-two symptomatic patients aged less than 18 years with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and 100 well-matched healthy controls were included in this multi-center study. For all patients, the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in respiratory fluid specimens was detected by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We measured serum concentrations of studied cytokines by using flow cytometry., Results: Patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher median IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, and IP-10 serum levels than did control children (all p < 0.01). Patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia had significantly higher median IL-1β, IL-6, and IP-10 serum levels as compared with those with moderate COVID-19 pneumonia; all p < 0.01. ROC analysis revealed that three of the studied markers (IL-6, IL-1β, and IP-10) could predict severe COVID-19 pneumonia cases with the largest AUC for IL-6 of 0.893 (95% confidence interval: 0.84-0.98; p < 0.01)., Conclusion: Our study shows that pediatric patients with COVID-19 pneumonia have markedly elevated serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, and IP-10 levels at the initial phase of the illness indicating a cytokine storm following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, serum IL-6, IL-1β, and IP-10 concentrations were independent predictors for severe COVID-19 pneumonia., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Abstract: Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide public health problem. Low vitamin D and its consequences among children and adolescents could be considered as one of the most important health-related problems. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in healthy Egyptian adolescents and investigate factors associated with vitamin D status.A cross-sectional study was conducted on 572 school children (270 males and 302 females) aged 14 to 18 years, who were randomly selected from high schools in one governorate in Egypt. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Vitamin D level, serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphates were measured.Vitamin D deficiency was almost present in all the studied Egyptian healthy adolescents (99%), 94.8% had vitamin D deficiency and 4.2% had vitamin D insufficiency. Girls had a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency than boys. There was a significant association between lack of physical activity, sun exposure, and vitamin D deficiency.Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are highly prevalent. In sunny countries, the special pattern of conservative clothing and the lack of outdoor physical activity might be the underlying factors for the high prevalence in females. Vitamin D supplementation seems to be mandatory to halt the problem., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background and Objectives: Regular blood transfusion has improved the overall survival and quality of life for patients with hereditary hemolytic anemias. Nevertheless, it carries a real risk of acquisition of blood-borne virus infections, especially viral hepatitis. The purpose of the current study is to present an Egyptian update on blood-borne hepatitis C & B viruses (HCV & HBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) among multi-transfused Egyptian children with hereditary hemolytic anemias, especially after implementation of national preventive programs in Egypt., Patients and Methods: All pediatric patients with hereditary hemolytic anemias who have regular follow-up and received frequent blood transfusion at the Pediatric Hematology Units, Menuofia and Zagazig Universities Hospitals, Egypt, during the study period, were recruited. They were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBVsAg), hepatitis C antibody (HCVab), and CMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) serology. Those with positive results were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)., Results: Four hundred and seventy-seven hereditary hemolytic anemia patients fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. Their ages ranged from 2 to 18 years, 54.9% of them were males. Seroprevalence of HCVab and CMV-IgM were (14.7% & 6.7% respectively) and they were confirmed by PCR. None of the studied cases were HBVsAg positive. Seropositivity for HCV was significantly associated with older age of the patients, higher transfusion frequency, longer disease duration, and higher mean serum ferritin., Conclusion: HCV followed by CMV infections still represent a significant problem for patients with hereditary hemolytic anemias. Nationwide plans should be taken to ensure meticulous and highly sensitive methods of blood screening before transfusion. On the other hand, it seems that HBV compulsory vaccination had succeeded to eliminate HBV infection.

Objective: To evaluate the acaricidal activity of extracts of three essential oils of chamomile, marjoram and Eucalyptus against Tetranychus urticae (T. urticae) Koch., Methods: Extracts of three essential oils of chamomile, marjoram and Eucalyptus with different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0% and 4.0%) were used to control T. urticae Koch., Results: The results showed that chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) represented the most potent efficient acaricidal agent against Tetranychus followed by marjoram (Marjorana hortensis) and Eucalyptus. The LC50 values of chamomile, marjoram and Eucalyptus for adults were 0.65, 1.84 and 2.18, respectively and for eggs 1.17, 6.26 and 7.33, respectively. Activities of enzymes including glutathione-S-transferase, esterase (α-esterase and β-esterase) and alkaline phosphatase in susceptible mites were determined and activities of enzymes involved in the resistance of acaricides were proved. Protease enzyme was significantly decreased at LC50 of both chamomile and marjoram compared with positive control. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) proved that the major compositions of Chamomilla recutita are α-bisabolol oxide A (35.251%), and trans-β-farersene (7.758%), while the main components of Marjorana hortensis are terpinene-4-ol (23.860%), p-cymene (23.404%) and sabinene (10.904%)., Conclusions: It can be concluded that extracts of three essential oils of chamomile, marjoram and Eucalyptus possess acaricidal activity against T. urticae.