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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Cytokines play a crucial role in modulating immune responses that affect the balance between maintenance of self-tolerance and initiation of autoimmunity. Thus, we aimed to explore the possible associations of interleukin (IL-1β) –511C/T (rs 16944) and IL-1β +3954C/T (rs1143634) gene polymorphisms with susceptibility of HT, and to clarify the impact of these polymorphisms on thyroid function of Egyptian women. Polymorphisms of the IL-1β –511 and IL-1β +3954 genes were assessed in a case–control study comprising 110 HT patients and 90 controls. Genetic variants were genotyped by multiplex PCR. Polymorphisms of the IL-1β were studied by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Our results revealed that the IL-1β –511 CT genotype distribution was significantly higher in HT patients than in controls. With regard to IL-1β +3954 gene polymorphisms, our results showed that there was a nonsignificant difference between the control and HT groups. Women carrying TT and CT genotype of IL-1β –511 had significantly higher values of C-reactive protein, thyroid-stimulating hormone, anti-thyroid peroxidase, and anti-thyroglobulin. As regards the IL-1β serum level, women carrying TT and TC genotype of IL-1β –511 had significantly higher values compared with patients carrying the CC genotype. Moreover, anti-thyroglobulin and free thyroxine were the only independently correlated factors with IL-1β serum level by linear regression analysis. CT genotype distribution was significantly higher in patients with HT than in controls with regard to IL-1β –511 (C>T) gene polymorphisms.

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a set of reproductive and metabolic symptoms associated with an imbalance of reproductive hormones in women. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an inflammatory adipocytokine associated with metabolic disorders. Probiotics probably has influence on metabolic and inflammatory conditions. We aimed by this study, for the first time, to evaluate the impact of probiotic supplementation on MIF values, clinical and laboratory feature of PCOS. Furthermore, we aimed to explore the power of MIF for diagnosis PCOS. Methods Sixty women diagnosed with PCOS were selected in this single-blinded clinical trial and 40 healthy control women. Participants received probiotic supplements for 12-week. Clinical and laboratory measures were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and MIF levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Probiotic supplementation improved clinical, hormonal, and inflammatory biomarkers in women with PCOS. Additionally in PCOS group, logistic regression analysis revealed that MIF and HOMA-IR were independent predictors of probiotic response with odds ratios of 1.641 and 0.335, respectively. Regarding inflammatory biomarkers, hs-CRP and MIF, its value increased in PCOS group compared to healthy group. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis revealed that, area under the curve (AUC) for the MIF was 0.981 (95% CI = 0.902–0.898) with sensitivity = 90.2%, specificity = 89.8% and the cutoff values (19.7). Interestingly, the power of MIF was more sensitive and specific than hs-CRP for diagnosis of PCOS. Thus MIF could be a useful diagnostic inflammatory biomarker discriminating PCOS from healthy controls. Moreover in PCOS group stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, detected that HOMA-IR, neutrophil count, hs-CRP and fat mass index (FMI) were main predictors of MIF levels among other clinical and laboratory biomarkers. Conclusion Regarding the effects of probiotic supplementation on inflammatory and metabolic disorders; our novel findings explored a favorable effect of probiotic supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers; clinical, laboratory features of PCOS, and MIF levels. Furthermore, probiotic could be used for treatment of PCOS and its associated morbidity.

Different cytokines play roles in the pathogenesis and tissue damage of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) including, Tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) and their receptors particularly TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A), and its decoy receptor DcR3. This study included 150 subjects, of them 50 patients having Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), 50 patients with Osteoarthritis (OA), and 50 normal controls. Clinical examination was done and data was collected from patient's sheets, routine laboratory investigations included, rheumatoid factor (RF) antibody, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Disease activity score 28 was calculated and used to measure the activity of RA. Serum and synovial fluid (SF) TL1A and DcR3 levels were measured by (ELISA), while IL-17 was measured in supernatant fluid of PBMC culture after stimulation with recombinant human (rh) TL1A. Results showed significantly higher levels of TL1A and its decoy receptor DcR3 in RA patients than the other two groups. It was also found that TL1A is significantly related to the disease activity and enhances IL-17 production after stimulation of PBMC. These results can guide scientists to the future substitutions in the way of treatment of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a popular disease, affects patients' life. Its etiologic agents are not well known so; treatment of the patients is difficult. CD203c is a marker that is only present on basophils. Statins are drugs used to lower cholesterol. Nowadays, it is well known that they have immunomodulatory effects. This study evaluated the efficacy of a statin, atorvastatin, in combination with antihistamines in treating CSU patients. Forty CSU patients were divided equally into two groups. The first group was treated with antihistamines and atorvastatin, while the second group was treated with antihistamines and placebo. Both groups received the treatment for three months. The effect of treatment on total severity score (TSS), autologous serum skin test (ASST), basophil histamine release (BHR) assay, in vivo basophil CD203c expression (%) and basophil activation test (BAT-CD203c) was assessed. We found statistically significant reduction in TSS, BHR assay, in vivo basophil CD203c expression (%) (P= 0.000 each), diameter of ASST and BAT-CD203c (P= 0.002, 0.017, respectively), in the patients that received the atorvastatin and antihistamines. In conclusion, atorvastatin is effective in treating CSU patients.

Background: Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) is defined as recurrent hives occurring for at least 6 weeks. In the majority of cases, there is no identifiable underlying etiology despite extensive evaluation. It was reported an association between autoimmune thyroiditis and CIU. Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the relation between anti-thyroid antibodies and patients and chronic idiopathic urticaria. Methodology: This study was conducted in Allergy and Immunology unit in Zagazig University. In this study, 40 patients suffered from chronic idiopathic urticaria as a case group were selected and compared to a control group of 40 healthy individuals. The anti- thyroid antibodies, total IgE and ASST were studied in the both groups. Results: We reported significant difference regarding anti-thyroid antibodies, total IgE and ASST between the control group and the patient group (P=0.000). Concolusion: The prevalence of anti-thyroid antibodies was high in the patients suffering from chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Reprocessing of medical instruments is a complex process requiring several steps. In the last few years, many reports were delivered to our infection control unit about defects in the sterilization service. This study aims to describe improvements in the performance of the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), thus improving safety for patients and healthcare professionals. The FOCUS-PDCA strategy and root cause analysis were used to define the problem, investigate the underlying causes and develop a quality improvement plan. Defects in the service provided were detected, including inadequate procedures and training, breaches in reprocessing, and suboptimal workplace ergonomics and design. We developed an institutional policy and standard operating procedures for the SPD, implemented a training program for SPD staff, and improved the workplace layout to improve separation of clean and soiled equipment.