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We aimed to examine the possible association role of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor (VDR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) development, glycemic control and complications among a cohort of Egyptian children. A prospective case-control study has been conducted on 50 Egyptian children with T1DM who were comparable with 50 controls. Vitamin D and HbA1c were measured. VDR-SNPs [ I (rs7975232), I (rs731236) and I (rs1544410)] detection was done by polymerase chain reaction through restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Vitamin D supplements were given to the included T1DM children with low vitamin D and reassessments of both HbA1c% and 25(OH)D serum levels were performed in those children three months later. Eighty percent of the included diabetic patients have poor glycemic control. Vitamin D was deficient in 68% and insufficient in 16% of diabetic patients. Significant improvements in both vitamin D and glycemic status among T1DM children, who have low vitamin D and received vitamin D supplementations. There were significantly negative correlations between serum levels of vitamin D with both HbA1c % (r= -0.358, ˂0.05) and daily insulin dose (r=-0.473, ˂0.05). Compared with controls, T1DM children presented more commonly with I a allele (OR: 2.87; 95%CI: 1.39-5.91, ˂0.05) and I b allele (OR: 4.38; 95%CI: 2.30-8.33, ˂0.05). I t allele wasn't significantly differing among patients and controls ( ˃0.05). Aa+aa and Bb+bb genotypes were significantly higher among T1DM vs the controls (OR: 3.08;, 95%CI: 1.33-7.15, ˂0.05 and OR: 9.33; 95%CI: 3.61-24.17, ˂0.05respectively). I and I were associated with risk of T1DM development among Egyptian children. Low vitamin D status was frequently occurring among T1DM with significant improvement in the glycemic control of such children when adding vitamin D supplements to the standard insulin therapy.

The immunomodulatory property of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been previously reported. Still it is unclear if this property can be affected by the cell origin and cell quality. Using primary MSCs expanded from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) and adipose tissue (AD-MSCs) of mice, we investigated whether the immunomodulatory property of MSCs varied with cell origin and cell quality (early- vs. late-passaged BM-MSCs). BM-MSCs (p1) and AD-MSCs (p1) had a typical spindle shape, but morphological changes were observed in late-passaged BM-MSCs (p6). A pathway-focused array showed that the expression of chemokine/cytokine genes varied with different cell origins and qualities. By co-culturing with spleen mononuclear cells (MNC) for 3 days, the expression of CD4 was suppressed by all types of MSCs. By contrast, the expression of CD8 was suppressed by BM-MSCs and increased by AD-MSCs. The expression ratio of CD206 to CD86 was at a comparable level after co-culture with AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs, but was lower with late-passaged BM-MSCs. AD-MSCs highly induced the release of IL6, IL-10 and TGF-β in culture medium. Compared with early-passaged BM-MSCs (p1), late-passaged BM-MSCs (p6) released less TGF-β. Our data suggests that the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs vary with cell origin and cell quality and that BM-MSCs of good quality are likely the optimal source of immunomodulation.

In recent decades, the rate of infection with dengue virus (DENV) has risen significantly, now affecting nearly 400 million individuals annually. Dengue fever among humans is caused via specific mosquito vectors bites. Sporadic cases have been reported in Egypt. The goal of this study was to identify the serotype of the DENV outbreak in both human and mosquito vector along the coast of the Red Sea, Upper Egypt, in 2017. Identification of the serotype of the virus may help identify its source and assist in applying epidemiological and control measures. The current study was carried out in El Quseir City, Red Sea Governorate, Upper Egypt, on 144 patients complaining of symptoms indicative of dengue fever at the time of the 2017 Egypt outbreak. Human blood samples and the mosquito reservoirs were identified as having dengue virus infection serologically and molecularly. Overall, 97 (67.4%) patients were positive for dengue virus IgM antibodies. Molecular examination of the human samples and pools of mosquitoes revealed that DENV-2 virus was the serotype responsible for the outbreak. Only one pool of female mosquitoes containing was infected with dengue fever virus (DENV-2). This was the first serotyping of the DENV responsible for dengue virus outbreak in Egypt in 2017. Determining the serotype of dengue virus can help to avoid and monitor outbreaks. The serotype identified in this study was DENV-2, while DENV-1 was the serotype found in the previous outbreak in 2015 in the province of Assiut. This study thus raises concerns that a new dengue serotype could have been introduced into Egypt. It is necessary for a comprehensive risk assessment to be carried out in the country, including an entomological survey, to assess the presence and potential geographical expansion of mosquito vectors there.

Schistosomiasis is an important neglected tropical disease (NTD) in several developing countries. Praziquantel is the principle and efficacious chemotherapeutic agent that has been used to treat schistosomiasis for decades. Unfortunately, emerging resistance to praziquantel with accompanying reduced efficacy is reported in some localities. Hence, genetic diversity among parasite populations is of significant interest in assessing the effects of selective pressure generated by praziquantel therapy that might result in encouraging the emergence of new genotypes that are either non-susceptible or drug-resistant. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of among human populations using the RAPD technique to help clarify disease epidemiology and transmission. eggs were isolated from 50 of 134 patients from four different localities in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt. These patients complained of terminal hematuria and burning micturition. Samples were used for molecular analysis using RAPD-PCR primers (A02, A07, A09, A10). Twenty isolates (40%) were amplified using the selected RAPD primers. Amplification patterns of these isolates showed distinct variation in the size and number of amplified fragments, indicating high genetic variation among these isolates. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to characterize the genetic diversity of in human populations in Upper Egypt. Future studies on a larger geographic scale involving many districts in Upper Egypt should be encouraged. Information from such a study would provide better insight into clonal lineages of in this endemic area. In turn, understanding transmission of the parasite may have a major role in establishing control strategies for urogenital schistosomiasis in Upper Egypt.

Diagnosis of onychomycosis requires microbiological studies, which are time-consuming. Dermoscopy is non invasive, easy and coastless method. To evaluate the diagnostic role of dermoscopy in onychomycosis and comparing its findings with microbiological results. Eighty patients with onychomycosis and 40 controls were studied for nail dermoscopic finding, and microbiological examinations in the form of microscopic examination by 20% KOH, Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), and HiCrome Candida Differential Agar. 72.5% of the patients were females. Most of the patient were presented with one finger (35%) and two fingers (35%). 85% of the patient were presented clinically with distal lateral subungual onychomycosis followed by total dystrophic onychomycosis (12.5%) and lastly with superficial white onychomycosis (2.5%). 52.5% and 75% of the patients were positive by direct microscopic examination with 20%KOH and SDA, respectively. Dermatophytes isolated from 7.5% of the patient, non-dermatophytes ( Aspergillus ) was isolated from 2.5%, and 65% had Candida by SDA. C. albicans was the commonest species (75%), followed by C. tropicalis (17.3%), and lastly C. krusei (7.7%). Dermoscopic examinations of patients showed nail spikes, longitudinal striations, and color changes in 75%, 82.5%, and 95%, respectively, with statistically significant P value ( P  < 0.001). There was significant difference regarding long striations and yellow coloration dermoscopic finding with positive KOH patients. All patients with positive culture showed nail spikes on dermoscopic examination. Dermoscopy is a rapid tool for diagnosis of onychomycosis. Longitudinal striations is the best diagnostic dermoscopic finding. Microbiological test are still needed for accurate and reliable diagnosis.

To determine the bacteriological pattern and antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates causing neonatal sepsis in Qena University Hospitals and compare polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and blood culture results in a trial for rapid diagnosis. Blood samples from 75 clinically suspected cases of neonatal sepsis were subjected to identification of bacteria and determination of their antibiotic sensitivity through blood culture, and rapid detection of 16S rRNA and the uidA gene (to confirm the presence of ) by PCR from extracted bacterial DNA. Most patients were preterm (64%) and low birth weight (LBW) (68%). In total, 42.7% presented with early onset sepsis (EOS). LBW was significantly associated with EOS ( -value=0.03). Although the blood culture and PCR results were similar in EOS, the PCR results were significantly higher than those of blood culture in detecting bacteria (85.3% vs 68%, respectively, -value=0.001). Blood culture showed 100% specificity. The most common pathogen was (86.2%) in EOS and . (45.5%) in late-onset sepsis (LOS) ( -value=0.001 and 0.02, respectively). The most effective antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria were ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, and amikacin, while vancomycin, oxacillin, and imipenem were the most effective antibiotics against Gram-positive bacteria. EOS was mainly caused by , while LOS was mainly caused by . The 16S rRNA PCR showed higher sensitivity with rapid and accurate diagnosis. Blood culture is the most suitable method for antimicrobial sensitivity testing.

El-Kady AM, Osman HA, Alemam MF, et al. Infect Drug Resist. 2022;15:2713-2721. The authors have advised that the acknowledgment statement on page 2719 is incorrect. The text “This research was supported by Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University Project number (PNURSP2022R39), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia” should read “This research was supported by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number (PNURSP2022R39), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia”. The authors apologize for this error.

Introduction: Schistosomiasis is an important neglected tropical disease (NTD) in several developing countries. Praziquantel is the principle and efficacious chemotherapeutic agent that has been used to treat schistosomiasis for decades. Unfortunately, emerging resistance to praziquantel with accompanying reduced efficacy is reported in some localities. Hence, genetic diversity among parasite populations is of significant interest in assessing the effects of selective pressure generated by praziquantel therapy that might result in encouraging the emergence of new genotypes that are either non-susceptible or drug-resistant. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of Schistosoma haematobium among human populations using the RAPD technique to help clarify disease epidemiology and transmission. Materials and Methods: S. haematobium eggs were isolated from 50 of 134 patients from four different localities in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt. These patients complained of terminal hematuria and burning micturition. Samples were used for molecular analysis using RAPD-PCR primers (A02, A07, A09, A10). Results: Twenty S. haematobium isolates (40%) were amplified using the selected RAPD primers. Amplification patterns of these isolates showed distinct variation in the size and number of amplified fragments, indicating high genetic variation among these isolates. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to characterize the genetic diversity of S. haematobium in human populations in Upper Egypt. Future studies on a larger geographic scale involving many districts in Upper Egypt should be encouraged. Information from such a study would provide better insight into clonal lineages of S. haematobium in this endemic area. In turn, understanding transmission of the parasite may have a major role in establishing control strategies for urogenital schistosomiasis in Upper Egypt. Keywords: Schistosomiasis haematobium, RAPD, Upper Egypt, genetic diversity

Sorption of Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions onto nano zirconium hydroxide gels was studied using 99 Mo radiotracer. The acid–base titration curves showed that the prepared nano Zr(OH) 4 gels, Gel #1 and Gel #2, were amphoteric materials with points of zero charge (PZC’s) at pH 2.8 and 3.3, respectively. The highest distribution coefficients of molybdate(VI)- 99 Mo between both gels (Gel #1 and Gel #2) and Cl − media were achieved at pH 2. The maximum sorption capacities of Gel #1 and Gel #2 were found to be 165.7 ± 7.5 and 195.4 ± 8.1 mg Mo/ g , respectively. The prepared 99 Mo/ 99m Tc chromatographic column generator based on Gel #2 (achieving the higher Mo capacity) showed a good performance; the 99m Tc elution yield was 82.7 ± 2.0%, pH of the eluate ranged from 5 to 6.8, and 99 Mo breakthrough in the eluted 99m Tc was 0.005 ± 0.002% with a radiochemical purity of 97.3 ± 0.9% (as 99m TcO 4 − ).

Background Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccine development can be a laborious task due to the existence of various serotypes and lineages and its quasi-species nature. Immunoinformatics provide effective and promising avenue for the development of multiepitope vaccines against such complex pathogens. In this study, we developed an immunoinformatic pipeline to design a heptavalent multi-epitope vaccine targeting circulating FMDV isolates in Egypt. Result B and T-cell epitopes were predicted and selected epitopes were proved to be non-allergenic, non-toxic, with high antigenicity, and able to induce interferon-gamma response. The epitopes were used to construct a vaccine by adding suitable linkers and adjuvant. Prediction, refinement, and validation of the final construct proved its stability and solubility, having a theoretical isoelectric point (PI) of 9.4 and a molecular weight of 75.49 kDa. The final construct was evaluated for its interaction with bovine toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 using molecular docking analysis and molecular dynamic simulation showed high binding affinity, especially toward TLR4. MM/GBSA energy calculation supported these findings, confirming favorable energetics of the interaction. Finally, the DNA sequence of the vaccine was cloned in pET-30a (+) for efficient expression in Escherichia coli . Conclusion The inclusion of computational and immunoinformatic approaches will ensure cost-effectiveness and rapid design of FMDV vaccine, decrease wet lab experimentation, and aid the selection of novel FMDV vaccines. While the vaccine demonstrates promising in-silico results, experimental assessment of vaccine efficiency is required.