Plasma levels of transforming growth factor -B[1], connective tissue growth factor; soluble factor related apoptosis and urinary levels of desmosine in childhood interstitial lung diseases

This study aimed to evaluate fibrosis and elastin destruction in childhood interstitial lung disease [chILD] patients and to correlate findings with clinical characteristics. Fifty-six patients and apparently healthy twenty children were recruited in this study. Participants were subjected to thorough history taking and clinical examination. All participants provided midstream urine and venus blood samples. Plasma levels of transforming growth factor [TGF]-/ll, connective tissue growth factor [CCN2] and soluble factor related apoptosis [sFas] and urinary desmosome /urinary creatinine [UDes/UCr] were measured by ELISA kits. In patients, clinical findings were crepitation [1.00 %], tachypnea [67. 90%], cardiomegaly [46.40%], digital clubbing [44.60%], cough [33.90%], cyanosis [28.60%], hepatomegaly [28.60%] and wheezes [23.30%]. Fan chILD clinical score was mostly score 3 [n= 20, 35.70%] then score 5 [n= 16, 28.60%], score 2 [n = 9, 16.10%], score 1 [n =8, 14.30% and score [4] [n=3, 5.40%]. TGF-PI, CCN2, sFas and UDes/UCr levels were significantly higher in patients than controls [P =0.0001]. In patients, significant positive correlations were found between TGF-PI and CCN2, sFas and UDes/UCr; between CCN2 and both sFas and UDes/UCr; between UDes/UCr and both sFas and mortality rate. Morbidity and mortality rates were 48.20% and 10.70%.Conclusions: Markers of fibrosis [TGF-B sFas, CCN2] and elastin destruction [UDes/UCr] were increased in chILD. So blockage of their pathways signals may offer novel therapeutic targets

A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial of Digestive Enzymes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

OBJECTIVE: There is growing evidence for a gut-brain connection associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This suggests a potential benefit from introduced digestive enzymes for children with ASD. METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized clinical trial on 101 children with ASD (82 boys and 19 girls) aged from 3 to 9 years. ASD patients were diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) diagnostic criteria. Structured interviews of at least one hour each both with the parents and the child were performed. Later on, another two hours-session was conducted applying the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). ASD patients were randomized to receive digestive enzymes or placebo. RESULTS: The ASD group receiving digestive enzyme therapy for 3 months had significant improvement in emotional response, general impression autistic score, general behavior and gastrointestinal symptoms. Our study demonstrated the usefulness of digestive enzyme in our population of ASD patients. CONCLUSION: Digestive enzymes are inexpensive, readily available, have an excellent safety profile, and have mildly beneficial effects in ASD patients. Depending on the parameter measured in our study, we propose digestive enzymes for managing symptoms of ASD. Digestive enzyme therapy may be a possible option in treatment protocols for ASD in the future.

Study of some minerals, trace elements and antioxidants in refractory childhood epilepsy

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of some minerals, trace elements and anti-oxidants in children with intractable epilepsy compared to healthy children. In a case control study, 45 epileptic patients [24 male and 21 female] with age range between 3 to 14.5 years presented to Assiut pediatric university hospital, suffering from various types of refractory epileptic seizures compared with 20 healthy sex- and age-matched children served as controls. Serum Se, Zn, Cu, Mg, Glutathione peroxidase [GSH-PX] and Superoxide dismutase [SOD] were measured. The mean age of the patients +/- SD was 8.4 +/- 3.1y. The serum levels of Zn, Mg and Se are significant lower in patients in comparison with control, p value < 0.001 for each, with no significant difference between both groups in serum Cu. Glutathione peroxidase [GSH-PX] was significantly lower in patients in comparison with control group [p value < 0.001] with no significant difference between both groups in SOD. Some minerals [Mg], trace elements [Zn, Se] and antioxidants [GSHúPX] may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intractable epilepsy