Thrombophilia genetic mutations and their relation to disease severity among patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with COVID-19 infection appear to develop virus-induced hypercoagulability resulting in numerous thrombotic events. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the thrombophilia genes mutations (prothrombin G20210A, factor V Leiden, and methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)) and the severity of COVID-19 patients. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. METHOD: One hundred and forty patients (80 adults and 60 children) were included in the current study. They were divided into the severe COVID-19 group and the mild COVID-19 group, with each group comprising 40 adults and 30 children. The patients were assessed for FV R506Q, FV R2H1299R, MTHFR A1298C, MTHFR C677T, and prothrombin gene G20210A polymorphisms. CBC, D-dimer, renal and liver function tests, hs-CRP, ferritin, and LDH were also assessed. Thrombotic events were clinically and radiologically documented. RESULTS: Severe COVID-19 cases were significantly more frequent to have a heterozygous mutation for all the studied genes compared to mild COVID-19 cases (p<0.05 for all). Being mutant to gene FV R506Q carried the highest risk of developing a severe disease course (p<0.0001). Patients with abnormally high D-dimer levels were significantly more frequent to be heterozygous for FV R506Q, FV R2H1299R, and prothrombin gene G20210A (p = 0.006, 0.007, and 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: We concluded that there is an evident relationship between severe COVID-19 and inherited thrombophilia. In the current study, FV R506Q gene mutation carried the highest risk of developing a severe COVID-19 disease course.

A comparative study of the work-family conflicts prevalence, their sociodemographic, family, and work attributes, and their relation to the self-reported health status in Japanese and Egyptian civil workers.

BACKGROUND: Cross-cultural studies studying work-family conflicts (W_F_Cs) are scarce. We compared the prevalence of W_F_Cs, factors correlated with them, and their association with self-rated health between Japan and Egypt. METHODS: Among 4862 Japanese and 3111 Egyptian civil workers recruited by a convenience sample in 2018/2019 and reported self-rated health status, we assessed the W_F_Cs by the Midlife Development in the US (MIDUS) and attributed them to sociodemographic, family, and work variables. We also evaluated the W_F_Cs' gender- and country-specific associations with self-rated health by logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: W_F_Cs were more prevalent in Egyptian than in Japanese women (23.7% vs. 18.2%) and men (19.1% vs. 10.5%), while poor self-rated health was more prevalent in Japanese than Egyptians (19.3% and 17.3% vs. 16.9% and 5.5%). Longer working hours, shift work, and overtime work were positively associated with stronger work-to-family conflict (WFC). Whereas being single was inversely associated with stronger family-to-work conflict (FWC). Living with children, fathers, or alone in Japan while education in Egypt was associated with these conflicts. The OR (95% CI) for poor self-reported health among those with the strong, in reference to weak total W_F_Cs, was 4.28 (2.91-6.30) and 6.01 (4.50-8.01) in Japanese women and men and was 2.46 (1.75-3.47) and 3.11 (1.67-5.80) in Egyptian women and men. CONCLUSIONS: Japanese and Egyptian civil workers have different prevalence and correlated factors of W_F_Cs and self-rated health. W_F_Cs were associated in a dose-response pattern with poor-self-rated health of civil workers in both countries.

The role of dietary and lifestyle factors in the development of colorectal cancer: case control study in Minia, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, after lung and breast cancer, and is associated with the population dietary and lifestyle factors. AIM: To determine the relation between dietary and lifestyle factors and development of CRC in patients attending Minia oncology centre and compare them with their control. METHODS: Study included 150 CRC patients attending Minia oncology centre and 300 control subjects matched by age and sex. Subjects participating in the study filled in a questionnaire including questions about socio-demographic data, medical data concerning CRC and its treatment as well as dietary and lifestyle factors. RESULTS: The most significant dietary and lifestyle CRC risk factors were higher consumption of red meat (OR = 57.1), preserved food (OR = 39.4), artificial sweeteners (OR = 20.8), fast foods (OR = 12.8), soft drinks (OR = 4.6), spicy foods (OR = 4.2), processed meat (OR = 2.4), and smoking (OR = 8.8). The most significant protective factors were physical activity (OR = 0.001), calcium rich diet (OR = 0.08), higher consumption of fruits and vegetable (OR = 0.02), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli OR = 0.11, cauliflower OR = 0.30 and cabbage OR = 0.30), high fiber bread (OR = 0.15), fruit juice (OR = 0.18), and sea foods (tuna OR = 0.28 and fish OR = 0.38). CONCLUSION: Sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary choices were prevalent among CRC cases. This study provides strong evidence that lifestyle and dietary modification are important factors in the prevention of colorectal cancer.