Association of cord blood asprosin concentration with atherogenic lipid profile and anthropometric indices.

BACKGROUND: Elevated lipids in umbilical cord blood affect fetal programming, leading to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease in later life. However, the causes of changes in the lipid profile of umbilical cord blood are not clear yet. This study aimed for the first time to determine the association of asprosin concentration with TAG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C concentrations and TAG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C and non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio in umbilical cord blood as well as newborn anthropometric indices. This cross-sectional study was based on 450 mother- newborn pairs of a birth cohort study in Sabzevar, Iran. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate the association of lipid concentration and lipid ratios as well as birth weight (BW), birth length (BL), head circumference (HC) and chest circumference (CC) with asprosin in cord blood samples controlled for the relevant covariates. RESULT: In fully adjusted models, each 1 ng/mL increase in asprosin was associated with 0.19 (95% CI 0.06, 0.31, P < 0.01), 0.19 (95% CI 0.10, 0.29, P < 0.01), 0.17 (95% CI 0.09, 0.25, P < 0.01), 0.17 (95% CI 0.09, 0.25, P < 0.01), 0.01 (95% CI 0.00, 0.013, P < 0.01), 0.01 (95% CI 0.01, 0.01, P < 0.01), 0.01 (95% CI 0.01, 0.01, P < 0.01) and 0.01 (95% CI 0.01, 0.01, P < 0.01) increase in TAG, TC, LDL-C, TAG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C and non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio respectively. Moreover, higher asprosin levels was positively associated with newborn BW, BL, HC and CC; however, these associations were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Overall, our findings support the positive association between cord asprosin concentration and the development of atherogenic lipid profile in newborns. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings of this study in other populations.

Security Requirements and Challenges of 6G Technologies and Applications.

After implementing 5G technology, academia and industry started researching 6th generation wireless network technology (6G). 6G is expected to be implemented around the year 2030. It will offer a significant experience for everyone by enabling hyper-connectivity between people and everything. In addition, it is expected to extend mobile communication possibilities where earlier generations could not have developed. Several potential technologies are predicted to serve as the foundation of 6G networks. These include upcoming and current technologies such as post-quantum cryptography, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), enhanced edge computing, molecular communication, THz, visible light communication (VLC), and distributed ledger (DL) technologies such as blockchain. From a security and privacy perspective, these developments need a reconsideration of prior security traditional methods. New novel authentication, encryption, access control, communication, and malicious activity detection must satisfy the higher significant requirements of future networks. In addition, new security approaches are necessary to ensure trustworthiness and privacy. This paper provides insights into the critical problems and difficulties related to the security, privacy, and trust issues of 6G networks. Moreover, the standard technologies and security challenges per each technology are clarified. This paper introduces the 6G security architecture and improvements over the 5G architecture. We also introduce the security issues and challenges of the 6G physical layer. In addition, the AI/ML layers and the proposed security solution in each layer are studied. The paper summarizes the security evolution in legacy mobile networks and concludes with their security problems and the most essential 6G application services and their security requirements. Finally, this paper provides a complete discussion of 6G networks' trustworthiness and solutions.

Evaluation of the expression of red blood cell CD36, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in sickle cell anemia pediatric patients.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a complex multisystem disease characterized by acute and chronic inflammation, with alterations in inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. This case-control study was carried out to assess the levels of CD36, immature reticulocytes, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL8 in SCA patients (in crisis and the steady state) and healthy controls. It included 90 children who were 2-18 years old; 60 with SCA and 30 healthy controls. Complete blood count, total reticulocyte count, reticulocyte subpopulations, immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF), percentage of CD36-positive red blood cells (RBCs), IL-6 and IL-8 levels were evaluated. The total white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts, CD36-positive RBCs percentage, IRF, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in crises than in the steady state (P < 0.05). We also found that patients with SCA had significantly higher reticulocyte, WBC and neutrophil counts, fetal hemoglobin, CD36-positive RBCs percentage, IRF, and IL-6 and IL-8 levels than healthy children (P < 0.05). A significant positive linear correlation was reported between IL-6 and neutrophils during crises (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.397, P = 0.03). These findings suggest that the levels of adhesion molecules and inflammatory markers and IRF, as evidenced by CD36-positive RBCs, IL-6 and IL-8, are elevated in SCA patients, both during steady state and crises, although these elevations are more marked during crises. Further knowledge about these cytokines and adhesion molecules will help in understanding the pathogenesis and improve therapy of SCA.

Magnetic resonance sialography of the parotid glands in chronic hepatitis C virus patients with and without vasculitis.

AIM: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is sialotropic. The pathogenesis of sicca manifestations in patients with chronic HCV infection is not fully understood. We aimed to detect changes in magnetic resonance sialography (MRS) of HCV patients with and without vasculitis. METHOD: We studied 32 HCV patients (19 female, mean age 48.8 ± 10.3 years) and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Half of the patients had vasculitis. Demographic, clinical and serological data were prospectively evaluated. In patients with vasculitis, the disease activity was assessed by the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS). MRS was performed on all patients and controls. RESULTS: Abnormal MRS was found in 25% of patients, (6/16 and 2/16 in patients with and without vasculitis, respectively). Among patients with vasculitis, those with abnormal MRS had longer disease duration, higher leukocytic and lymphocytic counts and more frequent cryoglobulinemia (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.008, respectively), while BVAS scores were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Among HCV patients with vasculitis, longer disease duration and cryoglobulinemia were associated with abnormal findings on MRS. To confirm our results, we propose larger-scale, multicentre studies with longer evaluation periods.

The Role of PCR in Diagnosis of a Rare Appendicular Tuberculosis and Mini Literature Review.

Tuberculosis is a prevalent public health problem especially in the poor developing countries and results in significant mortality. Albeit tuberculosis almost always affects any organ or system of the body, abdominal tuberculosis is less frequent; moreover, tuberculous appendicitis is very rare with an incidence estimated at about 0.1-0.6% of all gastrointestinal tuberculosis. The purpose of this report was to present an unusual case of primary tuberculous appendicitis and the approach used for accurate diagnosis as well as a current update on the disease. We are reporting a 30-year-old male who presented with acute abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting and was admitted with the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Patient was investigated thoroughly and histopathologic examination was strongly suggestive of tuberculous appendicitis; however, Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) was negative in tissue section. To confirm the diagnosis, molecular biology [polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] study was performed from the formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) appendicular tissue and revealed presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. As there are numerous differential diagnoses in granulomatous lesions of appendix and due to the fact that appendicular tuberculosis is a rare phenomenon; verification etiologic agent is crucial for appropriate management of the disease.

Impact of personality temperaments and characters on academic performance and specialty selection among a group of Egyptian medical graduates.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between personality temperaments, academic achievement and specialty interest is important because of its implications in career counseling. AIM: To assess the effect of personality on academic performance and career selection and to study the impact of some sociodemographic factors on academic achievement and career choice of medical graduates. METHODOLOGY: A total of 436 medical graduates of Ain Shams medical school were approached, out of which 331 participated. They were given a sociodemographic questionnaire, and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R; 240) for personality construct; they had to answer questions about academic achievement, ranking, scores and choice of medical specialty. RESULTS: Novelty seeking (NS1, NS2 and NS3) and self-transcendence (ST1 and ST2) were correlated with graduation ranking, (r = .2, p = .00; r = .15, p = .009; r = .16, p = .005; r = .12, p = .003; r = .14, p = .02; r = .17, p = .004; r = .13, p = .03, respectively), that is, lower NS and ST had better academic outcome. Only high school score was associated with better achievement (p = .00). In specialty selection, females were significantly overrepresented in pediatrics and clinical pathology, whereas males were significantly predominating surgical specialties except for obstetrics and gynecology (p = .00). Students choosing patient-centered specialties had higher reward dependence (RD), persistence (PS) and cooperativeness (C); those choosing clinical pathology had highest harm avoidance (HA), whereas those choosing radiology had lowest HA and those choosing surgery had significantly higher self-directedness (SD3). CONCLUSION: Personality impacts academic achievement and specialty choice with other factors as gender and previous scholastic performance.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA): correlations with disease activity and severity of joint damage (a multicenter trial).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the presence of anti-CCP antibodies in children with JIA and to correlate its levels with Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS) and Sharp/Van der Heijde Score. METHODS: The study population comprised 54 cases, with 29 patients (53.7%) who had polyarticular onset, 19 (35.2%) had pauciarticular onset and six (11.1%) had systemic onset JIA. All patients were subjected to complete clinical examination, assessment of disease activity by JADAS-27 (ESR), and radiological damage by Sharp/Van der Heijde Score. Laboratory investigations included a complete blood count, ESR first hour, ANA, IgM Rheumatoid factor (RF) and serum anti-CCP2, and were used for further correlations. RESULTS: RF was positive in 14 (25.9%) patients and anti-CCP antibodies were positive in 13 (24.1%) patients, 12 of whom had polyarticular onset. There were significant differences between groups relative to RF (F=8.577, P=0.001) and anti-CCP antibodies (F=4.845, P=0.012) being higher in JIA patients with polyarticular onset compared to other subsets of JIA patients. The mean total of the Sharp/Van der Heijde Score was significantly higher among polyarticular-JIA patients with positive anti-CCP antibodies compared to those negative for anti-CCP antibodies (P=0.05). Anti-CCP positively correlated with CRP (r=0.521, P<0.001) and Sharp/Van der Heijde Score (r=0.457, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Anti-CCP antibodies were prevalent among JIA patients with polyarticular patterns compared to other disease patterns. Anti-CCP positively and significantly correlated with Sharp's score and CRP levels. Given that anti-CCP may be influential in the choice of the best therapeutic strategy in JIA with polyarticular pattern of onset.

Pathways to child mental health services among patients in an urban clinical setting in Egypt.

OBJECTIVE: Of the 82.6 million people living in Egypt, 31% are children under age 15. Until recently, identification and treatment of child mental health problems have not been a high priority in Middle East countries. This study examined referral patterns of children who visited a government- operated, urban, outpatient mental health clinic in Cairo and the duration of illness before psychiatric consultation was obtained. METHODS: A total of 123 patients were recruited from a child psychiatry outpatient clinic at the Institute of Psychiatry of Ain Shams University hospitals. Diagnoses were made with the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime version, the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, and the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. RESULTS: For 63% of children, the most distressing symptom reported was behavioral problems. The mean ± SD duration of illness before psychiatric consultation was 3.4 ± 3.1 years. Autism, mental retardation, and nocturnal enuresis were significantly associated with delays in obtaining psychiatric consultation, as was belonging to the middle or low social class. For most patients (67%), the first contact was with either a pediatrician or a psychiatrist. For a smaller proportion (5%), the first contact was a traditional healer. Most patients were referred to the clinic by relatives (30%), followed by pediatricians (21%), school teachers (12%), and traditional healers (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Most parents first sought the advice of pediatricians for their child's mental health problem, and a substantial number consulted traditional healers. Awareness programs targeting pediatricians and elementary school teachers are urgently needed in Egypt to shorten the duration of undiagnosed illness among children.

Characteristics of autism spectrum disorders in a sample of egyptian and saudi patients: transcultural cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Autism is a biological disorder with clearly defined phenomenology. Studies from the Middle East on this topic have been particularly rare. Little is known about the influence of culture on clinical features, presentations and management of autism. The current study was done to compare characteristics of autism in two groups of Egyptian as well as Saudi children. METHODS: The sample included 48 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They were recruited from the Okasha Institute of Psychiatry, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt and Al-Amal Complex for Mental Health, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They were grouped into an Egyptian group (n = 20) and a Saudi group (n = 28). They were assessed both clinically and psychometrically using the GARS, the Vineland adaptive behavioral scale, and the Stanford Binnet IQ test. RESULTS: Typical autism was more prevalent than atypical autism in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical variables like regression, hyperactivity, epilepsy or mental retardation. Delayed language development was significantly higher in the Egyptian group while delay in all developmental milestones was more significant in the Saudi group. The Vineland communication subscale showed more significant severe and profound communication defects in the Saudi group while the Gilliam developmental subscale showed significantly more average scores in the Egyptian group. Both groups differed significantly such that the age of noticing abnormality was younger in the Saudi group. The age at diagnosis and at the commencement of intervention was lower in the Egyptian group. The Saudi group showed a higher percentage of missing examinations, older birth order and significantly higher preference to drug treatment, while the Egyptian group showed a high preference to behavioral and phoniatric therapies, higher paternal and maternal education, higher employment among parents and higher family concern. CONCLUSION: Cultural context may significantly influence the age of noticing abnormality, the age of starting intervention, developmental and perinatal problems, family concerns about managing the problem as well as familial tendency for neurodevelopmental disorders, all of which have important impact on clinical symptomatology and severity of autism. Culture also influences significantly the ways of investigating and treating autism.

Influences of religion and culture on continuing bonds in a sample of British Muslims of Pakistani origin.

This study considered the nature of continuing bonds with deceased relatives in a sample of Pakistani Muslims living in the United Kingdom. Ten participants were interviewed following a cultural psychology approach and transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Dreaming, talking with others about the deceased, following the deceased's example, keeping memories and mementos, and doing actions thought to help the deceased were forms of continued relationship found. These were intertwined with the process of grieving and were influenced by the family, culture, and religion. Religion was a strong influence on the prominence given by participants to finishing well and on the notion of doing actions thought to help the deceased. Cultural mores, such as the community, and collectivist ethos and the expectation that emotion would be expressed around the time of death, were found to be supportive for some but sources of tension for other participants. Expressing a continuing bond through following the deceased's example so as to make them proud or happy seemed to be reinforced by cultural roots in respect for elders. Participants gave instances of tensions in areas such as expression of emotion and communality versus individualism that arose as a result of their position between two cultural frameworks, some illustrating how assimilation into the host culture set up conflict with the expected norms of their family/ancestral culture. The study highlights how understanding different cultural and religious influences may enrich the concept of continuing bonds.