Diagnostic and prognostic values of miR181b-5p and miR21-5p for neonatal sepsis risk and their link to SNAP II score and disease mortality.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a lethal syndrome that necessitates prompt treatment to avoid disease complications. As a result, biomarkers that may either differentiate sepsis early or predict the outcome of sepsis are essential. Aim: The goal of this research was to find out the clinical weight of using miR181b-5p and miR21-5p expression levels as diagnostic and prognostic new genetic markers for neonatal sepsis. Method: A total of 60 neonates with sepsis and 60 healthy neonates were involved in this study. Laboratory tests include complete blood count (CBC), random blood sugar (RBS), arterial blood gases (ABG), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Neonates with sepsis were assessed by the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology II (SNAP II). The serum fold changes of the target miRNAs were determined using qRT-PCR and the 2-ΔΔCt equation. Results: The relative serum level of miR181b-5p was [ median (IQR) = 0.2509 (0.0009-4.11)] and for miR21-5p was [median (IQR) = 0.07 (0.007-7.16)] which were significantly downregulated in patients with neonatal sepsis compared to controls (p < 0.001 each). There was a strong significant positive correlation between miR181b-5p and miR21-5p with r = 0.718 and p < 0.001. MiR181b-5p and miR21-5p were significantly negatively correlated with total leucocytic count (TLC), lymphocytic count, and CRP. While they were both positively correlated to the SNAP II score. Obvious association between higher expressions of target genes and higher SNAP II score groups. After a following-up period, twenty-two (36.7%) neonates died, while 38 (63.3%) of the babies became better and were released from the hospital. We reported that miR-181-5p, miR21-5p, SNAP II score and CRP were significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors. Only miR181b-5p, miR21-5p, and SNAP II were predictive factors of septic mortality. Conclusion: MiR181b-5p and miR21-5p are diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of neonatal sepsis.

Histological and immunological insights to hydatid disease in camels.

PURPOSE: To investigate the immuno-histological evidences in viable and non-viable hydatid cysts obtained from naturally infected camels. METHODS: A cohort study (February 2018-December 2019), a total of 15 hydatidosis-infected camels from slaughter houses in Cairo were involved. Specimens were investigated for parasite viability, liver histological changes, IL-17A cytokine immunohistochemical expressions in the adventitial layer, and the anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) immunofluorescent expression in the metacestode's structures. Real-Time Quantitative -Morphocytometry and SPSS were utilized. RESULTS: Multi-focal lesions and high viability were found in 60% of the cases. Overall accumulation of collagen associated the parasite establishment that involved infiltrations of mononuclear cells with significantly increased IL-17A expression. Interestingly, the ANAs appeared to have a role in the immune-defense against the metacestode showing different patterns. ANAs production correlated with IL-17A expression and the viability of the parasite. CONCLUSION: IL-17A responses in hydatidosis is associated with collagen deposition and ANA production as a sort of anti-parasite immunity in a viability dependent manner.

Association analyses of a genetic variant in long non-coding RNA MEG3 with breast cancer susceptibility and serum MEG3 expression level in the Egyptian population.

BACKGROUND: LncRNA MEG3 rs7158663 has been shown to confer cancer susceptibility, maybe through altering its gene expression level. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to weigh the effect of rs7158663 on MEG3 serum level and breast cancer susceptibility. METHODS: We genotyped rs7158663 G > A and measured serum MEG3 in 150 breast cancer, 95 fibroadenoma , and 154 controls by the TaqMan method. RESULTS: The presence of rs7158663 G > A is a risk factor for breast cancer among fibroadenoma patients and controls, AA vs. GG genotypes (OR = 6.320, 95% CI = 2.587-15.439, P< 0.0001 when compared to controls and OR = 10.825, 95% CI = 1.929-60.742, P= 0.007 when compared to fibroadenoma). Decreased serum MEG3 was observed in breast cancer group when compared with fibroadenoma and/or controls [median (IQR) = 0.43 (0.27-0.55)] (P< 0.0001). However, increased serum MEG3 was noted in fibroadenoma group when compared with controls (P< 0.0001). A significance decreased serum MEG3 was found to be associated with mutant A allele than with wild G allele (P< 0.0001). The results showed that rs7158663 and lower MEG3 were significantly associated with patients with higher TNM staging and larger tumor size > 5 cm. CONCLUSION: The presence of both rs7158663 and low MEG3 are diagnostic and unfavorable prognostic factors for BC patients.