The relation between serum levels of epidermal growth factor and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates

Heba Mostafa Ahmed,Nsreen Mostafa Kamel 대한소아청소년과학회 2019 Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics (CEP) Vol.62 No.8

Purpose: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most serious complications of prematurity. Many risk factors can contribute to the development of NEC. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a major role in intestinal barrier function, increases intestinal enzyme activity, and improves nutrient transport. The aim of this study was to assess the role of epidermal growth factor in the development of NEC in preterm neonates. Methods: In this study, 130 preterm neonates were included and divided into 3 groups, as follows: group 1, 40 preterm neonates with NEC; group 2, 50 preterm neonates with sepsis; and group 3, 40 healthy preterm neonates as controls. The NEC group was then subdivided into medical and surgical NEC subgroups. The serum EGF level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum EGF levels (pg/dL) were significantly lower in the NEC group (median [interquartile range, IQR], 9.6 [2–14]) than in the sepsis (10.1 [8–14]) and control groups (11.2 [8–14], P<0.001), with no significant difference between the sepsis and control groups, and were positively correlated with gestational age (r=0.7, P<0.001). A binary logistic regression test revealed that low EGF levels and gestational ages could significantly predict the development of NEC. The receiver-operating characteristic curve for EGF showed an optimal cutoff value of 8 pg/mL, with 73.3% sensitivity, 98% specificity, and an area under the curve of 0.92. Conclusion: The patients with NEC in this study had significantly lower serum EGF levels (P<0.001), which indicated that EGF could be a reliable marker of NEC in preterm neonates.

The relation between serum levels of epidermal growth factor and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates

Ahmed, Heba Mostafa,Kamel, Nsreen Mostafa The Korean Pediatric Society 2019 Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics (CEP) Vol.62 No.8

Purpose: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most serious complications of prematurity. Many risk factors can contribute to the development of NEC. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a major role in intestinal barrier function, increases intestinal enzyme activity, and improves nutrient transport. The aim of this study was to assess the role of epidermal growth factor in the development of NEC in preterm neonates. Methods: In this study, 130 preterm neonates were included and divided into 3 groups, as follows: group 1, 40 preterm neonates with NEC; group 2, 50 preterm neonates with sepsis; and group 3, 40 healthy preterm neonates as controls. The NEC group was then subdivided into medical and surgical NEC subgroups. The serum EGF level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum EGF levels (pg/dL) were significantly lower in the NEC group (median [interquartile range, IQR], 9.6 [2-14]) than in the sepsis (10.1 [8-14]) and control groups (11.2 [8-14], P<0.001), with no significant difference between the sepsis and control groups, and were positively correlated with gestational age (r=0.7, P<0.001). A binary logistic regression test revealed that low EGF levels and gestational ages could significantly predict the development of NEC. The receiver-operating characteristic curve for EGF showed an optimal cutoff value of 8 pg/mL, with 73.3% sensitivity, 98% specificity, and an area under the curve of 0.92. Conclusion: The patients with NEC in this study had significantly lower serum EGF levels (P<0.001), which indicated that EGF could be a reliable marker of NEC in preterm neonates.

Assessment of Behavioral Problems in Children Pre- and Post-Cochlear Implant: An Egyptian Study

Abdelmonem Ahmed Ali,Salah Hisham,Mostafa Heba Ashour,ElMonem Noha A. Abd,Khalil Doaa Mahmoud,Youssef Rabie Sayed,Fahiem Reham Ahmed 대한신경정신의학회 2022 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.19 No.9

Objective The present study aimed to detect the behavioral problems pre- and post-cochlear implantation in comparison to normal hearing group to be able to manage these problems to get more benefit from using cochlear implants.Methods A case-control study included 53 children was done. They were divided into 2 groups, the control group included 28 healthy volunteers with normal hearing and the case group included 25 children with severe to profound hearing loss, fitted for cochlear implantation. The Arabic Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to detect different behavioral problems in both groups. Case group children were followed up and reassessed again by CBCL 3 months later after cochlear implantation.Results There were highly significant differences regarding total scores of internalizing and externalizing domains of empirically based CBCL between the control group and the case group after cochlear implants (p=0.001). There were non-significant differences in children within case group (pre- and post-cochlear implantation) regarding emotional and behavioral problems on both empirically based and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-based CBCL.Conclusion For better results, it is necessary to include a specialist of psychosomatic medicine in the cochlear rehabilitation teamwork.

Small/medium nuclear reactors for potential desalination applications : Mini review

Safaa Abdelraouf Ahmed,Ghada Ahmed Al Bazedi,Heba Ahmed Hani,Mayyada M. H. El-Sayed,Abdelghani M. G. Abulnour 한국화학공학회 2014 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.31 No.6

Small/medium nuclear reactors (SMRs) are a promising alternative for powering large scale desalinationplants. The modern generations of these systems manifest cost effectiveness and built-in safety features. The compatibilitywith geological and topological challenges is an added advantage. Moreover, funding opportunities and packagescould be easily arranged for small/medium nuclear reactors (SMR). This mini review article provides the latest technicalfeatures of SMR nuclear plants with emphasis on pressurized light water reactors (PWR), boiling water reactors (BWR),heavy water reactors (HWR), gas cooled reactors (GCR), and liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR). Preliminarycost indicators for typical units were investigated as a part of joint effort to develop a cost database for thesetypes of reactors. Security and safety features of small/medium reactors are identified and reviewed. This paper identifiesand briefly discusses the various types of small/medium nuclear reactors to provide a preliminary evaluation and considerationof using this type of reactor in potential seawater desalination applications.

Oscillation of Second-Order Nonlinear Forced Functional Dynamic Equations with Damping Term on Time Scales

Agwa, Hassan Ahmed,Khodier, Ahmed Mahmoud,Ahmed, Heba Mostaafa Atteya Department of Mathematics 2016 Kyungpook mathematical journal Vol.56 No.3

In this paper, we establish some new oscillation criteria for the second-order forced nonlinear functional dynamic equations with damping term $$(r(t)x^{\Delta}(t))^{\Delta}+q({\sigma}(t))x^{\Delta}(t)+p(t)f(x({\tau}(t)))=e(t)$$, and $$(r(t)x^{\Delta}(t))^{\Delta}+q(t)x^{\Delta}(t)+p(t)f(x({\sigma}(t)))=e(t)$$, on a time scale ${\mathbb{T}}$, where r(t), p(t) and q(t) are real-valued right-dense continuous (rd-continuous) functions [1] defined on ${\mathbb{T}}$ with p(t) < 0 and ${\tau}:{\mathbb{T}}{\rightarrow}{\mathbb{T}}$ is a strictly increasing differentiable function and ${\lim}_{t{\rightarrow}{\infty}}{\tau}(t)={\infty}$. No restriction is imposed on the forcing term e(t) to satisfy Kartsatos condition. Our results generalize and extend some pervious results [5, 8, 10, 11, 12] and can be applied to some oscillation problems that not discussed before. Finally, we give some examples to illustrate our main results.

The effect of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on anthropometric, glycemic, lipid, oxidative stress, and hormonal parameters in individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Ahmed Abu-Zaid,Saeed Baradwan,Ibtihal Abdulaziz Bukhari,Abdullah Alyousef,Mohammed Abuzaid,Saleh A. K. Saleh,Heba M. Adly,Osama Alomar,Ismail Abdulrahman Al-Badawi 대한산부인과학회 2024 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.67 No.1

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effect of the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on various cardiometabolic risk factors and hormonal parameters in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We searched PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases without language restrictions until May 2023 to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the impact of ALA supplementation on anthropometric, glycemic, lipid, oxidative stress, and hormonal parameters in women with PCOS. Outcomes were summarized using the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects model. An I2 statistic of >60% established significant between-study heterogeneity. The overall certainty of the evidence for each outcome was determined using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluations system. Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The ALA group had significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (fasting blood sugar (FBS), n=7 RCTs, SMD, -0.60; 95% CI, -1.10 to -0.10; I2=63.54%, moderate certainty of evidence) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), n=4 RCTs, SMD, -2.03; 95% CI, -3.85 to -0.20; I2=96.32%, low certainty of evidence) compared with the control group. However, significant differences were observed between the groups in body mass index, insulin, estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, low-density lipoprotein, highdensity lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, malondialdehyde, or total antioxidant capacity profiles. ALA supplementation improves FBS and HOMA-IR levels in women with PCOS. ALA consumption is an effective complementary therapy for the management of women with PCOS.

Taphonomy and paleoecology of Cenomanian oysters from the Musabaa Salama area, southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Ahmed El-Sabbagh,Heba Mansour,Magdy El-Hedeny 한국지질과학협의회 2015 Geosciences Journal Vol.19 No.4

This work is a taphonomic and paleoecologic study of Cenomanian oysters from the Musabaa Salama area, southwestern Sinai, Egypt. Disarticulation, fragmentation, encrustation and bioerosion are considered as the most predominant taphonomic features recorded in the studied oyster assemblages. Their distribution and frequency are greatly varied within the shells of the same species, as well as between shells of different species through the recorded oyster zones. Bioerosion structures include Tiers D, E, F, G and H. The multivariate statistical analyses document some characteristic ichnocoenoses. They include a sponge-dominated community (Entobia ichnocoenosis), a bivalve-dominated community (Gastrochaenolites ichnocoenosis), a serpulid-polychaete-dominated community (Maeandropolydora, Trypanites and/or Caulostrepsis ichnocoenosis), and an acrothoracican cirriped-dominated community (Rogerella ichnocoenosis). With rare exceptions, E. cretacea, G. torpedo and M. decipiens are common to abundant ichnospecies (>43%). E. ovula, E. retiformis and R. pattei are frequent to common ichnospecies (>5%). Other ichnospecies, including C. cretacea, G. orbicularis, T. solitarius, E. geometrica and C. taeniola are rare to frequent (<3%). Careful investigation of the host shells and the preserved encrusters and/or bioerosion sculptures provided data concerning the substrate characteristics, time of encrustation and bioerosion, rate of sedimentation, nutrients availability, and the general bathymetry and the rate of transgression.

Adaptive Variable-size Search Window based on SURF

Heba kandil,Eman Eldaydamony,Ahmed Atwan 보안공학연구지원센터 2013 International Journal of Multimedia and Ubiquitous Vol.8 No.2

The ameliorating role of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir on thioacetamide-induced kidney injury in adult albino rats

Ahmed H. Moustafa,Heba F. Pasha,Manar A. Abas,Adel M. Aboregela 대한해부학회 2023 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.56 No.1

Thioacetamide (TAA) exposure and hepatitis C virus infection are usually associated with renal dysfunction. Sofosbuvir (SFV) and daclatasvir (DAC) drugs combination has great value in the treatment of hepatitis C. The study aimed to identify the nephrotoxic effects of TAA and to evaluate the ameliorative role of SFV and DAC in this condition. Forty-eight adult male albino rats were divided into eight groups and received saline (control), SFV, DAC, SFV+DAC, TAA, TAA+SFV, TAA+DAC and TAA+SFV+DAC for eight weeks. Kidney and blood samples were retrieved and processed for histological (Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson’s trichrome), immunohistochemical (α-smooth muscle actin), and biochemical analysis (urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and tumor necrosis factor-α). Examination revealed marked destruction of renal tubules on exposure to TAA with either hypertrophy or atrophy of glomeruli, increase in collagen deposition, and wide expression of α-smooth muscle actin. Also, significant disturbance in kidney functions, oxidative stress markers, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Supplementation with either SFV or DAC produced mild improvement in the tissue and laboratory markers. Moreover, the combination of both drugs greatly refined the pathology induced by TAA at the cellular and laboratory levels. However, there are still significant differences when compared to the control. In conclusion, SFV and DAC combination partially but greatly ameliorated the renal damage induced by TAA which might be enhanced with further supplementations to give new hope for those with nephropathy associated with hepatitis.

A New Perspective on the Quality of Life of Children with Glycogen Storage Diseases

Gihan Ahmed Sobhy,Mortada El-Shabrawi,Heba Safar 대한소아소화기영양학회 2022 Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol.25 No.4

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) of children with glycogen storage disease (GSD) and their parents and to determine the impact of myopathies. Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted at the Cairo University Children’s Hospital and National Liver Institute, Menoufia University. A promising new style of questionnaire called the Stark Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. Results: Fifty-two children diagnosed with GSD (cases) and 55 age- and sex-matched healthy children (controls) were included. A statistically significant difference was found between cases and controls regarding food intake; mental behavior parameters such as mood, energy, and social contact; and physical behavior parameters such as running and tying shoelaces. Children with myopathies had significantly lower QoL scores in most of the parameters. Conclusion: GSDs alter children and their parents’ mental and physical abilities. Lower QoL scores were detected in children with both skeletal myopathy and cardiomyopathy, but the difference was not statistically significant when compared with the children without myopathies.