raghda eldesouki | Suez Canal University (original) (raw)

Papers by raghda eldesouki

Severity outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 XBB variants, an observational analysis

Journal of Clinical Virology

ImportancePregnant women are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, but the contribution of viral ... more ImportancePregnant women are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, but the contribution of viral RNA load, the presence of infectious virus, and mucosal antibody responses remain understudied.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of COVID-19 outcomes following confirmed infection with vaccination status, mucosal antibody responses, infectious virus recovery and viral RNA levels in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women.DesignA retrospective observational cohort study of remnant clinical specimens from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients between October 2020-May 2022.SettingFive acute care hospitals within the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) in the Baltimore, MD-Washington, DC area.ParticipantsParticipants included confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women and matched non-pregnant women (matching criteria included age, race/ethnicity, and vaccination status).ExposureSARS-CoV-2 infection, with documentation of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.Main Outcome(s)The primary dependent measures ...

An Increase in Enterovirus D68 Circulation and Viral Evolution During a Period of Increased Influenza Like Illness, Maryland, USA, 2022

Social Science Research Network, 2022

An increase in enterovirus D68 circulation and viral evolution during a period of increased influenza like illness, The Johns Hopkins Health System, USA, 2022

Journal of Clinical Virology

BackgroundThe variant of concern, Omicron, has become the sole circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant for... more BackgroundThe variant of concern, Omicron, has become the sole circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant for the past several months. Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5 evolved over the time, with BA.1 causing the largest wave of infections globally in December 2021- January 2022. In this study, we compare the clinical outcomes in patients infected with different Omicron subvariants and compare the relative viral loads, and recovery of infectious virus from upper respiratory specimens.MethodsSARS-CoV-2 positive remnant clinical specimens, diagnosed at the Johns Hopkins Microbiology Laboratory between December 2021 and July 2022, were used for whole genome sequencing. The clinical outcomes of infections with Omicron subvariants were compared to infections with BA.1. Cycle threshold values (Ct) and the recovery of infectious virus on VeroTMPRSS2 cell line from clinical specimens were compared.ResultsThe BA.1 was associated with the largest increase in SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate...

Egyptian journal of Immunology

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multi-system autoimmune disease with synovial joints involvement. ... more Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multi-system autoimmune disease with synovial joints involvement. The triad of autoimmunity, genetics, and environment is the key player in RA pathogenesis. We intended to investigate gene expression of C-C Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2), protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22), and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) in RA patients versus controls, and its correlation with the activity of the disease. The relative expression of PTPN22, CTLA-4, and CCL2 in the peripheral blood of 59 RA patients and 50 controls was determined using RT-PCR. There was a significantly higher median (inter-quartile range) expression of CTLA-4 and CCL2 in RA patients in comparison to controls (P<0.05). However, in RA patients, PTPN22 expression was significantly lower than in controls (P=0.0001). A weak significant correlation was detected between PTPN22 and either CTLA-4 or CCL2. Also, on comparing RA patients with moderate to severe diseas...

BackgroundIncreased reinfection rates with SARS-CoV-2 have recently been reported, with some loca... more BackgroundIncreased reinfection rates with SARS-CoV-2 have recently been reported, with some locations basing reinfection on a second positive PCR test at least 90 days after initial infection.MethodsWe identified cases where patients had two positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 and evaluated which of these had been sequenced as part of our surveillance efforts, and evaluated sequencing and clinical data.Results750 patients (920 samples) had a positive test at least 90 days after the initial test. The median time between tests was 377 days, and 724 (79%) of the post 90-day positives were collected after the emergence of the Omicron variant in November 2021. Sequencing was attempted on 231 samples and successful in 127. Successful sequencing spiked during the Omicron surge and showed higher median days from initial infection compared to failed sequences (median 398 days compared to 276 days, p<0.0005). A total of 122 (98%) patients showed evidence of reinfection, 45 of which had sequence...

The circulation of Non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 during the surge of the Omicron variant

Journal of Clinical Virology

eBioMedicine

Background The increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in December 2021 was driven primarily by the Omi... more Background The increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in December 2021 was driven primarily by the Omicron variant, which largely displaced the Delta over a three-week span. Outcomes from infection with Omicron remain uncertain. We evaluated whether clinical outcomes and viral loads differed between Delta and Omicron infections during the period when both variants were co-circulating. Methods In this retrospective observational cohort study, remnant clinical specimens, positive for SARS-CoV-2 after standard of care testing at the Johns Hopkins Microbiology Laboratory, between the last week of November and the end of December 2021, were used for whole viral genome sequencing. Cycle threshold values (Ct) for viral RNA, the presence of infectious virus, and levels of respiratory IgG were measured, and clinical outcomes were obtained. Differences in each measure were compared between variants stratified by vaccination status. Findings The Omicron variant displaced Delta during the study period and constituted 95% of the circulating lineages by the end of December 2021. Patients with Omicron infections (N = 1,119) were more likely to be vaccinated compared to patients with Delta (N = 908), but were less likely to be admitted (0.33 CI 0.21À0.52), require ICU level care (0.38 CI 0.17À0.87), or succumb to infection (0.26 CI 0.06À1.02) regardless of vaccination status. There was no statistically significant difference in Ct values based on the lineage regardless of the vaccination status. Recovery of infectious virus in cell culture was reduced in boosted patients compared to fully vaccinated without a booster and unvaccinated when infected with the Delta lineage. However, in patients with Omicron infections, recovery of infectious virus was not affected by vaccination. Interpretation Compared to Delta, Omicron was more likely to cause breakthrough infections of vaccinated individuals, yet admissions were less frequent. Admitted patients might develop severe disease comparable to Delta. Efforts for reducing Omicron transmission are required as, though the admission risk might be lower, the increased numbers of infections cause large numbers of hospitalizations.

Suez Canal University Medical Journal, 2021

Specific Language Impairment (SLI) is a communication neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests ... more Specific Language Impairment (SLI) is a communication neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests at the age of 3-5 years when a child lags his chronological speech development age by one year in the absence of medical, environmental, and psychological risk factors. SLI has been known to be highly heritable. Many studies have demonstrated different genes and loci to be implicated in SLI through linkage studies, the commonest of which were,

ABSTRACTBackgroundPrior observation has shown differences in COVID-19 hospitalization rates betwe... more ABSTRACTBackgroundPrior observation has shown differences in COVID-19 hospitalization rates between SARS-CoV-2 variants, but limited information describes differences in hospitalization outcomes.MethodsPatients admitted to 5 hospitals with COVID-19 were included if they had hypoxia, tachypnea, tachycardia, or fever, and data to describe SARS-CoV-2 variant, either from whole genome sequencing, or inference when local surveillance showed ≥95% dominance of a single variant. The average effect of SARS-CoV-2 variant on 14-day risk of severe disease, defined by need for advanced respiratory support, or death was evaluated using models weighted on propensity scores derived from baseline clinical features.ResultsSevere disease or death within 14 days occurred for 950 of 3,365 (28%) unvaccinated patients and 178 of 808 (22%) patients with history of vaccination or prior COVID-19. Among unvaccinated patients, the relative risk of 14-day severe disease or death for Delta variant compared to an...

BackgroundThe increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in December 2021 in the United States was driven ... more BackgroundThe increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in December 2021 in the United States was driven primarily by the Omicron variant which largely displaced the Delta over a three week span. Outcomes from infection with the Omicron remain uncertain. We evaluate whether clinical outcomes and viral loads differ between Delta and Omicron infections during the period when both variants were co-circulating.MethodsRemnant clinical specimens from patients that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after standard of care testing between the last week of November and the end of December 2021were used for whole viral genome sequencing. Cycle threshold values (Ct) for viral RNA, the presence of infectious virus, and levels of respiratory IgG were measured, and clinical outcomes were obtained. Differences in each measure were compared between variants stratified by vaccination status.ResultsThe Omicron variant displaced the Delta during the study period and constituted 95% of the circulating lineages by ...

OncoTargets and Therapy, 2021

Introduction: Quiescent leukemia stem cells (LSCs) play a major role in therapeutic resistance an... more Introduction: Quiescent leukemia stem cells (LSCs) play a major role in therapeutic resistance and disease progression of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). LSCs belong to the primitive population; CD34+CD38-Lin-, which does not distinguish normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) from CML LSCs. Because Thomsen-Friedenreich/CD176 antigen is expressed on CD34+ HSC and IL1RAP is tightly correlated to BCR-ABL expression, we sought to increase the specificity towards LSC by using additional biomarkers. Methods: We evaluated the co-expression of both antigens on CD34+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from both healthy volunteers and CML patients, using flow cytometry. Then, we used site-directed mutagenesis to induce knob-in-hole mutations in the human IgG heavy chain and the human lambda light chain to generate the bi-specific antibody (Bis-Ab) TF/RAP that binds both antigens simultaneously. We measured complement-directed cytotoxicity (CDC) in CML samples with the Bis-Ab by flow cytometry. Results: In contrast to healthy volunteers, CML samples displayed a highly significant coexpression of CD176 and IL1RAP. When either a double-positive cell line or CML samples were treated with increasing doses of Bis-Ab, increased binding and CDC was observed indicating cooperative binding of the Bis-Ab as compared to monoclonal antibodies. Discussion: These results show that the bi-specific antibody is capable of targeting IL1RAP + and CD176+ cell population among CML PBMCs, but not corresponding normal cells in CDC assay. We hereby offer a novel strategy for the depletion of CML stem cells from the bulk population in clinical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Infection and Drug Resistance, 2021

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that rapidly develops antibiotic... more Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that rapidly develops antibiotic resistance against commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents in hospitalized patients worldwide. Aminoglycosides are commonly used in the treatment of A. baumannii health careassociated infections (HAIs). Aminoglycosides resistance mechanisms are varied and commonly involve production of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AME) and efflux systems. Aim: This study aimed to provide an insight into the frequency of genes encoding AME in A. baumannii strains isolated from different clinical specimens in intensive care units (ICU). Methodology: A total of 52 multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii strains were isolated from ICU, Suez Canal University Hospitals. Species identification and antibiotics susceptibility testing were done by the automated system VITEK 2. The genes encoding AME were detected by PCR. Results: Aminoglycosides resistance (amikacin, gentamicin and tobramycin) was observed in 35 isolates (67.3%). We found that aacC1 gene was the predominant AME resistance gene among A. baumannii isolates, detected in 14 isolates (40%), aphA6 in 11 isolates (31.4%) and addA1 in 5 isolates (14.2%). We found 5 isolates containing 2 AME genes, 3 of them with aacC1 and aphA6 and the remaining 2 with both aacC1 and aadA1 genes. Nearly, 5 isolates (14.2%) were negative for all AME resistance genes. Conclusion: Our study indicated that AME encoding genes are predominant in A. baumannii strains in our region which stressed on the importance of preventive measures to control spreading of resistance genes.

Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4 Gene +49 A/G (rs231775) Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Current Rheumatology Reviews, 2021

Aim: To assess the probable role of +49AG polymorphism in susceptibility to SLE in an Egyptian po... more Aim: To assess the probable role of +49AG polymorphism in susceptibility to SLE in an Egyptian population. Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a compound inflammatory chronic disease distinguished through the release of autoantibodies. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 is a main down controller of T-cell response; its dysregulation could affect SLE pathogenesis by altered T cells activation to self-antigens. Objectives: To evaluate the CTLA-4 +49AG allelic and genotype frequency in a sample of the Egyptian population and correlate them with disease susceptibility and clinical severity. Materials and methods: Including 100 patients with SLE and 100 healthy controls (age and gender matched), CTLA-4 exon 1 49 A>G Genotyping was done using Real-Time PCR. Results: No difference was noticed in genotype or allele distributions of the studied polymorphism between both groups. Similar genotypes and allele frequencies were established for the 2 groups after their st...

The potential neuroprotective role of Amphora coffeaeformis algae against monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in adult albino rats

Food & Function, 2021

The current study provides a novel approach for treating monosodium glutamate neurotoxicity using... more The current study provides a novel approach for treating monosodium glutamate neurotoxicity using safely cultivated Amphora coffeaeformis algae.

Medical Science Educator, 2019

Background Team-Based Learning (TBL) is an instructor-led, structured form of cooperative learnin... more Background Team-Based Learning (TBL) is an instructor-led, structured form of cooperative learning that promotes self-directed learning and teamwork while equipping students with the problem-solving and collaborative skills needed to meet the demands of their future professions. This study examines the impact of applying a modified TBL approach to enhance educational seminars in a PBL-adopted curriculum. Methods A total of 300 students participated in the study. Students' Individual Readiness Assurance Test (IRAT) mean scores were compared with mean scores of the same students' Group Readiness Assurance Test (GRAT). Student satisfaction was determined on a scale with 6 options in response to 13 questions to compare different aspects of traditional and TBL educational seminars. Results Comparison between IRAT and GRAT scores showed consistently higher GRAT scores. The majority of students expressed their overall satisfaction in favor of the TBL seminar, especially regarding seminar organization, knowledge acquisition, and team work skills. Conclusion Application of the TBL approach in educational seminars increased second-and third-year medical students' engagement and satisfaction and improved their test performance.

Severity outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 XBB variants, an observational analysis

Journal of Clinical Virology

ImportancePregnant women are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, but the contribution of viral ... more ImportancePregnant women are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, but the contribution of viral RNA load, the presence of infectious virus, and mucosal antibody responses remain understudied.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of COVID-19 outcomes following confirmed infection with vaccination status, mucosal antibody responses, infectious virus recovery and viral RNA levels in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women.DesignA retrospective observational cohort study of remnant clinical specimens from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients between October 2020-May 2022.SettingFive acute care hospitals within the Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) in the Baltimore, MD-Washington, DC area.ParticipantsParticipants included confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women and matched non-pregnant women (matching criteria included age, race/ethnicity, and vaccination status).ExposureSARS-CoV-2 infection, with documentation of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.Main Outcome(s)The primary dependent measures ...

An Increase in Enterovirus D68 Circulation and Viral Evolution During a Period of Increased Influenza Like Illness, Maryland, USA, 2022

Social Science Research Network, 2022

An increase in enterovirus D68 circulation and viral evolution during a period of increased influenza like illness, The Johns Hopkins Health System, USA, 2022

Journal of Clinical Virology

BackgroundThe variant of concern, Omicron, has become the sole circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant for... more BackgroundThe variant of concern, Omicron, has become the sole circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant for the past several months. Omicron subvariants BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5 evolved over the time, with BA.1 causing the largest wave of infections globally in December 2021- January 2022. In this study, we compare the clinical outcomes in patients infected with different Omicron subvariants and compare the relative viral loads, and recovery of infectious virus from upper respiratory specimens.MethodsSARS-CoV-2 positive remnant clinical specimens, diagnosed at the Johns Hopkins Microbiology Laboratory between December 2021 and July 2022, were used for whole genome sequencing. The clinical outcomes of infections with Omicron subvariants were compared to infections with BA.1. Cycle threshold values (Ct) and the recovery of infectious virus on VeroTMPRSS2 cell line from clinical specimens were compared.ResultsThe BA.1 was associated with the largest increase in SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate...

Egyptian journal of Immunology

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multi-system autoimmune disease with synovial joints involvement. ... more Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multi-system autoimmune disease with synovial joints involvement. The triad of autoimmunity, genetics, and environment is the key player in RA pathogenesis. We intended to investigate gene expression of C-C Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2), protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22), and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) in RA patients versus controls, and its correlation with the activity of the disease. The relative expression of PTPN22, CTLA-4, and CCL2 in the peripheral blood of 59 RA patients and 50 controls was determined using RT-PCR. There was a significantly higher median (inter-quartile range) expression of CTLA-4 and CCL2 in RA patients in comparison to controls (P<0.05). However, in RA patients, PTPN22 expression was significantly lower than in controls (P=0.0001). A weak significant correlation was detected between PTPN22 and either CTLA-4 or CCL2. Also, on comparing RA patients with moderate to severe diseas...

BackgroundIncreased reinfection rates with SARS-CoV-2 have recently been reported, with some loca... more BackgroundIncreased reinfection rates with SARS-CoV-2 have recently been reported, with some locations basing reinfection on a second positive PCR test at least 90 days after initial infection.MethodsWe identified cases where patients had two positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 and evaluated which of these had been sequenced as part of our surveillance efforts, and evaluated sequencing and clinical data.Results750 patients (920 samples) had a positive test at least 90 days after the initial test. The median time between tests was 377 days, and 724 (79%) of the post 90-day positives were collected after the emergence of the Omicron variant in November 2021. Sequencing was attempted on 231 samples and successful in 127. Successful sequencing spiked during the Omicron surge and showed higher median days from initial infection compared to failed sequences (median 398 days compared to 276 days, p<0.0005). A total of 122 (98%) patients showed evidence of reinfection, 45 of which had sequence...

The circulation of Non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses and coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 during the surge of the Omicron variant

Journal of Clinical Virology

eBioMedicine

Background The increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in December 2021 was driven primarily by the Omi... more Background The increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in December 2021 was driven primarily by the Omicron variant, which largely displaced the Delta over a three-week span. Outcomes from infection with Omicron remain uncertain. We evaluated whether clinical outcomes and viral loads differed between Delta and Omicron infections during the period when both variants were co-circulating. Methods In this retrospective observational cohort study, remnant clinical specimens, positive for SARS-CoV-2 after standard of care testing at the Johns Hopkins Microbiology Laboratory, between the last week of November and the end of December 2021, were used for whole viral genome sequencing. Cycle threshold values (Ct) for viral RNA, the presence of infectious virus, and levels of respiratory IgG were measured, and clinical outcomes were obtained. Differences in each measure were compared between variants stratified by vaccination status. Findings The Omicron variant displaced Delta during the study period and constituted 95% of the circulating lineages by the end of December 2021. Patients with Omicron infections (N = 1,119) were more likely to be vaccinated compared to patients with Delta (N = 908), but were less likely to be admitted (0.33 CI 0.21À0.52), require ICU level care (0.38 CI 0.17À0.87), or succumb to infection (0.26 CI 0.06À1.02) regardless of vaccination status. There was no statistically significant difference in Ct values based on the lineage regardless of the vaccination status. Recovery of infectious virus in cell culture was reduced in boosted patients compared to fully vaccinated without a booster and unvaccinated when infected with the Delta lineage. However, in patients with Omicron infections, recovery of infectious virus was not affected by vaccination. Interpretation Compared to Delta, Omicron was more likely to cause breakthrough infections of vaccinated individuals, yet admissions were less frequent. Admitted patients might develop severe disease comparable to Delta. Efforts for reducing Omicron transmission are required as, though the admission risk might be lower, the increased numbers of infections cause large numbers of hospitalizations.

Suez Canal University Medical Journal, 2021

Specific Language Impairment (SLI) is a communication neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests ... more Specific Language Impairment (SLI) is a communication neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests at the age of 3-5 years when a child lags his chronological speech development age by one year in the absence of medical, environmental, and psychological risk factors. SLI has been known to be highly heritable. Many studies have demonstrated different genes and loci to be implicated in SLI through linkage studies, the commonest of which were,

ABSTRACTBackgroundPrior observation has shown differences in COVID-19 hospitalization rates betwe... more ABSTRACTBackgroundPrior observation has shown differences in COVID-19 hospitalization rates between SARS-CoV-2 variants, but limited information describes differences in hospitalization outcomes.MethodsPatients admitted to 5 hospitals with COVID-19 were included if they had hypoxia, tachypnea, tachycardia, or fever, and data to describe SARS-CoV-2 variant, either from whole genome sequencing, or inference when local surveillance showed ≥95% dominance of a single variant. The average effect of SARS-CoV-2 variant on 14-day risk of severe disease, defined by need for advanced respiratory support, or death was evaluated using models weighted on propensity scores derived from baseline clinical features.ResultsSevere disease or death within 14 days occurred for 950 of 3,365 (28%) unvaccinated patients and 178 of 808 (22%) patients with history of vaccination or prior COVID-19. Among unvaccinated patients, the relative risk of 14-day severe disease or death for Delta variant compared to an...

BackgroundThe increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in December 2021 in the United States was driven ... more BackgroundThe increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in December 2021 in the United States was driven primarily by the Omicron variant which largely displaced the Delta over a three week span. Outcomes from infection with the Omicron remain uncertain. We evaluate whether clinical outcomes and viral loads differ between Delta and Omicron infections during the period when both variants were co-circulating.MethodsRemnant clinical specimens from patients that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after standard of care testing between the last week of November and the end of December 2021were used for whole viral genome sequencing. Cycle threshold values (Ct) for viral RNA, the presence of infectious virus, and levels of respiratory IgG were measured, and clinical outcomes were obtained. Differences in each measure were compared between variants stratified by vaccination status.ResultsThe Omicron variant displaced the Delta during the study period and constituted 95% of the circulating lineages by ...

OncoTargets and Therapy, 2021

Introduction: Quiescent leukemia stem cells (LSCs) play a major role in therapeutic resistance an... more Introduction: Quiescent leukemia stem cells (LSCs) play a major role in therapeutic resistance and disease progression of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). LSCs belong to the primitive population; CD34+CD38-Lin-, which does not distinguish normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) from CML LSCs. Because Thomsen-Friedenreich/CD176 antigen is expressed on CD34+ HSC and IL1RAP is tightly correlated to BCR-ABL expression, we sought to increase the specificity towards LSC by using additional biomarkers. Methods: We evaluated the co-expression of both antigens on CD34+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from both healthy volunteers and CML patients, using flow cytometry. Then, we used site-directed mutagenesis to induce knob-in-hole mutations in the human IgG heavy chain and the human lambda light chain to generate the bi-specific antibody (Bis-Ab) TF/RAP that binds both antigens simultaneously. We measured complement-directed cytotoxicity (CDC) in CML samples with the Bis-Ab by flow cytometry. Results: In contrast to healthy volunteers, CML samples displayed a highly significant coexpression of CD176 and IL1RAP. When either a double-positive cell line or CML samples were treated with increasing doses of Bis-Ab, increased binding and CDC was observed indicating cooperative binding of the Bis-Ab as compared to monoclonal antibodies. Discussion: These results show that the bi-specific antibody is capable of targeting IL1RAP + and CD176+ cell population among CML PBMCs, but not corresponding normal cells in CDC assay. We hereby offer a novel strategy for the depletion of CML stem cells from the bulk population in clinical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Infection and Drug Resistance, 2021

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that rapidly develops antibiotic... more Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that rapidly develops antibiotic resistance against commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents in hospitalized patients worldwide. Aminoglycosides are commonly used in the treatment of A. baumannii health careassociated infections (HAIs). Aminoglycosides resistance mechanisms are varied and commonly involve production of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AME) and efflux systems. Aim: This study aimed to provide an insight into the frequency of genes encoding AME in A. baumannii strains isolated from different clinical specimens in intensive care units (ICU). Methodology: A total of 52 multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii strains were isolated from ICU, Suez Canal University Hospitals. Species identification and antibiotics susceptibility testing were done by the automated system VITEK 2. The genes encoding AME were detected by PCR. Results: Aminoglycosides resistance (amikacin, gentamicin and tobramycin) was observed in 35 isolates (67.3%). We found that aacC1 gene was the predominant AME resistance gene among A. baumannii isolates, detected in 14 isolates (40%), aphA6 in 11 isolates (31.4%) and addA1 in 5 isolates (14.2%). We found 5 isolates containing 2 AME genes, 3 of them with aacC1 and aphA6 and the remaining 2 with both aacC1 and aadA1 genes. Nearly, 5 isolates (14.2%) were negative for all AME resistance genes. Conclusion: Our study indicated that AME encoding genes are predominant in A. baumannii strains in our region which stressed on the importance of preventive measures to control spreading of resistance genes.

Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4 Gene +49 A/G (rs231775) Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Current Rheumatology Reviews, 2021

Aim: To assess the probable role of +49AG polymorphism in susceptibility to SLE in an Egyptian po... more Aim: To assess the probable role of +49AG polymorphism in susceptibility to SLE in an Egyptian population. Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a compound inflammatory chronic disease distinguished through the release of autoantibodies. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 is a main down controller of T-cell response; its dysregulation could affect SLE pathogenesis by altered T cells activation to self-antigens. Objectives: To evaluate the CTLA-4 +49AG allelic and genotype frequency in a sample of the Egyptian population and correlate them with disease susceptibility and clinical severity. Materials and methods: Including 100 patients with SLE and 100 healthy controls (age and gender matched), CTLA-4 exon 1 49 A>G Genotyping was done using Real-Time PCR. Results: No difference was noticed in genotype or allele distributions of the studied polymorphism between both groups. Similar genotypes and allele frequencies were established for the 2 groups after their st...

The potential neuroprotective role of Amphora coffeaeformis algae against monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in adult albino rats

Food & Function, 2021

The current study provides a novel approach for treating monosodium glutamate neurotoxicity using... more The current study provides a novel approach for treating monosodium glutamate neurotoxicity using safely cultivated Amphora coffeaeformis algae.

Medical Science Educator, 2019

Background Team-Based Learning (TBL) is an instructor-led, structured form of cooperative learnin... more Background Team-Based Learning (TBL) is an instructor-led, structured form of cooperative learning that promotes self-directed learning and teamwork while equipping students with the problem-solving and collaborative skills needed to meet the demands of their future professions. This study examines the impact of applying a modified TBL approach to enhance educational seminars in a PBL-adopted curriculum. Methods A total of 300 students participated in the study. Students' Individual Readiness Assurance Test (IRAT) mean scores were compared with mean scores of the same students' Group Readiness Assurance Test (GRAT). Student satisfaction was determined on a scale with 6 options in response to 13 questions to compare different aspects of traditional and TBL educational seminars. Results Comparison between IRAT and GRAT scores showed consistently higher GRAT scores. The majority of students expressed their overall satisfaction in favor of the TBL seminar, especially regarding seminar organization, knowledge acquisition, and team work skills. Conclusion Application of the TBL approach in educational seminars increased second-and third-year medical students' engagement and satisfaction and improved their test performance.