AIM: To investigate ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism distribution in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and to analyze their association with response to steroid therapy, and biochemical markers of INS. SUBJECTS & METHODS: The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyze ENDRA rs5333 polymorphism in 100 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and 100 healthy children. Plasma endothelin-1 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism was not associated with risk of INS. The frequency of minor allele (C) was significantly higher in the steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome group than the steroid sensitive group. The CC and TC mutant variants were associated with higher plasma levels of cholesterol, albumin, urea and 24-h urinary protein, but were not associated with risk of hypertension. The endothelin-1 plasma level was higher in INS than control and in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome group when compared with steroid sensitive group cases. CONCLUSION: The ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism may be associated with genetic predisposition to steroid resistance in INS Egyptian children.

AIM: To investigate ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism distribution in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and to analyze their association with response to steroid therapy, and biochemical markers of INS. SUBJECTS & METHODS: The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyze ENDRA rs5333 polymorphism in 100 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and 100 healthy children. Plasma endothelin-1 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism was not associated with risk of INS. The frequency of minor allele (C) was significantly higher in the steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome group than the steroid sensitive group. The CC and TC mutant variants were associated with higher plasma levels of cholesterol, albumin, urea and 24-h urinary protein, but were not associated with risk of hypertension. The endothelin-1 plasma level was higher in INS than control and in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome group when compared with steroid sensitive group cases. CONCLUSION: The ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism may be associated with genetic predisposition to steroid resistance in INS Egyptian children.

AIM: To investigate ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism distribution in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and to analyze their association with response to steroid therapy, and biochemical markers of INS. SUBJECTS & METHODS: The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyze ENDRA rs5333 polymorphism in 100 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) and 100 healthy children. Plasma endothelin-1 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism was not associated with risk of INS. The frequency of minor allele (C) was significantly higher in the steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome group than the steroid sensitive group. The CC and TC mutant variants were associated with higher plasma levels of cholesterol, albumin, urea and 24-h urinary protein, but were not associated with risk of hypertension. The endothelin-1 plasma level was higher in INS than control and in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome group when compared with steroid sensitive group cases. CONCLUSION: The ENDRA rs5333 gene polymorphism may be associated with genetic predisposition to steroid resistance in INS Egyptian children.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) represents an important determinant of increased cardiovascular mortality (CV) in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The role of inflammatory markers in pathogenesis of LVH in children with ESRD is not fully described. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation of some inflammatory markers (as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs CRP) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) with LVH in children with ESRD on regular hemodialysis (HD). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed on 50 children on regular HD. Demographic data were recorded. Echocardiography was performed at baseline to determine those with LVH. Biochemical parameters: hemoglobin, hs-CRP, IL-18, phosphorus, calcium, serum albumin and lipid profile were evaluated and correlated with LVH. Data were analyzed by using student’s t test, and logistic regression to determine the relationship between LVH and other variables. Results: LVH was present in 33 (66%) participants. Mean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 56.88±22.23 gm /m2.7. Concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy were present in 4, 22 and 44% of the participants. In univariate analysis: children with LVH had significantly lower levels of hemoglobin and serum albumin but higher levels of hs- CRP, and IL-18 compared to those without LVH. On multivariate analysis: only hs-CRP, and IL-18 were significantly associated with LVH. Conclusions: This study shows that elevated hs-CRP and IL-18 are independent determinants of LVH in HD children. Understanding the role of inflammatory molecules in the pathogenesis of LVH in ESRD is important for prediction of high risk group and implementation of targeted anti-inflammatory therapies.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) represents an important determinant of increased cardiovascular mortality (CV) in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The role of inflammatory markers in pathogenesis of LVH in children with ESRD is not fully described. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation of some inflammatory markers (as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs CRP) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) with LVH in children with ESRD on regular hemodialysis (HD). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed on 50 children on regular HD. Demographic data were recorded. Echocardiography was performed at baseline to determine those with LVH. Biochemical parameters: hemoglobin, hs-CRP, IL-18, phosphorus, calcium, serum albumin and lipid profile were evaluated and correlated with LVH. Data were analyzed by using student’s t test, and logistic regression to determine the relationship between LVH and other variables. Results: LVH was present in 33 (66%) participants. Mean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 56.88±22.23 gm /m2.7. Concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy were present in 4, 22 and 44% of the participants. In univariate analysis: children with LVH had significantly lower levels of hemoglobin and serum albumin but higher levels of hs- CRP, and IL-18 compared to those without LVH. On multivariate analysis: only hs-CRP, and IL-18 were significantly associated with LVH. Conclusions: This study shows that elevated hs-CRP and IL-18 are independent determinants of LVH in HD children. Understanding the role of inflammatory molecules in the pathogenesis of LVH in ESRD is important for prediction of high risk group and implementation of targeted anti-inflammatory therapies.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) represents an important determinant of increased cardiovascular mortality (CV) in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The role of inflammatory markers in pathogenesis of LVH in children with ESRD is not fully described. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relation of some inflammatory markers (as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs CRP) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) with LVH in children with ESRD on regular hemodialysis (HD). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed on 50 children on regular HD. Demographic data were recorded. Echocardiography was performed at baseline to determine those with LVH. Biochemical parameters: hemoglobin, hs-CRP, IL-18, phosphorus, calcium, serum albumin and lipid profile were evaluated and correlated with LVH. Data were analyzed by using student’s t test, and logistic regression to determine the relationship between LVH and other variables. Results: LVH was present in 33 (66%) participants. Mean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 56.88±22.23 gm /m2.7. Concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy were present in 4, 22 and 44% of the participants. In univariate analysis: children with LVH had significantly lower levels of hemoglobin and serum albumin but higher levels of hs- CRP, and IL-18 compared to those without LVH. On multivariate analysis: only hs-CRP, and IL-18 were significantly associated with LVH. Conclusions: This study shows that elevated hs-CRP and IL-18 are independent determinants of LVH in HD children. Understanding the role of inflammatory molecules in the pathogenesis of LVH in ESRD is important for prediction of high risk group and implementation of targeted anti-inflammatory therapies.

Background: DNA methylation is associated with the risk factors of breast cancer. However, the impact of the reproductive and non-reproductive risk factors of breast cancer on p14/ARF methylation is not well-known. Therefore, we investigated the relationships between p14/ARF methylation percentage and risk factors of breast cancer including age, family history, obesity, and reproductive risk factors in 120 breast cancer-free subjects; 60 women with a first-degree family history of breast cancer and 60 age-matched women with no family history of breast cancer. Extracted DNA from the whole blood was bisulfite-treated by EZ-DNA modification kit. Quantitative methylation of p14/ARF was analyzed by methylation-specific PCR then methylation percentage of p14/ARF was calculated. ‏ Results: P14/ARF methylation percentage was not related to any of the risk factors of breast cancer except age. Our study showed that p14/ARF methylation percentage was significantly higher in females with age ≥ 40 years than in females with age 40 years (p 0.001). Also, a positive significant correlation between the p14/ARF methylation percentage and age was detected (r= 0.285, p= 0.014). Furthermore, univariate regression analysis showed that the age is independently associated with high p14/ARF methylation percentage (β=1. 46, p=0.029)‏. Conclusion: Among healthy females, the age is strongly linked to the peripheral p14/ARF methylation percentage. The present study suggests that p14/ARF methylation is not associated with other breast cancer risk factors. These results need oncoming research on a large cohort to define the interactions between p14/ARF methylation and the risk factors of breast cancer.

Ras-related domain family member 1 transcript variant A (RASSF1A) controls apoptosis and cell proliferation while p14/ARF gene has a regulatory role in cellular senescence. Failure of apoptosis and cellular senescence occurs during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). To reveal the role of peripheral leukocyte promoter methylation of RASSF1A and p14/ARF in the pathogenesis of IBD subtypes and CRC we investigated the methylation state of the two genes by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP-PCR) in 60 CRC patients, 60 patients with IBD; 27 with ulcerative colitis and 33 had Crohn's disease and also in 30 healthy subjects. Methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF genes were detected in 55% and 60% of CRC, while the frequency of the methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF genes was 23.3% and 43.3% in IBD patients and 3.3% and 13.3% in the control group (P = 0.000, each). Also, the frequency of methylated RASSF1A gene was significantly higher in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn's disease, while a non-significant frequency of methylated p14/ARF was detected between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Furthermore, methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF were associated with the grade of CRC but not associated with the age of patients and family history but methylated RASSF1A associated with tumor location. Results suggest that methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF are related to CRC and IBD pathogenesis and may be used as molecular biomarkers for early detection of CRC and IBD.

Ras-related domain family member 1 transcript variant A (RASSF1A) controls apoptosis and cell proliferation while p14/ARF gene has a regulatory role in cellular senescence. Failure of apoptosis and cellular senescence occurs during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). To reveal the role of peripheral leukocyte promoter methylation of RASSF1A and p14/ARF in the pathogenesis of IBD subtypes and CRC we investigated the methylation state of the two genes by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP-PCR) in 60 CRC patients, 60 patients with IBD; 27 with ulcerative colitis and 33 had Crohn's disease and also in 30 healthy subjects. Methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF genes were detected in 55% and 60% of CRC, while the frequency of the methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF genes was 23.3% and 43.3% in IBD patients and 3.3% and 13.3% in the control group (P = 0.000, each). Also, the frequency of methylated RASSF1A gene was significantly higher in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn's disease, while a non-significant frequency of methylated p14/ARF was detected between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Furthermore, methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF were associated with the grade of CRC but not associated with the age of patients and family history but methylated RASSF1A associated with tumor location. Results suggest that methylated RASSF1A and p14/ARF are related to CRC and IBD pathogenesis and may be used as molecular biomarkers for early detection of CRC and IBD.

Background: The incidence of spontaneous spondylodis-citis is increasing per year and this attributed to an aging population, increasing prevalence of immunodeficiency and improving radiological technique. Aim of Study: To evaluate the results of conservative versus surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis as regard efficacy, complications and functional outcomes. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial study included 16 patients with spontaneous spondylodiscitis presented only with axial spinal pain. They were divided into 2 groups: One managed conservatively and the other surgically. Results: 9 patients were managed conservatively and 7 were managed surgically. After complete course of treatment; only 3 patients of conservative group and 4 patients of surgical group showed fusion assessed by imaging. There was no significant statistically difference between two groups in final clinical outcome using visual analogue scale and MacNab's outcome criteria. Conclusion: Both conservative and surgical methods are sufficient for achieving the goals of treatment of spontaneous spondylodiscitis as both are safe, feasible, and effective procedure in relieving pain.