The 21st century is the century of City and Urbanization. As urban communities spread and populations grow, the impact on the natural environment escalates. The hydrological cycle is among the environmental aspects most impacted by urbanization. Consequently, this study suggests a “Water Sensitive Urban Design Tool” that comprises three dimensions: (i) determining the specific issues facing residential water demand; (ii) identifying the factors influencing these issues; and (iii) the relevant water sustainability objectives and criteria. The WSUD tool could be utilized by urban designers and planners to assess the water performance of residential urban areas. It could be employed to evaluate current conditions, suggested retrofitting options, or Greenfield developments. Thus, the tool not only measures the water sensitivity of residential areas but could also support decision-making and guide development. To evaluate the suggested WSUD tool and examine its suitability to the Egyptian context, particularly the residential sector, a survey was conducted with water-related experts and design specialists. Based on the survey a finalized version of the WSUD Tool was formalized.

Background: Since its first description by Otto Werner in 1904, patients with Werner syndrome were subjected to misdiagnosis in part, due to the great mimic with systemic sclerosis and the variable constellation of manifestations including dermatologic, ophthalmic, growth disorders and endocrinopathies. Case presentation: We reported two cases with Werner syndrome. One case of a 31-year-old female presented with six-month history of fever, cough, progressive dyspnea, arthritis affecting all large joints and persistent low back pain. At her age and the presence of sclerotic skin lesions, interstitial lung disease and joint tenderness, it was assumed that this was a case of connective tissue disease. However, her incomplete response to steroids and cyclophosphamide prompted a revision of the diagnosis. She developed metastatic carcinomatous deposits in bone. She had a poor outcome and succumbed to malignancy of unknown primary meanwhile, the 25-year-old sibling had a milder phenotype that without proper family history would have been passed unnoticed. Conclusion: This close mimic with systemic sclerosis might mask cases of Werner syndrome in developing countries where no genetic screening is readily available. The cases are illustrative for the confusion that may arise with systemic sclerosis and the difficulty in making the diagnosis in mild cases. Therefore, these descriptions are of clinical value to clinicians treating such patients.

OBJECTIVE: Study the MRI signal of fatty lesions (FL) by immunohistological analysis of vertebral body biopsies of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared with degenerative disc disease (DDD).

METHODS: Biopsies obtained during planned surgery from vertebral edges where MRI signals of FL was detected were stained with H&E. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining was performed to quantify osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Bone marrow (BM) composition, grade of cellularity and quantification of cells were analysed on six randomly chosen high-power fields (HPF; 0.125 mm) at 200-fold magnification per patient by two experienced researchers in a blinded manner.

RESULTS: Biopsies of 21 patients with AS and 18 with DDD were analysed. Adipocytes were found in the BM of 19 patients with AS (90.5%) versus 5 with DDD (27.8%) (p<0.001), while inflammatory infiltrates were found in in the BM of 8 patients with AS (38.1%) versus 14 with DDD (77.8%) (p=0.035) and fibrosis in 6 patients with AS (28.6%) versus 4 with DDD (22.2%) (p=n .s.). The most frequently detected cells were adipocytes in AS (43.3%) versus DDD (16.1%, p=0.002) and inflammatory mononuclear cells in DDD (55%) versus AS (11.0%, p=0.001). Using IF staining, there was more osteoblastic than osteoclastic activity (6.9 vs 0.17 cells/HPF) in FL as compared with inflammatory BM (1.3 vs 7.4 cells/HPF), respectively.

CONCLUSION: MRI FL correspond to presence of adipocytes, resulting to change of cellular homeostasis towards diminution of osteoclasts in the BM of patients with AS. The cross-talk between the different cell types and osteitis, fat and new bone formation needs further study.

BACKGROUND: Biobanking is a relatively new concept in Egypt. Building a good relationship with different stakeholders is essential for the social sustainability of biobanks. To establish this relationship, it is necessary to assess the attitude of different groups towards this concept. The objective of this work is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and opinions of Egyptian patients towards biobanking issues.

METHODS: We designed a structured survey to be administered to patients coming to the outpatient clinics in 3 university hospitals in Egypt. The survey included questions estimating the level of knowledge about the term "Biobank", together with questions about the attitudes and opinions about related issues.

RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-nine patients participated in the survey. Eighty-one percent of participants reported that they never heard about the term before. About 85% expressed that they would be willing to donate their samples for research and about 87% thought that sample donation did not contradict their religious beliefs. Fifty eight percent were willing to participate in a genetic research project, 27.8% supported sharing their sample with pharmaceutical companies, and 32.4% agreed to share their samples with institutions abroad.

CONCLUSION: Although there is limited knowledge about biobanking among Egyptian patients, many had a positive attitude towards sample donation and didn't show religious concerns against it. However, they showed concerns regarding participation in genetic research and with sharing their samples across borders or with pharmaceutical companies. Public education about biobanking is possible, taking into consideration the specific cultural and legal framework in Egypt.