BACKGROUND Conducting high throughput -omics research requires high quality, data-rich biospecimens to unravel factors underlying childhood cancers; this is an extra burden in a limited resources country. For this purpose, Children's Cancer Hospital (CCHE), the largest pediatric cancer hospital worldwide, established a cutting-edge Biorepository and Biospecimen Research Facility (CCHE-BBR). OBJECTIVE To present a step-by-step guide to establishing a hospital-based biorepository with limited resources, and working in collaboration with different hospital facilities to supply the research community with high quality data-rich biospecimens fit for a wide range of research purposes. This approach will foster research in the era of personalized precision medicine. METHODS CCHE-IRB approved the collection and storage of biospecimens from patients and parents for future research. We focused on staff training, recruiting qualified scientists, and establishing the infrastructure. The CCHE Biorepository developed strict standardized procedures for sample acquisition, processing, annotation, storage, and distribution based on ISBER Best Practices and CAP-accreditation guidelines. We collect samples at different clinical time points (e.g., at remission and/or relapse) as well as parents' samples for genetic studies. Using CaTissue®, an electronic storage management system, allowed sample annotation and full integration with clinical data and the cancer registry. RESULTS In 2 years, we succeeded in establishing a well-designed biorepository within our regulations, bylaws, and SOPs, and with a minimal budget. We store high quality blood derivatives, CSF, and malignant/normal tissue samples. CONCLUSION Building a high quality biorepository with minimal-resources to encourage research is possible. Having the suitable infrastructure with a significant number of clinically annotated samples can play a major role in international research projects, sharing samples and/or data with other groups.

Background Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNA) are key regulators for the expression of related target genes and their aberrant expression has a substantial role across many pathways within autoimmunity. Aim of the work To evaluate the expression of miRNA-146a-5p in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and to assess its relation to the disease activity and various disease parameters with specific focus on the ocular manifestations. Patients and methods 42 female SLE patients and 39 matched healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. The serum level of miRNA146a-5p was evaluated by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (Taqman technology). Results The mean age of the patients was 29 ± 9.1 years. The serum level of miRNA146a-5p was significantly higher in SLE cases (3.21 ± 4.47 fold change) compared to the controls (1.54 ± 1.66 fold change) (p = 0.001). A significant negative association was found between the serum level of miRNA146a-5p and C4 level (p = 0.018). Expression levels of miRNA146a-5p were significantly decreased in patients with photosensitivity (p = 0.006). Regarding ocular manifestations, a lower level of miRNA146a-5p was detected in patients suffering from dry eyes, cataract, keratitis and drusen compared to patients without and a higher level was found in those suffering from retinopathy. Serum miRNA146a-5p at a cut off value of 1.36 could discriminate patients from controls (95%CI: 0.61–0.84; p = 0.001) at a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 64.1%. Conclusion These findings suggest that miR-146a-5p could be a potential diagnostic biomarker in SLE and may implicate a functional role in the pathophysiology of the ocular manifestations in the disease.

OBJECTIVE:
Periodontitis is one of the most important chronic inflammatory dental diseases arising from the destructive actions caused by a variety of pathogenic organisms presented in the oral cavity. The aim of this study is the preparation and in vitro evaluation of films for the local treatment of periodontal pockets.
METHODS:
The prepared films contained either metronidazole (Mtr), for its antimicrobial effect in periodontal diseases, using a mixture of polymers namely hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, Carbopol 934 or locally applied Pentoxifylline (PTX), for its anti-inflammatory activity, using chitosan. All films were prepared using solvent casting technique and were evaluated for their physical characteristics, drug content uniformity, surface pH, swelling behavior, mechanical properties and in vitro release. Further characterization was done on the selected formulations using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy for surface structure. Clinical evaluation tests were also performed.
RESULT:
Appropriate physical characteristics and mechanical properties for most formulations and their suitability for periodontal application were observed. In vitro drug release from most films showed a burst release rate for both Mtr and PTX during the first 2 h after which the release rate was markedly decreased. Clinical trials on patients revealed the advantageous use of Mtr and PTX as an adjunct treatment with traditionally used dental techniques.

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Early identification of acute lung injury (ALI) in pediatric patients at risk of mortality is important for improving outcome.Assessment of soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) as a valid biomarker for diagnosis of ALI among critically ill, pediatric patients in addition to correlating levels of sRAGE and different outcomes of those patients.A Hospital-based case-control study was conducted in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) at Cairo University Hospital, along a period of 6 months. Total of 68 pediatric patients following inclusion criteria were classified into: patients with ALI; with both ALI and sepsis; with sepsis and control patients. They were prospectively followed and their laboratory and immunological workup (at days 1 and 9) was done to measure serum sRAGE levels and detect (sRAGE) genotypes.The age of the included children ranged from 8 to 84 months. Plasma level of sRAGE was significantly higher in plasma from patients with ALI regardless of associated sepsis. Plasma sRAGE levels were positively correlated with lung injury score. When assessing sRAGE genotypes, TA and TT genotypes were significant in most of the ALI with and without sepsis patients.Monitoring levels of sRAGE and genotypes can significantly affect the survival of ALI children.