Numerous epidemiological investigations and randomized clinical studies have determined that dyslipidemia is a major contributor to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Consequently, the management of serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels has become a central objective in the effort to prevent cardiovascular events.

Background. Avian influenza A (H5N1) virus is one of the most important public health concerns worldwide. The antiviral activity of native and esterified whey proteins fractions (- lactalbumin, - lactoglobulin, and lactoferrin) was evaluated against A/chicken/Egypt/086Q-NLQP/2008 HPAI (H5N1) strain of clade 2.2.1 (for multiplicity of infection (1 MOI) after 72 h of incubation at 37°C in the presence of 5% CO2) using MDCK cell lines. Result. Both the native and esterified lactoferrin seem to be the most active antiviral protein among the tested samples, followed by - lactoglobulin. -Lactalbumin had less antiviral activity even after esterification. Conclusion. Esterification of whey proteins fractions especially lactoferrin and -lactoglobulin enhanced their antiviral activity against H5N1 in a concentration dependent manner. © 2010 Taha et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

AIM: To investigate the relation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphism in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and lupus related neuropsychiatric manifestations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty adult SLE patients recruited from the Rheumatology and Neurology departments of Cairo University hospitals were classified into two groups; Group A: 30 patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations (NPSLE) and Group B: 30 patients without. For both groups the SNP G1612A (rs10434) of the VEGF gene was genotyped by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was found in genotype and allele frequencies between both groups (AA [70% vs 13.3%, p<0.001] and GG [10% vs 66.7%, p<0.001]).

CONCLUSION: Polymorphism in the gene coding for VEGF may be associated with increased incidence of neuropsychiatric lupus in SLE patients.

Introduction / Purpose: Retinoblastoma is the most common intra-ocular tumour of childhood. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy has improved survival for the disease over the last 40 years. Looking for prognostic criteria is one of the major research areas that inspires disease management teams all-over the world. Many protocols were designed over the years to correlate the presence of certain pathological and/or molecular features and prognosis of the disease. Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357 (CCHE) is a new cancer center in Egypt that serves about 25-40% of the pediatric oncology population in the country. The aim of this study is to present the histopathological findings in Egypt leading pediatric oncology center and impact of implementing CAP protocol on the improvement of patient care. Materials & Methods: CCHE Retinoblastoma study team implemented College of American Pathologist (CAP) protocol of Retinoblastoma version 3.0 (Based on AJCC/UICC TNM, 7th edition) for examining enucleation specimens. Pathology team has conducted an internal training for pathologists. New electronic case report forms (eCRFs) were designed for reporting the progress. Real-time online statistical analysis system was integrated with eCRFs. Implementation included prospective processing and data entry of new specimens properties beside revising of all specimens prior to the implementation of the protocol. Healthcare quality measures included required time for releasing the reports. Results: Between July 2007 and May 2013 we’ve examined 198 enucleation specimens. Mean of all ocular diameters was 22.2 mm. Mean Optic nerve stump length was 6.35 mm. Invaded structures included Cornea (5.3%), Anterior chamber (15.4%), Iris (8.3%), Lens (5.9%), Ciliary body (18.3%), Choroid, (72.2%), Sclera (17.2%), and Orbital tissue (7.1%). Any degree of Optic Nerve invasion was noted in 51% of specimens while surgical margin was involved in 10.8%. Validation rules in eCRFs helped the team to complete missing data and provide systematic reporting. Integrated online analysis system provided a real-time reporting facility for detecting protocol implementation progress. Conclusions / Significance: Implementing CAP retinoblastoma protocol resembled a roadmap for improving patients’ care. It supported the systematic reporting of cases, decreasing errors and missing data and provided research informatics team with a blueprint for developing a real-time monitoring system. This system can be integrated in the practice of emerging teams to ensure adherence to quality measures.