Introduction. This work aimed to test the association of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism with myocardial infarction. Subjects and methods. This study comprised 79 Egyptian myocardial infarction cases with a mean age of 54.4±9.9 years including 60 males and 19 females, plus 238 healthy unrelated individuals of nearly matched age and sex as a control group. For all subjects, DNA testing for the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism was done using PCR amplification for detection of both the D and I alleles followed by a second run PCR specific for the I allele for samples typed as DD in the first run. Results. Cases had a higher frequency of DD (29.1%) and ID (62.0%) genotypes than II (8.9%) genotype, with a higher frequency of D allele than I allele (64.4% vs. 33.6%). Compared to controls, cases had a significantly higher frequency of ID genotype (62.0% vs. 47.5%, p<0.05).This was more apparent among cases in the low risk group (p=0.002) than in the high risk group (p=0.041). Conclusion. The angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism is probably a risk factor for ischaemic heart disease among Egyptian cases, particularly if integrated with other environmental and genetic risk factors.

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Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of inhaled salbutamol and epinephrine in the treatment of TTN. Design: Double-blinded randomized control pilot study was carried out on 135 near and full-term infants with TTN in the NICU of Mansoura University children's hospital. They were randomly assigned to receive either a single dose of epinephrine, salbutamol, or placebo inhalation. The primary outcome was the level of TTN Downe’s score and the required respiratory support. PaO2 and PaCO2, duration of oxygen therapy, hospital stay, and the adverse effects were considered secondary outcomes. registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05006235). Results: Downe’s score, CPAP requirement, and PaCO2 were significantly less in the salbutamol and epinephrine groups, in addition to a shorter duration of oxygen support and hospital stay with tolerable adverse effects. Conclusion: Epinephrine or salbutamol inhalation in treatment of TTN is safe, well tolerated, and effective in reduction of the severity of respiratory distress.

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Background: Several investigations have found a correlation between serum anti-C1q autoantibodies and peripheral lymphocyte apoptosis among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Objective: It was to assess correlation between anti-C1q, lupus nephritis and other markers of lupus activity. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Internal Medicine Department in cooperation with Clinical Pathology Department. This study was performed on 72 cases and were allocated into three equal groups: SLE with nephritis group, SLE without nephritis group, and control group. Measurements of anti-C1q titers were carried out with by (ELISA) kits. Results: Anti-C1q antibody levels varied significantly amongst the groups. Post hoc test showed that there was a statistical significance increase in anti-C1q among SLE with nephritis compared to SLE who don't have nephritis and control and among SLE without nephritis compared to control. Anti-C1q antibodies validity to diagnose LN among the studied group showed that anti-C1q at cut off >88.058 ng/ml had sensitivity 75%, specificity 75%, accuracy 75%, PPV of 75% and NPV of 75% in diagnosis of LN among cases groups. Conclusion: Anti-Clq autoantibodies, like other standard markers like renal SLEDAI, correlate with renal flare-ups as well as renal disease activity.