BackgroundAltered regulation of the complement system is associated with multiple kidney diseases. CD35, CD55 and CD59 regulate the complement system, and changes in their expression have previously been linked with kidney disease. This study assessed whether changes in the expression levels of these proteins are associated specifically with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to understand its pathogenesis.Materials and methodsSixty CKD patients and 60 age-matched controls were enrolled and divided into two groups: Group I (n=30 pediatric patients and n=30 controls) and Group II (n=30 adult patients and n=30 controls). The expression of CD35, CD55 and CD59 on peripheral blood cells was evaluated by flow cytometry as the proportion of positive cells expressing the marker and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), also the relation of these markers to the stage of CKD was also evaluated.ResultsPediatric and adult CKD patients had significantly lower proportion of erythrocytes expressing CD35, CD55 and CD59 than healthy controls (P<0.001). In pediatric CKD patients, there was no significant difference in the three studied markers on neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. The changes in expression of CD35, CD55 and CD59 on leukocytes were more pronounced in adult patients, who had lower proportion of CD59-positive neutrophils, CD35- and CD59-positive lymphocytes, and CD59-positive monocytes, as well as lower expression of CD59 on neutrophils and monocytes than adult controls (P<0.001, P=0.019, P<0.001, P=0.026, P<0.001 and P=0.003, respectively). The eGFR directly correlated with the proportion of positivity of some of those markers on peripheral leukocytes while there was inverse correlation between the disease stage and the same markers.ConclusionThere are alterations in the patterns of expression of complement regulatory proteins CD35, CD55 and CD59 on peripheral blood cells of patients with CKD compared with healthy controls.

Background Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Aim We aimed to detect the association between TLR2 rs5743708 G>A and TLR9 rs5743836 C>T variants and COVID-19 disease susceptibility, severity, and thrombosis by using neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Subjects and Methods We included 100 adult COVID-19 patients as well as 100 age- and gender-matched normal controls. Participants were genotyped for TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR9 rs5743836. Citrullinated Histone (H3) was detected as an indicator of NETs. Results The mutant (G/A and C/C) genotypes and (A and C) alleles of TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR9 rs5743836, respectively, have been significantly related to a higher risk of COVID-19 infection, representing a significant risk factor for the severity of COVID-19. There was no significant association between the two variants and citrullinated histone (H3). Conclusion TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR9 rs5743836 variants have been significantly related to a higher risk and severity of COVID-19 infection but had no effect on thrombus formation.

Background: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is a great need to demonstrate a more efficient biomarker that would confirm the diagnosis of DVT. Our work aimed to evaluate the role of platelet-derived growth factor-beta (PDGF-B) as a new marker of DVT and its correlation with other radiological and laboratory tools used for the diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A case–control study enrolled forty patients selected from our university hospital between April 2018 and August 2018, who divided into two groups: Group I ( n = 20) consisted of patients diagnosed with acute venous thrombosis and Group II ( n = 20) consisted of patients diagnosed with chronic venous thrombosis. Twenty samples were collected from age- and gender-matched apparently healthy controls to be used as a control. Venous duplex ultrasonography, routine laboratory investigations, D-dimer (DD), and protein expression of PDGF-B were performed on all patients. Results: There was a highly significant increase in a protein expression of PDFG-B in all cases of acute and chronic venous thrombosis compared to the control group with P < 0.001; furthermore, it was more specific than DD for the detection of DVT (specificity 95% and 90%, respectively). Conclusion: Our study submits a novel association of PDGF-B plasma levels with DVT, and PDGF-B is considered to be a more specific indicator for DVT than is DD.

Background Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) injection is a promising modality for hair regeneration in female pattern hair loss (FPHL). A standard protocol on best methods for PRP preparation has not been established. Objectives To optimize standard PRP preparation protocols and evaluate its clinical efficacy in FPHL. Methods Comparative study enrolled 40 female patients with FPHL divided randomly into 4 equal groups. Each group received 3 sessions of monthly intradermal injection of PRP prepared by different methods regarding number of spins, centrifugation speeds, type of the centrifuge, and the size of PRP tube. Patients were evaluated by trichoscan before and 1 month after the 3rd session for number of terminal, vellus hair, and average hair width. Results A statistically significant increase in platelet count in PRP prepared by combination of digital centrifuge, large‐sized sodium citrate tube, and low centrifugation speed (900 rpm). All patients showed statistically significant increase in percentage of terminal hair and average width of hair after treatment as assessed by trichoscan, without statistically significant difference between studied groups. Conclusions Digital centrifuge, large‐sized sodium citrate tubes, and a single spin with low centrifugation speed (900 rpm) were ideal for PRP preparation. PRP is an effective and safe modality in FPHL therapy.

Background Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic mucocutaneous inflammatory disease. Its etiology remains unknown and may be caused by a cell-mediated immunological response, where autoreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the effector cells, which cause degeneration and destruction of keratinocytes. Inflammation produces disturbances of lipid metabolism such as serum increase of triglycerides or decrease of high-density lipoprotein. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been regarded as a new modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis and vascular disease. Homocysteine increases the damage to the cardiovascular system in different ways. It is widely seen now as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease in adults. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a well-recognized clinical predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis. In several previous studies, patients with psoriasis exhibited greater CIMT than did the controls. In light of these studies, authorities might think that LP would also be associated with the formation of subclinical atherosclerosis, given the similarity between the pathogenesis of psoriasis and that of LP. Aim To assess carotid intima thickness and serum homocysteine level as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with LP. Patients and methods Abstract Peripheral blood samples were collected from 25 patients with LP and 25 controls to assess serum homocysteine level, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides. CIMT was measured by B mode ultrasound. Results Both serum homocysteine and CIMT were significantly higher in patients with LP than controls. Conclusion Serum homocysteine and CIMT could be reliable predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in LP.