Background Beta-thalassemia major patients are at increased risk of complications including endocrinopathies and bone disease due to iron overload. So, this study aimed to assess the growth parameters, serum levels of 25-OH-vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorous in children with beta-thalassemia major. This was a case-control study that included 55 children with beta-thalassemia major compared with 30 sex- and age-matched healthy children that served as a control group. All enrolled children were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination including anthropometric measurements, and laboratory investigations including complete blood count, serum ferritin, levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, and 25-OH-vitamin D. Results Body mass index was statistically significantly lower in the thalassemic group (P < 0.001). It was observed that vitamin D levels were significantly lower in thalassemic patients than in controls (P value < .0001). The mean serum 25-OH-vitamin D levels were 19.84 ± 5.79 ng/ml and 44.98 ± 5.77 ng/ml, respectively; 22 cases (40%) had insufficient vitamin D, and 5 cases (9%) had deficient vitamin D. Regarding serum calcium and phosphorous, there was no significant difference between the thalassemic and control groups. Conclusion Children with beta-thalassemia major had low body mass index and metabolic abnormality in the form of lower serum levels of vitamin D that signify the importance of therapeutic interventions.

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Background: Hemodialysis-related pruritus is a widespread, troubling issue with a complex pathogenesis, including neuropathy. The neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a neurocytoskeleton component that increases in neurodegenerative and polyneuropathy illnesses. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the serum levels of NfL in pruritic hemodialysis patients. Patients and methods: Sixty patients receiving regular hemodialysis were selected, and divided into 2 equal groups (30 patients with pruritus, and 30 patients without pruritus), and a control group of 20 healthy individuals who were age and sex matched. With the help of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pruritus intensity was evaluated. Hemoglobin, urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and parathormone laboratory tests were performed. Additionally, the serum NfL level was determined using ELISA. Results: Serum NfL levels varied significantly between the study groups (P=0.001), with pruritic hemodialysis patients having the highest median level, followed by those without pruritus, and the control group having the lowest level. There was a significant positive correlation between the duration and intensity of itching and blood NfL (P=0.001). Conclusion: Increased NfL levels in hemodialysis patients with pruritus support the neuropathy hypothesis as a source of pruritus in end-stage renal disease.

: Novel Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) is a new virus spread rapidly all over the world. It has specific respiratory or gastrointestinal tract symptoms. Its reported complications include respiratory distress, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and septic shock. Due to heavy cytokines released by the virus; corticosteroids (40-120 mg / day) were given to severe cases to reduce pneumonia. Its’ a difficult task to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and to invent proper vaccines and treatments. In this review, the existing understanding of fatal, pandemic human coronavirus SARS-Cov2 (COVID-19), with special reference to its diagnosis, origin, transmission, and different approaches to develop its therapeutics, will be discussed.

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