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Background Osteonecrosis (ON) is one of the major therapy‐related complications in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The purpose of the current study is to assess the frequency of ON in children with ALL and to detect whether polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) gene can affect the risk of ON. Patients and Methods Nighty‐six ALL children were enrolled. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D levels were performed in addition to the detection of polymorphisms in PAI‐1and VDR genes by polymerase chain reaction. Results Ten out of 96 patients had ON (four males and six females aged above 10 years) and had an insufficient level of 25(OH)D. Fifty‐two percent of patients had PAI‐1 GG genotype while 48% had PAI‐1 GA genotype. PAI‐1 polymorphism was detected in 60% of all ON cases. The frequencies of VDR genotypes were CT (56.3%), CC (39.6%), and TT (4.2%). Osteonecrosis was found in eight patients with CC genotype and in two patients with CT genotype. Conclusion Osteonecrosis can develop early during the therapy of ALL. Older age and insufficient level of 25(OH)D were considered important risk factor for the development of osteonecrosis. PAT‐1 and VDR gene polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor in its pathogenesis.

Background: An increased risk of cardiovascular complications is reported in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Early identification of impaired vascular health may allow for early interventions to improve outcomes. Aim: The study was conducted to assess the endothelial dysfunction in ALL survivors using a new marker, serum endocan, and measurement of the mean common carotid arteries intima media thickness (cIMT). Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 100 childhood ALL survivors (aged 6–18 years), with 80 healthy age and sex-matched children as a control group. Lipid profile, hepatitis markers, and serum ferritin where measured, in addition to the measurement of serum endocan. and cIMT by B-mode high-resolution ultrasonography for all study participants. Results: Triglycerides, total cholesterol, post prandial glucose, and serum ferritin were significantly higher in ALL survivors than controls ( p < 0.05). Dyslipidemia was detected in 6% of ALL survivors. ALL survivors showed statistically higher serum endocan levels (470.41 ± 556.1 ng/l, versus, 225.94 ± 185.2 ng/l, respectively) and increased cIMT levels compared with the control group (0.650 ± 0.129 mm versus 0.320 ± 0.095 mm, respectively) p < 0.05. Serum endocan was positively correlated with cIMT and blood cholesterol. Conclusions: The survivors of childhood ALL demonstrated an elevated level of serum endocan and increased cIMT. These can be used as predictors of endothelial dysfunction, and, as a consequence, the risk of developing premature atherosclerosis.

Background: Airway allergies such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, as well as their comorbidities, are increasing worldwide, causing significant socioeconomic health burdens to societies. It is estimated that between 3% and 10% of the population is allergic to fungi. The type of fungal sensitization varies from one geographical region to another. The present study aimed to identify the common fungal aeroallergen sensitization patterns among airway-allergic patients residing in the Zagazig locality, Egypt, in order to obtain a better understanding of fungal allergy, in addition to improving the awareness and management strategies for those patients. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 200 allergic rhinitis and asthma patients. Sensitization to fungal aeroallergens was evaluated by skin prick testing and in vitro measurement of total and specific immunoglobulin E. Results. As determined by a skin prick test, 58% of the patients studied were allergic to mixed molds. Alternaria alternata was the predominant fungal aeroallergen among the studied patients (72.2%), which was followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (53.45%), Penicillium notatum (52.6%), Candida albicans (34.5%), and Aspergillus niger (25%). Conclusion: Mixed mold sensitization ranked fourth among the most frequent aeroallergens in airway-allergic patients, and Alternaria alternata was the most frequently encountered fungal aeroallergen in the Zagazig locality.

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is regarded as a prevalent vaginal infection and mainly results from Candida albicans. Nevertheless, there has recently been a prominent shift in candidiasis etiology regarding non-albicans Candida (NAC) species with achieving importance. For women with more than three episodes annually are described as recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). Objectives: To isolate, speciate, and determine the value of antifungal sensitivity pattern of candida species isolated from patients developed (RVVC). Methodology: High vaginal swabs (HVS) were taken from patients with RVVC and cultured on ordinary mycological media. Any significant candida growth was identified and speciated by VITEK 2 system. Their antifungal sensitivity was done by disc diffusion approach governed by CLSI guidelines. Results: A total of 110 Candida species from 250 high vaginal swabs were isolated. Among all candida species isolated from patients with RVCC, C.albicanis accounts for 44% while NAC accounts for 56% with C.glabrata most common species isolated. Voriconazole, amphotericin B, and nystatin showed high sensitivity rates (92 %, 89%, and 84% respectively) on all candida species (C.albicans and NAC) isolated from patients with RVVC. Conclusion: In RVCC there is increase in NAC (56%) with C.glabrata most common species isolated. Voriconazole, Nystatin, and amphotericin B have the best antifungal activity against all spp.