Objectives: Prior studies have characterized protein and metabolite changes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection; we hypothesized that these biomarkers may be part of heritable metabolic pathways in erythrocytes. Methods: Using a twin study of erythrocyte protein and metabolite levels, we describe the heritability of, and correlations among, previously identified biomarkers that correlate with COVID-19 severity. We used gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis tools to identify pathways and biological processes enriched among these biomarkers. Results: Many COVID-19 biomarkers are highly heritable in erythrocytes. Among heritable metabolites downregulated in COVID-19, metabolites involved in amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis are enriched. Specific amino acid metabolism pathways (valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; and arginine biosynthesis) are heritable in erythrocytes. Conclusions: Metabolic pathways downregulated in COVID-19, particularly amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism pathways, are heritable in erythrocytes. This finding suggests that a component of the variation in COVID-19 severity may be the result of phenotypic variation in heritable metabolic pathways; future studies will be necessary to determine whether individual variation in amino acid metabolism pathways correlates with heritable outcomes of COVID-19.

Background Study of cortisol levels in patients with ADHD in correlation with aggressive behaviors associated with ADHD has received limited research attention. This factor is essential for comprehending the psychopathophysiology of ADHD and its comorbidities. The present study aimed to investigate the cortisol level in ADHD children and its relation to severity of symptoms and associated aggressive behavior in those children. The sample consisted of 129 patients and 80 healthy controls evaluated by administering the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children, The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Conners’ parent rating scale, problem scale of C.B.C.L., and Socioeconomic Status Scale. Salivary cortisol was measured using radio-immune assay. Results Salivary cortisol level in our ADHD subjects was significantly lower (11.826 ng/ml) than in the control group (19.619 ng/ml with P-value 0.001). Our results failed to find any correlation between ADHD symptoms severity and salivary cortisol levels. Severity of delinquent, aggressive, and externalizing behaviors of ADHD children positively correlated with cortisol salivary levels. Conclusion Salivary cortisol levels are lower in children with ADHD relative to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. In addition, there is no obvious correlation between severity of ADHD symptoms and basal salivary cortisol levels. We also concluded that there is positive correlation between delinquent, aggressive, and externalizing behaviors in children with ADHD and their basal salivary cortisol levels.

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Objectives: The aim was to find out the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among female students in Ain Shams University, Cairo, and to investigate associations between substance use and some selected sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 600 female students in their final year of college was recruited from six faculties of Ain Shams University; 3 practical faculties (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy) and 3 theoretical faculties (commerce, arts, law), 100 students from each. They completed the Structured Questionnaire for the Detection of Drug Intake and the Assessment of Sociodemographic Data which is a self-administered questionnaire used for the detection of substance use among university students. Results: The most commonly used substance was illicit drugs (9.8%), followed by tobacco (9%). Tobacco smoking was more prevalent between faculty of arts students and tobacco and cannabis use were more prevalent among theoretical faculties students. Being from Cairo, high family income, high daily pocket money, interneting as the main leisure time activity, and having friends or close relatives with substance use were positively associated with substance use among female university students. Conclusion: Illicit drugs were the most common substance used among female university students in Egypt. Substance use was influenced by sociodemographic factors; faculty, form of study, residence and living arrangement, parental education, income, leisure time activities, and having friends or relatives with substance use.