Identification of the parasites that cause children's cutaneous leishmaniasis and several types of immune response cells

Cutaneous leishmaniasis has received many epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, quantitative and other studies. The current study aims to determine the type of leishmaniasis parasite that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis in children in the Al-Diwaniyah governorate in central Iraq to ​​assess the level of variations in globulins and immune cells in children with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Fifty-nine was a positive sample for the traditional laboratory examination of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children whose ages ranged between (8 months-10 and years). They were collected from the Maternity and Children Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021. The samples were subjected to molecular diagnostics to determine the type of leishmaniasis that causes the disease using Real-Time PCR. ELISA was approved to measure the levels of variation in the concentrations of IgG and IgM among the group of infected and healthy children. The results indicated that children's predominant type causing cutaneous leishmaniasis is L. major 52 samples (88.13%). The immunological study showed clear and statistically significant differences in the mean globulin concentrations for comparing the patient's L. major with the control group at a probability level (P≤0.05). The current study concluded that L. major is the dominant species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Keywords: Catenous leishmaniasis, L. major, Real-Time PCR.

Impact of Combined Photo-Biomodulation and Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function and Quality-of-Life in Elderly Alzheimer Patients with Anemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose

Few data are available on the positive impact of photo-biomodulation (PBM) using low-level laser therapy as a complementary treatment for improving the cognitive function and optimizing the hemoglobin (Hb) level and oxygen carrying capacity in anemic elderly patients and consequently improving the quality-of-life. The present study aimed to evaluate a new, safe, and easy therapeutic approach to improve Alzheimer’s disease-related symptoms that interfere with the whole life activities and social interaction of elderly patients.

Patients and Methods

In this placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 elderly patients suffering from anemia and mild cognitive dysfunction were randomly assigned into two equal groups to receive active or placebo low-level laser in addition to a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise over a 12-week period. Hb level as well as cognitive and functional tests were reassessed for any change after 12 weeks of intervention.

Results

By the end of this study, both groups showed significant improvements in Hb level, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCa – B basic), Quality-of-Life for Alzheimer’s Disease scale, and Berg Balance scale scores along with significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) and waist–hip ratio (WHR) (P<0.0001). The experimental group which received active low-level laser in addition to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise showed more significant results compared to the control group which received placebo low-level laser in addition to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in all the measured outcomes (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Combined low-level laser therapy and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises are more effective in improving the cognitive function and quality-of-life of Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04496778.

Prevalence of Mental Disorders, Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia Among Older Adults in Egypt: Protocol for a Systematic Review

Background

In Egypt, the population of older adults is rapidly growing. The last census in 2017 indicated that older adults numbered 94.8 million, which is a 2.56% increase from the 2006 census. There is growing evidence that the older population is at greater risk for some forms of mental disorders such as depression, dementia, and many more.

Objective

This study aims to review the current evidence regarding the prevalence of mental disorders among older adults in Egypt. This will be achieved by estimating the current prevalence of mental disorders and identifying any sociodemographic correlations with mental disorders.

Methods

An electronic search of 5 key databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, AMED, and PubMed) from their date of inception was conducted. In addition, scans of reference lists and searches of key journals, citations, and relevant internet resources were conducted. Studies were included if they were published in English, point prevalence studies, conducted with older Egyptians aged ≥60 years, and conducted using a validated diagnostic tool to ascertain mental disorders. Studies that did not meet any of these criteria were excluded.

Results

This systematic review started in November 2018. The literature search of the 5 databases revealed 343 papers. After screening titles and abstracts, scanning citations and reference lists, and searching internet sources, a total of 38 full-text articles were accessed, of which 16 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. We are currently in the process of data extraction and synthesis.

Conclusions

This research will help bring the scale of mental disorders among older adults in Egypt to the forefront. This may help ensure evidence-based initiatives are established and that priority is given to resource allocation for geriatric mental health in Egypt.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Review CRD42018114831; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=114831

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/14637

COVID-19 National Incident Room Surveillance Team. COVID-19, Australia: Epidemiology Report 7 (Reporting week ending 19:00 AEDT 14 March 2020). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC. 2020;44. [PMID: 32192424 DOI: 10.33321/cdi.2020.44.23]

This is the seventh epidemiological report for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reported in Australia as at 19:00 Australian Eastern Daylight Time [AEDT] 14 March 2020. It includes data on COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Australia, the international situation and a review of current evidence.

COVID-19 National Incident Room Surveillance Team. COVID-19, Australia: Epidemiology Report 6 (Reporting week ending 19:00 AEDT 7 March 2020)

This is the sixth epidemiological report for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reported in Australia as at 19:00 Australian Eastern Daylight Time [AEDT] 7 March 2020. It includes data on COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Australia, the international situation and a review of current evidence.