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Badran A, Allam G, Shalaby R. Impact of Dental Features and Treatment of Dental Problems on a Group of Adolescents' Experience of Being Bullied. A Cross-Sectional Study. Eur J Paediatr Dent 2023; 24:272 - 276. [PMID: 37873639 DOI: 10.23804/ejpd.2023.1836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bullying is a common behaviour among adolescents, with psychological and health impacts on both victims and bullies. Recently, bullying due to dental features has received serious attention due to its short- and long-term effects on the health and well-being of children and adolescents. However, there is a scarcity of studies that investigate the impact of treating dental problems on the cessation of bullying. This study aims to identify the impact of dental features and treatment of dental problems on the experience of being bullied. METHODS A self-administered, modified version of a validated Arabic questionnaire was distributed to 300 dental patients with an age range of 10-18 years old. The variables studied were demographics, bullying due to dental features, the impact of dental treatment on the experience of being bullied, and the need for a program to stop bullying. CONCLUSION Bullying due to dental features is common among adolescents. Treatment of dental problems significantly lessens the act of bullying. Implementing anti-bullying programs that include paedodontists and orthodontists as stakeholders is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Badran
- Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
| | - G Allam
- Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
| | - R Shalaby
- Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
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Li S, Devi B, Allam G, Bhullar A, Murmu J, Li E, Hepworth SR. Regulation of secondary growth by poplar BLADE-ON-PETIOLE genes in Arabidopsis. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1244583. [PMID: 38034559 PMCID: PMC10682204 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1244583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
BLADE-ON-PETIOLE (BOP) genes are essential regulators of vegetative and reproductive development in land plants. First characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), members of this clade function as transcriptional co-activators by recruiting TGACG-motif binding (TGA) basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors. Highly expressed at organ boundaries, these genes are also expressed in vascular tissue and contribute to lignin biosynthesis during secondary growth. How these genes function in trees, which undergo extensive secondary growth to produce wood, remains unclear. Here, we investigate the functional conservation of BOP orthologs in Populus trichocarpa (poplar), a widely-used model for tree development. Within the poplar genome, we identified two BOP-like genes, PtrBPL1 and PtrBPL2, with abundant transcripts in stems. To assess their functions, we used heterologous assays in Arabidopsis plants. The promoters of PtrBPL1 and PtrBPL2, fused with a β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene showed activity at organ boundaries and in secondary xylem and phloem. When introduced into Arabidopsis plants, PtrBPL1 and PtrBPL2 complemented leaf and flower patterning defects in bop1 bop2 mutants. Notably, Arabidopsis plants overexpressing PtrBPL1 and PtrBPL2 showed defects in stem elongation and the lignification of secondary tissues in the hypocotyl and stem. Finally, PtrBPL1 and PtrBPL2 formed complexes with TGA bZIP proteins in yeast. Collectively, our findings suggest that PtrBPL1 and PtrBPL2 are orthologs of Arabidopsis BOP1 and BOP2, potentially contributing to secondary growth regulation in poplar trees. This work provides a foundation for functional studies in trees.
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Nasrollahi V, Allam G, Kohalmi SE, Hannoufa A. MsSPL9 Modulates Nodulation under Nitrate Sufficiency Condition in Medicago sativa. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119615. [PMID: 37298564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Nodulation in Leguminous spp. is induced by common environmental cues, such as low nitrogen availability conditions, in the presence of the specific Rhizobium spp. in the rhizosphere. Medicago sativa (alfalfa) is an important nitrogen-fixing forage crop that is widely cultivated around the world and relied upon as a staple source of forage in livestock feed. Although alfalfa's relationship with these bacteria is one of the most efficient between rhizobia and legume plants, breeding for nitrogen-related traits in this crop has received little attention. In this report, we investigate the role of Squamosa-Promoter Binding Protein-Like 9 (SPL9), a target of miR156, in nodulation in alfalfa. Transgenic alfalfa plants with SPL9-silenced (SPL9-RNAi) and overexpressed (35S::SPL9) were compared to wild-type (WT) alfalfa for phenotypic changes in nodulation in the presence and absence of nitrogen. Phenotypic analyses showed that silencing of MsSPL9 in alfalfa caused an increase in the number of nodules. Moreover, the characterization of phenotypic and molecular parameters revealed that MsSPL9 regulates nodulation under a high concentration of nitrate (10 mM KNO3) by regulating the transcription levels of the nitrate-responsive genes Nitrate Reductase1 (NR1), NR2, Nitrate transporter 2.5 (NRT2.5), and a shoot-controlled autoregulation of nodulation (AON) gene, Super numeric nodules (SUNN). While MsSPL9-overexpressing transgenic plants have dramatically increased transcript levels of SUNN, NR1, NR2, and NRT2.5, reducing MsSPL9 caused downregulation of these genes and displayed a nitrogen-starved phenotype, as downregulation of the MsSPL9 transcript levels caused a nitrate-tolerant nodulation phenotype. Taken together, our results suggest that MsSPL9 regulates nodulation in alfalfa in response to nitrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Nasrollahi
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Gamalat Allam
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Susanne E Kohalmi
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Abdelali Hannoufa
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
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Woerlen N, Allam G, Popescu A, Corrigan L, Pautot V, Hepworth SR. Repression of BLADE-ON-PETIOLE genes by KNOX homeodomain protein BREVIPEDICELLUS is essential for differentiation of secondary xylem in Arabidopsis root. Planta 2017; 245:1079-1090. [PMID: 28204875 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-017-2663-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Repression of boundary genes by KNOTTED1-like homeodomain transcription factor BREVIPEDICELLUS promotes the differentiation of phase II secondary xylem in Arabidopsis roots. Plant growth and development relies on the activity of meristems. Boundaries are domains of restricted growth that separate forming organs and the meristem. Class I KNOX homeodomain transcription factors are important regulators of meristem maintenance. Members of this class including BREVIDICELLUS also called KNOTTED-LIKE FROM ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA1 (BP/KNAT1) fulfill this function in part by spatially regulating boundary genes. The vascular cambium is a lateral meristem that allows for radial expansion of organs during secondary growth. We show here that BP/KNAT1 repression of boundary genes plays a crucial role in root secondary growth. In particular, exclusion of BLADE-ON-PETIOLE1/2 (BOP1/2) and other members of this module from xylem is required for the differentiation of lignified fibers and vessels during the xylem expansion phase of root thickening. These data reveal a previously undiscovered role for boundary genes in the root and shed light on mechanisms controlling wood development in trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Woerlen
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, UMR1318, INRA, Agro Paris Tech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, RD10, 78026, Versailles Cedex, France
| | - Gamalat Allam
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Adina Popescu
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, UMR1318, INRA, Agro Paris Tech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, RD10, 78026, Versailles Cedex, France
| | - Laura Corrigan
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Véronique Pautot
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, UMR1318, INRA, Agro Paris Tech, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, RD10, 78026, Versailles Cedex, France
| | - Shelley R Hepworth
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada.
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Talaat IM, Nasr A, Alsulaimani AA, Alghamdi H, Alswat KA, Almalki DM, Abushouk A, Saleh AM, Allam G. Association between type 1, type 2 cytokines, diabetic autoantibodies and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in children with type 1 diabetes. J Endocrinol Invest 2016; 39:1425-1434. [PMID: 27541155 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-016-0514-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Vitamin D may play a role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The aim of the current study was to determine the possible association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and circulating levels of type 1 and type 2 cytokines, as well as the pathophysiology of T1D in children. METHODS A total of 250 T1D patients and 250 sex- and age-matched T1D-free controls were screened for 25(OH)D, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), type 1 and type 2 cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP) and bone mineral metabolism, as well as antibodies against insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD 65) and islet cells. RESULTS Our data showed that the plasma level of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in T1D patients and that there was a significant negative correlation between 25(OH)D levels and HbA1c values. There was a significant association between deficient levels of 25(OH)D and higher levels of cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-10) and CRP. Total blood hemoglobin, the hematocrit percentage, body mass index SDS values, phosphate and magnesium levels were significantly lower in T1D patients than in T1D-free subjects. The levels of parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher in T1D patients. Higher levels of cytokines were significantly associated with deficient levels of 25(OH)D. Moreover, in T1D patients, higher levels of islet antibodies, anti-GAD antibodies and anti-insulin antibodies were significantly associated with deficient levels of 25(OH)D. CONCLUSIONS In type 1 diabetic children, deficient levels of 25(OH)D are associated with high levels of HbA1c, circulatory cytokines and antibody markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- I M Talaat
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A Nasr
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, KSAU-HS-Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - A A Alsulaimani
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - H Alghamdi
- Diabetic Center, Prince Mansour Military Community Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - K A Alswat
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - D M Almalki
- Diabetic Center, Prince Mansour Military Community Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - A Abushouk
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, KSAU-HS-Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - A M Saleh
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, KSAU-HS-Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - G Allam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Taif University, P.O. Box: 888, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
- Immunology Section, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
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Gorson KC, Ropper AH, Clark BD, Dew RB, Simovic D, Allam G. Treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with interferon-alpha 2a. Neurology 1998; 50:84-7. [PMID: 9443462 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.50.1.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We performed an open-label, prospective, pilot study of interferon (IFN)-alpha 2a treatment for 6 weeks in 16 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). All patients had failed to improve or relapsed after treatment with at least one conventional therapy (steroids, IV gamma globulin, or plasma exchange). Assessment included MRC strength score, leg sensory score, grip dynanometry, Rankin disability score, electrodiagnostic studies, and serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Nine (56%) improved after IFN-alpha therapy. Mean MRC score increased by 4.2 points (p = 0.01), and mean sensory score improved by 2.3 points (p = 0.02). Five patients improved five or more points on the MRC score, nine had slight improvement or were unchanged, and two worsened. We conclude that IFN-alpha may be effective in some patients with CIDP who relapse or fail to respond to conventional immunomodulating therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Gorson
- Division of Neurology, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135, USA
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Abstract
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a progressive or relapsing immune-mediated neuropathy usually responsive to plasma exchange, intravenous gammaglobulin or steroids, with some patients being refractory to these conventional therapies. We report a patient with CIDP who had spontaneous improvement after an episode of sepsis, but subsequently relapsed with severe generalized weakness; he was unresponsive to the conventional treatments for CIDP but had dramatic improvement following treatment with interferon-alpha 2A. Nerve conduction studies following treatment showed improved distal compound muscle action potential amplitudes without change in the degree of conduction block. The mechanism of action of interferon-alpha is unknown, but it may modulate proinflammatory cytokines that have a role in immune-mediated demyelination. Interferon-alpha may be an effective alternative therapy in patients with CIDP who relapse or are refractory to conventional treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Gorson
- Neurology Service, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135, USA
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Gorson KC, Allam G, Ropper AH. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: clinical features and response to treatment in 67 consecutive patients with and without a monoclonal gammopathy. Neurology 1997; 48:321-8. [PMID: 9040714 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.48.2.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the clinical and EMG details of 67 consecutive patients with strictly defined chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) during a 4-year period and compare responses to treatment in patients with idiopathic CIDP (CIDP-I) and CIDP with monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (CIDP-MGUS). Patients were examined an average of 28 months after first symptoms. There were several variant presentations that still conformed to the clinical and electrophysiologic definitions of CIDP, including a pure motor syndrome (10%), sensory ataxic variant (12%), mononeuritis multiplex pattern (9%), paraparetic pattern (4%), and relapsing acute Guillain-Barré syndrome (16%). Pain was more frequent than in previous studies (42%). Conduction block was the commonest EMG abnormality (detected in at least one nerve in 73% of patients), but only 31% had a pure demyelinating neuropathy and the majority had some degree of axonal change. Patients with CIDP-MGUS had less severe weakness, greater imbalance, leg ataxia, vibration loss in the hands, and absent median and ulnar sensory potentials, but were as likely as CIDP-I patients to respond to plasma exchange. Seventeen of 44 patients (39%) with idiopathic CIDP improved for at least 2 months with an initial therapy. Although the response rates among plasma exchange, IVIG, and steroids were similar, functional improvement (Rankin score) was greatest with plasma exchange. Of 26 patients who failed to respond to an initial therapy, 9 (35%) benefited from an alternative treatment, and of the 11 who required a third modality 3 (27%) improved. Overall, 66% responded to one of the three main therapies for CIDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Gorson
- Neurology Service, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135, USA
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Abstract
The short-term (3 months) and long-term (15 months) effect of DMPA contraception on various coagulation parameters (predictive of thrombosis) and on serum lipids (predictive of atherosclerosis) were prospectively studied in 30 Egyptian women, compared to their pretreatment levels. There were no significant changes in all the coagulation parameters studied after 3 months, and there was only a significant reduction in antithrombin III (AT III) level after 15 months (p less than 0.01). Concerning serum lipids, after 3 months, there were no significant changes in total lipids (TL), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (Tg), while there was a significant decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p less than 0.001), and a significant increase in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p less than 0.01). After 15 months there was a significant increase in TL, TC and LDL-C (p less than 0.001) and a significant decrease in HDL-C (p less than 0.001). Lipoprotein electrophoresis showed no significant change in pre-beta-lipoprotein percent, a significant decrease in alpha-lipoprotein percent and a significant increase in beta-lipoprotein percent after 3 and 15 months (p less than 0.001). Beta-lipoprotein band increased in 50% of DMPA users after 3 months and in 90% after 15 months and the type of hyperlipoproteinaemia was IIa. All calculated atherogenic indices showed significant changes (p less than 0.001) after 3 and 15 months of DMPA use. There was no significant correlation between AT III changes and changes in serum lipids. The study suggests no risk of thrombosis after 3 and 15 months of DMPA use. However, the risk of atherosclerosis appears to be possible as there were significant changes in serum lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Fahmy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Benha Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
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