bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life (QOL) of Egyptian Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) during the Pandemic of COVID-19
Authors: Allam Khaled Atef Elsyed , Fahmy Nagia Ali , Tork Mohamed Amir , Rashed Hebatallah Reda 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease of the upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in muscular atrophy and spasticity. It is a progressive, incurable illness with a mean survival from time of diagnosis of only 1–3 years.

Aim of the Work
Therefore, this research aimed to study the QOL and functionality of sample of Egyptian patients with ALS during the pandemic of COVID-19.

Patients and Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted at Ain Shams University, in the period between August 1st, 2020, and March 30th, 2021. It included 74 patients recruited from neuromuscular unit Ain Shams University.

Results
There was a statistically significant negative almost perfect correlation between total scores of ALSAQ-40 and ALSFR-R questionnaires. There was statistically significant negative almost perfect correlation between total scores of ALSAQ-40 and ALSFR-R questionnaires four domains i.e. bulbar, fine motor, gross motor, and respiratory. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between total scores of ALSAQ-40 and age of the studied patients. There was no significant correlation between ALSAQ- 40 and time since disease onset. There was statistically significant association between total score of ALSAQ- 40 and gender of patients, where females had higher score than males. There was no statistically significant association between total score of ALSAQ-40 and special habits of patients. There was a statistically significant association between total score of ALSAQ-40 and presence of comorbidities (chronic illness, hypertension and diabetes) among the studied patients. Patients with chronic illness, hypertensives and diabetics had significantly higher scores (worse QoL). There was a statistically non-significant association between total score of ALSAQ-40 and disease type. There was a statistically significant association between total score of ALSAQ-40 and disease onset among the studied patients. Patients with bulbar onset had significantly higher scores (worse QoL). There was a statistically significant increase in total ALSAQ-40 scores after COVD-19 infection among the studied patients while there is statistically significant decrease in ALSFRS-R scores after catching COVID-19 infection. There was a non-significant correlation between time since onset and Quality of life as assessed by ALSAQ-40 and ALSFRS-R.

Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic affected QoL of Egyptian patients with ALS. ALS patients were affected by restriction measures during COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental Health Status of Patients with Bipolar Disorder during COVID-19 Lockdown, A Case Control Study at El Khanka Psychiatric Hospital
Authors: El-Shahawi Heba H , El Ghamry Reem H , Gabrielle Feby F , Basha Marwa Y 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a number of measures including lockdown and social distancing. These measures affected mental health in healthy individuals and mentally affected patients. Individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) constitute an especially vulnerable group and studies focusing on effects of these measures are still lacking. The current study aimed to assess the mental health status of BD patients during the pandemic, particularly as regard increasing the risk of relapse and appearance of other psychiatric comorbidities and to assess and compare the immediate stress and psychological impact experienced by patients with BD and people without psychiatric illnesses during the pandemic.

Results
A total of 103 participants were included in the study, 50 in the cases group and 53 in the control group. Concerning demographic data, there was statistically significance difference between the two groups regarding gender, marital status, education, employment and socio-economic status. Study of COVID-19 impact on psychometric data revealed significantly higher score of IES-R in controls compared to cases. Comparison of COVID-19 affected cases and COVID-19 not affected cases revealed statistically significant association between IES-R median score result and COVID effects.

Conclusion
There was no significant difference between cases and controls regarding scales of depression, anxiety or insomnia. However, COVID-19 related containment measures significantly affected routine life stress and acute stress.
Thrombophilia Gene Testing in Patients with Ischemic Stroke of Undetermined Aetiology
Authors: Eid Mohamed Hamam Mohamed , Salah Nahed , Khawas Hala El , Atiah Amr Saeed 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Ischemic stroke of undetermined aetiology represents a large patient group as it involves approximately 17% of all ischemic stroke patients. Thrombophilia testing is frequently conducted in ischemic stroke of undetermined aetiology cases despite uncertain evidence on its association with stroke risk. Genetic factors such as Factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutations are studied, with unclear clinical impact. Racial variations influence thrombophilia prevalence. Efficient testing strategies targeting high-risk subgroups, such as ischemic stroke of undetermined aetiology patients, are sought to improve diagnostic yield and cost-effectiveness. However, the role of inherited thrombophilias in arterial thrombosis, while potentially significant, requires further elucidation due to the multifactorial nature of arterial ischemic stroke. These factors highlight the complexity surrounding thrombophilia testing and its utility in ischemic stroke management and prevention.

Aim of the Work
To evaluate the association between thrombophilia genes polymorphism and patients with ischemic stroke of undetermined aetiology.

Patients and Methods
This prospective analytical study conducted at Ain Shams University Hospital aimed to analyze thrombophilia gene abnormalities in 45 ischemic stroke of undetermined aetiology patients over a one-year period. Thrombophilia gene analysis included 12 gene variants. Data analysis utilized SPSS version 26 with a significance level set at p &lt; 0.05. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. The study assessed the presence of thrombophilia gene abnormalities in ischemic stroke patients with unknown etiology, contributing to understanding genetic factors in stroke pathology.

Results
The study revealed a high incidence of thrombophilia-related gene abnormalities, with 77.7% of cases exhibiting two or more heterozygous or homozygous abnormalities. The most prevalent gene results found was MTHFR C677T with 26 heterozygous state (57.8 %) and 4 homozygous state (8.9 %) followed by MTHFR A1298C with 17 heterozygous state (37.8 %) and 4 homozygous state (8.9 %) followed by B-Fibrinogen -455 G∼A with 17 heterozygous state (37.8%). The majority of patients had mild stroke severity. Genes PAI-1 a/b, APO B R3500Q, APO E genotype was negative in all cases. These findings underscore the importance of considering thrombophilia in stroke etiology and emphasize the need for further research to elucidate its clinical implications for improved patient management and prognosis.

Conclusion
This study underscores thrombophilia's relevance in ischemic stroke of undetermined aetiology. And reveals the high incidence of some genes while rare incidence of others, emphasizing the need for further research.
Relation of Serum Alpha 2-Antiplasmin to Clinical Response to Intravenous Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Acute Ischemic Strokes without Large Vessel Occlusion
Authors: Mikhail Narges Wagih , El-Khawas Hala M , Tork Mohamed A , Abdel Rady Metawaa Maha Ahmed , Mahmoud Kenawy Fatma Fathalla 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Stroke is ranked as the second leading cause of death worldwide with an annual mortality rate of about 5.5 million. Not only does the burden of stroke lie in the high mortality but also the high morbidity. Recent studies revealed that up to 50% of survivors being chronically disabled in 2022. Thrombolysis has limited efficacy in the presence of large volume clots, thrombus ultrastructure, hemorrhagic transformation, high National Institutes Of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) prior to rtPA and thrombolysis resistance due to the presence of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) and alpha 2-antiplasmin. Plasminogen is converted to plasmin by plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator can be inhibited by plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2. On the other hand, plasmin itself is directly inhibited by alpha 2- antiplasmin, an ultrafast covalent inhibitor, which accounts for about 90% of plasmin inhibition in vivo and antagonizes the action of rtPA which consequently prolong clot lysis.

Aim of the Work
To identify the relationship between serum alpha 2-antiplasmin, various risk factors and clinical response to recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in ischemic cerebrovascular stroke.

Patients and Methods
This is prospective cohort study was conducted at Ain Shams University Hospitals on acute ischemic stroke patients who received thrombolysis, met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A blood sample to measure serum alpha 2-antiplasmin was obtained before receiving thrombolysis and patients were followed up for 3 months.

Results
A study on 35 patients showed that there is significant correlation between atrial fibrillation and poor functional outcome in stroke patients who received thrombolysis with p- value=0.033. Also, it shows there is significant correlation between hypertriglyceridemia and poor outcome with p-value= 0.043. It also shows there is a significant correlation between serum alpha 2-antiplasmin level and resistance to thrombolysis with subsequent poor functional outcome with a cut-off point 493 ng /L with a sensitivity 100% and a specificity 81.8% (p-value=0.001).

Conclusion
This study shows that alpha 2-antiplasmin levels are correlated with cerebrovascular stroke outcome, high levels are associated with poor functional outcome and resistance to IV thrombolysis. Therefore, its inhibition may be crucial to improve the clinical outcome of stroke in the future.
Clinical Evaluation of Multiple Sclerosis Patients during Pregnancy Period in a Sample of Egyptian Patients
Authors: Asaad Reem Tarek , Fouad Mohamed Mahmoud , El Hafeez Mohamed Aly Abd , Eldin Nouran Mohamed Salah 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Multiple sclerosis is a complex, autoimmune mediated disease of the central nervous system, characterized by inflammatory demyelination and axonal / neuronal damage. There is increasing incidence and prevalence of MS in both developed and developing countries, the underlying cause of which remains uncertain. MS is a complex disease; many genes modestly increase disease susceptibility in addition to several well defined environmental factors, in particular vit D or ultraviolet B light (UVB) exposure, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, obesity and smoking. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is three times more likely to be seen in women and usually diagnosed between the ages of 20-50 years.

Aim of the Work
To Study effect of MS and DMDs on pregnancy outcome (natal & postnatal period) and during breast feeding and to study effect of pregnancy on MS regarding relapse rate and disability progression.

Patients and Methods
This study is an Observational analytical retrospective study, conducted at multiple sclerosis clinic of neurology department at Ain Shams University Hospitals. Patients will be collected retrospectively from June 2018 till June 2022. We will collect 60 female patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis according to McDonald criteria within the childbearing period.

Results
We observed that multiple sclerosis has no adverse effect on fertility or gravidity. Also, we observed that there is increase in relapse rate within the postpartum period which is associated with increase in EDSS score compared to that before pregnancy. The early use of DMD before conception has protective effect and delay progression on the other hand, the use of DMD was associated with increased maternal and fetal complications especially low birth weight and preterm delivery.

Conclusion
Pregnancy is associated with increased relapse rate especially during postpartum period but the early use of DMD before conception is protective against occurrence of relapses and delay onset of progression with no fatal adverse events on the mother or the fetus.
Mental Health Impact of Covid-19 on Healthcare Workers in Relation to Their Personality and Coping Mechanism
Authors: El Bayoumy Safaa Ragab , Elsheikh Mona Mahmoud , Elserafi Doha Mostafa , Elsehrawy Tarek Mohamed 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 pandemic was a worldwide health threat, health care workers were subjected to severe degrees of mental, physical and psychological stress especially those working in quarantine hospitals.

Aim of the Study
The aim of the present study is to evaluate frequency of mental health problems among Health Care Workers (HCWs) (who work in quarantine hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic) in relation to their personality and coping mechanism.

Patients and Methods
This study included 200 HCWs in quarantine hospitals, including Physicians and Nurses of both genders and between the age of 20-40. Each of the participants were assessed using Covid Stress Scale, Beck's Depression Inventory Scale, Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, Eysenk Personality Questionnaire, Brief Coping Scale.

Results
Depression among HCWs was moderate in 19% and severe in 18% of subjects. There was a significant positive correlation between anxiety, depression and COVID stress. Assessing personality traits revealed psychoticism in 26% of the sample, neuroticism was found in almost 25%, 7.1% were extroverts and they were females, impulsivity/criminality traits were found in 62% of our sample, 8% of the sample were detected having high lying score in lie sub scale and all of them were females. Regarding coping mechanism, the emotion focused coping and the problem focused coping mechanisms were predominant.
Clinical and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Depressive Symptoms in a Sample of Egyptian Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Okasha Tarek Ahmed , Hamed Marwa Abdelmeguid , Naguib Rehab Mohamed , Dessouki Nahla Abdel Rahim , Mahmoud Sara Mohiey Mohammad 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric illness across the world, severely affecting the quality of life, and could be commonly associated with depressive symptoms, although its underlying pathology is still unclear and recently multiple studies were concerned with the relation between Schizophrenia and depressive symptoms.

Objective
To determine the rate of occurrence of depression in patients with Schizophrenia & assess the relation between the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with Schizophrenia with depressive symptomatology.

Patients and Methods
This was an analytical cross-sectional study; carried out at Okasha Institute of Psychiatry, between September 2023 to March 2024.

Results
There was no statistically significant difference found between patients with and without depression, as confirmed or excluded by the CDSS, regarding PANSS and SANS scores. There was no statistically significant correlation between depressive symptoms in patients with Schizophrenia and the mentioned sociodemographic and clinical characteristics except for male gender as a protective independent factor and duration of illness ≥ 8 years as an independent risk factor. Further investigations via longitudinal studies and on larger samples are recommended to settle specific causal paths between the two variables.

Conclusion
Our study revealed that the male gender is a protective independent factor for depression in patients with schizophrenia and that the duration of illness ≥ 8 years is an independent risk factor for depression in schizophrenia. Yet, there are no other statistically significant sociodemographic or clinical characteristics associated with depressive symptoms in patients with Schizophrenia.
Comorbidity of Eating Disorder in Patients with Bipolar Mood Disorder Type I and Type II in Euthymic State, Case Control Study
Authors: Okasha Tarek Ahmed , Hamed Marwa Abd El Meguid , Khalil Sherien Ahmed , Sehrawy Tarek Mohamed El , AbdAllah Sarah BahaaElDin 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Bipolar mood disorder it is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Bipolar disorders are furtherly classified as bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia and other categories of atypical forms that do not fulfill the criteria for the abovementioned subtypes. There is growing recognition of the clinical significance of eating disorder (ED) comorbidity in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). The prevalence rate of EDs in BD vary substantially according to the studies in recent years.

Patients and Methods
This study is a case control study, the study conducted at psychiatric outpatient clinic in Ain Shams University Hospitals, starting from June 2022 till completion of the sample.

Results
This study shows that there is correlation between eating disorders and bipolar mood disorders where there was statistically significant difference on applying the eating disorder inventory (EDI) on both cases and controls with the cases having higher scores on the EDI total scores and severity. The study revealed the potential role of different risk factors on both eating disorders and bipolar mood disorder.

Conclusion
It is one of the preliminary studies done in Egypt aiming to investigate the correlation between eating disorders and bipolar mood disorders and that Screening for all individuals having bipolar mood disorders underlying eating disorders is essential for proper intervention and management.
Coping Strategies and Burden Stress in Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia and Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Mohamed Rehab Serag , Mahmoud Nivert Zaki , Mahmoud Dalia Abdel Moneim , Eissa Mohamed Fekry , Zohdy Youssef Wael , Rateb Hafez Yassmin Shawky 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Mental illness has a great impact not only on patients but also on their caregivers as it makes them more prone to stress, interferes with their daily life activities and can negatively affects their social, psychological and physical health quality of life. They neglect seeking medical help that may negatively affect clinical outcome of patients and quality of their life. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the magnitude of burden on such caregivers and to investigate the coping strategies used by them in order to develop tailored bio psychosocial interventions to reduce their stress.

Objective
To assess the magnitude of burden and patterns of coping with stress in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. To assess the magnitude of burden and patterns of coping with stress in caregivers of patients with bipolar affective disorder. To compare both the coping strategies and burden stress scores among caregivers of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar patients.

Patients and Methods
This cross sectional study was done on 100 caregivers to assess burden in caregivers of schizophrenia patients and caregivers of bipolar patients, the coping style used by the caregivers of both groups and comparing between two groups.

Results
There was statistically significant difference found between bipolar group and schizophrenia group regarding coping inventory scores make fun and behavioral withdrawal, which showed higher median score in schizophrenia group than bipolar group. Burden of caring and coping with this burden, affect each other mutually. As, according to the results of our study, rural residence of caregiver, positive reassessment ≤12 and denial &gt;8 were found significantly associated with high burden in bipolar group. While employed caregivers were associated with high burden among schizophrenia group. Burden is higher in bipolar group than schizophrenia group.

Conclusion
Appraisal by, and burden on caregivers play a major role in determining their style of coping. These factors largely accounted for the differences in coping observed between caregivers of patients of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, in this study. Reducing burden on caregivers and enhancing their awareness of illness could lead to adoption of more adaptive coping styles by them.
Planned Outpatient Care versus Hospital Admission for Women with Preterm Prelabor Rupture of the Membranes (PPROM): A Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Abdelmageed Abdelmageed Ismail , Riad Amr Ahmed Mahmoud , El-DinMansor Ahmed Mohamed Essam , Yehia El-Kholy Ahmed Khaled Ahmed 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a condition where the amniotic sac ruptures before the onset of labor, occurring in about 3% of pregnancies. It is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, resulting in neonatal morbidities such as respiratory distress syndrome, necrotising enterocolitis, and sepsis. Depending on the gestational age, complications such as chorioamnionitis, premature placental abruption, umbilical cord prolapse, and postpartum infections can occur. The clinical course following PPROM depends on the latency period, which is inversely correlated with gestational age and influenced by several factors, including the presence of antepartum hemorrhage and cervical opening.

Objective
To examine the efficacy and safety of planned outpatient management versus hospital admission for women with preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM) in terms of fetal, neonatal, and mother outcomes.

Patients and Methods
patients were divided into two groups (O) was planned for outpatient care and Group (H) was hospitalized after randomization. The primary outcome was comparing between two groups regarding the latency period and other maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded.

Results
Regarding the results of our study, we found that there is no statistically significant difference between the study groups regarding age and parity. No statistically significant difference between the study groups regarding gestational age at enrollment and delivery as well as well as the latency period between them being slightly longer in the outpatient group. As regards the neonatal outcome, the rate of complications was insignificant among both groups, Intra-amniotic infection being slightly higher among hospitalized group, antenatal fetal distress & post-natal fetal respiratory distress syndrome as well.

Conclusion
PPROM is a serious condition that can result in neonatal morbidities and maternal complications. Expectant management is usually implemented, with hospitalization being the conventional policy recommended until delivery. However, outpatient care may offer a safe and low-cost alternative with a relatively longer latency period. Further studies are needed to confirm the safety of outpatient care in PPROM patients and to address the concerns about potential obstetric emergencies.