Background: Early detection and screening of breast cancer (BC) might help improve the prognosis of BC patients. This study evaluated the use of serum microRNAs (miRs) as non-invasive biomarkers in BC patients. Methods: Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we evaluated the serum expression of four candidate miRs (miR-155, miR-373, miR-10b, and miR-34a) in 99 Egyptian BC patients and 40 healthy subjects (as a control). The miRs expression was correlated with clinicopathological data. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of the miRs were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Serum miR-155, miR-373, and miR-10b expression were significantly upregulated (p < 0.001), while serum miR-34a was downregulated (p < 0.00) in nonmetastatic (M0) BC patients compared to the control group. In addition, serum miR-155 and miR-10b were upregulated in BC patients with large tumor sizes and extensive nodal involvement (p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve = 1.0) when the four miRs were combined. Serum miR-373 was significantly upregulated in the human epidermal growth factor 2–negative (p < 0.001), estrogen receptor–positive (p < 0.005), and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive (p < 0.024) in BC patients, and serum miR-155 was significantly upregulated in PR-negative (p < 0.001) BC patients while both serum miR-155 and miR-373 were positively correlated with the tumor grade. Conclusions: Circulating serum miR-155, miR-373, miR-10b, and miR-34a are potential biomarkers for early BC detection in Egyptian patients and their combination shows high sensitivity and specificity.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are still at higher risk of acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections than the general population. Identifying risk factors associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 infections is of paramount importance to protect HCWs and the non-infected patients attending different healthcare facilities. Purpose: To recognize the predictors for severity of SARS-CoV2 infection among HCWs working in either COVID-19 or non-COVID-19 healthcare settings. Also, to assess compliance of HCW to standard precautions of infection control and explore the possible risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, from different Egyptian governorates. They were asked to fill in a web-based self-reporting questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of participants, compliance of HCWs to standard precautions of infection control and COVID-19 presentation. Results: Our study enrolled 204 HCWs (52.3% physicians). Infection of SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in 61.3% by RT- PCR; 35.8% were admitted to hospital, and of these, 3.9% were admitted to the intensive care unit. While 30.4% had mild disease, 48.5% had moderate disease, 17.2% had severe disease and 3.9% had critical disease. Regression analysis for variables predicting COVID-19 severity among study healthcare workers showed that associated chronic diseases and management at home were the main independent variables predicting severity of their SARS-COV-2 infection, while the variables age, sex, residence, occupation or drug history of immunosuppressives had no role in severity prediction. Conclusion: Associated chronic diseases and management at home were the main independent variables predicting severity of SARS-COV-2 infection among HCWs. So, HCWs with chronic diseases should not work in COVID-19 designated hospitals, and there should be a screening strategy for their infection with SARS-COV-2. HCWs must not be negligent in adhering to strict precautions of infection control. HCWs infected with SARS-COV-2 must be managed in hospital not at home.

Purpose: The developed resistance of pathogenic microorganisms towards the currently used antimicrobial agents requires the fast search for newer potent antimicrobials. One of the most important ways to combat the previously mentioned disaster is the use of natural alternatives like medicinal plants. Our study aimed to estimate the anti-inflammatory property, and antibacterial effects of probiotics Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and ethanol extracts of Lawsonia inermis leaves against Staphylococcus aureus when they were used separately or collectively as synergism. Material and Methods: Experimentally induced infected wound model in mice was created and divided into 10 groups then treated for two days by L. plantarum and L. inermis individually or in combination, followed by biochemical assays. The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activity were evaluated through histopathological sections taken before and after treatment. Results: Our results revealed that L. plantarum and L. inermis mixture could inhibit growth of S. aureus and decrease the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of L. plantarum to 2 mg/mL. The mixture decreased level of both interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interferon-alpha (TNF-α) to a level near the normal uninfected group. Histopathological study showed that animals treated with both L. plantarum and L. inermis had achieved almost 90% healing. Conclusion: These results suggest that L. plantarum and L. inermis mixture has synergistic effect on healing of infected wound.