Expression profile of long-noncoding RNAs MIR31HG, NKILA, and PACER in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

OBJECTIVES: Growing evidence suggests that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an organ-damaging systemic autoimmune illness, may be influenced by long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). This study aimed to assess the relative expression of lncRNAs (MIR31HG, NKILA, and PACER) in patients with SLE to evaluate their role in the disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study involved 70 patients with SLE and 70 apparently healthy control subjects. The expression levels of lnc-MIR31HG, NKILA, and PACER were quantified using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Lnc-MIR31HG, NKILA, and PACER were significantly upregulated in SLE cases compared to controls (P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed a 91.43 % sensitivity of PACER for the diagnosis of SLE at a cutoff point of > 1.46, followed by NKILA with 90 % sensitivity at a cutoff point of > 1.16, and MIR31HG with 85.71 % sensitivity at a cutoff point of > 1.43. MIR31HG had the highest sensitivity for the diagnosis of lupus nephritis (86.67 %) at a cutoff point of > 7.19, then NKILA with 80 % sensitivity at a cutoff point of > 8.12, and finally PACER expression with 73.33 % sensitivity at a cutoff point of > 18.19. Moreover, MIR31HG and NKILA revealed a significant correlation with albumin/creatinine ratio, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and the SLEDAI score. Regression analysis revealed the potential roles of MIR31HG, NKILA, and PACER expression as predictors for SLE. CONCLUSION: An upregulated lncRNA panel (MIR31HG, NKILA, and PACER) could play a role in the pathogenesis and, hence, the predispositiontoSLE. MIR31HG and NKILA can serve as prognostic markers significantly linked with disease activity.

Efficacy of endophytic bacteria as promising inducers for enhancing the immune responses in tomato plants and managing Rhizoctonia root-rot disease.

Around the world, a variety of crops, including tomatoes, suffer serious economic losses due to the Rhizoctonia root-rot disease. Herein, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus megaterium, and Herpaspirillum huttiense isolated from strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis var. ananassa) plants were pragmatic as plant growth promotors for battling the Rhizoctonia root rot disease and bringing about defense mechanisms as well as growth promotional strategies in tomato plants. These endophytic bacteria demonstrated potent antifungal activity against R. solani in vitro along in vivo. Data explained that the isolated endophytic bacteria could produce Indole acetic acid, Gibberellic acid GA, and siderophore as well as solubilize phosphate in the soil. The consortium of (Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus megaterium, and Herpaspirillum huttiense) increased the protection % against Rhizoctonia infection by (79.4%), followed by B. velezensis by (73.52%), H. huttiense by (70.5%), and B. megaterium by (67.64%), respectively. There was an increase in soluble proteins and carbohydrates in infected plants treated with a consortium of endophytic bacteria by 30.7% and 100.2% over untreated infected plants, respectively. Applying endophytic bacteria either alone or in combination lowered the level of malondialdehyde MDA and hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes in both infected and uninfected plants. Also, bacterial endophytes have distinctive reactions regarding the number and concentrations of isozymes in both infected and uninfected plants. It could be recommended the commercial usage of a mixture of targeted bacterial endophyte strains as therapeutic nutrients against Rhizoctonia root-rot disease as well as plant growth inducer.

Association between expression levels of p53, miRNA-21, and lncRNA-TCL6 and the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive pregnancy-related disorder. The etiology of preeclampsia is still not fully elucidated. Genetic factors are suggested to play a vital role. AIM: The association between p53, miRNA-21, and lncRNA-TCL6 expression levels and the risk of preeclampsia and its onset and severity in pregnant women was evaluated. METHOD: Expression levels of the analyzed RNAs were assessed in the serum samples from 75 preeclamptic pregnant women and 75 volunteer pregnant women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. RESULTS: Cases showed upregulated p53, lnc-TCL6, and downregulated miRNA-21. P53 expression and preeclampsia severity were substantially correlated, while miRNA-21 and lnc-TCL6 were not. None of them was associated with preeclampsia onset. In diagnosing preeclampsia, p53 had the best sensitivity (98.67 %), followed by miRNA-21 (97.33 %) and lnc-TCL6 (92 %). P53 had the highest sensitivity (68.42 %) for distinguishing mild from severe cases. Lnc-TCL6 exhibited 52.63 % sensitivity, while miRNA-21 had 52.63 % sensitivity. Finally, for discriminating early and late-onset cases, miRNA-21 demonstrated the highest sensitivity (66 %), followed by p53 (62 %) and lnc-TCL6 (54 %). P53 expression was inversely correlated with proteinuria. Parity, TLC, platelet count, AST, and ALT were positively correlated, while lnc-TCL6 expression was negatively correlated with miRNA-21 expression. However, parity negatively correlated with lnc-TCL6 expression. CONCLUSION: P53, miRNA-21, and lnc-TCL6 were dysregulated in preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancy, highlighting the role of apoptosis in its development. P53 can be a prognostic marker for preeclampsia, discriminating between mild and severe cases.

Sitagliptin ameliorates busulfan-induced pulmonary and testicular injury in rats through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antiapoptotic effects.

Busulfan (BUS) is an anticancer agent with serious adverse effects on various body organs, including the lung and testis. Sitagliptin was proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antiapoptotic effects. This study aims to evaluate whether sitagliptin, a DPP4I, ameliorates BUS-induced pulmonary and testicular injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were split into control, sitagliptin (10 mg/kg), BUS (30 mg/kg), and sitagliptin + BUS groups. Weight change, lung and testis indices, serum testosterone, sperm parameters, markers of oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH)], inflammation [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)], and relative expression of sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and forkhead box protein type O1 (FOXO1) genes were estimated. Histopathological examination of lung and testicular tissues was done to detect architectural changes [Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E)], fibrosis (Masson's trichrome), and apoptosis (caspase-3). Sitagliptin treatment reduced body weight loss, lung index, lung and testis MDA, serum TNF-α and sperm abnormal morphology, and increased testis index, lung and testis GSH, serum testosterone, sperm count, viability and motility. SIRT1/FOXO1 balance was restored. Also, sitagliptin attenuated fibrosis and apoptosis in lung and testicular tissues via reducing collagen deposition and caspase-3 expression. Accordingly, sitagliptin ameliorated BUS-induced pulmonary and testicular damage in rats via attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis.

Mononeuropathy multiplex as a first manifestation of renal cell carcinoma: a case report.

The neurologic symptoms that appear due to paraneoplastic syndrome may give manifestations of undiagnosed tumor, and give an opportunity for early detection and treatment of it. Case Presentation: Here the authors present a case of a 54-year-old woman who suffered from rapidly progressive muscle weakness, accompanied by right third cranial nerve palsy. Clinical Discussion: The nerve conduction study consistent with multiple mononeuropathy, and laboratories revealed undiagnosed diabetes mellitus but elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the rapid progression prompted for additional investigations. Brain MRI, repetitive nerve stimulation, lumbar puncture, and paraneoplastic panel were all negative. Computed tomography scan with contrast for the abdomen showed a right renal mass consistent with renal cell carcinoma. The tumor was removed and steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin was started but without any clinical improvement because of the late presentation. Conclusion: Patients with renal cell carcinoma can present with paraneoplastic syndromes but multiple mononeuropathy are extremely rare. It is crucial to investigate for all possible causes of neuropathy and not attributing it to a new discovered diabetes in the presence of clinical and laboratory red flags such as rapid progression and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Expression of MiRNA-29b and MiRNA-31 and their diagnostic and prognostic values in Egyptian females with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a major health threat to women globally. Many circulating microRNAs are non-invasive cancer biomarkers. In this study, the expression of miR-29b and miR-31 was assessed in blood samples from 200 patients with breast cancer and wholesome volunteer women using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR to evaluate their role in the disease. MiR-29b was significantly overexpressed in patients compared to controls. Multivariate regression analysis showed that it was an established risk factor for relapse and mortality. MiR-31 was significantly under-expressed in patients. It was an established risk factor for relapse and was strongly associated with mortality. For the prediction of relapse, miR-29b had a sensitivity of 81.25% and a specificity of 88.24% at a cutoff of > 30.09, while miR-31 had a sensitivity of 87.50% and a specificity of 79.41% at a cutoff of 0.12. The specificity was enhanced to 100% by combining the values of miR-29b and miR-31. In predicting mortality, miR-29b exhibited a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 97.5% at a cutoff of > 48.10. At a cutoff of 0.119, miR-31 exhibited a sensitivity of 87.50% and a specificity of 79.41%. High miR-29b expression and low miR-31 expression were linked with a low survival rate. MiR-29b and miR-31 could be useful markers for predicting breast cancer relapse and mortality.

Bilateral swollen optic nerve head etiology and management: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The differential diagnosis of optic disc edema varies according to the presence of unilateral or bilateral edema. Papilledema may occur due to benign and life-threatening causes, but even benign causes may leave serious consequences for vision if not treated emergently. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of these causes in two major hospitals in Syria and observing the response of edema to treatment within a month and how visual acuity can be saved if edema is treated urgently. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Assad and Al-Mowasat Hospitals in Syria from October 2020 to the beginning of February 2022. It included 50 patients who had bilateral optic disc edema. Then a full study was carried out to reach the diagnosis and management appropriately and to monitor the extent of the efficacy of conservative measure in reducing edema, and how many of them needed surgical intervention. Results: the study included 50 patients, 13 males and 37 females, the most common diagnosis was venous sinus thrombosis (12 cases with 24%), followed by idiopathic intracranial hypertension and tumors (10 cases each by 20%), infectious meningitis (8 cases by 16%), leptomeningeal metastasis (5 cases by 10%), arterial hypertension (3 cases by 6%) and autoimmune meningitis (2 by 4%). Edema improved after management within a month in most patients (37 patients by 74%) and edema was accompanied by low visual acuity in 21 patients (42%). 20 patients (40%) needed surgical intervention. Visual acuity reduced in 10 patients (20%) despite all treatments. Conclusion: venous sinus thrombosis is the most common cause of bilateral optic disc edema then idiopathic intracranial hypertension and tumors, and despite the provision of all treatments, the visual acuity of 20% of patients has decreased.

Foodborne disease outbreak in a resource-limited setting: a tale of missed opportunities and implications for response.

INTRODUCTION: Foodborne diseases (FBD) have emerged as a major public health problem worldwide. Though the global burden of FBD is currently unknown, foodborne diarrhoeal diseases kill 1.9 million children globally every year. On 25th September 2014, health authorities in Eastern Region of Ghana were alerted of a suspected FBD outbreak involving patrons of a community food joint. We investigated to determine the magnitude, source and implement control and preventive measures. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. We reviewed medical records for data on demographics and clinical features. A suspected foodborne disease was any person in the affected community with abdominal pain, vomiting and or diarrhea between 25(th) and 30(th) September 2014 and had eaten from the food joint. We conducted active case search, descriptive data analysis and calculated food specific attack rate ratios (ARR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of 43 case-patients, 44.2% (19/43) were males; median age was 19 years (interquartile range: 17-24 years). Overall attack rate was 43.4% (43/99) with no fatality. Case counts rose sharply for four hours to a peak and fell to baseline levels after 12 hours. Compared to those who ate other food items, patrons who ate "waakye" and "shitor" were more likely to develop foodborne disease [ARR = 4.1 (95% CI = 1.09-15.63)]. Food samples and specimens from case-patients were unavailable for testing. Laboratory diagnostic capacity was also weak. CONCLUSION: A point source FBD outbreak linked to probable contaminated "waakye" and or "shitor" occurred. Missed opportunities for definitive diagnosis highlighted the need for strengthening local response capacity.