Gene expression profiling on CML patients with Philadelphia translocation.

OBJECTIVE: The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and other targeted therapeutics plays a pivotal role in treatment management for individuals diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, some patients may experience fewer favorable outcomes and treatment resistance. Our work aims to use whole transcriptome sequencing to evaluate the variations in gene expression patterns among individuals with CML based on their response to TKI therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten blood samples were obtained from two groups of patients diagnosed with CML: those at the initial diagnosis stage and those at the recurrence stage. RNA extraction was performed on all samples and used for next-generation sequencing. The data analysis was performed using the DESeq2 R program. RESULTS: In total, 499 genes were identified as having statistically significant differences in expression levels between the two groups. Of these, 122 genes exhibited upregulation, and 377 genes exhibited downregulation. We observed a notable dysregulation in the expression levels of NTRK2 (with a fold change more significant than +5). A significant proportion of the genes that were expressed demonstrated involvement in several biological processes, including the cell cycle, PI3K-AKT signaling system, cellular senescence, oxidative phosphorylation, microRNA in cancer, FOXO signaling pathway, P53 signaling pathway, and other related pathways. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate a correlation between signaling pathways and the development of treatment resistance in patients with CML. These pathways exhibited enhanced efficacy in transmitting signals downstream of the TKI target, BCR-ABL. Several target genes require additional validation in a more extensive cohort study to verify their correlation with TKI resistance. The present research highlights that many BCR-ABL-independent pathways may be correlated with resistance, thus enhancing the prospective therapy options for patients with CML.

The Effect of Systemic Delivery of Aminoguanidine versus Doxycycline on the Resorptive Phase of Alveolar Bone Following modified Widman Flap in Diabetic Rats: A Histopathological and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study.

OBJECTIVES: Aminoguanidine (guanylhydrazinehydrochloride) is a drug that prevents many of the classical systemic complications of diabetes including diabetic osteopenia through its inhibitory activity on the accumulation of advanced glycation end -products (AGEs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of aminoguanidine versus doxycycline in reducing alveolar bone resorption following mucoperiosteal flap in diabetic rats, using the conventional histopathology and scanning electron microscope (SEM). METHODS: Twenty-seven male albino rats were used in this study. Periodontal defects were induced experimentally on lower anterior teeth. All rats were subjected to induction of diabetes, by IV injection of the pancreatic B-cells toxin alloxan monohydrate. After eight weeks following the establishment of periodontal defects in all rats, the ligation was removed and 3 rats were scarified as negative control (group 1). The remaining animals were divided into three group based on treatment applied following mucoperiosteal flap surgery. Group 2 received saline treatment only, group 3 received doxycycline periostat (1.5 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks, and group 4 received aminoguanidine (7.3 mmol/kg) for 3 weeks. The fasting glucose level was measured weekly post operatively. After 21 days all rats were sacrificed. Three anterior parts of the mandible of each group was prepared for histopathological examination and two parts were prepared for SEM. RESULTS: Aminoguanidine treated group (group 4) showed statistically significant increased new bone formation, higher number of osteoblasts and decrease osteoclasts number, resorptive lacunae and existing inflammatory cell infiltration as compared to positive control group (group 2) (P<0.05). Doxycycline was also effective in reducing bone loss as documental by histopathological study. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that aminoguanidine was significantly effective in reducing alveolar bone loss and can modify the detrimental effects of diabetes in alveolar bone resorption.

Difficulties facing first-year medical students at Umm Alqura University in Saudi Arabia.

This study investigated medical students' study habits and perceptions of learning difficulties during their first year of study. A specially-designed questionnaire was answered by 165 second-year medical and medical science students at Umm Alqura University in Saudi Arabia. Out of the 7 difficulties listed in the questionnaire, students ranked peer competition first, followed by poor English language skills. Male students ranked peer competition as the top difficulty whereas females ranked it fourth. A majority of students were dissatisfied with the passive, lecture-based method of teaching and wanted the English language curriculum to be improved by more emphasis on conversation skills. Early introduction of the concept of active learning and effective studying habits is needed.

Difficulties facing first-year medical students at Umm Alqura University in Saudi Arabia

This study investigated medical students study habits and perceptions of learning difficulties during their first year of study. A specially-designed questionnaire was answered by 165 second-year medical and medical science students at Umm Alqura University in Saudi Arabia. Out of the 7 difficulties listed in the questionnaire, students ranked peer competition first, followed by poor English language skills. Male students ranked peer competition as the top difficulty whereas females ranked it fourth. A majority of students were dissatisfied with the passive, lecture-based method of teaching and wanted the English language curriculum to be improved by more emphasis on conversation skills. Early introduction of the concept of active learning and effective studying habits is needed