Role of single nucleotide polymorphism rs2383206 on coronary artery disease risk among Saudi Population: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate the relationship between genetic variation and biological function on a genomic scale, focusing on identifying genes responsible for complex diseases using single nucleotide polymorphisms. Specifically, the study explores the association between the rs2383206 gene located on chromosome 9p21.3 and the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a specific Saudi population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted between September 2013 and May 2015 at King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC) and Al-Noor Specialist Hospital targeting the Saudi Population residing in the western region of Saudi Arabia. The study enrolled 315 cases with documented CAD and 205 controls with normal coronary arteries on coronary angiography. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of both groups, and genotyping of rs2383206 was performed using the tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) method. RESULTS: In this study, the prevalence of the GG genotype in rs2383206 was found to be higher in patients with CAD than in controls, with an odds ratio of 1.997 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.176-3.394, p = 0.007]. Additionally, individuals with the GG genotype who had sedentary lifestyles, hyperlipidemia, and smoked were found to be at a higher risk for developing CAD (p = 0.003, 0.009, and 0.003, respectively). The G allele also increased the risk of CAD with an odds ratio of 1.413 (95% CI: 1.099-1.817; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study demonstrated a significant association between the rs2383206 variant located on chromosome 9p21 and the development of CAD. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the genetic susceptibility to CAD and highlight the potential of this variant as a target for future functional studies.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles reduced with Trigonella foenum-graecum and their effect on tumor necrosis factor-α in MCF7 cells.

OBJECTIVE: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. They have been reported to reduce the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - a proinflammatory cytokine involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis - in cell lines. As patients with breast cancer have been reported to have higher serum TNF levels, we aimed at developing a novel treatment for breast cancer by evaluating the effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract (TFG)-reduced AgNPs on the MCF-7 cell line, which serves as a model of human breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TFG-capped AgNPs were synthesized using a green reduction method, in which TFG reduced silver nitrate to generate AgNPs-TFG. The particle size, surface charge, ultraviolet (UV)-visible (VIS) spectra, surface morphology, % yield, and in vitro Ag+ release of the formulated AgNPs-TFG were evaluated. Additionally, the prepared NPs were examined for cytotoxicity using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The prepared AgNPs-TFG were uniform, small, discrete, and non-aggregated with a particle size of 22.5±0.75 nm and ζ-potential of -47.45±0.666 mV. The yield of AgNPs-TFG was 224.545±3.9 µM. Furthermore, the AgNP-TFG thin film exhibited a prolonged release of Ag+ in phosphate buffer for up to 11 h. AgNPs-TFG suppressed TNF-α expression at mRNA and protein levels in MCF-7 cells. Additionally, the formulated AgNPs-TFG did not exhibit any toxicity toward MCF-7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that AgNP-TFG could effectively inhibit TNF-α. These results provide significant insights for developing new therapeutic strategies for cancer and other inflammatory illnesses.

Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma-Induced Cardiogenic Shock Rescued by Preoperative Arterial Embolization.

BACKGROUND: Catecholamine-induced cardiogenic shock is a rare manifestation of paragangliomas. The high mortality rate of this condition makes the immediate, multidisciplinary approach mandatory. CASE REPORT: We report a case of an 18-year-old woman with a retroperitoneal secreting paraganglioma, complicated with a cardiogenic shock and an acute adrenergic myocarditis, requiring hemodynamic support and emergency arterial embolization prior to surgical excision, with a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Paraganglioma-induced myocarditis is rare but can be dramatic. Management requires appropriate and immediate hemodynamic support. Embolization may be an alternative to stabilize the patient prior to surgery.

Facial palsy associated with leptospirosis.

INTRODUCTION: The authors report a rare case of facial palsy associated with leptospirosis. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old man was admitted to ICU with severe leptospirosis. On the eighth day of hospitalisation, he developed left peripheral facial palsy with a favourable course in response to corticosteroids. DISCUSSION: Several types of neurological complications of leptospirosis have been reported: encephalitis, myelitis, stroke, cerebral arteritis, mononeuritis, polyradiculoneuropathy, and cranial nerve palsy. Peripheral facial palsy is a rare complication of leptospirosis. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the possible association between leptospirosis and facial palsy.

Chemokine and chemokine receptor expression analysis in target organs of acute graft-versus-host disease.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a major complication after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT), and infiltration of donor leukocytes into aGVHD target organs is partially orchestrated by chemokines. Using a murine BMT model, the expression of 30 chemokines or chemokine receptors in the lung, liver, gut and tongue was analyzed using real-time PCR at 1, 2, 3 and 6 weeks after BMT during the development of clinical aGVHD and target organ histopathology. CXCL9-11 expression was linked to elevated expression of CXCR3 in the gut, lung and tongue. In contrast, hepatic CXCR3 expression was not changed, whereas a clear association was seen for CXCL16 and CXCR6 expression. An elevated intestinal CCL3 expression 1 week after allo-BMT was associated with an increased expression of CCR5 but not CCR1 or CCR3, and in the lung and liver CCL3-CCL5 expression was associated with increases in CCR1 and CCR5. Overexpression of CCL2, CCL8, CCL12 and their receptor CCR2 was found in the liver and lung, but not in the gut and tongue. On the basis of the differences in kinetics and organ distribution, more studies are required to better characterize specific targets within this network, as this will allow the development of novel preventive and therapeutic approaches by using single or multiple targeting reagents.

[Human auricular myiasis caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): about three observations in Morocco]. / Otomyiases humaines dues à Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): à propos de trois observations au Maroc.

We report three cases of human otomyiasis observed in rural Moroccan children. Myiasis of external orifices usually occurs from neglected chronic lesions of the patients with poor personal hygiene. The parasitologic identification revealed Wohlfahrtia magnifica. Wohlfahrtiosis is common myiasis of sheep and goats in Mediterranean basin. Through this paper we underline the epidemiological, pathogenic, clinical and therapeutic aspects of this parasitosis.