Prospective Functions of miRNA Variants May Predict Breast Cancer Among Saudi Females.

Background Growing knowledge supports the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in modulating the initiation and development of breast cancer (BC) and underlying mechanisms. BC is a significant public health in females worldwide, where it remains the leading cause of death among Saudi females. Here, we evaluate the susceptibility of the miRNA genetic variants to the risk of BC in Saudi females. Methods One hundred fifty-four females, including 76 females diagnosed with BC and 78 healthy controls, were analyzed using TaqMan™ (Thermo Fischer Scientific, Waltham, MA) genotyping assays for the miR-196a2 rs11614913 C>T, miR-146a rs2910164 C>G, and miR-499 rs3746444 A>G. We utilized the SNPStats software (https://www.snpstats.net) (Institut Català d'Oncologia, Barcelona, Spain) to choose the best interactive inheritance model for the examined miRNAs. Results The examined miRNA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showed no clear association with the risk of BC (P > 0.05). As for genotypic distributions, significant associations were found for the rs2910164 SNP in most interactive models of inheritance: 2.50 (95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.2-5.17; P = 0.0135) in the codominant model, 2.34 (95% CI, 1.11-4.8; P = 0.0197) in the dominant model, and 2.40 (95% CI, 1.22-4.73; P = 0.0113) in overdominant model. The rs2910164 C/G heterozygosity showed overexpression in cases compared to controls (73.7% versus 53.9%; chi-squared (χ2) = 6.5; P = 0.0109), but the homozygous rs2910164 G/G showed a significant protective effect (21.1% versus 38.5%; χ2 = 17.4; P = 0.019). The heterozygosity did not affect the risk to the BC in the two miRNAs (rs11614913 C>T and rs3746444 A>G). Conclusion Despite lacking associations with the examined miRNAs, the heterozygous genotype rs2910164 C/G can identify at-risk females. More studies should be replicated using a panel of miRNA genes to discover significant associations with the risk of BC.

Nephritis, cerebritis, and myositis after adalimumab therapy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints, therefore, may cause deformities and disability if untreated. The first line of treatment is disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). When the patient fails to respond to DMARDs, mainly methotrexate, then second-line therapy is required. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of RA; however, the treatment with anti-TNFα medications is challenging. It may trigger the autoimmune system and result in producing antibodies that induce symptoms and signs mimic to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and in rare situations can affect vital organs with severe and life-threatening complications. We report on a 38-year-old Saudi woman with longstanding erosive RA, who was diagnosed based on the 1987 classification criteria. She developed life-threatening SLE, and seroconversion of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-double-stranded DNA, with severe systemic involvement (cerebritis, nephritis, myositis, and polyneuropathy), shortly after treatment with adalimumab. Adalimumab was started as anti TNFa therapy (after the failure of traditional therapy), SLE and other autoimmune diseases were ruled out by clinical history, examination, and laboratory investigations, including negative ANAs and anti-double-stranded DNA. When both tests turned out persistently positive even after stopping adalimumab, specific diagnostic and therapeutic modalities were required during her acute illness.

Descriptive epidemiology and characteristics of confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in the Makkah Region of Saudi Arabia, March to June 2014.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Describe the epidemiology and characteristics of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which are essential for control and treatment. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all cases of MERS-CoV reported in four cities of the Makkah Region from March to June 2014. Exposure factors and comorbid conditions were analyzed using Epi Info. RESULTS: Analysis of the 261 cases revealed that the incidence peaked in mid-April 2014 and the fatality rate was 42%. Cough, fever, radiological evidence of pneumonia, and shortness of breath were identified as significant risk factors for a diagnosis of MER-CoV infection. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a higher risk of acquiring MERS-CoV than non-HCWs. Males in Jeddah are at higher risk due to greater outdoor exposure while females in Taif are at higher risk due to domestic caregiving. Filipino nurses are at highest risk among all HCWs. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate the need to screen all contacts of HCWs to improve MERS control and form public-private partnerships to investigate the true burden of MERS.

Bone density in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the bone mineral density (BMD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to study the effect of disease activity and steroid therapy on BMD. METHODS: Thirty Saudi female patients with RA and 10 Saudi healthy females matched for age as controls were the material of this work. Patients were attending the out-patient clinic of Makkah Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Center, Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between November 2002 and July 2003. All patients were subjected to clinical assessment and laboratory investigations. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy x-ray (DXA) in the lumbar spine at L2-4 and in the femoral bone (femoral neck, ward's triangle and trochanteric). RESULTS: The results of our study showed a significant decrease in BMD in RA patients compared with healthy controls (spine = 0.863 +/-2.29 versus 1.289 +/- 0.54 g/cm2, p<0.05; total femoral = 0.755 +/-0.27 versus 1.06 +/-0.49 g/cm2, p<0.05; femoral neck = 0.725 +/-0.25 versus 1.008 +/-0.482 g/cm2, p<0.05; ward s triangle = 0.586 +/-0.21 versus 0.909 +/-0.43 g/cm2, p<0.05 and trochanteric = 0.607 +/-0.225 versus 0.898 +/-0.419 g/cm2, p<0.05). The decreased BMD correlated significantly with the impairment of functional activity, increased disease activity and with the use of steroids. There was no correlation between the decreased BMD and the body weight, height, age and the duration of the disease. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the impairment functional activity, increased disease activity and the use of steroids for long periods are the major determinants of BMD of both spinal and femoral bone in rheumatoid patients.