Characterisation of winter respiratory viral infections in patients with asthma and COPD in Qatar.

Respiratory viruses in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma have not been characterised in Qatar. This study aimed to identify the most common viral strains responsible for respiratory tract infections in asthma/COPD patients (without exacerbations) in Qatar during the winter season (2008-2009). Nasal swabs from patients with asthma/COPD and respiratory symptoms were evaluated for 15 common viruses. 200 adult patients (190 with asthma and 10 with COPD) were enrolled. Viral infections were present in 36 out of 200 patients (18 %). Cough and wheezing were the most common symptoms. Rhinovirus was the most common causative agent, followed by coronaviruses. Our findings confirm previous reports of rhinovirus prevalence in respiratory tract infections in asthma/COPD. A countrywide survey to confirm our findings is warranted.

Adiponectin Ameliorates Hyperglycemia-Induced Retinal Endothelial Dysfunction, Highlighting Pathways, Regulators, and Networks.

Background: The pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is multifaced. A low level of circulating adiponectin (APN) in type 2 diabetes is associated with microvasculature complications, and its role in the evolution of DR is complex. Aim: This study is designed to explore the potential impact of APN in the pathogenesis of DR, linking the changes in cellular and biological processes with the pathways, networks, and regulators involved in its actions. Methods: Human microvascular retinal endothelial cells (HMRECs) were exposed to 30mM glucose (HG) and treated with globular adiponectin (30µg/mL) for 24 hours. The cells were evaluated for reactive oxidative stress (ROS) and apoptosis. RT-PCR profile arrays were utilized to evaluate the profile of genes involved in endothelial functions, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix, and adhesion molecules for hyperglycemic HMRECs treated with adiponectin. In addition, the barrier function, leukocyte migration, and angiogenesis were evaluated. The differential expressed genes (DEGs) were outlined, and bioinformatic analysis was applied. Results: Adiponectin suppresses ROS production and apoptosis in HMRECs under HG conditions. Adiponectin improved migration and barrier functions in hyperglycemic cells. The bioinformatic analysis highlighted that the signaling pathways of integrin, HMGB1, and p38 AMPK, are mainly involved in the actions of APN on HMRECs. APN significantly affects molecular functions, including the adhesion of cells, chemotaxis, migration of WBCs, and angiogenesis. STAT3, NFKB, IKBKB, and mir-8 are the top upstream regulators, which affect the expressions of the genes of the data set, while TNF and TGFB1 are the top regulators. Conclusion: Adiponectin significantly counteracts hyperglycemia at various cellular and molecular levels, reducing its impact on the pathophysiological progression towards DR in vitro using HMRECs. Adiponectin ameliorates inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and endothelial barrier dysfunction using a causal network of NFBk complex, TNF, and HMGB1 and integrin pathways.

Significant association of close homologue of L1 gene polymorphism rs2272522 with schizophrenia in Qatar.

INTRODUCTION: Previous reports have found that polymorphisms in the close homologue of L1 (CHL1) gene located on chromosome 3p26 are associated with schizophrenia among different ethnic populations. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CHL1 gene locus, including rs2055314 (C/T), rs2272522 (C/T) and rs331894 (A/G), with schizophrenia in the Qatari population. METHODS: An association case control study was carried out on 86 Qatari schizophrenic patients from the Psychiatry Hospital, Hammed Medical Corporation, Qatar and 88 Qatari unrelated, healthy, control subjects. Schizophrenia was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for schizophrenia by two independent psychiatrists. Genotyping of the SNPs rs2055314 (C/T), rs2272522 (C/T) and rs331894 (A/G) was conducted using the 5' nuclease assay with the TaqMan MGB probe and an ABI 7500. RESULTS: Individuals with the rs2272522 TT genotype had approximately 4.2 times greater risk of schizophrenia compared to individuals with the CC genotype (OR = 4.21; 95% CI: 1.12-15.53; P = 0.047). In addition, individuals carrying a T allele of the rs2272522 SNP had a significantly increased risk of schizophrenia (1.78 times) among the population (P = 0.028). SNPs rs2055314 and rs331894 had no significant association with schizophrenia. Pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the three polymorphisms was modest in the schizophrenic group. DISCUSSION: The rs2272522 polymorphism was found to exhibit a highly significant association with schizophrenia in the Qatari population. This finding supports the hypothesis that cell adhesion molecules may be involved in the etiology of this disease among Qatari patients.