Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index in Relation to Diabetes Markers in Saudi Adults: A Retrospective Study.

Background and objectives: Low-grade inflammation is associated with metabolic disturbances like diabetes. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been proposed as a predictive tool to identify individuals at a greater risk of diabetes. This study aims to examine the association between SII and diabetes markers. Method and materials: We used retrospective data from a large cohort of adults (n = 3895) aged ≥18 in Saudi Arabia. The SII was calculated, and the markers of diabetes such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were included. Results: Across the quartiles of SII, FBG, insulin, and HbA1c were significantly higher in adults with higher compared to lower SII (p < 0.0001, p = 0.04, p < 0.0001, respectively). A two SD higher FBG was significantly associated with an SII difference of 47.7 (95% CI: (15.5, 91.9)). In subgroup analysis, this relationship prevailed in normal-weight participants and among those with normoglycemia and prediabetes but was attenuated in participants with diabetes. The association also prevailed in separate analyses for males and females but was stronger among females. Linear regression models showed no significant association between insulin, HbA1c, and SII. Conclusions: SII was associated with the markers of diabetes. The utility of SII for predicting diabetes can be confirmed with prospective cohort studies.

Pharmacological p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 enhances AML stem cell line KG1a chemosensitivity to daunorubicin by promoting late apoptosis, cell growth arrest in S-phase, and miR-328-3p upregulation.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells and impaired maturation, leading to immature cell accumulation in the bone marrow and bloodstream, resulting in hematopoietic dysfunction. Chemoresistance, hyperactivity of survival pathways, and miRNA alteration are major factors contributing to treatment failure and poor outcomes in AML patients. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the pharmacological p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 on the chemoresistance potential of AML stem cell line KG1a to the therapeutic drug daunorubicin (DNR). KG1a and chemosensitive leukemic HL60 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of DNR. Cell Titer-Glo®, flow cytometry, phosphokinase and protein arrays, Western blot technology, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were employed for assessment of cell viability, half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) determination, apoptotic status detection, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis-related protein and gene expression monitoring. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize caspase and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) activities. Exposed at various incubation times, higher DNR IC50 values were determined for KG1a cells than for HL60 cells, confirming KG1a cell chemoresistance potential. Exposed to DNR, late apoptosis induction in KG1a cells was enhanced after SB203580 pretreatment, defined as the combination treatment. This enhancement was confirmed by increased cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, caspase-9, caspase-3, and augmented caspase-3/-7 and mPTP activities in KG1a cells upon combination treatment, compared to DNR. Using phosphokinase and apoptosis protein arrays, the combination treatment decreased survival Akt phosphorylation and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression levels in KG1a cells while increasing the expression levels of the tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, compared to DNR. Cell cycle analysis revealed KG1a cell growth arrest in G2/M-phase caused by DNR, while combined treatment led to cell growth arrest in S-phase, mainly associated with cyclin B1 expression levels. Remarkably, the enhanced KG1a cell sensitivity to DNR after SB203580 pretreatment was associated with an increased upregulation of miR-328-3p and slight downregulation of miR-26b-5p, compared to DNR effect. Altogether, these findings could contribute to the development of a new therapeutic strategy by targeting the p38 MAPK pathway to improve treatment outcomes in patients with refractory or relapsed AML.

Combined Supplementation of Clostridium butyricum and Bifidobacterium infantis Diminishes Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Induced Intestinal Alterations via Activation of Nrf-2 Signaling Pathway in Rats.

Exposure to long-term chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) can cause redox imbalance and inflammation, which may affect the integrity of the gut barrier. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of a probiotics bacterium mixture, including Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) and Bifidobacterium infantis (B. infantis), on the intestinal homeostasis in rats exposed to multiple low-intensity stressors for 28 days. The mechanism of CUMS-induced altered intestinal homeostasis was evaluated by focusing on the nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) pathway. In contrast to the CUMS group, probiotic mixture supplementation significantly (p < 0.01) reversed the stress-induced elevated corticosterone level, protein and lipid oxidation, and increased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, as well as upregulated Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. Probiotics supplementation further significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the CUMS-induced inflammation, altered T-lymphocyte levels, and suppressed the protein expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in rat intestines. Improvement in histological changes and intestinal barrier integrity further validate the beneficial effects of probiotic mixtures on CUMS-induced altered intestinal morphology. In conclusion, our results suggest that the combination of C. butyricum and B. infantis significantly attenuated CUMS-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and T-lymphocyte modulation by upregulating Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling and inhibiting NF-κB expression in rat intestine.

An Insight into the Impact of Serum Tellurium, Thallium, Osmium and Antimony on the Antioxidant/Redox Status of PCOS Patients: A Comprehensive Study.

Humans exploit heavy metals for various industrial and economic reasons. Although some heavy metals are essential for normal physiology, others such as Tellurium (Te), Thallium (TI), antimony (Sb), and Osmium (Os) are highly toxic and can lead to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a common female factor of infertility. The current study was undertaken to determine levels of the heavy metals TI, Te, Sb and Os in serum of PCOS females (n = 50) compared to healthy non-PCOS controls (n = 56), and to relate such levels with Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), activity of key antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress marker levels and redox status. PCOS serum samples demonstrated significantly higher levels of TI, Te, Sb and Os and diminished TAC compared to control (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was significant inhibition of SOD, CAT and several glutathione-related enzyme activities in sera of PCOS patients with concurrent elevations in superoxide anions, hydrogen and lipid peroxides, and protein carbonyls, along with disrupted glutathione homeostasis compared to those of controls (p < 0.001 for all parameters). Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between the elevated levels of heavy metals and TAC, indicative of the role of metal-induced oxidative stress as a prominent phenomenon associated with the pathophysiology of the underlying PCOS. Data obtained in the study suggest toxic metals as risk factors causing PCOS, and thus protective measures should be considered to minimize exposure to prevent such reproductive anomalies.

Quantification of Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone Preservatives by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.

Isothiazolinone preservatives (methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) are commonly used in cosmetics, industrial and household products. However, these isothiazolinone derivatives are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Hence, a sensitive, accurate, and reliable method for the detection of these compounds is thus warranted. The study aims to analyze concentrations of MIT and CMIT by high performance liquid chromatography. The analytical method used for quantification of MIT and CMIT in cosmetic products (leave-on-baby wet wipes) complies with the validation acceptance criteria (international standards ISO 5725, EU25 European Union for cosmetic regulations). MIT and CMIT were extracted and analyzed in leave-on baby wet-wipes collected from different stores in Riyadh city. Extraction was performed by ultrasonication of the samples, solid-phase extraction, and liquid-liquid extraction. Ten (10) µL of the sample was injected into the HPLC system and samples were analyzed with a mixture of acetic acid and methanol (80:20 v/v) in an isocratic mode. The flow rate was maintained at 1 mL/min. UV detection was performed at 274 nm. The results demonstrated recoveries between 90 and 106%, measurement uncertainty of C +/- 0.4% for methylisothiazolinone and C +/- 0.03% for methylchloroisothiazolinone, repeatability limit (r = 0.2%) and intermediate precision limit; R = 2% and R2 of 0.9996.

Analysis of Biochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Bioactive Molecules of Argemone mexicana.

This study identified phytochemicals in Argemone mexicana (A. mexicana) extracts that are responsible for its medicinal properties, and the best solvent for their extraction. The extracts of the stem, leaves, flowers, and fruits of A. mexicana were prepared at low (corresponding to room temperature) and high temperatures (corresponding to the boiling points) in various solvents, viz., hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and H2O. The UV-visible absorption spectra of various phytoconstituents in the isolated extracts were determined through spectrophotometry. Qualitative tests for the screening of phytoconstituents in the extracts were performed to identify various phytochemicals. We identified the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, and carbohydrates in the plant extracts. The antioxidant and anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (anti-HIV-1RT) potential, as well as the antibacterial activity of various A. mexicana extracts were determined. These extracts showed strong antioxidant activities. The extracts exhibited antimicrobial activities against Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus epidermis, Citrobacter, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Shigella flexineri. These extracts significantly inhibited HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity. The aqueous leaf extract prepared at a temperature equivalent to the boiling point, i.e., 100 °C, was identified to be the most active against pathogenic bacteria and HIV-1 RT.

Electrolytes Play a Role in Detecting Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Complications and May Even Prevent Them-Retrospective Analysis.

Background and Objective: Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug used to treat several types of malignancies. It is a platinum-based compound that interferes with cell division and DNA replication. Cisplatin has been associated with renal damage. This study evaluates the early detection of nephrotoxicity through routine laboratory tests. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective chart review based on the Saudi Ministry of National Guard Hospital (MNGHA). We evaluated deferential laboratory tests for cancer patients treated with cisplatin between April 2015 and July 2019. The evaluation included age, sex, WBC, platelets, electrolytes, co-morbidities and interaction with radiology. Results: The review qualified 254 patients for evaluation. Around 29 patients (11.5%) had developed kidney function abnormality. These patients presented with abnormally low magnesium 9 (31%), potassium 6 (20.7%), sodium 19 (65.5%) and calcium 20 (69%). Interestingly, the whole sample size had abnormal electrolytes presenting magnesium 78 (30.8%), potassium 30 (11.9%), sodium 147 (58.1%) and calcium 106 (41.9%). Some pathological features were detected, such as hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. In addition, infections that needed antibiotics were dominant in patients treated with cisplatin alone, representing 50% of this group. Conclusions: We report that an average of 15% of patients with electrolyte abnormalities develop renal toxicity and reduced function. Moreover, electrolytes may serve as an early indicator for renal damage as part of chemotherapy complication. This indication represents 15% of renal toxicity cases. Changes in electrolyte levels have been reported with cisplatin. Specifically, it has been linked to hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. This study will help reduce the risk of dialysis or the need for kidney transplant. It is also important to manage any underlying conditions and control patients' intake of electrolytes.

Biochemical and molecular assessment of selenium forms for the alleviation of oxidative stress in senescent human fibroblasts.

Selenium enhances the cellular antioxidant capacity and alleviates oxidative stress. We investigated the transcriptional and enzymatic activities of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase 1 and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1), and levels of glutathione, hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxides, and protein carbonyls in primary passage 5 (P5) and senescent passage 25 (P25) and 30 (P30) fibroblasts. Cells were incubated in either standard Dulbecco growth medium (CM1) containing normal plasma selenium levels (0.8 µmol/l), or in CM2, CM3, and CM4 containing 3 µmol/l (5 µmol/l for TrxR1) sodium selenite, L-hydroxyselenomethionine, or Se-methylselenocysteine, respectively. Gene transcripts and activities of both investigated enzymes as well as the levels of reduced glutathione were significantly increased in CM2-, CM3-, and CM4-incubated senescent P25 and P35 cells compared against those incubated in CM1. In congruence, although all oxidative stress parameters including oxidized glutathione were significantly lower in CM2-, CM3-, and CM4-incubated senescent cells compared against those incubated in CM1, such reductions were of significantly higher magnitude in CM3 and CM4 cells compared against those in CM2. In conclusion, organic L-hydroxyselenomethionine and Se-methylselenocysteine are equally more potent at alleviating oxidative stress in senescent cells than inorganic sodium selenite, and thus could be beneficial for use in elderly subjects and those with oxidative stress-associated disease.

Comprehensive investigations of key mitochondrial metabolic changes in senescent human fibroblasts.

There is a paucity of detailed data related to the effect of senescence on the mitochondrial antioxidant capacity and redox state of senescent human cells. Activities of TCA cycle enzymes, respiratory chain complexes, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anions (SA), lipid peroxides (LPO), protein carbonyl content (PCC), thioredoxin reductase 2 (TrxR2), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), along with levels of nicotinamide cofactors and ATP content were measured in young and senescent human foreskin fibroblasts. Primary and senescent cultures were biochemically identified by monitoring the augmented cellular activities of key glycolytic enzymes including phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and glycogen phosphorylase, and accumulation of H2O2, SA, LPO, PCC, and GSSG. Citrate synthase, aconitase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and complex I-III, IIIII, and IV activities were significantly diminished in P25 and P35 cells compared to P5 cells. This was accompanied by significant accumulation of mitochondrial H2O2, SA, LPO, and PCC, along with increased transcriptional and enzymatic activities of TrxR2, SOD2, GPx1, and GR. Notably, the GSH/GSSG ratio was significantly reduced whereas NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH ratios were significantly elevated. Metabolic exhaustion was also evident in senescent cells underscored by the severely diminished ATP/ADP ratio. Profound oxidative stress may contribute, at least in part, to senescence pointing at a potential protective role of antioxidants in aging-associated disease.

Role of Oxidative Stress and Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Oxidative stress generated on account of hyperglycemic state may lead to retinal abnormalities including DR. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the status of antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), in different stages of DR severity in subjects with type 1 DM (T1DM) and type 2 DM (T2DM). METHODS: The cross-sectional study enrolled 148 subjects with T1DM (n = 17), T2DM (n = 96), and nondiabetic controls (n = 35). Subjects with DM were divided into 2 subgroups based on DR severity (mild-to-severe nonproliferative DR [NPDR] and proliferative DR [PDR]), and serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, SOD, and CAT were estimated. RESULTS: Both SOD and CAT levels were lower in diabetic subjects than nondiabetic controls. A significant positive correlation was found between HbA1C level and severity of DR (p < 0.0001). Levels of SOD and CAT varied significantly with DR severity in both diabetic groups at p < 0.05. Furthermore, levels of SOD and CAT were found to decrease significantly (p < 0.001) in DR (+) compared to DR (-) patients. Also, increased levels of HbA1c were significantly associated (p < 0.001) with decreased SOD in both subgroups (NPDR and PDR). DR severity was significantly associated with SOD and CAT in the NPDR and PDR subgroups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defenses are associated with DR progression to its PDR stage.

Diabetes and cancer: A comprehensive review.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common worldwide endocrine disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion and insulin action or both. A number of clinical studies have investigated diabetes and its causal relation with neoplasm. Several epidemiological studies have found that diabetic patients have an increased risk of different types of cancers, for example liver, pancreas, gastric (stomach), colorectum, kidney, and breast, and it is predicted that hyperglycemic state observed in diabetic milieu enhances the cancer risk in prediabetic and diabetic individuals. To explore the strength of evidence and biases in the claimed associations between type 2 DM (T2DM) and risk of developing cancer, an umbrella review of the evidence across published meta-analyses or systematic reviews is performed. The concurrence of T2DM with the growing burden of cancer globally has generated interest in defining the epidemiological and biological relationships between these medical conditions. Through this review, it was found that diabetes could be related to cancer. Yet, the results from most of the studies are obscure and conflicting and need a robust research so that the link between diabetes and cancer could be firmly and impeccably documented.

Hepatoprotective effect of Quercetin supplementation against Acrylamide-induced DNA damage in wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Quercetin (QR), is a polyphenolic flavonoid compound which is found in large amounts in certain foods, and protects against oxidative stress. The current study was conducted to determine whether Quercetin can possibly exert hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against acrylamide (ACR) induced toxicity in rats. METHODS: Four groups of Wistar rats consisting of six rats each: (i) control group; (ii) ACR treated group (50 mg/kg bw); (iii) QR group: rats were treated with QR (10 mg/kg bw); (iv) QR (10 mg/kg bw) was given i.p. for 5 days followed by ACR (50 mg/kg bw) on 5th day (single dose). RESULTS: ACR caused an elevation in 8-OH guanosine level and a reduction in Glutahione S-transferase (GST) activity. Administration of QR significantly protected liver tissue against hepatotoxic effect of acrylamide from amelioration of the marker enzyme (p < 0.05) and DNA damage (p < 0.01) as evident by comet assay and, besides some indices of histopathological alterations. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that QR could protect the liver against DNA damage induced by ACR probably is thus capable of ameliorating ACR-induced changes in the rat livers.

A Comprehensive Two-Decade Analysis of Lymphoma Incidence Patterns in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Lymphomas account for approximately 10% of all cancer cases among the Saudi population. Even when separated, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are in the top ten most commonly diagnosed cancers among Saudi men and women. Despite the substantial cost of HL and NHL to public health, the resources to assess their impact are insufficient. This study provides a two-decade detailed assessment of lymphoma incidence trends in the Saudi population. Methods: Analysis of the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) data for various incidence metrics from 2001 to 2020 was conducted. Joinpoint regression analysis was further performed to investigate temporal trends globally and by age group, gender, and administrative region. Results: HL cases grew by 174.1%, whereas NHL cases increased by only 80% for that time period. The HL overall Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASR) increased by 100% for both genders combined but remained unchanged for NHL. The median age at diagnosis for HL (20-30 years) and NHL (46-57 years) was lower than in many other nations. Our model identified increasing trends for HL with annual percentage changes (APCs) of 2.94% (CI: 2.2-3.7) and 3.67% (CI: 2.6-4.7) for males and females, respectively. The rise was mainly among young groups under 40. On the contrary, the NHL cohort revealed notable declining tendencies. We discovered alarming rates of HL in Saudi Arabia's APC (2.23% for males and 3.88% for females) and ASR compared to other Western countries. Overall, the majority of the patients presented with advanced-stage disease at a younger age and with slight male predominance. Conclusions: The overall incidence of lymphoma (especially HL) has been rising among Saudis. Implementation of secondary and tertiary prevention measures, as well as management of modifiable risk factors, is warranted.

Systemic immune-inflammation index and its relation to blood pressure and dyslipidemia in adults: A retrospective study.

High blood pressure (BP) and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease mortality. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been suggested as a predictive tool to identify those at risk for chronic diseases, however, its use for predicting high BP and dyslipidemia has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine the association between SII and high BP as well as lipid markers. Retrospective hospital data from a large cohort (n = 3895) of Saudi adults aged ≥18 years were analyzed. Lipid markers (cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein [LDL]), systolic BP, and diastolic BP measures were extracted. When the sample was divided into quartiles of SII, cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL were higher in those with a higher SII than in those with a lower SII (P < .01). After adjusting for potential confounders, higher SII was significantly associated with higher odds of hypertension (odds ratio: 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.21) and elevated LDL (odds ratio: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.14), but not with elevated cholesterol. Across quartiles of SII, there was a significant trend between higher SII and the odds of hypertension in people with diabetes and those aged ≥65 years. The SII could be an economical predictive measure for identifying individuals at risk of hypertension and some aspects of dyslipidemia. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this relationship.

Alginate Beads as a Promising Tool for Successful Production of Viable and Pluripotent Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in a 3D Culture System.

Purpose: Two-dimensional (2D)-based cell culture systems, limited by their inherent heterogeneity and scalability, are a bottleneck in the production of high-quality cells for downstream biomedical applications. Finding the optimal conditions for large-scale stem cell culture while maintaining good cellular status is challenging. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of three-dimensional (3D) culture on the viability, proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs). Patients and Methods: Various culture conditions were evaluated to determine the optimal conditions to maintain the viability and proliferation of human IPSCs in a 3D environment: static versus dynamic culture, type of adhesion protein added to alginate (Matrigel™ versus gelatin), and the addition of Y-27632t on long-term 3D culture. The proliferation ability of the cells was evaluated via the MTS proliferation assay; the expression levels of the pluripotency markers Nanog and Oct3/4, PAX6 as an ectoderm marker, and laminin-5 and fibronectin as markers of extracellular matrix synthesis were assessed; and HIF1α and HIF2α levels were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Using a high-aspect-ratio vessel bioreactor with a gentle, low-sheer, and low-turbulence environment with sufficient oxygenation and effective mass transfer of nutrients and waste, we verified its ability to promote cell proliferation and self-renewal. The findings showed that human IPSCs have the ability to maintain pluripotency in a feeder-free system and by inhibiting ROCK signaling and using hypoxia to improve single-cell viability in 3D culture. Furthermore, these cells demonstrated increased self-renewal and proliferation when inoculated as single cells in 3D alginate beads by adding RI during the culture period. Conclusion: Dynamic 3D culture is desirable for the large-scale expansion of undifferentiated human IPSCs.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Flow Cytometric DNA Index in Saudi Children with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in children in Saudi Arabia. Cytogenetic investigations, including karyotyping and FISH, are used to determine the incidence and prognostic significance of chromosomal abnormalities in B-ALL. However, in ALL, accurate identification of the morphology of chromosomes is sometimes not achieved. Flow cytometric DI may have the advantage of being technically fast, using either fresh or frozen samples to correctly stratify the patient into the appropriate risk group for treatment. In this study, we evaluated the reliability and validity of using fixed samples instead of fresh samples to determine aneuploidy in cancer cells using a DNA index. The results of the DNA index obtained by flow cytometry were compared with those of conventional cytogenetic analysis to validate the accuracy. Fixed samples (n = 72) from children diagnosed with B-ALL at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh between 2017 and 2019 were investigated. The results showed strong and statistically significant positive correlation between DNAI-FCM and conventional cytogenetic analysis (p = 0.000 < 0.01). The DNA index value by flow cytometry was proportional to the cytogenetic study in 94.36% (67) of the cases, while discrepancy was observed in 5.6% (four) cases. Our findings highlight the ability of the DNA index method to provide complementary information for the accurate diagnosis of aneuploidy in patients with B-ALL.

Red and White Meat Intake in Relation to Gut Flora in Obese and Non-Obese Arab Females.

BACKGROUND: high meat intake may contribute to several chronic diseases including obesity. However, evidence is insufficient on the relation between red/white meat intake and gut flora among individuals with varying degrees of adiposity. OBJECTIVE: investigate the association of red/white meat intake with gut flora in Saudi Arabian females with/without obesity. METHODS: this observational study involved 92 females with and without obesity (n = 44, 48, respectively) aged 19-25 years. The whole-genome shotgun technique was used to analyze the gut flora. Shannon alpha and Bray-Curtis beta diversity as well as correlation coefficients were used. RESULTS: in the total sample, there were positive correlations between Actinobacteria, Bacteroides (p ≤ 0.05), Flavonifractor plautii (p ≤ 0.0001), and total red meat intake. There were also positive correlations between total white meat intake, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (p ≤ 0.05) in the total sample. In the group without obesity, there was a positive correlation between low white meat intake and Actinobacteria (p = 0.05). In the group with obesity, there was a positive correlation between high white meat intake and Bacteroides (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: our findings suggest that meat intake had an impact on the gut flora of Arab adult females, independent of adiposity. Specific strains identified in this study need further investigation to determine their relation to meat intake and obesity.

Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Incidence Patterns in Saudi Arabia.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the commonest cancer in Saudi males and the third most common in Saudi females. Although CRC represents a major public health challenge, the resources to evaluate its burden are inadequate. This study aims to elucidate the magnitude of CRC incidence trends in the Saudi population by age, gender, and administrative region. Data for multiple incidence measures were analyzed from the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) retrospectively from 2001 to 2018. Temporal trends were further analyzed by age group, gender, administrative region, and globally using joinpoint regression analysis. The number of CRC cases climbed by 335.6% and the disease increased by 56.4% to comprise 12.2% of all cancers cases. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) increased by 152% overall, and the median age at diagnosis peaked at 60 and 58 years for males and females, respectively. Riyadh and the Eastern Region had the highest ASR for both genders, peaking at 21.8 and 19.2 for males and 17.4 and 16.5 for females per 100 K population. Our prediction model identified growing trends with annual percentage changes (APCs) of 4.59% in males (CI: 3.1-6.1) and 3.91% among females (CI: 2.4-5.5). Males above 75 years had the highest APC (7.9%, CI: 5.3-10.7), whereas the highest APC among females was found in the age group 70-74 (5.4%, CI: 2.8-8). Globally, APC was the highest for both genders compared to selected countries. CRC incidence is increasing alarmingly in Saudi Arabia and is projected to continue. There is a need for better screening strategies, preventative measures, and awareness-building.

Fatal intracranial haemorrhage in acute promyelocytic leukemia patients with short isoform of PML-RARα: Review of molecular and radiological data.

Three major PML-RARα fusion gene transcripts (long [bcr1], variant [bcr2], and short [bcr3]) are currently used in clinical laboratories for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of APL patients. Despite highly improved outcome, relapse and intracranial haemorrhage that may lead to early death is still an unsolved complication in APL. We reviewed APL patients confirmed by qPCR for the presence of PML-RARα transcripts (n = 27) and studied their outcome in relation to the isoform expression at diagnosis and follow-up in King Fahad Medical City. Eight in twenty-seven patients showed bcr3 and nineteen patients with bcr1 as major isoforms at diagnosis. Half of the bcr3 patients (n = 4/8) showed early mortality, prolonged qPCR positivity, 4-fold higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, higher creatinine levels, and significantly reduced relapse free and overall survival time compared with bcr1 patients. Radiological findings in bcr3 patients revealed CNS involvement in the form of intracranial haemorrhage and periventricular microangiopathy and no CNS involvement in bcr1 patients. In conclusion, PML-RARα isoform expression at diagnosis in selective patients influences disease course over time and may even lead to early mortality due to haemorrhage. Thus, timely reporting of the specific PML-RARα isoform by clinical laboratories and CNS assessment by radiology can prevent complications leading to death in some APL patients.

Correction: Abulmeaty et al. Effect of Long-Term Continuous Light Exposure and Western Diet on Adropin Expression, Lipid Metabolism, and Energy Homeostasis in Rats. Biology 2021, 10, 413.

In the original publication [...].