DNA and protein methyltransferases inhibition by adenosine dialdehyde reduces the proliferation and migration of breast and lung cancer cells by downregulating autophagy.

Protein and DNA methylation is involved in various biological functions such as signal transmission, DNA repair, and gene expression. Abnormal regulation of methyltransferases has been linked to multiple types of cancer, but its link to autophagy and carcinogenesis in breast and lung cancer is not fully understood. We utilized UALCAN, a web tool, to investigate breast and lung cancer database from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We found that 17 methyltransferases are upregulated in breast and/or lung cancer. We investigated the effect of methylation inhibition on two breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and two lung cancer cell lines (H292 and A549) by treating them with the indirect methyltransferase inhibitor adenosine dialdehyde (AdOx). We found that the migration ability of all cell lines was decreased, and the growth rate of MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and H292 was also decreased after AdOx treatment. These results were correlated with an inhibition of the autophagy in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and H292 cell lines, since AdOx treatment induced a decreased expression of ATG7, a reduced ratio LC3-II/LC3-I and an increased p62 level. These findings suggest that inhibiting cells' methylation ability could be a potential target for breast and lung cancer treatment.

Assessment of changes in the epidemiology and prognosis of non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections one year after recovery from COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Given its pathophysiology and evidence on its long-term effects, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have altered the incidence, types, and severity of other respiratory infections (RIs). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of COVID-19 on non-SARS-CoV-2 RIs in COVID-19 survivors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, online survey from February 2022 to April 2022 in the United Arab Emirates. Participants included adults diagnosed with COVID-19 before February 2021. Those who did not undergo nasopharyngeal swab tests for contraction of other RIs after recovering from COVID-19 were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 384 participants, 24.5% were aged 18-24 years, and 55.5% were women. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2. Among the participants, 34.4% experienced at least one non-SARS-CoV-2 RI after recovering from COVID-19, of which 25.8% reported that the RI lasted longer than those previously, 27.3% sought physician advice, 31.8% reported increased coughing as a symptom of the non-SARS-CoV-2 RI, and 38.6% reported increased sputum. Based on patient responses, the degree of COVID-19 severity was significantly associated with non-SARS-CoV-2 RIs (p = 0.003), and depression was found to be a significant predictor of changes in shortness of breath symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.46). CONCLUSIONS: The participants of this study reported changes in the duration and severity of non-SARS-CoV-2 RIs after recovering from COVID-19. Further research is needed to confirm these findings, which suggest a need for swift action to protect the public against RIs, particularly seasonal pathogens.

Caffeine Consumption among Various University Students in the UAE, Exploring the Frequencies, Different Sources and Reporting Adverse Effects and Withdrawal Symptoms.

Background: Caffeine is widely consumed among students due to its cognitive and physical enhancing effects. However, little is known about the consumption pattern of different caffeinated products among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Aim: To investigate the frequency of caffeine consumption among the young population of students, assess types of caffeinated products consumed, and document adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms experienced by university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the UAE from December 2019 to March 2020. A random sample of 500 university students from different universities in the UAE were approached and asked to complete a self-administered online-based questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. Results: Of (n = 500) surveyed students, (n = 467) completed the survey 93.4%. The average level of caffeine consumption was significantly higher in females compared to male students (p < 0.005). Coffee was the highest favored source of caffeine (67.7%) followed by tea (47.3%). The average daily intake of caffeine was found to be 264 mg/day. Surprisingly, almost a third of students reported a high level of daily consumption (>400 mg/day) and more than half of them consumed less than 199 mg/day. Large proportions of students 91.1% have their caffeinated beverage after or while eating meals and 42.8% considered that this habit helped in avoiding acid reflux. Interestingly, around one third of participants have poor knowledge of caffeine-containing medical products, which seemed to affect the level of consumption in the student population (p < 0.05). The highest reported reason for caffeine intake was for studying purposes (59.4%). Conclusion: Caffeine consumption is highly prevalent among university students in the UAE. Yet, there is insufficiency in the current knowledge of safe caffeine consumption patterns reflecting the importance of health awareness programs and nutritional lectures to decrease the long-term health issues and unintentional overdose of caffeine.