The Frequency of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 Genotypes and The Impact of Their Allele Translation and Phenoconversion-Predicted Enzyme Activity on Risperidone Pharmacokinetics in Saudi Children with Autism.

Data on the role of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 polymorphisms in relation to risperidone (RIS) pharmacokinetics (PK) in children are relatively limited and inconsistent. This is partially attributable to the limited coverage of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 metabolizer phenotypes, particularly those of poor and ultrarapid metabolizers (PMs and UMs), which has led to calls for studies of populations with a non-European background that may carry variants that are less frequent in Europeans. Children ≤ 18 years old with at least 8 weeks of a RIS-based regimen were recruited from three autism centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The primary outcomes measured were plasma concentrations of RIS and 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RIS) and their dose-adjusted (C/D) ratios as a function of phenotypes and activity score (AS). For accurate DNA genotyping, targeted pharmacogenomic testing with the Axiom PharmacoFocus Array was performed via examination of a broad collection of probesets targeting CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 variants. The frequency of genotypes/phenotypes and the impact of their allele translation and phenoconversion-predicted enzyme activity were examined. The final cohort included 83 individuals. The most common CYP2D6 phenotype in our population was normal metabolizers (NMs, 66.3%). Inconsistent with some previous studies, the three phenotypes of intermediate metabolizers (IMs), NMs, and UMs were significantly different in terms of RIS concentration, the RIS/9-OH-RIS ratio, the RIS C/D ratio and the 9-OH-RIS C/D ratio. According to AS analyses, there were statistically significant differences in the RIS concentration (P = 0.013), RIS/9-OH-RIS ratio (P < 0.001) and RIS C/D ratio (P = 0.030) when patients were categorized into AS ≤ 1 vs. AS > 1. None of the CYP3A4/5 star allele translated phenotypes revealed a significant influence on any of the RIS PK parameters. Notably, neither CYP2D6 nor CYP3A4/5 phenotyping demonstrated a significant impact on the total active moiety, suggesting that other gene variants could modulate RIS PK. The study confirmed the previously reported partial impact of the CYP2D6 gene on RIS PK. However, future studies using contemporary genotyping techniques targeting a wide range of variants in other candidate genes must be conducted to further examine their interactive effects on RIS PK and the clinical response.

Camping-related carbon monoxide poisoning: Knowledge and risk behaviours among young Saudi campers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Saudi campers' knowledge and the applied safety practices regarding carbon monoxide poisoning during camping activities. METHODS: The cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted from December 1, 2018, to February 1, 2019, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and comprised young male campers from recreational camps in the northern parts of the city. Data was collected from the participants regarding socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge regarding carbon monoxide poisoning, the applied safety measures to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and the dealing with carbon monoxide poisoning during camping activities. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: There were 235 male subjects with mean age 24.47±1.139 years (range: 21-32 years). Of the total, 50(21.3%) participants had received civil defence education or training. Overall, 137(58.3%) participants had a good mean knowledge score, and 157(66.8%) participants had a good mean practice score for applying healthy measures in preventing and managing carbon monoxide poisoning. As a preventive measure against carbon monoxide poisoning, the use of carbon monoxide detectors was valued by 107(45.5%) participants. Having civil defence training, having a monthly income >10,000 Saudi Riyals, and having a good knowledge score were the elements that had significant association with the choice related to carbon monoxide detector usage. CONCLUSIONS: The campers had relatively high knowledge regarding carbon monoxide poisoning, but this knowledge was not fully translated into good health practice.

Saudi women's complementary alternative medicine practice and attitudes in superficial injuries first aids.

OBJECTIVE: To detect Saudi women's complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice and attitudes in superficial injuries first aids. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study included 500 women from Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect their socio-demographic characteristics, complementary and alternative medicine practice and attitude in superficial injuries first aids. RESULTS: Most of the participants were young unmarried women coming from middle regions. Burn and superficial cuts represented the commonest superficial injuries. Honey and medical herbs; myrrh were the commonly used CAM. Most participants agreed that CAM is available. Half of participants believed that CAM is safe that could be used without medical consultation. CONCLUSIONS: There is increased interest and positive attitudes toward CAM use among Saudi women, yet they are not aware about its interactions and side effects.

Using Skin Gene Markers for Estimating Early Postmortem Interval at Different Temperatures.

Many researches document long-term RNA persistence in a variety of tissues and its applicability in estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). Skin-specific mRNA marker, late cornified envelope 1C (LCE1C), was used to identified skin samples. Before using the LCE1C in criminal casework, its persistence and applicability for estimating PMI in different temperatures were tested. Twelve skin samples were collected from 6 patients, and 6 samples were kept at 24°C and others were kept at 40°C for 5 days. The expression levels of LCE1C mRNA are serially detected and quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of LCE1C were decreased with increasing the time interval in time-dependent manner, whereas changing the surrounding temperatures did not show any statistical significance. These results could suggest using LCE1C in estimation of PMI. Moreover, these encourage investigators and crime laboratories to know environmental conditions before interpreting the results.