Role of MicroRNA-31 (miR-31) in Breast Carcinoma Diagnosis and Prognosis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Breast cancer (BC) is among the most widespread malignant tumors in women. In the current study, we evaluated the role of miR-31 in BC patients and its relation to the different prognostic, clinical, and pathological features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MiR-31 levels were determined by RT-PCR in BC and adjacent normal breast tissues from 100 BC patients. BC diagnosis was established through histopathological examinations. The expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor in all tumors was determined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: MiR-31 expression was reduced in BC tissues relative to adjacent healthy breast tissue (mean levels were 0.93 and 7.2, respectively). Also, the low expression of miR-31 in BC patients was significantly correlated with adverse clinical and pathological features such as: young patient's age, premenopausal status, infiltrative lobular carcinoma, ER and PR negative tumors, HER2 positive tumors, and advanced clinical stage. CONCLUSION: MiR-31 was expressed at low levels in BC tissues and correlated with adverse clinical and pathological features, and poor survival.

Assessment of Glutathione Peroxidase-1 (GPX1) Gene Expression as a Specific Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a malignant tumor of the mesothelial lining of the thorax. It has been related to frequent exposure to asbestos. Diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma is considered a criticizing problem for clinicians. Early diagnosis and sufficient surgical excision of MPM are considered the cornerstone success factors for the management of early MPM. Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1) is an intracellular protein found to be extensively distributed in all cells, and it belongs to the GPX group. In the current study, we included ninety-eight patients with MPM that underwent surgery at the Zagazig University Hospital in Egypt. We assessed GPX1 gene expression level as it was thought to be related to pathogenicity of cancer in a variety of malignant tumors. We observed a significant elevation in GPX1-mRNA levels in MPM relative to the nearby normal pleural tissues. It was found to be of important diagnostic specificity in the differentiation of MPM from normal tissues. Moreover, we studied the survival of patients in correlation to the GPX1 expression levels and we reported that median overall survival was about 16 months in patients with high GPX1 expression levels, while it was found to be about 40 months in low GPX1 levels.

Prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Taif social correctional center, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus are primarily distinguished through their genetic characteristics. These strains carry the smaller types of staphylococcal cassette chromosome, specifically types IV and V. These infections occur mostly in healthy younger patients, and have been linked to such severe clinical conditions as necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis. A higher risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contagion exists among incarcerated sub-populations; therefore, this study investigated colonization rate and risk factors among the residents of the Taif Social Correctional Center. METHODOLOGY: The study included 93 inmates and 19 employees. Specimens were collected from participants' noses and hands and from different environmental locations. The isolated organisms were identified according to standard microbiological methods. Methicillin resistance was evaluated using the standard cefoxitin disk diffusion method and oxacillin screen agar procedure. Methicillin resistance was further confirmed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: High methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization rate was found among the center residents (24.7%) and employees (15.8%). Long duration of residence in the correctional institution and bad hand hygiene emerged as prominent risk factors for this colonization. An antibiogram categorized the isolated strains into six phenotypes, with a predominance of two antibiotic-resistant patterns suggesting cross-contamination and the presence of local foci of dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: Taif Social Correctional Center residents exhibited a higher prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization than was found in similar institutions. Poor personal hygiene and infection control measures are likely the major contributors to the problem.