Delayed Inflammatory Reaction to Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler Following Zoledronic Acid Administration: A Case Report

Nada J Alghamdi,1,* Serene R Almuhaidib,2,* Abdulmajeed S Alharbi,2,* Abdullah Ali N Aljalfan,1,* Khalid M Al-Husain1 1Department of Dermatology, King Fahd University Hospital, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Abdullah Ali N Aljalfan, Department of Dermatology, King Fahd University Hospital, P.O. Box 34246, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate that can be administered intravenously and used to treat several bone disorders. It decreases bone resorption, thereby improving bone mineral density (BMD) and reducing fractures. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved zoledronic acid for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal females and males and for other conditions. Zoledronic acid is generally well tolerated, with most side effects being musculoskeletal or gastrointestinal. Cutaneous side effects include maculopapular rash and other mild skin reactions. Rare severe skin rashes, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported. Here, we report the case of a 64-year-old female with a medical history of breast cancer status post-radical mastectomy and chemotherapy presenting with delayed hypersensitivity reaction to a hyaluronic acid dermal filler two days after receiving zoledronic acid intravenously given to maintain bone density, symptoms completely resolved with oral prednisolone 20 mg once daily and cetirizine 10 mg. Cases of delayed inflammatory reaction to hyaluronic acid soft tissue filler have previously been reported in patients who have received vaccination or those with viral infections. However, to our knowledge, there have been no reports of delayed inflammatory reactions to facial hyaluronic acid injections after zoledronic acid administration.Keywords: delayed inflammation, filler, zoledronic acid, hyaluronic aci

In vivo and in vitro studies evaluating the chemopreventive effect of metformin on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated breast carcinogenesis

Metformin (MET) is a clinically used anti-hyperglycemic agent that shows activities against chemically-induced animal models of cancer. A study from our laboratory showed that MET protectes against 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced carcinogenesis in vitro human non-cancerous epithelial breast cells (MCF10A) via activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). However, it is unclear whether MET can prevent the initiation of breast carcinogenesis in an in vivo rat model of AhR-induced breast carcinogenesis. Therefore, the main aims of this study are to examine the effect of MET on protecting against rat breast carcinogenesis induced by DMBA and to explore whether this effect is medicated through the AhR pathway. In this study, treatment of female rats with DMBA initiated breast carcinogenesis though inhibiting apoptosis and tumor suppressor genes while inducing oxidative DNA damage and cell cycle proliferative markers. This effect was associated with activation of AhR and its downstream target genes; cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and CYP1B1. Importantly, MET treatment protected against DMBA-induced breast carcinogenesis by restoring DMBA effects on apoptosis, tumor suppressor genes, DNA damage, and cell proliferation. Mechanistically using in vitro human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, MET inhibited breast cancer stem cells spheroids formation and development by DMBA, which was accompanied by a proportional inhibition in CYP1A1 gene expression. In conclusion, the study reports evidence that MET is an effective chemopreventive therapy for breast cancer by inhibiting the activation of CYP1A1/CYP1B1 pathway in vivo rat model

A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia

Background: Lung cancer is currently the most fatal form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth most prevalent type in Saudi Arabia, particularly among males. This trend is expected to increase with growing population, lifestyle changes, and aging population. Understanding the awareness of the Saudi population regarding the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer is necessary to attenuate the predicted increase in cases. / Method: A cross-sectional, population-based survey was performed using a previously validated questionnaire (Lung CAM). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with deficiency in knowledge and awareness of risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer. / Results: Majority of the 15,099 respondents were male (65%), aged between 18 and 30 years (53%), 50% of which were educated up to a bachelor’s degree level. Overall awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms was 53%, with painful cough and coughing up blood being the best-known symptoms. Conversely, persistent shoulder pain (44%) and clubbing fingers (47%) were the least known lung cancer symptoms. Also, 60% of the respondents showed low confidence in identifying the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The overall awareness of the risk factors for lung cancer development was 74%, with first-hand (74%) and second-hand (68%) smoking being the most known risk factors. However, only ≤ 62% know the other non-smoking risk factors. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer depended on age, gender, education, marital and employment status (p < 0.001). / Conclusion: Public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer in Saudi Arabia is inadequate and heavily dependent on education and socio-economic status. Awareness can be improved through campaigns to raise awareness about other lesser-known lung cancer risk factors and symptoms

Human Salmonellosis: A Continuous Global Threat in the Farm-to-Fork Food Safety Continuum

Salmonella is one of the most common zoonotic foodborne pathogens and a worldwide public health threat. Salmonella enterica is the most pathogenic among Salmonella species, comprising over 2500 serovars. It causes typhoid fever and gastroenteritis, and the serovars responsible for the later disease are known as non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS). Salmonella transmission to humans happens along the farm-to-fork continuum via contaminated animal- and plant-derived foods, including poultry, eggs, fish, pork, beef, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and flour. Several virulence factors have been recognized to play a vital role in attaching, invading, and evading the host defense system. These factors include capsule, adhesion proteins, flagella, plasmids, and type III secretion systems that are encoded on the Salmonella pathogenicity islands. The increased global prevalence of NTS serovars in recent years indicates that the control approaches centered on alleviating the food animals’ contamination along the food chain have been unsuccessful. Moreover, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella variants suggests a potential food safety crisis. This review summarizes the current state of the knowledge on the nomenclature, microbiological features, virulence factors, and the mechanism of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella. Furthermore, it provides insights into the pathogenesis and epidemiology of Salmonella infections. The recent outbreaks of salmonellosis reported in different clinical settings and geographical regions, including Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the USA in the farm-to-fork continuum, are also highlighted

Proceedings of the CSE 2017 Annual PGR Symposium (CSE-PGSym17)

Welcome to the Proceedings of the second Annual Postgraduate Research Symposium of the School of Computing, Science and Engineering (CSE-PGSym 2017). After the success of the first symposium, the school is delighted to run its second symposium which is being held in The Old Fire Station on 17th March 2017. The symposium is organised by the Salford Innovation Research Centre (SIRC) to provide a forum for the PGR community in the school to share their research work, engage with their peers and staff and stimulate new ideas. In line with SIRC’s strategy, the symposium aims to bring together researchers from the six groups that make up the centre to engage in multidisciplinary discussions and collaborations. It also aims to contribute to the creation of a collaborative environment within the Research Centre and the Groups and share information and explore new ideas. This is also aligned with the University’s ICZ (Industrial Collaboration Zone) programme for creating cultural, physical and virtual environments for collaboration, innovation and learning

Trace elements: critical insights from 15 years of monitoring in the Venice Lagoon catchment basin (Italy)

The study focused on selected trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb) monitored in surface waters of the Venice Lagoon catchment basin (North East Italy) over the period 2000-2015. The monitoring was undertaken to verify the achievement of the quality objectives set by the European and national legislations. The available results have been analyzed to evaluate the chemical status of water bodies. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the applied analytic techniques appears critical for the adequate water monitoring; for some parameters, the percentage of not visible values due to non-satisfactory LOQ was higher in the beginning of the period; the subsequent improvement of LOQ allowed assessing the respect of environmental quality standards (EQSs). The study analyzes time trends in single stations and the differences between detected concentrations in the considered stations. Moreover, maximum concentrations and water flows have been considered to understand the potential correlation. Cumulated frequency curves for the most critical parameters have been built to identify situation of potential overtaking of the EQSs in force. The most polluted sampling stations of the drainage basin for the six trace elements were found in Cuori and Fiumazzo rivers. Although LOQs changed over time, the recorded trends show a quality improvement and a good compliance with respect to EQSs set by European legislation, while considering EQSs set by local special legislation, the objectives are not yet satisfied. Arsenic is ubiquitous; thus, it can be supposed to be originated as a background environmental concentration, while nickel appears of industrial origin according to its point and local presence

Medical genetics in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region: challenges and opportunities

Advances in genetic and genomic technology changed health-care services rapidly in low and middle income countries (LMICs) in the Asia-Pacific region. While genetic services were initially focused on population-based disease prevention strategies, they have evolved into clinic-based and therapeutics-oriented service. Many LMICs struggled with these noncommunicable diseases and were unprepared for the needs of a clinical genetic service. The emergence of a middle class population, the lack of regulatory oversight, and weak capacity-building in medical genetics expertise and genetic counseling services led to a range of genetic services of variable quality with minimal ethical oversight. Some of the current shortcomings faced include the lack of awareness of cultural values in genetic health care, the variable stages of socioeconomic development and educational background that led to increased demand and abuse of genetics, the role of women in society and the crisis of gender selection, the lack of preventive and care services for genetic and birth defects, the issues of gene ethics in medicine, and the lack of understanding of some religious controversies. These challenges provide opportunities for both developing and developed nations to work together to reduce the inequalities and to ensure a caring, inclusive, ethical, and cost-effective genetic service in the region

Attitudes of cancer patients and their families toward disclosure of cancer diagnosis in Saudi Arabia: a Middle Eastern population example

Ahmad S Alzahrani,1 Abdullah Alqahtani,1 Maher Alhazmi,1 Rehab Gaafar,2 Doaa Bajabir,1 Ibtehaj M Alharbi,3 Ashwaq MF Alharbi,3 Ghufran Kheshaifaty,1 Aamer Alzahrani4 1Mental Health Department, Neuroscience Center, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 2Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia; 4College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia Objectives: Particularly in the Middle East, few studies have explored the attitude of cancer patients and their families toward cancer diagnosis disclosure (CDD). This study was conducted to investigate the preference and attitude of a sample of cancer patients and their families in Saudi Arabia toward CDD. Methods: We constructed a questionnaire based on previous studies. The questionnaire assessed preference and attitude toward CDD. Participants were recruited from the King Abdullah Medical City, which has one of the largest cancer centers in Saudi Arabia. Results: Three hundred and four cancer patients and 277 of their family members participated in the study. The patient group preferred CDD more than the family group (82.6% vs 75.3%, P&lt;0.05). This preference is especially more evident toward disclosure of detailed cancer information (status, prognosis, and treatment) (83.6% vs 59.9%, P&lt;0.001). In a binary logistic regression, factors associated with preference toward CDD included having information about cancer (odds ratio [OR] 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15&ndash;2.84) and being employed (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1&ndash;2.82) while being from the patient group was the only factor associated with preference toward detailed cancer information (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 2.11&ndash;5.05). In terms of patient reaction after CDD, &ldquo;fear&rdquo; was the attitude expected by the family group more than the patient group (56.3% vs 70.4%, P&lt;0.001) while &ldquo;acceptance&rdquo; was the attitude anticipated by the patient group more than the family group (38% vs 15.2%, P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Patients preferred CDD and disclosure of related information, while their families were more inclined toward scarce disclosure. Family members seem to experience negative attitudes more than the patients themselves. Keywords: oncology, disclosure, family, caregiver, culture, Muslim, perception, preference, communication, bad news, patient-centere