Robust Expression of Tumor Suppressor miRNA\u27s Let-7 and miR-195 Detected in Plasma of Saudi Female Breast Cancer Patients.

Background Female breast cancer is frequently diagnosed at a later stage and the leading cause of cancer deaths world-wide. Levels of cell-free circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can potentially be used as biomarkers to measure disease progression in breast cancer patients in a non-invasive way and are therefore of high clinical value. Methods Using quantitative RT-PCR, circulating miRNAs were measured in blood samples collected from disease-free individuals (n = 34), triple-negative breast tumours (TNBC) (n = 36) and luminal tumours (n = 57). In addition to intergroup comparisons, plasma miRNA expression levels of all groups were analyzed against RNASeq data from cancerous breast tissue via The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Results A differential set of 18 miRNAs were identified in the plasma of breast cancer patients and 10 miRNAs were uniquely identified based on ROC analysis. The most striking findings revealed elevated tumor suppressor let-7 miRNA in luminal breast cancer patients, irrespective of subtype, and elevated miR-195 in plasma of TNBC breast cancer patients. In contrast, hsa-miR-195 and let-7 miRNAs were absent from cancerous TCGA tissue and strongly expressed in surrounding non-tumor tissue indicating that cancerous cells may selectively export tumor suppressor hsa-miR-195 and let-7 miRNAs in order to maintain oncogenesis. Conclusions While studies have indicated that the restoration of let-7 and miR-195 may be a potential therapy for cancer, these results suggested that tumor cells may selectively export hsa-miR-195 and let-7 miRNAs thereby neutralizing their potential therapeutic effect. However, in order to facilitate earlier detection of breast cancer, blood based screening of hsa-miR-195 and let-7 may be beneficial in a female patient cohort

Knowledge and attitude of Saudi female university students about first aid skills

BACKGROUND: First aid is the first and most essential life saving care that can reduce the morbidity of an individual in a health-threatening circumstance. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude toward the provision of first aid among students attending Princess Norah University (PNU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at PNU in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 2017 to December 2017. A total of 1000 female students from 15 different colleges completed a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age was 21 years (range 18-26); 36% study participants were from health colleges and remaining from other colleges. Only 34.7% had good knowledge, 57.5% had moderate knowledge, and 7.8% had poor knowledge on first aid skills. Analysis of knowledge in specific emergency situations showed that the students were more knowledgeable in cases of epistaxis, ingestion of toxins, burns, hypoglycemia, and loss of consciousness. However, they were found to be less knowledgeable in handling situations of seizures, choking, and snake bite. About 20.2% of the students had encountered situations where cardiopulmonary resuscitation was required and 65.3% of these students had not provided first aid because of the lack of knowledge, nervousness, and other issues. Good knowledge was associated with previous first aid training and being a student in a health college. CONCLUSION: Overall, students had a positive attitude toward first aid; however, they still did not have the knowledge necessary to be able to act in emergency situations. There is a need for increased public health awareness. It is also advisable to introduce first aid courses in all universities and secondary schools

Robust expression of tumor suppressor miRNA’s let-7 and miR-195 detected in plasma of Saudi female breast cancer patients

Abstract Background Female breast cancer is frequently diagnosed at a later stage and the leading cause of cancer deaths world-wide. Levels of cell-free circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can potentially be used as biomarkers to measure disease progression in breast cancer patients in a non-invasive way and are therefore of high clinical value. Methods Using quantitative RT-PCR, circulating miRNAs were measured in blood samples collected from disease-free individuals (n = 34), triple-negative breast tumours (TNBC) (n = 36) and luminal tumours (n = 57). In addition to intergroup comparisons, plasma miRNA expression levels of all groups were analyzed against RNASeq data from cancerous breast tissue via The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Results A differential set of 18 miRNAs were identified in the plasma of breast cancer patients and 10 miRNAs were uniquely identified based on ROC analysis. The most striking findings revealed elevated tumor suppressor let-7 miRNA in luminal breast cancer patients, irrespective of subtype, and elevated miR-195 in plasma of TNBC breast cancer patients. In contrast, hsa-miR-195 and let-7 miRNAs were absent from cancerous TCGA tissue and strongly expressed in surrounding non-tumor tissue indicating that cancerous cells may selectively export tumor suppressor hsa-miR-195 and let-7 miRNAs in order to maintain oncogenesis. Conclusions While studies have indicated that the restoration of let-7 and miR-195 may be a potential therapy for cancer, these results suggested that tumor cells may selectively export hsa-miR-195 and let-7 miRNAs thereby neutralizing their potential therapeutic effect. However, in order to facilitate earlier detection of breast cancer, blood based screening of hsa-miR-195 and let-7 may be beneficial in a female patient cohort

Additional file 1: Table S1. of Robust expression of tumor suppressor miRNA’s let-7 and miR-195 detected in plasma of Saudi female breast cancer patients

Characteristics of breast cancer patients. Figure S1. Heat map of pathways enriched by the target genes for the 18 differential miRNAs. The signalling pathways, namely PI3K-Akt, mTOR, p53, TGF-beta, Wnt, FoxO, estrogen, Hippo signalling and ECM receptor interaction, fatty acid metabolism and fatty acids biosynthesis pathways are enriched. Table S2. Univariate AUC statistics for the differential miRNAs based on ROC Analysis. (DOCX 1154 kb

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population