Longevity-Related Gene Transcriptomic Signature in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (grade IV astrocytoma) has been assumed to be the most fatal type of glioma with low survival and high recurrence rates, even after prompt surgical removal and aggressive courses of treatment. Transcriptional reprogramming to stem cell-like state could explain some of the deregulated molecular signatures in GBM disease. The present study aimed to quantify the expression profiling of longevity-related transcriptional factors SOX2, OCT3/4, and NANOG to evaluate their diagnostic and performance values in high-grade gliomas. Forty-four specimens were obtained from glioblastoma patients (10 females and 34 males). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied for relative gene expression quantification. In silico network analysis was executed. NANOG and OCT3/4 mRNA expression levels were significantly downregulated while that of SOX2 was upregulated in cancer compared to noncancer tissues. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed high diagnostic performance of NANOG and OCT3/4 than SOX2. However, the aberrant expressions of the genes studied were not associated with the prognostic variables in the current population. In conclusion, the current study highlighted the aberrant expression of certain longevity-associated transcription factors in glioblastoma multiforme which may direct the attention towards new strategies in the treatment of such lethal disease

EFFECT OF LOW FODMAP DIETARY PROGRAM ON SYMPTOMS CONTROL OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG SAMPLE OF EGYPTIAN PATIENTS AT AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS.

Background: A low-fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet has been reported to be associated with improving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, comparison between low FODMAP and the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) dietary guideline for IBS still limited. Objectives: to determine the impact of low a FODMAP diet on symptom control and satisfaction of improvement in patients with IBS according to ROME IV criteria and IBS related quality of life and disability before and after participation; and to compare the impact of low FODMAP diet and NICE guidelines on symptoms control and quality of life among IBS patients. Methods: A randomized two-arm clinical trial had been conducted on 60 IBS patients who were randomized either to an intervention group (n=30) followed low FODMAP diet or a control group (n=30) followed NICE dietary guideline. Results: After 12 weeks of intervention, there was a statistically significant difference in (QOL) score and improvement of IBS symptoms (p<0.001) between the intervention group and the control group, and there was a significant reduction (p<0.001) in waist circumference among the intervention group versus the control group. In addition, patients in the intervention group were strongly satisfied (p<0.001) than the control group Conclusion: a low FODMAP diet can improve global symptoms of IBS and quality of life more than NICE dietary guideline among group of Egyptian patients at Ain Shams University Hospitals

Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Activation on a Pentylenetetrazole—Kindling Rat Model

Objectives: To study the possible anti-seizure and neuroprotective effect of glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP1) analogue (liraglutide) in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced kindled rat model and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into 3 equal groups; i) Normal group: normal rats received normal saline, ii) PTZ (kindling) group: received PTZ (50 mg/Kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)) every other day for 2 weeks and iii) PTZ + GLP1 group: same as the PTZ group but rats received liraglutide (75 &#181;g/kg i.p. daily) for 2 weeks before PTZ injection. Seizure severity score, seizure latency and duration were assessed. Also, the expression of caspase-3 (apoptotic marker) and &#946;-catenin (Wnt pathway) by western blotting, markers of oxidative stress (GSH, CAT and MDA) by biochemical assay and the expression of LC3 (marker of autophagy) and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) by immunostaining were assessed in hippocampal regions of brain tissues. Results: PTZ caused a significant increase in Racine score and seizure duration with a significant decrease in seizure latency. These effects were associated with a significant increase in MDA, &#946;-catenin, caspase-3, Hsp70 and LC3 in brain tissues (p &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, liraglutide treatment caused significant attenuation in PTZ-induced seizures, which were associated with significant improvement in markers of oxidative stress, reduction in LC3, caspase-3 and &#946;-catenin and marked increase in Hsp70 in hippocampal regions (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Activation of GLP1R might have anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects against PTZ-induced epilepsy. These effects could be due to suppression of oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy and upregulation of Hsp70

Hair Follicle-Related MicroRNA-34a Serum Expression and rs2666433A/G Variant in Patients with Alopecia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Alopecia areata (AA) is a type of immune-mediated alopecia. Recent studies have suggested microRNAs&rsquo; (miRNAs) implication in several cellular processes, including epidermal and hair follicle biology. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can modify gene expression levels, which may induce an autoimmune response. This case&ndash;control study included 480 participants (240 for each case/control group). MicroRNA-34a gene (MIR-34A) rs2666433A/G variant was genotyped using real-time allelic discrimination polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, circulatory miR-34a levels were quantified by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). On comparing between alopecia and non-alopecia cohorts, a higher frequency of A variant was noted among patients when compared to controls&mdash;A allele: 28 versus 18% (p &lt; 0.001); A/A genotype: 9 versus 2%; A/G genotype: 39 versus 32% (p &lt; 0.001). A/A and A/G carriers were more likely to develop alopecia under heterozygote comparison (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.14&ndash;2.93), homozygote comparison (OR = 4.19, 95% CI = 1.33&ndash;13.1), dominant (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.27&ndash;3.15), recessive (OR = 3.36, 95% CI = 1.08&ndash;10.48), over-dominant (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.04&ndash;32.63), and log additive (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.3&ndash;2.82) models. Serum miR-34a expression levels were upregulated in alopecia patients with a median and quartile fold change of 27.3 (1.42&ndash;2430). Significantly higher levels were more pronounced in A/A genotype patients (p &lt; 0.01). Patients carrying the heterozygote genotype (rs2666433 * A/G) were two times more likely to develop more severe disease grades. Stratified analysis by sex revealed the same results. A high expression level was associated with concomitant autoimmune comorbidities (p = 0.001), in particular SLE (p = 0.007) and vitiligo (p = 0.049). In conclusion, the MIR34A rs2666433 (A/G) variant is associated with AA risk and severity in the studied population. Furthermore, high miR-34a circulatory levels could play a role in disease pathogenesis

Resistance profiles, virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes of XDR S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium

Abstract Avian salmonellosis is concomitant with high financial crises in the poultry industry as well as food-borne illness in man. The present study is designed to investigate the emergence of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium in diseased broilers, resistance profiles, and monitoring virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. Consequently, 450 samples (cloacal swabs, liver, and spleen) were collected from 150 diseased birds from different farms in Giza Governorate, Egypt. Subsequently, the bacteriological examination was done. Afterward, the obtained Salmonella isolates were tested for serogrouping, antibiogram, PCR monitoring of virulence (invA, stn, hilA, and pefA), and antimicrobial resistance genes (bla TEM, bla CTX-M, bla NDM, ermA, sul1, tetA, and aadA1). The total prevalence of Salmonella in the examined diseased broilers was 9.3%, and the highest prevalence was noticed in cloacal swabs. Among the recovered Salmonella isolates (n = 35), 20 serovars were recognized as S. Enteritidis and 15 serovars were identified as S. Typhimurium. Almost 60% of the retrieved S. Enteritidis serovars were extensively drug-resistant (XDR) to seven antimicrobial classes and inherited sul1, bla TEM, tetA, bla CTX-M, ereA, and aadA1 genes. Likewise, 25% of the recovered S. Enteritidis serovars were multidrug-resistant (MDR) to six classes and have sul1, bla TEM, tetA, bla CTX-M, and ereA resistance genes. Also, 66.7% of the retrieved S. Typhimurium serovars were XDR to seven classes and have sul1, bla TEM, tetA, bla CTX-M, ereA, and aadA1 genes. Succinctly, this report underlined the reemergence of XDR S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis in broiler chickens. Meropenem and norfloxacin exposed a hopeful antimicrobial activity toward the re-emerging XDR S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis in broilers. Moreover, the recurrence of these XDR Salmonella strains poses a potential public health threat