The incidence rate of female breast cancer in Saudi Arabia: an observational descriptive epidemiological analysis of data from Saudi Cancer Registry 2001-2008

Background: This study presents descriptive epidemiological data related to breast cancer cases diagnosed from 2001 to 2008 among Saudi women, including the frequency and percentage of cases, the crude incidence rate (CIR), and the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), adjusted by the region and year of diagnosis. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive epidemiological study of all Saudi female breast cancer cases from 2001 to 2008. The statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, a linear regression model, and analysis of variance with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: A total of 6,922 female breast cancer cases were recorded in the Saudi Cancer Registry from 2001 to 2008. The highest overall percentages (38.6% and 31.2%) of female breast cancer cases were documented in women who were 30–44 and 45–59 years of age, respectively. The eastern region of Saudi Arabia had the highest overall ASIR, at 26.6 per 100,000 women, followed by Riyadh at 20.5 and Makkah at 19.4. Jazan, Baha, and Asir had the lowest average ASIRs, at 4.8, 6.1, and 7.3 per 100,000 women, respectively. The region of Jouf (24.2%; CIR 11.2, ASIR 17.2) had the highest changes in CIR and ASIR from 2001 to 2008. While Qassim, Jazan and Tabuk recorded down-trending rates with negative values. Conclusion: There was a significant increase in the CIRs and ASIRs for female breast cancer between 2001 and 2008. The majority of breast cancer cases occurred among younger women. The region of Jouf had the greatest significant differences of CIR and ASIR during 2001 to 2008. Jazan, Baha, and Najran had the lowest average CIRs and ASIRs of female breast cancer, whereas the linear trend upward is a concern in certain regions, such as the eastern region, Makkah, and Riyadh. However, further analytical epidemiological research is needed to identify the potential risk factors involved in the increase in the prevalence of breast cancer among Saudi women

Evaluation of human umbilical cord blood as a source of embryonic stem cells

Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) has been poorly characterised as a source of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate HUCB as source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with embryonic characteristics. HUCB was collected from consenting women undergoing elective caesarean sections. HUCB was meticulously explanted into MesenCult media and incubated. Qualitative and quantitative immunophenotyping of cells was achieved using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled antibodies (CD34, CD45, CD29, CD44, CD73 and CD105) phenotypic markers. Immunocytochemistry was carried out for the human ESC markers CD9, stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 and 4 (SSEA-1 and SSEA-4), E-cadherin, Podocalyxin (PODXL), sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), NANOG and Octamer (OCT3/4). MSCs were cultured to induce differentiation into adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic and neurogenic cells. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP-4), osteocalcin, aggrecan, SOX2 and oligodendrocyte-4 (Olig-4) markers. The cells were strongly positive for the MSC markers CD29, CD44, CD73 and CD105; these cells also expressed the ESC markers CD9, SSEA-1 and SSEA-4, E-cadherin, PODXL, SOX2, NANOG and OCT3/4. Additionally, the MSCs expressed the adipogenic FABP-4, osteogenic osteocalcin, chondrogenic aggrecan and neural Olig-4 and SOX2 markers after differentiation. Therefore, HUCB is a rich source for MSCs with embryonic characteristics

The power of the age standardized incidence rate to discover the gene link between cancer diseases: development of a new epidemiological method to save money, time, and effort for genetic scientists

Background: This study provides an incipient epidemiological rule using the concept of direct method of standardization to determine the genetic link between cancer diseases. Methods: The overall 8 or 10 years age standardized incidence rate (ASIR) for both cancer diseases, for example (A) and (B) should be calculated for all regions of the country. A line chart should be used to display the overall ASIR trend of both diseases (A and B). Pearson’s correlation can be used to determine the strength of the association between the overall ASIRs of both diseases. The overlap or opposite direction of the overall ASIR trend of both diseases (A and B) should be determined and studied for possible associations between cancer diseases. Results: If the trend of the overall 8 or 10 years ASIR of a disease (A) follows that of disease (B) in all regions of the country, then the genes of patients with both diseases (A and B) will be highly homogeneous, and they should be studied in the region with the highest and lowest overall ASIR for both diseases (A and B). In addition, if there is an opposite direction or overlapping trend for both diseases (A and B) in certain regions of the country or among specific groups of people with the same demographic characteristics, then the genes of patients will be investigated for both diseases to identify the potential gene link between cancer diseases. Conclusion: This study revealed that the overall ASIR trends of female breast cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer are very similar in all regions of Saudi Arabia and England. Our epidemiological evidence helps to save money, time, and effort for testing the potential gene link between cancer diseases

The role of Nanog expression in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells

There is an accumulation of evidence that shows a significant role of cancer stem cells in tumor initiation, proliferation, relapse, and metastasis. Nanog is the most important core transcription marker of stem cells, known by its role in maintaining pluripotency, proliferation, and differentiation. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the role of Nanog in breast cancer cell tamoxifen resistance and its implications in breast cancer treatment. In this study, the expression of the three core transcription markers Nanog, Oct3/4, and Sox2 were quantitatively evaluated using flow cytometry. Then, small interfering RNA (siRNA) against human Nanog was transfected into tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells via Lipofectamine 2000. Nanog gene expression in the cells was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The change in cell proliferation was evaluated using the tetrazolium bromide method. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect apoptosis of the transfected cells alone and in combination with 4-hydroxytamoxifen. The results showed a high level expression of Nanog, Oct3/4, and Sox2 in MDA-MB-231 and MCF7/tamoxifen resistant cells compared with MCF7/wild-type. siRNA-mediated Nanog gene silencing can efficiently inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. This study provides a basis for further study of the role of Nanog in developing resistance to tamoxifen, its implication in breast cancer management, and as a new strategy to enhance response to endocrine therapy

Incidence rate of ovarian cancer cases in Saudi Arabia: an observational descriptive epidemiological analysis of data from Saudi Cancer Registry 2001–2008

Purpose This study provides descriptive epidemiological data, such as the percentage of cases diagnosed, crude incidence rate (CIR), and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of ovarian cancer in Saudi Arabia from 2001–2008. Patients and methods A retrospective descriptive epidemiological analysis of all ovarian cancer cases recorded in the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) from January 2001–December 2008 was performed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance tests, Poisson regression, and simple linear modeling. Results A total of 991 ovarian cancer cases were recorded in the SCR from January 2001–December 2008. The region of Riyadh had the highest overall ASIR at 3.3 cases per 100,000 women, followed by the Jouf and Asir regions at 3.13 and 2.96 cases per 100,000 women. However, Hail and Jazan had the lowest rates at 1.4 and 0.6 cases per 100,000 women, respectively. Compared to Jazan, the incidence rate ratio for the number of ovarian cancer cases was significantly higher (P<0.001) in the Makkah region at 6.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.13–9.83), followed by Riyadh at 6.3 (95% CI: 4.10–9.82), and the eastern region of Saudi Arabia at 4.52 (95% CI: 2.93–6.98). The predicted annual CIR and ASIR for ovarian cancer in Saudi Arabia could be defined by the equations 0.9 + (0.07× years) and 1.71 + (0.09× years), respectively. Conclusion We observed a slight increase in the CIRs and ASIRs for ovarian cancer in Saudi Arabia from 2001–2008. Riyadh, Jouf, and Asir had the highest overall ASIR, while Jazan and Hail had the lowest rates. Makkah, Riyadh, and the eastern region of Saudi Arabia had the highest incidence rate ratio for the number of ovarian cancer cases. Further analytical studies are required to determine the potential risk factors of ovarian cancer among Saudi women

The pattern of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in Saudi Arabia: a descriptive epidemiological analysis of data from the Saudi Ministry of Health

Purpose: This study describes the epidemiology of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia. Patients and methods: Epidemiological analysis was performed on data from all MERS-CoV cases recorded by the Saudi Ministry of Health between June 6, 2013 and May 14, 2014. The frequency of cases and deaths was calculated and adjusted by month, sex, age group, and region. The average monthly temperature and humidity of infected regions throughout the year was also calculated. Results: A total of 425 cases were recorded over the study period. The highest number of cases and deaths occurred between April and May 2014. Disease occurrence among men (260 cases [62%]) was higher than in women (162 cases [38%]), and the case fatality rate was higher for men (52%) than for women (23%). In addition, those in the 45–59 years and ≥60 years age groups were most likely to be infected, and the case fatality rate for these people was higher than for other groups. The highest number of cases and deaths were reported in Riyadh (169 cases; 43 deaths), followed by Jeddah (156 cases; 36 deaths) and the Eastern Region (24 cases; 22 deaths). The highest case fatality rate was in the Eastern Region (92%), followed by Medinah (36%) and Najran (33%). MERS-CoV infection actively causes disease in environments with low relative humidity (<20%) and high temperature (15°C–35°C). Conclusion: MERS-CoV is considered an epidemic in Saudi Arabia. The frequency of cases and deaths is higher among men than women, and those above 45 years of age are most affected. Low relative humidity and high temperature can enhance the spread of this disease in the entire population. Further analytical studies are required to determine the source and mode of infection in Saudi Arabia

Stem Cell Factor Antibody: Effective Manipulation of Antihormonal Therapy in Resistant Human Breast Cancer In Vitro.

Tamoxifen is the most commonly used drug in the treatment of breast cancer via blocking the estrogen receptor pathway. However, the use of Tamoxifen is limited by intrinsic and acquired resistance, which may be associated with the de-regulation of the kinase protein expression or an increase in multiple drug resistance (MDR) expression. Two breast cancer cell lines, wild type MCF7 WT (sensitive, i.e., ER+ ) and MDA-MB-231 (resistant, i.e., ER- ), were used. Expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) was measured, the cells were treated with 4- hydroxy tamoxifen in the presence or absence of anti-stem cell factor, apoptosis protein (Annexin V) was measured and Influx/efflux rates were monitored by using Technetium99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile ( 99m Tc-Sestamibi-MIBI) at different time intervals. Results showed positive expression of AnnexinV in MDA-MB-231 and MCF7/WT, and the effect of blocking of the stem cell factor showed an increase in the drug accumulation within the MDAMB-231 cell line. In conclusion, this study showed that the anti-stem cell factor enhances the effectiveness of antihormonal therapies determined by 99m Tc-MIBI. These findings may have implications for the use of anti-stem cell factor with antihormonal therapy in ER-negative breast cancer in order to overcome drug resistance and improve the outcome

The Production and Evaluation of an Electrochemical Sensors for Strychnine and its main metabolite Strychnine N-oxide for their use in Biological Samples

Strychnine (STN) and its major metabolite Strychnine N-Oxide (SNO) were examined electrochemically. Both parent compounds and its major metabolite showed electroactivity on glassy carbon electrodes using CV and DPV techniques. One oxidation peak at 1008 mV was observed for STN with the optimum peak intensity at pH 7. SNO produced two oxidation peaks, at 617 mV and 797 mV, at pH 5. The peaks demonstrated irreversible behaviour and the irreversibility of the system was confirmed at different scan rates. A calibration curve was produced for both CV and DPV measurements and the sensitivity of the proposed EC method was good compared with previous electrochemical and non-electrochemical methods. The precision of oxidation peak of STN using the STN-MIP method produced a maximum value of 11.5% and 2.32% for inter-day and intraday %RSD, respectively. The average% recovery was around 92%. The electrochemical method has been successfully applied to the determination of STN in spiked plasma and urine samples. For SNO, both anodic peaks of SNO demonstrated irreversible behaviour. A different sweep rate was used for calculating the number of ‘transfer electrons’ in the system; based on this, the mechanism of oxidation reaction was proposed. Calibration curves for both oxidative peaks were produced using DPV measurements. The second anodic peak demonstrated high linearity and precision with %RSD < 1.96

Laser surface treatment of polyamide and NiTi alloy and the effects on mesenchymal stem cell response

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to play important roles in development, post-natal growth, repair, and regeneration of mesenchymal tissues. What is more, surface treatments are widely reported to affect the biomimetic nature of materials. This paper will detail, discuss and compare laser surface treatment of polyamide (Polyamide 6,6), using a 60 W CO2 laser, and NiTi alloy, using a 100 W fiber laser, and the effects of these treatments on mesenchymal stem cell response. The surface morphology and composition of the polyamide and NiTi alloy were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. MSC cell morphology cell counting and viability measurements were done by employing a haemocytometer and MTT colorimetric assay. The success of enhanced adhesion and spreading of the MSCs on each of the laser surface treated samples, when compared to as-received samples, is evidenced in this work