Endosomal Escape and Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing Machinery Enabled by Nanoscale Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework

CRISPR/Cas9 is a combined protein (Cas9) and an engineered single guide RNA (sgRNA) genome editing platform that offers revolutionary solutions to genetic diseases. It has, however, a double delivery problem owning to the large protein size and the highly charged RNA component. In this work, we report the first example of CRISPR/Cas9 encapsulated by nanoscale zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) with a loading efficiency of 17% and enhanced endosomal escape promoted by the protonated imidazole moieties. The gene editing potential of CRISPR/Cas9 encapsulated by ZIF-8 (CC-ZIFs) is further verified by knocking down the gene expression of green fluorescent protein by 37% over 4 days. The nanoscale CC-ZIFs are biocompatible and easily scaled-up offering excellent loading capacity and controlled codelivery of intact Cas9 protein and sgRNA

Prevalence and determinants of eczema among females aged 21 to 32 years in Jeddah city – Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic an inflammatory skin disease with early onset and with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 20%. Although the pathogenesis of the disorder is not completely understood, it appears to result from the complex interplay between defects in skin barrier function, environmental and infectious agents, and immune abnormalities. Aim: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of Eczema among Saudi female aged 21 to 32 years old in Jeddah city. Methods: A cross sectional study involved 190 female students from IbnSina National College for Allied Health Sciences in Jeddah city were chosen by convenient sampling. Data were collected by Interview questionnaire (ISAAC: Core Questionnaire for Asthma, Rhinitis and Eczema) after getting their consent. SPSS used for data entry and analysis. Results: Prevalence of eczema among medical college females was 16.6%, Eczema was similar in Saudi and Non-Saudi females (13.97% and 12.66% respectively, P = 0.545). Eczema was associated with eye allergy (34.2%) with statistical significance P = 0.003. Eczema was associated family members history with statistical significance P = 0.012. There was not statistical significant relationship between eczema and education level, parental jobs, drugs chest and nose allergy. Conclusion: Prevalence of eczema among female medical students was 16.6%. Eczema was significantly associated with eye allergy and Family history of skin allergy was risk factor of eczema