Potential role of the lncRNA "HOTAIR"/miRNA "206"/BDNF network in the alteration in expression of synaptic plasticity gene arc and BDNF level in sera of patients with heroin use disorder through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway compared to the controls

INTRODUCTION

Heroin use disorder (HUD) is a seriously increasing health issue, accounting for most deaths among drug abusers. Studying non-coding ribonucleic acid gene expression among drug abusers is a promising approach, as it may be used in diagnosis and therapeutics.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

A total of 49 male heroin-dependent patients and 49 male control participants were recruited from Kasr Al Ainy Psychiatry and Addiction outpatient clinics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. Sera were gathered. qRT-PCR was utilized for the detection of gene expression of non-coding RNAs such as "HOX transcript antisense RNA" (HOTAIR), micro-RNA (miRNA-206), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and Activity Regulated Cytoskeleton Associated Protein (Arc). Sera Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels were assessed using ELISA. Using a western blot made it possible to determine the protein expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated that gene expressions of HOTAIR, AKT, PI3K, and Arc were considerably lowered between cases and controls, while gene expressions of miR-206 and mTOR1 were significantly raised. PI3K and AKT protein expressions were downregulated, while mTOR expressions were upregulated. BDNF levels were significantly decreased in some cases.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that decreased HOTAIR in HUD relieves miR-206 inhibition, which thus increases and affects downstream PI3K/AKT/mTOR, ARC, and BDNF expression. This may be shared in addictive and relapsing behaviors.

Evaluation of the therapeutic role of allopurinol on Bisphenol S gastric and renal toxicity in adult male albino rats: An in vivo study

Bisphenol S (BPS) is used as an alternative to bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins and thermal receipt sheet manufacturing. We examined the toxic effects of BPS on gastric and renal functions, as well as the efficacy of allopurinol as a treatment. Albino rats were given only BPS (30 and 120 mg/kg BW/day) and some were treated with allopurinol prior to sacrifice. Gastric and renal specimens were evaluated histologically and immunohistochemically and blood from the tail vein was analysed for levels of gastrin, uric acid (UA), erythropoietin and 8-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. Gastrin levels decreased while erythropoietin, UA and 8-OHdG levels increased significantly. The severity of gastric and renal damage observed in BPS-treated animals increased with increasing doses. The mean percentage of COX-2 immunoreactivity and the mean number of CD45 immunoreactive cells was significantly increased in the stomach and kidney of BPS rats. Allopurinol ameliorated the biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical alterations induced by BPS, with superior protection at lower doses. Allopurinol can reverse the effects of BPS on the stomach and kidneys.

Cyber violence pattern and related factors: online survey of females in Egypt

Background and objectives

Cyber violence against women and girls is an emerging worldwide problem with a grave impact on individuals and societies. This study aimed to assess the problem of cyber violence against women among the Egyptian population.

Methods

A convenience sampling method was used to recruit a total of 356 females. A self-completion questionnaire was distributed through one of the social media applications.

Results

About 41.6% of the participants experienced cyber violence during the last year, and 45.3% of them reported multiple times of exposure. Social media was the most common way of exposure, and the offenders were unknown for 92.6% of the victims. The most commonly reported forms included 41.2% receiving images or symbols with sexual content, 26.4% receiving insulting e-mails or messages, 25.7% receiving offensive or humiliating posts or comments, 21.6% receiving indecent or violent images that demean women, and 20.3% receiving infected files through e-mails. The majority of the victims (76.9%) experienced psychological effects in the form of anger, worry, and fear; 13.6 % social effects; 4.1% exposed to physical harm; and 2.0% reported financial losses. Blocking the offender was the most common victims’ response.

Conclusion

Females in the Egyptian population are highly exposed to cyber violence, so implementation of anti-cyber violence program is essential to counteract this phenomenon.