Shifting spatial, temporal and demographic patterns of dengue incidence and associated meteorological factors in Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia from 2015-2020.

Background Objectives: Dengue poses a considerable public health threat in Saudi Arabia, with escalating outbreaks in Jazan, where seasonal rains create ideal mosquito breeding conditions. Elucidating local epidemiological dynamics is imperative to strengthen evidence-based prevention policies. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal, demographic, and meteorological patterns of dengue in Jazan from 2015-2020.

Genotype-phenotype correlation in CLCN4-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

CLCN4-related disorder is a rare X-linked neurodevelopmental condition with a pathogenic mechanism yet to be elucidated. CLCN4 encodes the vesicular 2Cl/H exchanger ClC-4, and CLCN4 pathogenic variants frequently result in altered ClC-4 transport activity. The precise cellular and molecular function of ClC-4 remains unknown; however, together with ClC-3, ClC-4 is thought to have a role in the ion homeostasis of endosomes and intracellular trafficking.

Defining the Genetic Landscape of Congenital Mirror Movements in 80 Affected Individuals.

Background: Congenital mirror movements (CMM) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by involuntary movements from one side of the body that mirror voluntary movements on the opposite side. To date, five genes have been associated with CMM, namely DCC, RAD51, NTN1, ARHGEF7, and DNAL4.

Objective: The aim of this study is to characterize the genetic landscape of CMM in a large group of 80 affected individuals.

Potential Biomarkers for Parkinson Disease from Functional Enrichment and Bioinformatic Analysis of Global Gene Expression Patterns of Blood and Substantia Nigra Tissues.

The Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system and motor functions. The biological complexity of PD is yet to reveal potential targets for intervention or to slow the disease severity. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the fidelity of blood to substantia nigra (SN) tissue gene expression from PD patients to provide a systematic approach to predict role of the key genes of PD pathobiology.

The epileptology of Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome: Electroclinical findings in five patients with KMT2A pathogenic variants.

Background: Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome (WSTS) is a rare chromatinopathy caused by pathogenic variants in KMT2A. WSTS is characterized by neurodevelopmental disorders and distinct dysmorphic features. Epilepsy has been reported in only 33 individuals with WSTS, with only limited clinical details described.

Epilepsy surgery outcomes in patients with GATOR1 gene complex variants: Report of new cases and review of literature.

Aim: To report seizure outcomes in children with GATOR1 gene complex disorders who underwent epilepsy surgery and perform a systematic literature search to study the available evidence.

Methods: The records of children with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in GATOR1 gene complex who underwent epilepsy surgery were reviewed. Clinical, radiological, neurophysiological, and histological data were extracted/summarized.

SUDEP risk and autonomic dysfunction in genetic epilepsies.

The underlying pathophysiology of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) remains unclear. This phenomenon is likely multifactorial, and there is considerable evidence that genetic factors play a role. There are certain genetic causes of epilepsy in which the risk of SUDEP appears to be increased relative to epilepsy overall.

Identification of a Rare Exon 19 Skipping Mutation in ALMS1 Gene in Alström Syndrome Patients From Two Unrelated Saudi Families.

Alström syndrome (AS) is a very rare childhood disorder characterized by cardiomyopathy, progressive hearing loss and blindness. Inherited genetic variants of ALMS1 gene are the known molecular cause of this disease. The objective of this study was to characterize the genetic basis and understand the genotype-phenotype relationship in Saudi AS patients.

Molecular differential analysis of uterine leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas through weighted gene network and pathway tracing approaches.

Uterine smooth muscular neoplastic growths like benign leiomyomas (UL) and metastatic leiomyosarcomas (ULMS) share similar clinical symptoms, radiological and histological appearances making their clinical distinction a difficult task. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify key genes and pathways involved in transformation of UL to ULMS through molecular differential analysis. Global gene expression profiles of 25 ULMS, 25 UL, and 29 myometrium (Myo) tissues generated on Affymetrix U133A 2.

Whole exome sequencing identifies rare biallelic ALMS1 missense and stop gain mutations in familial Alström syndrome patients.

Alström syndrome (AS, OMIM ID 203800) is a rare childhood multiorgan disorder, which is widely studied in non-Arab ethnic patients. The clinical and molecular basis of AS and the mode of disease inheritance in consanguineous Arab populations is not well investigated. Therefore, to identify the molecular basis of AS in familial forms, the present study performed whole exome sequencing of 5 AS patients belonging to 2 different Bedouin families from Saudi Arabia.

Lessons Learned from Large-Scale, First-Tier Clinical Exome Sequencing in a Highly Consanguineous Population.

We report the results of clinical exome sequencing (CES) on >2,200 previously unpublished Saudi families as a first-tier test. The predominance of autosomal-recessive causes allowed us to make several key observations. We highlight 155 genes that we propose to be recessive, disease-related candidates.

Rapid Resolution of Enterovirus 71-Associated Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome on Intravenous Immunoglobulin.

Nonparaneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome is a rare neuroinflammatory condition featured by opsoclonus, myoclonus, ataxia, and cognitive behavioral disturbance. The authors report an observation of enterovirus 71-associated opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome evolving toward full recovery on intravenous intravenous immunoglobulin (IG) treatment. Based on this case report, enterovirus 71 should be added to the list of infectious agents likely involved in opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome, including the emerging subgroup of opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome recovering without aggressive or prolonged immunosuppressive intervention.

Whole exome sequencing of a consanguineous family identifies the possible modifying effect of a globally rare AK5 allelic variant in celiac disease development among Saudi patients.

Celiac disease (CD), a multi-factorial auto-inflammatory disease of the small intestine, is known to occur in both sporadic and familial forms. Together HLA and Non-HLA genes can explain up to 50% of CD's heritability. In order to discover the missing heritability due to rare variants, we have exome sequenced a consanguineous Saudi family presenting CD in an autosomal recessive (AR) pattern.

Progress toward malaria elimination in Jazan Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: 2000-2014.

Background: The draft Global Technical Strategy for malaria aims to eliminate malaria from at least 10 countries by 2020. Yemen and Saudi Arabia remain the last two countries on the Arabian Peninsula yet to achieve elimination. Over the last 50 years, systematic efforts to control malaria in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has successfully reduced malaria cases to a point where malaria is now constrained largely to Jazan Province, the most south-western area along the Red Sea.