Gliomas, which arise from glial cells in the brain, remain a significant challenge due to their location and resistance to traditional treatments. Despite research efforts and advancements in healthcare, the incidence of gliomas has risen dramatically over the past two decades. The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has prompted the creation of therapeutic agents that specially target them. However, it has been reported that they are involved in complex signaling pathways that contribute to the loss of expression of tumor suppressor genes and the upregulation of the expression of oncogenes. In addition, numerous miRNAs promote the development, progression, and recurrence of gliomas by targeting crucial proteins and enzymes involved in metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. However, the complex interplay among these pathways along with other obstacles hinders the ability to apply miRNA targeting in clinical practice. This highlights the importance of identifying specific miRNAs to be targeted for therapy and having a complete understanding of the diverse pathways they are involved in. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of the role of miRNAs in the progression and prognosis of gliomas, emphasizing the different pathways involved and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

Purpose: Short sleep duration and quality are increasingly common in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and has been linked to metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This study aimed to examine the link between short sleep duration and metabolic syndrome. Patients and Methods: We conducted a case-control study using data from Qatar Biobank, with 1000 participants categorized into two groups: less than 7 hours of sleep (n=500) and 7 or more hours of sleep (n=500). Metabolic syndrome was defined using WHO criteria, and logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and gender. Results: There was a higher proportion of individuals with MetS in the short sleep duration group compared to the normal sleep duration group (22.8% vs 15.8%, respectively). The multivariable regression showed that short sleep duration was associated with metabolic syndrome (OR 1.91, 95% CI: 1.14– 3.20, P=0.014) and having 1– 2 components of metabolic syndrome (OR 1.91, 95% CI: 1.14– 3.20, P=0.014), particularly in males (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.07– 4.94, P=0.032). Being overweight (OR 2.17, 95% CI: 1.30– 3.63, P=0.003) was also associated with a shorter sleep duration. BMI was identified as the main contributor to the association between short sleep duration and metabolic syndrome, while diabetes played a minor role. Conclusion: Short sleep duration was associated with metabolic syndrome in Qatar, particularly in males.

Background and Objective: Estimates of the prevalence of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are not readily available, amid a lack of recent evidence. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of ASD in the MENA region by synthesising evidence from published studies in the region. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and CINAHL databases for studies which assessed ASD prevalence in the MENA region. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa scale. A bias-adjusted inverse variance heterogeneity meta-analysis model was used to pool prevalence estimates from included studies. Cochran’s Q statistic and the I ² statistic were used to assess heterogeneity, and publication bias assessed using funnel and Doi plots. Results: A total of 3075 studies were identified, 16 studies of which met the inclusion criteria and involved 3,727,731 individuals. The studies were published during the period 2007-2022, and included individuals from Iran, Oman, Libya, Egypt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Lebanon, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Qatar. Estimates of ASD prevalence ranged from 0.01% in Oman during the period June 2009-December 2009, to a high of 2.51% in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period December 2017-March 2018. The pooled prevalence of ASD was 0.13% (95% CI: 0.01% – 0.33%), with significant heterogeneity (I ² = 99.8%). For Iran, the only country with multiple analysable studies, an overall prevalence of 0.06% (95% CI: 0.00 – 0.19, I2=97.5%, n= 6 studies) was found. A review of data from countries with repeated studies suggested that the prevalence of ASD is increasing. Conclusion: Estimates of the prevalence of ASD vary widely across the MENA region, from 0.01% in Oman to 2.51% in Saudi, with an overall prevalence of 0.13%. Existing data suggests a trend towards increasing prevalence in the region. More and better-quality research is needed to provide up to date ASD prevalence estimates. Registration: The protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with registration ID CRD42024499837.

Gliomas, which arise from glial cells in the brain, remain a significant challenge due to their location and resistance to traditional treatments. Despite research efforts and advancements in healthcare, the incidence of gliomas has risen dramatically over the past two decades. The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has prompted the creation of therapeutic agents that specially target them. However, it has been reported that they are involved in complex signaling pathways that contribute to the loss of expression of tumor suppressor genes and the upregulating of the expression of oncogenes. In addition, numerous miRNAs promote the development, progression, and recurrence of gliomas by targeting crucial proteins and enzymes involved in metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. However, the complex interplay among these pathways and other obstacles hinder the ability to apply miRNA targeting in clinical practice. This underscores the importance of pinpointing miRNAs to be targeted for therapy and having a complete understanding of the diverse pathways they are involved in. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an overview on the role of miRNAs in the progression and prognosis of gliomas, emphasizing the different pathways involved and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

Background and Objectives: The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is poorly understood, with sparse data from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which has a unique climate and socio-epidemiological setting. This research investigated the developmental (early life) risk factors associated with ASD in the MENA region. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched for observational studies, which carried out adjusted analyses for ASD risk factors in the MENA region, in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. We analyzed associations between ASD and factors related to conception, inheritance, maternal morbidity during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes. After study quality assessment, meta-analyses for each risk factor were carried out using the bias-adjusted inverse variance heterogeneity model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I ² and publication bias using Doi and funnel plots. Results: The systematic review included 19 case control studies from eight countries within the MENA region. In overall synthesis, male sex (OR=3.27, 95% CI: 2.39-4.48, I2 = 40.9%), family history of ASD (OR=2.98, 95% CI: 0.51-17.31, I2 = 85.0%), and consanguinity (OR= 1.77, 95% CI: 1.38-2.28, I2 = 57.1%) were associated with ASD. Although with limited studies, a review of the literature showed some possible associations between ASD and gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, macrosomia, NICU admission, respiratory distress syndrome, cesarean delivery, gestational age, and older maternal age. Conclusion: These findings confirm the association between male sex, family history of ASD and consanguinity with ASD, potentially suggesting some inherited mechanism in the etiology of ASD in the MENA region. Some maternal co-morbidities during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes may contribute to ASD risk in the MENA region, although more studies are needed in the region. Registration: The protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with registration ID CRD42024499837.