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Management of obesity represents a global problem that challenges the provision of healthcare services in most countries. Saudi Arabia ranked number 29 on a 2007 list of countries with 6% of its population being overweight (BMI > 25).In a university setting, we studied hematological parameters (including whole blood counts, haemoglobin and platelets), the presence of basophilia, iron levels and lipid profiles in obese students, and also in non-obese student controls. We found a significant increase in whole blood count in obese compared to healthy individuals, and also found a high level of basophilia compared to healthy controls. We also report that the obese student group suffered from low iron levels, and also a reduced total iron binding capacity, as compared to healthy controls. Levels of cholesterol and triglycerides was significantly higher in obese students compared to healthy controls. This study can be interpreted that universities across the Kingdom, and beyond, should consider targeting obesity management in their students to try to reduce the prevalence of obesity and associated disorders, and to support such healthcare programs by offering a variety of environmental, physical exercise and nutritional interventions.

Obesity represents a major worldwide health problem, all aspects of which have not fully defined, nor fully understood. In the current study, we investigated a population of university students in terms of the relationship between incidence of obesity in individuals (n=171),within this larger cohort (n=500), with the comorbidities that these high BMI individuals also carried. We also report important statistical differences in blood levels each of cardiac-related protein (CRP)(p=0.002), IL-6(p=0.005), &leptin(p=0.02), when we related the blood values with individual student BMIs which were used as a measure of obesity.

IntroductionSoil polluted with Nickel (Ni) adversely affects sunflower growth resulting in reduced yield. Counterbalancing Ni toxicity requires complex molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms at the cellular, tissue, and whole plant levels, which might improve crop productivity. One of the primary adaptations to tolerate Ni toxicity is the enhanced production of antioxidant enzymes and the elevated expression of Ni responsive genes.MethodsIn this study, biochemical parameters, production of ROS, antioxidants regulation, and expression of NRAMP metal transporter genes were studied under Ni stress in sunflower. There were four soil Ni treatments (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg-1 soil), while citric acid (CA, 5 mM kg-1 soil) was applied on the 28th and 58th days of plant growth. The samples for all analyses were obtained on the 30th and 60th day of plant growth, respectively.Results and discussionThe results indicated that the concentrations of Ni in roots and shoots were increased with increasing concentrations of Ni at both time intervals. Proline contents, ascorbic acid, protein, and total phenolics were reduced under Ni-stress, but with the application of CA, improvement was witnessed in their contents. The levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were enhanced with the increasing concentration of Ni, and after applying CA, they were reduced. The contents of antioxidants, i.e., catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase, were increased at 50 ppm Ni concentration and decreased at higher concentrations of Ni. The application of CA significantly improved antioxidants at all concentrations of Ni. The enhanced expression of NRAMP1 (4, 51 and 81 folds) and NRAMP3 (1.05, 4 and 6 folds) was found at 50, 100 and 200ppm Ni-stress, respectively in 30 days old plants and the same pattern of expression was recorded in 60 days old plants. CA further enhanced the expression at both developmental stages.ConclusionIn conclusion, CA enhances Ni phytoextraction efficiency as well as protect plant against oxidative stress caused by Ni in sunflower.

Soil polluted with Nickel (Ni) adversely affects sunflower growth resulting in reduced yield. Counterbalancing Ni toxicity requires complex molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms at the cellular, tissue, and whole plant levels, which might improve crop productivity. One of the primary adaptations to tolerate Ni toxicity is the enhanced production of antioxidant enzymes and the elevated expression of Ni responsive genes.In this study, biochemical parameters, production of ROS, antioxidants regulation, and expression ofThe results indicated that the concentrations of Ni in roots and shoots were increased with increasing concentrations of Ni at both time intervals. Proline contents, ascorbic acid, protein, and total phenolics were reduced under Ni-stress, but with the application of CA, improvement was witnessed in their contents. The levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were enhanced with the increasing concentration of Ni, and after applying CA, they were reduced. The contents of antioxidants, i.e., catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase, were increased at 50 ppm Ni concentration and decreased at higher concentrations of Ni. The application of CA significantly improved antioxidants at all concentrations of Ni. The enhanced expression ofIn conclusion, CA enhances Ni phytoextraction efficiency as well as protect plant against oxidative stress caused by Ni in sunflower.

Myosins are essential components of organelle trafficking in all the eukaryotic cells. Myosin driven movement plays a vital role in the development of pollen tubes, root hairs and root tips of flowering plants. The present research characterized the

The incidence of the avian influenza virus in late 2016, different genotypes of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b have been reported among different domestic and wild bird species. The virus became endemic in the poultry population, causing a considerable economic loss for the poultry industry. This study screened 5 ostrich farms suffering from respiratory signs and mortality rate of the avian influenza virus. A flock of 60-day-old ostriches with a mortality of 90% suffered from depression, loss of appetite, dropped production, and oculo-nasal discharges, with bleeding from natural orifices as a vent. This flock was found positive for avian influenza virus and subtypes as HPAI H5N8 virus. The similarity between nucleotide sequencing for the 28 hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) was 99% and 98%, respectively, with H5N8 viruses previously detected. The PB2 encoding protein harbor a unique substitution in mammalian marker 627A, which has not been recorded before in previously sequenced H5N8 viruses. Phylogenetically, the isolated virus is closely related to HPAI H5N8 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b. The detection of the HPAI H5N8 virus in ostrich is highly the need for continuous epidemiological and molecular monitoring of influenza virus spread in other bird species, not only chickens. Ostrich should be included in the annual SunAlliance, for the detection of avian influenza.

Tibetans are considered an East Asian ethnic group and primarily live in the high Tibetan plateau, the western Sichuan and Yunnan mountains of central and southern China, and areas throughout the Himalayas and around the Tibetan plateau. These people exhibit rare molecular machinery that allows them to adapt to hypoxic environments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and make them a potential candidate for providing insights related to medical genetic, molecular medicine and human population studies. In the current study, we have genotyped 549 individuals with Investigator Argus X-12 Kit. For 12 X-STRs, a total of 174 unique alleles were found, among them DXS10134 and DXS10135 were the most polymorphic loci. All of the loci were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE). The numbers of observed haplotypes in Highlander Tibetans males were 161,112, 96 and 108, respectively, whereas haplotype diversities (HD) were 0.9959, 0.9880, 0.9809 and 0.9873, respectively. The combined discrimination power for males (PDm) was 0.999 999 99701 and for females (PDf) was 0.999 999 999 999 9958. This study represents an extensive report on X chromosomal STR markers variation in the Highlander Tibetans population for forensic applications and population genetic studies.

Information regarding the germination and seedling growth behavior of a potential weed species is an important tool to manage weeds without the use of agricultural chemicals that cause harmful effects on human health and the environment. A series of experiments were directed to investigate the influence of different environmental factors (temperature, pH, NaCl, moisture stress, and seed burial depth) on germination and seedling emergence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under controlled conditions. Results suggested that 25 °C is the optimum temperature for maximum germination (95%) and seedling growth of perennial ryegrass, however, a quick decline was observed at 35 °C. Seed germination was unaffected by pH levels ranging from 5 to 10. The 92% seed germination was recorded where no salt stress was applied and germination was reduced by 87% at 250 mMNaCl concentration. Seed germination was unaffected by osmotic potential ranges from 0 to − 0.4 MPa thereafter declined and completely inhibited at − 0.8 or − 1.0 MPa. No seed emerged at the soil surface or a soil depth of 6 or 7 cm and 90% emergence occurred at 1 cmsoil depth. The germination and seedlings parameters like time to initial germination, mean germination time, time taken to 50% germination and germination index, root and shoot length, and fresh and dry weight of root and shoot are significantly affected with the environmental factors. The information obtained in this study will be helpful to develop better management strategies for germination and the emergence of perennial ryegrass in areas where it has the ability to rapidly colonize.

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is an economically significant viral disease that primarily affects broiler chickens. At least 12 different aviadenovirus serotypes are responsible for causing IBH. This study aimed to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and phylogenetic analysis to characterize fowl adenovirus isolates that were in circulation from 2019 to 2021 and investigate the pathogenicity of the isolated strains in commercial broiler chickens. Suspected liver samples were molecularly identified using hexon gene targeting by PCR, and viruses were isolated using chick embryo liver cell culture. For serotype identification, the fowl adenovirus-positive samples were subjected to hexon gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The pathogenicity of two isolates was tested in commercial chickens via the oral route. The phylogenetic analysis of the hexon gene showed that the isolated viruses clustered with serotype 8a species E. On testing the pathogenicity of the isolates based on necropsy and histopathological examination, no mortality was observed; however, lesions were observed in the liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, bursa, and lung specimens with intermittent virus shedding at different time points throughout the experimental period. Further research on the likelihood of vaccine production is warranted to limit disease-related losses.

Background: A significant body of research has presented evidence regarding an increasing number of cases of early colon cancer among young people. The present study aimed to assess the inherited germinal mutations in breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 (BRCA2) coding areas in four consanguineous cases in generations of a single Saudi family. Methods: The sample consisted of a single Saudi family of four generations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The family has been diagnosed with colon cancer and inherited germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. DNA sequencing was used to examine the entire coding BRCA1 and BRCA2 sections. The colon samples were immunohistochemically and histologically analysed using BRCA1 and BRCA2 antibodies and H&E Staining Kit (Hematoxylin and Eosin), respectively. Results: A total of 21 scenarios at-risk consanguineous cases were mutations carriers of the BRCA genes (2 BRCA2 and 4 BRCA1), comprised of 3 affected consanguineous cases with malignant colon cancer. The BRCA nucleotide sequencing revealed substantial mutation’s cases in the BRCA1 genes (frameshift mutations situated within exon 11 and exon 2, where no such mutations were present in the BRCA2 genes). A novel replacement mutation within BRCA2 (exon 18) of 139 C > A was obtained with (45.83%) in females and (31.26%) in males. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive staining for BRCA1 and BRCA2. Conclusions: The major factor responsible for colon cancer incidences among the family is associated with the inherited mutations of the germline in BRCA2 and BRCA1 through repeated endogamy of consanguineous cases of the carriers of the mutation.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered.

Background: There is evidence of increasing number of early colon cancer cases among young people in many countries. The objective of this research is to assess the inherited germinal mutations in all BRCA2and BRCA1 coding areas in four consanguineous cases’ generations from a single Saudi family having occurrence of colon cancer. Methods: This research examines a single Saudi family through four generations from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This family have diagnosed with colon cancer and inherited germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. The examination was conducted by DNA sequencing for the whole coding sections of BRCA1 and BRCA2. In addition, the colon samples were immunohistochemically and histologically analyzed utilizing BRCA1&2 antibodies and H&E staining, respectively.Results: 21 scenarios at-risk consanguineous cases were mutations carried in the BRCA genes (2 BRCA2 and 4 BRCA1) and comprised of 3 affected consanguineous cases having malignant cancer of the colon. The BRCA nucleotide sequencing revealed a substantial mutations’ cases within the genes of BRCA1 (frameshift mutations situated within exon 11 and exon 2 while there were no such mutations within the BRCA2 genes). A novel replacement mutation within BRCA2 (exon 18) 139 C > A was obtained (45.83%) in females whereas it was (31.26%) in males. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive staining for BRCA1 and BRCA2. Conclusion: The key reason that led to colon cancer incidences among them is highly inherited mutations of germline in BRCA2 and BRCA1 through repeated endogamy between consanguineous cases who carry these mutations.

Machine learning approaches have been increasingly utilized in the field of medicine. Brucellosis is one of the most common contagious zoonotic diseases with significant impacts on livestock health, reproduction, production, and public health worldwide. Therefore, our objective was to determine the seroprevalence and compare the logistic regression and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) data-mining analysis to assess risk factors associated with Brucella infection in the densest cattle populated Egyptian governorates. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 animals (383 cows, 17 bulls) distributed over four Governorates in Egypt's Nile Delta in 2019. The randomly selected animals from studied geographical areas were serologically tested for Brucella using iELISA, and the animals' information was obtained from the farm records or animal owners. Eight supposed risk factors (geographic location, gender, herd size, age, history of abortion, shared equipment, and disinfection post-calving) were evaluated using multiple stepwise logistic regression and CART machine-learning techniques. A total of 84 (21.0%; 95% CI 17.1-25.3) serum samples were serologically positive for Brucella. The highest seroprevalence of Brucella infection was reported among animals raised in herd size 100 animals (65.5%), with no disinfection post-calving (61.7%), with a history of abortion (59.6%), and with shared equipment without thorough cleaning and disinfection (57.1%). The multiple stepwise logistic regression modeling identified herd size, history of abortion, and disinfection post-calving as important risk factors. However, CART modeling identified herd size, disinfection post-calving, history of abortion, and shared equipment as the most potential risk factors for Brucella infection. Comparing the two models, CART model showed a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC = 0.98; 95% CI 0.95 - 1.00) than the binary logistic regression (AUROC = 0.89; 95% CI 0.73 - 0.92). Our findings strongly imply that Brucella infection is most likely to spread among animals raised in large herds (100 animals) with a history of abortions and bad hygienic measures post-calving. The CART data-mining modeling provides an accurate technique to identify risk factors of Brucella infection in cattle.

Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have various clinical and diagnostic applications as utilised for imaging and drug delivery. Therapeutic proteins/peptides can be loaded on CNT coronas to specifically hit immune cells in overdrive or uncontrolled malignant cells. Previously, it was reported that a recombinant version of human surfactant protein D (rfhSP-D) containing trimeric C-type lectin domains induced apoptosis in several tumour cells/cell lines, including SKOV3, which is an ovarian tumour cell line. Solid-phase rfhSP-D coated on a microtiter plate is considerably more potent in inducing apoptosis in breast tumour cells. We have immobilised highly purified, endotoxin-free rfhSP-D on CNTs and assessed its antiproliferative effect on SKOV3 cells. Biotinylated rfhSP-D-CNTs were phagocytosed by SKOV3 cells, followed by apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. Gene expression analysis revealed compromised mTOR complex as a mechanism of apoptosis. When rfhSP-D-CNTs were added to a culture system of SKOV3 cells, it produced a highly proinflammatory immune response that is likely anti-tumorigenic. Thus, rfhSP-D-CNT seems a worthwhile nanocarrier for testing in vivo using an animal model of orthotopic ovarian cancer. This research was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, KSA, through the Research Funding Program (Grant No# FRP-1440-27).