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Objective In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between five selected proinflammatory and immune-mediated genes (TNF rs1800629G>A, rs361525G>A, rs1799964T>C, LTA rs1800683G>A, rs909253A>G, TNFAIP8 rs1042541C>T, LEPR rs1327118G>C, and LEP rs2167270G>A) and the risk and overall survival of DLBCL patients within the Jordanian Arab population. Methods One hundred twenty-five patients (125) diagnosed with DLBCL at the King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) between 2013 and 2018 and 238 healthy cancer-free control subjects with similar geographic and ethnic backgrounds to the patients were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of the subjects and from peripheral blood samples of the controls. The Sequenom MassARRAY® sequencer system (iPLEX GOLD) was used. The analyses included assessments of population variability and survival. Results Our study showed significant differences in the distribution of the studied polymorphisms of DLBCL between the patients and controls for TNF rs1800629G>A, LTA rs909253 G>A and LEP rs2167270 G>A. TNF rs1800629G>A (p = 0.01), in which the G allele harbors a higher risk of DLBCL (GG and GA genotypes when compared with AA genotype) (p = 0.044). The LTA rs909253 A>G polymorphism is associated with a higher risk of DLBCL in the allelic model (p = .004). LEP rs2167270 G>A polymorphism is associated with a decreased risk of DLBCL in the recessive mode models (p = .03). Subjects with the dominant model for TNF-a rs1799964 (TT genotype in comparison with the combined TT/TC genotype) and patients with the homozygous genotype (GG) of rs361525 have better overall survival rates. Conclusion Our results confirmed the diversity and the heterogeneity of the disease. Although the study has a limitation because of its relatively small size, it clearly emphasizes the significance of ancestry and genetic composition as the determinants of DLBCL risk and behavior. .

Introduction Among the Jordanian population, brain tumors are the tenth most common type of cancers in both males and females, comprising 2.8% of all newly diagnosed neoplasms. Diffuse gliomas are the most prevalent and the most aggressive primary brain tumors in adults. The incidence of diffuse gliomas varies among different populations; this variation is partially linked to genetic polymorphisms. The purpose of the study is to examine the association between (BRCA1 rs799917G>A, rs1799966T>C, EXO1 rs1047840G>A, EME1 rs12450550T>C, ERCC2 rs13181T>G, rs1799793C>T, and XRCC1 rs1799782G>A) DNA repair gene polymorphisms and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) susceptibility, and survival in the Jordanian Arab population. Methods Eighty-four patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme at the King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) between 2013 and 2018 and 225 healthy cancer-free control subjects with similar geographic and ethnic backgrounds to the patients were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of the subjects. The Sequenom MassARRAY® sequencer system (iPLEX GOLD) was used. The analyses included assessments of population variability and survival. Results This study is the first to address the relationship between BRCA1 rs1799966 and rs799917 SNP, and the risk of GBM among the Arab Jordanian population. The findings of the study show that BRCA1 rs799917 is associated with decreased risk of GBM in the recessive model (AA vs G/G-A/G: OR, 0.46, 95% CI, 0.26-0.82, p=0.01) and the same SNP is associated with increased risk of GBM in the overdominant model (AG vs G/G-A/A: OR, 1.72, 95% CI, 1.02-2.89, p=0.04).

Anaemia is a global public health problem particularly in low- and middle-income countries and may be associated with serious health consequences. Limited studies, if any, have examined the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia in Jordan at the national level.This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anaemia in Jordan for both sexes at the national level and to identify high-risk population subgroups.A national population-based household sample was selected from the 12 governorates of Jordan in 2017. A total of 1125 males and 2797 females aged between 18 and 90 years were included. The prevalence of anaemia, overall and among subgroups of the population was estimated using Hb level as per WHO definition.Results showed prevalence of anaemia to be 4.9% in males, 19.3% in non-pregnant females, and 27.4% in pregnant females. The age standardized prevalence rates were 4.9% in males and 19.3% in females. The age standardized prevalence rates were 4.9% in males and 19.3% in females. Anaemia was predominantly mild (males: 81%, non-pregnant females: 57%, and pregnant females: 65.2%). Sex, age, region, marital status, and education were significantly associated with anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) accounted for 68% of anaemic females and 38% of anaemic males.The prevalence of anaemia in Jordan is lower than previously reported by WHO and the majority of anaemia was mild. Iron deficiency anaemia was the the most common type of anaemia, particularly in females. Flour fortification with iron and folic acid could have accounted for the decline of anaemia in Jordan.معدل انتشار فقر الدم والعوامل المحددة له في الأردن.نور عبده، شهد دوجلاس، أنور بطيحة، يوسف خضر، هاشم جدوع، صهيب الخطيب، محمد الخطيب، حسين أبو زيد، كامل عجلوني.يُمثِّل فقر الدم مشكلة عالمية بالنسبة للصحة العامة، لا سيّما في البلدان منخفضة ومتوسطة الدخل، وقد يرتبط بعواقب صحية خطيرة. ولقد قامت دراسات محدودة، إن وجدت، ببحث معدل انتشار فقر الدم وعوامل الخطر المرتبطة به في الأردن على المستوى الوطني.هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقييم معدل انتشار فقر الدم في الأردن بين الجنسين على المستوى الوطني، وتحديد الفئات السكانية الفرعية المعرضة للمخاطر المرتفعة.تم اختيار عينة وطنية من الأسر قائمة على السكان من 12 محافظة بالأردن في عام 2017. وشملت 1125 من الذكور و 2797 من الإناث، وتراوحت أعمارهم بين 18 و 90 عامًا. وتم تقدير معدل انتشار فقر الدم بشكل عام وبين الفئات الفرعية من السكان، باستخدام مستوى الهيموجلوبين حسب تعريف منظمة الصحة العالمية.أوضحت النتائج أن معدل انتشار فقر الدم بلغ 4.9 % بين الذكور، و 19.3 % بين الإناث غير الحوامل، و 27.4 % بين الإناث الحوامل. إن معدلات الانتشار الموحدة حسب السن وجدت أنها 4.9 % (للذكور) و 19.3 % (للإناث). ويعد فقر الدم في الغالب خفيفًا (الذكور: 81 % ، الإناث غير الحوامل: 57 %، الإناث الحوامل: 65.2 %). وارتبط نوع الجنس والعمر والمنطقة والحالة الاجتماعية والمستوى التعليمي بفقر الدم بشكل كبير. وبلغ معدل فقر الدم الناجم عن نقص الحديد 68 % عند الإناث المصابات بفقر الدم و 38 % عند الذكور المصابين بفقر الدم.يعد معدل انتشار فقر الدم في الأردن أقل مما أبلغت عنه سابقًا منظمة الصحة العالمية، وكانت أغلب الإصابات بفقر الدم خفيفة. وكان معدل فقر الدم الناجم عن نقص الحديد النوع الأكثر انتشارًا من فقر الدم، لا سيّما بين الإناث. ومن المحتمل أن يكون إغناء الدقيق بالحديد وحمض الفوليك قد أدى إلى انخفاض فقر الدم في الأردن.Prévalence et déterminants de l’anémie en Jordanie.L’anémie est un problème de santé publique mondial, en particulier dans les pays à revenu faible et intermédiaire, qui peut être associé à de graves conséquences pour la santé. Des études limitées ont examiné la prévalence et les facteurs de risque de l’anémie en Jordanie au niveau national.La présente étude visait à évaluer la prévalence de l’anémie au niveau national en Jordanie pour les deux sexes et à identifier les sous-groupes de population à haut risque.Un échantillon national de ménages représentatif de la population a été sélectionné dans les 12 gouvernorats de Jordanie en 2017. Au total, 1125 hommes et 2797 femmes âgés de 18 à 90 ans ont été inclus. La prévalence de l’anémie, dans l’ensemble et parmi les sous-groupes de population, a été estimée en utilisant le taux d’hémoglobine selon la définition de l’OMS.Les résultats ont montré que la prévalence de l’anémie était de 4,9 % chez les hommes, de 19,3 % chez les femmes non enceintes et de 27,4 % chez les femmes enceintes. Les taux de prévalence standardisée selon l’âge s’élevaient à 4,9 % chez l’homme et 19,3 % chez la femme. L’anémie était principalement bénigne (hommes : 81 %, femmes non enceintes : 57 %, et femmes enceintes : 65,2 %). Le sexe, l’âge, la région, la situation de famille et le niveau de scolarité étaient significativement associés à l’anémie. L’anémie ferriprive touchait 68 % des femmes anémiques et 38 % des hommes anémiques.La prévalence de l’anémie en Jordanie est inférieure à celle précédemment signalée par l’OMS et la majorité des cas d’anémie étaient de forme légère. L’anémie ferriprive était le type d’anémie le plus fréquent, en particulier chez les femmes. L’enrichissement de la farine en fer et en acide folique pourrait expliquer la diminution de l’anémie en Jordanie.

Purpose. To investigate the association between obesity and breast cancer clinicopathologic characteristics at presentation along with prognostic impact among Jordanian breast cancer patients. Such data are lacking in Arabian countries. Methods. In this retrospective study, 348 breast cancer patients were included. Analyses were conducted for associations between body mass index (BMI) and age at diagnosis, tumor clinicopathologic characteristics, and molecular subtypes. Eight prognostic factors were considered, and total prognostic scores were calculated. The analysis was stratified by menopausal status. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors for breast cancer recurrence and death. Results. Mean age at diagnosis was 50.98 ± 10.96 years. Mean BMI at diagnosis was 29.52 ± 5.32 kg/m2. Mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher for overweight and obese patients compared to underweight/normal patients (P<0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between patient age and BMI at diagnosis (r = 0.251, P<0.001). Grade of carcinoma was significantly correlated with BMI in the whole population examined (P=0.003). Obese breast cancer patients had significantly higher prognostic scores compared to nonobese cases, indicating worse prognostic features at presentation (P=0.034). Stratification of data analysis based on menopausal status revealed significant associations between obesity and each of tumor stage and grade among postmenopausal but not premenopausal patients (P=0.019 and P=0.031, respectively). Similarly, postmenopausal obese patients had significantly higher prognostic scores compared to nonobese counterparts (P=0.007), indicating worse prognosis, a finding which was also absent among premenopausal breast cancer patients. No significant association between BMI with expression status of hormone receptors, HER2, lymphovascular invasion, and molecular subtypes was found among patients. BMI was a significant predictor for disease recurrence in which obese breast cancer patients had greater odds (2-fold) to develop locoregional and distant recurrence compared to nonobese cases (P=0.011). Conclusions. Obesity was associated with advanced stage and grade of breast carcinoma at diagnosis. The impact of BMI on clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis was confined to postmenopausal cases. Jordanian obese breast cancer patients are at greater risk of breast cancer recurrence and reduced survival compared to their nonobese counterparts.

Salinity is one of the major problems facing crops worldwide. Salinity can severely affect plants in a negative manner. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of NaCl on morpho–physiological, biochemical, structural and ultrastructural properties in Solanum melongena seedlings under different NaCl concentrations. Plants treated with high concentrations of NaCl showed a nonsignificant decrease in shoot height compared to the controls. However, NaCl concentration of 50 mM and above significantly decreased leaf area, while 75 mM and above significantly reduced the photosynthetic rate (PN) and leaf total sugar content when compared with plants treated with less-concentrated NaCl and the controls. Thick root sections from plants grown in 100 and 150 mM NaCl exhibit severe deformation in the epidermal and cortical layers. Additionally, TEM micrographs of plants treated with 75, 100, and 150 mM exhibited bulgy chloroplasts with loss of integrity thylakoid membranes associated with large starch grains. The changes in plant ultrastructure observed in this study broaden our knowledge about the impact of salinity at the cellular level.

The aim of this study is to genotype thirteen Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) within the paired box gene 9 (PAX9) in 36 Jordanian Arab families with peg-shaped teeth, and also to investigate the association between the PAX9 gene and peg-shaped teeth disorder.Genomic DNA samples were extracted from families according to distinguished processes. Then, DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) using specified primers for the exons of the PAX9 gene. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphisms analysis was conducted using the DNA sequencing genotyping method to identify specific single nucleotide polymorphisms in the PAX9 gene associated with peg-shaped teeth.Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms in the PAX9 gene (Chromosome 14q13.3) were used; seven of them (rs104894467, rs104894469, rs28933373, rs28933970, rs28933971, rs28933972, and rs7143727) were non-polymorphic, and the other six were polymorphic (rs2073244, rs2073246, rs2295222, rs4904155, rs4904210, and rs12881240). Both rs12881240 and rs2295222 SNPs showed significant association with peg-shaped teeth disorder (P0.05). Moreover, the haplotype genetic analysis revealed that there is a genetic association with peg-shaped teeth disorder susceptibility (P0.05) in the Jordanian families of Arab descent.Our findings exhibited significant variations compared to the data recorded from other countries.

ObjectivesIt is challenging to distinguish between primary ovarian mucinous tumors and metastatic mucinous neoplasms from the lower gastrointestinal tract, including appendiceal tumors. A combination of PAX8 and SATB2 immunohistochemical stains can be used as a diagnostic tool to distinguish between these cases.ResultsImmunostaining for SATB2, PAX8, CK7, CK20 and CDX2 was performed on 50 ovarian mucinous neoplasms (OMN) (39 cystadenomas, 4 borderline and 7 adenocarcinomas), 63 mucinous colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and 9 appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMN) [8 low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMN) and 1 adenocarcinoma]. PAX8 was positive in 32% of OMN and negative in all CRC and AMN cases. SATB2 was expressed in 2.0% of OMN, 77.8% of AMN, and 49.2% of CRC cases. CK7 was positive in 78.0% of OMN, 33.3% of AMN, and 9.5% of CRC cases. CK20 was expressed in 24.0% of OMN, 88.9% of OMN, and 87.3% of CRC cases. CDX2 was positive in 14.0% of OMN, 100% of AMN, and 90.5% of CRC cases. PAX8 can differentiate between OMN and AMN with high specificity but low sensitivity. CDX2 is the most sensitive marker for CRC and AMN, whereas SATB2 has better specificity.

Background Because of their broad applications in our life, nanoparticles are expected to be present in the environment raising many concerns about their possible adverse effects on the ecosystem of plants. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different sizes and concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles [(Fe3O4) NPs] on morphological, physiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural parameters in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum var.2 Turkish). Results Lengths of shoots and roots of 5 nm-treated plants were significantly decreased in all nanoparticle-treated plants compared to control plants or plants treated with any concentration of 10 or 20 nm nanoparticles. The photosynthetic rate and leaf area were drastically reduced in 5 nm (Fe3O4) NP-treated plants of all concentrations compared to control plants and plants treated with 10 or 20 nm (Fe3O4) NPs. Accumulation of sugars in leaves showed no significant differences between the control plants and plants treated with iron oxide of all sizes and concentrations. In contrast, protein accumulation in plants treated with 5 nm iron oxide dramatically increased compared to control plants. Moreover, light and transmission electron micrographs of roots and leaves revealed that roots and chloroplasts of 5 nm (Fe3O4) NPs-treated plants of all concentrations were drastically affected. Conclusions The size and concentration of nanoparticles are key factors affecting plant growth and development. The results of this study demonstrated that the toxicity of (Fe3O4) NPs was clearly influenced by size and concentration. Further investigations are needed to elucidate more about NP toxicity in plants, especially at the molecular level. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12870-019-1864-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is purine alkaloid, and it is secondary metabolite produced naturally in plants. It plays a crucial role in defense and stress tolerance. A hydroponic experiment was carried out to study the morphological, biochemical, and ultrastructural effects of caffeine treatment on seedlings of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Turkish). The plants were grown in a growth chamber for 14 d in Hoagland’s nutrient solution supplemented with 0 (control), 25, 50, 100, 1000, and 5000 μM caffeine. Shoot heights as well as root lengths significantly decreased in the plants treated with 1000 and 5000 μM caffeine. Total protein and sugar content in leaves increased significantly in the 5000 μM caffeine-treated plants. Moreover, electron microscopic analysis shows that in plants exposed to 1000 and 5000 μM caffeine, mesophyll cells possessed enlarged chloroplasts with disrupted thylakoid membranes associated with large starch grains and plastoglobules. Scanning electron micrographs exhibit that the vast majority of stomata in the plants treated with 1000 and 5000 μM were closed. In contrast, the 25 and 50 μM caffeine-treated plants showed an enhanced growth and no signs of injury.

TMPRSS2/ERG fusion was found to be the most common genetic event in prostate adenocarcinoma. There is a strong correlation between the fusion and ERG-positive immunostaining. Many studies showed racial variation in ERG expression in prostate cancer patients. There is no data however on the rate of ERG-positive cancer in Jordanian or Arab population. We evaluated the frequency and the significance of ERG fusion in Jordanian-Arab population using immunohistochemistry for ERG. The cohort included 193 prostate cancer specimens: 109 needle core biopsies, 45 radical prostatectomies, 37 transurethral resections of prostate, and 2 enucleation specimens. We found ERG reactivity in 64 (33.2%) of evaluated cases. The observed ERG frequency in the Jordanian-Arab population is lower than the one documented in North America, but it is higher than in Asian patient cohorts. The ERG positivity was significantly associated with lower baseline prostate-specific antigen but was unrelated to patient age, Gleason Score, or the novel Gleason Grade Groups. In the 45 prostatectomy cases, ERG did not correlate with the pathologic stage, margin, nodal status, and the biochemical recurrence, and it did not appear to represent an important prognosticator.

B-cell lymphomas can be classified as Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). The incidence of NHL is variable and affected by age, gender, racial, and geographic factors. There is strong evidence that the immune-regulatory cytokines have a major role in hematologic malignancies. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in two selected cytokines (IL-6 rs1800795G &gt, C, rs1800796G &gt, C, rs1800797G &gt, A, IL-10 rs1800871G &gt, A, rs1800872G &gt, T, rs1800890A &gt, T, rs1800896T &gt, C) and the risk and overall survival of DLBCL patients in a Jordanian Arab population. One hundred and twenty-five DLBCL patients diagnosed at King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) from the period 2013&ndash, 2018 and 238 matched healthy controls were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Genotyping of the genetic polymorphisms was conducted using a sequencing protocol. Our study showed no significant differences in the distribution of all studied polymorphisms of DLBCL between patients and controls. The IL-6 rs1800797 was the only SNP to show significant survival results, DLBCL subjects with the codominant model (GG/AG/AA) genotypes and recessive model (AA genotype in comparison with the combined GG/GA genotype) had worse overall survival (p = 0.028 and 0.016, respectively).

Objective Scorpionism is an endemic public health problem in Jordan encountered by health providers in all parts of the country. This study updates epidemiological data on scorpion sting encounters in Jordan. Methods Data on scorpion sting encounters were obtained from government and military hospitals around the country, and the National Drug and Poison Information Center (NDPIC). P values and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using SPSS Professional Statistics Package version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) program. Results Epidemiological data on 1205 scorpion sting cases reported between 2006 and 2012 are reported. Male to female ratio was 1.18:1, aged 23.3±16 (mean±SD) and 26.4±16.9 years for males and females, respectively. Age groups between 1 to 20 years old constituted 44.6% of the total sting encounters, while adults aged >30 years constituted 30%. Scorpion sting encounters peaked in July (22.5%) and August (23%), with the lowest numbers of recorded cases in February and January (1.6 and 1.9%, respectively). Scorpion stings occurred mostly outdoors (66%). Medical complications associated with scorpion sting cases included fever, difficulty in breathing, drowsiness and dizziness, and numbness, while severe complications include respiratory failure and tachycardia. Hospitalization required 1 to 3 days among admitted patients with no fatalities. Conclusions Scorpion stings remain a medical problem in Jordan that requires more attention by health providers. Reporting of scorpion sting cases should be enforced from all healthcare centers throughout the country to better understand the epidemiology and health implications of human encounters.

Objectives:We aim to address public knowledge, attitudes, and practices relative to prenatal genetic testing as a starting point for policy development in Jordan.Study design:We conducted a cross-sectional prenatal genetic testing knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey with 1111 women recruited at obstetrics and gynecology clinics nationwide. Data were analyzed using a variety of descriptive and inferential statistical tests.Results:The overwhelming majority (>94%) of participants considered prenatal genetic testing, particularly non-invasive prenatal genetic screening, procedures to be good, comfortable, and reasonable, even when the non-diagnostic nature of non-invasive prenatal genetic screening was explained. Likewise, 95% encouraged the implementation of non-invasive prenatal genetic screening within the Jordanian health system, but most preferred it to remain optional. However, women in higher-risk age brackets, in consanguineous marriages, and with less education were significantly less interested in learning about non-invasive prenatal genetic screening. Only 60% of women interviewed were satisfied with the services provided by their obstetric/gynecologist. The more satisfied the women were, the more they are likely to adapt non-invasive prenatal genetic screening.Conclusions:In sum, although the data support the receptivity of Jordanian women to national implementation of non-invasive prenatal genetic screening, such policies should be accompanied by health education to increase the genetic literacy of the population and to engage high-risk populations. Thus, this offers rare insight into the readiness of 1 particular Arab population to adapt non-invasive prenatal genetic screening technologies.