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This study aims to assess and measure students' performances using course-key performance indicators (course-KPIs) in an academic course at a Saudi university. The approach includes three aspects of assessment (i) integrating course components and correlating course learning objectives with the program learning domain, (ii) course evaluation using rubrics, and (iii) performance mesurement using a scientific method. Moreover, it presents a novel approach for performance measurement of the course learning skills. In this study, a course has been taken to demonstrate how the KPIs are measured for evaluating students' performances. This approach relies on several specific documents that are developed for the course delivery by following the National Qualification Framework (NQF) in Saudi Arabia and the guidelines of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The performance evaluation outcomes are useful indicators that guide the teachers to improve course learning skills. It also helps the teachers in the quality delivery of the courses and ensures continuous improvement in learning and teaching. This study concludes with an emphasis on the measuring performance using course-KPIs which can be adopted for quality improvement for any academic course in higher education irrespective of data size.

Aims We aimed to assess the incremental prognostic value of positron emission tomography (PET)-derived myocardial flow reserve (MFR) among patients with diabetes and those without diabetes. Methods and results Consecutive patients with clinically indicated PET MPI for suspected or established coronary artery disease (CAD) were included. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) in mL/min/g was obtained from dynamic images at rest and stress, while MFR was calculated as the ratio of stress to rest MBF. Patients were followed from the date of PET imaging for the occurrence of the primary outcome (composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and un-planned percutaneous coronary intervention/coronary artery bypass graft occurring more than 90 days after imaging). The final cohort consisted of 6019 patients (63% with diabetes) (mean age 61 ± 11 years, 45% female, 55% obese, 76% hypertensive, and 62% dyslipidaemia). Over half (53%) of the patients had an impaired MFR (<2). During a median follow-up of 22.6 (7.8–42.5) months, 619 patients (10%, 3.8 per 1000 person-years) experienced the primary outcome. Impaired MFR (MFR < 2) was significantly associated with the primary outcome in patients with and without diabetes (diabetes: HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4–2.3, P < 0.001; no diabetes: 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–2.1, P = 0.046). There was no interaction between diabetes status and MFR (P = 0.234). Results were consistent across subgroups of patients with no CAD and normal perfusion study. Conclusion PET-derived MFR has a strong independent and incremental prognostic role in patients with diabetes and those without diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: COVID-19 caused the worst international public health crisis, accompanied by major global economic downturns and mass-scale job losses, which impacted the psychosocial wellbeing of the worldwide population, including Saudi Arabia. Evidence of the high-risk groups impacted by the pandemic has been non-existent in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study examined factors associated with psychosocial distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping strategies among the general population in Saudi Arabia. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthcare and community settings in the Saudi Arabia using an anonymous online questionnaire. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) were used to assess psychological distress, fear and coping strategies, respectively. Multivariate logistic regressions were used, and an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) was reported. (3) Results: Among 803 participants, 70% (n = 556) were females, and the median age was 27 years; 35% (n = 278) were frontline or essential service workers; and 24% (n = 195) reported comorbid conditions including mental health illness. Of the respondents, 175 (21.8%) and 207 (25.8%) reported high and very high psychological distress, respectively. Factors associated with moderate to high levels of psychological distress were: youth, females, non-Saudi nationals, those experiencing a change in employment or a negative financial impact, having comorbidities, and current smoking. A high level of fear was reported by 89 participants (11.1%), and this was associated with being ex-smokers (3.72, 1.14–12.14, 0.029) and changes in employment (3.42, 1.91–6.11, 0.000). A high resilience was reported by 115 participants (14.3%), and 333 participants (41.5%) had medium resilience. Financial impact and contact with known/suspected cases (1.63, 1.12–2.38, 0.011) were associated with low, medium, to high resilient coping. (4) Conclusions: People in Saudi Arabia were at a higher risk of psychosocial distress along with medium-high resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, warranting urgent attention from healthcare providers and policymakers to provide specific mental health support strategies for their current wellbeing and to avoid a post-pandemic mental health crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University students with disabilities face an increased risk of experiencing negative implications in educational, psychological, and social spheres during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed at assessing various dimensions of social support and its sources during the COVID-19 pandemic that availed university students with disabilities. This cross-sectional descriptive study collected data from 53 university students with disabilities. We administered the Social Support Scale (SSC) to assess five dimensions: informational, emotional, esteem, social integration and tangible support, and access to social support from four sources: family, friends, teachers, and colleagues. Multiple regression analysis showed that university students with disabilities mainly relied upon their friends for informational support (β = 0.64; p < 0.001), emotional support (β = 0.52; p < 0.001), and social integration support (β = 0.57; p < 0.001). Family members (β = 0.406; p < 0.01) and colleagues (β = 0.36; p < 0.01) provided esteem support to students with disabilities. Support from teachers demonstrated an association with informational support (β = 0.24; p < 0.05). The findings from the current study suggest that students with disabilities primarily sought informational, emotional, and social integration support from their peers. Although teachers were the primary source of informational support, emotional and esteem support were not found to be significantly associated with them. These findings necessitate exploring the underlying factors and how to enhance them during unusual circumstances such as online distance education and social distancing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esculentosides include a group of plant-derived compounds with tremendous pharmacological potential. The antiproliferative effects of esculentoside A against different colorectal cancer cells were evaluated. We found that the proliferation of all the colorectal cancer cells was halted by esculentoside A. The IC50 of esculentoside A ranged from 16 to 24 μM against different colorectal cancer cells. Investigation of the underlying molecular mechanism revealed that esculentoside A caused an increase in the colorectal cancer cells at the G1 phase of the cell cycle, indicative of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The percentage of G1 cells increased from 22.68% in control to 54.23% at 16 μM esculentoside A. We also found that the colony formation of HT-29 cells was inhibited by 59% at 24 μM esculentoside A. Finally, effects of esculentoside A on the motility of HT-29 colorectal cancer cells were investigated, and it was found that esculentoside A caused a significant decline in HT-29 colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion. The migration and invasion of esculentoside A-treated HT-29 cells were 45% and 51% higher, respectively, than those of untreated cells. Summing up, these results suggest that esculentoside A exhibits antiproliferative effects against human colorectal cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the precise preoperative evaluation of complex congenital heart diseases (CHDs) with reduced radiation dose exposure, we assessed the diagnostic validity and reliability of low-dose prospective ECG-gated cardiac CT (CCT). Forty-two individuals with complex CHDs who underwent preoperative CCT as part of a prospective study were included. Each CCT image was examined independently by two radiologists. The primary reference for assessing the diagnostic validity of the CCT was the post-operative data. Infants and neonates were the most common age group suffering from complex CHDs. The mean volume of the CT dose index was 1.44 ± 0.47 mGy, the mean value of the dose-length product was 14.13 ± 5.4 mGy*cm, and the mean value of the effective radiation dose was 0.58 ± 0.13 mSv. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of the low-dose prospective ECG-gated CCT for identifying complex CHDs were 95.6%, 98%, 97%, 97%, and 97% for reader 1 and 92.6%, 97%, 95.5%, 95.1%, and 95.2% for reader 2, respectively. The overall inter-reader agreement for interpreting the cardiac CCTs was good (κ = 0.74). According to the results of our investigation, low-dose prospective ECG-gated CCT is a useful and trustworthy method for assessing coronary arteries and making a precise preoperative diagnosis of complex CHDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, stress and anxiety were pervasive among the masses due to high morbidity and mortality. Besides the fear of coronavirus was also particularly driven by social media. Many people started to look for faith and spiritual connections to gain comfort. The role of spiritual ties and religious beliefs in relation to coping with pandemic stress has acquired the attention of researchers in some parts of the world. This cross-sectional survey aimed at assessing the intensity of stress and anxiety symptoms experienced by people and how much they were alleviated by employing spiritual connections. The study sample comprises 795 respondents with 52% males and 48% females living in Saudi Arabia. The brief online study questionnaire collected data about background variables, anxiety and stress scale from DASS-21, and items from the WHOQOL (SRBP) instrument assessed the use of spiritual beliefs to cope. Multiple regression models were tested to determine the role of spiritual connections after adjusting demographic variables. Results illustrated that after adjusting for gender and age, participants' anxiety symptoms decreased by (β = -0.27; p = 0.000) units with each unit increase in the use of spiritual connections, and participants' stress symptoms reduce by (β = -0.36; p = 0.000) units with each unit increase in coping with spirituality. Additionally, females' risk to experience anxiety and stress symptoms was more than males [(β = 0.88; p = 0.01) and (β = 0.92; p = 0.000)], respectively. An increase in age decreases the likelihood of experiencing anxiety symptoms and stress symptoms by (β = -0.75; p = 0.02) and (β = -0.11; p = 0.000) units, respectively. Findings support the protective role of spiritual connections despite small beta coefficients. The social and cultural context in Saudi Arabia favors deep-rooted connections with spirituality and faith. Our findings support the fact that the reliance on spiritual connections helped older people to deal with exaggerated fear during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduces the risk of experiencing anxiety and stress symptoms. Females and younger participants were relatively vulnerable to developing these symptoms. We discussed these findings considering some recent studies that reported similar relationships and made recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Noise exposure is one of the most common occupational hazards worldwide. Studies have shown that the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus is higher in military personnel than in other occupations. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hearing impairment in military personnel in Eastern Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 409 military personnel. A self-administered questionnaire collected data on level of awareness, hearing impairment, and protection of hearing. Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) was conducted on 141 participants to determine the prevalence and pattern of hearing impairment. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the predictors of hearing loss in military personnel. RESULTS: More than half of the participants (54.3%) were unaware of the consequences of noise exposure and none used proper hearing protection. A small percentage (5.9%) complied with the annual hearing examination, and only 23% had had a previous hearing evaluation. More than half of the participants (58.4%) had one or more abnormal hearing-related symptoms, with tinnitus as the most common symptom (43.8%). PTA showed hearing impairment in 71.6% of the participants. Multivariate analysis showed older age as only significant factor associated with hearing impairment in military personnel. CONCLUSION: Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus are common occupational disabilities in military personnel. Hearing conservation programs have to be initiated to ensure the application of hearing protection measures and control the effects of exposure to noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is well linked with immunogenetic factors. This study was undertaken to test the association of TNF-α − 308 and IFN-γ + 874 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility of Leishmania (L) species among CL patients in central region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a case-control study involved 169 Saudi subjects with different L. species and 199 healthy controls from central region of Saudi Arabia. All subjects were characterized by TNF-α − 308 G/A and IFN-γ + 874 A/T gene polymorphisms using PCR. Results: Evaluation of genotyping and allelic frequency of TNF-α − 308 G/A in different L. species showed no significant association compared to controls (p > 0.05). Except, in cases of L. tropica that showed significantly higher TNF-α − 308 A versus G allele frequency (p = 0.0004). Evaluation of genotyping of IFN-γ + 874 (TT versus AA+AT recessive) and allelic frequency of IFN-γ + 874 (T versus A) showed significant higher in L. major and also in total CL cases as compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a strong association was observed between the susceptibility of L. major, L. tropica or total CL cases with synergistically combined high TNF-α 308/INF-γ 874 alleles. Conclusions: This is the first report that shows the gene polymorphisms of TNF-α − 308 G/A and IFN-γ + 874 A/T in Saudi patients with different L. species infections. Data showed that the TNF-α-308 G/A gene polymorphism is not associated with the susceptibility of CL in Saudi subjects. The only correlation was found in between A versus G allelic frequency in L. tropica. Importantly, IFN-γ + 874 A/T polymorphism was found to be associated with the susceptibility of L. major and also with total CL subjects. Moreover, data from synergistically combined high TNF-α 308/INF-γ 874 alleles strongly suggest their potential role in the susceptibility of leishmania infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess communities' basic knowledge of palliative care by developing a questionnaire. Methods: This prevalence study, an anonymous online questionnaire, was answered by 326 individuals living throughout Saudi Arabia over one month. The questions concerned the basic principles and knowledge of palliative care. We collected the data between February and May 2019. Results: The results showed that 72% of the respondents had neither heard nor knew about palliative care. Those who know about palliative care assess their knowledge as the following: 17.8% of the respondents reported that they knew the meaning and could explain it to others. As well, 10.5% knew the meaning but could not explain it to others; 9.3% had heard of it but did not know the meaning, and 62.4% had never heard of it. Conclusion: The research showed that there is a lack of knowledge about palliative-care among the population of Saudi Arabia. Data shows that there should be more efforts toward providing the community with better knowledge about palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harrat Hutaymah is a Cenozoic small-volume volcanic field in the northeastern margin of the Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia. Mantle and lower-crustal xenoliths have been collected from the various tuff ring and maar deposits. Based on whole-rock and mineral chemistry, there are two categories of xenoliths: (1) the fertile lherzolite and moderately depleted harzburgite, (2) spinel-rich clinopyroxenite cumulates, lower crustal hornblendite, and mid-crustal gabbro-diorite. The mantle peridotite have high whole-rock Mg# values (≥ 0.90), and high Fo and NiO contents for olivines (91 and 0.37 wt% on average), high average Mg# values for clinopyroxene (0.93) and orthopyroxene (0.92), and low to intermediate Cr# values for spinels (0.1–0.4). The mantle peridotite xenoliths show homogeneous unfractionated chondrite-normalized REE patterns, with slight enrichment in LREE. The compositional characteristics of the peridotite indicate that they came from a residual fertile mantle which experienced low to moderate degrees of partial melting. The estimated average equilibration temperature of the peridotites is 897 °C, corresponding to an average pressure of 11 kbar, which is equivalent to an average depth of 37 km beneath the relatively thin continental crust (~ 30 km) of the Arabian Shield. Clinopyroxenite xenoliths have low average whole-rock Mg# values (0.81), low average Fo for olivine (81), low average Mg# values for clinopyroxene (0.85) and orthopyroxene (0.84), and very low average Cr# values for spinels (0.001). The whole-rock trace element characteristics and mineral compositions of the clinopyroxenite xenoliths indicate that they were cumulates and formed from the early stage of picritic melt within an arc setting. The estimated P-T conditions of the clinopyroxenite cumulate gave an average depth of 48 km, which is relatively deeper below the mantle-crust boundary. The successive decrease of average bulk-rock Mg# values for the xenoliths from spinel-rich clinopyroxenite (0.81) to hornblendite (0.73) and gabbro-diorite (0.44), the enrichment of LILE the depletion of HFSE with characteristic negative Nb anomalies, the high La/Nb ratios, and the enrichment of LREE in the hornblendite and gabbro-diorite xenoliths suggests that these rocks formed from a highly fractionated hydrous calc-alkaline parental melt in a subduction setting. The estimated P-T conditions gave an average pressure of 6 kbar and depth of 20 km for the hornblendite xenoliths and an average pressure of 4 kbar and depth of 14 km for the gabbro-diorite suite. Thus, hornblendite xenoliths could be formed earlier and deeper than the gabbro-diorite xenoliths. The proposed crystallization process could produce the layered cumulates with decreasing amphibole and increasing plagioclase upward to the shallower depth. Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of Harrat Hutaymah lithospheric xenoliths provide a profile to interpret the lithosphere structure of the eastern margin of the Arabian Shield. • Nature of Arabian Shield Lithosphere were constrained from Harrat Hutaymah xenoliths. • Mantle xenoliths include residual peridotites and Ol-clinopyroxenite culmulates. • Lower to middle crustal xenoliths represented by hornblendite and gabbro-diorite suite. • Harrat Hutaymah xenoliths represented a fossil island arc lithology of the Arabian Shield. • P-T, oxidation states and mantle-crust relationships beneath the Arabian Shield are inferred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Two magmatic stages are producing the PGE-poor and PGE-rich podiform chromitites. • Distinctive field characteristics could be employed to differentiate between them. • Silicate inclusions in Cr-spinel are also distinguishable between chromitite types. • Cr-spinel chemistry and PGE contents of these chromitite types are also different. • General guidelines for PGE exploration in podiform chromitites are suggested. Two distinct types of podiform chromitites have been extensively described within the mantle sections of Neoproterozoic ophiolites in Saudi Arabia and Phanerozoic ophiolites in Oman. The first type is concordant with the foliation plane of the harzburgite host, generally lensoidal in shape and is characterized by its low platinum-group elements (PGE) contents. The second type occurs as discordant or dike-like bodies and predominantly rich in PGE. In addition to their mode of occurrence, several lines of evidence can be employed to differentiate these two types of chromitites, both in the field and during laboratory investigations. Concordant PGE-poor chromitites are typically homogeneous in appearance (with regards to chromite grains distribution) and massive, featuring chromian spinel (Cr-spinel) with olivine as the dominant silicate inclusions. In contrast, discordant PGE-rich chromitites are often heterogeneous in appearance, exhibiting a semi-massive to disseminated, and are rich in both hydrous (amphiboles) and anhydrous (clinopyroxene) silicate inclusions. Discordant dunite veins, sharing similar petrological characteristics, are consistently associated with PGE-rich chromitites, with Cr-spinel containing a notable abundance of clinopyroxene inclusions. Compared to podiform chromitites found worldwide, concordant chromitites have lower to intermediate PGE contents (typically < 500 ppb), display a gently sloping negative trend in PGE patterns, contain very few platinum-group mineral (PGM) grains, and exhibit a wide compositional range of Cr-spinel (Cr# = Cr/(Cr + Al) atomic ratio, varying from 0.5 to 0.9). In contrast, discordant chromitites have higher PGE contents (commonly > 500 ppb), show a strong decoupling between the IPGE (Os, Ir, Ru) and PPGE (Rh, Pt, Pd) subgroups of the PGE distribution patterns, contain numerous PGM grains, and consist of high-Cr varieties (Cr# mostly > 0.6). In-situ analysis of clinopyroxene inclusions within Cr-spinel of discordant chromitites and associated dunite veins revealed characteristic U-shaped rare-earth elements (REE) patterns. This suggests the involvement of a hydrous SiO 2 -rich melt in the formation of PGE-rich chromitites and their associated discordant dunites. The wide range of Os-isotope composition of the Os-rich PGM, spanning from sub-chondritic to supra-chondritic 187Os/188Os values in the PGE-rich chromitites serves as further evidence for the heterogeneous hydrous melting process that led to the formation of these chromitites. These features, encompassing field and petrological characteristics, can be attributed to variations in the tectonic setting during the formation of podiform chromitites and can serve as valuable guidelines for PGE exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bir Tuluha ophiolite is one of the most famous chromitite-bearing occurrences in the Arabian Shield of Saudi Arabia, where chromitite bodies are widely distributed as lensoidal pods of variable sizes surrounded by dunite envelopes, and are both enclosed within the harzburgite host. The bulk-rock geochemistry of harzburgites and dunites is predominately characterized by extreme depletion in compatible trace elements that are not fluid mobile (e.g., Sr, Nb, Ta, Hf, Zr and heavy REE), but variable enrichment in the fluid-mobile elements (Rb and Ba). Harzburgites and dunites are also enriched in elements that have strong affinity for Mg and Cr such as Ni, Co and V. Chromian spinels in all the studied chromitite pods are of high-Cr variety; Cr-ratio (Cr/(Cr + Al) atomic ratio) show restricted range between 0.73 and 0.81. Chromian spinels of the dunite envelopes also show high Cr-ratio, but slightly lower than those in the chromitite pods (0.73–0.78). Chromian spinels in the harzburgite host show fairly lower Cr-ratio (0.49–0.57) than those in dunites and chromitites. Platinum-group elements (PGE) in chromitite pods generally exhibit steep negative slopes of typical ophiolitic chromitite PGE patterns; showing enrichment in IPGE (Os, Ir and Ru), over PPGE (Rh, Pt and Pd). The Bir Tuluha ophiolite is a unimodal type in terms of the presence of Ru-rich laurite, as the sole primary platinum-group minerals (PGM) in chromitite pods. These petrological features indicates that the Bir Tuluha ophiolite was initially generated from a mid-ocean ridge environment that produced the moderately refractory harzburgite, thereafter covered by a widespread homogeneous boninitic melt above supra-subduction zone setting, that produced the high-Cr chromitites and associated dunite envelopes. The Bir Tuluha ophiolite belt is mostly similar to the mantle section of the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic ophiolites, but it is a “unimodal” type in terms of high-Cr chromitites and PGE-PGM distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metagabbros and gabbros in the Ablah-Shuwas belt (western Saudi Arabia) represent part of significant mafic magmatism in the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield. The metagabbros are Cryogenian, occasionally stratified and bear calcic amphiboles (hornblende, magnesio-hornblende and actinolite) typical of calc-alkaline complexes. These amphiboles suggest low pressure (~1-3 kbar), high $$f_{{{\text{O}}_{2} }}$$ and crystallization temperature up to 727 °C, whereas it is 247-275 °C in the case of retrograde chlorite. Rutile and titanite in metagabbros are Fe-rich and replace Mn-bearing ilmenite precursors at high $$f_{{{\text{O}}_{2} }}$$ . On the other hand, younger gabbros are fresh, layered and comprised of olivine gabbro and olivine-hornblende gabbro with an uppermost layer of anorthositic gabbro. The fresh gabbros are biotite-bearing. They are characterized by secondary magnetite-orthopyroxene symplectitic intergrowth at the outer peripheries of olivine. The symplectite forms by deuteric alteration from residual pore fluids moving along olivine grain boundaries in the sub-solidus state. In fresh gabbros, ortho- and clinopyroxenes indicate crystallization at 1300-900 and 800-600 °C, respectively. Geochemically, the Cryogenian metagabbros (~850-780 Ma) are tholeiitic to calc-alkaline in composition and interpreted as arc-related. Younger, fresh gabbros are calc-alkaline and post-collisional (~620-590 Ma, i.e., Ediacaran), forming during the late stages of arc amalgamation in the southern Arabian Shield. The calc-alkaline metagabbros are related to a lithospheric mantle source previously modified by subduction. Younger, fresh gabbros were probably produced by partial melting of an enriched mantle source (e.g., garnet lherzolite). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ablah serpentinized peridotites and overlying layered metagabbros represent an allochthonous piece of a dismembered ophiolite in the southern Hijaz terrane that belongs to the Neoproterozoic Arabian Shield in Saudi Arabia. On both sides, the ophiolite is bounded by wider domains of granitic intrusions and volcano-sedimentary successions, all together follow a N–S trend. The protolith of the Ablah serpentinized peridotites is mainly harzburgite which is partly or totally serpentinized. Carbonate veins of variable sizes invade and hydrate the serpentinized peridotites. Away from the contact with the granitic intrusions, fresh primary (igneous) olivine and Cr-spinel are preserved in the partly serpentinized peridotites. These relict primary minerals are used to infer their tectonic setting of formation as a nascent spreading center rock association of mid-ocean ridge or back-arc basin setting. Based on the re-distribution of elements related to different thermal effects, three patterns of Cr-spinel modification can be defined. The first pattern can be followed in the partly serpentinized peridotites where Cr-spinel displays simple zoning that is characterized by sharp contact between primary Al-rich cores and secondary Fe 3+ -rich rims. These cores and rims are homogeneous and show progressive decrease in Mg, Al and Cr, but with remarkable increase in Fe 3+ and Fe 2+ toward the rims. Mineral assemblage in equilibrium with this type of Cr-spinel is primary olivine + antigorite + chlorite ± talc ± chrysotile. The second pattern of Cr-spinel modification is represented by homogeneous weakly zoned Cr-rich spinel with no distinct sharp contacts between Cr-rich cores and magnetite rims. Cr-spinel cores of this type are rich in Cr and Fe 2+ , and poor in Mg, Al and Fe 3+ . The mineral assemblage in equilibrium with this Cr-spinel type is Fe-rich olivine + antigorite + enstatite + chlorite + tremolite + anthophyllite ± talc. The third pattern is defined by pervasive heterogeneous modification in which the alteration starts from the cores outwards forming a very characteristic “atoll” textured SiO 2 - and Cr-rich porous spinel. This type is characterized by core-to-rim increase in Cr, Fe 3+ , Si, Mn, Ni and Ti, and decrease in Mg, Al and Fe 2+ . The mineral assemblage in equilibrium with this pattern is chlorite + carbonates + lizardite/chrysotile ± antigorite. The first modification pattern is suggested to form under nearly solid-state conditions in the distal part from the granitic intrusion. The second pattern could be formed under reducing conditions with high temperature and fluid/rock ratio near the contact zone. The peak metamorphic temperature of this stage ranges from 500 to 650 °C that indicate upper amphibolite facies conditions. During retrograde metamorphism, the hydrothermal fluids are cooler and oxidizing which lead to the precipitation of thick marble-like carbonate veins within the serpentinized peridotites. In such a case, the aqueous fluids attack the Al- and Mg-rich cores, which are less resistant and replicable than the Fe-rich rims, and form the third chemical modification pattern of porous SiO 2 -rich spinel. The high SiO 2 content in Cr-spinel is most probably attributed to the formation of Mg- and Al-rich silicates within the sub-microscopic pores of altered Cr-spinel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mantle section of Al'Ays ophiolite consists of heterogeneously depleted harzburgites, dunites and large-sized chromitite pods. Two chromitite-bearing sites (Site1 and Site2), about 10 km apart horizontally from one another, were examined for their upper mantle rocks. Cr-spinels from the two sites have different chemistry; Cr-rich in Site1 and Al-rich in Site2. The average Cr-ratio = (Cr/(Cr + Al) atomic ratio) of Cr-spinels in harzburgites, dunites and chromitites is remarkably high 0.78, 0.77 and 0.87, respectively, in Site1, compared with those of Site2 which have intermediate ratio averages 0.5, 0.56 and 0.6, respectively. The platinum-group elements (PGE) in chromitites also show contrasting patterns from Site1 to Site2; having elevated IPGE (Os, Ir, Ru) and strongly depleted in PPGE (Rh, Pt, Pd) with steep negative slopes in the former, and gentle negative slopes in the latter. The oxygen fugacity (Δlog f O 2 ) values deduced from harzburgites and dunites of Site1 show a wide variation under reducing conditions, mostly below the FMQ buffer. The Site2 harzburgites and dunites, on the other hand are mostly above the FMQ buffer. Two magmatic stages are suggested for the lithospheric evolution of Al'Ays ophiolite in response to a switch of tectonic setting. The first stage produced a peridotites–chromitites suite with Al-rich Cr-spinels, possibly beneath a mid-ocean ridge setting, or most likely in back-arc rift of a supra-subduction zone setting. The second stage involved higher degrees of partial melting, produced a peridotites–chromitites suite with Cr-rich Cr-spinels, possibly in a fore-arc setting. The coexistence of compositionally different mantle suites with different melting histories in a restricted area of an ophiolite complex may be attributable to a mechanically juxtaposed by mantle convection during recycling. The mantle harzburgites and dunites are apt to be compositionally modified during recycling process; being highly depleted (Site1 case) than their original composition (Site2 case). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wadi Al Hwanet area in NW of Saudi Arabia is part of the Jebel Ess ophiolite constituting the northeastern part of the ∼700Ma Yanbu–Sol Hamed–Onib–Allaqi–Heiani suture of the northern Arabian–Nubian Shield. The mantle section of Wadi Al Hwanet ophiolite consists mainly of voluminous harzburgites overlain by thick, massive transition-zone dunites, and small-scale chromitite pods. The harzburgites and massive dunites are exceptionally fresh; primary magmatic textures and silicate minerals are still preserved. Two modes of podiform chromitites exist; small lensoidal pods (group I), and relatively large dike-like pods (group II). Geochemically, the former chromitite type contains chromian spinels with high Cr# (0.79–0.81) and displays a PGE-poor character, with steep negatively-sloped PGE distribution patterns, whereas the latter chromitite type contains chromian spinels with relatively lower Cr# (0.61–0.71) and is PGE-rich (up to 1000ppb), with positively-sloped PGE distribution patterns. The group II chromitites have much higher sulfide content than the group I suite. Parental melt compositions, in equilibrium with podiform chromitites, vary in Al2O3, FeO*/MgO and TiO2 contents from group I to group II chromitites, although both of them are in the range of the boninitic melts. The differences in the chromitites chemistry are most probably due to variable degrees of partial melting of the involved melts. Two stages of a magmatic activity were inferred for the chromitites genesis. The group I chromitites, of high Cr# of chromian spinels and PGE-poor negatively-sloped patterns, were precipitated in the first stage from a boninitic melt produced by a high degree of partial melting at a supra-subduction zone setting. The second chromitite-forming stage involves a relatively low degree of partial melting under high activities of sulfur and oxygen to produce the group II chromitites with enrichment in sulfides and PGE contents, possibly in a supra-subduction zone setting. In contrast to the chromitites, the harzburgites have low PGE contents, with characteristic unfractionated patterns, and low Cr# (0.46–0.57) of the chromian spinels suggesting mantle residues after low degrees of mantle melting beneath a mid-ocean ridge setting. Together with the entire plotting within the olivine-spinel mantle array, the similarity of olivine and spinel chemistry of dunites with those of harzburgites suggests a replacement origin for the dunites by the consumption of pyroxenes. It is likely that Wadi Al Hwanet mantle section was initially derived from a mid-ocean ridge environment and modified later, under a supra-subduction zone regime, to form podiform chromitites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Educational institutions in Saudi Arabia extended e-learning until the third semester of the academic calendar to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection and to achieve 70% inoculation for the Saudi population. This study assesses the impact of extended e-learning and other associated stressors on the emotional health of university students in Saudi Arabia. An online cross-sectional survey collected data between the months of January–March 2021. The emotional signs of stress were measured by using a subset of items from the COVID-19 Adolescent Symptom and Psychological Experience Questionnaire (CASPE). Data about demographic variables, educational characteristics and academic performance were also collected. A regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of emotional health. A total of 434 university students including females (63%) and males (37%) provided responses. One-third of students (33%) indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting changes including online distance studies greatly influenced their daily lives in a negative way. The regression analysis demonstrated that female students and students with average academic performance had increased vulnerability to experience emotional signs of stress (p < 0.05). The factors 'Not going to university' and 'Not having a routine life' were significant predictors of stress responses (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.001) respectively. E-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic made it possible for students to complete their studies as per academic calendar; simultaneously, it increased the vulnerability to experience stress, particularly for female students and students with average academic performance. These findings imply that academic advising and counseling services should be more readily available during digital studies to support at risk students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infection endemic in more than ninety countries of the world. The cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a most common form of leishmaniasis and it remains to be a major public health issue in Saudi Arabia. This study was undertaken to investigate the Leishmania species responsible for CL infection in different provinces of Qassim, Saudi Arabia.Methods: Skin biopsies were obtained from CL patients and DNA was extracted using the Magna pure system. Leishmania species were identified by highly specific/sensitive quantitative and qualitative PCR.Results: Out of total 206 CL biopsies, 49.5% biopsies were found to be positive for Leishmania major (L. major), 28.6% biopsies were positive for Leishmania tropica (L. tropica), 3.9% were found to be positive for Leishmania infantum/donovani (L. infantum/donovani). Not only have these, all tested CL biopsies showed negative test for Leishmania mexicana (L. mexicana) and Leishmania viannia (L. viannia).Conclusions: This is the first comprehensive study that shows the majority of CL in Qassim was caused by L. major and L. tropica. To the best of our knowledge, this is the very first report that shows the occurrence of L. infantum/donovani in Saudi Arabia. This requires higher alert to the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to take proactive actions in preventing the onset of L. major, L. tropica, L. infantum and L. donovani infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The livers of reptiles are being studied as a model for the link between the environment and hepatic tissue. There have been few investigations on the histology of reptile livers, and very few or no studies have examined the histology of liver of veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). This paper describes the histomorphological, histochemical and ultrastructural characterization of the liver of veiled chameleons in southern Saudi Arabia. Seven Chamaeleo calyptratus were captured in the summer season in Abha City, Aseer region, southern Saudi Arabia. Chamaeleon liver samples were processed for histomorphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure analyses. Morphologically liver of Chamaeleo calyptratus was observed as a large dark brown organ with lighter speckles, which represent melanin deposits. It located at the ventral part of abdominal cavity forward of the stomach. Its dimensions approximately were 3.7 ' 2 cm. The liver was a bilobed organ divided into two lobes, right and left lobes. The right one was bigger than the others. The gallbladder was well developed and had an elongated shape, situated between the two lobes and contained the bile for the digestion. Microscopically, the liver was found to be covered by a thick layer of connective tissue, which formed the hepatic capsule. Hepatic parenchyma probably appeared in cross sections as hepatic glandular-like alveoli "acini" or follicular structures with various diameters, each acinus contains approximately four to six hepatocytes, surrounded by sinusoidal capillaries filled with abundant melanomacrophages, which are absent in birds and mammals. Melanomacrophages are common in the hepatic parenchyma's perisinusoidal areas, particularly near portal spaces. Hepatocytes are polyhedral or pyramidal with and mostly contained large, rounded nuclei mostly peripherally located, with prominent dark oval nucleoli. Some of nuclei are eccentric or central position. The cytoplasm appeared spongy or vacuolated and more eosinophilic when stained by hematoxylin-eosin and strongly reactive to PAS staining technique, indicating abundant glycogen content. The reticular fibers that surround hepatocytes, blood arteries, and sinusoids supported the hepatic parenchyma. The blood sinusoids are seen interspersed among hepatocytes of varying sizes. The sinusoidal lumen was bordered by flattened endothelial cells and includes elliptical nucleated erythrocytes and liver macrophages as phagocytes, which are also known as Kupffer cells. Branches of the portal vein, hepatic artery, small bile duct, and lymph vessels were detected in the hepatic portal area "tract" or triad which made up of connective. Hematopoietic tissue was observed in subcapsular region and portal triads. Ultrastructurally, the hepatocyte appeared polyhedric containing a single large rounded basal or eccentric vesicular nucleus with prominent nucleolus. Extensive network of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) often arranged in an array parallel to the nuclear membrane with many mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus were described. The cytoplasm contained glycogen granules, vesicles or vacuoles scattered throughout the cytoplasm especially at the apical region were reported. The bile canaliculi and the hepatic "Kupffer" cells were also discussed. This is the first study on the histological characterization of the healthy liver of Yemen veiled chameleon in southern Saudi Arabia. The findings reported here should be used as a reference to compare with the pathological abnormalities of the liver in this animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quarantine is used worldwide to interfere with COVID-19 transmission. It had a negative effect on the scholastic performance and behavior of regular students. Objective: The study strived to investigate such parameters on gifted students. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the parents of 378 gifted students all over Saudi Arabia, through their schools. These students were represented by Mawhiba Foundation, Saudi Arabia. Results: The findings showed that 70.4 % of the gifted students had an increase in their academic achievement at the end of the second semester. Moreover, 50.3% of the participants had experienced major behavioral changes during quarantine. Also, 56.9% of students suffered from annoying dreams and difficult sleeping. More than half of the participants faced distant learning problems. The correlation analysis indicated a significant and positive correlation between gifted students’ academic achievement, entertainment hours, and parenteral help, while it was significant and negative between the academic achievement and the number of sleeping hours. Conclusion: Quarantine had a great psychological burden on the parents of the gifted students that was reflected on their behavior. However, most students faced different problems during the online distance learning, but their academic achievement had increased that might explain their unique mental ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Most rocks at Bi’r Tawilah boreholes are hydrothermally altered (chloritization–sericitization–carbonatization–silicification). [•] Sulphides and gold are present in most rock types. [•] Sulphides were flushed into all rock units from a deep felsic source (>210m). [•] The Bi’r Tawilah ore is hydrothermal shear zone-related deposit with gold enrichment by consequent supergene alteration. [•] Gold in both fresh and weathered samples contains considerable contents of Ag. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Blughah and Al-Maham granitoids are mainly I-type (675–651 Ma) and less common A-type (631 M) granites. • Gold-sulfide mineralization occurs at the intersection between volcano-sedimentary rocks and granitic intrusions. • Arsenopyrite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite are the main ore minerals in the two prospects. • Gold inclusions within deformed pyrite and arsenopyrite implies a post-sulfide gold formation. • Re-Os age of sulfides (360 ± 2 Ma) refers to the remobilization and recrystallization age. Among several gold-sulfide deposits and prospects scattered in the Afif terrane of the Arabian Shield, the Bulghah and Al-Maham prospects are investigated to assess the spatial and temporal relationships between gold mineralization and the host lithologies and regional structures. Both prospects are hosted by the sulfide-bearing Hulayfah Group metavolcano-sedimentary successions, and are confined to cross-cutting granitoid intrusions. Tonalite-granodiorite and monzogranite from the two areas have geochemical characteristics of metaluminous to weakly peraluminous calc-alkaline I-type granitoids. Younger alkali feldspar granite in the Bulghah area exhibits geochemical features of A-type granite, likely formed in a post-collisional or transitional setting. ID-TIMS dating of zircons from two granodiorite samples from the Al-Maham prospect yielded 206Pb/238U ages of ∼662 and 651 Ma. A tonalite sample from the Bulghah mine area gave a concordia age of 674.8 ± 0.8 Ma (2σ; MSWD = 0.42), whereas the alkali feldspar granite sample has an age of ∼ 631 ± 1 Ma. The newly defined ages can be considered as the upper age limit of the auriferous quartz veins, evidently attendant to the Nabitah orogeny (∼680–640 Ma). Gold-bearing quartz veins in the two prospects are identical in terms of ore mineralogy, textures and paragenesis. Gold-bearing quartz veins are associated with intersecting veinlets and stockwork of arsenopyrite, pyrite, and less common pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. Recrystallized pyrite and arsenopyrite are ubiquitous in quartz veins, whereas pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite intergrowths in-fills or replacements prevail in the deformed host metavolcanic rocks. Free gold typically occurs as fine inclusions in quartz veins, commonly in deformed pyrite and arsenopyrite crystals. The sulfides of Al-Maham prospect have significantly higher Re-Os concentrations (ppb level), compared with those in the Bulghah prospect, and define an isochron with a Model-1 age of 360 ± 2 Ma and an initial 187Os/188Os ratio of 1.962 ± 0.032. The obtained Re-Os age and the crustal initial Os isotope ratio do not necessarily define the primary age of gold mineralization since ore textures indicate that pyrrhotite was a paragenetically late sulfide phase in both prospects. Alternatively, this age may be interpreted as the time of remobilization and recrystallization of older sulfides in response to Hercynian uplift and deformation (370–290 Ma), manifested as intermittently rejuvenated reverse faults elsewhere in the Arabian Shield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An epithermal polymetallic-Au-Ag mineralization formed in a Precambrian arc sequence in the Arabian Shield. • Gold-, Ag-, Bi- and Pb-tellurides are closely associated with chalcopyrite and chlorite. • Tellurium was introduced to the mineralizing fluids by partial melting of ocean floor sediments during subduction. • A multi-stage process involving multi boiling and condensation events is responsible for the gold mineralization. Mahd Adh Dhahab polymetallic Au-telluride mine in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a world-class deposit. The mineralization is hosted by subalkaline bimodal rhyolite-basalt arc succession part of the late Proterozoic Mahd group. The mineralized quartz veins mostly occupy fractures that formed in response to local folding of the Mahd volcanic-sedimentary sequence. The ore predominantly consists of massive sulfides (sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and galena) and a diverse range of Au-(Ag)-tellurides (sylvanite, petzite, hessite, tetradymite, tellurobismuthite and altaite). Gangue mineral assemblage comprises chlorite, epidote, sassurite and quartz. Tellurides occur as subhedral grains dispersed within chalcopyrite, sphalerite and Fe-rich chlorite. Geological, structural and mineralogical observations support a model invoking a multi-stage process of mixed magmatic-meteoric fluids and boiling as a cause of telluride precipitation. The metal-bearing magmatic fluid was exsolved from a crystallizing arc alkaline melt produced by partial melting of a subducted slab containing ocean floor sediments. Precipitation from solution occurs as a result of the condensation of Te-rich vapor phase and mixing of auriferous fluids with cooled oxygenated meteoric water at a shallow depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Psoriasis (PsO) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease that results in severe outcomes that impact the patient's quality of life and work productivity. We investigated the effectiveness of secukinumab in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) over a 12-month period., Methods: This was a longitudinal, retrospective study of the medical records of 81 patients with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis who had been treated with secukinumab for at least 12 weeks., Results: The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Body Surface Area (BSA) percentage, and Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) among patients with PsO and PsO-PsA showed a statistically significant decrease from baseline over 12 months by approximately 9.86, 19.3%, and 9.7, respectively (p values < 0.001 for each). Moreover, there was a statistically significant decrease in the overall Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis score (DAPSA) by approximately 22.35 from baseline over 12 months of treatment (p < 0.001). Considering the patients who started secukinumab 12 months or more prior to the study cutoff date, the 12-month retention rate was 85%., Conclusion: In a Saudi real-world setting, secukinumab proved to be an efficient medication with high efficacy and retention rates., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This record study aimed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) profiles regarding sex, age, and obesity for the riskier factor of cardiovascular diseases in a general population in Saudi Arabia. Laboratory and anthropometric measurements were performed on non-specific participants with variant ages and BMI in either sex. Serobiochemical changes were measured for metabolic profiles, i.e., A1C/FSG, TC, TGC, HDLC/LDLC, Vit.D, TSH/T4, Hb, and Cr. The study was applied in a Polyclinic, Abha, Saudi Arabia in 2020 G. The general population showed variable incidences of MetS profiles, such as 69.4% diabetes, 85.5% hypothyroidism, and 92.2% obesity. Hypothyroidism showed a higher incidence in women rather than in men, but men were more dyslipidemic, with higher TGC and LDLC but low HDLC, compared to women. Men <40 Y. showed diabetes and hypothyroidism, but elders were dyslipidemic. Women <40 Y. showed anemia and hypovitaminosis-D but were suffering from hypothyroidism at all ages. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypovitaminosis-D, and dyslipidemia were the main MetS components in both overweight and obese participants, and an incidence of more than 50% in each profile was recorded. Diabetes with hypertension was characteristic of obese participants rather than those overweight. About 66.1% of the mixed-hypercholesterolemic cases were diabetic, but 18.9% of the mixed-diabetic participants were hypercholesterolemic. Castelli's risk factors, CRI-I and CRI-II, and atherogenic indices, AIP and AC, were measured for evaluating the cardiac risk in different populations based on the AUC-ROC and cut-off values. Insulin-resistance marker (TyG) was also measured, showing considerable cut-off values for diabetic susceptibility in the lipidemic participants with higher TGC and TC rather than HDLC or LDLC. In conclusion, MetS showed higher susceptibility to sex and age with increased incidence in women rather than men. However, the cardiac risk was more susceptible to men of higher TGC and low HDLC than women. Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was more prominent in both elders (≥40 Y.) than younger ages of either sex. Anemia and deficiency of Vit. D was characteristic of young women (<40 Y.). Hypothyroidism affects young men <40 Y. but was recorded in women of all ages. Both dyslipidemia and diabetes could trigger CVD, showing higher cardiac risk in mixed-hypercholesterolemic men rather than women. Our study strongly suggests that the consumption of unhealthy junk food, tobacco smoking, lack of exercise, and physical inactivity could be conclusive evidence of MetS in the Saudi population.

This study demonstrated the association of polymorphisms in ERCC2 (Asp312Asn) rs1799793, ERCC2 (Lys751Gln) rs13181, XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) rs25487 and XRCC3 (Thr241Met) rs861539 polymorphisms with a susceptibility of lung cancer (LC) onset in the Saudi population. The study was performed on 134 LC patients and 270 controls. The data revealed that there was no significant association of LC with subtype squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and adenocarcinoma with the ERCC2 rs1799793 polymorphism. The data showed that the CC genotype for ERCC2 rs13181, the AA genotype for XRCC1 rs25487, and the genotype TT for XRCC3 rs861539 were significantly associated with SCC susceptibility ( p  < 0.05). Similarly, the CC genotype for ERCC2 rs13181 and the AA genotype for XRCC1 rs25487 were significantly associated with adenocarcinoma susceptibility ( p  < 0.05). Whereas, the TT genotype for XRCC3 rs861539 was significantly associated with SCLC susceptibility ( p  = 0.005). In total, significant association of LC susceptibility was found in the following combination models of recessive genotypes: AC heterozygous for ERCC2 rs13181 + AA homozygous for XRCC1 rs25487, CC homozygous for ERCC2 rs13181 + GA heterozygous for rs25487, CC homozygous for rs13181 + AA homozygous for XRCC1 rs25487, CC homozygous for ERCC2 rs13181 + TT homozygous for XRCC3 rs861539, GA heterozygous for XRCC1 rs25487 + CT heterozygous for XRCC3 rs861539, GA heterozygous for XRCC1 rs25487 + TT homozygous for XRCC3 rs861539, AA homozygous for XRCC1 rs25487 + CT heterozygous for XRCC3 rs861539, AA homozygous for XRCC1 rs25487+ TT homozygous for XRCC3 rs861539. These data clearly demonstrated that the combination of recessive genotypes may be associated with susceptibility of LC onset ( p  < 0.05). In short, the data indicated that DNA repair genes increase LC risk via gene-gene interaction rather than independent variants.

The hypertension (HTN) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are a common multifactorial disease due to genetics and environmental factors. The alpha 2B adrenergic receptor (α2B-AR) has relationship with secretion of insulin and mediates the vasoconstriction that elevate blood pressure. This study aimed to determine the association between α2B-AR gene polymorphism with HTN and T2DM in Saudi cases. 200 cases and 100 healthy controls from Saudi population were recruited from the Internal Medicine clinic, Qassim University. The patients were grouped into: 72 HTN without T2DM; 62 HTN with T2DM and 66 T2DM only. Full medical history, examination and biochemical assays were performed for all participants. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood lymphocytes of all subjects for detection of α2B-AR gene polymorphism by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results found a significant association between D carriers genotype and HTN with T2DM cases ( p  < 0.05) as well as with T2DM-only cases, ( p  < 0.05) compared to control. Regardless of HTN status, only cases with HTN and T2DM as well as those with T2DM were significantly associated with the recessive model DD versus II+ID ( p  < 0.05). So, D carriers genotype was significantly associated with total cases of HTN and T2DM ( p  < 0.05) compared to controls. Our results suggested that there is a relationship between the α2B-AR I/D gene polymorphism and the risk for T2DM with or without HTN, but no such comparable relationship is evident with HTN-only cases among Saudi population in Qassim region.

This study examined an association of ATP2B1 gene polymorphism and hypertension in the Saudi population. The 246 hypertensive cases and 300 healthy human controls were genotyped. The results showed that genotypes rs.207075 (CA + AA) [p = 0.05; OR: 95% CI, 1.5:(1.0 to 2.4) and p = 0.001, OR: 95% CI, 2.4: (1.5 to 4.0) and rs2681472 (CT + TT) [p = 0.05; OR: 95% CI, 1.5 (1.0 to 2.4) and p = 0.006 OR: 95% CI, 2.0 (1.2 to 3.1) respectively] associated with the risk of hypertension. Cases carrying the recessive models: [(CA + AA)/(CT + TT)] and [(AA)/(TT)] genotypes confer a strong susceptibility risk of hypertension [p = 0.002; OR: (95%CI) 1.8 (1.2 to 2.6) and p = 0.001; OR: (95%CI) 2.6 (1.5 to 4.7) respectively]. However, cases with body-mass-index (BMI)<25, carrying homozygous mutant genotypes [AA, rs2070759, p = 0.007; OR: (95%CI) 2.75(1.37 to 5.5) and (TT, rs2681472, p = 0.05; OR: (95%CI) 1.96 (1.03 to 3.72)] as well as A allele of rs2070759 [p = 0.006; OR: (95%CI) 1.62 (1.16 to 2.25)] and T allele of rs2681472, p = 0.04, 1.43(1.03 to 1.98)] showed a significant association with high risk of hypertension. In short, a significant association between ATP2B1 gene polymorphism and risk of hypertension was noticed. In addition, individuals carrying recessive genotypes have greater risk in developing hypertension than those carrying dominant genotypes. Moreover, cases with high-risk BMI associated with ATP2B1 variants may play a critical role in developing hypertension.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15257770.2021.1973034 .

Objectives: To assess communities' basic knowledge of palliative care by developing a questionnaire., Methods: This prevalence study, an anonymous online questionnaire, was answered by 326 individuals living throughout Saudi Arabia over one month. The questions concerned the basic principles and knowledge of palliative care. We collected the data between February and May 2019., Results: The results showed that 72% of the respondents had neither heard nor knew about palliative care. Those who know about palliative care assess their knowledge as the following: 17.8% of the respondents reported that they knew the meaning and could explain it to others. As well, 10.5% knew the meaning but could not explain it to others; 9.3% had heard of it but did not know the meaning, and 62.4% had never heard of it., Conclusion: The research showed that there is a lack of knowledge about palliative-care among the population of Saudi Arabia. Data shows that there should be more efforts toward providing the community with better knowledge about palliative care.

Thirty-three species of mosquitoes have been reported from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Several of these mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae Giles s.l., Anopheles stephensi Liston, Culex pipiens Linnaeus, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles, Stegomyia aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedimorphus vexans arabiensis (Patton) are known vectors of human and animal diseases. In this study, the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of eight mosquito species using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were analyzed. Wild collected fourth-instar larvae were reared, and single, newly emerged, unfed adult females were used for the analysis. A total of 146-160 peaks were detected from the cuticular extracts by gas chromatography. Repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD Post Hoc test was used to test for quantitative differences in relative hydrocarbon quantity. In addition, a linear regression model was applied using Enter method to determine the diagnostic peaks for the eight mosquito specimens. The ANOVA test indicated that relative peaks were significant (P < 0.05) when selected pairs of peaks were compared. Also, seven compounds showed qualitative differences among the five mosquito vectors tested. The classes of constituents present were n-alkanes, monomethylalkanes, dimethylalkanes, trimethylalkanes, alkenes, branched aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes and esters. These compounds have a carbon chain length ranging from 8 to 18 carbons. The most abundant compound in all adult mosquito specimens was n-hexylacrylate [retention time (RT) 6.73 min], which was not detected in Cx. pipiens. In Cx. pipiens, the most abundant peak was benzaldehyde (RT 2.98 min). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is a suitable method to identify adult mosquitoes, especially from focal areas of public health concern such as Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. This method allows a wide range of adult collected material to be identified with high accuracy., (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)