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This paper focuses on the recent political spars between Canada and Saudi Arabia as well as China and their impact on Canadian universities. It asks three questions: (1) What key issues did Canada's political strains with Saudi Arabia and China raise for Canadian universities' international education (IE) initiatives and what issues were absent? (2) What do these key issues suggest about Canada's approaches to IE in an era of new geopolitics? and (3) What implications can be drawn from these cases about Canadian university-government relations in the context of new geopolitics? Given the powerful role media plays in education policy, a systematic study was conducted across three main media sources to identify 74 articles and news releases between August 2018 and November 2019. Three dominant themes are identified and analyzed, each vividly illustrating the close ties between global politics, government foreign policy and IE within Canadian Universities. On the one hand, the narratives speak to concerns about IE as a risk to national security and, on the other, as a vehicle for Canada's economic prosperity. However, what the media has not achieved is a broader discussion on how Canada needs to revisit its IE objectives and approaches in light of broader geopolitical shifts. Using the theoretical framework of soft power, the paper speaks to the limitations and short-sightedness of Canada's approach to IE as soft power in this era of new geopolitics and concludes with three recommendations for Canada.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a common blood malignancy awaiting decisive cure. Understanding the genomic nature of the disease could help to improve treatment strategies and introduce novel therapeutic targets. The purpose of this study was to sequence the entire transcriptome of a cohort of CML patients to understand differences in gene expression profiles and gene variants compared to healthy controls. RNA was extracted from 10 CML and four healthy control subjects and sequenced by the DNBSEQ platform. Differential gene expression was evaluated and confirmed by the q-RT-PCR technique. Gene variants were also analyzed. The results showed that COX7B and COX7C were upregulated in CML patients than in controls; this was confirmed by quantitative PCR. In addition, novel single nucleotide and insertion/deletion variants were also found in both genes. In conclusion, the results of this study recommend further exploration of COX7B and COX7C and their novel variants in myeloid leukemogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) are quickly spreading, posing a threat to world healthcare. Methodology: 138 gram-negative bacteria were collected from different samples (stool, urine, wound, blood, tracheal aspirate, catheter tip, vaginal swab, sputum, and tracheal aspirate) from hospitalized patients. Samples were subcultured and identified in accordance with their biochemical reactions and culture characteristics. Against all the isolated Enterobacteriaceae, an antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed. VITEK®2 system, phenotypic confirmation, and Double-Disk Synergy Test (DDST) had been utilized to identify the ESBLs. Results: Of the 138 samples studied, the prevalence of ESBL-producing infections among the clinical samples of the present study was 26.8 % (n = 37). E. coli was the commonest ESBL producer at 51.4% (n = 19) followed by K. pneumoniae at 27% (n = 10). The potential risk factors for the ESBL development that produces bacteria were as follows, patients with the presence of indwelling devices, previous history of hospital admission, and usage of antibiotics. ESBL is statistically (p = 0.05) higher among the patients with indwelling devices, ICU admission, who had a previous hospital admission in the last 6 months as well as who was given antibiotics (quinolones and/or cephalosporins) in the last 6 months. One hundred thirty-two (95.7%) of ESBL isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, while the lowest resistance was for fosfomycin (15.2%). Conclusions: ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae are highly prevalent in Turaif General Hospital setting with some potential risk factors. A strict policy to be made available on the usage of antimicrobials in hospitals and clinics should be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnostic laboratory tests are frequently overused in healthcare entities, leading to an increased strain on laboratory resources, additional workload, and wastage of resources. Continuous monitoring of test ordering behavior is crucial to evaluate clinical necessity. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the necessity of ordering clinical chemistry tests in the cardiology clinic of a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia. We retrieved medical records of patients diagnosed with cardiovascular problems admitted at the cardiology clinic in 2020. The frequency and percentages of the ordered tests were calculated upon admission and follow-up, and the difference between necessary and unnecessary tests was compared for each category. Test ordering assessment included cardiac, renal, and liver functions, blood gases, thyroid and diabetic profile, iron indices, hormones, water and electrolytes, and inflammatory markers. The results showed a large number of clinical chemistry tests ordered without clinical necessity. While the number of necessary tests was significantly higher than that of unnecessary tests, 21% of the tests ordered between June-December 2021 at the center were unnecessary. Further studies are necessary to identify driving factors and develop strategies to reduce the overutilization of diagnostic laboratory tests in clinical practice. Eliminating this phenomenon will reduce the risk of unnecessary medical interventions and associated costs, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the overall burden on the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most prevalent bleeding disease, which is associated with either low levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) or abnormality in its structure. Three types of the disease have been described; type 1 (VWD1) and 3 (VWD3) are caused by deficiency of VWF and type 2 (VWD2) is caused by production of defective VWF. The aim of the current study was to characterize gene variants of VWF gene; exon 18 in particular, in a cohort of Saudi families as well as healthy control subjects. Methods: A total of 19 families comprising 60 subjects of type 1 VWD were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into 22 index cases, 21 affected family members and 17 unaffected family members ranging in age from 6 to 70 years. Blood samples were collected from all participants to measure activated partial thromboplastin time test (APTT), von Willebrand antigen level (VWF:Ag), Factor VIII activity (FVIII:C) and ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo), platelet count, determining the ABO blood group and for genetic analysis by Sanger sequencing. Results: The results indicated that VWD1 patients have lower levels of VWF and factor VIII than the non-affected family members and the control subjects. In addition, five gene variants were reported in VWF exon 18; of these, c.2365A>G and c.2385T>C were more common in the control group and might be protective from VWD. Discussion: In conclusion, VWF levels are influenced by blood group, and there was no association between variants in exon 18 of VWF gene reported in all groups and the disease status; however, blood group analysis and genome-wide genotyping could help to highlight high-risk groups and improve clinical management of VWD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health challenge and is endemic in many countries including Saudi Arabia. The disease is a major health concern in the Kingdom because of its dynamic population as resident expatriates are mainly from high TB burdened countries and the mass influx of pilgrims every year in peak seasons for Umrah and Hajj. The objective of the current study was to evaluate pulmonary TB incidence rates and conclude the potential high-risk patients to highlight the burdened regions in Saudi Arabia for the health authorities, which could help to establish policies of infection control as necessary. Methods: We retrospectively investigated the incidence of pulmonary TB data reported by the ministry of health (MOH) in 2018. We analyzed pulmonary TB incidence data by nationality, age, gender, and region using Chi-square test to identify demography-related risk factors associated with pulmonary TB and its significance. Results: The results indicated that the incidence of pulmonary TB was significantly higher in males than in females in both Saudi and non-Saudi nationals; the number of cases was particularly high in major cities. Also, infections were mainly associated with certain age groups that were different between the Saudi and non-Saudi nationals. Conclusion: TB control seems to be facing some challenges in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly major cities. National TB Control Program (NTP) needs to continually evaluate official data to spot high risk groups and factors associated with increased incidence. This will help to improve TB control strategies to contain the disease and approaches its eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Efforts have been made to contain COVID-19. Human behavior, affected by knowledge and perceptions, may influence the course of disease. Methodology: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 422 participants. It consisted of 28 questions in four sections; seven questions about sociodemographic characteristics of participants, 12 questions to estimate level of knowledge about COVID-19, six questions to evaluate attitudes toward disease, and three questions to assess practices to prevent disease transmission. Results: Their overall understanding of COVID-19 was satisfactory. 69% of the participants had satisfactory levels of knowledge, and the main sources of information were social media platforms (79.70%) and television (70.90%). There was a significant difference in knowledge as a function of gender (p = 0.50), occupation (p = 0.012), and smoking (p = 0.041). The participants held optimistic attitudes and adopted appropriate protective measures. Most participants agreed that COVID-19 can cause death (64.7%), poses greater risks to elderly (93.4%) and those with chronic diseases (96.7%), it is mandatory to quarantine infected individuals (98.1%), preventive health measures are important (97.6%), and health authorities will succeed in controlling the pandemic (67.5%). There was a statistically significant association between satisfactory levels of knowledge and the practice of wearing masks and the adoption of protective measures (avoiding crowded places, frequent hand washing). Conclusions: Residents of Al-Jouf region in Saudi Arabia have satisfactory levels of knowledge, optimistic attitudes, and good practice during the rapid rise period of the pandemic. Awareness campaigns will improve any misbeliefs and risky behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Urinary tract infections are common health problem affecting millions worldwide. Antibiotic resistance among uropathogens (Ups) is prevalent in many countries. In the absence of any available data in the region, this hospital-based study investigated the pattern, frequency and susceptibility of Ups at Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Aljouf Region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective assessment of UPs and their antibiotics susceptibility was conducted from January 2017 to December 2017 using the fully automated Vitek2 system (BioMérieux, France). Results: Among the 415 uropathogens isolates, the most prevalent bacteria were Gram-negatives comprising 137 (51%) E. coli; 46 (17.2%) Klebsiella spp.; 30 (11.2%) Pseudomonas spp.; 25 (9.3%) Proteus spp.; 14 (5.2%) Acinetobacter baumanii and 16 (5.9%) others. On the other hand, Enterococcus spp. were predominant among Gram-positive isolates representing 54 (36.7%), 47 (32.0%) Staphylococcus spp., 22 (15.1%) Streptococcus spp., and 13 (8.8%) S. aureus, and 11 (7.5%) others. Gram-negative Ups showed multidrug resistance towards the majority of the tested antimicrobials (ampicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fosfomycin, aztreonam, and nitrofurantoin). While high resistance patterns by Gram-positives was also seen against cephalosporins, penicillins, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, erythromycin and tetracycline. Conclusion: The observed widespread multidrug resistance clearly warrant implementing stricter control measures, local guidelines of antimicrobials usage, and continuous epidemiological surveys at hospitals and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution tomographic images of the crust and upper mantle beneath Harrat Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, are obtained by inverting high-quality arrival-time data of local earthquakes and teleseismic events recorded by newly installed borehole seismic stations to investigate the AD 1256 volcanic eruption and the 1999 seismic swarm in the study region. Our tomographic images show the existence of strong heterogeneities marked with low-velocity zones extending beneath the AD 1256 volcanic center and the 1999 seismic swarm area. The low-velocity zone coinciding with the hypocenters of the 1999 seismic swarm suggests the presence of a shallow magma reservoir that is apparently originated from a deeper source (60–100 km depths) and is possibly connected with another reservoir located further north underneath the NNW-aligned scoria cones of the AD 1256 eruption. We suggest that the 1999 seismic swarm may represent an aborted volcanic eruption and that the magmatism along the western margin of Arabia is largely attributed to the uplifting and thinning of its lithosphere by the Red Sea rifting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Saudi Arabia can be considered a hot spot for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections with significant regional variations. As far as we know, this is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of MRSA in clinical samples obtained from Turaif general hospital (TGH), Northern Area-Saudi Arabia, and screening the resistance profile to the most regularly used antimicrobials as an indicator for evaluation of the implemented infection control measures. Methodology: Totally, 410 Samples were collected from patients in TGH with clinically suspected nosocomial infections. MRSA isolates were identified by the classical bacteriological, biochemical, and cefoxitin-based methods as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute. Confirmation of isolates and testing of their antimicrobial susceptibilities were performed by the automated Vitek 2 compact system. Results: Totally, 130 nosocomial isolates were detected. Staphylococcus aureus (29.23%) was the most frequently isolated Gram-positive pathogen. MRSA represented 39.47% of Staphylococcus aureus and 11.54 % of all isolates. MRSA-causing surgical site infections were the most predominant type of MRSA nosocomial infections representing (25.00%). Recent antibiotic therapy, prolonged hospital stays, and indwelling devices were significant risk factors for the development of MRSA infections. Although all MRSA isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, Fosfomycin, and tigecycline, many isolates were resistant to other tested antimicrobials. Conclusions: Hospital administrators should strengthen the ideal use of antibiotics according to the local hospital policy to control the selective drug pressure on Staphylococcus aureus strains with minimizing exposure to the risk factors by implementing the proper infection control policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Seismic tomographic images for The Red Sea Rift zone between Egypt and Saudi Arabia are provided. • The Red Sea rift-related process are imaged with downfaulted crustal blocks, upwelling, and axial rift shifting. • Yanbu suture zone and the Red Sea rift have a big role on the Lunayyir volcanic activity. • Abu-Dabbab active zone in Egypt is highly disrupted due to the accretion process and affected by rift-related magma intrusions. The role of the Red Sea rift on the development and the discrepancy of the seismo-volcanic activity along its flanks is still a debate. Here we tried to resolve this debate by a high-resolution tomographic imaging of the northern Red Sea subsurface structures. For the first time, a large number of arrival time data from the Saudi and Egyptian seismic networks were used. The area comprises the Lunayyir volcanic field in the Saudi Arabia, the Abu-Dabbab seismogenic zone in the Egyptian Red Sea coast, and the Zabargad Shear Zone in the Red Sea. This study revealed clear images of the Red Sea rift-related structures along its flanks. The subsurface extension of the different shear and suture zones existing in the Arabian Nubian shield are well imaged. It is found that the Lunayyir seismo-volcanic activity is possibly controlled by the reactivation of the Yanbu suture zone that is associated with steeply northwestward dipping structure. The suture detachments were observed and identified across the Red Sea as low-V channels. The Egyptian Eastern Desert is found to be highly deformed with crustal-scaled low-V structures which were inherited from the early period of Gondwana collision. The NE-SW strike slip faults along the Red Sea were found to be a part of this deformation that are extended deeply in the crust. The Abu-Dabbab and Marsa-Alam areas were strongly influenced by this deformation with possible magma intrusions. This study provides new insights on the role of the Red Sea in the seismo-volcanic activity along its flanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • New seismic tomographic images are produced for Harrat Lunayyir and the Red Sea. • Crustal heterogeneities are detected beneath Harrat Lunayyir and the Red Sea. • Anomalous low velocity suggests a linkage between Harrat Lunayyir and the Red Sea. • Zabargad shear zone and Mabahiss Deep play a role in the 2009 seismic swarm. Harrat Lunayyir is one of the youngest Cenozoic volcanic fields in western Saudi Arabia, which in 2009 experienced a seismic swarm of about 34,000 events with a maximum magnitude of M5.4. Many studies debated about the relationship of a depicted shallow-level magma intrusion with the Red Sea rifting and the channelized northward flow from the Afar mantle plume. In this study, a detailed seismic tomography inversion for the P- and S-wave velocities, and the Poisson's ratio structures beneath Harrat Lunayyir and the adjacent Red Sea offshore area is presented. The tomographic images showed evidence of magma intrusions beneath the Lunayyir Swarm Area (LSA) characterized by low P- and S-wave velocity and high Poisson's ratio anomalies down to 21 km depth. These anomalies are in juxtaposition with some high-velocity anomalies attributed to remnants of solidified magma intrusions relevant to previous episodes of volcanicity. Beneath the Red Sea, the lithospheric mantle structure is clearly observed as a high P-wave velocity high-Poisson's ratio anomaly at a depth of 20–40 km. Traces of high-Vp anomalies with anomalous Poisson's ratio are observed in the area between the Red Sea and the LSA suggesting that a channel of hot lithospheric mantle material may link the Red Sea rift structure with the LSA. We suggest that the Red Sea drifting and its related processes in the Zabargad Shear Zone might have significantly contributed to the early formation of the Lunayyir volcanic field and could possibly have in an impact on any magmatic activity in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We examine surface morphology exhibited by lava flows in northern Harrat Rahat. [•] Shiny, smooth and unbroken morphologies (c.f. Hawaii) are not present in the flows. [•] The use of seven morphotypes best characterize structural changes along the flows. [•] Very well-preserved lava structures related to the morphotypes were also documented. [•] The morphotypes provide insights into emplacement mechanism of lava flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: The diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis depends on the presence of immunoglobulin M (IgM), but it may persist for a long time in some cases. The objective of this study was to determine the role and accuracy of IgG avidity for the detection of acute Toxoplasmosis in early pregnancy. METHOD: The study included 160 women. Sera were screened for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM and for IgG-avidity using ELIZA. PCR was done for confirmation in selected group of specimens. This study was performed at the College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia from January 2008 through April 2009. RESULTS: 32 cases of low avidity were negative IgM while 15 cases of high avidity were positive IgM. 16 cases of low avidity were positive IgG. The accuracy of low avidity in relation to positive IgM revealed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and likelihood ratio of 77.0%, 51.5%, 64.0%, 66.7% and 1.58 respectively. The accuracy of low IgG avidity in comparison with PCR demonstrated 91%, 45.7%, 60.4% and 84.2% respectively. CONCLUSION: Negative IgM didn't exclude recent Toxoplasma infection and positive IgG may be present with recent infection. IgG avidity testing help in accurate differentiation of recent infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]