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Ziad M Bukhari,1,2 Ali S Alsudais,2,3 Abdullatif Ghazi Bshnaq,2,3 Meshari Alshabri,4 Ahmed Ruwaybih Alqurashi,4 Amer M Alghamdi,5 Omar A Alshehri,6,7 Bader Bashrahil,2,3 Saeed Alghamdi1– 3 1Department of Ophthalmology, Ministry of the National Guard-Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 6Jeddah Eye Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 7King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ziad M Bukhari, Email Ziadbukhari19@gmail.comPurpose: The first-line treatment approach of Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) comprises conservative management, but antibiotics with anti-inflammatory properties are recommended in severe or persistent cases. Oral doxycycline and oral azithromycin are commonly used antibiotics for managing MGD. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing their efficacy and safety is needed.Patients and Methods: This study adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on patients with MGD. The primary outcomes assessed were symptom score, sign score, and overall clinical response. Adverse events were also evaluated. Multiple databases were comprehensively searched, and data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent authors.Results: Four trials and a quasi-experimental study involving 612 participants/eyes were included. Meta-analysis showed a statistically significantly lower mean sign score in the oral azithromycin group than in the doxycycline group. However, one RCT reported a lower mean symptom score in the doxycycline group. No significant differences were found in the means of total scores between the two groups. Systemic adverse events such as nausea, abdominal cramps, decrease in appetite, and diarrhea were more prevalent in the doxycycline group.Conclusion: The systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that oral azithromycin may be more effective in reducing signs of MGD than oral doxycycline. However, the results regarding symptom scores and total scores were inconclusive. Azithromycin also demonstrated a better safety profile with fewer gastrointestinal adverse events. Further research is needed to determine the optimal antibiotic treatment for MGD.Keywords: Meibomian gland dysfunction, azithromycin, doxycycline

Muhammad Ashraf Nazir,1 Salman Alghamdi,2 Mohammed Sallout,2 Salman Bubshait,2 Amal Asiri3 1Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Dental Education, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Muhammad Ashraf Nazir, Email manazir@iau.edu.saPurpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the sense of coherence and its relationship with oral health and other study variables among adult patients at university dental hospital.Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included adult patients visiting the Dental Hospital of the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam. Sense of coherence was determined by Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence scale (SOC-13), which consists of 13 items on a 7-point Likert. DMFT index, plaque index, gingival index, and simplified oral hygiene index were used to evaluate the oral health of study participants. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed, and 0.05 level of significance was used in the study.Results: The study included the data of 558 participants with a mean age of 32.19± 10.11 years. The mean score of SOC was 52.77± 13.11, which was significantly higher in high-income participants (P < 0.001), participants without a medical condition (P=0.021), non-smokers (P < 0.001), and those who visited the dentist in less than one year (P=0.028). Bivariate analysis showed statistically significant negative correlations between SOC and DMFT index (P=0.002), SOC and plaque index (P < 0.001), SOC and gingival index (P=0.002), and SOC and simplified oral hygiene index (P=0.001). Multivariable analysis also showed that SOC was significantly correlated with DMFT index (P=0.001), plaque index (P < 0.001), gingival index (P < 0.001), and oral hygiene index (P=0.004) after controlling for age, gender, education, and monthly income.Conclusion: This study found that high-income and healthy participants, non-smokers, and those who visited the dental office during the last one year demonstrated significantly higher SOC. In addition, there was a statistically significant correlation between SOC and oral health. These study findings highlight the importance of raising awareness about SOC to improve oral health outcomes in adult patients.Keywords: sense of coherence, oral health, dental visits, smoking

Rayan Siraj,1 Abdulelah M Aldhahir,2 Jaber S Alqahtani,3 Samah Bakhadlq,3 Saeed Alghamdi,4 Abdullah A Alqarni,5 Turki M Alanazi,6,7 Abdullah Alruwaili,6,7 Saleh S Algarni,8,9 Abdulrhman S Alghamd,10 Mushabbab Alahmari,11 Abdulmajeed Baogbah,12 Nawaf A Alsolami,13 Mufleh Alrougi,14 Kamal Hamed Al Khodidi,15 Fahad Alahmadi16 1Department of Respiratory Care, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahasa, 31982, Saudi Arabia; 2Respiratory Therapy Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Respiratory Care, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dammam, 34313, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Clinical Technology, Respiratory Care Program, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Respiratory Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 22254, Saudi Arabia; 6College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia; 7King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Al Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 9King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 10Department of Rehabilitation Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 11Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia; 12Department of Respiratory Therapy, Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, Georgia State University, Atlanta GA, 30303, USA; 13Department of Respiratory Therapy, East Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 14Department of Respiratory Care, King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia; 15Respiratory Therapy Unit, Children’s Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia; 16Respiratory Therapy Department, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Rayan Siraj, Department of Respiratory Care, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahasa, 31982, Saudi Arabia, Email rsiraj@kfu.edu.saBackground: Although clinical training is an important component of healthcare education, it is nevertheless a significant source of stress for students. There is limited information on stress and satisfaction perceived by clinical-level undergraduate students studying respiratory therapy (RT) in Saudi Arabia.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study design with an online questionnaire was employed to conduct this study. Data collection occurred during the academic year 2022– 2023 among RT students throughout Saudi Arabia. Patricians responded to demographic questions, the Students Stress Scale and Students Professional Satisfaction questionnaires. Descriptive, inferential, and correlational statistics were used to analyze the collected responses.Results: A total of 1001 undergraduate RT students completed the online survey. RT students and interns had an overall moderate to high stress level (mean (SD); 3.55 (0.49)), while satisfaction was perceived as mild to moderate (mean (SD): 2.56 (0.65)). In addition, 38% of the study participants have considered quitting the RT program. Female students showed higher stress levels in the following domains: inadequate knowledge and training, adverse and embarrassing experiences, clinical supervision, patients’ pain, and Education–reality conflict (p< 0.005) compared to male students. Additionally, students who considered quitting the RT program revealed higher stress levels in all domains (p< 0.005). There were negative correlations between satisfaction and stress domains: inadequate knowledge and training (r = − 0.32; p = 0.001), adverse and embarrassing experience (r = − 0.31; p = 0.025), close supervision (r = − 0.24; p = 0.001), insufficient hospital resources (r = − 0.30; p 0.002), patients’ pain and suffering (r = 0.28; p = 0.04), and education – reality conflict (r = − 0.30; p = 0.001).Conclusion: During clinical training, respiratory therapy students experience moderate to high-stress levels and low satisfaction. There need to be tailored interventions to reduce stress and intention to quit and increase students’ clinical experience satisfaction.Keywords: stress, satisfaction, clinical training, intention to quit

Mohammad Hussain Alqahtani, Mohammad Faraj Alqahtani, Mohammed Asiri, Saad Alghamdi, Ziyad Alshagawi, Saleh Alzahrani Pediatrics Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, Saudia ArabiaCorrespondence: Mohammad Faraj Alqahtani, Pediatrics Department, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, Saudia Arabia, Tel +966508880030, Email Ma.fq@icloud.comBackground: Bronchiolitis is a clinical syndrome affecting the lower respiratory tract of infants and toddlers < 2 years old. Variability in clinical profile and response to therapy in children with Bronchiolitis calls for studying the different clinical aspects of local patient population.Aim: The goal of our study is to determine the clinical presentation, past medical history, hospitalization course and prognosis in children below two years of age who have been hospitalized in King Fahad University Hospital over the last five years.Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review based on electronic health records of all Bronchiolitis-related hospitalization of infants and toddlers below two years of age, covering the period between January 1, 2015, to April 26, 2020.Results: Out of a total of 446 children < 2 years of age, 202 were female (45.4%), and 243 were male (54.6%). Although the length of hospital stay was almost equal between the sexes, there was a significant (p-value=0.01) increase in length of intensive care unit stay among females compared to males. Furthermore, there was a significant prolongation in the duration of ventilator usage among females (p value = 0.062). Out of fifty-five patients admitted to the ICU, 83.63% of them were 12 months of age and below.Conclusion: Our results show a significant increase in length of ICU and ventilator use among females compared to males. It also shows that infants younger than 12 months account for most ICU admissions. These findings, among many others, may help pediatricians formulate a better diagnostic and therapeutic pathways.Keywords: bronchiolitis, respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, lower respiratory tract infection

Haney Alsleem,1 Abdulrahman Tajaldeen,1 Abdulrahman Almutairi,2 Hussain Almohiy,3 Ebtisam Aldaais,1 Rayan Albattat,2 Mousa Alsleem,4 Elfatih Abuelhia,1 Osama Abdalla Mabrouk Kheiralla,1 Ahmed Alqahtani,5 Salem Alghamdi,6 Rowa Aljondi,6 Renad Alharbi7 1Department of Radiological Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 2Medical Imaging Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 3Radiological Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 4College of Dentistry, King Faisal University, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia; 5Radiology Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Applied Radiologic Technology, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Radiology, Specialized Medical Complex, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Haney Alsleem, Email hsleem@iau.edu.saBackground: Iterative reconstruction algorithm (IR) techniques were developed to maintain a lower radiation dose for patients as much as possible while achieving the required image quality and medical benefits. The main purpose of the current research was to assess the level and usage extent of IR techniques in computed tomographic (CT) scan exams. Also, the obligation of practitioners in several hospitals in Saudi Arabia to implement IR in CT exams was assessed.Material and Methodology: The recent research was based on two studies: data collection and a survey study. Data on the CT scan examinations were retrospectively collected from CT scanners. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire to evaluate radiographers’ and radiologists’ perceptions about IR and their practices with IR techniques. The statistical analysis results were performed to measure the usage strength level of IR methods.Results and Discussions: The IR strength level of 50% was selected for nearly 80% of different CT examinations and patients of different ages and weights. About 46% of the participants had not learned about IR methods during their college studies, and 54% had not received formal training in applying IR techniques. Only 32% of the participants had adequate experience with IR. Half of the participants were not involved in the updating process of the CT protocol.Conclusion: The results indicate that the majority of radiographer and radiologist at four different hospitals in Saudi Arabia have no explicit or understandable knowledge of selecting IR strength levels during the CT examination of patients. There is a need for more training in IR applications for both radiologists and radiographers. Training sessions were suggested to support radiographers and radiologists to efficiently utilize IR techniques to optimize image quality. Further studies are required to adjust CT exam protocols effectively to utilize the IR technique.Keywords: computed tomography, CT, filter back projection, FBP, iterative reconstruction algorithms, IR, as low as reasonably achievable, ALARA

Abdelazeem M Algammal,1 Khyreyah J Alfifi,2 Mahmoud Mabrok,3 Marfat Alatawy,2 Dalia A Abdel-moneam,4 Saad Alghamdi,5 Marwa M Azab,6 Reham A Ibrahim,7 Helal F Hetta,8 Reham M El-Tarabili1 1Department of Bacteriology, Immunology, and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt; 2Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Tabuk University, Tabuk, 71421, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt; 4Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 12613, Egypt; 5Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt; 7Marine Environmental Division- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Suez, 43511, Egypt; 8Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, EgyptCorrespondence: Abdelazeem M Algammal, Department of Bacteriology, Immunology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt, Email abdelazeem.algammal@vet.suez.edu.eg Mahmoud Mabrok, Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt, Email dr.mahmoudmabrok@yahoo.comBackground: Bacillus cereus is a common food poisoning pathogen in humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, molecular typing, antibiogram profile, pathogenicity, dissemination of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes associated with natural B. cereus infection among Mugil seheli.Methods: Consequently, 120 M. seheli (40 healthy and 80 diseased) were obtained from private fish farms in Port-said Governorate, Egypt. Afterward, samples were processed for clinical, post-mortem, and bacteriological examinations. The recovered isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, phenotypic assessment of virulence factors, pathogeneicity, and PCR-based detection of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.Results: B. cereus was isolated from 30 (25%) examined fish; the highest prevalence was noticed in the liver (50%). The phylogenetic and sequence analyses of the gyrB gene revealed that the tested B. cereus isolate displayed a high genetic similarity with other B. cereus strains from different origins. All the recovered B. cereus isolates (n =60, 100%) exhibited β-hemolytic and lecithinase activities, while 90% (54/60) of the tested isolates were biofilm producers. Using PCR, the tested B. cereus isolates harbor nhe, hbl, cytK, pc-plc, and ces virulence genes with prevalence rates of 91.6%, 86.6%, 83.4%, 50%, and 33.4%, respectively. Moreover, 40% (24/60) of the tested B. cereus isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) to six antimicrobial classes and carried the bla 1, bla 2, tetA, and ermA genes. The experimentally infected fish with B. cereus showed variable mortality in direct proportion to the inoculated doses.Conclusion: As far as we know, this is the first report that emphasized the existence of MDR B. cereus in M. seheli that reflects a threat to the public health and the aquaculture sector. Newly emerging MDR B. cereus in M. seheli commonly carried virulence genes nhe, hbl, cytK, and pc-plc, as well as resistance genes bla 1, bla 2, tetA, and ermA.Keywords: MDR B. cereus, virulence traits, antibiogram, virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance genes

Chandrashekar Srinivasa,1,&ast; SR Santosh Kumar,2 Sushma Pradeep,3 Shashanka K Prasad,3 Ravindra Veerapur,4 Mohammad Azam Ansari,5 Mohammad N Alomary,6 Saad Alghamdi,7 Mazen Almehmadi,8 Kavitha GC,1 Azharuddin B Daphedar,9 Siddappa B Kakkalameli,10 Chandan Shivamallu,3,&ast; Shiva Prasad Kollur11,12,&ast; 1Department of Studies in Biotechnology, Davangere University, Davangere, 577 007, Karnataka, India; 2Department of Studies in Food Technology, Davangere University, Davangere, 577 007, Karnataka, India; 3Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, 570 015, India; 4Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Malawi Institute of Technology, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe, Malawi; 5Department of Epidemic Disease Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia; 6National Centre for Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, 11442, Saudi Arabia; 7Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 24231, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Studies in Botany, Anjuman Arts, Science and Commerce College, Vijayapura, Karnataka, 586 101, India; 10Department of Studies in Botany, Davangere University, Davangere, 577 007, Karnataka, India; 11Department of Sciences, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Mysuru Campus, Mysuru, Karnataka, 570 026, India; 12School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS), The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shiva Prasad Kollur; Siddappa B Kakkalameli, Email shivachemist@gmail.com; dubotsiddu@gmail.comIntroduction: Cancer disease is known due to its unregulated proliferation of cells that have evolved from the body’s regular cells. The disease develops as a result of epigenetic and genetic modifications, tumor suppressor gene inactivation, and oncogene activation. The present work describes an environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO2 NPs) using Gmelina arborea fruit extract (GAE) in an aqueous medium.Methods: The study evaluated the formation of MnO2 NPs and their anticancer efficacy against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.Results: The formation of MnO2 NPs was confirmed through powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The crystalline nature of as-prepared MnO2 NPs was evident from XRD pattern. The morphology of the material was studied using SEM analysis, which suggested a rod-like nature with an average diameter of 50 nm. Further, the TEM and HR-TEM images confirmed the rod shape of the as-prepared MnO2 NPs with an interplanar distance of 0.271 nm. In addition, the concentric rings from selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis show the crystalline nature of the as-prepared material, which further supports the obtained XRD pattern. The anticancer efficacy of MnO2 NPs was evaluated against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, which showed up to 96% inhibition of the cells at 400 μg/mL concentration.Conclusion: Bio-conjugation of MnO2 NPs can provide enough scope for the therapeutic use of Gmelina arborea, assuming appropriate mechanistic evaluations are conducted.Keywords: Gmelina arborea, MnO2 NPs, HR-TEM, MCF-7

Mohammad Azam Ansari,1 Sultan Akhtar,2 Mohd Ahmar Rauf,3 Mohammad N Alomary,4 Sami AlYahya,4 Saad Alghamdi,5 MA Almessiere,2,6 Abdulhadi Baykal,7 Firdos Khan,8 Syed Farooq Adil,9 Mujeeb Khan,9 Mohammad Rafe Hatshan9 1Department of Epidemic Disease Research, Institute for Research & Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Biophysics, Institute for Research & Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; 4National Centre for Biotechnology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, 11442, Saudi Arabia; 5Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Nanomedicine Research, Institute for Research & Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Stem Cell Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mohammad Azam Ansari; Syed Farooq Adil Email maansari@iau.edu.sa; sfadil@ksu.edu.saBackground: The constant rise of microbial biofilm formation and drug resistance to existing antimicrobial drugs poses a significant threat to community health around the world because it reduces the efficacy and efficiency of treatments, increasing morbidity, mortality, and health-care expenditures. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop novel antimicrobial agents that inhibit microbial biofilm formation.Methods: The [Ni0.4Cu0.2Zn0.4](Fe2-xDyx)O4(x≤ 0.04) (Ni-Cu-Zn) nano spinel ferrites (NSFs) have been synthesized by the sol–gel auto-combustion process and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiproliferative activities of Ni-Cu-Zn NSFs were also examined.Results: The XRD pattern confirms the secondary phase DyFeO3 and Fe2O3 for substituted Dy3+ samples, and the crystallite size ranged from 10 to 19 nm. TEM analysis of NSFs revealed that the particles were cube-shaped and 15nm in size. NSFs exhibited significant antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiproliferative activity. At concentration of 1 mg/mL, it was found that the NSFs (ie, x=0.0, x=0.01, x=0.02, x=0.03 and x=0.04) inhibit biofilm formation by 27.6, 26.2, 58.5, 33.3 and 25% for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 47.5, 43.5, 48.6, 58.3 and 26.6% for Candida albicans, respectively. SEM images demonstrate that treating MRSA and C. albicans biofilms with NSFs significantly reduces cell adhesion, colonization and destruction of biofilm architecture and extracellular polymeric substances matrices. Additionally, SEM and TEM examination revealed that NSFs extensively damaged the cell walls and membranes of MRSA and C. albicans. Huge ultrastructural alteration such as deformation, disintegration and separation of cell wall and membrane from the cells was observed, indicating significant loss of membrane integrity, which eventually led to cell death. Furthermore, it was observed that NSF inhibited the cancer cell growth and proliferation of HCT-116 in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that the synthesized Ni-Cu-Zn NSFs could be used to develop potential antimicrobial surface coatings agents for a varieties of biomedical-related materials and devices in order to prevent the biofilms formation and their colonization. Furthermore, the enhanced antiproliferative properties of manufactured SNFs suggest a wide range of biomedical applications.Keywords: biomedical application, nano spinel ferrites, MRSA, Candida albicans, biofilm, ultrastructural alteration

Tekupalli Ravikiran,1 Santosh Anand,2 Mohammad Azam Ansari,3 Mohammad N Alomary,4 Sami AlYahya,4 Sowbhagya Ramachandregowda,1 Saad Alghamdi,5 Anupama Sindhghatta Kariyappa,1 Bhagyalakshmi Dundaiah,1 Mamatha Madhugiri Gopinath,1 Sumreen Sultana,1 Shital Manohar Punekar,1 Thimappa Ramachandrappa Lakshmeesha1 1Department of Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India; 2Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Sciences, Reva University, Bengaluru, India; 3Department of Epidemic Disease Research, Institutes for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia; 4National Center for Biotechnology, Life Science and Environmental Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Thimappa Ramachandrappa LakshmeeshaDepartment of Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Bangalore, 560056, Karnataka, IndiaTel +91 8710937464Email lakshmeeshat6@gmail.comMohammad Azam AnsariDepartment of Epidemic Disease Research, Institutes for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi ArabiaTel +966 580306835Email maansari@iau.edu.saPurpose: 4-Hydroxyisophthalic acid (4-HIA) is a bioactive compound present in the roots of Decalepis hamiltonii, which has attracted considerable attention in attenuating oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases. However, its efficacy is limited because of its low solubility and bioavailability. Therefore, the present study aimed to encapsulate 4-HIA using biocompatible copolymer polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) and evaluate its antioxidant and neuroprotective potential.Methods: The nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated by solid/oil/water (s/o/w) emulsion technique and characterized using XRD, SEM, HR-TEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. Antioxidant assays such as 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability were performed to assess the antioxidant potential of the fabricated NPs.Results: The bioactive component, 4-HIA, was efficiently encapsulated by the PLGA polymer and was found to be spherical and smooth with a size < 10nm. 4-HIA showed better scavenging capability in DPPH and superoxide assays as compared to 4-HIA encapsulated PLGA and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In contrast, 4-HIA encapsulated PLGA NPs exhibited a significant hydroxyl radical scavenging activity than 4-HIA and BHT alone. Further, the encapsulated NPs efficiently curtailed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that 4-HIA encapsulated PLGA NPs might be a therapeutic intervention towards the effective management of oxidative stress as it has exhibited efficient neuroprotective potential against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells.Keywords: 4-Hydroxyisophthalic acid, polylactic-co-glycolic acid, nanoencapsulation, PC12 cells, cytotoxicity

Abdulhadi M Alqahtani,1 Saja H Almazrou,2 Randah M Alalweet,3 Ziyad S Almalki,4 Basmah F Alqahtani,5 Saleh AlGhamdi1 1Research Center, Clinical Research Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Preventive Health - General Department of Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Pharmacist, Inpatient Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Services Administration, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh City, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Abdulhadi M AlqahtaniResearch Center, Clinical Research Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh City, Saudi ArabiaEmail ph.abdalhadi@gmail.comObjective: We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the knowledge and attitudes of patients among the Saudi population toward participating in clinical trials.Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional analysis using self-administered questionnaires for patients who attended the outpatient clinics at King Fahad Medical City and King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaires included general questions about sociodemographic information, patient knowledge about clinical trials, and patient attitudes toward clinical trial participation. We used descriptive analysis to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on patient knowledge and attitudes about clinical trials.Results: From November 2019 to October 2020, 822 responses were collected from participants in two medical cities and included in the analysis. Most of the study participants (81%) were younger than age 42 years. Our findings showed no difference between participants who participated in clinical trials before versus during the COVID-19 pandemic (P = 0.129).Conclusion: The Saudi population knows about clinical trials, but they lack knowledge about the role of the ethics committee and about informed consent. Also, most of them do not have the experience of participating in a clinical trial. Still, they have moderately positive attitudes toward clinical trials.Keywords: knowledge, attitude, clinical trials, COVID-19, Saudi Arabia

Rbab Taha,1 Shahd Abureesh,2 Shuruq Alghamdi,2 Rola Y Hassan,3 Mohamed M Cheikh,4,5 Rania A Bagabir,6 Hani Almoallim,2,7 Altaf Abdulkhaliq8 1Department of Transplant Infectious Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Internal Medicine, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Doctor Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Medicine, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Immunology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 7Alzaidi Chair of Research in Rheumatic Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Rola Y Hassan Email r.toufiq@hotmail.comAbstract: Vitamin D is proposed to have a potential role in the pathogenicity, clinical presentation, prognosis, complications, and treatment of several diseases. In addition to its well-known role in calcium metabolism, vitamin D regulates both innate and adaptive immunity, and subsequently modulates the antiviral and antibacterial inflammatory immune responses. In view of the emerging coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, searching for potential therapeutic and protective strategies is of urgent interest, and vitamin D is one of the promising agents in this field. In this review, we present data from literature that supports the promising role of vitamin D in treatment and/or prevention of several infections including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This review summarizes vitamin D metabolism and its role in inflammation, thrombosis and immune regulation. It also reviews, in short, the role of vitamin D and the impact of its deficiency in several infections namely tuberculosis, influenza, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and SARS-CoV-2. Considering the roles of vitamin D on immune modulation, controlling of thrombosis, and attacking several microorganisms, the current review will elaborate on the association between these salient roles of vitamin D and the pathogenicity of various infectious agents including COVID-19. Consequently, the comprehensive finding of the current review shows a possible significant impact of vitamin D supplement as a hope in preventing, treating, and/or improving the progression of certain infections, specifically during the worldwide attempts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and minimize the severity of health complications encountered accordingly. In addition, avoiding a status of vitamin D deficiency to obtain its positive effects on the immune system and its protective mechanism during infections will be a general benefit overall.Keywords: 1,25(OH)2D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, SARS, COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome, TB, tuberculosis, MTB, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, influenza

Muhammad Nazir,1 Khalid S Almulhim,2 Ziyad AlDaamah,3 Salman Bubshait,3 Mohammed Sallout,3 Salman AlGhamdi,3 Jehan Alhumaid1 1Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; 3College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Eastern Province, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Muhammad Nazir Tel +966-543569615Email manazir@iau.edu.saPurpose: Dental fear is associated with the avoidance of dental visits and negative oral health outcomes. It is important to assess distribution of dental fear and preference for emergency dental treatment among adult population during COVID-19. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate dental fear and emergency dental treatment among adults in COVID-19 quarantine centers in Greater Dammam, Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: Male and female adults (N=606) in quarantine centers for COVID-19 participated in this cross-sectional study (June–July 2020). Dental Fear Survey was used to collect data on dental fear. The participants also provided their responses about emergency dental treatment/dental attendance patterns in addition to demographic information.Results: The mean DFS score of the sample was 39.08 ± 19.47, and 23.1% of the participants were a little fearful and 22.6% were highly fearful. About 36.8% reported that they would prefer to visit a dental office in case of dental emergency mostly for dental pain and fractured tooth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 10.4% of the participants reported visiting a dentist in less than 3 months, 35.8% in less than 6 months, 52.5% between 6 and 12 months and more, and 1.3% never visited the dentist. DFS scores significantly differed among participants who visited the dentist in less than 3 months (31.86 ± 14.57), less than 6 months (37.70 ± 18.57), between 6 and 12 months and more (40.78 ± 20.23), and never visited the dentist (65.75 ± 14.74) (P < 0.001). The timing of last dental visit (P < 0.001), female gender (P 0.039), and dental pain (P < 0.001) were the significant predictors of dental fear.Conclusion: Dental fear was common among adults with a predilection for the female gender. Increased dental fear was significantly related to dental pain and reduced dental attendance. Only one-third of adults were willing to perform emergency dental visits.Keywords: dental anxiety, emergency treatment, dental visits, pandemic

Zulkifal Malik,1,2 Muzaffar Abbas,2 Lina Tariq Al Kury,3 Fawad Ali Shah,1 Mahboob Alam,2 Arif-ullah Khan,1 Humaira Nadeem,1 Saad Alghamdi,4 Muhammad Umar Khayam Sahibzada,5 Shupeng Li6 1Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan; 3College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 4Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Pharmacy, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan; 6State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Muzaffar AbbasFaculty of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad Expressway, Kahuta Road, Zone-V, Islamabad, PakistanTel +92-51-111555666Fax +92-51-4486705Email Muzaffar.abbas@cust.edu.pkShupeng LiState Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail lisp@pku.edu.cnBackground: Peripheral inflammation leads to the development of persistent thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia associated with increased expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the spinal cord. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of thiazolidine derivatives, 1b ([2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazolidin-4-yl](morpholin-4-yl)methanone) and 1d (2-hydroxy-4-{[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carbonyl]amino}benzoic acid), on thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and on IL-1β expression during carrageenan-induced inflammation in the spinal cord in mice. Inflammatory pain was induced by injecting 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw of the mice.Methods: The animals were administered thiazolidine derivatives, 1b and 1d (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg), intraperitoneally 30 minutes before carrageenan administration. The animals’ behavior was evaluated by measuring thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, and motor coordination. The IL-1β expression was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies were conducted to evaluate the toxicity profile of compounds.Results: Treatment with the thiazolidine derivative, 1b and 1d, attenuated carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia at doses of 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg. No motor coordination deficits were observed in animals. The compounds also reduced IL-1β expression in the spinal cord of mice. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies revealed that both compounds were safe.Conclusion: The compounds exhibit promising activity against inflammatory pain due to their ability to produce anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic effects and to inhibit IL-1β expression in the spinal cord.Keywords: inflammatory pain, IL-1β, thiazolidine derivatives, mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia

Suliman A Alsagaby,1 Rajendran Vijayakumar,2 Mariappan Premanathan,2 Suresh Mickymaray,2 Wael Alturaiki,1 Raid S Al-Baradie,1 Saleh AlGhamdi,3,4 Mohammad A Aziz,4,5 Fahad A Alhumaydhi,6 Faisal A Alzahrani,7 Ameen S Alwashmi,6 Waleed Al Abdulmonem,8 Naif Khalaf Alharbi,4,9 Chris Pepper10 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11932, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11932, Saudi Arabia; 3Clinical Research Department, Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia; 5Colorectal Cancer Research Program, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Infectious Disease Research, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 10Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UKCorrespondence: Suliman A AlsagabyDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, PO Box 1712, Majmaah 11932, Saudi ArabiaTel +966 542552749Email s.alsaqaby@mu.edu.saIntroduction: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have recently attracted attention as potential anti-cancer agents. To the best of our knowledge, the toxicity of ZnO NPs against human chronic myeloid leukemia cells (K562 cell line) has not been studied using transcriptomics approach.Objective: The goals of this study were to evaluate the capability of ZnO NPs to induce apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells (K562 cells) and to investigate the putative mechanisms of action.Methods: We used viability assay and flowcytometry coupled with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide to investigate the toxicity of ZnO NPs on K562 cells and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Next we utilized a DNA microarray-based transcriptomics approach to characterize the ZnO NPs-induced changes in the transcriptome of K562 cells.Results: ZnO NPs exerted a selective toxicity (mainly by apoptosis) on the leukemic cells (p≤ 0.005) and altered their transcriptome; 429 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with fold change (FC)≥ 4 and p≤ 0.008 with corrected p≤ 0.05 were identified in K562 cells post treatment with ZnO NPs. The over-expressed genes were implicated in “response to zinc”, “response to toxic substance” and “negative regulation of growth” (corrected p≤ 0.05). In contrast, the repressed genes positively regulated “cell proliferation”, “cell migration”, “cell adhesion”, “receptor signaling pathway via JAK-STAT” and “phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling” (corrected p≤ 0.05). Lowering the FC to ≥ 1.5 with p≤ 0.05 and corrected p≤ 0.1 showed that ZnO NPs over-expressed the anti-oxidant defense system, drove K562 cells to undergo mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, and targeted NF-κB pathway.Conclusion: Taken together, our findings support the earlier studies that reported anti-cancer activity of ZnO NPs and revealed possible molecular mechanisms employed by ZnO NPs to induce apoptosis in K562 cells.Keywords: transcriptomics, ZnO NPs, CML, apoptosis

Ziyad Saeed Almalki,1 Mohd Faiyaz Khan,1 Saja Almazrou,2 Abdullah Salah Alanazi,3 Mohammed Shahid Iqbal,1 Abdulhadi Alqahtani,4 Saleh Alghamdi,4 Abdullah K Alahmari1 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia; 4Clinical Research Department, Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ziyad Saeed AlmalkiDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaTel +966 11 588 6059Fax +966 11 588 6000Email z.almalki@psau.edu.saPurpose: Evidence to date suggests that having chronic conditions increases the probability of severe illness from severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thus, it is essential to identify the features of those patients. The purpose of this research was to identify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with chronic conditions.Patients and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional single-center study was conducted using electronic medical records of hospitalized COVID-19 patients between March 1, 2020, and May 20, 2020. Patients’ basic information, laboratory test, clinical data, medications, and outcome data have been extracted and compared among three groups: patients without chronic conditions, patients with one chronic condition, and patients with two or more chronic conditions. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t-test, and the Mann–Whitney U-test were used.Results: The study population was 458 patients, with an average age of 38.8 years (standard deviation (SD) 12.8). There were 398 (86.9%) males in the study population, most of them with one chronic condition. There were 14 (14.3%) smokers, and the majority of them were among patients with two or more chronic conditions. Longer hospital stay and time in the intensive care unit (ICU), a higher probability of ICU admission, and the need for mechanical ventilation were identified among patients with two or more chronic conditions. Dyspnea, an increased level of platelet counts, and a reduction in hemoglobin levels were discovered among patients with two or more chronic conditions.Conclusion: Patients with more chronic conditions were at higher risk of yielding poor clinical outcomes. Prevention and treatment of infections in these patients merit more attention.Keywords: chronic conditions, clinical features, outcomes, coronavirus disease 2019

Saad Alghamdi Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Saad AlghamdiLaboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura, University, PO Box 715, Makkah 21955, Saudi ArabiaTel +966 505502114Email ssalghamdi@uqu.edu.saBackground: Postoperative pain remains a major clinical problem as there are limited analgesic strategies that have been proven to be effective in preventing and relieving this type of pain. Natural products, including flavonoids, have distinct pharmacological properties and play an important role in the discovery of analgesic drugs.Materials and Methods: In this study, the flavonoid eriocitrin (eriodictyol 7-O-rutinoside), which is the main flavonoid in lemon fruit (Citrus limon), was mechanistically investigated for its prospective antinociceptive effect in a mouse model of postoperative pain. The antinociceptive property was evaluated by utilizing both tonic (acetic acid-induced writhing behavior) and phasic (hot-plate) nociception modalities. The hindpaw incisional surgery was performed and hyperalgesia was assessed using von Frey filaments.Results: The tested doses of eriocitrin significantly attenuated (P< 0.01, P< 0.001) the chemically-induced tonic visceral nociception (5, 10, 15, and 30 mg/kg) and acute phasic thermal nociception (10, 15, and 30 mg/kg). A significant dose-dependent reduction in the incisional nociceptive hyperalgesia was exhibited by eriocitrin, with a marked antinociception observed at doses of 15 mg/kg (P< 0.05 during 30– 60 minutes) and 30 mg/kg (P< 0.05, P< 0.01 during 30– 120 minutes).Conclusion: The antinociceptive effect of eriocitrin (30 mg/kg) was strongly blocked by the antagonists of the opioid receptor, naltrexone, and GABAA receptor, bicuculline, thereby suggesting the involvement of opioidergic and GABAergic mechanisms in the nociception, reducing proclivity of eriocitrin during transmission of incisional nociception. These results concluded that eriocitrin has a potent antinociceptive effect in postoperative pain conditions, probably mediated through opioid and GABAA receptors.Keywords: flavanones, surgical pain, analgesia, incisional pain, natural products

In light of the escalating global concern regarding adaptation and resilience to elevated temperatures due to climate change, this experiment was designed to assess the thermo-physiological attributes of two native sheep breeds (Najdi and Naimi) and to delineate potential genetic factors conferring heat tolerance amidst acute exposure to elevated ambient temperatures. Meteorological and thermo-physiological parameters were scrutinized at distinct intervals (0 min, 30 min, 120 min, 24 hr, and 48 hr), alongside the analysis of heat-responsive gene expression at 0 min, 30 min, and 120 min, following the exposure of nine healthy male lambs from each breed (mean body weight: 25 kg; age: 4 months) to a bio-meteorologically-simulated environment, maintaining an average ambient temperature of 45 °C (approximately 93 units in the temperature-humidity index). In addition, blood samples were collected from each lamb, with total RNA isolated and purity assessed, followed by qRTPCR analysis of 16 heat stress candidate genes using validated primers and standardized thermocycling protocols, including controls to ensure accuracy. Data were analyzed using statistical methods, including PROC GLM and PROC MEANS in SAS, one-way ANOVA, and pairwise differences with the LSD test for significance, while gene expression differences were calculated using the comparative Ct method and 2 (-Ct) for relative quantification. The findings elucidate that the Najdi breed manifests heightened thermotolerance relative to the Naimi breed, as evidenced by diminished indicators of heat stress, encompassing skin temperature, respiratory rate, packed cell volume, adaptability coefficient, serum total protein, glucose levels, and triiodothyronine concentration. Moreover, analysis of gene expression patterns revealed widespread activation of heat stress-responsive genes in both breeds under thermal stress conditions; however, Najdi lambs consistently exhibited elevated expression levels of these genes compared to their Naimi counterparts. Notably, genes including HSP90AB1, HSPB6, HSF1, STIP1, HSP60, HSP90, and HSPB1 demonstrated particularly pronounced upregulation in Najdi lambs. In conclusion, the integrative thermo-physiological and molecular profiling highlights the superior thermotolerance and evolutionary adaptation of the Najdi breed to the hot climate of the KSA, in contrast to the Naimi breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the protective effects of barbigerone in ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats (180±20 g) were used in the study (n=06). The rats were randomly divided into different groups, i.e., the normal group, ethanol control, and barbigerone 10 and 20 mg/kg group. Various biochemical parameters were assessed – total acidity and pH values, oxidative stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT) along with markers, i.e., tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and expression of B-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma 2 (Bcl2). Also, histopathology was performed. RESULTS: Treatment with barbigerone in the ethanol-induced-ulcer rats restored the levels of biochemical parameters such as SOD, GSH, MDA, CAT, and markers expression, including TNF-α, IL6, IL-1β, ICAM-1, and Bcl-2 with protected against cellular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Barbigerone protective effects can be attributed to its ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as promote gastroprotection against ethanol-induced ulcers in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was to investigate the cytotoxic potentials of Galactosylated Chitosan Nanoparticles. Specifically, the study aimed to develop Tubermycin B coated on Galactosylated Chitosan Nanoparticles using a new green method that replaces sodium borohydride in the reduction process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study synthesized Tubermycin B coated on Galactosylated Chitosan Nanoparticles through a new green method. The cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles was evaluated in a mice intestinal tract model that had been induced with chlorpyrifos, which causes oxidative stress-related enterotoxicity. Multiple activities, including the apoptosis of intestinal macrophages and the activation of Ikappa a/ß kinase (IKKa/ß), were examined as indicators of the nanoparticles' efficacy. The stability of the synthesized Chitosan Nanoparticles was also assessed. Additionally, the encapsulation efficiency of Boscia angustifalia and Boscia senegalensis extracts within the nanoparticles was determined. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that Tubermycin B coated on Galactosylated Chitosan Nanoparticles effectively alleviated the oxidative stress-related enterotoxicity in the mice intestinal tract induced by chlorpyrifos. The nanoparticles prevented the apoptosis of intestinal macrophages and inhibited the activation of IKKa/ß. The synthesized chitosan nanoparticles exhibited high stability. The encapsulation efficiency of Boscia angustifalia extract was recorded as 46.58%, whereas for Boscia senegalensis extract, it was 9.77%. The nanoparticles showed no cytotoxicity at all tested concentrations and demonstrated a medium-level anticancer effect. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that Tubermycin B coated on Galactosylated Chitosan Nanoparticles has the potential to alleviate oxidative stress-related enterotoxicity in the mice intestinal tract. The nanoparticles showed high stability and exhibited a medium-level anticancer effect. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that Boscia angustifalia extract exhibited higher anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) activity compared to Boscia senegalensis extract in an in-vitro system. Therefore, Boscia angustifalia could be considered a promising candidate for the development of an anti-HCV drug for future in-vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of performing this study was the mutational analysis of Forkhead box family member (FoxP3) and Interleukin-22 (IL-22) genes and their associations with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of sixty blood samples were collected from SLE patients from different hospitals in Lahore. Proforma was based on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. The total time for this research was one year (2018-2019). DNA was extracted, and FoxP3 and IL-22 genes were polymerized through PCR and further sequenced through the Sanger Sequencing method. Chromas version 2.6.6 was used for the similarity index of sequences. NG_060763 and NG_007392.1 were used as Reference Sequences of IL-22 and FoxP3 genes, respectively. RESULTS: Three already identified Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-22 gene i.e., rs2227491, rs2227485, and rs2227513, were confirmed in the sequencing results of SLE patients. Results showed that there were nine novel mutations (27.27%) in the case of the IL-22 gene in the studied genotyped samples. These SNPs had remarkably increased allele T frequency in rs2227485 and allele C frequency in rs2227491 and rs2227513. On the other hand, in the case of FoxP3 gene exon 2, there was an addition of T at position 10 in the intronic portion, thus not involved in the progression of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of cytokine-mediated signaling pathways, such as the IL-22 gene, is thus established. Novel variants in the IL-22 gene likely contributed significantly to the development of this autoimmune disorder. The current study found that the dysregulation of the inflammatory markers in SLE is not related to the FoxP3 gene, even though FoxP3 is implicated in the tolerance process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to utilize Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to investigate the constructive validity of the Arabic translation of the Vanderbilt Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Diagnostic Scale (VADRS-A) using its two versions, the Arabic Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale (VADPRS-A) and the Arabic Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Teacher Rating Scale (VADTRS-A).