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Abdu Aldarhami,1 Abdulrahman S Bazaid,2,3 Husam Qanash,2,3 Iqbal Ahmad,4 Fahad H Alshammari,2,3 Abdulrahman M Alshammari,2,3 Abdulrahman H Alshammari,2,3 Fahad M Aljanfawe,3 Bushra Aldamiri,5 Esraa Aldawood,6 Mashail A Alghamdi,7 Naif K Binsaleh,2,3 Nizar H Saeedi,8 Mejdi Snoussi3,9,10 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Qunfudah Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Qunfudah, 21961, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Hail, 55476, Saudi Arabia; 3Medical and Diagnostic Research Center, University of Ha’il, Hail, 55473, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India; 5Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 12372, Saudi Arabia; 6Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 12372, Saudi Arabia; 7Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha’il, Hail, 81451, Saudi Arabia; 10Laboratory of Genetics, Biodiversity and Valorization of Bio-Resources, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, 5000, TunisiaCorrespondence: Abdulrahman S Bazaid; Husam Qanash, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Hail, 55476, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 16 5358200 ext. 1713, Email ar.bazaid@uoh.edu.sa; h.qanash@uoh.edu.saIntroduction: Although Sumra and Sidr Saudi honey is widely used in traditional medicine due to its potent activity, it is unknown whether its prolonged usage has impact upon bacterial virulence or leading to reduced antibiotic sensitivity. Thus, the study aims to inves

Naif K Binsaleh,1,2 Reem Eltayeb,1 Subuhi Sherwani,2,3 Ali A Almishaal,4 Emad A Hindi,5 Husam Qanash,1,2 Abdulrahman S Bazaid,1 Abdulmajeed Owayed Alharbi,6 Mohammed B Bazaid,7 Shayaa Alsaadi Altamimi8 1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Hail, Saudi Arabia; 2Medical and Diagnostic Research Centre, University of Ha’il, Hail, 55476, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Clinical Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 6Laboratory Department, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 7Pediatric Department, East Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 8Quality Department, King Khalid Hospital, Hail, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Naif K Binsaleh, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, P.O. Box 2440, Hail, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966505274077, Email n.binsaleh@uoh.edu.saObjective: Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a communicable disease transmitted through the respiratory route and bodily contact. The severity of infection and mortality rate of COVID-19 cases was significantly high in the initial stages of the pandemic. This study aims to investigate the hematological profile of COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors.Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study. A total of 108 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 at East Jeddah Hospital between April and August 2020 were categorized into two groups based on outcome as survivors (n = 54) and non-survivors (n = 54). Hematological parameters and clinical profiles were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results: The mean age and standard deviation of

Naif K Binsaleh,1 Abdulrahman S Bazaid,1 Abdu Aldarhami,2 Subuhi Sherwani,3 Omar W Althomali4 1Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Medical Microbiology, Qunfudah Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Qunfudah, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Physiotherapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Naif K BinsalehDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi ArabiaTel +966-16-5358200Email N.binsaleh@uoh.edu.saObjective: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are the backbone of the healthcare system and a skilled and healthy workforce is vital during a health crisis, such as the present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Healthcare workers are at higher risk of exposure to and transmission of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Hence, HCWs should possess good knowledge and attitudes toward COVID-19 to protect not only themselves but also their colleagues, families and the larger community. Thus, the current study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of protective measures by HCWs in Saudi Arabia during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to identify awareness of the disease, potential trends and associated predictors.Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among HCWs about knowledge related to COVID-19 and practice of protective measures, such as social distancing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. A Fisher exact test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to investigate the level of association among variables.Results: A total of 674 HCWs were recruited in the study (51.8% male, 42.7% age

Abdu Aldarhami,1 Abdulrahman S Bazaid,2 Omar W Althomali,2 Naif K Binsaleh2 1Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, Turabah University College, Taif University, Turabah, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Abdu AldarhamiClinical Laboratory Sciences Department, Turabah University College, Taif University, Turabah, Saudi ArabiaTel +966(0)128224366Email a.alderhami@tu.edu.saObjective: Social distancing measures, such as stay-at-home, are currently implemented to control the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries, including Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the awareness and adherence of the Saudi population to these measures.Methods: A web-based questionnaire was designed with 16 questions (eight questions related to demographics, three related to the awareness of social distancing (stay-at-home) and five related to the overall practice of social distancing).Results: A total of 5105 participants completed the survey [58.4% females, 66.3% young individuals (aged 18– 37 years), 55.8% bachelor degree holders and 51.0% from the western region]. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) was the main source of information about COVID-19 for most of the participants (78.2%). High awareness (81.3%) regarding stay-at-home was observed, associated mainly with female participants, those from the middle region and those with a high education and income. The overall implementation of social distancing was satisfactory (score 3.13/5), with 37.8% never leaving home during the stay-at-home period. Better adherence to social distancing was observed among female participants, higher degree holders and those aged over 38 years.Conclusion: Organised plans by the Saudi MOH have been effective in raising awareness and improving the practice of social distancing among public. However, the observed lower practice of social distancing by individuals with a lower education

Objectives: In this study, we examined the possibility of using targeted antibodies and the potential of small molecular therapeutics (acetylcholine, nicotine and tacrine) to block the pro-inflammatory and adhesion-related properties of monomeric C-reactive protein (mCRP). Methods: We used three established models (platelet aggregation assay, endothelial leucocyte binding assay and monocyte inflammation via ELISA and Western blotting) to assess the potential of these therapeutics. Results: The results of this study showed that monocyte induced inflammation (raised tumor necrosis factor-alpha-TNF-α) induced by mCRP was significantly blocked in the presence of acetylcholine and nicotine, whilst tacrine and targeted antibodies (clones 8C10 and 3H12) had less of or no significant effects. Western blotting confirmed the ability of acetylcholine to inhibit mCRP-induced cell signaling phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). There was no evidence of direct binding between small molecules and mCRP. mCRP also induced endothelial cell-monocyte adhesion in a dose dependent fashion, however, both acetylcholine and nicotine as well as targeting antibodies notably inhibited adhesion. Finally, we investigated their effects on mCRP-induced platelet aggregation. All three small molecules significantly attenuated platelet aggregation as did the antibody 8C10, although 3H12 had a weaker effect. Discussion: Acetylcholine and to a lesser extent nicotine show potential for therapeutic inhibition of mCRP-induced inflammation and cell and platelet adhesion. These results highlight the potential of targeted antibodies and small molecule therapeutics to inhibit the binding of mCRP by prevention of membrane interaction and subsequent activation of cellular cascade systems, which produce the pro-inflammatory effects associated with mCRP.