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This paper discusses the first documented record of the Rosy goatfish Parupeneus rubescens in Syrian coastal waters. A specimen (200 mm TL) was captured on 21st May 2020, using trammel nets at a depth of 120 m. in the Ras al-Basit region, 60 km north of Lattakia (35°50′ N, 35°50′E). Morphological and taxonomic analysis showed that the type of individual described in the present work is a newly introduced species of Indo-Pacific origin to the area, identified as P. rubescens (Lacepede, 1801). It should be noted that this species was monitored with individuals of the species Parupeneus forsskali in the framework of our research project on the biology of the Mullidae family in the Syrian marine waters. The number of Lessepsian fish migrants in the Syrian marine waters has reached 82 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 28 July 2020, a specimen of sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus Linnaeus, 1758 was captured north of Jable, from the Syrian coast. The specimen is described with morphometric measurements, while the species occurrence in the area and the Mediterranean Sea is discussed and commented. This new finding constitutes the first record of the species for the Syrian coast, and also its easternmost extension range in the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, sea lamprey remains an occasional visitor in the Syrian waters and, consequently, the local occurrence of a viable population remains doubtful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a major public problem in developed and developing countries associated with a high mortality rate. Herein, we determined the relationships between severe obesity, lipid profile, blood glucose in metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional 215 MS patients, ages ranged from 37 to 84 were randomly selected. Body mass index and waist circumference (WC) were estimated. Fasting serum lipid profile and plasma blood glucose were measured. Results: In total, 132 (61.4%) were female, 151 (70.2%) were obese, 64 (29.8%) were sever obese, and 143 (66.5%) had WC ≥ 110. Chi-square analyses show that severe obesity was significantly associated with increased WC and hyperglycemia with (odds ratio [OR] = 2.230 and 2.400) and (P = 0.019 and 0.005), respectively. The severe obesity in females was two-fold increased than males (OR = 1.93, P = 0.028). Conclusion: Severe obesity associated with central obesity and hyperglycemia in MS patients. Moreover, females at higher risk to have severe obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study involved 127 bulls of two geographically separate strains of Sudanese Baggara zebu cattle (Nyalawi and Mesairi). The target was to investigate two polymorphisms in growth hormone gene (M57764) and insulin like growth factor1 gene (000162.1). PCR-RFLP was used to genotype DNA samples and DNA sequencing was used to check the accuracy of genotyping results using selected samples. Available sequences were analyzed using BioEdit and MEGA6 softwares. Some population genetic measures in the two strains of Baggara zebu cattle were investigated. PCR-RFLP revealed that the two Baggara cattle strains have high genetic similarity at position 2141C>G of the GH1 gene (monomorphic showing the ancestral allele C/C). There were no differences between the two strains at position -472C>T of the IGF-1 gene promoter. The mutant homozygote (TT) was detected in the Mesairi strain only with a frequency of 0.016. The heterozygote (CT) genotype existed in the two strains with low allele frequencies (0. 068 and 0.079 for Nyalawi and Mesairi respectively). Moreover, three mutations were identified in exon5 of the GH1 sequence including two silent mutations at positions 2230 (C>T) and 2291(A>C) and a third transition mutation at position 2258 (C/T) detected in the sequences of the two strains. In conclusion, the two strains were found to be genetically similar at target positions. The detected mutation at exon 5 of GH1 (2258 (C/T) should be validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]