The development of electrically conductive carbon nanotube‐based inks is reported. Using these inks, 2D and 3D structures are printed on various flexible substrates such as paper, hydrogels, and ...elastomers. The printed patterns have mechanical and electrical properties that make them beneficial for various biological applications.
Numerous viral infections have arisen and affected global healthcare facilities. Millions of people are at severe risk of acquiring several evolving viral infections through several factors. In the ...present article we have described about risk factors, chance of infection, and prevention methods of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV), human coronaviruses (CoVs) frequently cause a normal cold which is mild and self-restricting. Zoonotic transmission of CoVs such as the newly discovered MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, may be associated with severe lower respiratory tract infection. The present review provides the recent clinical and pathological information on MERS and SARS. The task is to transform these discoveries about MERS and SARS pathogenesis and to develop intervention methods that will eventually allow the effective control of these recently arising severe viral infections. Global health sector has learnt many lessons through the recent outbreak of MERS and SARS, but the need for identifying new antiviral treatment was not learned. In the present article we have reviewed the literature on the several facets like transmission, precautions and effectiveness of treatments used in patients with MERS-CoV and SARS infections.
Sickle cell disease in Middle East Arab countries El-Hazmi, Mohsen A F; Al-Hazmi, Ali M; Warsy, Arjumand S
Indian journal of medical research (New Delhi, India : 1994),
11/2011, Volume:
134, Issue:
5
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The sickle cell (HbS) gene occurs at a variable frequency in the Middle Eastern Arab countries, with characteristic distribution patterns and representing an overall picture of blood genetic ...disorders in the region. The origin of the gene has been debated, but studies using β-globin gene haplotypes have ascertained that there were multiple origins for HbS. In some regions the HbS gene is common and exhibits polymorphism, while the reverse is true in others. A common causative factor for the high prevalence and maintenance of HbS and thalassaemia genes is malaria endemicity. The HbS gene also co-exists with other haemoglobin variants and thalassaemia genes and the resulting clinical state is referred to as sickle cell disease (SCD). In the Middle Eastern Arab countries, the clinical picture of SCD expresses two distinct forms, the benign and the severe forms, which are related to two distinct β-globin gene haplotypes. These are referred to as the Saudi-Indian and the Benin haplotypes, respectively. In a majority of the Middle Eastern Arab countries the HbS is linked to the Saudi-Indian haplotype, while in others it is linked to the Benin haplotype. This review outlines the frequency, distribution, clinical feature, management and prevention as well as gene interactions of the HbS genes with other haemoglobin disorders in the Middle Eastern Arab countries.
Sustainable water recycling and wastewater reuse are urgent nowadays considering water scarcity and increased water consumption through human activities. In 2015, United Nations Sustainable ...Development Goal 6 (UN SDG6) highlighted the necessity of recycling wastewater to guarantee water availability for individuals. Currently, wastewater irrigation (WWI) of crops and agricultural land appears essential. The present work overviews the quality of treated wastewater in terms of soil microbial activities, and discusses challenges and benefits of WWI in line with wastewater reuse in agriculture and aquaculture irrigation. Combined conventional-advanced wastewater treatment processes are specifically deliberated, considering the harmful impacts on human health arising from WWI originating from reuse of contaminated water (salts, organic pollutants, toxic metals, and microbial pathogens i.e., viruses and bacteria). The comprehensive literature survey revealed that, in addition to the increased levels of pathogen and microbial threats to human wellbeing, poorly-treated wastewater results in plant and soil contamination with toxic organic/inorganic chemicals, and microbial pathogens. The impact of long-term emerging pollutants like plastic nanoparticles should also be established in further studies, with the development of standardized analytical techniques for such hazardous chemicals. Likewise, the reliable, long-term and extensive judgment on heavy metals threat to human beings's health should be explored in future investigations.
•We assessed the quality of treated wastewater for reuse in agriculture.•Salts, organic pollutants, toxic metals, and microbial pathogens taken as contaminants.•Quality, economy, and environmental benefits of wastewater were discussed.•Virus contamination and removal efficiency from wastewater were reviewed.
Novel aerogel-like wound dressing able to sense the healing progress was developed. Anthocyanins (Ac) have been reported as a significant pH-sensory extract with various biological activities. ...Herein, anthocyanins were extracted from red-cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Var. capitata). The anthocyanin probe was integrated as a water-soluble direct dye at various concentrations into carboxymethyl cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol composite in the presence of potassium aluminum sulfate mordant. The generated composites were then freeze-dried to provide the corresponding aerogel-like smart wound dressing to function as an antibacterial and biochromic bulk presenting a comfort dressing biosensor to monitor the progress of a wound healing. Reducing the pH value of a wound mimicking fluid resulted in a hypsochromic shift from 592 to 446 nm. The halochromic activity of anthocyanin showed colorimetric changes from purple to pink. The colorimetric measurements of the prepared anthocyanin-containing aerogel-like diagnostic assay were explored by CIE Lab coordinates and UV–Vis absorption spectra. The effects of the anthocyanin content on the morphology, stiffness, air-permeability, and mechanical behavior of the aerogel-like wound dress were explored by various analytical methods. Both cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of were investigated.
•Smart therapeutic aerogel dressing was developed for wound monitoring.•Red-cabbage extract was immobilized into CMC/PVA blend by freeze-drying.•Anthocyanin/Al(III) nanoparticles (5–10 nm) were precipitated into CMC/PVA blend.•Colorimetric changes were monitored from purple at 592 nm to pink at 446 nm.•CMC/PVA blend showed good comfort, antimicrobial and colorfastness properties.
The occurrence of a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 cannot be ruled out. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the possible effects of a hypothetical imperfect anti-COVID-19 vaccine on the control of ...not only the first variant of SARS-CoV-2 but also the second (new) variant of SARS-CoV-2. We further examine the rates r and a, escape of quarantined infectious individuals from isolation centers. The control Rc and basic reproduction numbers R0 are computed which gives assess to obtain asymptotic stability of disease-free equilibrium point globally and the existence of a unique persistent equilibrium solution. Numerical results reveal that people infected with the second strain who are vaccinated with an imperfect vaccine are under control but the prevalence of the second variant enhances the prevalence of the first variant. Thus, discovering a vaccine that is effective (to a good extent) for the prevention of variant 2 (new variant) is necessary for the control of COVID-19. Numerical results also reveal that increase in the rate at which individuals infected with the first variant escape the isolation center gives rise to the population infected with the first variant and lowers the peak of the population infected with the second variant. This is probably because individuals infected with the second variant appear to be more careful with their lives and get vaccinated more than individuals infected with the first variant.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has represented a challenge to medical practice in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. In contrary to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 patients, there was a ...limitation in the capacity of medical practices and access to healthcare. A growing body of evidence from healthcare settings in Saudi Arabia and worldwide has suggested a possible role for telemedicine in responding to this evolving need. Telemedicine can be used for triage, direct care, follow-up, and consultation. It could be delivered through synchronous, asynchronous, and mixed approaches. While telemedicine has several advantages, such as accessibility and cost-effectiveness, its diagnostic reliability should be further investigated. The Saudi Vision (2030) has drawn up a roadmap to invest in digital healthcare during the coming decade; however, some barriers related to using telemedicine in Saudi healthcare settings, including cultural issues and technical difficulties, should be openly discussed. In addition, before putting telemedicine in practice on a wide scale in Saudi Arabia, more efforts should be carried out to issue updated legislation and regulations, discuss and respond to ethical concerns, and ensure data security.
Studies from Saudi Arabia have reported a continued increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and their associated risk factors. The objective of this study was to measure the gender ...differences in the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk based on Framingham risk scores (FRS) and to explore the association of FRS with sedentary life style including physical inactivity, sitting time and central obesity among Saudi adults.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 2997 Saudi adults (males = 968, females = 2029) selected from 18 primary health care centres in Riyadh city, from December 2014 to August 2015. A detailed interview that evaluated lifestyle and past medical history was conducted; furthermore, anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected for lipid profiling. The FRS were calculated based on the age, gender, systolic blood pressure, treatment for hypertension, diabetes, smoking status, total blood cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein levels. These scores were categorized into low risk (FRS < 10) and high/intermediate risk (≥10). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.
The mean (±SD) age of the males and females was 43.1(±11.7) vs 43.8(±10.9) years (p = 0.07), respectively. The number of Saudi male participants with intermediate-to-high FRS scores (≥10) was almost twice that of females (males 33% vs 17%). The multivariable logistic regression model after adjusting for education level and housing type, found that low physical activity (aOR & 95%CI for males 2.91 (1.45, 5.80); females 1.38 (1.06, 1.81); prolonged sitting time (aOR &95%CI for males 1.36 (0.98, 1.90) females 1.58 (1.20, 2.07), high central obesity (defined as waist circumference in males > 102 cms, and females > 88 cms) (aOR & 95%CI for males 2.38 (1.67, 3.41); females 3.35 (1.92, 5.87) were associated with high/ intermediate risk for CVD.
A significant percentage of Saudi population revealed FRS ≥10. Females beyond the age of 50 were found to have a higher prevalence for CVD risk compared with males of the same age group. Modifiable risk factors like low physical activity, prolonged sitting time and central obesity have strong implications for primary prevention and management services that can change the risk profile of the Saudi population.
Treatment of p‐tosyloxybenzaldehyde (1) with ethyl cyanoacetate afforded ethyl 2‐cyano‐3‐(4‐{(4‐methylphenyl)sulfonyloxy}phenyl)acrylate (2) which reacted with some active methylene derivatives under ...microwave irradiation in presence of ammonium acetate yielded pyridine derivatives 3–7. On the other hand, when treatment of compound 1 with thiosemicarbazide gave 4‐tosyloxybenzylidenethiosemicarbazone (8), which allowed to react with some active methylene compounds, such as: ethyl bromoacetate, chloroacetonitrile or phenacyl bromide derivatives gave thiazole derivatives 9–13. The structure of all products were confirmed by elemental and spectroscopic analyses such as IR, 1H‐NMR, 13CNMR and mass spectra. The advanced of this method are short reaction time (3–7 min), excellent yield, pure products, and low‐cost processing. In the final category, the toxicological characteristics of all compounds were tested towards Saissetia oleae (Olivier, 1791) (Hemiptera: Coccidae). With respect to the LC50 values. It has been found that compound 3 possesses the highest insecticidal bioefficacy compared with other products, with values of 0.502 and 1.009 ppm, for nymphs and adults female, respectively. This study paves the way towards discovering new materials for potential use as insecticidal active agents.
The objectives of this study were to determine incidence and risk factors of glucose intolerance one year after delivery in a sub-cohort of Riyadh Mother and Baby Cohort Study (RAHMA) study.
This is ...a follow-up study of a sub-cohort from RAHMA study from King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH). All women from RAHMA database who completed one year since delivery at KKUH were contacted by phone to participate in the study. Previously collected data from RAHMA registry for each participant were linked to this study data. Clinical data measured for each participant included current weight and height to calculate the BMI and waist circumference. Blood tests done for each participant were fasting blood glucose (FPG) and HbA1c. Based on the blood tests results, participants were classified into three groups; diabetic, pre-diabetic and normal. The incidence of diabetes and prediabetes was calculated for the whole cohort. Clinical, biochemical, and sociodemographic predictors of glucose intolerance were compared between the three groups. Risk factors with P-value less than 0.05 were tested in multivariate regression model with bootstrapping to calculate the relative risk (RR) and its 95% Bias corrected Confidence Interval (C.I.).
From the sub-cohort, 407 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. From the study participants; 250 (61.4%) women were normoglycemic, 142 (35%) women had prediabetes and 15 (3.6%) women were diabetic. Following multivariable regression analysis only history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), (RR 1.74, 95% CI (1.06 to 2.84), P = 0.01), obesity (RR 1.69, 95% CI (1.01-3.11), P = 0.04) and diastolic blood pressure, (RR 1.04, 95% CI (1.01-1.09), P = 0.03) remained as predictors of postpartum glucose intolerance.
The incidence of postpartum glucose intolerance (diabetes and prediabetes) is very high in Saudi women. Both GDM and obesity are strong predictors of glucose intolerance.
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