Statistical Optimization of Biosurfactant Production from SA1 Fermentation Process and Mathematical Modeling.

In this study, we sought to investigate the production and optimization of biosurfactants by soil fungi isolated from petroleum oil-contaminated soil in Saudi Arabia. Forty-four fungal isolates were isolated from ten petroleum oil-contaminated soil samples. All isolates were identified using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and biosurfactant screening showed that thirty-nine of the isolates were positive.

A comparative study of red brick powder and lime as soft soil stabilizer.

The role of soil in building construction is to support the loads above it. Different types of soil with poor mechanical properties require more attention. Therefore, more effort is needed to stabilize the soil by improving its properties.

Association of (rs1799884), (rs780094), and (rs560887) Gene Polymorphisms with Type 2 Diabetes among Malay Ethnics.

 Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disorder, and the underlying causes remain unknown and have not been fully elucidated. Several candidate genes have been associated with T2DM in various populations with conflicting results. The variations found in glucokinase ( ), glucokinase regulatory protein ( ), and glucose-6-phosphatase 2 ( ) genes were not well studied, particularly among Asians.

Morning individuals in Saudi Arabia have higher self-regulation of eating behavior compared to evening types.

Chronotype is a manifestation of an individual's circadian system, which can be presented as a preference for morningness or eveningness. Evening chronotype has been linked to unhealthy dietary habits. These habits are partially from poor self-regulation of eating behavior (SREB).

Biochemical, histological, and neuro-physiological effects of long-term aluminum chloride exposure in rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of daily sublethal doses of aluminum (Al) on hematological, physiological, biochemical, and behavioral changes in male albino Wistar rats. In addition, Al tissue accumulation and histopathological changes in the cerebral cortex, liver, and kidney were examined. The rats were randomly separated into three groups.

The association between plasma homocysteine level and metabolic syndrome. A record-based study of Saudi patients attending King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) status and metabolic syndrome (MS) among Saudi patients attending King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A record-based cross-sectional study of 446 patients was carried out. All consecutive plasma Hcy levels from 2015 to 2018 were extracted.

Assessing the Detection of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus IgG in Suspected and Proven Cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe respiratory disease with significant mortality. Two testing methods are currently used for MERS-CoV diagnostics: nucleic acid detection (the gold standard) and serological analysis. In this study, we evaluated the detection of MERS-CoV-IgG in suspected and proven cases of MERS-CoV infection.

Prevalence and characterization of occult hepatitis B infection among blood donors in central Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of occult hepatitis B viral infections (OBIs)  among blood donors considering the clinical and epidemiological importance of identifying OBIs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 2011 and January 2012. Blood donors (n=8501) were screened for Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibodies (HBcAb).

Ligands with an NPNPN-framework and their application in chromium catalysed ethene tri-/tetramerization.

Novel Cr(iii) catalysts supported by linear phosph(iii)azanes of the type R(1)R(2)N-P(Ph)-NR(3)-P(Ph)-NR(4)R(5) have been prepared, all of which, upon activation with MMAO-3A, are highly active for ethene tri-/tetramerization with considerable selectivity. The effect of ligand substitution as well as solvent on the catalytic performance has been examined.

Identification of novel BRCA founder mutations in Middle Eastern breast cancer patients using capture and Sanger sequencing analysis.

Ethnic differences of breast cancer genomics have prompted us to investigate the spectra of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in different populations. The prevalence and effect of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations in Middle Eastern population is not fully explored. To characterize the prevalence of BRCA mutations in Middle Eastern breast cancer patients, BRCA mutation screening was performed in 818 unselected breast cancer patients using Capture and/or Sanger sequencing.

The Risk of Nosocomial Transmission of Rift Valley Fever.

In 2000, we investigated the Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreak on the Arabian Peninsula-the first outside Africa-and the risk of nosocomial transmission. In a cross-sectional design, during the peak of the epidemic at its epicenter, we found four (0.6%) of 703 healthcare workers (HCWs) IgM seropositive but all with only community-associated exposures.

Statement on pregnancy in pulmonary hypertension from the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute.

Pregnancy outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension remain poor despite advanced therapies. Although consensus guidelines recommend against pregnancy in pulmonary hypertension, it may nonetheless occasionally occur. This guideline document sought to discuss the state of knowledge of pregnancy effects on pulmonary vascular disease and to define usual practice in avoidance of pregnancy and pregnancy management.

Late-onset prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

In developed countries, Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection is rare due to efficient immunization programs. However, cases of nontoxigenic strains of C. diphtheriae infections, including endocarditis, have been reported recently.

Prevalence of Lynch syndrome in a Middle Eastern population with colorectal cancer.

Background: Lynch syndrome (LS; hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) is a common cause of hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is the most common cancer diagnosed among males in Saudi Arabia but to the authors' knowledge there is a lack of data regarding the prevalence of LS in patients with CRC. There currently are no clear guidelines for the selection criteria for these patients to screen for LS.

Saudi Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension: Intensive care management of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) may be due to preexisting pulmonary vascular lung disease, liver disease, or cardiac diseases. PH also may be caused by critical illnesses, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute left ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary embolism, or may occur after cardiac or thoracic surgery. Regardless of the underlying cause of PH, the final common pathway for hemodynamic deterioration and death is RV failure, which is the most challenging aspect of patient management.

A very low incidence of BRAF mutations in Middle Eastern colorectal carcinoma.

Background: Recent studies emphasize the role of BRAF as a genetic marker for prediction, prognosis and risk stratification in colorectal cancer. Earlier studies have reported the incidence of BRAF mutations in the range of 5-20% in colorectal carcinomas (CRC) and are predominantly seen in the serrated adenoma-carcinoma pathway characterized by microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and hypermethylation of the MLH1 gene in the setting of the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). Due to the lack of data on the true incidence of BRAF mutations in Saudi Arabia, we sought to analyze the incidence of BRAF mutations in this ethnic group.

HIV transmission at a Saudi Arabia hemodialysis unit.

Background: Hemodialysis is associated with increased risk of healthcare-associated infections but considered a low-risk setting for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. We investigated 3 hemodialysis unit (HDU) patients with new HIV infections to determine whether transmission was hemodialysis-associated and to correct factors that contributed to transmission.

Methods: Each patient was evaluated for HIV risk factors.

Blood pressure regulation to prevent progression of blunt traumatic intracranial hemorrhage in stable patients.

Background: Target blood pressure (BP) in stable (non-hypotensive) patients with acute isolated blunt traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (TICH) is unknown. To address this issue, our study correlated BP with radiological volumetric progression (RP) and neurological deterioration (ND) in these patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of hemodynamically stable adults (n = 184) with isolated TICH not requiring emergent surgery consecutively admitted to a Level I trauma center.

Hepatitis G virus in Saudi blood donors and chronic hepatitis B and C patients.

Introduction: Screening blood donors for blood-borne pathogens is very critical for the recipient's safety. Similar to hepatitis B and C infections, hepatitis G infection is transmitted through contaminated blood and causes acute and chronic hepatitis. Previous reports have shown that the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA among healthy Saudi donors was 1%-2%.

Parasitological evaluation of Ro 15-9268, a 9-acridanone-hydrazone derivative against Schistosoma mansoni in mice, and observations on changes in serum enzyme levels.

Schistosoma mansoni is one of the major causes of schistosomiasis prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in poor communities. It is estimated that at least 90% of those requiring treatment for schistosomiasis live in Africa. The primary control strategy employed for schistosomiasis is mass drug administration (MDA).

Correlation between hepatitis B surface antigen titers and HBV DNA levels.

Background/aim: To assess the correlation between serum HBsAg titers and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels in patients with hepatitis B envelop antigen-negative (HBeAg -ve) HBV genotype-D (HBV/D) infection.

Patients And Methods: A total of 106 treatment- naïve, HBeAg -ve HBV/D patients were included; 78 in the inactive carrier (IC) state and 28 in the active hepatitis (AH) stage. HBV DNA load and HBsAg titers were tested using TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, respectively.

Physicians declining patient enrollment in a critical care trial: a case study in thromboprophylaxis.

Purpose: To analyze the frequency, rationale and determinants of attending physicians requesting that their eligible patients not be approached for participation in a thromboprophylaxis trial.

Methods: Research personnel in 67 centers prospectively documented eligible non-randomized patients due to physicians declining to allow their patients to be approached.

Results: In 67 centers, 3,764 patients were enrolled, but 1,460 eligible patients had no consent encounter.