The pomegranate peel is rich in phenolic compounds, which have medicinal and commercial value, but their concentrations and biological activities during different ripening stages are not well understood.
Extracts from pomegranate peels at various growth stages (40, 80, and 120 days) were tested, with stage 2 and stage 3 showing strong antimicrobial effects.
Notably, the stage 2 extract was most effective against lung, breast, and liver cancer cells, and further analysis confirmed γ-Sitosterol as a key compound responsible for its antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties, although more testing is required to confirm these findings.
Intraventricular glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an uncommon brain tumor, especially in infants, with this case detailing a 54-day-old baby who presented with symptoms of increased head size and vomiting.
The infant underwent surgery to remove the tumor, which was confirmed to be a pediatric-type glioblastoma through histopathological examination.
Over a 10-year follow-up, the child experienced developmental delays and seizures but showed no signs of tumor recurrence, indicating a rare instance of long-term survival after this aggressive cancer.
* This study examined how oxytocin (OXT) affects melanocyte functions, finding that OXT boosts the proliferation and migration of human melanocytes in a dose-dependent manner.
* OXT also enhances the expression of proteins linked to melanin production and increases overall melanin output, suggesting that the OXT system could be a promising target for treating skin pigmentary disorders.
Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) make up a small percentage (3.7%) of soft-tissue sarcomas, with a low annual incidence rate, and primarily affect the central nervous system, notably the brain more than the spine.
A 46-year-old woman experienced sciatica for 18 months and was found to have a dumbbell-shaped tumor at the L4-L5 level causing nerve compression, diagnosed through an MRI.
She underwent a successful surgical procedure, a left hemi-laminectomy, and the tumor was confirmed post-surgery to be a WHO Grade I hemangiopericytoma, indicating a low-grade tumor.
Over the past 20 years, endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EESBS) has significantly improved treatment for skull base tumors, but complications like cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks still present challenges, with an average incidence of 8.9%.
This study analyzed 51 patients who underwent EESBS between 2016 and 2022 in Saudi Arabia, focusing on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and postoperative outcomes.
Findings indicated a 9.8% incidence of CSF leaks, with a notable correlation between preoperative headaches and leaks, suggesting that factors like hypertension and prior neurological issues might increase risk.
Luteolin (LUT) is a bioactive compound noted for its anticancer properties, and the study explores creating a combined delivery system with doxorubicin (DOX), an effective chemotherapy drug, using polymeric micelles (PMs).
PMs were formulated with specific ratios of Lut, DOX, and various stabilizers like Poloxamer and Vitamin E, achieving optimized sizes and characteristics confirmed by particle size analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and spectroscopy techniques.
Cytotoxicity tests on cancer cell lines showed the effectiveness of the PM formulations, with successful development demonstrated by controlled droplet sizes and stable zeta potentials.
BTBGD is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the SLC19A3 gene, leading to severe neurological symptoms like confusion, seizures, and disabilities.
Diagnosis is challenging due to the disease's rarity and varied symptoms, with current treatment involving thiamine and biotin supplementation, although long-term effectiveness is still unclear.
Researchers have created induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from a BTBGD patient, which can help study the disease's mechanisms and potentially lead to new treatments.
Brucellosis is a widespread zoonotic disease that predominantly affects spinal health, yet there's limited information on the best antibiotic treatments for spinal brucellosis.
A retrospective study conducted over 11 years in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, analyzed the treatment outcomes of 35 spinal brucellosis patients, focusing on their age, symptoms, and antibiotic regimens used.
The most common treatment regimen was a combination of streptomycin, doxycycline, and rifampicin, with a low failure rate; however, some patients required surgical intervention, indicating the seriousness of the condition.
A study at Al-Baha University explored the link between smartphone addiction and musculoskeletal pain among students.
72% of participants reported smartphone addiction, with a significant correlation found between addiction and lower back pain (p=0.004).
Clinical-year students showed a higher risk for neck pain compared to those in internships, emphasizing the need for awareness regarding the health risks of excessive smartphone use.
The study created a tool to evaluate surgical videos, addressing gaps in current evaluation methods that focus mainly on written content.
The tool was tested with expert feedback, resulting in 23 criteria assessing educational value, accuracy, and clarity in surgical demonstrations.
Analysis of 25 YouTube videos on elliptical excision revealed that while their quality was fair to good, there's a need for improved video production to enhance educational value.
The REPLENISH trial aims to determine if higher protein supplementation in critically ill patients improves 90-day survival rates compared to moderate protein intake.
The study will involve randomizing 2,502 mechanically ventilated patients to receive either higher (2-2.4 g/kg/day) or moderate (0.8-1.2 g/kg/day) protein levels, with a focus on all-cause mortality and quality of life outcomes.
The research has received ethical approval and will share findings through journals and conferences to influence future clinical practices.
Desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCTs) are aggressive tumors linked to a specific chromosome translocation and rarely spread to the brain.
A 33-year-old man diagnosed with DSRCT in the pelvic area developed unusual symptoms, including a scalp lump and weakness, leading to the discovery of brain metastasis.
Due to the poor prognosis of DSRCT, aggressive treatment involving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation is crucial to manage the disease and prevent its progression.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women globally, and research indicates that larger tumors increase the risk of metastatic disease, prompting an evaluation of breast self-examination (BSE) versus breast awareness.
The Commission of Senology (CS) of CNGOF utilized established assessment methods to determine the effectiveness of BSE across different groups of women, including general and high-risk populations.
The findings suggest BSE is not recommended for the general female population, who are encouraged to rely on clinical exams and screenings, while no clear guidelines were established for women over 75 or those with a history of breast cancer due to insufficient data on BSE's benefits for these groups.
NAFLD is a growing health concern with no specific FDA-approved treatments currently available.
A search of ClinicalTrials.gov identified 31 eligible interventional studies, with 19 selected for detailed evaluation, primarily from Korea and China.
Medications like metformin, Exenatide, and Pioglitazone were among the most studied interventions, highlighting the need for continued research into effective treatments for NAFLD.
Only one enzyme from family GH119, the α-amylase from Bacillus circulans, has been experimentally studied, highlighting the need for further research on this enzyme family.
This study characterizes five enzymes from GH119, all of which are specific to α-amylase but produce different product profiles, indicating diversity within the family.
The research provides the first kinetic constants for GH119 enzymes and validates previously predicted catalytic residues, suggesting that GH119 and GH57 should be classified together in a new clan (GH-T) in the CAZy database.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative condition leading to cognitive decline, personality changes, and behavioral issues, making it difficult to treat due to the activation of toxic brain pathways.
Current treatments have limited effectiveness and often cause side effects, highlighting the potential of early intervention to slow disease progression.
Curcumin, a natural compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, shows promise for AD treatment by protecting brain cells and may work through epigenetic mechanisms, warranting further research into its therapeutic benefits.
This study investigates the perceptions and attitudes of primary care physicians (PCPs) in Saudi Arabia towards dermatologic surgery, revealing that 70% of surveyed PCPs had some awareness of the field.
The research involved an online survey distributed to 440 PCPs, asking about their demographics, medical training, and qualification perceptions related to dermatologic procedures.
Results indicated that female physicians had greater awareness and regarded dermatologic surgeons as the most qualified for various skin procedures compared to their male counterparts.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a serious disease characterized by abnormal plasma cell growth and high mortality rates, prompting research for effective treatments.
A study investigated 100 natural ingredients for their ability to inhibit the IgH enzyme linked to MM, identifying Diospyrin and Parviflorone F as notable inhibitors, with Parviflorone F showing better binding stability in simulations.
Ultimately, Parviflorone F was recognized as a strong potential inhibitor of the IgH domain, warranting further research into its therapeutic applications for MM.
Preeclampsia is linked to serious fetal issues, and many pregnant women in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia, lack knowledge about its symptoms, risk factors, and consequences.
A study was conducted between April and September 2023 involving 485 pregnant women, focusing on their awareness of preeclampsia and gathering data through questionnaires on sociodemographic factors.
Results showed that while 70.9% had heard of preeclampsia, awareness varied significantly by age and education level, with younger women and those with lower education showing less knowledge about symptoms and associated risks.
Dravet syndrome (DRVT) is a common epileptic encephalopathy primarily linked to SCN1A gene mutations in 80% of cases.
Researchers have created induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model DRVT, but no studies have focused on rare genetic variants until now.
This study introduces two new DRVT-iPSC lines with specific mutations in CPLX1 and SCN9A, offering a valuable tool to explore the molecular mechanisms behind the associated cellular dysfunctions.
Dates are crucial to Middle Eastern diets, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and their glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) can vary depending on their maturation stage.
A study involving 13 healthy participants tested the GI and GL of Khalas and Barhi dates at three stages of ripeness: Khalal, Rutab, and Tamer; results showed significant differences in GL but no significant differences in GI across stages.
The findings suggest that healthcare professionals should consider the lower GI and GL stages of date maturation when recommending carbohydrate sources for both healthy and diabetic individuals.
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome affecting spleen function and can be influenced by medicinal plants like okra, which may have potential anti-diabetic effects.
Research was conducted on diabetic rats to analyze the impact of okra pod extract on biochemical parameters, immune cell expression (CD8 T cells), and inflammatory markers (NF-kB and cytokines) in the spleen.
The study found that diabetes negatively impacted the rats' health, leading to weight loss, high blood glucose, and significant alterations in spleen tissue structure, highlighting the need for further investigation into the therapeutic effects of okra.
Private sector partnerships with community pharmacies are crucial for integrating healthcare and achieving the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through patient-centered services.
A study assessed community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia to gauge their readiness for using automated systems and extending services, highlighting barriers to implementation.
The results indicated a lack of usage of automated systems and limited services offered, with operational factors identified as significant barriers affecting the capacity to provide comprehensive medication therapy management.
Numerous studies indicate that stress impacts plant cell components, particularly RNA editing associated with electron transport chains.
The mitochondrial ATP synthase complex, crucial for cellular respiration, includes a b subunit encoded by a specific mitochondrial gene, which was analyzed for RNA editing effects under various conditions.
Findings revealed that RNA editing influenced the b subunit's structure, enhancing hydrogen ion selectivity and potentially stabilizing the complex, suggesting the edits aim to restore functionality rather than simply responding to salt stress.