Disease Risk Score Derivation and Validation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease risk assessment is a key tool in primary prevention. The ADRS (Abu Dhabi Risk Study) is a retrospective cohort study aiming to develop 10-year risk prediction equations for coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and validate international risk equations.

Methods And Results: The 8699 participants were examined in the Abu Dhabi cardiovascular screening program from 2011 to 2013 with a subsequent average follow-up of 9.

Ozanimod-mediated remission in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is associated with enhanced activity of CNS CD27 NK cell subset.

Background: Ozanimod (RPC1063) is an immunomodulator that has been recently approved by the FDA (2020) for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). It is a selective agonist of the sphingosine-1-phophate receptors 1 and 5, expressed on naïve and central memory T and B cells, as well as natural killer (NK) cells, and is involved in lymphocyte trafficking. Oral administration of ozanimod was reported to result in rapid and reversible reduction in circulating lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, however, only minimal effect on NK cells was observed.

Vaccine Side Effects Following COVID-19 Vaccination Among the Residents of the UAE-An Observational Study.

COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be very safe in the clinical trials, however, there is less evidence comparing the safety of these vaccines in real-world settings. Therefore, we aim to investigate the nature and severity of the adverse effects reported and the differences based on the type of vaccine received. A survey was conducted among 1,878 adult (≥18 years) COVID-19 vaccine recipients through online survey platforms and telephonic interviews during March to September 2021.

Risk Factors for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Severity in Abu Dhabi.

Background: Prediction models are essential for informing screening, assessing prognosis, and examining options for treatment. This study aimed to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection severity in the Abu Dhabi population.

Methods: This is a mixed retrospective cohort study and case-control study to explore the associated factors of receiving treatment in the community, being hospitalized, or requiring complex hospital care among patients with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.

Conserved spinal cord bioenergetics in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL6 mice, measured using phosphorescence oxygen analyzer.

Background: We have previously reported that spinal cord respiration (cellular mitochondrial oxygen consumption) and ATP content are conserved in the studied model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), foreseeing a recovery of the diseased rats. This exemplary lesion of multiple sclerosis is used here to measure spinal cord bioenergetics in C57BL6 mice. Our hypothesis is that, despite the well-known focal axonal mitochondrial pathology, bioenergetics of the CNS is reasonably preserved in this disease.

The use of phosphorescence oxygen analyzer to measure the effects of rotenone and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium on striatal cellular respiration in C57BL6 mice.

Background: We have previously reported on the use of the phosphorescence oxygen analyzer for measuring spinal cord cellular respiration. This analytical tool is used here to investigate the effects of two inhibitors of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, rotenone and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, on cellular respiration in striatal tissue. Both neurotoxins can induce Parkinson's disease-like symptoms, and have been used to study this disease in animals.

Child maltreatment and neglect in the United Arab Emirates and relationship with low self-esteem and symptoms of depression.

Objectives: To our knowledge, this study is the first in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to investigate the prevalence of child maltreatment in relation to depressive symptoms and self-esteem.

Study Design: Exposure to physical maltreatment, emotional abuse and neglect was evaluated in 518 adolescents (86% response rate) randomly selected from schools in Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the Beck Depression Inventory were used to measure self-esteem and depressive symptoms by using multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Dose-related biphasic effect of the Parkinson's disease neurotoxin MPTP, on the spread, accumulation, and toxicity of α-synuclein.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of intraneuronal inclusions enriched in aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn), known as Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs), and significant loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of the brain. Recent evidence suggests that the intrastriatal inoculation of α-syn preformed fibrils (PFF) in mice brain triggers endogenous α-syn in interconnected brain regions. 1-methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a mitochondrial neurotoxin, has been used previously to generate a PD mouse model.

Bioenergetics of the spinal cord in experimental autoimmune encephalitis of rats.

Background: Mitochondrial dysregulation is important in axonal damage and demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). There is however, no evidence in the literature of any study that has examined cellular bioenergetics of the central nervous system (CNS) during the early development and clinical course of EAE. EAE, a rodent model of relapsing/remitting MS, is a CD4(+) T cell-mediated disease of the CNS.

Students' perspectives on promoting healthful food choices from campus vending machines: a qualitative interview study.

Background: Increasing the healthfulness of campus food environments is an important step in promoting healthful food choices among college students. This study explored university students' suggestions on promoting healthful food choices from campus vending machines. It also examined factors influencing students' food choices from vending machines.

The cytotoxicity of aflatoxin b1 in human lymphocytes.

Objectives: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a naturally occurring carcinogenic and immunosuppressive compound. This study was designed to measure its toxic effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Methods: The study recruited 7 healthy volunteers.

Pam3CSK(4) enhanced beta cell loss and diabetogenesis: the roles of IFN-gamma and IL-17.

Toll like receptors are primary sensors of both innate and adaptive immune systems. They activate APCs and influence T-cell function in inflammatory autoimmune response. Studies have shown that TLR manipulation may lead to either tolerance or trigger autoimmunity.

Derangements of liver tissue bioenergetics in concanavalin A-induced hepatitis.

Background: A novel in vitro system was employed to investigate liver tissue respiration (mitochondrial O2 consumption) in mice treated with concanavalin A (Con A). This study aimed to investigate hepatocyte bioenergetics in this well-studied hepatitis model.

Methods: C57Bl/6 and C57Bl/6 IFN-γ-/- mice were injected intravenously with 12 mg ConA/kg.

IFN-γ deficiency exacerbates experimental autoimmune neuritis in mice despite a mitigated systemic Th1 immune response.

Previous studies have shown that interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a proinflammatory cytokine that contributes to the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome and its animal model, experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN). Treatments with anti-IFN-γ antibodies improve clinical outcome in GBS patients and EAN animals and administration of IFN-γ markedly worsens EAN. Paradoxically, the mice deficient in IFN-γ remain susceptible to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an analogous disease in the central nervous system.

Use of antimicrobial agents in food processing systems.

This article reviews the patents showing the use of antimicrobial agents in processing plants to eliminate the growth of the microorganism that affects on the quality and safety of the end products. Several materials have unique antimicrobial effects, especially towards biofilms in the processing equipments. The selection of a proper antimicrobial agent is essential to obtain the best results in preserving foods.

Carbon monoxide poisoning in the United Arab Emirates.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is rare in the Arabian Peninsula and occurs almost exclusively during the winter months. Knowledge and perception of the hazards of carbon monoxide is limited. Migrant workers from warm climates appear particularly at risk.

Measurement of oxygen consumption by murine tissues in vitro.

Introduction: A novel in vitro system was developed to measure O₂ consumption by murine tissues over several hours.

Methods: Tissue specimens (7-35 mg) excised from male Balb/c mice were immediately immersed in ice-cold Krebs-Henseleit buffer, saturated with 95% O₂:5% CO₂. The specimens were incubated at 37 °C in the buffer, continuously gassed with O₂:CO₂ (95:5).

Biocompatibility of calcined mesoporous silica particles with cellular bioenergetics in murine tissues.

A novel in vitro system was developed to investigate the effects of two forms of calcined mesoporous silica particles (MCM41-cal and SBA15-cal) on cellular respiration of mouse tissues. O(2) consumption by lung, liver, kidney, spleen, and pancreatic tissues was unaffected by exposure to 200 μg/mL MCM41-cal or SBA15-cal for several hours. Normal tissue histology was confirmed by light microscopy.

Vitamin E decreases the hyperglucagonemia of diabetic rats.

Vitamin E has the ability to scavenge a wide spectrum of free radicals, including singlet oxygen, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals. It has beneficial effects against several other disorders, such as atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease, because it acts as a transcriptional regulator for gene expression via a transcription factor TAP. The beneficial effect of vitamin E on plasma insulin and glucagon levels was examined using radioimmunoassay technique.

Vitamin E ameliorates some biochemical parameters in normal and diabetic rats.

Diabetes is associated with hyperglycemia, one of the most important causes of oxidative stress. Endogenous antioxidants are able to destroy the reactive species and create a balance between antioxidant and free radicals. In diabetes, the oxidative stress is increased due to the deficiency in the antioxidant defense.

Effect of vitamin C on liver and kidney functions in normal and diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognized as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. About 5-6% of the world population suffers from this disease and the number of people diagnosed with diabetes is rapidly increasing. Diabetes has been demonstrated to be associated with oxidative stress and hyperglycemia, one of the most important indicators of oxidative stress.