The predictive value of combined insulin resistance and β-cell secretion in Yemeni school-aged children for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The present study aimed to determine the predictive power of the diabetic markers and metabolic syndrome factors in School-aged children for developing Type 2 DM. In this cross-sectional study, 1288 students aged 12-13 were recruited from public schools in the capital city of Sana'a. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were recorded and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.

Human migration from the Levant and Arabia into Yemen since Last Glacial Maximum.

While a broad consensus about the first successful migration modern humans out of Africa seems established, the peopling of Arabia remains somewhat enigmatic. Identifying the ancestral populations that contributed to the gene pool of the current populations inhabiting Arabia and the impact of their contributions remains a challenging task. We investigate the genetic makeup of the current Yemeni population using 46 whole genomes and 169 genotype arrays derived from Yemeni individuals from all geographic regions across Yemen and 351 genotype arrays derived from neighboring populations providing regional context.

Impact of khat (Catha edulis) and oral contraceptive use on telomerase levels and tumor suppressor genes p53 and p21 in normal subjects and breast cancer patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral contraceptive (OC) use, khat chewing, and their combined effect on telomerase level and tumor suppressor genes, p53 and p21 in breast cancer (BC) patients and normal volunteers. 140 Yemeni women aged 25-40 years old enrolled, 60 newly diagnosed pretreated BC patients, and 80 control subjects. Venous blood (5 ml) was collected and the results showed BC patients to have significantly raised levels of telomerase, p53, and p21 compared to the control group.

Association of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type D and Serine Racemase Genetic Variants with Type 2 Diabetes in Malaysian Indians.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) candidate genes, protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type D (PTPRD), and serine racemase (SRR) were suggested by a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in the Chinese population. Association studies have been replicated among East Asian populations. The association of PTPRD and SRR genetic variants with T2D in Southeast Asian populations still needs to be studied.

Plasma Lipocalin-2 and Adiponectin are Affected by Obesity Rather Than Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus per se.

Purpose: Changes in plasma adipocytokines and inflammatory markers in type 2 DM remain controversial as to whether they are due to obesity or directly associated with the diabetic state. Our objective was to study the effect of obesity and diabetes on plasma lipocalin-2 (LCN2), adiponectin, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by comparing their levels in non-diabetic obese subjects and non-obese type 2 DM patients, as well as determining the association of these adipocytokines with metabolic syndrome factors and diabetic parameters.

Patients And Methods: In this study, 85 Yemeni male volunteers aged 30-60 years old were enrolled, 25 of whom were healthy subjects with BMI < 25 kg/m served as control; 30 non-diabetic obese subjects (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m and FBG < 6.

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) and its Metabolic Characteristics among Yemeni Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Purpose: Although there is ample data about the prevalence of diabetes in the Middle East, little is known about the prevalence and features of autoimmune diabetes in this region. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and metabolic characteristics of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) amongst Yemeni Type 2 DM patients.

Patients And Methods: In this cross-section study, 270 Type 2 DM patients aged 30-70 years were recruited from the National Diabetes Center, Al-Thowra Hospital, Sana'a city, during the period November 2015 to August 2016.

Impact of triglycerides and waist circumference on insulin resistance and β-cell function in non-diabetic first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetes.

Background: Although there is abundant evidence indicating the relative contribution of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and β-cell dysfunction (HOMA-β) among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of Type 2 DM patients, few studies reported the association between HOMA-IR and HOMA-β with metabolic syndrome. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of metabolic syndrome factors on HOMA-IR, HOMA-β and glycoproteins in non-diabetic FDRs.

Methods: In this study, 103 Yemeni male subjects aged 25-42 years, with BMI < 25 kg/m were examined, 39 of whom were normal subjects with no family history of diabetes served as control and 64 subjects were non-diabetic FDRs of Type 2 DM patients.

Ramadan Intermittent Fasting Affects Adipokines and Leptin/Adiponectin Ratio in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Their First-Degree Relatives.

Background: In view of the association of Ramadan intermittent fasting with profound changes in lifestyle both in nondiabetic and diabetic patients, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on adiponectin, leptin and leptin to adiponectin ratio (LAR), growth hormone (GH), human-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and diabetic and metabolic syndrome factors in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 DM), their first-degree relatives (FDRs), and healthy controls.

Methods: This cohort study involved 98 Yemeni male subjects aged 30-70 years old: 30 Type 2 DM, 37 FDRs of Type 2 diabetic patients, and 31 healthy control subjects. Subjects' body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure (BP) were measured, and venous blood samples were collected twice: the first samples were collected a couple of days prior to Ramadan fasting (baseline) and the second samples after 3 weeks of fasting.

Relationship of metabolic syndrome defined by IDF or revised NCEP ATP III with glycemic control among Malaysians with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: The chronic complications of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) such as macrovascular disease is amplified with the increase in the number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. This research aims to study the relationship of MetS, diagnosed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) or revised National Cholesterol Education Programs Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria, with glycemic control, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), C-peptide, and insulin resistance in T2D patients.

Methods: The study is a cross-sectional observational study which, involved 485 T2D patients who are receiving treatment at the University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center (UKMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Yemeni Brown Algae Exhibit High Anticancer Activity Independent of Its Antioxidant Capability.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer and antioxidant activities as well as the safety of the brown algae of the Western seacoast of Yemen. Cytotoxicity of methanol extract of and several of its fractions, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous extracts against seven different cancer cell lines was determined by crystal violet staining. The antioxidant activity was also assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay.

Impact of Metabolic Syndrome Factors on Testosterone and SHBG in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome.

Objective: Several studies have often reported low testosterone and SHBG to be associated with type 2 DM and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our objective was to determine the impact of metabolic syndrome and diabetic parameters on testosterone and SHBG in both MetS subjects and type 2 DM patients.

Methods: In this study, 120 Yemeni male aged 30-70 years old were enrolled, 30 of whom were healthy subjects with BMI < 25 kg/m that served as control, 30 MetS, 30 type 2 DM without MetS, and 30 type 2 DM with MetS according to IDF criteria.

Anger, anxiety, and depressive affect as predictors of stress-induced cortisol production in khat and tobacco users.

Introduction: Glucocorticoid activity is disrupted in substance users including khat chewers who also use tobacco. Anger, dysphoria, and anxiety can mediate this relationship. The aim of this study was to contrast emotion dysregulation and substance use variables as predictors of post-stress cortisol output.

Chad Genetic Diversity Reveals an African History Marked by Multiple Holocene Eurasian Migrations.

Understanding human genetic diversity in Africa is important for interpreting the evolution of all humans, yet vast regions in Africa, such as Chad, remain genetically poorly investigated. Here, we use genotype data from 480 samples from Chad, the Near East, and southern Europe, as well as whole-genome sequencing from 19 of them, to show that many populations today derive their genomes from ancient African-Eurasian admixtures. We found evidence of early Eurasian backflow to Africa in people speaking the unclassified isolate Laal language in southern Chad and estimate from linkage-disequilibrium decay that this occurred 4,750-7,200 years ago.

Positive selection of lactase persistence among people of Southern Arabia.

Objective: Frequency patterns of the lactase persistence (LP)-associated -13,915 G allele and archaeological records pointing to substantial role played by southern regions in the peopling and domestication processes that involved the Arabian Peninsula suggest that Southern Arabia plausibly represented the center of diffusion of such adaptive variant. Nevertheless, a well-defined scenario for evolution of Arabian LP is still to be elucidated and the burgeoning archaeological picture of complex human migrations occurred through the peninsula is not matched by an equivalent high-resolution description of genetic variation underlying this adaptive trait. To fill this gap, we investigated diversity at a wide genomic interval surrounding the LCT gene in different Southern Arabian populations.

Association of adipokines, leptin/adiponectin ratio and C-reactive protein with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Alterations in plasma adipokines and/or inflammatory parameters in Type 2 DM remain vague as to whether they are due to obesity and/or directly associated with the diabetic state. Our objective was to compare plasma adiponectin, leptin, leptin/adiponectin ratio (LAR) and hs-CRP in obese non-diabetic subjects and non-obese Type 2 DM patients, as well as determining the association of these adipokines with MetS and diabetes-related quantitative traits.

Methods: In this study, 92 Yemeni male volunteers aged 25-60 years old were enrolled, 31 of whom were healthy subjects with BMI < 25 kg/m(2) served as control; 30 non-diabetic obese subjects BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) and FBG < 6.

Concurrent tobacco and khat use is associated with blunted cardiovascular stress response and enhanced negative mood: a cross-sectional investigation.

Objectives: Khat (Catha edulis), an amphetamine-like plant, is widely used in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and is becoming a growing problem in other parts of the world. The concurrent use of tobacco and khat is highly prevalent and represents a public health challenge. We examined for the first time associations of the concurrent use of tobacco and khat with psychophysiological responses to acute stress in two sites in Yemen.

Catha Edulis (Khat) Chewing Decreases Serum Levels of Iron, Ferritin and Vitamin B12 and Increases Folic Acid.

Background: Catha edulis (Khat) is customarily chewed to attain a state of stimulation and reduce physical fatigue. In view of the reported common adverse effects of Khat, the aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of iron, ferritin, folic acid, vitamin B(12) and body mass index (BMI) as nutritive indicators in Yemeni Khat chewers.

Methods: This study was a prospective cohort study, carried out on 90 male workers aged 19 - 23 years old; 45 were healthy non-Khat chewers serving as control group and 45 were regular Khat chewers.

Effects of chronic khat use on cardiovascular, adrenocortical, and psychological responses to stress in men and women.

Background: Khat is a psychostimulant plant widely used in Africa and its use has been growing rapidly in Europe and North America.

Objectives: We investigated effects of chronic khat (Catha edulis) use on cardiovascular, adrenocortical, and psychological responses to acute stress.

Methods: Chronic khat users and nonusers were compared on physiological measures and mood reports in a cross-sectional, mixed design.

Distribution of the lactase persistence-associated variant alleles -13910* T and -13915* G among the people of Oman and Yemen.

The high prevalence of lactase persistence (LP) among the people of Saudi Arabia is associated with the -13915(*)G variant allele upstream of the lactase gene (LCT). We, therefore, examined the frequency of the commonly known LP associated SNPs among randomly collected samples from Omani and Yemeni adult populations and obtained further data on the distribution of the two most common LP-associated variants, -13910(*)T and -13915T(*)G, in the Arabian Peninsula. The DNA fragment containing all the reported LP- associated SNPs was amplified and genotyped.

Gender differences in patterns and correlates of khat and tobacco use.

Introduction: Although research suggests gender differences in patterns of tobacco use, whether gender moderates concurrent use of tobacco and other substances remains unclear. In some parts of Africa and the Middle East, tobacco is often accompanied with khat (Catha edulis), a widely used substance in these regions. The concurrent use of tobacco and khat may represent a public health burden spreading to other countries in Europe and North America.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency among Male Blood Donors in Sana'a City, Yemen.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency among Yemeni people from different regions of the country living in the capital city, Sana'a, giving an indication of its overall prevalence in Yemen.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Yemeni male blood donors attending the Department of Blood Bank at the National Centre of the Public Health Laboratories in the capital city, Sana'a, Yemen. Fluorescent spot method was used for screening, spectrophotometeric estimation of G-6-PD activity and separation by electrophoresis was done to determine the G-6-PD phenotype.

Khat use and trait anger: effects on affect regulation during an acute stressful challenge.

Khat (Catha edulis) is a widely used stimulating drug often consumed in daily routine in Yemen and East African countries. Chewing khat acutely elicits states of euphoria and feelings of well-being which later shift into emotional instability and low mood. Little is known about emotional regulation in habitual khat chewers.

Socioeconomic and environmental factors important for acquiring non-severe malaria in children in Yemen: a case-control study.

Little is known about the relative importance of environmental and socioeconomic factors for acquiring malaria in Yemen. A case-control study was conducted to determine the importance of these factors for acquiring malaria among children in Yemen. Cases of non-severe malaria were recruited from health centres; community controls were from the neighbourhood of the cases.

Who develops severe malaria? Impact of access to healthcare, socio-economic and environmental factors on children in Yemen: a case-control study.

Objective: To investigate the impact of socio-economic and environmental factors on developing severe malaria in comparison with mild malaria in Yemen.

Method: Case-control study comparing 343 children aged 6 months to 10 years diagnosed with WHO-defined severe malaria (cases) at the main children's hospital in Taiz and 445 children with mild malaria (controls) diagnosed in the health centres, which serve the areas where the cases came from.

Results: In univariate analysis, age <1 year, distance from health centre, delay to treatment and driving time to health centre were associated with progression from mild to severe malaria.