Fusing Peptide Epitopes for Advanced Multiplex Serological Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Detection.

The tragic COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen a total of 655 million cases worldwide and a death toll of over 6.6 million seems finally tailing off. Even so, new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to arise, the severity of which cannot be predicted in advance.

Risk factors and predictors that influence SARS-Cov-2 IgG positivity: A cross-sectional study of blood donors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after pandemic's peak and before the vaccine enrollment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and further explore predictors for SARS-CoV-2 positivity.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 515 blood donors from November 22 to December 17, 2020 was conducted at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to look at SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) positivity. The participants were asked questions about their demographic characteristics, past SARS-CoV-2 infection, SARS-CoV-2-related symptoms and exposures.

Trace elements in type 2 diabetes mellitus and their association with glycemic control.

Background: Alterations in serum levels of trace elements reported in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been linked with induction of T2DM and associated complications.

Objectives: To assess serum levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) in T2DM patients with adequate and poor glycemic control.

Patients And Methods: This study was performed at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh.

Protective effect of lyophilized sapodilla () fruit extract against CCl-induced liver damage in rats.

The tropical fruit sapodilla ( syn. ) is a rich source of nutrients, minerals and a myriad of bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids and catechins. Pharmacologically, sapodilla has been shown to exhibit anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, antiglycative, hypocholesterolemic and anti-cancer effects.

Vitamin D cutoff point in relation to parathyroid hormone: a population based study in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia.

Unlabelled: The current recommended cutoff value for low vitamin D may result in overestimation of hypovitaminosis D. Vitamin D levels at 30.0 nmol/L can diagnose the hyperparathyroid cases leading to bone loss, with moderate accuracy, in the Saudi population.

Role of Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism in the risk of familial hypercholesterolemia: a case-control study.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by elevated cholesterol and based on biochemical, clinical, and genetic studies and FH disease, which was documented even with limited mutations. Earlier studies focused on Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in variable diseases. The current study aimed to investigate the genetic association between FH disease and ApoE gene polymorphisms (rs429358 and rs7412) in the Saudi population.

Q192R polymorphism in the PON1 gene and familial hypercholesterolemia in a Saudi population.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by abnormal levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood. FH is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The relationship between the paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene, atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease has not been studied in Saudi patients.

Diagnostic efficacy of random albumin creatinine ratio for detection of micro and macro-albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To compare a less cumbersome random albumin creatinine ratio (RACR) with 24-hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE) for detection of renal damage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: This retrospective study performed between March 2013 and June 2014 at the Department of Pathology, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia included 122 patients (mean age 54 ± 15, 104 females and 18 males) with T2DM. Urine albumin levels of less than 30 mg/g was considered normal, from 30-300 mg/g considered as micro-albuminuria, and over 300 mg/g considered as macro-albuminuria.

Lactate dehydrogenase as a biomarker for early renal damage in patients with sickle cell disease.

Among many complications of sickle cell disease, renal failure is the main contributor to early mortality. It is present in up to 21% of patients with sickle cell disease. Although screening for microalbuminuria and proteinuria is the current acceptable practice to detect and follow renal damage in patients with sickle cell disease, there is a crucial need for other, more sensitive biomarkers.

Association of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Radiation (RF-EMFR) Generated by Mobile Phone Base Stations with Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Installation of mobile phone base stations in residential areas has initiated public debate about possible adverse effects on human health. This study aimed to determine the association of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic field radiation (RF-EMFR) generated by mobile phone base stations with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. For this study, two different elementary schools (school-1 and school-2) were selected.

Screening for genetic mutations in LDLR gene with familial hypercholesterolemia patients in the Saudi population.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is caused by genetic defects involving the low density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-R), predisposing affected people to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and death. The aim of the present study was to assess certain exons in the LDLR gene mutation detection analysis affecting in the Saudi population with FH. This case-control study was carried out with 200 subjects; 100 were FH cases and 100 were healthy controls.

Unusual presentation of arsenic poisoning in a case of celiac disease.

Arsenic poisoning may occur from sources other than drinking water such as rice, seafood, or insecticides. Symptoms and signs can be insidious, non-specific, atypical, and easily overlooked. We present a 39-year-old woman with celiac disease who was on gluten-free diet for 8 years and presented with diarrhea, headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, abnormal taste, and impaired short-term memory and concentration, but with no skin lesions.

Autoantibody detection: prevailing practices at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh.

Background: Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) test as the first level investigation for detection of auto-immune rheumatic disease has been recommended in a number of international guidelines. This study was performed to evaluate the local practice and trends of auto-antibody laboratory requests.

Methods: Data were collected from 249 initial laboratory requests for first level auto-antibody detection between April 2012 and April 2013 in the Immunology Unit at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh.

Assessment of trace elements in sera of patients undergoing renal dialysis.

Objective: To assess the serum levels of copper, zinc, iron, and lead in patients on maintenance dialysis.

Methods: This cross-sectional study performed at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between September 2011 and October 2012 included 42 patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis (HD), 18 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and 18 normal controls. Serum copper, zinc, and lead levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and serum iron was determined by spectrophotometric determination.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Saudi newborns at a tertiary care center.

Objective: To evaluate vitamin D levels in Saudi newborns utilizing umbilical cord samples, and to benchmark the results with international figures.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between November 2013 and March 2013. Vitamin D levels were assessed in the umbilical cord of healthy term neonates born above 2.

Association of angiotensin converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and familial hypercholesterolemia in the Saudi population.

Background: The study of the association between genotype and phenotype is of great importance for the prediction of multiple diseases and pathophysiological conditions. The relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) Insertion/Deletion (I/D) polymorphism and Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) has been not fully investigated in all the ethnicities. In this study we sought to determine the frequency of I/D polymorphism genotypes of ACE gene in Saudi patients with FH.

Prognostically significant fusion oncogenes in Pakistani patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia and their association with disease biology and outcome.

Background And Objectives: Chromosomal abnormalities play an important role in genesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and have prognostic implications. Five major risk stratifying fusion genes in ALL are BCR-ABL, MLL-AF4, ETV6-RUNX11, E2A-PBX1 and SIL-TAL1. This work aimed to detect common chromosomal translocations and associated fusion oncogenes in adult ALL patients and study their relationship with clinical features and treatment outcome.

Zinc and antioxidant vitamin deficiency in patients with severe sickle cell anemia.

Background: Patients with severe sickle cell anemia (SCA) have a higher potential for oxidative damage due to chronic redox imbalance in red blood cells that often leads to hemolysis, endothelial injury and recurrent vaso-occlusive episodes. This study evaluated the plasma levels of vitamins A, C and E as indicators of antioxidant status. In addition, serum levels of zinc and copper were also estimated.