Age-related differences in gene expression and pathway activation following heat stroke.

This study investigates the molecular responses to heat stroke in young and old patients by comparing whole-genome transcriptomes between age groups. We analyzed transcriptomic profiles from patients categorized into two age-defined cohorts: young (mean age = 44.9 ± 6 years) and old (mean age = 66.

Foliar Application of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae Strain 33504-Borg201 Promotes Faba Bean Growth and Enhances Systemic Resistance Against Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus Infection.

The bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) is one of the most serious economic diseases affecting faba bean crop production. Rhizobium spp., well known for its high nitrogen fixation capacity in legumes, has received little study as a possible biocontrol agent and antiviral.

Escalating climate-related health risks for Hajj pilgrims to Mecca.

Background: Global temperatures are on the rise, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves with associated health risks. Heat-related illnesses (HRIs) are an increasing threat for travellers to hot climate destinations. This study was designed to elucidate the interplay between increasing ambient temperatures, incidence of HRIs and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies during the annual Hajj mass gathering over a 40-year period.

Diagnosing and managing heat exhaustion: insights from a systematic review of cases in the desert climate of Mecca.

Heat exhaustion (HE) is a common, yet obscure, heat-related illness that affects millions of people yearly and its burden is projected to rise due to climate change. A comprehensive literature synthesis is lacking despite previous studies on various HE aspects. This systematic review aims to fill this gap by identifying and synthesizing available evidence on the risk factors, symptoms, biomarkers, treatment options, and outcomes for HE.

Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis among travelers attending the Hajj pilgrimage, circulating serogroups, sequence types and antimicrobial susceptibility: A multinational longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Travel to international mass gatherings such as the Hajj pilgrimage increases the risk of Neisseria meningitidis transmission and meningococcal disease. We investigated carriage and acquisition of N. meningitidis among travelers to Hajj and determined circulating serogroups, sequence types and antibiotic susceptibility among isolates.

Human tolerance to extreme heat: evidence from a desert climate population.

Background: Ambient temperatures exceeding 40 °C are projected to become common in many temperate climatic zones due to global warming. Therefore, understanding the health effects of continuous exposure to high ambient temperatures on populations living in hot climatic regions can help identify the limits of human tolerance.

Objective: We studied the relationship between ambient temperature and non-accidental mortality in the hot desert city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, between 2006 and 2015.

Undiagnosed and missed active pulmonary tuberculosis during mass gatherings: a prospective cross-sectional study from the Hajj pilgrimage.

Mass gatherings increase the risk of infectious diseases transmission including tuberculosis (TB). The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is attended by over 2 million pilgrims many of whom are from high TB-burden countries, and has been linked to increased risk of TB acquisition among travellers. We investigated the burden of undiagnosed and missed active pulmonary TB (PTB) among Hajj pilgrims symptomatic for cough.

Association of Ambient Temperature with Mortality in Resident and Multiethnic Transient Populations in a Desert Climate, 2006-2014.

Background: Although the association between ambient temperature and mortality in local populations is evident, this relationship remains unclear in transient populations (e.g., due to immigration, mass gatherings, or displacement).

Whole genome transcriptomic reveals heat stroke molecular signatures in humans.

An evolutionary heat shock response (HSR) protects most living species, including humans, from heat-induced macromolecular damage. However, its role in the pathogenesis of heat stroke is unknown. We examined the whole genome transcriptome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a cohort of subjects exposed to the same high environmental heat conditions, who developed heat stroke (n = 19) versus those who did not (n = 19).

Classic heat stroke in a desert climate: A systematic review of 2632 cases.

Background: Although classic heat stroke (HS) is one of the most ancient conditions known to humans, the description of its early clinical manifestations, natural course, and complications remains uncertain.

Objectives: A systematic review of the demographics, clinical characteristics, biomarkers, therapy, and outcomes of HS during the Muslim (Hajj) pilgrimage in the desert climate of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, SCOPUS, and CINAHL databases from inception to April 2022.

bv. -Mediated Silver Nanoparticles for Controlling Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV) Infection in Faba Bean Plants.

The faba bean plant ( L.) is one of the world's most important legume crops and can be infected with various viral diseases that affect its production. One of the more significant viruses in terms of economic impact is bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV).

Carriage of Among Umrah Pilgrims: Circulating Serogroups and Antibiotic Resistance.

Background: Meningococcal disease and outbreaks are a risk during mass gatherings such as the Umrah religious pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We aimed to investigate the carriage of among the 2019 Umrah pilgrims and determine the circulating serogroups and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among adult Umrah pilgrims from 17th to 29th April 2019 in Mecca city, KSA.

Pattern of utilization, disease presentation, and medication prescribing and dispensing at 51 primary healthcare centers during the Hajj mass gathering.

Background: The majority of pilgrims seeking healthcare during Hajj are seen at primary healthcare centers (PHCCs). Data on the utilization of these facilities during Hajj can aid in directing optimal health services delivery and allocation of resources during the pilgrimage.

Method: We investigated the pattern of disease presentation, caseload, and medication prescribing and dispensing at 51 PHCCs during the 2019 Hajj.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceived Risks Towards COVID-19 Pandemic and the Impact of Risk Communication Messages on Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: To investigate knowledge, attitude, and perceived risks towards COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia. Besides, the impact of risk communication strategy on the attitude and practice of HCWs was investigated.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that targeted HCWs from various Saudi health facilities.

Gastrointestinal symptoms and knowledge and practice of pilgrims regarding food and water safety during the 2019 Hajj mass gathering.

Background: Food and water-borne diseases (FWBDs) are a health risk at the Hajj mass gathering. The current study documented the prevalence and management of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms among pilgrims during the 2019 Hajj and assessed their knowledge and practice concerning food and water safety.

Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Macca, Saudi Arabia, among adult Hajj pilgrims from 28 countries.

Lack of Zika Virus and Other Recognized Flaviviruses among the Mosquito Vectors during and Post the Hajj Mass Gathering.

Makkah city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), contains many of the world's mosquito vectors of parasitic and arboviral disease and is the site of the Hajj mass gathering. As such there is a risk of exportation and globalization of vector-borne viruses, including the re-emerging Zika virus (ZIKV). There was international concern regarding the introduction of ZIKV to KSA and potential international spread of the virus following the 2016 Hajj which took place few days after the Rio summer Olympics at the height of the ZIKV pandemic.

Insulin Knowledge, Handling, and Storage among Diabetic Pilgrims during the Hajj Mass Gathering.

Background: Diabetes is one of the most common underlying health conditions among Hajj pilgrims. Many diabetics manage their condition using insulin, which requires appropriate storage conditions to maintain its stability and effectiveness. We aimed to investigate insulin knowledge, storage, and handling among diabetic pilgrims during Hajj to identify specific areas for improvement.

Medication Handling and Storage among Pilgrims during the Hajj Mass Gathering.

We aimed to investigate the knowledge and practices of Hajj pilgrims regarding medication storage and handling during the Hajj mass gathering. In this cross-sectional study, adult pilgrims from 30 countries were interviewed using a structured questionnaire during the 2019 Hajj. The study enrolled 1221 participants with a mean age of 50.

A Longitudinal Study Regarding the Health Profile of the 2017 South African Hajj Pilgrims.

The Hajj mass gathering annually attracts over two million Muslim pilgrims worldwide to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We aimed to establish demographics and health profiles for the South African pilgrims performing the 2017 Hajj. This is a longitudinal survey-based study conducted on 1138 adult South African pilgrims in two phases (during and post-Hajj).

Risk Communication Effectiveness During COVID-19 Pandemic Among General Population in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), declared a pandemic by WHO in March 2020, is an unprecedented occurrence in our recent history. Effective risk communication by health authorities, through relaying reliable and authoritative information, is imperative in combating the spread of the outbreak. We aimed to measure the effectiveness of risk communication campaign and overall awareness during COVID-19 pandemic among the general population in Saudi Arabia.

Adherence of Healthcare Workers to Saudi Management Guidelines of Heat-Related Illnesses during Hajj Pilgrimage.

Heat-related illnesses (HRIs), such as heatstroke (HS) and heat exhaustion (HE), are common complications during Hajj pilgrims. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MoH) developed guidelines on the management of HRIs to ensure the safety of all pilgrims. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers' (HCWs) adherence to the updated national guidelines regarding pre-hospital and in-hospital management of HRIs.

Prevalence of Diabetes and Hypertension among Hajj Pilgrims: A Systematic Review.

The Hajj mass gathering is attended by over two million Muslims each year, many of whom are elderly and have underlying health conditions. Data on the number of pilgrims with health conditions would assist public health planning and improve health services delivery at the event. We carried out a systematic review of literature based on structured search in the MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among Hajj pilgrims.

Medication utilization pattern among outpatients during the Hajj mass gathering.

Background: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) provides free healthcare, including medications, for the over 2 million Muslim pilgrims who attend Hajj every year. Information on drug utilization patterns at the Hajj is important to strengthen the supply chain for medicines, avert stock-outs, identify inappropriate use, and support public health planning for the event.

Method: We investigated drug utilization pattern among outpatients in eight seasonal Holy sites hospitals in Makkah, KSA, during the 2018 Hajj.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pilgrims Regarding Heat-Related Illnesses during the 2017 Hajj Mass Gathering.

The Hajj mass gathering attended by over two million Muslim pilgrims from around the world is a risk for heat-related illnesses (HRIs). We investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of pilgrims attending the 2017 Hajj regarding HRIs and their prevention. Adult pilgrims (1801) from six countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.

Management of hospitalized drug sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis patients during the Hajj mass gathering: A cross sectional study.

Background: To document the management of drug-sensitive TB patients during the Hajj and assess compliance with the Saudi TB management guidelines.

Method: The study was conducted in hospitals in Makkah during the 2016 and 2017 Hajj seasons. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on relevant indices on TB management and a scoring system was developed to assess compliance with guidelines.