Validity and Reproducibility of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Macro and Micro-Nutrient Intake among a Convenience Cohort of Healthy Adult Qataris.

This study aimed at developing a valid culture-sensitive quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for Qatari adults. A convenient sample of healthy Qataris ( = 107) were recruited from family members of Qatar University students. The Diet History Questionnaire II of the US National Cancer Institute was translated to Arabic language, back-translated to English, pilot tested, and then modified accordingly to be used in Qatari setting.

Accumulation Dynamics of Transcripts and Proteins of Cold-Responsive Genes in Genotypes of Differing Cold Tolerance.

Identifying and characterizing cold responsive genes in associated with or responsible for low temperature tolerance is a vital part of strawberry cultivar development. In this study we have investigated the transcript levels of eight genes, two dehydrin genes, three putative ABA-regulated genes, two cold-inducible CBF genes and the alcohol dehydrogenase gene, extracted from leaf and crown tissues of three genotypes that vary in cold tolerance. Transcript levels of the CBF/DREB1 transcription factor exhibited stronger cold up-regulation in comparison to in all genotypes.

The Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Women in Jordan: A Risk Factor for Developing Chronic Diseases.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of obesity among Jordanian women and its association with a wide range of chronic diseases.

Methods: Subjects were enrolled in the present cross-sectional study based on a random drop-off technique at the Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics at Jordan University Hospital. Initially, any female 18 years of age and older was asked to enroll in the study.

The ground beetle tribe Platynini Bonelli, 1810 (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in the southern Levant: dichotomous and interactive identification tools, ecological traits, and distribution.

The carabids of the tribe Platynini from the southern Levant (Egypt: Sinai Peninsula, Israel, Jordan) and adjacent regions of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia are reviewed in terms of species taxonomy, ecological, distributional traits, and conservation biology. In addition to a classical dichotomous identification key to the 14 species of the region, identification tools are made freely available via the Xper3 knowledge database "Platynini, southern Levant". Besides an interactive identification key, a matrix with character states for the species and single access identification keys are available.

Replication of Influenza A Virus in Secondary Lymphatic Tissue Contributes to Innate Immune Activation.

The replication of viruses in secondary lymphoid organs guarantees sufficient amounts of pattern-recognition receptor ligands and antigens to activate the innate and adaptive immune system. Viruses with broad cell tropism usually replicate in lymphoid organs; however, whether a virus with a narrow tropism relies on replication in the secondary lymphoid organs to activate the immune system remains not well studied. In this study, we used the artificial intravenous route of infection to determine whether Influenza A virus (IAV) replication can occur in secondary lymphatic organs (SLO) and whether such replication correlates with innate immune activation.

Comparative QM/MM Molecular Dynamics and Umbrella Sampling Simulations: Interaction of the Zinc-Bound Intermediate Gem-Diolate Trapoxin A Inhibitor and Acetyl-l-lysine Substrate with Histone Deacetylase 8.

Targeting the genetic material without destruction is a priority to develop safe anticancer drugs. Histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8), which is proved to be involved in carcinogenesis, is an enzyme associated with the chromatin for post-translational deacetylation of acetylated lysine. In this study, HDAC8 co-crystallized with the intermediate state tetrapeptide Trapoxin A (TA) inhibitor and the holoenzyme are utilized to find their conformational ensembles.

Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Micro- and Macro-Nutrient Intakes and Trajectories of Macro-Nutrient Supply in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is experiencing a nutrition transition, characterized by the emergence of overnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies. No previous study has comparatively examined nutrient intake in adults across countries in the EMR. This review examined the adequacy of nutrients in adults living in the EMR.

About anxiety levels and anti-anxiety drugs among quarantined undergraduate Jordanian students during COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study was conducted to study the anxiety scores among undergraduate university students in Jordan during COVID-19 pandemic and to assess the relationship between quarantine and shifting to distance learning resulted from the governmental strict isolation measures and severity of anxiety among students.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was conducted to meet the study objectives. A convenience sample of 736 undergraduate university students in Jordan was recruited, and anxiety was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale.

In vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ZnFe O and CrFe O nanoparticles synthesized using Boswellia carteri resin.

The development of plant-based nano-materials is considered an eco-friendly technology because it does not involve hazardous chemicals. In this study, bimetallic ZnFe O and CrFe O nanoparticles were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Boswellia carteri resin. Synthesized ZnFe O and CrFe O nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and HR-TEM.

Association of KDR rs1870377 genotype with clopidogrel resistance in patients with post percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet therapy that is widely used in pre and post percutaneous (PCI) coronary intervention procedures to prevent platelet aggregation and stent restenosis. However, there is a wide inter-individual variation in clopidogrel response and some patients showed resistance against the activity of Clopidogrel. Kinase insert domain receptor ( gene is responsible for the transcription of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) that plays a major role in the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and platelet aggregation.

Efficacy of serratiopeptidase after impacted third molar surgery: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Serratiopeptidase has been clinically used in controlling surgical and non-surgical inflammatory conditions. This study was conducted to assess the therapeutic effect of Serratiopeptidase in patients undergoing surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial investigated the efficacy of Serratiopeptidase and Paracetamol after surgical removal of impacted third molar for 5 days (n = 67) as compared with an equivalent dose of placebo and Paracetamol (n = 66).

Novel and anti- effects of pomegranate peel ethanol extract.

Background And Aim: Interest in plants with antimicrobial properties has been revived due to emerging problems associated with using antibiotics to eradicate . Accordingly, this study aims to assess the antibacterial effects of and the possible synergistic effect of its extract along with metronidazole against .

Materials And Methods: Pomegranate peel ethanol extracts (PPEE) was tested against a control strain of (NCTC 11916) and in female Wistar rats.

Integrin Alpha E (CD103) Limits Virus-Induced IFN-I Production in Conventional Dendritic Cells.

Early and strong production of IFN-I by dendritic cells is important to control vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), however mechanisms which explain this cell-type specific innate immune activation remain to be defined. Here, using a genome wide association study (GWAS), we identified Integrin alpha-E (, CD103) as a new regulator of antiviral IFN-I production in a mouse model of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection. CD103 was specifically expressed by splenic conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and limited IFN-I production in these cells during VSV infection.

The Clinical Difference between Gabapentin and Pregabalin: Data from a Pilot Comparative Trial.

Background: Similar anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin and pregabalin are recommended in neuropathic pain management, however little is known about their clinical differences in cases of low back pain. This paper aims to highlight some of the possible clinical differences between gabapentin and pregabalin in low back pain.

Methods: Patients with moderate to severe low back pain were recruited.

The Polymorphism (rs16969968) and its Association with Waterpipe Smoking Addiction among Jordanians.

Waterpipe smoking is a form of tobacco use that causes nicotine/tobacco dependence and has become a global health problem. In the current study, the association of rs16969968 SNP in the gene with waterpipe dependence was investigated. A total of 386 men and women who used a waterpipe to smoke tobacco were recruited and divided into less dependent and more dependent smokers based on their score on the Lebanon Waterpipe Dependence Scale (LWDS).

Relationship between anxiety, post-traumatic stress, insomnia and fibromyalgia among female refugees in jordan: A cross-sectional study.

Unlabelled: WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome of chronic widespread pain, typically associated with fatigue, sleep, cognitive dysfunction and disordered mood. FM may limit an individual's ability to participate in everyday work and social activities, thereby making it difficult to maintain normal relationships with other individuals. While it has been studied in different populations and settings, the impact of FM and associated psychological factors has not been previously studied among female war refugees.

Investigation of ACE rs4646994, MTHFR rs1801133 and VDR rs2228570 Genotypes in Jordanian Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disease characterized by widespread body pain, weakness in certain parts of the body (critical points), low pain tolerance, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. This syndrome is considered rare in Jordan.

Objectives: The research aimed to find out the association of the angiotensin converting enzyme, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and vitamin D receptor (ACE, MHFTR, and VDR, respectively) genotypes with FMS among Jordanian patients.

Different DOACs Control Inflammation in Cardiac Ischemia-Reperfusion Differently.

Rationale: While thrombin is the key protease in thrombus formation, other coagulation proteases, such as fXa (factor Xa) or aPC (activated protein C), independently modulate intracellular signaling via partially distinct receptors.

Objectives: To study the differential effects of fXa or fIIa (factor IIa) inhibition on gene expression and inflammation in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods And Results: Mice were treated with a direct fIIa inhibitor (fIIai) or direct fXa inhibitor (fXai) at doses that induced comparable anticoagulant effects ex vivo and in vivo (tail-bleeding assay and FeCl-induced thrombosis).

The Protective Effect of Metformin against Oxandrolone-Induced Infertility in Male Rats.

Background: Oxandrolone is a synthetic testosterone analog that is widely used among bodybuilders and athletes. However, oxandrolone causes male infertility. Recently, it was found that metformin reduces the risk of infertility associated with diabetes mellitus.

Artificial Neural Networks Model for Predicting Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on Gene Polymorphism, Lipid Profile and Demographic Data.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial disease associated with many genetic polymorphisms; among them is the polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor () gene. In this case-control study, samples from 82 T2DM patients and 82 healthy controls were examined to investigate the association of the polymorphism and lipid profile with T2DM in the Jordanian population. DNA was extracted from blood and genotyped for the polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing.

Discovery and optimizing polycyclic pyridone compounds as anti-HBV agents.

Introduction: Hepatitis B disease is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is a DNA virus that belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family. It is a considerable health burden, with 257 million active cases globally. Long-standing infection may create a fundamental cause of liver disease and chronic infections, including cirrhosis, hepatocellular, and carcinoma liver failure.

Podocyte Integrin- and Activated Protein C Coordinately Restrict RhoA Signaling and Ameliorate Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (dNP), now the leading cause of ESKD, lacks efficient therapies. Coagulation protease-dependent signaling modulates dNP, in part the G protein-coupled, protease-activated receptors (PARs). Specifically, the cytoprotective protease-activated protein C (aPC) protects from dNP, but the mechanisms are not clear.

Syrian female war refugees: preliminary fibromyalgia and insomnia screening and treatment trends.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder characterised by chronic widespread pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances with higher prevalence in females. Psychological factors contribute largely to FM. Although women war refugees represent a fragile population that is prone to psychological distress, FM was not studied in this population.

Chitosan Nanoparticles as a Novel Drug Delivery System: A Review Article.

Natural polymers, particularly polysaccharide, have been used as drug delivery systems for a variety of therapeutic agents such as peptides, proteins, vaccines, DNA, and drugs for parenteral and non-parenteral administration. Chitosan, the second most abundant naturally occurring polysaccharide after cellulose, is a biocompatible and biodegradable mucoadhesive polymer that is extensively used in the preparation of nanoparticles (NPs). Chitosan NPs loaded with drugs were found to be stable, permeable and bioactive.