Now you see me,now you don’t: The locomotory activity rhythm of the Asian garden dormouse (Eliomys melanurus) from Saudi Arabia

The locomotory activity rhythms of Asian garden dormice, Eliomys melanurus from Saudi Arabia were investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Animals were maintained under different lighting conditions for a period of two weeks each. Dormice exhibited predominantly nocturnal activity during the light/dark (LD) (mean % nocturnal activity: 95.5 ± 0.9%) and dark/light (DL) (mean % nocturnal activity: 96.8 ± 0.7%) light cycles. All animals expressed free-running rhythms of locomotor activity when subjected to constant darkness (mean τ: 24h06 ± 0h09). Upon inversion of the LD cycle to DL, activity re-entrained to the new light cycle within 3 days. When the dark component of the day was lengthened to 8L:16D the active time increased significantly from 11h43 ± 0h05 to 13h43 ± 0h22. In contrast, when the dark component was shortened from 12L:12D to16L: 8D, the active time decreased significantly to 7h58 ± 0h04. No difference was apparent in the locomotor activity at 20 and 30 °C however, dormice became very inactive at 10 °C.Overall, locomotor activity patterns of the Asian garden dormouse largely resemble those of other species of dormice. However, Asian garden dormice spent long periods of time inactive both during light and darkness, when exposed to an ambient temperature of 10 °C, which may be related to the dramatic and sudden change in temperature. This period of inactivity may reflect a bout of torpor or the entering into a state of hibernation.     

One-Year pollen and spore calendars of Saudi Arabia Al-Khobar, Abha and Hofuf

Airborne Pollen grains and Spores of three different cities viz., Al-Khobar (1987–1988), Abha (1991–1992) and Hofuf (1992–1993) in Saudi Arabia were studied using Burkard Volumetric Seven-Day Spore Trap. The data were analyzed in relation to their allergenic capability and one-year pollen and spore calendars were designed to correlate the patients’ symptoms as well as for selection of appropriate allergen extracts for diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. Amongst pollen group, Amaranthus viridis, Plantago spp., Chenopodium album, Ricinus communis, Rumex vesicarius, Juniperus spp., Parkinsonia aculeata, Prosopis spp., and Phoenix dactylifera were some of the frequent types. Amongst the fungal spores group Cladosporium, Smuts spores, Colored basidiospores, Alternaria, Ulocladium and Drechslera were the dominant types.     

Phytochemical and taxonomic evaluation of Rhazya stricta in Saudi Arabia

Rhazya stricta Decne is an important medicinal species used in indigenous medicinal herbal drugs to cure various diseases in South Asia (Pakistan, India and Afghanistan) and in the Middle East (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran and Iraq). Some of its alkaloids have been reported to have anticancerous properties. The aim of our study is to examine the morphological and taxonomical parameters for R. stricta in the Saudi Arabia; concentrations and distributions of some secondary metabolites; and also to determine the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. The results of present study showed that there was no influence of environment on the structure of stomata and trichomes as studying species with R. stricta. In conclusion our study shows no trichomes on leaf of R. stricta it is glabrous, whereas, variations between many secondary metabolites such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds occurred in response to changing climatic conditions.     

Whole-exome sequencing reveals a recurrent mutation in the cathepsin C gene that causes Papillon–Lefevre syndrome in a Saudi family

Papillon–Lefevre syndrome (PALS) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by periodontitis and hyperkeratosis over the palms and soles. Mutations in the cathepsin C gene (CTSC) have been recognized as the cause of PALS since the late 1990s. More than 75 mutations in CTSC have been identified, and phenotypic variability between different mutations has been described. Next generation sequencing is widely used for efficient molecular diagnostics in various clinical practices. Here we investigated a large consanguineous Saudi family with four affected and four unaffected individuals. All of the affected individuals suffered from hyperkeratosis over the palms and soles and had anomalies of both primary and secondary dentition. For molecular diagnostics, we combined whole-exome sequencing and genome-wide homozygosity mapping procedures, and identified a recurrent homozygous missense mutation (c.899G>A; p.Gly300Asp) in exon 7 of CTSC. Validation of all eight family members by Sanger sequencing confirmed co-segregation of the pathogenic variant (c.899G>A) with the disease phenotype. This is the first report of whole-exome sequencing performed for molecular diagnosis of PALS in Saudi Arabia. Our findings provide further insights into the genotype–phenotype correlation of CTSC pathogenicity in PALS.     

Antimicrobial activities of Saudi honey against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Five types of imported and local honey were screened for both their bacteriocidal/bacteriostatic activities against both Imipenem resistant and sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa in both Brain Heart infusion broth and Mueller–Hinton agar. The results indicated that the effect was concentration and type of honey dependant. All types of honey tested exerted a full inhibition of bacterial growth at the highest concentration tested of 50% at 24 h of contact. The inhibitory effect of honey on bacterial growth was clear with concentrations of 20% and 10% and this effect was most evident in the case of Manuka honey as compared to Nigella sativa honey and Seder honey. Manuka honey UMF +20 showed a bacteriocidal activity on both Imipenem resistant and sensitive P. aeruginosa, while Seder honey and N. sativa honey exerted only a bacteriostatic effect. Manuka honey UMF +10 showed most effect on antimicrobial resistance. Manuka honey UMF +10 had an effect on modulation of Imipenem resistant P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: The results indicated that various types of honey affected the test organisms differently. Modulation of antimicrobial resistance was seen in the case Manuka honey UMF +10.     

Genetic studies in Saudi Arabia: red cell enzyme, haemoglobin and serum protein polymorphisms.

Population genetic studies in Saudi Arabia are performed for EsD, GPT, AcP, ADA, AK, 6-PGD, PGM, C3, Tf, Hp, Gc, Pi, Bf, Hb, ABO-blood groups and Rh-factor, level of the third component of complement and immunoglobulins. The data are compared with reported frequencies in European and African populations.     

Genetic diversity of Moringa peregrina species in Saudi Arabia with ITS sequences

The genus Moringa was the family of Moringaceae and Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina are the most famous species of Moringa. M. peregrina is widely grown in Saudi Arabia, Iran and India. Therefore, based on these reports, this study aimed to investigate the first systematic attempt to regulate the genetic diversity of the species M. peregrina in Saudi Arabian samples collected from several geographic locations using internal transcribed sequences. Genomic DNA was separated by CTAB extraction method and PCR was performed. Later on, DNA sequencing was performed for PCR products with ITS. In conclusion, the present study affords the first report on genetic stability of M. peregrina using ITS analysis in Saudi Arabia. Further studies are suggested in order to study in different regions.     

Antibacterial potential of some Saudi honeys from Asir region against selected pathogenic bacteria

Honey is a nutrient rich natural product and has been utilized as traditional and complementary medicine since ancient times. In this study, antibacterial activity of Sider (Ziziphus spina-christi), Dharm (Lavandula dentata), and Majra (Hypoestes forskaolii) honey samples collected from Asir region of Saudi Arabia was in vitro evaluated at 80% and 50% w/v concentrations against five pathogenic bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Well diffusion assays to measure the average zone of inhibition (ZOI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were employed in the experiments. All the tested honey samples showed antibacterial activity in a dose-dependent manner. Sider and Dharm exhibited a good antibacterial activity at high concentrations while, Majra honey of Apis mellifera jemenitica and of Apis florea showed comparatively low antibacterial activity. The average MIC values of Sider, Dhram from Rijal Alma, Dharm from Al-Souda, Majra (A.m. jemenitica), and Majra (A. florea) honey against all tested bacteria were 22%, 16%, 18%, 32%, and 28% (v/v) respectively. Dharm and Sider honeys showed better antibacterial activity than Majra honey. Saudi honey can be considered as a promising future antimicrobial agent and should be further investigated as an alternative candidate in the management of resistant bacterial pathogens.     

Energy metabolism and the evolution of reproductive suppression in the human female

Reproduction places severe demands on the energy metabolism in human females. When physical work entails higher energy expenditure, not enough energy will be left for the support of the reproductive processes and temporal suppression of the reproductive function is expected. While energy needed for reproduction may be obtained by increases in energy intake, utilization of fat reserves, or reallocation of energy from basal metabolism, several environmental or physiological constraints render such solutions unlikely. For human ancestors increases in energy intake were limited by availability of food, by labor of food preparation and by metabolic ceilings to energy assimilation. Energy stored as fat may support only a fraction of the requirements for reproduction (especially lactation). Effects of intense physical activity on basal metabolism may also interfere with fat accumulation during pregnancy. Finally, the female physiology may experience demands on increasing the basal metabolism as a consequence of physical activity and, at the same time, on decreasing the basal metabolism, when energy to support the ongoing pregnancy or lactation is inadequate. The resulting metabolic dilemmas could constitute a plausible cause for the occurrence of reproductive suppression in response to physical activity. It is, therefore, likely that allocating enough energy to the reproductive processes during periods when energy expenditure rises may be difficult due to physiological and bioenergetic constraints. Females attempting pregnancy in such conditions may compromise their lifetime reproductive output. A reproductive suppression occurring in low energy availability situations may thus represent an adaptive rather then a pathological response.     

山东省南四湖夏冬季沉积物及间隙水中磷分布特征及其相关性

利用柱状沉积物采样器和Peeper间隙水采集器,分别于夏冬两季获取山东省南四湖不同湖区原位柱状沉积物和间隙水,分析沉积物磷形态和间隙水磷分布特征,探讨沉积物和间隙水磷之间的相关性.结果表明:南四湖沉积物含有较丰富的磷,空间差异性显著,总体呈北高南低的趋势.这与南四湖北部距离济宁市区较近、受污染较重有关.各磷形态组分中以无机磷(IP)含量最高,夏冬两季IP含量分别占总磷(TP)的52.3％～87.2％和60.6％～88.3％.4个湖区表层沉积物TP含量(5 cm内)均呈现夏季＞冬季的特征,可能与夏季水产品养殖旺盛、湖区周围耕地大量施用化肥,以及旅游活动频繁等有关.间隙水磷(PO43--P)浓度夏冬两季在垂直方向上均呈先增加后降低的趋势,夏季含量明显高于冬季,说明沉积物中的磷在夏季具有更大的向上覆水释放的潜力.夏季沉积物有机磷(OP)和IP相关性显著,冬季相关性不显著,说明夏季IP与OP间的形态转化较冬季活跃.沉积物铁铝结合态磷(Fe/A1-P)和IP与间隙水磷含量具有显著正相关关系.夏冬两季Peeper法获取间隙水磷的平均含量比传统离心法高出20％ ～50％,前者可能更精确.