The Need for Combined Inorganic, Biochemical, and Nutritional Studies of Chromium(III)

The history of biochemical and nutritional studies of the element is unfortunately full of twists and turns, most leading to dead ends. Chromium (Cr), as the trivalent ion, has been proposed to be an essential element, a body mass and muscle development agent, and, in the form of the most popular Cr-containing nutritional supplement, to be toxic when given orally to mammals. None of these proposals, despite significant attention in the popular media, has proven to be correct. Trivalent chromium has also been proposed as a therapeutic agent to increase insulin sensitivity and affect lipid metabolism, although a molecular mechanism for such actions has not been elucidated. Greater cooperative research interactions between nutritionists, biochemists, and chemists might have avoided the earlier issues in nutritional and biochemical Cr research and is necessary to establish the potential role of Cr as a therapeutic agent at a molecular level.     

Production of fructose from highly concentrated date extracts using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Large amounts of low-quality dates produced worldwide are wasted. Here, highly concentrated fructose syrups were produced via selective fermentation of date extracts with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Syrups with 95.4–99.9 % (w/w) fructose yields were obtained from date extracts having an initial sugar range of 49–374 g/l without media supplementation; the corresponding ethanol yields were between 69 and 52 % (w/w). At 470 g initial sugars/l, fructose and ethanol yields were 84 and 47 % (w/w), respectively, and the product contained 62 % (w/w) fructose, which is higher than the widely available commercial 42 and 55 % (w/w) high fructose corn syrups. The commercial potential for conversion of waste dates to high-value products is thus demonstrated.     

Mutations in c4orf26, encoding a Peptide with in vitro hydroxyapatite crystal nucleation and growth activity, cause amelogenesis imperfecta

Autozygosity mapping and clonal sequencing of an Omani family identified mutations in the uncharacterized gene, C4orf26, as a cause of recessive hypomineralized amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), a disease in which the formation of tooth enamel fails. Screening of a panel of 57 autosomal-recessive AI-affected families identified eight further families with loss-of-function mutations in C4orf26. C4orf26 encodes a putative extracellular matrix acidic phosphoprotein expressed in the enamel organ. A mineral nucleation assay showed that the protein's phosphorylated C terminus has the capacity to promote nucleation of hydroxyapatite, suggesting a possible function in enamel mineralization during amelogenesis.     

Micropropagation of virus-free plants of Saudi fig (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus carica</Emphasis> L<Emphasis Type="Italic">.</Emphasis>) and their identification through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods

Viral infection is one of the most serious biotic stresses, which disturbs the growth and productivity of many horticultural crops, including that of fig (Ficus carica L.). The production of plants free of viruses, such as fig mosaic virus (FMV), has become a priority in many plant breeding programs. In this study, leaves from plants of two fig cultivars, Kodato and Dattora, infected with FMV were collected from both Mecca and Al-Taif, Saudi Arabia. Transmission electron microscopy of ultrathin leaf sections showed double membrane bodies, characteristic of FMV particles, only in the mesophyll cells of infected samples. Protein analysis using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of a protein band with a molecular weight of 35 kDa, which corresponded to the viral coat protein; and FMV was confirmed by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. To obtain virus-free plants, apical shoot culture was applied. A comparison of various artificial media with different concentrations of growth regulators was evaluated to optimize shoot formation, shoot multiplication, and root formation, and was followed by plant acclimation ex vitro. Direct ELISA analysis of shoots micropropagated from meristem tip explants indicated that there were virus-free shoots, when compared to infected plants (positive control), while there were no significant differences between these explants and healthy samples (negative control). This study demonstrated that in vitro micropropagation of Saudi F. carica infected with FMV virus led to the successful elimination of the virus.     

The association between overweight/obesity and psychological distress: A population based cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare the association between mental well-being between obese (classes 1 and 2), over-weight and non-obese population-based individualsMethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. A total of 1019 Saudi nationals aged ≥ 18 years participated in the survey. BMI scores were used to categorize participants into three groups: Obese, overweighted and non-obese/non-overweight. Mental well-being was evaluated by using the validated Arabic version of the General Health Questionnaire version 12 (GHQ-12).ResultsWe used total GHQ score (Mean=12; SD=5.23) to compare mental well-being between the four BMI class categories. The overall one-way ANOVA model was statistically significant (F = 7.018, d = 6, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, diabetes and smoking statuses we found that higher psychological distress (as evident by a higher total GHQ score) was associated with higher BMI. The unstandardized Beta regression coefficient = 2.627; P = 0.034). Females were more likely to have higher psychological distress than males (unstandardized Beta = 1.466, P = 0.003). Job status whether being unemployed or ‘civilian’ (civil worker) was significantly associated with higher psychological distress (unstandardized Beta = 1.405, P = 0.041). Being diabetic has a 1.6 times higher risk of psychological distress (unstandardized Beta = 1.604, P = 0.027).ConclusionThe study highlights the public health implications of psychological distress amongst individuals with overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia. Future longitudinal studies should explore the temporality of this relationship.     

Morphological features of Class I,II and III malocclusions of Saudi adolescents

AimsThis cross-sectional study compared and contrasted the morphological characteristics of Class I, II and III malocclusions in an adolescent Saudi population.MethodsAdolescent Saudis with Angle’s Class I, II and III malocclusions were selected from orthodontic patients’ records. Angular and linear measurements were compared between the three groups. Cephalometric analysis was performed using the VistadentOC® software. Multifactorial ANOVA for angular and linear measurements between and within groups.ResultsOrthodontic records of 300 patients were included. There was no significant difference between and within groups in age and distribution of Angle’s classification, p > 0.05. Multifactorial ANOVA showed that there were significant interactions between gender and malocclusions in skeletal, dental and soft tissue measurements, p < 0.05. There were significant differences in the sagittal and vertical skeletal measurements between groups, p < 0.05. The dental measurements were also significantly different in most of the measurements (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were significantly different readings among the groups in the soft tissue analysis.ConclusionMorphological characteristics of adolescent Saudis show unique differences between gender and malocclusions, more so in Class III malocclusions. Class II and III malocclusions also show skeletal differences amongst the groups.     

Palaeoberesellids (Dasycladaceans) from the Upper Jurassic Arab-D Reservoir, Saudi Arabia

Palaeoberesellids, tubular septate dasycladacean algae hitherto only described from the Upper Palaeozoic, have been discovered in the Late Jurassic Arab-D Reservoir from the Khurais Oilfield, Saudi Arabia. Material is referred to a new species, Kamaena khuraisensis . Specimens occur in the wackestones and packstones of the lower part of the reservoir, deposited in offshore shelf environments deeper than those containing most of the other described Arab Reservoir dasycladaceans.     

Additive and Subtractive Scrambling in Optional Randomized Response Modeling

This article considers unbiased estimation of mean, variance and sensitivity level of a sensitive variable via scrambled response modeling. In particular, we focus on estimation of the mean. The idea of using additive and subtractive scrambling has been suggested under a recent scrambled response model. Whether it is estimation of mean, variance or sensitivity level, the proposed scheme of estimation is shown relatively more efficient than that recent model. As far as the estimation of mean is concerned, the proposed estimators perform relatively better than the estimators based on recent additive scrambling models. Relative efficiency comparisons are also made in order to highlight the performance of proposed estimators under suggested scrambling technique.     

Inequality in Disability in Bangladesh

Objective

To investigate inequality in disability in Bangladesh.

Methods

The study used both household level and individual level data from a large nationally representative data set, Bangladesh’s Household Income and Expenditure Survey - 2010. Principal component analysis was used to construct a wealth index based on household assets from household level data. Then, using data from 49,809 individuals aged 5 years and over, chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed to test the association between wealth level and disability.

Findings

Women and older people are significantly more likely to report having disabilities than men and younger people. For middle and rich families, respectively, there is a 14 percent lower likelihood of reporting disabilities than for poor families. Changes in the probability of having disabilities are linear with increasing wealth. In addition, the study identifies some significant factors affecting disability, namely, age, sex, education, marital status, and place of residence including divisional differences.

Conclusion

In Bangladesh, worse health among the poor argues for policies prioritizing this group while at the same time giving special attention to women and the elderly.