The economic burden of dengue fever in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Rapid urbanization, global trade, and the exceptionally great numbers of worldwide visitors during Hajj and Umrah have all placed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a significant risk of introducing several vector-borne tropical diseases, such as dengue fever virus (DENV) infection. In this study we estimated DENV infection cost of illness (COI) in Saudi Arabia in the period 2013–2017, by processing national data including all declared cases recorded in referral centers in the western region, being the endemic region of the country. Using a statistically validated predictive model that was built on a representative sample of 717 laboratory-confirmed cases of DENV infection, direct costs, due to care-related expenditures, were estimated by applying the predictive equation to national data. However, indirect costs, which are due to productivity loss, were estimated using the human capital model based on gross domestic product adjusted for invalidity duration. Further, under-reporting was adjusted by using an expansion factor EF = 3. We observed highest estimated costs in 2016 with over US$168.5 Million total costs, including direct (US$29.0 Million) and indirect (US$139.5 Million) costs, for a total 4415 confirmed cases. The total DENV COI for the five years was estimated as US$551.0 Million for a total 15,369 patients (59.7%) out of 25,745 declared cases, resulting in an average cost of US$11 947.6 by patient. Depending on the year, productivity years loss costs accounted for 63.3% to 83.8% of the estimated total costs. Dengue has a substantial local economic burden that costs US$110.2 Million per year, stressing the urgent need for an effective national prevention strategy to perform considerable cost-savings besides reducing morbidity.     

Impact of dormancy regulating chemicals on salinity induced dormancy in Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum: two desert glycophytic grasses

The indigenous forage grasses Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum are candidate species for the restoration of degraded desert rangelands. The impact of five dormancy regulating chemicals on overcoming salinity-induced germination inhibition was assessed under the best germination conditions in the two species. Seeds were germinated in a series of NaCl concentrations: 0–200 mM NaCl for P. turgidum, and 0–300 mM NaCl for L. scindicus. Lasiurus scindicus seeds were more tolerant to salinity than those of P. turgidum. Twenty percent of P. turgidum seeds germinated in 100 mM NaCl and none in the higher levels, but 47.5% and 8.8% of L. scindicus seeds germinated in 100 and 200 mM NaCl, respectively. The five studied chemicals (fusicoccin, GA₃, kinetin, nitrate and thiourea) did not succeed in improving germination of non-saline treated seeds of the two species, compared to the control, except thiourea in P. turgidum. The salinity-induced germination inhibition in P. turgidum was completely alleviated by the application of gibberellic acid (GA₃), partially alleviated by the application of fusicoccin, kinetin and thiourea, but not affected by nitrate. In L. scindicus, the germination inhibition was completely alleviated by fusicoccin, GA₃, nitrate and thiourea, but partially alleviated by kinetin. For using the two grass species in restoration of degraded rangelands affected by higher salinity, the results suggest using fusicoccin, GA₃, nitrate and thiourea with L. scindicus and GA₃ with P. turgidum seeds as a preseeding treatment can overcome the problem of reduced germination.     

Enzymatic pre‐treatment of microalgae cells for enhanced extraction of proteins

Crude proteins and pigments were extracted from different microalgae strains, both marine and freshwater. The effectiveness of enzymatic pre‐treatment prior to protein extraction was evaluated and compared to conventional techniques, including ultrasonication and high‐pressure water extraction. Enzymatic pre‐treatment was chosen as it could be carried out at mild shear conditions and does not subject the proteins to high temperatures, as with the ultrasonication approach. Using enzymatic pre‐treatment, the extracted proteins yields of all tested microalgae strains were approximately 0.7 mg per mg of dry cell weight. These values were comparable to those achieved using a commercial lytic kit. Ultrasonication was not very effective for proteins extraction from Chlorella sp., and the extracted proteins yields did not exceed 0.4 mg per mg of dry cell weight. For other strains, similar yields were achieved by both treatment methods. The time‐course effect of enzymatic incubation on the proteins extraction efficiency was more evident using laccase compared to lysozyme, which suggested that the former enzyme has a slower rate of cell disruption. The crude extracted proteins were fractionated using an ion exchange resin and were analyzed by the electrophoresis technique. They were further tested for their antioxidant activity, the highest of which was about 60% from Nannochloropsis sp. The total phenolic contents in the selected strains were also determined, with Chlorella sp. showing the highest content reaching 17 mg/g. Lysozyme was also found to enhance the extraction of pigments, with Chlorella sp. showing the highest pigments contents of 16.02, 4.59 and 5.22 mg/g of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids, respectively.     

New pregnane-type steroidal alkaloids from Sarcocca saligna and their cholinesterase inhibitory activity

Five new steroidal alkaloids, 5,14-dehydro-N(a)-demethylsaracodine [3beta-N(a)-methyl-20S-N(b)-acetyl-N(b)-methylamino-pregn-5,14-diene] (1), 14-dehydro-N(a)-demethylsaracodine [3beta-N(a)-methyl-20S-N(b)-acetyl-N(b)-methylamino-5alpha-pregn-14-ene] (2), 16-dehydrosarcorine [(20S)-20-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3beta-(N(a)-acetylamido)-5alpha-pregn-16-ene] (3), 2,3-dehydrosarsalignone [(20S)-20-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3beta-(tigloylamino)-pregn-2,5-diene-4-one] (4), and 14,15-dehydrosarcovagine-D [(20S)-20-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3beta-(tigloylamino)-5alpha-pregn-2,14-diene-4-one] (5), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Sarcococca saligna, along with two known bases, sarcovagenine-C (6) and salignarine-C (7). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. All seven compounds were found to possess cholinesterase inhibitory potential in a concentration-dependent manner with the IC50 values ranging from 12.5 to 200 microM against acetylcholinesterase and from 1.25 to 32.2 microM against butyrylcholinesterase.     

Drought tolerance and germination response to light and temperature for seeds of saline and non-saline habitats of the habitat-indifferent desert halophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Suaeda vermiculata</Emphasis>

Few plants are habitat-indifferent halophytes (i.e., grow well in both saline and non-saline soils). These plants offer a good opportunity to study drought and salinity tolerances during germination for seeds developed and matured in soils differ in salinity. Here, we assessed drought tolerance during germination, as simulated with PEG, and response of germination to light and temperature for Suaeda vermiculata, a habitat-indifferent shrub. Seeds matured in saline and non-saline soils were germinated in six PEG concentrations (0 to ? 1.0 MPa) and put in three incubators adjusted at different temperatures in both light and dark regimes. Drought tolerance was greater for seeds of the non-saline than those of saline soils, especially at higher temperatures. Seeds of the saline soils germinated in the lowest osmotic potentials (? 0.8 and ??1.0 MPa) only at lower temperatures, but seeds of the non-saline soils germinated to higher levels at all temperatures. Tolerances to drought and high temperatures were greater in light for seeds of saline soils, but in darkness for seeds of non-saline soils. Germination rate index did not differ significantly between seeds of the two soil types in higher osmotic potentials, but was significantly greater in seeds of non-saline at lower osmotic potentials. Most seeds that failed to germinate in the PEG concentrations recovered their germination when transferred to distilled water. Germination recovery levels and speeds increased with the decrease in osmotic potentials. Seeds of the saline soil postpone their germination until arrival of suitable temperatures and effective rainfalls that ensure seedling survival in salty habitats of the arid unpredictable deserts.     

Reversal of myocyte hypertrophy by ventricular unloading: cardiac improvement without adrenergic receptor up-regulation and relocalization

In previous studies, we found that the improved contractile ability of cardiac myocytes from patients who have had left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support was due to a number of beneficial changes, most notably in calcium handling (increased sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium binding and uptake), improved integrity of cell membranes due to phospholipid reconstruction (reduced lysophospholipid content), and an upregulation of adrenoreceptors (increased adrenoreceptor numbers). However, in the case presented here, there was no increase in adrenoreceptor number, which is something that we usually find in core tissue at the time of LVAD removal or organ transplantation; also, there was no homogeneous postassist device receptor distribution. However, the patient was well maintained for 10 months following LVAD implantation, until a donor organ was available, regardless of the lack of adrenoreceptor improvement. We conclude from these studies that cardiac recovery is the result of the initiation of multiple repair mechanisms, and that the lack of expected changes, in this case increased adrenoreceptors, is not always an accurate indicator of anticipated outcome. We suggest that interventions and strategies have to consider multiple, beneficial changes due to unloading and target a number of biochemical and structural areas to produce improvement, even if not all of these improvements occur.     

Synthesis of a Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network as a Bioactive Curcumin Film

This study focused on the synthesis and characterization of a natural polymeric system employing the interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) comprising curcumin as a bioactive. Biopolymers and actives such as chitosan, hypromellose, citric acid, genipin, and curcumin were used to develop an effective, biodegradable, and biocompatible film employed therapeutically as a wound healing platform. The semi-IPN films were investigated for their physicochemical, physicomechanical, and biological properties by quantification by FTIR, DSC, and Young’s modulus. Following characterization, an optimum candidate formulation was produced whereby further in vitro and ex vivo studies were performed. Results revealed a burst release occurring at the first hour with 1.1 mg bioactive released when in contact with the dissolution medium and 2.23 mg due to bioactive permeation through the skin, thus suggesting that the lipophilic nature of skin greatly impacted the bioactive release rate. Furthermore, chemical and mechanical characterization and tensile strength analysis revealed that the degree of crosslinking and concentration of polymeric material used significantly influenced the properties of the film.KEY WORDS: biomaterials, crosslinker, curcumin, films, semi-interpenetrating polymer network, wound healing     

Proteomic Changes to the Updated Discovery of Engineered Insulin and Its Analogs: Pros and Cons

The destruction of β-cells of the pancreas leads to either insulin shortage or the complete absence of insulin, which in turn causes diabetes Mellitus. For treating diabetes, many trials have been conducted since the 19th century until now. In ancient times, insulin from an animal’s extract was taken to treat human beings. However, this resulted in some serious allergic reactions. Therefore, scientists and researchers have tried their best to find alternative ways for managing diabetes with progressive advancements in biotechnology. However, a lot of research trials have been conducted, and they discovered more progressed strategies and approaches to treat type I and II diabetes with satisfaction. Still, investigators are finding more appropriate ways to treat diabetes accurately. They formulated insulin analogs that mimic the naturally produced human insulin through recombinant DNA technology and devised many methods for appropriate delivery of insulin. This review will address the following questions: What is insulin preparation? How were these devised and what are the impacts (both positive and negative) of such insulin analogs against TIDM (type-I diabetes mellitus) and TIIDM (type-II diabetes mellitus)? This review article will also demonstrate approaches for the delivery of insulin analogs into the human body and some future directions for further improvement of insulin treatment.     

Cis-diastereoselectivity in pictet-spengler reactions of L-tryptophan and electronic circular dichroism studies

The diastereoselective synthesis of optically active 1,3‐disubstituted tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines using polar protic Pictet–Spengler cyclization of (S)‐tryptophan methyl ester with five aldehydes RCHO (R═CH₃, C₂H₅, C₃H₇, C₄H₉, and C₆H₅) was studied. As an alternate route, the cyclization of (S)‐tryptophan with the same aldehydes and subsequent methylation of the resulting tetrahydro‐β‐carboline carboxylic acids were also performed for comparison. ¹³C NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) studies and time‐dependent density functional theory ECD calculations data established the relative 1,3 cis/trans and the absolute configuration (1S,3S/ 1R,3S) of the synthesized compounds. The solid‐state and solution ECD study of the prepared compounds, supported by ECD calculation and X‐ray data, afforded a reliable ECD method for the configurational assignment of 1,3‐disubstituted tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines and revealed the stereochemical factors that determine the characteristic ECD data. Chirality 24:789–795, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A Simple and Rapid Method for the Isolation of Cholesterol from Spinal Cord of Cattle

A method is described for the large scale isolation of cholesterol from cattle spinal cord. Cholesterol is released from the lipo-protein by drying the wet tissues with calcium oxide. This treatment appears to prevent the extraction of polar lipids with acetone, which reduces the lipophilic properties of the solution and thus provides a method for almost exclusive extraction of cholesterol. The further role of calcium oxide is also discussed. The method evolved is simple, rapid and eliminates several previously required steps.