Evolving Epidemiology of Pediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Cases Around COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact and Clinical Insights, Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk pediatric patients remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to characterize pediatric RSV cases from January 2019 to December 2022 and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on RSV burden and RSV-related outcomes. In addition, examining factors influencing RSV-related hospitalization. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that included pediatric patients (aged 14 and below) who presented at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with RSV infection identified using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA. RESULTS: A total of 885 RSV cases were reported; (56.05%) were males and (43.95%) were females with a median age of 24 months [interquartile range (IQR): 11-60]. 534 (60.34%) required hospitalization. As for RSV seasonality, there was a significant increase in RSV prevalence following the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating from 205 cases in 2019 to 425 cases in 2022. The increase in 2022 was evident in January and persisted from September to December, reaching its peak during the months of October (20.70% - 88 cases) and November (32.00% - 136 cases). About (27.12%) of RSV infected children were medically free patients. Symptomatic patients exhibited various clinical manifestations, with ventilation necessary in (13.11%) of cases. Further analysis revealed significant changes in RSV-related outcomes post-COVID-19, including a decrease in hospitalization rates, an increase in medically free patients, and a lower need for ventilation (p < 0.05). Notably, a significant proportion of RSV admissions occurred within the first 6 months of life, with (77.69%) in the age group of 0 to 5 months. In addition, previous RSV infection, prematurity, low birth weight, renal disease, congenital heart disease, endocrine/metabolic disease, neuro/neuromuscular diseases, and genetic disorders were positively associated with hospitalization (P < 0.05). Interestingly, asthma and bone marrow transplantation were negatively associated with hospitalization (P < 0.05). The mortality rate in this study is (2.37%) (21/885). CONCLUSION: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the demographic and clinical factors influencing RSV outcomes, highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and shedding light on potential risk factors for RSV-related hospitalization. The highest prevalence of RSV during (September to January), aligning with global patterns and emphasizing the importance of timing in preventive strategies.

Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2: Epidemiological and clinical insights from a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The actual burden of the Omicron variants remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of Omicron-infected patients and investigate factors influencing hospital admission. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study included individuals with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection, specifically the Omicron variants (XBB, EG or JN), identified through real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays from January 2022 to December 2023. RESULTS: A total of 305 Omicron-infected patients were included; (53.11 %) were females and (46.89 %) were males, with a median age of 39 years [interquartile range (IQR): 30, 53]. Underlying diseases, including endocrine/metabolic disorders (22.30 %), hypertension (12.79 %), chronic respiratory disease (10.49 %), and malignancy (9.18 %) were prevalent, while (40.98 %) were medically free. The XBB variant was predominant (73.11 %), followed by JN (20.33 %), and EG variant (6.56 %). The seasonality analysis demonstrates XBB variants' domination in 2022, with a surge to 40 cases in December. The trend continued in 2023, peaking at 76 XBB cases in March. May 2023 reported 38 XBB cases and the emergence of 17 EG instances. Notably, in December, only one XBB case was reported, and 62 instances emerged with the JN variant. Overall, 233 out of 305 cases were reported during flu season (September to March) (76.39 %). Moreover, hospitalization occurred in (16.39 %), with a (1.31 %) mortality rate (all deaths in the JN variant). Multivariable analysis confirmed renal disease, chronic respiratory disease, endocrine/metabolism issues, and polymicrobial infection as positive predictors of hospitalization (p < 0.05). While COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduced hospitalization odds (Odds Ratio: 0.20, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute valuable insights into Omicron epidemiology and factors influencing hospitalization. The dynamic fluctuations in Omicron variants, particularly XBB, EG, and JN, over 2022 and 2023, with JN emerging as the dominant circulating variant globally, underscore the need for continuous vigilance and urgency for updated vaccine formulations.

Establishment of a local diagnostic reference level for computed tomography chest and abdomen in two different cities in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Spiral computed tomography (CT) scans, which are considered a high-contrast resolution, quick and cross-sectional imaging technique, have grown in popularity as a result of technological advancements. However, these advancements have brought with them the potential for significantly increased radiation doses to the patient. Consequently, many organizations recommended optimization and establishing diagnostic reference levels. The aim of the current study was to assess CT radiation dose and propose a local diagnostic reference level (LDRL) for the adult trunk [chest and abdomen] using CT dose parameters such as CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) as well as to compare the practices for aforementioned examinations between two hospitals in Taif and Abha cities in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 428 patients (216 for abdomen and 212 for chest) who were examined in two hospitals in Taif and Abha City in Saudi Arabia from December 2022 to March 2023, are used in this study. The data for hospitals in Taif and Abha are presented as 'T' and 'A' throughout this manuscript. The parameters of exposure and slice thickness were recorded in a specially designed data sheet together with the gender, age and patients morphometric. Microsoft Excel version 2010 was used to analyze results and plot the figures. The LDRL was achieved from the third quartile of CTDIvol and DLP for each hospital and examination. RESULTS: The average DLP (mGy-cm) and CTDIvol (mGy) for the chest and abdomen were 243 mGy cm, 5.8 mGy and 549 mGy cm, 8.6 mGy respectively. The average effective dose (ED) for chest and abdomen were 5.10 and 21.10 mSv, respectively. The proposed LDRL for the chest and abdomen were 6.9 mGy (CTDIvol), 375 mGy-cm (DLP), 7.8 mGy (CTDIvol), and 747 (DLP) mGy-cm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hospital 'A' irradiated patients with a higher dose for the abdomen exam than Hospital 'T', but both hospitals agreed on the amount of radiation dose received by patients for chest imaging. The proposed LDRL for two examinations was less than the DRL obtained from the literature.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals candidate genes associated with salinity stress tolerance during the early vegetative stage in fababean genotype, Hassawi-2.

Abiotic stresses are a significant constraint to plant production globally. Identifying stress-related genes can aid in the development of stress-tolerant elite genotypes and facilitate trait and crop manipulation. The primary aim of this study was to conduct whole transcriptome analyses of the salt-tolerant faba bean genotype, Hassawi-2, under different durations of salt stress (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h) at the early vegetative stage, to better understand the molecular basis of salt tolerance. After de novo assembly, a total of 140,308 unigenes were obtained. The up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were 2380, 2863, 3057, 3484, and 4820 at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of salt stress, respectively. Meanwhile, 1974, 3436, 2371, 3502, and 5958 genes were downregulated at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of salt stress, respectively. These DEGs encoded various regulatory and functional proteins, including kinases, plant hormone proteins, transcriptional factors (TFs) basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), Myeloblastosis (MYB), and (WRKY), heat shock proteins (HSPs), late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, dehydrin, antioxidant enzymes, and aquaporin proteins. This suggests that the faba bean genome possesses an abundance of salinity resistance genes, which trigger different adaptive mechanisms under salt stress. Some selected DEGs validated the RNA sequencing results, thus confirming similar gene expression levels. This study represents the first transcriptome analysis of faba bean leaves subjected to salinity stress offering valuable insights into the mechanisms governing salt tolerance in faba bean during the vegetative stage. This comprehensive investigation enhances our understanding of precise gene regulatory mechanisms and holds promise for the development of novel salt-tolerant faba bean salt-tolerant cultivars.

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Spasticity and Walking Performance among Individuals with Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Stroke and its associated complications are a major cause of long-term disability worldwide, with spasticity being a common and severe issue. Physical therapy, involving stretching exercises and electrical stimulation, is crucial for managing spasticity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with a conventional rehabilitation program (CRP) on plantarflexor muscle spasticity and walking performance among individuals with chronic stroke. METHODS: A pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) with two groups (active NMES and placebo) was conducted at the physical therapy departments of King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraydah, and Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (November 2020). The assessor and participants were blinded for the group assignment. The active NMES group received exercise and stimulation at the dorsiflexor muscles on the paretic leg for 30 min for 12 sessions. The placebo group received exercise and sham stimulation at the same position and duration as the active group. Of interest were the outcomes for plantarflexor muscle spasticity measured by the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), gait speed measured by 10 m walk test (10-MWT), and functional mobility measured by functional ambulatory category (FAC). RESULTS: Nineteen participants were randomized into active NMES (n = 10) and sham NMES (n = 9) groups, with no significant baseline differences. Within the active NMES group, significant improvements were observed in MAS (p = 0.008), 10-MWT (p = 0.028), and FAC (p = 0.046), while only 10-MWT time improved significantly in the sham NMES group (p = 0.011). Between-group analysis showed that only MAS was significantly lower in the active NMES group (p = 0.006). Percent change analysis indicated a significantly higher increase in percent change for MAS in the active NMES group compared to the sham NMES group (p = 0.035), with no significant differences in other outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that NMES in the active group led to significant improvements in spasticity, walking performance, and functional ambulation. Further research is needed to determine the ideal parameters, protocols, and patient selection criteria for NMES interventions in stroke rehabilitation.

Sonographic Assessment of the Salivary Glands among Sudanese Snuff-dippers.

Background: The parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, as well as the smaller subsidiary glands, are all the examples of the salivary glands. The likelihood of the salivary glands being impacted by snuff components increases due to this close proximity of the salivary glands to the mouth when snuff is used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the salivary glands of the Sudanese snuff-dippers. Methods: Sixty-five adult snuff-dippers (research group) and 36 adult nonusers (control group) were enrolled in the study. Sonography of the submandibular and parotid glands was performed; size, blood flow, echogenicity, echotexture, and any other pathological changes were evaluated. The study was conducted in the ultrasound unit at our institution from June 2021 to June 2022. Results: The result of the study showed that the average size of the left submandibular gland and left and right parotid glands of snuff-dippers was significantly greater than the average size of nonusers. Blood supply and tissue characteristics were normal. Conclusion: The study concluded that the snuff use could affect the parotid and submandibular glands; ultrasonography is a modality of choice in the examination of the salivary glands of snuff users and other tobacco users.

CRISPR-Cas System, a Possible "Savior" of Rice Threatened by Climate Change: An Updated Review.

Climate change has significantly affected agriculture production, particularly the rice crop that is consumed by almost half of the world's population and contributes significantly to global food security. Rice is vulnerable to several abiotic and biotic stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, heavy metals, rice blast, and bacterial blight that cause huge yield losses in rice, thus threatening food security worldwide. In this regard, several plant breeding and biotechnological techniques have been used to raise such rice varieties that could tackle climate changes. Nowadays, gene editing (GE) technology has revolutionized crop improvement. Among GE technology, CRISPR/Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein) system has emerged as one of the most convenient, robust, cost-effective, and less labor-intensive system due to which it has got more popularity among plant researchers, especially rice breeders and geneticists. Since 2013 (the year of first application of CRISPR/Cas-based GE system in rice), several trait-specific climate-resilient rice lines have been developed using CRISPR/Cas-based GE tools. Earlier, several reports have been published confirming the successful application of GE tools for rice improvement. However, this review particularly aims to provide an updated and well-synthesized brief discussion based on the recent studies (from 2020 to present) on the applications of GE tools, particularly CRISPR-based systems for developing CRISPR rice to tackle the current alarming situation of climate change, worldwide. Moreover, potential limitations and technical bottlenecks in the development of CRISPR rice, and prospects are also discussed.

COVID-19 Infection Among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Healthcare Hospital.

PURPOSE: SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 virus was the culprit of the global pandemic that began in 2019. With alarming mortality rates reaching sky-high worldwide, the virus prompted the masses to switch to online working. However, this was not feasible for healthcare workers (HCWs) exposed to a higher-than-normal risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection. This study aims to observe the prevalence of COVID-19 positivity among the various areas of a healthcare facility in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of positive employees among all departments at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, such as administration, capital projects/facilities, and healthcare. The study included all hospital employees-permanent staff, rotating physicians, and trainees-who tested positive for COVID-19 between March 20, 2020 and December 30, 2020. RESULTS: It was found that HCWs had the most significant number of infected individuals with nursing staff being the predominant demographic. This was followed by the capital projects/facilities departments, of which the environmental services staff were the most infected. CONCLUSION: It is pertinent that strict protocols be taken by hospital management to limit the spread of future infectious diseases within hospital settings. This includes the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adequate education on its proper usage, alongside regular surveillance of staff with regard to adherence and early detection of symptoms.

Differential Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Duckweed Clones from Saudi Arabia to Salinity.

Salinity affects the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of several plant species. The current study was conducted to investigate differential salt tolerance potentials among ten duckweed clones under different salt-stress conditions. Morphological and physiological parameters, including fronds length, fronds number, root length, root number, Na+/K+, chlorophyll, proline contents, and fresh harvest weight, were recorded for each of the ten duckweed clones collected from different Saudi Arabia regions. Additionally, the expression patterns of seven salt-related genes were monitored in a salt-tolerant duckweed genotype. The results show that the Madinah-2 (Spirodela polyryiza) and Al-Qassim (Landoltia punctata) clones presented higher performances for all the tested morphological and physiological parameters compared to other genotypes under salt-stress conditions. At concentrations greater than 150 mM NaCl, these aforementioned traits were affected for all the genotypes tested, except Madinah-2 (S. polyryiza) and Al-Qassim (L. punctata) clones, both of which exhibited high tolerance behavior under high salt conditions (200 mM and 250 mM NaCl). The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first five principal components accounted for 94.8% of the total variance among the studied traits. Morphological and physiological traits are the major portions of PC1. Moreover, the expression pattern analysis of NHX, BZIP, ST, and KTrans transcript revealed their upregulation in the Al-Qassim clone under salt-stress conditions, suggesting that these genes play a role in this clone's tolerance to salt-induced stress. Overall, this study indicates that the Al-Qassim clone could be used in a brackish-water duckweed-based treatment program with a simultaneous provision of valuable plant biomass.

COVID-19 Contact Tracing Experience at a Tertiary Healthcare Center in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction As of May 2023, the end of the pandemic, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases reached more than 841,000 cases. Healthcare workers (HCWs) especially have been at the frontline during this pandemic and are at a higher chance of contracting COVID-19. Approximately half of all high-risk exposures were to healthcare personnel with COVID-19. While several tools for contact tracing were developed for the general public, contact tracing for infectious diseases in the healthcare setting is limited, and global testing of HCWs, or in-hospital digital tracing, is not performed in most facilities. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) collaborated with the Infection Control and Health Information Technology Affairs (HITA) to create an automated COVID-19 contact tracing tool specifically for HCWs who worked at the institute. This study aims to describe the contact tracing experience at KFSH&RC. Methods A retrospective study was conducted to describe the use of an automated tool that was developed to assist in the contact tracing process and that was to be used by KFSH&RC employees who had been in contact with a COVID-19-positive individual. This tool is utilized for the early identification of possible COVID-19 cases and risk stratification of the exposed individuals. The tool can be accessed through the KFSH&RC website; it also collects information about the COVID-19 exposure rate among the different departments such as administration, capital projects/facilities, and healthcare at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Results The tool has been utilized 7,353 times by contact cases. Approximately 7% of those tested later developed a COVID-19 infection. When assessing the positivity rates per department, The Environmental Services Department had the highest positivity rate of 28.21%, followed by Health Information Technology and Analytics (HITA), and then the Central Transportation Department. Conclusion This study acts as the first of its kind to describe the successful use of the healthcare contact tracing system in one of Saudi Arabia's largest hospitals (KFSH&RC) and describe the infection trends in different departments of the hospital. Through the tracing system, the departments with the highest COVID-19 infection occurrences at the hospital were identified in a timely manner, and safety protocols were implemented.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and non-syndromic orofacial cleft: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with several congenital anomalies, including non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs). This systematic review aimed to update the literature on the association between ETS and NSOFCs. METHODS: Four databases were searched up to March 2022, and studies that evaluated the association between ETS and NSOFCs were selected. Two authors selected the studies, extracted the data, and evaluated the risk of bias. Comparing the association of maternal exposure to ETS and active parental smoking with NSOFCs allowed for the creation of pooled effect estimates for the included studies. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were deemed eligible for this review, of which 14 were reported in a previous systematic review. Twenty five were case-control studies, and one was a cohort study. In total, these studies included 2142 NSOFC cases compared to 118129 controls. All meta-analyses showed an association between ETS and the risk of having a child with NSOFC, based on the cleft phenotype, risk of bias, and year of publication, with a pooled increased odds ratio of 1.80 (95% CI: 1.51-2.15). These studies had a marked heterogeneity, which decreased upon subgrouping based on the recent year of publication and the risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: ETS exposure was associated with more than a 1.5-fold increase in the risk of having a child with NSOFC, showing a higher odds ratio than paternal and maternal active smoking. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database # CRD42021272909.

Investigation of the Radiographer's adherence and compliance with radiation protection and infection control practices during COVID-19 mobile radiography.

Radiological staff, especially radiographers, work as front liners against the COVID-19 outbreak. This study aims to assess compliance with radiation protection and infection control practices during COVID-19 mobile radiography procedures. This cross-sectional study included 234 radiographers (females, 56%, n = 131; males, 44%, n = 103) who were asked to complete an online questionnaire consisting of demographic data, radiation protection and infection control practices during COVID-19 portable cases, and knowledge and awareness. After informed consent was completed, SPSS statistical software was used for the data analysis. The most common age group of participants ranged from 18 to 25 years old (30.3%, n = 71). Bachelor's degree holders were 74.4% (n = 174). Most radiographers (39.7%, n = 93) had a working experience of 1-5 years, followed by 27.8% (n = 65) with more than 16 years of experience. Most respondents (62.4%, n = 146) handled approximately 1-5 cases daily, the majority of them (56%, n = 131) stated affirmatively they had obtained special training to handle COVID-19, and when inquired if they had received any special allowances for handling COVID-19 suspected/confirmed cases most of them stated negative (73.9%, n = 173). Most participants stated that they always wear a TLD during portable cases (67.1%, n = 157) and a lead apron (51.7%, n = 121). Around 73% (n = 171) knew the latest information on COVID-19 and attended the COVID-19 awareness course. A significant association was found between the work experience of the radiographers and their responses to following the best practices (p = 0.018, α = 0.05). Radiographers who had COVID-19 training (µ = 48.78) tend to adhere more to best practices than those who have not (p = 0.04, α = 0.05). Further, respondents who handled more than 16/more COVID-19 suspected/confirmed cases followed the best practices more (µ = 50.38) than those who handled less (p = 0.04, α = 0.05). This study revealed detailed information on radiation protection and infection control practices during COVID-19 mobile radiography. It has been observed that the participants/radiographers have good knowledge and awareness of radiation protection and infection-control practices. The present results may be used to plan future requirements regarding resources and training to ensure patient safety.

The Actual Role of Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm Methods in Several Saudi Hospitals As A Tool For Radiation Dose Minimization of Ct Scan Examinations.

Background: Iterative reconstruction algorithm (IR) techniques were developed to maintain a lower radiation dose for patients as much as possible while achieving the required image quality and medical benefits. The main purpose of the current research was to assess the level and usage extent of IR techniques in computed tomographic (CT) scan exams. Also, the obligation of practitioners in several hospitals in Saudi Arabia to implement IR in CT exams was assessed. Material and Methodology: The recent research was based on two studies: data collection and a survey study. Data on the CT scan examinations were retrospectively collected from CT scanners. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire to evaluate radiographers' and radiologists' perceptions about IR and their practices with IR techniques. The statistical analysis results were performed to measure the usage strength level of IR methods. Results and Discussions: The IR strength level of 50% was selected for nearly 80% of different CT examinations and patients of different ages and weights. About 46% of the participants had not learned about IR methods during their college studies, and 54% had not received formal training in applying IR techniques. Only 32% of the participants had adequate experience with IR. Half of the participants were not involved in the updating process of the CT protocol. Conclusion: The results indicate that the majority of radiographer and radiologist at four different hospitals in Saudi Arabia have no explicit or understandable knowledge of selecting IR strength levels during the CT examination of patients. There is a need for more training in IR applications for both radiologists and radiographers. Training sessions were suggested to support radiographers and radiologists to efficiently utilize IR techniques to optimize image quality. Further studies are required to adjust CT exam protocols effectively to utilize the IR technique.

Dental Undergraduates and Interns' Awareness, Attitudes, and Perception of Radiological Protection.

Medical ionizing radiation is widely used in hospitals, in particular dental clinics, and in medical research to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The awareness, attitude, and perception of ionizing radiation exposure among dental undergraduate students and interns in radiological investigations and dental care clinics were investigated. A cross-sectional study was conducted; 17 questions were designed online using the software "QuestionPro," which was licensed to the University of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal. Participants included senior medical dental students from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in their third to fifth years, as well as interns from King Fahad University Hospital and private dental care clinics. A total of 855 participants viewed, 360 started the questionnaire, and 258 (72%) completed it online. Overall, knowledge was lacking; 32% of respondents incorrectly believed that magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound used ionizing radiation, while 38% were unsure. Dental X-rays were deemed harmful by 40% (n = 104) of respondents. According to 33% (n = 85) of participants, there is no radiation scatter during an X-ray or CT scan, while 30% (n = 76) are unsure. Respondents (44%; n = 104) were unaware of the radiation dose from a chest radiograph and (45%; n = 116) overestimated the radiation dose. The effects of ionizing radiation on healthy tissue are known to more than half of the participants (54%). According to 39% of respondents, digital radiography exposes them to less radiation than traditional radiography. In terms of radiation protection and hazard, 46% said personal monitoring badges should be always worn and 58% (n = 150) said lead aprons should be used on a regular basis. 63% of the subjects had received radiation protection education, such as formal lectures, tutorials, or workshops, while 37% (n = 95) had not. 53% of the respondents were not aware of the international recommendations from the International Commission on Radiological Protection. When asked if they would follow radiation protection protocols if they opened a private dental clinical practice in the future, 50% (n = 129) said they would.

Response of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Genotypes to Heat Stress Using Morphological and Expression Study.

Due to unfavorable environmental conditions, heat stress is one of the significant production restrictions for the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop. The tomato crop is considered an important vegetable crop globally and represents a model plant for fruit development research. The heat shock factor (HSF) gene family contains plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) that are highly conserved and play a key role in plant high-temperature stress responses. The current study was designed to determine the relative response of heat stress under three different temperatures in the field condition to determine its relative heat tolerance. Furthermore, the study also characterized heat shock genes in eight tomato genotypes under different temperature regimes. The expressions of each gene were quantified using qPCR. The descriptive statistics results suggested a high range of diversity among the studied variables growing under three different temperatures. The qPCR study revealed that the SlyHSF genes play an important role in plant heat tolerance pathways. The expression patterns of HSF genes in tomatoes have been described in various tissues were determined at high temperature stress. The genes, SlyHSFs-1, SlyHSFs-2, SlyHSFs-8, SlyHSFs-9 recorded upregulation expression relative to SlyHSFs-3, SlyHSFs-5, SlyHSFs-10, and SlyHSFs-11. The genotypes, Strain B, Marmande VF, Pearson's early, and Al-Qatif-365 recorded the tolerant tomato genotypes under high-temperature stress conditions relative to other genotypes. The heat map analysis also confirmed the upregulation and downregulation of heat shock factor genes among the tomato genotypes. These genotypes will be introduced in the breeding program to improve tomato responses to heat stress.

Evaluation of Pediatric Imaging Modalities Practices of Radiologists and Technologists: A Survey-Based Study.

Introduction: Radiation protection for pediatric patients is the main concern in pediatric computed tomography (CT) due to their sensitive organs, such as the brain and the thyroid glands. Accordingly, an optimization of pediatric CT practices is vital to minimize the radiation dose for this population. Aim: To assess the pediatric CT practices of radiologists and technologists in a CT unit. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 26 hospitals, located in various regions in Saudi Arabia. A total of 200 hard copies of the questionnaire were distributed manually and were collected for analysis. In total, 117 completed surveys were gathered from technologies, while 49 were gathered from radiologists. Results: In the case of infants with hydrocephalus, 65% of the radiologists ordered an ultrasound (US), 24% ordered a head CT scan, and 10% ordered a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and general X-ray for diagnosis. For pediatric patients complaining of persistent headache, 59% and 27% of the radiologists recommended CT and MRI, respectively, for diagnosis. Conclusion: Most of the radiologists utilize CT head scan to diagnose persistent headache (by 59%) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) malfunction (by 41%) in pediatric patients compared with the other modalities. The use of CT can increase the risk of later malignancy among pediatric patients due to radiation exposure. Alternative imaging modalities such as US and MRI (non-ionized radiation) should be considered to reduce the ionizing radiation hazards and optimize the current practices of radiologists. Most of the technologists follow radiation protection protocols in this study as 63% of the technologists used lead apron for pediatric patient's protection. Radiation awareness training for the technologists could improve the knowledge about the benefits of using lead apron and reduce the radiation risks in pediatric patients.

Morphological Characterization and DNA Barcoding of Duckweed Species in Saudi Arabia.

Duckweeds, or Lemnaceae, are widespread aquatic plants. Morphology-based identification of duckweed species is difficult because of their structural complexity. Hence, molecular tools provide significant advantages for characterizing and selecting species or clones for sustainable commercial use. In this study, we collected and characterized ten duckweed isolates from nine different regions in Saudi Arabia (SA). Based on the morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis of intergenic spacer sequences of chloroplast DNA using six barcoding markers, the clones were classified into three genera, represented by seven species: Lemna gibba L., Lemna minor L., Lemna japonica Landolt, Lemna aequinoctialis Welw., Lemna perpusilla Torr., Spirodela polyryiza (L.) Schleid., and Landoltia punctate G. Mey. Lemna gibba was revealed to be a distinct dominant duckweed species in many regions of SA. Five barcoding markers showed that L. gibba, L. minor, and L. punctata were the most widely distributed species in the country. However, L. punctata, L. perpusilla, and S. polyryiza were the dominant species in the Al-Qassim, Madinah-1, and Madinah-2 regions, respectively. Moreover, the morphological traits revealed variations for these clones, relative to other studied duckweed clones. According to the results obtained in this study, three out of six plastid markers (trnH-psbA, matK, and atpF-atpH) helped to identify the dominant duckweed species in Saudi Arabia. Further evaluation based on adaptability, molecular genetic studies, and functional genomics is needed for these species to be used at the commercial level in Saudi Arabia.

Chest Radiological Findings and Clinical Characteristics of Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients from Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory disease that first emerged in China in December 2019 and quickly spread worldwide. As the prevalence of COVID-19 increases, radiological examination is becoming an essential diagnostic tool for identifying and managing the disease's progression. Therefore, we aimed to identify the chest imaging features and clinical characteristics of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective study, data of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were collected from 4 hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Their common clinical characteristics, as well as imaging features of chest X-rays and computed tomography (CT) images, were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 297 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who underwent chest imaging were investigated in this study. Of these patients, 77.9% were male and 22.2% were female. Their mean age was 48 years old. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (187 patients; 63%) and cough (174 patients; 58.6%). The predominant descriptive chest imaging findings were ground-glass opacities and consolidation. Locations of abnormalities were bilateral, mainly distributed peripherally, in the lower lung zones, and in the middle lung zones. CONCLUSIONS This study provides an understanding of the most common clinical and radiological features of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. The majority of COVID-19 patients in our study cohort had either stable or worse progression of lung lesions during follow-ups; thus, they presented moderate disease cases. Elderly males were more affected by COVID-19 than females, with fever and cough being the most common clinical symptoms.

Evaluation of Frost Damage and Pod Set in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) under Field Conditions.

Frost is one factor that causes extensive yield losses globally. A study was conducted to evaluate frost damage under field conditions and assess the genetic variation of flowers converting into pods. Diverse faba bean genotypes were evaluated under four growing seasons in a randomized complete block design: three at the University of Sydney, Narrabri, Australia (2014-2016) with three sowing dates, and one at the Agricultural Research Station, Dirab, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2016/2017) in one sowing. Visual methods were used to estimate frost damage and record the development of pods. Radiation frost in 2014 (Narrabri) damaged lower pods, while advection frost in 2016/2017 (Dirab) damaged upper pods. The radiation frost formed immediately above the ground; therefore, flowers and pods of taller plants minimized the damage because of their long distance from the ground. The earliest (mid-April) and middle sowing (7 May) suffered more by frost, while a delay in sowing (last week in May) led to frost escape or minor damage. The genotypes IX474/4-3 and 11NF010a-2 showed low sensitivity to frost at the vegetative and reproductive stages. Flowers developed at the beginning of flowering had a faster and higher pod formation rate (41-43%) than those formed later and contributed more to yields. Therefore, a severe frost at the beginning of flowering can cause a significant yield loss as these flowers are the most productive. The frost-tolerant genotypes, and faster and higher pod forming rates, identified in this study can be exploited to breed better varieties in the future.

Assessment of morphological and molecular variability of some Solanum melongena L. cultivars and wild Solanum incanum L. in Saudi Arabia.

The genus Solanum exhibits a wide range of variability in morphology, flavor, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Phenotypic and genetic variability using ISSR and RAPD markers of Solanum incanum distributed in Al-Baha province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is assessed. Thirty samples are representing three different locations: Baljershy, Aqeeq, and Tohama, besides twenty-five samples representing five different commercial cultivars tested. Growth type, the number of leaves per plant, fruit size (phenotypic traits), crude protein, carbohydrates, digestive organic matter, and Mg, Ca, P were the principal contributors in the PCA. Molecular analysis showed that 114 ISSR and 80 RAPD alleles with a 100% polymorphism were recorded. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.84 to 0.91 for ISSR and from 0.59 to 0.89 for RAPD data. Similarity values ranged from 0.16 to 1.00, with an average of 0.47 for ISSR and from 0.01 to 0.97, with an average of 0.36 for RAPD. It resulted in a positive and significant correlation between morphological, molecular, nutritional, and chemical analysis of fruits using Mantel analysis. UPGMA and PCA for morphological traits and molecular data discriminated commercial cultivars and wild relatives. Solanum incanum was more diverse than commercial varieties. This study revealed a wide genetic diversity among and within collected eggplant accessions and may use in breeding programs of eggplants. There is a need to increase the present eggplant collection to widen the genetic diversity of cultivated eggplant varieties in Saudi Arabia.