Assessing the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccine in different scenarios in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the different side effects of COVID-19 vaccines at different scenarios in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study sought to investigate the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines through an online survey of 2,718 participants in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: People can manage their expectations about vaccine side effects and deal with symptoms better by knowing beforehand that they are likely to experience mild side effects for a short period, symptoms that are manifested regardless of age, and infection before or after vaccination. There are certain uncommon side effects that affect more people who got infected, and not before vaccination; there are side effects that disproportionately impact women, and also the side effects that wane after the second dose. CONCLUSION: These findings can assist in evaluating the concerns regarding vaccine acceptance. The public should be made aware that they are likely to experience at least one side effect, with temporary post-injection inflammation, musculoskeletal pain, fever, and headache as the most commonly reported side effects across the board. However, the common symptoms are mild to moderate, and the side effects last for a short period for most people.

Efficacy of telehealth core exercises during COVID-19 after bariatric surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery (BS) is presently the most durable and effective intervention to address severe obesity. BS results in significant weight loss and body composition changes, with reductions in both fat mass and lean mass. Conequently, muscle tissue wasting and a reduction in muscle strength and endurance seem to take place. Some studies have evaluated the impact of resistance training on changes in lean body mass and muscle strength either alone or along with protein supplementation in the first year after BS. However, the effects of core stabilization training on core endurance, postural control, and aerobic capacity in patients after BS have not been evaluated. AIM: This study assessed the effect of a home telehealth core stabilization exercise program on core stability, postural control, and aerobic capacity in patients after BS. DESIGN: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Home-based exercise program. POPULATION: Patients after BS. METHODS: Fifty-four patients who underwent BS randomly assigned into study and control groups. The study group followed a telehealth supervised home core stabilization program for 8 weeks, while the control group did not receive any form of exercises. Core endurance tests, postural stability, and aerobic capacity were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks in both groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted between groups at baseline (P>0.05). The outcome of the group comparisons showed significant improvement in core endurance tests, postural stability, and aerobic capacity in the study group. Between groups comparision showed that the study group scores significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). However, the control group showed non-significant changes in any measured variables after eight weeks (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of a home-based telehealth core exercise program improves core endurance, postural stability, and aerobic capacity in patients after BS. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The core stabilization exercise is an important rehabilitation program that should be implemented after BS. Telehealth is an alternative rehabilitation tool during the COVID -19 pandemic.

Sulfated Extract of Abelmoschus Esculentus: A Potential Cancer Chemo-preventive Agent.

BACKGROUND: Abelmoschus esculentus (AE) (okra), is an edible plant used in many food applications. OBJECTIVE: This study explored whether sulfated AE (SAE) has promising cancer chemopreventive activities that may recommend it as a functional food supplement instead of (or in addition to) AE for the population at risk of cancer and in the health food industry. METHODS: Cytochrome P450-1A (CYP1A) was estimated by fluorescence enzymatic reaction, using ß-naphthoflavone-treated cells (CYP1A inducer). Peroxyl and hydroxyl radical scavenging was assayed by oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis/necrosis in MCF-7 cells, cell cycle phases in MCF-7 cells, and macrophage binding to fluorescein isothiocyanate-lipopolysaccharide (FITC-LPS). Nitric oxide was determined by Griess assay in LPS-stimulated macrophages, and cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was used to induce hepatic tumor initiation in rats. Placental glutathione-S-transferase (GSTP; an initiation marker) was stained in a fluorescence immunohistochemical analysis of liver sections, and histopathological changes were examined. RESULTS: SAE exhibited strong antitumor initiation and antitumor promotion activities. It suppressed CYP1A, scavenged peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals, induced macrophage proliferation, suppressed macrophage binding to FITC-LPS, inhibited nitric oxide generation, showed specific cytotoxicity to human breast MCF-7 adenocarcinoma cells, and disturbed the cell cycle phases (S and G2/M phases) in association with an increased percentage of apoptotic/necrotic MCF-7 cells. Over a short time period, DEN stimulated liver cancer initiation, but SAE treatment reduced the DEN-induced histopathological alterations and inhibited CYP1A and GSTP. CONCLUSION: SAE extract has the potential for use as an alternative to AE in health foods to provide cancer chemoprevention in populations at risk for cancer.

Detection of TEM, AmpC, SHV, CTX-M, and MCR-1 Genes in Gram Negative Isolates of Urinary Tract Infections.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection caused by the presence and growth of microorganisms anywhere in the urinary tract. It is usually due to bacteria from the digestive tract which climb the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply to cause infection. However, UTI is more frequent in female than male, because of the short urethra, absence of prostatic secretion, and pregnancy. METHODS: This study was aimed to detect extended spectrum beta lactamase and MCR-1genes from Gram negative bacterial clinical isolates from urinary tract infections. Ninety-one urine samples were collected in this study, then cultured on CLED agar and identified by conventional biochemical methods. Modified Kirby-Bauer method was used for sensitivity testing. Genomic DNA extracted by boiling method, and multiplex PCR was conducted to amplify TEM, AmpC, MCR-1, SHV, and CTX-M genes from all Gram-negative isolates. RESULTS: The result of the susceptibility test revealed that the highest resistant rates were 73% for Ceftazidime, followed by 63%, 56%, and 55% for Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, and Co-trimoxazole, respectively, and 21% were resistant to Imipenem. Moreover, for the presence of resistance genes, multiplex PCR results displayed that the TEM gene was present in 34% of bacteria, AmpC gene was found in 49.4% of isolates. Also, 38.5% and 6.6% were positive for MCR-1 gene and SHV gene, respectively. All Proteus species were negative to MCR-1 and TEM genes. Fifty E. coli, 7 Klebsiella pneumonia, two Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and five Proteus species were positive for CTX-M gene and all Citrobacter spp. were negative for CTX-M gene. Eighty-nine isolates were positive for one or more ESBL genes, while two isolates were negative to all genes. CTX-M gene is predominant among uropathogenic bacteria and imipenem is the best effective antibiotic. CONCLUSIONS: This recent study proved that the result of the susceptibility test revealed that the highest resistant rate were 73% for Ceftazidime, followed by 63%, 56%, and 55% for Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, and Co-trimoxazole, respectively, and 21% were resistant to imipenem.

Assessment of Antithrombin III and Protein C in Saudi Myocardial Infarction Patients.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI), commonly referred to as a heart attack, happens when the blood flow to part of the heart stops, causing damage to the heart muscle. Chest pain or discomfort that may flow into the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw is the most common symptom. Most MIs occur due to coronary artery disease. High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood pressure, poor diet, excessive alcohol use, etc. are risk factors. Antithrombin III (AT III) is a glycoprotein produced by the liver and consists of 432 amino acids. Protein C, also referred to as autoprothrombin IIA and factor XIV of blood coagulation, is a zymogen. In regulating anticoagulation, inflammation, cell death, and maintaining the permeability of blood vessel walls in humans and other animals, the activated form of protein C plays an important role. METHODS: A case control study was conducted in Saudi Arabia to determine the levels of AT III and protein C in Saudi MI patients. Samples (n = 150) from MI patients as well as healthy controls (n = 50) were collected (2.5 mL of venous blood for sandwich ELISA). RESULTS: This study showed that the mean AT III and protein C levels were within normal levels in patients (86 ± 19.63 and 76.20 ± 30.64, respectively). A comparison of mean AT III and protein C levels in patient and control groups showed no significant difference (p-value = 0.26, 0.2, and 0.19, respectively). The results also showed that some of the samples had low levels of AT III (8.7%) and protein C (11.3%). CONCLUSIONS: A deficiency of AT III and protein C were not strong significant risk factors for myocardial infarction.

Prevalence of anemia among Saudi patients with solid cancers at diagnosis in King Faisal Hospital, Taif Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia among patients newly diagnosed with solid malignancies at King Faisal Hospital in Taif Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted from December 2017 to March 2020. A total of 320 patients newly diagnosed with solid malignancy were examined to assess anemia prevalence. RESULTS: Of 320 patients with solid cancers, 245 (76.6%) were female and 75 (23.4%) were male. The median (interquartile range) age of 57 (45 ─ 66) years, range between 16 and 108 years. The types of cancer included were breast (29.1%), female genital tract (20.0%), colorectal (25.3%), head and neck (10.3%), urinary bladder (4.7%), prostate (5.0%), lung (2.5%), liver (2.2%) and lymphoma (0.9%). The prevalence of anemia at diagnosis of cancer was 44.1% across all cancer types. A higher anemia prevalence was noted in colorectal (n = 46/81, 56.8%) (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Patients with colorectal or female genital tract cancers had a higher anemia prevalence (56.8% and 43.8%, respectively) than did patients with other cancers.

A 10-Week Program of Combined Hippotherapy and Scroth's Exercises Improves Balance and Postural Asymmetries in Adolescence Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION: The most frequent type of spine abnormality throughout adolescence was adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Hippotherapy improved posture, balance and gait of different musculoskeletal conditions. Therefore, this study aims to see how hippotherapy combined with Schroth exercises affected postural asymmetry and dynamic balance in AIS compared to traditional physiotherapy (Schroth exercises) alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, fifty-two patients with AIS (10-18 years, 37 girls and 15 boys) participated. They were arbitrarily allocated into two groups: experimental (19 female/8 male; aged 14.74 ± 1.79 years; Cobb angle 18.59 ± 2.66 degrees) and control (18 female/7 male; aged 15.04 ± 1.81 years; Cobb angle 19.32 ± 2.69 degrees) groups. Both groups received Schroth exercises for 10 weeks, three days/week. The experimental group additionally received hippotherapy training. Pre-treatment and post-treatment assessment for the scoliotic, kyphotic angle, pelvic obliquity, pelvic torsion and vertical spinal rotation and the anteroposterior, mediolateral and overall stability indices were assessed using the formetric system 4D and Biodex Balance System, respectively. RESULTS: After intervention, both groups illustrated significant improvements in all examined variables (p < 0.05). The experimental group illustrated significant improvements in scoliotic angle, kyphotic angle, pelvic obliquity, pelvic torsion and vertical spinal rotation and the stability indices compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In adolescence idiopathic scoliosis, hippotherapy training combined with Schroth exercises improves posture asymmetry and balancing ability more effectively than Schroth exercises alone.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms as a risk factor for obesity in Saudi men.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity and vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia has increased recently. Decreased physical activity might play a role in obesity. Previous studies showed an association between low vitamin D level and its receptor polymorphism with obesity development. OBJECTIVE: To determine association of low vitamin D level and its receptor polymorphism with obesity in Saudi men. METHODS: This case control study was carried out from March 2016 through March 2017. Three hundred Saudi male students (from applied medical sciences in Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia) were classified according to BMI into lean, overweight and obese groups. For each individual, blood glucose, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, insulin and 25-(OH) vitamin D were measured. In addition, Apal, BsmI and TaqI genotypes were performed for each individual from March 2016 through March 2017, through computer-based search of the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science (Thomson ReutersTM). The references of the original literature and the related articles were also searched, for potential complementary studies. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, using Spearman's rho and ANOVA tests. RESULTS: There was significant negative association between 25-(OH) vitamin D level and obesity (p<0.01). Genotyping study showed that both bb of BsmI and tt of TaqI genotypes were higher in the obese group compared with lean group (p<0.05). Moreover, bb genotype has higher BMI and HOMA-IR than both BB and Bb; and tt genotype also has higher BMI and HOMA-IR than TT and Tt genotypes (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Low vitamin D level and VDR BsmI and Taq1 genotypes may be a risk factor of obesity.

Polyphenols are responsible for the proapoptotic properties of pomegranate juice on leukemia cell lines.

Pomegranates have shown great promise as anti-cancer agents in a number of cancers including clinical trials in prostate cancer. We have previously shown pomegranate juice (PGJ) induced apoptosis and preferentially alters the cell cycle in leukemia cell lines compared with nontumor control cells. However, the agents responsible have not yet been fully elucidated. Treatment of four leukemia cell lines with five fractions obtained from PGJ by solid phase extraction demonstrated that only the acetonitrile fractions decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in all leukemia cell lines. Acetonitrile fractions also significantly activated caspase-3 and induced nuclear morphology characteristic of apoptosis. S phase arrest was induced by acetonitrile fractions which matched S phase arrest seen previously following whole PGJ treatments. The acetonitrile fractions contained higher phenol content than whole PGJ whereas only low levels of phenols were seen in any other fraction. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis demonstrated that acetonitrile fractions were enriched in ellagitannins, ellagic acid, and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives but depleted in anthocyanins. Individual treatments with identified compounds demonstrated that the ellagitannin: punicalagin was the most active and mimicked the responses seen following acetonitrile fraction treatment. Bioactive components within pomegranate were confined to the acetonitrile fraction of PGJ. The enrichment in ellagitannins and hydroxycinnamic acids suggest these may provide the majority of the bioactivities of PGJ. Individual treatments with compounds identified demonstrated that the ellagitannin: punicalagin was the most active agent, highlighting this compound as a key bioactive agent in PGJ.

Bioactive actions of pomegranate fruit extracts on leukemia cell lines in vitro hold promise for new therapeutic agents for leukemia.

Studies suggest that pomegranates contain bioactive chemicals with potential for treatment and prevention of cancer. Pomegranate juice extracts (PJE) have been shown to inhibit cellular proliferation and tumor growth and induce cell death via apoptosis in a number of cancer cell lines. However, to date, few studies have investigated the potential of PJE in the treatment of leukemia. We investigated the potential effect of PJE on induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cellular proliferation in 8 leukemia cell lines (4 lymphoid and 4 myeloid) and nontumor hematopoietic stem cells (control cells). Apoptosis was assessed by 2 methods: Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining with flow cytometric analysis and 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) morphological assessment. Cell cycle stage was investigated using propidum iodide staining of DNA content and flow cytometric analysis. Live cell counts were also performed using a trypan exclusion assay. PJE significantly induced apoptosis in all cell lines, including nontumor control cells, although lymphoid cells and 2 of the myeloid cell lines were more sensitive. Furthermore, PJE induced cell cycle arrest. These results were confirmed by DAPI analysis and viable cell counts using trypan blue exclusion assay. Our results provide evidence that PJE contain bioactive compounds that could be used in the treatment of leukemia.