Polymorphisms and expressions of ADSL, MC4R and CAPN1 genes and their effects on economic traits in Egyptian chicken breeds.

In recent years, strategic plans for poultry production have emphasized quantitative traits, particularly body weight and carcass traits (meat yield), in response to overpopulation challenges. Candidate genes such as adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL), melanocortin-4-receptor (MC4R), and calpain 1 (CAPN1) have played vital roles in this context due to their associations with muscle growth and body composition. This study aims to investigate the influence of polymorphisms and gene expressions of the aforementioned genes on body weight (BW), growth rate (GR), breast weight (BrW), and thigh weight (TW) across four distinct chicken breeds: Fayoumi, Matrouh, Mamourah, and Leghorn. The use of PCR-SSCP analysis revealed genetic polymorphisms through the identification of various patterns (genotypes) within the three examined genes. The ADSL, MC4R, and CAPN1 genes exhibited five, three, and two different genotypes, respectively. These polymorphisms displayed promising connections with enhancing economically significant production traits, particularly BW, BrW and TW. Furthermore, gene expression analyses were conducted on breast and thigh tissues obtained from the chicken breeds at 60 days of age, where ADSL and MC4R exhibited a noteworthy up-regulation in Fayoumi and Matrouh breeds, and down-regulation in Mamourah and Leghorn. In contrast, CAPN1 expression decreased across most breeds with a slight increase noted in Fayoumi breed. In conclusion, this investigation underscores the substantial impact of ADSL, MC4R, and CAPN1 genes on economically important production traits within Egyptian domestic chicken breeds. Consequently, these genes emerge as significant molecular markers, holding potential utility in avian selection and breeding programs aimed at enhancing productive performance.

Awareness of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among the Middle-Aged Population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a common and often underdiagnosed condition, imposes a significant burden on individuals, particularly in middle-aged populations. This study aims to assess the awareness and prevalence of CTS among middle-aged residents in Riyadh, highlighting the crucial need for targeted educational initiatives to address knowledge gaps. Methodology A cross-sectional study design was employed to capture a snapshot of CTS awareness and prevalence among the middle-aged population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants aged 40-60 residing in Riyadh were included. A self-reported questionnaire gathered data on demographics, CTS diagnosis, and awareness levels regarding symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and the impact of CTS. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and Chi-squared tests. Results We collected 415 valid responses to the questionnaire. The demographic profile revealed a balanced gender distribution, with 48.4% (n=201) males and 51.6% (n=214) females, and a majority (66.5%; n=276) within the 40-50 age range. A substantial 87.2% (n=362) reported no prior CTS diagnosis. Neuroimaging studies were infrequently conducted at 15.9% (n=66). Participants exhibited significant knowledge gaps, notably in the awareness of CTS diagnosis 66.3% (n=275) uncertainty, symptoms 55.4% (n=230) lack of knowledge, and risk factors 54.7% (n=227) lack of awareness. The results indicated uncertainty regarding the relationship between CTS and diabetes 63.9% (n=265) and knowledge gaps on anesthesia methods for CTS operations 64.1% (n=294). The association between age and CTS diagnosis was significant (p-value 0.004), while awareness did not significantly vary with gender or age. Conclusion This study unveils a substantial lack of awareness about CTS among the middle-aged population in Riyadh, emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions. The prevalence of CTS remains underreported, with a notable gap in understanding symptoms, risk factors, and available treatments; the findings underscore the vital importance of targeted educational programs designed to raise public awareness, bridge information gaps, and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their hand health.

Patient Satisfaction With Quality of Care at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background The emergency department (ED) is the first contact of many individuals who require acute health services. This study was the first to be conducted among patients in different regions of Saudi Arabia to determine patient satisfaction with emergency healthcare services using the Arabic version of the Echelle de Qualité des Soins en Hospitalisation (EQS-H). Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,997 patients admitted to the ED in different hospitals in different regions of Saudi Arabia. The study was based on a self-reported questionnaire validated to assess the satisfaction of patients with ED healthcare services called EQS-H. In this study, we used an Arabic version of the questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using R version 3.6.3. Results The study was conducted among 2,997 patients (36.7% males and 63.3% females). Regarding region, respondents from the central region represented one-third of the sample (31.7%), followed by respondents from the western, eastern, and southern regions (24.1%, 16.9%, and 14.6%, respectively). Statistical analysis showed that the average percentage score for the clarity of information was significantly higher in the central region than in other regions and was lowest in the eastern region. Individuals aged 26-35 years (B = -2.54 and P < 0.05), male sex (B = -1.63 and P < 0.05), Saudis (B = -3.81 and P < 0.05), longer ED length of stay (LOS) (B = -2.19 and P < 0.001), worse perceived health state, and lower life satisfaction scale scores were significantly associated with lower levels of satisfaction with ED services. Perceived improvement is the strongest predictor of satisfaction. Conclusion Moderate satisfaction levels were reported in both the clarity of information domain and relationship with staff domain among patients admitted to EDs in different regions of Saudi Arabia, with better results in the central region.