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Introduction: Recent advancements in medical imaging, such as point shear wave elastography (pSWE), offer non-invasive methods to assess tissue stiffness and structural changes. This study explores the use of pSWE to evaluate pancreatic stiffness and dimensions in three different pancreas parts., Methods: This study was conducted at diagnostic radiology department, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, between June 2022 and November,2022. Thirty-one diabetic patients and thirty-one healthy controls were included. Ultrasound pSWE examination was performed using a ultrasound system (Philips Elite Epic 7) to measure stiffness across different pancreatic parts. Pancreatic stiffness was quantified in meters per second (m/s), and the dimensions of each pancreatic part were recorded. Different parameters, including age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and comorbidities, were collected and analyzed., Results: Diabetic patients exhibited significantly higher shear wave velocities (SWVs) compared to healthy controls, indicating increased pancreatic stiffness. The mean shear wave velocity was 1.7 m/s in diabetic versus 0.6 m/s in controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, the pancreatic head dimensions were significantly large in diabetic patients (2.1 cm vs. 1.8 cm; p = 0.003), while the body and tail part showed no significant differences. A positive correlation was found between SWVs and BMI., Conclusion: The findings underscore the potential of pSWE as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early detection and monitoring of diabetes-related pancreatic alterations. Assessing pancreatic stiffness and dimensions through pSWE can help in identify patients at risk for pancreatic complications and optimize management strategies., Implications for Practice: Point shear wave elastography (pSWE) could be a useful, non-invasive tool for early detection of pancreatic changes in diabetic patients, identifying those at risk for complications. Integrating pSWE into routine diabetes check may enhance early interventions and improve outcomes., (Copyright © 2024 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level. MetS development is affected by endocrine hormones such as prolactin (PRL) hormone which induce insulin resistance and central obesity because PRL is implicated in the pathogenesis of MetS. Pituitary PRL controls mammary gland, however extra-pituitary PRL is highly intricate in the regulation of adipose tissue function. In addition, cAMP activators enhance expression and release of PRL which involved in the control of lipogenesis and energy homeostasis. Consequently, hyperprolactinaemia may be associated with the development of MetS. However, normal physiological level of PRL is essential for insulin sensitivity and regulation of adipose tissue function and energy metabolism. Therefore, PRL has dual effects on the components of MetS. Hence, the present review aims to discuss the modulatory mechanistic role of PRL on MetS regarding its beneficial and detrimental effects., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Key Clinical Message: Molybdenum cofactor deficiency is a rare and fatal genetic disorder. Due to recurrence in the family, the etiological diagnosis could have impacted family planning and alertness to future offspring., Abstract: Molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) is a rare and fatal genetic disorder that impairs molybdenum-dependent enzymes, resulting in conspicuous elevated urine sulfite levels and lowered serum uric acid levels. The disorder may be early-onset, causing high fatality in neonates due to secondary complications, or late-onset, manifesting in the first 2 years of life. Severe seizures, progressive neurological degeneration, motor abnormalities, and feeding difficulties are hallmarks of MoCD. Due to the similarity of clinical findings with those of sulfite oxidase deficiency and its neurological findings with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, determining the true etiology remains challenging in MoCD patients. This case report presents a neonate in the first week of life with early onset refractory seizures, motor abnormalities, hypoactivity, and poor feeding behavior. Administering anti-epileptic drugs did not improve the patient's condition, who started decompensating further. Nevertheless, a thorough screening for metabolic disorders revealed low serum uric acid and high sulfite levels in the urine, indicating potential MoCD. A whole exome sequencing (WES) was thus consulted for confirmatory diagnosis. Unfortunately, the patient's WES results were received after his demise, revealing MoCD caused by a novel variant of the MoCS2 gene that has not yet been reported to the best of our knowledge. This case emphasizes the need to disseminate crucial information regarding MoCD and its etiologies for prompt molecular diagnosis to reduce morbidity and mortality., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the social stigma directed toward patients with HIV are serious public health issues. We aimed to evaluate the HIV knowledge base and stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with HIV among students enrolled in medical schools in Saudi Arabia., Methods: This cross-sectional study included students at medical colleges in Saudi Arabia and was conducted between February and March 2023. We used non-random convenience sampling with an online chain referral via a validated Arabic questionnaire composed of 35 questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics., Results: A total of 1,213 medical students (women: 56.6%) participated in the study. Students in clinical years had a higher level of HIV knowledge than their pre-clinical colleagues. Logistic regression analysis revealed that participants who gave incorrect answers to questions related to mother-to-child and casual contact HIV transmission had a higher likelihood of harboring a negative attitude towards patients with HIV. Conversely, those who correctly answered queries on prevention and treatment were less likely to have stigmatizing attitudes. A significant proportion of this cohort harbored negative attitudes toward patients with HIV, with the sex and geographic location of participants being significant predictors of negative attitudes., Conclusion: Our data have revealed a significant percentage of medical students in Saudi Arabia to have misconceptions about HIV transmission and prevention, and stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with HIV, indicating a need for targeted interventions to enhance the HIV knowledge base in this population of future caregivers., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Aim: This study investigates the altered expression and CpG methylation patterns of histone demethylase KDM8 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), aiming to uncover insights and promising diagnostics biomarkers. Materials & methods: Leveraging TCGA-LIHC multi-omics data, we employed R/Bioconductor libraries and Cytoscape to analyze and construct a gene correlation network, and LASSO regression to develop an HCC-predictive model. Results: In HCC, KDM8 downregulation is correlated with CpGs hypermethylation. Differential gene correlation analysis unveiled a liver carcinoma-associated network marked by increased cell division and compromised liver-specific functions. The LASSO regression identified a highly accurate HCC prediction signature, prominently featuring CpG methylation at cg02871891. Conclusion: Our study uncovers CpG hypermethylation at cg02871891, possibly influencing KDM8 downregulation in HCC, suggesting these as promising biomarkers and targets.

Background: Alström syndrome (AS) represents an exceptionally rare genetic disorder characterized by a constellation of features including cardiomyopathy, progressive hearing and vision impairment, as well as obesity. This study seeks to elucidate the genetic underpinnings of this syndrome within the Saudi Arabian population., Methods: Employing an extended family cohort, we conducted an exhaustive molecular genetic assessment to delineate the presence of Alström syndrome. Additionally, we conducted an extensive review of existing literature from Saudi population to contextualize our findings within the broader understanding of the disorder in our country., Results: Within our studied extended family, we identified two individuals harboring the homozygous pathogenic mutation (c.2729C>G) in the ALMS1 gene [NM&#95;015120.4:c.2729C>G (p.Ser910*)]. Notably, carrier status was observed in the parents, whereas some siblings exhibited typical alleles while others were carriers of the mutation. Intriguingly, a review of the literature unveiled six distinct reports documenting a total of 20 Alström syndrome patients within the Saudi Arabian population, each presenting with distinct novel mutations., Conclusions: In cases featuring cardiomyopathy, obesity, and progressive hearing and vision loss, Alström syndrome merits inclusion within the differential diagnosis. To confirm the diagnosis, molecular genetic assessment of the ALMS1 gene is imperative, offering definitive clarity amidst the complex clinical presentation. This investigation reinforces the importance of genetic scrutiny for precise diagnosis and highlights the unique genetic landscape of Alström syndrome within the Saudi Arabian population., (© 2023 The Authors. Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

A series of new 1,ω-bis-(5-alkyl-3-tosyl-1,3,4,2-triazaphospholino)alkanes 2 and 3 were obtained in excellent yields by the condensation of 1,ω-bis-(1-tosylamidrazone)alkanes 1 with two equivalent molars of Lawesson's Reagent (LR) and trisdimethylaminophosphine, respectively. All synthesized compounds were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques including IR, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and 31 P NMR and elemental analysis. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated against key enzymes related to diabetes and obesity such as α-amylase and lipase. This study showed that the compounds 3a and 2b are an excellent inhibitor of α-amylase (with IC 50  = 18.8 mM) and lipase (with IC 50  = 19 mM) respectively, as compared with standard, orlistat (IC 50  = 22 mM). Among this series, compounds 3a and 2b with the CH 3 or C 2 H 5 group at position 6 were identified as the most potent inhibitors against α-amylase, and lipase enzymes. The remaining compounds were found to be moderately active. Further, molecular docking simulation studies were done to identify the interactions and binding mode of synthesized analogs at binding site of α-amylase and lipase enzymes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Wissadula periplocifolia (L.) Thwaites is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the family Malvaceae, used in folk medicine for inflamed snake bites and bee stings. The current study was designed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of 80% ethanol extract of W. periplocifolia and its different fractions. The crude ethanolic extract (CEE) was then serially fractionated with petroleum ether fraction (PEF), chloroform fraction (CHF), and aqueous fraction (AQF). The antioxidant activity was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, anti-inflammatory activity was determined in the xylene-induced ear edema model, and hepatoprotective activity was measured in the paracetamol-induced hepatic injury model. PEF showed a significant scavenging effect with an IC 50 value of 33.5 μg/mL, followed by CEE (IC 50 = 42.2 μg/mL), CHF (IC 50 = 77 μg/mL), and AQF (IC 50 = 80 μg/mL), compared to standard butylated hydroxytoluene (IC 50 = 14.8 μg/mL). Both doses of CEE (250 and 500 mg/kg) could reduce ear edema by 41.3 and 50%, respectively, compared to standard diclofenac sodium (76.09%). Moreover, CEE significantly reduces the elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), compared to control. Nevertheless, it elevated blood protein and reduced the blood bilirubin level ( p < 0.01), compared to control. Histopathological studies also indicated significant protection of the liver from paracetamol-induced liver damage. In conclusion, W. periplocifolia could be a good source of antioxidant and hepatoprotective phytochemicals; meanwhile, toxicological and pharmacokinetic studies are recommended., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Probiotics or direct-fed microbials (DFM) have proven strong potential for improving aquaculture sustainability. This study aims to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with the DFM Bacillus amyloliquefaciens US573 on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota (GM) of European sea bass. For this purpose, healthy fish were divided into two feeding trials in triplicate of 25 fish in each tank. The fish were fed with a control basal diet or a DFM-supplemented diet for 42 days. Results showed that, while no significant effects on growth performance were observed, the length and abundance of villi were higher in the DFM-fed group. The benefic effects of DFM supplementation included also the absence of cysts formation and the increase in number of goblet cells playing essential role in immune response. Through DNA metabarcoding analysis of GM, 5 phyla and 14 major genera were identified. At day 42, the main microbiome changes in response to B. amyloliquefaciens US573 addition included the significant decrease in abundance of Actinobacteria phylum that perfectly correlates with a decrease in Nocardia genus representatives which represent serious threat in marine and freshwater fish. On the contrary, an obvious dominance of Betaproteobacteria associated with the abundance in Variovorax genus members, known for their ability to metabolize numerous substrates, was recorded. Interestingly, Firmicutes, particularly species affiliated to the genus Sporosarcina with recent promising probiotic potential, were identified as the most abundant. These results suggest that B. amyloliquefaciens US573 can be effectively recommended as health-promoting DFM in European sea bass farming., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Antibiotic growth promoters have been utilized for long time at subtherapeutic levels as feed supplements in monogastric animal rations. Because of their side-effects such as antibiotic resistance, reduction of beneficial bacteria in the gut, and dysbiosis, it is necessary to look for non-therapeutic alternatives. Probiotics play an important role as the key substitutes to antibacterial agents due to their many beneficial effects on the monogastric animal host. For instance, enhancement of the gut microbiota balance can contribute to improvement of feed utilization efficiency, nutrients absorption, growth rate, and economic profitability of livestock. Probiotics are defined as "live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." They are available in diverse forms for use as feed supplements. Their utilization as feed additives assists in good digestion of feed ingredients and hence, making the nutrients available for promoting growth. Immunity can also be enhanced by supplementing probiotics to monogastrics diets. Moreover, probiotics can help in improving major meat quality traits and countering a variety of monogastric animals infectious diseases. A proper selection of the probiotic strains is required in order to confer optimal beneficial effects. The present review focuses on the general functional, safety, and technological screening criteria for selection of ideal Bacillus probiotics as feed supplements as well as their mechanism of action and beneficial effects on monogastric animals for improving production performance and health status., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The study evaluated the phytochemical composition of Ephedra alata and its effects on α-amylase and lipase enzymes and diabetic-induced liver-kidney-testes toxicities to determine the anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-toxic potentials of the plant. Obesity was induced by a high-fat and fructose diet (HFFD). Various compounds were identified and quantified: cafeic acid, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, apigenin, rutin, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, p-Coumaric acid and others in EA aqueous extract (EAWE). In vitro , this study showed that EAWE strongly inhibited lipase activity as compared to EA methanol (EAME) and ethyl acetate EA extracts (EAEE). In obese rats, the supplementation of EAWE inhibited significantly (P < 0.01) intestinal and pancreatic lipase activity by 35 and 36% respectively. This decrease in lipid digestive enzyme activity caused a significant (P < 0.05) reduce in the weight gain by 12.7% and significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the serum lipid rate as total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Moreover, the supplementation of EAWE to obese rats reduced the activity of α-amylase in the small intestine and pancreas by 26 and 31% respectively (P < 0.01) and consequently decreases in serum glucose level by 20.8% (P < 0.05). In addition, administration of EAWE in type 2 diabetes protected from obesity induced liver, kidney and testes alterations. The potent protective effect EAWE may be influenced by the diversity of phenolic compounds. therefore, this study showed in the first time that EAWE are efficient for the prevention and the amelioration of obesity, hyperglycemia, and various organs toxicities., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Online reviews have been used effectively to understand customers' satisfaction and preferences. COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted customers' satisfaction in several sectors such as tourism and hospitality. Although several research studies have been carried out to analyze consumers' satisfaction using survey-based methodologies, consumers' satisfaction has not been well explored in the event of the COVID-19 crisis, especially using available data in social network sites. In this research, we aim to explore consumers' satisfaction and preferences of restaurants' services during the COVID-19 crisis. Furthermore, we investigate the moderating impact of COVID-19 safety precautions on restaurants' quality dimensions and satisfaction. We applied a new approach to achieve the objectives of this research. We first developed a hybrid approach using clustering, supervised learning, and text mining techniques. Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) was used to cluster customers' preferences. To predict travelers' preferences, decision trees were applied to each segment of LVQ. We used a text mining technique; Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), for textual data analysis to discover the satisfaction criteria from online customers' reviews. After analyzing the data using machine learning techniques, a theoretical model was developed to inspect the relationships between the restaurants' quality factors and customers' satisfaction. In this stage, Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique was employed. We evaluated the proposed approach using a dataset collected from the TripAdvisor platform. The outcomes of the two-stage methodology were discussed and future research directions were suggested according to the limitations of this study., (© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Hypertension is a major risk factor for kidney and cardiovascular disease. The treatment of hypertensive individuals by selected ACE inhibitors and certain di-and tripeptides halts the progression of renal deterioration and extends life-span. Renal reabsorption of these low molecular weight substrates are mediated by the PEPT1 and PEPT2 cotransporters. This study aims to investigate whether hypertension and ageing affects renal PEPT cotransporters at gene, protein expression and distribution as well as function in the superficial cortex and the outer medulla of the kidney. Membrane vesicles from the brush border (BBMV) and outer medulla (OMMV) were isolated from the kidneys of young Wistar Kyoto (Y-WKY), young spontaneously hypertensive (Y-SHR), and middle aged SHR (M-SHR) rats. Transport activity was measured using the substrate, β-Ala-Lys (AMCA). Gene expression levels of PEPT genes were assessed with qRT-PCR while renal localisation of PEPT cotransporters was examined by immunohistochemistry with Western Blot validation. The K m and V max of renal PEPT1 were decreased significantly in SHR compared to WKY BBMV, whilst the Vmax of PEPT2 showed differences between SHR and WKY. By contrast to the reported cortical distribution of PEPT1, PEPT1-staining was detected in the outer medulla, whilst PEPT2 was expressed primarily in the cortex of all SHR; PEPT1 was significantly upregulated in the cortex of Y-SHR. These outcomes are indicative of a redistribution of PEPT1 and PEPT2 in the kidney proximal tubule under hypertensive conditions that has potential repercussions for nutrient handling and the therapeutic use of ACE inhibitors in hypertensive individuals., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: To assess psychiatrists' knowledge and perception regarding telepsychiatry and evaluate their willingness to adopt telepsychiatry clinical practice in Saudi Arabia., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among psychiatrists working in Saudi Arabia from November 2020 through May 2021. A self-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic data, factors related to knowledge, perception, willingness, barriers, and the effectiveness of telepsychiatry, was distributed via. online platform. Data were tabulated and cleaned in MS Excel, and all statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v26., Results: There were 328 psychiatrists enrolled in the group with an average age of 25-35 years (48.8%). The group comprised mainly Saudis (83.5%); male participants outnumbered females (70.4% to 29.6%). Overall, the psychiatrists' telepsychiatry knowledge level was poor (51.8%), while (48.2%) of the respondents showed good knowledge. However, nearly all respondents exhibited good perception (80.8%), with only 19.2% classified as poor. In addition, older individuals, consultants, clinicians with 11-15 years of experience, clinicians interacting with patients via email, and those who frequently received patient questions regarding online communication indicated increased knowledge., Conclusion: Although perception was positive regarding telepsychiatry, psychiatrists' knowledge on the subject was deemed insufficient. Psychiatrists' knowledge depended on their age, position, years of experience, frequent interaction with patients through an online platform, and clients that provided their online contact details., (Copyright: © Neurosciences.)