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Background: The national mandatory premarital screening test is based on mean corpuscular volume (MCV) > 80 fL value for the detection of b-thalassemia to provide acceptance for marriage. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of MCV as a screening test for b-thalassemia trait in the present population. Methods: This study was conducted on 418 blood samples collected from adult individuals. The diagnosis of b-thalassemia carrier was given to those having HbA2 values equal to or above 3.5%. The diagnostic reliability of different RBC indices and formulas in discriminating cases of b-thalassemia trait were evaluated. Finally, a new index called "Momani" was determined based on MCV, RDW and RBC count. Results: b-thalassemia trait was identified in 10% of the cases. The measured MCV value was significantly lower in b-thalassemia carrier group compared to non-carrier group (p =

The FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) represents a distinct genetic mutation that characterizes acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The breakpoint cluster region (BCR)-Abelson murine leukaemia (ABL) (BCR-ABL) is a key initiator of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) Hyperactivation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling is crucial in AML and CML pathogenesis. The recent development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) contributed to substantial improvements in leukaemia therapy. However, most leukaemia patients fail to completely recover and develop drug resistance after prolonged TKI therapy. Thymoquinone (TQ), a major ingredient of Nigella sativa seeds, has anti-tumour properties in a variety of cancers. However, the anti-leukemia effect of TQ was not extensively studied. Thus, the current research aims to identify TQ’s ability to bind on the active sites inFLT3-ITD, BCR-ABL, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR tyrosine kinases. The molecular docking of TQ toFLT3-ITD, BCR-ABL, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR was evaluated. Midostaurin; FLT3-ITD inhibitor, imatinib; BCR-ABL inhibitor, wortmannin; PI3K inhibitor, AZD5363; Akt inhibitor, and rapamycin; mTOR inhibitor were selected as positive controls. The findings revealed that TQ interacts with high affinities with the active site of PI3K(-7.02Kcal/mol), Akt(-6.4Kcal/mol), mTOR(-6.58Kcal/mol), FLT3- ITD(-6.35Kcal/mol), and BCR-ABL(-6.31Kcal/mol) and with low free binding energy to inhibit their enzymatic activities. In conclusion, TQ could potentially act as a TKI for FLT3- ITD, BCR-ABL, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR tyrosine kinases suggesting that TQ could act as a promising multi-targeted TKI for several tyrosine kinases for AML and CML treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This randomized clinical trial (RCT) was designed to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation (VD3) on the relationship between the levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and osteocalcin factor (OSC) with glycated hemoglobin (A1c) values in the blood in a sample of Jordanian males and female adults with vitamin D deficiency. Subjects and methods: This RCT was designed to randomly split (78) eligible participants into two groups: experimental (Group A) and interventional (Group B). Group B was supplemented with a weekly dose of 50,000 IU VD3 for eight weeks. Fasting baseline and follow-up (10 weeks; 8 weeks supplementation plus washout two weeks) of serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), fibroblast growth factor-23, (FGF- 23), glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, and phosphorus were assayed. A paired T-test was used to assess the changes in fibroblast growth factor-23, A1c, and OSC levels over the follow-up period. RESULTS: Significant increase in follow-up level of 25OHD (40.04 ± 11.61 vs. 15.35 ± 5.41, PC < 0.001), FGF-23 (114.04 ± 103.8 vs. 87.40 ± 82.21, PA = 0.02) and A1c (5.63 ± 0.33 vs. 5.38 ± 0.32, PA = 0.01). Conclusion: High doses of vitamin D supplementation (50,000 IU/week) may have potentially negative effects on glycemic control, which might be related to changes in serum osteocalcin than in FGF23 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing unsaturated free fatty acids (n-3FA) on the levels of specific cytokines associated with cytokine storm in the blood of 72 Jordanian individuals (both men and women) who had insufficient vitamin D. The study was conducted using a randomized controlled design (RCT). Individuals eligible for the study were randomly assigned to either the n-3FA supplemented (intervention) group or the non-supplemented (control) group. The intervention group received 1,000 mg of wild salmon and fish oil complex, which is equivalent to 300 mg of n-3FA, for a duration of eight weeks, while the control group did not. Blood tests to assess tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar were conducted at baseline and after ten weeks (with a two-week washout period). Additionally, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were measured. Our research indicates that taking n-3FA supplements significantly raised IL-1 β, IL-6, and IL-10 levels compared to their initial levels. However, TNF-α levels did not show any significant changes. The interesting results of this randomized controlled trial could be due to a possible harmful effect of n-3FA supplementation during cytokine storms (CS), specifically on IL-6. Therefore, additional clinical studies are needed in the target patients during cytokine storm to determine if this supplement could affect the treatment with IL-6 antagonists.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mirabilis jalapa L. has been used traditionally in herbal medicine for various purposes, including as a laxative, diuretic, and treatment of inflammations and fever, as it contains various phytochemical compounds. The present study aims to analyze the phytochemical and lipidic profiles of M. jalapa and characterize its methanol seed extract. It also investigates the antioxidant activity, total protein and phenol contents, and anti-inflammatory, antihemolytic, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities using established methods. The phytochemical profile of the plant was determined with LC-MS and FTIR. Results of the study revealed that the methanol seed extract showed high anti-inflammatory (92.7%) and antioxidant (59.97%) potentials, with moderate antihemolytic (29.3%) activity. Further analysis of the extract showed antiproliferative activity against various cancer cell lines, namely, Prostate DU-145 (49.3%), Lung cancer HCC95 (45.4%), Breast Cancers MDA-MB-231 (38.2%) and 600MPE (24.1%). The methanol seed extract of M. jalapa contains significant quantities of various phytochemicals that may have been responsible for its antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pomegranates are one of the fruits that are most frequently consumed in the Middle East and have a medical effect. This study aimed to examine the antidiabetic and antilipidemic effect of pomegranate fruit parts including peels, seeds, and rinds extracted using ethanol on the blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Control (non-treated) rats and alloxandiabetic-induced rats were used in this study. The alloxan-diabetic-induced rats were divided into four groups and each group received a subcutaneously injected either peels, seeds, or grind ethanol extract, and a group was treated with the drug glipizide for 28 days. Data showed a significant effect for the pomegranate peels and rind ethanol extract in lowering glucose levels (P = 0.0295) with no significant effect for the juice extract on blood glucose levels. Cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL were all significantly reduced by the pomegranate fruit component extracts employed in this study (P = 0.014). However, no significant effect was observed for any extract on the HDL levels in the blood (P > 0.5). In conclusion, the rind of the pomegranate can be used in optimizing blood lipid profile and glucose, in addition to seeds and peels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), with unique properties and diverse uses from antimicrobials to drug carriers, have gained prominence. This study examined the anti-cancer and anti-bacterial properties of biogenic AgNPs produced from the filtrate of Aspergillus flavus. AgNPs (0-200 μg/mL) were assessed against fibroblasts and breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231). AgNPs were antiproliferative to MDA-MB-231 cells at 6 μg/mL and above but cytotoxic to fibroblasts at 12 μg/mL and beyond. MDA-MB-231 cells were treated to the marginally effective concentration of AgNPs, 3 μg/mL, in order to evaluate gene regulation. However, there was a significant downregulation of cyclin D1 and BCL-2. Nevertheless, MDA-MB-231 cells treated with 3 μg/mL AgNPs exhibited a significant increase in the pro-apoptotic caspase 3 genotype. After MDA-MB-231 cells were subjected to 3 μg/mL AgNPs, the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly downregulated. At 3 μg/mL, AgNPs raised TNF-α, an antiinflammatory cytokine. AgNPs exhibited substantial antibacterial efficacy against all examined bacterial strains through the implementation of the disc diffusion methodology. However, the MIC data for AgNPs' antibacterial activity showed that Salmonella enterica, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus were the highest influenced stains, with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value of 6.38 μg/mL, whereas Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli ATCC 10145 had MIC value of 19.15 μg/mL. In conclusion, AgNPs from A. flavus have potential antibacterial effects against various pathogens and showed cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, indicating wide-ranging biological relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Cigarette smoking is one of the main reasons of death and lung cancers worldwide, as haematological parameters, lipids and calcium are variously affected by it. The aim of the current study is to measure the unfavourable effects of cigarette smoking on haematological and biochemical characteristics in healthy adult males. This case-control study was conducted on 120 healthy selected male smokers and nonsmokers whose ages ranged between 20 and 40 years old. The first group consisted of 60 smokers, while the second consisted of 60 nonsmokers. The participants of both groups did not have any history of chronic illness and had comfort routine screening. Complete blood cell (CBC) count, lipids and calcium were measured. A significant difference in khat chewing among these two groups was with higher frequencies in smokers than nonsmokers (60 vs. 49, P = 0.001). Exercise activity was less common in smokers than nonsmokers (25 vs. 38, P = 0.017). Khat chewing hours were higher in smokers as compared to nonsmokers (6.13 ± 2.02 vs. 4.57 ± 2.22, P<0.001). Work hours showed an insignificant difference between the two groups. Lymphocytes and neutrophils are significantly different between the study groups, P=0.011 vs. P=0.017, respectively. RBCs indices such as MCV and MCH are also significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers. In conclusion, the study revealed that continuous cigarette smoking had severe adverse effects on total cholesterol and calcium levels. Furthermore, some haematological parameters such as WBCs, platelets, lymphocytes, and neutrophils were affected significantly in the adult smoking males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Khat is the common name for the plant Catha edulis. The leaves and buds of Khat are chewed and their use is an established cultural tradition for many social situations in Yemen. Traditionally, Khat has been frequently chewed on social occasions, in public spaces or designated rooms in private homes. The medical and psychosocial impacts of khat chewing have been reported previously. However, the effect of chewing Khat on some biochemical and hematological parameters needs further investigation. Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Khat chewing on a number of biochemical and hematological parameters in a population-based groups. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighty eight (n=188) subjects who have completed the questionnaire were included in this study. Ninety eight (n= 98) subjects among these were Khat chewers and ninety (n= 90) were non-chewers of Khat. Blood samples were collected from each subject in the study to measure uric acid, rheumatoid factor (RF) and complete blood cell (CBC) counts. Results: It has been shown that joint pain and kidney disease were significantly more prevalent in Khat chewers than Khat non-chewers. Uric acid levels were markedly higher in Khat chewers than Khat non-chewers, while differences in RF levels between the two groups were not significant. Although RBCs indices showed no significant difference among the study groups, a statistical significance in the white blood cells (WBCs), lymphocytes, and platelets counts was observed. Conclusion: The present study strongly suggests that Khat chewing had an adverse effect on the development of arthritis and kidney diseases. Moreover, altered immune defence mechanisms due to Khat chewing have also been documented in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies demonstrated that stress can cause an obvious change in the hematological parameters in healthy individuals. In the current study, we determined whether the stress during the exams can produce some hematological changes and how long this effect may take after the end of the exam period. Methods: Seventy (n= 70) male and sixty (n=60) female student of similar height, weight and age were selected from the department of medical laboratory sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman university. All students were first had a preliminary medical checkup. Students excluded from the study include those who had a chronic disease and any health issues or habits affecting the studied parameters, such as smoking; fever and high blood pressure. All study participants were between the age group of 20-22 years. Blood samples were taken three weeks before the exam, during and 72 hours after the end of the exam period. Estimations of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets were accomplished. Results: Compared with pre-examination results the blood samples taken during exams showed a significant decrease in the readings of lymphocytes (p <0.01), MCV and MCH (p < 0.05). Significant increase in Neutrophil (p < 0.05) and platelets (p< 0.05). Readings taken after 72 hours of the end of exam period showed significant decrease in white blood cell count (p < 0.01) and further significant increase in the platelet count (p <0.001). No significant changes were observed in the readings of Hemoglobin, Red Blood Cell count (RBC), hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p >0.2). Conclusion: This study concluded that the stress due to examinations is enough to alter certain hematological parameters. The effect of stress on platelets and WBC remained until the end of the exam period. As the increased platelet count may cause health problems for a person, from bleeding problems to the formation of various clots. We do not know for sure how long the increase in platelet and decrease in white blood cells continue as this may cause health problems for people subject to permanent stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Generally, the interest of studying various factors that affect the level of vitamin C in different types of food has been increased due to its great importance to human health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different incubation factor variables; pH, temperature and metal salts on the amount of vitamin C of yellow bell pepper extracted in aqueous media. Methods: 200 gm of the grinded yellow bell pepper was added to 500 ml of distilled water for 24 hours with continuous shaking. Then the solution of the preparation was filtered, and the clear filtrate was used to obtain the concentration of vitamin C by redox titration. Equal portions of the filtrate (20ml) were used every time to investigate the effect of the following at different incubation periods on the contents of vitamin C: pH ranges from (3 – 8), temperature (-18, 4, 37, 40, 60, 90 Cᵒ) and metal salts (ZnCl2, MgCl2, FeCl2) of the same concentration (0.1M). The amount of vitamin C in the treated filtrate was estimated after the end of each incubation time. Results: There was a significant loss in the amount of vitami [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]