Inductive role of the brown alga Sargassum polycystum on growth and biosynthesis of imperative metabolites and antioxidants of two crop plants

The potential of macroalgae as biostimulants in agriculture was proved worthy. Vicia faba and Helianthus annuus are socioeconomic crops owing to their increasing demand worldwide. In this work, we investigated the energetic role of seed presoaking and irrigation by the brown seaweed, Sargassum polycystum aqueous extract (SAE) on certain germination and growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, phenolics, flavonoids, and the total antioxidant activity. Compared to the control plants, our consequences revealed that seeds that received the SAE improved all the germination and growth criteria for both crop plants. Furthermore, the SAE significantly increased the carotenoids, total photosynthetic pigments, and total carbohydrates by (14%, 7%, and 41%) for V. faba and (17%, 17%, and 38%) for H. annuus, respectively. Phenolics and flavonoids were significantly induced in Vicia but slightly promoted in Helianthu plants, whereas the total antioxidant activity in both crops non significantly elevated. Even though The NPK contents were significantly stimulated by the SAE in Vicia plants, the effect was different in Helianthus, where only nitrogen content was significantly enhanced, whereas phosphorus and potassium showed little enhancement. Thus, the SAE treatment is one of the superlative sustainable strategies for food, feed, and as excellent plant conditioner.

Correction: The Perception of Coronary Artery Disease and Cardiac Catheterization in Saudi Arabia: "What the Public Know"

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.6570.].

The Perception of Coronary Artery Disease and Cardiac Catheterization in Saudi Arabia: "What the Public Know"

Objective Coronary artery disease (CAD) constitutes a significant health hazard in middle-aged individuals in Saudi Arabia. We sought to assess the level of knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and describe the perception of coronary intervention among the general population in the city of Jeddah in the western part of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Jeddah during the period from April 2019 to September 1, 2019, by using a structured online questionnaire to assess the participants' awareness of risk factors for CAD and coronary intervention. The survey included questions about socio-demographic data, risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, symptoms of heart attack, knowledge of coronary catheterizations, as well as resources of knowledge about coronary heart disease. Results The study included 984 participants. The majority of the participants had university diplomas (78.1%). Only 38.5 % were healthcare workers. Dyslipidemia and smoking were identified by 70.5% and 66.7%, respectively, as a recognized risk factor for CAD. Diabetes was mentioned by 32.1%. Participants without CAD risk factors had a significantly lower level of knowledge regarding the strong association between diabetes mellitus (DM) II and CAD (p-value=0.02). Healthcare professionals had a significantly lower level of knowledge regarding cardiac catheterization as compared to non-healthcare professionals. A higher percentage of healthcare professionals would agree to have cardiac catheterization if indicated (p-value=0.003). Awareness campaigns were the most common source of information for the public. Conclusion The current level of knowledge of CAD in the western part of Saudi Arabia is fair. National awareness campaigns are required to improve the level of healthcare education.

Accidental injuries during muslim pilgrimage

OBJECTIVE

The diseases that occur during Hajj are a unique medical problem. The aim of this study is to highlight the incidence, the type and the early surgical management of trauma during the Hajj period.

METHODS

A prospective study was carried out during a 15 day-period conducted in two parts in the emergency room, and a follow-up of the admitted patients in the surgical department.

RESULTS

The number of trauma cases who attended the emergency department was 713 patients, 248 patients were admitted in different surgical departments, together with the intensive-care unit. Sixty-five percent of the patients were discharged from emergency room as they had minor trauma. Sixty percent were involved in road traffic accidents, 15% had injuries in Holy Haram. Limb fracture accounts for 53% of total trauma admissions. Two patients died in the first 48 hours.

CONCLUSION

Trauma during Hajj is a real surgical problem which deserves more attention. Orthopedic and Neurosurgical cases are the most common surgical cases during the Hajj period.

Accidental injuries during muslim pilgrimage

OBJECTIVE

The diseases that occur during Hajj are a unique medical problem. The aim of this study is to highlight the incidence, the type and the early surgical management of trauma during the Hajj period.

METHODS

A prospective study was carried out during a 15 day-period conducted in two parts in the emergency room, and a follow-up of the admitted patients in the surgical department.

RESULTS

The number of trauma cases who attended the emergency department was 713 patients, 248 patients were admitted in different surgical departments, together with the intensive-care unit. Sixty-five percent of the patients were discharged from emergency room as they had minor trauma. Sixty percent were involved in road traffic accidents, 15% had injuries in Holy Haram. Limb fracture accounts for 53% of total trauma admissions. Two patients died in the first 48 hours.

CONCLUSION

Trauma during Hajj is a real surgical problem which deserves more attention. Orthopedic and Neurosurgical cases are the most common surgical cases during the Hajj period.

Effect of L-histidinol on cisplatin nephrotoxicity in the rat

The effect of L-histidinol (LHL) on the acute nephrotoxicity produced by cisplatin (CDDP; 6 mg/kg, i.v.) was investigated in the rat. Intraperitoneal administration of LHL (100 mg/kg x 5 doses, 2 h apart) starting 2 h prior to CDDP single injection produced significant protection of renal function. The attenuation of nephrotoxicity was evidenced by significant reductions in serum urea and creatinine concentrations, decreased polyuria, reduction in body weight loss, marked reduction in urinary fractional sodium excretion and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, and increased urine/serum creatinine ratio as well as increased creatinine clearance. LHL significantly ameliorated the toxic renal biochemical changes induced by CDDP. Renal lipid peroxides, glutathione levels and GST activity showed a marked tendency towards the normal values. Accumulation of platinum in renal tissues was significantly decreased in the presence of LHL. It is concluded that LHL can act as a nephroprotectant, and it is suggested that it would have beneficial effects on the kidney in clinical settings.

Pediatric renal transplantation in saudi arabia

This study was performed to evaluate the short and long-term outcome of pediatric renal transplantation in Saudi Arabia. Four large centers participated in this study and there were 124 patients with evaluable data. They included 79 males and 45 females with ages ranging from 2-18 years with a mean of 12.2 years. There were 69 transplants from living donors and 55 from cadaveric donors. The cause of the original renal disease was unknown in 61.4% of the cases. Re-transplantation rate was 8% and the cause of failure of the first graft was venous thrombosis in 60% of the cases most of whom were transplanted before 1990. Acute rejection occurred in 31% of the patients and did not correlate with age at time of transplantation, sex, nationality, source of donor, place of transplantation or follow-up, year of transplant, or delayed graft function; however, those who eventually lost their grafts had significantly more number of acute rejection episodes. There were 24 cases (19%) of infection related to graft and 43 cases (34%) of extra-renal infection. Medical complications other than rejection and infection occurred in 37% of the study group. The 15 year survival rates of patients and grafts from living donors were 96.7% and 92.2% respectively, while the 11 year survival rates of patients and grafts from cadaver donors were 93% and 58.4% respectively. We conclude that pediatric renal transplantation in Saudi Arabia has been performing well in terms of the quantity and quality and the results are comparable to the reputed programs in other countries.