bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Navigation capabilities for a flexible tethered capsule endoscope
Authors: Hasson Cyril
Published: November 2013

Introduction: Stomach cancer is one of the leading causes of death. The two main existing screening tests are the non-invasive carbon urea breath test (not reliable enough) and the classical gastric endoscopy (costly and uncomfortable) which is preferred by clinicians. However, patients are reluctant to do it and this increases the chance to detect stomach cancer after the early stage of development. To overcome these limitations, an efficient "patient oriented" and clinically efficient approach to stomach cancer detection is highly relevant. The most famous autonomous capsule is probably PillCam, the first commercialized and FDA approved capsule endoscope. It is equipped with a video camera but has no navigation abilities. Its two main limitations compared to the classical endoscopes are the lack of control and the impossibility to perform a biopsy. In this abstract, a new approach for early stomach cancer detection is proposed: a tethered capsule endoscope containing embedded visual sensing (Seibel et al., 2008, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering), chemical sensing (Arnecke et al., 2009, Analytical Chemistry) and offering navigation abilities. Preliminary design: The tethered capsule endoscope comes as an interesting alternative. Being tethered, there is no need to embed the energy source and electronics required for navigation and sensing. This enables a great simplification of the embedded material and thus a cost reduction of the capsule itself. This also allows a drastic size reduction and ensures a great sense of comfort during the whole procedure. Moreover, using a chemical sensor embedded in the capsule design gives the possibility to perform an improved in situ version of the carbon urea breath test. The navigation system is based on the actuation of the last portion of the tether. It can bend in all direction up to 180° thus allowing orienting the sensors toward every desired portion of the stomach (Figure 1). The capsule contains a wire pulling system. Controlling in opposite pairs the pull and release of the wires allows producing bending motions of the tether active portion. The wire pulling system uses two miniature piezoelectric linear motors coupled with two extension springs. One nylon wire is attached to each linear motor and each opposite wire is attached to an extension spring (Figure 2). The actual prototype for navigation along with micro optochemical sensor set is currently under fabrication. This work was made possible by the support of an NPRP grant from the Qatar National Research Fund (NPRP4-049-2-021). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Nurse led intervention to imporve glycemic and metabolic parameters in Arab diabetic population: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Al Lenjawi Badriya
Published: November 2013

Failure to offer evidence based structured diabetes educational program impacts negatively on the effectiveness of diabetes management and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. We assessed the efficacy of a nurse led group based structured diabetes education in improving glycemic and metabolic parameters among Arab type 2 diabetic patients compared to usual care Methods This was a parallel group randomized trial in adult Arab type 2 diabetic patients living in Qatar. Subjects were randomized to nurse led structured diabetes educational program ,or to usual care .The primary outcome was the improvement in HbA1c and other metabolic parameters including lipid profile ,albumin/creatinine ratio ,blood pressure and body mass index.. Patients were invited to attend four 2-hour sessions of self-efficacy improvement education .Outcomes were assessed at base line and 12 months later. The primary analysis was an intention to treat. Results Participation of the intervention was shown after 12months to have led to a statistically significant improvements in HbA1c(-0.55 m mol /L ,p=0.012),F.B.S(-0.92 m mol/L ,p=0.022),B.M.I(-1.70,p=0.001) and albumin/creatinine ratio(-3.09,p<0.001) but not in the control arm. conclusion Inclusion in the Nurse led intervention by adult Arab type 2 diabetic subjects was shown 12-months post intervention to have led to enhanced glycemic and metabolic parameters including body mass index and blood pressure .The success of this trial justify the feasibility and generalization of this intervention to neighboring Arabian Gulf countries who have similar Arab population with identical cultural beliefs and practices.
Preliminary safety results of Mag Cool 2 study: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rahman Sajjad
Published: November 2013

Objective To determine the safety of a combination of Magnesium Sulphate and Therapeutic Hypothermia in the management of term and near term newborns with moderate to severe Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Introduction The neuroprotective research in Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopthay (HIE) is currently testing Hypothermia plus therapies. The Mag Cool Study aims to test the safety and efficacy of Therapeutic Hypothermia plus Magnesium Sulphate. The current poster presents the preliminary safety results which were presented in the First DSMB meeting of the Trial. Methods Study design: Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial. Study Duration: June 2012 to December 2013. Funding: HMC Internal Research Grants Competition Qatar (Grant # GC 1028A). IRB Approval: Approved by the IRB of all participating centers. Randomization: Babies were randomized, using a web based randomization system provided by Sealed envelopes Inc. London UK, to Arm A (Magnesium Sulphate 250mg/k/dose for three doses at 24 hours interval or Arm B (an equivalent volume of normal saline as placebo) to be administered as soon as possible after birth; preferably within six hours of birth. Method: Term and near term babies (≥35 completed weeks of gestation) with evidence of moderate to severe Hypoxic Ischemic encephalopathy using Inclusion and Exclusion criteria. All babies were provided standard intensive care plus hypothermia therapy as soon after birth as possible, using either a total body cooling machine or head cooling machine to maintain a rectal temperature of 33.50 C for a period of 72 hours followed by an eight hours period of gradual rewarming to normal body temperature and another 16 hours of observation (total duration 96 hours). Safety outcome measures: Death or severe adverse events during the 96 hours of treatment Analysis SPSS Version 20 was used. Univariate analysis using cross tabulations of Intervention (MgSO4) and Control arms with outcome measures was done. Chi-square test and Fischer Exact test was used. A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Results A total of 34 patients were enrolled in the safety study from 26 May 2012 till 31st April 2013. There were 18 patients in Arm A and 16 in Arm B. Therapeutic hypothermia was successfully maintained between 33.5 and 34.50 C as per standard protocol in all patients except one in which hypothermia was terminated at 62 hours of age due to persistent sinus bradycardia. All 34 patients received intensive care including endotracheal intubation and ventilation Conclusion The combined use of therapeutic hypothermia and MgSO4 appears to be safe particularly with respect to maintaining blood pressure and coagulopathy. Long term survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes remain to be evaluated. Participating Centers and Patients Contributed: Hamad Medical Corporation Qatar, Zekai Tahir Burak Hospital Turkey, Al Rayyan Hospital Riyadh KSA, Mansoura University Children's Hospital Egypt, University Malaya Medical Center Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Tawam Hospital UAE
Determination Of Fungal Population And Aflatoxin Contamination In The Marketed Spices
Authors: Hammami Walid
Published: November 2013

Household spices comprising, chili, Kashmiri chili hot, Kashmiri chili mild, basil, oregano, ginger, curry, cumin, turmeric, tandoori masala, garam masala, black pepper, garlic and coriander, were collected from local markets in Doha, Qatar, during 2012, and were surveyed for the presence of potentially harmful mycoflora and for contamination with aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Among the tested spice samples, chili powder showed the highest presence of fungal propagules, while ginger, curry and garlic samples did not present any fungal contamination. A total of 120 isolates, mostly belonging to Aspergillus and Penicillium genera, were collected and 33 representative species were identified by amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nomius and Aspergillus niger were the most dominant. Thirty-seven Aspergillus strains were screened for their potential to produce aflatoxins using biochemical and molecular tools. Upon these methods, only 9 A. flavus strains showed both fluorescence and amplification with all the three primers targeting aflP, aflM and aflR genes. Aflatoxins were detected in five spices (black pepper, chili, tandoori masala. turmeric and garam masala), and with the exception of garam masala, the tested samples of turmeric, black pepper, tandoori masala and chili powder exceeded B1 and â„or total aflatoxin maximum levels. Our results demonstrate the potential for mycotoxin biosynthesis by fungi contaminating imported spice products.
Quantitative proteomics approach towards the identification of yeast endoplasmic reticulum flippase
Authors: Graumann Johannes
Published: November 2013

Phospholipids in cells are mainly synthesized in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the newly made polar lipids must flip-flop rapidly across biological membranes to sustain cellular life. But this 'flipping' is energetically costly as well as its translocation rate is low. As a solution to this, cells have membrane proteins that function as lipid transporters - 'flippases', proteins that facilitates the rapid, bi-directional, energy-independent flip-flop of phospholipids between the cytosolic and lumenal leaflets of the ER membrane. Flippases have been known to play a key role in membrane stability as well as in the mechanism by which cells avoid being killed by macrophages. Candidate flippases have been implicated in human diseases that include intrahepatic cholestasis, angelman syndrome, autism, tangier disease, macular dystrophy and adrenoleukodystrophy. Establishing the primary function of candidate flippases and how they contribute to cell function and human disease is becoming a central issue in biology. Although the flippases that operate at the plasma membrane of eukaryotes at the expense of ATP hydrolysis resulting in unidirectional lipid flipping have been identified, the ATP-independent bi-directional flippases that translocate lipids in specialized compartments such as the ER have not yet been identified at their molecular level. The objective of the current study is to identify ER flippases in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a quantitative proteomics approach based on stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC). Yeast cells were grown in synthetic medium supplemented with either 'light' or 'heavy' lysine. Proteins extracted from unlabeled (light) cells were further fractionated by velocity sedimentation in a glycerol gradient and flippase activity of each fraction was quantified by a phospholipid reconstitution-based procedure. An aliquot of labeled (heavy) extract (containing equal amount of protein by weight) was added to each light fraction. The mixed fractions were then subjected to in-gel digestion followed by quantitative proteomic analysis using mass spectrometry. The data obtained were processed using MaxQuant followed by Spearman correlation analysis for identification of proteins with enrichment profiles matching that of the activity profile. The potential flippase candidates were tested for their activity using genomically tagged yeast strains.
Dynamic analysis for the integrity assessment of knee joint
Authors: Khan Md. Tawhidul
Published: November 2013

Abstract: The largest and complicated joint in human body is knee joint. It is a pivotal hinge type joint which permits flexion and extension with a slight medial and lateral rotation as well. As it receives the whole body weight, it is vulnerable to both acute injury and the development of osteoarthritis. Integrity analysis of knee joint involves a detail study of several anatomical parts such as bones, cartilage, tendons etc. Moreover, the stability of motor strategies (muscle recruitment patterns) influences the integrity analysis of knee joint as the patellar instability along with many other reasons causes the pain in patellofemoral joint, especially when the joint is overloaded or aged. The disorderness or damage of these anatomical parts causes several knee diseases, particularly, the incidence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) increases with age due to some damages in cartilage, increased stiffness of ligaments or reduced quality and quantity of synovial fluid. Acoustic emission (AE) technique has been using, although, for several damage evaluation of materials in industrial applications, the signal processing of AE technique has been applied for evaluating the disorderness of knee joint as well in this paper. The present investigation, particularly, focuses on the dynamical behavioral characterization of knee joint for its integrity analysis with several non-destructive imaging conditions. Elecromyographic (EMG) patterns for particular motor strategy during dynamic movements of knee joint have been investigated as well. AE signals have been collected from different positions of tibia, patella, and femur for getting sufficient information about the condition of cartilage of knee joint. Results show the significant effects of increasing individuals' ages to increase knee joint problems. Keywords: AE technique, Non-destructive evaluation, Integrity analysis, Knee joint, Osteoarthritis.
Detection of expression of IL-18 and its binding protein in Egyptian pediatric immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Shaheen Iman
Published: November 2013

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder, characterized by dysfunctional cellular immunity including the presence of activated platelet specific autoreactive T cells that recognize and respond to autologous platelet antigens. Autoreactive T cells drive the generation of platelet reactive autoantibodies by B cells as well as T-cytotoxic cell-mediated lysis of platelets. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a mediator of T helper type 1 cell responses synergistically with IL-12 that initiate and promote host defense and inflammation. IL-18 has a specific binding protein (IL-18BP) which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. In the present study, serum level and messenger RNA( mRNA) expression of IL-18 as well as IL-18BP mRNA expression were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) of 100 Egyptian pediatric patients with ITP (70 acute and 30 chronic). In addition to this, we recruited 80 healthy volunteers in order to investigate the possible association between the imbalance of IL-18 and IL-18 BP expressions and the pathogenesis of ITP. IL-18 serum level and mRNA expression were not elevated in cases more than in the control group, but IL-18 mRNA was higher in chronic cases when compared to the acute ones (p = 0.031) and there was a good negative correlation between the platelet count and serum IL-18. IL-18 BP m-RNA was slightly elevated in cases more than in the control group (95% Confidence interval = 1.15-2.01). Our results were not supportive for previous findings of elevated IL18/BP mRNA ratio in ITP patients. This could be referred to the fact that autoimmune diseases are complex genetic disorders, therefore further studies on polymorphisms affecting IL-18 gene expression as well as kinetics of IL-18 expression are required to evaluate the role of interleukin 18 and its binding protein in the pathogenesis of ITP.
Protein-DNA interface: Structural analysis by specific contact mapping
Authors: Ilyin Valentin
Published: November 2013

The interaction between protein and nucleic acid are essential for many cell processes that regulate cell cycles and vital functions. Understanding the determinants of protein / DNA recognition would lead to valuable biological, medical, and biotechnological applications. The practical and theoretical importance of the rules that govern the recognition specificity has generated a deep interest and a number of publications have contributed to a better understanding of the specificity and the recognition rules between protein and DNA. In this study, we investigated protein DNA interface using Delaunay Tessellation of protein DNA complexes as specific contact maps. Protein/DNA interface were studied at an atomic level by our novel TOPOFIT method. Majority of studies that were carried out focusing on recognition features occurring between pairs of residues and DNA bases. In the present study, representative Protein-DNA interfaces were split into patches and then into triplets. We first present a statistical analysis about interface patches obtained from 294 protein-DNA complexes that were classified and clustered according to their double DNA pattern, highlighting the important variability among the current representation of recognized DNA patterns. We also report here that there are several classes of triplet interfaces that are groove dependent, and in which the closeness of residues and nucleotides can be estimated through the analysis of the contribution of water, and the number of contacts involving the dual groove atoms. These observation correlates with the function of DNA-protein complexes and is a side effect of the interaction consequences on DNA conformation. More precisely, there are two classes of minor groove triplets distinguishable by the presence/absence of water molecules at the interface and the low/high contribution of DNA dual groove atoms into the specific contact maps. These classes were not observed for major groove triplets showing a more homogenous population.
The Qatar cardiovascular biorepository (QCBio): Design and progress to date
Authors: Kullo Iftikhar
Published: November 2013

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) poses a major health burden in the Gulf countries. Knowledge of novel genetic and proteomic markers of CHD will provide more precise estimates of risk while defining the pathways important in individual patients, revealing new targets for intervention, and ultimately enabling an individualized approach to care. We describe design of a biorepository with linkage to medical records to facilitate discovery of biomarkers for CHD. Methods: The goal of the Qatar Cardiovascular Biorepository (QCBio) is to archive plasma and DNA of 1000 Qatari patients with CHD and 1000 age, gender, and ethnicity-matched controls who have no history of CHD. Cases will include patients needing percutaneous intervention for symptomatic CHD or admitted with an acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction or unstable angina). Controls will be identified from the blood bank as adults who have no history of CHD. Relevant risk factors and comorbid conditions will be ascertained by electronic medical record (EMR)-based electronic phenotyping algorithms that included diagnosis and procedure codes, medication use and laboratory data. We will include processes to promote use of the biorepository by Qatari investigators by facilitating access to the repository for biomarker research, while maintaining the highest ethical standards with emphasis on patient confidentiality and stewardship of the biospecimens. Results: Thus far, we have a) created a patient questionnaire in Arabic to obtain information on demographic factors, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and family history; b) hired the technologist for sample processing, aliquoting, and DNA extraction; c) hired and trained the study coordinators who will recruit patients; d) developed consent forms in Arabic; e) put in place a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for sample tracking; and f) set up a website for the study. We have obtained approval from the Hamad Medical Center IRB and recruitment is about to begin. We will present the progress made at various seminars and conferences of the Cardiology Department to increase awareness of QCBio.
Nurse-led heart health clinic in a rural community
Authors: Jelinek Herbert
Published: November 2013

AIMS Asymptomatic cardiac disease is present in a large proportion of individuals with generalised cardiovascular disease (CVD). Rural areas in Australia have a lack of health care services with the facilities to undertake a comprehensive community screening project. This study aimed to assess a nurse-led health screening initiative to determine the prevalence and incidence of asymptomatic heart disease using a custom ECG classification system. METHODS 508 people with and without a known history of cardiovascular disease were recruited through the local media and underwent a 12-lead ECG assessment. Using the ECG recordings, individuals were categorised into five classes based on necessity for review and treatment. RESULTS 14% of study participants reported an established history of CVD. 34% of attendees were identified as requiring referral to a general practitioner. These individuals underwent either by-pass surgery, commenced on cardiac medication or were advised on lifestyle changes. However, several more had their referral based on ECG assessment confirmed as appropriate but required no intervention. 4% of referrals were deemed not necessary by general practitioners. CONCLUSIONS The 12-lead ECG classification model as part of nurse-led CVD screening in a rural community, was shown to be a useful guide for referral of individuals to general practitioners for follow up. This model has the potential to improve quality of life by appropriate early referral to primary care practitioners, for follow-up.
A rare case of de novo mosaic deletion 18p/ isochromosome 18q syndrome : Report and review of the literature
Authors: Achandira Udayakumar
Published: November 2013

Monosomy 18p syndrome is a rare, 50-year-old chromosomal disorder with varying phenotypical clinical manifestations. Dysmorphism, growth delay, delayed speech and mental retardation are a few common features observed. The cytogenetic findings also vary in each case. It may occur just as a pure deletion of entire 18p arm or as deletion of partial 18p arm, if involved in a translocation with other chromosomes. It may either occur solely or along with structurally altered other chromosome 18, as a ring or an isochromosome. Studies suggest genotype-phenotype correlation, in relation to the locus of chromosomal breakpoint present on 18p with its clinical presentation. Often, the clinical presentation of this syndrome overlaps with other syndromes. Hence, establishing a cytogentic diagnosis is very crucial for precise management and follow up. Although there are earlier reports of cases with deletion of 18p alone, very few cases are reported with additional abnormalities particularly i(18q). There was only a single case report of a mosaic with del 18p/i(18q) three decades ago. We present here, the second report of a rare case with de novo mosaic - deletion 18p with isochromosome 18q, in a boy born to a consanguineous Arabic Omani couple with review of the literature.
قنوات الأطفال سبب رئيسي لزيادة معدل طيف التوحد الغير جيني والافضل منع الاطفال اقل من عامين للوقاية
Authors: Hassan Mohammad
Published: November 2013

بعد ان قمنا بتفسير جديد لطيف التوحد وعمل طريقة جديدة لعلاج طيف التوحد الغير جيني وهي العلاج عن طريق برمجة العقل والمشروحة في البحث الأول وهي باختصار وهي فرضية أن عقل الطفل عندما يولد يكون عقله محمل ببرنامج مكتسب من الجينات وضعه الخالق سبحانه وتعالى نصه انتبه الى ما هو مكرر انتبه الى المثيرات البصرية والسمعية ولكي يعمل هذا البرنامج يجب التفاعل مع الطفل لتحفيز عقل الطفل وخلاياه العصبية في حالة أن الطفل تم إهماله في الشهور الأولى أو أن الدماغ لم يحفز فيصبح اقل نشاطا في السنوات اللاحقة قمنا بوضع أسئلة لأهالي أطفال التوحد واتضح من إجابة الأسئلة من أهالي أطفال التوحد أن 80 في المية من الأطفال تعرضوا لإهمال غير مقصود بتركهم أمام قنوات الأطفال في العام الأول لفترة طويلة فيصبح الطفل يستقبل فقط يحدث كسل في التفكير بالكلام ويضعف الكلام حيث اكتساب اللغة تنتج من التفاعل مع الآخرين وليس من مشاهدة التلفزيون وتضعف حاسة اللمس والشم ويقل التفاعل في هذه اللحظة يتوقف العمر العقلي وللأسف قد يلاحظ أحد الوالدين أن الطفل تغير ولا يرد ولكن يستمروا في الخطأ - ويقولون أن الطفل صغير ويستمروا في إهمال الطفل بدون قصد ويوفروا له القناة إلى أن يبلغ الطفل عامان ويذهبون للطبيب ويقول لهم إن انتظروا إلى أن يبلغ الطفل عامه الثالث وهذا من اكبر الأخطاء حيث يجب أن يتم ملاحظة الطفل في العام الأول إذا لم يكن طبيعيا وتطوره البصري والذهني والسمعي والحسي غير طبيعي علينا بمعرفة السبب - وهو التلفزيون إذا كان طبيعي في أول 6 اشهر لانتا إذا تأخرنا وكان عمر الطفل العقلي متوقفا في العام الأول والعمر الزمني للطفل 3 سنوات فسوف يكون تعويض الفارق بين العمرين سيأخذ وقتا أطول وهو ما يثبت صحة افتراضية حدوث خلل في البرنامج التشغيلي لعقل الطفل *** التوصية منع الاطفال اقل من عامين لمشاهدة التلفزيون نهائيا وخاصة في العام الأول التفاعل مع الطفل قدر الإمكان بالصوت والحركة والابتسامة واللمس * . وجدت بحث في النت انه بعد تشغيل التلفزيون ب 30 ثانية تقوم الأجزاء المسؤولة عن التركيز في عقل الطفل بالانغلاق كذلك بحكم دراستي أن الصوت القادم من التلفزيون لا يشمل فقط الصوت المسموع ولكنه يشمل ما تحت السمعي من ترددات صغيرة وهي اقل من 20 ذبذبة في الثانية واعتقد إنها هي الأخطر لتلف خلايا الدماغ لدى الأطفال عند التعرض لها لمدة طويلة هذه الموجات التحت سمعية تستخدم في طرد الحيوانات وتستخدم في الطب للعلاج ولكنها لفترة زمنية قصيرة - مثل علاج الأوعية الدموية بالموجات تحت سمعية - ومنها ما يسبب إدمان لبعض الترددات مثل الرجل الذي يشعر بالراحة عند سماعه مقرئه المفضل أو مطربه المفضل ولان معظم قنوات الاطفال تعمل على تكرار الأغاني فلذلك يميل الطفل إليها ويحدث شبه إدمان لترددات الأغاني لذلك تجد الطفل لاستجيب لنداء والده ولكنه بمجرد تشغيل قناة ينجز باليها الطفل بسرعة حتى لو كان في غرفة أخرى ** توجد بعض رسائل الاهالي والتي معظمها تثبت ان الطفل تعرض لاهمال غير مقصود بتركه امام قنوات الاطفال وخاصة مع وجود خادمة لا تتكلم لغة الطفل وقد تكون الأم مشغولة بالعمل او بالحمل في اهم اشهر يحتاجها الطفل للتفاعل والتطور ويتضح أن قنوات الاطفال سبب رئيسي لزيادة معدل طيف التوحد
The nutritional quality of grape leaves: Comparative study between leaves collected from arid and temperate regions in Palestine.
Authors: Harb Jamil , Abed Amanie , Khaseeb Saeed , Saad Bashar
Published: November 2013

Grape leaves are widely consumed in Palestine, and many Mediterranean countries. This food item is considered as a delicacy in many cultures, and most consumers consider it as also a healthy food. Accordingly, we started two years ago a study to assess the nutritional quality of leaves collected from two grape varieties, namely Shami and Baituni, which were collected from two regions, namely Dahria (considered as an arid region) and Beit Umar (considered as temperate region). Leaves were collected during spring time in three replicates and directly grinded to powder in liquid nitrogen. To assess the nutritional quality, leaf extract were tested as anticancer agent, and tested further for the total antioxidants potential. Moreover, leaf extracts were subjected to detailed analysis for active compounds using GC-MS and LC-MS. Results show that leaves from Shami grapes clearly inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells. Concerning the influence of cultivation area, Shami leaves from the temperate region (Beit Umar) proved to be more effective that those collected from Dahria (the arid region). In addition, leaves from Baituni grapes proved to be ineffective against lung cancer. In contrast, the GC-MS analyses of primary metabolites show that leaves of both grape varieties, which were collected from the arid region, contain higher levels of a large set of compounds including alanine, valine, isoleucine, proline, serine, threonine, uracil, sorbose, malitol, quercetin, and maltotriose. This dramatic increase in these compounds may be attributed to osmotic adjustment of plants to cope with drought stress prevailed in that region compared to the temperate region. The analyses for secondary metabolites and total antioxidants potential are closed and will be represented, in connection with changes in primary metabolites and anticancer activity of grape leave extracts. In conclusion, results clearly show that consumption of grape leaves is very healthy, and its consumption may contribute to Mediterranean diet by preventing the occurrence of severe diseases. Moreover, detailed analyses using GC-MS, and LC-MS may reveal the active compounds behind the health-promoting impact of grape leaves. Further purification of these compounds may allow for future usage of leaf extract of Shami grapes as natural pharmaceuticals.
Higher-order organization of rhodopsin in native photoreceptors by cryo-electron tomography
Authors: Al-Amoudi Ashraf
Published: November 2013

Ashraf Al-Amoudi1,2, Monika Gunkel1, Weaam Alkhaldi1,2, Stephan Irsen1, U. Benjamin Kaupp1 1Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar), Department of Molecular Sensory Systems, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn, Germany, 2German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175 Bonn, Germany Vision begins with the absorption of photons by rhodopsin, the visual pigment in photoreceptors. Rhodopsin belongs to the family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that can form dimers or oligomers. Whether rhodopsin forms oligomers and whether these oligomers are functionally relevant is controversial 1-3. Here, we study rhodopsin organization by cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) of vitreous sections and sub-tomogram averaging of intact dark-adapted photoreceptors. This technique ascertains that rhodopsin is preserved in a close-to-native state. In combination with cryo-ET of vitreous sections, sub-tomogram averaging considerably enhances the signal-to-noise ratio thus allowing for in situ quantitative analysis at the molecular level. Briefly: retina is fixed by high-pressure freezing, ultra-thin sectioned and visualized by cryo-electron tomography and sub-tomogram averaging. In the reconstructed and processed tomograms the organization of rhodopsin molecules becomes visible. Our results show highly-organized structures of rhodopsin. We identify three levels of hierarchical supramolecular organization. Rhodopsin forms dimers; the dimers form rows; and rows come in special pairs like 'rail tracks'. Rows are aligned parallel to the disk incisure. We propose that rhodopsin tracks provide a template that organizes the spatio-temporal interaction of preassembled signalling components on the disk surface. We envisage that some rhodopsin-like type A GPCRs, which are highly homologous, also entertain a supramolecular organization. Aligned rows of immobile rhodopsin renders photoreceptors highly dichroic and might provide the structural basis for detection of polarized light. References 1 Chabre, M., Cone, R. & Saibil, H. R. Biophysics - is rhodopsin dimeric in native rods? Nature 426, 30-31 (2003). 2 Chabre, M. & le Maire, M. Monomeric G-protein-coupled receptor as a functional unit. Biochemistry 44, 9395-9403 (2005). 3 Fotiadis, D. et al. Atomic-force microscopy: rhodopsin dimers in native disc membranes. Nature 421, 127-128 (2003).
Engineering Biomolecules To Decorate Nanofibers For Tissue Engineering Heart Valves
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Navaneethakrishnan
Published: November 2013

Biomimetic nanofibers are essential to produce scaffolds for tissue engineering. The success of this strategy critically depends on the ability of the nanofibers to attract, interact and instruct the appropriate types of cells. This can be achieved through decorating the surface of the nanofibers with customised biomimetic peptides those holding cell-signalling motifs, which could assist nanofibers to engraft characteristics of extracellular matrix. Recently, peptide amphiphiles (PAs) have been successfully used as basic units for self-assemble nanofibers in different shapes. Here, we computationally engineer the interior structural factors of the PAs to fine-tune their fiber-assembly, which would be helpful for coating the fibers experimentally with cell-signalling motifs of interest for tissue engineering myocardium and heart valves such as fibronectin, NANOG, integrins and MEIS1. To date, we have modelled several PAs specific to interact with the above signalling molecules. The modeling results of PAs show that their intra-molecular structural rigidity is governed by a network of hydrophobic interactions. In addition, there are specific electrostatic modifications are required on the surface to attract and to hold signalling motifs. Detailed characterizations and validation of their behaviour is currently being performed.
Differential regulation of brown adipose tissue physiology by orexin A and orexin B
Authors: Ramanjaneya Manjunath
Published: November 2013

Abstract: Prevalence of obesity and co-morbidities is increasing alarmingly in recent years with over 1 billion adults globally being classified as overweight. Importantly, this also applies to the population in Qatar where about 70% of the total population are expected to be overweight and nearly 20% diabetic by 2015. The profound increase in obesity has a severe socio-economic burden for public health systems worldwide. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has high metabolic activity. Increasing BAT mass in itself as well as through trans-differentiation of white adipose tissue (WAT) to BAT can combat obesity, reverse insulin resistance and diabetes. Orexin A (ORA) and orexin B (ORB) neuropeptides mediate multiple physiological functions including sleep and wakefulness, appetite, metabolism, analgesia, stress response and thermogenesis. Orexins mediate physiological responses via activating two GPCRs OXR1 and OXR2. In the current study we demonstrate for the first time the expression of OXR1 and OXR2 in human BAT, and compare the effects of ORA and ORB on BAT functions i.e. thermogenesis, BAT angiogenesis and trans-differentiation of WAT to BAT using cellular and mouse models. Peripheral administration of ORA and ORB in mice resulted in a significant differential up-regulation of thermogenic (UCP1, PPARγ, PGC1α, BMP7, PRDM16 and BMP8b) genes, proteins, increase in BAT angiogenesis and up-regulating pro-angiogenic (VEGF, CD31, NGF2, FOXC2, HIF-1α, eNOS and MMPs) molecules in BAT. We also observed induction of BAT like phenotype in classical WAT, specifically, in inguinal and subcutaneous WAT following orexin treatment. In particular, our findings demonstrate that ORB has more potent effects on BAT function compared to ORA. Thermogenesis mediated by ORB predominantly involves activation of OXR2. In addition, we found that ORA mediated UCP1 (a key protein in thermogenesis) activation in thermogenesis involved p38 and ERK1/2 dependent pathways, whereas ORB induced UCP1 activation, was mainly through the p38 but not ERK1/2 pathway. Therefore, induction of brown phenotype in WAT by orexins could serve as a promising target to combat obesity and insulin resistance. We would like to highlight our data that ORB appears to have a more potent effect on trans-differentiation of WAT to 'brown-like' phenotype compared to ORA. In summary, our findings highlight the importance of orexins, in particular, ORB in the regulation of BAT physiology. Given that ORB is a potent inducer of BAT thermogenesis, angiogenesis and regulates trans-differentiation of WAT to BAT like phenotype, we propose that ORB has therapeutic potential for the treatment of obesity.
Diabetes awareness and prevention: A lifestyle based pilot program in Qatar schools
Authors: Cheema Sohaila
Published: November 2013

Abstract Diabetes is widely prevalent in the Middle East. Its incidence and prevalence are on the rise in the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) nations. In Qatar, the World Health Organization estimates that diabetes accounts directly for 7% of total deaths, while cardiovascular diseases account for 23% [1], both of which are related to lifestyle factors. Risk factors for diabetes are fairly well established. But it is worrisome that they are becoming more prevalent. However, it is reassuring to know that the disease can be prevented or its onset delayed by adopting healthy life style factors. Examples of these factors include healthy diet and adequate physical activity [2]. The World Health Organization has identified that "Education is a cornerstone of diabetes care and prevention" [2]. Thus, providing education to all segments of society is imperative. It is well recognized that lifestyle habits conducive to good health are formed in childhood and adolescence [3]. Therefore, educating children and adolescents about healthy lifestyles and implementing diabetes prevention programs in primary and secondary schools will yield not only short-term but also long-term benefits. We have, thus, developed a school education program with its target group of secondary school children in the 15-18 year age range. The program will be rolled out in selected Qatari schools, and will provide information to students on topics of importance in the prevention of diabetes. The interactive program will encourage student participation. Outcomes will be measured using Knowledge, Attitude and Practice tools both pre- and post-intervention. Change in knowledge and attitudes will be evaluated through written and oral methods of assessment. We will discuss the program objectives, its format, content and evaluation. Evaluation findings will be presented and discussed. The findings will enable us to determine the effectiveness of the program. References 1. World Health Organization - NCD Country profiles, 2011 2. Awareness of Prediabetes — United States, MMWR 2005-2010 Weekly, March 22, 2013 / 62(11); 209-212. (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6211a4.htm) 3. National Institutes of Health. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hd/prevent.html (downloaded July 28, 2013) Acknowledgement: This work is supported and funded by the Office of Academic Health System at Hamad Medical Corporation.
Clolrectal cancer (CRC) and cancer precursor lesions (adenomas) in the young average risk population of Qatar
Authors: Sharma Manik
Published: November 2013

Background: The incidence of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) peaks in the sixth and seventh decade of life and its precursor lesions a decade earlier in average risk population. American College of physicians (ACP) recent guidelines suggests CRC screening at 50 years of age and older in average risk persons to detect and treat colorectal cancer precursor lesions and early cancers. Objective: To delineate the incidence of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) and Cancer Precursor Lesions (CPL) in the 30 - 49 years age group in symptomatic and asymptomatic average risk population of Doha, Qatar. Method: Lower gastrointestinal endoscopies are routinely done in Qatar for diagnosis and treatment for patients presenting with lower abdominal pain, bleeding or worsening constipation. A retrospective collection of data was done to know the incidence of CRC and CPL among all the patients reporting to our hospital with above mentioned symptoms. Based on the results of this data, a cut off age was calculated with highest sensitivity and specificity for detection of CPL. A CRC screening program was then initiated among asymptomatic subjects with positive immunological fecal occult blood (iFOBT) and age > 40 years were invited for screening colonoscopy. Incidence of CPL (colorectal adenomas) and CRC was calculated prospectively in the average risk asymptomatic population among various age groups. Data regarding the incidence of CRC and CPL among symptomatic and asymptomatic (screened) population was compared. Results: A total of 1489 lower gastrointestinal endoscopies were done in symptomatic patients over a one year period. The mean age was 47.5 years, 935 were males with 71.3 % being expatriates. Overall, among the symptomatic people, CPL were detected in 14.5 % (n= 216) and CRC in 5.6 % (n= 84).Of these, CPL and CRC was detected in 22.6 % (n= 49) and 34 % (n=29) respectively in the age group of 30-49 years. Among the asymptomatic 1242 people who participated in the CRC screening keeping a cut-off age of > 40 years, 57 people (4.6%) were found to be positive for occult blood in stool. Of them, seven and five patients were detected to have CPL and CRC respectively between the age group of 40-74 years. In the 30-49 years age group, CPL was detected in 14.3 % (n=1) but without any CRC. Table 1. Conclusion: One-third of cancers (34%) and one-fifth of cancer precursor lesions (22 %) are detected in the 30-49 years age group in symptomatic patients in Qatar. Among the young (fourth decade of life) asymptomatic subjects, the incidence of cancer precursor lesion remains similar to symptomatic patients but without any obvious cancer. Hence, it is recommended that young symptomatic patients should undergo lower endoscopy early to detect cancer and cancer precursors. Larger studies are required in the asymptomatic subjects of 40-49 years age group to estimate the incidence of pre-cancerous lesions that might benefit from CRC screening.
Homogeneous Deformation Of Internally Balanced Compressible Hyperelastic Materials
Authors: Hadoush Ashraf
Published: November 2013

It is common nowadays to implement principles of continuum mechanics to describe the behavior of advance engineering materials. Continuum mechanics take into account the mapping of material pointsXdescribed in reference (undeformed) configuration into x described in current (deformed) configuration due to action of physical factors e.g. force or heat. The gradient of this mapping is denoted by F. It is common to model the behavior of the material in terms of stored energy function that for hyperelastic material expressed in terms of F; W(F). In practice, material behavior may consist of elastic response combined with some other type of nonelastic response such as plastic flow or biological growth. Therefore, it is common to decompose the deformation gradient at each material point such as F = F^ . F* (1) where F^ is elastic response and it is determined by the rules of variational calculus. The nonelastic response F is subjected to some kind of time dependent evolution law. Pence et al. (2013) have introduced a radically new way of viewing material using this concept. Actually, they consider the case where arguments of variational calculus apply to both factors and can be used to determine the decomposition itself. Preliminary indications is that this will offer great benefit in the modeling of complex material especially as regards to the development of singular surfaces that can be interpreted as locations of concentrated microstructural rearrangement. The extension of this internally balanced material models to include compressible hyperelasticity is investigated Hadoush et al. (2013). In this work the homogeneous deformation; dilatation, uniaxial and simple shear are examined for the two special cases of Blatz-Ko material model. It is found that the new theory retrieves conventional hyperelasticity for certain limiting cases.
Distribution and factors associated with predominance of Salmonella enterica serovars in humans and animals using multi-locus sequence typing in Qatar
Authors: Mohammed Hussni
Published: November 2013

Background and Objectives-Salmonella enterica is one of the most commonly reported causes of bacterial foodborne illness around the world. Many factors, including food of animal sources, play a role in the predominance of certain serovars. The occurrence of S. enterica serovars varies between different geographical regions and data on their occurrence in Qatar is lacking. Knowledge on the occurrence of zoonotic serovars and associated factors will help to design cost-effective risk mitigation strategies. This risk of salmonellosis has been exacerbated by the ease of travel around the world, increase in world trade of food and animal items, and continued migration of people. Qatar is one of the countries where the factors that exacerbate the risk of foodborne diseases intersect. We carried out a combination of epidemiologic and molecular studies to investigate the distribution of S. enterica serovars in this highly diverse population, and to identify the factors that play a role in the predominance of a particular serovar. Methods-We carried out a repeat cross-sectional study in which human and non-human samples were collected and Salmonella spp. were detected using a combination of bacterial enrichment and real-time PCR. Salmonella isolates were analysed using the Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) scheme and assigned accordingly by their eBURST groups (eBGs). We used the minimal spanning tree (MST) analysis to investigate the relationship among the isolates from different sources. Data on putative risk factors were collected and analysed for significance of association with particular serovars. Results-We identified 27 different sequence types (STs) and the most common were ST11 (29.5%) and ST19 (11.5%). Among the 27 STs, seven were novel (ST1695, ST1696, ST1697, ST1698, ST1699, ST1702, and ST1703). The STs related to serovar Enteritidis were ST-11, ST1695, and ST-1702; to Typhimurium were ST-15, ST-19, and ST-568; and to Newport were ST-31, ST-808, and ST-1698. Three of them were revealed to be common serovars in this study. In the MST analysis, three major clusters were presented in the overall population: Enteritidis, Newport and Typhimurium. Furthermore, it also revealed the possibility of transmission of strains between human and animal sources according to the lineages of STs. It was more likely to detect serovar Enteritidis in Qataris and serovar Typhimurium in non-Qataris in this study population. Conclusions—A diverse set of serovars were identified among the samples which could be due to the large scale of emigration and importation of animal feed and products in Qatar. Overall, our data also reveals the possibility of transmission of Salmonella isolates between human and animals; however, a detailed analysis of larger sample over a longer period of time using whole genome sequencing (WGS) could help to shed more light on the dynamics of transmission between these populations.