bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency for Crop Production in Dry Lands via Soil Amendments and Remote Sensing Techniques
Authors: Mahmoudi Henda 
Published: July 2019

The soils of the Arabian Peninsula in general and GCC countries in specific are dominantly sandy (low nutrient and water holding capacity, high infiltration rate). These soils need high inputs for crop production. To be cost-effective in agriculture production these soils need careful consideration to enhance water and nutrient use efficiency and increase crop production. A number of organic and inorganic amendments have been used by various researchers in this regards. However, little has been done in this respect on UAE soils, and hence forms the focus of this study. The study aims to achieve this through soil improvement using soil amendments and assessing the efficiency through remote sensing techniques.The green house and field trials were conducted simultaneously (January 2015) on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) at ICBA station using sandy soil which is dominant in the UAE and the GCC countries. Five inorganic amendments (Zeoplant, Zeoplant pellet, Meliorit, AustaHort and Palagonite) and one organic (locally produced compost) were used at different rates (0, 1.5, 3 and 4.5 kg/m2). Fresh water is used to offset the irrigation requirement of Okra equivalent to 100% and 75% ETc. The treatments were triplicated in a randomized complete block design.Agronomic parameters (Germination, growth, flowering and fruiting) were recorded. Spectral signatures were collected in the range of 400 to 1100 nm using a hand held spectroradiometer with standardized viewing and radiation conditions for all treatments. Each parcel was monitored spectrally from the stage of being a bare parcel to the stage of 50% covered by vegetation.Okra fruit is collected on a weekly basis and weight recorded. The SPAD meter is used in the field and greenhouse for the measurement of chlorophyll content during the growth stages.The organic and inorganic amendments in general improved the water use efficiency as well as enhanced the biomass production to a significant extent compared to the treatment where amendments were not used. At 75% ETc the performance of amended soils was comparable to 100% ETc and fruit biomass production was similar. The use of the soil amendments can save up to 25% of the irrigation water in sandy soils.These are preliminary results from sandy soil representing the main soil type in UAE. These amendments may behave differently in other types of soils hence further test are being started in Arabian Gulf University to test the same amendments on Bahraini soil.KeywordsWater scarcity, Crop production, Sandy soils, Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency, Monitoring efficiency, UAE
Helminth Infections Among Long-Term-Residents and Settled Immigrants in Qatar in the Decade from 2005 to 2014: Temporal Trends and Varying Prevalence Among Subjects from Different Regional Origins
Authors: Abu-Madi Marawan , Behnke Jerzy , Doiphode Sanjay , Boughattas Sonia 
Published: July 2019

We analysed the prevalence of helminth infection in a dataset of 31,008 records of subjects referred for stool examination at the Hamad Medical Corporation over the course of a decade (2005 to 2014, inclusive). Overall prevalence of combined helminthe infections was low (1.78%) but there were significant temporal trends, age and sex effects and those arising from region of origin of the subjects. The most common helminth was hookworm (overall prevalence 1.2%) which accounted for 70.3% of cases, and therefore patterns for combined helminth infections were largely driven by hookworms. In both cases, and also in Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence peaked in 2008, since when prevalence has been steadily falling. Helminth infections were largely concentrated among subjects from W. Asian countries, and there was a highly biased prevalence in favour of male subjects in all cases. Prevalence of all three nematodes peaked in age class 7 (mean age 25.5 years, range = 20–29) and there were significant interactions between region of origin and sex of subjects and prevalence of combined helinths, and hookworms. These results offer optimism that prevalence will continue to decline in the years ahead, especially if control is targeted at those most at risk of carrying infections.
Disinfection by-products of Chlorine
Authors: Al-Otoum Fatima , Al-Ghouti Mohammad 
Published: July 2019

The occurrence of disinfection by-products (DBPs) of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in drinking water, namely: chlorite, chlorate, and THMs as well as the concentration of ClO2 were investigated. Two hundred ninety four drinking water samples were collected during the time period from March to August 2014. The water samples were collected from seven desalination plants (DPs), four reservoirs and eight mosques distributed in South and North Qatar. The ClO2 level was ranged from 0.38 to less than 0.02 mg/L, with mean value of 0.17, 0.12, and 0.04 mg/L in the desalination plants (DPs), the reservoirs (R), and the mosques (M), respectively. The chlorite level was varied from 12.78 – 436.36 ppb with median values varied from 12.78 to 230.76, from 77.43 to 325.25, and from 84.73 to 436.36 ppb in the DPs, the reservoirs, and the mosques, respectively. While chlorate was varied from 10.66 ppb to 282.71 ppb with mean values varied from 35.58 to 282.72 ppb, from 11.02 to 200.69, and from 10.66 to 150.38 ppb in the DPs, R, and M respectively. However, the average value of THMs was 4.90 ppb, while maximum value reached 76.97. Lower disinfectant residual was observed in few samples, however this could be attributed to the normal decomposition reaction of ClO2 with organic and inorganic compounds, including biofilms, pipe materials, corrosion products, formation of slime or may due to the fact the water in distribution system experience water aging problem. Significant differences were observed in the concentration level of chlorite, chlorate and THMs between DPs, reservoirs and the mosques. However, the concentrations of all DBPs fell within the range of the regulatory limit set by GSO 149/2009, WHO and KAHRAMAA (KM). It is recommended to slightly increase the average ClO2 dosage at the DPs. Such slight increase would provide safer margin at the customer point of use in case of any microbial activities. Consideration must be given to the overall demand and should account for seasonal variations, temperature, and application points. As well as a monitoring approach is recommended for the drinking water safety assessment. Re-conducting the study to include other DPs of ClO2 is recommended.
Roadside Observational Surveys of Restraint Use by Young Children in Qatar: Initial Results and Recommendations
Authors: Malik Shahnaz 
Published: July 2019

IntroductionIn a report by the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region 1, the non-use of child restraints for children was identified as a key risk factor that can be addressed by the adoption and enforcement of legislation that will increase their use. Currently, there are no child restraint laws in Qatar. The objective of the study is to report baseline data on child restraint use and to provide evidence to inform the passage of child passenger restraint laws in Qatar.MethodologyThis roadside observational survey was conducted as part of the Young Kids in Safe Seats Project funded by the Qatar Foundation. Trained observers conducted roadside observations of passenger restraint use in vehicles with children, less than 5 years, at 12 sampling sites. Standard data was collected per observation: seating position, restraint used and appropriateness of restraint used.ResultsOf 2232 observations of young child passengers; 41% were properly restrained, 21% improperly restrained and 38% unrestrained, 10.9% were on an adult's lap. The most common seating location was right 2nd row followed by left 2nd row. These 2 locations also had the highest rates of proper restraint use. The positions with the lowest restraint use were the front and 2nd row middle seat. One in 9 children observed was illegally seated in the front row, most on the lap of an adult [38.3%] or unrestrained [34.4%].ConclusionsThis is the first observational study in Qatar that measures child restraint rates in children younger than 5. Less than half of these children are traveling safely. Priority areas for intervention include: enforcement of existent laws banning children in the front seat, education about the risks for children in an adult's lap and encouraging the proper use of age/size appropriate restraint systems. These findings can inform the development of national child passenger restraint laws.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Protects Cancer Stem Cells from Apoptosis by Activating Multiple Signaling Pathways
Authors: Sastry Konduru Seetharama , Chouchane Aouatef Ismail , Wang Ena , Marincola Francesco M , Chouchane Lotfi 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundVasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide that controls the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of various normal and cancer cells. Elevated expression of VIP receptors has been found in prostate and breast cancer; and antagonists of VIP inhibit the growth of cancer xenografts. We previously reported the cytoprotective mechanisms activated by VIP in differentiated cancer cells that form the bulk of tumor, however, the signaling mechanisms activated in cancer stem cells (CSC) have not been identified.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study are to unravel the anti-apoptotic mechanisms activated by VIP in CSC, and examine if these pathways converge on a pro-apoptotic protein BAD. Identification of mechanisms responsible for survival of CSC will help design new therapeutic strategies that target and eliminate CSC.MethodsSphere formation assay and Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) were used to enrich and purify CSC (CD44+/CD24 − and/or CD133+) from prostate and breast cancer cells. Apoptosis of CSC was induced by inhibiting the survival kinase PI3K/Akt using pharmacological inhibitor LY294002. Caspase assay, FACS and soft agar colony formation assays were used to measure the cytoprotective effects of VIP. Western blot was used to address the phosphorylation and quantification of various signaling proteins.Results and conclusionCancer stem cells were sorted to a purity of 95% and characterized for their stemness phenotype. While LY induced apoptosis in CSC by dephosphorylating BAD, VIP rescued by restoring the BAD phosphorylation at Ser112. VIP activated two non-redundant antiapoptotic signaling pathways that converge on BAD. One signaling pathway operate via activation of protein kinase A (PKA), whereas the other pathway predominately relies on MEK/MAPK pathway. Both pathways partially control BAD phosphorylation at Ser112. Either of these pathways is sufficient to protect CSC from apoptosis, thus both have to be inhibited to block cytoprotective effects of VIP. Using phosphorylation deficient mutant BAD, we show that the BAD phosphorylation is essential for the VIP-induced survival of CSC. Taken together, our findings suggest the potential usefulness of VIP receptor inhibition, and that BAD plays a critical role in CSC and thus targeting BAD might be an attractive strategy for development of novel therapeutics.
Synephrine as Antioxidant: Application in Quenching of Photo Induced Radical of Anthraquinone and Naphthoquinone
Authors: Hussein YasserH. A. , Sivakumar Velautham , Elazazy Marwa , Ganesh Karuppasamy 
Published: July 2019

Photosensitive molecules such as quinones in drugs may become activated by exposure to UV-A light (320–400 nm) of the solar spectrum and cause damages to biological materials such as amino acids, nucleic acids, lipids, etc.. 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) and 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ), based drugs are commonly used as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antitumor and antimalarial. Synephrine (SY) is used in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly for anti-hypotensive, nasal and ophthalmic decongestant. Currently it has been used in treatment of digestive disorders, in emergency treatment of asthma, and more importantly used as anti-depressant. The study of photo induced interactions of the excited quinones and drug molecules having electron donating ability is expected to have some relevance in physical pharmacy. In this in-vitro study, our aim is to understand the photo induced reaction when the quinones AQ and NQ coexisted with SY in an organic medium and exposed to UVA light. The photo induced interaction between SY and above quinones in their triplet states has been studied using nanosecond laser flash photolysis in organic medium, ethanol. The triplet excited states of the above quinones, AQT and NQT were produced by excitation with 355 nm, 5 ns laser pulse, in the presence of SY and under both deoxygenated and oxygenated conditions. In this wavelength only the quinones can be excited to triplets but not the SY, leaving it always in its ground state. Transient absorbance of the products formed was monitored in the 300–700 nm wavelength range. Both quinones, in their triplet excited state have revealed similar reactivity towards the ground state SY. Kinetics probed at the characteristic wavelengths of the triplets and ion radicals show that the formation of the quinone radical anion and the decay of the corresponding triplet are synchronous. This confirms that the photo-induced excited triplets, AQT and NQT have been quenched by SY through electron transfer process forming AQ•–, SY•+ ion pair. The lifetime of the decay of the triplets of the quinones and the growth lifetime of the radical anion of the same quinones are about 3 μs under deoxygenated condition. The presence of oxygen in the medium influences the decay of the triplet and anion radicals of the AQ, but does not affect the decay of the triplet or anion of NQ. In the presence of oxygen, AQ•– radical anion interacts with oxygen and forms superoxide anion radicals, O2•–. The overall result from the current investigation is an evidence for the controversial role of SY in oxidative stress. The ability of SY to quench the photo excited quinones could give some insight to mitigate the drug induced photosensitivity and also could broaden the clinical usage of SY in other therapeutic areas.
Substances Secreted by Starved Human Dermal Fibroblasts Enhancing the Wound Healing Process in Rat without Scar: A Potential Acellular System for Wound Healing
Authors: Hanifi-Moghaddam Pejman , Mostafazadeh Amrollah 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundDespite being a major cellular component of various engineered skin substituent, underlying mechanism of successful fibroblast transplantation in wound healing is not clear. Here we show that substances derived from starved fibroblast accelerate wound healing process in rat.Material and methodsStarved human fibroblast cell culture supernatant (SFS) was prepared and tested for its wound healing capacity on rat skin. Twelve Wistar adult male rats were randomized into four different groups of three. On the back of each rat two wounds were created with area of 452 mm2. Each wounds were treated daily with one milliliter of SFS or cell culture medium (DMEM). The size of the wounds was measured daily until crust formation. The animals were scarified on 4th, 8th, 11th and 15th day of experiment and skin was removed for H&E and trichrome staining. Infiltration of fibroblast and inflammatory cells and collagen formation were analyzed.ResultsThe diameter of the wounds treated the SFS solution was significantly decreased within the first week of treatment, compared with control wound receiving DMEM only (p
Inhibition of p90 Ribosomal S6 Kinase Attenuates Cell Migration and Proliferation of the Human Lung Adenocarcinoma through Phospho-GSK-3b and Osteopontin
Authors: Abdulrahman Nabeel , Jaballah Maiy , Poomakkoth Noufira , Riaz Sadaf , Abdelaziz Somaya , Issa Aya , Mraiche Fatima 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundLung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women and it is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Lung cancer can be divided into two broad categories: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which consists of about 85% of all lung cancers and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which account for 15% of all lung cancers. The evolution of lung cancer is a multistep process involving genetic and epigenetic alterations. Standard treatment therapies such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery has reached a plateau phase. As a result, much work has centered on identifying the molecular targets involved in the tumor cell proliferation, survival and metastasis in effort to identify novel therapeutic approaches. p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK) constitutes a family of serine/threonine kinases that have been shown to be involved in cell proliferation of various malignancies via direct or indirect effects on the cell-cycle machinery.ObjectivesTo investigate the role of p90RSK in lung adenocarcinomas and whether the inhibition of p90RSK diminishes cancer progression. Moreover, we investigated the involvement of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and osteopontin (OPN) in the p90 RSK induced lung adenocarcinoma progression.Methodsp90RSK, OPN, GSK-3β protein expression were examined in the A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line in the presence and absence of BI-D1870 (BID), a p90RSK inhibitor. Gene expression of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic markers namely Bcl2 and Bax, respectively, were studied by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line was characterized for cell proliferation using the MTT assay and cell migration using the scratch migration assay.ResultsOur study revealed that the treatment of the A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line with BID resulted in a significant reduction in protein expression of p90RSK 1 (69.32 ± 12.41% of control; P < 0.05). The inhibition of p90RSK also showed a significant suppression of cell proliferation (54.3 ± 6.73% of control; P
Implementation of a New Genetic Screening Test for of Genetic Recessive Diseases in a Program of Oocyte Donation
Authors: Estivill Xavier , Abuli Anna , Latre Laura , Boada Montse , Clua Eliabet , Rodriguez-Santiago Benjamin , Armengol Lluis , Coroleu Ventura , Barri Pere N , Veiga Anna 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundCurrent screening for carriers of genetic diseases in oocyte donors includes the assessment of risk of transmission of inherited diseases based on personal and family history of genetic disorders. Most assisted reproduction centers also include karyotyping, mutational screening of the CFTR gene and directed the study of fragile X premutation. Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies of have allowed to expand genetic screening to a large number of diseases at a reasonable cost.Objective • Develop a new genetic test (qCarrier) based on NGS technology for extended recessive diseases in the field of reproductive medicine screening. • Implementation of the carrier screening test in our oocyte donation program.Material and MethodsThe test covers 200 genes (68 in full sequence analysis and targeted screening of 132 known mutations) associated with autosomal recessive diseases 185 (AR) and 11 linked to chromosome X. The test was developed by NGS technology and allows characterization of a broad spectrum of mutations (point, indels, rearrangements and CNVs). The expanded carrier screening is performed on all candidate of oocyte donors and on the male partner of the recipient of oocytes. We discard from the oocyte donor program all candidates that are carriers of X-linked disease. The heterozygous carrier status for an autosomal recessive condition is no a reason for exclusion as a donor, but it involves the selection of a recipient whose male partner is not a carrier of disease mutations in the same gene.ResultsThe validation of the test showed high sensitivity (>99%). It has made the extended carrier screening a total of 445 oocyte donor candidates and a total of 587 male partners of oocyte recipients. The implementation of the test in our OD program has identified 57% of patients/donors carriers least a pathogenic mutation.Conclusions • The implementation of the test in oocyte donors program has identified a 3% allocation at high risk of disease autosomal recessive. Two percent of donor candidates to enter the oocyte donors program are carriers of pathogenic mutations linked to the X chromosome. • The expanded carrier screening is a useful tool to reduce the rate of newborns affected of genetic diseases in children born through oocyte donors program. • The implementation of the test in clinical settings requires pre and post-test genetic counseling to ensure adequate information, consent of patients and safeguard the fundamental ethical issues facing patients and oocyte donors.
Social Hypertension Awareness System in Gulf Countries (SHAMS)
Authors: Alotaibi Mohammed , Bassfar Zaid 
Published: July 2019

Hypertension prevalence around the world has risen over the last few years. The gulf countries has become one of the most affected countries in the world. Saudi Arabia only estimated that 24% of the current population is suffering from hypertension. This has been attributed to elements such as lack of proper management systems for hypertension and inadequate education systems in the region. In addition to this health problem, gulf countries have increased its use of smart phones. The country's access to the internet has also increased.Therefore, SHAMS aims to fill the gap of lacking special hypertension education program in gulf countries using mobile health technology such as a private social network for hypertensive patients in gulf countries. The system contains of two units: (1) medical staff whom might be hypertension educator. (2) hypertensive patients.SHAMS system allows the medical staff to taught the hypertensive patient through private social network. The hypertension educator can Post information, Videos and pictures and also answer the hypertensive inquiries through the SHAMS. On the other hand, the hypertensive patients can share his thoughts with his doctor/educator and with other hypertensive patients in the SHAMS network.In conclusion, there is substantial support for the adoption of the use SHAMS in order to improve the health awareness of hypertensive patients in Saudi Arabia. The research work is currently on-going, with a focus on the design and implementation of the integrated architecture with regard to SHAMS to be further evaluated and developed in the KSA.