2-Benzyl­sulfanyl-4-pentyl-6-(phenyl­sulfan­yl)pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile

In the title pyrimidine derivative, C23H23N3S2, the phenyl­sulfanyl and benzyl­sulfanyl benzene rings are orientated away from the carbonitrile group and are twisted out of the plane of the central ring with dihedral angles of 77.66 (6) and 64.73 (5)°, respectively. The n-pentyl group has an extended trans conformation. In the crystal, supra­molecular layers in the ab plane are sustained by C—H⋯π and π–π inter­actions [pyrimidine–phenyl­sulfanyl centroid–centroid distance = 3.8087 (7) Å]

Multiple sclerosis following bariatric surgery: A report of five cases

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system. The underlying cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, yet there are various predisposing factors. Currently, bariatric surgery is an increasingly common solution for obesity. It has been reported that bariatric procedures result in miscellaneous neurological complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case series to report the occurrence of MS following bariatric surgery. Here we report the cases of five patients who were recruited for inclusion following neurological examination, complete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study, enhanced cranial as well as spinal cord magnetic resonance (MR) images. Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was made based on McDonalds criteria (2010). All cases were diagnosed with relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (RRMS) after various types of bariatric surgeries

Serogroup W-135 Meningococcal Disease during the Hajj, 2000

An outbreak of serogroup W-135 meningococcal disease occurred during the 2000 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Disease was reported worldwide in Hajj pilgrims and their close contacts; however, most cases were identified in Saudi Arabia. Trends in Saudi meningococcal disease were evaluated and the epidemiology of Saudi cases from this outbreak described. Saudi national meningococcal disease incidence data for 1990 to 2000 were reviewed; cases from January 24 to June 5, 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. The 2000 Hajj outbreak consisted of distinct serogroup A and serogroup W-135 outbreaks. Of 253 identified cases in Saudi Arabia, 161 (64%) had serogroup identification; serogroups W-135 and A caused 93 (37%) and 60 (24%) cases with attack rates of 9 and 6 cases per 100,000 population, respectively. The 2000 Hajj outbreak was the first large serogroup W-135 meningococcal disease outbreak identified worldwide. Enhanced surveillance for serogroup W-135, especially in Africa, is essential to control this emerging epidemic disease

An analysis of foreign debt by the Arab countries with special reference to Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia

In this study the demand for foreign debt was disaggregated into government demand and private sector demand. Hence, two demand models have been specified. Where, the government maximises an expected quadratic preference function, and the private sector maximises the expected returns from its financial portfolio. The two models are then empirically tested on data from the three Arab countries. Furthermore, the two models are then combined and empirically tested and compared to the disaggregated model.;The general framework of this study is that the governments of the Arab countries under study pursue internal and external acceptance in an effort to remain in power, which is empirically supported here. Increasing government expenditure, which implies higher budget deficit, reflects the government's efforts to gain internal acceptance. On the other hand, opening up the domestic economy to the world indicates the government's efforts to gain international acceptance.;This study concludes that the Arab countries under study have been undergoing imprudent economic policies that mainly accommodating the government's credit requirements. It has shown that the countries had accepted irresistible foreign loans contracts possibly to finance the current account deficits. Further, the IMF stabilisation program requirement to devalue the national currency, in order to increase foreign exchange inflows and hence reduce foreign debt, founds not to be working for the three Arab countries under study

Islamic economics and finance : A European perspective

xx, 191 p. : ill. ; 23 c

Parents' Knowledge and Perception of Child Abuse and Neglect in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Background: Child maltreatment is a crucial issue worldwide that has negative consequences for children and their families. Inability to distinguish between traditional corporal punishment and abuse is part of the problem. Objectives: To assess parents' knowledge and perception of child maltreatment and investigate the factors that influence their awareness. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited parents with at least one child aged <18 years. Data were collected using a self-administrated online questionnaire. Participants were categorized into two groups based on the median knowledge score. Results: A total of 447 participants completed the questionnaire, of which 62% were female and the average age was 37 years. Almost two-thirds of the respondents (60.6%) consider child abuse and neglect (CAN) to be a common problem in Saudi Arabia. Only 53% had good knowledge of CAN, and more than one-third were unaware of the hotline number available to report any CAN. Almost half of the participants did not consider refusing childhood immunization or smoking in front of children to be a form of CAN. Logistic regression showed that higher education and family income levels were significantly associated with good knowledge (P = 0.013 and 0.003, respectively). Conclusions: While most parents consider CAN to be a common problem in Saudi Arabia, they do not have adequate knowledge of what constitutes emotional abuse and neglect. These findings highlight the need for community-based education programs to increase parents and caregivers' awareness of child rights

Meningococcal disease during the Hajj and Umrah mass gatherings

The Hajj and Umrah religious mass gatherings hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can facilitate the transmission of infectious diseases. The pilgrimages have been associated with a number of local and international outbreaks of meningococcal disease. These include serogroup A disease outbreaks in 1987 and throughout the 1990s and two international serogroup W135 outbreaks in 2000 and 2001. The implementation of strict preventative measures including mandatory quadrivalent meningococcal vaccination and antibiotic chemoprophylaxis for pilgrims from the African meningitis belt has prevented pilgrimage-associated meningococcal outbreaks since 2001. However, the fluid epidemiology of the disease and the possibility of outbreaks caused by serogroups not covered by the vaccine or emerging hyper-virulent strains, mean that the disease remains a serious public health threat during these events. Continuous surveillance of carriage state and the epidemiology of the disease in the Kingdom and globally and the introduction of preventative measures that provide broad and long-lasting immunity and impact carriage are warranted

Oil price movements and stock market returns: Evidence from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries

A number of recent studies have found a link between oil price changes and stock prices. However, these studies mostly concentrate on developed economies and analyze the impact of oil price shocks on stock returns at the aggregate stock market level. We assess the relation between changes in crude oil prices and equity returns in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries using country-level as well as industry-level stock return data. Our findings show that at the country level, except for Kuwait, stock markets have significant positive exposures to oil price shocks. At the industry level, the responses of industry-specific returns to oil shocks are significantly positive for only 12 out of 20 industries. Our study also provides evidence that oil price changes have asymmetric effects on stock market returns at the country level as well as at the industry level.Oil shocks Stock returns GCC countries

Factors associated with postnatally maternal-infant attachment in taif, Saudi Arabia

Background: The attachment is an important aspect of the relationship between mother and infant. However, besides mother, the other influential factors, including social and cultural environments, play a key role in the level of attachment to their infants. Therefore, the regional studies are needed to assess the impact of factors affecting attachment postpartum period. In this study, we investigated the effect of factors on mother–infant attachments in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: The survey was carried out among 200 women 1–2 months postnatal, who were attending healthcare center in the middle of the city and were living in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. It was held during the period from January to March 2018. The survey was used to acquire sociodemographic data, reproductive history, and mother–infant attachment scale. Results: Out of 200 women, 172 (86%), 20 (10%), and 8 (4%) mothers showed positive, negative, and unclear attachments, respectively. Positive attachment was high among educated (90.6%) and employed (85.2%) mothers (P = 0.001). Furthermore, high gravidity and parity promote positive attachments. The positive attachment was more inclined toward girl child (95.7%), while the other factors including social support, being a full-term baby, breastfeeding, pregnancy planning, and history of abortion showed no significant effect on attachment. Conclusion: The psychological status of the mother is one of the governing factors which affect bonding during pregnancy and postpartum. Extensive care should be provided to pregnant women with high number of pregnancies especially if they are of lower level of education to help them avoid negative attachment with their infants

Microbiological risk assessment and resistome analysis from shotgun metagenomics of bovine colostrum microbiome

Colostrum is known for its nutraceutical qualities, probiotic attributes, and health benefits. The aim of this study was to profile colostrum microbiome from bovine in rural sites of a developing country. The focus was on microbiological safety assessments and antimicrobial resistance, taking into account the risks linked with the consumption of raw colostrum. Shotgun sequencing was employed to analyze microbiome in raw buffalo and cow colostrum. Alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed increased inter and intra-variability within colostrum samples' microbiome from both livestock species. The colostrum microbiome was mainly comprised of bacteria, with over 90% abundance, whereas fungi and viruses were found in minor abundance. Known probiotic species, such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactobacillus paracasei, were found in the colostrum samples. A relatively higher number of pathogenic and opportunistic pathogenic bacteria were identified in colostrum from both animals, including clinically significant bacteria like Clostridium botulinum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. Binning retrieved 11 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), with three MAGs potentially representing novel species from the genera Psychrobacter and Pantoea. Notably, 175 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and variants were detected, with 55 of them common to both buffalo and cow colostrum metagenomes. These ARGs confer resistance against aminoglycoside, fluoroquinolone, tetracycline, sulfonamide, and peptide antibiotics. In conclusion, this study describes a thorough overview of microbial communities in buffalo and cow colostrum samples. It emphasizes the importance of hygienic processing and pasteurization in minimizing the potential transmission of harmful microorganisms linked to the consumption of colostrum