Feeding Rate and Mortality Impact of Crystals and Endospores Versus Crystals - Producing Recombinants of Bacillus thuringiensis Against Cotton Leafworm

Two Bacillus strains belonging to two species; thuringiensis and subtilis were used in this study. These strains were genetically marking and to be used in conjugation process depending upon the opposite genetic markers to induce recombinants in both strains. This study aimed to evaluate two bioinsecticides induced from recombinants; crystals, crystals + endospores, which derived from two strains of Bacillus and four of their transconjugants resulted from conjugation between Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis, with respect to their toxicity against lepidopterous cotton pest. The results obtained in this study achieved that endospores were effective in reducing feed consumption at the late times of larval age, in contrast, crystals was more effective in reducing feed consumption at the early times of larval age. The results appeared that endospores play a major role in increasing insecticidal activity of bioinsecticides (crystals), this leading to use their in all bioinsecticides. Endospores were effective in reducing the average weight of surviving larvae more than crystals. This indicated that bioinsecticides containing endospores + crystals were more effective than that containing crystals alone. However, most bioinsecticides containing endospores were reduced the average weight of surviving larvae at 48, 72 and 96 hours from treatment. All bioinsecticides containing crystals + endospores were more effective in reducing survival percentage than that containing crystals alone. This achieved that bioinsecticides containing crystals + endospores were more toxic on S. littoralis larvae. The mean number of mortality larvae appeared in treatments with crystals + endospores was more than that caused by bioinsecticides containing crystals alone. In most treatments done in this study the insecticidal activity of crystals + endospores caused higher mortality larvae than that caused by bioinsecticides containing crystals alone

Factors Associated with Tobacco Smoking Among Saudi College Students: A Systematic Review

Introduction: There has been an increase in tobacco smoking among Saudi college students in recent years. However, no study has examined, with a systematic approach, the extent to which specific factors are associated with tobacco smoking among this population. Methods: PubMed, ProQuest, CINAHL, and Web of Science were utilized to retrieve studies addressing risk factors associated with tobacco smoking among Saudi college students between 2010 and 2019. After confirming their eligibility criteria, studies were imported to the NVivo software for data collection and synthesis. All included articles were critically appraised, based on a modified STROBE. Results: Twenty-one out of 300 studies met the eligibility requirements for inclusion. Riyadh, health-related science, and male were the location, field of study, and gender of the population of most of those included in the studies, respectively. Only one study used a longitudinal design based on a theoretical framework; the rest were cross-sectional and lacked theoretical utilization. Four individual and two social factors were established to have a significant relationship with tobacco smoking behavior among college students in four or more studies. Environmental factors were found to be associated with a change in smoking behavior among Saudi college students based on two studies. Conclusions: There is a dearth of research in utilizing theoretical frameworks to guide the research in order to propose an intervention program among Saudi college students. Future research should aim to recruit participants from different institutions in the KSA, apply other methodological approaches, test other measurements of tobacco smoking, and utilize a theoretical framework.https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/gradposters2020_healthsciences/1000/thumbnail.jp

Factors Associated With Tobacco Smoking Among Saudi College Students: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION There has been an increase in tobacco smoking among Saudi college students in recent years. However, no study has examined, with a systematic approach, the extent to which specific factors are associated with tobacco smoking among this population. METHODS PubMed, ProQuest, CINAHL, and Web of Science were utilized to retrieve studies addressing risk factors associated with tobacco smoking among Saudi college students between 2010 and 2019. After confirming their eligibility criteria, studies were imported to the NVivo software for data collection and synthesis. All included articles were critically appraised, based on a modified STROBE. RESULTS Twenty-one out of 300 studies met the eligibility requirements for inclusion. Riyadh was the location, health-related science was the field of study, and male the gender of the population of most of the included studies. Only one study used a longitudinal design based on a theoretical framework, the rest were cross-sectional and lacked theoretical utilization. Four individual and two social factors were established to have a significant relationship with tobacco smoking behavior among college students in four or more studies. Environmental factors were found to be associated with a change in smoking behavior among Saudi college students based on two studies. CONCLUSIONS There is a dearth of research in utilizing theoretical frameworks to guide the research in order to propose an intervention program among Saudi college students. Future research should aim to recruit participants from different institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), apply other methodological approaches, test other measurements of tobacco smoking, and utilize a theoretical framework

TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES ON POPULATIONS OF COTTON LEAF WORM DURING SELECTION OF RECOMBINANTS IN BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS AS INSECTICIDAL AGENT

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to induce recombinants in Bacillus thuringiensis species that are toxic to pests in the environment of Saudi Arabia . The lab performance of certain released Bt treated Ricinus communis for their effect on Spodoptera litura were evaluated in comparison with non Bt plant parts . Two Bacillus strains were used in this study belonging to Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis . These strains were genetically marked using antibiotics and crystal violet . The strains were conjugated depending on the opposite genetic markers . From the mating four recombinant transconjugants were isolated to be evaluated for insecticidal activity against the larvae of Spodoptera litura . Investigations of toxicological studies were therefore carried out to evaluate the potential role of Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) recombinants as a natural pest control agent against Spodoptera litura . Two different formulations of the recombinant pathogens were tested for their efficacy against the pest . The results appeared that larvae feeding on Bt treated plants was weight decreased than non Bt treatment in control experiment . It can be concluded that Bacillus thuringiensis has a great potential for controlling and suppress the feeding of larvae on plant leaves . It is interesting to note that mortality, developmental rates and larval body weights were greater on the diet containing crystals + endospores than that in the diet treated with crystals . Average weight of larvae tolerated Bt intoxication appeared more weight increase than that in non Bt feeding . In addition , increased general average weight achieved that larval weight was increased in Bt sprayed plants with crystals + endospores than that in Bt sprayed with crystals alone . Accumulated larval mortality was increased in response to diet treated with crystals and endospores than that treated with crystals . This indicated that the diet treated with Bt containing crystals and endospores was more toxic than that containing crystals only . However , the ratio between consumption to the weight of surviving larvae was slower in all Bt treatment diet than that in non Bt treatment diet . while , the average of consumed diet treated with crystals + endospores was slower than that treated with crystals . On the other hand , the ratio between feed consumption to the weight of surviving larvae was greater in the diet treated with crystals + endospores than that treated with crystals . This indicated that larvae tolerated high toxic agents ( crystals + endospores ) was highly efficient in metabolism of diet to overcome diet toxic effects . These results indicated that there is a dire need to search and test more and more recombinant isolates of Bt for tracing out the best to achieve maximum control of cotton and vegetables leaf worm to reduce pesticides needed , because of historically, resistance to insecticides which has been a limiting factor for effective chemical control of cotton and vegetables pests in the world

Smoking Tobacco Prevalence Among College Students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION: During the last two decades, several studies have been published regarding the prevalence of tobacco smoking among college students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This systematic review and meta-analysis is intended to determine and examine the smoking prevalence in Saudi college students from 2010-2018. METHODS: PubMed, Science Direct, APA PsycNET, Web of Science, and CINAHL were used to search for published articles reporting the smoking prevalence among Saudi college students. After eliminating irrelevant articles, investigators independently assessed the quality of each article, based on Russell & Gregory guidelines. MetaXL software was used to calculate the pooled prevalence among included studies, using the IVhert model. Heterogeneity among the included studies was evaluated, using I2 statistic. Sensitivity analyses were conducted between male and female genders. RESULTS: Of the 295 published articles, 29 articles used a cross-sectional design to determine smoking prevalence among Saudi college students. Most of the studies were conducted in Riyadh at health-science-related colleges; the rest were performed in different cities and colleges. The meta-analysis showed that the pooled estimate of smoking prevalence among college students in the KSA was 17% (95% CI: 11-23%). Saudi male students had a prevalence rate of 26% (95% CI: 24-29%), whereas for Saudi female students the prevalence was 5% (95% CI: 3-7%). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking among Saudi college students was higher than in the majority of regional countries (e.g. Iran). Saudi male students had a higher smoking prevalence than Saudi female college students. Additionally, studies that reported a high prevalence targeted students in specific disciplines. Public health authorities in the KSA should develop a surveillance system that monitors the prevalence of tobacco smoking on campuses. A surveillance system of monitoring tobacco use among Saudi college students could be beneficial in determining the degree of the tobacco problem and in improving current tobacco control programs

Assessment of Prevalence and Factors Associated with Obesity among Secondary School Students at Makkah in Saudi Arabia

Background: The prevalence of overweight/obesity in children in Saudi Arabia is among the highest in the world. The prevalence of dental caries is also high in Saudi children. Studies on the relationship between caries and obesity in Saudi adolescents are lacking. the World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health,” while overweight is defined as “a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 or more.”1 Overweight and obesity can negatively affect the physiological and psychological well-being of the affected individual, and both have become a global the prevalence of overweight/obesity in high school adolescents. The Overweight and impaired metabolic health might strongly, and independently of other comorbidities, partner with expanded danger diseases. The study aimed: To assessment of prevalence and factors associated with obesity among   secondary school students at Makkah in Saudi Arabia 2021. Method: An online cross-sectional survey was utilized Secondary school students at in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in Saudi Arabia 2021 during the April to June, 2021, a total of 200 student aged 12–18 years, available students of secondary school children were included in the study. A structured online self-reported questionnaire sheet was used to assessment of prevalence and factors associated with obesity among   secondary school students at Makkah in Saudi Arabia 2021 Result: show the total number of participants was 200 regarding the age most participants were classified into 3 age groups, most of them were (45.0%) in the more than 16 years regarding gender of participated female were (63.0%). Regarding Income level in study the most of participant\u27s Below 5000 SR were (31.0%).  Regarding Educational level in study the most of participant\u27s Intermediate school were (22.0%) regarding Sources of information           about obesity most of participant\u27s educational films were (32.0%) Conclusion: with a high obesity prevalence in boys and in children attending schools. The prevalence was not associated with BMI or WC we report a negative independent association between BMI and subsequent academic performance among female high-school students in Saudi Arabia. The current findings highlight the need for community and school programmes targeting overweight/obesity among high school students

Risk Assessment Of In-Vitro Fertilization, Review Article

Since its remarkable inception in 1978, IVF has garnered significant public interest.   Currently, assisted reproductive technology is widely accessible in most developed countries, and the methods employed have significantly evolved since its inception.   Advancements in laboratory technology and clinical practice have enabled IVF to develop into a medical process that is highly efficient, safe, easily accessible, and comparatively affordable. Over 2 million children conceived by IVF have been born so far, and it is probable that ongoing improvements will increase its attractiveness and suitability. There has been a rising interest in the topic of risk assessment in IVF in recent years, with a significant amount of research focused on detecting and reducing the potential dangers linked to the operation.   This review article seeks to offer a thorough and all-encompassing analysis of the present understanding of risk assessments in IVF, encompassing the diverse range of risks and complications linked to the operation

Social and Economic Factors that Influence Health Outcomes in Family Medicine

Over the last twenty years, the social determinants of health (SDOH) have gained more and more attention in the public health community. SDOH are non-medical elements that may be significantly impacted by social policies and have an impact on health. The increasing variety that exists within our societies makes it absolutely necessary for us to incorporate into undergraduate medical education social determinants of health such as racial factors, financial instability, partner violence, insufficient accessibility to transportation, and inadequate social supports, as well as the crucial role of health education.  Nonetheless, a growing body of research indicates that a variety of health outcomes are fundamentally caused by socioeconomic variables including wealth, income, and education together. In this review we highlight the influence of socio-economic factors on health outcomes, approaches to incorporate social determinants of health in family medicine practice, and we also talk about challenges and solutions in addressing social determinants in family medicine. The objective of this research was to assess the impact of social determinants of health on family medicine practice in which socioeconomic determinants of health might have an effect on health outcomes and healthcare delivery within the context of a family medicine clinical environment

Assessment and Management of Atopic Dermatitis in Primary Care Settings

An increasingly common chronic inflammatory skin condition is atopic dermatitis (AD). It exhibits severe itching as well as recurring eczematous lesions. New difficulties for treatment selection and approach occur with the expansion of available therapy alternatives for healthcare professionals and patients.  The article highlights recent developments in scientific research on atopic dermatitis diagnosis and assessment that have led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of targeted therapies, both of which have the potential to completely change the way AD is treated, particularly in a primary care setting

Graduate Medical Students’ Mental Health Concerns During COVID-19 Pandemic

Medical students are more likely than the general population to experience perceived stress during the pandemic due to many variables. This study aimed to evaluate the stress levels and prevalence of different mental health conditions among graduate medical students in Al Kharj City. An anonymous online survey was conducted among graduate medical students of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU). For this investigation, the following scales were used to measure the prevalence of common mental health issues: DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Adult (CCSM-A); Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10-C), to measure COVID-19-related student stress; and the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire to get the global stress score (GSS). Two hundred twenty-one students were contacted, and 214(96.8%) consented to participate in the study. According to the CCSM-A scale, anxiety (73%) and depressive symptoms (71%) were the most frequently reported symptoms by the students. After correcting for age and self-perceived COVID-19 risk, there was a significant relationship between anger, suicidal ideation, and substance use, on one hand, and the study year on the other graduate medical students who have mental health issues bear a heavy load. In the post-pandemic recovery period, regular mental health assessments and providing early and adequate mental health assistance to needy people are imperative