Nutritional Biomarkers and Factors Correlated with Poor Sleep Status among Young Females: A Case-Control Study

Poor sleep status is associated with several health problems. Nutritional biomarkers and factors related to poor sleep are understudied. This study aimed to identify nutrition biomarkers and factors related to sleep status in healthy young Saudi females. The study included 92 normal-weight and obese Saudi females aged 19–25. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles were measured. Insulin resistance was calculated on the basis of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method. Anthropometric, stress, physical activity, and dietary data were collected. Data on the polyphenol content in foods were retrieved from the Phenol-Explorer database. The sleep status was assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Associations between variables were assessed using the multiple logistic regression model. Around 76% of the participants had poor sleep status (PSQI > 5). Multiple logistic regression reported high polyphenol intake as a protective factor against poor sleep (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.07–0.83; p = 0.03) and HOMA-IR as an independent risk for poor sleep (OR 4.97; 95% CI 1.11–22.31; p = 0.04). Other nutritional biomarkers and factors, such as BMI, lipid profile, and vitamins, revealed a trend but were not significant. In conclusion, poor sleep status is associated with insulin resistance and low polyphenol intake among women of reproductive age

Serum Vitamin D Level and Gut Microbiota in Women

Obesity and vitamin D deficiency are two major public health concerns. Evidence suggests that alteration in gut microbiota composition is a possible risk factor for obesity. Additionally, altered vitamin D status has a potential role in shaping the gut microbial community. Further, the prevalence of obesity has been rising in the Middle East, especially among women of reproductive age, which is of specific concern due to its adverse effects on the health of their offspring. To date, limited evidence is available on the association between gut microbiota composition and vitamin D levels in Arab women. This study aims to identify the associations between serum vitamin D, gut microbiota, and obesity among Saudi females. The current study is a case–control study including 92 women aged 18 to 25 years, (n = 48) with normal weight and (n = 44) with obesity. Anthropometric, biochemical, lifestyle data, and fecal samples were collected and analyzed. We used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterize microbial communities of stool samples. Vitamin D levels were significantly associated with alpha and beta diversities. Serum vitamin D levels were positively associated with bacteria known to regulate immunological responses; Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron in the normal weight group (r = 0.34, p = 0.03) and Bifidobacterium adolescentis in the obesity group (r = 0.33, p = 0.04). In conclusion, the findings suggest that vitamin D status may play a role in regulating the gut microbiota composition by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria while nourishing the beneficial strains

Vitamin B12 Status and Gut Microbiota among Saudi Females with Obesity

Previous studies have suggested that dietary habits and dysbiosis of gut microbiota contributed to obesity development. Vitamin B12 is produced by microbes; however, the relationships between vitamin B12, gut microbiome, and obesity are understudied. We aimed to determine the association between vitamin B12 status and gut microbiota relative to obesity in 92 Saudi Arabian females aged 19–25 years who were obese (n = 44) or normal weight (n = 48). Anthropometric, biochemical data, and dietary data were collected. The microbial communities of stool samples were characterized using the shotgun metagenomic sequencing technique. The relationship between vitamin B12 status and gut microbiota composition was identified using Pearson correlation analysis. A statistically significant difference was found in bacterial α- and β-diversity between the groups relative to median serum vitamin B12 level (404.0 pg/mL) and body weight. In the total participants, dietary vitamin B12 intake was inversely correlated with Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense and Blautia wexlerae species. In obese participants, dietary vitamin B12 intake was inversely correlated with Akkermansia muciniphila species and species from the Verrucomicrobia phylum, whereas it was positively correlated with Bacteroides species. Our findings indicate that the abundance (frequency) and diversity (richness) of gut microbiota are associated with vitamin B12 levels and obesity in young females

Dietary Polyphenols in Relation to Gut Microbiota Composition in Saudi Arabian Females

Polyphenols may modulate gut microbiota; however, limited studies have examined this relationship relative to obesity. We aim to investigate the association between polyphenol intake and gut microbiota composition in relation to obesity indices among Saudi Arabian females. This study included 92 adults stratified by body mass index (BMI) into controls (BMI ≥ 18.5–24.9 kg/m2; n = 48) and cases (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2; n = 44), and further divided into high and low polyphenol intake by median intake (252 mg/1000 kcal/day). Fecal samples were collected to analyze the gut microbiota composition via the whole-genome shotgun sequencing technique. Results showed that Flavonifractor plautii and Clostridium bolteae were positively correlated with polyphenol intake in the total sample (r = 0.22, p = 0.03; r = 0.28, p = 0.01, respectively). There were inverse correlations between Blautia wexlerae and polyphenol intake (r = −0.56, p Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and polyphenol intake (r = −0.45, p = 0.03) in the control group. Those in the case group with low polyphenol intake, and those with high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; ≥0.83), showed significantly lower alpha-diversity than those in the control group with normal WHR (p < 0.05). Findings suggest that polyphenols are correlated with specific bacteria and may play an important role in the modulation of gut microbiota and obesity management

Influence of Adiposity on the Gut Microbiota Composition of Arab Women: A Case-Control Study

Recent evidence has suggested that the gut microbiota is a possible risk factor for obesity. However, limited evidence is available on the association between the gut microbiota composition and obesity markers in the Middle-Eastern region. We aimed to investigate the association between gut microbiota and obesity markers in a case-control study including 92 Saudi women aged 18–25 years, including participants with obesity (case, n = 44) and with normal weight (control, n = 48). Anthropometric, body composition, and biochemical data were collected. The whole-genome shotgun technique was used to analyze the gut microbiota. The Shannon alpha and Bray–Curtis beta diversity were determined. The microbial alpha diversity was significantly associated with only the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (p-value = 0.04), while the microbial beta diversity was significantly associated with body mass index (p-value = 0.048), %body fat (p-value = 0.018), and WHR (p-value = 0.050). Specific bacteria at different taxonomic levels, such as Bacteroidetes and Synergistetes, were positively associated with different obesity markers. Alistipes was higher in the control group compared with the case group. The results highlight the association of the gut microbiota with obesity and suggest that the gut microbiota of Saudi women is associated with specific obesity markers. Future studies are needed to determine the role of the identified strains in the metabolism of individuals with obesity

Circulation of Influenza A(H5N8) Virus, Saudi Arabia

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses have been detected in several continents. However, limited viral sequence data are available from countries in the Middle East. We report full-genome analyses of highly pathogenic H5N8 viruses recently detected in different provinces in Saudi Arabia

Biofabrication of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle from Ochradenus baccatus

Biofilms are complex aggregation of cells that are embedded in EPS matrix. These microcolonies are highly resistant to drugs and are associated with various diseases. Biofilms have greatly affected the food safety by causing severe losses due to food contamination and spoilage. Therefore, novel antibiofilm agents are needed. This study investigates the antibiofilm and protein binding activity of zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) synthesized from leaf extract of Ochradenus baccatus. Standard physical techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, were used to characterize the synthesized OB-ZnNPs. Synthesized OB-ZnNPs demonstrated significant biofilm inhibition in human and food-borne pathogens (Chromobacterium violaceum, Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, and Listeria monocytogenes) at subinhibitory concentrations. OB-ZnNPs significantly reduced the virulence factors like violacein, prodigiosin, and alginate and impaired swarming migration and EPS production. OB-ZnNPs demonstrated efficient binding with HSA protein and no change in their structure or stability was observed. In addition, in vivo toxicity evaluation confirmed that OB-ZnNPs possessed no serious toxic effect even at higher doses. Moreover, they were found to have excellent antioxidant properties that can be employed in the fields of food safety and medicine. Hence, it is envisaged that the OB-ZnNPs can be used as potential nanomaterials to combat drug resistant bacterial infections and prevent contamination/spoilage of food

PREVALENCE OF COMPLICATIONS AFTER ODONTOPLASTY

Background:Cosmetic dentistry, also known as enameloplasty, is what odontoplasty refers to. This cosmetic dentistry treatment that strives to enhance the function of human teeth also includes contouring and reshaping of the teeth. Enhancing the look of a persons teeth by modifying their size, length, or even shape is a popular cosmetic procedure nowadays. This research aimed to assess and understand the issues and complications that are reported to have been faced by many people who have gone through the procedure of odontoplasty. Methods:A cross-sectional study was used to understand the prevalence of complications after odontoplasty. The philosophy of positivism is appropriate for this research as it helped in the descriptive assessment of the quantitative data gathered. An inductive research approach would be implemented because this approach relies on building up new theories and developing perceptions from existing theories. This is the need of this research work, and therefore an approach of inductive nature would be the best fit.The sampling method that was implemented is stratified random sampling, which would help consider those individuals in the UK going through the odontoplasty procedure. The sample age group is within the range of 25-40 years. Results:Study included 562 participants in which all of them responded to study survey questions. The most frequent complication was weak tooth (n= 268, 47.7%). More than third of study participants didnt support the changing of natural appearance of the tooth (n= 216, 38.4%). However, 63% would like to further changing the existing shape and size of their teeth (n= 354). On the other hand, 241 participants believed that odontoplasty is a necessity (42.9%). The same percentage almost recommended others to undergo odontoplasty (n= 239, 42.5%). 312 participants felt moderate pain (55.5%) is more than half of study participants. The most frequent reason why participants underwent odontolplasty was bad shape of teeth (n= 259, 46.1%). Conclusion:The most prevalent consequence was weak teeth. More over a third of survey participants opposed altering the tooths natural look, according to the study findings. However, more than half of individuals would desire to modify their present tooth form and size. Some participants, however, thought that odontoplasty is necessary. Over fifty percent of subjects reported moderate discomfort. About half of them claimed that it would endure for extended period of tim