LEADING CAUSES AND POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTORS FOR END STAGE RENAL DISEASE IN ALMADINAH REGION IN SAUDI ARABIA

To find-out the leading causes and the possible environmental contributors for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in Al-Madinah region, KSA.. 156 patients suffering from ESRD and 160 apparently healthy subjects of comparable age and sex were included. None of the participants was occupationally exposed to lead, cadmium and/or mercury. None affection of the control subjects with renal diseases was confirmed. Patients with undefined leading causes for ESRD (44) and an equal number of the control subjects were subjected to determine their blood levels of lead, cadmium and mercury. The study revealed that the main leading causes of ESRD in Al-Madinah region were hypertension, obstructive uropathy and diabetes mellitus. Environmental pollutants of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contributed to ESRD in Al-Madinah region particularly in urban areas. Mercury (Hg) was not a pollutant in Al-Madinah region. The study recommended early diagnosis and proper control of hypertension, obstructive uropathy and diabetes mellitus. It also recommended regular environmental monitoring for (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels and finds the sources of their elevations and efforts should be raised up to eliminate them

A new approach for achievement of inulin accumulation in suspension cultures of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) using biotic elicitors

AbstractA promising protocol for achievement the accumulation rate of inulin compound in a suspension culture of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) was established. The effect of incorporated of cell cultures in combining with two type of biotic elicitors Aspergillus niger extract and Methyl-Jasmonate incorporation feeding medium on leaf cell growth patterns and production of inulin was investigated. The maximum value of cell growth parameters and highest content of inulinase activity (0.395u/ml) were resulted from elicitation of augmented MS-medium with A. niger extract at the level of 0.2% in combination with Methyl-Jasmonate (150μM) as compared with other concentrations after 2weeks of cultivation. The chemical analyses of the different cell lines were spectro-photometerically performed. This study clearly indicates that combining of A. niger and Methyl-Jasmonate elicitors plays a critical role on inulin process and its accumulation in Jerusalem artichoke cell cultures

Psychological flourishing and Self-esteem as predictors of adjustment to university life among a sample of Qatar university students

يهدف البحث إلى الكشف عن العلاقة بين الازدهار النفسي وتقدير الذات والتوافق مع الحياة الجامعية لدى عينة من الطلاب في جامعة قطر، كما يهدف إلى تعرف الفروق بين عينة الدراسة في ضوء النوع والفرقة الدراسية والحالة الاجتماعية والتفاعل بينهم في تلك المتغيرات، وإمكانية التنبؤ بالتوافق مع الحياة الجامعية من خلال الازدهار النفسي وتقدير الذات. تكونت عينة الدراسة من 329 طالبًا وطالبة من طلاب جامعة قطر، طبق عليهم الباحثان مقياس الازدهار النفسي (Diener et al., 2009) ومقياس تقدير الذات (Rosenberg, 1965) ومقياس التوافق مع الحياة الجامعية (Baker & Siryk, 1989). وتشير نتائج الدراسة إلى وجود علاقة ارتباطية دالة إحصائيا بين الازدهار النفسي وتقدير الذات والتوافق مع الحياة الجامعية لدى عينة الدراسة. كما أشارت النتائج إلى وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية تعزى للنوع على بعد التوافق الشخصي الانفعالي والازدهار لصالح الذكور، كما ظهرت فروق تعزى للحالة الاجتماعية على التوافق الأكاديمي، والتعلق، والدرجة الكلية، وتقدير الذات والازدهار النفسي لصالح المتزوجين. وأخيرا، أظهرت النتائج أنه يمكن التنبؤ بالتوافق مع الحياة الجامعية وأبعاده الفرعية من خلال الازدهار النفسي وتقدير الذات

Evaluación de cáscaras de maní como alternativa a arcillas decolorantes

Peanut hulls (PNH) were carbonized at different temperatures, times, and evaluated at different concentrations as an alternative to bleaching clays. Evaluation of bleached crude soybean oil with PNH was based on their delta free fatty acids, reduction in peroxide value (PV), reduction in phospholipids (PL) and bleachability. The performance of several commercially used bleaching clays was evaluated, for comparison. Mixtures were formulated including: PNH and Tonsil -N (TN), PNH and Fuller’s earth (FE) and PNH and O-passive (OP) and examined. The oxidative stability of oils was determined. Results for the investigated commercial bleaching clays revealed: TN > FE > F > TF > OP. Highest reduction in PV and PL, and highest bleachability were achieved for soybean oil bleached with 2% PNH carbonized at 500°C for 30 min (PNH”). Mixtures of PNH” with the three chosen bleaching clays indicated that 1PNH”: 2TN gave the highest bleachability. CSO was miscella bleached in hexane using PNH” and resulted in an appreciable improvement in all oil characteristics, especially in bleachability. Oxidative stability of oils was in the following order: TN > control > FE > PNH” with Induction period values of 23,1 > 6,43 > 5,73 > 2,85 h, respectively.Las cáscaras de maní (PNH) fueron carbonizadas a diferentes temperaturas y tiempos, y utilizadas a diferentes concentraciones como una alternativa a las tierras decolorantes. La evaluación de un aceite de soja decolorado con PNH se ha basado en sus ácidos grasos libres, reducción del índice de peróxidos (PV), reducción de los fosfolípidos (PL), y en la blanqueabilidad. El rendimiento de varias tierras decolorantes de uso comercial fue evaluado y comparado con el de PNH carbonizada. Las mezclas formuladas incluían: PNH y Tonsil-N (TN), PNH y tierras de Fuller (FE) y PNH y O-pasivo (OP). La estabilidad oxidativa de los aceites resultantes fue determinada. Los resultados revelaron que la efectividad de la decoloración con las tierras decolorantes investigadas fue el siguiente: TN > FE > F > TF > OP. La mayor reducción en PV y PL, y la mayor decoloración se logró para el aceite de soja blanqueado con un 2% de PHN carbonizada a 500°C durante 30 min (PNH”). Las mezclas de PHN” con las tres tierras de blanqueo elegidas indicaron que 1PHN”: 2TN dio el mayor porcentaje de decoloración. La miscela de aceite de soja crudo en hexano decolorada usando PNH” resultó mejorar apreciablemente todas las características del aceite, sobre todo la blanqueabilidad. La estabilidad oxidativa fue en el siguiente orden: TN > control > FE > PNH” con valores de periodo de inducción de 23,1 > 6,43 > 5,73 > 2,85 h, respectivamente

Interaction of CO molecules with (Cu , Ag and Au) deposited on regular and defective MgO and BaO(001) surfaces: Density functional calculations

The adsorption properties and characteristics of CO on Cu, Ag and Au atoms deposited on various sites of the alkaline earth oxide MgO and BaO. The three members of morphological irregularities, terrace, edge, and oxygen terminated corner of MgO and BaO (001) surface have been studied by means of density functional calculations and embedded cluster model. The examined clusters were embedded in the simulated Coulomb fields that closely approximate the Madelung fields of the host surfaces. The  adsorption  properties  of  CO  have  been  analyzed  with reference  to  the  nature  of  the  oxide  support,  pairwise  and  non-pairwise  ..........Please read the full paper

Interparental differences in attitudes to cultural changes in Kuwait

Interparental conflict is an example of interpersonal disagreements that arise between those who adhere to the traditions of the indigenous Arab culture and those who accept the more liberal attitudes conveyed by the imported Western culture. Interparental attitude conflict over family relationships, methods of marriage and emancipation of women is positively associated with Kuwaiti nationality, urban residence and greater interparental age difference. It is the degree of conflict in attitudes rather than liberal attitudes as such that is associated with an excess of reported psychiatric symptoms

Comprehensive review of morphological adaptations and conservation strategies of cactiform succulents: A case study of Euphorbia species in arid ecosystems

Cactiform succulents, belonging to the Euphorbia genus, are distinctive species found in the arid and semi-arid ecosystems of Macaronesia and the Arabian Peninsula. Resembling cacti in appearance, they exhibit unique morphological characteristics, such as succulent, green-stemmed structures with ribs, accompanied by a pair of stipular spines. These plants have evolved to thrive in well-draining substrates, including both surface and rocky soils, potentially as an adaptive strategy to combat edaphic drought conditions. Although initially associated solely with arid and desert environments, it is important to note that these cactiform succulents are not exclusively specialized for prolonged dry periods. Rather, they demonstrate morphological adaptations that help them endure arid conditions. The primary objective of this review is to provide an up-to-date synthesis of knowledge concerning cactiform succulents within the Euphorbia genus. It aims to underscore their capacity to flourish in both arid and semi-arid zones, while underscoring the pressing conservation challenges that threaten these plants with degradation and potential extinction. The prevailing climatic conditions, marked by extended and recurrent droughts exacerbated by escalating temperatures, climate fluctuations, and escalating human impact, collectively pose a formidable obstacle to conserving these cactiform succulents and their respective ecosystems. All these threats jeopardize these invaluable natural resources, which hold multifaceted significance spanning environmental, socio-economic, and medicinal domains