5-Fluorouracil for the treatment of intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva, and cornea

Abdulmoghni Al-Barrag1, Mutahar Al-Shaer1, Nabil Al-Matary2, Mohammed Al-Hamdani21Ophthalmic Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen; 2Ophthalmic Department, Military Hospital, Sana’a, Republic of YemenObjective: To evaluate the efficacy and risks of complications of pulse dosing of topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of corneal intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Design: Prospective, noncomparative case series. Participants: Fifteen patients with histological evidence CIN or SCC of the conjunctiva and cornea were identified by tumor biopsy. Methods: All patients clinically evident of CIN, or SCC were evaluated, with maximum 30 months of follow-up were treated with pulsed dosing of 1% 5-FU. Treatment cycles were defined as four times per day for 4 days using the medication followed by 30 days without medication. The number of initial treatment was six cycles. Results: The mean age of the 15 patients was 50.8 years (range 25–78 years). Excision biopsy proved seven cases as CIN, and eight cases as locally invasive SCC. All patients remained disease free with a mean follow-up of 14.53 months (range 6-30 months). Additional chemotherapy was given after the initial treatment cycles, only for one case. 5-FU caused mild temporary local irritation, but no long-term intraocular or extra ocular complications. Conclusions: Adjuvant 1% topical 5-FU appears to be effective in the prevention of recurrence of conjunctival or corneal CIN and SCC after excision biopsy. Our results indicate that at least six cycles of topical 1% 5-FU is required to prevent local recurrence in the long term. It is well-tolerated and an effective method of treatment. No complications that would preclude use of our dose regimen were noted.Keywords: chemotherapy, fluorouracil, neoplasia, treatment cycle

Bulk geochemical characteristics and carbon isotope composition of oils from the Sayhut sub-basin in the Gulf of Aden with emphasis on organic matter input, age and maturity

The Sayhut sub-basin is undergoing hydrocarbon exploration province in the Gulf of Aden, South Yemen. In this study, geochemical analyses were performed on three oil samples from two exploration wells in the Sayhut sub-basin. The results were used to describe the source organic matter input, age and maturity and to correlate between crude oils from different pay zones.The high saturated hydrocarbon values of more than 70% indicate that the analysed oils are normal crude oils and not degraded oils. This is supported by a complete suite of their normal alkanes and acyclic isoprenoids. The hydrocarbon distributions of normal alkane and isoprenoid with bulk carbon isotope data also suggest that the analysed oils are grouped into two genetic families and were generated from marine-source rock. The family A presents by one oil sample representing Harshiyat reservoir rock and characterized by relatively high Ph/Ph ratio > 2 and δ13C values of their saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions range from −26.1‰ to −24.8‰. This oil family was derived from mixed organic matter with high contribution of a terrigenous organic matter input. The family A was deposited under suboxic conditions during the Late Cretaceous age. The family B presents by two oil samples representing Ghaydah and Habshiyah reservoir rocks and characterized by relatively low Ph/Ph ratio < 2 and carbon isotope less than −23 for their saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions. These oils were generated from source rock containing high contributions of marine organic matter (e.g., algal and microbial) with minor amount of land plant source inputs that was deposited in more reducing conditions. The family B oils are consistent with those of the Paleogene Umm Er Radhuma source rock.The hydrocarbon distribution and oil composition data also indicate that the analysed oils were generated from mature source rocks with a peak oil-window maturity. Keywords: Crude oil, Carbon isotope, Depositional environment, Source inputs, Gulf of Aden, Yeme

Safety of Commercially Available Beef Burger in Saudi Arabia

The safety of meat has been at the forefront of societal concerns in recent years, and indications exist that challenges to meat safety will continue in the future. Major meat safety issues and related challenges include the need to control traditional and emerging pathogenic microorganisms, such as increased virulence and low infectious doses or resistance to antibiotics or food-related stresses. This study aimed to recognize microbial contamination and heavy metals content. Thirty-eight frozen and freshly prepared burger (local and imported) samples were collected from randomly selected supermarkets and fast-food restaurants in Jeddah. Yeasts/Molds had the highest count (204.3 CFU/mL) followed by total aerobic mesophiles (69.5 CFU/mL), total coliforms (16.2 CFU/mL) and Escherichia coli (10.0 CFU/mL). Salmonella species were positive in 39.5% of samples. Fresh burgers had more counts of TVC, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus. Amoxicillin-clavulanate and Ampicillin had a high frequency of resistance in the studied sample. None of the studied samples had detectable traces of heavy metals’ elements. This research provides valid data to protect consumers from different health risks related to burgers in Saudi Arabia

Molecular evolution of cytochrome C oxidase-I protein of insects living in Saudi Arabia.

The study underpins barcode characterization of insect species collected from Saudi Arabia and explored functional constraints during evolution at the DNA and protein levels to expect the possible mechanisms of protein evolution in insects. Codon structure designated AT-biased insect barcode of the cytochrome C oxidase I (COI). In addition, the predicted 3D structure of COI protein indicated tyrosine in close proximity with the heme ligand, depicted substitution to phenylalanine in two Hymenopteran species. This change resulted in the loss of chemical bonding with the heme ligand. The estimated nucleotide substitution matrices in insect COI barcode generally showed a higher probability of transversion compared with the transition. Computations of codon-by-codon nonsynonymous substitutions in Hymenopteran and Hemipteran species indicated that almost half of the codons are under positive evolution. Nevertheless, codons of COI barcode of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera are mostly under purifying selection. The results reinforce that codons in helices 2, 5 and 6 and those in loops 2-3 and 5-6 are mostly conserved and approach strong purifying selection. The overall results argue the possible evolutionary position of Hymenopteran species among those of other insects