A new species and a key to the genus Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Saudi Arabia.

A new species, Leiurushadb Al-Qahtni, Al-Salem, Alqahtani & Badry, sp. nov., is described and illustrated from the Majami al-Hadb Protected Area in the Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia. The new species is compared with species of Leiurus distributed in Saudi Arabia, especially L.arabicus Lowe, Yagmur & Kovarík, 2014. The integrated results indicate that the population found in Majami al-Hadb represents a distinct species, which is described herein. Moreover, the molecular analysis is conducted on the mitochondrial gene 16S rRNA to compare L.hadb sp. nov. with samples of L.arabicus and L.haenggii from Saudi Arabia. The analysis revealed a genetic divergence ranging from 6.0 to 12%. The combination of molecular evidence and morphological characteristics provides adequate support for recognizing the Majami al-Hadb population as a distinct species. Additionally, an identification key for the genus Leiurus found in Saudi Arabia is also provided.

The phylogenetic relationship among two species of genus Nebo (Scorpiones: Diplocentridae) from Saudi Arabia and Middle East.

BACKGROUND: The genus Nebo has been identified as a medically important scorpion species distributed across Arabia and the Middle East. However, its taxonomic status remains unclear. AIM: The molecular phylogeny of two Nebo species from Saudi Arabia and comparative sequences from Palestine is presented based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. METHODOLOGY: Scorpion specimens were collected from two different localities, mainly the Southern part of Saudi Arabia. Then, DNA was extracted, amplified using invertebrate universal primers, and sequenced to identify the COI gene. The obtained sequences were analyzed, and phylogenetic trees based on maximum parsimony, neighbor-joining, and Bayesian inference were constructed. RESULTS: The inferred phylogeny indicates the monophyletic status of the family Diplocentridae and its subfamily Nebinae and Diplocentrinae. Also, the phylogenetic analyses support the existence of interspecific and intraspecific variations among/ within Nebo hierichonticus and Nebo yemenensis which may indicate distinct species. CONCLUSION: Further morphological studies with additional specimens from the Arabian Peninsula may reveal possible undiscovered and cryptic species.

Androctonustihamicus sp. nov. from the Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia (Scorpiones, Buthidae).

We describe and illustrate a new scorpion species, Androctonustihamicussp. nov., from the Mecca Province of southwestern Saudi Arabia. The new species is compared to the genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828, which is distributed throughout the Middle East, and especially to A.australis (Linnaeus, 1758). We provide the molecular phylogeny for this species.

Esophageal motility disorders in symptomatic patients and its relation to age.

BACKGROUND: Although swallowing disorders can impact individuals of any age, some are unique to the elderly, and others are frequent. Some disorders, such as achalasia, are diagnosed by esophageal manometry studies, which assess lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and relaxation, peristalsis in the esophageal body, and contraction wave characteristics. This research aimed to evaluate esophageal motility dysfunction in symptomatic patients and its relation to age. METHODS: Conventional esophageal manometry was performed on 385 symptomatic patients who were divided into two groups; Group A (age < 65 years old) and Group B (age ≥ 65 years). The geriatric assessment for Group B included cognitive, functional, and clinical frailty scales (CFS). Additionally, a nutritional assessment was done for all patients. RESULTS: About one-third of the patients (33%) had achalasia, in which manometric results were significantly higher in Group B (43.4%) than in Group A (28.7%) (P = 0.016). The resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, as determined by manometry examination, was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B. In contrast, complete LES relaxation percentage and normal esophageal body peristalsis were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B. Patients who exhibited evidence of achalasia in the manometric study had a significantly increased risk of established malnutrition and functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Achalasia is a prevalent cause of dysphagia in elderly patients, placing them at risk of malnutrition and functional impairment. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach is vital when providing care for this population.

Morphometric and meristic diversity of the species Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Saudi Arabia.

Intraspecific molecular and morphological variations among geographically isolated populations are useful for understanding the evolutionary processes, which is considered early stage of allopatric speciation. Also, the knowledge of the regional variation of scorpion venom composition is needed to improve antivenom therapeutic management. Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) is the most common and medically important species in Arabia and the Middle East. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the geographic morphological variation among A.crassicaudapopulations, regarding its geographical distribution in unexplored arid regions in Saudi Arabia. Samples were collected and examined morphologically under a dissecting microscope from different four eco-geographical regions. The results of ANOVA and multivariate statistical analyses provide strong evidence of geographical variation. The two populations from OTU3 and OUT4 showed the greatest degree of morphological difference from populations of OUT1 and OUT2. Each OTU3 and OTU4 populations showed significant speciation without overlapping in the two groups, while the remaining overlapped groups comprised two other populations. Several body variables influenced male separation, including carapace posterior width, metasoma 3rd length, and metasoma 2nd length. For females, telson length, metasoma 1st width, and sternite 7th width were highly influential variables. Such variation may suggest the existence of cryptic taxa within A. crassicauda populations in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, metasoma ratios can be used as good indicators in intraspecific variation studies of Scorpions.

Genetic diversity among different species of the genus Leiurus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

The molecular phylogenetic relationship among two species of genus Leiurus, from Saudi Arabia with additional comparative sequence data available from Egypt, Oman and Turkey is presented. The molecular phylogeny was performed using maximum parsimony, neighbor joining and bayesian inference. Our results indicate a clear deep splitting between the Western clade, which represented by L. quinuestriatus sequences from Egypt and those from the Eastern clade which encompassing different Leiurus species from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Turkey was shown. Also, the phylogenetic relationship represents additional support for the taxonomic status of Arabian Leiurus species.

Prenatal diagnosis in low resource setting: is it acceptable?

AIM: This study aimed to explore knowledge and acceptability of prenatal procedures both non-invasive prenatal screening tests and invasive procedures among Egyptian women in childbearing age and to assess their attitude toward such procedures. Also to examine confounding factors affecting women's attitude toward prenatal procedures. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study on a representative sample of women in childbearing age attending Obstetrics & Gynecology outpatient clinic at Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt. An anonymous questionnaire was supplemented by voluntary interviewers for women in childbearing age. RESULTS: 465 women were included in the study. The mean age ± SD was 27 ± 6 years. About 44 % of women were knowledgeable about non-invasive prenatal screening procedure, and only 25.5 % had heard about invasive prenatal procedures. 88.8 % express positive attitude regarding performance of the screening tests. Forty-one percent of the group agreed to perform invasive prenatal procedures during their pregnancy. Educational level and family history of congenital anomalies significantly affected attitudes toward testing during future pregnancy. The cost of procedure affected the decision to perform in 56.7 % of women. CONCLUSION: Egyptian women express positive attitude toward non-invasive prenatal screening but showed poor knowledge. Their attitude toward invasive procedure is guarded by the risk of abortion. Education and family history of fetal anomalies are the factors that affect attitudes. The cost of the prenatal test affects the decision made by the women to participate in testing.