Feral Donkey Distribution and Ecological Impacts in a Hyper-Arid Region.

The feral donkey (Equus asinus L.) is an invasive species in Saudi Arabia and can cause severe damage to natural and cultural heritage. Over the last 30 years, feral donkeys have become a serious problem, as their abundance and geographic distribution has increased drastically. The impacts of feral donkeys are not well documented, and information about their abundance and distribution is lacking, certainly in Saudi Arabia, which hampers the implementation of effective management plans. Accordingly, we used the minimum population number approach (MPN) to determine the number of feral donkeys in this part of northwest Saudi Arabia. A total of 1135 feral donkeys were encountered in the region. The area around Khaybar harbors ~25% (n = 338) of the feral donkey population, whereas Tayma and AlGhrameel nature reserves were the least-inhabited sites (almost absent). The average population density of feral donkeys was estimated as 1.03 (0.19 SE) donkey/km2. We documented the negative ecological impact of feral donkeys on natural resources, which constituted overgrazing that resulted in habitat fragmentation and competition for resources with native species. We propose urgent actions to control the presence of feral donkeys in the region and suggest humane eradication as the most efficient and applicable to significantly reduce the negative impacts of feral donkeys.

miRNA Expression Associated with HbF in Saudi Sickle Cell Anemia.

Background and Objectives: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hereditary monogenic disease due to a single ß-globin gene mutation that codes for the production of sickle hemoglobin. Its phenotype is modulated by fetal hemoglobin (HbF), a product of γ-globin genes. Exploring the molecules that regulate γ-globin genes at both transcriptional and translational levels, including microRNA (miRNA), might help identify alternative therapeutic targets. Materials and Methods: Using next-generation sequencing we identified pre-miRNAs and mature miRNA expression signatures associated with different HbF levels in patients homozygous for the sickle hemoglobin gene. The involvement of identified miRNAs in potential SCD-related pathways was investigated with the DIANA TOOL and miRWalk 2.0 database. Results: miR-184 were most highly upregulated in reticulocytes. miR-3609 and miR-483-5p were most highly downregulated in sickle cell anemia with high HbF. miR-370-3p that regulates LIN28A, and miR-451a which is effective in modulating α- and ß- globin levels were also significantly upregulated. miRNA targeted gene pathway interaction identified BCL7A, BCL2L1, LIN28A, KLF6, GATA6, solute carrier family genes and ZNF genes associated with erythropoiesis, cell cycle regulation, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, cAMP, cGMP-PKG, mTOR, MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways and cancer pathways. Conclusions: miRNA signatures and their target genes identified novel miRNAs that could regulate fetal hemoglobin production and might be exploited therapeutically.

Effect of the Preparatory School FAST Stroke Educational Program.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of FAST stroke educational program among all preparatory school students in the state of Qatar. METHODS: The pretest-posttest experimental research design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the FAST educational program in Qatar. A 30-minute audiovisual presentation was given to improve knowledge of stroke. We included grade 7 to 9 students during the academic year 2018-2019. The FAST program consisted of a pretest, an educational intervention, and immediate and long-term posttests at 2 months. RESULTS: A sample of 1244 students completed presurvey and immediate postsurvey, with an average age of 13.5 (1.12) years (range, 11-18 years) and 655 (53%) females. Students had significantly ( P < .01) greater knowledge of stroke signs, symptoms, and risk factors at intermediate posttest (5.9 [2.6] and 6.2 [2.4]) and at 2 months posttest (5.6 [2.8] and 5.6 [2.7]) compared with pretest (4.8 [2.6] and 4.9 [2.6], respectively). Students also had a higher self-efficacy to seek assistance, which was sustained from pretest to long-term posttest. CONCLUSION: The FAST program improved stroke knowledge that was retained at 2 months.

Impact of Umbilical Cord Milking on Hematological Parameters in Preterm Neonates With Placental Insufficiency.

Background: Data is still lacking about the expediency of umbilical cord milking (UCM) in preterm neonates born to mothers with placental insufficiency (PI). Objective: To study the effect of UCM in preterm neonates who had ante-natal evidence of placental insufficiency on peripheral blood cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) percentage, hematological indices, and clinical outcomes. Methods: Preterm neonates, <34 weeks' gestation, born to mothers with evidence of placental insufficiency that underwent UCM (PI+UCM group) were compared with historical controls whose umbilical stumps were immediately clamped [PI+ICC (immediate cord clamping) group] in a case-control study. Peripheral blood CD34 percentage as a measure of hematopoietic stem cell transfusion was the primary outcome. Early and late-onset anemia; polycythemia; frequency of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) transfusion during NICU stay; peak total serum bilirubin (TSB); incidence of phototherapy, admission rectal temperature; first 24 h hypothermia and hypoglycemia; episodes of hypotension and need for volume expander boluses and inotropic support during the first 24 h of age; duration of oxygen therapy; bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); severe intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH); necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); culture-proven late-onset sepsis; length of hospital stay; and in-hospital mortality were secondary outcomes. Results: In preterm infants with placental insufficiency, umbilical cord milking was associated with greater peripheral blood CD34 percentage, hemoglobin levels initially and at postnatal age of 2 months, alongside significantly shorter duration of oxygen therapy compared with ICC group. Frequency of packed RBCs transfusion during hospital stay was comparable. Neonates in UCM group had a greater peak TSB level during admission with significantly higher need for phototherapy initiation compared with ICC. Logistic regression, adjusted for gestational age, revealed that UCM resulted in greater CD34 percentage, higher initial hemoglobin level, higher peak serum bilirubin, significant increase of phototherapy initiation, and higher hemoglobin level at 2 months. Conclusions: UCM in preterm neonates born to mothers with placental insufficiency was feasible and resulted in greater CD34 percentage, higher initial hemoglobin level, higher peak serum bilirubin, significant increase of phototherapy initiation, and higher hemoglobin level at 2 months.

Oral Cancer Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dentists in the State of Qatar.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess existing knowledge on oral cancer (OC), attitude toward OC examination, and clinical practice among dentists practicing in the governmental health sector in the State of Qatar, including the influence of personal characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 271 dentists practicing in Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) and the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Of these, 177 completed a self-administered, 48-item questionnaire. Based on the responses, knowledge of the risk factors for and clinical presentation of OC was categorized as high, medium, or low, and then further separated into satisfactory (medium/high) and unsatisfactory (low). Information on attitudes toward OC examination and clinical practice was also taken from the questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean score for knowledge of the clinical presentation of OC was 7.59 (standard deviation [SD] = 2.40) out of 14. The mean score for knowledge of the risk factors for OC was 8.96 (SD = 2.31) out of 16. Dentists with ≤10 years of experience were more likely to have satisfactory knowledge of OC compared to dentists with >15 years of experience. Attending a continuous professional development (CPD) course on OC showed a trend with satisfactory clinical knowledge, although it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study identified gaps in dentists' knowledge of OC; dentists demonstrated unsatisfactory knowledge of the clinical presentation of and risk factors for OC. The findings highlighted the need for educational interventions on OC, which are essential to improving health care outcomes and delivery of care.

Comparison of the percentages of CD4+ CD25high FOXP3+ , CD4+ CD25low FOXP3+ , and CD4+ FOXP3+ Tregs, in the umbilical cord blood of babies born to mothers with and without preeclampsia.

PROBLEM: Little is known about how preeclampsia affects regulatory T-cell count and functions in umbilical cord blood of babies born to preeclamptic mothers. Here, we analyze the percentage of CD4+  CD25high  FOXP3+ , CD4+  CD25low  FOXP3+ , and CD4+  FOXP3+ Tregs, in the umbilical cord blood of babies born to mothers with and without preeclampsia. METHOD OF STUDY: The percentage of umbilical cord blood CD4+  CD25high  FOXP3+ , CD4+  CD25low  FOXP3+ , and CD4+  FOXP3+ Tregs were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: CD4+  CD25high  FOXP3+ Treg (%) and CD4+  FOXP3+ Treg (%) were significantly lower, while CD4+  CD25low (%) was significantly higher in umbilical cord blood of babies born to preeclamptic mothers. CONCLUSION: Preeclampsia is associated with immune dysregulation which leads to a deficiency in Treg (CD4+  CD25high  FOXP3+ ) in the umbilical cord blood of babies born to preeclamptic mothers.

Oral health knowledge, behaviour and practices among school children in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the oral health knowledge behaviour and practices among school children in Qatar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Qatar from October 2011 to April 2012. A total of 2200 school children aged 12-14 years were approached from 16 schools of different areas. The information about oral health knowledge and sources of information was obtained through a self-administrated questionnaire. Data analyses were performed. RESULTS: The overall response rate was (96%). Only (25.8%) of children reported a high level of oral health knowledge. After each meal, tooth brushing was observed by a very low percentage of children (3.7%). About 44.6% of children recognized dental floss as a cleaning device for between the teeth. A large number of children (32.5%) thought incorrectly that one must visit the dentist only in case of pain. A great majority was not aware of cariogenic potential of soft drinks (39%) and sweetened milk (97.8%). Less than half (38.9%) of children actually had heard about fluoride. Only (16.8%) correctly answered the question about sign of tooth decay. Slightly, less than half (48.4%) could not define the meaning of plaque. Parents were the most popular (69.1%), source of oral health information for the children. CONCLUSION: The oral health knowledge in Qatar is below the satisfactory level. Parents were the most popular source of oral health knowledge for the children followed by dentists, school teachers, and media.

Prevalence of dental caries among 12-14 year old children in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: To ensure the oral health of a population, clinicians must deliver appropriate dental services, and local communities need to have access to dental care facilities. However, establishment of this infrastructure must be based on reliable information regarding disease prevalence and severity in the target population. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to measure the incidence of dental caries in school children aged 12-14 throughout Qatar, including the influence of socio-demographic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Qatar from October 2011 to March 2012. A total of 2113 children aged 12-14 were randomly selected from 16 schools located in different geographic areas. Three calibrated examiners using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria to diagnose dental caries performed the clinical examinations. Data analyses were subsequently conducted. RESULTS: The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth index values were respectively 4.62 (±3.2), 4.79 (±3.5), and 5.5 (±3.7), for 12, 13, and 14 year-old subjects. Caries prevalence was 85%. The mandibular incisors and canines were least affected by dental caries, while maxillary and mandibular molars exhibited the highest incidence of dental caries. Dental caries were affected by socio-demographic factors; significant differences were detected between female and male children, where more female children showed dental caries than male children. In addition, children residing in semi-urban areas showed more dental caries than in urban areas. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that dental caries prevalence among school children in Qatar has reached critical levels, and is influenced by socio-demographic factors. The mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth values obtained in this study were the second highest detected in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The impact of dietary and lifestyle factors on the risk of dental caries among young children in Qatar.

AIM: The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between dietary intake, type of feeding during infancy, other lifestyle and sociodemographic factors, and dental caries. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was carried out on children younger than 16 years of age who visited Primary Health Care Centers. The study was carried out over a period from October 2010 to June 2011 in Qatar. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 1752 children aged 6-15 years old who visited the Primary Health Care Centers was approached, and parents of 1284 children provided their consent and fulfilled the inclusion criteria (corresponding to a response rate of 73%). METHODS: The study was based on a questionnaire that included variables such as sociodemographic information, lifestyle, family history, and feeding patterns during infancy, information on oral hygiene practices, and clinical examination. The status of dental caries was recorded on the basis of the WHO criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries [decayed, missed, or filled tooth (DMFT)] in the permanent dentition among children was 73% [95% confidence interval (CI): 71-75%], with a mean DMFT value of 4.5 (SD: 4.2). The numbers of children consuming sea food, cod liver oil, and vitamin-D-fortified milk less than once a week were significantly higher in the dental caries group compared with those without caries (11.7 vs. 8.3%; P=0.05, 92.4 vs. 87.5%; P=0.005, and 10.6 vs. 6.3%; P=0.011, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that being female [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.41; 95% CI: 1.07-1.84], having a BMI greater than the 95th percentile versus less than the 85th percentile (adjusted OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.17-3.84), a monthly household income of at least 10 000 QAR (adjusted OR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.69-4.02), consumption of cod liver oil less than once a week (adjusted OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.35-3.37), 1-year increase in age (adjusted OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.11), being formula fed during infancy (adjusted OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.59-3.21), and frequency of tooth brushing once a day or less (adjusted OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01-1.83) were associated independently with the risk of dental caries among children in Qatar. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Being female, overweight or obese, and monthly household income higher than US$2747 (≥10,000 QAR) were independent risk factors for dental caries. However, consumption of cod liver oil (at least once a week) and frequency of tooth brushing (more than once a day) were protective against dental caries. Health awareness and education on frequent tooth brushing, adequate nutrition, and obesity prevention should be promoted to avoid dental caries among children.

Flexure strength evaluation of a laboratory-processed fiber-reinforced composite resin.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: A fiber-reinforced composite resin system has been introduced for posterior restorations; however, little information is known regarding possible degradation of its flexure strength with respect to aging and cyclic loading. PURPOSE: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine whether the fiber reinforcement improved the flexure strength of an indirect composite resin aged in air and water for 3 months and then subjected to static and cyclic loading. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The materials tested in this study, non-fiber-reinforced composite resin (n=160) (Tescera Dentin) and fiber-reinforced composite resin (n=160) (Tescera U-beam and Rod), were fabricated as bars, 25.0 x 4.5 x 4.5 mm, and polished with 120- to 320-grit silicon carbide grinding paper. The static (n=15) and cyclical (n=25) flexure strengths (MPa) of specimens were tested initially and after 3 months' aging in air and water. The specimens were tested in 3-point loading in their respective aging media at a loading rate of 2 mm/min. Cyclic testing followed the staircase approach of either 1000 cycles or until specimen fracture. Statistical analysis for the static-loaded specimens consisted of a 3-way analysis of variance (media, aging, and fiber-reinforced versus unreinforced) (alpha=.05), whereas the cyclic-loaded specimens used confidence levels of .95 for the respective variables (media, aging, and fiber-reinforced versus unreinforced) and to compare static versus cyclic loading. RESULTS: The statistical analysis of the static specimens showed no significant difference between control (unaged) groups and aged groups and aging media, but a significant difference (P<.001) between reinforced versus unreinforced specimens. For the cyclic-loaded specimens, the confidence levels at .95 showed no difference between control (unaged) groups and aged groups and aging media (air or water), but a difference between reinforced versus unreinforced specimens, and static-loaded versus cyclic-loaded specimens. During testing, the specimens separated into several pieces when the fiber reinforcement was on the compressive side, whereas the specimen remained intact when the fiber reinforcement was on the tensile side. CONCLUSIONS: When compared to indirect composite resin without fiber reinforcement, the addition of fibers is an effective method to improve the flexure strength of indirect composite resin for the materials tested.