Cryptocephalus abdeldayemi sp. nov. is described from the South-West of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al-Baha province). The new species is similar to C. chikatunovi Lopatin, 2008 from United Arab Emirates and Oman, and C. ajeschae Schöller, 2006 from Yemen. All three species have modified prosternum forming a mouthparts basket. Cryptocephalus chikatunovi is also recorded for the first time from Oman.
Subject and purpose of work: This paper examines empirical implications of exchange rates in the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In particular, it aims to identify and evaluate potential macroeconomic signs and symptoms of economic disturbance so as to determine macroeconomic variables that influence spot exchange rate (1GBP = SAR), and to examine how fixed exchange rate regime influences exports and imports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Materials and methods: Multiple regression and simple linear regression models were used to analyze the data from 1975 to 2018. Results: The study found a weak and insignificant relationship between spot exchange rate and unemployment rate, inflation rate, exports, and economic growth, along with strong relations with imports, investment, and current account variation in the KSA. Conclusions: The study recommends the adoption of a floating exchange rate regime in the KSA. It has revealed the signs and symptoms of increases of the inflation rate with decreasing exports, increasing imports, decreasing of current account (current account deficit threat), and small increases of investment.
Due to toxic and adverse side effects of synthetic drugs, traditional herbal medicine has the potential as a source of new bioactive molecules. That is why we investigated this research, searching new anti-inflammatory drugs from plants growing around us. The anti-inflammatory effect of the mixture of different plants used in traditional medicine (Alkanna tinctoria, Rubia tinctorum and Artemisia herba alba) were studied using carrageenan-induced paw edema (oil mixture extract 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg). These material reduces carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats and shows inhibition after 4 h especially at a concentration 200 mg/
Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an enzyme with proteolytic activity against matrix proteins, particularly basement membrane constituents. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -1306, which disrupts a Sp1-type promoter site (CCACC box), displayed a strikingly lower promoter activity with the T allele. In the present study, we investigate whether this MMP-2 SNP is associated with susceptibility to breast cancer in the Saudi population. Ninety breast cancer patients and 92 age matched controls were included in this study. TaqMan Allele Discrimination assay and DNA sequencing techniques were used for genotyping. The results showed that, the frequency of MMP-2 CC wild genotype was lower in breast cancer patients when compared with healthy controls (0.65 versus 0.79). The homozygous CC (OR=2, χ2=5.36, p=0.02) and heterozygous CT (OR=1.98, χ2=4.1, p=0.04) showing significantly high risk of breast cancer in the investigated group. In conclusion our data suggest that the MMP-2 C-1306T polymorphism may be associated with increased breast cancer risk in the Saudi population.
Jeddah is the most industrialized city on the west coast of Saudi Arabia and is under increasing influence of human activities. Heavy metals data were obtained from four near-coast Red Sea sediment cores in close proximity to Jeddah. Chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, and lead were analyzed from depth-resolved sections of each core via heavy acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average concentrations of all four sites were 245.96 mg kg1, 478.45 mg kg1, 8506.13 mg kg1, 251.82 mg kg1, 623.09 mg kg1, and 362.75 mg kg1, respectively. The depth-resolved results showed that highest concentrations of Mn, Cu, and Pb were found in the top 15 cm of the core profile distributions compared to other depth sub-samples. Heavy metal concentrations in core sediments are increased near central Jeddah and have become higher in recent years. The results of enrichment factor calculations indicate little anthropogenic supply of Mn and Cr while Pb, Zn, and Cu show strong anthropogenic input. The Pollution Load Index was higher in the two sites closer to central Jeddah where power and desalination plants and wastewater release are known. This indicates that the area has suffered from heavy metal pollution compared to other non-industrialized sites in the Red Sea. Heavy metal contaminations due to anthropogenic activity should be taken into account to protect the Red Sea during future growth. The results of this work should be considered as a baseline for heavy metals monitoring in the sediments of the Red Sea coast near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
As an organ for reserve and propagation, the tuber grows underground and is in contact with soil-borne microorganisms, making it potentially exposed to blemishes. Therefore, the objective of this study was the possibility of using some modern methods of molecular diagnostics and detection of the presence of fungal contaminants in potato blemishes in Al-Qasim (Saudi Arabia). Polygonal lesions were the most observed blemish type in the collected samples. One hundred and sixty isolates were recovered from different types of blemishes obtained in this study. Fusarium, Penicillium, Ilyonectria, Alternaria and Rhizoctonia were the most common genera collected from different blemish types. Using ITS region sequencing, all collected fungi were identified at the species level. All Fusarium strains collected during this study were used to detect their pathogenicity against potato tubers. This is the first comprehensive report on the identification of major pathogenic fungi isolated from potato tuber blemishes in Saudi Arabia.
Blooms of Noctiluca scintillans are reported for the first time in the Red Sea off the south-western coasts of Saudi Arabia. During the present study, surface water samples were collected weekly on the coasts of the Al Shuqayq region from February to April 2004–2006. The abundance of N. scintillans correlated negatively with most nutrients, as well as the cell densities of diatoms and dinoflagellate species. Microscopic examination of live cells from Noctiluca blooms showed the presence of some species of diatoms and dinoflagellates within the Noctiluca body – confirmation of its grazing on these microalgae. The presence of a Noctiluca bloom in the coastal waters off south-western Saudi Arabia could be linked indirectly to water eutrophication by an increase in prey abundance. The physico-chemical properties of Red Sea coastal waters should therefore be monitored regularly in order to minimize the formation of harmful algal blooms, which may affect all food web levels, including the human level.
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