Objective: Hepatitis is a serious health concern with a high rate of mortality and morbidity world over. Saudi Arabia also has its course of the disease incidence. The data on the prevalence of the disease is still limiting. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection in the Jazan region and study its effects on hematological and hepatic parameters.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at premarital screening centre located in King Fahd Central Hospital, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 7,826, Saudi couples undertaking premarital screening from Jazan region, were enrolled in the study and screened between January 2014 and June 2015 for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Complete blood counts and hepatic profile were carried out for individuals who were Hepatitis B and or C virus positive.Results: A higher prevalence of hepatitis virus infection in male participants [HBV 1.9%; HCV 0.4%] than in females [HBV 1.43%; HCV 0.2%] was seen. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were significantly decreased among HBV- and HCV-infected patients. The concentration of hepatic enzymes showed a statistically significant increase in seropositive individuals. The levels of albumin were significantly decreased in individuals with hepatitis B and C when compared with the control group.Conclusions: The study concludes that the prevalence of HBV infection among Saudi subjects in Jazan was higher than the prevalence of HCV infection, and both HBV and HCV were higher in men than in women.

Purpose: A₂ and A₂B are rare phenotypes of the ABO blood group system. Some individuals with A₂ and A₂B may have anti-A₁ antibodies that may be clinically significant or insignificant. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of A₂, A₂B phenotypes and anti-A₁ antibodies in blood donors in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. This study also evaluated the reactivity potential of anti-A₁ antibodies. Materials and Methods: Blood samples collected from 446 blood donors were typed for ABO (cell and serum grouping) and Rh D. Individuals with blood group A and AB were further subtyped by testing with anti-A₁ lectin. In addition to the serum grouping using A₁ red cells, A₂ and A₂B individuals were screened for the presence of anti-A₁ in their sera against A₁ red cells at 4°C, 22°C and 37°C to determine the thermal amplitude of the reacting anti-A₁ antibody (if present). Results: Among A and AB, A₁ was the commonest phenotype (20.2%, n=90 out of 446) while A₁B was found to be 1.8% (n=8) among AB phenotype. A₂ and A₂B were found to be 2.2% (n=10) and 0.9% (n=4), respectively. Only one individual with A₂B blood type showed cold reactive anti-A₁ antibody, the strength of which was 32. Conclusion: A₂ and A₂B were the rarest among ABO phenotypes in the studied population. Although rare, anti-A₁ antibody is not so uncommon. Care shall be taken during routine ABO grouping especially in cases of mix-field or weak positive reactions in A and AB phenotypes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and microbiome have emerged in recent years as transformative fields with far-reaching implications for various biomedical domains. This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis examining the intersection of AI and the microbiome (AIM). The study aims to provide information on this interdisciplinary fields research landscape, trends, and emerging topics. Using a systematic approach, data-driven studies were extracted from the Scopus database on 23 November 2023 and analyzed using the VOSviewer and Bibliometrix applications. The regression coefficient of 0.94 and the yearly growth rate of 7.46% in AIM production indicate a consistent increase over time. Identification of essential contributors, organizations, and nations illuminated cooperative networks and research hotspots. The trend themes are the gut microbiome, disease prediction, machine learning, transfer learning, categorization, big data, artificial neural networks, chronic rhinosinusitis, epidemiology, COPD, and bronchoalveolar lavage. These hot issues in AIM reflect the present emphasis on research and developments in our knowledge of the microbiomes function in health, sickness, and individualized treatment. The findings give researchers, policymakers, and industry experts a thorough picture of the research environment and guide future paths in AIMs fascinating and promising subject.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) characterized by dysregulated and uncontrolled proliferation of mature and maturing granulocytes with normal differentiation. A genetic hallmark of CML is the presence of the fusion gene product BCR-ABL. Bleeding diathesis in CML patients is rare (<10%) and primarily caused by acquired platelet dysfunction. We report a rare case of an adult CML chronic phase patient who presented with spontaneous muscle hematoma due to acquired Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (GT). On laboratory workup, a GT was confirmed along with the diagnosis of CML in chronic phase. The muscle hematoma was completely resolved following imatinib therapy. The present case demonstrates that bleeding is a complication of MPNs and highlights the importance of both acquired GT diagnosis to determine the cause of bleeding in CML and of prompt treatment with imatinib to reverse this condition.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenobiotic that causes oxidative stress in various organs in living organisms. Blood cells are also an endpoint where BPA is known to cause oxidative stress. Blood cells, especially red blood cells (RBCs), are crucial for maintaining homeostasis and overall wellbeing of the organism. They are highly susceptible to oxidative stress induced by xenobiotics. However, there is limited data about the oxidative stress induced by BPA in blood, especially in red blood cells. This study was carried out to evaluate BPA induced oxidative stress in human RBCs in vitro and its amelioration by melatonin. Objective: To find if melatonin exerts a protective effect on the oxidative stress induced by the BPA in human red blood cells in vitro. Methods: The erythrocyte suspensions (2 ml) were divided into six groups and treated with 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 μg/ml of BPA. Another set of erythrocyte suspension with similar BPA treatment and 50 μM Melatonin per group was also set. Incubations lasted for 12 hrs in the dark. Lipid peroxidation, glutathione, glutathione reductase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were measured as indicators of oxidative stress. Results: BPA caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation. A decrease in GSH levels was also observed. The activities of all the studied antioxidants also decreased with BPA treatment. Melatonin was seen to mitigate the oxidative stress induced by BPA. Conclusion: Treatment of red blood cells with BPA caused an increase in oxidative stress, while melatonin decreased the induced oxidative stress.