Allergy is a common health problem affecting individuals worldwide, with varying prevalence rates across different regions. Saudi Arabia, being one of the countries in the Middle East, has witnessed an increase in the prevalence of allergic disorders in the past few decades. Allergic disorders encompass various conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies. Studying the management of allergic disorders and their associated challenges and future perspectives is crucial for understanding the burden of these conditions and designing effective preventive strategies. This article explores the management of allergic disorders and their associated challenges and future perspectives in Saudi Arabia, shedding light on the current situation and highlighting relevant research findings.

Gum Arabic (GA), traditionally used as a food stabilizer, demonstrates potential as a health-promoting prebiotic, beneficially modulating the human gut microbiome. A balanced microbiome is crucial for maintaining overall health and preventing diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and obesity. GA's non-digestible nature allows it to ferment into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the large intestine, improving gut barrier function and immune response. Studies reveal GA's promising roles in promoting beneficial gut bacteria and exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. However, comprehensive research is pivotal for optimizing its applications across diverse sectors and explaining its prebiotic mechanisms, emphasizing the necessity for standardized evaluation and increased awareness regarding its beneficial effects.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of palpation technique, digital calipers, and diastometer, as well as their concurrent validity against ultrasound imaging. Methods: Ninety consenting parous women (20–45 years), recruited from a postnatal clinic in Enugu, Nigeria, participated in this observational study. Two physiotherapists and a sonographer measured their inter rectus distance at the level of the umbilicus, 4.5 cm above and below it, respectively, using each of the four modalities. The intrarater measurements were taken at a week’s interval. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics of intraclass correlation coefficient and paired samples T-test, at an alpha level set at P < 0.05. Results: It showed the palpation technique (r = 0.749–0.967 and 0.658–0.917), digital calipers (r=0.750–0.955 and 0.685–0.904), and diastometer (r=0.762–0.958 and 0.471–0.902) demonstrated good inter- and intra-rater reliability. The concurrent validity of the palpation technique, digital calipers, and diastometer against the USI was poor at all three reference points. Conclusion: Palpation technique, digital calipers, and diastometer are reliable tools but not valid substitutes to ultrasound imaging for the clinical measurement of diastasis rectus abdominis

Objective: A common and serious pregnancy issue known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) occurs when the fetus is unable to reach its full growth potential. Mitochondria are crucial to the development of the fetus and the placenta. We aimed to elucidate the role of oxidative stress parameters and markers of DNA damage. The integrity of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was studied. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 48 females (cases and controls, respectively). Oxidative stress parameters were analyzed. DNA was extracted followed by high-performance liquid chromatography to study 8-OH-dG and mtDNA by real time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot analysis was performed for nuclear encoded mitochondrial proteins and DNA damage markers. Results: When pregnant women were compared to non-pregnant women in their first, second, and third trimesters, a highly significant progressive drop in circulating mtDNA was found. In addition, mtDNA was considerably higher in mothers carrying IUGR fetuses than in healthy pregnancies. Sirtuin-3 protein expression was considerably suppressed in the IUGR placenta (P = 0.027), whereas Nrf1 expression was not statistically different from the control group in the IUGR. Increased oxidative stress led to greater DNA damage in IUGR. The highest concentrations of 8-OH-dG were found in IUGR with levels significantly higher than those in the non-pregnant group. Conclusion: Our research sets the path for further investigation into mitochondrial anomalies in IUGR pregnancies and offers evidence for disturbed mitochondrial homeostasis. The mtDNA might offer a fresh perspective on the processes involved in physiological gestation. In addition, the presence of mtDNA may aid in the diagnosis of IUGR during pregnancy.

Objectives: Neutrophils are the most common cell types in circulation and are considered the first line of defense in the immune system against microorganisms. This study was undertaken to investigate the occurrence of isolated benign neutropenia (IBN) among healthy individuals in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed complete blood count tests as part of routine checkups for chronic health conditions from April to September 2022. The 10,442 participants were randomly selected and their medical records were reviewed for neutropenia and mean absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) were calculated. Descriptive analysis was employed to assess the prevalence of IBN across various demographic factors, such as age, gender, and nationality. Results: The prevalence of IBN in the central region of Saudi Arabia was found to be 2.82% across the entire cohort of participants. The mean ANC among all participants was 4.55 × 10 9 /L. The prevalence of neutropenia was higher in male participants compared with female. Male neutropenic had a lower mean ANC than female; however, the differences were not statistically different (P > 0.05). The prevalence of neutropenia was lower in Saudi participants compared with non-Saudis. While the mean ANC was lower among Saudis as compared with non-Saudi participants. However, the differences were not statistically different (P > 0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study from the central region of Saudi Arabia that determined the prevalence of chronic benign neutropenia among healthy individuals. The prevalence of IBN was found to be relatively low. Furthermore, neutropenia was more frequent in males than females. Moreover, male neutropenic individuals have a lower ANC.

Objectives: The poor prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is vastly due to late diagnosis. The oral submucosal fibrosis (OSMF) is often unnoticed pathology linked with high risk of malignancy. Recently, we demonstrated that the clinicopathological alterations in OSMF and OSCC patients were correlated with cancer stem cell (CSCs) markers (CD133 and CD44). However, the parallel alterations of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) with CSCs expression are largely unexplored. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between IL-1β alterations and CSC marker expression in both OSMF and OSCC situations. Methods: A total of 135 people have signed up for the study. There were sixty each in OSMF and OSCC groups, as well as 15 healthy controls. Levels of serum IL-1β were examined by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine the expression of CD133 and CD44. For evaluating differential CSCs expression, IHC scoring (0–4) was utilized. Results: The IHC results showed maximum subjects in the OSMF and OSCC displaying CD44 and CD133 positivity, although the extent of expression in terms of IHC scoring found variable. CD133 and CD44-positive subjects showed increased levels of IL-1β in the OSMF and OSCC group. Nevertheless, the enhancement of IL1β is more pronounced in the OSCC cases. Further, we observed a direct link of IL-1β levels with IHC scoring. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated a significant role for CD44 and CD133 positivity in the increase of IL-1β levels. Conclusion: We concluded that concurrent simultaneous changes in CSC biomarkers and IL-1β may help with early detection of OSMF and OSCC conditions. 

Objective: We tested the impact of subjects’ belief in an ingested substance’s ergogenic or ergolytic properties on muscular endurance performance and perceived exertion. Methods: Trained men (n = 15, age = 41 ± 4 y; body mass = 82.1 ± 15.8 kg; height = 173 ± 8 cm; experience = 7.4 ± 2.3 y) completed one set to failure at 80% repetition maximum of the bench press under three conditions. In all conditions, subjects ingested capsules of an identical, inert substance (300 mg cellulose), but, in a randomized order, subjects were told that they were either ingesting caffeine (Placebo), lactic acid (Nocebo), or cellulose (Control) and received information on the respective alleged ergogenic/ergolytic/neutral effects of each. Repetitions completed and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. The data were analyzed among conditions using a Friedman test with post hoc analyses accomplished through Durbin-Conover tests. Spearman correlations were used to compare repetitions performed and RPE between Nocebo and Placebo conditions. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Subjects lifted more (P < 0.001) repetitions in the Placebo condition (14.1 ± 3.0) versus Control (10.3 ± 2.9) or Nocebo (7.5 ± 2.6), while Control and Nocebo performances were similar (P = 0.192). Lower RPE was noted in Placebo versus Control (P = 0.003) and Nocebo (P < 0.001) and lower in Control versus Nocebo (P = 0.025). Subjects who performed more repetitions with Placebo tended to perform fewer repetitions under the Nocebo condition (Spearman’s Rho =–0.578). Conclusion: This study believes that the ergogenic or ergolytic properties of a substance can measurably impact upper-body muscular endurance performance and RPE in trained men.