Previous studies have shown that dietary supplementation with antioxidants such as vitamin E affects the reproduction parameters in heat stressed males mice Nevertheless, the impact of thymoquinone (TQ) on the reproductive system during head stress is still poorly studied. Therefore, the aim of current study was to investigate changes in the reproductive parameters during heat stress and the impact of vitamin E (positive control) and TQ during this period. Forty male mice were distributed into four groups: group I was a control group that was orally supplemented with distilled water; group 2 was subjected to HS (at a humidity of 50 to 55% and a temperature of 42°C) for 75 days; Group 3 was subjected to HS and orally supplemented with vitamin E (20 IU/kg/day for 75 days) and group 4 was subjected to HS and orally supplemented with TQ (5 mg/kg body weight/day for 75 days). We found that HS significantly increased free radicals (FR) without significant effect on the testosterone level. Additionally, semen analysis of the heat stressed mice revealed a significant decrease in sperm concentration, sperm velocity straight line (SVSL), sperm velocity curved line (SVCL), and sperm velocity average path (SVAP). Moreover, histopathological examination of seminiferous tubules of heat stressed mice presented maturation arrest in the germinal layers. Notably, supplementation with either TQ or vitamin E completely restored the FR levels, semen quality and histopathological changes that were induced by HS. Our data revealed the beneficial impacts of TQ and vitamin E supplementation in improving heat stress-induced complications.

Background: Stroke is a significant burden in Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Ministry of Health's stroke committee has identified an urgent need to improve care.Aim: The purpose of this study was to undertake a health-economic analysis to quantify the impact of developing stroke care in the country.Methods: An economic model was developed to assess the costs and clinical outcomes associated with an ischemic stroke care development program compared with current stroke care. Based on Saudi epidemiological data, cohorts of ischemic stroke patients enter the model each year for the first 10 years based on increasing incidence. Four treatment options were modeled including reperfusion and non-reperfusion treatments. The development scenario estimates the impact of gradually increasing uptake of more effective treatments over 10 years. Changes in the stroke care organization are considered along with resources required to increase capacity, allowing more patients to be admitted to stroke hospitals and access effective treatments.Results: The stroke care development program is associated with an increase in functionally independent patients and a decrease in disabling strokes compared with current stroke care. Additionally, the development program is associated with estimated cost savings of $602 million over 15 years ($255 million direct costs, $348 million indirect costs). Conclusions:The model predicts that the stroke care development program is associated with improved patient outcomes and lower overall costs compared with the current stroke care program.

Previous studies have shown that heat stress can lead to tissue damage and multiple organ dysfunctions. The present study elucidates the negative effects of heat stress and the possible protective effects of vitamin E or thymoquinone against the physiological and histological consequences of heat stress. Forty male mice were distributed into four groups as follows: group I was a control group that was orally supplemented with distilled water; group II was subjected to heat stress (HS) (at a humidity of 50 to 55% and a temperature of 42°C) for 75 days; group III was subjected to heat stress and was orally supplemented with vitamin E (20 IU/kg body weight/day for 75 days); and group IV was subjected to heat stress and was orally supplemented with thymoquinone (TQ) (5 mg/kg body weight/day for 75 days). We found that the leucocyte count, Hb, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly decreased in the HS-treated group. In contrast, the free radical (FR) levels were significantly elevated. Moreover, histopathological and ultrastructural studies of the HS-treated group revealed dilatation of the hepatic sinusoids, interstitial hemorrhage, hepatocytes that were infiltrated with fat droplets in the liver, hemorrhage enlargement of the mitochondria and dilatation of the renal tubules. Notably, supplementation with either TQ or vitamin E completely reversed the biochemical, histopathological and ultrastructural changes that were induced by heat stress yielding levels that were similar to the control values. Taken together, our data revealed the benefits of vitamin E or TQ supplementation as a means to ameliorate the negative effects of heat stress.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and the CAM types used by stroke patients in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.