Research Title: Awareness of pesticides’ residues in food and feed among students of the Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, Jordan

Author: Raed Mahmoud Al-Atiyat, Published Year: 2023

Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 22

Faculty: Science

Abstract: In Jordan, the public is still unaware of the fate and impact of pesticide application. This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes, knowledge and practices of undergraduate students enrolled in various academic departments at the Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, Jordan toward pesticides’ residues in food and feed. Students were questioned about their social aspects, and food and feed safety knowledge and resources. Responses have been obtained from 209 responding students. Results indicated that the cross-section through the Faculty of Agriculture, Mutah University, Jordan appears a satisfactory. The findings show that respondents are very highly concerned about human health, food safety, and the risk of environmental pollution, and they have a real desire to reduce the use of pesticides. Respondents had a moderate level of knowledge about food safety, pesticides’ side effects, pesticides’ residues in food or feed, and usage of pesticides in homes and gardens. According to the respondents, the most common way that people are exposed to pesticide residues is by consuming pesticide residues in food. The respondents expressed a moderate level of concern about their attitudes toward organic farming adoption. Correlations between demographic variables and knowledge of food and feed safety, involving a workshop on food/feed safety, care about human health as well as environmental pollution, and looking for information on food/feed safety were reported in the study.

Keywords: Pesticides Indiscriminate use Public awareness Pesticide residues Public health Food Animal feed Food safety attitude Jordan

Research Title: Mini-incubator carrier box. United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent number 10,407,659.

Author: Sahar Majdi Jaffal, Published Year: 2019

Faculty: Science

Abstract: The carriers that are available in the market don ' t maintain all the necessary parameters that are mentioned in the subject matter of this application . Many of them are : 1 ) Costly 2 ) Allow the transport of cells for short period of time 3 ) Are suitable for transporting certain type of cells 4 ) Don ' t include control for all the parameters that are required for the experiments 5 ) Need extra steps that can affect cell / organs and waste the time , efforts and money of the researchers . 6 ) Limit researchers for using containers with certain sizes and materials . 7 ) Involve changing the conditions of cell growth such as splitting the cells , freezing , centrifuge them during the process of transporting them . Alternatively , the Mini incubator carrier box in my invention is an economic transport system and practical . It enables the researchers to fix different containers at different sizes using clamps and screws and to transport the organs / samples / cells in any container for long period of time and long distance under optimized conditions without the need of extra steps / costs .

Keywords: Mini-incubator, carrier, controlled, conditions

Research Title: Medicinal Plants and Addiction Treatment: An Overview. In the Handbook of Substance Misuse and Addictions: From Biology to Public Health, editors Vinood B. Patel and Victor R. Preedy, Springer International Publishing

Author: Sahar Majdi Jaffal, Published Year: 2022

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Drug addiction affects both brain and behavior. It has multifaceted impacts on the patients’ body, mind, and nervous system. There are different types of drugs that cause addiction as marijuana, opium, cocaine, heroin, meth and pain medications. Drug abuse is considered as a great challenge to social and public heath in the world. To date, 185 million addicts are there around the world. According to the statistics, with 1,200,000 permanent drug abusers and 600,000 occasional abusers [1], herbal medicine has a long history in treatment of diseases and the majority of people have tendency to use such medications. But there are a lot of questions because of the novelty of this treatment method in treating addiction, this lack of information are more evident. In this review, we highlighted on some herbal and drugs derived from them in treatment of addiction

Keywords: Addiction, medicinal plants, treatment, prevention

Research Title: Pain in COVID-19. Eliva press, August 2021, ISBN: 978-16364-315-3.

Author: Sahar Majdi Jaffal, Published Year: 2021

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the worst pandemics, responsible for huge losses in economy and healthcare sectors all over the world. In addition to mortality, COVID-19 disease causes several types of pain during viral infection and after recovery. Inflammatory and neuropathic pain were reported in COVID-19 patients. Unfortunately, using many of the available drugs aggravated COVID-19 symptoms in patients and increased patients' susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is a need for new therapeutics that can alleviate rather than aggravate COVID-19 symptoms. In this book, the author provides an introduction to the COVID-19 disease, pain in COVID-19 patients, the involvement of pain receptors in several symptoms that frequently appear in COVID-19 patients and an opinion on potential approaches for the alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms. In more detail, the author, herein, highlights the possible involvement of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, cannabinoid (CB) receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) and opioid receptors in COVID-19 symptoms in parallel with the crosstalk between these receptors.

Keywords: Pain, COVID-19, TRP, PPAR, cannabinoid

Research Title: Laboratory Manual for Physiology. 2023, ISBN: 978-9923-0-0775-4.

Author: Sahar Majdi Jaffal, Published Year: 2023

Faculty: Science

Abstract: This laboratory manual has been designed to help students master the fundamentals of Physiology and gain an understanding of physiological concepts through different experiments and activities. By conducting the experiments in this manual, the students will be able to develop skills associated with observation, analysis and interpretation of the results. Also, the students will be familiar with the equipment and tools that are used in the experiments. Further, the laboratory reports in this manual are collected to reinforce the student's understanding. Completing the reports independently is considered as important as performing the experiments. The content of this laboratory manual was extracted from different sources to create an educational manual that can help students in basic science, allied health programs and other related fields. The manual was written in a simple way. Each experiment includes the student learning outcomes (SLOs), key terms, an introduction, the principle(s) of the experiment, the procedure for conducting the experiment, the normal ranges of parameters that are used in the experiment and the clinical application of the tests. The author would like to thank the architect Maram Jaffal for designing the book cover and drawing several figures in this manual. Other figures were downloaded with permission from different companies or websites. The author thanks all those who approved using these illustrations in this laboratory manual. The author acknowledges the administrators of ADI Global Distribution and Biopac Systems Inc. for providing permission to use figures in this manual.

Keywords: Physiology, manual, laboratory, reports

Research Title: Nongenomic activation of the GC-A enzyme by resveratrol and estradiol downstream from membrane estrogen receptors in human coronary arterial cells.

Author: Sahar Majdi Jaffal, Published Year: 2007

Nutrition, Metabolism and cardiovascular diseases, 17 (7): 508-516.

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Abstract Background and aim: Resveratrol (RSVL), a polyphenolic phytoestrogen in grapes, confers multifaceted cardiovascular benefits. The cellular and molecular basis of RSVL actions has been largely undefined until now. Methods and results: In human coronary smooth muscle cells (HCSMCs), RSVL markedly (3.2-fold) enhanced cGMP formation (t(1/2): 6.3 min, EC(50): 1.8 microM) and stimulated kinase-G activity (4-fold). By contrast, RSVL had no effect on cAMP or PKA activity in these cells. The RSVL-enhanced cGMP/kinase-G activity was not abrogated by the nitric oxide synthase-inhibitor (L-NMMA, 10 microM), or the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)-inhibitor (ODQ, 10 microM). In membrane preparations from HCSMCs, RSVL activated GC in the particulate-, but not in the soluble-membrane fraction. Similar effects were due to the specific particulate-GC-A agonist atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP, 0.1-1 microM). The combined effects of RSVL and ANP were competitive. By contrast, the selective GC-B agonist (BNP) showed no response on cGMP, whereas that for GC-C (guanylin) produced only slight increases in cGMP levels. Estradiol (E2) mimicked the effects of RSVL on cGMP, but showed a 46% lower maximal response. Combining E2 with RSVL showed a competitive, rather than an additive, response. Further, cGMP formation by RSVL or E2 was significantly attenuated by the pure estrogen receptor blocker, ICI-182,780 (10 microM). Conclusion: These findings are the first to link RSVL with pGC/kinase-G activation downstream from membrane ERs in the vasculature, thus substantiating its coronary protective effects, even in endothelium-disrupted coronary arteries.

Keywords: Resveratrol, Coronary smooth muscle cells, soluble guanylyl cyclase

Research Title: Potent antiproliferative effects of Resveratrol on human osteosarcoma SJSA1 cells: Novel cellular mechanisms involving ERKs/p53 cascade.

Author: Sahar Majdi Jaffal, Published Year: 2006

Free Radicle Biology of Medicine , 41: 318-325.

Faculty: Science

Abstract: The chemopreventive activity of resveratrol (RSVL) has been demonstrated in several types of cancer. However, its effects and the underling mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p53 signal transduction mechanism in RSVL-induced growth inhibition using a human osteosarcoma cell line. We demonstrate that RSVL reduces cell viability and growth of SJSA1 osteosarcoma cells. Morphological profiles and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole nuclear staining of RSVL-treated cells indicated marked nuclear fragmentation. Cleavage of the (116-kDa) poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase protein into an 89-kDa fragment (a proapoptotic marker system) was substantially augmented by RSVL treatment. RSVL-dependent growth impairment was preceded by enhanced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 (at Thr202/Tyr204). Likewise, RSVL increased the phosphorylation of p53 tumor suppressor protein (at Ser15). The effects of RSVL on ERKs and on p53 phosphorylation were abrogated by either the MAPK inhibitor PD98059 or the p53 inhibitor pifithrine-α. The present study indicates that RSVL antiproliferative effects on osteosarcoma cells are mediated by the activation of the ERKs/p53 signaling pathway and therefore identifies new targets for strategies to treat and/or prevent osteosarcoma.

Keywords: Resveratrol, cancer, osteosarcoma SJSA1 cells

Research Title: Effects of Meloxicam on Implantation and Parturition of Rat.

Author: Sahar Majdi Jaffal, Published Year: 2006

Jordan Medical Journal , 40 (2): 88-95.

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Meloxicam, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 preferential inhibitor, was studied for its anti-implantation and parturition effects on pregnant rats. Regarding the effect of meloxicam on implantation, rats were dosed orally by 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/day from day 1 through 3 or from day 3 through 5 of gestation, respectively. While for the parturition effect, rats were dosed orally by the above doses from day 20 through 22 of gestation. The results of implantation experiments showed that the number of implantation sites was significantly decreased in all treated groups in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Whereas the number of resorption sites were significantly increased in all meloxicam treated groups. On the other hand, the results of parturition experiments indicated that meloxicam significantly prolonged the duration time of delivery in a dose-dependent manner. Further, significantly less viable fetuses and pups were delivered per female treated with meloxicam. In conclusion, the results indicate that meloxicam exhibited potential effect on implantation and parturition processes of pregnant rats.

Keywords: Meloxicam, Implantation, Parturition

Research Title: Nerve growth factor enhances cough and airway obstruction via TrkA and TRPV1 receptor-dependent mechanisms

Author: Sahar Majdi Jaffal, Published Year: 2009

Thorax, 64 (9): 791-797.

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Background: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an important mediator of airway hyper-responsiveness and hyperalgesia but its role in cough is unknown. Objectives: In this study the effects of NGF on the cough reflex and airway calibre were investigated in guinea pigs. The involvement of the tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) receptor and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1), and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent pathway in any NGF-induced effects on cough and airway obstruction was also assessed. Methods: Guinea pigs were placed in a transparent whole-body plethysmograph box. Cough was assessed visually, acoustically and by analysis of the airflow signal. Airway obstruction was measured using enhanced pause (Penh) as an index. Results: Exposure of guinea pigs to NGF did not induce a cough response nor a significant airway obstruction. However, exposure of guinea pigs to NGF immediately before citric acid inhalation resulted in a significant increase in the citric acid-induced cough and airway obstruction compared with vehicle-treated animals. Pretreatment with the TrkA receptor antagonist, K252a, or the TRPV1 antagonist, iodoresiniferatoxin, significantly inhibited the NGF-enhanced cough and airway obstruction. Exposure to NGF also increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation, but pretreatment with the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, did not affect either the NGF-enhanced cough or airway obstruction despite preventing the NGF-induced elevation in p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Conclusions: The data show that NGF can enhance both cough and airway obstruction via a mechanism that involves the activation of the TrkA receptor and TRPV1 but not the p38 MAPK-dependent pathway.

Keywords: Cough, airway obstruction, NGF, TRPV1

Research Title: Effect of inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome-system and IκB kinase on airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of asthma.

Author: Sahar Majdi Jaffal, Published Year: 2011

International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology , 24 (1): 33-42.

Faculty: Science

Abstract: The current treatment of asthma is far from optimal and there is a need for novel therapeutic approaches. NFkB has recently been highlighted as an important pro-inflammatory transcriptional factor and its blockade is believed to represent a new therapeutic approach for asthma. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of blocking the actions of NFkB, through inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) or IkB kinase (IKK), in a murine model of asthma. Treatment with the UPS inhibitor, MG-132 (0.03 and 0.1 mg/kg), did not significantly affect the ovalbumin-induced increase in total and differential cell numbers, histological changes such as perivascular and peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, perivascular and peribronchial fibrosis or the increased Penh to methacholine. In contrast, treatment of mice with the IKK inhibitor, BAY 11-7085, (3 and 10 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited the ovalbumin-induced increase in airway leukocyte influx and decreased the percentage of airway lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils. Also, BAY 11-7085-treated (10 mg/kg) mice showed a significant decrease in the histologically assessed inflammatory indices as well as a significant reduction in the ovalbumin-induced increase in Penh to inhaled methacholine. Furthermore, BAY 11-7085 significantly inhibited the ovalbumin-induced increase in the level of phosphorylation of IkBalpha and extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2, whilst MG-132 significantly increased the phosphorylation of (ERK) 1/2. These findings confirm the critical role that NFkB plays in airway inflammation, highlight the importance of IKK in regulating the pro-inflammatory activity of NFkB and also suggest that UPS may not be a useful drug target for asthma treatment.

Keywords: ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), inflammation, hyperalgesia