Research Title: The Impact of the Complexity of Cystic Fibrosis in Jordanian Patients on the Spectrum of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Mutations.

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2018

JJBS, 11

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Contrary to earlier beliefs, cystic fibrosis (CF) is relatively common in Arab populations with an estimated incidence of about 1/2500 live births in Jordan. In order to identify the common mutations among CF Jordanian patients a total of 386 Jordanian CF patients (323 families) were followed up over a period of fifteen years from diagnosis and were screened for Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) mutations. Furthermore, to characterize the spectrum of the CFTR mutations, DNA samples were obtained from sixty-eight patients and sixty-six parents and were subjected to complete CFTR gene screening by multiplex heteroduplex (mHET) analysis followed by direct sequencing. The screening included promoter, all exons with flanking intron sequence (including T-tract in intron 8) and resulted in the identification of twentysix different mutations. The most prevalent mutation, p.Phe508del was found to account only for 7.4 % of the identified CFTR mutations. This low frequency of the p.Phe508del mutation among Jordanian patients is comparable with native Asians. In this study, seven CFTR mutations, which have not been previously reported, were identified (c.CFTR dele2 (ins186), c.296+9A>T, c.297-10T>G, p.Thr388Met, p.Thr760Met, c.3670delA and c.4006delA). The large number of mutations reflects the ethnic diversity of the Jordanian population and the complex history of the country. The obtained results will assist to improve the understanding of the molecular basis of the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis, genetic counseling, and prenatal diagnosis in Jordan. Additionally, it will identify the correlation between the CFTR genotypes and the CF phenotypes in the Jordanian population, especially among the newly discovered mutations, which will, in turn, broaden the management of the disease in Jordan

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis, Mutations, Genotypes, Jordan

Research Title: Zinc content in human hair of healthy and sick subjects.

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2010

Journal of the Bahrain Medical Society, 22

Faculty: Science

Abstract: see more details of healthy and sick subjects were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). A total of eighty hair samples from healthy males and females together with sixty five samples from sick males and females were collected. The mean values of zinc concentrations were determined in the hair of healthy and sick subjects. These values are in accordance with the world wide healthy range of zinc in human hair which is established between 150-250 µg/g. The correlation of the revealed values with the factors affecting trace metal content such as age, sex and health status were discussed. Results showed that what is considered to be sick with respect to certain diseases viz rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid arthritis Subject Category: Diseases, Disorders, and Symptoms

Keywords: flame atomic absorption spectroscopy healthy and sick subjects

Research Title: Screening of mutations in the GCK gene in Jordanian maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2 (MODY2) patients

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2009

Genetics and Molecular Research, 8

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2 (MOdY2) is a genetic form of diabetes mellitus caused by mutations in the glucokinase gene (GCK). We assessed the frequency of GCK gene mutations in Jordanian suspected MOdY2 patients. We screened exons 7, 8 and 9, which are specific for pancreatic glucokinase, for mutations at positions 682A> G, p. T228A; 895G> C, p. G299R, and 1148C> A, p. S383X, respectively, in 250 subjects (100 patients suspected to have MOdY2 and 150 healthy controls without family history of diabetes mellitus). We did not find any association of these mutations in Jordanian suspected MOdY2 patients or in healthy controls, different from data on Caucasian Italian patients screened for the same mutations.

Keywords: MOdY2 GCK mutations

Research Title: Evaluation of Preserving Efficacy for Different Cough Syrups Manufactured by Different Pharmaceutical Companies

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2009

Faculty: Science

Abstract: The aim of the current investigation is to assess the efficacy of different preservatives ingredients of different expectorant cough syrups manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies by comparing the growth of five microorganisms of known quanta of S. aureus , E. coli , P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. The microorganisms were inoculated into syrup A (glycerol and propylene glycol), syrup B (propylene glycol and glycerin), syrup C (glycerin, propylene glycol and butyl paraben), syrup D (methyl paraben and probylparaben) and normal saline as a control. All microorganisms were taken from standard stock cultures and incubated for 24 h. Growth of microorganisms into syrup was compared by counting the CFUs from a subculture of inoculated syrup at zero, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h intervals. The data showed that all the combinations of the preservatives in the four studied cough syrups behaved similarly in term of antimicrobial efficiency. The findings suggested that the preservatives mixtures of propylene glycol with glycerol or with glycerin or with butyl paraben preservatives as well as methyl paraben with probylparaben are acceptable clinically and have considerably antimicrobial activity against infectious bacteria during the 48 h studied period.

Keywords: Antimicrobial preservative efficacy CFU Cough syrup

Research Title: Current distribution of the root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species and races) in Jordan.

Author: Sameer Masoud, Published Year: 2005

Jordan Journal of Agriculture Sciences, 1

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Eighty-three samples of galled roots and soil were collected from infected vegetable crops and fruit trees during the period from May 2002 to August 2003. The survey covered most of the irrigated agricultural areas of Jordan namely: Southern Ghors (south of the Dead Sea), Jordan Valley, elevated uplands, and eastern desert plains. Meteorological data, host crop, cropping method, and irrigation system were recorded for the sites covered by the survey. Soil samples were analyzed for soil texture, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), and soil organic matter content. Nearly 84% of the collected populations were identified as M. javanica, 6% as M. incognita race 1, 4% as M. incognita race 2, and 6% as M. arenaria race 2. Meloidogyne javanica was distributed throughout all the investigated districts. Meloidogyne incognita race 1 was found in the northern part of the Jordan Valley (Dier Alla) and the eastern desert plain (Qwerah), while M. incognita race 2 was found in the northern part of Jordan Valley (Al-Qarin) and the elevated upland (Al-Qastall). Meloidogyne arenaria race 2 was found only in a limited area in the mid Jordan Valley (Dier Alla), and this is the first report on its occurrence in Jordan. Results showed that M. javanica had several degrees (Cº) higher range than those of M. incognita and M. arenaria. However, rainfall and soil parameters indicated little direct effect on the distribution of Meloidogyne species in Jordan. الردن (races and species Meloidogyne (توزيع أنواع و سللت نيماتودا تعقد الجذور W. I. Abu-Gharbieh, M. R. Karajeh, S. H. Masoud في الردن، خلل الفترة من أيار 2002 إلى آب 2003م. تضمن الحصر جمع ثلثة و ثممانين (.spp Meloidogyne (تم إجراء حصر لنيماتودا تعقد الجذور مجتمعًا للنيماتودا من محاصيل خضر وأشجار فاكهة متعددة في مقاطعات ومناطق مروية متعددة ومتنوعة مناخيًا في الردن شملت: وادي الردن والغوار الجنوبيممة والمناطق المرتفعة والمناطق الصحراوية الشرقية. تم تسجيل العوامل البيئية التالية: المعلومات المناخية، نوع المحصول، طريقة الزراعة، ونوع نظام الري لكل موقع شمله الحصر. وكذلك تم اجراء تحليل لعينات التربة المأخوذة من منطقة الجذور المصابة بنيماتودا تعقد الجذور لتحديد نوع التربة، درجة حموضتها، درجة توصممميلها الذي تبين أنه واسع النتشار، وخمسة تتبع javanica. M الكهربائي، ومحتمواها من المادة العمضوية. تم تمعريف سبعين مجتمعًا لنيماتودا تعقد الجذور تتمبع النوع السللة 2 .(تم تسجيل النوع) arenaria. M السللة 2 ،( و خمسة تتبع النوع incognita. M ) السمللة 1 ، (وثلثة تتبع النوع) incognita. M النوع السمللة 1 (فمي الجمزء الشممالي ممن وادي الردن وفمي المنطقمة) incognita. M لول مرة في الردن فمي همذه الدراسمة. ووجمد النمموع arenaria. M السللة 2 (في الجزء الشمالي من وادي الردن وفمي المنماطق المرتفعمة (موقمع القسمطل)،) incognita. M الصحراوية الشرقية (موقع القويرة)، ووجمد النوع 5-4 javanica. M السللة 2 (في الجزء الوسط من وادي الردن (موقع دير عل) فقط. كذلك أظهرت النتائج أن للنوع ) arenaria. M بينما وجد النوع من ناحية أخرى، يبدو أن لكل من كمية المطمار ونموع التربمة ودرجمة .arenaria. M و incognita. M درجات أعلى في مدى الحرارة المثلى للنوعين .في الردن Meloidogyne حموضتها ودرجة توصيلها الكهربائي ونسبة المادة العضوية فيها، أثرًا ضئي ْل مباشرًا على توزيع هذه النواع من

Keywords: galled roots

Research Title: First report of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne arenaria Race 2 from several vegetable crops in Jordan.

Author: Sameer Masoud, Published Year: 2005

Plant Disease, 89

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood (race 2) is reported for the first time in Jordan. The nematode populations were recovered from several vegetable crops, including tomato (Lycopersicon esulentum Mill), squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), at Dier Alla in the northern area of the Jordan Valley. Symptoms included root galling, leaf chlorosis, and stunting. Galled plant root samples were collected during a survey conducted from May 2002 to August 2003 covering most of the irrigated agricultural areas of Jordan. Eighty-three Meloidogyne spp. populations were collected from various vegetable crops and fruit trees. Identification to species and race levels of the nematode populations was based on combination of currently available methods including nematode morphology, host preference based on the North Carolina (NC) differential host test (1), and cytogenetics and DNA-fingerprinting. Seventy of the eighty-three collected populations were identified as M. javanica, five as M. incognita (race 1), three as M. incognita (race 2), and five as M. arenaria (race 2). The perineal patterns of M. arenaria were characterized by a low, round to indented dorsal arch near the lateral field with irregular forks in the lateral field, fine smooth striae, and a distinct whorl. Race 2 was identified with the NC differential host test. Cytogenetic studies indicated that M. arenaria populations were triploid with an average of 52.2 chromosomes, while the populations of M. incognita (race 1), M. incognita (race 2), and M. javanica were hypotriploid with an average of 45.2, 46.1, and 46.7 chromosomes, respectively. Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR)- based assays were used to confirm species identification and to study genetic variability of the Meloidogyne spp. populations including sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). In the SCAR-PCR-based assay (2), typical DNA products of 420, 670, or 1,200 bp in size were amplified by using extracted DNA of M. arenaria (race 2), M. javanica, or M. incognita (race 1 or 2), respectively, as template DNA. The RAPD-PCR primer, OPA-01, produced DNA patterns with bands that clearly distinguished M. arenaria from the other two Meloidogyne spp. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the root-knot nematode, M. arenaria race 2, in Jordan.

Keywords: M. incognita, random amplified polymorphic DNA

Research Title: Value of phenotyic and genotypic identification of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from two hospitals in Jordan

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2015

The International Arabic Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 4

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Acinetobacter baumannii isolates have been recovered from hospitalized patients over the past few years from two hospitals in Jordan. Phenotypic and biochemical characterization in addition to disc susceptibility testing of all clinical isolates indicated that all of them were belonging to A. baumannii. A high degree of conservation of both the ITS length and the ITS sequence was observed, and their identities were further confirmed by amplified ribosomal DNA gene restriction analysis (ARDRA). The application of ARDRA for the identification of Acinetobacter species has several advantages over phenotypic identification. ARDRA considered rapid and reliable and universally applicable method for identification of most of the Acinetobacter genomic species, thus contribute to better understanding of the clinical importance and epidemiology of isolates.

Keywords: Acinetobacter ARDRA

Research Title: Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of 4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl derivatives of phenolic acids esters

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2017

Natural Product Research, 32

Faculty: Science

Abstract: The glycosylation of naturally occurring phenolic acids has a significant impact on their solubility, stability and physiochemical properties. D-Galactose residue was found to form a part of glycoconjugates in several tissues and involved in a variety of physiological process. To the best of our knowledge, we have noticed a little information about the glycosylation of the phenolic acids with galactose residue. In this work, we describe the glycosylation of methyl vanillate and methyl ferulate with peracetylated-β-D-galactopyranose in the presence of BF3·OEt2. The coupling reaction yielded efficiently and selectively only the acetylated β-D-galactopyranosides 3 and 6. Removal of the acetyl groups using sodium methoxide afforded the corresponding β-D-galactopyranosides 4 and 7 in good yields. Anticancer activity in vitro was evaluated against two human cancer cell lines (MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines). β-D-galactopyranosides 4 and 7 demonstrated improved cytotoxic activity compared to the parental esters.

Keywords: Glycosylation, protection, methyl ferulate, methyl vanillate, β-D-galactopyranosides, PC-3, prostate cancer, anticancer activity, breast cancer, MCF-7

Research Title: The Effect of Waterpipe Smoking on DNA Integrity Among Youth in Jordan

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2019

Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 44

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Waterpipes have been used to smoke tobacco and other substances by the indigenous people of Africa and Asia for at least four centuries. Waterpipe smoking causes different genotoxic effects. The evaluation of chromosome aberrations (CAs) is one of the standard methods used for assessing the DNA damage in human subjects. The aim of this study was to determine whether waterpipe smoking increases the frequency of different types of CAs in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of young waterpipe smokers (n=25) compared with non-smokers (n=25) in Jordan. Twenty-five metaphases were scored and evaluated for chromosome breakage, fragment and gap for each individual. Chromosomal breakage ratios were detected to be 2.53±1 and 0.576±0.64 in the waterpipe smokers and non-smokers groups, respectively. The fragments ratios were 2.19±0.9 and 0.72±0.05, and the gaps ratios were 2.15±0.67 and 0.6±0.5 in the waterpipe smokers and non-smokers groups (p<0.0001), respectively. The results of the study revealed a significant increase in the frequencies of different types of CAs in waterpipe smokers compered to non-smokers, suggesting that smoking a waterpipe may cause genotoxic effects.

Keywords: Waterpipes genotoxic effects chromosome aberration

Research Title: Blocking of Histamine Release and IgE Binding to FcεRI on Human Basophils by Antibodies Produced in Camels

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2015

Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research, 7

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Purpose The production of camel heavy-chain antihuman IgE (huIgE) that has the potential to block IgE-FcεRI interaction and histamine release by basophils. Methods Camels were immunized with a synthetic loop peptide (SLP) designed in a multiple antigen peptide system (MAPS) forming SLP-MAPS immunogen. Camel polyclonal antibodies (PCAs) were produced, purified, characterized using Protein A & G, ELISA, and SDS-PAGE, and tested for their potency to block passive sensitization and histamine release of human basophils using flow cytometry (FCM) and ELISA, respectively. Results FCM data indicated that camel conventional (IgG1) and heavy chain antibodies (HCAbs; IgG2, and IgG3) had blocking activities of 43.9%, 72%, and 96.6%, respectively. Moreover, both IgG2 and IgG3 achieved remarkable inhibition rates of 93.98% and 97.05% in histamine release, respectively, whereas the IgG1inhibiting activity was 60.05%. Conclusions Camel PCAs produced against SLP-MAPS were capable of blocking the IgE-receptor interaction and the release of histamine by basophils with superiority to HCAbs. These findings may pave the way toward the possible use of camel anti-huIgE HCAbs as blocking antibodies in the treatment of IgE-mediated allergy and asthma.

Keywords: Camels; antibodies; blocking; immunoglobulin E; anti-IgE antibodies; asthma; histamine release