Al Qassim Research Articles

Awareness, prevalence of hair smoothing products that contain formaldehyde and determinants of their harmful effects among women in Saudi Arabia

Individuals who use hair smoothing products at home or in a salon work environment are at risk of exposure to various chemical compounds. Formaldehyde mixed with keratin as a hair straightening product is in common use by women in Saudi Arabia. The high temperatures used during blow-drying can release gas fumes that have several implications to include irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory complications. Furthermore, formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen. The aim of this study is to assess the source of keratin hair treatment among women, demonstrate the symptoms related to formaldehyde exposure during keratin hair treatment process and determine the practices that can increase the exposure to formaldehyde and to evaluate the level of formaldehyde in the keratin hair treatment products. A national cross-sectional survey was first conducted during March-April 2017 on Saudi Arabian children and women aged between the age of 12 and 50 years old. A standardized, fully confidential questionnaire was provided to participating members. A total of 330 filled questionnaires were obtained within the study location. Moreover, 30 hair salons that used keratin-based products were visited in 3 different cities in Al Qassim province to check the location of keratin hair treatment, ventilation procedures and take samples of hair products that were later analyzed. Most commonly reported symptom was irritation of the eyes reported by 135 people. Other symptoms described include irritation of throat, burning sensation of the nose, headache and nausea. Argan e Ojon was one of the most famous product tested in this study with formaldehyde levels above 0.2% threshold (0.35%). It is worrying thatArgan e Ojon does not comply with GSO 1943 and SASO 1953 standards. A majority of salons demonstrated poor ventilation measures and failed to isolate their clients from the general public and salon workers. With the evident complications, more should be done to make people aware of the formaldehyde risks and prevent salons from using these products.

Criteria for Measuring the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Human Resources Management Strategy and its Relation to Institutional Performance at Al Rajhi Bank at Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia from the Employees’ Point of View

The study aimed to identify the efficiency and effectiveness of human resources management strategies in Al Rajhi bank at Al Qassim, namely human resource planning, selection and recruitment, employee performance evaluation, training of employees and their relation to institutional performance. The study population consisted of (17) branches of Al Rajhi bank at Al Qassim and the study sample consisted of (4) branches of Al Rajhi bank. The study found the following results: There is a positive relationship between the efficiency and effectiveness of human resources planning strategies at Al Rajhi bank and its institutional performance. There is a positive relationship between the efficiency and effectiveness of selection and recruitment strategies at Al Rajhi bank and its institutional performance, as well as a positive relationship between the efficiency and effectiveness of staff training strategies and their institutional performance. Among the recommendations of the study are to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the internal environment, opportunities and threats to the external environment, and to analyze, describe and classify the functions of the organizational structures of Saudi banks in general and Al Rajhi Bank in particular.

The Ability of Dentists to Identify Psychiatric Symptoms in their Patients

Background and aims: Oral health plays an integral part in the general health of an individual. Moreover, a significant number of patients report to their dentist with signs and symptoms primarily of psychological origin. Identifying and treating such patients appropriately are a priority, so this survey was done to assess the ability of dental practitioners to identify patients with psychiatric problems. Methods: A random sample of practising dentists in the Al Qassim province of Saudi Arabia was invited. The participants were then divided into three groups based on their clinical experience: Group I, with 10 years of experience. Chi-squared analyses were used. Results: Of the 150 dentists invited, 132 responded to the survey. Dentists in all groups encountered patients with mental health problems, and most focused on dental problems and ignored any psychological factors, stating that more time should be allocated to treat dental problems. They also noted that there was a lack of communication between dental practitioners and psychiatrists when cases were referred. Conclusions: Early and appropriate recognition and management of psychological illness in patients with dental problems could help dentists provide treatment in a more holistic way. This can be facilitated by training dental practitioners to identify mental health problems in their patients and by ensuring that good communication exists between Dentists and Psychiatrists.

Prevalence and Trends of Overweight and Obesity amongst Saudi School Children : A Study Done by Using Three Noninvasive Methods

Obesity has become a global epidemic. It's level in the Middle Eastern and Asian countries have reached to an alarming level. Rapid transition of life style and urbanization has not only affected adults but also the younger population. This study records the trends of prevalence of obesity and over weight in the school children of both genders of Al Qassim region by employing three different non-invasive methods and recorded their differences. This cross-sectional study was conducted on Saudi students of secondary and intermediate levels between 12-14 years of age. The total number of the students who participated in the study was 242, 129 males and 113 females. A self-administered pre-coded questionnaire was used. Body mass index, skin fold thickness and bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) readings were recorded. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 11. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Chi square test with a P value <0.05, was used to compare the prevalence rates. Prevalence of obesity and over-weight recorded were higher in the boys but the rates recorded by three methods have shown a wide variation. Several factors, such as change in dietary habits, socioeconomic status and the family history of obesity have shown association but physical inactivity and father's obesity were found significant contributory factors. There is an urgent need for intervention to prevent and control obesity and its consequences amongst children in Saudi Arabia.

Quality of Problem Based Learning Scenarios at College of Nursing in Egypt and KSA: Comparative Study

In PBL (problem based learning), the learning activity starts with a problem, which is a description of a set of phenomena or events in need of explanation in terms of an underlying process, mechanism or principle. Students analyze these problems in small groups. The task of the group of students is to explain the phenomena or events provided in the given problem. Quality of problems and the tutor performance are all important features of a problem based curriculum. The most dominant factor that affects the PBL process is the high quality of the problems presented to the students. High quality problems are crucial for successful learning in Problem Based Learning. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of PBL scenarios at Colleges of Nursing in Egypt and KSA. Material: descriptive analytic study design was conducted. The study sample consisted of 140 undergraduate nursing students in in and 74 from in . Questionnaire consisted of six factors derived from criteria of effective PBL problems. It covered an effective PBL scenario as a problem that: stimulates thinking, enhances analysis and reasoning (3 items), stimulates self-directed learning (3 items), leads to studying the intended contents (3 items), enhances interest in subject matter (3 items), is relevant to the future profession with realistic context (3 items) and matches the level of prior knowledge (3items). Results: This study revealed that strong positive correlation between learners’ opinions of the Overall rating Quality Problem and factors affecting quality of PBL scenarios and mean score of quality problem as perceived by studied groups reflects that all factors related to quality of PBL problems for Al Qassim nursing learners were higher than Port Said nursing learners. Also, the results reflects that Al Qassim learners have a highly agreed that the problem encourages consulting literature linked to block objectives compared to of the learners. In addition, both Port Said learners and Al Qassim the learners have a highly agreed that the problem shows clear linkage to the future profession. Conclusion and Recommendations: Based on the study findings, it recommended that regular problem revision and updating according to continuous health is care changes is a must, continuous investigating learner's opinion regarding quality of problem formulation, and considered when updating the problems. Implementation of orientation programmed for both learners and staff members about PBL approach and its effect on learner's skills and behavior in life.

Isolation, Purification and Characterization of Antimicrobial Agent Antagonistic to Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 Produced by Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032 Isolated from the Soil of Unaizah, Al Qassim Province of Saudi Arabia.

Escherichia coli is one of the most common pathogenic bacteria, which cause urinary tract infections in infants as well as in adult human beings. Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in E. coli, there is a great demand of new antimicrobial agent for the treatment of infections caused by such E. coli. This study aims to isolate, identify and characterize the native soil-bacterial strains predominate in the soil of Unaizah city, which produce antimicrobial agent antagonistic to E. coli ATCC 10536, followed by isolation, purification and characterization of antimicrobial agent. Pour plate, spread plate and 16S rRNA sequence analysis methods were followed for the isolation and identification of soil bacteria. Ammonium sulphate and dialysis (MWCO-8 KD) methods were followed for the isolation and partial purification of antimicrobial agent from the cell free broths. The characterization of antimicrobial agent was carried out by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration and effects of temperature and pH on the antimicrobial stability. Out of the twenty five soil samples, only one soil-bacterial strain was found to produce antimicrobial agent antagonistic to E. coli ATCC 10536. The isolated soil bacterium was identified as Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032. The soil isolate was characterized and results suggest that 30°C temperature and pH 7.0 were the optimum growth parameters and soybean casein digest broth was the best fermentation medium, whereas the highest production of antimicrobial agent was at 35°C temperature, pH 7.0, shaking at 150-220 rpm and at 60th h of incubation. The maximum yield of antimicrobial agent was obtained at 60% of (NH 4) 2SO 4. The results of characterization of antimicrobial agent suggest that the maximum and minimum antimicrobial activities were at pH 3.0 and 8.0, respectively, whereas antimicrobial activity was unaffected by temperature. The antimicrobial agent was highly stable at varying range of temperature 50-120°C. Minimum inhibitory concentration of antimicrobial agent was found to be 64 μg mL -1. In conclusion, this study might be a great endeavor for the healthcare industry in order to treatment of different infections caused by E. coli and that warrants further investigations to fully standardized and establish the antimicrobial profile of effect(s) of this isolate.

The Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Atertiary Care Centrein AlRass, Al Qassim

The Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Atertiary Care Centrein AlRass, Al Qassim

Prediction of diabetic foot ulcer healing in type 2 diabetic subjects using routine clinical and laboratory parameters

Prediction of diabetic foot ulcer healing in type 2 diabetic subjects using routine clinical and laboratory parameters Abdullah S AlGoblan,1 Ibrahim M Alrasheedi,2 Osman H Basheir,3 Khawaja H Haider3 1Diabetes Center, 2Medical Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buriadah, Qassim, 3Sulaiman AlRajhi Colleges, Al Bukairiyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abstract: Diabetic foot ulcers are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. The aim of the study was to assess the validity and effectiveness of body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to predict foot ulcer healing in diabetic patients. We hypothesized that routine clinical and laboratory parameters may reliably predict the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. To validate this hypothesis, a single-center analytical study was carried out in 140 diabetic patients with foot ulceration (from February 2014 to February 2015) in Al Qassim region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The data collection included demographics, medical diagnoses, BMI measures, ulcer healing duration, and HbA1c results. The results show that BMI and HbA1c levels were strongly associated with the process as well as duration of foot ulcer healing in the diabetic patients. Higher BMI and elevated HbA1c were associated with poor prognosis in terms of foot ulcer healing. Future studies with concomitant use of both the predictors would be an interesting strategy. Keywords: diabetic foot ulcer, predictor, body mass index, HbA1c

Performing high resolution seismic reflection for mapping Bauxite layers

The seismic method is able to produce highly accurate images of the Earth's subsurface. Having such detail is not only an important factor in mining, but also in civil engineering. Bauxite exploration attracts both government and industrialists to invest in it because of the high percentage of aluminum present. The economic importance of extracting aluminum from bauxite encouraged us to take this challenge; to image bauxite layers by using a high-resolution seismic reflection method at Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Since the subsurface structure of the area is complex, this high-resolution reflection method was carried out along a 2D line with geophone and source interval, with settings at 5 m. The result for the seismic section shows that the depth and thickness of the bauxite layer varied from 20 to 34 m, and 3 to 7 m respectively. In addition, the bauxite layer was sandwiched between clay layers. In order to achieve an even more precise depth than presented by seismic section alone, we tied the drilled wells to the seismic data and we accomplished a well match with an approximation error of 1 - 2 m, which may have been caused by the upper clay layer or by very shallow loose subsurface material. The seismic method thus applied shows the ability to detect significant details within the near surface of the earth, and considers more cost-effective than only drilled wells.

Metabolic Analysis of Various Date Palm Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivars from Saudi Arabia to Assess Their Nutritional Quality.

Date palm is an important crop, especially in the hot-arid regions of the world. Date palm fruits have high nutritional and therapeutic value and possess significant antibacterial and antifungal properties. In this study, we performed bioactivity analyses and metabolic profiling of date fruits of 12 cultivars from Saudi Arabia to assess their nutritional value. Our results showed that the date extracts from different cultivars have different free radical scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activities. Moreover, the cultivars showed significant differences in their chemical composition, e.g., the phenolic content (10.4–22.1 mg/100 g DW), amino acids (37–108 μmol·g−1 FW) and minerals (237–969 mg/100 g DW). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear separation of the cultivars into four different groups. The first group consisted of the Sokary, Nabtit Ali cultivars, the second group of Khlas Al Kharj, Khla Al Qassim, Mabroom, Khlas Al Ahsa, the third group of Khals Elshiokh, Nabot Saif, Khodry, and the fourth group consisted of Ajwa Al Madinah, Saffawy, Rashodia, cultivars. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed clustering of date cultivars into two groups. The first cluster consisted of the Sokary, Rashodia and Nabtit Ali cultivars, and the second cluster contained all the other tested cultivars. These results indicate that date fruits have high nutritive value, and different cultivars have different chemical composition.

Market Orientation of Saudi Banking Sector by MKTOR Market OrientationMeasure Scale

Many studies conducted in different context have shown the importance of market orientation for the companies and have used Narver and Slater‘s market orientation measure scale to evaluate it. However, the market orientation has never been studied and evaluated using MKTOR in an Arab culture context. This study evaluated the market orientation of Saudi banking sector, women’s branches in Al Qassim region. Data from 50 banks’ managers were collected using the MKTOR scale after translation in Arabic. The factor analysis shows that the market orientation of women’s branches is moderate. It is therefore recommended that the top management of banks should focus on the co-operation between the different functions/departments within the organization and ameliorate the information’s coordination. It should take care of assessing customer needs and competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. To be market oriented those banks should have a strategy and objectives driven by customer satisfaction which require the commitment of top management.

Drought Forecasting Using Stochastic Models in a Hyper-Arid Climate

Drought forecasting plays a crucial role in drought mitigation actions. Thus, this research deals with linear stochastic models (autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA)) as a suitable tool to forecast drought. Several ARIMA models are developed for drought forecasting using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in a hyper-arid climate. The results reveal that all developed ARIMA models demonstrate the potential ability to forecast drought over different time scales. In these models, the p, d, q, P, D and Q values are quite similar for the same SPEI time scale. This is in correspondence with autoregressive (AR) and moving average (MA) parameter estimate values, which are also similar. Therefore, the ARIMA model (1, 1, 0) (2, 0, 1) could be considered as a general model for the Al Qassim region. Meanwhile, the ARIMA model (1, 0, 3) (0, 0, 0) at 3-SPEI and the ARIMA model (1, 1, 1) (2, 0, 1) at 24-SPEI could be generalized for the Hail region. The ARIMA models at the 24-SPEI time scale is the best forecasting models with high R2 (more than 0.9) and lower values of RMSE and MAE, while they are the least forecasting at the 3-SPEI time scale. Accordingly, this study recommends that ARIMA models can be very useful tools for drought forecasting that can help water resource managers and planners to take precautions considering the severity of drought in advance.

Awareness, Prevalence and Determinants of Birth Control Methods Use among Women in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize Saudi women’s current contraceptive choices and adherence to contraceptive regimens and to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception and the associated socio-demographic factors among a representative sample of Saudi married women in Al Qassim region, KSA. Methodology: Cross-sectional survey of women in Saudi Arabia aged 18-49 years (n= 300) was conducted. Questions include knowledge and attitude towards contraception, history of pregnancy, cause for use and reasons for avoiding contraception . Results: Of the 287 survey participants, 40 (13.9%) women were not used contraception. Among the 247 women who used contraception, the most frequently used current methods were oral contraceptive (49.1%) condom (17.1%) and intrauterine device (16%). There was a significant increase in contraceptive used among working women, 30 years and older, with high level of education, and those having a large number of children. Conclusion: there is deficient in the awareness of contraceptive methods in Al- Qassim region, Saudi Arabia as well as the knowledge, attitude, and practice of family planning.

Knowledge and attitude towards organ transplantation among medical students in the medical college of Al Qassim University

Introduction: Organ donation is a big dilemma, especially when it comes to religious beliefs. Health care providers’ attitudes and beliefs can influence public willingness to donate organs for transplantation. This study was designed to address the lack of information regarding medical student’ s knowledge of and attitudes towards organ donation. Objectives: To investigate knowledge, attitudes and religious beliefs towards organ donation between medical students in Qassim University, Saudi Arabia; investigating how many students had signed organ donation cards, their willingness to sign organ donation card and their knowledge about the Saudi Centre for Organ Transplantation (SCOT). Materials and methods: 355 questionnaires were distributed among female and male medical students in Qassim University. A self-administered questionnaire containing 24 questions was used and data were analysed by Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS; IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: 3.4% had signed organ donation cards, 42.5% were willing to sign organ donation cards and 46.6% agree to donate family members’ organs after death. From a religious perspective, 48.3% think it is halal, 29.9% think they have enough knowledge about organ donation, 23.2% think the use of brain-death criteria is enough for organ donation and 24.6% knew about SCOT. Conclusions: There is lack of knowledge about organ donation among Qassim medical students. Because of their influence on society, awareness needs to be raised among medical students by use of campaigns and educational activities. Similar studies are needed in different universities in the Gulf region to identify the lack of knowledge and to raise awareness. Acknowledgements: Professor Ayman Algadaa for his unlimited support and supervising this project and my colleagues Laylaalzamel, Ahmed Alazmi, who helped me to collect samples.

Evaluation of Self-Medication Practices and Awareness among Students in Al Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the student’s knowledge, awareness and the reasons behind self medication in two higher education institutes in Al Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Subjects and method: This pre-validated anonymous questionnaire was used in English and Arabic language that contains both open ended and close ended questions and it was distributed among students of two higher education institutes of Al Qassim region i.e. Buraidah Private Colleges and Qassim University. A total number of 61 students from Buraydah Private Colleges studying in different levels belong to pharmacy, dentistry and nursing college participated in this study and 71 students of final year medical college in Qassim University participated in the study. The data has been analyzed by descriptive statistics and summarized in frequencies and percentages. Results: Self medications were very common among students of Qassim University (QU) and Buraydah Private Colleges (BPC) and about more than two third students have practiced self medication in past year prior to this study. Majority of participants in our study self medicate for one week to treat self-recognized or self-diagnosed conditions and most of them obtained their medication from pharmacy. About one half of BPC students and slightly more than one half QU students used antibiotic as self medication. The awareness of rational use of medicine was found 63.3% among QU students and 45 % in BPC students. The highly significant difference (p< 0.05) was observed between the students of QU and BPC about the rational use of medication. The main reason for self medication in our study was found to be non serious health problems and quick relief. Conclusion: The self medication practice among students of two higher educational institutes of Al Qassim region was high and often inappropriate. There was an alarming self medication of antibiotics among students that was obtained from local pharmacies without prescription

Incidental findings of pathological significance in pneumonic lungs of sheep in Al Qassim Area, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: an abattoir survey

A total of 1425 ovine lungs were grossly examined at the local abattoir during a 6-month survey on the aetiology and pathology of pneumonia in slaughtered sheep at the Al-Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results of the survey demonstrated the occurrence of several types of pneumonic and related lesions in 140 specimens of condemned lungs. However, more detailed microscopic examination of the pneumonic lungs incidentally revealed the coexistence of some other significant pathological alterations indicative of sheep pulmonary adenomatosis (Jaagziekte), ovine syncytial virus infection, ovine progressive pneumonia (maedi) and verminous pneumonia. In addition, pulmonary corpora amylacea (PCA) were also detected in the bronchial lumen of some pneumonic lungs initially diagnosed as fibrinous pneumonia. It is worth mentioning that none of the abovementioned cases was previously recognized or diagnosed in the Al-Qassim region or in any other parts of the Saudi Kingdom.

Profile of epilepsy in a regional hospital in Al qassim, saudi arabia.

Epilepsy is a diverse set of chronic neurological disorders characterized by seizures. It is one of the most common of the serious neurological disorders. About 3% of people will be diagnosed with epilepsy at some time in their lives. We aimed to address the commonest types of seizures, their aetiologies, EEG and neuroimaging results and prognosis of patients presented to neurology services of the King Fahad Specialist Hospital- AlQassim (KFSH). In this retrospective epidemiological study we investigated the medical records of patients with epilepsy, who attended the neurology services of KFSH, during the study period (26/10/2011-26/4/2012). The study included 341 patients; 189 (55.4%) males and 152 (44.6%) females. Their ages ranged between 12 and 85 years (mean ± SD = 31±16.9). The majority of patients had Generalised Tonic Clonic Seizures (76.2%), followed by Complex Partial Seizures (7.6%). 73% of our patients had idiopathic epilepsy. The commonest causes for symptomatic epilepsy were Cerebro Vascular Accidents and Head trauma. Hemiplegia, mental retardation and psychiatric illness were the commonest comorbidity. 69.3% of patients had controlled seizures. Patients with idiopathic epilepsy were significantly controlled than patients with symptomatic epilepsy (P=0.01), and those using one Anti Epileptic Drug were significantly controlled compared to patients using polytherapy (P=0.0001) there was no significant relation between controlled seizure and duration of illness or hospitalization or EEG changes. Seizure types, aetiology, drug therapy, Comorbidities and outcome in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia are similar to previous local and international studies. 35.3% of patients were hospitalized, higher rates than previous studies. Seizure control was better in generalized seizures and idiopathic epilepsy compared to complex partial seizures or partial seizures with secondary generalization and symptomatic epilepsy.

Comparative evaluation of metered-dose inhaler technique demonstration among community pharmacists in Al Qassim and Al-Ahsa region, Saudi-Arabia

TitleComparative evaluation of metered-dose inhaler technique demonstration among community pharmacists in Al Qassim and Al Ahsa regions, Saudi Arabia. BackgroundPatients rely on the information about use of proper inhaler technique when dispensed by community pharmacists however; several studies have shown that patients are unable to show correct inhalation technique. The aim of this study is to assess the ability of community pharmacists in Al Qassim region to demonstrate proper inhalation technique of metered dose inhaler and compare the baseline outcomes with a similar study at Al-Ahsa region. MethodWe approach 96 pharmacies in Al Qassim region as mock patient (Investigator). The investigator asks the Pharmacist to guide him about proper inhalation technique of metered dose inhaler. Investigator completes a standardized and validated checklist of 8 steps of inhaler device use immediately after leaving the pharmacy. Baseline data were compared between the two study groups et al. Ahsa and Al-Qassim for variables for effectiveness of pharmacist handling of patient queries. ResultA total number of 96 community pharmacies were approached in five cities of the Al Qassim province in Saudi Arabia This study has found that majority (93.7%) of community pharmacists failed to demonstrate proper inhalation technique of pMDI inhaler. ConclusionThe pharmacists demonstrated particularly poor skills involving steps for coordination of the actuation process with the mechanics of inhalation with MDI. The errors detected in this simple assessment session, if translated to patient self-medication errors, are potentially significant.

Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance among clinical isolates recovered from a tertiary care hospital in Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

The emergences of antimicrobial-resistances have become an important issue in global healthcares. Limitations in surveying hinder the actual estimates of resistance in many countries. the present study was designed to retrospectically survey antimicrobial susceptibility for resistance profiling of dominant pathogens in a tertiary-care center in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia from January-2011 to December-2011. the design was cross-sectional and spanned records of a 1000 bacterial non-related isolates. Antibiograms were based on the 2012 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. showed that Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli, were the most resistant. All isolates of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus, were resistant to penicillin (100%), and oxacillin with 52%, 75%, and 82%, respectively. Interestingly, an increasing trend of resistance-pattern was seen for the three species against gentamicin 26%, 50%, 68% ciprofloxacin 22%, 50%, 68%, tetracycline 30%, 44%, 27%, erythromycin 26%, 64%, 73%, and clindamycin 20%, 47%, 50% suggesting potential between-species transfer of resistances. Acinetobacter baumannii was resistances to all antibiotics tested including ciprofloxacin (90%), ceftazidime (89%), cefepime (67%), Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (66%), amikacin (63%), gentamicin (51%), tetracycline (43%), piperacillin-tazobactam (42%), and imipenem (9%). A similar pattern was seen by P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, a typical pattern of resistance in K. pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing organisms was observed. we have shown staphylococci, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and enteric bacteria were the most resistant species in this region.

Imaging bauxite layers using the high-resolution seismic reflection method

The seismic method is able to produce highly accurate images of the Earth’s subsurface. Having such detail is not only an important factor in mining, but also in civil engineering. Bauxite exploration attracts both government and industrialists to invest in it because of the high percentage of aluminum present. The economic importance of extracting aluminum from bauxite encouraged us to take this challenge; to image bauxite layers by using a high-resolution seismic reflection method at Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Since the subsurface structure of the area is complex, this high-resolution reflection method was carried out along a 2D line with geophone and source interval, with settings at 5 m. The result for the seismic section shows that the depth and thickness of the bauxite layer varied between 20 to 34 m, and 3 to 7 m respectively. In addition, the bauxite layer was sandwiched between clay layers. In order to achieve an even more precise depth than presented by seismic section alone, we tied the drilled wells to the seismic data and we accomplished a well match with an approximation error of 1-2 m, which may have been caused by the upper clay layer or by very shallow loose subsurface material. The seismic method thus applied shows the ability to detect significant details within the near surface of the earth, and is considered more cost- effective than only drilled wells.