Saud Research Articles

German-Israeli Political Relations under the Chancellor's Government Willy Brandt (1969-1974 AD)

Objectives: This study examines the evolution of German-Israeli political relations under Chancellor Willy Brandt's government (1969-1974 AD). The government, led by the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was formed after the parliamentary elections on 9/28/1969 AD and gained confidence through an alliance with the Free Democratic Party (FDP), led by Walter Scheel.
 Methods: The study employed an analytical historical approach, drawing from unpublished German documents in the archives of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other contemporary sources to shed light on an under-researched subject. It analyzes Germany's progression from establishing normal relations in 1969 AD to further developments by 1974 AD.
 Results: The study reveals that political relations with Israel evolved in line with Germany's policy of openness to the socialist camp. It also examines how the German government dealt with the "Munich Process" during the Olympic Games and its impact on Israel-Germany relations. Additionally, the study explores the factors influencing Germany's stance during the October 1973 war, particularly in light of the Arab oil initiative led by King Faisal Al Saud in foreign policy.
 Conclusions: During Chancellor Willy Brandt's government, German-Israeli political relations advanced significantly, with Germany expressing support for Israeli political positions. Moreover, the study highlights the reestablishment of German-Arab relations, which had been severed since 1965 AD.

Rare variant burden analysis from exomes of three consanguineous families reveals LILRB1 and PRSS3 as potential key proteins in inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by severe inflammation and mucosal destruction of the intestine. The specific, complex molecular processes underlying IBD pathogenesis are not well understood. Therefore, this study is aimed at identifying and uncovering the role of key genetic factors in IBD. The whole exome sequences (WESs) of three consanguineous Saudi families having many siblings with IBD were analyzed to discover the causal genetic defect. Then, we used a combination of artificial intelligence approaches, such as functional enrichment analysis using immune pathways and a set of computational functional validation tools for gene expression, immune cell expression analyses, phenotype aggregation, and the system biology of innate immunity, to highlight potential IBD genes that play an important role in its pathobiology. Our findings have shown a causal group of extremely rare variants in the LILRB1 (Q53L, Y99N, W351G, D365A, and Q376H) and PRSS3 (F4L and V25I) genes in IBD-affected siblings. Findings from amino acids in conserved domains, tertiary-level structural deviations, and stability analysis have confirmed that these variants have a negative impact on structural features in the corresponding proteins. Intensive computational structural analysis shows that both genes have very high expression in the gastrointestinal tract and immune organs and are involved in a variety of innate immune system pathways. Since the innate immune system detects microbial infections, any defect in this system could lead to immune functional impairment contributing to IBD. The present study proposes a novel strategy for unraveling the complex genetic architecture of IBD by integrating WES data of familial cases, with computational analysis.

사우디아라비아 박물관에 나타난 국가 정체성

This study analyzed the structure of the exhibition narrative, focusing on the Al Masmak Museum, in order to study the national identity shown in the Saudi Arabian museum. The Saudi government has used museums to form a historical identity that can unite people through collective memory and induce them to feel a sense of belonging to the country. The exhibition narrative of the Al Masmak Museum conveys how the Saudi royal family, through their leadership and Islam, unified the Arabian Peninsula and built Saudi Arabia. Through this, the museum encourages Saudi citizens to be patriotic and especially loyal to the Saudi royal family.

An Analysis of Politeness Strategies used by Non-Native Saudi English Speakers in Family Gatherings

In social interaction, people need to be polite and aware of others' self-image, feelings and wants to maintain and build good relationships. For this goal, people use various politeness strategies to save the hearer's face when face-threatening acts are inevitable. This paper aims to examine the types of politeness strategies used by six Saudi family members, three girls and two boys, in their interactions based on Brown and Levinson's theory of politeness strategies (1987) and to find out the most frequent politeness strategies used by them. The data were collected by recording the participants on different occasions in family gatherings and using a qualitative approach. Based on the analysis, there were 33 utterances containing all four types of politeness strategies. The most frequent politeness strategy used was the positive politeness strategy (33.33%) and followed by negative politeness (30.30%), bald-on record (21.21%), and off-record (15.15%). This study could lead to further research on politeness strategy in other conversational settings with regard to the effect of power and gender.

The Challenges Facing the Saudi Family in Achieving the Values of Digital Citizenship

Objectives: The study aims to identify the challenges facing the Saudi family in achieving the values of digital citizenship, which are represented by the values of digital respect, digital knowledge, and digital protection. This study focuses on the challenges faced by families in attaining these digital citizenship values, with the hope that specialists, experts, practitioners, and individuals interested in family issues will find guidance to develop plans and proposals for overcoming these challenges.
 Methods: The social survey method was used with a simple random sample, reaching 335 female employees at the Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. The data were collected using a questionnaire tool during the period from 10/4/1442 AH to 10/5/1442 AH.
 Results: Several findings have been reached, the most important of which is that the Saudi family faces many challenges in achieving the values of digital citizenship, which are represented by digital respect, digital knowledge, and digital protection, all of which have a moderate degree.
 Conclusions: The study reveals several recommendations, the most important of which is the development of an integrated national plan to provide community members with the necessary skills to achieve the ideals of digital citizenship.

TEOLOGI WAHABI: SEJARAH, PEMIKIRAN DAN PERKEMBANGANNYA

Wahabi’s school of thought was pioneered by Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahab’s thought who was indirectly inspired by Ibn Taimiyyah’s spirit of renewal in the context of purifying the faith. In its existence, this school has emerged and developed inseparable by the support from Saud family on symbiosis mutualism behind it. Paradigmatically, this school has a tendency not to adhere to any schools in fiqh and tasawwuf, but in its faith, it adopts the concept of Ibn Taymiyyah’s trilogy of aqidah, namely: Rububiyah, Uluhiyah, and Asma wa Sifat. Dialectically, it’s a puritanist, literalist, revivalist, and tends to be rigid in practice. This thought has a blur limit of worshiping which consequently has a tendency of being takfiri. Consequently, it cannot be separated from its pros and cons in its journey even when they have changed their way of spreading to be more diplomatic nowadays.

The size of the Saudi Family in the Urban Area of Hail: its Development, Spatial Variation, and its Future

The study aims to identify Saudi family size and its geographical distribution in urban governorates of the Hail region determining influential demographic, social, and economic factors, revealing its size in the future until 2039,The study relied on the descriptive analytical method applied to a simple random sample of heads of household, consisting of 384 families, using the questionnaire method, The study concluded that the medium-sized family of (5-9) individuals is the dominant pattern in the study area and the rate varied between gover-norates, as Samira governorate recorded the highest rate (8.2) individuals, while Al-Hait governorate recorded the lowest rate (5.9),Among the factors affecting family size are the length of married life, education level, work status, and quality of housing, The study revealed that there is a strong trend towards forming medium-sized families in the future; due to high percentages in all indicators, the analytical study relied on, which is the preferred number of children and the ideal age for marriage for a young man and a girl, Accordingly, the study recommended activating the role of family planning units in urban neighborhood clinics to facilitate women's access to information related to reproductive health and family planning and to increase job opportunities to empower young men and girls economically.

Clinical, radiological, and genetic characterization of SLC13A5 variants in Saudi families: Genotype phenotype correlation and brief review of the literature.

SLC13A5 (solute carrier family 13, member 5) encodes sodium/citrate cotransporter, which mainly localizes in cellular plasma membranes in the frontal cortex, retina, and liver. Pathogenic variants of the gene cause an autosomal recessive syndrome known as "developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 25 with amelogenesis imperfecta." Here, we have investigated six patients from three different consanguineous Saudi families. The affected individuals presented with neonatal seizures, developmental delay, and significant defects in tooth development. Some patients showed other clinical features such as muscle weakness, motor difficulties, intellectual disability, microcephaly, and speech problems in addition to additional abnormalities revealed by electroencephalography (EEGs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One of the MRI findings was related to cortical thickening in the frontal lobe. To diagnose and study the genetic defects of the patients, whole exome sequencing (WES) coupled with confirmatory Sanger sequencing was utilized. Iterative filtering identified two variants of SLC13A5, one of which is novel, in the families. Families 1 and 2 had the same insertion (a previously reported mutation), leading to a frameshift and premature stop codon. The third family had a novel splice site variant. Confirmatory Sanger sequencing corroborated WES results and indicated full segregation of the variants in the corresponding families. The patients' conditions were poorly controlled by multiple antiepileptics as they needed constant care. Considering that recessive mutations are common in the Arab population, SLC13A5 screening should be prioritized in future patients harboring similar symptoms including defects in molar development.

Association of Homozygous PROP1 Mutation in a Saudi Family with Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency

Background and Objectives: Combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) is a rare heterogeneous disease. It is characterized by the deficiency of growth hormone (GH) and shortage of at least one or more other hormones of the pituitary gland including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin. Rare pathogenic variants in nearly 30 genes have been identified as an underlying cause of CPHD pathogenicity. Among these genes, paired-like homeobox 1 (PROP1) has been reported to be the most common cause of CPHD. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we investigated a large family of Saudi origin with three adult sisters suffering from short stature in combination of secondary amenorrhea. Results: Whole-exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing shows a homozygous missense variant (NM_006261.5; c.211C > T; p.R71C) in the PROP1 gene segregating with the disease phenotype within the family. In silico analysis studies show that this variant is highly conserved among several orthologues and is predicted as likely pathogenic using various bioinformatics tools. Conclusions: Our finding presents the first Saudi familial case of autosomal recessive form of CPHD caused by the PROP1 variant.

Saudi Arabia’s Accession to the WTO and Policy Implications

Saudi Arabia's unique ideological culture and unique geographical location allow it to adopt a foreign policy with multiple elements. From the very beginning of the establishment of the state, Abdel Aziz bin abdullahman bin Faisal Al Saud has formulated the general direction of Saudi Arabia's diplomacy-close to the West and put Islam in a prominent position. Whether it is the first propaganda of Islam or the current propaganda of pan-Islamism, it is the development and deepening of Islam. The Islamic foreign policy has multiple influences. The continuous exploitation of oil also provides the basis for Saudi Arabia to develop itself and donate to other countries. These policies are all Saudi Arabia’s efforts to seek a more favorable international environment for its own development.

Mohammed Bin Salman’s Rising to Power. Chances for Transition in Saudi Arabia?

The aim of this paper is to present the outline of planned and already implemented social, political and economic changes in the context of gradual transition of power in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The main thesis put in this paper relates to Mohammed bin Salman’s leading project – “Vision 2030” which assumed gradual multi-dimensional transition in Saudi Arabia. Many of changes implemented already, including the limitation of clergy’s activity will not bring about quick social-political transition due to long-lasting and deeply rooted alliance between Saudi ruling clan and radical movement of Wahhabis, that determines conservative regime in the country. Basing on the main thesis Author tries to give the answer to research questions correlated with the thesis and touching the issue of possibility for implementation political, economic changes in Saudi Arabia by Mohammed bin Salman.
 In the paper following research methods has been applied: historical method, which refers to analysis of historical process of shaping and development Saudi monarchy; documentary analysis - relating to governmental project “Vision 2030” particularly; elements of systemic approach in which system is constituted by political regime of Saudi Arabia; elements of statistical method employed in the context of variable economic or social data and elements of predictive referring to the model of Saudi Arabia’s development under the rule of Mohammed bin Salman.

Assessment of Family Members’ First Aid Education in Saudi Arabia

Background: Providing instant care for life-saving or rescuing the injured or sick people requires having a considerable amount of first aid (FA) knowledge and experience. The current work sheds some light on the current status of Saudi family members’ first aid knowledge and experience aiming at reaching a sustainable decrease in the number of deaths and unnecessary losses. Methodology: A questionnaire was used to collect (N=447) participants’ information 35.6% (159/447) males and 64.4% (288/447) females from a number of Saudi cities. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v 25. Results: The results showed that 48.3% (216/447) of the participants have good FA experience and only 7.2% (32/447) have excellent FA experience. The majority of the participants 65.3% (292/447) were not FA-certified, 22.8% (102/447) attended an FA course, and 11.9% (53/447) were certified first aiders. 93.7% (419/447) of the participants think that the community’s FA awareness is low. The results also reported statistically significant association between being related to health care sector and FA experience χ2(3) = 56.8, p = 0.000, witnessing accidents and gender v χ2(7) = 19.1, p = 0.008, and having got FA tools and FA experience χ2(3) = 28.5, p = 0.000. Conclusion: The current study’s results along with numerous similar research provoke a public outcry to take practical steps towards enhancing a sustainable community’s FA education through campaigns, workshops, and training courses.

Ophthalmic Manifestations of Arterial Tortuosity Syndrome: Case Series of Patient and Carriers

The aim of this study was to report the detailed ophthalmic findings in a young patient with genetically confirmed arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) and the findings in 8 family members who were carriers. Nine members of the same Saudi family were assessed at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for ATS-related ocular changes after homozygosity for the pathogenic variant of SLC2A10 gene was confirmed in 1 member. All family members underwent complete ophthalmic examination, genetic testing, and corneal tomography at presentation and at 6-month follow-up. All ophthalmic features were manifested in our patient with ATS including schisis-like splitting of the stromal layer with greater peripheral thinning, pannus, deep posterior stromal opacities, myopia, high astigmatism, and keratoglobus. The ocular phenotype was also expressed in some carriers ranging from mild myopia to the full spectrum of corneal abnormalities associated with ATS. Our study provided further insights into the phenotype in both patients with ATS and carriers. Annual ophthalmic examination is warranted in both types of patients and must undergo from early life onward to detect progressive ectasia which may necessitate corneal crosslinking.

A Novel Homozygous Abnormal Splice Variant in the Myoferlin Gene Leading to Floppy Infant Syndrome in a Saudi Family

Myoferlin (MYOF) (OMIM#604603) is a type II membrane protein that belongs to the ferlin family, which is expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscles. This protein has seven C2 domains that mediate calcium-dependent membrane fusion events and membrane trafficking, while MYOF dysfunction is associated with muscular disorder. We are reporting a case from Saudi Arabia of an 18-month-old male patient with generalized hypotonia, which might be a floppy infant syndrome. In this study, whole exome sequencing (WES) was done, and a novel homozygous abnormal splice variant c.4982+1G>T, p.Val1661fs was identified in the MYOF gene. The results of WES were further validated by using Sanger sequencing; the proband showed homozygous mutation while both parents were heterozygous at this position. Implementing WES improves the screening and detection of novel and causative genetic variants and comprehends patient management. The results of this study, therefore, will add to the literature on the role of MYOF gene and any pathogenic variants that might lead to muscular dysfunction. Furthermore, this will establish a disease database, providing a groundwork for understanding the critical genomic regions.

Electrophysiology of ataxia-telangiectasia-like disorder 1.

Ataxia-telangiectasia-like disorder-1 (ATLD1, OMIM # 604391) is a very rare clinical condition, characterized by slowly progressive ataxia with onset in childhood, associated with oculomotor apraxia and dysarthria. Laboratory findings reveal increased susceptibility to radiation, with a defect in DNA repair. Patients with ATLD1 show no telangiectasia, have no immunodeficiency, and also have preserved cognition. Reflexes might be initially brisk and later becomes reduced associated with axonal sensorimotor neuropathy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detects cerebellar atrophy. The condition is caused by mutations in the meiotic recombination 11 (MRE11A) gene. The present study reports on the neurophysiologic finding in eight Saudi patients, belonging to three Saudi families, who have genetically confirmed ATLD1. All investigated patients had cerebellar atrophy on brain MRI (5/5). Electrophysiologic studies showed normal motor conduction velocity (MCV) of the median (8/8) and tibial (2/2) nerves, while 5/6 (83%) had normal peroneal nerve MCV. The distal motor latency (DML) for median, tibial, and peroneal nerves was within the normal range in all examined patients. The amplitude of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of median and tibial nerves was also normal, while that of the peroneal nerve was normal in 3/6 (50%). Two of seven (29%) patients had reduced amplitude of median nerve sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) while 3/8 (38%) had a reduction in the amplitude of sural nerve SNAP. These findings favour an axonal type of neuropathy predominately affecting the sensory fibres (axonal sensorimotor neuropathy). The present study constitutes the largest cohort of ATLD1 patients worldwide who had electrophysiologic tests.

Cornea plana in a family from Pakistan: Case series and literature review on the principles of management.

Cornea plana (CP) is a rare ocular condition existing in two distinct clinical and hereditary forms: a milder, autosomal dominant type I and a more severe, autosomal recessive type II. The condition is more commonly found in Finnish, Saudi, and Czech families. We report three brothers from a consanguineous marriage that presented with complaints of decreased vision of varying degrees. All three of them have blue, thick, and hazy corneas with shallow anterior chamber depths. The additional features of CP type II were seen in the older two brothers including arcus lipoids, ill-demarcated limbus, and an accommodative squint. They were managed by the correction of refractive errors through spectacles and detailed counseling with follow-up visits to look for progressive complications. The management is mainly centered around optically or surgically correcting the developmental anomalies. This is complimented with proper genetic counseling and regular follow-up visits to look for and manage complications. There are, however, novel therapies that can be considered in these patients including corneal transplants or corneal stromal stem cellular therapies.

In Search of Lost Time: the Congress of the Islamic World in Mecca (1926)

This paper sets out to retrace the key stages of the preparation and holding of the Congress of the Islamic World in Mecca (1926), which profoundly influenced public opinion and the course of ideological and political development of the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. The purpose of the study is to assess the political, religious and philosophical positions of supporters of the revival of the caliphate in the main historical and cultural areas of the Arab-Muslim world, as well as the reaction of Muslim figures in peripheral regions to the plans and spiritual and political claims of the Saudi ruler of Arabia Abd al-Aziz (Ibn Saud). The convocation of the congress allowed him to legitimize his claims to be the leader of Sunni Muslims and to neutralize the aspirations of the Egyptian crown and British diplomacy, which intended to proclaim King Fuad I of Egypt as caliph. The authors identify a wide range of political, legal and propagandist means used by the Saudi monarchy to discredit alternative forms of related to caliphate sentiments in the Arab-Muslim world. The coercive “depoliticization” by Ibn Saud of the movement for the caliphate and the reduction of the agenda of the Mecca Congress to the discussion of medical, economic, transport and logistics issues of the Muslim pilgrimage forged the basic principles of the political and propaganda tactics of the third Saudi state for years to come. The article analyzes the historical and cultural origins of the perception of the institution of the caliphate by Muslims in various regions of the world of Islam. The events and the course of the congress in Mecca, as shown in the study, provoked ideological and political differences between the Saudi leadership and the leaders of South Asian Muslims who advocated the caliphate in the geopolitical conditions of the interwar period. This circumstance subsequently led to the organization by the opponents of Saudi hegemony of the General Islamic Congress in Jerusalem in 1931.

A novel mutation in TANGO2 gene associated with recurrent muscle weakness with rhabdomyolysis , metabolic encephalopathy and cardiac arrhythmia: a case report

Background TANGO2 depletion was found to cause clinically recognizable multi-organ involvement disorder in pediatrics with episodic muscle weakness recurrent rhabdomyolysis, intellectual disability, metabolic encephalomyopathic crises and cardiac arrhythmia. TANGO2 deficiency is also referred to as \"metabolic encephalomyopathic crises, recurrent, with rhabdomyolysis, cardiac arrhythmias, and neurodegeneration\" (MECRCN) in OMIM. * 616830 Case presentation We report a case of a 4-year-old Saudi boy from a consanguineous Saudi family with two uncles deceased at 3 year of age with recurrent muscle weakness and hyperammonemia of unknown cause .Patient in last attack progressed to severe metabolic encephalomyopathic crisis that required assisted ventilation for 4 months, complicated with life threatening cardiac tachyarrhythmia. Laboratory findings of hypoglycemia, mild hyperammonemia , severely elevated plasma Creatine Kinase, myoglobinuria , lactic acidosis and increased TSH concentration indicating hypothyroidism have been documented. The clinical profile was highly suggestive of TANGO2-realted disorder. Direct DNA sequence analysis of the entire coding regions of TANGO2 gene identified a novel homozygous deletion for three nucleotides in exon 2 (c.11_13delTCT) resulting in amino acid deletion (phenylalanine) at position 5. Conclusion This report illustrates the importance of collating clinical data and keeping a high index of suspicion in order to reach to the diagnosis.

Research in family medicine: Contribution, priorities, and barriers in Saudi Arabia.

Research in family medicine is important. The objectives of this study were to explore the contribution of family physicians, their attitudes and practice, and the barriers to research in family medicine in Saudi Arabia. This study was conducted on Saudi family physicians in 2021. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to family physicians through WhatsApp and email. Information sought included demographic data, scientific profile, number of publications, reasons for conducting research, barriers to the conduct of research, attitudes and skills for the conduct of research, and priority areas of research. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15. Descriptive statistics included mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Student's t-test was used to compare the means of two groups of physicians. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the association between categorical variables. A total of 313 family physicians filled the questionnaire; majority were male (65%), were married (90%), and worked under the Ministry of Health (73%). The total number of publications since graduation was 1165 papers with an average of 3.8 papers per physician. More than 70% were interested in conducting research, and more than two-thirds considered research important to the advancement of family medicine. One-third of the family physicians were currently involved in conducting research, while 30% were supervising at least one research project. The top five areas of priority were chronic diseases, mental health, health promotion, quality of healthcare, and medical education/training; whereas the top five obstacles to the conduct of research were the lack of time, lack of research environment, lack of financial and technical support, and the absence of skills. Saudi family physicians make a good contribution to research. The researchers and research bodies should focus on identifying the priority areas for research in family medicine in the next few years and provide support to achieve some of the objectives of the National Vision of 2030.

The Oil Obsession

Oil Money recounts the evolution in U.S. relations with the petroleum-exporting monarchies of the Persian Gulf following the mid-1970s “oil revolution.” David Wight details the ways in which principals in the Nixon, Ford, and Carter presidential administrations fretted about while ultimately adjusting to and, arguably, gaining from the new order of higher oil prices, the staged takeover of the western firms’ operations, and the vastly increased rents (“petrodollars”) that royals and revolutionaries now commanded. He handles a complex story dexterously. He makes great use of Treasury Department records, and, while concentrating on the Persian Gulf producers, takes us on a side-trip to mid-1970s Cairo where the Americans dreamed of petrodollar investments playing a lead role in the liberalization of the Egyptian economy. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury William Simon sold the Saudis and Kuwaitis on investing in Treasury securities. U.S. (and European) bankers chased after deposits to meet the insatiable global demand for loans to pay for oil. President Nixon and Crown Prince Fahd signed wide-ranging agreements in 1974 in support of Saudi Arabia’s defense and development, thus launching another so-called “special relationship.” Then there were the weapons. Arms exports to Saudi Arabia and Iran, which began in earnest in the 1960s, grew exponentially after 1973 as part of Nixon’s post-Vietnam era “twin pillars” strategy, where the two allies were to assume a greater share of the region’s security burden, soaking up more of those petrodollars in the meantime. American architects, bankers, contractors, crooks, engineers, and Fortune 500 executives would descend on the domains of the Al Saud in unprecedented numbers. Container ships loaded with building materials, cars, and consumer goods clogged the kingdom’s harbors, while the capital, Riyadh, expanded at dizzying speed.