Seabird feathers and eggshells are used as bio-monitors for trace metal contamination. Eleven trace element concentrations in wing primaries (n = 21) and eggshells (n = 8) are reported herein for two resident seabirds, Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus and Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana, at Pulau Ling and Pulau Tokung Burung, Malaysia. Metal concentration followed the pattern Zn > Cr > Mn > Sr > Cu > Se > Ba > Pb > Cd > Ga > Li. Significant positive correlations existed among all trace metals, except for Cr in Black-naped Tern and Li and Cd in Bridled Tern feathers. We also analyzed metal concentrations in eggshells, and for Bridled Tern, the concentration pattern was Zn > Mn > Se > Sr > Ba > Pb > Co > Cu > Cd, whereas for Black-naped Tern it was Cr > Zn > Mn > Ba > Sr > Se > Cu> Co > Pb. A pairwise positive correlation was significant among most trace metals in feather samples, indicating synergistic effects of two or more elements. More studies are needed to build a baseline database of trace metal concentrations in seabirds of Southeast Asia, as little research on this subject has been conducted in this region.
Abdulmula Abdumagid Alhadi Hamza(1-2022)

Study discusses the genetic basis for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in some Libyan patients at Tripoli city, examining the distribution of variants that associated with mutations in exon 12 of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) gene on chromosome 19. Genetic analysis were done using polymerases chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) based on DNA technique, to detect splicing defects of the LDL-R gene in exon 12 on chromosome 19, among some Libyans patients probably have heterozygous familial hypercholesterol-emia (HeFH). The patient’svolunteer’s participants in this study were from Tajjora National Cardiac Center, Endocrine and Diabetic Hospital in Tripoli. The study showed the presence of the splicing defects (1845 +11 C>G)in the exon 12 of the LDL-R gene on chromosome 19 in patients with hyperchol-esterolemia and ischemic heart disease, as they have family history in hypercholesterolemia and other secondary causes to heart disease such as diabetic, hypertension, chest pain, and obesity. Frequency of HeFH Libyan patients was (0.86%), and the significant of statistical analysis were{p-value>0.05}, which considered high according to clinical diagnostic criteria for HeFH. As well as detection the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (1773C>T) that alter the exon splicing efficiency, because it is associated with an emerging of the functional genetic variants for mutations in exon-12, where results of molecular diagnosis confirmed that occurrence the mutation of (LDL-R gene) relates to premature coronary artery diseases(P-CAD). arabic 35 English 137
Soomia Ahmed Ali Al-Haddad(1-2016)

ABSTRACT: Marine turtles have been traditionally considered model organisms to study sex-biased behaviour and dispersal. Although female philopatry has been identified in the loggerhead turtle, with adult females returning to specific locations to nest, studies on the philopatry and breeding migrations of males remain limited. In this study we analysed 152 hatchlings using 15 microsatellite markers. Each individual came from a different nest from samples taken at 8 nesting grounds in the Mediterranean. Our results revealed the existence of 5 genetically differentiated units, mostly due to restricted gene flow for both sexes. This supports existing satellite tracking studies that suggest that mating occurs close to nesting grounds in this region. The 5 management units identified within the Mediterranean included nesting grounds from (1) Libya and Cyprus, (2) Israel, (3) Lebanon, (4) Turkey and (5) Greece. The genetic similarity between distant nesting areas (i.e. Libya and Cyprus) suggests the presence of a more complex pattern of breeding behaviour. Three possible hypotheses, that remain to be tested in future studies, could explain this result: (1) mating might take place in common foraging grounds; (2) mating could occur en route while migrating to/from the breeding grounds; or (3) recent colonisation events could connect the 2 nesting grounds. Overall, our work suggests that widespread male-mediated gene flow between loggerhead nesting grounds is likely to have been previously overstated although opportunistic breeding patterns might connect some widely separated areas.
Abdulmula Abdumagid Alhadi Hamza(1-2022)