We analysed data on overweight and stunting from large national surveys performed between 2001 and 2004 in 5 Arab countries (Djibouti, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen). Overweight and stunting were defined according to new WHO growth standards. Overweight ranged from 8.9% in Yemen to 20.2% in Syrian Arab Republic. The risk ratio (RR) for overweight in stunted chi...

Endotoxin was demonstrated not to act as an adjuvant in the primary antibody response in the Syrian hamster. Minimal adjuvant action was demonstrable in antibody formation to a second injection of bovine gamma globulin. The immunological status of the hamster towards the endotoxin did not alter this weak adjuvant action. It was confirmed that the antimitotic drug colchicine will act as an adjuv...

Anophthalmia in the Syrian hamster was found to result from an extensive degeneration of retinal tissue and tissues derived from the retina. Eyes of affected animals were normal at the twelfth day of gestation (the average gestation period in the Syrian hamster is 16 days). However, the retina of these eyes showed rapid and extensive degeneration during the first two weeks after birth. In adult...

The short tandem repeat (STR) systems D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX and FGA were studied in Arabian population samples from Morocco and Syria. No significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium could be observed in either preparation. Comparing the Moroccan and Syrian populations using the program RxC, no simi...

russia as an important trans-regional and revived power in the global scene has taken a different approach toward syrian crisis from of western and arabian countries; a strategy that is based on steadfast diplomatic and military support from assad regime. as a basic and core question, we ask why russia has taken a strategy toward syrian crisis different from that of western and arabian countrie...

BACKGROUND Obesity, hypercholesterolemia, elevated triglycerides, and type 2 diabetes are major risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Hamsters, unlike rats or mice, respond well to diet-induced obesity, increase body mass and adiposity on group housing, and increase food intake due to social confrontation-induced stress. They have a cardiovascular and hepatic system similar to that of humans, an...

When food availability is restricted, animals adjust their behavior according to the timing of food access. Most rodents, such as rats and mice, and a wide number of other animals express before timed food access a bout of activity, defined as food-anticipatory activity (FAA). One notable exception amongst rodents is the Syrian hamster, a photoperiodic species that is not prone to express FAA. ...