Archaeological studies have revealed cultural connections between the two sides of the Red Sea dating to prehistory. The issue has still not been properly addressed, however, by archaeogenetics. We focus our attention here on the mitochondrial haplogroup HV1 that is present in both the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa. The internal variation of 38 complete mitochondrial DNA sequences (20 of them presented here for the first time) affiliated into this haplogroup testify to its emergence during the late glacial maximum, most probably in the Near East, with subsequent dispersion via population expansions when climatic conditions improved. Detailed phylogeography of HV1 sequences shows that more recent demographic upheavals likely contributed to their spread from West Arabia to East Africa, a finding concordant with archaeological records suggesting intensive maritime trade in the Red Sea from the sixth millennium BC onwards. Closer genetic exchanges are apparent between the Horn of Africa and Yemen, while Egyptian HV1 haplotypes seem to be more similar to the Near Eastern ones.

• MeSH
• emigrace a imigrace MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• fylogeografie MeSH
• haplotypy genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mitochondriální DNA genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Indický oceán MeSH
• Střední východ MeSH
• východní Afrika MeSH

The geological history of the Arabian Peninsula has played a crucial role in shaping current diversity and distribution patterns of many Arabian and African faunal elements. The gecko genus Hemidactylus is not an exception. In this study, we provide an insight into the phylogeny and systematics of 45 recognized species of the so-called Arid clade of the genus Hemidactylus from Arabia, the Horn of Africa, the Levant and Iran. The material comprises 358 specimens sequenced for up to two mitochondrial (12S rRNA, cytochrome b) and four nuclear (mc1r, cmos, rag1, rag2) genes with 4766 bp of the concatenated alignment length. A robust calibrated phylogeny and reconstruction of historical biogeography are inferred. We link the history of this genus with major geological events that occurred in the region within the last 30 million years. Two basal divergences correspond with the break-ups of the Arabian and African landmasses and subsequent separation of Socotra from the Arabian mainland, respectively, segregating the genus by means of vicariance. Formation of the Red Sea led to isolation and subsequent radiation in the Arabian Peninsula, which was followed by multiple independent expansions: 13.1 Ma to Iran; 9.8 Ma to NE Africa; 8.2 to Socotra Archipelago; 7-7.3 Ma two colonizations to the Near East; 5.9 Ma to NE Africa; and 4.1 to Socotra. Moreover, using multiple genetic markers we detected cryptic diversity within the genus, particularly in south-western Arabia and the Ethiopian highlands, and confirmed the existence of at least seven new species in the area. These findings highlight the role of Arabia and the Horn of Africa as an important Hemidactylus diversity hotspot.

• MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• fylogeografie MeSH
• ještěři klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• mitochondriální DNA MeSH
• molekulární evoluce MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Arábie MeSH

Beetles of the Socotra Archipelago, Yemen, were catalogued. Altogether, 645 morphospecies from 56 families have been recognised from the Archipelago, of which 516 species (one with an additional two subspecies) were identified to the species level. Twenty-four, mostly widely distributed, species are recorded from the Socotra Archipelago for the first time, and three species are newly recorded for the islands Abd el Kuri (1) and Samha (2). Lithocharis socotrana Assing, 2015 (Staphylinidae), described from Socotra, is recorded from continental Yemen for the first time. Five incomplete or incorrect previous records are corrected. A total of 305 (47%) of all recorded species are considered to be endemic to the Socotra Archipelago. A total of 62 (10%) species are widely distributed Afrotropical species, and 35 (5.5%) East African species, often reaching also the Arabian Peninsula; 16 (2.5%) species occur in the eremial zone of Saharo-Arabian (or Saharo-Sindian) region. Only 14 (2%) species were previously known solely from the Arabian Peninsula; 30 (4.5%) species have cosmopolitan (and often anthropogenic) distributions; 28 (4.5%) species are widely distributed in (sub)tropical areas of the Old World; and 26 (4%) species have a predominantly western Palaearctic distribution. At present, 129 (20%) morphospecies remain unidentified; however, we expect that many of them represent as yet undescribed taxa endemic to the Archipelago.

• MeSH
• brouci * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Widespread interest in the first successful Out of Africa dispersal of modern humans ∼60-80 thousand years ago via a southern migration route has overshadowed the study of later periods of South Arabian prehistory. In this work, we show that the post-Last Glacial Maximum period of the past 20,000 years, during which climatic conditions were becoming more hospitable, has been a significant time in the formation of the extant genetic composition and population structure of this region. This conclusion is supported by the internal diversification displayed in the highly resolved phylogenetic tree of 89 whole mitochondrial genomes (71 being newly presented here) for haplogroup R0a-the most frequent and widespread haplogroup in Arabia. Additionally, two geographically specific clades (R0a1a1a and R0a2f1) have been identified in non-Arabic speaking peoples such as the Soqotri and Mahri living in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula where a past refugium was identified by independent archaeological studies. Estimates of time to the most recent common ancestor of these lineages match the earliest archaeological evidence for seafaring activity in the peninsula in the sixth millennium BC.

• MeSH
• demografie MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• haplotypy MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mitochondriální DNA genetika   MeSH
• molekulární evoluce MeSH
• podnebí MeSH
• populační genetika MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Afrika MeSH

Despite the global distribution of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) sensu lato (s.l.), limited information exists about their identity from the Arabian Peninsula. Ticks from free roaming urban dogs and dromedary camels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were morphologically identified, confirmed with scanning electron microscopy and characterised at mitochondrial DNA (cox1, 12S rDNA and 16S rDNA). A total of 186 ticks were collected from 65 free roaming dogs (n = 73) and 84 dromedary camels (n = 113). Morphologically, 5.9% (11/186) were R. sanguineus s.l. and Hyalomma spp. (93.5%, 174/186). From within R. sanguineus s.l., the presence of Rhipicephalus cf. camicasi Morel, Mouchet et Rodhain, 1976 (1 dog, 2 camels) and Rhipicephalus turanicus Pomerantsev, 1936 (1 camel) is reported. The examined R. cf. camicasi form a sister group to R. sanguineus s.l. tropical lineage at all DNA markers. Dogs were parasitised by Hyalomma dromedarii Koch, 1844 (n = 59), Hyalomma impeltatum Schulze et Schlottke, 1930 (n = 1), Hyalomma excavatum Koch, 1844 (n = 2), Hyalomma turanicum Pomerantsev, 1946 (n = 1) and Hyalomma rufipes Koch,1844 (n = 1). DNA from dog blood (n = 53) from Riyadh confirmed a low prevalence of canine vector-borne pathogens that does not exceed 5.7% for Babesia spp., Mycoplasma spp., Anaplasma platys, Hepatozoon canis and Ehrlichia canis using multiplexed tandem PCR (MT-PCR) and diagnostic PCR. Low prevalence of R. sanguineus s.l. on dogs likely contributed to the low level of canine vector-borne pathogens in Saudi Arabia. We demonstrate that dogs in the central Arabian Peninsula are more commonly parasitised by Hyalomma spp. than R. sanguineus s.l.

• MeSH
• arachnida jako vektory klasifikace   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Ixodidae klasifikace   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• nemoci přenášené vektory epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci psů epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• psi MeSH
• Rhipicephalus sanguineus mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• velbloudi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• psi MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Saudská Arábie MeSH

Chewing the leaves of the khat shrub is common in certain countries of East Africa and Arabian Peninsula mainly Yemen. It has been established that a khat plant leaves contain an active psycho-stimulant substance known as cathinone that is similar in structure and pharmacological activity to amphetamine in affecting the CNS. Intoxication with khat is self-limiting but chronic consumption can cause certain health disturbances in the user and also lead to social and economic damage to the individual and the community. In recent years, several cases of intoxication have been observed outside the area of its use. In this view, the khat habit, its health effects and socioeconomic aspects are described with the political issue they imply.

• MeSH
• alkaloidy farmakologie   MeSH
• amfetamin farmakologie   MeSH
• Catha MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty farmakologie   MeSH
• stimulanty centrálního nervového systému farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Rhipicephalus camicasi Morel, Mouchet et Rodhain, 1976 is thought to be distributed across Africa, Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) species complex. Mitochondrial genome sequences are becoming frequently used for the identification and differentiation of tick species. In the present study, the entire mitochondrial genome of R. cf. camicasi (~15 kb) collected from a camel in Saudi Arabia was sequenced and compared with mitogenomes of two species of Rhipicephalus Koch, 1844. The mitochondrial genome is 87.8% and 91.7% identical to the reference genome of R. sanguineus (sensu stricto, former "temperate lineage") and Rhipicephalus linnaei (Audouin, 1826) (former "tropical lineage"). The current study delivers a molecular reference for material that resembles R. camicasi. We propose to consider the current material, including the complete mitogenome, as the reference for R. camicasi, until a revision using topotypical material is available.

• MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• genom mitochondriální * MeSH
• nemoci psů * MeSH
• psi MeSH
• Rhipicephalus * genetika   MeSH
• velbloudi genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Saudská Arábie MeSH

V některých zemích Afriky a Arabského poloostrova je rozšířeno žvýkání listů rostliny katy jedlé (Catha edulis). Obsahuje mnoho různých chemických látek, mezi jinými i psychoaktivní alkaloidy cathinin a cathin. Má povzbuzující účinky, vyvolává mírnou závislost a u silných uživatelů má i prokazatelné škodlivé účinky na zdraví. Koncem minulého století byla zařazena mezi omamné látky jak v seznamech WHO, tak i v seznamu v České republice. V současné době je pokládána spíše za sociální a ekonomické riziko jak u jednotlivců, tak i na úrovni zemí, kde se rostlina pěstuje. Článek předkládá stručné informace o této problematice. Na mimoafrických kontinentech je kat užíván zejména v imigračních skupinách populace.

In some African and Arabian peninsula countries, the chewing of khat leaves is a common habit. It contains many different chemicals, psychoactive alcaloids cathinon and cathin, among others. Khat (Catha edulis) has stimulative effects, its also produces a mild dependence and health damages among heavy users. At the end of the last century khat was included into the lists of to be narcotic drugs, both in WHO and in the Czech Republic. Conteporarly, khat is considered rather social and economic risk, both for individual users and for countries growing khat. In other continents, the problems of khat chewing concern predominantly immigrants from Africa. The publication offers brief information on this topic.

• MeSH
• Catha * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• kontrola léčiv a omamných látek MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• listy rostlin MeSH
• poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek * MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty MeSH
• socioekonomické faktory MeSH
• stimulanty centrálního nervového systému MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• přehledy MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Afrika MeSH
• Evropa MeSH
• Jemen MeSH
• Střední východ MeSH

OBJECTIVE: The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel coronavirus circulating in the Arabian Peninsula since September 2012. It leads to significant respiratory disease and among patients with co-morbidities is associated with high mortality. This research studied the mortality rate of MERS-CoV among intensive care unit (ICU) patients and the correlation of mortality with different co-morbidities. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at the Intensive Care Unit of the King Fahad Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data was obtained through patient chart review. RESULTS: The total sample consisted of 52 laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV infection patients. 39 patients died, with a 75% case-fatality rate. Many patients had underlying co-morbidities, including diabetes mellitus (51.9%), hypertension (46.2%), and chronic renal disease (21.2%). CONCLUSIONS: MERS-CoV ICU mortality remains markedly high due to a combination of factors; the disease process of MERS-CoV leads to multiple organ failure, particularly respiratory and renal failure.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• jednotky intenzivní péče statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• komorbidita MeSH
• koronavirové infekce mortalita   virologie   MeSH
• koronavirus MERS izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Saudská Arábie MeSH

The Soqotra archipelago is one of the most isolated landmasses in the world, situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden between the Horn of Africa and southern Arabia. The main island of Soqotra lies not far from the proposed southern migration route of anatomically modern humans out of Africa approximately 60,000 years ago (kya), suggesting the island may harbor traces of that first dispersal. Nothing is known about the timing and origin of the first Soqotri settlers. The oldest historical visitors to the island in the 15th century reported only the presence of an ancient population. We collected samples throughout the island and analyzed mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosomal variation. We found little African influence among the indigenous people of the island. Although the island population likely experienced founder effects, links to the Arabian Peninsula or southwestern Asia can still be found. In comparison with datasets from neighboring regions, the Soqotri population shows evidence of long-term isolation and autochthonous evolution of several mitochondrial haplogroups. Specifically, we identified two high-frequency founder lineages that have not been detected in any other populations and classified them as a new R0a1a1 subclade. Recent expansion of the novel lineages is consistent with a Holocene settlement of the island approximately 6 kya.

• MeSH
• antropologie fyzická MeSH
• efekt zakladatele MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• haplotypy MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidský chromozom Y MeSH
• mitochondriální DNA chemie   MeSH
• rasové skupiny genetika   MeSH
• sociální izolace MeSH
• zeměpis MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Afrika MeSH
• Arábie MeSH