Nabil Bashir

• PH.D
• Professor at Jordan University of Science and Technology

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in cell proliferation and signaling. In this study, we examined the association between EGFR gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk among the Jordanian population. A total of 129 patients with primary lung cancer and 129 m...

Background. Several studies found that physicians develop a negative attitude toward biochemistry and genetics disciplines. Many medical schools adopt an integrated system-based curriculum supplemented with clinical correlations. Medical schools in Jordan switched to the integrated curriculum; however, studies that evaluate the attitude of physicia...

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a tyrosine kinase cell surface protein that plays a role in the process of carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the association between EGFR rs2233947 and rs884225 SNPs and the risk of lung cancer. A total of 258 participants (129 lung cancer patients and 129 healthy controls) took part in th...

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by the action of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on L-arginine. This study examined the effect of stimulating and inhibiting NOS activity with L-arginine and L-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), respectively, on female rat fertility. Female rats received peritoneal injections of L-arginine, L-NAME or saline for...

Objectives: The main objectives of the present study were to evaluate both the levels vitamin D and thyroid stimulating hormone among addicted patients. Method: Case control study design was conducted in the Governmental Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Addiction. Study sample included 36 patients with addiction and 21 control subjects. A...

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on lipid parameters; cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Serum level of vitamin D and the lipid parameters were determined in 127 subjects attending private community lab in eastern Amman province, using commerci...

The mean levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), its deficiency prevalence, and its isozyme type distribution were estimated and compared in five-to-ten-year-old normal school children in two populations of Jordan: the North Jordan Valley (90% black) and Irbid (not-black). The prevalences of G-6-PD deficiency in North Jordan and Irbid...

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on lipid parameters; cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Serum level of vitamin D and the lipid parameters were determined in 127 subjects attending private community lab in eastern Amman province, using commerci...

Objective: Thalassemia intermedia (TI) describes a disease ranging in severity between β thalassemia major (TM) and β thalassemia trait. Osteoporosis is observed in TI and TM. The exact reason of osteoporosis in TI could be hypogonadism and/or an increase in erythropoietin (EPO) levels. The carboxy-terminal collagen cross links (CTX), a marker of...

In the present study, the capacity of the aqueous extracts of Senna singueana (SS), Nymphaea lotus (NL), Cochlospermum planchoni (CP) and Acacia nilotica (AN) as antitoxicants to protect against aspirin and carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats was investigated. Ten groups containing three replicates each were used. Biochemica...

In the present study, the capacity of the aqueous extracts of Senna singueana (SS), Nymphaea lotus (NL), Cochlospermum planchoni (CP) and Acacia nilotica (AN) as antitoxicants to protect against aspirin and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats was investigated. Ten groups containing three replicates each were used. Biochemical...

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in cell proliferation and signaling. In this study, we examined the association between EGFR gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk among the Jordanian population. A total of 129 patients with primary lung cancer and 129 m...

Medicinal plants are by far the crucial source of life saving drugs for nearly 80% of world's population. Proximate analysis is carried out with a view to determining macronutrients contents in a plant, compound or feed. Studies available on ethnomedicinal plants have indicated that potent phytochemicals capable of mitigating many health problems c...

Background and Aims: CARD15/NOD2 is recognized as a major susceptibility gene for Crohn’s disease. Several mutations of CARD15/NOD2 have been reported in different racial groups. We aimed to investigate the frequency of three common CARD15/NOD2 mutations in a Jordanian Crohn’s disease cohort. Methodology: Fifty one unrelated Crohn’s disease patient...

The present study was conducted to investigate depression among addictive patients and if there is a possible association between general characteristics of participants including demographic variable and depression. The methodology of the present study included case control study design, study sample included 36 addictive patients who received tre...

The present study was conducted to investigate depression among addictive patients and if there is a possible association between general characteristics of participants including demographic variable and depression. The methodology of the present study included case control study design, study sample included 36 addictive patients who received tre...

Smoking produces adverse effects on lipid profile and homocysteine, thus increasing the cardiovascular disease risk in coronary heart disease patients. The present study was undertaken to evaluate plasma lipid profile, lipoprotein (a) and homocysteine in coronary heart disease of smoker male and female patients in two age groups; below and above 50...

Introduction: There has been a debate in literature to correlate lead (Pb) poisoning with mental retardation since lead can be involved in developmental stage and induce brain damage; in particular, children under age of 10 years. Center for Biotechnology using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Results: The(mean ± Sd) concentration of Pb is 0.6 ± 2.7...

Objective: To investigate the frequencies of 9 autosomal Short Tandem Repeats (STR) loci in the Jordanian population and compare them with the frequencies in neighboring countries. Methods: DNA was extracted from the blood of 270 unrelated Jordanian individuals. CSFIPO, TPOX, THO1 F13AO1, FESFPS, vWA, D16S539, D7S820, D13S317 Markers were detected...

Problem statement: The goal of the current investigation was to clarify the effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp extract on the structure of the liver of diabetic rats at both light and scanning electron microscopic levels. Approach: Forty-eight adult male albino rats were equally allocated into four groups: Group1: control, Group 2: Citrullus col...

Problem statement: Elevated plasma total homocysteine concentration is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Total homocysteine level is a strong predictor of mortality in-patient with an angiographically confirmed Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), so we want to know at what age in males and females elevated homocysteine will be significantly elevat...

Problem statement: The goal of the current investigation was to clarify the effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp extract on the structure of the liver of diabetic rats at both light and scanning electron microscopic levels. Approach: Forty-eight adult male albino rats were equally allocated into four groups: Group1: control, Group 2: Citrullus col...

Background Citrullus colocynthis pulp seedless extract has been demonstrated to have antihyperglycemic and insulinotropic effects. Problem statement: The mechanism(s) underlying the antihyperglycemic and insulinotropic effects have not been investigated to date. Approach: The influence of Citrullus colocynthis pulp extract administered orally was s...

Problem statement: Cadmium is one of the most dangerous occupational and environmental toxins. It is found in drinking water , atmospheric air and even in food. Cadmium is reported to be very toxic to biological systems. Un til now in treating intoxication with this metal, chelating Compounds have been used, burdened with numerous undesirable sympt...

Problem statement: Citrullus Colocynthis (L.) Schrab (cucurbitaceae family) (Handal) is a fruit commonly known as bitter apple or bitter cucumber. Traditionally , Citrullus colocynthis has been used for the treatment of diabetes. In particular, the acute effect and rout of administration of ethanol extract of the seedless pulp in vivo remains untes...

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) is one of the most important extra-cellular serine protease inhibitors. Elevation of alpha1-AT serum levels have been observed in the course of a large number of malignant diseases. In this study, using Radial Immunodiffusion Method, we studied the serum levels of alpha1-AT in lung, prostate and breast cancer patient...

To investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on plasma levels of ACTH and cortisol in athletic students living in the Jordan Valley (JV) and compare them to those living at above sea level in Ramtha City (RC). Sample collection and measurements were done in November 1998 from non-fasting and in December 1998 from fasting people. ACTH levels in non...

A comparative study (n = 20) of serum levels of leutinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) between male trained athletes (high-school students, 16-18 years old) living in North and South Shouna in the Jordan Valley (JV), 320-360 meters below sea level, and those living in Ramtha and Irbid, 550-650 meters above sea level, was conducted in Novembe...

Most dentists are aware that local anesthetic injections produce the highest incidence of disruptive behavior in children. Both psychological and physiological monitoring of the response of children to dental injection, support empirical observations of clinicians. The needle-free injector delivers local anesthesia without the use of a needle. This...

This study was designed to investigate the effect of exercise at 350 m below sea level altitude (-350 m) on the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), insulin, and lactate. The study was carried out on ten trained adult males with mean age of 23.3 +/- 3.4 years following a 21-km noncompetitive run. Venous blood was withdrawn from the subjects...

Differences were observed in hormonal levels between in both sexes of people living in Irbid City (620 meters above sea level) and in the Jordan Valley (360 meters below sea level). In addition, exercise was shown to differentially affect hormonal levels of both sexes at the above and below sea level locations. Serum levels of leutinizing hormone (...

We collaborated with researchers from Egypt, Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan in a study of patients with sickle-cell disease from those countries, and from various parts of Saudi Arabia, in order to investigate the influence of genetics on the clinical presentation of the disease, and to attempt to determine the origin of the sickle-cell gene in Ar...

The prevalence of the different types of thalassaemia and that of iron deficiency anaemia was investigated in 1020 schoolchildren (age range: 6-15 years) from the north-eastern Badia region of Jordan. beta-thalassaemia minor was the most prevalent (3.04%), followed by alpha 2-thalassaemia (2.06%). Only three cases of alpha 1-thalassaemia and one ca...

The qualitative analysis of gallstones by two methods was carried out, the IR method and the wet chemical method. Agreement of results were observed by both methods for cholesterol and phosphate, whereas disagreements of results noted for carbonate and bilirubin. Relationship between age, sex and the composition of calculi was established, in addit...

This study was designed to examine the effects of exercise on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol at low altitude (350 meters below sea level) and to compare these effects with those at a moderate level altitude (620 meters above sea level). Ten male trained athletes participated in a 21-K(m) non-competitive race. Serum levels of ACTH,...

Homozygous sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which haemoglobin A is replaced by haemoglobin S. The disease exhibits a wide spectrum of clinical behaviour which has been well described in neighbouring countries. In Jordan, however, the disease has never been characterized. We used reviews of patients' notes and cli...

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise on anterior pituitary hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leutinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone) as well as on cortisol at low altitude (350 meters below the sea level) and to compare these effects with those at a moderate level altitude (620 meters above the sea level...

Method: The ATP level and the activities of hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) and pyruvate kinase (PK) in red blood cells (RBC) were measured in 50 school students 6-12 yr of age in the Jordan Valley (JV) which is the lowest region below sea level in the world (low altitude: 390 m below sea level, hyperoxic and with an average daily v...

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of HbS and beta-thalassemia in the Northern Jordan. The investigation targeted 3 areas of Northern Jordan. Blood samples from 2,290 volunteers were evaluated to determine the prevalence of HbS and beta-thalassemia by preparing a hemolysate for cellulose acetate electrophoresis. An additional 568...

Serum zinc and copper levels were determined in 28 beta-thalassaemia and 15 sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients of 3-10 years of age using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were compared with 25 age-matched controls. Copper levels were significantly increased in beta-thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia. Zinc levels were significantly...

Basal thyroid function was assessed by serum thyroxine, tri-iodothyronine and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in 90 patients 2–10 years old with β-thalassaemia major. Based on measured serum ferritin levels, patients were classified into two groups: group (I) which included 63 patients with ferritin concentrations ranging from 300 to 7000 ng/ml...

The mean levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), its deficiency prevalence, and its isozyme type distribution were estimated and compared in five-to-ten-year-old normal school children in two populations of Jordan: the North Jordan Valley (90% black) and Irbid (not black). The prevalences of G-6-PD deficiency in North Jordan and Irbid...

Serum cortisol levels of 100 children 3-10 years old with various haemoglobinopathies were measured. The mean cortisol levels of sickle cell trait, sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia minor and alpha 2-thalassemia were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of normal subjects. The decrease in cortisol levels varied from 25 (in the sickle cell...

The effects of the simple phospholipids phosphatidic acid (PA) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) on the growth and function of Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells has been studied. We observed that PA and LPA not only stimulated the growth of MDCK cells (at 20 microM), but also stimulated the growth of normal rabbit kidney cells in serum free medi...

Clinical and haematological features of 50 patients with sickle cell/beta-thalassemia (SB0 or SB+) are investigated. Total haemoglobin value was not significantly different (P greater than 0.05) in both types. Haemoglobin F and S were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in SB0 than SB+ while haemoglobin A2 level was lower in SB0 than SB+. One S...

The effects of the simple phospholipids phosphatidic acid (PA) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) on the growth and function of Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells has been studied. We observed that PA and LPA not only stimulated the growth of MDCK cells (at 20µM), but also stimulated the growth of normal rabbit kidney cells in serum free medium (a...

Blood samples from 1,000 subjects, 2-80 years old, were tested to explore the prevalence of alpha-thalassemia trait, high persistent HbF (HPFH), sickle cell trait and beta-thalassemia minor in northern Jordan. Hematological parameters and hemoglobin electrophoresis were carried out on all samples. Results showed 10 (1%) subjects were sickle cell tr...

Blood samples were drawn from 456 healthy children, 6-10 years old, to explore the prevalences of haemoglobinopathies in Northern Jordan Valley. The children were selected by the multi-stage random sampling technique. Complete blood count, haemoglobin electrophoresis and haemoglobin A2 (HbA2) estimations were carried out on all the samples. The pre...

A family case report of sickle cell-thalassemia syndrome shows three problems concerning this disease. Firstly, the problem of differentiating sickle cell-thalassemia from the sickle cell disease; secondly, the wide range varieties in clinical picture; thirdly and finally contradiction in the criteria of prognosis. In this report sickle cell-thalas...

A new medical program that uses PBL approach was compared to an existing integrated system approach at two different schools in regards to the physiology mapping that includes content, timetable, assessment methods implemented and student performance. The objectives set by the APS forms a background for all medical school programs worldwide were us...