Sami El Khatib

The International University of Beirut · Biomedical Sciences Department

Meta-analytic results have revealed a significant influence of stress on a wide array of psychological and behavioral markers, underscoring its considerable clinical importance. Providing a simple and cost-effective tool assessing stress for the Arabic-speaking population would be immensely beneficial. Therefore, our research objective was to exami...

Nanoparticles could be discharged into the aquatic ecosystem in many ways and cause serious problems to the aquatic fauna and flora. This chapter will critically discuss gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in water ecosystems. More specifically, it gives emphasis on AuNPs bioavailability in surface waters, evaluates its chemical interactions with plants and...

Introduction While several studies have examined stroke public knowledge and awareness in individual countries within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, none have provided a comprehensive cross-country assessment. Purpose To assess public stroke knowledge and awareness among Arabic-speaking adults in seven MENA countries and identify...

Hospital plate waste poses a major challenge facing the present food systems, as providing meals that meet the nutritional requirements and expectations of the patients remains complex for hospital food services. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of plate waste in Lebanese hospitals, evaluate the patients’ satisfaction levels, and identify t...

Background: Parental stress significantly impacts the well-being of families, and necessitates culturally sensitive tools for its assessment. The Parental Stress Scale, widely used in diverse cultural settings, lacks a validated Arabic version suitable for the Lebanese context, where unique sociopolitical and economic factors might influence parent...

Adolescence has been identified as a particularly vulnerable age group with a high prevalence of insomnia and a heightened susceptibility to experiencing psychotic experiences, which in turn increases the risk of developing psychotic disorders. In particular, insomnia symptoms were found to be predominant among noise-sensitive adolescents exhibitin...

Background This study aimed to assess medication adherence among Jordanian patients with dyslipidemia and evaluate the impact of health literacy, well-being, and doctor-patient communication on adherence in this population. Dyslipidemia is a prevalent condition that significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and understanding the...

Background Dysmenorrhea, characterized by painful menstrual cramps, significantly impacts the well-being of women globally. Despite its prevalence and adverse effects, dysmenorrhea is often underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. This study aims to validate the Arabic version of the Working ability, Location, Intensity, Days of pain, and Dysmenorr...

Background Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients encounter many obstacles that affect their physical and psychological well-being. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate potential correlates of optimism/pessimism in a sample of patients with CKD, including socio-demographics, body appreciation and disordered eating symptoms....

Background: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a highly prevalent psychological disorder with a frequent distribution among the general population and in primary care configurations. GAD-5 is one of the many present scales with little research on, but has the potential to orient clinical decisions due to its unique features. Validating a simple...

Background Acknowledging the increasing worry over climate change and its psychological effects, the aim of this research is to clarify the dynamics between religiosity, climate anxiety and death anxiety, seeking to figure out the way religiosity mitigates the psychological effects of existential anxieties and climate related anxiety. Methods Usin...

Owning pets offers various potential health benefits; however, it can be associated with gastrointestinal illnesses due to poor food safety knowledge and practices. This study aimed to evaluate the level of food safety knowledge and practices among pet owners in Lebanon, exploring the association between their knowledge/practices and socio-demograp...

Background The use of ChatGPT among university students has gained a recent popularity. The current study aimed to assess the factors driving the attitude and usage of ChatGPT as an example of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods This cross-sectional study was based on a pr...

Background: The use of ChatGPT among university students has gained a recent popularity. The current study aimed to assess the factors driving the attitude and usage of ChatGPT as an example of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a p...

Hydrolyzed collagen (HC) consists of many small and low-molecular-weight amino acid chains (3-6 kDa) that can be produced either in basic or acidic media through enzymatic activity. This review details the sources of hydrolyzed collagen, its biosynthesis and its uses in the food industry , as well as its production process and beneficial health eff...

Background The Arab world is one of the global regions the most directly concerned by, and suffering from climate change’s adverse consequences. As such, there appears to be a strong need for an understanding of how Arab people may emotionally respond to climate change. Providing valid and reliable measures of climate change anxiety (CCA) can help...

Stroke is a global public health concern, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. In Syria, the current conflict and associated challenges have had a profound impact on healthcare infrastructure, including education and awareness programs related to stroke. An essential aspect of preventing stroke is the awareness of individuals. The...

The interplay between insomnia and PTSD symptoms remains misunderstood, and seems to be influenced by other factors like individual resilience. Our study examined the moderating role of resilience in the relationship between insomnia and PTSD symptoms among a sample of Lebanese adolescents, in the aftermath of the 2023 earthquake. This cross sectio...

The preprint titled "A Review on the Versatile Applications of Plant-Based Essential Oils in Food Flavoring, Culinary Uses, and Health Benefits" explores the diverse uses of essential oils. These natural products, rich in volatile compounds, have applications in food, medicine, and cosmetics. Essential oils offer antimicrobial, antioxidant, and ant...

This study aimed to identify the perceived advantages and drawbacks of teleworking and their correlates, including health problems, among Lebanese workers holding a university degree. A web-based cross-sectional self-report questionnaire created on Google Forms was used to survey 230 participants through snowball sampling between October 2022 and M...

Background: Academic self-efficacy (ASE), the belief in one's ability to succeed in academic tasks, plays a crucial role in student motivation, learning, and performance. Reliable measurement of this construct is essential for identifying students' strengths and areas for improvement. This study aims to translate and validate the Academic Self-Effi...

Gene correction technologies have revolutionized the field of genetic medicine, offering promising avenues for the treatment of various genetic diseases. This manuscript delves into the advancements in gene correction approaches beyond CRISPR-Cas9, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field. The review encompa...

Examining the microbiological characteristics of pet food is imperative to safeguard the health and well-being of companion animals, pet owners, and the surrounding environment. Domestic animals, known for carrying harmful microorganisms, pose a significant health risk, especially in close proximity to people and children. Notably, no studies have...

Natural selection, a cornerstone of evolutionary biology, shapes the adaptations organisms develop to survive environmental pressures. This paper explores how natural selection drives biological adaptations to radiation exposure. We examine the genetic mechanisms at play, exemplified by the enhanced DNA repair capabilities observed in bacteria like...

Background The study aimed to assess medication adherence among Jordanian patients with dyslipidemia, in addition to evaluating the impact of health literacy, health well-being, and doctor-patient communication on medication adherence in this population. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted between March to July 2023. A con...

Introduction Stroke, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, demands heightened awareness and knowledge for effective preventive strategies and tailored response. Sudan is classified as a low income country with a low rate of literacy, lack of knowledge, and awareness about diseases. Thus, this study aimed to assess stroke awareness an...

Background Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a new diagnosis added to the DSM-5 characterized by pathological eating habits without body image disturbances. Previous findings demonstrated a general association between high levels of perfectionism and low levels of self-esteem in association with general eating disorders. However,...

Overcoming the limited bioavailability and extensive metabolism of effective in vitro drugs remains a challenge that limits the translation of promising drugs into clinical trials. Resveratrol, despite its well-reported therapeutic benefits, is not metabolically stable and thus has not been utilized as an effective clinical drug. This is because it...

Diabetes Mellitus develops when the body becomes unable to fuel its cells with glucose, which results in the accumulation of sugar excess in the bloodstream. Because it has diverse pathophysiological impacts on the body, diabetes mellitus represents a significant issue of concern in an attempt to find suitable treatment modalities and medications f...

Background: Intrusive thoughts represent undesirable cognitive activity that can cause distress, and occurs in individuals with and without psychological disorders. In order to deal with unwanted interrupting thoughts, individuals might consciously stop the flow of such cognitions in an attempt to stop through suppression, or unconsciously avoid in...

Background Anxiety, characterized by an unpleasant state of anticipatory unease, manifests in approximately 19% of adolescents and children within the Lebanese population. The diagnostic challenge in pediatric populations often stems from parental reluctance to acknowledge potential mental health concerns. Various screening instruments, including t...

Background: Meta-analytic results have revealed a significant influence of stress on a wide array of psychological and behavioral markers, underscoring its considerable clinical importance. Providing a simple and cost-effective tool assessing stress for the Arabic-speaking population, predominantly residing in low- and middle-income nations, where...

Background Thromboembolism is reported to be up to 27% in COVID-19 patients due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dysregulated systemic inflammation and various patient traits play a vital role in thrombosis progression. Purpose To assess odds and associated factors for thrombosis development among Lebanese COVID-19 patients. Methods This was a case–contr...

Background: The concept of eating-related eco-concern (EREC) has recently been introduced to the literature to designate the way in which eco-concern may impact disordered eating. Researchers suggest that the EREC may tap into a unique dimension of disordered eating behavior not addressed by commonly used disordered eating measures. This study aims...

Objectives: The aim of the study is to validate the Eco guilt (EGuiQ-11) and Eco grief (EGriQ-6) scales for the Lebanese population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through a snowball sampling technique in September 2023. 763 adult participants consented to and submitted an online questionnaire that included the following scales:...

The ability of human cells to adapt to space radiation is essential for the well-being of astronauts during long-distance space expeditions, such as voyages to Mars or other deep space destinations. However, the adaptation of the microbiomes should not be overlooked. Microorganisms inside an astronaut’s body, or inside the space station or other sp...

Background The use of ChatGPT among university students has gained popularity. The current study aimed to assess the factors driving the attitude and usage of ChatGPT as an example of generative artificial intelligence among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods This cross-sectional study was based on a previously validate...

Background: As climate change persists, accelerates, and intensifies, and since mitigating factors are absent, mental health impacts are expected to follow the same patterns. Therefore, it appears of utmost importance to deepen and broaden the knowledge and understanding of how and through which mechanisms climate change anxiety (CCA) may interplay...

Artificial intelligence models, like ChatGPT, have the potential to revolutionize higher education when implemented properly. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing university students’ attitudes and usage of ChatGPT in Arab countries. The survey instrument “TAME-ChatGPT” was administered to 2240 participants from Iraq, Kuwait, Egy...

Background The Arab world is one of the global regions the most directly concerned by, and suffering from climate change’s adverse consequences. As such, there appears to be a strong need for an understanding of how Arab people may emotionally respond to climate change. Providing valid and reliable measures of climate change anxiety (CCA) can help...

Background: Exploring the levels of death anxiety and factors that can undermine its impact are crucial for the Lebanese nationals. Even though studies have shown various relationships between death anxiety and several factors, very few to no research has been done to show the relationship of death anxiety, gratitude and optimism. Therefore, the ob...

Background Accurately measuring violent ideations would be of particular high relevance in Arab countries, which are witnessing an unprecedented increase in violence rates among adolescents because of the widespread social, economic and political unrest in the region. Therefore, the present study aimed to test the psychometric properties of an Arab...

Cornflakes are a popular and convenient breakfast cereal made from corn and widely consumed worldwide, including in Lebanon. However, they are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, which can have harmful effects on human health. Our study evaluated the occurrence of five mycotoxins (AFB1, OTA, FUM, ZEA, DON) levels in packed cornflakes marketed i...

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious threat to everyone’s health. Numerous studies have demonstrated that vaccines are very effective in preventing COVID-19-related severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Children’s vaccination exerts its protecting effect by preventing the spread of the virus. The purpose of this study was to analyz...

Despite being the hallmark of the illness and being responsible for up to 90% of cancer-related death, metastasis is the part of cancer pathophysiology that is least understood. Through their interaction with the tumor microenvironment (TME), which facilitates their passage through stromal barriers, cancer cells can infiltrate, settle, and colonize...

Diabetes-related distress (DRD) is a psychological syndrome with worsened prognosis in uncontrolled diabetic patients. The current study aimed to assess the factors contributing to DRD among the Lebanese population using the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS-17) score and its sub-scores. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted between March and Septemb...

Artificial intelligence models, like ChatGPT, have the potential to revolutionize higher education when implemented properly. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing university students’ attitudes and usage of ChatGPT in Arab countries. The survey instrument “TAME-ChatGPT” was administered to 2240 participants from Iraq, Kuwait, Egy...

I am deeply honored to have been inducted into one of the oldest and most prestigious scientific organizations, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society devoted to the promotion of science. I pledge myself to encourage original investigations in science, to foster companionship and cooperation among scientists, to maintain honor, integrity a...

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients encounter many obstacles that affect their physical and psychological well-being. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate potential correlates of optimism/pessimism in a sample of patients with CKD, including socio-demographics, body appreciation and disordered eating symptoms....

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based models hold the potential to transform higher education if adopted properly and ethically. A prime example is ChatGPT with earlier studies indicating its widespread adoption in academia and by university students. The current study aimed to identify the factors influencing the attitude towards ChatGPT and its usag...

Introduction Stroke is a major cause of death and disability globally and in Saudi Arabia as well. Prevention and management of stroke depend highly on raising knowledge and awareness about the disease. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate Saudi adult's knowledge and awareness about stroke and determine the associated factors. Materi...

Tea is among the oldest and most-known beverages around the world, and it has many flavors and types. Tea can be easily contaminated in any of its production steps, especially with mycotoxins that are produced particularly in humid and warm environments. This study aims to examine the level of ochratoxin A (OTA) and total aflatoxin (AF) contaminati...

Many emerging factors and circumstances urge the need to develop and optimize the detection and quantification techniques of mycotoxins in solid food and feed. The diversity of mycotoxins, which have different properties and affinities, makes the standardization of the analytical procedures and the adoption of a single protocol that covers the attr...

Sumac Spice is a tangy red-purple powder produced by drying and grinding the hairy clusters of sumac fruit. It is often used in several regions to add a lemony and astringent taste to many dishes. Sumac is considered a valuable plant that governs nutritious elements such as proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibers, minerals, vitamins and m...

The current treatments for bladder cancer are unable to substantially avoid the disease's growth and recurrence, which is a serious public health problem. Researchers have explored a variety of approaches in an effort to effectively replicate the pathophysiology of human tumors using experimental tumor models. The investigation of the available mod...

Dairy products are healthy food items that include a number of vital nutrients. It has been demonstrated that residual antibiotics have contaminated such products. These residues have a number of negative health impacts on people. They intensify major allergic reactions as well as antimicrobial resistance against a number of dangerous pathogens. An...

Background High academic achievement, an important determinant of future success, is known to be influenced by many factors including dietary behavior, lifestyle and mental health, among others. The objectives of the current study were to explore university students’ nutritive habits, daily lifestyle, and mental status, and to scrutinize the associ...

Background Because general self-efficacy (GSE) and locus of control (LoC) interfere with many areas of life and affect numerous health aspects, high-quality measurements of these constructs as context variables for different research areas are a necessary requirement to advance our knowledge in this field and improve people's physical and mental he...

The Locust Bean (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an ancient Mediterranean fruit that is used to make locust bean gum from seeds, which is a popular ingredient in many foods today. Locust Bean fruit and Gum are rich in bioactive compounds that can be helpful in the treatment of conditions involving the digestive system, as well as cancer, hyperlipidemia, a...

Background: The relationship between behavioral problems and asthma is bidirectional; while the presence of a chronic disease such as asthma might predispose the person to stress, anxiety, and other behavioral issues, behavioral problems might in turn cause uncontrolled asthma through nonadherence to asthma management strategies. In Lebanon, behavi...

Background: Little evidence is available about psychological stressors in Lebanese asthmatic adolescents, where health-risk behaviors are a serious threat to public health. In addition, the COVID-19 epidemic has had a substantial influence on adolescents’ mental health globally, especially in Lebanon, where the ongoing economic and political challe...

Production of biscuits from composite flour (wheat/sorghum) was investigated. The use of this composite flour is increasing due to its nutritional properties that make the product highly desirable and acceptable. Sorghum is the 5th most important cereal worldwide. Sorghum is malted to increase its hydrolytic enzymes through steeping, germination, k...

The basic concept of vaccination has been based on engendering an adaptive immune response armed with effective immune cells, memory cells, and cytokines. These elements cooperate to mount either a humoral or a cell-mediated response. Coronavirus disease-2019 vaccines, although diversified, adapted the same objective with the previous vaccines prep...

Dairy products are nutritious food items that contain various essential nutrients, however, it has been proven that residual antibiotics have contaminated such products. These residues can cause several side effects on human health. They increase antimicrobial resistance against several threatening microorganisms, as well as significant growth in a...

Mycotoxins in solid foods and feeds jeopardize the public health of humans and animals and cause food security issues. The inefficacy of most preventive measures to control the production of fungi in foods and feeds during the pre-harvest and post-harvest stages incited interest in the mitigation of these mycotoxins that can be conducted by the app...

The use of plants for healing dates to prehistory; plant oils and extracts have been utilized for thousands of years, serving for many purposes, such as food preservatives and medical therapeutic agents. The compounds, that are found in some species and produced by herbs, act as self-defense mechanisms to protect the plant against infectious diseas...