Sophisticated mummification using chemical preservation was prevalent in ancient Yemeni civilization as noted in the 4th century B.C. mummies of the National Museum of Yemen, Sana'a, used in this study. Five of these mummies were used to evaluate hydrolytic enzymes produced as a result of fungal contamination. Forty-seven fungal species were isolated, thereby reflecting a high degree of contamination which may have resulted from the poor ventilation and preservation system. Aspergillus was the most common genus isolated (48.9%). Fifteen isolates exhibited ability to produce cellulase (EC; 3.2.1.4), Aspergillus candidus being the highest cellulose-producer. Pectin lyase (PL, EC; 4.2.2.2) and pectin methyl esterase (PME, EC; 3.1.1.11) were produced by Trichoderma hamatum, whereas chitinase (EC; 3.2.1.14) was produced by Aspergillus niger. Protease activity was noted by only Cladosporium herbarum. The higher activities of these fungal hydrolytic enzymes represent the major threats of biodeterioration including deteriorating linen bandages as well as the mummy bodies. Therefore, it is recommended to improve the preservation system of the mummies at the National Museum to minimize the contamination up to the lowest level and protect the mummies from biodeterioration.

Background: Dengue Fever virus (DENV) considers one of the most important mosquito-borne viral diseases in the world and it is endemic in more than 100 countries. Objective: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of DENV infection among suspected patients and to investigate some associated risk factors with dengue fever infection in Taiz governorate, Yemen. Methods: This study was cross-sectional, descriptive, and experimental, combining the use of a structured questionnaire and analysis of serum samples obtained from 300 suspected patients attending at many hospital and clinic centers in Taiz during the period from July to November 2016. The serum samples were tested for anti-dengue immunoglobulin (IgM) and (IgG) by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELIZA). Results: Out of 300 suspected febrile cases, it was found that 49(16.3%), 68(22.7%), and 17(5.7%) cases were showed positive for the IgM, IgG, and both IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively, while 166 (55.3%) cases were negative. The incidence rate was more in males than in females. The most affected age group with dengue fever infection were (21–30) years. Dengue Fever was more frequent among patients coming from the urban area, having secondary school, and low-income status people. Also, there was statistical significant between DENV infections with a place of residencyand gender (P<0.05) and not-statistical significance between DENV infections and other factors (P>0.05). Conclusion: Taiz governorate become one of the endemic governorates in Yemen particularly the Taiz city which should be brought to the attention of public health authorities   Peer Review History: Received: 5 September 2020; Revised: 15 October; Accepted: 26 October, Available online: 15 November 2020 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Rola Jadallah, Arab American University, Palestine, rola@aauj.edu Dr. Dulger Gorkem, Duzce University, Turkey, gorkemdulger@yandex.com     Comments of reviewer(s): Similar Articles: QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT BRANDS OF PARACETAMOL TABLETS IN YEMENI MARKET

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Objectives: Paracetamol has emerged as an important environmental contaminant due to its extensive use. The purpose of this work was toisolate, identify, and characterize fungal species able to degrade paracetamol from pharmaceutical wastewater effluent at Sana'a City, Yemen. Methods: The fungi were isolated and purified from wastewater samples using enrichment and selective media. The isolated fungi were identified according to phenotypic characterization. Two species of isolated fungi were able to utilize the paracetamol as the sole of carbon and energy sources. These fungi were designated as F1 and F2 and identified as Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporium, respectively. Optimum temperature and pH for growth of both species were 25˚C and 6.0, respectively. Also, the biodegradation of paracetamol was influenced by glucose concentration. Results: F1 and F2 were able to degrade 35.7% and 26.1% of 1000 and 2000 mg/l, respectively, paracetamol in 60 days. This is the first report on the ability of Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporium to degrade paracetamol. Conclusion: The reported findings highlight the potential use of the isolated microorganisms for treatment of paracetamolcontaminated wastewater. Cite this article-Edrees WH, Abdullah QY, Naji KM, AL-Kaf AG. Biodegradation of paracetamol by native fungal species inhabiting wastewater of a pharmaceutical factory in Sana'a, Yemen.

Regular blood transfusion is one of the most important and emergency treatment methods for thalassemia patients. This category of patients is considered sensitive to infection because their continued survival is linked to blood transfusion, and therefore the possibility of infection is great, especially in light of the war and the deterioration of health services in Yemen. Among this infection is the hepatitis B virus, which causes serious complications such as acute hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the study was done to determine incidence of hepatitis B virus and risk factors among Multi-Transfused Beta Thalassemia Patients attending at The Yemeni Society for Thalassemia and Genetic Blood Disorder (YSTGBD) Sana'a –Yemen. This study was conducted during the period from January 2021 to December 2021, during which 200 Blood samples were collected from beta thalassemia patients attending at (YSTGBD). All samples were examined using the ECLIA technique, during which the basic information was collected through special questionnaires for this purpose. The rate of incidence by HBsAg in all study samples was determined to be 7(3.5%). The study showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between infection with the hepatitis B virus and the age group of more than 10 years age (P = 0.042), in addition to that number of blood transfusions received by HBsAg positive was significantly higher than that of HBsAg negative thalassemia patients (P = 0.022).