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Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the changes in the sagittal pharyngeal airway dimension (SPAD) in adolescents with Class II mandibular retrusion treated with Invisalign Mandibular Advancement (IMA), prefabricated Myobrace (MB), and Twin block (TB). For this retrospective study, the pre-treatment and post-treatment lateral cephalograms of 60 patients who underwent myofunctional treatment, using either one of the tested appliances were gathered from the files of treated patients. Changes in the SPAD were measured in each group, and comparisons were carried out between the three study groups. Additionally, sagittal skeletal measurements were carried out. Comparisons of the study variables at T0 and T1 between the three groups were performed using one-way ANOVA, while comparisons of the difference (T1–T0) were performed using Kruskal Wallis test. A significant SPAD increase has been reported using the three tested appliances (p 0.05). The IMA, MB, and TB generated significant SPAD and sagittal changes, with both IMA and TB surpassing MB in the airway area improvement post-treatment. Moreover, the three tested Class II functional appliances did not affect the vertical dimension.

Abstract The vaccination against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important public health strategy to prevent people from the pandemic. Vaccines are a game-changing tool, it is essential to understand the adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination. This study explored the adverse events of COVID-19 Vaccination Oxford–AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson on Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS). In this study, initially 128 documents were identified from the databases, including Pub-Med, Web of Science-Clarivate Analytics, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The articles on COVID-19 vaccination and GBs were searched using the keywords “SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Vaccination, and Guillain Barré Syndrome, GBS”, finally, 16 documents were included in the analysis and synthesis. After administering 1,680,042,214 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, 6177 cases were identified with 10.5 cases per million vaccine doses. A significant positive risk was found between COVID-19 vaccine administration and GBS with a risk rate of RR 1.97 (95% CI 1.26–3.08, p = 0.01). The mRNA vaccines were associated with 2076 cases, and 1,237,638,401 vaccine doses were linked with 4.47 GBS events per million vaccine doses. The first dose of the m-RNA vaccine was associated with 8.83 events per million doses compared to the second dose with 02 events per million doses. The viral-vector vaccine doses 193,535,249 were linked to 1630 GBS cases with 11.01 cases per million doses. The incidence of GBS after the first dose was 17.43 compared to 1.47 cases per million in the second dose of the viral-vector vaccine. The adverse events of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine were linked to 1339 cases of GBS following 167,786,902 vaccine doses, with 14.2 cases per million doses. The Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine significantly increased the risk of GBS RR: 2.96 (95% CI 2.51–3.48, p = 0.01). For the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, there were 7.20 cases per million doses of the vaccine, and no significant association was identified between the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and GBS incidence RR: 0.99 (95% CI 0.75–1.32, p = 0.96). Moderna vaccine was related with 419 cases of GBS after administering 420,420,909 doses, with 2.26 cases per million doses. However, Johnson and Johnson's vaccination was linked to 235 GBS after 60,256,913 doses of the vaccine with 8.80 cases per million doses. A significant association was seen between the risk of GBS and Ad.26.COV2. S vaccine, RR: 2.47 (95% CI 1.30–4.69, p

Abstract piRNAs are crucial for transposon silencing, germ cell maturation, and fertility in male mice. Here, we report on the genetic landscape of piRNA dysfunction in humans and present 39 infertile men carrying biallelic variants in 14 different piRNA pathway genes, including PIWIL1, GTSF1, GPAT2, MAEL, TDRD1, and DDX4. In some affected men, the testicular phenotypes differ from those of the respective knockout mice and range from complete germ cell loss to the production of a few morphologically abnormal sperm. A reduced number of pachytene piRNAs was detected in the testicular tissue of variant carriers, demonstrating impaired piRNA biogenesis. Furthermore, LINE1 expression in spermatogonia links impaired piRNA biogenesis to transposon de-silencing and serves to classify variants as functionally relevant. These results establish the disrupted piRNA pathway as a major cause of human spermatogenic failure and provide insights into transposon silencing in human male germ cells.

Abstract Palatal injections are considered to be one of the most painful dental procedures. As a result, it was important to find alternatives to this painful injection to improve children's cooperation. The dental literature mentioned using EMLA cream as a possible alternative to conventional injections, but its anesthetic effect was debated. Therefore, it was valuable to research the impact of microneedle patches to enhance the effectiveness of this cream. The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of different methods of anesthesia and pain levels in children aged 7–11 years. The study compared the use of EMLA cream, EMLA with microneedles, and conventional palatal injections. A total of 90 children were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 received conventional palatal anesthesia (control), Group 2 received EMLA cream only, and Group 3 received EMLA with microneedles. Pain levels were assessed using the FLACC and Wong-Baker scales at three different time points: T1(during anesthesia), T2(on palatal probing), and T3(during extraction). The FLACC scale revealed a significant difference in pain between groups only at T1 (P value = 0.000). It was found that the conventional palatal injection group had a higher pain level than the EMLA cream-only group and the group using microneedle patches with EMLA cream (P value = 0.000). However, the other groups did not show significant differences in pain levels during the anesthesia (P value = 1.00). Similarly, the Wong-Baker scale also demonstrated a statistically significant difference in pain between groups only at T1 (P value = 0.000). It was found that the conventional palatal injection group had a higher pain level than the EMLA cream-only group and the group using microneedle patches with EMLA cream (P value = 0.000). However, the other groups did not show significant differences in pain levels during the anesthesia (P value = 0.091). The study concludes that both EMLA cream alone and EMLA with microneedles can be used as an alternative to conventional palatal anesthesia for children.

Abstract Malnutrition and pain are common in patients with chronic kidney disease who undergo hemodialysis. Although both pain and malnutrition are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, few studies have explored the correlation between pain and nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with pain intensity in patients undergoing hemodialysis, focusing on the risk of malnutrition. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a regional dialysis center in a large tertiary hospital. Convenience sampling was used to recruit adult patients who had undergone hemodialysis for more than three months. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather sociodemographic and clinical data related to dialysis status, comorbidities, and body mass index (BMI). Pain severity and pain interference with functioning domains of the Brief Pain Index (BPI) were used to assess pain, and the malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) was used to assess nutritional status. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to report the findings. The data were analyzed using the 25th version of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS) software. Of the final sample of 230 patients, 63.0% were males and 37.0% were females, with an average age of 58.3 years. Almost one-third of the participants had a BMI within the normal range (33.9%), and nearly one-third had a BMI within the underweight range (33.9%). Slightly more than half had a normal nutritional status or mild malnutrition (54.8%), while just under half had moderate or severe malnutrition (45.2%). The prevalence of pain was 47.0%. At the multivariate level, the severity of pain was associated with malnutrition (p

Abstract Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. While they are unlikely to cause severe disease and are self-limiting in healthy individuals, cancer patients are especially susceptible to opportunistic parasitic infections. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in various aspects of health, including immune regulation and metabolic processes. Parasites occupy the same environment as bacteria in the gut. Recent research suggests intestinal parasites can disrupt the normal balance of the gut microbiota. However, there is limited understanding of this co-infection dynamic among cancer patients in Malaysia. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and relationship between intestinal parasites and gut microbiota composition in cancer patients. Stool samples from 134 cancer patients undergoing active treatment or newly diagnosed were collected and examined for the presence of intestinal parasites and gut microbiota composition. The study also involved 17 healthy individuals for comparison and control. Sequencing with 16S RNA at the V3–V4 region was used to determine the gut microbial composition between infected and non-infected cancer patients and healthy control subjects. The overall prevalence of IPIs among cancer patients was found to be 32.8%. Microsporidia spp. Accounted for the highest percentage at 20.1%, followed by Entamoeba spp. (3.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (3.0%), Cyclospora spp. (2.2%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (0.8%). None of the health control subjects tested positive for intestinal parasites. The sequencing data analysis revealed that the gut microbiota diversity and composition were significantly different in cancer patients than in healthy controls (p

Abstract Blast and gunshot-induced penetrating traumatic vascular injuries represent a significant portion of patients with vascular trauma in countries where there are higher rates of war-related violence. These injuries are especially challenging in resource-limited countries due to early diagnosis and transfer delays. This report aimed to present our experience regarding the surgical management and outcome of such injuries at a major referral vascular surgery centre in the country. A retrospective descriptive review of 326 patients with blast and gunshot-induced penetrating traumatic vascular injuries managed during a five-year period between April 2018 and April 2023. The demographics, mechanism of injury, type of vascular injury, Anatomical location, time to the operation, length of hospital stay, amount of blood products given, concomitant neuroskeletal injuries, development of Vascular injury associated acute kidney injury, surgical procedures performed and patient outcome were reviewed. In this study, 326 patients with 445 vascular injuries fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most of the patients were male 92.3%, and the mean age was 28.3 ± 9.9 years. The gunshot mechanism of vascular injury was implicated in 76.1% of the injuries, and explosive-induced injury was 78 (23.9%). 193 (59.2%) of the patients had isolated arterial injuries, 117 (35.9%) patients had combined arterial and venous injuries while 18 (4.9%) patients had isolated venous injuries. The most commonly injured arteries were the femoral artery, followed by Brachial and popliteal artery injuries (26.1%, 23.5% and 19.4%, respectively). The median time to revascularization was 8.8 ± 8.7 h. 46.8% of the patients had Concomitant fractures, while 26.5% had Concomitant nerve injuries. Only three patients had temporary non-heparin-bound shunts during their arrival. The most common surgical intervention in arterial injuries was reversed saphenous vein graft 46.1%. The mortality was 5.8% and 7.7% of the patients needed secondary amputation. The majority of wartime arterial injuries are a result of Blast and gunshot vascular injuries. Frequent need for autologous vein grafts should be considered to manage such injuries. Results are encouraging despite delays in intervention; therefore, all viable limbs should be revascularized, keeping in mind the long-term functionality of the limb.

Abstract Limited data exist on viral hepatitis among migrant populations. This study investigated the prevalence of current hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and lifetime hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among Qatar's migrant craft and manual workers (CMWs), constituting 60% of the country's population. Sera collected during a nationwide COVID-19 population-based cross-sectional survey on CMWs between July 26 and September 9, 2020, underwent testing for HBsAg and HCV antibodies. Reactive samples underwent confirmatory testing, and logistic regression analyses were employed to explore associations with HBV and HCV infections. Among 2528 specimens tested for HBV infection, 15 were reactive, with 8 subsequently confirmed positive. Three samples lacked sufficient sera for confirmatory testing but were included in the analysis through multiple imputations. Prevalence of current HBV infection was 0.4% (95% CI 0.2–0.7%). Educational attainment and occupation were significantly associated with current HBV infection. For HCV infection, out of 2607 specimens tested, 46 were reactive, and 23 were subsequently confirmed positive. Prevalence of lifetime HCV infection was 0.8% (95% CI 0.5–1.2%). Egyptians exhibited the highest prevalence at 6.5% (95% CI 3.1–13.1%), followed by Pakistanis at 3.1% (95% CI 1.1–8.0%). Nationality, geographic location, and occupation were significantly associated with lifetime HCV infection. HBV infection is relatively low among CMWs, while HCV infection falls within the intermediate range, both compared to global and regional levels.

Abstract Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra results in a clinically heterogeneous group with variable motor and non-motor symptoms with a degree of misdiagnosis. Only 3–25% of sporadic Parkinson’s patients present with genetic abnormalities that could represent a risk factor, thus environmental, metabolic, and other unknown causes contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease, which highlights the critical need for biomarkers. In the present study, we prospectively collected and analyzed plasma samples from 194 Parkinson’s disease patients and 197 age-matched non-diseased controls. N-acetyl putrescine (NAP) in combination with sense of smell (B-SIT), depression/anxiety (HADS), and acting out dreams (RBD1Q) clinical measurements demonstrated combined diagnostic utility. NAP was increased by 28% in Parkinsons disease patients and exhibited an AUC of 0.72 as well as an OR of 4.79. The clinical and NAP panel demonstrated an area under the curve, AUC = 0.9 and an OR of 20.4. The assessed diagnostic panel demonstrates combinatorial utility in diagnosing Parkinson’s disease, allowing for an integrated interpretation of disease pathophysiology and highlighting the use of multi-tiered panels in neurological disease diagnosis.

Abstract With the release of ChatGPT at the end of 2022, a new era of thinking and technology use has begun. Artificial intelligence models (AIs) like Gemini (Bard), Copilot (Bing), and ChatGPT-3.5 have the potential to impact every aspect of our lives, including laboratory data interpretation. To assess the accuracy of ChatGPT-3.5, Copilot, and Gemini responses in evaluating biochemical data. Ten simulated patients' biochemical laboratory data, including serum urea, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), in addition to HbA1c, were interpreted by three AIs: Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT-3.5, followed by evaluation with three raters. The study was carried out using two approaches. The first encompassed all biochemical data. The second contained only kidney function data. The first approach indicated Copilot to have the highest level of accuracy, followed by Gemini and ChatGPT-3.5. Friedman and Dunn's post-hoc test revealed that Copilot had the highest mean rank; the pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences for Copilot vs. ChatGPT-3.5 (P = 0.002) and Gemini (P = 0.008). The second approach exhibited Copilot to have the highest accuracy of performance. The Friedman test with Dunn's post-hoc analysis showed Copilot to have the highest mean rank. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test demonstrated an indistinguishable response (P = 0.5) of Copilot when all laboratory data were applied vs. the application of only kidney function data. Copilot is more accurate in interpreting biochemical data than Gemini and ChatGPT-3.5. Its consistent responses across different data subsets highlight its reliability in this context.

Abstract Extensive research is now being conducted on the design and construction of logic circuits utilizing quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) technology. This area of study is of great interest due to the inherent advantages it offers, such as its compact size, high speed, low power dissipation, and enhanced switching frequency in the nanoscale domain. This work presents a design of a highly efficient RAM cell in QCA, utilizing a combination of a 3-input and 5-input Majority Voter (MV) gate, together with a 2 × 1 Multiplexer (MUX). The proposed design is also investigated for various faults such as single cell deletion, single cell addition and single cell displacement or misalignment defects. The circuit under consideration has a high degree of fault tolerance. The functionality of the suggested design is showcased and verified through the utilization of the QCADesigner tool. Based on the observed performance correlation, it is evident that the proposed design demonstrates effectiveness in terms of cell count, area, and latency. Furthermore, it achieves a notable improvement of up to 76.72% compared to the present configuration in terms of quantum cost. The analysis of energy dissipation, conducted using the QCAPro tool, is also shown for various scenarios. It is seen that this design exhibits the lowest energy dispersion, hence enabling the development of ultra-low power designs for diverse microprocessors and microcontrollers.

Abstract Dandruff, a common scalp disorder characterized by flaking dead skin, is often treated with conventional topical products. However, limitations exist due to potential side effects and high costs. Therefore, searching for natural, cost-effective solutions for dandruff and hair loss is crucial. Rosemary herb and neem tree, both cultivated in Egypt, possess well-documented anti-inflammatory properties derived from their rich phenolic phytoconstituents. This study formulated a standardized combined extract of rosemary and neem (RN-E 2:1) into hair gel and leave-in tonic formats. This extract demonstrated superior efficacy against Malassezia furfur (a causative agent of dandruff) and Trichophyton rubrum (associated with scalp disorders) compared to the conventional antifungal agent, ketoconazole. The combined extract (RN-E 2:1) also exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, the suppression of iNOS expression is considered concentration-dependent. Quality control verified formulation stability, and ex-vivo studies confirmed effective ingredient penetration into the epidermis, the primary site of fungal presence. Remarkably, both formulations outperformed the standard treatment, minoxidil in hair growth trials. These findings highlight the potential of natural extracts for scalp and hair health.

Concealing sensitive information inside multimedia is very interesting in secure communication due to its wide application. This study discusses the different difficulties involved in embedding the ciphertext inside video frame without affecting the imperceptibility and the strength resistance against different cyberattacks. The main goal of this study is to suggest a novel technique to conceal encrypted data inside video frames securely. This is done by combining the Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG) edge detection algorithm and Chacha20 encryption algorithm. LoG facilitates to detect the suitable location inside video frame for concealing data. While ChaCha20 is used to encrypt data before embedding them inside these locations, which augmenting data security. The proposed method involves sequence of steps involving detecting edges inside video frames, determining the suitable edges for concealing data, encrypting data by XORing it with the encryption key which is generated using ChaCha20 algorithm, embedding the encrypted data inside the determined edges, and then reconstruct the video frame to rebuild the video that involves the concealed encrypted data and keeping the lowest level of visual distortion. The experimental results showed that combining these two approaches provide fast, robust, and secure method, which can be seen by evaluating the system using mean square error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, correlation, number of pixels change rate, unified average changing intensity, and entropy, these evaluation metrics provide excellent results. This study suggests a strong and novel method to embed the encrypted data inside video frames which can be employed in secure communication, copyright protection, and data authentication. Merging LoG and ChaCha20 algorithms produce perfect results in both security and visual perception quality, that provides a means for farther achievement in secure data embedding techniques.

Masalah gizi pada mahasiswa dapat berdampak pada berbagai masalah kesehatan seperti risiko penyakit degeneratif, masalah psikososial, dan performa akademik. Indonesia dan Malaysia merupakan negara berkembang dengan double burden malnutrition, sehingga dibutuhkan upaya preventif terhadap masalah gizi pada mahasiswa melalui pemberian edukasi. Kegiatan ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan mahasiswa mengenai masalah gizi dan solusinya sehingga dapat meningkatkan kualitas hidup dan psikososial mahasiswa. Kegiatan edukasi dilakukan dengan materi mengenai isu masalah gizi yang sering terjadi pada mahasiswa secara hybrid menggunakan metode ceramah. Pemberian edukasi melibatkan 423 mahasiswa Indonesia dan Malaysia. Hasil evaluasi melalui pre dan post-test menunjukkan terdapat peningkatan pengetahuan sebesar 45,9% (pre-test 36,6 dan post-test 53,4). Pemberian edukasi ini berhasil meningkatkan pengetahuan mahasiswa mengenai masalah gizi, sehingga diharapkan mahasiswa dapat memperbaiki pola makan dan pola hidup agar dapat terhindar dari masalah gizi tersebut.

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Class III correction appliances including the Facemask (FM), and the new non-compliance fixed functional appliances such as the Reversed Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD), as well as the CS-2000 (CS), on the sagittal pharyngeal airway dimension (SPAD). Pre-treatment and post-treatment lateral cephalograms of 45 patients who underwent Class III appliance treatment, using either FM, Reversed FRD, or CS were collected from the files of treated patients. SPAD changes were evaluated in each group, and comparisons were conducted between the three study groups. Additionally, sagittal and vertical skeletal measurements were conducted. The FM, the Reversed FRD, and the CS, were found to generate a significant increase in the SPAD, with the Reversed FRD contributing to the most significant change at the OPAA (116.80 ± 26.36 mm2). All three appliances elicited significant antero-posterior changes in the SNA°, SNB°, and ANB°, also with the greatest intermaxillary change documented with the employment of the Reversed FRD (ANB° = 3.33 ± 0.82°). As for the vertical dimension, the FM, the Reversed FRD, and the CS elicited significant FMA° increases, with the greatest change attributed to the FM (FMA° = 2.32 ± 0.97°). Therefore, the three tested Class III corrective appliances generated significant SPAD, antero-posterior, and vertical changes. However, the Revered FRD showed a superior impact in increasing the SPAD at the OPAA level and in eliciting significant intermaxillary changes.

Abstract This research designed a distribution-free mixed exponentially weighted moving average-moving average (EWMA-MA) control chart based on signed-rank statistic to effectively identify changes in the process location. The EWMA-MA charting statistic assigns more weight to information obtained from the recent $$w$$ w samples and exponentially decreasing weights to information accumulated from all other past samples. The run-length profile of the proposed chart is obtained by employing Monte Carlo simulation techniques. The effectiveness of the proposed chart is evaluated under symmetrical distributions using a variety of individual and overall performance measures. The analysis of the run-length profile indicates that the proposed chart performs better than the existing control charts discussed in the literature. Additionally, an application from a gas turbine is provided to demonstrate how the proposed chart can be used in practice.

Abstract The increasing antimicrobial resistance requires continuous investigation of new antimicrobial agents preferably derived from natural sources. New powerful antibacterial agents can be produced by simply combining oils that are known for their antibacterial activities. In this study, apricot seed oil (ASO), date seed oil (DSO), grape seed oil (GSO), and black seed oil (BSO) alone and in binary mixtures were assessed. Fatty acid profiles of individual oils and oil mixtures showed linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linolenic acid contents. Linoleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in all samples except for ASO, where oleic acid was the dominant one. GSO showed the highest total phenolic content while ASO showed the lowest one. Antibacterial screening was performed against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Results showed antibacterial activity in all oils against tested strains except for ASO against S. aureus. Highest antibacterial activity recorded was for ASO against P. mirabilis. ASO-GSO mixture (AG) was the best mixture where it showed synergistic interactions against all strains except P. aeruginosa. In conclusion, seed oil mixtures are likely to show promising antibacterial activities against specific strains.

Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a known risk factor for gestational hypertension which further progress toward conditions like proteinuria, dyslipidemia, thrombocytopenia, pulmonary edema leading to Preeclampsia (PE). Pregnancy can be a challenging time for many women, especially those diagnosed with GDM and PE. Thus, the current prospective study investigates the association of OGTT glucose levels with systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lipid profile parameters in pregnant women diagnosed with GDM and PE. A total of 140 pregnant women were stratified into GDM (n = 50), PE (n = 40) and controls (n = 50). Two hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed for screening GDM. Biochemical parameters analysis of OGTT, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (Tg), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), urinary albumin and creatinine were tested to find urinary albumin creatinine ratio (uACR). Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by post hoc test and regression analysis. Among the studied groups, GDM and PE groups showed no significant difference in age and increased BMI. Increased 2 h OGTT & TC in GDM group; elevated uACR, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, Tg, HDL-C, LDL-C in PE group was observed and differ significantly (p

Abstract The present research investigates the double-chain deoxyribonucleic acid model, which is important for the transfer and retention of genetic material in biological domains. This model is composed of two lengthy uniformly elastic filaments, that stand in for a pair of polynucleotide chains of the deoxyribonucleic acid molecule joined by hydrogen bonds among the bottom combination, demonstrating the hydrogen bonds formed within the chain’s base pairs. The modified extended Fan sub equation method effectively used to explain the exact travelling wave solutions for the double-chain deoxyribonucleic acid model. Compared to the earlier, now in use methods, the previously described modified extended Fan sub equation method provide more innovative, comprehensive solutions and are relatively straightforward to implement. This method transforms a non-linear partial differential equation into an ODE by using a travelling wave transformation. Additionally, the study yields both single and mixed non-degenerate Jacobi elliptic function type solutions. The complexiton, kink wave, dark or anti-bell, V, anti-Z and singular wave shapes soliton solutions are a few of the creative solutions that have been constructed utilizing modified extended Fan sub equation method that can offer details on the transversal and longitudinal moves inside the DNA helix by freely chosen parameters. Solitons propagate at a consistent rate and retain their original shape. They are widely used in nonlinear models and can be found everywhere in nature. To help in understanding the physical significance of the double-chain deoxyribonucleic acid model, several solutions are shown with graphics in the form of contour, 2D and 3D graphs using computer software Mathematica 13.2. All of the requisite constraint factors that are required for the completed solutions to exist appear to be met. Therefore, our method of strengthening symbolic computations offers a powerful and effective mathematical tool for resolving various moderate nonlinear wave problems. The findings demonstrate the system’s potentially very rich precise wave forms with biological significance. The fundamentals of double-chain deoxyribonucleic acid model diffusion and processing are demonstrated by this work, which marks a substantial development in our knowledge of double-chain deoxyribonucleic acid model movements.

Abstract Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is an underexplored psychiatric condition in Middle Eastern countries, particularly in patients with dermatologic concerns, where alterations in appearance may elevate the risk of BDD. We studied patients at Jordan University Hospital's general dermatology and cosmetic clinics from July to September 2022, comparing them to healthy controls. Patients with dermatologic conditions were evaluated per the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria by trained dermatologists. All participants completed the Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire (DCQ), Perceived Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-2, General Anxiety Disorder Assessment tool-2. We assessed BDD prevalence using four DCQ cutoffs: 9, 11, 14, and 17, reporting effect sizes as odds ratios (OR). Our study involved 1500 participants, with an average age of 29.3 (± 14.8) years and a female-to-male ratio of 3.15-to-1. At the 9, 11, 14, and 17 DCQ cutoffs, BDD prevalence was 78.2%, 54.2%, 26.5%, and 11.7%, respectively. Patients with dermatologic concerns were more likely to exhibit clinical BDD symptoms than controls at the 11-cutoff (OR: 1.26; 95% CI 1.01–1.58; p

Abstract ARID genes encode subunits of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes and are frequently mutated in human cancers. We investigated the correlation between ARID mutations, molecular features, and clinical outcomes in melanoma patients. Cutaneous melanoma samples (n = 1577) were analyzed by next-generation sequencing. Samples were stratified by pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutation in ARID genes (ARID1A/2/1B/5B). PD-L1 expression was assessed using IHC (SP142; positive (+): ≥ 1%). Tumor mutation burden (TMB)-high was defined as ≥ 10 mutations/Mb. Transcriptomic signatures predictive of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors—interferon gamma and T-cell inflamed score were calculated. Real-world overall survival (OS) information was obtained from insurance claims data, with Kaplan–Meier estimates calculated from time of tissue collection until last date of contact. Mann–Whitney U, Chi-square, and Fisher exact tests were applied where appropriate, with p values adjusted for multiple comparisons. ARID2 mutations were more prevalent in cutaneous melanoma compared to ARID1A (11.0%: n = 451 vs 2.8%: n = 113), with concurrent ARID1A/ARID2 mutation in 1.1% (n = 46) of samples. ARID mutations were associated with a high prevalence of RAS pathway mutations—NF1 (ARID1A, 52.6%; ARID2, 48.5%; ARID1A/2, 63.6%; and ARID-WT, 13.3%; p

Abstract Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is widely considered the most effective option for treating obesity, a chronic, relapsing, and progressive disease. Recently, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) issued new guidelines on the indications for MBS, which have superseded the previous 1991 National Institutes of Health guidelines. The aim of this study is to establish the first set of consensus guidelines for selecting procedures in Class I and II obesity, using an Expert Modified Delphi Method. In this study, 78 experienced bariatric surgeons from 32 countries participated in a two-round Modified Delphi consensus voting process. The threshold for consensus was set at an agreement or disagreement of ≥ 70.0% among the experts. The experts reached a consensus on 54 statements. The committee of experts reached a consensus that MBS is a cost-effective treatment option for Class II obesity and for patients with Class I obesity who have not achieved significant weight loss through non-surgical methods. MBS was also considered suitable for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher. The committee identified intra-gastric balloon (IGB) as a treatment option for patients with class I obesity and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) as an option for patients with class I and II obesity, as well as for patients with T2DM and a BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m2. Sleeve gastrectomy (1) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were also recognized as viable treatment options for these patient groups. The committee also agreed that one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is a suitable option for patients with Class II obesity and T2DM, regardless of the presence or severity of obesity-related medical problems. The recommendations for selecting procedures in Class I and II obesity, developed through an Expert Modified Delphi Consensus, suggest that the use of standard primary bariatric endoscopic (IGB, ESG) and surgical procedures (SG, RYGB, OAGB) are acceptable in these patient groups, as consensus was reached regarding these procedures. However, randomized controlled trials are still needed in Class I and II Obesity to identify the best treatment approach for these patients in the future.

Abstract The high mortality rate of colon cancer indicates the insufficient efficacy of current chemotherapy. Thus, the discussion on engineered metal nanoparticles in the treatment of the disease has been considered. In this study, silver nanoparticles were functionalized with glutamine and conjugated with thiosemiccarbazide. Then, anticancer mechanism of Ag@Gln-TSC NPs in a colon cancer cell line (SW480) was investigated. Characterizing Ag@Gln-TSC NPs by FT-IR, XRD, EDS-mapping, DLS, zeta potential, and SEM and TEM microscopy revealed that the Ag@Gln-TSC NPs were correctly synthesized, the particles were spherical, with surface charge of − 27.3 mV, high thermal stability and low agglomeration level. Using MTT assay we found that Ag@Gln-TSC NPs were significantly more toxic for colon cancer cells than normal fibroblast cells with IC50 of 88 and 186 µg/mL, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis showed that treating colon cancer cells with Ag@Gln-TSC NPs leads to a considerable increase in the frequency of apoptotic cells (85.9% of the cells) and increased cell cycle arrest at the S phase. Also, several apoptotic features, including hyperactivity of caspase-3 (5.15 folds), increased expression of CASP8 gene (3.8 folds), and apoptotic nuclear alterations were noticed in the nanoparticle treated cells. Furthermore, treating colon cancer cells with Ag@Gln-TSC NPs caused significant down-regulation of the HULC Lnc-RNA and PPFIA4 oncogene by 0.3 and 0.6 folds, respectively. Overall, this work showed that Ag@Gln-TSC NPs can effectively inhibit colon cancer cells through the activation of apoptotic pathways, a feature that can be considered more in studies in the field of colon cancer treatment.

Abstract Neural fingerprinting is a method to identify individuals from a group of people. Here, we established a new connectome-based identification model and used diffusion maps to show that biological parent–child couples share functional connectivity patterns while listening to stories. These shared fingerprints enabled the identification of children and their biological parents from a group of parents and children. Functional patterns were evident in both cognitive and sensory brain networks. Defining “typical” shared biological parent–child brain patterns may enable predicting or even preventing impaired parent–child connections that develop due to genetic or environmental causes. Finally, we argue that the proposed framework opens new opportunities to link similarities in connectivity patterns to behavioral, psychological, and medical phenomena among other populations. To our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal the neural fingerprint that represents distinct biological parent–child couples.

Abstract The ongoing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has highlighted the threat that viral outbreaks pose to global health. A key tool in the arsenal to prevent and control viral disease outbreaks is disinfection of equipment and surfaces with formulations that contain virucidal agents (VA). However, assessment of the efficacy of virus inactivation often requires live virus assays or surrogate viruses such as Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA), which can be expensive, time consuming and technically challenging. Therefore, we have developed a pseudo-typed virus (PV) based approach to assess the inactivation of enveloped viruses with a fast and quantitative output that can be adapted to emerging viruses. Additionally, we have developed a method to completely remove the cytotoxicity of virucidal agents while retaining the required sensitivity to measure PV infectivity. Our results indicated that the removal of cytotoxicity was an essential step to accurately measure virus inactivation. Further, we demonstrated that there was no difference in susceptibility to virus inactivation between PVs that express the envelopes of HIV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and Influenza A/Indonesia. Therefore, we have developed an effective and safe alternative to live virus assays that enables the rapid assessment of virucidal activity for the development and optimization of virucidal reagents.

This study investigates the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) topic to address the complexities of decision processes involving ambiguous information. We introduce the Triangular Fuzzy Geometric Bonferroni Mean (TFGBM) operator, a novel aggregation technique inspired by the Geometric Bonferroni Mean(GBM)concept. This operator is intended to aggregate triangular fuzzy numbers within MCDM problems effectively. We thoroughly investigate the properties of TFGBM and its distinct forms to ensure its practicalutility. We introduce the Triangular Fuzzy Geometric Weighted Bonferroni Mean (TFGWBM) operator to accommodate situations where input factors have variable degrees of significance. Based on this foundation, we present a comprehensive framework fordecision-making involving multiple attributes in ambiguous triangular fuzzy environments. A relevant case study regarding selectingan optimal location for a Halal center demonstrates the efficacy and applicability of our methodology. We emphasize the tangibility and efficiency of the suggested methodology in improving decision-making processes by emphasizing this real-world application.

Abstract Trichinosis is a zoonotic disease of communal health concern as it instigated human outbreaks in several countries. Besides, the development of resistance, traditional therapy has numerous antagonistic effects. Thereby, finding efficient natural alternatives is required. In comparison to albendazole, this study evaluated the impact of pumpkin decoction on Trichinella spiralis in experimentally infected mice. The anthelmintic action of pumpkin decoction (500 mg/kg) was determined using T. spiralis infected mice in enteric phase for 5 days. Pumpkin decoction anthelmintic activity fortified by mixing with honey (1:1). Pumpkin decoction and Pumpkin decoction-honey mixture were evaluated by comprising with reference drug, albendazole (50 mg/kg). The T. spiralis adult count was significantly lower in all treated groups, with the pumpkin decoction-honey mixture showing the largest reduction (83.2%) when compared to the infected group (P ≤ 0.001). The intestinal histological changes and the level of COX-2 expression in the intestinal tissue were both significantly reduced in the same group. The pumpkin decoction improved the immune response, as evidenced by a significant decrease in nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and a significant increase in the expression of the transforming growth factor (TGF-1β) and interleukin-17 (IL-17). The pumpkin decoction's anthelmintic action was facilitated by the TGF-1β and IL-17-driven Weep and Sweep mechanism. Both administration of pumpkin decoction beside honey showed the best treatment group that resulted in high infection reduction besides amelioration of biochemical markers and restoration of histological to normal state. In conclusion, pumpkin decoction is highly effective against T. spiralis which could be a promising alternative herbal drug and the pumpkin decoction effect was higher in the case of combination with honey.

Hybridizing natural and synthetic fibers is thought to be an alternate technique for achieving the desired balance between the mechanical performance and sustainability of fiber metal laminates (FMLs). The aluminum (Al)/pineapple leaf fiber (PALF)/carbon fiber (CF) reinforced epoxy composites with five stacking sequences were fabricated by the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method. The effects of the hybridization and layering sequence on mechanical and viscoelastic properties have been investigated by the hardness, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and Izod impact test, along with dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The study found that A1 (ACPCA) showed significant improvements over non-hybrid AP (APPPA), with 86.50% better ILSS and 59.59% higher impact strength. Compared to A2 (APCPA), A1’s ILSS and impact strength were 26.26% and 38.38% better, respectively, due to two CF layers. Hybrid FML A3 (CPAPC) had the lowest impact strength at 97.77 kJ/m2 among FMLs with aluminum outer layers. DMA tests showed all hybrids were stiffer than non-hybrid AP, with A1 having superior viscoelastic properties. This suggests PALF and CF in natural fiber metal laminates (NFMLs) could be promising for automotive applications.

ABSTRACTRecent developments of green technology promote the rising attraction toward developing high-performance and environmentally friendly pultruded products from naturally derived resources. Some factors that attract attention to developing pultruded biocomposites are their lightweight properties, recyclability, and economical and environmentally superior alternatives to synthetic fibers in commercial applications. Researchers have studied that the environmental crisis caused by conventional synthetic materials can be reduced significantly by using sustainable materials instead. This paper aims to review the potential of plant fibers to be used in pultruded composite manufacturing to reduce and replace the use of synthetic materials in pultruded structures. It was found that kenaf and jute fibers have been extensively studied in pultruded plant fiber reinforced composites and pultruded glass/plant fiber reinforced hybrid composites for their mechanical and physical properties under various test parameters. Overall, pultruded PFCs have recorded good mechanical properties but have limitations in water absorption properties for outdoor applications. An overview of the optimum process parameters, limitations, and potential applications of pultruded PFCs are also outlined. Finally, this review summarizes the future scopes and expectations, providing researchers and industrialists with a vision for deeper investigation in developing pultruded PFCs.

Guru merupakan salah satu profesi yang rentan mengalami stres, hal ini berkaitan dengan beban kerja yang tinggi dan tuntutan dalam berhadapan dengan peserta didik dan orang tua. Stres kerja pada guru yang tidak dikelola dengan baik dapat berdampak negatif, seperti memburuknya kesehatan fisik dan psikis pada guru, menurunnya kualitas hasil pembelajaran, kualitas pengalaman pembelajaran, serta prestasi pada peserta didik. Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan dengan tujuan untuk membantu guru dalam meningkatkan keterampilan pengelolaan stres kerja pada guru dengan membekali pengetahuan mengenai sisi positif stres kerja dan strategi pengelolaannya. Kegiatan dilaksanakan dengan metode presentasi materi dan diskusi 2 arah dengan peserta kegiatan. Pengukuran efektivitas kegiatan diukur melalui kuesioner daring melalui google form yang diisi oleh 55 peserta kegiatan. Hasil analisis efektivitas kegiatan menunjukkan peningkatan pengetahuan yang signifikan setelah kegiatan dilaksanakan (p

The Nekton Maldives Taxonomic Workshop took place at the Maniyafushi Research Station in the Maldives between 12 and 23 February 2023. This workshop had two primary objectives. Firstly, it aimed to identify species from biological samples and underwater imagery collected during the Nekton Maldives Mission in 2022. Secondly, it sought to facilitate training and knowledge exchange sessions between early career researchers from the Maldives and international taxonomists. These sessions were designed to share knowledge and introduce fundamental taxonomy concepts and enhance practical identification skills for common reef benthic groups and major zooplankton taxonomic groups. A total of 24 people from 10 different countries were directly or indirectly involved with the workshop comprising nine taxonomic experts, eleven trainees and four organisers. Collectively, we identified 278 biological specimens including potentially undescribed species of hydroids, black corals, sponges and octocorals, 318 morphotypes for underwater footage and zooplankton composition congruent with previous reports from the Indian Ocean Region. Next steps will involve depositing the specimens into a more a permanent facility to facilitate the process of specimen description and knowledge transfer.

Abstract The stability, sensitivity, and volatility of essential oils are some of their most serious limitations, and nanoencapsulation has been considered one of the most effective techniques for solving these problems. This research aimed to investigate the incorporation of Salvia rosmarinus Speen and Cedrus atlantica Manetti (MEO) essential oil mixture in Gum Arabic (GA) and to evaluate nanoencapsulation’s ability to promote antifungal activity against two brown rot fungi responsible for wood decay Gloeophyllum trabeum and Poria placenta. The optimization of encapsulation efficiency was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) with two parameters: solid-to-solid (MEO/GA ratio) and solid-to-liquid (MEO/ethanol). The recovered powder characterization was followed by various techniques using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The optimal nanoencapsulating conditions obtained from RSM were ratios of MEO/GA of 1:10 (w/w) and MEO/ethanol of 10% (v/v), which provided the greatest encapsulation efficiency (87%). The results of SEM, XRD, DLS, FTIR, and TGA showed that the encapsulation of MEO using GA modified particle form and molecular structure and increased thermal stability. An antifungal activity assay indicated that an effective concentration of MEO had an inhibitory effect on brown rot fungi. It had 50% of the maximal effect (EC50) value of 5.15 ± 0.88 µg/mL and 12.63 ± 0.65 µg/mL for G. trabeum and P. placenta, respectively. Therefore, this product has a great potential as a natural wood preservative for sustainable construction and green building.

Abstract Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. An imbalanced microbiome (dysbiosis) can predispose to many diseases including CD. The role of oral dysbiosis in CD is poorly understood. We aimed to explore microbiome signature and dysbiosis of the salivary microbiome in CD patients, and correlate microbiota changes to the level of inflammation. Saliva samples were collected from healthy controls (HC) and CD patients (n = 40 per group). Salivary microbiome was analyzed by sequencing the entire 16S rRNA gene. Inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein and calprotectin) were measured and correlated with microbiome diversity. Five dominant species were significantly enriched in CD, namely Veillonella dispar, Megasphaera stantonii, Prevotella jejuni, Dolosigranulum pigrum and Lactobacillus backii. Oral health had a significant impact on the microbiome since various significant features were cariogenic as Streptococcus mutans or periopathogenic such as Fusobacterium periodonticum. Furthermore, disease activity, duration and frequency of relapses impacted the oral microbiota. Treatment with monoclonal antibodies led to the emergence of a unique species called Simonsiella muelleri. Combining immunomodulatory agents with monoclonal antibodies significantly increased multiple pathogenic species such as Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Loss of diversity in CD was shown by multiple diversity indices. There was a significant negative correlation between gut inflammatory biomarkers (particularly calprotectin) and α-diversity, suggesting more inflammation associated with diversity loss in CD. Salivary dysbiosis was evident in CD patients, with unique microbiota signatures and perturbed species that can serve as disease biomarkers or potential targets for microbiota modulation. The interplay of various factors collectively contributed to dysbiosis, although each factor probably had a unique effect on the microbiome. The emergence of pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity of CD patients is alarming since they can disturb gut homeostasis and induce inflammation by swallowing, or hematogenous spread of microbiota, their metabolites, or generated inflammatory mediators.

Abstract 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 in Lebanon. A market screening identified 35 different cornflake stock-keeping units (SKU) in the Lebanese market, originating from 10 different brands and having different tastes and shapes. SKUs were collected and tested for five mycotoxins in triplicates using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The results showed the presence of the five mycotoxins in the samples. The average levels of AFB1, OTA, ZEA and FUM among positive samples (above limit of detection) were 1.58, 1.2, 15.1 and 774.1 μg/kg, respectively, and were below the EU limits. On the other hand, the average level of DON was 1206.7 μg/kg, exceeding the EU limit. Furthermore, out of the positive samples, 60%, 17%, 9%, 14%, and 6% exceeded the EU limits for DON, OTA, AFB1, FUM, and ZEA, respectively. Notably, SKUs made in Lebanon had significantly (p 0.05) effect on the levels of the five mycotoxins detected in the samples. AFB1, FUM and ZEA levels differed significantly among SKUs (p > 0.05). Considering these findings, further studies should be conducted to assess the exposure to mycotoxins from the consumption of cornflakes in Lebanon, especially among children.

Abstract Religious fasting in Ramadan the 9th month of the lunar year is one of five pillars in Islam and is practiced for a full month every year. There may be risks with fasting in patients with a history of metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS). There is little published evidence on the possible complications during fasting and needs stronger recommendations and guidance to minimize them. An international survey was sent to surgeons to study the types of complications occurring during religious fasting in patients with history of MBS to evaluate the risk factors to manage and prepare more evidence-based recommendations. In total, 21 centers from 11 countries participated in this survey and reported a total of 132 patients with complications occurring during religious fasting after MBS. The mean age of patients with complications was 36.65 ± 3.48 years and mean BMI was 43.12 ± 6.86 kg/m2. Mean timing of complication occurring during fasting after MBS was 14.18 months. The most common complications were upper GI (gastrointestinal) symptoms including [gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), abdominal pain, and dyspepsia], marginal ulcers and dumping syndrome in 24% (32/132), 8.3% (11/132) and 23% (31/132) patients respectively. Surgical management was necessary in 4.5% of patients presenting with complications (6/132) patients due to perforated marginal or peptic ulcer in Single Anastomosis Duodenoileostomy with Sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S), one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), obstruction at Jejunojenostomy after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (1/6) and acute cholecystitis (1/6). Patients after MBS should be advised about the risks while fasting including abdominal pain, dehydration, and peptic ulcer disease exacerbation, and a thorough review of their medications is warranted to minimize complications.

Abstract Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) possess distinctive rheological and physicochemical properties and innovative functionality. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical, bioactive, and rheological properties of an EPS secreted by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis C15. EPS-C15 was found to have an average molecular weight of 8.8 × 105 Da and was identified as a hetero-EPS composed of arabinose, xylose, mannose, and glucose with a molar ratio of 2.0:2.7:1.0:21.3, respectively. The particle size and zeta potential represented 311.2 nm and − 12.44 mV, respectively. FITR exhibited that EPS-C15 possessed a typical polysaccharide structure. NMR displayed that EPS-C15 structure is → 3)α-d-Glcvi (1 → 3)α-d-Xylv (1 → 6)α-d-Glciv(1 → 4)α-d-Glc(1 → 3)β-d-Man(1 → 2)α-d-Glci(1 → . EPS-C15 scavenged DPPH and ABTS free radicals with 50.3% and 46.4% capacities, respectively. Results show that the antiproliferative activities of EPS-C15 revealed inhibitions of 49.7% and 88.1% against MCF-7 and Caco-2 cells, respectively. EPS-C15 has antibacterial properties that inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (29.45%), Salmonella typhimurium (29.83%), Listeria monocytogenes (30.33%), and E. coli O157:H7 (33.57%). The viscosity of EPS-C15 decreased as the shear rate increased. The rheological properties of the EPS-C15 were affected by changes in pH levels and the addition of salts. EPS-C15 is a promising biomaterial that has potential applications in various industries, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.

This community service activity aims to increase community knowledge and skills in managing organic and inorganic waste through ECOMPOSTER (ecobrick and composter) programs. The method of implementing this service used counseling and demonstration methods, including educational activities on waste sorting, training on making ecobrick and compost using the Takakura method, and forming ecomposter cadres. The partners of this service were the people of Wonorejo Village RT. 5 and 6, Satui District, Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan Province. The instrument for evaluating this activity used a knowledge questionnaire which was statistically analyzed with a paired T-test, an attitude questionnaire which was statistically analyzed with the Wilcoxon test, and a final program evaluation questionnaire which was analyzed descriptively. The results of this service showed that there were significant differences in knowledge and attitudes before and after the provision of education, indicated by a p value

In this study, 100 bacterial isolates were obtained from tooth surface swabs of male and female patients with different ages who visited specialized centers and dental clinics in Baghdad city after they were clinically diagnosed with oral (dental) infections by specialist doctors for the period from 1/10/2022 to 1/3/2023. The methods employed to identify the bacterial isolates were the Vitek system, as well as highest isolated rate was among Streptococcus mutans species (48%). Isolates of S. mutans and their drug sensitivity was tested against 10 antibiotics using the disc diffusion process, showing that the separators’ Antibiotic resistance was larger than their sensitivity to these antibiotics. The resistance rate of the isolates to erythromycin was (98.21 and 94.64%), to amoxicillin (85.71)% for each of them, to ampicillin (80.35 and 83.92)%, to Nalidixic acid (80.35 and 87.50)%, to cefotaxime (69.64 and 75.00)%, and to chloramphenicol (69.64 and 89%), to amoxicillin–Clavulanic acid (58.92 and 76.78)%), to gentamycin (57.14 and 78.57)%, and to tetracycline the resistance rate was (55.35 and 66.07)% for each of them, respectively, while it showed high sensitivity to the antibiotics amikacin (25.00 and 48.21)% and trimethoprim sulfamethaxyl (7.14 and 19.64)% for each of them respectively.

Perencanaan keuangan keluarga, menciptakan peluang usaha baru dan menciptakan dokumentasi keuangan yang baik bagi UMKM merupakan salah satu kunci bagaimana ibu rumah tangga dan UMKM dapat memberikan kontribusi yang baik dalam mengatur dan mengembangkan kompetensinya untuk membangun taraf perekonomian di desa dan wilayah tempat tinggalnya. Metode yang digunakan adalah dengan cara diskusi, pelatihan, pemberian modul dan pendampingan. Hasil dari kegiatan ini memberikan implikasi positif bagaimana semangat ibu rumah tangga dan pelaku UMKM di Desa Situ Udik dapat meningkatkan kompetensi dan keterampilannya untuk membangun perekonomian yang lebih baik. Hasil dari kegiatan pengabdian ini adalah 1) Ibu rumah tangga dapat membuat perencanaan keuangan yang baik dan sehat untuk kehidupan keluarganya, (2) Memberikan potensi manfaat bagi ibu rumah tangga untuk mendapatkan penghasilan tambahan guna meningkatkan perekonomian keluarganya, (3) Meningkatkan pengetahuan bagi UMKM di wilayah desa agar mampu membuat laporan keuangan sederhana sesuai ketentuan yang benar agar kesehatan keuangan usaha tetap terjaga.

Summary: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been modified via genetic or pharmacological engineering into potent antigen-presenting cells-like capable of priming responding CD8 T cells. In this study, our screening of a variant library of Accum molecule revealed a molecule (A1) capable of eliciting antigen cross-presentation properties in MSCs. A1-reprogrammed MSCs (ARM) exhibited improved soluble antigen uptake and processing. Our comprehensive analysis, encompassing cross-presentation assays and molecular profiling, among other cellular investigations, elucidated A1’s impact on endosomal escape, reactive oxygen species production, and cytokine secretion. By evaluating ARM-based cellular vaccine in mouse models of lymphoma and melanoma, we observe significant therapeutic potency, particularly in allogeneic setting and in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. Overall, this study introduces a strong target for developing an antigen-adaptable vaccination platform, capable of synergizing with immune checkpoint blockers to trigger tumor regression, supporting further investigation of ARMs as an effective and versatile anti-cancer vaccine.

Summary: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) biomarkers have been studied in isolation; however, an algorithm that considers a protein panel to inform PAD prognosis may improve predictive accuracy. Biomarker-based prediction models were developed and evaluated using a model development (n = 270) and prospective validation cohort (n = 277). Plasma concentrations of 37 proteins were measured at baseline and the patients were followed for 2 years. The primary outcome was 2-year major adverse limb event (MALE; composite of vascular intervention or major amputation). Of the 37 proteins tested, 6 were differentially expressed in patients with vs. without PAD (ADAMTS13, ICAM-1, ANGPTL3, Alpha 1-microglobulin, GDF15, and endostatin). Using 10-fold cross-validation, we developed a random forest machine learning model that accurately predicts 2-year MALE in a prospective validation cohort of PAD patients using a 6-protein panel (AUROC 0.84). This algorithm can support PAD risk stratification, informing clinical decisions on further vascular evaluation and management.

E-wallet, also referred to as digital wallet, is a software application designed to replace physical wallets, with the primary purpose of facilitating online transactions when users wish to make virtual payments. Nowadays, E-wallets are not limited to mobile applications, but they have also been extended to wearable devices, such as smartwatches, enabling users to make payments via their watches. This research study focuses on three main E-wallet service providers in Malaysia, namely TouchNGo E-wallet, Boost, and Grab pay, as they are the top three E-wallets in the country. The aim of this paper is to explore the real-world implementation of E-wallets among mobile phone users in Malaysia, employing the Technology Adoption Model as the theoretical framework. Six independent variables were identified to study the implementation of E-wallets, and a total of 500 respondents shared their opinions on retaining the usage of E-wallet in Malaysia. The data collected were analysed using SPSS for Pearson Correlation Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression. Out of the six variables, five independent variables were accepted, and one independent variable was rejected due to the greater significant level. The highest correlation coefficient falls under Business Resources with 0.704. The study delves into the implications and constraints, providing insights for the future advancement of E-wallets within the Malaysian context.

Azoospermia (the complete absence of spermatozoa in the semen) is a common cause of male infertility. The etiology of azoospermia is poorly understood. Whole-genome analysis of azoospermic men has identified a number of candidate genes, such as the X-linked testis-expressed 11 (TEX11) gene. Using a comparative genomic hybridization array, an exonic deletion (exons 10-12) of TEX11 had previously been identified in two non-apparent azoospermic patients. However, the putative impact of this genetic alteration on spermatogenesis and the azoospermia phenotype had not been validated functionally. We therefore used a CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate a mouse model (Tex11Ex9-11del/Y) with a partial TEX11 deletion that mimicked the human mutation. Surprisingly, the mutant male Tex11Ex9-11del/Y mice were fertile. The sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were normal. Similarly, the mutant mouse line's testis transcriptome was normal, and the expression of spermatogenesis genes was not altered. These results suggest that the mouse equivalent of the partial deletion observed in two infertile male with azoospermia has no impact on spermatogenesis or fertility in mice, at least of a FVB/N genetic background and until 10 months of age. Mimicking a human mutation does not necessarily lead to the same human phenotype in mice, highlighting significant differences species.

IntroductionMedical educators strive to improve their curricula to enhance the student learning experience. The use of high-fidelity simulation within basic and clinical medical science subjects has been one of these initiatives. However, there is paucity of evidence on using simulation for teaching pharmacology, especially in the Middle East and North Africa region, and the effectiveness of this teaching modality, relative to more traditional ones, have not been sufficiently investigated. Accordingly, this study compares the effects of high-fidelity simulation, which is designed in alignment with adult and experiential learning theories, and traditional case-based tutorial sessions on the performance and perception of undergraduate Year 2 medical students in pharmacology in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.MethodsThis study employed a convergent mixed methods approach. Forty-nine medical students were randomly assigned to one of two groups during the 16-week pharmacology course. Each group underwent one session delivered via high-fidelity simulation and another via a case-based tutorial. A short multiple-choice question quiz was administered twice (immediately upon completion of the respective sessions and 5 weeks afterwards) to assess knowledge retention. Furthermore, to explore the students' perceptions regarding the two modes of learning delivery (independently and in relation to each other), an evaluation survey was administered following the delivery of each session. Thereafter, the iterative joint display analysis was used to develop a holistic understanding of the effect of high-fidelity simulation in comparison to traditional case-based tutorial sessions on pharmacology learning in the context of the study.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in students' knowledge retention between high-fidelity simulation and case-based tutorial sessions. Yet, students expressed a greater preference for high-fidelity simulation, describing the corresponding sessions as more varied, better at reinforcing learning, and closer to reality. As such, the meta-inferences led to expansion of the overall understanding around students' satisfaction, to both confirmation and expansion of the systemic viewpoint around students' preferences, and lastly to refinement in relation to the perspective around retained knowledge.ConclusionHigh-fidelity simulation was found to be as effective as case-based tutorial sessions in terms of students' retention of knowledge. Nonetheless, students demonstrated a greater preference for high-fidelity simulation. The study advocates caution in adapting high-fidelity simulation, where careful appraisal can lend itself to identifying contexts where it is most effective.

This study aims to develop a nonparametric mixed exponentially weighted moving average-moving average (NPEWMA-MA) sign control chart for monitoring shifts in process location, particularly when the distribution of a critical quality characteristic is either unknown or non-normal. In literature, the variance expression of the mixed exponentially weighted moving average-moving average (EWMA-MA) statistic is calculated by allowing sequential moving averages to be independent, and thus the exclusion of covariance terms results in an inaccurate variance expression. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the EWMA-MA control chart deteriorates when the distribution of a critical quality characteristic deviates from normality. The proposed NPEWMA-MA sign control chart addresses these by utilizing the corrected variance of the EWMA-MA statistic and incorporating the nonparametric sign test into the EWMA-MA charting structure. The chart integrates the moving average (MA) statistic into the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) statistic. The EWMA-MA charting statistic assigns more weight to recent w samples, with weights for previous observations decling exponentially. Monte Carlo simulations assess the chart's performance using various run length (RL) characteristics such as average run length (ARL), standard deviation of run length (SDRL), and median run length (MRL). Additional measures for overall performance include the average extra quadratic loss (AEQL) and relative mean index (RMI). The proposed NPEWMA-MA sign control chart demonstrates superior performance compared to existing nonparametric control charts across different symmetrical and asymmetric distributions. It efficiently detects process shifts, as validated through both a simulated study and a real-life example from a combined cycle power plant.

IntroductionIn patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), mechanical occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) using a permanently implanted device may be an effective alternative to oral anti-coagulants (OAC). To facilitate left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), multiple percutaneous devices have been proposed. Watchman Generation 2.5 and Amplatzer Amulet are the two most popular used devices for preventing stroke in patients with NVAF. We sought to compare safety and efficacy outcomes between Watchman 2.5 and Amplatzer Amulet in patients undergoing LAAC procedure.MethodsWe carried out a comprehensive and systematic search of the databases PubMed and Scopus, for all studies that compared the safety and efficacy of Watchman 2.5 and Amplatzer Amulet devices, from inception, till June 2023. We performed the statistical analysis using Review Manager (V.5.4.1 Cochrane Collaboration, London, United Kingdom). The safety outcomes of interest included device success, device-related thrombus, device embolization perioperatively and at follow-up, perioperative pericardial perfusion events, and perioperative cardiac tamponade events. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality perioperatively and at follow-up, cardiovascular (CV) mortality at follow-up, stroke, major and minor bleeding events at follow-up, transient ischemic attack (TIA) in follow-up period, thromboembolic events in follow-up period, and peri-device leakage in perioperative period. All data was analysed using a random-effects model, and presented as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs).ResultsRegarding safety outcomes, device success was non-significantly reduced in Watchman group when compared with Amulet (RR 0.99, p = 0.57; I2 = 34%). In contrast, device-related thrombus was non-significantly increased in Watchman 2.5 group in comparison to Amulet (RR 1.44, p = 0.11; I2 = 0%). There was no significant difference between the devices in terms of device embolization in the perioperative (RR 0.36, p = 0.38; I2 = 22%) and follow-up (RR 2.24, p = 0.13; I2 = 0%) periods. Likewise, there was no significant difference in the risks of pericardial effusion (RR 0.98, p = 0.98; I2 = 0%), and cardiac tamponade (RR 0.65, p = 0.76; I2 = 62%) perioperatively. Regarding efficacy outcomes, no significant difference was observed in all-cause mortality between devices perioperatively (RR 0.51, p = 0.32; I2 = 0%) and at follow-up (RR 1.08, p = 0.56; I2 = 0%). CV-mortality was non-significantly reduced in Watchman group when compared with Amulet (RR 0.57, p = 0.20; I2 = 0%). The Amulet device was not superior to the Watchman device in terms of stroke at follow-up (RR 1.13, p = 0.63; I2 = 0%). Sub-group analysis showed comparable ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke events between two devices. Furthermore, at follow-up, there was no significant difference in major (RR 1.06, p = 0.63; I2 = 0%) and minor bleeding events (RR 1.81, p = 0.17; I2 = 0%) between the two devices. No difference was observed for trans-ischemic attack (RR 1.89, p = 0.24; I2 = 0%) and thromboembolic events (RR 0.96, p = 0.96; I2 = 0%) at follow-up. No significant difference was observed between devices for peri-device leakage in perioperative period (RR 2.16, p = 0.05; I2 = 0%).ConclusionThe data suggested that LAAC is safe and efficacious procedure irrespective of device used, with generally low complication rates. Watchman generation 2.5 remains non-superior to Amplatzer Amulet in terms of safety and efficacy outcomes.

ObjectiveEndodontic microbiota appears to undergo evolutionary changes during disease progression from inflammation to necrosis and post-treatment. The aim of this study was to compare microbiome composition and diversity in primary and post-treatment endodontic infections from a cohort of patients from the UAE.DesignIntracanal samples were collected from primarily infected (n = 10) and post-treatment infected (n = 10) root canals of human teeth using sterile paper points. Bacterial DNA was amplified from seven hypervariable regions (V2-V4 and V6-V9) of the 16S rRNA gene, then sequenced using next-generation sequencing technology. The data was analyzed using appropriate bioinformatic tools.ResultsAnalyses of all the samples revealed eight major bacterial phyla, 112 genera and 260 species. Firmicutes was the most representative phylum in both groups and was significantly more abundant in the post-treatment (54.4%) than in primary (32.2%) infections (p>0.05). A total of 260 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, of which 126 (48.5%) were shared between the groups, while 83 (31.9%) and 51 (19.6%) disparate species were isolated from primary and post-treatment infections, respectively. A significant difference in beta, but not alpha diversity was noted using several different indices (p< 0.05). Differential abundance analysis indicated that, Prevotella maculosa, Streptococcus constellatus, Novosphigobium sediminicola and Anaerococcus octavius were more abundant in primary infections while Enterrococcus faecalis, Bifidobacterium dentium, Olsenella profusa and Actinomyces dentalis were more abundant in post-treatment infections (p ConclusionSignificant differences in the microbiome composition and diversity in primary and post-treatment endodontic infections were noted in our UAE cohort. Such compositional differences of microbiota at various stages of infection could be due to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors impacting the root canal ecosystem during disease progression, as well as during their therapeutic management. Identification of the key microbiota in primarily and secondarily infected root canals can guide in the management of these infections.

The time fractional Schrödinger equation contributes to our understanding of complex quantum systems, anomalous diffusion processes, and the application of fractional calculus in physics and cubic B-spline is a versatile tool in numerical analysis and computer graphics. This paper introduces a numerical method for solving the time fractional Schrödinger equation using B-spline functions and the Atangana-Baleanu fractional derivative. The proposed method employs a finite difference scheme to discretize the fractional derivative in time, while a θ-weighted scheme is used to discretize the space directions. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated through numerical results, and error norms are examined at various values of the non-integer parameter, temporal directions, and spatial directions.

Seriphidium herba-alba (Asso), a plant celebrated for its therapeutic qualities, is widely used in traditional medicinal practices throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In a detailed study of Seriphidium herba-alba (Asso), essential oils and extracts were analyzed for their chemical composition and antimicrobial properties. The essential oil, characterized using mass spectrometry and retention index methods, revealed a complex blend of 52 compounds, with santolina alcohol, α-thujone, β-thujone, and chrysanthenone as major constituents. Extraction yields varied significantly, depending on the plant part and method used; notably, methanol soaking of aerial parts yielded the most extract at 17.75%. The antimicrobial analysis showed that the extracts had selective antibacterial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus, and broad-spectrum antifungal activity against organisms such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus spp. The methanol-soaked extract demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial properties, indicating its potential as a natural antimicrobial source. This study not only underscores the therapeutic potential of Seriphidium herba-alba (Asso) in pharmaceutical applications but also sets a foundation for future research focused on isolating specific bioactive compounds and in vivo testing.