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Europinidin is a novel anthocyanidin found in the petals of Plumbago europea that exhibits several physiological effects. Research was conducted to assess europinidin's cardioprotective efficacy in a diabetic and myocardial infarction (MI) experimental model. Rat was injected through the intraperitoneal administration of 45 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ), while MI was induced by subcutaneously administering 85 mg/kg of isoproterenol (ISP) at 24 and 48 h prior to the sacrifice procedure. Europinidin 10 and 20 mg/day was administered orally for 4 weeks after validation of diabetes (glucose > 250 mg/dl) on the 7th day. Experimental rats were randomly allocated to control, STZ-ISP control, STZ-ISP + europinidin-10 mg, STZ-ISP + europinidin-20 mg and europinidin 20 mg perse group. Biochemicals parameters including anti-diabetic (Glucose, HbA1c, serum insulin), cardiac markers (hs-CRP, CPK-MB), dyslipidaemia (lipid analysis), anti-inflammatory (IL6, TNF-α and IL-β), oxidative stress (MDA) and antioxidant (SOD, CAT and GSH), kidney function (creatinine), liver function (AST) and pancreatic function (lipase) along with apoptosis markers (Bcl-2, caspase-3) were evaluated. In addition, histopathological indices of heart injury were investigated. In addition, molecular docking (AUTODOCK Tools 1.5.6.) and dynamics were performed. Europinidin (10 and 20 mg/day) reduced blood glucose, HbA1c, hs-CRP, and CPK-MB. It improved serum insulin, blood lipid profile and reduced inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-β), oxidative stress and increased antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GSH). Europinidin also protected renal, hepatic functions and restored apoptosis markers (increased Bcl-2, decreased caspase-3 levels). Histopathological analysis demonstrated a reduced extent of myocardial necrosis and fibrosis. Europinidin binds in silico to proteins 1NME, 1I0E, 3I2Y and 4AQ3 with energies of -7.038, -6.682, -8.6 and − 8.761 kcal/mol, respectively. While molecular dynamics simulation studies supported the interactions of europinidin with important therapeutic target proteins. Europinidin demonstrates significant cardioprotective and anti-diabetic potential in a diabetic MI experimental model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research has indicated that the fear of a health crisis (such as COVID-19) can influence people's shopping behavior. This study adds to previous knowledge by exploring the effect of COVID-19 fear on increasing brand equity via the adoption of contactless shopping. A total of 374 participants were surveyed to examine the moderating effect of four types of perceived consumer-attributed motives (values-driven, egoistic-driven, strategic-driven, and stakeholder-driven motives) on brand equity. The study provides various models to explain how fear can impact the overall consumer perception of the brand. Using fear appeal and attribution theory, this study argues that consumers prefer brands, which offer shopping experiences that can help them eliminate their fear during health crises. Contrary to the literature, our results indicate that strategic-, egoistic-, and stakeholder-driven motives positively moderate the relationship between COVID-19 fear and brand equity through contactless shopping. The results provide insights for companies that have adopted IT-enabled shopping methods to engage with consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the long-run relationship among the environmental footprint (EnF), renewable energy consumption, energy use, industrial growth, and urbanization in Saudi Arabia from 1990 to 2023, employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, alongside Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), and Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR) for robustness checks. Results indicate a significant long-term relationship among the variables, with renewable energy adoption emerging as a crucial factor in reducing carbon emissions. The ARDL bounds test confirms the existence of cointegration, revealing the dynamic interplay among renewable energy, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. The findings show that renewable energy consumption significantly reduces the environmental footprint (CO2 emissions), supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals for economic diversification and sustainable development. However, industrial expansion, while critical for economic growth, still contributes to increased emissions, underscoring the need for further investment in clean technologies. The study also highlights the role of urbanization, which, while essential for development, poses challenges for environmental sustainability. Short-term dynamics, represented by the Error Correction Model, indicate a fast adjustment speed toward equilibrium, with deviations corrected by approximately 52% each period. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers aiming to balance industrial growth with environmental protection, emphasizing the need for strategic investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. This research contributes to the understanding of energy–economy–environment interactions in oil-rich economies, providing a foundation for future studies to explore the impact of advanced technologies and policy interventions on sustainable development [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to record the prevalence and the characteristics of substance abusers from the year 2007 to 2017 and also to find the most prevalent form of substance abuse and association, if any, between the abusers and their demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: Descriptive and retrospective medical record review included patients of substance abuse attending a rehabilitation center in Buraidah from January 2007 to December 2017. A majority of 5,639 patients (63.6%) belonged to the age group of 31–50 years. Twenty-five and thirty-nine percent patients had secondary and higher education, respectively. Notably, more than half of them were unemployed. The commonly abused single drugs were amphetamine (40%), cannabis (11%), and alcohol (7%). High school goers' cases have continuously spiked over the years. Substance abuse over the years from 2007 to 2017 was above 11% in 2007 and 2015. From 2009 to 2014, it was between 8 and 10%. However, the number of cases reported dropped to below 9% from 2016 onward. Amphetamine saw a downfall except peaking in 2010 and 2015. On the other hand, there was no substantial jump in the abuse of alcohol and cannabis over the years, but an increasing use from 2015 onward was visible. There was also a gradual rise over the years in the abuse of polysubstance (more than three drugs). Conclusion: There is a growing trend in the use of polysubstance and the combination of two substances. There is a high incidence of drug abuse in high schoolers and also in patients in the age groups of 10–30 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, we numerically analyze the significance of motile microbes on the magnetohydrodynamic steady convective streams of tangent hyperbolic (TH) nanofluid flow across an elastic nonlinearly stretching surface of an irregular thickness. The consequences of an external magnetic field, thermal radiation, and thermal conductivity are also examined on the TH nanofluid. The governing system of equations (nonlinear set of partial differential equations) is transfigured into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by using the similarity variable conversions. Furthermore, the reduced form of nonlinear ODEs is numerically computed through the parametric continuation method (PCM) using MATLAB software. The relative evaluation is carried out to authenticate the numerical outcomes. It has been observed that the energy field accelerates with the Rayleigh number, Weissenberg number, and Brownian motion. The mass propagation ratio improves with the effect of activation energy and decreases with the influence of chemical reactions. Furthermore, the motile microbes’ profile declined with the outcome of the Peclet and Lewis numbers. The skin friction increases up to 7.3% with various magnetic values ranging from 0.5 to 1.5. However, the energy transfer rate declines to 5.92%. The thermal radiation boosts the energy propagation rate and flow velocity by up to 11.23 and 8.17%, respectively.