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Abstract Long–chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are of interest due to their potential health properties and have a significant role in reducing the risk of various chronic diseases in humans. It is commonly used as a supplement. However, lipid oxidation is an important negative factor caused by environmental, processing, and limited water solubility of LCPUFA, making them difficult to incorporate into food products. The objective of this research work was to prevent oxidation, extend shelf life, enhance the stability of fatty acids, and to achieve controlled release by preparing spray-dried powder (SDM). For spray-drying, aqueous emulsion blends were formulated using a 1:1 ratio of chia seed oil (CSO) and fish oil (FO) and using a laboratory-scale spray–dryer with varying conditions: inlet air temperature (IAT, 125–185 °C), wall material (WM, 5–25%), pump speed (PS, 3–7 mL/min), and needle speed (NS, 3–11 s). The maximum alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content was 33 ± 1%. The highest values of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the microcapsules were 8.4 ± 0.4 and 13 ± 1%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared and X-Ray diffraction analysis results indicated that SDM was successfully formulated with Gum Arabic and maltodextrin (MD). The blending without encapsulation of CSO and FO was digested more efficiently and resulted in more oil being released with simulated gastric fluid (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), and SGF + SIF conditions without heating. No significant changes were observed for saturated, monounsaturated, and LCPUFA, whether exposed or not to gastrointestinal conditions. However, compared to the release of SDM, it can be useful for designing delivery systems for the controlled release of essential fatty acids.

The objective of this research is to address the issue of frozen orbits in charged satellites by incorporating geopotential zonal harmonics up to J6 and the initial tesseral harmonics. The employed model starts from the first normalized Hamiltonian to calculate specific sets of long-term frozen orbits for charged satellites. To explore the frozen orbits acquired, a MATHEMATICA CODE is developed. The investigation encompasses extensive variations in orbit altitudes by employing the orbital inclination and argument of periapsis as freezing parameters. The determined ranges ensuring frozen orbits are derived from the generated figures. Three-dimensional presentations illustrating the freezing inclination in relation to eccentricity, argument of periapsis, and semi-major axis parameters are presented. Additional three-dimensional representations of the phase space for the eccentricity vector and its projection onto the nonsingular plane are examined. In all investigated scenarios, the impacts of electromagnetic (EM) field perturbations on the freezing parameters of a charged satellite are demonstrated.

Abstract Although, different plant species were utilized for the fabrication of polymorphic, hexagonal, spherical, and nanoflower ZnO NPs with various diameters, few studies succeeded in synthesizing small diameter ZnO nanorods from plant extract at ambient temperature. This work sought to pioneer the ZnO NPs fabrication from the aqueous extract of a Mediterranean salt marsh plant species Limoniastrum monopetalum (L.) Boiss. and assess the role of temperature in the fabrication process. Various techniques have been used to evaluate the quality and physicochemical characteristics of ZnO NPs. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–VIS) was used as the primary test for formation confirmation. TEM analysis confirmed the formation of two different shapes of ZnO NPs, nano-rods and near hexagonal NPs at varying reaction temperatures. The nano-rods were about 25.3 and 297.9 nm in diameter and in length, respectively while hexagonal NPs were about 29.3 nm. The UV–VIS absorption spectra of the two forms of ZnO NPs produced were 370 and 365 nm for nano-rods and hexagonal NPs, respectively. FT-IR analysis showed Zn–O stretching at 642 cm−1 and XRD confirmed the crystalline structure of the produced ZnO NPs. Thermogravimetric analysis; TGA was also used to confirm the thermal stability of ZnO NPs. The anti-tumor activities of the two prepared ZnO NPs forms were investigated by the MTT assay, which revealed an effective dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on A-431 cell lines. Both forms displayed considerable antioxidant potential, particularly the rod-shaped ZnO NPs, with an IC50 of 148.43 µg mL−1. The rod-shaped ZnO NPs were superior candidates for destroying skin cancer, with IC50 of 93.88 ± 1 µg mL−1 ZnO NPs. Thus, rod-shaped ZnO NPs are promising, highly biocompatible candidate for biological and biomedical applications. Furthermore, both shapes of phyto-synthesized NPs demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. The outcomes highlight the potential of phyto-synthesized ZnO NPs as an eco-friendly alternative for water and wastewater disinfection.

Barsha Shrestha,1 Sheetal Maria Rajan,1 Sultan Aati,1,2 Emielda Yusiharni,3 Omar Kujan,1 Martin Saunders,4 Amr Fawzy1 1UWA Dental School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; 2Dental Health Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3UWA XRD Facility, Material & Environmental Analysis Platform, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; 4Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, AustraliaCorrespondence: Amr Fawzy, UWA Dental School, The University of Western Australia, 17 Monash Avenue, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia, Tel +61894572434, Email amr.fawzy@uwa.edu.auBackground: Remineralization of dental enamel is an important intervention strategy for the treatment of demineralized lesions. Existing approaches have limitations such as failure to adequately reproduce both the ideal structural and mechanical properties of the native tooth. The ability of ultrasound to control and accelerate the crystallization processes has been widely reported. Therefore, a new approach was explored for in-vitro enamel remineralization involving the synergistic effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) coupled with calcium phosphate ion clusters (CPICs).Methods: The demineralized enamel was treated with CPICs, with or without subsequent HIFU exposure for different periods (2.5, 5, and 10 min). The specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman spectroscopy. The surface hardness and crystallographic properties of the treated specimens were evaluated using Vickers microhardness testing and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively.Results: SEM revealed distinct, organized, and well-defined prismatic structures, showing clear evidence of remineralization in the combined CPIC/HIFU treatment groups. AFM further revealed a decrease in the surface roughness values with increasing HIFU exposure time up to 5 min, reflecting the obliteration of interprismatic spaces created during demineralization. The characteristic Raman band at 960 cm− 1 associated with the inorganic phase of enamel dominated well in the HIFU-treated specimens. Importantly, microhardness testing further demonstrated that new mineral growth also recovered the mechanical properties of the enamel in the HIFU-exposed groups. Critical to our aspirations for developing this into a clinical process, these results were achieved in only 5 min.Conclusion: HIFU exposure can synergise and significantly accelerate in-vitro enamel remineralization process via calcium phosphate ion clusters. Therefore, this synergistic approach has the potential for use in future clinical interventions. Keywords: enamel remineralization, high intensity focused ultrasound, calcium phosphate ion cluster

Abstract Herein, a novel, green, and sustainable MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO composite has been fabricated for the removal of notorious o-nitrophenols (o-NPs) from wastewater. Atriplex halimus L. (saltbush) served a dual function where the plant extract was used for the synthesis of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) NPs, while the spent biomass-derived biochar was utilized as feedstock to produce green graphene oxide (GO). Ultimately, the MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO composite was in situ fabricated by mixing MoO3 and AmGO with ZIF-67 during its preparation by the self-templating approach. Remarkably, the adsorption of o-NP onto MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO attained equilibrium in just less than 10 min. The kinetics and isotherms analyses verified that the o-NP adsorption onto MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO adhered to the Pseudo-2nd-order and Freundlich models, with a consistent qmax value of 500 mg/g. A conceivable adsorption mechanism was investigated in detail. Moreover, the ionic strength test implied the impact of the salting-out phenomenon in boosting o-NP adsorption. The eco-friendly MoO3/ZIF-67/AmGO proves to be a sustainable adsorbent, displaying excellent recyclability in consistently removing o-NP across multiple cycles.

Abstract Background Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma “HCC”) remains a significant health issue without prompt detection and appropriate prevention. By interacting with each other, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) can form gene regulatory networks. Specifically, we aim to determine whether the lncRNAs (HOTTIP, H19, and HOTAIR) and miRNA-152 interact in a significant manner in the progression of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients to HCC. This is followed by the question of whether these biomarkers can be used to diagnose and prognose noninvasively. We used online computational techniques to predict which miRNA group is likely to affect the lncRNAs being examined. This study involved 133 participants. 103 patients with HCV were included in the study, which was divided into two groups: Group I, with 65 cases of chronic liver disease without HCC, and Group II, with 38 cases of chronic liver disease with HCC. In addition, 30 healthy volunteers served as controls. In this study, a qRT-PCR was used to test gene expression. Results A consistent reverse correlation has been observed between lncRNAs and miRNA-152 as the disease progresses. Conclusion According to our findings, the studied biomarkers may be useful as noninvasive biomarkers for prognosis in patients with HCV Genotype 4 who develop liver cirrhosis and HCC. Many miRNAs, including miRNA-19a and miRNA-106a, may interact with lncRNAs that have been investigated in addition to miRNA-152.

Abstract Background Globally, MAFLD becomes in the top list of causes of liver disease. Its effect ranges from steatosis, metabolic steato-hepatitis to MAFLD-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is a growing evidence that MAFLD-related HCC seems to be different from HCCs of other causes pathologically, so the purpose of our study was to assess the effect of MAFLD on the prognosis of HCC regarding outcome after management of HCC and survival rate in comparison to a group of patients with HCV-related HCC. Results Twenty-nine patients with MAFLD related HCC were included in group A, while 58 patients with HCV related HCC were enrolled as group B. Both groups were matched regarding age and gender. The mean age in group A and B was 58.86 (±8.47) years and 60/05(± 6.83) years respectively. Comparison between both groups regarding tumor burden and characteristics of HCC, type of management, and post intervention follow-up showed no significant statistical difference between both groups except for lymph node metastases which was higher in patients with HCV related HCC with p = 0.045. Also, a significant difference between both studied groups regarding AFP was detected; the median of AFP in MAFLD-related HCC was (7.2 ng/ml) but much higher in HCV-related HCC group (129.2 ng/ml) with p = 0.001. Conclusion Our data showed no significant difference between the two studied groups regarding outcome of HCC or survival rate except for AFP level before and after management which was higher in HCV patients related HCC. Although both of inclusion and exclusion criteria were strict to the criteria, so the number of participants in the research were not large enough; to our knowledge, this is the first study on MAFLD-HCC in Egypt and Africa. More studies on prospective bases are essentially needed to stand on solid conclusion about the nature and outcome of MAFLD-related HCC.

Students of Applied Arts study courses of scientific & educational photography that concentrate on designing multimedia software and how to use it in education. Also, students of education technology study educational multimedia course. Educational multimedia has great potentials to ease students’ comprehension and keep them active, as it stimulates their senses of hearing and seeing and make them interact with the subject containing multimedia. Multimedia includes texts, graphics, maps, infographics, teacher’s sound illustration, music and sound effects that provide suitable atmosphere for understanding topics of the study. The researcher suggests that the best way to convince students of education technology with the effectiveness of multimedia, is to teach them this technology by using multimedia software produced by them. Through using educational multimedia software, student teachers will discover by themselves the value of the course they study, and will be fully trusted in something they learn to deliver in the market. The software included theoretical information as well as skills that students should acquire to produce instructional software. 3rd year students at department of education technology, who study instructional multimedia course were the sample of the study and were divided into control and experimental groups. After applying the pretest, training was applied on the experimental group and the posttest was conducted on the two groups to examine the skills acquired through the practical test to measure the skills of operating various multimedia software to be merged in one software. The posttest also examined the degree of proficiency and mastering skills of operating the program and the accomplishment speed of in the specific time of the posttest. Through statistical analysis of posttest results, the practical experiment approved that the software is effective in increasing students’ achievement of theoretical information and concepts as well as practical performance. The marks of experimental group increased by 500%.

The objective of the current work is to establish the conventional mechanisms of grain refining, and the effect of the refiner-modifier interaction in Al-based alloys on the resultant grain refining obtained. The different castings were carried out in preheated metallic molds with solidification rates of around 0.15 °C/s and 7 °C/s. As the nucleation sites (Al3Ti) change in composition depending on the percentage of Si in the alloy, the term “poisoning” frequently used to explain the loss or weakening of the power of the refiner, is misused. Addition of L12 metals e.g., Zr and Sc would contribute to constitutional undercooling, restricting the coarsening of α-Al grains as well as act as suitable sites for heterogeneous nucleation. The use of transition or ultra pure (99.99) metals would increase the degree of undercooling as well as nucleation of new grains due to precipitation of the second phase leading to the formation of a heterogeneous grain distribution. Thus, grain refining of binary alloys - partially or fully, may not be produced only through constitutional undercooling. It is suggested that, the use of 0.18%Sc has more-or-less the same grain refining efficiency of 0.15%Ti added in the form of Al–Ti–B master alloy i.e., reduction in the grain size by about 85% and an increase in the alloy strength by about 30%. For a given solidification rate, there is a grain refining threshold beyond which no further refining can be achieved. Apparently grain refining mechanisms are independent of solidification rate, only the extent of refining.

Abstract This study developed an integrated wastewater treatment system that combines an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB), downflow hanging non-woven fabric (DHNW), and anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) to explore the effect of treatment stages on the diversity of microeukaryotic communities. This study aimed to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the influence of integrated system stages on microeukaryotic community diversity. Through 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we identified unique microeukaryotic communities across different stages, with the aerobic phase hosting 35.77% of unique amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and non-multidimensional scale analysis (nMDS) demonstrated the significant influence of wastewater treatment on both environmental factors and the microeukaryotic communities. Ciliophora was notably abundant in the effluent (42.09%) and sludge (17.11%). The aerobic stage was dominated by Ochrophyta, a diverse group of algae instrumental in nutrient removal, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, through biological processes. A redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed a positive correlation between chemical and biochemical oxygen demand and Cryptomycotina, highlighting its potential as a bioindicator for treatment efficacy. The detection of protozoan species, such as Acanthamoeba castellanii and Vermamoeba vermiformis, in the outlet stage poses health risks, whereas Cryptosporidium sp. was found in both the inlet and aerobic stages but not in the outlet. Our study reveals the complex nature of microeukaryotic diversity in the wastewater treatment system and its implications for treatment performance and public health.

Abstract In consideration of the chromones' therapeutic potential and anticancer activity, a new series of chromanone derivatives have been synthesized through a straightforward reaction between 6-formyl-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methylchromone (2) and various organic active compounds. The cytotoxic activity of the newly synthesized congeners was investigated against MCF-7 (human breast cancer), HCT-116 (colon cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer), and normal skin fibroblast cells (BJ1). The obtained data indicated that compounds 14b, 17, and 19 induce cytotoxic activity in the breast MCF7, while compounds 6a, 6b, 11 and 14c showed highly potent activity in the colon cancer cell lines. Overall, the results demonstrate that the potential cytotoxic effects of the studied compounds may be based on their ability to induce DNA fragmentation in cancer cell lines, down-regulate the expression level of CDK4 as well as the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and up-regulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic genes P53 and Bax. Furthermore, compounds 14b and 14c showed a dual mechanism of action by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The docking studies showed that the binding affinity of the most active cytotoxic compounds within the active pocket of the CDK4 enzyme is stronger due to hydrophobic and H-bonding interactions. These results were found to be consistent with the experimental results.

Abstract Background Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is an alternative method for patients with reversible causes of cardiac arrest (CA) after conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR). However, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) duration during ECPR can vary due to multiple factors. Healthcare providers need to understand these factors to optimize the resuscitation process and improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the different variables impacting the duration of CPR in patients undergoing ECPR. Methods This retrospective, single-center, observational study was conducted on adult patients who underwent ECPR due to in-hospital CA (IHCA) or out-of-hospital CA (OHCA) at Hamad General Hospital (HGH), the tertiary governmental hospital of Qatar, between February 2016 and March 2020. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors associated with CPR duration, including demographic and clinical variables, as well as laboratory tests. Results The mean ± standard division age of the 48 participants who underwent ECPR was 41.50 ± 13.15 years, and 75% being male. OHCA and IHCA were reported in 77.1% and 22.9% of the cases, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that several factors were significantly associated with an increased CPR duration: higher age (OR: 1.981, 95%CI: 1.021–3.364, P = 0.025), SOFA score (OR: 3.389, 95%CI: 1.289–4.911, P = 0.013), presence of comorbidities (OR: 3.715, 95%CI: 1.907–5.219, P = 0.026), OHCA (OR: 3.715, 95%CI: 1.907–5.219, P = 0.026), and prolonged collapse-to-CPR time (OR: 1.446, 95%CI:1.092–3.014, P = 0.001). Additionally, the study found that the initial shockable rhythm was inversely associated with the duration of CPR (OR: 0.271, 95%CI: 0.161–0.922, P = 0.045). However, no significant associations were found between laboratory tests and CPR duration. Conclusion These findings suggest that age, SOFA score, comorbidities, OHCA, collapse-to-CPR time, and initial shockable rhythm are important factors influencing the duration of CPR in patients undergoing ECPR. Understanding these factors can help healthcare providers better predict and manage CPR duration, potentially improving patient outcomes. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore additional factors that may impact CPR duration in this population.

Abstract Background Bilateral suprarenal neuroblastoma (BSN) is a rare presentation. Few previously published literature showed BSN patients to have favorable pattern and prognosis. This study aim was to evaluate clinical and biological features in relation to outcome of Egyptian patients with BSN. Methods Included patients were diagnosed from 2007 to 2017, retrospectively. Tissue biopsy, imaging and bone marrow were evaluated at presentation. Clinical, demographic, biological variables and risk group were determined and analyzed in relation to overall (OS) and event-free-survival (EFS). Results BSN patients (n = 33) represented 2% of hospital patients with neuroblastoma during the 10-year study period, 17 were males and 16 were females. Twenty-four patients (72.7%) were infants, and 9 patients (27.3%) were above 1 year of age (range: 1 month to 3 years). Metachronous disease was present in only one patient. Amplified MYCN was found in 10 patients. Initially, most patients (n = 25) had distant metastasis, 6 had stage 3 versus 2 stage 2. Fifteen were high risk (HR), 15 intermediate (IR), 1 low risk (LR) and 2 were undetermined due to inadequate tissue biopsy. Three-year OS for HR and IR patients were 40.5% and 83.9% versus 23.2% and 56.6% EFS; respectively. Conclusion BSN treatment is similar to unilateral disease. A more conservative surgical approach with adrenal tissue preservation on less extensive side should be considered. Biological variables and extent of disease are amongst the most important prognostic determinants. Future studies are warranted to further address the biologic profiling of BSN and highlight prognostic significance of size difference between both adrenal sides.

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), the most prevalent form of inherited hypophosphatemic rickets, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homolog, X-linked (PHEX). This case series presents 14 cases of XLH from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The patients’ medical history, biochemical and radiological investigative findings, as well as treatment responses and side effects from both conventional and burosumab therapy, are described. Cases were aged 2–40 years at diagnosis. There were two male cases and 12 female cases. All cases were treated with conventional therapy which resulted in a lack of improvement in or worsening of the clinical signs and symptoms of rickets or biochemical parameters. Side effects of conventional therapy included nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nephrocalcinosis, and hyperparathyroidism, which affected the patients’ quality of life and adherence to treatment. In the 10 patients treated with burosumab, there was a marked improvement in the biochemical markers of rickets, with a mean increase in serum phosphate of +0.56 mmol/L and tubular maximum phosphate reabsorption (TmP) to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ratio (TmP/GFR) of +0.39 mmol/L at 12 months compared to baseline. Furthermore, a mean decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of −80.80 IU/L and parathyroid hormone (PTH) of −63.61 pmol/L at 12 months compared to baseline was observed in these patients. Additionally, patients treated with burosumab reported reduced pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue as well as the ability to lead more physically active lives with no significant side effects of treatment.

Abstract Background Lysophospholipid acyltransferase (LPCAT) is crucial for surfactant biosynthesis. It is encoded by LPCAT genes. We investigated the LPCAT1-rs9728 genotypes in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) cases and their possible association with the cord arterial serum interleukin-10 (IL-10), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Methods The study included 160 neonates grouped into G1: 60 healthy neonates and G2: 100 NRDS cases. IL-10, MIF, and VEGF levels were measured by their corresponding kits. The Gene JETTM Whole Blood Genomic DNA Purification Mini Kit was used to extract the DNA from the newborn venous blood. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was carried out for LPCAT1-rs9728 genotyping. Results The IL-10 and MIF levels were significantly higher, while VEGF levels were significantly lower in G2 than in G1. The percentages of LPCAT1-rs9728 AA and LPCAT1-rs9728 AG genotypes were significantly higher in G2 than in G1. The IL-10 and MIF levels were significantly higher, while the VEGF levels, birth weight, and APGAR score at 1 and 5 min were significantly lower in neonates with LPCAT1-rs9728 AA genotype than in neonates with LPCAT1-rs9728 AG and LPCAT1-rs9728 GG genotypes and in neonates with LPCAT1-rs9728 AG genotype than in neonates with LPCAT1-rs9728 GG genotype. Conclusion There is an association between the LPCAT1-rs9728 AA genotype and its A allele and the NRDS development and severity. Further research may provide a better understanding of this association to help future management.

The artistic methods of decoration and color processing on metal surfaces are one of the methods inherited in the field of metal works from the age to the present, which is witnessing many technological developments. This development creates a range of digital methods and technologies that show the ingenuity and ease of expressive and technical performance to develop contemporary metal works. With the change in digital printing arts, thermal transport technology on metal surfaces has been able to offer us modern and expressive industrial works as a unique technique in the nature of the ores and tools used This technique has been used in the work of armor, copper dishes. and aluminum dishes and medals as a kind of souvenir that makes the artist design and creates many distinctive ideas and designs that compete with the labor market and produce small and micro projects, Thermal transport on metal surfaces is characterized by accuracy and high quality. This process is done in a few minutes where time and heat are controlled according to the product you want to produce The tendency to use computers in digital thermal transport systems has increased which increases the degree of color control and thus the high efficiency of printing and increase the clarity and consistency of colors, Thermal transport is a type of digital printing that translates the digital system and a transfer to the printing system that plays a cycle in the transfer of printing to the ores on which it will be printed It is a machine engineered to design or draw on flat ores while applying heat and pressure for a predetermined period. Although heat presses are often used to apply designs to fabrics, they can also be used to transport designs on flat surfaces such as paintings, wood, metal ores (copper and aluminum. and others) with processing the surface of the material to be printed on. This method is known as metal printing or sublimation on aluminum it is a new and sophisticated method of modern forming methods, sublimation is the transition process of the

Introduction: Biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO), including untreated amendments are often used to improve soil fertility and are particularly important in organic agriculture. However, application of untreated manure on cropland can potentially introduce foodborne pathogens into the soil and onto produce. Certified organic farms follow the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards that stipulate a 90- or 120-day interval between application of untreated manure and crop harvest, depending on whether the edible portion of the crop directly contacts the soil. This time-interval metric is based on environmental factors and does not consider a multitude of factors that might affect the survival of the main pathogens of concern. The objective of this study was to assess predictors for the prevalence of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (non-O157 STEC) in soils amended with untreated manure on USDA-NOP certified farms. Methods: A longitudinal, multi-regional study was conducted on 19 farms in four USA regions for two growing seasons (2017–2018). Untreated manure (cattle, horse, and poultry), soil, and irrigation water samples were collected and enrichment cultured for non-O157 STEC. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyze the predictors of non-O157 STEC in the soil up to 180 days post-manure application. Results and discussion: Results show that farm management practices (previous use with livestock, presence of animal feces on the field, season of manure application) and soil characteristics (presence of generic E. coli in the soil, soil moisture, sodium) increased the odds of STEC-positive soil samples. Manure application method and snowfall decreased the odds of detecting STEC in the soil. Time-variant predictors (year and sampling day) affected the presence of STEC. This study shows that a single metric, such as the time interval between application of untreated manure and crop harvest, may not be sufficient to reduce the food safety risks from untreated manure, and additional environmental and farm-management practices should also be considered. These findings are of particular importance because they provide multi-regional baseline data relating to current NOP wait-time standards. They can therefore contribute to the development of strategies to reduce pathogen persistence that may contribute to contamination of fresh produce typically eaten raw from NOP-certified farms using untreated manure.

Abstract Aim To evaluate the impact of the COVID‐19 lockdown on sleep patterns and quality among nursing students in our college. Design A cross‐sectional study was carried out. Methods A total of 302 nursing students aged 18–25 years, representing both genders and various academic levels, participated in this study. A pre‐validated, self‐administered questionnaire was used to assess sleep quality during COVID‐19 and it was distributed through various social media platforms for data collection. Results Female students comprised the majority (92.1%) of participants. Of 332 nursing students, 302 completed the questionnaire, yielding a 91% response rate. Statistically significant differences were observed before and during the COVID‐19 lockdown regarding the need to sleep after waking, feeling refreshed upon waking, satisfaction with individual sleep patterns and experiencing restless and troubled sleep (p = 0.001). Additionally, approximately one‐third of nursing students (32.9%) reported poor sleep quality during the COVID‐19 pandemic, with minimal impact on the total sleep hours among the studied cohorts. Public Contribution The COVID‐19 pandemic has statistically significant impacted nursing students' sleep quality and levels. Acknowledging these challenges and planning for providing supporting measurements is essential to ensuring that nursing students can maintain their physical and mental health, which is critical for their ability to provide quality healthcare.

Since the human population realized how important it was to maintain overall health and the weight of disease, they have been looking for therapeutic qualities in natural environments. The use of plants having medicinal qualities for the treatment and prevention of illnesses that may have an impact on general health is known as herbal medicine. There has been a noticeable increase in interest lately in the combination of synthetic contemporary medications and traditional herbal remedies. About 80 % of people rely on it for healthcare, particularly in developing nations. One important aspect of overall health is said to be oral healthcare. The World Health Organization views oral health as a crucial component of overall health and well-being. Because they are more readily available, less expensive, and have fewer adverse effects than pharmaceutical treatments, using natural medicines to treat pathologic oro-dental disorders can make sense. The current evaluation of the literature sought to investigate the range and scope of the use of herbal products and their secondary metabolites in maintaining oral health, encompassing several oral healthcare domains such as halitosis, gingivitis, periodontitis, and other oral disorders. Therefore, there are many herbs discussed in this work and their mechanism in the treatment and improvement of many oral ailments. Besides, compounds that are useful in oral treatment with their natural sources and the cases where they can be used. To prevent any possible side effects or drug interactions, a doctor's consultation is necessary before using dental medicine. Although herbal therapy is safe and with minimum side effects, it is also strongly advised to do a more thorough preclinical and clinical evaluation before using herbal medicines officially.

Article accepted. The article will be published here soon. Pending final quality checks.

Monkeypox, now named mpox, has emerged as a significant public threat, as evidenced by the 2022 outbreak affecting over seventy countries globally. This infectious disease presents debilitating symptoms, including painful skin rashes, mucosal lesions, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. The situation intensifies with concerns about a novel transmission route, specifically through sexual contact, and the evolution of more transmissible strains. Complicating matters further is the documented spillback of mpox from humans to animals, raising the potential for new animal reservoirs. This study utilized a systematic approach to gather, analyse, and interpret data regarding global mpox outbreaks, phylogenomics, human APOBEC3 enzyme activity, antiviral resistance issues, and the application of the One Health intervention. Emphasizing a One Health approach covers various aspects, including zoonotic origins, pathogenesis, changing epidemiological landscapes, phylogenomic diversity, and clade dynamics. The review underscores the crucial role of global collaboration in understanding and combatting mpox and making it a valuable resource for shaping effective prevention and control measures on a global scale.

Background: Self-medication among university students is becoming a health concern, especially during examinations and stress. This pattern of medication use among students could lead to adverse health consequences if it is not addressed and tackled. Thus, this study investigated the most associated factors with this practice among students. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in Northern Borders Province, Saudi Arabia. A total of 220 students were selected and took part in the survey. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The survey was distributed among participants to answer five sections: demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health status problems, satisfaction with academic performance, and self-medication questions. The content validity was tested using a pilot sample of 30 students. The descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Science program. Results: In the present sample of university students, the response rate was 100%. Approximately one-third reported using medications without prescriptions, and 83% of them have used medications three times at most during the past 12 months. Headache was the most common reason for use (59%), followed by fever (20%). Adjusted multivariate analysis showed that students who were 21–24 years of age (OR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.21–11.82), female (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.03–5.72), and living alone in private housing (OR = 3.62, 95% CI = 1.32–9.90) were at high risk of self-medication as compared to their counterparts. However, students in the last years of college (fourth (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03–0.62), fifth (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.05–0.95), sixth (OR = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.01–0.35)) were at lower risk as compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: The study found that self-medication was common among university students, with higher rates among those who were 21–24 years old, female, and living alone in private housing, but lower rates among students in the later years of college. Educational programs and awareness campaigns should target students who are at higher risk of practicing self-medication to avoid misuse of over-the-counter medications.

Background: The clinical presentations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exhibit significant variation, ranging from asymptomatic cases to mortality resulting from severe pneumonia. Host genetics can partially explain this variation. Objective: This study evaluated possible associations between severity and outcome of COVID-19 and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2285666 in the ACE2 gene and SNP rs2070788 in the TMPRSS2 gene. Methods: The study included a sample of 100 consecutive adult patients admitted to the COVID-19 Isolation and Intensive Care Units of the Zagazig University Hospitals, Zagazig, Egypt from July 2021 to November 2021. For rs2285666, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was carried out. For rs2070788, real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed. Results: For rs2285666, the GA genotype was the most frequent among female patients (39% [16/41]) and the A genotype was more prevalent among male patients (54.2% [32/59]). For rs2070788, the AA genotype was the most frequent among all patients (46% [46/100]). No rs2285666 or rs2070788 genotypes or allele frequencies had significant associations with either severity or outcomes of patients. Conclusion: This study found no significant associations of COVID-19 severity or outcomes of patients with genotypes or allele frequencies of the rs2285666 SNP in the ACE2 gene or the rs2070788 SNP of the TMPRSS2 gene. The search for other genetic associations with COVID-19 infection is still required. What this study adds: The study reveals that host genetics explain the variation observed in the disease. Specific genetic variants can confer either increased susceptibility or resistance to the disease.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic affected global access to health services, including contraception We sought to explore effects of the pandemic on family planning (FP) service provision and use in South Africa and Zambia, including on implant and intrauterine device (IUD) users’ desire and ability to obtain removal. Methods Between August 2020 and April 2021, we conducted surveys with 537 women participating in an ongoing longitudinal contraceptive continuation study. We also carried out in-depth interviews with 39 of the survey participants and 36 key informants involved in FP provision. We conducted descriptive analysis of survey responses and thematic analysis of interviews. Results Contraceptive use changed minimally in this sample with the emergence of COVID-19. Fewer than half of women (n=220) reported that they tried to access FP since the start of the pandemic. The vast majority of those seeking services were using short-acting methods and 95% were able to obtain their preferred method. The proportion of women not using a method before and after the start of the pandemic did not change in Zambia (31%), and increased from 8% to 10% in South Africa. Less than 7% of implant or IUD users in either country reported wanting removal. Among the 22 who sought removal, 10 in Zambia and 6 in South Africa successfully obtained removal. In qualitative interviews, those reporting challenges to service access specifically mentioned long queues, deprioritization of contraceptive services, lack of transportation, stock-outs, and fear of contracting COVID-19 at a facility. Key informants reported stock-outs, especially of injectables, and staff shortages as barriers. Conclusions We did not find a substantial impact of COVID-19 on contraceptive access and use among this sample; however, providers and others involved in service provision identified risks to continuity of care. As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, it continues to be important to monitor people’s ability to access their preferred contraceptive methods.

Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an uncommon thyroid cancer with limited treatment options for advanced disease. A small subset exhibits mixed MTC histology with both medullary and well-differentiated components. We investigated survival outcomes with systemic therapy in isolated versus mixed MTC using a large population-based cohort. Methods: Patients diagnosed with MTC from 2000 to 2019 were identified in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The overall and thyroid cancer-specific survivals were compared between isolated (n = 1814) and mixed (n = 113) MTC cohorts. The impact of postoperative systemic therapy on survival was analyzed. Results: No significant difference in 10-year overall survival was observed between isolated (77.4 %) and mixed (75.2 %) MTC in a cohort of 1927 patients. Median overall survival was similar between isolated (136.9 months) and mixed MTC (129.0 months), p = 0.81. While systemic therapy improved 10-year survival in isolated MTC (83.2 % vs. 76.9 %, p

With the emergence of COVID 19 disaster, dependence on technological and electronic learning is increasing. National Education technology standard has a great impact on improving students' skills. One of these skills is problem solving which is very crucial to nurse student to be prepared to be professional nurse. This study sought to assess application of national education technology standards as perceived by nursing students and its relation to their problem solving skill during COVID 19 disaster. The study adopted a descriptive correlational design using a convenience sample (N = 218) of all fourth nursing students who accept to participate in the study at Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University. The instruments used to gather the data were developed questionnaire by researchers to assess application of national education technology standards, and problem solving skill questionnaire. The results show that the majority of nursing students have high level of perception regarding application of these standards. Moreover, the high percentage of nursing students had high level problem solving skill, and there was a positive moderate correlation between total score national education technology standards, and total score problem solving skill. Based on the findings, it is very important to ensure application of national education technology standards for teaching staff and administrative system. Moreover, Periodic updates and training on the new changes in education technology for both nursing students and teaching staff.