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Abstract Introduction Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is an HIV-associated cancer that is preventable and precancerous stages including early ICC stages could be detected through screening offering opportunities for treatment and cure. The high incidence in women living with HIV and late presentation often at advanced stages of ICC with limited treatment facilities often result in early mortality. We sought to compare the epidemiologic characteristics and survival differences in HIV status of ICC patients in Nigeria. Methods We conducted a cohort study at two federal academic hospital-based research sites in Jos University Teaching Hospital, and Lagos University Teaching Hospital Nigeria, between March 2018 and September 2022. We enrolled women with histologically confirmed ICC with known HIV status, and FIGO staging as part of the United States of America’s National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute funded project titled ‘Epigenomic Biomarkers of HIV-Associated Cancers in Nigeria’. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality with assessment of overall survival (OS) and time to death after ICC diagnosis. OS distribution was estimated using the method of Kaplan–Meier and compared between groups using the log-rank test. Results A total of 239 women with confirmed ICC were enrolled and included in this analysis, of whom 192 (80.3%) were HIV-negative (HIV−/ICC +), and 47 (19.7%) were HIV-positive (HIV +/ICC +). The HIV +/ICC + patients were younger with median age 46 (IQR: 40–51) years compared to 57 (IQR: 45–66) among HIV−/ICC + (P

Abstract Background Postpartum depression is a frequent mental health issue that affects many women due to this stressful phase. The aim of the study is to gain insight into the coping strategies employed by postpartum women and to explore how these strategies are influenced by various demographic and maternity factors. Methods The study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 239 postpartum women receiving care at a Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic using self-reported tools, which include the Brief COPE survey and the socio-demographics and obstetric/maternal history form from October 2022 to April 2023. Results The study findings indicate that individuals aged over 40 tend to use more emotional-focused coping compared to those aged 21–30 (p = 0.002) and 31–40. Additionally, both genders of children were associated with more emotional-focused coping (p = 0.007) compared to only having boys. Cesarean section delivery (p = 0.001) was associated with more avoidant-focused coping than normal vaginal delivery. Avoidant-focused coping was significantly predicted by problem-focused coping (p

This research aims to reveal the alignment of the BBC news portal in the conflict that occurred at the 2022 World Cup. From October to the end of November 2022, the BBC will carry headlines about the Qatar-LGBTQ community-FIFA triangular conflict. This BBC news is interesting to examine critically through the lens of Ruth Wodak (2001), namely historical and discursive strategies. This study uses the Wodak paradigm to criticize the BBC news text about the conflict to reveal the media's ideology and partiality in this case. Wodak always involves historical aspects of discourse content because news texts never stand alone but are related to events in the past. The discursive aspect becomes a tool to frame how news is presented using language as a social practice. The research results state that the BBC is a pro-LGBTQ community. This inclination can be seen from the BBC's language presentation, word choice, and the language structure used by the BBC in presenting news. The BBC is also very skilled at inserting rejection of Qatar's principles through human rights presentations.

Background: Scabies is an infectious skin condition that occurs due to an infestation of the small parasitic mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. It causes symptoms of itching, which usually worsen during the night and can interfere with sleep. Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine how the incidence of scabies relates to the sleep quality of students at Al Anshor Islamic Boarding School in 2022. Methods: In this study, a quantitative approach was used with a cross-sectional research design. Primary data was collected through the diagnosis of scabies and the use of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire to measure sleep quality. Bivariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test for data analysis. The research sample was obtained through the stratified random sampling method. Results: According to the findings, out of 42 participants, 26 students (61.9%) had scabies, with 11 males and 15 females affected. Most of the scabies cases were found in 17-year-old students. The study also found that all scabies sufferers had poor quality sleep. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between the incidence of scabies and sleep quality, with a p-value of 0.000 and a 95% confidence interval. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study suggests that there is a link between the occurrence of scabies and sleep quality. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness about personal hygiene practices to reduce the spread of scabies.

Abstract In this study, a versatile model, called $$\alpha$$ α -monotone inverse Weibull distribution ( $$\alpha$$ α IW), for lifetime of a component under stress is introduced by using the $$\alpha$$ α -monotone concept. The $$\alpha$$ α IW distribution is also expressed as a scale-mixture between the inverse Weibull distribution and uniform distribution on (0, 1). The $$\alpha$$ α IW distribution includes $$\alpha$$ α -monotone inverse exponential and $$\alpha$$ α -monotone inverse Rayleigh distributions as submodels and converenges to the inverse Weibull, inverse exponential, and inverse Rayleigh distributions as limiting cases. Also, slash Weibull, slash Rayleigh, and slash exponential distribuitons can be obtained under certain variable transformation and parameter settings. The $$\alpha$$ α IW distribution is characterized by its hazard rate function and characterizing conditions are provided as well. Maximum likelihood, maximum product of spacing, and least squares methods are used to estimate distribution parameters. A Monte-Carlo simulation study is conducted to compare the efficiencies of the considered estimation methods. In the application part, two practical data sets, Kevlar 49/epoxy and Kevlar 373/epoxy, are modeled via the $$\alpha$$ α IW distribution. Modeling performance of the $$\alpha$$ α IW distribution is compared with its rivals by means of some well-known goodness-of-fit statistics and results show that $$\alpha$$ α IW distribution performs better modeling than them. Results of comparison also indicate that obtaining the $$\alpha$$ α IW distribution by using the $$\alpha$$ α -monotone concept is cost effective since the new shape parameter added to the distribution by using the $$\alpha$$ α -monotone concept significantly increases the modeling capability of the IW distribution. As a result of this study, it is shown that the $$\alpha$$ α IW distribution can be an alternative to the well-known and recently-introduced distributions for modeling purposes.

Background: Thorax CT scan is one of the medical supports that contributes most importantly to the diagnosis, especially cases of COVID-19. The disadvantage that has a CT scan image is noise. When the noise is high then the Signal Noise Ratio (SNR) value produced is low. Canny operator edge detection technique is one solution to animate noise. Purpose: Analyzing differences in image quality and anatomical information on thorax CT scan images in COVID-19 patients before and after the application of canny operator edge detection techniques. Method: A quasi experimental research on thorax CT Scan images before and after the application of canny operator edge detection which amounted to 10 samples. Image assessment is done by measuring noise, SNR, and anatomical information. Differences in image quality (noise and SNR) are tested with paired T-tests. Anatomical information is tested with the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Result: There are differences in image quality in thorax CT scan images in COVID-19 patients before and after the application of canny operator edge detection techniques, with p-value

Natural fibers derived from renewable, environmentally sustainable sources are being considered for use as reinforcements in polymer composites. The current study focuses on the fabrication of composite materials using fiber extracted from the Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) natural plant as reinforcement, an epoxy polymer as a matrix, and calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles as filler material, with the weight ratio of Cissus quadrangularis fiber (CQF) and CaO filler materials are varied to quantify the biological and structural effects of CQF composite. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results demonstrate a 58% amorphous zone in this composite, while Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) examination revealed the hydrophobic nature, chemical bonding, and cellulose content. Because of the increased amount of chopped CQF loading in this composite, the mechanical qualities result in an average of 23% better tensile strength. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis was used to analyze the failure analysis for fiber interaction with matrix, filler, and fiber pullouts under mechanical stress. The antibacterial research revealed that this CQF composite exhibits bacterial inhibitory activity suitable for biomedical applications.

Infectious diseases present a global challenge, requiring accurate diagnosis, effective treatments, and preventive measures. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool for analysing complex molecular data and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. Computer-aided detection (CAD) using convolutional neural networks (CNN) has gained prominence for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) and other infectious diseases such as COVID-19, HIV, and viral pneumonia. The review discusses the challenges and limitations associated with AI in this field and explores various machine-learning models and AI-based approaches. Artificial neural networks (ANN), recurrent neural networks (RNN), support vector machines (SVM), multilayer neural networks (MLNN), CNN, long short-term memory (LSTM), and random forests (RF) are among the models discussed. The review emphasizes the potential of AI to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases, highlighting the need for further research and development in this area.

The widespread use of malathion may offer several hazards to humans and animals; additionally, many medicinal plants provide what is known as a broad antitoxicity treatment. This study was carried out to investigate hazardous biochemical and histological reactions to MOP and evaluate the effectiveness of TEO and OEO essential oils in restoring normal physiological conditions after MOP exposure by measuring enzyme-specific activity for Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2). One hundred and twenty rats were divided into six groups of twenty animals each: (i) C − MOP served as the control group, (ii) C + MOP treated with 5 mg/kg/BW of Malathion-D10, (iii) TEO treated with 100 mg/kg/BW of oregano essential oil, (iv) TEO treated with 100 mg/kg/BW of thyme essential oil, (v) MOP + OEO treated with 5 mg/kg/BW of Malathion-D10 and 100 mg/kg/BW of oregano essential oil, and (vi) MOP + TEO treated with 5 mg/kg/BW of Malathion-D10 and 100 mg/kg/BW of thyme essential oil. The results indicated the protective effects of OEO and TEO against MOP-induced weight loss. Additionally, there was a significant improvement in ALT, AST, and ALK-Ph after being treated with OEO and TEO, either alone or after MOP exposure. Also, treatment with OEO and TEO ameliorated these oxidative stress parameters, indicating their antioxidative properties. A histopathological examination of liver tissues showed reduced hepatocellular damage and improved liver architecture in the OEO and TEO, both alone and in combination with MOP, and protective effects were more pronounced in the TEO-treated groups. However, the results indicated that TEO was more effective than OEO in increasing CYP1A2 expression and alleviating MOP-induced toxicity. Specifically, TEO showed higher protein expression and therapeutic action in reducing liver damage. In conclusion, these findings suggest that OEO and TEO may be potent therapeutic agents against MOP toxicity, offering protective effects by enhancing CYP1A2 activity and mitigating organ damage. Such knowledge would be an important step toward developing potentially unique treatment options for natural antitoxins.

This paper treats the problem of risk management through a new conditional expected shortfall function. The new risk metric is defined by the expectile as the shortfall threshold. A nonparametric estimator based on the Nadaraya–Watson approach is constructed. The asymptotic property of the constructed estimator is established using a functional time-series structure. We adopt some concentration inequalities to fit this complex structure and to precisely determine the convergence rate of the estimator. The easy implantation of the new risk metric is shown through real and simulated data. Specifically, we show the feasibility of the new model as a risk tool by examining its sensitivity to the fluctuation in financial time-series data. Finally, a comparative study between the new shortfall and the standard one is conducted using real data.

This research aims to prove a sharp relationship between statistical submersions and doubly minimal immersions. We consider a non-trivial statistical submersion on a statistical manifold with isometric fibers. Then, we investigate that it cannot be isometrically immersed as a doubly minimal manifold into any statistical manifold of non-positive sectional curvature using a submersion invariant for dual connections and additional conditions.

The widespread use of MLT may pose numerous hazards to animal breeding, health, and resilience due to the presence of MLT residues in animal feedstuffs, pastures, hay, and cereals. Many medicinal plants provide what is called a generalized anti-toxic remedy. The current study examined hazardous biochemical and histological reactions to MLT and the efficiency of ThEO and OEO essential oils as anti-toxic therapies to return to a natural state after MLT exposure. A total of 75 male albino rats were randomly assigned to two groups: (i) C − MLT, comprising 25 rats, served as the control group; and (ii) C + MLT, with 50 rats that were exposed to 5 mg/kg/BW. After exposure to MLT for 21 days, a return to normal status was determined by subdividing the C + MLT group into two equal groups: ThEO and OEO were used as treatments, with 100 mg/kg body weight of thyme and oregano essential oils, respectively, being administered for 21 days. The results showed a significant decrease in body weight gain (BWG) and final weight (FW) compared to C − MLT, while the therapeutic effects of ThEO and OEO enhanced FW and BWG. Our results indicated that MLT exposure resulted in deficient serum liver function, but that OEO and ThEO therapy brought about a significant improvement in liver enzyme function. Although there was no significant difference in serum aspartate transaminase (AST) or alkaline phosphatase (ALK-Ph) and a significant drop in alanine transaminase (ALT) and acetyl choline-esterase (AChE) levels, the C + MLT group showed hepatic fibrosis in the third stage. Furthermore, histological sections of the OEO and ThEO groups showed reduced hepatocellular damage, inflammation, and hepatic fibrosis. However, there was a significant increase in serum creatinine between the C + MLT and C − MLT groups following exposure to MLT. Histological sections of renal tissue from rats treated with OEO and ThEO showed reduced tubular damage, reduced interstitial inflammation, and preserved renal tissue architecture. In conclusion, OEO and ThEO are potential compounds for use as anti-toxic therapies to return to a natural state after MLT exposure. These compounds could serve as an experimental therapeutic approach against natural toxins, providing a solution to the problems of raising livestock that are exposed to nutritional toxicity.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on sleep, physical activity, and health-related behaviors among the general public during Ramadan, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with sleep and physical activity changes among Nigerian Muslims during Ramadan fasting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationwide web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Nigerians aged ≥18 years who performed diurnal fasting during Ramadan. The target sample size was obtained using Fisher’s formula, and snowball sampling was employed. Adapted versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II were used to evaluate sleep and physical activity. Correlates of change in physical activity and sleep quality were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Seven hundred and seventy individuals participated in the study. During Ramadan, 39.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 35.6%–42.6%) reported decreased physical activity, and 56.6% (95% CI; 53.0%–60.2%) stated having self-reported good sleep. The independent correlates of physical activity were female sex (adjusted odds ratio (aOR):0.5, 95% CI: 0.4–0.8), having very good sleep (aOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.7), and obesity (aOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–3.7). In addition, factors associated with improved self-reported sleep quality were perceived good health state (aOR: 8.8, 95% CI: 1.1–72.4), sleeping 7–9 h per day (aOR: 5.5, 95% CI: 2.6–10.3), and sleeping for over 9 h per day (aOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 2.1–14.1). CONCLUSIONS: Although physical activity decreased by about a third, over half of the respondents lost weight and slept well during Ramadan. Strategies to include intermittent fasting in positive lifestyle changes could improve the health and well-being of the population.

Aflatoxins are food-contaminating metabolites that can intoxicate and damage multiple organs. This study compared the effects of administration OF aflatoxin powder (AFP) and aflatoxin liquid (AFS) on the testes and lungs of rats and explored their potential mechanisms of action. Fifteen rats were divided equally into 3 groups. Aflatoxin B1 powder (0.5 mg/kg) and aflatoxin B1 liquid (0.5 mg/kg) were orally administered to the AFP and AFS group, respectively, for 21 days. The control group was fed a basal pellet diet and water. The rats were weighed at the beginning of the trial and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days. Blood samples were drawn at the end of the experiments and analysed for complete blood count (CBC), i.e. red blood cells (RBCs), haemoglobin content, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelet, neutrophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, basophil, and eosinophil counts. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) as oxidative stress biomarkers were determined, as well as serum testosterone. Testes and lungs were examined under a light microscope to assess the aflatoxin B1-induced histopathological changes. Weight gain and its percentages were significantly higher in the AFS group than in the AFP group (P

Traveling and Ṣilat al-raḥim (Arabic: صِلَةُ الْرَّحِم - literally: the Womb-Ties which means associating and meeting with relative and helping them) are issues that have always been emphasized by Islam but experts say travel and gatherings in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic cause widespread spread of the virus and cause a large number of people, resulting in financial and life losses. Accordingly, the responsible and the liable people for the compensation of these losses will be those who start to these trips and gatherings. These people are responsible and liable for compensation for the damages incurred from the perspective of the Shīʿa jurisprudence. The findings of this research which have been written with descriptive analytical method and by studying and pondering Shīʿa jurisprudential main texts indicate that according to the views of jurists and rules such as rule of “prohibition” of detriment (Arabic: لا ضَرَرَ, principle of harm), the prohibition of murder, waste and indirect causation of people who are infected with COVID-19 and are aware of their condition and they are responsible and liable for the damages if they attend a gathering and travel and inflict harm on others and unaware people are also responsible and liable for their infection according to the principle of precaution and the necessity of preventing loss (contingent damage) and the rules of warning (Arabic: تَحْذیر), domination and control, etc. cannot exonerate them from responsibility.

Natural school is an alternatve school regarding the school system with the concept of universe-based education. One of the strategies for building alternative education is to organize a factual and conceptual learning processes, orgenaize education with educational enviromental conditions, organize environment-based learning processes, orgenaize learning that build cognitive, affective and psychomotor abilities, foster creative, and so on. The idea of this natural school was initiated by Lendo Novo based on his concern that the cost of education which is increasingly out of reach for the community. To get to know natural school, the author conducted a mini research into a natural school in the city Sukabumi, namely SD Islam Alam Fathia which is located at Ciberuem Sukabumi City, West Java. This study aims to determine the Character-buliding, learning method inn the perspective of organizational behavior theory at SD Fathia’s natural School. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative methode. Where the researcher tested the validity of the data by triangulation of sources, namely by conducting interviews, observation and documentation. The finding of this study. Researchers found a new concept in learning, namely by learning with nature and making nature a medium for unlimited creativity for children. School such us the Alam Fatihia Islamic Elementary School are school that are indeed being sought by paraents, in order to make their children knowleadgeable and have character based on faith, science and nature.

Radiological diagnosis of lung cavities (LCs) is the key to identifying tuberculosis (TB). Conventional deep learning methods rely on a large amount of accurate pixel-level data to segment LCs. This process is time-consuming and laborious, especially for those subtle LCs. To address such challenges, firstly, we introduce a novel 3D TB LCs imaging convolutional neural network (CNN)-transformer hybrid model (SwinUNeLCsT). The core idea of SwinUNeLCsT is to combine local details and global dependencies for TB CT scan image feature representation to effectively improve the recognition ability of LCs. Secondly, to reduce the dependence on accurate pixel-level annotations, we design an end-to-end LCs weakly supervised semantic segmentation (WSSS) framework. Through this framework, radiologists need only to classify the number and the approximate location (e.g., left lung, right lung, or both) of LCs in the CT scan to achieve efficient segmentation of the LCs. This process eliminates the need for meticulously drawing boundaries, greatly reducing the cost of annotation. Extensive experimental results show that SwinUNeLCsT outperforms currently popular medical 3D segmentation methods in the supervised semantic segmentation paradigm. Meanwhile, our WSSS framework based on SwinUNeLCsT also performs best among the existing state-of-the-art medical 3D WSSS methods.

Background: This study seeks to assess gender differences in the severity of COVID-19 infection, which have been noted in different regions during the early stages of the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at Baquba Teaching Hospital in Diyala, Iraq, from October 1st to December 31st, 2020, included 132 confirmed COVID-19 patients. These patients underwent a comprehensive set of routine laboratory tests, including complete blood count, blood biochemistry, and D-dimer assessment. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS-20, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The study included patients with a mean age of 45.61 (±11.32) years, predominantly male (63.0%), residing in urban areas (57.6%), and presenting with comorbidities (78.8%). All patients exhibited positive results on CT scans (100%) and CRP tests (100%). However, PCR testing confirmed COVID-19 infection in 87.2% of cases, with 12.8% testing negative. Among males, there was a significant increase in IL-6 and IL-10 levels (42.57 ± 7.64 pg/ml and 255.27 ± 21.03 pg/ml) compared to females (16.43 ± 4.19 pg/ml and 187.48 ± 20.35 pg/ml), with p-values

The literature on the construction of places of worship has predominantly shown difficulties, rejection and disharmony among religious communities. This study aims to describe and analyzed the success story of the construction of the Santa Monica church in Tangerang. This is a qualitative study conducted over a month-long period using primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through observation and interviews, while secondary data were obtained through formal and informal policy reviews available online. The informants involved in this study amounted to eight people consisting of church leaders and administrators, local leaders, religious leaders, religious organizations and the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Data were analyzed using content analysis methods. The results of the study show that the ability of church leaders and administrators to build good social and cultural relations with the community was a key element in their success in obtaining permission to build the church. This was achieved through effective communication, dialogue and cooperation between the Catholic community, leaders and the predominantly Islamic local community. Active involvement in daily activities had a positive impact, fostering mutual trust and peaceful coexistence, ultimately resulting in the local community’s support and approval for the establishment of the place of worship. Thus, the church construction committee was able to meet all administrative requirements as stipulated by government regulations. This study recommends the importance of good social and cultural relations as the fundamental basis and determinant of success for religious communities seeking to construct places of worship. Contribution: This article contributes to the goal of HTS Theological Studies in promoting the transdisciplinary aspect of religious studies in the international theological arena, particularly in the study of religious harmony among communities in Indonesia.

Background Leptospirosis is a water-related zoonotic disease. The disease is primarily transmitted from animals to humans through pathogenic Leptospira bacteria in contaminated water and soil. Rivers have a critical role in Leptospira transmissions, while co-infection potentials with other waterborne bacteria might increase the severity and death risk of the disease. Methods The water samples evaluated in this study were collected from four recreational forest rivers, Sungai Congkak, Sungai Lopo, Hulu Perdik, and Gunung Nuang. The samples were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS) for the 16S rRNA and in-depth metagenomic analysis of the bacterial communities. Results The water samples recorded various bacterial diversity. The samples from the Hulu Perdik and Sungai Lopo downstream sampling sites had a more significant diversity, followed by Sungai Congkak. Conversely, the upstream samples from Gunung Nuang exhibited the lowest bacterial diversity. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Acidobacteria were the dominant phyla detected in downstream areas. Potential pathogenic bacteria belonging to the genera Burkholderiales and Serratia were also identified, raising concerns about co-infection possibilities. Nevertheless, Leptospira pathogenic bacteria were absent from all sites, which is attributable to its limited persistence. The bacteria might also be washed to other locations, contributing to the reduced environmental bacterial load. Conclusion The present study established the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the river ecosystems assessed. The findings offer valuable insights for designing strategies for preventing pathogenic bacteria environmental contamination and managing leptospirosis co-infections with other human diseases. Furthermore, closely monitoring water sample compositions with diverse approaches, including sentinel programs, wastewater-based epidemiology, and clinical surveillance, enables disease transmission and outbreak early detections. The data also provides valuable information for suitable treatments and long-term strategies for combating infectious diseases.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative illness that impairs cognition, function, and behavior by causing irreversible damage to multiple brain areas, including the hippocampus. The suffering of the patients and their family members will be lessened with an early diagnosis of AD. The automatic diagnosis technique is widely required due to the shortage of medical experts and eases the burden of medical staff. The automatic artificial intelligence (AI)-based computerized method can help experts achieve better diagnosis accuracy and precision rates. This study proposes a new automated framework for AD stage prediction based on the ResNet-Self architecture and Fuzzy Entropy-controlled Path-Finding Algorithm (FEcPFA). A data augmentation technique has been utilized to resolve the dataset imbalance issue. In the next step, we proposed a new deep-learning model based on the self-attention module. A ResNet-50 architecture is modified and connected with a self-attention block for important information extraction. The hyperparameters were optimized using Bayesian optimization (BO) and then utilized to train the model, which was subsequently employed for feature extraction. The self-attention extracted features were optimized using the proposed FEcPFA. The best features were selected using FEcPFA and passed to the machine learning classifiers for the final classification. The experimental process utilized a publicly available MRI dataset and achieved an improved accuracy of 99.9%. The results were compared with state-of-the-art (SOTA) techniques, demonstrating the improvement of the proposed framework in terms of accuracy and time efficiency.

IntroductionStroke is a significant global health concern, and numerous studies have established a link between depression and an increased risk of stroke. While many investigations explore this link, some overlook its long-term effects. Depression may elevate stroke risk through physiological pathways involving nervous system changes and inflammation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between depression and stroke.MethodologyWe conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and PsycINFO) from inception to 9 April 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. We included all articles assessing the association between different stroke types and depression, excluding post-stroke depression. Two investigators independently extracted data and assessed quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, utilizing a random-effects model for data synthesis. The primary outcome was the association of depression with stroke, with a secondary focus on the association of antidepressants with stroke.ResultsThe initial search yielded 10,091 articles, and 44 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis revealed a significant association between depression and stroke risk, with an overall hazard ratio of 1.41 (95% CI 1.32, 1.50; p

Introduction Staff turnover is a major obstacle to the success of Saudi Arabia’s health transformation agenda and the realization of Saudi Vision 2030. Nurses’ and midwives’ intentions to remain with the organization are heavily influenced by their sense of structural empowerment and resilience. Objectives To gain insight into the perspectives of nurses and midwives working in the Obstetrics and Gynecology departments of a selection of Saudi Arabian governmental hospitals about structural empowerment, resilience, and intentions to stay in their current positions. Methods Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenology. Purposive sampling was used to choose eighteen nurses and midwives working in the OB/GYN department in three government hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the participants’ perceptions. Colaizzi’s steps were used as a data analysis method. Results The narratives of the selected participants generated five major themes: (a) “nurturing physical and physiological,” (b) “developing psychological,” (c) “managing financial,” (e) “restructuring organizational,” and (f) “enriching professional and occupational.” Conclusions The emerging major themes highlighted the perceptive elements of nurses and midwives that keep them empowered, resilient, and determined to stay in their organization. A failure to fulfill any one of these elements will affect the others. To improve organizational outcomes, empowerment and resilience must be obtained.

Penelitian ini menganalisis konsep nasionalisme Johannes Leimena, dengan fokus pada bagaimanan pemikirannya relavan bagi generasi muda di Maluku. Melalui studi kepustakaan pendekatan kualitatif, penelitian ini menemukan bahwa Nasionalisme Johannes Leimena bersumber pada keadilan yang sama diperjuangkan bangsa-bangsa. Keberagaman budaya dan agama di Indonesia bukanlah penghalang untuk mencapai persatuan nasional. Sebaliknya, ia melihat keberagaman sebagai kekayaan yang dapat memperkuat dan memperkaya bangsa. Melalui pemikiran nasionalisme Johannes Leimena mencerminkan nilai-nilai yang tak ternilai dan relevan bagi pembentukan identitas bangsa Indonesia. Keberpihakannya terhadap Indonesia telah menciptakan jejak inspiratif, memberikan kontribusi nyata terhadap semangat kebangsaan. Terlebih, generasi muda memiliki kesempatan untuk mengadopsi sikap dan nilai-nilai tersebut, menggambarkan suatu kesinambungan antar generasi dalam mewujudkan rasa cinta tanah air. Pemikiran Johannes Leimena tentang nasionalisme dapat diperkuat melalui jejaring edukatif dengan langkah memperkenalkan atau mempromosikan ide atau pemikiran, karya, dan dedikasi Johannes Leimena melalui diskusi terbuka. Diperlukan peran pemerintah khususnya di Maluku agar dapat turut serta dalam menginisiasi forum-forum diskusi publik, seminar, dan konferensi yang memfasilitasi pertukaran gagasan nasionalisme Leimena.

Nowadays androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has become a common concern of affected subjects of both sexes. Finasteride is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of male AGA. There is no clear evidence to support the use of dutasteride in male AGA. In female AGA, the effectiveness of dutasteride and finasteride is still under debate, and there is no clear evidence to use any of them in female AGA. A systematic review was conducted to compare between dutasteride and finasteride in treating both male and female AGA, and their efficacy, safety, side effects with effective dosage. The review was done using several databases including: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Google Scholar, and Cochrane using the following search terms/keywords: "Dutasteride" AND "Finasteride" AND "Male pattern hair loss" AND "Female pattern hair loss" AND "Efficacy", "Tolerability" AND "Side effects" AND "Comparison". To search for articles related to efficacy, tolerability, side effects, used doses of dutasteride and finasteride in the treatment of male and female AGA. The review encompassed a total of nine studies. Four randomized controlled trials, one single-arm trial, two prospective cohorts, and two retrospective cohort studies. Seven studies exclusively enrolled male participants, while only two included female participants. All groups receiving various doses of dutasteride and finasteride exhibited a significant increase in hair count compared to the placebo group. Notably, dutasteride (0.5 mg) and dutasteride (2.5 mg) were significantly more effective than finasteride (1 mg) in increasing hair counts. Furthermore, no significant difference in adverse events was observed between finasteride and dutasteride. Dutasteride is more potent than finasteride in treating AGA in both males and females. All the adverse events between finasteride and dutasteride were comparable.

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, such as ChatGPT, have widely invaded all domains of human life. They have the potential to transform healthcare future. However, their effective implementation hinges on healthcare workers’ (HCWs) adoption and perceptions. This study aimed to evaluate HCWs usability of ChatGPT three months post-launch in Saudi Arabia using the System Usability Scale (SUS).A total of 194 HCWs participated in the survey. Forty-seven percent were satisfied with their usage, 57 % expressed moderate to high trust in its ability to generate medical decisions. 58 % expected ChatGPT would improve patients’ outcomes, even though 84 % were optimistic of its potential to improve the future of healthcare practice. They expressed possible concerns like recommending harmful medical decisions and medicolegal implications.The overall mean SUS score was 64.52, equivalent to 50 % percentile rank, indicating high marginal acceptability of the system. The strongest positive predictors of high SUS scores were participants' belief in AI chatbot's benefits in medical research, self-rated familiarity with ChatGPT and self-rated computer skills proficiency. Participants' learnability and ease of use score correlated positively but weakly. On the other hand, medical students and interns had significantly high learnability scores compared to others, while ease of use scores correlated very strongly with participants' perception of positive impact of ChatGPT on the future of healthcare practice.Our findings highlight the HCWs' perceived marginal acceptance of ChatGPT at the current stage and their optimism of its potential in supporting them in future practice, especially in the research domain, in addition to humble ambition of its potential to improve patients’ outcomes particularly in regard of medical decisions. On the other end, it underscores the need for ongoing efforts to build trust and address ethical and legal concerns of AI implications in healthcare. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on AI chatbots in healthcare, especially addressing its future improvement strategies and provides insights for policymakers and healthcare providers about the potential benefits and challenges of implementing them in their practice.

Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance between the production of oxidant precursors and the capacity of antioxidant defense. Oxygen free radicals play an important role in causing diseases. In this study, the protective effect of ethanolic avocado on apoptosis caused by oxidative damage in the tissue of albino rats was investigated. 24 male albino rats of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Mosul, Iraq, which were kept in standard conditions for at least 10 days before and through the experimental work, were examined. Four groups of rats include the control group (healthy group), the group of male rats with ethanolic avocado consumption; The third group of male rats that were treated with 0.5% of hydrogen peroxide H2O2; and the fourth group of male rats that were treated with both 0.5% H2O2 and avocado ethanolic extract (50 mg kg-1 BW) for four weeks. After fixing the tissues of the liver, kidney, lung, spleen and testis in 10% buffered formalin, they were stained with hematoxylin. TUNEL assay was performed using the TUNEL cell death assay kit to detect apoptotic cells. In this investigation, the histology results in four groups of rats showed that in the rats that were treated with avocado, there were minor tissue changes in their liver, kidney, and intestine, and the tissues of these organs were healthy. In TUNEL staining, it was also shown that there are no apoptotic cells in the liver, kidney and testis cells in avocado-treated rats. The results showed that ethanolic Avocado is useful against oxidative stress damage and it may be used to protect tissues against oxidative stress.

IntroductionInsufficient knowledge and beliefs hinder the early diagnosis and provision of adequate treatment and care for PD patients, causing socio-economic burdens. Raising public awareness and understanding the knowledge gap is crucial for effective educational programs and early detection. This study aims to assess the perception of Parkinson’s disease (PD) among visitors of a public campaign conducted to raise PD awareness and knowledge to facilitate early detection and management.MethodsA before-and-after study was conducted from May to June 2023, to assess the perception of PD among a public PD campaign visitors in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The campaign included educational booths discussing PD symptoms, causes, diagnosis, management, and support. Participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire before and after the campaign. The data were analyzed using SPSS.ResultsThe study included 48 eligible individuals. The mean knowledge score was significantly enhanced following the campaign, rising from 12 to 17.77 points (p

Due to increasing concerns about environmental impact and toxicity, developing green and sustainable methods for nanoparticle synthesis is attracting significant interest. This work reports the successful green synthesis of silver (Ag), silver-titanium dioxide (Ag@TiO2), and silver-selenium dioxide (Ag@SeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) using Beta vulgaris L. extract. Characterization by XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDX confirmed the successful formation of uniformly distributed spherical NPs with controlled size (25 ± 4.9 nm) and desired elemental composition. All synthesized NPs and the B. vulgaris extract exhibited potent free radical scavenging activity, indicating significant antioxidant potential. However, Ag@SeO2 displayed lower hemocompatibility compared to other NPs, while Ag@SeO2 and the extract demonstrated reduced inflammation in a carrageenan-induced paw edema animal model. Interestingly, Ag@TiO2 and Ag@SeO2 exhibited strong antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotia sclerotium, as evidenced by TEM and FTIR analyses. Generally, the findings suggest that B. vulgaris-derived NPs possess diverse biological activities with potential applications in various fields such as medicine and agriculture. Ag@TiO2 and Ag@SeO2, in particular, warrant further investigation for their potential as novel bioactive agents.

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) composed of biopolymers and metallic oxides are important classes of materials. In addition to the environmental and economic considerations, these materials became the best candidates for various industrial fields. In the current study, solution cast procedure is used to prepare polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) based on polyethylene glycol (PEG)/chitosan (CS) blend and varying concentrations of tungsten trioxide nanoparticles (WO3 NPs), as a nanofiller. TEM micrograph shows that WO3 NPs have particle sizes of 5–32 nm their shapes are cubic and spherical. The XRD results reveal the semicrystalline of PEG/CS blend through showing three distinct diffraction peaks at 2θ = 7.42°, 19.47° and 23.62° and the degree of crystallinity is decreased after the incorporation of WO3 NPs due to the formation of polymer-nanoparticle interactions as indicated by FTIR spectra. The values of optical energy bandgap (direct and indirect) reduce while the Urbach energy increases with raising the concentration of WO3 NPs in the PEG/CS matrix. The PEG/CS-WO3 films' PL spectra show a photoemission peak at about 387 nm, where this peak loses intensity and becomes broader due to the induced defects and increase of disordering within the nanocomposite films. Additionally, the results of the dielectric investigation show an increase in the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and AC electrical conductivity, which may be a sign of an increase of charge carriers and the content of amorphous regions that assists the movement of charge carriers. The DC electrical conductivity and conduction mechanism are also reported. Argand plot shows a half semicircle implying the Debye-type relaxation mechanism. The experimental results suggest the use of PEG/CS-WO3 nanocomposites as a possible contender for futuristic energy storage and optoelectronic applications.

Objectives: The current study focused on the green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) using Salvia officinalis leaf extract, aiming to control nosocomial infections caused by drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. The nanoparticles were characterized and evaluated for antibacterial effectiveness. Methods: The disc diffusion assay was utilized to determine the synergistic antibacterial efficiency of the biogenic IONPs against three nosocomial bacterial pathogens namely, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Results and conclusion: The change of color of ferric nitrate solution from orange to black color after addition of the extract preliminary indicated the formation of biogenic IONPs. The phytosynthesized IONPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy indicating the formation of a broad band at 349 nm. Moreover, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the formation of diffraction peaks positioned at 2 theta degrees of 24.80°, 33.41°, 35.03°, 41.28°, 49.15°, 53.41°, 57.37°, 62.40° and 64.31°, corresponding to lattice planes of (012), (104), (110), (202), (024), (116), (214) and (300), respectively. The phytosynthesized nanoparticles revealed a high antibacterial activity against the concerned pathogens at the concentration of 200 µg/disc with relative inhibitory zones of 21.14 ± 0.16, 17.26 ± 0.26, and 20.56 ± 0.62 mm, respectively against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and MRSA strains. The biogenic IONPs revealed the highest synergistic activity with tigecycline antibiotic against E. coli followed by MRSA and P. aeruginosa strains with relative increase in fold of inhibition values (IFA) of 1.79, 1.29 and 0.93, respectively. In conclusion, the water extract of S. officinalis facilitated the green fabrication of IONPs with distinctive physicochemical properties and synergistic antibacterial activity against the tested nosocomial bacterial pathogens.

Objectives: To systematically review longitudinal studies on the association between cluster of/multiple health-related behaviors and tooth loss among adults. Materials and methods: Inclusion criteria were prospective and retrospective longitudinal studies; adults; multiple or cluster of behaviors; tooth loss, one or more tooth lost and complete tooth loss. Exclusion criteria were intervention studies; cross-sectional studies; case-control studies; children under 18 years-old; single behavior. Two reviewers searched three databases up to April 2023. Open Grey and Google Scholar were searched for grey literature. Results: Twelve longitudinal studies were included in this review. Nine studies had good quality, two had poor quality, and one had fair quality according to New-Castle-Ottawa Scale. According to ROBINS-E tool, nine studies were judged as moderate risk of bias while two studies were at low risk of bias and one study had serious risk of bias. One study assessed cluster of behavior, while others examined a number of separate health-related behaviors in relation to tooth loss. Meta-analysis was not feasible because of the high heterogeneity in exposure, measure of outcomes, covariates, sample size, and follow-up time. The research found an association between tooth loss and oral hygiene practices (two studies), dental attendance (four studies), smoking (six studies), and alcohol consumption (three studies). Conclusion: This review provides evidence of a longitudinal association between cluster of/multiple health related-behaviors and tooth loss.

In criminal litigation, evidence plays a very significant role in ensuring that justice is delivered. Nevertheless, justice cannot be achieved without the correct application of standard of proof. Failure to apply the correct standard of proof could result in miscarriage of justice. This paper examines the concept of standard of proof from the Islamic and common law perspectives. It also analyses the similarities and differences in the application of standard of proof under both legal systems. This study is a doctrinal research and utilises qualitative methods. The primary and secondary data are gathered using the documentation method obtained from library, legal statutes and reported cases. The gathered data are then further analysed using content analysis method. Findings of this study show that there are similarities and differences in the concept of standard of proof in criminal cases under both legal systems. In spite of the similarities, several applications under the common law should not be referred or utilised in litigating Syariah criminal cases. This paper suggests that the standard of proof under Islamic law is to be harmonised with the common law in the prosecution of criminal cases in the Syariah courts. The research conducted contributes towards the knowledge in distinguishing between the Islamic and common law principles particularly for countries that practise Islamic criminal law.

In this article, the elimination of ambiguity of a joined coprime array has been examined, with a focus on such of its properties as large aperture size and complete degree of freedom (DOF). The existing methods suffer from a high degree of computation complexity due to the loss constant characteristic and high peak searching. Therefore, in this paper, a DOA estimation method for a jointed coprime array, characterized by a low degree of computational complexity, is proposed. The variance of the diagonal eigenvalues of the estimated covariance matrix is designed to enhance the accuracy of the covariance matrix of the joined coprime array. Then, the Capon beamforming methods is employed for peak searching. The simulation shows that the proposed method accomplishes accurate estimation with shorter computation times and fewer operations compared to other DOA estimation methods.

The usefulness of a new heavy-tailed distribution is studied in this article. The type-I heavy-tailed exponential (TI-HTE) distribution studied here has been suggested in the literature but has not been studied anywhere other than now. Some of its properties, together with graphical representations, were considered. The study utilized the maximum likelihood method in the estimation of the parameters. The primary goal is to create group acceptance sampling plans (GASP) using the TI-HTE model to determine whether units from a production process should be accepted or rejected. Through simulation studies and real-world examples, the importance of the TI-HTE model in identifying extreme behaviors beyond typical distributions like exponential or heavy-tailed distributions is emphasized.

Key Clinical Message Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors. Sometimes, these tumors secrete excessive catecholamines, which results in the manifestations of various signs and symptoms, usually with a triad of hypertension, tachycardia, and headache. We report the case of a 42‐year‐old woman presenting with uncontrolled hypertension, right facial palsy, vomiting, and disturbed gait. Diagnosis for PGL was confirmed on postoperative histological examination of the excised mass and correlated with preoperative clinical and radiological findings. Tumor excision was done via a suboccipital craniotomy approach. Our case presents the typically severe features of a jugulotympanic PGL, but most importantly, it highlights the necessity of biochemical diagnosing, thorough probing of the causes of hypertension, and a multi‐disciplinary approach in dealing with these tumors. Moreover, the case emphasizes necessitating the use of preoperative embolization in vascular tumors of the head and neck to avoid a hemorrhagic crisis during surgery. Unfortunately, due to a lack of adequate hospital funds, the surgeon had to proceed without preoperative embolization. Despite such a risk, the excision was a success.

The relationship between microalgae and bacteria in a microenvironment, the phycosphere, has a significant role in enhancing the quality and quantity of microalgal production, which would in turn affect consumers' growth and nutritional quality, such as the zooplankton, which are important live feeds in aquaculture. Thus, selecting and characterising suitable microalgal growth-promoting bacteria (MGPB) for enhancing microalgal production is an important process since not all bacteria promote high growth. In this study, physcosphere bacteria associated with chlorophytes and chrysophytes were isolated, screened for their microalgae-promoting attributes (phosphorus solubilisation, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and nitrogen fixation) and re-inoculated into microalgal cultures. A total of seven bacterial isolates were recorded to have multiple growth promoting traits, with three strains (CY-2, CY-4, CY-5) showing the greatest (P < 0.05) link for those traits. These seven potential MGPB were molecularly characterised using 16S rRNA approach. The phylogenetic tree of the isolated bacteria demonstrated the dominant bacteria associated with the chlorophytes were in the class bacteroidetes, while the chrysophytes appeared to be associated with Firmicutes bacteria suggesting that the compositions were strictly species-specific to the microalgae host. Enhanced Cyclotella meneghiniana growth by the seven isolated bacterial strains was highly dependent on the growth-promoting traits; especially those demonstrated by Pseudomonas hibiscicola and Ochrobactrum haematophilum. These two bacteria showed the potential to enhance the quality of microalgae, and they could be bioencapsulated and used to improve the quality of zooplankton as one of the main live feeds in the aquaculture industry.

Introduction. The supratrochlear artery (STA) is a small vessel with a relatively tiny and quite constant course. The literature describing the STA fails to provide a collective description of the anatomy and neurosurgical applications of the STA. Therefore, we are here to present an overview of anatomy, anatomical variability, and the clinical application of STA. Method. We conducted a literature review in Google Scholar and PubMed medical databases to review the existing studies on STA regarding its anatomy and neurosurgical applications. Results. We identified 18 articles that discuss the anatomical variations and neurosurgical applications of the STA. Certain parameters are used to describe the surgical anatomy of STA, including origin, course, diameter, branches, depth, and distance in relation to the midline and vertical glabellar line. We also discussed certain applications of STA and its importance in neurosurgical reconstruction flaps and the diagnosis of carotid artery disease. Conclusion. Comparable to the supraorbital artery (SOA), the STA is less variable in its anatomical course, and exhibits a more superficial course. The STA has certain important neurosurgical applications through its involvement in reconstruction flaps for the skull base and plays an important role in the diagnosis of carotid artery disease.

Introduction: The posterior auricular artery (PAA) is the preterminal branch of the external carotid artery (ECA), arising superiorly to the occipital artery (OA). The PAA has quite a few anatomical variations and established neurosurgical applications. We conducted this study as an overview to illustrate all neurosurgical aspects regarding this artery, its reconstructive uses, and anatomical variation. Method: We performed a literature review in Google Scholar and PubMed medical databases for studies discussing the PAA, its anatomical variations, and neurosurgical applications. Results: We identified 30 articles that discuss the anatomical variations and neurosurgical applications of the PAA. While reviewing the available articles and original works regarding PAA. Conclusion: The PAA has considerable anatomical variations regarding its origin, course, branches, and length. The related neurosurgical applications of PAA include bypass, embolization, aneurysm, AVM, and reconstruction flaps.

Microencapsulation can improve carotenoid stability by slowing down degradation. Studies on the production and processing effects of microencapsulated carotenoids were reported in the past however long-term storage studies on fucoxanthin stability remains limited. This study investigated the effects of an eighteen-week storage period across four conditions on fucoxanthin derived from the diatom, Chaetoceros calcitrans. The fucoxanthin powders were prepared using two microencapsulation methods i.e., freeze drying and spray drying. Briefly, the microcapsules produced were stored in amber bottles under room temperature (25 °C) or refrigerated (4 °C) in the dark or in the presence of light. Samples were collected every two weeks where the physicochemical characteristics, carotenoid stability and antioxidant activity were evaluated. It was found that the freeze-dried microcapsule stored in 4 °C showed significantly (p 25 °C (dark) > 40 °C (dark) > 25 °C (light). This finding offer useful insights into optimizing fucoxanthin microencapsulation methods, maintaining product quality during storage and distribution, and ensuring compliance with quality standards of fucoxanthin-based products available to consumers across the production and distribution chain.

Background: The incidence and mortality rates of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) vary globally, yet the cancer continues to pose significant morbidity and mortality risks. This study sought to assess salivary IL-8 and IL-10 as biomarkers for identifying malignant oral lesions. Methods: Between March 2022 and May 2023, a case-control study at the Dental Center of New Baquba, Diyala, Iraq, collected saliva for IL-8 and IL-10 measurement via ELISA. An independent t-test compared IL-8 and IL-10 means based on age and gender, while ROC analysis gauged specificity and sensitivity. Results: The prevalence of OSCC was evenly distributed across genders, with a higher occurrence among patients aged over 55 years (87.5%). OSCC distribution in the oral cavity indicated the lips as the most affected area (40.0%), followed by the tongue (37.0%), and the hard and soft palate (12.50%). Statistically significant differences were noted in IL-10 and IL-8 levels between the study and control groups across all age brackets, except for IL-8 in the age ≤55 (p ≤ 0.05). Elevated mean levels of IL-10 and IL-8 were observed in the older age group (>55), with IL-10 showing a greater increase in males (71.99±3.6), while IL-8 levels were higher in females. IL-10 demonstrated higher sensitivity (90%) and specificity (60%) with an optimal cutoff point value of 43.29, whereas IL-8 exhibited a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 47.5% with an optimal cutoff point value of 44.48. Conclusion: Individuals aged over 55 showed higher IL-10 and IL-8 levels, particularly in males for IL-10 and in females for IL-8. Salivary biomarkers hold promise for early OSCC detection.

Microbial biopolymers have emerged as promising solutions for environmental pollution-related human health issues. Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA), a natural anionic polymeric compound, is composed of highly viscous homo-polyamide of D and L-glutamic acid units. The extracellular water solubility of PGA biopolymer facilitates its complete biodegradation and makes it safe for humans. The unique properties have enabled its applications in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, foods, and other domains. It is applied as a thickener, taste-masking agent, stabilizer, texture modifier, moisturizer, bitterness-reducing agent, probiotics cryoprotectant, and protein crystallization agent in food industries. γ-PGA is employed as a biological adhesive, drug carrier, and non-viral vector for safe gene delivery in tissue engineering, pharmaceuticals, and medicine. It is also used as a moisturizer to improve the quality of hair care and skincare cosmetic products. In agriculture, it serves as an ideal stabilizer, environment-friendly fertilizer synergist, plant-growth promoter, metal biosorbent in soil washing, and animal feed additive to reduce body fat and enhance egg-shell strength.

This study delves into analyzing drought patterns in Baluchistan by applying copula-based bivariate probabilistic models complemented by Severity Duration Frequency (SDF) curves. The calculation of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) hinges on monthly aggregate precipitation data from ten distinct sites compiled over six-month periods. After evaluating various parametric distributions, the Log-Normal distribution emerges as suitable for modeling drought severity and duration.A range of bivariate copulas is employed to simulate the characteristics of drought severity and duration, which are then compared against observed data. Remarkably, the Gumbel copula classified as an extreme value copula—outperforms its counterparts according to diverse statistical benchmarks. By utilizing the dependence function, we derive the conditional distribution of drought variables: severity and duration. These conditional distributions subsequently inform the calculation of return periods, forming the basis for constructing SDF diagrams at fixed recurrence levels across the study region. The study's finding indicates that a severe drought could occur over the region with higher return periods for a specific duration.The implications of this research are significant, showcasing the potential of copula-based joint modeling techniques to generate frequency curves for drought severity and duration. This development holds promise for effective water resource management and the formulation of strategies to mitigate the impact of drought in vulnerable regions.

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) encompass a broad range of phenotypes characterized by diverse neurological alterations. Genomic studies have revealed considerable overlap between the molecular mechanisms implicated in the etiology of ASD and genes involved in the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) pathways of antipsychotic drugs employed in ASD management. Given the conflicting data originating from candidate PK or PD gene association studies in diverse ethnogeographic ASD populations, dosage individualization based on “actionable” pharmacogenetic (PGx) markers has limited application in clinical practice. Additionally, off-label use of different antipsychotics is an ongoing practice, which is justified given the shortage of approved cures, despite the lack of satisfactory evidence for its safety according to precision medicine. This exploratory study aimed to identify PGx markers predictive of risperidone (RIS) exposure in autistic Saudi children.Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 89 Saudi children with ASD treated with RIS-based antipsychotic therapy. Plasma levels of RIS and 9-OH-RIS were measured using a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry system. To enable focused exploratory testing, genotyping was performed with the Axiom PharmacoFocus Array, which included a collection of probe sets targeting PK/PD genes. A total of 720 PGx markers were included in the association analysis.Results: A total of 27 PGx variants were found to have a prominent impact on various RIS PK parameters; most were not located within the genes involved in the classical RIS PK pathway. Specifically, 8 markers in 7 genes were identified as the PGx markers with the strongest impact on RIS levels (p < 0.01). Four PGx variants in 3 genes were strongly associated with 9-OH-RIS levels, while 5 markers in 5 different genes explained the interindividual variability in the total active moiety. Notably, 6 CYP2D6 variants exhibited strong linkage disequilibrium; however, they significantly influenced only the metabolic ratio and had no considerable effects on the individual estimates of RIS, 9-OH-RIS, or the total active moiety. After correction for multiple testing, rs78998153 in UGT2B17 (which is highly expressed in the brain) remained the most significant PGx marker positively adjusting the metabolic ratio. For the first time, certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers were found to enhance various RIS exposure parameters, which reinforces the gut–brain axis theory of ASD etiology and its suggested inflammatory impacts on drug bioavailability through modulation of the brain, gastrointestinal tract and/or hepatic expression of metabolizing enzymes and transporters.Conclusion: Our hypothesis-generating approach identified a broad spectrum of PGx markers that interactively influence RIS exposure in ASD children, which indicated the need for further validation in population PK modeling studies to define polygenic scores for antipsychotic efficacy and safety, which could facilitate personalized therapeutic decision-making in this complex neurodevelopmental condition.

The appealing traits of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) encompassing mechanical and chemical steadiness, exceptional electrical and thermal conductivities, lightweight, and physiochemical reliability make them desired materials in engineering gadgets. Considering such stimulating characteristics of carbon nanotubes, our goal in the current study is to scrutinize the comparative analysis of Darcy–Forchheimer nanofluid flows containing CNTs of both types of multi and single-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs, SWCNTs) immersed into two different base fluids over a stretched surface. The originality of the model being presented is the implementation of the induced magnetic field that triggers the electric conductivity of carbon nanotubes. Moreover, the envisioned model is also analyzed with homogeneous-heterogeneous (h-h) chemical reactions and heat source/sink. The second-order slip constraint is assumed at the boundary of the surface. The transmuted high-nonlinearity ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are attained from the governing set of equations via similarity transformations. The bvp4c scheme is engaged to get the numerical results. The influence of different parameters is depicted via graphs. For both CNTs, the rate of heat flux and the surface drag coefficient are calculated using tables. It is highlighted that an increase in liquid velocity is witnessed for a varied counts volume fraction of nanoparticles. Also, Single-wall water-based carbon nanotube fluid has comparatively stronger effects on concentration than the multi-walled carbon nanotubes in water-based liquid. The analysis also indicates that the rate of heat flux and the surface drag coefficient are augmented for both SWCNTs and MWCNTs for different physical parameters. The said model is also validated by comparing it with a published result.

ABSTRACT: Gumboro virus is one of the most dangerous immunosuppressant viruses that infect chickens and causes massive financial losses worldwide. The current study aims to conduct a molecular characterization of chicken farms for the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Based on postmortem (PM) lesions, 125 bursal samples from 25 farms were collected from clinically diseased commercial chicken farms with increased mortality and suspected Gumboro virus infection. Pooled bursal samples from suspected IBD-vaccinated flocks were tested for IBDV by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Fifteen out of 25 pooled specimens were found positive for IBDV, with a 60% detection rate, and confirmed positive for very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) by sequence analysis. Nucleotide phylogenetic analysis of VP1 and VP2 genes was employed to compare the 5 chosen isolates with strains representing different governorates in Egypt during 2022. All strains were clustered with vvIBDV with no evidence of reassortment in the VP1 gene. The VP1 and VP2 genes are divided into groups (I, II). The strains in our study were related to group II, and it acquired a new mutation in the VP2 gene that clustered it into new subgroup B. By mutation analysis, the VP2 gene of all strains had a characteristic mutation to vvIBDV. It acquired new mutations in HVRs compared with HK46 in Y220F, A222T/V in all strains in our study, and Q221K that was found in IBD-EGY-AH5 and AH2 in the loop PBC in addition to G254S in all strains in our study and Q249k that found in IBD-EGY-AH1 and AH3 in the loop PDE. These mutations are important in the virulency and antigenicity of the virus. The VP1 had 242E, 390M, and 393D which were characteristic of vvIBDV and KpnI restriction enzyme (777GGTAC/C782) in addition to a new mutation (F243Y and N383H) in IBD-EGY-AH1 and AH4 strains. According to the current study, the strains were distinct from the vaccinal strain; they could be responsible for the most recent IBDV outbreaks observed in flocks instead of received vaccinations. The current study highlighted the importance of molecular monitoring to keep up to date on the circulating IBDV for regular evaluation of commercial vaccination programs against circulating field viruses.

ABSTRACT: Salmonella is a significant foodborne pathogen that has a significant impact on public health, and different strains of multidrug resistance (MDR) have been identified in this genus. This study used a combination of phenotypic and genotypic approaches to identify distinct Salmonella species collected from poultry broiler and layer farms, and antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed on these species. A total of 56 Salmonella isolates were serotyped, and phenotypic antibiotic resistance was determined for each strain. The enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) method was also used to provide a genotypic description, from which a dendrogram was constructed and the most likely phylogenetic relationships were applied. Salmonella isolates were detected in 20 (17%) out of 117 samples collected from small-scale broiler flocks. Salmonella isolates were classified as MDR strains after showing tolerance to 4 antibiotics, but no resistance to cloxacillin, streptomycin, vancomycin, or netilmicin was observed. From a genotypic perspective, these strains lack dfrD, parC, and blasfo-1 resistant genes, while harboring blactx-M, blaDHA-L, qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, gyrA, ermA, ermB, ermC, ermTR, mefA, msrA, tet A, tet B, tet L, tet M resistance genes. The genotyping results obtained with ERIC-PCR allowed isolates to be classified based on the source of recovery. It was determined that Salmonella strains displayed MDR, and many genes associated with them. Additionally, the ERIC-PCR procedure aided in the generation of clusters with biological significance. Extensive research on Salmonella serotypes is warranted, along with the implementation of long-term surveillance programs to monitor MDR Salmonella serotypes in avian-derived foods.