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Abstract Impaired pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) following COVID-19 has been consistently reported among individuals recovering from severe-critical infection. However, most long COVID cases follow non-severe COVID-19. We assessed DLCO among individuals with long COVID recovering from mild to moderate acute illness. A cross-sectional study of adults with long COVID, assessed at a COVID recovery clinic > 3 months following the onset of acute infection, during 2020–2021. Participants subjectively ranked their dyspnea severity based on its impact on their daily living and underwent comprehensive pulmonary function testing (PFT). Clinical correlates for impaired DLCO (defined as

Abstract Background The rigors of medical education often take a toll on students' mental well-being, resulting in heightened stress, anxiety, depression, somatization, and thoughts of self-harm. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of mental health problems among Jordanian medical students (Yarmouk University), explore the links between mental state and demographic and lifestyle factors, and compare mental health profiles between pre-clinical/pre-clerkship (years 1–3) and clinical/clerkship (years 4–6) students. Methods An online survey was distributed to undergraduate medical students at Yarmouk University. Mental health was measured using validated tools (depression: Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9; eating disorders: SCOFF; Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, GAD-7; Somatic Symptoms: Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-15; overall stress (single-item measure); ability to handle stress; stressors and coping mechanisms. Data on sociodemographic factors, academic performance, and lifestyle choices, also were collected. Bivariate and multivariable analyses evaluated the associations between academic level and mental health, accounting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Results Of the 618 medical students who responded, 48.4% screened positive for depression, 36.7% for anxiety, and 63.6% for high level of stress. Slightly over half experienced somatic symptoms, and 28.6% exhibited signs of eating disorders. Roughly, 26% had suicidal thoughts, as measured by item 9 of the PHQ-9 scale. Low reported rates of healthy behaviors were observed (e.g. balanced diets, 5.7%; vigorous physical activity, 17.0%). Smoking prevalence was 24.6%, notably higher among clinical students. At the multivariable level, stress, insomnia, eating disorders and cigarette smoking were significantly associated with depression, anxiety and somatization. Higher physical activity scores were associated with lower depression risk. Females were significantly more likely than males to fall in more severe somatization categories. Conclusion This study highlights the need to address the alarming rates of mental health problems among Jordanian medical students. While few significant differences were observed between pre-clinical and clinical students, the high rates of depression, anxiety, stress, and negative health practices in both groups suggest the need for interventions that begin at enrollment as well as during transitions to clinical settings. Prioritizing mental health support and promoting healthier lifestyles among medical students are vital steps toward nurturing resilient, well-rounded future medical professionals.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Jordan faces significant food security challenges due to population growth, climate change, and urbanization, straining limited water resources. Water supply expansion is constrained by economic and environmental factors, leading to a critical impact on agriculture, which stands as the largest consumer of water. The study emphasizes the crucial importance of regional water sources in ensuring food security, as the quantity and quality of irrigation water have a direct influence on crop yield and productivity. Managing irrigation is crucial for sustainability and livelihoods, given Jordan's reliance on food imports and climate change-induced production variability. This study delves into potato cultivation, examining the interconnections among irrigation water availability, crop yield, and self-relianceMETHODS: Irrigation with freshwater and blended treated wastewater in the middle and northern Jordan Valley is compared, using stepwise regression analysis and assuming other agricultural inputs to be optimal. Food security indicators, which include agricultural and socio-economic factors, along with water scarcity indicators, encompassing both water quantity and quality, were methodically chosen and examined.FINDINGS: Regression analysis of potato production in Jordan revealed that increased blended water positively impacts yields, while higher water requirements and chloride levels negatively affect them. The negative implications of effective rainfall in combined water irrigation were evident, emphasizing the necessity for precise control over the levels of water quality and quantity. The study found that higher local potato production enhances self-sufficiency, crucial for food security. Enhanced water management techniques and advancements in agricultural practices have led to an increase in potato self-sufficiency, even in the face of dwindling water resources. Challenges from stable water requirements and decreasing rainfall can be addressed with advanced irrigation techniques and adaptive practices.CONCLUSION: Improved water and crop management contribute to enhanced potato self-sufficiency in Jordan, despite varying water quality parameters. Furthermore, the results of research offer important information regarding the adjustment of potato cultivation to evolving climate patterns, including changes in precipitation temperature. These adaptation strategies can be shared and implemented in other countries facing similar climatic challenges.

Abstract Background Candida spp. are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infections and are associated with a high mortality rate worldwide. In Palestine, the prevalence of Candida spp. infections remains elusive. Methods We performed our study at two hospitals in Palestine (Istishari Arab Hospital, and Najah National University Hospital). All patients diagnosed with candidiasis during the year 2022 have participated in the study. The prevalence of Candida spp., their distribution, and the activity of selected antifungals against Candida pathogens were assessed. In combination with phenotypic properties, Candida isolates were identified and tested for antifungal susceptibility using the colorimetric VITEK-2 Compact system. Results Our results showed that the prevalence of Candida spp. among infected samples was 11.6%. A total of eleven different Candida spp. were identified. Among these isolates, C. albicans (46.54%) was the most frequent, followed by C. glabrata (16.14%), C. tropicalis (13.83%), C. parapsilosis (4.82%), C. krusei (3.56%), C. dubliniensis (2.09%), C. ciferrii (1.67%), C. lusitaniae (0.83%), C. guilliermondii (0.62%), C. kefyer (0.41%) and C. spherica (0.20%). Among C. albicans, all isolates were 100% susceptible to fluconazole and micafungin. The susceptibility rates to Amphotericin B and flucytosine were 95% and 99%, respectively. The susceptibility rates of non-albicans Candida spp. (NAC) to fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericine B, caspofungin, flucytosine and micafungin were 70%, 99%, 97%, ,72%, 92% and 100%, respectively. The incidence of Candida infections was higher in the intensive care unit and surgery department as compared to other hospital departments. Conclusions Four pathogens are responsible for the most invasive infections: C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis. A notable characteristic of this study was the high frequency of NAC species which were often more resistant to antifungal agents. A quick and accurate system like Vitek 2 compact was suggested for the careful species identification of clinical isolates of Candida. We suggest that continued surveillance of species distribution and susceptibility to antifungals will enhance future burden estimates and assist in evaluating preventative measures’ effectiveness.

Background: Serum vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in cellular growth, DNA synthesis, and maintaining a healthy nervous system. Its deficiency can lead to various health issues, including cardiovascular problems. The reference range for vitamin B12 varies between populations due to cultural, genetic, and dietary differences. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 127 healthy An-Najah National University students aged between 18 and 25. Blood samples were collected, and a questionnaire assessed factors affecting vitamin B12 levels. Serum vitamin B12 levels were measured using ACCUBIND ELIZA microwells. Results: The study found a reference range for serum vitamin B12 of 136–640 pg/mL (5th to 95th percentile) among the studied population, which differed from the manufacturer’s claimed range of 200–835 pg/mL. Gender did not significantly affect the reference intervals. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of establishing local reference values for laboratory tests like vitamin B12 due to variations in demographics. Further research in different Palestinian regions and age groups with larger sample sizes is recommended to refine these reference values.

Abstract Motivated by certain results known from the literature, in this paper we give several new dynamic inequalities for B-monotone functions with respect to time scales nabla calculus. If the time scale represents the set of real numbers, our results reduce to integral inequalities known from the literature. On the other hand, in the setting of positive integers, we obtain new discrete inequalities for B-monotone sequences.

Abstract Activated carbon (AC) derived from Date pits (DP) wastes was used as an eco-friendly and effective biosorbent for the removal of fluorene (FLU) from organic wastes. The maximum capacity of DP was 6.71 mg g−1, compatible with the Freundlich model. FLU adsorption's chemisorption performance on DP was involved in following a superior linear fit for the pseudo-2nd-kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity from the pseudo-2nd order kinetic model fitted with the experimental findings and found to be 3.73 g, 2.62, 1.13, 0.955, 0.749, 0.591, and 0.665 mg g−1 at 25, 3, 35, 4, 45, 5 and 55 °C, respectively. The negative value of the spontaneous nature of the adsorption corresponds to the exothermic nature however, + ΔS corresponds to an increase in the degree of freedom for FLU adsorption. The relatively high value of activation energy (Ea) demonstrates that the adsorption of FLU onto DP is classified as chemical adsorption, and found to be 84.8 kJ mol−1. Also, the result of XRD shows that the prepared DP was re-used four times without substantially decreasing performance. In addition, it appears that AC prepared from DP is a promising adsorbent with a low cost for removing many organic pollutants.

Abstract Background High sodium intake has been linked to negative health effects, including cardiovascular and renal diseases. Traditional dietary sodium assessment methods are time-consuming and subjected to errors. Using technology may increase the efficiency and accuracy of dietary assessment. The objective of this study is to develop and validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) screener using software to assess sodium intake among the Palestinian population. Methodology: The study was conducted in four phases. In Phase 1, Palestinian foods were categorized and subcategorized according to their mode of consumption, sodium content, and food groups. The sodium content values were calculated from Palestinian food composition database. Content validity was done in Phase 2, while in Phase 3, a pilot study was conducted to determine test-retest reliability. In Phase 4, the criterion validity of the screener was assessed by comparing the results of sodium intake from the FFQ screener with the results from a 24-hour urinary sodium test and a 3-day diet recall. Correlations between the sodium intake values from the three methods were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests, and the difference was assessed using the Bland-Altman test. Results The developed FFQ screener sodium screener included 41 food items categorized into nine groups, with photo-based portion size estimation and frequency of consumption. The reliability test showed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.7, p

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) was used in the sorption study for three different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ring structures (Naphthalene (NAP), Anthracene (ANT), and Chrysene). HAp powders were produced from Camelus bone as an eco-friendly and inexpensive source. Three distinct surface areas (66.56, 94.88, and 94.35 m2/g) at three different temperatures (500, 650, and 900 °C), were applied to prepare the HAp500, HAp650, and HAp900 samples after passing CO2 at 700 °C. It was obvious that the surface area of HAp was greatest at 650 °C as compared to 500 °C with a very small variation in uptake between HAP650 and HAP900. Furthermore, for ANT, HAp900 provides the best uptake. In addition, HAp650 is the best since calcining at 650 °C is less expensive than calcining at 900 °C. The effect of shaking time on the sorption of NAP, ANT, and CHR dissolved in n-hexane was carried out using HAp650. The impacts of sorbent amount, concentration, and temperature were studied. The study indicated that the uptake was 66.89, 69.49, and 19.67 mg/g after 120 min of equilibration. It was observed that the uptake of NAP, ANT, and CHR increased as the temperature increased up to 35 °C. A slight increase was obtained from 35–55 °C, indicating that the adsorption occurring on the HAp650 surface is endothermic. The positive values of Δ H demonstrated the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Furthermore, the positive entropy of adsorption represents the adsorbent material’s affinity for NAP, ANT, and CHR. In addition, several isotherm models were used to deduce an adsorption mechanism. The adsorption system’s R2 values were 0.9615 for NAP, 0.8666 for ANT, and 1.00 for CHR. These values agree well with the Langmuir isotherm.