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Introduction: Malnutrition in children is epidemic in developing countries. Several health issues and consequences are believed to develop due to this phenomenon. Children’s oral health is also affected by malnutrition. The main aspects of oral health status are caries experience, the existence of cariogenic bacteria, and salivary immunoglobulin A. Materials and methods: This comparative study included 87 school children aged 12 years. Participants with systemic disease were excluded. An oral examination was conducted to record the DMFT score, then saliva samples were collected in the morning using an unstimulated method. Salivary IgA were analyzed using Sandwich ELISA technology. Malnutrition was based on body mass index (BMI) which was computed as weight/height2 (kg/m2). Ethical approval was granted by the ethical committee at the Faculty of Dentistry. Informed consents from children’s parents were gained prior to the start of the study. Results: Compared to the normal weight group, the results of this study showed that overweight and obesity are inversely correlated with the mean DMFT and the number of S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Salivary IgA was negatively correlated with overweight and obesity, compared to normal weight group. Conclusions: Children suffering from malnutrition are at risk of developing oral health diseases. Treating malnutrition will therefore improve children’s overall oral health.

This study analyses the differences in temperature of the land surface across various land cover types and uses geospatial approaches to explore the changes that are taking place in the Dora refinery and its surrounding areas. Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS made use of Landsat imagery during the months of April and August in the years 2013 and 2023. ArcGIS 10.8 software was used to process the satellite images. The brightness temperature data from a satellite sensor was used to calculate the land surface temperature and the study's land cover classifications were created by applying supervised classification techniques.The aim of the study is to monitor the changes occurring in Dora refinery and its surrounding areas for periods of time 2013-2023 as a result of the influence of urban surface temperature , the growth and expansion that occurring in human activities and represented in the filtering and production of fossil energy and crude oil as well. The results of the investigation indicate an increase in the land surface temperature (LST) during the year 2023, in contrast to the year 2013, while we notice an increase in( NDVI ) in 2013 and a decrease in 2023, and a decrease in (NDBI) in 2013 and an increase in 2023. An inverse relationship was discovered between vegetated area and ( LST) between 2013 and 2023, whereas a positive relationship between (NDBI) and (LST) has been obtained suggesting an expanding surface urban heat island effect, as indicated by the correlation coefficients of statistical significance. It significantly affects how the land surface temperature varies. The main differences in the ways that land cover and use impact (LST) were also emphasized by this study during the whole duration of the inquiry, thus, methods for monitoring, examining, and assessing urban growth trends and their effects on land surface temperature can be achieved through the use of remote sensing and geographic information system tools.

Recently, there has been significant interest in biodiesel since it depends on renewable resources, which is essential given the increasing depletion of fossil fuels. Using palm oil in biodiesel production is an innovative application of botanical resources in this sector. Simulation research examined how blending palm oil with Iraqi conventional diesel influences engine performance. The impact of several mixtures, consisting of different proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) of palm oil and diesel, on engine fuel consumption, volumetric efficiency, torque, brake mean pressure, brake power, and thermal efficiency was evaluated in each case. The study found that using palm oil fuel at a mixing ratio of 20% resulted in a 4% increase in fuel consumption. Furthermore, a 3% enhancement in volumetric efficiency was also noted. Again, there was a noticeable reduction in the torque, power, and average adequate pressure levels across all diesel fuel mixing ratios compared to diesel fuel, which exhibits the highest value.

Objective This study aimed to assess the overall economic impact of clinical pharmacist interventions in the neonatal ICU (NICU) in Qatar. Methods A retrospective review of neonates’ records was performed over a 3-month duration in the NICU of Qatar to determine the total economic benefit of clinical pharmacist interventions. The total benefit of interventions was calculated by considering the cost avoidance due to preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) and the cost savings associated with the revised resource use due to interventions. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the robustness and generalizability of the results. Results A total of 513 interventions were analyzed, involving 150 neonates. Most of the drug-related problems were related to therapy dosing, followed by drug choice appropriateness, the addition of prophylactic treatment, and administration frequency. The overall annual benefit was estimated at QAR 4,178,352 (1,147,584), which consisted of cost avoidance of QAR 1,050,680 (USD 288,648) and an overall cost saving of QAR −6091 (USD −1673). Conclusions While the clinical pharmacist interventions led to increased resource utilisation and associated costs, when considering the avoided costs of ADEs, the overall clinical pharmacist practices in the NICU setting were economically beneficial.

Mammogram exam images are useful in identifying diseases, such as breast cancer, which is one of the deadliest cancers, affecting adult women around the world. Computational image analysis and machine learning techniques can help experts identify abnormalities in these images. In this work we present a new system to help diagnose and analyze breast mammogram images. To do this, the system a method the Selection of the Most Discriminant Attributes of the images preprocessed by BEMD “SMDA-BEMD”, this entails picking the most pertinent traits from the collection of variables that characterize the state under study. A reduction of attribute based on a transformation of the data also called an extraction of characteristics by extracting the Haralick attributes from the Co-occurrence Matrices Methods “GLCM” this reduction which consists of replacing the initial set of data by a new reduced set, constructed at from the initial set of features extracted by images decomposed using Bidimensional Empirical Multimodal Decomposition “BEMD”, for discrimination of breast mammogram images (healthy and pathology) using BEMD. This decomposition makes it possible to decompose an image into several Bidimensional Intrinsic Mode Functions “BIMFs” modes and a residue. The results obtained show that mammographic images can be represented in a relatively short space by selecting the most discriminating features based on a supervised method where they can be differentiated with high reliability between healthy mammographic images and pathologies, However, certain aspects and findings demonstrate how successful the suggested strategy is to detect the tumor. A BEMD technique is used as preprocessing on mammographic images. This suggested methodology makes it possible to obtain consistent results and establishes the discrimination threshold for mammography images (healthy and pathological), the classification rate is improved (98.6%) compared to existing cutting-edge techniques in the field. This approach is tested and validated on mammographic medical images from the Kenitra-Morocco reproductive health reference center (CRSRKM) which contains breast mammographic images of normal and pathological cases.

Abstract To investigate the effectiveness of AcceleDent Aura vibrating device on the rate of canine retraction. Thirty-two patients requiring extraction of upper first premolars and canine retraction were randomly allocated with a 1:1 ratio into either no-appliance group or the AcceleDent Aura appliance group. Canine retraction was done applying 150gm of retraction force using NiTi coil springs on 16 × 22 stainless steel archwires. The duration of the study was 4 months. Models were collected and digitized directly after extraction of upper first premolars and at monthly intervals during canine retraction for recording the monthly as well as the total distance moved by the canine. Digitized models were superimposed on the initial model and data were statistically analyzed. Anchorage loss, rotation, tipping, torque and root condition were evaluated using cone beam computed tomography imaging. Pain was evaluated by visual analog scale. No patients were dropped-out during this study. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the total distance travelled by the canine (P = 0.436), as well as the rate of canine retraction per month (P = 0.17). Root condition was the same for the two groups. Regarding the pain level, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at day 0 (P = 0.721), after 24 h (P = 0.882), after 72 h (P = 0.378) and after 7 days (P = 0.964). AcceleDent Aura was not able to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. Pain level couldn’t be reduced by vibrational force with an AcceleDent device during orthodontic treatment. Root condition was not affected by the vibrational forces.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by C1-INH gene mutations, leading to recurrent angioedema episodes affecting various body parts, including the gastrointestinal tract. This case report describes a 24-year-old female presenting with symptoms mimicking an acute abdomen, characterized by severe abdominal cramps, anorexia, and diarrhea, with a significant past medical history of angioedema flares and emergency intubation for asphyxiation at age 11. Despite initial treatment with antihistamines showing no improvement, her symptoms spontaneously resolved. Further investigation revealed low complement C4 levels and reduced C1-INH function, confirming HAE with an unusual isolated involvement of the ascending and transverse colon. This case underscores the importance of considering HAE in patients presenting with acute abdominal symptoms, especially with a history suggestive of angioedema. It highlights the need for emergency physicians and gastroenterologists to be aware of HAE’s clinical manifestations to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions. Moreover, the case emphasizes the significance of patient education on recognizing symptoms and seeking timely medical attention to prevent severe complications. This report adds to the existing literature by detailing an uncommon presentation of HAE, aiming to enhance early diagnosis and management of this potentially life-threatening condition.

IntroductionThis study investigates the digital citizenship behavior (DCB) and behavioral intention (BI) of faculty members at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) colleges in Kuwait. The research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of technology in teaching and provide a case study of higher educational institutions in Kuwait. The study’s theoretical framework focuses on four key factors: performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), and facilitating conditions (FC), examining their impact on faculty readiness (RED) through the mediation of both BI and DCB. A total of 28 hypotheses were tested, exploring direct and indirect relationships among these variables.MethodsA survey was conducted among 122 faculty members from PAAET colleges in Kuwait. The questionnaire measured the participants’ perceptions of PE, EE, SI, and FC, along with their BI and DCB. The study employed statistical methods to analyze the data and test the 28 hypotheses, aiming to identify significant paths of relationships that contribute to faculty readiness for technology use in education.ResultsThe findings confirmed eight significant paths of relationships, highlighting the importance of inputs such as effort and social influence and their impact on performance as an output in determining faculty readiness. However, the study raised empirical doubts about the remaining 20 hypotheses, providing new evidence that challenges the currently established relationships between technology acceptance and digital citizenship.DiscussionThe study offers valuable insights into the factors influencing the effective use of technology in higher education institutions in Kuwait. It suggests that while some pathways, such as effort and social influence, significantly contribute to faculty readiness, other expected relationships may not hold as previously thought. This new evidence calls for a reevaluation of the existing models of technology acceptance and digital citizenship. The results have important implications for policy and practice, offering guidance on enhancing technology use among faculty members in educational settings. The study contributes to the broader discussion on digital transformation in education, providing a comprehensive understanding of the key factors that affect faculty readiness for adopting new technologies.

In this study, we define a new fuzzy contraction principle, namely, the concept of ξ-α-η-Γ F-mappings, and prove the existence and uniqueness of the fixed point for such class of mappings. To further demonstrate the validity of our results, we furnish an application to neutral fractional integro-differential equations with nonlocal conditions. The presented results unify, generalize, and enhance a number of prior findings in the literature.

هدفت الدراسة الى :- تخطيط وتنظيم التجارب العملية من الناحية الفنية في علم البايوميكانيك الرياضي وقد استعمل الباحثون المنهج الوصفي بأسلوب الدراسات المسحية و تألفت عينة البحث من 20 أستاذ مختص في مجال البايوميكانيك الرياضي ومن عدة جامعات عراقية ومر الاستبيان بالمراحل التي تتطلب الحصول على استبانة دقيقة بمراحل اعداد صياغة وتجربة استطلاعية مع تطبيق الأسس العلمية على الاستبيان وقد تم مناقشة النتائج بعد تفريغ البيانات وإعادة ترتيب بعض الفقرات وفق اتفاق الخبراء وقد استنتج الباحثون اتفاق اغلب المقومين على ان تحديد عينة البحث ومستوياتهم يؤثر على تطبيق التجربة بالشكل الصحيح ،كما يتبين ان التخطيط للتجارب في مجال علم البايوميكانيك وتوفير كل ما يلزم لأجراء التجربة يعد من الضروريات لنجاح الدراسة البحثية المتعلقة بمجال علم البايوميكانيك

Polo‐like kinase 1 (PLK1; also known as serine/threonine‐protein kinase PLK1) serves as a central player in cell proliferation, exerting critical regulatory roles in mitotic processes and cell survival. We conducted an analysis of PLK1 protein expression in a large cohort of samples from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients and examined its functional significance in PTC cell lines, both in vitro and in vivo. PLK1 overexpression was noted in 54.2% of all PTC and was significantly associated with aggressive clinicopathological parameters; it was also found to be an independent prognostic marker for shorter recurrence‐free survival. Given the significant association between PLK1 and forkhead box protein M1 (FoxM1), and their concomitant overexpression in a large proportion of PTC samples, we explored their correlation and their combined inhibitions in PTC in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of PLK1 expression indeed suppressed cell proliferation, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PTC cell lines. Significantly, the downregulation of PLK1 reduced the self‐renewal capability of spheroids formed from PTC cells. Immunoprecipitation analysis shows that PLK1 binds to FoxM1 and vice versa in vitro. Mechanistically, PLK1 knockdown suppresses FoxM1 expression, whereas inhibition of FoxM1 does not affect PLK1 expression, which suggests that PLK1 acts through the FoxM1 pathway. The combined treatment of a PLK1 inhibitor (volasertib) and a FoxM1 inhibitor (thiostrepton) demonstrated a synergistic effect in reducing PTC cell growth in vitro and delaying tumor growth in vivo. This study highlights the important role of PLK1 in PTC tumorigenesis and prognosis. It also highlights the synergistic therapeutic potential of dual‐targeting PLK1 and FoxM1 in PTC, unveiling a potential innovative therapeutic strategy for managing aggressive forms of PTC.

Abstract The aim of our study was to assess the overall survival rates for colorectal cancer at 3 years and to identify associated strong prognostic factors among patients in Morocco through an interpretable machine learning approach. This approach is based on a fully non-parametric survival random forest (RSF), incorporating variable importance and partial dependence effects. The data was povided from a retrospective study of 343 patients diagnosed and followed at Hassan II University Hospital. Covariate selection was performed using the variable importance based on permutation and partial dependence plots were displayed to explore in depth the relationship between the estimated partial effect of a given predictor and survival rates. The predictive performance was measured by two metrics, the Concordance Index (C-index) and the Brier Score (BS). Overall survival rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were, respectively, 87% (SE = 0.02; CI-95% 0.84–0.91), 77% (SE = 0.02; CI-95% 0.73–0.82) and 60% (SE = 0.03; CI-95% 0.54–0.66). In the Cox model after adjustment for all covariates, sex, tumor differentiation had no significant effect on prognosis, but rather tumor site had a significant effect. The variable importance obtained from RSF strengthens that surgery, stage, insurance, residency, and age were the most important prognostic factors. The discriminative capacity of the Cox PH and RSF was, respectively, 0.771 and 0.798 for the C-index while the accuracy of the Cox PH and RSF was, respectively, 0.257 and 0.207 for the BS. This shows that RSF had both better discriminative capacity and predictive accuracy. Our results show that patients who are older than 70, living in rural areas, without health insurance, at a distant stage and who have not had surgery constitute a subgroup of patients with poor prognosis.

The experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of using Cresson oil biodiesel on CI engine emissions and performance. This research aimed to examine how using innovative biodiesel blend formulations made from Cresson oil affected the performance and emissions of CI engines. The proportion of Cresson oil biodiesel added to conventional Iraqi diesel fuel into volume ratios of 10%, 20%, 40%,60%,80%, and 100 %. The engine compression ratio was set to 18, and the fuel injection timing was set at 23º bTDC. The Experiments show that this biodiesel reduces the engine's thermal efficiency, heat release, delay time, and cylinder pressure while increasing the exhaust temperature (EGT) and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC). There has been an increase in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and carbon dioxide (CO2), but a reduction in emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), soot, and unburned hydrocarbons (HC).

Tor (The Onion Routing) network was designed to enable users to browse the Internet anonymously. It is known for its anonymity and privacy security feature against many agents who desire to observe the area of users or chase users’ browsing conventions. This anonymity stems from the encryption and decryption of Tor traffic. That is, the client’s traffic should be subject to encryption and decryption before the sending and receiving process, which leads to delay and even interruption in data flow. The exchange of cryptographic keys between network devices plays a pivotal and critical role in facilitating secure communication and ensuring the integrity of cryptographic procedures. This essential process is time-consuming, which causes delay and discontinuity of data flow. To overcome delay or interruption problems, we utilized the Software-Defined Network (SDN), Machine Learning (ML), and Blockchain (BC) techniques, which support the Tor network to intelligently speed up exchanging the public key via the proactive processing of the Tor network security management information. Consequently, the combination network (ITor-SDN) keeps data flow continuity to a Tor client. We simulated and emulated the proposed network by using Mininet and Shadow simulations. The findings of the performed analysis illustrate that the proposed network architecture enhances the overall performance metrics, showcasing a remarkable advancement of around 55%. This substantial enhancement is achieved through the seamless execution of the innovative ITor-SDN network combination approach.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in biodiesel due to its utilisation of renewable resources, which is particularly significant given the increasing depletion of fossil fuel stocks. The utilisation of Cresson weed in biodiesel fuel production is a pioneering application of botanical herbs within the biodiesel industry. This study compares the combustion characteristics of biodiesel fuel B10, B20, B40, B60, and D80B10M10 blends with petroleum diesel. This analysis examines the combustion process across various equivalence ratios in semi-industrial boilers. The study examines the combustion efficiency, flue gas emissions (CO, CO2, T exhaust, and HC), and flame length. Findings show that adding more biodiesel fuel to diesel fuel increases its combustion efficiency above and beyond what is possible with regular diesel fuel at high energy levels. In addition, blends like B60 and other mixtures like D80B10M10 emit lower levels of pollutants, such as CO, than diesel and increase T exhaust and CO2, which indicates the completion of combustion.

ABSTRACTObjective: Preterm babies are prone to experiencing apnea of prematurity (AOP), mostly characterised by a pause in breathing lasting a minimum of 20 seconds. Recent literature supported higher maintenance doses of caffeine, indicating benefits. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of high maintenance dose (HD) versus low maintenance dose (LD) caffeine for AOP in neonates.Methods: From the hospital perspective of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar, a cost-effectiveness decision-analytic model was constructed to follow the use of a HD maintenance caffeine of 20 mg/kg/dose versus a LD maintenance caffeine of 10 mg/kg/dose, in a simulated cohort of AOP neonates, over a therapy follow-up duration of six weeks, until neonatal intensive care (NICU) discharge. The clinical inputs were primarily literature-based, while the resource cost and utilisation were locally extracted in HMC. The cost-effectiveness outcome measure was calculated per therapy success, defined as survival with no apnea and successful extubation removal within 72 hours, with or without adverse events. One-way and multivariate sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the robustness of the results.Results: With 0.23 (95% CI, 0.23–0.23) enhancement in success rate, at United States dollar (US$) 3869 (95% CI, US$ 3823–3915) added infant cost, the HD caffeine was between dominant (34.8%) and cost-effective (63.7%), with an average incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of US $16,895 (95% CI, US$ 15,242–18,549) relative to LD caffeine per additional case of success. The hospitalisation contributed the most to the total infant cost, and the probability of patent ductus arteriosus was the model input that influenced the results most.Conclusion: This is the first literature economic evaluation of caffeine for AOP. Despite increasing the cost of therapy, HD maintenance caffeine seems to be a cost-effective alternative to LD caffeine in Qatar. Our results support the recent global trends of increased use of HD caffeine for AOP in NICU.

The healthcare system in Pakistan faces several challenges, namely due to incompetence and a lack of provider responsiveness to the needs of consumers. Two parallel systems exist in the healthcare system of Pakistan. One consists of public hospitals that remained short, even, of basic healthcare facilities, and the other consists of private hospitals that are too costly for the people of Pakistan to afford. Solutions to the stumbling and compromised healthcare system of Pakistan are adequate financial support and infrastructure development. A dire need to invest in the healthcare system is required; otherwise, the healthcare system in Pakistan will continue fighting for its survival rather than improving and competing with the healthcare systems of other nations in the region. The overall data quoted here demonstrates that up-scaling of initiatives in the country would require lot of cautions to be taken by the government.

Optimization algorithms exist to find solutions to various problems and then find out the optimal solutions. These algorithms are designed to reach desired goals with high accuracy and low error, as well as improve performance in various fields, including machine learning, operations research, physics, chemistry, and engineering. As technology continues to advance, optimization algorithms are increasingly needed to address complex real-world challenges and drive innovation across all disciplines. Quantitative leaps have been achieved in improving the efficiency of optimization algorithms through the diversity of sources of information feeding these algorithms according to the type of optimization problem, based on scientific and organized foundations. The objectives of this paper are to discuss the most important optimization algorithms, classify the scientific fields involved in their application, and optimize problems involved in this regard, in addition to providing a brief overview for comparison among these algorithms.

BackgroundRadioactive iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RAIR-DTC) has received increasing attention due to its poor prognosis. However, outcomes may vary among patients with RAIR-DTC. The role of clinico-pathological and molecular prognostic factors in survival remains controversial, resulting in difficulty in selecting patients for new targeted therapies. We assessed mortality rate and DTC-specific survival in Middle Eastern RAIR-DTC to identify prognostic factors associated with survival.MethodsThis single center, retrospective study enrolled 268 patients with RAIR-DTC. Mortality rate and DTC-specific survival were analyzed to identify prognostic factors related to survival. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsOf the 268 cases of RAIR-DTC, 40.3% (108/268) had absent 131I uptake (either on diagnostic or post-therapy whole body scan), 15.3% (41/268) had progressive disease (PD) despite 131I, 7.5% (20/268) had persistent disease despite cumulative activity of I131 of >600 mCi and 36.9% (n=99/268) developed distant metastasis. On multivariate analysis, age (more than 45 years), presence of metastatic disease and tumors harboring telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations were independent prognostic factors for poor DTC-specific survival. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the number of risk factors; low risk (no risk factors); intermediate (≤ 2 risk factors); and high risk (all the 3 risk factors). Ten-year DTC-specific survival rates in low, intermediate and high-risk groups were 100.0%, 92.9% and 53.6%, respectively.ConclusionsThe contribution of age greater than 45 years to RAIR-DTC mortality is impactful. Older age, presence of distant metastasis and TERT mutations could be used as early predictors of RAIR-DTC cases. The identification of prognostic factors for poor survival in RAIR-DTC may improve the selection of patients for more personalized surveillance and therapeutic modalities.

In this pilot study, we compared the metagenomic profiles of different types of artisanal fermented meat products collected in Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Morocco to investigate their taxonomic profile, also in relation to the presence of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes. In addition, technical replicates of the same biological sample were tested to estimate the reproducibility of shotgun metagenomics. The taxonomic analysis showed a high level of variability between different fermented meat products at both the phylum and genus levels. Staphylococcus aureus was identified with the highest abundance in Italian fermented meat; Escherichia coli in fermented meat from Morocco; Salmonella enterica in fermented meat from Greece; Klebsiella pneumoniae and Yersinia enterocolitica in fermented meat from Portugal. The fungi Aspergillus, Neosartoria, Emericella, Penicillum and Debaryomyces showed a negative correlation with Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus. The resistome analysis indicated that genes conferring resistance to aminoglycoside, macrolide, and tetracycline were widely spread in all the samples. Our results showed that the reproducibility between technical replicates tested by shotgun metagenomic was very high under the same conditions of analysis (either DNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing analysis, and bioinformatic analysis), considering both the degree of overlapping and the pairwise correlation.

To overcome the widespread emergence of drug resistant pathological agents, newer treatment options are required to be found urgently. This research aims to design new molecules with antimicrobial activities using computational methods and to synthesize these compounds. The designed structures possessing thiazolidine-4-one heterocyclic moiety were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities and were found to exhibit antifungal and antibacterial properties. Molecular docking studies were conducted to examine the potential drug-protein interactions. Molecular characterization by spectral techniques (FT-IR, 13C NMR and 1H NMR) was carried out to confirm the identity of the synthesized compounds.

Abstract Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide with germline pathogenic variants/likely pathogenic variants (PVs/LPVs) in BRCA1/2 accounting for a large portion of hereditary cases. Recently, heterozygous PVs/LPVs in the ATM serine/threonine kinase or Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated gene (ATM) has been identified as a moderate susceptibility factor for BC in diverse ethnicities. However, the prevalence of ATM PVs/LPVs in BC susceptibility in Arab populations remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the prevalence of ATM PVs/LPVs among BC patients from Saudi Arabia, employing capture-sequencing technology for ATM PVs/LPVs screening in a cohort of 715 unselected BC patients without BRCA1/2 PVs/LPVs. In addition, founder mutation analysis was conducted using the PHASE program. In our entire cohort, four unique PVs/LPVs in the ATM gene were identified in six cases (0.8%). Notably, one recurrent LPV, c.6115G > A:p.Glu2039Lys was identified in three cases, for which haplotype analysis confirmed as a novel putative founder mutation traced back to 13 generations on average. This founder mutation accounted for half of all identified mutant cases and 0.4% of total screened cases. This study further reveals a significant correlation between the presence of ATM mutation and family history of BC (p = 0.0127). These findings underscore an approximate 0.8% prevalence of ATM germline PVs/LPVs in Arab BC patients without BRCA1/2 PVs/LPVs and suggest a founder effect of specific recurrent ATM mutation. These insights can help in the design of a genetic testing strategy tailored to the local population in Saudi Arabia, thereby, enabling more accurate clinical management and risk prediction.

Abstract Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. The membrane-associated glycoprotein cadherin-16 (CDH16) plays a significant role in the embryonal development of thyroid follicles and cell adhesion. Previous studies have indicated a substantial downregulation of CDH16 in PTC. However, its role in Middle Eastern PTC has not been elucidated. We analyzed a tissue microarray comprising 1606 PTC and 240 normal thyroid tissues using immunohistochemistry to assess CDH16 expression and determine its clinico-pathological associations. We also conducted BRAF and TERT mutations analyses through Sanger sequencing. Disease-free survival (DFS) was assessed using Kaplan–Meier curves. CDH16 immunostaining was seen in 100% of normal thyroid tissues but only in 9.4% of PTC tissues (p

This study looks at the connection between argumentative writing and speaking among sixth-semester EFL students at Moulay Ismail University in Morocco’s English Studies department. In order to achieve this objective, a total of 80 undergraduate students who were learning English as a foreign language (EFL) were selected as participants. Participants were then given both speaking and writing examinations to assess their argumentation skills in these two areas. Regression and correlation analyses were performed in SPSS on the study’s data. The findings show a substantial difference between speaking and writing in contentious discourse, in addition to a high positive association. Argumentative speaking was statistically proven to predict a great proportion of argumentative writing. The findings suggest integrating argumentative speaking and writing in teaching and assessment practices in a balanced way. The two skills can be taught along with each other to facilitate correspondences between the two modalities in argumentative genre. As the study concludes, it offers valuable insights into the implications of these findings, highlights the research limitations encountered during the research process, and provides recommendations for future endeavors in the realm of language pedagogy and assessment. This study not only contributes to our understanding of the interplay between argumentative writing and speaking but also paves the way for more comprehensive and integrated language instruction practices in EFL contexts.

The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has become a crucial area of modern research. While the increasing number of IoT devices has driven significant advancements, it has also introduced several challenges, such as data storage, data privacy, communication protocols, complex network topologies, and IoT device management. In essence, the management of IoT devices is becoming more and more challenging, especially with the limited capacity and power of the IoT devices. The devices, having limited capacities, cannot store the information of the entire environment at once. In addition, device power consumption can affect network performance and stability. The devices’ sensing areas with device grouping and management can simplify further networking tasks and improve response quality with data aggregation and correction techniques. In fact, most research papers are looking forward to expanding network lifetimes by relying on devices with high power capabilities. This paper proposes a device spatial clustering technique that covers crucial challenges in IoT. Our approach groups the dispersed devices to create clusters of connected devices while considering their coverage, their storage capacities, and their power. A new clustering protocol alongside a new clustering algorithm is introduced, resolving the aforementioned challenges. Moreover, a technique for non-sensed area extraction is presented. The efficiency of the proposed approach has been evaluated with extensive experiments that gave notable results. Our technique was also compared with other clustering algorithms, showing the different results of these algorithms.

The study aims to assess the impact of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the oxidation status of five types of analogue meat products, crucial for extending shelf life and maintaining quality, and seeks to optimize packaging strategies to mitigate oxidation and provide possible solutions for enhancing the overall quality of analogue meat products. Gas ratios in MAP, as well as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), free fatty acids (FFA), total polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity were assessed through four different assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl: DPPH, Azino-Bis (3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid): ABTS, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power: FRAP, Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity: CUPRAC) for analogue meat products (steak, noodles, filet, burger, and mince) on the last day of their shelf life. O2 ratios in the MAP for all the products did not differ significantly (p > 0.05), but CO2 concentrations significantly differed (p > 0.05) in the MAP of the evaluated products. The minced product exhibited higher oxidative stability with the lowest TBARS (3.20 mg MDA·kg−1) and FFA (1.12% total fat as oleic acid), along with a high antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 32.26, ABTS: 4.49% inhibition, CUPRAC: 11.48 Trolox mmol/kg). The filet product was more susceptible to the oxidation process, as evidenced by the significantly (p > 0.05) higher TBARS value (9.71 mg MDA·kg−1), lower polyphenol content (1.01 mg gallic acid/g), and antioxidant capacity (FRAP: 4.75 mmol/g, CPRAC: 5.57 Trolox mmol/kg).

The main objective of this work was to determine the significant physicochemical and bioactive parameters of honeys originating from Iraqi Kurdistan. For this purpose, honey samples (n = 16) were taken directly from Kurdish beekeepers from different places of Dohuk and Erbil Governorate in 2018 and 2022. The following parameters were analyzed: moisture content, electrical conductivity, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, pH, free acidity, content of saccharides, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, color, color intensity and DPPH, FRAP. Another objective of this work was to compare the properties of Kurdistan honeys with the requirements of European Union law and with the honeys of Central Europe. A total of 48 honey samples were included in the comparison. It was detected that the honeys produced in Iraqi Kurdistan met the strict quality criteria set by European law, which is important information for local beekeepers and experts in relation to honey production and an opportunity to set local limits of honey quality. Despite the different climatic and topographical conditions, the available flora, and the different species of bees, the properties of Iraqi Kurdistan honeys were similar to the properties of honeys from the Czech and Slovak Republics.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by aberrations in social interaction and communication associated with repetitive behaviors and interests, with strong clinical heterogeneity. Genetic factors play an important role in ASD, but about 75% of ASD cases have an undetermined genetic risk.Methods: We extensively investigated an ASD cohort made of 102 families from the Middle Eastern population of Qatar. First, we investigated the copy number variations (CNV) contribution using genome-wide SNP arrays. Next, we employed Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to identify de novo or inherited variants contributing to the ASD etiology and its associated comorbid conditions in families with complete trios (affected child and the parents).Results: Our analysis revealed 16 CNV regions located in genomic regions implicated in ASD. The analysis of the 88 ASD cases identified 41 genes in 39 ASD subjects with de novo (n = 24) or inherited variants (n = 22). We identified three novel de novo variants in new candidate genes for ASD (DTX4, ARMC6, and B3GNT3). Also, we have identified 15 de novo variants in genes that were previously implicated in ASD or related neurodevelopmental disorders (PHF21A, WASF1, TCF20, DEAF1, MED13, CREBBP, KDM6B,SMURF1, ADNP, CACNA1G, MYT1L, KIF13B, GRIA2, CHM, and KCNK9). Additionally, we defined eight novel recessive variants (RYR2, DNAH3, TSPYL2, UPF3B KDM5C, LYST, and WNK3), four of which were X-linked.Conclusion: Despite the ASD multifactorial etiology that hinders ASD genetic risk discovery, the number of identified novel or known putative ASD genetic variants was appreciable. Nevertheless, this study represents the first comprehensive characterization of ASD genetic risk in Qatar's Middle Eastern population.

IntroductionThe unprecedented impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has had profound implications on the ASD community, including disrupting daily life, increasing stress and emotional dysregulation in autistic children, and worsening individual and family well-being.MethodsThis study used quantitative and qualitative survey data from parents in Qatar (n=271), to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic children and their families in Qatar. The questionnaire was a combination of open-ended (qualitative) and closed-ended (quantitative) questions to explore patterns in the experiences of the different families, as well as to contrive themes. The survey was created in a way to evaluate the psychological, academic/intervention, economic, and other impacts of the pandemic related measures on a sample of multicultural families residing in the State of Qatar during the peak period of confinement and physical distancing in 2020. Data acquisition involved the utilization of Google Forms. Subsequent quantitative analysis employed the SPSS software and chi-square analysis for numerical examination, enabling the characterization of the studied population and exploration of associations between parental stress levels and variables such as employment status, therapy accessibility, presence of hired assistance, and alterations in their childs skills. Concurrently, qualitative data from written responses underwent thorough categorization, encompassing themes such as emotional isolation, mental or financial challenges, and difficulties in obtaining support.ResultsParents expressed distress and disturbance in their daily lives, including profound disruptions to their childrens access to treatment, education, and activities. Most parents reported deteriorations in their childrens sleep (69.4%), behavioral regulation (52.8%), and acquired skills across multiple domains (54.2%). Parents also reported decreased access to family and social support networks, as well as decreased quality of clinical and community support. Qualitative analysis of parental responses revealed that child developmental regression was an important source of parental stress.Discussion and conclusionThe greater impact of the pandemic on autistic children and their families emphasizes the need for accessible and affordable health, education, and family services to manage their special needs.

BackgroundSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare debilitating condition with a significant burden for patients and society. However, little is known about how it affects Saudi Arabia's population. The socioeconomic and medical characteristics of affected SMA patients and their caregivers are lacking.PurposeThis study aimed to describe the socioeconomic and medical characteristics of SMA patients and caregivers in Saudi Arabia.Patients and methodsA cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted using snowball sampling. Assessment tools including EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L) and visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Costs for Patients Questionnaire (CoPaQ) were used to assess the quality of life (QoL), anxiety, depression, and out-of-pocket expenditures.ResultsSixty-four caregivers of SMA patients participated. Type I patients had higher sibling concordance, ICU hospitalization, and mechanical support needs. Type III patients had better QoL. Type I patients' caregivers had higher depression scores. Type III patients' caregivers had higher out-of-pocket expenditures. Forty-eight percent received supportive care, while others received SMA approved therapies.ConclusionSMA imposes a significant socioeconomic burden on patients and caregivers, requiring more attention from the healthcare system. Access to innovative therapies varied across SMA types. Pre-marital screening and early detection are crucial to reduce disease incidence and ensure timely treatment.

The dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. produce saffron, a precious spice used for its culinary and medicinal properties since ancient times, while its petals are considered the main by-product of saffron production. The present study aimed to comparatively evaluate the phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of stigmas and petals of Crocus sativus L. from Taliouine. The polyphenol content was measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, the antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH free radical scavenging method, and the well-diffusion method was used to assess antibacterial activity against seven pathogenic bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus). Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined using the microdilution broth test. Our findings revealed that stigmas and petals contained phenolic compounds at the rate of 56.11 ± 4.70 and 64.73 ± 3.42 mg GAE/g, as well as DPPH radical scavenging capacity with IC50 of 1700 µg/ml and 430 µg/ml, respectively. Petal extract showed more effective antibacterial activity, with inhibition diameters ranging from 10.66 ± 0.57 to 22.00 ± 1.00 mm and MIC values ranging from 2.81 to 5.62 mg/ml, compared to the stigma extract, which displayed inhibition diameters from 10.00 ± 0.00 to 18.67 ± 0.76 mm and MIC from 2.81 to 11.25 mg/ml, against five of the seven bacterial strains tested, including S. aureus, E. coli, P. vulgaris, P. aeruginosa, and S. enterica. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the significance of these results. Thus, stigmas and petals of Crocus sativus L. might serve as a suitable source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

We investigated whether a homozygous recessive genetic variant of NSF attachment protein beta (NAPB) gene inherited by monozygotic triplets contributed to their phenotype of early-onset epilepsy and autism. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines were generated from all three probands and both parents. The NAPB genetic variation was corrected in iPSC lines from two probands by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Cortical neurons were produced by directed, in vitro differentiation from all iPSC lines. These cell line-derived neurons enabled us to determine that the genetic variation in the probands causes exon skipping and complete absence of NAPB protein. Electrophysiological and transcriptomic comparisons of cortical neurons derived from parents and probands cell lines indicate that loss of NAPB function contributes to alterations in neuronal functions and likely contributed to the impaired neurodevelopment of the triplets.

BackgroundDespite advancements in treatment approaches, patients diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer (BC) subtypes typically face an unfavorable prognosis. Globally, these cancers continue to pose a significant threat to women's health, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. Consequently, there has been a significant struggle to identify viable molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in these patients. Polo-like Kinase-1 (PLK1) represents one of these molecular targets currently undergoing rigorous scrutiny for the treatment of such tumors. Yet, its role in the pathogenesis of BC in Middle Eastern ethnicity remains unexplored.MethodsWe investigated the expression of PLK1 protein in a cohort of more than 1500 Middle Eastern ethnicity BC cases by immunohistochemistry. Association with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis were performed. In vitro studies were conducted using the PLK1 inhibitor volasertib and the PARP inhibitor olaparib, either alone or in combination, in PTC cell lines. ResultsOverexpression of PLK1 was detected in 27.4% of all BC cases, and this was notably correlated with aggressive clinicopathological markers. PLK1 was enriched in the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype and exhibited poor overall survival (p = 0.0347). Notably, there was a positive correlation between PLK1 and PARP overexpression, with co-expression of PLK1 and PARP observed in 15.7% of cases and was associated with significantly poorer overall survival (OS) compared to the overexpression of either protein alone (p = 0.0050). In vitro, we studied the effect of PLK1 and PARP inhibitors either single or combined treatments in two BRCA mutated, and one BRCA proficient TNBC cell lines. We showed that combined inhibition significantly reduced cell survival and persuaded apoptosis in TNBC cell lines. Moreover, our findings indicate that inhibition of PLK1 can reinstate sensitivity in PARP inhibitor (PARPi) resistant TNBC cell lines. ConclusionOur results shed light on the role of PLK1 in the pathogenesis and prognosis of Middle Eastern BC and support the potential clinical development of combined inhibition of PLK1 and PARP, a strategy that could potentially broaden the use of PLK1 and PARP inhibitors beyond BC cases lacking BRCA.

Abstract Cadherin-16 (CDH16) plays a role in the embryonal development in kidney and thyroid. Downregulation of CDH16 RNA was found in papillary carcinomas of the thyroid. To determine the expression of CDH16 in tumors and to assess the diagnostic utility a tissue microarray containing 15,584 samples from 152 different tumor types as well as 608 samples of 76 different normal tissue types was analyzed. A membranous CDH16 immunostaining was predominantly seen in thyroid, kidney, cauda epididymis, and mesonephric remnants. In the thyroid, CDH16 staining was seen in 100% of normal samples, 86% of follicular adenomas, 60% of follicular carcinomas, but only 7% of papillary carcinomas (p

Furin belongs to the pro‐protein convertases (PCs) family and its aberrant expression has been documented in various types of cancers; however, its role in thyroid cancer remains unclear. We investigated the expression of furin in a large cohort of Middle Eastern papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patient samples and explored its functional role and mechanism in PTC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Furin overexpression was observed in 44.6% of all PTC cases and was significantly associated with aggressive clinicopathological parameters and poor outcomes. We show that the knockdown of FURIN suppresses tumor growth, proliferation, migration, invasion, spheroid growth, and progression of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in B‐Raf proto‐oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) mutant cells, whereas its overexpression in BRAF wild‐type PTC cell lines reversed the effect. FURIN knockdown in the BRAF mutant cell line led to reduced tumor growth and increased apoptosis. Mechanistically, FURIN knockdown led to MEK/ERK pathway suppression in BRAF mutant cells, although inhibition of MEK did not affect furin expression, which suggests that furin acts through the MEK/ERK pathway. Furthermore, our study revealed the synergistic antitumor effect of furin depletion and anti‐MEK inhibitor treatment. Overall, these results indicate that furin is an important prognostic marker in Middle Eastern PTC and that it plays a crucial role in BRAF‐associated MAP/ERK pathway activation and tumorigenesis. Furin inhibition could be a potential therapeutic target for aggressive PTC.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sumac on the oxidation status, sensory properties, and physicochemical and microbiological parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fish during chilled storage. Fillets of carp were treated with ground sumac at percentages of 0% (T0), 0.5% (T1), 1.5% (T2) and 2.5% (T3) and analysed after 24 and 72 h of chilled storage. The fat content, oxidation parameters (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS), antioxidant capacity, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), free fatty acids (FFA), sensory properties, colour indicators (lightness L*, redness a*, yellowness b*), water activity, pH value, aerobic plate count (APC), psychrotrophic microorganism count (PMC), and coliform bacteria count were determined. The TBARS values of T1, T2, and T3 decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 24 h of chilled storage. The antioxidant capacity increased in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. As regards organoleptic properties, sumac was able to reduce the natural fishy odour, increase the sour odour and flavour, and mask the fish odour and flavour significantly. A significant effect of sumac on the redness (a*) values of muscles was observed, which increased with elevation of the sumac ratio. A decrease in fillet pH and lower APC and PMC were observed. No effect was found on water activity or the growth of coliform bacteria. The study found that sumac plays a role in the oxidation status, pH value and organoleptic properties of fish fillets, which could be beneficial for the fish and fishery products industry.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of choline chloride supplementation on the growth performance of feedlot calves. Thirty-two crossbred calves with a mean initial body weight of 305.71±4.09 Kg were divided into three groups of 10, 11 and 11 animals, randomly. The animals were distributed to one of three dietary treatments, control, choline15 and choline 30 (the rations supplemented with 0, 15 and 30 g choline chloride, respectively). The animals were fed on concentrate feed at a rate of about 2.15% of their live body weight and rice straw open access. Supplementing animal ration with choline chloride did not significantly affect all nutrients' digestibility and feeding value. The animals supplemented with 30 g choline chloride recorded significantly higher (P=0.037) total serum protein concentration compared to the other groups. The group received a ration supplemented with 30 g of choline chloride and recorded significantly higher final weight, total gain, and mean daily gain. Data showed significant improvement in TDN, CP and DCP conversion for the animal received ration supplemented with 30 g choline chloride compared to the control group. In conclusion, supplementing fattening calves' ration with rumen-protected choline could improve average daily gain and feed conversion.

Background: More research is ongoing on obesity as a risk factor for cancer occurrence.Cell of origin (COO), stage and National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) are frequently used for risk evaluation and treatment tailoring in patients with Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Relatively, few studies assessed the prognostic role of obesity and leptin level in patients with DLBCL. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of obesity and leptin level on response and prognosis in DLBCL. Methods: A single institution prospective study that included patients with DLBCL. For each patient, demographic data, body mass index (BMI), serum leptin level by ELISA, response and survival were determined. Results: Seventeen (24.3%) out of the 70 patients in our cohort were classified as obese (BMI>30). They had a higher serum leptin level (p < 0.001) and less response to R-CHOP chemotherapy (P= 0.003). Forty (57.14%) patients had elevated serum leptin level with B symptoms, Cell of origin and response to chemotherapy were significantly different between the two groups. There was no significant relationship between BMI and survival. On the other hand, higher serum leptin was associated with worse disease-free survival (p=0.035). Conclusion: The results support a relationship between both BMI and serum leptin level and response to treatment in DLBCL patients. Leptin level like other common prognostic factors is related to disease-free survival.

Herein, nanocomposite polymer electrolyte films were prepared from the blend of two polymers, polyethylene oxide (PEO) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), stuffed with various contents of gold quantum dots (AuQDs) and copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) as hybrid nanofiller via the solution casting method. AuQDs were prepared using laser ablation in liquid (LAL). TEM images showed that the average size of AuQDs is nearly 6.21 nm with a spherical shape. The effects of AuQDs and the hybrid nano-filler (AuQDs and CuNPs) on the PEO/CMC blend structural, optical, and electrical/dielectric characteristics have been investigated and discussed. XRD results revealed that the crystallinity degree of the nanocomposite samples decreased with increasing AuQDs/CuNPs content. Also, UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis uncovered that the optical energy gap reduced as the hybrid nanofillers' content increased. At room temperature, the electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed that the hybrid nanofiller loading increases the electrolyte films’ electrical conductivity. In the dielectric properties, space charges polarization revealed higher values, where the dielectric constant (ε′) increased at lower frequency regions. The Nyquist diagram showed a semicircular shape at the lower frequencies part with a linear shape at the higher frequencies part with decreasing radius; two equivalent circuit models could be the best fit. These results suggest that these nanocomposite electrolyte films could be candidates for capacitors and flexible energy storage devices.

Abstract The PALB2 gene is a breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) predisposition gene involved in the homologous recombination repair pathway. However, the prevalence and clinicopathological association of PALB2 pathogenic/likely pathogenic (PV/LPV) variants in Middle East is still not fully explored. Total 918 BC/OC patients from Saudi Arabia were selected for PALB2 mutations screening using capture sequencing technology. Five heterozygous PVs or LPVs were identified in six cases, accounting for 0.65% (6/918) of entire cohort. Two cases (33.3%) harbored PVs and four cases (66.7%) carried LPVs. Four PVs/LPVs (80%) were frameshift along with one novel splicing LPV (c.2835-2_2835-1delinsTT). One recurrent LPV (c.3425delT: p.L1142fs) was identified in two cases. All six affected carriers have breast cancer diagnosis with median age of 39.5 years (range 34–49 years). Only two cases (33%) have documented family history of cancer. Breast cancer phenotype was invasive ductal unilateral cancer in all cases with 66.7% of hormone receptor positive and 16% of triple negative tumors. Germline PVs/LPVs in the PALB2 gene were observed in low frequency of 0.65% in Saudi BC and/or OC. Our study confirms one recurrent LPV and one novel LPV in Saudi breast cancer patients.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major or L. tropica and visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum have been reported in Israel. We collected Phlebotomus spp. sand flies in the Negev desert of southern Israel to identify circulating Leishmania spp. Of 22,636 trapped sand flies, 80% were P. alexandri. We sequenced Leishmania-specific internal transcribed spacer 1 fragments and K26 genes. Of 5,019 Phlebotomus female sand flies, 2.5% were Leishmania DNA–positive; 92% of infections were L. donovani. Phylogenetic analyses showed separate clustering of L. donovani and L. infantum. P. alexandri flies positive for L. donovani harbored blood meals from European hares. Leishmania DNA isolated from a patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis who lived in the survey area was identical to L. donovani from P. alexandri flies. We report circulation of L. donovani, a cause of visceral leishmaniasis, in southern Israel. Prompt diagnosis and Leishmania spp. identification are critical to prevent leishmaniasis progression.

Abstract Background Sufficient endometrial preparation with or without progesterone supplementation is crucial in artificial cycles with frozen embryo transfer (FET). We aimed to study the effect of intramuscular progesterone supplementation on the day of embryo transfer (ET) in artificial frozen cycles. Methods A clinical cohort study involved women undergoing FET with artificially prepared endometrium. Serum progesterone levels were assessed on the day of ET. Accordingly, we recruited 177 women with progesterone levels more than 9.2 ng/ml in group 1, and 177 other women with progesterone levels less than 9.2 ng/ml in group 2. Women in group 1 received only 400 mg vaginal progesterone twice-daily after ET, while women in group 2 received additional intramuscular progesterone supplementation. The chemical, clinical, and ongoing pregnancy rates, as well as the pregnancy loss rate, were assessed in both groups. Results Expectantly, both groups showed a significant difference regarding the serum progesterone level on the day of ET (13.43 ± 4.65 vs 4.62 ± 2.77, P = 574). However, with additional intramuscular progesterone supplementation in group 2, both groups showed no significant difference regarding the chemical pregnancy rate (68.93% in group 1 vs 63.84% in group 2, P = 0.311), the clinical pregnancy rate (61.02% in group 1 vs 58.76% in group 2, P = 0.664), ongoing pregnancy rate (56.50% in group 1 vs 53.11% in group 2, P = 0.522), and pregnancy loss rate (7.41% in group 1 vs 9.62% in group 2, P = 0.564). Conclusions Intramuscular progesterone supplementation in women with decreased serum progesterone levels could improve pregnancy outcomes in artificial frozen cycles. Trial registration It was first registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 8/4/2021 with registration number NCT04837768.

Findings show the necessity to establish effective strategies to face and eliminate climate effects through sustainable management of water resources and land restoration policy that tend to improve land productivity to achieve food security and minimize food gap This study aims to provide a preliminary step towards developing a multidimensional index for the sake of food security dimensions’ evaluation. Hence, food security is regarded as a big and difficult challenge in the whole world, basically in Arab countries.

This study investigated the genetic underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a Middle Eastern cohort in Qatar using exome sequencing. The study identified six candidate autism genes in independent simplex families, including both four known and two novel autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive genes associated with ASD. The variants consisted primarily of de novo and homozygous missense and splice variants. Multiple individuals displayed more than one candidate variant, suggesting the potential involvement of digenic or oligogenic models. These variants were absent in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) and exhibited extremely low frequencies in the local control population dataset. Two novel autism genes, TRPC4 and SCFD2, were discovered in two Qatari autism individuals. Furthermore, the D651A substitution in CLCN3 and the splice acceptor variant in DHX30 were identified as likely deleterious mutations. Protein modeling was utilized to evaluate the potential impact of three missense variants in DEAF1, CLCN3, and SCFD2 on their respective structures and functions, which strongly supported the pathogenic natures of these variants. The presence of multiple de novo mutations across trios underscored the significant contribution of de novo mutations to the genetic etiology of ASD. Functional assays and further investigations are necessary to confirm the pathogenicity of the identified genes and determine their significance in ASD. Overall, this study sheds light on the genetic factors underlying ASD in Qatar and highlights the importance of considering diverse populations in ASD research.

IntroductionAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by defects in two core domains, social/communication skills and restricted/repetitive behaviors or interests. There is no approved biomarker for ASD diagnosis, and the current diagnostic method is based on clinical manifestation, which tends to vary vastly between the affected individuals due to the heterogeneous nature of ASD. There is emerging evidence that supports the implication of the immune system in ASD, specifically autoimmunity; however, the role of autoantibodies in ASD children is not yet fully understood.Materials and methodsIn this study, we screened serum samples from 93 cases with ASD and 28 healthy controls utilizing high-throughput KoRectly Expressed (KREX) i-Ome protein-array technology. Our goal was to identify autoantibodies with differential expressions in ASD and to gain insights into the biological significance of these autoantibodies in the context of ASD pathogenesis.ResultOur autoantibody expression analysis identified 29 differential autoantibodies in ASD, 4 of which were upregulated and 25 downregulated. Subsequently, gene ontology (GO) and network analysis showed that the proteins of these autoantibodies are expressed in the brain and involved in axonal guidance, chromatin binding, and multiple metabolic pathways. Correlation analysis revealed that these autoantibodies negatively correlate with the age of ASD subjects.ConclusionThis study explored autoantibody reactivity against self-antigens in ASD individuals' serum using a high-throughput assay. The identified autoantibodies were reactive against proteins involved in axonal guidance, synaptic function, amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and chromatin binding.

BackgroundDespite their excellent prognosis, children and young adults (CAYA) with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) tend to have more frequent occurrence of distant metastasis (DM) compared to adult DTC. Data about DM in CAYA from Middle Eastern ethnicity is limited.MethodsMedical records of 170 patients with DTC ≤18 years were retrospectively reviewed. Clinico-pathological factors associated with lung metastasis in CAYA, their clinical presentation and outcome were analyzed. Rick factors related to distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) for the whole cohort were evaluated.ResultsDM was observed in 27 patients and all were lung metastasis. Lung metastasis was significantly associated with younger age (≤15 years), extrathyroidal extension (ETE), multifocal tumors, bilaterality, presence of lymph node (LN) disease and high post-operative stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg). Highest negative predictive values were seen with low post-operative sTg (97.9%), absence of LN disease (93.8%), absence of ETE (92.2%) and age older than 15 years (92.9%). Post-therapy whole body scan (WBS) identified most of the lung metastasis (21 of 27; 77.8%). Upon evaluating patients response according to ATA guidelines, excellent response was seen in only one patient, while biochemical persistence and structural persistence were seen in 11.1% (3/27) and 77.8% (21/27), respectively. Elevated post-operative sTg (>10ng/ml) was the only risk factor found to be significantly associated with both biochemical persistence (with or without structural persistence (p = 0.0143)) and structural persistence (p = 0.0433). Cox regression analysis identified age and post-operative sTg as independent risk factors related to DMFS. Based on these two risk factors for DMFS, patients were divided into 3 groups: low risk (no risk factors), intermediate risk (1 risk factor) and high risk (both risk factors). 20-year DMFS rates in the low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups were 100.0%, 81.3% and 23.7% respectively (p < 0.0001).ConclusionHigher suspicion for metastatic pediatric DTC should be considered in patients who are young, have LN disease, extrathyroidal extension and elevated post-operative sTg. Persistent disease, despite therapy, is very common and it appears to be related to post-operative sTg level. Hence, risk adaptive management is desirable in CAYA with DTC.

Abstract Background The mechanism of tumor immune escape and progression in colorectal cancer (CRC) is widely investigated in-vitro to help understand and identify agents that might play a crucial role in response to treatment and improve the overall survival of CRC patients. Several mechanisms of immune escape and tumor progression, including expression of stemness markers, inactivation of immunoregulatory genes by methylation, and epigenetic silencing, have been reported in CRC, indicating the potential of demethylating agents as anti-cancer drugs. Of these, a chemotherapeutic demethylating agent, Decitabine (DAC), has been reported to induce a dual effect on both DNA demethylation and histone changes leading to an increased expression of target biomarkers, thus making it an attractive anti-tumorigenic drug. Methods We compared the effect of DAC in primary 1076 Col and metastatic 1872 Col cell lines isolated and generated from patients’ tumor tissues. Both cell lines were treated with DAC, and the expression of the NY-ESO-1 cancer-testis antigen, the PD-L1 immunoinhibitory marker, and the CD44, Nanog, KLF-4, CD133, MSI-1 stemness markers were analyzed using different molecular and immunological assays. Results DAC treatment significantly upregulated stemness markers in both primary 1076 Col and meta-static 1872 Col cell lines, although a lower effect occurred on the latter: CD44 (7.85 fold; ***p = 0.0001 vs. (4.19 fold; *p = 0.0120), Nanog (4.1 fold; ***p

Background: Patients with end stage renal disease under hemodialysis are at increased risk for morbidities and mortality. Cardiovascular diseases are independent risk for death among those patients. Echocardiography is a non-invasive method that helps identification of the problem and risk stratification.Aim of the work: The study aimed to determine whether left ventricular function differs in pre-dialytic compared with post-dialytic periods, and to recognize relationship between hemodialysis and left ventricular function.Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing hemodialysis in the duration between August 2022 and February 2023 in Alhussein University Hospitals were eligible to participate. They underwent echocardiographic assessment in 2 times; pre- and immediately after dialysis session.Results: Fifty patients undergoing regular hemodialysis were recruited in the study. Their mean age was 48.92 ± 6.93 years old. 70% of patients [35 patients] were males. All patients were hypertensive, while 46% of them [23 patients] were diabetic. We found that there was a slight improvement of both systolic and diastolic functions assessed by M-mode, Simpson method, 3D and Doppler study. however, none of this improvement was statistically significant.Conclusion: No significant change in both cardiac structure and function can occur immediately after the dialysis sessions. That is why longer follow up period is recommended for future research.