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Summary: A case of Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) in a 10 year old Nigerian girl is herein reported to discuss some of the features of the disease and challenges in management of such a rare but crippling autoimmune vasculopathy of childhood. She was referred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) with an eight-month history of recur rent fever, abdominal pain, and a four-onth history of body rash and inability to walk or sit. Muscle biopsy and clinical findings consistent with JDM were found. Her condition improved with steroids, cytotoxic therapy and physiotherapy. Some invest igat ion and t reatment modalities could not be accessed for the benefit of the patient. Although, the outcome of patients with JDM has improved with the discovery of steroids, the disease is shown to have a variable course, with attendant social and financial implications especially to the immediate family.

Fatma M Elsharkawy,1 Maha M Amin,2 Hesham A Shamsel-Din,3 Walaa Ibrahim,3 Ahmed B Ibrahim,3 Sinar Sayed2 1Regulatory Affairs Department, Al Andalous for Pharmaceutical Industries, Giza, Egypt; 2Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Labeled Compounds Department, Hot Labs Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, 13759, EgyptCorrespondence: Sinar Sayed, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini, Cairo, 11562, Egypt, Tel +2 01010421543, Email sinar.fouad@pharma.cu.edu.egPurpose: The research objective is to design intranasal brain targeted CLZ loaded lecithin based polymeric micelles (CLZ- LbPM) aiming to improve central systemic CLZ bioavailability.Methods: In our study, intranasal CLZ loaded lecithin based polymeric micelles (CLZ- LbPM) were formulated using soya phosphatidyl choline (SPC) and sodium deoxycholate (SDC) with different CLZ:SPC:SDC ratios via thin film hydration technique aiming to enhance drug solubility, bioavailability and nose to brain targeting efficiency. Optimization of the prepared CLZ-LbPM using Design-Expert® software was achieved showing that M6 which composed of (CLZ:SPC: SDC) in respective ratios of 1:3:10 was selected as the optimized formula. The optimized formula was subjected to further evaluation tests as, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), TEM, in vitro release profile, ex vivo intranasal permeation and in vivo biodistribution.Results: The optimized formula with the highest desirability exhibiting (0.845), small particle size (12.23± 4.76 nm), Zeta potential of (− 38 mV), percent entrapment efficiency of > 90% and percent drug loading of 6.47%. Ex vivo permeation test showed flux value of 27 μg/cm².h and the enhancement ratio was about 3 when compared to the drug suspension, without any histological alteration. The radioiodinated clozapine ([131I] iodo-CLZ) and radioiodinated optimized formula ([131I] iodo-CLZ-LbPM) were formulated in an excellent radioiodination yield more than 95%. In vivo biodistribution studies of [131I] iodo-CLZ-LbPM showed higher brain uptake (7.8%± 0.1%ID/g) for intranasal administration with rapid onset of action (at 0.25 h) than the intravenous formula. Its pharmacokinetic behavior showed relative bioavailability, direct transport percentage from nose to brain and drug targeting efficiency of 170.59%, 83.42% and 117% respectively.Conclusion: The intranasal self-assembling lecithin based mixed polymeric micelles could be an encouraging way for CLZ brain targeting.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: clozapine, soy lecithin, self-assembling polymeric micelles, intranasal route, brain targeting, radioiodinated clozapine, 131I

Amel B Ibrahim,1 Hala F Zaki,2 Walaa Wadie,2 Mervat M Omran,3 Samia A Shouman3 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Zawia University, Zawiya, Libya; 2Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Cancer Biology, Pharmacology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo 11796, EgyptCorrespondence: Samia A ShoumanDepartment of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Kasr Al Eini Street, Fom El Khalig, Cairo 11796, EgyptFax +202-23644720Email samia.shouman@nci.cu.edu.egPurpose: Tamoxifen (TAM) is a non-steroidal antiestrogen drug, used in the prevention and treatment of all stages of hormone-responsive breast cancer. Simvastatin (SIM) is a lipid-lowering agent and has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth. The study aimed to investigate the effect of the combination of TAM and SIM in the treatment of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, and in mice-bearing Ehrlich solid tumors.Methods: MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of TAM or/and SIM for 72 hours and the effects of the combination treatment on cytotoxicity, oxidative stress markers, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis were investigated using different techniques. In addition, tumor volume, oxidative markers, and inflammatory markers of the combined therapy were explored in mice bearing solid EAC tumors.Results: The results showed that treatment of MCF-7 cells with the combination of 10 μM TAM, and 2 μM SIM significantly inhibited the increase in oxidative stress markers, LDH, and NF-kB induced by TAM. In addition, there was a significant decrease in the total apoptotic ratio, caspase-3 activity, and glucose uptake, while there was a non-significant change in Bax/bcl-2 ratio compared to the TAM-treated group. Using the isobologram equation, the drug interaction was antagonistic with combination index, CI=1.18. On the other hand, the combination regimen decreased VEGF, and matrix metalloproteinases, MMP 2&9 compared to TAM-treated cells. Additionally, in vivo, the combination regimen resulted in a non-significant decrease in the tumor volume, decreased oxidative markers, and the protein expression of TNF-α, and NF-κB compared to the TAM treated group.Conclusion: Although the combination regimen of TAM and SIM showed an antagonistic drug interaction in MCF-7 breast cancer, it displayed favorable antiangiogenic, anti-metastatic, and anti-inflammatory effects.Keywords: combined therapy, antitumor effect, apoptosis, oxidative markers, VEGF

Background: diarrhea is still an important cause of under 5 morbility and mortality especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Objectives: the management practices of childhood dirrhoea by nurses and midwives in two health institutions in northestern Nigeria were assessed. Method: The study was conducted in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri and Federal Medical Centre Azare, Nigeria in June 2009 by administering closed ended self administered pre-tested questionnaire. Results: A total of 86 nurses/midwives answered and returned the questionnaire. Of the 86 respondents, 66 were females, while the remaining 20 were males. According to the respondents, bacteria is the commonest cause of childhood diarrhoea followed by teething; 36(41.9%) and 18(20.9), respectively. Seventy seven (89.5%) of the respondents would use ORS first in the treatment of childhood diairhoea. While 12 (14.0%) of the nurses/midwives identified up to three home fluids, apart from the "conventional" ORS/SSS that can be used in the management of childhood diarrhoea, 22 (25.6%) respondents identified no other home fluids. Although, up to 54 (62.8%) of the respondents would increase the feeding frequency of a child with diarrhea, 17(19.8%) of them would stop feeding. At least one correct indication for referral and preventive measures of childhood diarrhoea was fielded by 50 (58.1%) and 73 (84.9%) of the respondents respectively. Conclusion: Although the management practices of childhood diarrhoea among the nurses and midwives was generally satisfactory, some gaps were identified. There is therefore the need for continued training of health workers in the management of common childhood illnesses.

The current study aimed to reveal the relationship between national identity, social inclusion, and personal responsibility among university students and identify the differences between these variables according to a number of independent variables. The study sample consisted of 408 male and female students from a number of universities. The results of the study show that the level of social integration, personal responsibility, and national identity was to an average degree among the target study group, and that the presence of direct impact paths was statistically significant at the level of significance (0.01) between the scale of social integration, personal responsibility, and national identity and the impact of the demographic variables of age, gender, and social media on these variables, where there was a direct positive and statistically significant effect of all variables. The coefficient of R squared was 0.058 and the value of ANOVA (f) was 8.29, which were statistically significant at <.001. Furthermore, the results show the possibility of predicting the independent variables of personal responsibility, where the value of variance (F) was 12.8, the coefficient of interpretation of variance (R squared) was 0.086, the value of variance (F) of the predictability of national identity was 2.90, and the coefficient of interpretation of variance (R squared) was 0.0211. There were differences in the study variables (social integration, personal responsibility, and national identity) for gender, age, and social media, while there were no differences according to the interaction between these variables. There were statistically significant differences for sex regarding the three study variables (social integration, personal responsibility), and there were no differences in national identity. Moreover, there were no differences in each of social integration and personal responsibility regarding the interaction of sex with age, while differences were found in national identity according to the interaction between age and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Foods, especially medicinal foods, play a vital role in providing nutrients for healthy growth and in the management of clinical disorders. Unfortunately, half of the global population lacks access to affordable healthcare and a nutritious diet. Therefore, it is important to identify traditional and scientifically proven therapeutic foods for disease management and the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies. Baobab, one of nature ‘s gifts to mankind, is the focus of this study. The aim was to provide an overview of its medicinal and nutritional benefits through a literature search. Research indicates that baobab fruit pulp is a rich source of fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and notably vitamin C, about five to 10 times the content found in oranges. Additionally, baobab fruit pulp has been found to possess various therapeutic properties, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antiulcer characteristics. Furthermore, it is considered safe for consumption. These findings emphasize the importance of increasing baobab plantations and raising public awareness about the health benefits of the fruit through educational initiatives. Further research is necessary to explore the potential of baobab fruit pulp as a therapeutic agent for improved health. Graphical Abstract

Small ruminants and camels are important livestock species in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although Brucella infection can limit their productivity. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Brucella infection and its associated risk factors in small ruminants and camels in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Additionally, seropositive animals were tested for the DNA of Brucella. Multispecies competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) and multispecies indirect (i-ELISA) were used to test 3,086 animals from 2022 to 2023. Brucella cell surface 31 kDa protein (bcsp31) gene-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) was used to detect Brucella DNA. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between seroprevalence and potential risk factors. The overall seroprevalences of Brucella infection were 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2%–2.2%) and 5.8% (95% CI, 5.0%–6.7%) based on serial and parallel testing, respectively. The DNA of Brucella was detected in 13 of the 51 seropositive animals. The overall seroprevalence of Brucella infection was associated with the region, type of animal holding, species, and age of the animals. In conclusion, this study documented Brucella infection in small ruminants and camels in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, warranting necessary intervention strategies to eliminate Brucella infections in livestock populations.

Abstract Lack of proper laboratories and inadequate facilities have become some of the factors affecting chemistry practical in Nigeria which therefore affects students’ performance. While there were many studies conducted on the effectiveness of mobile learning, literature remains very scarce in the Nigerian context. In order to tackle this problem, using Analysis, Design, Develop, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) instructional design model, the researchers developed and tested the effectiveness of mobile learning towards improving college of education pre-service teachers’ achievement in practical chemistry. The study adopted the use of repeated measures design whereby 50 pre-service teachers were purposively used in the study. A 40-item Practical Chemistry Achievement Test (PCAT) which was subjected to expert validation and reliability test was used to obtain data for the study. A normality test was conducted using Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and it was revealed that the data were normally distributed (P > 0.05). The students were given two pre-test and post-measures before and after the 8-week treatment period. The data were analyzed using mixed design repeated measures analysis of variance and we found that students’ performance improved periodically with each testing period (F (3,147) = 109.475, P = 0.000 with an effect size of (ηp 2 ) = 0.916) after the treatment. The finding also revealed no significant differences in the performance of the students on the basis of gender that (F (3,144) = 2.051, P = 0.109) with an effect size of (ηp 2 ) 0.21. This finding has some implications for lecturers, researchers and policy experts on the need to incorporate mobile learning in education. This finding provides insights on the effectiveness of mobile learning towards enhancing students’ chemistry practical knowledge.

Abstract Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising class of antimicrobial drugs due to their broad-spectrum activity against microorganisms. However, their clinical application is limited by their potential to cause hemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells. To address this issue, we propose a deep learning model based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for predicting the hemolytic activity of AMPs. Peptide sequences are represented using one-hot encoding, and the CNN architecture consists of multiple convolutional and fully connected layers. The model was trained on six different datasets: HemoPI-1, HemoPI-2, HemoPI-3, RNN-Hem, Hlppredfuse, and AMP-Combined, achieving Matthew’s correlation coefficients of 0.9274, 0.5614, 0.6051, 0.6142, 0.8799, and 0.7484, respectively. Our model outperforms previously reported methods and can facilitate the development of novel AMPs with reduced hemolytic activity, which is crucial for their therapeutic use in treating bacterial infections.

This study investigates the short-run dynamics among Islamic financial depth, interest rates, inflation, and their impact on Saudi Arabian economic output using quarterly information spanning 2017–2023. The study employed a vector autoregressive model due to the non-cointegrated nature of the variables. Results indicate positive short-run relationships between the current GDP per capita and its lagged value, and between economic growth and inflation. Conversely, interest rates demonstrated a negative short-run relationship with economic growth, while Islamic financial depth showed a positive but lagged impact. Wald tests confirmed short-run causality from inflation, interest rates, and Islamic financial depth to GDP. These findings suggest that keeping inflation in check with good central bank policies is important for stable markets and a growing economy. Furthermore, the size of the Islamic finance sector in Saudi Arabia seems to boost the country’s economy. The findings provide useful information for Saudi Arabian decision-makers in government and Islamic financial institutions.

Background: The rollout of 6G technology will be the next game-changing force that elevates communication standards, because it aims to offer greater reliability, lower latency and increased network capability. Given their increasing observance in the coming wheeze of technology, it is indispensable to understand the security of Internet of Things (IoT) devices like Arduino Due when deployed in 6G contexts. The latter is a concern growing more serious as the tens of billions of network-connected devices begin to enter critical infrastructure, and even consumer gear. Objective: This study aims to explore the vulnerable areas of Arduino Due in a future 6G scenario and provide detail security solutions to mitigate its threats. The article address traditional risks such as eavesdropping, spoofing and man-in-the-middle-attacks, secondly issues derived from 6G networks. Methodology: The study combine modeling and field-testing to assess the susceptibility of the popular Arduino Due in a 6G-like environment. The research then focused on designing and incorporating modern cryptographic methods, dynamic key management systems, and real-time threat detection technology. The scalability, efficiency and robust security these solutions bring to burgeoning IoT networks were key in their development. Results: The respective security mechanisms were able to strengthen the Arduino Due against various attacks. The results showed reduced success of vulnerability, an increase in integrity of data and numerous hours of system availability improvements. Conclusion: With this study, keeping IoT devices safe is good enough for the future of 6G. In reality, our security solutions successfully enhance the resiliency of the Arduino Due which prove the effectiveness of utilizing our security in boosting resilience to support a resilient 6G technology use cases towards academicians and professionals who expect leveraging 6G technologies with minimum but secured IoT devices

Background: 5G, when combined with immersive virtual reality (VR) technology, can create a trillion dollar innovation ecosystem across industries from education and healthcare to entertainment. The article studies what impact and implications did this integration provide towards the fostering of IT infrastructure growth. Objective: This article investigates whether the 5G/LTE network capabilities can add value to VR applications and focuses on identification of challenges in managing such technology. The proposed research will cover a general perspective on how this integration impacts overall IT systems and thus aims at offering an extensive understanding of the effect of integrates testing over performance, efficiency and end user experience of IT systems. Methodology: This article combined qualitative research techniques of expert interviews and case studies with quantitative data analysis based on network performance indicators—e.g., focusing the effectiveness of VR applications. The main point is that this process provides a comprehensive picture of where technologies are converging. Results: Intending 5G/LTE can significantly enhance performance with a decrease in latency and an increase in data throughput lends recognition to the idea that many of these applications are for VR applications. They provide a real-world example and demonstrate the potential of full integration. But it has identified some problems such as security concerns, network instability and scalability limitations. Conclusion: The integration of 5G/LTE and VR represents a milestone of the scene multi-view system in modern information technology infrastructure, which leads to an increase in user experience and operation efficiency. Despite obstacles needing attention, our results underscore the significant benefits of the integration and its capacity to inspire innovation across a variety of fields.

Abstract Background Problem-based learning (PBL) is a well-known teaching method which promotes self-directed learning (SDL) in many medical programs worldwide. This study aimed to examine the perceptions of Sudanese physiologists on applying PBL in teaching their physiology courses or sessions. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 82 physiologists (70% of the total Sudanese physiologists). The data were collected using questionnaires that included questions about attitudes towards, effectiveness of, and barriers to PBL implementation. The internal reliability of the questionnaire (over 0.7) was good, as measured by Cronbach’s alpha. The Mann‒Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, multiple linear regression and correlation (Spearman) analysis were performed to assess various factors associated with physiologists’ perceptions of the research domains. Results Physiologists generally had a positive attitude (overall score percentage of 76.9 ± 23.97%) towards PBL compared to other teaching methods and had good perceptions of the effects of PBL (overall score percentage of 77.1 ± 25.13%) on the student learning process. Furthermore, physiologists had a notable knowledge gap about common challenges affecting PBL application (overall score percentage was 56.93 ± 19.43%) at their relevant institutes. Physiologists’ perceptions of common factors affecting PBL application were significantly related to participants currently working inside or outside Sudan (p value = 0.010) and applying PBL at their relevant institutes (p value = 0.008). In addition, the attitude score was significantly associated with the current workplace (governmental/private) classification (B= -14.083, p = 0.031). Additionally, attitude toward PBL had a significant positive correlation with age (r = 0.233, p = 0.005) and the perception score of PBL’s effects on students’ learning processes (r = 0.788, p

In response to the escalating issue of water scarcity, the United Nations has allocated Sustainable Development Goal 6 of ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’ to address the issue by providing clean water and improved sanitation. Solar stills are an attractive solution to water scarcity as they are simple, cost-effective, and convenient for communities with limited resources. However, they have shortcomings, such as limited production and nocturnal ineffectiveness. The present study proposes several alternatives to address these issues using the conceptual design technique. The customer requirements were met using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method targeted during the design stage. An integrated AHP-TOPSIS was used to evaluate the design of alternatives considering seven criteria. This proposed method includes many factors, including system efficiency, cost, and ease of operation and maintenance. The three alternatives combine solar stills with adsorption desalination units. Two weighting methods were used, consistency-based ranking index for decision making (CRITIC) and Entropy, to evaluate the results' reliability. The findings showed that the most favorable alternative with CRITIC value of 0.975 and entropy of 0.988, combines a pyramid solar still and an evacuated tube solar collector. The purpose of this investigation is to build on the body of knowledge of solar desalination and support decision-makers in the evaluation process of selecting an appropriate solar still system.

In this study, 316L stainless steel Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) samples were manufactured under three different building orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°). Mechanical, microstructural, tribological and corrosion resistance properties were analyzed for all samples. The results demonstrate that the build orientation significantly influences the microstructure, resulting in variations in grain size, texture and defect distribution. Specifically, 0° (Horizontal) samples exhibited excellent mechanical properties, including ultimate tensile strength of 784 MPa and a hardness of 292 HV, while the vertical (90°) samples showed enhanced wear resistance, characterized by reduction in the coefficient of friction. Corrosion resistance was found to be highest in the 0° samples, with a corrosion current density of 0.650 μA/cm2, compared to 1.580 μA/cm2 in the 90° samples. The results from this study show the non-linear effects of build orientation for certain properties and indicates that individual studies are not sufficient to predict the performance of LPBF parts. Therefore, combined studies are required for orientation-based optimization of the mechanical, tribological and corrosion properties of LPBF parts. This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between build orientation and material properties, providing a pathway to tailor the properties of LPBF parts for specific applications.

Abstract Type-1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by impaired insulin release by islet β cells. It has been shown that proinflammatory cytokines released during the disease can exacerbate the condition, while anti-inflammatory cytokines offer protection. This study analyzed the clinical role of interleukin (IL)-6, -8, -10, and vitamin D levels in T1D patients compared to healthy controls. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and vitamin D in the participants’ serum samples were analyzed using ELISA. The findings showed that T1D patients had significantly increased levels (p

This paper investigates the influence of financial knowledge, financial attitude, financial skills, and financial behavior on the financial literacy of Saudi Arabian MSMEs. The sample is 341 MSMEs that are clients of Islamic banking institutions. The paper employs the PLS-SEM method to analyze the collected data. The findings reveal statistically significant and strong positive correlations (p < 0.05) between financial knowledge, financial skills, financial behavior, and financial literacy. This implies that MSMEs with a strong foundation in financial knowledge, proficient skills, and positive financial behaviors tend to exhibit higher levels of financial literacy. Among the variables studied, financial knowledge exerted the strongest influence on financial literacy. This shows the importance of enhancing financial knowledge among MSME owners and managers to improve their overall financial literacy. Interestingly, the study did not identify a statistically significant relationship between financial attitude and financial literacy. This suggests that simply possessing a positive attitude toward finance may not necessarily translate into higher levels of financial literacy without complementary knowledge, skills, and behaviors. By prioritizing these areas, policymakers and Islamic banking institutions can contribute to improving financial literacy levels among Saudi Arabian MSMEs, ultimately fostering their growth, performance, and resilience.

The Iullemmeden basin groundwater resources were assessed in the Dosso Region for the groundwater management. This study applied multivariate statistical analyses and classical tools of hydrogeochemistry to identify the main factors impacting groundwater mineralization. The results indicate the occurrence of acidic to basic fresh groundwaters but with excessive mineralization in some places. Good to excellent drinking groundwaters are largely represented in the system. The categorization of groundwater patterns evolves from (i) mixed types namely Ca/Mg-HCO3, Ca/Mg-Cl, Na-Cl/SO4, Ca-Cl/SO4 and Ca/Mg-Cl/SO4 for the Ct3 particularly; to (ii) chloride types such as NaCl, CaCl and MgCl mostly for Ct1 and Ct2; and (iii) the bicarbonate types precisely Na-HCO3, Ca-HCO3, Mg-HCO3 for Ch. The weathering of silicate minerals and dissolution of carbonate and salts are the major processes in the multilayer system. The increase of EC and salinity in Ct2 could come from the relics of ancient seawater during the last regression. To a lesser extent, fertilizers from agriculture, and livestock farming also contribute to groundwater mineralization and nitrate contamination in the study area. The groundwater assessment of the Iullemmeden sedimentary basin in the Dosso Region revealed the main factors and processes characterizing each aquifer of this system, which can be helpful for better groundwater resource management.

Paravertebral abscess is an uncommon and potentially dangerous illness characterized by the buildup of pus in the anatomical area surrounding the spinal column. A 65-year-old female, who has diabetes and high blood pressure, came in with intense discomfort in her lower back that spreads to her lower limbs, making it difficult for her to move. She also has a high fever, excessive sweating, and has lost a large amount of weight. The blood tests indicate the following abnormalities: low Hb level of 9.6 g/dl, low MCV of 70 fl, elevated total white blood cell count of 15.8 × 109/L, elevated neutrophil count of 12.4 × 109/L, normal lymphocyte count of 2.8 × 109/L, high platelet count of 485 × 109/L, and elevated ESR of 110 mm/hr. The level of phosphatase was raised to 247 U/L, which is beyond the usual range of 40-150 U/L. The blood film reveals the presence of hypochromic microcytic red blood cells, which are indicative of iron deficiency anemia. There is also evidence of neutrophil leukocytosis in the white blood cells, with no immature cells observed. Additionally, an increase in platelets is observed in the film. The D-dimer level is 2009 ng/ml, which is within the normal range of less than 500 ng/ml. The CRP level is 48 gm/l, which is above the usual range of less than 6 gm/l. The bone marrow testing yielded normal results. The blood culture indicated the presence of Streptococcus epidermidis growth. Radiological tests revealed that a CE-MRI of the dorsal and lumbar spine indicated the presence of a para-aortic abscess together with septic thrombosis of the inferior vena cava. Paravertebral abscess is a critical emergent condition required a necessary therapy protocols to stabilize the patient status. The timing of intervention is crucial in cases of paravertebral abscess, as the existence of a mass can led to spinal cord compression.

Abstract Background Type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD) is a deadly condition that demands immediate surgery, because it involves a critically. The mortality and morbidity associated with it are significant, and it is vital that the patient’s conditions and treatment strategies are fully understood to ensure the appropriate management of TAAAD. This study aims to ascertain whether hemiarch repair (HAR) versus extended arch repair (EAR) with or without descending aortic intervention results in better perioperative and late outcomes for patients with TAAAD. Methods Four leading centers of cardiac surgery from two European countries have joined forces to create a groundbreaking multicenter observational registry (AoArch). This study was approved by the institutional review board (IRB 202201173). We conducted a retrospective review (NCT 0591263) of our prospectively maintained database for patients who underwent operative repair of DeBakey type I or type II dissection from January 1, 2005 to March 2024 (NCT 05927090). We will analyze how patient co-morbidities, referral conditions, and surgical strategies involving hemi-arch repair (HAR) and extended arch repair (EAR) impact early and late adverse events. We have developed a procedure urgency algorithm based on the severity of preoperative hemodynamic conditions and malperfusion due to TAAAD, and we will use it to assess the primary clinical outcomes: in-hospital mortality, late mortality, and reoperations on the aorta. We will define secondary outcomes as permanent neurologic deficit, the need for new dialysis, respiratory failure, a composite of major adverse events (myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, the need for dialysis, or the need for tracheostomy), and a composite of major adverse pulmonary events (intubation over 48 h, pneumonia, reintubation, tracheostomy), and reoperation due to bleeding. Discussion This multicenter registry will definitively determine the prognostic significance of critical preoperative conditions and the efficacy of extended arch interventions and hemiarch repair in reducing the risk of early adverse events after surgery for TAAAD. This registry will provide insights into the long-term durability of different strategies of surgical repair for TAAAD.

Background: Physical exercise helps to mitigate cardiovascular risks in people with diabetes mellitus (DM), but there are limited data in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess cardiovascular risk awareness, exercise practices and metabolic outcomes among Nigerians with diabetes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at five tertiary hospitals using questionnaire interviews and clinical assessments. Participants’ knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and knowledge of exercise were assessed on 12- and 5-item scores, while exercise practices were classed as adequate if performed regularly on 3 or more days weekly for a total of 150 min or more based on the American Diabetes Association recommendations. Mean body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose, serum haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), lipid profile, urea, creatinine and uric acid were then compared among participant groups. Results: We studied 426 participants with DM, 58.7% females. The mean age was 52.9 ± 13.1 years, with males significantly older than females (54.6 ± 12.2 vs. 51.8 ± 13.5 years; 95% confidence interval: 0.27–5.28, P = 0.03). The mean age at diabetes diagnosis was 44.8 ± 11.7 years, and the median duration of diabetes was 84 months. There was low knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and low knowledge of exercise (mean scores of 2.94 and 2.31, respectively). Forty-three per cent of participants reported adequate exercise, which was significantly associated with younger age (P = 0.007), male gender (P = 0.001) and formal education (P = 0.021). Participants with adequate exercise had lower systolic BP and serum urea compared to those with inadequate exercise, but there were no significant differences in BMI, fasting glucose, HbA1c, serum lipids, creatinine or uric acid. Conclusion: Participants had low knowledge of cardiovascular risks and the appropriate exercise practices for diabetes patients. There is a need for better patient education on diabetes self-care and exercise at clinic visits.

Introduction: Noma is a gangrenous infection that destroys the orofacial structures and leaves the survivors with severe functional, psychosocial, and esthetic impairments. Malocclusion is one of the central sequelae that current Noma care often neglects. Aims: This study aimed to present the pattern of malocclusion in Noma survivors and highlight the role of orthodontic and orthognathic therapy in the management. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over 6 months. After obtaining institutional ethical approval, all noma survivors with permanent teeth, including complete upper and lower molars at least on one side, who presented for review were included in the study. Patients’ demographics, Angle class of malocclusion, and various malocclusions were recorded. Data obtained were analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (IBM SPSS) version 25. Results: There were 35 (54.7%) males and 29 (45.3%) females in the age range of 12–36 years and a mean ± standard deviation of 22.52 ± 6.01 years. Most patients, 52 (81.3%), have Angle class 1 molar relation. Protrusion of anterior teeth was present in 34 (53.1%), posterior crossbite in 8 (12.5%), upper and lower teeth crowding in 11 (17.2%), isolated upper anterior crowding in 9 (16.7%), isolated lower anterior crowding in 4 (6.3%), and open bite in 5 (7.8%). Other dental malalignments, such as rotations and tooth displacement, were invariably present in 34 (53.1%). Conclusion: Malocclusion in noma survivors constitutes one of the most observable problems of noma sequelae. Orthodontic and orthognathic therapy could promote these patients’ surgical, esthetic, and psychosocial rehabilitation.

Abstract Background Socioeconomic status (SES) is a social classification factor that takes into account income, parental education and occupation. SES has been shown to play an important role in shaping students’ academic performance, including in medical schools, but there still remains significant variation in findings around SES and academic achievement worldwide. We aim to assess and explore socioeconomic disparities and their effects on medical school performance at Sudanese public and private universities. Objectives The objective of our study was to assess the effects of age, sex, living conditions, parental education and income level on the academic achievement of medical students from universities in Sudan. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students at ten public universities in Sudan between September and December 2023. Participants were included if they were older than 18 years and were studying in their 2nd year or older. The data were collected using an online questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions measuring age, living conditions, parental income level and education. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants from universities. The data were analyzed using SPSS v28.0.0, and a p value less than 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Results We received 832 responses, 516 (62%) from females and 307 (36.9%) from males. The median age was 23 years. Most students lived with their families (61.1%), followed by student housing (28.2%). This study revealed age (p = .024) (95% Cl: 0.025- 0.023) andhigh family income (p = .019) (95% Cl: 0.018- 0.02) are associated with academic achievement in the long term, as demonstrated through cumulative grade point average (cGPA). Conclusion The findings underscore the importance of targeted support systems to bridge the socioeconomic gaps that exist among medical students, allowing all students to thrive academically regardless of their background. Clinical trial number None.

Abstract Background Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) results from complex liver conditions involving metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrogenic processes. Despite its burden, there has been a lack of any approved food-and-drug administration therapy up till now. Purpose Utilizing machine learning (ML) algorithms, the study aims to identify reliable potential genes to accurately predict the treatment response in the NASH animal model using biochemical and molecular markers retrieved using bioinformatics techniques. Methods The NASH-induced rat models were administered various microbiome-targeted therapies and herbal drugs for 12 weeks, these drugs resulted in reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, liver inflammation, and histopathological changes. The ML model was trained and tested based on the Histopathological NASH score (HPS); while (0–4) HPS considered Improved NASH and (5–8) considered non-improved, confirmed through rats’ liver histopathological examination, incorporates 34 features comprising 20 molecular markers (mRNAs-microRNAs-Long non-coding-RNAs) and 14 biochemical markers that are highly enriched in NASH pathogenesis. Six different ML models were used in the proposed model for the prediction of NASH improvement, with Gradient Boosting demonstrating the highest accuracy of 98% in predicting NASH drug response. Findings Following a gradual reduction in features, the outcomes demonstrated superior performance when employing the Random Forest classifier, yielding an accuracy of 98.4%. The principal selected molecular features included YAP1, LATS1, NF2, SRD5A3-AS1, FOXA2, TEAD2, miR-650, MMP14, ITGB1, and miR-6881-5P, while the biochemical markers comprised triglycerides (TG), ALT, ALP, total bilirubin (T. Bilirubin), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Conclusion This study introduced an ML model incorporating 16 noninvasive features, including molecular and biochemical signatures, which achieved high performance and accuracy in detecting NASH improvement. This model could potentially be used as diagnostic tools and to identify target therapies.

The Mauddud Formation is the most widespread Lower Cretaceous formation in Iraq, deposited along the NE margin of the Arabain Palte. The formation is widely distributed, covering nearly the entire territory of Stable and Unstable Shelf units. The study area is located in the Zubair subzone of the Mesopotamian zone within the Stable Shelf unit, approximately 70 km northwest of Basrah in southern Iraq. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the petrophysical characteristics of Mauddud Formation in the five wells (Ratawi-2, Ratawi-4, Ratawi-5, Ratawi-17, and Ratawi-19) in the Ratawi oilfield, southern Iraq. Open hole log analysis was utilized, and a series of calculations were applied to evaluate the reservoir properties, such as porosity, water saturation, and volume shale, that control the reservoir quality. The N-D cross plot diagram shows that limestone is the dominant lithology, and few shale contents is present in the upper and lower parts of the formation, while it is noticed that the volume of clay is constant throughout the formation in most of the wells, indicating that the formation is clean. Seven zones (A to G) have been identified and evaluated, depending mainly on full set logs to determine the most productive ones. Zones B, D, and F are classified as good reservoir zones with an average porosity of 21% and water saturation of 25%. A and C zones show reservoir and non-reservoir zones with porosity of 10% and water saturation of 40%. Finally, the remaining zones represented by E and G are classified as non-reservoir zones with a very low porosity of less than 4% and fully water-saturated.

Abstract Background Sleep disorders (SDs) are among many co-morbid medical conditions that affect children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Raising awareness and improving the standard of care for children diagnosed with ASD may result from identifying SDs among them. This study aims to evaluate patterns of SDs among Sudanese children diagnosed with ASD. Method Using the Childhood Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ) to gather data on sleep disorders and SPSS version 26.0 for data analysis, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the five main autistic centres in Khartoum state covering all registered patients with ASD between April and June 2022. Ninety-two children diagnosed with ASD were enrolled in this study after the purpose of the research was explained and consent was obtained from their guardians. A p-value

Purpose The aim of this study is to compare 30-day complications, procedure-related mortality, and overall mortality rates for de novo enteral feeding tube insertion with fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous balloon-retention versus traditional locking-loop tubes.

The global banking industry faces increasing pressure to address its contribution to environmental challenges, including rising greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. There is a notable research gap in how innovative approaches, especially environmental innovation and strategic management, can address these challenges within the banking sector. This paper aims to bridge the lacuna by exploring how management support and environmental innovation influence sustainable environmental performance within the banking sector, specifically focusing on Islamic banks in Saudi Arabia. In this paper, a theoretical framework grounded in resource‑based view and stakeholder theories was adopted to guide the research. Using data collected from 203 banking professionals via convenience random sampling, the study reveals management support is significant and positively related to both environmental innovation (β = 0.749) and environmental performance (β = 0.563). Furthermore, increased investment in green technologies, the implementation of environmental management systems, and ethical practices contribute significantly to enhanced environmental performance (β = 0.252). The analysis also shows that management support exerts an indirect effect on environmental performance through environmental innovation (β = 0.189), emphasizing the importance of a stronger culture of sustainability within the organization. This research offers recommendations for banks and regulators to promote sustainable banking practices, highlighting its potential benefits for brand reputation, productivity, and overall effectiveness.

Somalia has been a stateless nation for over two decades, where government institutions have been destroyed and malfunctioned, including the central bank. Consequently, this ruled out the control and regulation of the money supply and exchange rate by the central bank. This study investigates the effect of unregulated exchange rates on the trade balance in Somalia over the period 1984–2018. Using the nonlinear ARDL model, the results show the presence of asymmetric long-term effects of unregulated exchange rates on the trade balance. The study finds that currency depreciation worsens trade balance both in the long- and short-run, while long-term currency appreciation has a significant impact on trade balance but significant positive short-run effects on the trade balance. Overall, the study confirms the absence of the Marshall-Lerner condition and the J-curve effect, validated by several econometric methodologies for robustness. Our study suggests that reforms in the exchange rate system and monetary policies can restore the credibility and stability of the Somali shilling, which can boost trade and investment.

The main aim of this article is to study the piezo-thermoelastic interaction in piezoelectric rods without energy dissipation due to a laser heat source with a timed pulse. Laplace transforms are used to represent the analytical solutions in the transformations domain. The governing equations of piezo-thermoelasticity in the Green and Naghdi model (GNII model without energy dissipation) in the presence of a laser heat source with a timed pulse are solved exactly in the Laplace domain, calculating the temperature, the stress, the displacement, and the electric potential. Numerical Laplace inversion is then used to find the general solution of the variables under study, which are then graphically shown.

Foreign direct investment serves as a cornerstone for economic development, particularly in lower- and middle-income countries, where it brings crucial capital, technology, and expertise. Despite institutional challenges in many African nations, there is controversy over the effects of macroeconomic variables and institutional quality on FDI flows within diverse economic landscapes. Given the persistent challenges faced by Africa’s least FDI-receiving countries, it is essential to focus on understanding the specific factors that hinder or promote FDI in these nations. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of macroeconomic stability and institutional quality on attracting foreign capital in 24 African economies from 2004 to 2022. Utilizing the pooled mean group (PMG) method, validated by the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) cointegration technique, the study findings indicate that GDP per capita and domestic investment positively enhance FDI in the long run. This highlights the importance of economic growth and local investment in attracting foreign investment. Institutional quality has also emerged as a significant long-run determinant of FDI. Additionally, currency depreciation is identified as crucial for sustaining increased FDI inflows in African countries. Conversely, trade openness and high inflation hamper FDI inflows in the long-run. Considering these findings, policymakers should focus on maintaining economic stability, improving governance, balancing trade openness, and stabilizing exchange rates.

This study investigates the intricate relationships between flood disaster risk perception (RP), attitudes(ATT), subjective norms(SN), and participation in flood prevention activities(IPF), emphasizing the mediating roles of self-efficacy(SE) and bonding social capital(BSC). The research in Freetown, Sierra Leone, involved 702 participants, providing a diverse socio-demographic snapshot crucial for understanding community-based flood risk management. Data analysis revealed that demographic factors like age, gender, education, and income significantly influence flood risk perceptions and mitigation behaviors. Additionally, subjective norms were found to substantially impact both self-efficacy and bonding social capital, affecting participation in flood prevention activities. The study also explored the role of community dynamics and social norms in shaping risk perceptions and intentions to engage in flood risk prevention. It was observed that higher self-efficacy and more robust community bonds lead to increased participation in flood mitigation efforts. The findings offer valuable insights into flood prevention behavior's psychological and social drivers and highlight the importance of community-focused strategies in enhancing flood resilience. The study contributes to the broader understanding of flood risk management in urban settings, particularly in developing countries, and underscores the need for policies and practices that foster individual empowerment and collective community action.

In Ghana, paratransit services (three-wheeler taxis) have gained prominence because of their role in solving urban mobility challenges in major cities. While they are good at solving urban mobility challenges, they cause accidents and create congestion and inconveniences in the central business districts of cities. However, the literature on how paratransit service operators organise and create spaces for their operations is limited. We draw on peripheral urbanisation theory to understand how the operators produce urban spaces to conduct business in Kumasi. We hope to provide information for the planning and design of infrastructure that meets the needs of the different modes of urban mobility. In doing so, we adopt interviews and focus group discussions involving 35 purposively selected operators, 16 union executives, and two officials from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to elicit the data. The responses were coded and categorised into themes for presentation. Findings indicate that the operators create space through negotiation and site selection. We conclude that securing spaces to conduct business is a major challenge to operators. Therefore, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly should partner with communities, investors, and operators to create spaces for paratransit operators as it can provide a major source of revenue for development projects.

AbstractGlobal food insecurity is projected to increase in distant years, which is challenging to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, viz. zero hunger in 2030. However, recent reports and studies suggest that climate variabilities and conflicts are the main hurdles developing and less developed nations face to overcome food insecurity and hunger. This undertaking assesses the effect of climate change and conflicts (external and internal conflicts) on food security in Somalia. To this end, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, and time-varying Granger causality are utilized with annual data spanning 1985–2016. The empirical results show that average temperature and internal conflicts significantly hamper food security whereas rainfall and external conflicts are statistically insignificant in the long run. Besides, the time-varying Granger causality reveals that annual rainfall and temperature uniformly cause food security in two episodes (i.e. 1990–1992 and 2011–2012). Notably, Somalia experienced severe droughts which later led to a famine in 1992 and 2011. Similarly, both internal and external conflicts Granger cause food security in two similar episodes (i.e. 1990–1991 and 2010–2015). Our study underscores the importance of de-escalating the prolonged conflicts in Somalia and the need for designing policies that improve water availability to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

AbstractOver the past three decades, Somalia’s economic landscape has witnessed a noticeable dependence on imported goods. The exchange rate was unregulated owing to the collapse of the country’s central bank. This unregulated environment has introduced significant volatility in exchange rates, profoundly impacting consumer prices and fostering a prevalent shift towards the utilization of the US dollar in economic transactions. Hence, this undertaking delves into the asymmetric effects of exchange rates on consumer prices in the presence of dollarization in Somalia from 1995 to 2019. Employing both linear and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) cointegration methodologies, we explore the short-run and long-run dynamics between exchange rates and consumer price levels. The long-run empirical results from the NARDL demonstrate asymmetrical cointegration between the unregulated exchange rate and inflation in Somalia. Both appreciation and depreciation of exchange rates exert differing impacts on consumer prices, with depreciation exhibiting a more pronounced effect. In addition, the evidence suggests that the exchange rate pass-through is incomplete in Somalia regarding its inelastic coefficient. Oil prices exhibit a substantial and statistically significant association with inflation, both in the long-run and short-run, while GDP remains inconsequential. In the short-run, the most remarkable outcome indicates that dollarization significantly contributes to mitigating inflationary pressures. Based on our empirical insights, the central bank should enhance regulatory oversight of the foreign exchange market by strictly controlling and prohibiting the issuance of counterfeit banknotes to achieve price stability.

AbstractPoverty is a global development challenge. However, its incidence and prevalence rates are higher in specific regions of the Global South. To this end, one of the ways to appreciate the dynamics of poverty is to situate the discussion within the context of geography. Whereas studies are showing that several geographic poverty traps exist in the Global South previous scoping reviews did not give the geography of poverty sufficient consideration, and those that attempted did not cover the entire Global South. Consequently, this study draws on the extensive data and literature on global incidences and prevalence of poverty to investigate the geographies of poverty in the Global South. To achieve this, a scoping review was conducted using PRISMA-ScR criteria. The review revealed that sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia were the hotspots of poverty, with deterministic and possibilistic elements accounting for the phenomenon. It is proposed that enough consideration be given to geographical variables when designing poverty reduction programmes to achieve equity in the fight against global poverty.

AbstractThe study applied the newly developed Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model by Shin et al. on annual data for Ghana from 1970 to 2019. Evidence of a long-run asymmetric cointegration relationship exists between cashew nuts exports, cocoa beans exports, and economic growth. Findings further revealed both cashew nuts and cocoa beans exports have a positive impact on Ghana’s economic growth in the long-run in support of the export-led growth theory. However, the impact of cocoa bean exports is greater than that of cashew nuts exports on the economic growth of Ghana. The Granger causality test revealed the existence of a unidirectional (one-way) causality running from economic growth to both the cashew nuts and cocoa beans exports. Government and policy makers should therefore continue to encourage and promote agricultural export growth to spur the economic development of Ghana. Also, policies and measures geared towards exchange rate stability by the government and Bank of Ghana should be promulgated and implemented to propel economic growth and export expansion in Ghana.

The title compound, C5H4Cl2N2, crystallizes with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. In the crystal, the molecular entities are assembled through strong N—H...N hydrogen bonding, forming supramolecular chains extending along the b-axis direction. These chains are interconnected by offset π–π stacking interactions and consolidated by halogen–π interactions. The molecular interactions were quantified by Hirshfeld surface analysis, showing the significant contributions of Cl...H/H...Cl (40.1%), H...H (15.7%) and N...H / H...N (13.1%) interactions. Energy framework analysis using the CE-B3LYP/6–31 G(d,p) basis set revealed that Coulombic interactions make a considerable contribution to the total energy and crystal packing.

Summary:. With breast cancer cases escalating globally, the risk of uncommon sequelae like cutaneous metastatic carcinoma also rises. The identification of such metastases is essential in posttreatment surveillance. A 73-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and diabetes initially presented with postmenopausal bleeding, leading to the discovery and treatment of endometrial carcinoma via hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy. Nearly a decade later, she developed bilateral breast carcinoma, confirmed via radiology and biopsies, necessitating a bilateral-modified radical mastectomy. Her postoperative phase was complicated by the development of sternum bone metastasis and a peculiar metastatic lesion on the left little finger, presenting as a fungating swelling on the distal phalanx. This lesion was later identified as metastatic metaplastic carcinoma from the breast, a rarity for cutaneous metastases. An amputation of the distal phalanx was performed, but her overall condition worsened. Ten months posttreatment, she was hospitalized with a severely deteriorated condition and died shortly after. This case highlights the insidious nature of cutaneous metastases in breast cancer and the potential for unusual presentations, such as the rare involvement of the distal phalanx. It emphasizes the importance of continuous vigilance in the follow-up of breast cancer patients, particularly when unusual symptoms arise, and underscores the value of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex metastatic diseases to potentially improve survival outcomes.

Purpose: To determine the effect of electromagnetic waves of mobile phone stations on several sperm parameters and the male reproductive system. Methods: This observational study was performed on 216 subjects, aged 18-60 years. Two equal groups of subjects were assigned to group A (study group) if they were living close to cell phone tower stations for at least 6 months and group B (control group) formed from individuals living 100 meters away from cell phone tower stations. Every subject underwent a comprehensive history taking, a clinical assessment, and laboratory testing. Results: Regarding morphology index in the studied groups, the exposed group exhibited a trend of reduced percentage of normal morphology compared to the non-exposed group, with no statistical difference between the two groups. Regarding the total sperm motility (A+B+C) and progressive sperm motility (A+B) in the studied groups, the exposed group showed a trend of decreased total sperm motility and of progressive sperm motility in contrast to the non-exposed group, with no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Personal wrong lifestyles with exposure to electromagnetic waves have shown a trend towards a reduced percentage of normal morphology and reduced motility although nonstatistically significant compared with non-exposed populations.

While quantum turbulence has been addressed both experimentally (predominantly for superfluid ^{4}He and ^{3}He) and theoretically, the dynamics of various ensembles of quantized vortices has been followed in time only until the vortices have decayed into phonons. How this “thermalization” is achieved is still an unaddressed and thus an unelucidated question. The unitary Fermi gas (UFG) is a unique quantum system, which has no classical counterpart and is of relevance to neutron stars, cold atoms, condensed-matter and nuclear many-body systems. The non-Markovian evolution of an isolated UFG is put in evidence and its entire nonequilibrium evolution can be studied theoretically within a unified theoretical framework. The initial lattice of quantum vortices and antivortices evolves through a couple of vortex tangles and excitation of Kelvin waves, where vortices cross and reconnect, until very slowly thermalization sets in.

Information regarding the radiation risk posed by radioactive emissions from the petrologic units in North eastern Nigeria is extremely limited. Consequently, there has been little research conducted on the environmental impact of radiation exposure from different petrologic units in this region. Hence, the 13 petrologic components of the area that comprises of the migmatites-gneiss (MG), banded gneiss (BG), biotite-hornblende granites (OGe), porphyritic biotite-hornblende granites (OGp), charnockytes (Ch), ignimbrites (JYG), basalts (bb), Keri-Keri Formation (KK), Gombe Sandstones (GS), Pindiga Formation (PS), Yolde Formation (YL), Bima Sandstones (BS), and alluvium (AL) deposits were assessed using aero-radiometric data (equivalent uranium, equivalent thorium, and percentage potassium radio-elements) acquired by Nigerian geological survey agency (NGSA) in 2009. The objective of this study is to compute the amount of radiation across the various rock units of the study area, and examine their radiation risk parameters. The results of this study showed variable levels of radiation across the various rock units examined. The average total activity concentration values recorded ranges from 261.67 ± 447.12 Bq/Kg across KK rock unit to 1482.02 ± 447.12 Bq/Kg across OGp/OGe rock types of the study area. Moreover, the average radium equivalent (Rn eq), absorbed dose rates (D) estimated ranges from 113.83±461.33 Bq/Kg to 305.19 ± 58.51 Bq/Kg, and 51.88 ± 29.65 nGyh−1 to 144.94 ± 29.65 nGyh−1 along KK Formation, OGp, and same KK Formation, and OGp respectively. The average environmental radiation hazard parameters of the annual effective dose rate (AEDE), activity utilization index (AUI), respiratory dysfunction parameters (RH in, RH out), annual gonad dose equivalent (AGDE), and excess life cancer risk (ELCR) measured across all rock units were found to be within or above their respective acceptable limits of 1 mSv/y, 300 μSv/y, and 0.29 × 10−3. Additionally, based on the conspicuously higher hazardous radiation (D, Rn eq, AEDE AGDE, RH in, RH out, and ELCR) emissions estimated from the OGp, OGe, MG, BG, and Ch petrologic units, the inhabitants of these localities should therefore limit themselves from excessive exposure to these rocks. Therefore, periodic monitoring of these areas is recommended.

Abstract Background: Pain is globally prevalent, affecting quality of life and driving most people to seek medical care. Nurses are essential for pain assessment and treatment. Adequate nursing awareness, attitudes, and skills are vital for optimal management. This study investigates nurses' awareness and practice toward pain assessment and management as the fifth vital sign in Sudan. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study. Convenience sampling was performed to collect information from nurses working at four government hospitals using a self-administered questionnaire 24 November 2020 and 18 April 2021. The study utilized descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis. Results: A total of 393 registered nurses participated in this study. Most (66.7%) were women, 46.6% were aged 20–25 years, and 69.2% had a bachelor degree. More than half of the nurses had low awareness of pain assessment (51.7%) and management practices (53.7%). A weak positive correlation was observed between awareness and practice (r = 0.280, P = 0.000). Women nurses showed a higher awareness (204.80, P = 0.048). Nurses with a high level of education showed higher awareness (249.32, P = 0.031) and higher practice (272.00, P = 0.029). Nurses working in the critical care unit performed significantly better than others (234.61, P = 0.001). Conclusion: There is a low level of awareness regarding pain assessment and management practices. This study suggests the need for more research and training programs, especially for nurses with low educational levels.

Abstract Hemolysis is a crucial factor in various biomedical and pharmaceutical contexts, driving our interest in developing advanced computational techniques for precise prediction. Our proposed approach takes advantage of the unique capabilities of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transformers to detect complex patterns inherent in the data. The integration of CNN and transformers' attention mechanisms allows for the extraction of relevant information, leading to accurate predictions of hemolytic potential. The proposed method was trained on three distinct data sets of peptide sequences known as recurrent neural network-hemolytic (RNN-Hem), Hlppredfuse, and Combined. Our computational results demonstrated the superior efficacy of our models compared to existing methods. The proposed approach demonstrated impressive Matthews correlation coefficients of 0.5962, 0.9111, and 0.7788 respectively, indicating its effectiveness in predicting hemolytic activity. With its potential to guide experimental efforts in peptide design and drug development, this method holds great promise for practical applications. Integrating CNNs and transformers proves to be a powerful tool in the fields of bioinformatics and therapeutic research, highlighting their potential to drive advancement in this area.

Abstract Background In livestock, identifying the physiological and reproductive stages is valuable in guiding management decisions related to nutrition, veterinary procedures, and breeding programs. To achieve this goal, a cohort of Barki ewes in this research underwent observation across three pivotal physiological conditions: pre-pregnancy, late pregnancy, and early lactation. Blood samples were collected to investigate the changes in serum metabolic profile as well as gene expression pattern of cytokines and antioxidants markers during these stages. Results Our results showed that during late pregnancy, there was a significant (P