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Purpose: The performance of educators has always been crucial for the success of educational institutions, and technology training has played a significant role in enhancing their performance. This aspect requires a strong focus from researchers. The present study investigates how training in assistive technology affects educators' knowledge and self-efficacy, as well as their performance in Saudi Arabia's special educational institutions. The study also examines the role of educators' knowledge and self-efficacy in relation to assistive technology training and educators' performance. Methodology: The study used questionnaires to collect primary data from students at special educational institutions. The study also utilised the smart-PLS to assess the reliability of the data and the relationships between variables. Findings: The results revealed that the training on assistive technology has a positive correlation with educators' knowledge and self-confidence, which in turn positively impacts their performance. The results also revealed that educators' knowledge and self-efficacy play a significant role in mediating the relationship between assistive technology training and the performance of educators in Saudi Arabia's special educational institutions. This study offers valuable insights for regulators looking to improve educators' performance through effective assistive technology training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rana Ahmed El-Fitiany,1,2 Afra AlBlooshi,1 Abdelouahid Samadi,1 Mohammad A Khasawneh1 1Department of Chemistry, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; 2Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Chinese University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Mohammad A Khasawneh, United Arab Emirates University, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed St, P.O. Box No. 15551, Asharij, Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Tel +971 55 937 6770, Email mohammad.khasawneh@uaeu.ac.aeIntroduction: Phyto-nanotechnology offers a sustainable method for synthesizing biocompatible metal nanoparticles (NPs) with therapeutic potential. The diverse medicinal flora in the UAE, particularly Leptadenia pyrotechnica (LP), provides a vital resource for advancing this research area. This plant is historically valued in the region for its wide medicinal applications due to its abundance of bioactive compounds.Methods: In this study, eco-friendly, straightforward, and low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis methods were applied to synthesize potentially therapeutic Zn and Fe NPs using LP extracts. The generated NPs were characterized using UV–VIS, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XRD and DLS. Moreover, they were investigated for their total phenolic and flavonoid contents, along with their antioxidant and skin anticancer effects.Results: The UV–Vis spectra disclosed absorption band at about 275 nm, and the FT-IR confirmed the successful coating of the NPs with the plants’ phytochemicals, thus ensuring the successful bio-fabrication of the proposed NPs. SEM/EDX outcomes suggest a more potent reducing effect of the aqueous extract, while a more effective coating of the alcoholic extract. DLS revealed monodispersed NPs, with average sizes ranging from 43.82 to 207.8 nm. LFeC demonstrated the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents (49.96± 4.76 μg of GAE/mg of DW and 43.89± 2.89 μg of Qu/mg of DW, respectively) and the greatest potency against skin cancer cell lines (IC50=263.56 μg/mL). However, LZnC exhibited the strongest radical scavenging effect against DPPH and ABTS radicals (IC50=139.45μg/mL and 35.1μg/mL, respectively).Discussion: The results of this study demonstrated that both extracts of LP are effective in the green synthesis of Fe and Zn nanoparticles for biomedical applications, with alcoholic extracts providing superior coating, capping, and stabilizing properties, leading to lower agglomeration, higher carbon content, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, along with enhanced anticancer and antioxidant effects. This work gives a showcase of sustainable materials that are promising for therapeutic applications.Keywords: Leptadenia pyrotechnica, skin cancer, antioxidant, green nanoparticles, iron nanoparticles, zinc nanoparticles

Sammar Fathy Elhabal,1 Nashwa Abdelaal,2 Saeed Abdul Kareem Saeed Al-Zuhairy,3 Mohamed Fathi Mohamed Elrefai,4,5 Ahmed Mohsen Elsaid Hamdan,6 Mohamed Mansour Khalifa,7 Sandra Hababeh,8 Mohammad Ahmad Khasawneh,9 Gehad M Khamis,10 Jakline Nelson,11 Passant M Mohie,10 Rania A Gad,12 Amira Rizk,13 Soad L Kabil,14 Mohamed Kandeel El-Ashery,15,16 Bhaskara R Jasti,17 Nahla A Elzohairy,18,19 Tayseer Elnawawy,20 Fatma E Hassan,21,22 Mohamed A El- Nabarawi23 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt; 2Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; 3Department of Pharmacy, Kut University College, Kut, Wasit, Iraq; 4Department of Anatomy, Histology, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; 5Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; 6Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 8Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Chemistry, College of Science U.A.E. University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates; 10Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; 11Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni-Suef, Egypt; 12Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni-Suef, Egypt; 13Food Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Agricultural, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt; 14Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; 15Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 16Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Salman International University, Ras-Sedr, South Sinai, Egypt; 17Department of Pharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA; 18Air Force Specialized Hospital, Cairo, Egypt; 19Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt; 20Department of Pharmaceutics, Egyptian Drug Authority, Cairo, Egypt; 21Medical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; 22General Medicine Practice Program, Department of Physiology, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 23Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Sammar Fathy Elhabal, Email Sammar.Fathy@pharm.mti.edu.eg; sammar_fathy2007@yahoo.com; Mohamed A El- Nabarawi, Email mohamed.elnabarawi@pharm.cu.edu.egBackground: Diabetes Mellitus is a multisystem chronic pandemic, wound inflammation, and healing are still major issues for diabetic patients who may suffer from ulcers, gangrene, and other wounds from uncontrolled chronic hyperglycemia. Marshmallows or Althaea officinalis (A.O.) contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolics that support wound healing via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Our study aimed to develop a combination of eco-friendly formulations of green synthesis of ZnO-NPs by Althaea officinalis extract and further incorporate them into 2% chitosan (CS) gel.Method and Results: First, develop eco-friendly green Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and incorporate them into a 2% chitosan (CS) gel. In-vitro study performed by UV-visible spectrum analysis showed a sharp peak at 390 nm, and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry showed a peak of zinc and oxygen. Besides, Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) was used to qualitatively validate biosynthesized ZnO-NPs, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed spherical nanoparticles with mean sizes of 76 nm and Zeta potential +30mV. The antibacterial potential of A.O.-ZnO-NPs-Cs was examined by the diffusion agar method against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Based on the zone of inhibition and minimal inhibitory indices (MIC). In addition, an in-silico study investigated the binding affinity of A.O. major components to the expected biological targets that may aid wound healing. Althaea Officinalis, A.O-ZnO-NPs group showed reduced downregulation of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α and increased IL-10 levels compared to the control group signaling pathway expression levels confirming the improved anti-inflammatory effect of the self-assembly method. In-vivo study and histopathological analysis revealed the superiority of the nanoparticles in reducing signs of inflammation and wound incision in rat models.Conclusion: These biocompatible green zinc oxide nanoparticles, by using Althaea Officinalis chitosan gel ensure an excellent new therapeutic approach for quickening diabetic wound healing. Keywords: wound healing, antimicrobial, antioxidant, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, chitosan, wound concentration, wound incision

Sammar Fathy Elhabal,1 Nashwa Abdelaal,2 Saeed AS Al-Zuhairy,3 Mohamed Fathi Mohamed Elrefai,4,5 Mohamed Mansour Khalifa,6 Mohammad Ahmad Khasawneh,7 Ahmed Mohsen Elsaid Hamdan,8 Passant M Mohie,9 Rania A Gad,10 Soad L Kabil,11 Mohamed Kandeel El-Ashery,12,13 Bhaskara R Jasti,14 Nahla A Elzohairy,15,16 Nehal Elfar,17 Tayseer Elnawawy,18 Fatma E Hassan,19,20 Mohamed Ahmed El-Nabarawi21 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt; 2Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; 3Department of Pharmacy, Kut University College, Kut, Wasit, Iraq; 4Department of Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; 5Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; 6Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 7Department of Chemistry, College of Science, U.A.E. University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates; 8Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; 10Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni-Suef, Egypt; 11Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; 12Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 13Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Salman International University, Ras-Sedr, South Sinai, Egypt; 14Department of Pharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, USA; 15Air Force Specialized Hospital, Cairo, Egypt; 16Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt; 17Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University, New Demiette, Egypt; 18Department of Pharmaceutics, Egyptian Drug Authority, Cairo, Egypt; 19Medical Physiology Department, Kasr Alainy, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; 20General Medicine Practice Program, Department of Physiology, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 21Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Mohammad Ahmad Khasawneh, Email mohammad.khasawneh@uaeu.ac.aePurpose: Improving the treatment of psoriasis is a serious challenge today. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin condition affecting 125 million people worldwide. It is commonly treated with cyclosporine-A (CsA) and dithranol (DTH). CsA suppresses the activation of T-cells, immune cells involved in forming psoriatic lesions. Meanwhile, DTH is a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative drug that effectively reduces the severity of psoriasis symptoms such as redness, scaling, and skin thickness. CsA and DTH belong to BCS class II with limited oral bioavailability. We aim to develop a drug delivery system for topical co-delivery of CsA and DTH, exploring its therapeutic potential.Methods: Firstly, we developed a niosomal drug delivery system based on ceramide IIIB to form Cerosomes. Cerosomes were prepared from a mixture of Ceramide, hyaluronic acid, and edge activator using a thin-film hydration technique. To co-deliver CsA and DTH topically for the treatment of psoriasis. These two hydrophobic drugs encapsulated into our synthesized positively charged particle cerosomes.Results: Cerosomes had an average particle size of (222.36 nm± 0.36), polydispersity index of (0.415± 0.04), Entrapment Efficiency of (96.91%± 0.56), and zeta potential of (29.36± 0.38mV) for selected formula. In vitro, In silico, in vivo, permeation, and histopathology experiments have shown that cerosomes enhanced the skin penetration of both hydrophobic drugs by 66.7% compared to the CsA/DTH solution. Imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriatic mice model was topically treated with our CsA/DTH cerosomes. We found that our formulation enhances the skin penetration of both drugs and reduces psoriasis area and severity index (PASI score) by 2.73 times and 42.85%, respectively, compared to the CsA/DTH solution. Moreover, it reduces the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-6 compared to CsA/DTH solution administration.Conclusion: The Cerosomes nano-vesicle-containing CsA/DTH represents a more promising topical treatment for psoriasis, giving new hope to individuals with psoriasis, compared to commercial and other conventional alternatives. Keywords: biopharmaceutics classification system class II, BCS II, niosomes based on ceramide IIIB, cerosomes, psoriasis, psoriasis area and severity index, PASI score, imiquimod, IMQ, proinflammatory cytokines, niosomes

Sammar Fathy ELhabal,1 Hanan Mohamed Elwy,2 Soha Hassanin,3 Ahmed A El-Rashedy,4 Alaaeldin Ahmed Hamza,5 Mohammad Ahmad Khasawneh6 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information, Cairo, Egypt; 2Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Cairo, Egypt; 3Biochemistry Department, Modern University for Technology and information, Cairo, Egypt; 4Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, National Research Center (NRC), Giza, Egypt; 5Biology Department, National Organization for Drug Control and Research, Giza, Egypt; 6Department of Chemistry, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Mohammad Ahmad Khasawneh; Alaaeldin Ahmed Hamza, Email mohammad.khasawneh@uaeu.ac.ae; alaa17mm@gmail.comIntroduction: Metal nanoparticle synthesis using plant has emerged as an eco-friendly, clean, and viable strategy alternative to chemical and physical approaches.Methods: The fruit extract of Salvadora persica (SP) was utilized as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of gold (AuNPs) and copper (CuNPs) nanoparticles.Results: UV–Vis spectra of the AuNPs and CuNPs showed peaks at the wavelengths of 530 nm and 440 nm, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy showed that nanoparticles exhibited a mainly spherical form, with a distribution range of 100 to 113 nm in diameter for AuNPs and of 130 to 135 nm in diameter for CuNPs. While energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was able to confirm the existence of AuNPs and CuNPs. The alcoholic extract of the fruit SP was analyzed by GC-MS in order to identify whether or not it contained any active phytochemicals. Fourier-transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence capping functional biomolecules of SP on the surface of nanoparticles that acts as stabilizers. Analysis of the zeta potential revealed that NPs with high degree of stability, as demonstrated by a strong negative potential value in the range of 25.2 to 28.7 mV. Results showed that both green AuNPs and CuNPs have potential antimicrobial activity against human pathogens such gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria, with CuNPs having antimicrobial activity higher than AuNPs. In addition, AuNPs and CuNPs have promising antioxidant and anticancer properties when applied to MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Studies of molecular docking of SP bioactive compounds were conducted against methenyl tetrahydrofolate synthetase. Among all of them, Beta – Sitosterol was the most prominent.Conclusion: These AuNPs and CuNPs are particularly appealing in a variety of applications in the pharmaceutical and medicinal industries due to their economical and environmentally friendly production.Keywords: Salvadora persica, green nanoparticles, antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer

A new series of urea and thiourea derivatives containing benzimidazole group as potential anticancer agents have been designed and synthesized. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized and confirmed by spectroscopic techniques such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry. In vitro anticancer assay against two breast cancer (BC) cell lines, MDA-MB-231ER(−)/PR(−) and MCF-7ER(+)/PR(+), revealed that the cytotoxicity of 1-(2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylamino)ethyl)-3-p-tolylthiourea (7b) and 4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-N-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine-1-carboxamide (5d) were higher in MCF-7 with IC50 values of 25.8 and 48.3 µM, respectively, as compared with MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, 7b and 5d were assessed for their apoptotic potential using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, and Caspase-3/7. After incubation with MCF-7, the compounds 7b and 5d induced apoptosis through caspase-3/7 activation. In conclusion, the compounds 7b and 5d are potential candidates for inducing apoptosis in different genotypic BC cell lines.

Continuous increase in traffic volume in the recent years has resulted in greater surface friction loss of asphalt pavements. While the literature presents several ways of aggregate and asphalt mix screening to ensure that surface characteristics are at an acceptable level of friction to control skid-related accidents, the recommended polishing tests using different accelerated polishing devices are time-consuming and to some extent labour-intensive. Therefore, it is imperative that existing polishing devices be improved to shorten the test duration to a level desired by the industry as well as state and federal agencies. This paper aims at addressing this improvement that uses power unit (or motor) to generate energy enough to rotate the polishing disk at constant rotational speed while being pressed against the specimen surface, then read the power needed from the display screen for the following steps. Multiple verification techniques including comparison studies and statistical analyses were used to examine the validity of this improvement. It was found that data collected by the power unit was repeatable and able to precisely detect surface deterioration history for different asphalt mixes with different polish susceptibility in a manner similar to conventional friction and texture-measuring devices. Hence, aggregates and mixes were classified based on their surface frictional properties. Additionally, results from this study correlated well with results from other studies using conventional methods. Most importantly, it was found to be possible to cut down the polishing test time using torque values in lieu of conventional surface quantification methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]