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Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent orthopedic condition worldwide. University students are more likely to have this issue due to their demanding and time-consuming course load. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of LBP and the factors that lead to it among students at the Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU). Methods: This cross-sectional study targeted undergraduate students using an online self-administered questionnaire. A descriptive analysis method was conducted. Results: Of the 830 students who completed the survey, 71.4% were females. About two-thirds were aged between 18 and 22 years. Our study shows that 68.2% had complained of recent LBP. The most significant prevalent factor associated with LBP among IMAMU students, 94.2%, was prolonged sitting. Heavy object lifting is 93.2%, and unhealthy seating/body position is 90.2%, which comes in second and third place. Those who complained about the discomfort of their lecture hall seats were shown to be dramatically more likely (5.549 times more) to develop LBP than students who did not. Students with a positive history of depression were significantly more prone (2.565-fold) to LBP. A positive family history of LBP and smoking cigarettes were found to increase the chance of developing LBP. Conclusion: LBP among IMSIU students is high, mainly because of prolonged sitting, heavy object lifting, and unhealthy sitting and/or body position. There is a strong association between LBP and a positive family history of LBP, smoking, and uncomfortable seats. Prevenive measures, such as an intervention program for university students, are required.

Abstract Long-term antibiotic treatment results in the increasing resistance of bacteria to antimicrobials drugs, so it is necessary to search for effective alternatives to prevent and treat pathogens that cause diseases. This study is aimed for biological synthesis of silver Carthamus nanoparticles (Ag-Carth-NPs) to combat microbial biofilm formation and Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence genes. Ag-Carth-NPs are synthesized using Carthamus tenuis aqueous extract as environmentally friendly method has no harmful effect on environment. General factorial design is used to optimize Ag-Carth-NPs synthesis using three variables in three levels are Carthamus extract concentration, silver nitrate concentration and gamma radiation doses. Analysis of response data indicates gamma radiation has a significant effect on Ag-Carth-NPs production. Ag-Carth-NPs have sharp peak at λ max 425 nm, small and spherical particles with size 20.0 ± 1.22 nm, high stability up to 240 day with zeta potential around − 43 ± 0.12 mV, face centered cubic crystalline structure and FT-IR spectroscopy shows peak around 620 cm−1 that corresponding to AgNPs that stabilized by C. tenuis extract functional moiety. The antibacterial activity of Ag-Carth-NPs against pathogenic bacteria and fungi was determined using well diffusion method. The MIC values of Ag-Carth-NPs were (6.25, 6.25, 3.126, 25, 12.5, 12.5, 25 and 12.5 µg/ml), MBC values were (12.5, 12.5, 6.25, 50, 25, 25, 50 and 25 µg/ml) and biofilm inhibition% were (62.12, 68.25, 90.12, 69.51, 70.61, 71.12, 75.51 and 77.71%) against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans respectively. Ag-Carth-NPs has bactericidal efficacy and significantly reduced the swarming, swimming motility, pyocyanin and protease production of P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, P. aeruginosa ToxA gene expression was significantly down regulated by 81.5%, while exoU reduced by 78.1%, where lasR gene expression reduction was 68%, while the reduction in exoU was 66% and 60.1% decrease in lasB gene expression after treatment with Ag-Carth-NPs. This activity is attributed to effect of Ag-Carth-NPs on cell membrane integrity, down regulation of virulence gene expression, and induction of general and oxidative stress in P. aeruginosa. Ag-Carth-NPs have no significant cytotoxic effects on normal human cell (Hfb4) but have IC50 at 5.6µg/mL against of HepG-2 cells. Limitations of the study include studies with low risks of silver nanoparticles for in vitro antimicrobial effects and its toxicity.

Abstract Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder resulting from the deposition of misfolded and neurotoxic forms of tau protein in specific areas of the midbrain, basal ganglia, and cortex. It is one of the most representative forms of tauopathy. PSP presents in several different phenotypic variations and is often accompanied by the development of concurrent neurodegenerative disorders. PSP is universally fatal, and effective disease-modifying therapies for PSP have not yet been identified. Several tau-targeting treatment modalities, including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and microtubule-stabilizing agents, have been investigated and have had no efficacy. The need to treat PSP and other tauopathies is critical, and many clinical trials investigating tau-targeted treatments are underway. In this review, the PubMed database was queried to collect information about preclinical and clinical research on PSP treatment. Additionally, the US National Library of Medicine’s ClinicalTrials.gov website was queried to identify past and ongoing clinical trials relevant to PSP treatment. This narrative review summarizes our findings regarding these reports, which include potential disease-modifying drug trials, modifiable risk factor management, and symptom treatments.

Biosynthesized nanomaterials and nanocomposites (NCs) could have promising potentialities to overcome the multi-drug-resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria, particularly Salmonella Typhimurium. Radish seed (Raphanus sativus) mucilage (RSM) was employed for synthesizing/capping selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and their nanoconjugates with chitosan (Ct) were assessed for inhibiting MDR S. typhimurium. The SeNPs were effectually biosynthesized using RSM and have 4.21 nm mean size and −25.6 mV surface charge. Different NC formulations of Ct/RSM/SeNPs were generated and validated using infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The entire formulations could suppress S. Typhimurium growth, including MDR strains. F3 NCs (with 53.64 nm diameter and +21.1 mV surface charge) had the strongest anti-S. Typhimurium activity that exceeded the action of cephalosporin, and the subsequent antibacterial formulation was F2 (with 41.77 nm diameter and −17.3 mV charge). The NCs of Ct/RSM/SeNPs could severely destruct, deform, and lyse S. Typhimurium cells’ structures throughout 10 h of exposure. The innovative fabricated NCs of Ct/RSM/SeNPs are auspiciously suggested as effectual biocides to eradicate MDR S. Typhimurium in various food-processing facilities.

Background: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) outbreaks remain a huge challenge to the healthcare sectors worldwide. Their impact on morbidity and mortality, economic and healthcare burden remains a public health problem and a challenge to the HAI surveillance system, infection control, and HAI management strategies. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological patterns, distribution, causative agents of HAI outbreaks and the influence of age, COVID-19 co-infection, medical invasive procedures, and hospital units on mortality among HAI outbreaks cases. Methods: This chart review study involved HAI outbreak cases recorded in Ministry of Health hospitals during 2020–2021 in Saudi Arabia. HAI outbreak notification and investigation forms were used for data collection. A binary logistic regression model was performed to determine the significant predictors of mortality. Univariate analyses were performed to determine the association between hospital units, organisms, and COVID-19 co-infection to the site of infection. Results: A total of 217 HAI outbreaks with 1003 cases were recorded in 2020–2021. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from 73.8% of the cases. The overall specific case fatality rate was 47.5%. The significant predictors of mortality were age, invasive medical procedures, COVID-19 co-infection, and intensive care units’ admission. Moreover, ventilator-associated events were more associated with cases co-infected with COVID-19. Conclusion: HAI outbreaks were most prevalent in the Western and Central region and in intensive care units. Gram negative bacteria were responsible for most of cases while ventilator-associated events and central line-associated bloodstream infections were the most common infection sites. Implementing targeted and effective prevention and control strategies is recommended.

Two novel crossover models for breast cancer that incorporate Ψ-Caputo fractal variable-order fractional derivatives, fractal fractional-order derivatives, and variable-order fractional stochastic derivatives driven by variable-order fractional Brownian motion and the crossover model for breast cancer that incorporates Atangana–Baleanu Caputo fractal variable-order fractional derivatives, fractal fractional-order derivatives, and variable-order fractional stochastic derivatives driven by variable-order fractional Brownian motion are presented here, where we used a simple nonstandard kernel function Ψ(t) in the first model and a non-singular kernel in the second model. Moreover, we evaluated our models using actual statistics from Saudi Arabia. To ensure consistency with the physical model problem, the symmetry parameter ζ is introduced. We can obtain the fractal variable-order fractional Caputo and Caputo–Katugampola derivatives as special cases from the proposed Ψ-Caputo derivative. The crossover dynamics models define three alternative models: fractal variable-order fractional model, fractal fractional-order model, and variable-order fractional stochastic model over three-time intervals. The stability of the proposed model is analyzed. The Ψ-nonstandard finite-difference method is designed to solve fractal variable-order fractional and fractal fractional models, and the Toufik–Atangana method is used to solve the second crossover model with the non-singular kernel. Also, the nonstandard modified Euler–Maruyama method is used to study the variable-order fractional stochastic model. Numerous numerical tests and comparisons with real data were conducted to validate the methods’ efficacy and support the theoretical conclusions.

EGFR mutations are among the most common driver mutations in lung adenocarcinoma. Rare alterations, such as the EGFR-RAD51 fusion, respond to treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors but can be missed by limited genomic sequencing panels. Here, we report a case of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma in a never-smoker patient who initially did not have a targetable alteration identified on two different sequencing panels. The initial response to combination chemoimmunotherapy was short-lived. A rare EGFR-RAD51 fusion was then identified using a more in-depth sequencing panel. The patient experienced a dramatic and durable response to osimertinib. This case highlights the rarity of EGFR-RAD51 fusions, the efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and the importance of a thorough search for targetable alterations in never-smokers with lung adenocarcinoma.

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a neurotoxic widespread organic contaminant which affects several brain functions including memory, motor coordination and social activity. PFOS has the ability to traverse the placenta and the blood brain barrier (BBB) and cause weight gain in female mice. It’s also known that obesity and consumption of a high fat diet have negative effects on the brain, impairs cognition and increases the risk for the development of dementia. The combination effect of developmental exposure to PFOS and the intake of a high-fat diet (HFD) has not been explored. This study investigates the effect of PFOS and /or HFD on weight gain, behavior and transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of adult brain mice. We found that female mice exposed to PFOS alone showed an increase in weight, while HFD expectedly increased body weight. The combination of HFD and PFOS exacerbated generalized behavior such as time spent in the center and rearing, while PFOS alone impacted the distance travelled. These results suggest that PFOS exposure may promote hyperactivity. The combination of PFOS and HFD alter social behavior such as rearing and withdrawal. Although HFD interfered with memory retrieval, biomarkers of dementia did not change except for total Tau and phosphorylated Tau. Tau was impacted by either or both PFOS exposure and HFD. Consistent with behavioral observations, global cerebral transcriptomic analysis showed that PFOS exposure affects calcium signaling, MAPK pathways, ion transmembrane transport, and developmental processes. The combination of HFD with PFOS enhances the effect of PFOS in the brain and affects pathways related to ER stress, axon guidance and extension, and neural migration. Proteomic analysis showed that HFD enhances the impact of PFOS on inflammatory pathways, regulation of cell migration and proliferation, and MAPK signaling pathways. Overall, these data show that PFOS combined with HFD may reprogram the genome and modulate neuromotor development and may promote symptoms linked to attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Future work will be needed to confirm these connections.

In this study, entropy accumulation during thermal convection of a hybrid nanosuspension in an undulating cavity having an interior heated plate is investigated in relation to magnetic fields. The Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer approach is employed to simulate the liquid circulation and energy transport parameters, while the impact of the Lorentz force on the system's thermodynamic properties is analyzed. To better understand the characteristics of this complex phenomenon, best compromise combination of different interacted parameters is needed to be set on. The geometrical parameters are number of cavity waves (N), length (s) and inclination angle of heated plate (γ) and the inclination angle of Lorentz force (δ). These parameters are studied with different volume fractions of compound nanofluid (φ = 0 − 0.02), different Rayleigh numbers (103 − 106), Darcy number changes between (Da = 10−5 − 10−1) and various Hartmann numbers (Ha = 0 − 60). The mean Nusselt number rises with a growth of the Rayleigh number by about three times (≈300%), while the average skin friction parameter reduces with a growth of the number of wall waves approximately to the half (≈50%). Additionally, the average Bejan number reaches its maximum value when the parameter of number of waves equals to (N = 5). Taking into consideration an objective function of maximizing average Nu and minimizing skin frication coefficient (Cf), the best scenario is determined at (N = 3, s = 0.4, γ = π/3 and δ = π/2).

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia obtains the most desalination water from the Red Sea. In Saudi Arabia, 14 desalination plants receive water from the Red Sea, and three are located in the country’s east and rely on the Arabian Gulf. The study has observed 16 desalination plants out of 17 desalination plants in the kingdom. Most of the desalination plants in Saudi Arabia currently use the advanced technologies to produce potable water with less impact on the surrounding environment. The current study examined the variation of hydrographic parameters along all available desalination plants in Saudi Arabia. This is the first inter-annual database of hydrographic parameters in the last 4 years. The peak salinity was measured at the Duba desalination plant in 2020, and it was 67.2 ppt. During 2018, the Azizia desalination plant reported the lowest value of 36.8 ppt. The maximum temperature recorded at the Qunfudah desalination plant in 2019 was 34.6°C. In 2017, the minimum temperature was 19.1°C at the Jubail desalination plant. The level of dissolved oxygen and pH were likewise not significantly changed along the brine outflow and in the outfall, in contrast to temperature and salinity. On the basis of 4 years’ of data from observed desalination facilities, the current study sheds light on the less environmental impact with regard to hydrographic factors.

In this paper, we improved a mathematical model of monkeypox disease with a time delay to a crossover model by incorporating variable-order and fractional differential equations, along with stochastic fractional derivatives, in three different time intervals. The stability and positivity of the solutions for the proposed model are discussed. Two numerical methods are constructed to study the behavior of the proposed models. These methods are the nonstandard modified Euler Maruyama technique and the nonstandard Caputo proportional constant Adams-Bashfourth fifth step method. Many numerical experiments were conducted to verify the efficiency of the methods and support the theoretical results. This study’s originality is the use of fresh data simulation techniques and different solution methodologies.

The polymeric nanocomposites (NCs), constructed from okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) fruits mucilage (OM), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and chitosan (Ch), were fabricated as potential candidates to overcome drug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria. AgNPs were directly mediated by OM, with 4.2 nm mean diameters. The composed NCs from Ch/OM/AgNPs were innovatively synthesized and the various ratios of Ch:OM/AgNPs affected the NCs particles’ size and charges. The infrared analysis of employed materials/NCs validated their interactions and conjugations. The antibacterial assays of NCs against different resistant S. Typhimurium strains indicated the efficiency of polymeric NCs to inhibit bacteria with significant superiority over standard antibiotics. The NCs that contained equal ratios from Ch and OM/AgNPs were the best formulation (mean diameter, 47.19 nm and surface charge, +16.9 mV) to exhibit the strongest actions toward S. Typhimurium. The NCs caused severe deformation, destruction, and lysis in exposed bacteria, as traced with scanning microscopy. The biosynthesis of AgNPs using OM and their nanoconjugation with Ch provided effectual natural biopolymers NCs with enhanced expected biosafety and efficiency against drug-resistant S. Typhimurium strains, which supports their potential applications as disinfectant, sterilizing, and curative antibacterial agents.

Computational thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts and identifying patterns and relationships between different components whereas Green-IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 6G environment are important approaches for potentializing an effective Computational Thinking solution. AI approaches involve developing algorithms that can learn from data, make predictions and decisions, and perform complex tasks without explicit programming. When it comes to Green-IoT, both computational thinking and Artificial Intelligence can be used to analyze and interpret the massive amounts of data generated by connected devices using 6G communication networks. This can lead to more intelligent and efficient use of resources, as well as improved automation of various processes. The combination of Green-IoT, AI and 6G Technologies in computational thinking has the potential to transform various industries including the educational one and improve the quality of life for individuals is expected to lead to new applications and services that are more intelligent, efficient, and personalized. This research presents a review on computational thinking, particularly, we first give an overview of essential parameters through Green-IoT enabled sensor technologies under 5G, 6G environment and Artificial Intelligence. We then present an overview of requirements of basic architecture for IoT and AI based computational thinking system considering key attributes to potentialize social applications and discussing their strengths and weaknesses in the context of framework for community services. Finally, we present various security threats to an AI-based architecture to design robust and resilient computational thinking services system needed in the context of social networking.

Abstract Escherichia coli ST1485 strains belong to the clinically important phylogroup F and have disseminated worldwide in humans, animals, and the environment. Here, we elucidated the pathogenome of a global collection of E. coli ST1485 isolates from diverse sources retrieved from public databases and a high-quality sequenced complete genome of colistin-resistant E. coli strain CFSAN061771 isolated from raw milk cheese which designated as a reference strain. CFSAN061771 belongs to O83:H42-ST1485 pathotype and carries a conjugative ColV plasmid, pCFSAN061771_01, combining extraintestinal virulence genes (ompt, sitA, iroN, etsC, traT, cvaC, hylF, iss, tsh, mchf, iucC, iutA) with a multidrug resistance island (bla TEM-1, aph(6)-Id, aph(3″)-Ib, sul2, dfrA14). Comparative genomic analysis revealed a high frequency of pCFSAN061771_01-like plasmids in E. coli ST1485. A notable evolutionary genetic event in E. coli ST1485 strains is the acquisition of a pCFSAN061771_02-like plasmid, which confers resistance to several antimicrobials, tellurium, and quaternary ammonium compounds. The identical virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles identified in some human and animal strains are worrisome. This is the first study to emphasize the significance of E. coli ST1485 as a global high-risk virulent and multidrug-resistant clone with zoonotic potential.