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Abstract Background Innovative treatments are being examined to develop more effective and innocuous protective medications for allergic conditions. In recent times, helminth-based immunotherapy is gaining attention as a potential therapeutic approach that could establish a pathway for controlling anaphylaxis. To the extent of our knowledge, there are no previous studies that examine the protective effect of both Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) and its soluble egg antigen (SEA) together against anaphylaxis. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine and compare the impact of SEA immunization and/or S. mansoni infection on Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced systemic anaphylaxes in mice model. Results The outcome results revealed that S. mansoni infection and SEA immunization were able to improve body weight, reduce the mortality rate, increase plasma IgE and IgG4 levels and decrease histamine levels in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additionally, they elevated interleukin-(IL)-4, IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor-beta (ΤGF-β) levels in BALF. They also restored the stabilization of peritoneal mast cells (MCs) membrane in inverted light microscopy results accompanied by amelioration of the lung and liver histology. Conclusions The present study provided indication for the prophylactic effects of S. mansoni infection and SEA immunization against OVA-induced systemic anaphylaxes in mice model. Also, it focuses on the possible therapeutic mechanisms of helminth-derived products administration that might be related to upregulation of immune regulatory mechanisms. As a result, S. mansoni-derived products may be used as preventative supplemented treatments to inhibit the development of anaphylaxis which provides us with a new vision for developing pioneering therapy.

Growth charts (GCs) are essential tools for monitoring children’s growth and overall health status. The extent to which healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia (SA) use national and international GC, and adhere to standardized practices remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate current GC practices among healthcare practitioners in SA. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 193 healthcare practitioners in SA who completed an online questionnaire that assessed their characteristics and practices related to the use of GC. Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were performed. Participants reported using different GCs during the assessments, with the following distribution: GC of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (24%), GC of the World Health Organization (WHO) (22%), Saudi GC (21%), and more than one type of GC (30%). Among the participants, 62% recorded GC data for both sick and well child, and 72.5% used GC with new and follow-up children. Only 56% reported discussing the GC output with patients or parents. Adjusting for covariates, dietitians were more likely to use GC with new and follow-up patients (odds ratio (OR): 2.61, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 6.02) and regularly discuss GC output with patients/parents (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.29, 5.43) compared to other healthcare practitioners. Our findings showed significant variability in the use of GC among healthcare professionals in SA. The limited adoption of Saudi GC warrants further investigation to address practice obstacles and monitor children’s growth.

Abstract Background Hundreds of pharmacists graduate from pharmacy colleges in Saudi Arabia, and various factors influence their choice of career pathway. Very few single-institution studies assessed career choices of pharmacy students with or without evaluating the influencing factors. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate career choices and the associating factors of pharmacy interns from multiple colleges in Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that surveyed pharmacy interns from 25 pharmacy colleges in Saudi Arabia using an online questionnaire. The survey was sent during the last rotation month in the internship year (May–June 2022). Results Of 454 participants, 411 (90.5%) were enrolled in Doctor of Pharmacy programs. While most participants were interested in becoming clinical pharmacists (n = 183; 40.3%), a considerable number were also interested in working in different sectors of pharmaceutical companies and industry (n = 127; 28%). Internship training significantly correlated with selecting clinical pharmacy specialist career (r = 0.19; P = 0.0001), whereas salary/financial incentives significantly influenced the choice of working as sales and marketing representatives and pharmacy product specialists in pharmaceutical companies (r = 0.29 and 0.24; P

Abstract Background Thyroid disease poses a major clinical problem. Knowledge of the pattern and distribution of thyroid disease is important to establish prevention and treatment protocols. This is hampered by lack of data. Methods This is a retrospective descriptive study of histopathology reports on thyroid tissue surgically excised from patients over a 10-year-period (from 2009-2020) at a major teaching hospital. Demographic data on patients included the age, gender, geographical location and ethnic origin. Results A total of 1351 histopathological reports on thyroid patients were studied. Twenty one patients (1.6Most of our patients come from Khartoum (76.3Simple multinodular goiter (SMNG) accounted for (78.6Conclusions The study identified the histopathological pattern of thyroid disease. SMNG was the commonest benign disease. Follicular and Hurtle cell carcinoma combined were almost as frequent as papillary carcinoma. Prevention of SMNG by iodinization, early detection of thyroid neoplasms, and studies on goitrogens should be activated.

Background: Identification of epidemiologic and phenotypic variations of psoriasis among different ethnic groups can further our understanding of this perplexing disease, aiming at better management of patients worldwide. Objective: To provide a descriptive analysis of psoriasis patients registered at Kasr Al-Ainy Psoriasis Unit Disease Registry. Methods: This retrospective single-center registry study included patient records between November 2015 and November 2018 (2534 patients). Sociodemographic and phenotypic data were analyzed. Results: The mean age of the registered patients was 39.3 years and 56.3% were men. Stress was the main precipitating factor (48.3%), whereas the most common symptom reported was itching (82.4%). The median body mass index was 27.5, and the median percentage of body surface area involved was 10.0. The mean Psoriasis Area Severity Index score was 8.7, and the mean Psoriasis Disability Index score was 13.0. Both parameters correlated positively, and both showed significantly higher means in smokers. Limitations: Despite that the study was performed at a highly specialized tertiary care center with a high flow of patients, this was still a single-center registry. Conclusions: This work shows that the characteristics of Egyptian patients with psoriasis are comparable to those of other studied ethnic groups, with minor differences.

Psoriasis is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disease affecting primarily the skin and joints and also involves several comorbidities. The disease affects between 0.2 and 4% of the population worldwide. The approach to the patient and its proper management needs a holistic approach, where the physician treats the patient and not just the plaques of psoriasis. The Kasr Al-Ainy Psoriasis Unit developed a protocol of therapy for psoriasis, based on the best available scientific evidence and the expert opinion of the team, taking into consideration the regional characteristics of our patients (factors such as cultural, socioeconomic, and epidemiologic specificities). The protocol offers an algorithm for the choice of adequate therapy for patients with psoriasis, both for initiation and for maintenance, according to the severity and the course of the disease. Topical and systemic therapies available in the Egyptian market are highlighted for their efficacy and safety data. An algorithm for screening of cardiovascular comorbidities is also presented. This protocol is the backbone of our daily practice in Kasr Al-Ainy Psoriasis Unit and we beleive physicians dealing with psoriasis in primary-care centers or in their clinics can find it useful to deliver a better service to their patients.

Psoriasis is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disease affecting primarily the skin and joints but also involves several comorbidities. The disease affects between 0.2 and 4% of the population worldwide. The Kasr Al-Ainy Psoriasis Unit developed a protocol of therapy for psoriasis. Part I discussed the topical and systemic therapies. This part discusses the biological therapy. Biological therapies for psoriasis are agents that can specifically target an immune mediator and block specific molecular steps important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Despite the cost, the use of biological therapies in psoriasis is sometimes necessary. However, the adequate choice of biologic in the proper indication is mandatory for cost–benefit balance for the patient. Physicians using biological therapies should be familiar with complications. The protocol offers regional physicians a practical algorithm for choice of biological therapies in psoriasis and a full workup before therapy and during follow-up. Authors highlight the safety and efficacy data of biologic therapies available in the Egyptian market, with special focus on particular situations (hepatitis, tuberculosis, and demyelinating disorders).

Abstract Background African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is an infectious non contagious insect-transmitted double-stranded (ds) RNA orbivirus of the family Reoviridae. AHSV causes an often fatal hemorrhagic infection with high mortality among selected breeds of Arabian horses. This study was conducted to avail some information with regard to the prevalence and associated risk factors of AHSV among ecotype breeds of horses in central Sudan. Methods Sera were collected from 320 horses, which were selected randomly from four localities and employed in the study. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was used to screen sampled sera for AHSV-specific immunoglobulin G (Ig G) antibodies. Results Seropositivity to AHSV Ig G was detected in 275 out of the 320 horse sera, thus accounting for a prevalence rate of 85.9%. Potential risk factors to AHSV infection were reported to be associated with horse breed (OR = 5.0, CI = 0.07–2.104, p-value = 0.039) and activity of the horse (OR = 3.21, CI = 0.72–1.48, p- value = 0.008). Conclusions The high prevalence of AHSV in Khartoum State of Central Sudan necessitates the need for continuous surveillance for AHSV infection to prevent a possible disease outbreak in this region of the African continent.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, educational leaders were called to navigate the relatively novel waters of unconventional modalities (e.g., remote instruction, in-person teaching following proper safety and health protocols, and a hybrid of the two) for millions of students and their teachers. In the context of this relative novelty, challenge, and uncertainty, effective educational leaders leveraged their existing knowledge and skills as well as harnessed a new repertoire to guide their decision-making, contextual assessment, and approaches to action. In this article, the authors describe the leadership (i.e., the superintendent, principals, and other administrators) and leadership actions taken at one school district to facilitate the ease with and success in which teachers, students, and their families navigated the instructional terrain. The authors focus on what they learned and how Beacon school leaders supported the needs of teachers as well as students and their families in the context of remote instruction from the perspective of the second author.

Growth charts (GCs) are essential tools for monitoring children's growth and overall health status. The extent to which healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia (SA) use national and international GC, and adhere to standardized practices remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate current GC practices among healthcare practitioners in SA. A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 193 healthcare practitioners in SA who completed an online questionnaire that assessed their characteristics and practices related to the use of GC. Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were performed. Participants reported using different GCs during the assessments, with the following distribution: GC of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (24%), GC of the World Health Organization (WHO) (22%), Saudi GC (21%), and more than one type of GC (30%). Among the participants, 62% recorded GC data for both sick and well child, and 72.5% used GC with new and follow‐up children. Only 56% reported discussing the GC output with patients or parents. Adjusting for covariates, dietitians were more likely to use GC with new and follow‐up patients (odds ratio (OR): 2.61, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13, 6.02) and regularly discuss GC output with patients/parents (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.29, 5.43) compared to other healthcare practitioners. Our findings showed significant variability in the use of GC among healthcare professionals in SA. The limited adoption of Saudi GC warrants further investigation to address practice obstacles and monitor children's growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pontocrates genus has been assigned to the family Oedicerotidae since 1871. The five species recognized within this family share a similar biogeographical distribution in cold and temperate seawater of Europe and the northern Mediterranean Sea. However, this genus has never been recorded from tropical or subtropical waters elsewhere. The present collected materials from the northern Red Sea (Egyptian coast) indicated an expansion of the distribution area to cover warmer waters. The present species is distinguished from the other congeners by having long dactyl of pereopod six in both male and female, which is the longest among the other species of the genus and subequal to propodus length. A detailed description and fully illustrated material of this species, along with an identification key of worldwide species of Pontocrates, are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung cancer has been major cause of cancer related death and day by day Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases are increasing globally. Present study explored the link between SLC30A10 mRNA expression with vitamin-D level among the NSCLC patients. Methods: Present study included newly diagnosed 100 NSCLC patients and 100 healthy controls. Quantitative real time PCR was performed to check the SLC30A10 mRNA expression after cDNA synthesis from extracted total RNA from serum sample. Vitamin-D level was also analyzed in all the NSCLC patients by electrochemiluminscence based immunoassay method. Results: Present research work observed decreased SLC30A10 mRNA expression (0.16 fold) among the NSCLC patients, decreased SLC30A10 mRNA expression was linked with advanced stage (0.15 fold, P < 00001) of disease and distant organ metastases (0.11 fold, P < 00001) compared to its contrast. Decreased level of vitamin-D was also observed with advanced stage (17.98 ng/ml, P < 00001) of disease and distant organ metastases (16.23 ng/ml, P < 00001) compared to its contrast. Positive correlation was observed between SLC30A10 mRNA expression with vitamin-D level among the NSCLC patients suggesting decrease or increase in SLC30A10 mRNA expression mau decreases or increase the vitamin-D level. NSCLC patients with vitamin-D deficiency had 0.14 reduced SCL30A10 mRNA expression while insufficient (P = 0 .06) and sufficient (P = 0.03) showed comparatively high SCL30A10 mRNA expression. Conclusion: Study concluded that down regulation of SLC30A10 mRNA and vitamin-D deficiency may involve in advancement of disease and distant organ metastases. It was also suggested that the decrease of increase in SLC30A10 expression may cause the decrease of increase in vitamin-D level among the NSCLC patients may be involved in disease severity and worseness of NSCLC disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family Ampithoidae is considered one of the most famous and cosmopolitan amphipods worldwide since its early definition in 1888; however, information about this family from the Red Sea is still scarce so far. Hence, the purpose of this study was to revise all previously recorded and newly collected materials of Ampithoidae species in the Red Sea. Samples were collected for one year, beginning in the summer of 2019, from seven sites covering the Egyptian Red Sea coast from Hurghada to Halayeb with depths up to 35m. The results of this research revealed the species diversity of this family, which was represented by 8 genera and 9 species. The first evidence of the genus Biancolina Della Valle, 1893 was recorded from the Red Sea in addition to the recording of Cymadusa setosa Haswell, 1879, provided with the identification keys for each genus and species. This study concluded that the family Ampithoidae in the Red Sea is represented by 9 species: Amphithoides longicornis Kossmann, 1880; Ampithoe ramondi Audouin, 1826; Biancolina sp.; Cymadusa filose Savigny, 1816; Cymadusa setosa Haswell, 1879; Paradusa bilobata Ruffo, 1969; Paragrubia vorax Chevreux, 1901; Pleonexes kava Myers, 1985 and Sunamphitoe falsa Barnard, 1932. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Thyroid disease poses a major clinical problem. Knowledge of the pattern and distribution of thyroid disease is important to establish prevention and treatment protocols. This is hampered by lack of data. Methods This is a retrospective descriptive study of histopathology reports on thyroid tissue surgically excised from patients over a 10-year-period (from 2009-2020) at a major teaching hospital. Demographic data on patients included the age, gender, geographical location and ethnic origin. Results A total of 1351 histopathological reports on thyroid patients were studied. Twenty one patients (1.6%) had thyroglossal cysts and 1330 patients (98.4%) had goiters. The mean age was 40.6 years (SD±13.25), (range 11-85years). The majority (88%) were females Most of our patients come from Khartoum (76.3%), followed by White Nile (6.4%), and El Gazira states (4.5%). The commonest ethnic groups affected were the Nuba (11.6%) and Jaalin (8%). The majority of patients (85%) had benign thyroid diseases, and only (15%) had neoplastic disease. Simple multinodular goiter (SMNG) accounted for (78.6%) of benign thyroid disease. Follicular adenoma was the commonest benign neoplasm (98%), whereas papillary carcinoma was the commonest malignant tumour (44.9%), followed by follicular carcinoma and Hurthle cell tumours (43.9%). Medullary and anaplastic carcinomas each accounted for (4.1%) of patients. Conclusions The study identified the histopathological pattern of thyroid disease. SMNG was the commonest benign disease. Follicular and Hurtle cell carcinoma combined were almost as frequent as papillary carcinoma. Prevention of SMNG by iodinization, early detection of thyroid neoplasms, and studies on goitrogens should be activated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was conducted in one of the private nurseries to find out the effect of the bio-synergy in the medical active compounds of the Moringa plant. Three types of bacteria were used in the experiment, they are (Bacillus, Azotobacter, Azosperillium) alone and a mixture with the biological solution (Effective Microorganisms) (EM1) at a concentration of 2 mg.L-1 in addition to the comparison treatment, the experiment was designed according to the Completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Each replicate contained four plastic pots and L.S.D. test was adopted to determine the level of significance among the experimental treatments. The results showed the superiority of the bio-synergetic treatment (Azos. + EM1) in the content of Moringa leaves of the medical active compounds Galic acid (42.8 ppm), Rutin (28.11 ppm) Omega 3 (10.99 ppm), Vitamin C (52.84 ppm), Vitamin E (91.51 ppm) and Zeatin (83.15 ppm), while the comparison treatment recorded the lowest rates for all medical active compounds measured in the experiment of the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the development and evaluation of Health-Aware Smart Gates (HASG), designed to enhance public health security during the COVID-19 pandemic. When compared with traditional smart gate systems, HASGs offer improved security through rigorous health protocol enforcement, enhanced user experience by reducing wait times, and increased reliability. The innovation lies in its stateful authentication mechanism—a contrast to the conventional stateless systems—which reduces wait times by 31.7% for users re-entering on the same day, significantly enhancing efficiency and security. This server-inspired approach allows HASGs to quickly adapt to various health emergencies and incorporate potential hardware upgrades, further reducing response times and elevating the technology’s contribution to smart gate applications. Prototype testing confirms the system’s high accuracy and reliability, underlining its value in smart gate technology.

Buildings account for 40% of energy usage worldwide. The physical characteristics of the building, the effectiveness of the heating and cooling systems, the inhabitants' activities, and the sustainability of the building are just a few of the many factors that influence a building's energy consumption. It is quite challenging to estimate the energy requirements of a structure. Estimating the building's energy demand is vital to increase sustainability and develop sustainable energy sources to lower carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. The energy used in the lecture hall at the University of Baghdad (UOB), located in Baghdad, Iraq's Al-Khwarizmi College of Engineering, is explained in this study. The weather data and the building construction information were collected for a specific period and put into a specific data set. That data was used to find the value of energy consumption in the building using artificial intelligence and data analysis. A Python library called Scikit-learn is used to implement machine learning algorithms. In particular, the Multi-layer Perceptron regressor (MLPRegressor) algorithm was used to predict the consumption. The importance of this work lies in predicting the amount of energy consumed. The outcomes of this work can be used to predict the energy consumed by any building before it is built. The used methodology shows the ability to predict energy performance in educational buildings using previous results and train the model on them, and prediction accuracy depends on the amount of data available for the training in artificial intelligence (AI) steps to give the highest accuracy. The prediction was checked using root-mean-square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R²) and we arrived at 0.16 and 0.97 for RMSE and R², respectively.