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Abstract Channel plasmonic polariton (CPP) waveguides are a promising technology for integrated photonics. They offer several advantages over other plasmonic waveguides and are well-suited for various applications. In this research, a new design of asymmetric double-trenched CPP waveguide is suggested and examined. This design consists of two silicon trenches etched into a silicon dioxide substrate layer; with a gold layer sandwiched in between. The trenches are asymmetric, with one trench being wider than the other. This asymmetry creates a spatially varying surface plasmon polariton (SPP) field, which can guide light along the waveguide. The polarization characteristics of this proposed design are analyzed over a specific wavelength range (0.7 $$-$$ - 1.7 µm) to evaluate the mode confinement of the light within the structure. The design performance was optimized by changing the gold layer thickness and the dimensions of the lower trench. Different scenarios are examined to observe TE and TM-polarized modes’ behavior within the groove. A 1867.119 dB/µm suppression level at 0.92 µm wavelength is achieved which offers a small-size component for compact photonic logic gates, enabling the development of next-generation photonic devices.

Fiber-reinforced elastic laminated composites are extensively used in several domains owing to their high specific stiffness and strength and low specific density. Several studies were performed to ascertain the factors that affect the composite plates’ dynamic properties. This study aims to derive a mathematical model for the dynamic response of the processed composite material in the form of an annular circular shape made of polyester/E-glass composite. The mathematical model was developed based on modified classical annular circular plate theory under dynamic loading, and all its formulas were solved using MATLAB 2023. The mathematical model was also verified with real experimental work involving the vibration test of the fabricated composite plate. The composite plate was processed by reinforcing the polyester matrix with E-glass fibers with a 50% volume fraction each by using the handy lay-up method. After fabrication, the composite plate was tested with a universal vibration tester, where the plate was impacted and released to free vibration, and the deflection was measured experimentally to compare it with the theoretical value calculated from the derived model. The plate was tested under two boundary conditions, namely, simply and built-in supported. The findings show good agreement between theoretical and experimental plate deflections at different angles, particularly at built-in supported boundary conditions. Also, a higher natural frequency was recorded at this condition compared to others, and this may be ascribed to the higher shear stresses involved due to large moments at the ends along with supporting. Meanwhile, the real experimental spectrum of the built-in condition was higher than others, as the sig view curve revealed.

Abstract The steady increase in the energy demand and the growing carbon footprint has forced electricity‐based utilities to shift from their use of non‐renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources. Furthermore, there has been an increase in the integration of renewable energy sources in the electric grid. Hence, one needs to manage the energy consumption needs of the consumers, more effectively. Consumers can connect all the devices and houses to the internet by using Internet of Things (IoT) technology. In this study, the researchers have developed and proposed a novel 2‐stage hybrid method that schedules the power consumption of the houses possessing a distributed energy generation and storage system. Stage 1 modeled the non‐identical Home Energy Management Systems (HEMSs) that can contain the DGS like WT and PV. The HEMS organise the controllable appliances after taking into consideration the user preferences, electricity prices and the amount of energy produced /stored. The set of optimal consumption schedules for every HEMS was estimated using a BPSO and BSA. On the other hand, Stage 2 includes a Multi‐Agent‐System (MAS) based on the IoT. The system comprises two portions: software and hardware. The hardware comprises the Base Station Unit (BSU) and many Terminal Units (TUs).

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is the best choice for wireless and wired high data rate communications. The OFDM system has many advantages such as high spectral efficiency, robustness to channel fading, and immunity to impulse interference. However, it has a main drawback, which is the Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR). Selecting Mapping (SLM) and Partial Transmit Sequences (PTS) are the two essential techniques for reducing the PAPR; however, they need to send side information to indicate how the transmitter generates signals. In this paper, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based dummy sub-carriers are inserted with the data to reduce PAPR without transmitting side information. The incorporation of PSO-based Dummy Sub-carriers Insertion (DSI) method on this system is performed by measuring the PAPR at the IFFT output (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) after adding 6 adaptive sub-carrier sequences to the input data of IFFT. The PSO-based dummy algorithm decides to send the data once the PAPR of this data sequence and dummy sub-carrier is under a specific threshold. Using MATLAB as a mathematical simulation tool, simulation results are presented for a standard OFDM network model. The network model has been simulated in an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel environment to investigate PAPR and Bit-Error Rate (BER) performance. The simulation results show that the dummy sequence based on PSO reduces PAPR down to 4 dB compared to a conventional OFDM system and down to 3 dB compared with the clipping technique for the same BER performance.

In Bresenham's line drawing algorithm, the points of an n-dimensional raster that have to be selected are determined forming a close approximation to a straight line existed between two points. It is widely used for drawing line primitives in a bitmap image (for example: on a computer screen), since only integer addition, subtraction and bit shifting are used. These three operations are cheap concerning standard computer architectures. In addition, it is an incremental error algorithm. It is among the oldest algorithms that have been developed in computer graphics. An extension to the original algorithm may lead to draw circles. This research deals with the Bresenham’s line and circle drawing algorithm based on FPGA hardware platform. The shapes on the VGA screen are displayed via internal VGA port that is built in the device.

This experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the department of Horticulture and Landscape, Tikrit University, during spring 2021. The aim was to investigate the effect of NPK nano fertilizers on growth, flowering, and mineral content characteristics of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. basic and nano NPK fertilizers were applied to the plant. The experiment was designed according to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results showed positive effects of nano NPK form on growth and flowering as well as leaf content of minerals and chlorophyll. The effects were higher than those of basic NPK and control treatments. The positive influences included most of characteristics studied. Number of leaves, plant diameter, and number of flowers were significantly increased to 15.00, 16.66 cm, 71.00 respectively. In addition, chlorophyll content recorded 1.97 under nano fertilizer treatment.

Language was a means of communication between members of a single community, so that some of them would express to each other their ideas and thoughts, and a common characteristic of that society was defined, and the origin of the word was derived from (rhetoric, idle), if he repealed the matter and spoke about it, and the ancients knew it that language: (It is what expresses It contains all the people for their belongings). The ancients went in their definition of a language to the characteristics of their language with which they communicate, without referring to the Arabic language as a language among the living languages ​​that are circulating among them. Arabs and Arabs (whoever inhabited the country and its island, or uttered the language of its people), and to it returns the percentage of the Arabic language, which is one of the Semitic languages. Which spread in the Arabian Peninsula, and the writing came to denote what is in the minds of notables. This research presents a computer application that depends on human input to pronounce the Arabic letters The system consists of two phases, the first stage is the axis of creating a database for Arabic language characters and their storage locations, as well as the type of formulas for those letters when the initial processing was performed. The second stage is the process of comparing the entered letter from the text with the corresponding sound and placing it in a storage so that we can then process it. In the practical part of the research, we used a comparison between the results of four methods to obtain the least possible execution time with the least pauses in speech, which are the combinative method, the smoothing method, the method of nesting speech, and a hybrid method between smoothing and interfering together. We start by entering in the input text box and using the SpellLetter function, which we use for the purpose of processing and pronunciation, where the input is of three types, either it is a char, or it is an array of characters (String), or it is numbers between zero and nine Num), and in the case that the entry was not For these three types, the entry is wrong, for example, non-Arabic letters or special symbols, for example.,And if the entry was correct, each letter is taken with its accent. This means that we take two positions each time. Using Matlab (R 2018a) to build the proposed system and it was implemented using a computer. Portable running under the environment of the operating system (Microsoft Windows 10).

Extending optoelectronics into the nano-regime seems problematic due to the relatively long wavelengths of light. The conversion of light into plasmons is a possible way to overcome this problem. Plasmon’s wavelengths are much shorter than that of light which enables the propagation of signals in small size components. In this paper, a 3D simulation of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation is performed. The Finite integration technique was used to solve Maxwell’s equations in the dielectric-metal interface. The results show how the surface plasmon polariton was generated at the grating assisted dielectric-metal interface. SPP is a good candidate for signal confinement in small size optoelectronics which allow high density optical integrated circuits in all optical networks. Keywords: All-optical networks, Optical integrated circuits, Optoelectronics, Plasmons, Surface plasmon polariton

Numerous viruses use specialized surface molecules called fusogens to enter host cells. Many of these viruses, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), can infect the brain and are associated with severe neurological symptoms through poorly understood mechanisms. We show that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces fusion between neurons and between neurons and glia in mouse and human brain organoids. We reveal that this is caused by the viral fusogen, as it is fully mimicked by the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein or the unrelated fusogen p15 from the baboon orthoreovirus. We demonstrate that neuronal fusion is a progressive event, leads to the formation of multicellular syncytia, and causes the spread of large molecules and organelles. Last, using Ca 2+ imaging, we show that fusion severely compromises neuronal activity. These results provide mechanistic insights into how SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses affect the nervous system, alter its function, and cause neuropathology.

The lateral ventricle (LV) is flanked by the subventricular zone (SVZ), a neural stem cell (NSC) niche rich in extrinsic growth factors regulating NSC maintenance, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation. Dysregulation of the SVZ niche causes LV expansion, a condition known as hydrocephalus; however, the underlying pathological mechanisms are unclear. We show that deficiency of the proteoglycan Tsukushi (TSK) in ependymal cells at the LV surface and in the cerebrospinal fluid results in hydrocephalus with neurodevelopmental disorder-like symptoms in mice. These symptoms are accompanied by altered differentiation and survival of the NSC lineage, disrupted ependymal structure, and dysregulated Wnt signaling. Multiple TSK variants found in patients with hydrocephalus exhibit reduced physiological activity in mice in vivo and in vitro. Administration of wild-type TSK protein or Wnt antagonists, but not of hydrocephalus-related TSK variants, in the LV of TSK knockout mice prevented hydrocephalus and preserved SVZ neurogenesis. These observations suggest that TSK plays a crucial role as a niche molecule modulating the fate of SVZ NSCs and point to TSK as a candidate for the diagnosis and therapy of hydrocephalus., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

Following a transection injury to the axon, neurons from a number of species have the ability to undergo spontaneous repair via fusion of the two separated axonal fragments. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , this highly efficient regenerative axonal fusion is mediated by epithelial fusion failure-1 (EFF-1), a fusogenic protein that functions at the membrane to merge the two axonal fragments. Identifying modulators of axonal fusion and EFF-1 is an important step toward a better understanding of this repair process. Here, we present evidence that the small GTPase RAB-5 acts to inhibit axonal fusion, a function achieved via endocytosis of EFF-1 within the injured neuron. Therefore, we find that perturbing RAB-5 activity is sufficient to restore axonal fusion in mutant animals with decreased axonal fusion capacity. This is accompanied by enhanced membranous localization of EFF-1 and the production of extracellular EFF-1-containing vesicles. These findings identify RAB-5 as a novel regulator of axonal fusion in C. elegans hermaphrodites and the first regulator of EFF-1 in neurons. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Peripheral and central nerve injuries cause life-long disabilities due to the fact that repair rarely leads to reinnervation of the target tissue. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , axonal regeneration can proceed through axonal fusion, whereby a regrowing axon reconnects and fuses with its own separated distal fragment, restoring the original axonal tract. We have characterized axonal fusion and established that the fusogen epithelial fusion failure-1 (EFF-1) is a key element for fusing the two separated axonal fragments back together. Here, we show that the small GTPase RAB-5 is a key cell-intrinsic regulator of the fusogen EFF-1 and can in turn regulate axonal fusion. Our findings expand the possibility for this process to be controlled and exploited to facilitate axonal repair in medical applications., (Copyright © 2019 the authors.)

WD repeat and FYVE domain-containing 3 (WDFY3; also known as Autophagy-Linked FYVE or Alfy) is an identified intellectual disability, developmental delay and autism risk gene. This gene encodes for a scaffolding protein that is expressed in both the developing and adult central nervous system and required for autophagy and aggrephagy with yet unexplored roles in mitophagy. Given that mitochondrial trafficking, dynamics and remodeling have key roles in synaptic plasticity, we tested the role of Wdfy3 on brain bioenergetics by using Wdfy3 +/lacZ mice, the only known Wdfy3 mutant animal model with overt neurodevelopmental anomalies that survive to adulthood. We found that Wdfy3 is required for sustaining brain bioenergetics and morphology via mitophagy. Decreased mitochondrial quality control by conventional mitophagy was partly compensated for by the increased formation of mitochondria-derived vesicles (MDV) targeted to lysosomal degradation (micromitophagy). These observations, extended through proteomic analysis of mitochondria-enriched cortical fractions, showed significant enrichment for pathways associated with mitophagy, mitochondrial transport and axon guidance via semaphorin, Robo, L1cam and Eph-ephrin signaling. Collectively, our findings support a critical role for Wdfy3 in mitochondrial homeostasis with implications for neuron differentiation, neurodevelopment and age-dependent neurodegeneration.

The chromatin remodeling gene CHD8 represents a central node in neurodevelopmental gene networks implicated in autism. We examined the impact of germline heterozygous frameshift Chd8 mutation on neurodevelopment in mice. Chd8 +/del5 mice displayed normal social interactions with no repetitive behaviors but exhibited cognitive impairment correlated with increased regional brain volume, validating that phenotypes of Chd8 +/del5 mice overlap pathology reported in humans with CHD8 mutations. We applied network analysis to characterize neurodevelopmental gene expression, revealing widespread transcriptional changes in Chd8 +/del5 mice across pathways disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders, including neurogenesis, synaptic processes and neuroimmune signaling. We identified a co-expression module with peak expression in early brain development featuring dysregulation of RNA processing, chromatin remodeling and cell-cycle genes enriched for promoter binding by Chd8, and we validated increased neuronal proliferation and developmental splicing perturbation in Chd8 +/del5 mice. This integrative analysis offers an initial picture of the consequences of Chd8 haploinsufficiency for brain development.

During somitogenesis, segmentation of the body axis occurs by epithelial somites budding off from the rostral end of the unsegmented presomitic mesoderm (PSM), and its molecular regulation is achieved by a molecular oscillator and signaling molecules. Tsukushi (TSK) is a unique secreted protein and involved in diverse biological cascades in vertebrate embryos by modulating several signaling pathways at the extracellular region. However, the involvement of TSK in somitogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the detailed expression patterns of TSK at different developmental stages of a chick embryo. Chick-TSK (C-TSK) is expressed in the PSM and shows an oscillation pattern with three phases. The oscillation pattern of C-TSK in the PSM is similar to that of c-Notch1 and c-hairy1, but not to c-Delta1. Our in vitro data showed that Notch signaling is necessary for the normal expression of C-TSK and that expression of C-TSK is an intrinsic property of the anterior PSM. These data suggest that TSK plays a role in chick somitogenesis., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The rhombic lip, a dorsal stripe of the neuroepithelium lining the edge of the fourth ventricle, is the site of origin of precerebellar neurons (PCN), which migrate tangentially towards the floor plate. After reaching the floor plate, they project their axons to the cerebellum. Although previous studies have shown that the guidance molecules Netrin/DCC and Slit/Robo have critical roles in PCN migration, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood. Here, we report that draxin, a repulsive axon guidance protein, is involved in PCN development. We found that draxin is expressed in the rhombic lip and migratory stream of some PCN in the developing hindbrain of mice. In addition, draxin inhibited neurite outgrowth and nuclei migration from rhombic lip explants. These results suggest that draxin functions as a repulsive guidance cue for PCN migration. However, we observed no significant differences in PCN distribution between draxin(-/-) and wild type embryos. Thus, draxin and other axon guidance cues may have redundant roles in PCN migration., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We have shown that draxin is a repulsive axon guidance molecule for a variety of neuron classes and that genetic deletion of draxin in mice results in the absence of all forebrain commissures. Moreover, we also identified a secreted molecule, Tsukushi (TSK), that belongs to the small leucine-rich proteoglycan family (SLRP) and inhibits signaling molecules, such as BMP and Wnt. TSK knockout mice show malformation of the corpus callosum (CC) and agenesis of the anterior commissure (AC), suggesting the importance of TSK function in forebrain commissure formation. There is a possibility that the combined function of these two proteins is essential for the formation of these commissures. In this study, we investigate this possibility by generating draxin/TSK doubly heterozygous mice and comparing their forebrain commissure phenotypes with those of singly heterozygous mice. We found that, although draxin and TSK did not interact directly, their genetic interaction was evident from the significantly higher prevalence of CC malformation and agenesis of the AC in the draxin/TSK doubly heterozygous mice. Importantly, in this study, we demonstrated a new function of TSK in guiding anterior olfactory neuronal (AON) and cortical axons. TSK bound to and provided growth inhibitory signals dose-dependently to AON and cortical axons in outgrowth assay. TSK also induced growth cone collapse when applied acutely to these cultured neurons. Furthermore, TSK and draxin had additive effects in inhibiting cortical and AON neurite outgrowth. Thus, based on a combination of genetic analyses and in vitro experiments, we propose that the combined guidance activities of draxin and TSK regulate forebrain commissure formation., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Vibrio cholerae O1 causes cholera, a dehydrating diarrheal disease. We have previously shown that V. cholerae-specific memory B cell responses develop after cholera infection, and we hypothesize that these mediate long-term protective immunity against cholera. We prospectively followed household contacts of cholera patients to determine whether the presence of circulating V. cholerae O1 antigen-specific memory B cells on enrollment was associated with protection against V. cholerae infection over a 30-day period. Two hundred thirty-six household contacts of 122 index patients with cholera were enrolled. The presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specific IgG memory B cells in peripheral blood on study entry was associated with a 68% decrease in the risk of infection in household contacts (P = 0.032). No protection was associated with cholera toxin B subunit (CtxB)-specific memory B cells or IgA memory B cells specific to LPS. These results suggest that LPS-specific IgG memory B cells may be important in protection against infection with V. cholerae O1.

Current oral cholera vaccines induce lower protective efficacy and shorter duration of protection against cholera than wild-type infection provides, and this difference is most pronounced in young children. Despite this, there are limited data comparing immune responses in children following wild-type disease versus vaccination, especially with regard to memory responses associated with long-term immunity. Here, we report a comparison of immune responses in young children (2 to 5 years of age; n = 20) and older children (6 to 17 years of age; n = 20) given two doses of an oral killed cholera vaccine containing recombinant cholera toxin B subunit (CtxB) 14 days apart and compare these responses to those induced in similarly aged children recovering from infection with Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa in Bangladesh. We found that the two vaccine groups had comparable vibriocidal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specific plasma antibody responses. Vaccinees developed lower levels of IgG memory B cell (MBC) responses against CtxB but no significant MBC responses against LPS. In contrast, children recovering from natural cholera infection developed prominent LPS IgG and IgA MBC responses, as well as CtxB IgG MBC responses. Plasma LPS IgG, IgA, and IgM responses, as well as vibriocidal responses, were also significantly higher in children following disease than after vaccination. Our findings suggest that acute and memory immune responses following oral cholera vaccination in children are significantly lower than those observed following wild-type disease, especially responses targeting LPS. These findings may explain, in part, the lower efficacy of oral cholera vaccination in children.

Draxin, a recently identified axon guidance protein, is essential for the formation of forebrain commissures, and can mediate repulsion of netrin-stimulated spinal commissural axons. Here, we report that draxin binds multiple netrin receptors: DCC (deleted in colorectal cancer), Neogenin, UNC5s (H1, H2, H3), and DSCAM (Down's syndrome cell adhesion molecule). Since draxin and Dcc knockouts showed similar phenotype in forebrain commissures formation, we show here the functional importance of draxin/DCC interaction. Draxin interacts with subnanomolar affinity to the netrin receptor DCC, in a region of DCC distinct from its netrin-binding domain. In vitro, neurite outgrowth from cortical and olfactory bulb explants of Dcc knock-out mice is significantly less inhibited by draxin, when compared with neurites from explants of wild-type mice. Furthermore, in comparison with wild-type mice, the growth cone collapse in response to draxin is largely abolished in Dcc-deficient cortical neurons. In vivo, double heteros of draxin/Dcc mice show markedly higher frequency of complete agenesis of corpus callosum than either of the single hetero. These results identify DCC as a convergent receptor for netrin and draxin in axon growth and guidance.

Children bear a large component of the global burden of cholera. Despite this, little is known about immune responses to cholera in children, especially those under 5 years of age. Cholera vaccine studies have demonstrated lower long-term protective efficacy in young children than in older children and adults. Memory B cell (MBC) responses may correlate with duration of protection following infection and vaccination. Here we report a comparison of immune responses in young children (3 to 5 years of age; n = 17), older children (6 to 17 years of age; n = 17), and adults (18 to 60 years of age; n = 68) hospitalized with cholera in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We found that young children had lower baseline vibriocidal antibody titers and higher fold increases in titer between day 2 and day 7 than adults. Young children had higher baseline IgG plasma antibody levels to Vibrio cholerae antigens, although the magnitudes of responses at days 7 and 30 were similar across age groups. As a surrogate marker for mucosal immune responses, we assessed day 7 antibody-secreting cell (ASC) responses. These were comparable across age groups, although there was a trend for older age groups to have higher levels of lipopolysaccharide-specific IgA ASC responses. All age groups developed comparable MBC responses to V. cholerae lipopolysaccharide and cholera toxin B subunit at day 30. These findings suggest that young children are able to mount robust vibriocidal, plasma antibody, ASC, and MBC responses against V. cholerae O1, suggesting that under an optimal vaccination strategy, young children could achieve protective efficacy comparable to that induced in adults.

The mediators of protective immunity against cholera are currently unknown, but memory B-cell responses may play a central role in facilitating long-term and anamnestic responses against Vibrio cholerae, the cause of cholera. We compared memory B-cell responses in adults with natural cholera in Bangladesh (n = 70) to responses in Bangladeshi adults after one-dose (n = 30) or two-dose (n = 30) administration of an oral killed cholera vaccine, WC-rBS (Dukoral; Crucell), assessing the responses at the acute stage of disease or prevaccination and then on days 3, 30, 90, 180, 270, and 360. Individuals with natural cholera developed prominent vibriocidal and plasma anti-cholera toxin B subunit (CtxB) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) IgG and IgA responses, but these responses returned to baseline by 1 year of follow-up. Vaccinees developed plasma anti-CtxB and anti-LPS IgG and IgA responses that were generally comparable to those in individuals recovering from natural disease, but vibriocidal responses were lower in vaccinees than in infected patients. Individuals recovering from natural disease developed memory B-cell IgG and IgA anti-CtxB and anti-LPS responses by day 30, and these responses were detectable through at least days 180 to 360. In contrast, we detected no IgA or IgG memory B-cell responses to LPS in vaccinees; anti-CtxB IgA responses were only detectable on day 30, and anti-CtxB IgG responses were detectable until days 90 to 180, compared to days 270 to 360 in patients. These findings may explain in part the relatively short-term protection afforded by oral cholera vaccination compared to natural disease.

Objective: To assess the quality of diabetic care in Al-Asyah primary health care (PHC) center, Qassim region, KSA , through an auditing of structure, process, and outcome., Methodology: The files of all registered diabetic patients in this PHC center were reviewed. The indicators for structure were evaluated according to the National Quality Assurance protocol and manual of chronic diseases, and those for process were assessed by a modified scoring system. The outcome indicators were evaluated using the recommendations of American Diabetic Association (ADA) 2002., Result: Dietician, diabetic educator and Hb A1C, HDL level, LDL level were the most common non available resources. Out of 4628 patients registered in this PHC center, only 159 patients had diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes among registered adults aged 15 years and above was 5.8% and this increased with age. The patients were mostly Saudi (96.2%) and married (75.5%). They included 83 females (52.2%). The mean age was 56 years. Most of the patients were Type 2 (95.6%) and most were diagnosed at the PHC center (94.3%). The mean duration of the diabetes since diagnosis was 6.4 years. All checked process items showed high percentages of coverage (73% and above) except for the examination of the fundus, and the measurement of the triglyceride levels. Results showed that most of the samples were obese or overweight (49.7% and 32.7% respectively). While 21.4% had good diabetic control, 42.8% had poor diabetic control. Patient compliance to appointment was good (98.1%), and 13% of the diabetic patients had at least one reported complication., Conclusion: This study proves that some essential resources needed for diabetic care were inadequate. Provision of these resources is essential for the improvement of the quality of health care for diabetic patients. Also, there is a need to improve the referral system and establish an appropriate health education program to encourage patients, their families and the community to follow a more healthy life-style.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the quality of hypertension care in Al-Asyah primary health cares (PHC) center, Al Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia through an auditing of structure, process, and outcome., Subjects and Methods: All files of registered hypertensive patients in the PHC center were reviewed as recommended by WHO, National Quality Assurance protocol, protocol of management of hypertension and criteria in the Sixth report of Joint National Committee on detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood pressure (JNCVI), to evaluate the structure, process, and outcome of hypertension care., Result: All hypertensive patients registered in Al Asyah PHC center ( 201 patients ) were included in this study. The prevalence of HTN among adults (≥15 years) was7.4% and increased with age. Patients were mostly Saudi (94.5%) with a mean age of 58.6 ± 13.9 years. Most of the patients were diagnosed as essential HTN (98.5%) at Al Asyah PHC center (87.1%). The mean duration of the HTN was 7.7 years, and 48.8% had a family history of HTN and 35.3% had diabetes mellitus. Most patients were obese or overweight (53.7% and 31.3% respectively), blood pressure of 79.6% of the patients was well controlled, and 45.3% of these patients had at least one complication. Ischemic heart disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, stroke, and myocardial infarction were the most common recorded complications., Conclusion: This study proves that all essential resources needed for hypertension care are available, but the results of process and outcome indicators show the need for the improvement of the referral system as well as good continuous constant health education programs to encourage the patients, their families and the community to observe more healthy lifestyles.