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Abstract Vaccines, like the Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, can control diseases, but vaccine hesitancy reduces their use. It is important to assess the intention to use COVID-19 vaccines boosters and the determinants of this intention to help in developing programs to promote the uptake of boosters. An online survey collected data from adults in Egypt between March and June 2022 using a questionnaire that assessed demographic characteristics, and constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Health Belief Model (HBM). The survey was uploaded to SurveyMonkey and the links were posted on social media platforms. Binary regression analysis was used and the dependent variable was intention to use boosters of COVID-19 vaccines. The independent variables were indicators of the HBM including perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 infection (medical history) and possibility of disease prevention (awareness of the availability of types of COVID-19 vaccines); and indicators of the TPB including attitude toward COVID-19 vaccines (that they are harmful, that they may lead to death and confidence in locally and foreign manufactured vaccines), perceived norms (the percentage of vaccinated persons in one’s circle) and perceived control over booster uptake (presence of government mandates for COVID-19 vaccination). The confounders were sociodemographic factors (age, sex, education, and place of residence). Complete responses were available from 1113 out of 1401 participants (79.4%), with mean (SD) age = 25 (9.5) years, of whom, 66.7% (n = 742) were females and 68.6% (n = 764) were university students. About 39.4% and 31.2% indicated that they would get or would definitely get the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. In multiple regression, intention to use a booster dose was significantly related to not agreeing (AOR = 4.87, P

Background: Stigma and discrimination (SAD) can greatly impact the management of Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. Studies examining SAD in managing COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia (SA) are limited. This study examined the discrimination and inequality in treating COVID-19 patients and the associated beliefs among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the pandemic. Methods: This was a cross sectional study using an online self-administrated questionnaire by 414 HCWs from September 2022 to January 2023. Results: Of the 414 participants, 53.4% aged 18–30 years, were males (53.4%), mostly Saudi (82.1%), and residents of western SA (90.8%). Almost one-third of the participants (32.1%) were physicians, and 23.7% were pharmacists. 53.1% of the HCWs had work experience

Abstract Blockchain technology has gained significant attention in the most recent years due to its potential to address related issues to privacy, transparency, and security. In the healthcare industry, it is considered a promising solution to challenges related to data management, medical data privacy, and security. This paper proposes a novel framework for managing electronic medical healthcare records that uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to create a secure and cost-effective solution. The proposed solution uses a serverless approach to reduce costs and only pay for the compute resources when needed. The framework focuses on improving the security of access to the blockchain network by implementing a multi-level security approach, starting from protecting the Hyperledger and implementing role-based access for end-users who require access to the stored data. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated by creating a role-based access matrix for three different user types and performing multiple experiments to validate access for each user type.

Abstract On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic. To control the pandemic, billions of vaccine doses have been administered worldwide. Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects are inconsistently described in the literature. This study aimed to identify the predictors of side effects’ severity after COVID-19 vaccination among young adult students at Taif University (TU) in Saudi Arabia. An online, anonymous questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics were calculated for numerical and categorical variables. Possible correlations with other characteristics were identified using the chi-square test. The study included 760 young adult participants from TU. Pain at the injection site (54.7%), headache (45.0%), lethargy and fatigue (43.3%), and fever (37.5%) were the most frequently reported COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects after the first dose. The most frequent side effects were reported among the 20–25-year-old age group for all doses of all vaccines. Females experienced remarkably more side effects after the second (p

Radiography of the foot is considered a golden standard technique enables the veterinarians to render a subjective evaluation of the foot in donkeys. The current study aimed to characterize objectively the baseline radiometric data of normal forefeet in donkeys to assess both of the nature and extent of anatomical changes occurring in foot affections. Lateromedial and dorsopalmar radiographic examination were performed on 48 forefeet of 24 clinically normal donkeys of both sexes. Four angles and 10 morphometeric distances were measured in latromedial radiographs and 10 morphometric measurements were measured in dorsopalmer radiographs. All hoof components appeared in the radiographic films were described and morphometric measurements were reported as minimum and maximum values, mean ± standard deviation (SD). The study presented a descriptive reference data for morphometric radiographic parameters of the forefeet from lateromedial and dorsopalmer radiographs in clinically normal donkeys, to assess any changes in hoof conformation and biomechanics associated with hoof affections.

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Acute hepatitis is defined as an inflammation or injury in the hepatocytes that continues for a short period of time (less than 6 months) [...]

Inflammation is a critical defensive mechanism mainly arising due to the production of prostaglandins via cyclooxygenase enzymes. This study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory activity of fatty acid glucoside (FAG), which is isolated from Ficus benghalensis against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The cytotoxic activity of the FAG on RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated with an MTT assay. The levels of PGE2 and NO and the activity of iNOS, COX-1, and COX-2 enzymes in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were evaluated. The gene expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and PGE2 was investigated by qRT-PCR. The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Akt, and PI3K proteins was examined using Western blotting analysis. Furthermore, molecular docking of the new FAG against EGFR was investigated. A non-cytotoxic concentration of FAG increased NO release and iNOS activity, inhibited COX-1 and COX-2 activities, and reduced PGE2 levels in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. It diminished the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2, EGFR, Akt, and PI3K. Furthermore, the molecular docking study proposed the potential direct binding of FAG with EGFR with a high affinity. This study showed that FAG is a natural EGFR inhibitor, NO-releasing, and COX-inhibiting anti-inflammatory agent via EGFR/Akt/PI3K pathway inhibition.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health concern worldwide. Given the dense living and interactive nature of university environments, students may be at higher risk. This cross-sectional study assessed tuberculosis-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among students at Taif University (TU) from November 2022 to May 2023. Using a self-administered online questionnaire with 40 items, 1155 students participated. Key demographics: 68.2% females, 96.9% Saudi citizens, 94.5% unmarried, and 87.5% non-smokers. Of the respondents, 26.5% had no knowledge of TB. The TB-related KAP scores among the aware students were 64.9%, 74.8%, and 81%, respectively. Medical college students exhibited significantly higher TB-related knowledge and attitudes than their non-medical peers (p < 0.001). The findings indicate a commendable level of TB-awareness among TU students, but there remains a substantial uninformed segment. Campaigns to enhance TB knowledge among TU students are suggested.

At the end of December 2019, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, revealed several cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology. Later, this etiology was called the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 disease is rapidly spreading around the globe, affected millions of people, compelling governments to take serious actions. Due to this deadly disease, a number of deaths have been occurred and still increasing exponentially. In the practice and application of big data sciences, it is always of interest to provide the best description of the data. In this present article, the event background, symptoms, and preventions from COVID-19 are discussed. The steps were taken by the Chinese government to control the COVID-19 has also been discussed. Up to date, details, and data of daily discovered cases, total discovered cases, daily deaths, and total deaths around the world are presented. Moreover, a new statistical distribution is introduced to provide the best characterization of the survival times of the patients affected by the COVID-19 in China. By analyzing the survival times of the COVID-19 patient’s data, it is showed that the new model provides a closer fit to COVID-19 events.

The present study is conducted to analyse the computational dynamical analysis of the stochastic susceptible-infected-recovered pandemic model of the novel coronavirus. We adopted two ways for stochastic modelling like as transition probabilities and parametric perturbation techniques. We applied different and well-known computational methods like Euler Maruyama, stochastic Euler, and stochastic Runge Kutta to study the dynamics of the model mentioned above. Unfortunately, these computational methods do not restore the dynamical properties of the model like positivity, boundedness, consistency, and stability in the sense of biological reasoning, as desired. Then, for the given stochastic model, we developed a stochastic non-standard finite difference method. Following that, several theorems are presented to support the proposed method, which is shown to satisfy all of the model's dynamical properties. To that end, several simulations are presented to compare the proposed method's efficiency to that of existing stochastic methods.

In this paper, a stochastic HIV/AIDS epidemic model has been studied numerically. A discussion among the solutions related to deterministic HIV/AIDS model and stochastic HIV/ AIDS epidemic model has shown that the stochastic solution is more realistic than the deterministic solution. To control the diseases, the threshold parameter R0 plays a key role in the stochastic HIV/AIDS epidemic model. If R01. The explicit approaches such as the Milstein scheme, stochastic Euler scheme, and stochastic Runge-Kutta 4 are dependent on temporal step size, whereas non-standard finite difference approaches are independent of step size. The results for numerical approaches like the Milstein scheme, stochastic Euler scheme, and stochastic Runge-Kutta 4 scheme fail for outsized step size. The stochastic non-standard finite difference scheme conserves dynamic features like confinedness, consistency and positivity.

With the effect of discrete time delay in deliberation, we propose and analyze a conceptual mathematical model for the tumor-immune interaction. The proposed model is delineated by a system of three coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs), namely tumor cells, effector cells and cytokine Interleukin-2 (IL-2). Though simple, the model can have complicated dynamical behaviors. We have discussed the qualitative properties of the mathematical model including existence and positivity of the solutions. We find out tumor-free singular point and interior steady states in our mathematical model. We have studied the local stability analysis of the biological feasible steady states in both of the delayed and non-delayed system. By using transversality condition, we have analyzed Hopf bifurcation by using time delay τ as a bifurcation parameter. We have estimated the length of time delay parameter applying Laplace transformation for preserving the stability of period-1 limit cycle that provides the idea about the mode of action in controlling oscillations in the growth of tumor cells. We performed numerical simulations and explored their biological implications to validate our theoretical analysis. We have also drawn bifurcation diagram of delayed model with reference to the intrinsic growth rate α of tumor cell, deactivation rate d1 of tumor cell, activation rate c2 of effector cell and death rate d2 of effector cell. Theoretical and numerical analysis show that in presence of IL-2 the effector cells can cause the tumor cell population to regress.

A pre-clinical experimental study is used to evaluate a new intralingual suture pattern, for treating farm animal’s tongue-wounds. Experimental section was performed on 36 fresh goat’s tongue-samples, to compare the new suture pattern with the traditionally used two patterns (double rows simple interrupted pattern; and tension relieve vertical mattress with deep row simple interrupted pattern that is followed by superficial opposing vertical mattress). Comparison involved the required stitches number, duration of suturing, and pattern’s tensile strength. The main clinical study was carried out on recent lingual wounds of variable depths which involved 30-50% of tongue width in one horse, one camel, one buffalo-calf, and three donkeys. In addition to three donkeys had old lacerations which failed to heal by first intension. Wounds sutured by the new pattern were covered by one row of cruciate mattress to oppose the mucosa. Results revealed that the new pattern required fewer stitches numbers, consume lesser time, had higher tensile strength, it could be applied easily, achieved proper apposition of both the muscular layer and mucosa, and it induced minimal scar formation and deformity. The technique is widely acceptable by the owners than the other traditional merhods. The technique is advised to be used as alternative suture pattern for repair of lingual wounds of farm animals.

Background: Recent epidemiological studies have reported an association between the ABO blood group and the acquisition, symptom severity, and mortality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the association between the ABO blood group antigens and the type and severity of COVID-19 vaccine-related adverse reactions has not been elucidated.Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study in Saudi Arabia from February to April 2022. The study cohort included adults who had received or were willing to receive at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine of any type. We used Chi-square test to assess the association between the ABO blood groups and vaccine-related adverse reactions. p values of

The Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreak was recorded as the largest in history and caused many fatalities. As seen in previous studies, drug repurposing and database filtration were the two major pathways to searching for potent compounds against EBOV. In this study, a deep learning (DL) approach via the LigDream tool was employed to obtain novel and effective anti-EBOV inhibitors. Based on the galidesivir (BCX4430) chemical structure, 100 compounds were collected and inspected using various in silico approaches. Results from the molecular docking study indicated that mol1_069 and mol1_092 were the best two potent compounds with a docking score of −7.1 kcal mol−1 and −7.0 kcal mol−1, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations, in addition to binding energy calculations, were conducted over 100 ns. Both compounds exhibited lower binding energies than BCX4430. Furthermore, compared with BCX4430 (%Absorption = 60.6%), mol1_069 and mol1_092 scored higher values of % Absorption equal to 68.1% and 63.7%, respectively. The current data point to the importance of using DL in the drug design process instead of conventional methods such as drug repurposing or database filtration. In conclusion, mol1_069 and mol1_092 are promising anti-EBOV drug candidates that require further in vitro and in vivo investigations.

This paper presents Home Energy Management System(HEMS) for smart homes. This system includes Photovoltaic Sources and Battery Storage Units(BSU)and scheduling Smart Home(SH) appliances with various kinds and types of residential users. In addition, a classification algorithm of energy response programs, which relies on the electricity prices, is introduced for scheduling appliances of single and multiple homes using combined the Time of Use(TOU) and Inclining Block Rate(IBR) to control the demand under the grid station capacity and energy efficacious integration of hybrid power sources in Smart Grid(SG). Four different optimization algorithms used and compared for scheduling appliances. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm achieves the desired objectives, in which the electricity cost and the Peak Average Ratio(PAR) were lowered, waiting time to the user is minimized, reducing the electricity bill per month/year. In addition, the proposed system increases the stability and reliability of the grid and consumers satisfaction.

(1) Background and Aim: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is linked to increasing cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) around the world. COVID-19 infections have an important impact on pregnancy, preterm birth (PTB) and delivery. Although several complications have been reported in infected pregnant women, the effect of infection on PTB is controversial. The purpose of this study was to summarize the existing literature on the effects and complications of COVID-19 on the health of pregnant women and preterm babies and its impact on the incidence of PTB. We also discuss the effect of current COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. (2) Methods: We carried out a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed for studies on preterm births associated with COVID-19. (3) Results and Conclusions: We discovered contradictory results regarding the prevalence of PTB during the pandemic compared to earlier years. While most studies indicated an increase in PTBs with COVID-19, some indicated a decline in the preterm delivery rate during this time. During pregnancy, COVID-19 infection can increase the incidence of cesarean section, stillbirth, ICU admission, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and mortality rates. In the treatment of pregnant women with severe COVID-19, methylprednisolone was favored over prednisolone, and a brief course of dexamethasone is advised for pregnant women with anticipated PTB to accelerate the development of the fetal lung. Generally, vaccination for COVID-19 in pregnant and lactating women stimulates anti-SARS-CoV2 immune responses, and it does not result in any noteworthy negative reactions or outcomes for the mother or baby.