Umm Al-Qura University

18 Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a promising candidate to replace metal-based additives for 19 polymer reinforcement and functionalization. Specifically, vast interest in CQDs for polymer 20 functionalization stems from their cost effectiveness, sustainable organic precursors, and their 21 non-toxicity. Although several reviews of optical devices based on CQDs have been reported, 22 this mini-review covers the non-optical aspects of CQD-polymer composites. Applications of 23 CQD-modified polymers for smart devices, mechanical reinforcement, textile surface-24 modification methods, membranes, protective coatings, and thermal resistance are 25 summarized. The synthesis method of CQDs, their dispersion in a polymer matrix and the 26 underlying mechanisms related to the enhanced performance of composites are outlined. 27 Unlike nano-reinforcements, CQDs are self-stabilized and offer an extremely high surface 28 area, which significantly alters the polymer properties at a 1-2% concentration. Finally, a 29 2 comparative analysis of recent advances in CQD-polymer composites, their problems, and 30 future directions are discussed. 31 33 34 Graphical Abstract showing CQD-polymer composite structure for enhanced self-healing and 35 shape memory characteristics 36

The increasing trend of using agricultural wastes follows the concept of “waste to wealth” and is closely related to the themes of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Carbon-neutral technologies for waste management have not been critically reviewed yet. This paper reviews the technological trend of agricultural waste utilization, including composting, thermal conversion, and anaerobic digestion. Specifically, the effects of exogenous ad-ditives on the contents, fractionation, and fate of phosphorus (P) and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) during the composting process have been comprehensively reviewed in this article. The composting process can transform biomass-P and additive-born P into plant available forms. PTEs can be passivated during the composting process. Biochar can accelerate the passivation of PTEs in the composting process through different physiochemical in-teractions such as surface adsorption, precipitation, and cation exchange reactions. The addition of exogenous calcium, magnesium and phosphate in the compost can reduce the mobility of PTEs such as copper, cadmium, and zinc. Based on critical analysis, this paper recommends an eco-innovative perspective for the improvement and practical application of composting technology for the utilization of agricultural biowastes to meet the circular economy approach and achieve the SDGs.

Scientists are always interested in improving the efficiency of geophysical methods. In particular, one of the critical stages is the processing of data measured in geophysical surveys. This study aims to develop a new data processing algorithm of the improved multi-electrode electrical exploration method, and then apply it to investigate groundwater in Vientiane province, Laos as a case study. Our new proposed algorithm has two data processing options (option 1 and option 2) depending on the object to be studied. The results show that both options can determine the boundary of groundwater table. The proposed algorithm can provide the better results compared to the traditional algorithm. The results obtained at profile 1, site 1 in the study area suggest the presence of a potentially high-quality groundwater layer at depths ranging from 22 to 100 m. This finding aligns with the data from Borehole 1 in Phonhong District, situated directly above Profile 1, which similarly indicates a groundwater level at a depth of approximately 22 m. However, with option 2, the groundwater table has a wide variation, not as flat as the treatment results under option 1. The use of the improved Petrovski parameter ct pm (option 2) helps to bring the results with high resolution, which in turn helps to show point/block objects more clearly. Thus, depending on the research object and purpose, it is possible to use only one of the two options and still obtain good results.

A number of obstacles, including irrigated wastewater and soil contamination, arise in the growth of aromatic and medicinal plants. This study aimed to reduce the effects of contaminated soil and wastewater irrigation on rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) plants by using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produced by the ginger (Zingiber officinale) plant extract. The AgNPs were characterized using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR). The experimental design involved three distinct groups of plants: one group was irrigated with regular tap water, another group was rooted in soil contaminated by sewage-wastewater and irrigated with processed wastewater, and the final group consisted of plants grown in wastewater-contaminated soil, irrigated with processed wastewater, and sprayed with 200 mM l⁻¹ AgNPs. The study also examined the impact of different treatments on gene expression and secondary metabolite levels in rosemary plants. According to HPLC investigations, nineteen phenol compounds and flavonoids were identified in a methanolic extract of rosemary that was grown in contaminated soil, irrigated with wastewater, and sprayed with AgNPs. Plants treated with wastewater and nanoparticles produced quantities of secondary compounds, including resvertol, vanillic acid, and gallic acid with 1.11, 0.15, and 0.01 mg g⁻¹ respectively, which are all regarded as significant antioxidants employed in the pharmaceutical industry. Hexokinase synthase (HK), geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPPS), and linalool synthase (LS) coding genes were found to have highly expressed expressions when plants grown in contaminated soil, wastewater-irrigated plants, and nanoparticle-sprayed plants, respectively, at a 23.2- and 5.54-fold level, where the HK gene was 8.7 times more strongly expressed. Conversely, plants grown in contaminated soil and irrigated with treated wastewater showed downregulation of these genes. Conclusively, using silver nanoparticles significantly reduced the influence of wastewater pollution on secondary metabolites in rosemary plants, which was increased by the gene expression results and was completely consistent with HPLC analysis.

Nanocomposite films were fabricated by employing a solution casting technique, incorporating varying weight percentages of ZnO NPs into a PMMA/PS blend. Through analyses via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it was evident that the hexagonally shaped ZnO NPs possessed high purity, falling within the size range of 25 to 45 nm. Both XRD and FT-IR investigations highlighted a decrease in the semicrystalline character of the PMMA/PS blend with the incorporation of ZnO NPs, attributed to interactions between the functional groups of the host matrix and the nanofillers. Moreover, UV/visible spectra revealed a reduction in the optical bandgap energies of the nanocomposites as the ZnO NP content increased, with direct energy gap values decreasing from 4.45 eV to 3.12 eV, and indirect energy gap values decreasing from 3.33 eV to 1.82 eV. Dielectric properties, electrical conductivity, and impedance of the samples were investigated over a frequency range of 0.1–10⁶ Hz. Notably, enhancements in dielectric permittivity, dielectric loss, and AC conductivity were observed with increasing concentrations of ZnO NPs. The advantageous nanodielectric characteristics of these hybrid samples were evident, particularly in their low permittivity at high frequencies. Additionally, analysis utilizing impedance components Z′ and Z′′ facilitated the creation of an equivalent electrical circuit. Overall, PMMA/PS-ZnO nanocomposites exhibit promising potential in the realm of flexible optoelectronic and energy storage devices, owing to their adjustable optical energy gap, frequency-dependent AC conductivity, and versatile composition-dependent permittivity.

The purpose of the current study is to establish a novel mathematical model in the p-waves in a photothermal semiconducting medium with an internal heat source. The fundamental equations in the context of isotropic and homogeneous medium have been presented. For the solution of the required problem, the normal mode analysis along with the displacement components, stress components and temperature has been utilized. For graphical representation of different physical quantities such as displacement components, stress components and carrier density as well as the temperature distribution. Using MATLAB R2023a software, a parametric analysis is performed, and the resulting data is represented graphically. A comparison is made to show the effect of the new parameters on the phenomenon. A graphic representation of the relationship between rotation, magnetic field, and initial stress in relation to the fluctuations in non-dimensional field quantities is provided, along with an analysis of the findings.

Development of new effective EGFR-targeted antitumor agents is needed because of their clinical significance. A new series of imidazolone-sulphonamide-pyrimidine hybrids was designed and synthesized as modified analogs of some reported EGFR inhibitors. The cytotoxic activity of all the synthesized hybrids was investigated against the breast MCF-7 cancerous cell line using doxorubicin (Dox) as a positive control. 4-(Furan-2-ylmethylene)imidazolone-sulphonamide-pyrimidine 6b had the best potent activity against MCF-7 cells with IC50 result of 1.05 μM, which was better than Dox (IC50 = 1.91 μM). In addition, mechanistic studies revealed the ability of compounds 5g, 5h and 6b to inhibit EGFR kinase. Cell cycle analysis revealed that compound 6b can halt MCF-7 cells at the G1 phase with a concomitant decrease in cellular percentage at the S and G2/M phases. This compound produced a noticeable rise in the proportion of apoptotic cells with regard to the untreated control. Furthermore, the effects of hybrid 6b on the expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and pro-survival Bcl2 were assessed. The results showed that this compound upregulated the level of Bax expression as well as declined the expression value of Bcl-2 with regard to the untreated control.

In the era of COVID‐19 most of the marketed drugs have been found with some negative effects as well as with fewer numbers in the market. There is a serious need of an anti‐COVID agent which can maintain the normal body function with fewer or no side effects. For this purpose, hybrid derivatives based on bis‐indole derived triazine based thiazolidinone derivatives (1–12) were successfully synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HREI‐MS. All the synthesized bis‐indole derived triazine‐bearing thiazolidinone derivatives were tested for in vitro α‐amylase, cancer cell and SARS‐COV‐2 enzymes under the positive control of Acarbose, Tetrandrine and GC‐376 as standard drugs. All derivatives showed varied range of biological activities against target enzymes having IC50 values ranging from 3.10±0.20 to 25.80±0.20 μM (α‐amylase), 0.20±0.30 to 19.10±0.20 μM (ant‐cancer) and 3.20±0.20 to 16.20±0.30 μM (SARS‐COV‐2), respectively. Specifically, derivatives 1, 3, 6, 8 and 9 were found to significantly active against target enzymes. Furthermore, the molecular docking approach was used to explore the binding interactions established by most active derivatives with the active sites of target enzymes and results corroborated that these active compounds developed several key interactions with the target enzymes and hence enhanced the enzymatic activities. Additionally, ADME prediction for the synthesized compounds were also explored which shows drug likeness of the synthesized compounds.

Introduction This cross-sectional descriptive study evaluates the experiences and perceptions of healthcare providers (HCPs) regarding the 937 medical call center in Saudi Arabia, a key telemedicine initiative. Aim To assess HCP satisfaction, identify challenges, and provide recommendations for improvement. Methods Conducted from November 20th to December 15th, 2022, the study surveyed 454 HCPs, achieving a 90.5% response rate. Results A majority (86.8%) of respondents were satisfied with the call center, valuing its ease of use and effectiveness in healthcare delivery. However, challenges such as the accuracy of remote medical assessments, the need for clearer telehealth regulations, and concerns over management support and consultation overlaps were identified. The study also highlights the importance of ongoing support and updates, comprehensive telehealth regulations, integration of more medical specialties, and improvements in system integration and data confidentiality. Conclusion The study underscores the need for strategic enhancements to the 937 call center to further improve healthcare accessibility and efficiency in Saudi Arabia. These enhancements are vital for aligning telehealth services with Saudi Arabia’s healthcare objectives under Saudi Vision 2030.

Root canal treatment (RCT) involves cleaning and shaping of the root canal system before filling the canals with obturating materials, often gutta-percha (GP). The two primary obturation techniques are the thermogenic (warm vertical compaction, WVC) and hydraulic (single cone, SC) techniques. The objective of this study is to compare the clinical results and effectiveness of thermogenic and hydraulic obturation procedures in endodontic therapy to provide clinicians with evidence-based recommendations. Search strategies were conducted on February 01, 2024 and involved the databases Web of Science, PUBMED, Google Scholar, Scopus, Medline, Embase, NCBI, and Cochrane Library. The current systematic review included systematic reviews; meta-analyses; cohort studies; randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies; studies involving the comparison between single cone and warm compaction techniques; studies involving outcomes that include advantages, disadvantages, and complications associated with single cone or warm compaction techniques; and studies published within the last seven years. The selected studies were restricted to those with insufficient data, review articles without authentic references, publications in a language other than English, animal studies, and studies not involving SC or WVC. Out of 2300 studies registered, only 12 studies were included in the review. Both WVC and SC techniques showed satisfactory root canal fillings. However, five studies showed differences in the filling quality, four studies assessed the sealing ability and the dentinal tubule penetration of sealers, one study compared dentinal cracks, one study evaluated the amount of debris excluded apically, and one study compared the post-operative pain while using both techniques. The WVC and SC obturation techniques offer advantages and disadvantages in endodontic treatment. SC obturation is a simple and efficient procedure that is particularly suitable for situations with uncomplicated canal structures. The WVC obturation approach provides superior flexibility and sealing capability, especially in the complex root canal system. When choosing the method of treatment, it is important to take into account the patient's preferences, the clinician's experience, and unique considerations related to the situation. This systematic review highlights the important recommendations to healthcare professionals in selecting the most suitable obturation procedure based on the specific requirements of each clinical scenario. Research involving long-term follow-ups is required to get a better understanding of the outcomes of long-term goals. Clinical relevance: ability to educate clinicians regarding the best obturation technique between thermogenic and hydraulic. It directs the treatment decisions to maximize patient’s comfort, minimize post-operative complications, and improve efficacy in endodontic practice.

Objective This study aims to assess the knowledge and perceptions of the public toward migraine in Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional survey assessed the knowledge and perceptions of migraine among Saudi Arabian individuals. The study was conducted over three months in 2023 (1st of June 2023 to 31st of August 2023) using a prevalidated online questionnaire divided into four sections. Results A total of 1,975 adults aged between 18 and 64 completed the web-based survey. Of these, over half were male (n = 1,268; 64.2%). The main causes of migraine identified by the participants were genetic disease (n = 540, 27.3%), followed by physical disease (n = 341, 17.3%), head trauma (n = 274, 13.9%), and psychiatric disease (n = 157, 7.9%). The main symptoms identified by the participants were photophobia (21%), followed by inability to control urine (14.1%), vomiting and nausea (13.8%), and vision loss (8.3%). The majority of the participants in this study had a good knowledge of migraines, while 49% had poor knowledge. The migraine knowledge score was significantly associated with the participants’ gender (p = 0.002), age (p = 0.0001), educational level (p = 0.001), employment status (p = 0.001), monthly income (p = 0.0001), region (p = 0.0001), and history of migraine (p = 0.0001). Conclusion Although one-third of the participants exhibiting good knowledge, deficiencies existed in certain clinical aspects, emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance public awareness and understanding of migraines.

Background Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transfer rapidly among bacterial species all over the world contributing to the aggravation of antibiotic resistance crisis. Antibiotics at sub-inhibitory concentration induce horizontal gene transfer (HRT) between bacteria, especially through conjugation. The role of common non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals in the market in disseminating antibiotic resistance is not well studied. Objectives In this work, we indicated the effect of some commonly used non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals including antiemetic (metoclopramide HCl) and antispasmodics (hyoscine butyl bromide and tiemonium methyl sulfate) on the plasmid-mediated conjugal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between pathogenic E. coli in the gastric intestinal tract (GIT). Methods Broth microdilution assay was used to test the antibacterial activity of the tested non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals. A conjugation mating system was applied in presence of the studied non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals to test their effect on conjugal transfer frequency. Plasmid extraction and PCR were performed to confirm the conjugation process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used for imaging the effect of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals on bacterial cells. Results No antibacterial activity was reported for the used non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals. Plasmid-mediated conjugal transfer between isolates was induced by metoclopramide HCl but suppressed by hyoscine butyl bromide. Tiemonium methylsulfate slightly promoted conjugal transfer. Aggregation between cells and periplasmic bridges was clear in the case of metoclopramide HCl while in presence of hyoscine butyl bromide little affinity was observed. Conclusion This study indicates the contribution of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals to the dissemination and evolution of antibiotic resistance at the community level. Metoclopramide HCl showed an important role in the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Background Stem cell-based transplantation therapy holds promise for peripheral nerve injury treatment, but adult availability is limited. A cell culture protocol utilizing a small-molecule cocktail effectively reprogrammed stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) into neural progenitor cells, subsequently differentiating into neuron-like cells. This study aims to evaluate neural-induced SCAPs, with and without small-molecule cocktail, for sciatic nerve repair potential. Methods A scaffold-free cell sheet technique was used to construct a three-dimensional cell sheet. Subsequently, this cell sheet was carefully rolled into a tube and seamlessly inserted into a collagen conduit, which was then transplanted into a 5 mm sciatic nerve injury rat model. Functional sciatic nerve regeneration was evaluated via toe spread test, walking track analysis and gastrocnemius muscle weight. Additionally, degree of sciatic nerve regeneration was determined based on total amount of myelinated fibers. Results Small-molecule cocktail induced SCAPs enhanced motor function recovery, evident in improved sciatic function index and gastrocnemius muscle retention. We also observed better host myelinated fiber retention than undifferentiated SCAPs or neural-induced SCAPs without small-molecule cocktail. However, clusters of neuron-like cell bodies (surrounded by sparse myelinated fibers) were found in all cell sheet-implanted groups in the implantation region. This suggests that while the implanted cells likely survived transplantation, integration was poor and would likely hinder long-term recovery by occupying the space needed for host nerve fibers to project through. Conclusion Neural-induced SCAPs with small-molecule cocktail demonstrated promising benefits for nerve repair; further research is needed to improve its integration and optimize its potential for long-term recovery.

Humoral primary immunodeficiencies are the most prevalent form of primary immunodeficiency (PID). Currently, there is no convenient method to quantify newly formed B cells. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to quantitate the ratio of coding joints (CJs) to Kappa-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs) and serum B cell activating factor (BAFF) in patients with humoral primary immunodeficiency and assess if they correlate with disease severity. This IRB-approved study was conducted at one academic children’s hospital. Patients with humoral PIDs and healthy controls were included. CJ and KREC levels were measured via qPCR. Serum BAFF levels were measured using Mesoscale. 16 patients with humoral PID and 5 healthy controls were included. The mean CJ:KREC ratio in the CVID, antibody deficiency syndromes, and controls groups, respectively were 13.04 ± 9.5, 5.25 ± 4.1, and 4.38 ± 2.5 (p = 0.059). The mean serum BAFF levels in CVID, antibody deficiency syndromes and controls were 216.3 ± 290 pg/mL, 107.9 ± 94 pg/mL and 50.9 ± 12 pg/mL, respectively (p = 0.271). When the CVID patients were subdivided into CVID with or without lymphoproliferative features, the BAFF level was substantially higher in the CVID with lymphoproliferation cohort (mean 372.4 ± 361 pg/mL, p = 0.031). Elevated CJ:KREC ratio was observed in CVID, although statistical significance was not achieved, likely due to the small sample size. Serum BAFF levels were significantly higher in CVID patients with lymphoproliferative features. We speculate that the CJ:KREC ratio and serum BAFF levels can be utilized in patients with humoral PID, once more extensive studies confirm this exploratory investigation.

Crowd management has become an integral part of urban planning in abnormality in the crowd and predict its future issues. Big data in social media is a rich source for researchers in crowd data analysis. In this systematic literature review (SLR), modern societies. It can organize the flow of the crowd, perform counting, recognize the related works are analyzed, which includes crowd management from both global and local sides (Hajj events—Saudi Arabia) based on deep learning (DL) methods. This survey concerns crowd management research published from 2010 to 2023. It has specified 45 primary studies that accomplish the objectives of the research questions (RQs), namely, investigation of the taxonomies, approaches, and comprehensive studies of crowd management both globally and locally and focusing on the most commonly used techniques of DL. We found both supervised and unsupervised DL techniques have achieved high accuracy, with different strengths and weaknesses for each approach. A lot of these studies discuss aspects of scene analysis of crowds, that are captured by installed cameras in the place. However, there is a dilemma regarding exploiting data provided on social media to use in the crowd analysis domain. Which we believe that the analysis of big data may raise crowd management to the upper level of enhancement. To this end, motivated by the findings of this SLR. The primary purpose of this review is strived to illustrate obstacles and dilemmas in crowd analysis fields to provide a road map for future researchers. Furthermore, it aims to find research gaps existing to focus on it in the future studies. The results indicate that the lack of Hajj research, especially in sentiment analysis and the study of the pilgrims' behavior.

There is high importance for the control of parasite Plasmodium falciparum which is responsible for causing malaria. Following the classical mevalonate pathway, the metabolite methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) is responsible for biosynthesis of isoprenoids, which is a desirable therapeutic target in the form of biological molecules, pathways, and physiological responses to treat malaria. The isoprenoid is active in Plasmodium apicoplast, and its byproducts are transferred to the cytoplasm where they take part in the production of glycoproteins, the electron transport chain and a parallel tRNA structural modification, and a number of other physiological and biological activities. Fosmidomycin targets the IspC enzyme (DXP reductoisomerase), which is the first step in the biosynthetic pathway for isopentenyl diphosphate that does not involve the mevalonate pathway. Additionally, MMV008138 targets the IspD enzyme. Both enzymes have demonstrated significant antimalarial effectiveness in cultures of the parasite P. falciparum. Both drugs have been evaluated for enzymes playing active role in controlling P. falciparum. The applications of fosmidomycin against P. falciparum are currently restricted by its weaker cellular absorption, comparatively shorter half-life, and higher toxicity at higher dosages. Several enzymes in the pathway’s potential as potential therapeutic targets have also been identified. In this chapter, Plasmodium is highlighted more than other pharmacological compounds that have been tried against these targets. Literature and research results from diverse studies conducted confirm that the MEP route in Plasmodium apicoplasts is a prominent therapeutic target, particularly during erythrocytic phases. Therefore, before evaluating any novel compound as a strong antimalarial, the key bottlenecks, bioavailability, and toxicity must be solved.

Malaria will continue to be a concern for public health well into the future, as it is responsible for more than 50 million fatalities annually across the globe. In spite of persistent efforts by a large number of countries and substantial investments, the eradication of malaria has proven to be difficult. This is primarily due to the emergence of multidrug resistance against a variety of conventional medications, including artemisinin, which is the most effective antimalarial compound currently available on the market worldwide. In light of this, it is critically necessary to discover and develop novel medications and chemicals that have innovative modes of action and higher levels of efficacy. In this context, the investigation and analysis of transport proteins is one of the most promising disciplines with reference to the reduction of multidrug resistance. Transporters are responsible for mediating the uptake of solutes that target transporters in order to rid the cell of the parasite. This helps to control the growth and survival of intracellular parasites. In this chapter, we focused on the study that was done on inhibitors that block red blood cell transporters and worked as prospective biological targets for an infection caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Anaerobic glycolysis is the source of the energy molecules that are extracted by malaria parasites from red blood cells. To gain access to the ample glucose supply that is present in an infected host, the RBC glucose transporter-1, often known as GLUT-1, along with a hexose transporter, or HT, is utilized. In order to prevent the plasmodium from being clogged, the glucose metabolism produces two lactate anions and two protons as waste, both of which are promptly expelled from the plasmodium. In addition, the missing Plasmodium lactate/H+ co-transporter has been recently discovered as a member of the FNT family of formate–nitrite transporters. This family of formate–nitrite transporters is only found in microbes. The screening of a library of antimalarial compounds with unidentified targets led to the discovery of the FNT-inhibitors known as pentafluoro-3-hydroxy-pent-2-en-1-ones. These inhibitors are highly selective and have a high level of activity. The scientific community is still debating whether or not novel classes of antimalarial drugs should be developed, as well as their modes of binding and sites of action, their mechanisms of action, ways to avoid a putative resistance mutation of the FNT target protein, and whether or not these drugs are appropriate for in vivo research using animal malaria models.