Nurses' knowledge of medical device-related pressure injuries and risk factors: A descriptive study at a large medical centre from Palestine.

BACKGROUND: Nurses' knowledge of pressure injuries causes and risk factors helps to prevent their occurrences and protect the patient. AIM: To assess the level of knowledge of medical device-related pressure injuries and to identify risk factors that affect the knowledge. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used in this study considering a convenience sample from critical care nurses. The nurses were invited to complete the Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries Knowledge Questionnaire. RESULTS: About 71 nurses participated in the study. The mean score of MDRPI_KQ was 23.28 ± 4.14 out of 36. Mann-Whitney Test did not show statistically significant relationships between the MDRPI_KQ mean score and related variables (p > 0.05). The regression results indicated that the three predictors explained 46.4% of the variance (R2 = 0.215, F(3, 6.114) = 3.75, p = 0.001). It was found that the Frequency of encountering a patient with MDRPIs significantly predicted MDRPI_KQ score, job position, and assuming the care responsibility for MDRPIs in the department. CONCLUSIONS: Poor knowledge of pressure injuries can negatively affect patient care so training programs and policies should be developed based on the level of knowledge and practices of the staff to be more effective.

Community-Based Intervention and Its Effect on Decreasing the Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis in an Al-Alaqa Male Primary school in Al-Alaqa Village White Nile State, Sudan.

Aim of study: This study assessed the effectiveness of community-based interventions, health awareness, and treatment in controlling schistosomiasis among schoolchildren to improve policies and strategies. Methods: This pre- and post-intervention study was conducted in an Al-Alaqa male primary school, and systematic simple random sampling was used to investigate 237 participants, which resulted in 132 (55.7%) infected students. The infected and noninfected students (580 students) were treated by delivering the praziquantel doses immediately after the results; after 4 weeks, the infected students received the second dose. After 6 months, the rates were investigated again, and all procedures were performed after the height and weight of the students were recorded according to the protocol. Health education was provided for all participants using posters and leaflets. The data were collected via a questionnaire and urine test. The data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), and ANOVA and t-tests were used to determine the significant differences between the variables. Results: A urine investigation was conducted on 237 students; 132 (55.7%) had positive results which showed marked improvement and the prevalence in the school decreased to 3.8% after the intervention. The researcher found strong evidence of a relationship between the prevalence of schistosomiasis before the intervention and availability of water in the home (chi-square = 18.331, df = 1, p value = 000). ANOVA showed strong statistical significance (0.002 and F = 6.564) between the mean score of student age and reasons behind going to the pond. Conclusion: This study concluded that mass chemotherapy and treatment were highly effective when associated with a health program intervention. Mass chemotherapy alone may reduce the prevalence of disease for a short time. Recommendation: Community-based interventions should be applied in schools with an emphasis on health education programs through the training of schoolteachers on investigations for schistosomiasis, treatment with praziquantel, and the provision of materials (microscopes, reagents, and drugs).

Key performance indicators for monitoring of anemia management and iron status in children attending a pediatric dialysis unit: the experience of Ain Shams University.

BACKGROUND: Anemia in children on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) leads to poor quality of life. Our study aimed to assess and monitor anemia and iron status management in children on maintenance HD over 18 months using key performance indicators. METHODS: Key performance indicators, formulated as the percentage of patients achieving the KDIGO (2012) guideline-recommended targets for hemoglobin (Hb) (11-12 g/dl), transferrin saturation (TSAT) (20-40%) and serum ferritin (200-500 ng/ml), were reported quarterly over the 18-month-period of this study. RESULTS: This study was carried out over an 18 month-period, from April 1st, 2020, till October 31st, 2021. A total of 78 patients (45 males and 33 females) were included; mean age 12.16 ± 3.3 years and HD duration range 3.0-140.88 months, median 16.51 months. The three most common primary causes of CKD were Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT) (29.5%), unknown cause (24.4%), and chronic glomerular diseases (20.5%). The quarterly reported percentages of patients achieving the recommended targets for Hb, TSAT, and serum ferritin ranges were 18.2-35.7%, 38.8-57.1%, and 11.9-26.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the mean Hb trend was nearing the KDIGO (2012) target, the key performance indicators showed that only a small percentage of our HD patients were achieving the targets for Hb, TSAT, & serum ferritin, thus alerting us to the need to revise our protocol for the management of anemia and iron status.

Systemic Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in India.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in India. This review explores the epidemiological trends and the landscape of systemic therapy for HCC in the Indian context, acknowledging the recent shift in etiology from viral hepatitis to lifestyle-associated factors. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, including data from the Global Cancer Observatory and the Indian Council of Medical Research, along with a critical analysis of various clinical trials. The article investigates systemic therapies in-depth, discussing their mechanisms, efficacy, and adaptation to Indian healthcare framework. Progression-free survival with a hazard ratio of ≤0.6 compared to sorafenib, overall survival of ∼16-19 months, and objective response rate of 20-30% are the defining thresholds for systemic therapy clinical trials. Systemic therapy for advanced HCC in India primarily involves the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib, lenvatinib, regorafenib, and cabozantinib, with sorafenib being the most commonly used drug for a long time. Monoclonal antibodies such as ramucirumab and bevacizumab and immune-checkpoint inhibitors, such as atezolizumab, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab, are expanding treatment horizons. Lenvatinib has emerged as a cost-effective alternative, and the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab has demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of overall survival and progression-free survival. Despite these advances, late-stage diagnosis and limited healthcare accessibility pose significant challenges, often relegating patients to palliative care. Addressing HCC in India demands an integrative approach that not only encompasses advancements in systemic therapy but also targets early detection and comprehensive care models. Future strategies should focus on enhancing awareness, screening for high-risk populations, and overcoming infrastructural disparities. Ensuring the judicious use of systemic therapies within the constraints of the Indian healthcare economy is crucial. Ultimately, a nuanced understanding of systemic therapeutic options and their optimal utilization will be pivotal in elevating the standard of HCC care in India.

Rutin-Loaded Transethosomal Gel for Topical Application: A Comprehensive Analysis of Skin Permeation and Antimicrobial Efficacy.

This study conducts a systematic investigation of the creation and optimization of a rutin-loaded transethosome intended for topical use. The formulation's characteristics were thoroughly assessed for vesicle size (160.45 ± 1.98 nm), polydispersity index (0.235 ± 0.067), and zeta potential (-22.89 mV), with an entrapment efficiency and drug loading of 89.99 ± 1.55% and 8.9 ± 2.11%, respectively, and found to have a spherical shape by the use of transmission electron microscopy. The conversion to a gel suitable for application on the skin was carried out. The drug release form Opt-RUT-TE formulation (73.61 ± 2.55%) was significantly higher than that of release form RUT-suspension (34.52 ± 1.19%). The drug that permeated the skin from Opt-RUT-TEG (935.25 ± 10.49 µg/cm2) was significantly higher than the permeability from RUT-Suspension gel (522.57 ± 6.79 µg/cm2). Notably, tape stripping analysis revealed that the Opt-RUT-TE gel effectively penetrated the skin layers, with a higher concentration observed in the epidermis-dermis than in the RUT-suspension gel. The transethosomal gel exhibited favorable characteristics, highlighting its capacity to efficiently permeate the skin and suppress the growth of microorganisms, and Opt-RUT-TEG showed a higher microorganism inhibition zone (Gram-positive bacteria) than that of RUT-suspension gel. The investigation highlights the significant therapeutic possibilities of rutin in a transethosomal gel formulation for treating dermatological diseases by improving skin permeability and exhibiting antibacterial effects.

Atopy and allergic diseases among college students at a Saudi Public University.

Background: Despite its significant prevalence worldwide, atopy and allergic diseases continue to need more studies, with a need for published articles describing the prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases in Saudi society. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of atopic dermatitis diseases among college students at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. Methods: The Cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia among college students at Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh based on self-report Asthma and Allergies questionnaires (ISSAC questionnaire, atopic dermatitis part). Results: Seven hundred ninety-seven (797) students from 11 colleges participated in the study. About half (47.6%) aged between 21 and 24, and 73.7% were females. More than one-third (34.8%) had atopic dermatitis during the last six months, while 30.7% of the participants reported having itchy rash in the past 12 months, and 33.8% were diagnosed with eczema in any life interval. Age is not one of the significant factors affecting the prevalence of atopic dermatitis. However, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis slightly increases with age (P = 0.062). Atopic dermatitis was significantly higher among female students (39.7%) than 21.0% among male students (P = 0.000). College level nor GPA had no significant impact on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (P = 0.238 and 0.884, respectively). Conclusion: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University students have a high prevalence of atopic dermatitis, which may indicate a higher prevalence of allergens. Females and older participants were more liable to reported atopic dermatitis.

Assessment of Oral Health Conditions Among Physically Disabled Patients in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to assess the oral health status among physically disabled Saudi patients. METHODS: Recruitment took place in the Armed Forces Centre for Health Rehabilitation in Taif, Saudi Arabia. 124 patients living with a physical disability were enrolled and divided into three groups: hemiplegia, paraplegia and quadriplegia. Data was collected on demographics and different oral indices, including the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, the Mean Decayed Teeth score, the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). RESULTS: High DMFT was observed among the hemiplegia group (mean = 22.61; P-value = .008) with no difference in the Mean Decayed Teeth. All groups showed signs of gingivitis in the form of gingival bleeding. The most compromised periodontal health in the form of pockets 6 mm or deeper was found in the hemiplegia group (53.7%; P-value = .001). This was also reflected in the CPITN (39.0%; P-value = .001), indicating the need for complex treatments in the same group. Regarding oral hygiene, all groups showed a "fair" oral hygiene condition (OHI-S < 3.0), with significantly poorer hygiene (mean = 2.49; P-value = .042) and greater debris accumulation (mean = 1.52; P-value = .024) among the quadriplegia group. In the regression analysis, both age and gender had significant effects on some indices, while disability type showed borderline effects. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate poor oral health in these individuals, mainly due to physical limitations, hindering effective self-care practices. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Oral health is a critical aspect in people with physical disabilities, as it is intrinsically linked to overall health and well-being. Recognizing the clinical importance of oral health among physically disabled patients is essential to improve access and affordability of dental care for this vulnerable group of the population.

In silico exploration of deep-sea fungal metabolites as inhibitor of Ebola and Marburg VP35 and VP40.

VP30 and VP40 proteins of Ebola and Marburg viruses have been recognized as potential targets for antiviral drug development due to their essential roles in the viral lifecycle. Targeting these proteins could disrupt key stages of the viral replication process, inhibiting the viruses' ability to propagate and cause disease. The current study aims to perform molecular docking and virtual screening on deep-sea fungal metabolites targeting Marburg virus VP40 Dimer, matrix protein VP40 from Ebola virus Sudan, Ebola VP35 Interferon Inhibitory Domain, and VP35 from Marburg virus. The top ten compounds for each protein target were chosen using the glide score. All the compounds obtained indicate a positive binding interaction. Furthermore, AdmetSAR was utilized to investigate the pharmacokinetics of the inhibitors chosen. Gliotoxin was used as a ligand with Marburg virus VP40 Dimer, Austinol with matrix protein VP40 from Ebola virus Sudan, Ozazino-cyclo-(2,3-dihydroxyl-trp-tyr) with Ebola VP35 Interferon Inhibitory Domain, and Dehydroaustinol with VP35 from Marburg virus. MD modeling and MMPBSA studies were used to provide a better understanding of binding behaviors. Pre-clinical experiments can assist validate our in-silico studies and assess whether the molecule can be employed as an anti-viral drug.

Physicochemical Characterization of Moroccan Honey Varieties from the Fez-Meknes Region and Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties.

Honey, with its varied and extensive characteristics, is a complex and diverse biological substance that has been used since ancient times. The aim of this study is to thoroughly characterize the physicochemical, phytochemical, and biological properties of four floral honey varieties from the Fez-Meknes region in Morocco, with the goal of promoting the valorization of Moroccan honey in skincare and cosmetic products. The analyses of their physicochemical characteristics encompass various parameters such as pH, acidity, density, water content, Brix index, conductivity, ash content, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, and color. The levels of polyphenols range from 22.1 ± 0.4 to 69.3 ± 0.17 mg GAE/100 g of honey, measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method for polyphenol quantification. Additionally, the estimation of flavonoid quantities in 100 g of honey, conducted using the aluminum trichloride method, reveals values ranging from 3.6 ± 0.2 to 7.2 ± 0.6 mg QE. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that honey exhibits high levels of glucose and relatively low concentrations of proteins. The quantitative evaluation of antioxidant effects, carried out through the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging method and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method, highlights the strong antioxidant capacity of multifloral honey, characterized by low inhibitory concentration values (IC50 = 30.43 mg/mL and EC50 = 16.06 mg/mL). Moreover, all honey varieties demonstrate antibacterial and antifungal properties, with multifloral honey standing out for its particularly pronounced antimicrobial activity. The correlation analyses between phytochemical composition and antioxidant and antibacterial activities reveal an inverse relationship between polyphenols and IC50 (DPPH) and EC50 (FRAP) concentrations of honey. The correlation coefficients are established at R2 = -0.97 and R2 = -0.99, respectively. Additionally, a significant negative correlation is observed between polyphenols, flavonoids, and antifungal power (R2 = -0.95 and R2 = -0.96). In parallel, a marked positive correlation is highlighted between antifungal efficacy, DPPH antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.95), and FRAP (R2 = 0.92). These results underscore the crucial importance of phytochemical components in the beneficial properties of honey, meeting international quality standards. Consequently, honey could serve as a natural alternative to synthetic additives.

Impacts of poultry by-product meal substituting fishmeal on growth efficiency, body composition, liver, and intestine morphology of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax.

A twelve week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the replacement of fishmeal (FM) with poultry by-product meal (PBM) in practical diets for European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax with an average initial weight of 0.89 g. Five isocaloric (5.1 kcal lipid g-1) and isonitrogenous (451 g protein kg-1) diets were formulated with PBM replacing FM at levels of 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The experiment was carried out in 30-in. nylon mesh net cages (hapas). At the termination of the trial, growth performance including final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and protein growth rate of diets containing up to 75% PBM were comparable to those of the control group, whereas the diet with 100% PBM resulted in a significantly lower values (p < 0.05). Feed utilization exhibited variation among the treatments (p < 0.05). Whole body composition also showed significant differences across the dietary treatments. Essential amino acid (EAA) contents specifically arginine (Arg), histidine (His), methionine (Met), and threonine (Thr) in the whole body of fish fed diets with up to 50% PBM replacement were not significantly different from those in the control group. Furthermore, the intestinal microvilli length, width and absorption area increased significantly (p < 0.05) with PBM replacement levels up to 50%. Histological analysis of the liver revealed mild vacuolation of hepatocytes in fish fed up to 50% PBM,while pre-pancreatic fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was observed in fish fed diets with 75% and 100% PBM. Therefore, this study demonstrates that PBM can replace up to 50% of FM in the diets of European sea bass without adverse effects on growth performance, body composition, or liver and intestine morphology.

Awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology services among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND:  Healthcare professionals are required to work effectively together to deliver the best healthcare services. Without awareness of other healthcare professionals' roles and responsibilities, interprofessional practice (IPP) cannot be optimally achieved. OBJECTIVES:  This study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals' awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology (SLP) services in Saudi Arabia. METHOD:  This cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of two parts. The content of a 20-item paper questionnaire was firstly validated. The full-scale study addressed the aim through distributing questionnaire items among potential participants. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used. RESULTS:  A total of 403 participants completed the questionnaires for the main study. Most of the participants were Saudi citizens (84.1%), aged 18 years - 40 years (84.8%) years, and lived in Riyadh region (76.2%). Allied health professionals (40.2%), physicians (22.6%), nursing (15.4%) and dentistry (11.2%) were the main group of participants working mainly at governmental hospitals (69.2%). Of the total participants, 92.6% and 95.3% reported being fully aware of the services provided by audiologists and SLPs, respectively. No statistically significant association between the specialty of participants and their familiarity with the scope of practice for SLPs and audiologists was determined. CONCLUSION:  Our study examined healthcare professionals' awareness of audiology and SLP services and revealed a high level of awareness.Contribution: The existed level of awareness is expected to facilitate IPP and enhance the quality of care. Still, awareness campaigns about audiology and SLP services are needed to address the existing lack of knowledge among some healthcare professionals.

Effect of solar powered MgO/graphene nano catalysed biodiesel production from Scomber scombrus.

The aim of the work is to find the efficiency of solar power in biodiesel preparation from mackerel fish. The paper also focusses on the ability of MgO/graphene prepared by one-pot synthesis using combustion methodology. The physicochemical properties of the material were analysed by XRD, N2 sorption studies, BET sorption analysis and SEM. The adsorption studies revealed the porosity of the graphene is intact, and the morphology studies indicated that MgO is uniformly distributed on the graphene surface. The highest biodiesel yield of 98.95% was obtained using the solar-powered Fresnel solar concentrator at 12.30 p.m in 6 min reaction time using 3 wt% MgO/GO catalyst at 65 °C. Conventional heating produced only 75% biodiesel at the same reaction condition, consuming25 min to complete. The solar assisted biodiesel had better HHV of 37.81 MJ/Kg, viscosity of 4.3 mm2/s, pour point of -15 °C, and a density of 0.875 g/mL. The optimized catalyst showed a shelf life of 5 cycles. The results portray the efficacy of natural energy source in alternative liquid fuel production.

Exploring the diverse performance of nickel and cobalt spinel ferrite nanoparticles in hazardous pollutant removal and gas sensing performance.

A simple sol-gel combustion process was employed for the creation of MFe2O4 (M=Ni, Co) nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles, acting as both photocatalysts and gas sensors, were analyzed using various analytical techniques. MFe2O4 (M=Ni, Co) material improved the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV-light irradiation, serving as an enhanced electron transport medium. UV-vis studies demonstrated that NiFe2O4 achieved a 60% degradation, while CoFe2O4 nanostructure exhibited a 76% degradation efficacy in the MB dye removal process. Furthermore, MFe2O4 (M=Ni, Co) demonstrated chemosensitive-type sensor capabilities at ambient temperature. The sensor response and recovery times for CoFe2O4 at a concentration of 100 ppm were 15 and 20, respectively. Overall, the synthesis of MFe2O4 (M=Ni, Co) holds the potential to significantly improve the photocatalytic and gas sensing properties, particularly enhancing the performance of CoFe2O4. The observed enhancements make honey MFe2O4 (M=Ni, Co) a preferable choice for environmental remediation applications.

Farnesol prevents chlorpyrifos nephrotoxicity by modulating inflammatory mediators, Nrf2 and FXR and attenuating oxidative stress.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a broad-spectrum insecticide widely employed in agricultural field for pest control. Exposure to CPF is associated with serious effects to the main organs, including kidneys. Significant evidence denotes that oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are implicated in CPF toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of farnesol (FAR) to modulate inflammatory mediators and farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) and Nrf2 in a rat model of CPF nephrotoxicity. CPF and FAR were orally supplemented for 28 days and blood and kidney samples were collected for investigations. CPF administration elevated blood creatinine and urea, kidney MDA and NO, and upregulated NF-κB p65, IL-1ß, TNF-α, iNOS, and caspase-3. In addition, CPF upregulated kidney Keap1, and decreased GSH, antioxidant enzymes, and Nrf2, FXR, HO-1 and NQO-1. FAR ameliorated creatinine and urea, prevented histopathological alterations, decreased MDA and NO, and enhanced antioxidants in CPF-administered rats. FAR modulated NF-κB p65, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1ß, caspase-3, Keap1, HO-1, NQO-1, Nrf2 and FXR. In silico investigations revealed the binding affinity of FAR towards Keap1 and FXR, as well as NF-κB, caspase-3, iNOS, and HO-1. In conclusion, FAR prevents CPF-induced kidney injury by attenuating OS, inflammation, and apoptosis, effects associated with modulation of FXR, Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and antioxidants.

A new strategy to construct MOF-on-MOF derivatives for the removal of tetracycline hydrochloride from water by activation of peroxymonosulfate.

A MOF-on-MOF composite derivative material named ZIF-67@Ce-MOF-600 was designed and synthesized. The preparation of ZIF-67@Ce-MOF-600 was optimized from the aspects of the ratio of metal and ligand, heat-treatment temperature. It was demonstrated by XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDS and TEM. The optimum conditions for the activation of PMS by ZIF-67@Ce-MOF-600 for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) were investigated by adjusting the catalyst dosage, TC, pH, peoxymonosulfate (PMS) concentration, and different kinds of water, co-existing anions and pollution. Under optimal conditions (20 mg catalysts and 50 mg PMS added) in 100 mL of tetracyclines (TC) solvent (20 mg TC/L), the removal rate could reach up to 99.2% and after five cycles was 70.5%. The EPR results indicated the presence of free radicals and non-free radical, among which free radicals intended to play a major role in the degradation process. Its possible degradation pathways and attack sites were analyzed by liquid-phase mass spectrometry and DFT analysis.

Bee venom enhances performance and immune function in thinlip mullet: A promising approach for sustainable aquaculture.

As an environmentally friendly alternative to antibiotics, bee venom holds promise for aquaculture due to its diverse health advantages, including immune-amplifying and anti-inflammatory features. This study investigated the effects of dietary bee venom (BV) on the growth and physiological performance of Thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) with an initial body weight of 40.04 ± 0.11 g for 60 days. Fish were distributed to five dietary treatments (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg BV/kg diet) with three replicates. Growth traits, gut enzyme ability (lipase, protease, amylase), intestinal and liver histology, blood biochemistry, immune responses [lysozyme activity (LYZ), bactericidal activity (BA), nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT%)], and antioxidant status [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA)] were evaluated. BV supplementation significantly improved growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, histological integrity of organs, immune responses (LYZ, BA), and antioxidant status (SOD, CAT, GPx), while declining MDA levels. Optimal BV levels were identified between 4.2 and 5.8 mg/kg diet for different parameters. Overall, the findings suggest that BV supplementation can enhance growth and physiological performance in Thinlip mullet, highlighting its potential as a beneficial dietary supplement for fish health and aquaculture management.

Theoretical investigations on modeling blood flow through vessel for understanding effectiveness of magnetic nanocarrier drug delivery systems.

For cancer therapy, the focus is now on targeting the chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells without damaging other normal cells. The new materials based on bio-compatible magnetic carriers would be useful for targeted cancer therapy, however understanding their effectiveness should be done. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of a dataset containing variables x(m), y(m), and U(m/s), where U represents velocity of blood through vessel containing ferrofluid. The effect of external magnetic field on the fluid flow is investigated using a hybrid modeling. The primary aim of this research endeavor was to construct precise and dependable predictive models for velocity, utilizing the provided input variables. Several base models, including K-nearest neighbors (KNN), decision tree (DT), and multilayer perceptron (MLP), were trained and evaluated. Additionally, an ensemble model called AdaBoost was implemented to further enhance the predictive performance. The hyper-parameter optimization technique, specifically the BAT optimization algorithm, was employed to fine-tune the models. The results obtained from the experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The combination of the AdaBoost algorithm and the decision tree model yielded a highly impressive score of 0.99783 in terms of R2, indicating a strong predictive performance. Additionally, the model exhibited a low error rate, as evidenced by the root mean square error (RMSE) of 5.2893 × 10-3. Similarly, the AdaBoost-KNN model exhibited a high score of 0.98524 using R2 metric, with an RMSE of 1.3291 × 10-2. Furthermore, the AdaBoost-MLP model obtained a satisfactory R2 score of 0.99603, accompanied by an RMSE of 7.1369 × 10-3.

Beyond the Bedside: Machine Learning-Guided Length of Stay (LOS) Prediction for Cardiac Patients in Tertiary Care.

Efficient management of hospital resources is essential for providing high-quality healthcare while ensuring sustainability. Length of stay (LOS), measuring the duration from admission to discharge, directly impacts patient outcomes and resource utilization. Accurate LOS prediction offers numerous benefits, including reducing re-admissions, ensuring appropriate staffing, and facilitating informed discharge planning. While conventional methods rely on statistical models and clinical expertise, recent advances in machine learning (ML) present promising avenues for enhancing LOS prediction. This research focuses on developing an ML-based LOS prediction model trained on a comprehensive real-world dataset and discussing the important factors towards practical deployment of trained ML models in clinical settings. This research involves the development of a comprehensive adult cardiac patient dataset (SaudiCardioStay (SCS)) from the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) hospital in Saudi Arabia, comprising 4930 patient encounters for 3611 unique patients collected from 2019 to 2022 (excluding 2020). A diverse range of classical ML models (i.e., Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), artificial neural networks (ANNs), Average Voting Regression (AvgVotReg)) are implemented for the SCS dataset to explore the potential of existing ML models in LOS prediction. In addition, this study introduces a novel approach for LOS prediction by incorporating a dedicated LOS classifier within a sophisticated ensemble methodology (i.e., Two-Level Sequential Cascade Generalization (2LSCG), Three-Level Sequential Cascade Generalization (3LSCG), Parallel Cascade Generalization (PCG)), aiming to enhance prediction accuracy and capture nuanced patterns in healthcare data. The experimental results indicate the best mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.1700 for the 3LSCG model. Relatively comparable performance was observed for the AvgVotReg model, with a MAE of 0.1703. In the end, a detailed analysis of the practical implications, limitations, and recommendations concerning the deployment of ML approaches in actual clinical settings is presented.

Bio-fabrication of calcium oxide nanoparticles from Coccinia grandis as a potential photocatalyst for dye degradation with antimicrobial activity.

In the current study, Coccinia grandis fruit extract was used to synthesize calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO NPs) in an economical and environmentally friendly manner. UV-Vis spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the phytoconstituents found in Coccinia grandis fruit extract facilitated the production of CaO NPs by acting as better stabilizing, biodegradable, and reducing agents. The synthesized CG-CaO NPs were also tested for photocatalytic activity in the breakdown of selective dyes such as methyl red, methyl orange, and methylene blue in the presence of sunlight. The degradation percentage was determined by analyzing the color removal rates for all dye components. After 6 h of reaction, the IC50 values for methyl red, methyl orange, as well as methylene blue dyes were 73, 107, and 133, respectively. The CG-CaO NPs were further evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against specific bacteria and fungi using the agar-well diffusion method. 200 µg/mL CG-CaO NPs inhibited Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus mutans, and Staphylococcus aureus at zones of 13, 14, 16, 14, and 15 mM, respectively. Further checkerboard assay confirmed the antagonism effect with gentamicin. Also, Artemia salina toxicity assay showed that the LD50 value of CaO NPs was 400 µg/mL of CaO NPs. The findings confirm that Coccinia grandis-mediated CG-CaO NPs can be used effectively in antimicrobial and environmental settings.