Higher genotypic diversity and distinct assembly mechanism of free-living Symbiodiniaceae assemblages than sympatric coral-endosymbiotic assemblages in a tropical coral reef.

While in hospite Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates are essential for coral health, ambient free-living counterparts are crucial for coral recruitment and resilience. Comparing free-living and in hospite Symbiodiniaceae communities can potentially provide insights into endosymbiont acquisition and recurrent recruitment in bleaching recovery. In this study, we studied coral-endosymbiotic and ambient free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities in the South China Sea. We collected samples from 183 coral and ambient plankton samples and conducted metabarcoding to investigate the diversity distribution, driving factors, and assembly mechanisms of the two groups of Symbiodiniaceae. Results revealed Cladocopium C1 and Durusdinium D1 as dominant genotypes. We detected a higher genotypic diversity in free-living than in hospite symbiodiniacean communities, but with shared dominant genotypes. This indicates a genetically diverse pool of Symbiodiniaceae available for recruitment by corals. Strikingly, we found that the cooler area had more Symbiodiniaceae thermosensitive genotypes, whereas the warmer area had more Symbiodiniaceae thermotolerant genotypes. Furthermore, in hospite and free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities were similarly affected by environmental factors, but shaped by different assembly mechanisms. The in hospite communities were controlled mainly by deterministic processes, whereas the ambient communities by stochastic processes. This study sheds light on the genetic diversity of source environmental Symbiodiniaceae and differential assembly mechanisms influencing Symbiodiniaceae inside and outside corals.IMPORTANCESymbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates play a pivotal role as key primary producers within coral reef ecosystems. Coral-endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae communities have been extensively studied, but relatively little work has been reported on the free-living Symbiodiniaceae community. Conducting a comparative analysis between sympatric coral-endosymbiotic and free-living Symbiodiniaceae communities can potentially enhance the understanding of how endosymbiont communities change in response to changing environments and the mechanisms driving these changes. Our findings shed light on the genetic diversity of source environmental Symbiodiniaceae and differential assembly mechanisms shaping free-living and in hospite Symbiodiniaceae communities, with implications in evaluating the adaptive and resilient capacity of corals in response to future climate change.

Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of the Distal Thigh: A Case Report.

The undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a rare malignant tumor of mesenchymal origin. Poorly differentiated tumor cells, which might take the form of giant cells, histiocytes, or spindle-shaped cells, make up the UPS variant of sarcomas. If soft tissue tumors enlarge and turn malignant, they may become an issue. Sarcoma is diagnosed by several tests, such as a physical examination, MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound. A biopsy yields information regarding the grade and subtype of the sarcoma and is required for a clear diagnosis. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and broad-margin excision are the standard treatments for cancers of the bone. UPS often appears in people between 50 and 70 years old. Yet, here we report a 40-year-old male diagnosed with UPS. Our goal is to discuss how unique our case is in comparison to others, as well as the available diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives in such cases.

Formulation of Saxagliptin Oral Films: Optimization, Physicochemical Characterization, In-Vivo Assessment, and In-Vitro Real-Time Release Monitoring via a Novel Polyaniline Nanoparticles-Based Solid-Contact Screen Printed Ion-Selective Electrode.

Oral dispersible films have received broad interest due to fast drug absorption and no first-path metabolism, leading to high bioavailability and better patient compliance. Saxagliptin (SXG) is an antidiabetic drug that undergoes first-path metabolism, resulting in a less active metabolite, so the development of SXG oral dispersible films (SXG-ODFs) improves SXG bioavailability. The formula optimisation included a response surface experimental design and the impact of three formulation factors, the type and concentration of polymer and plasticiser concentration on in-vitro disintegration time and folding endurance. Two optimised SXG-ODFs prepared using either polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose were investigated. SXG-ODFs prepared with PVA demonstrated a superior rapid disintegration time, ranging from 17 to 890 s, with the fastest disintegration time recorded at 17 s. These short durations can be attributed to the hydrophilic nature of PVA, facilitating rapid hydration and disintegration upon contact with saliva. Additionally, PVA-based films displayed remarkable folding endurance, surpassing 200 folds without rupture, indicating flexibility and stability. The high tensile strength of PVA-based films further underscores their robust mechanical properties, with tensile strength values reaching up to 4.53 MPa. SXG exhibits a UV absorption wavelength of around 212 nm, posing challenges for traditional quantitative spectrophotometric analysis, so a polyaniline nanoparticles-based solid-contact screen-printed ion-selective electrode (SP-ISE) was employed for the determination of SXG release profile effectively in comparison to HPLC. SP-ISE showed a better real-time release profile of SXG-ODFs, and the optimised formula showed lower blood glucose levels than commercial tablets.

Efficacy of electronic apex locators in comparison with intraoral radiographs in working length determination- a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Successful endodontic treatment needs accurate determination of working length (WL). Electronic apex locators (EALs) were presented as an alternative to radiographic methods; and since then, they have evolved and gained popularity in the determination of WL. However, there is insufficient evidence on the post-operative pain, adequacy, and accuracy of EALs in determining WL. OBJECTIVE: The systematic review and meta-analysis aims to gather evidence regarding the effectiveness of EALs for WL determination when compared to different imaging techniques along with postoperative pain associated with WL determination, the number of radiographs taken during the procedure, the time taken, and the adverse effects. METHODS: For the review, clinical studies with cross-over and parallel-arm randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in seven electronic databases, followed by cross-referencing of the selected studies and related research synthesis. Risk of bias (RoB) assessment was carried out with Cochrane's RoB tool and a random-effects model was used. The meta-analysis was performed with the RevMan software 5.4.1. RESULTS: Eleven eligible RCTs were incorporated into the review and eight RCTs into the meta-analysis, of which five had high RoB and the remaining six had unclear RoB. Following meta-analysis, no significant difference in postoperative pain was found among the EAL and radiograph groups (SMD 0.00, CI .29 to .28, 354 participants; P value = 0.98). Radiograph group showed better WL accuracy (SMD 0.55, CI .11 to .99, 254 participants; P value = 0.02), while the EAL group had 10% better WL adequacy (RR 1.10, CI 1.03-1.18, 573 participants; P value = 0.006). CONCLUSION: We found very low-certainty evidence to support the efficacy of different types of EAL compared to radiography for the outcomes tested. We were unable to reach any conclusions about the superiority of any type of EAL. Well-planned RCTs need to be conducted by standardizing the outcomes and outcome measurement methods.

Estrogen regulation and functional role of FGFR4 in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.

Background: Resistance to endocrine therapy is a major challenge of managing estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. We previously reported frequent overexpression of FGFR4 in endocrine resistant cell lines and breast cancers that recurred and metastasized following endocrine therapy, suggesting FGFR4 as a potential driver of endocrine resistance. In this study, we investigated the role of FGFR4 in mediating endocrine resistance and explored the therapeutic potential of targeting FGFR4 in advanced breast cancer. Methods: A gene expression signature of FGFR4 activity was examined in ER+ breast cancer pre- and post-neoadjuvant endocrine therapy and the association between FGFR4 expression and patient survival was examined. A correlation analysis was used to uncover potential regulators of FGFR4 overexpression. To investigate if FGFR4 is necessary to drive endocrine resistance, we tested response to FGFR4 inhibition in long term estrogen deprived (LTED) cells and their paired parental cells. Doxycycline inducible FGFR4 overexpression and knockdown cell models were generated to examine if FGFR4 was sufficient to confer endocrine resistance. Finally, we examined response to FGFR4 monotherapy or combination therapy with fulvestrant in breast cancer cell lines to explore the potential of FGFR4 targeted therapy for advanced breast cancer and assessed the importance of PAM50 subtype in response to FGFR4 inhibition. Results: A FGFR4 activity gene signature was significantly upregulated post neoadjuvant aromatase inhibitor treatment, and high FGFR4 expression predicted poorer survival in patients with ER+ breast cancer. Gene expression association analysis using TCGA, METABRIC and SCAN-B datasets uncovered ER as the most significant gene negatively correlated with FGFR4 expression. ER negatively regulates FGFR4 expression at both the mRNA and protein level across multiple ER+ breast cancer cell lines. Despite robust overexpression of FGFR4, LTED cells did not show enhanced responses to FGFR4 inhibition compared to parental cells. Similarly, FGFR4 overexpression, knockdown or hotspot mutations did not significantly alter response to endocrine treatment in ER+ cell lines, nor did FGFR4 and fulvestrant combination treatment show synergistic effects. The HER2-like subtype of breast cancer showed elevated expression of FGFR4 and an increased response to FGFR4 inhibition relative to other breast cancer subtypes. Conclusions: Despite ER-mediated upregulation of FGFR4 post endocrine therapy, our study does not support a general role of FGFR4 in mediating endocrine resistance in ER+ breast cancer. Our data suggests that specific genomic backgrounds such as HER2 expression may be required for FGFR4 function in breast cancer and should be further explored.

Do Nanoparticles of Calcium Disodium EDTA Minimize the Toxic Effects of Cadmium in Female Rats?

The present study aims to investigate the ability of CaNa2EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) macroparticles and nanoparticles to treat cadmium-induced toxicity in female rats and to compare their efficacies. Forty rats were divided into 4 equal groups: control, cadmium, cadmium + CaNa2EDTA macroparticles and Cd + CaNa2EDTA nanoparticles. Cadmium was added to the drinking water in a concentration of 30 ppm for 10 weeks. CaNa2EDTA macroparticles and nanoparticles (50 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected during the last 4 weeks of the exposure period. Every two weeks, blood and urine samples were collected for determination of urea, creatinine, metallothionein and cadmium concentrations. At the end of the experiment, the skeleton of rats was examined by X-ray and tissue samples from the kidney and femur bone were collected and subjected to histopathological examination. Exposure to cadmium increased the concentrations of urea and creatinine in the serum and the concentrations of metallothionein and cadmium in serum and urine of rats. A decrease in bone mineralization by X-ray examination in addition to various histopathological alterations in the kidney and femur bone of Cd-intoxicated rats were also observed. Treatment with both CaNa2EDTA macroparticles and nanoparticles ameliorated the toxic effects induced by cadmium on the kidney and bone. However, CaNa2EDTA nanoparticles showed a superior efficacy compared to the macroparticles and therefore can be used as an effective chelating antidote for treatment of cadmium toxicity.

Prevalence of Vertical Root Fractures in a University Endodontics Program versus a Private Endodontics Office.

Introduction: Vertical root fractures (VRFs) typically have a poor prognosis with an extraction or occasionally root amputation as the preferred treatment. VRFs have been considered an epidemic, motivating changes in the access openings, as well as in the preparation and disinfection protocols of endodontic treatment. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of VRFs by tracking cases in both a University Endodontic Program (UEP) and a private endodontics practice (PP). We also evaluated changes in prevalence during COVID-19 along with the alterations in the frequency of cases diagnosed by clinical and radiographic signs which were later confirmed by direct visualization compared to those in which the suspicion was based on clinical and radiographic signs alone. Methods and Materials: This retrospective study looked at the prevalence of VRF in patient records at UEP and a PP. Data for the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 time periods were extracted from patient records and referral letters then compared. Data for suspected and confirmed prevalence were compared. Results: The UEP group included 21,156 patients while the PP group comprised 7,209 patients. The prevalence of VRFs in the former cohort was 1.80%, while 2.62% of the latter cohort exhibited VRFs with a combined total of 2.01%. The combined total prevalence of VRFs pre-COVID-19 was 1.72%, increasing from 2.1% to 3.82% during COVID-19 (p < 0.0001). The same applied to suspected cases for both clinical settings. The increase in confirmed cases between the two periods was statistically significant for the UEP group (p=0.0202) but it was insignificant for the PP group (p=0.0721). Conclusion: The combined prevalence for VRFs was 2.01% for all years denying the claim that VRF is a pandemic phenomenon. COVID-19 period saw almost a double increase in the prevalence of VRF compared to pre-COVID-19 era. This was consequently associated with a significant increase in the number of suspected VRF cases.

Prescription patterns of quetiapine for multiple drug abuse, depression, and psychosis: A retrospective study.

Background: Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic prescribed for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, multiple drug abuse (MDA), generalized anxiety disorder, severe depression, dementia, and mood disorders. Prescription of quetiapine varies according to use, with side effects increasingly reported with higher doses. Many previous case reports highlighted the misuse of the drug. Here we studied the prescribing patterns of quetiapine in multiple drug abuse (MDA), depression, and psychosis patients in the Madinah region in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a retrospective single-center study carried out in the main referral hospital for mental health in Madinah, Saudi Arabia for the period December 2020 till December 2021. Results: A total of 158 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 30.5 ± 10.1 years. Male presented for 89.9 % of the patients. In terms of quetiapine indications, 46.2 % of patients used it for MDA, 29.7 % for psychosis, and 24.1 for depression. For all patients, quetiapine was used with a mean daily dose of 285.2 ± 222 mg and for a mean duration of 13.9 ± 15.4 weeks. Quetiapine was prescribed with a mean of 2.1 ± 2.2 prescriptions. Comparison between different indications shows that quetiapine was more frequently prescribed for MDA (p < 0.001). The MDA patients were significantly younger than in other groups (p = 0.001). All patients who received quetiapine for MDA were males. However, MDA patients received a smaller dose of quetiapine than other indications (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between groups in terms of the number of prescriptions, duration, and whether the patient was on other medications or not. These results have been confirmed by regression analysis, where male and younger ages represented a significant contributing factor to MDA compared to psychosis, 95 % CI: 8 x107 (8 x107 - 8 x107) and 0.943 (0.900---0.987), respectively. Conclusion: Quetiapine was prescribed more frequently in MDA patients and younger individuals. Low dose was predominant in those patients, indicating a probability of drug abuse.

Post-COVID-19 fatigue and health-related quality of life in Saudi Arabia: a population-based study.

Background: Despite substantial literature on symptoms and long-term health implications associated with COVID-19; prevalence and determinants of post-acute COVID-19 fatigue (PCF) remain largely elusive and understudied, with scant research documenting health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Hence, prevalence of PCF and its associated factors, and HRQoL among those who have survived Covid-19 within the general population of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is the subject under examination in this research. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2063 individuals, selected from the KSA's general population, using a non-probability sampling approach. An online survey was used to employ a self-administered questionnaire to the participants, which included socio-demographic information, the patient's COVID-19 infection history, 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to assess quality of life, and Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS) (CFQ 11) to evaluate the extent and severity of fatigue. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. A p < 0.05 was considered to be strong evidence against the null hypothesis. Results: The median age of participants was 34 (IQR = 22) years, with females comprising the majority (66.2%). According to the SF-12 questionnaire, 91.2% of patients experienced physical conditions, and 77% experienced depression. The prevalence of PCF was 52% on CFQ 11 scale. Female gender, higher levels of education, a pre-existing history of chronic disease, as well as the manifestations of shortness of breath and confusion during acute COVID-19 infection, were identified as independent predictors of fatigue. Conclusion: To facilitate timely and effective intervention for post-acute COVID-19 fatigue, it is essential to continuously monitor the individuals who have recovered from acute COVID-19 infection. Also, it is critical to raise health-education among these patients to improve their quality of life. Future research is required to determine whether COVID-19 survivors would experience fatigue for an extended duration and the impact of existing interventions on its prevalence and severity.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Prevalence of Hallux Valgus in the General Population.

The objective of this systematic review was to determine the prevalence of hallux valgus (HV) in the general population by conducting a review and meta-analysis of existing studies. Published articles on the incidence of HV were systematically searched and evaluated on reputable medical databases such as PubMed. The keywords "the prevalence of hallux valgus and/or bunions"were used to create the search syntax on the various databases. Data were gathered on prevalence, population under study, and methodology. A total of 11 articles that met the search criteria were identified and included in this review for a total of 10,886 participants across the studies. The pooled prevalence of HV across the studies was3.75 (95% confidence interval = 0.388-0.517). Therefore, the prevalence varied widely across the studies reviewed. Prevalence was observed to be high among females and increased with risk factors such as body mass index, which were identified as significant across the studies. This review was limited by insufficient data and the lack of a standard HV diagnosis method. Therefore, a standard HV diagnosis tool is recommended.

Accuracy of Root ZX Electronic Apex Locator in Relation to Two Different Employment Protocols: An In Vitro Study.

Objective The aim of this study is to determine the apical level of the root canal, whether it is the apical foramen or a level coronal to it, that Root ZX (J. Morita Co., Kyoto, Japan) targets and to identify its employment protocol that provides better accuracy. Methods Actual lengths (ALs) of 75 extracted single-rooted teeth were obtained by inserting a K-file size 8 until its tip was in level with the most coronal border of the apical foramen. Reference length (RL) was calculated by deducting 0.5 mm from AL. Roots were placed in porous sponge block soaked with Ringer's solution, and canals were irrigated with 2 mL of 5% sodium hypochlorite. The blinded operator used Root ZX to measure lengths with K-file size 8. In the first tested employment protocol, the file was advanced to the "APEX mark" of the digital display, and the length was obtained. The second employment protocol followed the manufacturer's recommendations by inserting the file until the "APEX mark" followed by its withdrawal to the "0.5 mark." Stability of the digital meter for 5 seconds was mandatory before recording the lengths. All measurements were repeated one week later and then both measurements were averaged to represent "APEX mark" and "0.5 mark," respectively. Data were analyzed using t-test, with significance set at 0.05. Results Regardless of the employment protocol, most registered lengths were longer than targeted. The mean "APEX mark" was significantly longer than the mean AL (P=0.000), and the mean "0.5 mark" was significantly longer than the mean RL (P=0.000). Although the mean "0.5 mark" was longer than the mean AL, the difference was not significant (P=0.07). Conclusion The apical level of the root canal targeted by the Root ZX was the apical foramen. The most accurate employment protocol to achieve that is to use the Root ZX according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Enhancement of Bottle Gourd Oil Activity via Optimized Self-Dispersing Lipid Formulations (SDLFs) to Mitigate Isoproterenol-Evoked Cardiac Toxicity in Rats via Modulating BMP, MMP2, and miRNA-21 and miRNA-23a Genes' Expression.

Bottle gourd (BG) oil (family Cucurbitaceae) has several pharmacological activities including a reduction of the hazard of cardiovascular and atherosclerosis conditions. This work aimed to develop and optimize self-dispersing lipid formulations (SDLFs) of BG oil by applying a full 32 factorial design. The formulation variables (oil concentration and surfactant mixture ratio) showed an obvious impact on the characters of the prepared BG-SDLFs including droplet size (DS), polydispersity index (PDI), emulsification time (ET), and transmission percentage (Tr%). The optimum BG-SDLF composed of 30% oil and Tween 80/Cremophor® RH40 (1:1) showed good emulsification characteristics and a better drug release profile compared with BG oil. In vivo study in isoproterenol-injected rats showed that BG oil and the optimized BG-SDLF improved cardiac function, by elevating the miRNA-23a gene expression level and decreasing miRNA-21 gene expression. They also caused the inhibition of the plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), cystatin c, galectin-3, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and cardiac troponin T (cTnT). Our study demonstrated that BG oil and the optimized BG-SDLF provided a cardioprotection against isoproterenol-induced cardiac toxicity with better results in groups treated with the optimized BG-SDLF.

Characterization of Portulaca oleracea Whole Plant: Evaluating Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antibacterial, and Antiviral Activities and Application as Quality Enhancer in Yogurt.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is rich in phenolic compounds, protein, and iron. This study aims to produce functional yogurt with enhanced antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties by including safe purslane extract in yogurt formulation; the yogurt was preserved for 30 days at 4 °C, and then biochemical fluctuations were monitored. The purslane extract (PuE) had high phenolic compounds and flavonoids of 250 and 56 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, PuE had considerable antioxidant activity, which scavenged 93% of DPPH˙, inhibited the viability of MCF-7, HCT, and HeLa cell lines by 84, 82, and 80%, respectively, and inhibited 82% of the interaction between the binding between Spike and ACE2 compared to a SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor test kit. PuE (20-40 µg/mL) inhibited the growth of tested pathogenic bacteria and Candida strains, these strains isolated from spoild yogurt and identified at gene level by PCR. Caffeic acid glucoside and catechin were the main phenolic compounds in the HPLC profile, while the main flavor compound was carvone and limonene, representing 71% of total volatile compounds (VOCs). PuE was added to rats' diets at three levels (50, 150, and 250 µg/g) compared to butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The body weight of the rats fed the PuE diet (250 µg/g) increased 13% more than the control. Dietary PuE in rats' diets lowered the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by 72% and increased the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) by 36%. Additionally, liver parameters in rats fed PuE (150 µg/g) decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 50, 43, and 25%, respectively, while TP, TA, and GSH were increased by 20, 50, and 40%, respectively, compared to BHA. Additionally, PuE acts as a kidney protector by lowering creatinine and urea. PuE was added to yogurt at three concentrations (50, 150, and 250 µg/g) and preserved for 30 days compared to the control. The yogurt's pH reduced during storage while acidity, TSS, and fat content increased. Adding PuE increased the yogurt's water-holding capacity, so syneresis decreased and viscosity increased, which was attributed to enhancing the texture properties (firmness, consistency, and adhesiveness). MDA decreased in PuE yogurt because of the antioxidant properties gained by PuE. Additionally, color parameters L and b were enhanced by PuE additions and sensorial traits, i.e., color, flavor, sugary taste, and texture were enhanced by purslane extract compared to the control yogurt. Concerning the microbial content in the yogurt, the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count was maintained as a control. Adding PuE at concentrations of 50, 150, and 250 µg/g to the yogurt formulation can enhance the quality of yogurt.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women: a hospital-based cross-sectional study in Sudan.

Introduction: Pregnancy increases the risk of developing a severe illness due to COVID-19 infection. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has been conducted on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women in Sudan. Hence, this study aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and its predictors among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 623 pregnant women attending Gadarif maternity hospital in eastern Sudan through a structured questionnaire. Data were obtained on sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric and health-related characteristics, COVID-19 infection, and vaccination-related information, as well as beliefs about and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination. Results: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the pregnant women was 2.7%. The vaccine acceptance was higher if their husband's education was secondary school or higher [adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-16.65, p = 0.035] and discussion of COVID-19 vaccine with the pregnant women by a health care professional in the hospital (AOR 5.46, 95% CI 1.94-15.35, p < 0.001). The most common reasons for resistance to the vaccine were concerns about the side effects of the vaccine for the mother and her baby. Conclusion: Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination among the pregnant women was very low. Discussions with pregnant women and their husbands by health care professionals regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccine for the mother and her baby are highly recommended.

Attitudes and Practices of the Public Toward Precautionary Measures Post-COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the practices and attitudes of the general population towards coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID)-19 after the removal of precautionary and preventive measures in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population in all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from September 2022 to October, 2022 via a virtual survey to evaluate the practices, and attitudes of the general population towards COVID-19. A stratified random sampling technique was applied to collect the sample with inclusion criteria for all individuals who are Arabic language speakers using social media platforms. The individuals selected for this study were 18 years and older. Results: A total of 2406 responses were received for the study questionnaire. Most of participants (66.3%) were females aged 18 to 29 years (61.8%). Half of the participants reported a positive history of COVID-19 infection. Nearly 90% of participants still wear masks, 80% attended a crowded event, and 60% often wash their hands even though the Saudi government has erased the precautions. Females, young (30-39 years) and elderly (60 years and over) individuals, singles, those with a postgraduate degree, those who are employed, and healthcare workers were more likely to adhere to COVID-19 precautionary measures (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study's findings indicate that most of the population discontinued practicing precautionary measures after lifting the measures in Saudi Arabia. More public health initiatives should raise the scores of sanitary best practices to prevent the spread of viral illnesses.

Ocular Chemical Injuries in Western Saudi Arabia: A Study of the Public's Level of Knowledge and Experience.

BACKGROUND: Chemical burns are potentially blinding eye injuries and are serious ocular emergencies that necessitate prompt evaluation and treatment. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and experience of the current practice of ocular chemical injuries among the general population in western Saudi Arabia. METHODS: An electronic self-administrated structured survey was distributed among citizens using social media channels in November 2022. RESULTS: This survey includes 929 participants from western Saudi Arabia. Most of the participants were more than 20 years old (82.7%), while females represented 82.7%. Most participants reported an inadequate level of awareness about previous hearing of ocular chemical injury terms compared with their level of knowledge, in which the majority (56.62%) showed a good level of understanding. Female participants, participants 20 years old or older, and Saudis corresponded significantly with a good level of knowledge (p-values <0.001, <0.00, and 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study showed a fair level of knowledge compared to awareness, which can be improved by further national studies in the Saudi region. We recommend expanding the studies' findings and developing suitable interventions, like health awareness campaigns about ocular chemical damage and prompt corrective measures.

A Case of Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis in a 15-Year-Old Female Patient.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is an extremely rare pulmonary disease that can be classified into primary, secondary, or congenital types. It typically presents with a pattern of interstitial lung disease. This rare condition is even rare in the adolescent or pediatric age group, making this case particularly rare and interesting. We report a case of a 15-year-old girl who presented with a four-month history of dry cough and exertional dyspnea. After performing a high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with analysis of the BAL fluid, she was eventually diagnosed with PAP. She was then referred to a higher qualified center, where a whole lung lavage (WLL) was performed, resulting in significant improvement of her symptoms.

Light and scanning electron microscopic characterization of the Egyptian buffalo hair in relation to age with analysis by SEM-EDX.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a relationship between the microstructure and measurements of Egyptian buffalo hair and age. The buffalo studied ranged in age from young to premature to adult (3-8 months, 1.5-3, 4-6, and 8-10 years). The hair was collected from the animals' withers. Cuticle elements were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Hair shaft diameter increased with age, according to SEM and light microscopy measurements. The values of shaft diameter obtained by SEM of the same animal were 64%-67% of the values obtained by light microscopy due to shrinkage of the hair during the drying process. Additional microscopy measurements revealed that the width of the cortex and medulla increased with age, while the width of the cuticle decreased slightly. The medulla index of four different age groups ranged from 0.56 to 0.61 µm. The average distance between successive scale values increased from 4.83 µm in the young group to 8.86 µm between the ages of 8 and 10 years. The scale pattern had a distinct personality at each stage of age. The hair medulla was in the center and consisted of a mesh-like structure with large pores divided into smaller pores by septa. The cortex was a bundle of fibers that wrapped around the medulla. Light microscopy revealed small oval granules and large streak-like granules in the cortex. EDX spectra revealed that carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen were shown to be more abundant in all age groups of buffalo. In buffalo hair, oxygen was the second most abundant element after carbon. The carbon mass in the examined samples decreased slightly with age (42.31%, 39.18%, 38.88%, and 38.49%), while oxygen increased with age. We concluded that hair measurements varied with age, scale microstructure, and elements, so we estimated buffalo animals' ages up to 10 years. HIGHLIGHTS: The goal was to show a link between the microstructure and measurements of Egyptian buffalo hair and age. Hair shaft diameter increased with age, according to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy measurements. The hair shaft diameter obtained by light microscopy was higher than that obtained by scanning electron microscopy of the same animal; we hypothesized that the difference in hair shaft diameter measured by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the same animal was due to the shrinkage of the hair during the drying process. The width of the cortex and medulla increased with age, while the width of the cuticle decreased slightly. The average distance between successive scale values increased from 4.83 µm in the young group to 8.86 µm between 8 and 10 years old. At each stage of age, the scale pattern had a distinct personality. Carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen were found to be more abundant in the hair of buffalo of all ages and were detected using energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra. After carbon, oxygen was the second most abundant element in buffalo hair. The carbon mass in the samples studied decreased slightly with age, while the oxygen mass increased. Hair measurements varied according to age, scale microstructure, and elements.

Building consensus around the assessment and interpretation of Symbiodiniaceae diversity.

Within microeukaryotes, genetic variation and functional variation sometimes accumulate more quickly than morphological differences. To understand the evolutionary history and ecology of such lineages, it is key to examine diversity at multiple levels of organization. In the dinoflagellate family Symbiodiniaceae, which can form endosymbioses with cnidarians (e.g., corals, octocorals, sea anemones, jellyfish), other marine invertebrates (e.g., sponges, molluscs, flatworms), and protists (e.g., foraminifera), molecular data have been used extensively over the past three decades to describe phenotypes and to make evolutionary and ecological inferences. Despite advances in Symbiodiniaceae genomics, a lack of consensus among researchers with respect to interpreting genetic data has slowed progress in the field and acted as a barrier to reconciling observations. Here, we identify key challenges regarding the assessment and interpretation of Symbiodiniaceae genetic diversity across three levels: species, populations, and communities. We summarize areas of agreement and highlight techniques and approaches that are broadly accepted. In areas where debate remains, we identify unresolved issues and discuss technologies and approaches that can help to fill knowledge gaps related to genetic and phenotypic diversity. We also discuss ways to stimulate progress, in particular by fostering a more inclusive and collaborative research community. We hope that this perspective will inspire and accelerate coral reef science by serving as a resource to those designing experiments, publishing research, and applying for funding related to Symbiodiniaceae and their symbiotic partnerships.

Influence of Hand File Size on the Accuracy of Root ZX and iPex Electronic Apex Locators: An In Vitro Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the hand file size on the accuracy of Root ZX (J. Morita Co., Kyoto, Japan) and iPex (NSK, Tochigi, Japan). METHODS: Seventy-five single-rooted teeth were decoronated, and canals were coronally flared with Gates Glidden burs sizes 4, 3, and 2. Actual canal length was determined by averaging two readings obtained by inserting K-file size 8 until its tip was apparent at the most coronal border of the apical foramen. The reference length was actual length-0.5 mm. The blinded operator utilized Root ZX and iPex following the manufacturer's recommendations. Teeth were placed in sponge blocks soaked with Ringer's solution. Canals were irrigated with 5% sodium hypochlorite. K-file size 8 was attached to the lip clip and introduced until the APEX/0.0 mark, then withdrawn to the 0.5 mark. A stable meter gauge for five seconds indicated an acceptable reading. Readings with sizes 10 and 15 were obtained afterward. All measurements were done twice, then averaged. Data analysis was done using ANOVA and a posthoc Bonferroni test with the significance level set at P<0.05. RESULTS: For Root ZX, the mean length with size 8 was not significantly different from the mean reference length (P=0.205). The same was found for its mean length at size 10 (P=0.093). However, the mean Root ZX length with size 15 was significantly shorter than the mean reference length (P=0.019). Mean iPex lengths with sizes 8, 10, and 15 were all significantly shorter than the mean reference length (P=0.038, 0.006, and 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: The size of the hand file affected the precision of Root ZX and iPex.