Umm Al-Qura University

Non-coding RNAs have gathered significant attention for their unique roles in biological regulation. Across a broad spectrum of developmental processes and diseases, particularly in human malignancies, ncRNAs play pivotal roles in regulatory mechanisms. MicroRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and small nucleolar RNAs stand out among the diverse forms of ncRNAs that have been implicated in cancer. MiRNAs, classified as short non-coding RNAs, modulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNA molecules, thereby inhibiting their translation. Altered miRNA expression has been associated with the onset and progression of various malignancies, including lung, breast, and prostate cancer. In contrast, lncRNAs, characterized as longer ncRNAs, exert control over gene expression through various mechanisms, such as chromatin remodelling and gene silencing. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the numerous ncRNAs that have emerged as crucial regulators of gene expression, playing implicated roles in the initiation and progression of diverse cancers.

Exosomal non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have become essential contributors to advancing and treating lung cancers (LCs). The development of liquid biopsies that utilize exosomal ncRNAs (exo-ncRNAs) offers an encouraging method for diagnosing, predicting, and treating LC. This thorough overview examines the dual function of exo-ncRNAs as both indicators for early diagnosis and avenues for LC treatment. Exosomes are tiny vesicles secreted by various cells, including cancerous cells, enabling connection between cells by delivering ncRNAs. These ncRNAs, which encompass circular RNAs, long ncRNAs, and microRNAs, participate in the modulation of gene expression and cellular functions. In LC, certain exo-ncRNAs are linked to tumour advancement, spread, and treatment resistance, positioning them as promising non-invasive indicators in liquid biopsies. Additionally, targeting these ncRNAs offers potential for innovative treatment approaches, whether by suppressing harmful ncRNAs or reinstating the activity of tumour-suppressing ones. This review emphasizes recent developments in the extraction and analysis of exo-ncRNAs, their practical applications in LC treatment, and the challenges and prospects for translating these discoveries into clinical usage. Through this detailed examination of the current state of the art, we aim to highlight the significant potential of exo-ncRNAs for LC diagnostics and treatments.

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

Purpose of review This article explores the benefits and challenges of dual organ transplants. Recent findings Simultaneous liver-kidney transplant has become a valuable option for patients with both liver and kidney failure, especially since the introduction of clearer eligibility guidelines in 2017. When done for the appropriate candidate, it can significantly improve survival and quality of life. Similarly, simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation provides significant advantages for patients with diabetes-related kidney failure by addressing both glycemic control and kidney function, with significant improvement in diabetes associated complications and survival. Summary While these procedures are complex, they offer promising solutions for managing difficult multiorgan conditions. Ongoing research and personalized patient care will be key to maximizing their benefits.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition marked by cognitive deterioration and changes in behavior. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which hydrolyzes acetylcholine, is a key drug target for treating AD. This research aimed to identify new AChE inhibitors using the IMPPAT database. We used known drugs as a basis to search for similar chemicals in the IMPPAT database and created a library of 127 plant-based compounds. Initial screening of these compounds was performed using molecular docking, followed by an analysis of their drug-likeness and ADMET properties. Compounds with favorable properties underwent density functional theory (DFT) calculations to assess their electronic properties such as HOMO-LUMO gap, electron density, and molecular orbital distribution. These descriptors provided insights into each compound’s reactivity, stability, and binding potential with AChE. Promising candidates were further evaluated through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations over 100 ns and MMPBSA analysis for the last 30 ns. Two compounds, Biflavanone (IMPHY013027) with a binding free energy of − 130.394 kcal/mol and Calomelanol J (IMPHY007737) with − 107.908 kcal/mol, demonstrated strong binding affinities compared to the reference molecule HOR, which has a binding free energy of − 105.132 kcal/mol. These compounds exhibited promising drug-ability profiles in both molecular docking and MD simulations, indicating their potential as novel AChE inhibitors for AD treatment. However, further experimental validation is necessary to verify their effectiveness and safety.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prominent reason of blindness globally, which is a diagnostically challenging disease owing to the intricate process of its development and the human eye’s complexity, which consists of nearly forty connected components like the retina, iris, optic nerve, and so on. This study proposes a novel approach to the identification of DR employing methods such as synthetic data generation, K- Means Clustering-Based Binary Grey Wolf Optimizer (KCBGWO), and Fully Convolutional Encoder-Decoder Networks (FCEDN). This is achieved using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to generate high-quality synthetic data and transfer learning for accurate feature extraction and classification, integrating these with Extreme Learning Machines (ELM). The substantial evaluation plan we have provided on the IDRiD dataset gives exceptional outcomes, where our proposed model gives 99.87% accuracy and 99.33% sensitivity, while its specificity is 99. 78%. This is why the outcomes of the presented study can be viewed as promising in terms of the further development of the proposed approach for DR diagnosis, as well as in creating a new reference point within the framework of medical image analysis and providing more effective and timely treatments.

Cardiovascular arrhythmia, characterized by irregular heart rhythms, poses significant health risks, including stroke and heart failure, making accurate and early detection critical for effective treatment. Traditional detection methods often struggle with challenges such as imbalanced datasets, limiting their ability to identify rare arrhythmia types. This study proposes a novel hybrid approach that integrates ConvNeXt-X deep learning models with advanced data balancing techniques to improve arrhythmia classification accuracy. Specifically, we evaluated three ConvNeXt variants—ConvNeXtTiny, ConvNeXtBase, and ConvNeXtSmall—combined with Random Oversampling (RO) and SMOTE-TomekLink (STL) on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database. Experimental results demonstrate that the ConvNeXtTiny model paired with STL achieved the highest accuracy of 99.75%, followed by ConvNeXtTiny with RO at 99.72%. The STL technique consistently enhanced minority class detection and overall performance across models, with ConvNeXtBase and ConvNeXtSmall achieving accuracies of 99.69% and 99.72%, respectively. These findings highlight the efficacy of ConvNeXt-X models, when coupled with robust data balancing techniques, in achieving reliable and precise arrhythmia detection. This methodology holds significant potential for improving diagnostic accuracy and supporting clinical decision-making in healthcare.

In this work, barium hexaferrite/perovskite BaFe12O19/Pr1-xSrxCoyMn1-yO3 composite ferrites were synthesized using single step sol–gel auto-combustion method. The lattice parameters and stabilized structural phases were studied using x-ray diffraction (XRD). The average crystallite size was found in the range of 51.6 nm–71.7 nm. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) micrographs showed agglomerated particles having hexagonal as well as platelets like spherical shapes. Magnetic measurements done using vibrating sample magnetometer revealed that composite S3 (BaFe12O19/Pr0.75Sr0.25Co0.25Mn0.75O3) exhibits low saturation magnetization (35.3 emu g⁻¹), and coercivity (775 Oe). Dielectric analysis revealed that, at 1 MHz frequency, the tangent loss (1.3) and dielectric loss (22.5) are highest for the composite S3 (BaFe12O19/Pr0.75Sr0.25Co0.25Mn0.75O3), whereas largest dielectric constant (20.7) was exhibited by S4 (BaFe12O19/Pr0.5Sr0.5Co0.5Mn0.5O3). Similarly, composite S2 (BaFe12O19/PrMnO3) (having the highest quality factor of 4.05) exhibited the largest resistivity (18885.8 Ω-cm), while composite S3 (BaFe12O19/Pr0.75Sr0.25Co0.25Mn0.75O3) showed highest AC conductivity (0.00125 (Ω-cm)⁻¹). The investigated composites are found excellent choice for designing devices for applications involving high-frequency interference and electromagnetic shielding due to their unique magnetic and dielectric properties.

Background Career or specialty choice is one of the crucial steps of a medical student’s life. It’s a difficult yet important decision that is hard to reverse after getting into the residency program. The recent catastrophic experience of shortage and maldistribution of the health workforce among different specialties during the recent pandemic has made it critical for the authorities to look into the motivators and determinants for the specialty choice from the undergraduate medical student’s perspective. Therefore, the study aimed to find out the major factors affecting career choice and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the specialty choice of medical students in Saudi Arabia. Method This qualitative exploratory study was carried out to explore the factors affecting the specialty choice and effects of COVID-19 on the specialty choice of senior medical students and interns of Saudi Arabia by utilizing semi-structured audio-recoded interviews. Participants of the study were enrolled by convenient sampling after informed written consent. Data were transcribed and thematic analysis was done to extract the themes. Result A total of 28 medical students and 14 interns participated in the study. The study identified five major themes with 18 relevant subthemes. The subthemes derived from the transcribed data were arranged under the following key themes; recognizing the determinants for specialty choice, financial expectation, gender specificity/stereotype, the impact of COVID-19, and concomitant motivation factors. Conclusion The right selection of a suitable future career is pivotal and strongly associated with future job success and satisfaction for a medical graduate. The study has provided insight to the regulatory bodies about student’s fears and factors affecting them to choose or avoid certain specialties to formulate a future resource management plan accordingly.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressiveneurodegenerative condition is marked by extensive damage in the brain and dementia. Among the pathological hallmarks of AD is beta‐amyloid (Aβ). Production of toxic Aβ oligomers production and accumulation in the brain is among the characteristic features of the disease. The abnormal accumulation Aβ is initiated by the catalytic degradation of Amyloid Precursor Proteins (APP) by Beta Amyloid Cleaving Enzyme 1 (BACE1) to generate insoluble amyloid plaques. The abnormal proteins are mitochondrial poison which disrupt the energy production and liberate excessive free radicals causing neuronal damage and mutations. Consequently, targeting Aβ‐associated pathways has become a focus in the pursuit of developing effective AD treatments. An obstacle faced by many medications used to treat neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) is the restricted permeability across the blood‐brain barrier (BBB). Unfortunately, no anti‐amyloid drug is clinically approved till now. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have provided a possible solution for delivering medications to specific targets. By integrating natural products with nano‐medicinal approaches, it is possible to develop novel and highly efficient therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AD.

Functionally graded porous structures are at the forefront of material innovation, providing a flexible solution to suit the wide range of requirements in modern engineering applications. The capacity of these materials to integrate customized porosity with variable mechanical properties not only improves performance but also promotes improvements in performance, efficiency, and durability. One of the main contributions of this research its a comprehensive method of including porosity effects in the thermal buckling load analysis of functionally graded plates. Also, this study aims to apply the Quasi-3D theory to investigate the influence of porosity on the thermal critical buckling load of functionally graded plates. The plates demonstrate microscopic heterogeneity, with material characteristics changing continually according to a modified polynomial function. The primary goal is to investigate how different porosity distributions (even, uneven, and logarithmic uneven) influence the thermal critical buckling load under different thermal load circumstances. The governing equations are derived using a Quasi-3D deformation theory that takes into account transverse normal strain. Navier’s method is used to investigate simply supported FG plates, both perfect and imperfect, under uniform, linear, and nonlinear thermal loads. Numerical simulations are used to calculate the thermal critical buckling for various geometries, thermal loading conditions and porosity characteristics. The results show that the porosity distribution has a substantial influence on increasing the thermal critical buckling load of FG porous plates. The model of even porosity distribution has the largest thermal critical buckling load, whereas the model of logarithmic-uneven porosity distribution has the lowest thermal critical buckling load, indicating that such distributions should be carefully considered in FGM design. The type of thermal loading condition applied to the plate has a significant impact on the thermal critical buckling of the plate. Moreover, various geometries, volume fraction index, and inclusion of thickness stretching are considered to examine the effect on the thermal critical buckling load response. Comparisons with literature are added to validate the accuracy of numerical findings. This research has the potential to offer comprehensive reference and useful guidance in the design and application of FG porous plate structures.

With the approval of the Federal Drug Agency of the USA in 2018, femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) became an officially available option in several countries including Saudi Arabia to treat myopia and astigmatism. Intense marketing by industries has placed both clients and corneal surgeons into a dilemma of the plus and minuses of this option. Although several reviews compare SMILE to other conventional methods, especially laser in situ keratomileusis, this narrative review perhaps for the first time offers a detailed summary of this procedure and compares two sets of published literature, by authors from China and other countries. The efficacy and safety of SMILE seem to outnumber the complications and high cost of the investment. Its long-term usefulness for treating high myopia and hyperopia is still a matter of research.

Introduction Nurses’ clinical competence is a significant concern in all healthcare settings due to the necessity of delivering high-quality patient care. Understanding and addressing the factors related to competence are crucial for promoting nurses’ clinical competence and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Producing and maintaining a skilled nursing workforce is essential to protect communities. Aim This study aimed to assess the level of self-evaluated clinical competence and its correlation with demographic and occupational variables among registered nurses employed at selected outpatient clinics in Egypt. Materials and methods The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design with a self-administered, two-part questionnaire that assessed participants’ demographic and occupational variables as well as perceived clinical competence in various healthcare settings. It took place at outpatient clinics of two governmental hospitals and five primary healthcare centers in Mansoura City, Egypt between January, and June 2023. A purposive sample of 450 nurses took part in this study. Results The average score of nurses’ clinical competence was 155.3±7.2 out of 230, indicating a “moderate level”. In terms of professional behaviors and general performance, the average score for clinical competence was 48.4±3.6 and 40.7±4.1 respectively. Additionally, the average score for clinical competence regarding core and advanced nursing skills were 43.4±3.0 and 22.8±1.5 respectively. Among the domains of clinical competence, the highest average score was associated with “professional behaviors” as it forms the backbone of nursing practice. There was a highly significant relationship between the average score of clinical competence and the participant’s age, sex, level of education, and years of clinical work experience (P<0.001). Conclusion Nurses perceived their level of clinical competence as moderate. To enhance nurses’ clinical competence, future studies and interventions should focus on promoting supportive work environments, providing ongoing education and training in advanced nursing skills, and the fostering development of critical thinking skills in nurses. Recommendations Healthcare organizations should implement educational interventions to enhance nurses’ clinical competence. These interventions should include continuous professional development opportunities, mentorship programs, inclusive training initiatives, and structured feedback mechanisms. These measures will help nurses stay up-to-date with the latest practices and technologies, create a supportive learning atmosphere, and address the unique needs and challenges faced by nurses of different genders and specialties.

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae is a primary pest attack many kinds of crops. It causes a lot of loss and reduces the economic values of products. The study investigated to determine the insecticidal effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using Juniperus phoenicea (TiO2 NPs) against the insect, and the nutritional and antimicrobial value of rice grains after treatment by TiO2 NPs was estimated. Adult was the target of bioassay of the biocomponent. Four concentrations were prepared as 30, 50, 80 and 100%. Some biochemical components were evaluated as response indicators of insect. Obtained data demonstrated significant differences between the four concentrations, where the highest mortality was recorded after 120 h. On the adults (85%). Treatment with the titanium dioxide nanoparticles inhibited the activities of acetylcholine esterase and total soluble protein. While it increases the activity of catalase as antioxidant enzyme. Nutritional values increased with increasing the proportion of TiO2 NPs, except for the decrease in protein. No colonization of coliform bacteria and fungi cell was recorded in 80% of TiO2 NPs, aerobic bacteria were reduced to a lower number 12 CFU/g 103 at 100%. Biosynthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles with J. phoenicea extract is promising bio-insecticide and antimicrobial in integrated pest management control, preserving the nutritional value of grains during storage.

Plant growth regulators play an essential role in plants’ biochemical processes. In this study, foliar spray was applied using three growth regulators, gibberellic acid (GA3), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), to investigate their effects on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ‘Giza-171’ yield traits and grain biochemical constituents, including sugars, carbohydrates and protein. The assessed growth regulators (GA3, NAA, and BAP) were applied at 100 and 150 mg L-1 concentrations. The results indicated significant improvements in wheat grain yield and 1000-grain weight, which increased by 15.40% and 24.78%, respectively, using GA3 at 150 and 100 mg L-1. In addition, the highest contents of protein and carbohydrates were observed with samples treated by the foliar application of NAA at 150 mg L-1 and BAP at 100 mg L-1, respectively. The fat content in wheat grains increased by 1.97% and 2.73% with foliar spray with 150 mg L-1 NAA and 100 mg L-1 BAP, respectively. The lipid profile showed cis-linoleic acid was the primary fatty acid, followed by palmitic acid; the content of linoleic acid slightly increased with GA3 treatment to 50.42%, while palmitic acid significantly increased with 100 mg L-1 NAA. The total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids recorded 33.64% and 66.30%, respectively; the 150 mg L-1 NAA treatment had the lowest saturated fatty acid content. The SDS-PAGE profiles showed that growth regulators significantly enhanced the wheat protein where new bands appeared, especially in 100 mg L-1 GA3 and 100 mg L-1 BAP treatments. The applied growth regulators improved wheat yield, contents of some compounds, and nutritional value.

Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) are a major global health concern, but their underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Recent research highlights the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), particularly ANRIL, in cardiovascular development and disease. ANRIL, located in the human genome's 9p21 region, significantly regulates cardiovascular pathogenesis. It controls nearby tumor suppressor genes CDKN2A/B through epigenetic pathways, influencing cell growth and senescence. ANRIL interacts with epigenetic modifiers, leading to altered histone modifications and gene expression changes. It also acts as a transcriptional regulator, impacting key genes in CVD development. ANRIL's involvement in cardiovascular epigenetic regulation suggests potential therapeutic strategies. Manipulating ANRIL and its associated epigenetic modifiers could offer new approaches to managing CVDs and preventing their progression. Dysregulation of ANRIL has been linked to various cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction. This abstract provides insights from recent research, emphasizing ANRIL's significance in the epigenetic landscape of cardiovascular disorders. By shedding light on ANRIL's role in cellular processes and disease development, the abstract highlights its potential as a therapeutic target for addressing CVDs.

Salmonella spp. is an important foodborne pathogen and a leading cause of foodborne outbreaks worldwide. Shigella spp. is considered an important foodborne pathogen in low-income countries in Asia and Africa, where it is believed to be endemic in these regions. A broad range of selective plating and enrichment media have been formulated to detect and assess Salmonella and Shigella spp. during the outbreaks of food-related infections and regular food surveillance investigations. To date, culture media-based methods remain standard methods for the microbiological analysis of food and are approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This review elaborates on current culture media, which are employed in culture-based standard methods for Salmonella and Shigella spp. isolation and detection from food samples. The specificity and regulatory acceptance of time-consuming conventional culturing methods make them ‘gold standard’ pathogen detection protocols. However, alternate strategies become necessary because of culture methods’ low sensitivity and inability to detect viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells. The recent approaches with improved detection efficiencies include molecular techniques (PCR), DNA hybridization, and chromogenic culture media. Similarly, the usage of nanoparticles and immunosensors is also rising for pathogen detection. The integration of novel and conventional approaches could enhance the reliability, and sensitivity of routine pathogen surveillance.