Computational and experimental elucidation of the boosted stability and antibacterial activity of ZIF-67 upon optimized encapsulation with polyoxometalates

Water microbial purification is one of the hottest topics that threats human morbidity and mortality. It is indispensable to purify water using antimicrobial agents combined with several technologies and systems. Herein, we introduce a class of nanosized metal organic framework; Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) cages encapsulated with polyoxometalates synthesized via facile one-step co-precipitation method. We employed two types of polyoxometalates bioactive agents; phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) that act as novel antibacterial purification agents. Several characterization techniques were utilized to investigate the morphological, structural, chemical, and physical properties such as FESEM, EDS, FTIR, XRD, and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms techniques. The antibacterial assessment was evaluated using colony forming unit (CFU) against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as models of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. The PTA@ZIF-67 showed higher microbial inhibition against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by 98.8% and 84.6%, respectively. Furthermore, computational modeling using density functional theory was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of PTA when compared to PMA. The computational and experimental findings demonstrate that the fabricated POM@ZIF-67 materials exhibited outstanding bactericidal effect against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and effectively purify contaminated water

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE REGARDING VAGINAL RING AS A FORM OF CONTRACEPTION AMONG LEBANESE WOMEN

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of Lebanese women concerning the vaginal ring as a contraceptive means, and to assess their attitude regarding the usage of this form of contraception.502 participants of ages 20-49 were recruited to complete a 10-minute questionnaire to assess their contraceptive knowledge, awareness, and attitude towards the vaginal ring. Knowledge was evaluated among those who had heard about the ring by completing 16 questions. While those of no previous knowledge of the ring were directed towards a brief description about it. All participants completed 7 questions to assess their attitude towards the vaginal ring, and whether or not they might consider using it. Of all the participants 79.8 % recorded having knowledge about different forms of contraceptives, but only 29.1% knew about the ring. Of the latter, 105 had a score less than 50, and were thus considered to have poor knowledge. Whereas, 34 participants had a score of 50 and above, and were considered to have sufficient knowledge. Of the participants, 66.5% would not consider using the ring in the future. Age, level of education and enrollment in the medical field among other factors had a significant impact on the attitude of women towards the vaginal ring. Lack of advertisement, poor counselling from medical professionals, and unavailability of the product had a significant role in the inadequate awareness towards it. The ring did not seem appealing for most of the participants

High Stability Performance of Superhydrophobic Modified Fluorinated Graphene Films on Copper Alloy Substrates

A stable self-cleaning superhydrophobic modified fluorinated graphene surface with micro/nanostructure was successfully fabricated on copper substrates via drop coating process. Irregularly stacked island-like multilayered fluorinated graphene nanoflakes comprised the microstructure. The fabricated films exhibited outstanding superhydrophobic property with a water contact angle 167° and water sliding angle lower than 4°. The developed superhydrophobic surface showed excellent corrosion resistance with insignificant decrease of water contact angle 166° in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. This stable highly hydrophobic performance of the fluorinated graphene films could be useful in self-cleaning, antifogging, corrosion resistive coatings and microfluidic devices

The Aesthetics of Arab Identities in Contemporary Visual Arts: The Painting Practices of Alia Al-Farsi

Note from the correspondent author: This paper was conducted as a teamwork assignment under the supervision of the correspondent author Assistant Prof. Dr. Mohammed Baker Mohammed Al-Abbas during    the undergraduate course INTRODUCTION TO ART part of Visual Arts Bachelor Degree Program. Abstract The purpose of this study is to analyze the painting practices of the Omani artist Alai Al-Farsi in connecting feminine, cultural and Arab influences in her artworks. And to reveal the significance of such connections with contemporary Arab art from global perspectives in delivering cultural connotations. The present study contributes to visual arts research through further understanding of women's creativity according to cultural developments in Arab countries. The main outcomes of this research reveal the practices of contemporary Arab artists in selecting their subjects to express aesthetic thoughts addressing the cultural concerns of common people. Artists manipulate their artistic practices into the exhibition's spaces to resemble cultural identities in their artworks and endeavor to establish an advanced understanding of the contemporary visual cultures in the local Arab communities. In this case, they reflect on feminism, and they bring feminine subjects as well as assorted ideas that provide a more comprehensive range of iconographies to represent women and their belongings. The artistic representations of women in the painting practice show human dimensions and draw into consideration many cultural components to interpret and analyze the artwork. This investigation concentrated on the visual culture issues expressed by the Omani artist Alia Al-Farsi in her contemporary artworks. Also, the study utilizes the methodology of qualitative analysis to investigate the layers and the elements of feminine iconographies in the Arab contemporary arts to unveil the connections between being a woman, being an artist, and being an Arab. The significance of this critique rests on the objective outcome that reflects women-made art as feminine, cultural, folkloric and social. Nevertheless, the practices, themes, and activities create the feminine aesthetics connected through concurrent art practices manifested in global art functions. Keywords: Contemporary Arab Art, Painting, Visual Culture, A/R/Tography, Practical Research. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-3-21 Publication date: January 31st 202

A Novel Algorithm for Predicting Antimicrobial Resistance in Unequal Groups of Bacterial Isolates

Choosing antimicrobials is a common dilemma when the expected rate of bacterial resistance is high. The observed resistance values in unequal groups of isolates tested for different antimicrobials can be misleading. This can affect the decision to recommend one antibiotic over the other. We analyzed recalled data with the statistical consideration of unequal sample groups. Data was collected concerning children suspected to have typhoid fever at Al Alwyia Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. The study period extended from September 2021 to September 2022. A novel algorithm was developed to compare the drug sensitivity among unequal numbers of Salmonella typhi (S. Typhi) isolates tested with different antibacterials. According to the proposed algorithm, the predicted resistance values were more valid than the observed values. This proposed algorithm is expected to help the hospital antibiotic policy committee recommend the proper antibacterial agents for S. Typhi and further bacterial isolates

Support for UNRWA's survival

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides life-saving humanitarian aid for 5·4 million Palestine refugees now entering their eighth decade of statelessness and conflict. About a third of Palestine refugees still live in 58 recognised camps. UNRWA operates 702 schools and 144 health centres, some of which are affected by the ongoing humanitarian disasters in Syria and the Gaza Strip. It has dramatically reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases, mortality, and illiteracy. Its social services include rebuilding infrastructure and homes that have been destroyed by conflict and providing cash assistance and micro-finance loans for Palestinians whose rights are curtailed and who are denied the right of return to their homeland

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Perspective Chapter: The Toxic Silver (Hg)

In the late 1950s, residents of a Japanese fishing village known as “Minamata” began falling ill and dying at an alarming rate. The Japanese authorities stated that methyl-mercury-rich seafood and shellfish caused the sickness. Burning fossil fuels represent ≈52.7% of Hg emissions. The majorities of mercury’s compounds are volatile and thus travel hundreds of miles with wind before being deposited on the earth’s surface. High acidity and dissolved organic carbon increase Hg-mobility in soil to enter the food chain. Additionally, Hg is taken up by areal plant parts via gas exchange. Mercury has no identified role in plants while exhibiting high affinity to form complexes with soft ligands such as sulfur and this consequently inactivates amino acids and sulfur-containing antioxidants. Long-term human exposure to Hg leads to neurotoxicity in children and adults, immunological, cardiac, and motor reproductive and genetic disorders. Accordingly, remediating contaminated soils has become an obligation. Mercury, like other potentially toxic elements, is not biodegradable, and therefore, its remediation should encompass either removal of Hg from soils or even its immobilization. This chapter discusses Hg’s chemical behavior, sources, health dangers, and soil remediation methods to lower Hg levels

Bone morphogenetic protein 7 in dormancy and metastasis of prostate cancer stem-like cells in bone

BMP7 released by bone marrow stromal cells induces reversible senescence of prostate cancer stem-like cells, and BMPR2 expression inversely correlates with bone metastasis and recurrence in prostate cancer patients

Clinical Characteristics of Non-Intensive Care Unit COVID-19 Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The ongoing pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health concern. It has affected more than 5 million patients worldwide and resulted in an alarming number of deaths globally. While clinical characteristics have been reported elsewhere, data from our region is scarce. We investigated the clinical characteristics of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Data of 401 confirmed COVID-19 patients were collected from 22 April 2020 to 21 May 2020 at five tertiary care hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The patients were divided into four groups according to age, Group 1: 0-60 years; and their clinical symptoms were compared. Results: The median (IQR) age in years was 10.5 (1.5-16) in group I, 34 (29-41) in group II, 53 (51-56) in group III, and 66 (61-76) in group IV. Most patients were male (80%, n = 322) and of Arabian or Asian descent. The median length of stay in the hospital was 10 (8-17) days (range 3-42 days). The most common symptoms were cough (53.6%), fever (36.2%), fatigue (26.4%), dyspnea (21.9%), and sore throat (21.9%). Hypertension was the most common underlying comorbidity (14.7%), followed by obesity (11.5%), and diabetes (10%). Hypertensive patients were less likely to present with shortness of breath, cough, sputum, diarrhea, and fever. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the symptoms among different age groups and comorbidities were mostly seen in the older age group. Interestingly, hypertensive patients were found to have milder symptoms and a shorter length of stay. Further larger collaborative national studies are required to effectively understand clinical characteristics in our part of the world to efficiently manage and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2