Separation and Staging Mechanisms for the Indian SLV-3 Launch Vehicle

A unique separation and jettison system for the ascent fairing and a staging system for the apogee motor of the first Indian satellite launch vehicle are described. Design features, development problems, and mission constraints are discussed in addition to the solutions adopted. A qualification summary is included for each system, and flight results obtained from SLV-3 launches are described

An overview of vaccine development for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to endanger world health and the economy. The causative SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has a unique replication system. The end point of the COVID-19 pandemic is either herd immunity or widespread availability of an effective vaccine. Multiple candidate vaccines - peptide, virus-like particle, viral vectors (replicating and nonreplicating), nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), live attenuated virus, recombinant designed proteins and inactivated virus - are presently under various stages of expansion, and a small number of vaccine candidates have progressed into clinical phases. At the time of writing, three major pharmaceutical companies, namely Pfizer and Moderna, have their vaccines under mass production and administered to the public. This review aims to investigate the most critical vaccines developed for COVID-19 to date

COVID-19 specialized diabetes clinic model for excellence in diabetes care: scientific perspective

While diabetes centers are well established by the Ministry of Health, there is no separate specialized diabetes clinics for COVID-19 patients (SDCs). There are several clinical diabetes centers throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, several of which have been developed through philanthropy funding; nevertheless, it is not obvious what distinguishes SDCs from a therapeutic viewpoint and what the potential would be for such centers. Through this context, we suggest a structure to direct the progress of SDCs. Defining protocols for wider adoption of SDCs as a means to enhance public safety and COVID-19 patient care efficiency (including consistency and satisfaction) and minimize health care expenses becomes increasingly essential when moving towards value-based sales and reimbursements away from service charges. It is wise to introduce innovative financial mechanisms to pay for diabetes that cannot be covered by fiscally limited private and university medical centers. We foresee potential clinical SDCs to be made up of a well-defined framework and six areas or foundations that act as basic guiding principles for the advancement of diabetes treatment skills that can be easily illustrated by stakeholders, including insurance facilities, consumers, payers and government departments

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

BackgroundDespite 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionTo 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

Risk and diagnostic factors and therapy outcome of neonatal early onset sepsis in ICU patients of Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta analysis

BackgroundNeonatal early onset sepsis (NEOS) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition affecting newborns within the first few days of life. While the diagnosis of NEOS was based on clinical signs and symptoms in the past, recent years have seen growing interest in identifying specific diagnostic factors and optimizing therapy outcomes. This study aims to investigate the diagnostic and risk factors and therapy outcomes of neonatal EOS in ICU patients in Saudi Arabia, with the goal of improving the management of neonatal EOS in the country.MethodsThis method outlines the protocol development, search strategy, study selection, and data collection process for a systematic review on neonatal early onset sepsis in Saudi Arabian ICU patients, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) is a well-established guideline that provides a framework for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses in a transparent and standardized manner. It aims to improve the quality and reporting of such research by ensuring clear and comprehensive reporting of study methods, results, and interpretations. The search strategy included electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library) and manual search of relevant studies, and data were extracted using a standardized form.ResultsThe systematic review included 21 studies on neonatal sepsis in Saudi Arabia, with varying study designs, sample sizes, and prevalence rates of sepsis. Group B streptococcus and E. coli were the most commonly isolated pathogens. Various diagnostic factors and risk factors were reported, including hematological parameters, biomarkers, and blood cultures. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Joanna Briggs Institute critical checklist.ConclusionsThe review identified a number of risk and diagnostic factors and therapy outcomes for neonatal sepsis. However, most of the studies were having small scale cohort groups. Further research with controlled study designs is needed to develop effective prevention and management strategies for neonatal sepsis in Saudi Arabia

The viral capsid as novel nanomaterials for drug delivery

The purpose of this review is to highlight recent scientific developments and provide an overview of virus self-assembly and viral particle dynamics. Viruses are organized supramolecular structures with distinct yet related features and functions. Plant viruses are extensively used in biotechnology, and virus-like particulate matter is generated by genetic modification. Both provide a material-based means for selective distribution and delivery of drug molecules. Through surface engineering of their capsids, virus-derived nanomaterials facilitate various potential applications for selective drug delivery. Viruses have significant implications in chemotherapy, gene transfer, vaccine production, immunotherapy and molecular imaging

Comparison of total endoscopic thyroidectomy with conventional open thyroidectomy for treatment of papillary thyroid cancer

BackgroundRecent advance of endoscopic techniques has allowed surgeons to perform thyroidectomy via an incision placement at hidden places which lead to better cosmetic acceptability compared with conventional open thyroidectomy.AimsThis study was conducted to summarize the current evidence that compare open thyroidectomy with endoscopic ‎thyroidectomy in treatment of papillary thyroid cancer‎.‎Methods An electronic literature review, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO that examining randomized trials of endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET), conventional open thyroidectomy (COT), and management of papillary thyroid carcinoma was carried out.Results The review included 8 randomized studies that compare total endoscopic thyroidectomy versus conventional open thyroidectomy in treatment of papillary thyroid cancer. The findings showed endoscopic thyroidectomy had statically significant cosmetic appearance, less amount of blood loss and occurrence of transient hypocalcaemia than conventional open thyroidectomy in form of cosmetic outcome, amount lower blood loss.ConclusionThe current review showed that, ET has a better cosmetic outcome and lower blood loss compared with COT. While COT was associated with significantly low operation time, hospital stay, drainage time, amount of drainage fluid and transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy

Oral semaglutide adequate glycaemia control with safe cardiovascular ‎profile

BackgroundType 2 diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that ‎associated with series complication such as major adverse ‎cardiovascular events. Adequate glycaemic control proven ‎to reduce this risk. Orally administered semaglutide ‎promising medication in managing patient with type 2 ‎diabetes.‎AimsTo assess the cardiovascular safety and efficacy of semaglutide, a recently approved glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) for type 2 diabetes.Methods Pub Med, ‎Google Scholar, and EBSCO ‎ databases were ‎systematically search for relevant articles. The terms‎ diabetes‎, Glucagon-like peptide, semaglutide‎ were used. Out of hundred twenty-two records, only ‎four fulfilled ‎the inclusion criteria.Results Four placebo-controlled studies with oral semaglutide ‎were included. Single study concern about the cardiovascular safety of oral semaglutide ‎and showed that, ‎compared with placebo, semaglutide ‎ was not associated ‎with increased in the cardiovascular events. On the other ‎hand, the remaining trials shown that, semaglutide ‎ can ‎effectively control the blood glucose as evident by ‎reduction in HA1c.ConclusionOral semaglutide can effectively and safely lower blood glucose without increase in the major adverse ‎cardiovascular events‎‎ (MACE).

Environmental effects of ozone depletion, UV radiation and interactions with climate change : UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, update 2017

Peer reviewe

AGENCY BANKING STRATEGIES AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION OF RURAL AREAS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

The nexus between agency banking strategies and financial inclusion have been a debatable paradox for a long period of time due to the important role play by deposit money banks in finance inclusive economy functions. However, the goal of financial inclusion has not been achieved due to geographical distance of banks to rural area, poor bank innovation and technological advancement to rural settlement. The study investigates the effect of agency banking strategies (bank innovation strategy, geographical coverage strategy, and technological advancement strategy) on financial inclusion in rural areas in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study employed primary data obtained from respondents through administration of questionnaire within the period of 2019 and 2020. The data obtained were subjected to reliability and validity tests as well as Tobit Regression method of analysis. Findings revealed that agency banking strategies such as bank innovation strategy, geographical coverage strategy and technological advancement strategy have positive and significant effect on financial inclusion of rural areas in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study concludes that agency banking strategies enhance financial inclusion of rural areas in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study recommends that deposit money banks management should extend bank innovative products or services and enlighten the rural segment entrepreneurs on bank inclusion strategies so as to increase inclusive financial services and economic activities for the rural segments