Chemistry Learning Based on Kibas Asah Module (Wetland-Based Chemistry) Integrated AR-Sparkol on Buffer Solution Material: Students' Cognitive and Motivation Diagnostic

The learning process with a module based on local wisdom is the alternative way on how to make students' ability for analyzing and identifying be stronger, especially in learning chemistry and also their motivation. Chemistry learning does not only focus on material content but on how students can interpret content scientifically so that they have a broad and deep range of knowledge. This research was quantitative. It aimed to know the level of students' cognitive and motivation in learning chemistry where they were using a specific module. In this case, the kibas asah integrated Augmented Reality-Sparkol has been used. The research method used experimental research with the type of one-shot case study. The data collecting technique was a questionnaire, and it included a cognitive test and motivation. The data analyzing method was a descriptive statistics approach. The result showed that the level of students’ cognitive through two tests in a different location. Its value was in a row of 0,77 and 0,70 with “high” criteria, and students’ motivation value was 77,61 with strong criteria. These results showed that chemical learning based on the module was developed, and it can fix the quality of the students’ cognitive and motivation deeply. That is, the concept of research is not oriented towards the product produced, but how the product has implications for learning chemistry holistically, becoming a source of scientific reference, honing skills in using technology, creativity, critical thinking, mental models, habituating scientific attitudes, and increasing their knowledge both in terms of chemical content or environmental based references (local wisdom)

Knowledge and practice of protective personal equipment (PPE) among health care providers in Saudi Arabia during the early stages of COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020

Introduction. Health care providers are at high risk of becoming infected when taking care of patients who have COVID-19, especially while attending aerosol generating procedures. Protective personal equipment must be used in the correct manner to prevent transmission of the disease. Published protocols on protective personal equipment (PPE) donning and doffing have been issued by disease control agencies. Methods. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was designed. An online anonymous questionnaire, which was validated and tested for reliability, focused on PPE related knowledge, donning and doffing practices of healthcare providers across the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Results. A total of 312 healthcare providers across the eastern region of Saudi Arabia participated in the study, 208 physicians (66.7%) and 104 non-physicians (33.3%). Results indicate poor practice regarding PPE donning (13.8% reported the correct sequence) and PPE doffing (3.5% reported the correct sequence) among participants. In addition, practice and confidence scores regarding other issues with PPE were analyzed. Based on questionnaire responses, being male (T=2.825; p=0.008), being a non-physician (T=-2.120; p=0.014) and being an allied medical professional (F=5.379; p=0.003) were significantly associated with higher confidence levels. Also, being a consultant was significantly associated with higher practice scores (F=4.774; p=0.008). Conclusion. The study demonstrates deficiencies among healthcare providers in following the recommended practices for correctly using PPE during the pandemic. Poor practice in PPE donning and doffing necessitates additional educational and training programs focused on infection control practices

Sex differences in cardiovascular complications and mortality in hospital patients with covid-19: registry based observational study

Objective To assess whether the risk of cardiovascular complications of covid-19 differ between the sexes and to determine whether any sex differences in risk are reduced in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Design Registry based observational study. Setting 74 hospitals across 13 countries (eight European) participating in CAPACITY-COVID (Cardiac complicAtions in Patients With SARS Corona vIrus 2 regisTrY), from March 2020 to May 2021 Participants All adults (aged ≥18 years), predominantly European, admitted to hospital with highly suspected covid-19 disease or covid-19 disease confirmed by positive laboratory test results (n=11 167 patients). Main outcome measures Any cardiovascular complication during admission to hospital. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and individual cardiovascular complications with ≥20 events for each sex. Logistic regression was used to examine sex differences in the risk of cardiovascular outcomes, overall and grouped by pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Results Of 11 167 adults (median age 68 years, 40% female participants) included, 3423 (36% of whom were female participants) had pre-existing cardiovascular disease. In both sexes, the most common cardiovascular complications were supraventricular tachycardias (4% of female participants, 6% of male participants), pulmonary embolism (3% and 5%), and heart failure (decompensated or de novo) (2% in both sexes). After adjusting for age, ethnic group, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, female individuals were less likely than male individuals to have a cardiovascular complication (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.64 to 0.80) or die (0.65, 0.59 to 0.72). Differences between the sexes were not modified by pre-existing cardiovascular disease; for the primary outcome, the female-to-male ratio of the odds ratio in those without, compared with those with, pre-existing cardiovascular disease was 0.84 (0.67 to 1.07). Conclusions In patients admitted to hospital for covid-19, female participants were less likely than male participants to have a cardiovascular complication. The differences between the sexes could not be attributed to the lower prevalence of pre-existing cardiovascular disease in female individuals. The reasons for this advantage in female individuals requires further research

Cephalometric norms of skeletal relationship among populations in selected Arab countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and Aim: Despite the availability of several published studies on cephalometric norms among different Arabic countries, “Caucasian” norms are still used as the standard in these countries. The aim of this study was to review the existing literature on the topic and show a meta-analysis of the review for the skeletal values observed in the study. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was conducted for studies that examined the SNA, SNB, and ANB angles in study subjects in different Arabic speaking countries. A total of 16 studies were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review and a meta-analysis with results from these studies was completed using the OpenMeta-Analyst software (Brown University, Providence, RI, USA). The weighted mean and I2 for heterogeneity were computed individually for the SNA, SNB, and ANB angles, respectively. Results: The result of the meta-analysis showed a significant heterogeneity for the SNA, SNB, and ANB angles of each of the populations, suggesting that the populations of the different Arab nations studied were ethnically diverse. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that given the high level of heterogeneity it may not be feasible to speak of the different Arabic speaking nations as a distinct population for the purpose of developing norms for cephalometric skeletal relationships

Diversity and Risk Factors Associated with Multidrug and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci Isolated from Cats Admitted to a Veterinary Clinic in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Understanding the distribution, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and risk factors associated with multidrug-resistant (MDR) and methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) isolated from cats admitted to veterinary clinics may decrease the risk of MDR and MRS transmission to humans and other cats. As such, the objectives of this study were to investigate the diversity in Staphylococcus spp. recovered from different anatomical locations in healthy and diseased cats and to determine the occurrence of MDR and MRS spp. as well as possible risk factors associated with colonization in these cats. Five swabs were collected from the anus, skin, ear canal, conjunctival sac, and nares of each cat (209 healthy and 191 diseased) admitted to a veterinary clinic in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, between January and December 2018. Prior to sample collection, cat owners completed a questionnaire collecting information on cat demographics, health status, management, and antimicrobial usage. In total, 179 Staphylococcus isolates were recovered from healthy (n = 71) and diseased (n = 108) cats, including 94 (52.5%) coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS), and 85 (47.5%) coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). Five Staphylococcus spp. were identified, namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus felis, Staphylococcus capitis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Staphylococcus isolates were most commonly resistant to penicillin (56.4%) and ciprofloxacin (25.7%); however, no isolate was resistant to clindamycin. Thirty (16.8%) Staphylococcus spp. (24 S. aureus and 6 S. pseudintermedius) isolates were MDR, with resistance to up to six different antibiotic classes. Only 17 (9.5%) Staphylococcus spp. (15 methicillin-resistant S. aureus and 2 methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius) harbored the mecA gene. Risk factor analysis showed that cats with a history of antibiotic therapy, those raised mainly indoors with a child, and those who visit a veterinary clinic for treatment were at higher risk of MDR and MRS colonization. In conclusion, MDR and MRS were common in healthy and diseased cats in Saudi Arabia. Thus, an effective antimicrobial stewardship program and further studies using a One Health approach are required to investigate the role of cats as vectors for AMR transmission to humans

Characterization and medicinal applications of Karakoram shilajit; angiogenesis activity, antibacterial properties and cytotoxicity

Shilajit is a natural substance found in the Himalayan region from Nepal to Pakistan. It is a decomposition product of Royle’s spurge , white clover , and different species of molds. The decomposition takes place over a time span of centuries by the action of microorganism. In the present study, shilajit samples from four different origins including siachen khaplu shilajit (SKS), kharmang pari saspolo shilajit (KPSS), kharmang ghandus shilajit (KGS), and kharmang shilajit center (KSC) of district Skardu, Pakistan were investigated. These samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV/vis). SEM revealed a notable difference in the shape and size of collected samples. All samples were found to possess crystalline nature, which is confirmed from XRD. The presence of multi-components and complex silicates confirmed the presence of humic substances (HS) in shilajit. A slight disparity in physiological properties of four samples were revealed due to geographical variations and ecological conditions, which determine the natural synthesis of shilajit. All samples exhibited antibacterial effects against Gram negative bacteria; Escherichia coli (E.coli) . About 76%, 98%, and 100% of bacteria were killed by SKS, both KPSS and KGS, and KSC samples, respectively. The cell viability analysis revealed that the KPSS (66%) and KGS (53%) were cyto-compatible as compared to the SKS (23%) and KSC (25%) samples. The Chick Chorionic Allantoic Membrane (CAM) assay was used to observe the angiogenic potential for SKS, KSC, and KGS samples. Hence, shilajit sample could be a potential candidate for the medicinal applications and offer a new approach to biomedical applications

Deeper insight into ferroptosis: association with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors and their possible treatment by nanomaterials induced ferroptosis

ABSTRACTFerroptosis is an emerging and novel type of iron-dependent programmed cell death which is mainly caused by the excessive deposition of free intracellular iron in the brain cells. This deposited free iron exerts a ferroptosis pathway, resulting in lipid peroxidation (LiPr). There are mainly three ferroptosis pathways viz. iron metabolism-mediated cysteine/glutamate, and LiPr-mediated. Iron is required by the brain as a redox metal for several physiological activities. Due to the iron homeostasis balance disruption, the brain gets adversely affected which further causes neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, strokes, and brain tumors like glioblastoma (GBS), and glioma. Nanotechnology has played an important role in the prevention and treatment of these NDDs. A synergistic effect of nanomaterials and ferroptosis could prove to be an effective and efficient approach in the field of nanomedicine. In the current review, the authors have highlighted all the latest research in the field of ferroptosis, specifically emphasizing on the role of major molecular key players and various mechanisms involved in the ferroptosis pathway. Moreover, here the authors have also addressed the correlation of ferroptosis with the pathophysiology of NDDs and theragnostic effect of ferroptosis and nanomaterials for the prevention and treatment of NDDs