Artificial Intelligence Techniques in E-Commerce: The Possibility of Exploiting them in Saudi Arabia

E-Commerce has transformed business as we know over the past few decades. The rapid increasing use of the Internet and the strong purchasing power in Saudi Arabia have had a strong impact on the evolution of E-Commerce in the country. Saudi Arabia is yet another country that will release artificial intelligence power to fuel its growth in the economic world.  Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) applications that can facilitate e-commerce processes have been widely used. The impact of using artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and techniques on the efficiency of e-commerce, particularly has been overlooked by many prior studies. In this paper, a literature review was conducted to explore and investigate possible applications of AI in E-Commerce that can help Saudi Arabian businesses

Characterization of the Role of Francisella‐Sensing Inflammasomes in the Development of Innate and Vaccine‐ Induced Immunity

Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent, facultative intracellular, Gram‐negative bacterium that causes fatal zoonotic disease tularemia. The inflammasome is a multiprotein complex, and its assembly occurs when cytosolic sensors, absent in melanoma 2 (Aim2) and Nucleotide‐binding and oligomerization domain 3 (Nlrp3), recognizes a specific ligand and proteolytically processes the inactive forms of pro‐IL‐1β and IL18 cytokines into their secreted mature active forms. Previous studies conducted by our lab and others have shown that in F. tularensis LVS infected macrophages, the activation of the inflammasome is repressed. On the other hand, Francisella novicida, an avirulent subspecies of Francisella, strongly activates the inflammasome in the infected macrophages. The mechanisms and signaling pathways leading to the Aim2 activation have been elegantly elucidated using F. novicida strain as a model. However, these mechanisms remain unknown for the human virulent F. tularensis strains. The goal of specific aim 1 of this study was to understand the mechanisms of suppression of Aim2 inflammasome by F. tularensis LVS and establish that the mechanisms known for F. novicida are not operative in the virulent Francisella strains. Bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) from the wild type and mice deficient for signaling components up‐ and downstream of Aim2 were used in this study. Our results reveal that F. tularensis LVS induces very low levels of Aim2‐dependent, but gasdermin D (GsdmD)‐independent IL‐1β as compared to those infected with F. novicida. The differences in IL‐1β levels in BMDMs infected with these two Francisella strains is not due to differences in intracellular bacterial replication. Our results also demonstrate that xvii suppression/weak activation of Aim2 is due to the suppression of the cGAS‐STING DNA‐ sensing pathway upstream of Aim2. Introduction of exogenous F. tularensis LVS DNA into the cytosol of the infected BMDMs alone or in conjunction with a priming signal provided by a potent TLR4‐agonist failed to restore IL‐1β levels similar to those observed for F. novicida. These results indicated that in addition to the bacterial DNA, the DNA coming from some other source, specifically from the damaged mitochondria might contribute to the robust IL‐1β levels observed in F. novicida infected BMDMs. Our results show that F. tularensis induces enhanced mitophagy for the removal of damaged mitochondria and thereby prevents the release of mitochondrial DNA, resulting in suppression/weak activation of the Aim2 inflammasome. Inflammasome‐dependent cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐18, in addition to their role in innate immune responses, are also required for the generation of antigen‐specific adaptive immune responses. In specific aim 1, we observed that Aim2 inflammasome is suppressed/weakly activated in F. tularensis infected BMDMs. In specific aim 2, we investigated the role of Aim2 and Nlrp3 in vaccination‐induced protective immune responses using an in vivo mouse model of tularemia. Since Francisella causes an acute infection associated with a delayed onset of innate immune responses, the infected mice succumb to infection even before adaptive immune responses could kick‐in. We developed a vaccination‐model using a previously described emrA1 mutant of F. tularensis. Our results demonstrate that we can successfully vaccinate both the Aim2‐/‐ and Nlrp3‐/‐ mice with the emrA1 mutant. The emrA1 mutant similar to the wild type mice is cleared by both Aim2‐/‐ and Nlrp3‐/‐ mice and induce comparable antibody‐ and cell‐ xviii mediated immune responses. Moreover, similar to the wild type mice, the emrA1 vaccinated Aim2‐/‐ and Nlrp3‐/‐ mice survived the intranasal 1000xLD100 challenge dose of F. tularensis LVS. Collectively, the results from this study demonstrate that F. tularensis has evolved complex mechanisms for the suppression of Aim2 inflammasome, and the mechanisms established for F. novicida are not operative in F. tularensis. Further, both Aim2 andNlrp3,probably due to redundant roles, are dispensable for the generation of the vaccination‐ induced protective immune response. This study furthers our understanding of the unknown immunopathogenic mechanisms of the human‐virulent strains of F. tularensis

The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology in Promoting Knowledge Management in Business Firms: A Review

Knowledge Management appears to be more advanced and sophisticated in the twenty-first century, as a result of the advancement of information technology and artificial intelligence technologies. Several academic and commercial scholars have been studying, exploring, and discussing knowledge management for a long time, owing to the importance of this topic for the success of companies in both the public and private sectors. In addition, many prominent firms throughout the world have used a variety of knowledge management methods to ensure that they remain one step ahead of their competitors in today's highly competitive business environment, including businesses that are constantly looking for methods to improve their knowledge management strategies. There have been some studies undertaken to gain a more in-depth grasp of the most recent research trend in knowledge management procedures and best practices in businesses. This subject, on the other hand, demands deeper examination from a variety of angles. The impact of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT) concepts and techniques on the efficiency of knowledge management in modern businesses, particularly has been overlooked by many prior studies. The current study reviews the role of artificial intelligence and information technology in promoting knowledge management in business firms

New topologies between the usual and Niemytzki

[EN] We use the technique of Hattori to generate new topologies on the closed upper half plane which lie between the usual metric topology and the  Niemytzki topology. We study some of their fundamental properties and weaker versions of normality.Abuzaid, D.; Alqahtani, M.; Kalantan, L. (2020). New topologies between the usual and Niemytzki. Applied General Topology. 21(1):71-79. https://doi.org/10.4995/agt.2020.12042OJS717921

Oral health status and treatment needs of children with sickle cell disease in Abha and Khamis Mushait cities of southern Saudi Arabia

Background: This study aimed to assess the oral health status and dental treatment needs of children with Sickle Cell disease (SCD) in Abha and Khamis Mushait cities of southern Saudi Arabia.Methods: A total of 82 children were included in the study, 41 children with SCD and 41 control group. A total of 82 children having age group of 2 to 13 years from Abha and Khamis Mushait cities of southern Saudi Arabia were examined. The clinical examinations were performed by experienced clinicians in those children who fulfilled the required inclusion criteria. Intraoral examination was done using Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth Index (DMFT Index) and other dental conditions were examined. Statistical analysis was done with Chi square test and level of significance was set at p<0.05.Results: Prevalence of dental caries was shown between the 2 groups of children i.e., SCD and control. When SCD was compared with control group, the Mean ±Standard deviation for decayed missing filled tooth was found to be DMFT= 6.95±4.79, 8.02±4.33 respectively. Statistically no significant difference was found (P=0.290). 17.1% of children with SCD group has gingivitis compared to control group which is 7.3%. Statistically no significant difference was found (P=0.177). Dental trauma, deleterious oral habits and tooth brushing amount SCD children were shown no statistically significant compared to control group.Conclusions: In the present study no significant difference was evident in dental diseases and treatment needs among SCD and Control group

The relationship between lifestyle and the frequency of polycystic ovary syndrome in Saudi female residing in Riyadh

Background: Polycystic Ovary Disorder (PCOS) is perceived as the most widely recognized endocrinopathy in reproductive women. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the lifestyle and frequency of polycystic ovary syndrome in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This is a case-control study conducted on females at princess Nourah University (PNU), King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) and malls in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. The study included females in the reproductive age including 401 controls and 122 PCOS cases.Results: History of pregnancy related disorders was higher among the PCOS women in comparison to controls, while abortion represented the highest percentage in both cases and controls. Family history of polycystic ovary syndrome was doubled in cases than controls. There was significant increase in the percentage of hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia in polycystic ovary syndrome patients (P <0.001). Snoring, use of oral contraceptives, high prolactin level, incidence of menorrhagia and urinary tract infection were significantly higher in cases than controls (P <0.001). In addition, there was no difference between controls and polycystic ovary syndrome cases regarding their dietary intake. On the other hand, physical activity was significantly higher in controls compared to polycystic ovary syndrome group.Conclusions: This study supports previous studies that revealed a relation between polycystic ovary syndrome and endocrinological disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, and obesity. On the other hand, there is no relation between dietary intake and PCOS, however exercising regularly can decrease the possibility of having the disease

Novel Insights into the Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ); In Vitro, In Silico, and Shotgun Proteomic Studies

Microbial infections pose a significant global health threat, affecting millions of individuals and leading to substantial mortality rates. The increasing resistance of microorganisms to conventional treatments requires the development of novel antimicrobial agents. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a natural medicinal drug involved in various cellular processes, holds promise as a potential antimicrobial agent. In the present study, our aim was, for the first time, to explore the antimicrobial activity of PQQ against 29 pathogenic microbes, including 13 fungal strains, 8 Gram-positive bacteria, and 8 Gram-negative bacteria. Our findings revealed potent antifungal properties of PQQ, particularly against Syncephalastrum racemosum, Talaromyces marneffei, Candida lipolytica, and Trichophyton rubrum. The MIC values varied between fungal strains, and T. marneffei exhibited a lower MIC, indicating a greater susceptibility to PQQ. In addition, PQQ exhibited notable antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, with a prominent inhibition observed against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus vulgaris, and MRSA strains. Remarkably, PQQ demonstrated considerable biofilm inhibition against the MRSA, S. epidermidis, and P. vulgaris strains. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies revealed that PQQ caused structural damage and disrupted cell metabolism in bacterial cells, leading to aberrant morphology, compromised cell membrane integrity, and leakage of cytoplasmic contents. These findings were further affirmed by shotgun proteomic analysis, which revealed that PQQ targets several important cellular processes in bacteria, including membrane proteins, ATP metabolic processes, DNA repair processes, metal-binding proteins, and stress response. Finally, detailed molecular modeling investigations indicated that PQQ exhibits a substantial binding affinity score for key microbial targets, including the mannoprotein Mp1P, the transcriptional regulator TcaR, and the endonuclease PvuRTs1I. Taken together, our study underscores the effectiveness of PQQ as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent capable of combating pathogenic fungi and bacteria, while also inhibiting biofilm formation and targeting several critical biological processes, making it a promising therapeutic option for biofilm-related infections.This research was funded by Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Egypt. The authors also extend their appreciation to Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University for funding this work through the Researchers Supporting Project number (PNURSP2024R736), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This study was also supported by Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2024R111), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, EgyptPrincess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityPrincess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaKing Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaPeer Reviewe

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among saudi children: A comparison of two widely used international standards and the national growth references

ObjectiveTo compare three body mass index (BMI) classifications that are used to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Saudi children aged 6–13 years: the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) age and gender cutoffs, the World Health Organization (WHO) growth references for school-aged children, and the Saudi (KSA) national growth references.MethodsThe sample comprised 2,169 children (52.5% girls) derived from two cross-sectional studies conducted in Riyadh and Jeddah during the 2017 and 2019 school years, respectively. Body weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated.ResultsThe proportions (%) of the participants who were classified as underweight, overweight, and obese varied according to the reference used: IOTF reference (13.8, 18.4, and 12.7), WHO reference (17.2, 19.1, and 18.9), and KSA reference (7.0, 22.4, and 9.3), respectively, indicating higher values for overweight and obesity prevalence when the WHO references were used. Kappa agreement measures between the three references were found to be high, with the coefficients ranging from 0.936 (between the IOTF and KSA references) to 0.849 (between the IOTF and WHO references). In all three classifications, girls exhibited lower overweight or obesity prevalence than boys. Family income, but not paternal or maternal education, was significantly (p = 0.015) associated with overweight/obesity when using the IOTF standards. In addition, having a small family in the house was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) associated with obesity, irrespective of the classification system.ConclusionInconsistency was observed when estimating the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity among Saudi children. However, when defining the overall prevalence of overweight plus obesity among Saudi children, the IOTF classification system performed in a similar way to the KSA references (31.1% versus 31.7%) compared to the WHO references (38.0%)

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

Potential bioactivity of Phoenix dactylifera fruits, leaves, and seeds against prostate and pancreatic cancer cells

The use of functional foods’ phytochemicals in the chemoprevention of different cancer diseases has become one of the hot scientific areas in the clinical nutrition field. For instance, the Khalas palm cultivar (KPC; Phoenix dactylifera) is one of the natural sustainable resources that have high bioactivity and functionality. This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative activity and mode of action of KPC’s different parts on prostate (Pc3) and pancreatic (panc1) cancer cells at a molecular level. In the methods, KPC’s leaves, seeds, and fruits’ chemical composition and phytochemical analysis were analyzed. Also, the cytotoxic effects of each extract were assessed against pc3 and panc1 cell lines. Besides, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, and gene expression of both Cap3 and Cap9 were studied. The obtained results indicated that KPC leaves extract exhibited the highest significant (P &lt; 0.01) anti-proliferation activity against the utilized cancer cell lines compared to fruits and seeds extracts. Also, there were significant (P &lt; 0.05) differences in the phenolic contents, flavonoid of compounds, and antioxidant power of the leaves when compared to the seeds and fruits. Additionally, the highest cytotoxic effect (lowest IC50) was recorded with leave extract than seeds and fruits. Meanwhile, the seeds extract induced (P &lt; 0.05) the apoptosis and arrested cells in the G2/M phase as well as up-regulated the gene expression of the apoptotic-related genes (Casp3 and Casp9) compared to the control group. In conclusion, this study showed that the presence of bioactive components in the KPC different parts extracts have the significant ability to induce the apoptotic pathway that could down-regulate the proliferation of prostate (pc3) and pancreatic (panc1) cancer cells. The pathway mechanism of action was induced by the phytol molecule presented in its leaves extract