Integrating Deep Learning into Digital Rock Analysis Workflow

Digital Rock Analysis (DRA) has expanded our knowledge about natural phenomena in various geoscience specialties. DRA as an emerging technology has limitations including (1) the trade-off between the size of spatial domain and resolution, (2) methodological and human-induced errors in segmentation, and (3) the computational costs associated with intensive modeling. Deep learning (DL) methods are utilized to alleviate these limitations. First, two DL frameworks are utilized to probe the performance gains from using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to super-resolve and segment real multi-resolution X-ray images of complex carbonate rocks. The first framework experiments the applications of U-Net and U-ResNet architectures to obtain macropore, solid, and micropore segmented images in an end-to-end scheme. The second framework segregates the super-resolution and segmentation into two networks: EDSR and U-ResNet. Both frameworks show consistent performance indicated by the voxel-wise accuracy metrics, the measured phase morphology, and flow characteristics. The end-to-end frameworks are shown to be superior to using a segregated approach confirming the adequacy of end-to-end learning for performing complex tasks. Second, CNNs accuracy margins in estimating physical properties of porous media 2d X-ray images are investigated. Binary and greyscale sandstone images are used as an input to CNNs architectures to estimate porosity, specific surface area, and average pore size of three sandstone images. The results show encouraging margins of accuracy where the error in estimating these properties can be up to 6% when using binary images and up to 7% when using greyscale images. Third, the suitability of CNNs as regression tools to predict a more challenging property, permeability, is investigated. Two complex CNNs architectures (ResNet and ResNext) are applied to learn the morphology of pore space in 3D porous media images for flow-based characterization. The dataset includes more than 29,000 3d subvolumes of multiple sandstone and carbonates rocks. The findings show promising regression accuracy using binary images. Accuracy gains are observed using conductivity maps as an input to the networks. Permeability inference on unseen samples can be achieved in 120 ms/sample with an average relative error of 18.9%. This thesis demonstrates the significant potential of deep learning in improving DRA capabilities

The relationship between diet soda soft drinks, artificial sweeteners, and diabetic retinopathy

BackgroundThe relationship between diabetic retinopathy and diet-drink (soft soda), non-nutritive sweeteners have not been fully determined. We here attempted to determine it.AimsThe study aimed to assess the association between soda soft drinks, non-nutritive sweeteners, and diabetic retinopathy.Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at a diabetes center in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia from September 2019 to April 2020: 174 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire: demographic data, the DM duration, the lifestyles (exercise, smoking, and diet), and the medications. The weekly amount of diet soda and daily consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners were assessed. These were analysed with association with retinopathy.Results The glycated haemoglobin per cent was 8.50±1.60, the diet soda and artificial sweeteners consumptions were 1.18±1.57 cans/week and 0.89±1.26 sachets/day, respectively. No association was found between artificial sweeteners, diet soda, and diabetic retinopathy (Wald, 1.251, and 0.213, P-values, 0.263, and 0.644, 95 per cent CI, 0.583–7.204, and 0.190–2.793 respectively). Retinopathy incidence was associated with the DM duration (Wald, 8.095, P-value, 0.004, and 95 per cent CI, 0.766–0.952).ConclusionDiet soda and non-nutritive sweeteners were not associated with diabetic retinopathy, irrespective of gender or body mass index. Diabetic retinopathy was associated with the duration of DM after its first diagnosis

Ameliorative inhibition of sirtuin 6 by imidazole derivative triggers oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis associated with Nrf2/Keap1 signaling in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Background: Redox homeostasis is the vital regulatory system with respect to antioxidative response and detoxification. The imbalance of redox homeostasis causes oxidative stress. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2, also called Nfe2l2)/Kelchlike ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) signaling is the major regulator of redox homeostasis. Nrf2/Keap1 signaling is reported to be involved in cancer cell growth and survival. A high level of Nrf2 in cancers is associated with poor prognosis, resistance to therapeutics, and rapid proliferation, framing Nrf2 as an interesting target in cancer biology. Sirtuins (SIRT1-7) are class III histone deacetylases with NAD + dependent deacetylase activity that have a remarkable impact on antioxidant and redox signaling (ARS) linked with Nrf2 deacetylation thereby increasing its transcription by epigenetic modifications which has been identified as a crucial event in cancer progression under the influence of oxidative stress in various transformed cells. SIRT6 plays an important role in the cytoprotective effect of multiple diseases, including cancer. This study aimed to inhibit SIRT6 using an imidazole derivative, Ethyl 2-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-H-Imidazole-4-yl] acetate, to assess its impact on Nrf2/Keap1 signaling in A549 and NCI-H460 cell lines.Method: Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Ethyl 2-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-H-Imidazole-4-yl] acetate was fixed by cell viability assay. The changes in the gene expression of important regulators involved in this study were examined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and protein expression changes were confirmed by Western blotting. The changes in the antioxidant molecules are determined by biochemical assays. Further, morphological studies were performed to observe the generation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis.Results: We inhibited SIRT6 using Ethyl 2-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-1-H-Imidazole-4-yl] acetate and demonstrated that SIRT6 inhibition impacts the modulation of antioxidant and redox signaling. The level of antioxidant enzymes and percentage of reactive oxygen species scavenging activity were depleted. The morphological studies showed ROS generation, mitochondrial damage, nuclear damage, and apoptosis. The molecular examination of apoptotic factors confirmed apoptotic cell death. Further, molecular studies confirmed the changes in Nrf2 and Keap1 expression during SIRT6 inhibition.Conclusion: The overall study suggests that SIRT6 inhibition by imidazole derivative disrupts Nrf2/Keap1 signaling leading to oxidative stress and apoptosis induction

Graduate Medical Students’ Mental Health Concerns During COVID-19 Pandemic

Medical students are more likely than the general population to experience perceived stress during the pandemic due to many variables. This study aimed to evaluate the stress levels and prevalence of different mental health conditions among graduate medical students in Al Kharj City. An anonymous online survey was conducted among graduate medical students of Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU). For this investigation, the following scales were used to measure the prevalence of common mental health issues: DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Adult (CCSM-A); Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10-C), to measure COVID-19-related student stress; and the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire to get the global stress score (GSS). Two hundred twenty-one students were contacted, and 214(96.8%) consented to participate in the study. According to the CCSM-A scale, anxiety (73%) and depressive symptoms (71%) were the most frequently reported symptoms by the students. After correcting for age and self-perceived COVID-19 risk, there was a significant relationship between anger, suicidal ideation, and substance use, on one hand, and the study year on the other graduate medical students who have mental health issues bear a heavy load. In the post-pandemic recovery period, regular mental health assessments and providing early and adequate mental health assistance to needy people are imperative

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

Evaluation of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) treatment for moderate-to-severe ARDS in critically ill patients with COVID-19: A multicenter cohort study

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is used as rescue therapy in patients with refractory hypoxemia due to severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) despite the recommendation against the use of this treatment. To date, the effect of iNO on the clinical outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS remains arguable. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of iNO in critically ill COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included critically ill adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 treated from March 01, 2020, until July 31, 2021. Eligible patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS were subsequently categorized into two groups based on inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) use throughout their ICU stay. The primary endpoint was the improvement in oxygenation parameters 24 h after iNO use. Other outcomes were considered secondary. Propensity score matching (1:2) was used based on the predefined criteria. Results: A total of 1598 patients were screened, and 815 were included based on the eligibility criteria. Among them, 210 patients were matched based on predefined criteria. Oxygenation parameters (PaO2, FiO2 requirement, P/F ratio, oxygenation index) were significantly improved 24 h after iNO administration within a median of six days of ICU admission. However, the risk of 30-day and in-hospital mortality were found to be similar between the two groups (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.82; p = 0.45 and HR: 1.40; 95% CI: 0.94, 2.11; p= 0.10, respectively). On the other hand, ventilator-free days (VFDs) were significantly fewer, and ICU and hospital LOS were significantly longer in the iNO group. In addition, patients who received iNO had higher odds of acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR (95% CI): 2.35 (1.30, 4.26), p value = 0.005) and hospital/ventilator-acquired pneumonia (OR (95% CI): 3.2 (1.76, 5.83), p value = 0.001). Conclusion: In critically ill COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS, iNO rescue therapy is associated with improved oxygenation parameters but no mortality benefits. Moreover, iNO use is associated with higher odds of AKI, pneumonia, longer LOS, and fewer VFDs

Circular Carbon Economy (CCE): A Way to Invest CO2 and Protect the Environment, a Review

Increased levels of carbon dioxide have revolutionised the Earth; higher temperatures, melting icecaps, and flooding are now more prevalent. Fortunately, renewable energy mitigates this problem by making up 20% of human energy needs. However, from a “green environment” perspective, can carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere be reduced and eliminated? The carbon economic circle is an ideal solution to this problem, as it enables us to store, use, and remove carbon dioxide. This research introduces the circular carbon economy (CCE) and addresses its economic importance. Additionally, the paper discusses carbon capture and storage (CCS), and the utilisation of CO2. Furthermore, it explains current technologies and their future applications on environmental impact, CO2 capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). Various opinions on the best way to achieve zero carbon emissions and on CO2 applications and their economic impact are also discussed. The circular carbon economy can be achieved through a highly transparent global administration that is supportive of advanced technologies that contribute to the efficient utilisation of energy sources. This global administration must also provide facilities to modernise and develop factories and power stations, based on emission-reducing technologies. Monitoring emissions in countries through a global monitoring network system, based on actual field measurements, linked to a worldwide database allows all stakeholders to track the change in greenhouse gas emissions. The process of sequestering carbon dioxide in the ocean is affected by the support for technologies and industries that adopt the principle of carbon recycling in order to maintain the balance. This includes supporting initiatives that contribute to increasing vegetation cover and preserving oceans from pollutants, especially chemicals and radioactive pollutants, which will undoubtedly affect the process of sequestering carbon dioxide in the oceans, and this will contribute significantly to maintaining carbon dioxide at acceptable levels

Knowledge and attitude of dental practitioners about probiotics in Alkharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Probiotics are dietary supplements have found their usage mainly for gastrointestinal problems. Recently, oral health benefits of probiotics are investigated and their use for prevention of oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal problem, and halitosis are established. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and attitude about probiotics among private dental practitioners in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted on a total of 170 dentists practicing in alkharj. The subjects completed a questionnaire that consisted of information related to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitude about probiotics. The collected data were expressed as number and percentages. Results: 96.47% of dentists were aware of the probiotics, while 82.3% of dentists think probiotics helps in improving health. 76.2% have used probiotics for some reason. 81.7% were of the intention to use probiotics for prevention of oral disease. Conclusion: This study revealed good awareness of probiotics among dentists in Alkharj. Lack of adequate knowledge about use of probiotics for oral health needs to be addressed