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This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of training on non-native speakers of Arabic at a university in Saudi Arabia from their point of view by determining the degree of their satisfaction in terms of four aspects: benefits of the offered training, trainers' performance, organizational effectiveness of the training program and the difficulties encountered by the trainees during training. The study examined whether there are differences in the averages of the trainees' responses according to the number of their previous training courses. The surveyed sample consisted of 29 trainees chosen by the intentional method. To pursue the aim of the study, both quantitative and qualitative designs were used. A questionnaire consisting of 24 items was developed and the descriptive analytical method was used.? The results showed that the average responses of the trainees in the areas of the scale as a whole were high according to the statistical standards followed in the study with an arithmetic average of (3.88). The benefit and the organization aspects of the training course received an arithmetic average of (4.63), the trainer's performance came next with an average of (4.61). In the last place is the aspect of difficulties with an average of 1.67, which is at a weak level. The study also found that there are no significant differences between the trainees' responses to the first three aspects according to the number of previous training courses the trainees attended. ?However, there are statistically significant differences for the fourth aspect 'difficulties encountered by the trainees', as the value of (f) is (5.34). The study offers insights into the usefulness of holding such a training program for refining the skills of the trainees and enhancing their teaching strategies to create a better classroom environment.

This study assesses the degree to which students practice digital citizenship values at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. The researchers identified elements of digital citizenship and divided them into three areas: respect, education, and protection. Following a descriptive approach, the sample consisted of 540 male and female students who were randomly selected. The study found strong results in all three areas, although protection had the lowest practice. Female students were significantly more likely than male students to practice these values. Significant differences were also found according to field of study.

Purpose: In the era of hyper-competitiveness, firms, especially project-based management structures, have to focus on ideas for both new and existing sets of products and services, i.e. ambidextrous innovation. The ambidextrous innovation can be helpful, but achieving such a level is a problem to be solved. This study aims to yield ambidextrous innovation by using innovative culture and knowledge that has been gained from learning. Design/methodology/approach: The present research collected data from Saudi Arabian public-sector firms. The data collected is analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings: The findings of the study suggest that a range of factors can be operationalized in project-based firms to establish organizational learning and innovation culture. These factors include agile-based project management, leveraging existing innovative capabilities and growth mindset in case of innovative organizational culture and additional factors of agile-based knowledge management along with others in case of organizational learning. The PLS-SEM further concluded that both organizational learning and innovative organizational culture, in turn, help project-based Saudi Arabian public-sector firms to develop their ambidextrous innovation capability. Originality/value: The PLS-SEM further concluded that both the organizational learning and innovative organizational culture, in turn, help project-based Saudi Arabian public-sector firms to develop their ambidextrous innovation capability.

Over the last few decades, the inclusion of children with disabilities in general education classrooms worldwide has increased, however, the preparation and professional development of teachers has not kept pace. While teachers are instrumental in the facilitation of inclusive classrooms, they continue to struggle to provide accommodations and modifications, to exhibit supportive behavior, and to work collaboratively with one another to provide instruction and interventions for students with disabilities in inclusive settings. This study examined the views of university faculty throughout Saudi Arabia in relation to the skills and expertise critical for promoting inclusive classrooms. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was adopted with a survey and interviews with faculty that were based on the outcomes from the quantitative phase. Among other outcomes, statistically significant differences were found in faculty members' perspectives regarding the preparation of pre-service teachers for inclusive education, with faculty in emerging programs indicating higher total mean scores in some domains. Additionally, faculty specializing in Learning Disabilities (LD) reported higher total mean scores in some Innovation Configurations (ICs) than faculty specializing in other areas. The outcomes suggest that further attention should be paid to inclusive education practices in teacher education programs that may open up in the future.

The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the seven-stop IMPROVE program (Introducing new concepts, Metacognitive questioning, Practicing, Reviewing and reducing difficulties, Obtaining mastery, Verification, and Enrichment) on the achievement of preliminary students at Taif University, Saudi Arabia, at the first three levels of the Bloom's taxonomy (Knowledge, Comprehension, Application). The researcher used the experimental design to achieve the objective of the study. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the sample was chosen in a deliberate manner from groups that were taught using cooperative learning in mathematics classes. The experimental group (32 students) who studied using the IMPROVE program was compared with the second group (32 students) who were taught in the traditional lecture style. The results of the study showed the effectiveness of using the IMPROVE program in mathematics teaching at the knowledge, comprehension and application levels. This study recommends the use of this metacognitive strategy in mathematics teaching for other stages of education. It also recommends expanding awareness in educational institutions of the concept of metacognition and its importance in improving the learners' awareness to deal with mathematics problems.

This study examined the correlations between three vital areas of teaching pronunciation in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes (i.e., content, pedagogical, and technological knowledge). This study also explored the relationships between teachers' majors, experience, and technology competence with using technology in teaching English pronunciation. Data was collected by using a questionnaire. The study tool was a model adapted from different studies. The participants of the study were sixty English language instructors at different Saudi universities. The result indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in the three constructs of the model based on the participants' technology competence. The results revealed that content knowledge had a small correlation with pedagogical knowledge, and with technological knowledge. Pedagogical knowledge had a strong positive correlation with technological knowledge.

This study explores Saudi students' perceptions of their motivation to learn Mathematics using metacognitive strategies. Data were collected using a qualitative case study design among 13 Saudi secondary school students. The findings from the data collected through semi-structured interviews show that several motives encourage the participants to learn metacognitively. For instance, the findings demonstrate that the desire to experiment with a new concept helped to capture the interest of the learners and stimulate their curiosity to learn. Likewise, the desire to improve methods of thought which can meet the personal needs and goals of the learner may foster a positive attitude in learners and therefore contribute to their motivation. In addition, it is argued that students' confidence in their skills may help them feel they can successfully control their learning. Finally, it was shown that the desire of students to improve their thinking strategies in their lives reinforced their achievements with internal rewards and therefore helped them to be satisfied with their learning.

This paper reports on a study conducted by college students at a private university in Saudi Arabia. The research examines the online learning experiences of their peers during the first wave of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Many assumptions exist about online learning and its impact in higher education, but these are mainly based on the views of instructors and leaders of institutions. Hitherto, the perspectives of those meant to be beneficiaries of digital technologies have been given little consideration even though students use cyberspace for academic work and beyond. To address this silence, a group of student-researchers conducted a case study to examine students' views of cyberlearning. The research used a qualitative analysis approach to address the following questions: (1) What were the cyberlearning experiences of students at our university during the first two semesters of lockdown? (2) What are students' understandings of cyberlearning? (3) What are their aspirations for cyberlearning? Data were collected through an online survey administered to the entire student body at the university. Responses were received from 3574 students. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The research participants perceive cyberlearning to be the same as online learning and see it as a viable educational option. They reported that the dominant mode of instruction in online classrooms is instructors delivering information. Respondents also highlighted the need for improved online teaching pedagogies and curbing academic dishonesty in online classrooms. Students' aspirations for cyberlearning were clearly articulated. Respondents suggested that increasing online learning opportunities would have a positive impact on their academic progress. Through this research students demonstrate a sense of agency and provide opportunities for equity strategies at their university. The results show that serious attempts should be made to include cyberlearning as part of everyday educational activity in an attempt to increase student engagement.

This study investigated Saudi Arabian elementary school teachers' knowledge of strategies to teach reading components to hard of hearing students. The study focused on four of the five reading components the National Reading Panel (NPR, 2000) identified: phonemic awareness; phonics; vocabulary; and reading comprehension, and explored the relation between teachers' demographic characteristics and their knowledge of the strategies as well. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used that included two phases. The quantitative phase examined the knowledge of these Arabic reading components among 89 elementary school teachers of hard of hearing students, and the qualitative phase consisted of interviews with 10 teachers. The results indicated that the teachers have a great deal of knowledge (above the mean score) of strategies to teach reading components. Specifically, teachers' knowledge of strategies to teach the vocabulary component was the highest. The results also showed no significant association between teachers' demographic characteristics and their knowledge of strategies to teach reading components. The qualitative analysis revealed two themes: (1) teachers' lack of basic knowledge of strategies to teach reading components, and (2) the absence of in-service courses and training programs in reading for teachers.

One of the most important factors among those that play key roles in second language acquisition is language learning styles and strategies. This article identifies the unique and multifarious learning-style preferences that characterize Saudi English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' learning, and explores how multidimensional causal factors and experiences shape their preferred modes of learning. The analysis first tackles Saudi EFL learning-style preferences, followed by a discussion of Saudi EFL language learning strategies. The discussion addresses the learning-style approaches and learning behaviors of Saudi EFL leaners and the impact they have on them and highlights the factors and consequences of each. It concludes by pinpointing the importance of identifying language learning styles and strategies Saudi EFL students use and offering measures that will help Saudi EFL teachers facilitate their students' effective learning-style approaches.

This paper aims to examine the impact of E-learning quality on students' satisfaction and performance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of gender as a moderating variable. A descriptive and inferential approach was used where a specially designed questionnaire was distributed on a simple random sample of students enrolled in Public Security Training City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were gathered from 352 respondents. The multiple regression analysis was used to justify the proposed hypotheses. The study found that E-learning system quality and E-learning service quality positively impacted student satisfaction, which made a significant and positive impact on student performance. Moreover, gender played a moderating role in the relationship between E-learning system quality, E-learning service quality, and student satisfaction. Finally, it was found that the relationship between all variables during COVID-19 was stronger than relationships that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The researchers investigated parents' perspectives on the outcome of cochlear implantation on the deaf child and the family in Saudi Arabia with respect to linguistic, social, psychological, and educational aspects. They also explored potential factors influencing parents' perspectives on the outcome of a cochlear implant (CI). Seventy-seven parents completed the questionnaire, and multiple linear regression and descriptive statistics were used to answer the research questions. Most of the parents (88.5%) reported choosing a CI for their deaf child because they wanted their child to be part of the hearing world. About half of the parents (49.4%) expressed the belief that the CI would help their child find a better job in the future. The study also found that, overall, the model was not significant, and the independent variables explained little of the variance in parents' perspectives on the outcome of their child's cochlear implantation.

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is on the rise globally. Patient education is a major cornerstone in diabetes management. Diabetes educators play a pivotal role in educating patients with diabetes mellitus. Objectives: To estimate the impact of a diabetes educator-led clinic on the control of T1DM among adults. This was measured through mean changes in HbA1c levels and alterations in perceived dietary and physical activity compliance among patients attending a Diabetes Centre in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: We enrolled 97 adult T1DM patients in a quasi-experimental study, conducted at a certified diabetes educator-led clinic. All patients were followed up for 6 months pre-intervention and for a minimum of 6 months post-intervention. Patients' weight, self-monitoring of blood glucose, hypoglycaemic events frequency, HbA1c level and lipid profiles were routinely recorded. In addition, compliance with advice on dietary plan and physical activity recommendations was also assessed at the pre-intervention, baseline and post-intervention stages. Results: Post-intervention, participants reported better compliance with dietary and physical activity advice. Fewer hypoglycaemic events and higher self-monitoring of blood glucose frequencies were also noted. While there was no significant difference between pre-intervention and baseline mean HbA1c levels, mean baseline and post-intervention HbA1c levels showed a clinical and statistically significant difference of 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-1.28). Mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride differences also showed small but significant changes. Conclusion: Attendance at a diabetes educator-led clinic had a positive and significant impact on the control of T1DM among adults. We recommend diabetes educator employment at outpatient clinics for adults with T1DM.

Second language (L2) readers develop new screen-based reading habits as they learn in an increasingly digital world. This study examines the emerging digital-reading practices (EDRPs) of learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). The study identifies three prominent approaches that influence the digital-reading practices of EFL learners, it investigates how EFL learners perceive the effects of EDRPs on several crucial aspects of L2 reading, and it explores the actual practices of emerging digital-based patterns. In this study, which has an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, the main participants were 111 Saudi English language learners (57 males and 54 females). The triangulation strategy used for the multidimensional methods of data collection included a questionnaire, journal entries, and interviews. Thorough descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations), inferential statistics (two repeated measures of analysis of variances and multiple linear regressions), thematic framework analysis, and several phases of analysis for coding and categorizing the data were all undertaken. These analyses showed that shallower forms of digital reading, selective digital reading, and bouncing reading behavior are three approaches that shape EFL learners' digital-reading practices, and that digital reading had observable adverse effects on nine essential aspects of reading. Implications for practice are foregrounded.

Background: Traditional teaching methods of biochemistry provide effective tools for knowledge transmission, but are considered less engaging with students. Smartphone applications may provide suitable alternatives to compensate for the shortcomings of traditional teaching methods. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of smartphone applications as a complementary method for learning biochemistry. Methodology: A total of 32 students, from the College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia, were recruited. Students used available mobile applications, and their performance was monitored through assignments, presentations, practical evaluations, and pre- and post-tests. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to survey the students' perceptions. It was validated by students enrolled at the College of Applied Medical Science, interns, and medical educators. It was checked for item appropriateness and comprehensiveness using face and content validity. Results: Around 75% of the students found the mobile applications useful in learning biochemistry, 50% believed that they were easy to use and 100% believed that the breadth of the knowledge presented by these applications was comprehensive. The pedagogical effect of the use of mobile applications in learning biochemistry showed statistically significant differences in student performances post-use and pre-use of mobile applications with P values of 0.000, 0.028, 0.023, and 0.000 for tests, assignments, practical evaluation, and presentations, respectively. Conclusion: Students have a positive perception of the use of mobile applications, as it has significantly improved their academic performance in biochemistry.

Teaching Practice Inventory (TPI) was developed and used by Carl Wieman and hence named as Carl Wieman, evaluation model (Wieman & Gilbert, 2014) to assess the effectiveness of teaching practices of courses by faculty instructors. In TPI high scoring courses means that teaching practices may support students' learning. It is also a response validated survey that allows individual faculty members to describe their teaching practices. This descriptive study aims to investigate faculty members' teaching practices in undergraduate mathematics courses at King Saud University using the TPI. This TPI inventory was distributed to undergraduate teaching members who teach 15 courses. We received 78 responses: 40 from the mathematics department at the First Common year, and 38 from the Mathematics Department at the College of Science. The results indicate that faculty are adept at incorporating collaboration and in-class activities into their teaching; however, they are less skilled in other categories, including evaluation methods, diagnoses and training, and guiding teaching assistants. The results reveal that female instructors are statistically significantly (a = 0.05) more skilled at collaboration. Based on these results, the researchers recommend designing professional development programs to help faculty members at King Saud University improve their teaching practices.

This study aims to assess and measure students' performances using course-key performance indicators (course-KPIs) in an academic course at a Saudi university. The approach includes three aspects of assessment (i) integrating course components and correlating course learning objectives with the program learning domain, (ii) course evaluation using rubrics, and (iii) performance mesurement using a scientific method. Moreover, it presents a novel approach for performance measurement of the course learning skills. In this study, a course has been taken to demonstrate how the KPIs are measured for evaluating students' performances. This approach relies on several specific documents that are developed for the course delivery by following the National Qualification Framework (NQF) in Saudi Arabia and the guidelines of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The performance evaluation outcomes are useful indicators that guide the teachers to improve course learning skills. It also helps the teachers in the quality delivery of the courses and ensures continuous improvement in learning and teaching. This study concludes with an emphasis on the measuring performance using course-KPIs which can be adopted for quality improvement for any academic course in higher education irrespective of data size.

Success in mathematics has been shown to increase career opportunities; thus, improving student learning in mathematics is vital for educational policymakers. This study investigated the effects of five parental involvement variables on young children's mathematical achievements in 10 countries, including seven Arab countries, and found significant effects for all of them. Students who attended pre-primary education achieved higher mathematics scores compared to those who did not. Students who had been helped with or had their homework reviewed fewer times by their parents achieved significantly higher scores than those who had been helped or checked on more frequently. Students who had not attended any extra lessons to excel over or keep up with classmates achieved significantly higher scores. Students whose parents had university degrees attained significantly better results. Finally, students whose parents had higher expectations achieved significantly better results. These results have implications to enhance students' mathematical achievements in Arab countries.

Background: The demand for educational and social inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities continues to grow throughout the world. Factors contributing to the increasing demand include family advocacy efforts, shifting views about the nature of disability, and increased international recognition of the rights of children with disabilities. In the 1970s, Saudi Arabia began investing in educational services and supports for students with disabilities in both segregated and mainstream education settings. Methods: Policies for children with intellectual disabilities were identified and analysed using the disability policy analysis model recommended by Turnbull & Stowe (2014). Then in two subsequent rounds of analysis, two other researchers reviewed, confirmed, and verified the conclusions. Findings: Saudi Arabia's recent policy provisions for children with disabilities have included an emphasis on inclusion in general education schools. However, as with many countries, these policies have not yet been systematically implemented. Many students with more complex learning and behavioural needs continue to be excluded from general education classrooms. Conclusion: Recommendations to support the implementation of inclusive educational services for students with intellectual disabilities in Saudi Arabia are provided.

Vocabulary is a fundamental component of any language. Learning vocabulary plays a crucial role in learning English language. Whereas wiki is a promising Web 2.0 technology that can be used innovatively in EFL instruction. This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of wiki-based instruction on vocabulary learning of first secondary graders. It was carried out in Sabya, Jazan, Saudi Arabia in 2018. It followed the quasi-experimental design of one experimental group. Fifty-seven Saudi teenage EFL students participated in a researcher-designed wiki-based vocabulary course in a random male school. The course consisted of twelve lessons to teach 80 words picked from the grade's English Schoolbook (Mega Goal 2) to ensure their importance and benefit to students. Vocabulary pre-test and post-test along with a closed observation card were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, paired samples and one-sample t-tests were used for analysis. It was found that wiki had slight positive effect on vocabulary learning. Results demonstrated that students achieved significantly better marks in their post-test but with a very low effect size (0.32). In addition, wiki was observed as usable, motivating, vocabulary enlarging assistant, and can be perceived positively by students. In the contrary, it was observed that the students' collaborative work level was low. Accordingly, wikis can be a good vocabulary teaching tool if well-designed and well-implemented after training both teachers and students.

A survey was conducted in order to evaluate the quality of education received by students with intellectual disability in Aljouf, Saudi Arabia from the perspectives of their teachers and parents. From a sample of 95 respondents, it was found that most teachers used "baby steps" strategy in delivering content for students with intellectual disabilities. Most of the parents were found to rely almost entirely on formal education for their children and were not directly involved with their children's education at home. Only a minority of the teachers were found to utilize assistive technology to augment their practice. Both teachers and parents did not feel very confident about the effectiveness of the current systems in teaching their children important social and practical skills. Recommendations based on these outcomes were provided.

Even though teachers has positive attitude towards formative assessment, their perceptions on factors influence the adoption of formative assessment is crucial to implement various assessment strategies effectively. Therefore, survey conducted on perceptions of primary school teachers in Riyadh province of Saudi Arabia regarding 14 selected factors. By stratified random sampling, data is gathered from the teachers of 15 schools located in the Riyadh province of Saudi Arabia. 210 fully completed questionnaires are received. Interrelated factors also discussed with a sample of 25 teachers. Teachers slightly agreed on all the given factors. However, significant perceptional differences between teachers groups are intervened that mainly attributed to male and female teachers, teachers who attended training and not attended, younger and elder teachers, less tenured and more tenured teachers, and the teachers of different subjects. This study results is noteworthy for understanding the perceptions of teachers on factors influence adoption of formative assessment in primary schools. Factors deliberated in this study are useful to the school management to address the challenges of teachers in formative assessment that would help to minimize the barriers for effective implementation of formative assessment.

In pursuit of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives for a sustainable and low-carbon future, this study examines the intricate dynamics between carbon emissions and key variables crucial to the nation's decarbonisation strategy. Grounded in the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Theory, the chosen variables – sustainable tourism, renewable energy demand, and natural resource management – take centre stage. Applying Markov switching regime regression to data spanning 1990–2022, our findings reveal a positive association between international tourism and carbon emissions, aligning with the Tourism-induced Environmental Impact theory. Incorporating the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), our results illustrate a U-shaped relationship. Renewable energy consumption (REC) exhibits a negative impact, supporting EKC's premise that economic development and cleaner energy adoption mitigate environmental degradation. Identified as influential factors affecting carbon emissions, Economic growth and natural resource capital find theoretical backing. The second power of economic expansion positively influences carbon emissions, while the square of natural resources has a negative impact, aligning with resource scarcity theories. Granger causality estimates validate Tourism-led Growth, Resource Capital, and Emissions-led Growth hypotheses. Integrating insights from the Community-Based Tourism (CBT) and stakeholder theory, this study provides actionable insights for policymakers steering Saudi Arabia toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension has earned the moniker "the silent killer" because to its unique characteristic of often remaining asymptomatic for extended periods, in contrast to numerous other ailments. Aim: To determine the Quality of Life (QoL) among 50 years and older hypertensive patients in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study using structured interviews was conducted among Saudi hypertensive patients aged 50 years and old. The World Health Organization's Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF to measure the quality of life of patients with hypertension. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of better QoL. Settings: Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University Medical Center and King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the duration between October 2022 and January 2023. Results: A total of 392 patients with hypertension participated in this study. Overall, the mean QoL score for the participating patients was 67.7 (SD:13.4), which presents a moderate QoL. The highest QoL score was observed for the psychological health domain (83.7 (SD:14.9)) and the lowest QoL score was observed for the physical health domain (42.8 (SD:8.8)). Male patients and those with higher level of education (bachelor's degree or higher) were more likely to have better QoL compared to others (p<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, patients with hypertension demonstrated moderate QoL. Male patients and those with higher level of education tend to exhibit a better QoL compared to the rest of hypertensive patients. A multi-center study approach is recommended to confirm our study findings and recommend interventions to improve patients QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the independent level of entrepreneurial interest between male and female business college university students in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and the factors influencing their entrepreneurial interests from the gender perspective. The Chi-square result revealed there is no statistical difference between male and female students, thus signifying that they are both equally interested in starting their own business. The results of logistic regression indicated that attitude towards behaviour, entrepreneurship education, self-efficacy, government support, university context and risk-taking have greater likelihood to influence entrepreneurial interests of female and male students, since their odd-ratios are greater than 1. More so, attitude towards behaviour, self-efficacy, government support, university context, relational support and risk-taking are statistically significant in influencing females' entrepreneurial interests. Meanwhile attitude towards behaviour, entrepreneurship education, self-efficacy and university context are significant in influencing males' entrepreneurial interests. Hence, governmental, relational and university supports should be fostered to improve students' entrepreneurial interests.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected all aspects of human life, with significant impacts on education, as higher education institutions across the world were forced to make rapid transition to a fully online education format with no time to prepare. This qualitative study applied the narrative approach to examine the stories of six university instructors regarding their experiences with promoting student engagement during the COVID-19 emergency remote teaching. The study findings present the instructors' feelings during the transition to distance education, the challenges they faced, and their efforts to promote their students' engagement by using various strategies and assessments and by providing the students with emotional support. The findings also present the effect of local culture and millennial generation student status on students' engagement.

This self-assessment study aims to investigate Saudi teachers' knowledge about the three essential components of TPACK, technology, content, and pedagogy. A quantitative research design was employed. The sample included 111 males and 132 females; out of which, 116 were primary grade teachers, 55 were middle grade teachers, and 72 were secondary grade teachers. Around 32% of the teachers had teaching experience of between 10 and 20 years, and about 27% had teaching experience of between 5 and 10 years. A majority of the teachers reported that they had an average confidence level of knowledge relative to the TPACK framework. Certain differences existed amongst them on the basis of their gender, teaching subjects, and teaching experience. Statistically, a significant difference was shown between technological content knowledge and teaching experience. A recommendation resulting from the study was that the teachers ought to change their teaching style from traditional to effective learning approaches with the use of technology. Beyond this, the Ministry of Education ought to focus on providing both girls' and boys' schools with educational technologies, and teachers with effective technological training.

The goal of this study was to analyse international journals and conference proceedings published from 2012 to 2016. The main results indicated that the gap between the Arab Gulf Countries (GC) and the rest of the world regarding the amounts and trends of professional development (PD) research is too wide. At the global level, the initial scanning analysis showed the publication of 161 articles on math teacher PD, including 121 articles or abstracts published in conference proceedings and 40 articles published in journals. The number of articles on math teacher PD in the GC conference proceedings and journals was only 11. The results indicated that there is growing interest in research on PD in math and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). The results also showed that descriptive research received the most attention, followed by developmental and evaluative research. Most of the English-language research used qualitative methodology and mixed methodology, and hence, used observations and interviews to collect their data. At the level of Arabic-Language, GC, research, the results indicated that developmental research received the greatest attention; however, all the data collected were quantitative because the survey was the most commonly used tool in these research studies.

Context: With the high prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament rupture among young and active individuals, rehabilitation after the injury and surgery should meet the current evidence-based recommendations to restore knee function and reduce the risk of further injury. This study aimed to investigate the current rehabilitation practices and return to sports (RTS) criteria after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia. Design: Online cross-sectional survey-based study. Methods: A total of 177 physical therapists in Saudi Arabia participated in this survey. The survey included questions about the preferred postoperative timing and frequency of rehabilitation, current views on the importance of preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation to the overall outcomes, the timeframe of RTS, and the decision-making process to RTS. Results: Most therapists (96.6%) believed preoperative rehabilitation was essential/important to postoperative outcomes. Two-thirds encouraged patients to start rehabilitation program within 1 to 4 days immediately post-ACLR. RTS was permitted 6 to 9 months post-ACLR by 60% of therapists if satisfied with patient progress and capacity. Factors considered before RTS included knee strength (72.9%), functional capacity (86.4%), lower limb and trunk mechanics (62.7%), and psychological readiness (42.2%). Knee strength was assessed by manual muscle testing (39%), handheld dynamometry (15.3%), and isokinetic dynamometer (13.6%). While 60% of the therapists used single-limbed hop for distance for evaluating functional capacity, only 27.1% used a hop test battery. Conclusions: The surveyed physical therapists in Saudi Arabia demonstrated variations in the current rehabilitation practices and RTS criteria post-ACLR. Over half of the surveyed therapists considered preoperative rehabilitation essential to postoperative outcomes. However, the therapists should update their perspective with current evidence-based practice regarding the RTS timeframe, psychological readiness assessment for RTS, and knee strength evaluation using objective measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water analysis is an excellent interdisciplinary topic for project-based learning. An undergraduate course was designed to engage the senior undergraduate chemistry students in a real-life experience. In this course, students developed methodologies based on published American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods for the measurement of fluoride, phenols, and metals in real water samples. The procedures were utilized to analyze target analytes in real water samples from various sources, such as seawater, sewage water, swimming pool water, tap water, and drinking water in the eastern province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). These areas are profoundly affected by urbanization. The students analyzed the samples by employing a portable total dissolved solids (TDS) meter, a pH/ion-selective electrode (ISE) benchtop meter, an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The ASTM methods allowed the students to gather research-level data and study regional environmental issues. The students prepared and presented their results at the departmental conference. Through the water analysis project, students acquired field and laboratory research skills, performed a quantitative analysis of data sets, developed collaborative interactions, as well as utilized their writing and communication skills. The exposure of students to these research tools provided them with experience in dealing with the limitations of trace level analysis in real samples. The outcome of this study provided the students with an overview of how their theoretical knowledge was connected to the country's limited water sources and pollution problems.

Attitude is a multidimensional and complex notion that considerably empowers or limits the major life activities of humans. Health professionals' attitudes toward people with disabilities are significant factors in the rehabilitation process. Soon after completing their coursework, the final-year students from health science meet the patients and rehabilitate them. This study accordingly aims to assess the attitude toward disability among final-year health science students before and after administering a disability-specific structured teaching program. A total of 243 final-year undergraduate health science students from medical, dental, physical therapy, pharmacy, laboratory sciences, radiology sciences, and nursing aged between 21 and 27 years participated in this study. This work employed the Scale of Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons (SADP) to measure attitudes among participants. The mean pre- and posttest SADP scores were 83.59 ± 15.45 and 107.83 ± 62, respectively (p < 0.001). Students from medical, dental, physical therapy, and nursing showed significant positive attitudes toward disability compared with other students, whereas college students in the final year of health science generally had poor attitudes toward disability. The results indicate that the disability-specific structured teaching program is effective in improving the attitude toward disability among final-year health science students. Accordingly, the authors recommend modifying the disability-related content in the health sciences curriculum.

To overcome a shortage of female faculty members for teaching female students in a gender-segregated educational system, Saudi Arabian universities have assigned male faculty members to teach female students through videoconferencing. However, female students often do not prefer videoconferencing, and it does not reach an optimal level of satisfaction. Although students' ability to see an instructor's face might diminish this negativity, Saudi cultural norms do not encourage men to show women their faces. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact on female students' perceived social presence, satisfaction, and comprehension of showing male faculty members' faces during videoconferencing. The study used the quantitative method of a between-group "quasi"-experimental posttest-only design. Lasting 6 weeks and including 27 female graduate students, the study administered six tests to examine participants' comprehension and an online questionnaire to measure their perceived social presence and satisfaction. No differences between control and experimental groups were found for perceived social presence, satisfaction, or comprehension. Thus, researchers and practitioners should pay attention to opposite-gender instructor, segregated campuses, synchronized courses, gathering of students in same physical context, and conservative culture to provide effective distance education for gender-segregated institutions, as well as students with gender-segregated backgrounds when engaging in non-segregated distance education in the globalized world.

This study aims to understand teachers' perspectives of the use of Web 2.0 applications in learning and teaching and to explore the barriers to their use. The sample of this study involved teachers from primary, middle, and secondary schools in the Kharj region. The total sample consisted of 352 teachers. A quantitative survey instrument was utilised. Analyses of the resulting data were performed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of this study indicate that most of the participant teachers are familiar with Web 2.0 applications. However, their uses in education seem to be rarely mentioned. As they reported, the top barriers preventing them from the effective use of Web 2.0 applications in education are related to school level barriers, such as the large number of students in the classroom, the lack access to the Internet in schools, and the lack of a clear plan for the use of Web 2.0 in education. The findings also show that there is a significant difference in teacher responses about Web 2.0 applications in education in accordance with gender, educational levels, and teaching subjects. Finally, recommendations for teachers, educators and educational decision and policymakers are provided. Recommendations for further research are also offered.

This study aims at providing a comprehensive account of the types of errors produced by Saudi EFL students enrolled in the preparatory year programe in their use of articles, based on the Surface Structure Taxonomies (SST) of errors. The study describes the types, frequency and sources of the definite and indefinite article errors in writing compositions. Data were collected from written samples of 150 students. They were given one-and-a-half hours to write on one of four different descriptive topics. Analysis of inter-lingual and intra-lingual sources of article errors revealed that the frequency of eliminating both the indefinite articles and the definite article was higher than the frequency of inserting and substituting one article with the other. The study also shows that errors of using "a" were more common than errors of using "an" and "the" in the writing texts. This result also indicates that L1 interference strongly influences the process of second language acquisition of the articles, having a negative effect on the learning process. Pedagogical practices including comparison of article use in learners' both language systems may improve learners' ability to use the articles correctly in writing and the other language skills.

The BBC Learning English website has become an important method of learning and studying English as a second language, a resource that enhances the importance of e-learning. The aim of the current research is to find Saudi students' knowledge of and attitude towards e-resources on BBC Learning English. The sample size was 28 participants (17 male and 11 female participants). The knowledge and attitude were assessed based on scales (from a questionnaire) and their outcomes were correlated with each other; the effect of gender, age and reason for learning were also assessed in relation to the knowledge and attitude variables. Using appropriate statistical tests it was found that there is a significant positive relationship between the knowledge of e-resources and the attitude towards them on BBC Learning English. Gender was not found to have an effect on the attitude scale; however age appeared to have a significant effect on the knowledge variable. The reason for learning English was not found to have an effect on the knowledge of e-resources.

Globalization presents Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with opportunities for economic growth and transformation, as many of these nations face economic challenges such as the need for a diversified knowledge-based economy because of the finite resource of hydrocarbons. This requires the development of human capital providing workers with new and advanced skills and competencies. Education has become increasingly important on national agendas in the GCC, leading to an increase in transferring educational reforms often founded on Human Capital Theory (HCT). This article examines how HCT is embedded in the development of knowledge economies and reforms in many GCC countries and identifies the possible differences between western understandings of Human Capital Development (HCD) and GCC nations. In particular, the article addresses cultural preservation, specifically identity and language, against the backdrop of HCD in the GCC nations. Discussion centers on HCD from a local perspective raising concerns about HCT as a guiding educational theory in the GCC. This is followed by several suggestions for policymakers to consider when developing an education system that includes the skills deemed necessary for economic development while simultaneously preserving national identity and the Arabic language.

Background: Social media has fostered a landscape where trends, ideals, and beauty standards have significantly proliferated. Images of flawless skin, sculpted features, and curated aesthetics inundate user feeds, potentially shaping their self‐perceptions and aspirations. The rise of influencers, dermatologist social media engagement, and beauty campaigns sharing skincare routines and product recommendations wield substantial influence over individual appearance‐related decisions. Aims: The main aim of this study is to determine the pattern of behavior in using social media to seek dermatological procedures and skin care routine. Methods: We conducted a nationwide, online cross‐sectional study targeting the general Saudi population. Our survey aimed to understand participant social media behaviors and gather insights into skincare products, cosmetic procedures, and makeup habits. Results: Gender‐related differences emerged in seeking skincare advice. Females preferred dermatologists on social media (p < 0.001) and beauty influencers (p < 0.001), whereas men leaned towards pharmacists (p < 0.001). Women displayed stronger engagement with dermatologist social media reputation regarding non‐cosmetic concerns (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), and social media impact on cosmetic decisions (p = 0.001). They frequently sought dermatologists on social media before appointments (p = 0.001), whereas men emphasized dermatologists' fame (p = 0.024). Common cosmetic barriers included high costs (62.5%), complications (40.3%), and trust issues (40.2%). Women underwent various cosmetic procedures (p < 0.05), influenced by social media in their decisions and skincare routines. Conclusions: Our study reveals significant gender‐based disparities in seeking skincare advice. Women rely on social media, clinics, friends, and beauty influencers, whereas men prefer pharmacists. Additionally, women depend on dermatologists' social media reputation and conduct thorough pre‐appointment research. Their heightened social media engagement links to skincare practices and influences cosmetic procedure considerations based on age and usage frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Refractive errors (REs) are defined as a condition, in which the optics of the no accommodating eye are unable to take parallel light rays to concentrate on the retina. Students had a higher prevalence of myopia in comparison with others. The exposure and use of the computer with study for long times are associated with the development and progression of myopia. Aim: to assess prevalence of myopia among health university students at King Khalid University and its related factors. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional approach was used targeting King Khalid University health college students. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire. The questionnaire covered student’s demographic data, myopia, related factors, and vision-related behaviours. Results: A total of 1428 health university students were included, 502 (35.2%) from college of Pharmacy, 431 (30.2%) from college of Medicine, 252 (17.6%) from college of Nursing, and 243 (17%) from college of Dentistry. Students ages ranged from 18 to 30 years with a mean age of 22.7 ± 2.4 years old. Exact of 743 (52%) were females. A total of 696 (48.7%) students had myopia, which was in both eyes among 438 (62.9%), right eye among 150 (21.6%), and on left eye among 108 (15.5%). A total of 512 (35.9%) of the students wear glasses, 108 (7.6%) were lenses and 208 (14.6%) wear both. Family history of myopia and reading distances beside other factors were significantly associated with higher risk of myopia. Conclusions: In conclusion, the current study revealed that about half of the health college students at King Khalid university were myopic mainly college of medicine students. Myopia was bilateral among most of the students and family history was significantly associated with higher risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing social network sites (SNSs) for academic purposes has been investigated in the literature; however, there is not enough scientific knowledge about university instructors' behavioral perceptions and values that drive their academic use of SNSs. Therefore, a systematic cognitive framework, regarding SNSs academic usage, is beneficial to understand these behavioral perceptions. This research utilizes the means-end chain (MEC) analysis approach to investigate university instructors' cognitive structure toward the academic use of SNSs. It identifies important requirements for the effective academic use of SNSs by recognizing the relationship between the critical features of SNSs and instructors' perceived values derived from these features. The findings show that seven significant features of SNSs form 45 MECs that appear to be the most useful features used by university instructors for academic purposes. These seven features were found to be cognitively associated with 10 positive benefits, which are crucial to the fulfillment of nine of the instructors' personal values. Of the seven features, following others and being a group member were used most frequently by instructors in their academic practices. These two features were of significant value for the instructors to achieve a sense of accomplishment. The findings have practical implications for instructors and educational institution policy makers to enhance the effectiveness of SNSs use in academic settings.

In a replication study, the researcher investigated the effects of a 4-week vocabulary intervention in which he and a teacher used direct instruction to teach 16 multiple-meaning words to three hard of hearing students in a fifth-grade classroom who read at low levels. The vocabulary intervention was adopted from a study by Alqraini and Paul (2020) in which multiple-meaning words were taught to students with profound hearing loss in Saudi Arabia. In the present study, a single-subject experimental design was used to implement the vocabulary intervention. It was found that the students' performance in word recognition and comprehension improved after the intervention. However, the three students showed different levels of improvement.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the stress level and depression among orthopaedic surgeons in Saudi Arabia. In addition, to evaluate orthopedic training programs related factors that might have a critical role in the development of depression among orthopaedic surgeons. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional study design. Two validated questionnaires were utilized, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) for assessing depressive symptoms and stress levels. Data was collected by sending the survey to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties so they could be distributed throughout all registered orthopaedic surgeons. Results: The study sample consisted of 325 participants. The results revealed that the severity of depression varied across the different groups. As per the PHQ-9 criteria, 74 (22.8%) were initially diagnosed with major depression. Among assistant consultants, 39.5% reported severe depression, while 34.9% reported mild depression. Consultants predominantly reported moderate perceived stress (82.9%) with a notable proportion experiencing high perceived stress (12.4%). Assistant consultants showed a balanced distribution, with 93.0% reporting moderate perceived stress and 4.7% reporting high perceived stress. Demographic variables gender, relationship status and having children revealed statistically significant relationship with PHQ-9 scores (p-value < 0.05) but not with PSS-10 scores. Conclusion: The study highlights pressing need to address mental health concerns within orthopaedic surgeons. To address these challenges, healthcare institutions should implement comprehensive mental health support programs offering resources for stress management, counseling services, and peer support groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has presented unprecedented stressors and difficulties for healthcare professionals. This study explored the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorders and burnout among radiology practitioners and interns in various hospitals in Saudi Arabia after the end of the COVID-19 global public health emergency. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 230 radiology practitioners and interns was conducted between October and November 2023. This study utilized the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS-MP) 22-item questionnaire, employing a non-probability convenience sampling method. The average scores of the individual components constituting the GAD-7 scale and each burnout scale were calculated, and statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H nonparametric tests. Results: Of 382 radiology practitioners and interns, 230 (60.2%) responded to the survey. Notably, 42.6% of the participants reported experiencing GAD. Regarding burnout, 82.3% were at moderate-to-high risk for emotional exhaustion, 93.5% for depersonalization, and 52.1% for personal achievement. The 31-40 years age group showed significantly higher burnout rates (p = 0.001) compared with the other age groups. Those with more than three years of experience had notably higher emotional exhaustion scores (p = 0.002) and a nearly significant increase in depersonalization scores (p = 0.051) than those with less experience. Discussion: Our study revealed that 42.6% of radiology practitioners and interns experienced GAD, with the majority facing significant burnout. Furthermore, our research indicates a decline in GAD levels among radiology practitioners and interns compared with the peak COVID-19 pandemic period. It also showed a significant increase in both the incidence and severity of burnout, surpassing prepandemic levels in a comparable cohort. These findings emphasize the pressing challenges of GAD and burnout among healthcare workers, especially radiology professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overall, stoma-related morbidity affects a reported 20–38% of pediatric patients. However, determining the true incidence of major stoma-related morbidity is challenging due to limited cohort sizes in existing studies. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate colostomy related morbidity among children both after stoma formation and stoma closure. Methodology: This is a retrospective cohort hospital-based study, conducted in an Abha maternity and children hospital, between August 1, 2018, and August 1, 2023, among 126 pediatric patients (aged 0–12 years) who underwent colostomy formation and subsequent closure during the study period. Data were collected from medical records. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v.26. Results: This study included a total of 126 children who underwent colostomy. (N = 37, 29.4%) of cases included in this study were emergency cases, while (N = 89, 70.6%) were elective. A variety of antibiotics were used for surgical prophylaxis, metronidazole (77%) and cefuroxime (62.7%) were the most prevalent. Oral feeding was started after 5–6 days in more than one third of cases (39.7%). Wound infection (N = 15, 11.9%) was the most reported post-operative complication, followed with bowel obstruction (N = 6, 4.8%). Emergency cases had a longer duration of hospital stay than elective cases; this difference was statistically significant (P =.04). Conclusions: Majority of patients reported no stoma related complications, while among those who reported complications, wound infection was the most reported complication, followed by bowel obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates patients' use of eHealth services, their awareness of the availability of these services, and their intention to use them in primary care. It also examines patient characteristics and factors that influence the use of these services. Methods: A cross-sectional design using questionnaires was conducted. Based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), the participants rated the two most common services. Descriptive analyses and linear correlation analyses were performed. A simple linear regression was conducted to identify factors influencing the participants' intention to use eHealth services. Results: In total, 1203 participants with an average age of 43.7 years were surveyed. The participants' usage rates varied, with the lowest at 2.4%, for measuring vital signs, and the highest at 47.4%, for booking appointments. The intentions to use the services ranged from 22.5%, for video consultations, to 46.6%, for prescription refill requests. Approximately 20% of the respondents were unaware of each service's availability. Positive associations were found between all the constructs and the intention to use online services, with a younger age being the most significant factor. Conclusions: The use of and intention to use eHealth services varied greatly. The participants were often unaware of the availability of these services. Promoting the availability and benefits of eHealth services could enhance patient engagement in primary care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gingival diseases, encompassing a spectrum of oral health concerns, represent a prevalent issue within the global population. Despite their widespread occurrence, the research landscape concerning effective interventions, particularly those rooted in herbal products, remains somewhat limited. Addressing this knowledge gap, the current study undertook a comprehensive evaluation aimed at assessing the clinical efficacy of a novel intervention: a 5% thymoquinone (TQ) gel. This investigation specifically focused on the application of TQ gel as an adjunctive measure to the standard protocol of scaling (SC) in individuals afflicted with plaque-induced gingivitis. Through rigorous examination and analysis, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the potential utility and therapeutic benefits of this herbal-based intervention in managing gingival diseases. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 5% TQ gel using a novel liposome drug delivery as a topical application following SC in gingivitis patients. Methods: A double-blinded, parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial. The study was performed at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, and Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. This trial enrolled 63 participants in an age group between 18 and 40 years attending the outpatient clinics of the Faculty of Dentistry, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, and a clinical diagnosis of gingivitis was made. The enrolled subjects were categorized into three groups: Group I—TQ gel with SC, Group II—Placebo with SC, and Group III—SC alone, and clinical outcomes were measured at baseline and two-week follow-up visits. Plaque index (PI), papillary bleeding index (PBI), and any adverse events with TQ gel are categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. 63 patients. Group I (n = 21); Group II (n = 21); Group III (n = 21). Results: The paired t-test compared the mean differences in PI and PBI at two time points and it was observed that there were significant differences in Group I with p-values of 0.04 and 0.05, respectively. A one-way ANOVA test was performed and it showed significant differences in the mean scores between the three groups for PI (p-value—0.01) and PBI (p-value—0.05). The post hoc Tukey's test compared the mean differences in PI and PBI between the groups and the results were in favor of Group I which used TQ gel with SC. Conclusions: The clinical trial concluded that the plaque and gingival bleeding scores were significantly reduced in the group of patients who intervened with TQ gel following SC when compared to SC-alone and placebo groups. Also, there were significant reductions in the scores from the baseline to the two-week follow-up visit in patients treated with TQ gel and SC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study assessed the beliefs and knowledge of physical therapists in Saudi Arabia regarding the management of patellofemoral pain (PFP) and their alignment with current Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, involving 111 licensed physical therapists actively treating PFP patients. The survey included questions about PFP risk factors, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment, using a Likert scale to measure confidence and knowledge. Results: Readers have significantly greater confidence in the knowledge of managing patients with PFP following current CPGs (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed between groups in the other items (p > 0.01). However, over 70% of respondents, irrespective of guideline familiarity, held beliefs about risk factors, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment that were inconsistent with CPGs. Conclusions: These discrepancies highlight a significant knowledge gap that may affect patient care quality. Enhancing education and dissemination efforts regarding CPGs is essential to improve adherence to evidence-based practices among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia. To change practitioners' preferences, attitudes, and beliefs, more targeted programs and interventions for knowledge dissemination and implementation should be provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its nutritional value and health benefits, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an essential dietary food crop throughout Middle Eastern and African countries. Consumers are concerned about the possible microbial contamination of dates, especially since most dates arriving in local markets are unprocessed. The absence of processing increases the possibility of microbial contamination, which raises the probability of microbial contamination. This study aims to analyze and evaluate the variability of fungal and bacterial microbiota identified in the most popular date palm fruits in Saudi Arabia. The study assessed ten date variety fruits from the most popular date palm varieties for consumption in Saudi Arabia and analyzed the microbial count. Morphological and molecular characterization and comparison of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences identified 78 fungi, including 36 distinct species across 15 fungal genera. Alternaria, Fusarium, Curvilaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium were the most frequent genera among the ten fruit cultivars studied, according to ITS-rDNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, 36 bacterial isolates were obtained from ten date varieties studied, each with a unique colony morphology. These isolates were identified based on sequence alignment and comparison of their 16S rDNA internal spacer regions to those available in public databases. The results showed that the bacterial isolates included 15 species from five bacterial genera. The results suggested that Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, and Brucella were the prevailing genera among the ten tested fruit varieties. Some bacterial genera, such as Brucella, Achromobacter, and Stenotrophomonas, are well-known potential human pathogens. Chaetomium globosum was also recognized as air pollution causing adverse health effects such as allergies and as the causal agent of human fungal infections among the tested date varieties; the Rashodiah type exhibited the highest fungal contamination, whereas the Sagai variety displayed the lowest fungal contamination. Conversely, the Sukkari, Barhi, and Mejdool varieties were the most contaminated with bacteria among the ten tested varieties, while the Khalas variety showed the least bacterial contamination. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study provides the initial comprehensive account of the molecular and morphological identification of all fungal and bacterial genera associated with date palm (P. dactylifera) fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Isotretinoin is an effective treatment for acne but can cause side effects such as changes in blood lipids and liver enzymes. Laboratory monitoring is essential during treatment, but there is variation in monitoring practices. Aim: This study aims to investigate the relationship between isotretinoin therapy and its effects on complete blood count in Saudi Arabia to improve patient outcomes. Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort study conducted at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January 2016 and December 2020. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 515 patients were randomly selected for the study. The data was analyzed using SPSS, and descriptive statistics and paired samples t-tests were employed to analyze the data. Results: In this study, 515 patients were enrolled. Of these participants, 76.7% (n=395) were females and 23.3% (n=120) were males. The mean age of the study participants was 23.98± 7.4 years and ranged between 16 and 65 years. The mean dose of Isotretinoin administered was 27.65± 9.6 mg/day, with a range of 10– 60 mg/day. The mean BMI of the study participants was 24.3± 4.1 kg/m2, ranging from 14.3 to 44.8 kg/m2. Regarding the effect of Isotretinoin on laboratory measures, significant statistical differences were found in hemoglobin measurements (t=− 3.379, p=0.001), platelets (t=− 3.169, p=0.002), neutrophils (%) (t=3.107, p=0.002), total cholesterol (t=− 13.017, p=0.000), AST (t=− 6.353, p=0.000), ALT (t=− 4.352, p=0.000), HDL (t=2.446, p=0.015), and LDL (t=− 12.943, p=0.000). However, there were no significant statistical differences in the measurements of WBC, neutrophils (count), or triglycerides. In the Chi-square analysis and Fisher's Exact test to identify the interaction between BMI, dose, and gender on abnormal lab results, significant interaction was found between participants' BMI and abnormal HDL measurements (p=0.006). Furthermore, there were significant interactions between Isotretinoin dose (either less than 30 mg/day or 30 mg/day or more) and abnormal neutrophil count (p=0.04), abnormal HDL measurements (p=0.010), and abnormal triglycerides measurements (p=0.020). Moreover, a statistically significant interaction was found between participants' gender and abnormal hemoglobin measurements (p=0.006), abnormal total cholesterol (p=0.016), abnormal AST measurements (p=0.001), abnormal ALT measurements (p=0.000), abnormal HDL measurements (p=0.000), and abnormal triglycerides measurements (p=0.007). Conclusion: In conclusion, the study found that isotretinoin therapy has significant effects on several laboratory measures, including hemoglobin, platelets, neutrophils, total cholesterol, AST, ALT, HDL, and LDL. The study also revealed significant interactions between BMI, dose, gender, and abnormal lab results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]