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Introduction: The brain endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes communicate with each other to regulate the properties of blood-brain barrier (BBB). They share a common basement membrane to mimic the anatomical, functional, and microenvironmental situation in vivo. Methods: Construction of monoculture, coculture, and triculture models were performed using human microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), human brain vascular pericytes (HBVP), and normal human astrocytes (NHA). Human extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins combinations were optimised using collagen-IV (10 µg/ml), fibronectin (5 µg/ml), laminin (5 µg/ml), agrin (1 µg/ml), and perlecan (10 µg/ml) at the ratios (100:100:100:100:100; 50:20:20:5:5; 56:18:18:4:4; 62:16:16:3:3, v/v, %). Transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were subsequently analysed. Results: Using 1 µm-translucent-PET in the thin-layer protocol, only at a ratio 56:18:18:4:4 is statistically significant (P<0.0016), TEER was 30±0.94 ohm*cm2. The hCMEC/D3 seeding density at 6x104 cells/ml generated the highest TEER value at day 6. The hCMEC/D3 monoculture model showed a peak TEER of 36±0.50 ohm*cm2 on day 6. TEM of endothelial cells showed close apposition to each other, with electron-dense areas at points of contact between adjacent cells, likely indicating the presence of adherent and tight junction complexes. SEM of hCMEC/D3 cells showed a confluent cell monolayer composed of closely apposed cells. HBVP seeding density at 4x104 cells/cm2 in hCMEC/D3-HBVP coculture models produced the highest TEER (41±0.97 ohm*cm2) at day 6 (p<0.0001). NHA seeding density at 4x104 cells/cm2 in hCMEC/D3-HBVP-NHA triculture-models produced the highest TEER (103±0.97 ohm*cm2) at day 6 (p<0.0001). The hCMEC/D3-HBVP-NHA triculture-model produced the highest statistically significant TEER (p<0.0001) 103±0.97 ohm*cm2 compared to the hCMEC/D3-HBVP coculture-model 41±0.49 ohm*cm2 and the hCMEC/D3 monoculture-model 35±0.97 ohm*cm2. Conclusion: The designed, optimised, standardised, and validated in vitro human BBB models were successfully constructed to achieve intact, structural, and functional BBB barrier formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDSs) are indispensable defensive tools against various cyberattacks. Lightweight, multipurpose, and anomaly-based detection NIDSs employ several methods to build profiles for normal and malicious behaviors. In this paper, we design, implement, and evaluate the performance of machine-learning-based NIDS in IoT networks. Specifically, we study six supervised learning methods that belong to three different classes: (1) ensemble methods, (2) neural network methods, and (3) kernel methods. To evaluate the developed NIDSs, we use the distilled-Kitsune-2018 and NSL-KDD datasets, both consisting of a contemporary real-world IoT network traffic subjected to different network attacks. Standard performance evaluation metrics from the machine-learning literature are used to evaluate the identification accuracy, error rates, and inference speed. Our empirical analysis indicates that ensemble methods provide better accuracy and lower error rates compared with neural network and kernel methods. On the other hand, neural network methods provide the highest inference speed which proves their suitability for high-bandwidth networks. We also provide a comparison with state-of-the-art solutions and show that our best results are better than any prior art by 1~20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic infection caused by pathogenic Leptospira and continues to pose a challenge for public health experts due to the high morbidity and fatality rates. Neurological disorders such as intracranial haemorrhage and cerebellar ataxia have been reported in patients infected with Leptospira interrogans. Unfortunately, neuroleptospirosis is frequently underdiagnosed due to a lack of understanding on the pathophysiology and its diverse clinical presentation. The Leptospira interrogans ST238 strain was recently isolated in Malaysia and showed high virulence with haemorrhage in the lungs of infected Golden Syrian hamster models, but no information on the neuropathogenicity. Therefore, this study investigates the neuropathogenic changes observed in infected Golden Syrian hamster models to validate the animal model for future neuroleptospirosis study. Methods: Golden Syrian hamsters (n=21) were intraperitonially infected with 0.5 ml (2 x 108 leptospires/ml) of Leptospira interrogans strain ST238 per hamster. The hamsters (infected, n=21 and control, n=7) were observed daily and euthanised at random from 1st to 7th day post-infection, unless clinical signs of infection were present. The clinical scores of the hamsters were recorded. Brain samples were collected and sectioned into multiple coronal and sagittal planes for histopathological analysis. Results: A mortality rate of 19.05% and morbidity rate of 85.71% were observed in the infected hamster group. No significant pathological changes were identified in brain tissues of both the control (n=7) and infected (n=17) groups. However, extravasation of red blood cells in focal areas (+1) and congested blood vessels (n=4) were observed in brain tissues of infected hamsters. Conclusion: The findings from this study reveal a possible neuroleptospirosis development in hamsters following infection with Leptospira interrogans (ST238), providing new information about the disease’s pathogenesis and the potential use of Golden Syrian hamsters as an animal model to study the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epilepsy is a prevalent condition that affects a large population. However, a lack of knowledge and misconceptions about seizures can lead to inappropriate reactions and negative attitudes toward people with epilepsy, who are more likely to experience stigma because of their illness. This study explored public knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of epilepsy and seizures among residents of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between September and November 2023 involving 2626 random adult residents of the Madinah Region in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through an online survey consisting of 27 questions concerning epilepsy. Results: Regarding participants' awareness of epilepsy, 92.2% reported having heard or read about it, and 12.8% had attended a course on controlling epileptic seizures. The results showed an acceptable level of understanding about epilepsy. The mean knowledge and attitude scores about epilepsy for the sample were 22 (SD ± 3.2) and 27.1 (SD ± 3.1), respectively, indicating moderate knowledge and positive attitudes toward epilepsy. Among demographic characteristics, knowledge about epilepsy was significantly associated with gender, age, marital status, educational level, occupation, household monthly income, having heard about epilepsy, having a family member diagnosed with epilepsy, and course attendance. However, attitudes toward epilepsy were only significantly associated with gender, having heard about epilepsy, having a family member diagnosed with epilepsy, and course attendance. Similarly, actions toward seizure attacks were significantly associated with all demographic characteristics except education. Conclusions: The residents of Madinah have generally positive attitudes regarding epilepsy, although their knowledge levels could be enhanced by education. Therefore, more educational awareness campaigns are required to improve public understanding of epilepsy and appropriate actions to take when witnessing a seizure. The results of this study provide a foundation for worldwide comparisons of general levels of knowledge and attitudes concerning epilepsy in Saudi Arabia., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2025 Bayan M. Almarwani et al. Behavioural Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are a type of cancer immunotherapy, have been associated with the development of adverse events related to an overactive immune system caused by the effect of this type of therapy. It affects a wide range of organs, including the ear and eye. Ophthalmic toxicity related to immune checkpoint inhibitors usually occurs bilaterally. Corneal toxicity (mainly dry eye disease) and uveitis are the most commonly reported patterns of toxicity. Other patterns of involvement include optic neuritis, serous retinal detachment, keratitis, ophthalmoplegia, and ocular myasthenia, but are not limited to them. Potential factors contributing to the development of toxicity are age, previous history of ocular immune disease, type, doses, and duration of treatment, and race. Ototoxicity is also reported in the literature, usually manifesting as bilateral, symmetrical/asymmetrical hearing loss. Ear toxicity presenting as ear fullness, tinnitus, and vertigo has also been mentioned in the literature. Hearing loss is often associated with word/speech recognition. An audiogram usually shows a pattern of sensorineural hearing loss. Otitis media has also been reported to be a potential cause of ear toxicity. Immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicity was present more commonly when used along with other anti-neoplastic agents. Ear toxicity, which presumably results from damage to the melanocytes in the ear, often presents with other melanocytotic manifestations, like uveitis and vitiligo. According to the literature, some agents (ipilimumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, and pembrolizumab) were more commonly associated with toxic effects on the eye and ear and more when combined with each other., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Sunyur et al.)

Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SBAWH) is a highly promising approach for extracting water from the atmosphere thanks to its sustainability, exceptional energy efficiency, and affordability. In this work, ZnFe 2 O 4 and Zn 0.4 Co 0.6 Fe 2 O 4 were evaluated for moisture adsorption. The desired materials were synthesized by a surfactant-assisted sol-gel method. Synthesized samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and point of zero charge (PZC). Crystallinity and phase composition were evaluated by XRD analysis. Several parameters were determined using XRD analysis: lattice parameter, unit cell volume, crystallite size, and bulk density. The morphology of synthesized materials was assessed via SEM, and unveiled the acquisition of consistent, homogeneous, and uniform crystals. Elemental composition was determined through EDX spectroscopy. Water adsorption on the surface was evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of synthesized ZnFe 2 O 4 and cobalt-doped ZnFe 2 O 4 ferrites were investigated using VSM. The negative charge on the Zn 0.4 Co 0.6 Fe 2 O 4 surface was explored using PZC. Adsorption studies on synthesized materials were conducted with the help of an atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) plant created by our team. Moisture adsorption isotherms of synthesized materials were determined using a gravimetric method under varying temperature and relative humidity (45-95%) conditions. The moisture content ( M c ) of Zn 0.4 Co 0.6 Fe 2 O 4 and ZnFe 2 O 4 was 597 mg g -1 and 104 mg g -1 , respectively. Key thermodynamic properties, including isosteric heat of adsorption ( Q st ), change in Gibbs free energy (Δ G ), and change in sorption entropy (Δ S ), were evaluated. Q st was negative, which confirmed the sorption of water vapors on the material surface. Δ G and Δ S indicated that water-vapor adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic. A second-order kinetics study was carried out on synthesized materials, demonstrating their chemisorption behavior. The latter was due to the oxygen defects created by replacement of Co 2+ and Fe 3+ at tetrahedral and octahedral sites. Water vapors in the atmosphere became attached to the surface and deprotonation occurred, and the hydroxyl ions were formed. Water vapor attached to these hydroxyl ions. A second-order kinetics study was carried out to confirm the chemisorption behavior of synthesized materials., Competing Interests: There are no coflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Hematological disorders are common medical ailments constituting an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, which may be managed efficiently using different prophetic medicine remedies as adjuvants to current therapeutics. Prophetic medicine includes the body of knowledge about medicine that has been derived from the deeds, customs (sunnah), ahadith (sayings), actions, and agreements of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. This review article aims at exploring the magnitude of therapeutic benefits of prophetic medicine remedies as adjuvant treatments to many different types of hematological disorders. Herein, we reviewed many published research studies throughout the literature to delineate the potential therapeutic benefits of prophetic remedies on hematological disorders. Several types of hematological disorders may benefit from prophetic medicine remedies that are rich in natural antioxidants that combat oxidative stress-induced harm e.g. nigella sativa, oral honey, camel milk and urine, Ajwa date fruits, olive oil, Zamzam water and figs. Many prophetic medicine remedies were reported to decrease the hematological cytotoxicity effects induced by different chemicals and are beneficial in treating anemias e.g. iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, coagulopathies and hematological malignancies as leukemia and myeloma. These remedies treat or alleviate the different hematological disorders using different mechanisms e.g. modulating the immune function, treating deficiencies of different substances, protecting against toxins-induced cytotoxicity, decreasing platelets aggregation, suppressing clotting factors activation, exerting antineoplastic effects (enhancing cancer cells cytotoxicity) and inhibiting angiogenesis. Prophetic medicine remedies exert clinically significant therapeutic benefits for treating COVID-19 pandemic, anemia, thrombosis, thalassemia and blood cancers without inducing toxicity or side effects., Competing Interests: None., (AJBR Copyright © 2023.)

Nowadays, in parallel to the appearance of the COVID-19 virus, the risk of viruses in water increases leading to the necessity of developing novel disinfection methods. This review focuses on the route of virus contamination in water and introduces non-thermal plasma technology as a promising method for the inactivation of viruses. Effects of essential parameters affecting the non-thermal discharge for viral inactivation have been exposed. The review has also illustrated a critical discussion of this technology with other advanced oxidation processes. Additionally, the inactivation mechanisms have also been detailed based on reactive oxygen and nitrogen species., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)