Search

The production of concrete by incorporating a microorganism has emerged as a promising research area, offering potential benefits such as reduce carbon footprint, enhance durability and increased strength. The present study reported for the first time using a fungal strain (Aspergillus iizukae EAN605) in biocementation. The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of incorporating Aspergillus iizukae EAN 605 into foam concrete to improve its performance, particularly its strength. The study employs the response surface methodology (RSM) to explore the relationship between density, microorganism concentration and water /cement ratio (w/c) and their effects on compressive strength. Through a series of experiments,the highest recorded compressive strength was achieved with a density of 1800 kg/m3, w/c ratio of 0.5, and Aspergillus iizukae EAN605 concentration of 0.5 g/l, resulting in a remarkable 37.5 % increase compared to foam concrete (FC). The variables of density, A. iizukae EAN 605 and their interaction density*fungi (D*F) significantly impacted compressive strength, with p-values of 0.000, 0.016, and 0.010, respectively.X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was employed to identify the crystalline composition of the precipitates formed on the fungal hyphae, providing insights into the mineralogical transformations occurring during the biocementation process. Additionally, scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging was utilised to visualise the morphology and distribution of the calcite crystals, further supporting the evidence of fungal-mediated mineral precipitation in foam concrete. The findings of this study hold significant implications for the concrete industry, as the incorporation of Aspergillus iizukae EAN605 in foam concrete offers a sustainable solution to enhance compressive strength and contribute to environmental friendly construction practices. This study provides valuable insights for future research and practical applications in the field of bio-foamed concrete (B-FC).

Background: The most commonly available drugs for leishmaniasis are pentavalent antimony compounds; whereas the recent studies showed various complications and limitations of these drugs. We aimed to green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and study the promising antileishmanial and synergic effects of green synthesized silver nanoparticles alone and combined with glucantime. Methods: The precipitation technique was used to drop silver ions via an extract of Astragalus spinosus to AgNPs at Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia in 2022. Then, its anti-amastigotes, caspase-3-like activity, triggering the nitric oxide (NO) as well as its cytotoxicity effects on macrophage cells as well as effects on leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice infected by L. major were measured. Results: The size of the AgNPs were ranging from 30-40 nm. The IC50 value for AgNPs, AgNPs+ meglumine antimoniate (MA), and MA was 59.3, 18.6, and 51.2 μg/mL, respectively. The determined FIC value for AgNPs and MA was found to be 0.31 and 0.36, respectively; demonstrating the synergistic potency of AgNPs when combined with MA. The diameter of CL lesions treated with various doses of AgNPs and AgNPs+MA notably (p

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic imposes an urgent and continued need for the development of safe and cost-effective vaccines to induce preventive responses for limiting major outbreaks around the world. To combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), we repurposed the VSV∆51M oncolytic virus platform to express the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) antigen. In this study, we report the development and characterization of the VSV∆51M-RBD vaccine. Our findings demonstrate successful expression of the RBD gene by the VSV∆51M-RBD virus, inducing anti-RBD responses without attenuating the virus. Moreover, the VSV∆51M-RBD vaccine exhibited safety, immunogenicity, and the potential to serve as a safe and effective alternative or complementary platform to current COVID-19 vaccines.

In this research, we have developed an energy-efficient modified version of the traditional Tchar stove for household use. The gasifier and charcoal stoves of a traditional Tchar have been incorporated into a single structure by movable fuel bed and pot support for the ease of operation .Traditional Tchar stove utilizes unidirectional preheated secondary air stream, which is unable to reach the flame core efficiently, and results in poor combustion. The modified Tchar stove under this study was designed with the provision of two preheated secondary air streams from opposite direction for crossflow mixing of secondary air and gaseous fuel for improved combustion. The characteristics parameters of the modified Tchar stove were measured following the standard water boiling test (WBT) method to compare with previously reported models. The high power (cold start), and simmering phases were used in WBT for the evaluation of the thermal performance of the modified Tchar stove. The thermal efficiency of the Tchar stove was 39.64±2.29% for the cold start high power phase and 51±3.12% for the low power simmering phase, respectively. In the cold start high power phase, the specific energy consumption values ranged from 1465.99 to 1855.9 kJ/liter. The thermal efficiency of the modified Tchar stove increased with decreasing firepower (kW). The designed stove allows enhanced heat transfer both at low and high fire power with its moveable structure. Moreover, it gives better combustion due to the cross-flow air mixing, which makes it a better alternative compared to the traditional Tchar stove.

Introduction: The dentist–patient relationship and the patient's expectation before prosthodontic treatment are significant in achieving patients' satisfaction. There are not enough studies in the Saudi population on how the expectation can affect patients' satisfaction for patients rehabilitated with different prosthetic options. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of gender, prosthesis type, and patients' expectations of different prosthetic treatments on the patient's satisfaction. Materials and Methods: Data were collected at the dental hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, Taibah University. A total of 125 participants evaluated their expectations of and satisfaction with different prostheses types regarding esthetics, chewing, comfort, and phonetics, also assessed their perception of the dentists' conduct by using a Visual Analog Scale. Results and Discussion: The study included 125 participants (50.4% females, 49.6% males), with a mean age of 39.76 ± 15.42. Regarding the prosthesis type, there were no statistically significant differences between expectations and satisfaction in all domains except with chewing with a fixed denture prosthesis, in which satisfaction exceeded expectations with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Most participants scored their perception of the dentist's conduct above average and described their dentists as professional, very concerned, and careful. Female participants recorded statistically insignificantly lower expectations and satisfaction scores than males regarding esthetics, comfort, and phonetics with all prosthesis types (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The study's findings suggested that satisfaction levels were correlated with prosthesis type, pretreatment expectations, and the gender of the treated patients.

Near-surface investigation has been carried out in Cot Abeuk, Weh Island, Indonesia. The area is part of the Seulimeum segment active fault, the northernmost branch of the Great Sumatran Fault. We measured two parallel electrical resistivity tomography profiles on the area with the direction perpendicular to the fault strike. The length of profile 1 and profile 2 are 111 m and 125 m, respectively, with 1 meter spacing between electrodes. Along the Profile 2, VLF-EM and Geomagnetic data were also acquired for complementary. The 2D inverted resistivity models show some minor fractures, which can be related to ruptures in the past. The structure was made by weathering rocks, clay and andesite. The models align with the analytic signal of total magnetic field anomalies as well as in-phase, Fraser filter and conductivity model derived from VLM-EM data. Following the successful models, this location is a potential candidate for paleo-seismological excavation.

This study carried out a comprehensive review to determine the carbonation process that causes the most deterioration and destruction of concrete. The carbonation mechanism involved using carbon dioxide (CO2) to penetrate the concrete pore system into the atmosphere and reduce the alkalinity by decreasing the pH level around the reinforcement and initiation of the corrosion process. The use of bacteria in the concrete was to increase the pH of the concrete by producing urease enzyme. This technique may help to maintain concrete alkalinity in high levels, even when the carbonation process occurs, because the CO2 accelerates to the concrete and then converts directly to calcium carbonate, CaCO3. Consequently, the self-healing of the cracks and the pores occurred as a result of the carbonation process and bacteria enzyme reaction. As a result of these reactions, the concrete steel is protected, and the concrete properties and durability may improve. However, there are several factors that control carbonation which have been grouped into internal and external factors. Many studies on carbonation have been carried out to explore the effect of bacteria to improve durability and concrete strength. However, an in-depth literature review revealed that the use of bacteria as a self-healing mechanism can still be improved upon. This review aimed to highlight and discuss the possibility of applying bacteria in concrete to improve reinforcement concrete.

Monkeypox is re-emerging and spreading over the world, posing a serious threat to human life, especially in non-endemic countries, including Saudi Arabia. Due to the paucity of research on knowledge about monkeypox in Saudi Arabia, this study aimed to evaluate the general population’s knowledge of monkeypox in a sample of the country. A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from 25 May 2022 to 15 July 2022. Participants’ knowledge about monkeypox on a 23-item scale and socio-demographic characteristics were gathered in the survey. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to compare knowledge level (categorized into high and low) and explanatory variables. Out of 480, only 48% of the respondents had high knowledge (mean score > 14). Participants’ age, marital status, residential region, living in the urban area, education level, employment status, being a healthcare worker, income, and smoking status were significantly associated with the level of knowledge about monkeypox (p < 0.01). Overall, social media (75.0%) was the most frequently reported source from where participants obtained monkeypox-related information followed by TV and radio (45.6%), family or friend (15.6%), and healthcare provider (13.8%). We found that overall knowledge of monkeypox infection was slightly poor among the Saudi population. These findings highlight the urgent need for public education on monkeypox to promote awareness and engage the public ahead of the outbreak.

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common disorder in childhood. Early identification and appropriate antibiotic use are essential to avoid long-term sequels. The trial objective was to identify the prevalence of URI in children, and the risk factors. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the Saudi Arabia, from April 4th 2020 till July 30th 2020. The sample was randomly selected from children who presented to the ministry of health tertiary hospitals. People answered a questionnaire of 10 items. Results: 1083 people participated in the current trial. The prevalence of UTI was 25.8%. The mean age was 4.5-5 years. UTI was commoner in females than males. Urethritis was the main presenting complaint. Western region was the commonest identified area. Those with multivitamin deficiency had the highest prevalence. Conclusion: UTI is not a very common problem for children in Saudi Arabia. Western region had the highest prevalence and the peak age ranged from 4.5 to 5 years. Additionally, nearly a sixth of children could develop severe/complicated UTI.

Due to the constant need to enhance water supply sources, water operators are searching for solutions to maintain water quality through leakage protection. The capability to monitor the day-to-day water supply management is one of the most significant operational challenges for water companies. These companies are looking for ways to predict how to improve their supply operations in order to remain competitive, given the rising demand. This work focuses on the mathematical modeling of water flow and losses through leak openings in the smart pipe system. The research introduces smart mathematical models that water companies may use to predict water flow, losses, and performance, thereby allowing issues and challenges to be effectively managed. So far, most of the modeling work in water operations has been based on empirical data rather than mathematically described process relationships, which is addressed in this study. Moreover, partial submersion had a power relationship, but a total immersion was more likely to have a linear power relationship. It was discovered in the experiment that the laminar flows had Reynolds numbers smaller than 2000. However, when testing with transitional flows, Reynolds numbers were in the range of 2000 to 4000. Furthermore, tests with turbulent flow revealed that the Reynolds number was more than 4000. Consequently, the main loss in a 30 mm diameter pipe was 0.25 m, whereas it was 0.01 m in a 20 mm diameter pipe. However, the fitting pipe had a minor loss of 0.005 m, whereas the bending pipe had a loss of 0.015 m. Consequently, mathematical models are required to describe, forecast, and regulate the complex relationships between water flow and losses, which is a concept that water supply companies are familiar with. Therefore, these models can assist in designing and operating water processes, allowing for improved day-to-day performance management.

Sustainable wastewater treatment is one of the biggest issues of the 21st century. Metals such as Zn2+ have been released into the environment due to rapid industrial development. In this study, dried watermelon rind (D-WMR) is used as a low-cost adsorption material to assess natural adsorbents’ ability to remove Zn2+ from synthetic wastewater. D-WMR was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). According to the results of the analysis, the D-WMR has two colours, white and black, and a significant concentration of mesoporous silica (83.70%). Moreover, after three hours of contact time in a synthetic solution with 400 mg/L Zn2+ concentration at pH 8 and 30 to 40 °C, the highest adsorption capacity of Zn2+ onto 1.5 g D-WMR adsorbent dose with 150 μm particle size was 25 mg/g. The experimental equilibrium data of Zn2+ onto D-WMR was utilized to compare nonlinear and linear isotherm and kinetics models for parameter determination. The best models for fitting equilibrium data were nonlinear Langmuir and pseudo-second models with lower error functions. Consequently, the potential use of D-WMR as a natural adsorbent for Zn2+ removal was highlighted, and error analysis indicated that nonlinear models best explain the adsorption data.

This research aimed to optimize the compressive strength of bio-foamed concrete brick (B-FCB) via a combination of the natural sequestration of CO2 and the bio-reaction of B. tequilensis enzymes. The experiments were guided by two optimization methods, namely, 2k factorial and response surface methodology (RSM). The 2k factorial analysis was carried out to screen the important factors; then, RSM analysis was performed to optimize the compressive strength of B-FCB. Four factors, namely, density (D), B. tequilensis concentration (B), temperature (T), and CO2 concentration, were selectively varied during the study. The optimum compressive strength of B-FCB was 8.22 MPa, as deduced from the following conditions: 10% CO2, 3 × 107 cell/mL of B, 27 °C of T and 1800 kg/m3 of D after 28 days. The use of B. tequilensis in B-FCB improved the compressive strength by 35.5% compared to the foamed concrete brick (FCB) after 28 days. A microstructure analysis by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) reflected the changes in chemical element levels and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation in the B-FCB pores. This was due to the B. tequilensis surface reactions of carbonic anhydrase (CA) and urease enzyme with calcium in cement and sequestered CO2 during the curing time.

Despite the increasing availability of new classes of cancer treatment, such as immune- and targeted therapies, there remains a need for the development of new antiproliferative/cytotoxic drugs with improved pharmacological profiles that can also overcome drug resistant forms of cancer. In this study, we have identified, and characterised, a novel marine polysaccharide with the potential to be developed as an anticancer agent. Sulphated polysaccharides isolated from the common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) were shown to have antiproliferative activity on chronic myelogenous leukaemia and relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cell lines. Disaccharide and monosaccharide analysis of these marine polysaccharides confirmed the presence of glycosaminoglycan-like structures that were enriched in ion-exchange purified fractions containing antiproliferative activity. The antiproliferative activity of these glycosaminoglycan-like marine polysaccharides was shown to be susceptible to heparinase but not chondrotinase ABC digestion. This pattern of enzymatic and antiproliferative activity has not previously been seen, with either marine or mammalian glycosaminoglycans. As such, our findings suggest we have identified a new type of marine derived heparan sulphate/heparin-like polysaccharide with potent anticancer properties.

Abstract Objective Conus medullaris teratomas are very rare tumors. Traditional preoperative diagnosis depended on the findings from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Tractography is a novel technique that has recently been utilized to diagnose spinal cord lesions. This case report shows that fiber tractography has great potential in preoperative diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of teratomas of the conus medullaris. Methods A 50-year-old man with a conus medullaris teratoma underwent tractography with the aim of visualizing the tumor in relation to the white matter tracts. The patient underwent a T12–L2 laminectomy, and the lesion was resected. The histopathology diagnosis was of a mature teratoma. Study Design Case report. Results Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography provide more details about the white matter tracts in relation to space-occupying lesions that may be more sensitive than conventional MRI and have recently been utilized in spinal cord lesions. Fiber tracking has the ability to visualize the integrity of the white matter tracts at the level of the conus medullaris in relation to the lesion. The tracts appeared to be displaced by the lesion at the conus medullaris. Tractography also showed no white matter tracts within the lesion. Such findings are consistent with the characteristics of a benign lesion. Exploiting tractography in this case was helpful in predicting the nature of the lesion preoperatively and in planning the surgical intervention. Conclusions Conus medullaris teratomas mostly affect adults. Patients generally present with a long history of clinical symptoms prior to diagnosis. Surgery is required for diagnosis, and the goal should be complete tumor excision without sacrificing any neurologic functions. The use of DTI and tractography, in addition to conventional MRI, has the potential to be very valuable for the diagnosis, surgical planning, and follow-up of patients with conus medullaris teratomas.

Quercetin, a potent pharmacological active phytocompound, plays a crucial role in drug therapy. However, its essential role is limited due to poor water solubility and low bioavailability. To overcome these limitations and enhance oral bioavailability, Quercetin loaded Eudragit nanoparticles were prepared using a single emulsification solvent evaporation method and optimized by applying Box-Behnken design. This study aimed to investigate the anti-hyperlipidemic potential of Quercetin in Triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidemic rats. Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats using Triton WR-1339, and the hypolipidemic potential of Quercetin was evaluated at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. The results revealed that Quercetin significantly (p ≤ 0.005) altered the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, bringing them close to normal levels in Triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidemic rats. Furthermore, both doses of Quercetin (50 and 100 mg/kg) showed significant reductions in TC and TG levels when compared to the standard atorvastatin treatment. The novel formulation of Quercetin loaded Eudragit polymeric nanoparticles displayed remarkable potential as a green antihyperlipidemic agent. These findings suggest that Quercetin loaded Eudragit nanoparticles can effectively mitigate hyperlipidemia and have the potential to be a promising therapeutic option for lipid disorders. The enhanced bioavailability and bioactivity of Quercetin delivered through this novel formulation open new possibilities for its clinical application in managing hyperlipidemia. Further research and clinical studies are warranted to explore its translational potential and wider applications in drug therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]