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Evaporative cooling in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most important cooling systems used inside greenhouses to obtain an acceptable temperature change in hot, dry climates. It is considered insufficient during very hot summer periods, when temperatures outside the greenhouse reach approximately 48 °C, which affects the efficiency of cooling, and thus, creates stress on the plants, leading to wilting and a decrease in the production rate. The cooling system is developed by making an insulated rectangular tunnel. The air comes out through vertical openings directly to the plants. The results of evaluating plant heat stress in the developed cooling system (DCS) showed an increase in the values of the photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, carbon dioxide exchange, and stomatal conductance. The plants also appeared well in terms of the shape of the leaves, their freshness, the abundance of flowers, and the large size of the fruits, while in the traditional cooling system (TCS) the plants exhibited some wilting and some brown spots. The hectare yield reached 42.49 ton/ha for the DCS system, while it reached 37.53 ton/ha for the TCS with an increasing rate of 13.22 %. The total weight of fruits harvested within 60 days of cultivation was 4.25 kg/m2 for the DCS and 3.75 kg/m2 for the TCS. The dry and fresh weight of fruit, stem, and leaves, total dissolved solids, vitamin C, chlorophyll percentage in leaves, and total plant acidity, were higher in DCS compared to the TCS.

This study investigates whether Andrographolide-loaded Lactose β-Cyclodextrin (ALN-βCD) nanoparticles enhance cognitive function, particularly spatial learning and memory. The successful conjugation of lactose to β-cyclodextrin was confirmed via 1H NMR spectroscopy, facilitating neuronal cell entry. The solvent evaporation method was used to create the nanoparticles, which were characterised for particle size, PDI, zeta potential, and drug release. The nanoparticles exhibited a size of 247.9 ± 3.2 nm, a PDI of 0.5 ± 0.02, and a zeta potential of 26.8 ± 2.5 mV. FTIR and TEM analyses, along with in vitro drug release and BBB permeability studies, confirmed their stability and efficacy. Behavioural tests, including the Elevated Plus Maze, Y-Maze, Object Recognition, and Locomotor Activity tests, demonstrated significant improvements in memory, motor coordination, and exploration time in the nanoparticle-treated groups. The group treated with ALN-βCD at a dose of 100 mg/kg/p.o. showed superior cognitive performance compared to the group receiving free andrographolides (AG). Biochemical assays indicated a significant reduction in acetylcholinesterase activity and lipid peroxidation, suggesting increased acetylcholine levels and reduced oxidative stress. Histopathological examination showed improved neuronal function without toxicity. The results showed significant improvements (p < 0.001) in memory and cognitive abilities in experimental animals, highlighting the potential of ALN-βCD nanoparticles as a non-invasive treatment for memory loss. These promising findings warrant further exploration through clinical trials.

Thibaut Galvain,1 Melek Pinar Bosut,1 Nadine Jamous,1 Nadia Ben Mansour2,3 1Health Economics and Market Access, Johnson & Johnson Medical NV, Diegem, Belgium; 2National Institute of Health, Tunis, Tunisia; 3Faculty of Medicine, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, TunisiaCorrespondence: Thibaut Galvain, Health Economics and Market Access, Johnson & Johnson Medical NV, Leonardo da Vincilaan 15, Diegem, Belgium, Tel +33648649800, Email tgalvain@its.jnj.comPurpose: Obesity is a growing global issue with evidence linking it to an increase in loss of disease-free years, reduced quality of life, increased mortality, and additional economic burden. This study sought to establish the cost-effectiveness of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, compared to conventional therapy in patients with obesity, from a Tunisian healthcare payor perspective.Patients and Methods: A Markov model compared lifetime costs and outcomes of bariatric surgery with conventional treatment among patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with obesity-related co-morbidities (Group 1), or BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (Group 2). Inputs were sourced from the Tunisian Health Examination Survey, local clinician data and literature sources. Health states were associated with different cost and utility decrements. Changes in body mass index, systolic blood pressure, lipid ratio and diabetes remission rates were modelled on a yearly basis. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and net monetary benefit (NMB) were key outcomes. Sensitivity and scenario analyses were performed to test the model’s robustness.Results: The model showed that the benefits of bariatric surgery were favorable compared to conventional treatment, with an ICER of 1844 TND/QALY in Group 1 patients and 2413 TND/QALY in Group 2 patients. Bariatric surgery resulted in a QALY gain of 3.26 per patient in Group 1 and a gain of 1.77 per patient in Group 2. At a willingness to pay threshold of 31,379 TND/QALY, the incremental NMB was 96,251 TND and 51,123 TND for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively.Conclusion: From the Tunisian healthcare payor perspective, bariatric surgery is cost-effective for patients with obesity and those with T2DM and obesity-related comorbidities. These findings may have impact on future decision-making on funding and reimbursement of bariatric surgery in Tunisia.Keywords: cost-effectiveness analysis, diabetes, gastric bypass, obesity, sleeve gastrectomy, bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND: Stress and food habits seem to be associated with acne, but no study has been reported from in Taif, Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the severity of acne, stress, and food habits of undergraduate medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 585 undergraduate medical students. Data was collected on students' demographics, academic year, and level. The Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) was utilized for a clinical evaluation of acne severity and an assessment of the presence and location of acne lesions. To assess respondents' stress, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was employed, and adolescent food habits checklist (AFHC) assessed the food habits. To test for statistical significance, Chi-squared test was used for qualitative data, whereas Mann-Whitney U test and, Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed for quantitative variables. RESULTS: The mean age of students was 21.16 ± 1.81 years, 53.5% were female and 53.8% were in the preclerkship academic level. Of these, 9.7%, 78.5%, and 11.8% had low, moderate, and high stress levels. The overall prevalence of acne was 88.2%; Mild, moderate, severe and very severe acne were present among 59%, 23.9%, 3.9% and 1.4% of students respectively. Female students had a significant higher percent of severe acne and students in preclerk ship years had significant higher mean AFHC scores. Students with severe stress had a significant higher mean GAGS score and lower mean AFHC scores. A significant positive correlation was found between GAGS scores and PSS. CONCLUSION: The high rates of stress and acne of the study's participants demand that medical students be given greater attention with regard to dermatology and psychiatric diseases.

Juncus acutus, acknowledged through its indigenous nomenclature “samar”, is part of the Juncaceae taxonomic lineage, bearing considerable import as a botanical reservoir harboring conceivable therapeutic attributes. Its historical precedence in traditional curative methodologies for the alleviation of infections and inflammatory conditions is notable. In the purview of Eastern traditional medicine, Juncus species seeds find application for their remedial efficacy in addressing diarrhea, while the botanical fruits are subjected to infusion processes targeting the attenuation of symptoms associated with cold manifestations. The primary objective of this study was to unravel the phytochemical composition of distinct constituents within J. acutus, specifically leaves (JALE) and roots (JARE), originating from the indigenous expanse of the Nador region in northeastern Morocco. The extraction of plant constituents was executed utilizing an ethanol-based extraction protocol. The subsequent elucidation of chemical constituents embedded within the extracts was accomplished employing analytical techniques based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For the purpose of in vitro antioxidant evaluation, a dual approach was adopted, encompassing the radical scavenging technique employing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay. The acquired empirical data showcase substantial radical scavenging efficacy and pronounced relative antioxidant activity. Specifically, the DPPH and TAC methods yielded values of 483.45 ± 4.07 µg/mL and 54.59 ± 2.44 µg of ascorbic acid (AA)/mL, respectively, for the leaf extracts. Correspondingly, the root extracts demonstrated values of 297.03 ± 43.3 µg/mL and 65.615 ± 0.54 µg of AA/mL for the DPPH and TAC methods. In the realm of antimicrobial evaluation, the assessment of effects was undertaken through the agar well diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration were determined for each extract. The inhibitory influence of the ethanol extracts was observed across bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with the notable exception of Escherichia coli. However, fungal strains such as Candida glabrata and Rhodotorula glutinis exhibited comparatively lower resistance, whereas Aspergillus niger and Penicillium digitatum exhibited heightened resistance, evincing negligible antifungal activity. An anticipatory computational assessment of pharmacokinetic parameters was conducted, complemented by the application of the Pro-tox II web tool to delineate the potential toxicity profile of compounds intrinsic to the studied extracts. The culmination of these endeavors underpins the conceivable prospects of the investigated extracts as promising candidates for oral medicinal applications.

In the present investigation, the phenolic compounds of Solanum elaeagnifolium were identified, and the plant’s anti-lipase and anti-glycation effects on hemoglobin were discovered through in vitro experiments, as well as its short-term antihyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory effects. The chemical compound composition was detected using HPLC-DAD, the anti-lipase activity was tested in vitro using 4-nitrophenyl butyrate as a substrate, and the antiglycation activity of the plant extracts was also tested in vitro using a haemoglobin model. The antihyperglycemic effect was determined by inhibiting pancreatic α-amylase and α-glycosidase activity and performing an in vivo glucose tolerance test on normal rats, and the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by inducing paw inflammation with carrageenan. In both the SEFR (fruit) and SEFE (leaf) extracts, chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside, rutin, and quercetin. SEFR inhibited the pancreatic lipase enzyme more effectively, with an IC50 of 0.106 ± 0.00 mg/mL. S. elaeagnifolium extracts demonstrated significant antiglycation activity, with 3.990 ± 0.23 mg/mL of SEFE and 3.997 ± 0.14 mg/mL of SEFR. When compared to positive and negative controls, plant extracts had very significant anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. The findings in this study and previous research on this plant encourage us to investigate other pharmacological activities of this plant besides its duiretic, cictrisant, and anti-ulcer activity.

This study investigates whether Andrographolide-loaded Lactose β-Cyclodextrin (ALN-βCD) nanoparticles enhance cognitive function, particularly spatial learning and memory. The successful conjugation of lactose to β-cyclodextrin was confirmed via 1H NMR spectroscopy, facilitating neuronal cell entry. The solvent evaporation method was used to create the nanoparticles, which were characterised for particle size, PDI, zeta potential, and drug release. The nanoparticles exhibited a size of 247.9 ± 3.2 nm, a PDI of 0.5 ± 0.02, and a zeta potential of 26.8 ± 2.5 mV. FTIR and TEM analyses, along with in vitro drug release and BBB permeability studies, confirmed their stability and efficacy. Behavioural tests, including the Elevated Plus Maze, Y-Maze, Object Recognition, and Locomotor Activity tests, demonstrated significant improvements in memory, motor coordination, and exploration time in the nanoparticle-treated groups. The group treated with ALN-βCD at a dose of 100 mg/kg/p.o. showed superior cognitive performance compared to the group receiving free andrographolides (AG). Biochemical assays indicated a significant reduction in acetylcholinesterase activity and lipid peroxidation, suggesting increased acetylcholine levels and reduced oxidative stress. Histopathological examination showed improved neuronal function without toxicity. The results showed significant improvements (p < 0.001) in memory and cognitive abilities in experimental animals, highlighting the potential of ALN-βCD nanoparticles as a non-invasive treatment for memory loss. These promising findings warrant further exploration through clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses has yet to be evaluated in longitudinal head-to-head studies. This single-center longitudinal study assessed the effectiveness of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273 vaccines and assessed two BNT162b2 boosters in 1550 participants, of whom 26% had comorbidities. In addition, the SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics was monitored. A group of 1500 unvaccinated subjects was included as the controls. The study’s endpoint was the development of virologically-proven COVID-19 cases after vaccine completion, while the secondary endpoint was hospitalizations due to severe COVID-19. Overall, 23 (4.6%), 16 (3%), and 18 (3.8%) participants vaccinated with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273, respectively, developed COVID-19 after vaccine completion, with an effectiveness of 89%, 92%, and 90%. Ten COVID-19 cases were reported in participants with comorbidities, three of whom were hospitalized. No hospitalizations occurred after boosters. SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels peaked 2–4 weeks after the second vaccine dose but declined after a mean of 28.50 ± 3.48 weeks. Booster doses significantly enhanced antibody responses. Antibody titers ≤ 154 U/mL were associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 emergence. Thus, COVID-19 vaccines effectively reduced COVID-19 and prevented severe disease. The vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses declined after 28–32 weeks. Booster doses induced significant maintained responses. SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels may help determine the timing and need for vaccine booster doses.

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