The impact of the Systematic Assessment for Resilience (SAR) framework on students' resilience, anxiety, depression, burnout, and academic-related stress: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Medical students face significant psychological stress, impacting their academic performance and well-being. The Systematic Assessment for Resilience (SAR) framework is designed to enhance resilience and mitigate stress among medical students, addressing the need for interventions within the assessment system in medical education. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of SAR framework on medical students' resilience, anxiety, depression, burnout, and academic stress. METHODS: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-testing. It involved the training of course coordinators in implementing the SAR framework and its integration into the daily learning activities. Fourth-year medical students were assessed before and after the intervention using standardized measures of resilience, anxiety, depression, burnout, and academic stress. Data were analyzed using quantitative methods and thematic analysis for qualitative feedback. RESULTS: Post-intervention, students demonstrated a significant increase in resilience scores (p < 0.001) and a notable decrease in measures of anxiety, depression, and academic stress (p < 0.001). The burnout types were also statistically different (p < 0.001) except client-related burnout (p > 0.05). Qualitative feedback of the course coordinators highlighted an improved learning environment, increased coping strategies, and a more supportive academic culture. CONCLUSION: The SAR framework significantly contributes to enhancing medical students' resilience and reducing psychological distress. Its implementation suggests a promising approach to fostering a supportive educational environment that not only addresses the psychological challenges faced by medical students but also enhances their academic performance and overall well-being. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term impacts of SAR across different medical education contexts.

"Outcome of non-surgical periodontal treatment on Gal-1 and Gal-3 GCF levels in periodontitis patients: a case-control study".

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment on Galectin-1 and -3 GCF levels in gingivitis and periodontitis stage III compared to periodontally healthy individuals, to determine whether they could serve as diagnostic markers / therapeutic targets for periodontitis and revealing their possible role in periodontal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five systemically healthy participants were included and equally subdivided into three groups: gingivitis, periodontitis (stage III), and a periodontally healthy control group. The clinical parameters were recorded. Galectin-1 and -3 GCF levels were evaluated (before and after non-surgical treatment for periodontitis) using an enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to reveal sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of both markers. RESULTS: The study showed statistical significance between different groups regarding Galectin-3 with higher values in periodontitis and the lowest values in healthy control. Also, Galectin-1 was significantly higher in the periodontitis/gingivitis groups than in the control group. Moreover, non-surgical periodontal treatment in periodontitis patients caused a statistical reduction in clinical parameters and biomarkers. ROC analysis revealed excellent diagnostic ability of both biomarkers in discriminating periodontitis/gingivitis against healthy individuals (100% diagnostic accuracy for Galectin-1 and 93% for Galectin-3, AUC > 0.9) and acceptable diagnostic ability between periodontitis participants against gingivitis (73% diagnostic accuracy for Gal-1 and 80% for Gal-3, AUC > 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Both Galectin-1 and Galectin-3 seem to have outstanding diagnostic accuracy for the identification of periodontal disease, an acceptable ability to measure periodontal disease activity and the severity of inflammatory status. Additionally, they could serve as therapeutic targets to monitor treatment efficiency. CLINICALTRIAL: GOV REGISTRATION NUMBER: (NCT06038812).

Case report: Escitalopram-associated lower limb edema.

Escitalopram is widely prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder with a well-documented side effects profile. Peripheral edema, however, is a rarely reported adverse reaction that warrants further work up. This paper summarizes the case of a 58-year female patient who developed transient bilateral peripheral edema following the administration of low dose escitalopram. This case underscores the necessity for clinicians to be familiar with even rare potential side effects of commonly prescribed medications. It also suggests a need for patient education regarding the importance of reporting new symptoms promptly.

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Engaged teachers Scale (ETS).

BACKGROUND & AIM: Teacher engagement can be defined as the teachers' effort and attention to teaching professional tasks, adequate emotions and commitment to relationships with students and colleagues in classroom and school. The Engaged Teacher Scale (ETS) is the frequently used scale, measuring teacher engagement developed by Klassen et al., 2013 in the UK, and consists of four dimensions: cognitive engagement (CE), emotional engagement (EE), social engagement with students (SES), and social engagement with colleagues (SEC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Engaged Teachers Scale (ETS). MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 123 teachers who worked at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, were included in this study. The study participants were selected using the convenience sampling. The Persian version of a 16-item scale developed by Klassen et al. was validated by this study. Face and Content validity index and reliability were assessed after translation and cultural adaptation, and also construct validity was calculated by confirmatory factor analysis using the PLS22. RESULTS: Of the 123 study participants, 74 (60.01%) were females and 49 (39.9%) were males. The mean age of the subjects was about 30-40 years. The majority of the study participants were general practitioners (n = 75; 60.9%) and others were from different specialists. Content validity among 15 experts was 0.88. Confirmatory factor analysis for all 16 items loaded across four factors, and this four-factor scale showed a good fit in the Iranian community. Reliability using Cronbach's alpha was 0.79. The value of root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.0094 with the 99% confidence interval, and also the goodness of fit index GFI value was 0.98. CONCLUSION: The Persian version of ETS had good validity and reliability in Iran and could be a useful tool for measuring the teacher engagement factors of faculty members that can be used by teachers and educational administrators.

"Ultrastructural changes of platelets in COVID-19 and chronic viral hepatitis patients ".

Platelet-viral interactions are evolving as a new concern. Coagulation disorder is a major consequence of the COVID-19 infection. In chronic hepatitis virus infections, defect in coagulation factors, thrombocytopenia and platelet function abnormalities are common. A SARS-CoV-2 infection on top of chronic viral hepatitis infection can be common in areas where viral hepatitis is endemic. Here, we investigate the platelet ultrastructural changes and estimate the serum platelet factor-4 (PF-4), ferritin, CRP, and D-dimer in COVID-19 patients (n = 60), COVID-19 patients with associated chronic viral hepatitis (n = 20), and healthy subjects (n = 20). Ultrastructural changes were demonstrated in all test groups, denoting platelet activation. In chronic viral hepatitis patients, Platelet ultrastrustural apoptotic changes were also seen. Significantly high levels of PF-4 were confirmed in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients (P.value <0.001), with a cut off value of 17 ng/ml for predicting disease severity. A positive correlation of PF-4 with the level of serum ferritin, CRP, and D-dimer (p value < 0.001) was noted, while negatively correlated with platelet count and platelet granule count (p value < 0.001). In our study, chronic viral hepatitis patients presented mild COVID-19 signs, and their PF-4 level was comparable with the subgroup of mild COVID-19 infection. The platelet's critical role in COVID-19 coagulopathy and chronic viral hepatitis is evidenced by the ultrastructural changes and the high levels of PF4. Moreover, a dual viral infection poses a substantial burden on the platelets, necessitating close monitoring of the patient's coagulation profile.

Assessment of burnout, resilience, and thriving among academic health professionals: findings from an international study.

Introduction: Burnout, resilience, and thriving significantly impact academics, particularly in health professions, where responsibilities are extensive. This study aimed to explore these constructs among academic health professionals, examining sociodemographic and work-related factors influencing these outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among academic health professionals via web-based professional networks from August 2022 to February 2023. Validated tools were used, and descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Results: 505 participants were included, predominantly female (63%), with a mean age of 38.15 ± 9.6 years. High burnout was reported by 10.9%, 13.7% experienced exhaustion, and 6.3% were disengaged. Resilience and thriving were moderate at 59.2 and 51.9%, respectively. Age correlated negatively with burnout (r = -0.131, p = 0.003) but positively with resilience (r = 0.178, p < 0.001). Females reported higher exhaustion (p = 0.014), while males showed greater resilience (p = 0.016). Instructors exhibited lower resilience compared to assistant professors (p < 0.001) and associate professors (p < 0.001). Those at public universities reported higher exhaustion than those at private universities (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Variable levels of burnout, resilience, and thriving were observed among academic health professionals, influenced by sociodemographic and work-related factors. Interventions targeting resilience and thriving may mitigate burnout risk and enhance engagement among academics in health professions.

Assessment of Academic Resilience and Its Associated Factors Among Pharmacy Students in Twelve Countries.

OBJECTIVE: Academic resilience, a critical determinant of academic achievement, is affected by various factors. There is a paucity of large-scale international assessments of academic resilience among pharmacy students. Therefore, this study aimed to assess academic resilience among pharmacy students in 12 countries and to evaluate factors associated with their academic resilience levels. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey-based study was conducted among randomly selected pharmacy students in 12 countries: Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Jordan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates. After pilot testing, the validated 30-item academic resilience scale (ARS) was used for the assessment. The data were collected between November 1, 2022 and April 15, 2023. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed, as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 3950 were received from the 12 participating countries. The mean age was 21.68 ± 2.62 years. About two-thirds of the responses were from female participants and those studying for Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees. Overall, the findings show moderate academic resilience, which varied across countries. The median (IQR) of the total ARS-30 was 114 (103-124). Females exhibited lower negative affective and emotional response subscale levels than males. There were significant cross-country variations in the ARS-30 and all subscales. The highest overall levels were reported for Sudan, Pakistan, and Nigeria and the lowest were reported for Indonesia and Türkiye. Students in private universities tended to have higher overall ARS levels than public university students. Higher academic performance was significantly associated with ARS levels, whereas those with excellent performance exhibited the highest ARS levels. Students with exercise routines had higher ARS levels than those without exercise routines. Finally, students who were engaged in extracurricular activities had higher ARS levels than those who did not participate in these activities. CONCLUSION: The study offers insights into the factors affecting academic resilience in pharmacy students across several countries. The findings could guide interventions and support activities to improve resilience and academic outcomes.

Treatment of resistant Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis with topical voriconazole and oral itraconazole: a rare case report from Somalia.

Introduction and importance: Paecilomyces species are rare fungi that are resistant to standard treatment and have increasing clinical relevance. The Purpureocillium lilacinum, formerly known as Paecilomyces lilacinus, has a unique sensitivity for the corneal surface. However, only a few cases have been documented globally. This case report presents the successful management of a patient with Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis with topical voriconazole and oral itraconazole. Case presentation: A 40-year-old woman came to our ophthalmology clinic complaining of right eye pain due to a severe corneal infection in her right eye. Corneal scraping and identification of the cultured pathogen were performed, which revealed Paecilomyces lilacinus. The corneal infection improved after being treated with hourly topical voriconazole (10 mg/ml) and oral traconozole. Clinical discussion: Paecilomyces/Purpureocillium keratitis, which accounts for 5% of keratomycosis cases in tropical and subtropical areas, is extremely rare. It does not respond well to conventional antifungal treatment and frequently requires therapeutic surgery. Risk factors include wearing contact lenses, ocular trauma, ocular surgery, corticosteroids, and intraocular lens implantation. Conclusion: For the treatment of Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis that is unresponsive to conventional antifungal medications, voriconazole may be helpful. Early organism detection and the appropriate therapy are necessary for the management of keratitis.

Zingiber officinale extract maximizes the efficacy of simvastatin as a hypolipidemic drug in obese male rats.

Obesity became a serious public health problem with enormous socioeconomic implications among the Egyptian population. The present investigation aimed to explore the efficacy of Zingiber officinale extract as a hypolipidemic agent combined with the commercially well-known anti-obesity drug simvastatin in obese rats. Thirty-five male Wister rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: group I received a standard balanced diet for ten weeks; high-fat diet was orally administered to rats in groups II-V for ten weeks. From the fifth week to the tenth week, group III orally received simvastatin (40 mg/kg B.W.), group IV orally received Z. officinale root extract (400 mg/kg B.W.), and group V orally received simvastatin (20 mg/kg B.W.) plus Z. officinale extract (200 mg/kg B.W.) separately. Liver and kidney function tests, lipid profiles, serum glucose, insulin, and leptin were determined. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of PPAR-γ, iNOS, HMG-CoA reductase, and GLUT-4 genes was carried out. Caspase 3 was estimated in liver and kidney tissues immunohistochemically. Liver and kidney tissues were examined histologically. The administration of Z. officinale extract plus simvastatin to high-fat diet-fed rats caused a significant reduction in the expression of HMG-coA reductase and iNOS by 41.81% and 88.05%, respectively, compared to highfat diet (HFD)-fed rats that received simvastatin only. Otherwise, a significant increase was noticed in the expression of PPAR-γ and GLUT-4 by 33.3% and 138.81%, respectively, compared to those that received simvastatin only. Immunohistochemistry emphasized that a combination of Z. officinale extract plus simvastatin significantly suppressed caspase 3 in the hepatic tissue of high-fat diet-fed rats. Moreover, the best results of lipid profile indices and hormonal indicators were obtained when rats received Z. officinale extract plus simvastatin. Z. officinale extract enhanced the efficiency of simvastatin as a hypolipidemic drug in obese rats due to the high contents of flavonoid and phenolic ingredients.

Fed-batch fermentation of Mucor circinelloides reveals significant improvement in biomass and lipid accumulation through performance evaluation, chemical analysis, and expression profiling.

This study aimed to improve the lipid and biomass yields of Mucor circinelloides WJ11 by implementing four different fed-batch fermentation strategies, varied in time and glucose concentration (S1-S4). The S1 fermentation strategy yielded the highest biomass, lipid, and fatty acid content (22 ± 0.7 g/L, 53 ± 1.2 %, and 28 ± 1.6 %) after 120 and 144 h, respectively. The γ-linolenic acid titer of 0.75 ± 0.0 g/L was greatest in S3 after 48 h. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to analyze the transcription of key genes involved in lipid accumulation. The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and ATP-citrate lyase genes showed increased expression levels. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to analyze the biochemical profile during fermentation strategies. Optimal abiotic factors for production efficiency included pH 6.5, 25-26 °C, 15 % (v/v) inoculum, 500 rpm, 20 %-30 % dissolved oxygen, and 120 h fermentation. Glucose co-feeding offers valuable insights to develop effective fermentation strategies for lipid production.

General Population Awareness of Primary Immune Deficiency Disease in Children in the Arar Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD) are of various types and severities, and they are associated with a delay in diagnosis. Early diagnosis of PIDD helps to improve the quality of life of affected children and prevent permanent consequences such as organ damage. Hence, awareness of PIDD is a must in the community to aid in early detection. Objectives The study aims to investigate the general population's awareness of PIDD in children in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional design was utilized to determine the awareness of PIDD in children in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia. The participants were selected through an online self-administered questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results A total of 528 participants were involved in the current study. The majority of the sample population falls within the 20-30 age range. 9.1% of respondents know a child with primary immunodeficiency. Additionally, participants were aware of certain symptoms, such as delayed growth and chronic diarrhea, with rates of 47.0% and 34.1%, respectively. On the other hand, symptoms like otitis media and sinusitis have lower awareness rates of 25.8% and 33.3%, respectively. Conclusion This study can help in developing targeted awareness campaigns and educational programs to improve the understanding of primary immune deficiency disease among the general population in Saudi Arabia. This, in turn, can lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of the disease in children, ultimately improving their quality of life.

The use of thermal imaging for evaluation of peripheral tissue perfusion in surgical patients with septic shock.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the ability of central-to-peripheral temperature gradients using thermal imaging to predict in-hospital mortality in surgical patients with septic shock. METHODS: This prospective observational study included adult patients with septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit postoperatively. Serum lactate (in mmol/L), capillary refill time (CRT) (in seconds), toe (peripheral) and canthal (central) temperature by infrared thermography and the corresponding room temperature in (Celsius [°C]) were assessed at the time of admission, 6- and 12 h after admission. The canthal-toe and room-toe temperature gradients were calculated. According to their final outcomes, patients were divided into survivors and non-survivors. The ability of canthal-toe temperature gradient (primary outcome), room-toe temperature gradient, toe temperature, serum lactate and CRT, measured at the prespecified timepoints to predict in-hospital mortality was analyzed using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included and were available for the final analysis and 41/56 (73%) patients died. The canthal-toe and room-toe temperature gradients did not show significant accuracy in predicting mortality at any timepoint. Only the toe temperature measurement at 12 h showed good ability in predicting in-hospital mortality with AUC (95% confidence interval) of 0.72 (0.58-0.84) and a negative predictive value of 70% at toe temperature of ≤ 25.5 °C. Both serum lactate and CRT showed good ability to predict in-hospital mortality at all timepoints with high positive predictive values (> 90%) at cut-off value of > 2.5-4.3 mmol/L for the serum lactate and > 3-4.2 s for the CRT. CONCLUSION: In post-operative emergency surgical patients with septic shock, high serum lactate and CRT can accurately predict in-hospital mortality and were superior to thermal imaging, especially in the positive predictive values. Toe temperature > 25.5 °C, measured using infrared thermal imaging can exclude in-hospital mortality with a negative predictive value of 70%.

Radiometric characteristics of some metallic ores and nonmetallic deposits: an example, Wadi Al-Allaqi, South Eastern Desert, Egypt.

Hydrothermal alteration processes are connected to many mineral formations, particularly auriferous deposits. In this study, airborne gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS) data and the analysis of radioactive materials (eU, eTh, and K) are applied to search for regions with hydrothermal alteration activity. An example is presented from Wadi Al-Allaqi, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. GRS was used to analyse various radiometric data to address potential mineral deposit areas, to map regions potentially showing metallic ore mineralisation, and to point out new geological mineral resources. The Kd (potassium deviation), "F" parameter and Th-normalisation of the K and eU anomalies were calculated, and locating new exploratory targets in the study area that exhibit high F-parameter, Kd, and K/eTh values was recommended. Additionally, the research region has a few isolated enriched spots of (K). Therefore, GRS data was used to characterise and estimate potential metallic ores, nonmetallic deposits, and gold ore zones associated with the alteration zones. Results show that most of the known mineral deposits and gold occurrences in the area, according to the metallogenic map of Egypt, are located in zones with a ratio value of (0.25-0.30) (K%/(U or Th ppm)) maps which may suggest a moderate degree of alteration. Also, most mineral deposits and gold occurrences are found in intermediate altered zones, or K-enriched sites, with a Kd% of (0.2. The work represents an attempt to map hydrothermal alteration zones associated with mineral deposits in the Wadi Al-Allaqi area. Generally, natural radiation characteristics and attributes suggest criteria that can be used globally for regional mineral exploration.

The role of areA in lipid accumulation in high lipid-producing fungus Mucor circinelloides WJ11.

In the oleaginous fungus Mucor circinelloides, lipid accumulation is regulated by nitrogen metabolism, which is regulated by the areA gene, a member of the GATA zinc finger transporter family and a major regulator for nitrogen metabolism. However, the role of areA in lipid accumulation in this fungus has not been reported. In order to explore the regulatory effect of areA gene on nitrogen metabolism and lipid accumulation in M. circinelloides, we constructed areA gene knockout and overexpression strains. Then, the recombinant strains were cultured and their biochemical indexes were measured. Simultaneously, transcriptomic studies on the recombinant strains were conducted to infer the regulatory mechanism of areA. The results showed that the areA knockout strain accumulated more lipid, which is 42 % higher than the control. While the areA overexpressing strain obtained the higher biomass accumulation (23 g/L) and used up the nitrogen source in the medium earlier than the control strain and knockout strain. Transcriptome data analysis showed that nr and nit-6 genes related to nitrogen metabolism were up-regulated. And the expression levels of key genes acc and aclY were higher in the areA knockout strain than others, which was positively correlated with the increased lipid accumulation. In addition, in knockout strains, protein catabolism tended to provide substrates for the lipid production, and the expression levels of the related genes were also higher than others. These results indicated that the areA gene not only controls the transcription level of genes related to nitrogen metabolism but also affects lipid accumulation.

A perioperative overview of a retained surgical swab in spinal surgery: Case report and prevention protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Retained wound swabs although classified as a 'never event' and well documented in many surgical specialties are uncommon in spinal surgery. The aim of this article is to highlight the perioperative circumstances of an incident of a retained surgical swab and present a prevention protocol, in an attempt to eliminate its incidence. CASE REPORT: The perioperative management of a 53-year-old male undergoing spinal surgery in whom a surgical swab was retained is reported. In addition to existing safety procedures such as the World Health Organization checklist, a Retained Surgical Swab-Prevention Protocol was implemented in our hospital and is presented to eliminate the occurrence of this 'never event' occurring again. CONCLUSION: Retained surgical swabs or instruments are rare in spinal surgery occurring mostly in the lumbar spine, during emergency and prolonged procedures in patients with high body mass index. Maintaining a high index of suspicion and utilising a prevention protocol will prevent further harm to the patient.

Integrating the social determinants of health into curriculum: AMEE Guide No. 162.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) as the non-medical factors influencing health outcomes. SDOH is associated with conditions in which people are born, grow, work, and live. Medical schools and licensing bodies are increasingly recognizing the need for doctors and healthcare professionals to be aware of their patient's social context and how it impacts their states of health and disease. However, there is considerable variation in the approaches of different institutions and countries to incorporating SDOH into their curricula. In order to allow clinicians to adopt a holistic approach to patient health, equipping them with extensive knowledge of SDOH would give learners the confidence, skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to effectively engage with patients and their families. This approach aids health professionals with knowledge of the influence of the social context and cultural factors that affect patients' behaviors in relation to health. Incorporating the SDOH in medical and health professional school curricula would contribute towards adequately preparing future healthcare practitioners to provide effective, comprehensive, and equitable care, especially to marginalized and underserved populations. The Guide will take an evidence-based approach grounded in the available contemporary literature and case studies. The focus will be on integrating SDOH into undergraduate and postgraduate medical curricula to promote an understanding of the social factors that influence patients' and communities' health. Ultimately, this guide seeks to contribute to the reduction of inequalities in health.

AMP deaminase: A crucial regulator in nitrogen stress and lipid metabolism in Mucor circinelloides.

Lipid biosynthesis is a significant metabolic response to nitrogen starvation in oleaginous fungi. The oleaginous fungus Mucor circinelloides copes with nitrogen stress by degrading AMP through AMP deaminase (AMPD). However, the mechanism of AMPD in regulating lipogenesis remains largely unclear. To elucidate the mechanism of AMPD in lipid synthesis in this M. circinelloides, we identified two genes (ampd1 and ampd2) encoding AMPD and constructed an ampd double knockout mutant. The engineered M. circinelloides strain elevated cell growth and lipid accumulation, as well as the content of oleic acid (OA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). In addition to the expected increase in transcription levels of genes associated with lipid and TAG synthesis, we observed suppression of lipid degradation and reduced amino acid biosynthesis. This suggested that the deletion of AMPD genes induces the redirection of carbon towards lipid synthesis pathways. Moreover, the pathways related to nitrogen metabolism, including nitrogen assimilation and purine metabolism (especially energy level), were also affected in order to maintain homeostasis. Further analysis discovered that the transcription factors (TFs) related to lipid accumulation were also regulated. This study provides new insights into lipid biosynthesis in M. circinelloides, indicating that the trigger for lipid accumulation is not entirely AMPD-dependent and suggest that there may be additional mechanisms involved in the initiation of lipogenesis.

Prevalence of Malaria Parasite among Pregnant Women Attending to Saudi Kassala Teaching Hospital in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan.

Objective: Malaria during pregnancy is a priority area for malaria research and control as pregnant women represent a high risk group for severe malaria, and the presentation of malaria during pregnancy varies according to the level of transmission in the area; so the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence rates of malaria parasite among pregnant women attending to Saudi Kassala Teaching hospital in Kassala state, 2022. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Saudi Kassala Teaching hospital in Kassala State. This study involved one hundred and eighty-five blood samples collected from pregnant women who was then examined by using blood films and ICT for malaria, and the data were collected by a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: The prevalence of malaria among pregnant women was 2.2% (95% CI: 0.006-0.054). There was no significant difference among the different age groups with respect to the prevalence of malaria (P value = 0.483). The prevalence of malaria in rural residency was 2.2%, and this was significantly more common than the urban residency (P value = 0.021). When compared across the gestational trimesters, there was no significant difference between them (P value = 0.518). The number of gravidity is not related to malaria infection (P value = 0.737). The presence of symptom compliant of malaria during pregnancy does not suggest the presence of malaria (P value = 0.152). No difference was found between the different educational levels with respect to the prevalence of malaria (P value = 0.362). The result showed that there was 1 (0.5%) negative result in ICT which was positive in blood film for malaria (BFFM) and there were 3 (1.6%) positive malaria parasites by both methods in all 185 samples with statistically insignificant differences (P = 0.703). Conclusion: Plasmodium falciparum was only species detected in this study. Malaria among pregnant women was more prevalent in rural areas. However, other factors such as age, gestational age, gravidity, and educational level do not affect the prevalence of malaria in pregnant women. The presence of symptomatic compliant of malaria during pregnancy does not suggest the presence of malaria. The use of ICT or BFFM has similar diagnostic outcome for malaria in pregnancy.

The feasibility of partial replacement of berseem hay by spent mushroom (Pleurotus osteratus) substrate in rabbit diets on growth performance, digestibility, caecum fermentation, and economic efficiency.

Nowadays, agricultural by-product disposal is a major concern. The mushroom by-products could be used as an alternative feed source in rabbit diets. Therefore, partial replacement of berseem hay (BH) with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was conducted in four experimental groups as follows: 0, 20, 40, and 60% of SMS. Forty weaned New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits at 6th weeks of age with an initial body weight of 520.25 ± 70.01 g were fed the experimental diet for 8 weeks. The results showed that ash content and cell wall constituents in SMS were higher than in BH, while the other nutrient compounds in SMS were lower than in BH. Dietary SMS at a level of 60% increased the final body weight (p = 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (p ≤ 0.05). However, average daily gain and total feed intake were not affected by treatments. The replacement of SMS at levels of 40 and 60% significantly improved nutrient digestibility and total digestible nutrient value. SMS 60% decreased (p = 0.040) faecal N and improved (p = 0.006) retained nitrogen. The SMS replacement increased caecum length (p = 0.001), and full and empty caecum weight (p = 0.001 and 0.021, respectively) compared to the control. The SMS inclusion caused a decrease (p = 0.021 and 0.007) in the pH and NH3-N concentrations, respectively. Total VFA, acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid proportions increased with the dietary inclusion of SMS in a level-dependent manner. Using SMS as a replacement for BH in growing rabbit diets reduced the total feed cost, and consequently improved net revenue, economic efficiency, and relative economic efficiency.