Knowledge and Attitude of Patients Attending Primary Health Care (PHC) or Family Medicine Clinics About Periodic Health Assessment.

Background This study assesses the awareness and perceptions of periodic health assessments (PHA) among patients at primary health care (PHC) and family medicine clinics. Despite PHC's importance in preventive health, previous research indicates a significant gap in the public's knowledge and routine practice of PHA, potentially affected by various demographic factors. Materials & methods A cross-sectional approach was employed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with data gathered via self-administered questionnaires from 382 participants. The survey focused on socio-demographic information, knowledge about PHA, and attitudes towards it. Statistical analysis explored the influence of demographic and clinical factors on individuals' knowledge and attitudes. Results Findings showed that 300 (78.5%) participants had engaged in routine medical examinations, displaying substantial knowledge of PHA. Nevertheless, issues like healthcare accessibility and provider availability were identified as the major barriers, affecting 125 (32.7%) and 84 (22%) participants, respectively. The overall attitude towards PHA was positive, especially among individuals with chronic conditions, emphasizing its perceived benefits in health management. Conclusion The research underscores a generally positive attitude and fair knowledge level regarding PHA among the studied population, alongside significant barriers to participation. Targeted interventions that address these barriers and capitalize on the positive attitudes may enhance PHA uptake, promoting better health outcomes. This study contributes to the understanding of public engagement with PHA, offering insights for improving health promotion and disease prevention strategies.

Condensation methodology for quantification of Polymyxin B fluorimetrically: application to pharmaceutical formulations and greenness assessment.

The appearance of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, along with the lack of newly discovered antibiotics, resulted in the return to old antimicrobial medications like Polymyxins. As a result, the suggested technique aims to develop a fast, environmentally friendly, and sensitive fluorimetric method for quantifying Polymyxin B. The investigated approach depends on generating a highly fluorescent derivative by a condensation pathway between the studied drug and ninhydrin in the presence of phenylacetaldehyde and then estimated spectrofluorimetrically. After the reaction conditions were well optimized, the fluorescent product was estimated at emission wavelength (λem) = 475.5 nm (following excitation at a wavelength (λex) = 386 nm. The developed calibration plot displayed rectilinear throughout the following range (0.2-3 µg mL- 1), and the calculated limit of detection and quantification were 0.062 µg mL- 1 and 0.187 µg mL- 1, respectively. As a consequence, the drug's ophthalmic and intravenous pharmaceutical forms were both successfully quantified with an excellent degree of recovery. Finally, the methodology's greenness was assessed utilizing Analytical Eco-Scale scores.

Exploring the Economic Aspects of Hospitals: A Comprehensive Examination of Relevant Factors.

Financial limitations in the hospital industry have the potential to exacerbate healthcare disparities, impede investments in cutting-edge medical treatments, as well as impair patient outcomes. The interdependent connection between a hospital economy and the general well-being of the community highlights the necessity of careful financial oversight and inventive healthcare policies. Effective collaboration among policymakers, healthcare administrators, and stakeholders is imperative in the development of sustainable economic models that give equal weight to fiscal prudence and optimal patient outcomes. This article aims to underscore the pivotal importance of strategic fund allocation guided by hospital administrators, accentuating several key initiatives capable of revolutionizing healthcare delivery and elevating the institution's stature within the medical community. The other important aspects discussed here are fund allocation in hospitals, the boom of online consultations, and emphasis on the use of sustainable and cost-effective modalities of energy.

Integrated resonance Rayleigh scattering approach utilizing Box-Behnken experimental design for the facile quantification of prucalopride in pharmaceutical tablets and human urine with sustainability assessment.

Prucalopride (PCP) is one of the recent drugs used for the regulation of gastrointestinal tract motility and the treatment of constipation. A new, highly sensitive and fast resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) approach was suggested for PCP determination. The approach was based on its reaction of PCP with eosin Y in buffered medium (pH 3.5) to form an ion pair association complex which had a significant enhancement in RRS compared to that of eosin Y or PCP alone. The enhancement of RRS intensity had straight correlation to PCP concentration ranging from 150 to 2000 ng mL-1 with 38 ng mL-1 as LOD and 125 ng mL-1 as LOQ. The measurements were done at a wavelength of 365 nm that provided the maximum sensitivity. All the experimental parameters were studied carefully and optimized via Box-Behnken experimental design. The International Council for Harmonization (ICH) guidelines were employed to validate the suggested method and the obtained results proved the appropriate method performance. The method was efficiently utilized to determine PCP in pure form, pharmaceutical tablets and spiked urine samples with no interferences from the surrounding matrices. Furthermore, the greenness of the suggested procedure was confirmed using different green metric approaches.

A systematic review of the real-world effectiveness and economic and humanistic outcomes of selected oral antipsychotics among patients with schizophrenia in the United States: Updating the evidence and gaps.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a chronic, relapsing, and burdensome psychiatric disorder affecting approximately 0.25%-0.6% of the US population. Oral antipsychotic treatment (OAT) remains the cornerstone for managing schizophrenia. However, nonadherence and high treatment failure lead to increased disease burden and medical spending. Cost-effective management of schizophrenia requires understanding the value of current therapies to facilitate better planning of management policies while addressing unmet needs. OBJECTIVE: To review existing evidence and gaps regarding real-world effectiveness and economic and humanistic outcomes of OATs, including asenapine, brexpiprazole, cariprazine, iloperidone, lumateperone, lurasidone, olanzapine/samidorphan, paliperidone, and quetiapine. METHODS: We conducted a literature search using PubMed, American Psychological Association PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), and the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature from January 2010 to March 2022 as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. English-language articles describing adults with schizophrenia receiving at least 1 of the selected OATs and reporting real-world effectiveness, direct or indirect costs, humanistic outcomes, behavioral outcomes, adherence/persistence patterns, or product switching were identified. RESULTS: We identified 25 studies from a total of 24,190 articles. Real-world effectiveness, cost, and adherence/persistence outcomes were reported for most OATs that were selected. Humanistic outcomes and product switching were reported only for lurasidone. Behavioral outcomes (eg, interpersonal relations and suicide ideation) were not reported for any OAT. The key economic outcomes across studies were incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, cost per quality-adjusted life-years, and health care costs. In studies that compared long-acting injectables (LAIs) with OATs, LAIs had a higher pharmacy and lower medical costs, while total health care cost was similar between LAIs and OATs. Indirect costs associated with presenteeism, absenteeism, or work productivity were not reported for any of the selected OATs. Overall, patients had poor adherence to OATs, ranging between 20% and 61% across studies. Product switching did not impact the all-cause health care costs before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed considerable gaps exist for evidence on behavioral outcomes, humanistic outcomes, medication switching, and adherence/persistence across OATs. Our findings also suggest an unmet need regarding treatment nonadherence and lack of persistence among patients receiving OATs. We identified a need for research addressing OATs' behavioral and humanistic outcomes and evaluating the impact of product switching in adults with schizophrenia in the United States, which could assist clinicians in promoting patient-centered care and help payers understand the total value of new antipsychotic drugs.

Assessment of Hounsfield Units and Factors Associated with Fragmentation of Renal Stones by Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: A Computerized Tomography Study.

The success rate of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is influenced by various factors, including stone density, and is determined through computed tomography scans in terms of Hounsfield units (HU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective single-center study was conducted in the King Fahad Hospital. Sixty-seven adult patients with renal and ureteric stones were selected randomly and enrolled in the study. Their ages ranged from 20 to 69 years. The patients were examined with non-contrast enhancement (NCCT) to assess the HU of their stones and were consequently treated with ESWL. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients, 37.3% had stones that were completely fragmented, while 62.7% had stones that were partially fragmented. The HU, location of the stone, multiplicity of the stone, and patient age were found to be significant factors contributing to stone fragility (p-values < 0.05). The HU data were found to have a positive significant linear correlation with serum calcium (r = 0.28, p-value = 0.036), while serum acid had a negative correlation (r = -0.55, p-value < 0.001). Thus, the probability of calcium-containing stone formation increases with increased HU. In contrast, uric acid stone formation likely develops with decreasing HU with serum uric acid. Renal stones in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not completely fragmented compared to those without clinical history. CONCLUSIONS: Mean HU, location of the stone, laterality, stone status, and the number of ESWL sessions are the most significant factors affecting stone fragility. CT attenuation values can predict the composition of stones from serum calcium and uric acid examinations. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for renal stone fragmentation.

Impact of some heavy metal accumulation in different organs on fish quality from Bardawil Lake and human health risks assessment.

Bardawil Lake is a unique aquatic ecosystem that provides a habitat for various fish and other marine organisms. This study aimed to analyze the quality of fish species to prove that this lake is free of pollution, not other Egyptian lakes, due to the accumulation of some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn) in various tissues of fish species that were caught from this lake. Thirty-five fish samples were caught during the Spring of 2018 from seven different species: Mugil cephalus, Liza auratus, Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, Siganus rivulatus, Anguilla angilla, and Solae solea. The Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods using a spectrophotometer determined the biochemical composition. In contrast, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was employed to determine the heavy metals expressed by µg/g wet weight. Results exposed that the accumulation of essential micronutrient (Cu, Zn) content was higher than toxic elements (Cd & Pb) in muscles in order to Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. Muscles < gills < liver in order of all metals except Pb with order muscles < liver < gills. The metals studied in the muscles were lower than those set by the WHO and the EU standards. The carcinogenic risk with lower allowable limits of 1 × 10-6 to 1 × 10-4 in both normal and high consumption groups; target and total target hazard quotients (THQ & HI) in muscles were < 1. The biochemical composition level was highest in the liver, except for protein, which was highest in muscle for all fish species. There is no evidence of harmful contaminants in the muscular tissue of the fish sampled from Bardawil Lake, although fishing activity. However, customers should know that health concerns may be associated with overeating fish.

Barriers to Accessing Neurosurgical Services: A Cross-Sectional Study of Public and Patient Perspectives in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Neurosurgical care is paramount for addressing various neurological conditions. However, several factors may hinder individuals from accessing these services. This study aimed to identify the factors that deter Saudi citizens from receiving neurosurgical care, emphasizing perceived barriers and sociodemographic influences. METHODS: Utilizing a cross-sectional research design, this study surveyed 1,795 participants from five distinct regions in Saudi Arabia, capturing a wide demographic range including age, gender, education, occupation, and residence. Stratified random sampling was adopted to ensure representation across different socioeconomic backgrounds. Data was collected using structured online questionnaires in both Arabic and English, which assessed demographic characteristics, patient experiences, perceived barriers, and satisfaction related to neurosurgical services. RESULTS: The majority of the participants (79.6%) reported never accessing neurosurgical services, and 28.8% indicated difficulties in accessing them. Most participants expressed neutral feelings (38.1%) or satisfaction (23.4%) with neurosurgical service accessibility, though a significant minority expressed dissatisfaction (9.0%) or strong dissatisfaction (4.3%). Concerning factors for selecting neurological services, the expertise and reputation of healthcare professionals were paramount, while cost and proximity were lesser concerns. Significant perceived barriers included financial constraints and prolonged appointment waiting times. Results also revealed a relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and perceived barriers: females, certain age groups (25 to 34 and above 65), those with higher education levels, retired individuals, and residents of the Northern Province and urban areas reported higher perceived barriers. Regression analysis identified gender, education level, employment status, and residency as significant predictors of perceived barriers. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the prominent barriers faced by Saudi citizens in accessing neurosurgical care, with financial constraints and waiting times being paramount. Additionally, sociodemographic factors play a crucial role in the perception of these barriers. As healthcare disparities persist, targeted interventions, policy reforms, and educational campaigns are essential to bridge the gap and ensure equitable neurosurgical care access across all demographic segments in Saudi Arabia.

In-situ micro-CT scanning and compressive strength assessment of diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) treated chalk.

The occurrence of wellbore mechanical failure is a consequence of the interaction among factors such as in situ stress, rock strength, and engineering procedures. The process of hydrocarbons production, causing reduction of pore pressure, alters the effective stresses in the vicinity of a borehole, leading to borehole instability issues. Estimating the rocks' elastic modulus and compressive strength is essential to comprehend the rock matrix's mechanical response during drilling and production operations. This study aimed to assess the practicality of Diammonium Hydrogen Phosphate (DAP) application as a chemical for strengthening chalk in hydrocarbon reservoirs, to make it resistant to high stresses and failure during drilling and production. The mechanical and physical properties of Austin chalk rock samples treated with DAP under mimicked reservoir conditions were studied. The results showed that DAP is a highly effective carbonate rock consolidating agent that improves the mechanical strength of the chalk. Compressive test measurements conducted on rocks treated at two different temperatures (ambient and 50 °C) showed that DAP effectively strengthened the rock matrix, resulting in an increase in its compressive strength (22-24%) and elastic modulus (up to 115%) compared to the untreated sample. The favorable outcomes of this research suggest that the DAP solution holds promise as a consolidation agent in hydrocarbon reservoirs. This contributes to the advancement of knowledge regarding effective strategies for mitigating mechanical failures of the wellbore during drilling and production.

Assessment of the Knowledge and Opinions of Undergraduate Health Care Students Concerning Influenza Vaccination in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Influenza remains a significant global public health challenge, causing substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the availability of influenza vaccines, challenges related to vaccine hesitancy and healthcare professionals' attitudes persist. Furthermore, there is a need to understand the knowledge and opinions of undergraduate healthcare students regarding influenza vaccinations. Therefore, we aimed to assess and compare the knowledge and opinions of undergraduate healthcare students about influenza vaccinations, addressing the existing knowledge gap in this area. Methods: We employed a cross-sectional study design to assess the opinions and knowledge of undergraduate healthcare students in Saudi Arabia regarding influenza vaccination. A total of 137 healthcare programs were invited to participate via filled-out the survey online. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, with descriptive statistics for the demographic profile and Chi-Square and independent t-tests for examining associations and differences in opinions and knowledge, respectively. Results: A total of 429 undergraduate students completed the survey and were included. Significant associations were found between the students' major and their beliefs regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing influenza (p=0.017) and the inclusion of influenza vaccines in medical practice (p=0.016). The majority of students agreed with seven out of nine knowledge statements, with agreement percentages ranging from 42.9% to 44.8%. When comparing knowledge scores, students majoring in medicine had a significantly higher mean knowledge score (3.91) compared to students studying other medical sciences (3.72) (p=0.019). Conclusion and Recommendations: Our study suggests that a comprehensive approach involving education, awareness initiatives, and policy changes is needed to enhance knowledge about influenza vaccination among Saudi Arabian undergraduate students in Medical School allied medical sciences and medical degree programs. By implementing these strategies, we can promote a positive attitude towards flu vaccination and ultimately increase its uptake.

Global impacts of COVID-19 on lifestyles and health and preparation preferences: An international survey of 30 countries.

Background: The health area being greatest impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and residents' perspective to better prepare for future pandemic remain unknown. We aimed to assess and make cross-country and cross-region comparisons of the global impacts of COVID-19 and preparation preferences of pandemic. Methods: We recruited adults in 30 countries covering all World Health Organization (WHO) regions from July 2020 to August 2021. 5 Likert-point scales were used to measure their perceived change in 32 aspects due to COVID-19 (-2 = substantially reduced to 2 = substantially increased) and perceived importance of 13 preparations (1 = not important to 5 = extremely important). Samples were stratified by age and gender in the corresponding countries. Multidimensional preference analysis displays disparities between 30 countries, WHO regions, economic development levels, and COVID-19 severity levels. Results: 16 512 adults participated, with 10 351 females. Among 32 aspects of impact, the most affected were having a meal at home (mean (m) = 0.84, standard error (SE) = 0.01), cooking at home (m = 0.78, SE = 0.01), social activities (m = -0.68, SE = 0.01), duration of screen time (m = 0.67, SE = 0.01), and duration of sitting (m = 0.59, SE = 0.01). Alcohol (m = -0.36, SE = 0.01) and tobacco (m = -0.38, SE = 0.01) consumption declined moderately. Among 13 preparations, respondents rated medicine delivery (m = 3.50, SE = 0.01), getting prescribed medicine in a hospital visit / follow-up in a community pharmacy (m = 3.37, SE = 0.01), and online shopping (m = 3.33, SE = 0.02) as the most important. The multidimensional preference analysis showed the European Region, Region of the Americas, Western Pacific Region and countries with a high-income level or medium to high COVID-19 severity were more adversely impacted on sitting and screen time duration and social activities, whereas other regions and countries experienced more cooking and eating at home. Countries with a high-income level or medium to high COVID-19 severity reported higher perceived mental burden and emotional distress. Except for low- and lower-middle-income countries, medicine delivery was always prioritised. Conclusions: Global increasing sitting and screen time and limiting social activities deserve as much attention as mental health. Besides, the pandemic has ushered in a notable enhancement in lifestyle of home cooking and eating, while simultaneously reducing the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. A health care system and technological infrastructure that facilitate medicine delivery, medicine prescription, and online shopping are priorities for coping with future pandemics.

The role of managed care professionals in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

Managed care professionals play a significant role in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) through formulary management and drug utilization strategies. These strategies are designed to improve access to affordable care and minimize medical costs to both patients and payers. Preserving vision in patients with nAMD and DME is key to improving clinical outcomes and reducing the risk of comorbid conditions, such as depression. With the approval of new intravitreal treatment options, managed care professionals must stay up to date with evidence-based guidelines as well as the addition of cost-effective treatments to drug formularies to better manage health care resources and improve patient outcomes.

Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment: efficient and low-cost removal approaches to eliminate their toxicity: a review.

Heavy metal contamination of water sources has emerged as a major global environmental concern, threatening both aquatic ecosystems and human health. Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment is on the rise due to industrialization, climate change, and urbanization. Sources of pollution include mining waste, landfill leachates, municipal and industrial wastewater, urban runoff, and natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, weathering, and rock abrasion. Heavy metal ions are toxic, potentially carcinogenic, and can bioaccumulate in biological systems. Heavy metals can cause harm to various organs, including the neurological system, liver, lungs, kidneys, stomach, skin, and reproductive systems, even at low exposure levels. Efforts to find efficient methods to remove heavy metals from wastewater have increased in recent years. Although some approaches can effectively remove heavy metal contaminants, their high preparation and usage costs may limit their practical applications. Many review articles have been published on the toxicity and treatment methods for removing heavy metals from wastewater. This review focuses on the main sources of heavy metal pollution, their biological and chemical transformation, toxicological impacts on the environment, and harmful effects on the ecosystem. It also examines recent advances in cost-effective and efficient techniques for removing heavy metals from wastewater, such as physicochemical adsorption using biochar and natural zeolite ion exchangers, as well as decomposition of heavy metal complexes through advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Finally, the advantages, practical applications, and future potential of these techniques are discussed, along with any challenges and limitations that must be considered.

Assessment of Influenza Vaccine Uptake According to the Presence of a Chronic Disease.

Patients diagnosed with a chronic disease are at higher risk of influenza complications. This investigation aimed to estimate influenza vaccine uptake rates among healthy subjects and patients with chronic diseases, and to identify barriers to and facilitators of its uptake. This study was a cross-sectional investigation that targeted the general population in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected via online platforms between October and November 2022. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire that assessed the demographics, influenza vaccine uptake, and factors associated with the uptake. A chi-squared test was used to investigate factors associated with the uptake of the influenza vaccine. A total of 825 adult subjects participated in the current investigation. The proportion of male participants was higher (61%) compared to females (38%). The mean age of the participants was 36, with a standard deviation of 10.5. Nearly 30% of the sample reported being diagnosed with a chronic disease. Among the recruited sample, 576 (69.8%) reported having ever received the influenza vaccine, and only 222 participants (27%) indicated that they receive the influenza vaccination annually. Only history of being diagnosed with a chronic disease was statistically associated with the history of ever receiving the influenza vaccine (p < 0.001). Among the 249 participants with a chronic disease, only 103 (41.4%) ever received the influenza vaccine and only 43 (17.3%) of them received the vaccine annually. The main barrier to the uptake was fear of side effects due to the vaccination. A minority of the participants indicated that they were motivated by a healthcare worker to have the vaccine. This suggests an area for further investigation to assess the involvement of healthcare workers in motivating their patients with chronic diseases to have the vaccine.

Assessment of a novel biliary-specific near-infrared fluorescent dye (BL-760) for intraoperative detection of bile ducts and biliary leaks during hepatectomy in a preclinical swine model.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative bile leakage is a common complication of hepatobiliary surgery and frequently requires procedural intervention. Bile-label 760 (BL-760), a novel near-infrared dye, has emerged as a promising tool for identifying biliary structures and leakage, owing to its rapid excretion and strong bile specificity. This study aimed to assess the intraoperative detection of biliary leakage using intravenously administered BL-760 compared with intravenous (IV) and intraductal (ID) indocyanine green (ICG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparotomy and segmental hepatectomy with vascular control were performed on two 25-30 kg pigs. ID ICG, IV ICG, and IV BL-760 were administered separately, followed by an examination of the liver parenchyma, cut liver edge, and extrahepatic bile ducts for areas of leakage. The duration of intra- and extrahepatic fluorescence detection was assessed, and the target-to-background (TBR) of the bile ducts to the liver parenchyma was quantitatively measured. RESULTS: In Animal 1, after intraoperative BL-760 injection, three areas of leaking bile were identified within 5 min on the cut liver edge with a TBR of 2.5-3.8 that was not apparent to the naked eye. In contrast, after IV ICG administration, the background parenchymal signal and bleeding obscured the areas of bile leakage. A second dose of BL-760 demonstrated the utility of repeated injections, confirming two of the three previously visualized areas of bile leakage and revealing one previously unseen leak. In Animal 2, neither ID ICG nor IV BL-760 injections showed obvious areas of bile leakage. However, fluorescence signals were observed within the superficial intrahepatic bile ducts after both injections. CONCLUSIONS: BL-760 enables the rapid intraoperative visualization of small biliary structures and leaks, with the benefits of fast excretion, repeatable intravenous administration, and high-fluorescence TBR in the liver parenchyma. Potential applications include the identification of bile flow in the portal plate, biliary leak or duct injury, and postoperative monitoring of drain output. A thorough assessment of the intraoperative biliary anatomy could limit the need for postoperative drain placement, a possible contributor to severe complications and postoperative bile leak.

An Assessment of Dementia Knowledge and Its Associated Factors Among Health College Students in Saudi Arabia.

Background Dementia is a public health concern and the main cause of impairment and dependency among the elderly worldwide. It is characterized by a progressive decline in cognition, memory, and all domains of quality of life with preserving the level of consciousness. Accurate measurement of dementia knowledge among future health professionals is required to improve targeted educational initiatives and supportive care of patients. This study aimed to assess knowledge of dementia and its associated factors among health college students in Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among health college students from various regions in Saudi Arabia. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and dementia knowledge were gathered using a standardized study questionnaire Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) distributed on different social media platforms. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) statistical software. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 1,613 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 20.5 ± 2.5 years (range 18-25 years). The majority of them were males (64.9%), and females represented 35.1%. The mean knowledge score of the participants was 13.68 ± 3.18 (out of 25). According to DKAS subscales, we found that the respondents scored the highest in care considerations (4.17 ± 1.30) and the lowest in risks and health promotion (2.89 ± 1.96). Furthermore, we found that the participants with no previous dementia exposure had a significantly higher level of knowledge than those with previous dementia exposure. In addition, we found that both genders, aged 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 years; the geographic distribution of respondents; and previous dementia exposure significantly affected the DKAS score. Conclusions Our findings showed that health college students in Saudi Arabia had poor knowledge about dementia. Ongoing health education and comprehensive academic training are recommended to improve their knowledge and provide competent care for dementia patients.

Exclusive Biosynthesis of Pullulan Using Taguchi's Approach and Decision Tree Learning Algorithm by a Novel Endophytic Aureobasidium pullulans Strain.

Pullulan is a biodegradable, renewable, and environmentally friendly hydrogel biopolymer, with potential uses in food, medicine, and cosmetics. New endophytic Aureobasidium pullulans (accession number; OP924554) was used for the biosynthesis of pullulan. Innovatively, the fermentation process was optimized using both Taguchi's approach and the decision tree learning algorithm for the determination of important variables for pullulan biosynthesis. The relative importance of the seven tested variables that were obtained by Taguchi and the decision tree model was accurate and followed each other's, confirming the accuracy of the experimental design. The decision tree model was more economical by reducing the quantity of medium sucrose content by 33% without a negative reduction in the biosynthesis of pullulan. The optimum nutritional conditions (g/L) were sucrose (60 or 40), K2HPO4 (6.0), NaCl (1.5), MgSO4 (0.3), and yeast extract (1.0) at pH 5.5, and short incubation time (48 h), yielding 7.23% pullulan. The spectroscopic characterization (FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy) confirmed the structure of the obtained pullulan. This is the first report on using Taguchi and the decision tree for pullulan production by a new endophyte. Further research is encouraged for additional studies on using artificial intelligence to maximize fermentation conditions.

Assessment of sublethal and transgenerational effects of spirotetramat, on population growth of cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

The cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) is a devastating pest of cruciferous crops causing economic damage worldwide and notably owing to its increasing resistance to commonly used pesticides. Such resistance prompts the development of integrated pest management (IPM) programs that include novel pesticides being effective against the aphids. Spirotetramat is a novel insecticide used against sap-sucking insect pests, particularly aphids. This study evaluated the toxicity of spirotetramat to adult apterous B. brassicae after 72 h using the leaf dipping method. According to the toxicity bioassay results, the LC50 value of spirotetramat to B. brassicae was 1.304 mgL-1. However, the sublethal concentrations (LC5 and LC15) and transgenerational effects of this novel insecticide on population growth parameters were estimated using the age-stage, two-sex life table theory method. The sublethal concentrations (LC5; 0.125 mgL-1 and LC15; 0.298 mgL-1) of spirotetramat reduced the adult longevity and fecundity of the parent generation (F0). These concentrations prolonged the preadult developmental duration while decreasing preadult survival, adult longevity and reproduction of the F1 generation. The adult pre-reproductive period was also extended by spirotetramat treatment groups. Subsequently, the population growth parameters such as the intrinsic rate of increase r, finite rate of increase λ and net reproductive rate R 0 of the F1 generation were decreased in spirotetramat treatment groups whereas, the mean generation time T of the F1 generation was not affected when compared to the control. These results indicated the negative effect of sublethal concentrations of spirotetramat on the performance of B. brassicae by reducing its nymphal survival, extending the duration of some immature stages and suppressing the population growth of B. brassicae. Overall, we demonstrated that spirotetramat is a pesticide showing both sublethal activities, and transgenerational effects on cabbage aphid; it may be useful for implementation in IPM programs against this aphid pest.