Lignocellulosic biomass for biochar production: A green initiative on biowaste conversion for pharmaceutical and other emerging pollutant removal.

Lignocellulosic waste generation and their improper disposal has accelerated the problems associated with increased greenhouse gas emissions and associated environmental pollution. Constructive ways to manage and mitigate the pollution associated with lignocellulosic waste has propelled the research on biochar production using lignocellulose-based substrates. The sustainability of various biochar production technologies in employing lignocellulosic biomass as feedstock for biochar production not only aids in the lignocellulosic biomass valorization but also helps in carbon neutralization and carbon utilization. Functionalization of biochar through various physicochemical methods helps in improving their functional properties majorly by reducing the size of the biochar particles to nanoscale and modifying their surface properties. The usage of engineered biochar as nano adsorbents for environmental applications like dye absorption, removal of organic pollutants and endocrine disrupting compounds from wastewater has been the thrust areas of research in the past few decades. This review presents a comprehensive outlook on the up-to-date research findings related to the production and engineering of biochar from lignocellulosic biomass and their applications in environmental remediation especially with respect to wastewater treatment. Further a detailed discussion on various biochar activation methods and the future scope of biochar research is presented in this review work.

Examining the Prevalence of Congenital Anomalies in Newborns: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Maternity Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Congenital anomalies, representing structural or functional abnormalities present at birth, pose a substantial global health challenge, affecting 8 million newborns annually. With 3.3 million succumbing before age five and 3.2 million facing physical or mental disability, their diverse causes necessitate comprehensive understanding for effective healthcare planning. This study explores the prevalence of congenital anomalies among newborns in the Abha Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) in Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional record-based study was conducted on newborns born between 2018 and 2022. Data were gathered in 4 months from September to December 2023. Purposive sampling was employed to select the case records of newborns with congenital anomalies after careful screening and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was acquired through a self-designed study tool, and the data were entered into Google Forms. Results: Congenital anomalies' five-year prevalence was 3.21%, and one year, in 2022, the prevalence was 4.02%. Female neonates exhibited higher anomalies (59.3%), and preterm births accounted for 39.6%, emphasizing their vulnerability. The findings indicate that consanguineous marriages are linked to 63.3% of anomalies, notably neural tube defects (25%) and congenital heart diseases (19.7%). Anomalies are not significantly associated with consanguinity or birth order, but maternal age, education, employment, and antenatal maternal medical issues are associated considerably. Conclusions: These study insights contribute to health planners planning targeted interventions and awareness programs that are crucial to mitigate risks associated with preterm births and consanguineous marriages. The promotion of 100% antenatal screening and prophylactic medication for high-risk women and couples is necessary to prevent inherited deformities. In future the Ministry of Health must plan large-group prospective research to better understand the associated risk factors that will help public health initiatives minimize congenital-associated neonatal mortality and improve pregnancy outcomes.

Fear and Stigma of COVID-19 Reinfection Scale (FSoCOVID-19RS): New Scale Development and Validation.

BACKGROUND: The advent of COVID-19 and its impacts have prompted fear and stigma among people all across the world. Because of stigma, there was often a delay in diagnosis and treatment, which resulted in a poor prognosis. As a result, a reliable scale is required to measure the level of fear and stigma of COVID-19 reinfection. AIM: To develop and validate a scale for determining the level of fear and stigma of COVID-19 reinfection. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 200 nursing-college students who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 was conducted. The scale's reliability was evaluated by external and internal consistency methods. Construct, convergent, and discriminant validity were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: The scale's mean score was 24.85 ± 11.35, and no floor or ceiling effects were detected. The scale items' reliability, measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient if an item was deleted, ranged from 0.76 to 0.95, with a total score value of 0.86. The range of convergent validity coefficients was between 0.37 and 0.64. Pearson's correlation coefficients for test-retest validity ranged from 0.71 to 0.93, with a total score of 0.82. The coefficient of split-half correlation was 0.87, while the coefficient of reliability was 0.93. According to the factor analysis, two components had latent roots larger than 1. The rotated component matrix of the two factors revealed that all items had R values over 0.30, indicating that none of them should be excluded. In addition, CFA results revealed that χ2 = 3524, df = 1283, χ2/df ratio = 2.74, p < 0.001, GFI = 0.86, CFI = 0.92, AGFI = 0.88, and RMSEA = 0.05. The scale's convergent and discriminant validity was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The 14-item, two-dimensional Fear and Stigma of COVID-19 Reinfection Scale (FSoCOVID-19 RS) was demonstrated to have reliable psychometric properties.

Prevalence and Predictors of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Uptake in Saudi Arabia Post COVID-19: A Web-Based Online Cross-Sectional Study.

In the fall of 2022, the number of influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARIs) in Saudi Arabia had significantly increased compared with the corresponding period in previous years. Concerns regarding the population's seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) uptake rates have emerged. In particular, the SIV uptake rates may have dropped post the COVID-19 pandemic compared with rates prior to the COVID-19 era. In this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and predictors of SIV uptake in Saudi Arabia post the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing an online survey platform. We mainly collected sociodemographic information and determined whether the respondent was a healthcare professional or had a chronic disease. The overall SIV uptake prevalence was 31.8%. A lower SIV uptake was observed among those aged 55 years or older, females, residents of the central region, non-health practitioners, and those without chronic diseases. Several factors were associated with SIV uptake. Those aged 35-44 were over three-fold more likely to receive an SIV than those aged 55 years or older (OR: 3.66; 95% CI: 1.33-10.05). In addition, males had 73% higher odds of SIV uptake than females (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.18-2.55). Health practitioners were more likely to receive an SIV than non-health practitioners (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.45-3.06). Similarly, those with chronic diseases had 86% higher odds of SIV uptake than those without chronic diseases (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.18-2.95). These findings can provide insights into the low prevalence and predictors of SIV uptake in Saudi Arabia. Future studies should be conducted to further explore the potential factors associated with such a low prevalence of SIV uptake post COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.