Clinical Demographic Patterns of Type 1 Diabetes in Saudi Children in Tabuk City, 2000-2010

We aimed to identify the variation in the clinical background of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at King Salman Military Hospital (KSMH), Tabuk City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 2000 to 2010. Methods: This retrospective observational study was based on the clinical records of pediatric diabetes outpatients at KSMH. All children aged Results: Of 313 patients recruited, female patients were predominant (p = 0.002). The mean age of onset was 6.46 years (standard deviation, 3.02). One-third of the newly diagnosed patients were overweight (35.5%). Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was the presenting feature in 38.0% of patients, wherein female patients and those aged 0 - 3 years exhibited the highest likelihood of developing DKA (odds ratio, 1.7 and 2.9, respectively). Moreover, underweight children had a greater DKA incidence than healthy, overweight, or obese children (p = 0.02). Conclusion: This study provides additional data on T1DM in the population of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In particular, we found a female predominance at presentation as well as 2 peaks for age at onset. Moreover, the BMI was lower in younger age groups overall, but was greater in older boys. Furthermore, the DKA rates were high in younger children. Thus, our data confirm the presence of variable clinical patterns in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which requires further epidemiological analysis using national registry data.

Ecology of Indigenous Plants in Abandoned Agricultural Areas in Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia

Due to drought, low soil fertility, little rain fall, elevated levels of evapotranspiration, salinization of the soil and a lack of ground water, the problem of desertion of agricultural areas has developed in KSA in recent years (e.g. Tabuk region). In the Saudi Arabia, agricultural land abandonment’s negative impact on the composition of perennial vegetation, soil quality, and the structure of population was investigated. In the several abandoned fields of the research region, eleven species of perennial plants pertaining to nine families, eleven genera were found. Following the use of the ordination of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), four plant communities were found. Zygophyllum hamiense, Prosopis farcta, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Traganum nudatum. The indicators were Pulicaria undulate, Calligonum comosum. Populations of Calligonum comosum and Zygophyllum hamiense were found to be either negatively skewed or inversely J-shaped, indicating fast-growing populations with strong reproductive potential, according to demographic research. Traganum nudatum, Prosopis farcta and S. Rosmarinus, on the other hand, have a nearly symmetrical size-frequency distribution (like a bell in shape). The current research highlights the importance of managing deserted agricultural fields in order to restore and improve range lands having adapted native plants to regional conditions like little water demand.

The Effects of Pragmatics Competence in EFL University Learners

As we know, Pragmatics is the way we convey meaning through communication, so the study aims at student’s opinions on the use of English language as a means of communication and to show the significance of language function, context, and authentic situations to develop pragmatic competence in Sudanese English Language university learners. To achieve the objectives, the study used a questionnaire to address the study questions and objectives. 150 employed students participated in the questionnaire. The study found that the students have positive views toward the using of the language as communicative means in various, functions, contexts, and authentic situations inside and outside the classroom to enhance the student’s fluency in using the target language as well as the take care about the language forms to avoid imperfect using of the language.

Immune microenvironment of medulloblastoma:The association between its molecular subgroups and potential targeted immunotherapeutic receptors

Medulloblastoma(MB)is considered the commonest malignant brain tumor in children.Multimodal treatments consisting of surgery,radiation,and chemotherapy have improved patients’survival.Nevertheless,the recurrence occurs in 30%of cases.The persistent mortality rates,the failure of current therapies to extend life expectancy,and the serious complications of non-targeted cytotoxic treatment indicate the need for more refined therapeutic approaches.Most MBs originating from the neurons of external granular layer line the outer surface of neocerebellum and responsible for the afferent and efferent connections.Recently,MBs have been segregated into four molecular subgroups:Wingless-activated(WNT-MB)(Group 1);Sonichedgehog-activated(SHH-MB)(Group 2);Group 3 and 4 MBs.These molecular alterations follow specific gene mutations and disease-risk stratifications.The current treatment protocols and ongoing clinical trials against these molecular subgroups are still using common chemotherapeutic agents by which their efficacy have improved the progression-free survival but did not change the overall survival.However,the need to explore new therapies targeting specific receptors in MB microenvironment became essential.The immune microenvironment of MBs consists of distinctive cellular heterogeneities including immune cells and none-immune cells.Tumour associate macrophage and tumour infiltrating lymphocyte are considered the main principal cells in tumour microenvironment,and their role are still under investigation.In this review,we discuss the mechanism of interaction between MB cells and immune cells in the microenvironment,with an overview of the recent investigations and clinical trials.

Improved Bat Algorithm with Deep Learning-Based Biomedical ECG Signal Classification Model

With new developments experienced in Internet of Things(IoT),wearable,and sensing technology,the value of healthcare services has enhanced.This evolution has brought significant changes from conventional medicine-based healthcare to real-time observation-based healthcare.Biomedical Electrocardiogram(ECG)signals are generally utilized in examination and diagnosis of Cardiovascular Diseases(CVDs)since it is quick and non-invasive in nature.Due to increasing number of patients in recent years,the classifier efficiency gets reduced due to high variances observed in ECG signal patterns obtained from patients.In such scenario computer-assisted automated diagnostic tools are important for classification of ECG signals.The current study devises an Improved Bat Algorithm with Deep Learning Based Biomedical ECGSignal Classification(IBADL-BECGC)approach.To accomplish this,the proposed IBADL-BECGC model initially pre-processes the input signals.Besides,IBADL-BECGC model applies NasNet model to derive the features from test ECG signals.In addition,Improved Bat Algorithm(IBA)is employed to optimally fine-tune the hyperparameters related to NasNet approach.Finally,Extreme Learning Machine(ELM)classification algorithm is executed to perform ECG classification method.The presented IBADL-BECGC model was experimentally validated utilizing benchmark dataset.The comparison study outcomes established the improved performance of IBADL-BECGC model over other existing methodologies since the former achieved a maximum accuracy of 97.49%.

Spotted Hyena Optimizer with Deep Learning Driven Cybersecurity for Social Networks

Recent developments on Internet and social networking have led to the growth of aggressive language and hate speech.Online provocation,abuses,and attacks are widely termed cyberbullying(CB).The massive quantity of user generated content makes it difficult to recognize CB.Current advancements in machine learning(ML),deep learning(DL),and natural language processing(NLP)tools enable to detect and classify CB in social networks.In this view,this study introduces a spotted hyena optimizer with deep learning driven cybersecurity(SHODLCS)model for OSN.The presented SHODLCS model intends to accomplish cybersecurity from the identification of CB in the OSN.For achieving this,the SHODLCS model involves data pre-processing and TF-IDF based feature extraction.In addition,the cascaded recurrent neural network(CRNN)model is applied for the identification and classification of CB.Finally,the SHO algorithm is exploited to optimally tune the hyperparameters involved in the CRNN model and thereby results in enhanced classifier performance.The experimental validation of the SHODLCS model on the benchmark dataset portrayed the better outcomes of the SHODLCS model over the recent approaches.

Deep Learning Enabled Intelligent Healthcare Management System in Smart Cities Environment

In recent times,cities are getting smart and can be managed effectively through diverse architectures and services.Smart cities have the ability to support smart medical systems that can infiltrate distinct events(i.e.,smart hospitals,smart homes,and community health centres)and scenarios(e.g.,rehabilitation,abnormal behavior monitoring,clinical decision-making,disease prevention and diagnosis postmarking surveillance and prescription recommendation).The integration of Artificial Intelligence(AI)with recent technologies,for instance medical screening gadgets,are significant enough to deliver maximum performance and improved management services to handle chronic diseases.With latest developments in digital data collection,AI techniques can be employed for clinical decision making process.On the other hand,Cardiovascular Disease(CVD)is one of the major illnesses that increase the mortality rate across the globe.Generally,wearables can be employed in healthcare systems that instigate the development of CVD detection and classification.With this motivation,the current study develops an Artificial Intelligence Enabled Decision Support System for CVD Disease Detection and Classification in e-healthcare environment,abbreviated as AIDSS-CDDC technique.The proposed AIDSS-CDDC model enables the Internet of Things(IoT)devices for healthcare data collection.Then,the collected data is saved in cloud server for examination.Followed by,training 4484 CMC,2023,vol.74,no.2 and testing processes are executed to determine the patient’s health condition.To accomplish this,the presented AIDSS-CDDC model employs data preprocessing and Improved Sine Cosine Optimization based Feature Selection(ISCO-FS)technique.In addition,Adam optimizer with Autoencoder Gated RecurrentUnit(AE-GRU)model is employed for detection and classification of CVD.The experimental results highlight that the proposed AIDSS-CDDC model is a promising performer compared to other existing models.

Are Radiology Technologists Satisfied with Their Work? A Cross-Sectional Study from Taif Hospitals

Background: Job satisfaction can affect workers’ behaviour, thereby influencing organisational performance. Workers with low levels of job satisfaction have negative attitudes toward their jobs and may cause depression and anxiety. Purpose: The main aim of this study is to measure the overall job satisfaction among radiographers in Taif city. Methods: This study used the Minnesota Scoring Questionnaire to measure job satisfaction. The data collection was conducted between September 2018 and April 2019 in all major hospitals in Taif. Results: This study revealed that the overall job satisfaction of radiographers was moderate. It is, however, higher among radiographers in armed forces hospitals compared with their counterparts in the Ministry of Health hospitals. The job satisfaction of male radiographers was greater than their female peers. Finally, job satisfaction was high in those who work in advanced modality departments. Conclusion: Job satisfaction is critical for healthcare workers. This study indicated that job satisfaction is moderate for radiographers in Taif hospitals. Factors affecting their satisfaction include the feel of independence and recognition.

A Secure DHCP Protocol to Mitigate LAN Attacks

Network security has become more of a concern with the rapid growth and expansion of the Internet. While there are several ways to provide security in the application, transport, or network layers of a network, the data link layer (Layer 2) security has not yet been adequately addressed. Data link layer protocols used in local area networks (LANs) are not designed with security features. Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) is one of the most used network protocols for host configuration that works in data link layer. DHCP is vulnerable to a number of attacks, such as the DHCP rouge server attack, DHCP starvation attack, and malicious DHCP client attack. This work introduces a new scheme called Secure DHCP (S-DHCP) to secure DHCP protocol. The proposed solution consists of two techniques. The first is the authentication and key management technique that is used for entities authentication and management of security key. It is based on using Diffie-Hellman key exchange algorithm supported by the difficulty of Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem (ECDLP) and a strong cryptographic one-way hash function. The second technique is the message authentication technique, which uses the digital signature to authenticate the DHCP messages exchanged between the clients and server.

Simple approach for the histomolecular diagnosis of central nervous system gliomas based on 2021 World Health Organization Classification

The classification of central nervous system(CNS)glioma went through a sequence of developments,between 2006 and 2021,started with only histological approach then has been aided with a major emphasis on molecular signatures in the 4^(th) and 5^(th) editions of the World Health Organization(WHO).The recent reformation in the 5th edition of the WHO classification has focused more on the molecularly defined entities with better characterized natural histories as well as new tumor types and subtypes in the adult and pediatric populations.These new subclassified entities have been incorporated in the 5^(th) edition after the continuous exploration of new genomic,epigenomic and transcriptomic discovery.Indeed,the current guidelines of 2021 WHO classification of CNS tumors and European Association of Neuro-Oncology(EANO)exploited the molecular signatures in the diagnostic approach of CNS gliomas.Our current review presents a practical diagnostic approach for diffuse CNS gliomas and circumscribed astrocytomas using histomolecular criteria adopted by the recent WHO classification.We also describe the treatment strategies for these tumors based on EANO guidelines.

Solving the Linear Oscillatory Problem without Damping with Random Loading Condition Using the Decomposition Method

In this paper we study the solution of random linear oscillatory equation ?without damping and with random leading condition using the method. Finally, the time evolution of the mean, variance and standard deviation has been plotted for a range of values of the natural frequency w.

Surfactant-Assisted Poly(lactic acid)/Cellulose Nanocrystal Bionanocomposite for Potential Application in Paper Coating

The current article addresses a new strategy for the preparation of polylactic acid/cellulose nanocrystal(PLA/CNCs)nanobiocomposite films with improved structural morphology,mechanical and barrier properties for food packaging applications.The addition of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide(CTAB)and sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS)as cationic and anionic surfactants respectively,was found to play a crucial role in preventing re-aggregation of the CNCs during drying and improving the dispersion of CNCs in the PLA.The coated paper was characterized using mechanical tests,water vapor permeability(WVP),X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and air permeability.The results showed that the paper coated with PLA containing 7.5%CNCs and 0.15%CTAB based on weight of PLA,gives the highest measured paper properties,where an increase in tensile strength(+133%),Young’s modulus(+309%),tear index(+183%),burst(+60.8)and a decrease in air permeability(−92%)was obtained.

Iron-Selective Electrode Based on Phosphorylated Calix-6-Arene Derivative

The construction and performance characteristics of a novel Iron(III) membrane sensor based on (37-bis-[(diethoxy-thiophosphoryl)-oxy]-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa-kis-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-calix[6]-arene-38,39,40,41,42-pentol) (A) were reported in this paper. The sensor was prepared by incorporating compound (A) into a plasticized polyvinyl chloride PVC membrane. The electrode reveals a Nernstian behavior over a wide iron ion concentration range (1.0 × 10-2 - 1.0 × 10-4 mol·L-1), and relatively low detection limit (1.0 × 10-5 mol·L-1). The potentiometric response was independent on the pH of the solution in the range of 4 - 7. The electrode showed a very short response time (<5 s). It exhibited very good selectivity relative to a wide variety of metal cations. Correlation of selectivity coefficient values with ionic radii of interferent cations was discussed. The proposed iron- ISE was applied for analysis of iron containing samples with comparison to a recommended spectrophotometric method.

Dielectric and Electric Modulus Behavior of Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Stabilized with Phenyl Maleimide

Dielectric constant, ε', dielectric loss factor, ε', electric modulus, M, and ac conductivity, σac, of pure CPVC and that stabilized with 10 wt% of phenyl maleimide, PM, have been carried out. The dielectric properties have been studied in the temperature and frequency ranges;310 K - 450 K and 1 kHz- 4 MHz, respectively. The incorporation of 10 wt% of PM as stabilizer for CPVC leads to reduce its Tg from 405K to 378K at 10 kHz. PM molecules within CPVC structure reduce the double bond, stabilizer effect, and cause the widely spacing between CPVC main chains, plasticizer effect.? Three dielectric relaxation processes namely ρ, α', and α were observed for pure CPVC. The first process was explained based on space charge formation or Maxwell-Wagner-Sillers, MWS, polarization. The second one is due to the segmental motion of the branching of CPVC. The third process occurs around the glass-rubber temperature, Tg, and is related to the micro-Brownian motion of the main polymer chain. Electric modulus and ac conductivity reveal that the conduction mechanism of CPVC is follow the correlated barrier hopping, CBH, while stabilized sample exhibits a quantum mechanical tunneling, QMT, type conduction.

Barriers of Asthma Care among Asthmatic Children in Saudi Arabia: Maternal Perspectives

Background Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions among children. Despite the improvement in asthma treatment regimens, its prevalence and related morbidity are increasing, especially among underserved, minority children. There are barriers in the management of asthma, which may impact the quality of outcomes. The goal of this study is to explore these barriers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on interview data collected through 2019 from mothers of children (aged 6 - 12 years) with asthma visiting, for convenience, a public shopping mall. The interviewees were randomly selected, because they met the inclusion criteria. Participants were considered if the mother answered “yes” to the following questions: Has your child had physician-diagnosed asthma? Is your child currently taking asthma medications of asthma? Two community nurses conducted the interviews. Data was obtained using administrative questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics of percentage, mean, frequency and standard deviation were applied for categorical and continuous variables. Results Three hundred mothers participated in this study. Their average age was 36.8 years, 55% were housekeepers by profession, and 34% had obtained less than high school education. The majority of children (61%) were males, 45% had moderate asthma, and 42% had mild asthma. The most frequent types of barriers identified by parents were environmental factors (67.7%), followed by health care providers (63%), the health care system (48%), and patient or family characteristics (43%). Mothers were specifically concerned about the use, safety, and long-term complications of medications, the impact of exercise limitation on their child’s quality of life, and their own quality of life. Conclusion This study showed several barriers against asthma care in Saudi Arabia, which mainly related to environmental or personal characteristics. This highlights the need to enhance current policies within the health care system in Saudi Arabia to overcome these barriers.

Miscibility Behavior of Poly Ethylene Glycol or Poly Ethylene Succinate/Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride Blends Studied by Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy

The miscibility of chlorinated poly vinyl chloride (CPVC) and poly ethylene glycol (PEG) or poly ethylene succinate (PES) had been investigated using dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) over frequency and temperature ranges;10 kHz - 4 MHz and 300 - 450 K, respectively. Three relaxation processes namely ρ-, α’-, and α-relaxation processes were observed for tan(δ) and the electric modulus M' of pure components and blends. The first one was attributed to the space charge polarization or the Maxwell-Wagner polarization. The second one was related to the amorphous regions located between the lamellar crystal stacks. The third one was due to the micro-Brownian motion of CPVC main chains. This process was found to be dependent in respect of temperature and frequency. The molecular dynamics of α-relaxation process were influenced by blending, i.e., the dielectric strength (De), the peak broadness, and the peak maximum of tan(δ) were found to be compositional dependent. Electric modulus analysis reveals that there is a role of electrode polarization for the dielectric relaxation.

Molecular Modeling, Docking and ADMET of Dimethylthiohydantoin Derivatives for Prostate Cancer Treatment

In silico technique was applied to screen potential of 16 compounds of 5,5-dimethylthiohydantoin derivatives as androgen antagonist. The 3D structure of the protein was obtained from PDB database. Docking analysis of the compounds was performed using hex docking. Molecular modeling analysis exhibits relatively low LUMO-HOMO energy gap of the studied molecules, indicating that it would be kinetically stable. None of the compounds violated Lipinski’s parameters, making them potentially promising agents for biological activities. The title compounds exhibited the lowest docking energy of protein-ligand complex. Finally, the results indicate that these compounds are potentially as an androgen antagonist, and expected to be effective in prostate cancer treatment.