Development of low-cost and portable detection platforms for bacterial detection

In this study, a diagnostic platform for detecting pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H11, Staphylococcus aureus, Legionella spp., P. gingivalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has been developed. Fluorogenic substrates were used as a potential tool for detecting the virulence of the proteases. The identified substrates were conjugated with nanomagnetic particles to develop colorimetric, flexible, and portable platforms. The lowest detection limit of the biosensing platforms was determined as Listeria 2.17 × 102 cfu/mL,7 cfu/mL for Staphylococcus aureus and 12 cfu/mL for E. coli O157:H7, P. gingivalis was 49 cfu/mL,60 cfu/mL for Legionella spp., and 102 cfu/mL. for P. aeruginosa. The sensors were tested with other bacteria to investigate the cross-reactivity and assess the specificity; most of the sensors were found to be specific. In order to use the biosensors for field diagnosis, the sensors were evaluated using different food matrices and environmental samples from various sources. The sensors showed significant stability with all the samples. In this study, the point of interest was to devise a sensitive and quick method for detecting pathogenic bacteria in complex samples. To that end, a colorimetric sensor employing nanomagnetic particles that targeted the proteolytic activity of protease enzymes secreted by bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H11, Staphylococcus aureus, Legionella spp., P. gingivalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was designed. The highly specific and semi-quantitative diagnostic device developed in the current study is portable and straightforward to operate by a nurse or a non-skilled clinician, making it a potential and highly suitable system for low-resource

Multiple knowledge depiction of digital twin-driven circular economy: concepts, integrated advanced technologies, triple bottom line of smart construction, and exploratory case studies

Ongoing global issues arising from rapid societal and economic development intensify resource extraction, ending in waste and emissions. Digital technology-empowered circular economy (CE) practices potentially encounter these issues, leading to sustainable development (SD). Digital twin (DT), a building block of emerging digital technologies, is extensively employed to automate and modernize construction phases and services. However, the broader research body reflects knowledge gaps and evidence inadequacies. This study seeks to disseminate awareness of DT and how its adoption reinforces confidence in CE practices, prospectively nurturing the way for triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability in construction. The study comprehensively and rigorously reviews DT deployment with a customized focus on building construction, delving into and analyzing the significance and bottlenecks. This research endeavors to apprise evidence of DT-driven CE uptake in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which has launched Vision 2030 to steer its nation towards a vibrant society, ambitious nation, and thriving economy. A four-step methodology is adopted for exploratory research case studies with a literature review. Pertinent literature is collected, focusing on 2020–2024. Subsequently, multiple cases from the KSA are explored to corroborate the phenomenon under scrutiny. Key findings discovered that DT capabilities enhanced with other technologies and tools strengthen physical and cyber systems and data infrastructure. DT-navigated CE shares a plethora of social, economic, and environmental opportunities in residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. This study encompasses theoretical and practical implications. It offers comprehensive insights into visionary concepts for the research community and construction industrialists, nurturing their understanding and motivating them to implement DT for CE catalysis, resulting in a multitude of TBL sustainable advantages. Besides, it bridges the gap between literature and practical real-world practices. The developed interdisciplinary framework enhances DT application feasibility in construction services within the boundaries of architecture, engineering, construction, and procurement services

The association between taking a death certificate course and practical knowledge about death certificate among Saudi medical students

In Saudi Arabia, family members, general practitioners, morticians, or police officer, who are eligible to request autopsies, refrain from doing so to expedite the burial of the deceased. Inaccurate entries into the medical death certificate facilitate so. The reason for ignoring the completion of death certificates is not fully explored. Yet, incompetence or avoiding medicolegal allegations seem to be causative factors.  In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional study on 335 medical students from all years of medical school to determine the association between taking the death certificate course and the level of knowledge about death certificates among medical students. The results showed an increase in the level of knowledge of students who took the course compared to the students who did not. Among the students who have seen death certificates, the majority have not seen enough number of death certificates. Cultural mores of the medical students are expected to govern their carefulness in filling out the death certificates

Rapid Colorimetric Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Isolates Using a Magnetic Nanoparticle Biosensor

A rapid, sensitive, and specific colorimetric biosensor based on the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was designed for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in clinical samples. The biosensing platform was based on the measurement of P. aeruginosa proteolytic activity using a specific protease substrate. At the N-terminus, this substrate was covalently bound to MNPs and was linked to a gold sensor surface via cystine at the C-terminus of the substrates. The golden sensor appears black to naked eyes because of the coverage of the MNPs. However, upon proteolysis, the cleaved peptide–MNP moieties will be attracted by an external magnet, revealing the golden color of the sensor surface, which can be observed by the naked eye. In vitro, the biosensor was able to detect specifically and quantitatively the presence of P. aeruginosa with a detection limit of 102 cfu/mL in less than 1 min. The colorimetric biosensor was used to test its ability to detect in situ P. aeruginosa in clinical isolates from patients. This biochip is anticipated to be useful as a rapid point-of-care device for the diagnosis of P. aeruginosa-related infections

Rapid Colorimetric Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Isolates Using a Magnetic Nanoparticle Biosensor

A rapid, sensitive, and specific colorimetric biosensor based on the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was designed for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in clinical samples. The biosensing platform was based on the measurement of P. aeruginosa proteolytic activity using a specific protease substrate. At the N-terminus, this substrate was covalently bound to MNPs and was linked to a gold sensor surface via cystine at the C-terminus of the substrates. The golden sensor appears black to naked eyes because of the coverage of the MNPs. However, upon proteolysis, the cleaved peptide-MNP moieties will be attracted by an external magnet, revealing the golden color of the sensor surface, which can be observed by the naked eye. In vitro, the biosensor was able to detect specifically and quantitatively the presence of P. aeruginosa with a detection limit of 102 cfu/mL in less than 1 min. The colorimetric biosensor was used to test its ability to detect in situ P. aeruginosa in clinical isolates from patients. This biochip is anticipated to be useful as a rapid point-of-care device for the diagnosis of P. aeruginosa-related infections

Assessment of enamel demineralization, shear bond strength, and failure mode following the use of orthodontic adhesive containing silver nanoparticles: an in-vitro study

ObjectiveThis study evaluated enamel demineralization, shear bond strength, and failure modes associated with orthodontic adhesives containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).MethodsForty-eight extracted human premolar teeth were selected and evenly divided into two groups based on the intended assessments, with 28 specimens in each group: Part I focused on enamel demineralization depth, and Part II addressed shear bond strength and failure modes. Specimens were prepared, mounted, and bonded using two adhesive systems: Group A used a conventional adhesive system without AgNPs, while Group B employed a conventional adhesive system mixed with AgNPs. In Part I, specimens underwent artificial demineralization at pH 4.5°C and 37°C for 7 days, followed by buccolingual sectioning. The depth of demineralization was measured using a scanning electron microscope and analyzed with ImageJ software. In Part II, shear bond strength was assessed using a universal testing machine, followed by failure mode evaluation using a stereomicroscope.ResultsResults showed that Group A exhibited a significantly greater demineralization depth compared to Group B (p = 0.000). However, no significant difference was observed between overall location levels (p = 0.093). Additionally, Group B demonstrated significantly higher shear bond strength (p = 0.000) and a more uniform distribution of failure modes compared to Group A.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that incorporating silver nanoparticles into orthodontic adhesives reduces demineralization depth and enhances shear bond strength compared to conventional adhesive systems. In contrast, conventional adhesives were associated with a higher incidence of adhesive mode failure

Fatal case of a child harboring Enterobius vermicularis

Enterobius vermicularis is a threadlike parasite also known as “pinworms”. It is the most common helminth infection, affecting the gastrointestinal tracts of children worldwide, although it seldom causes any fatalities. Enterobius vermicularis infections are usually asymptomatic and may only cause anal pruritis, with occasional reported cases of ectopic migration into the appendix or the female genital tract by adult pinworms. Here, we report a case of a 15-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department with high-grade fever, vomiting, and vague abdominal pain for three days. She was diagnosed with acute abdominal pain and underwent emergency ileocecectomy, but died the following day. Pathological examination of ileocecal junction showed intraluminal and intramural Enterobius vermicularis, which were attributed as the cause of her death in the absence of any other pathologies. Death due to Enterobius vermicularis is rare; this case calls for clinicians to be vigilant in exploring Enterobius vermicularis infections in patients with undiagnosed acute abdominal pain, since it could be a potential cause of death

Cross-border movement, economic development and malaria elimination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Malaria at international borders presents particular challenges with regards to elimination. International borders share common malaria ecologies, yet neighboring countries are often at different stages of the control-to-elimination pathway. Herein, we present a case study on malaria, and its control, at the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Malaria program activity reports, case data, and ancillary information have been assembled from national health information systems, archives, and other related sources. Information was analyzed as a semi-quantitative time series, between 2000 and 2017, to provide a plausibility framework to understand the possible contributions of factors related to control activities, conflict, economic development, migration, and climate. The malaria recession in the Yemeni border regions of Saudi Arabia is a likely consequence of multiple, coincidental factors, including scaled elimination activities, cross-border vector control, periods of low rainfall, and economic development. The temporal alignment of many of these factors suggests that economic development may have changed the receptivity to the extent that it mitigated against surges in vulnerability posed by imported malaria from its endemic neighbor Yemen. In many border areas of the world, malaria is likely to be sustained through a complex congruence of factors, including poverty, conflict, and migration

Progress toward malaria elimination in Jazan Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: 2000–2014

BACKGROUND: The draft Global Technical Strategy for malaria aims to eliminate malaria from at least 10 countries by 2020. Yemen and Saudi Arabia remain the last two countries on the Arabian Peninsula yet to achieve elimination. Over the last 50 years, systematic efforts to control malaria in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has successfully reduced malaria cases to a point where malaria is now constrained largely to Jazan Province, the most south-western area along the Red Sea. The progress toward elimination in this province is reviewed between 2000 and 2014. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health case-reporting systems, activity reports, unpublished consultants reports, and relevant scientific published papers. Sub-provincial population data were obtained the national household censuses undertaken in 2004 and 2010. Rainfall data were obtained from the Meteorological Department in Jazan. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2014 there were 5522 locally acquired cases of malaria and 9936 cases of imported malaria. A significant reduction in locally acquired malaria cases was observed from 2000 to 2014, resulting in an average annual incidence (2010–2014) of 0.3 cases per 10,000 population. Conversely imported cases, since 2000, remain consistent and higher than locally acquired cases, averaging between 250 and 830 cases per year. The incidence of locally acquired cases is heterogeneous across the Province, with only a few health districts contributing the majority of the cases. The overall decline in malaria case incidence can be attributed to coincidental expansion of control efforts and periods of exceptionally low rainfall. CONCLUSIONS: Jazan province is poised to achieve malaria elimination. There is a need to change from a policy of passive case detection to reactively and proactively detecting infectious reservoirs that require new approaches to surveillance. These should be combined with advanced epidemiological tools to improve the definitions of epidemiological receptive and hotspot malaria risk mapping. The single largest threat currently remains the risks posed by imported infections from Yemen