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Advancements in decoy oligodeoxynucleotides targeting STAT3 and STAT5 for cancer therapy
No full textThe Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins are a group of cytoplasmic transcription factors. This group comprises seven members, named STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b, and STAT6. These proteins are promising targets for anti-cancer treatment since cancer cells employ STAT activity to drive many of their processes more than normal cells do. Indeed, molecules targeting STATs, particularly STAT3 and STAT5, show great potential in cancer treatment, which explains the focus on developing STAT3 and 5 inhibitors. The less desirable pharmacological characteristics of peptidomimetics have shifted much of the attention to small molecules. However, current prospective molecules are not attractive enough for clinical studies, and further effort is rather necessary. Interestingly, oligonucleotide-based molecular methods, particularly decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), show great potential in cancer treatment. Recent developments show that decoy ODNs and decoy peptides are two distinct forms of decoy techniques. Decoy ODNs can specifically bind to and inactivate certain transcription factors involved in disease development. In this review, we provide a concise appraisal of research dissecting the impact of decoy ODNs targeting STATs in cancer treatment
Development and validation of a contraceptive dispensing protocol for community pharmacists in Qatar: a Delphi study
No full textBackground: Hormonal contraceptives are available over the counter in community pharmacies in Qatar, placing significant responsibility on community pharmacists (CPs) to ensure safe use. The current study aimed to develop and validate a contraceptive dispensing protocol for CPs use in Qatar. Methods: A scoping review identified suitable protocols, with an initial protocol adapted from The United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Validation occurred through a three-round online Delphi technique: one qualitative round and two quantitative rounds. A panel of ten licensed obstetricians and gynecologists in Qatar participated. Qualitative data were thematically analysed, and consensus in quantitative rounds was defined as over 80% participant agreement. Results: Two major themes emerged: (1) challenges in assessing the appropriateness of items related to protected intercourse, recent childbirth, and cultural sensitivity around sexually transmitted disease-related questions, and (2) positive feedback on screening and simplification recommendations. In the first round, the protocol comprised 31 items. In the second round, 25 of these items reached consensus. Five items that received 70% to 80% agreement were carried forward to a third round, along with one newly added item. Of the six items assessed in the third round, consensus was achieved for five. Consequently, the final protocol consisted of 29 items. Conclusion: A 29-item protocol was developed and validated to assess women's eligibility for contraceptive use by CPs in Qatar. Future research should target translating the protocol into other languages and conducting cultural adaptation studies. It should also explore the development and testing of a collaborative intervention involving pharmacists and other healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary contraceptive services to patients.Qatar University Student Grant
Comparative in-vivo and in-vitro characterization of Donepezil loaded Lactoferrin linked PEG coated and uncoated nanocarriers as intranasal drug delivery system
No full textAlzheimer’s disease treatment faces challenges with conventional oral formulations of donepezil (DNP). This study aims to develop and characterize DNP-loaded Lactoferrin (LCF)-linked PEG-coated nano-carriers for intranasal delivery. The formulation was developed using a Quality by Design (QbD) approach integrated with molecular docking. A novel micelle-enhanced spectrofluorimetric method was developed and validated for in-vitro and in-vivo characterization of the nano-carriers. The method was optimized using Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) principles. In-vivo pharmacokinetic and bio-distribution studies were conducted in rats to compare the developed formulation with uncoated NLCs and conventional dosage forms. The LCF-PEG-coated NLCs showed improved brain targeting efficiency compared to uncoated NLCs and conventional formulations. The spectrofluorimetric method demonstrated high sensitivity and reliability for both in-vitro and in-vivo analyses. The developed DNP-loaded LCF-PEG-coated NLCs show promise as an effective intranasal delivery system for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. The novel spectrofluorimetric method offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional LC-MS/MS techniques for characterizing DNP formulations.Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library
The Level of Academic Self-Handicapping among Jordanian University Students in Light of Some Variables
No full textهدفت الدراسةُ الحاليةُ إلى استقصاء مستوى الإعاقة الذاتية الأكاديمية لدى عينة من طلبة الجامعية الأردنية في ضوء بعض المتغيرات، استُخدم المنهج الوصفيُّ المسحي/الفارقي، ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة طُبِّق مقياس الإعاقة الذاتية الأكاديمية (Gupta & Geetika, 2020) على عينة مكوَّنة من 356 مشاركًا (84 طالبًا، و272 طالبة) اُختيروا بالطريقة العشوائية البسيطة. جرى التحقُّق من صدق المحتوى، كما استُخرجت نتائجُ التحليل العاملي التوكيدي، واشتُقَّت تشبُّعات الفقرات بالعوامل المستخلصة، كما جرى التحقُّق من ثبات المقياس بطريقة الاتساق الداخلي باستخدام معادلة كرونباخ ألفا وبلغ (0.812)، وبطريقة التجزئة النصفية المصحَّحة بمعادلة سبيرمان-براون (0.777). أشارت النتائج إلى درجة متوسِّطة من الإعاقة الذاتية الأكاديمية لدى طلبة الجامعة، وإلى عدم وجود تأثير دال إحصائيًا عند مستوى الدلالة (0.05) في كلٍّ من بُعد الإعاقة الذاتية السلوكية، والإعاقة الذاتية المزعومة، ومشكلات التحضير للنشاط، والفشل في السيطرة على الانتباه، يعزى إلى جنس الطالب أو نوع كليَّته أو سنته الدراسية، وأشارت النتائج كذلك إلى وجود علاقة ارتباطية ضعيفة بين أبعاد مقياس الإعاقة الذاتية الأكاديمية والتحصيل الدراسي للطالب. وانتهت الدراسة بعدد من التوصيات، مِن مثل إجراء المزيد من الدراسات التي تهدف إلى تقنين مقياس الإعاقة الذاتية الأكاديمية في البيئة الأردنية، وإجراء دراسات مقارِنة بين طلبة التعليم المدرسي والتعليم الجامعي في درجة الإعاقة الذاتية الأكاديمية.The current study aimed to investigate the level of academic self-handicapping among a sample of Jordanian university students in the light of some variables. The descriptive survey approach was used. To achieve the objectives of the study, the Academic Self-Handicapping scale (Gupta & Geetika, 2020) was applied to a random sample of 356 participants (84 male and 272 female students) who were selected using the simple random method. The content validity of the scale was verified, the results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis were extracted, and the loadings of the items with the extracted factors were derived. The reliability of the scale was verified by the internal consistency method using the Cronbach Alpha equation (0.812), and by the split-half-method corrected with the Spearman-Brown equation (0.777). The results indicated a medium degree of academic self-handicapping among university students, and that there was no statistically significant effect at the level of significance (0.05) in each of the subscales of Academic Self-Handicapping due to the student's gender, the type of his school or academic year. The results also indicated that there is a weak correlation between the subscales of the Academic Self-Handicapping scale and the student's academic achievement. The study concluded with a number of recommendations, of which are conducting more studies aiming at standardizing the scale of academic self-handicapping in the Jordanian environment, and conducting comparative studies between school and university education students with an eye on the degree of academic self-handicapping among each
Analytical Thinking Skills included in Islamic Education Books for Grades (10-12) in the Sultanate of Oman*
No full textتهدُفُ الدراسة إلى الكشف عن مستوى تضمين كتب التربية الإسلامية للصفوف (10-12) في سلطنة عُمَان لمهارات التفكير التحليلي. اعتمدتِ الدراسةُ الحاليَّة المنهجَ الوصفي التَّحليلي، وتَمَثَّلَتْ أداتُها في بطاقة تحليل للمحتوى تضمنت مهارات التفكير التَّحليلي: (المقارنة، وتحليل القضية، ورُؤْيَة العلاقات، والتقييم). وقد جرى التأكد من صدقها وثباتها، فبلغ معامل ثباتها (0.88). وقد تَكَوَّنَ مجتمع الدراسة وعيِّنتها من محتوى كُتُب التربية الإسلامية للصفوف (10-12) للعام الدراسي 2020/2021، وعددها ثلاثة كُتُب. واختيرت (الفقرة) وحدةً لتحليل المحتوى، في حين اختيرت المهارة فئةً للتحليل. أَظْهَرَتْ نتائجُ الدراسة الحاليَّة تَوَفُّرَ مهارات التفكير التَّحليلي بدرجات مختلفة للصفوف (العاشر، والحادي عشر، والثاني عشر)؛ فقد تَصَدَّرَتْ مهارة تحليل القضية المرتبة الأولى، فبَلَغَتْ تكراراتها (1615) تكرارًا، بنسبة متوسطة، وجاءت في المرتبة الثانية مهارة التقييم؛ فقد بَلَغَ مجموع تكراراتها (458) تكرارًا، بنسبة منخفضة، في حين جاءت مهارة الوصف في المرتبة الثالثة؛ فقد بَلَغَ عدد تكراراتها (401) بنسبة منخفضة، وجاءت مهارة المقارنة في المرتبة الرابعة بتكرار بَلَغَ (224) تكرارًا، بنسبة منخفضة، وفي المرتبة الأخيرة جاءت مهارة رُؤْيَة العلاقات؛ إذ بَلَغَ مجموع تكراراتها (216)، بنسبة منخفضة. كما أظهرتِ النتائج تَصَدُّرَ كتاب التربية الإسلامية للصف العاشر في المرتبة الأولى بتكرارات بَلَغَ عددها (1070) تكرارًا. أوصتِ الدراسة الحاليَّة بتضمين مهارات (التقييم، والوصف، والمقارنة، ورؤية العلاقات) على نحوٍ أكثرَ توازُنًا في كُتُب التربية الإسلامية بمراحلَ دراسيةٍ مختلفة.The current study aims to explore the extent to which the Islamic Education curriculum for grades (10-12) in the Sultanate of Oman incorporates analytical thinking skills. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical methodology, with content analysis as its main research method, including analytical thinking skills of comparison, case study analysis, identifying relationships, and evaluation. The validity and reliability of the tool were validated, with a reliability coefficient of 0.88. The study population and sample consisted of the content of Islamic Education curriculum for grades (10-12) for the academic year 2020/2021, which were three books. The "paragraph" was chosen as the unit of content analysis, while the "skill" was selected as the category of analysis.
The results revealed varying degrees of inclusion of analytical thinking skills across the grades (10th, 11th, and 12th). The skill of case analysis ranked first, with (1615) occurrences, reflecting a moderate rate. The skill of evaluation ranked second, with a total of 458 occurrences, indicating a low rate. The skill of description came third, with (401) occurrences, also at a low rate. The skill of comparing ranked fourth with (224) occurrences, and the skill of identifying relationships ranked last, with a total of (216) occurrences, both at a low rate. Additionally, the results indicated that the Islamic Education curriculum for grade 10 ranked first, with (1070) occurrences.
The study recommended a more balanced inclusion of the skills of evaluation, description, comparison, and identifying relationships in Islamic Education curriculum across different educational stages
Adult Sexual Function Following Hypospadias Repair in Childhood: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Long-term Patient Outcomes
No full textObjectiveTo synthesize and quantitatively analyze available evidence regarding sexual function in adults who underwent hypospadias repair during childhood. MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted based on PRISMA guidelines to assess long-term outcomes of hypospadias repair on adult sexual function. Studies were evaluated for methodological quality, surgical techniques, patient demographics, and primary outcomes related to erectile function, sexual satisfaction, and psychosexual health. Meta-analytic methods were employed to calculate pooled incidences and heterogeneity of key outcomes. ResultsThirteen studies were included in the review, with pooled analyses revealing an overall incidence of erectile dysfunction at 12% (95% CI: 7%-19%) and sexual dissatisfaction at 16% (95% CI: 12%-22%). Most studies demonstrated favorable outcomes in erectile function and sexual satisfaction, although variability in outcomes was noted across subgroups. Meta-analysis highlighted significant heterogeneity due to differences in surgical techniques, patient populations, and follow-up durations. ConclusionHypospadias repair during childhood generally leads to positive long-term sexual function outcomes. However, approximately 12%-16% of individuals may experience persistent challenges. Standardization of outcome measures and long-term follow-up studies are essential to refine surgical approaches and improve patient care
Acute Ischemic Stroke and Myocardial Infarction in a Patient Diagnosed With Infection: A Case Report and a Literature Review.
No full textCholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by which primarily affects the gastrointestinal system. However, severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances caused by diarrhea can precipitate systemic complications, including renal, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular events. This case report describes a rare occurrence of cholera with concomitant myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke that has not been previously reported in the literature.Open access funding was provided by the Qatar NationalLibrary
Real-Time Damage Detection in Fiber Lifting Ropes Using Lightweight Convolutional Neural Networks
No full textThe health and safety hazards posed by worn crane lifting ropes mandate periodic inspection for damage. This task is time-consuming, prone to human error, halts operation, and may result in the premature disposal of ropes. Therefore, we propose using efficient deep learning and computer vision methods to automate the process of detecting damaged ropes. Specifically, we present a vision-based system for detecting damage in synthetic fiber rope images using lightweight convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We develop a camera-based apparatus to photograph the lifting rope's surface, while in operation, and capture the progressive wear-and-tear as well as the more significant degradation in the rope's health state. Experts from Konecranes annotate the collected images in accordance with the rope's condition; normal or damaged. Then, we preprocess the images, systematically design a deep learning model, evaluate its detection and prediction performance, analyze its computational complexity, and compare it with various other models. Experimental results show the proposed model outperforms other similar techniques with 96.5% accuracy, 94.8% precision, 98.3% recall, 96.5% -score, and 99.3% AUC. Besides, they demonstrate the model's real-time operation, low memory footprint, robustness to various environmental and operational conditions, and adequacy for deployment in industrial applications such as lifting, mooring, towing, climbing, and sailing.This work was supported in part by Konecranes Plc through the Business Finland Industrial Data Excellence (InDEx) Project, the Digital, Internet, Materials, and Engineering Co-Creation (DIMECC) Intelligent Industrial Data Program; and in part by NSF IUCRC CBL Program under Project AMaLIA through the Business Finland Co-Research. The associate editor coordinating the review of this article and approving it for publication was Dr. Te Han.Scopu
Targeting mTOR and Its Associated Signaling to Induce Cell Death in Breast Cancer Stem Cells
No full textBreast cancer (BC) is a frequently diagnosed neoplasm in women and the second major cause of cancer-related deaths. Many BC patients develop metastasis and advanced tumors, increasing morbidity and mortality. There is substantial evidence that tumor relapses in BC patients are driven by a unique population of cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs). Breast CSCs confer stemness to BC and survive through the maintenance of several mechanisms, among which is the involvement of the mTOR signaling pathway. mTOR and its associated AKT signaling play a crucial role in regulating CSCsin various human cancers, including breast cancer. This study investigated the role of targeting mTOR/AKT signaling in the modulation of cell death in 2D and 3D breast cancer models. Torin-2, a dual mTOR inhibitor, effectively suppressed cell proliferation by inducing mitochondrial apoptosis. The inhibition of mTOR led to a decrease in AKT activity and downregulation of key translational machinery components, including 4EBP1, eIF4E, and p70S6K. Torin-2 treatment activated autophagy signaling in both 2D and 3D cell models. The induction of autophagy was evidenced by an increase in the autophagy protein LC3II/I in response to Torin-2 treatment. In addition, Torin-2 treatment of spheroids derived from breast cancer cells suppressed the expression of stem cell marker ALDH. Altogether, the dual inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 by Torin-2 resulted in a more profound antitumor activity. This broader and more potent inhibition of the mTOR pathway contributes to effectiveness in suppressing 2D and 3D breast cancer cell growth and survival.Funding text 1: Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library. This study was funded and supported by Medical Research Center (IRGC-05-SI-18-307).; Funding text 2: Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library. This study was funded and supported by Medical Research Center (IRGC\u201005\u2010SI\u201018\u2010307).Scopu
Global disparities in adrenaline access: A World Allergy Organization call for equity in anaphylaxis care
No full textAnaphylaxis is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated immediately.1,2 Adrenaline remains the only effective first-line treatment capable of reversing anaphylaxis in all settings, including in the community,1,2 and should be administered without delay. However, more than a century after the therapeutic effect of adrenaline was first described——and decades after the development of devices for its self-administration——the majority of the world's population still lacks access to these potentially life-saving tools.3,4
Recent global surveys, including those conducted under the auspices of the World Allergy Organization (WAO), reveal an unpleasant reality: only about one-third of countries provide consistent access to any form of adrenaline device for self-administration.3 In the remaining countries, people at risk of anaphylaxis, including children, are forced to rely on improvisation, or worse, be entirely without protection. Even in those countries where adrenaline auto-injectors are available, only 44% of patients have a standardized action plan to guide its use to treat anaphylaxis.5
This situation represents a profound global health inequity, and one that must become an urgent priority for allergy organisations, health authorities, and policymakers worldwide