This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic tests and management approaches for dry eye disease (DED) among eye care practitioners in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was sent to 200 practitioners, with 88 responses, resulting in a 44% response rate. Of the respondents, 68.2% were optometrists and 31.8% were ophthalmologists. The fluorescein tear break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer test were the most commonly used diagnostic methods due to their simplicity and accessibility, while assessing the meibomian glands was less frequent. The main causes of DED identified were environmental factors and meibomian gland dysfunction. The most commonly reported symptoms included dry eyes, tearing, and itching. The preferred management options were aqueous-based artificial tears (46.3%) and lipid-based artificial tears (40.1%), with minimal use of advanced therapies. These findings underscore the reliance on conventional diagnostic and treatment methods and highlight the need for standardized protocols and broader adoption of modern diagnostic technologies to improve DED care in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Medical device-associated healthcare infections [MDHAIs] represent a critical threat to patient safety worldwide, constituting approximately 30% of nosocomial infections and imposing substantial morbidity, mortality, and financial burdens on healthcare systems. Objectives: This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, microbiology, pathogenesis, prevention, and quality-of-life implications of MDHAIs, with emphasis on sterilization protocols, reprocessing standards, and emerging antimicrobial technologies. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted examining device-associated infections in intensive care settings, including central line-associated bloodstream infections [CLABSI], catheter-associated urinary tract infections [CAUTI], and ventilator-associated pneumonia [VAP]. Key Findings: The epidemiology of MDHAIs continues to evolve, with multidrug-resistant [MDR] and extensively drug-resistant [XDR] pathogens demonstrating enhanced biofilm formation capacity [up to 1000-fold increased resistance to antimicrobial agents compared to planktonic cells]. Current surveillance data reveals CAUTI incidence of 1.67 per 1000 catheter-days, CLABSI at 0.59 per 1000 central line-days, and VAP at 4.63 per 1000 ventilator-days. Evidence-based prevention bundles have achieved CLABSI reductions of 60–90% and VAP reductions exceeding 40% in institutional settings. Device-associated infections profoundly impact quality of life through extended hospitalization, prolonged recovery, and significant psychological morbidity including anxiety, depression, and post-intensive care syndrome. Conclusions: Effective prevention of MDHAIs requires multifaceted approaches encompassing appropriate device classification, adherence to ISO 17664:2021 reprocessing standards, rigorous quality assurance monitoring, comprehensive staff training, implementation of bundle prevention strategies, and integration of clinical engineering expertise. Novel antimicrobial technologies [bacteriophages, endolysins, antimicrobial peptides] and anti-adhesion surface coatings offer promise for future device sterilization. Sustainability imperatives and evidence supporting reusable device efficacy warrant reconsideration of single-use device reliance, coupled with investment in institutional reprocessing infrastructure and patient-centered education.

Class III malocclusion, resulting from mandibular prognathism, maxillary retrusion, or a combination, can severely affect function and facial aesthetics. While mild forms respond to orthodontic camouflage, severe skeletal discrepancies in adults usually require surgical correction. This report presents two adult cases treated with Le Fort I maxillary advancement and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) setback, followed by post-surgical orthodontic finishing to ensure occlusal stability and facial harmony. Orthognathic surgery not only corrected the skeletal disharmony and improved masticatory function but also enhanced patient self-esteem and quality of life, emphasizing the importance of coordinated orthodontic–surgical planning.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor deficits and dopaminergic neuron degeneration. Haloperidol, a widely used antipsychotic, has been reported to induce parkinsonism-like symptoms in animal models. This study investigates the potential neuroprotective effects of lutein, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties, against haloperidol-induced Parkinson's disease in Wistar rats. A total of Thirty (30) healthy Wistar rats weighing between 100 -150g were used for this study. The rats were acclimatized and divided into six groups (n=5 per group); Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (Haloperidol group), Group 3 (Haloperidol + 20mg/kg of lutein), Group 4 (Haloperidol + 40mg/kg of lutein), Group 5 (Haloperidol + 60mg/kg of lutein) and Group 6 (Haloperidol + donepezil group). Motor deficits were assessed using behavioral tests like Barnes maze test, hand grip test, rotarod test and Y maze test. While biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate oxidative stress markers. The results demonstrated that rats treated with haloperidol alone had a significantly higher latency compared to the control group. This suggests that haloperidol negatively impacted spatial learning and memory, as indicated by the increased time taken to find the target. Lutein, especially at 40mg/kg and 60mg/kg, as well as the standard drug donepezil were seen to have neuroprotective effects against the spatial learning and memory deficits induced by haloperidol in Wistar rats. This study showed that Haloperidol induced both the motor symptoms such as muscle rigidity and also the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson disease such as anxiety, oxidative stress, and impaired memory on the rats and lutein possesses a dose-dependent increase in learning ability and cognitive functions and decrease in oxidative stress and fatigue.

Lutein as a carotenoid, provides a wide range of nutritional and health benefits due to their multifarious biological impacts on humans, which include antioxidative, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was carried out to evaluate the Cognito motor modulatory function of lutein on Hippocampal cellular Architecture in Diazepam induced memory impairment in Wistar rats. Thirty (30) male rats were used for this study and the rats were acclimatized for a period of 14 days, and was then divided into six groups; 1 (Control), 2 (Diazepam 5mg/kg), 3 (Diazepam + Lutein 20mg/kg), 4 (Diazepam + Lutein 40mg/kg), 5 (Diazepam + Lutein 60mg/kg), and 6 (Diazepam + Donepezil - Standard drug) for a period of 21 days. The catalase level was seen to be statistically significant (p<0.05) when the group 2 (diazepam only treated) and group 3 were separately compared to that of the control group (group 1). In neurobehavioural test conducted, Group 2 in handgrip stability time test conducted showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease signifying a lack of peak force for handgripping when compared with group 1(control group), this was made significant by the increase in the number of incorrect hole entry by group 2 wistar rats in Barnes maze test in week 1 and 2 of the study period, Lutein showed a motor modulatory function in the brain through its antioxidizing and anti-proteolytic properties, with its dose dependence effect on group 3 Wistar rats, of which catalase concentration level seems to be lesser when compared to group 2.

The purpose of the present study was to find the alteration in leg strength, explosive power and flexibility after resistance training followed by yoga practice and combination of resistance and plyometric training followed by yoga practices. For this purpose, forty-five male players of various games and sports from St. John’s College of Physical Education, Veeravanallur, Tirunelveli District, Tamilnadu, India in the age group of 17 – 25 years were selected. They were divided into three equal groups (n = 15), each group consisted of fifteen subjects, in which group – I underwent resistance training followed by yoga practice, group – II underwent combination of resistance training and plyometric training followed by yoga practice and group – III acted as control group who did not participate in any special training apart from their regular curricula. The training period for this study was three days in a week for twelve weeks. Prior to and after the training period the subjects were tested for leg strength, explosive power and flexibility. Leg strength was assessed by using leg lift with dynamometer, explosive power was measured by administering standing broad jump and flexibility was assessed by administering sit and reach test. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to find out the significant difference if any, among the experimental groups and control group on selected criterion variables separately. Since there were three groups involved in this study the Scheffẻ S test was used as pos-hoc test. It was concluded from the result of the study that the resistance training followed by yoga practice group and combination of resistance training and plyometric training followed by yoga practice group has positively altered the criterion variables, such as, leg strength, explosive power and flexibility. The result of the study also shown that there was no significant difference occurred between the experimental groups on selected criterion variables except explosive power. In explosive power, the combination of resistance training and plyometric training followed by yoga practice group has significantly improved than resistance training followed by yoga practice group and control group.

Many studies have reported that lutein have positive effects in different clinical conditions, thus ameliorating cognitive function, decreasing the risk of cancer, and improving measures of cardiovascular health. This study investigates the potential neuroprotective effects of lutein, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties against sodium azide-induced amnesia in mice. A total of thirty (30) healthy mice weighing 19g - 35g were used for this study. The mice were acclimatized and divided into six groups (n= 5 per group) which are; Group 1 (Control group), Group 2 (Sodium azide only), Group 3(Sodium azide + 20mg/kg of lutein), Group 4 (Sodium azide + 40mg/kg of lutein), Group 5 (Sodium azide + 60mg/kg of lutein), Group 6 (Sodium azide + Donepezil). Motor deficits were assessed using behavioral tests like Barnes maze test, Hand grip test, Rotarod test and Y maze test. While biochemical analysis was performed to evaluate oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters. The results demonstrate that the mice treated with sodium azide only had a significantly higher latency compared to the control group. This suggests that sodium azide negatively impacted spatial learning and memory as indicated by the increased time taken to find the target. Lutein, especially at 40mg/kg and 60mg/kg as well as Donepezil (the standard drug) has neuroprotective effects against the spatial learning and memory deficits induced by sodium azide in mice. This study shows that sodium azide induced both motor symptoms such as agnosia and non-motor symptoms such as impaired memory, oxidative stress in mice and lutein an antioxidant carotenoid possesses a dose dependent increase in learning ability and cognitive functions and decrease in oxidative stress.

The Contemplation Sutra is central to the Pure Land Buddhist tradition, although its philosophical elements have received little scholarly study beyond doctrinal exegesis. This paper addresses the sutra as a systematic "salvific paradigm," using phenomenological tools to explain the fundamental patterns of religious awareness and soteriological orientation. Through rigorous examination of the sutra's symbolic imagery, contemplative activities, and doctrinal formulations, the research uncovers a coherent framework in which faith cultivation, meditative visualization, and ethical discipline interact to produce transforming liberation experiences. Central motifs, including the luminous body of Amitābha, the architecture of the Pure Land, and the sequential practices of visualization, are interpreted as expressions of intentionality and numinous encounter, rather than mere ritual prescriptions. By situating the sutra within the phenomenological discourse of Otto, Eliade, and Husserl, the paper demonstrates how its narrative and symbolic elements constitute a rigorous philosophical system oriented toward human emancipation. The analysis further suggests that the Contemplation Sutra exemplifies a dynamic interaction between experiential insight and doctrinal articulation, providing a model for understanding religious texts as cognitive and affective systems. Ultimately, this study contributes to both Buddhist studies and philosophy of religion by offering a framework that interprets traditional devotional practice as a philosophically coherent structure, bridging the domains of textual scholarship, phenomenology, and ethical reflection.

This study investigates the linguistic characteristics, pragmatic functions, and legal implications of formal and humorous speech across digital media by employing a forensic linguistic and multimodal analytical framework. Drawing on data from the Indonesian comedy program Lapor Pak! and the Korean film Vincenzo, the research examines how formal and humorous utterances are constructed, interpreted, and potentially contested within online and audiovisual environments. The analysis focuses on the interplay between linguistic form, speaker intention, and contextual cues, as well as the extent to which multimodal elements—such as visual cues, sound effects, gestures, and cinematography—shape or intensify meaning. Findings reveal that formal speech, although structurally explicit, may still generate legal vulnerabilities when embedded in parody or institutional impersonation. Conversely, humorous speech, characterized by ambiguity, irony, and linguistic deviation, is prone to misinterpretation as defamation, hate speech, or harassment, particularly in digital settings lacking shared contextual knowledge. The study further argues that multimodality amplifies interpretive risks by reinforcing or altering the illocutionary force of an utterance. Overall, this research demonstrates the value of integrating pragmatic, discourse, and multimodal perspectives within forensic linguistic analysis to better understand how digital communication practices may trigger social and legal consequences. The findings contribute to the development of digital literacy, ethical communication guidelines, and more context-sensitive approaches to evaluating public speech in online environments.

This study investigates the influence of fin morphology on predator-prey dynamics among selected fish species in Kwatan Giwa River, Niger State, Nigeria. A total of 192 fish samples representing eight species were collected biweekly from June to August 2024 at the Kwatan Giwa River fish landing site. Fish species were identified using standard taxonomic guides. Morphometric measurements of tail, pectoral, dorsal, and ventral fins were recorded using vernier calipers. Gut content analysis was conducted following modified Waraniak et al., (2019) procedures to determine dietary components and establish trophic relationships. Data were statistically analyzed to assess variations in fin structures and their ecological implications. The findings revealed significant interspecific variations in fin morphology. Species like Tilapia zilli and Auchenoglanis biscutatus possessed higher pectoral and ventral fin lengths, facilitating better maneuverability and habitat adaptability. Conversely, Siluranodon auritus exhibited consistently low fin measurements, indicating limited mobility and habitat specialization. The gut analysis revealed that Clarias gariepinus, identified as a piscivorous predator, had gut contents containing scales and remains of Tilapia spp, juvenile Synodontis, Labeo senegalensis, and Marcusenius senegalensis. In contrast, Tilapia spp, Labeo senegalensis, Auchenoglanis biscutatus, and Siluranodon auratus showed no fish remains in their guts, indicating non-piscivorous diets. The study successfully highlighted the relationship between fin size and predation strategies among selected fish species in the study area. However, Efforts should be made to protect the natural habitats of these fish species from degradation due to pollution, deforestation, and human encroachment.

Lutein has a range of nutritional and health-enhancing characteristics, based on its multifaceted biological action in people, which comprise antioxidative, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study explored the effect of repeated of lutein on cerebral antioxidants (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH)) in the animals that were subjected to memory impairment by Diazepam. Thirty (30) Wistar rats was used for this study and the rats were acclimatized for a period of 14 days, and was then divided into six groups; Group 1: Control, Group 2: Diazepam Only (5mg/kg) , Group 3: Diazepam + Lutein (20mg/kg) , Group 4: Diazepam + Lutein (40mg/kg), Group 5: Diazepam + Lutein (60mg/kg), Group 6: Diazepam + Donpenzil (Standard Drug). Administration was done for a period of 21 days. Diazepam significantly disrupted working memory, spatial learning, and retention, which were reflected by a decrease in spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze and longer escape latencies and increased errors in the Barnes maze. It also lowered SOD and GSH activities in the brain. These deficits were being restored by lutein treatment in a dose-dependent manner, restoring spontaneous alternation, shortening escape latency and error rates, and increasing retention performance. Biochemically, lutein had significant restorative effect on brain SOD and GSH levels which were comparable to donepezil. This research concluded that lutein can mitigate diazepam-induced memory impairment by boosting antioxidant levels in a dose-dependent manner, with medium to high doses being particularly effective. These findings support lutein’s potential as a dietary neuroprotective agent against drug-induced cognitive impairment.

This study assesses the level of attainment of SDGs 3 (Health), SDG 4 (Education), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) in Bui Division, North West Region of Cameroon. To attain the study objective and obtain meaningful results, a convenient methodology was used. The methodology involved a mixed-methods approach where data was collected through field surveys, stakeholder interviews, observations and analysis of secondary sources. Findings indicate that health services are constrained by inadequate health infrastructure and facilities, limited medical personnel, and insufficient access to essential medicines, resulting in suboptimal health outcomes. The education sector faces challenges including insufficient educational facilities, depreciated and destroyed school infrastructures, inadequate teaching materials and qualified teachers, insecurity and disparities in access, particularly in rural communities. Access to safe and potable water remains limited, with many populations relying on unimproved sources, increasing vulnerability to waterborne diseases. Despite these challenges, communities have implemented adaptive strategies such as local health initiatives, informal educational support, and community-based water management. These efforts demonstrate resilience and highlight the critical role of community participation in advancing development goals. The study concludes by recommending that achieving SDGs 3, 4, and 6 in Bui Division requires a multi-faceted approach that combines increased government investment, infrastructural development, capacity building, safe environment and community engagement. Leveraging local adaptation strategies alongside systemic interventions by stakeholders is essential to improving health, education, and water access, thereby enhancing overall quality of life. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, development practitioners, and researchers working in similar sub-national contexts.

Background: Anatomy is a foundational component of medical education. However, many students find it challenging to apply anatomical knowledge in clinical problem-solving. Understanding their ability to interpret clinical scenarios during the pre-clinical phase can help identify educational gaps. This study evaluated the ability of undergraduate medical students to answer clinically oriented multiple-choice questions (MCQs) compared with non-clinical ones in regional anatomy, and compared performances between first- and second-year students. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 220 Phase-I MBBS students (110 first-year and 110 second-year) in a government medical college in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 2022 to June 2023. Students were randomly assigned into clinical and non-clinical groups (n=55 each per year). Two validated sets of 10 MCQs were prepared from Snell’s Clinical Anatomy by Regions (10th edition), reflecting either clinically applied or descriptive content. Scores for correct, incorrect, and unattempted responses were compared using independent sample t-tests in SPSS version 25. Results: Non-clinical groups in both years achieved significantly higher mean scores than clinical groups (p<0.001). First-year non-clinical students scored 45.45±1.84 versus 37.02±2.95 in the clinical group, while second-year non-clinical students scored 42.89±2.84 versus 37.11±1.88 in the clinical group. Differences between first- and second-year clinical groups were not significant, but first-year non-clinical students performed slightly better than their second-year counterparts (p<0.05). Conclusion: Students demonstrated stronger factual knowledge than applied understanding. Early incorporation of clinical relevance in anatomy teaching, supported by case-based and interdisciplinary approaches, is recommended to enhance clinical reasoning.

Superficial Ewing sarcoma of the skin and dermis is extremely rare and may closely simulate benign adnexal tumors or neuroendocrine carcinomas, leading to major diagnostic pitfalls. We report the case of a 19-year-old woman presenting with a painful, rapidly enlarging 1.5 cm nodule at the cervico-occipital region. Histologically, the lesion exhibited a compact multilobulated architecture within the dermis, with a striking “blue ball in dermis” appearance suggestive of spiradenoma. Immunohistochemistry was misleading, showing focal dot-like AE1/AE3 staining, heterogeneous low-to-moderate synaptophysin and chromogranin expression, CD56 positivity, and CK20 dot-like staining, raising the possibility of Merkel cell carcinoma. Strong diffuse CD99 positivity and nuclear NKX2.2 expression supported a Ewing sarcoma family tumor. Molecular analysis confirmed an EWSR1 rearrangement. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of superficial small round blue cell tumors and emphasizes the need for integrated histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular assessment.

The adrenal gland is, despite her small size, among the most important and vital organs in the human body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the normal adrenal gland's location, shape, texture and size and correlate that with gender and age in Sudanese population by using computed tomography. The study was performed during the period from June 2025 to September 2025 in CT departments of Military hospital Omdurman. The data were collected from randomly selected sample of 50 patients (21 males and 29 females) who underwent CT abdomen for other indications without evidence of adrenal diseases. The main findings of correlations included that most common shape of the adrenal gland was linear, and when correlating the normal texture and size of the adrenal gland with the age and gender, it was found that texture and size of the adrenal gland decreased with age, and the size of the adrenal gland in females was smaller as compared to males.