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Background: Opalski syndrome is a rare variant of Wallenberg syndrome (lateral medullary syndrome) that demonstrates concomitant ipsilateral hemiplegia due to infarctions within the lateral medulla and the cervical spinal cord, which also extend to the post-pyramidal decussation to affect the corticospinal tract. Case presentation: A 56-year-old man initially presented with a unilateral headache with right cervical pain. Consequently, he developed symptoms that indicate Wallenberg syndrome: vertigo, dysphonia, dysarthria, right limb ataxia with a tendency to fall, and ptosis, in addition to ipsilateral hemiparesis. The diffusion-weighted imaging MRI (DWI MRI) performed initially demonstrated an acute infarct in the dorsolateral medulla. Accordingly, an axial T2-weighted MRI showed a hyperintense focal region in the same area, even as magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed complete stenosis of the corresponding vertebral artery. Discussion: Opalski syndrome can result from different etiologies such as vascular occlusion or dissection. Although symptoms may vary, patients commonly present with sudden weakness, vertigo, and gait instability. Diagnosis often relies on MRI or DW-MRI. Treatment is tailored depending on individual factors and may involve medications and monitoring. Complications like respiratory failure can occur but are not directly linked to Opalski syndrome. Proper management includes addressing ischemic risk factors and ensuring appropriate nutrition. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of including Opalski syndrome early in the differential diagnosis of patients with clinically suspected ipsilateral lateral medullary infarction and hyperacute ipsilateral hemiparesis.

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Diabetes-related stigma encompasses stereotypes, discrimination, and blame, significantly influencing diabetes management and overall well-being. Despite high diabetes-related stigma prevalence in various contexts, there is limited research in Saudi Arabia, especially that perceived/enacted by non-diabetics, the so-called social stigma. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess diabetes-related social stigma (DRSS) and to identify correlates among university students in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. A convenience sampling was employed to collect responses from 536 Jazan University students using an online questionnaire. After excluding participants with diabetes mellitus (n = 17), data from 519 individuals were analyzed. The DRSS questionnaire comprised 2 scales: social distancing and negative attitudes and stereotyping. The study found mixed results regarding the student population's attitude toward diabetic patients. Most students displayed favorable answers on social distancing scale statements, with the majority of statements showing willingness to engage in different social aspects with diabetics getting a positive response from at least 96% of respondents. The study identified various types of negative attitudes and stereotyping, for example, 46% of the sample agreed that dealing with a diabetic is upsetting or tiring. Correlates of social distancing included academic year, rural residence, and nonmedical field of specialty, while predictors of negative attitude and stereotyping included female gender and higher family income. The findings indicate a need to improve attitudes related to diabetics among university students in Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on negative attitude stereotyping. Raising awareness about DRSS, especially among future healthcare professionals, is essential. Further refinement of the DRSS measurement scales is recommended through broader testing among the general population to enhance our understanding of this important issue.

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This research investigates the synthesis and characterization of hydrogel and cryogel microspheres that are doped with green synthesised silver nanoparticles (CS-AgNPs). Also, the study assesses the antibacterial activity of hydrogel and cryogel microspheres by comparing them with commercial antibiotics. The porous structure of CS and the adequate dispersion of AgNPs were confirmed by SEM and EDX techniques, respectively. The disk diffusion method and the optical density measurement (OD600) confirm the outstanding antimicrobial activity of CS-AgNPs hydrogel and cryogel microspheres in comparison to antibiotics for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The CS-AgNPs microspheres demonstrate promising antimicrobial and biocompatible agents for medical field applications.

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At present, biosynthesis of AgNPs is a very effective method to produce less toxic nanoparticles. The vision of this research is to use three different plant extracts derived from leaves of Piper nigrum, Ziziphus Spina-Christi and Eucalyptus globulus for rapid biosynthesis of AgNPs. This is in addition to investigating the scolicidal activity against Echinococcus granulosus. The methods of UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were employed to characterise the nanoparticles. UV spectra disclosed a maximum absorption at 437 nm for the biosynthesised AgNPs using EUCGLO extract. The XRD patterns revealed the (fcc) structure of the AgNPs with slightly shifted characteristic peaks at 2θ degree of 37.3˚ and 43.4˚, respectively. The scolicidal activity against E. granulosus revealed that the AgNPs, which were synthesised using Eucalyptus globulus, have powered scolicidal of 47.8 % after 45 min. which is comparable to the treatment by Albendazole.

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Silica aerogels are low density solids with high surface area and high porosity which are ideal supports for catalyst materials. The main challenge in aerogel production is the drying process, which must remove liquid from the pores of the wet gel while maintaining the solid network. In this work, the synthesis of silica aerogels and nickel-doped silica aerogels by a low energy budget process is demonstrated. Silica aerogels are produced by ambient drying using ammonium bicarbonate, rather than a conventional low surface tension solvent. Heating dissociates the ammonium bicarbonate, so generating CO2 and NH3 within the pores of the wet gel which prevents pore collapse during drying. Nickel-doped aerogels were produced by reducing nickel ions within pre-synthesised silica aerogels. The morphology of the resulting nickel particles-spheres, wires and chains-could be controlled through an appropriate choice of synthesis conditions. Materials were characterized using nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction. The surface area of undoped aerogel is found to increase with the concentration of ammonium bicarbonate salts from 360 to 530 m2 g-1, and that of nickel-doped silica aerogel varies from 240 to 310 m2 g-1 with nickel doping conditions.

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AIM: This study aimed to contribute to the productivity improvement of the local chickens by enhancing their egg production traits using a crossbreeding program between Alexandria (local strain) and Lohmann White (commercial strain). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand two-hundred and eighty-five 4-week-old chicks from two strains: Alexandria local strain (AA) and Lohmann White commercial strain (LL) and their reciprocal crosses obtained from 16 males and 160 females, were used to produce four genetic groups (AA, LL, AL, and LA). Differences among genotypes, direct additive, heterosis, and reciprocal effects were investigated regarding the following traits: Body weight at 4 and 8 weeks and at the age of sexual maturity, age at sexual maturity, egg production, average egg weight, and egg mass during the first 90 days of laying. RESULTS: Statistically significant effects of the genotypes were observed on traits studied. Analysis of direct additive effects showed that AA was superior as a sire strain for improving body weight at early age. For egg traits (age at sexual maturity, egg production, average egg weight, and egg mass), LL was better as a sire strain to improve these traits. Significant positive heterosis percentages were observed for body weight. The crosses (AL and reciprocal) were significantly superior in egg traits (egg production, average egg weight, and egg mass) compared to the local strain. The cross (LA) laid significantly earlier than the local strain. Analysis of reciprocal effects cleared that the local strain could be used as a strain of dam to improve body weight and egg traits. CONCLUSION: Crossing improved egg production, egg weight, and egg mass in hybrids compared to the local strain.

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Aerogels are the least dense and most porous materials known to man, with potential applications from lightweight superinsulators to smart energy materials. To date their use has been seriously hampered by their synthesis methods, which are laborious and expensive. Taking inspiration from the life cycle of the damselfly, a novel ambient pressure-drying approach is demonstrated in which instead of employing low-surface-tension organic solvents to prevent pore collapse during drying, sodium bicarbonate solution is used to generate pore-supporting carbon dioxide in situ, significantly reducing energy, time, and cost in aerogel production. The generic applicability of this readily scalable new approach is demonstrated through the production of granules, monoliths, and layered solids with a number of precursor materials.

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A reduced graphene oxide/bismuth (rGO/Bi) composite was synthesized for the first time using a polyol process at a low reaction temperature and with a short reaction time (60 °C and 3 hours, respectively). The as-prepared sample is structured with 20-50 nm diameter bismuth particles distributed on the rGO sheets. The rGO/Bi composite displays a combination of capacitive and battery-like charge storage, achieving a specific capacity value of 773 C g-1 at a current density of 0.2 A g-1 when charged to 1 V. The material not only has good power density but also shows moderate stability in cycling tests with current densities as high as 5 A g-1 . The relatively high abundance and low price of bismuth make this rGO/Bi material a promising candidate for use in electrode materials in future energy storage devices.

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Eight young female camels shared in four groups of two 2 years received a basal diet enriched respectively with 0, 2, 4, and 8 mg selenium under sodium selenite form for 64 days. Feed intake was assessed daily; blood samples were taken on weekly basis. One camel from each group was killed at the end of the experiment. Se concentration in serum was increased significantly in the supplemented groups with an average of 176.3 +/- 18.0 ng/mL in the control group, 382.7 +/- 107.6 in the group receiving 2 mg Se, 519.8 +/- 168.4 in the group receiving 4 mg Se, and 533.4 +/- 158.6 in the group receiving 8 mg Se daily. For glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, the control group (51.0 IU/g Hb) and the group receiving 2 mg (50.5 IU/g Hb) were significantly different than groups receiving 4 and 8 mg (respectively, 65.9 and 76.1 IU/g Hb). No significant variation occurred for vitamin E (mean, 0.56 +/- 0.23 ng/mL). Significant correlation between serum Se and GSH-Px was reported. Kidney was the richest organ in selenium followed by lung, spleen, and liver, but the increase in supplemented groups was more marked in liver and kidney. The hair seemed to be the best indicator of selenium intake in camel.

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Ten pregnant female camels divided into two groups received, after a 2-week adaptation period, an oral selenium (Se) supplementation (0 and 2 mg, respectively) under sodium selenite form for 6 months from the three last months of gestation up to the three first months of lactation. Feed intake was assessed daily. Blood samples and body weight were taken on a biweekly basis, both in dams and their camel calves after parturition. Feces and urine samples were collected monthly and milk on a biweekly basis. The Se concentration in serum increased significantly in the supplemented group and was threefold higher than the concentration compared to the control group, respectively, 305.9 +/- 103.3 and 109.3 +/- 33.1 ng/mL. The selenium concentration increased in similar proportion in milk (86.4 +/- 39.1 ng/mL in the control group vs 167.1 +/- 97.3 ng/mL in treated group), in urine, and feces. The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity varied between 18.1 +/- 8.7 IU/g hemoglobin (Hb) in control group and 47.5 +/- 25.6 IU/g Hb in treated group but decreased after parturition in both groups. Vitamin E did not change significantly and was, on average, 1.17 +/- 0.72 and 1.14 +/- 0.89 ng/mL in the control and treated groups, respectively. Significant correlations were reported between serum Se, milk Se, GSH-Px, and fecal and urinary excretion or concentration. Blood values in camel calves were similar to those of the dams. The results seemed to confirm the sensitivity of camel to Se supplementation with an important increase of selenium in serum and milk.

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Twelve female camels divided into three groups received, after a 2-week adaptation period, an oral Se supplementation (0, 2, and 4 mg, respectively) under sodium selenite form for 3 months. Feed intake was assessed daily, blood samples and body weight were taken on a weekly basis, and feces and urine samples were collected every 2 weeks up to 1 month after the end of the supplementation period. The Se concentration in serum was increased significantly in supplemented groups. The maximum level was observed in the period of supplementation in the camel receiving 4 mg (492.5 ng/mL), which was fourfold higher than the value at the beginning of the trial (126 to 138.5 ng/mL according to the groups). The selenium concentration increased significantly in urine and feces but to a lesser extent. A similar trend was observed with glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) values varying between 8.4 and 96.5 IU/g Hb. However, no difference occurred between the two groups receiving 2 or 4 mg Se at the supplementation period. Vitamin E (mean 1.13 +/- 0.61 microg/mL with range 0.27-3.09) did not change significantly. Significant correlations were reported between serum Se, GSH-Px, fecal, and urinary excretion or concentration.

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