Dar Al Uloom University

Chlorfenapyr (CFP) is a pyrrole-class insecticide. Acute exposure to CFP results in severe delayed neurotoxicity with potentially fatal outcomes. The mechanisms by which CFP exerts its neurotoxic effects are not fully understood, and no definitive treatment for acute CFP poisoning exists to date. Thus, the present study investigated the neurotoxic effects of CFP in male Wistar rats. Also, we evaluated the neuroprotective potential of curcumin (CUR) encapsulated in casein nanoparticles (CUR-CasNPs) compared to free CUR. Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups receiving control, CUR, CUR-CasNPs, CFP, CFP + CUR, or CFP + CUR-CasNPs orally for 30 consecutive days. CFP exposure significantly reduced hippocampal neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, decreased ATP content and pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, elevated oxidative and nitrosative stress markers such as malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, suppressed antioxidant defenses including glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), activated NF-κB/COX-2 signaling, and increased pro-apoptotic gene expression (Bax, Caspase-3) while downregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. Co-administration of CUR-CasNPs significantly mitigated these alterations, restoring neurotransmitter balance, enhancing antioxidant capacity, reducing inflammation and apoptosis, and preserving hippocampal microstructure more effectively than free CUR. Histological and ultrastructural analyses confirmed maintenance of neuronal architecture, reduced gliosis, and improved vascular integrity in CUR-CasNPs-treated rats. These findings demonstrate that nano-formulation enhances CUR's stability, bioavailability, and overall neuroprotective efficacy, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic strategy to counteract CFP-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity by simultaneously modulating oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, apoptotic signaling, and energy metabolism.

Cypermethrin (CYP) is a widely used insecticide. This study investigated the protective effects of sesame seed oil nanoemulsion (SEONE) against CYP-induced testicular toxicity in 60 rats. Parameters investigated included body and reproductive organ weights, semen quality, oxidative stress markers (catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, reproductive hormones, and expression of apoptotic and antiapoptotic genes [p53, Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2]), along with structural evaluation of testes. Compared to controls, CYP reduced body weight (-12%) and reproductive organ weights (-18% to -22%), decreased sperm count (5.62 ± 0.74 × 106) and motility (49.32% ± 2.89%), while increasing abnormal sperm (18.22% ± 1.24%). CYP administration induced oxidative damage, indicated by decreased activities of catalase (-46%) and superoxide dismutase (-55%), reduced levels of reduced glutathione (37.3% ± 2.1%), and elevated malondialdehyde (61.7% ± 23.6%), ROS (64.2% ± 3.2%), and hydrogen peroxide (145.3% ± 3.4%). Testosterone, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating hormones levels were significantly decreased (-52% to -62%) in the CYP-treated group. These alterations were accompanied by significant upregulation of apoptotic genes p53, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 and marked downregulation of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2. SEONE provided markedly better protection against CYP-induced testicular damage than unprocessed SEO (p < 0.05). Its administration resulted in higher body and reproductive organ weights, improved semen parameters, and restored testicular histology and ultrastructure, producing outcomes that closely resembled those of the control group. The superior performance of SEONE is likely linked to its improved physicochemical properties and multifaceted antioxidant and antiapoptotic protective actions. In conclusion, SEONE effectively mitigates CYP-induced testicular toxicity in rats, supporting its potential as a protective intervention against pesticide-induced reproductive damage.

This research analyzes the relationships among workplace spirituality (WS), employee well-being (EW), and individual work performance (IP) in Saudi public universities, with a special focus on gender. Drawing on positive organizational theory, a research model linking WS, EW, and IP is developed. A survey of 373 faculty members in Riyadh at four major public universities was conducted, and structural equation modelling (SEM) with AMOS program was used to examine the indicated relationships. Findings indicate that workplace spirituality positively influences employee well-being and employee well-being positively influences individual work performance. Workplace spirituality also has a direct positive influence on individual work performance, while relying on employee well-being as a moderator of this relationship.

Digital nerve injuries are the most prevalent form of peripheral nerve injuries. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis to determine the optimal technique for sensory restoration in patients undergoing digital nerve repair. An electronic search was conducted from inception to September 2025. Thirteen studies were included comparing neurorrhaphy, allograft, autograft, and conduit. Outcomes analyzed included static 2-point discrimination (S2PD) and moving 2-point discrimination (M2PD), presented as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) or as surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) scores and mean rank estimates. Sensitivity analyses were also performed by excluding neurorrhaphy. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The pooled analysis demonstrated that allograft was the best technique for S2PD (SUCRA: 70.39, mean rank: 1.89), whereas neurorrhaphy ranked highest for M2PD (SUCRA: 70.71, mean rank: 1.88). Traditional meta-analysis also confirmed allograft's superiority for S2PD (MD = -1.44, 95% CI: -2.57 to -0.32; P = 0.01) and neurorrhaphy for M2PD (MD = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.87 to -0.13; P = 0.007). However, sensitivity analyses excluding neurorrhaphy demonstrated that allograft also ranked highest for M2PD (SUCRA: 69.91, mean rank: 1.60). Conduit repair was significantly worse than other techniques for both outcomes (S2PD : P = 0.002; M2PD : P = 0.004). These findings highlight allograft as the most effective techniques for optimizing sensory recovery in digital nerve injuries, especially in cases where neurorrhaphy is not feasible.

IntroductionDrowning is a leading cause of mortality in children worldwide. Near-drowning is a state of survival after asphyxia due to submersion in water. Drowning-related incidents have significantly increased in developed countries. Even survivors suffer from various long-lasting morbidities. Early prediction of mortality and morbidly life-threatening events is life-saving and guides decision-making in such critical situations. This study aimed to identify early predictors of mortality and other unfavorable outcomes (hypoxic brain injury and respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation) in children diagnosed with near-drowning.MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 247 children who nearly drowned and were admitted to National Guard Hospitals, Saudi Arabia, between 2,015 and 2024. The studied patients were categorized into two groups: patients with favorable outcomes and those with unfavorable outcomes. The all-subset regression method was employed to identify the best predictors for the investigated outcomes.ResultsThe death rate and incidence of brain insults constituted 15% each, while 25% of the investigated patients were complicated by respiratory failure. Most admissions (60%) occurred in the summer, and 86% of drownings occurred at swimming pools. Death was significantly associated with greater prehospital delay (time from exposure until arrival at emergency services) (p < 0.05). A proposed model that exhibited a performance of 92% identified the Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission as a significant predictor of brain insults. Significant predictors of mortality included lower bicarbonate levels [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.598, p < 0.001], higher sodium levels (adjusted OR = 1.802, p < 0.001), lower chloride levels (adjusted OR = 0.721, p = 0.008), and greater red cell distribution width (adjusted OR = 2.158, p = 0.009).ConclusionThis study identified several available laboratory markers as early predictors of mortality in pediatric near-drowning patients. These markers help to identify patients at increased risk of life-threatening events when combined with established clinical predictors. This study emphasized the critical roles of prehospital factors, initial clinical presentation, and physiological derangements in pediatric near-drowning patients. The observed findings highlight possible areas accessible for public health interventions, including intensifying preventive measures at night, in the summer, and in swimming pools. Offering optimum on-scene resuscitation and rapid hospital transfer are other recommended actions expected to be associated with fewer adverse events.

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, highlighting the need for safer multitarget therapies. Genistein (GNT) and Apigenin are plant-derived flavonoids with reported anticancer properties, but their dual mechanisms against key breast cancer targets have not been comprehensively explored. An integrative in silico approach was employed, including network pharmacology, onco-omics profiling, protein–protein interaction analysis, molecular docking, and 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, to identify and validate key targets of GNT and Apigenin. Gene expression, immune infiltration, and survival analyses were performed using GEPIA2 and TIMER2.0. ADMET and toxicity predictions assessed drug-likeness and safety. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated in HCC1937 cells, a triple-negative breast cancer cell line selected to assess estrogen receptor–independent anticancer effects, using the MTT assay. Network analysis prioritized PARP1 and ESR1 as central targets. Docking showed strong affinities of Apigenin for PARP1 (–9.6 kcal/mol) and GNT for ESR1 (–8.3 kcal/mol). MD simulations and MM-GBSA confirmed stable binding with favorable free energy (ΔG_bind = − 74.9 kcal/mol). KEGG enrichment highlighted pathways including estrogen signaling, endocrine resistance, and PI3K–Akt signaling. Both compounds exhibited favorable ADMET profiles and low predicted toxicity. In vitro, GNT and Apigenin produced dose-dependent cytotoxicity against HCC1937 cells with IC50 values of 67.01 ± 1.67 µM and 70.24 ± 1.45 µM, respectively. These findings demonstrate that GNT and Apigenin modulate key oncogenic pathways through PARP1 and ESR1 interaction and exert cytotoxic effects in TNBC cells. This suggests their potential as low-toxicity adjuvant agents in breast cancer therapy, particularly where endocrine resistance or BRCA1-associated tumor progression is involved.

Sleep disorders are common among individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis and can persist after renal transplantation. This study aims to compare the association of sleep disorders between matched groups of patients with ESRD on dialysis and those who have undergone renal transplants. This is a clinic-based cross-sectional study conducted in patients with post-organ transplant and patients with ESRD on dialysis. The study involved, in addition to demographic data, administering structured sleep questionnaires, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Berlin Questionnaire (BQ), STOP-BANG questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and questionnaires for insomnia and Restless legs syndrome (RLS). The study analyzed a total of 386 participants, comprising 227 (58.8%) patients with ESRD on dialysis and 159 (41.2%) who had undergone renal transplants. The results from the unmatched analysis revealed that renal transplantation patients have significantly lower odds of sleep disorders compared to ESRD on dialysis. After matching, the renal transplant remains significant associated with decreased odds of sleep disorders; insomnia (OR = 0.083, 95% CI: 0.030-0.231), EDS (OR = 0.034, 95% CI: 0.005-0.253), RLS (OR = 0.229, 95% CI: 0.106-0.493), poor sleep quality (OR = 0.265, 95% CI: 0.127-0.552), the likelihood of high risk for OSA using BQ (OR = 0.217, 95% CI: 0.119-0.395), high risk for OSA using STOP-BANG criteria (OR = 0.122, 95% CI: 0.063-0.236). There was no significant difference in sleep disorders due to the duration since transplant. This study confirms the ongoing effects of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on sleep disorders in patients and highlights the benefits associated with renal transplantation in reducing the risk of OSA, insomnia, RLS, and improving overall sleep quality. However, a significant limitation of this study is that OSA was not assessed objectively through a formal sleep study.