Effects of Short-Term Annealing on the Thermal Stability and Microstructural Evolution of Oxygen-Free Copper Processed by High-Pressure Torsion.

This study explores the impact of short-term annealing on the thermal stability and mechanical properties of oxygen-free copper subjected to high-pressure torsion (HPT). Copper samples were deformed through HPT with varying numbers of turns at room temperature and subsequently subjected to short-term annealing at temperatures of 398 K and 423 K. Microstructural analysis revealed that annealing led to grain growth and a reduction in dislocation density, with samples processed with fewer HPT turns exhibiting more significant grain coarsening.

Microstructure and Microhardness Evolution of Mg-8Al-1Zn Magnesium Alloy Processed by Differential Speed Rolling at Elevated Temperatures.

Mg-8Al-1Zn magnesium alloy was successfully processed using deferential speed rolling (DSR) at temperatures of 400 and 450 °C for thickness reduction of 30, 50, and 70% with no significant grain growth and dynamic recrystallization. Using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the rolled microstructures were examined. Although the results indicate a slight reduction in grain size from the initial condition, the DSR processing of alloy at an elevated temperature was associated with a significant number of twins and a distribution of the fine particles of the second phase.

Exploring environmental sustainability in dentistry among students and educators in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: Creating environmentally sustainable healthcare culture within the dental field requires embedding the content in the dental curriculum at the undergraduate level. This study aimed to explore the current awareness and drivers among dental students and educators regarding environmentally sustainable dentistry (ESD) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and identify barriers and enablers to embrace it.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey using online questionnaires was carried out in six undergraduate dental education institutes within the UAE.

Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in a Middle Eastern patient cohort.

Objective: This is a comprehensive characteristic study of Kawasaki disease (KD) and Multi system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in the Middle East that creates a formula to differentiate between the two.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive comparative study of KD and MIS-C in the United Arab Emirates. Retrospective MIS-C and KD cohorts were recruited between January 2017 until August 2021.

Seroprevalence of toxocariasis among allergic patients in Kuwait and its association with eosinophilia.

Toxocariasis is a worldwide helminthic infection which is transmitted from infected dogs and cats and has been associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) placed toxocariasis among the top 6 parasitic diseases in the USA which are prioritized for public health action. To our knowledge, there are no reports on human toxocariasis in Kuwait or in the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Prevalence of Giardiasis and Entamoeba Species in Two of the Six Governorates of Kuwait.

Intestinal parasitic infections are a global concern owing to elevated rates of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world. Increased rates of intestinal parasitic infections are observed in developing and low-income countries. In Kuwait, many expatriates and foreigners hail from endemic countries, thus increasing the rate and risk factor of infection.

Progesterone partially recovers placental glucose transporters in dexamethasone-induced intrauterine growth restriction.

Research Question: How does progesterone improve fetal outcome and change the expression of placental glucose transporters (GLUT) in dexamethasone-induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)?

Design: A total of 64 rats were divided randomly into four different treatment groups based on daily i.p. injections of either saline or dexamethasone in the presence or absence of progesterone.

The effect of progesterone administration on the expression of metastasis tumor antigens (MTA1 and MTA3) in placentas of normal and dexamethasone-treated rats.

Background: Dexamethasone (DEX) induces intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in pregnant rats. IUGR can occur due to apoptosis of trophoblasts, which is believed to be inhibited by progesterone (P4). A group of genes called MTAs play a role in proliferation and apoptosis.

Novel Permanent Magnetic Surface Work Hardening Process for 60/40 Brass.

Surface work hardening is a process of deforming a material surface using a thin layer. It hardens and strengthens the surface while keeping the core relatively soft and ductile to absorb stresses. This study introduces a permanent magnate surface work hardening under two opposite permanent poles of a magnet to investigate its influence on a brass surface.

Current Epidemiological Characteristics of Imported Malaria, Vector Control Status and Malaria Elimination Prospects in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries.

Malaria is the most common vector-borne parasitic infection causing significant human morbidity and mortality in nearly 90 tropical/sub-tropical countries worldwide. Significant differences exist in the incidence of malaria cases, dominant species, drug-resistant strains and mortality rates in different countries. Six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, UAE) in the Middle East region with similar climates, population demographics and economic prosperity are aiming to achieve malaria elimination.

A Large Case Series of Neurocysticercosis in Kuwait, a Nonendemic Arabian Gulf Country in the Middle East Region.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a leading global cause of severe progressive headache and epilepsy, in developed or affluent countries is mostly diagnosed among immigrants from poor or developing taeniasis-endemic countries. Taeniasis carriers in Kuwait are routinely screened by insensitive stool microscopy. In this study, enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) was used as a confirmatory test for NCC.

Current Status and the Epidemiology of Malaria in the Middle East Region and Beyond.

Vector-borne parasitic infectious diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Malaria is one of the most common vector-borne parasitic infection and is caused by five species, namely and . Epidemiologically, differences in the patterns of malaria cases, causative agent, disease severity, antimicrobial resistance, and mortality exist across diverse geographical regions.

An Update on the Epidemiological Features of Imported Schistosomiasis and Cystic Echinococcosis in Kuwait, 2010-2018.

Objective: Kuwait is considered a non-endemic country for most parasitic infections. However, ∼70% of 4.7 million residents in Kuwait are expatriates from Asian and African countries, which are endemic for parasitic infections.

Decreasing trend of imported malaria cases but increasing influx of mixed P. falciparum and P. vivax infections in malaria-free Kuwait.

Malaria still continues to be the most important parasitic disease worldwide, affecting 228 million people and causing 405,000 deaths each year. In this retrospective study during 2013 to 2018, we documented the incidence of imported malaria infection and evaluated the impact of malaria preventive measures in Kuwait, a non-endemic country. The epidemiologic and demographic data of all malaria cases was collected from the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Kuwait where all suspected cases of malaria are referred for confirmation and therapeutic intervention.

Modeling gaseous emissions and dispersion of two major greenhouse gases from landfill sites in arid hot environment.

As waste production exponentially increases, landfill continues to be the common method of waste disposal. Landfills represent significant anthropogenic sources of methane (CH) and carbon dioxide (CO); the main constituents of greenhouse gases (GHGs) resultant from microbial decomposition of organic waste. In the present study, ISC-AERMOD dispersion model was employed to estimate the release and dispersion rates of CH and CO from major landfill sites across Kuwait under different seasonal conditions.

Surface Evaluation of a Multi-Pass Flexible Magnetic Burnishing Brush for Rough and Soft Ground 60/40 Brass.

Burnishing is an advanced finishing process that produces higher-quality surfaces with better hardness and roughness than conventional finishing processes. Herein, a flexible magnetic burnishing brush comprising stainless steel pins under permanent magnet poles was used to investigate the influence of multiple passes and directions on the produced surface of soft and rough ground prepared brass. In total, five different samples were burnished on each of the two brass samples prepared.

Cysticercosis, a Potential Public Health Concern in Kuwait: A New Diagnostic Method to Screen Taenia solium Taeniasis Carriers in the Expatriate Population.

Objective: Taenia solium infection is not endemic to Kuwait, butseveral casesof cysticercosis have been detected in Kuwaiti nationals with no history of travelling to endemic countries. Infected domestic helpers/food handlers from endemic countries who may have escaped detection of infection by microscopy at the time of their arrival in Kuwait have been suspected as the possible source of infection. This study determined the seroprevalence of T.

Gender Expression and Sexual Orientation Differences in Diet Quality and Eating Habits from Adolescence to Young Adulthood.

Background: Diet and eating habits during youth have implications on diet and eating habits during adulthood, however, little longitudinal research has examined sexual orientation and gender expression differences in diet.

Objective: Our aim was to examine sexual orientation and gender expression differences in diet quality and eating habits from adolescence to young adulthood.

Design: Data across multiple time points from the longitudinal Growing Up Today Study cohorts (1997 to 2011) were used.

A prospective study of the effect of fasting during the month of Ramadan on depression and diabetes distress in people with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: Depression in diabetes has been associated with hyperglycemia and an increase risk for metabolic disorder complications. Ramadan is a period of self-discipline, self control, and spirituality, which has shown benefits in physical, mental, and social well being. The aim of this study is to examine the association between fasting during the month of Ramadan and depression.

Photo-Assisted Dietary Method Improves Estimates of Dietary Intake Among People with Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Introduction: Bariatric operations are effective obesity treatments because of the significant reductions in food intake after surgery, but weight regain remains a problem in a small group of patients after surgery. Estimating food intake is difficult due to dieting status, weight, gender, and challenges with estimating portion size. We aimed to evaluate the use of digital food photography in comparison to conventional methods among patients after sleeve gastrectomy.

The Management of Dyslipidaemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Receiving Lipid-Lowering Drugs: A Sub-Analysis of the CEPHEUS Findings.

Background: Dyslipidaemia is a risk factor for macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our aim was to assess the use of lipid lowering drugs (LLDs) in patients with T2DM and co-existing dyslipidaemia.

Method: A multicentre, non-interventional survey conducted in 6 Middle Eastern countries (Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait).