Journals
2026 EN
Arafa El-Shaimaa A. · Ibrahim Nihal A. · Murtaza Ghulam
+1 more
Ferulic acid and caffeine exhibit antioxidant and metabolic regulatory activities. This study evaluated their combined effects on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic disturbances. After four weeks of HFD feeding, diabetic mice were treated with low or high doses of ferulic acid (25 or 50 mg/kg) or caffeine (15 or 30 mg/kg) for another four weeks. Compared with the control diet, the HFD increased fasting blood glucose by 40%, body weight by 25%, and total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels by 35% and 40%, respectively. Coadministration of ferulic acid and caffeine significantly decreased fasting blood glucose to near-normal levels (≈132 mg/dL), serum cholesterol and triglycerides by 28–31%, ALT from 41 ± 3.8 U/L to 36–39 U/L, and MDA from 8.2 ± 0.6 nmol/mg to 4.8 ± 0.4 nmol/mg. Histopathology revealed restored hepatic and adipose tissue morphology with reduced inflammation. Combined ferulic acid and caffeine treatment effectively alleviated hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and oxidative stress in HFD-fed mice.
Journals
2026 EN
Hailu Meseret F. · Chinkondenji Pempho · Ibrahim Mohammed
+2 more
We explored how Burundian refugee girls and women in the United States perceive and describe their identity and how these perceptions shape their aspirations to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields. This study was guided by two key questions: (1) How do Burundian refugee girls and women describe their intersecting identities, and (2) How do Burundian refugee girls and women make decisions around STEM education and future careers? To answer these questions, we analyzed interviews conducted with eight Black Burundian refugee families consisting of parents and their children in grades 7–12, participating in a larger grant-funded university-community organization partnership. Our findings show that the younger generation of Black Burundian girls, while aware of racism, resisted the idea that race should be a basis for discrimination against them. Burundian youth (and their parents) also recognized the potential of STEM careers to economically and socially enhance the trajectory of their careers and lives, and described how this aspiration had been molded both individually and collectively. Finally, the participants in this study described the importance of both their individual aspirations and the collective aspirations of their parents and African community when considering STEM higher education and related careers.
Journals
2026 EN
Ferhatosmanoğlu Arzu · Arıca İbrahim Etem · Polat Mualla
+18 more
This multicenter study aimed to evaluate treatment adherence and satisfaction among patients with acne vulgaris. A total of 2,349 patients from 18 dermatology centers across Türkiye completed structured questionnaires. The participants were predominantly female (79.4%) with a mean age of 21.6 years. Overall, 48% reported consistent adherence to therapy, with significantly lower adherence among males ( p < 0.001). The most frequent reasons for nonadherence were forgetfulness (28.7%), dislike of the treatment (26.4%), and reluctance to maintain long-term therapy (21.5%). Treatment adherence was positively associated with higher educational levels ( p = 0.006) and greater acne severity ( p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that systemic oral therapy (OR = 4.37, 95% CI: 3.147–6.086; p < 0.001) and oral isotretinoin (OR = 4.81, 95% CI: 3.379–6.869; p < 0.001) significantly increased adherence compared to topical therapy. Oral treatment was also independently associated with greater satisfaction (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.767–3.095; p < 0.001). Moreover, mild acne severity (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.216–2.297; p = 0.002) and older age (per year; OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.020–1.088; p = 0.001) predicted higher satisfaction. Systemic therapies—particularly oral isotretinoin—were associated with improved adherence and satisfaction.
Journals
2026 EN
Fekry Hader O. · Abdelrahman Ibrahim Y. · Soliman Saeed M.
+2 more
Ionizing radiation (IR) disrupts redox balance and causes tissue injury through reactive oxygen species. Although the Nrf2–ARE pathway governs antioxidant defense, effective radioprotective activators remain limited. Hinokitiol, a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory tropolone, has not been previously evaluated in vivo for Nrf2-mediated radioprotection. Forty male albino rats were divided into four groups: control, irradiated (8 Gy, fractionated), hinokitiol-only, and hinokitiol-pretreated + irradiated (Hinokitiol (10 mg/kg/day), by oral gavage). All parameters were assessed 24 hours after the final irradiation session. IR caused marked hematological suppression (reductions in RBCs, WBCs, platelets), hepatocellular injury (elevated ALT, reduced total protein), oxidative stress (increased MDA, NO, MPO), apoptosis, and downregulation of Nrf2-dependent genes. Hinokitiol pretreatment partially restored hematological parameters (platelets improved by over 20%, p = 0.026), reduced ALT by more than half, lowered NO and MPO levels, restored GSH, SOD, and CAT activities by more than 60% ( p < 0.001), and decreased DNA fragmentation by nearly 50% ( p < 0.01). Gene expression analysis revealed significant ( p < 0.01) upregulation of Ho-1 , Nqo1 , and Txnrd1 and significant ( p < 0.01) suppression of Nf-κB and Tnf-α , consistent with Nrf2-ARE pathway activation and attenuation of inflammatory signaling. Histological analysis confirmed preserved hepatic architecture, supporting the liver’s sensitivity to systemic oxidative injury and highlighting Hinokitiol’s hepatic accumulation and protective effects. These findings suggest, for the first time, that hinokitiol may activate the Nrf2–ARE pathway to counteract IR-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, resulting in systemic protection. Hinokitiol emerges as a promising radioprotective candidate, warranting further investigation into its pharmacokinetics, toxicity profile, and translational potential as an adjunct in radiotherapy and other radiation exposure scenarios.
Journals
2026 EN
Gul Osman Vefa · Parlak Kurtulus · Yerlikaya Fatma Humeyra
+4 more
In radiotherapy (RT), the dose given to the organs at risk (OAR) is as important as the dose received by the tumor. FF (Flattening Filtered) and FFF (Flattening Filter Free) treatment techniques used in RT offer different advantages in terms of their effects on target and critical organs. Treatment duration varies depending on the number of monitor units (MU) delivered per unit time. The aim of this study was to investigate biochemically and histopathologically the damage in healthy laryngeal tissue exposed to 600 MU/min FF and 2400 MU/min FF ionizing radiation under different fractionation protocols. Also to investigate the radioprotective effect of melatonin against the radiological damage. The 78 rats included in the study were divided into 10 groups. Control and melatonin-only groups did not receive RT. The other 8 groups received FF and FFF ionizing radiation in different dose fractions. Half of the radiation group received melatonin 15 min before RT. No histological and biochemical differences were observed in the control and MLT only groups. Radiobiological damage was statistically significantly lower in the RT+MLT group compared to the RT only group. It has been observed that melatonin has a protective effect against tissue damage caused by radiation exposure in healthy laryngeal tissue.
Journals
2026 EN
Mohd Nawawi Mohd Hanif · Ibrahim Mohd Ismail · Yaacob Najib Majdi
+3 more
Unsafe care remains a significant contributor to preventable harm. While patient engagement is promoted as a route to safer care, its benefits may be shaped by social determinants and hospital hierarchies. This study examines whether patients’ self-efficacy links engagement to patient-reported safety in Malaysian tertiary hospitals. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory is integrated with a critical public-health lens on voice, hierarchy, and equity. Cross-sectional survey of adult inpatients across four tertiary hospitals ( N = 986) using validated Malay instruments (IMSIS, GSES, PMOS-10). Measurement adequacy was tested by CFA; structural relations were estimated via SEM with bias-corrected bootstrap CIs. Ethics approvals and informed consent were obtained. Model fit was good (e.g., CFI = 0.983; RMSEA = 0.043). Engagement predicted higher self-efficacy, and self-efficacy predicted better patient-reported safety. The direct engagement → safety path was small and non-significant after including self-efficacy; the indirect effect was significant, indicating indirect-only mediation. Findings suggest engagement improves safety primarily by strengthening patients’ confidence to act and be heard. Practice should combine engagement initiatives with self-efficacy-building supports and responsive speaking-up systems that counteract hierarchical silencing; equity-sensitive implementation is needed for patients with lower literacy and socioeconomic precarity.
Journals
2026 EN
Ishak Muhammad Solehuddin · Ibrahim Mohd Ismail · Abdullah Sarimah
Diabetes remains a major public health concern in Malaysia, where challenges in understanding treatment information and communicating with healthcare providers continue to shape inequities in diabetes care. Assessing diabetes-related health literacy using culturally appropriate tools is therefore essential. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Diabetes Health Literacy Scale into Malay (My-DHLS). Translation and cultural adaptation followed ISPOR guidelines. A cross-sectional validation study was conducted among 200 adults with type 2 diabetes attending 55 public health clinics in Terengganu between April and May 2025. Content validity was assessed by ten experts, face validity by thirty patients, and construct validity using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Minor linguistic refinements were made, and one item was removed due to limited contextual relevance. The My-DHLS demonstrated strong content validity (S-CVI/Ave = 0.92) and face validity (S-FVI/Ave = 0.93). CFA supported a three-domain structure encompassing informational, numeracy, and communicative health literacy, with good model fit indices (CFI = 0.959; TLI = 0.948; RMSEA = 0.062; SRMR = 0.044). The My-DHLS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing diabetes-related health literacy among Malaysian adults and offers a context-sensitive tool to support research and practice aimed at reducing communication-related inequities in diabetes care.
Journals
2026 EN
Al-Shukaili Ruaa · Al-Badi Zainab · Hashil Al-Mahmooli Issa
+5 more
Pythium aphanidermatum damping-off is an important soilborne disease in tomato in Oman, causing seedling mortality. In addition, soil salinity, high summer temperature and drought affect the productivity of this crop in Oman. In this work, the antagonistic potential of bacteria isolated from tomato rhizosphere soil against P. aphanidermatum and their tolerance to salinity, heat and drought were investigated. A total of seven morphologically different bacterial isolates were obtained from tomato rhizosphere soil collected from farmers’ fields in Barka, Oman. These isolates were identified as Bacillus cereus (TRB1 and TRB2), Oceanobacillus neutriphilus (TRB3), Cytobacillus kochii (TRB4), Bacillus paramycoides (TRB5), Oceanobacillus iheyensis (TRB7) and Priestia endophytica (TRB8) based on their 16S rRNA gene sequence data. Among them, O. iheyensis TRB7 was the most active in inhibiting P. aphanidermatum mycelial growth in the dual culture plate assay, achieving 35.5% inhibition compared to the control. The isolates O. neutriphilus TRB3 and C. kochii TRB4 demonstrated tolerance to 10% NaCl, while B. cereus TRB2 and P. endophytica TRB8 exhibited tolerance up to 7.5% NaCl in the culture medium. Four bacterial isolates viz., B. cereus TRB2, C. kochii TRB4, B. paramycoides TRB5, and O. iheyensis TRB7 exhibited heat tolerance (50 ° C), while all seven bacterial isolates showed drought tolerance. The in vitro compatibility analysis showed that O. iheyensis TRB7 was incompatible with the other bacterial isolates tested. Pot experiment under controlled glasshouse conditions revealed that soil treatment with O. iheyensis TRB7 decreased the level of damping-off in tomato by 73.3%, compared to Pythium -infected control, which recorded 100% disease incidence.
Journals
2026 EN
Omara Ahmed M. · Ibrahim Shaimaa Abdelmohsen · Fathy Reham
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are eco-friendly, biodegradable thermoplastics that have the potential to replace conventional plastics with sustainable biopolymers for several applications. This study aimed to isolate and identify halotolerant strains and to optimise the parameters influencing PHA production using response surface methodology. Furthermore, enhancing PHA production and evaluating the effects of low-dose gamma irradiation on Halomonas mongoliensis AL-ARS. Fifteen bacterial isolates were screened using Sudan Black B for PHA production. The most efficient isolate was Halomonas mongoliensis AL-ARS, identified through morphological, biochemical, and molecular techniques. Response surface methodology using Plackett-Burman and central composite design models is used to optimise factors influencing PHA synthesising. Additionally, the effect of low-dose gamma irradiation was examined. The purified PHA polymer was structurally characterised using FTIR, XRD, and ¹H-NMR. Glucose was the optimal carbon source, while minimal salt media was the most suitable media for PHA production. The best production conditions (10 g/L glucose, 40.5°C, 6.5 days, 2.5% inoculum) yielded 0.0960 g/L of PHA. Remarkably, gamma irradiation at 0.5 kGy significantly increased PHA production by 76%, confirming its role as a stress-inducing factor and highlighting irradiation’s potential to overcome production bottlenecks. Structural analyses confirmed the purified polymer as a standard PHA. This work is the first study highlighting the integration of gamma irradiation with a statistical optimisation to boost PHA biosynthesis using Halomonas mongoliensis AL-ARS, a halophilic strain with no previous study on PHA improvement, presenting a scalable strategy for sustainable, eco-friendly, cost-effective bioplastic production, and bridging the gap between lab-scale and industrial application.
Journals
2026 EN
Avci Ibrahim
With the rise of online shopping, platforms and applications for secondhand clothing shopping have arisen. Consumers utilize these platforms and applications to buy secondhand garments that they require and sell the things they don’t use. It is critical to identify the characteristics that influence users’ intentions to re-visit these platforms and services, as well as their satisfaction. In this context, the goal of this research is to determine the effects of economic value, interaction with other customers, information privacy concerns, and environmental awareness on the intention to re-visit online secondhand clothing shopping platforms, as well as to uncover the mediating role of platform satisfaction in these effects. In order to achieve this goal, data was gathered using an online survey, which 430 customers completed altogether. According to the findings of the analysis, satisfaction, economic value, interaction with other customers, and environmental awareness all have significant positive effects on the intention to re-visit online secondhand clothing shopping platforms, whereas information privacy concerns have a negative. Furthermore, satisfaction was found to play a mediating role in the association between intention to re-visit online secondhand clothing shopping platforms and economic value (full mediation) as well as interaction with other customers (full mediation). These results provide theoretical implications for identifying the factors that influence users to re-visit second-hand shopping websites and managerial implications for redesigning platforms with a focus on customer satisfaction.