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Introduction The readmission of individuals with schizophrenia to inpatient care poses a significant challenge for health practitioners, as this tendency has a culminating effect on the patients and their families. The duration of hospitalization of a patient with schizophrenia in a hospital or mental health facility poses a significant burden on mental healthcare systems. This study aimed to assess the length of stay of patients with schizophrenia in a mental health facility. The relationship between the duration of hospitalization and risk of readmission for these patients was assessed with respect to the sociodemographic endpoints. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 145 individuals who were admitted to the Eradah Mental Health Complex in Jeddah from July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Results The present study revealed that 84.8% of the sample comprised male participants. Moreover, only 5.5% of the patients were employed, with a larger proportion being unemployed. Among the total admitted patients, 36.6% were readmitted within a year, and the average length of stay was 49.1 days. Importantly, there was no discernible relationship between the readmission status and length of stay in the present study. Conclusion The current study suggested that enhancing the transition from inpatient psychiatric care to outpatient care may result in positive disease outcomes, which may possess clinical implications for reducing the length of hospitalization of patients. This can culminate in reducing the burden of disease on the patients, their families, and ultimately, the healthcare system.

Herbicides are natural or synthetic chemicals used to control unwanted plants (weeds). To avoid the harmful effects of synthetic herbicides, considerable effort has been devoted to finding alternative products derived from natural sources. Essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants are auspicious source of bioherbicides. This review discusses phytotoxic EOs and their chemical compositions as reported from 1972 to 2020. Using chemometric analysis, we attempt to build a structure-activity relationship between phytotoxicity and EO chemical composition. Data analysis reveals that oxygenated terpenes, and mono- and sesquiterpenes, in particular, play principal roles in the phytotoxicity of EOs. Pinene, 1,8 cineole, linalool, and carvacrol are the most effective monoterpenes, with significant phytotoxicity evident in the EOs of many plants. Caryophyllene and its derivatives, including germacrene, spathulenol, and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, are the most effective sesquiterpenes. EOs rich in iridoids (non-terpene compounds) also exhibit allelopathic activity. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of these compounds in pure forms, determine their activity in the field, evaluate their safety, and assess their modes of action.

This comprehensive study investigated the therapeutic potential of α-asarone in mitigating myocardial oxidative damage, primarily induced by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) exposure in mice. In this experiment, 24 mice were divided into four groups to assess the cardioprotective role of α-asarone. The study focused on two treatment groups, receiving 25 mg and 50 mg of α-asarone, respectively. These groups were compared against a control group subjected to Cr(VI) without α-asarone treatment, and a normal control negative group. The key biochemical parameters evaluated included serum levels of Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) and Troponin I, markers indicative of myocardial damage. Additionally, the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to assess lipid peroxidation, alongside the evaluation of key inflammatory biomarkers in cardiac tissue homogenates, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Remarkably, α-asarone treatment resulted in a significant reduction in these markers compared to the control group. The treatment also elevated the activity of cardinal antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced the glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, a notable upregulation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR-γ) in cardiac tissue homogenates was observed, highlighting a potential pathway through which α-asarone exerts its protective effects. Histopathological analysis of cardiac tissues revealed that α-asarone ameliorated the structural lesions induced by Cr(VI). The study thus provides substantial evidence that α-asarone ameliorates Cr(VI)-induced cardiotoxicity through a multifaceted approach. It enhances cardiac enzyme function, modulates free radical generation, improves antioxidant status, and mitigates histopathological damage in cardiac tissues. Given these findings, α-asarone emerges as a promising agent against Cr(VI)-induced myocardial injury. This study paves the way for further research into the cardioprotective properties of α-asarone and its potential application in clinical settings by specifically exploring the protective efficacy of α-asarone against Cr(VI)-induced cardiotoxicity and delineating the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved.

(DS) is a prospective source of bioactive carotenoids, including beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids. The effect of dietary supplementation of DS on the productive performance, immune response, and egg quality of heat-stressed laying hens has not been comprehensively studied. We investigated how dietary supplementation affects the deposition of bioactive carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids in egg yolks of laying hens experiencing summer heat stress, as determined by the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI). The influence of supplementation on the productive performance, immune response, and antioxidant status of heat-stressed laying hens was assessed. A total of 120 Elma-Brown laying hens were assigned to four dietary treatments with DS supplementation at 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g/kg of diet. The experiment lasted 60 days, during which eggs were collected at three time points: 15, 30, and 60 days from the start of the study. including DS at 1 g/kg improved egg production and feed conversion, with improved antioxidant status via a marked inhibitory effect on malondialdehyde in heat-stressed laying hens. Dietary 0.5 g/kg DS improved the immune response of heat-stressed laying hens compared to that of the control group. The highest dose of DS (1.5 g/kg diet) increased astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and total carotenoids by 9.8%, 50.44%, 49.19%, and 84.21% ( < 0.05), respectively, and decreased β-carotene by 38.61% ( < 0.05), when compared with the control. Feeding DS to heat-stressed laying hens increased the concentrations of the long-chain Omega-3 (docosahexaenoic acid) in egg yolks; the dose of 0.5 g/kg diet for 15 d produced an increase in the DHA content by104.76% above the control group ( < 0.5). Feeding DS improved the nutritional indices of egg yolks, as egg yolks retained a high ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)/polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)/saturated fatty acids, low thrombogenicity index (IT), low atherogenicity index (IA), and high hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic index (h/H). Feeding heat-stressed laying hens DS improved their productivity and antioxidant status, resulting in functional eggs enriched with bioactive carotenoids (astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein) and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

Credit scoring models serve as pivotal instruments for lenders and financial institutions, facilitating the assessment of creditworthiness. Traditional models, while instrumental, grapple with challenges related to efficiency and subjectivity. The advent of machine learning heralds a transformative era, offering data-driven solutions that transcend these limitations. This research delves into a comprehensive analysis of various machine learning algorithms, emphasizing their mathematical underpinnings and their applicability in credit score classification. A comprehensive evaluation is conducted on a range of algorithms, including logistic regression, decision trees, support vector machines, and neural networks, using publicly available credit datasets. Within the research, a unified mathematical framework is introduced, which encompasses preprocessing techniques and critical algorithms such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), the Light Gradient Boosting Model, and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), among others. The focal point of the investigation is the LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations) explainer. This study offers a comprehensive mathematical model using the LIME explainer, shedding light on its pivotal role in elucidating the intricacies of complex machine learning models. This study’s empirical findings offer compelling evidence of the efficacy of these methodologies in credit scoring, with notable accuracies of 88.84%, 78.30%, and 77.80% for the Australian, German, and South German datasets, respectively. In summation, this research not only amplifies the significance of machine learning in credit scoring but also accentuates the importance of mathematical modeling and the LIME explainer, providing a roadmap for practitioners to navigate the evolving landscape of credit assessment.

Vedolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody used to treat moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the induction of vedolizumab trough level in predicting short-term (week 14) clinical outcomes, and covariates that affect the response in Saudi Arabian patients. This prospective, real-life study included a total of 16 patients (4 Crohn's disease (CD) and 12 ulcerative colitis (UC)) with a confirmed diagnosis of IBD and generally naïve to receiving vedolizumab therapy. Using ELISA assay, vedolizumab induction trough and peak levels were measured at weeks 0, 2, and 6. The follow-up assessment was at week 14, where clinical outcomes were measured using the partial Mayo score for UC, and the CD activity score (CDAI), and Harvey Bradshaw index (HBI) for CD. At week 14, 9 patients (52.9%) out of 16 patients demonstrated response to therapy; clinical remission was reported in 5 patients (29.4%), and in 4 cases a clinical response was noted (23.5%). Clinical remission at week 14 was linked significantly with week 6 median vedolizumab levels in responders (25.1 µg/ml 95% CI: 16.5–42.9) compared to non-responders (7.7 µg/ml, 95% CI: 4.6–10.6) ( P  = 0.002 ) . Receiver operator curve analysis at week 6 identified a cut-off > 8.00 µg/mL for short-term clinical remission. Also, at week 14, BMI significantly correlated with week 6 vedolizumab trough levels ( P  = 0.02). No other covariates correlated with drug levels at any time point examined. Week 6 early vedolizumab trough level measurements in IBD patients predicted short-term week 14 clinical remission.

In the evolving landscape of targeted marketing, integrating deep learning (DL) and explainable AI (XAI) offers a promising avenue for enhanced customer segmentation. This paper introduces a groundbreaking approach, DeepLimeSeg, which synergizes DL methodologies with Lime-based Explainability to segment customers effectively. The approach employs a comprehensive mathematical model to harness demographic data, behavioral patterns, and purchase histories, categorizing customers into distinct clusters aligned with their preferences and needs. A pivotal component of this research is the mathematical underpinning of the DeepLimeSeg approach. The Lime-based Explainability module ensures that the segmentation results are accurate and interpretable. The mathematical rigor facilitates businesses tailoring their marketing strategies with precision, optimizing sales outcomes. To validate the efficacy of DeepLimeSeg, we employed two real-world datasets: Mall-Customer Segmentation Data and an E-Commerce dataset. A comparative analysis between DeepLimeSeg and the traditional Recency, Frequency, and Monetary (RFM) analysis is presented. The RFM analysis, grounded in its mathematical modeling, segments customers based on purchase recency, frequency, and monetary value. Our preprocessing involved computing RFM scores for each customer, followed by K-means clustering to delineate customer segments. Empirical results underscored the superiority of DeepLimeSeg over other models in terms of MSE, MAE, and R2 metrics. Specifically, the model registered an MSE of 0.9412, indicative of its robust predictive accuracy concerning the spending score. The MAE value stood at 0.9874, signifying minimal deviation from actual values. This paper accentuates the importance of mathematical modeling in enhancing customer segmentation. The DeepLimeSeg approach, with its mathematical foundation and explainable AI integration, paves the way for businesses to make informed, data-driven marketing decisions.

Pulicaria jaubertii (PJ) is a medicinal plant used as a synthetic antioxidant and as a traditional medicine due to its bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PJ on carcass traits and breast meat quality parameters of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty male broilers (1 day old) were divided into four groups (0, 3, 6, and 9 g of PJ/kg of basal diet). Performance indicators were evaluated during the feeding stages, and carcass characteristics and physiochemical and qualitative parameters of breast meat were measured at 36 days old. The results showed that PJ improved performance parameters such as weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and production efficiency index (p < 0.05) in the finishing stage. The diets supplemented with PJ were associated with better carcass characteristics (p < 0.05), but some body parts, such as legs (6 and 9 g PJ) and backs (3–9 g PJ) decreased (p < 0.05). Temperature and initial pH were decreased by PJ (p < 0.05). Meat color was not affected by PJ (p > 0.05), although the yellowness and saturation index were lower at 9 g PJ. Total saturated fatty acid content was higher at 3 g PJ, while total polyunsaturated fatty acids and unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio were lower at 3 and 6 g PJ (p < 0.05). Total monounsaturated fatty acid content increased at 6 and 9 g PJ. Omega-6 fatty acids and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 were lower at 3 g PJ. PJ resulted in higher weight loss on cooking (6 and 9 g PJ) and shear force (3–9 g PJ). In conclusion, PJ had a positive influence on performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acid profile, and some meat quality traits were generally improved by PJ, but knowledge of its mode of action is still limited and therefore requires further investigation.

Gum Arabic (GA) belongs to the Fabaceae family and contains indigestible soluble fibers (80–85%) that could be fermented by commensal bacteria to enhance performance, immune response, and intestinal integrity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GA on performance, serum biochemical indicators, microbiota, immune-related gene expression, and histological changes in chickens. Six GA levels (0.0, 0.12, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0%) were allocated using a total of 432 1-day-old male chickens (12 replicates with 6 chickens each). Growth performance was evaluated on days 10 and 24 of age. Blood parameters, organ pH levels, and intestinal health were determined on day 10 of age. Results showed that GA at 0.12% increased weight gain and 0.12 to 1.0% decreased feed intake but was best in feed conversion ratio and production efficiency except for 1.0% on day 1–10 of age. There was an increase in the thymus weight at GA level 0.25 to 0.75%. GA decreased the pH value of the proventriculus (at 0.50 and 1.0%) as well as the duodenum and cecum (at 0.12 and 1.0%). Chickens fed GA between 0.25 to 1.0% had higher protein and HDL, but lower cholesterol, LDL, and creatinine. Globulin was increased at 0.50% GA, while glucose and triglycerides were decreased (at 0.25 and 0.75% GA, respectively). The immune-related gene expression was reduced, except for 0.25% GA, which increased IL-10. Furthermore, chickens fed GA (0.25 to 0.75%) had higher Lactobacillus spp. and lower Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli. When chickens received GA, the villus length and length to crypt ratio were higher, which also improved the integrity of intestinal epithelial cells and early duodenal development. We conclude that using GA (0.25 to 0.75%) as a natural prebiotic positively affects the performance, microbiota, immune response, morphology, and gut health of post-hatched chickens. More studies are needed to determine the potential mechanism of GA on broiler chickens.

Pomegranate peel (CPP), enriched with bioactive constituents, had potent antioxidant features. Therefore, it is worth finding out functional and antioxidant features of the nanoscale pomegranate peel. The nanoscale of pomegranate peel was prepared by ultrafine grinding in a ball mill for 45 min (NPP45) and 90 min (NPP90). The physical (SEM, TEM, FTIR, and XRD) and chemical characteristics (phenolics, flavonoids, DPPH scavenging activity, FRAP, and reducing power) of nanoparticles were studied. The quality aspects of cold stored (5 ± 2°C) meatballs formulated with 0.5% (W/W) of nano-peel powder were evaluated. Similarly, FTIR spectra and XRD patterns were recorded for nano and crude pomegranate peel samples. Generally, grinding the crude peel for 45 and 90 min enhanced its scavenging activity, reducing power, FRAP, total phenolic, and flavonoid by a range of 12.58 to 20.37 and 20.57% to 35.18%, respectively. The addition of crude/nanosized peel to the meat ball diminish (p<0.05) formation of thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), peroxide (PV), and volatile nitrogen and kept the sensory attributes up to 9 days of cold storage. No significant differences were noticed in PV and TBARS of meatballs formulated with 0.5% NPP90 and 0.1% BHT, which suggests the potential use of nanoscale pomegranate peel as natural substitutes to BHT in meat products.