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Scoliosis is a common musculoskeletal disorder that remains underrecognized in Saudi Arabia, where limited public awareness may delay early detection and treatment. This study assessed public knowledge, support for school-based screening, and attitudes toward treatment. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted during the 2025 Saudi National Scoliosis Awareness Campaign through public venues and online platforms. A culturally adapted questionnaire assessed demographics, knowledge, symptom recognition, treatment preferences, barriers, and information sources. A total of 2055 responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. While 70.9% of participants had heard of scoliosis, only 18.1% reported good understanding. Symptom recognition was limited, with spinal curvature, back pain, and uneven shoulders most often identified. Most respondents supported school-based screening (88.2%) and early detection (92.1%), with a mean preferred screening age of 8 years. Bracing (64.3%) and surgery (53.5%) were more accepted than observation (30.5%), though concerns about pain, effectiveness, and appearance were frequent. Social media was the most common initial information source (34.6%), while healthcare professionals were the preferred future source (79.2%). Reported barriers included lack of awareness (68.2%), difficulty accessing specialists (19.9%), and cost (8.9%). Public support for school-based screening is strong, but baseline knowledge remains limited, and treatment perceptions are shaped by psychosocial and cultural concerns. National campaigns, school curricula, and healthcare-led education, combined with accessible, low-cost screening, may enhance early detection and improve scoliosis management in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Whitening toothpastes are widely used. Hence, it is important to understand their effect on the surface properties of restorative materials. To evaluate the effect of three over-the-counter whitening toothpastes and toothbrushing simulation on microhardness of three restorative materials. Study design: Forty cylindrical (10×2mm) specimens were prepared from each restorative material and randomly assigned into four groups/10 each according to the whitening toothpastes used and distilled water (control). All specimens were measured for microhardness (Baseline–T1). The specimens were brushed with a soft brush using an in vitro tooth-brushing simulator with the assigned whitening toothpaste using the same setting for brushing cycles/load for all groups. Specimens were then measured for microhardness (T2) similar to baseline. Results: The highest (mean±SD) microhardness after application of the whitening toothpastes and brushing was recorded for Intense White and Filtek Z250 XT (127.6±1.8), followed by Optic White and Fuji ll LC (73.9±0.9) and Optic White and Photac Fill (72.7±1.3). There was statistically significant difference for microhardness between pre- and post-application of the whitening toothpastes and brushing for all tested restorative materials (P=0.0001). The microhardness of Filtek Z250XT with 3D White post-application of the whitening toothpastes and brushing was lowest compared to other toothpastes and control (P=0.0001). Conclusion: Microhardness increased after application of the whitening toothpastes and toothbrushing simulation for all combination of tested restorative materials and whitening toothpastes. The microhardness of FIiltek Z250XT with 3D White post-application of the whitening toothpastes and brushing was lowest compared to other toothpastes and control.

Isomeric states of the neutron-rich isotope 18973Ta116 were populated via fragmentation of a primary beam of 208Pb ions at 1 GeV/u impinging on a 9Be target at GSI, Darmstadt, Germany. The isotopes of interest were separated, identified and delivered to the DESPEC setup. Two isomers were deduced in 189Ta116 and their lifetimes were measured based on the γ-ray time distributions.

Isomeric states of the neutron-rich isotope 189 73 Ta 116 were populated via fragmentation of a primary beam of 208 Pb ions at 1 GeV/u impinging on a 9 Be target at GSI, Darmstadt, Germany. The isotopes of interest were separated, identified and delivered to the DESPEC setup. Two isomers were deduced in 189 Ta 116 and their lifetimes were measured based on the γ-ray time distributions.