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Upconversion Nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted exceptional attention due to their great potential in high-contrast, free-background biofluorescence deep tissue imaging and quantum sensing. Most of these interesting studies have been performed using an ensemble of UCNPs as fluorescent probes in bioapplications. Here, we report a synthesis of small and efficient YLiF4:Yb,Er UCNPs for single-particle imaging as well as sensitive optical temperature sensing. The reported particles demonstrated a bright and photostable upconversion emission at a single particle level under a low laser intensity excitation of 20 W/cm2. Furthermore, the synthesized UCNPs were tested and compared to the commonly used two-photon excitation QDs and organic dyes and showed a nine times better performance at a single particle level under the same experimental conditions. In addition, the synthesized UCNPs demonstrated sensitive optical temperature sensing at a single particle level within the biological temperature range. The good optical properties of single YLiF4:Yb,Er UCNPs open an avenue for small and efficient fluorescent markers in imaging and sensing applications.

In this work, we successfully integrated fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) and lanthanide ion-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) in a nanocomposite structure for simultaneous optical temperature sensing. The effective integration of FND and UCNP shells was confirmed by employing high-resolution TEM imaging, X-ray diffraction, and dual-excitation optical spectroscopy. Furthermore, the synthesized ND@UCNP nanocomposites were tested by making simultaneous optical temperature measurements, and the detected temperatures showed excellent agreement within their sensitivity limit. The simultaneous measurement of temperature using two different modalities having different sensing physics but with the same composite nanoparticles inside is expected to greatly improve the confidence of nanoscale temperature measurements. This should resolve some of the controversy surrounding nanoscale temperature measurements in biological applications.

Herein, a series of N'-benzylidene-3,4-dimethoxybenzohydrazide derivatives were designed and synthesised to target the multidrug efflux pump (MATE). The antibacterial activities were screened against S. aureus, Acinetobacter, S. typhi, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, whereas their antifungal activities were screened against C. albicans. Compounds 4a, 4h, and 4i showed the most promising antibacterial and antifungal activities. Moreover, compounds 4h and 4i being the broader and superior members regarding their antimicrobial effects were selected to be further evaluated via in vivo testing using biochemical analysis and liver/kidney histological examination. Additionally, molecular docking was carried out to attain further deep insights into the synthesised compounds' binding modes. Also, ADMET studies were performed to investigate the physicochemical/pharmacokinetics features and toxicity parameters of the synthesised derivatives. Finally, a structure-antimicrobial activity relationship study was established to facilitate further structural modifications in the future. Highlights A series of new N'-benzylidene-3,4-dimethoxybenzohydrazide derivatives were designed and synthesised targeting the multidrug efflux pump (MATE) guided by the pharmacophoric features of the co-crystallized native inhibitor of the target protein. The newly synthesised compounds were assessed through in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches. Using the agar well diffusion assay, the antibacterial activities of the synthesised compounds were screened against S. aureus, Acinetobacter, S. typhi, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, whereas, their antifungal activities were screened against C. albicans. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the synthesised compounds were investigated on variable microbial species. Compounds (4h and 4i) -as the broader and superior members regarding their antimicrobial effects- were further evaluated via in vivo testing using bio-chemical analysis and liver/kidney histological examination. A molecular docking study and ADMET in silico studies were performed. A structure-antimicrobial activity relationship study was established to facilitate further structural modifications in the future.

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have emerged as promising candidates for enhancing both the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Their rising prominence is attributed to their dual capabilities: they effectively passivate the surfaces of perovskite-sensitive materials while simultaneously serving as efficient spectrum converters for sunlight. In this work, we synthesized UCNPs doped with erbium ions as down/upconverting ions for ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) light harvesting. Various percentages of the synthesized UCNPs were integrated into the mesoporous layers of PSCs. The best photovoltaic performance was achieved by a PSC device with 30% UCNPs doped in the mesoporous layer, with PCE = 16.22% and a fill factor (FF) of 74%. In addition, the champion PSCs doped with 30% UCNPs were then passivated with carbon quantum dots at different spin coating speeds to improve their photovoltaic performance. When compared to the pristine PSCs, a fabricated PSC device with 30% UCNPs passivated with CQDs at a spin coating speed of 3000 rpm showed improved power conversion efficiency (PCE), from 16.65% to 18.15%; a higher photocurrent, from 20.44 mA/cm2 to 22.25 mA/cm2; and a superior fill factor (FF) of 76%. Furthermore, the PSCs integrated with UCNPs and CQDs showed better stability than the pristine devices. These findings clear the way for the development of effective PSCs for use in renewable energy applications.

This study presents an effective strategy to enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by integrating neodymium-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) coated with a TiO2 shell into the mesoporous electron transport layer. The incorporation of neodymium (Nd3+) as a novel sensitizer shifts the near-infrared (NIR) absorption band away from the water vapor absorption region in the solar spectrum. This modification enables UCNPs to efficiently convert NIR light into ultraviolet (UV) and blue wavelengths, which are readily absorbed by TiO2, generating additional charge carriers and improving photovoltaic performance. The optimized PSCs, fabricated by blending 30% UCNPs@TiO2 with commercial TiO2 paste, achieved a peak power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.71%, representing a 20.4% improvement over the control (18.04%). This enhancement included a 0.9% increase in the open-circuit voltage (Voc), a 6.6% rise in the short-circuit current density (Jsc), and an 11.9% boost in the fill factor (FF). Additionally, the optimized PSCs exhibited remarkable stability, retaining over 90% of their initial PCE after 900 h in humid conditions, compared to only 70% for the control. These improvements result from enhanced light absorption, reduced moisture infiltration, and lower defect-related recombination. This approach provides a promising pathway for developing highly efficient and durable PSCs.

Tirzepatide, a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has emerged as an effective therapy for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Its dual-incretin mechanism may offer enhanced metabolic benefits compared with selective GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide. A structured narrative review of clinical trials, real-world observational studies, and contextual cardiovascular outcome analyses was conducted. Literature was sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov and relevant scientific databases to compare tirzepatide and semaglutide across weight, glycemic, cardiometabolic, and safety outcomes. Across completed head-to-head randomized trials, tirzepatide consistently achieved greater reductions in body weight, and HbA1c than semaglutide in individuals with obesity or T2DM. Semaglutide, however, has the most mature evidence for cardiovascular risk reduction, as demonstrated in the SUSTAIN-6, PIONEER-6, and SELECT trials. The SURPASS-CVOT trial established cardiovascular non-inferiority for tirzepatide compared with dulaglutide, alongside improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors. Real-world studies reported heterogeneous cardiovascular outcomes. Tirzepatide demonstrates superior metabolic efficacy in direct comparative trials, whereas semaglutide currently has the strongest evidence for cardiovascular benefit. Treatment selection should be individualized based on clinical priorities and patient characteristics.

Background: Acute poisoning is one of the common medical emergencies in children that leads to morbidity and mortality. Medications and chemical agents play a major role in these adverse events resulting in social, economic, and health consequences. Aims of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and management of acute poisoning among children attending the emergency room at East Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of all acute pediatric poisoning incidences in children (0–16 years of age) from October-21-2016 to March-03-2020 who were attending the emergency department. Data were analyzed via SPSS software. Results: A total of 69 incidences of acute poisoning in children who attended the emergency department at East Jeddah Hospital; males (n = 38, 55.1%). Most children were aged 5 years or younger (n = 41, 59.4%). Unintentional poisoning occurred among 56.5% of observed cases of which 52.2% occurred in children younger than 5 years; 7.20% (n = 5) of patients were 12 to 16 years of age and had deliberate self-poisoning. The association between type of poisoning and age groups was statistically significant (chi-square = 28.5057, p = 0.0001). Most incidences occurred at home (n = 64, 92.8%). Medicines were the most common cause of poisoning (n = 53, 76.8%). An excessive dose of prescribed medicine poisoning accidents was reported in 10.1% cases. Analgesics such as paracetamol were the most documented medication associated with poisoning (39.1%) followed by anticonvulsants and other central nervous system acting medicines (18.8%). The most common route of poisoning was oral ingestion (81.2%). One mortality case was documented. Conclusion: Although not common, accidental and deliberate acute poisoning in children does occur. More can be done to educate parents on safe storage of medicines, household cleaning and other products associated with acute poisoning in children. Likewise, children can be taught more about the risks of poisoning from an early age. As importantly, clinicians need to include more detailed notes in the electronic medical records (EMR) or the system needs to be improved to encourage completeness to more accurately inform the research evidence-base for future service design, health policy and strategy.

Vancomycindosing error and inappropriate monitoring is a common problem in hospital daily practice. In King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Jeddah, a high percentage of abnormal vancomycin trough levels is still detected despite using the recommended dose. Therefore, the current research objective is to study the major causes of vancomycin dosing errors. This retrospective, single-center, cross-sectional study was carried out at KAMC hospital in Jeddah from January 1st until December 31st 2019. All adult patients (≥15 years) who received vancomycin and had an initial abnormal trough level at the measured steady-state were included in this study. 472 patients have met the study inclusion criteria. The current study evaluated the factors that play a role in causing vancomycin trough level abnormalities such as sampling time, vancomycin dosing, and patient’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variations. In this study, we found that pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability was attributed to 65% of vancomycin's abnormal trough level. Also, the result showed a significantly increased odds of the low trough in the non-elderly group (OR 6, 95% CI 2.48 – 14.9, P < 0.001) and febrile neutropenic patients (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.119 – 4.365, P < 0.05). However, the odds of high trough levels were significantly elevated among patients who have CrCl < 50 ml/min (OR 5, 95% CI 1.262–20.539, P < 0.05). In addition, the present investigation revealed that the occurrence of abnormal vancomycin levels was not affected by daily duty time or working days (p > 0.05). The current study indicated that vancomycin dosing errors were common in KAMC patients; thus, there is an unmet need to evaluate the causes of vancomycin abnormal trough level and optimize a strategy that would enhance the therapeutic effectiveness and minimize the potential toxicity.

This limited-scope study demonstrates the application of probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) methodologies to a spent fuel storage system for spent pebble-filled dry cask with a focus only on the necessary PRA technical elements sufficient to risk-inform the spent fuel storage system design. A dropping canister scenario in a silo of the spent fuel storage system is analyzed through an initiating event (IE) identification from the Master Logic Diagram (MLD); event sequence analysis (ES) by establishing the event tree; data analysis (DA) for event sequence quantification (ESQ) with uncertainty quantification; mechanistic source term (MST) analysis by using ORIGEN; radiological consequence analysis (RC) by deploying MicroShield, and risk integration (RI) by showing the Frequency-Consequence (F-C) target curve in the emergency area boundary (EAB). Additionally, a sensitivity study is conducted using the ordinary least square (OLS) regression method to assess the impact of variables such as failed pebble numbers, their location in the canister, and building wall thickness. Furthermore, the release categories grouped from the end states in the event tree are verified as safety cases through the F-C curve. This study highlights the implementation of PRA elements in a logical and structured manner, using appropriate methodologies and computational tools, thereby showing how to risk-inform the design of a dry cask system for storing spent pebble-filled fuel.

In this work, we present an advancement in the encapsulation of lithium yttrium fluoride-based (YLiF4:Yb,Er) upconversion nanocrystals (UCNPs) with silica (SiO2) shells through a reverse microemulsion technique, achieving UCNPs@SiO2 core/shell structures. Key parameters of this approach were optimized to eliminate the occurrence of core-free silica particles and ensure a controlled silica shell thickness growth on the UCNPs. The optimal conditions for this method were using 6 mg of UCNPs, 1.5 mL of Igepal CO-520, 0.25 mL of ammonia, and 50 μL of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), resulting in a uniform silica shell around UCNPs with a thickness of 8 nm. The optical characteristics of the silica-encased UCNPs were examined, confirming the retention of their intrinsic upconversion luminescence (UC). Furthermore, we developed a reliable strategy to avoid the coencapsulation of multiple UCNPs within a single silica shell. This approach led to a tenfold increase in the UC luminescence of the annealed particles compared to their nonannealed counterparts, under identical silica shell thickness and excitation conditions. This significant improvement addresses a critical challenge and amplifies the applicability of the resulting UCNPs@SiO2 core/shell structures in various fields.