Current Level Of Knowledge Research Articles

Relationship between Managers’ Social Awareness and Leadership Performance in Kenya

Purpose: This study focused on the relationship between manager’s social awareness and leadership performance in South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya.It was conducted in South Eastern Kenya University.
 Methodology: The researcher employed purposive and census sampling technique in selecting a sample of 71 respondents. The target population included all the 75 managers in South Eastern Kenya University. Data was collected through administration of structured questionnaires with the selected respondents. The questionnaire used a five-point range Likert scale to assess strategic managers’ social awareness and leadership performance. The collected data was then processed and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 28.0 for windows. The data was presented using tables.
 Findings: The findings of the study showed that there was a strong positive relationship (r = 0.744, p=0.000) between the managers’ social awareness and leadership performance.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The contribution to knowledge of this paper is that it provides a theoretical and practical contribution on the importance of helping strategic managers at the South Eastern Kenya University to attain higher levels of social awareness. This is because social awareness is known to have a strong influence on leadership performance. Basically, the study contributed to a theoretical enhancement of the current level of knowledge on the existing literature on social awareness, achieved by testing empirically the managers’ behaviour. In terms of the research practical contribution, the findings of the study could aid in the development of applied strategies at the work place. The findings of this study could help universities to boost the level of manager’s social awareness and this in turn may lead to the improvement in leadership performance. The study recommends that: the University administration should continually train their staff on the relationship between the managers’ social awareness and leadership Performance, they should employ personnel with high degree of Social awareness through conducting interviews with questionnaires that assess these attributes and invest heavily in teamwork activities so that they may have employees who have high degree of social awareness.

Development, delivery, and evaluation of a training program for the early identification of autism: Monitoring of Social Attention, Interaction, and Communication.

Early identification of Autistic children is an important precursor to diagnosis, and access to supports and services. Here we describe the training of the maternal and child health (MCH) workforce in the state of Victoria, Australia in the early identification of infants and toddlers with a high likelihood of autism. In 2019, 1,428 MCH nurses completed early autism training held at venues across the state, with an additional 82 nurses completing online-only training. A training needs analysis enabled the research team to determine the workforce's current skill and knowledge levels, and to identify knowledge gaps, training needs and workplace barriers. The professional development program, known as Monitoring of Social Attention, Interaction, and Communication (MoSAIC), comprised: online pre-workshop modules; a face-to-face instructor-led workshop, which included the use of the Social Attention and Communication-Revised (SACS-R) tool; and online post-workshop modules, which included a recording of a face-to-face workshop with all accompanying resources. This was the first time that the MCH workforce received this training package. Attendees were asked to complete a training satisfaction survey immediately following the face-to-face instructor-led workshop and a follow-up survey regarding their autism knowledge and SACS-R implementation 4-6 weeks after the workshop. Over 90% (n = 325) of MCH nurses who completed the training satisfaction survey agreed or strongly agreed with statements that the training was clear and of high quality. Most nurses also reported that the training was well-presented and that they would recommend it to a colleague. In the 6 months following the training, a total of 82,581 SACS-R assessments were conducted by the MCH workforce, reflecting that MCH nurses had successfully integrated SACS-R assessments into their work practice after receiving the early autism identification training. This study demonstrated that training on the early identification of autism can be successfully designed, customized, and delivered to a large primary healthcare workforce for universal developmental surveillance of autism.

Minecraft Game as a New Opportunity for Teaching Renewable Energy Topics

In today’s Public Education Sector, the need for creative education is becoming more and more prominent. An excellent method for achieving this is gamification, which provides an opportunity to activate and motivate students by playfully processing the desired knowledge material. Minecraft is a multi-platform video game that can be successfully used in gamified education. This game platform is used at one of the summer camps we announced for elementary and high school students (10–16 years old). The participants mastered the topics of renewable energy sources with the help of the Minecraft game. This study describes the methods used in the camp and presents the research results on the effectiveness of the camp. The students’ current level of knowledge was examined with a questionnaire about renewable energy sources, and the collaborative skills questionnaire was used to assess the collaboration characteristics, and the school creative climate questionnaire was used to explore specific features of the camp. The practical results of the camp and the research results proved that gamification, the use of Minecraft, was excellent for arousing students’ interest, increasing their motivation, and helping them master the knowledge materials, effective task solving, and cooperation (i.e., the camp was equally effective from the point of view of knowledge acquisition and collaboration).

Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Role for Angiogenesis Markers in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review.

Despite refinements to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches over the last two decades, the outcome of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not shown substantial improvements, especially regarding those with advanced-stage disease. Angiogenesis is believed to be a turning point in the development of solid tumors, being a premise for mass growth and potential distant dissemination. Cancer-induced angiogenesis is a result of increased expression of angiogenic factors, decreased expression of anti-angiogenic factors, or a combination of both. The assessment of angiogenesis has also emerged as a potentially useful biological prognostic and predictive factor in HNSCC. The aim of this review is to assess the level of current knowledge on the neo-angiogenesis markers involved in the biology, behavior, and prognosis of HNSCC. A search (between 1 January 2012 and 10 October 2022) was run in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. After full-text screening and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 84 articles are included. The current knowledge and debate on angiogenesis in HNSCC presented in the eligible articles are stratified as follows: (i) diagnostic markers; (ii) prognostic markers; (iii) predictive markers; and (iv) markers with a potential therapeutic role. Angiogenesis is a biological and pathological indicator of malignancies progression and has negative implications in prognosis of some solid tumors; several signals capable of tripping the "angiogenic switch" have also been identified in HNSCC. Although several studies suggested that antiangiogenic agents might be a valuable adjunct to conventional chemo-radiation of HNSCC, their long-term therapeutic value remains uncertain. Further investigations are required on combinations of antiangiogenic agents with conventional chemotherapeutic ones, immunotherapeutic and molecularly targeted agents in HNSCC. Additional data are necessary to pinpoint which patients could benefit most from these treatments.

DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES FOR EXPLOSIVES

There has been a rapid development of 3D printing technology at the turn of recent years. Additive manufacturing is expanding into more and more industries, from very small and high-precision components production in biomedical engineering to the manufacture of rocket modules in the aerospace industry. The possibilities of using additive manufacturing technology in the defence industry are also being considered, where printing techniques are being developed, including not only the production of equipment elements, but also direct printing of explosives. The article presents the current level of knowledge on 3D printing of explosives. In addition, the most frequently used techniques of additive manufacturing and their practical application by various research and development facilities were presented. It is also focused on the characterization of materials currently used for printing and the modification of the manufacturing techniques.

The Role of Intrapreneurship in Growing SMEs: A Narrative Review

Nowadays, innovation is of the utmost importance for organizations because it facilitates the path towards competitive advantage and economic growth. This is particularly true for small and medium enterprises, meaning companies that have limited financial support and resources. Entrepreneurship is a concept frequently associated with innovation as it involves ambitious individuals willing to outpace their comfort zone and take risks. However, intrapreneurship is another concept that, although similar to entrepreneurship, embodies several differences, which are important while considering the connection with innovation. Intrapreneurship or corporate entrepreneurship is a term that is progressively associated with innovation. It refers to individuals who are motivated to drive transformation and are willing to change the status quo. The purpose of this paper is to depict the current level of knowledge regarding the impact of intrapreneurship on innovation and to understand the major trends with reference to the existing theory. Therefore, we have conducted a narrative literature review to obtain an in-depth understanding of the research topic and provide recommendations for managers and practitioners who activate in small and medium enterprises. The findings show that intrapreneurship has a positive effect on innovation and individual traits, and the organizational environment has an extensive influence on intrapreneurial behavior.

Prevalence and Knowledge of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome of Female Students at a University in Utah

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder among females of reproductive age. PCOS often goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed due to a lack of education, awareness, or communication of symptoms on the part of the woman and/or health care provider. The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence of PCOS and to determine the current level of knowledge of this topic among female students attending a university in Utah. Data was gathered using an online survey that was distributed to biological females attending the university. The survey included measurements on the prevalence of females diagnosed with PCOS and the awareness of symptoms associated with PCOS. It also measured the various treatment techniques used to manage symptoms and the efficacy of those symptom management techniques. 351 respondents met the inclusion criteria and completed the entire survey. 9% (n=30) of respondents have been clinically diagnosed with PCOS and 28% (n=100) of respondents were unaware or have never heard of PCOS. Findings indicate there is a general lack of knowledge of PCOS and related symptoms and treatments among biological female students attending the university. Making information about PCOS more available to the campus community would be beneficial for several reasons. These include increased symptom awareness, support for individuals diagnosed with PCOS, improved knowledge of potential treatment options, and additional resources for those struggling with PCOS associated symptoms. It may also help those that do not have the disorder to better understand the distressing symptoms others are experiencing and reach out for help if they are experiencing symptoms associated with PCOS.

ТРОМБОЛИТИЧЕСКАЯ ТЕРАПИЯ У ДЕТЕЙ (ЧАСТЬ 1)

Thromboses in children represent the serious pathology that can lead to disability and even death of a pediatric patient. At certain localizations of thrombosis, the most rapid restoration of vascular patency (reperfusion) becomes prognostically significant. The most accessible method for reperfusion is drug therapy, in which a drug is injected into the patient's blood, which in its turn significantly accelerates the process of fibrinolysis, i.e., thrombolytic therapy (TT). The purpose of this bibliographical review was to familiarize physicians, especially pediatricians with the place of TT in modern clinical practice. The article represents bibliographical review of published works for over 50 years (since 1966). Authors have used both domestic Russian resources and the PUBMED database. Articles were selected based on the relevance. Statistical analysis was not performed. A review and analysis of bibliographical data on the modern use of TT in pediatric practice is presented. Preference was given to the most modern publications containing analytical information with full text available both pro bono and online. Authors emphasize pediatric practitioners’ attention on the fact that TT at the current level of knowledge is a fairly effective and predictable method for rapid reperfusion.

Molecular Characterization and Quantification of Saponins from Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. altissima)

Consumer demand for sustainably and ecologically produced food has grown in recent years. However, for numerous reasons, this demand has not always been met. New solutions are still being sought, particularly in the area of emulsifiers, an integral ingredient of many food products. The biggest challenge is the limited scope of application offered by current alternatives. While some progress has been made using foam active quillaja saponins, they are neither pleasant‐tasting nor sustainably produced. Only very little is known about other alternatives, and especially the behavior of saponins, particularly on a molecular level, is not very well understood. Moreover, it is often not known which parts of a plant contain the highest levels of saponins and are therefore most suitable for extraction.To expand the current level of knowledge about emulsifying and foam active extracts, saponin extracts were made from oat bran, beetroot as well as sugar beet and characterized in close cooperation with the Department of Food Physics and Meat Science at the University of Hohenheim. Measurements conducted on these extracts showed that foam activity is a good indicator of their emulsifying ability. The most promising one ‐ sugar beet extract ‐ was examined in more detail using taste dilution analysis, which revealed saponin fractions with a slight off‐taste and high foam activity. A series of eight saponins was obtained from these fractions and further characterized, together with three commercially available ones that were identified using non‐targeted screening. The unequivocal identification and structure elucidation was performed using a combination of liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) and both one‐dimensional (1D) and two‐dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. For most substances, this was the first time that a complete assignment of 1H and 13C NMR signals had been made. All of these saponins possess taste recognition values above 1000 μmol/L, which is higher than most values for the taste‐ active saponins reported in the literature. The foam activity of these substances was measured using a self‐developed small‐scale foam activity assay. It was measured for different concentrations of saponins in a buffer solution. The foam activity of numerous other saponins was also determined, resulting in the most comprehensive overview of the foam activities of individual saponins.In addition to these isolation and characterization activities, an LC‐MS/MS method of performing simultaneous quantitative analyses of all the obtained sugar beet saponins was developed and validated. These were quantified in several sugar beet varieties (root and leaves), different sugar beet compartments, and side streams originating during the sugar beet converting process. Great variations in mass fractions were found in these materials, ranging from 862 mg/kg to 2,452 mg/kg for the various sugar beet root varieties and from 907 mg/kg to 5,398 mg/kg for the sugar beet leave varieties. Sugar beet fiber was identified as the best saponin source, with a total saponin quantity of 12.7 g/kg, followed by dried sugar beet pulp, with a total quantity of 10.3 g/kg. As a by‐product stream, dried sugar beet pulp is highly suitable for the sustainable manufacture of saponins.The results obtained are of key significance to the utilization of sugar beet saponins as well as saponins extracted from other plant materials or by‐product streams for use as food additives.

Knowledge relevant for the implementation of sustainable tourism development – attitudes of local inhabitants and students

The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes and level of knowledge towards sustainable tourism development among the locals and the students. The research was conducted in Primorsko-Goranska County in Croatia. The results between the two groups were compared in order to get a clearer picture on possible similarities or differences in attitudes and knowledge levels because both of them are very important stakeholders for sustainable tourism development and need to be involved in this process. The methodology used in the paper consists of two levels of analysis. The theoretical part is based on secondary sources in the field of sustainable tourism development while the research one is presented through results from quantitative research through a questionnaire among local inhabitants and students of tourism in the Primorsko-Goranska County. A survey was distributed online, with questions related to sustainable development in tourism, its relevant elements and the knowledge connected to it. The data was then collected and analysed using independent-samples t-test, correlation analysis and other methods relevant for this research. The stakeholders assessed elements and perception of knowledge related to sustainable development in tourism. The paper emphasizes potential differences in the level of knowledge and attitude between the students and the local population. The attitudes of the stakeholders towards the topic are mostly positive, but they also underline the need for further education in the field of sustainable development, both in theoretical terms and in terms of acquiring skills and habits needed to thrive in the era of sustainability. The contribution of the paper is in identifying the necessary knowledge for the implementation of sustainable development of tourism among the local population and students of tourism. In addition, the self-evaluation of the current level of knowledge was examined. This should be the basis for the further development of educational programs and other programs for the whole local population in the field of sustainable tourism development.

Financial education among adults in Romania

The aim of this paper is to highlight the need for financial education among adults in Romania. For this purpose, we will take as a starting point the current level of financial knowledge that the target group possesses. The research's central hypothesis is the relationship between our nation's educational level and the current economic and financial predicament. Therefore, the traditional questionnaire will serve as the primary research method for this study. The information obtained from the questionnaire will be related to statistical data concerning the financial field in Romania, with the main result being the dimension of the impact of the educational element in the financial life of Romanians.

Mobile nutrition and health management platform for perioperative recovery: an interdisciplinary research achievement using WeChat Applet.

In recent years, the number of people using mobile applications to promote health and welfare has exponentially increased. However, there are fewer applications in the field of ERAS. How to promote the rapid rehabilitation of patients with malignant tumor surgery during perioperative period and the mastery of its long-term nutritional state is a problem to be solved. The purpose of this study is to design and develop a mobile application, and use Internet technology to better manage nutritional health to achieve rapid recovery of patients with malignant tumor surgery. This study is divided into three stages: (1) Design: use participating design to make the MHEALTH APP adapt to the clinical practice of nutritional health management; (2) Development: the WeChat Applet of Nutrition and Health Assessment (WANHA) developed using the Internet technology development, and web management programs. (3) Procedure test: patients and medical staff evaluate WANHA's quality (UMARS), availability (SUS), and satisfaction, and conduct semi-structured interviews. In this study, 192 patients with malignant tumor surgery, 20 medical staff used WANHA. Patients with nutritional risks are supported by supporting treatment. The results show that patients who have not been treated during the perioperative period, the incidence of postoperative complications (22.4%) and the average hospitalization time after surgery decreased significantly. The incidence of nutritional risks is nearly more than the preoperative level. 45 patients and 20 medical staff participated in the survey of WANHA's SUS, UMARS, and satisfaction. In the interview, most patients and medical personnel believe that the procedure can improve the current medical services and nutritional health knowledge levels, promote the communication of medical staff and patients, and strengthen the nutritional health management of patients with malignant tumors under the concept of ERAS. WeChat Applet of Nutrition and Health Assessment is a MHEALTH APP that enhances the nutrition and health management of patients with perioperative period. It can play a huge role in improving medical services, increasing patient satisfaction, and ERAS.

Cardiac rehabilitation in the Comprehensive Cardiac Care program in the time of a COVID – 19 pandemic

Introduction and purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation in patients after myocardial infarction is an established form of therapy. Its main tasks in the context of the implementation of the KOS program are to improve quality of life, consolidate the effects of hospital treatment and ensure better functioning after a cardiovascular incident. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current level of knowledge regarding cardiac rehabilitation of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 Description of the state of knowledge: COVID-19 poses a significant threat to patients with cardiovascular disease. Physiotherapy in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit involves a step-by-step, individualized rehabilitation plan in accordance with the patient's condition. An important tool for clinical evaluation is capacity tests, the results of which provide key information for the rehabilitation team in selecting exercise intensity. These tests are performed on the first and last days of rehabilitation. In Polish conditions, the most common tests examining capacity are an exercise test on a treadmill or bicycle cycler or a 6-minute walk test. Due to the diversion of a significant number of specialists and health care teams to treat COVID - 19 patients, access to the possibility of implementing the various stages of the Coordinated Specialized Care program after myocardial infarction has been limited.
 Summary: Post-infection patients are often forced to live a sparing lifestyle. They show reduced exercise tolerance and easier fatigability. With these aspects in mind, improving the quality of life of patients after cardiovascular incidents in the era of the pandemic requires even greater involvement of the entire rehabilitation team.

OECD/NEA R&D priorities for loss-of-cooling and loss-of-coolant accidents in Spent-Fuel-Pools

Motivated by the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) launched several activities with the aim to support the post-Fukushima accident decision making process. One of these activities, discussed in the present paper, consisted in the production of a Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT) in order to systematically highlight Spent-Fuel-Pool (SFP) accident-related phenomena that are of both high importance and high uncertainty, and thus of primary interest for further experimental or modeling activities. For that purpose, an international panel of experts identified and ranked more than a hundred physical phenomena with regard to their safety importance and current level of knowledge. Altogether eighteen unique phenomena were identified as having priority research needs. About half of these phenomena are related to thermal-hydraulics and heat transfer in the SFP, and they are judged to be important to the coolability of the spent fuel in loss-of-cooling and/or loss-of-coolant accidents. The other half comprises fuel-related phenomena such as fuel volatilization, cladding oxidation in mixed steam–air environment and nitrogen-assisted oxide breakaway at moderate temperature, judged as important and poorly modeled in the scope of SFP accidents. The final part of the paper discusses the research programmes performed on Spent Fuel Pool loss-of-cooling and loss-of-coolant accidents since the publication of the PIRT report in 2018 and the remaining R&D needs.

Preliminary evidence of microplastics in landfill leachate, Hyderabad, India

In recent years, Microplastics (MPs) have gained significant attention all over the world due to their propensity to pollute the environment and transfer toxins into the food chain, thereby endangering human health. Landfill leachate seems to be an obvious source of MPs and has the capacity to contaminate surface water, groundwater and soil. MP pollution in aquatic ecosystems has received significant research attention, whereas MP pollution in terrestrial ecosystems has received less focus. The main objective of this research is to presents the current level of knowledge about the origin, detection, occurrence, and effects of MPs in Indian landfill leachate. MP concentrations in landfill leachate was ranged between 9 and 21 items/L. The most common MP shape was fiber (83%), followed by fragment (11%), film (3%), and foam (2%). The MP colour found in leachate was yellow (35%), transparent (16%), purple (15%), blue (11%), pink (8%), white (6%), black (3%), green (2%), and orange (1%). From the chemical analysis the predominant polymers detected were LDPE, PP, PET, CA, and Nitrile. This study provides information on the properties and quantity of MPs in landfill leachate, launching additional investigation into the mechanisms through which MP s reach the environment.

Jordanian Nurses' Perceived Disaster Preparedness: Factors Influencing Successful Planning.

Current disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness levels need to be evaluated to guide plans to strengthen disaster readiness. This study aimed to explore the Jordanian staff nurses' perception regarding their familiarity, attitudes, and practices for disaster preparedness (DP) to reduce the negative impacts of disasters. This is a cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive study. The study was conducted on nurses working at governmental and private hospitals in Jordan. A convenience sample of 240 currently working nurses was recruited to participate in the study. The nurses were somewhat familiar with their role in DP (2.9 ± .84). The nurses' overall attitude towards DP was 2.2 ± 0.38, indicating that respondents had medium attitude levels. A low practice level for DP (1.59 ± 0.45) was also observed. Among the studied demographic variables, there was a significant relationship between experience and prior training with improved familiarity and practices. This indicates a need for strengthening nurses' practical skills as well as their theoretical knowledge. However, there is only a significant difference between attitude scale scores and disaster preparedness training (f = 10.120; p=0.002). The study findings support the need for more training (academic and/or institutional) to increase and improve nursing disaster preparedness locally and globally.

Prioritizing Professional Development at the Interface of Natural Resources and Agriculture

Continuous professional development is critical for Extension staff, and many agriculture-focused Extension employees are tasked with outreach related to a wide variety of natural resource topics. The purpose of this study is to help prioritize trainings needed by Kansas Extension agents and specialists based on their current level of knowledge and interest in staying up to date on 18 different natural resource topics. Responses to a statewide survey were analyzed using the Borich model. Results indicate priority professional development needs related to soil health; effects of climate; invasive species, harmful algal blooms; and groundwater, surface water, and air quality.

Food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices among school children: a cross-sectional study based in the Colombo educational zone, Sri Lanka

The study focuses on assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of food safety among school children in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka, based on a questionnaire survey conducted from September to October 2020, with a sample of 380 teenagers from a selection of schools in the Colombo Educational Zone, Sri Lanka. It reports that the mean food safety knowledge, attitude, and practice scores of the participants were 59.949 ± 0.833, 84.336 ± 0.448, and 79.597 ± 0.616 (mean ± SE) respectively and hypothesises that the food safety practice score and the attitude score of school children both significantly increase relative to their food safety knowledge score ( rp = 0.205, p < 0.001 and rp = 0.359, p < 0.001). A multiple linear regression analysis of the data establishes that the food safety knowledge score of the male participants is higher than that of the female participants and that poor food handling practices are common among the males in the population. The results further demonstrate a correlation between the individual schoolchild’s academic performance, the educational background of his/her parents, and his/her knowledge of food safety. The present study reveals that the school children in Colombo Education Zone maintain an average level of food safety knowledge and satisfactory levels of food safety attitudes and practices. Thus, the authors suggest that school children should be provided with appropriate education and training to enhance their current level of food safety knowledge, especially about proper temperature control during food processing and food handling.

The link between knowledge and practices in relation to herbal supplement use: for a rapid transfer of knowledge in the field of phytovigilance and pharmacovigilance health care systems

Abstract Objectives The use of health supplements (HSs) is increasing globally. It is essential to better understand health care providers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding HS use and their associated adverse events (AEs). Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional study of health care professionals in Dubai. Methods Four hundred and twenty-seven health care professionals from hospitals, clinics (public and private) and community pharmacies completed an online questionnaire that collected demographic data and enquired about their experience with HSs. Simple descriptive statistics were used to characterise participants. Based on 10 questions, a summary score was created for the overall KAP of respondents. For each question, an affirmative response scored 1 and a negative response scored 0. A total score of 10 was therefore obtainable; logistic regression was used to identify the correlates of those scores. Key findings The results showed that 18.3% (n = 78) of respondents had good KAP concerning HS, 38.9% (n = 166) had fair KAP and 42.9% (n = 183) had poor KAP. Scores were significantly higher among non-UAE nationals compared with UAE nationals (P = 0.001), among physicians and pharmacists compared with other health care practitioners (P = 0.000), and among practitioners with more than 6 years of experience compared to those with 6 years of experience or less (0.017). No association was found between KAP scores and age, marital status, employment status or educational level. Conclusion Despite the popularity and widespread use of HS among the general population in Dubai, knowledge of HSs and their possible adverse effects is limited among health professionals. This was the first study to investigate this topic in the United Arab Emirates. Further policies are needed to reduce the potential for adverse events related to HS use. Additionally, educational programs are required for health care professionals to address current low levels of knowledge.

The Role of Ryanodine Receptors in Regulating Neuronal Activity and Its Connection to the Development of Alzheimer's Disease.

Research into the early impacts of Alzheimer's disease (AD) on synapse function is one of the most promising approaches to finding a treatment. In this context, we have recently demonstrated that the Abeta42 peptide, which builds up in the brain during the processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), targets the ryanodine receptors (RyRs) of mouse hippocampal neurons and potentiates calcium (Ca2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The uncontrolled increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), leading to the development of Ca2+ dysregulation events and related excitable and synaptic dysfunctions, is a consolidated hallmark of AD onset and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases. Since RyRs contribute to increasing [Ca2+]i and are thought to be a promising target for AD treatment, the goal of this review is to summarize the current level of knowledge regarding the involvement of RyRs in governing neuronal function both in physiological conditions and during the onset of AD.