Effective expatriate management has become crucial in the health care sector, driven by the growing number of globally mobile professionals. The Saudi Ministry of Health data shows that 53% of the health care workforce in Saudi Arabia is comprised of expatriates, with expatriate health care workers constituting up to 90% of the workforce in some Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. In addition, technological advancements such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and electronic health records are transforming health care delivery, presenting both opportunities and challenges for expatriate health care workers. Despite these trends, there is a lack of research in examining expatriate outcomes for health systems. The purpose of this paper is to examine the advantages and challenges of employing expatriates in Saudi Arabia's health care industry. This study employs a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative data were collected from the top management team (TMT) overseeing health care expatriates (N=32), and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings of this study were triangulated with the secondary data collected from the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Health Council. The findings reveal five primary advantages-international clinical experience, health care professionalism, ethical patient care, adaptability to local environments, and workforce diversity-and four main challenges: high expatriate labor costs, Saudization policies, operational risks related to knowledge transfer, and language barriers in patient communication. There are more advantages of employing expatriates than challenges, leading to a novel framework. Findings were triangulated with secondary quantitative data, which confirmed the same. This study fills a gap in the expatriate workforce literature by providing empirical insights from the underexplored context of the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia. It extends Caligiuri's performance dimension theory by integrating performance outcomes and contextual challenges specific to health care expatriates in Saudi Arabia. The study also offers actionable recommendations to overcome operational challenges, such as expatriates' reluctance to share knowledge and challenges associated with the Saudization policy, with the ongoing need for skilled expatriates. It also contributes to the human resource management and health care/aged care management literature. The study recommends fostering public-private collaborations and partnerships between health care institutions and global universities to address skill gaps and ensure workforce sustainability in Saudi Arabia's health care sector.
Sandy enteropathy is more common in horses living in sandy environments, such as those in Saudi Arabia. Sand accumulation in the intestines can be eliminated and prevented by administering psyllium husk. This study focuses on the combination of psyllium and aloe vera extract, known for its protective and anti-inflammatory properties. Fourteen Arabian horses with naturally acquired sand accumulation were randomly assigned to two groups: the psyllium group (PG, n = 7) and the psyllium and aloe vera group (PAG, n = 7), both of which were treated daily for 7 days. Efficacy was evaluated via daily fecal sand analysis (sedimentation test) and hematological assessment on days 0 and 14. PG showed a reduction in inflammation indicators, evidenced by a significant decrease in the white blood cell (WBC) count from 9.1 ± 0.36 to 6.2 ± 0.047 × 109 by day 14. In contrast, PAG exhibited a more complex immunomodulatory response, characterized by a more significant final decrease in WBC count (7.8-5.3 ± 0.33 × 109/l). Interestingly, the percentage of neutrophils in PG was high during the treatment period, where the percentage was 71.5 ± 1.6 and 69 ± 0.41 during the first and second weeks, respectively. In contrast, a decrease in neutrophils was observed in PAG during the treatment period, where the percentage was recorded as 45.7 ± 0.73 and 50.1 ± 0.43 during the first and second weeks, respectively. The amount of sand in the excreted PG fluctuated, reaching its highest point on day 5 at 8.86% and ending at 4.71% on day 7. PAG began with a similar sand concentration of 5.43%. The sand excretion peaked at 7.14% on day 1 and then followed a general downward trend for the rest of the week. The lowest concentration for this group was 2.28% on day 6. The combination of psyllium and aloe vera appears to result in lower overall mean sand excretion and a more modulated immune response.
Fusarium wilt (FW), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol), severely limits tomato production in Saudi Arabia, with few environmentally friendly control options available. To address this challenge, three-week soil solarization (Ss), a soil-applied mixture of Trichoderma asperellum strains (TASMix), and grafting onto the resistant rootstock 'Maxifort' (GP), applied alone or in dual and triple combinations, were evaluated as root-zone management practices against FW. The results showed that all treatments significantly reduced FW compared with the untreated control; however, the integrated treatment (GP + TASMix + Ss) provided superior disease control, reducing FW incidence by 37.2 and 68.9% and the disease severity index by 64.2 and 56.82% in greenhouse and field trials, respectively. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed a notable reduction in pathogen abundance in tomato roots and the rhizosphere with this treatment. Moreover, Trichoderma rhizosphere colonization was positively enhanced by Ss treatment. Infection of tomato plants with the pathogen alone results in significant root damage associated with elevated oxidative stress. Concurrently, the combined GP + TASMix + Ss treatment significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (hydrogen peroxide and superoxide), decreased lipid peroxidation, and elevated antioxidant enzyme activities in root tissues. The combined action of GP + TASMix + Ss also led to higher transcript abundances of key defense-related genes involved in jasmonic acid- and salicylic acid-mediated defense responses more efficiently than the other treatments. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of the integrative efficacy of GP + TASMix + Ss for FW management, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides in organic farming.
Health and aged care systems are increasingly confronted by ageing-related challenges that exceed the boundaries of any single discipline, profession, sector, or policy domain. This commentary proposes a transdisciplinary framework for health and aged care management as a shift from parallel domain-specific reforms to the deliberate design of structurally interconnected systems. We argue that workforce design, models of care, technology, governance, financing, and place-based environments must be understood as mutually constitutive elements of healthy ageing systems rather than discrete areas of improvement. The papers included in this special issue illustrate this systems-oriented framework across diverse contexts, including Saudi Arabia, Thailand, India, Finland, Malaysia, the Asia-Pacific region, and community care settings in high-income countries. Collectively, they demonstrate that reforms are more effective when governance arrangements align workforce capability, digital infrastructure, financing mechanisms, referral pathways, community legitimacy, and accountability structures. Conversely, siloed reform can exacerbate inequities, particularly in low- middle-income countries where fragmented systems divert scarce resources and shift hidden costs to families and communities. We argue that future research in health and aged care management should move beyond evaluating standalone innovations towards examining the "connective tissue" of reform: how integration is designed, governed, financed, implemented, measured, scaled, and sustained across systems. Transdisciplinary integration should therefore be understood not as a rhetorical aspiration, but as a practical governance discipline for ageing societies.
Transdermal delivery systems (TDDS) mark a revolutionary concept in contemporary pharmacological treatments, providing an efficient replacement for the classical methods of drug administration through the oral route and other parenteral routes of administration, bypassing the first-pass effect and ensuring better patient compliance. Nevertheless, the topical delivery of drugs often becomes an issue due to the role played by the stratum corneum, which acts as the primary resistance point on the skin. For this purpose, ethosome-based nanoparticles have been recognized as a highly flexible carrier system. In contrast to liposomes, ethosomes exhibit a high content of ethanol (20-45%) that helps fluidize the bilayer structure of lipids present in the skin and facilitate transdermal permeation of drugs. This review offers an in-depth insight into the various designs of ethosome carriers and provides a detailed classification of the systems into Classical, Binary, and Transethosomes. The manuscript makes a thorough comparison among the systems based on their structural differences, their respective modes of penetration, and relative strengths in terms of drug loading and physicochemical stability. Moreover, the complexities involved in their preparation are illustrated, particularly the importance of the stirrer speed, typically between 700 and 1200 RPM, and other parameters, including temperature maintenance and lipid: ethanol ratios, that determine the size and distribution of the vesicles formed. Alongside formulation approaches, the potential of ethosomes as a therapy against various skin diseases like psoriasis, acne, and fungal infections is highlighted, in addition to the application in systemic vaccinations. Importantly, this review addresses the issues associated with the implementation of the technology in clinical settings, especially concerning shelf-life stability of the preparations, cutaneous irritation due to ethanol, and the absence of international regulations for topical nanosystems. Through integration of relevant research conducted up until 2024 and 2025, the review forms the basis for next-generation ethosomes.
Over-scanning in CT refers to extending the scan range beyond intended anatomical boundaries, resulting in unnecessary ionising radiation exposure. Despite its frequent occurrence, it remains poorly defined and inadequately addressed within the radiological community. This scoping review examines the extent of over-scanning in CT imaging, including its definitions, assessment methods, contributing factors and mitigation strategies. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Ovid and Scopus were searched for studies published between January 2010 and December 2025. Extracted data included definitions, assessment methods, prevalence, dose implications, contributing factors and mitigation strategies. Thirty-eight studies covering brain, chest, abdominal and multi-region CT protocols were included. Over-scanning was prevalent, averaging 75% (range 13%-100%), with excess coverage from 12 mm to about 90 mm, exceeding recommended anatomical margins. Associated effective dose increases ranged from 0.03 to 3.4 mSv, with organ-specific doses markedly higher in paediatric imaging and radiosensitive organs (thyroid, lungs, breasts, testes), amplifying long-term cancer risk. Directional patterns (superior/inferior) varied by protocol, influenced by anatomical complexity, scout-image limitations and radiographer caution to avoid under-coverage. Over-scanning in CT is a multifactorial issue driven by technical, operator, patient and system-level factors. Mitigation requires standardised protocols, radiographer training, education on over-irradiation risks, optimised scout image utilisation and technological support. Key strategies include consistent osseous landmarks, lateral scout views and AI-based planning tools, which offer promising solutions for automating scan range planning, detecting and reducing over-scanning through real-time monitoring and retrospective analysis and enhancing patient radiation safety.
This research focuses on examining heat transfer and entropy generation within a porous cavity, which contains a hybrid nanofluid known as MWCNT-Fe3O4/H2O, due to its relevance to improving thermal management systems as well as increasing energy efficiency. The study is based on an advanced Darcy-Forchheimer-Brinkmann computational model that considers inertial forces, the fluid filling the cavity, and the resultant effects of applying a magnetic field. To provide the laminar and incompressible nature of the nanofluids flux, the Darcy-Forchheimer prototype is essential. While accounting for the inertial influence of advection in the permeable coating. To solve non-dimensional equations, we employ the finite element methodology and the Darcy-Forchheimer-Brinkmann prototype. Thus, several parameters, such as ([Formula: see text]); ([Formula: see text]); ([Formula: see text]); ([Formula: see text]); ([Formula: see text]) with the use of isotherm patterns, streamlines, and other graphs, we employed on the fluid flow is evaluated. Using the Finite Element Method to solve the governing equations numerically demonstrates that by increasing the porosity of the cavity, heat transfer rates can be increased by up to 30%; however, the increase in entropy production also increases with cavity porosity while the application of a greater magnetic field helps to reduce this effect on entropy generation by approximately 20%. The results indicate that the length of the cavity and the magnitude of the applied magnetic field also impact thermal performance within the cavity. The results of this study may assist in developing efficient thermal systems based upon the use of hybrid nanofluids, thereby increasing energy efficiency overall.
Photoluminescent wood able to alter color upon exposure to UV light was produced. A composite comprising rare-earth aluminate nanoparticles (RAN) as a photoluminescent agent and cellulose nanocrystal-supported alginate (CNCA) as a hosting material was infiltrated into delignified hardwood (DLW), yielding transparent hardwood with photoluminescence characteristics. RAN is recognized for its excellent photostability and heat resistance. An optimal technique for generating translucent and photoluminescent hardwood entails the dispersion of RAN in cellulose nanocrystal-reinforced alginate, ensuring the absence of agglomeration. Cellulose nanocrystals were synthesized from microcrystalline cellulose by acid hydrolysis, demonstrating diameters of 7-12 nm. Cellulose nanocrystals were used as a nanofiller and a dispersant to avert the agglomeration of RAN. Both photoluminescent analysis and colorimetric parameters indicated a green color under UV light and a colorless appearance under visible light. The morphological analysis of RAN showed sizes ranging from 35 to 120 nm. The luminescent hardwoods were analyzed using several spectroscopic and microscopic methods. When excited at 375 nm, the photoluminescent hardwood exhibited an emission readout at 517 nm. Increasing the RAN level resulted in enhanced water resistance and superior protection against UV radiation. The luminous hardwood exhibited quick and reversible activity to UV radiation without fatigue.
Conventional wastewater treatment technologies fail to intercept emerging organic pollutants at environmentally relevant trace concentrations. This failure is mechanistic: adsorptive concentration and oxidative mineralization operate as structurally decoupled processes within all established treatment platforms. The present review addresses this gap directly. It critically and exclusively examines the real wastewater performance of dual-function electrospun metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes as integrated adsorption photocatalysis systems for emerging organic pollutant removal. Unlike prior reviews confined to idealized synthetic matrices, this work interrogates authentic wastewater complexity across MIL, UiO, and ZIF series frameworks embedded in polymer nanofiber carriers. Real wastewater imposes quantifiable and compounding performance penalties. Natural organic matter suppresses adsorptive uptake by 30%-60%. Bicarbonate scavenges photogenerated hydroxyl radicals at 8.5 × 106 M-1 s-1. Phosphate coordinates irreversibly to Lewis acid metal nodes, producing near-permanent active-site deactivation. These matrix effects collectively erode the adsorption pre-concentration effect, which constitutes the mechanistic foundation of dual-function synergy. Microporous framework architectures resist this erosion more effectively than large-pore analogues through size-selective exclusion of competing organic matter. No standardized framework currently exists for cross-study performance comparison. This review proposes one. Four metrics are introduced: the capacity reduction factor, the photodegradation deviation index, the synergy preservation factor, and the apparent quantum yield. Three barriers obstruct credible deployment readiness: the absence of operational data beyond 30 days, incomplete ecotoxicological characterization of treated effluents, and the absence of pilot-scale field validation.
Herpetic necrotizing keratitis is a severe ocular manifestation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, often leading to significant visual impairment. We report a case of a 65-year-old female who presented with ocular pain and reduced acuity in the left eye, 2 weeks after a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, with a relevant history of a herpetic keratitis three decades prior. Examination revealed necrotizing keratitis with stromal necrosis, dendritic epithelial defect, corneal neovascularization, and diffuse conjunctival injection. This was managed concurrently with topical and systemic aciclovir, and topical prednisolone was introduced at the 2-week mark. Recovery to good visual function and resolution of symptoms was achieved. This is a rare case of herpetic necrotizing keratitis following COVID-19 infection and likely represents a reactivation of the latent HSV type 1 by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing inflammatory ocular complications in individuals with a history of herpetic infections and highlights another potential repercussion of COVID-19.
Interest in intermittent fasting regimens has expanded substantially due to its reported metabolic effects. However, whether such dietary patterns are safe for individuals living with chronic heart failure remains unclear. This issue is particularly relevant for patients who fast for religious observance, including Ramadan. We therefore performed a systematic review to evaluate the clinical safety and physiological implications of intermittent fasting regimens in stable heart failure populations. The review protocol adhered to established reporting standards for systematic reviews. Multiple electronic databases were systematically searched from inception through December 2025 to identify studies evaluating intermittent fasting regimens in adults with chronic heart failure. Both randomized and observational designs were considered eligible. Key outcomes included clinical deterioration, cardiovascular events, New York Heart Association functional status, left ventricular systolic performance, and natriuretic peptide levels. Where data allowed, pooled analyses were conducted; otherwise, findings were summarized narratively. Five observational studies fulfilled inclusion criteria, three of which provided comparable data for quantitative synthesis, comprising 1345 participants. Across studies, fasting was not associated with increased rates of heart failure decompensation, major cardiovascular events, or mortality relative to non-fasting periods. Functional status remained generally stable, with a tendency toward improved symptom classification among fasting participants. Measures of systolic function and natriuretic peptides showed no clinically meaningful worsening. In clinically stable individuals with chronic heart failure, intermittent fasting regimens, including Ramadan fasting, were not linked to short-term adverse clinical outcomes based on currently available observational evidence.
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by hair loss due to immune-mediated destruction of hair follicles. The polygenic nature of AA, influenced by genetic and environmental factors, complicates its pathogenesis. Advances in bioinformatics have facilitated understanding of AA's genetic basis, providing insights into key molecular pathways and regulatory mechanisms. This study utilized the GEO database (dataset GSE111061) to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between healthy controls and AA patients. Functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyzes identified hub genes, transcription factors (TFs), and miRNAs. Tools such as STRING, Cytoscape, and KEGG were employed to uncover key interactions and pathways. An aggregate of 5134 DEGs was discovered, with 2576 elevated genes constituting a PPI network. Key pathways included chemokine signaling and cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions. Ten hub genes (e.g., CCL5, CCR7, and CXCL9) and top TFs (ZNF683, FOXP3, and TBX21) were identified. Additionally, 49 miRNAs were predicted to regulate AA-related genes. This work focuses on critical molecular regulators involved in AA pathogenesis, such as TFs and miRNAs. These findings suggest possible treatment targets and shed light on the molecular mechanisms of AA.
The thermal control of peristaltic blood flow in a curved duct under a magnetic field is a relatively unexplored phenomenon. This research fills this gap by proposing the use of a blood-based hybrid nanofluid. The blood flow is assumed to be a non-Newtonian fluid, modelled by the Casson fluid model. It is mixed with gold (20 nm) and iron oxide (25 nm) nanoparticles. The equations are expressed in a cylindrical coordinate system in order to account for the curved nature of the duct. Peristaltic waves are considered to propagate along the wall. The governing equations are obtained using the low Reynolds number approximation (Reynolds number Re) and long wavelength approximation. The finite element method (FEM) with Python programming is applied for solving the resulting strongly nonlinear partial differential equations. The obtained results are also utilized to analyze the irreversibility of the system. The main findings indicate that increasing the aspect ratio enhances the blood flow velocity at the central part. It is found that the mono nanofluid has more improvement in central velocity compared to the hybrid nanofluid. Optimal control of the magnetic parameter and duct wall elasticity can enhance the flow efficiency. It also results in a reduction of thermal losses and thermodynamic irreversibilities.
The development of therapeutic agents with dual bioactivity represents a promising strategy in modern drug discovery. In this study, we report the design, synthesis, and characterization of a novel series of pyrazole-thiazolidine hybrids (5a-f). The chemical structures of all synthesized compounds were unequivocally confirmed through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. The entire series was evaluated for its in vitro biological potential, specifically as antidiabetic agents via α-amylase inhibition and as anticancer agents via cytotoxicity against the PC3 human prostate cancer cell line. In the α-amylase assay, compound 5d, bearing a para-nitro substituent, emerged as the most potent inhibitor with an IC₅₀ value of 15.90 ± 0.88 µg/mL, demonstrating activity nearly equipotent to the standard drug Acarbose. Conversely, in the anticancer screening, compound 5f, with a meta-hydroxyl group, displayed the highest cytotoxicity against PC3 cells (IC₅₀ = 108.39 ± 0.95 µg/ml). A striking divergent Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) was observed: para-electron-withdrawing groups were optimal for α-amylase inhibition, whereas meta-substitution was critical for anticancer activity. To rationalize these findings, comprehensive computational studies were performed. Molecular docking revealed distinct binding modes and interaction patterns for each biological target, which strongly correlated with the experimental results. Furthermore, 100-nanosecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the most potent α-amylase inhibitors (5c and 5d) confirmed the formation of exceptionally stable protein-ligand complexes, elucidating the dynamic mechanism of inhibition at an atomic level. These results establish the pyrazole-thiazolidine scaffold as a highly promising and "tunable" chemotype for the development of novel therapeutic agents.
暂无摘要(点击查看详情)
Calcium (Ca2⁺) signatures are central to plant stress signaling, and GLR and CNGC channels are major Ca2⁺ entry routes. We integrated comparative phylogenomics, protein and promoter analyses, localization prediction, protein-interaction inference, miRNA-target prediction, and RT-qPCR validation to examine the regulation of wheat GLR/CNGCs under heat stress. Phylogenies separated GLR and CNGC lineages and revealed wheat-specific expansion consistent with polyploid retention. TaCNGCs were generally alkaline and more often predicted as unstable, whereas TaGLRs showed broader pI variation and greater predicted stability. Most proteins were predicted to localize to the plasma membrane, with a subset predicted to localize to chloroplasts. Promoters were enriched for light, ABA/MeJA/auxin, MYB drought, and anaerobic/energy-stress motifs. Network analyses highlighted tae-miR399, tae-miR167a, tae-miR156a, tae-miR164, and tae-miR171a as inferred regulatory hubs targeting selected TaGLR and TaCNGC transcripts. RT-qPCR across 0-72 h heat exposure showed early miRNA induction, reciprocal repression of many channel transcripts, and genotype-dependent recovery. The tolerant genotype displayed stronger transient miRNA activation and clearer channel transcript rebound by 48-72 h. These data support an inferred, reversible miRNA-channel regulatory model during heat acclimation and nominate candidates for direct target and functional validation.
Mycobacterial keratitis is an uncommon but challenging form of infectious keratitis, often associated with postsurgical eyes. Clinical presentation is variable and may be difficult to recognize, resulting in delays in diagnosis and challenges in management. Traditional diagnostic techniques from corneal scrapings are limited by slow organism growth and may yield negative results. Treatment is challenging due to antimicrobial resistance and typically requires prolonged multidrug therapy. Advances in diagnostic modalities, antimicrobial therapies, surgical approaches, and adjunctive treatments such as corneal crosslinking have improved clinicians' ability to mitigate or avoid severe visual consequences. Despite these developments, optimal management strategies remain incompletely defined, and outcomes continue to vary widely. This review highlights clinical presentations and diagnostic techniques, including slit-lamp images and microbiologic findings from patients at our institution, and discusses emerging technologies such as polymerase chain reaction. We also review the existing literature on NTM keratitis to inform clinical practice, with a focus on medical therapies, surgical management, and newer photodynamic treatment approaches. This review aims to provide a comprehensive framework to support earlier diagnosis and guide more effective management of NTM keratitis.
Microbial keratitis (MK) is a significant cause of corneal blindness worldwide, necessitating accurate and timely diagnosis for effective treatment. Traditional diagnostic techniques, such as corneal scraping for staining and culture, have limitations in sensitivity, specificity, and result time. This review analyzed peer-reviewed PubMed articles to explore emerging diagnostic modalities that address these challenges, focusing on molecular diagnostics, imaging techniques, and artificial intelligence (AI). Polymerase chain reaction and next-generation sequencing offer rapid and sensitive detection of the causative pathogen, although limitations include cost and false positives. Imaging technologies, such as in vivo confocal microscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography, allow for visualization of corneal pathology and may be useful for some etiologies. The emergence of AI with these imaging techniques has demonstrated significant success in classifying pathogens, which can be used to tailor antimicrobial treatment. The integration of these advanced diagnostic tools into clinical practice has the potential to significantly improve the management and outcomes of MK by enabling precise and rapid pathogen identification, guiding more effective treatment strategies, and ultimately reducing the morbidity associated with this condition. As these technologies continue to evolve and become more accessible, they are poised to transform the diagnostic approach to MK.
To determine the efficacy of synchronous telemedicine consultation with a corneal specialist using a macro lens attachment to a smartphone to evaluate corneal infections. Patients aged 18 years or older who presented to the Cornea Clinic at Wills Eye Hospital between June 2020 and March 2021 with a corneal infection were examined by two fellowship-trained cornea specialists. One examiner (CJR) performed face-to-face (FTF) slit-lamp evaluations, whereas another examiner (ZAS) performed synchronous telemedicine visit (STV) evaluations via a smartphone with a macro lens of 7× magnification (Olloclip; Foothill Ranch, CA, USA) held by trained study coordinators. Agreement between examinations was measured. Twenty patients were enrolled with an average age of 53.1 ± 13.5 years. When comparing FTF and STV approaches, perfect or excellent concordance or agreement was detected when documenting lagophthalmos (100% agreement), quadrants of conjunctival injection (100% agreement), epithelial defect size (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.964 and 0.946 for maximum and minimum dimensions, respectively), infiltrate size (ICC = 0.920 and 0.831 for maximum and minimum dimensions, respectively), Seidel positivity (100% agreement), presence of hypopyon (κ = 1.000), size of hypopyon (ICC = 0.979), and posterior synechiae (100% agreement). Good concordance was observed for the presence of conjunctival injection (κ = 0.643). Fair concordance was noted for percentage corneal thinning (ICC = 0.504) and presence of Descemet folds (κ = 0.400). Poor concordance was observed for the presence and number of keratic precipitates (κ = -0.184 and - 0.042, respectively) and for anterior chamber cells (κ = 0.286). Synchronous telemedicine enabled by a macro lens-supplemented smartphone camera may be a valuable method for evaluating various key features of infectious keratitis.
Ultrasound-assisted extraction using a deep eutectic solvent (UDES) represents sustainable strategy for recovering polyphenols from Pleurotus eryngii (PEPs). In this study, preliminary single-factor experiments were first conducted to evaluate the effect of individual extraction parameters. The conditions were subsequently optimized through response surface methodology (RSM), resulting in optimal parameters of 50 °C temperature, 320 W ultrasonic power, 60  g/L solid-to-solvent ratio, and 20 min extraction time, with a predicted PEPs yield of 39.60  mg GAE/g and an actual yield of 37.03 ± 1.3  mg GAE/g. Extraction kinetics were well described by a pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.99), while FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the integrity of key functional groups in the optimized DES components and verified the successful ultrasound-assisted extraction of polyphenols using different methods. Similarly, SEM analysis revealed clear morphological changes between the raw sample and the powder extracted using water, ethanol and DES both with and without ultrasonication highlighting clear structural changes during extraction process. HPLC identified vanillic acid (9.14 mg/g) and gallic acid (7.46 mg/g) as the main phenolic compounds. Furthermore, this study identified fumaric acid, 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin, and caffeic acid in Pleurotus eryngii for the first time, expanding its known polyphenolic profile. UDES-extracted PEPs showed greatly enhanced antioxidant activity across ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays and demonstrated strong antifungal effects, inhibiting Aspergillus niger growth by 86.6% at 0.35 mg/mL. Overall, these findings demonstrate that UDES is a high-efficient, sustainable approach for extracting bioactive polyphenols from P. eryngii. The results also highlight its potential for the green valorization of mushroom by-products and their application in functional food as well as nutritional values in food system.