Rahaf Ajaj

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province of Pakistan, and exploring its epidemiological status is critical for its control. The current study described the spatial occurrence of CL and its associated risk factors in KP. Records of 5123 confirmed CL patients obtained from 17 district hospitals for the year 2020 revealed that Khyber district hospital had the highest influx of CL patients, followed by North Waziristan and Mardan districts. Additionally, a questionnaire to assess CL risk factors was administered to the heads of 576 randomly selected households across the same 17 districts. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors showed that education, family size greater than five individuals, information about CL, knowledge of the difference between sand flies and mosquitoes and use of insecticide sprays were risk factors for CL. Adult sand flies were sampled using sticky traps that were placed at variable heights at multiple locations within Mardan and Lower Dir districts. Collections showed that the number captured was maximum at the heights of 30–121 cm above the ground. Risk factors for CL and assessment of specific sand fly nocturnal height activities may assist in developing effective control strategies for CL in the province.

The nexus of sustainable manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies is redefining modern industrial practices. Conventional manufacturing, characterized by intensive energy use, resource depletion, and waste generation, is increasingly unsustainable in the face of environmental pressures and evolving regulations. Industry 4.0 technologies—including IoT, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing platforms, and, recently, digital twins—provide opportunities to embed sustainability by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and adaptive decision-making. This paper addresses key methods and strategies for sustainability and Industry 4.0 nexus. It involves IoT systems for data-driven monitoring, AI for process optimization, cloud platforms for supply chain sustainability, and emphasizes the use of digital twins for predictive maintenance. Organizational strategies such as cross-functional collaboration, customized software, dual-focus performance metrics, and workforce reskilling are explored, alongside barriers including high capital costs, cybersecurity risks, and system integration challenges. The findings present a structured perspective on harmonizing sustainability and Industry 4.0, demonstrating how this nexus can reduce environmental impact, enhance efficiency, and support long-term industrial resilience.

The natural polyphenol resveratrol, found in several plants, has garnered significant interest due to its beneficial effects on health and for its potential anticancer properties. Studies have demonstrated that it can alter various signaling pathways linked to cancer development and that it inhibits tumor development and spread by exerting several antiproliferative, proapoptotic, anti‐inflammatory, and antiangiogenic mechanisms. Its role in regulating oxidative stress and epigenetic modifications further enhances its therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, despite promising preclinical results, clinical translation is to some extent limited by bioavailability, metabolism, and dosage. This updated review explores the mechanisms, also from a structural point of view, behind the anticancer properties of resveratrol, focusing on its impact on crucial signaling networks in different cancer models. Additionally, it overviews the current limitations of resveratrol‐based treatments and suggests potential improvements through innovative delivery methods, drug combination approaches, and development of new derivatives. This review was conceived as an update with respect to contributions already present in the literature, thus particular attention has been dedicated to the contribution reported in the literature within the last 5 years and to these studies reporting in vivo data.

\n Water scarcity in semi-arid regions demands irrigation strategies that enhance water use efficiency (WUE) without compromising crop productivity. This study evaluated ‘Solar Eclipse’ plum (Prunus salicina L.) production under two irrigation regimes at El Tahadi Road, Nubaryia, Egypt: control irrigation (CI), supplying 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and regulated deficit irrigation (DI), applying 50% ETc from March to June. Trees under CI achieved the highest yield (16,250 kg∙ha–1), favouring markets focused on high-volume production. However, DI reduced yield by only 16% (13,650 kg∙ha–1) while significantly improving fruit quality, including higher total soluble solids (15.8 °Brix1), phenolic content (45.6 mg GAE∙g–1), and antioxidant capacity (82.6 μmol Trolox∙g–1). The DI treatment also nearly doubled WUE and lowered production costs by 22%, enhancing resource efficiency and economic sustainability. Biochemical analysis revealed increased leaf levels of proline, abscisic acid, and anthocyanins under DI, indicating activation of stress-responsive mechanisms that maintained fruit development despite reduced water availability. Correlation analysis suggested DI enhanced WUE and fruit quality through physiological and biochemical adaptations, albeit with a modest yield reduction. Overall, this study emphasised the trade-offs between maximising yield and improving fruit quality, positioning regulated deficit irrigation as a viable, sustainable approach for ‘Solar eclipse’ plum production in semi-arid regions and provided valuable insights for those seeking to optimise WUE while maintaining both economic viability and agronomic performance.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder categorized by the progressive loss of cognitive function, with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) as key therapeutic targets. In this study, we report the isolation, characterization, and evaluation of the cholinesterase inhibitory potential of phytochemicals from Fernandoa adenophylla (Wall. ex G. Don) Steenis, a plant known for its medicinal properties. Using in-vitro enzyme inhibition assays, we identified five bioactive compounds, including lapachol (1), α-lapachone (2), peshawaraquinone (3), dehydro-α-lapachone (4), and an indanone derivative (5), which demonstrated significant inhibition of AChE and BuChE. The compounds exhibited varied inhibitory potency, with peshawaraquinone (3) showing the most promising AChE (IC₅₀ = 0.90 ± 0.04 µM) and BuChE (IC₅₀ = 8.39 ± 0.14 µM) inhibition, followed by dehydro-α-lapachone (4), which exhibited an AChE IC₅₀ value of 2.64 ± 0.08 µM. Further, the selectivity index (SI) for AChE over BuChE was highest for dehydro-α-lapachone (SI = 21.1), suggesting its potential as a selective inhibitor. Molecular docking studies provided insights into the binding interactions between these compounds and the enzyme active sites, highlighting key interactions that may contribute to their inhibitory activity. These findings suggest that phytochemicals from F. adenophylla possess significant cholinesterase inhibition potential and may serve as leads for the development of novel therapeutic agents for Alzheimer’s disease.