Articles

Background: Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field based on the expertise of molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, chemical and biological engineering, and digital computing. Biotechnology plays an important role in modern forensic science, driving advances in analytical tools and techniques.This review study provides a brief overview of applications, highlighting advances in forensic biotechnology and key technologies involved in the domains of genomics and DNA analysis, microbial forensics, forensic medicine, and forensic serology. The integration of forensic expertise with technology has increased the accuracy, sensitivity, and efficiency of forensic casework.Conclusions: This interdisciplinary field extends beyond its usual association with biology to also include chemistry, fingerprint analysis, and toxicology, among others. Continued progress and innovation in this advanced field will further enhance investigative capabilities and facilitate the pursuit of justice.

Forensic science has significantly changed the way investigations into crimes occur by providing an approach to crime solving that is grounded in science. Since developments in investigative methods have a direct impact on litigation, its role has become increasingly important in the nation in recent years. The remarks, difficulties, and possible uses of forensic technology in the Indian legal system are discussed in this paper. By looking at case studies, legal frameworks, and forensic technology, this study emphasizes the increasing relevance of forensic science for sustaining justice, enhancing the accuracy of investigations, and overcoming problems with the use of forensic evidence in courts.

Aim: This prospective study reports the acceptance testing of the Symbia Intevo Bold SPECT/CT scanner (Siemens Healthineers), recently installed at SQCCCRC, University Medical City, Muscat, Oman, before its clinical implementation.Materials and methods: The acceptance tests were performed using a Low Energy High Resolution (LEHR) collimator and Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) as the radioactive source, following the manufacturer’s protocols. The tests included physical inspection, peaking and tuning, intrinsic and extrinsic uniformity calibration, intrinsic energy resolution, and planar spatial resolution without scatter. Key performance parameters such as full-width at half-maximum (FWHM), system sensitivity, and count rate performance were evaluated.Results: All critical acceptance tests, including intrinsic energy resolution, energy calibration (symmetric curve), and extrinsic uniformity with the LEHR collimator, were completed and met the required specifications. System sensitivity and count rate performance were within the expected ranges, confirming the system’s readiness for clinical use.Conclusion: The Symbia Intevo Bold SPECT/CT system passed all performance tests successfully. The acceptance testing validated the system’s optimal performance following international standards, ensuring its suitability for clinical operations.

Background: Preterm Birth (PTB) is the largest direct cause of neonatal mortality and the second leading cause of under-five mortality following pneumonia. Although there are studies conducted before, the magnitude of PTB remains a major issue in most developing countries including Yemen. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of premature birth among newborns delivered in Jiblah University Hospital in Ibb governorate, Yemen.Objectives: No studies have previously been conducted about preterm labour in Jiblah University Hospital in Ibb governorate, Yemen.Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jiblah University Hospital in Ibb Governorate, from 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024.Results: A total of 1350 pregnancies, 252 (18.67%) were preterm deliveries and 1089 (80.66%) were full-term deliveries at Jiblah University Hospital, Ibb. Our study shows the distribution of participants based on socio-demographic factors. The data that out of the total 252 female participants, with ages mean ± std = 27.43 ± 6.34 roughly 18.67% experienced preterm deliveries. Our study demonstrates that several factors are significantly linked to preterm birth, including the number of siblings, blood pressure, gravida, and abortion number, where the Chi-square p - value was < 0.05. On the other hand, the results from the logistic regression analysis indicated the predictive potential of certain socio-demographic factors in relation to preterm birth. Conclusion: In this study, the number of siblings, blood pressure, gravida, and abortion number are the risk factors for premature delivery. Recognizing the most common risk factors for PTB will help to increase awareness about high-risk pregnancy, improve the preventive measures of preterm risk factors, and modify preterm care protocol in nurseries. 

Mass serological screening in the Armed Forces involves detecting serological markers of chronic infections, particularly viral hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV among young militaryrecruits. The objective of this study is to evaluate the analytical performance of the chemiluminescence technique (CMIA-Architect i2000 SR) in mass serological screening using the serum-pooling method at the virology laboratory of the Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital.Samples with known serological results (positive/negative) were grouped into pools of different sizes (2, 5, 10, and 15 sera). These pools were tested using chemiluminescence (CMIA-Architect i2000 SR). A cost analysis was conducted to assess potential savings based on seroprevalence and pool size.Results showed that the pooling method maintained 100% specificity. Overall sensitivities for detecting positive samples were 93.1% for HBV, 83.33% for HCV, and 86.36% for HIV. Positive and negative predictive values were high for all three viral markers, highlighting the reliability of the pooling method. Additionally, this approach generated significant cost savings, ranging from 46% to 80%. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the solid analytical performance of the chemiluminescence technique (CMIA-Architect i 2000 SR) using the serum-pooling method for detecting HBV, HCV, and HIV serological markers in low-seroprevalence regions.

Objective: To describe and compare the outcomes of patients undergoing anterior hysteropexy via vaginal approach without mesh versus vaginal hysterectomy for the treatment of uterine prolapse.Methods: Seventeen patients underwent anterior hysteropexy via vaginal approach without mesh over the course of two years to treat uterine prolapse. Several variables were analysed and compared with a similar cohort of patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy for the same indication.Results: Both techniques are effective for the treatment of uterine prolapse, with no statistically significant difference, except for the length of hospital stay, which was shorter for the hysteropexy group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: our study shows a slight tendency in favour of vaginal hysteropexy, as it demonstrates similar success rates with a shorter average length of hospital stay compared to vaginal hysterectomy.

Euthanasia has long been a contentious topic. Societal acceptance and legalization of euthanasia have increased over the past decades but still lag behind that of physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Euphemisms such as “death with dignity” have facilitated the integration of PAS into end-of-life discussions with reduced stigma. We hypothesize that the persistent use of the term “euthanasia” hinders open, compassionate communication about this practice, particularly among healthcare professionals who adhere to the ethical principle of nonmaleficence. To address this issue, we propose the adoption of euphemisms, such as “eumori,” meaning “good death,” similar to the terminology used in (PAS). These proposed terms mitigate the negative connotations associated with euthanasia. This approach serves as an initial yet significant step toward reframing euthanasia within the context of end-of-life care. Further research and dialogue are essential to explore and address other barriers to broader acceptance of euthanasia as a viable end-of-life option.

Background: CT-guided lung biopsy is routinely performed minimally invasive procedure. Imaging findings in the lung can have a broad differential diagnosis; therefore, it is indicated for definitive determination of pulmonary nodules or masses. Post-biopsy complications are common with most of them manageable in daycare. As pneumothorax is the most common complication, frequency and severity of pneumothorax with assessment of risk factors and follow-up for resolution is necessary.Methods: A prospective evaluation of 123 biopsies with automated coaxial biopsy of 18 gauge was done. Post-biopsy pneumothorax was evaluated for its incidence and resolution. The studied risk factors were; patient age, sex, lesion location, lesion size, shortest pleural lesion depth, traversed lung parenchymal distance, presence of emphysema, fissure penetration, needle thoracic wall angle, and lesion characteristics.Results: Reported immediate post-procedural pneumothorax was 22% with 19% of mild, 4% of moderate and 2.4% of severe cases. 51.9% of cases showed resolution within 24 hours. The intervention was required in only 4.8% of biopsy cases. A significant p - value of pneumothorax with the nodule depth increased traversed lung parenchymal distance, acute needle angle, fissure puncture, and presence of emphysema was seen. Emphysema was an independent variable in pneumothorax in multivariate analysis.Conclusion: Pneumothorax is an unamenable consequence of CT-guided lung biopsy and a cautious approach should be kept in view of the variables that are associated with it to reduce its incidence and severity in patients.

Plant extracts and their constituents have a long history as antifungal agents, but their use in biotechnology as preservatives, due to the increasing resistance of fungi to fungicides, has been rarely reported in Libya. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antifungal activity of ethanol extract and water extract of the wild native plant Artemisia herba-alba against two genera of mold fungi Aspergillus sp. and Rhizopus sp. This mold fungal causes significant damage to crops in the field or during storage. In this study, a hot ethanol extract was prepared using a device Soxhlet, and water extract hot as well as a cold ethanol extract and cold-water extract aqueous extract three concentrations (25% - 50% - 75%) of plant extracts were used on the tested fungi. All extracts showed an effect on the tested fungi. The concentrations of (75% - 50%) of the extracts had an effect on the tested fungi, while most concentrations of 25% of the extracts did not record any effect on the tested fungi. The hot ethanol extract of the Artemisia herba-alba plant was more effective than the other extracts. Aspergillus sp. was recorded with the highest inhibitory zone (0.73 mm).  

Epithelioid angiomyolipomas (AML) are uncommon mesenchymal neoplasms, belonging to the group of perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms (PECOMA). Hepatic PECOMA is even rarer. It’s difficult to diagnose in preoperative by imaging, especially when the fatty component is scant or absent. The gold standard for the diagnosis is histologic examination coupled with an immunohistochemical study. Positive HMB45 immunostaining of the myoid cells is a major diagnostic feature. Herein, we report a particular case of hepatic angiomyolipoma in a middle-aged woman with no significant medical past history. The preoperative diagnosis was difficult given the absence of specific clinical manifestations, even the radiologists considered high suspicion of hepatocellular carcinoma. The final diagnosis has been made by post-operative histology coupled with an immunohistochemistry study.