SACM - United Kingdom
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Item Unknown Gene-Environment Interactions in the Regulation of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Baabbad, Murad; Pender, Sylvia; Cagampang, FelinoBackground: Obesity and type 2 diabetes arise from gene-environment interactions. Matrix metalloproteinase 28 (MMP28) is an immune-modulating extracellular matrix protease. Previous studies have shown that Mmp28-/- mice reared under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions develop obesity, hepatic steatosis, and metabolic dysfunction, including elevated fasting blood glucose. Transferring SPF-housed Mmp28-/- mice to a conventional mouse room (CMR, low-barrier, richer microbial exposure) for 5 weeks partially reversed these metabolic abnormalities. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the development of obesity, hepatic steatosis, and metabolic dysfunction can be prevented by raising and maintaining the Mmp28-/- mice in CMR from birth. Methods: Male and female Mmp28-/- and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were reared in either SPF or CMR facilities on an identical chow diet. Phenotyping at about 30 weeks of age included body weight, food intake, indirect calorimetry for energy expenditure (EE), open field activity, fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance tests, tail-cuff blood pressure, and liver histology. Hepatic bulk RNA-seq assessed differential gene expression by genotype, housing, and their interaction, followed by gene set enrichment analysis. Results: As previously found, in SPF, Mmp28-/- mice developed increased adiposity, impaired glucose tolerance with elevated fasting glycaemia, reduced EE, and hepatic steatosis versus WT. By contrast, Mmp28-/- mice housed from birth in CMR remained lean, normoglycemic and largely free of fatty liver, with higher EE and activity, resembling WT mice. Blood pressure showed a genotype-environment interaction where Mmp28-/- mice showed higher systolic and diastolic values in CMR than SPF-housed Mmp28-/- mice, whereas WT mice tended to show the opposite trends. Liver transcriptomics revealed genes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation and mitochondrial catabolism were downregulated in SPF-housed Mmp28-/- mice, while genes related to inflammation and lipogenesis were upregulated. These transcriptomic changes are consistent with the observed obesity and metabolic dysfunction in these mice. Housing Mmp28-/- mice in CMR prevented these transcriptomic alterations, resulting in profiles comparable to those of WT mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that housing exerts a dominant effect on the metabolic and transcriptomic phenotypes of Mmp28-/- mice. Conclusions: The metabolic consequences of Mmp28 deletion are strongly influenced by the housing environment. Lifelong CMR exposure prevented obesity, glucose dysregulation and hepatic steatosis observed under SPF conditions. These effects may involve environment-driven immune and metabolic adaptations, with a possible contribution of microbiota-related mechanisms inferred from previous studies, although these were not directly assessed in this study. Overall, these findings highlight the critical role of environmental context in metabolic genetics and support microbiome-targeted or environment-mimetic strategies to mitigate obesity risk in genetically susceptible individuals.5 0Item Unknown Factors Influencing Occupational Therapists' Selection and Use of Cognitive Assessments in Stroke Rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alharbi, Alanoud Mohammed; Allen, DavinaBackground: Stroke is a leading cause of disability, with cognitive impairments commonly affecting individuals’ independence and quality of life. Occupational therapists routinely assess cognition as part of stroke rehabilitation to inform intervention planning and support functional outcomes. However, there is limited evidence on how occupational therapists in Saudi Arabia select and use cognitive assessments and the factors that influence these decisions in clinical settings. Aim: This study aimed to explore how occupational therapists in Saudi Arabia select and use cognitive assessments for stroke rehabilitation and identify the factors influencing their clinical decision making. The objectives were to identify which cognitive assessments are currently used and how frequently, to examine the factors influencing and limiting assessment selection and use, and to understand therapists’ perceptions of cognitive assessment effectiveness. Associations between assessment practices and therapist characteristics, and between assessment practices and influencing factors were also explored. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among occupational therapists working in stroke rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia. 51 occupational therapists completed the online questionnaire examining current cognitive assessment practices, factors affecting assessment selection and use, and therapists’ perceptions of assessment effectiveness. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Statistical Package for Social Sciences v29 to identify patterns and associations within the data. Results: Non-standardised assessments were the most commonly used method, followed by screening tools. Standardised assessments had minimal uptake. Assessment selection was driven primarily by practical considerations including workplace availability, speed of administration, and familiarity. The main barriers limiting assessment use were insufficient training, lack of access to tools, and time constraints. Therapists reported moderate confidence levels in assessment selection, yet perceived cognitive assessments as effective and frequently incorporated the results into clinical decisions. Specialised training was significantly associated with increased use of screening and standardised assessment tools, and confidence in assessment selection was positively correlated with stroke rehabilitation experience. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into factors affecting occupational therapists’ selection and use of cognitive assessments in stroke rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia. The findings highlight the need for structured professional development, improved access to culturally appropriate assessment tools, and clearer national guidance to support evidence-based practice. Future research should explore the relationship between assessment practices and patient outcomes and validate culturally appropriate Arabic-language assessments to strengthen cognitive assessment practices in stroke rehabilitation.8 0Item Unknown Exome Sequencing and Phenotype Analysis for Diagnosing and Characterising Patients with Rare Disease(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alsaedi, Mosab; McNeil, AlisdairAbstract Rare diseases (RDs) are a heterogeneous group of conditions primarily caused by pathogenic genetic variants. RD diagnostics involves clinical assessments and genomic testing. Despite advances in genomic approaches, RDs are frequently undiagnosed. Adults with undiagnosed RDs represent a challenging population due to atypical or mild disease presentations. The aim of this study was to strengthen the integration of genomic diagnostics and phenotype characterisation in clinical practice. Methods Exome sequencing (ES) was performed in adults with undiagnosed RDs to identify disease genes and evaluate the clinical utility of ES in this population. Furthermore, the adequacy of clinical descriptions in the RD literature was assessed using the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) database. Phenotype clustering analysis of a patient cohort with pre-B-cell leukaemia transcription factor 1 (PBX1)-related disorders was performed to define the spectrum of these disorders. Results ES achieved a 20% diagnostic yield and identified atypical presentation associated with RDs. The literature analysis showed a significant increase in the number of phenotype details following the HPO implementation. Follow-up case series were found to contain more HPO terms than discovery papers, despite being published in lower-impact journals. Furthermore, these series frequently included clinically actionable features. Regarding PBX1-related disorders, loss-of-function variants were found to be associated primarily with renal abnormalities, and missense variants were linked to cardiovascular anomalies. Conclusion This study addressed challenges in RD evaluation through ES, systematic phenotyping, and genotype–phenotype correlations. The findings demonstrate that advanced sequencing methods should be accompanied by improvements in the depth of phenotype data and the integration of molecular and clinical data. The findings provide new insights into diagnostic opportunities in the adult population, highlight limitations in phenotype reporting that influence variant interpretation, and advance our understanding of PBX1-related disorders.6 0Item Unknown The Implementation of Blockchain Technology in Mega- Event Supply Chains: The Hajj Case Study(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Wazir Ali, Mohammed Abdullah; Andrew, GreasleyThe increased rate of increasing the number of Hajj pilgrims has put a strain on transport and service logistics and posed a critical problem in managing queues, tracing, and operational transparency. This dissertation examines how a blockchain-based transport and catering system can enhance efficiency, visibility, and trust in Hajj logistics in opposition to the existing base system, especially in queue functioning, throughput, and collaboration between interested parties. To model the current Mina shuttle and catering operations, a quantitative discrete-event simulation model was created and a second model occurred with the use of blockchain-based smart contracts and common ledgers. The most important performance indicators were the total number of pilgrims transported, hourly throughput and the average waiting time. Both models were operated in simulation experiments that had the same demand scenarios and operating conditions. The model, which was built using blockchain, carried a vast number of pilgrims within the same period, a considerable rise in hourly throughput was gained, and the mean time of waiting in line was much less than the significant delays. The outcome also implies the smoother flow profiles and the lower variability in system performance, which imply the more predictable and stable operations. The results suggest that blockchain has the potential to serve as an enabling infrastructure of more coordinated and data-driven Hajj logistics, which promotes the Vision 2030 objectives on digital transformation. The research has a practical implication to policymakers, transport authorities, and service providers with regards to the adoption of blockchain in large-scale pilgrimage operations21 0Item Unknown The Role of MSK1 in the Development and Persistence of Inflammatory Heat Hypersensitivity Via TRPV1 Activity in a Group of Nociceptors(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Aldossary, Deemah; Nagy, IstvanPain after tissue injury and inflammation is adaptive, facilitating healing and tissue repair, but it becomes pathological if it persists beyond recovery. Inflammatory pain is characterised by hypersensitivity driven by molecular changes in nociceptive neurons. These changes occur through post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation of ion channels) and transcriptional reprogramming of gene expression. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) ion channel is a critical mediator of heat hypersensitivity, while the nuclear kinase mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase 1 (MSK1) regulates the expression of immediate- early genes in response to cellular stress. Together, these molecules form central components of the signalling network that sustains inflammatory pain. Here, I investigated whether MSK1 activity in primary sensory neurons drives inflammatory heat hypersensitivity via TRPV1 upregulation. A month after injecting an adeno-associated viral vector carrying short-hairpin RNA against the MSK1-encoding gene (RPS6KA5) or a scrambled control into the sciatic nerve of wild- type mice, I employed the complete Freund’s adjuvant inflammatory pain model. Pain-related behaviour to heat stimuli showed that MSK1 knockdown in primary sensory neurons attenuated heat hypersensitivity after inflammation. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses of dorsal root ganglia from wild-type and MSK1-/- mice revealed that inflammatory heat hypersensitivity requires MSK1 activation and MSK1-dependent TRPV1 upregulation in a distinct subset of nociceptors. This MSK1–TRPV1 population was absent in MSK1-/- mice. Importantly, blocking inflammatory MSK1-mediated TRPV1 upregulation did not affect other physiological functions of TRPV1, such as protective heat detection and thermoregulation, which are independent of MSK1. These findings identify MSK1 as a critical regulator of TRPV1 activity in nociceptors, indicating that inflammatory heat hypersensitivity is mediated by a specific labelled line of MSK1–TRPV1 neurons. Targeting this pathway offers a potential strategy for developing analgesics that selectively suppress inflammatory pain without impairing normal protective functions or generating side effects seen with TRPV1 antagonists.9 0Item Unknown The Role of Glutamate Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review Using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alsharif, Rema; Solanky, BhavanaIntroduction: Neuroinflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration are hallmarks of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease. According to new research, glutamate excitotoxicity may be a major factor in the development of MS and the exacerbation of clinical disability. A non-invasive neuroimaging technique called proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) allows for the in vivo measurement of brain metabolites, such as glutamate, providing information on the neurochemical changes that underlie disease activity. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review is to compile and assess the available data regarding the relationship between MRS-measured glutamate levels and the degree of disability experienced by MS patients. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and EBSCO. Studies were eligible if they were original human research involving adult participants (≥18 years), of any sex, diagnosed with any stage of MS, Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) , Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS), Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS), or included quantitative measures of disability, like the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), were considered. Exclusion criteria included studies with children or animals, publications published more than 20 years before the review date, imaging techniques other than MRS, and sample sizes of fewer than 20 participants in the MS or healthy control groups. The following information was extracted: study characteristics, brain regions analysed, glutamate quantification metrics, MRS methodology, and reported correlation with clinical disability. Results: 1,438 papers were identified and after exclusion criteria were applied, 16 remained and were included in this report. These studies looked at various magnetic field strengths, ranging from 1.5 Tesla to 7 Tesla, to measure glutamate levels in different brain regions. The thalamus, hippocampus, cortex, and cingulate gyrus were some of the most studied areas. In most cases, researchers assessed disability in MS patients with EDSS. Differences in MRS techniques and reporting standards made a formal meta-analysis challenging. However, the findings support a region-specific relationship between glutamate levels and disability. For example, some studies found that MS patients with higher glutamate concentrations in regions like the thalamus or cortex had higher EDSS scores. Patterns across the studies consistently demonstrate that altered glutamate metabolism is associated with increased disability in MS. Still, the strength and direction of these correlations varied based on the brain region and study design. Conclusion: Mounting MRS evidence suggests glutamate dysregulation in MS is linked to neurodegeneration and correlates with disability progression. While methodological differences particularly at <7T, complicate interpretation, these findings highlight glutamate as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in MS.9 0Item Unknown Undergraduate Students' Preparedness for Science Degrees: An Evaluation of Secondary Schools' Science Education in KSA(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) AlSadir, Shaykhah Muneer S; Alex, ElwickExecutive Summary Research purpose and objective: Enhancing students’ scientific knowledge and skills in Saudi Arabia is vital to achieve Saudi Vision 2030. This emphasised the importance of motivating students to pursue higher education and careers in science disciplines. By taking the specific context of students' transition from secondary schools to university undergraduate science courses, this research is carried out with the objective of assessing the preparedness of undergraduate students for science degrees. Further, this research is also carried out with the purpose of evaluating secondary school science education present in Saudi Arabia in making them ready and identifying the existence of any gap in the practical science and the laboratory skills of the undergraduate students. Methodology: Cross-sectional survey research design was adopted based on mixed research methodology to achieve the purpose of this study. This methodological choice helped in collecting qualitative data and quantitative data from undergraduate students studying science courses across Saudi universities. A dedicated preparedness survey supported collecting numerical data using Likert scale questions, and open-ended reflective questions supported collection of descriptive data about assessments, practical support and teaching in Saudi secondary science education. Key findings: Detailed analysis of qualitative and quantitative data identified the potential of secondary science education to develop a basic conceptual foundation on science subjects but found it inconsistent in meeting the demand for analytical and critical thinking skills of the university. Memorisation-based assessments were found to help students achieve short-term-based academic success but were not useful in promoting long-term success, as they were found to be ineffective in developing inquiry and problem-solving skills. Findings also showed that laboratory preparation is the weakest domain, as students felt unprepared and less confident to carry out laboratory work in the universities. Also, students offered recommendations for increasingly practical learning through accessing the well-equipped laboratories, deepening the conceptual engagement and supporting English language along with scientific communication in secondary science education. Conclusion and recommendations: This study has concluded that secondary science schools in Saudi Arabia are useful in providing a basic foundation of science concepts but lack in fostering practical, communicating and critical thinking skills needed for university-level science degrees. Memorisation-based assessments in secondary science education can promote short-term success in exams but hinder long-term readiness for university-level science degrees. Students also recognised the need for hands-off practical experience that is inquiry-driven and also conceptually rich. Based on all these conclusions, recommendations are provided to make pedagogical reform, assessment reform, facilitate laboratory enhancement, provide language-based support and provide policy-based recommendations for secondary science school curriculum redesign.10 0Item Unknown TRACKING STRATEGIC COMPETENCE AS AN INDICATOR OF TRANSLATION COMPETENCE ACQUISITION IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE ARABIC-ENGLISH PAIRING(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Abulnassr, Abrar; Tyler, Emma; Milsom, AnnaTranslation competence (TC) and translation competence acquisition (TCA) are essential concepts in Translation Studies. Several researchers have tried to define TC and establish a model to specify its constituents. According to The Process in the Acquisition of Translation Competence and Evaluation (PACTE) group models of TC (2003) and TCA (2020), strategic competence is the most important sub-competence as it includes all the processes used to solve translation problems, and it affects the other five sub-competences. This study aims to observe the development of translation competence acquisition through its main sub-competence (strategic competence) among undergraduate students who study Language and Translation at Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University. This research aims to fill the gap in the literature of TC and TCA, which lacks empirical studies on translation competence acquisition that focus on the Arabic-English pairing. It will confirm several aspects of the PACTE model—originally tested in several European languages—within the Arabic-English translation context. This study will contribute to more effective training approaches and pedagogical practices for Arabic-English translators. The theoretical hypothesis regarding translation competence acquisition for this study is based on some aspects of the PACTE group’s hypotheses of TC and TCA. To achieve the study’s aim and address the research questions, a mixed-methods approach is adopted through a semi-longitudinal empirical design. This involves examining how the dependent variables of strategic competence are affected by the independent variable represented by the undergraduate levels. Translation acceptability is a prerequisite variable which was essential for setting up the instruments and served as a reference point for comparing the outcomes of the dependent variables. It was assessed by conducting a systematic literature review to confirm the application of PACTE’s five prototypical translation problems to Arabic. Next, PACTE’s acceptability evaluation criteria are validated in the Arabic context based on the description of each RP, the type of translation problem and the possible solutions. Finally, students’ translation acceptability is measured through a translation task. Strategic competence is measured through a qualitative and quantitative analysis using a similar research instrument to PACTE’s, a problem-solving questionnaire. The major findings of the study reveal that PACTE’s methodology provides a solid foundation for analysing and understanding translation strategic competence in the context of this study using English-Arabic language pair. Moreover, it reveals that the PACTE group’s classification of translation problems and their criteria for evaluating translation acceptability are valid for use in studies related to the Arabic–English language pair. It also reveals important implications for how strategic competence and translation acceptability are developed in training environments. Translation acceptability has slightly improved between the first and last years of the undergraduate levels. Finally, three of the strategic competence indicators represented in identification of translation problems, problem-solving procedures, and satisfaction coefficient show mixed evolution through the undergraduate levels, whereas the fourth indicator of difficulty coefficient represents declines from the first to the last undergraduate levels. Based on these results, there are potential improvements that can be made to the ways in which students’ strategic competence is developed which enhance the effectiveness of translator training programmes and better prepare students for real-world translation challenges. For example, explicitly teaching translation metalanguage, placing greater emphasis on the role of meaning, which showed the least improvement among the acceptability factors, and effectively presenting and demonstrating available translation tools are likely to increase both the frequency of their use and the overall quality of students’ translations.7 0Item Unknown Governing Public-Sector AI: A Comparative Study of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) AlKhatib, Kanit; Vasiliki, KoukouliotiArtificial intelligence (AI) has moved from a largely technical domain to the centre of global legal and policy debates . Today, AI systems include search engines, recommendation systems, and an emerging class of generative and “frontier” models that can produce text, code, images, and other content at scale. These systems create opportunities for economic growth, efficiency, and public- sector innovation, but they also give rise to complex risks for safety, fundamental rights, and security. This dissertation focuses specifically on the use of AI by government and public-sector bodies rather than attempting to cover all private-sector applications. States and international organisations have begun to develop principles and legal frameworks to govern these risks under the banner of “trustworthy” or “responsible” AI. Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom occupy distinctive positions within this emerging global landscape. Saudi Arabia has framed AI as a core enabler of its Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda and has created a centralized institutional structure through the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), supported by the National Data Management Office (NDMO) and other digital regulators. The National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI) sets ambitious targets for AI-driven growth and capacity building. Moreover, SDAIA has adopted national AI ethics principles and guidance intended to shape both public and private sector deployment . By contrast, the UK has presented itself as a global leader in “pro-innovation” AI governance. The 2021 National AI Strategy and the 2023 White Paper “A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation” articulate a model that avoids a single comprehensive AI statute and instead relies on existing regulators applying a common set of AI principles within their respective mandates. The establishment of a dedicated AI safety body, the AI Security Institute, signals an increasing focus on advanced AI safety and international cooperation, even in the absence of a full AI Act . Both jurisdictions seek to be AI leaders through different institutional designs and regulatory techniques. This dissertation uses these differences to examine how states can pursue innovation while managing the risks and societal impacts of AI.18 0Item Unknown Crisis Communication and Corporate Reputation Management(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Almassoud, Rashid; Sian, ReesThis study examines the communication strategies used by Volkswagen via the X platform during the 2015 "Dieselgate" emissions scandal, focusing on the real-time interaction between corporate messages and public sentiment. The study draws on Coombs' (2007) framework for crisis management and Liu et al.'s (2011) SMCC model, which highlights the role of digital platforms in enabling direct communication with stakeholders. The scandal, which resulted from Volkswagen's manipulation of emissions tests, reveals low trust and strategic issues such as denial, delay, and poor transparency. This study addresses a gap in analysing immediate public reactions to high-stakes crises by applying the SMCC model through a multi-method approach. It combines quantitative sentiment analysis and engagement metrics with Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), drawing on Fairclough (1995) and Wodak (2001), to examine how reputational outcomes discourse around blame, justification, apology, and resistance shapes. The conclusion was that most of the sentiments shared on X were negative in the first phase of the scandal. These studies support this view by quoting emotionally charged language that framed what was seen as irresponsible and deceitful conduct by Volkswagen. A modest rise in positive sentiment appeared later, linked to factors such as brand loyalty, audience fatigue, or strategic reframing. Using the Critical Discourse Analysis lens, it was further revealed that Volkswagen employed a risk-averse communication strategy based on low-modality, bureaucratic language seeking to allocate responsibility elsewhere. This clashed with public expectations of transparency and increased a discourse of blame, with very few voices in support and showing understanding of brand attachment. The study makes a contribution to both academic and practical aspects of crisis communication by showing how Volkswagen’s Dieselgate responses illustrate the risks of delayed and opaque messaging in the digital age, and by emphasising the central importance of transparency, empathy, and stakeholder trust in safeguarding corporate reputation under intense public scrutiny.10 0