Food safety is a rising challenge worldwide due to the expanding population and the need to produce food to feed the growing population. At the same time, pesticide residues found in high concentrations in fresh agriculture pose a significant threat to food safety. Presently, crop output is being increased by applying herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, nematicides, and soil amendments. A combination of factors, including bioaccumulation, widespread usage, selective toxicity, and stability, make pesticides among the most toxic compounds polluting the environment. They are especially harmful in vegetables and fruits because people are exposed to them. Thus, it is critical to monitor pesticide levels in fruits and vegetables using all analytical techniques available. Any evaluation of the condition of pesticide contamination in fruits and vegetables necessitates knowledge of maximum residue levels (MRLs). We set out the problems in determining various types of pesticides in vegetables and fruits, including the complexity and the diversity of matrices in biological materials. This review examines the different analytical techniques to determine the target analytes that must be isolated before final consumption. Many processes involved determining pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables and their advantages and disadvantages have been discussed with recommendations. Furthermore, MRLs of target pesticide residues in fruit and vegetable samples are discussed in the context of data from the literature. The review also examines MRLs’ impact on the international trade of fruits and vegetables. Accurate, sensitive, and robust analytical procedures are critical to ensuring that pesticide levels in food products are effectively regulated. Despite advances in detection technology, effective sample preparation procedures for pesticide residue measurement in cereals and feedstuffs are still needed. In addition, these methods must be compatible with current analytical techniques. Multi-residue approaches that cover a wide range of pesticides are desired, even though pesticides’ diverse natures, classes, and physio-chemical characteristics make such methods challenging to assemble. This review will be valuable to food analysts and regulatory authorities to monitor the quality and safety of fresh food products.

β–sitosterol is the most abundant type of phytosterol or plant sterol and can be found in various plant dietary sources including natural oils, soy products, and nuts. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic and clinical applications of β–sitosterol including lowering low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol levels, scavenging free radicals in the body, and interestingly, treating and preventing cancer. This study focuses on synthesizing and characterizing β–sitosterol encapsulated Alginate/Chitosan nanoparticles (β–sito–Alg/Ch/NPs) and evaluating their effectiveness in breast cancer treatment and their pharmacokinetic profile in vivo. The synthesized NPs, which incurred a mean size of 25 ± 1 nm, were extensively characterized in vitro for various parameters including surface charge and morphology. The NPs were further analyzed using DSC, FT-IR, thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction studies. The release of β–sito from NPs was carried out in a bio-relevant medium of pH 7.4 and pH 5.5 and samples were drawn off and analyzed under time frames of 0, 8, 16, 32, 64, 48, 80, and 96 h, and the best kinetic release model was developed after fitting drug release data into different kinetic models. The metabolic activity of MCF-7 cells treated with the prepared formulation was assessed. The radical scavenging potential of β–sito–Alg/Ch/NPs was also studied. The pharmacokinetic parameters including C_max, T_max, half-life (t_1/2), and bioavailability were measured for β–sito–Alg/Ch/NPs as compared to β–sito–suspension. The β–sito–Alg/Ch/NPs stability was assessed at biological pH 7.4. The % drug release in PBS of pH 7.4 reportedly has shown 41 ± 6% vs. 11 ± 1% from β–sito–Alg/Ch/NPs and β–sito–suspension. In acidic pH 5.5 mimicking the tumor microenvironment has shown 75 ± 9% vs. 12 ± 4% drug release from β–sito–Alg/Ch/NPs and β–sito–suspension. When compared to the β–sito–suspension, the β–sito–Alg/Ch/NPs demonstrated greater cytotoxicity (p < 0.05) and ~3.41-fold higher oral bioavailability. Interestingly, this work demonstrated that β–sito–Alg/Ch/NPs showed higher cytotoxicity due to improved bioavailability and antioxidant potential compared to the β–sito–suspension.

Background: Congenital anomalies, representing structural or functional abnormalities present at birth, pose a substantial global health challenge, affecting 8 million newborns annually. With 3.3 million succumbing before age five and 3.2 million facing physical or mental disability, their diverse causes necessitate comprehensive understanding for effective healthcare planning. This study explores the prevalence of congenital anomalies among newborns in the Abha Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) in Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional record-based study was conducted on newborns born between 2018 and 2022. Data were gathered in 4 months from September to December 2023. Purposive sampling was employed to select the case records of newborns with congenital anomalies after careful screening and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was acquired through a self-designed study tool, and the data were entered into Google Forms. Results: Congenital anomalies’ five-year prevalence was 3.21%, and one year, in 2022, the prevalence was 4.02%. Female neonates exhibited higher anomalies (59.3%), and preterm births accounted for 39.6%, emphasizing their vulnerability. The findings indicate that consanguineous marriages are linked to 63.3% of anomalies, notably neural tube defects (25%) and congenital heart diseases (19.7%). Anomalies are not significantly associated with consanguinity or birth order, but maternal age, education, employment, and antenatal maternal medical issues are associated considerably. Conclusions: These study insights contribute to health planners planning targeted interventions and awareness programs that are crucial to mitigate risks associated with preterm births and consanguineous marriages. The promotion of 100% antenatal screening and prophylactic medication for high-risk women and couples is necessary to prevent inherited deformities. In future the Ministry of Health must plan large-group prospective research to better understand the associated risk factors that will help public health initiatives minimize congenital-associated neonatal mortality and improve pregnancy outcomes.

Introduction: In developing countries, neonatal mortality is the most neglected health issue by the health system, leading to its emergence as a public health problem. A study was undertaken to assess the influence of factors and newborn care practices influencing newborn health in the rural area of Bareilly district. Methodology: The descriptive cross-sectional study was organized in the rural areas of Bareilly. Study participants were selected based on the mothers who gave birth to a baby during the last six months. The mothers who delivered in that area within six months were included and, using the semi-structured questionnaire, data were collected. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 2021 version for windows. Results: Out of 300 deliveries, nearly one-quarter of the deliveries, 66 (22%), were happening in homes, and most of the deliveries, 234 (78%), happened in hospitals. It was observed that unsafe cord care practices were observed more among nuclear families, 8 (53.4%), than joint families, 7 (46.6%), and it was found to be statistically insignificant. The Unsafe feed was given 48 (72.7%) more commonly among home deliveries than institutional deliveries 56 (23.9%). Mothers’ initiation of delayed breastfeeding was nearly the same in both home and hospital deliveries. Delayed bathing was observed in nearly three-fourths of mothers, 125 (70.1%), aged 24–29 years, followed by 29 (16.8%) in the age period of 30–35 years. Conclusion: The practice of essential newborn care still needs to improve in Bareilly; there is a need to create awareness among the mothers and family members on newborn and early neonatal care aspects, such as promoting exclusive and early initiation of breastfeeding and delayed bathing practices.

Background: Primary school teachers play a critical role as educators in imparting healthy eating behaviour and the importance of physical activity to prevent health issues. However, the teachers’ health behaviors have not been studied much, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Understanding these factors is essential to developing interventions that enhance teachers’ well-being and their ability to influence students positively. This study aims to assess nutritional knowledge and physical activity; to determine correlations between health behaviour factors and Body Mass Index (BMI), and evaluate BMI status concerning demographic factors among primary school teachers in the Asir Region, KSA. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 370 primary school teachers. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that covered sociodemographic details, anthropometric measurements, physical activity levels, and nutritional knowledge. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s correlation and Chi-square tests, with significance at p < 0.05. Results: Among the participants, 38.6% were overweight, and 33.5% were obese, with 76% of married teachers classified as overweight or obese. Only 9.0% exhibited excellent nutritional knowledge, while 25.0% demonstrated poor knowledge. The majority (84.0%) engaged in low or minimal physical activity. A weak but significant correlation was observed between nutritional knowledge and BMI (p < 0.05), whereas no significant associations were found between physical activity levels and either BMI or nutritional knowledge. Conclusion: The study highlights critical gaps in nutritional knowledge and physical activity among teachers, emphasizing the need for targeted school-based health education programs. Improving teacher health behaviors could enhance their well-being and enable them to act as positive role models for their students.

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