Research Title: Designing Inclusive and Adaptive Content in Moodle: A Framework and a Case Study from Jordanian Higher Education

Author: Lamis Al-Qoran, Published Year: 2025

Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 9(6)

Faculty: Information Technology

Abstract: Blended learning has introduced a more accessible and flexible teaching environment in higher education. However, ensuring that content is inclusive, particularly for students with learning difficulties, remains a challenge. This paper explores how Moodle, a widely adopted learning management system (LMS), can support inclusive and adaptive learning based on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. A 16-week descriptive exploratory study was conducted with 70 undergraduate students during a software engineering fundamentals course at Philadelphia University in Jordan. The research combined weekly iterative focus groups, teaching reflections, and interviews with 16 educators to identify and address inclusion barriers. The findings highlight that the students responded positively to features such as conditional activities, flexible quizzes, and multimodal content. A UDL-based framework was developed to guide the design of inclusive Moodle content, and it was validated by experienced educators. To our knowledge, this is the first UDL-based framework designed for Moodle in Middle Eastern computing and engineering education. The findings indicate that Moodle features, such as conditional activities and flexible deadlines, can facilitate inclusive practices, but adoption remains hindered by institutional and workload constraints. This study contributes a replicable design model for inclusive blended learning and emphasizes the need for structured training, intentional course planning, and technological support for implementing inclusivity in blended learning environments. Moreover, this study provides a novel weekly iterative focus group methodology, which enables continuous course refinement based on evolving students’ feedback. Future work will look into generalizing the research findings and transferring the findings to other contexts. It will also explore AI-driven adaptive learning pathways within LMS platforms. This is an empirical study grounded in weekly student focus groups, educator interviews, and reflective teaching practice, offering evidence-based insights on the application of UDL in a real-world higher education setting.

Keywords: inclusive blended learning; Moodle; learning management system; universal design for learning; educational technology; students with disabilities; higher education; flipped classroom model

Research Title: Insights into in silico analysis to explore the multitarget antidepressant role of Camellia sinensis

Author: Balakumar Chandrasekarn, Published Year: 2025

Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 43

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Depression is the fourth leading cause of death due to suicides every year according to WHO. Various adverse effects are associated with many of the available antidepressants due to the irreversible nature of these drugs. So, it is worthwhile to explore the natural phytoconstituents as an alternative therapy for the treatment of depression-dependent symptoms. Computational chemistry provides a cost-effective method to explore or develop new therapies for various diseases through in silico studies. In this study, multitargeting antidepressant potential of Camellia sinensis is explored via docking and binding interaction studies with monoamine oxidase-A enzyme, serotonin, and dopamine receptors involved in depression as targets. All the selected phytoconstituents were evaluated for drug-likeliness properties using Swiss ADME. Among all the selected phytoconstituents, Theasinensin, and Theaflavin-3-gallate were found to have best affinities with all the selected targets under investigation and can be considered as promising lead molecules for the development of novel antidepressants. Molecular dynamics simulations assessed the binding affinity of four compounds to Human Monoamine Oxidase A. All compounds showed potential, with Theaflavin-3-gallate and Theasinesin displaying the strongest binding. This suggests their potential for modulating enzyme activity and potential relevance in depression treatment.

Keywords: Depression; tea; MAO-A; multitargeting; plants; suicide; molecular docking; molecular dynamics; mental illness; health; thea sinensin

Research Title: Microwave-assisted Green Synthesis: An Approach for the Development of Anti-tubercular Agents

Author: Balakumar Chandrasekarn, Published Year: 2025

Current Drug Targets, 27

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs but can also spread to the brain and spine. The highly pathogenic bacteria that causes TB is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Usually, when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, the disease spreads through the air. TB is treatable with antibiotics, but it requires a long course of treatment, usually 6 to 9 months to eliminate the bacteria and prevent drug resistance. Thus, developing novel anti-tubercular therapeutics with various structural classes is necessary to solve the problems brought on by strains that are resistant to several currently available therapies. Resistance to widely used anti-tubercular drugs is increasing daily. As a result, continuing medication therapy is necessary to stop more microbial infections. However, it leads to treatment resistance, which increases the likelihood that the disease may resurface in immune-compromised patients. Several anti-tubercular medications with various molecular structures show appropriate anti-tubercular action against Mycobacterium TB strains that are drug-sensitive and drug-resistant. Compared to conventional synthetic methods, synthetic reactions can be carried out more effectively and selectively under simple reaction conditions by employing microwave radiation. Microwave-assisted organic synthesis (MAOS) is a useful method for increasing product yield and selectivity while accelerating the reaction rate for different types of organic synthesis. Several lead compounds with anti-tubercular properties that were synthesized using the microwave irradiation (MWI) approach are discussed in the current work.

Keywords: tuberculosis ; Microwave ; green chemistry ; infection ; drug ; heterocycles ; synthesis

Research Title: biological activity evaluation and molecular docking studies of newly synthesized β-ketoiminato-based palladium complexes

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: A series of palladium(II) β-ketoiminato complexes, [Pd(CH3C(NAr)CHC(O)Ph)2] (4a–j), were synthesized via the reaction of N-aryl-substituted β-ketoiminate precursors with [PdCl2(CH3CN)2] in the presence of tBuOK. Singlecrystal X-ray diffraction of 4a–h and 4j confirmed a square-planar Pd(II) coordination. Notably, 4b exhibited C–H⋅⋅⋅Pd anagostic interactions, contributing to lattice stability, which was further analyzed using Hirshfeld surface 2D fingerprint plots. Computational studies, including non-covalent interaction (NCI) plots and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), provided insights into these interactions. Complexes 4a–j show characteristic ILCT (π → π *) bands in their UV–Vis spectra, which were additionally confirmed by TD-DFT calculations. DFT analysis reveals that the HOMO is composed of contributions from both the Pd(II) center and β-ketoiminato ligand orbitals, while the LUMO is primarily derived from β-ketoiminate ligand orbitals. The anticancer potential of 4a–j was evaluated against MCF-7 and HT-29 cell lines. Complexes 4a–d and 4f exhibited significant cytotoxicity, effectively inhibiting HT-29 cell migration. Among them, 4c demonstrated the highest potency, with an IC50 of 1.73 μM, significantly reducing HT-29 cell viability. The ability of Pd(II) complexes to interact with three targeted proteins, namely, PIK3CA-E545K, ERBB4-Y1242C, and BRAF-V600E was evaluated through molecular docking studies, revealing moderate to high binding affinities. Notably, complex 4c demonstrated the strongest interactions across all targets.

Keywords: β-ketoiminato-based palladium complexes

Research Title: Synthesis and anticancer activity of bis(β-ketoiminato) palladium(II) complexes of 3-[(chloro-substituted phenyl)amino]-1-phenyl-2-buten-1-one

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: A series of palladium(II) complexes with β-ketoiminate ligands, [Pd(CH₃C(NAr)CHC(O)Ph)₂] (4a–i) (a, Ar = C6H5; b, Ar = 2-Cl-C6H4; c, Ar = 3-Cl-C6H4; d, Ar = 4-Cl-C6H4; e, Ar = 2,3-di-Cl-C6H3; f, Ar = 2,4-di-Cl-C6H3; g, Ar = 3,4-di-Cl-C6H3; h, Ar = 3,5-di-Cl-C6H3; i, Ar = 2,4,5-tri-Cl-C6H2), were synthesized via the reaction of N-aryl β-ketoiminates (3a–i) with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] in the presence of tBuOK. These complexes were designed to examine the effects of electron-withdrawing substituents on palladium's electronic properties and anticancer activity against MCF-7 (breast) and HT-29 (colon) cancer cell lines. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of 4b, 4c, 4g, 4h, and 4i confirmed square-planar Pd(II) coordination. Notable non-covalent interactions, including C–H···π, Cl···π, and C–H···Cl, contributed to crystal packing and stability, as supported by Hirshfeld surface analysis and 2D fingerprint plots. DFT calculations at the PBE0/def2-TZVP/CPCM level further characterized their electronic structures. Most of the complexes demonstrated promising cytotoxic activity, with compound 4d exhibiting potent inhibition of HT-29 cells (IC₅₀ = 452 nM), while compounds 4i and 4j showed significant efficacy against MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ values of 33.88 μM and 16.69 μM, respectively). Overall, the results highlight the potential of these Pd(II) complexes as anticancer agents. Molecular docking studies revealed moderate to high affinities of Pd(II) complexes toward PIK3CA‑E545K, ERBB4‑Y1242C, and BRAF‑V600E, with complex 4d (para‑Cl) showing the strongest binding. Its high affinity for BRAF‑V600E aligns with potent cytotoxicity against HT‑29 cells (IC50 = 0.452 μM), supporting a kinase inhibition mechanism. These findings underscore para‑chlorinated Pd(II) complexes as promising anticancer candidates.

Keywords: β-ketoiminate ligands

Research Title: Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC)-Based Topical Formulation of Hesperidin for Effective Treatment of Psoriasis

Author: Balakumar Chandrasekarn, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Abstract: Background: Various routes of drug administration are available for psoriasis treatment. However, there is an urgent need for novel and improved therapeutic options. Hence, our study aimed to develop a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) gel of hesperidin (HPD) using a systemic QbD approach for an effective treatment of psoriasis. Methods: Initially, HPD-NLC was optimized with independent variables (drug content, amount of liquid lipid, total lipid, and surfactant concentration) using Box–Behnken Design to assess dependent variables (particle size, size distribution, and entrapment efficiency). HPD-NLC was developed using the high-shear homogenization technique. The characteristics of nanoformulation such as particle size, morphology [transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)], crystallinity [powder X-ray diffraction (XRD)], and chemical interactions [Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)], the drug entrapment efficiency (?), and the drug release were investigated. Franz-diffusion cell was utilized to perform in vitro diffusion study, and an imiquimod-induced psoriasis model was used for in vivo study. Results: The optimized HPD-NLC exhibited a spherical shape with particle size of 125.7 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.36, and entrapment efficiency of 52.26% w/w. Further, different techniques validated the reduced crystallinity of the hesperidin. The in vitro diffusion study highlighted the sustained and anomalous diffusion of the drug from NLC gel. In the in vivo study, the HPD-NLC-Gel-treated group displayed normal skin with minimal keratosis, while the drug-loaded gel group exhibited signs of hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis signs. Conclusions: HPD-NLC gel showed promising advancement in nanotechnology-based psoriasis treatment and the results of this study open the door for the application of topical HPD-NLC-Gel clinically.

Keywords: Box–Behnken Design; high-shear homogenization; hesperidin; nanostructured lipid carriers; psoriasis

Research Title: Unveiling the anti-cancer potentiality of phthalimide-based Analogues targeting tubulin polymerization in MCF-7 cancerous Cells: Rational design, chemical Synthesis, and Biological-coupled Computational investigation

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2024

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: The present study deals with an anti-cancer investigation of an array of phthalimide-1,2,3-triazole molecular conjugates with various sulfonamide fragments against human breast MCF-7 and prostate PC3 cancer cell lines. The targeted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives 4a-l and 6a-c were synthesized from focused phthalimide-based alkyne precursors using a facile click synthesis approach and were thoroughly characterized using several spectroscopic techniques (IR, 1 H, 13C NMR, and elemental analysis). The hybrid click adducts 4b, 4 h, and 6c displayed cytotoxic potency (IC50 values of 1.49, 1.07, and 0.56 μM, respectively) against MCF-7 cells. On the contrary, none of the synthesized compounds showed apparent cytotoxic efficacy for PC3 cells (IC50 ranging from 9.87- >100 μM). As a part of the mechanism analysis, compound 6c demonstrated a potent inhibitory effect (78.3 % inhibition) of tubulin polymerization in vitro with an IC50 value of 6.53 µM. In addition, biological assays showed that compound 6c could prompt apoptotic cell death and induce G2/M cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells. Accordingly, compound 6c can be further developed as an anti-breast cancer agent through apoptosis-induction

Keywords: 1,2,3-triazole derivatives

Research Title: Design and synthesis of chromene-1,2,3-triazole benzene sulfonamide hybrids as potent carbonic anhydrase-IX inhibitors against prostate cancer

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2024

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Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Considering the promising effects of molecular hybridization on drug discovery in recent years and the ongoing endeavors to develop bioactive scaffolds tethering the 1,2,3-triazole core, the present study sought to investigate whether the 1,2,3-triazole-linked chromene and benzene sulfonamide nucleus could exhibit activity against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and prostate cancer cell line PC-3. To this end, three focused bioactive series of mono- and -bis-1,2,3-triazoles were effectively synthesized via copper-assisted cycloaddition of mono- and/or di-alkyne chromenone derivatives 2a and b and 9 with several sulfa drug azides 4a–d and 6. The resulting molecular derivatives were tested for cytotoxicity against prostate and breast cancer cells. Among the derivatives, 10a, 10c, and 10e exhibited potent cytotoxicity against PC-3 cells with IC50 values of 2.08, 7.57, and 5.52 μM compared to doxorubicin (IC50 = 2.31 μM) with potent inhibition of CA IX with IC50 values of 0.113, 0.134, and 0.214 μM. The most active compound, 10a, was tested for apoptosis-induction; it induced apoptosis by 31.9-fold cell cycle arrest at the G1-phase. Further, the molecular modeling approach highlighted the relevant binding affinity for the top-active compound 10a against CA IX as one of the most prominent PC-3 prostate cancer-associated biotargets.

Keywords: 1,2,3-triazole-linked chromene

Research Title: Anticancer and Cyclooxygenase Inhibitory Activity of Benzylidene Derivatives of Fenobam and its Thio Analogues

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Abstract Introduction: A series of benzylidene derivatives of fenobam and its thio analogues (1-22) have been evaluated for their cytotoxicity against breast cancer (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231), ovarian cancer (A2780, SKOV-3) and cervical cancer (HELA) cell lines. Method: These compounds (1-22) exhibited 72-83% inhibition of Erk activity against the ovarian cancer cell line (A2780). Compounds 3 and 20 showed the highest DNA damage effect in Comet Assay against the A2780 cancer cell line as compared to the other tested analogues (4, 8, 11, 12, and 13) by using % Tail DNA and OTM. Compounds 3, 4, and 11 showed significant activities and selectivity towards COX-2 with 78%, 97%, and 89% inhibition, as compared to 17%, 57%, and 26% inhibition against COX-1 isoenzyme, respectively. Results: Interestingly, molecular docking scores were also in very good agreement with the experimental results regarding discriminating the selectivity index of the tested compounds against COX-1 & COX-2 enzymes. Further molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study revealed that the most selective compound, 13, binds with the COX-2 enzyme in a similar fashion to that of Rofecoxib, which was further supported by their MD-based free binding energies (MM-GBSA) of -49.76 ± 4.27 kcal/mol, and -44.84 ±3.78 kcal/mol, respectively. Conclusion: Moreover, in silico ADMET predictions showed adequate properties for these compounds, making them promising leads worthy of further optimization. Keywords: Benzylidene derivatives; COMET assay; COX 1 inhibition; COX 2 inhibition; Erk analysis.; cancer.

Keywords: Benzylidene derivatives; COMET assay; COX 1 inhibition; COX 2 inhibition; Erk analysis.; cancer.

Research Title: Factors Affecting Attitudes and Willingness Toward Organ Donation among Medical Students in Jordan

Author: Mohammad Abdel Qaedr Al-Maani, Published Year: 2025

Medical Journal of Wuhan University, 46

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: There is a wealth of research evaluating the attitudes toward organ donation and transplantation and the willingness to donate among medical students from various medical schools around the world which demonstrates a positive attitude toward organ donation However, the topic of organ donation in Jordan lacks sufficient published articles, particularly those that assess Jordan's medical schools. This study aimed to assess the factors affecting attitudes toward organ donation and willingness to donate among medical students in Jordan. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with a stratified sample of 363 medical students from the University of Jordan. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire consisting of 52 items. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. At the same time, chi-square test analysis was employed to examine the associations between independent variables and the attitude toward organ donation and willingness to donate. Most of the students had a neutral attitude (53.2%). Attitude was significantly associated with gender, age, and academic year. Twenty-one percent of the students had a high willingness to donate. Willingness to donate was significantly associated with students’ academic year. The study highlights the necessity of further research to investigate the underlying reasons behind the connections observed between different variables and individuals' attitudes toward organ donation. Further research should also be conducted to understand how fear of mutilation, fear of negligence, humanity, and moral conviction affect attitudes and willingness toward organ donation among medical students in Jordan.

Keywords: Organ Donation, Attitude, Willingness, Medical Students