This work was focused on identification and evaluation of process parameters of modified nanoprecipitation method, for fabrication of lomustine nanoparticles, with the aim of reducing cancer cell viability at low concentration of lomustine. The parameters controlling particle size, mostly in nanosize, were solvent/nonsolvent composition and emulsification speed of homogenizer along with aqueous phase volume. This controlled particle size is below 250 nm. The stabilizer concentration controlled particle size is within 68 nm ± 0.89 to 137 ± 0.94 nm with PDI 0.06 ± 0.008 to 0.25 ± 0.001. But, the stabilizer addition mode showed more uniform size distribution with PDI 0.085 ± 0.004. Entrapment efficiency was maintained well above 47 ± 0.23%. The drug release pattern was monophasic with controlled release over 24 hrs. In the method used, drug content was affected by ratio of polymer to drug to organic solvent, as well as homogenization speed and time. Percentage viable cells of L132 human lung cancer cell line remained, were only 5% at 100 μg/ml lomustine equivalent PLA nanoparticles.
The purpose of this meta-methods study (i.e., involving the full[er] integration of multiple methods research approaches and mixed methods research approaches) was to examine challenges experienced by students at Stellenbosch University that hinder their ability successfully to learn online during the emergency remote teaching that began in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, 1,932 students completed an online questionnaire. Analyses of the open-ended responses via WordStat 8.0.29 topic modeling (i.e., crossover mixed analysis) led to the identification of seven (challenge) themes that categorised the students’ challenges. In turn, via a principal component analysis of the themes (i.e., crossover mixed analysis), these seven themes were collapsed into four dimensions (i.e., meta-themes). A latent class analysis (i.e., qualitizing) yielded seven profiles of students. Disaggregating the themes by demographic and location variables led to the identification of subgroups who are most at risk for experiencing each challenge type. Implications of these and other findings are discussed.
The present investigation is an attempt to evaluate the analgesic and antiemetic activities of Ficus exasperata and Cleome ciliata leaves methanolic extract by using the chick emesis model (oral treatment) and acetic acid-induced writhing test (intraperitoneal treatment) in mice, respectively. The antiemetic activity (150 mg/kg b.w., of extract) was carried out by using chlorpromazine (150mg/kg) as standard antiemetic drug. The analgesic activity (250 mg/kg b.w. of extract) was performed using aspirin (150mg/kg) as a standard analgesic drug. The results showed significant analgesic and antiemetic effects.
AIM: The present cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, and perception related to pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting among the B.pharm Final year students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess the demographic details of the pharmacy students, their knowledge and perception toward pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting; a validated pretested questionnaire was used which comprises 11 knowledge-based closed-ended questions and 14 perceptions based agree/disagree questions. RESULT: The questionnaire was distributed to the 150 respondents of B. Pharm final year students who were willing to participate in the study. A response rate of 75% was recorded. The number of female respondents 53.3% was comparatively higher than the male respondents 46.6%. Most of the respondents were between 20 -22 years of age and only 4.7% were of 25 years of age. The average positive response for the knowledge-related statements was found to be 86.5% and the average positive response for the perception-related statements was found to be 70.67%. CONCLUSION: The findings showed adequate knowledge among pharmacy students and positive perception towards pharmacovigilance and ADRs reporting. This survey strongly suggests that there is a great need for increasing knowledge in clinical pharmacy courses and practical exposure to cases in the hospitals through internship programs which are meant to provide a unique opportunity for the pharmacy students that they must learn and practice the skills required for quality ADR reporting
Background: There is a lack of adequate data about the prevalence and types of tuberculosis (TB) disease in Hadramout Al-Sahel, Yemen. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence, types, and outcomes of TB disease in Hadramout Al-Sahel, Yemen. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National TB Program (NTP) center in the city of Al Mukalla, Hadramout, Yemen. The study enrolled TB patients from different districts of Hadramout Al-Sahel who had registered at the NTP center between January 1 and December 31, 2021. Results: A total of 127 new active TB cases were recruited, including 102 (80.3%) with pulmonary TB (PTB) and 25 (19.7%) with extra PTB (EPTB). The overall prevalence of TB disease in 2021 was 12.7 new TB cases per 100,000 population, while the median age of the study population was 38 years. The majority of cases (23.6%) belonged to the age group of 35–44 years. There were 85 (66.9%) males, and most patients (74; 58.3%) were identified in Al Mukalla City. EPTB was detected in 25 (19.7%) patients, with pleural effusion being the most frequent manifestation, found in 12 (48.0%) patients. All patients received 4-agent anti-TB therapies; 99 (77.9%) patients received anti-TB therapy for 6 months; 9 (7.1%) patients received anti-TB therapy for 9–12 months; 8 (6.3%) patients died during treatment; and 11 (8.7%) patients were lost during follow-up. The majority of patients (108; 85%) were cured on completion of treatment. Conclusion: The prevalence of TB in Hadramout Al -Sahel was 12.7 cases per 100,000 population. Males were affected more than females; the pleura was the most commonly affected extrapulmonary site; and 85% of cases were cured. The results indicated the need to support the Al Mukalla NTP center, by providing more resources for improved TB reporting and for conduct of surveillance to detect new TB cases among high risk groups. Health authorities are also urged to provide state hospitals with the equipment needed for TB diagnosis.
Prescribing drugs for elderly patients is not an easy task since elderly patients are frequently with comorbid conditions. In Libya, there are no guidelines for the management of medications used in elderly patients and no specialized geriatric health institutions. The aim of this study is to assess the pattern of medication use among hospitalized elderly patients in Sebha Medical Centre and the drug-related problems associated with these patterns. This report is descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study that is conducted at Sebha Medical Center during 2021. Potential drug-related problems were assessed based on the classification of Hepler and Strand. In this study, out of 195 participants, most of the patients have been given antibiotics (92%). The majority of patients have been prescribed anti-gastric agents, vitamins and anti-thrombotic agents which accounted for 75%, 62% and 55%, respectively. To less extent, anti-hypertensive agents, analgesics and anti-hyperlipidemics were reported by 45%, 43% and 38%, correspondently. Almost all the patients have at least one event of drug-related problem and more than three-quarters of the patients had more than one event of drug-related problems. The highest rate was untreated indications which were reported for 77% then followed by drug use without indication nearly a half of the events 48%. To fewer extent rates were reported: “in improper drug selection”, “drug interaction” and “adverse effects” which were reported for 25%, 23% and 18% of the total events, respectively. Almost all elderly patients have been prescribed antibiotics, analgesics and vitamins. Drug-related problems are predominant prevalent in the clinical practice at the center. This study highlights the importance of activation of clinical pharmacist interventions at hospitals which can contribute to reducing the chance of risk of drug-related problems events among hospitalized elderly patients and ensuring rational drug prescribing in the geriatric clinical settings.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Metamizole or Novalgin® is a widely used well tolerated analgesic drug which is however compromised by agranulocytosis as adverse effect. Subsequent to nonenzymatic hydrolysis, the primary metabolic step is N-demethylation of 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA) to 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA). The aim of the present study was to identify the human cytochrome P-450 enzyme (CYP) mediating this reaction. This study identified the relevant CYP using virus expressed isolated human CYP, human liver microsomes and rat liver microsomes with chemical inhibition studies. The substrate of 4-methylaminantipyrine was employed at six different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 400, 800 and 1200 µmol per l) with varying concentrations of selective inhibitors of CYP1A2 (furafylline, fluvoxamine), CYP3A4 (ketoconazole), CYP2A6 (coumarin), CYP2D6 (quinidine), CYP2C19 (omeprazole, fluvoxamine, tranylcypromine), CYP2C9 (sulphaphenazole) and CYP1A1 (alpha-naphthoflavone). 4-MAA and 4-AA were analyzed by HPLC and enzyme kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) were determined by regression (Sigma plot 9.0). The N-demethylation of 4-MAA by microsomes prepared from baculovirus expressing human CYP was pronounced with CYP2C19. Intrinsic clearance of the most active enzymes were 0.092, 0.027 and 0.026 for the CYP enzymes 2C19, 2D6 and 1A2, respectively. Metabolism by human liver microsomes was strongly inhibited by fluvoxamin, omeprazole and tranylcypromine (IC50 of 0.07, 0.07 and 0.18, respectively) but with coumarin, sulphaphenazole, ketoconazole, moclobemid, quinidine alpha-naphthoflavone and furafylline were 0.79, 1.20, 1.36, 1.44, 3.46, 4.68 and 8.41, respectively. The enzyme CYP2C19 apparently has an important role in N-demethylation of 4-methylaminoantipyrine which should be further analyzed in clinical studies and which may also be interesting concerning the agranulocytosis.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Pneumocephalus is a rare condition characterized by the presence of intracranial air, most commonly seen after head trauma or surgery. Although it is often asymptomatic, it can lead to serious complications such as tension pneumocephalus and seizures. This study presents a case of iatrogenic pneumocephalus and seizures that developed after a flap rotation operation in a patient with a history of craniotomy. An 82-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department shortly after flap rotation surgery with loss of consciousness and generalized tonicclonic seizures. Brain computed tomography revealed a left temporal bone defect and epidural air collection. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging showed no acute ischemic lesion. The patient was initially started on levetiracetam, but due to side effects, he was switched to a combination of valproate and lamotrigine. The patient developed pneumonia during follow-up and was treated in the intensive care unit and discharged in stable condition. In patients who have previously undergone craniotomy, the risk of pneumocephalus should be considered even in minor surgical procedures, and early imaging should be performed when new neurological symptoms develop.
Ever-growing era of mobile and personal wireless networks, motivated research in several fields of engineering resulted in low power and low cost consumer products. The voice band processing required in mobile applications demand for architectures, which can easily be integrated in single chip SoC applications. The conventional approach is to have a dedicated IC outside the digital ICs to perform analog to digital conversion. The motivation of single chip radios demand for integration of such ADC modules on digital cellular related ICs. Mixed signal design is very challenging and hence usually it is preferred to have separate ADC chip before the ASIC/FPGA. In this paper we present a digital sigma delta ADC architecture, which can perfectly be integrated in any digital IC with a targeted sampling rate of 20 kS/s with more than 80 dB dynamic range.
The study identified the pragmatic competence level of the second language (L2) learners through Written Discourse Completion Test (WDCT) administered to purposively selected 40 first-year education students. A modified questionnaire based on Survey for Academic English Language Exposure (SAELE) was used to determine the effectiveness of academic English language exposure on the pragmatic competence development of the respondents. The study employed the descriptive-correlational method, while various statistical tools were utilized to analyze and interpret the data. Weighted mean was used to determine the respondents’ pragmatic competence level and the effectiveness of academic English language exposure on the pragmatic competence development of the respondents. Moreover, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was employed to determine the significant relationship between the two variables. Results in WDCT showed that the average scores in the pre-test and post-test results fall under the competent level. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of academic English language exposure on the pragmatic competence development of the respondents was 0.207, which is ineffective. Lastly, the statistical correlation of the two variables showed no significant relationship between them (r=0.046, p>0.05). Based on the study’s results, pedagogical implications for pragmatic and L2 teaching and learning were conceptualized.
The covid-19 lockdown has made many people of the middle- and lower-income class think and reinvent themselves to sustain in this crisis. It was difficult for lower- and middle-income class people to adjust to the situation of lockdown. Government and private institutions have reduced the salaries to the employees in view of the 40-day lockdown. Lockdown has made people rethink and reinvent to sustain in this tough time. People have modified their work and style of working to acclimatize to lockdown. Work from home in the software industry, telemedicine and video consulting in the healthcare industry, online classes and tutoring in the education system, farm to house vegetable delivery system in the agricultural sector, the surge in online pharmacy business, MSME- handmade mask industry, MedTech zones for demand in medical equipment. Private sector isolation centres in partnership with reputed hospitals. We throw light on some of these innovative ideas that could change the present and future of living in difficult times. innovative ideas for students during lockdown
This research was conducted at Al-Baitul Amien Elementary School Jember which aims to answer the problem 1) How is the concept of prophetic education in shaping the character of students in Al-Baitul Amien Elementary School Jember? 2) How is the implementation of prophetic education in shaping the character of students in Al-Baitul Amien Jember Elementary School? 3) How is the evaluation of prophetic education in shaping the character of students at Al-Baitul Amien Elementary School Jember? The method used in this research is qualitative research methods. The approach used is a descriptive qualitative approach. The results of this study indicate: (1) The concept of prophetic education in shaping the character of students at Al-Baitul Amien Elementary School Jember, namely: the formation of a distinctive curriculum based on the historical values ??of the mosque, religious habituation programs, and the commemoration of Islamic holidays. (2) Implementation of prophetic education in shaping the character of students in Al-Baitul Amien Jember Elementary School, namely: Dhuha Prayers, Dhuhr and Asr Prayers in Congregation, Asmaul Husna Habits, Tahfidz Qur'an, Juz 30 Hafalan Program, Tartil Qur'an, Tilawati Qur'an (Qiro'ah), Friday charity, Islamic Studies, Team of action / affection, Learning the Koran, PAI Subjects, Learning Arabic, Student Liaison and Achievement Books, Commemoration of Islamic Holidays, Sholawat and Hadrah, Nasyid, and Da'i Little. (3) Evacuation of prophetic education in shaping the character of students at Al-Baitul Amien Jember Elementary School, namely: a connecting book for reports on the implementation of student sunnah prayers, compulsory prayer services, student morals at home, and also letters from parents to teachers and vice versa. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Sekolah Dasar Al-Baitul Amien Jember yang bertujuan untuk menjawab permasalahan, 1) Bagaimana konsep pendidikan profetik dalam membentuk karakter peserta didik di Sekolah Dasar Al-BaitulAmien Jember? 2) Bagaimana implementasi pendidikan profetik dalam membentuk karakter peserta didik di Sekolah Dasar Al-Baitul Amien Jember? 3) Bagaimana evaluasi pendidikan profetik dalam membentuk karakter peserta didik di Sekolah Dasar Al-Baitul Amien Jember? Pendekatan yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dan jenis penelitian lapangan (field research). Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Dan keabsahan datanya menggunakan triangulasi sumber dan teknik. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan: (1) Konsep pendidikan profetik dalam membentuk karakter peserta didik di Sekolah Dasar Al-Baitul Amien Jember yaitu: Kurikulum dibuat berdasarkan nilai historis masjid, program pembiasaan keagamaan, dan peringatan hari besar Islam. (2) Implementasi pendidikan profetik dalam membentuk karakter peserta didik di Sekolah Dasar Al-Baitul Amien Jember yaitu: melalui kegiatan Sholat Dhuha, Sholat Dhuhur dan Ashar berjamaah, Pembiasaan Asmaul Husna, Tahfidz Qur’an, Program Hafalan Juz 30, Tartil Qur’an, Tilawati Qur’an (Qiro’ah), Jum’at beramal, Kajian Islami, Tim penindak/ afeksi, Pembelajaran Al-Qur’an, Mata pelajaran PAI, Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab, Buku Penghubung dan Prestasi Siswa, Peringatan Hari Besar Islam, Sholawat dan Hadrah, Nasyid, dan Da’i Cilik. (3) Evaluasi pendidikan profetik dalam membentuk karakter peserta didik di Sekolah Dasar Al-Baitul Amien Jember yaitu: buku penghubung laporan mengenai pelaksanaan ibadah sholat sunnah siswa, ibadah sholat wajib, akhlak siswa dirumah, dan juga lembar surat dari orang tua kepada guru maupun sebaliknya.
Network on a chip is a concept in which a single silicon chip is used to implement the com-munication features of large-scale to very large-scale integration systems. For high-end System on Chip de-signs, Network on Chip is considered the best integrated solution. NoC has several advantages over dedicat-ed wiring and buses i.e. increased bandwidth, low latency, less power consumption and scalability. Reduc-tion in the latency (end-to-end latency and network latency), loss probability, energy consumption and re-sponse time are the basic parameters which are considered by the researchers for the optimization of the networks-on-chip topologies. In this paper we review the most popular technologies and also some recent topologies for interconnection networks. We study their performance and summarize their strengths & weakness.
Background/Objectives: Healthcare discrimination poses significant challenges to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the role of social support in alleviating these effects has not been fully explored. Drawing on Cohen and Wills’ social support buffering model, this study examined whether social support moderates the association between healthcare discrimination and HRQoL among individuals with T2D. Methods: We analyzed data from 5180 adults with T2D enrolled in the All of Us Research Program. Healthcare discrimination was assessed using the modified Everyday Discrimination Scale (mEDS), social support with the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), and HRQoL (physical and mental domains) with the PROMIS Global Health Scale. Moderation analyses were conducted through linear regression models. Results: Greater exposure to healthcare discrimination was associated with poorer physical and mental HRQoL. Social support demonstrated a significant moderating effect on mental HRQoL: as social support increased, the negative association between healthcare discrimination and mental well-being weakened. However, this buffering effect was not observed for physical HRQoL. Conclusions: Findings suggest that social support can mitigate the adverse mental health consequences of healthcare discrimination among individuals with T2D. Interventions aimed at strengthening social support networks warrant investigation as potential strategies to improve the mental HRQoL of people with T2D who encounter discrimination in healthcare environments.
Background: Malnutrition is a deficiency of nutrients due to inadequate energy intake. Picky eating behavior in children could be a cause of malnutrition, but previous studies’ results were still inconsistent. This study aimed to determine the relationship between picky eating behavior and malnutrition among children aged 2-5 years. Methods: This case-control study involved 70 children aged 2-5 years in Kutukan Village, Randublatung District, Blora Regency. Malnutrition was defined as a weight-for-age Z score <-2.0 SD based on the WHO classification. Child eating behavior was evaluated using the Child’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), identifying picky eaters if the food avoidance score surpassed the food approach score. Data analysis employed the Chi-Square test. Results: Boys experienced more malnutrition, with 20 (57.1%) affected, and the most affected age group was 24-35 months, with 19 (54.3%). Questionnaire processing revealed that the number of picky-eater children in the malnutrition group was 33 (94.3%), while in the non-malnutrition group, there were 31 (88.6%). Bivariate analysis showed no relationship between picky eating behavior and malnutrition in children aged 2-5 years (p=0.673; CI 95%=0.364-12.459). Conclusion: This study found no significant relationship between picky eating and malnutrition in children aged 2-5 years.
Background: Exhaust noise is known to be a major pollutant in the environment and workplaces due to the development of industry and transportation. Exhaust noise can be reduced to normal levels by mufflers or silencers. A reactive muffler efficiently dampens noise at low frequencies by reflecting sound waves. Therefore, muffler design is of great importance in exhaust noise reduction. Transmission loss (TL) is an essential characteristic of mufflers, demonstrating their acoustical properties. Any acoustical appliance is selected based on its damping performance and reliability. Predicting TL through experimentation is different from theoretical calculations. Methods: In the present study, a double-expansion chamber muffler was designed as a reflective muffler on a laboratory scale by equations. Next, TL was evaluated by an impedance tube applying a 4-microphone technique to determine the acoustical performance of the designed muffler. Results: Findings revealed that the TL of the muffler at 312 Hz frequency obtained 27.5 dB agreement with the required TL of the muffler of 25 dB. In addition, the TL of the muffler against frequency attenuates noise in broadband frequencies. Conclusions: These results indicated that the built muffler provides desired TL for exhaust chambers. Therefore, equations can be used as a precise method for muffler design. Furthermore, multi-expansion chamber mufflers are useful for reducing noise at a wide range of frequencies.
Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and yellow mosaic virus disease incidence in mungbean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek is a most serious problem in northern states of India. Bioefficacy of some insecticides and biorational were tested during kharif 2010 to 2011 and 2011 to 2012 at Pulses Research Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The results revealed that 30 days after sowing minimum whitefly population was recorded in plots, when seeds were treated with dimethoate 5 ml/kg seeds. At three days after spray application lowest whitefly population (1.6 and 6.4 adults/ cage/ plant) was noted in NSKE 5 per cent sprayed plots. At seven days after spray, NSKE 5 per cent and triazophos 0.04% was the most effective in keeping the whitefly incidence and yellow mosaic virus infection low. Triazophos and NSKE did not help in managing the whitefly population at low level up to 10 days after spray application. Spraying of triazophos 0.04% resulted in higher grain yield as well as net profit. Lower dosage of triazophos 40EC at 0.02% enhanced the whitefly population in 2011 to 2012. However, the maximum incremental cost benefit ratio (1:13.41) was obtained in dimethoate 5 ml/kg seed treated plots followed by seed treatment with dimethoate plus spraying of triazophos 0.04% (1:11.93).
Online interviews can be powerful tools in global health research. In this article, we review the literature on the use of and challenges associated with online interviews in health research in Africa and make recommendations for future online qualitative studies. The scoping review methodology was used. We searched on Medline and Embase in March 2022 for qualitative articles that used internet-based interviews as a data collection method. Following full-text reviews, we included nine articles. We found that online interviews were typically conducted via Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messaging and E-mail chats. Online interviews were used in Africa because of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the need to sample participants across multiple countries or communities. Recruitment for online interviews occurred online, interviews were characterised by inaudible sounds, the inability to use video options and the challenges of including people with low income and education. We recommend that researchers critically evaluate the feasibility of online interviews within a particular African locality before fully implementing this data collection approach. Researchers may also collaborate with community-based organisations to help recruit a more socioeconomically diverse sample because of the potential of excluding participants with limited internet access.
Bone resorption is created by different etiological factors, such as tumors, infections, and trauma. When defects are too large and healing is not possible in a spontaneous way, the defect is called a critical size defect, which is defined as the smallest size of an intra-osseous wound that will not heal spontaneously during the lifetime of the individual. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of a mineralized plasmatic matrix versus bone graft alone or in the augmentation of bony cavities in animals. Ten adult male dogs ranging in age from 12 months to 18 months with a mean weight of ten kilograms were used in this study. Bone cavities were made in the tibia of each animal. The upper holes were implanted with a bovine bone material substitute the medial holes were implanted with a mineralized plasmatic matrix and the lower holes were left free from any implant material acting as control. The dogs were euthanized at 2, 4, and 6 weeks and prepared for H and E stain and trichrome stain. The healing process of bone cavities implanted with mineralized plasmatic matrix was better compared to cavities filled with bone grafts and those left to heal spontaneously. Mineralized plasmatic matrix facilitates graft application, in its stabilization, and improves cell penetration into the graft.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the landscape of supply chain management, offering unprecedented opportunities for optimization, efficiency, and innovation. This white paper explores the various applications of AI in supply chain operations, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the way businesses manage inventory, logistics, demand forecasting, and more. Through real-world examples and case studies, we demonstrate how AI-driven technologies are reshaping traditional supply chain practices and driving competitive advantage in today's dynamic marketplace.