ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF CAFFEIC ACID AND 18Î’-GLYCYRRHETINIC ACID AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTY

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the antidiabetic effect of caffeic acid and 18 β -glycyrrhetinic acid against diabetic rats.Methods: In this experiment, the animals were divided into five groups. Group I: Normal rats. Group II: diabetic control rats.Group III: diabetic rats treated with 18β-glycyrrhetinic. Group IV: diabetic rats treated with caffeic acid. Group V: diabetic rats treated with 18β-glycyrrhetinic and caffeic acid. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant (TAO), catalase , and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed.Results: Fasting blood glucose and MDA were significantly increased, whereas insuline, GR, GPx, TAO, catalase , SOD were decreased significantly in diabetic rats. Though the diabetic rats treated with caffeic acid and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid individual exerts beneficial effects in all the biochemical parameters in diabetic rats. The combined treatment with caffeic acid and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid normalized all the above-mentioned biochemical parameters in diabetic rats.Conclusion: our findings demonstrated that 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid and  caffeic acid either used individually or in combination to diabetic rats have an antidiabetic effect and a good antioxidant property .From the results, the combined dose of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid and caffeic acid to diabetic rats showed promising antidiabetic effect and antioxidant property compared to individual treatments.Keywords: Diabetes, Caffeic acid, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, Streptozotocin, Antioxidant

The relationship between five Omani teachers’ technology use, and their teacher cognition and instructional practices: a case study at Sultan Qaboos University

This study attempted to explore five Omani teachers’ relationship with technology use. It explored the impact of technology use on teachers’ cognitions and instructional practices and the contextual factors that might influence the impact. The study also explored the ways in which teachers interacted with technology and how their previous experiences as learners impacted their technology integration practices and beliefs. A case study approach was used employing narrative inquiry to present stories of how technology integration influenced five Omani teachers’ cognitions and instructional practices at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). The first phase of the study aimed at selecting participants using a questionnaire that was prepared for the purpose of this study. Omani teachers who showed advanced levels of technology competency and frequent technology integration in their teaching were selected to participate in the study. The qualitative phase aimed at exploring teachers’ perceptions and practices about technology integration using autobiographical accounts, initial interviews, classroom observations, post observation interviews and final interviews. The findings demonstrated that the relationship between teachers’ cognition about technology integration and instructional practices is two-sided. That is, whereas teachers’ beliefs affect their decisions to use technology, teachers’ frequent integration of technology also influences their decisions on how to use technology in their classes. The findings also showed that some teachers perceived technology to be influencing their cognitions and instructional practices in that it encouraged them to employ a learner-centred approach, a constructivist approach, different teachers’ roles and different classroom management among other influences some teachers cited as a result of using technology. In addition, the study found that one teacher experienced no effect of technology on her actual instructional practices. Findings revealed some of the reasons behind the mismatch between beliefs and practices. Five major contextual factors were reported to be influential when the five teachers used technology namely: professional development, technical support, institutional environment, personal factors and socio-cultural factors

Optimization of multi response problem of quality characteristics in offset press using experimental design

The offset printing press is widely used in commercial printing companies. The quantity of paper wasted in sheet-fed offset printing is a significant parameter affecting the cost of printed product. The main sources of paper waste are: paper used in machine setup, paper wasted during press running length, over production and printed paper rejected due to quality control. This paper focuses on studying two quality characteristics to reduce printed paper rejected. These quality characteristics are: color variation and color mis-registration. Color variation is gauged by variation in ink transfer of the four printing colors: Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y) and Black (K), which are governed by color difference ΔE.In this study, color variation is measured as a multi response while color mis-registration is measured as attribute data. The paper presents a study which examines the effect of three process parameters: paper category, batch size and human intervention on investigated quality characteristics of printed product on sheet-fed offset press. The spectrophotometer was employed to measure the color difference ΔE. A full factorial design of experiments was generated with sixteen runs for the above three process parameters with mixed levels. The experimental data was analysed using signal to noise (S/N) ratio, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and main plots to evaluate the factors and their interactions, and to determine the optimal factor level which delivers quality print with minimum paper waste and consequently reduce cost. It is found that the optimal factor level is paper of category 2 printed in small batches and with human intervention. Further, the results of ANOVA reveal that the paper category is the most significant factor affecting paper waste as well as batch size and the intervention between paper category and batch size

Comparison between P&O and SSO techniques based MPPT algorithm for photovoltaic systems

Solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems are a renewable source of energy that are environmentally friendly and recyclable nature. When the solar panel is connected directly to the load, the power delivered to the load is not the optimal power. It is therefore important to obtain maximum power from SPV systems for enhancing efficiency. Various maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques of SPV systems were proposed. Traditional MPPT techniques are commonly limited to uniform weather conditions. This paper presents a study of MPPT for photovoltaic (PV) systems. The study includes a discussion of different MPPT techniques and performs comparison for the performance of the two MPPT techniques, the P&O algorithm, and salp swarm optimization (SSO) algorithm. MATLAB simulations are performed under step changes in irradiation. The results of SSO show that the search time of maximum power point (MPP) is significantly decreased and the MPP is obtained in the shortest time with high accuracy and minimum oscillations in the generated power when compared with P&O

Maternal satisfaction with delivery services at tertiary university hospital in upper Egypt, is it actually satisfying?

Background: Maternal health has therefore become an important aspect of policy and planning for healthcare, as reflected by its inclusion as the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG). The objective of the present investigation was to determine the maternal satisfaction towards delivery services at Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Upper EgyptMethods: A cross sectional study was performed. The study was conducted during February- April 2016 on a sample of 400 delivering mothers; the data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS version21. Statistical tests were used, and significance level was taken at p-value <0.05.Results: A total of 400 delivering mothers were interviewed, of which 67.0 % of the respondents were between the age group of 20-30, 76.75 % were from rural areas, 48.0%were illiterate, 86.75% were house wives and 46.0% belonged to the income group of less than 500 EGP. The findings of the study showed that the overall maternal satisfaction level with the delivery services rendered at the hospital was 78.5%, while 21.5% were dissatisfied. Furthermore, satisfaction with the delivery service was found to have a significant association with the age of the respondents and educational level of the respondents. Moreover, results suggest that women are satisfied with the communication factors, interpersonal behavior, good management, and general satisfaction. Women were least satisfied with privacy sensation during hospital stay and obligatory blood donation.Conclusions: Although most participants were satisfied by the delivery service provided to them during delivery, Dissatisfaction by a minority group resulted in a limited ability of communication with mothers, lack of privacy sensation during hospital stay and obligatory blood donation. Thus, mechanisms should be developed to increase maternal satisfaction in our hospital

Comparative Molecular Transporter Properties of Cyclic Peptides Containing Tryptophan and Arginine Residues Formed through Disulfide Cyclization

We have previously reported cyclic cell-penetrating peptides [WR]5 and [WR]4 as molecular transporters. To optimize further the utility of our developed peptides for targeted therapy in cancer cells using the redox condition, we designed a new generation of peptides and evaluated their cytotoxicity as well as uptake behavior against different cancer cell lines. Thus, cyclic [C(WR)xC] and linear counterparts (C(WR)xC), where x = 4–5, were synthesized using Fmoc/tBu solid-phase peptide synthesis, purified, and characterized. The compounds did not show any significant cytotoxicity (at 25 µM) against ovarian (SK-OV-3), leukemia (CCRF-CEM), gastric adenocarcinoma (CRL-1739), breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231), and normal kidney (LLCPK) cells after 24 and 72 h incubation. Both cyclic [C(WR)5C] and linear (C(WR)5C) demonstrated comparable molecular transporter properties versus [WR]5 in the delivery of a phosphopeptide (F′-GpYEEI) in CCRF-CEM cells. The uptake of F′-GpYEEI in the presence of 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT) as the reducing agent was significantly improved in case of l(C(WR)5C), while it was not changed by [C(WR)5C]. Fluorescence microscopy also demonstrated a significant uptake of F′-GpYEEI in the presence of l(C(WR)5C). Cyclic [C(WR)5C] improved the uptake of the fluorescent-labeled anti-HIV drugs F′-d4T, F′-3TC, and F′-FTC by 3.0–4.9-fold. These data indicate that both [C(WR)5C] and linear (C(WR)5C) peptides can act as molecular transporters

Acridine Orange and Flow Cytometry: Which Is Better to Measure the Effect of Varicocele on Sperm DNA Integrity?

We evaluated the effect of varicocelectomy on semen parameters and levels of sperm DNA damage in infertile men. A total of 75 infertile men with varicocele and 40 fertile men (controls) were included in this study. Semen analysis and sperm DNA damage expressed as the DNA fragmentation index using acridine orange staining and chromatin condensation test by flow cytometry were assessed before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. The patients were also followed up for 1 year for pregnancy outcome. Semen parameters were significantly lower in varicocele patients compared to controls (P<0.05). Mean percentages of sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm DNA chromatin condensation in patients were significantly higher than those in controls (P<0.05). After varicocelectomy, sperm DNA fragmentation improved significantly, whereas sperm chromatin condensation was not significantly changed. In 15 out of 75 varicocele patients, clinical pregnancy was diagnosed; those with positive pregnancy outcome had significant improvement in sperm count, progressive sperm motility, and sperm DNA fragmentation, but there was no significant difference in sperm DNA condensation compared to negative pregnancy outcome patients. We concluded from this study that acridine orange stain is more reliable method than flow cytometry in the evaluation of sperm DNA integrity after varicocelectomy

The Magnet Hospital Concept is an Ideological Approach to Job Satisfaction and Quality of Care: A Systematic Review

Background: Healthcare services required effective intervention based on nursing care and services. In the early ages of advanced and scientific healthcare concerns. There were few excellent nurses who could perform scientific healthcare services to the patient. Therefore, to maintain healthcare decorum. It was important to address the excellence of healthcare performance among the nurses.Aim: the aim was to establish the best available evidence on the impact of the "Magnetic Hospital" designation on outcomes for both nurses and clinical patients.Method: A systematic review was conducted in the past literature published in English language by using targeted keywords. Results: The strongest evidence thrown by the results of the review confirms the positive impact of the accreditation as "Magnetic Hospital" in the work environment perceived by nursing as well as in the association with lower levels of emotional exhaustion, greater job satisfaction, and a greater intention to remain in their job. Conclusion: Magnet hospitals holds better outcomes as Job satisfaction can lead nurses towards better healthcare outcomes which are patient satisfaction and can produce healthy results on the reliance and productivity of such hospitals

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London