Synthesis of Biocompatible Gold Nanoparticles Using Natural Phytochemical as Antineoplastic Therapy

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and was estimated to account for 9.6 million deaths in 2018, according to the WHO. To reduce the significant disability, suffering and deaths caused by cancer worldwide, effective and affordable programs in early diagnosis, screening, treatment, and palliative care are needed. Treatment options may include surgery, medicines and/or radiotherapy. In our research, we try to find a new way to treat cancer naturally. Toxic chemicals are utilized in several of the processes for production of nanoparticles, either in the form of reducing agents to reduce various metal salts to their corresponding nanoparticles, or as stabilizing agents to prevent agglomeration of nanoparticles. These toxic chemicals are powerful reducing agents that are currently used to produce gold and other metallic nanoparticles. These reducing agents are highly toxic to living organisms and to the environment. The purpose of the present experimental study is to prepare biocompatible Gold nanoparticles through 3 months, which contain the phytochemical, with high purity as anti-tumor therapy for destroying of cancer cells. Gold nanoparticles will be synthesized by a “green” procedure in University of Palestine laboratories. Then it will be internalized in cancerous cells to facilitate in detecting and damaging cancerous cells. Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake part of this study will be carried on cancerous cells in Rabbits. Gold nanoparticles will be prepared and applied on cancer tissue of ten rabbits. Then, the tissue culture will be checked out by pathologist. The results of the current may indicate that these non-toxic gold nanoparticles can serve as excellent detectable and damageable agent for cancerous cells; it will be a novel approach toward tumor damaging through Nano-pharmaceuticals

Evaluation of inappropriate prescribing to the hospitalized elderly patients in Al Shifa hospital, Gaza, Palestine

Background: The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of inappropriate prescribing (IP) for hospitalized elderly patients at Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza, Palestine.Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 2385 prescribed drugs for 380 elderly inpatients in internal, cardiology, and respiratory departments were screened for IP. Four criteria were used to detect IP using chart review method; Drug-drug interactions (DDIs), drug contra-indications (CI), duplication of therapy and Beers' criteria 2012.Results: The results showed that 44.2% of patients had at least one IP. Around 33.2% of the patients had DDIs, 19.2% had IP according to Beers' criteria and 1.1% had drug CI. There was no duplication of therapy. A total of 323 IP instances were detected. Of them, 74% for DDIs and 24.8% for Beers' criteria. The prevalence of overall IP was significantly influenced by age (p-value=0.024), polypharmacy (p-value<0.001), degree of morbidity (p-value<0.001), and departments (p-value=0.018). The prevalence of DDIs was influenced by polypharmacy (p-value<0.001), degree of morbidity (p-value=0.001), and departments (p-value=0.005). Finally, the prevalence of IP according to Beers' criteria was significantly influenced by departments with the highest in the cardiology department (29.7%) (P-value=0.007).Conclusions: Although the overall IP was common, it was not far higher than that reported worldwide. The majority of IP was DDIs. Age, polypharmacy, degree of morbidity and departments influenced the occurrence of IP

Synthesis of Biocompatible Gold Nanoparticles Using Natural Phytochemical as Antineoplastic Therapy

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and was estimated to account for 9.6 million deaths in 2018, according to the WHO. To reduce the significant disability, suffering and deaths caused by cancer worldwide, effective and affordable programs in early diagnosis, screening, treatment, and palliative care are needed. Treatment options may include surgery, medicines and/or radiotherapy. In our research, we try to find a new way to treat cancer naturally. Toxic chemicals are utilized in several of the processes for production of nanoparticles, either in the form of reducing agents to reduce various metal salts to their corresponding nanoparticles, or as stabilizing agents to prevent agglomeration of nanoparticles. These toxic chemicals are powerful reducing agents that are currently used to produce gold and other metallic nanoparticles. These reducing agents are highly toxic to living organisms and to the environment. The purpose of the present experimental study is to prepare biocompatible Gold nanoparticles through 3 months, which contain the phytochemical, with high purity as anti-tumor therapy for destroying of cancer cells. Gold nanoparticles will be synthesized by a “green” procedure in University of Palestine laboratories. Then it will be internalized in cancerous cells to facilitate in detecting and damaging cancerous cells. Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake part of this study will be carried on cancerous cells in Rabbits. Gold nanoparticles will be prepared and applied on cancer tissue of ten rabbits. Then, the tissue culture will be checked out by pathologist. The results of the current may indicate that these non-toxic gold nanoparticles can serve as excellent detectable and damageable agent for cancerous cells; it will be a novel approach toward tumor damaging through Nano-pharmaceuticals

Comparative Study of the Antioxidant Activity of Two Popular Green Tea Beverages Available in the Local Market of Saudi Arabia

Abstract Antioxidants have numerous applications due to their multiple roles in diminishing harmful effects of oxidative stress. The objective of this work was to highlight the importance of green tea by evaluating the antioxidant activity of the most popular green tea brands in Saudi Arabia, Lipton and Rabea. To our knowledge, no studies have so far been done to estimate the antioxidant activity of these brands. To determine the antioxidant activities of these two brands, 10 mg/ml of each brand was extracted and their total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, ferric reducing power and ferrous ion chelating effect were measured. The TPC of Lipton tea was 678.7 µg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/10mg, whereas in Rabea tea, the TPC was 647.1 µg GAE/10mg. The presence study indicated that there were no significant differences in total phenolic contents and the percentage inhibition as shown in DPPH and H 2 O 2 assays among Lipton and Rabea green teas. Moreover, it was found that all assays have exhibited high antioxidant activity in both green teas. In conclusion, our study showed evidence for evenness and stability of the antioxidant activity of the two commercial green teas available in the markets of Saudi Arabia. Continued researches are needed to further the current knowledge on the health-promoting effects of this popular beverage using different supplements by different mechanisms

Multinational prospective cohort study of rates and risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia over 24 years in 42 countries of Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East: Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)

Objective: Rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are several times above those of high-income countries. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors (RFs) for VAP cases in ICUs of LMICs. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: This study was conducted across 743 ICUs of 282 hospitals in 144 cities in 42 Asian, African, European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries. Participants: The study included patients admitted to ICUs across 24 years. Results: In total, 289,643 patients were followed during 1,951,405 patient days and acquired 8,236 VAPs. We analyzed 10 independent variables. Multiple logistic regression identified the following independent VAP RFs: male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.28; P <.0001); longer length of stay (LOS), which increased the risk 7% per day (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.07-1.08; P <.0001); mechanical ventilation (MV) utilization ratio (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.23-1.31; P <.0001); continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which was associated with the highest risk (aOR, 13.38; 95% CI, 11.57-15.48; P <.0001)Revisión por pare

Afet yardımında insani lojistik çalışanlarının becerilerinin lojistik performansına katkısı

With the growing number of natural and man-made disasters happening in a world of uncertainty and rapid changes, the area of humanitarian logistics has recently received interest from researchers. It is crucial for humanitarian organizations to study logistics skills to help managers identify job requirements accordingly and find the right human capital, and be aware of the most relevant skills that contribute to the development of logistics performance. The purpose of this study is to reveal the most important skills for humanitarian logistics performance from the point of view of humanitarian logisticians who are engaged in the disaster relief operations in Türkiye. Additionally, this study aims at testing whether there is a relationship between the perceived importance of general management and functional logistics skills and some demographic variables. To achieve this aim, a self-administered questionnaire is distributed to humanitarian logisticians who are engaged in disaster relief operations in different humanitarian organizations in Türkiye…Belirsizlik ve hızlı değişimlerin olduğu bir dünyada artan sayıda doğal ve insan kaynaklı afetlerin yaşanmasıyla birlikte, insani yardım lojistiği alanı son zamanlarda araştırmacıların ilgisini çekmiştir. İnsani yardım kuruluşları yöneticilerinin, iş gereksinimlerini belirlemeleri, doğru insan sermayesini bulmaları ve çalışanların gelişimine katkıda bulunan gerekli becerileri tespit etmeleri için lojistik becerilerin incelemesi çok önemlidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye'de afet yardım operasyonlarında görev alan insani lojistikçiler açısından hangi lojistik becerilerin insani lojistik performansı için en önemli beceriler olarak algılandığını araştırmaktır. Ayrıca bu çalışma, genel yönetim ve fonksiyonel lojistik becerilerinin insani lojistikçinin performansı açısından algılanan önemi ile lojistikçilerin demografik değişkenleri arasında bir ilişki olup olmadığını test etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaca ulaşmak için Türkiye'deki farklı insani yardım kuruluşlarında afet yardım operasyonlarında görev alan insani lojistikçilere bir anket dağıtılmıştır

Predictors of transient left ventricular dysfunction following transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in pediatric age

Objectives: To evaluate the left ventricular function before and after transcatheter percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure, and to identify the predictors of myocardial dysfunction post-PDA closure if present. Interventions: Transcatheter PDA closure; conventional, Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging; and speckle tracking echocardiography. Outcome measures: To determine the feasibility and reliability of tissue Doppler and myocardial deformation imaging for evaluating myocardial function in children undergoing transcatheter PDA closure. Patients and methods: Forty-two children diagnosed with hemodynamically significant PDA underwent percutaneous PDA closure. Conventional, Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging, and speckle-derived strain rate echocardiography were performed at preclosure and at 48 hours, 1 month, and 6 months postclosure. Tissue Doppler velocities of the lateral and septal mitral valve annuli were obtained. Global and regional longitudinal peak systolic strain values were determined using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Results: The median age of the patients was 2 years and body weight was 15 kg, with the mean PDA diameter of 3.11 ± 0.99 mm. M-mode measurements (left ventricular end diastolic diameter, left atrium diameter to aortic annulus ratio, ejection fraction, and shortening fraction) reduced significantly early after PDA closure (p < 0.001). After 1 month, left ventricular end diastolic diameter and left atrium diameter to aortic annulus ratio continued to decrease, while ejection fraction and fractional shortening improved significantly. All tissue Doppler velocities showed a significant decrease at 48 hours with significant prolongation of global myocardial function (p < 0.001) and then were normalized within 1 month postclosure. Similarly, global longitudinal strain significantly decreased at 48 hours postclosure (p < 0.001), which also recovered at 1 month follow-up. Preclosure global longitudinal strain showed a good correlation with the postclosure prolongation of the myocardial performance index. Conclusion: Transcatheter PDA closure causes a significant decrease in left ventricular performance early after PDA closure, which recovers completely within 1 month. Preclosure global longitudinal strain can be a predictor of postclosure myocardial dysfunction

41. Echocardiographic interpretation of cardiac function with puberty in girls

Puberty is accompanied by significant changes in hemodynamics that can influence interpretation of clinical states. However the extent to which this is influenced by the nutritional status of children is poorly understood. To study the changes in cardiac dimensions with onset of early puberty and their relation to growth and nutritional status in females. Methods: Survey was conducted for 200 schools girls aged 9–12 years including full cardiac exam, blood pressure (BP), weight-for-age (W/A), height-for-age (H/A) and body mass index (BMI) and echocardiography for aortic, atrial and ventricular dimensions, as well pressure gradients and flow velocities. Further analysis was conducted for forty cases that were identified with flow abnormalities. Findings: Only 17.5% had audible murmurs. Mean BP ranged from 90.4 in the 9 years olds, 94 in the 10 year olds, 95.9 in the 11 year olds and 97.5 in the 12 year olds. Morphologic dimensions were measured for the ventricles, left atria (LA) and aorta (Ao). Aortic dimensions increased with the onset of puberty and correlated with the BMI increase, but the mean aortic to left atrial dimensions were unchanged with puberty onset. Also ventricular dimensions did not change with puberty. The E wave of the mitral valve signal and deceleration velocity showed some change with age, with an exaggerated E wave. BMI averaged 17.1 at 9 years increasing to 21 at 12 years. Underweight (−2SDS) occurred in 22.5% and stunting (−2SDS) in 10% and wasting (underweight for height) in 17.5%. Fifty percent of the children were exposed to passive smoking from family member, 69.2% did not consume a healthy diet and 97% did not practice sports. Conclusions: Onset of puberty is accompanied by an increase in aortic dimensions to cope with the increased venous return from the developing body systems. Growth disturbances may result in echo abnormalities in flow across the cardiac valves. Improving nutritional status and healthy living lifestyles of children in this period may prevent abnormalities and restore hemodynamics of the heart

Evaluation of inappropriate prescribing to the hospitalized elderly patients in Al Shifa hospital, Gaza, Palestine

Background: The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of inappropriate prescribing (IP) for hospitalized elderly patients at Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza, Palestine.Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 2385 prescribed drugs for 380 elderly inpatients in internal, cardiology, and respiratory departments were screened for IP. Four criteria were used to detect IP using chart review method; Drug-drug interactions (DDIs), drug contra-indications (CI), duplication of therapy and Beers' criteria 2012.Results: The results showed that 44.2% of patients had at least one IP. Around 33.2% of the patients had DDIs, 19.2% had IP according to Beers' criteria and 1.1% had drug CI. There was no duplication of therapy. A total of 323 IP instances were detected. Of them, 74% for DDIs and 24.8% for Beers' criteria. The prevalence of overall IP was significantly influenced by age (p-value=0.024), polypharmacy (p-value&lt;0.001), degree of morbidity (p-value&lt;0.001), and departments (p-value=0.018). The prevalence of DDIs was influenced by polypharmacy (p-value&lt;0.001), degree of morbidity (p-value=0.001), and departments (p-value=0.005). Finally, the prevalence of IP according to Beers' criteria was significantly influenced by departments with the highest in the cardiology department (29.7%) (P-value=0.007).Conclusions: Although the overall IP was common, it was not far higher than that reported worldwide. The majority of IP was DDIs. Age, polypharmacy, degree of morbidity and departments influenced the occurrence of IP