Parental experience of potential adverse drug reactions related to their oral administration of antipyretic analgesics in children in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Oral antipyretic analgesic medicines are commonly used in children and have the potential for adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Objective: The aim of this study was to explore parental experiences of potential ADRs related to their oral administration of antipyretic analgesics in children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: For this cross-sectional survey, a paper-based questionnaire, consent form and information sheet were handed out to 1000 parents who had administered an oral antipyretic analgesic medicine to their children during the previous 3 months. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM-SPSS Inc, Armonk, NY). Simple descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Management and ethical approvals were attained. Results: During March to April 2017, 661 parents agreed to participate, giving a response rate of 66.1%. Of the surveyed sample, 208 parents had observed 1 or more potential ADRs (31.5%, n = 208 out of 661). Parents’ (n = 208) most commonly reported potential ADRs (n = 523) were loss of appetite (23%, n = 120 out of 523), stomachache (20.3%, n = 106 out of 523), abdominal colic (13%, n = 68 out of 523), and diarrhea (10.3%, n = 54 out of 523). Parents described severity of the ADRs as slight (71.8%, n = 342 out of 476), annoying to the child (7.9%, n = 85 to of 476), significant and affecting daily tasks (3.6%, n = 17 out of 476) and significant and led to the hospital (6.7%, n = 32 out of 476). Fever was the top-ranked reason for using antipyretic analgesic medicines (41.0%, n = 271 out of 661), followed by toothache (25.0%, n = 165 out of 661) and tonsillitis/laryngitis (24.7%, n = 163 out of 661). Among parents, 34.7% (n = 165 out of 476) did not seek medical attention when a potential ADR occurred, whereas 26.3% (n = 125 out of 476) of parents took their children to hospital clinics. Conclusions: Although the majority of parentally reported (but not proven) ADRs were mild, a number of significant ADRs were reported. Future research should consider whether there is a role for physicians and pharmacists in educating parents in Saudi Arabia, and perhaps more widely, about the optimal use of oral antipyretic and analgesic medicines in children. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2020; 81:XXX–XXX) © 2020 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc

Simultaneous versus two stage surgical treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip with excessive femoral anteversion in children under the age of three years

Background: Delayed diagnosis and improper treated cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in the presence of excessive anteversion of femoral head may lead to undesirable consequences, including more extensive interventions with severe complications and functional disability. This study aimed to compare the clinical, radiological, and complication outcomes of simultaneously versus two-stage surgical procedures (open reduction and proximal femoral derotation osteotomy) in the treatment of DDH with excessive femoral anteversion among a sample of Iraqi children aged less than three years old.  Methods: A total of 26 DDH cases were treated in two groups (GI, GII) at Al-Wasity Teaching Hospital (Baghdad, Iraq) from January 2014 to March 2015. GI (15 hips) in 13 patients subjected to simultaneous open reduction (with/without salter osteotomy) and proximal femoral derotation osteotomy. GII (18 hips) in 13 patients operated in two stages procedure; open reduction (with/without salter osteotomy) followed by proximal femoral derotation osteotomy six weeks later.  Results: At the time of operation, the average age was 21.79±3.51months (range: 18-30). The mean follow-up period was 10.36 ±1.45 months (range, 8 -12). Statistically, the postoperative clinical, radiological, and complication findings were not significantly different between the two groups. However, in post-operative clinical assessment (McKay's criteria), the satisfying results (excellent and good) were 93% in GI and 88% in GII, respectively. Moreover, in radiological assessment (Severins classification), the satisfying results (excellent and good) were 94% in GI and 83% in GII, respectively. Two cases of re-dislocation and avascular necrosis (AVN) were reported in GII. Conclusion: When the clinical and radiological findings of one and two-stage open reduction and proximal femoral derotation osteotomy procedures are similar, the one-stage is more likely to overcome the two-stage in terms of minimizing the cost, length of stay and the risk of AVN of the femoral head

Simultaneous versus two stage surgical treatment of developmental dislocation of the hip with excessive femoral anteversion in children under the age of three years

Background: Delayed diagnosis and improper treated cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in presence of excessive anteversion of femoral head may lead to undesirable consequences including more extensive interventions with severe complications and functional disability. This study aimed to compare the clinical, radiological and complication outcomes of simultaneously versus two stage surgical procedures (open reduction and proximal femoral derotation osteotomy) in the treatment of DDH with excessive femoral anteversion among sample of Iraqi children aged less than three years old. Methods: A total of 26 DDH cases were treated in two groups (GI, GII) at Al-Wasity Hospital (Baghdad, Iraq) from January 2014 to March 2015. GI (15 hips) in 13 patients subjected to simultaneous open reduction (with/without salter osteotomy ) and proximal femoral derotation osteotomy. GII (18 hips) in 13 patients operated in two stages procedure; open reduction (with/without salter osteotomy) followed by proximal femoral derotation osteotomy 6 weeks later. Results: At the time of operation, the average age was 21.79±3.51months (range: 18-30). The mean follow-up period was 10.36±1.45 months (range: 8 -12). Statistically, the post-operative clinical, radiological and complication findings were not significantly different between the two groups. However, in post-operative clinical assessment (McKay's criteria), the satisfy results (excellent and good) were 93%  in GI and  88%  in GII respectively. Moreover, in radiological assessment (Severins grading), the satisfy results (excellent and good) were 94% in GI and 83% in GII respectively. Two cases of re-dislocation and avascular necrosis(AVN) were reported in GII. Conclusion: When the clinical and radiological findings of one and two stage open reduction and proximal femoral derotation osteotomy procedures are similar, the one-stage is more likely to overcome the two-stage in term of minimizing the cost, length of stay and the risk of AVN of femoral head

Instability in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells due to elemental migration and chemical composition changes

Organic-inorganic halide perovskites have rapidly grown as favorable materials for photovoltaic applications, but accomplishing long-term stability is still a major research problem. This work demonstrates a new insight on instability and degradation factors in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells aging with time in open air. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to investigate the compositional changes caused by device degradation over the period of 1000 hrs. XPS spectra confirm the migration of metallic ions from the bottom electrode (ITO) as a key factor causing the chemical composition change in the perovskite layer besides the diffusion of oxygen. XPS results are in good agreement with the crystallographic marks. Glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES) has also been performed on the samples to correlate the XPS results. Based on the experimental results, fundamental features that account for the instability in the perovskite solar cell is discussed. - 2017 The Author(s).The authors are thankful to the Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University for the laboratory support during the experimental work. The authors are also grateful to the Gas Processing Center (GPC), Qatar University for providing the XPS analysis facility. Thanks to HORIBA Scientific – Jocelyne Marciano, Sofia Gaiaschi and Patrick Chapon for the GD measurements and interpretation. This publication was also made possible by NPRP grant # 6-175-2-070 from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.Scopu

Optimal modeling of spindle-tool system with design variables using Taguchi based approach

A generalized finite element (FE) model of the spindle machine based totally on Timoshenko’s beam idea is hired to discretize the meeting with joint interfaces idealized with the aid of contact spring models and the model is confirmed with experimental modal analysis at the spindle-tool system. The effects of five important variables namely tool overhang, bearing span,tool diameter, contact stiffness,and axial preload are simultaneously studied on the dynamic response of the spindle-tool unit.Using method ofdesign of experiments(DOE),the dynamic stiffness data along with fundemental natural frequencies are recorded for different combinations of design variables. Initially after studying the parametric effects using analysis of variance(ANOVA)

Production of Blue Ammonia as a Clean Fuel in Qatar

The production of blue ammonia is considered an alternative fuel to reduce CO2 emissions in the ecosystem. Qatar aims to construct the world's largest blue ammonia plant, with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tons (MT), in the first quarter of 2026. Blue ammonia is produced by combining nitrogen with "blue" hydrogen from natural gas feedstocks, with carbon dioxide captured and stored safely. Blue Ammonia can be transported by conventional ships and utilized in power stations to produce low-carbon electricity and potential future applications in decarbonized industries. The new plant will be located in Mesaieed Industrial City (MIC) and operated by QAFCO as part of its integrated facilities. QAFCO is already a significant ammonia and urea producer worldwide, with an annual production capacity of 3.8 million MT of ammonia and 5.6 million MT of urea per annum. Furthermore, QAFCO is the largest producer of urea and ammonia at a single facility worldwide. Qatar Energy Renewable Solutions (QERS) will develop and manage integrated carbon capture and storage facilities to capture and sequester 1.5 MT of CO2 per year for the blue ammonia plant. QERS will also provide more than 35 MW of renewable electricity to the Ammonia-7 facility from its upcoming PV Solar Power Plant in MIC. This project is a step towards reducing the carbon intensity of energy products and is a crucial pillar of Qatar’s sustainability and energy transition strategy to align with Qatar’s 2030 National Vision

Novel quinazoline-based sulfonamide derivative (3D) induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer by inhibiting JAK2–STAT3 pathway

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major worldwide health problem owing to its high prevalence and mortality rate. Developments in screening, prevention, biomarker, personalized therapies and chemotherapy have improved detection and treatment. However, despite these advances, many patients with advanced metastatic tumors still succumb to the disease. New anticancer agents are needed for treating advanced stage CRC as most of the deaths occur due to cancer metastasis. A recently developed novel sulfonamide derivative 4-((2-(4-(dimethylamino) phenyl)quinazolin-4-yl)amino)benzenesulfonamide (3D) has shown potent antitumor effect; however, the mechanism underlying the antitumor effect remains unknown. Materials and methods: 3D-mediated inhibition on cell viability was evaluated by MTT and real-time cell proliferation was measured by xCelligence RTDP instrument. Western blotting was used to measure pro-apoptotic, anti-apoptotic proteins and JAK2-STAT3 phosphorylation. Flow cytometry was used to measure ROS production and apoptosis. Results: Our study revealed that 3D treatment significantly reduced the viability of human CRC cells HT-29 and SW620. Furthermore, 3D treatment induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human CRC cells. Confirming our observation, N-acetylcysteine significantly inhibited apoptosis. This is further evidenced by the induction of p53 and Bax; release of cytochrome c; activation of caspase-9, caspase-7 and caspase-3; and cleavage of PARP in 3D-treated cells. This compound was found to have a significant effect on the inhibition of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl2 and BclxL. The results further demonstrate that 3D inhibits JAK2–STAT3 pathway by decreasing the constitutive and IL-6-induced phosphorylation of STAT3. 3D also decreases STAT3 target genes such as cyclin D1 and survivin. Furthermore, a combination study of 3D with doxorubicin (Dox) also showed more potent effects than single treatment of Dox in the inhibition of cell viability. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings indicate that 3D induces ROS-mediated apoptosis and inhibits JAK2–STAT3 signaling in CRC

Equilateral triangular slot-based planar rectangular antenna for millimeter-wave applications

The design of an equilateral triangular slot-based planar rectangular antenna is presented for wideband millimeter-wave (mm-wave) applications. The front-side of the proposed antenna is composed of a rectangular patch radiator with an equilateral triangular slot fed using a 50Ω microstrip feeding line, while the bottom side of the antenna consists of a partial ground plane. To achieve maximum impedance matching in the operating bandwidth, the position of the feeding line is shifted from its normal location. The overall dimensions of the antenna are noted to be 6.5×8.5 mm 2 . From the simulation results, it is demonstrated that the -10 dB impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 16.86 GHz, ranging from 22.28 GHz to 39.14 GHz, while at -15 dB, it is equal to 12.82 GHz in the frequency range of 24.18-37 GHz. The gain of the proposed antenna fluctuates in the range of 3.89-6.86 dBi with an antenna efficiency of >85%