4 research outputs found
The effect of fluoridated milk on surface loss of dental hard tissue under erosive/abrasive conditions
Seasonal influenza vaccination among primary health care workers in Southwestern Saudi Arabia
Background: Vaccination of primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) help to prevent the spread of influenza among at-risk patients. Objectives: To assesses seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) coverage and the factors affecting SIV’s utilization among PHCWs in Abha city, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between June 2018 and August 2018 in all primary healthcare centers in Abha city. It targeted physicians, nurses, technicians, and pharmacists. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding SIV status during the 2017–2018 season, obtain knowledge regarding SIV and influenza disease, and identify potential motivators for and barriers to SIV. Results: Of 312 PHCWs, the SIV coverage rate was 45.5% in the 2017–2018 vaccination season. A multivariable logistic regression model showed that the risk groups for non-vaccination were PHCWs less than 40 years old (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 4.07, 95% CI: 1.50–11.03), technicians (aOR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.20–11.54), single PHCWs (aOR = 2.36, 95% CI:1.20–4.62), and PHCWs lacking adequate influenza vaccine knowledge (aOR = 4.22, 95% CI: 2.13–8.35). Approximately 23% and 32% of PHCWs were found to have inadequate knowledge about SIV and influenza disease, respectively. PHCWs’ awareness about their risk of infection and their need for protection was found to be the most common motivator (77.5%), and a fear of side effects was found to be the most frequent barrier (40%). Conclusion: SIV coverage rate is suboptimal. Knowledge gaps and misconceptions about the influenza vaccine are the main barriers to an adequate coverage
Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Physcion Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oral Bioavailability: An Attempt to Improve Its Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential
Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Physcion Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oral Bioavailability: An Attempt to Improve Its Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential
This study aims to enhance the dissolution rate of a
poorly water-soluble
drug physcion by producing its nanoparticles (NPs) using an antisolvent
precipitation with a syringe pump (APSP) method and to assess its
antioxidant and cytotoxic potential. The NPs were prepared using a
simple and cost-effective APSP method and subsequently characterized
by different analytical techniques including dynamic light scattering
(DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD). They were
also subjected to solubility and dissolution studies, and different
parameters such as dissolution efficiency (DE), mean dissolution time
(MDT), and difference (f1) and similarity
factors (f2) were determined. Furthermore,
physcion and its NPs were investigated for antioxidant and cytotoxic
effects using various in vitro assays. SEM and DLS analysis indicated
that the average size of physcion NPs was 110 and 195 ± 5.6 nm,
respectively. The average ζ-potential and polydispersibility
index (PDI) of the prepared NPs were −22.5 mV and 0.18, respectively,
showing excellent dispersibility. XRD confirmed the amorphous nature
of physcion NPs. The solubility and dissolution rates of NPs were
significantly higher than those of the original powder. The antioxidant
potential studied by the (DPPH), FRAP, and H2O2 assays was greater for physcion NPs than that for the raw powder.
The IC50 values of physcion NPs against the aforementioned
models were 57.56, 22.30, and 22.68 μg/mL, respectively. Likewise,
the cytotoxic potential investigated through the MTT assay showed
that physcion NPs were more cytotoxic to cancer cell lines A549 (IC50 4.12 μg/mL), HepG2 (IC50 2.84 μg/mL),
and MDA-MB-231 (IC50 2.97 μg/mL), while it had less
effect on HPAEpiC (IC50 8.68 μg/mL) and HRPTEpiC
(IC50 10.71 μg/mL) normal human epithelial cells.
These findings have proved that the APSP method successfully produced
physcion NPs with enhanced solubility, dissolution rate, and antioxidant
and cytotoxic activities