Toward a self-learned Smart Contracts

In recent years, Blockchain technology has been highly valued and disruptive. Several researches have presented a merge between blockchain and current application i.e. medical, supply chain, and e-commerce. Although Blockchain architecture does not have a standard yet, IBM, MS, AWS offer BaaS (Blockchain as a Service). In addition to the current public chains i.e. Ethereum, NEO, and Cardeno; there are some differences between several public ledgers in terms of development and architecture. This paper introduces the main factors that affect integration of Artificial Intelligence with Blockchain. As well as, how it could be integrated for forecasting and automating; building self-regulated chain.Comment:

Homocysteine and hematological indices in hemodialysis patients

Objectives: To explore the relationship between homocysteine and various hematological indices in hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: This case-control study comprised 60 hemodialysis patients and 60 healthy controls matched for gender and age. Hemodialysis duration was 3.2±2.9 year at frequency of 2.6±0.6/week. Hypertension and diabetes were the most common self-reported disorders among the hemodialysis patients. Results: Serum homocysteine was significantly higher in hemodialysis patients than in controls (50.8±9.7 vs. 13.1±3.7 μmol/l, P= 0.000). White blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) counts were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients than in controls [(7.18±2.37 x109/L and 266.3±111.9 x109/L vs 5.95±1.37 x109/L and 222.0±54.1 x109/L) with P= 0.017 and P= 0.045, respectively]. In contrast, red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin, and hematocrit were significantly lower in hemodialysis patients (3.1±0.5 x1012/L, 8.9±1.5 gm/dl and 26.3±4.6%) than in controls (4.0±0.4 x1012/L, 12.8±1.6 gm/dl and 45.0±4.6%) with P= 0.000. Prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients compared to controls (16±3 sec and 1±0 vs. 14±0 sec and 1.0±0.1, P= 0.000), whereas activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was significantly decreased in hemodialysis patients (25±5 vs 33±2 sec, P= 0.000). Homocysteine correlated directly with WBC count (r= 0.338, P= 0.008) and PLT count (r= 0.369, P= 0.000) whereas inverse correlations were found between homocysteine and RBC count (r=-0.648, P= 0.000), hemoglobin (r=-0.733, P= 0.000) and hematocrit (r=-0.836

Formulation, evaluation and optimization of miconazole nitrate tablet prepared by foam granulation technique

The aim of our study was to utilize novel foam granulation technique in formulation of miconazole nitrate; a model hydrophobic drug as oral disintegrating tablets "ODT" particularly to enhance its bioavailability. Foam granulation technique has additional advantages over the other traditional granulation technique since; it enhances the granulation process and produce acceptable tablets. Fractional factorial design was used to investigate the effect of formulation and processing variables on the prepared miconazole ODT. The prepared granules were evaluated by measuring their density, flowability, granules size and shape, and granules wetting time. The quality attributes of the prepared tablets; drug content, tablet thickness, uniformity of weight, tablet tensile strength, friability, disintegration, and dissolution were also evaluated. The results indicated that, the prepared granules showed acceptable characteristics and is significantly affected by the disintegrant type, urea concentration, and the lubricant type. The quality attributes of the tablets were not affected by the processing parameters. From the prepared formulas; F20, F19, F12, and F20 displayed 18, 35, 35, and 40 seconds disintegration time respectively and the percent of dissolution after 15 minutes ranged from 94.4-100%. These results ascertained that foam granulation technique fulfill the requirement in preparation of miconazole ODT. Key words: miconazole nitrate, foam granulation, oral disintegrating tablet

Risperidone oral disintegrating mini-tablets: A robust-product for pediatrics

This study was aimed at developing risperidone oral disintegrating mini-tablets (OD-mini-tablets) as age-appropriate formulations and to assess their suitability for infants and pediatric use. An experimental Box-Behnken design was applied to assure high quality of the OD-mini-tablets and reduce product variability. The design was employed to understand the influence of the critical excipient combinations on the production of OD-mini-tablets and thus guarantee the feasibility of obtaining products with dosage form uniformity. The variables selected were mannitol percent in Avicel (X1), swelling pressure of the superdisintegrant (X2), and the surface area of Aerosil as a glidant (X3). Risperidone-excipient compatibilities were investigated using FTIR and the spectra did not display any interaction. Fifteen formulations were prepared and evaluated for pre- and post-compression characteristics. The prepared OD-mini-tablet batches were also assessed for disintegration in simulated salivary fluid (SSF, pH 6.2) and in reconstituted skimmed milk. The optimized formula fulfilled the requirements for crushing strength of 5 kN with minimal friability, disintegration times of 8.4 and 53.7 s in SSF and skimmed milk, respectively. This study therefore proposes risperidone OD-mini-tablet formula having robust mechanical properties, uniform and precise dosing of medication with short disintegration time suitable for pediatric use

Testosterone and gonadotropins in infertile men with Sertoli cell only syndrome from Gaza strip

Aim: To assess serum testosterone and gonadotropins in Sertoli cell only syndrome patients from Gaza Strip. Methods: Based on testicular biopsy, a cross section of 74 Sertoli cell only syndrome patients were enrolled in the study. Age matched 44 fertile men were served as controls. Patients and controls were questioned for their medical history. Blood samples were drawn and serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were computer analyzed using SPSS/PC, version 18.0. Results: Varicocele and hormonal problems were significantly more frequent among patients than controls (P< 0.05). Serum testosterone was significantly lower in patients compared to controls (1.7±1.3 versus 5.0±2.2 ng/ml, P= 0.000). In contrast, LH and FSH were significantly higher in patients than controls (12.8±9.7 and 20.8±14.8 mlU/ml versus 6.3±3.1 and 7.7±3.9 mlU/ml, P= 0.000, respectively). Hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism patients showed lower levels of testosterone compared to the normal reference value (0.9±0.5 and 0.5±0.4 ng/ml versus 2.0-7.0 ng/ml). Higher levels of LH and FSH were recorded in hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism (24.5±2.6 and 37.4±6.7 mlU/ml) compared to the reference values of 2.0-13.0 and 2.5-10.0 mlU/ml, respectively whereas LH and FSH levels were lower in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (0.6±0.4 and 0.6±0.5 mlU/ml, respectively). In this context, all hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism patients showed abnormal levels of testosterone, LH

Nitric Oxide Gene Polymorphism is a Risk Factor for Diabetic Nephropathy and Atherosclerosis in Type 1 Diabetic Patients

AIM: To assess the risk factor for diabetic atherosclerosis nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty healthy volunteers age and sex-matched and Sixty-five type 1 diabetic patient were in rolled in the study. The mean age of patients was 17.99 ± 2.59 years, mean age of onset of diabetes was 7.00 ± 3.28 years, mean duration of diabetes was 10.91 ± 3.54 years. Glycosylated sex-matched (HbA1c) was assessed in blood samples, serum lipid profile was determined, and serum level of oxidised low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL), and nitric oxide was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Nitric oxide 894G &gt; T genotype was analysed by (PCR-RFLP) method and confirmed by Sequencing. Assessment of the albumin / creatinine ratio was done in urine samples. Renal Doppler and Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) via ultrasound was also performed. RESULTS: OxLDL, lipid profile, albumin/creatinine ratio, cIMT and resistivity index were significantly higher in diabetic patients while nitric oxide was significantly lower. Nitric oxide genotype shows no significant difference between diabetic’s patients and controls. Diabetic patients with homozygous NO had a significantly lower serum level of Nitric oxide, a significantly higher OxLDL, albumin / creatinine ratio and lipid profile. CONCLUSION: diabetic patients are liable for the occurrence of early diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis as a result of the presence of low level of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide gene polymorphism 894G &gt; T in diabetic patients is a risk factor for diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis

Formulation, evaluation and optimization of miconazole nitrate tablet prepared by foam granulation technique

The aim of our study was to utilize novel foam granulation technique in formulation of miconazole nitrate; a model hydrophobic drug as oral disintegrating tablets "ODT" particularly to enhance its bioavailability. Foam granulation technique has additional advantages over the other traditional granulation technique since; it enhances the granulation process and produce acceptable tablets. Fractional factorial design was used to investigate the effect of formulation and processing variables on the prepared miconazole ODT. The prepared granules were evaluated by measuring their density, flowability, granules size and shape, and granules wetting time. The quality attributes of the prepared tablets; drug content, tablet thickness, uniformity of weight, tablet tensile strength, friability, disintegration, and dissolution were also evaluated. The results indicated that, the prepared granules showed acceptable characteristics and is significantly affected by the disintegrant type, urea concentration, and the lubricant type. The quality attributes of the tablets were not affected by the processing parameters. From the prepared formulas; F20, F19, F12, and F20 displayed 18, 35, 35, and 40 seconds disintegration time respectively and the percent of dissolution after 15 minutes ranged from 94.4-100%. These results ascertained that foam granulation technique fulfill the requirement in preparation of miconazole ODT. Key words: miconazole nitrate, foam granulation, oral disintegrating tablet