Phytochemical and Spectral Studies of Synthesis sulfur Nanoparticles using Sophora japonica Pods Extract

This study aims to investigate the aqueous extract of Sophora japonica pods for the presence of various phytochemicals and to synthesize sulfur nanoparticles. The presence of various phytochemicals viz. polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins were investigated by standard biochemical methods.  A rapid, green and novel approach for synthesis sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) from sodium thiosulfate in the presence of Sophora japonica pods aqueous extract in one-pot reaction at ambient temperature. The resulting sulfur nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that sulfur nanoparticles were successfully synthesized in sphere shape, and with an average particle size 5-100 nm. The effect of plant pods extract concentration on particle size of sulfur nanoparticles shows that can significantly reduce the particle size without changing the shape. The results revealed that the aqueous extract of Sophora japonica pods act as capping, dispersing and stabilizing agent for sulfur nanoparticles. This method is a novel approach for production nanosized sulfur particles, which could be applied to prepare sulfur nanoparticles for application in antimicrobial activity, fertilizers, and plant protection

Efficacy and safety of statin treatment for cardiovascular disease: a network meta-analysis of 170 255 patients from 76 randomized trials

Background: Statins represent the largest selling class of cardiovascular drug in the world. Previous randomized trials (RCTs) have demonstrated important clinical benefits with statin therapy. Aim: We combined evidence from all RCTs comparing a statin with placebo or usual care among patients with and without prior coronary heart disease (CHD) to determine clinical outcomes. Design: We searched independently, in duplicate, 12 electronic databases (from inception to August 2010), including full text journal content databases, to identify all statin versus inert control RCTs. We included RCTs of any statin versus any non-drug control in any populations. We abstracted data in duplicate on reported major clinical events and adverse events. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression. We performed a mixed treatment comparison using Bayesian methods. Results: We included a total of 76 RCTs involving 170 255 participants. There were a total of 14 878 deaths. Statin therapy reduced all-cause mortality, Relative Risk (RR) 0.90 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86-0.94, P ≤ 0.0001, I 2 = 17%]; cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.74-0.87, P < 0.0001, I 2 = 27%); fatal myocardial infarction (MI) (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75-0.91, P < 0.0001, I 2 = 21%); non-fatal MI (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.67-0.81, P ≤ 0.001, I 2 = 45%); revascularization (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.70-0.81, P ≤ 0.0001); and a composite of fatal and non-fatal strokes (0.86, 95% CI 0.78-0.95, P = 0.004, I 2 = 41%). Adverse events were generally mild, but 17 RCTs reported on increased risk of development of incident diabetes [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.09; 95% CI 1.02-1.17, P = 0.001, I 2 = 11%]. Studies did not yield important differences across populations. We did not find any differing treatment effects between statins. Discussion: Statin therapies offer clear benefits across broad populations. As generic formulations become more available efforts to expand access should be a priorit

Post-graduation migration intentions of students of Lebanese medical schools: a survey study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The international migration of physicians is a global public health problem. Lebanon is a source country with the highest emigration factor in the Middle East and North Africa and the 7th highest in the World. Given that residency training abroad is a critical step in the migration of physicians, the objective of this study was to survey students of Lebanese medical schools about their intentions to train abroad and their post training plans.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Our target population consisted of all students of Lebanese medical schools in the pre-final and final years of medical school. We developed the survey questionnaire based on the results of a qualitative study assessing the intentions and motives for students of Lebanese medical schools to train abroad. The questionnaire inquired about student's demographic and educational characteristics, intention to train abroad, the chosen country of abroad training, and post-training intention of returning to Lebanon.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 576 eligible students, 425 participated (73.8% response rate). 406 (95.5%) respondents intended to travel abroad either for specialty training (330 (77.6%)) or subspecialty training (76 (17.9%)). Intention to train abroad was associated with being single compared with being married. The top 4 destination countries were the US (301(74.1%)), France (49 (12.1%)), the United Kingdom (31 (7.6%)) and Canada (17 (4.2%)). One hundred and two (25.1%) respondents intended to return to Lebanon directly after finishing training abroad; 259 (63.8%) intended to return to Lebanon after working abroad temporarily for a varying number or years; 43 (10.6%) intended to never return to Lebanon. The intention to stay indefinitely abroad was associated male sex and having a 2^ndcitizenship. It was inversely associated with being a student of one of the French affiliated medical schools and a plan to train in a surgical specialty.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>An alarming percentage of students of Lebanese medical schools intend to migrate for post graduate training, mainly to the US. A minority intends to return directly to Lebanon after finishing training abroad.</p

Meta-analysis of antibiotics versus appendicectomy for non-perforated acute appendicitis

Background: For more than a century, appendicectomy has been the treatment of choice for appendicitis. Recent trials have challenged this view. This study assessed the benefits and harms of antibiotic therapy compared with appendicectomy in patients with non-perforated appendicitis. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted for randomized trials comparing antibiotic therapy with appendicectomy in patients with non-perforated appendicitis. Key outcomes were analysed using random-effects meta-analysis, and the quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: Five studies including 1116 patients reported major complications in 25 (4.9 per cent) of 510 patients in the antibiotic and 41 (8.4 per cent) of 489 in the appendicectomy group: risk difference -2.6 (95 per cent c.i. -6.3 to 1.1) per cent (low-quality evidence). Minor complications occurred in 11 (2.2 per cent) of 510 and 61 (12.5 per cent) of 489 patients respectively: risk difference -7.2 (-18.1 to 3.8) per cent (very low-quality evidence). Of 550 patients in the antibiotic group, 47 underwent appendicectomy within 1 month: pooled estimate 8.2 (95 per cent c.i. 5.2 to 11.8) per cent (high-quality evidence). Within 1 year, appendicitis recurred in 114 of 510 patients in the antibiotic group: pooled estimate 22.6 (15.6 to 30.4) per cent (high-quality evidence). For every 100 patients with non-perforated appendicitis, initial antibiotic therapy compared with prompt appendicectomy may result in 92 fewer patients receiving surgery within the first month, and 23 more experiencing recurrent appendicitis within the first year. Conclusion: The choice of medical versus surgical management in patients with clearly uncomplicated appendicitis is value-and preference-dependent, suggesting a change in practice towards shared decision-making is necessary.Peer reviewe

MATHEMATICAL MODEL TO PREDICT THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOIL MOISTURE IN THE ROOT ZONE OF TURF LANDSCAPE

Field experiment was carried out on one of the turf (lawn) , category  (Passpalm 10) to study the effect of irrigation systems on soil moisture distribution in the root zone. Experimental plot area was (4.5*4.5  ), soil media used was sandy soil and three treatments (spray, sub surface drib irrigation (SDI) , hydrogel) irrigation and every treatment replicated three times . Results of this research could be summarized as follows: Annual water consumption was less by 77.3%, 71.3% when using hydrogel material, compared with other irrigation systems (spray, and SDI) resp. , this is due to the quantity of loss water from evaporation in spray irrigation treatment , where evaporation parameters are more effective than the others (SDI, hydrogel) irrigation treatments.  The hydrogel treatment has highest water saving by 170% ,300% compared with (SDI and spray) irrigation treatments , because the hydrogel's ability to hold water and has a large period between irrigation when using hydrogel in the soil .  The SDI treatment has highest electrical saving by 520% ,55% compared with (spray and hydrogel ) irrigation treatments resp.  The turf quality index (color, density, ground cover ) give high degree at hydrogel treatment compared with others, this is due to the hydrogel has many materials , both nat urally occurring and synthetic and ability of water saving around root zone of turf . The average of soil moisture contents at (10cm and 15cm) depth of soil under hydrogel treatment was highest compared with (Spray and SDI) irrigation systems  resp

Graduates of Lebanese medical schools in the United States: an observational study of international migration of physicians

BACKGROUND: As healthcare systems around the world are facing increasing physician shortages, more physicians are migrating from low to high income countries. As an illustrative case of international migration of physicians, we evaluated the current number and historical trends of Lebanese medical graduates (LMG) in the US, and compared their characteristics to those of US medical graduates (USMG) and other international medical graduates (IMG). METHODS: We evaluated the number of LMG using the 2004 the American Medical Association Physicians' Professional Data (AMA-PPD) and then compared it to the number of graduates of other countries. We evaluated the historical trends using the 1978–2004 historical files of the AMA-PPD. We analyzed the characteristics of all LMG and compared them to a random sample of 1000 USMG and a random sample of 1000 IMG using the 2004 AMA-PPD. RESULTS: In 2004, there were 2,796 LMG in the US, constituting 1.3% of all IMG. Compared to other foreign countries contributing to the US physician workforce, Lebanon ranked 2nd after adjusting for country population size (about 4 million) and 21st overall. About 40% of those who graduated from Lebanese medical schools in the last 25 years are currently active physicians in the US. Since 1978, the number of LMG in the US showed a consistent upward trend at a rate of approximately 71 additional graduates per year. Compared with USMG and IMG, LMG were more likely to work in medical research (OR = 2.31; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.21; 4.43 and OR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.34; 5.01, respectively) and to be board certified (OR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.14; 1.78 and OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.65;2.53, respectively) and less likely to be in family practice (OR = 0.14; 95% CI = 0.10; 0.19 and OR = 0.18; 95% CI = 0.12; 0.26, respectively). CONCLUSION: Given the magnitude and historical trends of migration of LMG to the US, further exploration of its causes and impact is warranted. High income countries should consider the consequences of their human resources policies on both low income countries' and their own healthcare systems

Parenteral anticoagulation may prolong the survival of patients with limited small cell lung cancer: a Cochrane systematic review

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Tobacco Smoking Using Midwakh Is an Emerging Health Problem – Evidence from a Large Cross-Sectional Survey in the United Arab Emirates

INTRODUCTION: Accurate information about the prevalence and types of tobacco use is essential to deliver effective public health policy. We aimed to study the prevalence and modes of tobacco consumption in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly focusing on the use of Midwakh (Arabic traditional pipe). METHODS: We studied 170,430 UAE nationals aged ≥ 18 years (44% males and 56% females) in the Weqaya population-based screening program in Abu Dhabi residents during the period April 2008-June 2010. Self-reported smoking status, type, quantity and duration of tobacco smoked were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study findings; prevalence rates used the screened sample as the denominator. RESULT: The prevalence of smoking overall was 24.3% in males and 0.8% in females and highest in males aged 20-39. Mean age (SD) of smokers was 32.8 (11.1) years, 32.7 (11.1) in males and 35.7 (12.1) in females. Cigarette smoking was the commonest form of tobacco use (77.4% of smokers), followed by Midwakh (15.0%), shisha (waterpipe) (6.8%), and cigar (0.66%). The mean durations of smoking for cigarettes, Midwakh, shisha and cigars were 11.4, 9.3, 7.6 and 11.0 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is most common among younger UAE national men. The use of Midwakh and the relatively young age of onset of Midwakh smokers is of particular concern as is the possibility of the habit spreading to other countries. Comprehensive tobacco control laws targeting the young and the use of Midwakh are needed

Quenching of acoustic bandgaps by flow noise

Copyright (2009) American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics along with the following message: The following article appeared in Appl. Phys. Lett. 94, 134104 (2009) and may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3111797. Authors own version of final article on e-print serversWe report an experimental study of acoustic effects produced by wind impinging on noise barriers based on two-dimensional sonic crystals with square symmetry. We found that the attenuation strength of sonic-crystal bandgaps decreases for increasing values of flow speed. A quenching of the acoustic bandgap appears at a certain speed value that depends of the barrier filling ratio. For increasing values of flow speed, the data indicate that the barrier becomes a sound source because of its interaction with the wind. We conclude that flow noise should be taken into account in designing acoustic barriers based on sonic crystals.This work was supported by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation (AECI), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICIIN), and the Spanish Ministry of Public Works (MF). J.S.-D. acknowledges useful conversations with A. Broatch.Elnady, T.; Elsabbagh, A.; Akl, W.; Mohamady, O.; Garcia Chocano, VM.; Torrent Martí, D.; Cervera Moreno, FS.... (2009). Quenching of acoustic bandgaps by flow noise. Applied Physics Letters. 94(13). doi:10.1063/1.3111797S9413Sánchez-Pérez, J. V., Caballero, D., Mártinez-Sala, R., Rubio, C., Sánchez-Dehesa, J., Meseguer, F., … Gálvez, F. (1998). Sound Attenuation by a Two-Dimensional Array of Rigid Cylinders. Physical Review Letters, 80(24), 5325-5328. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.80.5325Rubio, C., Caballero, D., Sanchez-Perez, J. V., Martinez-Sala, R., Sanchez-Dehesa, J., Meseguer, F., & Cervera, F. (1999). The existence of full gaps and deaf bands in two-dimensional sonic crystals. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 17(11), 2202-2207. doi:10.1109/50.803012Caballero, D., Sánchez-Dehesa, J., Rubio, C., Mártinez-Sala, R., Sánchez-Pérez, J. V., Meseguer, F., & Llinares, J. (1999). Large two-dimensional sonic band gaps. Physical Review E, 60(6), R6316-R6319. doi:10.1103/physreve.60.r6316Caballero, D., Sánchez-Dehesa, J., Martínez-Sala, R., Rubio, C., Sánchez-Pérez, J. V., Sanchis, L., & Meseguer, F. (2001). Suzuki phase in two-dimensional sonic crystals. Physical Review B, 64(6). doi:10.1103/physrevb.64.064303Chen, Y.-Y., & Ye, Z. (2001). Acoustic Attenuation by Two-Dimensional Arrays of Rigid Cylinders. Physical Review Letters, 87(18). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.87.184301Sanchez-Perez, J. V., Rubio, C., Martinez-Sala, R., Sanchez-Grandia, R., & Gomez, V. (2002). Acoustic barriers based on periodic arrays of scatterers. Applied Physics Letters, 81(27), 5240-5242. doi:10.1063/1.1533112Goffaux, C., Maseri, F., Vasseur, J. O., Djafari-Rouhani, B., & Lambin, P. (2003). Measurements and calculations of the sound attenuation by a phononic band gap structure suitable for an insulating partition application. Applied Physics Letters, 83(2), 281-283. doi:10.1063/1.1592016Goffaux, C., & Vigneron, J. P. (2001). Theoretical study of a tunable phononic band gap system. Physical Review B, 64(7). doi:10.1103/physrevb.64.075118Zhong, L., Wu, F., Zhang, X., Zhong, H., & Zhong, S. (2005). Effects of orientation and symmetry of rods on the complete acoustic band gap in two-dimensional periodic solid/gas systems. Physics Letters A, 339(1-2), 164-170. doi:10.1016/j.physleta.2005.03.025Umnova, O., Attenborough, K., & Linton, C. M. (2006). Effects of porous covering on sound attenuation by periodic arrays of cylinders. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 119(1), 278-284. doi:10.1121/1.2133715Martínez-Sala, R., Rubio, C., García-Raffi, L. M., Sánchez-Pérez, J. V., Sánchez-Pérez, E. A., & Llinares, J. (2006). Control of noise by trees arranged like sonic crystals. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 291(1-2), 100-106. doi:10.1016/j.jsv.2005.05.030Sanchis, L., Håkansson, A., Cervera, F., & Sánchez-Dehesa, J. (2003). Acoustic interferometers based on two-dimensional arrays of rigid cylinders in air. Physical Review B, 67(3). doi:10.1103/physrevb.67.03542