Gerontology course in the nursing undergraduate curricula

Objective To explores nursing faculty members’ attitudes towards older people, their thoughts about gerontological nursing education. Method Five focus groups and a survey were used with nursing faculty members 132 at the three nursing schools to explore their attitudes towards the care of older people and the perceived status of gerontological nursing education. The survey was given to 132 faculty members, including 76 clinical instructors, 40 associate professors and 16 professors. The nursing faculty in general had a positive attitude toward older people (M=3.36, SD 0.25), and teachers’ attitudes were higher than those of their nursing students (M=3.18, SD0.29). Results This study results suggests that Saudi nursing curricula should include more extensive gerontology content and clinical experience with older people. Conclusion This is the first time in Saudi Arabia that research has listened to their voices and examined their commitments toward gerontology education.
Objetivo Explorar a atitude dos docentes de enfermagem em relação às pessoas mais velhas e suas reflexões sobre o ensino de enfermagem gerontológica nos currículos de graduação em enfermagem na Arábia Saudita. Método Uma pesquisa com cinco grupos focais foi utilizada com membros do corpo docente, nas três escolas de enfermagem. O levantamento contou com 132 membros, incluindo 76 instrutores clínicos, 40 professores associados e 16 professores. A faculdade de enfermagem em geral teve uma atitude positiva para com os idosos (M = 3,36, DP 0,25) e as atitudes dos professores foram mais elevadas do que os de seus alunos de enfermagem (M = 3,18, SD0.29). Resultados Sugerem que os currículos de enfermagem Sauditas devem incluir um conteúdo mais extenso em gerontologia e experiência clínica com as pessoas mais velhas. Conclusão Esta foi a primeira vez na Arábia Saudita, que a pesquisa ouviu suas vozes e examinou os seus compromissos para com a educação gerontológica.
Objetivo Explorar la actitud de los docentes de enfermería con relación a las personas mayores y sus reflexiones acerca de la enseñanza de enfermería gerontológica en los currículos de grado de enfermería en Arabia Saudita. Método Una investigación con cinco grupos focales fue utilizada con miembros del cuerpo docente, en las tres escuelas de enfermería. El relevamiento contó con 132 miembros, incluyéndose a 76 instructores clínicos, 40 profesores asociados y 16 profesores. La facultad de enfermería, en general, tuvo una actitud positiva ante los ancianos (M = 3,36, DP 0,25) y las actitudes de los profesores fueron más elevadas que las de sus alumnos de enfermería (M = 3,18, SD0.29). Resultados Sugieren que los currículos de enfermería sauditas deban incluir un contenido más extensivo en gerontología y experiencia clínica con las personas mayores. Conclusión Esta fue la primera vez que la investigación oyó las voces de Arabia Saudita y examinó sus compromisos con relación a la educación gerontológica.

A spectroscopic, thermodynamic and molecular docking study of the binding mechanism of dapoxetine with calf thymus DNA

Dapoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, used to treat premature ejaculation in men. Dapoxetine may interact with theDNAand hence this study investigated dapoxetine and calf thymusDNA(ctDNA) binding interaction. The interaction study of ligands to DNA is of importance in the development of molecular probes and therapeutic agents. Spectroscopic techniques including spectrofluorometry and spectrophotometry were employed to study this interaction. Fluorescence studies indicated a static quenching mechanism between dapoxetine and ctDNA. Groove binding was suggested as the mode of interaction between dapoxetine and ctDNA based onUVabsorption, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, iodide quenching and molecular docking studies. The studies conducted at three different temperatures 298, 303 and 310 K indicated a strong binding interaction at higher temperatures. Thermodynamic studies conducted indicated involvement of hydrophobic interaction between ctDNA and dapoxetine and were entropy-driven. Ethidium bromide probe study suggested that dapoxetine does not bind to ctDNA in an intercalative fashion. Iodide quenching studies further proved the non-intercalative binding of ctDNA with dapoxetine. Ionic strength studies conducted ruled out the electrostatic binding mechanism between ctDNA and dapoxetine. Molecular docking analysis performed for the dapoxetine with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) interaction and confirmed minor groove binding of dapoxetine to ctDNA. The study helped to reveal the binding interaction mechanism between dapoxetine and ctDNA

Fatigue performance of flexible steel fibre reinforced rubberised concrete pavements

Recycled rubber particles and steel fibres from end-of-life tyres have the potential to enhance the flexibility and ductility of concrete pavements and produce more sustainable pavement solutions. However, the fatigue behaviour of such pavements is not fully understood. This article investigates the mechanical and fatigue performance of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) and steel fibre reinforced rubberised concrete (SFRRuC). Specimens tested were cast using rubber particles as replacement of natural aggregates (0%, 30% and 60% by volume), and using a blend of manufactured and recycled tyre steel fibres (40 kg/m3). Prisms were subjected to four-point flexural cyclic load (f = 15 Hz) at stress ratios of 0.5, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9. The results show that, compared to plain concrete, the addition of steel fibres alone improves the fatigue stress resistance of concrete by 11% (at 25% probability of failure). The replacement of natural aggregates with rubber particles improves the flexibility of SFRRuC (from 51 GPa elastic modules for plain concrete to 13 GPa for SFRRuC), but reduces its fatigue stress resistance by 42% (at 25% probability of failure). However, a probabilistic analysis of the fatigue life data and overall design considerations show that the flexible SFRRuC can be used for pavements. To account for the effect of fatigue load, the Concrete Society approach included in TR34 is modified to account for SFRRuC pavements. Finite element analyses show that flexible SFRRuC pavements can accommodate large subgrade movements and settlements and result in much smaller cracks (up to 24 times) compared to SFRC pavements

Treatment of dental plaque biofilms using photodynamic therapy: a randomised controlled study

Introduction Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality involving a dye that is activated by exposure to light of a specific wavelength in the presence of oxygen to form oxygen species causing localised damage to microorganisms. Aim To determine the most effective bactericidal incubation and irradiation times of erythrosine-based PDT on in vivo-formed dental plaque biofilms. Methods A randomised controlled study; 18-healthy adult participants wearing intraoral appliances with human enamel slabs to collect dental plaque samples in two separate periods of two weeks each for use in arm-1 and arm-2. These accumulated dental plaque samples were treated with PDT under different experimental conditions. Incubation times with photosensitiser (erythrosine) of 15 min and 2 min were used in arm-1 and arm-2, respectively, followed by light irradiation for either 15 min (continuous) or as a fractionated dose (5 × 30 sec). Following treatment, percentage reductions of total bacterial counts were compared between the different groups. In addition, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and LIVE/DEAD® BacLight™ Bacterial Viability Kit were used to visualise the effect of PDT on in vivo-formed biofilms. Results Significant reductions in the percentage of total bacterial counts (~93–95%) of in vivo-formed biofilms were found when using either 2 min or 15min incubation times and applying 15 min continuous light. Although when applying fractionated light, there was more cell death when 15 min incubation time was used (~ 91%) compared with the 2 min incubation time (~ 64%). CLSM results supported these findings. Conclusion Improving the clinical usefulness of PDT by reducing its overall treatment time seems to be promising and effective in killing in vivo-formed dental plaque biofilms

Treatment of Dental Plaque Biofilms using Photodynamic Therapy

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality involving a dye that is activated by exposure to light of a specific wavelength in the presence of oxygen to form oxygen species causing localised damage to microorganisms. AIM: To determine the most effective bactericidal incubation and irradiation times of erythrosine-based PDT, using a tungsten filament lamp, on in vivo- formed dental plaque biofilms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a two-phase randomised controlled study consisting of in-vitro and in-situ phases. Phase-1 aimed to determine the most appropriate incubation-time using erythrosine(220μM) based-PDT on lactobacillus species grown in-vitro. Phase-2 was conducted on 18-healthy adult participants wearing intraoral appliances with human enamel slabs to collect dental plaque samples in two separate periods for use in arm-1 and arm-2. For phase-2, accumulated dental plaque samples were tested under different experimental conditions; a) Control-1 (No erythrosine, no light); b) Control-2 (+Erythrosine, no light); c) Treatment-1 (+Erythrosine, +15min continuous light); d) Treatment-2 (+Erythrosine, +30sec light pulses for 5- times separated by 1min dark periods). Incubation-times of 15min and 2min were used in arm-1 and arm-2, respectively; as adapted from the previous pilot study and phase-1. Following treatment, percentage reduction of total bacterial counts were compared between the different groups. Additionally, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy(CLSM) was used to investigate the effect of PDT on in vivo-formed plaque biofilms. RESULTS: Significant reductions in the percentage of total bacterial counts (~93-95%) of in vivo-formed biofilms were found when using either 2min or 15min incubation-times and applying 15min continuous light. Whereas, when applying fractionated light, there was more cell death when 15min incubation-time was used (~91%) compared with the 2min incubation-time (~64%). CLSM results supported these findings. CONCLUSION: Improving the clinical usefulness of PDT by reducing its overall treatment time seems to be promising and effective in killing in vivo- formed dental plaque biofilms

A comprehensive study on optical features, gamma photon buildup factors and neutron shielding capability of B2O3-SB2O3-LI2O-BI2O3 glasses

ABSTRACT. Linear, nonlinear optical properties, photon buildup factors, and neutron shielding capability of glasses with chemical composition (65-x)B2O3-10Sb2O3-25Li2O-xBi2O3, where x = 0 (BSLB0) – 20 (BSLB20) mol% with steps of 4 mol% were examined. Molar refractivity (Rmolar) and molar polarizability (αmolar) were increased as Bi2O3 content mol% increase in the examined BSLB-glasses. The values of metallization criterion (Mcriterion) confirmed that the BSLB-glasses were non-metallic materials. The static (εstatic) and optical (εoptical) dielectric constants having the same trend of the refractive index (noptical). Values of optical electronegativity (χ*) were reduced from 0.825 for BSLB0 (Bi2O3 = 0 mol%) glasses to 0.758 for BSLB20 (Bi2O3 = 20 mol%) glasses. The linear electric/dielectric susceptibility (χ(1)) increased from 0.370 to 0.397. The nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ3) and nonlinear refractive index n2optical were enhanced by increasing Bi2O3 content in the BSLB-glasses. The BSLB20 glasses presented the least exposure and energy absorption build-up factors (EBF and EABF) at all considered thickness. BSLB20 sample achieved the best fast neutron removal cross section ( ) shield among all glasses. The total stopping powers (TSP) follows the trend (TSP)BSLB0 < (TSP)BSLB4 < (TSP)BSLB8 < (TSP)BSLB12 < (TSP)BSLB16 < (TSP)BSLB20. The electron absorbing and hence shielding capacity of the BSLB-glasses improves as their Bi2O3 content increase.     KEY WORDS: Antimony lithium-borate glasses, Optical properties, Buildup factors, Neutron shielding   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(4), 949-962.                                                                DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i4.19                                                     &nbsp

Protective effect of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf extract on glycoprotein components on STZ–induced hyperglycemic rats

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the protective role of Cardiospermum halicacabum (C. halicacabum) leaf extract on glycoprotein metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.MethodsDiabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by intraperitonial administration of STZ. The C. halicacabum leaf extract (CHE) was administered orally to normal and STZ–diabetic rats for 45 days. The effects of C. halicacabum leaf extract (CHE) on plasma and tissue glycoproteins (hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid) were determined.ResultsThe levels of plasma and tissues glycoproteins containing hexose, hexosamine and fucose were significantly increased in STZ–induced diabetic rats. In addition, the level of sialic acid significantly increased in plasma and liver while decreased in kidney of STZ–induced diabetic rats. After administration of CHE to diabetic rats, the metabolic alteration of glycoprotein reverted towards normal levels.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that the CHE possesses a protective effect on abnormal glycoprotein metabolism in addition to its antihyperglycemic activity

Durability of steel fibre reinforced rubberised concrete exposed to chlorides

This study assesses the durability and transport properties of low water/binder ratio (0.35) steel fibre reinforced rubberised concrete (SFRRuC) mixes, which are proposed to be used as flexible concrete pavements. Waste tyre rubber is incorporated in concrete as fine and coarse aggregate replacement and blends of manufactured steel fibres and recycled tyre steel fibres are used as internal reinforcement. The fresh, mechanical and transport properties of plain concrete are compared with those of SFRRuC mixes having different substitutions of rubber aggregates (0, 30 and 60% by volume). The chloride corrosion effects due to exposure to a simulated accelerated marine environment (intermittent wet-dry cycles in 3% NaCl solution) is also evaluated. The results show that, although water permeability (e.g. volume of permeable voids and sorptivity) and chloride ingress increase with rubber content, this increase is minor and water and chlorides permeability are generally within the range of highly durable concrete mixes. No visual signs of deterioration or cracking (except superficial rust) were observed on the surface of the concrete specimens subjected to 150 or 300 days of accelerated chloride corrosion exposure and a slight increase in the mechanical properties is observed. This study shows that the examined low water/binder SFRRuC mixes promote good durability characteristics, making these composite materials suitable for flexible concrete pavement applications

Clinical characteristics of asymptomatic and symptomatic COVID-19 patients in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Background: The first case of COVID-19 infection in Saudi Arabia was reported in Qatif on March 2nd, 2020. Here, we describe the clinical characteristics of the initial COVID-19 patients in that area. Methods: This is an observational study describing the clinical presentation, radiographic and laboratory data of COVID-19 cases. Results: From March 1st, 2020 to April 5th, 2020 we identified a total of 82 adult COVID-19 patients. The median age of the patients was 50 years, with a range of 30 to 60 years and most of patients were female 54 (65.9%). Of all the patients, 29 (35.4%) were contacts and 43 (52.4%) were returning travelers, mainly from Iraq (65% of the total returning travelers). Comorbidities were present in 50% of patients, G6PD deficiency in 33%, hypertension in 27%, and diabetes mellitus in 26%. Chest radiographs were abnormal in 46% of symptomatic and 15.5% of asymptomatic patients (P value = 0.0035). Of all patients, 4 (4.87%) required intensive care admission. There was no significant difference in time to negative RT-PCR with mean days to negativity of 13.6 and 16.9 for asymptomatic and symptomatic group, respectively (P value = 0.42). Conclusions: In the initial Epicenter of the COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia, the majority of the patients were asymptomatic and were returning travelers. Comorbidities were present in nearly half of the patients