Effect of ciprofloxacin incorporation in PVA and PVA bioactive glass composite scaffolds

International audienceScaffolds are implants used to deliver cells, drugs, and genes into the body in a local controlled release pattern which offers many advantages over systematic drug delivery. Composite scaffolds of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and quaternary bioactive glass (46S6 system) with different ratios of glass contents were prepared by the lyophilisation technique. The broad spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cip) was impregnated to the scaffold during the fabrication in a concentration of 5, 10 and 20%. Biodegradation rate and in-vitro mineralization of the prepared scaffolds were performed by soaking the scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF). Phase identification, microstructure, porosity, bioactivity, mechanical properties and drug release pattern in PBS were characterized by XRD, SEM coupled with EDS, Hg-porosimeter, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), universal testing machine, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-spectrophotometer, respectively. A porous scaffold has been obtained with porosity up to 85%. By increasing the glass contents in the prepared scaffold the porosity and the degradation rate decrease however, the compressive strength was enhanced. A sustained drug release pattern was observed with a quasi-Fickian diffusion mechanism. The formulated ciprofloxacin loaded porous polyvinyl alcohol scaffold gave an acceptable physicochemical properties and was able to deliver the drug in a prolonged release pattern which offers a distinguish treatment for osteomylitis as well as local antibacterial effect

Prevalence of Elevated Blood Pressure and Association with Obesity in Egyptian School Adolescents

Aim. To investigate the relationship between high blood pressure (HBP) and obesity in Egyptian adolescents. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 1500 adolescents (11–19 years) in Alexandria, Egypt, was conducted. Resting BP was measured and measurements were categorized using the 2004 fourth report on blood pressure screening recommendations. Additional measures included height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences. Obesity was determined based on BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) indicators. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were used as measures of association between BP and obesity. Results. Prevalence rates of prehypertension and hypertension were 5.7% and 4.0%, respectively. Obesity was seen in 34.6%, 16.1%, 4.5%, and 16.7% according to BMI, WHR, WC, and WHtR, respectively. Adjusting for confounders, HBP was significantly associated with overall obesity based on BMI (OR = 2.18, 95%, CI = 1.38-3.44) and central obesity based on WC (OR = 3.14, 95%, CI = 1.67-5.94). Conclusion. Both overall obesity and central obesity were significant predictors of HBP in Egyptian adolescents

Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Training Protocol For Pregnant Woman during 3rd Trimester on Labor Duration

Background: Pelvic floor muscles training during pregnancy can produce strong and well controlled muscles that will facilitate labor progress and outcomes. The aim of this quasi-experimental non equivalent control study was to assess the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise training protocol for pregnant woman during 3rd trimester on labor duration. Sample: A total of 100 pregnant women in 3rd trimester were recruited for this study. Research design: A convenience sample was used & divided into two groups (study & control groups) 50 each; the study group who received pelvic floor muscle training exercise and control group who received standard routine care at El-Manial University Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. Each group was assigned randomly to the line of management. Tools: Structured interviewing tool, pelvic floor muscles strength assessment, antenatal follow up checklist, partograph. Results: a statistically significantly difference between the study and control groups in relation to duration of 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage of labor. Conclusion: pelvic floor muscle training exercise can be useful to decrease duration of labor. Recommendation: Pelvic floor muscle training exercise should be an essential part of prenatal care. The nurse should be an educator and counselor for mothers during prenatal care. Keywords: pelvic floor muscle training exercise, 3rd trimester of pregnancy, labor duratio

Taxonomic Revision and Numerical Analysis of Hibiscus L. in Egypt

The development of agriculture over the last decades has resulted in a continuous change of the natural vegetation of Egypt. Several species widely cultivated as economic crops or ornamentals. Numbers of species which escaped from cultivation and naturalized in naturals habitats are increasing. It is necessary to study the changes in the natural vegetation and traces the new species. The present study undertakes a survey, taxonomical revision and numerical analysis of the genus Hibiscus L. in Egypt including wild and cultivated species. The taxonomic treatment based on collecting of fresh materials from the studied species, in addition to the investigation of the herbarium specimens as well as information from the literatures. Eleven species of Hibiscus were reported in this study, from which there are 5 wild species (H. diversifolius Jacq., H. micranthus L. f., H. vitifolius L., H. sabdariffa L. and H. trionum L.) and there are 6 cultivated species (H. cannabinus L., H. mutabilis L., H. rosa-sinensis L., H. schizopetalus (Mast.) Hook. f. in Curtis, H. syriacus L. and H. tiliaceus L.). An identification key to the species of Hibiscus is provided. Valid names and synonyms are updated from online sources. Scientific descriptions provided the characters of leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds based on the herbarium specimens and completed from fresh materials and literatures are given. Distribution of wild species in their phytogeographical regions are provided. Type specimen, habitat, selected specimens and economic importance are provided for each species. The numerical analysis based on thirty six morphological characters including vegetative, flowers and fruits parts of the studied species. SPSS Statistics version 22 used to get morphometric analysis. The numerical analysis revealed two main clusters. The first cluster included 3 species, viz. H. micranthus L. f., H. vitifolius L. and H. trionum L. The second cluster included two groups: group (a) viz. H. diversifolius Jacq., H. syriacus L., and H. tiliaceus L., and group (b) viz. Hibiscus cannabinus L., H. mutabilis L., H. rosa-sinensis L., H. sabdariffa L. and H. schizopetalus (Mast.) Hook. f. in Curtis

THE IMPACT OF RELIGIOUS TOURISTS’ SATISFACTION WITH HAJJ SERVICES ON THEIR EXPERIENCE AT THE SACRED PLACES IN SAUDI ARABIA

To identify the impact of satisfaction with the provided services (food quality, transportation, accommodation, medical services and the religious guidance) on the spiritual experience of religious tourists, as well as the potential moderating role of pilgrims’ demographic characteristics on the relationship between service satisfaction and experience. A structured survey was distributed among the domestic pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia who performed Hajj under the control of three licensed agencies. Results showed that the satisfaction with transportation services and religious guidance were independent antecedent predictors of the spiritual experience. Furthermore, pilgrims’ age had significantly moderated the relationship between satisfaction with medical services and experience. National authorities can effectively improve the spiritual experience by providing comfortable means of transportation and reliable religious scholars to guide the pilgrims at different sacred destinations

THE POWER OF INTEGRATION TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE: A MODEL TO MINIMIZE TECHNOSTRESS AMONG FRONTLINE RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES BY COMBINING JOB AND EMPLOYEE RESOURCES

To develop a model that integrates restaurant and employee resources to overcome technostress and achieve sustainable performance. This qualitative study is based on twenty-two semi-structured interviews with restaurant managers and frontline employees (FLEs) to comprehensively understand how restaurant resources and personnel can be employed to combat technostress and achieve sustainable performance. Restaurant FLEs experience technostress from multiple sources, including unclear work-life boundaries, complex new systems, job insecurity, and the frequent use of new technologies. In addition, restaurant managers and FLEs concur that integrating restaurant and FLE resources is an effective model for reducing technostress and achieving FLEs' sustainable performance. The study expands the JD-R model to address the challenges faced by FLEs in managing technology-induced job demands, offering a comprehensive solution that benefits restaurants and employees. This approach considers the role of both employers and employees in managing technostress, leading to a supportive work environment and improved sustainable performance

(E)-1-[5-Methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one

The title compound, C19H16N4O3, crystallizes with two molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. In molecule A, the dihedral angles between the triazole ring and the toluyl and nitrobenzene rings are 62.68 (16) and 10.77 (15)°, respectively. The corresponding data for molecule B are 68.61 (17) and 15.59 (15)°, respectively. In the crystal, the B molecules are linked by C—H...N hydrogen bonds to generate [001] chains. Weak C—H...π(benzene) and N—O...π(triazole) contacts are also present

5-Methyl-N'-(5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl)-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbohydrazide

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C20H18N8O2, comprises one complete molecule and a half molecule completed by crystallographic twofold symmetry leading to Z = 12. The dihedral angles between the planes of the linked phenyl and methyltriazolyl groups are 69.48 (5) and 44.85 (9)° for the first molecule and 42.88 (9)° for the second. The conformations of the diformyl hydrazyl groups of the molecules are similar as indicated by C—N—N—C torsion angles of −83.4 (2) and −86.4 (3)°. In the crystal, neighbouring molecules are linked by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds to form independent columns propagating parallel to the c-axis direction

4-(4-Bromophenyl)-2-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-{3-[5-methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3-thiazole

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C37H28BrClN8S, comprises one molecule. The molecule consists of two ring systems joined by a C—C bond between the dihydropyrazolyl and pyrazolyl rings of the two extended ring systems. The angles between adjacent ring planes of the tolyl–triazolyl–pyrazolyl–phenyl ring system are 48.2 (1), 12.3 (2) and 22.2 (2)°, respectively, with angles of 19.7 (1), 5.6 (2) and 0.9 (2)° between the rings of the chlorophenyl–thiazolyl–dihydropyrazolyl–bromophenyl set. The pyrazolyl and dihydropyrazolyl rings are inclined at 68.3 (1)° to one another. In the crystal, C—H...Cl interactions form chains of molecules parallel to the b-axis direction

4-(4-Bromophenyl)-2-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-{3-[5-methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3-thiazole

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C37H28BrClN8S, comprises one molecule. The molecule consists of two ring systems joined by a C—C bond between the dihydropyrazolyl and pyrazolyl rings of the two extended ring systems. The angles between adjacent ring planes of the tolyl–triazolyl–pyrazolyl–phenyl ring system are 48.2 (1), 12.3 (2) and 22.2 (2)°, respectively, with angles of 19.7 (1), 5.6 (2) and 0.9 (2)° between the rings of the chlorophenyl–thiazolyl–dihydropyrazolyl–bromophenyl set. The pyrazolyl and dihydropyrazolyl rings are inclined at 68.3 (1)° to one another. In the crystal, C—H...Cl interactions form chains of molecules parallel to the b-axis direction