Studies on properties and estimation problems for modified extension of exponential distribution

The present paper considers modified extension of the exponential distribution with three parameters. We study the main properties of this new distribution, with special emphasis on its median, mode and moments function and some characteristics related to reliability studies. For Modified- extension exponential distribution (MEXED) we have obtained the Bayes Estimators of scale and shape parameters using Lindley's approximation (L-approximation) under squared error loss function. But, through this approximation technique it is not possible to compute the interval estimates of the parameters. Therefore, we also propose Gibbs sampling method to generate sample from the posterior distribution. On the basis of generated posterior sample we computed the Bayes estimates of the unknown parameters and constructed 95 % highest posterior density credible intervals. A Monte Carlo simulation study is carried out to compare the performance of Bayes estimators with the corresponding classical estimators in terms of their simulated risk. A real data set has been considered for illustrative purpose of the study.Comment: 22,

Subclinical hypothyroidism among Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Thyroid autoimmune diseases have been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are seen, but hypothyroidism is the most common abnormality. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been reported among adult lupus patients. SCH is not without risk as it might contribute to a proatherogenic state. Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the frequency of SCH in a group of Egyptian children with SLE and its effects on the serum lipids. Methods: Forty patients with pediatric SLE who regularly follow up at our center were enrolled in this study. They were subjected to routine laboratory investigations of SLE and measurement of serum lipids (serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL and HDL) as well as free thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (anti-TPO-ab) titre. SLE activity was assessed using the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI). Results: Six patients (15%) were found to have SCH while the remaining 34 patients (85%) had normal thyroid function. Anti-TPO-abs were positive in 4 out of the 6 (66.6 %) SLE patients with SCH and in 20 out of the 34 (58.8%) SLE patients with normal thyroid function. In SLE patients with SCH, TSH correlated positively yet insignificantly with anti-TPO-ab titre and the duration of SLE (p = 0.17, p = 0.12, respectively). There were no statistically significant correlations between the serum lipids of SLE patients with SCH and their thyroid function or anti-TPO-ab titre. Conclusion: SCH is not uncommon among children with SLE. This SCH does not seem to affect serum lipids. However, further longitudinal studies on wider scales are needed to assess the long term effects of SCH in those patients.Keywords: SLE, anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies, subclinical hypothyroidismEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011;9(2):87-9

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA EXTRACTS ON ACETAMINOPHEN-INDUCED OXIDATIVE DAMAGE IN RATS

is study aimed to evaluate the in-vitro antioxidant activities of Moringa Oleifera Lam (MO) extracts, and their protective effects in acetaminophen (APAP)- induced liver injury in rats caused by oxidative damage. The antioxidants activities of ethanolic, aqueous and hexane extracts of different MO edible parts were investigated by DPPH radical scavenging capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. The ethanolic extracts of different parts of MO were found to have higher antioxidant capacity compared to the aqueous and hexane extracts. The flowers ethanolic extract has the highest total antioxidants capacity among the other different parts of MO follo wed by leaves, pods, roots and finally seeds. HPLC-MS scanning of ethanolic leave extracts showed the presence of flavonoid derivates Apigenin, quercetin and kaempferol in addition to chlorogenic acid.  In the hepatoprotective study, either leaves or pods extracts (300mg/Kg bw or 600mg/Kg bw stomach tube orally) were administrated to rats one hour prior to administration of a single dose of APAP (4g/Kg bw by stomach tube orally). The hepatoprotective activity of MO leaves and pods extracts were followed for 21 days by observed in the levels of liver markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the levels of oxidative damage markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT), wich analysed and compared between groups pretreated with MO extracts +APAP to those treated with  APAP alone. The outcome of this parameters indicate reduction in the severity of liver damage in group treated with MO extracts + APAP and compared to those treated with APAP alone . Also, histopathological examination of liver tissues of rats treated with MO extracts showed an improvement at the end of experiment.  The results of this study indicate the hepatoprotective properties of MO leaves and pods ethanolic extracts against liver injury and thereby signify its traditional use

Contraception use among Muslim women in Alexandria, Egypt: a descriptive pilot study

Background: This pilot study aimed to create a questionnaire survey directed to understand knowledge gaps related to contraception among Muslim women in Alexandria, Egypt, so potential interventions could be designed to enable more informed decision-making. The project was a mixed-method, cross-sectional study using a questionnaire survey.Methods: Participants were randomly selected at outpatient clinics at Alexandria university hospitals in September and October 2020. The inclusion criteria were to be an 18 year old or older woman and able to give consent. The recruitment goal for this pilot study was 100 participants. The consented participants were interviewed about demographics, socio-structural and contraception use. The questionnaire was tested using a focus group of 11 women. The study data was collected using KoBoToolbox and exported to the SPSS software for descriptive analysis. The primary outcome was to validate the survey questionnaire and the secondary outcome to assess knowledge regarding contraception methods and emergency contraception.Results: The age of study participants ranged from 18-60 with a mean of 34 years. Almost all participants had previously heard of various contraceptive methods and 75% used them before. The majority did not know about emergency contraception. Most respondents had a favorable attitude toward family planning, and their primary sources of information were family and friends.Conclusions: Preliminary findings show that most women knew about contraception methods, though few of them heard of emergency contraception. Because of the patriarchal nature of Egyptian society, family planning education should target the whole population

HUBUNGAN STATUS GIZI TERHADAP KEJADIAN HIPERTENSI PADA MASYARAKAT DI DESA RANTAU PANJANG

Salah satu faktor pemicu timbulnya hipertensi adalah status gizi yang tidak seimbang. Umumnya kelebihan gizi berkaitan dengan kemakmuran dan gaya hidup. Masyarakat di wilayah dengan kadar garam tinggi pada air dan makananya lebih banyak mengalami hipertensi daripada daerah dengan kadar kalsium dan magnesium tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara status gizi terhadap kejadian hipertensi pada masyarakat pesisir Desa Rantau Panjang. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah penelitian kuantitatif dengan desain cross sectional. Populasi berjumlah 300 KK dengan sampel penelitian yang digunakan sebanyak 52 orang dengan range umur > 20 tahun. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah timbangan badan, microtois, tensi darah, dan meteran Lingkar Pinggang dan Lingkar Lengan serta kuesioner. Analisis yang digunakan untuk  melihat hubungan antar variabel adalah chi-square. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa usia memiliki hubungan dengan kejadian hipertensi dengan p = 0.001 < 0.05.  Jenis kelamin memiliki hubungan dengan kejadian hipertensi dengan P = 0.017 < 0.05. Pekerjaan memiliki hubungan dengan kejadian hipertensi dengan p = 0.003 < 0.05. Pendidikan tidak memiliki hubungan dengan kejadian hipertensi dengan p = 0.226  > 0.05. Status gizi memiliki hubungan dengan kejadian hipertensi dengan p= 0.000 < 0.05. Dari hasil penelitian didapatkan kesimpulan bahwa ada hubungan antara status gizi terhadap kejadian hipertensi pada masyarakat di Desa Rantau Panjang

Characterization, antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities of green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Phragmanthera austroarabica A. G. Mill and J. A. Nyberg extract

IntroductionDiabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that exhibited great expansion all over the world. It is becoming an epidemic disease adding a major burden to the health care system, particularly in developing countries.MethodsThe plant under investigation in the current study Phragmanthera austroarabica A. G. Mill and J. A. Nyberg is traditionally used in Saudi Arabia for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The methanolic extract (200 mg/kg) of the plant and pure gallic acid (40 mg/kg), a major metabolite of the plant, as well as their silver nanoparticle formulae (AgNPs) were evaluated for their antidiabetic activity.Results and DiscussionThe results showed a decrease in body fat, obesity, an improvement in lipid profiles, normalization of hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia, and an improvement in liver tissue structure and function. However, the results obtained from AgNPs for both extract and the pure gallic acid were better in most measured parameters. Additionally, the activity of both the crude extract of the plant and its AgNPs were evaluated against a number of gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Although the activity of the crude extract ranged from moderate to weak or even non-active, the AgNPs of the plant extract clearly enhanced the antimicrobial activity. AgNPs of the extract demonstrated remarkable activity, especially against the Gram-negative pathogens Proteus vulgaris (MIC 2.5 μg/ml) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 5 μg/ml). Furthermore, a promising antimicrobial activity was shown against the Gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus mutants (MIC 1.25 μg/ml)

New Pim-1 Kinase Inhibitor From the Co-culture of Two Sponge-Associated Actinomycetes

Saccharomonospora sp. UR22 and Dietzia sp. UR66, two actinomycetes derived from the Red Sea sponge Callyspongia siphonella, were co-cultured and the induced metabolites were monitored by HPLC-DAD and TLC. Saccharomonosporine A (1), a novel brominated oxo-indole alkaloid, convolutamydine F (2) along with other three known induced metabolites (3-5) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of Saccharomonospora sp. UR22 and Dietzia sp. UR66 co-culture. Additionally, axenic culture of Saccharomonospora sp. UR22 led to isolation of six known microbial metabolites (6-11). A kinase inhibition assay results showed that compounds 1 and 3 were potent Pim-1 kinase inhibitors with an IC50 value of 0.3 ± 0.02 and 0.95 ± 0.01 μM, respectively. Docking studies revealed the binding mode of compounds 1 and 3 in the ATP pocket of Pim-1 kinase. Testing of compounds 1 and 3 displayed significant antiproliferative activity against the human colon adenocarcinoma HT-29, (IC50 3.6 and 3.7 μM, respectively) and the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60, (IC50 2.8 and 4.2 μM, respectively). These results suggested that compounds 1 and 3 act as potential Pim-1 kinase inhibitors that mediate the tumor cell growth inhibitory effect. This study highlighted the co-cultivation approach as an effective strategy to increase the chemical diversity of the secondary metabolites hidden in the genomes of the marine actinomycetes

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London