The Effect of Apigenin on Gram Positives and Negative Bacteria

The antibacterial effect of Apigenin was evaluated by an in vitro study testing the growth of various Gram-Posative and Gram-Negative bacteria . The bactericidal activity of this extract was analyzed by serial dilution in tubes. This study,found that Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive bacteria susceptible to lower Apigenin concentrations. On the other hand, Gram-Negative bacteria were more susceptible than Gram-Positives bacteria, the minimal bactericidal concentration of Gram-Negative bacteria was 2 mg ml-1 but minimal bactericidal concentration of Gram-Positive bacteria was 4 mg ml-1 that mean doable inhibation concentration of Gram-negative bacteria . This study suggest that Apigenin have inhibation effect against Gram-Posative and Gram-Negative bacteria and Apigenin was natural material found in Iraq and world with little side effec

A Study of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Postmenopausal Type 2 Diabetic Women

AbstractBackgroundType 2 diabetic elderly women are at increased risk for osteoporotic fractures. Low levels of vitamin D increases this risk. We aimed to measure levels of 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25 OH-D) in these patients to help assess the level of risk.Patients and MethodsIn this cross sectional case-control study, the serum concentrations of 25 OH-D were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 60 ambulatory, postmenopausal, type 2 diabetic female patients under oral anti-diabetic treatment. Thirty control females were comparable for weight, age and years since menopause. Calcium and Vitamin D intake (obtained by 24 hour dietary recall), sun exposure, parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were also assessed.ResultsThe prevalence of 25 OH-D insufficiency was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects (38.3% vs. 20%, p<0.01). About 13% of diabetics with vitamin D insufficiency had high PTH levels. While most of the control group with 25 OH-D insufficiency had elevated PTH levels. Out of 66 diabetic women, only 11.7% had adequate vitamin D intake and 30% had adequate calcium intake. Similarly, in non-diabetic women, only 13.3% had adequate vitamin D intake and 26.7% had adequate calcium intake. However, a highly significantly percentage of diabetic women (43.4%) with inadequate vitamin D intake develop vitamin D insufficiency compared with non-diabetic women (23.1%) (p<0.001). Diabetic patients with 25 OH-D insufficiency tend to be older, with higher BMI, and HBA1C (P<0.01, <0.01, <0.001 respectively).ConclusionWe documented increased risk of vitamin D insufficiency in type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women in the face of inadequate dietary vitamin D and low sun exposure. This finding might partially explain the increased risk for osteoporosis among this group and warrants consideration of dietary vitamin D supplementation

Libyan Teachers’ Beliefs about Teaching English as a Foreign Language at Preparatory and Secondary Schools: Teaching Methodology, Curriculum and Professional Development

This thesis aims to develop an understanding and explanation about what Libyan teachers think and believe about teaching English. It examines how they regard themselves as English language teachers, addresses their beliefs about classroom practices and the current curriculum, and what might be regarded as professionalism within the Libyan educational context. This interpretive qualitative case study was conducted in the southern part of Libya and involved fifteen teachers of English from seven public schools who were purposively chosen and then observed and interviewed to generate data. Four inspectors and the head of a university English department were also interviewed to elucidate the wider context. This research adopted Ajzen’s (2005) Planned Behaviour Theory (PBT) and Desimone’s (2009) model of professional development as a theoretical base for the study. PBT underpinned an exploration and explanation of teachers’ beliefs, taking into consideration a variety of motivational factors. The way teachers’ intentions acclimatised to certain practices were analysed with regard to the three main determinants of PBT: behavioural, normative and control beliefs. Desimone’s model of professional development then was implemented as a relevant basis to explore the change required with respect to teachers’ current practices and their professional development in an evolving context such as Libya. The findings of this research confirm that Libyan teachers’ pedagogical practices are largely traditional. However, it also demonstrates that this occurs, in some cases, despite initial teacher training, since there were those participants who had had a pre- service background in teaching methodologies but, nevertheless, still adopted a traditional role once in the classroom. Significant factors which influenced this were: firstly, a lack of alignment between the Libyan assessment system and the principles of the English curriculum; secondly, an inconsistency between the official inspection regime and the principles of the current curriculum; thirdly, inadequacy in initial training and in any subsequent continued professional development (CPD). The Libyan inspection regime itself also displayed inconsistencies owing to inspectors’ incongruent views about what constitutes effective teaching in Libyan English language classrooms. Moreover, the research findings regarding teachers’ beliefs, as they emerged from the data and were interpreted under the main aspects of PBT, suggest that the participant teachers hold a range of beliefs which influence their practices. Those beliefs were formed in various ways initially as a result of background factors: their previous preparatory and secondary school experiences as language learners, and then advice from inspectors and other colleagues. However, significantly, the Libyan public examining system encouraged them to teach to the test and define success solely in terms of assessment while defining their concept of professionalism exclusively as years of teaching experience. This thesis reveals then a lack of alignment between the Libyan English curriculum and its assessment. It also indicates that professionalism in Libyan education is conceived as years of experience rather than as pedagogical knowledge and understanding, and that, currently, there are few opportunities either through pre- service training or continued professional development for that to change

Awareness of Dental Interns to Treat Pregnant Patients

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy causes major changes in maternal physiology and metabolism, which may lead to increased susceptibility to oral infection. AIM: Aim of this study is to assess the awareness of dental interns regarding the management of the dental needs of pregnant patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 188 interns of a private dental college in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire comprised of 14 knowledge-based questions regarding their training, awareness and practice management of the pregnant patient in dental clinics. Four questions to record and evaluate their training, the number of pregnant patients treated by them and their confidence level in the dental management of the pregnant patient. Excel spreadsheet was used for mathematical calculations. RESULTS: Almost 62% of our participants never treated a pregnant female during their training. About 65% of the interns knew using antibiotics, almost 55% have a clear idea of the safest NSAIDS, and 43% regarded local anaesthesia to be safe when used among pregnant females. Conversely, about 50% of the participants had no clear knowledge of the FDA category of drugs. Only 24% considered dental radiographs to be safe in pregnant patients. 57% thought to postpone the dental treatment in an acute active dental infection in expecting mothers. Results also showed a lack of confidence among interns to provide dental care to gestating female. CONCLUSION: On analysing the results, we found that there is a need to improve the knowledge, awareness and confidence levels among the interns who are the future dentists treating these patients

The Medical Study of Denture Base Resin Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Reinforced by ZnO and TCP Nanoparticles

Denture base poly (methyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin is one of the most frequently used materials in denture base synthesis, but due to its poor mechanical properties, PMMA can be considered a medium for the attachment and growth of a variety of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, particularly due to PMMA's pores and rough surface. The porosity percentage and surface roughness of the PMMA resin sample was lowered in this study, which resulted in a reduction in microorganisms' surface adhesion by varying the ratios of additives such as zinc oxide (ZnO) and tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) nanoparticles with (1, 2, 3, and 10% wt percent) for each additive separately, and 3% as a combination of ZnO and TCP nanoparticles in an equal ratio. Additionally, mechanical features such as surface hardness are developed, which is a critical attribute for polishing and easy finishing, as well as offering great scratch resistance during denture base cleaning. These results indicated that when compared to the other groups, PMMA (ZnO wt. 1%) and TCP-wt. 1%) reinforced composite resins demonstrated the best optimum properties. Additionally, it was discovered that adding 1% of NPs improved the mechanical qualities, which benefited the biological properties by reducing bacterial adherence to the PMMA composite resin