Knowledge, attitude, practice and satisfaction of patients using analgesic patches in Jordan

Purpose: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) and satisfaction of Jordanian patients using analgesic patches. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in four urban centers in Jordan (Amman (capital), Irbid (northern Jordan), Zarqa (central Jordan), and Karak (southern of Jordan)) using a validated closed and open-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire was delivered by hand to a target sample of 250 patients. Results: A total of 178 patients were recruited with a response rate of 71.2 %. Only 40 % of patients had previously been prescribed or recommended to take analgesic patches by a physician or pharmacist. The overall proportion of patients who were aware of the correct use of patch was only of 31 %. Conclusion: The use of patches in Jordan is limited due to lack of patients’ knowledge about the proper use of patches. Further studies should be carried out to evaluate healthcare providers’ perceptions and knowledge towards the use of patches

Artificial Intelligence-Based Power System Stabilizers for Frequency Stability Enhancement in Multi-machine Power Systems

Low frequency oscillations (LFOs) occur in a system of interconnected generators connected by weak interconnection. A power system stabilizer (PSS) is commonly used to improve the capacity of the power system dampening. Under a variety of operating conditions, traditional PSSs fail to deliver superior damping. To address this issue, a Farmland Fertility Algorithm (FFA-PSSs controller) was used to solve an optimization problem for optimal design of PSSs system parameters, and its performance efficiency was compared to GA and PSO-based PSSs controllers. In addition to PSS, flexible current transmission (FACTS) devices are widely used. PSSs controllers and FACTS devices are frequently constructed in tandem to improve the dampening efficiency of the system. In this study, an Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC) FACTS device will be added to the PSSs controller to improve the power system’s oscillatory stability. PSSs optimal design and supplemental controller of power fluctuations for IPFC were conducted out on WSCC multi-machine test systems using a linear system model. Using time-domain simulations and quantitative analysis, the proposed IPFC model was compared to the FFA-PSSs controller in terms of performance and efficiency. The main disadvantage of this technique is the difficulty in designing a dynamic IPFC model in test systems, as well as the burden of IPFC coordinated PSSs optimization. In both PSSs design using FFA method and FFA-optimized PSS with IPFC cases, rise in the computational and simulation costs was found unavoidable. To compensate for these flaws and obtain the research contribution, this paper proposes a Neuro-Fuzzy Controller (NFC) developed as a damping controller that can take the place of the two controllers (research objectives three). The application of the NFC substitutes the computational and simulation cost involved in designing multi-machine PSS and IPFC-FACTS systems simultaneously. With the availability of NFC in SIMULINK, a dynamic model of the WSCC three-machine system was developed under a variety of operating situations. Quantitative analysis results from the WSCC test system simulation show that when comparing the proposed NFC model to the IPFC model for the WSCC test system, the proposed NFC model was found to be 149 percent and 0 percent efficient in terms of the time to settle of rotor angle respond for G2 and G3, respectively, but 394 percent efficient when compared to the uncontrolled model. The decreased settling time values ensured the proposed NFC model’s efficacy in damping down the LFO and achieving superior stability over the two controllers. The proposed NFC model was shown significant performance improvement in both the transient and steady-state areas than when the system was designed with the two damping controllers

The differential effects of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids on seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy – A Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract The omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are known to play an important role in maintenance and modulation of neuronal functions. There is evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may have anticonvulsant effects. The effect of DHA and EPA on seizure rate in patients with DRE was investigated. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial included ninety-nine (n=99) DRE patients, aged 5-16 (n=85) and 17-45 (n=14). After randomization, patients were given two, four or six capsules per day of DHA (417.8 mg DHA and 50.8 mg EPA/capsule, n=33), EPA (385.6 mg EPA and 81.2 mg DHA/capsule, n=33) or placebo (high oleic acid sunflower oil, n=33) for one year. The primary endpoint was the effect of treatment on rate of seizure. Random-effects negative binomial regression models were fitted to model the patients’ total count of seizures per month. The treatment effects on seizure incidence rate ratio was tested after controlling for the covariate effects of gender, age, rate of seizure per week at enrollment, type of seizure and number of AEDs combinations used at enrollment. Results: Fifty-nine patients (n=59) completed the study (59.6%).The average number of seizures per month were 9.7 ± 1.2 in the EPA group, 11.7 ± 1.5 in the DHA group, and 16.6 ± 1.5 in the placebo group. Age, gender and seizure type adjusted seizure incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of the EPA and DHA groups compared with the placebo were 0.61 (CI= 0.42-0.88, p=0.008, 42% reduction) and 0.67 (CI = 0.46-1.0, p= 0.04, 39% reduction), respectively. There was no difference in IRR between the EPA and DHA groups (p=0.56). Both treatment groups had a significantly higher number of seizure-free days compared to placebo (p<0.05). Significance: This study demonstrates that EPA and DHA are effective in reducing seizure frequency in patients with DRE

Asociación entre la enfermedad periodontal y la artritis reumatoide

En la actualidad, tanto la enfermedad periodontal como la artritis reumatoide son dos enfermedades inflamatorias con una alta prevalencia en la sociedad. Desde hace varios años se lleva investigando la existencia de una relación entre ambas, sin encontrarse resultados que refieran un nexo claro y específico. Con este trabajo pretendemos analizar los factores que ambas patologías presentan en común basándonos en la evidencia científica más reciente y verídica posible, centrándonos en la prevalencia e incidencia de ambas enfermedades, así como en factores y mecanismos inmunológicos que puedan repercutir en la evolución de estas; para así determinar si existe una asociación clara entre la enfermedad periodontal y la artritis reumatoide. Llegamos a la conclusión de que comparten factores predisponentes de la enfermedad como son el tabaquismo y la genética, además de un agente patógeno común, la Porphyromonas gingivalis. También se ha observado cierto impacto en la evolución de ambas enfermedades relacionado con el tratamiento de elección de estas. Aunque debemos de tener en cuenta que los estudios realizados hasta ahora no son totalmente concluyentes, y, por lo tanto, no demuestran una relación de causalidad directa entre estas patologías.ABSTRACT Currently, both periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis are two inflammatory diseases with a high prevalence in society. For several years, the existence of a relationship between the two has been investigated without finding results that refer to a clear and specific link. With this work we aim to analyze the factors that both pathologies present in common based on the most recent and true scientific evidence possible. We focus on the prevalence and incidence of both diseases as well as immune factors and mechanisms that may have an impact on their developments. To determine whether there is a clear association between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. We conclude that they share predisposing factors of the disease such as smoking and genetics as well as common pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis. Some impact has also been observed on the evolution of rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis related to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Although we must bear in mind that the studies carried out so far are not entirely conclusive. Therefore, they do not demonstrate a direct causal link between these pathologies.Universidad de Sevilla. Grado en Odontologí

Synthesis of Several New Schiff Bases Linked to Sulfonamido Naphthalimide Moiety with Expected Biological Activity.

Several new Schiff bases linked to sulfonamidonaphthalimide moiety have been synthesized. The first step in this work involved introducing of 4-(N-naphthalimidyl) phenyl sulfonylchloride in amination reaction with hydrazine hydrate producing 4-(N-naphthalimidyl) phenyl sulfonylhydrazine. Introducing of the prepared sulfonyl hydrazine in condensation reaction with different substituted aromatic aldehydes in the second step afforded the target new Schiff bases. Structures of the prepared compounds were elucidated on the basis of FTIR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR spectral data which agreed with the proposed structures. The newly synthesized compounds are expected to have biological activity scince they are built from biologically active components including naphthalimide, sulfonylimide and Schiff base

Breaking boundaries: the advancements in transdermal delivery of antibiotics

AbstractTransdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) for antibiotics have seen significant advances in recent years that aimed to improve the efficacy and safety of these drugs. TDDS offer many advantages over other conventional delivery systems such as non-invasiveness, controlled-release pattern, avoidance of first-pass metabolism. The objective of this review is to provide an overview on the recent advances in the TDDS of different groups of antibiotics including β-lactams, tetracyclines, macrolides, and lincosamides, utilized for their effective delivery through the skin and to explore the challenges associated with this field. The majority of antibiotics do not have favorable properties for passive transdermal delivery. Thus, novel strategies have been employed to improve the delivery of antibiotics through the skin, such as the use of nanotechnology (nanoparticles, solid-lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, vesicular carriers, and liposomes) or the physical enhancement techniques like microneedles and ultrasound. In conclusion, the transdermal delivery systems could be a promising method for delivering antibiotics that have the potential to improve patient outcomes and enhance the efficacy of drugs. Further research and development are still needed to explore the potential of delivering more antibiotic drugs by using various transdermal drug delivery approaches

Molecular, Structural, and Rheological Characterization of Camel Skin Gelatin Extracted Using Different Pretreatment Conditions

Optimum conditions for high-quality gelatin recovery from camel skin and its molecular, structural, and rheological characterization were carried out in this study. Increased yield and gel strength were recorded, with an increase in camel skin pretreatment times of 6 to 42 h and 0.50 and 0.75 M-NaOH. Gelatin from skin pretreated with 0.75 and 0.5 M-NaOH for 42 h showed the highest yield (22.60%) and gel strength (365.5 g), respectively. Structural characterization by Fourier transformation infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction, and nuclear magnetic resonance indicated that all gelatins possessed major peaks in the amide region, and diffraction peaks around 22° were basically amorphous. The temperatures for gelling and melting ranged from 20.9 °C to 25.8 °C and 27.34 °C to 30.49 °C. Microstructure revealed loose network with more voids in gelatin from skin pretreated with 0.5 and 0.75 M-NaOH for 6 h, while a highly cross-linked network and less voids were observed in those pretreated with 0.75 M-NaOH for 24 h and 0.5 M-NaOH for 42 h. The results reveal that great potential exists in producing halal gelatin with excellent quality and functionality from camel skin

DEVELOPMENT AND IN-VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOEMULSION-BASED BUCCAL PATCHES OF VALSARTAN

The aim of the study was to develop and characterize mucoadhesive buccal patches of valsartan (VAL) in nanoemulsion (NE) form and to evaluate the impact of this formulation in improving its solubility, mucoadhesive strength and in-vitro permeation in comparison to the traditional mucoadhesive VAL patches. A thermodynamic stable VAL-loaded NE was constructed and evaluated by centrifugation, heating/cooling cycles, and freeze/thaw cycles. It had a mean droplet size of 22.5 nm and composed of 40% w/w water, 10% w/w oleic acid: Labrasol® at a ratio of 2:1 v/v, 50% w/w polysorbate 20: Transcutol®-P at a ratio of 1:3 v/v and. Bi-layered patches were prepared using 3% w/v ethylene vinyl acetate in dichloromethane as backing layer and 1.5% w/v Carbopol® 971P aqueous solution with VAL-loaded NE as mucoadhesive layer . Patches showed acceptable weight variation, thickness, drug loading, folding endurance, mucoadhesive strength and in-vitro permeation. NE-based patches were more effective in enhancing the penetration of VAL than traditional patches, without significant difference in the mucoadhesive strength. They showed higher steady state flux and permeability coefficient than the traditional patches with a flux enhancement ratio of 2.36. The study concluded that reducing the particle size to the nano-scale appears to be a promising approach to obtain VAL products with higher drug permeability that can be tailored to optimize drug release profile in-vivo