Candida albicans keratitis in an immunocompromised patient

H Mohammed J Hassan1, Theocharis Papanikolaou2, Georgios Mariatos1, Amany Hammad3, Hala Hassan41Ophthalmology Department, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, South Yorkshire, England, UK; 2Ophthalmology Department, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, England, UK; 3Ophthalmology Department, Rotherham Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, England, UK; 4Corneal and External Disease Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, England, UKPurpose: When investigating a case of unexplained corneal ulceration, we need to think of fungal infection and any predisposing factors.Methods: A case study of a corneal ulceration in a patient who was HIV positive with a devastating visual outcome.Results: Therapeutic corneal graft was necessary due to corneal perforation. Immunocompromised state of patient was retrospectively diagnosed.Conclusions: Candida albicans keratitis is an opportunistic infection of a compromised cornea, and sometimes unknowingly compromised host, which can be initially misdiagnosed. Despite intensive antifungal therapy, occasionally patients require corneal grafting to improve vision, and before it is possible to establish an accurate diagnosis.Keywords: fungal keratitis, corneal perforation, keratoplasty, human immunodeficiency virus, HI

ELECTROCHEMICAL AND CHEMOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF DORZOLAMIDE AND TIMOLOL IN EYE DROPS USING MODIFIED MULTIWALL CARBON NANOTUBE ELECTRODE

Objective: This work is focused on the construction of simple and sensitive electrochemical sensor for quantitative determination of dorzolamide (DOR) and timolol maleate (TIM). This method is based on the incorporation of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into the carbon paste electrode which improve the characteristics of the electrode.Methods: The electrochemical response of modified electrode was based on voltammetric oxidation, using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The structural morphology of the surface modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Quantitative analysis for each of the two compounds in a mixture has been examined by using of chemometric tools for resolving overlapping signals. The prediction performance of the chemometric method was analyzed by principal component regression (PCR) and partial least square (PLS).Results: Fractional factorial design was constructed from set of synthetic mixtures of two drugs in concentration ranges of 0.05 to 1.6µg/ml for DOR and 1.5-20 µg/ml for TIM. Under optimum experimental conditions, DOR and TIM gave rectilinear response over the concentration range of 0.072-1.88 µg/ml and 1.16-20.84 µg/ml, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 0.098 and 1.025 µg/ml, for DOR and TIM, respectively. It found that the % of relative prediction error (RPE) was acceptable and satisfactory.Conclusion: In these work, for the first time, a new voltammetric simultaneous method developed for a rapid and efficient determination of DOR and TIM from eye dropper sample at nano modified electrode with satisfactory results. These results indicate that MWCNT holds great promise in practical application

NUMERICAL PREDICTION OF SOLITARY WAVE FORMATION OF A PLANING HULL IN SHALLOW WATER CHANNELS

This paper uses a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis to investigate the shallow water effects on prismatic planing hull. The turbulence flow around the hull was described by Reynolds Navier Stokes equations RANSE using the k-ɛ turbulence model. The free surface was modelled by the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The analysis was steady for all the range of speeds except those close to the critical speed range due to the propagation of the planing hull solitary waves at this range. In this study, the planing hull lift force, total resistance, and wave pattern for the range of subcritical speeds, critical speeds, and supercritical speeds have been calculated using CFD. The numerical results have been compared with experimental results. The pressure distribution on the planing hull and its wave pattern at critical speed in shallow water were compared with those in deep water

Construct validity of a questionnaire for measuring student engagement in problem-based learning tutorials

Background: Student engagement is student investment of time and energy in academic and non-academic experiences that include learning, teaching, research, governance, and community activities. Although previous studies provided some evidence of measuring student engagement in PBL tutorials, there are no existing quantitative studies in which cognitive, behavioral, and emotional engagement of students in PBL tutorials is measured. Therefore, this study aims to develop and examine the construct validity of a questionnaire for measuring cognitive, behavioral, and emotional engagement of students in PBL tutorials. Methods: A 15-item questionnaire was developed guided by a previously published conceptual framework of student engagement. Focus group discussion (n = 12) with medical education experts was then conducted and the questionnaire was piloted with medical students. The questionnaire was then distributed to year 2 and 3 medical students (n = 176) in problem-based tutorial groups at the end of an integrated course, where PBL is the main strategy of learning. The validity of the internal structure of the questionnaire was tested by confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling assuming five different models. Predictive validity evidence of the questionnaire was studied by examining the correlations between students’ engagement and academic achievement. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicates a good fit between the measurement and structural model of an 11-item questionnaire composed of a three-factor structure: behavioral engagement (3 items), emotional engagement (4 items), and cognitive engagement (4 items). Models in which the three latent factors were considered semi-independent provided the best fit. The construct reliabilities of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional factors were 0.82, 0.82, and 0.76, respectively. We failed however to find significant relationships between academic achievement and engagement. Conclusions: We found a strong evidence to support the construct validity of a three-factor structure of student engagement in PBL tutorial questionnaire. Further studies are required to test the validity of this instrument in other educational settings. The predictive validity is another area needing further scrutiny.</p

SYNTHESIS OF NEW PYRIMIDINE DERIVATIVES AND EVALUATION OF THEIR ANTICANCER AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES

ABSTRACTObjectives: The objective of this work is to synthesize new pyrimidine derivatives starting from ethyl 2,4-dioxo-4-(thiophen-2-yl)butanoate.Several oxadiazole, triazole, and thiadiazole moieties were incorporated into the pyrimidine backbone. The structure of the novel compounds wascharacterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods.Methods: Synthesis of the target compounds was materialized starting from 2-oxo-6-(thiophen-2-yl)-2,3-dihydropyrimidine-4-carbohydrazide (4)which was prepared from the appropriate ethyl 2-oxo-6-(thiophen-2-yl)-2,3 dihydropyrimidine-4-carboxylate (2). Several synthetic pathways wereused for the preparation of the targets. Some of the newly synthesized compounds were subjected to in vitro cytotoxic screening against breastcarcinoma and colon carcinoma cell lines. On the other hand, the antimicrobial activity evaluation of some newly prepared compounds was performedusing cup plate diffusion method.Results: It was observed that the oxadiazole derivative 7b was the most potent compound against breast carcinoma cell line (IC=7.6 μg/ml). However,pyrimidine carrying substituted 1,2,4-triazole-2-thione moiety at position 6, 11 showed the highest cytotoxic activity against colon carcinoma cellline (IC50=4.7 μg/ml). On the other hand, compound 5c was the most active broad spectrum antimicrobial agent against the chosen microbial strains.Conclusion: From the observed results, further investigations recommended for the synthesis of heterocycles incorporated to pyrimidine backboneas cytotoxic as well as broad spectrum antimicrobial agents.Keywords: Pyrimidine, Oxadiazole, Triazole, Thiadiazole, In vitro anticancer study, Antimicrobial study.5

''Neurodegeneration and Oxidative Stress in Brain Tissues Induced by Tramadol with the Protective Effects of Royal Jelly in Rats''.

Tramadol hydrochloride (TH) is an opioid centrally acting analgesic used to treat moderate to severe acute and chronic pains. Therefore, it became the most prescribed opioid worldwide.In this study, we investigated the neurodegenerative disorders of tramadol in brain tissues and the protective role of royal jelly. Twenty male albino rats allocated into four groups: Group 1,served as a control group, and Group 2, administrated with tramadol at a dose of 20 mg/kg/b. W for 60 days. Group 3: rats administrated with tramadol at a dose of 20 mg/kg/b. W for 60 days and treated with royal jelly (RJ) in a 100 mg/kg dose. b.w. Group 4: Rats inoculated with royal jelly (RJ) at a dose of 100 mg/kg. b.w. Blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Brain tissues were harvested for neurodegeneration biomarkers detection and histopathological examinations. Administration of tramadol revealed a significant decrease in Hb concentration, RBCs count, PCV %, Lymphocytes %, and platelets number, while WBCS count, Neutrophiles, and monocytes % increased. Also, Tramadol induced a decrease in glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) while creatine kinase -BB (CK-BB) and neuron-specific enolase enzymes (NSE) were decreased.Tramadol increased the lipid peroxidation MDA, while total antioxidants capacity (TAC) and glutathione reductase (GSH) concentrations were decreased. Histopathologically, tramadol-induced neurodegenerative changes in brain neurons manifested by acute necrosed neurons with gliosis and vascular congestions. The administration of royal jelly improved the previous deleterious effects by decreasing brain tissue oxidative stress. Tramadol misuse caused neurodegenerative effects and was relieved by RJ administration

A case report: Insights into Reducing Plastic Waste in a Microbiology Laboratory

Single-use plastics have often replaced more sustainable materials in microbiology laboratories. Keeping in mind that one of the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is responsible consumption and production, we wanted to document how many single-use plastic items could be saved by taking reduction and reuse approaches in a microbiology laboratory. After taking 4 weeks to document the baseline levels of single-use plastic waste being generated in our laboratory and identifying ways to reduce our reliance on them, we implemented various reduction and reuse approaches and then documented our plastic use over a 7-week period. Reduction approaches included moving to sustainable materials, such as reusable wooden sticks for patch plating and metal loops for inoculation. Reuse approaches focused on reusing plastic tubes via a chemical decontamination station and autoclaving, facilitating the reduction of single-use plastics and a decrease in the amount of waste generated. By utilizing reduction and reuse strategies, which could be implemented in other microbiology laboratories, substantial single-use plastic savings were achieved. These savings had an impact on the amount of biohazard waste being autoclaved and incinerated, as well as generating substantial cost savings for the research institute. The reductions in waste documented in this study could act as a benchmark for others wanting to implement the changes described

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

Production and Immobilization of Halophilic Invertase Produced from Honey Isolate Aspergillus niger EM77 (KF774181)

Honey isolate Aspergillus niger EM77 was a good halophilic invertase producer in the presence of wheat bran as a complete medium (114.55 U/g), using solid state fermentation technique. Different parameters influence the enzyme productivity such as different pH values, temperature, incubation period, nitrogen and carbon sources were investigated. The optimum pH, temperature and incubation period for enzyme production were 5.5, 30oC and 72 hrs, respectively. Sucrose at 2 % was more suitable carbon source for invertase production (144.39 U/g) and (NH4)2SO4 at 0.15 % was the ideal nitrogen source. Among different metals ions MnSO4 enhanced the enzyme productivity than other tested ions to 194.71 U/g. The partially purified enzyme was successfully entrapped in polyvinyl alcohol sponge shielded with agar starch layer (PVAsp Gs) and achieved 71% immobilization yield. The optimum conditions for immobilization were: pH 5.2, an incubation time of 15 min and a protein concentration of 250 mg/ml. Immobilized enzyme was reused 12 times with 29% activity loss. The free enzyme lost its activity completely at 70˚C after 45 minute and the immobilized form retained 80% of its activity at the same condition.The free and immobilized form reported extreme halophilic property since the highest enzyme activity was obtained between 3.5- 5 M

Clinical characteristics and precipitating factor(s) associated with diabetic ketoacidosis presentation in children with newly diagnosed diabetes

Background. To compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with newly clinically diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1DM) who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) versus non DKA presentation and to identify the precipitating factor(s) related to progression to DKA. Methods. Over a 3 month period, 99 patients newly diagnosed with T1DM were recruited from Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism Pediatric Unit (DEMPU), Cairo University, with 53 patients presented with DKA and 46 were non DKA. Results. Polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, polyphagia and nocturia were the most common symptoms preceding the diagnosis among the whole study group (93.8%, 92% and 80.8%, 76.8%, 46.5 % respectively) with no difference between DKA and non DKA groups. Delayed diagnosis occurred in 98.1% and 58.7% of DKA and non DKA groups respectively. In the DKA group the diagnosis of diabetes was missed in 69.8% and in 28.3% the initiation of insulin therapy was delayed despite diagnosis. Multivariate analysis performed to identify the most significant precipitating factor(s) associated with the development of DKA at diabetes diagnosis showed that delayed start of insulin therapy was the most significant factor (OR = 1.267, P value = 0.023). Conclusion. The prevalence of DKA is high among Egyptianchildren at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. It is not only caused by misdiagnosis and mismanagement of diabetes, but also delayed initiation of insulin therapy in those diagnosed. This highlights the importance of increasing awareness concerning clinical features of diabetes in children and the urgency of insulin therapy among primary health care professionals and the community