The perceived effectiveness of MERS-CoV educational programs and knowledge transfer among primary healthcare workers: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background Knowledge transfer of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) involves the dissemination of created/acquired information on MERS-CoV in hospitals, making this information accessible to all healthcare workers (HCWs). This study evaluated the perceived effectiveness of MERS-CoV educational programs and knowledge transfer among primary care HCWs at a hospital in Saudi Arabia that witnessed the largest outbreak of confirmed MERS-CoV cases in this country. Methods A survey was distributed among primary care HCWs at five clinics in Saudi Arabia in 2016. Those with non-direct patient care responsibilities were excluded. Their knowledge was evaluated against facts published by Mayo Clinic Foundation, and its percentage mean score (PMS) ± standard deviation was calculated. HCWs’ perceived effectiveness of educational programs and knowledge transfer was classified as negative or positive. Results Sample comprised of 404 HCWs, of which 64% were females and 36% were males. Almost 26% were ≤ 30 years old, and 42% had > 10 years of work experience. Almost 46.5% were nurses, 23.0% physicians, 18.1% were pharmacists, and 12.4% were technical staff. PMS for knowledge was 71.1 ± 19.4. The prevalence of negative perceptions towards educational programs was 22.5% and of knowledge transfer was 20.8%. Older(> 40 years of age) and more experienced(> 10 years) HCWs had the highest PMS for knowledge(73.4 ± 18.9,P = 0.005 and 76.9 ± 15.7,P < 0.001 respectively). Negative perceptions of educational programs (49.4 ± 20.7; P < 0.001) and knowledge transfer (46.0 ± 19.7; P = 0.001) were associated with a lower knowledge PMS. Males were 2.4[95% confidence interval 1.4–4.2] times and 2.0[1.1–3.5] times more likely to have negative perceptions of educational programs and knowledge transfer (adjusted (adj.)P = 0.001 and adj. P = 0.023, respectively). Physicians/pharmacists were 1.8[1.03–3.11] and 2.8[1.6–5.0] times more likely to have negative perceptions of both outcomes (adj. P = 0.038 and adj. P = 0.001, respectively). Less experienced HCWs were 2.1[1.3–3.5] times and 4.9[2.6–9.2] times more likely to exhibit negative perceptions of the two outcomes (adj. P < 0.001 each). Conclusions A negative perception of the effectiveness of MERS-CoV knowledge transfer was associated with poorer knowledge and was more prevalent among male HCWs, physicians/pharmacists and less experienced HCWs. Hospitals should always refer to efficient knowledge sharing and educational strategies that render beneficial outcomes to patients, HCWs, and the public community

Highly crystalline hexagonal PbI2 sheets on polyaniline/antimony tin oxide surface as a novel and highly efficient photodetector in UV, Vis, and near IR regions

International audienceThe work reports on the preparation of polyaniline/lead iodide optoelectronic photodetector on antimony tin oxide (ATO) glass (PANI/PbI2/ATO) for providing a low-cost light sensor in the UV, Vis, and near IR regions (wide optical range photodetector). The deposition of PbI2 nanoparticles was carried out on the surface of PANI using the ionic adsorption deposition method. Four ATO/PANI/PbI2 composites (I, II, III, and IV) were produced by varying the Pb2+ concentrations (0.01, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07 M, respectively). The chemical structure, morphology, optical, and electrical properties were assessed using different analytical tools. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging revealed the formation of a nanoporous PANI network. After PbI2 incorporation within the PANI network, white nanoparticles formed on the surface. The average size of the PbI2 nanoparticles was 220, 270, 280, and 320 nm for Pb2+ concentration of 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07 M, respectively. Moreover, x-ray diffraction analysis confirmed PANI/PbI2 composite formation, as witnessed by the appearance of new peaks at 12.77 degrees, 34.31 degrees, and 38.8 degrees characteristic of PbI2. Through the optical analyses, the band gap values of the PANI/PbI2 composites I, II, III, and IV were 2.63, 2.51, 2.46, and 2.48 eV, respectively. ATO/composite III was applied as an optoelectronic device for detection the light under different intensities or wavelengths, in which the current density (J(ph)) increase from 2.5 to 3.42 mA cm(-2) upon increasing of the light intensity from 25 to 100 mW.cm(-2), respectively. Moreover, the J(ph) recorded an optimum value of 3.33 mA cm(-2) at 390 nm, which decreased to 2.09 mA cm(-2) at 490 nm and increased again to 3.13 mA cm(-2) at 636 nm. The optoelectronic photodetector exhibited an optimum incident photon to electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 10.7% at 390 nm. The photoresponsivity (R) and detectivity (D) were determined to be 107 mA cm(-2) and 3.38 x 10(10) Jones, respectively. Finally, a simple mechanism was proposed to account for the response of the prepared optoelectronic devices to the photon flux. Soon, our team will work on design an optoelectronic device that can be applied in the industrial field through the high technology device such as cameras and aircrafts for light detection

Diosmin Alleviates Doxorubicin-Induced Liver Injury via Modulation of Oxidative Stress-Mediated Hepatic Inflammation and Apoptosis via NfkB and MAPK Pathway: A Preclinical Study

Hepatotoxicity caused by chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g., doxorubicin) is of critical concern in cancer therapy. This study focused on investigating the modulatory effects of diosmin against doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in Male Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group I was served as control, Group II was treated with doxorubicin (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, i.p.), Group III was treated with a combination of doxorubicin and low-dose diosmin (100 mg/kg orally), and Group IV was treated with a combination of doxorubicin and high-dose diosmin (200 mg/kg orally) supplementation. A single dose of doxorubicin (i.p.) caused hepatic impairment, as shown by increases in the concentrations of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Doxorubicin produced histological abnormalities in the liver. In addition, a single injection of doxorubicin increased lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Importantly, pre-treatment with diosmin restored hepatic antioxidant factors and serum enzymatic activities and reduced the inflammatory and apoptotic-mediated proteins and genes. These findings demonstrate that diosmin has a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity