Influence of Annealing Temperature on Structural, Electrical, and Magnetic Properties of Nd0.7Ca0.3MnO3

In this paper, we investigated the effect of annealing temperature on the electrical and magnetic properties of polycrystalline Nd0.7Ca0.3MnO3 synthesized using the well-known solid-state reaction technique. After the formation of the required Perovskite crystal structure phase, another annealing treatment has been done. The selected annealing temperatures are 700, 800, and 900°C for 12 hours. Structural refinement of the X-ray diffraction patterns showed the formation of a single orthorhombic crystal structure phase the of P b n m space group in Nd0.7Ca0.3MnO3 without any impurity peaks. From magneto-resistance measurements, we found that NCMO samples have high-colossal magnetoresistance (CMR). Moreover, the under-investigated NCMO samples showed a high power factor. The resistivity data in the insulating region (T \u3eTMI) were analyzed by considering, the Mott-variable range hopping model. The phase transition temperature showed dependence on the grain size, where Curie temperature (TC) increases with an increase in the grain size

Comparison of the accuracy of two scoring systems in predicting the outcome of organophosphate intoxicated patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU)

AbstractIntroductionOrganophosphates(OP) are one of the most common causes of poisoning, especially in developing countries, with high morbidity and mortality. As mortality rate of OP poisoning is still high, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is often life saving. OP is the main cause of poisoning and death in the poison control centre (PCC), Ain Shams University (ASU) in Egypt.ObjectiveTo compare the accuracy of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score (APACHE IV) and simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II) in the prediction of mortality of patients with organophosphate poisoning (OPP) who required admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of PCC of ASU between January 1st, 2009 and December 31st, 2009.MethodsA prospective study conducted by collecting data on consecutive patients with acute OPP admitted to the intensive care unit over 12months. Data required to calculate the patients’ predicted mortality by (APACHE) IV and (SAPS) II scoring systems were collected.ResultsNinety patients were recruited in the study with acute OP toxicity. The observed mortality following acute OP toxicity was 13.3% (12 patients). The area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves of APACHE IV score was better than SAPS II score (0.921±0.054 SE, 0.807±0.078 SE, respectively). APACHE IV and SAPS II scores were significantly higher in the non-survival than in the survival group (P<0.05).ConclusionAPACHE IV and SAPS II scores calculated within the first 24h are good prognostic indicators among patients with acute OP toxicity that required ICU admission with preference to APACHE IV score. APACHE IV and SAPS II scores above 89, 44, respectively within the first 24h are a predictor of poor outcome in patients with acute OP toxicity.RecommendationApplication of APACHE IV and SAPS II scores is a good predictor of high mortality in OP intoxicated patients which helps in proper allocation of resources

Biologically guided isolation and ADMET profile of new factor Xa inhibitors fromGlycyrrhiza glabraroots usingin vitroandin silicoapproaches

Selective factor Xa inhibitors effectively block coagulation cascade with a broader therapeutic window than multitargeted anticoagulants. They have evolved as a crucial part of prevention and treatment of thromboembolic diseases and in therapeutic protocols involved in many clinical trials in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Biologically-guided isolation of specific FXa inhibitors from licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract furnished ten flavonoids. By detailed analysis of their1H,13C NMR and MS data, the structures of these flavonoids were established as 7,4′-dihydroxyflavone (1), formononetin (2), 3-R-glabridin (3), isoliquiritigenin (4), liquiritin (5), naringenin 5-O-glucoside (6), 3,3′,4,4′-tetrahydroxy-2-methoxychalcone (7), liquiritinapioside (8) and the two isomers isoliquiritigenin-4′-O-β-d-apiosylglucoside (9) and isoliquiritigenin-4-O-β-d-apiosylglucoside (10). All the isolated compounds were assessed for their FXa inhibitory activity usingin vitrochromogenic assay for the first time. Liquirtin (5) showed the most potent inhibitory effects with an IC50of 5.15 μM. The QikProp module was implemented to perform ADMET predictions for the screened compounds

Estimation of an Individual Stature Using Foot, Foot Outlines and Footprint Measurements in Adult Saudi Population

Identification of an individual is considered one of the fundamental challenges for forensic scientists, especially from dismembered and mutilated body parts. To limit the pool of conceivable suspects in the forensic investigation process, footprints and foot outlines found at the crime scene are used to ease estimation of stature. The current study aimed to estimate individual stature using foot, foot outline and footprint measurements in a Saudi Arabian population. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on two hundred healthy medical students from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Stature measurements and eight foot, foot outline and footprint measurements were taken from both sides. Saudi adult males were significantly taller than Saudi females. All measurement values were significantly higher in adult males than in adult females. Most measurements were considered to be positively correlated with stature in both sexes. Regression equations and multiple regression equations for stature determination from all measurements in both male and females on both sides were created. This study has demonstrated the reliability and utility of foot, foot outline and footprint measurements in stature estimation in a Saudi Arabian population that comparable standards developed from foot bones

Amelioration effect of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid on methylation inhibitors in hepatocarcinogenesis -induced by diethylnitrosamine

Aimsuppression of methylation inhibitors (epigenetic genes) in hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine using glycyrrhetinic acid.MethodIn the current work, we investigated the effect of sole GA combined with different agents such as doxorubicin (DOX) or probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus rhamanosus) against hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine to improve efficiency. The genomic DNA was isolated from rats’ liver tissues to evaluate either methylation-sensitive or methylation-dependent resection enzymes. The methylation activity of the targeting genes DLC-1, TET-1, NF-kB, and STAT-3 was examined using specific primers and cleaved DNA products. Furthermore, flow cytometry was used to determine the protein expression profiles of DLC-1 and TET-1 in treated rats’ liver tissue.ResultsOur results demonstrated the activity of GA to reduce the methylation activity in TET-1 and DLC-1 by 33.6% and 78%, respectively. As compared with the positive control. Furthermore, the association of GA with DOX avoided the methylation activity by 88% and 91% for TET-1 and DLC-1, respectively, as compared with the positive control. Similarly, the combined use of GA with probiotics suppressed the methylation activity in the TET-1 and DLC-1 genes by 75% and 81% for TET-1 and DLC-1, respectively. Also, GA and its combination with bacteria attenuated the adverse effect in hepatocarcinogenesis rats by altering potential methylomic genes such as NF-kb and STAT3 genes by 76% and 83%, respectively.ConclusionGA has an ameliorative effect against methylation inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by decreasing the methylation activity genes

Improving social performance through innovative small green businesses: knowledge sharing and green entrepreneurial intention as antecedents

Small businesses are thought to be largely responsible for environmental pollution despite the fact that businesses of all shapes and sizes contribute to this issue. This research explores how important factors such as knowledge sharing (KS) and green entrepreneurial intention (GEI) might help small businesses in Saudi Arabia develop and implement green innovation (GI). It also seeks to determine whether GI is a mediating variable that explains the connection between GEI, KS, and social performance (SP). Accordingly, an online survey was used to collect responses from 284 small entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia engaged in various types of business activities. The study used partial least squares structural equation modelling for data analysis and hypothesis testing. The results show that GI considerably influences SP while also having a significant link with both GEI and KS. Further, the study reveals that the relationship between GEI, KS, and SP is mediated by GI. The study offers a plethora of suggestions to various stakeholders generally and to Saudi authorities specifically

Threat of antimicrobial resistance among pilgrims with infectious diseases during Hajj : lessons learnt from COVID-19 pandemic

Hajj pilgrimage is a large mass gathering global event that may facilitate the spread and emergence of various infectious diseases as well as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in a local and global scenario. Planning and preparing for these public health issues is a challenging and complex process for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) health authorities. Despite multiple efforts for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases through longtime funding in education and medical care, the prevalence of infectious disease is still high among Hajj pilgrims. The commonly observed infectious diseases during Hajj include respiratory tract infections (influenza and pneumonia), urinary tract infections and skin infections that may necessitate the use of antimicrobials. Beta-lactams are used as a first-line treatment for hospital acquired infections as well as community acquired infections due to their broad-spectrum activity. However, most of the bacterial isolates such as Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and E. coli are resistant to beta-lactams. Irrational use of anti-microbials, lack of infection prevention practices and suboptimal healthcare access further exacerbate the risk of spreading AMR among Hajj pilgrims. Enhanced collaboration between countries, sharing of best practices and international cooperation are crucial in addressing AMR threats among pilgrims. Consequently, robust surveillance systems for early detection and monitoring of AMR, collaboration with national as well as international healthcare agencies, effective infection prevention and control measures, public awareness, and rational use of antimicrobials via antimicrobial stewardship programs are required to mitigate the risk of AMR and ensure the health and well-being of pilgrims during Hajj

Formulation and evaluation of orally disintegrating clopidogrel tablets

ABSTRACT Recent advances in drug delivery systems have aimed to achieve better patient compliance. One of these advances is the formulation of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) that dissolve instantaneously, releasing drugs within a few seconds without the need of water. The main objective of this paper was to prepare and develop ODTs of clopidogrel. The ODTs were prepared by direct compression. The effect of three superdisintegrants, namely crospovidone, croscarmellose sodium, and sodium starch glycolate, using three different disintegration times on the dissolution rate was investigated. The prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, disintegration time and in vitro drug release. Furthermore, the interaction of clopidogrel with the formulation excipients was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC studies revealed that there were no interactions between the drug and the excipients used. All tablets had hardness values in the range 4.0-5.2 kp and friability lower than 1%. The weight and drug content uniformity of all formulations was within official limits according to BP. In vitro drug release studies of the ODTs showed that more than 90% of the drug was released within ten minutes. A palatability test in human volunteers showed acceptable taste and mouth feel. Thus, the obtained results conclusively demonstrated successful rapid disintegration of the formulated tablets and acceptable palatability

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