ENACTMENT OF SUBJECT SPECIALISTS CONCERNING INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING AND STRATEGIES; A GENDER BASED COMPARATIVE STUDY

ABSTRAC

Secondary metabolites of marine-derived Bacillus spizizenii against the enteric redmouth disease in common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Looking for effective alternatives, such as secondary microbial metabolites, is needed to restrict the use of antibiotics in farmed fish and their detrimental effects on public health and the environment. Thirty-three water and sediments samples were collected from coastal areas in the Basrah Governorate, southern Iraq, to assess their biological activity against bacterial pathogens isolated from Cyprinus carpio, with enteric red mouth disease. 20 spore-forming bacteria were isolated and identified by VITEK BCL cards and amplifying the gyrA gene. Furthermore, the secondary metabolites produced by the strains were extracted and analyzed by GC-MS. Four pathogenic bacteria were isolated from common carp infected with the enteric red mouth disease. The antibacterial activity of the extracts of the isolated marine strains was examined on bacteria causing enteric red mouth disease and Y. ruckeri and P. aeruginosa. Based on the results, the marine isolates were identified as B. spizizenii and GC-MS analysis revealed that these strains' extract contained amino acids and their derivatives and esters and hydrocarbons. Also, biochemical identifications showed that the bacteria isolated from fish belonged to the species of Yersinia ruckeri, Aeromonas hydrophila, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According to the antibacterial activity assay, the extracts of B. spizizenii strains were considerably active against bacteria involved in enteric red mouth disease, especially Y. ruckeri. These findings indicate marine B. spizizenii can be replaced with antibiotics in the aquaculture industry to combat infections

VARIABLES IMPACTING GFR ESTIMATION METHOD FOR DRUG DOSING IN CKD: ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK PREDICTION MODEL

Objective: This study aimed to measure concordance between different renal function estimates in terms of drug doses and determine the potential significant clinical differences. Methods: Around one hundred and eighty patients (≥ 18 y) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were eligible for inclusion in this study. A paired-proportion cohort design was utilized using an artificial intelligence model. CKD patients refined into those who have drugs adjusted for renal function. For superiority of Cockcroft-Gault (CG) vs. modified diet in renal disease (MDRD) guided with references for concordance or discordance of the two equations and determined the dosing tiers of each drug. Validated artificial neural networks (ANN) was one outcome of interest. Variable impacts and performed reassignments were compared to evaluate the factors that affect the accuracy in estimating the kidney function for a better drug dosing. Results: The best ANN model classified most cases to CG as the best dosing method (79 vs. 72). The probability was 85% and the top performance was slightly above 93%. Creatinine levels and CKD staging were the most important factors in determining the best dosing method of CG versus MDRD. Ideal and actual body weights were second (24%). Whereas drug class or the specific drug was an important third factor (14%). Conclusion: Among many variables that affect the optimal dosing method, the top three are probably CKD staging, weight, and the drug. The contrasting CKD stages from the different methods can be used to recognize patterns, identify and predict the best dosing tactics in CKD patients

X-linked ichthyosis associated with psychosis and behavioral abnormalities: a case report

Abstract Background X-linked ichthyosis is a dermatological condition caused by deficiency for the enzyme steroid sulfatase. Previously, X-linked ichthyosis/steroid sulfatase deficiency has been associated with developmental and neurological phenotypes. Here, we show for the first time, that X-linked ichthyosis may be comorbid with an additional psychiatric phenotype (psychosis). Case presentation We report the case of an 11-year-old Saudi Arabian boy with X-linked ichthyosis associated with psychosis, mental retardation, autism spectrum disorder, inattentive attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and epilepsy. Genetic analysis revealed a 1.68 Mb deletion encompassing STS in 95% of cells while biochemical analysis revealed correspondingly low steroid sulfatase activity consistent with a diagnosis of X-linked ichthyosis. The psychotic symptoms could be reasonably well controlled by administration of an atypical antipsychotic. Conclusions This report describes a case of comorbid X-linked ichthyosis and psychosis (most closely corresponding to early-onset schizophrenia) for the first time, and suggests that deficiency for steroid sulfatase and contiguous genes may increase vulnerability to psychosis as well as other psychological disorders

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern among Patients Presenting with Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Background: The irrational use of antibiotics in outpatient as well as indoor patients without studying the culture and sensitivity patterns may have led to resistance in common organisms causing acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The objective of this study was to determine the culture and sensitivity patterns of bacteria in the sputum of patients presenting with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in our population.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Medicine Department, Jinnah Hospital Lahore from 1st January 2018 to 25th June 2018. A total of 215 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD were collected through non-probability consecutive sampling technique. COPD was diagnosed on the basis of history, examination, chest X-ray and spirometry. Acute exacerbation was taken as an acute rise in one or more of the following; sputum volume and/or purulence, frequency and severity of cough and dyspnea. Two sputum samples were collected from each patient. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done as per CLSI guidelines. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 21.0. with p-value ≤ 0.05 considered as statistically significant.Results: Among 215 selected cases, 118 (54.88%) were males and 97 (45.12%) were females. A total of 110 (51.16%) cultures were positive and 105 (48.84%) were negative for bacterial growth. Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=69; 62.72%) was the most frequent microorganism in patient’s sputum followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=21; 19.1%) and Staphylococcus aureus (n=20; 18.2%). Regarding sensitivity pattern, amikacin was found to be the most sensitive antibiotic against these organisms followed by gentamicin and ciprofloxacin.Conclusions: Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common microorganism in the sputum of patients presenting with acute exacerbation of COPD, while amikacin was reported to be most sensitive antibiotic against the microorganism.Key words: Acute exacerbation, Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, COP

Organizational Performance and Sustainability: Exploring the Roles of IT Capabilities and Knowledge Management Capabilities

This study explores the effects of organizational information technology (IT) capability in determining organizational performance and sustainable competitive advantage. Building on the resource-based and knowledge-based views of a firm, the study proposes a theoretical framework. In this framework, organizational IT capability is theorized to strengthen organizational performance and sustainable competitive advantage, directly and indirectly, through organizational knowledge management capabilities. Data collected from the middle and senior managers of diverse organizations in an emerging economy have been used to test the relationships in the framework. To estimate the proposed relationships in the conceptual model, we use structural equation modeling through SmartPLS 3.2. The results confirm that organizational IT capability significantly impacts organizational performance and sustainable competitive advantage. Additionally, organizational knowledge management capabilities partially mediate the relationship between IT capability and the outcomes (i.e., organizational performance and sustainable competitive advantage). The study concludes with a discussion of the implications for academicians and managers

Comparative corrosion behavior of Au50-Ag25-Pd25 and Ni88.6-Cr11.4 alloys utilized in dental applications

The electrochemical behaviour of alloys (Au50-Ag25-Pd25 and Ni88.6-Cr11.4) was studied in Fusayama's artificial saliva at pH 6.5 and 37 °C by using open circuit potential, electro­chemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic polarization measure­ments. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results were simulated with an equivalent electrical circuit. After immersion in artificial saliva, surface characterization of samples was done using scanning electron microscopy connected with energy-dispersive spectro­scopy. All obtained results revealed that Au50-Ag25-Pd25 alloy is much more resistive than Ni88.6-Cr11.4 and can be recommended for the effective treatment of patients with dental prosthetics that have metal frameworks. s

National guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe