Influence of citric acid on the physical and biomineralization ability of freeze/thaw poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel

This work reports the modification of freeze/thaw poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel using citric acid as the bioactive molecule for hydroxyapatite formation in simulated body fluid. Inclusion of 1.3 mM citric acid into the poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel showed that the mechanical strength, crystalline phase, functional groups and swelling ability were still intact. Adding citric acid at higher concentrations (1.8 and 2.3 mM), however, resulted in physically poor hydrogels. Presence of 1.3 mM of citric acid showed the growth of porous hydroxyapatite crystals on the poly(vinyl alcohol) surface just after one day of immersion in simulated body fluid. Meanwhile, a fully covered apatite layer on the poly(vinyl alcohol) surface plus the evidence of apatite forming within the hydrogel were observed after soaking for seven days. Gel strength of the soaked poly(vinyl alcohol)/citric acid-1.3 mM hydrogel revealed that the load resistance was enhanced compared to that of the neat poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel. This facile method of inducing rapid growth of hydroxyapatite on the hydrogel surface as well as within the hydrogel network can be useful for guided bone regenerative materials

Influence of citric acid on the physical and biomineralization ability of freeze/thaw poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel

This work reports the modification of freeze/thaw poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel using citric acid as the bioactive molecule for hydroxyapatite formation in simulated body fluid. Inclusion of 1.3 mM citric acid into the poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel showed that the mechanical strength, crystalline phase, functional groups and swelling ability were still intact. Adding citric acid at higher concentrations (1.8 and 2.3 mM), however, resulted in physically poor hydrogels. Presence of 1.3 mM of citric acid showed the growth of porous hydroxyapatite crystals on the poly(vinyl alcohol) surface just after one day of immersion in simulated body fluid. Meanwhile, a fully covered apatite layer on the poly(vinyl alcohol) surface plus the evidence of apatite forming within the hydrogel were observed after soaking for seven days. Gel strength of the soaked poly(vinyl alcohol)/citric acid-1.3 mM hydrogel revealed that the load resistance was enhanced compared to that of the neat poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel. This facile method of inducing rapid growth of hydroxyapatite on the hydrogel surface as well as within the hydrogel network can be useful for guided bone regenerative materials

Effect of soaking time to the bending strength of porcelain with palm oil fuel ash

Silica from a treated palm oil fuel ash (POFA) was used as a substitute material in producing an improved porcelain ceramics. POFA was grounded in a ball mill until the median particle size was reduced to about 50 μm. It was heated at 600 ºC for 1.5 hours in an electric furnace. Then it was substituted quartz in porcelain composition from 5 wt.% up to 25 wt.%. The mixed powder was pressed into pellets at pressure of 91 MPa. All the pellets were sintered at 1100 ºC for the soaking times of 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours, respectively. It clearly indicated that the bending strength of the samples increases with the increase in POFA substitution and the increase in soaking time. With a value of 45 MPa bending strength of the samples containing 15 wt.% of POFA and sintered at a soaking time of 2 hours is the highest. This could be attributed from the increase in mullite and sharp microstructural changes. Porcelain containing POFA has about 7% weight reduction compared to the standard porcelain

Glass formation and elastic behavior of bismuth borate glass system

Bismuth borate glass is of great interest in optoelectronic devices due to its low melting temperature (600–800 °C), extensive glass formation range, high refractive index ranging from 1.9 to 2.3, high physical and chemical stability, and nonlinear optical property. A systematic bismuth borate glass series in the systems of (Bi2O3)x−(B2O3)1−x have been successfully prepared by melt quenching technique over a wide range of composition (x = 35–70 mol%). Their elastic properties have been measured from their densities as well as longitudinal (VL) and shear ultrasonic wave velocities (Vs) which have been determined at room temperature by the MBS8000 Ultrasonic Data Acquisition system at a frequency of 5 MHz. The variation of ultrasonic wave velocities and elastic modulus such as longitudinal, Young's, bulk and shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, and micro hardness are discussed with respect of the Bi2O3 content

Practical Islamic input in Orthopaedics Undergraduate Medical Curricula

The International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) was founded in 1983 upon a renewed awareness of the perennial values of the teachings in the Al-Quran and Sunnah and is dedicated to the reorientation of the ummah and mankind towards this end. The first Mission Statement of IIUM stated that it would ‘…undertake the special and greatly needed task of reforming the contemporary Muslim mentality and integrating Islamic Revealed Knowledge and the Human Sciences in a positive manner’. When it was first founded, IIUM had faculties only in the Human and Social Sciences. In 1995, the Kulliyyah of Medicine (Kulliyyah al-Tabb) was established and the fist batch of 69 medical undergraduates started their medical education in 1997. Previously, fresh medical graduates have been accused of being very uncaring towards their patients when they start working in the hospitals. In a country with a large Muslim population like Malaysia there are certain aspects of medical practice that may make both the patient and the medical practitioner uncomfortable, such as how to perform solah while the patients are incapacitated. As the doctor is responsible for patients while they are hospitalised, there is a responsibility under syariah law for the doctor to ensure that the patients do not forgo their obligations as Muslims. The fact that the patient is under the doctor’s care does not absolve the doctor of this responsibility and, in fact, further strengthens the need for something to be done. The heavy medical curriculum has been blamed in the past as a major factor that medical students become more ‘disease-orientated’ rather than ‘patient-orientated’. In a non-English speaking country like Malaysia, the burden on the medical students to perform is much bigger due to the language barrier as most teaching medium available are in English. Thus, the medical students’ time will be further taken up by their efforts to study and do well in their exams at the end of their posting or semester. They spend more time in trying to read and memorise as much as possible rather than understanding the problem. In the Western world this phenomena is a well known fact, leading to the advent of ‘Problem Based Learning’ (PBL) in trying to overcome this shortcomings in the medical student. Furthermore, the secularisation of all fields of knowledge has lead towards the medical curriculum largely devoid of any religious or spiritual considerations. Although undergraduate students have had formal teaching about the basics of the Islamic fiqh and tawhid during their school-going years, they are very much unprepared to apply the knowledge that they acquired towards the pathological conditions that they will see in the clinical setting. Therefore, there is a great need to re-educate the medical undergraduates on how to be more critical of the information that they acquire in medical school and how to better apply the knowledge gained, especially from the various aspects of the Islamic perspective. In the Kulliyyah of Medicine in IIUM the teaching of medicine in a holistic manner is being achieved by having a series of relevant Islamic Revealed Knowledge lectures for the students every week throughout their five year course. To our knowledge IIUM is the first university in the world to incorporate Islamic Input courses into the medical curriculum. The Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology & Rehabilitation has gone further by introducing a practical session on the relevant aspects of the Islamic Input in Orthopaedics (Triple IO) practice since 2002

Biochemical Basis of Cyfluthrin and DDT Resistance in Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) in Malarious Area of Iran

Background: Anopheles stephensi is a key urban malaria vector in the Indian subcontinent and Middle East includ­ing south and southeast of Iran. Wide application of insecticides resulted in resistance of this species to various insec­ticides in these regions. This study was conducted to reveal the role of metabolic mechanisms in the development of resistance in An. stephensi to DDT and cyfluthrin. Methods: Field mosquito specimens were collected from Chabahar Seaport, southeast corner of Iran, in 2015. Insec­ticide susceptibility and enzyme assays were conducted as recommended by WHO. Results: Mean enzyme ratios were 3.95 and 3.04 for α- esterases and 2.40 and 1.97 for β- esterases in the DDT and cyfluthrin- resistant populations correspondingly compared with the susceptible strain. The GSTs enzyme mean ac­tivity ratios were 5.07 and 2.55 in the DDT and cyfluthrin- resistant populations compared with the susceptible beech strain. The cytochrome p450s enzyme ratios were 1.11 and 1.28 in the DDT and cyfluthrin- resistant populations respectively compared with the susceptible beech strain. Conclusion: Metabolic mechanisms play a crucial role in the development of DDT and cyfluthrin resistance in An. stephensi, therefore, further evaluation of the mechanisms involved as well as implementation of proper insecticide resistance management strategies are recommended

Effect Of Different Cooking Temperature And Alkalinity On Mechanical And Morphological Properties Of Composite Sheet From Durian Shell

Temperature and alkalinity are the critical factors that contribute to the successful of soda pulping. These factors influence the length size and interfibre bonding of the fibre. In this paper, durian (Durio zibethinus Murray) shell composite sheet were prepared by conducting chemical pulping through soda method to study the effect of different pulping temperature and % of NaOH on the mechanical and morphological characteristics of durian shell composite sheet. Six sets of composite sheet were produced from six sets of pulping. The pulping processes were conducted at 140, 160 and 170°C with 17, 19 and 21% of active alkali. The mechanical properties of the durian shell composite sheet were analyzed through few standard TAPPI analyses which are tensile, tear, burst, folding endurance and paper bulk thickness. The results show that the highest reading of paper bulk thickness, tensile, tear and burst index, and also folding endurance were achieved at the pulping condition of 170°C with 21% of NaOH with the value of 1.3366 g/cm3, 54.151 NM/g, 6.648 m.Nm2/g, 2.517 k.Pam2/g and 170 no. of fold, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that morphological changes took place depending on the size and arrangement of the fibres in the composites sheet

Association of Body Mass Index With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Adult Population in Ksa: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) stands as a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia stemming from anomalies in insulin secretion, insulin action, or a combination thereof. Its global prevalence has soared, posing substantial public health ramifications. This scenario holds for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where the prevalence of DM has surged to a critical juncture, warranting heightened attention as a paramount health challenge. In this milieu, the identification of robust markers conducive to early detection and preventive interventions for DM is a matter of paramount significance. One such marker of potential relevance is the Body Mass Index (BMI), a metric ubiquitously deployed to gauge an individual's weight status Methods: A cross-sectional study design will be employed to investigate the association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among the adult population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study will be conducted within various urban and rural settings across different regions of KSA, aiming for a representative geographic distribution. The study population will comprise adults aged 18 years and older residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  A multistage stratified random sampling method will be used. Firstly, distinct geographical regions will be chosen as strata. Then, within each stratum, random sampling will be performed to select specific cities, neighborhoods, and households. From these households, eligible individuals will be invited to participate. Individuals aged 18 years and older, regardless of gender, who are willing to participate and provide informed consent will be eligible for inclusion. Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions affecting BMI and T2DM status will be excluded. Data will be collected through structured interviews. Information on demographics, medical history, lifestyle factors, and dietary habits will be gathered through face-to-face interviews. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference) will be obtained using standardized procedures. The data collection instruments will include a questionnaire encompassing demographic and medical history sections, lifestyle assessment, and dietary intake. Standardized instruments will be used for anthropometric measurements to ensure consistency. The questionnaire will undergo expert review and pilot testing to enhance its validity. Anthropometric measurements will be taken by trained professionals using calibrated equipment to ensure reliability. Pre-established protocols will be followed for both data collection and measurement procedures. Results: The researchers obtained results and information from 808 adults collected from various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used. There was no significant difference between the number of males and females in the sample, as the number of males reached 407, representing 50.4%. The average age in the study was 40 years. There was a statistical significance between gender and cumulative blood sugar. The normal blood sugar level was the most common in the study at 69%, followed by those with diabetes at 21.28% Conclusion: The most common values ​​that affect type 2 diabetes mellitus among the adult population in KSA were BMI followed by blood pressure, family history, number of medications, family history, and commitment to taking medications

Association between diabetes mellitus and rs2868371; a polymorphism of HSPB1

Introduction: Diabetes (DM) is a type of metabolic disorder that its types are generated by collectingof genetic and environmental risk agents. Here, the association between HSPB1 polymorphism as a genetic risk factor and DM was investigated. Methods: Total 690 participants from MASHAD cohort study population were recruited into the study.Anti-HSP27-level was assessed followed by genotyping using Taqman®-probes-based assay. Anthropometric, demographic and hematological/biochemical characteristics were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier curves were utilized, while logistic regression models were used to assess the association of the genetic variant with clinical characteristics of population. Results: Finds was shown there are meaningful differences among groups of age, height, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, FBG,TG, HDL-C, and hs-CRP, and was no big -significant difference between theexists in different HSP27 SNP in the two studied groups (with and without DM), also was no remarkable relation between genetic forms of HSPB1and T2DM. This investigation was the first research that analyzed the relationship between the genetic type of the HSPB1 gene (rs2868371) and Type 2 diabetes (DM2). In our population, the CC genotype (68.1%) had a higher prevalence versus GC (26.6%) and GG (5.3%) genotypes and the data shown that no genetic difference of HSPB1 gene polymorphism (rs2868371) was related with DM2. Conclusion: HSPB1 polymorphism, rs2868371, was not associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus

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