Aspergillus ochraceus: Metabolites, Bioactivities, Biosynthesis, and Biotechnological Potential

Fungus continues to attract great attention as a promising pool of biometabolites. Aspergillus ochraceus Wilh (Aspergillaceae) has established its capacity to biosynthesize a myriad of metabolites belonging to different chemical classes, such as isocoumarins, pyrazines, sterols, indole alkaloids, diketopiperazines, polyketides, peptides, quinones, polyketides, and sesquiterpenoids, revealing various bioactivities that are antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, and neuroprotective. Additionally, A. ochraceus produces a variety of enzymes that could have variable industrial and biotechnological applications. From 1965 until June 2022, 165 metabolites were reported from A. ochraceus isolated from different sources. In this review, the formerly separated metabolites from A. ochraceus, including their bioactivities and biosynthesis, in addition, the industrial and biotechnological potential of A. ochraceus are highlighted

The readiness of Saudi nursing interns for the professional role

BACKGROUND: The nursing education program offers opportunities to prepare nursing students with the knowledge and skills required for their professional roles. The level of their readiness and confidence will affect their ability to provide effective and sufficient nursing care. The purpose of this study is to assess nursing interns readiness for professional roles. MATERIALS AND METHOD: To accomplish the study’s objectives, a cross-sectional, descriptive design was employed. All nursing interns who graduated from the KAU School of Nursing in the academic year 2018–2019 were recruited from different hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from March 2019 until May 2019. Participants completed the Casey–Fink Readiness for Practice Survey. Descriptive statistics were conducted to answer the research questions. RESULTS: The results of this study demonstrated that the students felt ready and confident to assume their professional nursing roles. The students had some difficulties with managing multiple patients and certain skills, such as how to deal with dying patients and prioritize patient care needs. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed the students felt entirely ready for the professional nursing role. The nursing college at King Abdul-Aziz University is making a great effort to prepare its students for their professional roles. We still need to develop skills and clinical competencies in preparation for effective professional roles. In addition, continuous assessment is considered important for patient safety, to increase nurses’ work retention, and to enhance professional nurse confidence and the quality of care they must provide

Linear Dimensional Change in Acrylic Denture Teeth Positions Factored by Different Processing Techniques and Occlusal Forms: An In Vitro Study

The current literature lacks substantial evidence for the effect of denture base processing techniques and posterior denture tooth forms on denture tooth shifts due to denture base resin polymerization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of PMMA-based denture processing techniques (compression packing and injection molding) and posterior tooth forms (semi-anatomic and non-anatomic) on the linear dimensional shift of denture teeth following denture processing in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. Two different complete denture fabrication techniques were used to prepare forty ideal maxillary complete dentures using two different types of posterior tooth forms. The used fabrication techniques were conventional heat polymerized compression packing and injection molding. The posterior tooth forms used in the current study were non-anatomic tooth (0 degrees) and semi-anatomic tooth forms (approximately 20 degrees). Initial linear measurements (vertical and horizontal) were taken from pre-specified points for the central incisor and first molar. Specimens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10), and denture processing was performed using the two techniques. Final linear measurements were recorded. The linear change in dimension for all six parameters was calculated by deducting the after values from the before values. Since the discrepancies were both positive and negative in magnitude, the absolute value of the difference was taken for further analysis. This value represents the dimensional change. T-tests were used to compare the mean dimensional changes. Furthermore, the mean dimensional changes for all the six parameters were compared using a two-way analysis of variance. The alpha error was set at 5%, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The injection molding technique showed significantly fewer tooth movements in both the vertical and horizontal measurements as compared to the conventional compression packing technique. The non-anatomic tooth showed significantly fewer changes in tooth movement as compared to semi-anatomic teeth in both the compression and injection techniques. This study can guide the selection of a proper processing technique for a particular posterior tooth form, thus minimizing occlusal discrepancies and reducing occlusal corrections during laboratory and clinical remount procedures

Linear Dimensional Change in Acrylic Denture Teeth Positions Factored by Different Processing Techniques and Occlusal Forms: An In Vitro Study

The current literature lacks substantial evidence for the effect of denture base processing techniques and posterior denture tooth forms on denture tooth shifts due to denture base resin polymerization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of PMMA-based denture processing techniques (compression packing and injection molding) and posterior tooth forms (semi-anatomic and non-anatomic) on the linear dimensional shift of denture teeth following denture processing in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. Two different complete denture fabrication techniques were used to prepare forty ideal maxillary complete dentures using two different types of posterior tooth forms. The used fabrication techniques were conventional heat polymerized compression packing and injection molding. The posterior tooth forms used in the current study were non-anatomic tooth (0 degrees) and semi-anatomic tooth forms (approximately 20 degrees). Initial linear measurements (vertical and horizontal) were taken from pre-specified points for the central incisor and first molar. Specimens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10), and denture processing was performed using the two techniques. Final linear measurements were recorded. The linear change in dimension for all six parameters was calculated by deducting the after values from the before values. Since the discrepancies were both positive and negative in magnitude, the absolute value of the difference was taken for further analysis. This value represents the dimensional change. T-tests were used to compare the mean dimensional changes. Furthermore, the mean dimensional changes for all the six parameters were compared using a two-way analysis of variance. The alpha error was set at 5%, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The injection molding technique showed significantly fewer tooth movements in both the vertical and horizontal measurements as compared to the conventional compression packing technique. The non-anatomic tooth showed significantly fewer changes in tooth movement as compared to semi-anatomic teeth in both the compression and injection techniques. This study can guide the selection of a proper processing technique for a particular posterior tooth form, thus minimizing occlusal discrepancies and reducing occlusal corrections during laboratory and clinical remount procedures

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population