Equilibrium, Thermodynamic, and Kinetic Studies

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Razia Sulthana et al.The economic viability of adsorbing crystal violet (CV) using pepper seed spent (PSS) as a biosorbent in an aqueous solution has been studied. A parametrical investigation was conducted considering parameters like initial concentration of dye, time of contact, pH value, and temperature variation. The analysis of experimental data obtained was carried out by evaluating with the isotherms of Freundlich, Sips, Tempkin, Jovanovic, Brouers-Sotolongo, Toth, Vieth-Sladek, Radke-Prausnitz, Langmuir, and Redlich-Peterson. The adsorption kinetics were studied by implementing the Dumwald-Wagner, Weber-Morris, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, film diffusion, and Avrami models. The experimental value of adsorption capacity (Qm=129.4 mg g-1) was observed to be quite close to the Jovanovic isotherm adsorption capacity (Qm=82.24 mg g-1) at (R2), coefficient of correlation of 0.945. The data validation was found to conform to that of pseudo-second-order and Avrami kinetic models. The adsorption process was specified as a spontaneous and endothermic process owing to the thermodynamic parametrical values of ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0. The value of ΔH0 is an indicator of the process's physical nature. The adsorption of CV to the PSS was authenticated from infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. The interactions of the CV-PSS system have been discussed, and the observations noted suggest PSS as a feasible adsorbent to extract CV from an aqueous solution.publishersversionpublishe

Incidence of adverse drug events in public and private hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: the (ADESA) prospective cohort study

Objectives: To determine the incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs) and assess their severity and preventability in four Saudi hospitals. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: The study included patients admitted to medical, surgical and intensive care units (ICUs) of four hospitals in Saudi Arabia. These hospitals include a 900-bed tertiary teaching hospital, a 400-bed private hospital, a 1400-bed large government hospital and a 350-bed small government hospital. Participants: All patients (≥12 years) admitted to the study units over 4 months. Primary and secondary outcome measures Incidents were collected by pharmacists and reviewed by independent clinicians. Reviewers classified the identified incidents as ADEs, potential ADEs (PADEs) or medication errors and then determined their severity and preventability. Results: We followed 4041 patients from admission to discharge. Of these, 3985 patients had complete data for analysis. The mean±SD age of patients in the analysed cohort was 43.4±19.0 years. A total of 1676 ADEs were identified by pharmacists during the medical chart review. Clinician reviewers accepted 1531 (91.4%) of the incidents identified by the pharmacists (245 ADEs, 677 PADEs and 609 medication errors with low risk of causing harm). The incidence of ADEs was 6.1 (95% CI 5.4 to 6.9) per 100 admissions and 7.9 (95% CI 6.9 to 8.9) per 1000 patient-days. The occurrence of ADEs was most common in ICUs (149 (60.8%)) followed by medical (67 (27.3%)) and surgical (29 (11.8%)) units. In terms of severity, 129 (52.7%) of the ADEs were significant, 91 (37.1%) were serious, 22 (9%) were life-threatening and three (1.2%) were fatal. Conclusions: We found that ADEs were common in Saudi hospitals, especially in ICUs, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Future studies should focus on investigating the root causes of ADEs at the prescribing stage, and development and testing of interventions to minimise harm from medications

Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Drug Resistance in Dhaka Central Jail, the Largest Prison in Bangladesh

There are limited data on TB among prison inmates in Bangladesh. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), its drug resistance and risk factors in Dhaka Central Jail, the largest prison in Bangladesh.Cross sectional survey with, active screening of a total number of 11,001 inmates over a period of 2 years. Sputum samples from TB suspects were taken for acid- fast bacilli (AFB) microscopy, culture and drug susceptibility testing. (5.37, 4.02–7.16).The study results revealed a very high prevalence of TB in the prison population in Dhaka Central Jail. Entry examinations and active symptom screening among inmates are important to control TB transmission inside the prison. Identifying undiagnosed smear-negative TB cases remains a challenge to combat this deadly disease in this difficult setting

Substantial and sustained reduction in under-5 mortality, diarrhea, and pneumonia in Oshikhandass, Pakistan : Evidence from two longitudinal cohort studies 15 years apart

Funding Information: Study 1 was funded through the Applied Diarrheal Disease Research Program at Harvard Institute for International Development with a grant from USAID (Project 936–5952, Cooperative Agreement # DPE-5952-A-00-5073-00), and the Aga Khan Health Service, Northern Areas and Chitral, Pakistan. Study 2 was funded by the Pakistan US S&T Cooperative Agreement between the Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) (No.4–421/PAK-US/HEC/2010/955, grant to the Karakoram International University) and US National Academies of Science (Grant Number PGA-P211012 from NAS to the Fogarty International Center). The funding bodies had no role in the design of the study, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or writing of the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Social anxiety disorder in Saudi adolescent boys: Prevalence, subtypes, and parenting style as a risk factor

Background: Available information on social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescents in Saudi Arabia is limited. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence, severity, and subtypes of SAD, and parenting style risk factors associated with SAD in the adolescent. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two secondary schools for boys in Abha, Saudi Arabia during the Academic year 2013. To collect the data, a questionnaire eliciting information on background characteristics and parenting style as well as the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale Test (LSAS), for the evaluation of SAD, were used. Results: A total of 454 students participated in the study. The age of the participants ranged between 15 and 20 years with a mean of 17.4 years. The prevalence of SAD was 11.7%. Around 36% and 11.4% of the students respectively had severe and more severe forms of SAD. Parenting style such as parental anger, criticism particularly in front of others, exaggerated protection, maltreatment and family provocation emerged as a significant risk factor for SAD. The independent predictors of SAD were a parental provocation and physical or emotional maltreatment by the parent (odds ratio [OR] = 3.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.90-8.31 and OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 3.17-5.19, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of SAD in secondary school students at Abha is high. Parenting style risk factors for SAD are modifiable. In this context, a national program to improve mental health in this age group is crucial

Diabetic retinopathy and the associated risk factors in diabetes type 2 patients in Abha, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To assess the proportion and grades of retinopathy and its risk factors in diabetes type 2 patients. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 401 type 2 diabetic patients. A questionnaire and checklist were used to collect the data. Retinopathy was diagnosed and graded by fundus photographs and slit lamp examination. The duration of diabetes, age of patients, age at onset of diabetes, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c level, blood pressure, and complications were noted. Results: The mean age of male and female patients was 54.93 and 54.25 years; 57.6% were males. The mean age of onset and mean duration of diabetes were 43.91 and 13.4 years, respectively. The proportion of retinopathy was 36.4%. Grades of retinopathy were: Mild 57.5%, moderate 19.9%, severe nonproliferative 11%, and proliferative retinopathy 11.6%; 7.2% of patients had maculopathy. Retinopathy was significantly associated with older age, younger age at onset, longer duration of disease, poorly controlled blood sugar, hypertension, insulin use; the presence of neuropathy and nephropathy appeared as a significant risk. Younger age at onset, longer duration, and insulin use appeared as the strongest predictors for diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions: More than a third (36.4%) of the diabetic patients attending a diabetic center had retinopathy. The control of the risk factors may reduce both prevalence and consequences of retinopathy

Study of Stroke Incidence in the Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Recent data regarding first-stroke incidence in Saudi Arabia in general and in the Aseer region in particular are scarce and even lacking. The aim of this work was to study the first-time stroke incidence in the Aseer region, southwestern Saudi Arabia. All first-stroke patients admitted to all hospitals in the Aseer region over a one-year period (January through December 2016) were included. Stroke patients outside the Aseer region were excluded from the study. The incidence per 100,000 patients and the concomitant 95% CI (Confidence Intervals) were computed. The present study included 1249 first-time stroke patients and calculated an overall minimal incidence rate of hospitalized first-time stroke of 57.64 per 100,000 persons per year (95% CI: 57.57–57.70). A steady increase was noticed depending on the patients' age, reaching a figure of 851.81 (95% CI: 849.2–854.5) for those patients aged 70 years and more. Overall, the incidence rate for females (48.14; 95% CI: 48.04–48.24) was lower compared to males (65.52; 95% CI: 65.1–66.0). Taking into consideration the expected rise of the elderly because of the prominent medical services provided by the Saudi government, leading to a subsequent change in the horizontal and vertical age distribution structure of the population, an increase in the number of stroke patients is expected. It is suggested to establish a nationwide stroke surveillance system in the Kingdom, with the objective to report, analyze, and maintain an updated overview of the stroke status in Saudi Arabia

In Hospital Stroke Mortality: Rates and Determinants in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Objectives: The present study analyzed in-hospital first-time stroke mortality in southwestern Saudi Arabia over one-year to assess the in-hospital stroke case fatality rate, mortality rate and explore the factors associated with in-hospital stroke mortality. Study Design: Hospital based follow-up study. Methods: First-time stroke patients admitted to all hospitals in Asser region over one-year period (January through December 2016) were included in the study. Data about personal characteristics, pre-stroke history and clinical criteria, on admission clinical criteria, in-hospital complications and survival status were collected. The last reported Aseer region population was used to calculate age and sex stroke mortality rate per 100,000 population/year. Hazard ratios (HR) and concomitant 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed using multivariate Cox regression survival analysis. Kaplan-Meier curve survival analysis for stroke patients were plotted. Results: A total of 121 in-hospital deaths out of 1249 first-time stroke patients giving an overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 9.7%. Non-significant difference with gender and age were observed in CFR. Overall, in-hospital stroke mortality rate was 5.58 per 100,000/year. Males and elders showed a significantly higher mortality rates. Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed pre-stroke smoking (HR = 2.36), pre-stroke hypertension (HR = 1.77), post-stroke disturbed consciousness (HR = 6.86), poor mobility (HR = 2.60) and developing pulmonary embolism (HR = 2.63) as significant predictors of in-hospital stroke mortality. Conclusions: In Southwestern Saudi Arabia, the in-hospital stroke mortality rate is higher in men and increases with aging. The prognosis of acute stroke could be improved by smoking cessation, better control of hypertension and prevention of in hospital complication particularly pulmonary embolism

Value Chain Analysis of Processed Poultry Products (Egg and Meat) in Some Selected Areas of Bangladesh

Abstract Knowing the existing nature of processed poultry and poultry products marketing system, from producer to consumer via value chain were considered among two mega Districts Dhaka and Chittagong as a respondent. A total of 123 respondent from each districts in 8 different categories of stakeholders those were directly related to this business namely 10 broiler,10 layer farmers; 10 Chain shop; 20 Fast food shops; 15 Chinese restaurants; 20 normal Hotel; 15 wet market Buyer; 20 Consumer and 3 Poultry product processing industries. All actors were randomly selected towards collection of relevant information following pretested questionnaire. Simple statistical tools were applied for analysis of collected data. Surveyed data analysis clearly revealed that for achieving margin of profit, average value addition for farmers cases 13% and 16.5% respectively for meat/kg and eggs/no; for whole seller/Aratdar added extra value 5.09% and 0.28%; and for retailer 7% and 8% level and for whole seller to consumer's added extra value near about 7% and 5.5% and for meat and egg finally processed poultry meat 30% and further processed meat 125% respectively. During value addition consideration each and every stake holder all production cost factor along with other management activities costing were considered before marketed to one stakeholder or to others. For item-wise of value added poultry meat and eggs were found in different number and names. Average 5-6 no. meat type and 3-4 no egg type for hotel for Chinese restaurant 17-18 no meat products and 8-9 no. egg products, for fast food shop cases 28-30 no. meat products and 6-8 egg products; for chain super market 40-45 no. meat products and 7-8 no. egg products;. The total value added was found higher in Hotel especially for meat cases. Production cost for open market was found only 6.5% whereas for structured or processed market tends to estimate 40.5% because of manages mental, transportation and publicity cost incurs involvement. To flourish or gear-up of processed or further processed poultry & poultry products business in our country profitably need to be set up a well-structured marketing system in replace of wet market. Ensuring available safe and quality poultry and poultry derived food products to meet consumers demand, value chain actors especially entrepreneur public private partnership initiative need to come forward to run processed or further processed business to a great extend

Interventions to improve immunization coverage among children and adolescents: A meta-analysis

Background and objectives: Vaccinations are recognized as a feasible, cost-effective public health intervention for reducing the burden and associated mortality of many infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of potential interventions to improve the uptake of vaccines among children and adolescents.Methods: We performed a literature search until December 2020. Eligible studies were identified using Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, PubMed, and other sources. We included studies conducted on children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years. Studies comprised of hospitalized children and those with comorbid conditions were excluded. Two authors independently performed the meta-analysis.Results: Findings from 120 studies (123 articles), of which 95 were meta-analyzed, reveal that vaccination education may increase overall vaccination coverage by 19% (risk ratio [RR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.26), reminders by 15% (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.11-1.18), interventions for providers by 13% (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.07-1.19), financial incentives by 67% (RR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.40-1.99), and multilevel interventions by 25% (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.41). The impact of school-based clinics and policy and legislation on overall vaccination coverage is still uncertain, and no impact of a multicomponent intervention on overall vaccination coverage was found.Conclusions: Educational interventions, reminders, provider-directed interventions, financial incentives, and multilevel interventions may improve vaccination coverage among school-aged children and adolescents