ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF MEDICINAL PLANT: FAGONIA MOLLIS DELILE

The present study was aimed to evaluation of the medicinal uses of Fagonia mollis by studying some active constituents, antioxidants and antimicrobial activities. Fagonia mollis Delile was collected from different sites from Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The phytochemical analysis of the aerial parts of F. mollis indicated that the plant is rich in secondary compounds. F. mollis exhibited the highest content of tannins and saponins (19.9±1.68 and 16.8±1.32, mg/g D.W., respectively), followed by phenolics (11.6±0.72 mg/g D.W.), flavonoids (8.6±0.82 mg/g D.W.) and then alkaloids (5.6±0.64 mg/g D.W.). In the DPPH test system, the crud extract of F. mollis, with an IC50 value of 1.51 mg ml?1, but higher than that of the positive control catechol (0.37 mg ml?1). In the present study the petroleum ether and methylene chloride extracts of F. mollis inhibit all pathogenic bacteria with different rates. Ethyl acetate extract has no effect on both Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, while the acetone inhibited all the bacteria except Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Methyl alcohol extract of plant on tested bacteria proved a broad spectrum antimicrobial potential. On the other hand, petroleum ether extract inhibited the growth of Candidia albicans and Mucor spp (8 and 9.3 mm, respectively), but has no effect on the Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger. The methylene chloride, Ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol extracts had no antifungal activities against all the pathogenic fungi. Acetone extract inhibited the growth of A. fumigatus (10.2mm) but has no effect on the others. The above results revealed that F. mollis have an excellent anti-bacterial activity and can be used for disease therapy

Understanding Michael Pisaro’s Solo Piano Music through Alain Badiou’s theory of the Event

This thesis focuses on the works of the composer Michael Pisaro and their connection with the concept of truth as outlined by the philosopher Alain Badiou (Being and Event, 1988). The main concern of this research is with the relation between silence, Pisaro’s piano music, and Badiou’s theory of the event. The thesis argues that Badiou’s faithful subject can be mapped onto the performer’s faithful interpretation of Pisaro’s composition, and involves the performance of many of Piasro’s piano works: fields have ears (1), Les Jours, Mon Aubépine, floating, drifting, C. Wolff, half-sleep beings, time, presence, movement, pi (1-2594), Fade, distance (1) and Akasa. The thesis argues, taking Badiou’s and Pisaro’s arguments through to their logical (if sometimes seemingly extreme) conclusions, that it is in the performance (and recording) of these pieces that the research ‘proper’ of the thesis rests. I begin with a discussion of Pisaro’s encounter with the music of John Cage – one of the most famous and leading experimental composers – and the influence it had on Pisaro in terms of using silence as a contingent part of his music. Pisaro’s compositions reveal a kind of respect for silence; silent moments reflect an openness to the world of truth, which is expressed in the form of incalculable events. As such, Pisaro’s encounter with Cage is conceived as a sort of truth process, in the terms Alain Badiou describes. It is not a coincidence that Badiou is, alongside Cage, one of the seminal influences on Pisaro, and the relationship of Pisaro’s compositional work to Badiou’s thought is a central aspect of the written portion of the thesis. Through employing Badiou’s philosophy, this research argues that, though representation and its entire pursuit of beauty in art may be regarded as being at the outset of artistic truth procedures, representation in and of itself is not and cannot be integral to a truth procedure. The thesis concludes that to accept that Badiou’s philosophy represents a profound and significant influence on Pisaro’s music means that the performer must take, almost dogmatically, a faithful attitude to Pisaro’s scores. Furthermore, it demonstrates that by understanding Pisaro’s music through Badiou’s theory of the event, new events (in the form of silences) intervene in performance situations, keeping in mind that the performer can only act faithfully on the basis of the demands of Pisaro’s scores, and thus cannot ‘force’ silence to produce truth, but can only act in the faith that that will have happened

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis of weight- and height-scaled tobramycin dosage regimens for patients with cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVES: To determine the outcomes of weight- and height-based tobramycin dosing regimens for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS: A simulated dataset of 5000 patients based on 331 patients with CF was created using NONMEM. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were derived for each patient from a published model using Monte Carlo simulation. The abilities of 10 and 12 mg/kg/day and 3 and 4 mg/cm/day to achieve standard and extended Cmax (20-30 and 20-40 mg/L) and AUC0-24 (80-120 and 80-150 mg·h/L) targets were evaluated. PK/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices were a Cmax/MIC ratio ≥10 and an AUC0-24/MIC ratio ≥110. For these indices and a range of MICs, cumulative fractions of response (CFRs) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were also determined. RESULTS: More patients achieved standard Cmax and AUC0-24 targets with 3 mg/cm/day (64% and 62%, respectively) than with 10 mg/kg/day (43% and 48%, respectively). AUC0-24 estimates >120 mg·h/L were more common with weight-based dosing. With higher doses, 72% achieved high target peaks with 4 mg/cm/day and 65% with 12 mg/kg/day. For the Cmax/MIC index, the maximal MIC for the target microorganism was 2 mg/L with lower doses, 2.5 mg/L with higher doses and 0.5 mg/L for AUC0-24/MIC-based regimens. The CFR for all regimens was >90% for Cmax targets and 66% to 79% for AUC0-24 targets. CONCLUSIONS: A tobramycin dose of 3 mg/cm/day rather than 10 mg/kg/day achieved similar PK/PD outcomes but dose and AUC0-24 ranges were narrower and the incidence of high AUC0-24 values was lower. Height-based doses should therefore be considered for patients with CF

Extrinsic post burn peri-anal contracture leading to sub acute intestinal obstruction: A case report

Peri-anal contracture lead to intestinal obstruction whenever there is involvement of anal orifice. In this case anus and peri-anal skin up to two cm was normal; however both gluteal folds were fused because of post burn scar leaving a very small opening which lead to faecal impaction and sub acute intestinal obstruction

Development of a Model of Pediatric Lung Failure Pathophysiology

A pediatric artificial lung (PAL) is under development as a bridge to transplantation or lung remodeling for children with end-stage lung failure (ESLF). To evaluate the efficiency of a PAL, a disease model mimicking the physiologic derangements of pediatric ESLF is needed. Our previous right pulmonary artery (rPA) ligation model (rPA-LM) achieved that goal, but caused immediate mortality in nearly half of the animals. In this study, we evaluated a new technique of gradual postoperative right pulmonary artery occlusion using a Rummel tourniquet (rPA-RT) in seven (25–40 kg) sheep. This technique created a stable model of ESLF pathophysiology, characterized by high alveolar dead space (58.0% ± 3.8%), pulmonary hypertension (38.4 ± 2.2 mm Hg), tachypnea (79 ± 20 breaths per minute), and intermittent supplemental oxygen requirement. This improvement to our technique provides the necessary physiologic derangements for testing a PAL, whereas avoiding the problem of high immediate perioperative mortality

Consensus guidelines for the use and interpretation of angiogenesis assays

The formation of new blood vessels, or angiogenesis, is a complex process that plays important roles in growth and development, tissue and organ regeneration, as well as numerous pathological conditions. Angiogenesis undergoes multiple discrete steps that can be individually evaluated and quantified by a large number of bioassays. These independent assessments hold advantages but also have limitations. This article describes in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro bioassays that are available for the evaluation of angiogenesis and highlights critical aspects that are relevant for their execution and proper interpretation. As such, this collaborative work is the first edition of consensus guidelines on angiogenesis bioassays to serve for current and future reference

Awareness, perception, and barriers of healthcare providers toward the revised consensus guideline for therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin

Background: A revised consensus guideline published in 2020 recommended transitioning vancomycin monitoring to the area under the concentration–time curve over 24 h to minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC24/MIC). The decision to transition to AUC24/MIC monitoring or to continue trough-based monitoring is made at the institutional level and is influenced by several factors, including healthcare providers and system-related factors. Changing current practices is expected to be difficult, and it is important to understand healthcare providers’ perceptions and potential barriers before the transition. This study assessed the awareness and perception of physicians and pharmacists toward the revised guideline and identified barriers to their implementation in Kuwait. Methods: A cross-sectional survey that employed a self-administered questionnaire was used. A random sample of physicians (n = 390), clinical microbiologists (n = 37), and clinical pharmacists (n = 48) across six Kuwaiti public hospitals were surveyed. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed. Factors associated with awareness and perceptions among the participants were identified. Results: The response rate was 85.3% (n = 431). Participants had a high (median = 75%) awareness score for the updated vancomycin guideline, as well as a positive perception (median = 5). The main factor identified to affect the awareness and perception of participants following the group analysis was the years of experience. The main barriers identified were a lack of training to perform vancomycin AUC24 calculations, a lack of accurate documentation sample time, and a long turnaround time for serum levels, which might hinder the implementation of the updated guideline. Conclusion: Physicians, clinical microbiologists, and pharmacists working in Kuwait public hospitals were aware of the 2020 vancomycin monitoring guidelines with positive perceptions. Participants agreed on the several barriers to transitioning to the AUC24/MIC approach, which should be considered by stakeholders before implementation

Chemical analysis of trace metal contamination in the air of industrial area of Gajraula (U.P), India

Industrial air pollution has emerged as a speeding problem in recent years because of its detrimental effects on human health. The present study was conducted in Gajraula industrial area of India, highly affected by ambient air pollution. Samples of PM10 were collected from three different sites (Raunaq Automotives, Indra Chowk and Town Basti) during 2017–2018. Maximum concentration of PM10 was observed during winter and the minimum during monsoon season. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, Al and Ni were analysed by ICP-MS. This study concluded that Indra Chowk is affected by high particulate pollution, while its level at Raunaq Automotives was moderate. Town Basti was being considered as less polluted area. Toxic metals are emitted into the atmosphere mainly due to industrial, commercial and agricultural activities. Most of the industrial emissions from Indra Chowk was because of lots of industries in the vicinity and it has been observed that public from this area is suffering from respiratory disorders and other health problems due to exposure of air pollution. © 2019 The Author(s)Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, MoEFCC King Khalid University, KKU: RCAMS/KKU/011/19The author’s gratefully acknowledge the financial help provided by UPPCB/CPCB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change New Delhi . The authors would like to thank to UPPCB (Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board) and also acknowledge the support of the King Khalid University through a grant RCAMS/KKU/011/19 under Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS) at King Khalid University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The authors also thankful to Dr. Shivlalsingh (AGSS Laboratory New Delhi), Dr. R.B. Singh (Cardiologist), Charu Gangwar (Project Assistant), Ajay Kumar (Project Assistant), Priyanka Singh (Project Assistant), Mahesh Kumar (Field Assistant), Digvijay Saxena and Sumit Verma (Computer Assistant) for their valuable support and providing sampling facilities at different locations