Pharmacy Students’ Attitudes Towards Learning Communication Skills: The Case Of The United Arab Emirates

Effective communication amongst pharmacists, especially clinical pharmacists, physicians, nurses, patients, patients’ families and relatives and health care personnel is essential. Poor communication does not only lead to frustration and lack of respect among professions but also may compromise patient care if important information is misunderstood, ineffectively conveyed, or left out. This research explores clinical pharmacy students’ and clinical pharmacy graduates’ attitudes towards the relevance and importance of learning communication skills in their pharmacy careers in the United Arab Emirates. For the purposes of this study, Rees, Sheard, and Davies’ (2002) Communication Skills Attitudes Scale (CSAS) is used to measure pharmacy students’ and pharmacy graduates’ attitudes towards communication skills learning. Although this measure was originally designed to measure medical students’ attitudes towards communication skills learning in a European country, the results obtained from our study are not dissimilar to those reported by Rees et al. (2002) in their study. The paper concludes with some practical suggestions for pharmacy experts in charge of pharmacy communication courses.

Voices From The United Arab Emirates: Engineering Graduates’ Labour Market Requisite Competencies

This study reports on engineering graduates’ labour market requisite communication competences and skills in the work environment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its main purpose was to investigate whether internationally required engineering graduates’ communication competences were the same in third world countries or different. It used a survey to collect responses from major engineering companies operating in the seven emirates federation forming the UAE. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with some of the participants to seek clarifications on some of the survey responses. Results indicted similar market demands to those reported in international research with differences in preferences and ranking of competences. The conclusions reported are based on the responses given in the surveys. Future research may follow up some engineering graduates and find out how they perform in labor market environments. The findings show that although engineering labor market demands are in line with global market demands, they; nevertheless, indicate differences in the ranking and importance of the required competences and skills. This has significant implications for engineering course designers.

ENHANCING THE SUNSCREEN EFFICACY OF BEMOTRIZINOL MICROPIGMENT BY USING O/W NANOEMULSION TOPICAL PREPARATIONS

Objective: Bemotrizinol (BEMT) is the most efficient broad-spectrum UV-absorber having a dual mechanism of action in absorbing and reflecting photons. The main objective of this work was to develop successful oil in water (o/w) nanoemulsion for improving the solubility of BEMT and its protective characteristics. Methods: Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed using labrafac PG and isopropyl myristate as oil phase, tween 80 as surfactant (S) and cremophor EL as cosurfactant (CoS) the ratio of S/CoS was determined according to highest percent of water incorporation to the system. Full factorial study design (24) using Design-Expert® software was adopted to study the effect of four independent variables namely: oil type, oil concentration, S/CoSmix (3:1) concentrations and BEMT concentration on the particle size and the in vitro release at 2 h (Q2h) of the prepared nanoemulsion formulae. Two systems each of eight formulae were developed and evaluated through droplet size analysis, zeta potential measurement, refractive index, in vitro drug release and according to the desirability value two formulae (F6 and F14) were used for further evaluations including in vitro sun protection factor (SPF), ex-vivo deposition by tape stripping technique, permeation test and photostability study. Results: Formula (F14) was chosen as the optimum formula having an in vitro SPF of 16.08±0.39, lowest permeation of 140±0.06 μg/cm2after six h and highest photostability (t90% = 168.02) after 120 min. Conclusion: Despite the poor solubility of bemotrizinol, it could be enhanced by novel drug delivery systems with good SPF value while maintaining its photostability

FORMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF TERBINAFINE HCl SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES FOR TOPICAL ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY

Objective: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are at the forefront of the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology with several potential applications in drug delivery and research. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize SLNs formulae of Terbinafine HCl (TFH) for topical drug delivery applications. Methods: SLNs were prepared using the solvent injection technique. Glyceryl Monostearate (GMS) served as the lipid base. Three stabilizers; Tween 80, Cremophor RH40, and Poloxamer 188, were used. The effect of stabilizer type and concentration, as well as the lipid concentration, were studied, factorial design of 32*21was applied. The prepared SLNs were characterized regarding their particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficiency percent (EE %), and physicochemical stability. The selected formulae were subjected to further investigations such as morphological studies, in vitro release studies, and Infrared (IR) spectroscopy. They were compared with the marketed cream Lamifen® in term of their antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Results: Lipid concentration, together with the type and concentration of stabilizer, appeared to be the main cornerstones which affect the formation of SLNs. Smaller particle size was observed when increasing the stabilizer concentration and decreasing the lipid concentration. Higher EE% was observed when increasing both the stabilizer and the lipid concentrations. Formulae (F6, F12 andF19) were selected as the most suitable SLNs with optimum particle size of 480.2±18.89, 458.6±12.45 and 246.7±10.5 nm, respectively as well as the highest EE% of 87.13±0.19, 93.69±0.7 and 95.06±0.25, respectively. In vitro microbiological screening of their antifungal activity showed significantly larger zones of inhibition of diameters 25.9±0.25, 25±0.35 and 24.67±0.36 mm, respectively in comparison with the marketed Lamifen® cream which showed a zone of 11.2±0.44 mm diameter. Conclusion: Applying SLNs containing TFH as topical antifungal preparations may be considered as a very promising option as they show good physicochemical characterization with high antifungal activity, which delineates them as a promising dosage form for topical antifungal treatment

Histopathological Effects on Testis of Adult Male Carp, Cyprinus carpio carpio, Following Exposure to Graded Concentrations of Water-Borne Bisphenol A

Purpose: To evaluate the estrogenic effect of Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor on the histological features in carp testisMethods: Adult male fish, koi carp, Cyprinus carpio carpio, were exposed to three graded concentrations of BPA (10, 100 and 1000 μg/L) for a period of 21 days. A single dose of 17-β estradiol (1 ng/L) was used as positive control. The end points assessed at the end of the exposure period were condition factor, hepatosomatic index (HSI), gonadosomatic index (GSI), histopathological changes in the testis and lobular diameter.Results: BPA caused a significant decrease in gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the fish at the median concentration of 100 μg/L. The major alterations observed in the gonad structure were a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.001) in the lobular diameter (65.1 ± 12.2 μm) compared with control (211.7 ± 36.60 μm) and complete loss in lobular structure with degenerating spermatozoa in some carps. The histopathological effects also include delayed sperm maturation and impaired spermatogenesis.Conclusion: The findings clearly show marked adverse histopathological effects of gonads of adult carps when exposed to BPA.Keywords: Fish, Carp testis, Endocrine disruptors, Bisphenol A, Histopathology, Gonadosomatic index, Sperm maturation, Spermatogenesi

Efficiency Evaluation of a wastewater Treatment Plant by Activated Sludge

Abstract: Performance of El-Agamyeen Plant for wastewater treatment (WWTP) by activated sludge was studied over a period of 20 weeks. Results showed that chemical oxygen demand; COD, biochemical oxygen demand; BOD, total suspended solids; TSS and ammonia decreased through stages of treatment process. The percentage removal of these parameters during studied period ranged 86-95, 91-96, 90-94 and 71-85 % respectively. Dissolved oxygen; DO in aeration tank was not less than 1.2 mg/L during study. Of microfauna, amoebae and flagellates appeared at low DO and high organic load, dominancy of crawling and stalked ciliates affected efficiency of treatment. Rotifers count ranged from 1.3x10 3 to 9x10 4 indicating good sludge quality.High toxicity could be obtained with the inlet wastewater and decreased with mixed liquor; the outlet water has been shown the least average toxic effects (<10% mortality) on the test organism. The results indicated that wastewater treatment in this Plant during the study period reduced pollution significantly and effluent water can be left for discharge into water bodies

A Peer to Peer Protocol for Online Dispute Resolution over Storage Consumption

In bilateral accounting of resource consumption both the consumer and provider independently measure the amount of resources consumed by the consumer. The problem here is that potential disparities between the provider's and consumer's accountings, might lead to conflicts between the two parties that need to be resolved. We argue that with the proper mechanisms available, most of these conflicts can be solved online, as opposite to in court resolution; the design of such mechanisms is still a research topic; to help cover the gap, in this paper we propose a peer--to--peer protocol for online dispute resolution over storage consumption. The protocol is peer--to--peer and takes into consideration the possible causes (e.g, transmission delays, unsynchronized metric collectors, etc.) of the disparity between the provider's and consumer's accountings to make, if possible, the two results converge.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure

The first consensus statement on revisional bariatric surgery using a modified Delphi approach

Background: Revisional bariatric surgery (RBS) constitutes a possible solution for patients who experience an inadequate response following bariatric surgery or significant weight regain following an initial satisfactory response. This paper reports results from the first modified Delphi consensus-building exercise on RBS. Methods: We created a committee of 22 recognised opinion-makers with a special interest in RBS. The committee invited 70 RBS experts from 27 countries to vote on 39 statements concerning RBS. An agreement amongst ≥ 70.0% experts was regarded as a consensus. Results: Seventy experts from twenty-seven countries took part. There was a consensus that the decision for RBS should be individualised (100.0%) and multi-disciplinary (92.8%). Experts recommended a preoperative nutritional (95.7%) and psychological evaluation (85.7%), endoscopy (97.1%), and a contrast series (94.3%). Experts agreed that Roux-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (94.3%), One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) (82.8%), and single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) (71.4%) were acceptable RBS options after gastric banding (84.3%). OAGB (84.3%), bilio-pancreatic diversion/duodenal switch (BPD/DS) (81.4%), and SADI-S (88.5%) were agreed as consensus RBS options after sleeve gastrectomy. lengthening of bilio-pancreatic limb was the only consensus RBS option after RYGB (94.3%) and OAGB (72.8%). Conclusion: Experts achieved consensus on a number of aspects of RBS. Though expert opinion can only be regarded as low-quality evidence, the findings of this exercise should help improve the outcomes of RBS while we develop robust evidence to inform future practice

Outcomes in patients with gunshot wounds to the brain.

Introduction:Gunshot wounds to the brain (GSWB) confer high lethality and uncertain recovery. It is unclear which patients benefit from aggressive resuscitation, and furthermore whether patients with GSWB undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have potential for survival or organ donation. Therefore, we sought to determine the rates of survival and organ donation, as well as identify factors associated with both outcomes in patients with GSWB undergoing CPR. Methods:We performed a retrospective, multicenter study at 25 US trauma centers including dates between June 1, 2011 and December 31, 2017. Patients were included if they suffered isolated GSWB and required CPR at a referring hospital, in the field, or in the trauma resuscitation room. Patients were excluded for significant torso or extremity injuries, or if pregnant. Binomial regression models were used to determine predictors of survival/organ donation. Results:825 patients met study criteria; the majority were male (87.6%) with a mean age of 36.5 years. Most (67%) underwent CPR in the field and 2.1% (n=17) survived to discharge. Of the non-survivors, 17.5% (n=141) were considered eligible donors, with a donation rate of 58.9% (n=83) in this group. Regression models found several predictors of survival. Hormone replacement was predictive of both survival and organ donation. Conclusion:We found that GSWB requiring CPR during trauma resuscitation was associated with a 2.1% survival rate and overall organ donation rate of 10.3%. Several factors appear to be favorably associated with survival, although predictions are uncertain due to the low number of survivors in this patient population. Hormone replacement was predictive of both survival and organ donation. These results are a starting point for determining appropriate treatment algorithms for this devastating clinical condition. Level of evidence:Level II

IFSO (International Federation for Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders) Consensus Conference Statement on One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB-MGB): Results of a Modified Delphi Study

Background: One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB-MGB) is currently the third performed primary bariatric surgical procedure worldwide. However, the procedure is hampered by numerous controversies and there is considerable variability in surgical technique, patient selection, and pre- and postoperative care among the surgeons performing this procedure. This paper reports the results of a modified Delphi consensus study organized by the International Federation for Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). Methods: Fifty-two internationally recognized bariatric experts from 28 countries convened for voting on 90 consensus statements over two rounds to identify those on which consensus could be reached. Inter-voter agreement of ≥ 70% was considered consensus, with voting participation ≥ 80% considered a robust vote. Results: At least 70% consensus was achieved for 65 of the 90 questions (72.2% of the items), 61 during the first round of voting and an additional four in the second round. Where consensus was reached on a binary agree/disagree or yes/no item, there was agreement with the statement presented in 53 of 56 instances (94.6%). Where consensus was reached on a statement where options favorable versus unfavorable to OAGB-MGB were provided, including statements in which OAGB-MGB was compared to another procedure, the response option favorable to OAGB-MGB was selected in 13 of 23 instances (56.5%). Conclusion: Although there is general agreement that the OAGB-MGB is an effective and usually safe option for the management of patients with obesity or severe obesity, numerous areas of non-consensus remain in its use. Further empirical data are needed