Knowledge and Perception of Diabetes and Available Services among Diabetic Patients in the State of Qatar

Introduction: Diabetes is a major public health concern in Qatar. This study examined diabetes knowledge and perception of available services for diabetes control among diabetic patients in Qatar.Methods: Data from 300 diabetic patients were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire between February and May 2015 at Hamad Medical Corporation healthcare facilities in Qatar. Survey responses were represented as frequencies, and Chi-square tests were used to compare proportions across gender. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: 31% of patients had Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) (females 36.6%, males 26.5%) and 54% had Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) (males 56.6%, females 50%). Knowledge about diabetes types did not differ by sex (P=0.16). 32.3% of patients were treated for diabetes-related complications including: high cholesterol (39.2%), vision problems (33.1%), hypertension (30.0%), and foot problems (25.1 %). Most patients were diagnosed at primary care clinics (41.7%). During visits, 78.3% of patients reported that they were fully advised about different diabetes tests. 57.0% of patients had ?4 visits for diabetes checkups in the past 12 months. 66.7% of patients reported that they were confident or very confident in managing their diabetes as a result of their healthcare visits in the past year. The majority of patients reported receiving diabetes-related guidance from physicians (89.7%).Conclusions: Study participants had variable knowledge of diabetes, its complications and risk factors, and services available to diabetics. More comprehensive education and awareness about diabetes is recommended for both patients and family members. At the provider level, further improvement in patient counseling and promotion of available services can be beneficial

Awareness of Asthma Genetics in Pakistan: A Review with Some Recommendations

About 334 million people worldwide have been affected by asthma and additionally 100 million expected to have asthma by the year 2025. Being the sixth most populous and economically developing country and with the increasing trend of urbanization and due to poor health facilities, lacking the knowledge of the causes of the disease, increased pollutant exposures and consanguineous marriages, Pakistani population has greater chances of asthma and allergic diseases. Almost 20% of overall pediatric population of Pakistan is affected by this disease. In the past, only environmental factors were considered responsible for asthma but now it is a well-known fact that genetic factors have major contribution in the development of the disease. Poor knowledge of the possibility of genetics involved in this disease has been very common in both uneducated as well as educated population of this region. There is no doubt today that genetics have a major role in the exhibition of asthma but unlike other Mendelian disorders it cannot easily be identified by a single or a simple set of associated genes, rather small contributions of multiple genes and environmental exposure to asthmatic patients may be found. Our focus in this article is genetic factors of asthma in Pakistan. More than 100 genes associated with asthma have already been reported in different populations worldwide but generally, due to an ignored disease in this region, possible genetic causes, impacts, management and treatment of the disease has rarely been studied in Pakistan. This article was intended to explore some latest developments in asthma genetics, diagnosis, prognosis and management and suggest some recommendations to control this deadly disease

Knowledge and Perception of Diabetes and Available Services among Diabetic Patients in the State of Qatar

Introduction: Diabetes is a major public health concern in Qatar. This study examined diabetes knowledge and perception of available services for diabetes control among diabetic patients in Qatar. Methods: Data from 300 diabetic patients were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire between February and May 2015 at Hamad Medical Corporation healthcare facilities in Qatar. Survey responses were represented as frequencies, and Chi-square tests were used to compare proportions across gender. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 31% of patients had Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) (females 36.6%, males 26.5%) and 54% had Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) (males 56.6%, females 50%). Knowledge about diabetes types did not differ by sex (P=0.16). 32.3% of patients were treated for diabetes-related complications including: high cholesterol (39.2%), vision problems (33.1%), hypertension (30.0%), and foot problems (25.1 %). Most patients were diagnosed at primary care clinics (41.7%). During visits, 78.3% of patients reported that they were fully advised about different diabetes tests. 57.0% of patients had ≥4 visits for diabetes checkups in the past 12 months. 66.7% of patients reported that they were confident or very confident in managing their diabetes as a result of their healthcare visits in the past year. The majority of patients reported receiving diabetes-related guidance from physicians (89.7%). Conclusions: Study participants had variable knowledge of diabetes, its complications and risk factors, and services available to diabetics. More comprehensive education and awareness about diabetes is recommended for both patients and family members. At the provider level, further improvement in patient counseling and promotion of available services can be beneficial

Solubilisation & purification of membrane proteins using benzylamine-modified SMA polymers

Extraction of proteins from the membrane using styrene maleic acid co-polymers (SMA), forming SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), has allowed for the first time the purification of membrane proteins with their lipid bilayer environment. To date, SMA2000 has been the most effective polymer used for this purpose, with a 2:1 ratio of styrene:maleic acid, and styrene and maleic acid moieties spread statistically throughout the chain. However, SMA2000 is a highly polydisperse polymer that contains an array of different polymer lengths and sequences. RAFT polymerisation offers much better control over the polymer length; however, homogeneous distribution of styrene and maleic acid throughout the polymer is difficult to achieve. Instead, here RAFT polymerisation was used to produce a 1:1 styrene:maleic anhydride polymer, which was then modified with benzylamine. This mimics the 2:1 hydrophobic:hydrophilic nature of SMA2000, while controlling the length and obtaining a homogeneous distribution of the hydrophobic moieties (styrene and N-benzylmaleimide). SMA-benzylamine (SMA-BA) polymers of three different lengths (2, 4, and 7 kDa) were all able to solubilise purified lipids, cellular membranes, and a range of specific proteins. However, the larger 7 kDa polymer solubilised membranes more slowly and less efficiently than the shorter polymers. This also affected the yield of purified protein obtained by affinity purification with this polymer. The smallest 2 kDa polymer solubilised membranes the fastest but appeared to offer less stability to the extracted proteins. The SMA-BA polymers were more sensitive to Mg2+ ions than SMA2000. SMA-BA 4 kDa was otherwise comparable to SMA2000 and even gave a higher degree of purity

Kinetic and Isothermal Investigations of Cost-Effective Sorptive Elimination of Gentian Violet Dye from Water Using Haplophragma adenophyllum Biowaste

A novel biosorbent, Haplophragma adenophyllum (HAB) was employed to explore the biosorption mechanism of Gentian Violet (GV) dye. The novel sorbent was characterized by using FTIR spectra and physiochemical analysis. The effect of different optimizing factors like HAB dosage, GV initial concentration, contact time between sorbent and sorbate, pH of a solution, and the temperature was studied. The optimum removal of GV by HAB was observed at pH 6.0. The equilibrium study was carried out using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Experimental data fitted well in Langmuir isotherm indicating monolayer isotherm with qmax value obtained at optimum process condition of 13.21 mg/g. Kinetics study was carried out and followed by pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamics studies reveal the endothermic reaction

Entomopathogenic Bacteria, Xenorhabdus: An Alternative Biocontrol Agent for Integrated Management of Root-knot Nematode on Grapevine

Entomopathogenic bacterium, Xenorhabdus has a mutualistic relationship with entomopathogenic nematode of the genus Steinernema and produces several bio-agent compounds with antimicrobial and nematicidal activities. Root-knot nematodes are considered one of the most important pests facing the cultivation of grapevine worldwide. A micro-plot field trial was conducted in naturally infested soil with Meloidogyne incognita to evaluate the potential of two strains of entomopathogenic bacteria namely Xenorhabdus budapestensis DSM 16342 (EMA) and X. szentirmaii DSM 16338 (EMC) applied separately or integrated with neem cake and/or furadan at half of recommended dose on nematode development and growth improvement of Taify grapevine. Data of nematode populations, number of galls and egg-masses, eggs/g root, plant lengths and weights and number of leaves were recorded four months after application. Results appeared significant differences between treatments and control. The triple application was more effective than dual and single applications in reducing nematode infestation and improving plant growth. Combined application of EMC or EMA with furadan or neem cake increased the efficacy (64.6-68.6%) and improved plant fresh weight (27.4-69.5%). Conclusively, utilization of such bacterial filtrates with either neem cake and/or nematicide could gain a successful approach in integrated nematode management programs

Awareness of Asthma Genetics in Pakistan: A Review with Some Recommendations

About 334 million people worldwide have been affected by asthma and additionally 100 million expected to have asthma by the year 2025. Being the sixth most populous and economically developing country and with the increasing trend of urbanization and due to poor health facilities, lacking the knowledge of the causes of the disease, increased pollutant exposures and consanguineous marriages, Pakistani population has greater chances of asthma and allergic diseases. Almost 20% of overall pediatric population of Pakistan is affected by this disease. In the past, only environmental factors were considered responsible for asthma but now it is a well-known fact that genetic factors have major contribution in the development of the disease. Poor knowledge of the possibility of genetics involved in this disease has been very common in both uneducated as well as educated population of this region. There is no doubt today that genetics have a major role in the exhibition of asthma but unlike other Mendelian disorders it cannot easily be identified by a single or a simple set of associated genes, rather small contributions of multiple genes and environmental exposure to asthmatic patients may be found. Our focus in this article is genetic factors of asthma in Pakistan. More than 100 genes associated with asthma have already been reported in different populations worldwide but generally, due to an ignored disease in this region, possible genetic causes, impacts, management and treatment of the disease has rarely been studied in Pakistan. This article was intended to explore some latest developments in asthma genetics, diagnosis, prognosis and management and suggest some recommendations to control this deadly disease