Teaching the \u27comprehensive dental care\u27 in formative years of education and training: A new model for dental internship

There is a need of a new model of education and training to be implemented in the Bachelors of Dental Surgery curriculum in the relevant Pakistani institutions. The current review article was planned to suggest such a model in the light of literature aimed at building the capacity of dental graduates in a competency-driven approach with the objective of offering safe, efficient and comprehensive care to dental patients. The outcome of the reforms suggested shall prepare dental graduates suitably geared towards providing community-oriented family dental care right from their formative years. Moreover, the suggested internship model can also help to address the issue of inefficiency related to patient-care

Green preparation of antimicrobial cotton fabrics by using bioactive agents from cupressaceae pods

Antimicrobial fabrics have become essential in organizing and managing infestation and reducing odor formation by microbes. Various green sources add antimicrobial properties to fabrics, especially cotton. However, the major problem with microbial fabrics is the reduction of antimicrobial activity after each wash. Cupressaceae pods have shown natural potential as an antimicrobial agent in herbal medicine. This study utilizes cupressaceae for incorporating antimicrobial properties in cotton fabric. After the methanolic extraction of the cupressaceae extract, it was applied to the cotton fabric. The application of the extract to cotton fabric was made by optimizing concentration, temperature, and pH parameters. The extract modified cotton showed the best performance at 15 wt.% of concentration, 140°C and pH 7.5. The treated fabrics were tested in the presence and absence of the binder using the standard washing method ISO 105-C10:2006. Mordant-treated fabric retained 16.4% more activity after 20 washes. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the greenly developed antimicrobial cotton fabrics was checked against Staphylococcus, E. coli, Bacillus, and C. albicans by using AATCC 100-2004 test method. The study indicated that the prepared cotton fabric showed better antimicrobial activity against the earlier mentioned strains, except for C. albicans. The prepared antimicrobial fabric showed a wide range of antimicrobial activity and less fungal activity. Thus, the prepared fabric can be used for wound dressings, hospital staff gown material, and athlete's sportswear to prevent microbial infection

An overview on recent biomedical applications of biopolymers: Their role in drug delivery systems and comparison of major systems

Polymers are ubiquitous in our daily lives, from workplaces to homes. Biopolymers are becoming more popular as an alternative to petroleum-based polymers because of their lower environmental impact due to their low carbon footprint and easy degradation. The primary aim of developing technology is a better quality of life. Improved therapies and tailor-made treatments are currently the focus of scientists. However, the delivery of drugs has been a long problem in the field of medicine. As a result, many drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been created for this purpose. Among these, nanotechnology-based DDSs, especially nanofibers, hold a promising future. This review focuses on the importance of naturally abundant biopolymers in recent medical applications, especially their role in DDSs, and provides a crucial comparison of the merits and demerits of the major DDSs for researchers to develop tailor-made DDSs

A review on current trends and future prospectives of electrospun biopolymeric nanofibers for biomedical applications

Electrospinning (ES) is considered the most advanced and robust method to make nanoscale materials named nanofibers (NFs) using various polymers. However, due to the hazardous and toxic nature of petroleum based polymers, the trend has shifted toward biopolymers. Conventional techniques to fabricate NFs are nonreproducible, require tedious procedures, and most incorporate toxicity to the final product. ES gained tremendous momentum as it is a crucial solution to the drawbacks of conventional methods. In recent years much prepondering research and review work has been done on ES applications. However, the present paper does not cliche the routine reporting format by review papers in recent years. Instead, it highlights the ignored significant parameters especially solvent related in current research responsible for underutilizing ES and new innovative ES methods. The current review signifies ES's crucial necessity for biomedical applications compared to conventional methods with similar biocomposites. A systematic review of the literature was done to correlate those parameters with the present work to find the gap in the existing literature. The present review is significant in providing a helpful tool to improve further the properties of the NFs biocomposites by ES methods. Significant missing correlations were identified, which, if considered in the future, can drastically improve the future of ES applications

Current issues and potential solutions for the electrospinning of major polysaccharides and proteins: A review

Biopolymers, especially polysaccharides and proteins, are the promising green replacement for petroleum based polymers. Due to their innate properties, they are effectively used in biomedical applications, especially tissue engineering, wound healing, and drug delivery. The fibrous morphology of biopolymers is essentially required for the effectiveness in these biomedical applications. Electrospinning (ES) is the most advanced and robust method to fabricate nanofibers (NFs) and provides a complete solution to the conventional methods issues. However, the major issues regarding fabricating polysaccharides and protein nanofibers using ES include poor electrospinnability, lack of desired fundamental properties for a specific application by a single biopolymer, and insolubility among common solvents. The current review provides the main strategies for effective electrospinning of the major biopolymers. The key strategies include blending major biopolymers with suitable biopolymers and optimizing the solvent system. A systematic literature review was done to provide the optimized solvent system of the major biopolymers along with their best possible biopolymeric blend for ES. The review also highlights the fundamental issues with the commercialization of ES based biomedical products and provides future directions to improve the fabrication of biopolymeric nanofibers

Nelarabine Associated Myotoxicity and Rhabdomyolysis

Nelarabine (ara-G; Arranon; compound 506U78) is an antineoplastic purine analog used for the treatment of refractory or relapsed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL). The drug was granted accelerated approval in October 2005 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) given the efficacy (induction of complete responses) noted in 2 single-arm trials (one in pediatric setting and one in adult patient population). The main spectra of toxicities that have been reported in these clinical trials and subsequent studies are hematological and neurological. Nelarabine induced rhabdomyolysis and increased creatinine phosphokinase (CK; CPK) levels apparently have been reported and this side effect has been added as an adverse reaction in the product monograph from the drug company during postmarketing surveillance. However, the true extent and incidence of the myotoxicity from the drug are unclear. In this paper we report a grade IV CK elevation and rhabdomyolysis in a patient with T-ALL treated with nelarabine. Given the reported finding, we examined the literature further for myotoxicity, increased CK, and/or rhabdomyolysis associated with the use of the nelarabine and report our findings

Spatial and Temporal Changes in Salinity of Arable Lands in Shah Bandar Tehsil, Thatta District, Sindh

The cultivable lands are reducing significantly in hot and dry arid regions of the world due to soil salinity and sodicity resulting in yield losses. Similarly, the coastal Shah Bandar Tehsil of Thatta district is also severely affected by different levels of soil salinity and sodicity. The topography of the area is uneven, so ill drained depressions and saline creeks are common. This area was worst affected by floods of 2010 and 2011. The flood water kept standing for several months causing water logging in the area. Irrigation is done with perennial and non perennial canals, as groundwater is highly saline due to saltwater flooding and seawater intrusion. In order to identify spatial and temporal variations in soil salinity and sodicity, 48 soil samples were collected from six sites of Shah Bandar Tehsil during Post and Pre monsoon seasons of 2011-2013. Physicochemical data indicate that average pHe of soil ranges between 7.4 and 7.8 during Post and Pre monsoon seasons of 2011-2013. While soil salinity (ECe) and sodicity (SAR) ranged from 1.09 to 47.10 dS/m and 2.43 to 43.79 during Post monsoon seasons of 2011 and 2013 respectively. Whereas, during Pre-monsoon seasons of 2012 and 2013, EC and SAR ranged from 2.30 to 65.8 dS/m and 3.12 to 50.51 respectively. Thus, soil salinity and sodicity vary from site to site and season to season due to arid climate, high evapotranspiration and fallow lands because of reduced flow of freshwater and seawater intrusion. Data show that the soil quality improved significantly as indicated by reduced soil salinity and sodicity due to floods of 2010 and 2011

Psychopathy and proclivity to accept rape myths as predictors of negative attitudes towards victims of rape: the moderating role of narcissism

Abstract Background Rape myths may harm those who have been sexually assaulted, according to the past literature. This study looked at the associations between grandiose narcissism, psychopathic characteristics, and rape myth acceptance and attitudes towards rape victims in Pakistan. The issue of sexual violence against women and how specific personality characteristics, such as psychopathy, grandiose narcissism, and rape-supporting ideas, may lead to unfavourable views towards sexual assault victims are still being debated. In affluent nations, there has been substantial study on the psychological aspects that influence attitudes towards rape victims, but information on developing nations like Pakistan is lacking. Method The study used a cross-sectional methodology with a purposive sample of 430 individuals, ranging in age from 18 to 68. The appropriate sample size was determined using a G*Power analysis. In order to analyse the data, SPSS 21.0 was used. Stepwise regression, MANOVA, and moderated mediation analysis were all used. Results All variables showed acceptable levels of Cronbach’s alpha reliability. Rape myth acceptance was significantly associated with attitudes towards rape, primary and secondary psychopathy, and grandiose narcissism. Rape myth acceptance, primary psychopathy, and grandiose narcissism significantly predicted attitudes towards rape victims. Moreover, grandiose narcissism showed a conditional indirect effect through primary psychopathy on the relationship between rape myth acceptance and attitudes towards rape victims, according to the results, which showed that rape myth acceptance, primary psychopathy, and those attitudes all had significant effects on attitudes towards rape victims. Conclusions In conclusion, it has been assessed that unfavourable views towards victims of sexual assault in Pakistan were substantially correlated with high levels of rape myth acceptance, primary psychopathy, and grandiose narcissism. Furthermore, the study discovered that these variables strongly impacted views towards rape victims. Additionally, rape myth acceptance, levels of primary psychopathy, and attitudes towards rape victims all showed significant gender differences. Moreover, grandiose narcissism had a significant conditional effect on the association between rape myth acceptance and attitudes towards rape victims via the mediation of primary psychopathy. Secondary psychopathy did not play a role in this predictive relationship. Clinical impact statement The study’s findings highlighted the widespread prevalence of rape myths, the importance of primary psychopathy and grandiose narcissism, and their predictive value in highlighting peoples’ attitudes and beliefs regarding sexual assault victims. The study also emphasizes the influence that grandiose narcissism and psychopathic qualities have on the predicted relationship between rape myths and attitudes towards sexual assault victims. The findings have significant policy implications since rape victims in Pakistan frequently bear a great deal of responsibility and receive little legal assistance. This study can assist in guiding initiatives to solve these problems and enhance the assistance provided to rape victims

Acute onset nitrofurantoin‐induced autoimmune hepatitis after urinary tract infection treatment

Key Clinical Message This case signifies the importance of recognizing DIAIH within the context of antibiotic therapy, especially in older adults and even shortly after common drug exposures for treating UTI. Abstract Various drugs can induce immune‐mediated liver damage and in rare instances may lead to autoimmune hepatitis. Here we report an 84‐year‐old woman who developed autoimmune hepatitis less than 3 weeks after treatment for urinary tract infection with the antibiotic nitrofurantoin. She presented with jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In the absence of a history of an autoimmune disorder or elevated liver enzymes in the past; elevated liver enzymes after a short course of Nitrofurantoin and the presence of smooth muscle antibodies strongly suggested autoimmune hepatitis, which was confirmed through biopsy sample analysis. The patient scored 7 points on the Naranjo adverse reaction probability scale. The patient's rapid recovery within 1 month of prednisone therapy supports the association of liver damage with nitrofurantoin use