The Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Calcium Antagonist Drugs in Cardiovascular Disease - Influence of Age, Disease State and Renal Function

This thesis has investigated several aspects of the clinical pharmacology of calcium antagonist drugs

EVALUATION OF THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVA (BLACK CUMIN) OIL AGAINST VANCOMYCIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RATS

Objective: The study was designed to investigate a possible protective effect of Nigella sativa (NS) against vancomycin (VAN)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: Twenty-eight adult male Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups; seven rats in each. Group I (control): The animals were treated with normal saline (2 ml/kg/day) given orally and intraperitoneally (IP); Group II: VAN was given at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day for 7 days IP and normal saline orally; Group III: NS oil was given at a dose of 2 ml/kg/day for seven days orally and normal saline IP; and Group IV: VAN 400 mg/kg/day IP in combination with NS oil 2 ml/kg/day orally for 7 days. Twenty-four hours after the last dose, the animals were sacrificed, and serum was collected to estimate urea and creatinine. Then, both kidneys were excised, one for homogenate preparation to estimate renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and the other for histopathological examination. Results: NS significantly decreased serum urea and creatinine compared to VAN treated group, p<0.001. NS significantly increased renal tissue GSH compared to VAN treated group p<0.001. NS lowered MDA and NGAL levels in the homogenate of renal tissues compared to their elevated levels in rats treated with VAN, but this did not achieve statistical significance. NS also ameliorated renal histopathological changes induced by VAN. Conclusion: NS has a protective effect against VAN-induced nephrotoxicity

A study of the effect of Nigella sativa (black seeds) on methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of Nigella sativa (NS) in the prevention of hepatotoxicity of large doses of methotrexate (MTX) (IP) in rabbits.Methods: Three groups of male rabbits, six in each were used. Oral dosing was administered as a paste; formula 1 was prepared by mixing 2 g flour with water; formula 2 contained flour and NS and water. Group 1 was fed with formula 1 daily and injected with 2 ml/kg normal saline IP. Group 2 was given formula 1 daily with 20 mg/kg MTX IP. Group 3 was fed with formula 2 daily + MTX 20 mg/kg IP. Injections were given weekly for 5 weeks, and then the animals were sacrificed at day 39. Liver enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and histopathology of the liver were evaluated.Results: Liver enzymes, serum, and liver MDA were significantly increased by MTX. MTX + NS treatment significantly reduced the rise in liver enzymes, MDA in serum with little effect on liver MDA. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin were reduced from 82.8±18.04 U/L, 4.9±2.0 kind and king unit/100 ml and 0.74±0.1 mg/dl to 56.1±7.5, 2.0±0.6 and 0.27±0.1 respectively. Unexpectedly, serum and liver GSH were slightly increased by MTX. Treatment with MTX + NS further increased these levels. Histologically, portal and lobular sinusoidal dilatation, lymphocytic infiltration, and hepatocyte hydropic degeneration were seen in all rabbits on MTX, which disappeared in three rabbits on NS + MTX.Conclusion: NS is hepatoprotective against MTX induced hepatotoxicity

Relación entre el hematocrito y algunos parámetros biológicos del sábalo de la India, Tenualosa ilisha (Familia Clupeidae)

Haematological parameters have been recognised as valuable tools for the monitoring of fish health. Here we analyse the relationship between haematocrit and body length, sex and reproductive state in the Indian Shad Tenualosa ilisha. Haematocrit value showed a quadratic relationship to fish size (body length), incrementing as the fish body length increased up to 400 mm, after which it decreased. Male fish showed a higher haematocrit value than females. Haematocrit appeared to be higher in the pre–spawning period than in the spawning phase, but then increased slightly in the post–spawning period.Se ha demostrado que los parámetros hematológicos constituyen una valiosa herramienta para controlar la salud de los peces. En este artículo se analiza la relación entre el hematocrito y la longitud del cuerpo, el sexo y el estado reproductivo del sábalo de la India Tenualosa ilisha. Se ha encontrado una relación cuadrática entre el valor del hematocrito y el tamaño del pez (longitud del cuerpo), en aumento con la longitud del cuerpo, hasta los 400 mm, para después empezar a disminuir. Los valores del hematocrito de los peces machos son más elevados que los de las hembras. Parece que el hematocrito es más elevado en el periodo anterior al desove que durante el mismo, aunque en el período posterior se registra un ligero aumento

Possible relationships of selected food items to osteoporosis among a group of Iraqi women

Background: Osteoporosis is a global health problem which is estimated to affect more than 200 million people worldwide, especially postmenopausal women. It is characterized by decreased bone mineral density leading to fragility and increased risk of fractures.  Objective: This study was conducted to explore the consumption of inappropriate foods related to osteoporosis among a group of Iraqi women. JFac Med Baghdad 2021; Vol.63, No. 4 Received: Sep., 2021 Accepted: Nov., 2021 Published: Jan., 2021   Patients and methods: A cross sectional study of 140 females aged ≥ 40 years attending polyclinics in Al-Dora sector in Baghdad city from 18th January to 24th April 2021. The bone mineral density was measured by portable quantitative calcaneal ultrasound machine (osteosystem) and the bone was assessed for osteoporosis by T-score. Food frequency questionnaire was used for collecting data related to food consumption. Results: Out of the total sample, 74 (52.9%) were found to be osteoporotic. There was a significant association with high salt and coffee consumption with the occurrence of osteoporosis (77.3% and 83.3%, respectively, p = 0.001), compared to those who did not consume caffeinated drinks. Participants with daily consumption of caffeinated drinks had a highly significant association with osteoporosis (21.8% vs 100%, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Excessive consumption of salty foods and caffeinated beverages appears to exert a negative effect on bone mineral density and the occurrence of osteoporosis among the studied group of Iraqi women

Integration of TTF, UTAUT, and ITM for mobile Banking Adoption

The introduction of mobile banking facility has enabled customers to carry out banking transactionswith the use of smartphones and other handheld devices from anywhere. It has become a luxurious and exclusive method of online payments. The recent growth of telecommunication sector and a tremendous increase in mobile USAge has opened new doors for sparking future of banking sector industry. The following research is aimed to find out the mobile banking adoption attitudes with the integration of TTF, UTAUT,and ITM models

Low immediate scientific yield of the PhD among medical doctors

BACKGROUND: We studied the scientific yield of the medical PhD program at all Danish Universities. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective observational study. Three PhD schools in Denmark were included in order to evaluate the postdoctoral research production over more than 18 years through individual publications accessed by PubMed. RESULTS: A total of 2686 PhD-graduates (1995–2013) with a medical background were included according to registries from all PhD schools in Denmark. They had a median age of 35 years (interquartile range (IQR), 32–38) and 53 % were women at the time of graduation. Scientific activity over time was assessed independently of author-rank and inactivity was measured relative to the date of graduation. Factors associated with inactivity were identified using multivariable logistic regression. 88.6 % of the PhD theses were conducted in internal medicine vs. 11.4 % in surgery. During follow-up (median 6.9 years, IQR 3.0–11.7), PubMed data searches identified that 87 (3.4 %) of the PhD graduates had no publication after they graduated from the PhD program, 40 % had 5 or less, and 90 % had 30 or less. The median number of publications per year after PhD graduation was 1.12 (IQR 0.61–1.99) papers per year. About 2/3 of the graduates became inactive after 1 year and approximately 21 % of the graduates remained active during the whole follow-up. Female gender was associated with inactivity: adjusted odds ratio 1.59 (95 % confidence interval 1.24–2.05). CONCLUSIONS: The scientific production of Danish medic PhD-graduates was mainly produced around the time of PhD-graduation. After obtaining the PhD-degree the scientific production declines suggesting that scientific advance fails and resources are not harnessed

Comparative analysis of UWB balance Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna for array configuration

In this paper, an Ultra-wideband Balance Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna in planar and h-plane array configuration is presented. The comparison of four elements of BAVA array in both planes has been observed. Each element of an antenna printed on the glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material (FR4) with a thickness of 1.5mm and relative permittivity of 4.3. The dimension of every single element is 60.75mm x 66mm approximately. The array elements of both planes almost cover the whole UWB frequency range with the reflection coefficient of -10dB. Based on the simulation results, the array elements in planar configuration showing good reflection and works well at 3.2GHz frequency while the configuration in h-plane the array elements works well at 7GHz of frequency. In planar configuration, the operating frequency of antenna elements is shifting as a result of the distance between inter elements which intensification in wavelength. The array elements in h-plane produce more gain up to 10.2 dB with good radiation patterns as compared to the planar plane. The antenna design and optimization development are verified using CST simulation software

Design and parametric evaluation of UWB antenna for array arrangement

This paper has introduced the concept of UWB antenna in array arrangements. The four elements of Balance Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (BAVA) has been used for planar and H-plane array configuration in this research. Each single element of BAVA Antenna is printed on the glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material (FR4) along an overall thickness of 1.57mm and εr=4.3 respectively. The optimized measurement of each particular element is 60.75mm x 66mm approximatel. Further the parametric evaluation of four BAVA elements in different planes has been observed in this paper. The placement of array elements has almost coverd entire UWB frequency range and appropriate reflection coefficient which is better than -10dB has been established in both combinations. According to simulation results, the array elements in planar arrangement presenting a suitable reflection and works well at 3.2GHz frequency while the arrangement in H-plane the array elements works well at 7GHz of frequency. In planar arrangement, the operating frequency of antenna elements is shifting as results of the distance among inter elements which increase in wavelength. In H-plane arrangement an antenna elements generate additional gain up to 10.2 dB with good radiation patterns as compared to the planar plane. The CSTMWS simulation software has been used for antenna structural design and parametric verification