Application of Wheat Husk in Color Removal of Textile Wastewater

Adsorption is the most efficient technique used to remove organic pollutants from wastewater. Dyes represent one of the pollutants that may remove by adsorption. The textile industry used dyes for colorization of fibers and always generates a considerable amount of colored wastewater. In present work, the removal of Malachite green (MG) dye pollutant from synthetic wastewater onto mesoporous Wheat husk (WH) was studied in batch adsorption systems. The characterization for the prepared wheat husk was studied by, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The batch experiments were carried out to measure the removal efficiency of MG as a function of contact time, initial concentration (25- 135mg/L), pH (2-13) and adsorbent dose (1-7 g/L). The equilibrium was achieved within 8 hours. The equilibrium adsorption data of MG dye on wheat husk adsorbent were analyzed using isotherm models and the adsorption kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first and second order. The adsorption isotherm results indicated a better fitting obtained by the Langmuir (R2=0.995) than Freundlich (R2= 0.883) and the adsorption formation of the monolayer could be described. Adsorption Kinetic results were fitted better by Pseudosecond order(0.9886) than Pseudo first order (0.984). The properties obtained make WH an ideal adsorbent for treatment of MG dye from wastewater, besides, to develop some environment-friendly and low-priced material is also the crucial work

Biochemical Evaluation of some Natural Feed Additives against Dexamethasone-induced Metabolic Alterations in Rabbits

Glucocorticoid therapy is limited by numerous metabolic adverse effects associated with long term exposure to excess doses. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the possible protective effects of date palm and/or Saccharomyces cerevisiae probiotics on dexamethasone-induced metabolic changes in rabbits. 25 healthy male white New Zealand rabbits were grouped into group 1 (control), group 2 (2 mg/kg bw/day dexamethasone I/M), group 3 (0.5 g/kg/day date palm flesh+2 mg/kg bw/day dexamethasone I/M), group 4 (1g/kg/day S. cerevisiae probiotic + 2 mg/kg bw/day dexamethasone I/M), group 5 (date palm flesh + S. cerevisiae probiotic + dexamethasone at the aforementioned doses). Dexamethasone injection resulted in marked increases (p≤0.05) in hepatic MDA concentration and catalase activity, as well as significant decreases in hepatic GSH concentration and body weight gain. The serum levels of glucose, lipid profile (TG, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL/HDL risk ratio), and liver function biomarkers (serum total proteins, albumin, ALT, ALP) showed significant variations (P≤0.05) between control and dexamethasone treated group. The ameliorative effect of date palm fruit and/or probiotics (S. cerevisiae) was markedly indicated by restoration of these tested parameters to near normalcy. Therefore, the co-treatment with date or S. cerevisiae could be considered of great interest as potential feed additives for reduction of the adverse metabolic effects induced by dexamethasone in rabbits

Completeness and Readability of Health Information in Hospitals Records – North Kordofan State-Sudan 2015

Documentation of patients` information in the hospital registry is crucial for efficient quality of care. The objective was to assess the completeness and readability of patients` information in the inpatients files of internal medicine and pediatric departments. A descriptive audit study carried out in four hospitals in North Kordofan State. A total of 549 and 555 inpatients` files were reviewed from the internal medicine and pediatric departments respectively. A structured review checklist was used for the audit.  Data was managed by SPSS version 20. Comprehensiveness proportions were calculated manually. Chi square test at 95% CL was used for comparison. Complete and readable full names of patients were shown in 6.2% and 34.2% of internal medicine and pediatric files respectively. Patients` full contact address was complete and readable in 11.3% and 4.5% respectively. Only 0.5% of pediatric files had recorded age. Completeness of basic information in inpatients` files was significantly different in favor to the internal medicine department, P- value=0.01. Documentation of clinical assessment items was complete in internal medicine files (65.6%) and pediatric files (62.5%). Pediatric files had complete readable vaccination history (55.7%), complete readable perinatal, natal and postnatal history (40%) and complete readable milestones history(29.9%). The summary discharge pages had comprehensiveness scores, 13% and 18.7% in internal medicine and pediatric files respectively, P-value 0.01. Date of discharge was adequately complete in 74.1% and 77.5% of the internal medicine and pediatric files respectively. Information in hospital inpatients` files was not complete.Two thirds of inpatients` files were complete and readable for clinical assessment items. The childhood developmental history was under-documented. The summary discharge pages were not completely documented except the date of discharge.  A reform plan and computerization of the data base is recommended.

Acridine Orange and Flow Cytometry: Which Is Better to Measure the Effect of Varicocele on Sperm DNA Integrity?

We evaluated the effect of varicocelectomy on semen parameters and levels of sperm DNA damage in infertile men. A total of 75 infertile men with varicocele and 40 fertile men (controls) were included in this study. Semen analysis and sperm DNA damage expressed as the DNA fragmentation index using acridine orange staining and chromatin condensation test by flow cytometry were assessed before and 6 months after varicocelectomy. The patients were also followed up for 1 year for pregnancy outcome. Semen parameters were significantly lower in varicocele patients compared to controls (P<0.05). Mean percentages of sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm DNA chromatin condensation in patients were significantly higher than those in controls (P<0.05). After varicocelectomy, sperm DNA fragmentation improved significantly, whereas sperm chromatin condensation was not significantly changed. In 15 out of 75 varicocele patients, clinical pregnancy was diagnosed; those with positive pregnancy outcome had significant improvement in sperm count, progressive sperm motility, and sperm DNA fragmentation, but there was no significant difference in sperm DNA condensation compared to negative pregnancy outcome patients. We concluded from this study that acridine orange stain is more reliable method than flow cytometry in the evaluation of sperm DNA integrity after varicocelectomy

A Role of Therapy that Targets Immune Checkpoint Proteins for the Treatment of Melanoma Brain Metastasis, Liver, Breast, Pancreatic Cancer and Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immune therapy used to treat different types of cancers. These drugs block different checkpoint proteins, for example, CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 inhibitors. They block proteins that stop the immune system from attacking the cancer cells.  Checkpoints are also described as a type of monoclonal antibody that antagonizes binding between B7 to CTLA-4 and PD-L1 to PD-1.  Immune checkpoint inhibitors are used to treat BARCA mutated triple-negative breast cancer (TNBCS) in patients who do not respond to chemotherapy, and also in the treatment of highly mutated and solid tumors such as brain tumors, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors exhibit an effect on solid tumors by suppressing CTLA-4, PD-1, and PDL-1. Anti-PD-1 is less toxic than anti-CTLA-4. For melanoma Brain metastasis immune checkpoint therapy is more effective and Combination therapy has great efficacy and less toxicity which improves overall survival rather than individual therapy liver cancer as hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma used treatment with Genetics based therapy while using alternative immune checkpoint ligands, co-inhibitory (eg. LAG-3) or decreased t-cell infiltration causing therapy failure. Clinical studies for pancreatic cancer have not been completed yet and treating PDA needs more research as immune checkpoint inhibitors is a new treatment against  PDA. A new potent class of nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and ipilimumab have been FDA approved. For mutated tumors, Combination therapy between checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy has great efficacy and improves the city of life and overall survival, rather than individual therapy when using radiation or chemotherapy alone

Anticancer effects of punicalagin and 5-fluorouracil on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: an <i>in vitro</i> study

The purpose of this study was to assess the apoptotic effects of punicalagin alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (Hep-2) cell line. Hep-2 cells were cultured and divided into four groups: Group 1 received no therapy and served as control, Group 2 received 5-FU only, Group 3 received punicalagin only, and Group 4 received a combination of 5-FU and punicalagin. After 48 hours of incubation, cellular changes were examined under an inverted microscope. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, caspase-3 gene level, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level were assessed. The control group showed the highest mean value of cancer cell proliferation rate (1.595±0.58), followed by the punicalagin group (1.263±0.447), then the 5-FU group (0.827±0.256), while the combination group showed the lowest proliferation rate (0.253±0.111). The combination group showed the highest mean value of caspase-3 concentration (3.177±0.736), followed by the 5-FU group (1.830±0.646), and punicalagin group (0.741±0.302), while the control group showed the lowest mean value (0.359±0.117). Regarding VEGF levels, the control group had a statistically significant higher mean value, followed by the punicalagin and 5-FU groups, and finally, the combination group which showed the lowest value. Punicalagin exerts an anticancer effect through anti-proliferative action and induction of apoptosis on Hep-2 cell line. Combining punicalagin with 5-FU potentiates its anti-proliferative, apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic actions. It, further, helps in mitigating the putative side effects of 5-FU by reducing the dose required for its therapeutic effects

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Attitude of Syrian students toward GAD patients: An online cross-sectional study

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a prevalent condition and a significant cause of mental disability and poor quality of life. People with GAD have chronic worrying, restlessness, and discrimination from the general public; Little is known about the stigmatizing attitudes toward people with GAD among Syrian students. The questionnaires contained demographic data about age, gender, social status, personal stigma toward GAD scale, perceived stigma toward GAD scale, social distance with those with GAD, the participants' usual source of their knowledge about GAD, helpful interventions, and supporting information. A total of 1,370 replies were collected, but only 1,358 were used for analysis as 12 participants declined to complete the survey. About 44.1% of participants agreed that people with GAD could snap out of the problem, most of them being females (32.4% of the total population). Compared to medical students, more non-medical students (7.1% of the total population) believed that anxiety is a sign of personal weakness. This study demonstrated that Syrian college students showed a high level of stigmatizing and socially distancing attitudes toward people with GAD, particularly female and non-medical students

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely