Abstract: Recent studies on hydrogels have shown them as promising biomaterials for numerous applications involving tissue engineering, drug-screening, drug-delivery, and 3-D bioprinting because they show unique physicochemical properties. The ability of these structures to hold large amounts of water is because of their hydrophilic nature that provides a soft and hydrated environment like natural tissues. This makes them ideal for mimicking the extracellular matrix and supporting cell growth and proliferation. In tissue engineering, hydrogels might be used to create scaffolds that promote cell growth and facilitate tissue regeneration. Hydrogels can also be engineered in such a way that they intimate the mechanical and biochemical in vivo characteristics making them a versatile tool for applications in tissue engineering. Hydrogels are being used in drug screening, as they can be functionalized with different biochemicals in order to match the microenvironment of specific tissues. This allows researchers to study how drugs interact with cells and tissues in-vitro conditions, which can lead to more efficient strategies for drug development. For applications in drug delivery hydrogels are designed to release drugs in a sustainable and controlled way, improving the drug efficacy and reducing the toxicity of drugs. Designing can also be done in a way that they can target specific tissues and cells making them a promising tool for personalized medicine. Hydrogels are being used in 3-D bioprinting, where they serve as bio-inks that can be fabricated into complex structures with high precision. In comparison to conventional technologies, this is a promising technique that allows the construction of complex three-dimensional structures in a sequential manner by a computeraided system. One major challenge in bioprinting is finding such material that is suitable for printing and also satisfies the mechanical strength requisite for tissue engineering applications. That is where hydrogels serve as the most appropriate model and have encouraging or favorable operation potential as cell-affable materials. This technique has revolutionized tissue engineering by allowing researchers to create functional tissues and organoids and spheroids. Overall, hydrogel-based tissue engineering, drug screening, drug delivery, and 3D bioprinting are exciting areas of research with great potential to significantly impact different areas of medicine and biology.
OBJECTIVE Study was designed to assess sexual experience, thoughts, and problems of women who have been treated with pelvic radiotherapy for cervical cancer. METHODS Seventeen sexually active patients who received minimum 3-month course of pelvic radiotherapy between March 20, 2014 and June 20, 2014 gave consent to participate in the study. Sexual life before cancer diagnosis and effects of treatment on sexual life were assessed with semi-configured score scale created by research group. RESULTS Main diagnostic finding was post-coital and post-menopausal bleeding, and vaginal stricture, vaginal dryness, and decreased sexual desire in partner or patient were primary sexual problems reported. CONCLUSION Health professionals should be aware of these effects and should encourage patients to express their problems and provide effective, individual counsel to each patient.
Recession affects many factors; it affects the export, Slowdown of the industrial production, which result into slowdown of growth. Human resource management is responsible for how people are treated in organizations. It is responsible for bringing people into the organization, helping them perform their work, compensating them for their labours, and solving problems that arise. Recession presents a very difficult time for any existing organization in today’s corporate world and no company is exempted from this truth. The biggest challenge for companies and especially Human Resource in this economy downturn is to survive and to remain competitive, companies reorganized and reengineered to reduce waste. Recession poses unique challenges to the HR department. HRM strategies & innovations providing a wide selection of employees, employers, customers, suppliers etc. in all ranges This paper outlines the transformation of HRM strategies and innovations in Asia. Beginning with its inception, the paper is progresses towards its various HRM functions like recruitment and selection of employee, training and development, compensation and benefits, growth of Human communication, This paper also highlights HRM strategies to counter intensified competition and external conditions like global economic recession, the resultant credit crunch and its impact on employee performance.
The Quantum Teaching learning model is a modification of the various interactions that exist in and around the moment in learning. This study aims to find out more about how to apply Quantum Teaching in measuring students' abilities including cognitive, affective and psychomotor aspects. This research method uses qualitative research methods with the type of research field research. Data collection techniques using observation techniques, interviews, and documentation. While the data analysis is a qualitative analysis model of Miles and Huberman and Saldana which consists of data collection, data condensation, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The results of this study are: (1) Implementation of Quantum Teaching in Class V Thematic Learning at MI Mambaul Ulum Kandangrejo cognitive aspects, namely students are able to think more critically and broadly, students are able to do assignments or exercises and can understand learning well, students able to provide questions and answers properly and appropriately. (2) Implementation of Quantum Teaching in Class V Thematic Learning at MI Mambaul Ulum Kandangrejo aspects in the affective aspect, namely: the curiosity of students increases, students become more focused, students' attitudes become more confident and courageous. (3) Implementation of Quantum Teaching in Class V Thematic Learning at MI Mambaul Ulum Kandangrejo psychomotor aspects, namely: students are able to practice well the learning media is provided, students are able to name the names and parts of the circulatory organs, students are able to show the circulatory organs blood using the medium.
Cloud computing is a technology of delivering resources such as hardware, software (virtual too) and bandwidth over the network to the consumers worldwide. All the services are requested and accessed through a web browser or web service. The main advantage that cloud is provided to the nation worldwide is that it is not so easily affordable to one and all. Multi-conglomerate companies invest a lot of money on the cloud and let people access it for a smaller cost and even free at the lowest level of the consumer chain. In this paper we address to the problems that the cloud technology faces and how it can be overcome.
Background Type 2 diabetes and obesity are serious public health concerns globally and a growing burden in Africa. Both conditions have serious repercussions on health when they co-occur, yet the extent of their co-occurrence in Africa remains unknown. Therefore, this review aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among persons with type 2 diabetes in Africa. Method A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, African Index Medicus (AIM), and African Journals Online (AJOL) for observational studies that reported the prevalence of overweight and/or obesity among type 2 diabetes patients in Africa. The prevalence data from individual studies were aggregated through a random-effects meta-analysis. The I2 statistic was used to evaluate between-studies heterogeneity, while subgroup analysis and mixed-effects meta-regression were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. We assessed publication bias using funnel plots and Egger’s test. This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Results Of 1753 records retrieved, 80 articles were eligible for this review, with 74 cross-sectional studies included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity was 35.6% and 25.6% respectively, while the overall prevalence of both overweight and obesity was 61.4%. Also, the pooled prevalence of both overweight and obesity across the five geographical areas in Africa ranged from 56.9% in East Africa to 88.5% in Southern Africa. Nineteen factors were significantly associated with overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion The high prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes is a significant public health concern that transcends geographical boundaries within Africa. The findings from this review highlight the need for innovative weight management interventions that are tailored to the cultural context of the African setting
Migratory behaviour in Littorina scabra (Linne 1758) was studied in a mangrove ecosystem and observations were made in their natural habitat or in situ observation in Tanjung Tiram, Ambon. Migratory speed and pattern of L. scabra of different sizes (small and large) particularly in mangrove Sonneratia alba were observed throughout of the February 19th to March 11th, 2019 during the day and night on incoming or outgoing tides and these are usually a 3 hours (270 minutes) observation. Marked snails were used to track the position to investigate their migratory direction and speed during advancing and receding tides. Those organisms migrate up and down the trees following the tidal cycles. This study indicates that small size organisms which live on leaves, branches or trunks move faster than the big organisms and they move faster during the incoming tide than outgoing tide. For a big size L. scabra, they move slower during the incoming tide than the outgoing tide. This behaviour indicates that they move faster to avoid immersion during incoming tide than during the outgoing tide when they move slower because they are searching for food. The migration trials showed different patterns for all sizes of L. scabra and this pattern seems to be influenced by the area of surface they occupy such as leaves, branches or trunks. They tend to move forward in one direction (almost straight line) when they are on a small surface such as trunks and on the larger surface such as leaves and braches most L. scabra of all sizes make different trial patterns such zig-zag.
Pharmacists stand alongside with other professionals in representing essential healthcare during health emergencies such as COVID-19 pandemic. The present study seeks to explore the behavior and attitude of community pharmacists across various pharmacies throughout this pandemic towards the safety of workplace environment for staff and patients. An online questionnaire has been prepared and distributed to 145 community pharmacies during March to May, 2020. The collected results and data showed that community pharmacists in Libya have a good knowledge and adherence to preventive and protective measures published by FIP, WHO and other health-related organizations to protect themselves and society from infection. The pharmacist role in educating and information provision of the current disease and its management is still going on regardless the pandemic. A negative evaluation to the government support during the pandemic is clear from participant's replies. In Conclusion, this study looks forward to disclosing the current activities undertaken across various community pharmacy settings concerning safety of the workplace environment for both staff and patients. A clear and relatively realistic picture of the extent of commitment and knowledge of pharmacists of the necessary aspects needed to deal with this pandemic within community pharmacies is suggested. The extent of community pharmacist's knowledge, readiness and speed of their response to such a pandemic have been identified.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Diaspora groups across the world have been known for adopting and inventing processes and forms of ‘homemaking’ in their host lands. This article brings into focus the methods of homemaking assumed by the Indo-Surinamese Hindustani diaspora in the Netherlands, which owes its origin to colonial dispersal. Considering their status as a ‘twice-migrant’ diaspora, the process may appear to be distinctly difficult for the Hindustanis, a position this article seeks to examine. The article interrogates the notion of homemaking in the case of the Hindustanis through ethnographic conversational interviews of Indo-Surinamese interlocutors—a unique perspective based on personal histories and everyday experiences.
Patients’ knowledge of hypertension and treatment has been found to affect health outcomes of hypertension. This study aimed to assess the impact of therapeutic patients’ education on knowledge of hypertension and lifestyle/dietary modification among hypertensive patients in Nigeria. The study was conducted among 317 hypertensive patients randomized into controlled and intervention groups (158 vs 159, respectively) between March 2021 and February 2022. Baseline knowledge of the patients was assessed and intervention was provided for the intervention group with a structured educational program at a baseline and six months. Descriptive data were presented with a frequency table in percentage while the chi-square test and univariate logistic regression were used to determine the association between categorical variables. Out of the total number of 318 patients, 275 completed the study (response rate: 86.8%) with 136 in the control group and 139 in the intervention group. The mean age of the patients was 59.5 (±12.5) and patients > 60 years (49.5%) were the most frequent age category. The baseline knowledge score of hypertension was 9.8 (±2.6) and 9.3 (±2.6) on a scale of 16 points in the control group and intervention group, respectively (P = 0.060) while at six months 11.9 (±2.3) vs 10.8 (±2.4) (P < 0.001) and 12 months 12.6 (±2.5) vs 9.5 (±2.0) (P < 0.001), respectively. Knowledge of lifestyle/dietary modification in the control group and intervention group at baseline was 7.0 (±2.1) and 6.6 (±2.0), respectively, while at six months 7.5 (±1.5) vs 9.9 (±1.3) (P < 0.001) and at 12 months 7.2 (±1.5) vs 10.4 (±1.2), respectively. Marital status, body mass index, and family history of hypertension were associated with knowledge of hypertension and lifestyle/dietary modification (P < 0.001). The educational intervention provided was found to be associated with a significant improvement in knowledge of hypertension and lifestyle/dietary modification. The marital status of the patients, body mass index and family history of hypertension influenced patients’ level of knowledge.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Background: The human brain changes with response to various types of activities and experience through the reorganization of its neural connections. This phenomenon is called as neural plasticity. Studies over the past decade have indicated that the adult brain is structurally dynamic. Indeed, dendritic spines dynamically turn over in the adult brain, and learning of novel tasks is associated with further increases in spine turnover. The exercise training is an effective therapy for CNS dysfunctions like stroke, traumatic brain injuries etc. which has been applied to clinic. Traditionally, the exercise training has been considered to improve brain function only through enhancement, compensation, and replacement of the remaining function of nerve and muscle. Objective: To investigate the evidence on effect of exercise on neural plasticity in CNS dysfunctions. Method: A comprehensive search on PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, clinical keys database using keywords neural plasticity, exercise, strength training, aerobic exercise, physiotherapy by using Boolean AND. Randomized controlled trails, systematic reviews and meta-analysispublished since 2005 are reviewed. Results: 24 studies identified through database searching. 15 studies are excluded due to duplicates, irrelevance, based on title and abstract, outcome diversity. 6 RCT, 3 systemic reviews are included. The result of this review provides evidence that exercise drives compensatory structural adaptation in functionally relevant subsets of neurons to enhance behavioral recovery and cognitive changes after brain insult and measurable functional level of the patient. Conclusion: The result of this review provides evidence that exercise drives compensatory structural adaptation in functionally relevant subsets of neurons to enhance behavioral recovery and cognitive changes after brain insult and measurable functional level of the patient.
Vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern affecting many individuals as it is highly prevalent in all parts of the world. Recent studies have reported an association of vitamin D deficiency with cardiometabolic alterations such as dyslipidemia. The study aimed to evaluate vitamin D and lipid profile levels among the Libyan adult population and investigate the correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the alteration of lipid profile levels. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Janzour Hospital among 193 subjects (107 males and 86 females) whose ages ranged between 20 and 50 years over three months from Sept to Dec 2023. Vitamin D, cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein levels were estimated. The total mean vitamin D levels were 8.31±4.74, 23.83±2.78, and 42.67±7.95 ng/dl for deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency, respectively. The findings revealed significant alterations in cholesterol (increase), triglyceride (increase), LDL-cholesterol (increase), and HDL-cholesterol (decrease) among subjects who had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency as compared to subjects having vitamin D sufficiency. Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol, and they were positively associated with HDL cholesterol. The incidence of dyslipidemia is higher in the vitamin D deficiency group than in the insufficiency and sufficiency groups. It is essential to frequently monitor lipid profiles among vitamin D-deficient individuals to avoid subsequent disorders or damages associated with the alterations of lipid profile patterns.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
Foreign bodies (FBs) in the scalp are a common incident following head trauma, especially in traffic accidents, and are detected in the early post-traumatic period. The persistence of these FBs may cause pain and paresthesia. We report a case of 41 years old man, whose victim it’s been 20 years of physical aggression, in which the victim was hit by a brick occasioning a frontal wound stitched at the time without sufficient exploration. Months later, the patient presented several episodes of a frontal scalp nodular lesion with pus leakage (Fig. 1). The lesions were only treated with local antibacterial agents. Four years before the patient consults at our level, he consulted a dermatologist who performed a removal of the skin lesion. Months later, the lesion reappeared. At our level the clinical examination suspected a bone lesion, so CT was performed. Brain imaging was strongly evoking bone tumors or osteitis (Fig. 2). The patient was operated on under general anesthesia. First, a carcinogenic removal of the scalp lesion was performed; then, when reaching the bone, hard red friable bodies well separated from proportionally healthy bone were found. Those findings raise suspicion of the presence of FBs nested in the bone from the first head trauma. Hence, a carcinologic removal of the affected bone was postponed, and simple curettage was performed (Fig. 3). The post-operative course was without complications. The histological study confirmed per-operative findings: Multiple stony FBs associated with inflammatory reaction especially lymphocytes around vessels and the FBs.
Community acquired pneumonia is a prevalent disease in the Emergency Department (ED). The literature reveals that clinical practice could not be related with guidelines recommendations. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the implementation of the recommendations of the Spanish society of Emergency Medicine in the Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa (Zaragoza) ED in the management of community acquired pneumonia. Use of Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) estimation was used to assess the adherence. This study was carried out from December, 2014 to February, 2015. Data was compared with the previous two months. The indicators management (discharge or admission decision, adequacy and anti-biotherapy) as well as the incidence of PSI estimation before and after the intervention in these parameters were evaluated. 209 patients were included, 97 before the intervention and 112 after the intervention. No significant differences were observed in the calculation of PSI. A significant decrease of admissions was observed after the intervention in the patients in whom the PSI was calculated (68.8% vs. 45.0%, p < 0.05). A greater use of the Observation Room was aimed at those patients in whom the PSI was calculated (06.3% vs. 17.5%, p < 0.05). PSI calculation significantly increased antibiotic prescription adherence (88.9% vs. 75.2%, p < 0.05). There were no modifications in the prescription after the intervention. In conclusion, PSI is a useful and effective measure to achieve a greater adherence to the recommendations. However, despite the positive trend in the use of the PSI and its interpretation, a low-intensity intervention is not sufficient to generalize its use.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
This article addresses the implementation of the new generalized (G'∕G)-expansion method to the Caudrey–Dodd–Gibbon (CDG) equation and the Lax equation which are associated with the fifth-order KdV (fKdV) equation. The method works well to derive a variety of standard and functional closed-form wave solutions with distinct physical structures, such as, soliton, kink, periodic soliton, and bell-shaped soliton solutions. The solutions obtained using this method are useful and adequate than other methods. In order to understand the physical aspects and importance of the method, the attained solutions have been simulated graphically. The extracted results definitely establish that the new generalized(G'∕G)-expansion method is an effective mathematical tool to work out new solutions to different types of local nonlinear evolution equations emerging in applied science and engineering, but this method is not effective in solving nonlocal equations.
A 15-year-old girl with asthma presented to the emergency department with a sudden worsening of her shortness of breath overnight. For the past two days, she had been suffering from mild dyspnea, a low-grade fever, a productive cough with sputum, and mild pleuritic chest pain. Upon examination, her vital signs were recorded as follows: temperature: 38.2°C, blood pressure: 112/68 mm Hg, pulse rate: 131 beats per minute, respiratory rate: 25 breaths per minute, and oxygen saturation: 84% while breathing room air. Chest auscultation indicated diminished breath sounds in the right lower lung zone accompanied by wheezing.
This study examined work-life integration and female lecturers’ tasks performance in government-owned higher educational institutions in Imo state. The correlational research design was adopted for the study. Two research questions were answered while two hypotheses were tested. The population of the study comprised 1292 female lecturers in government-owned higher educational institutions in Imo State. The sample size of the study was determined using Taro Yamane formula. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to draw 406 respondents from the strata. Two sets of instruments titled; Female Lecturers’ Work-Life Integration Questionnaire (FLWLIQ) and Female Lecturers’ Task Performance Questionnaire (FLTPQ) were used for data collection. Face and content validities were ensured by experts including the researcher’s supervisor. The reliability coefficient of the FLWLIQ and FLTPQ was calculated to be 0.97 and 0.95 with the help of Cronbach Alpha. Multiple and simple regressions were used to answer the research questions. ANOVA associated with multiple regression and t-test associated with simple regression were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. It was found that self-management skills and effective communication system predict female lecturers’ tasks performance by 54% in government-owned higher educational institutions in Imo state. Based on the findings, it was concluded that work-life integration is positively and moderately significant to female lecturers’ tasks performance in higher educational institutions in Imo state. It was therefore recommended among others that; management of tertiary institutions in Imo state should consider the establishment of constructive outlets for female lecturers to vent any form of inconveniences that is inimical to their job functioning so as to reduce tension. Also, management in each of the institutions should communicate staff duties in an effective manner by setting up active communication channels in each faculty.
This paper aims to explore the supporting and inhibiting factors in the effort to integrate character education in akidah akhlak subjects at MIN 11 Aceh Tenggara. This study uses a qualitative method with a narrative approach and data collection techniques of interview, observation, and documentation; then, the data is analyzed using the methods developed by Miles and Huberman, namely data reduction, data presentation, and data verification. This study shows that the supporting factor for integrating character education in aqidah moral learning at MIN 11 Aceh Tenggara is the availability of learning media in the form of focus and Madrasah residents who work together to supervise all students, both outside and inside the Madrasah environment. The inhibiting factors are the limitations of Madrasah infrastructure in the form of no mosque or prayer room, family support, and social media and games that have an influence on student character.
Cancer is one of the most severe medical conditions in the world, causing millions of deaths each year. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are critical treatment approaches, but both have numerous adverse health effects. Furthermore, the resistance of cancerous cells to anticancer medication leads to treatment failure. The rising burden of cancer requires novel, efficacious treatment modalities. Natural remedies offer feasible alternative options against malignancy in contrast to available synthetic medication. Selective killing of cancer cells is privileged mainstream in cancer treatment, and targeted therapy represents the new tool with the potential to pursue this aim. The discovery of innovative therapies targeting essential components of DNA damage signalling and repair pathways, such as ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related Checkpoint kinase 1 (ATR-CHK1), has offered a possibility of significant therapeutic improvement in oncology. The activation and inhibition of this pathway account for chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity, respectively. Targeting this pathway can also aid in overcoming the resistance of conventional chemo- or radiotherapy. This review enlightens the anticancer role of natural products by ATR-CHK1 activation and inhibition. Additionally, these compounds have been shown to have chemotherapeutic synergistic potential when used in combination with other anticancer drugs. Ideally, this review will trigger interest in natural products targeting ATR-CHK1 and their potential efficacy and safety as cancer-lessening agents.
The COVID-19 was announced as pandemic by WHO on March 11th, 2020. Five days later, on March 16th, 2020 prevention measures to prevent the outbreaks had been taken by authorities in Libya. The health care institutes were working during the quarantine and until now. Pharmacists as health care professionals have a critical role in COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to access the levels of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists and pharmacy assistants toward COVID-19 in Libya. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in period from November, 2020 to January, 2021. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square to measure the differences and association within socio-demographic variables. Pearson correlation was used to measure the relationship between KAP of pharmacists. A total of 205 responses were received. The majority of respondents were from the eastern part of Libya. The percent of good knowledge score was 61.5%, the percent of adequate attitude score was 59% and the percent of sufficient practice score was 56.6%. There was an association between knowledge score and respondent’s professional and educational level with P=0.008 and P=0.028, respectively. There was an association between score of attitudes and working setup, professional level and educational level with p = 0.003, 0.011 and 0.002, respectively. There was also an association between practice score with regard to gender, age educational level and work place with P=0.004, P=0.017, P=0.002 and P=0.027, respectively. There was a positive relationship between knowledge and attitude (P>0.05). In conclusion, the KAP of community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists and pharmacy assistants were low but acceptable. Therefore, KAP should be improved among pharmacists by implanting an effective health education programs in Libya.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences