Health Sciences articles list

Background and Purpose: We aimed to investigate the effect of smoking on the risk of intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture (IAR), specifically relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) or smoking index and the risk of IAR. Materials and Methods: We performed a single-center case–control study of consecutive patients evaluated or treated for IA at our institution from June 2017 to July 2018. Cases were patients with a ruptured IA. Two age- and sex-matched controls with an unruptured IA were included per case. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between both the CPD and smoking index (CPD x years of smoking) and IAR. Results: The study population included 300 cases of IAR and 300 controls. The higher IAR risk was associated with cigarette smoking. Our subgroup analysis of smokers revealed a significant association between IAR risk and current smoking (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2–6.3; P = 0.012), current heavy smoking (CPD>20) (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.4–11.0; P = 0.007), and a smoking index >800 (OR, 11.4; 95% CI, 2.3–24.5; P= 0.003). Conclusion: A dose–response relationship has been noted for intensity and duration of smoking consumption and increased risk of IAR. As smoking is modifiable, this finding is important to managing patients with IAs to quit or reduce smoking prior to life-threatening subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Kamal Singh

This study investigated the effect of health education on posture practices in reducing low back pain among patients in Rivers state, Nigeria. To achieve this, pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was employed, and the study targeted 170 patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Two objectives having corresponding research questions and hypotheses guided the study, while convenience and stratified sampling techniques were used to select 50 participants, comprising 35 patients from the general outpatient clinic department and 15 patients from the spine physiotherapy unit, with 20 male and 30 female participants. Data collection was done by administering a self-structured, self-administered questionnaire, titled health education effect on ergonomic practices and low back pain, which had a reliability coefficient of 0.75. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses. The research found that educating patients on various methods of preventing low back pain, including healthy weight maintenance, warm-up exercises, and proper postural habits while sitting and standing, had a noteworthy impact on reducing pain. Moreover, the study also revealed that health education programmes were successful in therapeutic posture practices and reducing low back pain in patients residing in Rivers state. Therefore, the study concluded and recommended that health education interventions for functional and therapeutic posture practices are effective strategies for reducing low back pain among patients in Rivers state, and healthcare providers should incorporate these interventions into their treatment plans for patients suffering from low back pain.

FXintegrity Publishing

Background: Exhaust noise is known to be a major pollutant in the environment and workplaces due to the development of industry and transportation. Exhaust noise can be reduced to normal levels by mufflers or silencers. A reactive muffler efficiently dampens noise at low frequencies by reflecting sound waves. Therefore, muffler design is of great importance in exhaust noise reduction. Transmission loss (TL) is an essential characteristic of mufflers, demonstrating their acoustical properties. Any acoustical appliance is selected based on its damping performance and reliability. Predicting TL through experimentation is different from theoretical calculations. Methods: In the present study, a double-expansion chamber muffler was designed as a reflective muffler on a laboratory scale by equations. Next, TL was evaluated by an impedance tube applying a 4-microphone technique to determine the acoustical performance of the designed muffler. Results: Findings revealed that the TL of the muffler at 312 Hz frequency obtained 27.5 dB agreement with the required TL of the muffler of 25 dB. In addition, the TL of the muffler against frequency attenuates noise in broadband frequencies. Conclusions: These results indicated that the built muffler provides desired TL for exhaust chambers. Therefore, equations can be used as a precise method for muffler design. Furthermore, multi-expansion chamber mufflers are useful for reducing noise at a wide range of frequencies.

Niloofar

Purpose Noise pollution is a common health hazard worldwide which is emitted along with chemical air pollutants, simultaneously from many sources. Some studies have been conducted to control these pollutants, simultaneously with promising results being achieved. Dielectric beads have been used in air pollution control technologies, successfully and probable effectiveness of them in noise reduction can be promising in dual use of them in the exhausts emitting noise and air pollution, simultaneously. Methods In order to investigate the effectiveness of dielectric beads in noise reduction, two types of them; namely glass and ceramic beads, were placed separately inside the connecting tube of a double-expansion chamber muffler. Then the transmission loss (TL) of muffler was examined using impedance tube. A factorial design was used to evaluate and optimize the effect of noise related parameters on TL of such a system. Results Results show that the presence of dielectric beads has significant effect on TL of muffler. The maximum TL was obtained as 74.76 dB for muffler with ceramic beads, under the optimal condition of 5250 Hz and 120 dB. Measurement of TL and sound absorption coefficient (SAC) of glass and ceramic beads showed that the noise reduction in muffler with ceramic and glass beads is probably due to SAC in ceramic beads and noise reflections in glass beads, respectively. Conclusion These results promise the dual use of dielectric beads in the exhausts emitting noise and air pollution simultaneously.

Niloofar

Sulfur dioxide, a noxious air pollutant, can cause health and environmental effects, and its emissions should be controlled. Nonthermal plasma is one of the most effective technologies in this area. This study evaluated the efficiency of a packed-bed plasma reactor (PBR) and in-plasma catalysis (IPC) in SO2 removal process which were finally optimized and modeled by the use of the central composite design (CCD) approach. In this study, SO2 was diluted in zero air, and the NiCeMgAl catalyst was selected as the catalyst part of the IPC. The effect of three main factors and their interaction were studied. ANOVA results revealed that the best models for SO2 removal efficiency and energy yielding were the reduced cubic models. According to the results, both PBR and IPC reactors were significantly energy efficient compared with the nonpacked plasma reactor and had high SO2 removal efficiency which was at least twice larger than that of the nonpacked one. Based on the results, the efficiency of IPC was better than in PBR, but its performance decreased over time. However, the PBR had relatively high SO2 removal efficiency and energy efficiency compared to the nonpacked reactor, and its performance remained constant over the studied time. In optimization, the maximum SO2 removal efficiency and energy efficiency were 80.69% and 1.04 gr/kWh, respectively (at 1250 ppm, 2.5 L/min, and 18 kV as the optimum condition) obtained by the IPC system which were 1.5 and 1.24 times greater than PBR, respectively. Finally, the model’s predictions showed good agreement with the experiments.

Niloofar

Air pollution is a major health problem in developing countries and has adverse effects on human health and the environment. Non-thermal plasma is an effective air pollution treatment technology. In this research, the performance of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor packed with glass and ceramic pellets was evaluated in the removal of SO2 as a major air pollutant from air in ambient temperature. The response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effect of three key parameters (concentration of gas, gas flow rate, and voltage) as well as their simultaneous effects and interactions on the SO2 removal process. Reduced cubic models were derived to predict the SO2 removal efficiency (RE) and energy yield (EY). Analysis of variance results showed that the packed-bed reactors (PBRs) studied were more energy efficient and had a high SO2 RE which was at least four times more than that of the non-packed reactor. Moreover, the results showed that the performance of ceramic pellets was better than that of glass pellets in PBRs. This may be due to the porous surface of ceramic pellets which allows the formation of microdischarges in the fine cavities of a porous surface when placed in a plasma discharge zone. The maximum SO2 RE and EY were obtained at 94% and 0.81 g kWh−1, respectively under the optimal conditions of a concentration of gas of 750 ppm, a gas flow rate of 2 l min−1, and a voltage of 18 kV, which were achieved by the DBD plasma packed with ceramic pellets. Finally, the results of the model's predictions and the experiments showed good agreement.

Niloofar

Abstract Background. Numerous studies have found that various core muscles are involved in subjects with chronic low back pain. The evidence for profiles of respiratory muscle involvement in normal low backache subjects has not been reviewed explicitly for low back pain. Aims. The study’s primary objective was to scientifically analyze, condense, and to evaluate the evidence for the involvement of respiratory muscles in subjects suffering from chronic low back pain. Methods. This evaluation procedure will trail the guidelines of PRISMA and MOOSE. The assessors will use a custombuilt tool to extract data from the studies, regardless of the methodology used. A modified Downs and Black index will be used to assess the superiority of the methods used in the selected studies. Results. This index evaluates the characteristics of the subjects, the timing of the outcomes, and the characteristics of the interventions, and quantitative, formal analysis, so-called meta-analysis, is performed if necessary. The study’s effect, including the evidence, will be determined using the GRADE a framework for a systematic approach. Earlier research has found that core muscles are involved, and the interventions are tailored to include deficiencies and intrusions that target specific muscle groups. Conclusion. As an additional component that can be targeted by clinical practitioners in their day-to-day practice and added to rehab programmes, this systematic review protocol will summarise the list of evidence available for the rehabilitation of low back ache and highlight the involvement of respiratory muscles in lowback ache subjects. Keywords: chronic low back pain, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, respiratory muscles.

Nagaraj sibbala

Wilsons disease is a rare inherited disorder which is characterized by impaired copper excretion which leads to excessive deposition of copper in many tissues and organs like brain, liver, and eye. This is also characterized by Kaiser-Fleischer ring, low serum ceruloplasmin levels and elevated urinary copper excretion [1]. A 26year male patient came to the neurology department with chief complaints of involuntary tremors of both hands and difficulty in walking in the last one month associated with swaying to one side in the last 20 days. On examination the patient is having Kaiser-Fleisher ring positive and upon further investigation Magnetic resonance imaging brain was performed which revealed the features in favor of Wilson’s disease. And for this condition the patient is treated with chelating agents and benzodiazepines.

Dr VENKATA RAMA RAO NALLANI

Poor water quality and lack of access to improved sanitation continue to pose a significant threat to human health. The burden of disease analysis suggests that lack of access to safe water supply, sanitation and hygiene is the third most significant risk factor for poor health in developing countries with high mortality rates. Diarrhoea is the leading disease associated with unsafe water supply, sanitation and hygiene and is responsible for the deaths. The study observed that out of the 150 respondents, 37% are 31-40 years, followed by 20-30 years with 32%. 130 (86.7%) respondents have got married, and 61% of the respondents are female. 85% adopted the nuclear family system, and 50% of respondents are illiterates in the study areas. 85% of respondents are daily wage earners, 37%are earnings rupees between 2000-2500 per month. 27% of respondents are landless labours, and 37% of households possess below 2 acres of land. 40% of respondents suffer from health problems, and 44% consume rice as their staple food. 62% of respondents have debts, and 33% got from money lenders. 62% of respondents do not have toilet facilities and go open defecation. 92% of respondents stated that toilet makes dignity, saves time and energy, saves their children school days, makes adolescent girls privacy, save wage loss, and toilet makes quality life.

B Suresh Lal

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.

Deepika Pal

In this work a set of some cyclic peroxy ketals were tested for their antimalarial activities. Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) analysis was applied to 20 organic compounds of the above mentioned derivatives using Physicochemical, informational and 2D-autocorelation parameters and modeled their antimalarial activity (logIC 50) values. The multiple regression analysis clearly indicates that 5 BIC, 1 IC, MATS4v and ST parameters yielded the best model having R 2 value of 0.9515. The predictive powers of the models were explained using LOO (Leave-One-Out) Cross validation procedure. The results are also discussed on the basis of ridge regression.

Dr. Shweta Sharma

Trace elements are minerals present in living tissues in small amounts. Some of them are known to be nutritionally essential, others may be essential, and the remainder are considered to be nonessential. Trace elements such as zinc, copper, selenium, iron, chromium and, others are essential elements for growth and body health. They form an integral part of many enzymes and bioactive centers that are responsible for biochemical reactions such as metabolism, protein and, DNA synthesis. They are said to contribute to the development of cancer based on epidemiologic evidence. The blood level of trace elements in the human body is affected by cancer and drug treatment. The low trace elements level is a sign of leukemia patients, where cancer cells consume body nutrients and essential elements for growth. The Libyan patients were divided into four age groups and were either newly or old diagnosed with leukemia, including patients with acute leukocyte leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and aplastic anemia. The samples were tested for direct aspiration onto inductively coupled plasma spectrometry at specific wave lengths. The findings showed the blood level of trace elements in leukemia patients is lower than in the healthy individuals. A negative correlation between copper and zinc levels in leukemia patients was found. The copper level increases in leukemia patients as they get older.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Mentoring relationships between a senior, experienced faculty member and a junior employee, between a faculty member and an undergraduate or graduate student, or between a senior and a junior student is essential in higher education. The current review aims to emphasize the necessity of establishing organized mentorship programs at national institutions to enhance academic performance, teaching/learning effectiveness, knowledge and skill development, growth and development, research productivity, and community engagement. The mentor and mentee both benefit from the mentoring relationship. Academic advising, preceptor supervision, and supervision of graduation projects are different from the mentoring relationship as they focus on only one aspect of the relationship, whether it is the study plan, the study session, or the project, respectively. Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship that calls for integrity, decency, self-assurance, trust, and respect. Educational institutes and colleges should set up a committee to establish a well-organized mentoring program with all the necessary templates for recruiting mentors and mentees, and also for annual evaluation and feedback from all parties involved.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Numerous health and social relationship problems, namely an increased risk of contracting HIV, mortality, crime, unemployment and impaired interpersonal relationships, are related to drug dependence, with opioids at the helm. For this reason, opioid addiction is considered a major public health problem [1] and is characterized as a ‘chronic relapsing disease’ and is a major concern for public health, as are drug and alcohol addictions [1, 2]. In addition to social support and psychotherapy, treatment of opioid dependence relies on medication intake. The three main opioid-dependence treatment categories include opioid agonists, opioid antagonists, and non-opioid medications. Naltrexone hydrochloride (API), one of the most commonly used medications relies on an opioid antagonist. It reduces opioid cravings, it can be administered outside the hospital setting and cannot be abused [3]. However, during treatment several patients often forget to take a dose, doubling the next dose to compensate. In some cases, this finding in the therapeutic levels not being reached, while in other cases undesired (side) effects appear. For this reason, especially in the case of long-term treatments of numerous diseases, an extended dosing interval is recommended, so that the patient receives the drug, only once a day, instead of two or three times a day.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tobacco smoking negatively affects the quality of saliva and affects many biological parameters including salivary α-amylase enzyme activity. Salivary α-amylase enzyme is essential for the catabolism of carbohydrates. Forty- five healthy male volunteers aged between 18 and 69 years (40.0 ± 15.0) were divided into two groups, namely, the control group (n = 21) and the cigarette smoker group (n = 24). The effect of smoking on salivary α-amylase enzyme activity depends on the number of smoked cigarettes per day and the type of cigarettes as well as the period for how long the person smoking tobacco cigarettes was investigated. Different methods were used to analyze the activity of salivary α-amylase enzyme including the dinitrosalicylic acid method (standard colorimetric method). The results showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in salivary α-amylase activity in Libyan smokers compared to the non-smokers in the morning and night, also, the findings showed a significant decline in salivary α-amylase activity during the increasing smoking period. The activity of salivary α-amylase in the young age smokers group increases in morning and night compared to the non-smokers group. There is no change in the activity of salivary α-amylase in the middle and older adult groups in the morning and night compared to young smokers group. In conclusion, smoking for a long period time more than 20 cigarettes per day decreases the activity of salivary α-amylase in Libyan subjects.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Peripheral nerves are more prone to damage during trauma. Though nerve grafts are used as an alternative method in treating it, the results are purely ambiguous. One such modern approach to treat peripheral nerve injury is bone marrow differentiated neuronal cells. Our present aim is to study the effect of in-vitro differentiated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in rats. Six weeks old rat weighing 80 gm was used for isolation and culture of BMSCs. The second passage cells were taken for neuronal differentiation. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry were performed with Anti goat IgG antibody indirectly conjugated with FITC to express nestin. In vitro differentiated BMSC along with PLGA Scaffold is injected into the site of peripheral nerve injury and the results were studied by ENMG, microdissection, and histopathology. The cells were expressed with Nestin goat polyclonal antibody. At the end of the second week, the rat reveals increased amplitude (8.3 mv) with decreased latency (0.8 ms) of the peripheral nerve. Micro dissection confirms the neuronal continuity of the injured peripheral nerve. Histopathology distinctly exhibit increased myelination and decreased endoneuronal space. In conclusion, neuronal differentiated BMSC, regenerate peripheral nerve injury faster than conventional methods and can be applied as an alternate therapy in peripheral nerve repair.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Worldwide, the focus on online learning during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic faced many challenges. The present study aimed to evaluate the preferences, perceptions, and attitudes of university students toward various strategies of learning. A pre-piloted cross-sectional survey was posted on the internet in Arabic and English language. Questions covered the demographical characteristics of the participants and their preferences and perceptions of various learning strategies. We received 270 questionnaires from various countries. The majority (n=199, 73.7%) of respondents were from the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, with n=125 (46.3%) participants from the College of Pharmacy. The majority (n=198, 73.0%) of respondents were females, Arabs (n=262, 97.0%), living with their families (n=208, 77.0%), and with only the father working (n=174, 64.0%). Preference was, for online learning (n=145, 53.7%) as compared to in-class learning (n=119, 44.1%). More students (n=110, 40.7%) claimed improvement in their grades with online learning but 62 of students (23.0%) stated that their grades were worsened. Student’s performance in online exams was similar to that in paper exams. The majority (n=168, 62.2%) of students claimed that their overall expectations of online learning were not the same as those for in-class learning. 50.0%-60.0% of respondents believed that in-class learning allows them to learn more effectively, and achieve the best work preparation, best exam performance, and best education value, and they were more likely to recommend it. Despite the disadvantages of online learning, it remains the future strategy for higher education. Appropriate planning of courses, and helping students by reducing digital inequity, if any, would certainly prove satisfactory for the millennial generation of students

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pallas. is used traditionally to treat hypertension and chronic venous insufficiency. The high prevalence of hypertension and the side effects of antihypertensive drugs potentiate us to evaluate Melilotus officinalis. The hypotensive effect of Melilotus officinalis butanol fraction (MOBF) was investigated in anaesthetised normotensive rats. The doses of 60, 80 and 100 mg/ kg, i.v., produced a significant (P<0.05) decrease in blood pressure. The statistically non-significant reduction in blood pressure was shown by 20 and 40 mg/ kg, i.v. These results suggest that Melilotus officinalis exhibited a hypotensive effect in normotensive rats. However, further evaluation of compound-related activity is required.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The current study was conducted to determine the insoluble, soluble, and total dietary fiber content of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn., legume flours, using AOAC enzymatic-gravimetric analysis. The results showed that M. uniflorum, P. lunatus, and P. vulgaris legume flours contained 155.91, 120.01, and 90.80 mg/g insoluble dietary fiber, respectively. At the same time, soluble dietary fiber was not found in any tested sample.

Dr. Salman Ahmed

The % age elemental composition (ash, crude fat, crude protein, moisture and total carbohydrates) was determined in the Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc., Phaseolus lunatus Linn., and Phaseolus vulgaris Linn., legume flours. M. uniflorum contained moisture (8.9), ash (3.34), crude fat (1.30), crude protein (18.15) and total carbohydrate (68.31). Similarly, moisture (9.14), ash (3.73), crude fat (1.78), crude protein (22.64) and total carbohydrate (62.71) were estimated in P. lunatus. Meanwhile, P. vulgaris contained moisture (9.43), ash (3.61), crude fat (3.49), crude protein (19.46) and total carbohydrate (64.01). The gross, ash free, moisture and ash free calorific values were also determined. P. vulgaris showed the highest(3.91) and P. lunatus lowest (3.84), whereas M. uniflorum (3.86) caloric values (kcal/g), respectively. The elemental composition and caloric values of tested legume flours justify them as good sources of nutrition and energy.

Dr. Salman Ahmed