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The study aimed to identifying methods and ways of managing infectious diseases and controlling infection within the Internal Medicine departments in Shifa Medical Complex and working on improving them on scientific and practical bases , Due to the importance of the study and the attempt to collect all data, a descriptive and analytical approach was adopted in order to reach the results of the study, Where the researchers made several field visits within the corridors of the Internal Medicine Hospital departments in order to know the ways of management of infectious diseases and deal with them, and was the work of several interviews with stakeholders and competence in subject of the study, Accordingly, the study reached many results and the most important is: The level of awareness and scientific and practical knowledge of health staff about management of infectious diseases and infection control in the event of a pandemic or disease is not at the required level, This is due to the lack of experience and adequate knowledge to manage infectious diseases and the lack of available resources, It was found that most of the obstacles that hinder infectious disease management process is: The acute shortage of necessary protective equipment, supplies and tools, The design of the internal environment of the Internal Medicine departments is not suitable for the management of infectious diseases but contributes to their spread, and lack of a clear protocol for proper handling of infectious diseases, Accordingly, a set of recommendations was developed based on the findings of this study and the most important is: conducting scientific and practical training and educational courses periodically specializes in the field of infectious disease management and infection control for all health staff within the hospital departments, Providing an appropriate working environment that contributes to reducing the spread of infection.

Objectives: This study was aimed to determine (1) the associations between adherence to warfarin, social support, perception of illness, and demographic factors on the quality of international normalized ratios (INRs); as well as (2) the relationship between the patients’ scores in the Malaysian medication adherence scale (MALMAS) and their current INRs. Method: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2017 to January 2018 at the warfarin clinic of Jerantut Hospital, Malaysia. Results: Some 58 participants were recruited, of whom 70.7% were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF). Overall, 87.9% of the participants claimed adherence to their warfarin regimens. Patients with good-quality INR therapy were significantly older, had a higher median income and longer appointment durations. In terms of illness perception (IP), participants with good-quality INR therapy had significantly lower scores in the identity, personal control, and consequence domains. Overall, the total scores for IP were significantly lower in the good-quality INR therapy. Meanwhile, the MALMAS scores were significantly lower in patients with sub-therapeutic current INR. However, there were no associations between warfarin adherence and perceived social support with current TTR. Conclusion: Monitoring of demographic factors and IP’s domains is vital since they were associated with quality of INR therapy. Meanwhile, the occurrence of sub-therapeutic current INR should raise suspicion of poor adherence in these patients. Overall, IP and MALMAS are useful tools that should be integrated into the patient care protocols. Article Type: Original Research

This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of the application of the medical waste management system in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, and contribute to building the concept of integrated management of medical waste treatment. The researchers used the descriptive analytical approach to achieve the results and answer the questions of the study through interviews with the staff who are directly related to the management of medical waste. It was clear from the results of the study that insufficient medical preventive measures were taken with regard to the preventive vaccination of working crews, especially cleaners. The large workload, the apparent lack of medicines & medical supplies and the beds of the affected people also affected the performance of the staff and the quality of service provided to the sick and injured. The results of the study also showed that the events of the Return Marches had a great impact on the performance of the work crews through the large increase in the volume and pressure of work, which in turn led to an increase in the volume of medical waste, especially human organs. One of the most important recommendations of this study is the necessity of enacting the relevant laws to control the medical waste management system and activating this system through coordinating efforts, defining responsibilities among the various concerned bodies, activating the role of the inspection and control unit at the Ministry of Health to conduct visits and periodic evaluation of medical waste management, conducting tests and vaccinations periodically and according to a specific program for the hospital staff. In addition to the allocation of closed places to collect medical waste containers after sorting instead of leaving it in the facilities and corridors of the hospital waiting to be transferred to the storage site. هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف على مدى فاعلية تطبيق نظام إدارة النفايات الطبية في مستشفى الشفاء بغزة، والمساهمة في بناء مفهوم إدارة متكاملة لمعالجة النفايات الطبية، وقد استخدم الباحثون المنهج الوصفي التحليلي للوصول إلى النتائج وا لإجابة على أسئلة الدراسة من خلال إجراء المقابلات مع الطواقم العاملة وذات العلاقة المباشرة بإدارة النفايات الطبية. وقد اتضح من نتائج الدراسة أنه لا يتم اتخاذ الإجراءات الوقائية الطبية الكافية فيما يخص التطعيم الوقائي للطواقم العاملة خاصة عمال النظافة، كما أثر حجم العمل الكبير والنقص الواضح في ا لأدو ة والمستلزمات الطبية والأسرة الخاصة بالمصابين على أداء العاملين وجودة الخدمة المقدمة للمرض ى والمصابين، كما تبين من نتائج الدراسة بأنه كان لأحداث مسيرات العودة الأثر الكبير على أداء وواقم العمل من خلال الارتفاع الكبير في حجم وضغط العمل، والذي بدوره أدى إلى ز ادة حجم النفايات الطبية خاصة ا لأعضاء البشر ة منها. ومن أهم ما أوصت به هذه الدراسة ضرورة سن القوانين ذات العلاقة لضبط منظومة إدارة النفايات الطبية وتفعيل هذه المنظومة من خلال تنسيق الجهود وتحديد المسؤوليات بين مختلف الجهات ذات العلاقة، وتفعيل دور وحدة التفتيش والرقابة بوزارة الصحة لعمل ز ارات وتقييم دوري لإدارة النفايات الطبية، وعمل الفحوصات والتطعيمات بشكل دوري ووفق برنامج محدد للطواقم العاملة بالمستشفى، بالإضافة إلى تخصيص أماكن مغلقة لجمع حاو ات النفايات الطبية بعد فرزها بدل من ركنها في مرافق وممرات المستشفى في انتظار نقلها لموقع التخز ن.

This study aimed to evaluate the status of medical waste management in dental clinics in Khan Younis governorate (case study) in terms of sorting of hazardous medical waste, collection of waste in sealed bags when filled, transportation through transport trucks for the disposal of medical waste. The researchers used field interview methodology and the direct observation of the clinic and ask a set of questions to the staff in the clinic. The most important findings of the study that there was no proper process of sorting of medical waste where it is random and there was no application of instructions of the laws of the World Health Organization for waste management properly so that it is disposed of by the Ministry of Health in Gaza Governorates incinerators. The study recommended the need for a special system for sorting of hazardous medical waste from non-hazardous medical waste at the source of its production in proper methods and promoting the development of legislation as policies for the management of health waste for health safety and raising awareness among health institutions employees about the concept of medical waste management.

This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of the application of the medical waste management system in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, and contribute to building the concept of integrated management of medical waste treatment. The researchers used the descriptive analytical approach to achieve the results and answer the questions of the study through interviews with the staff who are directly related to the management of medical waste. It was clear from the results of the study that insufficient medical preventive measures were taken with regard to the preventive vaccination of working crews, especially cleaners. The large workload, the apparent lack of medicines & medical supplies and the beds of the affected people also affected the performance of the staff and the quality of service provided to the sick and injured. The results of the study also showed that the events of the Return Marches had a great impact on the performance of the work crews through the large increase in the volume and pressure of work, which in turn led to an increase in the volume of medical waste, especially human organs. One of the most important recommendations of this study is the necessity of enacting the relevant laws to control the medical waste management system and activating this system through coordinating efforts, defining responsibilities among the various concerned bodies, activating the role of the inspection and control unit at the Ministry of Health to conduct visits and periodic evaluation of medical waste management, conducting tests and vaccinations periodically and according to a specific program for the hospital staff. In addition to the allocation of closed places to collect medical waste containers after sorting instead of leaving it in the facilities and corridors of the hospital waiting to be transferred to the storage site.

This study aimed at identifying the reality of managing hazardous materials in the gas and petrol sectors in the Gaza Strip. It also aimed at identifying the most important stages of managing this sector in order to present a proposal to improve its management system. To achieve these goals, the researchers adopted the analytical descriptive approach. The researchers used interviews and the analysis of local reports issued by the General Authority of Petroleum in Gaza Strip. The findings of the study indicated the most important stages of managing gas and petrol which start with demanding then directing it to the Israeli or Egyptian companies, followed by supplying, distributing, storing, trading, transporting and getting rid of waste. The study recommended that there is an urgent need to update the laws and regulations of distributing, planning and organizing safety in the gas and petrol stations. And also, to prepare a national guide for the management of risks of petroleum and gas for working environment and urban societies. This study aimed at identifying the reality of managing hazardous materials in the gas and petrol sectors in the Gaza Strip. It also aimed at identifying the most important stages of managing this sector in order to present a proposal to improve its management system. To achieve these goals, the researchers adopted the analytical descriptive approach. The researchers used interviews and the analysis of local reports issued by the General Authority of Petroleum in Gaza Strip. The findings of the study indicated the most important stages of managing gas and petrol which start with demanding then directing it to the Israeli or Egyptian companies, followed by supplying, distributing, storing, trading, transporting and getting rid of waste. The study recommended that there is an urgent need to update the laws and regulations of distributing, planning and organizing safety in the gas and petrol stations. And also, to prepare a national guide for the management of risks of petroleum and gas for working environment and urban societies.

Continuous change in Gaza strip due to Israeli attack and siege affects directly many sectors especially health sector and exactly the pharmaceutical one. Consequently, good management for General Administration of Pharmacy is required to avoid the decrease in medicines via analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats by using SWOT tool. The descriptive analysis was used by interviews with stakeholders related to General Administration of Pharmacy in Gaza strip. General Administration of Pharmacy faces a deficit in the preparation of field inspectors on pharmaceutical companies. Also the participation rates of the Civil Defence and the Ministry of Labor were reduced in joint inspection and control through committees that contribute to the control of all safety procedures and the prevention of risks. And it is difficult to export pharmaceuticals to the West Bank from Gaza factories because of division and occupation. The authors recommend a presence of clear definition of all stakeholders and responsibilities of the three parties of production (government - workers in for General Administration of Pharmacy - owners of companies, institutions and private pharmaceutical organizations). Also laboratories need to conduct hormone tests to ensure that is good for uses. The pharmaceutical system should be modernized according to international standards and indicators. The authors also recommend developing of computerized administrative system that connects the parties of production, institutions, companies and pharmaceutical warehouses. In addition to that there must be consolidation of decisions related to General Administration of Pharmacy and presence of special national strategy for pharmaceutical sector isolated from ministry of health. Continuous change in Gaza strip due to Israeli attack and siege affects directly many sectors especially health sector and exactly the pharmaceutical one. Consequently, good management for General Administration of Pharmacy is required to avoid the decrease in medicines via analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats by using SWOT tool. The descriptive analysis was used by interviews with stakeholders related to General Administration of Pharmacy in Gaza strip. General Administration of Pharmacy faces a deficit in the preparation of field inspectors on pharmaceutical companies. Also the participation rates of the Civil Defence and the Ministry of Labor were reduced in joint inspection and control through committees that contribute to the control of all safety procedures and the prevention of risks. And it is difficult to export pharmaceuticals to the West Bank from Gaza factories because of division and occupation. The authors recommend a presence of clear definition of all stakeholders and responsibilities of the three parties of production (government - workers in for General Administration of Pharmacy - owners of companies, institutions and private pharmaceutical organizations). Also laboratories need to conduct hormone tests to ensure that is good for uses. The pharmaceutical system should be modernized according to international standards and indicators. The authors also recommend developing of computerized administrative system that connects the parties of production, institutions, companies and pharmaceutical warehouses. In addition to that there must be consolidation of decisions related to General Administration of Pharmacy and presence of special national strategy for pharmaceutical sector isolated from ministry of health.

Harun, M. S., Aziz, M. R. A., Noor, M. N. M., & R, S. N. M. (2019). The Determinants of CSR disclosure: A Study of Malaysian Islamic Banks. International Journal of Academic Research Business and Social Sciences, 9(5), 441–449.

The study aimed to identify the hazardous raw materials used in the Teba Manufactureand to indicate the preventive measures to deal with the risk of hazardous materials in the detergent manufactures. To achieve this aim، the researchers used the descriptive analytical approach to describe the preventive measures used in the Teba Manufacture، Analysis and effective planning to deal with the risk of hazardous materials through field visit and direct observation and interviews with stakeholders. The researchers reached a number of results، the most important of which is need for periodic inspection of hazardous facilities. The Manufacture works on the implementation of prevention and safety measures under difficult economic conditions. The researchers recommended to develop risk management mechanisms for hazardous materials in industrial facilities and to provide vapors for the process of manufacturing.

The study aimed to identify the hazardous raw materials used in the Teba Manufactureand to indicate the preventive measures to deal with the risk of hazardous materials in the detergent manufactures. To achieve this aim ،the researchers used the descriptive analytical approach to describe the preventive measures used in the Teba Manufacture ، Analysis and effective planning to deal with the risk of hazardous materials through field visit and direct observation and interviews with stakeholders. The researchers reached a number of results ،the most important of which is need for periodic inspection of hazardous facilities. The Manufacture works on the implementation of prevention and safety measures under difficult economic conditions. The researchers recommended to develop risk management mechanisms for hazardous materials in industrial facilities and to provide vapors for the process of manufacturing هدفت الدراسة إلى تحديد المواد الأولية الخطرة المستخدمة في مصنع طيبة وبيان الإجراءات الوقائية للتعامل مع مخاطر المواد الخطرة في مصانع المنظفات، ولتحقيق هذا الهدف استخدم الباحثون المنهج الوصفي التحليلي لوصف الإجراءات الوقائية المتبعة في مصنع طيبة، وتحليلها والتخطيط الفعال للتعامل مع مخاطر المواد الخطرة عبر الزيارة الميدانية والملاحظة المباشرة والمقابلات مع ذ وي الاختصاص ومن خلال ذلك توصل الباحثون إلى مجموعة من النتائج كان أهمها ضرورة التفتيش الدوري على المنشآت الخطرة، ويعمل مصنع طيبة على تطبيق إجراءات الوقاية والسلامة في ظل الظروف الاقتصادية الصعبة، وأوص ى الباحثون بضرورة تطوير آليات إدارة مخاطر المواد الخطرة في المنشآت الصناعية، وتوفير أجهزة فحص للمخلفات المتطايرة أثناء عمليات التصنيع. الكلمات المفتاحية: المادة الخطرة إدارة المواد الخطرة المنشآت الصناعية المنظفات.

This study aimed to identify the reality of modern medical waste management in UNRWA which include: First: sorting operations, which is the separation of the normal medical waste from the hazardous medical waste at the source of its production and packaging in bags as classified by the World Health Organization. Second: collection operations, which is the collection of medical waste in tightly sealed bags up to three quarters and internal transport processes by providing suitable vehicles for the transport of medical waste from the clinics to the temporary storage room. Third: storage operations, the allocation of a room as a collection point for waste. Fourth: the final disposal, where the produced medical waste are quantified by weighing then transported by Ministry of Health trucks in order to be treated and final disposed. The study also aimed to identify the occupational safety procedures for workers against medical waste hazards, in order to provide recommendations regarding the management and safe handling of medical waste, to protect the worker from infection accidents and the dangers of medical waste, reduce the incidence of errors, accidents during the management of medical waste and maintain environmental safety. The study relied on several methods of collecting information, including field visits, UNRWA reports and manuals of waste management هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف على واقع إدارة النفايات الطبية الحديثة في وكالة الغوث الدولية والتي تشمل: أولا: عمليات الفرز ، وهي عبارة عن فصل النفايات الطبية العادية عن النفايات الطبية الخطرة عند مصدر إنتاجها، وكذلك وضعها في أكياس حسب تصنيفها من قبل منظمة الصحة العالمية. ثانيا: عمليات الجمع، وهي عملية جمع النفايات الطبية في أكياس مغلقة بإحكام عند امتلائها حتى ثلاثة أرباعها، وعمليات النقل الداخلي من خلال توفير عربات مناسبة لنقل النفايات الطبية من داخل أقسام العيادة إلى غرفة التخزين المؤقتة. ثا لثا: عمليات التخزين، وهي تخصيص غرفة كنقطة لتجميع النفايات فيها. رابعا: عمليات التخلص النهائي حيث يتم تحديد كمية النفايات الطبية التي يتم إنتاجها من خلال وزنها ونقلها بواسطة شاحنات وزارة الصحة ليتم معالجتها والتخلص النهائي منها. كما تهدف الدراسة للتعرف على إجراءات السلامة المهنية للعاملين من مخاطر النفايات الطبية، وذلك من أجل تقديم توصيات تتعلق بإدارة النفايات الطبية والتعامل الآمن معها، وحماية العاملين من حوادث الإصابة بالعدوى والأخطار الناجمة عن النفايات الطبية، وتقليل نسبة حدوث الأخطاء والحوادث أثناء القيام بإدارة النفايات الطبية، والحفاظ على سلامة البيئة. وقد اعتمدت الدراسة على عدة طرق لجمع المعلومات شملت الزيارات الميدانية، وتقارير وأدلة إدارة النفايات الخاصة بوكالة الغوث الدولية.

This research study aims to identify the sources of medical waste in Al-Shifa Medical Complex, the ways of storing it, the disposal mechanisms, the storage places and conditions for the management of medical waste in times of crisis and disaster. The researcher used a descriptive approach to reach the results of the study. The study tool was a personal interview with the employees of Al-Shifa Medical Complex. The study concluded that the classification of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes is not properly carried out, that the temporary collection and storage sites used within the hospital do not conform to WHO specifications. The study concluded also, these wastes constitute a great danger and many problems suffered by the Palestinian society. The study recommended the need to raise the level of cooperation among the concerned authorities in the storage of hazardous medical waste and to establish a special record for each type of medical waste and storage methods. هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف على مصادر النفايات الطبیة المتداولة في مجمع الشفاء الطبي، ولطرق تخزينها وآليات التخلص منها، والى أماكن التخزين والشروط المتبعة لإدارة النفايات الطبية وقت الأزمات والكوارث. استخدم الباحثان المنهج الوصفي للوصول إلى نتائج الدراسة. كانت أداة الدراسة عبارة إجراء مقابلات شخصية مع العاملين في مجمع الشفاء الطبي. خلصت الدراسة إلى مجموعة من النتائج منها أنه لا تتم عملية فرز النفايات الخطرة وغير الخطرة بالشكل الصحيح، وأن مواقع التجميع والتخزين المؤقتة المستخدمة داخل المستشفى غير مطابقة لمواصفات منظمة الصحة العالمية. واستنتجت الدراسة أن هذه المخلفات تشكل خطورة كبيره ومشاكل عديدة يعاني منها المجتمع الفلسطيني، وأوصت الدراسة بضرورة رفع مستوى التعاون بين الجهات المعنية لعملية تخزين النفايات الطبية الخطرة، وإلى إنشاء سجل خاص لكل نوع من أنواع النفايات الطبية وطرق تخزينها، وكذلك ضرورة إجراء فحوصات طبية دورية للعاملين في مجال النفايات الطبية.

The paper proposes an algorithm of the numerical integration with the modal analysis for computing inelastic seismic responses, and furthermore, the accuracy of the numerical integration with the Newmark’s  =1/4 method that is most popular in the earthquake engineering is discussed by comparing with the response computed by the proposed method.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to detect the prevalence and the factors associated with influenza and pneumococcal vaccination and outcomes of vaccination during 2013-2014 season in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Turkey.

There are only a few studies in the literature investigating the effects of gestational age on developmental dysplasia of the hip. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gestational age on hip ultrasound findings in the early neonatal period in preterm newborns born between 30th and 36th weeks of gestational age. Between January 2008 and December 2013, a total of 788 hips of 394 premature newborns with a gestational age of up to 36th weeks who underwent hip ultrasonography in the first week of their life were retrospectively examined. The distribution of roof angles and hip types in terms of sexes was compared between groups. Birth weight, birth height, a, and beta angles were analyzed in terms of the gestational age. The mean gestational age was 33.07 weeks (SD 2.09; between 30th and 36th). Six hundred and seven hips were classified as type I, 154 as type IIa, 21 as type IIc, and 6 as type III. In the 30th week, type IIc hips in females and type III hips in males were statistically significantly higher (P=0.001). In the 34th week, type IIc hips in males were statistically significantly higher than the females (P=0.013). In the 35th week, type IIa hips in females hips were statistically significantly higher than the males (P=0.008). Among all preterm infants, type IIc hips were more common in the 30th, 31st, 32nd, and 34th weeks, whereas type III hips were statistically significantly more common in the 30th week (P=0.0001). The 30th, 31st, 32nd, and 34th weeks of age are gestational ages that should be considered in terms of dysplastic and subluxed hips in premature newborns. Copyright (C) 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

International audience; ZnO NPs were prepared and deposited onto cotton fibers via ultrasound irradiation successfully. Different surfactants (SDS, HY, CTAB,TX-100) have been used to stabilize, homogenize the coated ZnO NPs and control their shape and size as encapsulated species. The use of surfactants has improved the durability of ZnO NPs and decreased its leaching in particular SDS. The small mean crystallite size for ZnO particles due to the use of surfactants is the main reason for decreasing the leached of ZnO particles from cotton substrate. SEM and XRD analysis revealed information about the shape and size of the coated ZnO nanopaticles. The use of SDS and HY surfactants in the synthesis of ZnO NPs coated fabrics showed the highest antibacterial and antifungal activities against different pathogenic bacterial and fungal species with high reduction reached over 90%.

International audience; Porous solid polysiloxane ligand systems bearing an iminodiacetic acid chelating ligand of the general formula P-IDA (where P-represents [Si-O] n polysiloxane network and IDA represent an organofunctional group) were achieved in a two-step reaction. The first step includes a template synthesis of 3-iodopropylpolysiloxane (P-I) or 3-aminopropyl-polysiloxane (P-MA) by hydrolytic polycondensation of TEOS and the corresponding silane agent in the presence of CTAB as a surfactant. The second step includes a modification of 3-iodopropylpolysiloxane with diethyliminodiac-etate or 3-aminopropylpolysiloxane with ethylchloroacetate to produce IDA-functionalized polysiloxane ligand systems P-IDA-I & P-IDA-II respectively. It was found that the modified IDA-functionalized polysiloxane ligand systems exhibited higher capacities for uptake of the metal ions (Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ and Pb 2+) than those prepared without surfactants.

The functionalized porous solid ethylenediamine polysiloxane immobilized ligand system P-NN (where P represents [Si-O]n polysiloxane network and NN represents ethylenediamnie group) was prepared by hydrolytic polycondensation of 3-aminopropyl-2-aminoethyltrimethoxysilane with tetraethylorthosilcate (TEOS) in the presence of CTAB surfactant. CTAB was used to enhance the porosity of the material and therefore increases the adsorption capacity of the immobilized ligand system. The functionalized ligand system was investigated as adsorbent for nitrite ions from aqueous solutions. Both batch and column methods were carried out and the effect of various parameters was studied that include contact time, pH, nitrite concentration and temperature in order to investigate the optimum conditions for the nitrite ions removal. The optimum nitrite adsorption was established in acidic medium, at 75oC, and at contact time equals 24 h. The nitrite removal was about 65-100% at 5-50 ppm of initial nitrite concentration. The use of this adsorbent is proved to be repeatable and recyclable. The adsorbent can be considered as a promising material for nitrite removal from different water and waste water and aqueous extracts containing nitrite ions.

Anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (AFBR) with slight modifications was investigated to increase biohydrogen production at high temperature. The modifications include a decrease in the total liquid volume to 3.3 L, in addition to an external work in the form of high temperatures, high dilution rates and high rates of de-gassed effluent recycling. These modifications were applied to overcome the thermodynamic constrains preventing the simultaneous achievement of high hydrogen yield (HY) and hydrogen productivity (HP) in an (AFBR). Bacterial granulation successfully induced under a high temperature of 65oC. The bacterial granules consisted of a multispecies bacterial consortium comprised of thermophilic clostridial and enterobacter species. Hydrogen production rate (HPR) of 7.57 L H2/L/h and hydrogen yield of 5.82 mol H2/ mol glucose were achieved at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1 h and effluent recycle rate of 3.6 L/ min, with V/F er equal to 0.91

Transparent sol–gel thin films immobilized with 1,10-phenanthroline were prepared via the acid-catalyzed sol–gel reaction of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of phen. Three surfactants that include cationic cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and non-ionic Triton X-100 (TX-100) were tested for the improvement of the host material mesostructure, increasing its porosity and good accommodation of the phen within the silica matrix. The immobilized phen thin films showed similar behavior as their free counterpart in aqueous solution. The immobilized phen complex retained its activity toward Fe2+ metal ions by immobilization and produced a stable complex without any shift in the wavelength of Vis absorption spectra comparing with its free counterpart. Different parameters including concentrations of phen, Fe2+ and surfactant, type of surfactant, lifetime and number of measurements were investigated. The phen thin film sensor showed high sensitivity, chemical stability, good reproducibility and long lifetime behavior. The immobilized phen thin films were used for quantification of iron(II) in versatile aqueous samples. The polarized light microscopy indicated that the phen molecules were distributed uniformly within the host silica network.

Studies have shown that the mean or median phosphate levels were related to certain factors although applying this finding into the clinical setting is challenging. In this study, we attempted to determine treatment characteristics for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) having hyperphosphatemia or hypophosphatemia in comparison with those with normal phosphate level. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted at HD units of Central Pahang Cluster Hospitals, Malaysia, in April 2017 involving 110 ESRD patients on MHD. About 40% of the study patients had normo-or hyperphosphatemia. As many as 84.5% (n = 93) of our patients were prescribed calcium carbonate (CC); the phosphate level was not affected by phosphate binder (PB) adherence. None of our patients received more than one type of PBs. Although there were no significant differences in any factors between normo- and hyperphosphatemic patients, 64% (n = 28) of the hyperphosphatemic patients did not receive the recommended maximum PB dose. In addition, 42% (n = 30) of patients with normo- and hyperphosphatemia prescribed CC received more than the recommended daily elemental calcium. On the other hand, our hypophosphatemic patients tended to be significantly older and had lower HD duration compared to normophosphatemic patients. No other significant differences were found in medication factors between normo- and hypophos-phatemic patients. There is potential to maximize phosphate control in hyperphosphatemic patients in Malaysia by maximizing PB therapy. On the other hand, proactive supervision is required in caring and prescribing for hypophosphatemic patients, especially the older patients.