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Background Children commonly present at the emergency department with abdominal pain and it is challenging to identify urgent surgical conditions. An audit conducted at a tertiary children’s hospital showed that 70% of patients admitted to Department of Pediatric Surgery (PAS) for abdominal pain had non-surgical diagnoses and wide variation in management. Objective Our quality improvement (QI) project aimed to reduce length of stay (LOS) and unnecessary investigations performed for patients admitted to PAS with abdominal pain, without causing complications or delayed diagnosis of surgical conditions. Methods The QI project consists of a standardised management workflow with stringent discharge criteria. We reviewed outcome measures of LOS, number of investigations ordered, compliance to workflow and readmission within 1-week post discharge at the end of each Plan-Do- Study-Act (PDSA) cycle and iteratively improved the workflow following QI principles. Results 61% of patients were admitted to PAS for non-surgical abdominal pain throughout three PDSA cycles conducted. The third cycle showed improved compliance to workflow (80.7%) with reduced median LOS by 1 day, reduced median number of blood, stool and urine investigations by 1 and reduced range of investigations ordered. Readmission and CE attendance rate 1 week after discharge was 1.6% ( n = 3), which was comparable to audit at 2.3% ( n = 4), p = 0.709. Conclusion The workflow reduced LOS, number of unnecessary investigations and variability in investigations ordered, without causing misdiagnosis. It improved patient experience with sizeable cost savings for the patient and the hospital. QI projects can improve patient outcomes by introducing standard protocols that aid clinical management.

We investigate the observable characteristics of the extended atmospheres of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars across a wide range of radio and (sub-)millimeter wavelengths using state-of-the-art 1D dynamical atmosphere and wind models over one pulsation period. We also study the relationships between the observable features and model properties. We further study practical distance ranges for observable sources assuming the capabilities of current and upcoming observatories. We present time-variable, frequency-dependent profiles of pulsating AGB stars’ atmospheres, illustrating observable features in resolved and unresolved observations, including disk brightness temperature, photosphere radius, and resolved and unresolved spectral indices. Notably, temporal variations in disk brightness temperature closely mirror the temperature variability of the stellar atmosphere. We find that while the photospheric radius decreases due to gas dilution in the layers between consecutive shocks, the increase in the observed stellar radius reflects shock propagation through the atmosphere during the expansion phase, providing a direct measurement method for the shock velocity. Furthermore, our models indicate that enhanced gas temperatures after the passage of a strong shock might be observable in the high-frequency Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) bands as a decrease in the brightness temperature with increasing frequency. We demonstrate that synthetic observations based on state-of-the-art dynamical atmosphere and wind models are necessary for proper interpretations of current (ALMA and Very Large Array (VLA)) and future (Square Kilometre Array and next-generation VLA) observations and that multiwavelength observations of AGB stars are crucial for empirical studies of their extended atmospheres.

Presents corrections to the paper, Abandoned Object Detection and Classification Using Deep Embedded Vision.

In this article the energy & exergy analysis of forced convection solar dryer for drying of garlic has been investigated. The exergy parameter, air velocity has been taken to conduct the experiments and its effect on thermal efficiency. Forced draft fans were used in all the two working conditions. During the two conditions, with and without sensible heat storage system, the average air-velocities were 4.5, 9.5 and 11.4 m/s selected as ideal and subsequently its entire effect on thermal efficiency and outlet. The ambient temperatures were between (17-25) °C during the month of October and November. A DC fan is directly connected to the photovoltaic cell in the solar dryer. The thermal energy storage bed was packed with gravels with 1.5 in of thickness up to the surface of flat plate collector, the storage system becomes space-efficient. The average thermal efficiency with sensible heat storage materials was high as compared to system without sensible heat storage. The highest thermal efficiency of 61% was achieved. The maximum collector temperature obtained was 55 °C, with a mean temperature of 42 °C in the drying chamber. The collector’s greatest exergy loss was 30.38 kJ/kg and highest exergy efficiency was 70%.

This study introduces a novel metamaterial absorber operating in X-band frequency range, characterized by two resonating peaks. The proposed structure consist of four circular sectors connected by two cross resonators enclosed by a circular strip with the dielectric between them. FR4 is used as a substrate backed by a copper ground plane. Simulation results reveal that the reflection co-efficient remains consistently below -10dB across the entire X-band, ensuring effective absorption of incident electromagnetic waves. Moreover, the absorber achieves 100% absorptivity with the gain of -25dB under normal incidence. The validity of absorber performance is confirmed through impedance plot and Voltage Stand Waving Ration (VSWR) analysis, verifying the accuracy of S11 parameter. Furthermore, the proposed structure has a compact size of 0.1666 λ. The absorber’s robust performance validated through numerical analysis, positions it as a compelling candidate for various X-band applications, including radar systems, communication devices, and stealth technology. This research establishes the proposed metamaterial absorber as a promising solution for X-band electromagnetic wave attenuation needs, offering both superior performance and compact design.

The utilization of cutting tools presents inherent limitations, encompassing sluggish production rates, inconsistent cutting precision, and elevated manufacturing expenses in the cutting of PVC (Poly-Vinyl Chloride) pipes. Addressing these challenges requires a systematic design approach to engineers to build sustainable new mechanism for PVC pipe cutting apparatus capable of streamlined operation. This study endeavours to conceptualize and develop a unique mechanism comprised of Ni-Chrome heated wire as a replacement of traditional cutter. The design focus is aimed at enhancing the cutting operation within low cost and enhanced sustainability. The methodology for machine design encompasses a complete machine design approach for each single component if a machine utilizing Solidworks 2023, complemented by rigorous mathematical design calculations. The outcomes of this study manifest in the creation of a prototype of Ni-Chrome heated wire machine capable of cutting the pipes within thickness range from 20-35mm and more based on the heated capability of wire. Noteworthy advantages of this machine design include expedited manufacturing processes, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced labour efficiency, thereby augmenting overall productivity. Future research avenues are suggested to encompass an analysis of operator safety considerations, establishment of periodic maintenance protocols, automation, and optimization of spare parts accessibility to further refine the efficacy and longevity of the proposed system.

Phage P2 was isolated from failed fermentation broth carried out by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMAU10120. A previous study in our laboratory showed that this phage belonged to the Siphoviridae family. In this study, this phage’s genomic characteristics were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing. It was revealed that phage P2 was 77.9 kb in length and had 39.28% G + C content. Its genome included 96 coding sequences (CDS) and two tRNA genes involved in the function of the structure, DNA replication, packaging, and regulation. Phage P2 had higher host specificity; many tested strains were not infected. Cell wall adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption receptor component of phage P2 might be a part of the cell wall peptidoglycan. This research might enrich the knowledge about genomic information of lactobacillus phages and provide some primary data to establish phage control measures.

Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) and voice prosthesis insertion following laryngectomy may fail to form an adequate seal. When spontaneous closure of the fistula tract does not occur after conservative measures, surgical closure is required. The purpose of this study was to summarize the available evidence on surgical methods for TEP site closure. A comprehensive search across PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane was performed to identify studies describing surgical techniques, outcomes, and complications for TEP closure. We evaluated the rate of unsuccessful TEP closure after surgical management. A meta-analysis with a random-effect method was performed. Thirty-four studies reporting on 144 patients satisfied inclusion criteria. The overall incidence of an unsuccessful TEP surgical closure was 6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1–13%). Subgroup analysis showed an unsuccessful TEP closure rate for silicone button of 8% (95% CI

Over the past few years, green small towns have gained a lot of attention, which is a significant trend in the construction industry. Beginning with the life cycle of green small towns, this paper analyses their incremental cost and income using mathematical quantitative models, which can serve as a reference for further evaluating the incremental cost and benefits of green small towns, and proposes countermeasures and suggestions to encourage the green small town growth.

Abstract Multidrug resistance among pathogenic bacteria is imperilling the worth of antibiotic infection, which has become an emerging problem, which previously transformed the veterinary sciences. Since its discovery, many antibiotics have been effective in treating bacterial infections in animals. Escherichia coli, a bacterium, is one of the reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes in a community. The current use of antibiotics and demographic factors usually increase multidrug resistance. Genetically, the continuous adoption of environmental changes by E. coli allows it to acquire many multidrug resistance. During the host's life, antimicrobial resistance rarely poses a threat to the E. coli strain and pressure, similar to that of a flexible animal lower intestine. In this review, we describe the E. coli antibiotic drug–resistance mechanism driving transmission, the causes of transmission and the harmful effects on animal health.

Objectives: To evaluate the epidemiology of chronic kidney disease in a rural setting. Method: The retrospective study was conducted at Indus Hospital, Badin, Sindh, Pakistan, and comprised data of patients of either gender regardless of age who visited the nephrology clinic between July 2019 and July 2020. Data was retrieved from the institutional health management information system. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 348 patients, 184(52.9%) were males and 164(47.1%) were females. The overall mean age was 40.4±19 years. Obstructive nephropathy was the most frequent cause of chronic kidney disease 108(31%), followed by chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology 79(22.7%). The most prevalent comorbid was hypertension in 106(30.5%) patients, while 56(16.1%) were diabetic. The stone disease was found in 90(24.6%) patients. Age was strongly associated with chronic kidney disease (p

Abstract The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Melatonin and Placebo in the patient with the Burning mouth (BMs). This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 30 patients who were suffering from BMS. During this period patients were divided into 2 study and control groups. The study group used four 3 mg Melatonin daily and the control group received a placebo. Then the severity of the burning sensation was measured by the physician Sleep quality was measured using the VAS scale using the Petersburg questionnaire. Data in the application Enter SPSS 20 and then using T test or equivalent Nonparametric was analyzed, mean sleep score and mean severity of oral irritation before and after treatment in two the group was evaluated using T-test Independent. Level significance was considered 0.05. The results of the present study show that the use of melatonin and a placebo in patients with BMS reduces sensation and improves their sleep quality, although it may not reduce it completely. In this study severity of burning was 4.93±2.56 after treatment in the study group and 6.93±2.12 in the control group, which was statistically significant (P =0.036). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the sleep quality score (P-value = 0.43). Using Melatonin can be a reliable way to treat pain for which there is no standard treatment to date. Although evidence suggests an association between sleep disorders and BMS, melatonin was not superior to a placebo in reducing BMS-induced burning in the present study. Identification of stressors and the ways to struggle with them, further studies with larger samples and higher oral doses, extended follow-up periods and control of psychological factors, and measurement of body mass index that may affect pharmacokinetics are recommended.

Macroeconomic policy analysis and risk management require taking account of the increasing interdependencies across markets and economies. National economic issues need to be considered from global as well as domestic perspectives. This invariably means that many different channels of transmission must be taken into account. This paper investigates the effect of global economic shocks on Iran’s economy. The Global Vector Autoregressive (GVAR) model for the first quarter of 1990 to the fourth quarter of 2019 is used for 34 countries, which cover about 90% of world gross domestic products. According to previous studies and the results of this study, it is found that only the shocks of the United States, China and the global shock affect the macroeconomic variables of other countries and oil prices, and as a result, the effect of these three shocks on the Iranian economy is investigated. Ceteris paribus, the results show that China's shock affects the variables of GDP and Iran's inflation: with a 1 percent increase in China's GDP, Iran's GDP increases by 0.08 percent and inflation by 1.2 percent and has no effect on interest rates. The US shock has an indirect effect on oil prices. Due to the isolation of the economy, foreign variables do not have significant effects on the Iranian macroeconomic variables. In general, Iran's economy, due to the size of the economy and the volume of trade shocks of other trading partners through the foreign trade channel do not affect the Iranian economy.

Abstract The productivity and sustainability of livestock production systems are heavily influenced by animal nutrition. To maintain homeostatic balance in the body of the animal at different phases of life, the percentage of organically active minerals in livestock feed must be optimized. Selenium (Se) is a crucial trace mineral that is required for the maintenance of many functions of the body. Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) attracted considerable interest from researchers for a variety of applications a decade ago, owing to their extraordinary properties. SeNPs offer significant advantages over larger-sized materials, by having a comparatively wider surface area, increased surface energy, and high volume. Despite its benefits, SeNP also has toxic effects, therefore safety concerns must be taken for a successful application. The toxicological effects of SeNPs in animals are characterized by weight loss, and increased mortality rate. A safe-by-strategy to certify animal, human and environmental safety will contribute to an early diagnosis of all risks associated with SeNPs. This review is aimed at describing the beneficial uses and potential toxicity of SeNPs in various animals. It will also serve as a summary of different levels of SeNPs which should be added in the feed of animals for better performance.

Abstract Background Excessive use of corticosteroids therapy along with gross immunocompromised conditions in the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised the risks of contracting opportunistic fungal infections. Here, we describe our experience with the implementation of a surgical protocol to treat and reconstruct rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. Methods A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained database was conducted on consecutive patients diagnosed with mucormycosis undergoing immediate reconstruction utilizing our “Mucormycosis Management Protocol.” All patients included in this study underwent reconstruction after recovering from COVID-19. Wide local excision was performed in all cases removing all suspected and edematous tissue. Reconstruction was done primarily after clear margins were achieved on clinical assessment under a cover of injectable liposomal amphotericin B. Results Fourteen patients were included. The average age was 43.6 years and follow-up was 24.3 days. Thirteen patients had been admitted for inpatient care of COVID-19. Steroid therapy was implemented for 2 weeks in 11 patients and for 3 weeks in 3 patients. Eight patients (57.1%) had a maxillectomy and mucosal lining resection with/without skin excision, and six patients (42.8%) underwent maxillectomy and wide tissue excision (maxillectomy and partial zygomatic resection, orbital exenteration, orbital floor resection, nose debridement, or skull base debridement). Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps were used to cover defects in all patients. All flaps survived. No major or minor complications occurred. No recurrence of mucormycosis was noted. Conclusion The approach presented in this study indicates that immediate reconstruction is safe and reliable in cases when appropriate tissue resection is accomplished. Further studies are required to verify the external validity of these findings.

When glucose and Amadori products are auto-oxidized, glycation occurs, resulting in the formation of early (Amadori) and late advanced glycation end products (AGEs), as well as free radicals. Glycation and an increase in free radical activity induce diabetic complications. Antioxidant and antiglycation compounds may aid in the prevention of oxidation and glycation. The goal of this study was to assess the antiglycation and antioxidant capacity of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) derived from Plectonema sp. The DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), nitric oxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging activities and ferric ions reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used to assess antioxidant activity, while an in vitro bovine serum albumin-methyl glyoxal glycation (BSA-MG) model was used to assess glycation inhibitory potential. Glycation inhibition was measured using a variety of spectroscopic and biochemical parameters, including UV-visible & fluorescence spectroscopy, ketoamine, carbonyl and hydroxymethyl furfural content, as well as free lysine & free arginine estimations. In vitro, C-PC exhibited dose-dependent potent antioxidant activity, but lacked significant antiglycation potential. As a result, it is recommended that further studies be conducted to evaluate the antiglycation potential of C-PC.

Mohammed K Elseddig,1 Ahmed H Arbab,2 Yasir AM Eltahir,3,4 Bashir A Yousef5 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan; 2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; 3Department of Respiratory Care, College of Applied Sciences, Almaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kordofan University, Alobeid, Sudan; 5Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, SudanCorrespondence: Bashir A Yousef, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Al-Qasr Ave, Khartoum, 11111, Sudan, Tel +249 155662037, Fax +249 183780696, Email bashiralsiddiq@gmail.comBackground: Pharmacy educator has a number of roles and responsibilities, an information provider, clinical trainer, role model on-the-job, formal teaching settings, course planner and resource material creator, student assessor, and curriculum evaluator.Objective: This study aimed to assess the perception and commitment of pharmacy teachers in Sudanese governmental universities about their roles and educational responsibilities.Materials and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at governmental pharmacy colleges in Sudan from November 2020 to July 2021. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) Guide No. 20. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and Microsoft Excel version 16.Results: Out of 125 participants, 61.6% were female and 65.6% were lecturers. Approximately half of them had less than five years’ experience. The most important role perceived and the highest committed one was a lecturer in the classroom setting. Only half of the participants had good perceptions and commitment regarding teachers’ roles. Age, designation, and continuous professional development were significantly associated with participants’ commitment. Also, a significant association was found between the perception and practice of the participants.Conclusion: Only half of pharmacy educators were found to have a good perception and good commitment regarding their role as teachers.Keywords: pharmacy educator, teacher role, perception, commitment, Sudan

Radiation oncology caregivers worldwide are dedicated to advancing cancer treatment with the ultimate goal of eradicating the disease. Recognizing the inherent complexity of cancer treatment using hypo-fractionation radiotherapy (HFRT), these caregivers are committed to exploring avenues for progress and providing personalized care to each patient. Strong teams and effective workflows are an essential component to implementing safe HFRT. Every patient presents unique challenges, and as a united team of clinical and administrative professionals, radiation oncology care teams strive to drive advancements and streamline complexities in their field, guided by continuous technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel plays an indispensable role in our daily lives, permeating various products ranging from essential commodities and recreational gears to information technology devices and general household items. The meticulous evaluation of steel defects holds paramount importance to ensure the secure and dependable operation of the end products. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) emerges as a promising modality for structural inspection in the realm of health monitoring applications. This study incorporates PAI experimentation to generate an image dataset and employs machine learning techniques to estimate the length and width of surface cracks. Furthermore, the research delves into the feasibility assessment of employing PAI to investigate internal cracks within a steel sample through a numerical simulation-based study. The study’s findings underscore the efficacy of the PAI in achieving precise surface crack detection, with an acceptable root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.63 ± 0.03. The simulation results undergo statistical analysis techniques, including the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, to discern disparities between pristine samples and those featuring internal cracks at different locations. The results discern statistically significant distinctions in the simulated acoustic responses for samples with internal cracks of varying sizes at identical/different locations (p < 0.001). These results validate the capability of the proposed technique to differentiate between internal crack sizes and positions, establishing it as a viable method for internal crack detection in steel.

Elevated detection rates of the blaCTX-M-55 gene in animals have been reported as a result of antibiotic misuse in clinics. To investigate the horizontal transfer mechanism of blaCTX-M-55 and its associated mobile genetic elements (MGEs), we isolated 318 nonrepetitive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from bovine samples in Xinjiang and Gansu provinces, China. All E. coli strains were screened for the CTX-M-55 gene using PCR. The complete genomic data were sequenced using the PacBio triplet sequencing platform and corrected using the Illumina data platform. The genetic environment of the plasmids carrying the resistance blaCTX-M-55 gene was mapped using the software Easyfig2.2.3 for comparison. The results showed that all blaCTX-M-55-positive strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Five strains of Escherichia coli carry the blaCTX-M-55 gene, which is adjacent to other resistance genes and is located on the IncHI2-type plasmid. Four of the five blaCTX-M-55-harbor strains carried translocatable units (TUs). All the donor bacteria carrying the blaCTX-M-55 genes could transfer horizontally to the recipient (E. coli J53 Azr). This study demonstrates that the transmission of blaCTX-M-55 is localized on IS26-flanked composite transposons. The cotransmission and prevalence of blaCTX-M-55 with other MDR resistance genes on epidemic plasmids require enhanced monitoring and control.

Abstract We present an automatic classification strategy for early and accurate assessment of burn injuries using terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopic imaging. Burn injuries of different severity grades, representing superficial partial-thickness (SPT), deep partial-thickness (DPT), and full-thickness (FT) wounds, were created by a standardized porcine scald model. THz spectroscopic imaging was performed using our new fiber-coupled Portable HAndheld Spectral Reflection Scanner, incorporating a telecentric beam steering configuration and an f- $$\theta$$ θ scanning lens. ASynchronous Optical Sampling in a dual-fiber-laser THz spectrometer with 100 MHz repetition rate enabled high-speed spectroscopic measurements. Given twenty-four different samples composed of ten scald and ten contact burns and four healthy samples, supervised machine learning algorithms using THz-TDS spectra achieved areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.88, 0.93, and 0.93 when differentiating between SPT, DPT, and FT burns, respectively, as determined by independent histological assessments. These results show the potential utility of our new broadband THz PHASR Scanner for early and accurate triage of burn injuries.

Abstract Background Mebendazole (MBZ) is a well-known anti-parasite drug with significant anti-cancer properties. However, MBZ exhibits low solubility, limited absorption efficacy, extensive first-pass effect, and low bioavailability. Therefore, multiple oral administration of high dose MBZ is required daily for achieving the therapeutic serum level which can cause severe side effects and patients’ non-compliance. Method In the present study, MBZ-loaded/folic acid-targeted chitosan nanoparticles (CS-FA-MBZ) were synthesized, characterized, and used to form cylindrical subcutaneous implants for 4T1 triple-negative breast tumor (TNBC) treatment in BALB/c mice. The therapeutic efficacy of the CS-FA-MBZ implants was investigated after subcutaneous implantation in comparison with Control, MBZ (40 mg/kg, oral administration, twice a week for 2 weeks), and CS-FA implants, according to 4T1 tumors’ growth progression, metastasis, and tumor-bearing mice survival time. Also, their biocompatibility was evaluated by blood biochemical analyzes and histopathological investigation of vital organs. Results The CS-FA-MBZ implants were completely degraded 15 days after implantation and caused about 73.3%, 49.2%, 57.4% decrease in the mean tumors’ volume in comparison with the Control (1050.5 ± 120.7 mm3), MBZ (552.4 ± 76.1 mm3), and CS-FA (658.3 ± 88.1 mm3) groups, respectively. Average liver metastatic colonies’ number per microscope field at the CS-FA-MBZ group (2.3 ± 0.7) was significantly (P

Abstract Background There is growing potential for nanocarrier-based drug delivery in cancer. However, an incomplete understanding of nano–bio interactions and the challenges regarding processing and fabrication in scale-up engineering techniques, controls over drug release, efficacy, and cytotoxicity to the human cell are the major challenges for its clinical success. The purpose of the study was to develop an electrospraying processing of injectable nanonized encapsulated chemotherapeutics to target primary and metastatic breast cancer tumor microenvironment for precise and controlled delivery. Results A novel coaxial electrospraying of multiple cancer drugs (paclitaxel and GW2580) as core and polycaprolactam (PCL) as the shell has been developed to produce multi-cancer drug nanocapsules. Using electrospraying process, we have successfully made nanocapsules containing paclitaxel to target breast cancer cells and GW2580, a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor to target CSF1R+ myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironments (TME). The UV–vis drug release test for 14 days shows a prolonged and sustained release pattern of both the drugs. In vitro and in vivo results showed the effects of nanocapsules containing multiple drugs in controlling the growth of tumor cells and increased survival of the animal bearing breast cancers. Conclusion Nanonized multi-cancer drugs were encapsulated in a PCL shell. The drug doses ratio and the polymer-to-drug ratio were controlled by engineered process parameters. The studies showed the importance of making nanocapsules containing nanocrystals of multiple drugs, which will pave the way of making multiple drug combinations in a controlled manner and capsules can be designed for sustained release of the drugs after accumulation into the TME. TME-directed therapy can be a norm in future cancer treatment strategies. These injectable nanocapsules will allow cancer site-specific precision and controlled delivery to cure primary and metastatic breast cancer and to overcome the chemotherapy resistance.

Mariam A Yousif,1 Ahmed H Arbab,2 Bashir A Yousef3 1Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Al-Qasr Ave, 11111, Khartoum, Sudan; 2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Al-Qasr Ave, 11111, Khartoum, Sudan; 3Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Al-Qasr Ave, 11111, Khartoum, SudanCorrespondence: Ahmed H Arbab, Tel +24991893200, Email arbabssn@gmail.comBackground: Academic stress is a common problem among medical students, and the COVID-19 health crisis lockdown further worsened it. High academic stress has a negative impact on students learning and overall performance.Objective: To assess perceived academic stress, causes, and coping strategies among undergraduate pharmacy students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Khartoum. Data were collected from randomly selected participants using three validated self-administered questionnaires; perceived stress scale, study habits inventory, and mental health inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, and descriptive statistics and chi-square were employed.Results: The response rate in our study was 99.6% (251/252). About 87% of the participants were females. The majority of participants (92%) experience academic stress, with a mean score (24.99 ± 5.159), the level of academic stress ranging from low (4.3%), moderate (73.2%), to high (22.5%). Approximately 80% of the percipients reported academic stress during all exam times with a mean score (25.33 ± 4.976). The level of academic stress was significantly associated with participants’ gender (P-value: 0.042), and living conditions (P-value: 0.001). The most common factors that were significantly associated with academic stress were difficulty in remembering all that is studied (66.7%, P=0.006) and worrying about the exams (54.1%, P=0.011). Moreover, the most frequent strategies used to cope with academic stress were praying (84.4%) and maintaining some control over the situation (61.9%).Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of academic stress among percipients. Academic counseling, monitoring of mental status, and implementation of stress reduction programs are highly recommended.Keywords: academic stress, exam stress, COVID-19, pharmacy students, Sudan

Abstract The scalable production of two-dimensional (2D) materials is needed to accelerate their adoption to industry. In this work, we present a low-cost in-line and enclosed process of exfoliation based on high-shear mixing to create aqueous dispersions of few-layer graphene, on a large scale with a Y w ~ 100% yield by weight and throughput of ϕ ~ 8.3 g h−1. The in-line process minimises basal plane defects compared to traditional beaker-based shear mixing which we attribute to a reduced Reynolds number, Re ~ 105. We demonstrate highly conductive graphene material with conductivities as high as σ ∼ 1.5 × 104 S m−1 leading to sheet-resistances as low as R s ∼ 2.6 Ω □−1 (t ∼ 25 μm). The process is ideal for formulating non-toxic, biocompatible and highly concentrated (c ∼ 100 mg ml−1) inks. We utilise the graphene inks for inkjet printable conductive interconnects and lithium-ion battery anode composites that demonstrate a low-rate lithium storage capability of 370 mAh g−1, close to the theoretical capacity of graphite. Finally, we demonstrate the biocompatibility of the graphene inks with human colon cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells at high c ∼ 1 mg ml−1 facilitating a route for the use of the graphene inks in applications that require biocompatibility at high c such as electronic textiles.

Background:. Fat grafting has established its niche in a wide spectrum of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. A consensus-based method of harvest, processing, enrichment, injection, and assessment is lacking, despite the rising trends in its application. We conducted a survey among plastic surgeons to evaluate and identify trends of fat grafting practices. Methods:. We conducted an electronic survey with a 30-item questionnaire of 62 members of the International Society of Plastic Regenerative Surgeons. We collected demographic information, techniques, and experiences related to large volume (100–200 ml) and small-volume (

Resumo Fundamento A avaliação do Escore de Cálcio Coronariano (ECC) pode ser realizada por tomografia computadorizada sem contraste para prever eventos cardiovasculares, mas tem menor valor na estratificação de risco em pacientes sintomáticos. Objetivo Identificar e validar preditores de obstrução coronariana significativa (OCS) em pacientes sintomáticos sem calcificação da artéria coronária. Métodos Um total de 4258 participantes foram rastreados dos estudos CORE64 e CORE 320, nos quais foram avaliados pacientes encaminhados para angiografia invasiva, e do Quanta Registry que incluiu pacientes encaminhados para angiotomografia. Modelos de regressão logística avaliaram associações entre fatores de risco cardiovascular, ECC e OCS. Um nível de significância de 5% foi usado nas análises. Resultados Dos 509 participantes do estudo CORE, 117 (23%) apresentaram um ECC igual a zero; 13 (11%) pacientes sem cálcio coronariano apresentaram OCS. A ausência de cálcio coronariano correlacionou-se com idade mais jovem, sexo feminino, índice de massa corporal mais baixo, ausência de diabetes, e ausência de dislipidemia. O fato de ser fumante atual aumentou em 3,5 vezes a probabilidade de OCS e outros fatores de risco cardiovasculares não apresentaram associação significativa. Considerando os achados clínicos, um algoritmo para estratificar os pacientes com ECC igual a zero foi proposto, e tiveram desempenho limitado na coorte de validação (AUC 58; IC95% 43, 72). Conclusão Um perfil de risco cardiovascular mais baixo está associado a um ECC igual a zero em pacientes de alto risco. Tabagismo é o preditor mais forte de OCS em pacientes com ausência de cálcio coronariano.

Niemann Pick Disease (NPD) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease characterized by lysosomal lipid storage. The disease is caused by deficiency of enzyme, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) which leads to accumulation of sphingomyelin & other lipids in reticuloendothelial cells of various organs like liver, spleen, bone marrow, lymph node, brain, nerves and kidney. Four types of the disease have been identified i.e. A, B, C and D. We report a case of Niemann Pick Disease type C. The patient was a 2.5 years female child who presented with developmental regression, recurrent seizures, failure to thrive and hepatospleenomegaly. Bone marrow (BM) aspiration was performed which showed hypercelluler marrow with few fat laden macrophage resembling foam cell that are characteristics of this disease. BSMMU J 2022; 15(2): 141-144

Flavonoids are found in natural health products and plant-based foods. The flavonoid molecules contain a 15-carbon skeleton with the particular structural construction of subclasses. The most flavonoid’s critical subclasses with improved health properties are the catechins or flavonols (e.g., epigallocatechin 3-gallate from green tea), the flavones (e.g., apigenin from celery), the flavanones (e.g., naringenin from citrus), the flavanols (e.g., quercetin glycosides from berries, onion, and apples), the isoflavones (e.g., genistein from soya beans) and the anthocyanins (e.g., cyanidin-3-O-glucoside from berries). Scientific data conclusively demonstrates that frequent intake of efficient amounts of dietary flavonoids decreases chronic inflammation and the chance of oxidative stress expressing the pathogenesis of human diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a critical organelle that plays a role in protein folding, post-transcriptional conversion, and transportation, which plays a critical part in maintaining cell homeostasis. Various stimuli can lead to the creation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum and then arise in endoplasmic reticulum stress. Constant endoplasmic reticulum stress triggers unfolded protein response (UPR), which ultimately causes apoptosis. Research has shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress plays a critical part in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases, including diabetic cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, aortic aneurysm, and hypertension. Endoplasmic reticulum stress could be one of the crucial points in treating multiple cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we summarized findings on flavonoids’ effects on the endoplasmic reticulum and their role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.