articles+ search results

Nanosponges, crosslinker, nanocarrier, cyclodextrin, analgesics, drug efficacy, Therapeutics. Pharmacology, and RM1-950

AbstractCyclodextrin nanosponges are solid nanoparticles, designed by cross-linking of cyclodextrin polymer; it has been used widely as a good delivery system for water insoluble drugs. The aim of this study is to enhance the solubility of Piroxicam (PXM) using β-Cyclodextrin based nanosponges formulations. PXM nanosponge (PXM-NS) formulations were prepared using β-cyclodextrin and carbonyldiimidazole as a cross linker, three ratios of β-cyclodextrin to crosslinker in addition to three drug to nanosponges ratios were tested. Piroxicam nanosponge formulations were characterized for its particle size, zeta potential, physical compatibility and in vitro release. Stability studies at three temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C and 40 °C) were done for optimal formula. Finally, the in vivo analgesic activity and pharmacokinetic parameters of the optimal formula were conducted. The optimized PXM-NS formula (PXM-NS10) showed particle size (362 ± 14.06 nm), polydispersity index (0.0518), zeta potential (17 ± 1.05 mV), and %EE (79.13 ± 4.33). The dissolution study showed a significant increase in the amount of PXM dissolved compared with the unformulated drug. Stability studies confirmed that nanosponge showed accepted stability for 90 days at 4 °C and 25 °C. In vivo analgesic studies verified that there was a significant enhancement in the analgesic response to PXM in mice, and 1.42 fold enhancement in the relative bioavailability of PXM-NS10 as compared to commercial tablets. Nanosponge prepared under optimal conditions is an encouraging formula for increasing the solubility and therefore the bioavailability of Piroxicam.

Epidermolysis bullosa, Supraglottic stenosis, Laryngeal manifestation, Otorhinolaryngology, and RF1-547

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of inherited disorders characterized by increased vulnerability to mechanical stress at the dermo-epidermal junction and basilar layer of the epidermis. Laryngeal EB involvement is a major and life-threatening manifestation of the disease. Due to the nature of EB, granulation tissue and stenosis can occur, usually at the glottic, subglottic, or supraglottic levels, as seen in our patients.We described cases in which four patients with EB presented with supraglottic stenosis and were managed at tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. The clinical and therapeutic characteristics of all patients are discussed.

Urethrocutaneous fistula may complicate hypospadias repair. We noticed that double-layered preputial dartos flaps added to tubularized incised plate urethroplasty can reduce the risk of urethrocutaneous fistula. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with double-layered preputial dartos flaps to with single-layered local fascial flaps in preventing urethrocutaneous fistula. A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2017 and December 2020 at Jordan University Hospital (Amman, Jordan). Boys who were aged between 6 months and 5 years, diagnosed with distal hypospadias, and not circumcised were included. The primary outcome was the occurrence of urethrocutaneous fistula in patients who underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a double-layered fascial flap. The results showed a total of 163 boys with distal hypospadias; among them, 116 patients underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a single-layered fascial flap, and 47 underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a double-layered fascial flap. The development of urethrocutaneous fistula was higher in the group receiving tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a single-layered fascial flap than in the group receiving tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with a double-layered fascial flap after 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months (6.9% vs 0, 10.3% vs 0, and 5.2% vs 0, respectively), and the difference after 6 months was statistically significant (P = 0.02). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

decolonial design education, design pedagogy, minor gestures, decoloniality, critical pedagogy, Drawing. Design. Illustration, and NC1-1940

This paper lays out the groundwork for a concept we define as minor gestures within design education. Moving away from a conversation centered around decolonization—a term, we argue, that has been co-opted to become a placeholder for equality, diversity, and inclusion, and tick-box exercises within academic institutions— we assert that minor gestures create the conditions for meaningful conversations on what it actually means to move towards decolonizing design education. Using examples from our own pedagogical practices, we sketch out and outline a proposition for minor gestures as theory-in-the-making, or an incomplete pathway towards meaningful, structural change.

In this paper, a numerical model is designed to evaluate the performances of a two-terminal tandem Perovskite-CIGS solar cell. Tandem perovskite solar cells (TPSCs) are a type of device that has attracted great attention for their scalability, low cost, and high efficiency. In order to validate the investigated model, the obtained data have been compared with the fabricated cell. Since a tandem cell is quite complex, to obtain realistic results, the study was conducted in several steps by optimizing first the perovskite solar cell, then performing ultrathin CIGS solar cell, and finally the tandem structure. Intrinsic organic material Methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) was used as an absorber layer and its thickness has been optimized. The effect of adding an anti-reflective coating (ARC) on the top of ITO front contact on PSC device performance was studied too. The cell efficiency of the optimized perovskite cells was achieved by about 16.13%. For a good substrate, the ultrathin CIGS (u-CIGS) solar cell was calibrated to the fabricated cell characteristics. Finally, a two-terminal perovskite/CIGS tandem device was successfully simulated with an efficiency of up to 20.84%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Minimal associated pathological lesions (MAPLs) of the vocal folds are a group of benign disorders commonly related to phonotraumatic conditions and behaviors. Voice therapy (VT) can play a major role in readjusting these maladaptive behaviors and improve overall voice quality, thereby replace surgical intervention in some cases or act as a complementary treatment to enhance the ultimate therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to explore the short-term effect of the Accent method of VT on vocal subjective measures and acoustics in professional users with MAPLs, evaluate the responsiveness of each vocal fold lesion to the VT, and propose a simple model for providing VT to a sector of the population in great need of non-invasive management. Materials and methods: This analytical cross-sectional included fifty professional voice users with different MAPLs were exposed to multidimensional voice assessments before and after receiving VT training in a tertiary care hospital. These assessments include GRBAS score, Multidimensional Voice Program (MDVP) and validated Arabic version Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30). Results: This study showed variable positive effects of VT on the different types of MAPLs. Cysts had the highest level of responsiveness to VT in comparison to other lesions, followed by nodules, polyps, contact granuloma, and Reinke's edema. Conclusions: VT is a substantial solution for managing voice disorders. It should be considered in the management plan of the various types of MAPLs, even in Reinke's edema, which showed the minimum improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DENTURES, DENTAL schools, DENTAL students, PHONETICS, REMOVABLE partial dentures, and CROSS-sectional method

Phonetics plays a major role in the fabrication of prostheses. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of students regarding the role of phonetics in denture fabrication and to improve the educational process and the clinical application. The study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, and involved a survey of 344 dental students and interns. The questionnaire contained 20 questions and was divided into three sections: general knowledge, clinical correlations, and clinical evaluations. The data were collected and analyzed statistically using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc tests. The response rate was 100%. Male and female students only differed significantly in terms of their scores for answers to general knowledge questions, with females achieving better results (p = 0.023). General knowledge varied significantly between fourth-year students and all other levels (p < 0.001), and fifth-year students and interns (p = 0.027). The clinical correlations varied significantly between fourth-year students and interns (p = 0.01), whereas the clinical evaluations varied between all the academic years and interns (fourth-year, p < 0.001; fifth-year, p = 0.003; and sixth-year, p = 0.017). The interns obtained the highest scores in all sections. There was a lack of awareness among dental students of some aspects of the role of phonetics in denture fabrication. The study highlights the deficiencies that need to be addressed and the need for adjustments to the curriculum related to removable prosthodontics in order to improve the knowledge of students regarding the role of speech in denture fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HEART fibrosis, CARDIAC hypertrophy, TRANSFORMING growth factors, HEART failure, and VENTRICULAR remodeling

Aims In response to pro-fibrotic signals, scleraxis regulates cardiac fibroblast activation in vitro via transcriptional control of key fibrosis genes such as collagen and fibronectin; however, its role in vivo is unknown. The present study assessed the impact of scleraxis loss on fibroblast activation, cardiac fibrosis, and dysfunction in pressure overload-induced heart failure. Methods and results Scleraxis expression was upregulated in the hearts of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients, and in mice subjected to pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Tamoxifen-inducible fibroblast-specific scleraxis knockout (Scx-fKO) completely attenuated cardiac fibrosis, and significantly improved cardiac systolic function and ventricular remodelling, following TAC compared to Scx+/+ TAC mice, concomitant with attenuation of fibroblast activation. Scleraxis deletion, after the establishment of cardiac fibrosis, attenuated the further functional decline observed in Scx+/+ mice, with a reduction in cardiac myofibroblasts. Notably, scleraxis knockout reduced pressure overload-induced mortality from 33% to zero, without affecting the degree of cardiac hypertrophy. Scleraxis directly regulated transcription of the myofibroblast marker periostin, and cardiac fibroblasts lacking scleraxis failed to upregulate periostin synthesis and secretion in response to pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor β. Conclusion Scleraxis governs fibroblast activation in pressure overload-induced heart failure, and scleraxis knockout attenuated fibrosis and improved cardiac function and survival. These findings identify scleraxis as a viable target for the development of novel anti-fibrotic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern Mediterranean region, honor killing, violence against women, femicide, homicide, and Medicine

Honor killing is a violent crime committed by one or more perpetrators, in which the crime’s intention is to restore honor to their family. In this narrative review, the authors investigate the epidemiology of honor killing in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Furthermore, the social, cultural, and legal aspects of honor killing are discussed. Numerous socio-cultural factors lead to the action of killing for honor in this region. They include deeply rooted patriarchal dominance, the desire to maintain social status, and being poorly educated. Honor killing perpetrators have similar characteristics, such as rating female chastity at a higher price and justifying violence against women. The impact of honor killing on family members is much greater than the perceived families’ beliefs of the community’s rejection of the female’s dishonorable behavior. Silence culture dominates these societies, and many crimes are under-reported in this region. Often, a judicial trial is not conducted for such heinous crimes. Penal code reforms, campaigns to promote human rights, steps to improve the education level, and active participation of civil society in condemning such crimes are a few essential measures that need to be considered in order to curb the social evil of honor killing.

Epilepsy, Neurological conditions, WES, Saudi Arabia, Variants, Medicine, Genetics, and QH426-470

Abstract Background Epilepsy, a serious chronic neurological condition effecting up to 100 million people globally, has clear genetic underpinnings including common and rare variants. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of epilepsy is high and caused mainly by perinatal and genetic factors. No whole-exome sequencing (WES) studies have been performed to date in Saudi Arabian epilepsy cohorts. This offers a unique opportunity for the discovery of rare genetic variants impacting this disease as there is a high rate of consanguinity among large tribal pedigrees. Results We performed WES on 144 individuals diagnosed with epilepsy, to interrogate known epilepsy-related genes for known and functional novel variants. We also used an American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guideline-based variant prioritization approach in an attempt to discover putative causative variants. We identified 32 potentially causative pathogenic variants across 30 different genes in 44/144 (30%) of these Saudi epilepsy individuals. We also identified 232 variants of unknown significance (VUS) across 101 different genes in 133/144 (92%) subjects. Strong enrichment of variants of likely pathogenicity was observed in previously described epilepsy-associated loci, and a number of putative pathogenic variants in novel loci are also observed. Conclusion Several putative pathogenic variants in known epilepsy-related loci were identified for the first time in our population, in addition to several potential new loci which may be prioritized for further investigation.