39 research outputs found
A functional spreadable canola and milk proteins oleogels as a healthy system for candy gummies
No full textAbstract Recently, interest and demand for healthy and useful food products have become a global requirement. Thus, the production of functional foods with high polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants is very challenging. In this study, four functional spreadable oleogels based on canola oil and milk proteins were developed. These spreadable oleogels were used as an innovative model for the preparation of candy gummies. The chemical composition, oxidative stability, and effects of storage conditions were studied. The results showed that the fat content in spreadable oleogels and gummies ranged from 35 to 47 and 2.40–4.15%, respectively. The protein content in spreadable doum and carrot was 7.41%, while it was 6.15% in the spreadable plain and ranged from 10.25 to 12.78% in gummies. The hardness of spreadable oleogels and gummies ranged from 0.3 to 0.9 and 6.22–16.30 N, respectively. Spreadable carrot and spreadable doum had peroxide values greater than 8 meqO2/kg after storage, whereas spreadable plain and spreadable canola oleogel had better oxidative stability. The antioxidant activity of spreadable oleogels and gummies ranged from 66.98–46.83% to 51.44–40.37%, respectively. In addition, transmission electron microscopy and polarized light microscopy micrographs showed the presence of a coherent entangled network between oleogels and nutritional polymers. The oil binding capacity of spreadable carrot oleogel had a maximum value of 97.89%, while formed gummies were higher than 99%. This study showed a promising way to make functional spreadable oleogels as a model for food products that are good for health and nutrition
Peer Feedback with Checklists in Writing Classes: Saudi Learners’ and Teachers’ Attitudes and Perceptions
No full textThis study attempts to elicit EFL learners’ and teachers’ beliefs and
attitudes regarding peer feedback with checklists in writing classes. The participants of
the study consisted of 36 female freshman college students and 14 female college EFL
teachers at the College of Language and Translation, King Saud. Data collection
instruments included a peer response checklist, pre-training and post-training
questionnaires for students and a questionnaire for teachers. An analysis of the results
indicated that students had positive attitudes towards the use of peer feedback with a
checklist in writing classes. The study indicated that the peer response technique affected
students’ attitudes positively in a way that enhanced their awareness of their weaknesses
and improved their understanding of the criteria of good writing. Also, almost all of the
teachers indicated that in the future they would implement peer feedback with a checklist
in their writing classes. Moreover, the research showed that teachers’ ages, years of
experience and academic qualifications had no impact on their attitudes. A major
conclusion of the study was that peer feedback with checklists may prove a positive
addition to English writing classrooms in the Saudi Arabia and possibly in other contexts
as well
Design, synthesis, and docking studies of 4H-chromene and chromene based azo chromophores: A novel series of potent antimicrobial and anticancer agents
No full textSofosbuvir–daclatasvir improves hepatitis C virus–induced mixed cryoglobulinemia: Upper Egypt experience
No full textAmro M Hassan,1 Heba A Osman,2 Hasan S Mahmoud,2 Mohammed H Hassan,3 Abdel-Kader A Hashim,4 Hesham H Ameen5 1Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch), Assiut, Egypt; 2Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt; 3Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt; 5Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch), Assiut, Egypt Background and aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with extrahepatic manifestations such as cryoglobulinemia and accounts for up to 90% of all cases of mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of sofosbuvir–­daclatasvir therapy on symptomatic HCV-related MC and sustained virologic response (SVR) achievement. Patients and methods: This prospective cohort study was carried out on 120 patients with chronic HCV infection, clinically suspected to have MC, but only 63 of whom were positive for cryoglobulins. HCV-MC patients were treated with sofosbuvir 400 mg and daclatasvir 60 mg once daily for 3 months. The serum cryoglobulins levels, complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4) (using ELISA assay kits) and rheumatoid factor (RF) (using immunoturbidimetric assay kit), were measured in the included HCV infected patients (to confirm HCV-MC diagnosis), in addition to quantitave HCV-RNA assays, using real time PCR. All these measurements have been done before stating therapy and 12, 24 weeks post-therapy for assessments of immunological recovery, viral load and SVR. Results: Significant increase in the serum cryoglobulin levels and RF with significant decrease in C3 and C4 serum levels were detected in only 63 out of 120 included HCV infected patients, upon whom the study has been completed. They showed significant decrease in their mean cryoglobulin levels from 41.47 µg/mL ±12.32 SD to 5.12 µg/mL ±3.59 SD then to 5.09 µg/mL ±3.02 SD, 12 to 24 weeks post-therapy respectively (p<0.001), with significant decline in RF concentrations and rise in C3 and C4 serum levels approaching the normal values. There were improvements in the presenting HCV-MC clinical manifestations in variable degrees, ranging from 5 (71.42%) in patients with glomerulonephritis to 62 (98.4%) in patients with purpura. Eighty-seven percent of the included patients showed complete response (clinical, virological and immunological recovery) and 13% showed partial response (virological and immunological recovery without clinical improvement of cryoglobulinemia associated manifestations). Conclusion: A combined therapy of sofosbuvir 400 mg and daclatasvir 60 mg once daily for 3 months was associated with a significant decrease in serum cryoglobulin levels and appears as a reasonable treatment option for HCV-associated MC. Keywords: directly acting antiviral drugs, mixed cryoglobulinemia, HC
Evaluation of phototherapy with reflectors: A randomized controlled trial
No full textAbstractBackground and objectivesNeonatal jaundice is one of the most prevalent clinical conditions requiring evaluation and management within the first few days of life. Phototherapy is the single most common intervention used for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of phototherapy with reflectors compared to conventional phototherapy in controlling neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.Patients and methodsIn this randomized controlled study, we studied neonates for one year (from June 2010 to June 2011) who were full term and healthy with uncomplicated jaundice and who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of El-Nasr General Hospital, Port-Said, Egypt. The subjects were randomized in two groups: group A (n = 30) received phototherapy with reflectors and group B (n = 30) received conventional phototherapy. Serum bilirubin levels were measured on admission and every 12 h thereafter. With declining readings, bilirubin was measured once daily until hospital discharge.ResultsThere was no significant difference in total serum bilirubin on admission between the two groups. On discharge, bilirubin levels significantly decreased in group A compared to group B. There was a reduction in the duration of the hospital stay in group A compared to group B. The only observed complication in the groups was hyperthermia, which was not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionThe present study examined the efficacy and tolerability of phototherapy with reflectors in comparison to conventional phototherapy and found that phototherapy with reflectors was significantly better at controlling bilirubin levels in neonates with indirect hyperbilirubinaemia and at shortening hospitalization time
Evaluation of a diagnostic model for aflatoxicosis in sheep: A prerequisite for future adoption of national surveillances
No full textThe aim of this research is to evaluate a diagnostic model for uncovering an aflatoxicosis outbreak in sheep. The diagnostic model is based on differentiation between an aflatoxicosis suspected herd (ASH) and a control herd (CH) including, clinical findings, feed analysis for aflatoxin and othernutrients, hemato-chemical and biochemical profiles, histopathologic changes, and residual aflatoxin levels in their organs. There was a significant difference between the sheep of the ASH and CH in relation to mortality percent, symptoms, aflatoxin B1 level in their feed and tissues, hematological and biochemical parameters, liver and kidney enzymes and metabolites, serum electrolytes, and vitamins A and E. The relationship of the histopathological lesions of affectedtissues to the aflatoxin B1 is discussed. This diagnostic model resulted in significant differences among many assigned parameters in ASH compared to the CH, allowing for its future adoption in national surveillances of aflatoxicosis in sheep.Alexander J., 2004, EFSA J, V34, P1; Alpsoy L, 2011, VITAM HORM, V86, P287, DOI 10.1016-B978-0-12-386960-9.00012-5; Alwakeel Suaad S, 2009, Pak J Biol Sci, V12, P637, DOI 10.3923-pjbs.2009.637.642; [Anonymous], 2007, 15550 DIN EN; [Anonymous], 2011, SPECULUM, V86, P1; AOAC, 1995, OFF METH AN; Bancroft JD, 1996, THEORIES PRACTICE HI; Cork SC, 2002, VETERINARY LAB FIELD; Dersjant-Li YM, 2003, NUTR RES REV, V16, P223, DOI 10.1079-NRR200368; Devegowda G., 2005, The mycotoxin blue book, P25; Drupt F, 1974, PHARM BIO, V9, P777; Feldman F, 2000, SCHALMS VETERINARY H; Gagini TB, 2010, BRAZ J MICROBIOL, V41, P345, DOI 10.1590-S1517-838220100002000013; HENDRICKSE R G, 1991, Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore, V20, P84; Iowa State University, 2009, AFL CORN; ITO Y, 1989, MUTAT RES, V222, P253, DOI 10.1016-0165-1218(89)90141-9; Kaaya AN, 2006, J APPL SCI, V52, P2401; KIND PRN, 1954, J CLIN PATHOL, V7, P322, DOI 10.1136-jcp.7.4.322; Mohamed A. M., 2009, Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, V4, P1, DOI 10.3923-jpt.2009.1.16; Orsi RB, 2007, CHEM-BIOL INTERACT, V170, P201, DOI 10.1016-j.cbi.2007.08.002; Ossati P., 1980, CLIN CHEM, V26, P227; Vinayak Patel, 2006, Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, V9, P1104; Peraica M, 1999, B WORLD HEALTH ORGAN, V77, P754; PETERS T, 1968, CLIN CHEM, V14, P1147; Probakaran JJ, 2009, ASIAN J BIOTECHNOL, V1, P104; RAISUDDIN S, 1993, MYCOPATHOLOGIA, V124, P189, DOI 10.1007-BF01103737; REITMAN S, 1957, AM J CLIN PATHOL, V28, P56; Riley RT, 1996, HUMAN ANIMAL RELATIO, P193; Saini SS, 2012, GLOBAL ADV RES J CHE, V1, P63; SEELIG H P, 1969, Aerztliche Laboratorium, V15, P34; Thoolen B, 2010, TOXICOL PATHOL, V38, p5S, DOI 10.1177-0192623310386499; TUNG HT, 1975, POULTRY SCI, V54, P1962; Yiannikouris A., 2002, INRA Productions Animales, V15, P3; Yousef MI, 2003, J ENVIRON SCI HEAL B, V38, P193, DOI 10.1081-PFC-1200184490
Beliefs About Medicine and Glycemic Control Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in West Bank, Palestine
No full textIntroduction: To examine the mean differences between patient beliefs about medicine with reference to adherence and
glycemic control. Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional questionnaire-based approach. Adherence to medication
was measured with the Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale (MGLS); glycemic control as the last HbA1c
test value; and beliefs about medicine with the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ). Results: According to
MGLS scale, 220 (57.9%) of the diabetic patients were classified as high adherent to their medications and 160 (42.1%)
were classified as low adherent. Patients had strong believes in their medication, the mean necessity score was significantly
outweighed the mean concerns score (17.7 vs 14.4; P < .001). Low adherent patients had significantly more concerns about
long term effect of medications (14.4 vs 13.8; P < .008). No significant mean differences were found between glycemic
controlled and uncontrolled group regarding necessity or concern domains. Conclusion: Assessing beliefs about medicine
is crucial for recognizing patients at risk of low adherence, which offers a way to help patients with diabetes to achieve a
better glycemic control.The author(s) received no financial support for the research,
authorship, and/or publication of this article
Erratum to: e-GRASP: an integrated evolutionary and GRASP resource for exploring disease associations
No full text© 2017 The Author(s). This article [1] unfortunately published with an author deleted in the author list. The correct author list is presented above
CRISPR/Cas9-induced disruption of Bodo saltans paraflagellar rod-2 gene reveals its importance for cell survival
No full text© The Author(s), 2022. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Gomaa, F., Li, Z.-H., Beaudoin, D. J., Alzan, H., Girguis, P. R., Docampo, R., & Edgcomb, V. P. CRISPR/Cas9-induced disruption of Bodo saltans paraflagellar rod-2 gene reveals its importance for cell survival. Environmental Microbiology. (2022), https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.15918.Developing transfection protocols for marine protists is an emerging field that will allow the functional characterization of protist genes and their roles in organism responses to the environment. We developed a CRISPR/Cas9 editing protocol for Bodo saltans, a free-living kinetoplastid with tolerance to both marine and freshwater conditions and a close non-parasitic relative of trypanosomatids. Our results show that SaCas9/single-guide RNA (sgRNA) ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex-mediated disruption of the paraflagellar rod 2 gene (BsPFR2) was achieved using electroporation-mediated transfection. The use of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing can increase the efficiency of targeted homologous recombination when a repair DNA template is provided. Our sequence analysis suggests two mechanisms for repairing double-strand breaks in B. saltans are active; homologous-directed repair (HDR) utilizing an exogenous DNA template that carries an antibiotic resistance gene and likley non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). However, HDR was only achieved when a single (vs. multiple) SaCas9 RNP complex was provided. Furthermore, the biallelic knockout of BsPFR2 was detrimental for the cell, highlighting its essential role for cell survival because it facilitates the movement of food particles into the cytostome. Our Cas9/sgRNA RNP complex protocol provides a new tool for assessing gene functions in B. saltans and perhaps similar protists with polycistronic transcription.This work was funded by Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, grant number 4963
Hospital pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia: Prescribing and transcribing in the Riyadh region
No full textAbstract Purpose: The purpose of this survey is to outline pharmacy services in hospitals on a regional level in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A modified-American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) survey questionnaire as pertinent to Saudi Arabia was used to conduct a national survey. After discussing with the pharmacy directors of 48 hospitals in the Riyadh region over the phone on the survey's purpose, the questionnaires were personally delivered and collected upon completion. The hospital lists were drawn from the Ministry of Health hospital database. Results: Twenty-nine hospitals participated in the survey giving a response rate of 60.4%. Approximately 60% of the hospitals which participated in the survey required prior approval for the use of non-formulary medications. About 83.3% of hospitals reviewed compliance with clinical practice guidelines and 72.7% hospitals reported that pharmacists are also actively involved in these activities. Pharmacists in more than 95% of hospitals provided consultations on drug information. A * Corresponding author. Tel.: +966 507222277; fax: +966 E-mail address: [email protected] (M.S. Alsultan). staff pharmacist routinely answering questions was the most frequently cited (74.1%) method by which objective drug information was provided to prescribers. Electronic drug information resources were available in 77.7% of hospitals, although internet use is not widely available to hospital pharmacists, with only 58.6% of hospitals providing pharmacist access to the internet. About, 34.5% of hospitals had computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE) systems with clinical decisionsupport systems (CDSSs) and 51.9% of the hospitals had electronic medical record (EMR) system. Conclusion: Hospital pharmacists are increasingly using electronic technologies to improve prescribing and transcribing of medications in Saudi Arabia
