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Radioluminescence sensing of radiology exposures using P-doped silica optical fibres

Bradley DA, Zubair HT, Oresegun A, Louay GT, Ariffin A, Khandaker MU, et al.

Appl Radiat Isot, 2018 Nov;141:176-181.
PMID: 29673719 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.02.025

In previous work we investigated the real-time radioluminescence (RL) yield of Ge-doped silica fibres and Al2O3 nanodot media, sensing electron- and x-ray energies and intensities at values familiarly obtained in external beam radiotherapy. The observation of an appreciable low-dose sensitivity has given rise to the realisation that there is strong potential for use of RL dosimetry in diagnostic radiology. Herein use has been made of P-doped silica optical fibre, 2 mm diameter, also including a 271 µm cylindrical doped core. With developing needs for versatile x-ray imaging dosimetry, preliminary investigations have been made covering the range of diagnostic x-ray tube potentials 30 kVp to 120 kVp, demonstrating linearity of RL with kVp as well as in terms of the current-time (mAs) product. RL yields also accord with the inverse-square law. Given typical radiographic-examination exposure durations from tens- to a few hundred milliseconds, particular value is found in the ability to record the influence of x-ray generator performance on the growth and decay of beam intensity, from initiation to termination.
Fulltext Recurrent vomiting in a woman due to miscarriage: think out of the box

Khalid S, Aris MS

BMJ Case Rep, 2016 Mar 30;2016.
PMID: 27030452 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2015-213165

A 25-year-old gravida 2 para 1 with 12-week amenorrhoea presented a second time for recurrent vomiting in pregnancy. She was diagnosed to have a missed miscarriage following absent fetal heart seen in an early scan. She opted for conservative management. However, on the third presentation, her vomiting continued. Repeated transvaginal ultrasound scan showed a fetus with a crown rump length of 19 mm, which is equivalent to 8 weeks and 4 days, with absence of fetal heart pulsation. Thyroid function tests and β human chorionic gonadotropin were then requested. Results showed that the patient's serum β human chorionic gonadotropin level was markedly raised to 147,000. A molar pregnancy was suspected. Her thyroid function tests came back normal. Suction curettage was performed and histopathology confirmed a partial molar pregnancy. On follow-up, the β human chorionic gonadotropin level was normal by 7 weeks after the curettage.
Fulltext Zerumbone-induced antinociception: involvement of the L-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP -PKC-K+ ATP channel pathways

Perimal EK, Akhtar MN, Mohamad AS, Khalid MH, Ming OH, Khalid S, et al.

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol, 2011 Mar;108(3):155-62.
PMID: 20955360 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2010.00635.x

This study investigated the antinociceptive effects of zerumbone in chemical behavioural models of nociception in mice. Zerumbone given through intraperitoneal route (i.p.) produced dose-related antinociception when assessed on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test in mice. In addition, the i.p. administration of zerumbone exhibited significant inhibition of the neurogenic pain induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of capsaicin and bradykinin. Likewise, zerumbone given by i.p. route reduced the nociception produced by i.pl. injection of glutamate and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The antinociception caused by zerumbone in the acetic acid test was significantly attenuated by i.p. pre-treatment of mice with l-arginine (nitric oxide precursor) and glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive K(+) channel inhibitor). However, the antinociception of zerumbone was enhanced by methylene blue (non-specific gyanylyl cyclase inhibitor). Together, these results indicate that zerumbone produces pronounced antinociception against chemical models of nociception in mice. It also strongly suggests that the l-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP-PKC-K(+) ATP channel pathways, the TRPV1 and kinin B2 receptors play an important role in the zerumbone-induced antinociception.
Phytoremediation of bauxite wastewater potentiality by Jatropa curcas

Kristanti RA, Mardarveran P, Almaary KS, Elshikh MS, AbdelGawwad MR, Tang DKH

Bioprocess Biosyst Eng, 2023 Mar;46(3):373-379.
PMID: 35773493 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02745-5

Bauxite wastewater creates soil contamination and produces toxic effects on human health such as respiratory and skin rash problems. In this study, we investigated the phytoremediation ability of Jatropha curcas to remove bauxite wastewater from soil. Pot experiments were conducted to investigate the bauxite wastewater on the phytoremediation potential of J. curcas grown in contaminated soils. J. curcas exhibited a significant increase in plant growth leaf, root activity, plant height, and plant shoot when grown in bauxite contaminated soils compared with J. curcas grown in uncontaminated soils after 30 d treatment. Under bauxite exposure, a higher aluminium removal (88.5%) was observed in soils planted with J. curcas than unplanted soils (39.6%). The bioconcentration factor was also found to be 5.62, indicating that J. curcas have great tolerance and hyperaccumulator of aluminium under high aluminium concentrations and are capable of phytoextraction of soil contaminated with bauxite wastewater.
Fulltext WHO key access antibiotics price, availability and affordability in private sector pharmacies in Pakistan

Saleem Z, Saeed H, Akbar Z, Saeed A, Khalid S, Farrukh L, et al.

Cost Eff Resour Alloc, 2021 Feb 16;19(1):10.
PMID: 33593366 DOI: 10.1186/s12962-021-00263-x

BACKGROUND: Poor availability and unaffordability of key access antibiotics may increase antimicrobial resistance in the community by promoting inappropriate antibiotic selection and abridged therapy compliance.
OBJECTIVE: To check the prices, availability, and affordability of the World Health Organization (WHO) key access antibiotics in private sector pharmacies of Lahore, Pakistan.
METHODOLOGY: A survey of WHO key access antibiotics from WHO essential medicine list 2017 was conducted in private sector pharmacies of 4 different regions of Lahore employing adapted WHO/HAI methodology. The comparison of prices and availability between originator brands (OB) and lowest price generics (LPG) were conducted followed by the effect of medicine price differences on patient's affordability. The data were analyzed using a preprogrammed WHO Microsoft excel workbook.
RESULTS: The mean availability of OB products was 45.20% and the availability of LPGs was 40.40%. The OBs of co-amoxiclav, clarithromycin and metronidazole and LPGs of azithromycin and ciprofloxacin were easily available (100%) in all private sector pharmacies. Whereas, antibiotics like chloramphenicol, cloxacillin, nitrofurantoin, spectinomycin, and cefazolin were totally unavailable in all the surveyed pharmacies. The OBs and LPGs with high MPRs were ceftriaxone (OB; 15.31, LPG; 6.38) and ciprofloxacin (OB; 12.42, LPG; 5.77). The median of brand premium obtained was 38.7%, which varied between the lowest brand premium of 3.97% for metronidazole and highest for ceftriaxone i.e. 140%. The cost of standard treatment was 0.5 day's wage (median) if using OB and 0.4 day's wage (median) for LPG, for a lowest paid unskilled government worker. Treatment with OB and LPG was unaffordable for ciprofloxacin (OB; 2.4, LPG; 1.1) & cefotaxime (OB; 12.7, LPG; 8.1).
CONCLUSION: There is dire need to properly implement price control policies to better regulate fragile antibiotic supply system so that the availability of both OB and LPG of key access antibiotics should be increased. The prices could be reduced by improving purchasing efficiency, excluding taxes and regulating mark-ups. This could increase the affordability of patients to complete their antibiotic therapy with subsequent reduction in antimicrobial resistance.
Antinociceptive activity of a synthetic chalcone, flavokawin B on chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice

Mohamad AS, Akhtar MN, Zakaria ZA, Perimal EK, Khalid S, Mohd PA, et al.

Eur J Pharmacol, 2010 Nov 25;647(1-3):103-9.
PMID: 20826146 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2010.08.030

The present study examined the potential antinociceptive activity of flavokawin B (6'-hydroxy-2',4'-dimethoxychalcone), a synthetic chalcone using chemical- and thermal-induced nociception models in mice. It was demonstrated that flavokawin B (FKB; 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg) administered via both oral (p.o.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) routes produced significant and dose-dependent inhibition in the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid, with the i.p. route producing antinociception of approximately 7-fold more potent than the p.o. route. It was also demonstrated that FKB produced significant inhibition in the two phases of the formalin-induced paw licking test. In addition, the same treatment of flavokawin B (FKB) exhibited significant inhibition of the neurogenic nociceptive induced by intraplantar injections of glutamate and capsaicin. Likewise, this compound also induced a significant increase in the response latency period to thermal stimuli in the hot plate test and its antinociceptive effect was not related to muscle relaxant or sedative action. Moreover, the antinociception effect of the FKB in the formalin-induced paw licking test and the hot plate test was not affected by pretreatment of non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone. The present results indicate that FKB produced pronounced antinociception effect against both chemical and thermal models of pain in mice that exhibited both peripheral and central analgesic activity.
Fulltext Corrigendum to "In Vitro Wound Healing Potential of Stem Extract of Alternanthera sessilis"

Muniandy K, Gothai S, Tan WS, Kumar SS, Esa NM, Chandramohan G, et al.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2020;2020:2705479.
PMID: 32617103 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2705479

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/3142073.].
Fulltext In Vitro Wound Healing Potential of Stem Extract of Alternanthera sessilis

Muniandy K, Gothai S, Tan WS, Kumar SS, Mohd Esa N, Chandramohan G, et al.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018;2018:3142073.
PMID: 29670658 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3142073

Impaired wound healing is one of the serious problems among the diabetic patients. Currently, available treatments are limited due to side effects and cost effectiveness. In line with that, we attempted to use a natural source to study its potential towards the wound healing process. Therefore, Alternanthera sessilis (A. sessilis), an edible and medicinal plant, was chosen as the target sample for the study. During this investigation, the wound closure properties using stem extract of A. sessilis were analyzed. Accordingly, we analyzed the extract on free radical scavenging capacity and the cell migration of two most prominent cell types on the skin, human dermal fibroblast (NHDF), keratinocytes (HaCaT), and diabetic human dermal fibroblast (HDF-D) to mimic the wound healing in diabetic patients. The bioactive compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We discovered that the analysis exhibited a remarkable antioxidant, proliferative, and migratory rate in NHDF, HaCaT, and HDF-D in dose-dependent manner, which supports wound healing process, due to the presence of wound healing associated phytocompounds such as Hexadecanoic acid. This study suggested that the stem extract of A. sessilis might be a potential therapeutic agent for skin wound healing, supporting its traditional medicinal uses.
Fulltext Exploring the natural products chemical space through a molecular search to discover potential inhibitors that target the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD)

Sayaf AM, Ullah Khalid S, Hameed JA, Alshammari A, Khan A, Mohammad A, et al.

Front Pharmacol, 2023;14:1202128.
PMID: 37670941 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1202128

Introduction: Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes are major therapeutic targets of anemia and ischemic/hypoxia diseases. To overcome safety issues, liver failure, and problems associated with on-/off-targets, natural products due to their novel and unique structures offer promising alternatives as drug targets. Methods: In the current study, the Marine Natural Products, North African, South African, East African, and North-East African chemical space was explored for HIF-PHD inhibitors discovery through molecular search, and the final hits were validated using molecular simulation and free energy calculation approaches. Results: Our results revealed that CMNPD13808 with a docking score of -8.690 kcal/mol, CID15081178 with a docking score of -8.027 kcal/mol, CID71496944 with a docking score of -8.48 kcal/mol and CID11821407 with a docking score of -7.78 kcal/mol possess stronger activity than the control N-[(4-hydroxy-8-iodoisoquinolin-3-yl)carbonyl]glycine, 4HG (-6.87 kcal/mol). Interaction analysis revealed that the target compounds interact with Gln239, Tyr310, Tyr329, Arg383 and Trp389 residues, and chelate the active site iron in a bidentate manner in PHD2. Molecular simulation revealed that these target hits robustly block the PHD2 active site by demonstrating stable dynamics. Furthermore, the half-life of the Arg383 hydrogen bond with the target ligands, which is an important factor for PHD2 inhibition, remained almost constant in all the complexes during the simulation. Finally, the total binding free energy of each complex was calculated as CMNPD13808-PHD2 -72.91 kcal/mol, CID15081178-PHD2 -65.55 kcal/mol, CID71496944-PHD2 -68.47 kcal/mol, and CID11821407-PHD2 -62.06 kcal/mol, respectively. Conclusion: The results show the compounds possess good activity in contrast to the control drug (4HG) and need further in vitro and in vivo validation for possible usage as potential drugs against HIF-PHD2-associated diseases.
Study of Primordial 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K Concentrations in Dietary Palm Dates and Concomitant Radiological Risk

Khandaker MU, Shuaibu HK, Alklabi FAA, Alzimami KS, Bradley DA

Health Phys, 2019 06;116(6):789-798.
PMID: 30889102 DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001042

The presence of natural radionuclides in the food chain point to a need to assess concentration levels and concomitant radiological risk. Highly popular and forming a staple part of the diet in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and West Asia, palm dates growing naturally there have even greater marketability than simple satisfaction of domestic demand, the palm dates representing a valuable export item. Accurate knowledge of the levels of natural radioactivity in the fruit is thus of importance. In this study, using high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometry, quantification has been made of natural radionuclide concentrations in imported dates originating from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. Sample analyses reveal respective mean activity concentrations of 1.4 ± 0.3, 0.8 ± 0.4, and 186 ± 9 Bq kg dry weight for Ra, Ra, and K. For each nuclide, the mean concentration varies little between the dates of the three represented regions. The estimated committed effective dose resulting from the consumption of date fruits for a typical adult was found to be 29.9 μSv y, well below the global internal dose of 290 μSv y assessed by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to be due to food and water intake. Similarly, the excess lifetime cancer risk due to naturally occurring radioactive material exposure via date fruit consumption is seen to be below the International Commission on Radiological Protection cancer risk factor of 2.5 × 10 based on the additional annual dose limit of 1 mSv for a member of the general public. The results show no significant uptake in the analyzed date fruits.
Letter to the Editor: Research and consensus is required concerning integrity of randomized clinical trials

Khan KS, Chien PFW

Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2022 11;159(2):613.
PMID: 36030408 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14394
Integrity of randomized clinical trials: Performance of integrity tests and checklists requires assessment

Khan KS, Fawzy M, Chien PFW

Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2023 Dec;163(3):733-743.
PMID: 37184087 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14837

The integrity of randomized clinical trials (RCT) has become a concern owing to a recent rise in the number of retractions and the repercussions this has for evidence-based patient care. However, there is little research on the subject of RCT integrity assessment. Recent literature reviews have revealed that journals' authors' instructions concerning integrity and their investigation policies concerning allegations of misconduct are heterogeneous. The judicious use of integrity tests applied to RCT manuscripts is hampered by an absence of data concerning misconduct prevalence (pre-test probability), a failure to evaluate test performance (validity) and a lack of consensus over a gold standard (against which test accuracy can be evaluated). These deficiencies hinder the post-publication correction of RCT records, the integrity evaluations in systematic reviews of RCTs and the prospective application of preventive solutions in RCT peer-review and preprint assessment. Dealing with the current controversy about trustworthiness of RCT evidence requires a strong investment in research, reform and education concerning research integrity. The purpose of this review article is to highlight the current limitations in dealing with trial integrity-related concerns and to propose solutions to some of these issues.
Research integrity in randomized clinical trials: A scoping umbrella review

Núñez-Núñez M, Maes-Carballo M, Mignini LE, Chien PFW, Khalaf Y, Fawzy M, et al.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2023 Sep;162(3):860-876.
PMID: 37062861 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14762

BACKGROUND: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are experiencing a crisis of confidence in their trustworthiness. Although a comprehensive literature search yielded several reviews on RCT integrity, an overarching overview is lacking.
OBJECTIVES: The authors undertook a scoping umbrella review of the research integrity literature concerning RCTs.
SEARCH STRATEGY AND SELECTION CRITERIA: Following prospective registration (https://osf.io/3ursn), two reviewers independently searched PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, without language or time restrictions, until November 2021. The authors included systematic reviews covering any aspect of research integrity throughout the RCT lifecycle.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The authors assessed methodological quality using a modified AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) tool and collated the main findings.
MAIN RESULTS: A total of 55 relevant reviews, summarizing 6001 studies (median per review, 63; range, 8-1106) from 1964 to 2021, had an overall critically low quality of 96% (53 reviews). Topics covered included general aspects (15%), design and approval (22%), conduct and monitoring (11%), reporting (38%), postpublication concerns (2%), and future research (13%). The most common integrity issues covered were ethics (18%) and transparency (18%).
CONCLUSIONS: Low-quality reviews identified various integrity issues across the RCT lifecycle, emphasizing the importance of high ethical standards and professionalism while highlighting gaps in the integrity landscape. Multistakeholder consensus is needed to develop specific RCT integrity standards.
Post-publication research integrity concerns in randomized clinical trials: A scoping review of the literature

Chien PFW, Elsuity MA, Rashwan MM, Núñez-Núñez M, Khan KS, Zamora-Romero J, et al.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2024 Apr 03.
PMID: 38571333 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15488

BACKGROUND: Post-publication handling of integrity concerns in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is a contentious matter.
OBJECTIVES: We undertook a scoping systematic review to map the literature regarding post-publication integrity issues in RCTs.
SEARCH STRATEGY AND SELECTION CRITERIA: Following prospective registration (https://osf.io/pgxd8) we initially searched PubMed and Scopus but subsequently extended it to include the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases without language, article type or publication time restriction until November 2022. Reviewers independently selected published articles covering any aspect of post-publication research integrity concerns in RCTs.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The study findings grouped within domains relating to issues concerning post-publication integrity were extracted in duplicate, verified by a third reviewer, and then tabulated.
MAIN RESULTS: The initial search captured 3159 citations, of which 89 studies were included in the review. Cross-sectional studies constituted the majority of included studies (n = 34, 38.2%), followed by systematic reviews (n = 10, 11.2%), methodology reviews/studies (n = 9, 10.1%) and other types of descriptive studies (n = 8, 9.0%). A total of 21 articles (23.6%) covered the domain on general issues, 25 (28.1%) in the journal's instructions and policies domain, eight (9.0%) in the editorial and peer review domain, one (1.1%) in the correspondence and complaints (post-publication peer review) domain, 12 (13.5%) in the investigation for concerns domain, six (6.7%) in the post-investigation decisions and sanctions domain, none in the critical appraisal guidance domain, five (5.6%) in the integrity assessment in systematic reviews domain, and 26 (29.2%) in the recommendations for future research domain. A total of 12 of the selected articles (13.5%) covered two (n = 9) or three (n = 3) different domains.
CONCLUSIONS: Various research integrity domains and issues covering post-publication aspects of RCT integrity were captured and gaps were identified, mostly related with the necessary implications for all stakeholders to improve research transparency. There is an urgent need for a multistakeholder consensus towards creating specific statements for addressing post-publication integrity concerns in RCTs.
Fulltext Human CD3+ T-Cells with the Anti-ERBB2 Chimeric Antigen Receptor Exhibit Efficient Targeting and Induce Apoptosis in ERBB2 Overexpressing Breast Cancer Cells

Munisvaradass R, Kumar S, Govindasamy C, Alnumair KS, Mok PL

Int J Mol Sci, 2017 Sep 08;18(9).
PMID: 28885562 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18091797

Breast cancer is a common malignancy among women. The innate and adaptive immune responses failed to be activated owing to immune modulation in the tumour microenvironment. Decades of scientific study links the overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ERBB2) antigen with aggressive tumours. The Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) coding for specific tumour-associated antigens could initiate intrinsic T-cell signalling, inducing T-cell activation, and cytotoxic activity without the need for major histocompatibility complex recognition. This renders CAR as a potentially universal immunotherapeutic option. Herein, we aimed to establish CAR in CD3+ T-cells, isolated from human peripheral blood mononucleated cells that could subsequently target and induce apoptosis in the ERBB2 overexpressing human breast cancer cell line, SKBR3. Constructed CAR was inserted into a lentiviral plasmid containing a green fluorescent protein tag and produced as lentiviral particles that were used to transduce activated T-cells. Transduced CAR-T cells were then primed with SKBR3 cells to evaluate their functionality. Results showed increased apoptosis in SKBR3 cells co-cultured with CAR-T cells compared to the control (non-transduced T-cells). This study demonstrates that CAR introduction helps overcome the innate limitations of native T-cells leading to cancer cell apoptosis. We recommend future studies should focus on in vivo cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells against ERBB2 expressing tumours.
Fulltext Antinociceptive activity of Melicope ptelefolia ethanolic extract in experimental animals

Sulaiman MR, Mohd Padzil A, Shaari K, Khalid S, Shaik Mossadeq WM, Mohamad AS, et al.

J Biomed Biotechnol, 2010;2010:937642.
PMID: 21274262 DOI: 10.1155/2010/937642

Melicope ptelefolia is a medicinal herb commonly used in Malaysia to treat fever, pain, wounds, and itches. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the Melicope ptelefolia ethanolic extract (MPEE) using animal models of nociception. The antinociceptive activity of the extract was assessed using acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, hot-plate, and formalin-induced paw licking tests. Oral administration of MPEE produced significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effects when tested in mice and rats using acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test and on the second phase of the formalin-induced paw licking test, respectively. It was also demonstrated that MPEE had no effect on the response latency time to the heat stimulus in the thermal model of the hot-plate test. In addition, the antinociception produced by MPEE was not blocked by naloxone. Furthermore, oral administration of MPEE did not produce any effect in motor performance of the rota-rod test and in acute toxicity study no abnormal behaviors as well as mortality were observed up to a dose level of the extract of 5 g/kg. These results indicated that MPEE at all doses investigated which did not produce any sedative and toxic effects exerted pronounce antinociceptive activity that acts peripherally in experimental animals.
Experimental investigation on the use of highly charged nanoparticles to improve the stability of weakly charged colloidal system

Zubir MN, Badarudin A, Kazi SN, Misran M, Amiri A, Sadri R, et al.

J Colloid Interface Sci, 2015 Sep 15;454:245-55.
PMID: 26048724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2015.05.019

The present work highlighted on the implementation of a unique concept for stabilizing colloids at their incipiently low charge potential. A highly charged nanoparticle was introduced within a coagulated prone colloidal system, serving as stabilizer to resist otherwise rapid flocculation and sedimentation process. A low size asymmetry of nanoparticle/colloid serves as the new topic of investigation in addition to the well-established large size ratio nanoparticle/microparticle study. Highly charged Al2O3 nanoparticles were used within the present research context to stabilize TiO2 and Fe3O4 based colloids via the formation of composite structures. It was believed, based on the experimental evidence, that Al2O3 nanoparticle interact with the weakly charged TiO2 and Fe3O4 colloids within the binary system via absorption and/or haloing modes to increase the overall charge potential of the respective colloids, thus preventing further surface contact via van der Waal's attraction. Series of experimental results strongly suggest the presence of weakly charged colloids in the studied bimodal system where, in the absence of highly charged nanoparticle, experience rapid instability. Absorbance measurement indicated that the colloidal stability drops in accordance to the highly charged nanoparticle sedimentation rate, suggesting the dominant influence of nanoparticles to attain a well-dispersed binary system. Further, it was found that the level of colloidal stability was enhanced with increasing nanoparticle fraction within the mixture. Rheological observation revealed that each hybrid complexes demonstrated behavior reminiscence to water with negligible increase in viscosity which serves as highly favorable condition particularly in thermal transport applications.
Antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass

Ong HM, Mohamad AS, Makhtar N', Khalid MH, Khalid S, Perimal EK, et al.

J Ethnopharmacol, 2011 Jan 7;133(1):227-33.
PMID: 20920570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.09.030

Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. is a medicinal herbaceous plant that is commonly used by the Malay community in Malaysia to relieve pain often associated with mouth ulcers, toothache, sore throat, and stomach ache.
Fulltext Prevalence and associated factors of burnout among family medicine residents in Al Madina, Saudi Arabia

Aldubai SAR, Aljohani AM, Alghamdi AG, Alghamdi KS, Ganasegeran K, Yenbaawi AM

J Family Med Prim Care, 2019 02;8(2):657-662.
PMID: 30984690 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_268_18

Background and Aim: Burnout is a common problem for interns and residents. It has been associated with physical and mental health of health care providers as well as low job satisfaction and medical errors. Few studies have investigated this problem among residents. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among family residents in Al Madina city, Saudi Arabia.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 residents in the family medicine residency programs in Al Madina, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was used that includes questions on sociodemographic characteristics and sources of stress and burnout. T test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and multiple linear regression analysis were employed.
Results: Majority were female (54.7%) and aged 26 to 30 years (84.0%). The significant predictors of burnout in the final model were "tests/examinations" (P = 0.014), "large amount of content to be learnt" (P = 0.016), "unfair assessment from superiors" (P = 0.001), "work demands affect personal/home life" (P = 0.001), and "lack of support from superiors" (P = 0.006).
Conclusion: Burnout is present among family medicine residents at a relatively high percentage. This situation is strongly triggered by work-related stressors, organizational attributes, and system-related attributes, but not socio-demographics of the respondents. Systemic changes to relieve the workload of family medicine residents are recommended to promote effective management of burnout.
Occurrence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase, AmpC, and carbapenemase-producing genes in gram-negative bacterial isolates from human immunodeficiency virus infected patients

Rameshkumar MR, Arunagirinathan N, Senthamilselvan B, Swathirajan CR, Solomon SS, Vignesh R, et al.

J Infect Public Health, 2021 Nov 10.
PMID: 34810142 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2021.11.008

BACKGROUND: Progressive decline of immune response in HIV patients makes them susceptible to frequent bacterial infections. High usage of antibiotics influences the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and worsens the clinical outcomes. In this study, the occurrence of drug-resistant genes in Gram-negative bacterial isolates from HIV patients in South India was analyzed.
METHODS: A total of 173 Gram-negative bacterial (GNB) isolates from HIV patients were screened for antibiotic susceptibility profile using the Kirby-Bauer diskdiffusion method. Positivity of drug-resistant genes was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction method.
RESULTS: In this study, 72.8% of bacterial isolates were obtained from urine specimens, and Escherichia coli (47.4%) was the predominantly isolated bacterium. Overall, 87.3% and 83.2% of GNB were resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefotaxime and ceftazidime, respectively, 56.6% were resistant to cephamycin (cefoxitin) and 43% to carbapenem (imipenem) antibiotics. Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) production was noted among 79.5% of GNB isolates, followed by AmpC (57.1%) and Metallo β-lactamases (37.3%). Molecular analysis revealed that ESBL genes such as blaTEM (94.1%), blaCTX-M (89.2%), and blaSHV (24.2%) were detected at higher levels among GNB isolates. Carbapenemase-producing genes such as blaOXA-48 (20%), blaOXA-23 (2.6%), and both blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-51 like genes (2.6%) and AmpC producing genes such as blaCIT (26.7%), blaDHA (3.6%), and blaACC (1.8%) were detected at low-level.
CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that ESBL producing genes are detected at high level among gram-negative bacterial isolates from HIV patients in South India.

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