ABSTRACT
Background: Peripheral neuropathy is a serious complication of diabetes, which has socioeconomic consequences as well as a reduced quality of life. Early neuropathic process recognition and management could alter its course and considerably reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. This study determines the effect of long-term glycemic control on diabetic peripheral neuropathy in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: A hospital-based study was carried out at the National Centre of Neurosciences and Ibrahim Malik Hospital in Khartoum. All individuals who were older than 18 years and have had T2DM for less than 10 years were recruited. Using accepted techniques, the BMI, HbA1c level, and nerve conduction studies (NCS) were measured. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25.0 software. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 95 patients with T2DM, 52 were male patients. Our findings showed that as the duration of diabetes increased, the sensory velocity reduced from 64.07 ± 3.22 to 54.00 ± 5.34 and the motor nerve from 63.39 ± 2.38 to 53.87 ± 2.08 (P = 0.05, P = 0.003, respectively). Additionally, with increased duration of diabetes, a significant decrease was seen in both motor nerve amplitude from 8.79 ± 3.11 to 6.94 ± 1.84 (P = 0.05) and sensory nerve amplitude from 25.71 ± 5.70 to 19.51 ± 6.51 (P = 0.003). Also, all parameters of NCS (velocity and amplitude) decreased when Hb A1c was >6 sensory velocity from 63.96 ± 2.36 to 55.49 ± 2.43 (P = 0.03) and motor velocity from 63.00 ± 2.59 to 51.44 ± 1.66 (P = 0.02). And sensory amplitude decreased from 26.91 ± 1.26 to 20.85 ± 2.1 (P = 0.05), while motor amplitude decreased from 6.88 ± 3.55 to 6.61 ± 3.29 (P = 0.05). Additionally, there is a substantial (P = 0.05) correlation between sensory and motor amplitudes and the BMI. Conclusion: High BMI and poorly controlled (high HbA1c) long-term diabetes had a negative impact on all nerve conduction study parameters
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , FemaleABSTRACT
Abstract Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has many clinical applications in dentistry; the main drawback is the long setting. The main objective is to investigate and compare the chemical effect of using two commercially available hyaluronic acid hydrogels (HA) instead of distilled water for mixing MTA as an accelerant of setting time. Materials and method: Test materials were divided into three groups; Group 1: (control) mixing MTA with distilled water supplied by the manufacturer; Group 2: mixing MTA with a hybrid cooperative complex of high and low molecular weight HA (Profhilo®); Group 3: mixing MTA with High molecular weight / non-cross-linked HA (Jalupro®). Mixing time, and setting time (initial and final) were determined, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Field emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were performed. Results: mixing time, initial, and final setting time for (MTA + HA) groups were significantly different and lower in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). This study revealed higher expression of calcium silicate hydrate and calcium hydroxide expression with higher Ca release in the MTA + HA group than the control group. Conclusion: commercially available HA demonstrated better chemical properties when used as a mixing medium for MTA. The Mixing and setting time for MTA + HA group were significantly shorter than those of the control group were. Thus, commercially available HA can be used as a mixing medium for MTA.
Resumo O agregado de trióxido mineral (MTA) tem muitas aplicações clínicas em odontologia, mas a principal desvantagem é a longa presa. O objetivo principal é investigar e comparar o efeito químico do uso de dois hidrogéis de ácido hialurônico (HA) disponíveis comercialmente em vez de água destilada para misturar o MTA como um acelerador do tempo de presa. Materiais e método: Os materiais de teste foram divididos em três grupos: Grupo 1: (controle) misturando o MTA com água destilada fornecida pelo fabricante; Grupo 2: misturando o MTA com um complexo cooperativo híbrido de HA de alto e baixo peso molecular (Profhilo®); Grupo 3: misturando o MTA com HA de alto peso molecular/não reticulado (Jalupro®). Foram determinados o tempo de mistura e o tempo de presa (inicial e final), a espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, a espectroscopia de raios X com dispersão de energia, a microscopia eletrônica de varredura com emissão de campo e a difração de raios X. Resultados: o tempo de mistura, o tempo de presa inicial e final dos grupos (MTA + HA) foram significativamente diferentes e menores em comparação com o grupo de controle (p < 0,05). Esse estudo revelou maior expressão de silicato de cálcio hidratado e expressão de hidróxido de cálcio com maior liberação de Ca no grupo MTA + HA do que no grupo de controle. Conclusão: a HA disponível comercialmente demonstrou melhores propriedades químicas quando usada como meio de mistura para o MTA. O tempo de mistura e de presa do grupo MTA + HA foi significativamente menor do que o do grupo de controle. Portanto, a HA disponível comercialmente pode ser usada como meio de mistura para o MTA.
ABSTRACT
Proteus species are found in the human intestinal tract as part of normal flora. Proteus species are also found in multiple environmental habitats, including long-term care facilities and hospitals, and can cause both community and nosocomial infections. For a long time Proteus was known to be susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics but nowadays they become resistant. The aim of this study was to detect the Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) TEM and CTX-M genes in 90 Proteus species isolated from urine and wound swabs, obtained from different hospitals in Khartoum state, Sudan, from January to August 2018. Antimicrobial sensitivity was carried out using the following set of antibiotics: amoxiclav, ceftazidime, gentamicin, meropenem, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone and cotrimoxazole. ESBL producing strains were detected by double disc diffusion synergy test and the resistance genes TEM and CTX-M were detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Antibiotic resistance was found: amoxicillin 40 percent, ceftazidime 25.6 percent, ceftriaxone 23.3 percent, gentamicin 22.2 percent, cotrimoxazole 21.1 percent, and cefotaxime 18.9 percent. Most of the isolates were sensitive to meropenem 92.2 percent and ciprofloxacin 86.7 percent. In double-disk diffusion synergy test, 20 isolates (22.2 percent) were found to be positive for ESBL. The PCR demonstrated that TEM gene was present in 18 isolates (90 percent). It was present alone in 11 isolates (55 percent) and in combination with CTX-M gene in seven isolates (35 percent). The percentage of ESBL producing strains of Proteus was 23.5 percent. This percentage is a bit lower than in previous studies in Sudan. In conclusion; it seems that the CTX-M gene is emerging among Proteus species in SudanAU)
Las especies de Proteus se encuentran en el tracto intestinal humano y forman parte de su flora normal. También se localizan en el medio ambiente y otros hábitats, incluyendo hospitales y diversas instituciones de salud, provocando tanto infecciones en la comunidad como nosocomiales. Durante mucho tiempo, las especies de Proteus fueron susceptibles a los antibióticos betalactámicos, pero actualmente se han tornado resistentes. El propósito de este estudio fue detectar genes de resistencia betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) TEM y CTX-M, en 90 especies de Proteus aisladas en orina y heridas, provenientes de diversos hospitales del estado de Jartum, Sudán, entre enero y agosto de 2018. La sensibilidad antimicrobiana se determinó con el siguiente juego de antibióticos: amoxiclav, ceftazidima, gentamicina, meropenem, cefotaxima, ciprofloxacina, amoxicilina, ceftriaxona y cotrimoxasol. Las cepas productoras de BLEE se detectaron mediante la técnica de sinergia de doble disco, y los genes de resistencia TEM y CTX-M mediante Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR). Se encontró resistencia antibiótica: amoxicilina 40 por ciento, ceftazidima 25,6 por ciento, ceftriaxona 23,3 por ciento, gentamicina 22,2 por ciento, cotrimoxasol 21,1 por ciento y cefotaxima 18,9 por ciento. La mayor parte de los aislamientos fueron sensibles a meropenem (92,2 por ciento) y ciprofloxacina (86,7 por ciento). Con la técnica de sinergia de doble disco se detectó positividad a BLEE en 20 aislamientos (22,2 por ciento). Mediante PCR se demostró que el gen que codifica TEM estaba presente en 18 aislamientos (90 por ciento); de forma aislada en 11 aislamientos (55 por ciento) y combinado con el gen CTX-M en los otros siete (35 por ciento). El porcentaje de cepas de Proteus productoras de BLEE fue de 23,5 por ciento. Este valor es ligeramente inferior que los detectados en estudios previos en Sudán. En conclusión, hay evidencias de que el gen CTX-M está emergiendo entre las especies de Proteus en Sudán(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Drug Resistance, Microbial/drug effects , Cross Infection/drug therapy , Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests/methods , Proteus Infections/epidemiology , SudanABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq., Lamiaceae, is a medicinal plant from Southeast Asia. Pharmacological effects of O. aristatus are attributed to the presence of lipophilic flavones. This study aimed to carry out accelerated stability studies on O. aristatus ethanolic extract and its nano liposomes. The extracts were exposed to four different temperatures at 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C for 6 months. The samples were analyzed at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months by high performance liquid chromatography using rosmarinic acid, 3′-hydroxy-5,6,7,4′-tetramethoxyflavone, sinensetin and eupatorin as markers. Different chemical kinetic parameters of the markers were evaluated by Arrhenius equation to predict shelf life (t90) at different storage conditions and at room temperature. Moreover, the stability of O. aristatus ethanolic extract and O. aristatus nano liposomes were analyzes by chemical fingerprinting using FTIR spectroscopy, principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis. The degradation of markers in both O. aristatus ethanolic extract and O. aristatus nano liposomes followed the first order degradation reaction (dependening on their initial concentration). The loss of marker compounds in O. aristatus ethanolic extract, stored at 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C for six months were up to 25, 52, 72 and 89% for all compounds, respectively. However, in O. aristatus nano liposomes 16, 71, 85 and 100% of compounds were lost during 6 months of storage at 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C, respectively. Therefore, the markers in O. aristatus nano liposomes seems to be more stable at a temperature below 30 °C compared to O. aristatus ethanolic extract. However, markers present in O. aristatus ethanolic extract are more stable at a higher temperature (above 30 °C). principal component analysis or hierarchical clustering analysis analyses were applied to the FTIR results in order to demonstrate the discrimination between extracts based on the storage conditions. The results show that the functional group of the components in the extracts and their chemistry relationship is influenced by the temperature setup indicating the extracts are not stable during the storage conditions.
ABSTRACT
Abstract: aim: to assess the root canal filling quality performed by general dental practitioners in Yemen through radiographic evaluation. Materials and Methods: Four hundred fifty-five digital panoramic radiographs were selected from the archive of the Dental Health Center in Sana'a, Yemen. The final sample consisted of 221 patients, 685 teeth, and 977 root canals. The criteria for overall radiographic adequacy of root canal fillings were defined as the presence of adequate length, density and taper, and absence of iatrogenic errors (ledges, transportations and perforations). Chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance between different parameters. Results: This study considered only radiographic criteria for evaluation of the root canal fillings. The percentage of root canal fillings with adequate length, density and taper was 30.8 percent, 29.6 percent and 20.7 percent, respectively. Considering the incidence of iatrogenic errors, perforations were present in 12 root canals (1.2 percent), while the presence of transportations was observed in 20 root canals (2.0 percent). However, ledges were no detected in any root canals. Conclusion: The root canal filling quality performed by general dental practitioners in Yemen is poor.
Resumen: objetivo: evaluar a través de la evaluación radiográfica la calidad de los tratamientos de endodoncia realizados por odontólogos generales en Yemen. Materiales y Métodos: Cuatrocientos cincuenta y cinco radiografías panorámicas digitales fueron seleccionados desde el archivo del Centro de Salud Dental en Sana'a, Yemen. La muestra final fue de 221 pacientes, 685 dientes y 977 endodoncias. Los criterios de adecuación radiográfica general de los tratamientos de endodoncia se definieron como la presencia de longitud adecuada, la densidad y la forma cónica y la ausencia de errores iatrogénicos (proyecciones, transportaciones y perforaciones). Se utilizó la prueba de chi-cuadrado para determinar la significación estadística entre los diferentes parámetros. Resultados: En este estudio se consideró sólo criterios radiológicos para la evaluación de las obturaciones del conducto radicular. El porcentaje de obturaciones del conducto radicular con la longitud adecuada, la densidad y la forma cónica fue del 30,8 por ciento, 29,6 por ciento y 20,7 por ciento, respectivamente. Teniendo en cuenta la incidencia de errores iatrogénicos, las perforaciones estaban presentes en 12 tratamientos (1,2 por ciento), mientras que se observó la presencia de transportaciones en 20 tratamientos (2,0 por ciento). Sin embargo, las proyecciones no fueron detectadas en ningún tratamiento. Conclusión: La calidad de los tratamientos de endodoncia realizados por dentistas generales de Yemen es pobre.
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Humans , Dental Pulp Cavity/diagnostic imaging , Radiography, Dental , Root Canal Obturation , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Quality of Health Care , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , YemenABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the levels of zinc-α-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) among Omani AIDS patients receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Methods:A total of 80 Omani AIDS patients (45 males and 35 females), average age of 36 years, who were receiving cART at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, were tested for the levels of ZAG. In addition, 80 healthy blood donors (46 males and 34 females), average age of 26 years, attending the SQUH Blood Bank, were tested in parallel as a control group. Measurement of the ZAG levels was performed using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Results:The ZAG levels were found to be significantly higher among AIDS patients compared to the healthy individuals (P=0.033). A total of 56 (70%) of the AIDS patients were found to have higher levels of ZAG and 16 (20%) AIDS patients were found to have high ZAG levels, which are significantly (P>0.031) associated with weight loss. Conclusions:ZAG levels are high among Omani AIDS patients on cART and this necessitates the measurement of ZAG on routine basis, as it is associated with weight loss.
ABSTRACT
Objective:The antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of the Auklandia (Saussurea lappa) root plant was investigated to verify its medicinal use in the treatment of microbial infections. Methods:The antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract was tested against clinical isolates of some multidrug-resistant bacteria using the agar well diffusion method. Commercial antibiotics were used as positive reference standards to determine the sensitivity of the clinical isolates. Results:The extracts showed significant inhibitory activity against clinical isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactemase, Acinetobacter baumannii. The minimum inhibitory concentration values obtained using the agar dilution test ranged from 2.0 μg/μL-12.0 μg/μL. In the contrary the water extract showed no activity at all against the tested isolates. Furthermore, the results obtained by examining anti-resistant activity of the plant ethanolic extract showed that at higher concentration of the plant extract (12 μg) all tested bacteria isolates were inhibited with variable inhibition zones similar to those obtained when we applied lower extract concentration using the well diffusion assay. Conclusion:The results demonstrated that the crude ethanolic extract of the Auklandia (Saussurea lappa) root plant has a wide spectrum of activity suggesting that it may be useful in the treatment of infections caused by the above clinical isolates (human pathogens).
ABSTRACT
To identify factors influencing the perceived academic performance among second and third year health sciences students in Ajman. A cross sectional study was conducted in Gulf Medical University and Ajman University of Science and Technology during February and March, 2012. Incidental sampling was used in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 300 students aged 18 to 28 years. The study population comprised 39.3% males and 60.7% females. 54.7% of the students were in the 18 to 20 year age group. 98 respondents were Arabs. 173 respondents were second year health science students, who formed the majority. 38.2% of students who spent more time in academic-related activities were better performers than those who spent less time on these activities [7.9%]. Chi square test showed a p value< 0.00Ion association between time management skill and academic performance, which was found to be significant. Many academic and non- academic factors can influence academic performance by students. Of these factors, time management skill was statistically the most significant factor influencing perceived academic performance. The results suggest a guideline for student counselors and for students to improve or maintain the academic performance of the latter in educational institutions
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Education, Medical, Undergraduate/standards , Students, Medical , Achievement , Surveys and Questionnaires , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
Objectives: To identify factors influencing the perceived academic performance among second and third year health sciences students in Ajman
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Gulf Medical University and Ajman University of Science and Technology during February and March, 2012. Incidental sampling was used in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 300 students aged 18 to 28 years
Results: The study population comprised 39.3% males and 60.7% females. 54.7% of the students were in the 18 to 20 year age group. 98 respondents were Arabs. 173 respondents were second year health science students, who formed the majority. 38.2% of students who spent more time in academic-related activities were better performers than those who spent less time on these activities [7.9%]. Chi square test showed a p value< 0.000 on association between time management skill and academic performance, which was found to be significant
Conclusion: Many academic and non- academic factors can influence academic performance by students. Of these factors, time management skill was statistically the most significant factor influencing perceived academic performance
The results suggest a guideline for student counselors and for students to improve or maintain the academic performance of the latter in educational institutions