The Directional Effects of Marker Frequencies on Across-Channel Temporal Gap-Detection Tasks: An Experimental Study.

INTRODUCTION: Gap detection tests are crucial clinical tools for identifying auditory processing disorders that result from abnormalities in the central auditory nervous system. These tests assess the ability to resolve temporal information in sounds, which aids in the diagnosis of auditory temporal processing issues. This study explores the directional effects of marker frequencies on gap detection tasks with respect to the conditions of long and short frequency disparity (separation). METHODS: We measured the gap detection thresholds (GDTs) using four across-channel narrowband noise conditions (1-2, 2-1, 1-4, and 4-1 kHz). A within-subject study design involved 29 healthy individuals with normal hearing. Stimuli were presented monaurally using headphones routed via a calibrated audiometer. RESULTS: The condition with long frequency disparity and a low leading frequency (1-4 kHz) exhibited higher GDTs compared to the other across-channel conditions. However, we did not observe this effect in the other condition with long frequency disparity and a high leading frequency (4-1 kHz), which did not show significant differences from the two conditions with short frequency disparity. CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that the combined effects of the spectral characteristics of the gap markers, including frequency disparity and order of presentation, influence the temporal resolution ability of auditory gap detection. Clinicians evaluating a patient suspected to have central auditory disorders should recognize that the across-channel GDTs may not consistently increase as the frequency separation between the markers increases.

The effects of a psycholinguistic training based on phonology and semantics on sentence production in an aphasic child with cerebral palsy.

In aphasia, damage to brain regions responsible for language processing disrupts access to words previously learned and consolidated in the mental lexicon, causing people with aphasia (PWA) to experience word finding difficulties that negatively impact their everyday communication. This study seeks to investigate the effects of a psycholinguistic training based on phonology and semantics on sentence production in a aphasic child with cerebral palsy. The study used a single-subject multiple- baseline research design across behaviors. A 13-year-old boy, named AE with expressive aphasia, admitted to Speech and Swallowing Disorders Clinic, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University was recruited to participate in this study. The aphasic child with cerebral palsy was found to be successful at the end of the training sessions, compared to the baseline. In other words, there was a positive difference between the data obtained in the first and last training sessions for each child.

Enhanced drug delivery and wound healing potential of berberine-loaded chitosan-alginate nanocomposite gel: characterization and in vivo assessment.

Berberine-encapsulated polyelectrolyte nanocomposite (BR-PolyET-NC) gel was developed as a long-acting improved wound healing therapy. BR-PolyET-NC was developed using an ionic gelation/complexation method and thereafter loaded into Carbopol gel. Formulation was optimized using Design-Expert® software implementing a three-level, three-factor Box Behnken design (BBD). The concentrations of polymers, namely, chitosan and alginate, and calcium chloride were investigated based on particle size and %EE. Moreover, formulation characterized in vitro for biopharmaceutical performances and their wound healing potency was evaluated in vivo in adult BALB/c mice. The particle distribution analysis showed a nanocomposite size of 71 ± 3.5 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.45, ζ-potential of +22 mV, BR entrapment of 91 ± 1.6%, and loading efficiency of 12.5 ± 0.91%. Percentage drug release was recorded as 89.50 ± 6.9% with pH 6.8, thereby simulating the wound microenvironment. The in vitro investigation of the nanocomposite gel revealed uniform consistency, well spreadability, and extrudability, which are ideal for topical wound use. The analytical estimation executed using FT-IR, DSC, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated successful formulation with no drug excipients and without the amorphous state. The colony count of microbes was greatly reduced in the BR-PolyET-NC treated group on the 15th day from up to 6 CFU compared to 20 CFU observed in the BR gel treated group. The numbers of monocytes and lymphocytes counts were significantly reduced following healing progression, which reached to a peak level and vanished on the 15th day. The observed experimental characterization and in vivo study indicated the effectiveness of the developed BR-PolyET-NC gel toward wound closure and healing process, and it was found that >99% of the wound closed by 15th day, stimulated via various anti-inflammatory and angiogenic factors.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of hospital pharmacists towards pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting in Najran, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction:  Pharmacovigilance (PV) is critical in determining the risk-benefit ratio of medicines and encouraging their safe, rational, and effective use, hence enhancing patient safety and care. Pharmacists, as drug experts, share responsibility for ensuring that medicines remain safe. Objective:  The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of hospital pharmacists towards PV and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting and to know factors that discourage them from reporting ADRs in Najran, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all the pharmacists working in government hospitals who consented to participate in the study. Data was collected over three months, from 01 June 2018 to 31 Aug 2018. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software for Windows, version 23. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages, mean ± standard deviation (SD) were calculated, and the Pearson's Chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between different variables. Results: A total of 145 questionnaires were distributed, and the response rate obtained was 70.3%. The definition of PV and ADR were correctly identified by 42% and 68.3% of participants, respectively. A noteworthy finding is that 95% of participants were aware of the existence of the ADR reporting system, and 88.9% knew the responsible regulatory agency. Participants showed a positive attitude towards PV and ADR reporting; 90.1% considered ADR reporting a part of professional obligation, and 94.1% believed that there should be collaboration between pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. A majority of participants (86.1%) had identified an ADR during their practice, and 71.3% had reported an ADR. The unavailability of a professional environment to discuss ADR and insufficient pharmacotherapy/clinical knowledge was cited as the main factors discouraging from reporting ADRs. Conclusions: Overall, the pharmacists had an average to good knowledge of and positive attitude towards PV and ADR reporting and a good ADR reporting practice. The concept of PV and ADR reporting should be further strengthened, and there is a vast potential for the same.

Enhanced antinociceptive activity of Nigella sativa oil after its combined treatment with honey in rats.

Antinociceptive activity of honey and Nigella sativa (N. sativa) oil are well known. Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive effect of N. sativa oil and its concurrent administration with honey in rats. The tested animals were randomized into 5 groups: Group (1) Normal saline (0.2ml, p.o.); Group (2) N. sativa oil (1gm/kg, p.o.); Group (3) honey (1gm/kg, p.o.); Group (4) N. sativa oil (1gm/kg, p.o.) + honey (1gm/kg, p.o.): Group (5) pethidine (20mg/kg, S.C.) as positive standard. The antinociceptive activity was tested using radiant heat and tail immersion tests. Antioxidant potential was determined by using in-vitro antioxidant assays. Our findings showed that N. sativa oil and honey have antinociceptive effect, the antinociceptive effect appeared after 30 and 60min of administration and declined after 120 and 180 min. Combined administration of N. sativa oil with Honey increased the antinociceptive effect by 20 to 30% in all models. In addition, the antinociceptive effect of the combination reduced the time for onset of action as well as prolonged its duration of action. In conclusion, combined treatment of N. sativa oil with honey increased its antinociceptive activity, showed faster onset of action and prolonged its duration, the fact that can be utilized in the management of painful conditions in humans.

Piclamilast mitigates 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colon cancer in rats through modulation of Ras/PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF-κß signaling.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading type of adult cancer in both genders with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Even though the discovery of many antineoplastic drugs for CRC, the current therapy is not adequately efficient.This study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Piclamilast (PIC), a selective PDE4 inhibitor, on a DMH-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) rat model. The rats were grouped (n = 10) into group 1 (control), group 2 (PIC 3 mg/kg, p.o.), groups 3-5 received DMH (20 mg/kg/week, S.C.), and groups 4 and 5 received PIC (1 and 3 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 15 weeks. The DMH treatment increased aberrant crypt foci (ACF), Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and TBARS levels, along with decreased antioxidant defenses (GSH, GSH-Px, and catalase). Increased NF-κß expression and inflammatory cytokines were also evident. PIC dose-dependently reduced ACF and restored oxidative stress and inflammatory markers favorably. Moreover, PIC in its large, tested dose only significantly increased the intracellular level of cAMP and suppressed the activation of Ras and PI3K and its downstream Akt/mTOR signaling. Furthermore, PIC promoted CRC apoptosis, and increased the gene expression of the apoptotic factors, caspase-3 and Bax, and decreased the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2. The results of this study show that PIC may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of CRC. PIC might inhibit the proliferation of CRC cells and induce apoptosis via multiple mechanisms that involve its antioxidant effect and inhibition of NF-κß and Ras/PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling.

Auditory temporal resolution in adaptive tasks. Gap detection investigation.

OBJECTIVES: To study auditory temporal resolution skills using adaptive auditory tasks designed with a computer-based experimental program, and to provide normative valuesfor gap detection thresholds (GDTs) of young listeners in 3 listening conditions. Methods:  The GDTs were established under 3 stimulus conditions: 1) broadband noise (BBN), 2) narrowband noise within-channel (NBN WC) using similar leading and trailing markers centered at 1.0 KHz, and 3) narrowband noise across-channel (NBN AC) with the leading marker centered at 2.0 KHz and the trailing marker centered at 1.0 KHz. In within-subjects design, the GDTs were obtained from 27 normal hearing young Saudi adults at Speech and Hearing Laboratories, Department of Rehabilitation Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between April 2017 and April 2018. Results: The mean GDTs for the BBN condition was 3.19 millisecsond (msec), NBN WC was 14.53 msec, and NBN AC was 29.71 msec. Our findings for the GDTs measured in the 3 conditions were consistent with those of earlier investigations that used different instrumentations. Also, no correlations among the GDTs of the 3 stimulus conditions were found. Conclusion: The present study showed that experimental program is a reliable tool with clinical potential to estimate GDTs across different conditions. Also, the findings of no correlations in the GDTs across stimulus conditions suggest that different processes were involved in the perception of the temporal gap for different stimulus conditions.