Curcumin and nano-curcumin applications in psychiatric disorders.

Psychiatric disorders cause long-lasting disabilities across different age groups. While various medications are available for mental disorders, some patients do not fully benefit from them or experience treatment resistance. The pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders involves multiple mechanisms, including an increase in the inflammatory response. Targeting inflammatory mechanisms has shown promise as a therapeutic approach for these disorders. Curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential neuroprotective effects, has been the subject of studies investigating its potential as a treatment option for psychiatric disorders. This review comprehensively examines the potential therapeutic role of curcumin and its nanoformulations in psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. There is lack of robust clinical trials across all the studied psychiatric disorders, particularly bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. More studies have focused on MDD. Studies on depression indicate that curcumin may be effective as an antidepressant agent, either alone or as an adjunct therapy. However, inconsistencies exist among study findings, highlighting the need for further research with improved blinding, optimized dosages, and treatment durations. Limited evidence supports the use of curcumin for bipolar disorder, making its therapeutic application challenging. Well-designed clinical trials are warranted to explore its potential therapeutic benefits. Exploring various formulations and delivery strategies, such as utilizing liposomes and nanoparticles, presents intriguing avenues for future research. More extensive clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy of curcumin as a standalone or adjunctive treatment for psychiatric disorders, focusing on optimal dosages, formulations, and treatment durations.

Size, shape, and elemental composition as predictors of microplastic surface erosion.

The degradation of surfaces and its possible dependence on shape, size, and elemental composition of plastic particles were subjected. The surfaces of 146 microplastics were classified from smooth to fully eroded (%) by SEM/EDS. Structural elements and various additives were found on microplastics depending on their shapes. The surface of plastic items > 100 µm in length showed a relatively more eroded area than smaller ones, regardless of their shapes. Depending on shape, the percentage of surface erosion of irregularly shaped fragments < 100 µm was significantly enhanced compared to microbeads of the same size. These results may provide insights into assessing potential risks posed by microplastics and improve our understanding of the role of these parameters concerning possible adverse health effects on the environment.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy with balloon dilatation versus sphincterotomy alone for common bile duct stones removal: a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) plus endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation (EPLBD) has been reported as a valid alternative to EST alone in removing common bile duct (CBD) stone. The aim of this study is to compare efficacy, and safety of these two groups of patients in removing CBD stone in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective single centre randomised single blinded comparative study conducted in HUSM. The primary endpoints for this study are the overall complete stone clearance rate and complication rate, while the secondary outcome for this study are duration of procedure and rate of usage of adjunct methods. Objective data analysis is conducted using independent sample t-test and chi-squared test. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for choledocholithiasis which is CBD stone. 34 patients were allocated to EST plus EPLBD arm (n=34), and 32 patients were in EST alone arm (n=32) using randomisation method. For intention to treat, patients from EST alone arm that unable to achieve complete stone clearance will be switched to EST plus EPLBD arm. The overall complete stone removal rate for both groups were comparable (EST plus EPLDB: 100% versus EST alone: 93.8%; p= 0.139). The two patients from EST alone group (6.2%) that unable to achieve complete stone clearance were converted to EST plus EPLBD group for intention to treat and able to achieve complete stone clearance by EST plus EPLBD. For procedural time, both arms are comparable as well (EST plus EPLDB: 15.8 minutes vs EST alone: 15.5 minutes; p= 0.860). Complications such as pancreatitis occurred in one patient in EST plus EPLBD arm (EST plus EPLDB: 2.9 % vs EST alone: 0 %; p= 0.328), and bleeding occurred in one patient in EST alone arm (EST plus EPLDB: 0 % vs EST alone: 3.1 %; p= 0.299) , but it is not statistically significant. No perforation or cholangitis complication occurred in both groups. No adjunct usage was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: In this study with limited sample size, both EST plus EPLBD and EST alone are effective and has comparable procedural time in removing CBD stone. Even though both methods are equally effective, EPLBD plus EST is an alternative solution if complete stone clearance is unable to achieve via EST alone.

Swimming exercise and clove oil can improve memory by molecular responses modification and reduce dark cells in rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by reduced acetylcholine receptor (AChR) density and an increase in nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors NLR family, pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1). We examined the effect of swimming and consumption of clove supplements on memory, dark cells, and α7nAChR and NLRP1 mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus of the rat model of AD. Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups: sham (sh), healthy-control (HC), Alzheimer (-control (AC), -training (AT), -training-supplement (ATS), and -supplement (AS)). Alzheimer was induced by injection of amyloid ß1-42 (Aß1-42). Swimming exercise protocol (30 min) and gavaging clove supplement (0.1 mg/kg) were administered daily for three weeks. The results indicated that in response to AD, α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) mRNA and protein rate (p = 0.001) and memory (p = 0.003) were significantly decreased. In contrast, NLRP1 mRNA and protein rate (p = 0.001) and dark cells (p = 0.001) were significantly increased. This is while exercise and clove supplementation improved Alzheimer-induced changes in α7nAChR, NLRP1, memory, and dark cells (p < 0/05). The present study indicated that exercising and consuming clove supplementation could improve memory by increasing α7nAChR and decreasing NLRP1 and dark cells.

Assessing Physiochemical Characteristics of Agricultural Waste and Ready Compost at Wadi Al-Far'a Watershed of Palestine.

The Wadi Al-Far'a Watershed (WFW) is one of the most important agricultural lands in Palestine where considerable amounts of organic wastes are generated. Yet, mismanagement of agricultural waste, including random disposal and/or burning, is a prevalent practice in the WFW. Such a practice might result in greenhouse gas emissions and leachate penetration into underlying soil and groundwater. To encourage compost production in the WFW as an efficient way for organic agricultural waste treatment and emission reduction, this study aims at evaluating the quality of both raw organic agricultural waste and ready compost, locally produced or imported. The evaluation considers the physiochemical characteristics as well as the heavy metal contents. The analysis of 17 samples of raw organic agricultural waste showed a good potential for compost production due to the high content of organic matter and other nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The analysis of 15 ready compost samples, however, showed that compost quality is relatively low due to the high electrical conductivity and low moisture content measurements as well as the high levels of sodium, chloride, and potassium. Furthermore, heavy metal contents of both raw organic agricultural waste and ready compost samples are less than the limits specified by the Palestinian and international standards. Therefore, local farmers can safely use raw organic agricultural waste generated in the WFW for compost production. Composting will not only enhance soil reclamation and crop production but also protect human health and the environment and promote sustainable economic development.

Evaluating strategies for sustainable recovery and recycling of plastic waste in the West Bank of Palestine: The perspectives of plastic companies.

The plastic waste (PW) makes up the second largest portion of the total solid waste generated in Palestine. Hence, it is important to consider proper PW management mainly through recovery and recycling and implement appropriate strategies. This study aims to identify and evaluate the social, legal, technological, environmental, and economic strategies that can positively motivate plastic manufacturing and/or recycling companies to recover and recycle PW. A structured questionnaire was developed to address 30 plastic companies in the West Bank. The results indicate that 80% of the companies supported the social strategies that implement community awareness programs. Almost 92% of the companies agreed with legal strategies which enforce legislations to support PW recovery and recycling practices. As for technological strategies, 76% of the companies endorsed the application of modern technologies for PW management. However, only 68% of the companies accepted the environmental strategies which promote life cycle assessment and environmental awareness programs and adopted the use of recycled plastic materials in manufacturing from the context of the economic and market strategies. Palestinians are invited to implement PW recovery and recycling practices to better utilize available resources, achieve sustainable management of solid waste, and promote environmental health.

Palatal Bone Wall Thickness in Anterior Maxillary Sites: CBCT Assessments in Dentate Patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the thickness of the palatal bone wall of maxillary anterior teeth in relation to age, sex, and tooth type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 CBCT images of patients ≥ 18 years of age were used. The thickness of the palatal bone at the maxillary canines and incisors was assessed perpendicular to the long axis of the teeth at three locations: 4 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ; MP1), halfway between the CEJ and the root apex (MP2), and at the root apex (MP3). RESULTS: At the MP1 site, 96% of the maxillary anterior teeth had a palatal bone thickness of < 1 mm, with a mean thickness of 0.5 mm. At the MP2 and MP3 sites, 86% and 100% of the teeth had ≥ 1 mm bone thickness, and the means were 2 and 5 mm, respectively. There were no significant differences among the age or gender groups. Maxillary canines showed significantly greater bone thickness than maxillary incisors, particularly at MP2 and MP3 sites. CONCLUSION: Most of the examined teeth had thin palatal bone at the MP1 measurement site, and maxillary canines showed significantly thicker palatal bone than maxillary incisors. This finding should be considered when treatment planning for immediate implants in the maxillary anterior segment.

Effects of an specific methodology (I Pass the Baton) on quality of handoff information among Nurses: A comparative study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of applying I Pass the Baton (IPB) on the quality of handoff among nurses. METHOD: The present study was a quasi-experimental study. All nurses of the internal wards of Sanandaj educational hospitals, Kurdistan Province, Iran were selected by census method and randomly assigned to intervention (n=34) and control (n=31) groups. Handoff quality was measured by self-report and observation methods. The intervention included a face-to-face training session, training on how to use the IPB, inserting the IPB chart into the patient file, training leaflet, and installing a poster in the ward. The Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) was used according to routine practice in the control group. Descriptive and inferential tests were applied to analyze the data using SPSS-16. RESULTS: The mean score of handoff quality was 82.61±12.77 and 107.11±7.97 before and after the intervention in the intervention group (p<0.05) and 89.00±0.34 and 85.64±19.19 before and after the intervention in the control group, respectively (p=0.91). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups after the intervention (p<0.05). Implementation of the training program and the IPB tool improved the handoff quality in terms of interaction and support, patient involvement, information quality, and efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The IPB has various indicators of patient participation and includes the criteria needed for patient evaluation. Therefore, it can be used to handoff a wide range of patients in the internal ward.

The effects of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease on 28-day mortality of COVID-19.

We compared the prognosis of inpatients with a known diagnosis of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease who have COVID-19 infection with other hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Our cohort study started in October 2020 and ended in May 2021 and included inpatients with COVID-19 infection who were admitted to hospitals. From a total of 67,871 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, a sample of 3732 individuals were selected of which 363 had Alzheimer's, and 259 had Parkinson's disease. All patients had both positive RT-PCR test and positive chest CT for COVID-19. The outcome was dead within 28 days of admission and the predictors were a large number of demographic and clinical features, and comorbidities recorded at patients' bedside. Mortality were 37.5%, 35.1%, and 29.5% in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease; and in other patients, respectively. The hazard ratio for Alzheimer's disease was 1.27 (95% CI, 1.06-1.53, p=0.010) and for Parkinson's disease was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.94-1.46, p=0.171). Age was a predictor of mortality, hazard ratio=1.04 (95% CI, 1.03-1.05, p<0.001). Patients with Alzheimer's disease and COVID-19 infection were older and more likely to have a loss of consciousness on admission (both p≤0.001). We concluded that inpatients with Alzheimer's disease have an increased risk for 28-day mortality from COVID-19 and healthcare settings should be ready to provide critical care for them such as early intubation and immediate O2 therapy. However, Parkinson's disease does not significantly predict higher mortality of COVID-19.

Gamma irradiation-mediated inactivation of enveloped viruses with conservation of genome integrity: Potential application for SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine development.

Radiation inactivation of enveloped viruses occurs as the result of damages at the molecular level of their genome. The rapidly emerging and ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia pandemic prompted by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now a global health crisis and an economic devastation. The readiness of an active and safe vaccine against the COVID-19 has become a race against time in this unqualified global panic caused by this pandemic. In this review, which we hope will be helpful in the current situation of COVID-19, we analyze the potential use of γ-irradiation to inactivate this virus by damaging at the molecular level its genetic material. This inactivation is a vital step towards the design and development of an urgently needed, effective vaccine against this disease.

Level of awareness regarding stroke among Riyadh population.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is known to be the second leading cause of death and persistent disability worldwide, with 5.5 million deaths each year. Public knowledge regarding risk factors, signs and symptoms and the prevention of stroke is an important factor in reducing the incidence of stroke. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the level of awareness regarding stroke in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This study recruited 150 participants from primary health care (PHC) centres, based on the methodology of a similar cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh. The study group included adult male and female PHC visitors and excluded visitors with mental illness and medical personnel. Systematic random sampling was used to select participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS. Microsoft Excel was used to generate tables and charts. Consent was obtained before data collection, with emphasis on each participant's right to withdraw from the study at any time. RESULT: A total of 150 respondents were included in this study. We found that the majority of the participants had a high level of awareness regarding the risk factors of stroke (n = 115, 76.66%). More than half of the participants (n = 95, 63.3%) had a moderate level of awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke. The study also revealed that there was no statistically significant relationship between education level and level of awareness regarding risk factors of stroke (p = 0.334). CONCLUSION: This study found that the majority of participants had a high level of awareness regarding stroke. Regarding the education level of the participants, we found that the majority of participants with primary school-level education had a high level of awareness regarding stroke risk factors. Furthermore, we found that the level of awareness about prevention of stroke was moderate among participants. Thus, further studies should explore how to improve levels of awareness regarding the prevention of stroke.

[Hepatitis B Virus (Hepadnaviridae: Orthohepadnavirus: Hepatitis B virus) among Hospitalized Mentally Disabled Patients is not transmitted by their nurses or family members].

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been reported to be higher in the institutionalized mentally disabled patients than that of the general population previously reported in Iran. This study aims to investigate HBV infection among nurses and families of the hospitalized mentally disabled patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 110 nurses and family members of the mentally disabled patients who were hospitalized in five residential care centers of Tehran. The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) was examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Afterwards, HBV DNA was extracted, and then propagated via a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and specific primers. Finally, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining method to compare virus genomes in the nurses' serum with other isolated HBVs worldwide. RESULTS: Out of 102 studied nurses, three (3%) were positive for HBsAg (100% female). Also, no patient was positive for the HBV genome, while eight (7.3%) nurses were positive for HBcAb including two (25%) males and six (75%) females. Genome sequencing of one DNA positive sample showed that the isolated virus from this patient contained sub genotype D1 and subtype ayw2. The results of none of the family members were positive for HBsAg, HBcAb, or HBV DNA. CONCLUSION: This study showed a higher prevalence of HBsAg among nurses (3%) compared to the Iranian general population (1.7-2.1%). The virus isolated from the nurses belonged to subgenotype D1 and subtype ayw2 in accordance with previous Iranian reports. Also, there was no drug-resistant or vaccine-escape mutations in the obtained viral genome. Moreover, low immune pressure on the virus in the asymptomatic chronic HBV patients might be responsible for low nucleotide divergence among the derived HBV genome.

DDAB cationic lipid-mPEG, PCL copolymer hybrid nano-carrier synthesis and application for delivery of siRNA targeting IGF-1R into breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To use siRNA molecule as a therapeutic agent in gene silencing, an efficient delivery system is necessary. Stability and clearance by reticuloendothelial of siRNA still remains the major challenges for clinical application. Herein, we could develop new lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNP) as a siRNA carrier to silence insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-1R) gene overexpression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. METHODS: Dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-caprolactone) (DDAB-mPEG-PCL) LPHNPs were synthesized using a single step nanoprecipitation method and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) microscope. Cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles was assessed in the MCF7 cell line using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Desired LPHNP-siRNA complex was determined using different Nitrogen:Phosphate ratio (N/P) ratios and gel retardation. To determine the encapsulation efficiency of siRNA (%) in LPHNP, its absorbance was measured. The effect of the siRNA-LPHNP complex on IGF-1R silencing was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) RESULTS: LPHNP was synthesized using a single-step sonication method with a size below 100 nM. The viability of cells treated with hybrid nanoparticles was significantly greater than the corresponding cationic lipid (P < 0.01). As demonstrated by gel retardation assay, efficient siRNA binding to LPHNP occurred at N/P equal to 40 and siRNA encapsulation efficiency was found to be 95% ± 4 at this ratio. LPHNP-IGF-1R siRNA complex could be able to down-regulate the target more efficiently when it compared with the corresponded controls (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results suggest that DDAB cationic lipid and mPEG-PCL copolymer hybrid nanoparticle may be a good candidate for efficient siRNA delivery.

Removal of point-of-sale tobacco displays in Bogor city, Indonesia: A spatial analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Indonesia contributes over 61 million smokers to global tobacco users, and the smoking prevalence is increasing among young people. In October 2017, Bogor city started the ban on tobacco displays at point-of-sale (POS), starting with modern cigarette retailers. This study aims to assess compliance with the ban and the visibility of POS with tobacco displays around educational facilities. METHODS: We included 266 modern retailers surveyed throughout the city during November and December 2017. Compliance indicators included no tobacco product displays, advertisements, promotions, and sponsorship. We conducted spatial and quantitative analyses in ArcMap 10.6 and Stata 15.1, respectively. RESULTS: Immediately following the ban, the compliance with all four criteria was high (83%). However, POS in areas with higher population density and poverty rates had significantly lower compliance. We also found that the ban reduced the visibility of tobacco displays around schools and universities. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with the ban was high, which helped to reduce the visibility of tobacco displays around educational facilities.

Study determinants of increased Z-Score of Body Mass Index in preschool-age children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between socioeconomic level, gender, stunting and other characteristics with the presence of overweight/obesity in the preschool children. RESULT: BMI/Age Z score > + 2 SD was found in 19.5% of the children. It was more common among the children from areas with high socio-economic level (OR: 2.43; 95% CI 1.54, 3.84, and p < .000). Obesity was higher among the males (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.09, 2.8, and p < .02) compared to females. The increased duration of breast feeding, was significantly associated with increased BMI/Age Z-score (b = .027, p < .004). Decreased age of the child was significantly associated with increased BMI/Age Z-score (b = - .013, p < .004). The children with stunted growth were 6.7 times fold likely to have BMI/Age Z Score > + 2 SD compared to the normal children (OR 6.73; 95% CI 3.79, 10.80, and p < .000), after allowing for other factors. No significant association was found between allergic disorders and BMI/Age Z score > + 2 SD. Thus male gender, high socioeconomic condition, increased duration of breast feeding and stunting were significantly associated with overweight/obesity in preschool children.

Dietary supplementation of Eucalyptus leaves enhances eggshell quality and immune response in two varieties of Japanese quails under tropical condition.

The effect of dietary supplementation of Eucalyptus leaves (EL) powder on productive performance and immune response in 2 varieties of Japanese quail was investigated. A total of 180 twelve-week-old laying Japanese quails from 2 color varieties (gray and white) were randomly assigned and distributed according to a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (dietary treatment × variety) forming 6 subgroups (30 each). EL were mixed with the diet in 3 levels (0, 0.1, and 0.2%). Each hen was individually housed in a wire cage of laying batteries and kept in an open house under hot environmental temperature. Productive traits were determined for an experimental period of 6 wk. Egg quality, carcass traits, blood parameters, and immune response were also determined. The results indicated that the productive traits were not significantly affected by EL supplementation. Shell quality and broken eggs significantly improved in quails fed a diet containing EL compared with those in the control. The quails fed a diet supplemented with 0.1% EL exhibited significantly higher cellular mediated and humoral immune responses than those in the other treatment groups. Glutathione peroxidase activity tended to be significantly increased by the dietary administration of EL at the level of 0.2%. Concerning quail varieties, it could be noticed that the gray quails exhibited higher productive performance, shell quality, and cellular immunity than the white counterparts. It could be concluded that supplementing a diet with 0.1 EL as a natural feed additive greatly enhances eggshell quality and immunocompetence and reduces number of broken eggs of Japanese quails raised under high environmental temperature.

Patient-dependent factors for fractures union failure among Riyadh population 2016.

BACKGROUND: The primary care has an important role to prevent fractures and make sure of complete healing without any complications like a Malunion which arises when a fracture has healed in a non-anatomical position, and a delayed union which defined as a healing time of more than 12 weeks and a non-union which occurs when absence of fracture healing progression on series of radiographs or with no evidence of healing over 10 weeks. OBJECTIVES: To identify the proportion of fracture healing failure types and identify Patient-dependent Factors. METHODOLOGY: cross sectional study consecutive sampling till completing sample size (90) patients. Data collection tool was Pretested Pre-Coded self-administered questionnaire it was subjected to a probe to test for validity and reliability. Data analyzed Using SPSS P value of less than 0.05 considered as significant results. Chi-square test was the test of significance. RESULTS: From 90 adult male participants, 71% were 35 years of age and above and below 55 years. Our result indicated that the commonest risk factor was smoking in 62.2% of respondents, and 27.8% have Diabetes mellitus. 50% of fractures failure was diagnosed as delayed union while non-union accounts for 40% and malunion for 10%. We've noticed that smokers mostly had delayed union, while diabetic patients had mostly non-union. CONCLUSION: the study found that the most associating Patient-dependent Factors were cigarettes smoking and Diabetes mellitus, also most fractures failure were diagnosed as delayed union, non-union, and malunion respectively and we can help prevent these complications by controlling DM and stop cigarettes smoking.

Preparing Preservice Teachers for Technology and Digital Media Integration: Implications for Early Childhood Teacher Education Programs.

Technology and digital media are now embedded in children's daily lives and can have significant impact on children's early development and learning. Preparing early childhood teachers to integrate a variety of technologies into classroom practices can be challenging. This study explores perceptions of preservice teachers about technology integration into their educational programs and assesses their satisfaction with such preparation. A total of 192 preservice teachers participated in this study. Data were collected through questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Results indicated that preservice teachers held positive perceptions of the importance of technology and digital media integration in early childhood classrooms. However, their satisfaction with their preparation for technology integration into classrooms was less positive. Knowledge needs indicated by the preservice included learning more about technology integration in practice, and how to engage children in activities using technology and digital media. Based on the overall findings, it seems that teacher education programs need to develop stronger curricula that address these concerns so that future teachers are more confident and able to support children's learning through integration of technologies into their teaching practice.

La technologie et les médias numériques sont désormais intégrés dans la vie quotidienne des enfants et peuvent avoir un impact significatif sur le développement et l'apprentissage des jeunes enfants. Préparer les enseignants de la petite enfance à intégrer diverses technologies aux pratiques de la classe peut constituer un défi. Cette étude explore les perceptions des enseignants en formation initiale sur l'intégration des technologies dans leurs programmes éducatifs et évalue leur satisfaction par rapport à une telle préparation. Un total de 192 enseignants en formation initiale a participé à cette étude. Des questionnaires et des entretiens approfondis ont servi à recueillir les données. Les résultats indiquent que les enseignants en formation initiale perçoivent de façon positive l'importance de l'intégration des technologies et des médias numériques dans les classes de la petite enfance. Leur satisfaction est toutefois moins positive pour ce qui est de leur préparation à cette intégration de la technologie dans les classes. Les enseignants en formation initiale expriment le besoin de plus de connaissances relatives à la façon d'intégrer la technologie dans la pratique et d'engager les enfants dans des activités utilisant la technologie et les médias numériques. D'après les résultats généraux, il semble que les programmes de formation des enseignants devraient élaborer des curriculums plus solides pour répondre à ces préoccupations afin que les futurs enseignants se sentent plus en confiance et à même d'accompagner l'apprentissage des enfants par l'intégration de technologies dans leur pratique d'enseignement.

La tecnología y los medios digitales están ahora integrados en la vida diaria de los niños y pueden tener un impacto significativo en el desarrollo y el aprendizaje temprano de los niños. Preparar a los maestros de la primera infancia para que integren una variedad de tecnologías en las prácticas del aula puede ser un desafío. Este estudio explora las percepciones de los futuros profesores sobre la integración de la tecnología en sus programas educativos y evalúa su satisfacción con dicha preparación. Un total de 192 profesores en formación participaron en este estudio. Los datos se recopilaron mediante cuestionarios y entrevistas en profundidad. Los resultados indicaron que los maestros en formación tenían una percepción positiva de la importancia de la tecnología y la integración de los medios digitales en las aulas de la primera infancia. Sin embargo, su satisfacción con su preparación para la integración de la tecnología en las aulas fue menos positiva. Las necesidades de conocimiento indicadas por los futuros maestros incluyeron aprender más sobre la integración de la tecnología en la práctica y cómo involucrar a los niños en actividades utilizando tecnología y medios digitales. Sobre la base de los hallazgos generales, parece que los programas de formación docente deben desarrollar planes de estudio más sólidos que aborden estas preocupaciones para que los futuros maestros tengan más confianza y puedan apoyar el aprendizaje de los niños mediante la integración de tecnologías en su práctica docente.

Physical and mechanical properties of eggshell as affected by chicken breed and flock age.

1. A study was conducted to evaluate the relationship among physical and mechanical properties of the eggshell, as affected by breed and hen's age. 2. Data on eggshell quality (external characteristics and derived measurements) were obtained from 322 laying hens, from three breeds (Fayoumi, Dandarawi and Hy-Line Brown) during the laying cycle, starting from 38 wks of age for four experimental periods (38, 46, 54 and 62 wks). 3. Eggs obtained from the Fayoumi breed exhibited the highest shell thickness and breaking force. There was a linear improvement in eggshell quality attributes associated with hen's age up to 54 wks, thereafter a deterioration was found for all breeds. 4. Generally, eggs laid by native breeds (Fayoumi and Dandarawi) had better mechanical properties compared to those produced by the commercial strain (Hy-Line Brown). In addition, the interaction between breed and hen's age was not significant for any physical property or mechanical attribute. There was a highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) positive correlation between the breaking force and either eggshell toughness or shell thickness, and regression analyses suggested that eggshell toughness was the best predictor for breaking force, followed by shell thickness.

Bibliometric analysis of global publications in medication adherence (1900-2017).

OBJECTIVES: Medication non-adherence is a worldwide problem. The aim of this study was to assess the global research output, research trends and topics that shaped medication adherence research. METHODS: A bibliometric methodology was applied. Keywords related to 'medication adherence' were searched in Scopus database for all times up to 31 December 2017. Retrieved data were analyzsd, and bibliometric indicators and maps were presented. KEY FINDINGS: In total, 16 133 documents were retrieved. Most frequently encountered author keywords, other than adherence/compliance, were HIV, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, schizophrenia, depression, osteoporosis, asthma and quality of life. The number of documents published from 2008 to 2017 represented 62.0% (n = 10 005) of the total retrieved documents. The h-index of the retrieved documents was 223. The USA ranked first (43.1%; n = 6959), followed by the UK (8.6%; n = 1384) and Canada (4.5%; n = 796). The USA dominated the lists of active authors and institutions. Top active journals in publishing research on medication adherence were mainly in the field of AIDS. Top-cited articles in the field focused on adherence to anti-HIV medications, the impact of depression on medication adherence and barriers to adherence. CONCLUSION: Adherence among HIV patients dominated the field of medication adherence. Research on medication adherence needs to be strengthened in all countries and in different types of chronic diseases. Research collaboration should also be encouraged to increase research activity on medication adherence in developing countries.