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1.
Arch Microbiol ; 206(2): 82, 2024 Jan 31.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38294545

RESUMO

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms, mostly lactic acid bacteria (LAB), that offer health benefits to the host when consumed in adequate amounts. This study assessed the probiotic efficacy and safety of LAB strains isolated from Laban, a traditional fermented milk product. Seven primarily selected Gram-positive, catalase-negative, non-spore-forming isolates were examined for their antimicrobial activity against the bacterial pathogens Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio cholera, and the fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Two isolates, identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus L1 and Streptococcus thermophilus L3, which showed antimicrobial activity against all pathogens, were further evaluated for their probiotic competence. The selected isolates demonstrated strong resistance to low pH, bile salts, and phenol, indicating their potential for gastric endurance. They also exhibited high cell surface hydrophobicity to various hydrocarbons, autoaggregation, and coaggregation properties, demonstrating strong adhesion abilities. In addition, both isolates showed strong antioxidant activity and were non-hemolytic. Although the isolates had some resistance to certain antibiotics, they were generally susceptible to commonly used antibiotics. The two LAB strains also exhibited promising technological properties, such as milk coagulation and exopolysaccharide production, indicating their potential to enhance the quality of dairy products. The results suggest that the LAB strains isolated from Laban have strong potential as probiotics, and due to their food origin, they are highly likely to exhibit maximal efficacy in food and pharmaceutical products for human consumption.


Assuntos
Produtos Fermentados do Leite , Probióticos , Humanos , Pediococcus pentosaceus , Streptococcus thermophilus , Antibacterianos/farmacologia
2.
Public Health ; 223: 33-41, 2023 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37597462

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: Rapid diagnostic and assessment pathways for cancer patients provide timely and effective care. This study took place in Morocco, where the majority of patients treated in the public sector are diagnosed at an advanced stage. The aim of this study was to determine the duration of different time intervals along the cancer patient pathway and to highlight problem areas so that strategies can be implemented to make the process more equitable and effective. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Recently diagnosed cancer patients were recruited from four major oncology centres in Morocco; namely, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, and Fez. A questionnaire survey was administered, including sociodemographic and medical information and questions on access to the oncology centre, beliefs, and opinions on the medical staff. The dates of symptom recognition, assessment, diagnosis referral, biopsy, and treatment initiation were collected. Different time intervals (patient, diagnosis, biopsy, and treatment) were estimated and their determinants were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 812 patients were interviewed. The majority of participants were breast cancer patients. In total, 60% of participants were at stage III-IV. The main facilitators of cancer diagnosis confirmation and treatment initiation were easy access to diagnosis and treatment facilities, financial resources, personal history of cancer, time availability, late stage at diagnosis, advanced age, and private health insurance. The patient interval (i.e., time from symptom recognition to initial healthcare assessment) had a median duration of 30 days. The biopsy and treatment intervals were within the current international recommendations (7 and 28 days, respectively). However, the diagnosis interval (52 days) was twice as long as the recommended timeframes from the UK, Australia, and the World Health Organization (<28 days). CONCLUSIONS: Interval targets should be defined to encourage health systems to be more equitable and effective and to ensure that cancer patients are treated within a defined timeframe.


Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , Humanos , Feminino , Marrocos , Estudos Transversais , Neoplasias da Mama/diagnóstico , Encaminhamento e Consulta , Inquéritos e Questionários
3.
Int J Cancer ; 150(12): 1948-1957, 2022 06 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35085400

RESUMO

In 2020, over 34 000 cases of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) were estimated globally, all attributable to KS herpesvirus (KSHV). Prior to the HIV epidemic, KS already existed in KSHV endemic regions, notably in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The HIV epidemic has vastly increased the KS burden. We developed a methodology to provide global estimates of KS burden according to HIV status. A systematic review identified studies reporting HIV prevalence in consecutive KS series. Pooled estimates of HIV prevalence, by country or UN subregion, were used to calculate population-attributable fraction (PAF) and these were applied to IARC's GLOBOCAN 2020 to estimate burden and incidence of HIV-attributable and non-HIV-attributable KS. We identified 55 eligible studies, reporting HIV prevalence ranging from ≤5% to ≥95%. Approximately 80% of KS in SSA was estimated attributable to HIV, vs ~50% in the rest of the world. By applying PAFs to national GLOBOCAN estimates, an estimated 19 560 KS cases attributable to HIV were diagnosed in SSA in 2020 (~80% of the worldwide burden), vs 5064 cases of non-HIV-attributable KS (~60% of the worldwide burden). Incidence of HIV-attributable KS was highest in Southern Africa (6.0 cases per 100 000) and Eastern Africa (3.4), which were also the world regions with highest incidence of non-HIV-attributable KS (0.4 and 1.0 cases per 100 000, respectively). This first systematic effort to produce a global picture of KS burden stratified by HIV status highlights the continuing important burden of HIV-attributable KS in SSA, even in the era of combined antiretroviral therapy.


Assuntos
Infecções por HIV , Herpesvirus Humano 8 , Sarcoma de Kaposi , Infecções Oportunistas Relacionadas com a AIDS , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Humanos , Incidência
4.
Int J Cancer ; 150(5): 761-772, 2022 03 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34626498

RESUMO

HIV substantially worsens human papillomavirus (HPV) carcinogenicity and contributes to an important population excess of cervical cancer, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We estimated HIV- and age-stratified cervical cancer burden at a country, regional and global level in 2020. Proportions of cervical cancer (a) diagnosed in women living with HIV (WLHIV), and (b) attributable to HIV, were calculated using age-specific estimates of HIV prevalence (UNAIDS) and relative risk. These proportions were validated against empirical data and applied to age-specific cervical cancer incidence (GLOBOCAN 2020). HIV was most important in SSA, where 24.9% of cervical cancers were diagnosed in WLHIV, and 20.4% were attributable to HIV (vs 1.3% and 1.1%, respectively, in the rest of the world). In all world regions, contribution of HIV to cervical cancer was far higher in younger women (as seen also in empirical series). For example, in Southern Africa, where more than half of cervical cancers were diagnosed in WLHIV, the HIV-attributable fraction decreased from 86% in women ≤34 years to only 12% in women ≥55 years. The absolute burden of HIV-attributable cervical cancer (approximately 28 000 cases globally) also shifted toward younger women: in Southern Africa, 63% of 5341 HIV-attributable cervical cancer occurred in women <45 years old, compared to only 17% of 6901 non-HIV-attributable cervical cancer. Improved quantification of cervical cancer burden by age and HIV status can inform cervical cancer prevention efforts in SSA, including prediction of the impact of WLHIV-targeted vs general population approaches to cervical screening, and impact of HIV prevention.


Assuntos
Infecções por HIV/complicações , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/etiologia , Adulto , África Subsaariana/epidemiologia , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Efeitos Psicossociais da Doença , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/epidemiologia
5.
Environ Res ; 180: 108852, 2020 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31708173

RESUMO

Vehicular traffic noise is the main source of noise pollution in major cities around the globe. A reliable and accurate method for the estimation of vehicular traffic noise is therefore essential for creating a healthy noise-free environment. In this study, 2 linear (simple average and weighted average) and 2-nonlinear (neural network and neuro-fuzzy) ensemble models were developed by combining the outputs of three Artificial Intelligence (AI) based non-linear models; Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN), Support Vector Regression (SVR) and one Multilinear regression (MLR) model to enhance the performance of the single black box models in predicting vehicular traffic noise of Nicosia city, North Cyprus. In this way, first a nonlinear sensitivity analysis was applied to select the most relevant and dominant input parameters of the traffic data obtained from 12 observation points in the study area. The most dominant parameters in order of their importance were determined to be number of cars, number of van/pickups, number of trucks, average speed and number of buses. Classifying the number of vehicles into five categories before feeding the traffic data into the AI models was observed to improve performance of the single models up to 29% in the verification phase. Out of the four ensembles models developed, the nonlinear ANFIS ensemble was found to be the most robust by improving the performance of ANFIS, FFNN, SVR and MLR models in the verification stage by 11%, 19%, 21% and 31%, respectively.


Assuntos
Inteligência Artificial , Ruído dos Transportes , Cidades , Chipre , Previsões , Lógica Fuzzy , Modelos Lineares
6.
J Pak Med Assoc ; 68(3): 437-443, 2018 Mar.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29540881

RESUMO

Numerous substances may have an adverse influence on the oral region by virtue of their potentially harmful effects. Dental practitioners are often the first to see these effects in the head and neck region. Knowledge of the damaging consequences of agents such as alcohol, tobacco, areca nut, medications, alcohol-containing mouthwashes, dental devices and materials can assist the practitioners in clinical decision-making and accurate diagnosis of associated lesions. More importantly, timely diagnosis and prompt reporting of such harmful effects improve the quality of care. Such knowledge may also help in patient's education for the avoidance of associated adverse effects (AEs). Consequently, a thorough acquaintance of AEs will consolidate the distinct role of medical and oral health practitioners in safeguarding the patients' oral and systemic well-being. This article was planned to review the harmful consequences of specific substances on the oral health. Traditionally, the emphasis of review articles has been on reviewing the harmful effects of a single entity on oral health. This review is unique in the sense that it comprehensively and collectively focussed on the harmful effects on the oral health of addictive and illicit substances (alcohol, betel nut), medications, alcohol-containing mouthwashes, medications and dental materials.


Assuntos
Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/efeitos adversos , Areca/efeitos adversos , Materiais Dentários/efeitos adversos , Efeitos Colaterais e Reações Adversas Relacionados a Medicamentos/etiologia , Doenças da Boca/etiologia , Antissépticos Bucais/efeitos adversos , Uso de Tabaco/efeitos adversos , Candidíase Bucal/etiologia , Fibrose/etiologia , Crescimento Excessivo da Gengiva/etiologia , Humanos , Ceratose/etiologia , Leucoplasia Oral/etiologia , Mucosa Bucal , Úlceras Orais/etiologia , Distúrbios do Paladar/etiologia
7.
Am J Hum Genet ; 94(1): 73-9, 2014 Jan 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24360803

RESUMO

Ciliopathies are characterized by a pattern of multisystem involvement that is consistent with the developmental role of the primary cilium. Within this biological module, mutations in genes that encode components of the cilium and its anchoring structure, the basal body, are the major contributors to both disease causality and modification. However, despite rapid advances in this field, the majority of the genes that drive ciliopathies and the mechanisms that govern the pronounced phenotypic variability of this group of disorders remain poorly understood. Here, we show that mutations in CSPP1, which encodes a core centrosomal protein, are disease causing on the basis of the independent identification of two homozygous truncating mutations in three consanguineous families (one Arab and two Hutterite) affected by variable ciliopathy phenotypes ranging from Joubert syndrome to the more severe Meckel-Gruber syndrome with perinatal lethality and occipital encephalocele. Consistent with the recently described role of CSPP1 in ciliogenesis, we show that mutant fibroblasts from one affected individual have severely impaired ciliogenesis with concomitant defects in sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling. Our results expand the list of centrosomal proteins implicated in human ciliopathies.


Assuntos
Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/genética , Centrossomo/metabolismo , Cílios/patologia , Proteínas Associadas aos Microtúbulos/genética , Mutação , Fenótipo , Anormalidades Múltiplas , Doenças Cerebelares/genética , Cerebelo/anormalidades , Criança , Cílios/genética , Transtornos da Motilidade Ciliar/genética , Consanguinidade , Encefalocele/genética , Anormalidades do Olho/genética , Feminino , Homozigoto , Humanos , Lactente , Doenças Renais Císticas/genética , Masculino , Linhagem , Doenças Renais Policísticas/genética , Retina/anormalidades , Retinose Pigmentar , Transdução de Sinais
9.
Circulation ; 137(3): 307-309, 2018 01 16.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29046319
10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39191616

RESUMO

INTRODUCTION: Intra-arterial (IA) vasodilators are recommended during transradial access (TRA) to prevent radial artery spasm (RAS). The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends either IA verapamil, diltiazem, nicardipine, or nitroglycerin to prevent RAS. To our knowledge, the efficacy of RAS prevention and patient tolerability of verapamil and nicardipine has not been directly compared in a randomized fashion. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, single-blinded randomized clinical trial comparing the discomfort experienced by patients receiving either 400 µg of IA nicardipine (n = 26) or 5 mg of IA verapamil (n = 29). Patient discomfort and/or pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) both before and after IA administration of nicardipine or verapamil. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in mean change in VAS scores between the 2 groups, with an average increase in VAS score of 0.88 in the nicardipine group and 4.81 in the verapamil group (p < 0.0001). The overall rate of RAS was low in our study (5.5 %) with no significant difference in RAS incidence between the 2 groups (p = 0.465). The nicardipine group had 2 RAS cases (7.7 %), with 1 requiring a change in strategy (3.8 %). The verapamil group had 1 RAS case (3.4 %) that did not require a change in strategy. CONCLUSION: In this trial, we showed that nicardipine causes significantly less discomfort and pain compared to verapamil during IA administration for TRA cardiac catheterization.

11.
J Cardiol Cases ; 29(1): 43-46, 2024 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38188320

RESUMO

Immune-mediated acute coronary syndrome, also known as Kounis syndrome (KS), is an underrecognized and challenging diagnosis. In this case report, we present a case of cardiac arrest secondary to iodinated contrast allergy requiring emergent cardiac catheterization and hemodynamic support secondary to type 2 KS. KS necessitates a high index of clinical suspicion by the treating physician in order to address both the hypersensitivity reaction and its cardiac implications. Learning objectives: Kounis syndrome (KS) is a clinically distinct entity from anaphylaxis; managing KS in the same way as anaphylaxis can worsen cardiac demand and ischemia. In addition, KS may present as coronary vasospasm or plaque rupture; regardless, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should be performed as worse outcomes have been described in cases where PCI is not performed or delayed.

12.
Heliyon ; 10(6): e27497, 2024 Mar 30.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38524623

RESUMO

The Inner Ambon Bay (IAB) is an important area for the economic development of the city of Ambon, one of only a few urban areas in eastern Indonesia. This study is intended to monitor the anthropogenic impact on IAB by employing combined rock magnetic and geochemical analyses on 20 samples collected from IAB and the surrounding rivers. Magnetic susceptibility values of samples in the IAB averaged 26.37× 10-8 m3/kg, which is relatively high and comparable to that of contaminated coastal environments. Magnetic susceptibility correlated positively with certain metals such as Cr, Co, Ni, and Mn but negatively with Hg. Geochemical analyses showed that Hg and Ag contents were relatively high but pose only moderate risk to the environment based on the geo-accumulation index. Furthermore, the potential ecological risk index (PERI) showed that there were two points that showed moderate ecological risk. Multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis (PCA), Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)) outlined that the metallic accumulation in the sediments of IAB was related to lithological, geological, and anthropogenic impacts. Therefore, oil spills and household waste are likely major reasons for anthropogenic pollution in the sediments of the IAB.

13.
BMC Oral Health ; 13: 9, 2013 Jan 24.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23347800

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The maxillary anterior teeth are important in achieving pleasing dental aesthetics. Various methods are used to measure the size and form of them, including the golden proportion between their perceived widths, and the width-to-height ratio, referred to as the golden standard. The purpose of this study was conducted to evaluate whether consistent relationships exist between tooth width and height of the clinical crown dimensions; and to investigate the occurrence of the golden proportion of the maxillary anterior teeth. METHODS: Dental casts of the maxillary arches were made in this cross-sectional study from MAHSA University College students who met the inclusion criteria. The 49 participants represented the Malaysian population main ethnics. The dimensions of the anterior teeth and the perceived width of anterior teeth viewed from front were measured using a digital caliper. RESULTS: Comparison of the perceived width ratio of lateral to central incisor and canine to lateral incisor with the golden proportion of 0.618 revealed there were a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05). The statistical difference was significant for the width-to-height ratio of central incisors to the golden standard of 80%. There was no significant difference in the comparison among ethnic groups for the golden proportion and the golden standard. CONCLUSIONS: The golden proportion was not found to exist between the perceived widths of maxillary anterior teeth. No golden standard were detected for the width-to-height proportions of maxillary incisors. Specific population characteristics and perception of beauty must be considered. However, ethnicity has no association with the proportions of maxillary anterior teeth.


Assuntos
Estética Dentária , Incisivo/anatomia & histologia , Odontometria , Coroa do Dente/anatomia & histologia , Análise de Variância , Estudos Transversais , Etnicidade , Humanos , Malásia , Maxila , Padrões de Referência , Valores de Referência
14.
BMJ Open ; 13(10): e069616, 2023 10 24.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37879679

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of therapeutic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 2 or 3 (CIN 2/3). DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus and CENTRAL Cochrane were searched up to 31 January 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Phase II/III randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and single-arm studies reporting the efficacy of therapeutic vaccines to achieve regression of CIN 2/3 lesions were included. Studies evaluating only safety and side effects of the vaccine were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers extracted data and evaluated study quality. A random-effect model was used to pool the proportions of regression and/or HPV clearance. RESULTS: 12 trials met the inclusion criteria. Out of 734 women (all studies considered) receiving therapeutic HPV vaccine for CIN 2/3, 414 regressed to normal/CIN 1 with an overall proportion of regression of 0.54 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.69) for vaccinated group; 166 women (from five RCTs) receiving placebo only achieving a pooled normal/CIN 1 regression of 0.27 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.34). When including only the five two-arm studies, the regression proportion for the 410 vaccine group participants was higher than that of the 166 control group participants (relative risk (RR) 1.52; 95% CI 1.14 to 2.04). The pooled proportion of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) clearance was 0.42 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.52) in the vaccine group (six studies with a total of 357 participants) and 0.17 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.26) in the control group (three RCTs with a total of 104 participants). Based on these three RCTs, the hrHPV clearance was significantly higher in the vaccinated group (250 participants) compared with the control group (RR 2.03; 95% CI 1.30 to 3.16). Similar results were found regarding HPV 16/18 clearance. No significant unsolicited adverse events have been consistently reported. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of the therapeutic vaccines in the treatment of CIN 2/3 was modest. Implementation issues such as feasibility, acceptability, adoption and cost-effectiveness need to be further studied. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022307418.


Assuntos
Infecções por Papillomavirus , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus , Displasia do Colo do Útero , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero , Feminino , Humanos , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus/efeitos adversos , Infecções por Papillomavirus/prevenção & controle , Papillomaviridae , Ensaios Clínicos Fase II como Assunto
15.
Acta Trop ; 241: 106896, 2023 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36921748

RESUMO

There has been no treatment for trichinellosis until now. Therefore, this work targeted to investigating the efficacy of albendazole and berberine alone and loaded on bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles against intestinal and muscular phases of trichinellosis in mice. Mice were divided into nine different groups: negative control, positive control, blank nanoparticle, albendazole, berberine, a combination of albendazole and berberine, albendazole-loaded nanoparticle, berberine-loaded nanoparticle and combination of albendazole and berberine-loaded nanoparticle. Subsequently, they were sacrificed 6 and 35 days after infection. Treatment efficacies were parasitologically, histopathologically and, immunohistochemically assessed. Parasitological counting for the adult worms and encysted larvae with histopathological assessment using H&E for intestinal and muscular sections and picrosirius red stain for muscular sections were used. Also, immunohistochemical expression of the intestinal nod-like receptor-pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) was investigated. The group treated with nano_combined drugs showed a statistically significant reduction in adult and encysted larval count (p<0.005), a remarkable improvement of intestinal and muscular inflammation, and a reduction in the capsular thickness of the larvae. Also, this group showed the highest reduction of NLRP3 expression. This work revealed that berberine might be a promising anti-trichinellosis drug with a synergistic effect when combined with albendazole through modulation of the immune response, inflammation, and larva capsule formation. Furthermore, delivering both drugs in a nanoparticle form improves their therapeutic response.


Assuntos
Berberina , Trichinella spiralis , Triquinelose , Camundongos , Animais , Albendazol/uso terapêutico , Berberina/uso terapêutico , Berberina/farmacologia , Soroalbumina Bovina/farmacologia , Soroalbumina Bovina/uso terapêutico , Proteína 3 que Contém Domínio de Pirina da Família NLR , Triquinelose/tratamento farmacológico , Larva
16.
Toxicon X ; 17: 100149, 2023 Mar.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36654657

RESUMO

As a disaster-prone country with unique geographical features, snake biting is a major public health concern in Bangladesh. The primary reasons of mortality from snakebite include late presentation to the hospital, low efficacy of antivenom, and a lack of adequate management facilities. Because snake venom characteristics vary depending on geographical location, antivenom should be manufactured from snakes native to the region in which it would be administered. Bungarus caeruleus is a highly venomous snake contributing to the major snakebite issue in Bangladesh. Therefore, the neutralization efficacy of the antivenom against B. caeruleus venom was evaluated in the current study along with the characterization of venom. For biological characterization of venom, RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE profiling, hemolytic activity, hemorrhagic activity, phospholipases A2 (PLA2) activity, edema inducing activity and histopathological observations were carried out following standard protocol. LD50 of the venom was calculated along with neutralization potency of Incepta antivenom through probit analysis. Results showed that venom possesses phospholipase A2 activity, hemolytic activity and edema inducing activity while hemorrhagic activity was absent in the skin of envenomed mice. Histopathological alterations including necrosis, congestion and infiltrations were observed in envenomed mice organs after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Neutralization study showed that Incepta polyvalent antivenom could neutralize (potency 0.53 mg/ml) the lethal effect in in vitro study on mice. Further investigation on snakebite epidemiology and clinical observations of the envenomed patients will help in combating the snakebite problem more efficiently.

17.
Nurs Manag (Harrow) ; 29(5): 20-26, 2022 Oct 06.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35412033

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: It is useful for nurses to be able to engage in reflective practice. Reflective practice is an essential aspect of experiential learning. AIM: To explore how reflective practice training during an internship programme in Saudi Arabia affected nurse interns' critical thinking disposition and interpersonal communication competency. METHOD: A convenience sample of 93 senior nursing students undertaking the internship programme at a nursing college in a university in Saudi Arabia answered a questionnaire before and after taking part in reflective practice training sessions. The questionnaire used three tools: the Reflective Practice Questionnaire; the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale; and the Interpersonal Communication Competency Scale. RESULTS: After the training, the overall mean scores for reflective practice, critical thinking disposition and interpersonal communication competency were significantly higher than before the training. Reflective practice had a positive correlation with critical thinking disposition and interpersonal communication competency. It also had predictive capability for the variance in critical thinking disposition and interpersonal communication competency (R 2 =0.798 and R 2 =0.553, respectively, P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Reflective practice training provided to nurse interns in Saudi Arabia improved their reflective practice, critical thinking and interpersonal communication. Reflective practice training would be a useful addition to pre-graduate nurse education and to preceptorship or orientation programmes for newly recruited nurses.


Assuntos
Estudantes de Enfermagem , Pensamento , Comunicação , Currículo , Humanos , Preceptoria
18.
Materials (Basel) ; 15(16)2022 Aug 18.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36013839

RESUMO

This research aims to present a state-of-the-art cleaning technology solution that effectively overcomes the dust accumulation issue for conventional photovoltaic systems. Although continuous innovations and advanced developments within renewable energy technologies have shown steady improvements over the past years, the dust accumulation issue remains one of the main factors hindering their efficiency and degradation rate. By harvesting abundant solar thermal energy, the presented self-cleaning system uses a unique thermomechanical property of Shape Memory Alloys to operate a solar-based thermomechanical actuator. Therefore, this study carries out different numerical and experimental validation tests to highlight the promising practicability of the developed self-cleaning system from thermal and mechanical perspectives. The results showed that the system has a life expectancy of over 20 years, which is closely equivalent to the life expectancy of conventional photovoltaic modules while operating under actual weather conditions in Dammam city. Additionally, the thermal to mechanical energy conversion efficiency reached 19.15% while providing average cleaning effectiveness of about 95%. The presented outcomes of this study add to the body of knowledge an innovative methodology for a unique solar-based self-cleaning system aimed toward smart and modern photovoltaic applications.

19.
Materials (Basel) ; 15(20)2022 Oct 13.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36295178

RESUMO

One of the modern methods for enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems is implementing a solar tracking mechanism in order to redirect PV modules toward the sun throughout the day. However, the use of solar trackers increases the system's electrical consumption, hindering its net generated energy. In this study, a novel self-tracking solar-driven PV system is proposed. The smart solar-driven thermomechanical actuator takes advantage of a solar heat collector (SHC) device, in the form of a parabolic trough solar concentrator (PTC), and smart shape memory alloy (SMA) to produce effective mechanical energy for solar tracking applications from sun rays. Furthermore, a thermal-optical analysis is presented to evaluate the performance of the solar concentrator for the simulated weather condition of Dammam City, Saudi Arabia. The numerical results of the thermal and optical analyses show the promising feasibility of the proposed system in which SMA springs with an activation temperature between 31.09 °C and 45.15 °C can be utilized for the self-tracking operations. The work presented adds to the body of knowledge an advanced SMA-based SHC device for solar-based self-actuation systems, which enables further expansions within modern and advanced solar thermal applications.

20.
Environ Health Insights ; 15: 11786302211053176, 2021.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34707362

RESUMO

Olive Mill Solid Residue (OMSR) can be utilized as a bio-sorbent in wastewater treatment. Even though several studies on OMSR as a bio-sorbent were carried out, there is still a need to investigate a simple and relatively inexpensive OMSR treatment that increases pollutant removal. In this study; OMSR is used in batch experiments to remove toxic heavy metals from aqueous solutions including Cd2+, Cu2+, and Pb2+ ions. The effect of OMSR treatment (untreated; OMSR-U, treated with n-hexane; OMSR-H, and treated with water; OMSR-W) was investigated by chemical oxygen demand and cation exchange capacity. It was confirmed by both tests that OMSR-W was the best treatment. The same result was re-confirmed by batch uptake experiments of the heavy metal ions. Using OMSR-W as a bio-sorbent; the effect of several parameters such as pH, contact time, bio-sorbent concentration, metal ions concentration, and the presence of other metal species were studied to figure their influence on the metal ions uptake. The optimum conditions for single metal systems were found to occur at pH 5.5, an initial metal concentration of 50 mg/L, a shaking time of 60 minutes, a bio-sorbent concentration of 20 g/L. In binary metal ions solutions; Cd2+ uptake was increased in presence of Cu2+ or Pb2+. However, the uptake of Cu2+ and Pb2+ was decreased in presence of other metals. The equilibrium sorption data for single metal systems were described by the Langmuir isotherm model. The highest value of maximum uptake was found for Pb2+ (4.587 mg/g) followed by Cd2+ (4.525 mg/g) and Cu2+ (4.367 mg/g). These results show that OMSR-W, which has a very low economical value, could be used for the treatment of wastewater contaminated with heavy metals.

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