The patient safety curriculum: An interventional study on the effectiveness of patient safety education for Jordanian nursing students.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the World Health Organization's (WHO) patient safety curriculum (PSC) in improving the patient safety education for nursing students in Jordanian higher education programmes. METHODS: An interventional design adopting a pre-test and post-test was used. A questionnaire survey was administered to 373 nursing students before and after the curriculum. Students were asked to complete pre-test and post-test questionnaires on self-awareness of patient safety. RESULTS: Students had moderate knowledge of factors that influence patient safety and scored as the highest, (mean 3.45, SD 0.94). The greatest improvement was in the role of the health organisation in error reporting (the mean difference was 0.97, P = 0.001). Taking into consideration the essential measurements, the results obtained after the post-test regarding the two patient safety topics showed a significant increase after completing the training, demonstrating that the patient safety course was effective. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the importance of developing a curriculum in nursing schools that incorporates patient safety education. The WHO PSC guide can be a great start in this domain.

The utility of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. to prepare metal oxides NPs for clinical application on osteoporosis supported by theoretical study.

Green synthesis of metal oxides as a treatment for bone diseases is still exploring. Herein, MgO and Fe2O3 NPs were prepared from the extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. to study their effect on vit D3, Ca+2, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme ALP associated with osteoporosis. Computational chemistry was utilized to gain insight into the possible interactions. These oxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM, FTIR, and AFM. Results revealed that green synthesis of MgO and Fe2O3 NPs was successful with abundant. MgO NPs were in vitro applied on osteoporosis patients (n = 35) and showed a significant elevation of vit D3 and Ca+2 (0.0001 > p < 0.001) levels, compared to healthy volunteers (n = 25). Thus, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is a good candidate to prepare MgO NPs, with a promising enhancing effect on vit D3 and Ca+2 in osteoporosis. In addition, interactions of Fe2O3 and MgO NPs with ALP were determined by molecular docking study.

Does the health information system in Jordan support equity to improve health outcomes? Assessment and recommendations.

BACKGROUND: This study is based on extensive evidence-based assessments. The aim of this paper is to evaluate how well Jordan's health information system (HIS) incorporates social determinants of health inequity (SDHI) and to propose suggestions for future actions. METHODS: An extensive evidence-based assessment was performed. A meta-synthesis of the inclusion of the SDHI in the HIS in Jordan was conducted. After searching and shortlisting, 23 papers were analyzed using Atlas.ti 9.0 employing thematic analysis technique. RESULTS: The HIS in Jordan is quite comprehensive, comprising numerous data sources, various types of information, and data from multiple producers and managers. Nevertheless, the HIS confronts several obstacles and fails to ensure the timely and secure publication of available data. The assessment of the inclusion of the SDHI in the HIS showed that the HIS allows for the measurement of progress in relation to social policies and actions but has a very limited database for supporting the inclusion of health inequity measures. One reason for the difficulty in identifying fairness is that certain crucial information necessary for this task cannot be obtained through the available institutional HIS or population survey tools. Additionally, relevant modules for fairness may be missing from population surveys, possibly due to a failure to fully utilize the capabilities of the institutional HIS. CONCLUSION: There are opportunities to make use of Jordan's dedication to fairness and its already established strong HIS. Some social determinants of health exist in the HIS, but much more data, information, and effort are needed to integrate the SDHI into the Jordanian HIS. A proposal from a regional initiative has put forward a comprehensive set of indicators for integrating SDHI into HIS, which could aid in achieving health equity in Jordan.

Lithium-Associated Hypothyroidism in a Specialized Lithium Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study.

Hypothyroidism is a common side effect of lithium use and is associated with a slower response to treatment and poorer long-term remission in patients with bipolar disorder. No studies have examined the prevalence of lithium-associated hypothyroidism or its associated factors in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of lithium-associated hypothyroidism among psychiatric patients in a specialized lithium clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia and to examine the possible risk factors for its development. This retrospective observational study included 117 participants. The prevalence of secondary hypothyroidism was 15%. The median duration between the start of lithium therapy and the first abnormal thyroid test result was 341 days. The multiple logistic regression showed that none of the studied variables, namely, sex, current age, age of lithium initiation, continuity on lithium, lithium level (≤0.5 mmol/L or >0.5 mmol/L), and prescription of as-needed medications, was significantly associated with secondary hypothyroidism. Our study also shed light on the possible clinical significance of baseline TSH levels in developing hypothyroidism secondary to lithium. Further multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to examine the generalizability of these results.

Exploring the Mediating Role of Sleep Deficit-Related Functional Status in Subacute Stroke Survivors.

Background: Understanding post-stroke fatigue (PSF) and its associated factors is crucial for effective therapy and rehabilitation. This study aimed to assess the mediating role of the excessive daytime sleepiness-related functional status (SFS) on the relationship between sleep and the severity of fatigue in subacute stroke survivors. Methods: Subacute stroke survivors (n = 50; male = 38; female = 12), completed a cross-sectional study involving the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), the insomnia severity index (ISI), the functional outcome of the sleep questionnaire (FOSQ), and the fatigue severity scale (FSS). Results: The SFS mediated the association between the severity of fatigue and sleep problems. The PSQI and FOSQ (b = -0.37, p < 0.001), and the FOSQ and FSS were correlated (b = -0.18, p < 0.05), with a significant indirect effect of the PSQI on the FSS. The ISI correlated with the FOSQ (b = -0.20, p < 0.001), with significant direct (b = 0.15, p < 0.001), as well as indirect, effects of the ISI on the FSS. The ESS correlated with the FOSQ (b = -0.23, p < 0.001), with a significant indirect effect of the ESS on the FSS. Conclusions: In subacute stroke survivors, fatigue and sleep are linked. Increased understanding of sleep-PSF may help in exploring new targets for supplement therapy.

Patients' Expectations in Emergency Department at King Abdulaziz University Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Emergency departments (EDs) are vital to the timely and necessary care that a significant percentage of patients get. Emergency medicine places a high priority on quality, and to deliver patient-centered care, it is crucial to first investigate patient expectations from ER visits. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional study of all visits to the King Abdulaziz University Hospital Emergency Department in Jeddah. The study included adult patients who visited the emergency department and were willing to complete a survey and participate in an interview. Data was collected through face-to-face questionnaires. Patient's expectations during their visit to the emergency department were correlated to different parameters using univariate and bivariate analysis. RESULTS: The study included 291 patients. The majority of patients believed that their medical condition required admission to the hospital and agreed that it would be easier to receive treatment if admitted to the hospital. Results showed that 65.6% (n=191) of patients reported that the most serious patients should be seen first, and 65.3% (n=190) reported that a doctor should determine the seriousness of their health problem upon arrival. There was no significant difference found between age groups in relation to other items of expectations. CONCLUSION: It is clear that a sizable percentage of patients place a high value on seeing the most urgent cases first and having a doctor assess each patient's condition when they arrive. Our results show that, in order to guarantee the best patient happiness and care, healthcare practitioners must meet patients' expectations and modify their strategies accordingly.

Green Organo-Photooxidative Method for the Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye.

This study used an organophoto-oxidative material to degrade the toxic azo dye, methylene blue (MB), due to its hazardous effects on aquatic life and humans. MB is traditionally degraded using metal-based catalysts, resulting in high costs. Several organic acids were screened for organo-photooxidative applications against various azo dyes, and ascorbic acid (AA), also known as vitamin C, was found to be best for degradation due to its high photooxidative activity. It is an eco-friendly, edible, and efficient photooxidative material. A photocatalytic box has been developed for the study of organo-photooxidative activity. It was found that when AA was added, degradation efficiency increased from 42 to 95% within 240 min. Different characterization techniques, such as HPLC and GC-MS, were used after degradation for the structural elucidation of degraded products. DFT study was done for the investigation of the mechanistic study behind the degradation process. A statistical tool, RSM, was used for the optimization of parameters (concentration of dye, catalyst, and time). This study develops sustainable and effective solutions for wastewater treatment.

Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Saudi Arabia's Medical and Dental Practitioners: A Cross-Sectional Study Following the Covid-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND Healthcare providers, particularly in dentistry and medicine, experience high stress levels, exacerbated by factors like patient anxiety, clinical work, and continuous training. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased these risks. This study aimed to assess depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among dental and medical practitioners in Saudi Arabia, investigating influential factors on their psychological behavior. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study conducted in July and August 2021, the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) was administered through a Google questionnaire. Data analysis involved stepwise mode modeling and bivariate analysis, with a significant P value <0.05, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS The study included 376 dentists and 201 medical practitioners. Most worked more than four days a week, slept under six hours nightly, and were non-smokers. DAS scores indicated depression (51.7-57.4%), anxiety (50.7-58.2%), and stress (54.2-60.1%). Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed among younger, single, female, and lower-income participants. Higher DAS scores correlated with less sleep, extensive social media use, and smoking history. Socio-demographic factors were mostly non-significant for medical practitioners, except social media use. Sleep duration significantly impacted stress levels, while specialty, income, and marital status influenced depression CONCLUSIONS DAS levels were notably higher in dentists compared to medical practitioners, particularly regarding anxiety. The impact of socioeconomic factors varied, being more statistically significant for dentists.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of model cyclopentene-[g]annelated isoindigos.

A set of cyclopenten-[g]annelated isoindigos (5a-g) has been prepared and tested for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against MCF-7 and HL60 cells. Among, the N-1-methyl-5'-nitro derivative (5g) displayed the highest activity against HL60 cells (IC50 = 67 nM) and acted as the most potent Flt3 inhibitor. Compounds 5d-g exhibited moderate activity against MCF-7 (IC50 = 50-80 µM).

Functional outcomes of accelerated rehabilitation protocol for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in amateur athletes: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is the most common knee injury among athletes, and can result in long-term complications and career-ending conditions for sportspeople. There is no consensus in the literature on the effectiveness of rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction, or the best protocol to follow for functional outcome improvement. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of an accelerated rehabilitation protocol on knee functional outcomes in amateur athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). DESIGN: Two-arm, parallel-group randomized comparative design. PATIENTS: A total of 100 amateur male athletes (mean age 22.01 ± 1.79 years) with ACLR were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n = 50/group). METHODS: An accelerated rehabilitation protocol and a conventional rehabilitation protocol were used for the experimental group. In contrast, only the conventional rehabilitation protocol was used for the control group. The rehabilitation was delivered in 5 weekly sessions for 22 weeks. The primary outcome measure, knee pain, was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Extensive test batteries, for hop tests, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and knee effusion, were measured, aiming to add more objective criteria to determine functional performance. RESULTS: Both groups (n = 50/group) were well-matched (p = 0.816), with insignificant differences in their demographic characteristics (p > 0.05). A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) test showed no significant difference between the 2 groups (p = 0.781) at baseline. A 2-way MANOVA (2 × 2 MANOVA) of within- and between-group variations indicated overall significant treatment, time, and treatment × time interaction effects (p < 0.001) in favour of the accelerated rehabilitation group. CONCLUSION: The accelerated rehabilitation protocol was more effective in improving functional outcomes than a conventional rehabilitation protocol in amateur athletes with ACLR.

Lung disease recognition methods using audio-based analysis with machine learning.

The use of computer-based automated approaches and improvements in lung sound recording techniques have made lung sound-based diagnostics even better and devoid of subjectivity errors. Using a computer to evaluate lung sound features more thoroughly with the use of analyzing changes in lung sound behavior, recording measurements, suppressing the presence of noise contaminations, and graphical representations are all made possible by computer-based lung sound analysis. This paper starts with a discussion of the need for this research area, providing an overview of the field and the motivations behind it. Following that, it details the survey methodology used in this work. It presents a discussion on the elements of sound-based lung disease classification using machine learning algorithms. This includes commonly prior considered datasets, feature extraction techniques, pre-processing methods, artifact removal methods, lung-heart sound separation, deep learning algorithms, and wavelet transform of lung audio signals. The study introduces studies that review lung screening including a summary table of these references and discusses the literature gaps in the existing studies. It is concluded that the use of sound-based machine learning in the classification of respiratory diseases has promising results. While we believe this material will prove valuable to physicians and researchers exploring sound-signal-based machine learning, large-scale investigations remain essential to solidify the findings and foster wider adoption within the medical community.

Effects of hip abductor with external rotator strengthening versus proprioceptive training on pain and functions in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Strengthening the hip muscles, particularly the abductors and rotators, has been reported beneficial for treating Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Proprioceptive training (PT) is also shown to improve musculoskeletal pain and function in PFPS. The most appropriate treatment from these 2 is unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of hip abductors and external rotator strengthening exercises along with conventional physical therapy (CPT) vs the proprioceptive training of the knee along with CPT in patients with PFPS. METHODS: Forty-five participants were divided into 3 groups, experimental group 1 (EG 1), experimental group 2 (EG 2), and control group (CG), with fifteen participants in each group. EG 1 received hip abductor and external rotator strengthening exercises in addition to CPT. EG 2 received proprioceptive training and CPT. CG received CPT alone. Intervention programs lasted for 4 weeks. The pain was measured by Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS). The study was registered retrospectively in the protocol registration and results system (clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT05698797 on 26/01/2023). RESULTS: AKPS scores significantly (P < .001) improved in all 3 groups. A significant (P < .05) difference was also observed between all 3 groups. The greatest improvement was observed in EG 1, followed by EG 2 and CG. CONCLUSION: The addition of hip abductor and external rotator strengthening exercises to a 4-week CPT program showed a more significant improvement in AKPS scores than the addition of proprioceptive training in patients with PFPS.

Molecular insights into the mutualism that induces iron deficiency tolerance in sorghum inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum.

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a common mineral stress in plants, including sorghum. Although the soil fungus Trichoderma harzianum has been shown to mitigate Fe deficiency in some circumstances, neither the range nor mechanism(s) of this process are well understood. In this study, high pH-induced Fe deficiency in sorghum cultivated in pots with natural field soil exhibited a significant decrease in biomass, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and Fe-uptake in both the root and shoot. However, the establishment of T. harzianum colonization in roots of Fe-deprived sorghum showed significant improvements in morpho-physiological traits, Fe levels, and redox status. Molecular detection of the fungal ThAOX1 (L-aminoacid oxidase) gene showed the highest colonization of T. harzianum in the root tips of Fe-deficient sorghum, a location thus targeted for further analysis. Expression studies by RNA-seq and qPCR in sorghum root tips revealed a significant upregulation of several genes associated with Fe uptake (SbTOM2), auxin synthesis (SbSAURX15), nicotianamine synthase 3 (SbNAS3), and a phytosiderophore transporter (SbYS1). Also induced was the siderophore synthesis gene (ThSIT1) in T. harzianum, a result supported by biochemical evidence for elevated siderophore and IAA (indole acetic acid) levels in roots. Given the high affinity of fungal siderophore to chelate insoluble Fe3+ ions, it is likely that elevated siderophore released by T. harzianum led to Fe(III)-siderophore complexes in the rhizosphere that were then transported into roots by the induced SbYS1 (yellow-stripe 1) transporter. In addition, the observed induction of several plant peroxidase genes and ABA (abscisic acid) under Fe deficiency after inoculation with T. harzianum may have helped induce tolerance to Fe-deficiency-induced oxidative stress and adaptive responses. This is the first mechanistic explanation for T. harzianum's role in helping alleviate Fe deficiency in sorghum and suggests that biofertilizers using T. harzianum will improve Fe availability to crops in high pH environments.

Experimental and density functional theory studies on some metal oxides and the derived nanoclusters: a comparative effects on human ferritin.

A comprehensive investigation into the green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) has garnered significant attention due to its commendable reliability, sustainability, and environmentally friendly attributes. Green synthesis methods play a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects associated with conventional approaches employed for nanostructure preparation. This research endeavors to examine the impact of ginger plant extract-assisted green synthesis of metal oxides NPs on the serum ferritin levels of anemic diabetic patients in vitro, focusing specifically on α-Fe2O3 and ZnO NPs. Sixty diabetic volunteers with anemia (35-50 years) and thirty healthy volunteers were enrolled as controls. The assessment was conducted using the VIDAS Ferritin (FER) assay. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy measurements were performed to elucidate the intrinsic and extrinsic transitions of these NPs, affirming the successful formation of α-structured iron oxide. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,2p) level of theory to investigate the geometry optimization and molecular electrostatic potential maps of the NPs. Furthermore, TD-DFT calculations were employed to explore their frontier molecular orbitals and various quantum chemical parameters. The binding affinity and interaction types of ZnO and α-Fe2O3 NPs to the active site of the human H-Chain Ferritin (PDB ID: 2FHA) target were determined with the help of molecular docking. Results unveiled the crystalline structure of ZnO and the α-structure of α-Fe2O3. Analysis of the frontier molecular orbitals and dipole moment values demonstrated that ZnO (total dipole moment (D) = 5.80 µ) exhibited superior chemical reactivity, biological activity, and stronger molecular interactions with diverse force fields compared to α-Fe2O3 (D = 2.65 µ). Molecular docking of the metal oxides NPs with human H-chain ferritin provided evidence of robust hydrogen bond interactions and metal-acceptor bonds between the metal oxides and the target protein. This finding could have a great impact on using metal oxides NPs-ferritin as a therapeutic protein, however, further studies on their toxicity are required.

Association between back-leg-chest muscle strength and kicking speed in soccer players: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been performed on soccer kicks and stressed the significance of strength/power and coordination between the agonist and antagonist muscles of the lower limb. Along with accuracy, speed is also an important factor in a successful kick. It is reported that trunk musculature, hip and knee extensors of the non-kicking extremity, and hip adductors of the kicking side have a role in increasing the foot velocity while kicking. Since muscles do not work in isolation while kicking and several muscle groups of the leg and trunk have been reported to have a role in high-speed kicks, therefore measuring the combined strength of the leg, trunk, and arm muscles will be an appropriate method to examine their association with the kicking speed. The aim of this study was to examine the association of the combined strength of the lower extremities, back, chest, and arm muscles with the kicking speed of soccer players. METHODS: Forty male soccer players (mean age 15.7 years) participated in the study. The back-leg-chest (BLC) dynamometer (Baseline, New York, NY, USA) and the mobile camera measured isometric muscle strength and kicking speed, respectively. The BLC dynamometer measured the isometric strength of the knee, hip, back extensors, and arm muscles. The kicking speed was measured by asking participants to kick a football in three directions - right, middle, and left - from 11 meters. RESULTS: Significant (P<0.001) negative correlations of isometric strength of the back, leg, chest, and arm muscles and kicking speeds were found in all three directions. In all three correlations, Pearson's correlation coefficient was -0.989. Simple linear regression results showed that 97.8% (adjusted R2) of the variance observed in kicking speed (KS; RT), KS (MD), and KS (LT), was explained by the movement in BLC muscle strength values. CONCLUSIONS: Kicking speeds in the right, middle, and left directions were negatively associated with the isometric strengths of the back, leg, chest, and arms muscles, measured using the BLC dynamometer, in participating soccer players.

A preliminary randomized controlled trial of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in treatment seeking participants with cannabis use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a common and consequential disorder. When applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) reduces craving across substance use disorders and may have therapeutic clinical effects when applied in serial-sessions. The present study sought to preliminarily determine whether serial-sessions of rTMS applied to the DLPFC had a therapeutic effect in CUD. METHODS: This study was a two-site, phase-2, double-blind, randomized-controlled-trial. Seventy-two treatment-seeking participants (37.5% Women, mean age 30.2±9.9SD) with ≥moderate-CUD were randomized to active or sham rTMS (Beam-F3, 10Hz, 20-total-sessions, two-sessions-per-visit, two-visits-per-week, with cannabis cues) while undergoing a three-session motivational enhancement therapy intervention. The primary outcome was the change in craving between pre- and post- treatment (Marijuana Craving Questionnaire Short-Form-MCQ-SF). Secondary outcomes included the number of weeks of abstinence and the number of days-per-week of cannabis use during 4-weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in craving between conditions. Participants who received active-rTMS reported numerically, but not significantly, more weeks of abstinence in the follow-up period than those who received sham-rTMS (15.5%-Active; 9.3%-Sham; rate ratio = 1.66 [95% CI: 0.84, 3.28]; p=0.14). Participants who received active-rTMS reported fewer days-per-week of cannabis use over the final two-weeks of the follow-up period than those receiving sham-rTMS (Active vs. Sham: -0.72; Z=-2.33, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This trial suggests rTMS is safe and feasible in individuals with CUD and may have a therapeutic effect on frequency of cannabis use, though further study is needed with additional rTMS-sessions and a longer follow-up period.

Drinking water quality of various sources in Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan

Abstract The present study involves the chemical and bacteriological analysis of water from different sources i.e., bore, wells, bottle, and tap, from Peshawar, Mardan, Swat and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. From each district, 50 water samples (10 samples from each source), regardless of urban and rural status, were collected from these sources and analysed for sulphates, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, total soluble solids and coliforms (E. coli). Results indicated that majority of the water sources had unacceptable E. coli count i.e.> 34 CFU/100mL. E. coli positive samples were high in Mardan District, followed by Kohat, Swat and Peshawar district. Besides this, the some water sources were also chemically contaminated by different inorganic fertilizers (nitrates/nitrites of sodium, potassium) but under safe levels whereas agricultural and industrial wastes (chloride and sulphate compounds) were in unsafe range. Among all districts, the water quality was found comparatively more deteriorated in Kohat and Mardan districts than Peshawar and Swat districts. Such chemically and bacteriologically unfit water sources for drinking and can cause human health problems.

Resumo O presente estudo envolve a análise química e bacteriológica de água de diferentes fontes, ou seja, furo, poços, garrafa e torneira, dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Swat e Kohat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. De cada distrito, 50 amostras de água (10 amostras de cada fonte), independentemente do status urbano e rural, foram coletadas dessas fontes e analisadas para sulfatos, nitratos, nitritos, cloretos, sólidos solúveis totais e coliformes (E. coli). Os resultados indicaram que a maioria das fontes de água tinha uma contagem inaceitável de E. coli, ou seja, > 34 UFC / 100 mL. As amostras positivas para E. coli foram elevadas no distrito de Mardan, seguido por Kohat, Swat e distrito de Peshawar. Além disso, algumas fontes de água também foram contaminadas quimicamente por diferentes fertilizantes inorgânicos (nitratos/nitritos de sódio, potássio), mas em níveis seguros, enquanto os resíduos agrícolas e industriais (compostos de cloreto e sulfato) estavam em níveis inseguros. Entre todos os distritos, a qualidade da água foi considerada comparativamente mais deteriorada nos distritos de Kohat e Mardan do que nos distritos de Peshawar e Swat. Essas fontes de água química e bacteriologicamente impróprias para beber podem causar problemas à saúde humana.

Drinking water quality of various sources in Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan / Qualidade de água potável de váris fontes dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat e Swat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão

Abstract The present study involves the chemical and bacteriological analysis of water from different sources i.e., bore, wells, bottle, and tap, from Peshawar, Mardan, Swat and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. From each district, 50 water samples (10 samples from each source), regardless of urban and rural status, were collected from these sources and analysed for sulphates, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, total soluble solids and coliforms (E. coli). Results indicated that majority of the water sources had unacceptable E. coli count i.e.> 34 CFU/100mL. E. coli positive samples were high in Mardan District, followed by Kohat, Swat and Peshawar district. Besides this, the some water sources were also chemically contaminated by different inorganic fertilizers (nitrates/nitrites of sodium, potassium) but under safe levels whereas agricultural and industrial wastes (chloride and sulphate compounds) were in unsafe range. Among all districts, the water quality was found comparatively more deteriorated in Kohat and Mardan districts than Peshawar and Swat districts. Such chemically and bacteriologically unfit water sources for drinking and can cause human health problems.

Resumo O presente estudo envolve a análise química e bacteriológica de água de diferentes fontes, ou seja, furo, poços, garrafa e torneira, dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Swat e Kohat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. De cada distrito, 50 amostras de água (10 amostras de cada fonte), independentemente do status urbano e rural, foram coletadas dessas fontes e analisadas para sulfatos, nitratos, nitritos, cloretos, sólidos solúveis totais e coliformes (E. coli). Os resultados indicaram que a maioria das fontes de água tinha uma contagem inaceitável de E. coli, ou seja, > 34 UFC / 100 mL. As amostras positivas para E. coli foram elevadas no distrito de Mardan, seguido por Kohat, Swat e distrito de Peshawar. Além disso, algumas fontes de água também foram contaminadas quimicamente por diferentes fertilizantes inorgânicos (nitratos/nitritos de sódio, potássio), mas em níveis seguros, enquanto os resíduos agrícolas e industriais (compostos de cloreto e sulfato) estavam em níveis inseguros. Entre todos os distritos, a qualidade da água foi considerada comparativamente mais deteriorada nos distritos de Kohat e Mardan do que nos distritos de Peshawar e Swat. Essas fontes de água química e bacteriologicamente impróprias para beber podem causar problemas à saúde humana.

Perception and Assessment of Psoriasis Among the General Population in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a worldwide disease. It is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease with cutaneous and systemic symptoms that is characterized by erythematous squamous plaques. OBJECTIVES: To study the perception and assessment of psoriasis among the general population of Jazan, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that used a self-administrated electronically distributed questionnaire that enrolled 410 people. RESULTS: Most participants (79%) were familiar with the term "psoriasis," with family, friends, or acquaintances being the primary source of knowledge. Personal experience with psoriasis was reported by 28.3% of participants, with women being more likely to know someone with the condition. If affected by psoriasis, the majority of respondents would consult a dermatologist (89.3%). Although 48% of participants considered psoriasis to be a significant burden for affected individuals, negative attitudes and discrimination towards those with the condition were prevalent, with a significant proportion stating that they would not want to eat at the same table, shake hands, or be in a personal relationship with someone with psoriasis. Additionally, most participants reported feeling sorry for psoriasis patients but also expressed disgust towards them. Awareness of public actions related to psoriasis was generally low, with only a small percentage of participants familiar with the WHO resolution on psoriasis or World Psoriasis Day. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for increased education and awareness about psoriasis to address misunderstandings and reduce the burden of the condition on patients. Additionally, efforts are needed to reduce stigma and discrimination towards those with psoriasis, which can significantly impact their quality of life.