Electrochemical investigations and antimicrobial activity of Au nanoparticles photodeposited on titania nanoparticles.

Titanium oxide nanopowder (TiO2 NPs) was synthesized via anodization in 0.7 M perchloric acid then annealed in nitrogen at 450 °C for 3 h to prepared the Titanium Oxide Nitrogen annealed nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs-N2) powder as catalytic support. Using a photodeposition process, gold was added with isopropanol as a sacrificial donor and H[AuCl4] acid, producing gold nanoparticles on nitrogen-annealed titanium oxide nanoparticles (Au-NPs on TiO2-NPs-N2). The mass loading of Au NPs was 2.86 × 10-4 (g/cm2). TEM images of Au NPs on TiO2-NPs-N2 suggest circular particles with a tendency to agglomerate. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to investigate the electrocatalytic performance of the Au NPs/TiO2-NPs-N2 catalysts in ferrocyanide, KOH, and H2SO4, and the results were compared to those of a polycrystalline Au electrode that is readily accessible in the market. In KOH, H2SO4, and (2 M KOH + 0.1 M glycerol) solutions, the Au NPs/TiO2-NPs-N2 electrode displayed a startlingly high electrocatalytic performance. Using CV, the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of Au NPs/TiO2-NPs-N2 and Au-NPs against glycerol oxidation in basic media was studied. The results indicated that Au NPs/TiO2-NPs-N2 is a promising support material for improving the electrocatalytic activity for acidic and basic oxidation. The electrode made of Au NPs/TiO2-NTs-N2 has steady electrocatalytic activity and may be reused repeatedly. TiO2 NPs and Au NPs/TiO2NPs-N2 showed satisfactory antibacterial activity against some human pathogenic bacteria using the disc diffusion method.

Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Disease and Associated Risk Factors Among the Population in Al-Qunfudah.

Background and objective Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases worldwide. It causes an unpleasant effect on patients' lives and may lead to serious complications resulting in a significant burden on healthcare systems. Despite being a common gastrointestinal disease, very few studies have been conducted on the condition in Saudi Arabia; and there has never been a study to estimate the prevalence of GERD in the Al-Qunfudah Governorate. In light of this, we conducted this study with an aim to assess the prevalence of GERD and its associated risk factors among the Al-Qunfudah population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al-Qunfudah Governorate by using an online self-administrated questionnaire that was shared through social media during the first week of January 2021. The questionnaire consisted of a general section on sociodemographic data and a section on the diagnosis of GERD based on the validated gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GERD-Q). A total of 1,180 eligible participants responded to the questionnaire. Results Nearly one-third (32.9%) of the study participants had GERD based on their reported symptoms and calculated scores (GERD-Q score ≥8). About 14.8% of the participants (175/1,180) reported that they had already been diagnosed with GERD before their participation in our survey. Regarding risk factors of GERD, about 35% reported experiencing psychological stress, 28.3% had a family member diagnosed with GERD, and 18.1% were smokers; 49.4% of the participants had their symptoms aggravated by consuming fatty or fried food and 46.7% by spicy food. One of the factors that helped to relieve GERD symptoms was avoiding symptom-aggravating food, as reported by more than half (50.7%) of the participants. Conclusion The prevalence of GERD in the Al-Qunfudah population is high as the condition has affected one-third of the adult population. Our study confirms that male gender, age of 30 years or above, being overweight or obese, being married, smoking habit, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), having psychological stress, being asthmatic, or having a family history of GERD are factors that significantly increase the likelihood of developing GERD. The reported risk factors include experiencing psychological stress, a family history of GERD, high BMI, and smoking.

Stability of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test under different storage conditions.

We designed this study to assess the effect of storage time and temperature on the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test and plasma activity of factor VIII (FVIII). A total of 71 subjects, comprising 34 healthy controls and 37 patients receiving unfractionated heparin were enrolled. After centrifugation of collected specimens aliquots of plasma were stored at room temperature (20-22 degrees C), refrigerated at 2-6 degrees C and frozen at - 40 degrees C. Determination of APTT and plasma activity of FVIII were performed immediately after sampling (zero time) and after 6, 12 and 24 h. We found no significant difference in APTT after 6 h at room temperature and 4 degrees C compared to zero time values (P>0.05) in control group, while APTT was significantly changed at other storage conditions. With regard APTT test in patients on heparin therapy and samples for FVIII activity in healthy subjects; there was a statistically significant change in their results after 6, 12 and 24 h at room temperature, 4 and - 40 degrees C compared to zero time value(P < 0.05). Our data demonstrate that the APTT test can be done within 6 h when stored at room temperature and 4 degrees C without change in the result in healthy subjects. APTT test in patients on heparin therapy and samples for FVIII test in healthy subjects must be done immediately and without delay to avoid reduction in their activities.

Influence of storage time and temperature on international normalized ratio (INR) levels and plasma activities of vitamin K dependent clotting factors.

We designed this study to assess the effect of storage time and temperature on the international normalized ratio (INR) levels and plasma activities of vitamin K-dependent, clotting factors. A total of 100 subjects, comprising 34 healthy controls, 33 patients with liver cirrhosis and 33 patients on long-term coumarin therapy were enrolled. After centrifugation of collected specimens, aliquots of plasma were stored at room temperature (20 -22 degrees C), refrigerated at 2-6 degrees C and frozen at -40 degrees C. Determinations of INR and plasma activities of clotting factors II, VII, IX and X were performed immediately after sampling (0 time) and after 6, 12 and 24 h. We found no significant change of either INR levels or plasma activity of any of the studied clotting factors up-to 24 h at different studied temperatures (p >0.05). Our data demonstrates that clinical specimens for determination of INR levels and plasma activities of factors II, VII, IX and X are acceptable for testing for up-to 24 h whatever may be the temperature of storage.