Substance use disorder is a global challenge. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an updated view of socio-demographic characteristics and patterns of substance use in Oman.
This retrospective ...descriptive study was conducted between 2004 and 2018. Data were retrieved from Oman's National Drug Addict Registry. The data collected included the socio-demographic characteristics of registered cases, the proportion of various psychoactive substances' consumption and their routes of administration, the associated sociodemographic determinants as well as comorbid conditions.
A total of 6,453 cases were registered during the study's timeframe. The majority of which were Omani (97.9%), male (98.7%), single (57.9%), unemployed (50.2%), had an education level below university (81.0%) and were adolescents and young adults (77.0%). Opiates were the most common substance used (66.6%) and more than half of the sample were polydrug users (51.0%). Injecting-drug users constituted 53.4% of the total registered cases. The proportion of people with hepatitis virus C, hepatits virus B and HIV among the registered cases were 46.9%, 5.1% and 3.7%, respectively.
The findings are in favour of rapidly escalating the introduction of a substance use preventive programme at all school levels as well as making opioid substitution therapy and other harm reduction programmes available in Oman.
Curcumin, a dietary spice from turmeric, is known to be anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antithrombotic. Here, we studied the mechanism of the antiplatelet action of curcumin. We show that ...curcumin inhibited platelet aggregation mediated by the platelet agonists epinephrine (200 microM), ADP (4 microM), platelet-activating factor (PAF; 800 nM), collagen (20 microg/mL), and arachidonic acid (AA: 0.75 mM). Curcumin preferentially inhibited PAF- and AA-induced aggregation (IC50; 25-20 microM), whereas much higher concentrations of curcumin were required to inhibit aggregation induced by other platelet agonists. Pretreatment of platelets with curcumin resulted in inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by calcium ionophore A-23187 (IC50; 100 microM), but curcumin up to 250 microM had no inhibitory effect on aggregation induced by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol myrsitate acetate (1 microM). Curcumin (100 microM) inhibited the A-23187-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ as determined by using fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester. Curcumin also inhibited the formation of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) by platelets (IC50; 70 microM). These results suggest that the curcumin-mediated preferential inhibition of PAF- and AA-induced platelet aggregation involves inhibitory effects on TXA2 synthesis and Ca2+ signaling, but without the involvement of PKC.
Retrograde flow of menstrual blood cells during menstruation is considered as the dominant theory for the development of endometriosis. Moreover, current evidence suggests that endometrial-derived ...stem cells are key players in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In particular, endometrial stromal stem cells have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Here, we aimed to use menstrual blood, as a novel source of endometrial stem cells, to investigate whether stromal stem cells from endometriosis (E-MenSCs) and non-endometriosis (NE-MenSCs) women differed regarding their morphology, CD marker expression pattern, proliferation, invasion and adhesion capacities and their ability to express certain immunomodulatory molecules. E-MenSCs were morphologically different from NE-MenSCs and showed higher expression of CD9, CD10 and CD29. Furthermore, E-MenSCs had higher proliferation and invasion potentials compared with NE-MenSCs. The amount of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in E-MenSCs co-cultured with allogenic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was shown to be higher both at the gene and protein levels, and higher IDO1 activity was detected in the endometriosis group. However, NE-MenSCs revealed increased concentrations of forkhead transcription factor-3 (FOXP3) when compared with E-MenSCs. Nonetheless, interferon (IFN)-γ, Interleukin (IL)-10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were higher in the supernatant of E-MenSCs-PBMC co-cultures. Here, we showed that there are inherent differences between E-MenSCs and NE-MenSCs. These findings propose the key role MenSCs could play in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and further support the retrograde and stem cell theories of endometriosis. Hence, considering its renewable and easily available nature, menstrual blood could be viewed as a reliable and inexpensive material for studies addressing the cellular and molecular aspects of endometriosis.
The aim of the present study is to determine the efficiency of silver nanoparticles in mastitis treatment induced by Staphylococcus aureus, 20 lactating goats were infected intramammaryinoculated ...with 1.5×108 cfu/ml of virulence Staphylococcus aureus isolated from milk of caprine mastitis and at 48hr post inoculation, the animals were divided randomly into four groups equally, 1st group left without treatment as control positive, 2nd group treated intramammaryinfusion with 5 ml Silver nanoparticle after 2h from infection daily for 3 consecutive days, 3rd group treated intramammaryinfusion with 5 ml Silver nanoparticle after 72h from infection daily for 3 consecutive days, 4th group treated intramammaryinfusion with 5 ml Silver nanoparticle mixed with gentamycin after 72h from infection daily for 3 consecutive days. The silver nanoparticles used in this study were created using a green method from Bacillus clausii. The Scanning electron microscope was spherical and homogeneous form, with a size range of 25 to 45 nm. Results showed severe clinical signs of the mammary gland with heavy bacterial isolation in 1st control groups at 3, 6-, 9-, 14- and 21-days post infection, while animals that were intramammary treated with Silver nanoparticle alone or combination with gentamycin showed a disappearance in clinical signs of the mammary gland and bacterial isolation, it was concluded that Silver nanoparticle had a strong action against mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
COVID-19 revealed major shortfalls in healthcare workers (HCWs) trained in acute and critical care worldwide, especially in low-resource settings. We aimed to assess mass online courses’ efficacy in ...preparing HCWs to manage COVID-19 patients and to determine whether rapidly deployed e-learning can enhance their knowledge and confidence during a pandemic.
Retrospective cohort study.
This international retrospective cohort study, led by a large Academic Medical Centre (AMC), was conducted via YouTube and the AMC's online learning platform. From 2020 to 2021, multidisciplinary experts developed and deployed six online training courses based on the latest evidence-based management guidelines. Participants were selected through a voluntary sample following an electronic campaign. Training outcomes were assessed using pre-and post-test questionnaires, evaluation forms, and post-training assessment surveys. Kirkpatrick's Model guided training evaluation to measure self-reported knowledge, clinical skills, and confidence improvement. We also captured the number and type of COVID-19 patients managed by HCWs after the trainings.
Every 22.8 reach/impression and every 1.2 engagements led to a course registration. The 10,425 registrants (56.8% female, 43.1% male) represented 584 medical facilities across 154 cities. The largest segments of participants were students/interns (20.6%) and medical officers (13.4%). Of the 2169 registered participants in courses with tests, 66.9% completed post-tests.
Test scores from all courses increased from the initial baseline to subsequent improvement post-course. Participants completing post-training assessment surveys reported that the online courses improved their knowledge and clinical skills (83.5%) and confidence (89.4%). Respondents managed over 19,720 COVID-19 patients after attending the courses, with 47.7% patients being moderately/severely ill.
Participants' confidence in handling COVID-19 patients is increased by rapidly deploying mass training to a substantial target population through digital tools. The findings present a virtual education and assessment model that can be leveraged for future global public health issues, and estimates for future electronic campaigns to target.
Ca–Ni co-substituted samples of nanocrystalline spinel ferrites with chemical formula Mg1−xCaxNiyFe2−y O4 (x=0.0–0.6, y=0.0–1.2) were synthesized by the micro-emulsion method and were annealed at ...700°C for 7h. The synthesized samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and dielectric measurements. The XRD and FTIR analysis reveals that single phase samples can be achieved by substituting Ca and Ni ions at Mg and Fe sites respectively in cubic spinel nano-ferrites. The crystallite size of the synthesized samples was found in the range 29–45nm. The saturation magnetization (Ms) increases from 9.84 to 24.99emu/g up to x=0.2, y=0.4 and then decreases, while the coercivity (Hc) increases continuously from 94 to 153Oe with the increase in dopants concentration. The dielectric properties of these nano materials were also studied at room temperature in the frequency range 100MHz to 3GHz. The dielectric parameters were found to decrease with the increased Ca–Ni concentration. Further the peaking behavior was observed beyond 1.5GHz. The frequency dependent dielectric properties of all the samples have been explained qualitatively on the basis of the Maxwell–Wagner two-layer model according to Koop's phenomenological theory. The enhanced magnetic parameters and reduced dielectric properties make the synthesized materials suitable for switching and high frequency applications, respectively.
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•DFT is employed for investigating how the acetone (ACT) molecule is adsorbed on the o-B2N2 monolayer.•A relationship is established between the sensor response (R) and its Eg.•ACT ...interacts strongly with the o-B2N2ML with the energy of adsorption of −17.82 kcal/mol.•The sensor recovery time is 428 s, which is similar to the experimental value.
In recent years, the removal of various organic solvents from different mediums, particularly through nano-structured materials, has an important place in various industries, for example in producing novel versatile nano-adsorbents. Within this work, dispersion-corrected DFT is employed for investigating how the acetone (ACT) molecule is adsorbed on the o-B2N2 monolayer (o-B2N2ML) because computational methods have been considered as powerful tools to explore molecular systems at the atomic level and to explore the nature of interactions. Here, by investigating charge transports, density of states, electronic/energy properties, and orbitals, the experimental observations are inspected at the molecular level. A relationship is established between the sensor response (R) and its Eg (the energy gap between the HOMO and the LUMO). ACT interacts strongly with the o-B2N2ML with the energy of adsorption of −17.82 kcal/mol. The adsorption of ACT on o-B2N2ML is a strong physical adsorption. After ACT is adsorbed, there is an increase in the conductivity of these systems, which makes the application of o-B2N2ML as an electrical gas sensor possible. The sensor recovery time is 428 s, which is similar to the experimental value.
Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can harm to public health as they can cause widespread food poisoning and resistance to multiple antibiotics. Therefore, we aimed to ...investigate the percentage of S. aureus and MRSA among meat and butcher shop tools, utensils, and workers' hands by detecting the presence of the nuc and mecA genes in S. aureus and MRSA isolates, respectively using PCR technique in Mosul city. In this study, we randomly selected 300 samples from meat and various butcher shop surfaces in Mosul city between September 2021 and January 2022. The findings confirmed that S. aureus carried the nuc gene in meat 64% and other samples, ranging from 36% in machines to 82% in knives. Additionally, out of 178 positive S. aureus isolates in this study, 94 samples showed a positive mecA gene for S. aureus. Significant differences were observed among the meat and various utensils of butcher shops. The meat had a higher prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates reach 75% more than the other tools and utensils (machines 38.9%, tables 36.7%, worker hands 38.5%). Further research is necessary to evaluate the existence of enterotoxin genes in Staphylococcus aureus of different meat products.
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