Posted by admin on Jan 31, 2017 in |
Adipose tissue has immunomodulating effects in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous studies suggested that obesity could negatively affect the response to anti-TNF-α agents. We aimed to determine whether body mass index (BMI) is involved in the response to the anti-CD20 “Rituximab” in RA. In 100 patients with active RA, the BMI was categorized into two groups (<25 kg/m2 and ≥ 25 kg/m2) and calculated before initiation of rituximab treatment. Changes from baseline in Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28); Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index; C-reactive protein levels (CRP); erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels (ESR); tender and swollen joint count (TJC, SJC); pain and global on a visual analog scale (VAS) were analyzed within 12 weeks. The primary outcome was decreased in DAS28 ≥ 1.2, while secondary outcomes were the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria. Radiographical erosive status and adipokine levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and chemerin were also evaluated. As a result, the mean ± SD of BMI for all patients was 27 ± 4.6 kg/m2....
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Posted by admin on Jan 31, 2017 in |
Introduction: Expanding technicians’ role allows pharmacists to focus on patient care. In Egypt, the health authorities refuse to admit technicians’ role. In the draft amendments to the law, the “technician” was removed from the pharmacy workforce. Despite the high pharmacist density; technicians manage shifts alone. Technicians’ role is unclear and they have no educational programs resulting in drug-related errors. This study assessed pharmacists’ and technicians’ attitudes towards technicians’ current role and certification concept. Methods: Two validated specially designed questionnaires were distributed to pharmacists and technicians in Cairo, Giza and Qalyobia and filled at once by a direct interview. The questionnaires discussed: demographics, technician job satisfaction, task distribution and the concept of technician certification. Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests were conducted (P<0.05). Results: Questionnaires were filled by 502 pharmacists and 500 technicians. Technicians were standing alone in 247 pharmacies (26.8%). Technicians made drug-related errors as reported by 267 pharmacists (53.2%). Four hundred and thirty seven pharmacists (87.1%) and 470 technicians (94%) agreed on application of technician certification and 381 pharmacists...
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Posted by admin on Jan 31, 2017 in |
The in vitro antioxidant activity of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and alcoholic fraction of the total ethanolic extract of the leaves of Garcinia brasiliensis have been tested using various antioxidant model systems viz., ferric reducing power assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Ethyl acetate fraction is found to possess higher ferric reducing power and superoxide radical scavenging activity. The estimation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the various fractions are studied and the ethyl acetate fraction is found to possess high total phenolic and flavonoid content, thus correlating it with the antioxidant potential of the ethyl acetate...
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Posted by admin on Jan 31, 2017 in |
Nano-sized ZnO particles of specific morphology were synthesized using the plant leaf extracts of Aloe vera. In modern science Nanotechnology is an ablaze field for the researchers. Nanoparticles having a size of 1-100 nm in one dimension are used significantly concerning medical chemistry, atomic physics and all other known fields. Nanoparticles are used immensely due to its small size, orientation, physical properties, which are reportedly shown to change the performance of any other material which is in contact with these tiny particles. The biological approach is the most emerging approach of preparation, because, this method is easier than the other methods, eco-friendly and less time consuming. The semiconductor ZnO has gained substantial interest in the research community in part because of its large exciton binding energy 60 meV which could lead to lasing action based on exciton recombination even above room temperature. The Green synthesis was done by using the methanol of Aloe vera extract and zinc oxide. A fixed ratio of plant extract to metal ion was prepared...
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Posted by admin on Jan 31, 2017 in |
Now days the potential toxic effect of heavy metals in the aquatic organisms has been intensively studied. The present study was aimed to determine the proximate composition and the heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Pb & Cr) of three different marine fish species Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), Red snapper (Lutjanus sanguineus), and Indian sardine (Sardinella longiceps) along with the water sample collected from the southeast coast region located in Pondicherry state. These results revealed that the proximate composition of L. sanguineus had higher protein content (19.98%) and S. longiceps had higher fat content (10.03%), Fresh M. cephalus had higher moisture content (84.04%) whereas L. sanguineus had the highest ash content (2.59%) respectively. The metal concentration in seawater was found in the following order: Cr 0.91±0.04 > Cd 80±0.03 > Pb 0.08±0.01. The biomonitoring of the heavy metal concentration in the fish falls in the following order: Chromium 1.62±0.57 (Mugil cephalus) > 1.12±0.32 (Sardinella longiceps) > 0.90±0.04 (Lutjanus sanguineus). Lead 0.17±0.04 (Sardinella longiceps) > 0.33±0.07 (Lutjanus sanguineus) > 0.33±0.07 (Mugi cephalus)....
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