Samah Mohamed Kannas, Omar Wardan Habbal, Ferdos Ibrahim Aman, Aisha Mohamed Alzahmi, Souad Ousama Mahdi, Ali Ahmed Azeez, Mohamed Ahmed Eladl, Amal Hussein
ABSTRACT Background: The prevalence of physical activity (PA) in the United Arab Emirates was a source of concern before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was crucial to examine the effects of the lockdown measures on PA in the region. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on PA levels and characteristics among university students in the United Arab Emirates. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2021 and March 2021 using an online questionnaire. A total of 410 responses were received and analyzed using SPSS v26. Results: The prevalence of PA decreased from 62.7% to 59.3% after the lockdown. Most students (43.58%) used to practice 1–3 times/week; this percentage decreased to 35.8% after the lockdown. During the pandemic, 39.5% of the students had their usual PA affected. Consequently, 41.6% decided to quit exercising and 53% started practicing at home as an alternative. Regarding exercise outcomes, 54.4% of the students did not meet their exercise goals. Among those whose PA was restricted during the pandemic, 51.9% started eating junk food. Men were twice as likely to maintain their PA schedules as women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.07–3.34]). Moreover, men were 3.5 times less likely to engage in light exercise than moderate-intensity exercise compared to women (OR = 3.47, 95% CI = [1.15–10.41]). Conclusion: This study showed that COVID-19 lockdown in the United Arab Emirates had a detrimental impact on university students’ PA and dietary choices. This emphasizes the need for health promotion and preparedness strategies for future pandemics.
{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity of university students","authors":"Samah Mohamed Kannas, Omar Wardan Habbal, Ferdos Ibrahim Aman, Aisha Mohamed Alzahmi, Souad Ousama Mahdi, Ali Ahmed Azeez, Mohamed Ahmed Eladl, Amal Hussein","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_32_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_32_23","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background: The prevalence of physical activity (PA) in the United Arab Emirates was a source of concern before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was crucial to examine the effects of the lockdown measures on PA in the region. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on PA levels and characteristics among university students in the United Arab Emirates. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2021 and March 2021 using an online questionnaire. A total of 410 responses were received and analyzed using SPSS v26. Results: The prevalence of PA decreased from 62.7% to 59.3% after the lockdown. Most students (43.58%) used to practice 1–3 times/week; this percentage decreased to 35.8% after the lockdown. During the pandemic, 39.5% of the students had their usual PA affected. Consequently, 41.6% decided to quit exercising and 53% started practicing at home as an alternative. Regarding exercise outcomes, 54.4% of the students did not meet their exercise goals. Among those whose PA was restricted during the pandemic, 51.9% started eating junk food. Men were twice as likely to maintain their PA schedules as women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.07–3.34]). Moreover, men were 3.5 times less likely to engage in light exercise than moderate-intensity exercise compared to women (OR = 3.47, 95% CI = [1.15–10.41]). Conclusion: This study showed that COVID-19 lockdown in the United Arab Emirates had a detrimental impact on university students’ PA and dietary choices. This emphasizes the need for health promotion and preparedness strategies for future pandemics.","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"134 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134883500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Radwa Ahmed Hassan, Yazan Yaser, Ahmed Abdelhamid Aboeldahab, Maryam O. Alqallaf, Alya Al Hamadi, Amal-Saad Hussein
Background: Ever since the emergence of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection in the UAE, the government had taken several preventive measures against the disease, including vaccination. Acceptance of the vaccine among the population played a crucial role in determining whether the pandemic could be successfully controlled. This study aimed to assess the acceptance, knowledge, and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine among the adult population of the UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a snowball sampling method among UAE residents above 18 years of age. Data were collected using an online questionnaire consisting of 33 close-ended questions divided into three sections. Results: A total of 825 adults (males = 18.4% and females = 81.6%) participated in the study. Males were 3.3 times more likely to get vaccinated than females (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9–5.7). Those participants who took the flu vaccine before were 1.4 times more likely to get vaccinated (95% CI: 1.003–1.897). Employed participants were three times more likely to take the vaccine as compared with students and those who were unemployed (95% CI: 2.078–4.577). Likewise, those who were over 40 years old and those who believed in the efficacy and safety of vaccines were more willing to get vaccinated. Conclusion: The acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine was overall high, especially among males and employees. Our findings may help identify vulnerable groups in order to expand vaccination coverage and help raise awareness among UAE residents.
{"title":"Evaluating the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among the adult population in the United Arab Emirates","authors":"Radwa Ahmed Hassan, Yazan Yaser, Ahmed Abdelhamid Aboeldahab, Maryam O. Alqallaf, Alya Al Hamadi, Amal-Saad Hussein","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_39_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_39_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Ever since the emergence of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection in the UAE, the government had taken several preventive measures against the disease, including vaccination. Acceptance of the vaccine among the population played a crucial role in determining whether the pandemic could be successfully controlled. This study aimed to assess the acceptance, knowledge, and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine among the adult population of the UAE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a snowball sampling method among UAE residents above 18 years of age. Data were collected using an online questionnaire consisting of 33 close-ended questions divided into three sections. Results: A total of 825 adults (males = 18.4% and females = 81.6%) participated in the study. Males were 3.3 times more likely to get vaccinated than females (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9–5.7). Those participants who took the flu vaccine before were 1.4 times more likely to get vaccinated (95% CI: 1.003–1.897). Employed participants were three times more likely to take the vaccine as compared with students and those who were unemployed (95% CI: 2.078–4.577). Likewise, those who were over 40 years old and those who believed in the efficacy and safety of vaccines were more willing to get vaccinated. Conclusion: The acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine was overall high, especially among males and employees. Our findings may help identify vulnerable groups in order to expand vaccination coverage and help raise awareness among UAE residents.","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"29 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125653546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare clinical condition that occurs secondary to a triggering factor such as peritoneal dialysis. The condition entails the encasement of a part of or entire small bowel in a fibro-collagenous membrane, causing subacute, acute, or chronic bowel obstruction. This case report presents a middle-aged man with recurring episodes of vague abdominal pain. The clinical examination and investigations showed small-bowel obstruction mostly focused around the previous area of mesh placement for umbilical hernia repair. The abdominal exploration showed a fibrous sac encasing the small-bowel loops, which necessitated adhesiolysis. Most of the fibrous encapsulating membrane was removed. The patient made an uneventful recovery. The treating surgeons for patients with vague manifestations of small obstruction should have a high index suspicion for rare causes of abdominal pain such as SEP.
{"title":"Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis: Report of a case and review of literature","authors":"H. Al Trabulsi, Tala Muassess, S. Guraya","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_59_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_59_22","url":null,"abstract":"Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare clinical condition that occurs secondary to a triggering factor such as peritoneal dialysis. The condition entails the encasement of a part of or entire small bowel in a fibro-collagenous membrane, causing subacute, acute, or chronic bowel obstruction. This case report presents a middle-aged man with recurring episodes of vague abdominal pain. The clinical examination and investigations showed small-bowel obstruction mostly focused around the previous area of mesh placement for umbilical hernia repair. The abdominal exploration showed a fibrous sac encasing the small-bowel loops, which necessitated adhesiolysis. Most of the fibrous encapsulating membrane was removed. The patient made an uneventful recovery. The treating surgeons for patients with vague manifestations of small obstruction should have a high index suspicion for rare causes of abdominal pain such as SEP.","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"3 2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124263979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ali A. Al Bshabshe, Mir Nadeem, Ahmed M. Assiri, Javed Iqbal Wani, Shahid Aziz, Zia Ul Sabah, Nawaf A. Alqahtani, Fayez Mohammed Alshehri, Riyadh F. Alshubily, Ali M. Alqahtani
ABSTRACT Background: Warfarin was a frequently prescribed long-term anticoagulant before the advent of novel oral anticoagulants or direct oral anticoagulants. These drugs are used for the primary or secondary prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation or for the treatment and prophylactic prevention of venous thromboembolism. This study aimed to assess the anticoagulation control of patients receiving warfarin at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in an anticoagulation clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia and included 113 patients who had been treated with warfarin for at least 3 months. Thereafter, the international normalized ratio results were collected for 3 years. Anticoagulation control was assessed by calculating time within the therapeutic range (TTR) as per the Rosendaal method. Results: A total of 113 patients (mean age, 56 ± 17.6 years; 64.6% of females) were included. The mean TTR was 48.1%. Almost one-third of the patients (31.3%) had poor anticoagulation control defined as a TTR of <50%. Poor anticoagulation control was significantly associated with a higher CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, and stroke/transient ischemic attack) score ( P = 0.043). TTR did not differ significantly between men and women, and it was not associated with age or anticoagulation therapy duration. Conclusion: Anticoagulation quality was suboptimal in patients receiving warfarin in a tertiary care hospital, with nearly 41% of time spent outside the therapeutic range. Methods should be implemented to improve anticoagulation control in appropriate patient groups.
{"title":"Quality of anticoagulation with the use of warfarin in long-term care in a tertiary care hospital using time spent in therapeutic range as a predictive parameter","authors":"Ali A. Al Bshabshe, Mir Nadeem, Ahmed M. Assiri, Javed Iqbal Wani, Shahid Aziz, Zia Ul Sabah, Nawaf A. Alqahtani, Fayez Mohammed Alshehri, Riyadh F. Alshubily, Ali M. Alqahtani","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_13_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_13_23","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background: Warfarin was a frequently prescribed long-term anticoagulant before the advent of novel oral anticoagulants or direct oral anticoagulants. These drugs are used for the primary or secondary prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation or for the treatment and prophylactic prevention of venous thromboembolism. This study aimed to assess the anticoagulation control of patients receiving warfarin at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in an anticoagulation clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia and included 113 patients who had been treated with warfarin for at least 3 months. Thereafter, the international normalized ratio results were collected for 3 years. Anticoagulation control was assessed by calculating time within the therapeutic range (TTR) as per the Rosendaal method. Results: A total of 113 patients (mean age, 56 ± 17.6 years; 64.6% of females) were included. The mean TTR was 48.1%. Almost one-third of the patients (31.3%) had poor anticoagulation control defined as a TTR of <50%. Poor anticoagulation control was significantly associated with a higher CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, and stroke/transient ischemic attack) score ( P = 0.043). TTR did not differ significantly between men and women, and it was not associated with age or anticoagulation therapy duration. Conclusion: Anticoagulation quality was suboptimal in patients receiving warfarin in a tertiary care hospital, with nearly 41% of time spent outside the therapeutic range. Methods should be implemented to improve anticoagulation control in appropriate patient groups.","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"43 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134882402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Short-term exposure to interleukin-6 does not affect angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression in human pancreatic islets","authors":"Anila Khalique, Mawieh Hamad, Jalal Taneera","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_44_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_44_23","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"52 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134884785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Matloubi, A. Aktar, Lianyu Shan, L. Koussih, A. Gounni
Semaphorins are cell-membrane bound or secretory proteins that regulate cell migration, differentiation, proliferation, and morphology. Semaphorins are guidance cues that have either repulsive or attractive effects on growth cones and thus determine their direction toward or away from a target place. Moreover, they act as either chemorepellent or attractive molecules in other systems. Semaphorins were initially discovered as axon guidance molecules essential in nervous system development. However, growing evidence shows that they have a crucial role in other systems, including the immune, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. This review highlights the immunoregulatory effects of semaphorin 3E in allergic airway inflammation.
{"title":"Semaphorin-3E/plexinD1 axis in allergic asthma","authors":"M. Matloubi, A. Aktar, Lianyu Shan, L. Koussih, A. Gounni","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_33_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_33_22","url":null,"abstract":"Semaphorins are cell-membrane bound or secretory proteins that regulate cell migration, differentiation, proliferation, and morphology. Semaphorins are guidance cues that have either repulsive or attractive effects on growth cones and thus determine their direction toward or away from a target place. Moreover, they act as either chemorepellent or attractive molecules in other systems. Semaphorins were initially discovered as axon guidance molecules essential in nervous system development. However, growing evidence shows that they have a crucial role in other systems, including the immune, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. This review highlights the immunoregulatory effects of semaphorin 3E in allergic airway inflammation.","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125405907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin that is active against gram-positive bacteria and has modest activity against gram-negative organisms, and cefazolin is excreted by glomerular filtration. The efficacy and safety of cefazolin and cefazolin concentration in body tissues have been described. Cefazolin pharmacokinetics have been studied; six patients received cefazolin at a dose of 1 g thrice daily and one patient received cefazolin at a dose of 2 g once daily and this patient had acute kidney injury. The pharmacokinetics of cefazolin have been studied. The prophylaxis, treatment, and trials with cefazolin have been reported. The penetration of cefazolin into the cerebrospinal fluid has been studied. Cefazolin treats the meningitis caused by Staphylococcus meningitis or by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and cefazolin may become resistant to bacteria. Cefazolin freely crosses the human placenta and poorly migrates into the breast milk. The aim of this review was to describe cefazolin efficacy and safety, tissue concentration, pharmacokinetics, prophylaxis, treatment, trials, penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid, treatment of bacterial meningitis, resistance, transfer across the human placenta, and migration into the breast milk.
{"title":"Clinical pharmacology of cefazolin","authors":"G. Pacifici","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_31_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_31_22","url":null,"abstract":"Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin that is active against gram-positive bacteria and has modest activity against gram-negative organisms, and cefazolin is excreted by glomerular filtration. The efficacy and safety of cefazolin and cefazolin concentration in body tissues have been described. Cefazolin pharmacokinetics have been studied; six patients received cefazolin at a dose of 1 g thrice daily and one patient received cefazolin at a dose of 2 g once daily and this patient had acute kidney injury. The pharmacokinetics of cefazolin have been studied. The prophylaxis, treatment, and trials with cefazolin have been reported. The penetration of cefazolin into the cerebrospinal fluid has been studied. Cefazolin treats the meningitis caused by Staphylococcus meningitis or by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and cefazolin may become resistant to bacteria. Cefazolin freely crosses the human placenta and poorly migrates into the breast milk. The aim of this review was to describe cefazolin efficacy and safety, tissue concentration, pharmacokinetics, prophylaxis, treatment, trials, penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid, treatment of bacterial meningitis, resistance, transfer across the human placenta, and migration into the breast milk.","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"78 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123397496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amna M Othman, M. Saber-Ayad, Hamzah Alzubaidi, Q. Hamid, N. Sulaiman
Background: This mixed-method study explored knowledge, perceptions, and practices of performance-enhancing agents (PEAs) among university students, the public, and sports club stakeholders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A mixed-method study was conducted; a total of 353 participants (289 students and 64 members of the public) completed the web-based survey, and 34 sports club stakeholders and 6 community pharmacists were interviewed. Results: These showed that most sports club stakeholders were unfamiliar with the prohibited substances in the UAE. Moreover, some interviewees were unwilling to learn more about PEAs. Out of the participants, 72% of the students and 78% of the public had positive perceptions about prohibiting certain and harmful types of PEAs in sports and reported unfavorable views toward doping agents’ users. Regarding the personal experience with banned substance(s), 5.7% of the students and 3.2% of the public reported using them. There was a clear diversity among sports club stakeholders regarding the problem of doping in the UAE. Conclusion: There were gaps in knowledge about World Anti-Doping Agency’s role. Participants have the impression that doping is prevalent among bodybuilders, non-athletes, and young individuals in private gyms. In conclusion, there is a significant gap in knowledge of doping among university students and sports club stakeholders, highlighting the need for tailored education programs specifically designed for sports club stakeholders, and students aiming at reducing PEAs use.
{"title":"A mixed-method study about performance-enhancing agents: Exploring the insights of university students, public, and sports club stakeholders","authors":"Amna M Othman, M. Saber-Ayad, Hamzah Alzubaidi, Q. Hamid, N. Sulaiman","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_34_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_34_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This mixed-method study explored knowledge, perceptions, and practices of performance-enhancing agents (PEAs) among university students, the public, and sports club stakeholders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A mixed-method study was conducted; a total of 353 participants (289 students and 64 members of the public) completed the web-based survey, and 34 sports club stakeholders and 6 community pharmacists were interviewed. Results: These showed that most sports club stakeholders were unfamiliar with the prohibited substances in the UAE. Moreover, some interviewees were unwilling to learn more about PEAs. Out of the participants, 72% of the students and 78% of the public had positive perceptions about prohibiting certain and harmful types of PEAs in sports and reported unfavorable views toward doping agents’ users. Regarding the personal experience with banned substance(s), 5.7% of the students and 3.2% of the public reported using them. There was a clear diversity among sports club stakeholders regarding the problem of doping in the UAE. Conclusion: There were gaps in knowledge about World Anti-Doping Agency’s role. Participants have the impression that doping is prevalent among bodybuilders, non-athletes, and young individuals in private gyms. In conclusion, there is a significant gap in knowledge of doping among university students and sports club stakeholders, highlighting the need for tailored education programs specifically designed for sports club stakeholders, and students aiming at reducing PEAs use.","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"548 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133681971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Muhammad, N. Akbar, Roberta Cagliani, Mutasem Rawas-Qalaji, B. Saeed, N. Khan, R. Siddiqui
Background: Acanthamoeba castellanii genotype T4 is the causative agent of the progressively increasing sight-threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis and central nervous system infections. Because of the increased prevalence and the ineffectiveness of the current antiamoebic drugs, we synthesized miltefosine poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (miltefosine PLGA NP) as a potential potent and biocompatible antiamoebic drug. The advantage to use PLGA NP is to preserve the cells from the toxic effect of miltefosine drug. In particular, miltefosine PLGA nanoformulation offers a better cellular uptake and a sustained drug release compared with the free drug that presents potent cytotoxicity at high concentrations against human colon cancer cell lines. Methods: The miltefosine NP were synthesized using a double emulsion-solvent evaporation method, characterized, and then assessed for their antiamoebic activity against A. castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype. Blank PLGA NP and miltefosine were used as controls. Results: Amoebicidal assays revealed that at 25 and 50 µM, unmodified miltefosine eradicated 83% and 93% of amoebae, respectively. At these same concentrations of 25 and 50 µM, the amount of miltefosine released form PLGA NP formulation was limited to 22.6%. However, it killed 36% and 56% of the protozoa, respectively. Thus, the efficacy of PLGA NP formulation was similar to that of the unmodified miltefosine. Both miltefosine and its PLGA NP significantly inhibited the pretreated amoebae (minimum inhibitory concentration 50% = 37.23 and 55.26 µM, respectively, compared with 147.2 µM of the blank NP; P < 0.05) and reduced amoebae-mediated host cell death. The blank NP and miltefosine NP exhibited minimal cytotoxicity against colon epithelial cell lines. In contrast, the unmodified miltefosine caused 37%, 71%, and 88% of cytotoxicity at 10, 25, and 50 µM, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that controlling the release of miltefosine from PLGA NP for a short time was almost as effective as miltefosine alone against A. castellanii genotype T4 while reducing host cell toxicity. Hence, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using PLGA NP for the treatment of Acanthamoebic infections.
{"title":"Antiparasitic properties of miltefosine-based nanoformulations against protozoan pathogen, Acanthamoeba castellanii","authors":"J. Muhammad, N. Akbar, Roberta Cagliani, Mutasem Rawas-Qalaji, B. Saeed, N. Khan, R. Siddiqui","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_35_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_35_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Acanthamoeba castellanii genotype T4 is the causative agent of the progressively increasing sight-threatening Acanthamoeba keratitis and central nervous system infections. Because of the increased prevalence and the ineffectiveness of the current antiamoebic drugs, we synthesized miltefosine poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (miltefosine PLGA NP) as a potential potent and biocompatible antiamoebic drug. The advantage to use PLGA NP is to preserve the cells from the toxic effect of miltefosine drug. In particular, miltefosine PLGA nanoformulation offers a better cellular uptake and a sustained drug release compared with the free drug that presents potent cytotoxicity at high concentrations against human colon cancer cell lines. Methods: The miltefosine NP were synthesized using a double emulsion-solvent evaporation method, characterized, and then assessed for their antiamoebic activity against A. castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype. Blank PLGA NP and miltefosine were used as controls. Results: Amoebicidal assays revealed that at 25 and 50 µM, unmodified miltefosine eradicated 83% and 93% of amoebae, respectively. At these same concentrations of 25 and 50 µM, the amount of miltefosine released form PLGA NP formulation was limited to 22.6%. However, it killed 36% and 56% of the protozoa, respectively. Thus, the efficacy of PLGA NP formulation was similar to that of the unmodified miltefosine. Both miltefosine and its PLGA NP significantly inhibited the pretreated amoebae (minimum inhibitory concentration 50% = 37.23 and 55.26 µM, respectively, compared with 147.2 µM of the blank NP; P < 0.05) and reduced amoebae-mediated host cell death. The blank NP and miltefosine NP exhibited minimal cytotoxicity against colon epithelial cell lines. In contrast, the unmodified miltefosine caused 37%, 71%, and 88% of cytotoxicity at 10, 25, and 50 µM, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that controlling the release of miltefosine from PLGA NP for a short time was almost as effective as miltefosine alone against A. castellanii genotype T4 while reducing host cell toxicity. Hence, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using PLGA NP for the treatment of Acanthamoebic infections.","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"86 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122048702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Male infertility is a global health issue that is poorly described in United Arab Emirates. Methods: In this 10-year retrospective cross-sectional study, we retrieved data of 312 male patients attending Dubai Fertility Center in United Arab Emirates between January 2011 and January 2021. We identified the type and prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities and hormonal and semen abnormalities among Emirati infertile males as compared with regional and global populations. Results: Total chromosomal abnormalities accounted for 13.9% and 8% among azoospermic Emiratis and total Emirati infertile males, respectively. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities causing male infertility were Klinefelter syndrome, 47,XXY (4.0%); Jacob syndrome, 47,XYY (0.8%); mosaic, 48,XXXY/47,XXY/46,XY (0.4%); and mosaic 47,XXY/46,XY (0.4%). Structural chromosomal abnormalities causing male infertility were Y chromosome microdeletion (1.2%), 46,XX/46,XY (0.4%), 46,XY,inv(5)(p15.1q11.2) (0.4%), and 45,XY,der(13;15)(q10;q10) (0.4%). About 59.0% of the Emirati cohort had azoospermia, whereas 28.46% were diagnosed with other conditions of spermatogenic failure as severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (7.63%), severe oligoasthenospermia (5.22%), severe oligozoospermia (4.41%), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (3.6%), asthenozoospermia (2.4%), oligoasthenospermia (1.6%), oligozoospermia (2%), teratozoospermia (0.8%), asthenoteratozoospermia (0.4%), and aspermia (0.4%). As for male hormonal profile of the Emiratis, azoospermic males with chromosomal defects had higher testosterone abnormality (72.2% vs. 45.4%), interstitial-cell stimulating hormone abnormality (66.6% vs. 42.6%), follicle-stimulating hormone abnormality (72.2% vs. 41.5%), and inhibin B hormone abnormality (100% vs. 83.8%) as compared to azoospermic males without chromosomal abnormalities. Conclusion: This is the first study to report conclusively the profiling of chromosomal abnormality among Emirati infertile males, which falls within the regional and global range, and to highlight the critical role of genetic testing and counseling for evaluating male infertility.
{"title":"Chromosomal abnormalities and clinical conditions associated with the male infertility among Emirati: 10-year retrospective research study","authors":"Ferdos Ebrahim, I. Mahasneh","doi":"10.4103/abhs.abhs_38_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/abhs.abhs_38_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Male infertility is a global health issue that is poorly described in United Arab Emirates. Methods: In this 10-year retrospective cross-sectional study, we retrieved data of 312 male patients attending Dubai Fertility Center in United Arab Emirates between January 2011 and January 2021. We identified the type and prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities and hormonal and semen abnormalities among Emirati infertile males as compared with regional and global populations. Results: Total chromosomal abnormalities accounted for 13.9% and 8% among azoospermic Emiratis and total Emirati infertile males, respectively. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities causing male infertility were Klinefelter syndrome, 47,XXY (4.0%); Jacob syndrome, 47,XYY (0.8%); mosaic, 48,XXXY/47,XXY/46,XY (0.4%); and mosaic 47,XXY/46,XY (0.4%). Structural chromosomal abnormalities causing male infertility were Y chromosome microdeletion (1.2%), 46,XX/46,XY (0.4%), 46,XY,inv(5)(p15.1q11.2) (0.4%), and 45,XY,der(13;15)(q10;q10) (0.4%). About 59.0% of the Emirati cohort had azoospermia, whereas 28.46% were diagnosed with other conditions of spermatogenic failure as severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (7.63%), severe oligoasthenospermia (5.22%), severe oligozoospermia (4.41%), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (3.6%), asthenozoospermia (2.4%), oligoasthenospermia (1.6%), oligozoospermia (2%), teratozoospermia (0.8%), asthenoteratozoospermia (0.4%), and aspermia (0.4%). As for male hormonal profile of the Emiratis, azoospermic males with chromosomal defects had higher testosterone abnormality (72.2% vs. 45.4%), interstitial-cell stimulating hormone abnormality (66.6% vs. 42.6%), follicle-stimulating hormone abnormality (72.2% vs. 41.5%), and inhibin B hormone abnormality (100% vs. 83.8%) as compared to azoospermic males without chromosomal abnormalities. Conclusion: This is the first study to report conclusively the profiling of chromosomal abnormality among Emirati infertile males, which falls within the regional and global range, and to highlight the critical role of genetic testing and counseling for evaluating male infertility.","PeriodicalId":158834,"journal":{"name":"Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128382831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：