Introduction: Methadone hydrochloride (MDN) is an effective pharmacological substitution treatment for opioids dependence, adopted in different countries as methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programmes. However, MDN can exacerbate the addiction problem if it is abused and injected intravenously, and the frequent visits to the MMT centres can reduce patient compliance. The overall aim of this study is to develop a novel extended-release capsule of MDN using the sol-gel silica (SGS) technique that has the potential to counteract medication-tampering techniques and associated health risks and reduce the frequent visits to MMT centres. Methods: For MDN recrystallisation, a closed container method (CCM) and hot-stage method (HSM) were conducted, and MDN crystals were characterised using the polarised light microscope (PLM). MDN crystal thickness was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy (CM) to establish a relationship between MDN crystals thickness and their birefringence colours using the Michel-Levy Birefringence Colour Chart. The experimental series was continued to produce novel silica-based MDN formulations A and B capsules by adding MDN powder at the end and beginning of the SGS process, respectively. The silica-based MDN formulations were characterised by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), SEM, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), PLM and mean grey value (MGV) analyses. The in vitro release studies (n=3) for the silica-based MDN formulations and pure MDN capsules were conducted in a phosphate buffer solution (pH= 7.2) for 7 days. Stability studies were conducted for 1 month by keeping the silica-based MDN capsules under 25°C and 57% RH. Results: The optimal method to produce large numbers of MDN crystals was the CCM, and MDN crystals were characterised as diamond shaped with an intrinsic angle of 62o. The SEM surpassed the CM in measuring MDN crystal thickness, and Mann-Whitney U Test showed statistically significant differences between SEM and confocal thickness measurements (U= 1283, p < 0.05) as the SEM exhibited thinner diamond crystals (6.62 ± 2.9 µm) than the CM measurements (9.6 ± 4.6µm). According to the Michel-Levey birefringence colour chart (using the SEM mean thickness of MDN crystals and their retardation value of 428 nm), most of MDN crystals demonstrated a yellow colour. The FT-IR, SEM, DSC, MGV and PLM analyses of both silica-based MDN formulations revealed that MDN was successfully incorporated inside the silica network producing amorphous material (with no appearance of the melting peak of pure MDN at 233.4°C) with evidence of no physical or chemical interaction between sol-gel silica and MDN. However, the TGA analysis revealed a significantly greater amount of MDN was loaded inside the silica-based MDN formulation B compared to A (t = 2.80, p = 0.009, n=6), as 28.3 ± 0.6 mg of MDN was loaded in the former while 25.6 ± 0.7 mg in the latter. In addition, the silica-based MDN formulation B released 10% more MDN after 7 days than formulation A, and both formulations were stable when stored for 1 month under 57% RH and 25°C. Conclusion: The novel combined use of SEM and PLM techniques shows a potential for the identification of MDN in forensic science as it established a range of birefringence colours of MDN crystals. Moreover, the new silica-based MDN formulation B can help to deter MDN abuse and increase patient adherence to MMT due to its potential to sustain MDN release and reduce the frequent visits to MDN treatment centres.
The present study addressed "Performance Appraisal of Human Resource Management and Its Effect on Achieving the Organizational Success", for the topics of performance appraisal of human resource management and the organizational success gained an increasing interest being relatively important and modern topics which had a great effect on the future of organizations.
The study aimed at revealing the pattern of appraising the performance of human resource management for the study sample, and whether it was qualified to lead the ministry towards the organizational success, for this purpose two main hypotheses were formulated: 1) there is a positive significant correlation between both variables: performanc
... Show More
The research aims to reach a set of objectives concerning creation a clear vision about conceptual, philosophical and practical dimension of relations, and effects between knowledge management, costumer orientation and competitiveness to construct a framework of a pragmatic model as a solution to research problem and its questions which the main one is about the role of knowledge management and costumer orientation in competitiveness of business organizations. To achieving this goal, it was necessary to make, in priory, a review and discussion to the theoretical dimension of research variables to have a clear vision about constructing hypostatical research model implying a set of hypotheses which, by proving them in companies studied, repr
... Show MoreThis study aims to find out the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral counseling program in enhancing self-management in reducing the academic procrastination of tenth-grade male students. The sample consisted of (26) male students divided into an experimental group of (13) students and a control group of (13) students. Two scales of self-management and academic procrastination were used, prepared by the researcher. The counseling program was prepared by the researcher. The results showed the program's effectiveness in enhancing self-management and reducing academic procrastination in the posttest, as it showed the continuation of this enhancement in self-management and the increase in the reduction of procrastination in the follow-up
... Show MoreThe research aims to determine the role of green human resource management dimensions of (employment Green, training and development, green, performance evaluation Green, compensation and green bonuses) in the performance leadership of the organization dimensions of (advance planning, efficiency, effectiveness, index pioneering, renovation and modernization), Search of paramount importance because it addresses an important and modern issue in performance leadership, namely green management of human resources, aware of the importance of the subject and expected results of the company under study, an analysis of the data obtained through field visits in
... Show More
Background : The dermatophytesare taxonomically related fungi causing different skin infections referred to as tineas in man or ringworm in man and animals . Objective:This study was established to investigate theof effect of yellow sap and gel of Aloe vera on skin of the rabbits which infected with T.verrucosum. Methods : Twelveskin biopsy were taken from rabbits for histopathological study to know the the effects of the T.verrucosumand treated with yellow sap and gel. Results : the results of histopathological study of effect of yellow sap and gel of Aloe vera on skin of the rabbits which infected with T.verrucosum showed the concentration of the gel of aloe vera at 75% was more effected to treat the infective area of skin with T.verrucos
... Show MoreAlthough severe epistaxis is uncommon, it is serious. The systematic endoscopic nasal examination is an essential step in identifying the bleeding point and aiding electrocauterization. Currently, the S-point, which is located in the superior part of the nasal septum behind the septal body and corresponding to the axilla of the middle concha, is identified in about 30% of cases with severe epistaxis. Cauterization of this point has an excellent rate of controlling the bleeding and preventing its recurrence. We aimed to highlight the significance of the S-point in the management of severe cases of epistaxis.
(1)
Acne scars are one of the most common problems following acne vulgaris. Despite the extensive list of available treatment modalities, their effectiveness depends upon the nature of the scar. Ablative lasers had been used to treat acne scars; one of them is the fractional CO2 laser. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of acne scars. Methods: Since January 2010 to June 2013, using 10600 nm fractional CO2 laser beams, the acne scar of 400 patients, 188 males and 212 females, mean age of 34 years, have been treated and classified according to severity into four grades following Goodman and Baron classification. Each patient underwent 3-5 sessions once monthly. The mean laser exposure time
... Show MoreFor businesses that provide delivery services, the efficiency of the delivery process in terms of punctuality is very important. In addition to increasing customer trust, efficient route management, and selection are required to reduce vehicle fuel costs and expedite delivery. Some small and medium businesses still use conventional methods to manage delivery routes. Decisions to manage delivery schedules and routes do not use any specific methods to expedite the delivery settlement process. This process is inefficient, takes a long time, increases costs and is prone to errors. Therefore, the Dijkstra algorithm has been used to improve the delivery management process. A delivery management system was developed to help managers and drivers
... Show More
(4)
This research investigates solid waste management in Al-Kut City. It included the collection of medical and general solid waste generated in five hospitals different in their specialization and capacity through one week, starting from 03/02/2012. Samples were collected and analyzed periodically to find their generation rate, composition, and physical properties. Analysis results indicated that generation rate ranged between (1102 – 212) kg / bed / day, moisture content and density were (19.0 % - 197 kg/ m3) respectively for medical waste and (41%-255 kg/ m3) respectively for general waste. Theoretically, medical solid waste generated in Al-Kut City (like any other city), affected by capacity, number of patients in a day, and hosp
... Show More