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.
Objective: This study aims to assess the level of nurse's knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis management
in pregnant women.
Methodology: A descriptive analytic study was carried out from January 2012 to March 2012. A sample of
(70)nurses who provide prenatal care to pregnant women at primary health care centers of AL-Adala,ALHindia,AL-Askary,AL-Jamea,AL-Ansar
and AL-Salam in AL-Najaf city. The questionnaire was self-completed
and included questions on sociodemographic characteristics and toxoplasmosis aspects.
Results: The findings of the study indicated that (44.3%) of nurses have moderate level of knowledge.
(32.9%) of nurses was with age ranging from 31-36 years. (74.3%) were male. (52.9%) were secondary
graduate
Background: Plants used in folk medicine for
the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases is a very
promising approach to overcome the limitations of
classical medicines.
Aim: To explore the efficacy of medicinal
plants, namely turmeric, garlic and marshmallow,
in eradication of H. pylori.
Methods: This prospective study was carried out
on 225 of well-known dyspeptic patients who were
divided into four groups; a control group (received
classical medical therapy) and three other groups
that received one of the three medicinal plants,
plus the same therapy used in the control group.
The follow up was done by using a questionnaire
form, endoscopic examination, and determination
of serum levels of anti
Background: Atrophic postoperative and traumatic scarring are common cosmetic problems for patients. Combining CO2 laser ablation with a fractional photothermolysis system in a treatment known as ablative fractional resurfacing fulfilling the new demands for a lesser risk of side effects and minimal or no downtime.Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of ablation fractional CO2 laser treatments for surgical scarring .methods: Twenty one patient ( 14 women, and 7 men ) with various skin types , I to IV , aged 3 to 48 years , presents with 24 scars between June and December 2012 , four patients excluded from study because they are not continued in follow up , the remaining 17 patient completed all 3 treatments & 6 months follow
... Show MoreThis study evaluates 22 patients with retained foreign bodies in the maxillofacial region that were all caused by penetrating missile injuries. Surgical intervention for the retrieval of the foreign bodies was carried out in 20 patients through the existing wounds and through separate incisions; all patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 months during which all the complications were registered and managed. Preoperative imaging is a prerequisite for the accurate localization of the foreign body and the subsequent successful removal of it. All patients developed complications that were categorized in this study into those that result from the injury itself and those that occur because of the retrieval procedure, the latter category bei
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Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a typical microbial bio-polyester reserve material; known as “green plastics”, which produced under controlled conditions as intracellular products of the secondary metabolism of diverse gram-negative/positive bacteria and various extremophiles archaea. Although PHB has properties allowing being very attractive, it is too expensive to compete with conventional and non-biodegradable plastics. Feasibility of this research to evaluate the suitability of using a watermelon-derived media as an alternative substrate for PHB synthesis under stress conditions was examined. Results, include the most nutrients extraction, indicated that the watermelon seeds contain a high content of nutrients makes them a promisi
... Show MoreABSTRACT
The research aims to identify the role of scientific planning of inventory by determining the quantity of economic demand and the number of times of purchase and associated annual total costs to achieve a sufficient and appropriate level of inventory . The research was based on the case study methodology. Materials of increasing demand in the Institute of Technical Management and knowledge of the degree of conformity of the procurement plan with the standard indicators adopted in a scientific method ,its include economic order quantity and number of purchasing times .
one of The main results of the research was the existence of a large difference between the quantity of the economic purchase of ea
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Discussion dealt with the independent factors critical such us success factors and the risk management process, and dependent factor of the general competitive strategies, and began searching the dilemma of thought, as crystallized his problem in the light of the need for organizations to philosophy and deeper vision of a more comprehensive understanding of the concept of risk management, assessment and management to maximize the competitive strategies of public, and on this basis, Search queries formulated problem of the gap between the knowledge-based intellectual propositions farcical for the purposes of interpretation of the relationship between the critical success factors and the risk
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Background: Displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck remain a challenging issue despite the advancement in the ways of treatment .The purpose of this study is to assess the results of different methods of treatment in different age groups. Methods: This study was conducted over a period from (1998-2004) on 26 patients, with ages of 5 – 85 years with intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck due to different insults in Tikrit teaching hospital. Open reduction and internal fixation was done to those patients of<60 years of age, while uncemented Austin-Moore hemiarthroplasty was conducted in patients of >60 years old. Patients were followed for 6-12 months for any complication. Results: The main age group among the pati
... Show MorePersonal intelligence is thinking about an other person , understanding him, have sympathy and differentiation between people, and to appreciate their own point of view, with the sensitivity to their motives, behavior, and goals, so this intelligence involves dealing with a person or group of persons effectively and in normal or logical manner.
Emotions management is to achieve emotional balance by controlling the emotions continuously, self disciplining, keeping away from excitement sources, and dealing with bad situations in constructive way to achieve the psychological stability .
- the study aims