The reason for conducting this study is to prolong release of miconazole in the ocular site of action by ocular-based gels (OBGs) formulations. The formulation factors affecting on the release from OBG should be studied using various gelling agents in various concentrations to achieve the improvement in retention and residence time in response to prolonged release. In this study, the formulations were prepared using carbopol 940, pectin, sodium alginate, poloxamer 407, and poly(methacrylic acid) at 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% w/v, respectively. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 (HPMC E5) 1% was added as thickening agent/viscosity builder. The formulation containing carbopol 940, pectin and sodium alginate at 1.5% w/v, displayed a noticable improvement in viscosity, gelling capacity, and extended release for 7 h in comparison with the reference drug. Overall, the release showed that the sodium alginate with HPMC E5 form
This study assesses the short-term and long-term interactions between firm performance, financial education and political instability in the case of Malaysia Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The simultaneous insertion of financial education and political instability within the study is done intentionally to inspect the effect of these two elements in one equation for the Malaysian economy. Using the bound testing methodology for cointegration and error correction models, advanced within an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) framework, we examine whether a long-run equilibrium connection survives between firm performance and the above mentioned independent variables. Using this method, we uncover evidence of a positive long-term link b
... Show MoreA new species, Hottentotta pooyani sp. nov. is described and illustrated using two female specimens collected from the Khuzestan Province in Iran. This species is compared with the closely species including H. khoozestanus Navidpour, Kovařík, Soleglad & Fet, 2008; H. pellucidus Lowe, 2010 and H. saxinatans Lowe, 2010 that were previously described in Iran and Oman.
The present study reports Morchella conica Pers.1818, which belongs to the family, Morchellaceae as a new record of Iraqi macromycota based on the morphological and molecular methods. During their short and often sporadic fruiting season, this fungal species was found in mixed forest unburned areas in Branan ranges (Suliamaniya Province, Northeast Iraq). Currently, M. conica is the second Morchella species reported from Iraq. The current study aimed to introduce this new record, which is poorly studied in the Middle East. M. conica is morphologically described and phylogenetically confirmed. The relationship between this species and other species within the genus was studied using the nrDNA ITS sequences from different species and divers
... Show MoreCompassion competence is a nurse's ability to provide patient-centered care and communicate with patients in a sensitive and insightful manner. This descriptive cross-sectional survey study aimed to assess the compassion competence of a multinational group of nursing students.
A total of 1,158 undergraduate nursing students participated in this study, and stratified random sampling method was used to select participants from the 100 study level to the 400 or 500 level. Data were collected using the Compassion Competence Scale.
<ABSTRACT:. The Lower Cretaceous Zubair formation is comprised of sandstones intercalated with shale sequences. The main challenges that were encountered while drilling into this formation included severe wellbore instability-related issues across the weaker formations overlaying the reservoir section (pay zone). These issues have a significant impact on well costs and timeline. In this paper, a comprehensive geomechanical study was carried out to understand the causes of the wellbore failure and to improve drilling design and drilling performance on further development wells in the field. Failure criteria known as Mogi-Coulomb was used to determine an operating mud weight window required for safe drilling. The accuracy of the geomechanical
... Show MoreBackground and Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs), among a wide range of microbial infections, are of a double-edged worry with health-care and economic implications. They are serious diseases that can influence various parts of the urinary tract. The aim of this study was characterization of the enteric bacteria isolated from urine of human UTIs and studying their antimicrobial sensitivity. Materials and methods: A total of 50 urine samples were collected from patients with UTIs of both genders. The isolates identification was done using routine diagnostic methods and confirmed by Vitek2. Antimicrobial susceptibility was done against 10 antimicrobials. Results: Both genders of human were found to suffer from urinary tract problems
... Show MoreTo determine the expression of key epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in gingival tissue samples collected from patients with periodontitis.
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition is a process responsible for shifting epithelial‐phenotype to mesenchymal‐phenotype leading to loss of epithelial‐barrier function. Thus, EMT could be involved as a pathogenic mechanism in periodontitis as both conditions share common promoters and signalling pathways.
Gingival tissue samples were collected fro
This study aimed to assess the efficiency of Nerium oleander in removing three different metals (Cd, Cu, and Ni) from simulated wastewater using horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSSF-CW) system. The HSSF-CW pilot scale was operated at two hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 4 and 7 days, filled with a substrate layer of sand and gravel. The results indicated that the HSSF-CW had high removal efficiency of Cd and Cu. A higher HRT (7 days) resulted in greater removal efficiency reaching up to (99.3% Cd, 99.5% Cu, 86.3% Ni) compared to 4 days. The substrate played a significant role in removal of metals due to adsorption and precipitation. The N. oleander plant also showed a good tolerance to the uptake of Cd, Cu, and Ni ions fr
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