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Abstract: Purpose: To explore Jordanian Pharm.D students' career choices, perceptions and expectations. Methods: This observational study was conducted during June 2013 at the University of Jordan. A total of 192 undergraduate Pharm.D students were invited to complete a questionnaire prepared and validated by the research team. The questionnaire investigated student’s demographics, the reasons behind choosing to study Pharm.D, satisfaction with the Pharm.D course, student’s future plans following graduation, and student’s perceptions about the Pharm.D specialty. Data collected were encoded and analyzed by SPSS database for Windows version17. Results:The majority (93%) of respondents was females,aspired to work as hospital clinical pharmacists (83%) and many (68%) believed that Pharm.D graduates are well respected by the general public. Results indicated that students are unaware of the current Pharm.D salaries and have higher expectations than what is being currently offered in the country. Conclusions:A generation of Pharm.D students from Jordan reported a future aspiration to work as hospital clinical pharmacists. Students have unrealistic salary expectations compared with the current salaries offered in Jordan. ‘Awareness workshops’ targeting students’ knowledge about the Pharm.D degree is required. Keywords: Beliefs, Career Goals, Clinical Pharmacy, Education, Jordan, Pharm.D students.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Peginterferon α-2a (20kDa) derived from Hansenula Polymorpha is a distinct variety of peginterferons (PEG-IFN). A pilot study of this drug was conducted on healthy human subjects to evaluate its safety and pharmacokinetic behavior in local population. With due approval of the IEC operating under ICH-GCP guidelines; ten healthy male subjects were selected randomly from the Pakistani population after thorough screening and signing of the Informed consent for an open label, single dose study.Each subject received a subcutaneous injection of the drug (180µg) in abdominal skin and blood samples were collected at 0 and 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 60, 84, 108, 132 and 156 hours, andanalyzed by a validated ELISA method for peginterferon α-2a (20kDa), Unipeg®. The Mean ± SEM (standard error of mean) PK parameters were found to be: Cmax: 18.67±2.92 ng/ml (7.05-34.51); AUC0-∞: 1440±113 h.µg/l] (969-2101); Absorption Half-Life: 17.02±2.06 h (10.37-29.26), elimination half life: 41.437±6.21 h (18.51-78.97 h); volume of distribution 8.933±1.72 L (4.81-18.34), clearance: 112.6±8.21 ml/h (71.96–155.96). The safety of the drug was evaluated by observation of adverse effects and evaluating the change in general health parameters, hematological and biochemical test results during and after the study. No Sever Adverse Effect was observed however the most common adverse event (AE) was the fever; observed in all volunteers (n=10), headache (6), Fatigue (5), Vomiting (4) and diarrhea, loss of appetite, body ache was observed in 3 volunteers. Three out of ten volunteers demonstrated decrease in WBC and platelets count. Changes observed in hematology returned to normal values within 16 days. The safety profile of UNIPEG® was found to be very similar to those of reported in literature for unmodified IFNs and other pegylated interferons generally used in therapy. Future clinical trials are recommended to further establish the safety profile and pharmacokinetics. Keywords: PEG-IFN-α-2a, 20-kDa, Unipeg, Peginterferon alfa-2a, pharmacokinetics, clinical trial, safety.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate factors regulating groundwater quality in an area with agriculture as main use. Water samples for determining the water quality were collected in one liter polyethylene bags by observing standard sample collection method. It was ensured that sample collection sites must be at least 500 feet away from each other. Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) were determined from the collected water and it was observed that in Tando Muhammad Khan taluka, the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) in the samples ranged from 11.06 to 53.29, the highest (53.29) SAR was in UC Tando Saindad, while lowest (11.06) in the sample collected from UC-2 of Tando Muhammad Khan. The Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) in 36 collected groundwater samples ranged from 0.61 to 5.15 meq/l, the highest (5.15 meq/l) was in UC Tando Saindad, while lowest (0.61) in the sample collected from UC-3 of Tando Muhammad Khan. It was concluded that the SAR levels of groundwater samples indicated an alarming situation and most of the ground-water samples had SAR (<7.5 meq/l) and RSC (<2.0 meq/l) above permissible limits of WHO for agriculture use therefore, it is not suitable for agriculture as well as drinking. Keywords: Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Ground water.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Polyphenolics can act as prooxidants leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species and electrophilic metabolites which bind to DNA, protein and glutathione. The aim of the present study was to evaluate potential adverse effects of the long-term dietary administration of freeze-dried chokeberry juice to rats. Groups of 8 males and 8 females were exposed via diet to 0; 2; 6; 10 g juice/kg feed for 90 days. Mean food consumption and mean body weight gain of treated animals were comparable with controls. Changes in some hematological parameters were sporadic and non-dose-responsive. Several statistically significant changes in clinical chemistry parameters were considered no toxicologically relevant since they were of small magnitude and lacked correlating findings in histopathology. Histopathological examination did not reveal any changes that could be attributed to chokeberry juice intake. Determination of oxidative damage markers in the liver demonstrated no damage of lipids, proteins and DNA. Chokeberry juice intake improved antioxidant status of rats as evidenced by a decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation, an increase in reduced glutathione concentration and an increase in some antioxidant enzymes activity. It could be concluded that freeze-dried chokeberry juice is safe at doses tested and can be used as a component of food supplements. Keywords: Chokeberry, antioxidant activity, hematology, clinical chemistry.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Background: Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS) presents in both children and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). When DIOS is characterized by bilious vomiting or when washout therapy with polyethylene glycol has failed, radio-opaque hypertonic enema (ROHE) is recommended as the next therapeutic option. Techniques for use of ROHE in infants with meconium ileus are described in the literature but have not been reported for children and adults with DIOS. Methods: We described the technique, volume, and results of Gastrografin enema usage for DIOS in children and adults with CF at our institution between 2006 and 2011. We reviewed the incidence of DIOS reported to the CF Foundation Patient Registry (CFFPR) between 2001 and 2011 Results: The mean amount of dilute Gastrografin used was 1220ml or 31 ml/kg, (range 240 - 3500ml; 19 – 59 ml/kg). Three patients had incomplete resolution after an initial enema and underwent repeat enemas on consecutive days. The incidence of DIOS in the CFFPR increased from 223 to 498 cases in children <18 years and 380 to 813 cases in adults >18 years over the ten year period studied. Conclusions: Large volume radio-opaque hypertonic enemas can resolve episodes of acute DIOS and can be repeated on subsequent days if needed, without complications. The incidence of DIOS reported to the United States CF Foundation Patient Registry has increased in both children and adults over the past decade. Keywords: Therapeutic intervention, radio-opaque hypertonic enema, DIOS.Download Full Article |