Journals
2025 EN
Wuni Abubakari · Musah Ajara · Sisala Iddrisu Mohammed
+8 more
ABSTRACT Background Workplace bullying is an important issue confronting the nursing profession, with victims described as being part of an oppressed group. The number of attacks and acts of violence that staff direct at each other in the workplace is alarmingly high and cannot be ignored. Aim This study assessed the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying of nurses by other nurses among those working in three major hospitals in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Methods Data for this study were collected from Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale Central Hospital, and Tamale West Hospital using a descriptive cross‐sectional multi‐facility study design with a quantitative approach to data collection. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to recruit 338 nurses from the three hospitals. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, following approval from the Tamale Teaching Hospital Research and Development Unit and the Northern Regional Health Directorate, from January 2022 to March 2022. Stata for Windows V16.0 was used to analyse the data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the factors associated with the prevalence of perceived workplace bullying among nurses. Confidence intervals were computed at a 95% confidence level, and a p ‐value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant. Results The majority of respondents (85.5%) indicated they had observed workplace bullying before, and 50.6% had witnessed the bullying of a nurse by another nurse. A little over one‐third had been victims of workplace bullying. Females constituted a higher proportion of both the perpetrators (53.0%) and the main targets (80.2%) of workplace bullying. Additionally, 34.6% reported having the intention to travel abroad to practise nursing as a result of observing bullying or being victims themselves. Multivariable analysis showed that the odds of experiencing workplace bullying were 63% lower among nurses working in the surgical ward compared to those in the Outpatient Department (AOR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.15–0.91, p = 0.030). Conclusion This study revealed that workplace bullying is prevalent among nurses in the three main hospitals within the Tamale Metropolis. Most respondents had witnessed workplace bullying, and a little over one‐third had been victims themselves. Workplace bullying is a measurable issue that negatively affects nurses' mental health and job performance. Therefore, nursing leaders should organise regular sensitisation programmes to raise awareness of the impact of workplace bullying. Additionally, hospital management should encourage nurses to report instances of bullying, establish disciplinary committees to address such cases, punish offenders, and protect those who witness or are victims of bullying.
Journals
2025 EN
Dakir Ibrahim · Pralhadrao Wagh Vinod · Abouali Hind
+2 more
Abstract The global demand for minerals, particularly copper (Cu), continues to grow due to its essential role in various industrial sectors (e.g., electronics, urban construction and renewable energy). This study aims to provide geological maps and geophysical surveys using ground magnetic and electrical methods (electrical resistivity tomography and induced polarization [IP]), as well as to characterize the lithostructural features and identify potential mineralized veins in the El Mnizla region. The geological exploration through hammer‐based prospection revealed mineralized structures on the ground surface. These Cu‐bearing minerals were associated with iron oxides and occurred in quartz, calcite and barite veins or occasionally disseminated along the schists and conglomerates. The mineralized veins are oriented NE–SW and ENE–WSW, following fault planes. The geochemical analyses of the collected rock samples from these structures revealed Cu and iron (Fe) contents of up to 1.9% and 37%, respectively. The geophysics‐based magnetic method identified several anomalies related to boundaries between geological formations. These anomalies were marked by brecciated strike–slip faults or deeply rooted mineralized structures with a northwest dip, following the NE–SW and E–W axes. The upward continuation maps revealed the presence of magnetic dome structures, corresponding to basic or intermediate magmatic intrusions. These intrusions might be the source of the observed hydrothermal mineralization. The pseudo‐sections exhibited low resistivity values near the ground surface, indicating the physical alteration of schists, sandstones and conglomerates. High‐resistivity anomalies were attributed to silicified, calcified zones or compact sandstones, whereas conductive anomalies at about 30‐m depth were associated with areas rich in massive Cu mineralization or abundant fractured structures. The IP revealed moderate‐to‐high chargeability anomalies, which were consistent with the high resistivity values near the ground surface. These anomalies were attributed to disseminated sulphides within hydrothermally altered zones. The high chargeability anomalies at the 30‐m depth were associated with low resistivity, suggesting the presence of a massive hydrothermal mineralization zone. The identified structures were aligned along the NE–SW direction, confirming the observed geological and magnetic analysis results. This study provides further insights into the mineralized system and tectonic structures of the study area, as well as their impacts on the circulation of hydrothermal fluids during the Hercynian orogeny.
Journals
2025 EN
Ibrahim Nadine I. · Cherry Megan M. · Keilin Charles A.
+5 more
Abstract Objective Evaluate inpatient audiometry on clinical decision‐making. Assess stakeholder perspectives on the practice of inpatient audiometry and financial impact. Study Design This is a mixed methods study utilizing retrospective chart review, a focus group, and financial analyses. Setting Academic tertiary referral center. Methods Included subjects were adults (18+) admitted from 2015 to 2022 who received an inpatient audiogram (n = 302). A binary assessment of whether audiograms impacted inpatient clinical management was determined. Financial analyses estimated the cost of audiograms. An audiology focus group was conducted. Results The average age was 51 years. Thirty‐nine percent were female. Seventy percent of inpatient audiograms were associated with Otolaryngology consultation. Inpatient audiograms were performed an average of 3.6 days after request (0‐47 days, 90th percentile 8.2 days). Forty‐nine percent were performed within 1 day. Twenty‐three percent were performed for acute hearing loss. Ototoxic monitoring was the most frequent indication (15%). Sixty‐two percent of audiograms did not impact the initiation or withholding of treatment. Inpatient testing results in a 63% increase in cost over outpatient. Audiologists endorsed challenges with equipment, patient‐level factors, and system‐level challenges. Conclusion Inpatient audiometry is resource‐intensive without significant data examining the impact and clinical utility. In most cases, inpatient audiometry is not used in the decision to withhold or deliver treatment and may cost 63% more than outpatient audiograms. While inpatient audiometry has a critical role in appropriate settings, system optimization and guidelines are necessary. Outpatient audiograms may suffice for the majority of otologic consults in combination with a thorough history and physical exam. Additional study across institutions with variable practice would be beneficial to establish broader recommendations.
Journals
2025 EN
Abdulrazzak Obada · Ibrahim Nadine I. · Jones Gerilyn
+6 more
Abstract Objective This study investigated how individuals who have undergone bilateral cochlear implantations (BiCIs) use compensatory head movements to optimize sound localization and speech‐in‐noise (SIN) performance compared with single‐sided deaf users of cochlear implant (SSDCI) and normal hearing controls. Study Design Nonrandomized, prospective human‐subject study. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Methods Subjects were presented with Harvard IEEE sentences at varying signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) in a darkened, semianechoic chamber. An electromagnetic head‐tracking system monitored head movement. Outcomes included head movement patterns, localization accuracy, and SIN performance. Results BiCI localized targets less accurately with higher SNR‐dependent variability than controls, but with greater accuracy than SSDCI. For SIN, SSDCI consistently showed superior performance to the BiCI, with no statistical significance found at any noise condition between SSDCI and controls. Across SNR, BiCI consistently initiated head movements more promptly compared to SSDCI, with controls predictably exhibiting the least delay. All CI recipients exhibited greater absolute displacement overall compared to controls. Although BiCI showed greater displacement compared to SSDCI, their pattern resembled controls, with decreased movement necessary as SNR became more favorable. Conclusion When comparing performance for localization and SIN across groups, the same impaired group does not perform most poorly at both binaural tasks; although SSDCI users maintain better speech understanding in noise, BiCIs tend to perform better on locating stimuli in space. Preserved acoustic hearing in one ear does not provide a performance advantage across all tasks. The study underscores the intricate interplay of adaptive behaviors in CI users, showcasing successes and challenges in optimizing binaural hearing performance.
Journals
2025 EN
Durmaz Alper · Mizan Kahyaoğlu İbrahim · Can Aytar Erdi
+4 more
Abstract Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide and the third most common cancer overall. In this study, we investigate the anti‐colon cancer potential of phytochemically, and thermally synthesised novel green carbon dots based on Rhododendron luteum (RL‐CDs). A new synthesis method was used to produce carbon dots obtained from the Rhododendron luteum (RL) plant in an environmentally friendly manner. The green RL were characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV‐Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and artificial intelligence (AI)‐based TEM analysis. The FTIR spectrum showed peaks corresponding to the hydroxyl (−OH) vibration of polyphenols at 3500 cm −1 , the C=O vibration of cellulose derivatives at 1728 cm −1 , and the C−O stretching of primary alcohol at 1041 cm −1 . Two UV absorption peaks at roughly 253 nm (UV−C range), and 320 nm (UV−B range) were observed. The size of the green RL was measured to be less than 50 nm, and its morphology was characterized as dumbbell‐shaped through TEM analysis. In‐vitro studies were performed with HCT116 colon cancer, MCF‐7 breast cancer, and normal HUVEC cells. The results demonstrated that the RL‐CDs exhibited selective cytotoxic activity against HCT116 colon cancer cells. The results show that the RL extract stimulates cancer cell death by decreasing the CD44/24 ratio, and increasing apoptotic activity. These observations suggest that green RL‐CDs could be an effective anticancer agent in colon cancer therapy, investigating their potential in this direction could be a promising way for future research.
Journals
2025 EN
Mahmoud Amna H. M. · Aziz Muhrail E. S. · Rabee Abdallah I. M.
+4 more
Abstract The potential of the two‐dimensional ruthenium carbide (RuC) nanosheet to detect highly toxic environmental compounds – namely, Furan (Fur) and 1, n ‐Dioxane (1, n ‐Diox) – was investigated utilizing the density functional theory (DFT) approach. The adsorption features of the Fur and 1, n ‐Diox molecules on the RuC nanosheet were evaluated in parallel and vertical configurations. From energetic manifestations, Fur and 1, n ‐Diox molecules preferred to be adsorbed in the parallel configuration rather than the vertical one on the RuC nanosheet with negative E ads values of −27.80 and −9.30 kcal/mol, respectively, for Fur⋅⋅⋅RuC complexes. Bader charge findings demonstrated an electron‐accepting property for the Fur and 1, n ‐Diox molecules during the adsorption process over the RuC nanosheet, as indicated by positive Q t values. From the FMO findings, the E HOMO and E LUMO values of Fur/1, n ‐Diox molecules, and the pure RuC nanosheet varied considerably after the adsorption process in both configurations. The band structure and TDOS/PDOS plots of Fur/1, n ‐Diox⋅⋅⋅RuC complexes showed new bands and peaks for the RuC nanosheet after the adsorption process, proving the capability of the RuC nanosheet to detect the investigated small molecules. The outcomes of the current work can serve as a foundation for using the RuC nanosheets to detect highly toxic small molecules.
Journals
2025 EN
Khan Obaid ur Rehman · Khan Bilal Ahmad · Hamdani Syeda Shamila
+8 more
Abstract The potentiality of monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes to break monoamine neurotransmitters makes them efficacious druggable targets. Molecules having MAO‐A inhibition characteristics are utilized as antidepressants while molecules with MAO‐B inhibition prospective are utilized to treat Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Herein, we have shown how the selective inhibition of both isozymes can be attained by varying the substitution of electron‐withdrawing and donating groups on the phenyl rings of tetrahydropyridines, i. e., ethyl 1,2,6‐triaryl‐4‐(arylamino)‐1,2,5,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐3‐carboxylate ( 4 a – 4 o ). The structures of these piperidines ( 4 a – 4 o ) were unambiguously established by different spectro‐analytical techniques, including 1 H‐ and 13 C‐NMR. Among the synthesized compounds, compounds 4 l and 4 n were identified as the most promising inhibitors of MAO‐A and MAO‐B, with IC 50 values of 0.40±0.05 and 1.01±0.03 μM, respectively, compared with positive controls, namely clorgyline and l‐deprenyl, with IC 50 values of 0.0045±0.0003 and 0.0196±0.001 μM, respectively. The binding interactions of the most potent derivatives within the binding pocket of the MAO‐A and MAO‐B enzymes were predicted by molecular docking studies. Binding mode analysis revealed the capacity of compounds 4 l and 4 n to exhibit a hydrogen bond with PHE177 of MAO‐A and GLN206 of MAO‐B, respectively.
Journals
2025 EN
Kalligosfyri Panagiota M. · Miglione Antonella · Esposito Alessia
+6 more
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme present in the human body responsible for the dephosphorylation of phosphorylated chemical species. It is primarily expressed in organs such as bones, liver, intestine, and placenta during pregnancy, playing a crucial role in cellular processes like gene expression, transport, and metabolism. Physiological ALP levels vary with age and sex, with normal serum ranges for healthy adults between 40 and 190 U/L. Alterations in ALP levels can be indicative of several pathologies, including cancer diagnosis and metastasis, as well as bone growth dysfunctions and hypophosphatasia. Conventional methods for ALP detection often require complex assay principles, extensive sample pretreatment, and trained personnel. Herein, the development of a portable, flexible electrochemical sensor fabricated through screen‐printing to monitor ALP levels in biological samples is introduced. The flexible electrochemical sensor, characterized by high efficiency, sustainability, low cost, and ease of disposal, achieves detection limit as low as 0.03 and 0.08 U/L, respectively, in buffer solution and human serum samples, and a satisfactory repeatability lower than 10%. This simple sensor configuration approach enables real‐time disease monitoring and improves access to point‐of‐care diagnostics, paving the way for affordable, decentralized sensors that support early diagnosis and better healthcare.
Journals
2025 EN
Mahmoud Doaa G. M. · Mekhemer Gamal A. H. · Hegazy MohamedElamir F.
+2 more
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most fatal infectious diseases. Decaprenylphosphoryl‐D‐ribose oxidase (DprE1), one of the key enzymes in the synthesis of arabinogalactan and lipoarabinomannan, has become a focal point for anti‐TB drug discovery. An investigation of the StreptomeDB database, an extensive collection of natural products from Streptomyces species, yielded 63 nitro‐containing compounds with strong potential as masked electrophiles for covalent inhibitors. The compounds are prepared and screened against DprE1. The reliability of AutoDock 4.2.6 software in predicting the covalent docking scores and poses of the DprE1 inhibitors is evaluated. StreptomeDB compounds exhibiting covalent docking scores lower than PBTZ169, the reference inhibitor, against DprE1 (calc. –7.8 kcal mol −1 ) are recognized and underwent molecular dynamics simulations, succeeded by estimations of MM‐GBSA binding energies. According to the MM‐GBSA results obtained after 300 ns MDS, hydroxythaxtomin A and lajollamycin B exhibited better binding affinities against DprE1 withΔ G binding$\Delta G_{\text{binding}}$ values of –51.2 and –50.5 kcal mol −1 , respectively, compared to PBTZ169 (calc. –49.3 kcal mol −1 ). Post‐MD analyses are conducted to examine the stability and affinity of the identified StreptomeDB compounds with DprE1. Robust bioavailability and drug‐likeness characteristics are expected for the investigated StreptomeDB compounds. These findings unveiled promising inhibitory activity for hydroxythaxtomin A and lajollamycin B against DprE1.
Journals
2025 EN
Abalkhail Tarad · Alkubaisi Noorah A. · Aziz Ibrahim M.
+4 more
Chrysanthemum has been studied for its anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, and other pharmacological properties. However, there is little knowledge about the methanol–pharmaceutical activities of Chrysanthemum indicum leaves and flowers. This study is designed to assess the in vitro antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities of C. indicum extracts. The flowers and leaves of C. indicum are extracted. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry is used to analyze the chemical components. The antioxidant activity is evaluated using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrilhidrazine (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Cytotoxic effect against A549 cell line is identified. The antibacterial properties are evaluated against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Antioxidant activity is detected and observed to be maximum at higher concentrations. The IC50 values of flowers and leaves are 77.19 ± 2.4 and 101.94 ± 2.34 μg mL −1 , respectively, in the DPPH method, whereas the ABTS assay shows 93.21 ± 3.42 and 98.22 ± 3.34 μg mL −1 , respectively. The flower extract has more cytotoxic activity than the leaves ( P < 0.05). The IC50 values for flowers and leaves are 72.49 ± 3.14 and 102.54 ± 4.17 μg mL −1 , respectively. Furthermore, the flower and leaf extracts exhibit the most pronounced antibacterial activity. These results provide a strong basis for further research into its potential therapeutic uses as well as opportunities for the creation of natural pharmaceutical products.