Inhibitory effects on neutrophils' chemotaxis, phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are among the important targets in developing anti-inflammatory agents and immunosuppressants. Eight series of chalcone derivatives including five newly synthesized series were assessed for their inhibitory effects on chemotaxis, phagocytosis and ROS production in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Inhibition of PMNs' chemotaxis and phagocytosis abilities were investigated using the Boyden chamber technique and the Phagotest kit, respectively, while ROS production was evaluated using luminol- and lucigenin-based chemiluminescence assay. The new derivatives (4d and 8d), which contain 4-methylaminoethanol functional group were active in all the assays performed. It was also observed that some of the compounds were active in inhibiting chemotaxis while others suppressed phagocytosis and ROS production. The information obtained gave new insight into chalcone derivatives with the potential to be developed as immunomodulators.

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Aim: The study aimed to investigate the perceptions of patient safety competency (PSC) among a sample of graduating healthcare professionals in a developing country.     Methods: A cross-sectional survey on self-reported confidence in PSC was conducted among 469 graduands of pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy and medical imaging at a private healthcare educational institution in Malaysia. Students’ confidence in six core domains of competency in the validated Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS) questionnaire was evaluated in the classroom and clinical settings.    Results: Nursing students were the most confident in PSC followed by pharmacy, physiotherapy and medical imaging students (p < 0.05) in both settings. The pharmacists’ scores in both settings were equal in all the domains except for the learning on the ‘Recognise and respond to reduce harm’ domain (p = 0.01).    Conclusion: Based on H-PEPSS, the pharmacy students attained equal high levels of confidence in patient safety competency from both classroom and clinical settings.