Anti-Contraction Effects of Euscaphic Acid Isolated from Crataegus azarolus var. aronia L on Rat’s Aortic Smooth Muscle

The current study represents the first attempt to investigate the effect of the Euscaphic acid (EA) on Rats isolated  thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells. Isolated aorta was used to test the anti-contraction effects and the possible mode of action(s) of the EA (1*10-7 M) and (3*10-7 M) isolated from Crataegus azarolus var. aronia L. Euscaphic acid showed high anti-contraction effects on norepinephrin (NE), (1*10-9-10-4 M) induced contraction in aortic smooth muscle cells in endothelium-intact, endothelium-denuded, and aortic rings pre-incubated with potassium (K+)-channels blocker (tetraethylammonium, TEA), prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) inhibitor (indomethacin) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) inhibitor ( methylene blue). On the other hand, other K+ channels subtype blockers glibenclamide (GLIB); barium chloride (BaCl2) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) demonstrated that adenosine triphosphate sensitive K+ (KATP), inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) and voltage-dependent K+ (KV) channels played no role in anti-contraction induced by EA. Furthermore, the role of L-types calcium (Ca++) channels in EA anti-contractile effects on aortic smooth muscle cells was proved, by using the Ca++-channel blocker verapamil, as indicated by the production of a potent anti-contraction effect . The results of the current study indicate that the anti-contraction effects of EA may be due to the activation of calcium dependent, K+ (KCa) channels and blocking of L-type Ca++ channels. Thus, from these results it can be concluded that both K+ and Ca++ channels play an important role in anti-contraction effects of EA, which are mediated possibly through opening of KCa channels and blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels, which may justify the use of medicinal plant C. azarolus in cardiovascular disease. Keywords: Crataegus azarolus var. aronia, Euscaphic acid, smooth muscle cells, K+-channels blockers, Ca++-channels blocker

Effect of Loading Duration on the Parameters Obtained from Consolidation Test

Consolidation properties of clay soils are evaluated in the laboratory using the one-dimensional consolidation test. The one-dimensional consolidation testing procedure was first suggested by Terzaghi (1925). In this procedure, the load on the specimen is applied and usually kept for 24 hours. After that, the load is doubled. Therefore, the duration of this test may continue at least 1 week and this duration is unpreferable for traditional purposes if the work is huge.In this paper, decreasing of applied loading test time has been studied through a new proposed time for applied loading. The results of a new time procedure have been compared with standard (conventional) Oedometer tests that they have been carried out on remolded samples of clay to investigate the difference percentage if quick tests are adopted instead of long tests. The comparison shows that the compression index increases with the increase test time, therefore, the compression index must be modified (use 1.1 Cc) when employed to calculate the settlement of soil. Also, the elapsed time of test is significant to the determination of swelling index. So, the test time of applied load should be not less than 2hrs.The results show that two hours are enough to reach 90 % consolidation (t90). The values of pre-consolidation pressure predicted depending on the results of quick test are always smaller than those predicted depending on the results of conventional test results. Finally, two hours LID is enough for calculating the coefficient of permeability depending on the parameters obtained from consolidation test

Pelatihan Public Speaking dalam Pengembangan Jiwa Enterpeneur

Public Speaking is a communication skill that must be possessed by every entrepreneur in order to be able to compete in the world of work. Of course, the importance of public speaking must be taught from an early age, so that one day they can be confident in public. The importance of imparting public speaking skills from an early age gave the idea to create community service activities with the theme of public speaking training in developing an entrepreneurial spirit. This activity aims to make students from an early age understand the importance of public speaking in the world of Entrepreneurs. It is hoped that from this activity the students at the Tahfidz Izzatul Qur'an As-adiyah Islamic boarding school will have public speaking skills that support the future in becoming entrepreneurs &nbsp

Image Reconstruction Using Multi-activation Wavelet Network

Abstract: Wavelet networks (WNs) are introduced recently as a combination of artificial neural networks (RPROP) and wavelet decomposition. These are found very useful for time scale representation and widely used in signal processing and computer vision. In this paper an algorithm is proposed for images reconstruction with lost blocks or uncompleted parts or missing segments. The proposed algorithm of image reconstruction is based on wavelet and resilient back propagation neural network in different segmentation types. It is applied for missing segment of texture images through the combination of the missing parts. The results of reconstruction outperform the existing conventional method

Decoding the enigma of antiviral crisis: Does one target molecule regulate all?

Disease fatality associated with Ebola, SARS-CoV and dengue infections in humans is attributed to a cytokine storm that is triggered by excessive pro-inflammatory responses. Interleukin (IL)-6 acts as a mediator between pro- and anti-inflammatory reactivity by initiating trans- and classical-signaling, respectively. Hence, IL-6 is assumed to provide a target for a broad range of antiviral agents. Available immunosuppressive antivirals are directed to control an often exaggerated pro-inflammatory response that gives rise to complex clinical conditions such as lymphocytopenia. It is known that IL-6, via its soluble receptor (sIL-6R), initiates a pro-inflammatory response while an anti-inflammatory response is triggered by the membrane-bound IL-6 receptor (IL-6R). Future antivirals should thus aim to target the mechanism that regulates switching between IL-6 trans- and classical-signaling. In this review, we propose that the tumour necrosis factor-α converting enzyme ADAM-17 could be the master molecule involved in regulating IL-6 class switching and through this in controlling pro- and anti-inflammatory responses to viral antigenic stimuli. Therefore, ADAM-17 should be considered as a potential target molecule for novel antiviral drug discovery that would regulate host reactivity to infection and thereby limit or prevent fatal outcomes

Prevalence and associated factors of Schistosomiasis among children in Yemen: implications for an effective control programme

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis, one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases, is a life-threatening public health problem in Yemen especially in rural communities. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of schistosomiasis among children in rural Yemen. METHODS/FINDINGS Urine and faecal samples were collected from 400 children. Urine samples were examined using filtration technique for the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs while faecal samples were examined using formalin-ether concentration and Kato Katz techniques for the presence of S. mansoni. Demographic, socioeconomic and environmental information were collected via a validated questionnaire. Overall, 31.8% of the participants were found to be positive for schistosomiasis; 23.8% were infected with S. haematobium and 9.3% were infected with S. mansoni. Moreover, 39.5% of the participants were anaemic whereas 9.5% had hepatosplenomegaly. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was significantly higher among children aged >10 years compared to those aged ≤ 10 years (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that presence of other infected family member (P<0.001), low household monthly income (P = 0.003), using unsafe sources for drinking water (P = 0.003), living nearby stream/spring (P = 0.006) and living nearby pool/pond (P = 0.002) were the key factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis among these children. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study reveals that schistosomiasis is still highly prevalent in Yemen. These findings support an urgent need to start an integrated, targeted and effective schistosomiasis control programme with a mission to move towards the elimination phase. Besides periodic drug distribution, health education and community mobilisation, provision of clean and safe drinking water, introduction of proper sanitation are imperative among these communities in order to curtail the transmission and morbidity caused by schistosomiasis. Screening and treating other infected family members should also be adopted by the public health authorities in combating this infection in these communities

Posterior fixation including the fractured vertebra in short segment fixation of unstable thoracolumbar junction burst fractures

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of inclusion of the fractured vertebra in short segment fixation in terms of clinical and the radiological outcomes in unstable thoracolumbar junction burst fractures at a minimum of 1 year follow-up. Records of 52 patients (age: 21-50 years) with thoracolumbar burst fracture (T10L2) in Magerl Type A fractures underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation including the fractured vertebra. Clinical parameters were back pain using Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and disability using Oswestry disability index (ODI), neurological deficit (using ASIA grade) and radiologic parameters (Cobb angle, the kyphotic deformation and vertebral height) were measured before surgery and at 3, 6 and 12 months  post-operatively. The presence of screw breakage, screw pullout, peri-implant loosening, and rod breakage were considered as criteria for implant failure. The majority of fractures resulted due to falls (31 cases), and the remaining cases resulted from car accidents (21 cases). The fractured vertebral body level was L1, T12, L2, T11, and T10 in 23, 17, 6, 4 and 2 cases and achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes according to the modified Mcnab criteria 18, 25, 6 and 3 cases were considered to have excellent, good, fair, and poor outcome. The mean kyphotic angle at pre-, post-operative and final follow-up was 13.5 ± 6.3, 13.4 ± 4.3, 8.5 ± 6.  The average loss of kyphosis correction was 6.4 ± 5.2° at the final follow-up. The mean pre- and post-operative kyphotic deformation of vertebral body was 5.1 ± 3.2, 4.8 ± 2.3 and at final follow-up was 4.5 ± 4.0 (p&gt;0.05). The mean anterior and posterior vertebral height also showed significant improvements post-operatively, which were maintained at the final follow-up. The mean ODI and VAS scores at the end of 1 year were 17.4%, 1.7 respectively. There was no case of major complication after surgery and during the follow-up period. In conclusion, reduction of unstable thoracolumbar junction burst fracture can be achieved and maintained with the use of short-segment pedicle screw fixation including the fractured vertebra, avoiding the need for anterior reconstruction.

New Design of Solar Photovoltaic and Thermal Hybrid System for Performance Improvement of Solar Photovoltaic

© 2020 Ridwone Hossain et al. Solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems are most widely used renewable energy technologies. Theoretical study indicates that the energy conversion efficiency of solar photovoltaic gets reduced about 0.3% when its temperature increases by 1°C. In this regard, solar PV and thermal (PVT) hybrid systems could be a solution to draw extra heat from the solar PV panel to improve its performance by reducing its temperature. Here, we have designed a new type of heat exchanger for solar PV and thermal (PVT) hybrid systems and have studied the performance of the system. The PVT system has been investigated in comparison with an identical solar PV panel at outdoor condition at Dhaka, Bangladesh. The experiments show that the average improvement of open circuit voltage (Voc) is 0.97 V and the highest improvement of Voc is 1.3 V. In addition, the overall improvement of output power of solar PV panel is 2.5 W

Evaluation of Delayed Puberty of Patients with Beta Thalassemia Major in –Diyala Governorate

Background: The absence of secondary sexual characteristics are known complications in patients with beta thalassemia major. Objective: Evaluation the effects of frequent blood transfusions on puberty in patients afflicted with beta thalassemia (β-thal) major. Patients and Methods: Eighty patients with beta thalassemia major  were categorized into two groups, 51 male and 29 female,and 40 normal individuals were chosen as a control group. The concentrations of the luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) in both genders,Estradiol in female and testosterone in male were evaluated in the sera of patients and controls by ELISA method. Results: The mean concentrations of serum FSH ,LH, estradiol in female ,and testosterone in male showed  highly significant decrease in patients with beta thalassemia major in comparison with control group. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was reported in 67.5% of all β-thalassemia patients(70.6% of male and 62.1% of female ).    Conclusion: Delayed puberty is caused by the effect of excess iron on the anterior  lobe of pituitary gland