Utilization of Colocynth (Handal) Seeds Oil as a Lubricating Base Oil

This study investigated the use of Colocynth seeds oil as lubricating base oil. The Colocynth seeds were collected from Eastern Gezira and Western Kordofan. Viscosity index is 162 and 164; Flash point is 292oC and 288oC for Eastern Gezira and Western Kordofan samples, respectively. The pour point is -3oC for both samples. At 40oC, the kinematics viscosity is 34.37 cSt and 32.69 cSt, and at 100oC is 8.00 cSt and 7.77 cSt for Eastern Gezira and Western Kordofan samples, respectively. The study suggested that the Colocynth seeds oil is a suitable base fluid to produce lubricants

Esterification of High Free Fatty Acid Jatropha curcas Oil for Biodiesel Production

This study investigated the esterification of high free fatty acid (FFA) Jatropha curcas (J. curcas) seed oil (6.3 to14.6 %) to produce biodiesel using sulphuric acid with reaction parameters 1% H2SO4, 600 rpm at 60 oC and one hour reaction time. At methanol to oil ratio 3:1, FFAs were reduced to 4.73% with conversion 45%; at 6:1 methanol to oil ratio, FFAs were reduced to 2.31% with conversion 72%; at 7.5:1 methanol to oil ratio FFAs are decreased to less than 2% with conversion ≥85% and there is no considerable difference when increasing methanol to oil ratio to 9:1. Hence the optimum methanol to oil molar ratio is 7.5:1, moreover, the esterification process is not affected by the initial FFA

Production of Biodiesel from Jatropha curcas Seed Oil

This study was carried out to produce biodiesel from freshly harvested Jatropha curcas (J. curcas) seed oil. J. curcas seed oil has a high oil content (40%), the free fatty acids (FFA) range is (1.6-1.75%), peroxide value is 2.6 meq/kg, oil moisture content range is (0.2-0.3%) and saponification value range is (185-189) mg KOH/g oil. The main fatty acids are oleic 39.60 % and linoleic acids 34.64 %, unsaturated fatty acids in J. curcas oil are 75.54 wt%, while, saturated fatty acids are 24.46 wt%. The specifications of biodiesel produced are; Density is reduced from 0.9198 to 0.8810 g/cm3. The kinematic viscosity at 40 oC was reduced from 36.37 to 4.809 mm2/s, and the flash point is 187oC. Biodiesel produced complies with the requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard D6751-09, and the Committee of Standardization in Europe (CEN) standard EN 14214 specifications

Morphological alterations in the jejunal mucosa of aged rats and the possible protective role of green tea

Introduction. Gastrointestinal disorders become more prevalent with ageing. This study is aimed to describe morphological changes that occur in the jejunal mucosa of male albino rats as a result of ageing and the protec­tive effect of green tea (GT) extract. Material and methods. The experiment was performed on sixty rats: thirty young-adult (6-month old, body mass 200–220 g) and thirty old (24-month-old, body mass 220–260 g) animals. Each group was further divided into two subgroups (n = 15 each): control rats and GT-treated rats that received 1.5 mL (300 mg/kg/day) of GT extract for 14 weeks by oral gavage. Sections of the jejunum were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff, toluidine blue and Mallory trichrome methods. The presence of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)- and CD68-positive cells was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Ultrathin sections were prepared and examined by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results. Jejunal sections of the old control rats showed distortion of submucosa and attenuated muscularis externa with decreased height of intestinal villi. The villi also showed partial loss of acidophilic brush border with wide spaces between enterocytes. Swollen, short, blunt or broad villi with abundant mononuclear cell infiltration of lamina propria and congested blood vessels were evident both by light and electron microscopy. The number of PCNA- and CD68-positive cells in jejunal mucosa of old rats was higher than in young rats. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the mucosa of old control rats were lower, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were higher in the jejunal homogenates of old rats as compared to young control rats. Administration of GT extract protected the jejunal mucosa from age-related changes by restoring its histological structure. The treatment of old rats with GT extract significantly decreased MDA levels in the jejunum and increased TAC and GPX activity. Conclusions. The age-related changes of the morphology of rat jejunum could be ameliorated by prolonged supplementation of the green tea extract

Adaptation of a Mice Doppler Echocardiography Platform to Measure Cardiac Flow Velocities for Embryonic Chicken and Adult Zebrafish.

Ultrasonography is the most widely used imaging technique in cardiovascular medicine. In this technique, a piezoelectric crystal produces, sends, and receives high frequency ultrasound waves to the body to create an image of internal organs. It enables practical real time visualization in a non-invasive manner, making the modality especially useful to image dynamic cardiac structures. In the last few decades, echocardiography has been applied to cardiac disease models, mainly to rodents. While clinical echocardiography platforms can be used for relatively large animals such as pigs and rats, specialized systems are needed for smaller species. Theoretically, as the size of the imaged sample decreases, the frequency of the ultrasound transducer needed to image the sample increases. There are multiple modes of echocardiography imaging. In Doppler mode, erythrocytes blood flow velocities are measured from the frequency shift of the sent ultrasound waves compared to received echoes. Recorded data are then used to calculate cardiac function parameters such as cardiac output, as well as the hemodynamic shear stress levels in the heart and blood vessels. The multi-mode (i.e., b-mode, m-mode, Pulsed Doppler, Tissue Doppler, etc.) small animal ultrasound systems in the market can be used for most cardiac disease models including mice, embryonic chick and zebrafish. These systems are also associated with significant costs. Alternatively, there are more economical single-mode echocardiography platforms. However, these are originally built for mice studies and they need to be tested and evaluated for smaller experimental models. We recently adapted a mice Doppler echocardiography system to measure cardiac flow velocities for adult zebrafish and embryonic chicken. We successfully assessed cardiac function and hemodynamic shear stress for normal as well as for diseased embryonic chicken and zebrafish. In this paper, we will present our detailed protocols for Doppler flow measurements and further cardiac function analysis on these models using the setup. The protocols will involve detailed steps for animal stabilization, probe orientation for specific measurements, data acquisition, and data analysis. We believe this information will help cardiac researchers to establish similar echocardiography platforms in their labs in a practical and economical manner.Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), National Priority Research Program NPRP 10-0123-170222. The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library

Upcycling Used Garments to Recreate Sustainable Fashion Designs Treated by Soil Release Finishing

Upcycled garments can have that independent appeal. No matter whom the designer is or what styling options designers choose, these upcycled fashion garments and accessories are by nature one-of-a kind. Finishing of textile fabric is carried out to increase attractiveness and/or serviceability of the fabric. Different finishing treatments are available to get various effects, which add value to the basic textile material, which can be better solutions for sustainable fashion. The sustainable fashion was achieved to a certain extent by using available materials to its ultimate USAge, using waste material, recycling of the products, planning second life for the fashion product, slowing down the fashion etc. The main idea to do so is to develop more sustainable and responsible designs. This paper is not just about recycled clothes but about fashion, recycling, upcycling, adding value and uniqueness by the resulting one-of-a-kind design available for women to purchase in any retail store. Create nine designs using waste garments treated by soil release finishing agent as a source of sustainable fashionable designs

Establishment of diagnostic reference levels in cardiac computed tomography

The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in Jordan. Volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and dose–length product (DLP) were collected from 228 CCTs performed at seven Jordanian hospitals specialized in cardiac CT. DRLs for cardiac CT were defined at the 75th percentile of CTDIvol and DLP. CTDIvol and DLP were collected from 30 successive cardiac CT in each center except for one center (18 scans). The 75th percentile of the CTDIvol and the DLP of the centers calculated from mixed retrospective and prospective gated modes were 47.74 milligray (mGy) and 1035 mGy/cm, respectively. This study demonstrated wide dose variations among the surveyed hospitals for cardiac CT scans; there was a 5.1-fold difference between the highest and lowest median DLP with a range of 223.2–1146.7 mGy/cm. Differences were associated with variations in the mAs and kVp. This study confirmed large variability in CTDIvol and DLP for cardiac CT scans; variation was associated with acquisition protocols and highlights the need for dose optimization. DRLs are proposed for CCT; there remains substantial potential for optimization of cardiac CT examinations for adults in Jordan

cardiotoxicity with immune system targeting drugs a meta analysis of anti pd pd l1 immunotherapy randomized clinical trials

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