The role of caspases in Parkinson’s Disease pathogenesis: a brief look at the mitochondrial pathway

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by tremor, rigidity, Bradykinesia and reduced facial expression. Development of PD is considered to be the result of deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is due to death of Dopamine-Containing Neurons (DCNs) that produce dopamine in the pars compacta region of the substantia nigra. Although the concentrated efforts of the scientific community over the last decades, the etiology of the death of DCN is yet to be understood. Oxidative stress has been considered as one of the causes of defects in the mitochondria leading to the dopaminergic cell damage [1]. Levodopa therapy is a well-known treatment for the symptoms of PD, however long term use of L-dopa causes side effects including further enhancement of oxidative stress [2]. The elevated levels of Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and hydroxyl ions, induce stimulation to the Permeability Transition Pore (mPTP) of the mitochondria leading to the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of cytochrome C. Furthermore, increased ROS activity promote nitric oxide binding to superoxide producing peroxynitrate enhancing oxidative and nitrosative stress, which results in DNA damage, chromosomal mutations, lipid peroxidation and enzyme defects [3]. Mutation of E3 ligase caused by peroxynitrate damage leads to impairment of ubiquitin-proteasome system, resulting in high levels of defective proteins, which accumulate in the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) promoting ER stress and ultimately cell death. Moreover, the apoptotic neuron triggers injury signals that activate microglia and promote release of cytokines such as interleukins-6 and -8. Subsequently, interleukins trigger Caspase activation along with inducible NO synthase, which further elevates formation of nitric oxide. Exposure to excessive reactive nitrite species along with enhanced production of ROS and peroxynitrate lead to dysfunction of complex-IV and complex-I activities of the mitochondria and promote mitochondrialmediated apoptosis through Caspase activation [4,5]

ENERGY MODELLING AND SIMULATION FOR INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS

openThis thesis explores energy modelling and simulation techniques tailored for industrial robots, with a primary objective of advancing energy efficiency. Focusing on the ABB-IRB-140 robot, the study utilizes MATLAB to develop comprehensive energy models for three distinct motions. The research unfolds through various objectives, including formulating kinematics, developing motion planning algorithms, conducting simulations, and constructing energy consumption models for individual robot joints. A pivotal aspect of this research lies in the development of a robust motion planning algorithm, recognized as a fundamental pillar that underpins the entire endeavour. This algorithm serves as a critical mechanism for optimizing energy efficiency and seamlessly integrating energy modelling techniques into real-world industrial applications. While MATLAB customization caters to specific robot characteristics, the developed algorithm boasts versatility, enabling its adaptation across a spectrum of industrial contexts and robot configurations. By elucidating the intricate relationship between motion planning and energy consumption in industrial robots, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of energy dynamics within the industrial landscape. Moreover, the insights gleaned hold the promise of significant advancements in energy-efficient robotics, fostering sustainable practices and mitigating the environmental impact associated with industrial operations. Ultimately, this thesis represents a crucial step forward in the quest for energy optimization, highlighting the transformative potential of interdisciplinary research at the nexus of engineering and sustainability

A field study to restricted poisonous wild plants grown in Al-Kharj region, Saudi Arabia

This study was aimed to define and collect different poisonous plant species that grow in Al-Kharj region, Saudi Arabia and are detrimental to human and livestock. A total of 16 plant species belonging to 12 families were recorded in the current study. These plants were met through surveys conducted by herbalists and smart citizens with skills and experience in the field of toxic plants in the region. For each species reported, botanical and vernacular names, families, and toxic principles are recognized. The most dominant and widespread toxic flowering plants reported in the studied area were the clan of Calotropis procera and Rhazya stricta. Other less widespread poisonous plants such as Citrullus colocynthis, Heliotropium bacciferum, Cassia italica, Alhagi maurorum, Capparis spinosa, Tribulus terrestris and Euphorbia helioscopia as well as Convolvulus arvensis, Zygophyllum coccineum were also observed

Glycogen storage diseases-time to flip the outdated diagnostic approach centered on liver biopsy with the molecular testing

The glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are a group of inherited metabolic disorders that result from a defect in any one of several enzymes required for either glycogen synthesis or glycogen degradation. The traditional diagnostic approach is based on the invasive hepatic or muscle biopsies, which are neither cost effective nor convenient. Molecular (gene testing) has emerged over the course of past few years as a robust alternative diagnostic tool, which not only confirms the diagnosis of GSDs but also clearly differentiates the types of GSDs allowing the initiation of the type-specific appropriate treatment for the particular type of GSDs. The aim of this update is to highlight the limitations of undertaking a liver biopsy for the diagnosis of GSDs; and to further describe the pros of the molecular testing for better patient centered care

RETRACTED: A study of the attitudes of the teacher educators towards secondary school teacher education programme in Pakistan

This article has been retracted at the request of the Author. Please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy).Reason: This article was not presented at the 2010 World Conference on Educational Sciences and therefore should not have been included in this issue

Cloud computing and IoT integration for health checking system

With the raise of technologies in the fourth industry revolution, Internet of things appeared as an emerging technology, especially, in the healthcare industry. The cloud computing as a main section of IoT structure can be a great integration to get more benefits to provide healthcare for our society. In this paper, researchers more concentrated on individuals and autonomous extension of solitary strategies, with less emphasis on patient monitoring. While the main aim of technology management of healthcare information systems has been accomplished throughout the proposed combination of Internet of Things and Cloud Computing in the context of medical profession. A low-cost, secure, and trusted healthcare tracking system that offers real-time monitoring dashboard for biological indicator has been proposed. The utilization of this integration to track and control health system was applied, thus, a remotely controlled platform based on the cloud computing design paradigm has been developed in the field of health information, while an efficient algorithms in future hospital cloud service and monitoring system implementations have examine and evaluate this design. A CloudSim simulation results showed that the proposed algorithm revealed better results from analogue anneals algorithm and ant colony optimal design with an improvement of 40% in the system efficiency. Therefore, the integrated proposed algorithm is of an importance to be developed and could be applied to non-coordinate system to improve solutions to the optimization and scattering

Problems of Teaching and Learning English as a Foreign Language in South Yemen: A Case Study of Lahj Governorate

The task of teaching and learning English as a foreign language is not an easy task as there are many factors that may contribute positively or negatively to its success. In the context of this study, most school-leavers have very poor English, especially when looking at their oral skills. This indicates that there are some problems that EFL learning and teaching encounter, and then such problems are reflected in students’ proficiency level. This study, therefore, explored the problems encountering EFL teaching and learning in Lahj primary and secondary schools to identify such problems and suggest some solutions that may help in improving English language teaching and learning in the concerned schools. Data were collected from 32 EFL senior teachers and supervisors of Lahj governorate. Findings showed that large classes, lack of teaching aids, teachers’ low proficiency in English, teachers’ limited experience with communicative language teaching, late beginning of learning English, lack of focus on oral communicative English, use of mother tongue in classroom, students’ low motivation and interference between English and Arabic are considered as major problems encountering English language teaching and learning in the concerned South Yemeni schools and contribute negatively to students’ proficiency level. The study has provided some recommendations that may help in improving EFL teaching and learning in the concerned schools and in Yemeni schools generally

Case of xanthogranulomatous oophoritis

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is characterized by destruction of the tissues of the organ involved and replacement by chronic inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes, plasma cells, occasional neutrophils with or without multinucleated or Touton giant cells. Exact aetiology is not known but the theory of infection with organisms like Proteus, E coli, and Bacteroides fragilis is most popular. Xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the female genital tract is not common and usually involves the endometrium; however, xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the ovaries is a rare entity

Development and testing of an assessment tool for integrated learning

Objective: Development of integrated questions for undergraduate medical students and assessing students’ capability to retain and apply basic concepts in an integrated way. Method: Multiple choice questions, attempting to probe understanding and application of different concepts, affiliated with different subjects and topics, were developed. As a pilot these were administered to the students of third year and final year at the end of their certifying examinations as a mock test. The following year these questions were introduced in the continuous assessments and subsequently the certifying examinations (in third year) as 33% of the whole examination. Difficult indices, item analysis and internal consistency (alpha) were calculated for all the questions. Results: The difficulty indices of integrated questions indicated that students found the integrated questions difficult. Conclusion: There was a significant change of distribution in terms of scoring for the integrated questions. Students’ power to integrate showed reliable improvement when tested in the certifying examinations (JPMA 51:384,2001)

Examining The Mental Health Experiences of LGBTQ+ Identifying Muslim Students in Ontario’s Post-Secondary Institutions

This qualitative study explores the unique mental health experiences of Ontario’s LGBTQ+ Muslims in post-secondary settings. The study looks at how LGBTQ+ Muslim students’ mental wellness (i.e., sense of belonging, feeling affirmed in their intersecting identities of being Muslim and belonging to LGBTQ+ community) is affected as they try to navigate systemic barriers and make space for themselves in various settings (i.e., academic, LGBTQ+ affirming spaces, Muslim-specific spaces, student services) on campuses in Ontario, Canada. The study sample consists of four LGBTQ+ identified Muslim students across post-secondary institutions in Ontario and participants discussed their emotional, mental, and sense of belonging experiences on campus. Participants provide suggestions on improving the available support offered through their institutions. Key results from the thematic analysis of data suggest that the participants’ mental health are negatively impacted due to experiencing exclusion at various levels at educational institutions and such experiences impact their identity as LGBTQ+ Muslim students. Furthermore, institutions offer limited supports and resources. As a result, LGBTQ+ Muslim students seek resources outside of campuses, as well as peer support, to cope with these experiences of exclusion and sense of “unbelonging.” Additionally, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, LGBTQ+ Muslim students experience both positive and negative outcomes, such as loss of access to in-person communities on campus and connecting with other LGBTQ+ Muslims across the globe via online platforms. Participants recommend that culturally competent training for staff and faculty at these institutions be applied to create more inclusive and accessible spaces on campus