Synthesis of CuO-NPS by simple wet chemical method using various dicarboxylic acid salts as precursors: Spectral characterization and in-vitro biological evaluation

In this study, a simple chemical reduction method was employed to synthesize CuO-NPs.  Various dicarboxylic acids were converted into Cu(II) salt of dicarboxylic acid which were used as precursors. NPs were produced by reducing precursors with NaBH4. Characteristics of synthesized NPs were investigated by using important analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Developed NPs were investigated for their antibacterial activity against a range of bacterial strains by employing agar well diffusion method. CuO-NPs exhibited good to moderate activity against E-Coli, B. Subtilis and poor activity against K. pneumonia and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It was found that amongst all experienced compounds sample 2 showed good activity with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) 10 µg/mL (zone of inhibition: 22± 0.12 mm) while sample 3 showed poor activity with MIC 40 µg/mL (zone of inhibition: 8.0 ± 0.18 mm).                     KEY WORDS: CuO-NPs, Dicarboxylic acids, Sodium borohydride, Antibacterial study   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(2), 323-334 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i2.1

Free Convection of Ag/H2O Nanofluid in Square Cavity with Different Position and Orientation of Egg Shaped Cylinder

A numerical simulation was conducted to study the free convection of Ag/H2O nanofluid between a square cavity with cold walls and an egg shaped cylinder with a hot wall. Utilizing the egg equation, dimensionless governing equations were solved using the Galerkin Finite Element Method (GFEM). In this work, several parameters were studied, i.e. Rayleigh number (103 ≤ Ra ≤ 106), volume fraction (0 ≤ φ ≤ 0.05), position (-0.2 ≤ Y ≤ 0.2), and orientation angle (-90° ≤ γ ≤ 90°). The numerical results are presented as streamline contours, isotherm contours, and local and average Nusselt numbers. Moreover, the results were used to analyze the fluids’ structure, temperature distribution, and heat transfer rate. The numerical results confirmed that the stream intensity value increased with an increase of the Rayleigh number as well as the movement of the cylinder towards the bottom wall for all values of the orientation angle. Variation of the vertical position of the cylinder inside the cavity had a noticeable effect on , which increased by 50% at γ = -90°, and by 58% at γ = -45°. However, at Y = -0.2,  increased by 58% at γ = -45° and decreased by 7% at γ = -90°. The highest heat transfer rate was obtained at high Rayleigh number (Ra = 106), volume fraction (φ = 0.05), negative position (Y = -0.2), and the highest positive orientation angle (γ = 90°)

EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN OMAN: SECTOR-BASED APPROACH FOR LOCALIZATION

Purpose The objective of the study is to analyze the factors impeding Omanization policies in the selected sectors - Construction, Retail and Tourism of Oman economy and to find out the cause for the disparity created between the graduates and the jobs availability. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The interview approach was administered to collect the data from the Government officials, employers of expats in the private sector,  Omani youth seeking employment and employees from Muscat, Sohar, and Salalah. Findings Lack of coordination between government and the private sector in the formulation of Omanization policies contributing to sustained high level expatriate workers in Oman’s private sector leaving a large gap between the Omani job seekers and job availability in the selected sectors. Practical Implications Every year, the number of graduates is exceeding the number of jobs available in the economy and this paper draws attention to align this alarming issue through proper suggestions. Social Implications There is an urgent need to improve the alignment between the qualification and skills bestowed on nationals by education systems and the needs of the market through devising proper mechanisms. Originality/value Very few studies have examined the harmony of Higher Education and market requirements in Oman. This is first hand study of its kind

Growth Inhibition and Anti-Cancer Activity of the Human Hepatocarcinoma HepG2 Cell Line in Vitro Study Using Human, Camel and Cow Milk

"Certain food has resilient anticancer amalgams which can be rummage-sale for the cure and stoppage of cancer. The study scrutinized the cytotoxicity of human, camel, cow milk on animal carcinomatous cell line using tissue culture teqnique. In the existing study the inhibitory special effects of human, camel and cow milk at concentrations of 1.25%,2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% alongside human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell line in vitro were strongminded. The results signpost that anti-cancer activity of each type of milk used in the study and the growth restraint rate (%) was related to the milk concentration, so that a (50%) concentration of gave the highest growth inhibition rate, followed by the 40%, 30% and 20, 10% concentrations. Theirs significant difference between the concentration When compare between the three type of milk, also Statistical analysis association between the effect of different type of milk displayed significant difference (P ? 0.05). The results visibly displayed that human and camel milk have potent cytotoxic and cytostatic effects on studied the cell line. On the basis of these results we can conclude that human and camel milk has strong cytotoxic effect on human carcinomatous cells"

Morpho-physiological growth performance and phytoremediation capabilities of selected xerophyte grass species toward Cr and Pb stress

Being sessile organisms, plants cannot escape unwanted changes in the environment. The rapid human population explosion caused significant environmental problems. Heavy metals produced through various sources can cause severe damage to living organisms. The study was planned to evaluate four grass species’ morpho-physiological growth characteristics and phytoremediation capabilities under chromium (Cr) and lead stress (Pb) in the arid climate. Typha angustifolia, Tragus roxburghii, Aeluropus logopoides, and Cenchrus ciliaris grass species were used for the study. One-year-old stubbles from the Cholistan desert were used for the experiment. Cr treatments in the form of K2Cr2O7 were applied at 0, 20, 40, and 80 mg L–1, whereas Pb was applied as PbCl2 at 0, 50, 200, and 500 mg L–1 as control, low, moderate and high-stress, respectively. After 6 weeks of heavy metals treatments, plants were harvested and analyzed for growth performance and phytoremediation capabilities. Results depicted that, regarding morphological attributes, T. angustifolia performed better, followed by C. ciliaris; no clear pattern was observed for T. roxburghii and A. logopoides. The CO2 assimilation rate (Co2d) and water use efficiency (WUE) increased as the heavy metal stress increased in all species under both metals. In contrast, total chlorophyll content was higher under low stress. Other physiological parameters, such as relative humidity (RHd), net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Gs), leaf internal CO2 concentration (Ci) and membrane stability index (MSI) gradually decreased as the Cr, and Pb stress levels increased among all the species. Moreover, Cr and Pb absorption contents of T. angustifolia were higher than the other three species at each stress level. Overall, T. angustifolia thrived against heavy metals stress and showed higher biomass, maximum photosynthetic measurements, WUE and higher metal absorption among all the selected species. Results concluded that although all the selected species behaved fine under stress conditions, T. angustifolia performance was better; thus, it can be used to remediate the soil near industrial estates

A Retrospective Study of Non-Communicable Diseases amongst Blue-Collar Migrant Workers in Qatar

BACKGROUND: South Asian workers have a greater predisposition to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that is exacerbated by migration and length of residence in host countries. Aims: To examine the association between length of residence in Qatar with diagnosis of NCDs in male blue-collar workers. METHODS: A retrospective investigation of the electronic health records (EHRs) of 119,581 clinical visits by 58,342 patients was conducted. Data included age, nationality and confirmed ICD-10 diagnosis. Based on duration of residence, the population was divided into groups: ≤6 months, 6–12 months, 1–≤2 years, 2–≤5 years, 5–≤6 years, >6 years. It was assumed that the group that had been resident in Qatar for ≤6 months represented diseases that had been acquired in their countries of origin. Results: South Asian (90%) patients presented with NCDs at a younger (mean ± SD age of 34.8 ± 9.0 years) age. Diabetes and hypertension were higher in those who had just arrived (<6 months’ group), compared to the other durations of residence groups. Conversely, acute respiratory infections, as well as dermatitis and eczema, all increased, perhaps a consequence of shared living/working facilities. Only patients with diabetes and hypertension visited the clinic multiple times, and the cost of medication for these NCDs was affordable, relative to earnings. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Blue-collar workers were predominantly South Asian, from lower socioeconomic classes, with early onset chronic NCDs. Notably, residence in Qatar gave them better access to affordable, significantly subsidized healthcare, leading to effective management of these chronic conditions

Frequency of Subdural and Epidural Hematoma in Brain Injury Via Computed Tomography in Trauma Center of DHQ Teaching Hospital Sargodha

At least 10 million TBIs serious enough to result in death or hospitalization occur annually. The mortality associated with acute subdural hematoma has been reported to range from 36-79%. Epidural hematoma occurs in approximately 2% of patients with head injuries and 5–15% of patients with fatal head injuries. Both can be caused by fall, motor vehicle crashes, assaults, blasts and sports activities. CT is best modality for diagnosis of brain injury. Objective:To measure the frequency of subdural and epidural hematoma in brain injury via computed tomography in trauma center of DHQ Teaching Hospital Sargodha.Methodology:In this descriptive study, among 137 patients of traumatic brain injury (TBIs) were selected with age and gender discrimination by convenient sampling, at Department of Radiology, DHQ Teaching Hospital Sargodha. Single slice Computed Tomography Toshiba asteion machine was used.Results:Out of 137 patients collected, 35 were females and 102 were males who visited emergency department due to brain Injury. It shows 25.5% were females and males were 74.5%.Out of 137 patients, 63.5% were injured with RTA and 35.8% came with the history of fall. 67.2% patients present with loss of consciousness, 67.9% patients with skull fractures and 73% with swelling. Out of 137 patients 85.4% develop SDH and 14.6% develop EDH. Conclusion:In this study we conclude that male develop larger number of brain injuries than females. Most patients with history of RTA had epidural hematoma. Females most likely develop subdural hematoma. Most patients with brain injury later develop subdural hematoma. Keywords: Subdural Hematoma, Epidural Hematoma, Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI), Road Traffic Accident(RTA) DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/71-01 Publication date: February 29th 202

Propolis: A Detailed Insight of Its Anticancer Molecular Mechanisms

Cancer is the second most life-threatening disease and has become a global health and economic problem worldwide. Due to the multifactorial nature of cancer, its pathophysiology is not completely understood so far, which makes it hard to treat. The current therapeutic strategies for cancer lack the efficacy due to the emergence of drug resistance and the toxic side effects associated with the treatment. Therefore, the search for more efficient and less toxic cancer treatment strategies is still at the forefront of current research. Propolis is a mixture of resinous compounds containing beeswax and partially digested exudates from plants leaves and buds. Its chemical composition varies widely depending on the bee species, geographic location, plant species, and weather conditions. Since ancient times, propolis has been used in many conditions and aliments for its healing properties. Propolis has well-known therapeutic actions including antioxidative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. In recent years, extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that propolis possesses properties against several types of cancers. The present review highlights the recent progress made on the molecular targets and signaling pathways involved in the anticancer activities of propolis. Propolis exerts anticancer effects primarily by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis through regulating various signaling pathways and arresting the tumor cell cycle, inducing autophagy, epigenetic modulations, and further inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of tumors. Propolis targets numerous signaling pathways associated with cancer therapy, including pathways mediated by p53, β-catenin, ERK1/2, MAPK, and NF-κB. Possible synergistic actions of a combination therapy of propolis with existing chemotherapies are also discussed in this review. Overall, propolis, by acting on diverse mechanisms simultaneously, can be considered to be a promising, multi-targeting, multi-pathways anticancer agent for the treatment of various types of cancers

Subsurface structural investigation based on seismic data of the north-eastern Potwar basin, Pakistan

1258-1268The north-eastern Potwar is present in the foothills of Himalayas on the northern boundary of the Indian Plate and is filled by the Infra-Cambrian to Pliocene sedimentation. The area is affected by the regional structures of the Potwar and the Salt-Range Structures, such as the North Potwar Deformed Zone (NPDZ), the Soan Syncline, the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and the Jhelum Fault. Due to complex tectonic-structural framework, it is extremely significant to understand the subsurface structural mechanisms for further hydrocarbons exploration. The 2D seismic data was acquired in the NE-Potwar in the Rawat area is used for this purpose. The current study helps to present rigorous and mechanically feasible structure understanding of the Rawat and associated local structures of the area in the context of the Sub-Himalayas. The study area mainly comprises on the eastern Potwar with tight anticlines and wide synclines with associated thrusts showing collisional regime of the Himalayan Fold and the thrust belt. The structural interpretation and restoration of paleo-section provide a mechanically feasible model for the Rawat area. The interpretation of seismic data shows that this area is associated with conjugate faults and a triangle zone. The results of this study help us to develop understanding in geological history, structural overprint and future leads for hydrocarbons in this geological province