Spectrophotometric Investigation of Metal Complexes with Valsartan

To develop a simple, accurate, precision and economical UV-Vis spectrophotometric and mole ratio method for the analysis in pharmaceutical formulations by making its complexes with calcium(II) and magnesium(II). In this study, the separately spectrums of Valsartan and the complexes occured between Ca2+ and Mg2+ metal ions were taken in ultra-violet area. In addition, stoichiometric ratios of the complexes occured between Valsartan with Ca2+ and Mg2+ metal ions were determined using mole ratio method. The wavelength of maximum absorption of the spectrum Valsartan and metal complexes with Ca(II) and Mg(II) were determined. The experimental data indicate the formation of metal:ligand = 1:1 complexes for Ca(II)-Valsartan and Mg(II)-Valsartan. Valsartan’s recovery rate, it was found in the range of 92.0– 97.5%. Beer’s obeyed in the concentration range of 2.18 -10.89 µg/mL for VAL. The LOD and LOQ were found to be 2.21µg/mL and 10.9µg/mL for Valsartan respectively. It is considered that the complexes between Valsartan with Ca2+ and Mg2+ metal ions would affect treatments positively or negatively. Keywords: Valsartan, UV-Vis Spectrophotometry, Metal Complex, Mole ratio method, Validatio

Efficiency of p16 and Ki-67 immunostaining for detecting premalignant cervical lesions in high risk population

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of immunostaining with p16 and Ki-67 in cervical cytology specimens for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in a high risk population.Methods: This was a prospective review of 287 women who underwent pap smear, human papilloma virus (HPV) testing and colposcopy examination, respectively. There were cervical smear abnormalities in 108 women (37.6%) and 141 patients (49.1%) tested positive for HPV. Cervical biopsy revealed normal cervix in 28 patients (9.75%), cervicitis in 48 patients (16.72%), CIN1 in 178 patients (62.02%), CIN2 in 26 patients (9.05%) and CIN3 in 7 patients (2.43%).Results: Positive staining for p16 had a sensitivity of 78.2% and a specificity of 97.4% while positive staining for Ki67 had a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 57.9% for distinguishing CIN lesions in cervical cytology specimens (p=0.001 for both). Concurrent positive staining for p16 and Ki67 in cervical cytology specimens had a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 97.4% for CIN lesions (p=0.001). Positive staining for p16 had a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 90.6% whereas positive staining for Ki67 had a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 33% for differentiating CIN lesions in colposcopic biopsy specimens (p=0.001 for both). Concurrent positive staining for p16 and Ki67 in colposcopic biopsy specimens had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 94% for CIN lesions (p=0.001).Conclusions: p16/Ki-67 immunostaining applied on cervical cytology specimens can screen CIN lesions with high sensitivity and specificity in a low risk population

Effect of cooling methods on residual compressive strength and cracking behaviour of fly ash concretes exposed at elevated temperatures

This paper presents the effects of cooling methods on residual compressive strength and cracking behavior of concretes containing four different class F fly ash contents of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% as partial replacement of cement at various elevated temperatures. The residual compressive strength of the aforementioned fly ash concretes is measured after being exposed to 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C temperatures and two different cooling methods, for example, slow cooling and rapid water cooling. Results show that the residual compressive strengths of all fly ash concretes decrease with increase in temperatures irrespective of cooling regimes, which is similar to that of ordinary concrete. Generally, control ordinary concrete and all fly ash concretes exhibited between 10% and 35% more reduction in residual compressive strength because of rapid cooling than slow cooling except few cases. Cracks are observed over concrete specimens after being exposed to temperatures ranging from 400 to 800 °C. Samples that are slowly cooled developed smaller cracks than those rapidly cooled. At 800 °C, all fly ash concretes that are exposed to rapid cooling showed the most severe cracking. X-ray diffraction analysis shows reduction of Ca(OH)2 peak and formation of new calcium silicate peak in concretes containing 20% and 40% fly ash when subjected to 800 °C in both cooling methods. Thermo gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis results show increase in thermal stability of concrete with increase in fly ash contents. The existing Eurocode also predicted the compressive strength of fly ash concretes with reasonable accuracy when subjected to the aforementioned elevated temperatures and cooling methods

Rola ultrasonografii trójwymiarowej z punktu widzenia kobiety ciężarnej

Objectives: The role and applicability of three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) in perinatology has been repeatedly discussed in the literature. Regardless, our knowledge about patient expectations remains limited. We aimed at determining the expectations, perception and knowledge of pregnant women about 3D-US. Material and Methods: Upon admission to the labor unit, the women filled out a questionnaire, with the help of a doctor, investigating sociodemographic data, pregnancy and delivery history, previous experiences and expectations for US imaging. Results: A total of 644 pregnant women were included in the study. Respondents declared that approximately 70% of all kinds of structural abnormalities could be detected by 3D-US and estimated its reliabilityat nearly 70%. While 60% of the participants underwent 3D-US, 70% of them believed that every pregnant woman should undergo such test. Also, 457 (70.9%) of the participants were of the opinion that every pregnant woman must undergo 3D-US imaging, whereas 173 (26.8%) did not think 3D-US imaging was necessary. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this has been the first study on patient opinions regarding the need for 3D-US imaging during pregnancy. Although the participants were not certain about the harmful effects of 3D-US, the majority believed that it was necessary for every pregnant woman to undergo such testing. Obviously, patients must be instructed on the limitations of US imaging before the examination to clarify any misunderstandings about the possibilities such a technique may offer.Cel: Rola i zastosowanie ultrasonografii trójwymiarowej (3D-US) w perinatologii jest częstym tematem dyskusji w literaturze. Mimo to nasza wiedza na temat oczekiwań pacjentek pozostaje ograniczona. Naszym celem było określenie oczekiwań, spostrzegania i wiedzy kobiet ciężarnych na temat 3D-US. Materiał i metoda: Podczas przyjęcia do oddziału porodowego pacjentki wypełniały kwestionariusz, z pomocą lekarza, dotyczący ich danych socjodemograficznych, wywiadu odnośnie ciąż i porodów, poprzednich doświadczeń i oczekiwań w związku z badaniem US. Wyniki: Do badania włączono 644 ciężarne. Kobiety oceniły, że około 70% wszystkich anomalii strukturalnych może być wykrytych w trakcie badania 3D-US i oszacowały ich wiarygodność na blisko 70%. Około 60% ciężarnych przeszło badanie 3D-US, z czego 70% uważa, że każda kobieta w ciąży powinna mieć takie badanie wykonane. Również, 457 (70,9%) respondentek uważało, że każda ciężarna powinna przejść badanie 3D-US, podczas gdy 173 (26,8%) nie uważa aby takie badanie było konieczne. Wnioski: Według naszej wiedzy jest to pierwsze badanie na temat opinii pacjentek na temat potrzeby wykonania badania 3D-US podczas ciąży. Chociaż pacjentki nie miały wiedzy na temat bezpieczeństwa 3D-US w ciąży, większość z nich uważała, że istnieje konieczność aby każda ciężarna przeszła takie badanie. Oczywiście pacjentki muszą być informowane o ograniczeniach badania US aby wyjaśnić nieporozumienia dotyczące możliwości jakie niesie ze sobą ta technika

A thermoanalytical, X-ray diffraction and petrographic approach to the forensic assessment of fire affected concrete in the United Arab Emirates

For most fires, Forensic investigation takes place well after building materials have cooled and knowledge of the structural damage due to heat exposure can reveal the temperature reached during an incident. Recently, there have been significant changes in the characteristics of cementitious materials used in the United Arab Emirates. Few studies focus on the application of thermo-gravimetric and petrographic techniques on newly developed structures and this work aims to address this deficiency by utilising a series of parametric laboratory-based tests to assess the effects of heat on hardened concrete. Specimens were made with a design mix used for low-rise residential homes and storage facilities. The key constituents were: Portland cement (PC), crushed gabbro stone and dune sand with water/cement ratios of 0.4-0.5. Cement substitutes included slag (GGBS), and silica fume (SF) at replacement percentages of up to 50% and 4%, respectively. The concrete cubes were exposed to heat inside an electric furnace with pre-determined temperature regimes of 150°C, 300°C, 600°C and 900°C. Petrographic examination was utilised to compare the discolouration of the cooled concrete. Data derived from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are reported in order to assess the usefulness of these techniques in fire scene investigation to differentiate between these temperature regimes.. The results from the TGA indicate that the majority of the percentage weight loss for all the mixtures occurred in the range 650-700°C, which corresponds to the decarbonation of calcium carbonate, mainly from the aggregates. The endothermic DSC peak at 70-120°C relates to the loss of evaporable water. Since both of these reactions are irreversible, this information can help fire investigators estimate the temperature history of concrete after exposure to fire. On the other hand, the portlandite in the cement matrix dehydroxylates at 450-550°C but then reforms as the concrete cools. The onset temperature for the dehydroxylation of the reformed mineral is always lower than in virgin samples and its enthalpy furthermore depends strongly on the thermal history of the portlandite. Thus, this feature can be used to establish the temperature to which the material was exposed to during a fire incident

Melatonin Attenuates LPS-Induced Acute Depressive-Like Behaviors and Microglial NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Through the SIRT1/Nrf2 Pathway.

peer reviewedInflammation is a crucial component of various stress-induced responses that contributes to the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Depressive-like behavior (DLB) is characterized by decreased mobility and depressive behavior that occurs in systemic infection induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in experimental animals and is considered as a model of exacerbation of MDD. We assessed the effects of melatonin on behavioral changes and inflammatory cytokine expression in hippocampus of mice in LPS-induced DLB, as well as its effects on NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation, oxidative stress and pyroptotic cell death in murine microglia in vitro. Intraperitoneal 5 mg/kg dose of LPS was used to mimic depressive-like behaviors and melatonin was given at a dose of 500 mg/kg for 4 times with 6 h intervals, starting at 2 h before LPS administration. Behavioral assessment was carried out at 24 h post-LPS injection by tail suspension and forced swimming tests. Additionally, hippocampal cytokine and NLRP3 protein levels were estimated. Melatonin increased mobility time of LPS-induced DLB mice and suppressed NLRP3 expression and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) cleavage in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining of hippocampal tissue showed that NLRP3 is mainly expressed in ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) -positive microglia. Our results show that melatonin prevents LPS and Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in murine microglia in vitro, evidenced by inhibition of NLRP3 expression, Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) speck formation, caspase-1 cleavage and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) maturation and secretion. Additionally, melatonin inhibits pyroptosis, production of mitochondrial and cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling. The beneficial effects of melatonin on NLRP3 inflammasome activation were associated with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) activation, which were reversed by Nrf2 siRNA and SIRT1 inhibitor treatment

Properties and Behavior of Geopolymer Concrete Subjected to Explosive Air Blast Loading: A Review

The severe damage to civilian buildings, public area, jet aircraft impact and defense target under explosive blast loading can cause a huge property loss. Most of researcher discusses the topics on design the concrete material model to sustain againts the explosive detonation. The implementation of modern reinforcement steels and fibres in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete matrix can reduce the extreme loading effects. However, most researchers have proved that geopolymer concrete (GPC) has better mechanical properties towards high performance concrete, compared to OPC. GPC has the high early compressive strength and high ability to resist the thermal energy from explosive detonation. In addition, OPC production is less environmental friendly than geopolymer cement. Geopolymer used can lead to environmental protection besides being improved in mechanical properties. Thus, this paper highlighted on an experimental, numerical and the analytical studies cause of the explosive detonation impact to concrete structures