Projection neurons in lamina III of the rat spinal cord are selectively innervated by local dynorphin-containing excitatory neurons

Large projection neurons in lamina III of the rat spinal cord that express the neurokinin 1 receptor are densely innervated by peptidergic primary afferent nociceptors and more sparsely by low-threshold myelinated afferents. However, we know little about their input from other glutamatergic neurons. Here we show that these cells receive numerous contacts from nonprimary boutons that express the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2), and form asymmetrical synapses on their dendrites and cell bodies. These synapses are significantly smaller than those formed by peptidergic afferents, but provide a substantial proportion of the glutamatergic synapses that the cells receive (over a third of those in laminae I–II and half of those in deeper laminae). Surprisingly, although the dynorphin precursor preprodynorphin (PPD) was only present in 4–7% of VGLUT2 boutons in laminae I–IV, it was found in 58% of the VGLUT2 boutons that contacted these cells. This indicates a highly selective targeting of the lamina III projection cells by glutamatergic neurons that express PPD, and these are likely to correspond to local neurons (interneurons and possibly projection cells). Since many PPD-expressing dorsal horn neurons respond to noxious stimulation, this suggests that the lamina III projection cells receive powerful monosynaptic and polysynaptic nociceptive input. Excitatory interneurons in the dorsal horn have been shown to possess IA currents, which limit their excitability and can underlie a form of activity-dependent intrinsic plasticity. It is therefore likely that polysynaptic inputs to the lamina III projection neurons are recruited during the development of chronic pain states

SPECTRAL STUDIES AND ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING FOR SOME NOVEL CHALCONES ANALOGUES

Objective: The present work aim to study the spectral and antimicrobial activity for synthesized chalcones Methods: The synthesized Chalcones were characterized by Physical and spectral methods such as melting point, IR, 1H-NMR and Mass analysis. The synthesized compounds have been screened for their antimicrobial activity. Results: The biological data showed that compounds III, VII had strong activities against the Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but not activity against fungus. Conclusion: The main purpose to use an easy and useful method to synthesize biologically active chalcone

Design and Characterization of Surface‐Crosslinked Gelatin Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Hydrophilic Macromolecular Drugs

For nanotechnology enabled delivery of hydrophilic protein‐based drugs, several polymer‐based carrier systems have been used in the past to protect the sensitive load and to facilitate cellular uptake and crossing of biological barriers. This study uses gelatin, a natural and biodegradable macromolecule, as carrier material which is approved for several applications. Nanoprecipitation is used to form nanoparticles and to maintain the physicochemical integrity of gelatin, hydrophilic crosslinkers, e.g., paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, carbodiimide, and transglutaminase are employed. However, these crosslinkers diffuse homogenously into the carrier matrix also crosslinking the polymeric matrix with the entrapped protein‐based molecules thus rendering it inactive. Hence a hydrophobic zero‐length crosslinker, diisopropylcarbodiimide, is applied to avoid diffusion into the particles. This will provide an opportunity to encapsulate protein‐based drugs in the non‐crosslinked matrix. The hypothesis of surface crosslinking is proven by the extent of crosslinking and more importantly by encapsulation and the release of lysozyme as a model hydrophilic protein. Furthermore, essential process parameters are evaluated such as crosslinker concentration, crosslinking time and crosslinking reaction temperature with regard to the effect on particle size, size distribution and zeta‐potential of gelatin nanoparticles. The optimum formulation results in the production of gelatin nanoparticles with 200‐300 nm and a polydispersity index < 0.2

Malnutrition amongst Under-Five Years Children in Swat, Pakistan: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Purpose: To identify malnourished cases and determine their relationship with weaning time and socioeconomic factors in under-5 children in Swat, Pakistan.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric Ward and Outpatients Department (OPD), Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat, Pakistan using case files from October to December 2011.Results: A total of 186 children were studied to identify malnutrition, out of which 101 (37.7 %) were male and 85 (32.0 %) female. Moreover, 95 (35.7 %) of the mothers were &lt; 30 years of age and 91 (34.0 %) &gt; 30 years. About 33.7 % of the children were weaned before the age of 4 months. The maternal age of 28.6 % of the malnourished children was &lt; 20 years, and about 2l % of the malnourished children were not immunized against eight EPI (Expanded Program on Immunization) target diseases, viz, poliomyelitis, neonatal tetanus, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis-B, Hib pneumonia &amp; meningitis, and childhood tuberculosis. Respondents from urban location 98 (36.7 %), while 88 (33.0 %). Based on Gomezfs classification, out of 186 children, 19 (7.1 %) werevictims of malnutrition; mothers of 35.6 % of the children were uneducated and 25.5 % had primary level (5 years) education. The number of siblings per mother was . 5 in the case of 64.8 % of the malnourished children. More than half of the children were at risk of malnutrition.Conclusion: The incidence of malnutrition is about the same for both male and female children. Risk factors for malnutrition in the children include lack of education, teenage pregnancy, lack of immunization, and large family size.Keywords: Malnutrition, Gomezfs classification, Weaning time, Risk  factors, Teenage pregnancy, Swa

Heavy metals and inorganic constituents in medicinal plants of selected Districts of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan

Heavy metals such as Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cu and Cd, and inorganic ions like HCO3-, CO32-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, Na+, SO42-, NO3-, Fe2+ and F- were investigated in medicinally important plants: Taraxacam officinale, Cichorium intybus and Figonia critica, applying atomic absorption spectrophotometer techniques. In the studied herbs, there were variable amounts of heavy metals and inorganic ions. The purpose of this study was to standardize heavy metals contamination in various indigenous medicinal plants and to create awareness among the public regarding its safe use at collection areas (containing high level of heavy metals) and their adverse health effects.Key words: Medicinal plants, inorganic constituents, heavy metals, atomic absorption spectrophotometer

Analysis of chemical constituents in medicinal plants of selected districts of Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan

Alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins were determined in the Teraxacam officinale, Cichorium intybus and Figonia tritica. Quantative determinations of crude alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins (g kg-1) and their percentages (%) were determined in C. intybus, T. officinale and F. critica collected from Kohat, Mardan, Nowshera and Peshawar regions. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) study of the alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins were carried out with different solvent systems and color of the spot and Rf value of each constituent was determined. Among the samples of C. intybus, relatively higher contents of alkaloids (14 g kg-1) were found in the sample collected from Mardan region, followed by the sample gathered from Nowshera which is equal to 13.8g kg-1. Higher contents of flavonoids were found in C. intybus collected from Kohat region which was 23.48 g kg-1. The other remaining samples of C. intybus ranged in the decreasing order of 19.7, 17.2 and 10.0 g kg-1 for the ones collected from Nowshera, Mardan and Peshawar, respectively. The overall saponin contents remained almost low as compared to the alkaloid and flavonoid contents.Key words: Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, TLC study, medicinal plants

Phytochemical analysis of selected medicinal plants

Four medicinal plants including Ranunculus arvensis, Equisetum ravens, Carathamus lanatus and Fagonia critica were used for the study. All the plants were biologically active and were used for different types of ailments. Keeping in view their importance, this work was carried out to investigate the quantitative determination of their crude phytochemicals, vitamins and protein contents. The quantitative determination of crude phytochemicals (alkaloids, total phenols, flavonoids and saponins) vitamins (riboflavin, vitamin C, niacin and pectin) and protein were determined in the aforementioned herbs. The phytochemicals including alkaloids, total phenols, flavonoids and saponins were determined quantitatively using literature methods. Vitamins were measured using a UV/ visible spectrophotometer (UV- 1601 Shamidzu) and the protein was determined by the Micro KJeldahl’s method (Horwitz et al., 2000). The studied plants showed variable amounts of phytochemicals, vitamins and protein contents. The study is very important, in that it intended to show the contents of the studied medicinal herbs and also provide a scientific data base line which is of particular importance for the local practioners as well as for the local people using these herbs for a variety of body disorders.Key word: Phytochemical analysis, medicinal plants, Pakistan

Suitability of utilizing small horizontal axis wind turbines for off grid loads in eastern region of Saudi Arabia

Small wind turbines of 1–3, 5–10, and 15–20kW rated powers are used to find out suitable and efficient turbines for power generation in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the effect of hub height on energy output and the plant capacity factor is investigated to recommend an optimal hub height to be used in the present case. To achieve the set objectives, hourly mean wind speed data measured at 20, 30, and 40m and wind direction at 30 and 40m during 13 September 2005 to 9 May 2010 have been utilized. The annual mean wind speed values were 5.73, 5.34, and 4.75 m/s at 40, 30, and 20m with north-north west (NNW) prevailing wind direction. An increase of about 20.7% was estimated in wind speed measured at 40m compared to that at 20 m. Wind turbines Fortis Passat—1.4kW, Fortis Montana—5.8kW, Fortis Alize—10kW, and CF20—20kW with annual energy and plant capacity factor of 7.015MW h and 57.2%, 25.955MW h and 51.08%, 42.603MW h and 48.63%, and 54.674MW h and 31.21% were the most efficient turbines for the chosen location, respectively. Highest percentage increase in annual energy yield was obtained for a mere change of 5m from 15 to 20m in hub height in the present case study. The next best annual energy yield was obtained while increasing hub height from 20 to 30 m.The authors wish to acknowledge the support of the Research Institute of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Alam wishes to acknowledge support given to him from the Research Grant Council of Shenzhen Government through grants JCYJ20120613145300404. The authors (A Lashin and N Al Arifi) extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University (Saudi Arabia) for funding the work through the international research group project no. IRG14-36.http://www.multi-science.co.uk/eee.htm2016-11-30am2016Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineerin