Hepatoprotective effect of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats

The hepatoprotective effect of basil (Ocimum basilicum) extract against liver fibrosis-induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was studied in rats. Rats were allocated into five groups: Group I (control group); Group II [CCl4 group; rats were injected subcutaneously with CCl4 (1 ml/kg b.w.) twice weekly for 4 weeks (phenobarbital, 350 mg/L, was added to the drinking water throughout the experiment)]; Group III received daily oral doses of basil extract of 200 mg/kg b.w. along with CCl4 and phenobarbital for 6 weeks; Groups IV and V rats were treated with phenobarbital and CCl4 for 6 weeks then treated daily with oral dose of 200 mg/kg b.w basil extract, or by 300 mg/kg b.w dimethyl diphenyl bicarboxylate (DDB), respectively for 6 weeks. Basil-treatment significantly reduced the liver content of hydroxyproline and significantly increased the activity of hyaluronidase (HAase). The hepatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was stimulated while the lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by the effect of basil extract. Treatment with CCl4 significantly increased the activities of transaminases [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT)], and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). These activities were significantly decreased by basil extract. The higher levels of serum urea and creatinine in CCl4 group were significantly guarded by the protection of basil.Key words: Carbon tetrachloride, liver fibrosis, antioxidant, Ocimum basilicum, dimethyl diphenyl bicarboxylate

A probabilistic multi-objective approach for FACTS devices allocation with different levels of wind penetration under uncertainties and load correlation

This study presents a probabilistic multi-objective optimization approach to obtain the optimal locations and sizes of static var compensator (SVC) and thyristor-controlled series capacitor (TCSC) in a power transmission network with large level of wind generation. In this study, the uncertainties of the wind power generation and correlated load demand are considered. The uncertainties are modeled in this work using the points estimation method (PEM). The optimization problem is solved using the Multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm to find the best position and rating of the flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices. The objective of the problem is to maximize the system loadability while minimizing the power losses and FACTS devices installation cost. Additionally, a technique based on fuzzy decision-making approach is employed to extract one of the Pareto optimal solutions as the best compromise one. The proposed approach is applied on the modified IEEE 30-bus system. The numerical results evince the effectiveness of the proposed approach and shows the economic benefits that can be achieved when considering the FACTS controller

Optimizing the Flexural Behavior of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beams Containing Cassava Peel Ash using Response Surface Methodology

The growing concern to reduce global warming has necessitated the use of more eco-friendly materials in construction. The study is focused on the utilization of cassava peel ash as supplementary cementitious material and bamboo as reinforcement in concrete beams. The response surface methodology approach was explored to determine the effect of simultaneously varying the cassava peel ash content, bamboo size, beam length, and beam depth on the flexural strength and strain of beams. An analysis of variance was carried out on experimentally obtained results to determine the accuracy of the obtained models and the contributions made by the linear interaction and quadratic terms on flexural strength and flexural strain. The coefficient of determination obtained for RSM models showed a good correlation between all predicted and experimentally obtained results. The optimum conditions obtained for bamboo-reinforced concrete containing cassava peel ash were 3% cassava peel ash, 16 mm bamboo diameter, 500 mm beam length, and 150 mm beam depth. The predicted flexural strengths were 11.85, 14.34, and 14.95 N/mm2 and flexural strains of 0.64, 0.67, and 0.91 for 28 days, 56 days, and 90 days, respectively. To validate the model prediction, a laboratory experiment was conducted using the optimum mix design proportion. From the results obtained, it was observed that the experimental results were close to those predicted by the models. These models can be efficiently used for simulating the flexural behavior of bamboo-reinforced concrete beams. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-08-011 Full Text: PD

La ingesta de grasas y el riesgo de enfermedad coronaria de los jordanos

Introduction: dietary fat has been reported as one of the significant risk factors in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Objective: this study aimed at assessing the possible association between fat intake and CVD. Methods: the present case-control study was conducted in the center of coronary angiography. Three-hundred and ninety nine patients who referred for elective coronary angiography with clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease were enrolled. Dietary data were collected from each patient using an interview-based food frequency questionnaire. Results: the findings of the present study revealed no significant differences between cases and controls regarding the intake of all types of fat either before or after energy adjustment. For both cases and controls the percentage of fat intake from total energy and the intakes of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, cholesterol, omega-6 and omega-3 were within the recommended amounts. The intake of all fat types (except trans-fat) was not associated with the risk of developing CVD. Trans-fat intake in the second and third quartile increased the risk of CVD by OR 1.86 (95% CI: 1.03-3.34) and 2.01 (95% CI: 1.12-3.60), respectively. Conclusions: while trans-fats may be significantly associated with the development of CVD in the first two quartiles, no association has been detected with other fat types.Introducción: se ha establecido que la grasa en la dieta es uno de los factores de riesgo significativos en el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV). Objetivo: este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la posible asociación entre la ingesta de grasa y la ECV. Métodos: el presente estudio de casos y controles se realizó en el centro de la angiografía coronaria. Se inscribieron 399 pacientes que fueron remitidos para una angiografía coronaria electiva con sospecha clínica de enfermedad coronaria. Los datos dietéticos se obtuvieron de cada paciente mediante un cuestionario de frecuencia de alimentos basado en entrevistas. Resultados: los hallazgos del presente estudio no revelaron diferencias significativas entre los casos y los controles con respecto a la ingesta de todos los tipos de grasa, ya sea antes o después del ajuste de energía. Para ambos casos y controles, el porcentaje de ingesta de grasas de la energía total y las ingestas de grasas poliinsaturadas y monoinsaturadas, colesterol, omega-6 y omega-3 se encuentran dentro de las cantidades recomendadas. La ingesta de todos los tipos de grasa (excepto las grasas trans) no se asoció con el riesgo de desarrollar ECV. La ingesta de grasas trans en el segundo y tercer cuartil aumentó el riesgo de ECV en OR 1,86 (IC 95 %: 1,03-3,34) y 2,01 (IC 95 %: 1,12-3,60), respectivamente. Conclusiones: si bien las grasas trans pueden estar asociadas significativamente con el desarrollo de ECV en los dos primeros cuartiles, no se ha detectado asociación con otros tipos de gras

A Quantitative Approach to Estimate the Damage Inflicted by Traffic Pollution on Historic Buildings in Al-Salt City, Jordan

Traffic in the city of Al-Salt is not only putting pedestrians at risk and threatening the health of citizens, it is also damaging the town's historic buildings. Most stone buildings in the heritage-rich city are suffering adverse effects from vehicle-related pollution. This effect is highly visible soiling and discoloration from deposited carbon particles in the form of fine soot on most buildings. The level and progress of the damage depends on the geology of the stone and the proximity of the structure from traffic congestion. The accumulation of soot leads to the buildup of black sulfate (gypsum) skins on the limestone facade which causes the sound stone behind it to disintegrate. It is vital to the well-being of this historic treasure that the volume of the city traffic must be reduced and traffic flow improved. The main objective of this study is to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the damage caused to buildings of historical and cultural value by traffic pollution. Age of vehicles running on city’s streets and the rate of their emissions are quantified and analyzed. Several field investigations and laboratory tests were conducted to identify the chemical relations between pollutants and stone decay on these buildings. Keywords: Traffic pollution, tailpipe emission, vehicular emission, historic buildings, limeston