Laparoscopic colotomy suture using clips and Connell techniques in goats: A comparative study

The aim of the study was to investigate and evaluate the colotomy closure via laparoscopic device using clips and Connell mattress suture technique. Sixteen adult female healthy local breed goats were used. They were divided randomly into two equal groups, Connell suture technique, and clips mattress groups. The operations were done under the effect of general anesthesia using IM injection of xylazine 2% (0.05 mg/kg BW) and ketamine 5% (3mg/ kg BW) mixture. Under aseptic technique colotomy was done laparoscopically, the colotomy incision was closed by Connell suture pattern in Connell's group using 2/0 polyglactin 910 suture material, and by clips technique in clips group using 10 Medium- Large titanium ligating clips. Each group was divided into two equal subgroups depended on follow up of histopathological examination at a periods of 7 and 21 days post- surgery. The results of the clinical examination revealed that the activity and appetite of animals were returned early to the normal level, also the physical findings returned to the normal level value with a short time after operation in both groups. The histopathological findings of two groups appeared that there was an inflammatory phase at a period of 7 days post operation, but the granulation tissue and collagen fiber formation was more prominent in Connell's group compared with clips group, while at the 21 days post operation in both groups revealed that a granulation tissue in the incision site which covered by epithelial layer with thick fibrous connective tissue and presence of myofibroblast at the incision site. This indicated that the wound was in a mature phase which was clear in Connell's group than in the clips group

Service based comparison of group cognitive behavior therapy to waiting list control for chronic fatigue syndrome with regard to symptom reduction and positive psychological dimensions

Background: Although chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) sometimes referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a very challenging condition to treat, there is evidence that individual cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) can be effective for treatment and management of its symptoms. Furthermore, group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) is emerging as promising treatment for the condition. The aim of the present study was to explore further the effectiveness of GCBT in a routine clinical setting and to investigate associated positive psychological effects related to GCBT. Methods: In this pragmatic, non-randomized, controlled trial, 28 people acted as their own waiting list control by completing a range of measures 8 weeks prior to taking part in the GCBT. The intervention consisted of 8 consecutive weeks of 2.5-hour sessions. Results: Repeated measures analysis of covariance revealed significant improvements in physical fatigue (F = 28.31, P < .01, effect size d = 0.52), mental fatigue (F = 7.72, P < .01, effect size d = 0.22), and depressive symptoms (Beck depression inventory-fast screen for medical individuals [BDI-FS]: F = 11.43, P < .01, effect size d = 0.30; hospital anxiety and depression scale [HADS-D]: F = 16.72, P < .01, effect size d = 0.38) compared with the waiting list. Improvements in quality of life (F = 7.56, P < .01, effect size d = 0.23), hope (F = 15.15, P < .01, effect size d = 0.36), and optimism (F = 8.17, P < .01, effect size d = 0.23) were also identified, but no change was reported for anxiety levels. Global outcome measures revealed that the majority of the individuals found the treatment beneficial and were satisfied with the results. Conclusion: GCBT is a beneficial and cost-effective treatment that individuals find amenable in routine clinical practice for CFS. Additionally we have described important effects emerged on positive psychological dimensions such as hope and optimism potentially enhancing the overall benefit

1-(4-Ethoxy­benzo­yl)-4-(4-methoxy­phen­yl)thiosemicarbazide

The title compound, C17H19N3O3S, crystallizes with two closely similar independent mol­ecules related by a pseudotranslation of c/2. Each mol­ecule consists of three approximately planar moieties centred on the N2CS group and the two ring systems. The packing involves classical H bonds of the form Namide—H⋯S and Nhydrazine—H⋯OC, together with various weak hydrogen bonds and Nhydrazine—H⋯π inter­actions. The overall packing is three-dimensional, but layer substructures parallel to the xz plane can be readily identified. Each mol­ecule forms a topologically equivalent set of hydrogen-bond inter­actions

Potential health-related phytoconstituents in leaves of Chenopodium quinoa

Background: Chenopodium quinoa Willd. or quinoa is an important food crop, having many pharmacological properties. It is recently introduced in Pakistan. In the present study, a phytochemical profile of its leaf extract was assessed through GC-MS analysis, and the health-related compounds were identified through a literature survey.Methods: Quinoa was grown in Lahore, Pakistan, and its leaves were collected at maturity, dried, ground, and extracted in methanol. GC-MS analysis of this extract was done that showed the presence of 30 compounds.Results: The most abundant compound was α-linolenic acid (12.13%), followed by n-hexadecanoic acid (11.51%), ergosta-5,7-dien-3-ol, (3β)- (10.99%), phytol (10.25%), and stigmast-7-en-3-ol, (3.beta.,5.alpha.,24S)- (7.33%). Moderately occurring compounds included DL-proline, 5-oxo-, methyl ester (6.01%), hydroxylamine, O-pentyl- (5.38%), neophytadiene (4.36%), 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (3.96%), 2-isopropoxyethyl propionate (3.84%), vitamin E (2.52%), and linolenic acid, methyl ester (2.46%). The remaining compounds were less abundant, having peak areas of less than 2%.Conclusion: Literature survey revealed that α-linolenic acid; n-hexadecanoic acid; phytol; squalene, vitamin E and linolenic acid, and methyl ester; present in leaf extract of quinoa possess various health-related properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, antihistaminic, antiandrogenic and antieczemic.                    Keywords: Amaranthaceae; Bioactive compounds; Leaf extract; Pakistan; Quinoa 

Internet of Things (IoT) based Energy Tracking and Bill Estimation System

Electrical energy is an important form of energy in the present times. For better or worse electricity is indispensable to life as we know it. Although we may not yet be able to produce enough clean energy to power the world, we can reduce environmental damage by learning how to save electricity is becoming a priority for more and more people. The purpose of this project is to design a system which can track and estimate the bill using IOT from anywhere in world. The project design comprises of NodeMCU, four channel relay, OLED display and MIT app Inventor 2&nbsp; as cloud Interface. Here NodeMCU fetches&nbsp; average consumption detail of loads from and logs estimated bill to the cloud-hosted database, monitors the duration for which each relay in a 4-channel relay module was switched-on, performs calculations, and transmits real-time results to an IoT cloud interface. 4-channel relay module executes switching instructions on loads sent over the internet via the control unit. This paper provides highlights on cloud-hosted database details, hardware design, IoT cloud interface application design, and working principle with mathematical modeling of the proposed system and tested results of this system are discussed, with the cloud-hosted database and IoT cloud interface

Sweetpotato weevil resistance in sub-saharan Africa: A viable mechanism for reducing Cylas damage.

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas, L) is the third most important crop in Sub-Saharan Africa contributing significantly to food security, nutrition and income. Weevils, Cylas spp., are the most important insect pest of the crop. The weevils damage both vines and roots, causing unacceptable odour, discoloration, and bitter taste making them unfit for consumption. Depending on conditions, weevils can cause complete losses of the harvestable crop. Host plant resistance seems to be the only viable option for management of the pest. Studies in Uganda reveal existence of active resistance in some sweetpotato genotypes. Field and laboratory experiments show that clones HMA 519, ARA 230, LIR 302, APA 356, ARA 228, RAK 865 (local), and New Kawogo (improved), have varying levels of resistance compared to the susceptible varieties NASPOT1, Kakamega, and Tanzania. The resistant clones were evaluated for field resistance against the susceptible checks; root and vine damage was less in the resistant clones. No-choice bioassays using roots conducted in the laboratory to show that feeding and oviposition was less on the resistant clones indicating that the observed field resistance was not simply escape. The resistance has been linked to some hydroxycinnamic acid esters which occur in higher concentrations in the roots of resistant compared to the susceptible clones. The compounds were extracted from the roots, analysed and synthetic derivatives used to conduct toxicity & deterrence tests. Different concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1mg/ml) of synthetic derivatives of the compounds were applied to the root surfaces of the susceptible variety (NASPOT 1) and showed that weevil species from both Uganda and Malawi fed less and laid fewer eggs on the treated roots compared to the untreated ones confirming the activity of the compounds against weevils. Preliminary studies indicate that the compounds have an additive effect with Cry7a proteins which are the target for the development of clones transformed with the Bt toxin. The findings have important implications for the breeding program in Uganda and will be used to map QTLs in segregating populations from a cross between the US variety Beauregard and the Ugandan variety New Kawogo

No increase of serum neurofilament light in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients switching from standard to extended-interval dosing of natalizumab

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence supports the efficacy of administering natalizumab (NZ) with extended-interval dosing (EID) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). OBJECTIVES: We switched NZ dosing from 4-week to 6-week intervals in patients with RRMS, and investigated the effect on serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) concentrations. METHODS: We included two cohorts of patients with RRMS treated with NZ: one received the standard-interval dosing (4 weeks) at baseline, and were switched to 6-week intervals (EID4-6, N = 45). The other cohort received EID (5- or 6-week intervals) both at baseline and during follow-up (EID5/6, N = 25). Serum samples were collected in the EID4-6 cohort at every NZ infusion, for 12 months. The primary outcome was the change in sNfL concentrations after switching to EID. RESULTS: The baseline mean sNfL concentration in the EID4-6 cohort was 10.5 ng/L (standard deviation (SD) = 6.1), and it remained unchanged at 12 months. Moreover, individual sNfL concentrations did not change significantly after extending the NZ dosing intervals. In addition, the EID4-6 and EID5/6 cohorts had similar baseline sNfL concentrations. CONCLUSION: We concluded that extending the NZ dosing interval did not increase axonal damage, as determined with sNfL, in patients with RRMS

Performance of Solar Adsorption Cooling System Using Methanol and Activated Carbon as a Working Pair

The need for renewable energy sources is higher than ever due to rising global warming, climate change, and ozone depletion. For refrigeration and air conditioning applications, adsorption refrigeration systems are viable alternatives cooling techniques. This study is a topic and part of the M.Sc. thesis. A field solar-powered ice maker unit was created, studied, tested, and evaluated on the 13th and 30th of May, 2022. Activated carbon and methanol pair was used to set up a refrigeration system in Baghdad (Al Dora). Experimental tests were carried out outdoors to determine the coefficient of performance COP and specific cooling power SCP of the system. The results showed that the lowest temperature obtained at the evaporative surface was (4 oC) and (3 oC) for the 13th and 30th of May, respectively, at the opening time of the valve between the evaporator and the generator at 9 pm. In addition, the amounts of methanol condensate were (0.340 kg) and (0.344 kg) for the 13th and 30th of May, respectively, while the maximum cycle coefficient of performance (COP) and specific cooling power SCP are about 0.57 and 0.14 kW/kga.c , respectivel

A comparison between Aloe vera and silver sulfadiazine on second-degree burns in local male rabbits: A Histological study

The present study carried out on fifteen local male rabbits six months in age, the animals divided for three groups five animals for each, after general anesthesia of all animals, the thoracic region was exposed for three seconds to 2 cm2 wide electrical heating rod to reach second-degree burn. The first group exposed to Vaseline only as a sham control group, second group exposed to silver sulfadiazine cream 0.2% and third group exposed to the Aloe vera (85%), all groups treated continuously once time for fifteen days, and specimens collected from affected area during 5,10 and 15 days after treatment for histopathological evaluations. The results of the study revealed semi like frequent healing process in all groups after five days, whereas at the ten days after treatment the second and third groups showed noticeable healing processes than control group, while at fifteen days from treatment the animals treated with Aloe vera showed approximately complete healing process characterized by presence of thick keratinized layer with profuse collagen in the dermis as well as new formation of hair follicle with noticeable hyperplasia of epidermal layers when compared with second and first groups

Synthesis of an Isoindoline-Annulated, Tricyclic Sultam Library via Microwave-Assisted, Continuous-Flow Organic Synthesis (MACOS)

A microwave-assisted, continuous-flow organic synthesis (MACOS) protocol for the synthesis of an isoindoline-annulated, tricyclic sultam library, utilizing a Heck–aza-Michael (HaM) strategy, is reported. This sequence involves a Heck reaction on vinylsulfonamides with batch microwave heating followed by a one-pot, sequential intramolecular aza-Michael cyclization/Boc-deprotection using MACOS. Subsequent cyclization with either 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole or chloromethyl pivalate using MACOS provided an array of tricyclic sultams. This efficient three-step protocol requires only a few hours to produce the target sultams starting from simple starting materials. Using this strategy, a 38-member library of isoindoline-annulated sultams was generated in good to excellent overall yields (53–87%)