Experimental Investigation of Relative Humidity Effect on the Thermal Conductivity of Desiccant Material

Study on effective thermal conductivity (ETC) of desiccant materials is getting attention in the literature in order to optimize the operating parameters of close and open cycle adsorption cooling systems. In addition, it is an important parameter to enhance the performance of adsorption heat pump and adsorption cooling systems (AHP/ACS). Most of the desiccant materials are porous in nature, therefore, results in different ETC at different operating conditions i.e. temperature and humidity. In order to find the more precise performance expression, the combined effect of desiccant porosity, temperature and relative humidity (RH) should be considered. In this regard, many empirical and theoretical models have been presented for the estimation of ETC. Models developed in the literature are characterized by a single value at a particular temperature irrespective of humidity. Hence this study experimentally investigates the relative humidity effect on the thermal conductivity of the commercially available desiccant material i.e. AQSOA-Z05.The levels of RH were investigated in the range of 8% to 100%. The results showed that ETC of oven dry adsorbent material was 0.066 W/mK whereas it increased from 0.067-0.089 W/mK at RH of 8-100%, respectively. The ETC values increase due to the phenomena of pores filling by water vapor adsorption. It also showed that pore filling incorporate the change in the mean free path and it varied from 6.93-0.55μm at RH range 8-100%, respectively. Consequently, an empirical correlation has been presented which can predict the effective thermal conductivity at different levels of RH

Comparison Of ALT In Type 2 Diabetics with And Without Fatty Liver Disease

Objective: To determine the association of alanine aminotransferase in type 2 diabetic patients with and without fatty liver disease. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done for six months at Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zaid Al-Nahyan Hospital Rawalakot. In our study, we included all the patients who presented to the outpatient department (OPD) having type 2 diabetes mellitus. Their age, gender, height, weight, and duration of diabetes mellitus were noted. Their liver function test (LFTS), fasting blood sugar and HBA1c, and fasting lipid profile were also done at the time of their OPD visit and results were noted. They were given an appointment for an ultrasound abdomen from the radiology department for detection of fatty liver disease and the results were noted on the next OPD visit. Results: Total study population was 90 patients and out of which 35 (38.8%) were male and 55 (61.1%) were female. 58 years was the mean age of our study population. Fatty liver was present in 50% of patients. ALT was raised from a baseline value of 36 in 61% of patients while fasting blood sugar was raised in 83% of patients. The mean fasting blood sugar was 208 mg/dl. ALT was not significantly different in patients with and without fatty liver disease. However, it was found that patients with uncontrolled blood glucose levels have significantly raised ALT which was also statistically proven as the P value was less than 0.05. Also, patients with high blood glucose have a higher incidence of fatty liver disease as compared with normal blood glucose level patients but the difference was not statistically significant as shown by a P value more than 0.05. Conclusion: Fatty liver disease is more common in Type 2 diabetic patients with uncontrolled blood sugar. There is a high rate of raised ALT in diabetic patients whose blood sugar control is not optimum

Histomorphometric effects of Raphanus Sativus leaf ex-tract on Carbon Tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity.

Introduction: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) adversely affect the structural/ and or functional properties of the hepatic tissue, leading to grave implica-tions. Currently plant-based compounds have gained sufficient space in the treatment of liver diseases. Among such plants is Raphanus sativus, a cru-ciferous plant also commonly called Radish, which has since long been used in traditional medicine.Objective: To evaluate the protective role of Raphanus sativus in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity through assessment of liver function and oxidative stress markers in albino Wistar rats.Methodology: This Quasi-experimental study was conducted between Sep-tember 2019 to March 2020 at the Postgraduate Research Laboratory Isra University, Hyderabad. Albino Wistar selected by non-random purposive sampling were divided equally into three different groups: Group A (control group), Group B (CCl4 experimental group), and Group C (CCl4 plus Raphanus sativus group). Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture followed by hepatic histopathological analysis using light micro-scope. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24, with ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey’s analysis used for comparison of different study variables.Results: Statistically significant rise relative liver weight of group B rats compared with the group A and C rats (P <0.05). Moreover, statistically sig-nificant (P <0.05) rise in serum markers of hepatic functions was observed after CCl4 administration in Group B. Treatment with Raphanus Sativus ad-ministration significantly reduced serum levels of LFTs (p<0.05). There was a significant decline in the plasma levels of oxidative markers in group B while marked histopathological changes like necrosis, sinusoidal dilatation and congestion observed among animals of group B.Conclusion: Raphanus Sativus exerts an anti-oxidative, and hepato-protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatic tissue damage.Keywords: CCl4, Hepato-protective, Raphanus Sativus

Application of glucose oxidase for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation

The present study deals with the application of glucose oxidase (GOX) for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation method. It provides a method for the conversion of glucose into gluconic acid and its derivatives using the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOX). Due to the presence of calcium carbonate in fermentation medium the gluconic acid is converted into calcium gluconate. Conditions like concentration of substrate, temperature, pH, fermentation period and different phosphate sources were optimized during fermentation. The maximum GOX activity was observed at 35°C (pH 5.5) after 44 h of incubation at 100 rpm. At the maximum enzyme activity, the percentage yield of gluconates are also maximum; both go side by side. Sulphuric and oxalic acids method were employed for the production of gluconic acid. Derivatives of gluconic acid that is, calcium lactate gluconate, sodium gluconate, potassium gluconate, zinc gluconate and copper gluconate were formed by using double displacement and direct methods. The direct method gave the better yield. The percentage yields were 73, 89.63, 81.93, 92.86 and 81.53%, respectively. Keywords: Glucose oxidase (GOX), metal gluconate, double displacement

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The development and validation of a scoring tool to predict the operative duration of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: The ability to accurately predict operative duration has the potential to optimise theatre efficiency and utilisation, thus reducing costs and increasing staff and patient satisfaction. With laparoscopic cholecystectomy being one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide, a tool to predict operative duration could be extremely beneficial to healthcare organisations. Methods: Data collected from the CholeS study on patients undergoing cholecystectomy in UK and Irish hospitals between 04/2014 and 05/2014 were used to study operative duration. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was produced in order to identify significant independent predictors of long (> 90 min) operations. The resulting model was converted to a risk score, which was subsequently validated on second cohort of patients using ROC curves. Results: After exclusions, data were available for 7227 patients in the derivation (CholeS) cohort. The median operative duration was 60 min (interquartile range 45–85), with 17.7% of operations lasting longer than 90 min. Ten factors were found to be significant independent predictors of operative durations > 90 min, including ASA, age, previous surgical admissions, BMI, gallbladder wall thickness and CBD diameter. A risk score was then produced from these factors, and applied to a cohort of 2405 patients from a tertiary centre for external validation. This returned an area under the ROC curve of 0.708 (SE = 0.013, p  90 min increasing more than eightfold from 5.1 to 41.8% in the extremes of the score. Conclusion: The scoring tool produced in this study was found to be significantly predictive of long operative durations on validation in an external cohort. As such, the tool may have the potential to enable organisations to better organise theatre lists and deliver greater efficiencies in care

Spermadictyon suaveolens: A potential natural antimicrobial and antioxidant source

The present work is an effort to discover ethnopharmacological effects, such as anti-microbial, MIC, antioxidant assay, viz; total antioxidant, total phenolic contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH analysis. The crude extracts of bark and leaves of plant Spermadictyon suaveolens Roxb. was obtained in polar and nonpolar solvents viz; petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and distilled water. The physical and chemical properties of plant extracts were determined like colour, texture, chemical nature and percentage yield. S. suaveolens bark extract in water exposed maximum yield, i.e. 2.3% The pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains used were including two gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis), three gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and three fungal strains(Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae and Fusarium solani). Maximum zone of inhibition of S. suaveolens was leaf methanolic extract against S. aureus, i.e. 32±9.60mm whereas petroleum ether extract of leaf displayed maximum zone against F. solani, 29±0.72mm. Methanolic extract of leaf of Spermadictyon suaveolens showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against gram positive S. aureus 0.03±0.0.01 at 0.9g/mL. Maximum percentage scavenging by DPPH assay was shown by the bark methanolic extract of S. suaveolens showed 78.317% at 500µg/mL.IC50 values methanolic extract of bark of S. suaveolens25.81µg/mL. Highest antioxidant activity was displayed by methanol extract of bark of S. suaveolens, i.e0.896±0.13. Leaf chloroform extract of S. suaveolens showed maximum FRAP value, i.e. 211µg/mL.Key words: antimicrobial, antioxidant assay, MIC, DPPH assay, IC50

Money Demand Balances and Exchange Rate Policy in Pakistan: An ARDL and Non-ARDL Analysis

This paper investigates the impact of exchange rate on the money demand balances in Pakistan by applying linear and non-linear ARDL approach. The purpose of study is not only examining the impact of exchange rate and demand for money but also to analyze that whether demand for money in Pakistan is stable or not. For the estimation of money demand function yearly data are used from the 1972 to 2019. The findings of linear ARDL suggest that exchange rate and demand for money balances are positively related. Moreover, Non-linear ARDL exhibit that positive and negative shocks in exchange rate have mixed findings for money demand while asymmetric test shows that exchange rate has symmetric effects for money demand. Stability test suggest the stable money demand in Pakistan