Experimental Study and Finite Element Modelling of Reinforced Concrete Column Having An Opening

This study deals with the finite element modelling of reinforced concrete beam and column using ANSYS. The study covers a comprehensive introduction to ANSYS, such that any beginner can learn the useful and effective use of the ANSYS in order to model and analyze any type of structure like beam and column. ANSYS is a very handy and effective tool in modelling and analysis of various structural element based on finite element modelling. A detailed study of the work includes the modelling of beam and column with specific cross sections and reinforcement details. Further the column with a lateral hole at the center is evaluated in terms of cracking response around the hole. The experimental work is carried out in the concrete laboratory of civil engineering department UET Taxila .The results of that experimental work is then compared eventually with the results that’s were obtained by analysis through ANSYS. As a summary of the work the results were compared in terms of the stress, strain and cracking around the hole. It is concluded that the response of the column around the hole/opening in terms of cracking pattern in both elastic and post elastic stages was much more comparable with that of experimental work. Keywords: Finite element modelling, ANSYS, Column, Lateral hole, Stress, strain, Elastic, post elastic, cracking pattern. DOI: 10.7176/IEL/9-1-0

Autoantibodies in Viral Infections

The immune system’s ability to distinguish self from nonself is essential for initiating host defense against microbial antigens and protection of self-antigens from autoimmune-associated destruction. Virus infections have been implicated in the initiation of multiple human autoimmune diseases. This chapter aims to summarize the main principles for some specific viral infections and the subsequent production of autoantibodies resulting in the initiation, progression, and perpetuation of autoimmune diseases. Various mechanisms by which virus infections can induce autoimmune responses including molecular mimicry and epitope spreading are discussed with respect to these viruses, and evidence implicating virus infections in the pathogenesis of various human autoimmune diseases is reviewed. A better understanding of the viral origin of autoimmune diseases is an important step in the identification of high-risk patients as well as designing prevention and disruption strategies

Chronic jet lag-like conditions dysregulate molecular profiles of neurological disorders in nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex

BackgroundPatients with neurological disorders often display altered circadian rhythms. The disrupted circadian rhythms through chronic jetlag or shiftwork are thought to increase the risk and severity of human disease including, cancer, psychiatric, and related brain diseases.ResultsIn this study, we investigated the impact of shiftwork or chronic jetlag (CJL) like conditions on mice’s brain. Transcriptome profiling based on RNA sequencing revealed that genes associated with serious neurological disorders were differentially expressed in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). According to the quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis, several key regulatory genes associated with neurological disorders were significantly altered in the NAc, PFC, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and striatum. Serotonin levels and the expression levels of serotonin transporters and receptors were significantly altered in mice treated with CJL.ConclusionOverall, these results indicate that CJL may increase the risk of neurological disorders by disrupting the key regulatory genes, biological functions, serotonin, and corticosterone. These molecular linkages can further be studied to investigate the mechanism underlying CJL or shiftwork-mediated neurological disorders in order to develop treatment strategies

Association of renal biomarkers in COVID-19 patients: A retrospective study

Background: The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the cause of the transmissible sickness known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (SARS-CoV-2). Although it often presents as an acute respiratory infection, it can also have a negative impact on the kidneys, heart, gastrointestinal, and nervous system. The aims of this study to find out the association of renal biomarkers among dialysis patients in COVID-19 positive and negative. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of medical laboratory technology, the university of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A Total of 129 Dialysis patients blood samples were collected from March 2022 to April 2022 in which 13 males and 20 females are COVID-19 positive while 41 males and 55 females are COVID-19 negative. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by using PRISM version 5.0 by applying two-way ANOVA and Comparisons between Covid positive and negative patients RFTs by using Bonferroni posttest. Results: Male patients with chronic kidney disease (on dialysis) with COVID-19 negative and positive their mean urea difference was 95.20mg/dl and 159.6mg/dl, while COVID-19 negative and positive the mean creatinine difference was 8.534mg/dl and 13.81mg/dl respectively. While there was no significance difference in uric acid concentration in CKD patients with COVID-19 negative and positive. Female patients with chronic kidney disease (on dialysis) with COVID-19 negative and positive their mean urea difference was 103.20mg/dl and 152.6mg/dl, while COVID-19 negative and positive the mean creatinine difference was 8.114mg/dl and 8.584mg/dl respectively. While there was no significance difference in uric acid concentration in CKD patients with COVID-19 negative and positive. Conclusion: This study concludes that there is positive relationship or association of renal biomarkers in COVID-19 positive patients. Significance association between urea and creatinine in COVID-19 positive

Bioleaching of copper- and zinc-bearing ore using consortia of indigenous iron-oxidizing bacteria

Indigenous iron-oxidizing bacteria were isolated on modified selective 9KFe(2+) medium from Baiyin copper mine stope, China. Three distinct acidophilic bacteria were isolated and identified by analyzing the sequences of 16S rRNA gene. Based on published sequences of 16S rRNA gene in the GenBank, a phylogenetic tree was constructed. The sequence of isolate WG101 showed 99% homology with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strain AS2. Isolate WG102 exhibited 98% similarity with Leptospirillum ferriphilum strain YSK. Similarly, isolate WG103 showed 98% similarity with Leptospirillum ferrooxidans strain L15. Furthermore, the biotechnological potential of these isolates in consortia form was evaluated to recover copper and zinc from their ore. Under optimized conditions, 77.68 +/- 3.55% of copper and 70.58 +/- 3.77% of zinc were dissolved. During the bioleaching process, analytical study of pH and oxidation-reduction potential fluctuations were monitored that reflected efficient activity of the bacterial consortia. The FTIR analysis confirmed the variation in bands after treatment with consortia. The impact of consortia on iron speciation within bioleached ore was analyzed using Mossbauer spectroscopy and clear changes in iron speciation was reported. The use of indigenous bacterial consortia is more efficient compared to pure inoculum. This study provided the basic essential conditions for further upscaling bioleaching application for metal extraction.</p

Zika Virus Potentiates the Development of Neurological Defects and Microcephaly: Challenges and Control Strategies

Since the beginning of the Zika Virus (ZIKV) epidemic, thousands of cases presenting ZIKV symptoms were recorded in Brazil, Colombia (South America), French Polynesia and other countries of Central and North America. In Brazil, during ZIKV outbreak thousands of microcephaly cases occurred that caused a state of urgency among scientists and researchers to confirm the suspected association between ZIKV infection and microcephaly. In this review article we comprehensively studied scientific literature to analyze ZIKV relationship with microcephaly, recent experimental studies, challenge and shortcomings in previously published reports to know about the current status of this association. The evidences supporting the association of ZIKV infection with congenital microcephaly and fetal brain tissue damage is rapidly increasing, and supplying recent information about pathology, clinical medicine, epidemiology, mechanism and experimental studies. However, serious attention is required toward ZIKV vaccine development, standardization of anthropometric techniques, centralization of data, and advance research to clearly understand the mechanism of ZIKV infection causing microcephaly

Overview on the Role of Advance Genomics in Conservation Biology of Endangered Species

In the recent era, due to tremendous advancement in industrialization, pollution and other anthropogenic activities have created a serious scenario for biota survival. It has been reported that present biota is entering a &quot;sixth&quot; mass extinction, because of chronic exposure to anthropogenic activities. Various ex situ and in situ measures have been adopted for conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animal species; however, these have been limited due to various discrepancies associated with them. Current advancement in molecular technologies, especially, genomics, is playing a very crucial role in biodiversity conservation. Advance genomics helps in identifying the segments of genome responsible for adaptation. It can also improve our understanding about microevolution through a better understanding of selection, mutation, assertive matting, and recombination. Advance genomics helps in identifying genes that are essential for fitness and ultimately for developing modern and fast monitoring tools for endangered biodiversity. This review article focuses on the applications of advanced genomics mainly demographic, adaptive genetic variations, inbreeding, hybridization and introgression, and disease susceptibilities, in the conservation of threatened biota. In short, it provides the fundamentals for novice readers and advancement in genomics for the experts working for the conservation of endangered plant and animal species.</p

Biodiesel Production From Algae to Overcome the Energy Crisis

The use of energy sources has reached at the level that whole world is relying on it. Being the major source of energy, fuels are considered the most important. The fear of diminishing the available sources thirst towards biofuel production has increased during last decades. Considering the food problems, algae gain the most attention to be used as biofuel producers. The use of crop and food-producing plants will never be a best fit into the priorities for biofuel production as they will disturb the food needs. Different types of algae having the different production abilities. Normally algae have 20%–80% oil contents that could be converted into different types of fuels such as kerosene oil and biodiesel. The diesel production from algae is economical and easy. Different species such as tribonema, ulothrix and euglena have good potential for biodiesel production. Gene technology can be used to enhance the production of oil and biodiesel contents and stability of algae. By increasing the genetic expressions, we can find the ways to achieve the required biofuel amounts easily and continuously to overcome the fuels deficiency. The present review article focusses on the role of algae as a possible substitute for fossil fuel as an ideal biofuel reactant

Catechins-Modified Selenium-Doped Hydroxyapatite Nanomaterials for Improved Osteosarcoma Therapy Through Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer with limited therapeutic options. It can be treated by selenium-doped hydroxyapatite owing to its known antitumor potential. However, a high concentration of Se is toxic toward normal and stem cells whereas its low concentration cannot effectively remove cancer cells. Therefore, the current study was aimed to improve the anticancer activity of Se-HAp nanoparticles through catechins (CC) modification owing to their high cancer therapeutic value. The sequentially developed catechins modified Se-HAp nanocomposites (CC/Se-HAp) were characterized for various physico-chemical properties and antitumor activity. Structural analysis showed the synthesis of small rod-like single phase HAp nanoparticles (60 +/- 15 nm), which effectively interacted with Se and catechins and formed agglomerated structures. TEM analysis showed the internalization and degradation of CC/Se-HAp nanomaterials within MNNG/HOS cells through a non-specific endocytosis process. Cell toxicity analysis showed that catechins modification improved the antitumor activity of Se-HAp nanocomposites by inducing apoptosis of human osteosarcoma MNNG/HOS cell lines, through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which in turn activated the caspase-3 pathway, without significantly affecting the growth of human normal bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs). qPCR and western blot analyses revealed that casp3, p53, and bax genes were significantly upregulated while cox-2 and PTK-2 were slightly downregulated as compared to control in CC/Se-HAp-treated MNNG/HOS cell lines. The current study of combining natural biomaterial (i.e., catechins) with Se and HAp, can prove to be an effective therapeutic approach for bone cancer therapy.</p