STUDY OF THE ANTI-HYPERLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF THE COMBINED ADMINISTRATION OF THREE NATURAL EXTRACTS IN A POLOXAMER-407 HYPERLIPIDEMIC MODEL AND THEIR LC-ESI-MS/MS2 AND HPLC PROFILING

Objective: Dyslipidaemia is considered a high-risk factor for inducing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aims to investigate the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of the co-administration of the ethanol extracts of both ginger (root and rhizome) and leek (leaves and bulbs) in addition to the aqueous extract of gum arabic.  Methods: Rats were divided into eight groups: Hyperlipidaemia was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of Poloxamer 407 (P-407) [1 g/kg], negative control [saline injected], hyperlipidemic control [P-407 injected], positive control [Atorvastatin 70 mg/kg], groups four, five and six received ginger extract (400 mg/kg), leek extract (500 mg/kg) and gum arabic aqueous extract (7.5 g/kg) respectively and groups seven and eight received a co-administration of ginger, leek and gum arabic extracts at doses A and B respectively. Lipid profile was monitored. The profiling of all the tested extracts was performed by LC-ESI/MS and HPLC. Results: A significant anti-hyperlipidemic activity (P<0.05) was seen for group eight among all the tested groups producing ≈54%, 72%, 50% and 72% decrease in the measured parameters total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) respectively. An overall of 56 and 45 compounds were tentatively identified in the ethanol extracts of ginger and leek, respectively. Galactose and arabinose sugars were found to be the major saccharides in gum arabic and glucuronic acid was the major polyuronide part. Conclusion: the co-administration of a group of natural extracts in the given concentration proved to be more effective than the use of synthetic drugs or the use of a single component.&nbsp

Relationships of academic expectation stress & self-efficacy, efficacy for self-regulated learning with academic performance during Covid pandemic

Background: Academic expectation stress & self-efficacy and efficacy for self-regulated learning may affect academic performance. The Covid pandemic has affected the physical and psychological well-being of all, including students. However, there is a paucity of studies examining these variables in college students in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the levels and relationships of academic expectation stress & self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, and its relationships with academic performance in college students of ---- University during the Covid pandemic. Material and Methods: A total of 302 students were recruited in this cross-sectional study. They were assessed with sociodemographic and academic proforma designed for this study, the Academic expectation stress inventory (ASE), the Academic self-efficacy scale (AES), and the efficacy of the self-regulated learning scale (SRL). Results: Results revealed that the mean score of AES, SRL, and ASE was 29.18, 35.38, and 41.11, respectively. On linear regression analysis exam score was statistically significant positively predicted by the score on SRL, and the Score of AES was statistically significantly predicted by the score of SRL (+ve) and the score of ASE (-ve). Conclusions: It may be concluded that efficacy for self-regulated learning may mediate academic performance and academic self-efficacy during the Covid pandemic. Enhancing self-regulated learning may improve academic performance during the pandemic

Imaging with Hexagonal Segmented Mirror

Different hexagons configuration aperture models of the optical telescope mirror is carefully considered in this study. The point spread function and the modulation transfer function of a reference star using different hexagons configuration are computed and the quantitative assessment for the results are described. It has been shown that the height of the point spread function decreases rapidly when the area of the circular aperture of the optical telescope is 18 times the area of the individual hexagon to be arrange to fill this aperture. No significant change has been noticed as the area of the this aperture exceeds 121 times the area of the individual hexagon

Compound Heat Transfer Enhancement in Dimpled and Sinusoidal Metal Solar Wall Ducts Fitted with Wired Inserts

An improved Metal Solar Wall (MSW) with integrated thermal energy storage is presented in this research. The proposed MSW makes use of two, combined, enhanced heat transfer methods. One of the methods is characterized by filling the tested ducts with a commercially available copper Wired Inserts (WI), while the other one uses dimpled or sinusoidal shaped duct walls instead of plane walls. Ducts having square or semi-circular cross sectional areas are tested in this work. A developed numerical model for simulating the transported thermal energy in MSW is solved by finite difference method. The model is described by system of three governing energy equations. An experimental test rig has been built and six new duct configurations have been fabricated and tested. Air is passed through the six ducts with Reynolds numbers from 1825 to 7300. Six, new, correlations for Nusselt number and friction factor are developed to assess the benefits that are gained from using the WI and the dimpled and sine-wave duct walls. It is found that higher heat transfer rates are achieved using the Dimpled, semi–circular duct with Wired Inserts (DCWI). Also, it is found that Nusselt number and the pressure drop in the DCWI are respectively (44.2% -100%) and (101.27% - 172.8%) greater than those of the flat duct with WI. The improvement in Nusselt number for flat duct with WI is found to be (1.4 – 2) times the values for flat duct with no WI. The results demonstrated that DCWI provides enhancements efficiency value that is higher than those obtained from other types of ducts. The developed MSW ducts have added to local knowledge a better understanding of the compound heat transfer enhancement

Anti-uterine fibroid effect of standardized labisia pumila var. Alata extracts in vitro and in human uterine fibroid cancer xenograft model

Background: Uterine fibroids are a common type of solid tumor presenting in women of reproductive age. There are very few alternative treatment available from conventional treatment involving surgeries. Labisia pumila var. alata or locally known as ‘Kacip Fatimah’ was widely used as traditional medicine in Malaysia. This plant has been used to maintain a healthy female reproductive system. The present study aimed to evaluate anti fibroid potential of L. pumila extracts through in vitro apoptosis activity against uterine leiomyoma cells (SK-UT-1) and in uterine leiomyoma xenograft model. Evaluation of bioactive markers content were also carried out. Methods: Apoptotic induction of the extracts was determined by morphological examination of AO/PI dual staining assay by flourescent microscopy and flow cytometry analysis on Annexin V-FITC/PI stained cells. In vivo study was done in immune-compromised mouse xenograft model. HPLC analysis was employed to quantify marker compounds. Results: Morphological analysis showed L. pumila induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner against SK-UT-1 cells. In vivo study indicated that L. pumila significantly suppressed the growth of uterine fibroid tumor. All tested extracts contain bioactive marker of gallic acid and cafeic acid. Conclusion: This work provide significant data of the potential of L. pumila in management of uterine fibroids

First meta-analysis study of cholinesterase inhibition in experimental animals by organophosphate or carbamate insecticides under the influence of diphenhydramine

Background and Aim: Diphenhydramine is an H1-antihistamine that counteracts the toxic effects of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides that inhibit cholinesterase (ChE) activity. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of diphenhydramine on ChE inhibition induced by these insecticides in the plasma, erythrocytes, or whole brain of experimental animals. Materials and Methods: A data search was performed on erythrocyte, plasma, and brain ChE inhibition caused by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in experimental animals (mice, rats, and chicks) treated with the antihistamine diphenhydramine in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, which was done by the two-group random-effects model meta-analysis. The meta-analysis included 18 records extracted from six studies that appeared from 1996 to 2022. Results: Using the random-effects model, a two-group meta-analysis revealed that the combined effect size (ChE inhibition) was significantly more favorable in the control group than in the diphenhydramine intervention, as shown by a forest plot. The combined effect size (standardized mean difference) was 0.67, with a standard error of 0.3, a lower limit of 0.04, and an upper limit of 1.29 (p = 0.025). The heterogeneity was moderate, as I2 of the combined effect size was 74%, with a significant Cochrane Q-test result (Q = 65, p < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis indicated that, with brain ChE inhibition, the heterogeneity (I2) became 5%, which was lower than ChE inhibition in plasma (84%) and erythrocytes (78%). No publication bias was identified using the funnel plot and Egger's test. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that, in addition to its documented antidotal action against ChE-inhibiting insecticides, diphenhydramine can also reduce the extent of ChE inhibition, especially in the brain, which is the main site of toxicity of these insecticides. There is a need for additional studies to assess such enzyme inhibition in different parts of the brain

Shell Model Investigation of Some p and sd-Shell Nuclei with Harmonic Oscillator and Skyrme Interactions

In this study, the longitudinal charge and form factors for the nuclei 9Be and 28Si lying in the p and sd shells are studied by employing the Harmonic Oscillator potential (HO) and Skyrme effective interaction (Sk35−Skzs∗). The C0 and C2 from factors calculated for the ground state 3/2-, the 5/2- (2.429 MeV) and 7/2- (6.380 MeV) for 9Be, while the ground state 0+ and 2+ (1.779 MeV) state for 28Si nucleus. Calculations of microscopic perturbations that involve intermediate one-particle, one-hole excitation from the core and MS orbits into all upper orbits with excitations are utilized to generate the effective charges necessary to account for the “core polarization effect”. The shell model calculations are utilized on the extended model space to include all 1s, 1p, 2s–1d, 2p‑1f orbits with  truncation. Bohr-Mottelson collective model and Tassie model with properly estimated effective neutron and proton charges are taken into account to consider the effect of the core contribution. The estimated form factors were compared with the measured available data and they were in good agreement for most of the studied states. A conclusion can be drawn that  truncation is very good choice to study the longitudinal form factors. The choice of Harmonic Oscillator potential (HO) and Skyrme effective interaction (Sk35−Skzs∗) is adequate for form estimation of longitudinal form factors. The estimation of the effective charges based on microscopic perturbations that involve intermediate one-particle, one-hole excitation from the core and MS orbits into all upper orbits with excitations is adequate. The truncation proves to be very successful to perform the study

Heat Stroke in Emergency Department: Diagnosis and Management

Background: Heat stroke is a severe health concern with the potential for multi-organ failure, necessitating rapid and effective management. With rising global temperatures, there is increasing concern regarding the vulnerability of populations in high-heat areas, notably in Saudi Arabia, especially during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Objective: This paper aims to review the epidemiology, evaluation and management techniques of heat stroke, emphasizing the situation during Hajj pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia, and to outline the best practices for emergency management. Methodology: A comprehensive review of literature and studies related to heat stroke, both globally and specific to Saudi Arabia, was undertaken. An in-depth analysis of emergency management, including initial assessment, cooling methods, organ support, medication, and prevention strategies, was conducted. Results: Heat stroke remains a significant cause of emergency department visits, with specific groups, such as men and the elderly, being more susceptible. During the Hajj in 2016, 267 patients were diagnosed with heat-related illnesses, with heatstroke accounting for 29% of these cases. With the threat of global warming, studies indicate a potential tenfold increase in heat stroke risk with a 2°C rise in temperatures. Swift and comprehensive cooling is pivotal for recovery. Management emphasizes rapid recognition, assessment, and varied cooling methods, along with targeted treatments for organ dysfunctions. Prevention strategies play a vital role, given the higher efficacy and practicality over treating organ dysfunctions. Conclusion: Heat stroke is a pressing health challenge, particularly in high-risk environments like Saudi Arabia during the Hajj pilgrimage. While effective emergency management protocols exist, an emphasis on prevention is crucial. It is imperative to incorporate a comprehensive approach to address both the immediate threat and long-term risks of heat stroke, especially with the looming challenge of global warming

Laser Vaporization of Mouth Lesions, an Overview

Lasers are utilized in dentistry as a therapeutic tool or as an auxiliary tool. The major purpose of employing lasers in dentistry is to overcome the difficulties that are currently observed in traditional dental treatment treatments. The laser is used in hard tissue applications such as caries prevention, bleaching, restorative removal and curing, cavity preparation, dentinal hypersensitivity, growth modulation, and diagnostics, whereas soft tissue applications include wound healing, removal of hyperplastic tissue to uncover impacted or partially erupted teeth, photodynamic therapy for malignancies, and photo-stimulation of herpetic lesions. Lasers' capacity to perform minimally invasive operations with minimum patient discomfort has proven effective in the patient delivery system in dentistry practice. The availability of lasers with various wavelengths has produced a surgical panacea, and laser technology has replaced traditional surgical techniques in many oral surgical operations