Mechanism of the antidiabetic action of Nigella sativa and Thymoquinone: a review

IntroductionLong used in traditional medicine, Nigella sativa (NS; Ranunculaceae) has shown significant efficacy as an adjuvant therapy for diabetes mellitus (DM) management by improving glucose tolerance, decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis, normalizing blood sugar and lipid imbalance, and stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic cells. In this review, the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of NS as a herbal diabetes medication are examined in depth, demonstrating how it counteracts oxidative stress and the onset and progression of DM.MethodsThis literature review drew on databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed and various gray literature sources using search terms like the etiology of diabetes, conventional versus herbal therapy, subclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, physiology, behavior, and clinical outcomes.ResultsThe efficiency and safety of NS in diabetes, notably its thymoquinone (TQ) rich volatile oil, have drawn great attention from researchers in recent years; the specific therapeutic dose has eluded determination so far. TQ has anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties but has not proved druggable. DM’s intimate link with oxidative stress, makes NS therapy relevant since it is a potent antioxidant that energizes the cell’s endogenous arsenal of antioxidant enzymes. NS attenuates insulin resistance, enhances insulin signaling, suppresses cyclooxygenase-2, upregulates insulin-like growth factor-1, and prevents endothelial dysfunction in DM.ConclusionThe interaction of NS with mainstream drugs, gut microbiota, and probiotics opens new possibilities for innovative therapies. Despite its strong potential to treat DM, NS and TQ must be examined in more inclusive clinical studies targeting underrepresented patient populations

Impact of data center placement on the power consumption of flexible-grid optical networks

The increasing trend of global IP traffic is mainly driven by high-definition video services and cloud computing and storage. Moreover, to maintain a high quality of service in content delivery networking, data are geographically replicated in data centers distributed within network topologies. Thus, data centers are an emerging scenario for research and development aimed at energy-efficient transmission and networking solutions. Previous research work has focused on intradata center energy efficiency while interdata center energy issues have not been extensively analyzed yet. We propose heuristics and meta-heuristics for optimal placement of data centers with minimum power consumption over a network topology relying on flex-grid spectral use. In order to minimize the network's power consumption, we have performed a detailed comparison of heuristic and meta-heuristic designs for different network scenarios based on real topologies. Moreover, our results show that meta-heuristic provides an optimum data center placement in a reasonable amount of time for a small- to medium-sized network

Organ preservation for advanced laryngeal cancer: Experience with concurrent chemoradiation therapy

Introduction: The larynx is a part of the upper respiratory tract that performs many essential functions including breathing, speaking, and swallowing. For this reason, the quality of life is significantly affected by laryngeal cancer and its treatment. Therefore, the focus of management for the last few decades has been on preserving the function of a larynx without compromising survival. This study was done with the purpose of reviewing our experience of organ preservation approach with concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) for locally advanced cancers of larynx.Methods: A retrospective chart review was carried out for the data of pathology reports and clinical notes of the patients who were diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and primarily treated with CCRT at our tertiary care institute from November 2010 to June 2015.Results: Of 25 patients included in the study, there were 19 males and six females. The mean age was 56 years. On comparison of post-treatment CT scan following eight weeks of completion of therapy, 21 patients showed complete resolution of the disease and four patients had persistent disease who were later treated with salvage laryngectomy. The speech was understandable in 18 patients and poor or not understandable in seven patients. Three patients had chronic aspiration and breathing difficulties necessitating permanent tracheostomy. Three patients required permanent gastrostomy due to chronic dysphagia, one of them belonged to those who were also tracheostomized.Conclusions: Our experience with CCRT as an organ preservation approach for advanced laryngeal cancers was promising. When considering the functional organ preservation, the proportion of success is remarkably less; however, the overall impression is worthy enough to uphold the sentiment in favor of non-surgical organ preservation. The debate is ongoing in the quest of finding a balanced approach with acceptable toxicity and decent functional outcome with adequate speech, breathing, and swallowing

Human Cryptosporidiosis: An insight into Epidemiology, Modern Diagnostic Tools and Recent Drug Discoveries

Cryptosporidiosis is an emerging food and water borne zoonotic disease, which is caused by genusCryptosporidium. The first Cryptosporidium spp. was isolated from mice in 1907 and gained importance when it was found in an HIV positive patient. It usually causes self-limiting diarrhea in young children and immunocompetent patients. However, it may lead to chronic diarrhea with life threatening condition in immunocompromised patients. Other complications related to this transmittable infection may include respiratory problems, skin rashes and headache. HIV/AIDS patients are highly susceptible host for this parasite. Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are the known pathogenic species, prevalent among humans and they are being transmitted through contaminated food and water. Usually, the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. is dependent on microscopic technique in many countries, which has a low sensitivity and specificity leading to false positive results. However, for a step forward to successful epidemiological studies, advanced techniques (Serological and DNA-based) provide us the better ways of diagnosis with more sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, no antiparasitic drug has found to be effective againstCryptosporidium spp. except Nitazoxanide which is FDA-approved and effective only when administered along with antiretroviral therapy. In this regard, present review summarizes the various epidemiological studies conducted around the globe along with modern diagnostic tools and the suitable treatment available now a days. This systemized review will help the scientists to better understand all the aspects of cryptosporidiosis at one platform which may help in designing surveillance studies through selection of sensitive diagnostic techniques. The new drugs mentioned in this review may also help to better control this parasite in humans, especially immunocompromised individuals

Prevalence and characteristics of resistant hypertensive patients in an Asian population

Background: Resistant hypertension is a well-recognized clinical challenge yet there are no reported data on its prevalence in Pakistan. These patients are subjected to a higher risk of developing hypertensive complications. The objective of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of resistant hypertension in an Asian cohort of hypertensive patients.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among hypertensive patients visiting a tertiary care hospital in Karachi from September-December 2015. Patient data and characteristics were recorded using a pre-coded questionnaire. Morisky and Berlin questionnaires were used to assess compliance to medications and determine the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea, respectively. Pearson\u27s chi-square test was used to analyze statistical differences between hypertensive patients and related factors.Results: A total of 515 patients were included in the study. Overall, 12% of the total patients (n=62) were resistant hypertensives and 25% (n=129) had pseudo-resistant hypertension. Resistant patients were more often females, older and had a higher body mass index (all P\u3c0.001). Use of painkillers and noncompliance to dietary recommendations were found to be significant determinants of resistant hypertension. Prevalence of comorbid conditions, including diabetes (p=0.33), hyperlipidemia (p=0.46), and chronic kidney disease (p=0.23), was not significantly higher in patients with resistant hypertension.Conclusion: Nearly one in ten hypertensive patients had true resistant hypertension, and twenty-five percent of patients had pseudo-resistance. Resistance hypertensions is significantly associated with female gender, older age, obesity, dietary noncompliance and increased use of NSAIDs

Advanced Carbon Functional Materials for Superior Energy Storage

In the developing world, energy crisis is the main reason for less progress and development. Renewable and sustainable energy may be of bright future for scientific lagging and low-income countries; further, sustainability through smart materials got a huge potential; so, hereby keeping in view the energy crisis which the developing world is facing for many decades, we are proposing to write a chapter project for obtaining energy through cheap, sustainable, and functional advanced carbon materials. Carbon materials are the future of energy storage devices because of their ability to store energy in great capacity. The graphene is a material with amazing properties like no band gap, which turns graphene a wonderful candidate for use in the photovoltaic. Shortly, this chapter will discuss how superior energy storage may be obtained through various routes like using pyrrolic (N5) and pyridinic (N6) doping in advanced carbon functional materials, or superior energy by KOH activation in carbon materials, or through carbonization in organic matter, respectively. Further, for the advanced carbon functional materials, the superior energy storage using pyrrolic (N5) and pyridinic (N6) doping, or KOH activation, or through carbonization will be discussed one by one for lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, and relevant energy devices, respectively

Comparison of Satellite Images

Abstract — This paper deals with the research in the comparison of satellite images. Our world is developing day by day, every thing in this world changing continuously. If we observe a specific area or region of our world, then we can easily find the change on that area. Karachi is the fast growing and developing, by image processing, we are observing the change in population, built up areas and vegetation. We find these changes in Karachi by images of lansat 7 satellite, we have the data of landsat 7 imageries of 1990 and 2000. We are comparing this data after image processing. For processing the image we have the ERDAS IMAGINE 9.1 software and we are using supervise classification technique basically. We can forecast future trends of the city expansion in terms of population, built up areas and vegetation

Ophthalmoplegia, pigmentary retinopathy, and abnormal cardiac conduction: A rare case of Kearns-Sayre syndrome

Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is one of the three classic and overlapping phenotypes that result from simplex mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion syndromes. The rarity of the syndrome has led to a paucity of reported cases in the literature. We present the case of a young female who presented with drooping of her right eyelid, generalized muscle wasting, fatigability of the proximal muscles of her limbs, a nasal twang in her voice, bilateral progressive ophthalmoplegia, and a history of surgically correct ptosis of her left eyelid. Fundoscopy revealed salt-and-pepper-like retinopathy bilaterally. Her electrocardiogram (ECG) findings included an inferior infarct and a left anterior fascicular block. This case highlights the importance of multifaceted investigations and prompt diagnosis in resource-limited settings for effective management in suspected cases of KSS

An Experimental Investigation and Computer Modeling of Direct Tension Pullout Test of Reinforced Concrete Cylinder

Executing the obligation of strengthened concrete is essential in investigating load exchanges from concrete to the inner reinforcing bar. The bond–displacement conduct and extreme pullout quality for pullout samples are essential information related to the durability of RC structures. The slip in the interface is basically due to a contrast in stresses between concrete and reinforcement. This distinction brings about the start of the split in encompassing concrete. This study examined the simple pullout solid 3D cylinder model strengthened by a reinforced steel bar, considered a line element for bond–slip conduct. The non-linear finite element model utilizing ANSYS software was established to concentrate on the concrete and steel reinforcement bond. Material nonlinearity because of cracking, crushing of concrete, and the steel reinforcing bar’s yielding were investigated. Test results showed that: a prediction model for early-age bond stress–slip relationship between steel bars and concrete was proposed based on modeling, which showed good agreement with test results. The precision of this model is explored by contrasting the finite element numerical analysis and that anticipated from test consequences of pullout examples. Immense homogeneity between the model and test results was found. This study could provide more accurate bond properties for structural analysis and design

Concurrent acute pancreatitis, pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumomediastinum following ERCP-related perforation: A rare and insightful case study

This case report details an extraordinary occurrence following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in a 42-year-old woman. Despite ERCP being a commonly performed procedure, this case presented an unusual combination of acute pancreatitis, pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumomediastinum resulting from a Stapfer type III perforation. The patient managed conservatively with nil per os, nasogastric tube, intravenous fluids, pain relief, and antibiotics, exhibited clinical improvement. Remarkably, resolution of complications occurred without surgical intervention. This case underscores the significance of vigilance in diagnosing and appropriately managing ERCP-related complications, contributing to the broader understanding of these rare events and fostering improved patient outcomes