EFFECT OF LEVETIRACETAM ON HEALING OF EXCISION AND BURN WOUND MODELS IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: Levetiracetam (LEV) at lower doses (50 and 100 μg/ml) has demonstrated antioxidant effect as per literature evidence. Hence, the aim of current study was to evaluate the action of LEV on wound healing with regard to its antioxidant properties. Methods: A total of 30 adult rats of both the sexes weighing 150–250 g were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each. Excision and burn models were used. The five groups are as follows: Group 1: Normal saline, Group 2: Povidone-iodine, Group 3: Silver sulfadiazine, Group 4: LEV 50 mg/kg, and Group 5: LEV 100 mg/kg. Group 2 served as a standard control for excision wound model and Group 3 as a standard for burn wound model. LEV was given orally and all other drugs were given topically. The rate of wound contracture and period of epithelization were calculated from the initial wound size for all rats. Results: In both the models, the rats treated with standard drug (povidone-iodine/silver sulfadiazine) and LEV showed faster rates of wound contraction, period of epithelization, and better antioxidant effect as compared to the control and the difference seen was statistically significant (p<0.001). However, the rats treated with povidone-iodine/silver sulfadiazine showed faster rates of wound contraction and period of epithelization as compared to the rats treated with LEV and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study show that oral application of LEV enhanced the wound strength and accelerated healing of incision and burn wounds in rats. Further clinical trials can be done to prove the effect of LEV as an agent for wound healing

A New K means Grey Wolf Algorithm for Engineering Problems

Purpose: The development of metaheuristic algorithms has increased by researchers to use them extensively in the field of business, science, and engineering. One of the common metaheuristic optimization algorithms is called Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO). The algorithm works based on imitation of the wolves' searching and the process of attacking grey wolves. The main purpose of this paper to overcome the GWO problem which is trapping into local optima. Design or Methodology or Approach: In this paper, the K-means clustering algorithm is used to enhance the performance of the original Grey Wolf Optimization by dividing the population into different parts. The proposed algorithm is called K-means clustering Grey Wolf Optimization (KMGWO). Findings: Results illustrate the efficiency of KMGWO is superior to GWO. To evaluate the performance of the KMGWO, KMGWO applied to solve 10 CEC2019 benchmark test functions. Results prove that KMGWO is better compared to GWO. KMGWO is also compared to Cat Swarm Optimization (CSO), Whale Optimization Algorithm-Bat Algorithm (WOA-BAT), and WOA, so, KMGWO achieves the first rank in terms of performance. Statistical results proved that KMGWO achieved a higher significant value compared to the compared algorithms. Also, the KMGWO is used to solve a pressure vessel design problem and it has outperformed results. Originality/value: Results prove that KMGWO is superior to GWO. KMGWO is also compared to cat swarm optimization (CSO), whale optimization algorithm-bat algorithm (WOA-BAT), WOA, and GWO so KMGWO achieved the first rank in terms of performance. Also, the KMGWO is used to solve a classical engineering problem and it is superiorComment: 15 pages. World Journal of Engineering, 202

1-[(4-tert-Butyl­phen­yl)sulfon­yl]-1H-benzimidazole

The title compound, C17H18N2O2S, was synthesized by aryl­sulfonyl­ation of 1-hy­droxy­methyl-1H-benzimidazole in the presence of triethyl­amine. The benzimidazole and benzene rings form a dihedral angle of 84.1 (1)°. The tert-butyl group was treated as rotationally disordered over two orientations in a 0.51 (2):0.49 (2) ratio. In the crystal, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into chains propagating in [010]

A Type of Spearheads of the 13th–14th Centuries from the Territory of the North Caucasus

A small group of large-size spearheads with ‘lugs’ in the lower part of the blade is introduced into scientific discourse. In terms of geography, the finds are stretched from the North-Western Caucasus to its north-eastern regions and the North-Western Caspian Sea. The finds, mainly dated to the Golden Horde period, are in several cases associated with Golden Horde settlements and mountain burials from the territory which was not part of the Golden Horde. The finds in question challenge the version of a genetic connection with the earlier samples from Prikuban. A different interpretation of the finds is also proposed, which were used not only for direct utilitarian purposes, but also in a ramming horseman attack. It is likely that they were also intended to fight cavalry

Investigating the deterioration of an industrial heritage structure

Conservation and rehabilitation of heritage structures has turned into a prime concern in historically enriched countries, especially in developed societies. Modern technologically advanced societies often wish to keep and maintain the remains of architectural heritage sites and pass the essence of these tangible and intangible cultural values to future generations. The present study introduces a historical industrial structure in Guimarães, Portugal which was once renowned as part of the leather industry but has now been dilapidated for many years. As part of the city authority’s plan to regenerate the whole town, this industrial heritage structure needs to be rehabilitated. This study presents an intensive structural survey with conventional non-destructive tests (NDT). Visual survey was used to attempt to identify problems in the structure and their possible decay mechanisms. Damages to the building include the decay of timber and stones, dampness problems and incompatible structural assemblage. The lack of long-term maintenance is one of the potential causes which has aggravated decay. NDTs were utilised to characterise the basic mechanical properties of the deteriorated timber elements. The findings allowed the safety of this industrial heritage structure to be appraised which could be beneficial for the conservation management plan of this city

Age-Related Patterns in Clinical Presentations and Gluten-Related Issues Among Children and Adolescents With Celiac Disease

OBJECTIVES: Celiac disease (CD) is common and often cited as an “iceberg” phenomenon (i.e., an assumed large number of undiagnosed cases). Recently, atypical or asymptomatic manifestations are becoming more commonly described in older children and adolescents. Moreover, CD diagnosis in children can be complicated by several factors, including its diverse clinical presentations, delay in recognizing CD signs and symptoms, and premature dietary gluten avoidance before the formal diagnosis of CD. To date, few studies have directly examined age-related differences in clinical characteristics and gluten-related issues among children with CD. The aim of this study was to determine age-related patterns in clinical characteristics and gluten-related issues among children with confirmed CD. METHODS: We performed a structured medical record review of biopsy-proven CD patients, aged 0–19 years, between 2000 and 2010 at a large Boston teaching hospital. Data collection included demographics, medical history, gluten-related issues, and diagnostic investigations (CD-specific serology, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and small intestinal biopsy). The first positive duodenal biopsy with Marsh III classification defined age of diagnosis. Patients were divided into three age groups for comparisons of the aforementioned characteristics: infant-preschool group (0–5 years), school-aged group (6–11 years), and adolescence group (12–19 years). RESULTS: Among 411 children with biopsy-proven CD, the mean age was 9.5 (s.d. 5.1) years. Most were female (63%) and white (96%). All children had positive CD-specific serology. Most children presented with either abdominal complaints or bowel movement changes. Overall, boys were more common among infant-preschool group compared with the other age groups. More distinct clinical manifestations (vomiting, bowel movement changes, and weight issues) were apparent in the youngest group, whereas school-aged children had more subjective abdominal complaints at the initial presentation. Conversely, the adolescents were most likely to present without any gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, but not when this was combined with absence of weight issues. Age of diagnosis was not associated with atypical extraintestinal CD presentations. Regarding the gluten-related issues, 10% of school-aged children avoided dietary gluten before the formal CD diagnosis, and 27% of the adolescents reported dietary gluten transgression within the first 12 months of diagnosis, significantly higher than the other age groups. Age differences in histopathology were also found. Whereas the infant-preschool group had a higher proportion of total villous atrophy, the older children were more likely to have gross duodenal abnormalities and chronic duodenitis suggestive of CD at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with CD have age-related patterns in both the clinical presentations and gluten-related issues. More pronounced clinical and histological features were determined in younger children, whereas older children more commonly presented with solely subjective abdominal complaints or even without any GI symptoms. However, silent and atypical extraintestinal CD presentations were comparable between age groups. In addition to the aforementioned presentations, the higher rates of dietary gluten avoidance and transgression in older children make CD diagnosis and management particularly challenging. These age-related patterns may further increase awareness, facilitate early diagnosis, and improve patient care of pediatric CD

A review of the corrosion behavior of metallic heritage structures and artifacts

Awareness about restoring and preserving historically important structures and artifacts is gradually growing in many parts of the world. These artifacts and structures represent the culture, tradition and past of a nation. They are often also a source of national income through tourist activities. Besides masonry and wood work, metallic forms and relics are a vital part of the heritage which needs to be conserved. Certain metals have been used significantly throughout history in the creation of objects and structures. However, metals are prone to decay over time, particularly decay through corrosion. The basic mechanisms of metal corrosion, the various types of corrosion and existing remedial solutions are reviewed in this paper. The most significant factor affecting metal corrosion was found to be the surrounding environment, especially in marine areas. Different remedial measures can be implemented on corroded metals according to their specific properties. Recommendations for further study are offered at the end of the paper

Search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum in pp collisions at √ s = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Results of a search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum are reported. The search uses 20.3 fb−1 of √ s = 8 TeV data collected in 2012 with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events are required to have at least one jet with pT > 120 GeV and no leptons. Nine signal regions are considered with increasing missing transverse momentum requirements between Emiss T > 150 GeV and Emiss T > 700 GeV. Good agreement is observed between the number of events in data and Standard Model expectations. The results are translated into exclusion limits on models with either large extra spatial dimensions, pair production of weakly interacting dark matter candidates, or production of very light gravitinos in a gauge-mediated supersymmetric model. In addition, limits on the production of an invisibly decaying Higgs-like boson leading to similar topologies in the final state are presente

Identification of Biofilm-Associated Cluster (bac) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Involved in Biofilm Formation and Virulence

Biofilms are prevalent in diseases caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic and nosocomial pathogen. By a proteomic approach, we previously identified a hypothetical protein of P. aeruginosa (coded by the gene pA3731) that was accumulated by biofilm cells. We report here that a ΔpA3731 mutant is highly biofilm-defective as compared with the wild-type strain. Using a mouse model of lung infection, we show that the mutation also induces a defect in bacterial growth during the acute phase of infection and an attenuation of the virulence. The pA3731 gene is found to control positively the ability to swarm and to produce extracellular rhamnolipids, and belongs to a cluster of 4 genes (pA3729–pA3732) not previously described in P. aeruginosa. Though the protein PA3731 has a predicted secondary structure similar to that of the Phage Shock Protein, some obvious differences are observed compared to already described psp systems, e.g., this unknown cluster is monocistronic and no homology is found between the other proteins constituting this locus and psp proteins. As E. coli PspA, the amount of the protein PA3731 is enlarged by an osmotic shock, however, not affected by a heat shock. We consequently named this locus bac for biofilm-associated cluster