Design, Development and Evaluation of Portable Washer for Lotus Rhizomes

629-633The aim of the present study was to design, develop and evaluate a low cost portable washer for Lotus Rhizomes. Different performance parameters and colour values were studied to check the performance of the developed prototype in comparison to the manual washing. The capacity and efficiency of the machine was much higher than the existing manual method of washing. The colour coordinates (L* a* b*) revealed that washing through developed washer makes lotus rhizomes more clean and bright as compared to the  manual washing. Different sanitizers were also tested for shelf life enhancement of lotus rhizomes. Out of all tested sanitizers, the citric acid was found best with regard to shelf life enhancement and cleanliness of lotus rhizomes. The economic analysis reveals that the developed lotus rhizome washer can be beneficial for the people who are directly or indirectly involved in lotus rhizome trade

Cytotoxic Effect of Ethanol Extract of Convolvulus arvensis L (Convolvulaceae) on Lymphoblastic Leukemia Jurkat Cells

Purpose: To evaluate the cytotoxic effect of ethanol extract of aerial parts of Convolvulus arvensis against lymphoblastic leukemia, Jurkat cells.Methods: The aerial parts of C. arvensis were collected, identified, powdered and soaked in ethanol. The extract was filtered and evaporated, and the residue assessed for cytotoxic activity in Jurkat cell line. The cells were exposed to different concentrations (10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/mL) of the extract to determine cell viability, cell proliferation, apoptosis using Trypan blue exclusion assay, 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay and fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, respectively.Results: Trypan blue exclusion assay and MTS assay results indicate that the ethanol extract decreased the number of living cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. The results of FACS analysis showed that the lowest concentration of the extract (10 μg/mL) was most effective for the induction of apoptosis as it induced maximum apoptosis (85.34 %) and the highest concentration (100 μg/mL) was less effective as it induced less apoptosis (53.70 %) in Jurkat cells (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The ethanol extract of C. arvensis has significant cytotoxic activity against the selected cancer cell line. Furthermore, apoptotic effect was more prominent at lower doses and necrosis at higher doses of the extract.Keywords: Convolvulus arvensis; (MTS) 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4- sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay; Trypan blue exclusion assay, Apoptosis, Necrosi

Formulation for the Targeted Delivery of a Vaccine Strain of Oncolytic Measles Virus (OMV) in Hyaluronic Acid Coated Thiolated Chitosan as a Green Nanoformulation for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer: A Viro-Immunotherapeutic Approach [Retraction]

Naseer F, Ahmad T, Kousar K, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2023;18:185–205. We, the Editor and Publisher of the journal International Journal of Nanomedicine are retracting the published article. Following publication of the article, concerns were raised about the duplication of images from Figures 8, 10 and 13 with images from other unrelated articles. Specifically, The image for Figure 8A, blank NF temperatures, has been duplicated with the image for Figure 13C, SEM of lyophilized NF after 3 months storage. The image for Figure 8C, HA-coated OMV loaded TC, has been duplicated with the image for Figure 16C, lyophilized NFs after 3 months, from Kousar K, Naseer F, Abduh MS, Anjum S and Ahmad T. CD44 targeted delivery of oncolytic Newcastle disease virus encapsulated in thiolated chitosan for sustained release in cervical cancer: a targeted immunotherapy approach. Front. Immunol. 2023;14:1175535. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1175535. The image for Figure 8D, HA-coated OMV loaded TCs, has been duplicated with the image for Figure 6B, CsA-loaded ThC-HA NF, from Abduh MS. Anticancer Analysis of CD44 Targeted Cyclosporine Loaded Thiolated Chitosan Nanoformulations for Sustained Release in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Nanomedicine. 2023;18:5713-5732. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S424932. The image for Figure 9D, HA-coated OMV-loaded TCs, has been duplicated with the image for Figure 10B, HA-ThCs-Cis NFs, from Kousar K, Naseer F, Abduh MS, et al. Green synthesis of hyaluronic acid coated, thiolated chitosan nanoparticles for CD44 targeted delivery and sustained release of Cisplatin in cervical carcinoma. Front. Pharmacol. 2023;13:1073004. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1073004. The entire Figure 10 has been duplicated with Figure 6 from Naseer F, Kousar K, Abduh MS, et al. Evaluation of the anticancer potential of CD44 targeted vincristine nanoformulation in prostate cancer xenograft model: a multi-dynamic approach for advanced pharmacokinetic evaluation. Cancer Nano. 2023;14:65. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12645-023-00218-2. The images for Figure 10, Pure MV 12h, 90µg/ml and OMV-loaded TCs 24h, 50µg/ml have been duplicated. The image for Figure 10, OMV-loaded TCs 24h, 90µg/ml has been duplicated with the image for Figure 10, MCF-10A, Pure CsA, 90µg/ml from Abduh MS, 2023. The image for Figure 10, Pure MV 12h, 50µg/ml has been duplicated with the image for Figure 10, MCF-10A, CsA-NF, 60µg/ml from Abduh MS, 2023. The images for Figure 13C, lyophilized NF after 3 months storage, has been duplicated with the image for Figure 7A, SEM image of spherical HA-ThCs-Cis loaded nanoparticles, from Kousar K, et al (2023). The corresponding author responded to our queries but was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for how the images came to be duplicated and the editor no longer has confidence in the reported findings. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, the Publisher and Editor requested to retract the article and the corresponding author does not agree with this decision. We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and COPE guidelines. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”

Delay in diagnosis of brain tumors: a dilemma for neurosurgical community due to spirituality and quackery in a developing country

Objectives: Primary and metastatic brain tumors are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. The complex pathway to a cancer diagnosis is not human error and the achievements of better outcomes solely depend on the early diagnosis and management of symptomatic tumors. The estimated time between the first presentation to any health care professional and diagnosis is approximately 3 times longer in the UK as compared to other developed countries. Material and Methods: It was a descriptive study and included 52 patients who were admitted to the Neurosurgery department at Jinnah hospital Lahore. The required data were collected either directly from the patients or from the hospital record of discharged patients. Our study compares the time interval difference of presentation of a patient to a local care provider (Quacks, Hakeem, and spiritual healers) and Neurosurgeon as well as delay in surgical intervention even after diagnosis and radiological investigations. Results: 54% of patients presented with supratentorial lesions and out of these, parietal lobe lesions were more common (39%) while 29% of lesions were infratentorial. Around 50% of patients presented to a Local Care Provider within 20 days. However, only 42% of patients presented to a neurosurgeon after 6-9 months of the onset of symptoms. Conclusion: Public awareness is the key to timely diagnosis, proper management, and better outcomes. The availability of specialists in peripheral hospitals can bring a change in this regard

Magnetic Equivalent Circuit and Lagrange Interpolation Function Modeling of Induction Machines Under Broken Bar Faults

This paper introduces a mesh-based magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) modeling technique for induction machines (IMs) in healthy and broken rotor bars conditions. The MEC model is presented as a highly accurate and computationally efficient alternative to finite element (FE) models. By incorporating modifications to the air gap coupling method, including a new Lagrange interpolation function, and utilizing a harmonic MEC model, the accuracy of the solution is improved while reducing electrical and mechanical transients. Compared to experiments and 2D FE models, this model achieves precise results for electromagnetic torque, rotational speed, and forces across various conditions. The Lagrange interpolation function forms the basis for the air gap coupling between stator and rotor flux densities. The results demonstrate the MEC model’s exceptional accuracy in predicting speed oscillations, calculating forces, and analyzing current harmonics in faulty IMs. Furthermore, the MEC model performs over 30 times faster than the 2D FE models.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

Impact of Modifier Oxides on Mechanical and Radiation Shielding Properties of B2O3-SrO-TeO2-RO Glasses (Where RO = TiO2, ZnO, BaO, and PbO)

The influence of modifier oxides (TiO2, ZnO, BaO, and PbO) on the mechanical and radiation shielding properties of boro-tellurate glasses is investigated. Samples with a composition of B2O3-SrO-TeO2-RO (RO represents the modifier oxides) were fabricated using the melt quench method, and their physical, mechanical, and radiation attenuation parameters were reported. For this aim, Monte Carlo simulation was employed to predict the radiation attenuation parameters, while the Makishima-Mackenzie model was adopted to determine the mechanical properties. The tightly packed structure with better cross-linkage density is possessed by the Ti-containing glass (SBT-Ti) system among the titled glass batch. The higher Poisson and micro-hardness values of the SBT-Ti glass indicate its structure’s reduced free volume and better compactness. For the glass with PbO, the linear and mass attenuation coefficients are highly increased compared to those glasses doped with TiO2, ZnO, and BaO. The thinner half-value layer was reported at 0.015 MeV, taking values 0.006, 0.005, 0.004, and 0.002 for samples with TiO2, ZnO, BaO, and PbO, respectively. SBT-Pb sample (with PbO) has a thinner HVL compared to other fabricated glass samples. The fabricated glasses’ thickness (Deq) equivalent to 1 cm of lead (Pb) was reported. The results demonstrated that Deq is high at low energy and equals 11.62, 8.81, 7.61, 4.56 cm for SBT-Ti, SBT-Zn, SBT-Ba, and SBT-Pb glass samples, respectively. According to the Deq results, the fabricated glasses have a shielding capacity between 30 and 43% compared to the pure Pb at gamma-ray energy of 1.5 MeV. At high energy (8 MeV), the transmission factor values for a thickness of 1 cm of the fabricated samples reach 88.68, 87.83, 85.95, and 83.11% for glasses SBT-Ti, SBT-Zn, SBT-Ba, and SBT-Pb, respectively. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The authors acknowledge the support of Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/127), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

Uloga testova otpuštanja interferona gama u nadzoru nad tuberkulozom

Tuberculosis is still one of the major global public health threats. Countries with low incidence must focus on exhausting the reservoir of future cases by preventing reactivation. Therefore, it is important to identify and effectively treat those individuals who have latent tuberculosis infection and who may develop active disease. The tuberculin skin test has been the standard for detection of immune response against M. tuberculosis since the beginning of the 20th century. The new millennium has brought advancement in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection. The name of the new blood test is interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). Croatia is a middle-incidence country with a long decreasing trend and developed tuberculosis control. To reach low incidence and finally eliminate tuberculosis, its tuberculosis programme needs a more aggressive approach that would include intensive contact investigation and treatment of persons with latent tuberculosis infection. This article discusses the current uses of IGRA and its role in tuberculosis control.Tuberkuloza je i danas jedan od vodećih javnozdravstvenih problema. Zemlje s niskom incidencijom fokusiraju se na iscrpljivanje rezervoara budućih slučajeva sprječavanjem reaktivacije bolesti. To se odnosi na traženje i učinkovito liječenje infi ciranih osoba, primarno onih koje su u riziku od obolijevanja nakon infekcije. Tuberkulinski test je od početka 20. stoljeća bio standard u otkrivanju imunosnog odgovora na kontakt s Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Novo tisućljeće donijelo je određeni napredak u obliku novih testova za dijagnozu latentne tuberkulozne infekcije, krvne testove otpuštanja interferona gama. Hrvatska je zemlja srednje incidencije tuberkuloze s dugogodišnjim silaznim trendom i razvijenim protutuberkuloznim aktivnostima. U težnji prema niskoj incidenciji i u konačnici eliminaciji tuberkuloze potrebne su opsežnije aktivnosti unutar državnog programa nadzora nad tuberkulozom, uključujući intenzivnu obradu kontakata i probir na postojanje latentne tuberkulozne infekcije. Ovaj rad razmatra trenutačnu uporabu IGRE (engl. interferon - gamma release assay) i njezinu ulogu u nadzoru nad tuberkulozom