The Effect of Sodium Fluoride on Optical Properties of Polyvinyl pyrrolidone

The Composites Materials are important in many applications and industries. For the importance of these materials, this paper is aimed to study optical properties of (PVP-NaF) composites. The effect of sodium fluoride on optical properties of polyvinyl pyrrolidone has been investigated. The samples of (PVP-NaF) composites are prepared by using casting technique. The optical properties of (PVP-NaF) composites were measured in the wavelength range (200-800) nm. Results showed that the absorbance, absorption coefficient, extinction coefficient, refractive index and  real and imaginary dielectric constants of polyvinyl pyrrolidone are increasing with increasing the sodium fluoride concentrations. The energy band gap of polymer is decreased with increasing of the sodium fluoride concentrations. Keyword: sodium fluoride, optical properties ,polymer.

Evaluvation of Immunomodulatory Activity of Aqueous Extract of Cassia Occidentalis LeavesiIn Wistar Rats

INTRODUCTION: IMMUNE SYSTEM:Immune system is a complex organization of white blood cells, antibodies, and blood factors that protects the body from foreign invaders, while simultaneously maintaining self-tolerance (Baniyash, 2006). A series of specialized epithelial and stromal cells also provide the anatomic environment which regulate various functions of immune system by secreting several critical factors. The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by “foreign” invaders. These are primarily microbes (germs)—tiny, infectioncausing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Because the human body provides an ideal environment for many microbes, they try to break in. It is the immune system’s job to keep them out or, failing that, to seek out and destroy them. The immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease. Disorders of the immune system can result in autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, cancer and immunodeficiency1. Immunomodulation is a procedure which can alter the immune system of an organism by interfering with its functions; if it results in an enhancement of immune reaction, it is named as an immunostimulative drug which primarily implies stimulation of non-specific system. Immunosuppressant implies mainly to reduce resistance against infections, stress and may occur on account of environmental or chemotherapeutic factors. Immunostimulation and immunosuppressions both need to be considered in order to regulate the normal immunological functioning. Hence both immunostimulating agents and immunosuppressing agents have their own standing, so search for better agents exerting these activities is becoming the field of major interest all over the world. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The effective drugs are not available for the treatment of certain infections like AIDS, hepatitis, and other viral infections. For other infections the drug (mainly antibiotics) being used are becoming ineffective due to development of microbial resistance, necessitating the search for newer drugs. Any such new drug will be available only at an exorbitant cost due to the product patent norms under WHO agreement In Siddha, Ayurveda and other ancient systems of medicine, many plants and plant preparations are reported to be useful in the treatment of infections. When screened by modern scientific methods these preparations did not show any immunomodulatory activity. These drugs may not probably act directly upon the microbes. Instead may stimulate the body’s defense mechanism (immune system) and thereby help to cure the infection. Hence by screening herbal drugs and their extracts for their immunostimulant property it may be possible to get effective, cheaper new molecular entity for the treatment of various infections. It may be hoped that such type of drugs will not produce microbial resistance, since they do not act on the microbes and will not have adverse side effects since they are from (natural) plant origin. This work is to prove the Immunomodulatory property of Cassia occidentalis in Wistar rats by studying the Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH), Humoral Antibody titre (HA), Total Leukocyte Count (TLC), and Differential Leukocyte Count (DLC) In the Aqueous Extract of Cassia Occidentalis leaves extract. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The study was undertaken to carry out the Immunomodulatory activity of aqueous extract of Cassia occidentalis. For the experimental work the dried leaves were powdered and extracted with distilled water and was frozen dried. The aqueous extract of Cassia occidentalis in two different doses 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg were tested for their Immunomodulatory action, out of which the higher dose of 400mg/kg showed statistically significant Immunomodulatory activity. This was evident from the different parameters that were measured. Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Response In this parameter the both lower dose and higher dose of the test (200 mg and 400 mg/kg) had shown significant result in increase in paw edema when compared with control. The standard drug Levamisole had shown the maximum increase in paw volume. Humoral Antibody Titer In this parameter both the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of cassia occidentalis produced significant result, standard drug Levamisole at a dose of 50 mg/kg also produced significant increase in the titer value. Total Leukocyte Count In this parameter the lower dose of Cassia occidentalis 200 mg/Kg had shown no significant increase and higher dose of the aqueous extract of Cassia occidentalis 400 mg/Kg showed a highly significant increase in the mean total leukocyte count, as compared to control. The results were highly significant for the standard drug Levamisole 50 mg/kg as compare with the test and control group. Differential Leukocyte Count For the differential leukocyte count the results revealed for lower dose of cassia occidentalis showed no significant increase in mean percentage of lymphocytes, Eosinophils and Neutrophils increase in values as compared to control. The results obtained from the animals that received higher dose (400mg/kg) of aqueous extract, revealed the fact there was a highly significant increase in the mean percentage of lymphocytes and significant increase in the mean percentage of neutrophils respectively when compared to control. The effect of this extract were comparable to the standard drug levamisole all the data represents the Immunostimulatory activity of aqueous extract of Cassia occidentalis The results of present study revealed that the aqueous extract of leaves of Cassia Occidentalis generally shown immune stimulatory effect on the humoral immune function and cell mediated immunity in Wistar rats. Further, Studies are required to gain more insights into the possible mechanism of actio

Secrets of Plants: Endophytes

Endophytic fungi are an important component that colonizes in healthy tissues of living plants and can be readily isolated from any microbial or plant growth medium. They act as reservoirs of novel bioactive secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, phenolic acids, quinones, steroids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids that serve as a potential candidate for antimicrobial, anti-insect, anticancer and many more properties. Their huge diversity and particular habituation, they can provide a good area for research in the field of making new medicines and novel drug-like molecules. Because of the impact of endophytes on host plant by enhancing their growth or increasing their fitness, also making them tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses and holding the secondary metabolites, endophytes are gaining attention as a subject for research. This review aims to comprehend the contribution and uses of endophytes and relationships between endophytic fungi and their host medicinal plants

Serial pathologic fractures of five long bones on four separate occasions in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism, challenges of management in a developing country: a case report

Multiple pathologic fractures secondary to parathyroid adenoma is rarely recognized and reported in the tropics. Inadequate evaluation causes worsened disability and increased psychological stress. We present a 27-year-old Nigerian male student with recurrent unexplained pathological fractures of the long bones. Primary Hyperparathyroidism was later diagnosed and he benefited from a unilateral parathyroidectomy. Primary hyperparathyroidism secondary to parathyroid adenoma is difficult to diagnose and needs a high index of suspicion. Surgery and good  postoperative biochemical control of serum calcium produce satisfying outcomesKey words: Pathologic fractures, parathyroid adenoma, Primary Hyperparathyroidism, serum calcium, surger

Kala-azar in Qadisiah : A clinicoepidemiological descriptive study

Subject and Method : study involved sixty five children with kala-azar who were admitted to the maternity and children teaching hospital in Diwaniah during a one year period , 1999. The clinical and epidemiological criteria of the disease were discussed. The majority of these patients were under the age of 5 years ( 97% ) and were from rural areas ( 86% ) Result : The symptoms and signs of the disease were fever (100% ), splenomegaly (100% ), anaemia ( 100% ), hepatomegaly ( 92% ), anorexia ( 62% ), bleeding tendency ( 46% ) and jaundice ( 31% ). Our patients had high incidence of bleeding tendency , jaundice , edema and relatively high mortality in comparison with patients elsewher

Chromium poisoning in buffaloes in the vicinity of contaminated pastureland, Punjab, Pakistan

This article focuses on the toxic element chromium (Cr) in wastewater, its incorporation into soil plant systems, and its relevant toxicity in the food chain as assessed by a health risk assessment from dietary intake. The Nili Ravi buffalo is an important cattle inhabiting Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan, and forage crops grown on soils contaminated with Cr might cause toxicity in the food chain by local inhabitants eating meat. The soil, forage and animal blood samples were collected from five different locations in Tehsil Sahiwal (Chak Dhool, Bagabalocha, Chandia, Dhool Bala and Kakrani) twice at six-month intervals. A total of 30 samples from each ecological zone were collected from the soil and forage crops (Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor, Trifolium alexandrinum). The samples from zone-V and zone-IV showed the maximum concentration of Cr because these areas receive highly contaminated water for irrigation. The Cr was greater than the permissible limits. Environmental indices for all samples ranged below 1. The bioaccumulation and pollution load of Cr in soil and forage crops due to wastewater irrigation can contaminate the whole food chain via the soil, forages and animals. The health risk index (HRI) and a high value of enrichment factor were found for Cr in some sites. The Cr concentration was higher during the summer season than winter. Fodder crops with different concentrations and an elevated level of Cr were observed in maize. Attention should be paid when wastewater is used for fodder crop irrigation and its potential risks to human health following dairy product (milk, meat) entry into the food chain.Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, PakistanHigher Education Commission of Pakistan | Ref. #2484/13Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University | Ref. PNURSP2022R7

Goitre-related factors for predicting difficult intubation in patients scheduled for thyroidectomy in a resource-challenged health institution in north central Nigeria

Background: Airway management problems may arise when intubating patients with goitre scheduled for thyroidectomy. Goitres are not uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa, thyroidectomy being the main treatment. The aim of this study was to determine incidences of difficult intubation (DI), failed intubation (FI) and predictors of DI using a modified intubation difficulty score (IDS).Methods: One hundred and twenty-five consenting patients with goitre scheduled for thyroidectomy were recruited. Goitrerelated factors (GRF) of duration of illness, diagnosis, neck circumference, tracheal deviation and narrowing and retrosternal extension were recorded as well as Mallampati classification and BMI. At intubation, modified IDS was determined for each patient. Patients with modified IDS ≤ 5 were categorized as easy intubation group (E), and those with modified IDS >5 were categorized as difficult intubation group (D). The GRF of all patients in group D were compared with matched patients in group E.Results: Incidence of DI was 13.6% with 2 (1.6%) cases of failed intubation. Comparing groups D and E, duration of illness was 4.28 ± 3.78 years in group D versus 7.44 ± 7.63 years group E, p = 0.1353. Neck circumference was 41.42 ±5.30 cm in group D versus 37.43±2.68 cm in group E, p = 0.0200. Tracheal deviation, narrowing and retrosternal extension, and surgical diagnosis were not significantly different among both groups.Conclusion: Incidence of DI was 13.6% and that of FI was 1.6%. Neck circumference was found to be a predictor of difficult intubation in goitre patients scheduled for thyroidectomy using the modified IDS.Keywords: Goitre, thyroidectomy, difficult intubation, predictive factors, modified intubation difficulty scor

A novel clustering based genetic algorithm for route optimization

Genetic Algorithm (GA), a random universal evolutionary search technique that imitates the principle of biological evolution has been applied in solving various problems in different fields of human endeavor. Despite it strength and wide range of applications, optimal solution may not be feasible in situations where reproduction processes which involve chromosomes selection for mating and regeneration are not properly done. In addition, difficulty is often encountered when there are significant differences in the fitness values of chromosomes while using probabilistic based selection approach. In this work, clustering based GA with polygamy and dynamic population control mechanism have been proposed. Fitness value obtained from chromosomes in each generation were clustered into two-non-overlapping clusters. The surviving chromosomes in the selected cluster were subjected to polygamy crossover mating process while the population of the offsprings which would form the next generation were subjected to dynamic population control mechanisms. The process was repeated until convergence to global solution was achieved or number of generation elapsed. The proposed algorithm has been applied to route optimization problem. Results obtained showed that the proposed algorithm outperforms some of the existing techniques. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm converged to global solution within few iterations (generations) thus favoring its acceptability for online-realtime applications. It was also observed that the introduction of clustering based selection algorithm guaranteed the selection of cluster with the optimal solution in every generation. In addition, the introduction of dynamic population control with polygamy selection processes enabled fast convergence to optimal solution and diversity in the population respectively