Formulation and Evaluation of Anti-Acne Herbal Face Wash Gel

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disorder of pilosebaceous unit, which involves increased sebum production by sebaceous glands and abnormal desquamation of hair follicles occur in response to increasing androgen levels with the onset of puberty. Obstruction of follicles causes follicular distention which is often accompanied by the proliferation of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and the activation of an inflammatory response. The present work aimed to prepare the face wash gel containing Thai herbal extract.The plants have been reported in the literature having good anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Prepared formulation was evaluated for various parameters like colour, appearance, consistency, pH, viscosity, stability studies and consumer acceptance test. Results showed that the gels were non-irritant, stable and posses anti-acne activity. The efficacy when tested with a standard was almost same to that of polyherbal gel. Concluded that from this study, extract was proved to be stable and considered as an effective herbal formulation for acne treatment. Keywords: Acne vulgaris, Anti-acne activity, Anti-microbial, Inflammatory response

Genetic landscape of common epilepsies: advancing towards precision in treatment

Epilepsy, a neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures, is highly heterogeneous in nature. Based on the prevalence, epilepsy is classified into two types: common and rare epilepsies. Common epilepsies affecting nearly 95% people with epilepsy, comprise generalized epilepsy which encompass idiopathic generalized epilepsy like childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy and epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizure on awakening and focal epilepsy like temporal lobe epilepsy and cryptogenic focal epilepsy. In 70% of the epilepsy cases, genetic factors are responsible either as single genetic variant in rare epilepsies or multiple genetic variants acting along with different environmental factors as in common epilepsies. Genetic testing and precision treatment have been developed for a few rare epilepsies and is lacking for common epilepsies due to their complex nature of inheritance. Precision medicine for common epilepsies require a panoramic approach that incorporates polygenic background and other non-genetic factors like microbiome, diet, age at disease onset, optimal time for treatment and other lifestyle factors which influence seizure threshold. This review aims to comprehensively present a state-of-art review of all the genes and their genetic variants that are associated with all common epilepsy subtypes. It also encompasses the basis of these genes in the epileptogenesis. Here, we discussed the current status of the common epilepsy genetics and address the clinical application so far on evidence-based markers in prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment management. In addition, we assessed the diagnostic predictability of a few genetic markers used for disease risk prediction in individuals. A combination of deeper endo-phenotyping including pharmaco-response data, electro-clinical imaging, and other clinical measurements along with genetics may be used to diagnose common epilepsies and this marks a step ahead in precision medicine in common epilepsies management

Morphometric evaluation of seminiferous tubule and proportionate numerical analysis of Sertoli and spermatogenic cells indicate differences between crossbred and purebred bulls

Aim: The present study compared the testicular cytology and histology between crossbred (Holstein–Friesian [HF] × Tharparkar) and purebred (HF and Tharparkar) bulls to find out differences if any. Materials and Methods: Four peripubertal bulls from each breed were utilized for the study. Through percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy, Sertoli and spermatogenic cells were extracted, and morphometry was studied. For histological studies, testicular tissues obtained through unilateral castration were utilized. Sertoli cells specific GATA4 antibody was used to study the population of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubule through immunofluorescence. Results: The testicular weight, volume, and scrotal circumference differed significantly among the breeds. The diameter and area of the seminiferous tubule was high in HF, followed by Karan Fries (KF), and Tharparkar bulls. However, the degree of compactness, based on qualitative evaluation, was high in Tharparkar followed by KF and HF bulls. The intensity of Leydig cells was higher in Tharparkar bulls followed by KF and HF. The proportion of Sertoli cells was higher (p<0.05) in HF and Tharparkar bulls compared to KF bulls. Conclusion: It may be concluded that variations exist in testicular components of the breeds studied and the proportion of Sertoli cells in relation to spermatogenic cells was significantly lower in crossbred bulls compared to purebred bulls

Design and fabrication of quick responsive and highly sensitive LPG sensor using ZnO/SnO2 heterostructured film

Highly efficient LPG sensor working at room temperature was developed using a simple and cost-effective route. For this purpose, ZnO/SnO _2 heterostructure was synthesized using the hydrothermal route and thin films of the material were prepared. X-ray Diffraction revealed all the crystal parameters including grain size, texture coefficient, dislocation densities, surface area which are necessary for a sensor. Also, particle size, zeta potential, and conductivity were observed using nanozetasizer. Heterojunctions at the surface of the film were viewed by Scanning electron microscopy. An optical band-gap of ∼3.85 eV was measured using UV–vis absorption spectrum. Further, the film was used as room ambient sensor for different concentrations of LPG. Among them, the best sensor response and sensitivity of 276.51 and 3.78 respectively were obtained for 2.0 vol% of LPG whereas minimum response and recovery time of 10 s and 15 s were obtained for 0.5 vol% of LPG

Review on pressure sensors for structural health monitoring

Abstract This paper reports the state of art in a variety of pressure and the detailed study of various matrix based pressure sensors. The performances of the bridges, buildings, etc. are threatened by earthquakes, material degradations, and other environmental effects. Structural health monitoring (SHM) is crucial to protect the people and also for assets planning. This study is a contribution in developing the knowledge about self-sensing smart materials and structures for the construction industry. It deals with the study of self-sensing as well as mechanical and electrical properties of different matrices based on pressure sensors. The relationships among the compression, tensile strain, and crack length with electrical resistance change are also reviewed

Hydrothermally Synthesized ZnSnO3 Nanoflakes Based Low-Cost Sensing Device for High Performance CO2 Monitoring

This work reports a room temperature operative ZnSnO _3 nanoflakes-based CO _2 gas sensor. The perovskite ZnSnO _3 nanoflakes are synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal technique. The prepared material was characterized via XRD, SEM, UV-visible spectroscopy, and DLS measurement for confirming the crystal structure, surface morphology, optical properties, and size distribution. The X-ray diffraction pattern revealed that ZnSnO _3 was in the orthorhombic phase and average crystallite size examined by the Scherrer formula was 8.05 nm. Optical studies were done by the UV–vis spectroscopy and a direct optical band gap was found to be 3.27 eV. The surface morphology of ZnSnO _3 was found to nanoflakes are almost uniform dimensions. The fabricated sensor device of ZnSnO _3 detected the CO _2 gas at room temperature (RT) for different concentrations. The best sensor response was found to be 4.93 for 1000 ppm of CO _2 whereas at 200 ppm the response and recovery times were found to be 5.92 s and 7.23 s respectively. HOMO-LUMO gap energy of ZnSnO _3 without and with interaction from CO _2 molecule was found 1.165 eV and 1.577 eV, respectively. DFT studies are used for a better understanding of sensing mechanisms

Study of foetomaternal outcomes in COVID-19 afflicted parturients who underwent operative delivery - A retrospective analysis

Background and Aims: Parturients with coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 are increasingly presenting for operative delivery. The aim of this study was to outline the foetomaternal outcome in COVID-19-afflicted pregnant women who underwent lower segment caeserean section (LSCS). Methods: Data of all COVID-19 positive pregnant females who underwent caesarean section surgery between 1 April and 30 June 2021 was collected. Clinical parameters, including oxygen requirement, laboratory investigations, treatment measures, complications, length of hospital and intensive care unit/neonatal intensive care unit stay, and outcome of parturients and neonates, were collected and analysed. All patients were followed up either during their visits to the obstetric outpatient department or by making phone calls between 1 and 2 months of discharge. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences statistical software 16.0 was used for analysis. Independent group t-test or Mann–Whitney test was used for mean of continuous data. Chi-square test or Fisher's test was used for proportion of categorical data. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 71 parturients delivered by caesarean section. 36.51% had mild COVID-19, and 87.5% had moderate COVID-19 at admission. One each with mild and moderate disease expired. The median (interquartile range) length of hospital stay was 7 (5–5.9) days for those with mild disease, and it was significantly longer for those with the moderate disease at 14 (9.5–17.5) days. Our study found that after a mean of 41.72 days of follow-up, of the 69 surviving mothers, 17 complained of fatigue, five complained of myalgia and one needed intermittent supplemental oxygen. Out of 74 babies born, seven died, which is 94.6 per 1000 live births. Conclusion: COVID-19 parturients delivered by LSCS stand a higher risk of maternal and neonatal mortality and adverse effects, including more hospital stay and increased mortality