Recent remediation strategies for flame retardancy via nanoparticles.

This review article delves into the application of nanoparticles (NPs) in fire prevention, aiming to elucidate their specific contribution within the broader context of various fire prevention methods. While acknowledging established approaches such as fire safety principles, fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, and the use of fire-retardant chemicals and safety equipment, this review focuses on the distinctive properties of NPs. The findings underscore the remarkable potential of NPs in controlling and mitigating fire propagation within both architectural structures and vehicles. Specifically, the primary emphasis lies in the impact of NPs on reducing oxygen levels, as assessed through the limiting oxygen index , a subject explored by various researchers. Furthermore, this review delves into the examination of combustion reduction rates facilitated by NPs, utilizing assessments of ignition time, heat release rate (HRR), and flammability tests (UL-94) on plastic materials. Beyond these aspects, the review evaluates the multifaceted role of NPs in achieving weight reduction and establishing fire-retardant properties. Additionally, it discusses the reduction of smoke, a significant contributor to environmental pollution and health risks. Among the nanoparticles investigated in this study, SiO2, MgAl, and nano hydrotalcite have demonstrated the best results in weight reduction, smoke reduction, and HRR, respectively. Meanwhile, Al2O3 has been identified as one of the least effective treated nanoparticles. Collectively, these findings significantly contribute to improving safety measures and reducing fire risks across a range of industries.

Small molecule compounds with good anti-inflammatory activity reported in the literature from 01/2009 to 05/2021: a review.

Inflammation and disease are closely related. Inflammation can induce various diseases, and diseases can promote inflammatory response, and two possibly induces each other in a bidirectional loop. Inflammation is usually treated using synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs which are associated with several adverse effects hence are not safe for long-term use. Therefore, there is need for anti-inflammatory drugs which are not only effective but also safe. Several researchers have devoted to the research and development of effective anti-inflammatory drugs with little or no side effects. In this review, we studied some small molecules with reported anti-inflammatory activities and hence potential sources of anti-inflammatory agents. The information was retrieved from relevant studies published between January 2019 and May, 2021 for review. This review study was aimed to provide relevant information towards the design and development of effective and safe anti-inflammation agents.

[Detection effect of an automatic identification system of Schistosoma japonicum miracidia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an automatic identification system of Schistosoma japonicum miracidia, and compare it with the traditional eye detection method in the simulation field. METHODS: A total of 260 fecal samples were collected from schistosomiasis non-endemic areas, and the test sample bottles containing schistosome miracidia were prepared according to different experimental needs. Thirty fecal samples for the sensitivity test were separately added with five fresh miracidia per sample, and then the mixed samples were detected by two experienced technicians (with more than 15 years' traditional test experience) or the automatic system. The positive detection rates were compared between the two methods. Thirty fecal samples for repetition test were separately added with ten fresh miracidia per sample, and then the mixed samples were detected separately with the automatic identification system by two experienced technicians. The results were compared between two persons. The two methods including the automatic identification system and the traditional eye detection method were carried out blindly with totally 200 samples in the simulation field. There were three groups (each with 30 samples) : Group 1 with more than 21 fresh miracidia, Group 2 with 6 to 20 fresh miracidia, and Group 3 with 1 to 5 fresh miracidia. The other 110 samples were as a negative group. The detection time, accuracy, missed detection rate, and false detection rate of the two methods were statistically compared. RESULTS: The positive detection rates of the 30 positive samples were 43.33% and 33.33% by the two technicians with the traditional eye detection method, respectively, while the detection rate was 80.00% by the automatic identification system, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 7.05, χ2 = 12.97, both P < 0.01). Thirty positive samples were detected by the two technicians using the same automatic identification system, and the positive detection rates of the two were 96.67% and 86.67%, respectively, with no significant difference (χ2 = 0.27, P > 0.05). The experiments showed that the correct detection rate of the positive samples was 98.00% by the automatic identification system, which was higher than 79.75% by the traditional eye detection method. The detection time of the automatic identification system was shortened by half compared with that of the traditional eye detection method. The missed detection rate, and false detection rate of the automatic identification system were 2.22% and 1.82%, respectively, which were much lower than 35.56% and 7.73% of the traditional eye detection method. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the traditional eye detection method, the automatic identification system of S. japonicum miracidia has the advantages of high sensitivity, good repeatability, short detection time, high accuracy, low missed detection rate, and low false detection rate. It can be used in the field and clinical detection in replacement of the traditional eye detection method.

Comparative Analysis of Laser and Non-Laser Stapes Surgeries.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to observe differences in the efficacy of laser and surgical treatments of middle-ear conductive hearing loss (MECHL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 276 ears of 267 patients with MECHL were divided into laser (n=172) and surgical (n=104) treatment groups according to the treatment method. Changes in the air-bone gap (ABG) after treatment and at the time of final follow-up were compared. An ABG value <20 dB was defined as effective and an ABG value <10 dB, significantly effective. The long-term treatment effects were also compared at the time of final follow-up. Additionally, postoperative adverse reactions were recorded for both the groups. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 76.77±43.62 months (range: 12-168 months). No significant difference in ABG was found between the two groups (21.31±11.64 dB vs. 19.14±9.79 dB, p>0.05). However, the laser treatment group showed slightly better results than the surgical treatment group at the final follow-up, although the difference between the groups was not found to be significant (11.69±9.98 dB vs. 12.62±10.94 dB, p>0.05). There was no difference in the long-term treatment effects between the two groups (effective: 87.21% vs. 88.46%, p>0.05; significantly effective: 55.81% vs. 56.73%, p>0.05). The incidence rates of postoperative adverse reactions were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The treatment efficacy of laser and surgical treatments for MECHL are similar.

Effects of a low dose of ethanol in an animal model of premenstrual anxiety.

Low (1 mM), but not 10 mM, concentrations of ethanol selectively potentiate current gated by alpha(4)beta(2)delta subunit combinations of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptor, a subtype increased in hippocampus after withdrawal from progesterone in a rodent model of premenstrual anxiety. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that the anxiolytic effect of ethanol would exhibit a similar dose-response effect by using the acoustic startle response (ASR) and elevated plus-maze as behavioral models. To this end, adult, female rats were tested (1) 24 h after removal of a progesterone-filled capsule implanted subcutaneously for 21 days (progesterone withdrawal) or (2) on the day of diestrus, a low hormone state. Low doses of ethanol (0.2-0.4 mg/kg) produced a significant 60%-70% decrease in the ASR only in animals undergoing progesterone withdrawal. However, higher doses of ethanol (0.8-1.2 g/kg) were ineffective in these animals, resulting in an "inverted U" ethanol dose effect similar to that observed at recombinant alpha(4)beta(2)delta subunit combinations of the GABA(A) receptor. Consistent with these findings, significant 70% attenuation of the ASR was also achieved after progesterone withdrawal with 3 mg/kg of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol (THIP), a GABA(A) receptor partial agonist with greater potency at alpha(4)betadelta receptors than at other known isoforms. In contrast, this partial agonist was not anxiolytic in control animals. These results support the suggestion that very low doses of ethanol are anxiolytic in a model of premenstrual anxiety, whereas higher, potentially sedative, doses are without effect. The results may be relevant for altered ethanol sensitivity during premenstrual syndrome, when increased ethanol consumption has been reported.

Effect of gabapentin derivates on mechanical allodynia-like behaviour in a rat model of chronic sciatic constriction injury.

A series of mutual prodrugs derived from gabapentin, pregabalin, memantine, venlafaxine were synthesized and their pharmacological properties to treat neuropathic pain were investigated in a rat model of chronic sciatic nerve constriction injury (CCI). In vivo evaluation demonstrated that the mutual prodrugs 2002413A, 2002823A composed of two gabapentins, 2002414 composed of gabapentin and pregabalin were effective in reversal tactile allodynia in CCI rats. The prodrugs 2002413A, 2002414 had no significant influence on the rotarod activity. The result suggest that the prodrugs may be possible candidates for further development.