UV-A Light Driven Activated Charcoal Supported Bi2O3-ZnO Nanocomposites; Hydrothermal Synthesis and Their Enhanced Photocatalytic and Self Cleaning Applications.

The Activated Charcoal supported Bi2O3-ZnO (AC-BZ) nanocomposite is successfully synthesized by simple and efficient hydrothermal followed by thermal decomposition method. The addition of Activated charcoal into the Bi2O3-ZnO matrices increases the active sites and shows efficient catalytic activity upon the degradation of azo dyes, Rhodamine-B (Rh-B) and Trypan Blue (TB). Prepared photocatalysts further prove its ability by the way of structure and absorption capacity. For understanding the efficiency of photocatalyst, it was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscopy (FE-TEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-DRS), Photo Luminescense spectroscopy (PL) and N2 adsorption- desorption isotherms (BET). The FESEM images of the activated charcoal supported Bi2O3-ZnO show a nanocomposite structure and reveal that most of particles have hexagonal and spherical type in nano range. Absorption range and band gap energy were examined by UV-DRS techniques, which indicate the photogenerated electrons and holes are responsible for better photocatalytic activity. The prepared AC-BZ nanocomposite has maximum efficiency at pH 7, and it shows enhanced degradation efficiency up to four cycles which proves reusability of the catalyst. The obtained catalyst shows higher efficiency in self cleaning property by forming maximum degree of contact angle when compared with pure ZnO and Bi2O3-ZnO. This work may provide new strategy for eco-friendly and cost effective photocatalysts for various applications.

Validation of DPOAE screening conducted by village health workers in a rural community with real-time click evoked tele-auditory brainstem response.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the validity of DPOAE screening conducted by village health workers (VHWs) in a rural community. Real-time click evoked tele-auditory brainstem response (tele-ABR) was used as the gold standard to establish validity. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was utilised to compare the results of screening by VHWs to those obtained via tele-ABR. Study samples: One hundred and nineteen subjects (0 to 5 years) were selected randomly from a sample of 2880 infants and young children who received DPOAE screening by VHWs. METHOD: Real time tele-ABR was conducted by using satellite or broadband internet connectivity at the village. An audiologist located at the tertiary care hospital conducted tele-ABR testing through a remote computing paradigm. Tele-ABR was recorded using standard recording parameters recommended for infants and young children. Wave morphology, repeatability and peak latency data were used for ABR analysis. RESULTS: Tele-ABR and DPOAE findings were compared for 197 ears. The sensitivity of DPOAE screening conducted by the VHW was 75%, and specificity was 91%. The negative and positive predictive values were 98.8% and 27.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The validity of DPOAE screening conducted by trained VHW was acceptable. This study supports the engagement of grass-root workers in community-based hearing health care provision.

Cost and outcome of a community-based paediatric hearing screening programme in rural India with application of tele-audiology for follow-up diagnostic hearing assessment.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the cost and outcome of a community-based hearing screening programme in which village health workers (VHWs) screened children in their homes using a two-step DPOAE screening protocol. Children referred in a second screening underwent tele diagnostic ABR testing in a mobile tele-van using satellite connectivity or at local centre using broadband internet at the rural location. DESIGN: Economic analysis was carried out to estimate cost incurred and outcome achieved for hearing screening, follow-up diagnostic assessment and identification of hearing loss. Two-way sensitivity analysis determined the most beneficial cost-outcome. STUDY SAMPLE: 1335 children under 5 years of age underwent screening by VHWs. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 22 children referred completed the tele diagnostic evaluation. Five children were identified with hearing loss. The cost-outcomes were better when using broadband internet for tele-diagnostics. The use of least expensive human resources and equipment yielded the lowest cost per child screened (Rs.1526; $23; €21). When follow-up expenses were thus maximised, the cost per child was reduced considerably for diagnostic hearing assessment (Rs.102,065; $1532; €1368) and for the cost per child identified (Rs.388,237; $5826; €5204). CONCLUSION: Settings with constrained resources can benefit from a community-based programme integrated with tele diagnostics.

Neuroprotective Effect of Melatonin Against PCBs Induced Behavioural, Molecular and Histological Changes in Cerebral Cortex of Adult Male Wistar Rats.

There is ample evidence stating Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as neurotoxins. In the current study, we have analyzed the behavioural impact of PCBs exposure in adult rats and assessed the simultaneous effect of antioxidant melatonin against the PCBs action. The rats were grouped into four and treated intraperitoneally with vehicle, PCBs, PCBs + melatonin and melatonin alone for 30 days, respectively. After the treatment period the rats were tested for locomotor activity and anxiety behaviour analysis. We confirmed the neuronal damage in the cerebral cortex by molecular and histological analysis. Our data indicates that there is impairment in locomotor activity and behaviour of PCBs treated rats compared to control. The simultaneous melatonin treated rat shows increased motor coordination and less anxiety like behaviour compared to PCBs treated rats. Molecular and histological analysis supports that, the impaired motor coordination in PCBs treated rats is due to neurodegeneration in motor cortex region. The results proved that melatonin treatment improved the motor co-ordination and reduced anxiety behaviour, prevented neurodegeneration in the cerebral cortex of PCBs-exposed adult male rats.

Effect of Melatonin on Glutamate: BDNF Signaling in the Cerebral Cortex of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)-Exposed Adult Male Rats.

Various epidemiological survey suggests that the central nervous system is the target for many environmental contaminants. One among them is Aroclor 1254, a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which explore a spectrum of biochemical and neurotoxic responses in humans and laboratory animals. Learning and motor coordination deficits are the profound effects of PCBs which may be related to cerebral dysfunction. The aim of the study is to elicit the protective effect of melatonin (Mel), a potent, blood brain permeable antioxidant against the effect of Aroclor 1254 on the signaling of glutamate-principal excitatory neurotransmitter and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the cerebral cortex of adult rats which plays a key role in brain functions. Adult male Wistar rats were grouped into four and treated intraperitonealy (i.p) Group I with corn oil (Control), Group II with PCBs (2 mg/kg/bwt), Group III with PCBs + Mel (2 mg/kg/bwt + 5 mg/kg/bwt) and Group IV with Mel (5 mg/kg/bwt). The protein expression of glutamate signaling molecules and mRNA expressions of GLAST, BDNF signaling molecules were analyzed. The results suggest that simultaneous melatonin treatment significantly attenuated the NMDA receptor mediated glutamate excitotoxicity and protects the inhibition of BDNF signaling caused by PCBs exposure in cerebral cortex of adult male rats. Schematic pathway illustrating the proposed mechanism by which melatonin protects against A1254 mediated glutamate induced neurodegeneration in the cerebral cortex of adult male rats. PCBs induced neurodegeneration is caused by the overactivation of NMDAR, followed by the activation of voltage dependent calcium channels leading to the increase in intracellular Ca(2+) that stimulates calpain. Calpain inturn inhibits the PKA α and neurtrophin BDNF, its receptor and downstream signaling MAPK pathway leading to neurodegeneration. Melatonin had scavenged the ROS produced by PCBS and decreased the NMDAR expression which inturn protected the cells from neurodegeneration.

Anti-cancer activity of quercetin in neuroblastoma: an in vitro approach.

Neuroblastoma is a neuroendocrine tumour derived from neural crest cells and it remains a major therapeutic challenge in pediatric oncology. As response rates to chemotherapy are low, surgery remains the only effective treatment but since many tumors have metastasized at the time of diagnosis, curative surgery is rarely achieved. Consequently, a substantial need for new therapeutic options emerges. Quercetin a flavonoid, has been reported to lower the risk of several cancers. This study was designed to investigate its effects on apoptosis induction in the N2a, a mouse neuroblastoma cell line. The cell viability was determined by dimethyl thiazolyl tetrazolium bromide assay and diamidino-2-phenylindole staining was performed to confirm the apoptosis. The gene expression of bcl-w, p53, p27 and protein expression of caspases (3 and 9), bax, cytochrome-c were studied. This in vitro outcome suggests that quercetin can be used as a potent anti-cancer drug in future.

Deep-KEDI: Deep learning-based zigzag generative adversarial network for encryption and decryption of medical images.

BACKGROUND: Medical imaging techniques have improved to the point where security has become a basic requirement for all applications to ensure data security and data transmission over the internet. However, clinical images hold personal and sensitive data related to the patients and their disclosure has a negative impact on their right to privacy as well as legal ramifications for hospitals. OBJECTIVE: In this research, a novel deep learning-based key generation network (Deep-KEDI) is designed to produce the secure key used for decrypting and encrypting medical images. METHODS: Initially, medical images are pre-processed by adding the speckle noise using discrete ripplet transform before encryption and are removed after decryption for more security. In the Deep-KEDI model, the zigzag generative adversarial network (ZZ-GAN) is used as the learning network to generate the secret key. RESULTS: The proposed ZZ-GAN is used for secure encryption by generating three different zigzag patterns (vertical, horizontal, diagonal) of encrypted images with its key. The zigzag cipher uses an XOR operation in both encryption and decryption using the proposed ZZ-GAN. Encrypting the original image requires a secret key generated during encryption. After identification, the encrypted image is decrypted using the generated key to reverse the encryption process. Finally, speckle noise is removed from the encrypted image in order to reconstruct the original image. CONCLUSION: According to the experiments, the Deep-KEDI model generates secret keys with an information entropy of 7.45 that is particularly suitable for securing medical images.

Retraction Note: The prediction of the lifetime of the new coronavirus in the USA using mathematical models.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1007/s00500-021-05643-2.].

Analyzing and Comparing Omicron Lineage Variants Protein-Protein Interaction Network Using Centrality Measure.

The Worldwide spread of the Omicron lineage variants has now been confirmed. It is crucial to understand the process of cellular life and to discover new drugs need to identify the important proteins in a protein interaction network (PPIN). PPINs are often represented by graphs in bioinformatics, which describe cell processes. There are some proteins that have significant influences on these tissues, and which play a crucial role in regulating them. The discovery of new drugs is aided by the study of significant proteins. These significant proteins can be found by reducing the graph and using graph analysis. Studies examining protein interactions in the Omicron lineage (B.1.1.529) and its variants (BA.5, BA.4, BA.3, BA.2, BA.1.1, BA.1) are not yet available. Studying Omicron has been intended to find a significant protein. 68 nodes represent 68 proteins and 52 edges represent the relationship among the protein in the network. A few centrality measures are computed namely page rank centrality (PRC), degree centrality (DC), closeness centrality (CC), and betweenness centrality (BC) together with node degree and Local clustering coefficient (LCC). We also discover 18 network clusters using Markov clustering. 8 significant proteins (candidate gene of Omicron lineage variants) were detected among the 68 proteins, including AHSG, KCNK1, KCNQ1, MAPT, NR1H4, PSMC2, PTPN11 and, UBE21 which scored the highest among the Omicron proteins. It is found that in the variant of Omicron protein-protein interaction networks, the MAPT protein's impact is the most significant.

Non Dysraphic Intramedullary Spinal Cord Lipoma.

Among all intramedullary spinal cord lesions, intramedullary spinal cord lipomas account less than 1%. Non-dysraphic intramedullary lipoma is very rare. It is most commonly seen in cervicodorsal region followed by cervico bulbar, lumbar and sometimes multiple. Here we present a 17-year-old female who underwent MRI due to upper dorsal pain followed by progressive bilateral lower limb weakness which showed intramedullary lesion extending from T1-T9, involving eight vertebral segments with distal syrinx and features suggestive of lipoma. Patient underwent surgical decompression of lipoma. Patient had an uneventful post-operative period. Diagnosis confirmed by histopathology.

The prediction of the lifetime of the new coronavirus in the USA using mathematical models.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019, was informed of several cases of respiratory diseases of unknown origin in the city of Wuhan in the Chinese Province of Hubei, the clinical manifestations of which were similar to those of viral pneumonia and manifested as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. And, the disease caused by the virus is named the new coronavirus disease 2019 and it will be abbreviated as 2019-nCoV and COVID-19. As of January 30, 2020, the WHO classified this epidemic as a global health emergency (Chung et al. in Radiology 295(1):202-207, 2020). It is an international real-life problem. Due to deaths, globally everyone is under fear. Now, it is the responsibility of researchers to give hope to the people. In this article, we aim to better protect people and general pandemic preparedness by predicting the lifetime of the disease-causing virus using three mathematical models. This article deals with a complex real-life problem people face all over the world, an international real-life problem. The main focus is on the USA due to large infection and death due to coronavirus and thereby the life of every individual is uncertain. The death counts of the USA from February 29 to April 22, 2020, are used in this article as a data set. The death counts of the USA are fitted by the solutions of three mathematical models and a solution to an international problem is achieved. Based on the death rate, the lifetime of the coronavirus COVID-19 is predicted as 1464.76 days from February 29, 2020. That is, after March 2024 there will be no death in the USA due to COVID-19 if everyone follows the guidelines of WHO and the advice of healthcare workers. People and government can get prepared for this situation and many lives can be saved. It is the contribution of soft computing. Finally, this article suggests several steps to control the spread and severity of the disease. The research work, the lifetime prediction presented in this article is entirely new and differs from all other articles in the literature.

Aromatic ring strain in arylselenenyl bromides: role in facile synthesis of selenenate esters via intramolecular cyclization.

The synthesis and reactivity of 2,6-disubstituted arylselenium compounds derived from 2-bromo-5-tert-butylisophthalic acid (43) are described. The syntheses of bis(5-tert-butylisophthalic acid dimethyl ester)diselenide (46) and bis(5-tert-butylisophthalic acid diisopropyl ester)diselenide (47) have been achieved by the reaction of the corresponding ester precursors with disodium diselenide. Reduction of diselenide 46 with lithium aluminum hydride affords 2,2'-bis(5-tert-butylbenzene-1,3-dimethanol)diselenide (53). Diselenides 46 and 47 exhibit intramolecular Se...O interaction. Compound 53 does not show any intramolecular Se...O interaction. The anomalous Se...O nonbonded coordination observed in the single-crystal X-ray structures of compounds 46, 47 and 53 is compared and contrasted. The corresponding selenenyl bromides 54 and 55, derived from the reaction of diselenides 46 and 47 with bromine, are quite stable in the solid state. However, they undergo hydrolysis and subsequent intramolecular cyclization upon heating or after having been kept in solution over a period of time to give the corresponding selenenate esters 56 and 57. The X-ray crystallographic study and density functional theory calculations on 54 at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory indicate a significant distortion in planarity of the aromatic ring. Glutathione peroxidase-like activities of diselenides 46 and 47 and their selenenate esters 56 and 57 have been studied both by thiophenol and bioassay methods. The very low glutathione peroxidase-like activity of the diselenides (46 and 47) and their selenenate esters (56 and 57) in the thiophenol assay is attributed to the presence of the relatively strong Se...O intramolecular interaction in the selenenyl sulfide intermediates. The interaction retards the catalytic activity through both thiol exchange and an intramolecular cyclization reaction.

CuWO4 Nanoparticles: Investigation of Dielectric, Electrochemical Behaviour and Photodegradation of Pharmaceutical Waste.

The hydrothermally synthesized CuWO4 nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized with different analysis such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), UV-Visible and Photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The prepared CuWO4 NPs were examined with Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). SEM images show that CuWO4 NPs are highly spherical shaped morphology and porous in nature. The optical band gap of prepared CuWO4 NPs is found to be 2.12 eV. Photodegradation of diclofenac sodium (DFS) (medical waste) in the aqueous medium with CuWO4 NPs under visible light irradiation shows 98% degradation. The CuWO4 NPs was stable up to 5th cycle it can be used as a reusable photocatalyst for the DFS degradation. The electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of the CuWO4 NPs at room temperature is analyzed by EIS studies. The bulk conductivity value of the prepared nanoparticles is 1.477×10-5 S/cm at room temperature. The conductivity of CuWO4 NPs is found to be due to electrons movement. The CuWO4 NPs shows higher photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activity for decomposition of DFS and methanol electro-oxidation in alkaline medium respectively.

Parents' perceptions of tele-audiological testing in a rural hearing screening program in South India.

INTRODUCTION: Tele-diagnostic audiological testing in a hearing screening program for infants and young children is a novel practice, and this study is the first to explore its application in a rural community. It is important to understand parental perceptions and confidence when introducing a new process such as tele-audiological diagnostic testing in rural areas. METHOD: A questionnaire with 17 rater-administered items was designed to elicit comments concerning the quality of tele-hearing testing and video-conferencing, access to tele-hearing testing, and parents' attitudes regarding tele-hearing testing in the village. The questionnaire was administered by an audiologist not involved in tele-diagnostic testing to avoid bias. RESULTS: Parents perceived tele-hearing testing as equal in quality to in-person testing. Technical factors such as good video-conferencing quality and logistical factors such as ease of access due to reasonable travel time to testing facility could have influenced these perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: While these results show tele-hearing testing is an acceptable alternative, occasional poor signal quality should be addressed prior to large-scale implementation.

Comparison study between reamed and unreamed nailing of closed femoral fractures.

Intramedullary nailing is an accepted procedures for femoral fractures gives uniformly good results. Various methods of intramedullary fixation have been practiced in the past. Recently intramedullary fixation without reaming has come into vogue. Preservation of the endosteal blood supply, less blood loss and quicker union have been the alleged benefits of not reaming the medullary canal. This study is a prospective randomised study conducted to compare intramedullary nail fixation of closed femoral fractures with and without a reaming procedure to assess the validity of the above assumptions. One hundred and two consecutive cases of skeletally mature patients with closed fracture of femoral shaft were randomised into two groups, i.e. Reamed (52) and Unreamed (50). The average follow-up was 36 weeks (range 28-86 weeks). Average time taken for various stages of the operation and total operating time were longer in the reamed group (109.9 min vs 78.6 min) and the blood loss was also increased (320 mls vs. 190 mls). Bridging and callus formation were seen to occur earlier in the reamed group compared to the unreamed enabling the patients in the reamed group to return to normal functions earlier. Limb length discrepancy and rotational alignment measured clinically and with CT scan did not however show any significant difference between the two methods. Nails used in this study group were notably of a smaller diameter and of shorter length when compared to those used in the western population highlighting the difference in the femur in the Asian population. Complications were notably more in the unreamed group where these were screw breakage (3/50) delayed unions (9/50) and non-unions (4/50). In the reamed group however there were only delayed union (2/50) and all fractures eventually united without any implant failure. We conclude that closed, reamed, antegrade insertion of an intramedullary nail is the treatment of choice in femoral shaft fractures, especially those involving the distal 1/3. The unreamed procedure should be reserved for certain exceptions, such as in polytrauma, where a shorter operative time and less blood loss is desired.

Predictive factors in the evolution of neural deficit in tuberculosis of the spine.

This study was conducted to determine the factors involved in predicting the onset of paraplegia in tuberculosis of the spine. A cross-sectional, case control review of 85 cases of spinal tuberculosis was conducted at the National Tuberculosis Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Sixty-nine of these cases were normal neurologically, whilst 16 cases experienced neural deficit. The data was analysed using backward logistic regression and Fishers exact probability test. The factors studied included symptoms and signs of spinal tuberculosis, common investigations for tuberculosis, and physical factors of the disease. Only the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) showed a significant difference between the neural deficit and neurologically normal groups. This suggests that the ESR may be a factor in predicting evolution of paraplegia in spinal tuberculosis. In addition, it was noted that a low proportion of patients had positive sputum smear results and bacterial culture growth for mycobacterium tuberculosis suggesting these tests are of limited value for tuberculosis of the spine.

An audit of the Scoliosis Service at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

This is a study of patients referred to the Scoliosis Service of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Three hundred and thirty five (335) consecutive patients who were seen between 1985 and 2000 were reviewed to determine the presentation of scoliosis, the treatment received and the compliance to follow up. Data were determined by measuring the frontal spinal radiographs. Two hundred and ninety eight (298) patients met inclusion criteria. Idiopathic scoliosis accounted for 203 patients (68.1%), 31 (10.4%) were neuromuscular scoliosis; and 44 (14.8%) had congenital scoliosis. Twenty-five point five percent of patients had surgery, 10.4% were treated with brace, while the remaining 69.1% of patients were observed, or had no treatment at all. Congenital scoliosis patients had better compliance compared to idiopathic or neuromuscular scoliosis patients.

The natural history of scoliosis: curve progression of untreated curves of different aetiology, with early (mean 2 year) follow up in surgically treated curves.

We studied the curve progression of untreated curves presenting to the Scoliosis Service of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. One hundred and fifty-two (152) patients were included in this study. The median rate of curve progression of idiopathic scoliosis curves was 7.03 degrees per year, for neuromuscular scoliosis curves was 17.39 degrees per year; and congenital scoliosis curves were 3.67 degrees per year. These rates are similar to the reported rates in the literature. Data for sixty-one (61) surgically treated patients were reviewed to determine the early curve correction of the curves of different aetiology. The mean age of surgery was 14.15 years old, the mean preoperative curve size was 71.61 degrees; and the mean postoperative curve size was 43.78 degrees. The mean duration of follow up after surgery was 2.44 years. The revision and removal of instrumentation rate was 8.3%.

Melatonin attenuates polychlorinated biphenyls induced apoptosis in the neuronal cells of cerebral cortex and cerebellum of adult male rats--in vivo.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread persistent environmental contaminants that display a complex spectrum of toxicological properties, including neurotoxicity. Studies have shown that PCBs increase oxidative stress in brain, leading to apoptosis. The progressive loss of neurons in cerebral cortex and cerebellum, leads to various neurodegenerative diseases. Hence the present study is designed to determine PCBs toxicity toward neuronal cells and whether it could be inhibited by potent antioxidant melatonin. Four groups of adult male Wistar rats were treated for 30 days with corn oil, PCBs, PCBs+Mel and Melatonin, respectively. After treatment period the rats were euthanized and the brain was dissected to isolate cerebral cortex and cerebellum. The neuronal cells alone were then separated from the isolated brain regions, to detect the mRNA levels of apoptotic and neurofilament gene, a neuronal specific marker. Our results suggests that PCBs induces apoptosis in neuronal cells which is subsided by the anti apoptotic effect of melatonin.

Polychlorinated biphenyls impair blood-brain barrier integrity via disruption of tight junction proteins in cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus of female Wistar rats: neuropotential role of quercetin.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) comprise a ubiquitous class of toxic substances associated with carcinogenic and tumor-promoting effects as well as neurotoxic properties. Reactive oxygen species, which is produced from PCBs, alters blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, which is paralleled by cytoskeletal rearrangements and redistribution and disappearance of tight junction proteins (TJPs) like claudin-5 and occludin. Quercetin, a potent antioxidant present in onion and other vegetables, appears to protect brain cells against oxidative stress, a tissue-damaging process associated with Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of quercetin on oxidative stress markers and transcription of transmembrane and cytoplasmic accessory TJPs on cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus of female rats exposed to PCBs. Rats were divided into the following four groups. Group I: received only vehicle (corn oil) intraperitoneally (i.p.); group II: received Aroclor 1254 at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight (bwt)/day (i.p); group III: received Aroclor 1254 (i.p.) and simultaneously quercetin 50 mg/kg bwt/day through gavage and group IV: received quercetin alone gavage. From the experiment, the levels of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were observed to increase significantly in cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus as 50%, 25% and 20%, respectively, after exposure to PCB, and the messenger RNA expression of TJP in rats exposed to PCBs is decreased and is retrieved to the normal level simultaneously in quercetin-treated rats. Hence, quercetin can be used as a preventive medicine to PCBs exposure and prevents neurodegenerative disorders.