PCF based modal interferometer for lead ion detection.

A compact, reliable, and fast responsive PCF (photonic crystal fiber) based modal interferometric sensor for lead ion detection is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The sensor has been fabricated by splicing a small section of PCF with SMF (single mode fiber) followed by collapsing the air holes of PCF at its tip. The interferometer is dip coated with chitosan-PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) and glutathione functionalized gold nanoparticles. Three probes have been fabricated, and the maximum sensitivity has been found to be 0.031 nm/ppb for lead ions whereas the detection range has been considered from 0 ppb to 50 ppb. The probe has been found to have a faster response time of ∼ 10 s. Furthermore, the sensor has been found to be less responsive towards other heavy metal ions, thereby demonstrating its selectivity towards lead ions. Besides, a section of FBG (fiber Bragg grating) has been embedded into the interferometer and the temperature response of FBG peak along with interference spectra has been investigated for better accuracy.

Savonius wind turbine blade design and performance evaluation using ANN-based virtual clone: A new approach.

The drag based Savonius wind turbine (SWT) has shown immense potential for renewable power generation in built-up areas under complex urban wind conditions. While a series of studies have been conducted on improving SWT's efficiency, optimal performance has yet to be achieved using traditional design approaches such as experimental and/or computational fluid dynamics methods. Recently, artificial intelligence and machine learning have been widely used in design optimization. As such, an ANN-based virtual clone can be an alternative to traditional design methods for wind turbine performance determination. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to investigate whether ANN-based virtual clones are capable of determining the performance of SWTs with a shorter timeframe and minimal resources compared to traditional methods. To achieve the objective, an ANN-based virtual clone model is developed. Two sets of data (computational and experimental) are used to validate and determine the efficacy of the proposed ANN-based virtual clone model. Using experimental data, the model's fidelity is over 98%. The proposed model produces results in one-fifth the time of the existing simulation (based on the combined ANN + GA metamodel) method. The model also reveals the location of the dataset's optimized point for augmenting the turbine's performance.

A young female of Cowden syndrome presenting with Lhermitte-Duclos disease: An illustrative case.

Background: Lhermitte-Duclos Disease (LDD), or dysplastic gangliocytoma, which is a benign hamartomatous condition involving the cerebellum, has a possible association with Cowden syndrome (CS), a rare autosomal dominant disorder due to germline mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor-suppressor gene in chromosome 10. Combined CS and LDD cases are rarely reported in the literature. Case Description: We present here a case of a young female patient presented at the emergency department with a severe headache associated with vertigo, vomiting, and cerebellar ataxia. A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed mixed intensity posterior fossa lesion with almost preserved cerebellar cortical striations. Her facial skin had extensive trichilemmoma. Her symptoms improved after the excision of the posterior fossa lesion through suboccipital craniotomy and histopathology revealed LDD. Conclusion: In a low-resource country where genetic testing for neurosurgical condition is still inadequate, we used the validated Cleveland Clinic Adult Clinical Scoring for PTEN Testing and the patient had an 82-98% chance for a PTEN gene mutation. Finally, she along with her family was adequately counseled and was advised for regular screening and monitoring since it is a premalignant condition where early detection is imperative if any cancer arises in the near future and is now under our follow-up.

Deciphering antidiarrheal effects of Meda pata (Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B.Rob.) leaf extract in chemical-induced models of albino rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of preventable death in developing countries, mainly caused by bacterial infections and traditional therapies are very common in diarrheal incidences. Meda Pata (Litsea glutionsa) has a long history of use as traditional medicine for diarrhea, dysentery, and spasm in Bangladesh, India, and some other Asian countries. AIM OF THE STUDY: This research reports the antidiarrheal effects of Meda Pata (Litsea glutinosa leaf extract, LGLEx) in animal models. The work has been supported by in silico molecular docking study to verify the effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antidiarrheal effect of LGLEx was investigated in castor oil-induced diarrhea, magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea, and gastrointestinal motility test models. Antidiarrheal effects were supported by a molecular docking study through an interaction between LGLEx's GC-MS analyzed imidazole-containing compounds and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (PDB: 4U14) and 5-HT3 receptor (PDB: 5AIN). RESULTS: LGLEx potentially reduced the diarrheal incidences in in vivo assays reducing gastrointestinal motility. The maximum diarrheal inhibition was obtained in the castor oil-induced model (62.63%) and and BaSO4-induced model (73.14%), which were statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared to the reference drug loperamide. In the castor-oil and BaSO4-induced models, peristaltic movement was reduced by 25.96% and 32.17%, respectively. Biochemical markers particularly IgE, C-reactive proteins, and serum electrolytes were significantly (P < 0.0) restored in treated groups. A Molecular docking analysis revealed that two compounds (1-Ethyl-2-hydroxymethylimidazole and 1,6-Anhydro-beta-D-glucofuranose demonstrated the highest binding affinity with target receptors muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (PDB: 4U14) and 5-HT3 receptor (PDB: 5AIN) confirming their drug likeliness. The findings indicate a high potential antidiarrheal impact that warrants further investigation for its therapeutic application.

FeedMaster: A least-cost feed formulation App for minimizing the cost and maximizing milk yield.

Objective: The study aimed to develop and assess an Android app designed for farmers with a low educational status that can formulate a least-cost ration. Materials and Methods: First, a computer-android-based app named BLRI FeedMaster was developed to guide users in formulating a balanced ration at the least cost. A survey was conducted on 30 livestock officers and 18 farmers with 50 cattle to evaluate its efficacy at the field level. The study outcomes were milk yield, feeding cost, milk composition, time, and cost for management before and after using the BLRI FeedMaster app. Descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests were used to analyze the data. Results: After adopting the BLRI FeedMaster app, a significant increase was observed in daily average milk yield (9.39 ± 0.32 l from 8.37 ± 0.36 l), while a considerable decrease was observed in daily average feed quantity (4.88 ± 0.15 kg from 5.60 ± 0.17 kg) and feed cost (BDT 28.00 ± 0.50 from BDT 29.75 ± 0.49). Besides, the number of visits, time, and cost for seeking professional services regarding feed, health care, and other information was significantly minimized. The number of visits decreased to 0.36 ± 013 from 3.07 ± 0.38, and the consumed time was reduced from 270 ± 34.30 to 235.71 ± 59.42 min (p < 0.05) after adopting the app. Conclusion: Hence, this app was very beneficial for farmers with a low economic and educational background and may ultimately help farmers with profitable animal farming and sustainable production in the least developed countries like Bangladesh.

Methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts of Tragia involucrata L. leaves exhibit anxiolytic, sedative and analgesic activity in Swiss albino mice.

INTRODUCTION: Tragia involucrata L. have been utilized as traditional medicine in Indian subcontinent for the treatment of numerous illnesses such as inflammation, pain and skin infection. In this current study we sought to assess the anxiolytic, sedative and analgesic activity of Tragia involucrata L. leaves extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We first performed a phytochemical screening test of the leaves extracts following standard phytochemical screening protocols. We next examined the anxiolytic and sedative activity of crude methanol (TIME), ethyl acetate (TIEAE) and n-Hexane (TIHE) extract of Tragia involucrata L. leaves using mouse behavioral models such as elevated plus-maze test and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time test, respectively. Likewise, we evaluated the analgesic activity using acetic acid induced writhing test and formalin induced paw licking test. Additionally, we performed a quantitative analysis of heavy metals content of Tragia involucrata L. leaves by overnight digestion in concentrated nitric acid (HNO3). RESULTS: Phytochemical screening demonstrated that TIME, TIEAE and TIHE contain flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids and sterols. Administration of these extracts resulted in higher number of open arm entry, lower number of close arm entry and higher time spent in open arm compared to control treatment (p < 0.05). Moreover, these treatments decreased the onset of sleep time and increased the duration of sleep compared to control treated mice (all p < 0.05). Likewise, extracts treated mice exhibited decreased number of writhing as well as lower acute phase and late phase duration compared to control treatment (all p < 0.05). The average level of As and Fe in Tragia involucrata L. leaves was 5.16 ± 0.012 ppm and 2.76 ± 0.015 ppm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results from this study support that Tragia involucrata L. leaves extracts exhibit an anxiolytic, sedative and analgesic activity in mice.

Epiphytic Acampe ochracea orchid relieves paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and upregulating antioxidant genes in in vivo and virtual screening.

Orchids are basically ornamental, and biological functions are seldom evaluated. This research investigated the effects of Acampe ochracea methanol extract (AOME) in ameliorating the paracetamol (PCM) induced liver injury in Wistar albino rats, evaluating its phytochemical status through UPLC-qTOF-MS analysis. With molecular docking and network pharmacology, virtual screening verified the inevitable interactions between the UPLC-qTOF-MS-characterized compounds and hepatoprotective drug receptors. The AOME has explicit a dose-dependent decrease of liver enzymes acid phosphatase (ACP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin, as well as an increase of serum total protein and antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSH) with a virtual normalization (p < 0.05-p < 0.001) and the values were almost equivalent to the reference drug silymarin. After pretreatment with AOME, PCM-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were considerably decreased (p < 0.001). Histopathological examinations corroborated the functional and biochemical findings. The AOME upregulated the genes involved in antioxidative (CAT, SOD, ß-actin, PON1, and PFK1) and hepatoprotective mechanisms in PCM intoxicated rats. An array of 103 compounds has been identified from AOME through UPLC-qTOF-MS analysis. The detected compounds were substantially related to the targets of several liver proteins and antioxidative enzymes, according to an in silico study. Virtual prediction by SwissADME and admetSAR showed that AOME has drug-like, non-toxic, and potential pharmacological activities in hepatic damage. Furthermore, VEGFA, CYP19A1, MAPK14, ESR1, and PPARG genes interact with target compounds impacting the significant biological actions to recover PCM-induced liver damage.

Lessons learned from an under-reported mumps epidemic among Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: In 2018, a large mumps epidemic coincided with an outbreak of diphtheria in refugee camps established in Bangladesh for the Rohingya people. These refugees did not receive a mumps-containing vaccine. METHODS: Cases of mumps were reported to the WHO's Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS) during the Rohingya refugee crisis. The authors present amalgamated epidemiological data of a major, previously under-reported, mumps epidemic. RESULTS: In total, 19 215 mumps cases across a total of 218 facilities were reported to EWARS during 2018. The attack rate was 2.1% of the whole population. Of these cases, 7687 (40%) were in children aged <5 y. Mumps was more commonly seen among males than females. CONCLUSION: Detailed reporting of outbreaks of all vaccine-preventable diseases is essential to ensure appropriate vaccination decisions can be made in future humanitarian crises.

Trema orientalis (Linn.) leaves promotes anticancer activity in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice.

Background The in vivo anticancer effect of the Trema orientalis leaves crude methanol extract (TLME) was screened against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice. Materials and methods The cytotoxic activity of TLME was determined in vitro by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The growth inhibitory activity and morphological alterations were determined by the hemocytometer counting of the EAC cells using trypan blue dye. The apoptotic cells were assessed by DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. The hematological and biochemical parameters of experimental mice were also estimated. Results After treatment with the TLME, the viable tumor cell count, morphological changes and nuclear damages of the EAC cells were observed along with the hematological parameters of the experimental mice. The LD50 of TLME was 3120.650 mg/kg body weight, and this extract was proven to be safe at a dose of as high as 800 mg/kg body weight. The oral administration of the TLME at 400 mg/kg body weight resulted in approximately 59% tumor cell growth inhibition compared with the control mice, with considerable apoptotic features, including membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and aggregation of the apoptotic bodies in DAPI staining under a fluorescence microscope. The TLME also dose-dependently restored the altered hematological parameters to approximately normal levels. The TLME exhibited bolstering cytotoxic effect against the EAC cell with the IC50 value of 29.952 ± 1.816 µg/mL. Conclusion The TLME has potential as a natural anti-cancer product with apoptosis induction property and cytotoxicity against carcinoma cells.