Complement-dependent neuroinflammation in spinal cord injury: from pathology to therapeutic implications.

Spinal cord injury remains a major cause of disability in young adults, and beyond acute decompression and rehabilitation, there are no pharmacological treatments to limit the progression of injury and optimize recovery in this population. Following the thorough investigation of the complement system in triggering and propagating cerebral neuroinflammation, a similar role for complement in spinal neuroinflammation is a focus of ongoing research. In this work, we survey the current literature investigating the role of complement in spinal cord injury including the sources of complement proteins, triggers of complement activation, and role of effector functions in the pathology. We study relevant data demonstrating the different triggers of complement activation after spinal cord injury including direct binding to cellular debris, and or activation via antibody binding to damage-associated molecular patterns. Several effector functions of complement have been implicated in spinal cord injury, and we critically evaluate recent studies on the dual role of complement anaphylatoxins in spinal cord injury while emphasizing the lack of pathophysiological understanding of the role of opsonins in spinal cord injury. Following this pathophysiological review, we systematically review the different translational approaches used in preclinical models of spinal cord injury and discuss the challenges for future translation into human subjects. This review emphasizes the need for future studies to dissect the roles of different complement pathways in the pathology of spinal cord injury, to evaluate the phases of involvement of opsonins and anaphylatoxins, and to study the role of complement in white matter degeneration and regeneration using translational strategies to supplement genetic models.

MicroRNA as Key Players in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Insights into Their Role in Metastasis.

Liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the most common cancer in global epidemiology. Both the frequency and fatality of this malignancy have shown an upward trend over recent decades. Liver cancer is a significant concern due to its propensity for both intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. Liver cancer metastasis is a multifaceted process characterized by cell detachment from the bulk tumor, modulation of cellular motility and invasiveness, enhanced proliferation, avoidance of the immune system, and spread either via lymphatic or blood vessels. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) playing a crucial function in the intricate mechanisms of tumor metastasis. A number of miRNAs can either increase or reduce metastasis via several mechanisms, such as control of motility, proliferation, attack by the immune system, cancer stem cell properties, altering the microenvironment, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Besides, two other types of non-coding RNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) can competitively bind to endogenous miRNAs. This competition results in the impaired ability of the miRNAs to inhibit the expression of the specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that are targeted. Increasing evidence has shown that the regulatory axis comprising circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA is correlated with the regulation of HCC metastasis. This review seeks to present a thorough summary of recent research on miRNAs in HCC, and their roles in the cellular processes of EMT, invasion and migration, as well as the metastasis of malignant cells. Finally, we discuss the function of the lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network as a crucial modulator of carcinogenesis and the regulation of signaling pathways or genes that are relevant to the metastasis of HCC. These findings have the potential to offer valuable insight into the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches for management of liver cancer metastasis.

Pulling Back the Curtain: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Medical Spas in Missouri.

BACKGROUND: There is very little legislation defining the degree of supervision and training required to perform cosmetic procedures in Missouri. The medical spa industry, particularly the volume and complexity of cosmetic procedures offered by medical spas, has seen significant growth in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To better understand the medical spa workforce, depth, and breadth of aesthetic procedures offered by medical spas in Missouri. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on standardized telephone interviews, supplemented by website data. Survey responses were recorded, streamlined, and analyzed. RESULTS: Although 94.59% of medical spas in Missouri are affiliated with a physician, only 22.52% of medical spas have a physician on-site for administration of cosmetic treatments. Nonphysician staff members who administer cosmetic services generally outnumber physician affiliates at Missouri medical spas, with the average ratio of nonphysician staff who administer cosmetic services to MD/DO affiliates per spa being 2.1:1. CONCLUSION: There is significant variability in the level of training and supervision of medical spa staff performing cosmetic treatments in Missouri. As the medical spa industry continues to grow and high-risk cosmetic procedures become more commonplace, consistent statewide regulation of medical spas is needed to prevent harmful patient outcomes.

The effect of constant electric field on the crack growth process of aluminum nanosheet using molecular dynamics simulation.

Aluminum nanosheets are a form of Al nanoparticle that have been recently manufactured on an industrial scale and have a variety of uses. Al nanoparticles are extensively used in a variety of sectors, including aerospace, construction, medical, chemistry, and marine industries. Crack propagation in various constructions must be investigated thoroughly for structural design purposes. Cracks in nanoparticles may occur during the production of nanosheets (NSs) or when different mechanical or thermal pressures were applied. In this work, the effect of a continuous electric field on the fracture formation process of aluminum nanosheets was investigated. For this study, molecular dynamics simulation and LAMMPS software were used. The effects of various electric fields on several parameters, including as stress, velocity (Velo), and fracture length, were explored, and numerical data were retrieved using software. The results show that the amplitude of the electric field parameter affected the atomic development of modeled Al nanosheets throughout the fracture operation. This effect resulted in atomic resonance (amplitude) fluctuations, which affected the mean interatomic forces and led the temporal evolution of atoms to converge to certain specified initial conditions. The crack length in our modeled samples ranged from 22.88 to 32.63 Å, depending on the electric field parameter (0.1-1 V/Å). Finally, it was determined that the crack growth of modeled Al nanosheets may be controlled using CEF parameters in real-world situations.

Electrically polarized nanoscale surfaces generate reactive oxygenated and chlorinated species for deactivation of microorganisms.

Because of the decreasing supply of new antibiotics, recent outbreaks of infectious diseases, and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, it is imperative to develop new effective strategies for deactivating a broad spectrum of microorganisms and viruses. We have implemented electrically polarized nanoscale metallic (ENM) coatings that deactivate a wide range of microorganisms including Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria with greater than 6-log reduction in less than 10 minutes of treatment. The electrically polarized devices were also effective in deactivating lentivirus and Candida albicans. The key to the high deactivation effectiveness of ENM devices is electrochemical production of micromolar cuprous ions, which mediated reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. Formation of highly damaging species, hydroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid, from hydrogen peroxide contributed to antimicrobial properties of the ENM devices. The electric polarization of nanoscale coatings represents an unconventional tool for deactivating a broad spectrum of microorganisms through in situ production of reactive oxygenated and chlorinated species.

Pattern of Cleft Lip and Palate Clefts at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Clefts of the lip and palate (CL/P) and cleft palate (CP) are the most common craniofacial congenital anomalies. Clefts are classified as syndromic and nonsyndromic. Nonsyndromic clefts have no known genetic causes. OBJECTIVES: This study combines prospective and retrospective studies to review the patterns of CL/P and CP and associated syndromes and conditions in patients registered for CL/P surgery at a tertiary care pediatric center in our tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: It included patient data from May 2015 through April 2023. Patient record forms and SPSS (IBM version 20.0) were used to collect and analyze data. A significance level of 5% was used, with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 319 patients who met our inclusion criteria, 175 were male. Of the total, 99 had a left unilateral isolated cleft lip, 61 had a right unilateral isolated cleft lip, 69 had a bilateral cleft lip, and 90 had an isolated CP. Of the total, 140 had CL/P. Around 242 were nonsyndromic. The Chi-square test revealed a significant association between the prevalence of isolated CP and CLP and gender. The prevalence of left unilateral isolated cleft lip and bilateral and isolated CP was significantly associated with syndromic and nonsyndromic cases. CONCLUSION: Males are more likely to be affected by orofacial clefts, which is consistent with the global trend. Isolated CP was the most common orofacial cleft. Within the sample, syndromes' association with orofacial clefts was significantly weaker than that of isolated and bilateral clefts.

Toxicity and bioassimilation of lead and nickel in farm ruminants fed on diversified forage crops grown on contaminated soil.

The cultivation of forage crops on wastewater-irrigated soils, while common in many developing countries, poses significant risks due to heavy metal pollution, particularly Lead (Pb) and Nickel (Ni). This practice, aimed at addressing water scarcity challenges and providing affordable irrigation, was investigated for its ecological and human health implications across three diverse sites (site A, site B, and site C). Our study unveiled increases in Pb concentrations in contaminated soil, cultivated with Sesbania bispinosa showing the highest Pb accumulation. The Ni concentrations ranged from 5.34 to 10.43 across all forage crop samples, with S. fruticosa from site C displaying the highest Ni concentration and S. bicolor from site A exhibiting the lowest. Trace element concentrations in the specimens were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The Pb levels in the blood, hair, and feces of farm ruminants (cows, buffaloes, and sheep) varied across the sites, with buffaloes consistently displaying the highest Pb levels. Insights into daily Pb intake by ruminant's highlighted variations influenced by plant species, animal types, and sites, with site C, the cows exhibiting the highest Health Risk Index (HRI) associated with lead exposure from consuming forage crops. Soil and forage samples showed Pb concentrations ranging from 8.003 to 12.29 mg/kg and 6.69-10.52 mg/kg, respectively, emphasizing the severe health risks associated with continuous sewage usage. Variations in Ni concentrations across animal blood, hair, and feces samples underscored the importance of monitoring Ni exposure in livestock, with sheep at site B consistently showing the highest Ni levels. These findings highlight the necessity of vigilance in monitoring trace element (Pb and Ni) exposure in forage crops and livestock, to mitigate potential health risks associated with their consumption, with variations dependent on species, site, and trace element concentrations.

Knowledge and Practice toward DEXA Scan among Women in Jazan City, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Osteoporosis, characterized by reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk, presents a significant public health challenge. Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scans offer a reliable means of assessing bone mineral density (BMD) and detecting osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to assess awareness, attitude, and practice of women in the Jazan region toward DEXA scan. Methods: Data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 29.0. The total knowledge scores of participants were calculated to assess potential associations with sociodemographic data. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 400 women, 230 (57.5%) had low knowledge scores primarily due to poor knowledge of the DEXA scan procedure. Merely 39 women had undergone a DEXA scan mainly due to medical prescription (n = 22, 56.4%). Total knowledge scores were significantly higher among women with high monthly incomes (p = 0.019) and those working in medical-related jobs (p = 0.017). Conclusions: This study underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness of DEXA scans among women in Jazan City. Additionally, the findings suggest that socioeconomic factors may influence awareness levels, emphasizing the importance of tailored educational strategies to reach diverse demographics.

Biosynthesis and Characterization of Aeonium arboreum-Derived Silver Nanoparticles: Antimicrobial Activity, Biofilm Inhibition, Antihemolytic Activity, and In Silico Studies.

Environmentally friendly biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Aeonium arboreum (L.) Webb & Berthel is reported for the first time. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR, TEM, Zeta potential, and XRD analysis, revealing high stability (-29.1 mV), spherical shape, and an average size of 100 nm. The antimicrobial activity levels of both A. arboreum extract and biosynthesized AgNPs were evaluated against five uropathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans). Both the extract and the AgNPs exhibited significant efficacy, particularly against E. coli, with inhibition zones of 27 mm and 30 mm, respectively. LC-MS analysis tentatively identified 11 secondary metabolites in the extract, including quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, myricetin 3-glucoside, and daphneresinol. In silico docking studies revealed promising binding affinities of these metabolites in relation to key enzymes involved in bacterial folate synthesis (dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS)) and DNA replication (DNA gyrase). These findings demonstrate the potential of A. arboreum-based AgNPs and their associated metabolites as a novel therapeutic approach for combating urinary tract infections. Their antimicrobial, antihemolytic, and antibiofilm properties warrant further investigation.

Replication, safety and immunogenicity of the vectored Ebola vaccine rVSV-ΔG-ZEBOV-GP in a sub-Saharan African paediatric population: a randomised controlled, open-label trial in children aged 1-12 years living in Lambaréné, Gabon.

BACKGROUND: Unlike adults, children experienced stronger and longer vector replication in plasma and shedding in saliva following rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP vaccination. The resulting risks of immunosuppression or immune hyperactivation leading to increased Adverse Events (AEs) and altered antibody responses are concerns that have been addressed in the present manuscript. METHODS: Children aged 1-12 years living in Gabon received either rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP (ERVEBO®) vaccine or the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine (VZV). The concentration of rVSVΔG vector in blood and saliva, the occurrence of AEs up to day 28; the anti-rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP and anti-VZV IgG antibody titres, neutralising and avidity functions of anti-rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP by day 365; were assessed in serum. (PACTR202005733552021) FINDINGS: In the rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP group, 70% and 7% of children had > 0 copies/ml of rVSVΔG respectively in plasma by day 3 and in saliva by day 14 after vaccination, with no detection on day 28. Significantly higher but transient AEs occurred in the rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP group. Both vaccines induced seroconversion on day 28 and sustainable IgG antibody titres by day 365. Avidity and neutralisation functions of the anti-rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP antibodies peaked at day 28 and were maintained by day 365. INTERPRETATION: The replication and shedding do not affect the favourable risk-benefit balance of the rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP in children. FUNDING: This trial is funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 (IMI 2) Joint Undertaking (grant number: 116068). The Biomedicine and Social Sciences research team of CERMEL is funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP-TMA-SF-1946-VARSAF).

Potential anaphylactoid reaction to nicardipine.

Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions are both acute allergic responses known to be potentially fatal if not treated emergently. Signs include bronchospasm, urticaria, nausea and vomiting, pharyngeal edema and cardiovascular collapse. Nicardipine hydrochloride is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that has emerged as a first-line antihypertensive in which emergent blood pressure control is critical. The patient in this case is a 52-year-old male who arrived at the emergency department (ED) with right-sided hemineglect, severe dysarthria, and aphasia, and he was diagnosed with an acute left thalamic hemorrhage. His blood pressure readings were initially 252/135 mmHg despite multiple intermittent boluses of intravenous hydralazine. He was administered a nicardipine hydrochloride infusion at 2.5 mg/h. Due to poor blood pressure control, the rate was titrated up in increments of 2.5 mg/h in the span of 30 min. While up titrating the infusion rate, he developed diffuse swelling and erythema to his left upper extremity in which the medication was being infused, a body wide urticarial rash, tachycardia, diaphoresis, wheezing, and hypoxemia saturating 85% on room air.

An unusual presentation of pacifier thumb duplication with VACTERL association: Case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Polydactyly of the hand is a common anomaly among pediatrics, which can present in conjugation with other syndromes or on its own. Various types can be seen, ranging from the involvement of skin only to a completely formed digit. We report the first case of pacifier type thumb duplication presenting with VACTERL association. Herein, we also summarize the existing literature of the distinctive features and management of pacifier polydactyly. CASE PRESENTATION: A premature male infant with intrauterine growth restriction due to maternal type II diabetes was referred for a soft tissue attachment to the left hand. The infant showed VACTERL association signs, including a single kidney, small atrial septal defect, and ventricular septal defect. Examination revealed preaxial polydactyly with a cystic swelling connected to the palm. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Preaxial polydactyly is the second most common congenital hand anomaly, and its pathology is thought to involve the disruption of apoptosis during embryonic development. Pacifier-type polydactyly is a unique variation characterized by severe edema of the soft tissue digit, believed to be caused by physical damage in utero. The case presented did not require surgical intervention as the duplicated thumb underwent spontaneous autoamputation as opposed to other cases in the literature. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of pacifier-type thumb duplication in a patient with VACTERL association. The presentation of this condition adds to the existing body of literature on VACTERL association. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice for pacifier polydactyly, but spontaneous resolution can occur.

Multicomponent reaction for synthesis, molecular docking, and anti-inflammatory evaluation of novel indole-thiazole hybrid derivatives.

In this article, novel thiazol-indolin-2-one derivatives 4a-f have been synthesized via treatment of thiosemicarbazide (1) with some isatin derivative 2a-f and N-(4-(2-bromoacetyl)phenyl)-4-tolyl-sulfonamide (3) under reflux in ethanol in the presence of triethyl amine (TEA). The structures of new products were elucidated by elemental and spectral analyses. Moreover, all compounds were investigated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity using celecoxib as a reference drug. The target compound 4b was the most active anti-inflammatory candidate and exhibited higher edema inhibition (EI = 38.50%) than that recorded by celecoxib (EI = 34.58%) after 3 h. Furthermore, the most active compounds 4b and 4f were subjected to a molecular docking study inside COX-2 enzyme to show their binding interactions. Both compounds 4b and 4f showed good fitting into COX-2 binding site with docking energy scores - 11.45 kcal/mol and - 10.48 kcal/mol, respectively which indicated that compound 4b revealed the most promising and effective anti-inflammatory potential.

Awareness and Knowledge of Parents and Caregivers Regarding Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) is a common sleep disorder that can cause major health problems if untreated. Parental knowledge and awareness are critical for early detection and management of POSA in children. This study sought to measure parents' and caregivers' knowledge and awareness of pediatric POSA in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, as well as to uncover sociodemographic correlates of knowledge levels. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. A structured survey was used to collect data on sociodemographic factors and knowledge of pediatric OSA. Data were examined using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The study included 393 parents and caregivers, 36.4% of whom were in the 18-30 year age group. Most were Saudis (n=385; 98%), and 212 (53.9%) were men. Most parents (n=378; 96.2%) had limited knowledge of pediatric OSA. Significant knowledge gaps were observed in recognizing POSA symptoms, understanding its impact on children's academic performance, and their association with mental health issues. Internet and social networking sites were the most common sources of knowledge about POSA (n=131; 33.33%), followed by knowing someone with OSA (n=103; 26.21%). Parents with more than eight children had a significant association with more knowledge than those without children (adjusted OR = 10.661, 95% CI: 1.367-83.139, p = 0.024). Conclusion The study identified significant gaps in the recognition of POSA symptoms and understanding its impact on their children's academic performance and mental health. Despite their limited knowledge, parents were receptive to early intervention for POSA. The study suggests that parents with more children had better knowledge of POSA, indicating that experiential learning may contribute to their understanding. The study recommends developing and assessing targeted education and awareness programs for parents, healthcare providers, and the public to improve POSA diagnosis, care, and outcomes.

A nonparametric mixed exponentially weighted moving average-moving average control chart with an application to gas turbines.

This study aims to develop a nonparametric mixed exponentially weighted moving average-moving average (NPEWMA-MA) sign control chart for monitoring shifts in process location, particularly when the distribution of a critical quality characteristic is either unknown or non-normal. In literature, the variance expression of the mixed exponentially weighted moving average-moving average (EWMA-MA) statistic is calculated by allowing sequential moving averages to be independent, and thus the exclusion of covariance terms results in an inaccurate variance expression. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the EWMA-MA control chart deteriorates when the distribution of a critical quality characteristic deviates from normality. The proposed NPEWMA-MA sign control chart addresses these by utilizing the corrected variance of the EWMA-MA statistic and incorporating the nonparametric sign test into the EWMA-MA charting structure. The chart integrates the moving average (MA) statistic into the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) statistic. The EWMA-MA charting statistic assigns more weight to recent w samples, with weights for previous observations decling exponentially. Monte Carlo simulations assess the chart's performance using various run length (RL) characteristics such as average run length (ARL), standard deviation of run length (SDRL), and median run length (MRL). Additional measures for overall performance include the average extra quadratic loss (AEQL) and relative mean index (RMI). The proposed NPEWMA-MA sign control chart demonstrates superior performance compared to existing nonparametric control charts across different symmetrical and asymmetric distributions. It efficiently detects process shifts, as validated through both a simulated study and a real-life example from a combined cycle power plant.

Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with post-traumatic stress disorders and related to oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES: The study involves the effect of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal hormones disorders, and related to oxidative stress in individuals with PTSD to those in the healthy group after they experience a specific event that results in a congenital illness or limb loss. METHODS: Obtaining serum samples from males exclusively in cases where psychiatrists have determined that the men have experienced psychological damage brought on by a particular tragedy, and testing the men for hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and oxidative stress parameters in comparison to healthy participants. RESULTS: It was observed that there was a notable rise in cortisol levels (5.60 ± 0.93) at 4 pm compared with healthy control (3.43 ± 0.64) resulting from the stimulating effect of the pituitary gland, and this increase has a role in raising levels of oxidative stress in patients total oxidant status (1.08 ± 0.13) compared with control (0.70 ± 0.10). High oxidative stress may lead to increased prolactin levels and decreased testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: Transmission of incorrect chemical signals from the central nervous system has a role in causing disturbances in hormonal levels of the hypothalamus and its associated glands, and thus an imbalance in the metabolic rate due to high cortisol. Also, high levels of prolactin hormones play a role in a significant decrease in testosterone levels.

Antibacterial Food Packaging Nanomaterial Based on Atomic Layer Deposition for Long-Term Food Storage.

The aim of the present work is to use the latest achievements of nanotechnology (atomic layer deposition, ALD) in the field of food packaging to prevent biofilm formation by food-associated bacteria. Some potential applications of nanotechnology in the food packaging industry are studied in the manuscript, in the field of antibacterial materials for food packaging. The ALD technique was used to synthesize vanadium (V)-doped TiO2 thin nanofilm on commercially available polypropylene (PP) food container to enhance an antibacterial activity for potential use in food packaging, to reduce spoilage, thereby, prolonging the food shelf- life. To better understand the ability and effectiveness of the antimicrobial packaging material of V-doped TiO2, to prevent the biofilm formation by dairy-associated pathogenic bacteria, the coated and uncoated PP containers with a fresh raw cow's milk were tested. We have illustrated the effectiveness of ALD Al2O3 + TiVOx nanocoating against populations of milk-borne pathogenic bacteria.

Folklore use of medicinal plants for the treatment of gynecological diseases in Pakistan-a review.

Background: Gynecological issues and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose significant challenges to women's health, particularly in developing nations. These challenges are exacerbated by limited access to modern reproductive healthcare facilities, economic constraints, and entrenched cultural norms. Consequently, most of the Pakistani population relies on traditional ethno-medicinal healthcare systems. This preference stems from the ease of access, affordability, widespread availability, and inherent trust placed in these alternative healthcare methods. Aim/objective: The inquiry aimed to report details on the application of conventional uses of plants in the health field in rural areas that could contribute to advancing the natural discovery of drugs. The objective of this analysis is to provide researchers with information on conventional and empirical knowledge of plant species concerning women's diseases. Methodology: Information on the common use of medicinal plants in treating women's diseases was gathered from electronic databases. As a keyword for the quest, ethnobotany, and ethnopharmacology were used together with gynecological complications. Result: The work of the current analysis has revealed that 217 plant species belonging to 89 families have been used in Pakistan's rural communities. The majority of plant species belong to the Apiaceae family, followed by the Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, and other families. The biological interpretation of plants used in rural communities of Pakistan revealed that herbs and trees are the dominant forms with 58 % and 23 % respectively while shrubs and sub-shrubs with a low percentage of 17 % and 2 %. In natural preparation, leaves 29 %, flowers 22 %, seeds 14 %, fruits 14 %, roots 13 %, bark 7 %, and stems 5 % were the most used parts respectively and aerial parts, dried pericarp, bulb, bud, berry, latex, wood, rhizome, husk, fruit coat, oil, resins, twigs, and shoot were also used in minimum percentage. A multitude of plant species have found extensive application in the management of diverse women's health issues. These encompass concerns such as fatigue, mood fluctuations attributed to menstrual problems, gonorrhea, complications related to pregnancy, cravings for specific foods, throbbing breast pain, abdominal and pelvic cramps, excessive vaginal discharge, mastitis, irritability, abortion-related matters, headaches, uterine hemorrhage, Menorrhagia, Amenorrhea, Menopause, Vomiting Abortion, infertility and lactation challenges, as well as the regulation of lochia flow. Conclusion: This review provides remarkable information about the use of medicinal plants against women's diseases in the rural communities of Pakistan. It opens the gateway for the discovery of natural drug development.

Investigation of Thermal and Spectroscopic Properties of Tellurite-Based Glasses Doped with Rare-Earth Oxides for Infrared Solid-State Lasers.

The thermal and optical properties of 60TeO2-20K2TeO3-10WO3-10Nb2O5 (in mol%) glasses doped with Ho2O3, Er2O3, and Tm2O3 were explored in the present work. The thermal stability, refractive index n, extinction coefficient k, absorption coefficient α, and optical band gap of the glasses were evaluated. The UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectra, the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameter, the spectroscopic quality factor, and the emission and absorption cross-sections were calculated to investigate the effects of Er3+ and Tm3+, respectively, on the band spectroscopic properties of Ho3+ ions. The results showed that the maximum emission cross-section was approximately 8×10-21 cm2, and the values of the full width at half maximum (FWHM), quality factor (σe×FWHM), and gain coefficient of Ho3+: 5I7→5I8 were also reported. The value of the FWHM×σe was 1200×10-28 cm3, which showed greater gain characteristics than earlier study results. For 2 µm mid-infrared solid-state lasers, the glasses that were examined might be a good host material.

Integrated Use of Furnace Bottom Ash as Fine Aggregate and Cement Replacement for Sustainable Mortar Production.

Recycling fly ash (FA) and furnace bottom ash (FBA) help with reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, and minimizing waste accumulation. However, research on recycling FBA is progressing more slowly compared to FA. This research aims to investigate the combined use of FBA as a replacement for both fine aggregate and cement and its influence on the performance of mortar. The findings indicated that incorporating 25% FBA as a fine aggregate replacement and 10% or 20% ground FBA (GFBA) as a cement replacement significantly enhanced compressive strength after 28 and 56 days. Flexural strength was comparable to control mortar at 28 days and superior at 56 days. However, increasing the FBA content beyond 25% as a fine aggregate replacement reduced workability and increased porosity, which negatively affected mechanical performance and water absorption. Microstructural analyses revealed denser and more compact structures in the mortar with combined FBA replacement for both fine aggregate and cement, specifically 25% as a fine aggregate replacement and 10% and 20% as cement replacements. Optimal performance was noted in mixtures with Ca/Si and Ca/Al ratios within the ranges of 1.8-1.5 and 0.24-0.19, respectively. Trace element leaching analysis has not shown significant differences between GFBA, FA, and OPC. Regarding environmental impact assessment, using FBA as a fine aggregate replacement did not show a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, but replacing cement with FBA reduced emissions remarkably. Generally, using FBA as a replacement for both fine aggregate and cement in mortar enhances compressive and flexural strengths at optimal levels, promotes sustainability by reducing landfill waste and CO2 emissions, and supports cleaner production practices despite some workability challenges.