Synthesis, spectral analysis and biological evaluation of 2-{[(morpholin-4-yl)ethyl]thio}-5-phenyl/aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives.

A series of new derivatives of 4-(2-chloroethyl)morpholine hydrochloride (5) were efficiently synthesized. Briefly, different aromatic organic acids (1a-f) were refluxed to acquire respective esters (2a-f) using conc. H2SO4 as catalyst. The esters were subjected to nucleophillic substitution by monohydrated hydrazine to acquire hydrazides (3a-f). The hydrazides were cyclized with CS2 in the presence of KOH to yield corresponding oxadiazoles (4a-f). Finally, the derivatives, 6a-f, were prepared by reacting oxadiazoles (4a-f) with 5 using NaH as activator. Structures of all the derivatives were elucidated through 1D-NMR EI-MS and IR spectral data. All these molecules were subjected to antibacterial and hemolytic activities and showed good antibacterial and hemolytic potential relative to the reference standards.

Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants for the management of scabies.

Sarcoptes scabiei (S. scabiei), a parasite mite which causes scabies disease resulting in serious public health concern. The long-term scabies disease can lead to complications such as septicemia, acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, heart disease, and secondary infections. Timely treatment to the affected patients is required to control the disease and get rid of the causative agent. Delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment can lead to serious consequences. The most common treatment strategy is the use of allopathic medicines which can immediately relieve the patient but have the drawback of side effects. The safe and cost-effective alternative treatment strategy is the use of medicinal plants which have beneficial therapeutic potential against variety of diseases due to the presence of many bioactive phytoconstituents with no or minimal side effects. For the present review, the published articles describing scabies disease and its phytotherapeutic modalities were searched through different data bases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, and ScienceDirect using the keywords like S. scabiei, prevalence of scabies disease, and phytotherapy of scabies. A large number of medicinal plants, such as Melaleuca alternifolia, Curcuma longa, Azadirachta indica, Rosmarinus officinalis, Capsicum annuum, Cinnamomum camphor, Solanum nigrum, and Eupatorium perfoliatum, have been reviewed for the promising future treatments of scabies. All the studied plants have many bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic effects against scabies and can be utilized for therapeutic purposes for this disease. This literature study has limitations because of the lack of sufficient data due to limited pre-clinical trials in this particular area. This review provides a baseline to explore the therapeutic potential of these medicinal plants against skin diseases. However, extensive studies are required to identify, authenticate, and characterize the bioactive compounds present in these plants which may lead to value addition in pharmaceutical industries providing the cost-effective way of treatment with minimal side effects.

Progress and prospects in the management of bacterial infections and developments in Phytotherapeutic modalities.

The advent of antibiotics revolutionized medical care resulting in significantly reduced mortality and morbidity caused by infectious diseases. However, excessive use of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistance and indeed, the incidence of multidrug-resistant pathogens is considered as a major disadvantage in medication strategy, which has led the scholar's attention towards innovative antibiotic sources in recent years. Medicinal plants contain a variety of secondary metabolites with a wide range of therapeutic potential against the resistant microbes. Therefore, the aim of this review is to explore the antibacterial potential of traditional herbal medicine against bacterial infections. More than 200 published research articles reporting the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants against drug-resistant microbial infections were searched using different databases such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), etc., with various keywords like medicinal plants having antibacterial activities, antimicrobial potentials, phytotherapy of bacterial infection, etc. Articles were selected related to the efficacious herbs easily available to local populations addressing common pathogens. Various plants such as Artocarpus communis, Rheum emodi, Gentiana lutea L., Cassia fistula L., Rosemarinus officinalis, Argemone maxicana L, Hydrastis canadensis, Citrus aurantifolia, Cymbopogon citrates, Carica papaya, Euphorbia hirta, etc, were found to have significant antibacterial activities. Although herbal preparations have promising potential in the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infection, still more research is required to isolate phytoconstituents, their mechanism of action as well as to find their impacts on the human body.

Awareness and current knowledge of epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a severe neural disorder that affects approximately fifty million individuals globally. Despite the fact that for most of the people with epilepsy, convulsions are better controlled by current accessible antiepileptic medicines, yet there are more than 30% of individuals affected with medically intractable epilepsy and around 30-40% of all patients with epilepsy affected by many adverse reactions and convulsion resistance to the present antiepileptic drugs. Consequently, various scientists attempt to develop new strategies to treat epilepsy, for instance, to find out novel antiepileptic ingredients from traditional medicines. This work aims to present a complete summary of natural medicines prescribed as antiepileptic agents all over the world by ethnic groups and different tribes. We undertook an extensive bibliographic analysis by searching peer reviewed papers and classical textbooks and further consulting well accepted worldwide scientific databases. We carried out PubMed, EMbase and CENTRAL searches by means of terms such as "antiepileptic" and "anti-convulsant" activity of plants. Medicinal plants have been prescribed to treat epilepsy and have been recognized as antiepileptic medicines. In this review, a variety of herbs have been reviewed for thorough studies such as Cuminum cyminum, Butea monosperma, Solanum americanum, Anacyclus pyrethrum, Leonotis leonurus, Elaeocarpus ganitrus and Angelica archangelica. This paper shows that it was high time experimental studies are increased to obtain novel potential active principles from medicinal plants. Plant extracts and their chemical constituents should be further evaluated to clarify their mechanisms of action. This paper provides a solid base upon which to further investigate the clinical efficacy of medicinal plants that are both currently prescribed by physicians as traditional antiepileptic agents, but also could be effective as an antiepileptic drug with further research and study.

Role of medicinal plants in HIV/AIDS therapy.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes the potentially life-threatening and chronic disease called acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The main target of this viral disease is to suppress the immune system and make the body unresponsive to external stimuli. According to global health observatory data since epidemic, more than 78 million people were affected by HIV and 39 million people died globally. Until 2017, 36.5 million people were living with HIV. An estimated 0.8% (0.6%-0.9%) of adults aged 15-49 years worldwide is living with HIV. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the African region remains most severely affected, with nearly one in every 25 adults (4.1%) living with HIV and accounting for nearly two-thirds of the people living with HIV worldwide. WHO reported that globally only 21.7 million (19.1 million-22.6 million) people have had access to antiretroviral therapy up to 2017. Currently, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available for the control of HIV but has serious associated side effects such as lipodystrophy. Because of the limitations, associated with ART, researchers throughout the world are trying to explore and develop more reliable and safe drugs from natural resources to manage HIV infection. A wide range of medicinal plants have been studied and have reported significant potential against HIV. Plants like Rheum palmatum L., Rheum officinale, Trigonostem axyphophylloides, Vatica astrotricha, Vernonia amygdalina, Hypoxias pelargonium, Sidoides hemerocallidea and Sutherlandia frutescens etc. have high efficacy to cure HIV. The exact mechanism of action is still not known but various phytoconstituents isolated from medicinal plants such as alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, tannins, proteins and coumarins have the potential to interrupt the life cycle of HIV as well as act as immunomodulators to enhance the immune system of infected patients with no well reported side effects. It could be concluded that medicinal plants have potential for the management of HIV/AIDS but more studies are needed to reveal rigorous efficacy and safety concerns by conducting clinical trials at vast level to explore therapeutic impact of medicinal plants.

Neurochemical and behavioral effects of Cinnamomi cassiae (Lauraceae) bark aqueous extract in obese rats.

Obesity is a risk factor leading to a number of chronic and metabolic disorders. Obesity is the fifth leading cause of global deaths. At least 2.8 million adults are dying each year as being overweight or obese. Cinnamomi cassiae is widely used traditional medicinal plant, used indigenously, to decrease glucose and cholesterol. 5-Hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT; Serotonin) is an important neurotransmitter reported to be involved in the pathophysiology of anorexia. Present study was designed to investigate the neurochemical and behavioral effects of cinnamon bark aqueous extract (CBAE) in obese rats and to find the possible involvement of 5-HT in reducing the body weight in these experimental animals. CBAE was repeatedly administered orally in the test animals for 5 weeks. A decrease in the food intake along with a concomitant increase in brain 5-HT level was observed in rats administered with CBAE. Findings may help in extending therapeutics in the pathophysiology of obesity and related eating disorders. Decrease activities in behavioral models were also monitored in CBAE treated animals.

In Vivo Evaluation of Miconazole-Nitrate-Loaded Transethosomal Gel Using a Rat Model Infected with Candida albicans.

Miconazole nitrate (MCNR), an antifungal drug, is used to treat superficial infections. The objective of the current study was to assess the antifungal effectiveness of MCNR-loaded transethosomal gel (MNTG) against Candida albicans in an in vivo rat model. The outcomes were compared with those of the miconazole nitrate gel (MNG) and marketed Daktarin® cream (2%) based on histopathological and hematological studies. The results of the skin irritation test revealed the safety profile of the MNTG. The MNTG demonstrated the greatest antifungal activity in the histological analysis and the visible restoration of the skin, and the rats revealed an apparent evidence of recovery. Compared to the untreated group, the treated group's lymphocyte and white blood cells counts increased, but their eosinophil counts decreased. In conclusion, MNTG exhibited the greatest antifungal activity, which might be connected to the improved skin permeability of the transethosome's nanosized vesicles. Therefore, it could be considered a promising carrier for topical usage and the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis. More clinical research needs to be performed in order to demonstrate its effectiveness and safe usage in humans.

Tocopherol succinate-loaded ethosomal gel synthesized by cold method technique: Deeper biophysical characterizations for translational application on human skin.

BACKGROUND: Tocopherols are well-known antioxidant and moisturizing agent. Tocopherol succinate (TS) are widely used in many skin products especially used in anti-aging and skin whitening product formulation. AIM: We previously reported the successful synthesis and preliminary characterizations of stable TS ethosomal gels (TSEG) (DOI: 10.1111/jocd.14907). Herein, we develop and further characterize TSEG to enhance the stability of the developed formulation with increased permeation through skin. METHODS: Cold method technique was used to prepare TS ethosomes. The developed ethosomal vesicle size was 250 nm, which allowed TS to penetrate through the stratum corneum layer and act on melanocytes. For stability study was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) by placing TSEG and unloaded/control ethosomal gel (CEG) at various temperature conditions, that is, 8°C, 25°C, 40°C, and 40°C ± 75% RH for 3 months. Organoleptic evaluation was done in terms of color, odor, and phase separation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), zeta potential (ZP) and particle size (PS) was used for TSEG physical characterizations. In vitro dissolution and ex-vivo permeation studies (using Franz diffusion cell) were performed for both TSEG and CEG formulations. Human women (N = 34) were used to evaluate in vivo biophysical parameters including erythema, melanin, moisture content, sebum level, and skin elasticity. RESULTS: Developed formulation was highly thermostable during the 3 months. Erythema, melanin, and sebum level decreased while marked improvement (p < 0.05) in moisture content and elasticity have been observed for the developed TSEG. CONCLUSION: The developed TSEG formulation was found to be efficient, safe (no adverse effects observed), stable (at least for 3 months), and easy to use for topical application with improved skin complexation and skin integrity.

Investigation of Pharmacologically Important Polyphenolic Secondary Metabolites in Plant-based Food Samples Using HPLC-DAD.

Polyphenolic compounds are vital components of plants. However, their analysis is particularly difficult and challenging due to their similar chemical and structural properties. In this study, we developed a simple and reproducible HPLC-DAD protocol for determining nineteen pharmacologically important polyphenols in plant-based food samples, including fruits (apple, banana, grapefruit, peach, grapes, plum, and pear), vegetables (onion, cabbage, capsicum, garlic, lemon, tomato, potato, and spinach), and other edible items (corn, kidney beans, green tea, black tea, and turmeric). The reference standards were pooled into four different groups based on logP values and expected retention time to avoid compound co-elution. These developed methods will be useful for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of biologically important polyphenolic compounds in various food samples and botanicals.

Alleviation of cadmium toxicity in pea (Pisum sativum L.) through Zn-Lys supplementation and its effects on growth and antioxidant defense.

Cadmium significantly impacts plant growth and productivity by disrupting physiological, biochemical, and oxidative defenses, leading to severe damage. The application of Zn-Lys improves plant growth while reducing the stress caused by heavy metals on plants. By focusing on cadmium stress and potential of Zn-Lys on pea, we conducted a pot-based study, organized under completely randomized block design CRD-factorial at the Botanical Garden of Government College University, Faisalabad. Both pea cultivars were grown in several concentrations of cadmium @ 0, 50 and 100 µM, and Zn-Lys were exogenously applied @ 0 mg/L and 10 mg/L with three replicates for each treatment. Cd-toxicity potentially reduces plant growth, chlorophyll contents, osmoprotectants, and anthocyanin content; however, an increase in MDA, H2O2 initiation, enzymatic antioxidant activities as well as phenolic, flavonoid, proline was observed. Remarkably, exogenously applied Zn-Lys significantly enhanced the plant growth, biomass, photosynthetic attributes, osmoprotectants, and anthocyanin contents, while further increase in enzymatic antioxidant activities, total phenolic, flavonoid, and proline contents were noticed. However, application of Zn-Lys instigated a remarkable decrease in levels of MDA and H2O2. It can be suggested with recommendation to check the potential of Zn-Lys on plants under cadmium-based toxic soil.

Computational study on the geometry optimization and excited - state properties of riboflavin by ArgusLab 4.0.1.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) belongs to a group of respiratory enzymes that occur widely in animals and plants participating in vital oxidation- reduction processes in the body. A computational study was conducted on riboflavin by ArgusLab 4.0.1 to obtain the most active conformation of riboflavin and to analyze its excited-state properties. The best conformation of riboflavin was found to be -199.2173 kcal/mol which is the minimum potential energy calculated by geometry convergence function by ArgusLab software; performed according to Hartree-Fock calculation method. Electronic transition states (ground and excited), were also calculated and visualized by semi-empirical ZINDO method by ArgusLab from which molecular properties such as energies, wave function and dipole moments were established. All the results obtained from geometry optimization and excited-state properties lead us to delineate the active sites with charged groups of riboflavin to interact with the receptors. Such types of investigations are significant for drug-receptor interactions.

Comparative study of wound infection between elective and emergency abdominal surgeries: a retrospective cohort study.

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of wound infection among patients with abdominal surgeries and to compare the surgical site infection following elective versus emergency abdominal surgeries in a tertiary care hospital. Subjects and methods: All patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria in the Department of General Surgery were included in the study. After taking informed written consent history was taken, clinical examination and patients were divided into two groups: group A (elective abdominal surgery) and group B (emergency abdominal surgery), patients in both groups were compared for the outcome that is surgical site infection. Result: A total of 140 patients who underwent abdominal surgery were included. Wound infection in abdominal surgeries was noted in 26 patients (18.6%), in group A wound infection was noted in 7 (5%), while in group B wound infection was seen in 19 (13.6%). Conclusion: The rate of wound infection in patients with abdominal surgeries was not low among the study population and the rate of wound infection was higher in emergency abdominal surgeries as compared with elective abdominal surgeries.

Development of stable tocopherol succinate-loaded ethosomes to enhance transdermal permeation: In vitro and in vivo characterizations.

BACKGROUND: Tocopherol succinate (TS) represents synthetic derivative of α-tocopherol (vitamin E), it act as anti-aging, moisturizing, and antioxidant. Ultraviolet (UV) photo stability of TS is low, and it cause skin irritation. AIM: To develop tocopherol succinate loaded ethosomal gel for topical TS delivery and to evaluate its moisturizing and anti-aging effects. METHOD: Cold method technique was used to produce ethosomal formulations (N = 9) by varying ethanol and lipid concentrations (F1-F9). The most optimized formulation (F5) was selected for further study on the basis of characterization. F5 Formulation was incorporated into gel. Ex vivo permeation study was done by using Franz diffusion cell. Non-invasive in vivo study was performed using corneometer for the evaluation of skin moisture content and skin mechanical properties by using cutometer, for 12 weeks on human subjects (N = 13). RESULTS: Particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP) and polydispersity index (PDI), Entrapment efficiency were found to be 179.1 nm, -13.7 mV and 0.345, and 99.71%, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) depicted spherical ethosomal particles. Ethosomal gel and control gel were evaluated for conductivity and pH. Rheological analysis revealed a non-Newtonian flow. The release profile showed initial burst and then, sustained release, release data followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model. TS-loaded ethosomal gel appeared physically stable and showed significant results in terms of skin capacitance and mechanical properties. CONCLUSION: The prepared ethosomal gel formulation containing TS is more stable with enhanced antioxidant, moisturizing properties, and increased TS deposition into the skin layer.

Half Minimally Invasive Strabismus Surgery (MISS): A single para-muscular approach to horizontal muscle strabismus surgery.

PURPOSE: Minimally invasive surgeries are gaining popularity. We compared two different approaches to rectus muscles: namely the standard para limbal (SPL) and the single para-muscular (SPM). METHODS: Thirty-six patients planned for monocular horizontal strabismus surgery were block randomized to SPL and SPM approach. SPM approach involved a single para-muscular 10-mm conjunctival incision levelled at the inferior border of rectus muscle. We compared the post-operative grades of redness, congestion, chemosis, foreign body sensation, and drop intolerance at day 1, 2 weeks, and 6-8 weeks; scar visibility and success rates at 6-8 weeks and operation duration in minutes. We compared the results using Mann-Whitney U-test for inflammatory grades, Fisher's exact test for proportions, and t-test for parametric measures. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: On postoperative follow-up at any time point, no significant difference was found on comparing inflammatory grades, scar visibility, and success rates. In terms of duration, SPL approach was on an average 21.5 minutes quicker than SPM (P = <0.001). CONCLUSION: The SPM is comparable to the SPL approach in terms of postoperative comfort and appearance, but takes significantly longer to accomplish.

Formulation and characterization of Anacyclus Pyrethrum Emulgels and its in vitro and in vivo evaluation as cosmeceutical product.

BACKGROUND: Plants containing high phenolic and flavonoids contents used widely as antioxidant agent by reducing skin photo damaging effects and play important role in skin rejuvenating. AIMS: This study was performed to explore the cosmetic effects of Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract and to develop stable oil in water (O/W) emulsion base gel loaded with Anacyclus Pyrethrum 10% extract. OBJECTIVE: To explore and quantify phenols and flavonoids present in Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract and determine its cosmetic effects on human skin. METHOD: Emulgel formulation were developed by mixing o/w emulsion with carbopol gelling agent loaded with Anacyclus Pyrethrum (AP) extract and base gel without AP extract. In vitro study was done for the evaluation of color change, liquefaction, hardness, and pH change at different storage condition for the duration of 12 weeks. For in vivo study, emulgel applied on 13 healthy human volunteer's cheeks to evaluate its cosmetics effects and compared with placebo (base). Facial parameters including skin melanin, redness, sebum, moisture content, and skin elasticity were determined by using mexameter, sebumeter, corneometer, elastometer for the study duration of 12 weeks. RESULTS: Total phenolic content in Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract was 80.04 ± 0.0043 mg GAE/g, and flavonoids were 54.64 ± 0.0076 mg QE/g. Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract found significantly effective in reducing skin photo-damage effects (p ≤ 0.05) as compared base gel. CONCLUSION: Anacyclus Pyrethrum extract being rich source of flavonoid and phenolic content, acts as strong antioxidant to protect skin against photo-damaging effect and improve skin conditions.

Assessment of Brassica oleraceae L. (Brassicaceae) extract loaded ethosomal gel as a versatile vesicular carrier system for dermocosmetic application: A noninvasive split-faced study.

BACKGROUND: Plant extracts with rich ascorbic acid contents have greater antioxidant capability; extensively employed in skin beautifying products and protect skin from detrimental photodamaging environmental effects. Brassica oleraceae is having a substantial prospective toward cosmeceuticals owed by its profound activity against oxidation. AIM: To develop an effective topical ethosomal gel loaded with Brassica oleraceae leaves extract with significant antioxidant activity. METHODOLOGY: Valuation of antioxidant capability of plant leaves extract by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and quantification of ascorbic acid was done through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ethosomes were prepared by cold method. Optimized suspension containing extract was incorporated in 2% Carbopol gel (test) along with extract solution (control). Noninvasive in vivo studies were performed for final product to assess its effects on skin by measuring melanin and erythema, sebum level, elasticity, moistness level, facial pores count and their area, skin wrinkling, and smoothness. RESULTS: Brassica oleraceae (red cabbage) leaves extract exhibited significant antioxidant potential (85.64 ± 1.28%) with 14.22 µg/g of ascorbic acid; expressed prominent cosmetic effects in terms of skin melanin, erythema, sebum, elasticity, hydration, facial pores, wrinkles, and smoothness when incorporated in ethosomes. ANOVA test also exhibited positive significant (p ≤ 0.05) effects on skin. CONCLUSION: Brassica oleraceae extract is a strong antioxidant with remarkable dermocosmetic benefits for skin.

Fabrication of Ethosomes Containing Tocopherol Acetate to Enhance Transdermal Permeation: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Characterizations.

Background: Tocopherol acetate (TA) is known as a skin moisturizing and photoprotective agent. One major drawback with tocopherol and its derivatives remains its limited stability. Aim: To develop highly stable TA-containing ethosomal gel (TAEG) as an advanced dosage form. Methods: A cold method technique was used to produce the ethosomes. An in vitro evaluation of viscosity, conductivity, and pH stability was carried out for three months. An in vitro physical characterization of the nanoparticles (NPs) that included particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis was then performed. Organoleptic evaluation, thermostability at 8 °C, 25 °C, 40 °C and 40 °C ± 75% RH, pH, conductivity, viscosity, and spreadability measurements were also performed in vitro for three months. An ex vivo permeation study was performed in phosphate-buffered solution (1× PBS; pH 5.5 or pH 7.4) at 37 ± 0.2 °C by using rat abdominal skin and the Franz diffusion cell method. The data of three independent experiments were expressed as mean ± SD. A two-way ANOVA was applied to compare data on TAEG versus TA control gel (TACG). Results: PS of the ethosomes was in the range of 144−289 nm. A total of nine formulations were developed. Optimized TAEG formulation (TA-5) was selected based on the highest entrapment efficiency (EE) of 99.71%, while the stability, the PS, and the uniformity-based polydispersity index (PDI) were also among the best. TA-5 exhibited smooth spherical ethosomal NPs with PS of 200.6 nm, ZP value of −18.6 V, and PDI of 0.465. Stability data obtained for TA-5 in terms of rheology, conductivity, and pH presented no significant change (p > 0.05) during the entire study duration. Rheological studies indicated that TA-5 followed a non-Newtonian behavior of shear thinning system. The ex vivo drug permeation was 44.55 ± 0.01% in TA-5 and the drug retention in skin was 51.20%, which was significantly higher than TACG as observed after 24 h permeation study (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The newly developed TAEG formulation appears promising to enhance the effectivity of TA and its topical application.

Diversity and Genetic Structure of Theileria annulata in Pakistan and Other Endemic Sites.

BACKGROUND: Theileria annulata is a tick-borne protozoan parasite responsible for bovine theileriosis, a disease that impacts cattle population in many developing countries. Development and deployment of effective control strategies, based on vaccine or therapy, should consider the extent of diversity of the parasite and its population structure in different endemic areas. In this study, we examined T. annulata in Pakistan and carried out a comparative analysis with similar data garneted in other areas, to provide further information on the level of parasite diversity and parasite genetic structure in different endemic areas. METHODS: The present study examined a set of 10 microsatellites/minisatellites and analyzed the genetic structure of T. annulata in cattle breeds from Pakistan (Indian sub-continent) and compared these with those in Oman (Middle East), Tunisia (Africa), and Turkey (Europe). RESULT: A high level of genetic diversity was observed among T. annulata detected in cattle from Pakistan, comparable to that in Oman, Tunisia, and Turkey. The genotypes of T. annulata in these four countries form genetically distinct groups that are geographically sub-structured. The T. annulata population in Oman overlapped with that in the Indian Subcontinent (Pakistan) and that in Africa (Tunisia). CONCLUSIONS: The T. annulata parasite in Pakistan is highly diverse, and genetically differentiated. This pattern accords well and complements that seen among T. annulata representing the global endemic site. The parasite population in the Arabian Peninsula overlapped with that in the Indian-Subcontinent (India) and that in Africa (Tunisia), which shared some genotypes with that in the Near East and Europe (Turkey). This suggests some level of parasite gene flow, indicative of limited movement between neighboring countries.

Single-snip paralimbal incision: A quick approach to rectus muscles.

INTRODUCTION: Less invasive and quicker surgeries have become common. We compared two conjunctival incisional approaches in strabismus, namely Follow standard paralimbal approach for (SPLA) and single-snip paralimbal (SSPLA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with horizontal strabismus qualifying for uniocular recession-resection surgeries were randomized to SPLA and SSPLA. SSPLA involved a single v-shaped incision, with the apex of the V near the limbus, and the limbs facing away: by pinching up the conjunctiva with a forceps and delivering the single snip with a spring scissors. We compared the postoperative grades of redness, congestion, chemosis, foreign body sensation, and drop intolerance at day 1, 2 weeks, and 6-8 weeks; scar visibility, as yes or no, at 6-8 weeks; success rates, considered to be within 10 prism diopters of orthophoria, at 6-8 weeks; and operation duration in minutes. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney U-test, for inflammatory grades, Chi-square for proportions, and t-test for parametric measures. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: On postoperative day 1, congestion (P = 0.02), foreign-body sensation (P = 0.04), and total inflammatory score (P = 0.003) were statistically significantly favoring the SSPLA group. While at 2 weeks, only congestion (P = 0.02) was found to be significantly less in the SSPLA group. There were no significant differences in the proportions of scar visibility (5/22 in the SPLA vs. 3/22 in the SSPLA) and success rate: 20/22 vs. 18/22. The SSPLA was quicker on an average by 6 min (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval: 3.2-8.7). CONCLUSION: Compared to the SPLA, the SSPLA is quicker and results in lesser inflammation in the immediate postoperative period.

Effect of BaTiO3 on the Properties of PVC-Based Composite Thick Films.

Flexible PVC/BT (Polyvinyl chloride/Barium Titanate) composite thick films with (0-30%) volume fractions of BaTiO3 were fabricated via the solution casting method. The effects of BaTiO3 filler on the phase, microstructure and dielectric properties of composite films were investigated. The XRD results revealed that BT particles are embedded in the PVC matrix with no chemical reaction taking place between the two phases. It was observed that the glass transition temperature of PVC had increased with the addition of BT. The frequency dispersion in the dielectric constant versus temperature curves indicated the relaxor nature of the composites. The dielectric constant (εr) measured at 40 °C, increased from 7.6 for pure PVC to 16.1 for 30% of BaTiO3 content in PVC polymer matrix. It is suggested that BaTiO3 ceramic powder enhanced the dielectric properties of PVC and may be used as a flexible dielectric material.