In Vitro Evaluation of marginal adaptation of polyether ether ketone and zirconia copings.

Background: Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) has emerged as a new thermoplastic material with potential applications as a restorative material. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the marginal adaptation of PEEK copings compared to zirconia copings using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Materials and Methods: A freshly extracted maxillary central incisor was prepared for a full-coverage restoration following standard principles of tooth preparation. The tooth was sent to a laboratory for fabrication of samples using computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Twenty samples of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) copings (group A) and 20 of zirconia copings were fabricated (group B). The copings were scanned under a field emission scanning electron microscope and measurements were taken at four distinct points. The marginal adaptation over the buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal margins for both groups was evaluated. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t test were applied. Results: Our findings indicate that PEEK showed better marginal adaptation than zirconia at all measurement points. The mean marginal gap value of the PEEK group was 33.99 ± 8.81 µm and of the zirconia group was 56.21 ± 15.07 µm. On comparing marginal adaptation among the mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual aspects, PEEK showed better adaptation on all four margins, with the best adaptation on the buccal margin that had the lowest mean gap value of 29.27 ± 6.07 µm. The zirconia group adapted best at the distal margin, with a lowest mean gap value of 53.58 ± 15.25 µm (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: PEEK copings had better marginal adaptation and fit compared to zirconia copings. It may have applications as a restorative material in fixed prostheses.

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Potential of Liver Aminotransferases and Alkaline Phosphatase in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases.

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. Early diagnosis with the best diagnostic marker is highly desired for the prevention and timely treatment of CVDs. However, there is still a dearth of an ideal marker for the detection of CVDs. Objective To explore the diagnostic potential of liver aminotransferases (AST and ALT), and alkaline phosphatase for the diagnosis of CVDs without liver involvement. Method This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 200 adult patients with CVDs, who visited the cardiology and emergency units of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. The study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2020. The baseline data on family history, anthropometry, baseline biochemical parameters, liver enzymes, and cardiac biomarkers were collected using standard and validated methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and MedCalc software 2021. Result The diagnostic sensitivity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were 53.7%, 52.6%, and 33.7% and specificity were 99%, 90%, and 90% respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of AST, ALT, and ALP were 0.78, 0.73, and 0.52 respectively. ROC curve indicated that serum AST and ALT activity was a better reliable marker than the serum ALP activities. Conclusion Our study suggests that serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase but not alkaline phosphatase could have some diagnostic potential to diagnose the risk of CVDs. However, they could not replace the currently adopted cardiac biomarkers such as cTnI and CK-MB.

Association of Anthropometric Parameters with Lipid Profile among Adult Population of Kaski District, Nepal.

Background Anthropometric parameters of individuals are good at predicting functional impairment, mortality, and future cardiometabolic diseases. The relationship between anthropometric parameters and lipid profiles have been studied in different parts of the world. But to date, no such studies have been conducted in Nepal. Objective To investigate the association between anthropometric parameters and lipid profile in the adult population of Kaski district, Nepal. Method This study was carried out at Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal. The fasting lipid profiles were analyzed in a total of 400 subjects aged > 18 years with an automated OCD Vitros 350 dry chemistry analyzer. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the normality of the data. The mean values of fasting lipids were compared within the subjects with different body mass index groups using ANOVA and waist circumference, waist-hip ratios, waist-height ratios, and neck circumference using independent samples t-test. The anthropometric indices evaluated were body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, waist-height ratio, head circumference, neck circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference. Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis were performed to identify the association between the lipid profile and anthropometric parameters. The difference was considered statistically significant when p values (two-tailed) were < 0.050. Result The mean values of the serum lipid parameters other than high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were found to be higher in the subjects with an above than normal BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, waist-height ratio, and neck circumference. Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis showed that waistheight ratio best predicts serum triglycerides (ß=0.622, p < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ß=-0.711, p < 0.001) among all measured anthropometric parameters. Conclusion Among all the studied anthropometric parameters, the WHtR was found to be the most powerful predictor of serum triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Distribution of peripheral lesions identified by mydriatic ultra-wide field fundus imaging in diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To analyze the distribution of diabetic retinopathy (DR) lesions in an Indian population using ultra-wide field (UWF) fundus imaging. METHODS: Seven hundred fifteen subjects (1406 eyes) with diabetic retinopathy in India were enrolled in this multicenter, prospective, observational study using UWF pseudocolor imaging with Optos Daytona Plus (Optos plc, Dunfermline, Scotland, UK). Images were transmitted to Doheny Image Reading Center, Los Angeles, CA, for grading. The ETDRS grid was overlaid on stereographic projections of UWF images, and images were graded independently by 2 masked graders. Lesion distribution was graded as predominantly central (PCL) or predominantly peripheral (PPL) according to previous criteria, considering both lesion number and area. An image was graded as PPL if > 50% of the lesion area was seen in at least one peripheral field as compared with the corresponding ETDRS field. Diabetic retinopathy severity was also assessed based on the International Classification of Diabetic Retinopathy (ICDR) grading scale. The main outcome measures were lesion distribution (PPL versus PCL): overall and within specific fields in eyes with various grades of DR. RESULTS: Lesion distribution was rated to be PPL in 37% of eyes and PCL in 63% of eyes (P < 0.003). The frequency of a PPL distribution varied significantly across all ICDR severity levels, with frequencies of mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR) (30.9%), moderate NPDR (40.3%), severe NPDR (38.5%) and PDR (34.9%), P = 0.005. When assessing which individual fields were rated to show a PPL distribution, the frequency was greatest in field 4 and least in field 7. For any grade of DR, temporal fields showed the greatest PPL frequency, followed in order by the superior, inferior, and nasal fields (P < 0.001). Only 3.5% of eyes showed PPL distribution in all five peripheral fields. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of the UWF images showed a PPL distribution in this cohort with the temporal quadrant having the widest distribution of PPL. As the PPL distribution varied significantly between various grades of DR, UWF imaging may prove to be important for screening of referral warranted retinopathy.

Light scattering by subwavelength Cu2O particles.

Novel metamaterials with new capabilities to manipulate light may be used by considering basic building blocks with new optical properties. This is the case with resonant magneto-dielectric particles. In this work, the resonant response of a high-dielectric Cu2O subwavelength particle is analyzed, both analytically and experimentally. The emergence of electric and magnetic resonances and their interferential effects, producing directional behaviors, can be used in a new generation of metamaterials, as well as new integrated optical devices.

Observation of the de Vries behavior in SmA* phase of a liquid crystal using polarised Raman scattering and infrared spectroscopy.

Two approaches exist in the literature for describing the orientational distribution function (ODF) of the molecular directors in SmA* phase of liquid crystals, though several models are recently proposed in the literature for explaining the de Vries behaviour. These ODFs correspond to either the conventional unimodal arrangements of molecular directors arising from the mean field theory that leads to the broad or sugar-loaf like distribution or to the "diffuse-cone-shaped" type distribution proposed by de Vries. The hypothesis by de Vries provides for a realistic explanation as to how at a molecular level, a first-order SmA* to SmC* transition can occur where the uniform molecular director azimuthal distributions condense to values lying within a narrow range of angles; finally these condense to a single value while at the same time ensuring a little or no concomitant shrinkage in the layer spacing. The azimuthal distribution of the in-layer directors is probed using IR and polarized Raman spectroscopic techniques. The latter allows us to obtain the ODF and the various order parameters for the uniaxial and the biaxial phases. Based on the results of these measurements, we conclude that the "cone-shaped" (or volcano-shaped) de Vries type of distribution can most preferably describe SmA* where "a first-order phase transition from SmA* to SmC*" and a low layer shrinkage can both be easily explained.

Systematically Optimized Ketoprofen-Loaded Novel Proniosomal Formulation for Periodontitis: In Vitro Characterization and In Vivo Pharmacodynamic Evaluation.

Various preclinical/clinical studies support the effectiveness of ketoprofen in periodontitis; however, the literature reveals that novel delivery systems have been less explored for the drug in periodontitis. The current investigation aims to explore the potential of a pro-vesicular approach-based proniosomal drug delivery of ketoprofen for its effectiveness and validation in experimental periodontal disease (EPD). Formulations were developed using I-optimal mixture design. Developed formulations were characterized for entrapment efficiency, vesicle size, and in vitro drug release. Selected proniosomal gels were evaluated for mucoadhesiveness, ex vivo drug permeation, and retention studies. Optimized proniosomal gel was evaluated for surface morphology, rheological behavior, texture studies, and pharmacodynamic activity in EPD. The results showed that ketoprofen-loaded proniosomal formulations formed a mucoadhesive hydrogel comprising spherical and flexible vesicles. Viscosity and texture studies showed good adhesion and smoothness, which are desired for enhanced permeation. The disease condition was improved with preserved bone resorption process, that too with intact cementum vis-à-vis marketed gel formulation, when evaluated in the EPD model. The results lead to the conclusion that proniosomes can act as a promising carrier and can be effectively used for improved ketoprofen delivery in periodontal pockets.

Protective role of diet supplements Spirulina and Tamarind fruit pulp on kidney in sodium fluoride exposed Swiss albino mice: Histological and biochemical indices.

Fluoride toxicity through potable water, particularly ground water, is not uncommon in countries such as India, China, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, parts of Africa and Afghanistan. Kidney being the main organ involved in fluoride removal, it accumulates considerable amount of fluoride. Here, we report toxic effects of oral exposure of Swiss albino mice to fluoride (sub-acute: 190 mg/kg body wt. for 7 days; and sub-chronic: 94 mg/kg body wt. for 90 days) and recovery of sub-chronic fluoride exposed mice after 90 days of sodium fluoride (NaF) withdrawal. The role of diet supplements (Spirulina and tamarind fruit pulp @ 230 mg/kg body wt. independently as well as in combination) in amelioration of fluoride toxicity has also been screened. Compared with controls, feed intake decreased from 3-43%, body wt. 4-18%, and kidney wt. 5-12% in treated mice (except diet supplement groups of sub-chronic exposure) while their water intake increased from 4-43%. Histopathological changes in the cortical region of kidney in fluoride treated mice were as follows: dilation of bowman's capsule and thickening of its parietal and visceral layer; alterations in glomeruli size and their sclerotization; increase in bowman's space; proliferation of mesangial cells; reduction in podocyte counts; and dilation of proximal and distal tubules. Fluoride exposure altered tissue biochemistry (protein, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase content) and increased urea (23-58%) and creatinine content (14-127%) in the serum. Sub-acute exposure was found more toxic. The diet modulation not only reduced fluoride toxicity but also led to better recovery of treated mice after withdrawal, especially in combination.

Detection of dengue virus in individual Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Delhi, the capital city of India, has so far witnessed several outbreaks of dengue fever since 1967 (last one reported in 2013). Improved virological and entomological surveillance are the only tools that can help in prevention of dengue as well as in the development of dengue control programmes. The aim of the study was to conduct a prospective field study to detect dengue virus in adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes collected from various localities represented by different socioeconomic groups in Delhi. METHODS: The study areas were selected and categorized into high, medium and low income groups on the basis of socioeconomical characteristics of the resident population, where dengue cases were reported during the past three years by MCD. Dengue viral infection was detected in the head squash of each adult mosquito by immunofluorescent assay (IFA) employing monoclonal antibodies against dengue virus (DENV). A total of 2408 females and 1206 males of Ae. aegypti were collected and tested by IFA. RESULTS: Out of 2408 Ae. aegypti females, 14 were found positive, with minimum infection rate (MIR) of 5.8 per 1000 mosquitoes. Among the 18 study areas, 11 localities were found positive for dengue virus infection. Low income group (LIG) areas showed highest mosquito infectivity (9.8), followed by medium income group (MIG), i.e. 6.2; while least was observed in high income group (HIG), i.e. 1.3. No vertical transmission of dengue virus could be detected in 1206 Ae. aegypti males collected. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The study concludes that there was high MIR in the identified localities of low and medium income groups. Estimation of MIR in a female Aedes mosquito in the existing arsenals for dengue surveillance would be an added advantage for early warning of dengue outbreak. The presence of infected mosquitoes in identified localities of Delhi was alarming and require rigorous vector surveillance so that the severe outbreaks can be prevented.

Control of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, the vectors of dengue and chikungunya, by using pheromone C21 with an insect growth regulator: Results of multicentric trials from 2007-12 in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Aedes mosquito control has gained much importance nowadays in view of rise in number of reported cases of dengue and chikungunya in India and other countries. In the present study, C21 attracticide (containing a pheromone and an insect growth regulator­IGR, developed by Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior, India was tested for its feasibility for surveillance and control of Aedes mosquito in a multicentric mode from October 2007 to June 2012 in urban (Delhi, and Bengaluru district, Karnataka) and suburban (Alappuzha district, Kerala) settings of the country in three phases. METHODS: Across the randomly selected households in each study area, two to four containers treated with attracticide (experimental) and untreated (control) were placed and monitored by trained surveillance workers on weekly/ fortnightly basis for determining the presence of eggs, larvae and pupae. Container positivity, percent larvae, egg and pupae collected were determined during different phases and analyzed statistically using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Container positivity was found statistically significant at Bengaluru and Alappuzha, Kerala while in Delhi, it was found non-significant. Eggs collected from experimental containers were significantly higher in comparison to control at all the locations except Delhi. Also larvae collected from control containers were significantly higher at all the locations except Bengaluru. Pupae collected from control containers remained significantly higher at all the locations as no pupal formation was recorded from experimental containers. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The use of C21 attracticide hampered pupal formation, thus inhibiting adult population in the study areas. The study established that C21 attracticide was efficacious in the field conditions and has potential for use in surveillance and management of dengue and chikungunya mosquitoes.

Liver dysfunction in alcoholics in Western Nepal.

To estimate liver function tests in patients with alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis and to compare the levels of enzymes between the groups. A hospital based case control study was carried out at Nepalgunj Medical College, Nepal from January 2013 to June 2013. A total of 150 alcoholic associated liver disorders patients aged between 20-70 years and 50 sex age matched normal healthy controls were taken to assess liver function tests (LFTs) by measuring Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) & Albumin. The mean±SD of liver function tests (LFTs) of patients of alcoholic fatty liver disease is highest followed by alcoholic hepatitis patients. All the 3 groups of alcoholic associated liver disorders patients when compared to normal healthy control subjects showed statistically significant increase in the levels of AST (p<0.000), ALT (p<0.000), ALP (p<0.006), GGT (p<0.000), & Albumin (p<0.000). Liver function tests values for alcoholic associated liver disorders patients when compared to the healthy control subjects was significantly altered.

Prediction of DDoS attacks in agriculture 4.0 with the help of prairie dog optimization algorithm with IDSNet.

Integrating cutting-edge technology with conventional farming practices has been dubbed "smart agriculture" or "the agricultural internet of things." Agriculture 4.0, made possible by the merging of Industry 4.0 and Intelligent Agriculture, is the next generation after industrial farming. Agriculture 4.0 introduces several additional risks, but thousands of IoT devices are left vulnerable after deployment. Security investigators are working in this area to ensure the safety of the agricultural apparatus, which may launch several DDoS attacks to render a service inaccessible and then insert bogus data to convince us that the agricultural apparatus is secure when, in fact, it has been stolen. In this paper, we provide an IDS for DDoS attacks that is built on one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (IDSNet). We employed prairie dog optimization (PDO) to fine-tune the IDSNet training settings. The proposed model's efficiency is compared to those already in use using two newly published real-world traffic datasets, CIC-DDoS attacks.

Vortex Motions in the Solar Atmosphere: Definitions, Theory, Observations, and Modelling.

Vortex flows, related to solar convective turbulent dynamics at granular scales and their interplay with magnetic fields within intergranular lanes, occur abundantly on the solar surface and in the atmosphere above. Their presence is revealed in high-resolution and high-cadence solar observations from the ground and from space and with state-of-the-art magnetoconvection simulations. Vortical flows exhibit complex characteristics and dynamics, excite a wide range of different waves, and couple different layers of the solar atmosphere, which facilitates the channeling and transfer of mass, momentum and energy from the solar surface up to the low corona. Here we provide a comprehensive review of documented research and new developments in theory, observations, and modelling of vortices over the past couple of decades after their observational discovery, including recent observations in H α , innovative detection techniques, diverse hydrostatic modelling of waves and forefront magnetohydrodynamic simulations incorporating effects of a non-ideal plasma. It is the first systematic overview of solar vortex flows at granular scales, a field with a plethora of names for phenomena that exhibit similarities and differences and often interconnect and rely on the same physics. With the advent of the 4-m Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and the forthcoming European Solar Telescope, the ongoing Solar Orbiter mission, and the development of cutting-edge simulations, this review timely addresses the state-of-the-art on vortex flows and outlines both theoretical and observational future research directions.

Androgen action in the prostate gland.

The embryonic development, growth and maturation of the prostate relies on androgens, the male sex steroids, acting through their cognate receptor, the androgen receptor (AR). This dependence on androgens continues in adult life, where AR signaling remains necessary for the maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of the prostate gland. Moreover, AR action contributes to the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa), which is the most common malignancy in Western men. Androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs) that interfere with ligand activation of AR to prevent expression of AR target genes and androgen action on target cells have been the standard therapy for locally advanced or recurrent PCa for 7 decades. While they initially induce remission, ADTs are not curative and eventually PCa recurs as castration-recurrent (CR) disease, which is invariably lethal. Despite low levels of circulating androgens, CR PCa cell proliferation still relies on a functional AR. Recently, new insights into the cellular processes and determinants that regulate AR action, including intraprostatic androgen metabolism, AR structure and function, a novel role for well-known tumor suppressors and oncogenes in the control of AR transcriptional output, unexpected non-transcriptional roles for AR, and the identification of distinct modes of androgen-dependent gene expression, have enhanced markedly our understanding of the AR-dependent events that contribute to progression to the lethal stage of PCa. Here, we provide a general overview of androgen action in prostate (cancer), summarize these novel concepts in AR action and discuss their implications for the optimization of therapeutic intervention in PCa.

Comparison of lipid profile in type-2 obese diabetics and obese non-diabetic individuals. a hospital based study from Western Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Type-2 diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease and risk of coronary disease is three to four fold increased in patients with diabetes compared with non-diabetic population and 60-80% 0f type-2 diabetics are obese. METHODS: This study was conducted in Nepalgunj Teaching Hospital, Kohalpur, Banke, Nepal, between 1st March, 2011 and 28th February, 2012. A total of 150 samples were taken to assess the lipid profile in type-2 diabetic patients associated with obesity and 25 obese controls for their lipid profile. Venous blood samples were taken from all the subjects in the morning after fasting overnight. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy, chronic infectious disease, heart failure; renal failure and drug allergy were confirmed from the subject's personal physician report and a detailed history. The data was analyzed using Excel 2003, R 2.8.0 Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows Version 16.0 (SPSS Inc; Chicago, IL, USA) and the EPI Info 3.5.1 Windows Version. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of diabetic patients with obesity was 53.76± 6.23 while the mean ± SD age of control was 49.61 ± 4.8. Out of 150 patients 105 (70%) were males and 45 (30%) were females. Among control subjects 16 (64%) were males and 9 (36%) were females. Obese type-2 diabetic patients when compared to obese control subjects showed statistically significant increase in the levels of serum total cholesterol (p < 0.001), serum triglycerides (p < 0.001), serum LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) while serum HDL-cholesterol levels did not show statistically significant difference in the two group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed obese diabetic individuals have dyslipidemia and more prone to develop cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of Integrated Fuzzy Logic PID Controller on Satellite Antenna Tracking System.

An electrical device that transforms the electricity into the waves of radio and vice versa is termed the antenna. Its main deployment is in the transmitter and receiver of the antenna. While transmission, the transmitter of radio at the extremities of the antenna furnishes the electricity which oscillates at the frequency of radio wave and energy is released as current as em waves. Some of the voltage is formed from the em wave that is invaded at the point of receiving to amplify the receiver. This study focuses on the analysis of the satellite system to aid in mobile antenna tracking. It also examines the techniques for fuzzy control which make up traditional networks that are used. Initially, a basic idea of tracking loops with stabilized antennas was suggested in light of the requirement for the margin of phase and bandwidth. If the gain of the track is reduced due to changes in attributes and throughput, it will be reduced. In addition, fuzzy regulators and PID constituents are used to enhance the loop. The results indicate that the higher and lower antenna tracking gains within the loop were the best fit and the loop's fluctuations are reduced. A controller based on fuzzy logic can be most efficient due to its simplicity and robustness. It is also discovered that fuzzy logic controllers are evaluated by their behavior in relation. This paper presents an evaluation of the controllers in fuzzy logic, which is based on its integration with conventional controllers. There are three gains in PID's regulator PID and every gain can be used to control the variables of inputs and outcomes. The effects of the responses were analyzed and were compared. The commonality was discovered in the results according to the increase in time for II/6 and II/3 based on PID's regulator PID stability, it can be improved by this system, and there is a reduction in the duration of stability. Furthermore, the period of stability may be reduced through the fusion of PID and fuzzy. The effectiveness of the system could be enhanced by the implementation of the neural network. It is also possible to design the two types of control that could be used to control the proposed solid platform.

Study of betasatellite molecule from leaf curl disease of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) in India.

Leaves of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) showing geminiviral symptoms were collected from Lucknow, India during rainy season in 2008. DNA template isolated from the symptomatic leaf tissues were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers to amplify coat protein (CP) gene of DNA-A as well as betasatellite DNA associated with the leaf curl disease. CP gene showed 97% sequence identity with that of Cotton leaf curl Burewala virus (CLCuBwV). Further, the betasatellite DNA molecule revealed sequence similarity with previously characterized betasatellite DNA of begomoviruses affecting malvaceous crops from different regions of India and Pakistan. Maximum similarity (>90%) of betasatellite DNA under study was observed with Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB-[Pak: Mul17:08) and other betasatellite DNA from Pakistan thus confirming possible infection of C. juncea with begomovirus. A complementary sense open reading frame (ORF) ßC1 is present at nucleotide position 194-550. Sequence comparison of this ORF with other members of begomoviruses further confirmed association of a begomovirus with C. juncea. The betasatellite DNA when expressed under the control of CaMV35S promoter Nicotiana tabacum, showed leaf deformities. Our results demonstrated that a malvaceous betasatellite is adapted by a nonmalvaceous host and causes similar disease symptoms.

Toxic effects of oral administration of extracts of dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (Malvaceae).

The effects of a 90-day oral administration of water and alcohol extracts of dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa were evaluated in albino rats. Haematological, biochemical and histopathological changes were monitored every 30 days.The death of the animals was preceded by a severe loss in weight, accompanied with diarrhoea in animals on the 2000 mg/kg dose. There was an increase in food intake (g) per kg body weight per day in the aqueous (A) and ethanol (E) 300 mg/kg extract groups. Significant reductions in the erythrocyte count with no difference in total leucocyte count were observed. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was enhanced by the administration of aqueous and 50% ethanol extract with a significant increase in its level at higher doses (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine levels were significantly affected by all the extracts at the different dose levels. However, aqueous extracts exhibited a significant increase in creatinine levels (p < 0.05) at higher doses. The cholesterol levels were generally not significantly affected by the extracts. No significant histopathological changes were observed, although there was a significant reduction in the weight of the spleen of the animals administered with ethanol and water extracts when compared with the control (p < 0.01). Other organs were of the same relative weight.

Modified technique of endocapsular lens aspiration for severely subluxated lenses.

PurposeSeverely subluxated crystalline lenses pose a difficult situation to anterior segment surgeons and can only be managed surgically by removal of the lens as well as the capsular bag. Several techniques have been described in literature for the management of such cases. We describe a modified technique of endocapsular lens aspiration by the limbal route for lens extraction through small incisions on the cornea.Patients and methodsThirty-two eyes of 16 consecutive patients with severely subluxated crystalline lenses were recruited in the study. All eyes underwent a modified technique of lens aspiration within the capsular bag using a single instrument, vitrectomy cutter, and irrigation cannula, followed by sacrificing of the capsular bag. The patients were either left aphakic or implanted with an open loop anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL Kelman Multiflex) and prospectively followed up for a period of 3 months.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 9 years 3 months±3 years (range 5-15 yrs). All eyes underwent complete lens aspiration within the capsular bag with no dislocation of the lens matter. ACIOL was inserted in 22 eyes (68.7%) and 10 eyes (31.2%) were left aphakic. All the surgeries were uneventful. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 3 months post surgery was 0.47±0.11 logMAR which was significantly better than pre-operative BCVA (P=0.001). The percentage endothelial cell loss at 3 months was 7.1%. There was no evidence of glaucoma, corneal decompensation, or retinal detachment. The astigmatism which increased from 1.45D±086 preoperatively to 3.76D±2.02 1 week post-operatively due to sutures reduced to 1.97D±0.81 post suture removal at 3 months.ConclusionThe modified technique of endocapsular lens aspiration proves to be a simple and effective method of removal of the lens-capsular bag complex in severely subluxated lenses.

Impact of collected sunlight on ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles for photocatalytic application.

In the present investigation, a series of zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized using a facile, reproducible and scalable chemical co-precipitation route for sunlight assisted photocatalytic degradation application. In the present work, we have prepared ZnFe2O4 with 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 M ratio of zinc chloride and ferric chloride respectively. This work reports the photodegradation of organic methylene blue dye molecules using ZnFe2O4 under both normal sunlight, and collected sunlight. Among other annealing temperatures, particularly the ZnFe2O4 annealed at 600 °C with a molar ratio of 1:3 showed the highest photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. Interestingly close to 99% degradation in less than 60 min of collected sunlight illumination has been achieved indicating maximum photocatalytic activity under investigation. This expounding study will open new way of light harvesting in the field of photocatalysis which is different from common praxis.