The underlying mechanism regulating hypoxia induced alteration in female steroid hormones is first time explored in this study. To understand the mechanistic approach, female Sprague- Dawley rats ...were exposed to acute and chronic hypobaric hypoxia (282 mm-Hg, ~7620 m, 6 hours, 3 and 7 days). Estrous cycle, body weight, plasma progesterone and estradiol levels, morphology, histology and two key steroidogenic enzymes: 3ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and 17ß HSD activity of ovary and adrenal gland were studied. A persistent diestrous phase and a significant decrease in body weight were found in chronic hypoxia groups. Histological study suggested degenerative changes in ovarian corpus luteum of 7 days chronic hypobaric hypoxia (7CHH) group and a declined percentage of adrenocortical cells in 3 days chronic hypobaric hypoxia (3CHH) and 7CHH groups. Plasma estradiol level was unaltered, but progesterone level was decreased significantly in all hypoxic groups. Ovarian 3ß HSD activity was decreased significantly with increasing days of hypoxic treatment along with a significantly low adrenal 3ß HSD activity in 7CHH. In conclusion, hypobaric hypoxia causes a state of low circulatory progesterone level in females likely due to the degenerative changes in the female ovarian and adrenal tissues together with low steroidogenic 3ß HSD enzyme activity.
To assess the clinical profile and primary treatment response and outcomes in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) patients.
This study was carried out between December 2013 and January 2019 in a ...tertiary care hospital in North India on 2 years retrospective and 3 years prospective renal biopsy proven patients with IMN presenting with nephrotic syndrome. Basic baseline investigations carried out were urinary proteins, serum albumin, serum creatinine, other special tests wherever necessary or possible (including phospholipase A2 receptor antibodies), and different treatment regimens were offered for treatment. The patients were followed up for a minimum period of 6 months after administration of treatment.
The study was carried out in 120 patients with mean age of 43±14.6 years and male female ratio of 1.65:1. Hypertension was noted in 36%, microscopic hematuria in 13%, and mean 24 hours urinary proteinuria 10.5±3.1 gm. Complete or partial response at 6 months was observed in 57% and 34% cases to cyclophosphamide, 60% and 40% to modified Ponticelli treatment, 81% and 19% to tacrolimus, and 40% and 36% cases to rituximab. Relapse was observed in 6% of cyclophosphamide and 13% in tacrolimus groups.
Our results show a good and comparable response to cyclophosphamide, tacrolimus, and rituximab at 6 months of follow up. The cases which achieved complete remission had significantly lower baseline proteinuria compared to those who did not respond.
Background and Aim
Discrimination of gastrointestinal tuberculosis (GITB) and Crohn's disease (CD) is difficult. Use of artificial intelligence (AI)‐based technologies may help in discriminating ...these two entities.
Methods
We conducted a systematic review on the use of AI for discrimination of GITB and CD. Electronic databases (PubMed and Embase) were searched on June 6, 2022, to identify relevant studies. We included any study reporting the use of clinical, endoscopic, and radiological information (textual or images) to discriminate GITB and CD using any AI technique. Quality of studies was assessed with MI‐CLAIM checklist.
Results
Out of 27 identified results, a total of 9 studies were included. All studies used retrospective databases. There were five studies of only endoscopy‐based AI, one of radiology‐based AI, and three of multiparameter‐based AI. The AI models performed fairly well with high accuracy ranging from 69.6–100%. Text‐based convolutional neural network was used in three studies and Classification and regression tree analysis used in two studies. Interestingly, irrespective of the AI method used, the performance of discriminating GITB and CD did not match in discriminating from other diseases (in studies where a third disease was also considered).
Conclusion
The use of AI in differentiating GITB and CD seem to have acceptable accuracy but there were no direct comparisons with traditional multiparameter models. The use of multiple parameter‐based AI models have the potential for further exploration in search of an ideal tool and improve on the accuracy of traditional models.
Objective: The present study investigates the neuroprotective activity of ethanol extract of Tinospora cordifolia aerial parts against 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) lesion rat model of Parkinson′s ...disease (PD).
Materials and Methods: T. cordifolia ethanol extract (TCEE) was standardized with high performance thin layer chromatography using berberine. Experimental PD was induced by intracerebral injection of 6-OHDA (8 μg). Animals were divided into five groups: sham operated, negative control, positive control (levodopa 6 mg/kg) and two experimental groups (n = 6/group). Experimental groups received 200 and 400 mg/kg of TCEE once daily for 30 days by oral gavage. Biochemical parameters including dopamine level, oxidative stress, complex I activity and brain iron asymmetry ratio and locomotor activity including skeletal muscle co-ordination and degree of catatonia were assessed.
Results: TCEE exhibited significant neuroprotection by increasing the dopamine levels (1.96 ± 0.20 and 2.45 ± 0.40 ng/mg of protein) and complex I activity (77.14 ± 0.89 and 78.50 ± 0.96 nmol/min/mg of protein) at 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively when compared with negative control group. Iron asymmetry ratio was also significantly attenuated by TCEE at 200 (1.57 ± 0.18) and 400 mg/kg (1.11 ± 0.15) when compared with negative control group. Neuroprotection by TCEE was further supported by reduced oxidative stress and restored locomotor activity in treatment groups.
Conclusion: Results show that TCEE possess significant neuroprotection in 6-OHDA induced PD by protecting dopaminergic neurons and reducing the iron accumulation.
The transformation of mature (urbanized) phase of the ancient Indus civilisation between ∼4200 and 3800 years Before Present (yr BP) overlaps with the beginning of the Meghalayan Age (∼4200 ± 100 yr ...BP). Though exact cause(s) for decline of urbanized Indus phase are not yet clear, researchers continue to debate whether monsoonal dryness was the sole cause or several other regional factors manifested in a compounding manner. Here, we show a regional relative sea level fall in the downstream area of Indus habitation (south‐western Gujarat region) which initiated at 4150 ± 230 and continued up to 3625 ± 200 yr BP. We provide a multi‐proxy (chronological, sedimentological, mineralogical, isotopic and elemental abundance) data set from a well‐dated vertical sediment trench from Lothal (ancient dockyard area of Indus era) to support this inference. Chief proxies used for inferring the relative sea level fall were bulk sediment carbon and sulfur contents along with their stable isotopes (δ13C and δ34S) and foraminiferal assemblage. The conspicuous shifts in majority of proxies hint at a lowering of sea stand at the regional level that likely dried this ancient Harappan dockyard (used for sea trade). Findings of our study possess implications for Holocene climate changes and their plausible impact(s) on Harappan trade and culture. Additionally, it invites evidences for large scale geological changes at ∼4200 yr BP distinct to the Meghalayan era.
Plain Language Summary
The Holocene epoch is known for stable climate and advent of organized lifestyle in human habitations. However, this time‐window experienced several abrupt climatic changes at ∼8.2 ka, ∼4.2 ka, Medieval climate warmth, Little Ice age etc. We continue to debate whether these climatic shifts impacted the contemporary human habitations. Geologists have recently rechristened the last 4200 year period as a distinct sub‐stage termed as the Meghalayan Age. The timing of the decline in trade and decentralization of the ancient Indus civilization coincides with the beginning of the Meghalayan Age; this provides an opportunity to revisit geological repositories of this timeframe to assess impact(s) of climate change on human culture. Meghalayan age is known to have begun with recurring monsoonal droughts. We provide here multi‐proxy evidence for a regional fall in coastal southwestern Gujarat (India) area. We posit this regional sea level fall at Lothal (Gujarat) might have adversely impacted ancient maritime Harappan trade and contributed to the declining/decentralizing Indus civilization during the end part of its mature phase.
Key Points
Evidence of seawater withdrawal in the downstream area of Indus habitation (NW India) at the dawn of Meghalayan Age (4150 yr BP)
The lowering of sea stand dried the ancient dockyard at Lothal impeding the ship movement which likely had an adverse impact on trade
Carbon‐sulfur contents, their stable isotopes and foraminiferal assemblage proved to be effective in establishing past sea stand
Abstract
Due to technological advancements, there is tremendous demand for electronic gadgets essential for daily life. These gadgets emit electromagnetic radiation (EMR), harming the health of ...people in regular contact with these gadgets and creating electromagnetic interference (EMI) in neighboring electronic devices. EMI deteriorates the intended functions of the gadgets. Hence, electronic devices require EM radiation shielding. In this context, synthetic polymer composites become alternative materials to metal due to many advantages. However, synthetic polymer composites are non-degradable, and disposal once after usage is problematic. From this point of view, researchers further proposed biodegradable EM radiation shielding materials. In this regard, the advanced status of research on biodegradable EM radiation shielding authors has been presented in recent research reviews in this article. Mainly, the EM radiation shielding mechanisms and different types of bio-degradable EM radiation shielding materials recently developed by various researchers are reported. The salient features of the research review and the scope for further research are also discussed.
Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the rising networking standards that gap between the physical world and the cyber. Energy conservation of IoT devices becomes a fundamental challenge for extending ...the life time of the network. As a solution to this challenge, cluster head selection can be used. This paper intends to adopt a hybrid model with both Moth Flame Optimization and Ant Lion Optimization (ALO) to improve the performance of cluster head selection among IoT devices in WSN–IoT network. The particular simulation approach not only preserves energy of the sensor node by maintaining distance and delay but also balances the temperature and load of IoT devices for attaining the optimal cluster head selection in WSN–IoT network. Further, it compares the performance of the proposed hybrid model over the traditional models like Artificial Bee Colony, Genetic Algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization, Gravitational Search Algorithm, ALO, MFO and Adaptive GSA. The simulation analysis considers the convergence, sustainability of alive nodes, normalized energy, load, and temperature. Thus the proposed simulation results are more efficient for prolonging the life time of the network.
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•Simple Green Chemistry route were employed to synthesize NiO NPs with Limonia acidissima fruit juice.•NiO NPs shows good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of carcinogenic ...dye such as methylene blue.•Antioxidant bioactivity of the NiO NPs has an ability to scavenge reactive O and N species.•NiO NPs could inhibit tumor cell invasion and metastasis by angiogenesis studies.•Electrochemical sensing property to detect trace amount of DA with the LOD of 11 µM.
In this work, NiO nanoparticles (NPs) have been effectively synthesized by a simple, efficient and cost effective method using limonia accidissima natural fruit juice as a novel fuel. The synthesized NPs were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, UV-DRS, SEM-EDAX, TEM and PL studies. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the cubic structured NiO with average crystallite size of 13, 21, 20, 12 and 10 nm. The band at 430 cm−1 in FT-IR indicates the stretching mode of the Ni-O bond. The band gap of the material was found to be 3.4 eV. SEM and TEM analysis reveals that the morphologies are spherical in shape and having the particle size about 20–25 nm. Surface defects were studied by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activities of the synthesised NPs were used to degrade methylene blue dye. The in-depth antioxidant activity of synthesized NPs were analysed by DPPH, ferrous ion and hydroxyl radical methods. Anti angiogenic activity was examined by CAM assay. Finally, NiO NPs were used for the electrochemical sensing of dopamine (DA), which is able to sense up to the detection limit of 11 μM.
Cracks and cavities belong to two basic forms of damage to the concrete structure, which may reduce the load-bearing capacity and tightness of the structure and lead to failures and catastrophes in ...construction structures. One of the most prevalent faults in concrete constructions is cracking, which, if left unchecked, can greatly diminish the longevity of the building. For the past few years, scientists have worked to understand the complex mechanics behind concrete cracking. It has been found that the primary initiators of plastic cracking include surface finishing, capillary action, bleeding, evaporation, and settlement of solid particles. A number of techniques and measurements have been developed to measure the influence of the various processes that result in concrete shrinkage and cracking. Cracking due to shrinkage and plastic segregation are now also referred to as plastic cracking. Numerous cracking prevention techniques have been suggested, such as fogging, using fewer particles, and using fibres. This cutting-edge study updates the significant growth of research on the subject to what is currently considered cutting-edge and state-of-the-art.
Nicotine is a highly addictive alkaloid and a neurostimulator found in tobacco that causes addiction in humans and makes tobacco a high-demand commercial product. It is popularly used for ...recreational purposes and is a harmful substance (Oral LD
value for rat is 50 mg/kg) and causes addiction. The metabolites of nicotine such as the Tobacco-specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs) are hazardous substances whose metabolites are highly electrophilic and form DNA adducts, which will initiate the process of carcinogenesis. TSNAs are formed during curing, storage and fermentation due to the nitrosation of nicotine and other tobacco alkaloids. TSNAs are used as biomarkers for cancer risk assessment in humans exposed to tobacco and its products. To determine the occasional formation of TSNAs in tobacco-feeding insects, 5th instar larvae of Spodoptera litura and their faeces were analyzed for the presence of N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) along with the stored tobacco leaves (PT-76) using an Agilent 6470B LC-MS/MS system following ISO/DIS 19290:2015 protocol. The larvae are extracted in a buffered acetonitrile-water extraction and the amount of TSNAs are quantified in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. 20 Formula: see textl of each extracted and cleaned up sample was injected into the LC-MS/MS system for quantification. The Limit of Detection (LOD) and Limit of Quantification (LOQ) were 0.001 mg/kg and 0.005 mg/kg for all the tested nitrosamines. NNN was found to be 0.361 mg/kg, 0.340 mg/kg, and 5.66 mg/kg in insect whole-body samples, faeces, and tobacco leaves, respectively. NNK was found to be 0.060 mg/kg, 0.035 mg/kg and 0.93 mg/kg in insect whole body samples, faeces and tobacco leaves, respectively. However, NNAL was not detected in both the insect's whole body and faeces. Recoveries ranged between 95 and 98% for all compounds when spiked at LOD and LOQ. The presence of TSNAs is a biomarker for cancer risk and their presence in insects would point to cancer risk assessment in tobacco feeding insects and any possible TSNA-detoxifying pathways in insects that might prevent mutagenesis caused these compounds.
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