Abstract The objective of the present study was to assess the neuroprotective role of rutin (vitamin P) and delineate the mechanism of action. Recent evidence indicates that rutin exhibits ...antioxidant potential and protects the brain against various oxidative stressors. More precisely, the aim of the present study was to examine the modulating impacts of rutin against cognitive deficits and oxidative damage in intracerebroventricular-streptozotocin (ICV-STZ)–infused rats. Rats were injected bilaterally with ICV-STZ (3 mg/kg), whereas sham rats received the same volume of vehicle. After 2 weeks of streptozotocin (STZ) infusion, rats were tested for cognitive performance using Morris water maze tasks and thereafter euthanized for further biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical studies. Rutin pretreatment (25 mg/kg, orally, once daily for 3 weeks) significantly attenuated thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), activity of poly ADP-ribosyl polymerase, and nitrite level and decreased level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of its dependent enzymes (glutathione peroxidase GPx and glutathione reductase GR) and catalase in the hippocampus of ICV-STZ rats. ICV-STZ rats showed significant cognitive deficits, which was improved significantly by rutin supplementation. The results indicate that rutin attenuates STZ-induced inflammation by reducing the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), interleukin-8 (IL-8), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor-kB, and preventing the morphological changes in hippocampus. The study thereby suggests the effectiveness of rutin in preventing cognitive deficits and might be beneficial for the treatment of sporadic dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT).
Summary
Chronic urticaria (CU) affects about 1% of the world population of all ages, mostly young and middle‐aged women. It usually lasts for several years (> 1 year in 25–75% of patients) and often ...takes > 1 year before effective management is implemented. It presents as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU) or both in the same person. More than 25% of cases are resistant to H1‐antihistamines, even at higher doses, and third‐ and fourth‐line therapies (omalizumab and ciclosporin) control the disease only in two‐thirds of H1‐antihistamine‐resistant patients. Here we review the impact of CU on different aspects of patients’ quality of life and the burden of this chronic disease for the patient and society. CU may have a strong impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), particularly when CSU is associated with angio‐oedema and/or CIndU (Dermatology Life Quality Index > 10 in 30% of patients). Comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, which are present in more than 30% of patients with CSU, compound HRQoL impairment. Severe pruritus and the unpredictable occurrence of weals and angio‐oedema are responsible for sleep disorders; sexual dysfunction; limitations on daily life, work and sports activities; interfering with life within the family and in society; and patients’ performance at school and work (6% absenteeism and 25% presenteeism). Apart from treatment costs, with annual values between 900 and 2400 purchasing power parity dollars (PPP$) in Europe and the USA, CU is associated with a high consumption of medical resources and other indirect costs, which may reach a total annual cost of PPP$ 15 550.
Plain language summary available online
Aim
Our study's objectives were to study the clinical and laboratory characteristics that may serve as biomarkers for predicting disease severity, IL-10 levels, and frequencies of different T cell ...subsets in comorbid COVID-19 patients.
Methods
Sixty-two hospitalized COVID-19 patients with comorbidities were assessed clinically and radiologically. Blood samples were collected to assess the T lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry and IL-10 levels by ELISA.
Results
The most common comorbidities observed in COVID-19 patients were diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and malignancies. Common symptoms and signs included fever, cough, dyspnea, fatigue, myalgia, and sore throat. CRP, ferritin, D dimer, LDH, urea, creatinine, and direct bilirubin were significantly increased in patients than controls. Lymphocyte count and CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells were significantly decreased in comorbid COVID-19 patients, and CD25 and CD45RA expression were increased. CD4+ and CD8+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and IL-10 levels were significantly decreased in patients.
Conclusions
Many parameters were found to be predictive of severity in the comorbid patients in our study. Significant reductions in the levels and activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells were found. In addition, CD4+ and CD8+ Tregs were significant decreased in patients, probably pointing to a prominent role of CD8+ Tregs in dampening CD4+ T-cell activation.
Sol-gel technique is used to synthesize as-grown zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron-nickel (Fe-Ni) co-doped ZnO thin films deposited on glass substrates using dip coating technique. The structural properties ...and crystal imperfections of as-prepared thin films are investigated. We performed the structural analysis of films using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD analysis reveal that the as-prepared films exhibit wurtzite structure. Furthermore, XRD-line profile analysis is performed to study the correlation between structural properties and imperfections of the nanocomposite thin films. The crystallite size and microstrains parameters are predicted using the Williamson-Hall method. We found that the crystallites size increases as the co-doped (Fe-Ni) concentration is increased. However, microstrains of the nanocomposite films decreases as (Fe-Ni) concentration is increased. The optical properties of the (Fe-Ni) co-doped nanocomposite films are investigated by performing UV-Vis (250 nm-700 nm) spectrophotometer measurements. We found that as the (Fe-Ni) concentration level is steadily increased, transmittance of the undoped ZnO thin films is decreased. Remarkably, refractive index of undoped ZnO thin films is found to exhibit values extending from 1.55 to1.88 that would increase as (Fe-Ni) concentration is increased.
Polyethylene oxide‐poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEO‐PEDOT) nanocomposite films ‐ incorporated with NiZnFeO4 nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited using a dip‐coating technique. X‐ray diffraction ...(XRD) analysis revealed peaks at 35.4, 43.2, 54.5, and 56.3° diffraction angles, corresponding to NiZnFeO4NPs diffraction planes of 311, 400, 422, and 511, respectively. The PEO‐PEDOT film exhibited a smooth amorphous nature with a sheet nanostructure behavior. The incorporation of NiZnFeO4NPs NPs into the PEO‐PEDOT nanocomposite films led to an increase in surface roughness and thermal stability. The nanocomposite films also exhibited sheet nanostructure behavior as observed by SEM micrographs. The bandgap energies of the films, as deduced from the Tauc plot, exhibited a monotonic decrease from 3.91 to 3.60 eV as the NiZnFeO4NPs concentration increased from 0 to 8 wt%. A mathematical model was formulated to predict the bandgap energies versus NiZnFeO4NPs concentration. Additionally, the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite films increased monotonically from 0.46 to 1.30 mS cm−1 as the NiZnFeO4NPs concentration increased from 0 to 8 wt%, as determined by 4‐point probe. The observed correlation between the optical and electrical properties of the nanocomposite films indicates promising prospects for utilizing these materials in optoelectronic devices.
Characterizations of PEO‐PEDOT/NiZnFeO4 NPs nanocomposite films.
The Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (SEDA) regularly receives complaints about damaged components and distribution boards of PV systems due to lightning strikes. Permanent and ...momentary interruptions of distribution circuits may also occur from the disturbance. In this paper, a solar PV Rooftop system (3.91 kWp) provided by SEDA was modelled in the PSCAD/EMTDC. The Heidler function was used as a lightning current waveform model to analyse the transient current and voltage at two different points susceptible to the influence of lightning events such as different lightning current wave shape, standard lightning current and non-standard lightning current. This study examines the effect on the system components when lightning directly strikes at two different points of the installation. The two points lie between the inverter and the solar PV array and between inverter and grid. Exceptionally high current and voltage due to the direct lightning strike on a certain point of a PV Rooftop system was also studied. The result of this case study is observed with and without the inclusion of surge protective devices (SPDs). The parameters used were 31 kA of peak current, 10 metres cable length and lightning impulse current wave shape of 8/20μs. The high current and voltage at P1 striking point were 31 kA and 2397 kV, respectively. As for the AC part, the current and voltage values were found to be 5.97 kA and 5392 kV, respectively.Therefore, SPDs with suitable rating provided by SEDA were deployed. Results showed that high transient current voltage is expected to clamp sharply at the values of 1.915 kV and 0 A at the P1 striking point. As for the AC part, the current and voltage values were found to be 0 kA and 0.751 V, respectively. Varying lightning impulse current wave shapes at striking point P2 showed that the highest voltage was obtained at waveshape 10/350 μs at 11277 kV followed by wave shapes of 2/70 μs, 8/20 μs and 0.7/6 μs. The high value of transient voltage was clamped at a lower level of 2.029 kV. Different lightning amplitudes were also applied, ranging from 2-200 kA selected based on the CIGRE distribution. It showed that the current and voltage at P1 and P2 were directly proportional. Therefore, the SPD will be designed at an acceptable rating and proper position of SPD installation at solar PV Rooftop will be proposed. The results obtained in this study can then be utilised to appropriately assign a SPD to protect the PV systems that are connected to the grid. Installing SPDs without considering the needs of lightning protection zones would expose the expensive equipment to potential damage even though the proper energy coordination of SPDs is in place. As such, the simulation results provide a basis for controlling the impacts of direct lightning strikes on electrical equipment and power grids and thus justify SPD coordination to ensure the reliability of the system.
The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of selenium nanoparticles on the growth, hematology and nutrients digestibility of Labeorohita fingerlings. Fingerlings were fed with seven ...isocaloric sunflower meal-based diet supplemented with different concentrations of nanoparticles naming T1 to T7 (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/kg), with 5% wet body weight while chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. After experimentation for 90 days T3 treated group (1mg/kg -1Se-nano level) showed the best result in hematological parameters (WBC's 7.97 ×103mm-3, RBC's 2.98 ×106 mm-3 and Platelet count 67), nutrient digestibility (crude protein: 74%, ether extract: 76%, gross energy: 70%) and growth performance (weight gain 13.24 g, weight gain% 198, feed conversion ratio 1.5, survival rate 100%) as compared to the other treatment groups. Specific growth rates were found significantly higher in T5 than in other groups. The present study indicated positive effect of 1 mg/kg Se-nanoparticles on growth advancement, hematological parameters, and nutrients digestibility of L. rohita fingerlings.
The probable effect of climate change on the water available for use in Bangladesh is not well known. We calculate monthly water balances for five main regions of Bangladesh to examine the likely ...impacts of climate change to 2050. We also examine the impact of past and potential future irrigation development. Climate change projections for rainfall in Bangladesh are uncertain, with increased rain in the wet season likely, but decreased rain also possible. Runoff is projected to vary in a manner similar to rainfall. However, assuming no change to the area of crops, all projections result in increases in irrigation water use, which leads to groundwater level declines. The impact of change (whether climate change or development) on water availability and use is greater in the Northwest region than elsewhere. For most water balance terms in most regions, irrigation development (both historic and future) is calculated to have a larger impact than climate change. Climate change is calculated to have a larger impact than irrigation development only on evapotranspiration and runoff, and possibly on groundwater levels. Model sensitivity tests suggest that model uncertainty is less than climate change uncertainty. To reverse lowered groundwater levels, Bangladesh’s policy includes greater use of surface water. While we calculate groundwater levels will rise, the viability of the policy may be affected by future changes to upstream use.
ABSTRACT
Azobenzene has attracted substantial attention as a photoswitchable molecule since its applications range from energy and data storage to biomedical applications. This work reports a new ...type of thin‐film based on azobenzene derivative anchored to cerium oxide nanoparticles CeO2NPs for photoswitching applications. The trans–cis isomerization and reverse isomerization occur by UV‐light exposure and thermal relaxation process, respectively. The photoisomerization and reverse isomerization kinetics for CeO2NPs‐MR thin films are studied, investigated, and analyzed using UV‐Vis absorbance spectra, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in addition to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement to study the energy storage capacity. The results found that anchoring azobenzene to CeO2NPs is successful in multisource storage of solar energy applications.
Azobenzene has attracted substantial attention as a photoswitchable molecule due to its applications range from energy and data storage to biomedical applications. This is a new type of thin‐film based on azobenzene derivative anchored to Cerium oxide nanoparticles CeO2NPs for photoswitching applications. The trans – cis isomerization and reverse isomerizations occur by UV‐light exposure and thermal relaxation process, respectively.
A novel class of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based nanomaterials has been surging since 1991 due to their noticeable mechanical and electrical properties, as well as their good electron transport ...properties. This is evidence that the development of CNT-reinforced polymer composites could contribute in expanding many areas of use, from energy-related devices to structural components. As a promising material with a wide range of applications, their poor solubility in aqueous and organic solvents has hindered the utilizations of CNTs. The current state of research in CNTs-both single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced polymer composites-was reviewed in the context of the presently employed covalent and non-covalent functionalization. As such, this overview intends to provide a critical assessment of a surging class of composite materials and unveil the successful development associated with CNT-incorporated polymer composites. The mechanisms related to the mechanical, thermal, and electrical performance of CNT-reinforced polymer composites is also discussed. It is vital to understand how the addition of CNTs in a polymer composite alters the microstructure at the micro- and nano-scale, as well as how these modifications influence overall structural behavior, not only in its as fabricated form but also its functionalization techniques. The technological superiority gained with CNT addition to polymer composites may be advantageous, but scientific values are here to be critically explored for reliable, sustainable, and structural reliability in different industrial needs.
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