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The current study aims to provide insights into the drying of agro products, with a specific focus on Capsicum annum L. (red pepper). Among open sun drying (OSD), polyethylene bag drying (PBD), and polycarbonate sheet drying (PCSD), PCSD was efficient requiring around 24 hours with a maximum yield of 350 g of dried product per 1000 g of supplied fresh peppers. The PCSD dried chili also showed greater retention of antioxidant markers (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) than OSD and PBD as evidenced by UV-VIS spectroscopy. Additionally, the PCSD dried chili demonstrated highest antioxidant potential via ABTS (2, 2′-Azinobis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid). Interestingly, the presence of various aromatic compounds and other chemical groups, indicated the occurrence of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in each drying method used. The study suggests that PCSD sheet drying is an efficient and cost-effective approach that can conserve the antioxidant potential of agro products such as red pepper.

This research discusses the subject of emotional stimulation factors through the stages of product design interaction with the consumer and what they reflect in the formation of a self-consideration of the design in his emotional memory regarding the specific brand through the following question (What is the emotional stimulus in the design of certain products and its reflection on the consumer during the processes of receiving and using it?), The importance of the research comes in the connection of design elements with many sensory factors used and motivating to attract the consumer to the acquisition of a specific design and the demand for its experience, the study aims Detection and access to emotional stimulation in the design of the industrial product to develop the design process, and were defined by the designs of BRAUN products for home use in Baghdad markets (limited edition) for the year 2021 and its reflection on consumers. The theoretical framework dealt with the concept of emotions in the design of industrial products and their importance in motivating the acquisition of products, preference for appearance, performance, value, stages of motivation in interaction with the product, and their impact on gender differences, emotional age, value formation, and mood towards the product. The researcher relied on a questionnaire with specific axes to analyze the sample models and access the research results and conclusions, the most important of which are: - The result of the stimulus in the stages of receiving and using is reflected in the creation of value for the product. - The value and mood towards the design in case the product is already known to the consumer (a new version or a second model) leads the consumer and determines his interaction through feelings of receiving and feelings of use it.

Simple Summary: Broiler meat is widely consumed around the globe. To fulfill consumer demand, broiler farmers are using antibiotic growth promoters for improved efficiency. However, these antibiotics have been banned in developed countries due to antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, plant supplements in the form of essential oils (EOs) have gained acceptability due to their excellent antibacterial properties. The next step is to encapsulate the EO for better delivery to target organs in broilers, which was investigated in vivo. The novelty of this study is to encapsulate volatile compounds of EOs in nanoemulsion (NE). This study has observed a positive effect of NE in terms of broiler growth performance, suggesting that cumin EO NE (CEONE) can be used as a substitute for the prophylactic administration of synthetic antibiotics. This research characterized and explored the effect of cumin essential oil nanoemulsion (CEONE) on broiler growth performance, serum biochemistry, hematological parameters, and cecal microbial count. Day-old (n = 96) broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to six treatments with five replicates of three broilers each. The dietary treatments consisted of negative control (only basal diet), positive control (basal diet + 200 µL of enrofloxacin), 25 µL (basal diet + 25 µL of CEONE), 50 µL (basal diet + 50 µL of CEONE), 75 µL (basal diet + 75 µL of CEONE), and 100 µL (basal diet + 100 µL of CEONE). The broiler's body weight gain (BWG) after 42 days of treatment exhibited increased weight in the CEONE group (976.47 ± 11.82–1116.22 ± 29.04). The gain in weight was further evidenced by the beneficial microbe load (107 log) compared to the pathogenic strain. All the biochemical parameters were observed in the normal range, except for a higher level of HDL and a lower LDL value. This safety has been validated by pKCSM toxicity analysis showing a safe and highly tolerable dose of cuminaldehyde. In conclusion, this research observed the potential of CEONE as a multifunctional agent. It is a valuable candidate for further application in combating bacterial infections and enhancing animal health and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to growing exploration in nanotechnology, nano-particles application in various fields of industries and medicine is growing. However, limited study is available on their toxicological impacts which can adversely affect the organism's health and their environment. Current research was designed to study the possible toxicity of iron oxide nano-particles on common carp, C. carpio after exposure period of 96 hours by the analysis of their haematological parameters. Fish were segregated into three groups (10fish/treatment). The iron oxide nano-particles at 0.25g/l doze were administered orally to treatment T1 and intravenously from caudal vein of fish to treatment T2. After 96h of exposure period, the blood was collected from fishes by the caudal vein puncture method into tubes containing anticoagulants EDTA and transferred immediately to the laboratory for the assessment of their blood profile. There was recorded no mortality after 96h of exposure period. IONPs significantly affected the counts of WBCs, Hb, MCH and MCHC of experimental and control groups. The analysis of blood profile demonstrated that haematological parameters; the number of WBCs and Hb were increased in T1 and decreased in T2 in relation to T0. The counts of RBCs, HCT, MCV and PLT were found to be increased in both experimental groups as compared to control one. It is inferred from current results that IONPs have toxic effect on the haematology of C. carpio. Moreover, oral route of administering IONPs was found to be more toxic than intravenous one. Present study can be beneficial for the safety of aquatic environment and management of aquatic toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression of mastitis and its treatment varies based on type and number of pathogens involved. The studies on therapeutics are thus needed for mixed culture in addition to single bacterial etiology. The current study was aimed to find prevalence and drug susceptibility of single and mixed culture of E. coli, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae against non-beta lactam antibiotics. Total n=200 milk samples from dairy animals were collected and processed for subclinical mastitis and subsequently put to isolation of selected bacteria. A total of n=6 non-beta lactam antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, vancomycin, teicoplanin and gentamicin) were tested against E. coli, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae alone, double, triple and tetra combinations using disc diffusion method. Highest prevalence of single bacterial mastitis was observed in case of E. coli while for mixed infection both E. coli plus S. aureus stood at the top. The mixed culture of S. aureus with others in double combination showed higher zones than that of the single against clindamycin. Similarly, E. coli in double and triple combination showed higher sensitivity responses against levofloxacin. Vancomycin showed least efficacy against most of the double, triple and tetra combinations compared to that of single bacteria. Gentamicin on the other hand remained comparatively effective against single and mixed cultures of bacteria. The study thus concluded highly unpredictable responses of bacteria when tested in combination compared to the one used alone which invites further trials to be conducted on underlying complex mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy udder and milk equally remain susceptible to bacterial contamination posing significant threat to food safety and security. Adding to this is overlooking some of bacterial pathogens e.g. K. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae for their infection, drug resistance, and demand of alternative therapeutics. Keeping in view the scenario, current study was planned to assess response of K. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae against wider range of antibiotics, and resistance modulation through metallic oxide nanoparticles of iron, zinc, and magnesium. Nanoparticles were prepared and characterized as per set protocols. In-vitro disc diffusion test for antibiotics, well diffusion for nanoparticles' antibacterial activity, and finally finding minimum inhibitory concentration expressing antibacterial activity was carried out. Parametric and nonparametric statistics was applied to confer outcomes using SPSS version 22 of statistical software at 5% probability. Study found 6 out of 16 antibiotics showing minor variation in means of ZOI against K. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae indicating limited scope of antibiotics to cover infection against these bacteria. When these bacteria were tested against MgO, ZnO, and Fe2O3 nanoparticles, significant antibacterial activity was noted. Fe2O3 showed significant higher antibacterial activity as compared to others against both of bacterial strains. Minimum time for maximum activity was found variable for each of nanoparticles against K. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae with a range of 8th-20th hour of incubation as significant response compared to 4th hour of incubation. Study thus concluded, narrow window of antibiotic susceptibility against K. pneumoniae and S. agalactiae while wider scope of metallic oxide nanoparticles as antibacterial alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research characterized and explored the effect of cumin essential oil nanoemulsion (CEONE) on broiler growth performance, serum biochemistry, hematological parameters, and cecal microbial count. Day-old ( n = 96) broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to six treatments with five replicates of three broilers each. The dietary treatments consisted of negative control (only basal diet), positive control (basal diet + 200 µL of enrofloxacin), 25 µL (basal diet + 25 µL of CEONE), 50 µL (basal diet + 50 µL of CEONE), 75 µL (basal diet + 75 µL of CEONE), and 100 µL (basal diet + 100 µL of CEONE). The broiler's body weight gain (BWG) after 42 days of treatment exhibited increased weight in the CEONE group (976.47 ± 11.82-1116.22 ± 29.04). The gain in weight was further evidenced by the beneficial microbe load (10 7 log) compared to the pathogenic strain. All the biochemical parameters were observed in the normal range, except for a higher level of HDL and a lower LDL value. This safety has been validated by pKCSM toxicity analysis showing a safe and highly tolerable dose of cuminaldehyde. In conclusion, this research observed the potential of CEONE as a multifunctional agent. It is a valuable candidate for further application in combating bacterial infections and enhancing animal health and growth.

Amyloidosis is a multisystem disease characterized by the extracellular deposition of abnormal protein fibrils in various tissues and organs. It is a systemic disease mainly affecting the kidneys, liver, and spleen. In the GI tract, the duodenum is most commonly involved, followed by the stomach. We came across a relatively unusual case of jejunal amyloidosis, where the presentation was with weight loss, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits. Radiological findings were non-specific, such as thickening of small bowel loops and small nodular bowel wall lesions, etc. Endoscopic features were also not characteristic of any particular disease entity. Therefore, it was hard to narrow down the differential diagnosis based on endoscopy and clinic-radiological grounds. The diagnosis remained a mystery until the outcome of the final histopathology report. This case study will facilitate readers in considering this entity in the differential list if they encounter mimicking clinical and/or radiological features., Competing Interests: None declared., (© Crown copyright 2024.)

Objective: To evaluate the validity of resistive index (RI) in conjunction to the morphological appearances., Methods: Prospective cross sectional survey of 37 females with adnexal masses was selected through non probability sampling admitted in Obstetrics units, in a private hosital from January 2009 to March 2010. All women underwent transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound and ovarian masses were characterized as probably benign or possibly malignant on the basis of their sonographic appearance. The RI was calculated in every case and threshold RI of 0.40 was used to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. Later pathologic proof was obtained in every case. Validity of the RI was calculated considering the histopathology as gold standard., Results: Out of these 37 masses, 19 were morphologically benign and pathology revealed the same results. The RI was less than 0.4 in 3 of these cases. Eighteen lesions were morphologically either malignant (or indeterminate). On pathologic examination, 7 were benign 2 were nonneoplastic masses and 9 were malignant neoplasm. The RI was greater than 0.4 in 8 of these cases and was less than 0.4 in only 2 of the eight lesions. Sensitivity of the RI was 18.18% in diagnosing the malignancy whereas the specificity was only 84.61%. Positive predictive value of RI to differentiate benign from malignant lesions was only 33.33% and negative predictive value was 70.96%. Thus the accuracy of the RI was 64.86% with precision of only 33.33%., Conclusion: Resistive index may improve specificity in characterizing malignant ovarian lesions on ultrasound but it can be misleading.