Search

The efficacy of a novel topical combination of fipronil 9.8% (w/v) and (S)-methoprene 8.8% (w/v) (Fiprofort® Plus) was tested against ticks and fleas in naturally infested dogs. A total of fifty dogs were allocated in the study with ticks infestation (n=35) and fleas infestation (n=15). On day 0, thirty-five tick and fifteen flea infested dogs received the test formulation, a combination of fipronil 9.8% (w/v) and (S)-methoprene 8.8% (w/v) spot-on solution. Ticks and flea counts were taken on days 0 (pretreatment) and 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 after treatment. Blood samples were collected for evaluation of haematological parameters on days 0 (pretreatment) and 7, 21, and 35 after treatment. All the adult ticks and fleas collected were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis, respectively. The efficacy of spot-on formulation against ticks was 34.00% (day 3), 53.14% (day 7), 62.71% (day 14), 65.48% (day 21), 59.80% (day 28), and 58.82% (day 35), whereas against fleas it was 38.00% (day 3), 64.34% (day 7), 89.67% (day 14), 95.40% (day 21), 100.00% (day 28), and 100.00% (day 35). Haematological parameters for ticks and fleas infested dogs were statistically nonsignificant as compared to control. The combination of fipronil and (S)-methoprene eliminated the existing ticks and fleas infestation and prevented the dogs from flea and tick infestation for four weeks.

Conjugate gradient algorithms come in a wide range of flavors. The conjugate gradient technique primarily concentrates on the spectral parameter. It follows the standard method proposed by Hastens and Stiefel, In this study, we have devised an innovative approach to spectral conjugate gradient methods we get a new direction conjugate gradient method to solve unconstrained optimization problems, which is based on non-linear function using an inexact line searching introduced a novel direction. In specific scenarios, this groundbreaking direction not only guarantees global convergence but also ensures a downward trajectory. Our numerical experiments unequivocally demonstrate that when compared to traditional CG techniques, depending on the number of functions (NOF), the number of iterations (NOI), and time (CPU), and evaluated using the Dolan-More performance profile, our novel method consistently exhibits superior performance across a diverse set of unconstrained function minimization test. and the convergence condition under some Hypotheses by using a strong -Wolfe line search.

Introduction-Dissection and Snare method of tonsillectomy was first introduced nearly a century ago. Since then several methods of performing tonsillectomy have evolved like electrocautery, harmonic scalpel ,Laser, coblation and Magnetic Resonance Generator(MRG). All these methods have been used with the aim of overcoming the shortcomings with the previous methods like intra and post operative bleeding ,reducing the duration of surgery and post operative pain.MRG works on the principle of quantum resonance and it has helped in minimizing the intraoperative and post operative bleeding as well as post operative pain.In this study MRG was used for tonsillectomy with favourable outcome. Materials and Methods: 12 patients who underwent tonsillectomy by MRG were included in the study .Various parameters like duration of surgery ,intra and post operative bleeding and post operative pain were recorded and compared with other studies . Results:In all the 12 patients favourable outcome was recorded .None of the cases had post operative bleeding and there was minimal intraoperative bleeding.Post operative pain showed a decreasing trend with very minimal post operative pain on day 3. Conclusion-Our study highlights the advantages of MRG in tonsillectomy which nearly overcomes the drawbacks and complications encountered with other methods employed for tonsillectomy.

Introduction: Irisin plays an important role in regulating tissue stress, cardiac function, and inflammation. Integrin αvβ5 was recently identified as a receptor for irisin to elicit its physiologic function. It remains unknown whether integrin αvβ5 is required for irisin's function in modulating the physiologic response to hemorrhage. The objective of this study is to examine if integrin αvβ5 contributes to the effects of irisin during the hemorrhagic response. Methods: Hemorrhage was induced in mice by achieving a mean arterial blood pressure of 35–45 mmHg for one hour, followed by two hours of resuscitation. Irisin (0.5 μg/kg) was administrated to assess its pharmacologic effects in hemorrhage. Cilengitide, a cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp peptide (cRGDyK) which is an inhibitor of integrin αvβ5, or control RGDS (1 mg/kg) was administered with irisin. In another cohort of mice, the irisin-induced protective effect was examined after knocking down integrin β5 with nanoparticle delivery of integrin β5 sgRNA using CRSIPR/Cas-9 gene editing. Cardiac function and hemodynamics were measured using echocardiography and femoral artery catheterization, respectively. Systemic cytokine releases were measured using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histological analyses were used to determine tissue damage in myocardium, skeletal muscles, and lung tissues. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was carried out to assess apoptosis in tissues. Results: Hemorrhage induced reduction of integrin αvβ5 in skeletal muscles and repressed recovery of cardiac performance and hemodynamics. Irisin treatment led to significantly improved cardiac function, which was abrogated by treatment with Cilengitide or knockdown of integrin β5. Furthermore, irisin resulted in a marked suppression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), muscle edema, and inflammatory cells infiltration in myocardium and skeletal muscles, which was attenuated by Cilengitide or knockdown of integrin β5. Irisin-induced reduction of apoptosis in the myocardium, skeletal muscles, and lung, which were attenuated by either the inhibition of integrin αvβ5, or knockdown of integrin β5. Conclusion: Integrin αvβ5 plays an important role for irisin in modulating the protective effect during hemorrhage.

The aim of this article is to provide empirical evidence on the level of digital entrepreneurial competences (DEC) that higher education students acquire during their higher education and to investigate the relationship between their socio-demographic characteristics and the level of DEC. The first competence area (Identification of opportunities) of the DEC EmDigital competence framework was assessed together with its three sub-competence areas (Search for and analysis of information, Creativity and innovation, and Prospecting), and the relationship between the level of DEC and various socio-demographic characteristics of higher education students was investigated using logistic regression. The results show a relatively low DEC level of the participating students for the first EmDigital competence area. Location, field of study, level of study and employment status were found to be statistically significant for the acquisition of DEC, while the variables age and gender had little impact. The results of this study are a step towards the development of an DEC online assessment tool (using the Digital Competence Wheel as a role model) that universities and other stakeholders could use to assess the level of DEC their students acquire during university education. This research is the first study to assess the acquisition of DEC during university studies and the impact of different socio-demographic characteristics of students on their level of DEC.

Approach to fresh water is limited due to the growing world population and supply of clean drinking water is a global challenge. Pond water is widely used for drinking in developing countries and it has higher turbidity during rainy seasons. This purpose requires a large number of chemical coagulants that lead to a high cost of treatment. Therefore there is a need to find an economical and natural coagulant to treat turbid water. Coagulation activity is an ability of a liquid, changing to a solid or semi-solid state after sometime period of time. This study focuses on the isolation of coagulant proteins from Brassica nigra seeds responsible for water clarification. The coagulant protein (napin) was purified, quantified and identified. Napin protein was precipitated with 70% saturation of ammonium sulfate solution combined with dialysis and size-exclusion chromatography. SDS-PAGE showed that isolated napin has a molecular weight of 16 kDa. Protein quantification was done by using a NanoDrop spectrophotometer. The coagulation activity of the napin protein was measured against synthetic clay solution and turbid pond water. The coagulation assay results showed that napin protein from Brassica nigra has 85% and Moringa seeds extract has 87% coagulation activity against the synthetic clay solution after 120 min. However, the coagulation activity of napin protein against the turbid pond water was higher 85% compared to Moringa seed extract of 80%. The active coagulant napin protein would be helpful in establishing cheaper methods in scaling up the coagulant protein from the Brassica nigra seeds acting as a potential agent for water treatment. HIGHLIGHTS A 16 kDa napin protein was isolated and purified from Brassica nigra seeds.; Napin protein was purified by using the Fast protein chromatography technique.; The N-terminal amino acid sequence showed 100% homology with Napin-3 of Brassica napus and isolated natural coagulant napin, a seed storage protein that showed coagulation activity against a synthetic kaolin solution and turbid pond water.;

The advancement of technology paved the way for significant improvements in higher education institutions (HEIs) as much as it was associated with sizable pressures for individuals, implied by the challenging task of managing enormous volume of information from digital communication channels. This research is addressing two main objectives. First, explore the extent of Information and Communication Overload (ICO) that accompanied the digital transformation in Kuwaiti HEIs and accelerated amidst the Covid19 pandemic. Second, assess the conditions that are/could be used in those organizations to mitigate ICO and any of its adverse effects.

This paper provides insights into the research design and preliminary results of the research targeting digital entrepreneurial competence levels of the university students acquired during the course of formal university education. The preliminary insights represent the part of the research grant funded by Kuwait Foundation for Advancements in Sciences aiming to develop the tool for assessing the levels of students digital entrepreneurial competences. The preliminary results indicate that there are differences in digital entrepreneurial competence levels which can be attributed to different characteristics of university students.

????

WHO recommends vitamin A supplementation (VAS) programmes for children 6–59 months where vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem. However, resources for VAS are falling short of current needs and programme coverage is suffering. The authors present the case for considering the options for shifting efforts and resources from a generalised approach, to prioritising resources to reach populations with continued high child mortality rates and high vitamin A deficiency prevalence to maximise child survival benefits . This includes evaluating where child mortality and/or vitamin A deficiency has dropped, as well as using under 5 mortality rates as a proxy for vitamin A deficiency, in the absence of recent data. The analysis supports that fewer countries may now need to prioritise VAS than in the year 2000, but that there are still a large number of countries that do. The authors also outline next steps for analysing options for improved targeting and cost-effectiveness of programmes. Focusing VAS resources to reach the most vulnerable is an efficient use of resources and will continue to promote young child survival.

Introduction The mainstay of treatment for parotid tumours is surgery. Since the incision site involves visible areas of head and neck several modifications have evolved since its first description in 1912 by Blair and all the subsequent incisions have more or less aimed at giving better aesthesis in terms of post-operative facial scar. We describe a modification of earlier incisions for parotidectomy, which aims at camouflaging the post-operative facial and neck scar. Materials and Methods Fourteen patients were included in this study, who presented with parotid tumours and underwent either superficial or total parotidectomy. The modified incision was used in all the patients and various parameters were recorded (intra operatively as well as post operatively during the follow up visits, upto 1year) including post-operative scar visibility and patient satisfaction in terms of aesthetic appeal. Results All the 14 patients reported highly satisfied in terms of post-operative aesthetic outcome. There was no intra operative limitation of exposure by using this modified incision and neither any significant post-operative complication was encountered. Conclusion Our attempt at evolving an aesthetically modified incision for parotidectomy with no facial or neck scar post-operatively was achieved, along with certain more extended benefits of using this innovative incision.

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases with pathophysiology strongly linked to aging. A range of circulatory metabolic biomarkers such as inflammatory adipokines have been associated with MetS; however, the diagnostic power of these markers as MetS risk correlates in elderly has yet to be elucidated. This cross-sectional study investigated the diagnostic power of circulatory metabolic biomarkers as MetS risk correlates in older adults. Methods: Hundred community dwelling older adults (mean age: 68.7 years) were recruited in a study, where their blood pressure, body composition and Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) were measured; and their fasting capillary and venous blood were collected. The components of the MetS; and the serum concentrations of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-I (PAI-I), Leptin, Adiponectin, Resistin, Cystatin-C, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), insulin and ferritin were measured within the laboratory, and the HOMA1-IR and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) were calculated. Results: Apart from other markers which were related with some cardiometabolic (CM) risk, after Bonferroni correction insulin had significant association with all components of Mets and AIP. These associations also remained significant in multivariate regression. The multivariate odds ratio (OR with 95% confidence interval (CI)) showed a statistically significant association between IL-6 (OR: 1.32 (1.06–1.64)), TNF-α (OR: 1.37 (1.02–1.84)), Resistin (OR: 1.27 (1.04–1.54)) and CRP (OR: 1.29 (1.09–1.54)) with MetS risk; however, these associations were not found when the model was adjusted for age, dietary intake and adiposity. In unadjusted models, insulin was consistently statistically associated with at least two CM risk factors (OR: 1.33 (1.16–1.53)) and MetS risk (OR: 1.24 (1.12–1.37)) and in adjusted models it was found to be associated with at least two CM risk factors and MetS risk (OR: 1.87 (1.24–2.83) and OR: 1.25 (1.09–1.43)) respectively. Area under curve (AUC) for receiver operating characteristics (ROC) demonstrated a good discriminatory diagnostics power of insulin with AUC: 0.775 (0.683–0.866) and 0.785 by cross validation and bootstrapping samples for at least two CM risk factors and AUC: 0.773 (0.653–0.893) and 0.783 by cross validation and bootstrapping samples for MetS risk. This was superior to all other AUC reported from the ROC analysis of other biomarkers. Area under precision-recall curve for insulin was also superior to all other markers (0.839 and 0.586 for at least two CM risk factors and MetS, respectively). Conclusion: Fasting serum insulin concentration was statistically linked with MetS and its risk, and this link is stronger than all other biomarkers. Our ROC analysis confirmed the discriminatory diagnostic power of insulin as CM and MetS risk correlate in older adults.

Introduction Advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancies are associated with significant morbidity and mortality for the patients with associated financial burden for the society. Recommended treatment for such malignancies includes total laryngectomy or total laryngectomy with partial pharyngectomy with or without neck dissection, radiotherapy (RT) alone or surgery followed by radio therapy and combined chemotherapy (CT) with radiotherapy (CCRT). Materials and Methods This retrospective study was conducted over a period of 5 years, in a tertiary care institute with aim to study the incidence of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancy over a period of 5 years in a tertiary care institute, to assess the proportion of patients who agreed to undergo the proposed modality of treatment with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy, to note the post operative complications and also to assess the 5 year survival of the patients who completed the prescribed regimen. Result This study highlights the large gap between the high incidence of this disease (a total of 170 cases of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancy diagnosed in our hospital over a five year period ) and the low turnover of patients actually undergoing surgery for the same (8 out of 38 patients who were advised surgery underwent the same). Discussion Vast majority of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancies are squamous cell carcinomas. Though 47 proved cases of hypopharyngeal malignancy and 36 proved cases of laryngeal malignancy were assessed, only 8 patients agreed to undergo surgery, indicating a large disparity between disease burden and treatment beneficiaries, despite an excellent 5 yr survival rate. Conclusion The results of this study emphasized the need for increased awareness regarding the favourable surgical outcome when associated with post-operative radiotherapy. A very high five year survival rate can be achieved by combined modality treatment. Late presentation and lack of awareness about the disease are significant hindrances for management of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancy.

Introduction: Persistent otorrhoea and granulation tissue in the mastoid cavity are common post-operative complications of Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy. In order to avoid the same and to achieve a dry cavity instillation of acetic acid into the mastoid cavity during the post operative period is common practice. Materials and Methods In this study we assessed the results of 4% acetic acid instillation in varying quantity and frequency, in the ears after modified radical mastoidectomy. 40 Patients of chronic suppurative otitis media (atticoantral) / cholesteatoma, who underwent modified radical mastoidectomy during one and a half year period, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups; Group A with 30 patients and Group B with 10 patients, by simple randomization method. Group A patients were asked to instill 4% acetic acid approximately 10 to 12 drops (generously) into the mastoid cavity thrice a day for 8 weeks and were followed up every week. 10 patients of Group B were asked to instill the same preparation only once weekly and followed up for the next 12 weeks. Results: In Group A, dry mastoid cavity was achieved remarkably faster within six to eight weeks and in all the 30 patients. In Group B the results were delayed by up to 4 to 6 weeks in comparison to the Group A patients. Conclusion: Though acetic acid instillation is known to help in achieving a dry cavity but a slightly higher concentration (4% acetic acid) used more frequently is highly effective in rendering dry cavity much earlier without proliferation of granulation tissue.

ABSTRACT In this paper, we study an existence and uniqueness of the solutions for some nonlinear differential equations which has fractional order , in the case , by using the picard approximation method .and through this study we obtained on many computation in the solutions of the existence and uniqueness theorems for the same fractional nonlinear differential equations. Further more this study development and extended the previous method , such that the solutions and computations which has been obtained became more general and universal.

In this paper, we consider the stability analysis for a disturbed unsteady flow, which is two-dimensional incompressible flow in a symmetric film where the effect of viscosity can be neglected in comparison with inertia forces. The partial differential equations governing such flow are obtained from the Navier - Stokes equations and we obtain an analytic solution for those equations. The whole system is disturbed and we found the regions where the flow is stable or unstable.

BACKGROUND: Tanzania has conducted a national twice-yearly Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) campaign since 2001. Administrative coverage rates based on tally sheets consistently report >90% coverage; however the accuracy of these rates are uncertain due to potential errors in tally sheets and their aggregation, incomplete or inaccurate reporting from distribution sites, and underestimating the target population. OBJECTIVES: The post event coverage survey in Mainland Tanzania sought to validate tally-sheet based national coverage estimates of VAS and deworming for the June 2010 mass distribution round, and to characterize children missed by the national campaign. METHODS: WHO/EPI randomized cross-sectional cluster sampling methodology was adapted for this study, using 30 clusters by 40 individuals (n = 1200), in addition to key informant interviews. Households with children 6-59 months of age were included in the study (12-59 months for deworming analysis). Chi-squared tests and logistic regression analysis were used to test differences between children reached and not reached by VAS. Data was collected within six weeks of the June 2010 round. RESULTS: A total of 1203 children, 58 health workers, 30 village leaders and 45 community health workers were sampled. Preschool VAS coverage was 65% (95% CI: 62.7-68.1), approximately 30% lower than tally-sheet coverage estimates. Factors associated with not receiving VAS were urban residence [OR = 3.31; p = 0.01], caretakers who did not hear about the campaign [OR = 48.7; p

Background Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel has been developed to avoid the toxicities associated with Cremophor-solved paclitaxel. Although many studies confirm this hypothesis, there is recent evidence showing no difference between paclitaxel and nab-paclitaxel in their efficacy and safety profile. This study further assesses the toxicity of both paclitaxel and nab-paclitaxel in adult patients with breast and pancreatic cancer in a tertiary hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These toxicities include neutropenia, anaemia, and effects on kidney and liver functions. Methods The study is a retrospective cohort study done at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from January 2018 to December 2021, conducted on patients diagnosed with breast or pancreatic cancer treated with paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel. Results There is a statistically significant difference between the two groups in developing anaemia, renal, and liver toxicity (P<0.05). On the other hand, there are no statistically significant differences in developing neutropenia between the two groups (P=0.084). Conclusions Nab-paclitaxel might not be better than paclitaxel in reducing the risk of neutropenia, anaemia, and liver toxicity, as predicted. Nevertheless, both medications require that the patient's renal functions be monitored during the treatment. Further studies conducted in multiple oncology centres with a larger sample are needed to evaluate the toxicity of paclitaxel and nab-paclitaxel in adult patients with breast and pancreatic cancer., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Alhebshi et al.)