Neurological sicknesses are severe, multifactorial, debilitating disorders that may cause neurodegeneration. Neuroprotection protects the structure and capacity of neurons from affronts emerging from cell injuries instigated by an assortment of specialists or neurodegenerative diseases. Various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and epilepsy, afflict many people worldwide, with increasing age representing the leading risk factor. Crocin is a natural carotenoid compound with therapeutic potential in managing neurological disease. In this review, we focused on the therapeutic capabilities of Crocin as a neuroprotective agent. The general neuroprotective impact and the various conceivable essential components identified with Crocin have been examined. In light of the substantial proof indicating the neuro-pharmacological viability of Crocin to different exploratory standards, it is concluded that Crocin exerts direct antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities by multiple signalling pathways. Besides, Crocin was found to elevate dopamine levels in the brain during the experimental model of Parkinson's disease. Thus, this compound has been demonstrated to be a promising option for treating neurodegenerative diseases with few adverse effects. It should be further considered as a potential contender for neuro-therapeutics, concentrating on the mechanistic and clinical evidence for its effects.

Dr. salman ahmed

Bank sector crisis across the globe is largely blamed on the joint effort of bank liquidity and bank credit risks. And so, the twin concepts of liquidity and credit risks have come under keen academic scrutiny, especially in investment finance. Contributing to the extant literature on these developments, secondary data were obtained from the websites of nine banks in Ghana, spanning 2008 to 2018, to determine how liquidity and credit risks separately and interactively impact bank stability in Ghana. Analysis of data was done using a panel regression through the fixed effects model after running the Hausman Test. The study confirms an inverse liquidity risk-bank stability relationship, emphasising the need to channel idle funds into interest-earning securities to consolidate bank profits. Although a further revelation suggests an insignificant negative relationship between credit risk and bank stability, it re-echoes the need to implement policy recommendations made by the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions’ ACT 2016 (ACT 930), section 62 of Ghana, on the threshold to lend funds to clients. The bank-size-stability relationship was positive. Increasing bank size through establishing more branches nationwide is encouraged but to a precautionary level since banks tend to suffer diseconomies of large scale operations due to unregulated expansion. There is the need to observe the Basel III provisions on maintenance of a 30-day optimum liquidity threshold of up to 100% and above. Besides, banks should tighten up their credit requirements and also ensure loan repayments history is monitored to benefit clients who are in good standing.

Juabin matey

Abstract Background: Hansen’s disease is a chronic infectious disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. The clinical diagnosis must be confirmed by histopathological and bacteriological studies in order to adequately manage the condition and prevent drug resistance. Aim: To perform a clinico-histopathological correlation of skin lesions in all patients with a clinical suspicion of Hansen’s disease. Materials and methods: A retrospective, hospital based, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore. Skin biopsies of all suspected cases of Hansen’s disease received over a period of three and a half years were included in the study. Haematoxylin and eosin, Fite-Faraco stained sections of all cases were reviewed. The cases were classified according to Ridley–Jopling classification into TT, BT, BB, I, BL, and LL. Clinical details of the patient, including type and site of lesion were obtained from the patient’s medical records. Clinico-histopathological correlation was done for all the cases. In addition, wherever available, the corresponding slit-skin smears were also included. Results: A total of 76 cases were clinically diagnosed as Hansen’s disease. Clinico- histopathological correlation was seen in 33/76 cases (43.42%). The most common histological subtype of Hansen’s was Borderline Tuberculoid (BT) - 24/76 cases (31.58%). Maximum agreement was seen in Mid-borderline leprosy (92.11%). Fite Faraco stain was positive in 21 out of 76 cases. Slit skin smears were available for 55 cases and positive in 20 cases. Conclusion: Due to clinical and morphological overlap, it is imperative to correlate the clinical, histopathological and bacteriological index results in order to accurately subtype the categories in Hansen’s disease.

Archana

Dietary fatty acid composition in broiler influences carcass quality by altering fat deposition and fatty acid profile. Thus, the study was carried out to evaluate the effect of incorporation of rapeseed oil in broiler ration on omega-3 fatty acid concentration of carcass and its traits in broiler chicken. A total of 160 day-old straight run broilers (Vencobb 400) were randomly divided into four treatment groups (G1, G2, G3 and G4) having four replicates of ten chicks each. The basal diets (G1) were prepared to meet BIS (2007) nutrient requirements with palm oil at 1.5, 3, and 4.5 per cent in pre-starter, starter and finisher diets, respectively. The experimental diets were broiler rations prepared with rapeseed oil replacing 25, 50 and 100 per cent of palm oil in G2, G3 and G4 diets, respectively. The diets were fed ad libitum till 6 weeks of age. Six birds from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered on 42nd day to study omega-3 fatty acid concentration of carcass and its characteristics. The crude fat content of breast and thigh muscle was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the group fed rapeseed oil included diets. However, carcass yield, processing yield and meat to bone ratio of cut up parts was not significantly affected. The colour and pH of breast and thigh muscles were similar among the treatment groups. Omega- 3 fatty acid concentration was significantly (P<0.01) increased in both breast and thigh muscle of G4 group broilers compared to G1 group. Thus, rapeseed oil inclusion in diet significantly increased omega-3 fatty acid concentration and significantly reduced crude fat concentration breast and thigh muscles with no effect on the carcass yield and its quality when included in the diet replacing palm oil at different proportion

Senthil murugan

Coronaviruses are closely related virus causing several types of respiratory tract infections ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). There are many other ways in which Covid-19 will impact the existing public health issues. With the rising number of covid19 cases, it has been reported that people with the weaker immune system are at higher risk. We identified the mechanism of action of cyclophosphamide and its impact on the lung. Pulmonary side effects associated with cyclophosphamide are rare and dose-related. They manifest as early-onset pneumonitis, in patients with symptoms especially like cough and dyspnea. Acrolein in cyclophosphamide is the main component linked with the toxic effect. We hypothesize that use of cyclophosphamide, an antineoplastic agent and immunosuppressive agent used in treating many cancers and autoimmune disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis and ANCA vasculitis), induces severe lung toxicity which can be one of the contributing factors for the increased risk of COVID 19 complication. These factors are to be recognized to improve prevention and control of the disease.

Ankul singh

Background In 2016, the Tanzanian government shifted the vaccine supply chain responsibilities from the Medical Store Department (MSD) to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to reduce costs. However, cost estimates that informed the decision were based on invoice value of vaccines and related supplies, rather than a proper economic evaluation study. Therefore, this study aims to compare the actual storage and distribution costs of vaccines and related supplies between MSD to EPI. Method Micro-costing approach was used to estimate resource use at MSD and EPI for the year 2018. Data were collected through a review of documents, warehouse databases, and interviews with key staff at MSD and EPI. We included both capital and recurrent costs. Microsoft Excel® was used for analysis with input data from the UNICEF forecasting tool, WHOs vaccine volume and capacity estimation tool, diesel generator calculator, and supply chain service fee estimator version 1.02. Results The total vaccine storage and distribution costs were estimated to be USD 1,996,286 at MSD and USD 543,648 at EPI. Distribution and program management costs represented 41% (USD 819,288) and 38% (USD 762,968) of the total costs at MSD, while storage and distribution costs represented 43% (USD 234,423) and 34% (USD 184,620) of the total costs at EPI, respectively. The cost drivers at MSD were fuel and transport (21%), receiving and dispatch (19%) and, program management personnel cost (14%), while at EPI were storage space (20%), program management personnel cost (18%) and fuel and transport (15%). Conclusion The storage and distribution of vaccines in Tanzania via the EPI reduced the vaccine supply chain cost to about 27% of the program costs at MSD.

Dr. omary swallehe

Adherence to pharmacological therapies are keys to effective treatments in diabetic patients. Previous reviews found that most adherence measurement studies on chronic diseases used a self-reported scale. However, there is no consensus on the best scale to measure adherence in diabetic patients. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the potential self-reported scale that could be considered for measuring medication adherence in diabetic patients and to provide recommendations for researchers or clinicians to determine appropriate adherence self-reported scales in diabetic patients. This review follows general guidelines in the implementation of systematic reviews. After further review, it was found that 33 studies met all inclusion criteria from 4 databases (Wiley, Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed). The articles were done by the PRISMA, while the keywords were determined by the PICO method. Most research was conducted in Asia (69.7%) and America (18.2%) on patients with type 2 diabetes (81.3%), patients in hospitals (54.5%), suffering for 1–6 months (54.5%), and using a cross-sectional study design (78.8%). HbA1c clinic data (57.6%) were used in most studies as biological markers of adherence. The measurement scales of medication adherence in diabetic patients are MMAS-8 (57,.5%), MMAS-4 (12.1%), BMQ (9%), MCQ (6%), ARMS (3%), ARMS-D (3%), GMAS (3%), LMAS-14 (3%), and MARS-5 (3%). This review provides information on the different self-reported scales most widely used in diabetic medication adherence research. Various aspects need to be considered before choosing the scale of adherence.

Much ilham novalisa aji wibowo

A simple, precise, accurate, sensitive, specific and reliable stability indicating RP-HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of Miconazole (MIC) and Ornidazole (ORN) in pharmaceutical dosage form. The method was developed with mobile phase containing buffer (0.05M potassium dihydrogen ortho phosphate, ph3.5): Methanol in the ratio of 25:75, C18 (250 x 4.6mm, 5µm) as a stationary phase and flow rate was 1 ml/min. Detection was carried out at 236nm in UV-2000 detector. The selected chromatographic conditions were found effectively to separate Miconazole and Ornidazole at 6.58 and 3.26 min respectively. The proposed method has been validated for precision, accuracy, robustness. Thus, the statistical analysis confirms that developed methods were successfully used for analysis of formulation and thereby can be used for routine analysis of drugs in Quality Control laboratories.

Prachi barbhaiya

The establishment of energy-saving and natural resource-saving systems is an important issue and relevant research and development should be accomplished without delay. Making structures lighter is one way to save energy. The study of light metals such as aluminium and magnesium alloys has received much attention. Aluminium alloys are especially attractive because of superior recyclability and workability. However, present structures made of stainless steels cannot be entirely replaced with aluminium alloy structures, taking into account strength, weldability and economics, although it is possible to replace part of a structure with aluminium alloy components. In this case, it is necessary to joint SS 430F steel with Aluminium 6061. Few sound joints have been obtained, owing to the formation of a large amount of brittle intermetallic compounds which were using fusion welding. In the recent years, welding of dissimilar metals by conventional welding techniques has become difficult. The flux used for the welding will create lot of heat which reduces the strength of the welded joints. In order to overcome this, friction welding is more effective in joining dissimilar metals when compared with fusion welding, since it is a solid-state process. Heat is generated in friction welding by conversion of mechanical energy into thermal energy in the interface of work pieces during rotation under pressure. Various ferrous and non-ferrous alloys having circular or non-circular across sections and that have different thermal and mechanical properties which can be joined by the friction welding. Conventional structures made of steel have been replaced by lighter materials, capable of providing high mechanical strength, lower volume of material and good corrosion resistance components such as those used in industries (shipbuilding, light and heavy automotive, electrical, chemical, civil, space and nuclear industry).

Boopathy govindarajan

Brushites are the most commonly found phosphate stones in the kidneys, ureters and urinary bladder. The study was conducted to observe the possible growth patterns of brushite crystals in the gel for 14 days. The crystal formation was observed as a bullet, needle, platy, columnar shaped and their aggregates. Magono and Lee's meteorological classification further explained these shapes. Besides the morphology, the average size, number and weight of crystals were also observed on the 7th and 14th days. Energy Dispersive X-ray, Fourier Transform Infra Red spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy were used to characterize the crystals. These results can help to determine the promotion, modulation and inhibition of the crystals, which will be helpful in evaluating the risk factors and prophylactic management of brushite-type urinary stones.

Dr. salman ahmed

Nanomaterials have been widely used in many fields in the last decades, including electronics, biomedicine, cosmetics, food processing, buildings, and aeronautics. The application of these nanomaterials in the medical field could improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention techniques. Graphene oxide (GO), an oxidized derivative of graphene, is currently used in biotechnology and medicine for cancer treatment, drug delivery, and cellular imaging. Also, GO is characterized by various physicochemical properties, including nanoscale size, high surface area, and electrical charge. However, the toxic effect of GO on living cells and organs is a limiting factor that limits its use in the medical field. Recently, numerous studies have evaluated the biocompatibility and toxicity of GO in vivo and in vitro. In general, the severity of this nanomaterial’s toxic effects varies according to the administration route, the dose to be administered, the method of GO synthesis, and its physicochemical properties. This review brings together studies on the method of synthesis and structure of GO, characterization techniques, and physicochemical properties. Also, we rely on the toxicity of GO in cellular models and biological systems. Moreover, we mention the general mechanism of its toxicity.

Kamal singh

Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus was considered as lower grade pathogen involved in endocarditis. Recent accumulating evidence has suggested that Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus plays an important role in the initiation and development of colorectal cancer. This study was aimed to address the association between Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus and colorectal cancer among Libyan patients, to determine the dominant biotype of Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus associated with colorectal cancer patients and to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibly patterns of isolated strains. The study involved 20 colorectal cancer patients, 20 patients with large adenomas polyp and 20 people with healthy colonic mucosa as a control group. All the candidates were subjected to colonoscopy and histopathological examinations and conformation. The suspected and normal cases were then diagnosed according to the protocol used by the medicine specialist and grouped in accord with the study aim. All biopsies were handled and treated to isolate the suspected positive colonies of Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus. Of the 20 colorectal cancer patients, seven patients (35%) were found to be Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus carriers, (95% CI 1.22 - 1.72, p < 0.05). Nine patients (45%) were diagnosed colorectal cancer positive at age above 60 years old, eight patients (40%) at age 40 - 60 years old and three patients (15%) at age bellow 40 years old. Also, nine out of 20 patients (45%) with large adenomas polyp were found to be Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus carriers, (95% CI 2.16 - 2.71, p < 0.05). Of the 20 healthy people with colonic mucosa, Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus never been isolated. Streptococcus. bovis biotype II/I and Streptococcus. equinis were both susceptible to the above mentioned antibiotic classes, although Streptococcus bovis biotype I was highly resistance to most clinically used antibiotics. However, there was strong relationship between Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus and colorectal cancer or large polyp formation. However, it is not well understood whether the bacterium has a pathogenic role in the initiation and progression of neoplasia or just an epiphenomenon of colorectal neoplasms.

Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Lifelong learning is becoming part of the philosophy of professional education. Continuing medical education is the responsibility of all personnel who are responsible for the delivery of components of the health care delivery system. Continuing education is becoming increasingly obvious for medical universities, hospitals, and health care providers. Pharmacists who practice in a community pharmacy and hospital, and who are participating in residency recognize that the traditional role of the pharmacist is changing. Over the last decades, a host of new services have been identified as a function of the pharmacist [1]. A review of these services revealed a personal commitment to continuing education. It is the absolute need to develop a level of competence that will improve patient care. In Libya, pharmacists working in the community practice setting are pharmacists with a diploma of pharmacy or with a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D). The main objective is that the graduates possess the knowledge and skills needed to perform optimally to man the pharmaceutical services [1, 2]. Patient's expectations from pharmacists are that the medicine should be effective, safe and affordable. Other expectations from Libyan pharmacists would be to dispense the drugs according to the rules with the right advice on how and when the medicines should be used, and what to do in the case of adverse drug reactions, and the provision of advice on common illnesses. Nevertheless, it is an undeniable fact that the pharmacist has failed to provide all these patient-oriented services [3]. It should be noted that the quality of pharmacy education and training can be improved through certain processes of accreditation.

Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Background Mauritius embraces principles of a welfare state with free health care at point of use in any public facilities. However, the health financing landscape changed in 2007 when Private Health Expenditure (PvtHE) surpassed General Government Health Expenditure. PvtHE is predominately out of pocket (OOP) with only 3.4% related to premiums for private insurance. In 2014, Household OOP Expenditure on health accounted for 52.8% of total health expenditure. OOP is known to be regressive and to impact negatively on households’ living standards. Objectives This paper aims to examine trends in OOP in Mauritius, to assess its impacts through an analysis of key indicators of financial protection, namely catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and impoverishment due to OOP health expenditure. It also aims to predict core determinants of CHEs. Methods Household Budget Surveys (HBS) of 2001/2002, 2006/2007 and 2012 were the primary source data. CHE and impoverishment were used to assess financial hardships resulting from OOP health payments. The incidence of CHE was estimated at three threshold levels (10,25 and 40%), using the budget share and the capacity to pay approaches. Impoverishment due to OOP was measured by changes in the incidence of poverty and intensity of poverty using the US$ 3.1 international poverty line. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinants of CHE. Findings Household CHE increased from 5.78% in 2001/02 to 8.85% in 2012 and 0.61% in 2001/02 to 1.25% in 2012, for 10 and 40% thresholds, respectively. The incidence of CHE was significantly higher in urban areas compared to rural areas. The highest levels of CHEs were among households’ heads, who are retired rising from 1.62% in 2001/02 to 3.71% in 2012, followed by households’ head who are widowed from 2.29% in 2001/02 to 2.63% in 2012 and homemakers from 2.12% in 2001/02 to 2.57% in 2012 at the 40% threshold. The share of households pushed below the poverty line due to OOP dropped from 0.4% in 2001/02 to 0.2% in 2006/07 before rising to 0.34% in 2012. In 2012, poverty gap occurred only among households under poorest quintile 1 (0.24%) and quintile 2 (0.03%). Overall poverty gap dropped from 0.08% in 2001/02 to 0.05% in 2012. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds ratio of facing CHE were significant only among households with heads being retired and with a presence of an elderly member in the household. Conclusion Despite the rise in incidence of CHE between 2001 and 2012 the impact of OOP on the level of impoverishment and poverty gap has not been significant.

Ajoy nundoochan

In the construction industry lot of natural sand is being used in the preparation of concrete. Levels of natural sand are depleting day by day. The cost of natural sand is also increasing every day. Therefore, there is a need for alternative materials to natural sand. In this study, exfoliated vermiculite is replacing natural sand partially. Vermiculite at 5%, 10%, and 15% is used for replacement. The concrete cubes are cast for M 30 grade to determine the optimal percentage of replacement of natural sand by vermiculite. In this study, coarse aggregate used includes both normal aggregate and recycled aggregate. The water-cement ratio of 0.45 is adopted. The durability tests conducted include the sulfate resistance Test and the chloride resistance test. The cost analysis was also done and results are presented. The test results are promising when vermiculite was used to replace natural sand at 10%.

Kiran kumar narasimhan

This report on Mortality in Libya, with a particular emphasis on causes of death in the country for two years, 2016 - 2017, comes when there is a shortage of mortality studies in this country and in the developing world. The importance of death studies lies on the fact that they map out the hidden features of a community's health program. Unfortunately, there are no robust death studies in most developing countries, most of which are descriptive studies of statistical report or public survey. This study aims to read and review this report scientifically and impartially critically and to shed more light on this report. This report is the first of its kind in Libya. It discusses the causes of death in Libya for two years, 2016 - 2017. The report issued in English and Arabic languages. The report relied basically on medically documented death certificate for the death cases in hospital or home in Libya. The report indicated that there were 25 478 deaths in Libya in 2016 and 27 167 deaths in 2017, with crude death rate of 4.0 / 1000 of the population for 2016 and 4.1 / 1000 inhabitants for the year 2017. Furthermore, cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death at all ages and sexes during the two years covered by the study. There is an urgent need for well-designed meta-analytical studies on mortality in Libya.

Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

In this intelligent transportation systems era, traffic congestion analysis in terms of vehicle detection followed by tracking their speed is gaining tremendous attention due to its complicated intrinsic ingredients. Specifically, in the existing literature, vehicle detection on highway roads are studied extensively while, to the best of our knowledge the identification and tracking of heavy-construction vehicles such as rollers are not yet fully explored. More specifically, heavy- construction vehicles such as road rollers, trenchers and bulldozers significantly aggravate the congestion in urban roads during peak hours because of their deadly slow movement rates accompanied by their occupation of majority of road portions. Due to these reasons, promising frameworks are very much important, which can identify the heavy-construction vehicles moving in urban traffic-prone roads so that appropriate congestion evaluation strategies can be adopted to monitor traffic situations. To solve these issues, this article proposes a new deep-learning based detection framework, which employs Single Shot Detector (SSD)-based object detection system consisting of CNNs. The experimental evaluations extensively carried out on three different datasets including the benchmark ones MIO-TCD localization dataset, clearly demonstrate the enhanced performance of the proposed detection framework in terms of confidence scores and time efficiency when compared to the existing techniques.

Sreelatha r

Alternative Learning System (ALS) has been adopted in Philippine basic education, yet there is no academic institution in the region prepares ALS teachers in teaching life skills. ALS teachers graduated from different programs of teacher education for formal education. In response, an extension project was conceptualized and implemented to enhance the teaching capacity and effectiveness of ALS teachers. Case study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the project. It explored the transfer of life skills among ALS teachers. Data were collected from multiple sources. Interview and written responses, and feedback were analyzed using thematic narrative analysis. Other data were analyzed using document and descriptive analyses. The project had achieved its objectives and rated best by participants. These indicate that the project was implemented effectively and successfully. ALS teachers have acquired life skills and transferred them to others. Thus, the project has made a difference in the lives of these teachers.

Manuel caingcoy

A simple, rapid, sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for simultaneous measurement of albendazole and praziquantel with an internal standard, simvastatin, at single wavelength of 225 nm. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Enable C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm: Spinco Biotech Pvt Ltd) and a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water (60:40, v/v) with 10% orthophosphoric acid to adjust the pH to 3.2, at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The calibration curve was linear (r2 ≥ 0.999) over the concentration range 0.05–8.0 μg/ml. The concentrations of simvastatin was 1.0 μg/ml. The limit of quantification was 0.05 μg/ml for both albendazole and praziquantel. No interference was found by the excipients in the synthetic mixture. The proposed methods were validated as per International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines for linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness for estimation of albendazole and praziquantel in bulk and in a synthetic mixture, and the results were found to be satisfactory.

Prasanna pradhan

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to examine the nexus between the reforms that have been carried out in Nigeria concerning the power sector, and the implications of the reforms on the transformation of agro-allied industries. The power sector, no doubt, can be said to have the potential that can propel national development considering the overall importance of energy to the survival of the nation in terms of job creation, industrial development and sustenance as well increase in revenue generation and Foreign Direct Investment opportunities, among others. The unfortunate situation, however, is that in spite of a number of policies enunciated by successive governments aimed at improving on the power sector, not much has been achieved. The multiplier effect of this kind of development has been seen in the widespread epileptic power shortages, downward spiral of efforts towards industrial development drive; unemployment, shortage of national revenue accruing to government coffers, bourgeoning and rising poverty levels, to mention but a few. All of these have further contributed to the growing army of problems currently being witnessed in the country at the moment. This study is a theoretical exposition of the existing works of scholars and experts in the broader field of power sector reforms. The paper is exploratory in structure and method of its investigation. The study concludes and recommends that in view of the prevailing socio-economic circumstances in Nigeria, genuine reforms in the energy sector devoid of political rhetorics will go a long way in mitigating some of the challenges of contemporary times in the power sector

Canice erunke