Medicinal plants have been known for thousands of years and are highly esteemed worldwide as a rich source of therapeutic agents for preventing and curing diseases. Nowadays, a large number of the population suffers from gallstones. The gall stones problem is increasing significantly due to changes in living styles and conditions, i.e. industrialization and malnutrition. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries due to their cultural acceptability, efficacy, safety and lesser side effects than synthetic drugs. The review aims to gather information on the plants utilized in various parts of society against gallstones. The information is useful for ordinary people and the scientific community to carry out further phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies to discover new, effective and safer molecules against gallstones.
Background: Preanalytical variability due to anticoagulant choice remains inadequately characterized in resource-limited tropical settings like Yemen, where environmental stressors exacerbate challenges. This study aimed to compare the stability and cost-effectiveness of K₂EDTA and K₃EDTA anticoagulants for complete blood count testing under simulated Yemeni conditions. Methods: Prospective study of 100 healthy adult male volunteers in Ad’Dla Governorate, Yemen (January–March 2025). Paired samples in K₂EDTA/K₃EDTA tubes were analyzed at baseline (T0) and after 6-hour storage at 22 ± 2°C (T6). Statistical analysis included Bonferroni-corrected repeated-measures ANOVA and paired t-tests. Results: Fresh samples showed high inter-anticoagulant concordance (ICC > 0.90). After 6-hour storage, K₂EDTA exhibited significant Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) reduction (Δ = −2.33 fL, p < 0 xss=removed xss=removed xss=removed> 2 hours), while K₃EDTA is preferable for immediate analysis. These findings provide preliminary guidance for hematology testing in Yemeni laboratories and similar tropical settings, pending validation in diverse populations and extreme conditions.
India is not known as a country to be in for a bisexual person. Homosexual acts even within wedlock are a punishable offence in India. Legal battles over provisions in the Indian Penal Code which criminalizes any sexual act “against the order of nature” are rife. Even though Kerala has been hailed as a paradox inside India (mainly due to its human development parameters), the social, cultural and legal environment in the state is hostile to individuals who question hetero-normativity. Non-judgemental and unbiased scientific therapy or counselling are seldom available to sexual minorities. This paper is an attempt to map the experiences of a female who is openly bisexual, and is living in Kerala. An ethnographic interview was conducted where the experiences of the participant are explored, from the relationship dynamics as seen by her, to sexual experiences and difficulties in relationships. A reference is also made to the personal and social support systems that are in place for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community in Kerala and their role in initiating discourses regarding the topic. A few pointers for future studies in the topic, especially within the context of Kerala are also put forward.
Penelitian ini adalah jenis penelitian deskriptif-kualitatif. Penelitian ini secara umum bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan muatan nilai-nilai karakter yang terdapat pada buku siswa kelas IV Tema Indahnya Kebersamaan. Sumber data penelitian adalah buku siswa kelas IV Tema Indahnya Kebersamaan. Data penelitian berupa nilai-nilai karakter yang terdapat pada buku siswa yaitu nilai sopan, nilai santun, nilai religius, nilai nasionalisme, nilai mandiri, nilai gotong royong, dan nilai integritas. Berdasarkan analisis yang telah dilakukan, jumlah nilai karakter yang ditemukan sebanyak 84. Jumlah tersebut merupakan akumulasi dari semua tema yang terdiri dari tiga subtema yaitu keberagaman budaya bangsaku, kebersamaan dalam keberagaman dan bersyukur atas keberagaman. Adapun rincian jumlah setiap karakter yaitu: (1) sopan 2; (2) santun 4; (3) religius 22; (4) nasionalisme 26; (5) mandiri 10; (6) gotong royong 19; dan (7) integritas 1. Berdasarkan hasil analisis muatan nilai-nilai karakter pada buku siswa kelas IV tema Indahnya Kebersamaan dapat disimpulkan bahwa buku siswa tema Indahnya Kebersamaan kelas IV SD/MI memuat 7 nilai karakter.
Introduction: Obesity has been declared an epidemic that does not discriminate based on age, gender, or ethnicity and thus needs urgent containment and management. Since the third wave of COVID-19 is expected to affect children the most, these children and adolescents should be more cautious while having junk foods, during covid situations due to the compromise of Immunity in the individuals and further exacerbating the organ damage. Methodology: A PAN India survey organized by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) among 13,274 children between the ages 9–14 years reported that 93% of the children ate packed food and 68% consumed packaged sweetened beverages more than once a week, and 53% ate these products at least once in a day. Almost 25% of the School going children take ultra-processed food with high levels of sugar, salt, fat, such as pizza and burgers, from fast food outlets more than once a week. Children and adolescents who consume more junk food or addicted to such consumption might be even more vulnerable during the third wave, which will significantly affect the younger category. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to spread awareness among children and young adults about these adverse effects of junk food. There is no better time than now to build a supportive environment nurturing children and young adults in society and promising good health.
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.
Micro Gas Turbines (MGTs) are compact power generation systems that offer several advantages such as highpower density, low emissions, and fuel flexibility. They are commonly used in remote areas where grid connectivity is limited or unreliable. However, MGTs suffer from inherent instability issues due to their small size and high rotational speeds. These instabilities can lead to irregular speed responses, affecting the overall performance and reliability of the system. To address these concerns, the researchers utilized a genetic algorithm (GA)-based approach and conducted sensitivity studies to analyze the iteration parameter of the GA and its impact on the speed response of the MGTs. To evaluate the performance of the developed solution, they employed the Mean Step of Absolute Speed Error (MSASE) evaluation metric and compared the outcomes of the proposed strategy with a baseline Proportional Integral (PI)-only solution. The results demonstrated that the proposed solution surpassed the baseline approach by delivering a superior error response. Similarly, the findings suggested that the optimal iteration parameter setting for the GA was a maximum of 30 compared to 20 and 10 consequently lessening the settling time from 140s to 60s. Accordingly, the researchers concluded that optimizing the GA's iteration parameter could lead to enhanced stability in the speed response of the MGT units. Subsequently, this can bolster the power generation capacities of the units, highlighting the potential for enhanced efficiency and stability in MGT operations. As a final recommendation, the study advised practitioners working with MGTs to adopt the proposed GA-based speed control strategy to optimize the overall performance and reliability of these units.
Background: Breast cancer is a commonly found malignancy worldwide in women, and effective treatment is regarded as a substantial clinical challenge even in the presence of several options. Extensive literature is available that demonstrates polyphenols, the richly introduced phytopharmaceuticals, as anticancer agents. Among these polyphenols, resveratrol, silibinin, quercetin, genistein, and curcumin are reported to have tremendous potential against breast cancer. However, till now, no comprehensive survey has been found about the anticarcinogenic properties of luteolin against breast cancer. Scope and approach: This review targeted the available literature on luteolin in the treatment of breast cancer, its effects in combination with other anticancer drugs, and possible mechanisms. Key findings and conclusion: Lutein's outstanding therapeutic potential in the treatment of breast cancer has been recorded not just as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent but also complemented by its synergistic effects with other anti-cancer therapies such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and NSAIDs such as celecoxib and possible underlying mechanisms. Ideally, this review will open new dimensions for luteolin as an effective and safe therapeutic agent in diminishing breast cancer.
The notable developments in renewable energy facilities and resources help reduce the cost of production and increase production capacity. Therefore, developers in renewable energy evaluate the overall performance of the various equipment, methods, and structure and then determine the optimal variables for the design of energy production systems. Variables include equipment characteristics and quality, geographical location, and climatic variables such as solar irradiance, temperature, humidity, dust, etc. This paper investigated and reviewed the current big data methods and tools in solar energy production. It discusses the comprehensive two-stage design and evaluation for examining the optimal structure for renewable energy systems. In the design stage, technical and economic aspects are discussed based on a robust analysis of all input/output variables for determining the highest performance. Next, assess and evaluate the effectiveness of each method under different circumstances conditions. Then convert each qualitative indicator into a quantitative measure using extensive data analysis methods to determine the overall performance of the various qualitative variables. The paper also provides an in-depth analysis of the mathematical techniques used in measuring the efficiency of the renewable energy production system and discussing future axes of work in the field of specific energy.
About 12% of the world's population is affected by different forms of urolithiasis, of which the recurrence rate in females is 47–60% and in males is 70–80%. Standard therapeutic agents (allopurinol, citrate, cystone and thiazide diuretics) prevent and treat urolithiasis. Still, these are not universally-effective due to common kidney stone relapse and other side effects. Surgical treatment causes long-term renal damage, hypertension and stone recurrence. Polyphenols, the plant-derived bioactive molecules, have showed protection against cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases, among several other ailments. The role of these phytochemicals in urolithiasis management is emerging. Hence, the present review discusses peer-reviewed published literature to date on this aspect and highlights that polyphenols could effectively inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate urinary stones (most common renal stone), correlating with their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Further, we have proposed the prospects and challenges in developing plant polyphenols into drugs against kidney stone prevention. This review might be a stepping stone for further investigation into the clinical implications of polyphenols in urolithiasis remediation.
Background: Avicenna, as the Persian physician, made a significant contribution to the field of medical sciences, especially surgery, in the 10th and 11th centuries AD. Methods: In the present paper, Avicenna's translated quoted words were shared about his surgical practice. Indexing databases of PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using keywords like Avicenna, surgery, and anesthesiology to find related papers and documents. Results: The first portion comprises some of the most commonly used simple and compound herbal preparations to produce general and local anaesthetics before the surgery and as dental anaesthetic agents. In the second portion, practices regarding surgical management for skull fractures, spinal trauma, bone fractures, cataracts, incurable urinary retention, bladder calculi, haemorrhoids, cancer, as well as endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy, have also been incorporated. Finally, it ends up with practices regarding the use of natural products as postoperative dressing for traumatic and surgical wounds and after cataract surgery. Conclusion: Based on the recent investigations, the findings of this review study will provide a brief insight into Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine and the sciences of anesthesiology and surgery.
Background: There is great promise for improving nutrition and health thanks to phytonutrients' antioxidant qualities and health advantages. Their capacity to combat oxidative stress and associated illnesses emphasizes the importance of precisely evaluating their antioxidant characteristics. Objective: This study concludes by providing a comprehensive and critical critique of the current approaches to measure the antioxidant activity of phytonutrients. It dives into the fundamentals, benefits, drawbacks, and most recent developments of commonly used antioxidant assays, giving the reader a comprehensive grasp of the topic. This recapitulation of the review's goal in the end reinforces the reader's primary takeaway. Methods: Research on several antioxidant tests, such as FRAP, ORAC, DPPH, and ABTS, is consolidated in this review. It looks at each assay's performance traits, technological advances, and techniques. The review also assesses the incorporation of many assays to thoroughly examine phytonutrient potency and its uses in the food industry and nutritional science. Results: The review shows how antioxidant tests have advanced significantly, improving sensitivity, accuracy, and physiological relevance. It demonstrates how these tests can be used practically to guarantee food quality, create supplements, and offer nutritional advice. The paper also lists the difficulties today, including the intricacy of antioxidant mechanisms, test variability, and the requirement for assay standardization. The practical value of the research is emphasized by highlighting the significance of antioxidant tests for quality assurance, adulteration detection, and shelf life extension in the food business. Discussion: Scientists, doctors, and business experts interested in evaluating and applying phytonutrients will find this review helpful. It emphasizes how crucial it is to improve antioxidant testing to ascertain the possible health advantages and therapeutic uses of phytonutrients. The review highlights the need for increased test sensitivity, accuracy, and relevance while discussing the benefits and drawbacks of the available techniques. It draws attention to the importance of strong and trustworthy antioxidant tests to maximize the use of phytonutrients in food quality control and pharmaceutical research. Prospects: Future directions seek to address the challenges discovered through the development of multidisciplinary research and testing technologies. Novel approaches will advance our knowledge of phytonutrient potency and aid in developing medicines and nutraceuticals. This study highlights the significance of trustworthy assays for understanding and utilizing phytonutrients, providing academics and professionals in the business with vital insights.
This paper proposes EPyNet, a deep learning architecture designed for energy reduced audio emotion recognition.In the domain of audio based emotion recognition, where discerning emotional cues from audio input is crucial, the integration of artificial intelligence techniques has sparked a transformative shift in accuracy and performance.Deep learning , renowned for its ability to decipher intricate patterns, spearheads this evolution. However, the energy efficiency of deep learning models, particularly in resource-constrained environments, remains a pressing concern. Convolutional operations serve as the cornerstone of deep learning systems. However, their extensive computational demands leading to energy-inefficient computations render them as not ideal for deployment in scenarios with limited resources. Addressing these challenges, researchers came up with one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D CNN) array convolutions, offering an alternative to traditional two-dimensional CNNs, with reduced resource requirements. However , this array-based operation reduced the resource requirement, but the energy-consumption impact was not studied. To bridge this gap, we introduce EPyNet, a deep learning architecture crafted for energy efficiency with a particular emphasis on neuron reduction. Focusing on the task of audio emotion recognition, We evaluate EPyNet on five public audio corpora-RAVDESS, TESS, EMO DB, CREMA D, and SAVEE.We propose three versions of EPyNet, a lightweight neural network designed for efficient emotion recognition, each optimized for different trade-offs between accuracy and energy efficiency. Experimental results demonstrated that the 0.06M EPyNet reduced energy consumed by 76.5% while improving accuracy by 5% on RAVDESS, 25% on TESS, and 9.75% on SAVEE. The 0.2M and 0.9M models reduced energy consumed by 64.9% and 70.3%, respectively. Additionally, we compared our Proposed 0.06M system with the MobileNet models on the CIFAR-10 dataset and achieved significant improvements. The 1035 proposed system reduces energy by 86.2% and memory by 95.7% compared to MobileNet, with a slightly lower accuracy of 0.8%. Compared to MobileNetV2, it improves accuracy by 99.2% and reduces memory by 93.8%. When compared to MobileNetV3, it achieves 57.2% energy reduction, 85.1% memory reduction, and a 24.9% accuracy improvement. We further test the scalability and robustness of the proposed solution on different data dimensions and frameworks.
Recently, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been deployed for a wide variety of applications, including military sensing and tracking, patient status monitoring, traffic flow monitoring, where sensory devices often move between different locations. Securing data and communications requires suitable encryption key protocols. In this paper, we propose a certificateless-effective key management (CL-EKM) protocol for secure communication in dynamic WSNs characterized by node mobility. The CL-EKM supports efficient key updates when a node leaves or joins a cluster and ensures forward and backward key secrecy. The protocol also supports efficient key revocation for compromised nodes and minimizes the impact of a node compromise on the security of other communication links. A security analysis of our scheme shows that our protocol is effective in defending against various attacks.We implement CL-EKM in Contiki OS and simulate it using Cooja simulator to assess its time, energy, communication, and memory performance.
Background Urban legends and myths are prevalent in drug-use environments. However, the distinction between myth and fact is not always clear. We found contradictory claims regarding the emergence of cold cook methods for producing methamphetamine when contrasting user-generated reports with official reports repudiating such methods as myths. Our aim is to open the topic for more academic discussion. Methods We examine cold cook methods of methamphetamine production revealed in our ethnographic study and interviews with former (n = 50) and current (n = 48) methamphetamine users. Data were collected in the suburbs of a large southeastern city in the United States. We compare the data with reports from law enforcement professionals and public health officials. Results Official reports claim the cold cook method described by users in our study is a myth and does not produce methamphetamine. Small-scale producers sell it as methamphetamine and users claim it has the same effect as methamphetamine. They are charged for possession and distribution of methamphetamine when caught with this drug. It appears the unintended consequences of recent policy aimed to reduce production and use of methamphetamine may be a user-friendly production method. We do not know the health implications at this time. Conclusion We do not make any definitive conclusions on the legitimacy of the stories or myths discussed here but instead suggest that labelling drug stories as myths might lead to dismissing facts that hold partial truth. The subsequent dismissal of cold cook methods among policy and public health officials risks a range of unintended consequences among vulnerable populations. We present our case for more research attention on the myths of methamphetamine production. Keywords: Cold Cook Methods, Cold Cook Methods step by step, Cold Cook Methods steps, Methamphetamine, Cold Cook Methods list
Texas bays and estuaries experience salinity fluctuations (e.g., droughts, reduced freshwater inflows and hurricanes) caused by natural weather and climate change. This could have impacts on red drum Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus) early life stages beacause red drum spend their early life stage at the shallow bays and estuarine waters of Texas Bay. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the impact of high salinity concentrations on the survival, growth and development of red drum eggs and larvae. Red drum brood stocks were collected from wild stocks throughout the lower Texas coast and were held in hatchery tanks (13,250 L) until spawning. The water quality conditions were maintained at a salinity of 38ppt and seawater temperature of 25°C. The red drum eggs were hatched at a wide range of salinity treatments (28-48ppt). Egg hatch-out rates and larvae growth were reduced at the lowest (28ppt) and highest (48ppt) salinity treatments. Hypersalinity (≥ 40ppt) and a temperature of 25ºC affected the hatching success of red drum eggs. The percentage of egg hatching success and length of larvae were reduced in both lower (28ppt) and/or hypersalinity (48ppt). This study shows that red drum eggs can hatch within a wide range of salinities with best hatch-out and growth rates occurring between 33 – 43ppt. It also suggests that climate change that produces global warming can keep the increasing environmental salinity of the Texas bay which might have an impact on the development of the early stages of the red drum in their natural environment.
In an era where technology prevails, entrepreneurs as well as marketers see the need to keep up with the fast pace of change or risk being outdated. Gone are the days when a pure-bricks business model will thrive well in current market scenario. It is practically impossible to design a marketing strategy without considering social networks. Social media had become really important gradient in today’s marketing mix in general and in promotion mix in particular. Adapting some form of marketing online through social media is a key node for all businesses, especially in an industry where trends constantly change such as fashion and handicrafts. The paper carries out empirical research to understand the effectiveness of social media as a marketing tool and an effort has been made to analyze the extent social media helps consumers in buying decision making. In addition strategies have been suggested for maximizing the effectiveness. Various statistical tests have been applied to support the research hypothesis.
Potassium Bromate (KBrO3) is an oxidative agent capable of causing hematological alterations and other toxic effects. Amaranthus Viridis (Inine) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes. This study investigated the ameliorative effect of ethanol extract of Amaranthus viridis (Inine) on the haematological parameters in potassium bromate (KBrO3) intoxicated Albino Rats. Thirty (30) rats divided into six (6) groups consisting of five rats each, group one as the normal control, group two as the negative control (50 mg/kg of KBrO3 only), group three Vitamin C (100 mg/kg) + 50 mg/kg of KBrO3and group four to six (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg) respectively. KBrO3 exposure significantly altered some haematological indices in the rats indicating a haematotoxic effects. The results showed a dose-dependent improvement in several haematological parameters upon coadministration of Amaranthis viridis occurred. The red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and white blood cell count (WBC) exhibited notable recovery in comparison to the KBrO3-treated group. Platelet count (PLT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) also demonstrated positive alterations in response to the extract. The group receiving the highest dose of the leaf extract (800 mg/kg) alongside KBrO3 displayed the most significant improvement in the aforementioned parameters, indicating a potential dose-dependent protective effect against KBrO3-induced haematotoxicity. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic efficacy of Amaranthus viridis extract in mitigating KBrO3-induced hematological alterations.
Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder resulting from deficiency of thyroid hormone or its effects on peripheral tissues. Previous hospital based study have revealed high prevalence of hypothyroidism in pregnant women. Also, studies with small sample size indicated a rising trend of prevalence of hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Moreover, pregnancy is seen as a risk factor in the occurrence of thyroid dysfunctions. Thus, the aim of was to assess and analyze prevalence of hypothyroidism among Libyan pregnant women in Benghazi city in to study its relation and risk in pregnancy. The study was conducted on a sample size of 177 Libyan pregnant women in Benghazi city in Libya during 2018. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in clinics located in Benghazi city. Responses to the question was coded and analyzed. The prevalence of hypothyroidism among the pregnant women was found to be 10.2% (n = 18) and no significant relation between age and hypothyroidism among women. Only nine percent of the pregnant women had medical conditions (as diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure). 28% of the hypothyroidism pregnant women are of the first gestation and 72% are of the second or more. 83% of the hypothyroidism pregnant women had no thyroidectomy. Thus, this study concludes that there is a high prevalence of hypothyroidism during pregnancy period in Benghazi and a national screening is necessary for hypothyroidism in Libya.
Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences
This abstract provides an overview of the critical role of academic leadership and governance in higher education institutions. As the landscape of higher education undergoes profound transformations, academic leaders and governance structures play a pivotal role in shaping the direction, quality, and effectiveness of educational institutions. This abstract highlights key themes, challenges, and considerations related to academic leadership and governance, emphasizing the need for adaptability, transparency, and inclusivity in the decision-making processes. The abstract begins by acknowledging the evolving nature of higher education and the increasing complexity of issues facing institutions, including technological advancements, changing student demographics, and shifting funding models. It underscores the central importance of academic leadership and governance in addressing these challenges and promoting institutional excellence.