Efficacy and Safety of Lotilaner Ophthalmic Solution (0.25%) for the Treatment of Demodex Blepharitis: A GRADE Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational & Experimental Studies

PURPOSE

Several treatments have been in use for Demodex blepharitis, before the discovery of lotilaner, like tea tree oil and antibiotics; however, they either have irritable effects or systemic adverse effects, respectively. Lotilaner, a novel ectoparasiticide, has been proposed as a treatment for patients grappling with Demodex blepharitis. This review aims to assess the safety and efficacy of lotilaner in the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

An extensive search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar to find relevant literature till July 31, 2023 following the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 143 articles were retrieved by database searching, out of which 6 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Four randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis of mite eradication incidence. The review is registered with PROSPERO: CRD42023459997.

RESULTS

Lotilaner is effective in eradicating Demodex mites in individuals suffering from Demodex blepharitis according to RR for the intervention versus the control group of 3.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.87-4.40, P < .00001, I2 = 0%). The meta-analysis of clinically meaningful collarette score revealed the summary RR for the intervention versus the control group was 3.15 (95% CI: 2.56-3.89, P < 0.00001, I2 = 27%). In conclusion, the results of the included studies were comparable and consistent.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that lotilaner is an effective, well-tolerated, and promising drug in treating patients with Demodex blepharitis. Lotilaner administration and cost-effectiveness should now be contemplated for the study population as these constituents have a vital impact on its treatment success.

Unveiling the gender gap in research: a bibliometric analysis of the 100 most-cited articles on food-borne pathogen outbreaks from 1990 to 2020

Introduction

Despite a recent increase in the representation of female authors in scientific literature, a significant gap persists concerning the inclusion of women in research. This necessitates the analysis of published literature from a gender perspective. This study aimed to provide gender distribution in authorship in the 100 most-cited articles on food-borne pathogen outbreaks from 1990 to 2020.

Methods

Bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database. Two reviewers were selected to search the database. We included the 100 most-cited articles on foodborne outbreak investigations. The analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and Microsoft Excel version 2016. The citation data, including total citations, citations per year, and representation of women as first and senior authors, was analyzed in terms of frequencies, mean, median, and interquartile range. The correlation between journal impact factor and the representation of women in high-impact factor journals was determined. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Most of the top-cited articles were published between 2001 and 2010 (n=47). The top 3 most-cited articles were from the USA. Of the total 100 articles, women were the first and last authors in 46% and 28% of the articles, respectively, reflecting a significant gender gap. However, the proportion of females as principal investigators gradually increased from 25% (n=10/30) to 52% (n=24/47) during the period 2001-2010 and to 92% (n=12/13) during 2011-2020. The USA had the highest number of included articles (n=48), and women were principal authors in 56% (n=27) of them. The lowest representation of women was observed in Austria, Denmark, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

Conclusion

Women are under-represented in published literature on food-borne pathogen outbreaks. Although the representation of women as principal authors has recently increased, disparities still exist at the senior-author level, calling for women's advancement in academic science.

Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring in Corrective Surgery of Scoliosis - Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) in reducing the postoperative neurologic deficit following corrective surgery of scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational Study. Place and Duration of the Study: Spine Surgery Department, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from December 2022 to May 2023.

METHODOLOGY

The study included 170 cases of scoliosis operated under multimodal IONM. Decreased amplitude of ≥50% in SSEP or 70-80% in MEPs were considered warning signs. Cases were divided into two groups: Group 1 (signal drop) and Group 2 (no signal drop). Group 1 was subdivided into Group 1a (true positive), Group 1b (false positive) and Group 1c (intermediate positive). Group 2 was subdivided into Group 2a (true negative) and Group 2b (false negative).

RESULTS

Evoked potential changes were observed in 27 (15.9%) cases. This includes transient drop of signals in 16 (9.4%) and sustained drop of signals in 11 (6.5%) cases. Among sustained signal drop, 9 (5.29%) cases had exhibited postoperative neurological deficit whereas 2 (1.17%) cases did not show postoperative neurological deficit (false positive). Multimodal IONM in the current study shows sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 98.6%, positive predictive value of 92.6%, and negative predictive value of 100%.

CONCLUSION

Multimodal IONM reduces the incidence of postoperative neurological deficit in corrective surgery of scoliosis by effectively detecting neurologic injury during surgery. Monitoring events alert surgical team to exercise immediate corrective measures which likely results in recovery of lost signals and predict the favorable outcome.

KEY WORDS

Intraoperative monitoring, Motor evoked potentials, Neurological deficit, Scoliosis, Somatosensory evoked potentials.

Detection of Rotavirus in Respiratory Specimens From Bangladeshi Children Aged <2 Years Hospitalized for Acute Gastroenteritis

To examine the potential for respiratory transmission of rotavirus, we systematically assessed if rotavirus RNA is detectable by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasal and oropharyngeal swab specimens of Bangladeshi children with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis. Forehead swabs were collected to assess skin contamination. Among 399 children aged <2 years hospitalized for gastroenteritis during peak rotavirus season, rotavirus RNA was detected in stool, oral, nasal and forehead swab specimens of 354 (89%). A subset was genotyped; genotype was concordant within a child's specimen set and several different genotypes were detected across children. These findings support possible respiratory transmission of rotavirus and warrant further investigation.

Adiponectin blood levels and autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To review the relationship between adiponectin levels and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children.

BACKGROUND

ASDs are associated with pervasive social interaction and communication abnormalities. Researchers have studied various pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ASDs to identify predictors for an early diagnosis to optimize treatment outcomes. Immune dysfunction, perhaps mediated by a decrease in anti-inflammatory adipokine, adiponectin, along with changes in other adipokines, may play a central role in increasing the risk for ASDs. However, other factors, such as low maternal vitamin D levels, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, cardio-metabolic diseases, preterm delivery, and oxytocin gene polymorphism may also contribute to increased risk for ASDs.

METHODS

Searches on the database; PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane using keywords; adiponectin, adipokines, ASD, autism, autistic disorder, included English-language studies published till September 2022. Data were extracted on mean differences between adiponectin levels in children with and without ASDs.

RESULTS

The search yielded six studies providing data on adiponectin levels in young patients with ASDs. As can be seen from Table 1, four of the six studies were positive for an inverse correlation between ASD and adiponectin levels. In addition, two of the four positive and one negative studies found low adiponectin levels associated with and the severity of autistic symptoms. However, results from one reviewed study were insignificant.

CONCLUSION

Most studies reviewed yielded lower adiponectin levels in children with ASDs as well as the severity of autistic symptoms.

Unveiling the Latest Advancements in Vanadium Carbide MXene based Supercapacitors and their Future Trends

Vanadium-carbide-based MXenes have bewitched the scientific community due to their distinctive characteristics, which make them potential candidates for several technological applications, such as supercapacitors (SCs), batteries, gas separation, biological sensors, and desalination. This article provides an overview of recent developments in the synthesis and applications of vanadium-carbide MXene in SCs. Vanadium carbide is one of the most difficult MXenes to synthesize, and various synthesis techniques, including electrochemical exfoliation and chemical etching, have been utilized to fabricate this material. Additionally, the review article also emphasizes the potential use of vanadium carbide MXene as SCs. Finally, the paper concludes with the challenges faced in the synthesis process and the prospects of vanadium carbide MXene-based material fabrication. Overall, this review article provides in-depth and detailed information on recent research on vanadium carbide MXene and its possible uses.

Lead Toxicity-Mediated Growth and Metabolic Alterations at Early Seedling Stages of Maize (Zea mays L.)

To investigate the toxic effects of lead (Pb) on key metabolic activities essential for proper germination and seedling growth of maize seeds, experiments were carried out with different levels of Pb (0 to 120 mg of Pb L-1 as PbCl2) applied through growth medium to two maize hybrids H-3310S and H-6724. The research findings indicated that growth and metabolic activities were adversely affected by increased Pb contamination in growth medium; however, a slow increase in these parameters was recorded with increasing time from 0 to 120 h. Protease activity decreased with an increase in the level of Pb contamination but increased with time; consequently, a reduction in seed proteins and an increase in total free amino acids were observed with time. Similarly, α-amylase activity decreased with an increase in Pb concentration in growth medium while it increased with increasing time from 0 to 120 h; consequently, reducing and non-reducing sugars increased with time but decreased with exposure to lead. The roots of both maize hybrids had higher Pb contents than those of the shoot, which decreased the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. All these nutrients are essential for optimal plant growth; therefore, the reduction in growth and biomass of maize seedlings could be due to Pb toxicity that altered metabolic processes, as sugar and amino acids are necessary for the synthesis of metabolic compounds, rapid cell division, and proper functioning of enzymes in the growing embryo, but all were dramatically reduced due to suppression of protease and α-amylase by toxicity of Pb. In general, hybrid H-3310S performed better in Pb-contaminated growth medium than H-6724.

Exploring the Cardiovascular Benefits of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors: Expanding Horizons Beyond Diabetes Management

Globally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the primary cause of morbidity and mortality. The risk of cardiovascular disease is markedly increased in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), making managing cardiovascular health a top priority. Initially developed for their glucose-lowering properties, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a transformative class of pharmaceuticals with profound cardiovascular benefits that extend far beyond glycemic control. One of the most striking findings is the substantial reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality, observed in clinical trials evaluating SGLT2 inhibitors. These extraordinary cardioprotective effects are demonstrated by landmark trials such as EMPA-REG OUTCOME, CANVAS, and DECLARE-TIMI 58, which are discussed in detail. In addition, SGLT2 inhibitors have demonstrated positive outcomes in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction, which has led to their incorporation into HF treatment guidelines. SGLT2 inhibitors offer renoprotection by delaying the progression of diabetic kidney disease, reducing albuminuria, preserving glomerular filtration rates, and their immediate cardiovascular benefits. We investigate the potential mechanisms underlying these renal benefits, focusing on the role of hemodynamic alterations and intraglomerular pressure reduction. In addition, SGLT2 inhibitors have a distinct diuretic effect that can contribute to volume reduction and symptom alleviation in patients with heart failure (HF). This diuretic action, distinct from conventional diuretics, warrants additional research to optimize their use in T2DM and HF patients. The risk of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis, genital mycobacterial infections, and bone fractures are also discussed. Understanding these issues is essential for making educated clinical decisions. In conclusion, SGLT2 inhibitors have transcended their initial function as anti-diabetic agents to become essential components of cardiovascular and renal protection strategies in T2DM patients. Their diverse benefits, which include cardioprotection, renoprotection, and the potential for HF management, highlight their potential to transform cardiovascular medicine. Optimizing the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in clinical practice bears the promise of improved cardiovascular outcomes for patients with T2DM and beyond as we navigate this changing landscape.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Thermal Management and Wavelet Analysis: A Comprehensive Review.. [DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/d2vn3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various fields, presenting innovative solutions to complex challenges. This extensive literature review explores the diverse applications of AI, with a special focus on its contributions to thermal management and wavelet analysis. Both domains have witnessed significant advancements, driven by AI-driven strategies that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and performance. This review delves into recent research developments, methodologies, challenges, and future prospects, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in reshaping thermal management and wavelet analysis.

Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique and Manipulation in The Management of Non-Specific Backache; A Randomized Control Trial

Backache is the most common musculoskeletal impairment in general population worldwide. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of MET and manipulation in the management of non-specific backache. Methods: After getting the REC approval from The Neurocounsel Clinic, Islamabad this study was initiated. Duration of study was 6 months from September 20, 2022 to March 19, 2023. Simple convenient sampling technique was done for data collection and total 30 patients of both genders between age of 18-50 years old who had backache due to mechanical cause or had no comorbidity of any kind. Those patients who had a) Lumber disc disease, b) Spondylolisthesis, c) previous back surgery, d) cardiac disease, e) pain <3 on NPRS, f) Parkinson disease were excluded. Two equals (n=15 each) were formed named as group A (MET) and group B (Manipulation). 3 sessions/ week for 3 weeks were given to each group along with heating pad (10minutes). SPSS version-22 was used for data analysis. NP test was used for between groups analysis and level of significance was kept p<0.05. Results: The mean age of patients in group A was 28.25 ± 5.53 whereas of group B it was 34.73 ± 10.66. Between groups analysis revealed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between both groups. Conclusions: It was concluded from the result of current study that both MET and manipulation are equally effective in the pain reduction and QoL enhancement in NSLBP sufferers.

Prevalence of Chronic Fatigue in Post COVID-19 Patients in Twin Cities

COVID-19 is linked to clinically severe symptoms despite the initial infection has subsided. The acute symptoms and recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are mainly in the headlines. However, many people who have recovered deal with ongoing physical, mental, and psychological issues long beyond the acute stage. The most persistent and debilitating of these symptoms is fatigue. Objective: To determine the prevalence of chronic fatigue in post COVID-19 patients living in Twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted and the data were collected from the population living in Islamabad and Rawalpindi using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. The study was completed within 6 months after the approval from the ethical committee. Data were collected through a self-structured questionnaire containing demographics and a fatigue severity scale was used to assess chronic fatigue. Results: There were 382 participants enrolled in total. Out of which 54.2% were females and 45.8% were males. According to the results of the fatigue severity scale 65.4% participants reported chronic fatigue. Out of the 207 female participants, 148 (71.5%) reported chronic Fatigue while 159 (28.5%) were non-fatigued. The results also showed that out of 175 males, 102 (58.3%) reported chronic fatigue and 59 (41.7%) were non-fatigued. Conclusions: The current study concluded that most of the population in the Twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad) had a prevalence of chronic fatigue in post COVID-19 patients.

Comparison of Kinesio-Tapping and Endurance Training in Improving Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most debilitating condition more commonly effecting the knee of its sufferers. Objective: To compare the effects of Kinesio Tape and endurance training in improving the quality of life of knee OA. Methods: This was a single blinded randomized control trail (RCT) in which 30 participants were included between age of 40-70 years who had OA of grade II-IV (K & L grade) and had no serious comorbidity. Simple convenient sampling technique was used for recruitment of participants. Two equal groups were made (n=15 each). Group A participants was incorporated endurance training at a rate of 2x/week for 4 weeks by use of therapeutic band along with conventional therapy and group B was given Kinesio-tape 2 session/ week for 4 weeks in combination with conventional therapy. Data were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention by use of NPRS and Sf-36 quality of life questionnaire. Man Whitney U test was performed for between groups analysis by use of SPSS version 21.0. Level of significance was kept p<0.05. Results: The mean age of participants in group A was 54.30 with standard deviation (SD) of 5.61 whereas of group B Mean ± SD of age was 53.45±7.73. There was no significant difference between groups as p>0.05. Conclusions: It was concluded from this study that both techniques are equally effective in improving the quality of life in knee osteoarthritis sufferers.

Marburg Virus Disease Outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania: challenges and recommendations.. [DOI: 10.22541/au.168431227.75372611/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

The current outbreak of Marburg Virus in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania is a growing concern in Sub-Saharan African Region. With a mortality rate of upto 88%, lack of treatment and its transmissibility, it has a very high epidemic and pandemic potential. Unrestricted traveling can result in a global pandemic with ease. The virus is transmitted mainly via blood, skin puncture and fomites with secretions of an infected person or Rousette bat colonies. The symptoms are divided into three phases similar to the ebola virus. The average incubation period is about 5-9 days. Many experimental drugs are being developed revealing positive results like Favipravir (antiviral) and MR191-N (monoclonal antibody). Pre-exposure vaccines are currently in Phase 1 clinical trials. Post-exposure vaccines have also shown positive outcomes. Stakeholders within countries should take action with strong commitment by following instructions and warnings issued by WHO.

SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection by saliva; an alternative to nasopharyngeal specimen: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

Saliva samples are less invasive and more convenient for patients than naso- and/or oropharynx swabs (NOS). However, there is no US Food and Drug Administration-approved severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rapid antigen test kit, which can be useful in a prolonged pandemic to reduce transmission by allowing suspected individuals to self-sampling. We evaluated the performances of High sensitive AQ⁺ Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test (AQ⁺ kit) using nasopharyngeal swabs (NPs) and saliva specimens from the same patients in laboratory conditions.

Methods

The real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test result was used for screening the inrolled individuals and compared as the gold standard. NP and saliva samples were collected from 100 rRT-PCR positives and 100 negative individuals and tested with an AQ⁺ kit.

Results

The AQ⁺ kit showed good performances in both NP and saliva samples with an overall accuracy of 98.5% and 94.0%, and sensitivity of 97.0% and 88.0%, respectively. In both cases, specificity was 100%. AQ⁺ kit performance with saliva was in the range of the World Health Organization recommended value.

Conclusion

xOur findings indicate that the saliva specimen can be used as an alternative and less invasive to NPs for quick and reliable SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection.

Frequency of Low Back Pain and Its Association with Functional Ability in Engineers

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common health problem among workers; most workers experience this issue during their lives. There are some psycho-social factors interlinked with LBP including hostile work environments, long working hours & overtime working hours. Objective: To determine the frequency of low back pain in engineers and to evaluate the association between functional ability and low back pain in engineers. Methods: A descriptive Cross-Sectional study was conducted, and the data were collected through a convenient sampling technique from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Malakand. The duration of the study was 6 months after synopsis approval. Data collection were done using a self-structured questionnaire containing demographic data and clinical characteristics. Visual analogue scale for pain (VAS pain) and Back pain functional scale (BPFS) were used to assess pain and functional abilities. Results: There were 85.9% Males and 24.1% females in this study. The point prevalence of LBP was 36.7% and the 12-month prevalence was 63.3%. There was a moderate association found between the severity of LBP and functional ability [(r= -0.59), p < 0.001]. Conclusions: The study concluded that the prevalence of LBP is found in engineers. A moderately significant association was found between the severity of LBP and functional ability in engineers.

Voting-Based Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (VB-DCNNs) for M-QAM and M-PSK Signals Classification

Automatic modulation classification (AMC) using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is an active area of research that has the potential to improve the efficiency and reliability of wireless communication systems significantly. AMC is the approach used in a communication system to detect the type of modulation format at the receiver end. This paper proposes a voting-based deep convolutional neural network (VB-DCNN) for classifying M-QAM and M-PSK signals. M-QAM and M-PSK signal waveforms are generated and passed through the fading channel in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The VB-DCNN extracts features from the input signal through convolutional layers, and classification is performed on these features. Multiple network instances are trained on different subsets of training data in the VB-DCNN. A network instance predicts the input signal during testing. Based on the votes, the final prediction is made. Different simulation experiments are carried out to analyze the performance of the trained network, and the DCNN is designed with the Deep Neural Network Toolbox in MATLAB. The generated frames are divided into training, validation, and test datasets. Lastly, the classification accuracy of the trained network is determined using test frames. The proposed model’s accuracy is near to 100% at lower SNRs. The simulation results show the superiority of the proposed VB-DCNN compared to existing state-of-the-art techniques.

Comparison of RPM (Re-positioning Maneuver) & Liberatory maneuvers vs Betahistine on BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) for improving functional ability and quality of life

BPPV is a vestibular disease which arises due to positional changes of head. Objective: To compare the efficacy of CRP & Liberatory maneuvers collectively in contrast to Betahistine alone for improving quality of life oof BPPV patients. Methods: After getting the approval from ERC of RIHS (Rawal Institute of Health Sciences) Islamabad, this study was conducted at Rawal General & Dental Hospital Islamabad from 20th September 2022 to 19th Jan 2023. 30 patients between age of 20-50 years with first episode of vertigo were included in this study. Two groups were formulated. Group A patients were given CRP (Epley’s maneuver) & Liberatory maneuver (Semont’s) whereas group B patients were given just Betahistine 16mg. Both techniques were used twice a day for one week. Tools used for assessment were DHI & SF-36. SPSS version 21 was employed for analysis. Results: Mean+SD of age was 32.40+10.91 in group A and 29.93+11.67 in group B. The frequency of age between 20-30 years old patients was 07(46.4%) in group A and 11(73.7%) in group B. The frequency in age group 31-40 & 41-50 was 04(26.8%) & 04(26.8%) in group A whereas in group B it was 04(26.3%) & 0(0%) respectively. within group analysis of both groups showed significant improvement (p<0.05) on. Between groups Analysis revealed insignificant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: Both maneuvers in combination are equally effective as Betahistine is in improving the quality of life of BPPV patients.

Green Financing and Sustainable Policy for Low Carbon and Energy Saving Initiatives: Turning Educational Institutes of China into Green

To achieve a zero-carbon agenda, businesses in emerging economies need to focus on green production resources to develop a circular economy. This study identified the key role of green financing in mobilizing pro-environmental behaviours for achieving sustainable production and a circular economy. The study aimed to study the effect of green financing on the pro-environmental behaviours of educational institutes within China. A quantitative methodology was adopted, and structured questionnaires were used for the collection of data from educational sector employees. The data was collected from both administrators and teachers with a random sampling technique and was later analyzed through SEM. The results showed that green financing aids institutions in the implementation of pro-environmental behaviours and also sustainable policy development was found to mediate the association between low carbon management, carbon asset transactions, and energy saving and emission reduction technologies and green financing. This study makes valuable contributions to the literature on green financing, sustainable development, and pr-environmental behaviours. The findings can help the education sector to adopt sustainable practices. It may also contribute to helping policymakers develop policies related to pro-environmental behaviours. Furthermore, the paper explores the green financial aspect of educational institutes, making it a valuable resource for both theory and practice.

The Effect of Yoga on Pain and Quality of Life in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Cross Sectional Survey

Dysmenorrhea is a painful syndrome that accompanies the menstrual cycles. Objectives: The main objective of this research was to determine the effects of yoga exercises on pain and quality of life in female undergraduate students suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: After taking approval from Ethical review committee of Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, an observation type of cross-section survey was conducted in 470 young undergraduate female students of age between 17-26, suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. By non-probability sampling participants were divided into two groups. Group-1 was of those females who had active lifestyle and doing yoga exercises and group-2 were of those who had sedentary lifestyle and didn’t do any kind of exercise. To measure the outcome variables, EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was used to measure QoL & NPRS to measure pain. Data were taken at baseline and after 12th week. Wilcoxon rank test was used for within group analysis and Mann Whitney U test was used to compare mean between groups. Data was analyzed in SPSS software version 21 along with Microsoft Excel 2019. Results: 21.16+2.66 &22.27+2.53 was the Mean+SD of age of group-1 & group-2 respectively. Between groups analysis revealed that p-value for NPRS was <0.05 but was >0.05 in quality of life. Conclusion: Yoga exercises are safer and easiest way to manage pain of primary dysmenorrhea in undergraduate females without any drug use.

Comparative Evaluation on the Coupled Fracture Characteristics for Longmaxi Anisotropic Shale

The shale fracture characteristics are important for realizing the complex hydraulic fracture network, predicting wellbore fracture pressure, and optimizing wellbore trajectory and the rock fragmentation efficiency. Through a three-point bending test of notched semicircular specimens of Longmaxi shale, the coupled relationship of mode-I fracture toughness (Kic), peak fracture force (Pmax), energy release rate (GI), applied work (W), and loading rate was studied by using kernel density analysis method. The results showed that the dynamic characteristics of force-displacement curve exhibited obvious loading angle dependence, including two types of the “deformation accumulation-brittleness” and “deformation accumulation-brittleness-plasticity.” The Kic and GI increased linearly with Pmax increasing. With the increasing of the loading angle, the dispersion degree of Pmax, Kic, GI, and W all increased. The GI increased nonlinearly with the increasing of Kic. With the increasing of the loading rate, the Kic basically increased linearly. The dynamic Kic under static and quasistatic conditions had strong anisotropy. At the high loading rate, the anisotropy index gradually decreased as the loading rate increasing. The results have significant implications for the design of hydraulic fracturing and the exact fracture control of Longmaxi shale.

Phytochemical Composition, Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Potentials of Cydonia oblonga Bark

Cydonia oblonga is a medicinal plant that is used to treat a number of health complications in traditional medication systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, and antibacterial, antioxidant, and ant-diabetic potentials of methanolic extracts of Cydonia oblonga bark. The Cydonia oblonga bark extraction was fractionated through HPLC and seven purified fractions labeled as F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, and F7 were obtained. The HPLC-UV analysis of methanolic extract showed the presence of a number of possible compounds. The GC-MS and HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of the following bioactive compounds in the crude extract and purified fractions: malic acid, mandelic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, catechin hydrate, as morin (HPLC analysis), BIS-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and diisooctyl phthalate (F1), carbamide (F2, used as fertilizer), octasiloxane and dimethylsiloxanecyclictrimer (F3), silicic acid and cyclotrisiloxane (F4), 6-AH-cAMP, 4H-cyclopropa[5′,6′]benz[1′,2′,7,8]azule, and 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-morpholinepyrol-2-yl)-butenedioic acid (F5), isopropyamine (F6), and 1-propylhydrazine (F7). The extract and purified fractions were then tested for biological activities. All the purified fractions and methanolic extract showed effective antibacterial activity; however, the highest activity was recorded for methanolic extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia. Antioxidant evaluation of methanolic extract and purified fractions against DPPH showed strong % inhibition of the synthetic free radical. The methanolic extract exhibited 87.41 ± 0.54% inhibition whereas fractions showed: F1, 85.45 ± 0.85; F2, 65.78 ± 0.68; F3, 58.61 ± 0.58; F4, 80.76 ± 0.59; F5, 571.29 ± 0.49; F6, 85.28 ± 0.94; and F7, 48.45 ± 0.62% inhibition. Ascorbic acid (standard) was used as a control with 94.88 ± 0.56% inhibition at a maximum concentration of 1000 µg/mL. The α-glucosidase inhibition assay of methanolic extract and purified fractions at a maximum concentration of 1000 µg/mL showed activities as: methanolic extract, 78.21 ± 0.67; F1, 55.01 ± 0.29; F2, 56.10 ± 0.24; F3, 62.44 ± 1.03; F4, 70.52 ± 0.15; F5, 62.18 ± 0.92; F6, 72.68 ± 0.2; and F7, 57.33 ± 0.05% inhibition. α-Amylase % inhibition of methanolic extract and purified fractions were noted as: methanolic extract, 77.98 ± 0.57; F1, 79.72 ± 0.02; F2, 79.72 ± 0.02; F3, 82.16 ± 0.48; F4, 77.37 ± 0.28; F5, 72.14 ± 0.30; F6, 74.24 ± 0.29; and F7, 56.58 ± 0.10 at the highest concentration of 1000 µg/mL. Acarbose (standard) showed 87.65 ± 0.71% inhibition of α-glucosidase and 85.99 ± 0.44% inhibition of α-amylase at the highest concentration of 1000 µg/mL. It was found that all biological activities of methanolic extract and purified fractions might be attributed to the fact that they are rich sources of phenolic and flavonoids along with other bioactive compounds. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of methanolic extract were recorded higher as compared to purified fractions (TPC = 70% and TFC = 69%). Amongst the purified fractions, fraction 6 exhibited the highest TPC value (64%), and purified fraction 1 exhibited the highest value of TFC (58%). Recent research demonstrated that Cydonia oblonga may be considered an antibacterial medicinal plant. The result of the present study revealed that it might be utilized for the isolation of bioactive phytochemicals that can lead to new opportunities in the discovery of new antibiotics.

Removal of Chromium (VI) from the Steel Mill Effluents Using the Chemically Modified Leaves of Pteris vittata as Adsorbent

Chromium (Cr), a metal that is released in appreciable amounts from the steel industry into water bodies, is not only the main causative agent of lung cancer in human but also negatively affects the metabolic activities of plants. Keeping in view the hazardous effects of Cr(VI), the present study was aimed to eliminate it from industrial effluents of steel mills installed in Dargai District Malakand, Pakistan, using chemically modified Pteris vittata plant leaves as an adsorbent. The instrumental techniques such as FTIR, surface area analysis, SEM, TGA and EDX were used to evaluate surface functionality, morphology, thermal stability and elemental composition of the modified leaves. To identify the ideal conditions for the biosorption process, batch adsorption tests were carried out under varied conditions of pH, contact time, initial metal concentration, biosorbent dose, as well as temperature. Various models, such as those of Freundlich, Jovanovich, Temkin, Langmuir, and Harkins–Jura, were utilized to explain the isothermal experimental data. The high value of R2 (0.991) was exhibited by the Langmuir model. Pseudo-first-order, power function, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, and Natarajan–Khalaf models were employed to obtain an insight into kinetics of the process. The highest R2 value, close to unity was recorded with pseudo-second order. At pH = 2, the best elimination of Cr was observed with maximum uptake capacity qmax(66.6 mg/g) as calculated from the Langmuir isotherm. The thermodynamic analysis, which was conducted at different temperatures, showed that the nature of this sorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. The modified leaves-based biosorbent could be used as an alternative adsorbent for effective Cr elimination from water, and its use could be extended to other heavy metals and organic pollutants as well, and further experimentation are needed in this regard.

An effective and simplified method to select the working fluid for waste heat recovery based Organic Rankine Cycle

Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is an attractive option to utilize the low-grade waste heat for power generation. The selection of working fluid for ORC is a challenging task because of environmental constraints as most of the organic fluids has the capacity to damage the environment. In this research, a method for the selection of an optimum working fluid for the operation low grade waste heat is determined. The selection of the optimum working fluids depends upon the thermal efficiency, Global Warming Potential (GWP), Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and Atmospheric Lifetime of the fluid. Twelve different organic fluids including R134a, butene, R22, R152a, R245fa, R290, R161a, isobutene, isobutane, dimethyl ether, R600 and R124 are selected for the study. The ORC is analyzed by using EES at 2 MPa, 2.5 MPa and 3 MPa. The thermal efficiency of ORC is determined and is found that high operating pressure is favorable for the operation of ORC. At 2.5 MPa, the top three working fluids are R-245fa, R-600 and Iso-butene with an efficiency of 12.7%, 12% and 11.3% respectively. On the basis of thermal efficiency, R-245fa is the best but it has the highest GWP and atmospheric life of 1050 and 7.7 years. R-600 has GWP and atmospheric life of just 20 and 0.018 years. On the basis of environmental constraints, R-600 is found to be more beneficial than R-245fa. It is concluded that R-600 is the optimum working fluid for the operation of low-grade waste heat ORC.

Parents and Student-Athletes: The Propensity to Underestimate the Importance of Social Factors for Sports Performance

Recent investigative studies reveal that social support and parental behavior are protective against poor performance, and positive involvement is compatible with better performance. The current research investigates insights into the contribution of parental involvement to student-athletes. Student-athletes from different colleges of the district (N=202) completed a survey on an adopted questionnaire with the permission of Prof. Dr Craig Williams, assessing the perceived importance of parental behavior with student-athlete. Participants reported positively moderate to higher levels of relationship between parent's behavior and sports activity with r=.374 and a p-value less than 0.01, representing positive-relationship between parents' behavior and sports activity. The regression model also indicates the same, with an unstandardized coefficient for parent's involvement B=.326, parent's behavior B=.089and significance level less than 0.05. This research points to a range of challenges provoking those who seek to promote a greater understanding of the significance of social factors for higher sports performances.

Accuracy of MRI in Diagnosis of Invasive Placenta by Taking Per Operative Findings as Gold Standard

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting invasive placentas using per-operative findings as the gold standard.Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the diagnostic radiology department of KRL General Hospital Islamabad during Oct 2019 to Sep 2021. Sixty prenatal individuals were identified as having a high risk of invasive placenta and underwent MRI (Phillips 1.5 T) to confirm the diagnosis. A trainee radiologist and a consultant radiologist reviewed the images. The MRI's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy was calculated using a 2×2 contingency tables. Results: Ten cases of invasive placenta were detected postoperatively (gold standard). The MRI had a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 90%, a negative predictive value of 90%, and an accuracy of 92.3 percent, respectively. Conclusion: The study concluded that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a good diagnostic accuracy and is a reproducible technology for prenatal identification of invasive placentas.

Research on Multilevel Chaotic Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Optical Processing Technology

A multilevel chaotic image encryption solution based on optical processing technology is proposed to solve the difficulties of poor security and slow picture processing performance in the present avatar encryption method. The security key is created by collecting and categorising the features of multilevel chaotic pictures combined with optical processing technology. As a result, the original picture data are crystal clear and accurate. The increase in image processing security will help in simplifying and speeding the multilevel chaotic picture enrcryption process. As a result of these findings, researchers discovered that the multilevel chaotic picture encryption method based on optical processing technology is more secure in the application process, can perform image encryption faster, and improves the efficiency and accuracy of image processing overall.

Impact of the Validity Analysis Model and Multirelational Data Clustering Based on the Trust Probability

In view of the present poor impact of multi relational data clustering, a multirelational data clustering effectiveness analysis model based on trusted probability is created. The construction of the multirelational data clustering trusted probability evaluation model, standardization of the multirelational data clustering trusted probability evaluation index, optimization of the multirelational data clustering trusted probability analysis process, and data clustering processing quality and finally, investigations show that the validity analysis model of multirelational data clustering based on credible probability is more effective in practice and satisfies the research goals entirely.

Anabasis articulata (Forssk.) Moq: A Good Source of Phytochemicals with Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Antidiabetic Potential

Anabasis articulata is medicinally used to treat various diseases. In this study, A. articulata was initially subjected to extraction, and the resultant extracts were then evaluated for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic potentials. After obtaining the methanolic extract, it was subjected to a silica gel column for separation, and fractions were collected at equal intervals. Out of the obtained fractions (most rich in bioactive compounds confirmed through HPLC), designated as A, B, C, and D as well hexane fraction, were subjected to GC-MS analysis, and a number of valuable bioactive compounds were identified from the chromatograms. The preliminary phytochemical tests were positive for the extracts where fraction A exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The hexane fraction as antimicrobial agent was the most potent, followed by the crude extract, fraction A, and fraction D. DPPH and ABTS assays were used to estimate the free radical scavenging potential of the extracts. Fraction C was found to contain potent inhibitors of both the tested radicals, followed by fraction D. The potential antidiabetic extracts were determined using α-glucosidase and amylase as probe enzymes. The former was inhibited by crude extract, hexane, and A, B, C and D fractions to the extent of 85.32 ± 0.20, 61.14 ± 0.49, 62.15 ± 0.84, 78.51 ± 0.45, 72.57 ± 0.92 and 70.61 ± 0.91%, respectively, at the highest tested concentration of 1000 µg/mL with their IC₅₀ values 32, 180, 200, 60, 120 and 140 µg/mL correspondingly, whereas α-amylase was inhibited to the extent of 83.98 ± 0.21, 58.14 ± 0.75, 59.34 ± 0.89, 81.32 ± 0.09, 74.52 ± 0.13 and 72.51 ± 0.02% (IC₅₀ values; 34, 220, 240, 58, 180, and 200 µg/mL, respectively). The observed biological potentials might be due to high phenolic and flavonoid content as detected in the extracts. The A. articulata might thus be considered an efficient therapeutic candidate and could further be investigated for other biological potentials along with the isolation of pure responsible ingredients.