Plate Test Research Articles

Molecular assessment of NMDAR subunits and neuronal apoptosis in the trigeminal ganglion in a model of male migraine-induced rats following Moringa oleifera alcoholic extract administration.

Migraine, a common disorder marked by severe and repetitive headaches, has been linked to the involvement of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), a receptor responsible for glutamate signaling. Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties and therapeutic potential in various conditions, has been investigated. This study aims to assess the efficacy and precise mechanisms of M. oleifera for the treatment of migraine, for which evidence is limited. Rats were stratified into four distinct groups. The control group did not undergo the migraine-induction protocol. Post-induction, the "sumatriptan" group was administered sumatriptan injections, the "treatment" group received oral M. oleifera extract, and the "vehicle" group was provided with oral solvent treatment. Behavioral evaluations encompassing Von Frey's and hot plate assessments, in addition to qPCR analysis targeting Nr2a, Nr2b, Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3, were conducted. Von Fery's and hot plate tests revealed a notable decrease in triggering pressure and temperature within the vehicle group when compared to the other groups (both ps < 0.001). The Nr2a expression levels in both the vehicle and treatment cohorts exhibited significantly higher values than those observed in the control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.001) and the sumatriptan group (p < 0.001, p = 0.002). Conversely, no substantial alterations in Nr2b or Bcl-2 expression levels were observed across the study groups (p = 0.404, p = 0.976). Notably, heightened expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax were evident in the vehicle group relative to the other groups (p = 0.013, p = 0.010). Moringa oleifera extract appears to mitigate symptoms of migraine by inhibiting apoptosis, suggesting potential efficacy in migraine treatment; however, additional research investigating a wider range of pathways is necessary. Not applicable.

Advancing moisture management in activewear: a novel dynamic testing approach for dynamic breathability of sportswear

This study presents a novel dynamic hot plate test for examining the exothermic and endothermic behaviors of textiles, emphasizing the dynamic conditions akin to physical activities. The method surpasses previous standards, for example ISO 16533 and the dynamic hot plate test developed by Naylor, by integrating sweating and wind simulations, thus offering a more precise assessment of fabric performance and physical sensation while wearing activewear. The investigation involved five fabric samples made from four different fiber types: 100% Merino wool, 100% polyester, 100% cotton, and 100% viscose.. The experimental setup, consisting of a 90-minute test with relaxation, activity, and drying phases, highlighted significant fabric-specific responses. Notably, polyester exhibited the highest heat loss rate at 388 W/m² during the activity phase, underscoring its potential for moisture management and cooling. Conversely, Merino wool showed the lowest heat loss rate at 212 W/m², suggesting a more stable microclimate. The dynamic conditions induced marked changes in microclimate temperature, humidity, and fabric surface temperatures, particularly noticeable when wind was introduced. These findings emphasized the importance of dynamic testing in evaluating activewear fabrics, suggesting that materials such as polyester offer excellent cooling and moisture management, whereas natural fibers such as Merino wool may enhance wearer comfort by maintaining a more consistent microclimate. This research contributes to refining fabric performance testing standards by emphasizing the significance of real-world dynamic conditions.

Exploration of Antidiarrheal, Analgesic and Anti-hyperglycemic Potentials of Glycosmis Pentaphylla (Retz.) DC

Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC., commonly known as "orangeberry" or "Ashsheora," is a medicinal plant from the Rutaceae family (Khare et al., 2007). It is widely used in traditional medicine for treating fever, respiratory disorders, skin diseases and inflammation. Phytochemical studies reveal that it contains alkaloids, flavonoids and coumarins with significant antimicrobial, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities (Samy et al., 2008). The antidiarrheal, analgesic and anti-hyperglycemic properties of Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz) DC were assessed in this investigation. Methanolic bark extracts of the plant were subjected to various in vivo assays to determine their pharmacological properties by using Swiss albino mice weighing 20–25 grams. G. pentaphylla (Retz.) DC demonstrates remarkable pharmacological activities, including analgesic, antidiarrheal and antihyperglycemic properties, supported by standard experimental data. Analgesic activity was assessed using formalin-induced writhing and hot plate tests in Swiss albino mice. The methanol extract significantly reduced pain responses by 48% compared to the standard diclofenac sodium's 68% (10 mg/kg). For antidiarrheal activity, the castor oil-induced diarrhea model revealed that the petroleum ether fraction reduced diarrhea frequency by 58% at 200 mg/kg, closely matching the standard loperamide's (5 mg/kg) 68% efficacy. Additionally, the antihyperglycemic activity was evaluated using the oral glucose tolerance test in diabetic mice, where the methanol extracts reduced blood glucose levels by 25%, nearly equivalent to the standard glibenclamide's (10 mg/kg) 30%. These findings validate the traditional uses of G. pentaphylla and highlight its potential for therapeutic applications. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 28(1): 44-48, 2025 (January)

Impact energy release characteristics and penetration behavior of high-density VNbTa medium-entropy alloys

This study systematically investigated the dynamic mechanical properties and penetration-damage behavior of high-density VNbTa medium-entropy alloys under dynamic loading. The split Hopkinson bar, impact energy release, and spaced-target plate tests were carried out. Results from the impact energy release test indicated that a significant chemical reaction and substantial energy release occurred when the alloy hit a rigid target plate at high speed. The spaced-target plate penetration test verified the combined destructive effect of the alloy’s kinetic and chemical energies during penetration, leading to large perforations and severe deformation of the rear target plate. Moreover, a shock-induced energy release model and a fragment cloud diffusion model were established, uncovering the energy release mechanism and fragment-cloud expansion law. These findings provide a theoretical and experimental basis for the design and application of high-density, high-energy structural materials.

Unveiling the epidemiology and community perspectives on bovine brucellosis in North Shewa, Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of many domestic and wild animals with great economic and public health importance. Although it has a major constraint in dairy production, comprehensive information regarding the epidemiology of brucellosis in dairy herds is limited. Besides, evaluating the dairy farmers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding brucellosis is crucial for generating information that can enhance control programs and public health interventions. Thus, this study aims to investigate the seroepidemiology of brucellosis and evaluate the dairy farmers’ KAP in North Shewa, central highlands of Ethiopia. A total of 511 blood samples were randomly collected from 142 dairy herds. Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) was used for primary screening, and a complement fixation test (CFT) was conducted on RBPT-positive samples. Retrospective information was collected to associate brucellosis with a history of reproductive disorders. A questionnaire survey assessed farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding zoonotic brucellosis. Multivariable Firth’s bias-reduced logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with brucellosis seropositivity. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis was 0.98% (95% CI: 0.41–2.34%) at the animal level and 3.52% (95%CI: 1.46–8.26%) at the herd level. Cows older than 6 years were four times more likely to be seropositive (OR = 3.82; 95% CI: 1.71–7.97; P = 0.004), while local breeds had a six-fold higher risk (OR = 6.2; 95% CI: 2.08–8.21; P = 0.016). Cattle with a history of abortion (OR = 22.35; 95% CI: 3.90-107.91; P = 0.002) and retained fetal membrane (OR = 18.74; 95% CI: 3.48–63.86; P = 0.020) showed significantly higher seroprevalence. A survey of 120 respondents found that 86% were unaware of zoonotic brucellosis, 74.63% assisted cows during the parturition without protective equipment, and 64% consumed raw meat. Only 9.17% disposed of fetal membranes and aborted fetuses properly. This study revealed evidence of brucellosis in 4% of dairy herds, poor understanding of the disease, various risky practices, and poor biosafety measures. Thus, educating dairy farmers and implementing strict farm biosecurity measures are essential steps to minimize the impacts of the disease on the growing dairy industry and public health.

Apparatus for Exposure of Cancer Cell Lines with Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Alternating Magnetic Field

This paper presents the design of a laboratory stand that allows the study of the effects of exposure of magnetic induction of extremely low frequency on cultures of cancer cell lines. The designed laboratory bench, is adapted to operate in the frequency range up to 300 Hz and the maximum settable magnetic induction of 2.5 mT. Tests are carried out on cellular test plates of 24, 48 or 96 wells where it is possible to evaluate the combined effect of magnetic field and cisplatin on cancer cells. Tests were conducted to determine the uniformity of field distribution inside the constructed solenoid determining the optimal space for cellular research. Preliminary studies of the effect of the magnetic field on the response of cancer cells treated with cisplatin were carried out on the built stand. The study shows that a magnetic field with certain parameters can significantly affect the response of cancer cells to cisplatin treatment. The application of a magnetic field can either promote cell proliferation or, with appropriately selected parameters, lead to increased cytotoxicity. Continued research will allow us to determine the appropriate drug concentration parameters when using magnetic field exposure with given parameters.

The impact of technologies on the development of repetitive speed in handball, basketball and volleyball

Introduction and objective: The study focused on identifying the differences regarding the implementation of a program that uses Fitlight technology and targets the development of simple and reactive repetitive speed in manual and bilateral manual executions. Methodology: There were 311 subjects in the study, including 243 student-athletes (handball, basketball, and volleyball) and 65 recreational subjects (control group). Study phasing: initial testing; implementing a 6-week experimental program using the Fitlight technology to improve manual, repetitive speed; final testing. Study tests: the Tapping the plates test-unilateral execution with the dominant hand (TP_dominant hand), the random reactive plate touching test_unilateral execution with the dominant hand (TPR_dominant hand), Touching the plates test- bilateral execution (TP_bilateral), Test Touching the plates bilateral execution-random reactive (TPR_bilateral). Results: The ANOVA analysis highlighted significant differences between the male and female groups, respectively, for all four versions of the Tapping Plate Test, for p&lt;0.05. While analyzing the results of the male/female sports game groups, the most significant differences in progress were recorded in TP_dominant hand between Volleyball-Basketball with 0.179/0.126 executions; TPR_ dominant hand between Volleyball-Basketball -0.126/0.086 executions; TP_bilateral between Volleyball-Basketball -0.154/-0.173 executions; bilateral TPR_ between Volleyball-Handball -0.016/-0.033 executions. Analyzing the study results, we found that the control group recorded lower results than all the experimental groups. Conclusions: The Fitlight technology positively impacted the environment of simple and reactive repetitive speed as part of practicing an experimental program of specific exercises adapted to team sports games.

Prevalence of Ishihara Test Failures in a Large Cohort of Military Conscripts.

Color vision deficiency (CVD) is a common vision disorder. It is predominantly caused by inherited photopigment abnormalities in the retina. The absolute number of cases with CVD is expected to increase worldwide with the growing population. Data from male military conscripts for the recruitment period of 2008 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Year of recruitment, conscripts' birth year, visual acuity, refractive status (spherical equivalent), and color vision status (normal Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates test yes/no) were available. The dataset comprised data on a total of 355 657 male conscripts who had undergone recruitment between the years 2008 to 2017. The mean number of conscripts per year was 35 566 (MD = 35 440, SD = 1 249), reaching a minimum count of 33 998 conscripts in 2017 and a maximum of 37 594 in 2011. The mean age at recruitment was 19.7 years (MD = 19.0 y, SD = 1.1 y). Among the conscripts, 337 422 (94.9%) successfully passed the Ishihara test, while 18 235 (5.1%) were found to have CVD. The overall prevalence of CVD in our male cohort was 5.1%. This figure is slightly lower than that reported for a European Caucasian population.

The involvement of orexin-1 receptors in modulation of feeding and anxiety-like behavior in rats with complete Freund's adjuvant-induced temporomandibular joint disorder.

Orexin-A (OXA), a neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus, is recognized for its role in modulating orofacial nociception and regulating feeding behaviors, as well as its impact on psychophysiological responses. This study investigated the role of orexin-1 receptors (OX1R) in modulating nociceptive behaviors induced by noxious stimulation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the associated changes in mood and feeding behaviors in rats with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Bilateral cannulation of the lateral ventricles was performed in rats. To induce nociception, CFA was injected unilaterally into the left TMJ of the rats. Nociceptive behaviors were assessed using the hot plate and tail flick tests, while anxiety-like behavior and food intake were evaluated using an elevated plus maze (EPM) and a food preference device, respectively. The results demonstrated a significant increase in nociceptive scores and anxiety-like behaviors, along with reductions in water and food consumption following CFA injection. However, post-treatment with OXA at concentrations of 50 and 100pM/rat significantly decreased thermal nociceptive scores, alleviated anxiety-like behavior, and increased water and food intake. These beneficial effects were reversed when OXA was co-administered with SB-334867 (40nM/rat), an OX1R antagonist. Collectively, our findings suggest that OX1R signaling plays a role in the modulation of anxiety-like behavior and abnormalities in food intake in CFA-treated rats. Understanding the involvement of OXA and its receptors in CFA-induced TMJ nociception and behavioral changes may pave the way for potential therapeutic interventions targeting OX1R signaling in the management of TMD-associated symptoms.

Study of the Pharmacological Activity Spectrum of the New Original NT-3 Mimetic Dipeptide GTS-302.

The purpose of the work was to study the range of pharmacological activity of GTS-302. The pharmacological effects of GTS-302 were revealed by its intraperitoneal administration. The antidepressant-like activity of GTS-302 was studied in the forced swimming test on mice after its acute and 7-day administration. The anxiolytic and memory-enhancing activities of the dipeptide were studied, respectively, in the elevated plus maze on mice and in the novel object recognition test on rats after acute administration. The effect of GTS-302 on pain sensitivity was studied in the hot plate test on mice after acute administration. It was found that GTS-302 exhibits antidepressant-like activity upon acute administration at doses of 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10 mg/kg. At 7-day administration, the antidepressant-like activity of GTS-302 was more pronounced in terms of the effect expression and statistical significance. Dipeptide GTS-302 at doses of 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg exhibited anxiolytic and memory-enhancing activity and did not affect pain sensitivity. The pharmacological spectrum of the low-molecular NT-3 mimetic dipeptide GTS-302, revealed during systemic administration, includes a number of neuropsychotropic effects characteristic of a full-size neurotrophin. This allows GTS-302 to be considered as a potential neuropsychotropic drug.

Impact Damage Localization in Composite Structures Using Data-Driven Machine Learning Methods.

Due to the uncertainty of material properties of plate-like structures, many traditional methods are unable to locate the impact source on their surface in real time. It is important to study the impact source-localization problem for plate structures. In this paper, a data-driven machine learning method is proposed to detect impact sources in plate-like structures and its effectiveness is tested on three plate-like structures with different material properties. In order to collect data on the localization of the impact source, four piezoelectric transducers and an oscilloscope were utilized to construct an experimental platform for impulse response testing. Meanwhile, the position of the impact source on the surface of the test plate is generated by manually releasing the steel ball. The eigenvalue of arrival time in the time domain signal is extracted to build data sets for machine learning. This paper uses the Back Propagation (BP) neural network to learn the difference in the arrival time of each sensor and predict the location of the impact source. The results demonstrate that the machine learning method proposed in this paper can predict the location of the impact source in the plate-like structure without relying on the material properties, with high test accuracy and robustness. The research work in this paper can provide experimental methods and testing techniques for locating impact damage in composite material structures.

Testing the Purity of Limnospira fusiformis Cultures After Axenicity Treatments.

Contaminations are challenging for monocultures, as they impact the culture conditions and thus influence the growth of the target organism and the overall biomass composition. In phycology, axenic cultures comprising a single living species are commonly strived for both basic research and industrial applications, because contaminants reduce significance for analytic purposes and interfere with the safety and quality of commercial products. We aimed to establish axenic cultures of Limnospira fusiformis, known as the food additive "Spirulina". Axenicity is strived because it ensures that pathogens or harmful microorganisms are absent and that the harvested biomass is consistent in terms of quality and composition. For the axenic treatment, we applied sterile filtration, ultrasonication, pH treatment, repeated centrifugation, and administration of antibiotics. For testing axenicity, we considered the most common verification method plate tests with Lysogeny Broth (LB) medium, which indicated axenicity after treatments were performed. In addition, we included plate tests with Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar and modified Zarrouk+ medium, the latter comparable to the biochemical properties of L. fusiformis' cultivation medium. In contrast to LB plates, the other media, particularly Zarrouk+, indicated bacterial contamination. We conclude that LB-agar plates are inappropriate for contamination screening of extremophiles. Contamination was also verified by cultivation-independent methods like flow cytometry and 16S rRNA genome amplicon sequencing. We detected taxa of the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteriodota, Firmicutes and to a lesser extent Verrucomicrobiota. Contaminants are robust taxa, as they survived aggressive treatments. Sequencing data suggest that some of them are promising candidates for in-depth studies to commercially exploit them.

Immunological and protective evaluation of purE/purK gene-deletion mutant of Brucella melitensis M5 strain.

Brucellosis is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the seven most neglected global zoonotic diseases. A live-attenuated vaccine is still the main strategy used to prevent the spread of brucellosis. In this study, we constructed a two-gene (purE and purK)-deletion vaccine in Brucella melitensis vaccine strain M5 with homologous recombination. We evaluated its safety and immunogenicity in vitro and vivo, and its immunoprotective effect against B. melitensis wild-type strain 16M infection. In vitro, strain M5-ΔpurEK induced 10.50% lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) release, only half that induced by the vaccine strain M5 (29.92% LDH). The ability of M5-ΔpurEK to invade macrophages also decreased gradually, with a reduction of 1.02-log. In vivo, the hepatosplenic load and hepatosplenomegaly decreased significantly over time in mice inoculated with M5-ΔpurEK (P<0.05). It elicited anti-Brucella-specific IgG responses and triggered the secretion of γ-interferon (IFN-γ) along with a low level of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Serum samples inoculated with M5-ΔpurEK were only 20% positive on the Rose Bengal Plate Test. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed only slight infiltration of neutrophils in the spleens of M5-ΔpurEK-infected mice on days 14 and 42 after infection. The hepatocytes in the hepatic parenchyma were sparse and lightly stained cytoplasm, with few lymphocytes around the confluent area, which gradually returned to normal within 42 days. Like parental strain M5, strain M5-ΔpurEK conferred protection against infection with B. melitensis wild-type strain 16M. In conclusion, we have shown that the deletion of purE and purK diminishes the cytotoxic effect of vaccine strain M5 on cells and organs, while leaving the degree of protection against infection with virulent wild-type Brucella strain 16M unchanged.

Plate Size Effects in Gravelly Soil Based on In Situ Plate Load Tests and Finite Element Analysis

The average contact stress–settlement behavior observed in plate load tests provides essential data for reliable foundation design. However, the test plate is often smaller than the actual foundation, requiring size extrapolation to interpret in situ plate load test results accurately. This study combines in situ plate load test results in gravelly soil with finite element analysis to evaluate test plates of varying sizes. The findings suggest that the coefficient of subgrade reaction for gravelly soil foundations can be effectively estimated using Terzaghi’s extrapolation method for the coefficient of subgrade reaction in clay. Although variations in test plate diameter may alter the shape of the average contact stress–settlement curve, the overall pattern of change remains consistent. The average contact stress–settlement relationship in gravelly soil can be represented by a three-phase linear model, corresponding to the elastic, yield, and failure stages. Additionally, while the elastic limit load in gravelly soil remains unaffected by plate size, the ultimate bearing capacity increases with larger plates before stabilizing.

Comparison of Long-Term Antibody Titers in Calves Treated with Different Conjunctival and Subcutaneous Brucella abortus S19 Vaccines.

Brucellosis is still the most common zoonosis worldwide despite advanced technology and animal husbandry. Since there is still no effective Brucella vaccine for humans, it is crucial to control the disease in ruminants through eradication and vaccination. Although some countries around the world have achieved this circumstance, every country aims to become free of Brucellosis through vaccination, animal movements, and various eradication measures. For this purpose, the Brucella abortus S19 strain has been used safely for about 100 years. However, due to the O-polysaccharide (OPS) antigen in its structure, the antibody response created by the vaccine causes confusion in serological tests. For this purpose, researchers have provided both mucosal immunity and short-term antibody response by using the B. abortus S19 vaccine in conjunctival form instead of subcutaneous form. This study aimed to determine how long the post-vaccination titer levels persisted in animals vaccinated with vaccines from 3 different companies and different routes. In this study, a total of 115 calves aged 3 to 4.5 months were created in five groups, with 23 animals in each group: group 1 (vaccine brand A), group 2 (vaccine brand B), and group 3 (vaccine brand C) received the two-dose conjunctival vaccine, group 4 received the single-dose subcutaneous vaccine (vaccine brand C), and group 5 received the subcutaneous vaccine (vaccine brand C) plus the booster dose conjunctival vaccine (vaccine brand B). Brucellosis antibody titers were monitored each 21 days until the cattle were 26-28 months old. The collected sera were analyzed using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Serum Agglutination Test (SAT), and Complement Fixation Test (CFT), which are the preferred serological methods for Brucellosis eradication plans worldwide. In the conjunctival vaccination groups, only 3 (13%) of the animals in group 1 developed antibody titers one month after vaccination, and there was no antibody response detected against Brucellosis in group 2 and group 3. In animals that were stimulated conjunctivally, the threshold value of 30 International CFT Units (ICFTUs) (for distinguishing between infective titers and vaccination titers) was observed in one animal each in group 1 and group 2 and 0 animal in group 3. It was found that antibody titers turn to Brucellosis negative in all conjunctival vaccine groups at 7 months after vaccination. In groups 4 and 5, the first-month serological screening detected over 30 ICFTUs in 17 (89.47%) animals and 16 (69.5%) animals, respectively. In group 4, CFT titers were found to fall below 30 on the 17th month and 9.3 on the 22nd month. On the 14th month, the CFT titers of group 5 were found to be below 30, and all animals in this group turned negative after the 19th month. It was found that the single dose B. abortus S19 subcutaneous vaccination in calves caused persistent antibodies in 5% of the population. It is believed that persistent and high antibody titers created by subcutaneous vaccines will cause false positivity and create confusion in Brucellosis eradication programs. Therefore, although there is no clear distinction between vaccinated and infected animals, it has been observed that conjunctival Brucellosis vaccines create more stable antibody titers and decrease rapidly compared to subcutaneous vaccines. Based on the results of this study and the advantages of conjunctival vaccines, more effective eradication programs and antibody monitoring can be carried out in vaccinated herds where Brucellosis outbreaks are observed.

Inhibition of RIPK1-driven necroptosis ameliorates inflammatory hyperalgesia caused by lipopolysaccharide: involvement of TLR-, NLRP3-, and caspase-11-mediated signaling pathways.

Increasing evidence suggests that inhibition of receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase (RIPK) 1/RIPK3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL) necrosome has protective effects in vivo models of painful conditions seen in humans associated with inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system. However, the contribution of RIPK1-driven necroptosis to inflammatory pain remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of necrostatin (Nec) -1s, a selective RIPK1 inhibitor, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory pain and related underlying mechanisms. In the saline-, LPS-, and/or Nec-1s-injected male mice, thermal hyperalgesia was evaluated by hot plate test. Alterations in the expression of proteins involved in the RIPK1, toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, myeloid differentiation factor (MyD) 88/toll-interleukin (IL)-1 receptor domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF)/nuclear factor (NF)-kB, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing (NLRP) 3/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC)/pro-caspase-1, and caspase-11/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathways, as well as proteins related to demyelination and remyelination in the brain and spinal cord were determined by the immunoblotting method. The LPS-induced alleviation of thermal hyperalgesia was prevented by necrostatin-1s. Necrostatin-1s reversed (1) increased activity of RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL, and NF-kB p65, (2) enhanced expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRIF, NF-kB p65, HMGB1, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 p20, IL-1β, caspase-11 p20, p30-GSDMD, and semaphorin 3A, and (3) diminished myelin PLP expression induced by LPS. These findings suggest that the use of RIPK1 inhibitors could be a therapeutic approach in the management of inflammatory pain associated with necroptosis, pyroptosis, and demyelination.

Human Brucellosis in the Rural and Urban Population of Pakistan: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Manifestations.

Brucella spp. is the bacterium responsible for brucellosis, a zoonotic infection that affects humans. This disease poses significant health challenges and contributes to poverty, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence, risk factors, and clinical symptoms of human brucellosis within the general population of Multan and Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. A total of 307 blood samples were collected from patients visiting local hospitals in Multan and Muzaffargarh between August 2015 and January 2016. Demographic information, risk factors, and clinical outcomes were documented. Serum samples were initially screened for anti-Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal Plate Test, and positive cases were subsequently confirmed through RT-PCR. The chi-square test assessed the link between Brucella positivity and the identified risk factors. The study recorded an overall seroprevalence of 6.8%, with 8.9% in Multan and 4.3% in Muzaffargarh. Genus-specific Brucella detection through RT-PCR confirmed that 20 out of 21 samples were positive. Significant associations with human brucellosis were found for contact with aborted animals (p = 0.032) and consumption of raw milk (p = 0.031), while factors such as age, gender, occupation, urbanicity, and geographical region did not show a significant impact on seropositivity (p > 0.05). Non-specific clinical symptoms were commonly observed among seropositive patients. The findings highlight the significance of close human interaction with infected animals, especially concerning livestock practices and dairy product consumption. The results also emphasize the importance of focusing efforts on raising awareness in risky occupations and developing control programs by healthcare authorities.

Upper Leg Muscular Co-Contraction During Maximal-Speed Sprinting in Male Club Ice Hockey Athletes

BackgroundLittle is known about the lower extremity muscle co-contraction patterns during sprinting and its relation to running velocity (i.e., performance). Therefore, we compared lower extremity muscular activation patterns during sprinting between slower and faster collegiate club hockey athletes. We hypothesized that faster athletes would have lower EMG-assessed co-contraction index (CCI) values in the lower extremities during over-ground sprinting.MethodsTwenty-two males (age = 21 [1] yrs (median[IQR]); body mass = 77.1 ± 8.6 kg (mean ± SD)) completed two 20-m over-ground sprints with concomitant EMG and asynchronous force plate testing over four days in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. We split participants using median running velocity (FAST: 8.5 ± 0.3 vs. SLOW: 7.7 ± 0.3 m/s, p < 0.001).ResultsFaster athletes had lower CCI between the rectus femoris and biceps femoris (group: p = 0.05), particularly during the late swing phase of the gait cycle (post hoc p = 0.02). Early swing phase duration was moderately inversely related to Hip CCI in the stance phase (ρ=-0.58, p < 0.01) and weakly related to Knee CCI in the swing phase (ρ = 0.44, p = 0.046). Finally, swing phase duration was moderately inversely related to Hip CCI in the stance phase (ρ=-0.50, p = 0.02).ConclusionsIn agreement with our hypothesis, we found lower CCI values in the upper leg musculature during maximal-speed over-ground sprinting. These data from collegiate club hockey athletes corroborate other reports in clinical populations that the coordination between the rectus femoris and biceps femoris is associated with linear over-ground sprinting velocity.

Effect of Combining Exercise with Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Muscle Atrophy Model of Sarcopenia.

Deterioration in muscle mass, strength, and physical performance due to conditions such as sarcopenia can affect daily activities and quality of life in the elderly. Exercise and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are potential therapies for sarcopenia. This study evaluates the combined effects of exercise and adipose-derived MSCs (ADMSCs) in aged rats with sarcopenia. Eighteen-month-old rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, exercise (Ex), ADMSCs injection (MSC), and ADMSCs injection with exercise (MSC + Ex). Gastrocnemius (GCM) muscle mass increased in the Ex, MSC, and MSC + Ex groups compared to the control group. Although the mean CSA did not differ significantly between the groups, the size distribution of myofibers shifted toward larger sizes in the Ex and MSC + Ex groups. The MSC + Ex group performed best in functional tests, including the rotarod and hot plate tests. The protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the p-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/AMPK ratio in the GCM muscle were the lowest in the MSC + Ex group. This study demonstrates that combining exercise and ADMSC interventions was the most effective treatment for aged sarcopenic rats, suggesting a potential synergistic approach for sarcopenia treatment.

Behavioral assessment to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Fagonia bruguieri var. laxa boiss by targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin pathways.

Fagonia bruguieri var. laxa Boiss., also known as Dhamansa or Dhamaran, is a well-known xerophyte traditionally used for managing pain, inflammation, fever, and related disease conditions. This study was designed to assess the chemical profile of hydromethanolic (70%) extract of F. bruguieri (HMEFB), its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties, and the possible mechanisms involved, using rats and mice as experimental animals. HMEFB was subjected to chemical profiling using polyphenolic quantification and HPLC analysis. An oral toxicity test in mice assessed the extract for safety and toxicity. The central analgesic effect of HMEFB was evaluated in rats subjected to hot plate and tail immersion tests. Formalin and capsaicin tests were carried out to further support the evidence of analgesic action. The test of acetic acid-induced writhing was performed in mice to estimate the peripheral analgesic potential. The anti-inflammatory effect was studied by the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, while, an antipyretic study was conducted following the yeast-induced pyrexia method. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins were estimated in the blood samples of animals from various groups to assess the possible mechanism involved in the anti-inflammatory potential of the extract. The chemical profiling of HMEFB revealed the presence of functionally important polyphenols. The oral toxicity test revealed the safety up to the dose of 5mg/kg b.w. The extract was found to have significant analgesic activity at the doses of 300 and 500mg/kg in hot plate, tail immersion, capsaicin, and formalin tests. Furthermore, HMEFB significantly reversed the acetic acid-induced writhing compared to the control group. Similarly, HMEFB showed a dose-dependent effect against carrageenan-induced paw edema. While, in the yeast-induced pyrexia model, HMEFB showed a decrease in rectal temperature at 300 and 500mg/kg. The extract significantly modulated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins in different treated groups. The results reinforce the folkloric use of F. bruguieri in pain and inflammation by verifying its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities both via central and peripheral anti-nociceptive mechanisms which authenticate the use of this plant species as a suitable alternative for the alleviation of pain and inflammatory disorders.