Plate Test Research Articles

Assessing the retrieval procedure of complex-valued forces from airborne pressure fields by means of DIC-based full-field receptances in simplified pseudo-inverse vibro-acoustics

Lightweight structural components in many engineering fields can be severely excited by airborne pressure fields, becoming a concern for their structural dynamics and reliability. Nowadays, the quality reached by optical measurements, in contactlessly estimating - as maps of displacements over force - complex-valued full-field receptances, allows an accurate description of the structural dynamics in a broad frequency domain, without any numerical structural model. This is even more relevant for lightweight components, otherwise affected by potential distortions, coming from the inertia of more traditional transducers. High-speed DIC structural testing is here combined with acoustic propagation in direct and pseudo-invertable vibro-acoustic FRFs, obtained by the simple Rayleigh integral approximation, here re-formulated to take advantage of the experiment-based full-field receptances, when a force excites a vibrating surface, which radiates sound pressure into air and vice-versa. Starting from airborne pressure fields, known in their spectra, the pseudo-inverse vibro-acoustics aims at identifying the force, with a broad frequency band, which can be transmitted to the excitation locations, previously used in defining the vibro-acoustic FRFs in the direct problem. Extended details and considerations on this full-field receptance-based vibro-acoustic approximation are thoroughly provided, with special attention to its complex-valued nature, to numerical precision and to broad dynamics' excitation signature, thanks to the accurate DIC-based testing of a real thin plate.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in cows and buffaloes

Brucellosis poses a significant zoonotic risk to humans and animals, and is caused by the Gram-negative bacteria of the Brucella species. In cows and buffaloes, infection is typically attributed to Brucella abortus, often resulting in abortion during late pregnancy and posing a subsequent risk of sterility in females. The current study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of brucellosis in cows and buffaloes in district Kasur, Pakistan. A total of 400 blood samples were randomly collected from cows and buffaloes in the district. The Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) was initially employed for screening the blood serum samples of each animal, with Indirect ELISA serving as a confirmatory test. Higher seroprevalence rates were observed in females compared to those in males in both tests. Sex-wise, higher incidence of brucellosis in cows was observed, with a prevalence of (7%)/(5%) in females compared to that (2%)/(1%) in males, as detected by the RBPT and iELISA tests, respectively. Similarly, buffaloes exhibited a higher prevalence of brucellosis in females, with rates (10%)/ (8%) compared to (3%)/(1%) in males, via RBPT and iELISA, respectively. A total of 200 cow and 200 buffalo samples were analyzed, that revealed a seroprevalence of (4.5%)/(3%) in cows and (6.5%)/(4.5%) in buffaloes, respectively, using RBPT and iELISA. Overall, out of a total of 400 serum samples, 22 from cows and buffaloes were tested positive through RBPT, while 15 samples from both species were seropositive via iELISA. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis in the district was found to be 5.5%/3.75% through RBPT and iELISA, respectively. This study highlights a significant challenge for the livestock being rared in district Kasur.

Study on the influence of submergence depth on the hydrodynamic and wave load characteristics of semi-submersible structures induced by a solitary wave

The submergence depth directly affects the safety of semi-submersible marine structures due to that the submergence depth significantly impacts on the hydrodynamic characteristics and wave loads of structures excited by extreme wave. This paper studies the influence of submergence depth on the hydrodynamic and wave load characteristics of semi-submersible structures by establishing a numerical model of the interaction between solitary waves and semi-submersible structures based on the SPH model and Rayleigh theory. Furthermore, equations for transmission coefficient, reflection coefficient, and wave load are fitted. The calculated wave heights of solitary wave propagation test case are in good agreement with the theoretical values. The maximum relative error of the wave peak is 8.4%. The calculated wave loads of submerged horizontal plates test case has a consistent trend with the experimental data. The maximum relative error of wave load peak and valley is 54% (absolute error 0.37 N). Furthermore, the interaction between solitary waves and structures with different submergence depths is investigated by using the meshless numerical model. It is found that the reflection coefficient first increases and then decreases with increasing submergence depth, and reaching a maximum value of 0.39 at the submergence depth equal to 0.0 m. On the contrary, the transmission coefficient decreases first and then increases with the increase of submergence depth. The minimum value of transmission coefficient is 0.36 with the submergence depth of 0.3 m. As the submergence depth increased, the horizontal wave load peak of the structure gradually increases, and the maximum value of 0.13 is obtained at the submergence depth of 0.7 m. The peak of vertical wave load rapidly increases with the increase of submergence depth and then gradually decreases while the trough gradually decreases with increasing submergence depth.

Anti-neuropathic effects of astaxanthin in a rat model of chronic constriction injury: passing through opioid/benzodiazepine receptors and relevance to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

IntroductionNeuropathic pain is a debilitating neurological disorder and is on the rise. Since no effective treatment has been so far approved to combat the complex pathological mechanisms behind neuropathic pain, finding new therapeutic candidates is of great importance. Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid with strong antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.PurposeThe present research aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of AST on a rat model of neuropathic pain.MethodsTo induce neuropathic pain, a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was employed. Accordingly, Wistar rats were divided into nine groups of six including sham, negative control group (CCI), positive control group gabapentin (100 mg/kg), AST (5, 10 mg/kg), flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg), naloxone (0.1 mg/kg), AST (10 mg/kg) + flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg), and AST (10 mg/kg) + naloxone (0.1 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14. To check the experimental signs of neuropathic pain and motor dysfunction, hot plate, acetone drop, and open field tests were used at the same time points. Additionally, biochemical assay and zymography were done on days 7 and 14 to assess the changes in catalase, glutathione and nitrite, as well as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Besides, histological evaluations were performed for tissue damages on days 7 and 14.Results and discussionResults indicated that intraperitoneal injection of AST improved allodynia, hyperalgesia, and locomotor activity after CCI. AST also increased catalase and glutathione while suppressing nitrite, MMP-2, and MMP-9 activity through opioid/benzodiazepine receptors.ConclusionThe results highlighted AST as a promising candidate against neuropathic pain with beneficial effects on motor function by suppressing inflammatory mediators, and augmenting antioxidant factors, passing through opioid/benzodiazepine receptors.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of Verbesina encelioides in rodents

Background: Verbesina encelioides, a plant with a rich history in traditional medicine, is the focus of our novel research. Commonly known as golden crownbeard or cowpen daisy, this plant has been used in various cultures for its medicinal properties. However, despite its widespread use, scientific validation of its therapeutic potential, particularly its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, remains limited. Objectives: Our study is designed to comprehensively evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of methanol extracts from various parts (leaves, stems, flowers, and roots) of Verbesina encelioides. We aim to achieve this by using established animal models. Our objectives include assessing pain-relieving properties through the Hot Plate and Tail Flick tests, investigating anti-inflammatory effects via the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, and determining safe dosage ranges through acute toxicity assays. Furthermore, our goals are to validate traditional medicinal uses, assess the effectiveness of various plant sections, and find probable bioactive chemicals that could be responsible for the observed pharmacological actions. This will provide Verbesina encelioides's medicinal use with a strong scientific foundation. Techniques: The study was carried out with great care and attention to detail. Methanol was used to collect, identify, and extract Verbesina encelioides. Acute toxicity, analgesic effects (heat plate and tail flick tests), and anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan-induced inflammation) were tested in Swiss albino mice and Wistar albino rats. Findings: The acute toxicity assay showed no adverse effects in mice up to 1000 mg/kg, a highly encouraging result. In analgesic studies, Verbesina encelioides extracts showed dose-dependent increases in reaction times similar to aspirin. Different extracts had different effects on paw edema in anti-inflammatory testing; some at first increased inflammation but eventually showed significant decreases, especially at higher dosages. These results offer a positive perspective on Verbesina encelioides' possible medicinal use. Conclusion: These results provide a positive perspective on Verbesina encelioides' possible therapeutic use. The results imply that extracts from Verbesina encelioides, which are abundant in bioactive substances such as flavonoids, phenolics, and alkaloids, may have applications in treating pain and inflammation. Prospects for the future: These results highlight the plant's medicinal potential and suggest that more research and development could help address pain and inflammation naturally.

Influence of bee venom on antinociceptive activity of selected analgesic drugs in hot plate test in mice

Influence of bee venom on antinociceptive activity of selected analgesic drugs in hot plate test in mice

Amoeba plate test with Acanthamoeba castellanii as an innovative tool for Nocardia recovery from sputum samples: a proof-of-concept study.

The culture-proven diagnosis of Nocardiosis is challenging due to the difficulties in recovering Nocardia colonies from respiratory samples containing a complex polymicrobial flora. However, the isolation of Nocardia strains remains necessary to perform antibiotic susceptibility testing and adapt the antibiotic regimen of the patients. This study provides an innovative culture method based on a solid medium amoebic coculture, the amoeba plate test (APT), to cultivate Nocardia strains from clinical sputa samples. Nocardia grew across the APT amoebic monolayer. Moreover, the APT, which is already used in a reference center for the recovery of Legionella strains, exhibited good performances for Nocardia recovery and decontamination of interfering flora, thereby representing a promising second line tool to improve Nocardia culture.

Chemical characterization, assessment of acute oral toxicity, and antinociceptive potential of the methanolic extract of Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott leaves from Brazil.

Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott is popularly known as "aninga," "aningaçu," "aningaíba," and "aninga-do-igapó." Compresses and plasters made from the leaves of this medicinal plant are used to treat abscesses, tumors, and pain caused by stingray stings. This study aimed to chemically characterize the methanolic extract of M. linifera leaves (MEMLL), as well as to verify their acute oral toxicity and antinociceptive potential. The leaves were collected during the rainy season, and the methanolic extract was obtained after gradient extraction using different solvents. MEMLL was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Acute oral toxicity testing followed the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guideline 423. Subsequently, acetic acid, hot plate, and formalin tests were used to evaluate the analgesic effects. In the chemical characterization of MEMLL by HPLC, three flavonoids were identified: rutin, quercetin, and epicatechin. In addition, when NMR spectroscopy was performed, rutin and quercetin were again identified, as well as the chemical compounds luteolin and chrysoeriol. In the acute oral toxicity test, MEMLL showed no physiological or behavioral changes. In the nociceptive study, MEMLL showed an effect at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg in the 0.6% acetic acid test, i.e., 51.46% and 75.08%, respectively. In the hot plate test, the MEMLL group at a dose of 50mg/kg was effective at times of 30 and 60min, i.e., 164.43% and 122.95%, respectively. Similarly, the MEMLL group at a dose of 100mg/kg was also effective in increasing latency at times of 30 and 60min, i.e., 162.62% and 136.68%, respectively. In the formalin test, MEMLL showed an antinociceptive effect on neurogenic pain at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg when compared to the control group, 35.25% and 52.30%, respectively. In the inflammatory phase, inhibition was observed in the MEMLL at doses of 50 and 100mg/kg, i.e., 66.39% and 72.15%, respectively. MEMLL has analgesic properties and is non-toxic, validating the Brazilian ethnopharmacological use of this plant for pain treatment. The leaves of the species M. linifera showed central and peripheral antinociceptive effects.

The challenge to identify sensitive safety biomarkers of peripheral neurotoxicity in the rat: A collaborative effort across industry and academia (IMI NeuroDeRisk project)

Peripheral nervous system (PNS) toxicity assessment in non-clinical safety studies is challenging and relies mostly on histopathological assessment. The present work aims to identify blood-based biomarkers that could detect peripheral neuropathy in rats upon exposure to neurotoxic compounds. Three anticancer agents (oxaliplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel) and a developmental compound (NVS-1) were assessed in male rats (Wistar Han). Clinical and/or functional endpoints (i.e., electronic Von Frey, Cold Plate, and Paw Pressure tests) and blood biomarkers (i.e., neurofilament light chain (NfL), neurofilament heavy chain (NF-H), microtubule-associated protein Tau (Tau), neuron specific enolase (NSE), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)) were assessed. Drug exposure and histopathological evaluations were conducted on selected nervous tissues. Oxaliplatin, cisplatin and paclitaxel treatment resulted in a significant decrease of nociceptive thresholds. Clinical signs suggestive of PNS toxicity were observed with NVS-1. NfL was consistently increased in the NVS-1 study and correlated with moderate microscopic findings in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Only minimal microscopic findings were observed in oxaliplatin-treated animals, whereas no treatment-related microscopic findings were observed in animals treated with cisplatin and paclitaxel. For all compounds, exposure was confirmed in the PNS tissues. Clinical and functional changes were observed with all the compounds evaluated. NfL levels in plasma proved to be the most sensitive indicator of PNS toxicities, capturing moderate nervous degeneration in DRG. A combined approach that includes both functional assessments and biomarker measurements offers a more comprehensive evaluation than histopathological analysis alone when monitoring drug-induced neurotoxicity in rat models.

A Modified Inflammatory Pain Model to Study the Analgesic Effect in Mice.

The hot plate test is widely used to evaluate analgesic effects on inflammatory pain in mice. A commonly used model of inflammatory pain was induced with an intraplantar injection of carrageenan in one hind paw. However, the findings from our laboratory showed that mice with a single-hind-paw injection of carrageenan lifted their paws to avoid thermal nociception during the hot plate test. Because of this response,previous injection method cannot accurately reflect the thermal pain threshold. Thus, we investigated a new method to avoid this issue. In the present study, we modified the previous method by injecting carrageenan into both hind paws to establish the model of inflammatory pain. The results demonstrated that both-hind-paw injection with carrageenan was sensitive and a better method to induce inflammatory pain when using the hot plate test than single-hind-paw injection. On the basis of these findings, we designed further experiments in which mice with either both-hind-paw or single-hind-paw injection of carrageenan were treated intragastrically with celecoxib (30 mg/kg). The results of the hot plate test showed that celecoxib augmented the thermal pain threshold in mice with both-hind-paw injection of carrageenan but not in mice with single-hind-paw injection of carrageenan. In summary, we developed a superior method to induce a model of inflammatory pain to evaluate analgesic effect.

Uncertainty quantification of material parameters in modeling coupled metal and high explosive experiments

Experiments involving the coupling of metal and high explosives (HE) are of notable defense-related interest, and we seek to refine the uncertainty quantification associated with models of such experiments. In particular, our focus is on how uncertainty related to the metal constitutive model challenges our ability to infer high explosive model parameters when analyzing focused science experiments. We consider three focused experiments involving an HE accelerating metal: small plate tests with tantalum/LX-14 and tantalum/LX-17 pairings as well as a tantalum/LX-17 cylinder test. For all three models, we perform sensitivity analysis to ascertain the influence of metal strength on the coupled experimental response. Moreover, we calibrate each model in a Bayesian setting and study the quantification of metal strength on the inference of the HE parameters. Based on our results, we offer guidance for future metal/HE experiments.

Poor semen quality is associated with impaired antioxidant response and acute phase proteins and is likely mediated by high cortisol levels in Brucella-seropositive dromedary camel bulls

Brucellosis in dromedary camel bulls leads to either temporary or permanent loss of fertility. Camel brucellosis is associated with both orchitis and epididymitis. However, the clinical signs of camel brucellosis are not clear as those in cattle. Therefore, this study aimed to diagnose camel brucellosis based on a serological screening using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) followed by competitive ELISA. To understand the impact of brucellosis on camel bull fertility, this study aimed to examine the semen characteristics, evaluate the testicular histopathology, examine hormonal profile, antioxidants and acute phase proteins (APP). A total of 150 mature bulls were used in this study. Blood samples were collected for serological, hormonal, and biochemical analysis. This study revealed that 6.6% and 7.3% of the examined bulls were Brucella-seropositive using RBPT and competitive ELISA, respectively. The Brucella-seropositive dromedary bulls showed poor semen quality, pathological changes orchitis, and lower testosterone. Moreover, our findings showed a higher cortisol level, and significant impairments in the measured APP and antioxidants in Brucella-seropositive bulls. In conclusion, the Brucella-seropositive dromedary bulls showed lower fertility due to poor semen quality and lower testosterone levels. Such lower fertility is likely mediated by high cortisol levels, and impaired APP and antioxidants’ defense response.

Laser Speckle Image analysis for identifying the minimum lethal concentration of ampicillin in Escherichia coli liquid cultures

Understanding a pathogen's sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs through Minimum Lethal Concentration (MLC) is crucial for effective treatment planning for bactericidal drugs. In this paper, we propose a novel approach using Laser Speckle Imaging (LSI) to determine the MLC of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common pathogenic bacterial species. LSI enables the capture and analysis of the dynamic changes in speckle patterns caused by alterations in optical scattering and shape alterations of bacterial cells as a response to antibiotic treatments through a label-free approach. The observed speckle pattern changes are correlated with the gold standard method to determine the MLC, representing the lowest concentration at which E. coli is lethally affected. The results demonstrate the potential of LSI as a reliable and rapid method for determining the MLC of E. coli. This method has much potential for antimicrobial research since it provides a quick, non-destructive evaluation of bacterial responses to various bactericidal antibiotic doses without requiring labor-intensive processes like pour plate tests to calculate the MLC.

Candida species covered from traditional cheeses: Characterization of C. albicans regarding virulence factors, biofilm formation, caseinase activity, antifungal resistance and phylogeny

This study has provided characterization data (carriage of virulence, antifungal resistance, caseinase activity, biofilm-forming ability and genotyping) of Candida albicans isolates and the occurrence of Candida species in traditional cheeses collected from Kayseri, Türkiye. Phenotypic (E-test, Congo red agar and microtiter plate tests) and molecular tests (identification, virulence factors, biofilm-formation, antifungal susceptibility) were carried out. The phylogenetic relatedness of C. albicans isolates was obtained by constructing the PCA dendrogram from the mass spectra data. Of 102 samples, 13 (12.7%) were found to be contaminated with C. albicans, 15 (14.7%), 10 (9.8%) and five (4.9%) were found to be contaminated with C. krusei, C. lusitane and C. paraplosis, respectively. While seven (16.2%) of 43 Candida spp. isolates were obtained from cheese collected from villages, 36 (83.7%) belonged to cheeses collected from traditional retail stores. The carriage rate of C. albicans isolates belonging to virulence factors HSP90 and PLB1 genes was 30.7%. ALST1, ALST3, BCR, ECE, andHWP (virulence and biofilm-associated) genes were harbored by 30.7%, 23%, 38.4%, 53.8%, and 38.4% of the 13 isolates. According to the microplate test, eight (61.5%) of 13 isolates had strong biofilm production. ERG11 and FKS1 (antifungal resistance genes) were found in 46.1% and 23% of 13 isolates, respectively. Due to missense mutations, K128T, E266D and V488I amino acid changes were detected for some isolates regarding azole resistance. As a result of the E-test, of the 13 isolates, one (7.6%) was resistant to flucytosine, four (30.7%) were resistant to caspofungin, and nine (69.2%) were resistant to fluconazole. The PCA analysis clustered the studied isolates into two major clades. C. albicans isolates of traditional cheese collected from villages were grouped in the same cluster. Among the C. albicans isolates from village cheese, there were those obtained from the same dairy milk at different times. Samples from the same sales points produced at different dairy farms were also contaminated with C. albicans. Concerning food safety standards applied from farm to fork, in order to prevent these pathogenic agents from contaminating cheeses, attention to the hygiene conditions of the sale points, conscious personnel, prevention of cross contamination will greatly reduce public health threats in addition to the application of animal health control, milking hygiene, pasteurization parameters in traditional cheese production.

Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated in Poultry Farms in Bangladesh that Use Antibiotics Extensively.

Colibacillosis caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is causing economic losses to the global poultry industry. Increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance in APEC is the leading cause for increased indiscriminate use of various antimicrobial compounds in farms. The study aimed to investigate the presence of phenotypic and genotypic markers for antibiotic resistance, metals, and biocides in APEC from Bangladeshi poultry and details about the antimicrobials used in poultry farms. In total, 55 APEC were isolated from hearts or liver samples of 86 sick or dead chickens using culture on agar plate and biochemical testing. APEC isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility to 14 antimicrobial agents according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. A series of PCRs was performed to screen the presence of genes for quinolones, colistin, aminoglycosides, ESBL, metals, and biocides. Detailed information regarding antibiotic use was collected from farmers during clinical investigations. Resistance was found to 10 antibiotics and prevalence was as follows: ampicillin (86%), ciprofloxacin (86%), trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (73%), chloramphenicol (33%), mecillinam (13%), gentamicin (11%), cefoxitin (11%), cefotaxime (9%), tigecycline (2%), and nitrofurantoin (2%). The most common multiresistance phenotype was CIP-AMP-SXT, and 35% of isolates were multidrug resistant. Genotypic analysis confirmed the presence of quinolone resistance genes [qnrS1 and aac-(6')-lb-cr], silver-resistant genes (silE), and mercury-resistant genes (merA) but not others. In total, 88% farmers were using different antimicrobial compounds, and, of them, 56% were using antimicrobials without prescriptions from veterinarians. Ciprofloxacin was most extensively used followed by oxytetracycline. Critically important antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, colistin, and gentamicin are extensively used in the farms. This study confirmed the presence of antibiotics, metals, and biocide-resistant APEC in poultry farms in Bangladesh. Increased resistance to quinolones is a serious ongoing problem. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in poultry farms is alarming and should be stopped.

Canine Brucellosis: A Comprehensive Review

Canine brucellosis, caused by Brucella canis, is a global infectious and zoonotic disease that poses a significant public health risk due to the close interactions between dogs and humans. In dogs, the disease can lead to abortion outbreaks, reproductive failures, lymphadenopathy, and occasionally osteoarticular issues. Asymptomatic infections are also relatively common. In humans, brucellosis typically presents with a febrile illness and non-specific symptoms such as splenomegaly, fatigue, and weakness. The disease is notably problematic in breeding programs due to reproductive failures, including infertility and abortion, leading to substantial economic losses. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, particularly during mating, or via contaminated environments. Diagnosing canine brucellosis accurately is critical and can be achieved using various methods, including bacterial cultures, serological tests like the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Treatment is limited, with neutering and antibiotic therapy being the main approaches, though these do not always ensure complete recovery. Preventive measures are essential and include regular screening of breeding dogs, isolation of infected animals, and strict biosecurity protocols. Given its zoonotic potential, it is crucial for veterinary professionals and pet owners to be aware of the disease. Increased awareness and future research on new diagnostic methods and effective vaccines are vital for improving control strategies and reducing the impact of canine brucellosis on both canine and human health.

Aprepitant mitigates paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in rats via suppressing inflammatory pathways in dorsal root ganglia

Neuropathic pain is the crucial dose-limiting side effect of paclitaxel in chemotherapy patients that negatively impacts the quality of life and survival. Currently, no effective treatment option is available. Aprepitant, a well-established chemotherapy antiemetic performing neurokinin-1 receptor antagonism, shows analgesic effects in some pain models. We studied aprepitant analgesic effects on the paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain model in rats besides inflammatory markers assessment. Rats intraperitoneally received paclitaxel, reaching the cumulative paclitaxel dose of 8 mg/kg. Aprepitant was orally administered every alternate day between days 2 and 14, with a prescribed dosage of 10 or 20 mg/kg. The evaluation of mechanical allodynia and cold hyperalgesia involved the measurement of paw withdrawal threshold and acetone test score on days 0, 7, and 14. On day 14, paw licking latency was measured using a hot plate test before scarification and tissue collection for interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor α, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) evaluation. Paclitaxel induced neuropathy as indicated by a lowered hind paw withdrawal threshold in the Von Frey test, a higher score in the acetone test, and shortened hot plate latency. Aprepitant effectively alleviated cold and thermal hyperalgesia as well as mechanical allodynia. Moreover, aprepitant administration significantly reversed paclitaxel-mediated elevation of proinflammatory cytokines levels in dorsal root ganglia. In addition, aprepitant application suppressed the protein expression of NF-kB in the dorsal root ganglia of paclitaxel-treated rats, as revealed by western blot analysis. Aprepitant treatment ameliorates neuropathy induced by paclitaxel, which is associated with decreasing proinflammatory cytokines and NF-kB expression.

Characterization of pore water distribution in unsaturated soils during drying process with NMR and soil-water characteristic curves

The soil–water characteristic curve, which illustrates the relationship between water content and matric suction, is crucial for both unsaturated soil theory and engineering applications. Since water content significantly affects unsaturated soil strength, experimentally examine the distribution of water within the soil matrix. First, three types of soil are prepared for nuclear magnetic resonance and pressure plate tests, conducted over a range of matric suctions from 0 to 1400 kPa. Then, the pressure plate testreveals that matric suction expels free water first, leaving bound water, which remains until reaching critical suction point. NMR test is also performed to analyze the dynamics of pore water distribution during drying process. As matric suction increases, the peak of signal amplitude decreases, shifting leftward, reflecting water drainage from larger to smaller pores. In addition, two drainage stages are identified, considering distinct ranges of matric suction. Large pores drain more quickly, while smaller pores retain water for a longer period, challenging simpler models of pore drainage. The dynamic distribution of pore water reveals the evolution of water expulsion from the soil over time. This sheds light on water distribution and drainage behavior, emphasizing the need for advanced models that account for pore connectivity and water retention mechanisms.

Standardization of criteria for interpreting the results of mutagenicity assessment in the Ames test

Introduction. Currently, various combinations of criteria for interpreting the results are used to make a conclusion about the mutagenic activity in the Ames test. In some cases where weak effects are present, especially when evaluating the mutagenicity of generic pesticides that may contain mutagenic impurities, different conclusions are possible, depending on the criteria chosen. Material and methods. To standardize the criteria for interpreting the results in the Ames test, data obtained earlier in the assessment of the mutagenic activity of technical pesticide products were used. The studies were carried out in accordance with the OECD Standard Protocol No. 471 and State Standard (Russian: ГОСТ) 32376–2013 by direct application to the plate and under pre-incubation conditions. Results. The applicability of three combinations of criteria for interpretation of Ames test results was evaluated using our own previously obtained experimental data. It was established that as criteria of biological significance of the results of mutagenicity evaluation in the Ames test it is reasonable to use not only the conservative approach based on the fold increase rule, but also to compare them with the data of the ranges of historical negative laboratory control. Limitations. The study is limited to evaluating the results of experiments obtained using the standard plate test, but not the fluctuation format. Conclusion. A conclusion about the presence of mutagenic activity of the test item in the Ames test can be made if the following criteria are fulfilled: the presence of a statistically significant increase in the number of revertants on the plates with the test item compared to the concomitant negative control; the presence of a concentration-effect relationship; the mean number of revertants for at least one of the concentrations tested, with or without metabolic activation, must exceed the upper limit of the distribution of the historical negative laboratory control; the number of revertants on the plates with the test item must be 2 or more times compared to that one in the negative control for TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102 and 3 or more for TA1535; the reproducible effects.

Experimental investigation of an additively manufactured cold plate for multi-chip module cooling generated using the homogenization approach to topology optimization

The homogenization approach to topology optimization is promising for generating high-performance, liquid-cooled cold plates due to its ability to create sub-resolution features by optimizing the spatial distribution and porosities of physical microstructures. This optimization capability has been demonstrated for the design of compact microchannel heat sinks under uniform heating conditions. However, there is a need to understand its applicability for practical applications involving complex boundary conditions posed by modern electronics packaging requirements. This work performs the topology optimization, design for manufacturing, fabrication, and experimental testing of a liquid-cooled cold plate for an application-representative multi-chip module with eight devices. The cold plate design requirements and boundary conditions involve eight equally spaced heat generating sources and liquid inlet/outlet ports that are off-center, introducing flow distribution challenges to the thermal design. A topology optimization algorithm is developed using the homogenization approach with circular pin fins chosen as the microstructure. An empirical permeability correlation for pin fins is developed which is implemented in the porous media flow model of the topology optimization algorithm to simulate pressure drop across additively manufactured pin fins. In addition to the topology optimized designs, a benchmark cold plate design with uniformly distributed 1.2 mm diameter pin fins, representative of the feature dimensions currently adopted in applications for the investigated boundary conditions, is also evaluated. Comparison of the topology optimized cold plate generated using the design freedom brought by additive manufacturing to the benchmark design highlights the optimizer’s ability to uniformly distribute the coolant amongst the heated regions. The maximum base temperature rise is 35.5 °C for the benchmark design versus 6.6 °C for the topology optimized design. Flow uniformity combined with the high convective heat transfer of the sub-resolution fins and channels in the vicinity of the heated regions keep the device temperatures low. The topology optimized cold plate is additively manufactured and experimentally tested at various flow rates. The experimental results match well with the model predictions, with a mean absolute percentage error of 5.5 % and 9.7 % for pressure drop and thermal resistance respectively, indicating that the optimal performance promised by the algorithm can be realized using additively manufactured parts. The work presented here demonstrates the overall process flow for the homogenization approach in leveraging the capabilities of additive manufacturing to generate high-performance liquid cold plates for practical applications.