Activity of terpenes derived from essential oils against Sarcoptes scabiei eggs

Background The limited ovicidal activity of currently available acaricides is a significant obstacle to efficacious scabies treatment. Several essential oils or their respective components have proved to be active against the eggs of arthropods, mainly lice and ticks. Information on the activity of these oils and/or components against the eggs of mites remains very limited. The aim of this study was to assess the activity of six terpenes (carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, citral, terpinen-4-ol and linalool) commonly found in essential oils against the eggs of Sarcoptes scabiei. Methods Sarcoptes eggs were exposed to paraffin oil containing 1, 2.5, or 5% of each terpene tested. After a 12-h exposure period, the eggs were washed and placed in paraffin oil for hatching. Embryonic development following treatment was assessed every day to determine the stage of developmental arrest. Results The median effective concentration to obtain 50% egg mortality (EC50) was 0.5, 0.9, 2.0, 4.8, 5.1 and 9.8% for carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, citral, terpinen-4-ol and linalool, respectively. The microscopic images of eggs after each treatment indicated that these six terpenes may act by penetrating through the aeropyles on the egg surface. Conclusions In conclusion, carvacrol, eugenol and geraniol possess significant ovicidal activities, which should be considered as promising ovicidal agents for the treatment of scabies. Graphical Abstract

Comparison of a tube core and Magill forceps for nasotracheal intubation: a randomised controlled trial

Background Magill forceps are frequently used to complete nasotracheal intubation (NTI). We aimed to identify a tube core that could conveniently facilitate the NTI process without using Magill forceps. Methods Sixty patients scheduled for oral and maxillofacial surgeries were enrolled in our study and divided into two groups (30 per group) with no differences with regard to demographic data. In the Magill forceps group (Group M), a wire-reinforced endotracheal catheter was inserted into the trachea using Magill forceps. However, in the tube core group (Group T), a tube core bent to the physiological curve of the nasal cavity and lubricated with aseptic paraffin oil was inserted into the endotracheal catheter and was then withdrawn after the endotracheal catheter was advanced through the glottis under direct vision. Results All NTIs were completed successfully, and Magill forceps were not used on any patient in Group T. There was a significant difference in total NTI time between the two groups (Group M, 59.7 (5.1) s vs Group T, 52.4 (3.1) s). Mild epistaxis was observed in 6 patients in Group M and 5 patients in Group T (6/30 vs 5/30, respectively). No damage to oral tissue or teeth was observed in either group. Conclusions We conclude that using a tube core, consisting of a disposable sterilised stylet, is a convenient choice for NTI. Trial registration Patient enrolment was conducted after registration in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (www.Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR190002 7387). This trial was prospectively registered on 11 November 2019.

Experimental Study of Single-Slope Solar Still Coupled With Nanofluid-Based Volumetric Absorption Solar Collector

In the present endeavor, a conventional single-slope solar still has been modified to improve its performance by coupling it with a novel nanofluid-based volumetric absorption solar collector (NBVASC). A low-cost and thermally stable nanofluid (prepared by dispersing functionalized carbon soot nanoparticles extracted from used engine oil into paraffin oil) having high solar weighted absorptivity has been employed to volumetrically absorb the incident solar energy. This additional absorbed solar energy is provided to the solar still by circulating a heat transfer fluid in a closed loop through serpentine type heat exchangers placed inside the NBVASC and the solar still. The experiments were performed from May to July 2020, and the results of the experiments conducted on May 25 and June 9, 2020, are reported. Extensive on-sun experiments reveal that coupling NBVASC to the conventional still could lead to substantial performance enhancements—distillate productivity, thermal efficiency, and night distillate improved by 75.3%, 66.9%, and 33.9%, respectively. More importantly, solar still coupled to NBVASC was found to perform better at an optimum nanoparticle concentration of 1.25 mlL−1 (20.75% higher distillate productivity) than the solar still coupled to a surface absorption-based collector (with paraffin oil as the working fluid)—truly establishing the benefits of volumetric absorption over surface absorption under the given set of conditions. Overall, the present study represents a noteworthy step forward in realizing efficient solar energy-driven desalination systems for remote underdeveloped areas.

Vitamin E ameliorates disturbances in testosterone pathway and sperm quality of male rats induced by the glycosides vicine and convicine of Vicia faba

Purpose This paper aims to design to evaluate the protective effect of vitamin E to ameliorate the disturbances in testosterone pathway and sperm quality of male rats induced by the glycosides vicine (V) and convicine (C) of Vicia faba. Design/methodology/approach Forty male albino rats were divided into five equal groups; control, paraffin oil, V (400 mg/kg) C (150 mg/kg)-treated group, vitamin E (100 mg/kg) + VC-treated group, and vitamin E (200 mg/kg) + VC-treated groups which injected intraperioneally (IP) with 0.5-ml saline, 0.5-ml paraffin oil,V (400 mg/kg) and C (150 mg/kg) of Vicia faba, vitamin E (100 mg/kg) + VC-treated groups, and Vitamin E(200 mg/kg) + VC-treated groups, respectively. Blood and testicular tissue were obtained after one month of the study. The male genital organs were calculated. Testosterone (Ts), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-SO4), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG),?-glutamyl transpeptidase (?-GT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ßHSD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), spermatozoa concentration, percent of mortality and abnormal sperms were evaluated. Findings The VC-treated group showed significant decrease (p < 0.01) in Ts, DHEA-SO4, G6PD, spermatozoa number and mortality percent, as well as, the male genital organs (testes, epidydemis, seminal vesicle, prostate and vasa deferentia) while significant increase (p < 0.01) was found in LH, FSH, SHBG, LDH, ?-GT, sperms monoclonal Ki-67, and abnormal spermatocytes levels compared with control group. Vitamin E co-injection with VC-treated group returned all these parameters to the normal values. The higher dose of vitamin E (200 mg/kg) was more effect than the lower dose (100 mg/kg). Originality/value Vicia faba contains V and C glycosides. The V and C glycosides in Vicia faba are hydrolyzed by intestinal microflora to aglycones divicine and isouramil, respectively. Divicine and isouramil are highly reactive compounds generating free radicals where divicine and isouramil are the main factors of favism. The V and C glycosides induced disturbances in testosterone pathway and sperm quality of male rats and vitamin E ameliorates these disturbances.

Research of Operational Properties of Household Fabrics for Production of Protective Masks

Experimental studies have been conducted to determine the operational properties of fabrics used for the manufacture of protective masks. For the experimental study, 22 different fabrics were used, which are available in everyday life. Determination of the operational properties was carried out according to three indicators: the penetration coefficient of the test aerosol, paraffin oil (filtering property), breathing resistance (ergonomic property), resistance to dusting (protective action period) in accordance with the requirements of DSTU EN 149-2017 standard. According to the results of the experimental study to determine the operational properties of fabrics: breathing resistance, penetration coefficient and resistance to dust, it was found that out of the twenty-two samples tested, only eight can be used for the manufacture of protective masks, since their characteristics are able to provide a sufficient level of protection from minimal physiological impact on human (wool, two-thread cloth, velor, tricotin, jersey, frieze and satin). Theoretical calculation of the operational properties of protective masks, which can be made of these fabrics, based on experimental data allowed to make their compliance with the first class of protection according to the requirements of DSTU EN 149-2017. The scientific novelty is to clarify the relationship between the operational properties of fabrics and the operational properties of protective masks.

Development of Ficus religiosa extract-loaded emulsion system for topical application: Characterization and stability evaluation

Purpose: To develop, optimize and characterize a topical (W/O) emulsion containing 4 % Ficus religiosa extract for cosmeceutical purposes. Methods: The ethanol extract of Ficus religiosa was obtained by Soxhlet method. Various formulations were developed using paraffin oil, emulsifier (Abil®-EM 90) and purified water at different proportions, and their physical stability was assessed under different stress conditions, to enable selection of the most stable formulation. The optimized formulation based on stability studies was chosen for evaluation of different physical properties, i.e., color, liquefaction, phase separation, centrifugation, pH, droplet size and rheology, under accelerated conditions for 12 weeks. Results: The optimized formulation (F4) contained ethanol extract (4.0 %), Abil®-EM 90 (3.5 %), paraffin oil (14.0 %) and purified water (78.5 %), and remained stable on centrifugation under all stress conditions. The pH of the formulation remained within the specified range for human skin pH i.e. 4.5 – 6.0, and droplet size of dispersed phase also persisted within the size range of macroemulsion (1 – 100 μm) throughout the study period. Rheological properties of the formulation showed shear thinning response, and flow index value less than 1 resulted in pseudoplastic flow of emulsion. Conclusion: These results suggest that the optimized emulsion system was stable and can serve as a good medium for topical delivery of various natural substances.