Tuning the Magnetic Behavior of Zinc Ferrite via Cobalt Substitution: A Structural Analysis.

Cobalt-doped zinc ferrite is a contemporary material with significant structural and magnetic characteristics. Our study explores the magnetic properties of cobalt-substituted zinc ferrite (ZnxCo1-xFe2O4), synthesized via a simple sol-gel method. By varying the cobalt ratio from 0 to 0.5, we found that zinc substitution impacts both the magnetization and lattice parameters. FTIR analysis suggested the presence of functional groups, particularly depicting an M-O stretching band, within octahedral and tetrahedral clusters. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the phase purity and cubic structure. The synthesized materials exhibited an average particle size of 24-75 nm. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphological properties, confirming the formation of truncated octahedral particles. In order to determine the stability, mass loss (%), and thermal behavior, a thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)/differential thermal analysis (DTA)) was performed. The magnetic properties of the synthesized ferrites were confirmed via a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Finally, the highest saturated magnetization and lowest coercivity values were observed with higher concentrations of the cobalt dopant substituting zinc. The synthesized nanomaterials have good stability as compared to other such materials and can be used for magnetization in the near future.

Analgesic and Antiallodynic Effects of 4-Fluoro-N-(4-Sulfamoylbenzyl) Benzene Sulfonamide in a Murine Model of Pain.

INTRODUCTION: Physical, chemical, thermal injuries along with infectious diseases lead to acute pain with associated inflammation, being the primary cause of hospital visits. Moreover, neuropathic pain associated with diabetes is a serious chronic disease leading to high morbidity and poor quality of life. OBJECTIVE: Earlier multiple sulphonamides have been reported to have an antinociceptive and antiallodynic profile. 4-Fluoro-N-(4-sulfamoylbenzyl) Benzene Sulfonamide (4-FBS), a synthetic sulfonamide with reported carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity, was investigated for its potential effects in mice model of acute and diabetic neuropathic pain. METHODS AND RESULTS: 4-FBS was given orally (p.o.) one hour before the test and then mice were screened for antinociceptive activity by using the tail immersion test, which showed significant antinociceptive effect at both 20 and 40 mg/kg doses. To explore the possible mechanisms, thermal analgesia of 4-FBS was reversed by the 5HT3 antagonist ondansetron 1mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) and by the µ receptor antagonist naloxone (1 mg/kg i.p.), implying possible involvement of serotonergic and opioidergic pathways in the analgesic effect of 4-FBS. Diabetes was induced in mice by a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) 200 mg/kg i.p. After two weeks, animals first became hyperalgesic and progressively allodynic in the fourth week, which was evaluated through behavioral parameters like thermal and mechanical tests. 4-FBS at 20 and 40 mg/kg p.o. significantly reversed diabetes-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. CONCLUSION: These findings are significant and promising while further studies are warranted to explore the exact molecular mechanism and the potential of 4-FBS in diabetic neuropathic pain.

Effect of 4-Fluoro-N-(4-Sulfamoylbenzyl) Benzene Sulfonamide on Acquisition and Expression of Nicotine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization and Striatal Adenosine Levels.

INTRODUCTION: Behavioral sensitization is a phenomenon that develops from intermittent exposure to nicotine and other psychostimulants, which often leads to heightened locomotor activity and then relapse. Sulfonamides that act as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have a documented role in enhancing dopaminergic tone and normalizing neuroplasticity by stabilizing glutamate release. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to explore synthetic sulfonamides derivative 4-fluoro-N-(4-sulfamoylbenzyl) benzene-sulfonamide (4-FBS) (with documented carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity) on acquisition and expression of nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization. METHODS: In the acquisition phase, selected 5 groups of mice were exposed to saline or nicotine 0.5mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p) for 7 consecutive days. Selected 3 groups were administered with 4-FBS 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg p.o. along with nicotine. After 3 days of the drug-free period, ie, day 11, a challenge dose of nicotine was injected to all groups except saline and locomotor activity was recorded for 30 minutes. In the expression phase, mice were exposed to saline and nicotine only 0.5 mg/kg i.p for 7 consecutive days. After 3 days of the drug-free period, ie, day 11, 4-FBS at 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg were administered to the selected groups, one hour after drug a nicotine challenge dose was administered, and locomotion was recorded. At the end of behavioral experiments, all animals were decapitated and the striatum was excised and screened for changes in adenosine levels, using HPLC-UV. RESULTS: Taken together, our findings showed that 4-FBS in all 3 doses, in both sets of experiments significantly attenuated nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization in mice. Additionally, 4-FBS at 60mg/kg significantly lowered the adenosine level in the striatum. CONCLUSION: The behavioral and adenosine modulation is promising, and more receptors level studies are warranted to explore the exact mechanism of action of 4-FBS.

Comparative bio-efficacy of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) and Spinosad against American bollwormm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)

ABSTRACT American bollworm (ABW), Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), is considered as a major pest of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, all over the globe. Due to its destructive feeding nature and continuous consumption of the same chemicals, it devolved resistant against many insecticides. Therefore, a combined application of bio- and synthetic-pesticide need to evaluate against this pest. The entomopathogenic viruses like nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), a member of baculoviruses, can be the potential candidates for better control against ABW. The present study was conducted to assess the comparative efficacy of NPV and Spinosad 240SC (with the concentration of 250 mL · ha-1) against ABW in the controlled environment. The ABW was treated with different concentrations of NPV and Spinosad separately and in a combination of NPV with 0.1% Spinosad. The results revealed that highest concentrations showed highest mortality (95%) followed by 95%, 92%, 84%, 82% and 78% mortality at 1 × 109, 1 × 108, 1 × 107, 1 × 106 and 1 × 105 POBs, respectively. Spinosad when mixed in diet give 100% mortality at 0.8% followed by 50.87%, 42.10%, 29.82%, 26.31% and 22.80% mortality at 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 0.025% respectively. The results of this study revealed that microbial control of ABW through NPV is an effective tool. The repeated use of synthetic pesticides caused the resurgence of many insect pests, and this study results would provide useful insight to build a framework for future investigations for the management of many major insect pests.

Quality of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during paediatric resuscitation training: time to stop the blind leading the blind.

AIMS: Recent evidence suggested that the quality of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during adult advanced life support training was suboptimal. This study aimed to assess the CPR quality of a paediatric resuscitation training programme, and to determine whether it was sufficiently addressed by the trainee team leaders during training. METHODS: CPR quality of 20 consecutive resuscitation scenario training sessions was audited prospectively using a pre-designed proforma. A consultant intensivist and a senior nurse who were also Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) instructors assessed the CPR quality which included ventilation frequency, chest compression rate and depth, and any unnecessary interruption in chest compressions. Team leaders' response to CPR quality and elective change of compression rescuer during training were also recorded. RESULTS: Airway patency was not assessed in 13 sessions while ventilation rate was too fast in 18 sessions. Target compression rate was not achieved in only 1 session. The median chest compression rate was 115 beats/min. Chest compressions were too shallow in 10 sessions and were interrupted unnecessarily in 13 sessions. More than 50% of training sessions did not have elective change of the compression rescuer. 19 team leaders failed to address CPR quality during training despite all team leaders being certified APLS providers. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of CPR performance was suboptimal during paediatric resuscitation training and team leaders-in-training had little awareness of this inadequacy. Detailed CPR quality assessment and feedback should be integrated into paediatric resuscitation training to ensure optimal performance in real life resuscitations.