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This paper elucidates the transformative impact of a strategic shift in diagnostic practices in the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis. It explores five cases where the implementation of a specific diagnostic protocol led to effective identification of the infection. In-depth discussions and a comprehensive literature review underline the necessity for precise diagnosis and the paramount importance of diagnostic stewardship in managing sexually transmitted infections.
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In this work, we analyze the design of a graphene- and germanium-based plasmonic sensor with photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) for detection of refractive index (RI) of a gas medium and magnetic field (B) applied to the graphene monolayer in THz frequency region. The PSHE phenomenon is studied in both conventional as well as modified weak measurements. The effect of gaseous medium thickness (d4), transverse magnetic (TM) mode's order, and amplified angle parameter (Δ) is studied on the sensor's performance. Parameters such as sensitivity, resolution, and figure of merit have been considered for sensor's performance evaluation. The results indicate that in the conventional weak measurements, for a TM1 mode (with d4 = 20 µm, B = 0, and Δ = 0.1°), an RI resolution of 2.32 × 10-12 RIU is achievable for gas medium in the range 1-1.1 RIU. In the modified weak measurements, for a TM3 mode (with d4 = 100 µm, B = 0, and Δ = 0.1°), the RI resolution close to 1.39 × 10-10 RIU is achievable for gas sensing. The same sensor design was also studied for magnetic field sensing while keeping the value of gaseous medium RI (n4) as 1. The results indicate that for a TM1 mode (with d4 = 20 µm and Δ = 0.1°), in the conventional weak measurements, a magnetic field resolution of 5.31 × 10-4 µT (i.e., 0.53 nT) is achievable for a range 0-1 T of B. Further, it is found that in contrast with the conventional case, the resolutions in the modified weak measurements are improved for large values of the Δ. Some of the results emerge better or comparable with the resolutions of RI and magnetic field measurement (5 × 10-9 RIU and 0.7 µT or 1.22 × 10-11 RIU and 1.46 × 10-2 µT) existing in the literature.
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CONTEXT: Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. (Solanaceae), commonly known as sticky nightshade, is traditionally used for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Although solasodine has been isolated from this plant, little is known about its anticonvulsant and CNS depressant actions. OBJECTIVE: We investigated anticonvulsant and CNS depressant effects of solasodine isolated from S. sisymbriifolium using several experimental models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Swiss albino mice (n=6) were employed for pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and picrotoxin (PCT)-induced convulsions and thiopental-induced sleep time. Different groups of Wistar albino rats (n=6) were subjected to maximal electroshock (MES) test. Solasodine, a steroidal glycoalkaloid, was isolated from dried fruits of S. sisymbriifolium and identified by GC-MS. RESULTS: The results showed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of solasodine (25 mg/kg) significantly delayed (p < 0.01) latency of hind limb tonic extensor (HLTE) phase in the PCT-induced convulsions. In the MES model, solasodine significantly reduced (p < 0.001) duration of HLTE at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p. in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, solasodine did not produce any significant reduction in PTZ-induced convulsions. Prior treatment of solasodine (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly potentiated thiopental-provoked sleep in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study, for the first time, shows potent anticonvulsant and CNS depressant activities of solasodine. It is likely that solasodine, in part, is responsible for the anticonvulsant and sedative properties of S. sisymbriifolium. The future study should focus on the exact mechanism of action of solasodine.
