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Motasim Jawi,1 Hadiah Bassam Al Mahdi,2,3 Hussam Daghistani,4,5 Yousef Almoghrabi,4,5 Rami Algahtani,6 Dalal Tawati,7 Mohammed R Algethami,8 Yasser Noorelahi,9 Zuhier Awan4 1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Al Borg Medical Laboratories, Al Borg Diagnostics, Research and Development Unit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Regenerative Medicine Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdullah Medical Complex, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 9Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Motasim Jawi, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 569191939, Email mmjawi@uj.edu.saPurpose: Blood Lp(a) concentration is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Population-based lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) research in Saudi Arabia is rare. Thus, the primary goal of this pilot study was to identify age- and sex-specific reference ranges for Lp(a) levels, in addition to the associations between Lp(a) levels and other atherosclerotic markers in Saudi individuals.Patients and methods: A five-year retrospective study of Lp(a) and lipid markers in Saudi patients was conducted using the Al-Borg diagnostics database (2015– 2020). The population sample consisted of 361 Saudi individuals aged 18– 93 years (162 males, 199 females). An immunoturbidimetric technique was used to determine Lp(a) concentration.Results: The mean and median Lp(a) levels in the study population were 35 nmol/L and 50 nmol/L, respectively. Sex and age did not influence Lp(a) values. Lp(a) values showed a minor correlation with other atherosclerotic markers when the Pearson correlation coefficient was used. In Saudi Arabia, the distribution of Lp(a) concentrations is skewed to the left, favoring lower values.Conclusion: Lp(a) levels in individuals residing in Saudi Arabia were comparable to those observed in other ethnic groups. Additionally, standardizing Lp(a) measurements according to sex and age may enhance broader applicability and facilitate comparisons across different populations. However, larger studies are required to provide more comprehensive data for comparison.Keywords: lipoprotein(a), lipids, cardiovascular disease, reference range, reference interval, Saudi Arabia

An analysis about the backscattering characteristics of a metamaterial coated magnetodielectric sphere covered with a metasurface has been presented. The effects of various types of metamaterial coatings and surface reactances of lossless metasurface upon the backscattering cross-section of a metamaterial coated magnetodielectric sphere covered with a metasurface have been studied. It is shown that the negligible backscattering cross-section from a double near-zero metamaterial coated magnetodielectric sphere can be enhanced significantly by using specific types of lossless metasurfaces. These types of enhanced backscattering cross-section find applications in the radar detection problems. The proposed theory is also extended to the lossy double negative metamaterial coated magnetodielectric sphere covered with a lossless metasurface. During the study, it is found that for a specific part of the lossy double negative metamaterial bandwidth, two specific types of lossless metasurfaces can be used to reduce the backscattering cross-section as compared to the backscattering cross-section of a lossy double negative metamaterial coated magnetodielectric sphere without metasurface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface impedance characteristics of a wire grid composed of infinitely long parallel conducting wires embedded in lossless and lossy frequency-dispersive chiral background media have been investigated. Using wavefield decomposition approach for a chiral background and with the application of impedance boundary conditions for a wire grid, an analytic expression for the surface impedance of a wire grid with a chiral background has been derived. It is shown that the surface impedance magnitude of a wire grid with chiral nihility background is close to zero and almost independent of incident polar angles. A strong chiral background significantly enhances the surface impedance magnitude of a wire grid for incident polar angles closer to right angle as compared to the free space background. The same electromagnetic appearance of a wire grid with frequency-dispersive chiral and free space background media at some critical frequency has also been discussed which may find applications in electromagnetic illusions. It is also shown that if the value of incident polar angles are closer to right angle then the impedance magnitude of a wire grid embedded in the realistic chiral background is smaller as compared to the same wire grid when placed in the free space background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mohammad A Alfhili,1 Jawaher Alsughayyir,2 Ahmed M Basudan,1 Hazem K Ghneim,1 Mohammed Alfaifi,3 Hassan S Alamri,4 Zuhier A Awan,5,6 Mohammed R Algethami7 1Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics Research, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Clinical Pathology, Al-Borg Medical Laboratories, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 7Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mohammad A Alfhili, Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics Research, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966-504-262-597, Email malfeehily@ksu.edu.saBackground: Risk factors of cardiovascular disease include dyslipidemia, hypertension (HTN), and anemia. Our objective is to assess the patterns of dyslipidemia in the anemic and non-anemic hypertensive Saudi population.Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of the gender, blood pressure, lipid markers, and CBC parameters of 3111 subjects, which were retrieved from the database of Al-Borg Medical Laboratories over a six-year period (2014– 2019), was carried out. Means were compared among study groups and the prevalence, association, and diagnostic accuracy of lipid markers for HTN were evaluated.Results: TG, LDL/HDL, and TG/HDL were significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in hypertensives. Anemia reduces TC and LDL (P < 0.0001) in both genders, and reduces all markers and increases HDL (P < 0.01) in male hypertensives. HTN was more prevalent in anemics with high TC than normal TC (38.23% vs 11.17%, P < 0.001) and in non-anemics with high TG than normal TG (56.31% vs 21.22%, P < 0.001). Furthermore, non-anemics with high TG/HDL had the highest risk for HTN (RR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.1551– 1.2473, P < 0.0001). Elevated TC (P = 0.0142), TG (P < 0.0001), TC/HDL (P < 0.0001), LDL/HDL (P < 0.0001), and TG/HDL (P < 0.0001), and low HDL (P < 0.0001) were risk factors for HTN as shown by ORs. In anemics, high TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, and TG/HDL were not. Importantly, only TG and TG/HDL had a discriminating capacity for HTN.Conclusion: The anemic state of hypertensive Saudi patients influences dyslipidemia which warrants further investigation.Keywords: hypertension, dyslipidemia, anemia, prevalence, Saudi Arabia

Husain Y Alkhaldy,1,2 Zuhier A Awan,3,4 Ahmed A Abouzaid,4,5 Hossameldin M Elbahaey,4,6 Saeed M Al Amoudi,5 Shehata F Shehata,7,8 Muhammad Saboor9,10 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 2Research Center for Advanced Materials Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Clinical Pathology, Al-Borg Medical Laboratories, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; 6Clinical Pathology Department, Suez Canal University, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt; 7Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 8High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; 9Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 10Medical Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Husain Y Alkhaldy, Department of internal medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O.BOX 641, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 72417578 ; +966 5999-15-567, Fax +966 72418111, Email halkhaldy@kku.edu.sa Muhammad Saboor, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 54 495 9029, Email msaboor@jazanu.edu.saPurpose: Complete blood count (CBC) is a commonly used blood test for health checks. This study was conducted to compare CBC from two different altitudes and from sea-level populations in order to suggest correction factor for altitude-related increment on the hemoglobin and red blood cell indices.Patients and Methods: In this retrospective lab records study, large datasets of CBCs over 5-year period were screened from three different regions of Saudi Arabia, Jeddah (a coastal city), Taif City located at 1879 m above sea level, and Abha City at located 2270 m above sea level. Descriptive analysis and significance testing of the CBC variables at different altitude were compared.Results: A total of 57,059 participants were included for final analysis. Mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (g/dL) was 14.81 for men and 13.77 for women at sea level, whereas Hb concentrations were 15.35 and 14.19 for men and women residing at Taif City, respectively, and 15.40 and 14.71 for men and women at Abha City, respectively. Hemoglobin and other red cell indices were significantly different among men and women across different altitude, except for mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The MCV 95th percentile range was lower at sea level and both altitudes as compared to current reference range (76– 91 fL vs 81– 98 fL).Conclusion: Although altitude-associated increment in Hb concentration was evident in both men and women, it was lower than as suggested by World Health Organization and Centers for Disease and Control. Results of this study can also be used to derive new CBC reference intervals for Saudi residents living at high altitude. A correction factor (ΔHb) of 0.30 g/dL per 1000 m altitude is suggested to be used in adult population living at high altitudes in Saudi Arabia which should help better define anemia and polycythemia at altitude.Keywords: high altitude, reference interval, CBC

Fahmy UA, Ahmed OAA, Badr-Eldin SM, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2020;15:5253-5264. The Editor and Publisher of International Journal of Nanomedicine are retracting the above published article. An investigation by the Publisher, found overlap in images from Figure 6 of the published article above and the images from Figure 6 of the following published article: Ahmed OAA, Fahmy UA, Badr-Eldin SM, et al. Application of Nanopharmaceutics for Flibanserin Brain Delivery Augmentation Via the Nasal Route. Nanomaterials. 2020; 10(7):1270 (https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10071270). Specifically, this included: From the published article above, Figure 6B, plain in situ gel group, and 6D, optimized FLB-NLC in situ gel group, are the same images as Figure 6D, rats treated with optimized FLB-TRF hydrogel (gp4) and 6C, rats treated with raw FLB loaded in hydrogel (gp3), respectively, from Ahmed et al, 2020. Furthermore, the images in Figure 6 of the published article above are derived from the same image but used to describe different results. Specifically, this included: From the published article above, Figure 6A, Control untreated group; 6B, plain in situ gel group; 6C, raw FLB loaded in situ gel group and 6D, optimized FLB-NLC in situ gel group, are all derived from the same image but used to describe different results. The authors cooperated with the investigation and provided data and associated documents concerning the histopathological experiments from the reported study. However, the Editor and Publisher determined that the evidence provided did not establish sufficient justification for the duplication. Therefore, the Editor and Publisher are retracting the article. The authors have agreed to retract the article and have informed the Publisher that the first author, Usama A Fahmy, takes responsibility for the error which occurred. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

An electric line source illumination of a chiral cylinder embedded in a chiral background medium is considered. The field expressions inside and outside of a chiral cylinder have been derived using the wave field decomposition approach. The effects of various chiral cylinders, chiral background media and source locations upon the scattering gain pattern have been investigated. It is observed that the chiral background reduces the backward scattering gain as compared to the free space background for a dielectric cylinder. It is also studied that by moving a line source away from a cylinder reduces the backward scattering gain for a chiral cylinder placed in a chiral background under some specific conditions. A unique phenomenon of reduced scattering gain has been observed at a specific observation angle for a chiral cylinder placed in a chiral background having an electric line source location of unity free space wavelength. An isotropic scattering gain pattern is observed for a chiral nihility background provided that if cylinder is chiral or chiral nihility type. It is also observed that this isotropic behaviour is independent of background and cylinder chirality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An axially slotted cylinder coated with two different types of inhomogeneous coating layers is considered. These inhomogeneous coatings have decreasing permittivity profiles. The effects of various parameters of these coatings upon the gain pattern have been investigated using numerical simulations. It is studied that the gain at certain observation angles can be enhanced or diminished by controlling the inhomogeneity parameters of these considered profiles. It is further studied that for specific type of considered inhomogeneous coatings, the forward direction gain can be enhanced significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zuhier A Awan,1,2 Saeed M Al Amoudi,2 Muhammad Saboor,3,4 Husain Y Alkhaldy5,6 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Clinical Pathology, Al-Borg Medical Laboratories, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Gazan, Saudi Arabia; 4Medical Research Centre (MRC), Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 6Research Center for Advanced Materials Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Husain Y AlkhaldyDepartment of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Materials Science, King Khalid University, P.O.Box 9004, Abha, 61413, Saudi ArabiaTel +966599915567Email halkhaldy@kku.edu.saObjective: Isolated mild neutropenia is a common clinical problem in some ethnicities including Arabs and Middle Eastern population. The current study aims to authenticate the prevalence of isolated neutropenia in Southern and Southwestern Saudi Arabia, explore the effect of altitude or regional differences and to suggest a new reference range for neutrophil count.Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, laboratory results of a commercial laboratory were screened over a period of 5 years (2016– 2020) in seven different cities of different altitudes in South and southwestern Saudi Arabia. Participants’ laboratory investigations were reviewed and excluded for any abnormal complete blood count, renal profile, liver profile, lipid profile, thyroid function test, fasting blood glucose, or HbA1c findings. Descriptive analysis and 95th percentile range were calculated using standard statistical methods.Results: A total of 91,880 complete blood count results were included in the final analysis. Isolated neutropenia was common laboratory finding, with a prevalence ranging from 11% to 23%. The 2.5th percentile of the neutrophil count was lower than currently utilized 1.5× 109/L in all studied seven cities.Conclusion: Mild to moderate neutropenia is common in Southern and Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) likely explains this high prevalence. Since BEN has no clinical significance, the reference range for normal neutrophil counts needs to be adjusted to reflect the effect of BEN.Keywords: isolated neutropenia, benign ethnic neutropenia, reference intervals, Saudi Arabia

Husain Y Alkhaldy,1,2 Zuhier A. Awan,3,4 Ahmed A Abouzaid,4,5 Hossameldin M Elbahaie,4,6 Saeed M Al Amoudi,4 Mohamed Andarawi,7 Shehata F Shehata8,9 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 2Research Center for Advanced Materials Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Clinical Pathology, Al-Borg Medical Laboratories, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; 6Clinical Pathology Department, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; 7Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 8Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 9High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptCorrespondence: Husain Y AlkhaldyDepartment of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, P.O.Box 641, Aseer 61421, Saudi ArabiaTel +966 72417578Fax +966 72418111Email halkhaldy@kku.edu.saIntroduction: Isolated neutropenia is a common problem in hematology practice. Benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) is the common form of neutropenia worldwide and it affects mainly African and Middle Eastern ethnicities. Most cases of isolated mild and moderate neutropenia are benign and associated with no clinical significance. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of isolated neutropenia at high-altitude southern Saudi Arabia.Methods: A large dataset of complete blood counts (CBCs) was analyzed for walk-in patients of both genders, of age ranges from 12 to 60 years doing blood tests at a commercial lab for high altitude − 2,270 meters above sea level – (HA) group, and from sea level SL group. Abnormal biochemical or CBC results were excluded before analysis.Results: For HA group, 3123 CBCs were analyzed and for SL group 18,427 CBCs were analyzed. The prevalence of mild neutropenia, defined as absolute neutrophil count (ANC) in the range of 1.0− .5× 109/L, was 12.4% (n=399) versus 5.6% (n=1025), while moderate neutropenia, defined as ANC of 0.5– 1 × 109/L, was present 6% (n=191) versus 1.45% (n=269) in the high altitude and sea level groups, respectively. Severe neutropenia, defined as neutrophil count less than 0.5– 1 × 109/L, was rare in both groups.Conclusion: Isolated neutropenia is common in Saudis living at high altitude. While benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) is thought to be the major contributing factor to this high prevalence, other factors including environmental factors and altitude are possible contributing factors along with underlying ethnic neutropenia.Keywords: ethnic neutropenia, high altitude, hematological, leukocyte count

An analysis about the effects of various bi-isotropic (BI) coatings and BI background media upon the gain characteristics of an axially slotted cylinder using numerical simulations is presented. It is investigated that chirality and Tellegen parameters of a coating and a background medium play a significant role in modifying the gain properties. It is further studied that an axially slotted cylinder when coated with a strong BI material and embedded in a free space background significantly enhances the gain in the forward direction. On the other hand, a strong Tellegen coating guides most of the radiated field from an axial slot toward rear side of the cylinder. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An analysis about the effects of various metamaterial coatings and background media upon the gain characteristics of a slotted sphere is presented using numerical simulations. It is found that the gain characteristics of a coated slotted sphere can be controlled by varying the electromagnetic parameters of coatings and background media. It is studied that the thickness of different coating layers has a significant effect upon the gain in the forward direction. It is further investigated that a double negative metamaterial coating can be used to greatly enhance the forward direction gain for certain values of the permittivity and the permeability. It is also shown that single near zero and double near zero background media enhance the forward direction gain of a dielectric-coated slotted sphere and reduce the gains for angles closer to polar directions as compared to the free space background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was performed to know the prevalence of coccidiosis and efficacy of anti-coccidial drugs in the capital city of Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. A total of 573 broiler birds of different age groups were sampled from the study area farms and processed accordingly. Fecal flotation and McMaster egg counting techniques were used for Oocyst identification and counting, respectively. Postmortem of birds was performed to know the lesions and type of coccidiosis present in the birds. Drug trial was also carried out to evaluate the efficacy of anti-coccidial drugs available in the study area market. An overall 19.37% (111/573) prevalence of Coccidiosis was observed in study area. Among different age groups, broilers below three weeks of age were found more susceptible to infection. During summer season higher prevalence was recorded. Different risk factors were found associated with coccidial infection in the study area. Five anticoccidial drugs available in the market have been found effective with different efficacy level. Among the anticoccidial drugs used during the present investigation, Sulphadimerazine 86% had shown better effect. Besides these anticoccidial drugs, a herbal plant locally known as Sumbal was also used and found potent against Coccidiosis. This is a good alternate choice used in field conditions along with synthetic anti-coccidial for the treatment and control of coccidiosis. It was deduced that prevalence of coccidiosis recorded in study area was comparatively lower than prevalence recorded in other parts of the world. Furthermore, Sulphadimerazine 86% have shown comparatively better efficacy than other drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Usama A Fahmy,1 Osama AA Ahmed,1 Shaimaa M Badr-Eldin,1,2 Hibah M Aldawsari,1 Solomon Z Okbazghi,3 Zuhier A Awan,4 Muhammed A Bakhrebah,5 Mohammad N Alomary,5 Wesam H Abdulaal,6 Carlos Medina,7 Nabil A Alhakamy1 1Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Global Analytical and Pharmaceutical Development, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, New Haven, Connecticut, NE 06510, USA; 4Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Metabolism and Epigenetic Unit, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 7School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin IrelandCorrespondence: Shaimaa M Badr-Eldin Email sbadr5@hotmail.comBackground and Aim: Flibanserin (FLB) is a multifunctional serotonergic agent used for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women via oral administration. FLB has a reported limited oral bioavailability of 33% that could be attributed to the drug’s first-pass metabolism. In addition, FLB has a pH-dependent solubility that could be a challenging factor for drug dissolution in the body neutral fluid, and consequently, absorption via mucosal barriers. Thus, this work aims at investigating the potential of utilizing nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to enhance nose-to-brain drug delivery.Methods: Box-Behnken design was applied to explore the impact of solid lipid % (SL%, X1), liquid lipid % (LL%, X2), and sonication time (ST, X3) on particle size. The optimized NLC formulation was characterized and incorporated into gellan gum in situ gel. The prepared gel was subjected to in vitro drug release, in vivo pharmacokinetic performance, and histopathological assessment in rats.Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant negative effect for both SL% and ST on NLCs size. In contrast, a significant positive effect was observed for the LL%. The optimized formulation showed spherical shape with vesicular size of 114.63 nm. The optimized FLB-NLC in situ gel exhibited adequate stability and enhanced in vitro release compared to raw FLB control gel. The plasma and brain concentrations of the drug after nasal administration in rats increased by more than 3– 6-fold, respectively, compared to raw FLB in situ gel. In addition, the histopathological studies revealed the absence of any pathological signs.Conclusion: The aforementioned results highlight the safety of FLB-NLC in situ nasal gel and its potential to improve the drug bioavailability and brain delivery.Keywords: flibanserin, nanostructured lipid carrier, Compritol® 888 ATO, almond oil, gellan gum, pharmacokinetics

Post-harvest diseases of fruits are the major threat to fruit quality and cause heavy economic losses. During a survey of the local fruit market in Lahore in the summer of 2014, several samples of rotted loquat fruits were collected to identify the causal organism. Geotrichum candidum (FCBP1335) was isolated, purified and identified initially on the basis of morphological characteristics. Further confirmation of identified fungus was carried out by sequencing the Amplified Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequence (ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS4 region) from total genomic DNA of the isolated causal fungus. Re-isolation of same fungal pathogen from the artificially inoculated loquat fruits fulfilled the Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, G. candidum is reported for the first time, causing rotting in loquat fruit not only from Pakistan but also from the world. Present investigation will be very helpful for management of this post-harvest disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among all the electrocatalysts for Lithium-Air battery (Li-air), Platinum Pt is the best performing cathode material. However, the high cost of noble Pt metal and scarcity nature impedes the use of Pt-based catalysts from being extensivity used in commercial applications. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an efficient and cost-effective alternate electrocatalyst to replace Pt-based materials in lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) battaries. In the present work, δ-MnO2/N-rGO composite (MNGC) has been synthesized by a simple non-template hydrothermal approach. MNGC with a porous wall structure composed of ultrathin nanosheets exhibits excellent electrochemical properties for oxidation–reduction reaction (ORR). MNGC can provide numerous pathways for abundant oxygen and electrolyte access to facilitate the mass transfer of lithium-ion. Such a well-designed structure offers the right electrocatalyst for the air cathode in lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) battaries. The prepared samples principal characteristics are analyzed, which verified the successful synthesis of sheet-like δ-MnO2 grown over the surface of nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO). Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) results of MNGC showed enhanced ORR performance compared to MnO2 and N-rGO in terms of the half-wave potential, limiting current, and onset potential. MNGC electrode displayed superior cyclic performances of Li-air with a stable specific capacity, decreased overpotential, reversibility, and rate capability. Li-O2 battery was also tested with MNGN electrode for limited discharge capacity of 500 mAh/g, long-term cycling was achieved without electrolyte degradation. A high specific capacity of 5250 mAh/g was obtained at a high current density of 0.2 mA/cm2. The interlinked effect of δ–MnO2 and N–rGO for supporting the electrochemical interaction between O2 and Li is explained for improved columbic and energy efficiency of Li–O2 battery