Application of surfactants as anticorrosive materials: A comprehensive review

Corrosion is the degradation of a metal due to its reaction with the environment. One of the most efficient ways of securing metal surfaces from corrosion is the use of corrosion inhibitors. Their efficacy is connected to their chemical composition, their molecular structures, and their adsorption affinities on the metal surface. This review article focuses on the prospects of different types of monomeric and gemini surfactants, mixed surfactants systems, surfactants- additives mixed systems, inhibitors-surfactants (as additives) mixed systems, and ionic liquid based surfactants as promising corrosion-inhibiting formulations in the aqueous phase and the role of surfactants in developing protective coatings. The analysis starts with an accurate overview of the characteristics, types, and structure-property-performance relationship of anti-corrosion formulations of such inhibitors.

Antiviral activities of Cholistani plants against common poultry viruses

Herbal medicines are becoming more popular and acceptable day by day due to their effectiveness, limited side effects, and cost-effectiveness. Cholistani plants are reported as a rich source of antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, and anticancer agents. The current study has evaluated antiviral potential of selected Cholistani plants. The whole plants were collected, ground and used in extract formation with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. All the extracts were concentrated by using a rotary evaporator and concentrate was finally dissolved in an appropriate vol of the same solvent. All of the extracts were tested for their antiviral potential by using 9-11 days old chick embryonated eggs. Each extract was tested against the Avian Influenza virus H9N2 strain (AIV), New Castle Disease virus Lasoota strain (NDV), Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and an Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Hemagglutination test (HA) and Indirect Hemagglutination (IHA) tests were performed for different viruses. The overall order of the antiviral potential of Cholistani plants against viruses was NDV>IBV>IBDV>AIV. In terms of antiviral activity from extracts, the order of activity was n-butanol>ethyl acetate>n-hexane. The medicinal plants Achyranthes aspera, Neuroda procumbens, Panicum antidotale, Ochthochloa compressa and Suaeda fruticose were very effective against all four poultry viruses through their extracts. The low IC50 values of these extracts confirm the high antiviral potential against these viruses. It is worth to mention that Achyranthes aspera was found positive against IBDV through all its extracts which overcome the problem of unavailability of any known drug against IBDV. In short, the study proved that Cholistani plants are rich source of antiviral agent and their extracts can be used as good source of antiviral drugs both in crude and in purified form.

Two-dimensional multi-channel neural probes with electronic depth control

This paper presents multi-electrode arrays for in vivo neural recording applications incorporating the principle of electronic depth control (EDC), i.e., the electronic selection of recording sites along slender probe shafts independently for multiple channels. Two-dimensional (2D) arrays were realized using a commercial 0.5- μm complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process for the EDC circuits combined with post-CMOS micromachining to pattern the comb-like probes and the corresponding electrode metallization. A dedicated CMOS integrated front-end circuit was developed for pre-amplification and multiplexing of the neural signals recorded using these probes.

Seroprevalence of the antibody to hepatitis C in select groups in the Punjab region of Pakistan

GOALS

Hepatitis C is on the rise in clinics in Pakistan. To estimate the occurrence of hepatitis C in the region and to create awareness about the disease in the general public, two studies were conducted in Punjab, Pakistan. Before this, no such effort has been made in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND

Two studies were held in Lahore and Gujranwala of Punjab, Pakistan. These studies were advertised throughout the city, and people who participated were screened for anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV)-positive serology at a concession rate and were surveyed through a questionnaire. In Lahore, there were 488 participants (mean age, 28 years; male-to-female ratio, 1.4 to 1). In Gujranwala, there were 1,922 participants (mean age, 27 years; male-to-female ratio, 1.5 to 1). The patients' blood was tested using an immuno-chromatography to identify the antibody to hepatitis C using Instatest HCV, with very high sensitivity.

RESULTS

In Lahore, the occurrence of anti-HCV-positive serology was 15.9%. In Gujranwala, the occurrence of anti-HCV-positive serology was 23.8%. In Lahore, the occurrence was 1.2% in participants 20 years of age and younger and was 23.5% in those who were more than 20 years of age. In Gujranwala, the occurrence of anti-HCV-positive serology was 5.4% in participants 20 years of age and younger and was 34% in those who were more than 20 years of age.

CONCLUSION

It can be seen that in those younger than 20 years of age, the occurrence of hepatitis C is almost at par with the rest of the world (0.5-2%). However, those more than 20 years of age had a very high occurrence, as high as 50% in certain age groups. The time-frame of contraction of the HCV for those individuals more than 20 years of age (approximately 20 to 35 years ago) corresponds with that of the smallpox eradication program conducted in Pakistan from 1964 to 1982. This may indicate the likelihood of a relationship between the high rate of hepatitis C and the administration of the smallpox vaccine in Pakistan.

Calusterone therapy for advanced breast cancer

Calusterone was given at a dose of 200 mg daily to 45 postmenopausal patients with advanced metastatic breast cancer. Of the 40 evaluable patients, 11 were unable to tolerate the drug because of severe toxicity. Objective regression of soft tissue disease and relief of bone pain were seen in four patients (9.1%) for an average duration of 15.2 weeks. Thirteen patients showed an arrest of disease progression. In 12 patients the lesions continued to progress in spite of therapy. Toxic effects consisting of nausea, vomiting, fluid retention, SGOT elevation, and androgenic side effects were seen in 33 patients (75%), necessitating discontinuation of the drug in 11 (25%).