Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease associated with persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and epithelial apoptosis. Nicardipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, but its therapeutic potential in UC remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of nicardipine on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, focusing on inflammatory, oxidative, and apoptotic pathways. Fifty BALB/c mice were assigned to five groups (n = 10): control, DSS, nicardipine 12 mg/kg, nicardipine 24 mg/kg, and 5-aminosalicylate (ASA) 75 mg/kg. Treatments were administered for 3 days before and 10 days during DSS exposure. Disease severity was assessed by body weight, disease activity index (DAI), and colon length. Colonic mRNA levels of Nlrp3, TNF-α, IL-17, and TNFSF10 were quantified by RT-PCR; protein expression of caspase-3, caspase-8, BAX, and BCL-2 was analyzed by Western blot. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX-1), occludin, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE-2) were measured by ELISA. Histological scoring assessed epithelial integrity and inflammation. Nicardipine dose-dependently reduced DSS-induced weight loss, DAI, and colon shortening. Both doses significantly downregulated Nlrp3, TNF-α, IL-17, and TNFSF10 (p < 0.05), decreased caspase-3 and BAX, and increased BCL-2. Nicardipine restored GPX-1, lowered MDA and MPO, preserved occludin, and reduced PGE-2. Histology confirmed reduced mucosal injury and preserved epithelial architecture. Nicardipine attenuates DSS-induced colitis by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting apoptosis, supporting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for UC. Further studies are warranted to clarify its molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance.
Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to analyze gasoline engine oil (SAE 5W20) samples that were exposed to seven different oxidation times (0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, 120 h, and 144 h) to determine the best wavenumbers and wavenumber ranges for the discrimination of the oxidation times. The thermal oxidation process generated oil samples with varying total base number (TBN) levels. Each wavenumber (400–3900 cm−1) and wavenumber ranges identified from the literature and this study were statistically analyzed to determine which wavenumbers and wavenumber ranges could discriminate among all oxidation times. Linear regression was used with the best wavenumbers and wavenumber ranges to predict oxidation time.
... Show MoreA comparative study was done on the adsorption of methyl orange dye (MO) using non-activated and activated corn leaves with hydrochloric acid as an adsorbent material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were utilized to specify the properties of adsorbent material. The effect of several variables (pH, initial dye concentration, temperature, amount of adsorbent and contact time) on the removal efficiency was studied and the results indicated that the adsorption efficiency increases with the increase in the concentration of dye, adsorbent dosage and contact time, while inversely proportional to the increase in pH and temperature for both the treated and untreated corn leaves. The equi
... Show MoreThis article presents the results of an experimental investigation of using carbon fiber–reinforced polymer sheets to enhance the behavior of reinforced concrete deep beams with large web openings in shear spans. A set of 18 specimens were fabricated and tested up to a failure to evaluate the structural performance in terms of cracking, deformation, and load-carrying capacity. All tested specimens were with 1500-mm length, 500-mm cross-sectional deep, and 150-mm wide. Parameters that studied were opening size, opening location, and the strengthening factor. Two deep beams were implemented as control specimens without opening and without strengthening. Eight deep beams were fabricated with openings but without strengthening, while
... Show MoreThere is an interesting potential for the use of GFRP-pultruded profiles in hybrid GFRP-concrete structural elements, either for new constructions or for the rehabilitation of existing structures. This paper provides experimental and numerical investigations on the flexural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) specimens composite with encased pultruded GFRP I-sections. Five simply supported composite beams were tested in this experimental program to investigate the static flexural behavior of encased GFRP beams with high-strength concrete. Besides, the effect of using shear studs to improve the composite interaction between the GFRP beam and concrete as well as the effect of web stiffeners of GFRP were explored. Encasing the GFRP
... Show MoreCatalytic reduction is considered an effective approach for the reduction of toxic organic pollutants from the environment, but finding an active catalyst is still a big challenge. Herein, Ag decorated CeO2 catalyst was synthesized through polyol reduction method and applied for catalytic reduction (conversion) of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). The Ag decorated CeO2 catalyst displayed an outstanding reduction activity with 99% conversion of 4-NP in 5 min with a 0.61 min−1 reaction rate (k). A number of structural characterization techniques were executed to investigate the influence of Ag on CeO2 and its effect on the catalytic conversion of 4-NP. The outstanding catalytic performances of the Ag-CeO2 catalyst can be assigne
... Show MoreIn most manufacturing processes, and in spite of statistical control, several process capability indices refer to non conformance of the true mean (µc ) from the target mean ( µT ), and the variation is also high. In this paper, data have been analyzed and studied for a blow molded plastic product (Zahi Bottle) (ZB). WinQSB software was used to facilitate the statistical process control, and process capability analysis and some of capability indices. The relationship between different process capability indices and the true mean of the process were represented, and then with the standard deviation (σ ), of achievement of process capability value that can reduce the standard deviation value and improve production out of theoretical con
... Show MoreThe objective of this work is to investigate the performance of a conventional three phase induction motor supplied by unbalanced voltages. An effort to study the motor steady state performance under this disturbance is introduced. Using per phase equivalent circuit analysis with the concept of symmetrical components approach, the steady state performance is theoretically calculated. Also, a model for the induction motor with the MATLAB/Simulink SPS tools has been implemented and steady state results were obtained. Both results are compared and show good correlation as well. The simulation model is introduced to support and enhance electrical engineers with a complete understanding for the steady state performance of a fully loaded induc
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