bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistent Gustatory Dysfunction in COVID-19 Survivors: A Narrative Literature Review
Authors: Tsuchiya Hironori
Published: November 2021

Patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exhibit a diverse spectrum of clinical manifestations, some of which last for a long time, making a great impact on the healthcare of patients who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although taste disorders have been well-recognized to be closely associated with COVID-19, understanding of gustatory sequelae is relatively poor compared with oral symptoms in the early phase of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to characterize gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors by a narrative literature review of follow-up studies and to speculate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying such a persistent symptom. Scientific articles were retrieved by searching PubMed, LitCovid, ProQuest, medRxiv and bioRxiv from 1 April 2020 with a cut-off date of 10 September 2021. The follow-up time periods of the relevant 49 studies ranged from 4 weeks to 12 months. Results of the literature search indicated that ageusia, hypogeusia and/or dysgeusia persist in up to 45.0% of COVID-19 survivors and that the prevalence of these taste impairments varies depending on ethnicity, age, gender and disease severity of patients. Gustatory dysfunction can be detected at high frequency even one year after symptom onset. Persistence of gustatory dysfunction is pathogenically related to expression of SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry-relevant receptors in taste cells and neural cells, decreased saliva secretion, zinc deficiency, disturbed nervous system and inflammation associated with persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given the long-term persistence of gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors, their discharge from hospital is not the end of disease. Careful attention should be continuously paid to taste perception of post-COVID-19 patients to recover the health-relating quality of life, which is required for health providers, especially dental professionals who not only may experience COVID-19 survivors but also can easily become aware of their taste abnormalities.
Impact of Surgery in De Novo Metastatic Breast Cancer after Systemic Disease Control
Authors: Soomro Rufina , Khokher Afsheen Javaid , Zahid Naila
Published: November 2021

Background: Systemic chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with metastatic breast cancer, with an undecided role in surgery. Limited data is available for the role of surgery on the overall survival of stage 4 breast cancer regarding luminal subtypes of patients. This is a retrospective data analysis comparing overall survival benefit and disease-free survival in stage IV breast cancer after systemic treatment and systemic disease control concerning luminal classification in the last five years.

Method: Patients who had surgery and no surgery after systemic treatment and disease control were compared for 5 years overall survival as the primary endpoint and disease-free survival as the secondary endpoint. The survival benefit was also compared regarding tumor biology (ER/PR, HER2 status).

Results: Data included 421 patients, 237 in surgery and 184 in no surgery group. At one year survival for surgery performed and not performed was not significant. Five-year overall survival for surgery performed and not performed was 84.4% and 74.5%. A statistically significant difference in survival rates was observed (p<0.0001). The mortality rate was 15.6% in surgery performed and 25.5% in the no-surgery group which showed a significant difference among the two study groups (p=0.011). We found statistically significant differences in luminal B (p=0.004) and triple-negative breast cancer patients (p=0.001) for survival rates in surgery performed and not performed groups.

Disease-free survival has shown no significant difference in surgery performed and not performed group in 1, 2, and 5 years follow-up.

Conclusion: Surgery has a positive impact on overall survival in Stage 4 patients with systemic disease control even in high-risk luminal B, Her 2 Positive, and triple-negative breast cancer patients. There was no significant difference observed in disease-free survival who were operated on or not. However, there was no local recurrence in the operated group.
A Synthetic Chrono Genetic Therapy Gene for Consecutive Drug Delivery
Authors: Anosh Maryam , Majeed Zukhruff , Qamar Nida
Published: November 2021

Chronotherapy, the delivery of therapeutic interventions personalized to patient's circadian rhythms, has shown enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects. Patients exhibit diurnal changes in cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis that lead to inflammatory flares and enhanced disease severity in the early morning. There has been important work showing the administration of anti-inflammatory treatments in the early morning, immediately before the inflammatory flare, in reducing symptoms of RA. Using synthetic biology, we developed chronotherapy-based gene chromogenic therapies that produce our prescribed transgene downstream of the core circadian clock component, Per2. We transduced these lentiviral chromogenic therapies into murine-induced pluripotent stem cells and developed tissue-engineered cartilage as our model system for timed drug delivery. Our anti-inflammatory chromogenic could produce interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in an oscillatory manner tracking with circadian rhythms in vitro. Additionally, the tissue-engineered pellets could entrain host circadian rhythms when implanted into mice and produce different levels of IL-1Ra in the serum at other times of the day. The chromogenic synthetic gene provides a novel cell therapy driving by the circadian clock for controlled biologic delivery at prescribed times of the                      day.
Surgical Site Infection in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
Authors: Kartthick V. , Sudarshan P. B.
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Surgical site infections [SSIs] are the Third most common nosocomial infections, According to the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance, patients who are hospitalized account for 15 to 18 percent of all nosocomial infections .increased mortality and morbidity rates associated with Surgery.

Surgical wounds are divided into four categories: clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated and dirty wounds.

Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study, done throughout for two years period, from June 2018 to May 2020 .785 patients underwent surgery in the Dept. of General Surgery in Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Thandalam.

Were taken as part of this study. Elective surgical procedures were performed on 495 patients. And 290 were taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. An in-depth examination of these cases was conducted, taking into account the date of admission, clinical features, history, types of surgery [emergency or elective], pre-operative preparation, drain used, and its type and postoperative findings.

Results: Surgical Site Infections were found in 58 cases out of 785 surgeries. In elective clean and contaminated patients, the overall postoperative SSI rate is 4.34 percent of all cases, whereas emergency cases account for 12.41 percent. According to the research, that the most prevalent type of surgical site infection is superficial surgical site infection accounting for 72.1 percent of all SSIs in elective cases and 61.11 percent in emergency cases, and deep surgical site infection accounting for 23.25 percent of elective cases and 30.55 percent of emergency cases.

Conclusion: The most common bacteria found in elective surgical wounds are E. coli. Proteus mirabilis is the most prevalent organism isolated from emergency surgical wounds. A shift in the pre-operative period antibiotics may even diminish the occurrence. Pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes mellitus wound type, operation time, emergency procedures, and wound contamination all had a significant impact on the development of surgical site infection.
A Comparative Study to Assess the Knowledge of Anemia among School Children in Selected Urban and Rural Schools of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
Authors: D. Masih Shailvina , Linson C. C.
Published: November 2021

The aim of the research was to assess the knowledge and prevalence of anemia among rural and urban school children. A quantitative approach was used for the present study. The study population wasthe school children, 9-14 years of age studying in 6th to 9th standard of rural and urban schools of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. The sample size consisted of 50 children from urban and 50 children from rural school. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge of anemia among children in urban and rural school. Compare the knowledge of anemia among children in urban and rural school. To find out the association between knowledge and selected demographic variables. Among the urban school children 14(28%) had inadequate knowledge, 26(52%) had moderately adequate knowledge, and, 10(20%) were having adequate knowledge. Among the rural school children 35(70%) had inadequate knowledge, 12(24%) had moderately adequate knowledge, and 3(6%) had adequate knowledge. There is significant difference in the level of knowledge regarding Anemia among urban and rural school children. There is significant association between knowledge of urban school children and occupation of mother.

There is significant association between knowledge of rural school children and educational qualification of father.
Mechanism of Anticancer Activity of Compounds Isolated from Two Species of Ziziphus (Z. jujube and Z. mauritiana)
Authors: Khurshid Sana , Awan Sana Javaid , Naz Ateeqa , Hayat Khan Safdar , Fiaz Saira
Published: November 2021

Medicinal plants have been used to treat diseases for centuries. One group of such plants is Ziziphus species belonging to Rhamnaceae family. The extracts from plants of this genus has been found beneficial for the treatment of cancer caused by high production of reactive oxygen species resulting from different oxidative stress mediated conditions. The mechanism of anticancer activity of two different species of this plant (Z.jujube and Z.mauritiana) have been discussed in this review. The constituents of this plant include the flavonoids, triterpenes, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper and polysaccharides such as reducing and non-reducing sugars. The underlying mechanisms of both species include the (Tumor protein P53) P53, (signal transducer and activator of transcription) STAT, (Matrix metalloproteinases) MMPs, (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) CRISPR and flavonoids and triterpenic acid mechanisms. The effects of the extract on different cells lines in both in vitro and in vivo models have been studied by observing the induction of apoptosis and reduction in angiogenesis leading to reduction in progression and proliferation of cancer cell lines. The biological properties of Ziziphus include the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and hepato-protective characteristics.
Clinical and Immunological Characteristics of Patients with Odontogenic Maxillary Sinusitis
Authors: Eldzharov Artem Viktorovich , Niazyan Diana Arturovna , Esiev Ruslan Kazbekovich , Toboev George Vladimirovich , Uzdenova Jamilya Khuseinovna , Shabanova Zainab Magomednurovna , Abakarov Zainutdin Abakarovich , Abrekov Askerbiy Berslanovich , Babatkhanov Adam Saidalvievich , Mishvelov Artem Evgenevich
Published: November 2021

Inflammatory diseases of the maxillary sinus of odontogenic aetiology have a high prevalence and hold leading positions in the structure of otorhinolaryngological and dental morbidity. High-intensity lesions in all age and social groups, the lack of over the last decade a downward trend in frequency, refractory to traditional drug therapy determine the high medical and social problem significance.To date, the main treatment standard is the surgical removal of the “causal” infection focus, but this stage is not always resolved by complete recovery, in consequence of which the disease acquires a cyclical character. Many authors point out the role of the immune system in chronization of the inflammatory process in the sinuses and the development of exacerbation frequent periods. Treatment of odontogenic sinusitis is more complex and prone to relapses. The main objectives of treatment are differential diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis and its treatment.In this regard, determination of the immunological reactivity state and search for pathogenetically significant disorders in the effector protective link in patients with odontogenic sinusitis becomes especially relevant. The article presents a detailed analysis of the immune status of 60 patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis caused by acute periodontitis, radicular cyst, and filling material. Clearly demonstated the results of the paranasal sinuses x-ray examination and clinical examination of patients. In the course of the research were found significant changes of immunological indicators for several considered criteria. They indicate the presence of pronounced autoimmune shifts in the subjects, which play a key role in aggravating the disease severity and its outcome. This type of research is crucial for the development of improved drug therapy strategies for individuals with odontogenic sinusitis aimed at correcting immune disorders. The aim of the article is research of the immunological molecular changes that occur in odontogenic sinusitis, and to lay the foundation for studying the molecular mechanism of odontogenic sinusitis.
To Determine the Frequency of Thrombocytopenia in Pre Eclamptic Presented at Isra University Hospital
Authors: Khatoon Hafiza , Ahmed Rukhsana , Naz Ambreen , Mushtaq Nousheen , Irfan Asma , Safia .
Published: November 2021

Objective: To determine the frequency of thrombocytopenia in pre-eclamptic women presented at Isra University Hospital Hyderabad.

Patients and Methods: This cross sectional descriptive study of six months study was conducted at Isra university hospital from April 2019 to September 2019. All the patients between ≥18 - 45 years of age diagnosed preeclampsia were admitted and evaluated for thrombocytopenia.

Results: During six month study period, total of 177 patients with preeclampsia were evaluated for thrombocytopenia. The majority of patients were from urban areas 125/177 (70.6%). The mean ±SD for maternal and gestational age of the preeclamptic patient was 32.75±8.85 and 28.75±7.63 whereas the mean platelet count was 93200±10.74 respectively. The majority of the patients were 21-30 years of age (54.8%) and the finding was statistically significant with gestational age [p=0.002]. The thrombocytopenia was observed in 99/177 (55.9%) and is statistically with relation to maternal age, gestational age and parity while in context to gravida and duration of disease it is non significant.

Conclusion: A significantly high frequency of thrombocytopenia (55.9%) was recorded in the patients with preeclampsia and is statistically with relation to maternal and gestational age and parity.
Comparison of Dexamethasone and Ondansetrone Use in Prevention of Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting
Authors: Alam Shakil , Rashid Haris , Khan Sagufta , Ali Mir Arsalan , Haseeb Obaidul , Sidhwani Santosh Kumar
Published: November 2021

Background: PONV remained the common cause of patient’s discomfort after anaesthesia 30% in all post-surgical patients and 80% in high-risk patients. With other common and serious complications of surgeries vomiting and nausea remained unpleasant trigger for patients who underwent the surgeries that prolongs the hospital stay and also leads to recurrent admissions. Therefore in this study we want to compare the effectiveness of pre-operative single-dose dexamethasone versus ondansetron in reducing post-operative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic surgeries.

Methods: Patients admitted for laparoscopic procedures at Ziauddin Hospital North site were recruited for this quasi-experimental study. All consecutive patients were assigned to one of the two groups (1 or 2) using computer generated simple randomised numbers and given either of the two treatments: single dose dexamethasone (5-8mg) or ondansetron (4mg). Researcher assessed post-operative nausea and vomiting at thirty minutes, two, four, eight, and twenty-four hours after the procedure. For statistical association the chi-square test and independent t-test were applied. Significant was defined as a P-value of less than 0.05.

Results: The mean age of patients was 42.9±16.6years with mean weight of 62.9±8.8 kilograms. All the operation performed as laparoscopic and common procedure was cholecystectomy (72/98: 73.5%), followed by appendectomy (17/98: 17.3%). Patients with ondansetron had more episodes of vomiting after 30 minutes of laparoscopic surgery. In addition, we discovered a correlation between the two groups' nausea episodes 30 minutes after surgery. After 30 minutes of laparoscopic surgery, patients who took ondansetron reported more nausea episodes.

Conclusion:  Prophylactic dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. significantly reduced the incidence of PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.
A Multimodal Treatment Approach on Rare Case of Meningomyelocele
Authors: Sood Anupam , Varma Ashish , Arora Sakshi P. , Varma Anuj , Vagha Keta , Vagha Jayant , Damke Sachin
Published: November 2021

Meningomyelocele, one of the neural tube defect (NTD) variants, is a condition in which meninges and neural tissue protrudes through a defect in vertebral arch and forms a cyst-like sac with an incidence of 0.5–11/1000 live births. Hydrocephalus is a major problem for majority of patients with meningomyelocele due to the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. Meticulous preoperative evaluation with planning of the anesthetic technique, especially in regard to managing the airway, plays a crucial role in successful surgical management of these cases. Here, we report a case of lumbosacral meningomyelocele with hydrocephalus underwent a multimodal treatment approach for providing a comprehensive plan of care.
Combined Effect of Walking and Vitamin D Intake on Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Usama Javed Muhammad , Mustafa Tanzeel ur Rehman , Shah Sharoz Mukhtar , Babar Iza , Iqtidar Fatima Maham , Arslan Babar Muhammad
Published: November 2021

Objective: Patients with heart failure may benefit from vitamin D treatment, according to new research (Congestive Heart Failure).

Methods: In our current nonrandomized clinical research, 43 individuals with dilated cardiomyopathy who did not exhibit substantial gains in physical functioning with optimum heart failure therapy were included. Twelve weeks of weekly vitamin D supplements (200,000 IU) were added to the heart failure therapy to help improve the patient's condition. On the other hand, researchers looked at how it affected the 6-minute walk distance and pro-BNP levels. To analyses the data, we utilized SPSS version 19. Accordingly, we utilized random samples t-tests to assess the substantial role of vitamin D supplementation on pre-intervention vitamin D level, 6-minute walk distance, and pro-BNP level, respectively. Significance was defined as an alpha value less than 0.01.

Results: Individuals in NYHA class II (66%) were the majority, while those in NYHA classes I, III and IV were represented by 18%, 8% and 5%, accordingly. Following 14 weeks of vitamin D treatment, the group's mean vitamin D level was increased from 17.596.57ng/ml at baseline to 32.974.65ng/ml (p0.0006). Pre-intervention mean distance travelled was 806382ft, however after the intervention it rose to 945392ft (p-value 0.07). While before the intervention, the mean per-BNP level of research participant was 1025-636, and after intervention, it had enhanced to 160-80--a statistically significant improvement (p=0.005).

Conclusion: According to a decline in blood pro-BNP characterized by an increase in six-minute walk distance, vitamin D administration decreases the intensity of heart failure.
Comparison of Efficacy between Intramuscular Diclofenac and Transdermal Diclofenac Patch for Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Lower Limb Surgery Under Sub Arachnoid Block in Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, India
Authors: Modak Anjali , Kumar Harindanath S.
Published: November 2021

Background: To compare the analgesic efficacy of transdermal Diclofenac patch (100 mg) with intramuscular Diclofenac sodium (75 mg) for postoperative analgesia and to know the side effects of transdermal Diclofenac patch.

Methods: 60 ASA I and II patients, of either sex, aged 15 and above, scheduled for lower limb surgery under subarachnoid block were included in the study. All were allocated randomly by computer generated randomization sheet into two groups of 30 each. Subarachnoid block was administered using 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine. Participants in the study group were applied with a transdermal Diclofenac patch containing 100 mg of Diclofenac diethylamine at the beginning of the surgery. In the control group 75 mg of Diclofenac sodium was given intramuscularly half an hour before the end of surgery. Pain was assessed postoperatively using visual analogue scale. Injection Tramadol 2 mg was administered intramuscularly as rescue analgesia. The data obtained was analyzed using chi - square test and unpaired student’s ‘t’test.

Results: The mean time at which rescue analgesia was administered in the control group was 7 hours 28 min and in study group was 20 hours 6min.The time at which rescue analgesics were required in the study group was significantly prolonged (p<0.0001). The amount of Inj. Tramadol required as rescue analgesia in the control group was 189.33 mg. ± 16.38 mg. and in study group it was 97 mg. ± 7.24 mg and this was found to be statistically significant (p<0.0001). When the side effects were compared they were not significant.

Conclusions: Based on the results obtained we conclude that, the intraoperative application of 100 mg transdermal Diclofenac diethylamine patch significantly prolongs the time at which patient requires rescue analgesia without any significant side effects. Rescue analgesic requirement was also significantly lower in the study group.
Bio-Analytical Stability Studies of Nadolol Material
Authors: Veeraswami B. , Naveen V. M. K.
Published: November 2021

The best practices of Bio-analytical stability studies on drug samples are very crucial and essential for the drugs development process as it specify the acceptancy, purity, efficacy, prediction of strength and quality of the drugs. The main objective of this stability studies on Nadolol the proposed approach of chromatographic separation was administered in isocratic way by using asymmetric C18 column of 40:60 percent of acetonitrile and 0.1% OPA at a flow rate of 1 ml/min is a quantitative measure for drug analysis in biological matrix for more reliable, selective, reproducible and sensitive.  This stability study constituents several methods like Bench-Top, Auto-sampler, Freeze-Thaw, Dry-extract, Wet-extract, Short-term, long-Term stability studies at various intervals gave the complete stability information about these drugs. The results of these stability studies are accepted based on ICH guidelines represents this drug has a good stability under the present experimental conditions.
Methods of Isolation and Extraction of Anthocyanin’s from Hibiscus sabdariffa L.: Literature Review
Authors: Shastri Aarti , Koparde Ved , Kulkarni Pushkar , Bagad Suyash , Joshi Surabhi , Sawant Dipali
Published: November 2021

The classic method for extracting anthocyanins from plant tissues is the same as for other phenolics: the tissues are soaked and then extracted with a solvent in a process known as Solid Liquid Extraction. Modern approaches to anthocyanins extraction include;Supercritical fluid extraction, Ultrasound-assisted extraction, Pressurized liquid extraction, Microwave-assisted extraction, Ohmic heating-assisted extraction, Precipitation, and Solid phase extraction. The aim of this article is to review the methods used for Anthocyanins extraction from Hibiscus Sabdariffa.The study for the same has been done at Charak’s Pharmacognosy Laboratory, MIT-WPU School of Pharmacy, Pune. Usually, modern methods seem to have an edge againsttraditional methods in extraction procedures. This article discusses these methodsand tries to identify if it is the case in the case of anthocyanins extraction from Hibiscus sabdariffa L.while individually commenting on the method’s advantages or disadvantages too.
Compressor Profile Optimization Based on Hybrid Intelligent Algorithm
Authors: Yang Huadong
Published: November 2021

In order to improve the working characteristics of the scroll compressor, according to the scroll profile of the compressor, the energy efficiency ratio (EER) of the scroll compressor is taken as the objective function, and the number of scroll turns N and knots are determined based on the genetic annealing algorithm. The distance p, the height of the scroll body h, and the thickness of the scroll profile t are optimized. In the optimized solution set, three sets of optimized profile and initial profile are selected for theoretical calculation of thermodynamic characteristics and volume characteristics, and the specific influence of scroll compressor profile parameters on compressor characteristics is explored in detail, and compared with the unoptimized scroll. The initial parameters of the rotary compressor are compared with the theoretical performance. The results show that the pitch p has a significant effect on the energy efficiency ratio and discharge volume of the scroll compressor, and the number of scroll turns N has a significant effect on the characteristic of suction volume. Three kinds of optimized scroll profile parameters S2, S3, S4 are selected in the optimal solution set. Compared with the initial value S1, the working characteristics are improved. The energy efficiency ratio was increased by 38.10%, 42.58%, and 50.26%; the suction volume was increased by 66.1%, 82.3%, and 73.9%; the exhaust volume was increased by 21.1%, 29.6%, and 50%; the internal volume ratio was increased by 36.4%. 40.9%, 27.3%. It is proved that the use of genetic annealing algorithm achieves the purpose of improving the compressor's operating characteristics.
Farmers’ Perception and Access to Mechanization in Maize Production in Kamwenge District, Western Uganda
Authors: Hillary Natumanya , Kalibwani R. , Ssemakula E.
Published: November 2021

Farm mechanization has been an important aspect in bringing out a significant improvement in agricultural productivity. In Uganda, mechanization acts as a backbone of the present agricultural systems across the country. Despite its recognized role towards agriculture, farmers still perceive its use and need differently mainly in terms of hire costs, traditional culture, size and topography of land, availability and social status. The study was examining farmers’ perceptions towards mechanization in maize production in Kanara sub-county in Kamwenge district. The objectives were to: determine farmers’ perceptions on the usefulness of mechanization on maize production, determine the relationship between socio-economic characteristics and farmers’ perception of mechanization, identify the factors limiting the use of agricultural mechanization among maize farmers, and to establish how best agricultural mechanization could be promoted for sustainable production.

The study employed a cross-sectional survey design engaging both qualitative and quantitative approaches for data collection and analysis. Information was gathered from 362 respondents using questionnaire and interviews. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. Farmers’ perceived mechanization to perform more work than humans, reliable, time saving, and accessible and high work accomplishment rate. Farmer perceptions were influenced by socio-economic characteristics for example; age, land size, gender, income level/status, employment status, type of land owned and availability of labor.

The study identified the challenges associated with the use of agricultural mechanization such as; less access to mechanization information significant at 5%, land ownership type at 0.03 (5%), household size 0.03 (5%), access to credit 0.04 (5%), years in maize farming at 0.05 (5%), availability and access to implements at 0.09, high costs of hire at 0.02 (1%), slope of the land at 0.07, and fuel costs at 0.00 (1%). These would be solved by extending credit services to the farmers, community capacity building, awareness creation, group formation, promoting mechanization as part of production, establishing contract farming schemes, increasing investment in agricultural mechanization, training and education and forming public–private partnerships. The study concluded that farmers had varying perceptions about agricultural mechanization which depended mainly on socio-economic factors. It recommended the need to promote rural-urban migration as this could create more land and encourage farmers to adopt mechanization since it may create more land reserve.
Cell Chirality as a Novel Measure for Cytotoxicity
Authors: Zhang Haokang , Wan Leo Q.
Published: November 2021

Cytotoxicity assessment has great importance in both research and pharmaceutical development. The mainstream in vitro cytotoxicity assays are mostly biochemical assays that evaluate a specific cellular activity such as proliferation and apoptosis. Few assays assess toxicity by characterizing overall functional outcomes in cellular physiology such as multicellular morphogenesis. The intrinsic cellular chiral bias (also known as cell chirality, left‐right asymmetry, or handedness), which determines cellular polarization along the left‐right axis, is demonstrated to play important roles in development and disease. This chiral property of cells gives insights not only into functions of individual cells, such as motility and polarity but also into emerging behaviors of cell clusters, such as collective cell migration. Therefore, cell chirality characterization can be potentially used as a biomarker for assessing the overall effects of pharmaceutical drugs and environmental factors on the health of the cell. In this review article, the current in vitro techniques for cell chirality characterization and their applications are discussed and the advantages and limitations of these cell chirality assays as potential tools for detecting cytotoxicity are discussed.
Supramolecular Hydrogel with Orthogonally Responsive R/G/B Fluorophores Enables Multi‐Color Switchable Biomimetic Soft Skins
Authors: Liu Hao , Wei Shuxin , Qiu Huiyu , Si Muqing , Lin Guoqing , Lei Zhenkuang , Lu Wei , Zhou Lei , Chen Tao
Published: November 2021

Many living creatures have evolved to show diverse appearance color changes in response to multiple environmental stimuli for attraction, warning, or disguise in their environments. However, it is challenging to construct artificial soft polymer hydrogels with similar multi‐responsive multicolor tunable behaviors, but such materials can serve as soft biomimetic skins to dramatically enhance the function of certain machines. Herein, a specially designed material structure to present an innovative class of supramolecular fluorescent polymeric hydrogels with the integrated properties of wide multi‐color tunability, multi‐responsiveness, self‐healing, and remolding capacities is proposed. A key feature of this rational hydrogel design is that multiple fluorophores (blue (B) aggregation‐induced emissive and red/green (R/G) lanthanide coordinated ones) are organized separately into different polymer chains of one single supramolecular polymer network. Consequently, the B and R/G fluorophores are engineered to be orthogonally responsive, and the fluorescence intensity of each fluorophore can be controlled independently by different external stimuli, which contribute to multi‐responsive multicolor fluorescence response. Besides, the hydrogels also have satisfying self‐healing and remolding capacities. All of these promising advantages together further enabled the construction of soft biomimetic color‐changing skins that can help the existing robots achieve the desirable camouflaging function.
Probing Relaxation Dynamics and Stepped Domain Switching in Boron‐Alloyed VO2
Authors: Bradicich Adelaide , Clarke Heidi , Braham Erick J. , Yano Aliya , Sellers Diane , Banerjee Sarbajit , Shamberger Patrick J.
Published: November 2021

The characteristic metal–insulator phase transition (MIT) in vanadium dioxide results in nonlinear electrical transport behavior, allowing VO2 devices to imitate the complex functions of neurological behavior. Chemical doping is an established method for varying the properties of the MIT, and interstitial dopant boron has been shown to generate a unique dynamic relaxation effect in individual B‐VO2 particles. This paper describes the first demonstration of an electrically stimulated B‐VO2 proto‐device which manifests a time‐dependent critical transformation temperature and switching voltage derived from the coupling of dopant diffusion dynamics and the metal–insulator transition of VO2. During quasi‐steady current‐driven transitions, the electrical responses of B‐VO2 proto‐devices show a step‐by‐step progression through the phase transformation, evidencing domain transformations within individual particles. The dynamic relaxation effect is shown to increase the critical switching voltage by up to 41% (ΔVcrit = 0.13 V) and also to increase the resistivity of the M1 phase of B‐VO2 by 14%, imbuing a memristive response derived from intrinsic material properties. These observations demonstrate the dynamic relaxation effect in B‐VO2 proto‐devices whose electrical transport responses can be adjusted by electronic phase transitions triggered by temperature but also by time as a result of intrinsic dynamics of interstitial dopants.
Population balance modeling of polyurethane foam formation with pressure‐dependent growth kernel
Authors: Ortiz Weston , Mondy Lisa , Roberts Christine , Rao Rekha
Published: November 2021

Polyurethane foams are widely used materials often chosen for their useful characteristics such as low thermal conductivity, ease of application, and high strength‐to‐weight ratios. Computational models are needed to predict the dynamics of the flow and expansion, and the resulting material properties, to improve manufacturing processes. In this paper, a model for PMDI, a water‐blown polyurethane foam, is presented. By extending a kinetics‐based approach by adding bubble‐scale information via a population balance equation (PBE) using the quadrature method of moments, we can track bubble size distributions during foaming. We present results from a three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics model using arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian interface tracking implemented in finite element software. The model compares favorably with experimental data, including dynamics, bubble distributions measured by both camera and diffusion wave spectroscopy, and post‐test bubble size from scanning electron microscopy and density measurements from x‐ray computed tomography.
Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Cao Xin‐xin , Duan Ming‐hui , Zhao Ai‐lin , Cai Hao , Chen Jia , Gao Xue‐min , Liu Ting , Cai Hua‐cong , Zhang Lu , Sun Jian , Liang Zhi‐yong , Zhou Dao‐bin , Li Jian
Published: November 2021

Adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) remains poorly defined. We retrospectively studied 266 newly diagnosed LCH patients to understand the clinical presentation, treatment, and prognosis of adult LCH. The median age at diagnosis was 32 years (range, 18–79 years). At the time of diagnosis, 40 patients had single lesions within a single system, 18 patients had single pulmonary LCH, 26 patients had multiple lesions within a single system (SS‐m), and 182 patients had multisystem disease (MS). The most common organ involved in MS patients was the bone (69.8%), followed by the pituitary (61.5%) and lung (61.0%). BRAFV600E, BRAF deletion, and MAP2K1 mutation were detected in 38.8%, 25.4%, and 19.4% patients, respectively. BRAF deletion was found more common in patients with MS LCH compared to single‐system LCH (38.5% vs 7.1%, p = .004), also in patients with liver involvement (69.2% vs 14.3%, p < .001). The estimated 3‐year overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival (EFS) rates were 94.4% and 54.7%, respectively, in SS‐m and MS LCH. Multivariate Cox regression showed that involvement of the liver or spleen at baseline predicted poor EFS and receiving cytarabine‐based therapy as a first‐line treatment and age older than 30 years at diagnosis predicted favorable EFS. The involvement of risk organs and age older than 50 years predicted poor OS, and receiving cytarabine‐based therapy predicted favorable OS. Therefore, BRAF deletion was correlated with MS LCH, particularly those with liver involvement. Liver or spleen involvement at baseline indicates a poor prognosis, and a cytarabine‐based regimen could be considered as first‐line treatment for adult LCH patients.
Catalyst‐Dependent Rate‐Determining Steps in Regiodivergent Vinylogous Aza‐Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman Reactions with N‐Ts Imines
Authors: Gondo Naruhiro , Hyakutake Ryuichi , Fujimura Koki , Ueda Yoshihiro , Nakano Katsuhiko , Tsutsumi Ryosuke , Yamanaka Masahiro , Kawabata Takeo
Published: November 2021

Catalyst‐controlled vinylogous aza‐MBH reactions of vinylcyclopentenone were performed, and it was found that the α‐adducts were exclusively obtained by DABCO‐catalysis, while the γ‐adducts were the major products by DMAP‐catalysis. We report here that the rate‐determining step of the DABCO‐catalyzed α‐selective reactions is the Mannich‐type C−C bond forming step, while that of the DMAP‐catalyzed γ‐selective reactions seems to be the β‐elimination step.
Recent Advances in Benzocyclobutene Chemistry
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Lahiri Kakali , Tangella Yellaiah
Published: November 2021

The benzocyclobutene (BCB) moiety is present in several bioactive natural products and medicinally interesting molecules. BCB is also a valuable synthon for building a variety of polymers by the virtue of its propensity to undergo polymerization. The research on BCB chemistry has grown in the last few decades due to its unique applications in various fields of science. In this review, we have included various methods for the preparation of BCBs and highlighted their applications in the construction of diverse complex structural frameworks. We believe that this review will be useful to synthetic chemists and polymer scientists, and we anticipate several new applications will emerge in this promising area.
Entropy Versus Enthalpy Controlled Temperature/Redox Dual‐Triggered Cages for Selective Anion Encapsulation and Release
Authors: Hamashima Kyosuke , Yuasa Junpei
Published: November 2021

New C3‐symmetric imidazole ligands were designed with phosphine and phosphine oxide linkers (LP and LPO, respectively) to demonstrate a dual‐triggered dynamic closed coordination cage. Both LP and LPO form discrete Zn4L4‐closed cages (1P and 1PO, respectively) with excellent selectively for BPh4−, whereas 1P and 1PO encapsulate neither a slightly larger size anion [B(C6H4CH3)4−] nor smaller size anions (BF4−, PF6−, SbF6−, and OSO2CF3−). 1PO exhibits more negative enthalpy and entropy changes upon anion encapsulation, thus releasing almost all of the encapsulated anions at high temperature (343 K) (trigger 1: BPh4−⊂1PO
1PO+BPh4−). In contrast 1P has less negative enthalpy and entropy changes, thus preserving the captured anion over a wide range of temperatures (298 K to 343 K). The 1P cage can be quantitatively oxidized to the 1PO cage by a mild oxidant (Ox.=H2O2), and therefore the captured anion can be released by a redox triggering event (trigger 2: BPh4−⊂1P+Ox.→1PO+BPh4−).
Single‐Bonded Cubic AsN from High‐Pressure and High‐Temperature Chemical Reactivity of Arsenic and Nitrogen
Authors: Ceppatelli Matteo , Scelta Demetrio , Serrano‐Ruiz Manuel , Dziubek Kamil , Morana Marta , Svitlyk Volodymyr , Garbarino Gaston , Poręba Tomasz , Mezouar Mohamed , Peruzzini Maurizio , Bini Roberto
Published: November 2021

Chemical reactivity between As and N2, leading to the synthesis of crystalline arsenic nitride, is here reported under high pressure and high temperature conditions generated by laser heating in a diamond anvil cell. Single‐crystal synchrotron X‐ray diffraction at different pressures between 30 and 40 GPa provides evidence for the synthesis of a covalent compound of AsN stoichiometry, crystallizing in a cubic P213 space group, in which each of the two elements is single‐bonded to three atoms of the other and hosts an electron lone pair, in a tetrahedral anisotropic coordination. The identification of characteristic structural motifs highlights the key role played by the directional repulsive interactions between non‐bonding electron lone pairs in the formation of the AsN structure. Additional data indicate the existence of AsN at room temperature from 9.8 up to 50 GPa. Implications concern fundamental aspects of pnictogens chemistry and the synthesis of innovative advanced materials.
Synthesis and in vitro antiproliferative activity of certain novel pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridines with potential p38α MAPK‐inhibitory activity
Authors: Farahat Aya A. , Samir Eman M. , Zaki Mayssoune Y. , Serya Rabah A. T. , Abdel‐Aziz Hatem A.
Published: November 2021

Novel series of pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridines 9a–j and 14a–f were prepared via a one‐pot three‐component reaction. Compounds 9a–j were synthesized by the reaction of 3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)−1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐amine (4) with benzoyl acetonitriles 3a,b and aldehydes 5a–e, whereas the spiro derivatives 14a–f were synthesized by the reaction of pyrazole derivative 4 with 3a–c and indoline‐2,3‐diones 10a,b. Screening of the antiproliferative activity of 9a–j and 14a–f revealed that 14a and 14d were the most potent analogues against HepG2 and HeLa cells, with IC50 = 4.2 and 5.9 μM, respectively. Moreover, compounds 9c and 14a could promote cell cycle disturbance and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, as evidenced by DNA flow cytometry and Annexin V‐FITC/PI assays. Cell cycle analysis of 9c and 14a indicated a reduction in HepG2 cells in the G1 phase, with arrest in the S phase and the G2/M phase, respectively. Also, 9c and 14a are good apoptotic inducers in the HepG2 cell line. Furthermore, compounds 9h and 14d stood out as the most efficient antiproliferative agents in the NCI 60‐cell line panel screening, with mean GI % equal to 60.3% and 55.4%, respectively. Additionally, 9c, 9h, 14a, and 14d showed good inhibitory action against the cellular pathway regulator p38α kinase, with IC50 = 0.42, 0.41, 0.13, and 0.64 μM, respectively. A docking study was carried out on the p38α kinase active site, showing a binding mode comparable to that of reported p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase inhibitors. These newly discovered pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridines could be considered as potential candidates for the development of newly targeted anticancer agents.
Fuel economy‐oriented trajectory tracking control strategy for plug‐in hybrid electric buses
Authors: Shangguan Jinyong , Yue Ming , Fang Chao , Guo Lie
Published: November 2021

Most of the existing trajectory tracking control strategies for vehicles aim at achieving high tracking accuracy but ignore energy consumption and road geometry. This paper proposes a fuel economy‐oriented trajectory tracking control strategy for plug‐in hybrid electric buses to improve fuel economy while ensuring tracking accuracy under different road geometries in the real world. First, a reference trajectory is reconstructed for trajectory tracking control to simulate the road geometry in real world. Next, a tracking controller based on model predictive control and proportional–integral control is developed to track the reference trajectory. Finally, an optimal control strategy with target preview method based on Pontryagin's minimum principle is developed to achieve the optimal fuel economy while tracking the trajectory. Simulation results illustrate that the proposed control strategy can realize not only excellent trajectory tracking performance but also optimal fuel economy.
Cardiac arrest following cardiac tamponade caused by mycosis fungoides malignant pericarditis
Authors: Sato Shuku , Tanaka Eri
Published: November 2021

Mycosis fungoides is a low‐grade lymphoma, but on reaching the tumor stage, it can cause cardiac tamponade owing to epicardial infiltration. Myocardial infiltration, even in the absence of abnormal imaging findings, requires attention because it can lead to arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.
Burtonian line in a patient with occupational lead poisoning
Authors: Banagozar Mohammadi Ali , Moslemi Mohammadreza , Mirghaffari Alireza , Haramshahi Morteza
Published: November 2021

More attention of the medical staff to this sign can lead to faster diagnosis and timely treatment of patients.
The Shuttling Cascade in Lasso Peptide Benenodin‐1 is Controlled by Non‐Covalent Interactions
Authors: Schröder Hendrik V. , Stadlmeier Michael , Wühr Martin , Link A. James
Published: November 2021

The lasso peptide benenodin‐1, a naturally occurring and bacterially produced [1]rotaxane, undergoes a reversible zip tie‐like motion under heat activation, in which a peptidic wheel stepwise translates along a molecular thread in a cascade of “tail/loop pulling” equilibria. Conformational and structural analyses of four translational isomers, in solution and in the gas phase, reveal that the equilibrium distribution is controlled by mechanical and non‐covalent forces within the lasso peptide. Furthermore, each dynamic pulling step is accompanied by a major restructuring of the intramolecular hydrogen bonding network between wheel and thread, which affects the peptide's physico‐chemical properties.
Understanding the ethical and legal considerations of Digital Pathology
Authors: Coulter Cheryl , McKay Francis , Hallowell Nina , Browning Lisa , Colling Richard , Macklin Philip , Sorell Tom , Aslam Muhammad , Bryson Gareth , Treanor Darren , Verrill Clare
Published: November 2021

Digital Pathology (DP) is a platform which has the potential to develop a truly integrated and global pathology community. The generation of DP data at scale creates novel challenges for the histopathology community in managing, processing, and governing the use of these data. The current understanding of, and confidence in, the legal and ethical aspects of DP by pathologists is unknown. We developed an electronic survey (e‐survey), comprising 22 questions, with input from the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) Digital Pathology Working Group. The e‐survey was circulated via e‐mail and social media (Twitter) through the RCPath Digital Pathology Working Group network, RCPath Trainee Committee network, the Pathology image data Lake for Analytics, Knowledge and Education (PathLAKE) digital pathology consortium, National Pathology Imaging Co‐operative (NPIC), local contacts, and to the membership of both The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland and the British Division of the International Academy of Pathology (BDIAP). Between 14 July 2020 and 6 September 2020, we collected 198 responses representing a cross section of histopathologists, including individuals with experience of DP research. We ascertained that, in the UK, DP is being used for diagnosis, research, and teaching, and that the platform is enabling data sharing. Our survey demonstrated that there is often a lack of confidence and understanding of the key issues of consent, legislation, and ethical guidelines. Of 198 respondents, 82 (41%) did not know when the use of digital scanned slide images would fall under the relevant legislation and 93 (47%) were ‘Not confident at all’ in their interpretation of consent for scanned slide images in research. With increasing uptake of DP, a working knowledge of these areas is essential but histopathologists often express a lack of confidence in these topics. The need for specific training in these areas is highlighted by the findings of this study.