bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Be and not to Be
Authors: Nissen Morten
Published: February 2022

The paper encircles the subjectivity of drug taking as one form of contemporary practice in which fundamental theoretical issues are dealt with. In particular, following Mariana Valverde's genealogy of alcohol regulation (Valverde, 1998), the question of the free will, and the paradox of the simultaneous being and non-being of the autonomous subject, are viewed as present in various approaches to drugs. The current neo-pragmatist wave substitutes low-key practical notions of habits for a dichotomy of free will or determinism. The concept of objectification promises to overcome that dichotomy by externalizing it; in terms of this concept, we can distinguish the abstract-imagined 'fix' from a genuinely transforming realization, and suggest that ours is the age of the fix, of instrumental commodities that change us in ways we do not intend. But, it is claimed, an inescapable issue of the self-dissolution of the subject remains; perhaps in the definitive shape of a suicide, or in the minor shapes of fixes such as a tactics of feigned surrender, New Age Higher Powers, or imagined communities. Determined to realize the idea of a benevolent surrender of the subject, the paper ends in an attempt to contribute to the coming to an understanding of herself and with herself of a person who finds herself at the troublesome intersection of Narcotics Anonymous and a social work development network of Copenhagen City called Wild Learning.
Multiple furunculoid myiasis in an infant
Authors: Diop Khadim , Mbaye Aminata , Diop Mame Téné Ndiaye , Diasse Fatou , Diadie Saer , Deh Aminata , Ndour Niare , Ndiaye Coumba , Sarr Mamadou , Diatta Boubacar Ahy , Ndiaye Maodo , Diallo Moussa , Niang Suzanne Oumou
Published: February 2022

Subcutaneous or furunculoid myiasis is an ectoparasitosis caused by the cutaneous or subcutaneous carriage of larvae of various diptera. The causal agent is most often Cordylobia Anthropophaga in tropical areas. We report an observation of multiple subcutaneous myiasis in an infant. The toddler was 2 months old, with no previous history of myiasis and was up to date with vaccinations. He was treated for furunculoid lesions evolving for 5 days. The dermatological examination revealed three inflammatory nodules centred by a whitish orifice without fluid discharge, located on the thorax, the back and the buttocks. The rest of the clinical examination was unremarkable. A maggot was extracted by bi-digital compression of a nodule in the thorax. The diagnosis of furunculoid myiasis was set. The treatment consisted of manual extraction of the maggots and local care. The evolution was favourable after two weeks, labelled by a complete healing of the lesions. Our case is particular because of the occurrence of subcutaneous myiasis in an infant and its misleading clinical presentation simulating multiple furuncles.
Religion, Ideology, and Nation-building in Jordanian Textbooks and Curricula for the Teaching of Arabic Language
Authors: Edres Nijmi
Published: February 2022

This article looks at Jordan as a case study to investigate how the link between the national and Islamic identity is constructed through textbooks and curricula for the teaching of Arabic language. The first section of the article introduces the reader to the relevance of Arabic language in historical discourses on Islam, Islamism and Arabic nationalism. Then, the article looks at the specific case of Jordan, providing an historical overview on how nationalism, religion, and religious pluralism played a part in Jordanian educational and political strategies. The following section specifically focuses on the use of the Arabic language in the Islamic and national perspectives, providing a diachronic comparison between the 2013 Arabic Language Curriculum and the 2019 General Frame for Jordanian Curricula, integrated by references to textbook content materials. The article identifies pragmatic needs behind the highlighted teaching policies and contextualizes the analyses in the broader Jordanian historical and political frameworks, pointing at the relevance of the Arabic language for the construction of identities in the contemporary Middle East and at its enduring politicization. Comparison between the 2013 and the 2019 documents shows relevant changes between past and present formulations, namely in the reduced emphasis on the link between language and religion.
Arabic as a Language of Politics: A Case Study in Corpus-based Teaching
Authors: Golfetto Marco
Published: February 2022

In Arabic studies, corpus linguistics is still a fledgling discipline, but it is bound to become an unavoidable tool for specialists who seek to ground their research in actual language use. This article presents the preliminary results of an on-going research on Arabic applied linguistics. It offers a first approach to the possibility of matching Arabic as a language of politics with corpus-based teaching. The paper briefly introduces the concept of corpus-based teaching, its advantages and potential limits. It then reviews the most important Arabic corpora currently available for the language of politics, by also describing their extension, features, and limitations. Finally, it suggests some classroom activities based on arabiCorpus.
Ribonucleotide reductase, a novel drug target for gonorrhea
Authors: Narasimhan Jana , Letinski Suzanne , Jung Stephen P , Gerasyuto Aleksey , Wang Jiashi , Arnold Michael , Chen Guangming , Hedrick Jean , Dumble Melissa , Ravichandran Kanchana , Levitz Talya , Cui Chang , Drennan Catherine L , Stubbe JoAnne , Karp Gary , Branstrom Arthur
Published: February 2022

Antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) are an emerging public health threat due to increasing numbers of multidrug resistant (MDR) organisms. We identified two novel orally active inhibitors, PTC-847 and PTC-672, that exhibit a narrow spectrum of activity against Ng including MDR isolates. By selecting organisms resistant to the novel inhibitors and sequencing their genomes, we identified a new therapeutic target, the class Ia ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). Resistance mutations in Ng map to the N-terminal cone domain of the α subunit, which we show here is involved in forming an inhibited α4β4 state in the presence of the β subunit and allosteric effector dATP. Enzyme assays confirm that PTC-847 and PTC-672 inhibit Ng RNR and reveal that allosteric effector dATP potentiates the inhibitory effect. Oral administration of PTC-672 reduces Ng infection in a mouse model and may have therapeutic potential for treatment of Ng that is resistant to current drugs.
Cyber-victimization and its association with depression among Vietnamese adolescents
Authors: Thai Truc Thanh , Duong Mai Huynh Thi , Vo Duy Kim , Dang Ngan Thien Thi , Huynh Quynh Ngoc Ho , Tran Huong Giang Nguyen
Published: February 2022

Background

Cyberbullying has become an alarming social issue, but little is known about its prevalence and consequences in many countries. This study investigated the prevalence of cyber-victimization and its association with depression among students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,492 students from eight secondary schools and high schools in four urban and suburban areas. Multi-stage cluster sampling approach was used to recruit participants. Students participated in this study on a voluntary basis and completed a self-report questionnaire that included validated scales to measure their experience of cyber-bullying (Cyber Bullying Scale) and symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale). Weighted logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for the cluster effect and sampling probability.

Results

Almost all (92.4%) students reported using the internet everyday and nearly 40% used internet for more than four hours per day. Cyber-victimization was identified in 36.5% of students and almost 25% experienced multiple types of cyber-victimization. Nearly half of students reported symptoms of depression. After adjusting for other covariates, students who experienced cyber-victimization were found to have 1.81 times (95% CI [1.42–2.30]) higher in odds of having symptoms of depression.

Conclusions

Cyber victimization and depression are both common in Vietnamese adolescents. Those who experienced cyber bullying have a higher likelihood of having symptoms of depression. These findings indicate an urgent need for interventions and policies targeting this emerging type of bullying in Vietnam and similar settings due to its potential harmful effects on adolescents’ health.
External validation of five predictive models for postoperative cardiopulmonary morbidity in a Chinese population receiving lung resection
Authors: Huang Guanghua , Liu Lei , Wang Luyi , Wang Zhile , Wang Zhaojian , Li Shanqing
Published: February 2022

Background

No postoperative cardiopulmonary morbidity models have been developed or validated in Chinese patients with lung resection. This study aims to externally validate five predictive models, including Eurolung models, the Brunelli model and the Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, in a Chinese population.

Methods

Patients with lung cancer who underwent anatomic lung resection between 2018/09/01 and 2019/08/31 in our center were involved. Model discrimination was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Model calibration was evaluated by the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. Calibration curves were plotted. Specificity, sensitivity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy were calculated. Model updating was achieved by re-estimating the intercept and/or the slope of the linear predictor and re-estimating all coefficients.

Results

Among 1085 patients, 91 patients had postoperative cardiopulmonary complications defined by the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons. For original models, only parsimonious Eurolung1 had acceptable discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.688, 95% confidence interval 0.630–0.745) and calibration (p = 0.23 > 0.05) abilities simultaneously. Its sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 0.700, 0.649, 0.153, 0.960 and 0.653, respectively. In the secondary analysis, increased pleural effusion (n = 94), which was nonchylous and nonpurulent, was labeled as a kind of postoperative complication. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the models increased slightly, but all models were miscalibrated. The original Eurolung1 model had the highest discrimination ability but poor calibration, and thus it was updated by three methods. After model updating, new models showed good calibration and small improvements in discrimination. The discrimination ability was still merely acceptable.

Conclusions

Overall, none of the models performed well on postoperative cardiopulmonary morbidity prediction in this Chinese population. The original parsimonious Eurolung1 and the updated Eurolung1 were the best-performing models on morbidity prediction, but their discrimination ability only achieved an acceptable level. A multicenter study with more relevant variables and sophisticated statistical methods is warranted to develop new models among Chinese patients in the future.
A Rare Case of Anaplastic Astrocytoma
Authors: Durgam Joseph Shankar , Ghungrud Deepali , Alwadkar Indu , Bhagat Ashish , Chadge Rajkumar
Published: February 2022

Introduction: In adult’s glioblastoma is the most common malignant tumor, which occurs due to the abnormal growth of astrocytes cells. Slightly it is more common in men than females. Standard and quality of care and advanced treatment make a positive impact on patients’ quality of life. However, glioblastoma cannot be cured completely, but treatment approaches such as radiation and chemotherapy may improve the clinical course, but these treatments often takes a heavy toll.

Case Presentation: Here we are reporting about a 45 -years-old male who is admitted to Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital. With the complaints of headache, for 1 year, history of seizure 2 episodes 3 months before then patient is on antiepileptic medication. Patient was conscious with altered mental status. By radiological investigation, it was revealed that there was a right occipital region glioma tradition necrosis was present. In his family, there was no history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus. On physical examination, s1 and s2 sounds were present and it was normal. The tumor was invading the parenchyma of the right transverse sinus. Dura opened in a cruciate manner, the tumor decompress internally which was vascular, and suck able tumor base interface found. Then patient underwent malignant glioma excision i.e., gross total resection of the tumor was done under general anesthesia. After that, he managed with antibiotics, analgesics, antiepileptic, and anti-edema, now the patient was neurologically stable and he was shifted toward. His histopathology report shows anaplastic astrocytoma. Now patient was in stable condition. Hence being discharged with follow-up after 15 days in Neuro OPD.

Conclusion: Glioma is a brain tumor that affects the human body. There is a poor prognosis of this disease and survival time, therapy is limited. But early diagnosis and treatment patients can spend quality of life.
A Systematic Review of Breast Cancer Assessment Risk Model
Authors: Raghuwanshi Vikas , Guru Tanvi , Gharde Pankaj
Published: February 2022

Breast carcinoma is a carcinoma that develops inside the tissues of the mammary glands. Breast carcinoma is more common in females than in males. A mass inside the breast, bleeding flow from inside nipples, including alterations inside the form or structure of the nipple and breast are all signs of mammary carcinoma. The disease's phase determines the management. Chemotherapeutic, radiotherapy, hormonal treatment, and surgical could all be used. Mammary malignancy comes in numerous forms, the most frequent of which are ductile cancers in situ (DCIS) and aggressive malignancy. Other, such as phyllodes tumors & angiosarcoma, are rare. After the biopsy, breast carcinoma tissues are examined for estrogen receptor progesterone receptors, including HER2. The tumor tissues are usutumorxamined extensively inside the laboratory to determine the grading. Therapeutic choices can be influenced by the particular proteins discovered and the tumor grading. Two primary questions must be answered when evaluating females for therapies to lower their risk of getting breast cancer. How likely is it that they carry a sudden change in a high-risk gene like BRCA1 or BRCA2? What are their chances of getting breast carcinoma if they have this mutation or not? The intervention's suitability would primarily only be determined by the mix of various dangers, including overall threats and advantages of the overall treatment. A multitude of algorithms for calculating potential risks had been developed, having varying levels of success. We are sure that with more advances in the understanding of how to include threatening variables and, ultimately, more Racial variations into these models, we will be capable of identifying accompanied by substantially pronounced precision which females could get carcinoma of the breast.
Effect of Smoking on Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Chawla Parth , Kaple Meghali
Published: February 2022

As a genetic and environmental influences, environmental, and behavioral variable, diabetes has become one of the most frequent metabolic diseases in modern society. As a result of this study, It is possible that smoking's impact on vascular disease and diabetes predisposition might be better understood. Numerous studies (not only those including people with diabetes) smoking has been demonstrated to have significant health consequences, and it seems that the health risks faced by those with diabetes are at least on par with those faced by the general population. Several studies have unequivocally shown that people with diabetes who smoke are more likely to have macrovascular problems and are more likely to die early. Microvascular problems and type 2 diabetes are both linked to smoking, which may have an impact on the onset of both conditions. Cigarettes have been found to be a risk factor for both the shift from normal blood glucose levels to impaired glucose tolerance and for acquiring type 2 diabetes. Although many possibilities have been advanced, the processes underlying the link between smoking and the development of diabetes remain unclear. Preventing macrovascular complications and reducing microvascular disease in diabetes are two of the most significant benefits of smoking cessation, according to the most recent research. Nicotine and Smoking exposure have been related to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in population-based research, and clinical and preclinical investigations have shed light on how these factors affect composition of the body, insulin sensitivity, and beta cell activity. In order to reduce one's risk of diabetes, smoking cessation is recommended as a preventative measure. The aim of the current review is to describe the adverse effects of smoking on diabetes.
Occurrence of Retinal Detachment after Cataract Surgery in High Myopics: A Review
Authors: Parashar Shreya , Kesharwani Dipanshu , Varghese Jerin , Sune Pradeep
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Retinal detachment may be defined as the parting of the retina from its sensory layer. It is a medical emergency that needs immediate consultation from an expert ophthalmologist. If untreated in the long term, it can lead to bleeding, total blindness, cataract formation, glaucoma of the affected eye, etc. An increased prevalence of retina detachment is seen after cataract surgery, especially in great myopia patients. There are two types of cataract surgery ECCE and ICCE. These two then again decide further. Phacoemulsification has the most chances of RD in the operated eye. According to some recent studies, there is a 2.3 times more increased risk of RD after cataract surgery due to the vitreous loss during surgery and the undue traction on the peripheral retina or if the pieces of capsule accumulate in the vitreous.

Summary: Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Retinal detachment is very common after cataract surgery in high myopics—symptoms include-Flashes of light, black-colored floaters, painless sudden diminution of vision.

The surgical management of choice is scleral buckling, usually done under general anesthesia.

Conclusion: This review article is made to make sure that the reader is aware of the high threat that the high myopic population possesses about retinal detachment and the further complications and other risk factors, along with the diagnosis and treatment of choice. It also explains different types of surgery available for the condition, and it depends on the severity of the patient which type of surgery to perform.
Effectiveness and Safety in the Postoperative Period after the Epidural Insertion with Local Anesthetics and Steroids
Authors: Alaspurkar Nitin R. , Chandak Vijay , Chakole Vivek
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Postoperative analgesia is one of the major concerns to significant patients posted for major surgeries. One of the gold standard techniques to control postoperative pain in significant surgeries like lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries is epidural analgesia administration with local anesthetic and opioids. The difficulty in developing a realistic risk/benefit analysis of epidural analgesia has led clinicians to frequently wonder if epidurals are beneficial for post-operative pain management and whether the procedure is safe, which has limited the adoption of the technique. The effectiveness and safety in the postoperative period after the epidural insertion with local anesthetics and steroids in persons posted for surgery are discussed in this review.

Methodology: This review article was written with a systemic literature review with the help of a data search machine-like Pub Med, Scopus, web of sciences, and Google scholar. In this article, observational studies and case reports were included.

Review Findings: The administration of substantial dosages of opioid and LA medications in the intensive care environment can achieve total dynamic pain alleviation, i.e., complete lack of discomfort while moving and coughing, after extensive upper abdominal surgery was achieved. A more practical method is to assess discomfort while movement or sneezing, to have a patient who can move, breathe deeply, and cough successfully while scoring three or less on a VAS scale recorded during moving.

Conclusions: Continuing thoracic epidural anesthesia with a lower dose Local Anesthetics–opioids combo or single-shot epidural injections seems to have the potential to provide good dynamic pain management for several persons, particularly patients undergoing significant abdominal and thoracic operations. Timely mobilization, as well as speedy recovery, require this level of pain alleviation.
Rp-HPLC Method Development and Validation for Simultaneous Estimation of Atorvestatin Calcium and Fenofibrate in Bulk and Formulation
Authors: Deshmukh Swapnil Balwant , Patil Ravindra Banilal
Published: February 2022

A reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin and Fenofibrate in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The determination was performed by using Waters Symmetry C18 (250×4.6mm×5µ) as column stationary phase and Methanol: Acetonitrile: Water in the ratio of (70:10:20 %v/v) as mobile phase. The flow rate of mobile phase was optimized as 1mL/min and effluents were monitored at 274 nm. The retention time of atorvastatin and Fenofibrate were found as 4.15 min and 8.10 min respectively. The method shows linearity concentration ranges between 4-30 μg/mL and 80-400 μg/mL respectively. The developed method was validated for specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy, robustness, Ruggedness, LOD and LOQ. Recovery of atorvastatin and Fenofibrate in formulations was found to be 100.52% and 99.92% respectively which conforms the non-interferences of the excipients in the formulation. the proposed RP- HPLC method can be used for the simultaneous determination of these two drugs in bulk and formulation.
Impact of Counseling and Intervention in Preventing the Drug-Related Problems after Hospitalization and Post-Discharge by Clinical Pharmacist
Authors: Konduri Gayathri , Kancherla Harshini , Atla Keerthana , Bollam Akhila , Injeti Neelam
Published: February 2022

Background and Objectives: A Drug-Related Problem is an event or circumstance involving drug therapy that actually or potentially interferes with desired health outcome. Drug-related problems can occur at any stage of therapy which might be during prescribing, dispensing, administration. DRP’s account for most of the therapeutic failures. The prevention of DRP is the main responsibility of a pharmacist. According to Pharmaceutical care network Europe, system the DRP’S are classified according to problem, the underlying cause, intervention to be made, acceptance of intervention and outcome. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of interventions and counselling on a preventable drug-related problem by a clinical pharmacist.

Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital for  6 months i.e., December-2020 to may-2021

Results and Discussion: A total of 96 DRPs were identified and resolved in which 68 out of 96 DRPs indicate therapeutic failure, 27 out of 96 DRPs were due to drug dose too high and 54 DRPs were resolved by intervention i.e., changing dosage regimen. DRPs were classified based on the type of error in which 27 out of 96 DRPs are due to over prescription of drugs. 30 patients were counseled during discharge about possible DRPs in which 5 out of 30 patients were counseled for cardiovascular disease and after follow up it was found that only 1 patient was readmitted.

Conclusion: Clinical pharmacist plays a key role in detecting, monitoring, evaluating, resolving and preventing drug-related problems. The Clinical pharmacist has a very positive impact on patients through counselling and follow-up. Therefore, better patient care can be provided.
Comparison of I-gel and Laryngeal Mask Airway Proseal for Clinical Performance in Short Surgical Procedures under General Anaesthesia: A Study Protocol
Authors: Chidipothu Kiranmai , Choudhary (Verma) Neeta
Published: February 2022

Background: Maintenance of proper airway is one of the most critical duties of an anesthetist during surgical and operative procedures. Facemask and endotracheal tube are traditionally used for airway delivery and maintenance. Supraglottic airway devices(SAD) became a normal fixture in managing airway.  I-gel is novel supraglottic device, which is thermoelastic, single use, disposable material. This study compares the Supraglottic Airway Devices I-gel & Laryngeal Mask Airway Proseal in clinical performance in short surgical procedures under general anaesthesia.

Methodology: This Prospective observational  comparative study will be conducted at Dept. of Anesthesia, AVBRH, Wardha. 60 patients will be enrolled and randomized in two groups. In Group I,  I-gel will be used whereas in Group P, Proseal LMA will be used for spontaneous ventilation during short General anaesthesia procedures. Data will be compiled and statistical analysis will be done by using appropriate  statistical tests.

Expected Results: I-gel can be expected to be superior in terms of attempts  and duration needed  for insertion,  hemodynamic stability, and post-operative complications compared to Proseal LMA.

Conclusion: I-gel proves to be superior to PLMA regarding insertion ease and other operational issues.
Evaluation of Preliminary Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activity, Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds in Waltheria indica Linn
Authors: Krishnasamy Velmani , Muruhan Sridevi
Published: February 2022

Objective: Waltheria indica Linn, a rare endemic medicinal plant in South India, was studied for phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, and bioactive compound isolation from a hydroalcoholic extract.

Methods: In-vitro methods such as 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazile (DPPH), 2, 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), and Reducing Power Assay were used in the study. The method of compound isolation was used to isolate pure compounds. Phytochemical components were screened for particular extracts such as hydroalcoholic, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts at different concentrations (50-1000 μg / mL).

Results: Waltheria indica Linn plant phytochemical analysis in hydro-alcoholic extracts, finds alkaloids, flavonoids, hormones, terpenoids, phenols, tannins, and carbohydrates, among other biochemicals. Ethyl acetate included flavonoids, hormones, terpenoids, phenols, and carbohydrates, but no phlobatannine. In Chloroform extract, there was a very small amount of flavonoid, carbohydrate, and resin phytoconstituents. 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (437.73 g / ml), ABTS assay (381.72 g / ml), and power reduction assay (550.14 g / ml). Two bioactive compounds were isolated they are (E, 7R, 11R) - 3,7,11,15 - tetramethyl hexadec-2- en-1-ol Phytol and 2- Methyl hexadecan- 1- ol 1- Hexadecanol (2-methyl).

Conclusion: The current study confirms the presence of various phytochemicals in Waltheria indica hydro-alcoholic extract, as well as its strong antioxidant ability. It can be studied further in the field of pharmaceutical science with the aid of active compound.
Comparative Evaluation of Effect of use of Antifungal (Clotrimazole) Drug in Preventing and Reducing the Severity of Oral Discomforts Like Mucositis, Burning Sensation, Xerostomia and Loss of Taste Sensation in Cervicofacial Radiotherapy
Authors: Lanjekar Ashish , Joshi P. N. , Deshmukh Pranada , Gaikwad Romita , Kukde Monal , Madne Isha , Deotale Komal
Published: February 2022

Aims: To evaluate the effect of Topical antifungal Clotrimazole in Radiotherapy induced mucositis, burning sensation, xerostomia and loss of taste sensation.

Study Design:  Randomised Controlled Trial.

Methodology: 64 patients (52 males and 12 females) undergoing Co60 teletherapy for cervicofacial malignancies. Patients who received a total 60 Gray radiation dose over a period of 6 weeks, with a daily dose of 2 Gray, were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups out of which one group was given topical 1% clotrimazole ointment and the other was control group. During the radiotherapy and 6 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy, patients were examined every week for possible oral changes such as mucositis, xerostomia, burning sensation, candidiasis and effect on taste.

Results: There were considerable decrease in patients with severe mucositis and burning sensation in study group compared with control group whereas there was not any significant effect on xerostomia and loss of taste sensation.

Conclusion: Simple topical application of antifungal Clotrimazole can be very effective in reducing the oral discomforts such as mucositis and burning sensation and improved the patient compliance to the treatment.
Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing Technology in Microneedles
Authors: Kaur Simarpreet , Kaur Bhupinder
Published: February 2022

Many of the drugs show enzymatic degradation in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) or they show difficulty in permeation. In these cases, microneedles (MN) based transdermal drug delivery system offers attractive alternative to conventional needle-based and oral drug delivery systems. Microneedle drug delivery system consists of an arrangement of micrometric arrays which can be formulated with the use of different polymers and technologies. This present review is related to manufacturing of biocompatible microneedles” formulated with an aid of stereolithography (SLA) - a 3D printing technique in which microneedle patches of different shapes are constructed in the form of layers. The MN patches could be coated using inkjet printing. An SLA printer could be employed to print pyramid needle-based arrays. X-ray computer micro tomography (CT) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) could be used to assess the standard of the formed microneedles and subsequent coatings. In vitro studies using Franz diffusion cells could be done further to analyze drug permeation rate and calculation of flux. Microneedles could be constructed by using a 3D printing stereolithographic technology, and combining it with a highly appropriate coating method like inkjet printing, which can lead to a high-paced drug delivery microneedle systems via skin.
Antioxidant Activity of Abies webbiana Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Swetha T. Vinaya , Jeevitha M. , Rajeshkumar S. , Jayaraman Selvaraj
Published: February 2022

Background: Biological methods for nanoparticle (NP) synthesis using microorganisms, enzymes, and plants or plant extracts have been suggested as possible eco-friendly alternatives to chemical and physical methods.

Aim: The aim of the current study is to synthesize Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) mediated by Abies webbiana and to evaluate its antioxidant activity. 

Materials and Methods: Bio-mediated synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles using A. webbiana is a promising alternative to traditional chemical synthesis. The antioxidant activity of zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs was synthesised using DPPH radical scavenging assay.

Results: The ZnO NPs were  identified by  dark brown  color  and  the  surface  plasmon resonance  was  positioned at a peak  at  290  nm. Finally, the current study has clearly demonstrated that the ZnO NPs are responsible for significant high antioxidant activities.

Conclusion: Therefore, the study reveals an efficient, eco-friendly, and simple method for the green synthesis of ZnO NPs using a green synthetic approach.
Engineering of Crosslinked Network and Functional Interlayer to Boost Cathode Performance of Tannin for Potassium Metal Batteries
Authors: Luo Wei , Tang Fang , Jiang Yu , Liu Lin , Sun Wenping , Feng Yuezhan , Pan Hongge , Rui Xianhong , Yu Yan
Published: February 2022

Potassium metal batteries (PMBs) are a compelling technology for large‐scale energy storage due to the abundance of potassium resources and high energy density. A vital obstacle to construct high‐performance PMBs is developing superior cathode materials. Tannin, a plant polyphenol, holding many active sites for redox reactions, is an auspicious high‐capacity cathode. However, the relatively poor conductivity and slight solubility in electrolyte deteriorate its capacity and cycle stability. Herein, the tannin is activated through a crosslinking reaction with polyaniline to obtain a composite cathode (i.e., ATN). It exhibits a high initial capacity of 172 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1, based on the electrochemical reaction mechanisms of embedding/releasing of K+ on CO and PF6− on NH. Moreover, to improve the cycling performance, a graphene oxide modified separator is developed to effectively retard the ATN shuttle. As a result, the capacity retention is significantly enhanced, for example, 82% over 300 cycles at 50 mA g−1. From a practical aspect, a full PMB of K@KxPy||ATN is built up, displaying high energy/power density and superior cycling stability, which is a step forward in the development of PMBs.
Nanomaterials for Quantum Information Science and Engineering
Authors: Alfieri Adam , Anantharaman Surendra B. , Zhang Huiqin , Jariwala Deep
Published: February 2022

Quantum information science and engineering (QISE)—which entails the use of quantum mechanical states for information processing, communications, and sensing—and the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology have dominated condensed matter physics and materials science research in the 21st century. Solid‐state devices for QISE have, to this point, predominantly been designed with bulk materials as their constituents. This review considers how nanomaterials (i.e., materials with intrinsic quantum confinement) may offer inherent advantages over conventional materials for QISE. The materials challenges for specific types of qubits, along with how emerging nanomaterials may overcome these challenges, are identified. Challenges for and progress toward nanomaterials‐based quantum devices are condidered. The overall aim of the review is to help close the gap between the nanotechnology and quantum information communities and inspire research that will lead to next‐generation quantum devices for scalable and practical quantum applications.
Converting the Charge Transfer in ZnO/ZnxCd1‐xS‐DETA Nanocomposite from Type‐I to S‐scheme for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Li Zhen , Ma Tingting , Zhang Jinfeng , Wang Zhenghua
Published: February 2022

As for the composite photocatalysts, the carrier transfer mechanism at the heterojunction has a very important impact on their photocatalytic performances. In this work, the bandgap of ZnxCd1‐xS‐DETA can be tuned by adjusting the ratio of Cd2+/Zn2+. With the change of the bandgap of ZnxCd1‐xS‐DETA, the carrier transfer mechanism at the ZnO/ZnxCd1‐xS‐DETA heterojunction changes from Type‐I to S‐scheme, and the photocatalytic properties of ZnO/ZnxCd1‐xS‐DETA nanocomposites also change. Among them, the ZnO/Zn0.5Cd0.5S‐DETA nanocomposite has the best photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity under visible light, and its hydrogen evolution rate is 2.58 mmol g−1 h−1. In addition, after seven cycles, the ZnO/Zn0.5Cd0.5S‐DETA nanocomposite photocatalyst has no significant decrease in hydrogen evolution rate, which is showing its excellent stability. This work reveals that the carrier transfer mechanism at the heterojunction of composite photocatalysts can be changed by the modulation of bandgap, which provides an effective idea for the development of photocatalysts.
Dual‐Mode Self‐Powered Rainfall Sensor Based on Interfacial‐Polarization‐Enhanced and Nanocapacitor‐Embedded FCB@PDMS Composite Film
Authors: Mu Jiliang , Song Jinsha , Han Xiaotao , Xian Shuai , Hou Xiaojuan , He Jian , Chou Xiujian
Published: February 2022

The uneven time‐space distribution of rainfall can easily induce droughts and floods disasters. Meteorological sensor based on battery supply plays an important role to monitor and warn rainfall intensity, however it is limited by the frequent replacement of battery. In this paper, a dual mode self‐powered rainfall sensor (DSR‐Sensor) based on hybrid enhanced triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is first proposed. The DSR‐Sensor is fabricated with frictional layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and the electrode layer of Cu. These layers are assembled into TENG composed of single electrode mode and contact separation mode. To increase the specific surface, the surface of PDMS film is modified by microimprint process. To accumulate more induced charges, the film is further doped with nanoparticles of fluorinated carbon black based on the effect of nanocapacitor interface polarization. The measured rainfall intensity ranges from 0.1 to 12 mm min−1, which has obvious advantage compared with the ordinary commercial sensor. The sensitivity and linearity are 5.5237 V mm min–1 and 0.9692, respectively. Also, the electrical output performances keep well in multiple tests of continuous 600 s within one month, which shows excellent stability. These results suggest great realistic potential of the self‐powered DSR‐Sensor in the field of meteorological environment monitoring.
Self‐Organization of Tissue Growth by Interfacial Mechanical Interactions in Multilayered Systems
Authors: Chen Tailin , Zhao Yan , Zhao Xinbin , Li Shukai , Cao Jialing , Guo Jun , Bu Wanjuan , Zhao Hucheng , Du Jing , Cao Yanping , Fan Yubo
Published: February 2022

Morphogenesis is a spatially and temporally regulated process involved in various physiological and pathological transformations. In addition to the associated biochemical factors, the physical regulation of morphogenesis has attracted increasing attention. However, the driving force of morphogenesis initiation remains elusive. Here, it is shown that during the growth of multilayered tissues, a morphogenetic process can be self‐organized by the progression of compression gradient stemmed from the interfacial mechanical interactions between layers. In tissues with low fluidity, the compression gradient is progressively strengthened during growth and induces stratification by triggering symmetric‐to‐asymmetric cell division reorientation at the critical tissue size. In tissues with high fluidity, compression gradient is dynamic and induces cell rearrangement leading to 2D in‐plane morphogenesis instead of 3D deformation. Morphogenesis can be tuned by manipulating tissue fluidity, cell adhesion forces, and mechanical properties to influence the progression of compression gradient during the development of cultured cell sheets and chicken embryos. Together, the dynamics of compression gradient arising from interfacial mechanical interaction provides a conserved mechanism underlying morphogenesis initiation and size control during tissue growth.
Efficient Oxygen‐Vacancy Suppression and Electrical Stabilization of Solution‐Processed In2O3:Q (Q = S, Se) Thin‐Film Transistor with Chalcogen Alloying
Authors: Lee Paul , Le Minh Nhut , Kim Gahye , Kwon Sung Min , Jo Jeong‐Wan , Kim Jaehyun , Kim Yong‐Hoon , Park Sung Kyu , Ahn Kyunghan , Kim Myung‐Gil
Published: February 2022

Transparent oxide semiconductors are successfully implemented as thin‐film transistors (TFTs) for large‐area display applications with superior electrical performance in comparison with that of conventional amorphous silicon. However, further development of high‐performance oxide semiconductors is hindered by the trade‐off between mobility and stability. Mixed metal composition containing heavy metal cations shows high‐mobility/low‐stability and light metal cations exhibits low‐mobility/high‐stability. A novel material design strategy for realizing a high‐performance oxide semiconductor for TFTs through partial substitution of Se or S for O in In2O3 is reported. In contrast to the conventional small‐sized Ga substitution for suppressing oxygen vacancies, the replacement of O by Se or S results in lattice stabilization and oxygen‐vacancy suppression, consequently stabilizing Se‐ or S‐incorporated In2O3 TFTs. In2O3:Se TFTs exhibit an average field‐effect mobility of 6.1 cm2 V−1s−1, ON/OFF current ratio (Ion/Ioff) of 108, and excellent operational stability with threshold voltage shift values of <0.10 V at a positive and negative bias stress for 10 000 s. Furthermore, the seven‐stage ring oscillator circuit operating at a supply bias of 20 V exhibits an oscillation frequency of >805 kHz and a corresponding propagation delay of <90 ns per stage.
An index to characterize gas‐solid and solid‐solid mixing from average volume fraction fields
Authors: Nagawkar Barlev R. , Kotrike Venkata P. , Passalacqua Alberto , Subramaniam Shankar
Published: February 2022

A mixing index based on solid volume fraction fields is developed for gas‐solid flows. Conventional mixing indices are based on particle realizations of granular mixing and are applicable to experimental data or discrete element method simulations. However, these indices cannot be used as‐is for multifluid models, and an index for characterizing mixing in gas‐solid flows from continuous fields is needed. The performance of the new mixing index is tested in two applications. The first is a 3D simulation of the mixing of biomass and sand in a fluidized bed reactor, and the second is a 2D simulation of binary particle segregation in a fluidized bed. The simulations are performed using OpenFOAM®. The mixing index is used to quantify gas‐solid mixing using solid volume fractions and solid‐solid mixing using solid fractions. The formulation of conventional mixing indices is extended to be used with solid volume fractions fields, and methods for performance improvement are presented.
Animal models of pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease
Authors: Liu Shao‐Fei , Yan Yi
Published: February 2022

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH‐LHD) is regarded as the most prevalent form of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Indeed, PH is an independent risk factor and predicts adverse prognosis for patients with left heart disease (LHD). Clinically, there are no drugs or treatments that directly address PH‐LHD, and treatment of LHD alone will not also ameliorate PH. To target the underlying physiopathological alterations of PH‐LHD and to develop novel therapeutic approaches for this population, animal models that simulate the pathophysiology of PH‐LHD are required. There are several available models for PH‐LHD that have been successfully employed in rodents or large animals by artificially provoking an elevated pressure load on the left heart, which by transduction elicits an escalated pressure in pulmonary artery. In addition, metabolic derangement combined with aortic banding or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor antagonist is also currently applied to reproduce the phenotype of PH‐LHD. As of today, none of the animal models exactly recapitulates the condition of patients with PH‐LHD. Nevertheless, the selection of an appropriate animal model is essential in basic and translational studies of PH‐LHD. Therefore, this review will summarize the characteristics of each PH‐LHD animal model and discuss the advantages and limitations of the different models.
Self‐Propelled Multifunctional Microrobots Harboring Chiral Supramolecular Selectors for “Enantiorecogniton‐on‐the‐Fly”
Authors: Muñoz Jose , Urso Mario , Pumera Martin
Published: February 2022

Herein, a general procedure for the synthesis of multifunctional MRs, which simultaneously exhibit i) chiral, ii) magnetic, and iii) fluorescent properties in combination with iv) self‐propulsion, is reported. Self‐propelled Ni@Pt superparamagnetic microrockets have been functionalized with fluorescent CdS quantum dots carrying a chiral host biomolecule as β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD). The “on‐the‐fly” chiral recognition potential of MRs has been interrogated by taking advantage of the β‐CD affinity to supramolecularly accommodate different chiral biomolecules (i.e., amino acids). As a proof‐of‐concept, tryptophan enantiomers have been discriminated with a dual‐mode (optical and electrochemical) readout. This approach paves the way to devise intelligent cargo micromachines with “built‐in” chiral supramolecular recognition capabilities to elucidate the concept of “enantiorecognition‐on‐the‐fly”, which might be facilely customized by tailoring the supramolecular host–guest encapsulation.
Statische Rastertunnelmikroskopie‐Bilder enthüllen den Mechanismus der supramolekularen Polymerisation eines Oligopyridins auf Graphit
Authors: Goll Felix D. , Taubmann Gerhard , Ziener Ulrich
Published: February 2022

Die supramolekulare Polymerisation eines Donor‐Akzeptor‐Bisterpyridins (BTP), das mit einer elektronenreichen Carbazol‐Einheit ausgestattet ist, wird mit Hilfe der Rastertunnelmikroskopie (STM) an der Grenzfläche zwischen hochorientiertem pyrolytischem Graphit (HOPG) und Lösung beobachtet. Die zweidimensionalen Kristalle supramolekularer (Co‐)Polymere werden durch Kettenwachstumspolymerisation gebildet, die wiederum durch Copolymerisationsstatistiken beschrieben werden kann. Aus konzentrationsabhängigen Messungen, abgeleiteten Copolymerisationsparametern und DFT‐Berechnungen wird ein Mechanismus für die Selbstorganisation entwickelt, der einen kinetisch getriebenen Polymerisationsprozess in Kombination mit thermodynamisch kontrollierter Kristallisation nahelegt.
Intrinsic Hole Mobility in Luminescent Metal–Organic Frameworks and Its Application in Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Kaiyasuan Chokchai , Somjit Vetiga , Boekfa Bundet , Packwood Daniel , Chasing Pongsakorn , Sudyoadsuk Taweesak , Kongpatpanich Kanokwan , Promarak Vinich
Published: February 2022

Most metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) lack charge mobility, which is crucial for realizing their use in optoelectronic applications. This work proposes the design of a MOF using triarylamine‐based ligands (Zr‐NBP) as the lone pair electron spacer to enhance the hole mobility in the MOF while maintaining its luminescent properties. Zr‐NBP has strong fluorescence with a good hole mobility of 1.05×10−6 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is comparable to organic materials used in optoelectronic devices. We also employed a Zr‐NBP nanofilm in the pure phase as both a non‐doped emissive layer and a hole‐transporting layer within organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). The obtained OLED device produced a bright green light with a low turn‐on voltage of 3.9 V. This work presents an advance in developing the electronic properties of MOFs by modifying the chemical properties of its building blocks, and will likely inspire further design of MOF materials as active layers in optoelectronic devices.