A microfluidic route for synthesis of scandium oxide microspheres, their characterization and neutron activation

Radioactive scandium-46 microspheres have applications in mapping flow in a chemical reactor through a technique known as radioactive particle tracking (RPT). In the present study a novel microfluidic method has been developed for synthesis of controlled size scandium oxide microspheres. An inline/in-situ mixing of the scandium precursor and gelling agents was implemented which makes the microfluidic platform amenable for truly continuous operation. Microspheres of size varying from 937 to 666 μm were produced by varying O/A ratio from 10 to 30. Perfectly spherical and monodispersed (PDI <10 %) microspheres were obtained at O/A 15 and beyond. The morphology, elemental composition, and structure of the microspheres were analysed by SEM, EDS and XRD, respectively. Subsequently the microspheres were irradiated with thermal neutrons in a nuclear reactor to obtain radioactive Sc-46 oxide microspheres. The activity produced on each Sc-46 microspheres with different sizes was in the range 19.5-34.0 MBq.

Nature of Subdiffusion Crossover in Molecular and Polymeric Glassformers

A crossover from a non-Gaussian to Gaussian subdiffusion has been observed ubiquitously in various polymeric and molecular glassformers. We have developed a framework that generalizes the fractional Brownian motion model to incorporate non-Gaussian features by introducing a jump kernel. We illustrate that the non-Gaussian fractional Brownian motion model accurately characterizes the subdiffusion crossover. From the solutions of the non-Gaussian fractional Brownian motion model, we gain insights into the nature of van Hove self-correlation in non-Gaussian subdiffusive regime, which is found to exhibit exponential tails, providing first such experimental evidence in molecular glassformers. The validity of the model is supported by comparison with incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering data obtained from several molecular and polymeric glassformers.

Genome-wide dissection of AT-hook motif nuclear-localized gene family and their expression profiling for drought and salt stress in rice (Oryza sativa)

AT-hook motif nuclear localized (AHL) genes are functionally very less explored, but their nature is very diverse. In the present study, we identified 20 AHL genes in rice. Phylogenetic analyses and evolutionary classification of AHL genes showed that they are conserved in plants, but the number of genes is still expanding in different crops and regulating new biological functions. Gene structure analysis showed that OsAHLs are with and without intron types of genes, suggesting that AHL genes added intron during evolution for neofunctionalization. The cis analysis of OsAHL genes suggested its motif diversity. In order to understand the function, 19 transcriptomes were identified from various tissues and different developmental stages of rice, and they were divided into eight groups by different temporal and spatial expression. Through co-expression analysis, 11 OsAHLs and 13 novel genes with intricate networks that control many biological pathways in rice were identified. The interactions of OsAHL proteins showed that they co-regulate important processes including flowering, reproductive organ development, and photosynthesis activity. The functionality of all 20 genes of OsAHL for drought and salt stress in leaf tissues of two contrasting genotypes (IR64 and NL44) of rice was studied using qRT-PCR. The result clearly showed significant upregulation of OsAHL genes under drought and salt conditions over the control. The differential expression between IR64 and NL44 showed a significant upregulation of OsAHL genes in NL44 as compared to the IR64 genotype under drought and salt stress. Overall, the result indicates that AHL genes might be involved in mediating drought and salt-signaling transduction pathways. The drought- and salt-tolerant nature of NL44 was also confirmed by expression profiling.

Noncanonical Relationship between Heterogeneity and the Stokes-Einstein Breakdown in Deep Eutectic Solvents

The relationship between Stokes-Einstein breakdown (SEB) and dynamical heterogeneity (DH) is of paramount importance in the physical chemistry of complex fluids. In this work, we employ neutron scattering to probe the DH and SEB in a series of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) composed of acetamide and lithium salts. Quasielastic neutron scattering experiments reveal SEB in the jump diffusion of acetamide, represented by a fractional Stokes-Einstein relationship. Among these DESs, lithium perchlorate exhibits the most pronounced SEB while lithium bromide displays the weakest. Concurrently, elastic incoherent neutron scans identify that bromide DES is the most heterogeneous and perchlorate is the least. For the first time, our study unveils a counterintuitive incommensurate relationship between DH and SEB. Further, it reveals the intricate contrasting nature of the SEB-DH relationship when investigated in proximity to the glass-transition temperature and further away from it.

High confidence QTLs and key genes identified using Meta-QTL analysis for enhancing heat tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The rising global temperatures seriously threaten sustainable crop production, particularly the productivity and production of heat-sensitive crops like chickpeas. Multiple QTLs have been identified to enhance the heat stress tolerance in chickpeas, but their successful use in breeding programs remains limited. Towards this direction, we constructed a high-density genetic map spanning 2233.5 cM with 1069 markers. Using 138 QTLs reported earlier, we identified six Meta-QTL regions for heat tolerance whose confidence interval was reduced by 2.7-folds compared to the reported QTLs. Meta-QTLs identified on CaLG01 and CaLG06 harbor QTLs for important traits, including days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, days to flower initiation, days to pod initiation, number of filled pods, visual score, seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant, chlorophyll content, and harvest index. In addition, key genes identified in Meta-QTL regions like Pollen receptor-like kinase 3 (CaPRK3), Flowering-promoting factor 1 (CaFPF1), Flowering Locus C (CaFLC), Heat stress transcription factor A-5 (CaHsfsA5), and Pollen-specific leucine-rich repeat extensins (CaLRXs) play an important role in regulating the flowering time, pollen germination, and growth. The consensus genomic regions, and the key genes reported in this study can be used in genomics-assisted breeding for enhancing heat tolerance and developing heat-resilient chickpea cultivars.

The discovery, structure, and function of 5-HTR1E serotonin receptor

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a unique neurotransmitter which can regulate various biological processes by activating thirteen different receptors. These serotonin receptors are divided into seven different classes based on their structure and functions. Since these receptors co-express in various tissue and cell types and share the same ligand (5-HT), it has been a challenge for the researchers to define specific pathway and separate physiological role for each of these serotonin receptors. Though the evidence of operational diversity of these receptors is continuously emerging, much work remains to be done. 5-HTR1E is a member of 5-HT1 receptor family which belongs to G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Even after three decades since its discovery, 5-HTR1E remains the least explored serotonin receptor. Very high similarity with another family member (5-HTR1F) and its non-existence in mice or rats makes 5-HTR1E a difficult target to study. Despite these challenges, recent findings on the role of 5-HTR1E in neuroprotection and diseases such as cancer, have excited many researchers to explore this receptor in detail. Here, we provide the first review of 5-HTR1E, since its discovery in 1989 to 2023. We highlight the structural and functional characteristics of this important serotonin receptor in detail and propose future directions in developing 5-HTR1E as a drug target. Video Abstract.

Hippocampal delivery of neurotrophic factor-α1/carboxypeptidase E gene prevents neurodegeneration, amyloidosis, memory loss in Alzheimer's Disease male mice

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease characterized by tau hyperphosphorylation, Aβ1-42 aggregation and cognitive dysfunction. Therapeutic agents directed at mitigating tau aggregation and clearing Aβ1-42, and delivery of growth factor genes (BDNF, FGF2), have ameliorated cognitive deficits, but these approaches did not prevent or stop AD progression. Here we report that viral-(AAV) delivery of Neurotrophic Factor-α1/Carboxypeptidase E (NF-α1/CPE) gene in hippocampus at an early age prevented later development of cognitive deficits as assessed by Morris water maze and novel object recognition assays, neurodegeneration, and tau hyperphosphorylation in male 3xTg-AD mice. Additionally, amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression was reduced to near non-AD levels, and insoluble Aβ1-42 was reduced significantly. Pro-survival proteins: mitochondrial Bcl2 and Serpina3g were increased; and mitophagy inhibitor Plin4 and pro-inflammatory protein Card14 were decreased in AAV-NF-α1/CPE treated versus untreated AD mice. Thus NF-α1/CPE gene therapy targets many regulatory components to prevent cognitive deficits in 3xTg-AD mice and has implications as a new therapy to prevent AD progression by promoting cell survival, inhibiting APP overexpression and tau hyperphosphorylation.

Evaluation of a paraffin-based moisturizer compared to a ceramide-based moisturizer in children with atopic dermatitis: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Moisturizers are first-line therapy for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although there are multiple types of moisturizers available, head-to-head trials between different moisturizers are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if a paraffin-based moisturizer is as effective as ceramide-based moisturizer in children with AD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this double-blind, randomized comparative trial of pediatric patients with mild to moderate AD, subjects applied either a paraffin-based or ceramide-based moisturizer twice daily. Clinical disease activity using SCOring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), quality of life using Children/Infants Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI/IDLQI), and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at baseline and at follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients were recruited (27 ceramide group and 26 paraffin group) with a mean age of 8.2 years and mean disease duration of 60 months. The mean change in SCORAD at 3 months in the ceramide-based and paraffin-based moisturizer groups was 22.1 and 21.4, respectively (p = .37). The change in CDLQI/IDLQI, TEWL over forearm and back, amount and days of topical corticosteroid required, median time to remission and disease-free days at 3 months were similar in both groups. As the 95% confidence interval (CI) of mean change in SCORAD at 3 months in both groups (0.78, 95% CI: -7.21 to 7.52) was not within the predefined margin of equivalence (-4 to +4), the conclusion of equivalence could not be proven.

CONCLUSION

Both the paraffin-based and ceramide-based moisturizers were comparable in improving the disease activity in children with mild to moderate AD.

Characterization of serotonin-5-HTR1E signaling pathways and its role in cell survival

5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 1E (5-HTR1E) is reported to activate cyclic AMP (cAMP) and extracellular-signal related kinases (ERK) pathways via its ligands and binding partners, but the detailed mechanism underlying the serotonin-induced 5-HTR1E signaling is still not known. In the present study, we determined the cellular regulators of ERK and cAMP signaling pathways in response to serotonin-induced 5-HTR1E activation in 5-HTR1E overexpressing HEK293 cells. We found that Pertussis Toxin (PTX) treatment completely reversed the effect of serotonin-5-HTR1E mediated signaling on cAMP and ERK pathways, confirming the involvement of a Gαi-linked cascade. We also observed that Gβγ and Gq were not associated with 5-HTR1E activation, while blocking protein kinase A (PKA) inhibited ERK signaling only, and had no effect on cAMP. Additionally, serotonin-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation was similar in 5-HTR1E overexpressing, β-arrestin-deficient HEK293 cells and is solely dependent on G protein signaling. siRNA mediated gene knockdown studies in SH-SY5Y cells revealed that the inhibition of 5-HTR1E reduced the expression of cMyc, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E and BCL2 genes which are related to cell cycle regulation and survival. MTT assays showed that 5-HTR1E knockdown in SHSY-5Y and U118 cells inhibited cell survival significantly. In addition to the signaling mechanism, we also performed RNA-seq analysis in 5-HTR1E overexpressing HEK293 cells and found that 5-HTR1E can regulate the expression of Receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), Nuclear receptor 1 (NR4A1) and other Cyclin genes. These findings indicate that serotonin interaction with 5-HTR1E receptor simultaneously activates cAMP and ERK pathway in HEK293 cells and its expression is important for cell survival.

Evaluation of mixing performance and validation of CFD simulations in baffled anaerobic digesters using radiotracer technique

The anaerobic digesters find usage in treating the huge amount of waste such as trash, garbage, human waste and animal waste. The sustained performance of an anaerobic digester depends on the flow pattern and mixing behaviour in the digester. A cylindrical digester tank with vertical baffles can provide flow behaviour approaching that of a plug flow reactor. However, the presence of dead zones and recirculating regions cause non-ideal flow in the digester. In this work, the mixing behaviour in two scaled-down models of baffled digester tanks is characterized by measurement of residence time distribution (RTD) using a radioactive tracer. While the first design has three vertical baffles, the second design include horizontal static flaps on the baffles. The flow behaviour in the digester is also simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and RTD is obtained computationally. The comparison of RTD curves obtained from CFD simulations with those obtained from radiotracer experiments show good agreement between them. There appear to be only minor difference in the flow behaviour and the RTD curves in the two digester designs. Using the RTD curve data, two commonly used RTD models, tank-in-series and dispersion models, have been fitted and both models are able to predict the RTD in the digester qualitatively.

Characterization of serotonin-5-HTR1E signaling pathways and its role in cell survival

5-Hydroxy tryptamine receptor 1E (5-HTR1E) is reported to activate cAMP and ERK pathways via its ligands and binding partners, but the detailed mechanism underlying the serotonin induced 5-HTR1E signaling is still not known. In the present study, we determined the cellular regulators of ERK and cAMP signaling pathways in response to serotonin induced 5-HTR1E activation in 5-HTR1E overexpressing HEK293 cells. We found that Pertussis Toxin (PTX) treatment completely reversed the effect of serotonin-5-HTR1E mediated signaling on cAMP and ERK pathways, confirming the involvement of a Gαi-linked cascade. We also observed that Gβγ and Gq were not associated with 5-HTR1E activation, while blocking PKA inhibited ERK signaling only, and had no effect on cAMP. Additionally, serotonin-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation was similar in 5-HTR1E overexpressing, β-arrestin-deficient HEK293 cells and is solely dependent on G protein signaling. siRNA mediated gene knockout studies in SH-SY5Y cells revealed that the inhibition of 5-HTR1E reduced the expression of cMyc, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E and BCL2 genes which are related to cell cycle regulation and survival. MTT assays showed that 5-HTR1E knockdown in SHSY-5Y and U118 cells inhibited cell survival significantly. In addition to the signaling mechanism, we also performed RNA-seq analysis in 5-HTR1E overexpressing HEK293 cells and found that 5-HTR1E can regulate the expression of Receptor activity modifying protein 1 ( RAMP1 ), Nuclear receptor 1 ( NR4A1 ) and other Cyclin genes. These findings indicate that serotonin interaction with 5-HTR1E receptor simultaneously activates cAMP and ERK pathway in HEK293 cells and its expression is important for cell survival.

Sex-based comparisons of clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source with implantable loop recorders

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS) constitute a significant proportion of all ischemic strokes, but sex-based comparisons of clinical characteristics and outcomes of ESUS patients have not been well explored. As such, we aimed to examine how sex influences outcomes of ESUS patients.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study performed on consecutive ESUS patients with an implanted ILR between December 2013 to September 2021. We obtained information on the patients’ characteristics, treatments, and outcomes from the electronic medical records. Cox regression was used to investigate whether sex was independently associated with outcomes.

Results

There were 176 patients included in this study. The mean duration of follow-up was 1254 ± 724 days. Mean age was 60.8 ± 12.0 and 47 (26.7%) of patients were female. On univariable Cox regression analysis for subsequent atrial fibrillation (AF) on implantable loop recorder (ILR), patients with subsequent AF on ILR were more likely to be female (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.04–4.63, p = 0.040), older (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.12, p = 0.001), have a lower glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97– 0.99, p = 0.004), and have previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (HR 2.60, 95% CI 1.05–6.46, p = 0.039). On multivariable Cox regression, after adjustment for age, eGFR and previous PCI status, female sex remained independently associated with the development of subsequent AF on ILR. Female sex was not associated with other outcomes including mortality, subsequent acute myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischemic attack and heart failure.

Conclusions

In this cohort of ESUS patients with ILR implantation, female sex was independently associated with a higher risk of development of AF on ILR. However, female sex was not a predictor of mortality, subsequent acute myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischemic attack and heart failure.

Characteristics and outcomes of aortic stenosis patients with and without stroke

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Sia CH was supported by the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s Junior Academic Faculty Scheme

Background

Aortic stenosis (AS) is related to several atherosclerosis risk factors and is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke. Some reports suggest that aortic valve calcification may predispose to embolic stroke although this is not well-studied. The literature is also sparse regarding individual stroke subtypes and predictors of stroke in AS.

Purpose

We aimed to 1) Describe rates of ischaemic stroke in AS including specific stroke subtypes; 2) Compare clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with AS who subsequently developed ischaemic stroke versus those who did not, and 3) Identify independent variables associated with subsequent stroke in AS.

Methods

Patients with AS were recruited from an echocardiography database from September 2011 to December 2015 at a single tertiary centre. The primary study endpoint was acute ischaemic stroke. Clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters were compared between patients who suffered a stroke after AS diagnosis and those who did not. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with subsequent stroke.

Results

A total of 703 patients with AS were studied, with a median follow-up duration of 3.0 (IQR 0.5, 5.0) years. Twenty-two patients (3.1%) developed stroke following AS diagnosis (large vessel, 18.2%; cardioembolic, 50.0%; small vessel, 18.2%; other determined ischaemic stroke, 13.6%). These patients had a greater prevalence of previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) (50.0%) compared to patients who did not develop subsequent stroke (20.9%), p&lt;0.001. Patients with AS who developed subsequent stroke also more commonly had atrial fibrillation at the time of indexed echocardiography (40.0%) compared to their counterparts who did not develop stroke (13.5%), p=0.004 (Table 1). Other cardiovascular risk factors and traditional echocardiographic parameters of AS severity were similar between the 2 groups. Degenerative calcified aortic valve was not associated with the development of all types of ischaemic stroke or cardioembolic stroke. AS severity was also not associated with development of stroke. Multivariable Cox regression analysis found previous stroke or TIA (HR 8.00, 95% CI 2.70–23.58, p&lt;0.001) and atrial fibrillation at time of echocardiography (HR 8.81, 95% CI 1.34–10.80, p=0.012) to be independent predictors of subsequent stroke in AS. The key findings of our study are summarised in Figure 1.

Conclusions

Cardioembolic stroke is the most common stroke subtype in patients with AS. Previous history of stroke or TIA and atrial fibrillation at time of diagnostic echocardiography are independent predictors of subsequent stroke in AS. Calcified aortic valve was not found to be a risk factor for all types of ischaemic stroke or cardioembolic stroke.

Lateral diffusion of lipids in the DMPG membrane across the anomalous melting regime: effects of NaCl

The anionic dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) membrane in solvents with a low ionic strength is known to exhibit an unusually wide melting regime between the gel and fluid phase characterized by various anomalous macroscopic characteristics, such as low turbidity and high electrical conductivity and viscosity. A recent neutron spin echo study [Kelley, E. G. et al., Struct. Dyn., 7 (2020) 054704] revealed that during the extended melting phase transition the DMPG membrane becomes softer and exhibits faster collective bending fluctuation compared to the higher temperature fluid phase. In contrast, in the present work, using incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering through the anomalous phase transition regime we find that single-particle lateral and internal lipid motions in the DMPG membrane show regular temperature dependence, with no enhanced dynamics evident in the anomalous melting regime. Further, we find that incorporation of NaCl in DMPG suppresses the anomalous extended melting regime, concurrently enhancing the single-particle lipid dynamics, both the lateral diffusivity and (to a lesser extent) the internal lipid motion. This seems rather counterintuitive and in variance with the dynamic suppression effect exerted by a salt on a zwitterionic membrane. However, since incorporation of a salt in anionic DMPG leads to enhanced cooperativity, the disrupted cooperativity in the salt-free DMPG is associated with the baseline lipid dynamics that is suppressed to begin with, whereas addition of salt partially restores the cooperativity, thus enhancing lipid dynamics compared to the salt-free baseline DMPG membrane state. These results provide new insights into the ion-membrane interaction and divulge a correlation between microscopic dynamics and the structure of the lipid bilayer.

Modulation of Diffusion Mechanism and Its Correlation with Complexation in Aqueous Deep Eutectic Solvents

Aqueous mixtures of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have gained traction recently as an effective template to tailor their physicochemical properties. But detailed microscopic insights into the effects of water on the molecular relaxation phenomenon in DESs are not entirely understood. DESs are strong network-forming liquids due to the extensive hydrogen bonding and complex formation between their species, and therefore, water can behave as a controlled disruptor altering the microscopic structure and dynamics in DESs. In this study, the role of water in the diffusion mechanism of acetamide in the aqueous mixtures of DESs synthesized using acetamide and lithium perchlorate is investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS). The acetamide dynamics comprises localized diffusion within transient cages and a jump diffusion process across cages. The jump diffusion process is observed to be strongly enhanced by about a factor of 10 as the water content in the system is increased. Meanwhile, the geometry of the localized dynamics is unaltered by addition of water, but the localized diffusion becomes significantly faster and more heterogeneous with increasing water concentration. The accelerating effects of water on localized diffusion are also substantiated by QENS experiments. The water concentration in the DES is observed to control the solvation structure of lithium ions, with the ions becoming significantly hydrated at 20 wt % water. The formation of interwater and water-acetamide hydrogen bonds is observed. The increase in water concentration is found to increase the number of H-bonds; however, their lifetimes are found to decrease substantially. Similarly, the lifetimes of acetamide-lithium complexes are also found to be diminished by increasing water concentration. A power-law scaling relationship between lifetimes and diffusion constants is established, elucidating the extent of coupling between diffusive processes and hydrogen bonding and microscopic complexation. This study demonstrates the ability to use water as an agent to probe the role of structural relaxation and complex lifetimes of diffusive processes at different time and length scales.

Carboxypeptidase E and its splice variants: Key regulators of growth and metastasis in multiple cancer types

Mechanisms driving tumor growth and metastasis are complex, and involve the recruitment of many genes working in concert with each other. The tumor is characterized by the expression of specific sets of genes depending on its environment. Here we review the role of the carboxypeptidase E (CPE) gene which has been shown to be important in driving growth, survival and metastasis in many cancer types. CPE was first discovered as a prohormone processing enzyme, enriched in endocrine tumors, and later found to be expressed and secreted from many epithelial-derived tumors and cancer cell lines. Numerous studies have shown that besides wild-type CPE, a N-terminal truncated splice variant form of CPE (CPE-ΔN) has been cloned and found to be highly expressed in malignant tumors and cell lines derived from prostate, breast, liver and lung cancers and gliomas. The mechanisms of action of CPE and the splice variant in promoting tumor growth and metastasis in different cancer types are discussed. Mechanistically, secreted CPE activates the Erk/wnt pathways, while CPE-ΔN interacts with HDACs in a protein complex in the nucleus, to recruit various cell cycle genes and metastatic genes, respectively. Clinical studies suggest that CPE and CPE-ΔN mRNA and protein are potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for multiple cancer types, assayed using solid tumors and secreted serum exosomes. CPE has been shown to be a therapeutic target for multiple cancer types. CPE/CPE-ΔN siRNA transported via exosomes and taken up by recipient high metastatic cancer cells, suppressed growth and proliferation of these cells. Thus future studies, delivering CPE/CPE-ΔN siRNA, perhaps via exosomes, to the tumor could be a novel treatment approach to suppress tumor growth and metastasis.

Clinical characteristics, echocardiographic features and long-term outcomes of patients with ischaemic versus non-ischaemic left ventricular thrombus

Background

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) may develop in patients following myocardial infarction (MI), as well as in ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies, and may result in acute ischaemic stroke. Smaller studies comparing LVT associated with ischaemic and non-ischaemic aetiologies only reported 1-year outcomes or focused on specific subpopulations. We aimed to compare the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and longer-term outcomes in a large population of patients with ischaemic versus non-ischaemic LVT.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 552 consecutive patients with echocardiographically-identified LVT from March 2011 to January 2021 at a tertiary centre. Ischaemic LVT included LVT associated with MI and ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Non-ischaemic LVT included cases without evidence of ischaemia. Echocardiographic images were interpreted by trained cardiologists. We studied thrombus resolution as well as 5-year rates of ischaemic stroke and all-cause mortality.

Results

Of the 552 patients, mean age was 59.9 years and 84.4% were male. 492 patients had ischaemic LVT and 60 patients had non-ischaemic LVT. Ischaemic LVT was associated with older age (60.4 versus 55.3 years), male sex (86.8% versus 65.0%), smoking (49.2% versus 25.0%) and hyperlipidaemia (54.3% versus 28.3%). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in non-ischaemic LVT (28.9% versus 31.9%). LVEF ≤35% was associated with increased mortality in ischaemic LVT (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.32–3.38). Rates of thrombus resolution, stroke and all-cause mortality were similar in the 2 groups. Anticoagulation was associated with a lower risk of stroke in ischaemic LVT (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16–0.66) and lower mortality in both ischaemic (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26–0.72) and non-ischaemic LVT (HR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03–0.61).

Conclusion

Patients with ischaemic LVT were more often older, male, smokers and had cardiovascular co-morbidities compared to those with non-ischaemic LVT. Thrombus resolution, stroke and all-cause mortality rates were similar in both groups. Anticoagulation was associated with lower mortality but this needs to be investigated in future prospective studies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): CHS was supported by the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine's Junior Academic Faculty Scheme

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the incidence of postoperative pain and flare-ups in single and multiple visits root canal treatment

Background

Irreversible pulpitis is a painful and debilitating condition. Root canal treatment (RCT) provides prompt relief and salvages the affected tooth/teeth. It has classically been performed as a multivisit procedure. A relatively newer approach constitutes performing all the steps in one single visit. This study was designed to explore if single-visit RCT could be confidently used as an effective and preferred treatment modality for irreversible pulpitis in the Indian Armed forces.

Methods

The study compared the incidence of postoperative pain, tenderness on percussion (TOP), flare-ups, and the analgesic drug use in 60 cases of acute irreversible pulpitis who were treated by either single or multiple visit root canal therapy. Each treatment group included 30 patients who were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 24 h, one week and one month.

Results

The study found statistically higher incidence of postoperative pain (mild variant) and TOP in single visit therapy, 24 h after the obturation while the difference was insignificant at one week and one month after therapy. Analgesic use was significantly higher after the single visit therapy in the first 24 h. No flare-ups were recorded in either group. Significant pain and tenderness was observed after chemo-mechanical preparation (appointment 2) in multivisit regimen.

Conclusion

Single visit therapy is a safe, practical, and effective approach. The treatment results are similar to the multivisit regimen. It should therefore be considered for wider adoption and application.

Multiscale lipid membrane dynamics as revealed by neutron spectroscopy

The plasma membrane is one of the principal structural components of the cell and, therefore, one of the key components of the cellular life. Because the membrane's dynamics links the membrane's structure and function, the complexity and the broad range of the membrane's motions are essential for the enormously diverse functionality of the cell membrane. Even for the main membrane component, the lipid bilayer, considered alone, the range and complexity of the lipid motions are remarkable. Spanning the time scale from sub-picosecond to minutes and hours, the lipid motion in a bilayer is challenging to study even when a broad array of dynamic measurement techniques is employed. Neutron scattering plays a special role among such dynamic measurement techniques, particularly, because it involves the energy transfers commensurate with the typical intra- and inter- molecular dynamics and the momentum transfers commensurate with intra- and inter-molecular distances. Thus, using neutron scattering-based techniques, the spatial and temporal information on the lipid motion can be obtained and analysed simultaneously. Protium vs. deuterium sensitivity and non-destructive character of the neutron probe add to the remarkable prowess of neutron scattering for elucidating the lipid dynamics. Herein we present an overview of the neutron scattering-based studies of lipid dynamics in model membranes, with a discussion of the direct relevance and implications to the real-life cell membranes. The latter are much more complex systems than simple model membranes, consisting of heterogeneous non-stationary domains composed of lipids, proteins, and other small molecules, such as carbohydrates. Yet many fundamental aspects of the membrane behavior and membrane interactions with other molecules can be understood from neutron scattering measurements of the model membranes. For example, such studies can provide a great deal of information on the interactions of antimicrobial compounds with the lipid matrix of a pathogen membrane, or the interactions of drug molecules with the plasma membrane. Finally, we briefly discuss the recently emerging field of neutron scattering membrane studies with a reach far beyond the model membrane systems.

Double zero tillage and foliar phosphorus fertilization coupled with microbial inoculants enhance maize productivity and quality in a maize-wheat rotation

Maize is an important industrial crop where yield and quality enhancement both assume greater importance. Clean production technologies like conservation agriculture and integrated nutrient management hold the key to enhance productivity and quality besides improving soil health and environment. Hence, maize productivity and quality were assessed under a maize–wheat cropping system (MWCS) using four crop-establishment and tillage management practices [FBCT–FBCT (Flat bed–conventional tillage both in maize and wheat); RBCT–RBZT (Raised bed–CT in maize and raised bed–zero tillage in wheat); FBZT–FBZT (FBZT both in maize and wheat); PRBZT–PRBZT (Permanent raised bed–ZT both in maize and wheat], and five P-fertilization practices [P₁₀₀ (100% soil applied-P); P₅₀ + 2FSP (50% soil applied-P + 2 foliar-sprays of P through 2% DAP both in maize and wheat); P₅₀ + PSB + AM-fungi; P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP; and P₀ (100% NK with no-P)] in split-plot design replicated-thrice. Double zero-tilled PRBZT–PRBZT system significantly enhanced the maize grain, starch, protein and oil yield by 13.1–19% over conventional FBCT–FBCT. P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP, integrating soil applied-P, microbial-inoculants and foliar-P, had significantly higher grain, starch, protein and oil yield by 12.5–17.2% over P₁₀₀ besides saving 34.7% fertilizer-P both in maize and on cropping-system basis. P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP again had significantly higher starch, lysine and tryptophan content by 4.6–10.4% over P₁₀₀ due to sustained and synchronized P-bioavailability. Higher amylose content (24.1%) was observed in grains under P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP, a beneficial trait due to its lower glycemic-index highly required for diabetic patients, where current COVID-19 pandemic further necessitated the use of such dietary ingredients. Double zero-tilled PRBZT–PRBZT reported greater MUFA (oleic acid, 37.1%), MUFA: PUFA ratio and P/S index with 6.9% higher P/S index in corn-oil (an oil quality parameter highly required for heart-health) over RBCT-RBCT. MUFA, MUFA: PUFA ratio and P/S index were also higher under P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP; avowing the obvious role of foliar-P and microbial-inoculants in influencing maize fatty acid composition. Overall, double zero-tilled PRBZT–PRBZT with crop residue retention at 6 t/ha per year along with P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP while saving 34.7% fertilizer-P in MWCS, may prove beneficial in enhancing maize productivity and quality so as to reinforce the food and nutritional security besides boosting food, corn-oil and starch industry in south-Asia and collateral arid agro-ecologies across the globe.

Stress hyperglycaemia is associated with poor functional outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke after intravenous thrombolysis

BACKGROUND

Transient hyperglycaemia in the context of illness with or without known diabetes has been termed as 'stress hyperglycaemia'. Stress hyperglycaemia can result in poor functional outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) who underwent mechanical thrombectomy. We investigated the association between stress hyperglycaemia and clinical outcomes in AIS patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).

METHODS

We examined 666 consecutive patients with AIS who underwent IVT from 2006 to 2018. All patients had a glycated haemoglobin level (HbA1c) and fasting venous blood glucose measured within 24 h of admission. Stress hyperglycaemia ratio (SHR) was defined as the ratio of the fasting glucose to the HbA1c. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify predictors of poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 3-6 at 3 months) after IVT.

RESULTS

Three-hundred and sixty-one patients (54.2%) had good functional outcomes. These patients tended to be younger (60.7 ± 12.7 vs. 70 ± 14.4 years, P < 0.001), male (70.7% vs. 51.5%, P < 0.001), had lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation (13.0% vs. 20.7%, P = 0.008) and lower SHR (0.88 ± 0.20 vs. 0.99 ± 26, P < 0.001). Patients with high SHR (≥0.97) were slightly older than those with low SHR (<0.97) and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus. On multivariate analysis, higher SHR was independently associated with poor functional outcomes (adjusted odds ratio 3.85, 95% confidence interval 1.59-9.09, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

SHR appears to be an important predictor of functional outcomes in patients with AIS undergoing IVT. This may have important implications on the role of glycaemic control in the acute management of ischaemic stroke.

Serpinin in the Skin

The serpinins are relatively novel peptides generated by proteolytic processing of chromogranin A and they are comprised of free serpinin, serpinin-RRG and pGlu-serpinin. In this study, the presence and source of these peptides were studied in the skin. By Western blot analysis, a 40 kDa and a 50 kDa protein containing the sequence of serpinin were detected in the trigeminal ganglion and dorsal root ganglia in rats but none in the skin. RP-HPLC followed by EIA revealed that the three serpinins are present in similar, moderate amounts in rat dorsal root ganglia, whereas in the rat skin, free serpinin represents the predominant molecular form. There were abundant serpinin-positive cells in rat dorsal root ganglia and colocalization with substance P was evident. However, much more widespread distribution of the serpinins was found in dorsal root ganglia when compared with substance P. In the skin, serpinin immunoreactivity was found in sensory nerves and showed colocalization with substance P; as well, some was present in autonomic nerves. Thus, although not exclusively, there is evidence that serpinin is a constituent of the sensory innervation of the skin. The serpinins are biologically highly active and might therefore be of functional significance in the skin.

Resorcinarene appended octa-substituted alkyl arms: a new strategy to fabricate supramolecular material for liquid crystal and solar-cell application

A newly lower rim functionalized octa-substituted resorcin[4]arene based supramolecular compounds variable alkoxy side chain (-OC4H9, -OC6H13, -OC8H17, -OC10H21) has been synthesized by simple two step procedure method. The propose method...

Deep learning based model for classification of COVID −19 images for healthcare research progress

As imaging technology plays an important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of the new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), COVID-19 related data sets have been published one after another, but there are relatively few data sets and research progress in related literature. To this end, through COVID-19-related journal papers, reports, and related open-source data set websites, organize and analyze the new coronary pneumonia data set and the deep learning models involved, including computed tomography (CT) image data sets and X-ray (CXR) Image dataset. Analyze the characteristics of the medical images presented in these data sets; focus on open-source data sets, as well as classification and segmentation models that perform well on related data sets. Finally, the future development trend of lung imaging technology is discussed.

Fluorescein appended calixarene functionalized supramolecular AIE-active liquid crystalline materials for self-assembly and bio-imaging applications

This paper reports fluorescein linked calixarene based columnar liquid crystals with broad temperature range of mesophase. The photophysical and density functional theory (DFT) study suggested good electronic behaviour and reactivity...

Novel interaction between neurotrophic factor-α1/carboxypeptidase E and serotonin receptor, 5-HTR1E, protects human neurons against oxidative/neuroexcitotoxic stress via β-arrestin/ERK signaling

Protecting neurons from death during oxidative and neuroexcitotoxic stress is key for preventing cognitive dysfunction. We uncovered a novel neuroprotective mechanism involving interaction between neurotrophic factor-α1 (NF-α1/carboxypeptidase E, CPE) and human 5-HTR1E, a G protein-coupled serotonin receptor with no previously known neurological function. Co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays confirmed interaction between NFα1/CPE and 5-HTR1E and 125I NF-α1/CPE-binding studies demonstrated saturable, high-affinity binding to 5-HTR1E in stably transfected HEK293 cells (Kd = 13.82 nM). Treatment of 5-HTR1E stable cells with NF-α1/CPE increased pERK 1/2 and pCREB levels which prevented a decrease in pro-survival protein, BCL2, during H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Cell survival assay in β-arrestin Knockout HEK293 cells showed that the NF-α1/CPE-5-HTR1E-mediated protection against oxidative stress was β-arrestin-dependent. Molecular dynamics studies revealed that NF-α1/CPE interacts with 5-HTR1E via 3 salt bridges, stabilized by several hydrogen bonds, independent of the serotonin pocket. Furthermore, after phosphorylating the C-terminal tail and intracellular loop 3 (ICL3) of NF-α1/CPE-5-HTR1E, it recruited β-arrestin1 by forming numerous salt bridges and hydrogen bonds to ICL2 and ICL3, leading to activation of β-arrestin1. Immunofluorescence studies showed 5-HTR1E and NF-α1/CPE are highly expressed and co-localized on cell surface of human hippocampal neurons. Importantly, knock-down of 5-HTR1E in human primary neurons diminished the NF-α1/CPE-mediated protection of these neurons against oxidative stress and glutamate neurotoxicity-induced cell death. Thus, NF-α1/CPE uniquely interacts with serotonin receptor 5-HTR1E to activate the β-arrestin/ERK/CREB/BCL2 pathway to mediate stress-induced neuroprotection.

Can the microscopic and macroscopic transport phenomena in deep eutectic solvents be reconciled?

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have become ubiquitous in a variety of industrial and pharmaceutical applications since their discovery. However, the fundamental understanding of their physicochemical properties and their emergence from the microscopic features is still being explored fervently. Particularly, the knowledge of transport mechanisms in DESs is essential to tune their properties, which shall aid in expanding the territory of their applications. This perspective presents the current state of understanding of the bulk/macroscopic transport properties and microscopic relaxation processes in DESs. The dependence of these properties on the components and composition of the DES is explored, highlighting the role of hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) interactions. Modulation of these interactions by water and other additives, and their subsequent effect on the transport mechanisms, is also discussed. Various models (e.g. hole theory, free volume theory, etc.) have been proposed to explain the macroscopic transport phenomena from a microscopic origin. But the formation of H-bond networks and clusters in the DES reveals the insufficiency of these models, and establishes an antecedent for dynamic heterogeneity. Even significantly above the glass transition, the microscopic relaxation processes in DESs are rife with temporal and spatial heterogeneity, which causes a substantial decoupling between the viscosity and microscopic diffusion processes. However, we propose that a thorough understanding of the structural relaxation associated to the H-bond dynamics in DESs will provide the necessary framework to interpret the emergence of bulk transport properties from their microscopic counterparts.

Water accelerates the hydrogen-bond dynamics and abates heterogeneity in deep eutectic solvent based on acetamide and lithium perchlorate

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have become a prevalent and promising medium in various industrial applications. The addition of water to DESs has attracted a lot of attention as a scheme to modulate their functionalities and improve their physicochemical properties. In this work, we study the effects of water on an acetamide based DES by probing its microscopic structure and dynamics using classical molecular dynamics simulation. It is observed that, at low water content, acetamide still remains the dominant solvate in the first solvation shell of lithium ions, however, beyond 10 wt. %, it is replaced by water. The increase in the water content in the solvent accelerates the H-bond dynamics by drastically decreasing the lifetimes of acetamide-lithium H-bond complexes. Additionally, water-lithium H-bond complexes are also found to form, with systematically longer lifetimes in comparison to acetamide-lithium complexes. Consequently, the diffusivity and ionic conductivity of all the species in the DES are found to increase substantially. Non-Gaussianity parameters for translational motions of acetamide and water in the DES show a conspicuous decrease with addition of water in the system. The signature of jump-like reorientation of acetamide is observed in the DES by quantifying the deviation from rotational Brownian motion. However, a notable decrease in the deviation is observed with an increase in the water content in the DES. This study demonstrates the intricate connection between H-bond dynamics and various microscopic dynamical parameters in the DES, by investigating the modulation of the former with addition of water.

A split-tattoo randomized Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser trial comparing the efficacy of a novel three-pass, one-session method with a conventional method in the treatment of blue/black tattoos in darker skin types

Tattoos with blue/black ink show good lightening of pigment after treatment with 1064 nm Q-switched (QS) neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. In this randomized trial, we compared the efficacy of a novel three pass, one session procedure (R15 method) with a conventional method for treating blue/black tattoos in darker skin types. Tattoos were treated with 1064 nm QS Nd:YAG Laser with a spot size of 4 mm, fluence of 5 J/cm² and frequency of 5 Hz. The tattoo pigment lightening was comparable with both methods. Thread-like tattoos had significantly better pigment lightening with fewer side effects than the broad band-like tattoos. We would like to recommend the R15 method of the QS Nd:YAG laser for thread-like tattoos, which can save patients' time, cut short the frequency of their hospital visits and, more importantly, decrease the cost involved in it.

Diffusion of confined fluids in microporous zeolites and clay materials

Fluids exhibit remarkable variation in their structural and dynamic properties when they are confined at the nanoscopic scale. Various factors, including geometric restriction, the size and shape of the guest molecules, the topology of the host, and guest-host interactions, are responsible for the alterations in these properties. Due to their porous structures, aluminosilicates provide a suitable host system for studying the diffusion of sorbates in confinement. Zeolites and clays are two classes of the aluminosilicate family, comprising very ordered porous or layered structures. Zeolitic materials are important due to their high catalytic activity and molecular sieving properties. Guest molecules adsorbed by zeolites display many interesting features including unidimensional diffusion, non-isotropic rotation, preferred orientation and levitation effects, depending on the guest and host characteristics. These are useful for the separation of hydrocarbons which commonly exist as mixtures in nature. Similarly, clay materials have found application in catalysis, desalination, enhanced oil recovery, and isolation barriers used in radioactive waste disposal. It has been shown that the bonding interactions, level of hydration, interlayer spacing, and number of charge-balancing cations are the important factors that determine the nature of diffusion of water molecules in clays. Here, we present a review of the current status of the diffusion mechanisms of various adsorbed species in different microporous zeolites and clays, as investigated using quasielastic neutron scattering and classical molecular dynamics simulation techniques. It is impossible to write an exhaustive review of the subject matter, as it has been explored over several decades and involves many research topics. However, an effort is made to cover the relevant issues specific to the dynamics of different molecules in microporous zeolites and clay materials and to highlight a variety of interesting features that are important for both practical applications and fundamental aspects.

Neurotrophic factor-α1, a novel tropin is critical for the prevention of stress-induced hippocampal CA3 cell death and cognitive dysfunction in mice: comparison to BDNF

Stress leads to brain pathology including hippocampal degeneration, cognitive dysfunction, and potential mood disorders. Hippocampal CA3, a most stress-vulnerable region, consists of pyramidal neurons that regulate cognitive functions e.g. learning and memory. These CA3 neurons express high levels of the neuroprotective protein, neurotrophic factor-α1 (NF-α1), also known as carboxypeptidase E (CPE), and receive contacts from granule cell projections that release BDNF which has neuroprotective activity. Whether NF-α1-CPE and/or BDNF are critical in protecting these CA3 neurons against severe stress-induced cell death is unknown. Here we show that social combined with the physical stress of maternal separation, ear tagging, and tail snipping at weaning in 3-week-old mice lacking NF-α1-CPE, led to complete hippocampal CA3 degeneration, despite having BDNF and active phosphorylated TrkB receptor levels similar to WT animals. Mice administered TrkB inhibitor, ANA12 which blocked TrkB phosphorylation showed no degeneration of the CA3 neurons after the weaning stress paradigm. Furthermore, transgenic knock-in mice expressing CPE-E342Q, an enzymatically inactive form, replacing NF-α1-CPE, showed no CA3 degeneration and exhibited normal learning and memory after the weaning stress, unlike NF-α1-CPE-KO mice. Mechanistically, we showed that radio-labeled NF-α1-CPE bound HT22 hippocampal cells in a saturable manner and with high affinity (Kd = 4.37 nM). Subsequently, treatment of the HT22^cpe-/- cells with NF-α1-CPE or CPE-E342Q equivalently activated ERK signaling and increased BCL2 expression to protect these neurons against H₂O₂-or glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. Our findings show that NF-α1-CPE is more critical compared to BDNF in protecting CA3 pyramidal neurons against stress-induced cell death and cognitive dysfunction, independent of its enzymatic activity.

Contrasting Behaviors of FA and MA Cations in APbBr3

It is known that the organic units in hybrid halide perovskites are free to rotate, but it is not clear if this freedom is of any relevance to the structure-property relationship of these compounds. We have employed quasi-elastic neutron scattering using two different spectrometers, thus providing a wide dynamic range to investigate the cation dynamics in methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr₃) and formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr₃) over a large temperature range covering all known crystallographic phases of these two compounds. Our results establish a plastic crystal-like phase forming above 30 K within the orthorhombic phase of MAPbBr₃ related to 3-fold rotations of MA units around the C-N axis with an activation energy, E_a, of ∼27 meV, which has no counterpart in the FA compound. MA exhibits an additional 4-fold orientational motion of the whole molecule via rotation of the C-N axis itself with an E_a of ∼68 meV common for the high-temperature tetragonal and cubic phases. In contrast, the FA compound exhibits only an isotropic orientational motion of the whole FA unit with E_a ≈ 106 meV within the orthorhombic phase and a substantially reduced common E_a of ∼62 meV for the high-temperature tetragonal and cubic phases. Our results suggest that the rotational dynamics of the organic units, crystallographic phases, and physical properties of these compounds are intimately connected.

Intravenous thrombolysis for large vessel or distal occlusions presenting with mild stroke severity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We investigated the effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel or distal occlusions and mild neurological deficits, defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores < 6 points.

METHODS

The primary efficacy outcome was 3-month functional independence (FI) [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0-2] that was compared between patients with and without IVT treatment. Other efficacy outcomes of interest included 3-month favorable functional outcome (mRS scores 0-1) and mRS score distribution at discharge and at 3 months. The safety outcomes comprised all-cause 3-month mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), asymptomatic ICH and severe systemic bleeding.

RESULTS

We evaluated 336 AIS patients with large vessel or distal occlusions and mild stroke severity (mean age 63 ± 15 years, 45% women). Patients treated with IVT (n = 162) had higher FI (85.6% vs. 74.8%, P = 0.027) with lower mRS scores at hospital discharge (P = 0.034) compared with the remaining patients. No differences were detected in any of the safety outcomes including symptomatic ICH, asymptomatic ICH, severe systemic bleeding and 3-month mortality. IVT was associated with higher likelihood of 3-month FI [odds ratio (OR), 2.19; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.09-4.42], 3-month favorable functional outcome (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.10-3.57), functional improvement at discharge [common OR (per 1-point decrease in mRS score), 2.94; 95% CI, 1.67-5.26)] and at 3 months (common OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.06-2.86) on multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders, including mechanical thrombectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous thrombolysis is independently associated with higher odds of improved discharge and 3-month functional outcomes in AIS patients with large vessel or distal occlusions and mild stroke severity. IVT appears not to increase the risk of systemic or symptomatic intracranial bleeding.

Characterization and Anti-Cancerous Effect of Putranjiva roxburghii Seed Extract Mediated Silver Nanoparticles on Human Colon (HCT-116), Pancreatic (PANC-1) and Breast (MDA-MB 231) Cancer Cell Lines: A Comparative Study

Introduction

A comparative study of Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. seed extract and developed silver nanoparticles (PJSNPs) for improving bioavailability that enhance their anti-cancer activity against HCT-116 (colon carcinoma), PANC-1 (pancreatic carcinoma), MDA-MB 231 (breast carcinoma) cell lines was performed.

Materials and Methods

The green synthesis of PJSNPs (Putranjiva silver nanoparticles) was performed using PJ (Putranjiva) extract, and characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was accomplished through UV-Vis spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman spectroscopy.

Results

The results revealed that PJSNPs are homogeneous, spherical in shape, ~8±2 nm in size, and negatively charged with a zeta potential of about -26.71 mV. The cytotoxicity pattern observed was AgNO₃ > PJSNPs > PJ extract. The morphological changes of the cells were observed by flow cytometry and also by the DNA ladder pattern on gel electrophoresis, which indicated that the process of cell death occurred via the apoptosis mechanism and PJSNPs were exerting late-stage apoptosis in all the tested cell lines. The small size and negative value of zeta potential could be the factors responsible for greater bioavailability and thus increased uptake by the tumor cells.

Conclusion

The MTT assay and morphological changes observed by various methods indicate that the novel PJSNPs are a better anticancer agent than PJ extract. All the above properties make biologically synthesized PJSNPs an important target in the field of anti-cancer drug discovery.

Membrane softening by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs investigated by neutron spin echo

In spite of their well-known side effects, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for their antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions. Interaction of NSAIDs with the plasma membrane plays a vital role in their therapeutic actions and defines many of their side effects. In the present study, we investigate the effects of three NSAIDs, aspirin, ibuprofen, and indomethacin, on the structure and dynamics of a model plasma membrane using a combination of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron spin echo (NSE) techniques. The SANS and NSE measurements were carried out on a 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) membrane, with and without NSAIDs, at two different temperatures, 11 °C and 37 °C, where the DMPC membrane is in the gel and fluid phase, respectively. SANS data analysis shows that incorporation of NSAIDs leads to bilayer thinning of the membrane in both the phases. The dynamic properties of the membrane are represented by the intermediate scattering functions for NSE data, which are successfully described by the Zilman and Granek model. NSE data analysis shows that in both gel and fluid phases, addition of NSAIDs results in a decrease in the bending rigidity and compressibility modulus of the membrane, which is more prominent when the membrane is in the gel phase. The magnitude of the effect of NSAIDs on the bending rigidity and compressibility modulus of the membrane in the gel phase follows an order of ibuprofen > aspirin > indomethacin, whereas in the fluid phase, it is in the order of aspirin > ibuprofen > indomethacin. We find that the interaction between NSAIDs and phospholipid membranes is strongly dependent on the chemical structure of the drugs and physical state of the membrane. Mechanical properties of the membrane can be quantified by the membrane's bending rigidity. Hence, the present study reveals that incorporation of NSAIDs modulates the mechanical properties of the membrane, which may affect several physiological processes, particularly those linked to the membrane curvature.

Quality of life assessment in temporomandibular joint ankylosis patients after interpositional arthroplasty: a prospective study

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis significantly impacts both physical and psychosocial patient wellbeing. A complete evaluation of treatment outcomes necessitates knowing the extent to which a patient's quality of life (QoL) is impacted. This study was performed to evaluate the impact of TMJ ankylosis on QoL in 25 TMJ ankylosis patients treated by interpositional arthroplasty. The patients completed OHIP-14 and UWQoL questionnaires once before and then at 3 months after the surgery. There was a significant improvement in mean cumulative scores for both questionnaires. With the exception of functional limitation, all OHIP domains showed significant improvement. Preoperatively, the worst scores were found in the psychological distress domain, followed by the social handicap, physical pain and physical disability domains. More than half of the subjects (56%) reported having suicidal thoughts. Amongst the individual UWQoL domains, appearance, chewing, anxiety (P <  0.01), recreation and mood (P <  0.05) showed improved scores. Appearance and chewing were the top ranked priority domains before and after surgery. No significant change was found in speech, taste, sleep, or breathing. Psychosocial factors were found to play a much bigger role than previously thought. The physical, psychological, and social factors were intricately related and dynamically interacted with each other. Surgical treatment produced a definitive QoL improvement in the patients.

In vitro assessment of gentamicin and azithromycin-based combination therapy against Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in India

PURPOSE

The public health burden of infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae is magnified due to high rates of resistance to traditional antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of an alternative dual therapy comprising gentamicin and azithromycin.

METHODOLOGY

The E-test method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of gentamicin and azithromycin individually prior to testing in combination using the cross or 90^o angle formation method. A total of 70 clinical isolates of N.gonorrhoeae displaying varying ceftriaxone MICs along with 2 reference strains (WHO K and P) and 1 ceftriaxone-resistant QA isolate were examined. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was calculated and the results were interpreted using the following criteria: synergy, FICI ≤0.5; indifference or additive, FICI >0.5 to ≤4.0; and antagonism, FICI >4.0.

RESULTS

A total of 54 (77.1 %) isolates displayed indifference, while 16 (22.9 %) demonstrated synergy. When azithromycin was tested alone, the MICs ranged from 0.016 to 2 µg ml^-1 . However, in combination with gentamicin, the mean MIC value of all isolates decreased from 0.275 µg ml^-1 to 0.090 µg ml^-1 (P=0.05).When gentamicin was tested alone, the MICs ranged from 0.25 to 8 µg ml^-1, with a mean MIC of 4.342 µg ml^-1, whereas in combination with azithromycin it decreased significantly to 2.042 µg ml^-1 (P=0.04).

CONCLUSION

No antagonism was observed in this combination, suggesting that it could be a future treatment option as we prepare for a post-cephalosporin era. However, comprehensive in vivo evaluations are warranted and recommendations should be made based on clinical trials.

The unique composition of Indian gut microbiome, gene catalogue, and associated fecal metabolome deciphered using multi-omics approaches

BACKGROUND

Metagenomic studies carried out in the past decade have led to an enhanced understanding of the gut microbiome in human health; however, the Indian gut microbiome has not been well explored. We analyzed the gut microbiome of 110 healthy individuals from two distinct locations (North-Central and Southern) in India using multi-omics approaches, including 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and metabolomic profiling of fecal and serum samples.

RESULTS

The gene catalogue established in this study emphasizes the uniqueness of the Indian gut microbiome in comparison to other populations. The gut microbiome of the cohort from North-Central India, which was primarily consuming a plant-based diet, was found to be associated with Prevotella and also showed an enrichment of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis pathways. In contrast, the gut microbiome of the cohort from Southern India, which was consuming an omnivorous diet, showed associations with Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, and Faecalibacterium and had an enrichment of short chain fatty acid biosynthesis pathway and BCAA transporters. This corroborated well with the metabolomics results, which showed higher concentration of BCAAs in the serum metabolome of the North-Central cohort and an association with Prevotella. In contrast, the concentration of BCAAs was found to be higher in the fecal metabolome of the Southern-India cohort and showed a positive correlation with the higher abundance of BCAA transporters.

CONCLUSIONS

The study reveals the unique composition of the Indian gut microbiome, establishes the Indian gut microbial gene catalogue, and compares it with the gut microbiome of other populations. The functional associations revealed using metagenomic and metabolomic approaches provide novel insights on the gut-microbe-metabolic axis, which will be useful for future epidemiological and translational researches.