Category: Nevin Manimala

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2023 Dec 12:e202315686. doi: 10.1002/anie.202315686. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Unraveling the chirality transfer mechanism of polymer assemblies and controlling their handedness is beneficial to exploring the origin of hierarchical chirality and developing smart materials with desired chiroptical activities. However, polydisperse polymers often lead to an ambiguous or statistical evaluation of the structure-property relationship, it remains unclear how the iterative number of repeating units can function in the helicity inversion of polymer assemblies. Herein, we report the macroscopic helicity and dynamic manipulation of the chiroptical activity of supramolecular assemblies from discrete azobenzene-containing oligomers (Azooligomers), together with the helicity inversion and morphological transition achieved solely by changing the iterative chain lengths. The chiral supramolecular assemblies of the iterative Azooligomers were collectively characterized by CD, UV-vis, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultrasonic uncoiling experiments, revealing that their helicity inversions are governed by distinct stacking modes and delicate balance of kinetics and thermodynamics. The corresponding assemblies also differ from their polydisperse counterparts in terms of thermodynamic properties, chiroptical activities, and morphological control.

PMID:38085492 | DOI:10.1002/anie.202315686

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-31414-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study is to analyze hazardous elements in nanoparticles (NPs) (smaller than 100 nm) and ultrafine particles (smaller than 1 µm) in Porto Alegre City, southern Brazil using a self-made passive sampler and Sentinel-3B SYN satellite images in 32 collection points. The Aerosol Optical Thickness proportion (T550) identification was conducted using images of the Sentinel-3B SYN satellite at 634 points sampled in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy analyses were performed to identify chemical elements present in NPs and ultrafine particles, followed by single-stage cascade impactor to be processed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. This process was coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and later analysis via secondary ion mass spectrometry. Data was acquired from Sentinel-3B SYN images, normalized to a standard mean of 0.83 µg/mg, at moderate spatial resolution (260 m), and modeled in the Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP) software v.8.0. Statistical matrix data was generated in the JASP software (Jeffreys’s Amazing Statistics Program) v.0.14.1.0 followed by a K-means cluster analysis. The results demonstrate the presence of between 1 and 100 nm particles of the following chemical elements: Si, Al, K, Mg, P, and Ti. Many people go through these areas daily and may inhale or absorb these elements that can harm human health. In the Sentinel-3B SYN satellite images, the sum of squares in cluster 6 is 168,265 and in cluster 7 a total of 21,583. The use of images from the Sentinel-3B SYN satellite to obtain T550 levels is of great importance as it reveals that atmospheric pollution can move through air currents contaminating large areas on a global scale.

PMID:38085483 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-023-31414-7

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-31345-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Monitoring agricultural drought across a large area is challenging, especially in regions with limited data availability, like the Peshawar Valley, which holds great agricultural significance in Pakistan. Although remote sensing provides biophysical variables such as precipitation (P), land surface temperature (LST), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and relative soil moisture (RSM) to assess drought conditions at various spatiotemporal scales, these variables have limited capacity to capture the complex nature of agricultural drought and associated crop responses. Here, we developed a composite drought index named “Temperature Vegetation ET Dryness Index” (TVEDI) by modifying the Temperature Vegetation Precipitation Dryness Index (TVPDI) and integrating NDVI, LST, and remotely sensed evapotranspiration (ET) using 3D space and Euclidean distance. Several statistical techniques were employed to examine TVPDI and TVEDI trends and relationships with other commonly used drought indices such as the standardized precipitation index (SPI), standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), and standardized soil moisture index (SSI), as well as crop yield, to better understand how these indices captured the spatial and temporal distribution of agricultural drought in the Peshawar valley between 1986 and 2018. Results indicated that while the temporal patterns of the 3-month SPI, SPEI, and SSI generally align with those of TVEDI and TVPDI, TVEDI was more strongly correlated with these indices (e.g., correlation coefficient, r = 0.78-0.84 from TVEDI and r = 0.73-0.79 from TVPDI). Moreover, the crop yield, a measure of crop response to agricultural drought, demonstrated a significant positive correlation with TVEDI (r = 0.60-0.80), much higher than its correlation with TVPDI (r = 0.30-0.48). These outcomes indicate that the inclusion of ET in TVEDI effectively captured changes in soil moisture, crop water status, and their impact on crop yield. Overall, TVEDI exhibited enhanced capability to identify drought impacts compared to TVPDI, showing its potential for characterizing agricultural drought in regions with limited data availability.

PMID:38085478 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-023-31345-3

Int Urol Nephrol. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1007/s11255-023-03839-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To describe the natural history of AML, the clinical results and the need for treatment during long-term follow-up of renal AML.

METHODS: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with AML by computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance between 2001 and 2019, with at least two follow-up images. Clinical and imaging variables, need for intervention, complications and follow-up time were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0.

RESULTS: 111 patients and 145 AML were included. The median follow-up was 6.17 years (range 0.7-18.1, IQR 11.8-12.2). The median tumor size at diagnosis was 13 mm (IQR 7.5-30), with 24 (16.4%) being ≥ 4 cm. Most presented as an incidental finding (85.5%); in 3 (2.1%) cases, the presentation was as a spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma. The main indication for intervention was size ≥ 4 cm in 50%. Eighteen (12%) patients received a first intervention, being urgent in 3. Embolization was performed in 15 cases and partial nephrectomy in 3. The need for reintervention was recorded in five: two underwent partial nephrectomy and two total nephrectomy; one patient required a new urgent embolization. Of the non-operated patients, 43% decreased in size or did not change, while 57% increased, with the median annual growth being 0.13 mm (IQR – 0.11 to 0.73). There were no differences in the median growth in tumors measuring ≥ 4 cm (0.16 mm) at diagnosis vs. < 4 cm (0.13 mm) (p = 0.9).

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that AML typically demonstrate a slow-progressing clinical course during long-term follow-up. Moreover, our observations, which cast doubt on tumor size as a reliable predictor of adverse clinical outcomes, advocate for a less intensive monitoring strategy in both monitoring frequency and choice of imaging modality.

PMID:38085409 | DOI:10.1007/s11255-023-03839-z

Biometals. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1007/s10534-023-00561-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to analyze the serum and salivary levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn) and the Cu/Zn ratio and investigate the association between LOX gene variants (rs18800449 and rs2288393) and oral submucosal fibrosis (OSMF). A total of 250 subjects were included in the study: OSMF patients (n = 50), areca nut chewers without OSMF (n = 100) and controls (n = 100). Trace metals were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, while LOX gene variants were genotyped using the tetra primer amplification refractory mutation system (tetra ARMS) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The results showed significant variations in serum and salivary Cu, Zn, Fe and Cr levels and serum Mn concentrations among the three groups (p < 0.0001). Serum Cu levels were significantly higher in OSMF patients, while serum Zn levels were significantly lower. Both serum and salivary Cu/Zn ratios demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) and diagnostic potential to differentiate OSMF from chewers and controls. However, LOX gene variants did not show an association between OSMF and chewers, except for rs1800449 genotypes, which showed a significant and increased risk with the AA genotype in OSMF patients compared to controls (OR = 7.58; 95%CI 2.30-24.97). The study suggests that trace elements and genetic variants may impact the etiology of OSMF. The findings may aid in early diagnosis, suitable treatment, and as a prognostic indicator for disease progression.

PMID:38085405 | DOI:10.1007/s10534-023-00561-2

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1007/s10517-023-05972-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We present the results of comparative ELISA of the concentration of soluble form of immunity checkpoint B7-H3 (sB7-H3) in the serum of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) at different stages before treatment and healthy control donors. The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the median levels of sB7-H3 in the blood serum of CRC patients (19.66 ng/ml) and healthy donors (16.76 ng/ml) (p=0.0025). ROC analysis showed 62.9% sensitivity and 56.7% specificity for CRC patients (cut-off 17.62 ng/ml; p=0.0028). An association of sB7-H3 levels with tumor progression was revealed. We demonstrated that sB7-H3 levels were significantly lower in patients with regional metastases than in patients without metastases (p=0.039) and that sB7-H3 concentration tends to decrease at the late stages of the disease. Thus, high serum level of sB7-H3 in CRC patients can be a favorable prognostic factor in future.

PMID:38085395 | DOI:10.1007/s10517-023-05972-2

Support Care Cancer. 2023 Dec 12;32(1):16. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-08240-1.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The opioid crisis resulting from its use disorder and overdose poses additional challenges for cancer pain management. The American Society of Clinical Oncology Practice Guideline recommends acupuncture therapy for the management of adult cancer-related pain (CRP), but the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on CRP remains uncertain.

METHODS: This 5-week prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted at 2 hospitals in China, and participants with CRP receiving chronic opioid therapy were randomized 1:1 into two groups between December 2014 and June 2018. The true TEAS group underwent 15 sessions of TEAS treatments over 3 consecutive weeks, while the control group received sham stimulation. The primary outcome was the numerical rating scale (NRS) score in the past 24h at week 3. The secondary outcomes included morphine equivalent daily dose, quality of life and adverse events.

RESULTS: A total of 159 participants were included in the modified intention-to-treat population. The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. The mean NRS scores were 0.98 points at week 3 in the true TEAS group and 1.41 points in the sham group, with the mean difference between groups of -0.43 points (P < 0.001; OR = 0.68, P < 0.05). The proportion of patients with NRS reduction more than thirty percentage at week 3 was 50.00% in the true TEAS group and 35.44% in the sham group (RD = 0.15, P > 0.05; RR = 1.41, P > 0.05). No significant difference in pain intensity between the two groups was observed during the follow-up period without TEAS intervention (week 4, OR = 0.83, P > 0.05; week 5, OR = 0.83, P > 0.05). The Karnofsky Performance Status value suggested that patients in the true TEAS group experienced an improved quality of life (Between-group differences: week 3, 3.5%, P < 0.05; week 4, 4.6%, P < 0.001; week 5, 5.6%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The 3-week application of TEAS in patients with CRP receiving chronic opioid therapy resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pain scores, but the observed reduction was of uncertain clinical significance. The prolonged analgesic effect of TEAS was not confirmed in this trial.

CLINICALTRIAL: GOV: ChiCTR-TRC-13003803.

PMID:38085376 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-023-08240-1

Rheumatol Int. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1007/s00296-023-05505-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) has a better prognosis compared to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Recent data suggest that antifibrotics are effective in slowing progression across both groups. Hence, we designed this study to investigate the similarities and differences between these groups of patients. This is a retrospective cohort study examining baseline data, progression and outcomes in patients with RA-ILD and IPF prior to antifibrotic use in the Coventry ILD database. Ethics approval was obtained from the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. Statistical analysis was performed using R software and Cox’s proportional hazards technique was used for survival analysis. We identified 131 cases, including 49 patients with IPF, 34 patients with RA-ILD and 48 patients with other forms of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. At baseline, there were significant differences in the groups with RA-ILD patients being significantly younger (65.7 vs 72.4 years), had preserved lung volumes (FVC 95% vs 84.7%) and higher gas transfer (61.5% vs 48.2%) compared to IPF patients. 5-year survival was better for RA-ILD compared to IPF (87.5% vs 40.4%, p = 0.0042). Univariate analysis revealed gas transfer, FVC, age, sex and phenotype (IPF or RA-ILD) were all significant predictors, but multivariate analysis revealed that gas transfer and age were both significantly associated with prognosis, whereas sex, FVC or phenotype were not significant. This study suggests that the difference between RA-ILD and IPF prognosis may be due to demographics and early diagnosis rather than the diseases behaving differently. This has important management implications.

PMID:38085367 | DOI:10.1007/s00296-023-05505-0

Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 Dec 12;316(1):38. doi: 10.1007/s00403-023-02760-w.

ABSTRACT

In examining the influence of National Institute of Health (NIH) funding on gender distribution within dermatology leadership roles, a cross-sectional analysis of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited dermatology residencies was conducted. The gender of leadership faculty was verified using online resources, while institutions were categorized by their 2022 NIH dermatology funding status. Results revealed that male dermatologists predominantly occupied department chair roles, whereas female dermatologists were more frequently found in associate program director roles, regardless of funding status. Notably, women held most program director positions in the top NIH-funded group, though this difference was not statistically significant due to a smaller sample size. The overall gender distribution has shown progress from 2021, with a significant rise in female associate program directors and a narrowing gender gap for chairs and program directors. Despite NIH funding rank playing a minimal role in gender distribution, our study underscores positive strides towards gender equality in dermatology leadership. Further advocacy for gender balance and additional research on underlying factors are essential for continued progress.

PMID:38085364 | DOI:10.1007/s00403-023-02760-w

Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1007/s00449-023-02948-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A continuous stirred tank bioreactor (CSTB) with cell recycling combined with ceramic membrane technology and inoculated with Rhodococcus opacus PD630 was employed to treat petroleum refinery wastewater for simultaneous chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and lipid production from the retentate obtained during wastewater treatment. In the present study, the COD removal efficiency (COD_RE) (%) and lipid concentration (g/L) were predicted using two artificial intelligence models, i.e., an artificial neural network (ANN) and a neuro-fuzzy neural network (NF-NN) with a network topology of 6-25-2 being the best for NF-NN. The results revealed the superiority of NF-NN over ANN in terms of determination coefficient (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Three learning algorithms were tested with NF-NN; among them, the Bayesian regularization backpropagation (BR-BP) outperformed others. The sensitivity analysis revealed that, if solid retention time and biomass concentrations were maintained between 35 and 75 h and 3.0 g/L and 3.5 g/L, respectively, high COD_RE (93%) and lipid concentration (2.8 g/L) could be obtained consistently.

PMID:38085351 | DOI:10.1007/s00449-023-02948-4