Nevin Manimala

Chem Commun (Camb). 2023 Oct 25. doi: 10.1039/d3cc03603k. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) offer a safe avenue to manipulate metals important to biomedical applications such as MRI contrast, X-ray contrast, radiolabeling, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and the control of inflammation by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, functionalizing the double bonds on the surface of EMFs modifies their solubility, supramolecular behaviour, binding, targeting characteristics, and physical properties. While most existing water-soluble derivatives possess a statistical mixture of appended functional groups, progress has been made in creating molecularly-precise derivatives with a defined number of surface functional groups, leading to potentially more nuanced control of their behaviour and properties. Further elucidation of the structure-function relationships of these materials is expected to enhance their utility in biomedical applications and possibly broaden their use in diverse areas of science and technology.

PMID:37877250 | DOI:10.1039/d3cc03603k

J Esthet Restor Dent. 2023 Oct 25. doi: 10.1111/jerd.13154. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of potassium aluminum sulfate (alum) application on the stainability and translucency of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) materials after coffee thermocycling (CTC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disk-shaped specimens (Ø10 × 1 mm; N = 200) were fabricated by using additively (Crowntec [CT] and Varseo Smile Crown Plus [VS]) and subtractively manufactured (Brilliant Crios [RCR], CEREC Block [FC], and Vita Enamic [VE]) CAD-CAM materials and polished. All specimens were randomly divided into two groups as alum applied and control (n = 10). All specimens were then subjected to CTC (10,000 cycles at 5-55°C) and color coordinates were measured at each time interval. Color differences (ΔE₀₀ ) and relative translucency parameters (RTPs) were calculated and the data were statistically analyzed (a = 0.05).

RESULTS: Among tested time intervals, alum applied specimens had their lowest ΔE₀₀ after alum application (p ≤ 0.006), except for FC (p = 0.177). In addition, alum applied RCR had lower ΔE₀₀ values than its control specimens (p = 0.029). Alum applied specimens had their lowest RTP after CTC (p < 0.001) and alum application decreased the RTP of CT (p = 0.010). CTC reduced the RTP of all materials in control groups (p < 0.001). Alum applied CT had higher RTP than its control specimens (p = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS: Alum application’s effect on color change varied depending on the material and alum mostly resulted in clinically acceptable changes in translucency. CTC led to unacceptable color and translucency changes based on previously reported threshold values.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Optical properties of CAD-CAM materials and the sustainability of these properties over time is critical for longevity. Alum may improve the color stability of reinforced composite resin when subjected to long-term coffee consumption.

PMID:37877244 | DOI:10.1111/jerd.13154

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2023 Oct 25:e202314469. doi: 10.1002/anie.202314469. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Quorum sensing (QS) serves as a vital means of intercellular signalling in a variety of prokaryotes, which enables single cells to act in multicellular configurations. The potential to control community-wide responses has also sparked numerous recent biotechnological innovations. However, our capacity to utilize intercellular communication is hindered due to a scarcity of complementary signalling systems and a restricted comprehension of interconnections between these systems caused by variations in their dynamic range. In this study, we utilize uniform manifold approximation and projection and extended-connectivity fingerprints to explore the available chemical space of QS signalling molecules. We investigate and experimentally characterize a set of closely related QS signalling ligands, consisting of N-acyl homoserine lactones (HSL) and the aryl HSL p-coumaroyl, as well as a set of more widely diverging QS ligands, consisting of photopyrones, dialkylresorcinols, 3,5-dimethylpyrazin-2-ol and autoinducer-2, and define their performance. We report on a set of six fully signal and promoter orthogonal intercellular QS signalling systems, significantly expanding the toolkit for engineering community-wide behaviour. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ligand diversity can serve as a statistically significant tool to predict much more complicated ligand-receptor interactions. This approach highlights the potential of dimensionality reduction to explore chemical diversity in microbial dynamics.

PMID:37877232 | DOI:10.1002/anie.202314469

Subst Use Misuse. 2023 Oct 25:1-8. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2267123. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We investigated associations between the retail distribution of recreational marijuana in Colorado and (i) past 30-day marijuana use and (ii) driving after marijuana use (DAMU) among a representative sample of public high school students using four waves of data from a state surveillance system.

METHODS: Past 30-day marijuana use was assessed among all sampled students (n = 85,336). DAMU was assessed among students 15 years or older who indicated driving (n = 47,518). Modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimates was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) comparing the pre-distribution (2013) and post-distribution (2015, 2017, 2019) periods for marijuana-related behaviors. Frequency of behavioral engagement was assessed using a multinomial approach.

RESULTS: An estimated 20.3% of students engaged in past 30-day marijuana use and 10.5% of student drivers engaged in DAMU. Retail distribution of recreational marijuana was not significantly associated with the prevalence of any marijuana use or DAMU. However, it was associated with 1.16 (95% CI: 1.04-1.29) times the prevalence of using marijuana one or two times in the last 30 days, 1.27 (1.03, 1.55) times the prevalence of DAMU one time, and 0.82 (0.69, 0.98) times the prevalence of DAMU six or more times. No significant associations were observed for the remaining frequency categories.

CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in 10 students who drive reported DAMU. Varying prevalence in the frequency of past 30-day marijuana use and DAMU was observed following the retail distribution of recreational marijuana in Colorado. Care should be taken to properly educate adolescent drivers regarding the dangers of DAMU.

PMID:37877210 | DOI:10.1080/10826084.2023.2267123

Stress. 2023 Oct 25:1-12. doi: 10.1080/10253890.2023.2275207. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Maternal prenatal distress (PD), frequently defined as in utero prenatal stress exposure (PSE) to the developing fetus, influences the developing brain and numerous associations between PSE and brain structure have been described both in neonates and in older children. Previous studies addressing PSE-linked alterations in neonates’ brain activity have focused on connectivity analyses from predefined seed regions, but the effects of PSE at the level of distributed functional networks remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of prenatal distress on the spatial and temporal properties of functional networks detected in functional MRI data from 20 naturally sleeping, term-born (age 25.85 ± 7.72 days, 11 males), healthy neonates. First, we performed group level independent component analysis (GICA) to evaluate an association between PD and the spatial configuration of the functional networks. Second, we search for an association with PD at the level of the stability of functional networks over time using leading eigenvector dynamics analysis (LEiDA). No statistically significant associations were detected at the spatial level for the GICA-derived networks. However, at the dynamic level, LEiDA revealed that maternal PD significantly decreased the stability of a frontoparietal network. These results imply that maternal PD may influence the stability of frontoparietal connections in neonatal brain network dynamics and adds to the cumulating evidence that frontal areas are especially sensitive to PSE. We advocate for early preventive intervention strategies regarding pregnant mothers. Nevertheless, future research venues are required to assess optimal intervention timing and methods for maximum benefit.

PMID:37877207 | DOI:10.1080/10253890.2023.2275207

J Inj Violence Res. 2023 Oct 16;16(1). doi: 10.5249/jivr.v16i1.1844. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pre-hospital emergency has a crucial role in providing timely care for patients. In this system, seconds and minutes mean the difference between life and death. Considering the importance of the role of pre-hospital emergency in providing services to different patients and the necessity of continuous evaluation of this system, the present study was conducted to investigate time indicators in pre-hospital emergency missions.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 in Qazvin province, Iran. The research population was all the calls made to pre-hospital emergency bases in Qazvin province The required information, including time indicators and demographic characteristics of the patient, was obtained using the electronic registration system (Asayar). Data were Analysis using descriptive statistics and SPSS 20 software.

RESULTS: Out of the 35,943 patients admitted to the hospital, 20,915 were male while the remaining were female. The mean age of the patients was 44.09 ± 21.82 years. Accidents (29.41%) were the most common reason for contacting the pre-hospital emergency. In all transfer missions, the mean delay time (0:02:23 ± 0:03:33), response time (0:15:02 ± 0:09:42), the time on the scene (0:18:33 ± 0:11:10), total run time (0:54:02 ± 0:25:20), transport time (0:20:25 ± 0:16:49), round trip time (1:32:43 ± 1:08: 43).

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study provided valuable information about the variety and number of missions in a pre-hospital emergency. The results showed that some indicators are within the standard range and some indicators are far from other regions of the country and the world. Increasing the number of bases, increasing the number of ambulances, and Implementation of continuous training courses for personnel can improve time indicators and increase the quality of service to different types of patients.

PMID:37877194 | DOI:10.5249/jivr.v16i1.1844

J Neurophysiol. 2023 Oct 25. doi: 10.1152/jn.00502.2022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Our aims were to a) examine the neuromuscular control of swallowing and speech in children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy (UCP) compared to typically developing children (TDC), b) determine shared and separate neuromuscular underpinnings of the two functions, and c) explore the relationship between this control and behavioral outcomes in UCP. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to record muscle activity from the submental and superior and inferior orbicularis oris muscles during standardized swallowing and speech tasks. Variables examined were normalized mean amplitude, time to peak amplitude, and bilateral synchrony. Swallowing and speech were evaluated using standard clinical measures. Sixteen children with UCP and 16 TDC participated (7-12 yoa). Children with UCP demonstrated higher normalized amplitude and longer time to peak amplitude across tasks than TDC (p< .01); and p< .02) and decreased bilateral synchrony than TDC for swallows (p< .01). Both shared and distinctive neuromuscular patterns were observed between swallowing and speech. In UCP, higher upper lip amplitude during swallows was associated with shorter normalized mealtime durations, while higher submental bilateral synchrony was related to longer mealtime durations. Children with UCP demonstrate neuromuscular adaptations for swallowing and speech, which should be further evaluated for potential treatment targets. Further, both shared and distinctive neuromuscular underpinnings between the two functions are documented.

PMID:37877193 | DOI:10.1152/jn.00502.2022

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 Oct 25:1-8. doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.180. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether increased antimicrobial use (AU) at the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was driven by greater AU in COVID-19 patients only, or whether AU also increased in non-COVID-19 patients.

DESIGN: In this retrospective observational ecological study from 2019 to 2020, we stratified inpatients by COVID-19 status and determined relative percentage differences in median monthly AU in COVID-19 patients versus non-COVID-19 patients during the COVID-19 period (March-December 2020) and the pre-COVID-19 period (March-December 2019). We also determined relative percentage differences in median monthly AU in non-COVID-19 patients during the COVID-19 period versus the pre-COVID-19 period. Statistical significance was assessed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

SETTING: The study was conducted in 3 acute-care hospitals in Chicago, Illinois.

PATIENTS: Hospitalized patients.

RESULTS: Facility-wide AU for broad-spectrum antibacterial agents predominantly used for hospital-onset infections was significantly greater in COVID-19 patients versus non-COVID-19 patients during the COVID-19 period (with relative increases of 73%, 66%, and 91% for hospitals A, B, and C, respectively), and during the pre-COVID-19 period (with relative increases of 52%, 64%, and 66% for hospitals A, B, and C, respectively). In contrast, facility-wide AU for all antibacterial agents was significantly lower in non-COVID-19 patients during the COVID-19 period versus the pre-COVID-19 period (with relative decreases of 8%, 7%, and 8% in hospitals A, B, and C, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: AU for broad-spectrum antimicrobials was greater in COVID-19 patients compared to non-COVID-19 patients at the onset of the pandemic. AU for all antibacterial agents in non-COVID-19 patients decreased in the COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period.

PMID:37877166 | DOI:10.1017/ice.2023.180

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2023 Oct 25. doi: 10.1111/apt.17781. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prior work suggests eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is rare in those aged over 65 years. However, elderly patients with EoE experience a substantial diagnostic delay from symptom onset to diagnosis.

AIMS: To assess if age predicted whether oesophageal biopsies were obtained in patients with EoE symptoms, what clinical features predict EoE in the elderly, and if EoE phenotype differs between elderly and non-elderly patients.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilising the University of North Carolina (UNC) electronic medical record, EoE clinicopathologic database and UNC endoscopy software from July 2008 to April 2021. A sample of 193 elderly and non-elderly patients with dysphagia, chest pain and/or heartburn were assembled. Patients with EoE were newly diagnosed per contemporaneous guidelines. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics and procedural data were extracted. Summary statistics, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Of 193 patients, we included 91 elderly (47%) and 102 non-elderly (53%). Age independently predicted the odds of biopsies (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.44 elderly vs. non-elderly; 95% CI: 0.21-0.92). Endoscopic features of EoE, but not symptoms, were more common in elderly than non-EoE elderly patients. Elderly patients with EoE differed from non-elderly only by time to diagnosis (aOR per year of symptoms preceding diagnosis: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04-1.11).

CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with EoE have <50% the odds of oesophageal biopsies. There were no significant differences between elderly and non-elderly EoE patients, although endoscopic features helped discriminate the two groups. Our findings suggest that older age represents a barrier to EoE diagnosis.

PMID:37877160 | DOI:10.1111/apt.17781

Curr Pediatr Rev. 2023 Oct 17. doi: 10.2174/0115733963277385230920054052. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present survey was to analyze the knowledge and skills in medical paper writing of physicians who attended the course “how to write successfully a scientific paper.”

METHODS: A blind survey was used to analyze participants’ knowledge on the topic of the course “how to write successfully a scientific paper.” Before starting the workshop, participants anonymously filled out the input questionnaire containing 12 preliminary data questions. The three-hour course included a lecture on the steps of creating and writing a scientific article with examples. At the end, all participants anonymously completed the exit questionnaire consisting of 18 questions. Differences and associations between the collected data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS: The survey included 22 participants, most of whom were women (16, 72.7%). The participants’ educational level was proportional to their age. 12 of the participants had an intermediate level, while the others reported higher English proficiency. Half of the participants had never published an article. A significant difference was observed between English level and being the first author of an article published in a scientific journal (p = 0.044). Before class, only 13.6% of participants knew that guidelines are mandatory for making clinical decisions according to evidence- based medicine. There was a significant positive correlation between sex and current affiliation (p = 0.038). A negative correlation was observed between sex and article publication (p = 0.037). A positive correlation was observed between English level and current affiliation (p = 0.020). There was a negative correlation observed between previous sources of learning scientific article writing and having already published an article (p = 0.025). A positive correlation was found between reading an article and publishing it (p = 0.046). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between reading frequency, number of published articles, being the first author, and knowing the title of a scientific article (p = 0.036, p = 0.027, and p = 0.030, respectively).

CONCLUSION: The results of the questionnaires revealed discrepancies in prior research engagement and understanding of scientific concepts and rules. This survey highlights the importance of the course “how to successfully write a scientific article” in improving participants’ knowledge of scientific work and the process of creating an article for submission to medical journals.

PMID:37877152 | DOI:10.2174/0115733963277385230920054052