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Corrosion is a huge challenge in the manufacturing industry during sticky oxides, grease, and rust removal from metal surfaces. It is often managed by the use of inhibitors and current interest is on sustainable inhibitors with less to zero harmful effects. This study explores the efficacy of Heliotropium curassavicum leaves extracts (HCLEs) in retarding the deterioration of API X60 grade steel in 5 wt% HCl solution and the influence of extracting solvent namely acetone (ACE), ethanol (ETH), water (WAT), butanol (BUT), methanol (MET), isopropanol (ISO), and ethyl acetate (ETA) on performance. The characterization of the HCLEs was achieved by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopies while the weight loss, electrochemical, and surface examination approaches were used for anticorrosion property evaluation. The results disclose that irrespective of extracting solvent, the extracts could suppress the dissolution of the substrate under the studied conditions. The best performance is, however, noted for ethanolic HCLE where 300 mg/L protected the substrate surface by 51.46% at 25 °C. Hence, ethanolic HCLE was selected for detailed studies and results indicate that the steel surface can be protected by 78.42% if 1000 mg/L of extract is used. Furthermore, the performance of the extract improves upon an increase in the temperature of the corrodent. The findings suggest that ethanolic HCLE could be considered for material protection during HCl pickling.

The village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) is a common colonial nesting bird widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. It is known to weave its nests from leaf strips from a variety of tree species (mainly coconuts trees, oil palm trees) associated with human settlement areas, grasses, and other available plants. In this regard, this bird was considered a pest for its impact on different economic activities. Although extensive literature is already available on the parasitic role of village weavers, there is still a lack of analytical data that outlines which tree species are used for nesting and in what proportion, as well as the related implications in terms of economic impacts. Here, we carried out the first comprehensive arrangement of trees used by this species for nesting in Southern Nigeria (West Africa), checking for possible different impacts on stakeholders. In April 2021, we searched for village weaver nesting in 95 sites in 77 communities from 24 local government areas in Southern Nigeria, during 14 field surveys. Within each site, we collected GPS coordinates and counted the number of active nests, nesting birds and occupied trees. We recorded a total of 5,776 nests and 2,140 birds in 94 plants belonging to 23 tree species selected for nesting. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis; n = 45) was the most used tree species, as 2,990 (51.77%) nests and 873 (40.79%) birds were recorded. Our results indicate the preference for nesting on trees used by stakeholders belonging to agricultural (palm farmers), touristic (operators) and energy (gas flare stations) sectors with economic implications about the conflict with this pest species.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized in the presence of Strawberry fruit extract (SBFE) at room temperature. The synthesized AgNPs was characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, SEM, EDS, XRD, TEM and FTIR. The UV-vis spectra of the AgNPs show SPR band at 450 nm. TEM results indicate that AgNPs are spherical in shape and size range between 7–65 nm. Antibacterial activity of the synthesized AgNPs has been assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus licheniformis. The results show that AgNPs exhibit inhibitory effect and effect is a function of AgNPs concentration. The antibacterial activity of the prepared AgNPs has been compared with two antibiotics, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin. It is found that the antibiotics perform better than AgNPs.

Sustainable materials encompass a diverse range of substances used in both consumer and industrial domains. These materials are sourced in quantities that safeguard non-renewable resources and environmental equilibrium, with a focus on bio-based alternatives derived from plants. This study investigates the corrosion inhibition potential of two distinct Blue Tansy essential oils (BTES 1 and BTES 2) with varying chemical compositions. Corrosion resistance for mild steel in 1 M HCl environment was assessed using weight loss and Potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The evaluation of BTES 1 and BTES 2 revealed compelling insights. Notably, their inhibition efficiency exhibited an intriguing, damped oscillation pattern with fluctuating concentrations. Remarkably, at 0.5 g/L concentration, BTES 1 achieved an impressive 80% inhibition, while BTES 2 demonstrated a substantial 70% inhibition at 2.5 g/L. This behavior stems from intricate interactions among active compounds, leading to protective film formation and competitive adsorption effects. Importantly, congruence between weight loss measurements and potentiodynamic polarization curves fortified the reliability of outcomes. The study also confirmed BTES as a mixed-type inhibitor, as indicated by polarization curves. Furthermore, Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration (POM) analyses were conducted to unravel molecule interactions, elucidate toxicity risks, and assess bioactivity scores. This comprehensive exploration sheds light on the interplay between sustainable materials, corrosion inhibition efficacy, and complex molecular dynamics, enhancing our understanding of environmentally conscious corrosion prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan–copper oxide (CHT–CuO) nanocomposite was made by an in-situ method utilizing olive leaf extract (OLE) as reductant. The OLE mediated CHT–CuO nanocomposite containing varying amount of chitosan (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g) was evaluated as corrosion inhibitor for X60 carbon steel in 5 wt% hydrochloric acid solution. The corrosion inhibitive performance was assessed utilizing weight loss and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear polarization resistance and potentiodynamic polarization techniques complemented with surface assessment of the corroded X60 carbon steel without and with the additives using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and 3D optical profilometer. The effect of KI addition on the corrosion protection capacity of the nanocomposites was also examined. Corrosion inhibitive effect was observed to increase with increase in the nanocomposites dosage with the highest inhibition efficiency (IE) achieved at the optimum dosage of 0.5%. The order of corrosion inhibition performance followed the trend CHT1.0–CuO (90.35%) > CHT0.5–CuO (90.16%) > CHT2.0–CuO (89.52%) nanocomposite from impedance measurements. Also, IE was found to increase as the temperature was raised from 25 to 40 °C and afterwards a decline in IE was observed with further increase in temperature to 50 and 60 °C. The potentiodynamic polarization results suggest that the nanocomposites alone and in combination with KI inhibited the corrosion of X60 carbon steel by an active site blocking mechanism. Addition of KI upgrades the IE of the nanocomposites but is not attributable to synergistic influence. The lack of synergistic influence was confirmed from the computed synergism parameter (S1) which was found to be less than unity with values of 0.89, 0.74 and 0.75 for CHT0.5–CuO, CHT1.0–CuO and CHT2.0–CuO nanocomposites, respectively, at 60 °C. Furthermore, KI addition improved the IE with rise in temperature from 25 to 60 °C. Surface analysis results confirm the formation of a protective film which could be attributed to the adsorption of the nanocomposites on the carbon steel surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted among 30 older adults in Mauritius about the use kitchens. They were interviewed firstly about the kitchens they had experienced in the past, and secondly to discuss and demonstrate their current kitchen and how easily they could use it. It was found that while some of the participants had age-related disabilities, they were all doing their best to cope with kitchen tasks. However, many were found to be attached to traditional equipment rather than newer labour-saving products. The study shows that there is a need to for a more inclusive approach to kitchen design to make life easier for this group of people. There is also a requirement to promote the benefits of modern kitchen gadgets as allowing them to live independently for longer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The range and frequency of clinical tests used by Australian osteopaths to detect sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine what clinical tests are employed by Australian osteopaths to assess for SIJD, and determine whether a correlation existed between these tests and clinical experience. Surveys were mailed to all Australian osteopathic practice locations listed in the current phone directory. 168 osteopaths responded to the survey, with an estimated response rate of 30%. Most respondents reported they utilise asymmetry of bony landmarks, motion tests and pain provocation tests to detect SIJD. The PSIS (94%) was most frequently examined for asymmetry, sacral springing (prone) (73%) was the most frequently reported motion test, and the piriformis (80%) was most frequently examined for tenderness and/or tissue texture change. Only 14% of respondents completely abstained from using pain provocation testing. It appeared that many osteopaths used diagnostic procedures consistent with the model proposed by Mitchell, but supported them with other motion and pain provocation tests. The use of standard tests commonly advocated in the osteopathic literature declined with increasing practitioner experience, whereas the use of a wide range of idiosyncratic tests increased. It appeared that the majority of osteopaths use pain provocation tests, which are not advocated by osteopathic texts, but commonly referred to in the wider manual therapy literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic revealed gaps in medical supply quality and personnel training and familiarity in San Francisco County, prompting the reexamination of county disaster supply caches and emergency medical services (EMS) system decompression protocols. Project RESPOND (Rapid Emergency Supplies for Prehospital Operations in Disaster) was developed to bridge the gap in patient care infrastructure during short- or no-warning disasters and enhance EMS system offloading by introducing a novel capacity for the safe treatment and discharge of patients with minor injuries from the scene of an event. This design, while scaled to the needs of a unique metropolitan population, can be used as a template for the reimagining of disaster response policy and development of disaster supply caches.

Background: Social determinants of health (SDOHs) mediate outcomes of critical illness. Increasingly, professional organizations recommend screening for social risks. Yet, how clinicians should identify and then incorporate SDOHs into acute care practice is poorly defined., Research Question: How do medical ICU clinicians currently operationalize SDOHs within patient care, given that SDOHs are known to mediate outcomes of critical illness?, Study Design and Methods: Using ethnographic methods, we observed clinical work rounds in three urban ICUs within a single academic health system to capture use of SDOHs during clinical care. Adults admitted to the medical ICU with respiratory failure were enrolled prospectively sequentially. Observers wrote field notes and narrative excerpts from rounding observations. We also reviewed electronic medical record documentation for up to 90 days after ICU admission. We then qualitatively coded and triangulated data using a constructivist grounded theory approach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy People SDOHs framework., Results: Sixty-six patients were enrolled and > 200 h of observation of clinical work rounds were included in the analysis. ICU clinicians infrequently integrated social structures of patients' lives into their discussions. Social structures were invoked most frequently when related to: (1) causes of acute respiratory failure, (2) decisions regarding life-sustaining therapies, and (3) transitions of care. Data about common SDOHs were not collected in any systematic way (eg, food and housing insecurity), and some SDOHs were discussed rarely or never (eg, access to education, discrimination, and incarceration)., Interpretation: We found that clinicians do not incorporate many areas of known SDOHs into ICU rounds. Improvements in integration of SDOHs should leverage the multidisciplinary team, identifying who is best suited to collect information on SDOHs during different time points in critical illness. Next steps include clinician-focused, patient-focused, and caregiver-focused assessments of feasibility and acceptability of an ICU-based SDOHs assessment.

MALDI-TOF MS is a powerful analytical technique that provides a fast and label-free readout for in vitro assays in the high-throughput screening (HTS) environment. Here, we describe the development of a novel, HTS compatible, MALDI-TOF MS-based drug discovery assay for the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), an important target in immuno-oncology and auto-immune diseases. A MALDI-TOF MS assay was developed beginning with an already established ERAP1 RapidFire MS (RF MS) assay, where the peptide YTAFTIPSI is trimmed into the product TAFTIPSI. We noted low ionisation efficiency of these peptides in MALDI-TOF MS and hence incorporated arginine residues into the peptide sequences to improve ionisation. The optimal assay conditions were established with these new basic assay peptides on the MALDI-TOF MS platform and validated with known ERAP1 inhibitors. Assay stability, reproducibility and robustness was demonstrated on the MALDI-TOF MS platform. From a set of 699 confirmed ERAP1 binders, identified in a prior affinity selection mass spectrometry (ASMS) screen, active compounds were determined at single concentration and in a dose-response format with the new MALDI-TOF MS setup. Furthermore, to allow for platform performance comparison, the same compound set was tested on the established RF MS setup, as the new basic peptides showed fragmentation in ESI-MS. The two platforms showed a comparable performance, but the MALDI-TOF MS platform had several advantages, such as shorter sample cycle times, reduced reagent consumption, and a lower tight-binding limit., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Inpatient health care facilities restricted inpatient visitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no existing evidence of how they communicated these policies to the public nor the impact of their communication choices on public perception., Objective: This study aims to describe patterns of inpatient visitation policies during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and the communication of these policies to the general public, as well as to identify communication strategies that maximize positive impressions of the facility despite visitation restrictions., Methods: We conducted a sequential, exploratory, mixed methods study including a qualitative analysis of COVID-19 era visitation policies published on Pennsylvania-based facility websites, as captured between April 30 and May 20, 2020 (ie, during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States). We also conducted a factorial survey-based experiment to test how key elements of hospitals' visitation policy communication are associated with individuals' willingness to seek care in October 2020. For analysis of the policies, we included all inpatient facilities in Pennsylvania. For the factorial experiment, US adults were drawn from internet research panels. The factorial survey-based experiment presented composite policies that varied in their justification for restricted visitation, the degree to which the facility expressed ownership of the policy, and the inclusion of family-centered care support plans. Our primary outcome was participants' willingness to recommend the hypothetical facility using a 5-point Likert scale., Results: We identified 104 unique policies on inpatient visitation from 363 facilities' websites. The mean Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level for the policies was 14.2. Most policies prohibited family presence (99/104, 95.2%). Facilities justified the restricted visitation policies on the basis of community protection (59/104, 56.7%), authorities' guidance or regulations (34/104, 32.7%), or scientific rationale (23/104, 22.1%). A minority (38/104, 36.5%) addressed how restrictive visitation may impair family-centered care. Most of the policies analyzed used passive voice to communicate restrictions. A total of 1321 participants completed the web-based survey. Visitation policy elements significantly associated with willingness to recommend the facility included justifications based on community protection (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.24-1.68) or scientific rationale (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.12-1.51), rather than those based on a governing authority. The facility expressed a high degree of ownership over the decision (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04-1.29), rather than a low degree of ownership; and inclusion of family-centered care support plans (OR 2.80, 95% CI 2.51-3.12), rather than no such support., Conclusions: Health systems can immediately improve public receptiveness of restrictive visitation policies by emphasizing community protection, ownership over the facility's policy, and promoting family-centered care., (©Joanna Hart, Amy Summer, Kuldeep N Yadav, Summer Peace, David Hong, Michael Konu, Justin T Clapp. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 24.09.2021.)

Cancer data from population-based cancer registries under-report cancer cases, especially for cancers primarily diagnosed and treated in outpatient clinical settings, away from hospital-based cancer registrars. Previously, we developed alternative methods of cancer case capture including a claims-based method, which identified a large proportion of cancer cases missed by traditional population-based cancer registries. In this study, we adapted a claims-based method for statewide implementation of cancer surveillance in Florida. Between 2010 and 2017 the claims-based method identified 143,083 cancer abstracts, of which 42% were new and 58% were previously registered. The claims-based method led to the creation of 53,419 new cancer cases in the state cancer registry, which made up 9.3% of all cancer cases registered between 2010 and 2017. The types of cancers identified by the claims-based method were typical of the kinds primarily diagnosed and treated in outpatient oncology clinic settings, such as hematological malignancies, prostate cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, and bladder cancer. These cases were added to the Florida cancer registry and may produce an artefactual increase in cancer incidence, which is believed to be closer to the actual burden of cancer in the state.

A range of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles have been synthesized using a UV-B activated flow approach starting from carboxylic acids and 5-substituted tetrazoles. The application of UV light represents an attractive alternative to the traditional thermolytic approach and has demonstrated comparable efficiency and versatility, with a diverse substrate scope, including the incorporation of highly substituted amino acids., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

4-(Pyrimidin-4-yl)morpholines are privileged pharmacophores for PI3K and PIKKs inhibition by virtue of the morpholine oxygen, both forming the key hydrogen bonding interaction and conveying selectivity over the broader kinome. Key to the morpholine utility as a kinase hinge binder is its ability to adopt a coplanar conformation with an adjacent aromatic core favored by the morpholine nitrogen nonbonding pair of electrons interacting with the electron deficient pyrimidine π-system. Few selective morpholine replacements have been identified to date. Herein we describe the discovery of a potent non-nitrogen containing morpholine isostere with the ability to mimic this conformation and its application in a potent selective dual inhibitor of mTORC1 and mTORC2 ( 29b ).

Myofibroblasts are the key effector cells responsible for excessive extracellular matrix deposition in multiple fibrotic conditions, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis has been implicated in fibrosis, with pan-PI3K/mTOR inhibition currently under clinical evaluation in IPF. Here we demonstrate that rapamycin-insensitive mTORC1 signaling via 4E-BP1 is a critical pathway for TGF-β 1 stimulated collagen synthesis in human lung fibroblasts, whereas canonical PI3K/Akt signaling is not required. The importance of mTORC1 signaling was confirmed by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in normal and IPF fibroblasts, as well as in lung cancer-associated fibroblasts, dermal fibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells. The inhibitory effect of ATP-competitive mTOR inhibition extended to other matrisome proteins implicated in the development of fibrosis and human disease relevance was demonstrated in live precision-cut IPF lung slices. Our data demonstrate that the mTORC1/4E-BP1 axis represents a critical signaling node during fibrogenesis with potential implications for the development of novel anti-fibrotic strategies.

A deconstruction of previously reported phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ (PI3Kδ) inhibitors and subsequent regrowth led to the identification of a privileged fragment for PI3Kδ, which was exploited to deliver a potent, efficient, and selective lead series with a novel binding mode observed in the PI3Kδ crystal structure.

A four-step process of high-quality modeling of existing data, deconstruction, identification of replacement cores, and an innovative synthetic regrowth strategy led to the rapid discovery of a novel oral series of PI3Kδ inhibitors with promising selectivity and excellent in vivo characteristics.

Background: Cancer treatment information is often underreported in cancer registries due to the shift in cancer care to ambulatory settings. Incomplete treatment information for central registries limits the usefulness of these data for understanding disparities in outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the added value and validity of medical billing data to supplement treatment for incident cases within a central cancer registry., Methods: Billing data using standardized structure and nomenclature as submitted by all practices was evaluated using an automated software (MDoffice, MDO) process that captures and processes these data and submits the information in a standardized format. A validation of the billing reported treatment was performed using data from 3 community oncology practices., Results: The accuracy of treatment data captured was 100 percent for both chemotherapy and radiation therapy among the 313 cases validated. Chemotherapy (36 percent and 5 percent respectively for solid tumors and hematologic cancers) and radiation therapy (46 percent and 20 percent respectively for solid tumors and hematologic cancers) information was added to 738 known incident cases using billing data., Conclusion: Automated reporting based on billing data from community specialty providers is likely to markedly enhance the completeness of treatment data among known cancer cases as these community providers render significant amounts of treatment for cancer patients.

This article draws on findings from a study commissioned by the British charity, The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, to explore the needs and aspirations of older people who for whatever reason require a high degree of assistance. The study explored the personal aspirations of a small diverse sample (n=26) of hitherto un-researched people living in different parts of the UK. Most were over 85 years of age, with varied ethnicity, health status, social care needs, financial status and lifestyle. Many participants were receiving input from statutory health and social care services and were perceived by others and often themselves to have high support needs. Accessible research methods were used to enable participants to specify those factors for well-being most central to their own lives and preferences. The study found commonalities of aspiration in relation to physical, social and psychological aspects of their lives, but also unique descriptions of their individual concerns. In striving to maintain a sense of self worth, participants accepted that some choices were not realistic for them personally. Positive relationships with care-givers were an essential enabler for some. In many cases negotiation has the potential to produce simple and cost-effective ways of addressing individual aspirations and improving quality of life., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Optimisation of a series of biaryl sulphonamides resulted in the identification of compound 14 [corrected] which demonstrated dose-dependent and strain-specific inhibition of monocyte recruitment in a thioglycollate-induced peritonitis model of inflammation. [Formula: see text]. [corrected]., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Reporting of hematologic malignancies is an increasingly important focus for cancer surveillance. As trends in cancer care are shifting to the outpatient setting, hospital-based data collection methods used for cancer surveillance will result in under-reporting of these cancers. This study describes the testing and validation of an automated system for capturing and reporting cancers from community oncology providers., Methods: The system was evaluated in 5 oncology practices in two states processing claims data for a 4- or 8-month interval. Resulting cancers were matched with the state registries. A random sample of nonmatched cases was reabstracted to measure the accuracy of the claims data for reporting of hematologic malignancies., Results: The overall match rate for the 1,935 hematologic malignancies reported during the study period was 58.2 % (range, 37.4 % for CLL to 71.2 % for Hodgkin's Lymphoma). The overall accuracy rate for billing-reported hematologic malignancies was 95 %. Accuracy among cases that did not match with the cancer registry was 88 %. The estimated number of missed cases for the five participating practices ranged from 0.8 leukemia cases/oncologist/year to 3.4 CLL cases/oncologist/year. The estimated total number of missed cases in the five participating practices was 292 with an interquartile range of 263-323., Conclusion: As cancer diagnosis and treatment continue migration into ambulatory physician practice settings unreported hematopoietic cases will become increasingly problematic. Leveraging the standardized electronic billing data for automated reporting of cancer cases from physician practices may be an efficient method to reduce this gap in cancer surveillance reporting.

A six-stage stereoselective synthesis of indanyl-7-(3'-pyridyl)-(3R,6R,7R)-2,5-diketopiperazines oxytocin antagonists from indene is described. SAR studies involving mono- and disubstitution in the 3'-pyridyl ring and variation of the 3-isobutyl group gave potent compounds (pK(i) > 9.0) with good aqueous solubility. Evaluation of the pharmacokinetic profile in the rat, dog, and cynomolgus monkey of those derivatives with low cynomolgus monkey and human intrinsic clearance gave 2',6'-dimethyl-3'-pyridyl R-sec-butyl morpholine amide Epelsiban (69), a highly potent oxytocin antagonist (pK(i) = 9.9) with >31000-fold selectivity over all three human vasopressin receptors hV1aR, hV2R, and hV1bR, with no significant P450 inhibition. Epelsiban has low levels of intrinsic clearance against the microsomes of four species, good bioavailability (55%) and comparable potency to atosiban in the rat, but is 100-fold more potent than the latter in vitro and was negative in the genotoxicity screens with a satisfactory oral safety profile in female rats.