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Cardiac dysfunction in thyrotoxicosis is believed to arise from changes in preload, afterload, heart rate, and contractility. Cardiomyopathy is a less frequent cardiac complication linked to thyrotoxicosis. Here, we present a rare case of thyrotoxicosis induced cardiomyopathy in a 30-year-old male, where dilated cardiomyopathy manifested as the initial sign of thyrotoxicosis. The patient was treated with antithyroid drugs, diuretics and beta blockers. General surgery opinion obtained and planned to do thyroidectomy after euthyroid status. Patient was followed up and after 6 weeks was symptomatically better and was found to be euthyroid and repeat 2D ECHO showed an improvement in systolic function with EF of 55% and the patient was planned for thyroidectomy. In the management of thyrotoxicosis induced cardiomyopathy, pharmacological interventions involve the use of specific thyroid therapies such as thionamides (methimazole, carbimazole, propylthiouracil) and beta-blockers, coupled with heart failure management.

Given that the extracellular matrix polymer hyaluronan (HA) has been implicated in longevity, we asked whether 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), an inhibitor of HA synthesis, impacts lifespan in mice. We designed a prospective study of long-term administration of 4-MU with conventional C57BL/6J mice. We find that 4-MU extends median survival from 122 weeks (control) to 154 weeks (4-MU), an increase of 32 weeks (p < 0.0001 by Log-rank Mantel Cox test). The maximum lifespan of 4-MU treated mice increased from 159 to 194 weeks. In tandem with these effects, 4-MU enhances insulin sensitivity, a metabolic parameter known to regulate lifespan, as measured by insulin tolerance testing (ITT) as well as frequent sampling intra venous glucose tolerance tests (FSIVGTTs). We further observed that 4-MU treated mice weigh less while consuming the same amount of food, indicating that 4-MU treatment alters energy expenditure. However, we do not observe changes in tissue HA content in this model. We conclude that 4-MU promotes insulin sensitivity and longevity but that the underlying mechanism, and the contribution of HA is unclear. 4-MU, already approved in various countries for hepatobiliary conditions, is currently under investigation and clinical development as a therapy for several chronic inflammatory conditions. These data suggest that the beneficial effects of 4-MU on tissue metabolism may include effects on longevity.

Sulfur doped graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets were synthesized via polycondensation reaction of urea-thiourea mixture. Structure and morphology were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscope), and XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy). DRS (diffuse reflectance spectroscopy), PL (Photoluminescence spectroscopy) and time-resolved fluorescence decay spectra were used to study the optical characteristics. The photocatalytic dye degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in the presence of as-synthesized catalysts was investigated with the help of a UV–visible spectrophotometer. The photocatalytic activity of carbon nitride prepared from urea-thiourea mixture is almost three times higher than that of the pure sample. The detection of Fe3+ was also investigated by using the fluorescence sensing method. The as-synthesized samples hold greater selectivity and sensitivity for fluorescence sensing of Fe3+within a range of 0–3 µM. This range is comparable to the performance of other Fe3+ fluorescent probes previously reported.

The present study aims to propose an integrated watershed development plan for the Wainganga basin situated in Maharashtra, India. Also, the study involves evaluating the performance and applicability of SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) as a runoff model along with the trend analysis of rainfall for the above mentioned study area. The decadal land-use/land-cover (LULC) variation from 1985 to 2005 has been studied using data procured from Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES-DISC) and the groundwater table level of the study area was monitored using dug/bore well data collected from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). Rainfall trend analysis for a period of 101 years using historic rainfall data procured from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been analyzed to foresee the future scenario. It was observed that the rainfall-runoff relationship of the area is getting affected by the LULC variation and is thereby affecting the groundwater regime. There is a significant deterioration in the forest cover and water bodies which is alarming. The study devises the importance of an immediate master plan to be implemented in the basin to avoid any future crisis. Also, the study emphasizes the advancement of remote sensing in the use of hydrologic models like SWAT more realistically. HIGHLIGHTS The present study incorporates an integrated approach for watershed planning.; Rainfall runoff relationships were identified.; Land use-land cover anomalies and rainfall trend characteristics were analyzed.;

Given that the extracellular matrix polymer hyaluronan (HA) has been implicated in longevity, we asked whether 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), an inhibitor of HA synthesis, impacts lifespan in mice. We designed a prospective study of long-term administration of 4-MU with conventional C57BL/6J mice. We find that 4-MU extends median survival from 122 weeks (control) to 154 weeks (4-MU), an increase of 32 weeks (p < 0.0001 by Log-rank Mantel Cox test). The maximum lifespan of 4-MU treated mice increased from 159 to 194 weeks. In tandem with these effects, 4-MU enhances insulin sensitivity, a metabolic parameter known to regulate lifespan, as measured by insulin tolerance testing (ITT) as well as frequent sampling intra venous glucose tolerance tests (FSIVGTTs). We further observed that 4-MU treated mice weigh less while consuming the same amount of food, indicating that 4-MU treatment alters energy expenditure. However, we do not observe changes in tissue HA content in this model. We conclude that 4-MU promotes insulin sensitivity and longevity but that the underlying mechanism, and the contribution of HA is unclear. 4-MU, already approved in various countries for hepatobiliary conditions, is currently under investigation and clinical development as a therapy for several chronic inflammatory conditions. These data suggest that the beneficial effects of 4-MU on tissue metabolism may include effects on longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean oil (SBO) incorporated in situ polymerizable bioactive inorganic-organic hybrid resin containing alkoxide of zinc with polymerizable dimethacrylate groups (ZnSBOR) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) as filler along with surface treated quartz powder are used for the preparation of photopolymerized composite. ZnSBOR was synthesized using a modified sol-gel method. Soy flour without the oil was used as the SPC filler. Resin along with diluents, photoinitiator, activator/stabilizers and the filler components are mixed well in an agate mortar to get the uniform paste which upon exposure to visible light undergoes in situ polymerization to get cured composite. The photocured composite was evaluated in terms of linear polymerization shrinkage (LPS), depth of cure (DoC) and diametral tensile strength (DTS). The biocomposites (100QZNSBO) prepared using ZnSBOR showed significantly lower polymerization shrinkage and comparable diametral tensile strength (DTS) compared to composite prepared (100QZN) using ZnR. Good biological properties such as bioactivity and antimicrobial property of soybean merged with good physical properties will make the new Soybean oil (SBO) and soy protein concentrate (SPC)incorporated biocomposites as suitable candidate material for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acceptance sampling or sampling inspection is an essential quality control technique which describes the rules and procedures for making decisions about the acceptance or rejection of a batch of commodities by the inspection of one or more samples. When quality of an item is evaluated based on the life time of the item, which can be adequately described by a continuous-type probability distribution, the plan is known as life test sampling plan. The application of Burr (XII) distribution in reliability sampling plans is considered in this article. A procedure for selection of the plan parameters to protect the both producer as well as the consumer indexed by the acceptable mean life and operating ratio is evolved. Application of proposed plan is discussed with the help of numerical illustrations. Evaluation of such plans is explained utilising a set of simulated observations from Burr (XII) distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-resolution imagery of satellite is used extensively for monitoring crops and forecasting of yield which has a major role to play in the operational systems. A combination of high levels of temporal frequency along with an extended coverage was connected with lower costs per each area unit making the images a choice that is convenient at the national level and the regional level scales. There are various quantitative and qualitative approaches for low-resolution satellite imagery to be used for the primary predictor of the final yield of crops. But, very little work is done on the yield prediction that is based on environmental and satellite data. To handle such satellite images may be very challenging owing to large data amounts. Big data analysis is efficient in handling a large amount of data generated for predicting agricultural yield. In this work, a neural network is used for prediction and to enhance its performance; a population-based incremental learning technique is proposed for optimizing the weights. The results of the experiment proved that the method proposed has better results compared to that of the other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. RS3PE, or Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis with Pitting Edema, is a unique and relatively rare form of inflammatory arthritis that predominantly affects older adults. It is distinguished by its hallmark features: symmetrical swelling of the joints, significant pitting edema in the extremities, and a negative serological profile for common markers associated with rheumatoid arthritis, such as rheumatoid factor (RA factor) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (anti-CCP). This condition is often characterized by a remitting course, meaning that symptoms may improve or resolve over time, particularly with appropriate treatment. The condition usually affects older adults and can sometimes be associated with other underlying health issues, such as malignancies or infections. The “remitting” aspect of RS3PE refers to the fact that the symptoms often improve or resolve over time, particularly with appropriate treatment, which usually involves corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory medications. Case report. This case study details the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of a 56-year-old female patient with known hypertension who presented with bilateral dorsal hand swelling, pain, and early morning stiffness over a 15-day period. The patient’s initial examination revealed bilateral pitting edema and active arthritis in the proximal interphalangeal joints, with significant warmth and tenderness. Laboratory tests showed elevated ESR and CRP, normocytic normochromic anemia, and negative rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies. Imaging studies, including X-ray, ultrasound, and mammogram, showed no erosive changes or malignancy, while a Pap smear and serum CA-125 levels were within normal limits. The clinical picture, combined with the exclusion of other conditions, supported the diagnosis of RS3PE. Treatment commenced with intravenous low-dose dexamethasone, which led to significant symptomatic improvement. This was followed by a transition to oral prednisolone, and the patient initially showed complete resolution of symptoms. However, recurrence of symptoms occurred upon discharge, prompting the introduction of steroid-sparing agents: methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, alongside continued oral steroid treatment. Over a two-month follow-up period, the patient experienced no signs of relapse. This case fits the clinical and investigative criteria for RS3PE. The patient showed symptomatic improvement after treatment with low-dose steroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case report which describes the usefulness of indocyanine green angiography in detecting the presence of choroiditis in a 52-year-old male patient with scleroderma.

Al-decorated, single-walled carbon nanotube has been investigated for hydrogen storage applications by using Density Functional Theory (DFT) based calculations. Single Al atom-decorated on (8,0) CNT adsorbs upto six H2 molecules with a binding energy of 0.201 eV/H2. Uniform decoration of Al atom is considered for hydrogen adsorption. The first Al atom has a binding energy of 1.98 eV on (8,0) CNT and it decreases to 1.33 eV/Al and 0.922 eV/Al respectively, when the number of Al atoms is increased to four and eight. Each Al atom in (8,0) CNT-8Al adsorbs four H2 molecules, without clustering of Al atoms, and the storage capacity reaches to 6.15 wt%. This gravimetric storage capacity is higher than the revised 2015 target of U.S Department of Energy (DOE). The average adsorption binding energy of H2 in (8,0) CNT-8(Al+4H2), i.e. 0.214 eV/H2, lies between 0.20 and 0.60 eV/H2 which is required for adsorbing and desorbing H2 molecules at near ambient conditions. Thus, Al-decorated (8,0) CNT is proposed as a good hydrogen storage medium which could be useful for onboard automobile applications, at near ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lithium decoration is an effective strategy for improving the hydrogen adsorption binding energy and the storage capacity in carbon nanostructures. Here, it is shown that Li-decorated double carbon vacancy graphene (DVG) can be used as an efficient hydrogen storage medium by means of Density Functional Theory (DFT) based calculations. The Li binding energy in DVG is 4.04 eV, which is much higher than that of pristine graphene. A maximum of four hydrogen molecules adsorb on Li decorated on one side of DVG and this leads to a gravimetric storage capacity of 3.89 wt% with an average adsorption binding energy of 0.23 eV/H2. When Li is decorated on both sides of DVG, the gravimetric storage capacity reaches 7.26 wt% with a binding energy of 0.26 eV/H2 which shows that desorption would take place at ambient conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]