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COVID-19 pandemic has been managed through global vaccination programs. However, the antibody waning in various types of vaccines came to notice. Hereby, PastoCovac Plus as a protein subunit vaccine was investigated in immunized health care workers by COVAXIN (BBV152). The booster vaccine was recommended at least three months post the second dose of COVAXIN. Sera collection was done before and after each injection. SARS-CoV-2 PCR test was done monthly to detect any asymptomatic and symptomatic vaccine breakthrough.47.9 and 24.3% of the participants were seronegative for anti-N and anti-S antibodies three months after the second dose of COVAXIN, respectively. On average, fold-rises of 70, 93, 8 and mean-rises of 23.32, 892.4, 5.59 were recorded regarding neutralizing antibody, quantitative and semi-quantitative anti-Spike antibody, respectively. Anti-Spike and neutralizing antibodies seroconversion was seen 59.3% and 45.7%, respectively. The vaccine breakthrough assessment showed that all the isolated samples belonged to SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. PastoCovac Plus boosting is strongly recommended in combination with inactivated vaccine platforms against SARS-CoV-2.

This study aimed at developing a fast and low-cost detection method to discriminate between ice cream samples containing pork or non-pork gelatin by using Fourier Transform Near Infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). Forty two samples of ice cream were used, among which twenty three samples were adulterated with different levels i.e. 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20 % of pork gelatin (Non-Halal). Whereas, the remaining nineteen samples containing only cow gelatin (Halal) were used as a control. All the ice cream samples were measured with the FT-NIR spectrophotometer in the reflection mode. Spectra were collected in the wavenumber range from 10000 to 4000 cm−1 (1000 to 2500 nm). The results show that the PLS-DA model with Unit Vector Normalization (UVN) spectral transformations for 1% pork gelatin adulteration is the optimal one which was based on a compromise between the lowest value of root mean square error of cross validation (RMSECV) for the calibration set. The lowest value of root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) for the test set, the least number of factors and the percentage of correctly classified samples, the Halal and Non-Halal, for both calibration and test sets. This newly developed method is fast, involves simple sample preparation and is low cost.

Objectives: Suburbanization is associated with an individual's health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of life skills training on the hope and health of women referred to comprehensive health service centers in the suburbs of Khoy city. Study design: quasi-experimental study (Pre-test/Post-test with a control group) Methods: in this study, out of 5 comprehensive health service centers, two centers were selected as intervention and comparison groups, and from each center, 37 women were randomly selected. At first, both groups completed the Goldberg general health questionnaire and the Miller hope questionnaire, and the intervention group was taught life skills. At the end of the training, both groups were re-evaluated. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and dispersion indices were used in data analysis. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests were used in inferential statistics. Results: Group training in life skills did not significantly affect hope (P.value = 0.972) and various aspects of health (P.value = 0.421). Conclusions: It seems that only interventions such as life skills training will not improve suburban women's hope and health. Perhaps improving social infrastructure and comprehensive living conditions in suburban areas will promote hope and health.

Water splitting and CO2 conversion are emerging energy transfer techniques to generate hydrogen and low carbon fuel as eco-friendly energy sources. Herein, a frugal and facile approach is reported for decorating MoS2 nanosheets on copper nanorods to design MoS2/Cu architecture as a trifunctional catalyst for electrochemical water splitting and photocatalytic CO2 conversion. Under optimized conditions, MoS2/Cu electrocatalyst shows high performance at an overpotential of 252 mV for oxygen evolution reaction and 160 mV for hydrogen evolution reaction to attain 20 mAcm−2 and 10 mAcm−2 current densities in alkaline medium. The improved efficiency is mainly credited to the synergistic effect of MoS2 nanosheets and Cu nanorods architecture. The electrode delivered a cell voltage of ~1.508 V to impart about 10 mAcm−2 current density with high durability. Also, the negligible overpotential decay after running the cell for 12 h with 3000/HER and 2000/OER CV cycles suggests remarkable stability that makes it a promising electrocatalyst for energy production. The photocatalytic CO2 conversion activity was also measured, where MoS2/Cu exhibited a significant efficiency of CO2 to methane conversion (CH4 ~ 23 µmol g−1 h−1). Based on the obtained results, it is foreseeable that this work validates the significance of transition metals tuning for electrocatalysts and photocatalysts toward more efficient water electrolysis and CO2 reduction for potential large-scale energy applications.

Background: Breast reconstruction involves collaborative decision-making between patients and surgeons, but the need for multiple revisions after the initial reconstructive surgery process can burden patients and the healthcare system. This study explored how the type of breast reconstruction (autologous [ABR], immediate implant-based reconstruction [IBR], or two-stage IBR) impacts postreconstruction revision rates., Method: Using MarketScan Databases, a retrospective database study (2007-2021) was conducted, identifying revision procedures through Current Procedural Terminology codes. Statistical analysis with linear models, adjusted for patient characteristics and surgical factors, used a significance threshold of p < 0.05., Results: Among 58,264 patients, 6.2% of ABR patients, 3.8% of immediate IBR patients, and 3.6% of two-stage IBR patients underwent future revisions. IBR had a 51% lower incidence rate of revision operations than ABR (incidence rate ratio = 0.49, p < 0.001). Within IBR, there was no significant difference in the number of operations between immediate IBR (0.06 ± 0.32) and two-stage IBR (0.05 ± 0.32, p = 0.95). Immediate IBR demonstrated 12% (OR = 0.88, p = 0.0022) and 70% (OR = 0.30, p < 0.001) lower odds of requiring breast revision and fat grafting compared to ABR, respectively. Two-stage reconstruction had 66 % lower odds of requiring only fat grafting than ABR (OR = 0.34, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: ABR necessitated a higher number of total revision procedures after completion of the initial reconstruction. These findings will better equip providers and patients to counsel patients in understanding their reconstructive journey, planning their reconstructions and timing, and provide more accurate estimates of the number of procedures that will be required to reach their aesthetic goals and final outcome., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Statement None., (Copyright © 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Esthetic complications, such as capsular contracture and soft-tissue contour defects, hinder the desired outcomes of breast reconstruction. As subclinical infection is a prevailing theory behind capsular contracture, we investigated the effects of post-operative infections on these issues and revision procedures., Methods: We conducted a retrospective database study (2007-2021) on breast reconstruction patients from the MarketScan® Databases. Esthetic complications were defined by their associated revision procedures and queried via CPT codes. Severe capsular contracture (Grade 3-4) was defined as requiring capsulotomy or capsulectomy with implant removal or replacement. Moderate and severe soft-tissue defects were determined by the need for fat grafting or breast revision, respectively. Generalized linear models were used, adjusting for comorbidities and surgical factors (p < 0.05)., Results: We analyzed the data on 62,510 eligible patients. Post-operative infections increased the odds of capsulotomy (OR 1.59, p < 0.001) and capsulectomy (OR 2.30, p < 0.001). They also raised the odds of breast revision for severe soft-tissue defects (OR 1.21, p < 0.001). There was no significant association between infections and fat grafting for moderate defects. Patients who had post-operative infections were also more likely to experience another infection after fat grafting (OR 3.39, p = 0.0018). In two-stage reconstruction, infection after tissue expander placement was associated with greater odds of infection after implant placement., Conclusion: Post-operative infections increase the likelihood of developing severe soft-tissue defects and capsular contracture requiring surgical revision. Our data reinforce the role of infections in the pathophysiology of capsular contracture. Additionally, infections elevate the risk of subsequent infections after fat grafting for moderate defects, further increasing patient morbidity., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement None., (Copyright © 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Investigation of xenobiotic metabolism is a key step for drug discovery. Since the in vivo investigations may be associated with harmful effects attributed to production of toxic metabolites, it is deemed necessary to predict their structure especially at the preliminary clinical studies. Furthermore, the application of microorganisms that are capable of metabolizing drugs mimic human metabolism and consequently may predict possible metabolites. The genus Cunninghamella has been proven to be a potential candidate, which mimics xenobiotic metabolism occurring inside the human body, including phase I and II metabolic reactions. Moreover, biotransformation with Cunninghamella showed chemical diversity, where a lot of products were detected in relation to the initial substrates after being modified by oxidation, hydroxylation, and conjugation reactions. Some of these products are more bioactive than the parent compounds. The current review presents a comprehensive literature overview regarding the Cunninghamella organisms as biocatalysts, which simulate mammalian metabolism of natural secondary and synthetic compounds., 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 © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fat grafting is commonly undertaken as a third-stage procedure in patients with staged implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR). However, fat grafting performed during second-stage expander/implant exchange provides faster results without an additional procedure and associated risks (Patel et al., 2020). We previously demonstrated that fat grafting during second-stage expander/implant exchange did not increase clinical complications (Patel et al., 2020). As a corollary, this study investigates patients' satisfaction with second- versus third-stage fat grafting to help establish a set of best practices for the timing of fat grafting in such patients., Methods: A review of PubMed/MEDLINE databases (2010-2022) was performed to identify articles investigating the quality of life in patients undergoing second- or third-stage fat grafting after IBR. BREAST-Q scores were pooled using random-effects modeling and the DerSimonian-Laird method. Post-hoc sensitivity analyses were completed using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method. The Haldane-Anscombe correction was used for outcomes with low counts. All study analyses adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines., Results: Six studies (216 patients) were included. Pooled random-effects modeling demonstrated no significant changes in BREAST-Q satisfaction with outcome scores when comparing patients who received second- versus third-stage fat grafting (p = 0.178) with results robust to sensitivity analyses. In addition, pooled analyses of the available data demonstrated that second-stage fat grafting did not increase downstream revision surgery needs compared to third-stage fat grafting., Conclusions: In combination with our prior work, this meta-analysis suggests that second-stage fat grafting provides not only equivalent but improved clinical and quality of life outcomes with fewer procedures in patients undergoing expander/IBR., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Nil.

Background: Textured tissue expanders (TTEs) were introduced to limit migration and reduce capsular contracture, which were inherent to smooth tissue expanders (STEs). Previous reports suggest that textured devices have increased rates of bacterial contamination and biofilm formation in comparison with smooth devices. Recently, the relative increased association of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) with textured versus smooth devices has led to increased adoption of smooth devices. The aim of our study is to evaluate the post-operative surgical site infection (SSI) rates of STEs versus TTEs., Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted at a single academic teaching hospital from April 2016 to December 2019. The primary outcome variable was the development of a post-operative SSI., Results: One hundred seventy-seven breasts underwent reconstruction with TTEs and 109 breasts underwent reconstruction with STE. In total, 54 SSIs were recorded (n = 34 TTE; n = 20 STE), with the majority of infections occurring within the first 30 post-operative days (TTE 65%, STE 70%). There was no statistically significant difference in overall post-operative infection rates between TTE and STE groups when broken down into the following time points: <30 day, 30-60 days, and >90 days (p = 0.924). There was no statistically significant difference between infection type (superficial vs. deep, p = 0.932), infection management (medical, surgical, or both, p = 0.409) or salvage results (p = 0.078) seen in STE versus TTE cohort. On multivariate analysis, seroma history was associated with SSI development (OR 3.18, p = 0.041)., Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the rate of post-operative SSI following breast reconstruction with STE relative to TTE., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Statement Dr. Nazerali is a consultant and advisor for Mentor Worldwide, MTF, & Telabio. Dr. Lee provides scientific consulting for Integra, Inc., (Copyright © 2022 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Currently, many countries all over the world are facing the second wave of COVID-19. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of COVID-19 cases, epidemic spread rate, spatial pattern during the first to the second waves in the South Sumatra Province of Indonesia. This study used the geographical information system (GIS) software to map the spatial distribution of COVID-19 cases and epidemic spread rate. The spatial autocorrelation of the COVID-19 cases was carried out using Moran's I, while the Pearson correlation was used to examining the relationship between meteorological factors and the epidemic spread rate. Most infected areas and the direction of virus spread were predicted using wind rose analysis. The results revealed that the epidemic rapidly spread from August 1 to December 1, 2020. The highest epidemic spread rate was observed in the Palembang district and in its peripheral areas (dense urban areas), while the lowest spread rate was found in the eastern and southern parts of South Sumatra Province (remote areas). The spatial correlation characteristic of the epidemic distribution exhibited a negative correlation and random distribution. Air temperature, wind speed, and precipitation have contributed to a significant impact on the high epidemic spread rate in the second wave. In summary, this study offers new insight for arranging control and prevention strategies against the potential of second wave strike., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Simple isoquinoline alkaloids (heliamine, dehydroheliamine), a phthalide isoquinoline alkaloid noscapine, and an aporphine alkaloid boldine are biosynthetically derived from an amino acid tyrosine. These substrates and a simple synthetic isoquinoline alkaloid (2-acetyl-7-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline) contain an isoquinoline nucleus. The biotransformation of these substrates via reduction, oxidation, hydroxylation, and N-oxidation reactions with different microorganism produced nine metabolites, namely: N-(2-acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-7-yl) acetamide (Metabolite 1), heliamine N-oxide (Metabolite 2), 6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline (Metabolite 3), 3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxy isoquinolin-1-one (Metabolite 4), heliamine (Metabolite 5), dehydroheliamine N-oxide (Metabolite 6), cotarnine (Metabolite 7), 5-hydroxy cotarnine (Metabolite 8), and boldine N-oxide (Metabolite 9). Primarily, the metabolites are structurally elucidated by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESIMS). Furthermore, the substrates and their isolated metabolites are evaluated in vitro for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, and anticancer activities. The in vitro studies reveal that some of the isolated compounds are potential as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antimicrobial leads., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The Certificate in Aging Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University allows students to study gerontology while completing their doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) or graduate pharmaceutical sciences degree concurrently. The objective of the study was to evaluate alumni satisfaction with the Certificate in Aging Studies program, its application, and its perceived usefulness., Methods: Alumni of the program (n = 49) were emailed an anonymous electronic survey about their perceptions of the program. The survey was emailed three times. Responses to eight multiple choice questions were summarized using descriptive statistics. Two free response questions were qualitatively analyzed for themes by two investigators., Results: The response rate to the survey was 59.2% (n = 29). Most respondents practice in hospital settings (24.1%) and did not undertake additional postgraduate clinical training (44.8%) or earn additional geriatric certifications (69%). The majority (65.5%) reported using the dual program in their career and would recommend the Certificate in Aging Studies to others (96.6%). Most (59%) alumni indicated that the best part of the program was the interprofessional interaction, and 69% suggested no further areas of improvement for the program., Conclusions: A PharmD-Gerontology dual program is one way to enhance the workforce to care for the growing older population. This partnership approach should be considered by schools of pharmacy that also offer degree programs in gerontology., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The use of acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) in immediate two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction following mastectomy is now a common practice. The procedure confers several compelling benefits, including coverage of the inferior pole, enhanced definition of the inframammary fold, and reduction of capsular contracture. However, operative techniques used to create the ADM inferolateral sling can be unwieldy in practice, typically involving the placement of the ADM followed by positioning and anchoring of the prosthetic expander. At best, this may be a relatively minor nuisance, but may potentially influence outcomes, including discrepancies in symmetry., Methods: We present a novel modification that aims to streamline this procedure. Perforations are made through the allograft, through which the tissue expander tabs are brought through and sutured together ex vivo to allow the ADM and expander to be placed into the inframammary fold position as a single unit. A retrospective chart review was then performed of patients who underwent breast reconstruction utilizing this technique between July 2015 and December 2018. Outcomes including postsurgical complications such as infection, malposition, and reoperation were analyzed., Results: Sixty-two patients met the inclusion criteria, corresponding to 108 breasts. The average follow-up was 18 months. The overall complication rate was 29.6% of breasts. The most commonly observed complications were mastectomy skin necrosis (9.3%) and major infection (8.3%). There was a 7.4% rate of malposition., Conclusions: This simple but effective modification in ADM technique is associated with a comparable complication rate and allows for greater ease and consistency in tissue expander placement., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients often pursue revisions following implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR) to achieve their desired result. Fat grafting is a popular choice for patients and can be performed at second stage reconstruction or at a future date as a revisionary surgery. We investigate the best time to fat graft in IBR by comparing the outcomes of patients who received fat grafting during implant placement with those who pursued fat grafting during a tertiary procedure., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 157 patients (270 breasts) who underwent immediate two-stage IBR and fat grafting over a five-year period (2012-2016) at our institution. Two cohorts were created based on timing of first fat grafting procedure: immediate (IFG) and delayed (DFG). Charts were reviewed for postoperative complications or revisions., Results: Complication rates were lower when fat grafting was performed during the second stage (p = 0.0331). Patients in the DFG cohort required more than one additional revision (p < 0.001) until the completion of reconstruction. Patients in the IFG cohort completed their reconstruction and revisions more than one year earlier than the DFG cohort (p < 0.001). Multivariable regressions showed IFG to be associated with decreased revisions (p < 0.001) and total fat grafting procedures (p = 0.008)., Conclusions: These results indicate that fat grafting at the second stage does not increase overall complication rates, require fewer additional surgeries, and enables patients to reach their desired aesthetic appearance in a shorter time frame. Fewer total surgeries translate not only to a more economical option but also obviate the risk of complications that come with additional surgeries., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The metabolism of papaverine, the opium benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, with Aspergillus niger NRRL 322, Beauveria bassiana NRRL 22864, Cunninghamella echinulate ATCC 18968 and Cunninghamella echinulate ATCC 1382 has resulted in O-demethylation, O-methylglucosylation and N-oxidation products. Two new metabolites (4″-O-methyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl) 4'-demethyl papaverine and (4″-O-methyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl) 6-demethyl papaverine, (Metabolites 5 and 6) together with 4'-O-demethylated papaverine (Metabolite 1), 3'-O-demethylated papaverine (Metabolite 2), 6-O-demethylated papaverine (Metabolite 3) and papaverine N-oxide (Metabolite 4) were isolated. The structure elucidation of the metabolites was based primarily on 1D, 2D-NMR analyses and HRMS. These metabolism results were consistent with the previous plant cell transformation studies on papaverine and isopapaverine and the microbial metabolism of papaveraldine. In silico docking studies of the metabolites using crystals of human phosphodiesterase 10a (hPDE10a) revealed that compounds 4, 1, 6, 3, and 5 possess better docking scores and binding poses with favorable interactions than the native ligand papaverine., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Kempen system is a dairy feeding system in which diet is provided in the form of a compound feed (CF) and hay offered ad libitum. Ad libitum access to CF and hay allows cows in this system to achieve a high DM intake (DMI). Out of physiological concerns, the voluntary hay intake could be increased and the consumption pattern of CF could be manipulated to maintain proper rumen functioning and health. This study investigated the effects of an artificial hay aroma and CF formulation on feed intake pattern, rumen function and milk production in mid- to late-lactating dairy cows. Twenty Holstein-Friesian cows were assigned to four treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Diet consisted of CF and grass hay (GH), fed separately, and both offered ad libitum, although CF supply was restricted in maximum meal size and speed of supply by an electronic system. Treatments were the combination of two CF formulations - high in starch (CHS) and fibre (CHF); and two GH - untreated (UGH) and the same hay treated with an artificial aroma (TGH). Meal criteria were determined using three-population Gaussian-Gaussian-Weibull density functions. No GH × CF interaction effects on feed intake pattern characteristics were found. Total DMI and CF intake, but not GH intake, were greater (P < 0.01) in TGH treatment, and feed intake was not affected by type of CF. Total visits to feeders per day, visits to the GH feeder, visits to the CF feeder and CF eating time (all P < 0.01) were significantly greater in cows fed with TGH. Meal frequency, meal size and meal duration were unaffected by treatments. Cows fed CHF had a greater milk fat (P = 0.02), milk urea content (P < 0.01) and a greater milk fat yield (P < 0.01). Cows fed TGH had a greater milk lactose content and lactose yield (P < 0.05), and milk urea content (P < 0.01). Cows fed TGH had smaller molar proportions of acetic acid and greater molar proportions of propionic acid compared with UGH. In conclusion, treatment of GH with an artificial aroma increased CF intake and total DMI, but did not affect hay intake. Additionally, GH treatment increased the frequency of visits to both feeders, and affected rumen volatile fatty acid profile. Type of CF did not affect meal patterns, ruminal pH, nor fermentation profiles.

While systematic reviews are regarded as the strongest level of medical evidence, inconsistency in the quality and rigor of systematic reviews raises concerns about their use as a tool in guiding quality delivery in evidence-based clinical practice. The objective of this present study was to assess methodological soundness of systematic reviews with a particular focus on peripheral nerve repair and reconstruction. We performed a comprehensive search using PubMed and Scopus to identify all systematic reviews published on peripheral nerve reconstruction in 9 high-impact surgical journals. Two authors independently performed literature searches, screened abstracts, and extracted data. Discrepancies were resolved by discussion and consensus. The quality of systematic reviews was assessed using AMSTAR criteria. Initial search retrieved 184 articles. After screening duplicates, titles, abstracts, and conducting full text reviews, 26 studies met inclusion criteria. Of those, 18 (65%) were published by Plastic Surgery, 7 (27%) by Orthopedic Surgery, and 1 (4%) by Occupational Therapy. The total number of systematic reviews published on peripheral nerves each year has shown an increasing trend from 2004 through 2015. The overall median AMSTAR score was 5, reflecting a "fair" quality. There was no evidence of AMSTAR score improvement over time. Although the number of systematic reviews published on peripheral nerve repair has risen over the last decade, their quality has not exhibited the same increase. This highlights the necessity to increase familiarity with and conform to methodological quality criteria in order to improve the integrity of evidence-based medicine in peripheral nerve repair and reconstruction., (Copyright © 2018 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

New zinc(II) carboxylate complexes [Zn(3-F-C 6 H 4 CH 2 COO) 2 ] n (1), [Zn 3 (3-F-C 6 H 4 CH 2 COO) 6 (Phen) 2 ] (2) and [Zn 3 (3-F-C 6 H 4 CH 2 COO) 6 (bipy) 2 ] (3) were synthesized and characterized by atomic absorption, single crystal structural analysis and IR studies. Complex 1 crystallizes as a coordination polymer constituting a web of μ-η 1 ,η 1 carboxylate bridged tetrahedral zinc centers. Complexes 2 and 3 comprise trinuclear zinc centers with two terminal fivefold coordinated slightly distorted square-pyramidal and central sixfold coordinated octahedral zinc centers. The complexes were also assessed for their DNA binding ability by UV/-Vis spectroscopy and their behavior rationalized theoretically by molecular docking studies. A DNA binding study has shown groove binding interactions with the complexes., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Infrared and FT-Raman spectra of the nonlinear optical material l-Methioninium Oxalate were recorded and analyzed. The optimized geometry, first-order hyperpolarizability and harmonic vibrational wavenumbers were calculated with the help of density functional theory method. The detailed interpretation of the vibrational spectra was carried out with the aid of normal coordinate analysis followed by scaled quantum mechanical force field methodology. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions leading to its nonlinear optical activity and charge delocalization were analyzed using natural bond orbital technique. Mulliken atomic charge and molecular electrostatic potential are also predicted. HOMO-LUMO energy gap value suggests the possibility of charge transfer within the molecule. The thermodynamic properties at different temperatures are also calculated., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Positron emission mammography (PEM) has better spatial resolution than positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), or PET/CT. We evaluated the feasibility of extremity imaging with PEM using PET as a standard., Methods/materials: Fourteen patients underwent sequential PET/CT and PEM., Results/discussion: PEM visualized with equal or improved resolution all of the lesions identified on PET/CT. It often provided additional information such improved uptake localization and also visualized activity in an adjacent structures that was not seen on PET/CT or magnetic resonance imaging. We believe PEM can image the extremities in diseases like melanoma, arthritis and osteomyelitis and patients with metallic hardware., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We previously associated the cytoskeleton linker protein, Ezrin, with the metastatic phenotype of pediatric sarcomas, including osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. These studies have suggested that Ezrin contributes to the survival of cancer cells after their arrival at secondary metastatic locations. To better understand this role in metastasis, we undertook two noncandidate analyses of Ezrin function including a microarray subtraction of high-and low-Ezrin-expressing cells and a proteomic approach to identify proteins that bound the N-terminus of Ezrin in tumor lysates. Functional analyses of these data led to a novel and unifying hypothesis that Ezrin contributes to the efficiency of metastasis through regulation of protein translation. In support of this hypothesis, we found Ezrin to be part of the ribonucleoprotein complex to facilitate the expression of complex messenger RNA in cells and to bind with poly A binding protein 1 (PABP1; PABPC1). The relevance of these findings was supported by our identification of Ezrin and components of the translational machinery in pseudopodia of highly metastatic cells during the process of cell invasion. Finally, two small molecule inhibitors recently shown to inhibit the Ezrin metastatic phenotype disrupted the Ezrin/PABP1 association. Taken together, these results provide a novel mechanistic basis by which Ezrin may contribute to metastasis.

In this study, we explored the bioavailability in dogs and chemical potency of generic ritonavir and lopinavir/ritonavir tablet products manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies. Chemical potency of the products was examined by HPLC quantitation of ritonavir and lopinavir. Using a dog model, we determined point estimates for C(max) and AUC of ritonavir and lopinavir/ritonavir for eight generic products compared to Abbott's Norvir capsule and Kaletra tablet. Chemical potencies ranged from 79.0% to 104.6%. Point estimates for AUC in the generic tablet products ranged from 0.01 to 1.11, indicating that the relative bioavailability of these formulations was in the range of 1-111% compared to the branded products. This study showed significant variability in bioavailability in a dog model amongst generic tablet products containing the protease inhibitors ritonavir or lopinavir/ritonavir. The chemical potency of the generic products was not indicative of the plasma levels of ritonavir or lopinavir that were achieved. These results reinforce the need for human bioequivalence testing of generic products containing ritonavir or lopinavir/ritonavir to assure that efficacy in patients is not compromised prior to these products being made available to patients. Procurement policies of funding agencies should require such quality assurance processes., ((c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.)

Background: HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) is often managed without routine laboratory monitoring in Africa; however, the effect of this approach is unknown. This trial investigated whether routine toxicity and efficacy monitoring of HIV-infected patients receiving ART had an important long-term effect on clinical outcomes in Africa., Methods: In this open, non-inferiority trial in three centres in Uganda and one in Zimbabwe, 3321 symptomatic, ART-naive, HIV-infected adults with CD4 counts less than 200 cells per microL starting ART were randomly assigned to laboratory and clinical monitoring (LCM; n=1659) or clinically driven monitoring (CDM; n=1662) by a computer-generated list. Haematology, biochemistry, and CD4-cell counts were done every 12 weeks. In the LCM group, results were available to clinicians; in the CDM group, results (apart from CD4-cell count) could be requested if clinically indicated and grade 4 toxicities were available. Participants switched to second-line ART after new or recurrent WHO stage 4 events in both groups, or CD4 count less than 100 cells per microL (LCM only). Co-primary endpoints were new WHO stage 4 HIV events or death, and serious adverse events. Non-inferiority was defined as the upper 95% confidence limit for the hazard ratio (HR) for new WHO stage 4 events or death being no greater than 1.18. Analyses were by intention to treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN13968779., Findings: Two participants assigned to CDM and three to LCM were excluded from analyses. 5-year survival was 87% (95% CI 85-88) in the CDM group and 90% (88-91) in the LCM group, and 122 (7%) and 112 (7%) participants, respectively, were lost to follow-up over median 4.9 years' follow-up. 459 (28%) participants receiving CDM versus 356 (21%) LCM had a new WHO stage 4 event or died (6.94 [95% CI 6.33-7.60] vs 5.24 [4.72-5.81] per 100 person-years; absolute difference 1.70 per 100 person-years [0.87-2.54]; HR 1.31 [1.14-1.51]; p=0.0001). Differences in disease progression occurred from the third year on ART, whereas higher rates of switch to second-line treatment occurred in LCM from the second year. 283 (17%) participants receiving CDM versus 260 (16%) LCM had a new serious adverse event (HR 1.12 [0.94-1.32]; p=0.19), with anaemia the most common (76 vs 61 cases)., Interpretation: ART can be delivered safely without routine laboratory monitoring for toxic effects, but differences in disease progression suggest a role for monitoring of CD4-cell count from the second year of ART to guide the switch to second-line treatment., Funding: UK Medical Research Council, the UK Department for International Development, the Rockefeller Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead Sciences, Boehringer-Ingelheim, and Abbott Laboratories., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A computerized activity monitoring system was used to investigate whether repeated exposure to methylphenidate (MPD) could produce sensitization to its locomotor effects in the rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed in test cages and activity was recorded continuously for 16 days as follows: Baseline activity (Day 1-2), recording following saline injection (Day 3), MPD Challenge Doses--either 0.6, 2.5, or 10 mg/kg of MPD (Day 4); five days of a repeated dose of 2.5 mg/kg (Day 5-9), five additional recording days of no treatment (Days 10-14), and MPD Re-Challenge (Day 15). Each group was re-challenged with the same doses as on day 4. Recording was resumed for an additional post-treatment day (Day 16). All injections were at 14:00. Horizontal activity, total distance, vertical activity, stereotypic activity, and number of stereotypic movements were recorded and analyzed. An augmented response (i.e., sensitization) was observed only to the lower MPD doses of 0.6 and 2.5 mg/kg. The sensitized response was more pronounced for forward ambulation than for rearing, with a complete lack of sensitization to the stereotypic effects of MPD.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used therapeutic agents and are very often administered with various other drugs. Because they are highly bound to human serum albumin (HSA), interferences between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and coadministered drugs may arise from their interactions at a binding site on HSA. Although the percentage of binding to HSA is generally accurately determined, the binding sites to which a particular therapeutic agent binds are often unknown. In order to clarify where different classes of NSAIDs bind on the HSA molecule, competition studies were carried out on a HSA-based HPLC column using site I and site II markers as displacing agents. Results show that all the NSAIDs included in the study were affected by site I and site II markers and that a number of drugs had (an) extra binding site(s) not affected by any of the competitors used in the study. Competition data also suggest that binding of NSAIDs at the benzodiazepine site could in fact occur at two separate subsites, as previously observed for benzodiazepines.

Ethanol is coupled with diazotized p-aminobenzoic acid, to give a coloured product with maximum absorption at 436 nm. The coloured product has a molar absorptivity of 1.02 x 10(4)l.mole(-1).cm(-1) and Beer's law is obeyed over the range 0.5-4.0 mug/ml. The relative standard deviation is less than 4.76% and the relative errors are within -2.89-3.9%. The suggested method is rapid, simple, selective and sensitive.

Ethyl mercury in the form of Granosan M was used as a fungicide in dressing grains in Iraq. Disregarding warnings and precautions by the authorities, some villagers used this grain in making their bread. Tissue specimens of poisoned people were analysed for total mercury contents using the flameless atomic absorption spectroscopic technique. The analytical method used is highly sensitive (1 ppb/1% absorbance), and the precision in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD) was about 1.5%. The ranges of mercury content in ppm units in the two cases of poisoning were 8-9 for the kidneys, 6-7 for livers, 3-5 for the cerebella, and about 15 for the blood. The analyses included some other tissues as well. Control values were also present. These were obtained from human beings who died by accident and showed no signs of mercury poisoning.

Plasma vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) was assayed in normal adults and pregnant women at term and their babies by a method based on high-performance liquid chromatography. The mean plasma concentration in 30 healthy, fasting adults was 0.26 ng/ml (range 0.10-0.66). 8 out of 9 healthy mothers at term had a mean K1 concentration of 0.20 ng/ml (range 0.13-0.29), but K1 was not detected in the cord plasma of their babies. 1 mg vitamin K1 given intravenously to 6 mothers shortly before delivery raised their plasma K1 to 45-93 ng/ml: K1 was then detectable in the cord plasma of 4 of the 6 infants but at a much lower concentration which did not exceed 0.14 ng/ml. The large concentration gradient between maternal and neonatal plasma suggests that vitamin K1 does not cross the placenta readily or that the uptake by fetal plasma is low, perhaps because of low levels of a binding lipoprotein. The low levels of vitamin K in the cord plasma of the normal newborn would explain "physiological" hypoprothrombinaemia and suggest the need to reassess current clinical practice in respect of vitamin K prophylaxis in the early neonatal period.

A simple titrimetric method for estimation of 0.05-7 mg of Hg(II) is presented. The acidic sample solution is treated with a measured and excessive amount of iodide, then mercuric iodide is extracted at ph 2-3.5, and the unreacted iodide is determined iodometrically after 6- or 36-fold amplification by use of bromine water for oxidation of iodide to iodate. Periodate oxidation of excess of iodide gives 24-fold amplification. The coefficient of variation does not usually exceed 1% for above 1 mg of mercury but increases to 4% at the 0.05-mg level. The 6-fold amplification method is used for microdetermination of organically bound mercury following oxygen-flask combustion. The average absolute error for 10 determinations (3 compounds) amounted to +/-0.6%; one determination takes less than one hour.

Dissolved oxygen in water is determined by its oxidation of manganese(II) to manganese(III) in alkaline medium and formation of the red manganese(III) ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid complex on acidification to pH 4. The range of determination is 7-3160 mug of oxygen in a final volume of 500 ml.

Phylloquinone (2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) in human and cows' milk and in infant formula foods has been assayed by a method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The method has three chromatographic steps consisting of a preliminary purification of lipid extracts by conventional liquid chromatography, a further fractionation by semipreparative HPLC and a final analytical step by reversed-phase HPLC in which phylloquinone was resolved from the remaining contaminants and quantified by reference to an internal standard (phylloquinone 2,3-epoxide). The identity of the chromatographic peak ascribed to phylloquinone (vitamin K1) was established by mass spectrometry. Mature human milk from 20 lactating mothers gave a mean concentration of phylloquinone of 2.1 micrograms/liter, and colostrum from 9 mothers gave a mean value of 2.3 micrograms/liter. These levels in human milk were significantly lower than those found in either Friesian (holstein) cows' milk (mean 4.9 micrograms/liter) or unsupplemented infant formula foods containing only cows' milk fat (mean 4.2 micrograms/liter). The mean phylloquinone content of two unsupplemented infant formula foods containing only vegetable oils was 11.5 micrograms/liter. After an oral dose of 20 mg phylloquinone, the concentration of K1 in the breast milk of one mother rose to 140 micrograms/liter after 12 hours and at 48 hours was still about twice the average endogenous level of human milk.

A simple and rapid method is described for the determination of niobium in steel with Bromopyrogallol Red. After dissolution of the sample, niobium is extracted along with iron from concentrated hydrochloric acid into isopentyl acetate. Niobium and iron are stripped into an aqueous solution containing sodium acetate, and EDTA, ammonium chloride, tartaric acid, and Bromopyrogallol Red are added to complex the niobium. The niobium-Bromopyro-gallol Red complex along with excess of reagent is extracted into isopentyl acetate containing di-n-octylmethylamine, and measured at 610 nm. The molar absorptivity is 2.50 x 10(4) and Beer's law is obeyed up to 27 mug of niobium. The method is free from interferences and can be applied to the analysis of samples containing as little as 0.01 % niobium.

An absorptiometric method is described for sulphide ion, based on the green colour which is formed when sulphide ions are treated in ammoniacal solution with iron(III) and an excess of nitrilotriacetic acid. The recommended procedure can be applied from 1200 down to 8 ppm of sulphide and is interfered with seriously only by selenite from amongst seventeen other anions examined. The colour system is stabilized by an excess of sulphite. Suggestions are made about the nature of the colour body and its mechanism of production.