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The objective of the study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic trends for first lactation production and reproduction traits in Murrah buffaloes. The information of pedigree and targeted traits of 640 Murrah buffaloes was collected for the period from 1997 to 2020. The first lactation production traits included first lactation milk yield (FLMY), 305 days first lactation milk yield (305FLMY), first lactation length (FLL), first lactation peak yield (FPY) whereas reproduction traits included first service period (FSP), first calving interval (FCI) and first dry period (FDP). Genetic and phenotypic trends were estimated. Phenotypic trends for FLMY, 305FLMY, FLL and FPY exhibited as 36.96 ± 8.58 kg/year, 31.93 ± 8.34 kg/year, 1.47 ± 0.55 days/year and 0.12 ± 0.02 kg/year, respectively and respective genetic trends exhibited as 3.73 ± 1.67 kg/year, 1.94 ± 0.76 kg/year, −0.15 ± 0.07 days/year and 0.01 ± 0.01 kg/year, respectively. It was revealed that there were significant (p < 0.05) and positive phenotypic trends for all production traits while genetic trends were significant (p < 0.05) for FLMY and 305FLMY traits. The phenotypic trends of studied reproductive traits indicated that only FDP trait significantly (p < 0.01) decreased (1.87 days/year) over time. For FSP and FCI traits, nonsignificant (p > 0.05) genetic and phenotypic trends indicated no change over time. This study highlighted potential challenges in maintaining reproductive efficiency alongside productivity improvements in Murrah buffaloes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeted therapy of the highest globally incident breast cancer shall resolve the issue of off‐target toxicity concurring with augmented killing of specific diseased cells. Thus, the goal of this study was to prepare a peptide‐drug conjugate targeting elevated expression of HER2 receptors in breast cancer. Towards this, the rL‐A9 peptide was conjugated with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) through a N‐succinimidyl‐4‐(N‐maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane‐1‐carboxylate (SMCC) linker. The synthesized peptide‐drug conjugate, rL‐A9‐DOX, was characterized by mass spectrometry. Molecular docking studies, based on binding energy data, suggested a stronger interaction of rL‐A9‐DOX with the HER2 receptor in comparison to the unconjugated peptide, rL‐A9. The cytotoxic effect of the rL‐A9‐DOX conjugate was observed to be higher in HER2‐positive SKOV3 cells compared to HER2‐negative MDA‐MB‐231 cells, indicating selective cell killing. Cellular internalization of the rL‐A9‐DOX conjugate was evident from the flow cytometry analysis, where a noticeable shift in mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) was observed for the conjugate compared to the control group. This data was further validated by confocal microscopy, where the fluorescent signal ascertained nuclear accumulation of rL‐A9‐DOX. The present studies highlight the promising potential of rL‐A9‐DOX for targeted delivery of the drug into a defined group of cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research work reported the study of nanocomposites of undoped and Mg‐doped ZnO with CNT as electrode materials for supercapacitor application. The undoped ZnO/CNT and Mg‐doped ZnO/CNT nanocomposites (i.e., 10 % Mg‐doped and 20 % Mg‐doped) were synthesized using a cost‐effective blending‐assisted hydrothermal method. The morphological (FESEM & TEM) studies revealed that the diameter of CNT was ~7 nm and the ZnO nanoparticles were spherical in shape with an average particle size of ~5 nm. In addition, it was also found that 10 % Mg‐ZnO and 20 % Mg‐ZnO had a sheet‐like structure. XRD and FTIR studies further confirmed the successful doping of Mg in ZnO and CNT nanocomposites. BET analysis showed that the value of specific capacitance increased with the increase in surface area. Further, the electrochemical performance of these nanocomposites revealed that the higher doping percentage, 20 % Mg‐ZnO/CNT nanocomposite achieved the highest specific capacitance value i.e., 458.5 F/g at 0.1 A/g current density in 3M H2SO4 electrolytic solution, having a retention of 99.8 % after 12,00 long cycles. In addition, the charge storage mechanism revealed that the as‐synthesized nanocomposites showed both the diffusion‐controlled and capacitive‐controlled behaviors. Thus, a higher value of specific capacitance with excellent cyclic stability indicated the higher efficiency of Mg‐doped ZnO/CNT nanocomposite for future supercapacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to assess genetic parameters for first lactation production and reproduction traits in Murrah buffaloes by employing additive and maternal effects. Data on pedigree and specific traits of 640 Murrah buffaloes were gathered from 1997 to 2020. These traits encompassed first lactation milk yield (FLMY), 305‐day first lactation milk yield (305FLMY), first lactation length (FLL), first lactation peak yield (FPY), first service period (FSP), first calving interval (FCI) and first dry period (FDP). Genetic evaluations employed six univariate animal models, accounting for both direct and maternal effects, facilitated by THRGIBBS1F90 and POSTGIBBSF90 programs. Fixed factors included in the analysis were period of calving, season of calving and age at first calving. The Bayesian estimates for direct heritability, derived from the most suitable model, were as follows: FLMY: 0.28 ± 0.01, 305FLMY: 0.30 ± 0.01, FLL: 0.19 ± 0.01, FPY: 0.18 ± 0.01, FSP: 0.12 ± 0.01, FCI: 0.14 ± 0.01 and FDP: 0.12 ± 0.01. Maternal effects were found significant, ranging from 5% to 10%, in first lactation traits under Model 2 and Model 5. Additionally, positive and significant genetic and phenotypic correlations were observed among the studied traits. In conclusion, selection based on 305‐day first lactation milk yield suggests potential for genetic enhancement in Murrah buffaloes, advocating its inclusion in breeding programmes to bolster early performance. Also, consideration of maternal influences is necessary for genetic progress of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, a novel composite of nickel sulfide (NiS) and potato peel‐derived carbon spheres (NiS/PPCS) with higher specific capacitance and cyclic performance was synthesized as electrode material for supercapacitor applications. The composite was deposited on a graphite rod to be use as an electrode. The electrochemical performance studies using CV, GCD, and EIS revealed that the prepared electrode showed an improved current response and higher specific capacitance than the pristine NiS electrode. The maximum specific capacitance for the NiS/PPCS electrode was found to be 2185 F/g at 0.2 A/g current density. More precisely, it was observed that the NiS/PPCS composite exhibited an excellent retention capacity of 95.04% after 20 000 continuous charge‐discharge cycles, showing its exceptional cyclic performance. The impedance studies revealed that the reaction between the NiS/PPCS electrode and electrolyte was rapid and highly reversible. Based on the findings of the electrochemical performances, NiS/PPCS electrode appears to be a potential candidate for highly efficient and economical asymmetric supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Plant‐virus‐host interaction is a complex process involving several players. A constant arms race between the hosts and viruses has led to their co‐evolution. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important signaling molecules that regulate plant growth, development, and stress responses. Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) has a wide host range and infects several plant species such as barley, rice, oats, wheat, etc. A recent study by Tian et al. (2024) has highlighted that the movement protein (MP) of BYDV is involved in manipulation of the host ROS pathway to promote viral multiplication as well as transmission. The findings display the multifaceted role of a viral protein that is otherwise involved in movement. The limited coding ability of viruses is compensated by their proteins having multiple roles in the modulation of several different host molecular pathways. This is one of the key reasons for viruses being successful pathogens despite their limited coding ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the demand for highly efficient UV‐protective sunscreens continues to rise, the exploration of advanced materials becomes imperative. This paper introduces a novel approach to synthesizing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials through one‐step solvothermal (ZnO−A) and sonochemical (ZnO−B) methods, eliminating the need for stabilizers or capping agents. The materials have undergone rigorous characterization, focusing on structural and optical properties, and are subsequently evaluated for their UV shielding efficacy. The synthesized ZnO nanomaterials are seamlessly incorporated into a pure cream matrix at varying concentrations (5, 10 and 15 wt. %), offering a versatile application for skin protection against UVA/UVB irradiation. Remarkably, the cream with 15 wt. % ZnO−A emerges as a standout performer, demonstrating immense UV blocking efficacy with 96.44 % for UVA and 97.22 % for UVB. The in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) value of 30.76 further underscores its exceptional performance. This research not only establishes a comprehensive comparative analysis of ZnO−A and ZnO−B nanomaterials but also emphasizes their potential as active ingredients in next‐generation skin care sunscreen formulations. The findings contribute to the ongoing efforts in advancing UV protection technologies, addressing both efficacy and safety considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The meat industry plays a vital role in India's economy, contributing significantly to employment and GDP. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in digitalising the meat supply chain in India to address these challenges and enhance efficiency, transparency, and traceability. Digitalisation enables real‐time monitoring of environmental conditions, such as humidity and temperature, during storage and transportation, ensuring optimal preservation of meat products. Government initiatives, such as the Digital India programme and the Atma‐Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, provide support and incentives to foster digitalisation in the meat industry and other sectors. This study analysed the implementation of digital technologies and supply chain performance as the involvement of top management commitment is crucial while carrying out this task. It supports that the implementation of digital technologies would lead to an increase in supply chain collaboration and it further would lead to an increase in supply chain performance. This study will help robust and more unified supply chain by connecting the stakeholders digitally as well as by applying digital technologies for smooth industry operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight new amide‐based carboxylate derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for anti‐inflammatory potentials using in‐vitro, in‐vivo and in silico studies. In cyclooxygenase‐2 assay, maximum percent antagonist potential was exhibited by sodium 4‐((4‐fluorophenyl) amino)‐4‐oxobutanoate (93.91 %), bis ((4‐((4‐methoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl)amino)‐4‐oxobutanoyl)oxy) zinc (93.04 %), and bis ((4‐((4‐bromo‐2‐fluorophenyl) amino)‐4‐oxobutanoyl)oxy)zincio (2‐bromopyridine) (92.64 %) with IC50 values of 1.65, 2.08, and 0.288 μM/ml respectively. Celecoxib demonstrated 98.60 % effect with an IC50 value of 0.041 μM/ml. In LOX assay, 4‐((4‐methoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl)amino)‐4‐oxobutanoic acid (97.03 %), bis ((4‐((4‐methoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl)amino)‐4‐oxobutanoyl)oxy)zinc (95.45 %), and (92.53 %) demonstrated maximum percent effect with IC50 values 3.48, 0.45, and 0.83 μM/ml respectively. The standard 5‐lipoxygenase inhibitor (montelukast) resulted from a 98.39 % inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 0.194 μM/ml. In in‐vivo analysis, the potent tested compounds (5, 10, and, 20 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) reversed the induced edema by carrageenan. The standard drug aspirin displayed significant results (74–83 %). The standard drugs in these phlogestic agents displayed excellent results like cetirizine (67.9 %), celecoxib (81.61 %), icatibant (82.22 %) and nemesulide (87.17 %) at 5th h. The compounds displayed the inhibitory potential against targeted proteins. 4‐((4‐methoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl)amino)‐4‐oxobutanoic acid, 4‐((4‐fluorophenyl)amino)‐4‐oxobutanoic acid and sodium 4‐((4‐bromo‐2‐fluorophenyl)amino)‐4‐oxobutanoate shown excellent behavior by giving negative binding energies close of standard drugs montelukast (5F1A: −7.9 kcal/mol) and diclofenac (3O8Y: −8.5 Kcal/mol). The tested compounds were proven significant anti‐inflammatory potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trastuzumab is a US‐FDA‐approved humanized monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancer. The aim of the present work is to optimize a freeze‐dried formulation of DOTA‐Trastuzumab conjugate for the preparation of patient doses of [177Lu]Lu‐Trastuzumab for radioimmunotherapy of breast cancer. The formulation of [177Lu]Lu‐Trastuzumab usually takes a long time, and thus, such a process is not suitable for the routine preparation of this agent in hospital radiopharmacies. To circumvent this, a pre‐synthesized DOTA‐Trastuzumab conjugate as a freeze‐dried formulation is proposed. In the present work, DOTA‐Trastuzumab conjugate was subjected to a freeze‐drying process after the addition of optimized amounts of radioprotectant and cryoprotectant. [177Lu]Lu‐DOTA‐Trastuzumab was prepared by incubating the lyophilized powder of the kit vial with medium‐specific activity 177LuCl3. The final radiochemical purity of [177Lu]Lu‐DOTA‐Trastuzumab, prepared using freeze‐dried kit, was determined to be >95%. To ascertain the reproducibility of the procedure, six consecutive batches of the freeze‐dried formulation were prepared, radiolabeled, and evaluated by carrying out both in vitro and ex vivo studies. The consistency of the results of all the six consecutive batches confirmed the robustness and utility of the in‐house optimized freeze‐dried formulation for the preparation of patient doses of [177Lu]Lu‐Trastuzumab at hospital radiopharmacies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulating the thermal conductivity of the fluid in various heat exchange systems plays an important role. In this regard, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with their higher thermal conductivity, can enhance the heat transfer potential. The main objective of the present study is to explore the impact of suction and injection on the oscillatory flow of CNT‐based hybrid nanofluid through a channel under the influence of the magnetic field for analysing heat transfer perspectives. While developing a mathematical model of the problem, we also considered other relevant elements, such as thermal radiation for optically thin fluids and porous mediums. The behaviour of a water‐SWCNT + MWCNT hybrid nanofluid is studied concerning the volume fraction of CNTs. The governing flow equations have been solved to obtain the correct solutions for the distribution of velocities and temperatures. Graphs and tables are used to assess the impact of relevant parameters on the flow and derived quantities. Adding CNTs to a fluid reduces its temperature and velocity, making it ideal for cooling systems. However, plates exhibit a maximum heat transfer of 35.35% and 25.35%, respectively, for ϕ1=0.01${\phi }_1 = 0.01$ and ϕ2=0.02${\phi }_2 = 0.02$. The magnetic and constant pressure parameters greatly diminish the fluid's velocity, while the thermal buoyancy forces strengthen the flow. The effectiveness of the current study is confirmed by comparing its results to those from previous investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is strong evidence that most individuals in the elderly population are characterized by inflamm‐aging which refers to a subtle increase in the systemic pro‐inflammatory environment and impaired innate immune activation. Although a variety of distinct factors are associated with the progression of inflamm‐aging, emerging research is demonstrating a dynamic relationship between the processes of cellular senescence and inflamm‐aging. Cellular senescence is a recognized factor governing organismal aging, and through a characteristic secretome, accumulating senescent cells can induce and augment a pro‐inflammatory tissue environment that provides a rationale for immune system‐independent activation of inflamm‐aging and associated diseases. There is also accumulating evidence that inflamm‐aging or its components can directly accelerate the development of senescent cells and ultimately senescent cell burden in tissues in a likely vicious inflammatory loop. The present review is intended to describe the emerging senescence‐based molecular etiology of inflamm‐aging as well as the dynamic reciprocal interactions between inflamm‐aging and cellular senescence. Therapeutic interventions concurrently targeting cellular senescence and inflamm‐aging are discussed and limitations as well as research opportunities have been deliberated. An effort has been made to provide a rationale for integrating inflamm‐aging with cellular senescence both as an underlying cause and therapeutic target for further studies. Significance statement: The present work is aimed at understanding the interactions between cellular senescence and inflamm‐aging that together predispose the elderly to recurring infections and inflammatory disorders. The rationale for viewing these two processes together with their interdependent pathophysiology has been presented. This paper intends to apprise the scientific community of this developing interconnection and underlying disease pathology that may ultimately help identify novel molecular markers and therapeutic targets of inflammatory disorders during aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Mediterranean diet, olive oil serves as the predominant fat source and has been linked to a decreased risk of mortality related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Still, there is no conclusive evidence correlating olive oil consumption to CVD. The aim of this study is to assess the global research, current research trends, and knowledge mapping related to the correlation between the consumption of olive oil and CVD using bibliometric analysis. On August 19, 2023, a title‐specific literature search was conducted on the Scopus database using the search terms "olive oil" and "cardiovascular disease" with a date range of the past 50 years. Subsequently, bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer and Bibliometrix were employed to analyze and evaluate the obtained documents. The search yielded (n = 429) publications and showed an upward trend in the annual publication count over the last five decades. The publication number exhibited a gradual increase with a rate of 5.55%. The results also indicated that 2530 authors, 759 institutions, 47 countries, and 223 journals have publications in this research domain. The present bibliometric study will be a valuable research reference for describing the worldwide research patterns concerning the relationship between olive oil and CVD during the past 50 years. In the future, the application of olive oil for the treatment of CVDs may be an emerging research trend. Apart from this, collaborations among authors, countries, and organizations are expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sustainable project‐driven supply chain (SPDSC) refers to integrating sustainability into project management to improve the sustainability performance of projects. Integrating sustainability and supply chain management is any project‐based organization's most significant performance‐related challenge. Therefore, the present study explores the drivers that can effectively tackle supply chain issues in managing projects undertaken in construction contracting firms for long‐term sustainability. Sixteen critical drivers were considered through a rigorous literature review and fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) for construction contracting firms. Then, selected drivers were used to analyze established construction contracting firms using a grey relational analysis (GRA) technique. The results highlight that construction contracting firms (CCFs) considered the drivers of sustainable use of resources, energy and eco‐efficiency, and environmental impact assessment; stakeholder engagement and social impact; and supply chain collaboration dimensions need to be improved for enhancing the sustainability of PDSCs. This study's contribution is twofold: It quantifies the identified set of critical drivers relevant to SPDSCs; it offers the CCFs a practical toolkit for sustainable project deliverables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study published in Drug Development Research discusses the potential use of exosomes in drug delivery, specifically for targeted delivery of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in antiviral therapy. Exosomes have natural properties that make them suitable for drug delivery, such as biocompatibility and the ability to cross biological barriers. They can be modified to enhance targeting and delivery through various techniques. The study also explores the use of exosomes in early diagnosis of viral infections, such as the H3N2 variant. While exosome-mediated delivery of PROTACs shows promise in antiviral therapy, further research and optimization are needed. [Extracted from the article]

The continuous pursuit of designing an ideal infection imaging agent is a crucial and ongoing endeavor in the field of biomedical research. Duramycin, an antimicrobial peptide exerts its antimicrobial action on bacteria by specific recognition of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) moiety present on most bacterial membranes, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli membranes contain more than 60% PE. Therefore, duramycin is an attractive candidate for the formulation of probes for in situ visualization of E. coli driven focal infections. The aim of the present study is to develop 99mTc labeled duramycin as a single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)‐based agent to image such infections. Duramycin was successfully conjugated with a bifunctional chelator, hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC). PE specificity of HYNIC‐duramycin was confirmed by a dye release assay on PE‐containing model membranes. Radiolabeling of HYNIC–duramycin with 99mTc was performed with consistently high radiochemical yield (>90%) and radiochemical purity (>90%). [99mTc]Tc‐HYNIC‐duramycin retained its specificity for E. coli, in vitro. SPECT and biodistribution studies showed that the tracer could specifically identify E. coli driven infection at 3 h post injection. While 99mTc‐labeled duramycin is employed for monitoring early response to cancer therapy and cardiotoxicity, the current studies have confirmed, for the first time, the potential of utilizing 99mTc labeled duramycin as an imaging agent for detecting bacteria. Its application in imaging PE‐positive bacteria represents a novel and promising advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the growing population and the industrial revolution, a significant number of toxic materials including heavy metals (HMs) are being released into the environment, posing harm to humans, the environment, and other living organisms. When these HMs find their way into water sources, they cause water pollution and pose a threat to the ecosystem. As a result, there is an imperative need to eliminate these HMs from the water. Numerous techniques are being employed for water purification, but adsorption is the most economical and efficient method. The present article critically discussed the applications of different adsorbents including agricultural wastes, industrial wastes, biochar, chitosan, aerogel‐based adsorbents, geopolymer cement/concrete, carbon‐based nanomaterials (NMs), and polymer‐supported nanocomposites (NCs) for removal of HMs from wastewater. Removal capacity of some of the adsorbents are tabulated. Effects of dose of adsorbent, contact time, pH, temperature, initial ion concentration and ionic strength on the removal of HMs from water have been explored. Various adsorption isotherm and kinetic models have also been discussed, including the modeling using artificial neural networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liposomal formulations carrying chemotherapeutic drugs have demonstrated great potential as effective drug delivery systems. Smart nanoformulations decorated with targeting agents and probes are desired for site specific delivery of drugs and real time monitoring. In this study, we aimed to develop liposomal formulation loaded with doxorubicin and tagged with trastuzumab antibody (Ab) for targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive tumors. Liposomes were prepared by ethanol injection method using modified lipids to conjugate trastuzumab and radiolabel with Tc‐99m radioisotope using DTPA for imaging by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Doxorubicin was loaded using the active pH gradient method. The conjugation of Ab to liposomes was validated by SDS‐PAGE and MALDI‐MS. 99mTc labeled liposomes encapsulating doxorubicin conjugated with antibody (99mTc‐Lip‐Ab‐Dox) and 99mTc labeled liposomes encapsulating doxorubicin (99mTc‐Lip‐Dox) were found to be stable in blood plasma and saline using chromatography method. The specificity of 99mTc‐Lip‐Ab‐Dox against HER2 receptor was evident from cell uptake and inhibition studies. Results also corroborated with confocal microscopy studies. In vivo studies in tumor bearing severe combined immunodeficient mice by SPECT imaging and biodistribution studies revealed higher uptake of 99mTc‐Lip‐Ab‐Dox in tumor and less accumulation in the liver compared to 99mTc‐Lip‐Dox. In conclusion, liposomal nanoformulation for immunotargeting and monitoring of drug delivery was successfully formulated and evaluated. Encouraging results in preclinical studies were obtained with the radioformulation. Such smart radioformulations will not only serve the purpose of site‐specific controlled release of drugs at the target site but also aid in optimizing the drug doses and schedule of cancer treatment by monitoring pharmacokinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosome‐based targeted delivery of Proteolysis‐Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) is an innovative approach that provides a promising solution for addressing the complex issues of viral diseases. This strategy significantly mitigates the off‐target effects associated with traditional therapeutics by facilitating targeted delivery of PROTACs, which in turn enhances the overall therapeutic outcomes. Challenges like poor pharmacokinetics and unintended side effects, commonly observed with conventional PROTACs usage, are effectively managed with this approach. Emerging evidence affirms the potential of this delivery mechanism in curbing viral replication. However, it is crucial to undertake more comprehensive investigations for optimizing exosome‐based delivery systems and conducting stringent safety and efficacy assessments within preclinical and clinical settings. The advancements in this field could potentially redefine the therapeutic landscape for viral diseases, opening new vistas for their management and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial biofilms are highly resilient microbial musters that are difficult to eradicate, driving the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The current study aims to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of cell‐penetrating peptide‐based targeted delivery of vancomycin functionalized quantum dots in eradicating biofilm formation in gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacterial strains. The conjugate was characterized using fluorimetry, UV–visible spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis, and zeta potential. The conjugate was then tested for antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, and it demonstrated excellent antimicrobial as well as antibiofilm activity against all the tested strains. The findings indicated that the conjugate was capable of overcoming bacterial resistance of bacteria in addition to the eradication of biofilms at effective concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Co‐infections occur when two or more different types of pathogens infect the same host at the same time. Initially, it may develop via a primary infection and then later segue into a superinfection. Although some research suggests that coinfections do not affect the effect of disease outcomes, alternate evidence says otherwise. While the disease outcomes are frequently influenced by the interactions between many viruses, how these viruses interact during coinfections is poorly understood. This article aims to shed light on the interaction between viruses at a cellular and subcellular level, and the clinical implications for the same. Methods: The articles were sought by conducting a thorough literature search on Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, PubMed Central, Dimensions, and EBSCO Host, using keywords such as coinfections, virus, viral hybrids, and superinfection. The articles pertinent to the concept were then included. Results: There is a growing body of evidence that suggests the formation of hybrid viral particles (HVPs) which conjugate at the cellular and subcellular level. While the formation of HVPs is bizarre, it may potentially have a profound effect on the clinical manifestations. Conclusion: While there has been evidence of the formation of HVPs between a couple of viruses, researchers fear the existence of several other combinations, including zoonotic viruses. While this could be detrimental to the human race both at an individual—as well as a community‐level, an in‐depth understanding of the same may help in better management of the clinical manifestations of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with epilepsy commonly have comorbid neurocognitive impairments that severely affect their psychosocial well‐being, education, and future career prospects. Although the provenance of these deficits is multifactorial, the effects of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and anti‐seizure medications (ASMs) are thought to be particularly severe. Although certain ASMs can be leveraged to inhibit IED occurrence, it remains unclear whether epileptiform discharges or the medications themselves are most deleterious to cognition. To examine this question, 25 children undergoing invasive monitoring for refractory focal epilepsy performed one or more sessions of a cognitive flexibility task. Electrophysiological data were recorded to detect IEDs. Between repeated sessions, prescribed ASMs were either continued or titrated to <50% of the baseline dose. Hierarchical mixed‐effects modeling assessed the relationship between task reaction time (RT), IED occurrence, ASM type, and dose while controlling for seizure frequency. Both presence (β ± SE = 49.91 ± 16.55 ms, p =.003) and number of IEDs (β ± SE = 49.84 ± 12.51 ms, p <.001) were associated with slowed task RT. Higher dose oxcarbazepine significantly reduced IED frequency (p =.009) and improved task performance (β ± SE = −107.43 ± 39.54 ms, p =.007). These results emphasize the neurocognitive consequences of IEDs independent of seizure effects. Furthermore, we demonstrate that inhibition of IEDs following treatment with select ASMs is associated with improved neurocognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the post‐COVID‐19 long‐term complications or long COVID of various organ systems in patients after 3 months of the infection, specifically before the Omicron variant, with comparative literature analysis. Methods: A systemic literature search and meta‐analysis were conducted using multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library) with predefined search terms to identify eligible articles. Eligible studies reported long‐term complications of COVID‐19 infection before the Omicron variant infection. Case reports, case series, observational studies with cross‐sectional or prospective research design, case–control studies, and experimental studies that reported post‐COVID‐19 complications were included. The complications reported after 3 months after the recovery from COVID‐19 infection were included in the study. Results: The total number of studies available for analysis was 34. The effect size (ES) for neurological complications was 29% with 95% confidence interval (CI): 19%–39%. ES for psychiatric complications was 24% with 95% CI: 7%–41%. ES was 9% for cardiac outcomes, with a 95% CI of 1%–18%. ES was 22%, 95% CI: 5%–39% for the gastrointestinal outcome. ES for musculoskeletal symptoms was 18% with 95% CI: 9%–28%. ES for pulmonary complications was 28% with 95% CI: 18%–37%. ES for dermatological complications was 25%, with a 95% CI of 23%–26%. ES for endocrine outcomes was 8%, with a 95% CI of 8%–9%. ES size for renal outcomes was 3% with a 95% CI of 1%–7%. At the same time, other miscellaneous uncategorized outcomes had ES of 39% with 95% CI of 21%–57%. Apart from analyzing COVID‐19 systemic complications outcomes, the ES for hospitalization and intensive care unit admissions were found to be 4%, 95% CI: 0%–7%, and 11% with 95% CI: 8%–14%. Conclusion: By acquiring the data and statistically analyzing the post‐COVID‐19 complications during the prevalence of most virulent strains, this study has generated a different way of understanding COVID‐19 and its complications for better community health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until February 2023, the majority of COVID-19 cases were associated with SARS-CoV-2 subvariants, such as BF.7,[1] BQ.1,[1] BQ.1.1,[1] and XBB.1.5,[1] and XBB.1.9.[2] However, the recent surge in cases has been precipitated by a novel Omicron XBB.1.16 variant, dubbed "Arcturus."[3] First detected from samples collected in January 2023, XBB.1.16[4] has rapidly spread to over 31 countries by late March 2023,[5] and is reported to have originated in India, where it is predominant and has replaced other strains of the virus.[[3], [6]] Cases have also been reported in several parts of Europe, and countries such as Australia, Britain, Brunei (4.50%),[5] Canada, India (highest number of sequences globally at 32.47%),[5] Indonesia, Singapore (3.21%),[5] and the United States.[[6], [8]] In the United States, the cases caused by XBB.1.16 strain sore from 0.21% in late February, to 3.96% in March, and 7.2% in mid-April 2023.[6] Owing to such an increase in cases, on March 22, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated XBB.1.16 as a variant under monitoring status, and later as a variant of interest on April 17, 2023.[5] Nextstrain/Nextclade has promoted XBB.1.16 as a novel clade, 23B.[5] Currently, XBB.1.16 is one of the seven variants of SARS-CoV-2 currently being monitored.[6] Compared with the parental XBB.1.5 variant that bore the spike protein mutation, F486P, XBB.1.16 variant presents two additional mutations, viz. Furthermore, XBB.1.16 has an effective reproductive number (R SB e sb ) 1.27- and 1.17-fold higher than the previous XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 variants, respectively, suggesting higher infectivity and transmissibility rates.[2] Recent reports suggest that the XBB.1.16 variant demonstrated robust neutralization resistance against variants such as BA.5 (37-times vs. Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron XBB.1.16 variant. [Extracted from the article]

COVID's Omicron variant has sparked a slew of concerns across the globe. This review aims to provide a brief overview of what we know about the Omicron variant right now. The new variant has been discovered in 149 countries across all six World Health Organization (WHO) regions since its discovery in South Africa on November 24, 2021 and became the dominant variant in the country in less than 3 weeks. The WHO has warned that the B.1.1.529 variant is spreading at an unprecedented rate, and has urged countries to prepare for the worst. Over the course of this time, researchers from Africa and around the world have uncovered a wealth of information about the virus's epidemiology and biological properties. Case numbers are increasing exponentially in hard‐hit areas such as South Africa, United Kingdom, and USA (overtaking the delta variant), implying that the variant is highly transmissible. Initial research has provided some insights into the efficacy of vaccines against the Omicron variant and whether it produces major illness, however, much remains unknown, and additional work is needed to investigate what the initial reports represent in real‐world situations. Highlights: 1.The current Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS‐CoV‐2 variant outbreak summary in the world is addressed.2.Up to date information on its emergence, epidemiology, genomics, replication, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management strategies are discussed here.3.Omicron variant spike protein has a higher affinity for the human ACE2 receptor.4.Omicron has a significant effect on vaccine‐induced neutralizing antibody titers.5.The mutations in the Omicron receptor‐binding domain (RBD) have possible implications for the ongoing COVID pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease that leads to brain disorder and nonfunctioning of different body parts. Deep learning tools like artificial neural network (ANN), convolution neural network (CNN), regression Analysis (RA), and so on, has been considered to a great extent in recent days. Several data sets based on the motor and nonmotor symptoms are applied to different classifier for correct identification of Parkinson's patient from healthy people. In this paper, hybridization of two deep learning tools such as, RA and ANN are done for effective diagnosis of the disease by probability estimation. The communal merits of individual approaches of the existing approaches are realized in this context for accurate probability estimation. Data preprocessing and probability estimation of preprocessed data is done in RA. The second existing approach is used to identify the PD patient by comparing with a predefined threshold value of a neuron. The estimation is performed on the data set of speech recognition, iron content, and pulse rate among a group of people. The proposed approach is compared with the existing approaches like, SVM and k‐NN classifier. The computed result reveals the superiority of the proposed algorithm with 93.46% accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on deep learning and big data analytics for processing and analyzing data in 5G and 6G applications. Topics include research activities and areas such as bioinformatics, beyond 5G and 6G communications, healthcare, internet of things (IoT), manufacturing business, and social networks; and providing services with massive connectivity, ultra-low latency, extremely high security, extremely low energy consumption, and ultra-high data-rate.

Temporomandibular joint ankyloses (TMJA) may manifest in patients with several predisposing systemic conditions. A case of extraarticular TMJA is presented in a patient diagnosed with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive (FOP) is presented. The features, diagnosis, and management of TMJA superimposed on this condition are presented through a qualitative systematic review of literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structurally unique polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers implanted with targeting biological moiety along with complexed radiometal constitute a favorable nano‐system for diagnosis and therapy of targeted tumor sites. In the present study, carboxyl functionalities of PAMAM‐ generation 4 dendrimer (PAMAM‐G4‐COOH) were conjugated with ε‐amino group of lysine of cRGDfK peptide to impart integrin αvβ3 targeting capability. Reaction of p‐NH2‐Bn‐DOTA with PAMAM was accomplished via acid‐amine coupling using EDC/NHS for 177Lu‐complexation. 177Lu‐labeled nano‐system, 177Lu‐PAMAM‐DOTA‐cRGDfK demonstrated receptor‐mediated uptake in murine melanoma B16F10 cells during in vitro cell uptake studies. In vivo biodistribution studies demonstrated low tumor uptake and retention of 177Lu‐PAMAM‐DOTA‐cRGDfK which may be attributed to rapid blood clearance. However, fast clearance from non‐target organs resulted in higher target to background ratio. Tumor uptake of targeted nano‐system, 177Lu‐PAMAM‐DOTA‐cRGDfK was observed to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher in comparison to 177Lu‐PAMAM‐DOTA without the targeting peptide. Inhibition studies with unlabeled cRGDfK resulted in 60% reduction in tumor uptake of 177Lu‐PAMAM‐DOTA‐cRGDfK, indicating specificity of the developed nano‐system towards integrin αvβ3 receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional MoS2 can be used for various electronic and optoelectronic applications due to its atomically thin structure and high surface area. Keeping such applications in mind, we report, the role of different solvent in the synthesis of 2D‐MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) via liquid‐phase exfoliation method, and these nanosheets are further studied for photodetector application. Bulk MoS2 powder has been exfoliated in various solvents like deionized water (DI), 1,2‐dichlorobenzene (DCB), dimethylformamide (DMF), and N‐methyl‐pyrrolidone (NMP). The structural and optical properties of samples have been investigated. From the structural analysis, it has been found that MoS2 NSs have lateral dimensions in micron and are few nanometer thick. These NSs are single plane oriented with a 2H phase, which have semiconducting nature. The optical properties of MoS2 NSs have been studied by UV‐Visible absorption spectroscopy, and it is found that the optical band gap has been varied between 1.62 eV to 1.78 eV. The photoresponse of these synthesized NSs has been studied and found that NSs exfoliated in DMF and NMP show better photoresponse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disorders of the fibrin stabilizing and fibrinolytic pathway should be considered in patients with excessive postsurgical bleeding with normal screening tests of hemostasis. History, clinical assessment of the timing and severity of bleeding along with utilization of advanced tests such as global hemostasis assays and appropriate coagulation factor assays (especially FXIII) will aid in the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The southern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an important emerging polyphagous pest infesting soybean in the United States, Brazil and Argentina. The indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides to control stinkbugs has limited the effectiveness of current management strategies. Alternatively, RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a novel mode of action to control pests in an eco‐friendly manner. RESULTS: Here, we assessed the potential of RNAi technology by oral delivery of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) for the control of N. viridula. Initially, ten candidate genes were tested by microinjection assay to select the best target genes for oral delivery. Seven genes resulted in more than 90% mortality after microinjection. To evaluate RNAi efficacy by oral delivery of dsRNA, five genes were tested by feeding the insects on gene‐specific dsRNA mixed with an artificial diet. Significant mortality of 43% and 45% was observed after 14 days of treatment with dsαCop and dsvATPase A, respectively. To elucidate the lower RNAi efficacy via oral delivery of dsRNA, ex vivo dsRNA degradation in the saliva and the midgut juice was performed, which indicated that the reduced RNAi efficacy is accompanied by a rapid degradation of dsRNA by digestive secretions. CONCLUSION: This study proves that RNAi can be triggered by orally delivered dsRNA in N. viridula and can be exploited to control this economically important pest. The reduced stability of dsRNA in saliva and midgut that was observed indicates a need to further improve RNAi efficacy, for example by use of specific formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research article, we have examined the temperature and nanoparticle distribution within a channel filled with nanofluid. The flow is induced by walls of the channel stretching with a velocity proportional to the distance from origin. The analysis is carried out by assuming the presence of Navier's velocity slip. Buongiorno's modified nanofluid model that accounts the effects of nanoparticle migration due to thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion is used as model to analyze flow. We obtained similar solution of the problem numerically by the finite element method and validated it with the solution obtained by the optimal homotopy analysis method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patients with hypomorphic mutations in DNase II develop a severe and debilitating autoinflammatory disease. This study was undertaken to compare the disease parameters in these patients to those in a murine model of DNase II deficiency, and to evaluate the role of specific nucleic acid sensors and identify the cell types responsible for driving the autoinflammatory response. Methods: To avoid embryonic death, Dnase2−/− mice were intercrossed with mice that lacked the type I interferon (IFN) receptor (Ifnar−/−). The hematologic changes and immune status of these mice were evaluated using complete blood cell counts, flow cytometry, serum cytokine enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, and liver histology. Effector cell activity was determined by transferring T cells from Dnase2−/− × Ifnar−/− double‐knockout (DKO) mice into Rag1−/− mice, and 4 weeks after cell transfer, induced changes were assessed in the recipient mice. Results: In Dnase2−/− × Ifnar−/−DKO mice, many of the disease features found in DNase II–deficient patients were recapitulated, including cytopenia, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and liver fibrosis. Dnase2+/+ × Rag1−/− mice (n > 22) developed a hematologic disorder that was attributed to the transfer of an unusual IFNγ‐producing T cell subset from the spleens of donor Dnase2−/− × Ifnar−/−DKO mice. Autoinflammation in this murine model did not depend on the stimulator of IFN genes (STING) pathway but was highly dependent on the chaperone protein Unc93B1. Conclusion: Dnase2−/− × Ifnar−/−DKO mice may be a valid model for exploring the innate and adaptive immune mechanisms responsible for the autoinflammation similar to that seen in DNASE2‐hypomorphic patients. In this murine model, IFNγ is required for T cell activation and the development of clinical manifestations. The role of IFNγ in DNASE2‐deficient patient populations remains to be determined, but the ability of Dnase2−/− mouse T cells to transfer disease to Rag1−/− mice suggests that T cells may be a relevant therapeutic target in patients with IFN‐related systemic autoinflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acyclic chelator HBED‐CC has attained huge clinical significance owing to high thermodynamic and kinetic stability of 68Ga‐HBED‐CC chelate. It provides an excellent platform for quick preparation of 68Ga‐based radiotracers in high yield. Thus, the present study aimed at conjugation of gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPr) antagonist, RM26, with HBED‐CC chelator for 68Ga‐labeling. In vitro and vivo behavior of the peptide tracer, 68Ga‐HBED‐CC‐PEG2‐RM26, was assessed and compared with 68Ga‐NODAGA‐PEG2‐RM26. The peptide tracers, 68Ga‐HBED‐CC‐PEG2‐RM26 and 68Ga‐NODAGA‐PEG2‐RM26, prepared either by wet chemistry or formulated using freeze‐dried kits exhibited excellent radiochemical yield and in vitro stability. The two peptide tracers cleared rapidly from the blood. Biodistribution studies in normal mice demonstrated slightly higher or comparable uptake of 68Ga‐HBED‐CC‐PEG2‐RM26 in GRPr‐expressing organs pancreas, stomach, and intestine. The preliminary studies suggest high potential of 68Ga‐HBED‐CC‐PEG2‐RM26 for further investigation as a GRPr imaging agent and the wide scope of HBED‐CC chelator in development of 68Ga‐based peptide tracers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metal‐free synthesis of 2‐aryl‐3‐arylmethylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one is achieved through ionic liquid mediated and I2‐promoted tandem oxidative cyclocondensation of isatoic anhydrides with arylmethylamines as the common precursor for the 2‐aryl and 3‐arylmethyl moieties. Radical quenching experiments suggest a non‐radical mechanistic pathway and the operation under anaerobic condition confirms the essential role of I2 as the oxidant. Metal‐free synthesis, reduced reaction times to afford higher product yields, recyclability of the IL used as the reaction medium, and the feasibility of gram scale operation are some advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The Neotropical stink bug Euschistus heros is a major pest in soybean fields. Development of highly species‐specific pesticides based on RNA interference (RNAi) could provide a new sustainable and environmentally friendly control strategy. RESULTS: Here, the potential of RNAi as a pest control tool against E. heros was assessed. First, target gene selection using a microinjection approach was performed. Seven of the 15 candidate genes tested exhibited > 95% mortality after hemolymph injection of 27.5 ng dsRNA. Subsequently, dsRNA was administered orally using different formulations: naked dsRNA, liposome‐encapsulated‐dsRNA and dsRNA formulated with EDTA. Liposome‐encapsulated dsRNA targeting vATPase A and muscle actin led to significant mortality after 14 days (45% and 42%, respectively), whereas EDTA‐formulated dsRNA did so for only one of the target genes. Ex vivo analysis of the dsRNA stability in collected saliva indicated a strong dsRNA‐degrading capacity by E. heros saliva, which could explain the need for dsRNA formulations. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that continuous ingestion of dsRNA with EDTA or liposome‐encapsulated dsRNA can prevent dsRNA from being degraded enzymatically and suggest great potential for using these formulations in dsRNA delivery to use RNAi as a functional genomics tool or for pest management of stink bugs. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry RNAi could provide a new sustainable control strategy for the Neotropical stinkbug. In this article, we report the use of EDTA‐ and liposome‐formulations to increase RNAi efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐speed metal interconnects play a significant role in the on‐chip network system as the network performance largely depends on the behaviour of these interconnects. Variability in wire properties due to the surface roughness directly impacts the overall system performance. In this study, the authors evaluate the effects of interconnect surface roughness on deeply scaled on‐chip interconnects (i.e. 22, 13, and 7 nm) in the context of the network on chip (NoC). The critical roughness parameters of interconnect in NoC are extracted by atomic force microscopy analysis of fabricated thin sheets of copper. Their analysis shows that in a 5 × 5 NoC with 25 cores on 2.5 mm × 2.5 mm die, rough interconnects can lead to a significant penalty on energy budget, bandwidth density, bit error rate, the figure of merit and total system throughput. Their analysis shows that this penalty is further increased by moving towards interconnection lines at advanced technology nodes. They simulate the bodytrack workload of PARSEC benchmark by using Tejas Simulator to show the penalty on latency and energy of the architecture due to the rough interconnects. Their study makes an attempt to qualitatively and quantitative highlight the impact of the interconnect surface roughness on the design of power‐aware NoCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three viral species that are recognized as belonging to the genus Henipavirus are Hendra virus, Nipah virus, and Cedar virus.[6] Hendra and Nipah virus genomes are single-stranded negative-sense RNA and non-segmented, like all mononegaviral genomes. According to the several reports, Langya virus has no case detected outside of China, and till now 35 infected patients are detected.[1] The Langya is another name for this new form of Henipavirus. A small number of goats and dogs had Langya virus antibodies, and 27% of the 262 tested shrews had Langya virus viral RNA. [Extracted from the article]

Bone pain is the major manifestation of skeletal metastases. Although various treatment modalities are available for bone pain palliation, use of radiolabeled phosphonates is documented to be more effective. Among radionuclides available for this purpose, lutetium‐177 is gaining popularity due to its moderate beta energy, theranostic capability, favorable half‐life and convenient production logistics. 177Lu‐DOTMP has shown considerable promise as a metastatic bone pain palliating agent in preliminary evaluations and recent clinical studies. Therefore, an attempt was made to elucidate the possible mechanism of in vitro cell death induced by 177Lu‐DOTMP in MG63 cells. 177Lu‐DOTMP binding studies were carried out in mineralized bone of MG63 cells and around 50% binding was observed. Skeletons of Wistar rats showed 1.78 ± 0.5% IA/g at a 3 h time period which was almost constant up to 7 days. MG63 cells were incubated with 3.7 and 37 MBq of 177Lu‐DOTMP for 48 h prior to perform assays. An increase in the magnitude of cell toxicity and apoptotic DNA fragmentation was observed. Enhancement of G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were documented which were dose‐dependent. Thus, 177Lu‐DOTMP induced apoptotic cell death in MG63 cells, which might be one of the primary causes of pain relief in osseous metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Both Δ9 Tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) components of cannabis, have been shown to have anticonvulsant effects. Cannabis oils are used to treat seizures in drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). Recent trials provide data on dosing, side effects, and efficacy of CBD, yet there is a paucity of information on THC in epilepsy. Primary objective was to establish dosing and tolerability of TIL‐TC150 ‐ a cannabis plant extract produced by Tilray®, containing 100 mg/mL CBD and 2 mg/mL THC‐ in children with Dravet syndrome. Secondary objectives were to assess impact of therapy on seizures, electroencephalogram (EEG) and quality of life. Methods: Twenty children received add‐on therapy with TIL‐TC150. The dose ranged from 2 to 16 mg/kg/day of CBD and 0.04 to 0.32 mg/kg/day of THC. Patients were monitored for tolerability and adverse events, and secondary objectives. Results: Nineteen participants completed the 20‐week intervention. Mean dose achieved was 13.3 mg/kg/day of CBD (range 7–16 mg/kg/day) and 0.27 mg/kg/day of THC (range 0.14–0.32 mg/kg/day). Adverse events, common during titration included somnolence, anorexia, and diarrhea. Abnormalities of liver transaminases and platelets were observed with concomitant valproic acid therapy. There was a statistically significant improvement in quality of life, reduction in EEG spike activity, and median motor seizure reduction of 70.6%, with 50% responder rate of 63%. Conclusions: TIL‐TC150 was safe and well tolerated in our subjects. TIL‐TC150 treatment resulted in a reduction in seizure counts, spike index on EEG, and improved quality of life measures. This study provides safety and dosing information for THC‐containing cannabinoid preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is an important cause of lobar intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in the elderly, but has other clinico-radiological manifestations. In the last two decades, certain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, namely gradient-recalled echo imaging and the newer and more sensitive susceptibility-weighted imaging, have been utilised to detect susceptibility-sensitive lesions such as cerebral microbleeds and cortical superficial siderosis. These can be utilised sensitively and specifically by the Modified Boston Criteria to make a diagnosis of CAA without the need for 'gold-standard' histopathology from biopsy. However, recently, other promising MRI biomarkers of CAA have been described which may further increase precision of radiological diagnosis, namely chronic white matter ischaemia, cerebral microinfarcts and lobar lacunes, cortical atrophy, and increased dilated perivascular spaces in the centrum semiovale. However, the radiological manifestations of CAA, as well as their clinical correlates, may have other aetiologies and mimics. It is important for the radiologist to be aware of these clinico-radiological features and mimics to accurately diagnose CAA. This is increasingly important in a patient demographic that has a high prevalence for use of antiplatelet and antithrombotic medications for other comorbidities which inherently carries an increased risk of ICH in patients with CAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports of arboviral transmission via blood transfusion may be a cause of concern among asymptomatic infected donors. This study evaluated the presence of arboviruses in donated blood products during the 2016 outbreak in Vitória da Conquista (Bahia‐Brazil). Serum samples (n = 676) were screened for ZIKV, CHIKV, and the four DENV serotypes using a one‐step reverse transcriptase‐based Real‐Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‐PCR). No samples tested positive for any of the targets, whereas positive controls performed as expected. The results suggest a low risk of arboviral transmission via transfusion of blood products in the endemic area studied during the 2016 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological behavior of 68Ga‐based radiopharmaceuticals can be significantly affected by the chelators’ attributes (size, charge, lipophilicity). Thus, this study aimed at examining the influence of three different chelators, DOTAGA, NODAGA, and HBED‐CC on the distribution pattern of 68Ga‐labeled NGR peptides targeting CD13 receptors. 68Ga‐DOTAGA‐c(NGR), 68Ga‐NODAGA‐c(NGR), and 68Ga‐HBED‐CC‐c(NGR) were observed to be hydrophilic with respective log p values being −3.5 ± 0.2, −3.3 ± 0.08, and −2.8 ± 0.14. The three radiotracers exhibited nearly similar uptake in human fibrosarcoma HT‐1080 tumor cells with 86%, 63%, and 33% reduction during blocking studies with unlabeled cNGR peptide for 68Ga‐DOTAGA‐c(NGR), 68Ga‐NODAGA‐c(NGR), and 68Ga‐HBED‐CC‐c(NGR), respectively, indicating higher receptor specificity of the first two radiotracers. The neutral radiotracer 68Ga‐NODAGA‐c(NGR) demonstrated better target‐to‐non‐target ratios during in vivo studies compared to its negatively charged counterparts, 68Ga‐DOTAGA‐c(NGR) and 68Ga‐HBED‐CC‐c(NGR). The three radiotracers had similar HT‐1080 tumor uptake and being hydrophilic exhibited renal excretion with minimal uptake in non‐target organs. Significant reduction (p < .005) in HT‐1080 tumor uptake of the radiotracers was observed during blocking studies. It may be inferred from these studies that the three radiotracers are promising probes for in vivo imaging of CD13 receptor expressing cancer sites; however, 68Ga‐NODAGA‐c(NGR) is a better candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]