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In the present investigation, systematic study of the reaction of tertiary alcohol-derived carbon radicals with 1,3-dienes was carried out. Using this chemistry, I was able to prepare a series of alkenes that contain complex quaternary carbon fragments. This reaction can be easily utilizing in many cases where tertiary alcohol precursor is more readily available than the corresponding halide precursor. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of precursors of tertiary radicals. • Synthesis of electron-deficient 1,3-dienes. • Tertiary carbon radicals were generated by an Ir-catalyzed visible-light photocatalyst. • Addition of tertiary carbon radicals to electron-deficient 1,3-dienes was carried out. The tertiary carbon radicals were created by an Ir-catalyzed photocatalyst. The addition of the created radicals to different substituted electron-deficient 1,3-dienes was carried out. New carbon centers append δ -substituted- β , γ -unsaturated scaffold were constructed through the 1,6-addition of tertiary carbon radicals to alkyl penta-2,4-dienoate derivatives or hexa -3,5-dien-2-one derivatives. Unlike the latter dienes, addition tertiary carbon radicals to cyclic ketonic electron-deficient dienes produced conjugated cycloalkenone. In each case, the stereoisomer majority was E stereoisomer while Z stereoisomer was observed as trace amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the peristaltic motion of nano-coupled stress fluid through non-Darcy porous medium is investigated, and the heat transfer is taken into account. The system is stressed by an external magnetic field. The Ohmic and viscous couple stress dissipations, heat generation and chemical reaction are considered. This motion is modulated mathematically by a system of non-linear partial differential equations, which describe the fluid velocity, temperature and nanoparticles' concentration. These equations are transformed to non-dimensional form with the associated appropriate boundary conditions. The homotopy perturbation method is used to find the solutions of these equations as a function of the physical parameters of the problem. The effects of the parameters on the obtained solutions are discussed numerically and illustrated graphically. It is found that these parameters play an important role to control the solutions. Significant outcomes from graphical elucidation envisage that the inclusion of more magnetic field strength increases the resistance of the fluid motion. Intensification of the couple stress parameter attenuates the temperature values, while it increases with increasing thermophoresis parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzyme-directed mutasynthesis is an emerging strategy for the targeted derivatization of natural products. Here, data on the synthesis of malonic acid derivatives for feeding studies in Saccharopolyspora erythraea , the mutagenesis of DEBS and bioanalytical data on the experimental investigation of studies on the biosynthetic pathway towards erythromycin are presented.

Unconventional bismuth (Bi 2 O 3) glasses containing zinc oxide (ZnO), lead oxide (PbO), and samarium oxide (Sm 2 O 3) were prepared using a melt quenching technique. The glass density was observed to decrease as the Sm 2 O 3 increased, from 6.881 g/cm3 for 1% Sm 2 O 3 to 6.618 g/cm3 for 7% Sm 2 O 3 , due to the replacement of lead content density by samarium content density. Optical absorption spectra were recorded and the optical parameters, such as the optical transition, optical electronegativity, refractive index, high frequency dielectric constant, single oscillator energy, and dispersive energy were determined. The optical parameter values were correlated to the ratio of Sm 2 O 3. The Judd–Ofelt (JO) theory was applied to the absorption spectra of the glass to predict the radiative and laser properties. The JO parameters (Ω 2 , Ω 4 , Ω 6) were found to be Ω 4 > Ω 2 > Ω 6 and related to the glass structure. These glasses were exposed to apply in photonic applications. Image 1 • Unconventional zinc lead bismuth glass containing samarium oxide was prepared. • The density values decreased from 6.881 to 6.618 g/cm3 as Sm3+ ions increased. • The optical transition decreased from 3.173 eV to 2.990 eV as Sm3+ ions increased. • The Judd–Ofelt parameters were Ω 4 > Ω 2 > Ω 6 , where Ω 4 and Ω 6 related to the rigidity. • Low values of Ω 2 related to the low covalence and high symmetry of Sm3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New thiourea derivatives bearing a benzodioxole moiety were synthesized via the reaction of 5-isothiocyanatobenzodioxole with amino compounds such as aromatic amines, sulfa drugs, heterocyclic amines, hydrazines and hydrazides. The anticancer activity of the synthesized thiourea derivatives was examined against HCT116, HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. Most of thiourea derivatives revealed significant cytotoxic effect, in some cases greater than the doxorubicin. As example, IC 50 values of N 1 ,N 3 -disubstituted-thiosemicarbazone 7 were 1.11, 1.74 and 7.0 μM for HCT116, HepG2 and MCF7, respectively; IC 50 values of doxorubicin were 8.29, 7.46 and 4.56 μM, respectively. The anticancer mechanisms were studied via EGFR inhibition and apoptosis assessments, as well as molecular docking. New series of thiourea derivatives incorporating a benzo d [1,3]dioxol-5-yl moiety were synthesized and evaluated for anticancer activity. Image 1 • Synthesis of thiourea derivatives incorporating a benzo d 1 , 3 dioxol-5-yl moiety. • Anticancer activity was determined. • EGFR inhibition was determined. • Apoptosis and cell cycle analysis were determined. • Docking study was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Internet of things (IoT) is the network of different objects or "things" containing sensors, software, and other technologies used to exchange data between devices and systems over the cloud. Such systems and networks should be provided with a proper cryptographic methodology to block unauthorized data transmission access. This issue is considered an essential challenge of resources that are shared on the data communication network, that is its security. So, in this study, a cryptosystem is proposed to maintain the security level of such systems with a new idea depending on DNA cryptography and DNA mixing. Results: In this study, the proposed cryptosystem is based on the RSA algorithm and DNA cryptography concepts with a novel idea for mixing DNA strands obtained from encoding medical image and report to enhance the security level through the IoT networks. This system achieved a proper result in reconstructing images with high quality. The similarity between the original data and the restored one reached 92% through 18 s. Conclusions: Such a proposed cryptosystem provided the feasibility of data security in network security, especially for E-health care through IoT system to help medical teamwork in handling medical data between hospitals safely. The result showed that RSA is a fast, efficient algorithm that can be utilized safely in cryptography schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New sulfonylurea derivatives were synthesized and screened for their anti-diabetic activity. Additionally, liver function enzyme activities, lipids profile, antioxidant activities, histopathological studies were investigated and discussed. • Synthesizing of new sulfonylurea derivatives. • Anti-diabetic activity was determined. • Active sulfonylureas 1c and 5 were coating with TEOS. • Liver function enzyme activities were studied. • Lipid profiles, antioxidant activities and Histopathological were studied. Series of new sulfonylurea derivatives (gliclazide analogues) was synthesized and characterized. Thus, p -tolylsulfonylisocyanate was left to react with different amino derivatives under mild conditions to afford the desired sulfonylurea derivatives 1 – 5. The molecular structure of the compound N -(2,6-Dichlorophenylcarbamoyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide, 1c has been elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Anti-diabetic properties of the synthesized compounds relative to anti-diabetic drug (gliclazidem MR60) were carried out, where most of the tested compounds showed significant activity for reducing the blood glucose level. The results revealed that compounds 1c and 5 showed better anti-diabetic activities compared with gliclazide. Activity of the most potent derivatives of sulfonylurea compounds namely 1c and 5 were increased using coated nanostructure tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a modified release (MR) agent. The effect of the prepared sulfonylurea compounds against the diabetic condition was investigated using specific selected biomarkers as of liver enzyme activities as transaminases (AST, ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipids profiles; total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TG) and total lipid (TL). The antioxidants, oxidative stress biomarkers and histological examination were also examined and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaucher′s disease is the most frequent sphingolipid storage disease. We present a case of type 1 non-neuropathic type of adult Gaucher′s disease patient with atypical presentation.

Architects who understand the need to build enduringly are faced with the almost complete absence of international agreements with respect to a planetary ecological project. The coming environmental changes will probably occur long before the small measures that can be implemented by some building industries on a regional level have even the slightest effect. Meanwhile, the health of the planet in positive feedback. Any project that aims for a wise ecological dwelling on this planet needs to consider short-term sustainable measures in comparison with long-term enduring practices. Might schools of thoughts such as traditional architecture, Gaia theory, Earth System Science, deep ecology, eco-feminism, converge on a co-evolutionary partnership between the natural and the human?

Book review of Léon Krier’s "Albert Speer. Architecture 1932–1942" Journal of Architecture and Urbanism, 38(3), p. 210-212

We report the case of a patient who developed cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema following a routine tonsillectomy. An 18-year-old male with swallowing difficulties underwent a tonsillectomy and developed swelling of the right side of his neck and face 36 hours after surgery. A neck X-ray revealed subcutaneous emphysema. Unlike similar previously published cases, there were no postoperative issues of coughing, straining, or use of positive pressure ventilation. The complication also occurred after a considerable length of time. Further complications may include pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum and these should be excluded.

Plasmodium sporozoites are deposited in the skin by Anopheles mosquitoes. They then find their way to the liver, where they specifically invade hepatocytes in which they develop to yield merozoites infective to red blood cells. Relatively little is known of the molecular interactions during these initial obligatory phases of the infection. Recent data suggested that many of the inoculated sporozoites invade hepatocytes an hour or more after the infective bite. We hypothesised that this pre-invasive period in the mammalian host prepares sporozoites for successful hepatocyte infection. Therefore, the genes whose expression becomes modified prior to hepatocyte invasion would be those likely to code for proteins implicated in the subsequent events of invasion and development. We have used P. falciparum sporozoites and their natural host cells, primary human hepatocytes, in in vitro co-culture system as a model for the pre-invasive period. We first established that under co-culture conditions, sporozoites maintain infectivity for an hour or more, in contrast to a drastic loss in infectivity when hepatocytes were not included. Thus, a differential transcriptome of salivary gland sporozoites versus sporozoites co-cultured with hepatocytes was established using a pan-genomic P. falciparum microarray. The expression of 532 genes was found to have been up-regulated following co-culture. A fifth of these genes had no orthologues in the genomes of Plasmodium species used in rodent models of malaria. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of a selection of 21 genes confirmed the reliability of the microarray data. Time-course analysis further indicated two patterns of up-regulation following sporozoite co-culture, one transient and the other sustained, suggesting roles in hepatocyte invasion and liver stage development, respectively. This was supported by functional studies of four hitherto uncharacterized proteins of which two were shown to be sporozoite surface proteins involved in hepatocyte invasion, while the other two were predominantly expressed during hepatic parasite development. The genome-wide up-regulation of expression observed supports the hypothesis that the shift from the mosquito to the mammalian host contributes to activate quiescent salivary gland sporozoites into a state of readiness for the hepatic stages. Functional studies on four of the up-regulated genes validated our approach as one means to determine the repertoire of proteins implicated during the early events of the Plasmodium infection, and in this case that of P. falciparum, the species responsible for the severest forms of malaria.

Invasion of hepatocytes by Plasmodium sporozoites is a prerequisite for establishment of a malaria infection, and thus represents an attractive target for anti-malarial interventions. Still, the molecular mechanisms underlying sporozoite invasion are largely unknown. We have previously reported that the tetraspanin CD81, a known receptor for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), is required on hepatocytes for infection by sporozoites of several Plasmodium species. Here we have characterized CD81 molecular determinants required for infection of hepatocytic cells by P. yoelii sporozoites. Using CD9/CD81 chimeras, we have identified in CD81 a 21 amino acid stretch located in a domain structurally conserved in the large extracellular loop of tetraspanins, which is sufficient in an otherwise CD9 background to confer susceptibility to P. yoelii infection. By site-directed mutagenesis, we have demonstrated the key role of a solvent-exposed region around residue D137 within this domain. A mAb that requires this region for optimal binding did not block infection, in contrast to other CD81 mAbs. This study has uncovered a new functionally important region of CD81, independent of HCV E2 envelope protein binding domain, and further suggests that CD81 may not interact directly with a parasite ligand during Plasmodium infection, but instead may regulate the function of a yet unknown partner protein.

Difficulties with inducing sterile and long lasting protective immunity against malaria with subunit vaccines has renewed interest in vaccinations with attenuated Plasmodium parasites. Immunizations with sporozoites that are attenuated by radiation (RAS) can induce strong protective immunity both in humans and rodent models of malaria. Recently, in rodent parasites it has been shown that through the deletion of a single gene, sporozoites can also become attenuated in liver stage development and, importantly, immunization with these sporozoites results in immune responses identical to RAS. The promise of vaccination using these genetically attenuated sporozoites (GAS) depends on translating the results in rodent malaria models to human malaria. In this study, we perform the first essential step in this transition by disrupting, p52, in P. falciparum an ortholog of the rodent parasite gene, p36p, which we had previously shown can confer long lasting protective immunity in mice. These P. falciparum P52 deficient sporozoites demonstrate gliding motility, cell traversal and an invasion rate into primary human hepatocytes in vitro that is comparable to wild type sporozoites. However, inside the host hepatocyte development is arrested very soon after invasion. This study reveals, for the first time, that disrupting the equivalent gene in both P. falciparum and rodent malaria Plasmodium species generates parasites that become similarly arrested during liver stage development and these results pave the way for further development of GAS for human use.

Thiosemicarbazone metal complexes are intriguing molecules with a variety of applications in several fields, including the pharmaceutical sector, analytical chemistry, and textile industries. Here, we designed and synthesized 12 transition metal complexes based on thiosemicarbazone as a tridendate group and azo moiety as a chromophore part, in addition to evaluating their color strength and fastness properties. The tridentate ligand derivatives of 5-(m-tolyldiazenyl)salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone reacted with four transition metal salts (copper, cobalt, nickel, and iron salts) in refluxing alkaline ethanol to afford the corresponding thiosemicarbazone complexes. The ligands behaved as double-deprotonated tridentate ligands that connected to the transition metal ions through the deprotonation of phenolic-OH and thiol-SH, as well as the azomethine nitrogen atom, to generate fused five- and six-membered heterocycle rings. The obtained metal complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, atomic absorption, IR, and UV–Vis spectra. The color strength and fastness properties of the printed fabrics were tested, showing good to excellent properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoroquaternary glasses within system 70TeO 2 -10ZnO-10NaF-(10 − x)MoO 2 -xEr 2 O 3 doped with different concentration of xEr 2 O 3 ions were prepared by using melt- quenching technique. The amorphous nature of the glasses confirmed by using X-ray diffraction. Physical parameters viz.: density ( ρ ), molar volumes ( V m ), refractive index (n), an optical energy gap (Eg) and Urbach energy (ΔE) values of prepared glasses were evaluated. Moreover, the Judd–Ofelt parameters Ω 2 , Ω 4 , Ω 6 , the oscillator strength type transition probabilities, S meas , S cal , spectroscopic quality factors, X, branching ratio, β R and radiative lifetimes, τ R , of several excited states of Er 3+ have been computed. The gain cross-section of laser transition level from 4 I 13/2  →  4 I 15/2 and stimulated emission cross-section estimated with different concentration of Er 2 O 3 ions in all present glasses. Here the spectroscopic properties indicate that these glasses doped with Er 3+ are a promising candidate for optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various new three series of quinoline derivatives bearing thiazole moiety have been synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities. [Display omitted] • Thiosemicarbazone derivatives were synthesized. • Thiosemicarbazones were used for the synthesizing variously substituted thiazoles. • The antimicrobial activity was evaluated. • Peptide deformylase inhibition activity was determined. • Molecular docking studies as well as in silico ADME prediction were carried out. One of the best ways to design new biocidal agents is synthesizing hybrid molecules by combining two or more bioactive moieties in a single molecular scaffold. So, new series of quinolines bearing a thiazole moiety were synthesized using thiosemicarbazones 2a – f. Cyclization of 2a – f with ethyl chloroacetate, ethyl 2-chloropropanoate or chloroacetone afforded the corresponding thiazoles 3 – 5. The antimicrobial activity of the new quinoline derivatives was evaluated. The most of tested compounds revealed potent both of the antibacterial and antifungal activities. Fourfold potency of amphotericin B for the inhibition the growth of the A. fumigatus was displayed by ccompound 5e. The latter compound displayed twofold potency of gentamycin for inhibition the growth of N. gonorrhoeae. Moreover, this compound showed equipotent potency of references drugs for inhibition of the growth of S. flexneri, S. pyogenes, P. vulgaris, A. clavatus, G. candidum and P. marneffei. So, quinolines bearing a thiazole moiety can be suggested as interesting scaffolds for the development both of the novel antibacterial and antifungal agents. Some new derivatives were studied as peptide deformylase enzyme inhibitors. Thiazolidin-4-one derivative 3d and 2,3-dihydrothiazole derivative 5c had shown good PDF inhibition activity, which had been supported by the docking results with highest binding affinity and lowest docking energy score. These results suggested that the most potent compounds might be possible agents as novel bacterial PDF inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New series of bis-benzo[ d ][1,3]dioxol-5-yl thiourea derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as anticancer agents. • Synthesis of bis-benzo[ d ][1,3]dioxol-5-yl thiourea derivatives. • Anticancer activity was determined. • EGFR inhibition was determined. • Apoptosis and cell cycle were determined. • Docking study was carried out. New thiourea derivatives incorporating two benzo[ d ][1,3]dioxol-5-yl moieties have been synthesized through the reaction of two molecules of benzo[ d ][1,3]dioxol-5-yl isothiocyanate with one molecule of various diamino derivatives. The synthesized compounds were examined for their cytotoxic effects using SRB assay on three cancer cell lines HepG2, HCT116 and MCF-7. Most of compounds showed significant antitumor activity and some compounds showed strong results greater than the reference drug. As example, IC 50 values of 1,1′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(3-(benzo[ d ][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)thiourea) 5 were 2.38 µM for HepG2, 1.54 µM for HCT116 and 4.52 µM for MCF7, while the IC 50 values of standard drug doxorubicin were 7.46, 8.29 and 4.56 µM, respectively. Interestingly, these compounds were non cytotoxic toward the tested normal cell line (IC 50 value > 150 µM). The anticancer mechanisms were studied via EGFR inhibition assessment, annexin V-FITC apoptosis assessment, cell cycle analysis and study the effect on mitochondrial apoptosis pathway proteins Bax and Bcl-2 as well as molecular docking studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New series of 5-(morpholinosulfonyl) isatin derivatives were designed and synthesized. The new compounds were characterized on the basis of spectral and elemental analyses. They were examined for their cytotoxic effects using SRB assay on four cancer cell lines HepG2, HCT116, CACO and MCF-7 in addition to the non-cancerous human cell line. They were non cytotoxic towards the normal derived cell line (IC 50 value > 130 μM). Compounds 3, 6, 10 and 11 showed IC 50 values less than 10 μM on three of the tested cell lines HepG2, HCT116 and CACO. Compounds 2h , 5 , and 7b showed IC 50 values less than or nearly equal 10 μM on HepG2, CACO and HCT116 respectively. Compounds 3 and 6 revelaed IC 50 values less than 12 μM on MCF7. These obtained IC 50 values are comparable with that of doxrubicin as it has showed IC 50 range from 4.5 to 8.28 μM on the tested cell lines. All these promising derivatives showed inhibitory activity against EGFR with IC 50 values less than 2 μM. The most potent EGFR inhibitors 7b (IC 50  = 46 nM) and 10 (IC 50  = 23 nM) showed to cause cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and induce apoptosis. Molecular docking studies also were simulated to put insight and make better understanding to their structural features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• SrO–ZnO–P 2 O 5 containing Nd 2 O 3 were prepared. • The molar volume varied from 41.377 cm3/mol to 41.748 cm3/mol as the Nd increased. • The optical transition decreased from 4.022 eV to 3.572 eV as the Nd 2 O 3 increased. • Emission of 0.9 μm and 1.06 μm NIR lasers are dominated for the current glasses. • 1.5-Nd glass has the high σ and Δ λ eff × σ at 5.7 × 10−20 cm2 and 18.3 × 10−26 cm3. Strontium zinc phosphate glasses containing neodymium ions were prepared. The current glasses show the presence of phosphate groups in the Q2 mode, overlapping with the vibration of Zn–O and Sr–O bonds. The glass density increased from 3.058 g/cm3 (the base glass) to 3.115 g/cm3 (the 1.5-Nd sample) as SrO was replaced with Nd 2 O 3. The optical transition is known as an indirect transition, and the values ranged from 4.022 eV for the base sample to 3.572 eV for the 1.5-Nd sample. The Ravindra model correlates experimental refractive index data with optical band gap. Because of the presence of Nd 2 O 3 in the current glass, distinct spectral absorption peaks are detected in the absorption spectra, which are analyzed using the modified Axe model for the Judd-Ofelt theory. The emission spectra show distinct emission peaks, which are suggested for the possible emission of NIR lasers at 0.9 μm, and 1.058 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: UNC-51-like kinase 1/2 (ULK1/2) are serine/threonine kinases that play a crucial role in autophagy activation and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Given their broad physiological relevance, ULK1/2 are candidate targets for treating various diseases. In recent years, ULK1/2 inhibitors have made significant progress, and the highly potent ULK1/2 inhibitors have entered clinical trials., Area Covered: This review aims to provide an updated analysis of patents describing ULK1/2 inhibitors and their potential therapeutic applications that were disclosed between 2019 and 2024., Expert Opinion: Due to their crucial role in various diseases, the invention of small-molecule drugs targeting ULK1/2 is particularly important, especially in cancer treatment. Despite the great success of ULK1/2 inhibitors development, ULK1/2 inhibitors are ATP competitive inhibitors of aminopyrimidines currently, and most ULK1/2 inhibitors are still in the preclinical research stage, with only DCC-3116 entered clinical research. Therefore, developing highly selective ULK1/2 inhibitors with low side effects and high bioavailability remains a challenging and promising research direction.

Introduction and Objectives: Laser vaporization techniques have emerged as a prominent alternative to transurethral prostate resection in managing benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). This study focuses on assessing the effectiveness of the ejaculatory preserving laser vaporization of the prostate technique compared to the conventional non-ejaculatory approach in managing BPO., Patients and Methods: Our study was performed between August 2022 and September 2023. The study included 120 patients with bladder outlet obstruction, due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the first underwent conventional non-ejaculatory preserving laser vaporization of the prostate ( n  = 80), while the second group underwent the innovative ejaculatory preserving laser vaporization technique using diode laser ( n  = 40). We assessed baseline International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximal flow rate (Qmax), post voiding residual urine volume (PVRU), semen volume (semen analysis). Parameters were re-evaluated 3 months post-surgery and the change in sexual satisfaction was evaluated using a scale from 1 (much less satisfied) to 5 (much more satisfied) in response to a question., Results: The mean age (±SD) of participants was 59.6 (±7.9) and 57.6 (±7.8) for the non-ejaculatory preserving and ejaculatory preserving groups, respectively, with no statistical difference between groups. Both groups showed significant reduction in IPSS ( p  < 0.001), improvement in Qmax ( p  < 0.001), and decline in PVRU ( p  < 0.001), postoperatively. However, the ejaculatory preserving technique led to a significant improvement in antegrade ejaculation, postoperative semen volume and sexual satisfaction compared to the non-ejaculatory preserving technique ( p  < 0.001)., Conclusions: The ejaculatory preserving technique effectively preserved antegrade ejaculation, semen volume and sexual satisfaction compared to the non-ejaculatory preserving technique. However, the later yielded better outcomes in terms of IPSS and urine flow. Both techniques demonstrated significant improvements across all parameters compared to baseline. Further research with extended follow-up periods is needed to fully understand the long-term postoperative effects with this technique., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

In this study, the melt quenching approach is used to synthesize a lead borate-strontium-based glass system doped with samarium ions. Modifications in the glass network structure arising from the addition of various concentrations of Sm 3+ ions were investigated via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR analysis revealed B-O-B bridges, BO 3 , and BO 4 units are present. UV-vis-NIR spectroscopic measurement was performed to study the optical absorption spectra. Optical constants such as optical bandgap energies, refractive indices, and other related parameters were evaluated. The lifetime fluorescence decay was measured and ranged between 1.04 and 1.88 ns. The photoluminescence spectra in the range 500-750 nm revealed four transitions from the ground state 6 G 5/2 to the excited states 6 H 5/2 , 6 H 7/2 , 6 H 9/2 and 6 H 11/2 and J-O theory was utilized to study these optical transitions for Sm 3+ ions. Calculations of the oscillator strengths and J-O intensity parameters were performed and the obtained J-O parameters followed the sequence Ω 4  > Ω 6  > Ω 2 . The ratio O/R indicated a high lattice asymmetry around the samarium ions. The values of lifetimes and branching ratios for the fabricated samples emphasized their suitability to be used in laser applications. The current glass samples are good candidates for orange and red emission devices., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The SARS-COV-2 pandemic has brought unparalleled challenges to healthcare provision. Being a newly discovered virus, there is a lack of previous experience and published evidence to guide healthcare providers on how to deliver services. We would like to share our approach to service delivery in a newly open children's hospital in the United Arab Emirates with a particular focus on paediatric orthopaedic services., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In relation to endoscopic practices, particularly a colonoscopy, patient education is required to maximize the quality of bowel preparation. Thus, the intention of this study is to examine how personalized patient education prior to a colonoscopy influences the quality of bowel preparation. A quasi-experimental post-test design was employed at the Kurdistan Center for Gastroenterology Hepatology and the Ebin Sina Center in Iraq from December 21, 2019, to September 30, 2020. Of 270 participants, 219 were selected for data analysis. The mean age ( SD ) of the participants was 41.18 (15.22), with a median of 41 years and a slightly higher percentage (58.4%) of females in comparison with males (41.6%). The bowel preparation quality of the control and intervention groups in the two centers was based on the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale scores and there was a significant difference ( p < .001) of M ± SD between the control (5.79 ± 1.123) and experimental (7.52 ± 1.225) groups. Findings suggest a personalized educational program is having a significant impact on increasing the quality of bowel preparation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates.)

Objective: The serum activity of the hepatic enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is elevated in the newborn relative to older age groups. Few reports to date have studied the influence of perinatal factors on neonatal serum GGT and no study has assessed the influence of maternal drug ingestion., Study Design: Cord blood was randomly collected from 234 liveborn infants and correlated with a range of maternal and fetal perinatal variables to assess influences on cord blood GGT., Results: Our study showed that the range of cord blood GGT activity in 234 randomly selected term newborns was 22 to 556 IU/l. In a subgroup of 75 newborns, GGT activity was independently influenced by only two of the variables studied - cocaine exposure and fetal gender (p=0.009, r=0.39). Females had a lower GGT than males (95+/-66 vs 130+/-90 IU/l, p<0.001) while GGT activity in cocaine-exposed newborns was lower than in cocaine-nonexposed newborns (96+/-48 vs 142+/-109, p<0.01). Birth weight, race, gestational age, and maternal serum GGT were not found to significantly influence cord blood GGT activity. Maternal GGT was uniformly normal and was not affected by any of the variables tested., Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the reference range for cord blood GGT activity is wide and appears to be influenced by fetal gender and cocaine exposure.