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Solutions of two nitrilotriacetamide (NTA) ligands, viz., N,N,N’,N’,N”,N”-hexa-n-butylnitrilotriacetamide (HBNTA) and N,N,N’,N’,N”,N”-hexa-n-hexylnitrilotriacetamide (HHNTA) in 20% isodecanol–80% n-dodecane were employed for the extraction of U(VI), Np(IV), Pu(IV), and Am(III) from nitric acid feed solutions. Limitations of ligand solubility and third-phase formation when contacted with nitric acid solutions led to the choice of the diluent composition of 20% isodecanol and 80% n-dodecane. The results of the solvent extraction studies indicated poor extraction of the metal ions with HBNTA as compared to that with HHNTA as the extractant and hence, major part of this work involved HHNTA. Slope analysis suggested extraction of 1:1 (ML) species with Np(IV) and Pu(IV) at 3 M HNO3 and mixed 1:2 (ML2) and 1:3 (ML3) species with U(VI) at pH 2. At 0.5 M HNO3, the observed trend for extraction was Pu(IV) > Np(IV) >> Am(III) > U(VI).

Dissolution of uranium oxide was carried out using a solution of HD2EHP in C8mim·NTf2, which was apparently facilitated by the in situ generation of water during the complex formation reaction. The dissolved complex in the ionic liquid phase led to splitting of the latter into a light phase and a heavy phase where the former contained predominantly the UO2(HL2)2 complex (HL = HD2EHP), while the latter contained the ionic liquid as supported by FTIR and UV-Visible spectral analyses. The complexation of the uranyl ion was suggested to take place in the equatorial plane where two dimeric units of the H-bonded HD2EHP molecules took part in complexation. An increase in temperature facilitated the dissolution rate with an activation energy of 31.0 ± 2.8 kJ/mol. The cyclic voltammetry studies indicated potential chances of recovery of the dissolved uranium by electrodeposition at the cathode. The proposed dimeric structure of HD2EHP in the complexation with U(VI) was supported by DFT studies also.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is one reversible heart disease, which presents as an acute myocardial infarction with ST-elevation in ECG. This Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is one of the Cath laboratory diagnosis, that means, if the apical ballooning along with absence of obstruction of the corresponding coronary artery, then only the Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is diagnosed. But however there may be some exceptions. We describe a case of 80yr old male presenting the Emergency department with typical anginal symptoms for 3hours suggestive of acute myocardial infarction. The initial ECG demonstarted lateralwall Infarction. Serology revealed elevated cardiac Enzymes. As per the guidelines one emergency coronaryangiography was performed and revealed occluded Ramus diagonalis-2 and Plaque Rupture in mid segment of Right coronary artery, the ventriculography confirmed apical ballooning consistent with takotsubo cardiomyopathy and not in the vascular territory supplied by the occluded epicardial vessel. Traditionally, the Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is labelled as a diagnosis only in absence of the obstruction of the corresponding coronary artery. This case however reflects the coexistence of the obstructed coronary artery and the takotsubo cardiomyopathy and moreover in a male, so the diagnostic criteria for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy my need a prompt review and this case definitely adds to the number of coexistence.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a significant threat to animal health globally. Prophylactic vaccination using inactivated FMD virus (FMDV) antigen is being practised for the control in endemic countries. A major limitation of the current vaccine is its susceptibility to high environmental temperature causing loss of immunogenicity, thus necessitating the cold chain for maintenance of its efficacy. Hence, the FMD vaccine with thermostable virus particles will be highly useful in sustaining the integrity of whole virus particle (146S) during storage at 4°C. In this study, 12 recombinant mutants of Indian vaccine strain of FMDV serotype O (O/IND/R2/1975) were generated through reverse genetics approach and evaluated for thermostability. One of the mutant viruses, VP2_Y98F was more thermostable than other mutants and the parent FMDV. The oil-adjuvanted vaccine formulated with the inactivated VP2_Y98F mutant FMDV was stable up to 8 months when stored at 4°C and induced protective antibody response till dpv 180 after primary vaccination. It is concluded that the VP2_Y98F mutant FMDV was thermostable and has the potential to replace the parent vaccine strain.

Newly emerging variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are continuously posing high global public health concerns and panic resulting in waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Depending on the extent of genomic variations, mutations and adaptation, few of the variants gain the ability to spread quickly across many countries, acquire higher virulency and ability to cause severe disease, morbidity and mortality. These variants have been implicated in lessening the efficacy of the current COVID-19 vaccines and immunotherapies resulting in break-through viral infections in vaccinated individuals and recovered patients. Altogether, these could hinder the protective herd immunity to be achieved through the ongoing progressive COVID-19 vaccination. Currently, the only variant of interest of SARS-CoV-2 is Omicron that was first identified in South Africa. In this review, we present the overview on the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants with a special focus on the Omicron variant, its lineages and hybrid variants. We discuss the hypotheses of the origin, genetic change and underlying molecular mechanism behind higher transmissibility and immune escape of Omicron variant. Major concerns related to Omicron including the efficacy of the current available immunotherapeutics and vaccines, transmissibility, disease severity, and mortality are discussed. In the last part, challenges and strategies to counter Omicron variant, its lineages and hybrid variants amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are presented.

Cancer is a highly lethal disease, and its incidence has rapidly increased worldwide over the past few decades. Although chemotherapeutics and surgery are widely used in clinical settings, they are often insufficient to provide the cure for cancer patients. Hence, more effective treatment options are highly needed. Although licorice has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times, the knowledge about molecular mechanisms behind its diverse bioactivities is still rather new. In this review article, different anticancer properties (antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects) of various bioactive constituents of licorice (

BACKGROUND: TB is commonly categorised as pulmonary (PTB) or extrapulmonary TB (EPTB). Knowledge of TB disease patterns (PTB and/or EPTB) and determining risk factors remains limited.METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in Indian patients with presumed TB. Clinical and imaging data were used to develop refined case definitions for PTB, concurrent PTB and EPTB (PTB + EPTB) and EPTB without PTB (EPTB). These groups were analysed by HIV (HIV+/–) and diabetes mellitus (DM+/–) status.RESULTS: Of 172 HIV–/DM– patients with TB, 48% had PTB, 23% PTB + EPTB and 29% had EPTB, totalling 52% with any EPTB (PTB + EPTB or EPTB). In HIV+/DM– patients with TB (n = 35), 6% had PTB, 40% had PTB + EPTB and 54% had EPTB, accounting for 94% with EPTB. In HIV–/DM+ patients with TB (n = 61), 61% had PTB, 28% had PTB + EPTB and 11% had EPTB, representing 39% with EPTB.CONCLUSION: Refined case definitions revealed high proportions of EPTB even without HIV or DM. HIV further altered the TB disease pattern towards EPTB and DM towards PTB. Therefore, the dichotomy between PTB or EPTB does not represent the actual spectrum of TB disease. EPTB should receive higher priority in research and clinical practice.

Complexation thermodynamics of UO22+ and a series of N,N,N’,N’-tetraalkyl diglycolamide (TRDGA) ligands having alkyl chains –CH3 to –C6H13 were investigated in an ionic liquid (IL). The complexation constant for UO22+/DGA complex increased linearly with increasing alkyl chain length of DGA from tetramethyl (logβ1 = 4.52, logβ2 = 8.01) to tetrahexyl (logβ1 = 5.62, logβ2 = 10.3). There were two types of species recorded in the calorimetric titration for all the four ligands, one having endothermic complexation, and other exothermic. This observation was in contrast with those observed for aqueous medium, where both the stepwise complexation enthalpies were endothermic. The structural feature indicated the formation of [UO2L2]2+ type of complex without water or Tf2N− anion in the primary coordination sphere of the uranyl cation.

The noncovalent functionalization of two-dimensional materials (2DMs) with bespoke organic molecules is of central importance for future nanoscale electronic devices. Of particular interest is the incorporation of molecular functionalities that can modulate the physicochemical properties of the 2DMs via noninvasive external stimuli. In this study, we present the reversible modulation of the photoluminescence, spectroscopic properties (Raman), and charge transport characteristics of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)-based devices via photoisomerization of a self-assembled monolayer of azobenzene-modified triazatriangulene molecules. The observed (opto)electronic modulations are explained by the n-type doping of the MoS2 lattice induced by the photoisomerization of the highly ordered azobenzene monolayer. This novel behavior could have profound effects on future composite 2DM-based (opto)electronics.

Two diglycolamide (DGA) functionalized poly(propylene imine)diaminobutane dendrimers, first generation (Gen I) and second generation (Gen II), termed as LI and LII, were used for the extraction of the tetravalent actinide ions Np4+ and Pu4+ from nitric acid medium. The metal ion extraction followed a ‘solvation’ type mechanism showing increasing metal ion extraction with increasing nitric acid concentration with species of the type: M(NO3)4·L (M = Np or Pu) with some contribution of M(NO3)4·2L for Pu. Pu4+ formed much stronger complexes with both DGA-dendrimer ligands as compared with Np4+, as reflected in their two-phase extraction constants and higher ΔH values, attributed to its higher ionic potential. Binding of the metal ions was to one ‘DGA pocket’ in each of the dendrimers. The structure and bonding analysis was done on the basis of DFT studies.

In recent years, cardiac problems have been found proportional to technology development. As the cardiac signal (Electrocardiogram) relates to the electrical activity of the heart of a living being, the technology develops accordingly day-by-day to support physicians and diagnosis. It has many applications along with medical applications. Accurate analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG) signal can information for detection, classification, and diagnosis. This paper insight towards a short review of earlier techniques. It will support the researchers in a new direction. The review is based on preprocessing, feature extraction, classification, and different measures for accuracy proof and the related work reported during the last decade is summarized.

The human immune system is not adequately equipped to eliminate new microbes and could result in serious damage on first exposure. This is primarily attributed to the exaggerated immune response (inflammatory disease), which may prove detrimental to the host, as evidenced by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. From the experiences of Novel Coronavirus Disease‐19 to date, male patients are likely to suffer from high‐intensity inflammation and disease severity than the female population. Hormones are considered the significant pillars of sex differences responsible for the discrepancy in immune response exhibited by males and females. Females appear to be better equipped to counter invading respiratory viral pathogens, including the novel SARS‐CoV‐2, than males. It can be hypothesized that females are more shielded from disease severity, probably owing to the diverse action/influence of estrogen and other sex hormones on both cellular (thymus‐derived T lymphocytes) and humoral immunity (antibodies)., Highlights Hormones are considered as significant pillars of sex differences and influence both the innate as well as adaptive immune responses.Sex hormones and their potential role in the immune responses has not been completely understood.Females are more shielded from disease severity probably owing to their unique hormonal constitution.In females, the immunological cells have been noted to restrict the spread of infections as compared to males.Males suffer from increased severity of respiratory infections and are less prone to autoimmune disorders as compared to the female counterparts.Estrogen and other sex hormones play a key role both in restricting the inflammatory responses and in effective clearance of pathogens including the novel Coronairus.

Disinfectants and sanitizers are essential preventive agents against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, the pandemic crisis was marred by undue hype, which led to the indiscriminate use of disinfectants and sanitizers. Despite demonstrating a beneficial role in the control and prevention of COVID-19, there are crucial concerns regarding the large-scale use of disinfectants and sanitizers, including the side effects on human and animal health along with harmful impacts exerted on the environment and ecological balance. This article discusses the roles of disinfectants and sanitizers in the control and prevention of the current pandemic and highlights updated disinfection techniques against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This article provides evidence of the deleterious effects of disinfectants and sanitizers exerted on humans, animals, and the environment as well as suggests mitigation strategies to reduce these effects. Additionally, potential technologies and approaches for the reduction of these effects and the development of safe, affordable, and effective disinfectants are discussed, particularly, eco-friendly technologies using nanotechnology and nanomedicine.

The aim of the strategy to formulate the pulsatile drug delivery system using terbutaline sulfate by direct compression technique and evaluate the effects of formulation and dissolution medium on the behavior of drug release, and to clarify the drug release mechanism based on acquiring results. Pulsatile release tablets include a drug and disintegrating agent-containing core and swellable external layers for slow down drug release, then rupturing the nearby surrounding outer layer for fast release. Core tablets prepared using disintegrating agent by direct compression method and coated with polymers like HPMC K100M, ethyl cellulose, karaya gum in different quantities. Several physical parameters of the tablets evaluated such as stiffness, thickness, friability, weight variation, disintegration, drug content and dissolution test. Terbutaline sulfate released from bi-layered tablets with pulsatile behaviors. In-vitro drug release rate readings showed that F3 and F6 are best based on the less quantity of drug release during the lag time (11% and 14% in 5 h). So, from the result, the F6 has nominated the best formulation. Thus, by the direct compression method prepared, coated tablets before drug release with an obvious lag time is possibly useful preparation for the medication of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea, asthma which follows a circadian rhythm. It confirmed that eroding, diffusion, and swelling mechanisms were responsible for drug release. Ultimate pulsatile release activities may be done by modifying polymeric membrane quantities and proportions to meet the condition of pulsatile activities.

The present manuscript describes a convenient, mild, and highly stereoselective method for the allylation of δ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated ketones having a benzylic hydroxyl group at the δ-position using allyltrimethylsilane mediated by BF3·OEt2, leading to 2,4-diallyl-2-methyl-6-aryltetrahydro-2H-pyran ring systems with quaternary carbon stereogenic centers. This represents the first example of a tandem isomerization followed by one C-O and two C-C bond-forming reactions in one pot. The isolation of TMS-protected lactol as an intermediate from the reaction strongly supports the proposed mechanistic pathway.

The permeation of Eu3+ ion across a microporous polymeric membrane impregnated with n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-di-isobutylcarbamoyl methyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) was investigated from a nitric acid feed into a receiver phase of distilled water. A combination of 0.2 M CMPO in 5% iso-decanol + 95% n-dodecane was chosen as the carrier solvent. Here, iso-decanol has a dual role; acts as a phase modifier to avoid third phase formation, and minimizes the acid co-transport. The transport of Eu3+ was mainly driven by its distribution ratio by CMPO at the feed–membrane interface (extraction) and membrane–receiver interface (stripping). The effect of various experimental parameters such as feed acidity, nitrate ion concentration, and ligand concentration on permeation of Eu3+ was investigated. Effect of various stripping solutions was also studied to optimize the permeation efficiency of Eu3+ ions. A mathematical model was derived for predicting the mass transfer from feed phase to the receiver phase through the membrane. The results obtained by the calculations were subsequently validated through the experimental results.

Summary 1,3-Dimethyl-2-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-1H-benzoimidazole, N-DMBI-H, is widely used as an air-stable n-dopant for organic semiconductors. Here, its reactivity is investigated with a variety of imide- and amide-containing semiconductor molecules that have reduction potentials in the range −0.54 to −1.10 V versus ferrocene. Reaction rates correlate poorly with these potentials. The more reactive of the imides form the corresponding radical anions cleanly, but kinetic isotope studies using N-DMBI-D indicate that the reaction proceeds via an initial hydride- or hydrogen-transfer step. For an amide- and ester-rigidified bis(styryl)benzene derivative the hydride-reduced product is stable under an inert atmosphere and can be observed directly; the radical anion can only be obtained in sub-stoichiometric yield and under certain reaction conditions. On the other hand, (N-DMBI)2 rapidly reduces all the imides and amides examined to the corresponding radical anions. The implications of these findings for dopant selection and use are discussed.

Background: Neuroimaging is an important tool in early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is a serious neurodegenerative brain disease among the elderly subjects. Independent component analysis (ICA) is arguably one of the most widely used algorithm for the analysis of brain imaging data, which can be used to extract intrinsic networks of brain from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Method: Witnessed by recent studies, a more flexible model known as restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) can also be used to extract spatial maps and time courses of intrinsic networks from resting state fMRI, moreover, RBM shows superior temporal features than ICA. Here, we seek to employ RBM to improve the performance of classifying individuals. Experiments are performed on healthy controls and subjects at the early stage of AD, i.e., cognitive normal (CN) and early mild cognitive impairment participants (EMCI), and two types of data, i.e., structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and fMRI data. Results: (1) By separately employing ICA for sMRI and fMRI, the features extracted from fMRI improve classification accuracy by 7.5% for CN and EMCI; (2) instead of applying ICA to fMRI, using RBM further improves classification accuracy by 7.75% for CN and EMCI; (3) the lesions at the early stage of AD are more likely to occur in the regions around slices 4, 6, 10, 14, 19, 51 and 59 of the whole brain in the longitudinal direction. Conclusion: By using fMRI instead of sMRI and RBM instead of ICA, we can classify CN and EMCI more efficiently.

We present a novel maskless device fabrication technique for rapid prototyping of two-dimensional (2D)-based electronic materials. The technique is based on a thermally activated and self-developed cyclic polyphthalaldehyde (c-PPA) resist using a commercial Raman system and 532 nm laser illumination. Following the successful customization of electrodes to form field effect transistors based on MoS2 monolayers, the laser-induced electronic doping of areas beneath the metal contacts that were exposed during lithography was investigated using both surface potential mapping and device characterization. An effective change in the doping level was introduced depending on the laser intensity, i.e., low laser powers resulted in p-doping, while high laser powers resulted in n-doping. Fabricated devices present a low contact resistance down to 10 kΩ·μm at a back-gate voltage of VG = 80 V, which is attributed to the laser-induced n-type doping at the metal contact regions.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to formulate, optimize and evaluate sublingual film of Enalapril maleate for rapid management of Hypertension. Methods: Sublingual films were prepared by solvent casting method. Present investigation were formulated by using HPMC E 15 (X1) as polymer and Polyethylene glycol (X2) as plasticizer were chosen as independent variables in 32 full factorial design while Tensile strength (TS), Disintegration time (DT) and % Cumulative drug release at 10 min. (% CDR) were taken as dependent variables. The various physical parameters were evaluated for sublingual films such as thickness, tensile strength, folding endurance, disintegration time, surface pH and % CDR. Results: From the experimental study, it was concluded that the optimized batch F8 showed 98.6 %, the highest release of the drug. Stability study was performed by taking an optimized formulation and it was observed stable. The sublingual films showed acceptable results in all studies such as thickness, tensile strength, folding endurance, disintegration time, surface pH and % CDR at 10 min. R2 values for Tensile Strength (Y1), Disintegration time (Y2) and % cumulative drug release at 10 min. of Enalaprilmaleate(Y3) found to be 0.9852, 0.9829 and 0.9641 respectively. Thus, a good correlation between dependent and independent variables was developed. Conclusion: 32 full factorial design was successfully applied during preparation, optimization and evaluation of sublingual films of Enalapril maleate. The present investigation showed quick disintegration and fast release of the drug for rapid management of Hypertension.

The course of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected the healthcare systems in multiple ways, the programs of control and the management of patients with other infectious diseases as well as with chronic and acute non-communicable diseases, including those conditions requiring blood transfusions. Blood donations have been decreasing over time in multiple countries with their expected consequences. Although the spread of SARS-CoV-2 has not been detected via blood transfusion, the increasing fear and anxiety among communities have led to a substantial decrease in blood donations. Several research groups have raised concerns about the consequences associated with the scarcity of blood. However, it is critical to understand the underlying causes of the sharp decline in blood donations, as well as the consequences. Hence, we discuss the impact of blood scarcity at the blood banks during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as strategies to promote blood donations, given the experience in some countries with this situation. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

A series of mixed ligand complexes with a Schiff base (HL1) (obtained from 2-hydrazinobenzimidazole and ohydroxyacetophenone) acts as primary ligand and 1,10-phenanthroline (secondary ligand, L2) have been synthesized and investigated by various physico-analytical techniques. The spectral results suggested the tridentate nature of the Schiff base with NNO donor type. The prepared complexes exhibited distorted octahedral geometry. Moreover, molecular docking studies have been carried out against the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (PDB ID: 6M0J) and SARS-CoV spike receptor-binding domain (PDB ID: 2AJF).

Selectivity between Am3+ and Cm3+ was investigated after their aqueous complexation with three structurally tailored hydrophilic bis-(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl) ligands followed by their extraction with N,N,N′N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) dissolved in an ionic liquid (C4mim·Tf2N). The three hydrophilic ligands used were SO3PhBTP, SO3PhBTBP, and SO3PhBTPhen. It was evident from the solvent extraction studies that SO3PhBTP formed a stronger complex with Cm3+ than with Am3+, but SO3PhBTPhen showed better complexation ability for Am3+ than for Cm3+, and SO3PhBTBP showed no selectivity for the two actinide ions. DFT calculations indicated that the coordinating ‘N’ atoms in BTP were more co-planar in the complex and this co-planarity was higher in the Cm3+ complex as compared to that in Am3+. In the case of BTBP and BTPhen ligands, on the other hand, the co-planarity was more pronounced in the Am3+ complexes. Mayer's bond order calculations of M–N bonds in the complexes also indicated a reversal of the complexation ability of the BTP and BTPhen ligands for Am3+ and Cm3+. Calculations of the complexation energies further supported the higher selectivity of the BTP ligand for Am3+ by −52.0 kJ mol−1, and better selectivity of the BTPhen ligand for Cm3+ by −24.7 kJ mol−1.

The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global pandemic and has posed serious health hazards for the humanity since December 2019. Over 2.5 million deaths have been reported ...