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Yu-Tuan Wu,1,* Zhou Xu,1,* Ke Zhang,2,* Jiu-song Wu,3,* Xin Li,1,* Bilal Arshad,1 Ying-Cun Li,3 Zhong-Liang Wang,2 Hong-Yuan Li,1 Kai-Nan Wu,1 Ling-Quan Kong1 1Department of Endocrine and Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; 2Department of Orthopedics, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400020, China; 3Department of General Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400020, China *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: The concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been proposed to improve the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate, although there are conflicting views about its efficacy and safety. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and cardiac safety of the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive locally advanced breast cancer. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases from inception until July 1, 2017, for relevant articles. A total of 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that the pCR rate was significantly higher in the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline group (45%) than that in the nonconcurrent use group (32%) (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.69–3.30, P10% (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.55–2.88, P=0.59), and in terms of cardiac failure (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 0.24–19.84, P=0.49), when comparing the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracyclines with their nonconcurrent use. In conclusion, the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based NAC for certain HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancers significantly improves the pCR rates without obvious increases in the cardiotoxicity. Keywords: breast cancer, HER2, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, trastuzumab, anthracycline

Abstract This study explored the catalytic performance of two robust zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), MIP-202(Zr) and UiO-66-(CO2H)2 in the ring-opening of epoxides using alcohols and amines as nucleophilic reagents. The MOFs were characterized by techniques such as FT-IR, PXRD, FE-SEM, and EDX. Through systematic optimization of key parameters (catalyst amount, time, temperature, solvent), MIP-202(Zr) achieved 99% styrene oxide conversion in 25 min with methanol at room temperature using 5 mg catalyst. In contrast, UiO-66-(CO2H)2 required drastically harsher conditions of 120 min, 60 °C, and four times the catalyst loading to reach 98% conversion. A similar trend was observed for ring-opening with aniline –MIP-202(Zr) gave 93% conversion in one hour at room temperature, while UiO-66-(CO2H)2 needed two hours at 60 °C for 95% conversion. The superior performance of MIP-202(Zr) likely stems from cooperative Brønsted/Lewis acid sites and higher proton conductivity enabling more efficient epoxide activation. Remarkably, MIP-202(Zr) maintained consistent activity over five recycles in the ring-opening of styrene oxide by methanol and over three recycles in the ring-opening of styrene oxide by aniline. Testing various epoxide substrates and nucleophiles revealed trends in reactivity governed by electronic and steric effects. The results provide useful insights into tuning Zr-MOF-based catalysts and highlight the promise of the cost-effective and sustainable MIP-202(Zr) for diverse epoxide ring-opening reactions on an industrial scale.

Abstract A new organic-functionalized Cu-based Anderson-type polyoxomolybdate, namely (C7H15N4)2[Na(H2O)4]2[C6H12CuMo6N2O24]·2(H2O) (CuII-POM), was synthesized via a simple one-pot reaction and subsequently characterized using a range of analytical and spectral techniques. Structural investigation by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the polyanion component of the synthesized compound (i.e. [C6H12CuMo6N2O24]4−) possesses a δ-isomer Anderson-type structure, which is surrounded by four lattice water molecules and four [C7H15N4–NaH15(H2O)8]4+ cations in the crystal packing arrangement. The resulting double-sided tris-functionalized Anderson-type compound can function as highly effective heterogeneous photocatalysts for the copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen azide-alkyne cycloaddition (Cu-AAC) reaction of terminal alkyne, benzyl halides, and sodium azide (acts as the azidonation and reducing agent) in aqueous media. Ultraviolet light irradiation enhances the catalytic activity of CuII-POM ~ 4.4 times of the “off” situation under reaction conditions of 0.00239 mmol cat., 80 °C, 8 h, 2 mL H2O, So that the isolated yields for the AAC reaction involving a variety of terminal alkynes and benzyl halides using the CuII-POM catalyst ranged between 19–97%. The current study is the first report about using an efficient and economical Cu(II)-POM/UV/NaN3 catalytic system in the Cu-AAC reaction and reveals its significant potential for applying to other Cu(I)-catalyzed reactions.

Mentha arvensis L. is traditionally used in folk medicine, and pharmacological industry due to presence of active chemical substances. It is also valuable for food industry as additives because of the presence of antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic and antimicrobial constituents. This study is intended to examine reactive oxygen species (Cvetanović et al.) generation, lipid oxidation, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial effect of aqueous extract from M. arvensis L. prepared in various solvents i.e. fermented methanol extract (FM.E), distilled water extract (DW.E) and methanol extract (M.E). Phytochemical screening of the extract was qualitatively investigated for the isolation of alkaloids, flavonoids, fats and oils, menthol and quinones. To check the potential of extract as preservative, pH, lipid oxidation and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis was performed. Our results showed FM.E induce ROS generation, cytotoxicity and inhibit Staphylococcus aureus (4.20±0.90 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.23±0.32 mm) growth. In addition, in vivo results showed FM. E and M.E efficiently maintained chicken meat pH and reduced lipid oxidation. The presence of essential phytochemicals was responsible for inhibition of biofilm formation. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of free OH stretching vibrations at 3878.69 cm-1, free NH at 3459.56 cm-1 and H-NH bond stretching 3388.02 cm-1 groups in chicken meat which belong to M. arvensis L. extracts. These results suggest that menthol from M. arvensis L. extract is favorable food additive against resistant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Many publications describe the advantages of the creation of ghost ileostomy (GI) to prevent the need for formal covering ileostomy in more than 80% of carcinoma rectum patients. However, none of the papers describes exactly how to ultimately remove the GI in these 80% of patients in whom it doesn't need formal maturation. Aim To describe and evaluate the ghost ileostomy release down (GIRD) technique in terms of feasibility, complications, hospital stay, procedure time etc. in patients with low anterior resection/ultra-low anterior resection (LAR/uLAR) with GI for carcinoma rectum. Method The present was a prospective cohort study of patients with restorative colorectal resections with GI for carcinoma rectum, Postoperatively the patients were studied with respect to ease and feasibility of the release down of GI and its complications. The data was collected, analyzed and inference drawn. Results A total of 26 patients needed the GIRD and were included in the final statistical analysis of the study. The procedure was done between 7th to 16th postoperative days (POD) and was successful in all patients without the need of any additional surgical procedure. None of the patients required any local anesthetic injection or any extra analgesics. The average time taken for procedure was 5-minutes and none of the patients had any significant difficulty in GI release. There were no immediate postprocedure complications. Conclusion The GIRD technique is a simple, safe, and quick procedure done around the 10th POD that can easily be performed by the bedside of patient without the need of any anesthesia or additional analgesics.

Abstract. Background:. The purpose of this study was to carry an extended literature review to compare antimuscarnics with beta adrenergic agonists (mirabegron) in treatment of overactive bladder. Materials and methods:. A literature review was carried out, using key words in different databases including MEDLINE, PUBMED, and EMBASE. All relevant published articles during last 5 years with full texts available were included in this review for critical analysis and evaluation. In total, there were 20 studies including 7 systemic reviews, 6 retrospective cohort, 3 prospective cohort, 2 randomized controlled trials, and 2 cross sectional studies. Results:. After critical evaluation the results were considered under parameters of efficacy, adverse effects, adherence and persistence, tolerability, cost-effectiveness. In 9 studies efficacy was evaluated, 5 studies dealt with adverse effects, same number evaluated adherence and persistence. Cost effectiveness was compared in 3 and same number of studies also compared tolerability. Conclusions:. To conclude, we found mirabegron is as efficacious as any other antimuscarnics, has better tolerability (including elderly), has better adverse effect profile, is cost effective, has better persistence and adherence rates at 12 months.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a remarkable risk during the chemotherapy for solid tumour patients. Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are recommended as prophylaxis for the reactivation of HBV infection in some cancer patients prior to systemic chemotherapy. Therefore, we performed a meta‐analysis aiming to determine the efficacy of prophylactic lamivudine on prevention of HBV reactivation and its related negative outcomes among solid tumour patients with chronic HBV infection receiving systemic chemotherapy. The primary outcome was HBV reactivation, and the secondary outcomes were HBV‐related hepatitis, chemotherapy disruption, mortality and tyrosine‐methio‐nine‐aspartate‐aspartate (YMDD) mutations. Twelve original researches involving 1,101 patients were analysed in this study. The relative risk of HBV reactivation in patients with lamivudine prophylaxis was significantly lower than that without prophylaxis (RR = 0.17, 95% CL: 0.10‐0.29, p < .00001). Lamivudine prophylaxis reduced the relative risk of hepatitis (p < .00001), chemotherapy disruptions (p = .01) and mortality (p = .08) due to HBV reactivation. Lamivudine prophylaxis is effective in reducing HBV reactivation and its related negative outcomes, such as hepatitis and chemotherapy disruption and mortality among chemotherapeutic solid tumour patients with chronic HBV infection. Future studies should lay more emphasis on the early HBV screening, mode of treatment and duration of NAs prophylaxis among solid tumour patients receiving chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Colorectal resection anastomosis is the commonest cause of rectal strictures. Anastomotic site ischemia, incomplete doughnuts from stapled anastomosis and pelvic infection, are some of the risk factors that play a role in the development of postoperative rectal strictures. However, the role of diverting stoma in the development of rectal strictures has not been studied extensively. Objectives To study the difference in the occurrence of anastomotic strictures (AS) in patients submitted to low anterior resection (LAR) with covering ileostomy (CI), and to LAR without CI for carcinoma rectum. Methods This was a prospective, comparative case control study carried out at a tertiary care referral center. Low anterior resection with covering ileostomy was performed in patients with rectum carcinoma in the study group, while LAR without covering ileostomy was performed in the control group. The study group had 29 patients, while the control group had 33 patients with rectum carcinoma. Results During the mean follow-up period of 9.1months, 8 (28%) patients in the study group and 2 (6%) patients in the control group developed AS (p =0.019). Out of these 8 patients with AS in the study group, 50% had Grade-I AS, 25% had Grade-II AS, while 25% of the patients had Grade-III (severe) AS. However, both patients who developed AS in the control group had a mild type (Grade I) of AS. Conclusion Covering ileostomy increases the chances of AS formation after LAR for rectum carcinoma. Also, the SKIMS Clinical Grading of Rectal Strictures is a simple and handy tool available for every surgeon to grade, classify and monitor the postoperative rectal strictures.

The concept of ghost/Khatith ileostomy is a bridge between covering ileostomy and no-ileostomy (‘Khatith’ meaning ‘hidden’ in Kashmiri language). We performed the pre-stage ghost ileostomy (GI) without parietal wall split. The technique of GI is that after the completion of resection-anastomosis of rectal cancer, a terminal ileal loop at about 20cm from ileocecal junction is identified. Small (10-12F) Ryle’s tube (RT) is passed through a small opening in the mesentery of the identified ileal loop. A small 4-5mm incision is given on abdominal wall at pre-operatively marked proposed stoma site in right iliac fossa region. Haemostatic Kelly’s forceps is introduced through this small incision to get out the two limbs of the RT that has been already looped around the identified ileal loop. These two limbs of the RT are cut short and fixed to each other and to the skin around it with 2-0 silk sutures, taking care to keep the tubing loop loose enough to avoid any tension to the vascular supply of the ileal loop and without causing any luminal compression of the loop to avoid bowel obstruction. In case of AL, the pre-stage GI can be converted into a formal covering stoma under local or spinal anesthesia by gentle pull of the two limbs of the looped RT to extract the isolated ileal loop through an adequate circular incision around the site of GI. In case of uncomplicated postoperative course, the fixing RT is pulled out gently from the abdominal cavity to release down the GI.

Background: With increase in exposure to titanium in daily life and its use in medical procedures, there is a greater chance for developing titanium hypersensitivity. Our aim and objective is to examine whether patient patients with titanium implants had a greater incidence of titanium hypersensitivity or not. Titanium is widely considered to have good biocompatibility. A passivating surface layer of TiO2 is formed when exposed to air which gives it good corrosion resistance. These properties along with its high strength, lightweight, and improvements in smelting technologies have led to its widespread use as an intraosseous and periosteal implant in dentistry and orthopedics. Materials and Methods: Only case–control studies were used for the meta-analysis. Studies with a sample size of

Hemorrhoids are the most common anorectal disorders with a prevalence of 39% in general population. Hemorrhoids are generally classified on the basis of their location and degree of prolapse. Goligher’s classification does not describe the number of hemorrhoidal columns involved and does not give much consideration to the amount of blood loss. To describe the hemorrhoidal disease more vividly, we devised the “PNR-Bleed” (or PNR-Booking) classification system. We tried to classify the hemorrhoids based on the four main characteristics of the hemorrhoidal disease i.e. the degree of hemorrhoidal Prolapse (P), Number (N) of the primary hemorrhoidal columns involved, Relation (R) of the hemorrhoidal tissue to dentate line and the amount of Bleeding (B) from it. All the four components in this classification system are graded into five grades ranging from 1 to 5. The peculiarity of this new classification system is that it allows more detailed documentation of the hemorrhoids in a particular patient and conveys more explicit meaning and information about the hemorrhoids for future references. Based on this ‘PNR-Bleed’ classification, we are introducing another concept of scoring the severity of hemorrhoids and referred it as the Hemorrhoid Severity Score (HSS). Hemorrhoid Severity Score (HSS) is the total score obtained by the sum of the numerical grades of all four characteristics of hemorrhoids in “PNR-Bleed” classification. This new “PNR-Bleed” system of classifying the hemorrhoids and calculation of HSS seems to be more comprehensive, detailed, more objective and easily reproducible. Resumo: As hemorróidas são os distúrbios anorretais mais comuns, com uma prevalência de 39% na população em geral. As hemorróidas são geralmente classificadas com base em sua localização e grau de prolapso. A classificação de Goligher não descreve o número de colunas hemorroidais envolvidas e não dá muita importância à quantidade da perda de sangue. Para descrever a doença hemorroidária de maneira mais precisa, criamos o sistema de classificação “PNR-Bleed” (ou PNR-Booking). Tentamos classificar as hemorróidas com base nas quatro principais características da doença hemorroidária, isto é, o grau de prolapso da hemorroida (P), número (N) das colunas hemorroidais primárias envolvidas, a relação (R) do tecido hemorroidário para a linha denteada e a quantidade de sangramento (B) originando-se dele. Todos os quatro componentes deste sistema de classificação são classificados em cinco graus, variando de 1 a 5. A peculiaridade desse novo sistema de classificação é que ele permite uma documentação mais detalhada das hemorróidas em um paciente em particular e transmite o significado e informações mais explícitos sobre as hemorróidas. para referências futuras. Com base nessa classificação “PNR-Bleed”, estamos introduzindo outro conceito para o escore da gravidade das hemorróidas e denominado HSS, de “Hemorrhoid Severity Score”. O escore de gravidade da hemorroida (HSS) é o escore total obtido pela soma dos graus numéricos de todas as quatro características das hemorróidas na classificação “PNR-Bleed”. Esse novo sistema “PNR-Bleed” de classificação de hemorróidas e cálculo do HSS parece ser mais abrangente, detalhado, mais objetivo e facilmente reproduzível.

A very important breakthrough in saffron cultivation and production was achieved by Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) when the university developed a production system module in saffron which brought substantial increase in productivity of saffron during last two decades. The adoption of the technology was observed to have a very significant impact on the social dynamics of the saffron producing region demanding its ex-ante and ex-post evaluation vis a vis non adopters of the technology. With this in mind consumer surplus model and propensity score matching methods were employed on a sample of 447 respondents of which 286 were adopters and 161 non-adopters (control group) drawn from a population of 753 saffron growers in the saffron belt of Jammu and Kashmir producing 99% of the total saffron production in the country. The results revealed that average productivity of the spice increased from 2.57 kg.ha-1 to 6.05 kg.ha-1, with 1-2 kg.ha-1 in the first year to 10-12 kg.ha-1 in fourth year against control group, however, the investment cost estimates recorded increase of 5.9% under ex-ante and 13.6% under ex-post evaluation while adopting new technology, which however, got compensated through realizing higher productivity and increased employment to the tune of 40.6 and 28.3 per cent man-days/ha respectively under ex-ante and ex-post evaluation. The results further revealed, NPV, BCR, IRR of Rs. 399 crores, 110, 154% against Rs.249 crores, 69, 134% respectively under ex-ante and ex-post evaluation of the technology.

Background: The present study intended to clarify the role of biliary bacteria in the development of postoperative septic complications in patients undergoing biliary operations and need for antibiotic prophylaxis. Patient and methods: A total of 121 patients with various biliary tract diseases underwent various surgical interventions. The relation between contaminated ductal bile and postoperative septic complications was analyzed prospectively. Results: 42/121 patients were bile culture positive (B+) while 79/121 patients were bile culture negative (B-).14 patients in B (+) group developed septic complications compared to only 3 patients in B (-) group (P = 0.0001). In B (+) group, bacteria found in ductal bile were also detected in infected sites of 85% of patients with septic complications. In B (+) group postoperative antibiotic modification significantly (p=0.001) reduced infectious complications. Conclusion: Infected bile plays a critical role in development of post operative septic complications. Hence patients with risk factors for bactibilia should receive prophylactic antibiotics covering endogenous gram negative organisms which should be modified in postoperative phase according to the results of sensitivity. However this issue requires further investigations by studies conducted on similar lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To accomplish the 1.5 °C and 2 °C climate change targets, the European Union (EU) has set up several policy initiatives. Within the EU, the carbon emissions of the road transport sector from the consumption of diesel and gasoline are constantly rising. (1) Background: due to road transport policies, diesel and gasoline use within the EU is increasing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and adding to climate risks. (2) Methods: sustainability analysis used was based on the method recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (3) Results: to meet its road transport requirements, the EU produces an estimated 0.237–0.245 billion tonnes of carbon per year from its total consumption of diesel and gasoline. (4) Conclusion: if there is no significant reduction in diesel and gasoline carbon emissions, there is a real risk that the EU’s carbon budget commitment could lapse and that climate change targets will not be met. Sustainability analysis of energy consumption in road transport sector shows the optimum solution is the direct electrification of road transport.

Angiosarcomas are aggressive, malignant tumors of vascular or lymphatic origin with high potential to local and distant spread. Cutaneous invasion of internal tumors is rarely encountered in clinical practice. We report on a patient with vascular skin lesions over anterior chest which turned out to be incursion from chest wall angiosarcoma. Alongside the case report, literature on therapeutic arsenal of angiosarcoma is reviewed. Angiosarcoma of chest wall invading into the skin has never been reported in dermatological literature. This case is intriguing as the patient had symptomless progression of the malignancy despite aggressive invasion to overlying skin and metastasis to lungs and pleura. This impresses upon the crucial role of dermatologists in suspecting cutaneous lesions which may appear skin deep but are otherwise a silent sign of grave internal disease so that search of underlying condition is sought as soon as possible to achieve better patient outcome. So the dictum is “earlier the diagnosis, better the prognosis”.

We present two case reports of twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence - a rare type of twin-twin transfusion syndrome, wherein there maldevelopment of one twin and is supplied by the normal twin. Then, we discuss the importance of this entity and various measures required if such a situation is encountered.

This study was conducted to examine various disadvantages associated with livelihood of nomadic tribes and role of animal rearing in their upliftment in Jammu and Kashmir. It was found that majority of nomadic families belonged to very small flock size category and the number declined towards large flock size category. The results revealed that nomadic families took up one of the combinations of economic activities available to them, though animal domestication has been their dominant livelihood option. The estimates of linear function indicated land holding size, literacy, income from other sources and mortality as the significant determinants of livestock possession. The nomadic tribes experienced various kinds of disadvantages and among them mortality of animals was more severe and was observed maximum in large flock size category. The government spending under sub-tribal plans for the development of this section of society has received a setback in recent years. The findings of the study emphasized upon concerted efforts for redressal of the problems and sustainable upliftment of nomadic tribes.

Three case reports of a rare congenital anomaly “limb-body wall complex” also known as “body stalk syndrome” are presented with prenatal ultrasonographic diagnostic features, immediate after delivery evaluation, and histopathologic analysis.

The paper identifies the reasons of ineffective implementation of distance learning programs in Pakistan. The distance learning programs are not new in Pakistan, but the induction of technology in these programs made them very different from the traditional distance learning program. On one hand, the use of technology created a huge attraction for people to enroll in these programs. On the other hand, the mode of delivery causes several problems. These problems are of unique nature, and administration is unable to address these due to lack of training and full understanding of the system. The current problems need innovative solutions. The qualitative research method was applied to find the multiple reasons that are responsible for the ineffective deployment of the system, and low learning experiences of students. The participants include the key stake holders such as faculty, administrators, Study Centre coordinators, students and staff. The paper highlighted three major areas; a) Poor policy at administrative level, b) Ineffective communication among stakeholders, and c) Low Learning experiences of students. The researcher's finding includes the in-depth analysis of the ineffective areas in the system. The finding and analysis indicates that the inconsistent policies at top leadership level, followed by the middle and lower administration. The major policy concerns are related to inconsistency, lack of consultancy with stake holders, untrained administrative staff, and poorly developed marketing campaign. The study also found that there is a lack of communication among stakeholders, especially between administration and the study centre coordinators. Due to lack of communication and poor coordination, the system is unable to produce desirable results. Lastly, the student's learning experience is at the lowest level due to lack of understanding of the distance learning mode of teaching. The paper concludes with the strong recommendations and suggestions come from the major stake holders to improve the system. These suggestions and recommendations include the seriousness in leadership to develop better policies with reasonable consistency, identify ways to reduce communication gap between different stakeholders. Lastly, the researcher argues to make academic reforms to provide better learning experiences to the students.

In developing countries, due to limited availability of modern anesthesia and overcrowding of the hospitals with patients who need surgery, high-risk patients with “intertro-chanteric” fractures remain unsuitable for open reduction and internal fixation. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of external fixation of “intertro-chanteric” fractures in high-risk geriatric patients in a developing country. The results of 62 ambulatory high-risk geriatric patients with a mean age of 70 years (range 58-90 years) with “intertrochanteric” fractures, in whom external fixation was performed, are reported. Eight patients died during follow-up due to medical causes unrelated to the surgical procedure. So only 54 patients were available for final assessment. Procedure is simple, performed under local anesthesia, requires less time for surgery and is associated with less blood loss. Good fixation and early ambulation was achieved in most of the patients. Average time to union was 14 weeks. Thirty-one patients developed superficial pin tract infection and 28 patients had average shortening of 15 mm due to impaction and varus angulation. Functional outcome was assessed using Judet’s point system. Good to excellent results were achieved in 44 patients. This study demonstrated that external fixation of “intertrochantric” fractures performed under local anesthesia offers significant advantage in ambulatory high-risk geriatric patients especially in a developing country.

This research examines the impact of employees' experience of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on their innovative behavior. The study draws upon social exchange theory to propose that employees' experience of HPWS influences their innovative behavior directly and through sequential mediation of social capital development and knowledge-sharing behavior. Additionally, the study uses the Elaboration Likelihood Model to highlight that individuals' need for cognition strengthens the relationship between employees' knowledge-sharing and innovative behaviors. The study employed a time-lagged quantitative research design with survey data from 262 job incumbents in professional service firms. The proposed model was tested using the PLS-SEM two-stage approach. The findings of the study confirm the proposed direct and indirect relationships. Moreover, the findings also confirm that the need for cognition strengthens the relationship between knowledge-sharing and individual innovation behaviors. The study posits that employees' experience of HRM systems can influence their innovative behavior as a reciprocal exchange toward the employer. Moreover, this study presents a comprehensive model that highlights the interplay of social and cognitive factors that can influence the relationship between HPWS and employees' innovation behavior. This study also fills a gap in the existing literature by highlighting the antecedents of innovative behavior in professional service firms., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Arshad, Hassan and Azam.)

Opto-chemical sensors are the most significant type of sensors that are widely used to detect a variety of volatile organic compounds and chemicals. This research work demonstrates the fabrication and characterization of an opto-chemical sensor based on a graphene thin film. A 300 nm graphene thin film was deposited on clean glass with the help of RF magnetron sputtering. The structure, surface and quality of the graphene thin film were characterized using XRD, SEM and Raman spectroscopy. For optical characterization, the thin film was exposed to IPA, acetone and toluene (separately) for five, ten and fifteen minutes. The optical transmission was then observed via UV-NIR spectroscopy in the near-infrared range (900 to 1450 nm). The thin film of graphene has expressed a sharp response time and recovery time with high sensitivity for each chemical. However, by comparing the output of the graphene thin film in response to each chemical, it was observed that graphene thin film has a better transmission and sensing rate for exposure to toluene., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

The objective of the current study was to evaluate pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits utilizing whole blood, serum, or milk samples for diagnosis of early pregnancy status in lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Dairy buffaloes (n = 174) of mixed parity, 4-6 years of age, having mean (± standard deviation) days in milk 165 ± 87, and body condition score of 3.26 ± 0.34 were randomly enrolled in this study. Buffaloes were exposed to penile deviated bulls with 12 h interval for estrus detection during peak breeding season and eventually bred naturally at their respective standing estrus (day 0). Blood and milk samples were collected at days 24, 28, and 35 post-breeding to run a rapid visual pregnancy test® (RVPT) as a buffalo-side test or ELISA-based assay in the laboratory to detect early pregnancy status. Transrectal B-mode ultrasonography was performed to diagnose pregnancy at day 35 post-breeding and used as a gold standard to validate results of RVPT or ELISA-based tests. The RVPT is a visual readout test for pregnancy detection and had sensitivity (77.9 vs. 89.7 vs. 93.3%), specificity (77.9 vs. 89.7 vs. 93.3%), and accuracy (84.5 vs. 90.1 vs. 94.2%) at days 24, 28, and 35 post-breeding, respectively. The PAGs were assayed using ELISA kits in serum and had sensitivity (77.9 vs. 89.7 vs. 93.3%), specificity (84.2 vs. 87.7 vs. 93.9%), and accuracy (82.1 vs. 88.4 vs. 93.7%) at days 24, 28, and 35 post-breeding, respectively. Similarly, PAGs were also analysed using ELISA kits in milk samples and had sensitivity (77.6 vs 89.5 vs 95.0%), specificity (89.1 vs 91.9, vs 93.9%), and accuracy (85.1 vs 91.1 vs 94.3%) at days 24, 28, and 35 post-breeding, respectively. Overall, the Kappa values in this study exceeded 0.85 at day 35 post-breeding using RVPT or ELISA-based test kits in serum or milk samples, indicating a high level of agreement between PAGs detection method and gold standard for pregnancy diagnosis. The pregnancy outcomes based on ELISA-based PAGs detection at day ≥28 post-breeding had a high negative predictive value, indicating that the probability of incorrectly administering prostaglandins to pregnant buffaloes would be low if these tests were implemented on a commercial dairy herd. Taken together, it is concluded that PAGs-based determination of pregnancy using RVPT or ELISA in blood, serum, or milk samples can be used effectively for pregnancy diagnosis at ≥28 days post-breeding with more than 90% accuracy in Nili-Ravi buffaloes., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Currently, prevention and control of the coronavirus disease pneumonia epidemic situation are grim globally. To cope with total sheer carriers and patients of COVID-19 requires intensive medical support and adjunctive therapies to overcome the disease. The epidemic can be controlled with the help of both, disease suppression via community health measures and adjunctive therapies for patients suffering from infection. Till date, we do not have any proper anti-COVID-19 therapy. In order to achieve the overall realization of this pandemic, there is a need to identify treatments depending upon their direct or indirect targets; like inhibition of polyprotein synthesis, transmembrane serine protease, inhibition of viral entry and endocytosis. This could be possible by turning the focus in the direction towards the development of numerous tentative drugs, particularly in the severe to badly ill. Though, majority of these off-label adjunctive medicines are being inspected in a lot of clinical trials at different stages, scientific organizations have endeavored to elucidate the situation where these adjunctive drugs might be practiced as off-label, open- label or compassionate. Our review compiles the adjunctive therapies adopted in COVID-19 infected patients according to clinical severity in conjugation with practicing recommendations from existing guidance rules issued by global professional bodies in healthcare.

The bactericidal activity of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) offers extensive opportunities in bioengineering and biomedicines. Bioengineered transition metals used in various forms against lethal microbes. In this study, Cadmium Oxide nanoparticles (CdO-NPs) were prepared through the co-precipitation method using fungal strain Penicillium oxalicum and cadmium acetate solution. The structure and elemental composition of the prepared NPs were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Antibacterial activity was assessed through well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Shigella dysenteriae (S. dysenteriae), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reducing sugars and protein leakage contribution was examined against selected strains. The XRD analysis proved that the synthesized CdO-NPs possess a crystalline structure with an average crystalline size of 40-80 nm. FTIR confirmed the presence of organic compounds on the particle surface, while UV showed stability of the particles. SEM and EDS confirmed that CdO-NPs were successfully prepared and spherical. The maximum zone of inhibition against S. dysenteriae and P. aeruginosa was found and showed a less optical density of 0.086 after 18 h. ROS, reducing sugar, and protein leakage assay showed a significant difference as compared to control. Based on the present study, it is recommended that microbial mediated synthesized nanoparticles can be used as biomedicines for the treatment of different types of bacterial infections., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)