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The conjugated molecules based on pyrene and dithienopyrrole derivatives including 4-(2-ethylhexyl)-2-(pyren-1-yl)-4H-dithieno[3,2-b:2’,3’-d]pyrrole (EP4HP) and 4-(2-ethylhexyl)-2,6-di(pyren-1-yl)-4H-dithieno[3,2-b:2’,3’-d]pyrrole (EDP4HP) have been successfully synthesized via C-H direct arylation reaction. The structures of these conjugated molecules were determined via nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optical properties of conjugated molecules were evaluated via ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopies. The conjugated molecules exhibited the efficient fluorescence quenching toward herbicide mesotrione as nitroaromatic pesticides that could be promising candidates as the chemosensor for tracing of nitroaromatic pesticides.

Study Design:Narrative review.Objectives:Robotic systems in spinal surgery may offer potential benefits for both patients and surgeons. In this article, the authors explore the future prospects and current limitations of robotic systems in minimally invasive spine surgery.Methods:We describe recent developments in robotic spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. Institutional review board approval was not needed.Results:Although robotic application in spine surgery has been gradual, the past decade has seen the arrival of several novel robotic systems for spinal procedures, suggesting the evolution of technology capable of augmenting surgical ability.Conclusion:Spine surgery is well positioned to benefit from robotic assistance and automation. Paired with enhanced navigation technologies, robotic systems have tremendous potential to supplement the skills of spine surgeons, improving patient safety and outcomes while limiting complications and costs.

Flow diverters and flow disruption technology, alongside nuanced endovascular techniques, have ushered in a new era of treating cerebral aneurysms. Here, we provide an overview of the latest flow modulation devices and highlight their clinical applications and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Global influenza virus circulation decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly due to widespread community mitigation measures. Cambodia eased some COVID-19 mitigation measures in June and July 2020. On 20 August a cluster of respiratory illnesses occurred among residents of a pagoda, including people who tested positive for influenza A but none who were positive for SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: A response team was deployed on 25 August 2020. People with influenza-like illness (ILI) were asked questions regarding demographics, illness, personal prevention measures, and residential arrangements. Respiratory swabs were tested for influenza and SARS-Cov-2 by real-time reverse transcription PCR, and viruses were sequenced. Sentinel surveillance data were analyzed to assess recent trends in influenza circulation in the community. RESULTS: Influenza A (H3N2) viruses were identified during sentinel surveillance in Cambodia in July 2020 prior to the reported pagoda outbreak. Among the 362 pagoda residents, 73 (20.2%) ILI cases were identified and 40 were tested, where 33/40 (82.5%) confirmed positive for influenza A (H3N2). All 40 were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Among the 73 residents with ILI, none were vaccinated against influenza, 47 (64%) clustered in 3/8 sleeping quarters, 20 (27%) reported often wearing a mask, 27 (36%) reported often washing hands, and 11 (15%) reported practicing social distancing. All viruses clustered within clade 3c2.A1 close to strains circulating in Australia in 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Circulation of influenza viruses began in the community following the relaxation of national COVID-19 mitigation measures, and prior to the outbreak in a pagoda with limited social distancing. Continued surveillance and influenza vaccination are required to limit the impact of influenza globally.

Author(s): Bender, Matthew T; Zarrin, David A; Campos, Jessica K; Jiang, Bowen; Chandra, Arun; Vo, Chau D; Caplan, Justin M; Huang, Judy; Tamargo, Rafael J; Lin, Li-Mei; Colby, Geoffrey P; Coon, Alexander L | Abstract: BackgroundDual antiplatelet therapy (DAT), most commonly with aspirin and Clopidogrel, is the standard of care for intracranial stenting, including flow diversion. Clopidogrel response varies by individual.ObjectiveTo investigate the real-world precision of VerifyNow P2Y12 assessment (Accumetrics, San Diego, California) of Clopidogrel response.MethodsUsing a prospectively-collected, IRB-approved cerebral aneurysm database 643 patients were identified who were treated with the Pipeline embolization device from 2011 to 2017. Patients with multiple P2Y12 assays drawn within a 24-h window were identified. A single patient could contribute multiple, independent sets. Levels drawn before a 5-d course of DAT and patients who received alternative antiplatelet agents were excluded. Therapeutic range was defined as platelet reaction units (PRU) 60-200.ResultsA total of 1586 P2Y12 measurements were recorded; 293 (46%) patients had more than one assay. One hundred forty (22%) patients had multiple P2Y12 measurements within 24 h. These patients accounted for 230 independent 24-h sets. The average P2Y12 fluctuation across all sets was 35 points; the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles were 12, 26, and 48 points, respectively. Of the 230 24-h sets of P2Y12 assays, 76% remained within their original therapeutic category: 100 (43%) all therapeutic, 54 (23%) all hypo-responsive, and 21 (9%) all hyper-responsive. Twenty-four percent of patients fluctuated between therapeutic categories when multiple P2Y12 assessments were drawn within a 24-h period: 29 (13%) between hypo-response and therapeutic, 23 (10%) between hyper-response and therapeutic, and 3 (1%) between hypo-response and hyper-response.ConclusionOur experience suggests P2Y12 is an often-imprecise measure, and this should be considered when utilizing P2Y12 levels for clinical decisions.

BackgroundAdjunctive coiling may improve occlusion outcomes when combined in a single stage with cerebral aneurysm flow diversion. This technique has not been well described.ObjectiveTo present a series of aneurysm patients treated by single-stage flow diversion with adjunctive coiling, describing technical considerations and outcomes.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study using an IRB-approved database of procedures performed at a single institution. Treatment selection was based on large aneurysm size, morphological irregularity, branch vessel location, and wide neck.ResultsA total of 72 Pipeline with adjunctive coiling (PAC) procedures were performed on 69 patients. Average aneurysm size was 11.0 mm and 86% were wide-necked. Three progressively complex techniques were performed approximately equally: 27 sequential (38%), 23 jailed single-intermediate (32%), and 22 bifemoral jailed microcatheter (31%) cases. Aneurysm dome (P=0.0223) and neck size (P=0.001) increased with procedural complexity and there was a trend toward increased procedure length, radiation exposure, and stent thrombosis. A ‘light’ coil pack was used with an average packing density of 14% that did not vary by technique. Of the three major complications (4.2%), none were observed with the sequential approach (0%), one with the jailed single-intermediate (4.3%), and two with bifemoral cases (9.1%) (P=0.116). Complete occlusion was achieved in 85% of PAC cases at 6 months and 96% at 12-month follow-up angiography.ConclusionsThere are multiple approaches to flow diversion with adjunctive coiling, each with technical challenges, suitable to different types of aneurysms. Flow diversion with coiling can expedite and improve occlusion outcomes without a significant increase in morbidity.

To address the growing need for new antimicrobial agents, we explored whether inhibition of bacterial signaling machinery could inhibit bacterial growth. Because bacteria rely on two-component signaling systems to respond to environmental changes, and because these systems are both highly conserved and mediated by histidine kinases, inhibiting histidine kinases may provide broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. The histidine kinase ATP binding domain is conserved with the ATPase domain of eukaryotic Hsp90 molecular chaperones. To find a chemical scaffold for compounds that target histidine kinases, we leveraged this conservation. We screened ATP competitive Hsp90 inhibitors against CckA, an essential histidine kinase in Caulobacter crescentus that controls cell growth, and showed that the diaryl pyrazole is a promising scaffold for histidine kinase inhibition. We synthesized a panel of derivatives and found that they inhibit the histidine kinases C. crescentus CckA and Salmonella PhoQ but not C. crescentus DivJ; and they inhibit bacterial growth in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains.

A simple, green approach to fabricating porous free-standing carbon films is presented. An alkaline solution of low-cost, renewable lignin and graphene oxide (GO) is cast, followed by simultaneous carbonization and activation. Lignin, which is the least valued product from several biomass processing industries, is an efficient source of carbon when used as an intercalating agent to separate graphene sheets derived from homogeneous GO/lignin nanocomposite films prepared from an aqueous alkaline (KOH) solution. After thermal treatment the GO/lignin films show complete dispersion of reduced GO sheets within amorphous lignin-derived carbon. The presence of KOH in the film produces activated carbon. These activated carbon films display a specific surface area of up to 1744 m2 g−1 and consist of a balance of pore volumes with pore sizes below and above 1 nm. A two-electrode supercapacitor composed of these films in an aqueous electrolyte exhibits near-ideal capacitive behavior at an ultrahigh scan rate of 1 V s−1, while maintaining an excellent specific capacitance of 162 F g−1. Such outstanding performance of renewable carbon as a supercapacitor, in addition to the ease of electrode fabrication from a precursor containing 85 % lignin, offers a novel method for valorization of lignin-rich byproduct streams from biomass processing industries.

Arsenic trioxide degrades NPM-ALK fusion protein and inhibits growth of ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma