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Byline: Ravinder. Singh, Shesh. Maurya, Namrata. Das, Sushil. Kabra, Rakesh. Lodha, Bimal. Das OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of immunological factors responsible for discordant virological responses postcombination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in human immunodeficiency [...]

With applications in robotic technology, human-machine interfaces and healthcare unit, the self-powered wearable triboelectric nanogenerator has the ability to detect different physical parameters. These aspects continue to be incredibly exciting for the researchers. Herein, a self-powered, skin-attachable and flexible triboelectric nanogenerator (EPMTNG) is designed with a charge generating layer using micro-patterned BaTiO3@Ecoflex (EBTO) nanocomposite, nanofibrous trapping layer with 2D MoTe2 and carbon tape as a charge collecting layer. Furthermore, charge recombination becomes the significant issue, which not only reduces the surface potential but also diminishes the output performance of TENG. For this, a 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (MoTe2) incorporated PVDF nanofibrous (PM5) layer is introduced as a charge trapping layer to prevent the charge recombination and improve the output performance of the device. Additionally, the incorporation of 2D MoTe2 nanoparticles reinforces the polarization effect by gathering more charge carriers and improves the dielectric property and conductivity of the device. To establish our concept of inclusion of an intermediate trapping layer in EPMTNG, a theoretical simulation model has been prepared confirming the rise of surface potential and output voltage in the presence of the trapping layer. Along with this, a surface modification technique has been resorted to create surface roughness and improve the output performance of EPMTNG. Thus, the intermediate trapping layer and micro-patterned nanocompositebased EPMTNG device generate a colossal output voltage of 319 V and an instantaneous power density of 2.9 W m−2 under an axial pressure of 12 N. Also, the high sensitivity (32.5 V kPa−1) of the device at low-pressure region assists in successfully detection of robotic gestures, including artificial finger bending and objects gripping. Moreover, the flexibility and skin attachable properties encourage the EPMTNG device in tracking human physiological signals coming from blood flow, glottis movement, neck up down, wrist bending, etc., and monitor the wireless transmission of these signals. Therefore, the self-powered flexible device may be useful in health monitoring units and soft robotics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Shesh. Maurya, Namrata. Das, Hitender. Gautam, Ravinder. Singh, Bimal. Das Sir, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the enveloped single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus of large 30 kb [...]

Background: Brain metastases (BM) are common in patients with HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer. In this study we aim to report clinical outcomes with LINAC-based stereotactic radiosurgery/radiotherapy (SRS/SRT) for BM in patients of breast cancer. Methods: Clinical and dosimetric records of breast cancer patients treated for BM at our institute between May, 2015 and December, 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients of previously treated or newly diagnosed breast cancer with at least a radiological diagnosis of BM; 1–4 in number, ≤3·5 cm in maximum dimension, with a Karnofsky Performance Score of ≥60 were taken up for treatment with SRS. SRT was generally considered if a tumour was >3·5 cm in diameter, near a critical or eloquent structure, or if the proximity of moderately sized tumours would lead to dose bridging in a single-fraction SRS plan. The median prescribed SRS dose was 15 Gy (range 7–24 Gy) and SRT dose was 27 Gy in 3 fractions. Clinical assessment and MR imaging was done at 6 weeks post-SRS and then every 3 months thereafter. Intracranial progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using Kaplan–Meier method and subgroups were compared using log rank test. Results: Total, 40 tumours were treated in 31 patients. The median tumour diameter was 2·3 cm (range 1·0–4·6 cm). SRS and SRT were delivered in 27 and 4 patients, respectively. SRS/SRT was given as a boost to whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in four patients and as salvage for progression after WBRT in six patients. In general, nine patients underwent prior surgery. The median follow-up was 7·9 months (0·2–34 months). Twenty (64·5%) patients developed local recurrence, 10 (32·3%) patients developed distant intracranial relapse and 7 patients had both local and distant intracranial relapse. The estimated local control at 6 months and 1 year was 48 and 35%, respectively. Median intracranial progression free survival (PFS) was 3·73 months (range 0·2–25 months). Median intracranial PFS was 3·02 months in patients who received SRS alone or as boost after WBRT, while it was 4·27 months in those who received SRS as salvage after WBRT (p = 0·793). No difference in intracranial PFS was observed with or without prior surgery (p = 0·410). Median overall survival (OS) was 21·7 months (range 0·2–34 months) for the entire cohort. Patients who received prior WBRT had a poor OS (13·31 months) as compared to SRS alone (21·4 months; p = 0·699). Conclusion: In patients with BM after breast cancer SRS alone, WBRT + SRS and surgery + SRS had comparable PFS and OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) have been emerged as one of the most promising approach for harvesting energy from the movement of living system for low‐power electronic devices. Herein, a simple PENG and single‐electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (STENG) are reported that execute tremendous output performance. In zirconium oxide (ZrO2)/poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) nanocomposite polymer, ZrO2 acts as the nucleating agents for electroactive polymorph nucleation and also enhances the dielectric constant (≈23). Compared with previously reported PVDF‐HFP‐assisted prototype nanogenerators, this developed PENG exhibits excellent piezoelectric energy‐harvesting performance with very high power density, high energy conversion efficiency and high durability. The PENG exhibits a large value of open‐circuit voltage ≈120 V and short‐circuit current ≈1.95 μA under periodic finger imparting with high power density ≈7091 μW cm−3. Fabricated flexible PENG is capable to instantaneously light up commercially available 55 number of blue light emitting diode connected in parallel connection through bridge rectifier. High capacitor charging performance is also observed, such as 2.2 μF capacitor charged up to 3.5 V, in just 17 s time interval. Single‐electrode‐based TENG fabricated by this composite film also shows remarkable output voltage ≈7 V under finger touch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a neurometabolic hallmark signaling abnormal brain energy metabolism (BEM) targeted as a potential early marker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Advanced imaging technologies, such as 31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) at ultra-high-field (UHF) magnetic strength 7T, provide sensitive phosphate-BEM (p-BEM) data with precision. The study's first goal was to develop a methodology to measure phosphate energy and membrane metabolites simultaneously across the whole-brain using volume-coil 31P MRS at 7T in three groups-cognitively normal (CN), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and AD. The second aim investigated whether p-BEM markers in the four brain regions-frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital were significantly different across the three groups. The final goal examined correspondence between the p-BEM markers and cognition in the three groups. Methods: Forty-one participants (CN = 15, aMCI = 15, AD = 11) were enrolled and completed cognitive assessment and scan. The cognitive domains included executive function (EF), memory, attention, visuospatial skills, and language. The p-BEM markers were measured using energy reserve index (PCr/t-ATP), energy consumption index (intracellular_Pi/t-ATP), metabolic state indicator (intracellular_Pi/PCr), and regulatory co-factors [magnesium (Mg2+) and intracellular pH]. Results: Thirteen metabolites were measured simultaneously from the whole brain for all three group with high spectral resolution at UHF. In the aMCI group, a lower p-BEM was observed compared to CN group based on two markers, i.e., energy reserve (p = 0.009) and energy consumption (p = 0.05) indices; whereas in AD a significant increase was found in metabolic stress indicator (p = 0.007) and lower Mg2+ (p = 0.004) in the temporal lobes compared to aMCI using ANOVA between group analytical approach. Finally, using a linear mixed model, a significant positive correlation was found between Mg2+ and cognitive performance of memory (p = 0.013), EF (p = 0.023), and attention (p = 0.0003) in CN but not in aMCI or AD. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that it is possible to measure p-BEM in vivo with precision at UHF across the three groups. Moreover, the findings suggest that p-BEM may be compromised in aMCI even before an AD diagnosis, which in future studies should explore to examine whether this energy crisis contributes to some of the earliest neuropathophysiologic changes in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The human brain has high energy requirements that continuously support healthy neuronal activity and cognition. A disruption in brain energy metabolism (BEM) may contribute to early neuropathological changes such as accumulation of β-amyloid and tau in vulnerable populations. One such population is amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) where some individuals are at risk for developing dementia, i.e. Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent advances in imaging technology are providing new avenues to measure BEM accurately using 31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) at ultra-high-field (UHF) magnetic strength 7-Tesla. This study investigates whether a methodology using partial volume-coil 31P MRS at 7T over parieto-occipital lobes can accurately quantify high-energy phosphate and membrane phospholipid metabolites in aMCI. A secondary objective was to explore BEM and membrane phospholipid indices' correspondence with cognitive performance in domains of executive function (EF), memory, attention, and visuospatial skills in aMCI, a heterogeneous population. Methods: 19 aMCI participants enrolled in the study completed cognitive assessment and 31P MRS scan. BEM indices were measured using three energy indicators: energy reserve (PCr/t-ATP), energy consumption (intracellular_Pi/t-ATP), and metabolic state (PCr/intracellular_Pi) along with regulatory co-factors of BEM-intracellular Mg2 + and pH; whereas the ratio of phosphomonoesters (PMEs) to phosphodiesters (PDEs) – membrane phospholipid indicator. Results: 31P MRS scan showed thirteen well-resolved peaks with precise quantification of the phosphorus metabolites at UHF. The higher BEM indices were associated with lower cognitive performance of memory [(energy reserve indicator: CVLT p = 0.004), (metabolic state indicator: CVLT p = 0.007)], executive function [(metabolic state indicator: TOSL (p = 0.044)], and attention [(pH: selective auditory task, p = 0.044)]. The finding of an inverse relationship observed in the parieto-occipital lobes suggests an association between neuronal energy markers with cognition in aMCI. Conclusion: The significant contribution of this preliminary research was to establish the feasibility of utilizing a methodology at UHF to accurately measure high-energy phosphate and membrane phospholipid metabolites in a population with heterogeneous outcomes. This work offers a novel approach for future work to further elucidate early dementia biomarkers or precursors to the downstream accumulation of amyloid and tau using the combination of MRS-PET imaging modalities in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocimum sanctum Linn. (also known as Tulsi) is a sacred Indian plant, the beneficial role of which, in obesity and diabetes is described traditionally. This is a randomized, parallel group, open label pilot study to investigate the effect of O. sanctum on metabolic and biochemical parameters in thirty overweight/obese subjects, divided into two groups A and B. Group A (n = 16) received one 250 mg capsule of Tulsi ( O. sanctum) extract twice daily in empty stomach for 8 weeks and group B (n = 14) received no intervention. Statistically significant improvements in the values of serum triglycerides ( p = 0.019); low density lipoprotein ( p = 0.001); high density lipoprotein ( p = 0.001); very low density lipoprotein ( p = 0.019); Body Mass Index, BMI ( p = 0.005); plasma insulin ( p = 0.021) and insulin resistance ( p = 0.049) were observed after 8 weeks in the O. sanctum intervention group. The improvement in HDL-C in the intervention group when compared to the control group was also statistically significant ( p = 0.037). There was no significant alteration of the liver enzymes SGOT and SGPT in both the intervention ( p = 0.141; p = 0.074) and control arms ( p = 0.102; p = 0.055) respectively. These observations clearly indicate the beneficial effects of O. sanctum on various biochemical parameters in young overweight/obese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hirschsprung's disease (HD) presenting in the neonatal period is far more common among term infants compared to preterm infants. In a systematic review, Duess I et al i . showed that out of 4147 infants diagnosed with HD, 257 (6%) cases were preterm.3 Intestinal perforation is not a common complication of HD, with a reported incidence of only 4%. [Extracted from the article]