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Abstract In this research, magnetic bismuth ferrite nanoparticles (BFO MNPs) were prepared through a convenient method and characterized. The structure and morphological characteristics of the prepared nanomaterial were confirmed through analyses using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), elemental mapping, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) techniques. The obtained magnetic BFO nanomaterial was investigated, as a heterogeneous Lewis acid, in three component synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2 (1H)-ones/thiones (DHPMs/DHPMTs). It was found that the BFO MNPs exhibit remarkable efficacy in the synthesis of various DHPMs as well as their thione analogues. It is noteworthy that this research features low catalyst loading, good to excellent yields, environmentally friendly conditions, short reaction time, simple and straightforward work-up, and the reusability of the catalyst, distinguishing it from other recently reported protocols. Additionally, the structure of the DHPMs/DHPMTs was confirmed through 1H NMR, FTIR, and melting point analyses. This environmentally-benign methodology demonstrates the potential of the catalyst for more sustainable and efficient practices in green chemistry.

Appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgical intervention; however, it is extremely rare in infants. Its diagnosis and treatment are challenging due to nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms. As a result, delayed or missed diagnosis is common in young children and is associated with an increased risk of perforation and peritonitis. We reported a case of a 4-month-old healthy male child. The patient presented with abdominal distention and fever. After ruling out other possible causes, he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis, which was confirmed by a CT scan. A gangrenous appendix, dilated bowel loops, and free fluid in the abdomen were discovered during surgery. An appendectomy was performed. The appendix in infants has an average length of 4.5 cm compared with 9.5 cm in adults. Infantile appendicitis is considered rare but cases have been documented also in neonates, misdiagnosis rates are high due to rarity in this age group in addition to nonspecific signs and symptoms, which led to a high perforation rate. Ultrasonography can diagnose appendicitis in children with a sensitivity and specificity of 90%-95% without subjecting the child to radiation. A physician should always keep the diagnosis of appendicitis in mind in the infant age group, even though it is rare, as a delay in diagnosis and treatment has been associated with an increased risk of complications including appendicular perforation and peritonitis.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental disorder in which the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen, does not close during prenatal development, allowing abdominal organs to herniate into the chest cavity. It occurs mainly on the left side (80%-85% of cases). CDH is often identified during prenatal assessment. However, instances of late-presenting CDH beyond infancy are exceedingly uncommon, contributing to frequent misdiagnosis and delayed therapeutic intervention. We present a case of a 10-month-old female with an uneventful antenatal and perinatal history who presented with respiratory distress and multiple episodes of vomiting. Her vital signs were stable upon arrival, but she was sent to the PICU due to hypoactivity, reduced oral intake, and agitation. After an urgent CT scan, a herniation of the small and large bowel loops into the right hemithorax was discovered, along with a defect in the right hemidiaphragm. This resulted in a pleural effusion on the right side, a partially collapsed left lung, and a mediastinal shift to the left. The diaphragmatic hernia was corrected through a lateral thoracotomy at the sixth rib with multiple interrupted sutures, and a chest tube was then inserted into the pleural space above the diaphragm following a smooth reduction of the bowl. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate clinical investigation, and treatment. A good prognosis can be anticipated by promptly discovering and examining the condition.

Abstract In regions like Oman, which are characterized by aridity, enhancing the water quality discharged from reservoirs poses considerable challenges. This predicament is notably pronounced at Wadi Dayqah Dam (WDD), where meeting the demand for ample, superior water downstream proves to be a formidable task. Thus, accurately estimating and mapping water quality indicators (WQIs) is paramount for sustainable planning of inland in the study area. Since traditional procedures to collect water quality data are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly, water resources management has shifted from gathering field measurement data to utilizing remote sensing (RS) data. WDD has been threatened by various driving forces in recent years, such as contamination from different sources, sedimentation, nutrient runoff, salinity intrusion, temperature fluctuations, and microbial contamination. Therefore, this study aimed to retrieve and map WQIs, namely dissolved oxygen (DO) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) of the Wadi Dayqah Dam (WDD) reservoir from Sentinel-2 (S2) satellite data using a new procedure of weighted averaging, namely Bayesian Maximum Entropy-based Fusion (BMEF). To do so, the outputs of four Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, namely Multilayer Regression (MLR), Random Forest Regression (RFR), Support Vector Regression (SVRs), and XGBoost, were combined using this approach together, considering uncertainty. Water samples from 254 systematic plots were obtained for temperature (T), electrical conductivity (EC), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), pH, oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), and dissolved oxygen (DO) in WDD. The findings indicated that, throughout both the training and testing phases, the BMEF model outperformed individual machine learning models. Considering Chl-a, as WQI, and R-squared, as evaluation indices, BMEF outperformed MLR, SVR, RFR, and XGBoost by 6%, 9%, 2%, and 7%, respectively. Furthermore, the results were significantly enhanced when the best combination of various spectral bands was considered to estimate specific WQIs instead of using all S2 bands as input variables of the ML algorithms.

The possibility of impaired cognitive function during deep space flight missions or while living on a Martian colony is a critical point of concern and pleads for further research. In addition, a fundamental gap exists both in our understanding and application of countermeasures for the consequences of long duration space travel and/or living in an extreme environment such as on the Moon or Mars. Previous studies, while heavily analyzing pre- and post-flight conditions, mostly fail to appreciate the cognitive stressors associated with space radiation, microgravity, confinement, hostile or closed environments, and the long distances from earth. A specific understanding of factors that affect cognition as well as structural and/or physiological changes in the brains of those on a space mission in addition to new countermeasures should result in improved health of our astronauts and reduce risks. At the core of cognitive changes are mechanisms we typically associate with aging, such as inflammatory responses, changes in brain metabolism, depression, and memory impairments. In fact, space flight appears to accelerate aging. In this review, we will discuss the importance of monitoring inflammatory and immune system mediators such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and mitochondrial changes related to brain metabolism. We conclude with our recommended countermeasures that include pharmacological, metabolic, and nutritional considerations for the risks on cognition during space missions.

In this research, a new magnetically decorated multifunctional solid acid was designed and prepared conveniently by grafting of 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) onto the chitosan (CS) backbone using toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) linker for the first time. The obtained magnetic biopolymeric nanomaterial, CS-TDI-SSA-Fe3O4, was properly characterized by using spectroscopic, microscopic, or analytical methods including FT-IR, EDX, XRD, BET, FESEM, TGA, and VSM. The supramolecular CS-TDI-SSA-Fe3O4 nanocomposite was investigated, as a heterogeneous organocatalyst, to promote the three-component synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazoline-4(1H)-one derivatives under green conditions. The solid acidic CS-TDI-SSA-Fe3O4 nanocatalyst demonstrates highly efficient activity for the synthesis of a wide range of quinazoline derivatives, as an important pharmaceutical scaffold, through the multicomponent strategy. The reaction proceeds very well in the presence of CS-TDI-SSA-Fe3O4 solid acid in EtOH to afford corresponding 2,3-dihydroquinazoline-4(1H)-one (DHQ) derivatives in high to excellent yields. The key advantages of the present protocol are the use of a novel, renewable, biopolymeric, and biodegradable solid acid as well as a simple procedure for the preparation of the hybrid material. Furthermore, the CS-TDI-SSA-Fe3O4 catalyst can be used at least five times for the synthesis of DHQ derivatives with a slight decrease in its catalytic activity.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease across all age groups. Limited studies have been conducted to consider the relationship between NAFLD and liver size. This study aimed to compare the size of the liver between NAFLD patients and healthy controls. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on NAFLD patients (n = 300), and healthy subjects (n = 300) referred to the Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz from April to August 2021. All individuals underwent ultrasonography examination, and liver size was measured in the midclavicular line. Fatty liver was divided into three grades, I (mild), II (moderate), and III (severe), according to the disease severity. Anthropometric parameters, including age, sex, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI), were recorded. Finally, the size of the liver and its relationship with NAFLD and anthropometric parameters was evaluated. Results: Patients had significantly higher weight, and BMI mean values than controls (P < 0.001). In comparison to controls, NAFLD patients had considerably larger livers on average. (149.05 ± 12.60 mm vs. 134.51 ± 12.09; P < 0.001). There was a significant tendency for larger liver size in normal to severe fatty liver patients (P < 0.001). In patients with mild, moderate, and severe NAFLD, the mean liver size was 144.34 ± 11.35, 154.21 ± 10.84, and 158.63 ± 13.45 mm, respectively. The mean liver size in both groups was significantly higher in males than females (P < 0.05). Age (P = 0.037), sex (P < 0.001), height (P < 0.001), BMI (P = 0.008), and steatosis (P < 0.001) were independent variables for predicting the liver size. Conclusion: The liver size of persons with fatty liver was substantially more considerable than healthy people. The size of the liver was substantially linked with sex, age, BMI, fatty liver, and hepatic steatosis grade. A straightforward way to predict fatty liver is to use ultrasonography to determine the size of the liver.

Introduction The necessity of wearing personal protective equipment specially facemasks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to healthcare workers has been emphasized in the current COVID-19 pandemic. This survey aimed to estimate the compliance and perceived side effects causing non-adherence to their use in medical personnel. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted in the period from March to June 2021including healthcare workers in a tertiary care isolation hospital in contact with COVID-19 cases. A designed online questionnaire was distributed to all teams and data were obtained with response rate 97.3%. Results The study included 302 participants. Adherence was recorded in 293 (97%) during shifts for mean duration of 6.84 ± 2.9 h. Nearly 53% reported changing masks during shift due mask damage, then contamination with secretions of COVID-19 or suspected patients. The causes of non- adherence were perceived dyspnea then headache in 65.3 and 17%. The most commonly reported side effects in all participants were dyspnea (87.4%), headache (42.7%), and 62.3% of the participants reported that these side effects began within 6 h after wearing the mask and 41.1% said that these side effects disappear after less than 1 h. Conclusion Adherence to use of protective facemask between medical teams during the COVID-19 in our hospital was very satisfactory. The main side effects were perceived dyspnea and headache and recorded after prolonged use. There is a need to follow the burden of these side effects to avoid non-adherence and to take measures to reduce hours of work shifts especially during pandemics.

Abstract In this study, new magnetic reduced graphene oxide aerogel/HKUST-1 nanocomposite was designed and synthesized given the transformation of graphene oxide sheets to three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide aerogel, the in-situ magnetization of aerogel substrate, and the in-situ formation of HKUST-1 particles. Apart from characterizing the chemistry and structure of the designed magnetic nanocomposite (FT-IR, EDX, ICP, FE-SEM, DLS, XRD, VSM, and TG analyses), its catalytic performance was evaluated in the one-pot synthesis of biologically active 1,8-dioxo-decahydroacridine and polyhydroquinoline derivatives. The combination of magnetized reduced graphene oxide aerogel and HKUST-1 in the form of a new heterogeneous magnetic nanocatalyst was accompanied by a high synergetic catalytic effect in the symmetric and unsymmetrical Hantzsch condensation reactions. Compared to previous research studies, the pharmaceutical 1,8-dioxo-decahydroacridine and polyhydroquinoline derivatives can be synthesized using a partial amount of this nanocatalyst with a high percentage of yields in a short reaction time.

Biodiesel and bioethanol are two popular biofuels that commonly are used in combination with diesel and gasoline fuels respectively in diesel engines and gasoline engines. Diesel and biodiesel fuels have similar characteristics. However, they have different characteristics compared to bioethanol. Also high proportions of bioethanol cannot be solved in diesel fuel. Then using bioethanol and diesel fuel blends and the effects on diesel engine performance needs further investigation. Biodiesel as a co-solvent is used in bioethanol and diesel fuel mixtures to increase lubricity and cetane number of the blends. In this study, a 4-stroke, 4-cylinder diesel engine coupled with a dynamometer was used for the investigation of diesel engine emission and fuel consumption. Fuels B10E10D80, B10E15D75, B10E20D70, and D100 were used in this study at different speeds (from 1200 to 2400 rpm with 200 rpm increment) on 50% and 100% engine loads were measured. Here, B, E, and D respectively represent biodiesel, bioethanol, and diesel fuel and numbers indicate the percentage of those fuels. Fuel consumption and emissions (CO, CO2, NOx, and C6H14) were measured. Average changes of emissions of CO, CO2, NO, NO2 and C6H14 on different loads and speeds were decreased respectively by 20–38%, 1–6%, 11–14%, 9%, and 3–24%, respectively The average diesel engine fuel consumption using B10E10D80 and B10E20D70 fuels was only higher by 2% and 3% than that of using pure diesel fuel and with using B10E15D75 fuel it was equal to that of using pure diesel fuel. In conclusion, using ternary fuel blends instead of pure diesel fuel significantly decreases diesel engine emissions for CO, CO2, and NO. Fuel consumption negligibly increased by using ternary fuel blends instead of pure diesel fuel. As a result, ternary fuel blends could be considered as alternatives to diesel fuel.

Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs) are benign intratesticular tumors that occur mostly in male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), their prevalence in these populations can reach up to 94%. We hereby report a male child with known CAH, presented with bilateral irregular testicular masses which were diagnosed as TARTs. TARTs were first reported in 1940, They were named due to their resemblance to adrenal tissue, they are almost always benign but can blunt spermatogenesis and endocrine function of the testis leading to infertility, they are diagnosed by a combination of clinical history, physical exam, and imaging studies, MRI and U/S are equally good for diagnosis and follow-up, treatment includes surgical resection or observation depending on tumor size, symptoms, and fertility goals. TARTs are benign testicular tumors that are strongly associated with CAH, they can be completely asymptomatic or can cause pain and infertility, diagnosis can be done by imaging modalities like MRI or U/S, and treatment options include observation or surgical removal.

Currently, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have emerged as exceptional rechargeable energy storage solutions that are witnessing a swift increase in their range of uses because of characteristics such as remarkable energy density, significant power density, extended lifespan, and the absence of memory effects. Keeping with the pace of rapid development, specific purpose-oriented features of LIBs are being searched for to satisfy certain requirements. In the case of Electric Vehicles (EVs), the expected growth of LIB use is hindered because of the present level of driving range and battery pack size. However, both issues can be improved with elevated energy density at the cell level. Because high energy density will not only increase the driving range but also reduce the number of cells that will be required to deliver the same amount of power, thereby reducing the battery pack size. Higher energy density is achievable by designing LIB cells through materials-oriented design as well as cell parameter-focused design. Herein, a brief critical overview of LIB cell configuration for maximizing energy density of LIBs for EVs is presented considering viewpoints related to both material-oriented and cell parameter-focused optimization approaches.

Abstract In this paper, crosstalk sensitivity analysis of a microwave coupled-line structure due to the fabrication imperfections is investigated using Least Square-Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) method. Since LS-SVM uses a set of linear equations instead of a convex quadratic programming problem, the computational cost is extremely reduced compared to that of the well-known Monte Carlo (MC) analysis or even Support Vector Machine (SVM) without decreasing the accuracy. Using this method, the geometrical parameters of the coupled-line are assumed to be randomly distributed using the Latin Hypercube function and the variation range of each parameter is set to ± 50% around its central value. The frequency response of the coupled-line is estimated and compared with those of the measured and simulation ones for a few well-known practical case studies. The results show that the LS-SVM procedure quickly predicts the worst-case crosstalk expectation values and accurately anticipates the probability of obtaining various outcomes of the coupled-line for the specified parameter variation over a wide frequency range.

This paper presents a flexible finite-difference technique for analyzing the nonuniform guiding structures. Because the voltage and current variations along the nonuniform structure differ for each segment, this work considers the adaptable discretization steps. This technique increases the accuracy of the final response. Moreover, by applying the singular value decomposition and discarding the nonprincipal singular values, an optimal lower rank approximation of the discretization matrix is obtained. The computational cost of the introduced method is significantly reduced using the optimal discretization matrix. Also, the proposed method can be extended to the nonuniform waveguides. The technique is verified by analyzing several practical transmission lines and waveguides with nonuniform profiles.

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) require continuous monitoring of various systems, structures, and components to ensure safe and efficient operations. The critical safety testing of new fuel compositions and the analysis of the effects of power transients on core temperatures can be achieved through modeling and simulations. They capture the dynamics of the physical phenomenon associated with failure modes and facilitate the creation of digital twins (DTs). Accurate reconstruction of fields of interest (e.g., temperature, pressure, velocity) from sensor measurements is crucial to establish a two-way communication between physical experiments and models. Sensor placement is highly constrained in most nuclear subsystems due to challenging operating conditions and inherent spatial limitations. This study develops optimized data-driven sensor placements for full-field reconstruction within reactor and steam generator subsystems of NPPs. Optimized constrained sensors reconstruct field of interest within a tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel irradiation experiment, a lumped parameter model of a nuclear fuel test rod and a steam generator. The optimization procedure leverages reduced-order models of flow physics to provide a highly accurate full-field reconstruction of responses of interest, noise-induced uncertainty quantification and physically feasible sensor locations. Accurate sensor-based reconstructions establish a foundation for the digital twinning of subsystems, culminating in a comprehensive DT aggregate of an NPP.

Abstract Recently, 1-nonadecene and l-lactic acid were identified as unique metabolites in radicular cysts and periapical granuloma, respectively. However, the biological roles of these metabolites were unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the inflammatory and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) effects of 1-nonadecene, and the inflammatory and collagen precipitation effects of l-lactic acid on both periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PdLFs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PdLFs and PBMCs were treated with 1-nonadecene and l-lactic acid. Cytokines’ expression was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and macrophage polarization markers were measured using flow cytometry. The collagen, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and released cytokines were measured using collagen assay, western blot, and Luminex assay, respectively. In PdLFs, 1-nonadecene enhances inflammation through the upregulation of some inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12A, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) α. 1-Nonadecene also induced MET through the upregulation of E-cadherin and the downregulation of N-cadherin in PdLFs. 1-Nonadecene polarized macrophages to a pro-inflammatory phenotype and suppressed their cytokines’ release. l-lactic acid exerted a differential impact on the inflammation and proliferation markers. Intriguingly, l-lactic acid induced fibrosis-like effects by enhancing collagen synthesis, while inhibiting MMP-1 release in PdLFs. These results provide a deeper understanding of 1-nonadecene and l-lactic acid’s roles in modulating the microenvironment of the periapical area. Consequently, further clinical investigation can be employed for target therapy.

Abstract A novel magnetic heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized through the immobilization of copper ions onto the l-arginine functionalized CuFe2O4@SiO2. The prepared catalyst was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX). The resulting catalyst was used in the ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles via a one-pot three-component reaction of alkynes, alkyl halides, and sodium azides under green conditions within a short time. The catalyst reusability was investigated after five cycles and no significant loss of activity was observed.

Abstract In this work, D-(–)-α-phenylglycine (APG)-functionalized magnetic nanocatalyst (Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG) was designed and successfully prepared in order to implement the principles of green chemistry for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline (PHQ) and 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) derivatives under ultrasonic irradiation in EtOH. After preparing of the nanocatalyst, its structure was confirmed by different spectroscopic methods or techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The performance of Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG nanomaterial, as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Hantzsch condensation, was examined under ultrasonic irradiation and various conditions. The yield of products was controlled under various conditions to reach more than 84% in just 10 min, which indicates the high performance of the nanocatalyst along with the synergistic effect of ultrasonic irradiation. The structure of the products was identified by melting point as well as FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopic methods. The Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG nanocatalyst is easily prepared from commercially available, lower toxic and thermally stable precursors through a cost-effective, highly efficient and environmentally friendly procedure. The advantages of this method include simplicity of the operation, reaction under mild conditions, the use of an environmentally benign irradiation source, obtaining pure products with high efficiency in short reaction times without using a tedious path, which all of them address important green chemistry principles. Finally, a reasonable mechanism is proposed for the preparation of polyhydroquinoline (PHQ) and 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) derivatives in the presence of Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG bifunctional magnetic nanocatalyst.

The performance of apparently biocompatible implanted bovine bone grafts may be compromised by unresolved chronic inflammation, and poor graft incorporation leading to implant failure. Monitoring the intensity and duration of the inflammatory response caused by implanted bone grafts is crucial. In this study, the ability of demineralized (DMB) and decellularized (DCC) bovine bone substitutes in initiating inflammatory responses to peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (PBMMs) was investigated. The response of PBMMs to bone substitutes was evaluated by using both direct and indirect cell culture, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, immunophenotyping, and cytokine production. Analysis of DMB and DCC substitutes using scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed a roughened surface with a size ranging between 500 and 750 μm. PBMMs treated with DMB demonstrated cell aggregation and clumping mimicking lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated PBMMs and a higher proliferation ability (166.93%) compared to control (100%) and DCC treatments (115.64%; p

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health globally. To understand the impact of the pandemic on mental health in Fiji, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety disorder and depression among the young adults.MethodAn online survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of anxiety disorder and depression among the general population in Suva, Fiji during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1,119 Fiji adults participated in the study. The study was conducted between May 20 to June 30, 2022, using a snowball sampling via social media platforms. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scales were used to measure anxiety and depression, respectively. The COVID-19 related stressors was evaluated using the adapted SARS stressors assessment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing mental health among respondents.ResultsThe result shows that a significant portion of individuals experienced each of the stressors, with the highest prevalence seen for hearing information about the severity of COVID-19. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was found to be 45% and 49%, respectively. Being female, having pre-existing illness and COVID-19 stressors were a risk factor to develop anxiety and depression. On the other hand, employed individuals and having high BMI was a protective factor against developing depression during COVID-19 lockdown.ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of addressing the mental health needs of the Fijian population during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is part of a neurovascular structure located in the brain’s micro vessels, that is essential to maintain brain homeostasis, but prevents the brain uptake of most drugs. Because of its importance in neuro-pharmacotherapy, the BBB has been the subject of extensive research since its discovery over 100 years ago. Major advances in understanding the structure and function of the barrier have been made. Drugs are re-designed to cross the BBB. However, despite these efforts, overcoming the BBB efficiently to treat brain diseases safely remains challenging. The majority of BBB research studies focus on the BBB as a homogenous structure throughout the different brain regions. However, this simplification may lead to an inadequate understanding of the BBB function with significant therapeutic consequences. From this perspective, we analyzed the gene and protein expression profiles of the BBB in the micro vessels from the brains of mice that were isolated from two different brain regions, namely the cortex and the hippocampus. The expression profile of the inter-endothelial junctional protein (claudin-5), three ABC transporters (P-glycoprotein, Bcrp and Mrp-1), and three BBB receptors (lrp-1, TRF and GLUT-1) were analyzed. Our gene and protein analysis showed that the brain endothelium in the hippocampus exhibits different expression profiles compared to the brain cortex. Specifically, brain endothelial cells (BECs) of the hippocampus express higher gene levels of abcb1, abcg2, lrp1, and slc2a1 compared to the BECs of the cortex regions with a trend of increase for claudin-5, while BECs of the cortex express higher gene levels of abcc1 and trf compared to the hippocampus. At the protein levels, the P-gp expression was found to be significantly higher in the hippocampus compared to the cortex, while TRF was found to be up-regulated in the cortex. These data suggest that the structure and function of the BBB are not homogeneous, and imply that drugs are not delivered similarly among the different brain regions. Appreciation of the BBB heterogeneity by future research programs is thus critical for efficient drug delivery and the treatment of brain diseases.

Abstract Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe and progressive chronic fibrosing interstitial lung disease with causes that have remained unclear to date. Development of effective treatments will require elucidation of the detailed pathogenetic mechanisms of IPF at both the molecular and cellular levels. With a biomedical corpus that includes IPF-related entities and events, text-mining systems can efficiently extract such mechanism-related information from huge amounts of literature on the disease. A novel corpus consisting of 150 abstracts with 9297 entities intended for training a text-mining system was constructed to clarify IPF-related pathogenetic mechanisms. For this corpus, entity information was annotated, as were relation and event information. To construct IPF-related networks, we also conducted entity normalization with IDs assigned to entities. Thereby, we extracted the same entities, which are expressed differently. Moreover, IPF-related events have been defined in this corpus, in contrast to existing corpora. This corpus will be useful to extract IPF-related information from scientific texts. Because many entities and events are related to lung diseases, this freely available corpus can also be used to extract information related to other lung diseases such as lung cancer and interstitial pneumonia caused by COVID-19.

Abstract This paper presents a new technique for analyzing a non-uniform transmission line (NUTL). This method expands the differential equations of voltage and current as the slope functions. Then, differential equations are solved using the explicit Runge–Kutta technique with the fourth-order method with four stages. It is shown that the proposed method can be used not only for analyzing the NUTL but also for analyzing the no-uniform waveguides (NUWG). Additionally, it is shown that the sensitivity of the proposed method concerning the discretization error is suitable. Several theoretical and practical NUTLs and NUWG are investigated to verify the proposed method’s accuracy and advantages. The performance of the proposed method is compared with those obtained by the other popular techniques, such as uniform cascaded sections (UCS).

Abstract Ball-milled seashells, as a nano-biocomposite catalyst and natural source of CaCO3 in its aragonite microcrystalline form with fixed CO2, was optimized for the synthesis of isoamyl acetate (3-methylbutyl ethanoate) by response surface methodology with a five-level three-factor rotatable circumscribed central composite design. The seashells nano-biocomposite has proved to be an excellent heterogeneous multifunctional catalyst for the green and environmentally-benign synthesis of isoamyl acetate from acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol under solvent-free conditions. A high yield of 91% was obtained under the following optimal conditions: molar ratio of alcohol: acetic acid (1:3.7), catalyst loading (15.7 mg), the reaction temperature (98 °C), and the reaction time (219 min). The outstanding advantages of this protocol are the use of an inexpensive, naturally occurring and easily prepared nano-biocomposite material having appropriate thermal stability and without any modifications using hazardous reagents, lower catalyst loading and reaction temperature, no use of corrosive Bronsted acids as well as toxic azeotropic solvents or water adsorbents, and simplicity of the procedure.

Adipocyte P2 (aP2), also known as FABP4, is an adipokine that adipose tissue produces and expresses in macrophages. Its primary role is to facilitate the transportation of fatty acids across cell membranes. Numerous studies have reported associations between FABP4 and the development of metabolic disorders. However, there is limited knowledge regarding FABP4 expression in diabetes and obesity, especially about different age groups, genders, and ethnicities. This study aims to investigate the association between FABP4 levels, diabetes mellitus, and obesity within various ethnic groups. We measured plasma FABP4 concentrations in a cohort of 2083 patients from the KDEP study and gathered anthropometric data. Additionally, we collected and analyzed clinical, biochemical, and glycemic markers using multivariate regression analysis. The average FABP4 concentration was significantly higher in female participants than in males (18.8 ng/mL vs. 14.4 ng/mL, p < 0.001, respectively), and in those over 50 years old compared to those under 50 years of age (19.3 ng/mL vs. 16.2 ng/mL, p < 0.001, respectively). In this study, significant positive associations were found between the plasma level of FABP4 and obesity markers: BMI (r = 0.496, p < 0.001), hip circumference (r = 0.463, p < 0.001), and waist circumference (WC) (r = 0.436, p < 0.001). Similar observations were also seen with glycemic markers, which included HbA1c (r = 0.126, p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (r = 0.184, p < 0.001), fasting insulin (r = 0.326, p < 0.001), and HOMA-IR (r = 0.333, p < 0.001). Importantly, these associations remained significant even after adjusting for age, gender, and ethnicity. Furthermore, FABP4 levels were negatively associated with male gender (β: −3.85, 95% CI: −4.92, −2.77, p < 0.001), and positively associated with age (β: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.096, 0.183, p < 0.001), BMI (β: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.644, 0.836, p < 0.001), and fasting insulin (β: 0.115, 95% CI: 0.091, 0.138, p < 0.001). In this study, plasma FABP4 levels were significantly higher in diabetic and obese participants, and they were strongly influenced by age, gender, and ethnicity. These findings suggest that FABP4 may serve as a valuable prognostic and diagnostic marker for obesity and diabetes, particularly among female patients, individuals over 50 years old, and specific ethnic groups.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) commonly affects the lung (pulmonary TB). Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) can involve many systems. Diagnosis is often difficult. EPTB may be misdiagnosed with many other inflammatory, granulomatous, and neoplastic disorders. GeneXpert mycobacterium tuberculosis /rifampicin is a valuable test in diagnosis of pulmonary TB. There is limited research about its diagnostic role in EPTB. Patients and methods The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of GeneXpert in EPTB. Samples from EPTB cases were sent for standard mycobacterial culture and GeneXpert assay. The sensitivity and specificity of GeneXpert were calculated. Results A total of 100 patients were included. Overall, 61 cases were definitely diagnosed as EPTB, whereas 39 cases were negative according to culture. GeneXpert was positive in 40 cases, which represent 65.6% of EPTB cases, and negative in 21 (34.4%) cases. Sensitivity and specificity of GeneXpert was 65.6 and 97.4%, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 97.4 and 64.4%, respectively. Conclusion GeneXpert is a rapid, valuable tool in diagnosis of patients with EPTB. It is a highly specific test with fair sensitivity. A multicenter study with larger sample size is needed to evaluate the diagnostic role of GeneXpert in different sites of EPTB.

6G and beyond networks tend towards fully intelligent and adaptive design in order to provide better operational agility in maintaining universal wireless access and supporting a wide range of services and use cases while dealing with network complexity efficiently. Such enhanced network agility will require developing a self-evolving capability in designing both the network architecture and resource management to intelligently utilize resources, reduce operational costs, and achieve the coveted quality of service (QoS). To enable this capability, the necessity of considering an integrated vertical heterogeneous network (VHetNet) architecture appears to be inevitable due to its high inherent agility. Moreover, employing an intelligent framework is another crucial requirement for self-evolving networks to deal with real-time network optimization problems. Hence, in this work, to provide a better insight into network architecture design in support of self-evolving networks, we highlight the merits of integrated VHetNet architecture while proposing an intelligent framework for self-evolving integrated vertical heterogeneous networks (SEI-VHetNets). The impact of the challenges associated with SEI-VHetNet architecture, on network management is also studied considering a generalized network model. Furthermore, the current literature on network management of integrated VHetNets along with the recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) solutions are discussed. Accordingly, the core challenges of integrating AI/ML in SEI-VHetNets are identified. Finally, the potential future research directions for advancing the autonomous and self-evolving capabilities of SEI-VHetNets are discussed.

Abstract This article describes supramolecular Fe3O4/SiO2 decorated trimesic acid-melamine (Fe3O4/SiO2-TMA-Me) nanocomposite that can be prepared with features that combine properties of different materials to fabricate a structurally unique hybrid material. In particular, we have focused on design, synthesis and evaluation a heterogeneous magnetic organocatalyst containing acidic functional-groups for the synthesis of biologically important imidazole derivatives in good to excellent yields. The introduced Fe3O4/SiO2-TMA-Me nanomaterial was characterized by different techniques such as FTIR, XRD, EDX, FESEM, TEM, TGA and DTA. As a noteworthy point, the magnetic catalytic system can be recycled and reused for more than seven consecutive runs while its high catalytic activity remains under the optimized conditions.

Abstract In this work, a new periodic mesoporous organosilica with urea-bridges produced by the reaction of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (APS-TDU-PMO) is introduced. The obtained APS-TDU-PMO was found to be an appropriate support for loading of Cu(II) nanoparticles to afford supramolecular Cu@APS-TDU-PMO nanocomposite. Uniformity and mesoporosity of both synthesized nanomaterials including APS-TDU-PMO and Cu@APS-TDU-PMO were proved by different spectroscopic, microscopic or analytical techniques including FTIR, EDX, XRD, FESEM, TEM, BET, TGA and DTA. Furthermore, the prepared Cu@APS-TDU-PMO nanomaterial was also used, as a heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst, for the synthesis of tetrazole derivatives through cascade condensation, concerted cycloaddition and tautomerization reactions. Indeed, the main advantages of this Cu@APS-TDU-PMO is its simple preparation and high catalytic activity as well as proper surface area which enable it to work under solvent-free conditions. Also, the introduced Cu@APS-TDU-PMO heterogeneous catalyst showed good stability and reusability for six consecutive runs to address more green chemistry principles.

The cellulose grafted to chitosan by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Cs-EDTA-Cell) material was prepared and characterized by different spectroscopic, microscopic or analytical methods and techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance (UV–Vis-DRS) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) as well as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, thermogravimetric, and differential thermal analysis. The obtained Cs-EDTA-Cell network was found to be more thermally stable than its original carbohydrate polymers components. The bio-based Cs-EDTA-Cell network contains appropriate acidic and basic active sites with proper geometry to act as a multifunctional organocatalyst at nanoscale. The synergic effect of Cs-EDTA-Cell network components were demonstrated to promote multicomponent synthesis of polyhydroquinoline and 1,8-dioxo-decahydroacridine derivatives under green and environmentally-benign conditions. A large number of fused Hantzsch esters were synthesized using low catalyst loading, in high to excellent yields, short reaction times, and simple work-up procedure. Furthermore, the Cs-EDTA-Cell network, as a heterogeneous catalyst, demonstrated excellent reusability and can be used at least for five consecutive runs without significant loss of its activity.

Abstract ZnO nanoparticles embedded in a magnetic isocyanurate-based periodic mesoporous organosilica (Fe3O4@PMO–ICS–ZnO) were prepared through a modified environmentally-benign procedure for the first time and properly characterized by appropriate spectroscopic and analytical methods or techniques used for mesoporous materials. The new thermally stable Fe3O4@PMO–ICS–ZnO nanomaterial with proper active sites and surface area as well as uniform particle size was investigated for the synthesis of medicinally important tetrazole derivatives through cascade condensation and concerted 1,3-cycloaddition reactions as a representative of the Click Chemistry concept. The desired 5-substituted-1H-tetrazole derivatives were smoothly prepared in high to quantitative yields and good purity in EtOH under reflux conditions. Low catalyst loading, short reaction time and the use of green solvents such as EtOH and water instead of carcinogenic DMF as well as easy separation and recyclability of the catalyst for at least five consecutive runs without significant loss of its activity are notable advantages of this new protocol compared to other recent introduced procedures.

Abstract In this research, cellulose grafted to chitosan by EDTA (Cs-EDTA-Cell) bio-based material is reported and characterized by a series of various methods and techniques such as FTIR, DRS-UV–Vis, TGA, FESEM, XRD and EDX analysis. In fact, the Cs-EDTA-Cell network is more thermally stable than pristine cellulose or chitosan. There is a plenty of both acidic and basic sites on the surface of this bio-based and biodegradable network, as a multifunctional organocatalyst, to proceed three-component synthesis of 2-amino-4H-pyran derivatives at room temperature in EtOH. The Cs-EDTA-Cell nanocatalyst can be easily recovered from the reaction mixture by using filtration and reused for at least five times without significant decrease in its catalytic activity. In general, the Cs-EDTA-Cell network, as a heterogeneous catalyst, demonstrated excellent catalytic activity in an environmentally-benign solvent to afford desired products in short reaction times and required simple experimental and work-up procedure compared to many protocols using similar catalytic systems.

Ghulam Mohammad,1 Renu A Kowluru1,2 1Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA; 2Kresge Eye Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USACorrespondence: Ghulam Mohammad, Tel +1 313-577-0744, Email ed5563@wayne.eduIntroduction: Diabetic patients routinely have high levels of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein in their plasma, vitreous and ocular membranes, which is strongly correlated with subclinical chronic inflammation in the eye. Our previous work has suggested that high HMGB1 in diabetes plays a role in retinal inflammation and angiogenesis, but its role in the optic nerve damage is unclear. Therefore, our goal is to examine the role of HMGB1 in optic nerve damage in diabetes.Methods: Gene expression of HMGB1 was quantified in the optic nerve from streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by qRT-PCR, and their protein expressions by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Using immunohistochemical technique, expression of reactive astrogliosis (indicator of neuroinflammation) and nerve demyelination/damage were determined by quantifying glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and myelin basic protein (MBP), respectively. The role of HMGB1 in the optic nerve damage and alteration visual pathways was confirmed in mice receiving glycyrrhizin, a HMGB1 inhibitor. Similar parameters were measured in the optic nerve from human donors with diabetes.Results: Compared to normal mice, diabetic mice exhibited increased levels of HMGB1, higher GFAP expression, and decreased MBP in the optic nerve. Double immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that diabetes induced increased HMGB1 immunoreactivities were significantly colocalized with GFAP in the optic nerve. Glycyrrhizin supplementation effectively reduced HMGB1 and maintained normal axonal myelination and visual conduction. Results from mice optic nerve confirmed the results obtained from human donors with diabetes.Discussions: Thus, diabetes-induced HMGB1 upregulation promotes optic nerve demyelination and inflammation. The regulation of HMGB1 activation has potential to protect optic nerve damage and the abnormalities of visual pathways in diabetic patients.Keywords: diabetes, visual function, optic nerve, inflammation, HMGB1

4H-pyrans have been prepared through a mechanochemical multicomponent reaction (MCR) of different aldehydes, malononitrile, and various 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, catalyzed by an amine-functionalized metal-organic framework (MOF) Cu2(NH2-BDC)2(DABCO) as a heterogeneous catalyst with good to excellent yields.

Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH), a severe dwarfing condition associated with early-onset joint degeneration and lifelong joint pain, is caused by mutations in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). The mechanisms underlying the mutant-COMP pathology have been defined using the MT-COMP mouse model of PSACH that has the common D469del mutation. Mutant-COMP protein does not fold properly, and it is retained in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) of chondrocytes rather than being exported to the extracellular matrix (ECM), driving ER stress that stimulates oxidative stress and inflammation, driving a self-perpetuating cycle. CHOP (ER stress signaling protein) and TNFα inflammation drive high levels of mTORC1 signaling, shutting down autophagy and blocking ER clearance, resulting in premature loss of chondrocytes that negatively impacts linear growth and causes early joint degeneration in MT-COMP mice and PSACH. Previously, we have shown that resveratrol treatment from birth to 20 weeks prevents joint degeneration and decreases the pathological processes in articular chondrocytes. Resveratrol’s therapeutic mechanism of action in the mutant-COMP pathology was shown to act by primarily stimulating autophagy and reducing inflammation. Importantly, we demonstrated that MT-COMP mice experience pain consistent with PSACH joint pain. Here, we show, in the MT-COMP mouse, that resveratrol treatment must begin within 4 weeks to preserve joint health and reduce pain. Resveratrol treatment started at 6 or 8 weeks (to 20 weeks) was not effective in preventing joint degeneration. Collectively, our findings in MT-COMP mice show that there is a postnatal resveratrol treatment window wherein the inevitable mutant-COMP joint degeneration and pain can be prevented.

The large-scale dissemination of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and its serious complications have pledged the scientific research communities to uncover the pathogenesis mechanisms of its etiologic agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods of unveiling such mechanisms are rooted in understanding the viral agent's interactions with the immune system, including its ability to activate macrophages, due to their suggested role in prolonged inflammatory phases and adverse immune responses. The objective of this study is to test the effect of SARS-CoV-2-free proteins on the metabolic and immune responses of macrophages. We hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 proteins shed during the infection cycle may dynamically induce metabolic and immunologic alterations with an inflammatory impact on the infected host cells. It is imperative to delineate such alterations in the context of macrophages to gain insight into the pathogenesis of these highly infectious viruses and their associated complications and thus, expedite the vaccine and drug therapy advent in combat of viral infections. Human monocyte-derived macrophages were treated with SARS-CoV-2-free proteins at different concentrations. The phenotypic and metabolic alterations in macrophages were investigated and the subsequent metabolic pathways were analyzed. The obtained results indicated that SARS-CoV-2-free proteins induced concentration-dependent alterations in the metabolic and phenotypic profiles of macrophages. Several metabolic pathways were enriched following treatment, including vitamin K, propanoate, and the Warburg effect. These results indicate significant adverse effects driven by residual viral proteins that may hence be considered determinants of viral pathogenesis. These findings provide important insight as to the impact of SARS-CoV-2-free residual proteins on the host cells and suggest a potential new method of management during the infection and prior to vaccination.

This process of this paper is carried out using thechemical spraying method to produce homogeneous thin films ofpure cadmium sulfide-doped with silver at different percentagesof 1%, 3%, and 5% on glass and polyimide plastic substrates at300°C. The aim is to study the optical and structural properties of the samples and the effect of the silver doping rate on films producedwith these properties. Due to X-ray diffraction studies, all filmscreated had a hexagonal phase, and it was noticed that they had avery precise structure free of holes or cracks. The obtained crystalsize ranged between 22.74 nm and 55.05 nm for different substrates, and the prominent plane was (002). From the optical properties, all films exhibited transmission higher than 60%, thus showing a lowabsorption, which makes them be used as light-permeable layers in the Solar Cell system. In addition, emission peaks were revealed by photo luminescence spectra examination at wavelengths ranging between (542.94 nm) and (546.02 nm), which led to calculate the energy gap (Eg). of the produced films, ranged between (2.27 eV) and (2.28 eV) for the different substrates.

In this work, we show that non-superabsorbent, thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel particles (< 250 μm) can reduce autogenous shrinkage in cement paste and improve early-age stiffening that can be caused by traditional superabsorbent polymers (SAPs). Swelling measurements in DI water and cement filtrate solution suggest that SAP-induced early-age stiffening is caused by its super-absorbency in low-ionic solutions – a behavior not exhibited by non-superabsorbent PNIPAM. Addition of PNIPAM resulted in a 29% and 60% reduction in autogenous shrinkage strain at 14 days when used alone (0.3 wt% PNIPAM) and in combination with SAP (0.15% PNIPAM, 0.15% SAP), respectively, compared to a Control with no polymer addition. Furthermore, an addition of 0.3 wt.% PNIPAM exhibited a ∼29% and ∼37% decrease in static yield stress compared to a Control and 0.3 wt% SAP-modified cement pastes, respectively. Taken together, the results provide initial evidence to suggest that the use of hydrogels as internal curing agents may not necessarily require super-absorbency to reduce autogenous shrinkage. Non-superabsorbent hydrogels, like PNIPAM, may help reduce autogenous shrinkage while alleviating the effects of SAP-induced early-age stiffening.

To prepare homogeneous thin films of zinc oxide (ZnO) doped with aluminum (Al) on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate at different temperatures (200-250 °C), the process is carried out by utilizing the chemical spraying pyrolysis approach. A study of the effects of substrate temperature on the Al-doped Zinc Oxide (AZO) films' electrical characteristics and roughness is performed. The measurements of atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that the root mean square (RMS) roughness of the AZO films is increased with the increase of PET substrate temperature. Hall measurements show that the electrical resistivity decreases as the substrate temperature increases. Upon the increment of substrate temperature, there is an increase in the carrier concentration value from 9.98 × 1019 to 5.4 × 1020 cm−3 and an increase in the carrier mobility value from 5.5 to 9.76 cm2.(V. S)−1.

Abstract MOFs compounds with open metal sites, particularly Cu-BTC, have great potential for adsorption and catalysis applications. However, the powdery morphology limits their applications. One of the almost new ways to overcome this problem is to trap them in a standing and flexible aerogel matrix to form a hierarchical porous composite. In this work, Cu-BTC/CNC (crystalline nanocellulose) and Cu-BTC/NFC (nanofibrillated cellulose) aerogel composites were synthesized using a direct mixing method by the addition of Cu-BTC powder to the liquid precursor solution followed by gelation and freeze-drying. Also, pure nanocellulose aerogels (CNC and NFC aerogels) have been synthesized from cellulose isolated from peanut shells. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were utilized to evaluate the structure and morphology of the prepared materials. The adsorption ability of pure CNC aerogel and Cu-BTC/NFC aerogel composite for organic dye (Congo Red) and heavy metal ion (Mn7+) was studied and determined by the UV–Vis spectrophotometry and inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), respectively. It was concluded that Cu-BTC/NFC aerogel composite shows excellent adsorption capacity for Congo Red. The adsorption process of this composite is better described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm, with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 39 mg/g for Congo Red. Nevertheless, CNC aerogel shows no adsorption for Congo Red. Both CNC aerogel and Cu-BTC/NFC aerogel composite act as a monolith standing solid reducer, which means they could remove permanganate ions from water by reducing it into manganese dioxide without releasing any secondary product in the solution.

Abstract Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease which is complicated by occurrence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Vitamin D deficiency contributes to the etiology and progression of type 2 DM and development of micro-vascular complications so in this study we assessed vitamin D level in diabetic patients to evaluate the association between vitamin D level and occurrence of diabetic neuropathy and to assess if there is relationship with certain subtypes of diabetic neuropathy. This case–control study was conducted on 80 type 2 diabetic patients divided into four groups equally. (A): Diabetic patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. (B): Diabetic patients with painless diabetic neuropathy. (C): Diabetic patients with painless neuropathy, but have neuropathic ulcer. (D): Diabetic patients without neuropathy. All patients underwent clinical, neurological examination and nerve conduction study. Then CBC and vitamin D were estimated in the studied groups. Results Vitamin D level among the studied painful diabetic neuropathy group (A) ranged from 5.3 to 40.5 ng/dl with mean 17.4 ± 10.9. 70% of them had deficient vitamin D level. In the painless diabetic neuropathy group (B), vitamin D level ranged from 6.5 to 35.5 ng/dl with mean 18.9 ± 8.49. 60% of them had deficient vitamin D level, while only 5% of the diabetic patients without neuropathy had deficient vitamin D level. There is significant negative correlation between vitamin D level and score of neuropathy where the lower vitamin D level the higher neuropathy score. Conclusion Lower vitamin D levels were found in diabetic patients with neuropathy especially those with painful neuropathy.

Eurycomanone and eurycomalactone are known quassinoids present in the roots and stems of Eurycoma longifolia. These compounds had been reported to have cytotoxic effects, however, their mechanism of action in a few cancer cell lines have yet to be elucidated. This study was aimed at investigating the anticancer effects and mechanisms of action of eurycomanone and eurycomalactone in cervical (HeLa), colorectal (HT29) and ovarian (A2780) cancer cell lines via Sulforhodamine B assay. Their mechanism of cell death was evaluated based on Hoechst 33342 assay and in silico molecular docking toward DHFR and TNF-α as putative protein targets. Eurycomanone and eurycomalactone exhibited in vitro anticancer effects manifesting IC50 values of 4.58 ± 0.090 µM and 1.60 ± 0.12 µM (HeLa), 1.22 ± 0.11 µM and 2.21 ± 0.049 µM (HT-29), and 1.37 ± 0.13 µM and 2.46 ± 0.081 µM (A2780), respectively. They induced apoptotic cancer cell death in dose- and time-dependent manners. Both eurycomanone and eurycomalactone were also predicted to have good inhibitory potential as demonstrated by the docking into TNF-α with binding affinity of −8.83 and −7.51 kcal/mol, respectively, as well as into DHFR with binding affinity results of −8.05 and −8.87 kcal/mol, respectively. These results support the evidence of eurycomanone and eurycomalactone as anticancer agents via apoptotic cell death mechanism that could be associated with TNF-α and DHFR inhibition as among possible protein targets.

Abstract Novel nano-ordered 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine-functionalized melamine (Melamine@TMG) organocatalyst was prepared and adequately identified by various techniques including FTIR, EDX, XRD and SEM spectroscopic or microscopic methods as well as TGA and DTG analytical methods. The Melamine@TMG, as an effective multifunctional organocatalyst, was found to promote smoothly the three-component synthesis of 1,2,4-triazoloquinazolinone derivatives using cyclic dimedone, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and different benzaldehyde derivatives in EtOH at 40 °C. This practical method afforded the desired products in high to excellent yields (86–99%) and short reaction times (10–25 min). The main advantages of this new method are the use of heterogeneous multifunctional nanocatalyst, simple work-up procedure with no need for chromatographic purification, highly selective conversion of substrates and recyclability of the catalyst, which could be used in five consecutive runs with only a small decrease in its activity.

Abstract This study introduces a practical approach to fabricate a novel hybrid acidic catalyst, namely sulfamic acid pyromellitic diamide-functionalized MCM-41 (MCM-41-APS-PMDA-NHSO3H). Various techniques such as FTIR, TGA, XRD, BET, FESEM, and EDX were used to confirm its structural characteristics. The efficiency of the new MCM-41-APS-PMDA-NHSO3H organosilica nanomaterials, as a heterogenous nanocatalyst, was examined in the synthesis of biologically active 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-one derivatives under solvent-free conditions. It was found that the nanoporous MCM-41-APS-PMDA-NHSO3H, demonstrating acidic nature and high surface area, can activate all the Biginelli reaction components to afford desired 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones under solvent-free conditions in short reaction time. Furthermore, easy and quick isolation of the new introduced hybrid organosilica from the reaction mixture as well as its reusability with negligible loss of activity in at least five consecutive runs are another advantages of this green protocol.

In current state of the World, the pollution is increasing very fast. One of its major reason is the production of huge quantity of cement which causes outflow of CO2 into the environment and land dumping of construction and demolition waste which leads to the land pollution. In order to address this major issue, it is important to decrease the utilization of cement by substituting the cement with by product such as slag and using recycled aggregates as a replacement of natural aggregates. This research aimed to utilize evaluate the performance of sustainable high-performance concrete reinforced with steel fibers which is produced with recycled aggregate. Crushed stone aggregates are supplanted with recycled aggregates extracted from source concrete that had compression strength of 45 MPa and 85 MPa at proportions of 50% and 100%. Steel fibers are used at 2% to produce high-performance concrete, and in a few of the mixtures, the cement was substituted with granulated blast furnace slag. In addition to mechanical performance, the durability properties, i.e., electrical resistivity, drying shrinkage, and water absorption, of concrete blends were examined. The test outcomes show that high-performance concrete with the required characteristics can be developed utilizing recycled aggregates extracted from source concrete of high strength. The inclusion of double hooked end steel fibers considerably improves the mechanical characteristics of RAC. Concrete formed with high-quality recycled concrete aggregates and mixes comprising granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and double hooked end (DHE) steel fibers shows decreased drying shrinkage and water absorption in comparison to normal concrete. The outcomes of the present study assist in making of suitable high-performance concrete which is sustainable and budget friendly.

Abstract A library of new spiro[diindeno[1,2-b:2′,1′-e]pyridine-11,3′-indoline]-2′,10,12-trione derivatives has been prepared in an efficient, one-pot pseudo four-component method mediated by a reusable heterogeneous nano-ordered mesoporous SO3H functionalized-silica (MCM-41-SO3H) catalyst. Excellent yields, short reaction times, as well as convenient non-chromatographic purification of the products and environmental benefits such as green and metal-free conditions constitute the main advantages of the developed synthetic methodology. The obtained fused indole-indenone dyes would be of interest to pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. Furthermore, due to their sensitivity to pH changes, they could be used as novel pH indicators.

Mutations in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) causes protein misfolding and accumulation in chondrocytes that compromises skeletal growth and joint health in pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH), a severe dwarfing condition. Using the MT-COMP mice, a murine model of PSACH, we showed that pathological autophagy blockage was key to the intracellular accumulation of mutant-COMP. Autophagy is blocked by elevated mTORC1 signaling, preventing ER clearance and ensuring chondrocyte death. We demonstrated that resveratrol reduces the growth plate pathology by relieving the autophagy blockage allowing the ER clearance of mutant-COMP, which partially rescues limb length. To expand potential PSACH treatment options, CurQ+, a uniquely absorbable formulation of curcumin, was tested in MT-COMP mice at doses of 82.3 (1X) and 164.6 mg/kg (2X). CurQ+ treatment of MT-COMP mice from 1 to 4 weeks postnatally decreased mutant COMP intracellular retention, inflammation, restoring both autophagy and chondrocyte proliferation. CurQ+ reduction of cellular stress in growth plate chondrocytes dramatically reduced chondrocyte death, normalized femur length at 2X 164.6 mg/kg and recovered 60% of lost limb growth at 1X 82.3 mg/kg. These results indicate that CurQ+ is a potential therapy for COMPopathy-associated lost limb growth, joint degeneration, and other conditions involving persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and a block of autophagy.

Hydrogen is one of the prospective clean energies that could potentially address two pressing areas of global concern, namely energy crises and environmental issues. Nowadays, fossil-based technologies are widely used to produce hydrogen and release higher greenhouse gas emissions during the process. Decarbonizing the planet has been one of the major goals in the recent decades. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to find clean, sustainable, and reliable hydrogen production technologies with low costs and zero emissions. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the hydrogen generation from solar and wind energy sources and observe broad prospects with hybrid renewable energy sources in producing green hydrogen. The study mainly focuses on the critical assessment of solar, wind, and hybrid-powered electrolysis technologies in producing hydrogen. Furthermore, the key challenges and opportunities associated with commercial-scale deployment are addressed. Finally, the potential applications and their scopes are discussed to analyse the important barriers to the overall commercial development of solar-wind-based hydrogen production systems. The study found that the production of hydrogen appears to be the best candidate to be employed for multiple purposes, blending the roles of fuel energy carrier and energy storage modality. Further studies are recommended to find technical and sustainable solutions to overcome the current issues that are identified in this study.

Abstract A new multifunctional dendritic nanocatalyst containing boric acid and 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate covalently attached to core–shell silica-coated magnetite (Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-THEIC-(CH2)3OB(OH)2) was designed and properly characterized by different spectroscopic or microscopic methods as well as analytical techniques used for mesoporous materials. It was found that the combination of both aromatic π–π stacking and boron–oxygen ligand interactions affords supramolecular arrays of dendrons. Furthermore, the use of boric acid makes this dendritic catalyst a good choice, from corrosion, recyclability and cost points of view. The catalytic activity of Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-THEIC-(CH2)3OB(OH)2, as an efficient magnetically recoverable catalyst, was investigated for the synthesis of polyhydroacridines (PHAs) as well as polyhydroquinolines (PHQs) via one-pot multicomponent reactions of dimedone and/or ethyl acetoacetate, different aldehydes and ammonium acetate in EtOH under reflux conditions. Very low loading of the catalyst, high to quantitative yields of the desired PHAs or PHQs products, short reaction times, wide scope of the substrates, eliminating any toxic heavy metals or corrosive reagents for the modification of the catalyst, and simple work-up procedure are remarkable advantages of this green protocol. An additional advantage of this magnetic nanoparticles catalyst is its ability to be separated and recycled easily from the reaction mixture with minimal efforts in six subsequent runs without significant loss of its catalytic activity. This magnetic and dendritic catalyst can be extended to new two- and three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks with different applications.

Secreted fungal peptides are known to influence the interactions between the pathogen and host innate immunity. The aim of this study is to screen and evaluate secreted peptides from the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus var. delemar for their immunomodulatory activity. By using mass spectrometry and immuno-informatics analysis, we identified three secreted peptides CesT (S16), Colicin (S17), and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase/ligand (CAMK/CAMKL; S27). Culturing peripheral blood-derived monocytic macrophages (PBMMs) in the presence of S16 or S17 caused cell clumping, while culturing them with S27 resulted in the formation of spindle-shaped cells. S27-treated PBMMs showed cell cycle arrest at G0 phase and exhibited alternatively activated macrophage phenotype with pronounced reduction in scavenger receptors CD163 and CD206. Homology prediction indicated that IL-4/IL-13 is the immunomodulatory target of S27. Confirming this prediction, S27 initiated macrophage activation through phosphorylation of STAT-6; STAT-6 inhibition reversed the activity of S27 and reduced the formation of spindle-shaped PBMMs. Lastly, S27 treatment of PBMMs was associated with altered expression of key iron regulatory genes including hepcidin, ferroportin, transferrin receptor 1, and ferritin in a pattern consistent with increased cellular iron release; a condition known to enhance Rhizopus infection. Collectively, R. arrhizus var. delemar secretes peptides with immunomodulatory activities that support fungal pathogenesis. Targeting the IL-4/IL-13R/STAT-6 axis is a potential therapeutic approach to enhance the PBMM-mediated fungal phagocytosis. This represents a potential new approach to overcome lethal mucormycosis.