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Metal alloys like stainless steel, titanium, and cobalt-chromium alloys are preferable for bio-implants due to their exceptional strength, tribological properties, and biocompatibility. However, long-term implantation of metal alloys can lead to inflammation, swelling, and itching because of ion leaching. To address this issue, polymers are increasingly being utilized in orthopedic applications, replacing metallic components such as bone fixation plates, screws, and scaffolds, as well as minimizing metal-on-metal contact in total hip and knee joint replacements. Ceramics, known for their hardness, thermal barrier, wear, and corrosion resistance, find extensive application in electrochemical, fuel, and biomedical industries. This review delves into a variety of biocompatible materials engineered to seamlessly integrate with the body, reducing adverse reactions like inflammation, toxicity, or immune responses. Additionally, this review examines the potential of various biomaterials including metals, polymers, and ceramics for implant applications. While metallic biomaterials remain indispensable, polymers and ceramics show promise as alternative options. However, surface-modified metallic materials offer a hybrid effect, combining the strengths of different constituents. The future of biomedical implant materials lies in advanced fabrication techniques and personalized designs, facilitating tailored solutions for complex medical needs., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 S., P., Naveen, Khan and Khahro.)

The enzyme Thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (TST, EC 2.8.1.1), is a positive genetic predictor of diabetes type 2 and obesity. As increased TST activity protects against the development of diabetic symptoms in mice, an activating compound for TST may provide therapeutic benefits in diabetes and obesity. We identified a small molecule activator of human TST through screening of an inhouse small molecule library. Kinetic studies in vitro suggest that two distinct isomers of the compound are required for full activation as well as an allosteric mode of activation. Additionally, we studied the effect of TST protein and the activator on TST activity through mitochondrial respiration. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) approaches supports an allosteric site for the binding of the activator, which is supported by the lack of activation in the Escherichia coli. mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase. Finally, we show that increasing TST activity in isolated mitochondria increases mitochondrial oxygen consumption., (© 2023 The Authors. Protein Science published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Protein Society.)

Background: Diabetes is a significant public health challenge for India. Self-management, including dietary management, physical activity, stress management, and adherence to medication, is critical in glycaemic control. Though data concerning self-management, in general, are available among persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), exclusive research on dietary self-management was limited., Aims: A qualitative study to explore the knowledge, current dietary practices, and the barriers and enablers for dietary self-care management in persons with T2DM., Methods: In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted among 35 participants with T2DM who scored minimally and optimally in the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ). Interviews were conducted using a validated interview guide. In-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed to verbatim and thematically analysed., Results: The study included 20 males and 15 females. The three major themes derived in the study. Firstly, "Knowledge, Interpretation and Information" the majority of the participants have understood the influence of diet on control of blood glucose level includes food choices and quantum of food. Secondly, "Current Dietary Practices-Preferences, Availability of food and Convenience influence dietary practices': All participants had their own belief on the side effects and benefits of certain food items. Most of the participants followed a three-meal pattern: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Finally, Barriers and Enablers in dietary self-management practice. Knowledge, physical and emotional factors, behaviour, planning were the intrinsic factors. Elements of the research, social support, season and climate, food environment were the extrinsic factors and communication, and financial management was the intermediate influences observed., Conclusion: The themes generated by this research provide insight into self-management and patient expectations in dietary matters. It would be desirable for physicians and health care providers to be aware of these practices when advising people with T2DM on dietary self - management., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Despite ample literature on the toxic impact of lead on the environment and health, the exact mechanism of pathogenesis/toxicity is not clearly known. Because it is well established that lead induces oxidative stress, it is assumed that exposure to antioxidants may reduce the toxic impact of lead. In this study, we evaluated the impact of coadministration of the methanolic root extract of a plant Abutilon indicum (50, 100, 200 mg kg -1 b.wt.) in mitigating the toxic impact of lead on the reproductive system of rats. In brief, Wistar rats were exposed to lead acetate in drinking water with or without coadministration of plant root extract and compared with that of control animals. After 45 days of exposure as outlined above, the animals were killed and the reproductive toxicity was assessed by sperm parameters, hormone and antioxidant enzyme assays, and testis histopathology. Significant reduction in testis weight, sperm count, testosterone levels, and antioxidant enzymes levels such as Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, and Glutathione peroxidase was seen in lead-treated animals, confirming the toxic impact. The coadministration of A. Indicum (100 and 200 mg kg -1 b.wt.) was found to bring the studied parameters close to the levels seen in untreated (control) animals. Our findings are indicative of the protective nature of A. Indicum against lead-induced reproductive toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. However, further characterization of the root extract is required to elucidate the probable mechanism of protection., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Filgrastim (FIL) is the most common growth factor combined with plerixafor for autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization, but requires daily, multi-injection administration. We adopted a standardized mobilization regimen with pegfilgrastim (PEG) and upfront plerixafor, allowing for a single injection given the long half-life and slow elimination of PEG. Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 235 patients with lymphoma or plasma cell dyscrasias underwent mobilization with PEG 6 mg on day 1 and upfront plerixafor 24 mg on day 3, followed by apheresis on day 4 regardless of peripheral blood CD34 + cells. The median CD34 + cells/mm 3 in peripheral blood on first day of collection was 48 and median collection yield was 7.27 × 10 6 CD34 + cells/kg (range, 0.32 to 39.6 × 10 6 CD34 + cells/kg) after a mean of 1.6 apheresis collections. Overall, 83% of patients achieved the mobilization target, and 95% reached the minimum necessary CD34 + cell yield to proceed with transplantation (2 × 10 6 CD34 + cells/kg). Because FIL is weight-based and dosed daily, the cost comparison with PEG is influenced by patient weight and number of apheresis sessions required. A cost simulation using actual patient data indicates that PEG is associated with lower cost than FIL for the majority of patients. Autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization with PEG and plerixafor is practical, effective, and not associated with increased cost compared with FIL mobilization., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Hurdles to develop point of care diagnostic methods restrict the translation of progress in the health care sector from bench side to bedside. In this article a simple, cost effective fluorescent as well as colorimetric nanosensor was developed for the early and easy detection of hyperbilirubinemia. A stable, water soluble bovine serum albumin stabilised copper nanocluster (BSA CuNC) was used as the fluorescent probe which exhibited strong blue emission (404nm) upon 330nm excitation. The fluorescence of the BSA CuNC can be effectively quenched by the addition of bilirubin by the formation of copper-bilirubin complex. Meanwhile the copper-bilirubin complex resulted in an observable colour change from pale violet to green facilitating colorimetric detection. The prepared sensor displayed good selectivity and sensitivity over other co-existing molecules, and can be used for quantifying bilirubin with a detection limit down to 257fM. Additionally, the as-prepared probe was coated on a paper strip to develop a portable paper strip sensor of bilirubin. Moreover, the method was successfully applied in real sample analysis and obtained promising result., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Autophagy is a catabolic cellular process required to maintain protein synthesis, energy production and other essential activities in starved cells. While the exact nutrient sensor(s) is yet to be identified, deprivation of amino acids, glucose, growth factor and other nutrients can serve as metabolic stimuli to initiate autophagy in higher eukaryotes. In the early-branching unicellular parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which can proliferate as procyclic form (PCF) in the tsetse fly or as bloodstream form (BSF) in animal hosts, autophagy is robustly triggered by amino acid deficiency but not by glucose depletion. Taking advantage of the clearly defined adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production pathways in T. brucei, we have shown that autophagic activity depends on the levels of cellular ATP production, using either glucose or proline as a carbon source. While autophagosome formation positively correlates with cellular ATP levels; perturbation of ATP production by removing carbon sources or genetic silencing of enzymes involved in ATP generation pathways, also inhibited autophagy. This obligate energy dependence and the lack of glucose starvation-induced autophagy in T. brucei may reflect an adaptation to its specialized, parasitic life style.

The cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is an invasive species in water supply reservoirs worldwide, which can produces cylindrospermopsins and saxitoxins. In the wild, guppy (Poecilia vivipara) can be exposed to cyanotoxins, but those born and reared in laboratory are free of this contact. The aim of this paper was to comparatively measure the locomotor activity of 'wild' and 'lab' P. vivipara before and after exposure to crude extracts of two different cultures of C. raciborskii (CYRF-01), a saxitoxin-procucer strain. The movement of each fish was recorded using an image monitoring system (Videomex V ® ) before and after 48 h exposure to cyanobacterial extracts. Each experiment was performed during 4 h, with 1 h acclimation and 3 h recording period of the parameters Distance performed (DP), Swimming time (SwT), Stereotypic time (StT), Resting time (RT) and Average speed (AS). The quantification of saxitoxin in the solutions was performed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The weight or the total length did not influence the locomotor activity of fish in any of the experiments. The saxitoxin value was similar for both cultures (Culture 1: 7.3 μg L -1 and Culture 2: 8.6 μg L -1 ). However, in experiments with Culture 1 an increased activity in most parameters was observed, while in Culture 2, a decreased activity was observed only in 'lab' fish. Wild fish was less affected, showing higher resistance to both cyanobacterial crude extracts. This study showed that different cultures of the same strain of C. raciborskii and with similar contents of saxitoxin are able to change the locomotor activity of P. vivipara, contributing to the validation of the use of behavioral parameters to the evaluation of sublethal effects of toxic cyanobacteria on fish., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Amorphous solids are ubiquitous among natural and man-made materials. Often used as structural materials for their attractive mechanical properties, their utility depends critically on their response to applied stresses. Processes underlying such mechanical response, and in particular the yielding behaviour of amorphous solids, are not satisfactorily understood. Although studied extensively, observed yielding behaviour can be gradual and depend significantly on conditions of study, making it difficult to convincingly validate existing theoretical descriptions of a sharp yielding transition. Here we employ oscillatory deformation as a reliable probe of the yielding transition. Through extensive computer simulations for a wide range of system sizes, we demonstrate that cyclically deformed model glasses exhibit a sharply defined yielding transition with characteristics that are independent of preparation history. In contrast to prevailing expectations, the statistics of avalanches reveals no signature of the impending transition, but exhibit dramatic, qualitative, changes in character across the transition.

Plants of the genus Aristolochia have been frequently reported as important medicinal plants. Despite their high bioactive potential, to date, there are no reports of their effects on leaf-cutting ants. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Aristolochia trilobata and its major components on Atta sexdens and Acromyrmex balzani , two species of leaf-cutting ants. The bioassays were performed regarding routes of exposure, acute toxicity, binary mixtures of the major components and behavioral effects. Twenty-five components were identified in the essential oil of A. trilobata using a gas chromatographic system equipped with a mass spectrometer and a flame ionization detector. The components found in higher proportions were sulcatyl acetate, limonene, p -cymene and linalool. The essential oil of A. trilobata and its individual major components were efficient against A. balzani and A. sexdens workers when applied by fumigation. These components showed fast and efficient insecticidal activity on ants. The components acted synergistically and additively on A. balzani and A. sexdens , respectively, and caused a strong repellency/irritability in the ants. Thus, our results demonstrate the great potential of the essential oil of A. trilobata and its major components for the development of new insecticides.

Bedaquiline (BDQ), a diarylquinoline antibiotic that targets ATP synthase, is effective for the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections that no longer respond to conventional drugs. While investigating the off-label use of BDQ as salvage therapy, seven of 13 patients with Mycobacterium intracellulare lung disease had an initial microbiological response and then relapsed. Whole-genome comparison of pretreatment and relapse isolates of M. intracellulare uncovered mutations in a previously uncharacterized locus, mmpT5 Preliminary analysis suggested similarities between mmpT5 and the mmpR5 locus, which is associated with low-level BDQ resistance in M. tuberculosis Both genes encode transcriptional regulators and are adjacent to orthologs of the mmpS5-mmpL5 drug efflux operon. However, MmpT5 belongs to the TetR superfamily, whereas MmpR5 is a MarR family protein. Targeted sequencing uncovered nonsynonymous mmpT5 mutations in isolates from all seven relapse cases, including two pretreatment isolates. In contrast, only two relapse patient isolates had nonsynonymous changes in ATP synthase subunit c (atpE), the primary target of BDQ. Susceptibility testing indicated that mmpT5 mutations are associated with modest 2- to 8-fold increases in MICs for BDQ and clofazimine, whereas one atpE mutant exhibited a 50-fold increase in MIC for BDQ. Bedaquiline shows potential for the treatment of M. intracellulare lung disease, but optimization of treatment regimens is required to prevent the emergence of mmpT5 variants and microbiological relapse., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.)

The genome of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis phage type 8 strain EN1660, isolated from an outbreak in Thunder Bay, Canada, was sequenced to 46-fold coverage using an Illumina MiSeq with 300-bp paired-end sequencing chemistry to produce 28 contigs with an N 50 value of 490,721 bp., (Copyright © 2017 Perry et al.)

Tick-borne bacteria, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis are significant pathogens of dogs worldwide, and coinfections of E. canis and A. platys are common in dogs on the Caribbean islands. We developed and evaluated the performance of a multiplex bead-based assay to detect antibodies to E. canis, A. platys, and E. chaffeensis peptides in dogs from Grenada, West Indies, where E. canis and A. platys infections are endemic. Peptides from outer membrane proteins of P30 of E. canis, OMP-1X of A. platys, and P28-19/P28-14 of E. chaffeensis were coupled to magnetic beads. The multiplex peptide assay detected antibodies in dogs experimentally infected with E. canis and E. chaffeensis, but not in an A. platys experimentally infected dog. In contrast, the multiplex assay and an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected A. platys antibodies in naturally infected Grenadian dogs. Following testing of 104 Grenadian canine samples, multiplex assay results had good agreement with commercially available ELISA and immunofluorescent assay for E. canis antibody-positive dogs ( K values of 0.73 and 0.84), whereas A. platys multiplex results had poor agreement with these commercial assays ( K values of -0.02 and 0.01). Prevalence of seropositive E. canis and A. platys Grenadian dogs detected by the multiplex and commercial antibody assays were similar to previous reports. Although the multiplex peptide assay performed well in detecting the seropositive status of dogs to E. canis and had good agreement with commercial assays, better antigen targets are necessary for the antibody detection of A. platys.

Multidrug resistant microorganisms are forecast to become the single biggest challenge to medical care in the 21st century. Over the last decades, members of the genus Acinetobacter have emerged as bacterial opportunistic pathogens, in particular as challenging nosocomial pathogens because of the rapid evolution of antimicrobial resistances. Although we lack fundamental biological insight into virulence mechanisms, an increasing number of researchers are working to identify virulence factors and to study antibiotic resistance. Here, we review current knowledge regarding the regulation of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii . A survey of the two-component systems AdeRS, BaeSR, GacSA and PmrAB explains how each contributes to antibiotic resistance and virulence gene expression, while BfmRS regulates cell envelope structures important for pathogen persistence. A. baumannii uses the transcription factors Fur and Zur to sense iron or zinc depletion and upregulate genes for metal scavenging as a critical survival tool in an animal host. Quorum sensing, nucleoid-associated proteins, and non-classical transcription factors such as AtfA and small regulatory RNAs are discussed in the context of virulence and antibiotic resistance., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funding sponsors had no role in the writing of the manuscript.

The inverted solvatochromism of twenty dyes containing an electron-donor phenolate conjugated with an electron-withdrawing nitro-substituted phenyl ring was analyzed in terms of the dye structure and substituents. Structural factors that increased the difference between the electrophilicities of the donor and acceptor moieties, or the donor-acceptor strength of the phenolate dyes, also increased the sensitivity of the dyes to solvent-polarity changes and red-shifted their solvatochromic absorption bands.

Sleep disturbances are among the most disabling non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus and basal ganglia are likely involved in these dysfunctions, as they are affected by neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease and have a role in sleep regulation. To investigate this, we promoted a lesion in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus or substantia nigra pars compacta of male rats, followed by 24 h of REM sleep deprivation. Then, we administrated a dopaminergic D2 receptor agonist, antagonist or vehicle directly in the striatum. After a period of 24 h of sleep-wake recording, we observed that the ibotenic acid infusion in the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus blocked the so-called sleep rebound effect mediated by REM sleep deprivation, which was reversed by striatal D2 receptors activation. Rotenone infusion in the substantia nigra pars compacta also blocked the sleep rebound, however, striatal D2 receptors activation did not reverse it. In addition, rotenone administration decreased the time spent in NREM sleep, which was corroborated by positive correlations between dopamine levels in both substantia nigra pars compacta and striatum and the time spent in NREM sleep. These findings suggest a new circuitry for sleep regulation in Parkinson's disease, involving the triad composed by pedunculopontine nucleus, substantia nigra pars compacta and striatum, evidencing a potential therapeutic target for the sleep disturbances associated to this pathology., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A 4-(nitrostyryl)phenolate was synthesized and its use in pure solvents revealed a reversion in solvatochromism. Solutions of a dye in binary solvent mixtures, using as components the solvents in the region of the occurrence of the reversion, provided the first case in the literature of reverse solvatochromism in a binary mixture.

Drying kinetics of coir pith was studied and the properties of compressed coir pith discs were analyzed. Coir pith particles were oven dried in the range of temperatures from 100 to 240 °C and the rehydration ability of compressed coir pith was evaluated by finding the volume expansion. The optimum drying temperature was found to be 140 °C. Hot air drying was carried out to examine the drying kinetics by allowing the coir pith particles to fluidize and circulate inside the drying chamber. Particle motion within the drying chamber closely resembled the particle motion in a flash dryer. The effective moisture diffusivity was found to increase from 1.18 × 10(-8) to 1.37 × 10(-8) m(2)/s with the increase of air velocity from 1.4 to 2.5 m/s respectively. Correlation analysis and residual plots were used to determine the adequacy of existing mathematical models for describing the drying behavior of coir pith. The empirical models, Wang and Singh model and Linear model, were found to be adequate for accurate prediction of drying behavior of coir pith. A new model was proposed by modifying the Wang and Singh model and considering the effect of air velocity. It gave the best correlation between observed and predicted moisture ratio with high value of coefficient of determination (R(2)) and lower values of root mean square error, reduced Chi square (χ(2)) and mean relative deviation (E%).

Objectives: We propose a right lateral (90-120° RAO) with 30° cranial angiographic view to expose the bifurcation of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) when previously used routine projections were inefficient at clearly showing this region., Background: Little has been published in the medical literature regarding angiographic projections dedicated to special anatomies., Methods: A total of 84 patients were subjected to the proposed projections. A reproducibility study, conducted with the participation of 2 independent observers, judged the effectiveness of the proposed projection. The Prevalence and Bias Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) index, with a 95% confidence interval (CI), was used to demonstrate the intensity of intra/inter-observer agreement., Results: The proposed projection was efficient in 79% of the angiograms, with agreement of 0.76 (0.6-0.9; P ≤ 0.001). The origins and the proximal segments of: the anterior descending coronary artery were exposed in 89% of the angiograms, agreement of 0.86 (0.7-1.0; P ≤ 0.001); the circumflex artery were exposed in 83% of the angiograms, with agreement of 0.72 (0.5-1.0; P ≤ 0.001); and the intermediate branch, when present, were exposed in 89% of the angiograms, agreement of 0.79 (0.6-1.0; P ≤ 0.001)., Conclusion: The right lateral (90-120° RAO) with 30° cranial projection is effective, safe, and reproducible. In special situations where routine projections fail, this proposed projection can reveal important details of the anatomy of the bifurcation of the LMCA during conventional coronary angiography or be the working projection during coronary angioplasty. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:293-299)., (© 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Dicynodonts were a highly successful group of herbivorous therapsids that inhabited terrestrial ecosystems from the Middle Permian through the end of the Triassic periods. Permian dicynodonts are extremely abundant in African deposits, but are comparatively poorly known from the other regions of Gondwana. Here we describe a new South American dicynodont, Rastodon procurvidens gen. et sp. nov., from the Boqueirão farm site of the Rio do Rasto Formation, Paraná Basin, Guadalupian/Lopingian of Brazil. Diagnostic features of R. procurvidens include uniquely anteriorly-curved maxillary tusks, well-developed ridges extending from the crista oesophagea anteriorly along the pterygoid rami, strong posterior angulation of the posterior pterygoid rami, and a bulbous, well-developed retroarticular process of the articular. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that R. procurvidens is the earliest and most basal member of Bidentalia, a cosmopolitan clade that includes Permian and Triassic dicynodonts whose dentition is usually reduced to a pair of maxillary tusks.

Rubber seed oil (RSO) and its sodium soap were pyrolysed in a batch reactor to obtain low molar mass organic substances. The pyrolitic oil of RSO was redistilled and the distillates were characterized by GC-MS and FTIR. Density, acid value, saponification value and ester values were also measured according to the ASTM standard methods. A similar analysis was done for samples taken out at different time intervals from the reaction mixture. Industrially important low molar mass alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, cyclic compounds and carboxylic acids were identified in the pyrolysis process of rubber seed oil. However, pyrolysis of the sodium soap of rubber seed oil gave a mixture of hydrocarbons in the range of C14-C17 and hence it has more applications as a fuel.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a major cause of diarrheal infant death in developing countries, and probiotic bacteria have been shown to provide health benefits in gastrointestinal infections. In this study, we have investigated the influence of the gut symbiont Lactobacillus reuteri on EPEC adherence to the human intestinal epithelium. Different host cell model systems including non-mucus-producing HT-29 and mucus-producing LS174T intestinal epithelial cell lines as well as human small intestinal biopsies were used. Adherence of L. reuteri to HT-29 cells was strain-specific, and the mucus-binding proteins CmbA and MUB increased binding to both HT-29 and LS174T cells. L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 and ATCC 53608 significantly inhibited EPEC binding to HT-29 but not LS174T cells. While pre-incubation of LS174T cells with ATCC PTA 6475 did not affect EPEC attaching/effacing (A/E) lesion formation, it increased the size of EPEC microcolonies. ATCC PTA 6475 and ATCC 53608 binding to the mucus layer resulted in decreased EPEC adherence to small intestinal biopsy epithelium. Our findings show that L. reuteri reduction of EPEC adhesion is strain-specific and has the potential to target either the epithelium or the mucus layer, providing further rationale for the selection of probiotic strains.