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Abstract A highly efficient approach for synthesizing a supramolecular metallogel of Co(II) ions, denoted as CoA-TA, has been established under room temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions. This method employs the metal-coordinating organic ligand benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid as a low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) in DMF solvent. A comprehensive analysis of the mechanical properties of the resulting supramolecular Co(II)-metallogel was conducted through rheological investigation, considering angular frequency and thixotropic study. The hierarchical rocky network structure of the supramolecular Co(II)-metallogel was unveiled using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis showed rod-shaped structures via low-magnification high angle annular dark field (HAADF) bright field scanning transmission electron microscopic (STEM) imaging, while energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental mapping confirmed its primary chemical constituents. The formation mechanism of the metallogel was examined via fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy. The nature of the synthesized CoA-TA metallogel was affirmed through powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Furthermore, this study involved fabrication of Schottky diode structures in a metal-semiconductor-metal geometry based on cobalt(II) metallogel (CoA-TA), enabling observation of charge transport behavior. Remarkably, a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device utilizing cobalt(II) metallohydrogel (CoA-TA) demonstrated bipolar resistive switching at room temperature and under ambient conditions. The switching mechanism was investigated, revealing the formation and rupture of conductive filaments between metal electrodes that govern the resistive switching behavior. This RRAM device exhibited an impressive ON/OFF ratio (~ 414) and exceptional endurance over 5000 switching cycles. These structures offer great potential for diverse applications such as non-volatile memory design, neuromorphic computing, flexible electronics and optoelectronics. Their advantages lie in their fabrication process, reliable resistive switching behavior and overall performance stability.

Abstract Chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) are well-recognized as promising vehicles for delivering anticancer drugs due to their distinctive characteristics. They have the potential to enclose hydrophobic anticancer molecules, thereby enhancing their solubilities, permeabilities, and bioavailabilities; without the use of surfactant, i.e., through surfactant-free solubilization. This allows for higher drug concentrations at the tumor sites, prevents excessive toxicity imparted by surfactants, and could circumvent drug resistance. Moreover, biomedical engineers and formulation scientists can also fabricate chitosan NPs to slowly release anticancer agents. This keeps the drugs at the tumor site longer, makes therapy more effective, and lowers the frequency of dosing. Notably, some types of cancer cells (fallopian tube, epithelial tumors of the ovary, and primary peritoneum; lung, kidney, ependymal brain, uterus, breast, colon, and malignant pleural mesothelioma) have overexpression of folate receptors (FRs) on their outer surface, which lets folate-drug conjugate–incorporated NPs to target and kill them more effectively. Strikingly, there is evidence suggesting that the excessively produced FR&αgr (isoforms of the FR) stays consistent throughout treatment in ovarian and endometrial cancer, indicating resistance to conventional treatment; and in this regard, folate-anchored chitosan NPs can overcome it and improve the therapeutic outcomes. Interestingly, overly expressed FRs are present only in certain tumor types, which makes them a promising biomarker for predicting the effectiveness of FR-targeted therapy. On the other hand, the folate-modified chitosan NPs can also enhance the oral absorption of medicines, especially anticancer drugs, and pave the way for effective and long-term low-dose oral metronomic scheduling of poorly soluble and permeable drugs. In this review, we talked briefly about the techniques used to create, characterize, and tailor chitosan-based NPs; and delved deeper into the potential applications of folate-engineered chitosan NPs in treating various cancer types. Graphical Abstract Schematic illustration of target ligand-drug incorporated chitosan nanoparticles and its advantage in treating cancer. Figure created with BioRender.Com.

Gastroepiploic artery aneurysms (GEAAs) are rare subtype of Splanchnic artery aneurysms (SAAs) with estimated prevalence of 0.4% out of total SAAs. Most common causes include atherosclerosis, trauma, vasculitis, infections, pancreatitis, biliary diseases etc. GEAAs are more common in male and the rupture occurs usually after 50 years. Spontaneous rupture of GEAAs in females are rare and very less cases have been reported till now. A 35 years old female with no significant past medical history and no history of trauma presented to ED with features suggestive of shock. CECT (axial and coronal plane) revealed a focal outpouching in right gastroepiploic artery with evidence of active contrast extravasation suggestive of spontaneous rupture of Right Gastroepiploic artery aneurysm. Patient was resuscitated and Exploratory Laparotomy along with ligation and aneurysmectomy. Spontaneous rupture of GEAAs in young female is very rare. Urgent treatment is needed in case of unstable patients because of high risk of rupture and higher mortality rates of GEAAs.

The study assessed the efficiency of in-vitro oxytetracycline (OTC) exposure on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development in aquatic bacteria. Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 49140 and Edwardsiella tarda ATCC 15947 were serially passaged to OTC for short and long durations. Short duration OTC exposure (30 min) at 0, 0.097 (0.25× Minimum Inhibitory Concentration: MIC), 0.195 (0.5× MIC) and 0.39 µg mL−1 (1× MIC) elicited high mutation rate in A. hydrophila (10−4) and E. tarda (10−2). Serial passage exposure to inhibitory concentration of OTC (0.39 µg mL−1) reduced the zone of inhibition of nitrofurantoin (NIT) for A. hydrophila and of tetracycline, NIT and gentamicin for E. tarda to a clinically significant level. The upsurge in MICs of OTC was 4-folds (1.56 µg mL−1) and 8-folds (3.12 µg mL−1) in A. hydrophila and E. tarda, respectively during serial passage exposure to 0.097, 0.195 and 0.39 µg mL−1 OTC. OTC exposure also increased the MICs of biocide triclosan (TCS) >4-folds (>100 µg mL−1) in A. hydrophila without any concentration-dependent pattern. This study shows that environmental OTC levels can drive bacterial mutation and AMR, potentially leading to cross-resistance to biocides like TCS. Reducing OTC use and improving disposal could help limit AMR spread through better antimicrobial management.

High blood pressure (BP) is a common condition. Globally, it is projected that there are over one billion hypertensive individuals, with the number expected to rise to 1.56 billion by 2025, representing a 60 percent increase since 2000. 1 In recent years, HTN has been identified as a factor in roughly half of all deaths caused by stroke and heart disease. Hypertension (HTN) is a serious public health issue across the world, with high rates of morbidity and mortality.2 Because the vast majority of cases are asymptomatic, they go unnoticed and untreated, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, renal failure, cerebrovascular disease, and retinopathy. According to evidence, the number of deaths and disabilities caused by coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular illness is quickly growing in emerging nations, and they are predicted to rank first and fourth, respectively, as the leading causes of global disease burden by 2020.3 In India, hypertension (HTN) has a significant public health impact on cardiovascular health and healthcare systems.4 In India, hypertension is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke fatalities and 24% of all coronary heart disease (CHD) death. 5 HTN is one of the leading causes of mortality in the globe, according to the WHO.6

Soil moisture and salinity shifts within the root zone can significantly alter crop yields. Thus, spatiotemporal dynamics of these parameters are essential for precision crop management. Airborne or spaceborne earth observation methods based on vegetation and soil observations have sometimes been used with limited success to indirectly understand parameters like soil salinity. These datasets lack spatiotemporal resolution to discern field-scale heterogeneities, and estimates’ accuracy is poor. A Metropolis-Hasting Markov Chain-Monte Carlo (MCMC) based method was developed to estimate field-scale soil salinity by assimilating estimated evapotranspiration (ET) data obtained from aerial canopy temperature sensing with ET outputs from a one-dimensional soil-water transport model. By aligning the two estimated ET values, we inferred anticipated soil salinity levels in a mature pecan orchard (28,951 m2). Our results aligned closely with in-situ measurements with a spatial cross-correlation more than 0.86 and highlighted the expected heterogeneities and nonlinearities. This research offers an approach to refine the current state-of-the-art crop models by accounting for field scale heterogeneities using remotely sensed data. This assimilation method will pave the way for a more inclusive agricultural system modeling that can infer critical but hard-to-measure soil properties from easier-to-obtain remotely sensed datasets. Though this paper concentrates on aerial observations, we anticipate similar methods can be used for satellite-based imagery, especially those with high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions.

IntroductionWe have recently demonstrated that Sox10-expressing (Sox10+) cells give rise to mainly type-III neuronal taste bud cells that are responsible for sour and salt taste. The two tissue compartments containing Sox10+ cells in the surrounding of taste buds include the connective tissue core of taste papillae and von Ebner’s glands (vEGs) that are connected to the trench of circumvallate and foliate papillae.MethodsIn this study, we performed single cell RNA-sequencing of the epithelium of Sox10-Cre/tdT mouse circumvallate/vEG complex and used inducible Cre mouse models to map the cell lineages of vEGs and/or connective tissue (including stromal and Schwann cells).ResultsTranscriptomic analysis indicated that Sox10 expression was enriched in the cell clusters of vEG ducts that contained abundant proliferating cells, while Sox10-Cre/tdT expression was enriched in type-III taste bud cells and vEG ductal cells. In vivo lineage mapping showed that the traced cells were distributed in circumvallate taste buds concurrently with those in the vEGs, but not in the connective tissue. Moreover, multiple genes encoding pathogen receptors were enriched in the vEG ducts hosting Sox10+ cells.DiscussionOur data supports that it is the vEGs, not connective tissue core, that serve as the niche of Sox10+ taste bud progenitors. If this is also true in humans, our data indicates that vEG duct is a source of Sox10+ taste bud progenitors and susceptible to pathogen infections.

Background Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is common in developing countries with a high hospitalization rate. Most patients have acute nephritic syndrome features, although some occasionally present with unusual clinical features. This study aims to describe and analyze clinical features, complications, and laboratory parameters in children diagnosed with APSGN at presentation, 4 and 12 weeks later, in a resource-limited setting. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among children < 16 years with APSGN between January 2015 and July 2022. Hospital medical records and outpatient cards were reviewed for clinical findings, laboratory parameters, and kidney biopsy results. Descriptive analysis of multiple categorical variables was performed using SPSS version 16.0 and presented as frequencies and percentages. Results The study included 77 patients. Most (94.8%) were older than five years, and age group 5-12 years had highest prevalence (72.7%). Boys were affected more frequently than girls (66.2% vs. 33.8%). Edema (93.5%), hypertension (87%), and gross hematuria (67.5%) were the most frequent presenting symptoms, and pulmonary edema (23.4%) was the most common severe complication. Anti-DNase B and anti-streptolysin O titers were positive in 86.9% and 72.7%, respectively, and 96.1% had C3 hypocomplementemia. Most clinical features resolved in three months. However, at 3 months, 6.5% of patients had persistent hypertension, impaired kidney function, and proteinuria alone or in combination. Most patients (84.4%) had an uncomplicated course; 12 underwent kidney biopsy, 9 required corticosteroids, and 1 required kidney replacement therapy. There was no mortality during the study period. Conclusion Generalized swelling, hypertension, and hematuria were most common presenting features. Persistent hypertension, impaired kidney function, and proteinuria persisted in a small proportion who had a significant clinical course and required kidney biopsy. Graphical abstract, Author(s): Ajaya Kumar Dhakal [sup.1] , Devendra Shrestha [sup.1] , Saurav Kumar Singh [sup.1] , Sharda Acharya [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/04zz3m093, grid.415386.d, Department of Pediatrics, KIST Medical College and [...]

Middle aortic syndrome (MAS), an uncommon cause of secondary hypertension, is defined by obstructive narrowing of the abdominal aorta and ostia of its major branches like the renal and splanchnic arteries. Most of the cases of MAS are categorized as idiopathic; however, genetic disorders like Williams syndrome, mucopolysaccharidosis, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and Alagille syndrome, and acquired inflammatory diseases such as Takayasu arteritis and other nonspecific arteritis can also lead to MAS. MAS is commonly seen in children and young adults presenting with severe hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal failure, or severe leg claudication. The diagnosis of MAS on CT, MR, and conventional angiography is fairly straightforward. However, the spectrum of sonographic findings in MAS can be varied. Since ultrasound is frequently utilized as a first-line investigation for secondary causes of hypertension, it is especially crucial to understand the sonographic features of MAS. Here, we report a case of a young female who presented to our hospital with severe hypertension. On the Renal Doppler scan, the only clue of the renovascular etiology of her secondary hypertension was the “tardus-parvus waveform’’ in the intrarenal arteries.

Introduction: In-depth knowledge of common and aberrant pulp morphology is essential for appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning before commencing root canal treatment. The radicular morphology of mandibular molars has been extensively studied. Considerable variation in the number of canals and roots found in these teeth has been reported. Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the root canal morphology of the mandibular molars among the Rohilkhand population using Dentascan. Materials and Methods: Dentascan images of mandibular molar were taken from 99 extracted teeth that were collected from the Department of Oral Surgery and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dental Sciences, Bareilly, and private clinics. The examination of root canal systems of the teeth was based on Vertucci's classification. Results: The mandibular molar (n = 99) were taken. Out of the 99 teeth examined, three canals were seen in 60 (60.6%) teeth, four canals in 39 (39.4%) teeth, 3% had extra distal roots, and 6% with C-shaped canals. Conclusion: Among mandibular first molars, only 3% had three roots. Mesial roots of the first molar typically present with two canals and two apical foramina with type IV or II canal configuration. Most distal roots of the first molar presented with a type I canal configuration. The remainder were distributed mainly between types II, IV, III, and V. Among 99 mandibular molars, 6% had single C-shaped roots.

Aim: The aim and objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate, bioactive glass sealer, and epoxy-resin–based sealer. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 22 Mueller Hinton agar (MH agar) plates were employed and equally divided into two groups. Three holes were made by removal of agar at equidistant points and filled with root canal sealers. The strains of the bacteria used in this study were S. aureus (ATCC 6538) and C. albicans (ATCC 10231) and were divided into two groups and root canal sealers were divided into three subgroups: mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) fillapex Sealer, Nishika Bioactive Glass sealer, and Syntex Epoxy Resin base sealer. For Staphylococcus aureus, peptone water was placed in a 2 mL test tube and bacteria were extracted from blood agar plates using a nichrome wire loop and poured into the peptone water–containing test tube and incubated for 2 hours and for C. albicans, fungi were grown at 37°C for 24 hours in MH Broth and seeded into MH agar to produce turbidity of 0.5 on the McFarland scale, which corresponds to a concentration of 108 CFU/mL. This MH broth was used as a second layer. The seeded agar was then added over the plates immediately after the insertion of sealer cement. After incubation, the diameters of zones of inhibition around the plates were measured. Results: The results of this study showed that the highest inhibition was recorded in Syntex sealer against Staphylococcus aureus followed by MTA fillapex sealer and Nishika sealer, whereas MTA fillapex showed the highest inhibition against C. albicans followed by Syntex sealer and Nishika sealer. Conclusion: Syntex sealer exhibits better antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and MTA fillapex exhibit better antibacterial efficacy against C. albicans.

This report describes a protocol for utilization of aquaculture wastewater for biomass production, high value pigment recovery and carbon sequestration through a cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis through a green process. The dry weight (2.76 ± 0.03 g/L) was almost comparable with the control showing a negligible decrease of 0.89%. During the 6 to 8 days of the culture duration, the biomass composition of amended aquaculture wastewater demonstrated a maximum cell productivity (0.0734 ± 0.0050 g/L/day), carbon sequestration (0.0314 ± 0.0021 g/L/day) and CO2 sequestration (0.1151 ± 0.0078 g/L/day), showing a substantial 20% improvement compared to the control. The yield of a pharmaceutically important pigment phycocyanin was 101.95 ± 1.49 mg/g DW in the wastewater grown cultures showing a negligible decrease (0.83%) compared to the synthetic medium grown cultures. The reduction in the cost of the synthetic medium through utilization of aquaculture wastewaters after certain amendments is a novel approach for an environmentally friendly and cost-effective production of S. platensis. The quality of biomass and phycocyanin in amended wastewater grown cultures was not altered. This report provides baseline data about aquaculture wastewater utilization for cyanobacterial biomass production, carbon sequestration and recovery of a valuable pigment phycocyanin through a simple and low-cost downstream process.

Branding and consumer buying behaviour are positively correlated (Muhammad & Iqbal, 2014). Emotional loyalty is considered as optimistically influencing emotional brands towards customers (Jawahar & Maheswari, 2009). The value premium generation of the brand and effusion do get effected by the association of parent brand and brand extension. Concluded value trade off experienced from the parent brand is discovered to be effectively connected effusion towards brand extension. Mustafa & Akdogan (2015) admit that customer innovation exists in all segments of market. The article investigates buyers’ excitement and experience relationship sometimes called as customer innovativeness is drawn as an association of value premium generation by the parent brand and effusion towards brand extension.

The prevalence of hormone-related health issues caused by exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is a significant, and increasing, societal challenge. Declining fertility rates together with rising incidence rates of reproductive disorders and other endocrine-related diseases underscores the urgency in taking more action. Addressing the growing threat of EDCs in our environment demands robust and reliable test methods to assess a broad variety of endpoints relevant for endocrine disruption. EDCs also require effective regulatory frameworks, especially as the current move towards greater reliance on non-animal methods in chemical testing puts to test the current paradigm for EDC identification, which requires that an adverse effect is observed in an intact organism. Although great advances have been made in the field of predictive toxicology, disruption to the endocrine system and subsequent adverse health effects may prove particularly difficult to predict without traditional animal models. The MERLON project seeks to expedite progress by integrating multispecies molecular research, new approach methodologies (NAMs), human clinical epidemiology, and systems biology to furnish mechanistic insights and explore ways forward for NAM-based identification of EDCs. The focus is on sexual development and function, from foetal sex differentiation of the reproductive system through mini-puberty and puberty to sexual maturity. The project aims are geared towards closing existing knowledge gaps in understanding the effects of EDCs on human health to ultimately support effective regulation of EDCs in the European Union and beyond.

Background: The study of thoracic injuries and biomechanics during CPR requires detailed studies that are very scarce. The role of the heart in CPR biomechanics has not been determined. This study aimed to determine the risk factors importance for serious ribcage damage due to CPR. Methods: Data were collected from a prospective registry of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest between April 2014 and April 2017. This study included consecutive out-of-hospital CPR attempts undergoing an autopsy study focused on CPR injuries. Cardiac mass ratio was defined as the ratio of real to expected heart mass. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to select clinically relevant variables and subsequently classification tree models were built. The Gini index was used to determine the importance of the associated serious ribcage damage factors. The LUCAS® chest compressions device forces and the cardiac mass were analyzed by linear regression. Results: Two hundred CPR attempts were included (133 manual CPR and 67 mechanical CPR). The mean age of the sample was 60.4 ± 13.5, and 56 (28%) were women. In all, 65.0% of the patients presented serious ribcage damage. From the classification tree build with the clinically relevant variables, age (0.44), cardiac mass ratio (0.26), CPR time (0.22), and mechanical CPR (0.07), in that order, were the most influential factors on serious ribcage damage. The chest compression forces were greater in subjects with higher cardiac mass. Conclusions: The heart plays a key role in CPR biomechanics being cardiac mass ratio the second most important risk factor for CPR injuries.

Introduction: Glass-ionomer (GIC) cement was introduced in 1972 as a “new filling material of dentistry”. It is bioactive and plays an important role in caries prevention due to its ability to release fluoride into the oral environment and remineralization of dental hard tissues. However, its properties such as moisture sensitivity, wear resistance, and bond strength are not sufficient to inflict the antimicrobial environment. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial property of four different GIC cements against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. Methodology: This study was conducted on 120 disk-shaped samples (30 for antibacterial activity), which were placed in Petri dishes holding Müeller Hinton agar. Bacterial strains were overhauled in the brain heart infusion culture medium, and by utilizing disposable straps on blood agar medium, 100 μl of the strain inoculum was plated out. Through the diffusion method on the solid medium, the antibacterial activity of GIC was determined. Results: The antibacterial activity was the highest for Riva silver and chemifill rock for 24 and 72 hours, respectively. For 48 hours, Equia forte and chemifill rock had the highest antibacterial activity, and there was a significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: KetacTM molar easymix inhibited the growth of S. mutans and L. acidophilus but had the lowest antibacterial effect compared to other GICs.

In this study, the impact of heat treatments on AlFeCuCrMgx (x = 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.7) alloys prepared by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering were examined. The behavior of these high-entropy alloys (HEAs) was thoroughly studied after they had been heated to 470, 600, and 820 °C in a natural atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to study the phase evolution of the heat-treated alloys. The XRD data of the AlFeCuCrMgx (x = 0 and 0.5) alloys heated at 470, 600, and 820 °C present the dispersion of FCC Cu particles at the grain boundaries of parental phases. By contrast, the AlFeCuCrMgx (x = 1 and 1.7) alloys do not exhibit this characteristic. The microstructures of these alloys have been correlated with these results. Their sub-micron structures indicate that the precipitates are unaffected up to 820 °C. The impact of elevated temperatures on the AlFeCuCrMgx alloys was thoroughly examined based on conventional theory.