Recent advances in manipulating strategies of NH2-functionalized metallic organic frameworks-based heterojunction photocatalysts for the sustainable mitigation of various pollutants.

NH2-functionalized metal-organic frameworks (NH2-functionalized MOFs) can abate organic pollutants, predominantly favored by their chemical, mechanical, and thermal stabilities. The present review stated the chemistry of identifying NH2-functionalization and its role in enhancing the properties of bare MOFs. The integration of the amine group bestows several advantages: 1.) enabling band structure modification, 2.) establishing strong metal-NH2 bonds, 3.) preserving MOF structures from reactive oxygen species, and 4.) shielding MOF structures against pH alterations. Consequently, the NH2-functionalized MOFs are promising materials for the photodegradation of organic contaminants. The following section illustrates the two approaches (pre-synthetic and post-synthetic) for NH2-functionalized MOFs. Nevertheless, specific intrinsic limitations, entailing a high recombination rate of charge carriers and inadequate optical adsorption, restrain the applicability of NH2-functionalized MOFs. Accordingly, the succeeding segment presents strategies to elevate the photocatalytic activities of NH2-functionalized MOFs via heterojunction fabrication. The importance of the NH2-functionalized MOFs-based heterojunction has been evaluated in terms of the effect on the enhancement of charge separation, optical adsorption, and redox ability of charge carriers. Subsequently, the potential application for organic pollutant degradation via NH2-functionalized MOFs-based heterojunctions has been scrutinized, wherein the organic pollutants. Eventually, the review concluded with challenges and potential opportunities in engaging and burgeoning domains of the NH2-functionalized MOFs-based heterojunctions.

Assessing the impact of sea level rise on the Indus delta in Pakistan: A comprehensive analysis of flooded areas and future vulnerabilities.

This research investigates the impact of sea level rise (SLR) on the Indus Delta, a vital ecosystem increasingly vulnerable to climate change repercussions. The objective of this study is to comprehensively assess the flooded areas under various shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report. The study employs a GIS-based bathtub model, utilizing historical (1995-2014) and IPCC-projected (2020-2150) tide gauge data from Karachi, Kandla, and Okha stations to identify potential inundated areas threatened by coastal flooding. Additionally, it analyzes LANDSAT-derived multispectral images to identify coastal erosion hotspots and changes in the landscape. A supervised random forest classifier is used to classify major landforms and understand alterations in land cover. Furthermore, neural network-based cellular automata simulations are applied to predict future land cover for 2050, 2100, and 2150 at risk of inundation. The results indicate that under different SSP scenarios, the estimated inundated land area varies from 307.36 km2 (5 % confidence on SSP1-1.9) to 7150.8 km2 (95 % confidence on SSP5-8.5). By 2150, the region will lose over 550 km2 of agricultural land and 535 km2 of mangroves (mean SLR projection). This work emphasizes identifying sensitive land cover for SLR-induced coastal flooding. It might fuel future policy and modeling endeavors to reduce SLR uncertainty and build effective coastal inundation mitigation methods.

Multiscale Materials Engineering via Self-Assembly of Pentapeptide Derivatives from SARS CoV E Protein.

Short peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels hold enormous potential for a wide range of applications. However, the gelation of these systems is very challenging to control. Minor changes in the peptide sequence can significantly influence the self-assembly mechanism and thereby the gelation propensity. The involvement of SARS CoV E protein in the assembly and release of the virus suggests that it may have inherent self-assembling properties that can contribute to the development of hydrogels. Here, three pentapeptide sequences derived from C-terminal of SARS CoV E protein are explored with same amino acid residues but different sequence distributions and discovered a drastic difference in the gelation propensity. By combining spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, the relationship between peptide sequence arrangement and molecular assembly structure are demonstrated, and how these influence the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. The present study expands the variety of secondary structures for generating supramolecular hydrogels by introducing the 310-helix as the primary building block for gelation, facilitated by a water-mediated structural transition into ß-sheet conformation. Moreover, these Fmoc-modified pentapeptide hydrogels/supramolecular assemblies with tunable morphology and mechanical properties are suitable for tissue engineering, injectable delivery, and 3D bio-printing applications.

Carbon emissions changes of animal husbandry in China: Trends, attributions, and solutions: A spatial shift-share analysis.

China is a major livestock producer confronting the dual challenges of rising demand for animal-based food consumption and decreasing carbon emissions. To effectively address these issues, it is crucial to understand the trends of carbon emissions from animal husbandry and the competitive advantages of carbon emission reduction in different regions. This study uses panel data from 31 provinces from 2004 to 2020 to investigate the contributing factors to carbon emissions and explore ways to reduce carbon intensity in animal husbandry. The analysis employs spatial shift-share analysis and the spatial Durbin model. Our findings indicate that life-cycle carbon emissions associated with animal husbandry in China decreased from 572.411 Mt CO2eq to 520.413 Mt CO2eq over time, with an average annual decline of 0.568 %. The annual contribution of output value and internal industry-mix adjustment to carbon emission growth is 22.639 MT CO2eq and 6.226 MT CO2eq, respectively. On the other hand, the annual contribution of carbon efficiency improvement to carbon emission reduction is much higher, at 36.316 MT CO2eq. However, there is significant regional heterogeneity in the spatial decomposition of the carbon efficiency change component. The Northeastern region, Northwest and along the Great Wall demonstrate neighborhood advantages in enhancing carbon efficiency. In contrast, the South China and Southwest regions rely more on local carbon efficiency advantages to reduce the carbon intensity of animal husbandry. Furthermore, the carbon intensity in local and neighboring areas can be reduced through environmental regulations and industrial agglomeration. While technical progress significantly negatively impacts carbon intensity in neighboring regions, it does not contribute to reducing the carbon intensity of local animal husbandry. The findings provide valuable insights for local governments, aiding them in recognizing the pros and cons of carbon reduction in animal husbandry and strengthening regional cooperation in emission reduction management.

Hyperglycemia-Induced Complete Left-Sided Hemiballismus Due to Uncontrolled Diabetes in a 70-Year-Old Female: A Case Report.

This report details the presentation of a 72-year-old female with left-sided continuous non-rhythmic involuntary movements persisting for two months. The movements affected the left side of her face, arm, and leg. The patient had a history of multiple hyperglycemic episodes and diabetic ketoacidosis. This report investigates the basal ganglia's involvement in hemiballismus, a movement disorder possibly linked to the patient's hyperglycemia. It discusses the complex management of hyperglycemia-induced hemiballismus and the need for more research to understand the underlying mechanism and optimal treatment strategies.

Preparation of visible-light active MOFs-Perovskites (ZIF-67/LaFeO3) nanocatalysts for exceptional CO2 conversion, organic pollutants and antibiotics degradation.

Modern industries rapid expansion has heightened energy needs and accelerated fossil fuel depletion, contributing to global warming. Additionally, organic pollutants present substantial risks to aquatic ecosystems due to their stability, insolubility, and non-biodegradability. Scientists are currently researching high-performance materials to address these issues. LaFeO3 nanosheets (LFO-NS) were synthesized in this study using a solvothermal method with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a soft template. The LFO-NS demonstrate superior performance, large surface area and charge separation than that of LaFeO3 nanoparticles (LFO-NP). The LFO-NS performance is further upgraded by incorporating ZIF-67. Our results confirmed the ZIF-67/LFO-NS nanocomposite have superior performances than pure LFO-NP and ZIF-67. The integration of ZIF-67 has enhanced the charge separation and promote the surface area of LFO-NSwhich was confirmed by various characterization techniques including TEM, HRTEM, DRS, EDX, XRD, FS, XPS, FT-IR, BET, PL, and RAMAN. The 5ZIF-67/LFO-NS sample showed significant activities for CO2 conversion, malachite green degradation, and antibiotics (cefazolin, oxacillin, and vancomycin) degradation. Furthermore, stability tests have confirmed that our optimal sample very active and stable. Furthermore, based on scavenger experiments and the photocatalytic degradation pathways, it has been established that H+ and •O2- are vital in the decomposition of MG and antibiotics. Our research work will open new gateways to prepare MOFs-Perovskites nanocatalysts for exceptional CO2 conversion, organic pollutants and antibiotics degradation.

A critical review on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based nanomaterials for biomedical applications: Designing, recent trends, challenges, and prospects.

Nanomaterials (NMs) have garnered significant attention in recent decades due to their versatile applications in a wide range of fields. Thanks to their tiny size, enhanced surface modifications, impressive volume-to-surface area ratio, magnetic properties, and customized optical dispersion. NMs experienced an incredible upsurge in biomedical applications including diagnostics, therapeutics, and drug delivery. This minireview will focus on notable examples of NMs that tackle important issues, demonstrating various aspects such as their design, synthesis, morphology, classification, and use in cutting-edge applications. Furthermore, we have classified and outlined the distinctive characteristics of the advanced NMs as nanoscale particles and hybrid NMs. Meanwhile, we emphasize the incredible potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a highly versatile group of NMs. These MOFs have gained recognition as promising candidates for a wide range of bio-applications, including bioimaging, biosensing, antiviral therapy, anticancer therapy, nanomedicines, theranostics, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, gene therapy, and drug delivery. Although advanced NMs have shown great potential in the biomedical field, their use in clinical applications is still limited by issues such as stability, cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, and health concerns. This review article provides a thorough analysis offering valuable insights for researchers investigating to explore new design, development, and expansion opportunities. Remarkably, we ponder the prospects of NMs and nanocomposites in conjunction with current technology.

Telemedicine Clinics in General and Colorectal Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Introduction Telemedicine was introduced in place of face-to-face clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic to limit exposure and spread of the virus. This was an immediate transformation to surgical practice without prior training. Concerns were raised about whether this fulfilled the patient's expectations. In this study, we investigated patients' perspectives and feedback about surgical telemedicine clinics. We also investigated factors that may have influenced patient feedback. Methods We undertook a retrospective qualitative study between June and August 2020 at the Darent Valley Hospital, England, United Kingdom. A well-structured 5-point questionnaire was designed to capture patients' experiences with the help of non-medical volunteers. Patients were invited to participate, either online or through direct telephone calls. Ancillary data, such as demographics, previous visits, and the physician's grade, was also collected. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare variables. Results A total of 198 patients completed the questionnaire (online = 67, telephone = 133, median age 59 years, IQR 44-79, male: female = 1). A rating from 'good to excellent' for 'overall experience', 'opportunity to express concerns', and 'doctors consultation' was given by 90%, 93%, and 89.4%, respectively. About 79.8% felt reassured. Given the option, 63% would prefer face-to-face consultation in the future. Telemedicine clinics led by consultant surgeons had statistically significantly better ratings than junior grades. Conclusion This is the first study investigating patients' experiences of telemedicine in general and colorectal surgery. A high proportion of patients rated a satisfactory experience and felt reassured. The majority of patients would still prefer face-to-face consultations in the future. Based on the results of the current study, we would recommend the integration of telemedicine into future secondary care provision in general and colorectal surgery.

Zn/Al layered double hydroxide and carboxymethyl cellulose composite beads as support for the catalytic gold nanoparticles and their applications in the reduction of nitroarenes.

Until now, many efficient catalysts have been reported that are used for the reduction of nitroarenes. However, a catalyst reusability is a challenge that is often faced in practical environment. In this report, we designed a hydrogel composite (CMC-LDH), which act as support and making it possible to address this challenge. In this research work, zinc/aluminum based layered double hydroxides (Zn/Al LDH) have been assembled with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to prepare CMC/LDH hydrogel beads. The CMC/LDH hydrogel beads were prepared by the ionotropic gelation method. For CMC/LDH/Au preparation, the already prepared CMC/LDH beads were kept in gold ion (Au3+) solution, and their subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride (NaBH4). For the characterization of the prepared samples different instrumental techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were adopted. For the catalytic evaluation of CMC/LDH/Au, it was utilized as a catalyst in 4-NP and 4-NA reduction reactions. The continuity of the reaction was monitored by a UV-visible spectrophotometer. Rate constant (kapp) of 0.48474 min-1 and 0.7486 min-1 were obtained for 4-NP and 4-NA reduction, respectively. The hydrogel beads were recycled and reused for up to five successive cycles without significantly changing their catalytic efficiency.

Organizational support, market access, and farmers' adoption of agricultural green production technology: evidence from the main kiwifruit production areas in Shaanxi Province.

Industrial organizations play a crucial role in transforming the production and management practices of smallholder farmers, encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly production methods. However, limited studies have conducted comprehensive research examining how these industrial organizations effectively encourage farmers to adopt green production technologies. To address this research gap, this study examines the influence of organizational support on the adoption of agricultural green production technologies among 645 kiwifruit farmers in Shaanxi Province, northwestern China, using cross-sectional survey data from 2022. In addition, this research explores the mechanisms and heterogeneity in this impact. In our analysis, we estimated Probit models and mediation effect models, which show a positive influence of organizational support on farmers' adoption of these technologies. Notably, both institutional support and tool support have a more pronounced positive effect on this adoption. The mechanism analysis shows that organizational support facilitates farmers' adoption of these agricultural green production technologies by expanding their access to high-value markets. Furthermore, when considering heterogeneity among farmers, the study finds that organizational support has the most significant impact on the adoption of these technologies among farmers operating at a moderate scale. Moreover, our research highlights a technology linkage effect in the adoption process. Specifically, organizational support has a positive and significant effect on the adoption of technologies like bagging, physical control, and soil testing formulas, while also having a positive but statistically insignificant impact on technologies such as pollution-free pesticides and organic fertilizer substitution. In conclusion, the study proposes to increase assistance to industrial organizations, to play an influential role in guiding and driving farmers.

Using Functionalized Micron-Sized Glass Fibres for the Synergistic Effect of Glass Ionomer on Luting Material.

This laboratory experiment was conducted with the objective of augmenting the mechanical properties of glass ionomer cement (GIC) via altering the composition of GIC luting powder through the introduction of micron-sized silanized glass fibres (GFs). Experimental GICs were prepared through the addition of two concentrations of GFs (0.5% and 1.0% by weight) to the powder of commercially available GIC luting materials. The effect of GF in set GIC was internally evaluated using micro-CT while the mechanical attributes such as nano hardness (nH), elastic modulus (EM), compressive strength (CS), and diametral tensile strength (DTS) were gauged. Additionally, the physical properties such as water solubility and sorption, contact angle (CA), and film thickness were evaluated. Reinforced Ketac Cem Radiopaque (KCR) GIC with 0.5 wt.% GF achieved improved nH, EM, CS, and DTS without affecting the film thickness, CA or internal porosity of the set GIC cement. In contrast, both GF-GIC formulations of Medicem (MC) GIC showed the detrimental effect of the GF incorporation. Reinforcing KCR GIC with 0.5 wt.% silanized GFs could improve the physical and mechanical attributes of luting material. Silanized GF, with optimal concentration within the GIC powder, can be used as a functional additive in KCR GIC with promising results.

The possible "calming effect" of subchronic supplementation of a standardised phospholipid carrier-based Melissa officinalis L. extract in healthy adults with emotional distress and poor sleep conditions: results from a prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Emotional distress conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, and poor sleep are widespread health problems that have a significant impact on people's lives. Conventional drugs are commonly prescribed to treat emotional distress and poor sleep conditions; however, these medications have several limitations and have shown multiple side effects. Over recent years botanicals-based pharmacological agents have gained increasing research and clinical interest in the management of emotional distress and sleep disorder. Of note, Melissa officinalis L. (MO) leaf extract has demonstrated considerable neuropharmacological properties both in animal and human studies and has emerged as a promising natural "calming agent." However, research in this area is limited, and more studies are needed to validate its efficacy in amelioration of emotional distress and poor sleep conditions. Objectives: We aimed to assess the pharmacological effects of subchronic supplementation of an innovative standardised phospholipid carrier-based MO aqueous extract on emotional distress and poor sleep conditions. Design: A 3-week prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted in 100 healthy adults complaining of a moderate degree of depression, anxiety, or stress, with scores of ≥14, ≥10, and ≥19, respectively, in the self-report Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) or poor sleep, as indicated by the score of >5 in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale. In addition, the impact of emotional distress and/or poor sleep on participants' mental wellbeing, emotional feelings, and quality of life was also assessed using the self-reported Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) scale, and quality of life (WHO-QoL-BREF) scale, respectively. Results: Oral supplementation of 200 mg of phospholipid-based MO aqueous extract (Relissa™) tablets twice a day (i.e., 400 mg/day) for 3 weeks led to significant improvements in the depressive mood, anxiety, stress, positive and negative affect (emotional feelings), overall mental wellbeing, and quality-of-life scores (all p values <0.001). Supplementation of MO extract was well tolerated, and no treatment-emergent effects or serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the phospholipid carrier-based MO aqueous extract possesses considerable neuropharmacological properties, and its supplementation may provide a promising therapeutic option for the management of moderate emotional distress and/or poor sleep conditions. Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05602688.

Surface, mechanical and chemical properties of modified denture resin using natural biopolymer.

Objective: This laboratory study determined the surface, mechanical and chemical properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture resin reinforced with micron-sized Gum Arabic (GA) powder in different weight ratios. Methods: This laboratory study was conducted at the Dental Health Department of the College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from November 2022 to February 2023. Three experimental denture resins were prepared by incorporating GA powder in heat-polymerized PMMA powder using different wt.% (5, 10, and 20 wt.%). While pristine PMMA served as the control group. A total of ten bar-shaped specimens with dimensions of 65 mm × 10 mm × 3.5 mm were prepared for each study group. The surface properties (micro CT and SEM evaluation), mechanical properties (Nanohardness, elastic modulus and flexural strength) and chemical properties (FTIR) were conducted. The data were statistically analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests (p<0.05). Results: The surface and bulk properties of experimental GA-reinforced PMMA resin materials deteriorated while the mechanical properties were also negatively altered using GA-based PMMA denture resin. A linear correlation was observed between weak mechanical properties and increasing wt.% of GA in denture resin. Conclusions: The incorporation of GA powder in denture resin might not be a viable option. The surface and mechanical properties of experimental PMMA composites were adversely affected compared to the control group.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant polymicrobial infections in Pakistan, a retrospective study 2019-2021.

Background: We determined the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in polymicrobial pathogens in Pakistan. Methods: A total of 70,518 clinical samples were collected aseptically and confirmation of isolates and antibiogram were performed by the VITEK 2 system. Results: Of 70,518 samples, 441 (0.62%) were polymicrobial samples, with 882 (1.2%) polymicrobial pathogens with 689 (78.1%) Gram-negative rods (GNRs), 166 (18.8%) Gram-positive cocci and 27 (3.1%) Candida albicans. Among GNRs, 28.8% were Escherichia coli and 25.9% were Klebsiella pneumoniae. Majority, 15.1% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae were found in combination. 30.1% of isolates were ESBL producers, 9.7% carbapenem-resistant organisms, 35.5% MRSA and 6.0% VRE. 100% of E. coli were resistant to ampicillin and 98% of K. pneumoniae were resistant to piperacillin. Conclusion: A high prevalence of AMR in polymicrobial pathogens was observed.

Infections caused by one or more types of bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites ­ known as polymicrobial infections ­ are a threat to health. These infections cause serious illness and are linked to high numbers of deaths, long hospital stays and high costs of treatment. Usually, polymicrobial infections are treated with combinations of antimicrobials. However, microbes becoming less susceptible to antimicrobials (known as antimicrobial resistance) is an increasing problem. To find out how common resistance is in Pakistan, this study tested 70,518 clinical samples. Of these, 441 tested positive for polymicrobial infections. These included Candida albicans, Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods infections. Many of these were resistant to widely used antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, quinolones and fluoroquinolones. This study concluded that hospitals in Pakistan have a high prevalence of resistance and that better cleanliness practices should be put in place to combat this.

Emergence of CuInS2 derived photocatalyst for environmental remediation and energy conversion.

Hydrogen production, catalytic organic synthesis, carbon dioxide reduction, environmental purification, and other major fields have all adopted photocatalytic technologies due to their eco-friendliness, ease of use, and reliance on sunlight as the driving force. Photocatalyst is the key component of photocatalytic technology. Thus, it is of utmost importance to produce highly efficient, stable, visible-light-responsive photocatalysts. CIS stands out among other visible-light-response photocatalysts for its advantageous combination of easy synthesis, non-toxicity, high stability, and suitable band structure. In this study, we took a brief glance at the synthesis techniques for CIS after providing a quick introduction to the fundamental semiconductor features, including the crystal and band structures of CIS. Then, we discussed the ways doping, heterojunction creation, p-n heterojunction, type-II heterojunction, and Z-scheme may be used to modify CIS's performance. Subsequently, the applications of CIS towards pollutant degradation, CO2 reduction, water splitting, and other toxic pollutants remediation are reviewed in detail. Finally, several remaining problems with CIS-based photocatalysts are highlighted, along with future potential for constructing more superior photocatalysts.

Exploring the impact of carbon emissions and co-macroeconomic determinants on China's sustainable apple export.

China is the foremost global consumer, producer, and exporter of fresh apples. In 2021, China produced roughly 44 million tons of apples and exported just over 1 million tons, a nearly 2% increase over the previous year. However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on global trade and has led to a decrease in China's agricultural exports. The present study aims to contribute to the existing body of literature by analyzing plausible macroeconomic determinants that might impact China's apple exports. We used novel dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (DYARDL) simulations to model causal relationships among fundamental economic parameters. We made use of annual time series data from 1990 to 2020 from the World Bank and China's national statistical bureau. We found that increases in apple orchard area, apple production, and trade openness had a positive impact on apple exports over both the short and long term. Conversely, decreases in the prices of exported apples, agrochemicals, and carbon emissions in the agricultural sector had a positive impact on the long-term and short-term exportation of apples. Finally, we note that pictographic illustrations from the DYARDL simulations provide corroborative evidence for our findings. Based on the study results, this study proposes that the adoption of technological advancements in apple orchards could potentially enhance apple production while simultaneously upholding environmental sustainability.

Blockchain-Powered Healthcare Systems: Enhancing Scalability and Security with Hybrid Deep Learning.

The rapid advancements in technology have paved the way for innovative solutions in the healthcare domain, aiming to improve scalability and security while enhancing patient care. This abstract introduces a cutting-edge approach, leveraging blockchain technology and hybrid deep learning techniques to revolutionize healthcare systems. Blockchain technology provides a decentralized and transparent framework, enabling secure data storage, sharing, and access control. By integrating blockchain into healthcare systems, data integrity, privacy, and interoperability can be ensured while eliminating the reliance on centralized authorities. In conjunction with blockchain, hybrid deep learning techniques offer powerful capabilities for data analysis and decision making in healthcare. Combining the strengths of deep learning algorithms with traditional machine learning approaches, hybrid deep learning enables accurate and efficient processing of complex healthcare data, including medical records, images, and sensor data. This research proposes a permissions-based blockchain framework for scalable and secure healthcare systems, integrating hybrid deep learning models. The framework ensures that only authorized entities can access and modify sensitive health information, preserving patient privacy while facilitating seamless data sharing and collaboration among healthcare providers. Additionally, the hybrid deep learning models enable real-time analysis of large-scale healthcare data, facilitating timely diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and disease prediction. The integration of blockchain and hybrid deep learning presents numerous benefits, including enhanced scalability, improved security, interoperability, and informed decision making in healthcare systems. However, challenges such as computational complexity, regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations need to be addressed for successful implementation. By harnessing the potential of blockchain and hybrid deep learning, healthcare systems can overcome traditional limitations, promoting efficient and secure data management, personalized patient care, and advancements in medical research. The proposed framework lays the foundation for a future healthcare ecosystem that prioritizes scalability, security, and improved patient outcomes.

Utilizing an Oxidized Biopolymer to Enhance the Bonding of Glass Ionomer Luting Cement Particles for Improved Physical and Mechanical Properties.

This study aimed to determine the reinforcing effect of two weight ratios of Gum Arabic (GA) natural biopolymer, i.e., 0.5% and 1.0% in the powdered composition of glass ionomer luting cement. GA powder was oxidized and GA-reinforced GIC in 0.5 and 1.0 wt.% formulations were prepared in rectangular bars using two commercially available GIC luting materials (Medicem and Ketac Cem Radiopaque). The control groups of both materials were prepared as such. The effect of reinforcement was evaluated in terms of microhardness, flexural strength (FS), fracture toughness (FT), and tensile strength (TS). The internal porosity and water contact angle formation on the study samples were also evaluated. Film thickness was measured to gauge the effect of micron-sized GA powder in GA-GIC composite. Paired sample t-tests were conducted to analyze data for statistical significance (p < 0.05). The experimental groups of both materials containing 0.5 wt.% GA-GIC significantly improved FS, FT, and TS compared to their respective control groups. However, the microhardness significantly decreased in experimental groups of both cements compared to their respective control groups. The addition of GA powder did not cause a significant increase in film thickness and the water contact angle of both 0.5 and 1.0 wt.% GA-GIC formulations were less than 90o. Interestingly, the internal porosity of 0.5 wt.% GA-GIC formulations in both materials were observed less compared to their respective control groups. The significantly higher mechanical properties and low porosity in 0.5 wt.% GA-GIC formulations compared to their respective control group indicate that reinforcing GA powder with 0.5 wt.% in GIC might be promising in enhancing the mechanical properties of GIC luting materials.

Naphthalimide-Based AIEgens for Sensing Protein Disulfide Isomerase through Thiol-Disulfide Redox Exchange.

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONPs) with distinctive characteristics are emerging as superior sensors due to their facile fabrication, high signal-to-noise ratio, and good biocompatibility. The present article delineates the detection and analysis of the redox behavior of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) enzyme by exploitation of the AIE of novel naphthalimide (NI) derivatives having thiol (-SH) and disulfide (-S-S-) moieties. Self-aggregated spherical-shaped organic nanoparticles were prepared by synthesized NI-based amphiphiles (NISH, NISS, NINSS, and TNINSH) through J-type aggregation in DMSO-water (fw = 99 vol %). Naphthyl residue containing NI-derived amphiphiles (NINSS and TNINSH) exhibited AIE (blue and yellow) at 470 and 550 nm, respectively, in DMSO-water (fw = 99 vol %). NINSS and TNINSH FONPs were suitably utilized in sensing PDI through their redox nature of thiol-disulfide exchange. Fluorescence quenching of NINSS FONPs was observed due to reduction of disulfide to thiol by PDI, whereas emission intensity was progressively red-shifted and enhanced ("Dual-AIE") for TNINSH (containing ER-targeting N-tosylethylenediamine), owing to oxidation of thiol to disulfide by PDI. NINSS and TNINSH FONPs were found to be highly efficient in sensing PDI through the AIE-based "fluorescence off/on" mechanism having limits of detection of ∼12.6-17.7 and ∼11.7-16.5 ng/mL, respectively. In vitro cell imaging for NIH3T3 (noncancer) and B16F10 (melanoma) cells with NINSS and TNINSH FONPs displayed excellent diagnosis of eukaryotic cells upon interaction with indigenous PDI. Notably, detection of cancer cells was more sensitive over the noncancerous cells by these FONPs due to overexpression of PDI within cancer cells.

Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy on clinical and biomarker related periodontal parameters and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Parkinson's disease patients with stage III periodontitis.

AIMS: To evaluate the clinical, radiographic, immune modulatory biomarkers and quality of life with the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an adjunctive treatment to dental scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with chronic periodontitis and Parkinson's disease. METHODOLOGY: Individuals who had a confirmed diagnosis of stage III periodontitis and stage 4 Parkinson's disease according to Hoehn and Yahr scale were involved in this study. The participants were divided into two groups: Group SRP (n = 25) received traditional dental scaling procedure including full-mouth debridement and disinfection, and Group PDT + SRP (n = 25) received both traditional cleaning procedures along with adjunctive chloro­aluminum phthalocyanine (CAPC) gel (0.005% concentration) mediated PDT. CAPC photosensitizer was activated using a diode laser (wavelength=640 nm, energy=4 J, 150 mW power, and overall power density of 300 J/cm2) for 60 s. The study measured clinical parameters such as plaque score (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and radiographic alveolar bone loss (ABL). Proinflammatory cytokine levels such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and oral health related quality of life were also assessed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in Group SRP was 73.3 years, while the mean age in Group PDT + SRP was 71.6 years. The PDT + SRP group showed a significant reduction in all clinical parameters at 6 and 12 months compared to the SRP group alone (p < 0.05). IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in the PDT + SRP group at 6 months compared to the SRP group alone (p < 0.05). However, at 12 months, both groups showed comparable TNF-α levels. The results showed that Group PDT + SRP had significantly lower OHIP scores compared to Group SRP, with a mean difference of 4.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.98 to 7.12) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Combined SRP with PDT showed significant improvement compared to SRP alone in terms of clinical parameters, cytokine levels, and oral health-related quality of life in individuals diagnosed with stage III periodontitis associated with Parkinson's disease.