Risk assessment of driver performance in the oil and gas transportation industry: Analyzing the relationship between driver vigilance, attention, reaction time, and safe driving practices.

The increasing use of road traffic for land transportation has resulted in numerous road accidents and casualties, including those involving oil and gas tanker vehicles. Despite this, little empirical research has been conducted on the factors influencing tanker drivers' performance. This study aims to address this knowledge gap, particularly in the energy transportation industry, by examining the driving performance factors that affect tanker drivers and incorporating risk assessment measures. The model variables were identified from the literature and used to develop a survey questionnaire for the study. A total of 307 surveys were collected from Malaysian oil and gas tanker drivers, and the driving performance factors were contextually adjusted using the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) approach. The driving performance model was developed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The EFA results categorized driving performance into two constructs: 1) drivers' reaction time with ß = 0.320 and 2) attention and vigilance with ß value = 0.749. The proposed model provided full insight into how drivers' reaction time, attention, and vigilance impact drivers' performance in this sector, which can help identify potential risks and prevent accidents. The findings are significant in understanding the factors that affect oil and gas drivers' performance and can aid in enhancing oil and gas transportation management by including effective risk assessment measures to prevent fatal crashes.

New Plastic Crack-Tip Opening Displacement Tool Based on Digital Image Correlation for Estimating the Fatigue-Crack-Growth Law on 316L Stainless Steel.

This work presents a new approach for studying crack growth resulting from fatigue, which utilizes the plastic contribution of crack-tip opening displacement (CTODp). CTODp is used to predict austenitic stainless-steel crack propagation. Unlike linear elastic fracture mechanics analysis, the method presented here is also helpful for tasks other than small-scale yielding. The approach was based on correlating full-field displacement information with post-processing digital images. This work describes a detailed post-processing protocol that can be used to calculate CTODp. The results for steel compact-tension specimens were especially promising. Of note, there was a linear relationship between the propagation rate of fatigue cracks and the CTODp range.

A common missense variant rs874881 of PADI4 gene and rheumatoid arthritis: Genetic association study and in-silico analysis.

The peptidylarginine-deiminase 4 (PADI4) is involved in the post-translational catalytic conversion of arginine into citrulline. The autoantibodies including anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) produced in response to hypercitrullinated proteins are a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) autoimmunity. Therefore, the role of a missense variant rs874881 (Gly112Ala) of PADI4 in RA susceptibility was analyzed, along with in-silico analysis of structural and functional impacts of this substitution. We did a case-control association study and in-silico analysis. For the case-control study, confirmed RA cases and healthy controls were recruited. Genotyping for rs874881 (n = 750) was performed through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine association. The in-silico analysis was carried out through HOPE, VarMap, MutationAssessor, MutPred2, SIFT, PolyPhen, CADD, REVEL and MetaLR. In the case-control study, the rs874881 exhibited a strong association with increased RA susceptibility (G vs C odds ratio = 3.85, 95 % confidence interval = 2.81-5.27). Interaction analysis revealed significant interaction of genotype with smoking and gender (p < 0.05). Significant results (p < 0.05) were also obtained in stratified analysis by presence/absence of comorbidities and radiographic damage. According to in-silico pathogenicity prediction analysis, this Gly112Ala substitution does not exert a major effect on protein structure and function including its enzymatic activity. We report a significant association of PADI4 rs874881 with overall RA susceptibility. To our knowledge, this is the first study to do the interaction and stratified analyses on the PADI4 rs874881 in RA. Similar detailed studies should also be performed in other populations.

Frequency of otitis media with effusion among children aged 1-5 years presenting to immunization center of tertiary care hospitals, Rawalpindi.

Objective: We conducted this study to assess the etiopathogenic relation of otitis media with effusion (OME) in a group of children aged 1-5 years among the local population of Rawalpindi. Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study. Study was conducted among the children presenting to the immunization center of three tertiary care hospitals of Rawalpindi. Otitis media was assessed by clinical examination and tympanometry from August 2019 to January 2020. Multi-factor regression analysis was then applied to recognize the statistical significance and association of various risk factors to OME. Results: Out of 400 children enrolled in this study, 108 (27.0%) had OME, out of which 65 (60.2%) were males and 30 (27.8%) were of age group 2-3 years. Multivariable regression analysis of risk factors associated with OME showed it was strongly associated with snoring (P < 0.001), last year symptoms (attack of ear aches with hearing loss [P = 0.002]), drugs (URTI antibiotics [P = 0.026], All 3 drugs [P = 0.013]). Conclusions: We found out that OME is a common disease which if not identified or treated timely can lead to other hard to cure health problems. Control of its etiopathogenic factors can play a major role in its prevention.

Preparation of stimuli responsive microgel with silver nanoparticles for biosensing and catalytic reduction of water pollutants.

Herein, we report poly(N-isopropylacrylamide/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) microgel fabricated with silver nanoparticles. The identification of copolymerization and functional groups in the bare microgel and those fabricated with silver nanoparticles was examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The pH and temperature sensitivity of microgels was studied using dynamic light scattering. Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to study the thermal stability. X-Ray diffraction patterns indicated the amorphous nature of bare microgel and crystalline nature of those containing silver nanoparticles. A bathochromic shift was found in the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles present in microgel with increase in pH of the medium. Moreover, the microgel containing silver nanoparticles served as an effective catalyst for reducing the toxic nitroaromatic pollutants and carcinogenic dyes. The microgel containing silver nanoparticles also showed good capability to serve as biosensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide.

The Cardioprotective Potential of von Willebrand Disease in Ischemic Heart Disease.

von Willebrand factor (vWF) aids coagulation at sites of vessel injury. Elevated vWF levels have been associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD); however, it is unclear whether vWF deficiency, seen in patients with von Willebrand disease (vWD), protects people against IHD. We determined and compared the prevalence and risk of IHD in patients with versus without vWD by using data from the National Inpatient Sample (2009-2014), excluding patients younger than 18 and older than 75 years. The primary outcome was the odds ratio (OR) of IHD in patients with versus without vWD. Secondary outcomes were major medical comorbidities and demographic characteristics in patients with vWD. Of 224,475,443 weighted hospital-discharge samples, we identified 82,809 patients with a vWD diagnosis. The odds of IHD were lower in patients with vWD than in those without (OR=0.54; 95% CI, 0.52-0.56). After multivariable logistic regression analysis and adjustment for age, sex, and typical IHD risk factors (hypertension, smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and family history of IHD), the likelihood of IHD remained lower in patients with vWD than in patients without (OR=0.65; 95% CI, 0.63-0.67). Our study shows that vWF deficiency, as seen in patients with vWD, is associated with a decreased prevalence of IHD. Further investigation may confirm these findings.

Haploinsufficiency of EXT1 and Heparan Sulphate Deficiency Associated with Hereditary Multiple Exostoses in a Pakistani Family.

Background and Objectives: Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is a disease characterized by cartilage-capped bony protuberances at the site of growth plates of long bones. Functional mutations in the exostosin genes (EXT1 and EXT2) are reported to affect the hedgehog signalling pathways leading to multiple enchondromatosis. However, the exact role of each EXT protein in the regulation of heparan sulphate (HS) chain elongation is still an enigma. In this study, a Pakistani family with HME is investigated to find out the genetic basis of the disease. Materials and Methods: Genotyping of eight members of the family by amplifying microsatellite markers, tightly linked to the EXT1 and EXT2 genes. Results: The study revealed linkage of the HME family to the EXT1 locus 8q24.1. Sanger sequencing identified a heterozygous deletion (c.247Cdel) in exon 1 of EXT1, segregating with the disease phenotype in the family. In silico analysis predicted a shift in the frame causing an early stop codon (p.R83GfsX52). The predicted dwarf protein constituting 134 amino acids was functionally aberrant with a complete loss of the catalytic domain at the C-terminus. Interestingly, an alternative open reading frame 3 (ORF3) caused by the frame shift is predicted to encode a protein sequence, identical to the wild type and containing the catalytic domain, but lacking the first 100 amino acids of the wild-type EXT1 protein. Conclusion: Consequently, haploinsufficiency could be the cause of HME in the investigated family as the mutated copy of EXT1 is ineffective for EXT-1/2 complex formation. The predicted ORF3 protein could be of great significance in understanding several aspects of HME pathogenesis.

Genetic analysis of osteopetrosis in Pakistani families identifies novel and known sequence variants.

Osteopetrosis is a genetically heterogenous, fatal bone disorder characterized by increased bone density. Globally, various genetic causes are reported for osteopetrosis with all forms of inheritance patterns. A precise molecular diagnosis is necessary for prognosis and for prescribing treatment paradigms in osteopetrosis. Here we report on thirteen individuals diagnosed with infantile malignant osteopetrosis coming from ten unrelated Pakistani families; nine of whom are consanguineous. We performed whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing in all families and identified homozygous variants in genes previously reported for autosomal recessive inheritance of osteopetrosis. All the identified variants are expected to affect the stability or length of gene products except one nonsynonymous missense variant. TCIRG1 was found as a candidate causal gene in majority of the families. We report six novel variants; four in TCIRG1 and one each in CLCN7 and OSTM1. Our combined findings will be helpful in molecular diagnosis and genetic counselling of patients with osteopetrosis particularly in populations with high consanguinity.

Development of biodegradable thin films for efficient, specific and controlled delivery of capecitabine.

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Capecitabine (CP) shows severe side effects because of early metabolism in stomach that affects the normal cells and organs, particularly liver and stomach. In this scope, we report the biocompatible, nontoxic polymeric thin films loaded with anti-cancer drug, CP for target specific, sublingual delivery of CP. Chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were used as biodegradable polymers alongwith glutaraldehyde (GLA) cross linker. CP-loaded thin films (TFCP1-TFCP5) were fabricated by solvent casting method. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of CP and polymers (CS and PVA) with GLA which binds through hydrogen bonding, and compatibility of drug with different excipients. Thermogravemetric analysis showed that the thin films are highly stable while differential scanning calorimeter thermograms confirmed the complete miscibility/entrapment of CP within PVA/CS thin film matrix. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the molecular ineractions between CP and polymer matrix. High degree of swelling index of thin films at pH 7.4 was observed in comparison to pH 5.5. CP release studies in acetate (pH 5.5) and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) showed that the thin films swell and result in drug diffusion faster in phosphate buffer through diffusion governed by Higuchi's model. Cytotoxicity results displayed that CPTFs killed MCF-7 and T47D (human breast adenocarcinoma) cells more effectively as compared to CP alone. The results of adhesion assay also showed that the PVA and CS both are safe and biocompatible. TFCP1 and TFCP3 thin films efficiently induced the apoptosis as compared to CP alone. The improved ability of TFCP1 and TFCP3 to induce cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells reflects the potential of these thin films for targeted drug delivery. The CPTFs were stable for 4 months at 4 °C/60% ± 2%RH and 25 °C/70% ± 2%RH. In conclusion, the thin film formulations showed target specific controlled and burst release properties and thus could prove to be effective for human breast cancer treatment.

Clinical Outcomes and Disease Burden in Amyloidosis Patients with and Without Atrial Fibrillation-Insight from the National Inpatient Sample Database.

Amyloidosis is a systemic illness that affects multiple organ systems, including the cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary systems. Common manifestations include restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, nephrotic syndrome, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. It is unknown whether coexisting atrial fibrillation (AF) worsens the disease burden and outcomes in patients with systemic amyloidosis. In this study, those with a diagnosis of amyloidosis with and without coexisting AF were identified by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-specifically, the National Inpatient Sample for the year 2016-based on International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. During 2016, a total of 2,997 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of amyloidosis, including 918 with concurrent AF. Greater rates of mortality (7.4% vs. 5.6%); heart block (6.8% vs. 2.8%); cardiogenic shock (5% vs. 1.6%); placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, cardiac resynchronization therapy device, or permanent pacemaker (14.5% vs. 4.5%); renal failure (29% vs. 21%); heart failure (66% vs. 30%); and bleeding complications (5.7% vs. 2.8%) were observed in patients with a diagnosis of amyloidosis and coexisting AF when compared with in patients without AF. Interestingly, patients with amyloidosis without comorbid AF had greater odds of associated stroke relative to those with concurrent AF (7.9% vs. 3.4%).

Symptomatic Supraventricular Tachycardia Resistant to Adenosine Therapy in a Patient with Chronic Theophylline Use.

Theophylline is a potent adenosine receptor antagonist with indirect adrenergic effects that can lead to arrhythmias and metabolic abnormalities such as hypokalemia. Therapeutic toxicity cases have declined over the years mainly due to decreased recommended therapeutic doses and overall decreased usage of this medication due to newer available COPD treatment options. We present a clinical case of symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia resistant to adenosine therapy in a patient with theophylline use. This case highlights the importance of comprehensive medication review in acute settings to aid in identifying the underlying etiologies and initiating prompt treatments. It also signifies the importance of reviewing chronic medications in each outpatient visits to ensure continued indication for their use and be able to change them to newer agents per guidelines whenever possible.

Predictors of renal replacement therapy in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices.

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) after continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation significantly affects patients' quality of life and survival. To identify preoperative prognostic markers in patients requiring RRT after CF-LVAD implantation, we retrospectively reviewed data from patients who underwent implantation of a CF-LVAD at our institution during 2012-2017. Patients who required preoperative RRT were excluded. Preoperative and operative characteristics, as well as survival and adverse events, were compared between 74 (22.2%) patients requiring any duration of postoperative RRT and 259 (77.8%) not requiring RRT. Patients requiring RRT experienced more postoperative complications than patients who did not, including respiratory failure necessitating tracheostomy (35.7% vs 2.5%, p < 0.001), reoperation for bleeding (34.3% vs 11.7%, p < 0.001), and right heart failure necessitating perioperative mechanical circulatory support (32.4% vs 6.9%, p < 0.001). Patients requiring postoperative RRT also had poorer survival at 30 days (74.7% vs 98.8%), 6 months (48.2% vs 95.1%), and 12 months (45.3% vs 90.2%) (p < 0.001). Significant predictors of RRT after CF-LVAD implantation included urine proteinuria (odds ratio [OR] 3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.7-7.6], p = 0.001), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR 3.4, 95% CI [1.5-17.8], p = 0.004), and mean right atrial pressure to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio ≥ 0.54 (OR 2.6, 95% CI [1.3-5.], p = 0.01). Of the 74 RRT patients, 11 (14.9%) recovered renal function before discharge, 36 (48.6%) still required RRT after discharge, and 27 (36.5%) died before discharge. We conclude that preoperative renal and right ventricular dysfunction significantly predict postoperative renal failure and mortality after CF-LVAD implantation.

Rivaroxaban: Expanded Role in Cardiovascular Disease Management-A Literature Review.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used for the prevention of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and as prophylaxis after hip and knee surgery after approval by the Food and Drug Administration. In the last decade, DOACs were studied for various indications; this review is focused on rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, which is used in an expanded evidence-based fashion for coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, malignancy, and prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis in acute medical illnesses.

Dabigatran in cardiovascular disease management: A comprehensive review.

Dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, has robust data for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after knee and hip replacement. Recent studies have evaluated dabigatran to determine its safety and efficacy in such conditions as VTE in malignancy, coronary artery disease, mechanical and bioprosthetic valves, and antiphospholipid syndrome. This article provides a comprehensive review on the role of dabigatran in various cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of an anesthesia perioperative surgical home for total knee and hip arthroplasty at a Veterans Affairs Hospital: a quality improvement before-and-after cohort study.

BACKGROUND: A perioperative surgical home, the Anesthesia Perioperative Care Service (APCS), was created to execute enhanced recovery after surgery pathways for total knee and total hip arthroplasty patients at the Tennessee Valley Health System Nashville VA Medical Center. We hypothesized that the APCS would be associated with reduced length of stay, in-hospital and post-discharge opioid exposure, costs, and hospital readmissions. METHODS: Data were collected for all patients admitted to the Nashville VA Medical Center following their respective surgery, for 400 days after the initiation of the APCS and for a 400-day period prior. This cohort study was based on a quality improvement project set up at the initiation of the service. The adjusted effect on each quantitative outcome was evaluated using proportional odds logistic regression methods. In addition, each regression analysis was performed in segmented regression fashion to identify changes in the outcomes over time. RESULTS: We included 282 patients in our cohort-96 prior and 186 post-implementation. Median hospital length of stay, intravenous (IV) and per os (PO) inpatient opioid administration, outpatient opioid quantity, and total days of supply were all reduced in the cohort cared for by the APCS. After adjusting for potential cofounders and evaluated outcome over time, the APCS remained independently associated with a reduction of hospital length of stay of one day (95% confidence interval, 0.09 to 1.97; P = 0.05) and with decreased IV and PO inpatient opioid administration, while continuing to show no increase in hospital readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort study showed significant improvements in important post-surgical outcomes after total knee and hip arthroplasty that were associated with the implementation of an APCS.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Un centre de soins chirurgicaux périopératoires (perioperative surgical home), le Service de soins périopératoires en anesthésie (SSPA), a été créé pour mettre en œuvre des trajectoires de soins de récupération rapide après la chirurgie pour les patients ayant subi une arthroplastie totale du genou ou de la hanche au centre médical Tennessee Valley Health System Nashville VA Medical Center. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que le SSPA serait associé à une réduction de la durée du séjour, de l'exposition aux opioïdes à l'hôpital et après le congé, ainsi qu'à une diminution des coûts et des réadmissions à l'hôpital. MéTHODE: Les données ont été recueillies pour tous les patients admis au centre médical Nashville VA Medical Center après leur chirurgie respective, pendant 400 jours avant et après la création du SSPA. Cette étude de cohorte se fondait sur un projet d'amélioration de la qualité mis en place lors de l'inauguration du service. L'effet ajusté sur chaque résultat quantitatif a été évalué à l'aide de méthodes de régression logistique proportionnelles. De plus, chaque analyse de régression a été effectuée de façon segmentée afin d'identifier l'évolution des résultats au fil du temps. RéSULTATS: Nous avons inclus 282 patients dans notre cohorte ­ 96 avant et 186 après la mise en œuvre. La durée médiane du séjour à l'hôpital, l'administration d'opioïdes par voie intraveineuse (IV) et per os (PO) pendant le séjour hospitalier, la quantité d'opioïdes en ambulatoire et sa durée en jours ont tous été réduites dans la cohorte prise en charge par le SSPA. Après avoir procédé à des ajustements pour tenir compte des facteurs de confusion potentiels et évalué l'évolution des résultats au fil du temps, le SSPA est demeuré indépendamment associé à une réduction de la durée de séjour à l'hôpital d'un jour (intervalle de confiance 95 %, 0,09 à 1,97; P = 0,05), à une réduction de l'administration d'opioïdes IV et PO durant le séjour, et il n'y a eu aucune augmentation des réadmissions à l'hôpital. CONCLUSION: Cette étude de cohorte a montré des améliorations significatives en matière de résultats post-chirurgicaux importants après une arthroplastie totale du genou et de la hanche associés à la mise en œuvre d'un SSPA.

Targeted drug delivery systems: synthesis and in vitro bioactivity and apoptosis studies of gemcitabine-carbon dot conjugates.

Gemcitabine (GEM) is used to treat various cancers such as breast, pancreatic, non-small lung, ovarian, bladder, and cervical cancers. GEM, however, has the problem of non-selectivity. Water-soluble, fluorescent, and mono-dispersed carbon dots (CDs) were fabricated by ultrasonication of sucrose. The CDs were further conjugated with GEM through amide linkage. The physical and morphological properties of these carbon dot-gemcitabine (CD-GEM) conjugates were determined using different analytical techniques. In vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies of CD-GEM conjugates were evaluated by various bioactivity assays on human cell lines, MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), and HeLa (cervical cancer) cell lines. The results of kinetic studies have shown a maximum drug loading efficacy of 17.0 mg of GEM per 50.0 mg of CDs. The CDs were found biocompatible, and the CD-GEM conjugates exhibited excellent bioactivity and exerted potent cytotoxicity against tumor cells with an IC50 value of 19.50 µg ml-1 in HeLa cells, which is lower than the IC50 value of pure GEM (∼20.10 µg ml-1). In vitro studies on CD-GEM conjugates demonstrated the potential to replace the conventional administration of GEM. CD-GEM conjugates are more stable, have a higher aqueous solubility, and are more cytotoxic as compared to GEM alone. The CD-GEM conjugates show reduced side effects in the normal cells along with excellent cellular uptake. Hence, CD-GEM conjugates are more selective toward cancerous cell lines as compared to non-cancerous cells. Also, the CD-GEM conjugates successfully induced early and late apoptosis in cancer cell lines and might be effective and safe to use for in vivo applications.

Traditional Medications Mixed with Ethylene Glycol in a Nigerian Patient on Hemodialysis.

Unregulated traditional medications and their solvents are nephrotoxic. We present a case of a 49-year-old Nigerian male with a 10-year history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension who was ingesting a traditional, herbal medication as an aphrodisiac for erectile dysfunction. He had a rapid decline in kidney function over a period of one year and the patient commenced thrice weekly hemodialysis. He came to the USA for a second opinion. A full laboratory evaluation for immunologic and infectious causes of kidney failure was unremarkable. Kidneys were 12 cm bilaterally and a kidney biopsy revealed protracted tubular injury with isometric vacuolization and numerous calcium oxalate crystals. His serum oxalate level was elevated and there was no evidence of primary hyperoxaluria. It was suspected that the daily use of traditional, herbal supplements which often contain ethylene or diethylene glycol-based solvents may have led to a chronic oxalate toxicity that resulted in his kidney failure and above-mentioned pathological findings. Kidney damage was deemed irreversible and the patient returned to Nigeria. Worldwide, the increasing use of unregulated traditional, herbal supplements has the potential to cause epidemics of kidney disease in rural communities. A thorough medication history including the use of traditional and herbal supplements should be obtained in all patients with a rapid decline in kidney function, even in the presence of known risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Association of IGF1 and VEGFA polymorphisms with diabetic retinopathy in Pakistani population.

AIMS: The incidence of microvascular complications, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), increases with duration of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Meta-GWAS have reported numerous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with T2D; however, no loci, achieving genome-wide significance has been reported for DR. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) are considered as potential genetic candidates involved in T2D and DR progression. Moreover, the association of serum levels of these proteins with diabetes-related traits is controversial. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate the possible genetic predisposition and role of these circulating growth factors in serum in the pathophysiology of T2D and DR. METHODS: A cohort of 1126 individuals with T2D was collected including those without retinopathy (DNR = 573), non-progressive diabetic retinopathy (NPDR = 301) and progressive diabetic retinopathy (PDR = 252), and 348 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was isolated, and six SNPs: rs833061, rs13207351, rs1570360, rs2010963, rs5742632 and rs6214, were genotyped and results statistically analyzed. ELISA was performed on a subset of the samples to measure serum levels of IGF1 and VEGFA. RESULTS: The minor allele of rs6214 was associated with T2D [OR = 1.67 (95% CI 1.39-2.01, p = 4.9E-8)], rs13207351 was associated with NPDR [OR = 1.97 (95% CI 1.28-3.03, p = 9.0E-3)]when compared with DNR, and rs5742632 showed positive association with PDR [OR = 1.66 (95% CI 1.33-2.05, p = 1.0E-4)] compared to DNR. Lowered IGF1 serum levels were found to be associated with T2D, NPDR and PDR. CONCLUSIONS: IGF1 was found to increase the T2DM susceptibility as well as advanced DR, i.e., PDR, while VEGFA was found to be associated with early DR stage, i.e., NPDR.

Changes in fatty acids composition, antioxidant potential and induction period of UHT-treated tea whitener, milk and dairy drink.

BACKGROUND: In developing and developed countries, several versions of safe and shelf-stable Ultra High Temperature, UHT-treated products are manufactured. Terminologies and formulations of UHT-treated tea whitener, milk and dairy drink considerably vary. Comprehensive studies have been performed on UHT-treated milk; however, fatty acids compositional changes and oxidation status of UHT-treated tea whitener and dairy drink at different storage intervals have not been reported in literature. METHODS: UHT-treated tea whitener, milk and dairy drink samples (450 each) of the same manufacturing date were purchased from the market and stored at ambient temperature (25-30 °C) for 90 days. At the time of collection, all the samples were only one week old. Samples of UHT-treated tea whitener, milk and dairy drink were regarded as treatments and every treatment was replicated five times. Chemical composition, fatty acid profile, 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity, reducing power, antioxidant activity in linoleic acid system and induction period were determined at 0, 45 and 90 days of storage. RESULTS: Fat content in freshly collected samples of UHT treated-tea whitener, milk and dairy drink were 6 and 3.5%. UHT treated milk had highest total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant activity in linoleic acid and 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity followed by UHT tea whitener and dairy drink. In freshly collected samples of UHT-treated milk, concentrations vitamin A and E were 0.46 µg/100 g and 0.63 mg/100 g, respectively. UHT-treated tea whitener had the lowest concentrations of vitamin A and E. With the progression of storage period, amount of vitamin A and E decreased. In freshly collected samples, amount of short, medium and unsaturated fatty acids in UHT-treated milk were 10.54, 59.71 and 27.44%, respectively. After 45 days of storage of UHT-treated milk, the loss of short, medium and unsaturated fatty acid was 7%, 7.1 and 5.8%, respectively. After 90 days of storage of UHT-treated milk, the loss of short, medium and unsaturated fatty acid was 8.53, 13.51 and 11.88%, accordingly. After 45 days of storage of UHT-treated tea whitener, the loss of medium and unsaturated fatty acid was 1.6 and 0.99%, respectively. After 90 days of storage, the loss of medium and unsaturated fatty acids were 8.2 and 6.6%, respectively. The induction period of fresh UHT-treated tea whitener, milk and dairy drink was 15.67, .74 and 7.27 h. Strong correlations were recorded between induction period and peroxide value of UHT-treated products. CONCLUSION: This investigation disclosed that UHT-treated tea whitener had 6% fat content with no short-chain fatty acids. Antioxidant capacity of UHT-treated milk was higher than dairy drink and tea whitener. Due to the presence of partially hydrogenated fat, oxidative stability of UHT-treated tea whitener was better than UHT-treated milk and dairy drink. Vitamin A and E was not found in UHT-treated tea whitener. For the anticipation of oxidative stability of UHT-treated milk, dairy drink and tea whitener, induction period/ Rancimat method can be used.

Advancements in electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide, glucose and dopamine by using 2D nanoarchitectures of layered double hydroxides or metal dichalcogenides. A review.

This review (with 105 references) describes the progress that has been made in the past few years in the use of 2D nanoarchitectures in electrochemical sensors for the clinically highly significant parameters hydrogen peroxide, glucose and dopamine. Following an introduction into the field, we summarize the improvements in electrochemical sensors that can be accomplished by using such nanomaterials, with a specific focus on sensors for in-vitro diagnostics. A further large section covers sensors based on the use of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), with subsections on sensors for hydrogen peroxide, glucose and dopamine. Dichalcogenides based electrochemical sensors are treated in next section, again with subsections on hydrogen peroxide, glucose and dopamine. We also summarize key sensor parameters including limits of detection, linear ranges and real time applications in pharmaceutical, environmental and clinical fields. The next section summarizes the work related to sensing of hydrogen peroxide released from different live cells as signalling molecule indicating cellular stress. The review concludes with a discussion of current challenges and future perspectives. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and dichalcogenides based electrochemical sensors for sensitive determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), glucose and dopamine (DA) from biological fluids as biomarkers for early diagnosis.