Facile route for preparation of cuprous oxide/copper/cupric oxide nanoparticles by using simultaneous electrochemical and reduction reaction.

Cuprous oxide/copper/cupric oxide nanoparticles were synthesized through a hybrid process involving anodic dissolution and a controlled redox reaction between NaOH and glucose in the solution. The study demonstrates the structural manipulation of the material by varying the reaction components within the solution. Morphology, structural analyses using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), EDX (Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) unveiled the tunability of the material's structure based on the reaction components. Nitrogen adsorption analysis employing the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) equation confirmed the material's porosity, while Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements provided insights into the materials' hydrodynamic size and zeta potential. The results demonstrated that by increasing the glucose/NaOH ratio during the reaction, the different structures and morphologies of the distinct products were obtained from the clustering of small nanoparticles to cubic shape and flower-like structure. Antibacterial activity tests conducted on various bacterial strains showed a correlation between the morphology and structure of the material and its antibacterial properties. The highest substantial antibacterial efficacy against all tested bacterial strains at a dosage of 100 µg/L was obtained for the samples with clustering morphology, whereas the remaining materials showed no discernible antibacterial effect against one of the studied bacteria. The results also demonstrated that the sample with a clustering structure exhibited superior antibacterial properties when dispersed in water containing dimethylsulfoxide.

Green extraction of phenolics and flavonoids from black mulberry fruit using natural deep eutectic solvents: optimization and surface morphology.

This study deployed ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES), to extract phenolics and flavonoids from the black mulberry fruit, and the antioxidant activity was examined. The extraction yields of NADES-based UAE were assessed based on the yields of phenolics and flavonoids extracted from the black mulberry fruit. This study selected the molar ratios of hydrogen bond acceptors (HBA) and hydrogen bond donors HBD at 1:2 from previous studies. Choline chloride-lactic acid showed the highest solubility with phenolics and flavonoids among NADES systems. One-factor experiments evaluated the effect of UAE conditions (liquid-to-solid ratio (LSR), water content in NADES, temperature, and time) on TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity. The suitable NADES-based UAE conditions for extracting phenolics and flavonoids from the black mulberry fruit were 60 ml/g of LSR, 40% water content, 70 °C, and 15 min. Response surface methodology with the Box-Behnken design model optimized the NADES-based UAE process based on response (TPC, TFC, ABTS, OH, and DPPH). The optimal conditions for the NADES-based UAE process were 70 ml/g of LSR, 38.9% water content in NADES, 67.9 °C, and 24.2 min of extraction time. The predicted values of the Box-Behnken design were compatible with the experimental results. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to survey the surface of black mulberry fruit with and without sonication. SEM can assist in demonstrating the destructive effect of NADES and ultrasonic waves on material surfaces. SEM findings indicated the high surface destruction capacity of NADES, which partially contributed to a superior extraction yield of NADES than conventional organic solvents. The study proposes an efficient and green method for extracting bioactive compounds from black mulberry fruits. The black mulberry fruit extracts can be applied to meat preservation and beverages with high antioxidants.

Sleep quality among non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors: a national cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Insomnia is a common symptom after COVID-19 infection; however, its current evidence was among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of insomnia and identify its association with depression and anxiety among non-hospitalized COVID-19 recovered population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 1,056 COVID-19 survivors within 6 months of initial COVID-19 infection and retrieved did not require hospitalization. The Insomnia Severity Index, and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-14 were used. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the associations between depressive and anxiety score, and participants' insomnia level. Results: The prevalence of insomnia was 76.1%, and among those, 22.8% of participants scored for severe insomnia. One third of participants reported worse sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, and harder to fall asleep, half reported more awaken nights after COVID-19 infection. Participants with depressive (OR 3.45; 95%CI 1.87-6.34) or anxiety (OR 3.93; 95%CI 2.52-6.13) had significantly higher odds of developing insomnia. Other risk factors of insomnia included pre-existing chronic conditions and higher education level, while COVID-19 symptoms and duration were not significantly associated. Conclusion: Our study highlights the substantial burden of insomnia among non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors and the significant association of depression and anxiety on the development of this long-term effect of COVID-19. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive interventions that address both sychological and sleeping health in this population.

Controlled Substance Use and Clinical Outcomes of Elderly Patients After a Fall.

Controlled substance use, particularly among the rising elderly population, places these patients at a much higher risk of falls, injuries, and hospitalization. This study examines the association between preinjury controlled substance prescription and clinical outcomes of older adults after a ground-level fall. A total of 5,930 patients were included. Their home medication list was analyzed to record active opioids, benzodiazepines, narcotics, or other substances defined as controlled according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Almost half (45%) of the patients were taking controlled substances. Sixty-seven percent of those were females. Total hospital days, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and mortality outcomes were not significantly different between groups. However, intensive care unit (ICU) days, days on mechanical ventilation (MV), and discharge destination were significantly different for patients taking controlled substances versus those not taking controlled substances. Patients taking controlled substances were more likely to be discharged to short- and long-term care facilities versus patients not taking controlled substances (P≤0.001).

A new species of the assassin bug genus Rihirbus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from Vietnam.

Rihirbus kronganaensis sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) is described from central highlands of Vietnam. A key to the species of Rihirbus Stål, 1861 is presented.

Impact of Injuries on Hospital Resource Utilization Among Trauma Patients Admitted due to Accidents Caused by Farm Animals.

This study examined the impact of injuries on the hospital resource utilization rate among trauma patients admitted to the Johnson City Medical Center (TN, USA), a rural Level I trauma center, due to accidents caused by farm animals. A total of 52 patients aged >3 years were studied, with the average age being 44 years. Patients above 65 years of age made up almost a quarter of the study population (23%); 63% of the patient population were male. All patients survived their injuries. Twenty-six percent of the patients required orthopedic intervention, with the majority of those patients being male (nine males, five females).