Assessment of Biotransformed Silica Nanoparticle on Blood Glucose Level in Human: An In Vitro Investigation.

Diabetes has affected nearly half a billion people worldwide. According to current guidelines, glycemic control is essential to mitigate diabetic complications. The antihyperglycemic effects of various chemically synthesized nanoparticles have been reported in animal models. However, their impact on humans has not been previously reported. This study was conducted to biosynthesize and assess the antihyperglycemic property of silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) since they are non-toxic and biocompatible. SiO2-NPs biosynthesized using the endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. In this collaborative study, 26 people, either hyperglycemic or euglycemic, diagnosed at the Endocrinology Outpatients, according to the American Diabetes Association, USA, were recruited. Silica nanoparticles were characterized and assessed for in vitro antihyperglycemic property using blood samples. Particle size distribution based on TEM images confirms that the average size of silica nanoparticle is 25 nm and is monodispersed in nature. The XRD pattern shows that only one broad peak at 2θ = 220 corresponds to the plane (101) of silica nanoparticles. UV Visible spectra show the λmax at 270 nm, peaks in FTIR at 1536 cm-1, 1640 cm-1, and 3420 cm-1 for the protein cap. The mean blood glucose was 120.2 mg/dL in the 'SiO2-NP untreated' group and decreased to 97.24 mg/dL in the 'SiO2-NP treated' group. A paired t-test (P-value < 0.0001) indicates a strong relationship between antihyperglycemia and silica NP. In our study, it has been observed that the biosynthesized silica nanoparticles using the endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum show antihyperglycemic property in vitro.

Ceramic-reinforced HEA matrix composites exhibiting an excellent combination of mechanical properties.

CoCrFeNi is a well-studied face centered cubic (fcc) high entropy alloy (HEA) that exhibits excellent ductility but only limited strength. The present study focusses on improving the strength-ductility balance of this HEA by addition of varying amounts of SiC using an arc melting route. Chromium present in the base HEA is found to result in decomposition of SiC during melting. Consequently, interaction of free carbon with chromium results in the in-situ formation of chromium carbide, while free silicon remains in solution in the base HEA and/or interacts with the constituent elements of the base HEA to form silicides. The changes in microstructural phases with increasing amount of SiC are found to follow the sequence: fcc → fcc + eutectic → fcc + chromium carbide platelets → fcc + chromium carbide platelets + silicides → fcc + chromium carbide platelets + silicides + graphite globules/flakes. In comparison to both conventional and high entropy alloys, the resulting composites were found to exhibit a very wide range of mechanical properties (yield strength from 277 MPa with more than 60% elongation to 2522 MPa with 6% elongation). Some of the developed high entropy composites showed an outstanding combination of mechanical properties (yield strength 1200 MPa with 37% elongation) and occupied previously unattainable regions in a yield strength versus elongation map. In addition to their significant elongation, the hardness and yield strength of the HEA composites are found to lie in the same range as those of bulk metallic glasses. It is therefore believed that development of high entropy composites can help in obtaining outstanding combinations of mechanical properties for advanced structural applications.

The Effects of Pt-Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles and Thickness of Semiconducting Layers at Photoanode in the Improved Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

This work synthesized Pt-doped dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) with different molar ratios and thicknesses. The materials were revealed fully through X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photovoltaic properties of the sample were studied by UV-visible spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and IPEC (incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency) techniques. EIS analysis established the decrease in series resistance at the electrolyte interface. It could be one of the reasons for the increase in electron transfer rate and decrease in the recombination process at the interface. Statistical data obtained from optical and electrical investigations revealed that the electrical power-output efficiency of DSSC was 14.25%. It was found that a high ratio of Pt doping and thinner thickness can promote cell performance, owing to the reduction of series resistance, lower bandgap, and high dye adsorption. Doping TiO2 with Pt reduced its energy bandgap and introduces intermediate energy levels inside TiO2 to facilitate the transition of electrons at low excitation energies. The absorbance of the samples 0.15 M Pt and 0.25 M Pt showed improvement in the wavelength ranging from 200 to 800 nm by Pt doping.

A Young Lady With Myopericarditis: An Unusual Presentation of COVID-19 Infection.

Fever, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath are the characteristic clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As the epidemic spreads, it is evident that the infection can affect not only the lungs but also other organs. By attaching to the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptor (ACE-2), the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces lung injury. SARS-CoV-2 can also cause damage to the heart and blood vessels as these organs have abundant ACE-2 receptors. Here, we present a 28-year-old lady with shortness of breath, chest pain, low blood pressure, and a pulse rate that fluctuates widely. She had SARS-CoV-2-induced myopericarditis after further testing. Initially, we treated her with high-dose prednisolone and other supportive medications. Then, we also added colchicine and ibuprofen due to the initial poor response, and the result was satisfying after two weeks of treatment.

Surface degradation study of magnesium tested in simulated body fluid.

Magnesium has attracted a lot of attention as a new class of biodegradable material. The surface properties of magnesium in simulated body fluid (SBF) were investigated in the current research work. Cast magnesium samples with different surface characteristics were prepared which were then placed in SBF for 2, 4 and 8 days. This led to the formation of hydroxylapatite coating on their surfaces. The solution was changed at regular intervals to maintain a pH of 7.6. Other Mg samples were anodized at 40 V and 60 V to create a uniform layer of oxide on them and then their activity in SBF was compared with the casted samples of Mg. It was found that corrosion rate varies as the immersion time increases. Magnesium undergoes localized corrosion with pits and cracks forming on the surface of the samples. This was due to the aggressive corrosive nature of SBF.

The accuracy of self-reported pregnancy-related weight: a systematic review.

Self-reported maternal weight is error-prone, and the context of pregnancy may impact error distributions. This systematic review summarizes error in self-reported weight across pregnancy and assesses implications for bias in associations between pregnancy-related weight and birth outcomes. We searched PubMed and Google Scholar through November 2015 for peer-reviewed articles reporting accuracy of self-reported, pregnancy-related weight at four time points: prepregnancy, delivery, over gestation and postpartum. Included studies compared maternal self-report to anthropometric measurement or medical report of weights. Sixty-two studies met inclusion criteria. We extracted data on magnitude of error and misclassification. We assessed impact of reporting error on bias in associations between pregnancy-related weight and birth outcomes. Women underreported prepregnancy (PPW: -2.94 to -0.29 kg) and delivery weight (DW: -1.28 to 0.07 kg), and over-reported gestational weight gain (GWG: 0.33 to 3 kg). Magnitude of error was small, ranged widely, and varied by prepregnancy weight class and race/ethnicity. Misclassification was moderate (PPW: 0-48.3%; DW: 39.0-49.0%; GWG: 16.7-59.1%), and overestimated some estimates of population prevalence. However, reporting error did not largely bias associations between pregnancy-related weight and birth outcomes. Although measured weight is preferable, self-report is a cost-effective and practical measurement approach. Future researchers should develop bias correction techniques for self-reported pregnancy-related weight.

Synthesis and antitubercular activity of amino alcohol fused spirochromone conjugates.

A series of 21 new amino alcohol fused spirochromone conjugates have been synthesized, characterized with analytical data and evaluated their antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (virulent strain H37Rv) in vitro. Some of the compounds exerted significant inhibition, in particular, compound 4f found to be the most potent derivative exhibiting MIC=3.13 µg/mL.

Symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer: a survey in primary care.

In spite of the increased awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms, the predictive value of symptoms remains very low. The aim of this paper is to obtain the views of general practitioners (GPs) in relation to symptom-based detection of ovarian cancer and to assess their knowledge for family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer as a predisposing factor for ovarian cancer. In this questionnaire survey, postal questionnaires were sent to 402 GPs in 132 primary care clinics, out of which we obtained 110 replies (27.4%). Approximately 26% of respondent GPs thought that the symptoms were more likely to be frequent, sudden, and persistent, and one-fifth were unsure of the importance of family history of breast cancer in relation to ovarian cancer. The participant GPs scored a set of symptoms for their relevance to ovarian cancer from 0 (not relevant) to 10 (most relevant). The highest scored symptoms were abdominal swelling (mean ± SD, 8.19 ± 2.33), abdominal bloating (7.01 ± 3.01), and pelvic pain (7.46 ± 2.26). There was a relative lack of awareness for repetitive symptoms as well as gastrointestinal symptoms as an important feature in a symptom-based detection of ovarian cancer.

An atypical superficial radial artery

Harvesting of the radial artery has become a common surgical procedure. Variations in the radial artery may affect its origin or its course. Variations in the course are rare and classified in 2 classes (1 & 2) according to the tendons forming the anatomical snuff box or radial fossa of the hand. In a study of seventy randomly selected cadavers assigned to medical students for dissection, an atypical case of class2 was found and is described here (AU)

No disponible

Perforation of the inferior alveolar nerve by the maxillary artery: an anatomical study.

The infratemporal fossa is a clinically important anatomical area for the delivery of local anaesthetic agents in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. We studied the infratemporal fossas in white cadavers, and in particular the topographical relations of the inferior alveolar nerve and the maxillary artery. In 3 of the 50 fossas dissected the maxillary artery passed through the inferior alveolar nerve, splitting it into superficial and deep divisions. Entrapment of the maxillary artery may cause numbness or headache and may interfere with injection of local anaesthetics into the infratemporal fossa.