The Spectrum of Central Nervous System Tumors at a Tertiary Care Center Primarily Serving a Rural Population.

Background Central nervous system (CNS) tumors cause significant mortality and morbidity in all age groups. There was no data about the histological spectrum of all CNS tumors in the tertiary care center serving primarily the rural population of Uttar Pradesh. Aims and objectives The present study aimed to describe the histopathological spectrum of all CNS tumors reported in a rural tertiary care center at Saifai, Uttar Pradesh. It also aimed to provide an overview of the descriptive epidemiology of CNS tumors. Material and methods This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. The study duration was three years. A total of 115 cases of CNS tumors were studied during that period. Cases were classified according to their histological types, and results were analyzed. Results The most common histological group was neuroepithelial tumors, with 53 cases (46.08%). This group had 36 cases of astrocytic tumors (31.3%), three cases of oligodendroglial tumors (2.6%), five cases of oligoastrocytic tumors (4.34%), five cases of ependymal tumors (4.34%), and four cases of embryonal tumors (3.47%). The second most common tumor was meningeal tumors, with 32 cases (27.82%). The male/female ratio (M/F) ratio was 0.7. Females were found to be more affected by almost all histologic categories. Most meningiomas (89.6%) were of World Health Organization (WHO) grade I (26 cases out of 29). Astrocytic tumors showed WHO grade I, II, III, and IV tumors in two cases (5.5%), twelve cases (33.3%), four cases (11.1%), and eighteen cases (50%), respectively. In the younger age group (0-20 years), ependymoma and medulloblastoma were most common, followed by pilocytic astrocytoma and schwannoma. Conclusion In this region, neuroepithelial tumors were seen more commonly than meningioma. Females were found to be more affected by CNS tumors. This study has provided relevant data, which can be used for research and better patient management. Further studies with the incorporation of advanced radiological investigation and immunohistochemistry have been recommended.

Fecal transplant from vaginally seeded infants decreases intraabdominal adiposity in mice.

Exposing C-section infants to the maternal vaginal microbiome, coined "vaginal seeding", partially restores microbial colonization. However, whether vaginal seeding decreases metabolic disease risk is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the effect of vaginal seeding of human infants on adiposity in a murine model. Germ-free mice were colonized with transitional stool from human infants who received vaginal seeding or control (placebo) seeding in a double-blind randomized trial. There was a reduction in intraabdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) volume in male mice that received stool from vaginally seeded infants compared to control infants. Higher levels of isoleucine and lower levels of nucleic acid metabolites were observed in controls and correlated with increased IAAT. This suggests that early changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome caused by vaginal seeding have a positive impact on metabolic health.

Compressive Myelopathy Secondary to TRPV4 Skeletal Dysplasia: Spondylometaphyseal Dysplasia, Kozlowski Type.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 channel ( TRPV4 ) gene mutations have been described in skeletal system and peripheral nervous system pathology. The case described here is a 9-year-old male child patient, born to a nonconsanguineous marriage with normal birth history who had difficulty in walking and stiffness of joints for the last 7 years, and progressive weakness of all four limbs and urine incontinence for 1 year following falls. Physical examination showed below-average weight and height and short trunk. Musculoskeletal examination revealed bony prominence bilaterally in the knee joints and contractures in knee and elbow joints with brachydactyly; muscle tone was increased, with brisk deep tendon reflexes. Skeletal survey showed platyspondyly with anterior beaking with metaphyseal dysplasia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed atlantoaxial instability with hyperintense signal changes at a cervicomedullary junction and upper cervical cord with thinning and spinal canal stenosis suggestive of compressive myelopathy with platyspondyly and anterior beaking of the spine at cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous de novo variant c.2389G > A in exon 15 of TRPV4 , which results in the amino acid substitution p.Glu797Lys in the encoded protein. The characteristics observed indicated spondylometaphyseal dysplasia, Kozlowski type (SMD-K). The child underwent surgical intervention for compressive myelopathy by reduction of atlantoaxial dislocation with C1 lateral mass and C2 pars fusion using rib graft and fixation using screws and rods. To conclude, for any child presenting with progressive kyphoscoliosis, short stature, platyspondyly, and metaphyseal changes, a diagnosis of SMD-K should be considered and the patient and family should be advised to avoid spinal injuries.

Advancing sustainable agriculture: Evaluation of Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) based mulch films and identification of biodegrading microorganisms among soil microbiota.

Non-biodegradable polyolefin based plastic mulch residues in agricultural fields after the end of a crop cycle have raised several concerns as an environmental pollutant in recent years. This study explores the potential of Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) based compostable films reactively blended with compatibilizers and chain extenders as a promising solution to environmental challenges associated with traditional plastic mulch films. Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and Epoxy-functionalized styrene acrylic copolymer (ESA) have been used as reactive compatibilizers and chain extenders respectively. In-depth analysis of the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of the developed films, revealed that the PLA/PBAT blend films at 75:25 weight ratio in the presence of 5 phr ESO and 0.5 phr ESA exhibit improved performance characteristics for application as mulch films. Furthermore, the films were subjected to 360-h UV exposure to gauge their stability under prolonged exposure, specifically investigating changes in the carbonyl index. Additionally, a rigorous real-time field trial of the mulch films spanning eight months with various crops was carried out to understand their performance in practical agricultural settings. The study also involved the identification of microorganisms responsible for the degradation of the developed mulch films employing 16S rRNA sequencing.

Synthesis and characterization of a pH/temperature-dual responsive hydrogel with promising biocompatibility features for stimuli-responsive 5-FU delivery.

The tunable properties of stimuli-responsive copolymers or hydrogels enable their application in different fields such as biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, or even drug release. Here we introduce a new PNIPAM-based triblock copolymer material comprising a controlled amount of a novel hydrophobic crosslinker 2,4'-diacryloyloxy benzophenone (DABP) and acrylic acid (AAc) to achieve lower critical solution temperature (LCST) between ambient and body temperatures. The dual stimuli-responsive p(NIPAM-co-DABP-co-AAc) triblock copolymer material and hydrogel were synthesized, and their temperature and pH-responsive behaviors were systematically investigated. The hydrogel exhibited excellent temperature and pH-responsive properties with an LCST of around 30 °C. Moreover, the synthesized copolymer has been demonstrated to be nontoxic both in vitro and in vivo. When the hydrogel was preloaded with the model drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), the designed hydrogel released the drug in a temperature and pH-controlled fashion. It was observed that the prepared hydrogel has the ability to entrap 5-FU, and the loading is more than 85%. In the case of temperature-controlled release, we observed almost complete release of 5-FU at lower temperatures and sustained release behavior at higher temperatures. In addition, the hydrogel matrix was able to retard the release of 5-FU in an acidic environment and selectively release 5-FU in a basic environment. By realizing how the hydrogel properties influence the release of drugs from preloaded hydrogels, it is possible to design new materials with myriad applications in the drug delivery field.

Strategic Design of Non-d10 Luminescent Metal-Organic Frameworks as Dual-Mode Ultrafast and Selective Sensing Platforms for Aldehydes at the ppb Level.

Utilizing a cautious design of luminescent MOFs of non-d10 divalent transition metals based on two factors (metal nodes in an octahedral geometry to minimize nonradiative energy dissipation and tailored organic chromophores), this work reports {[Ni2(oxdz)2(tpbn)]}n (1), {[Ni2(oxdz)2(tphn)]}n (2), and {[Ni2(oxdz)2(tpon)]}n (3), synthesized at room temperature, varying the spacer length of tpbn/tphn/tpon (four, six, and eight CH2 groups, respectively). This subtle change in 1-3 is correlated to their hydrophobicity and polarizing power via water vapor sorption and selective and sensitive detection of aldehydes at the ppb level, respectively. A decrease in water vapor uptake (14.8, 8.95, and 3.19 mmol g-1 for 1-3, respectively) is observed with an increase in their hydrophobicity. On the other hand, the solution phase detection limits of acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde (2.42 and 6.71 ppb for 1, 2.77 and 4.08 ppb for 2, and 10.35 and 10.4 ppb for 3, respectively) show a similar trend for their polarizing power. The best performance of 1 is expanded to the vapor-phase detection of acetaldehyde (297% luminescence enhancement) under different pH conditions. The second mode of detection of acetaldehyde via the metal-centered electrochemical behavior of 1 provides detection limits of 38.2 and 71.5 ppb at pH 7 and 13, respectively.

Nerve injury inhibits Oprd1 and Cnr1 transcription through REST in primary sensory neurons.

The transcription repressor REST in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is upregulated by peripheral nerve injury and promotes the development of chronic pain. However, the genes targeted by REST in neuropathic pain development remain unclear. The expression levels of 4 opioid receptor (Oprm1, Oprd1, Oprl1, Oprk1) and the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (Cnr1) genes in the DRG regulate nociception. In this study, we determined the role of REST in the control of their expression in the DRG induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) in both male and female mice. Transcriptomic analyses of male mouse DRGs followed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses of both male and female mouse DRGs showed that SNI upregulated expression of Rest and downregulated mRNA levels of all 4 opioid receptor and Cnr1 genes, but Oprm1 was upregulated in female mice. Analysis of publicly available bioinformatic data suggested that REST binds to the promoter regions of Oprm1 and Cnr1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses indicated differing levels of REST at these promoters in male and female mice. Full-length Rest conditional knockout in primary sensory neurons reduced SNI-induced pain hypersensitivity and rescued the SNI-induced reduction in the expression of Oprd1 and Cnr1 in the DRG in both male and female mice. Our results suggest that nerve injury represses the transcription of Oprd1 and Cnr1 via REST in primary sensory neurons and that REST is a potential therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.

Assessing Residents in the Department of Surgery at a Tertiary Care Centre Using Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to introduce, sensitize, and train our postgraduate students and faculty of the department of general surgery with the use of mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini­CEX) and to assess the perception of students and faculty towards it. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross­sectional observational study was conducted over a period of four months. Ten surgery residents in the department were asked to volunteer to participate and five professors conducted the session. Five sessions of mini­CEX (nine points) were conducted for each resident in different settings of the out­patient department (OPD) and in­patient department (IPD). A total of five skills were tested. Feedback from faculty and residents regarding the perception of mini­CEX was also taken. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in mean scores of all domains was observed comparing the first and last assessment (p<0.05). Hundred percent of the residents scored superior category (7-9) in the final assessment in all domains, whereas the maximum was in a satisfactory scoring grade in 1st assessment. The time taken for the assessment significantly reduced from 1st assessment to the last assessment in OPD and IPD settings (p=0.001). The mini-CEX assessment tool got 100% feedback from faculty in terms of skill improvement, method, attitude of residents, and ability to identify gaps in knowledge. However, one assessor thought that "time given for assessment" was inadequate and more effort was required than the usual traditional assessment methods. The most identified problem faced by residents was that the "time given during assessment" was less (50%); however, overall residents also found it valid, effective, and helpful in identifying knowledge gaps and improving clinical and communication skills. CONCLUSION: Mini­CEX improves the learning environment in residency and also leads to improvement in medical interviewing skills, physical examination skills, humanistic qualities/professionalism, and counseling skills. So, it can be used for residency training in clinical departments.

Longitudinal dynamics of farmer and livestock nasal and faecal microbiomes and resistomes.

Globally, half a billion people are employed in animal agriculture and are directly exposed to the associated microorganisms. However, the extent to which such exposures affect resident human microbiomes is unclear. Here we conducted a longitudinal profiling of the nasal and faecal microbiomes of 66 dairy farmers and 166 dairy cows over a year-long period. We compare farmer microbiomes to those of 60 age-, sex- and ZIP code-matched people with no occupational exposures to farm animals (non-farmers). We show that farming is associated with microbiomes containing livestock-associated microbes; this is most apparent in the nasal bacterial community, with farmers harbouring a richer and more diverse nasal community than non-farmers. Similarly, in the gut microbial communities, we identify more shared microbial lineages between cows and farmers from the same farms. Additionally, we find that shared microbes are associated with antibiotic resistance genes. Overall, our study demonstrates the interconnectedness of human and animal microbiomes.

Nitrogen use efficiency in bread wheat: Genetic variation and prospects for improvement.

Nitrogen (N) is one of the primary macronutrients required for crop growth and yield. This nutrient is especially limiting wheat yields in the dry and low fertile agro-ecologies having low N in the root zone soil strata. Moreover, majority of farmers in India and South Asia are small to marginal with meagre capacity to invest in costly nitrogen fertilizers. Therefore, there is an immense need to identify lines that use nitrogen efficiently. A set of 50 diverse wheat genotypes consisting of indigenous germplasm lines (05), cultivars released for commercial cultivation (23) and selected elite lines from CIMMYT nurseries (22) were evaluated in an alpha-lattice design with two replications, a six-rowed plot of 2.5m length for 24 agro morphological, physiological and NUE related traits during two consecutive crop seasons in an N-depleted precision field under two different N levels of 50%-N50 (T1) and 100%-N100 (T2) of recommended N, i.e., 100 kg/ha. Analysis of variance revealed significant genetic variation among genotypes for all the traits studied. About 11.36% yield reduction was observed at reduced N levels. Significant correlations among NUE traits and yield component traits were observed which indicated pivotal role of N remobilization to the grain in enhancing yield levels. Among N-insensitive genotypes identified based on their yielding ability at low N levels, UASBW13356, UASBW13358, UASBW13354, UASBW13357 and KRL1-4 showed their inherent genotypic plasticity toward N application. The genotypes with more yield and high to moderate NUtE can be used as parents for the breeding of N efficient genotypes for marginal agro-ecologies. Low N tolerant genotypes identified from the current investigation may be further utilized in the identification of genomic regions responsible for NUE and its deployment in wheat breeding programs. The comprehensive data of 24 traits under different nitrogen levels for diverse genotypes from India and global sources (mainly CIMMYT) should be useful for supporting breeding for NUE and thus will be of great help for small and marginal farmers in India and South Asia.

Solid state engineering of Bi2S3/rGO nanostrips: an excellent electrode material for energy storage applications.

The study presents a novel, one-pot, and scalable solid-state reaction scheme to prepare bismuth sulphide (Bi2S3)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites using bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), thiourea (TU), and graphene oxide (GO) as starting materials for energy storage applications. The impact of GO loading concentration on the electrochemical performance of the nanocomposites was investigated. The reaction follows a diffusion substitution pathway, gradually transforming Bi2O3 powder into Bi2S3 nanostrips, concurrently converting GO into rGO. Enhanced specific capacitances were observed across all nanocomposite samples, with the Bi2S3@0.2rGO exhibiting the highest specific capacitance of 705 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 and maintaining a capacitance retention of 82% after 1000 cycles. The superior specific capacitance is attributed to the excellent homogeneity and synergistic relation between rGO and Bi2S3 nanostrips. This methodology holds promise for extending the synthesis of other chalcogenides-rGO nanocomposites.

Comprehensive Insights into Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease: Herbal Approaches for Mitigating Neurodegeneration.

Alzheimer's disease [AD] is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory loss, and functional impairment. Despite extensive research, the exact etiology remains elusive. This review explores the multifaceted pathophysiology of AD, focusing on key hypotheses such as the cholinergic hypothesis, hyperphosphorylated Tau Protein and Amyloid ß hypothesis, oxidative stress hypothesis, and the metal ion hypothesis. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Current treatment options for AD have limitations, prompting the exploration of alternative approaches, including herbal interventions. Cholinesterase inhibitors, targeting the cholinergic hypothesis, have shown modest efficacy in managing symptoms. Blocking Amyloid ß [Aß] and targeting hyperphosphorylated tau protein are under investigation, with limited success in clinical trials. Oxidative stress, implicated in AD pathology, has led to the investigation of antioxidants. Natural products, such as Punica granatum Linn, Radix Scutellariae, and Curcuma longa have demonstrated antioxidant properties, along with anti-inflammatory effects, offering potential neuroprotective benefits. Several herbal extracts, including Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri, and Withania somnifera, have shown promise in preclinical studies. Compounds like Huperzine A, Melatonin, and Bryostatin exhibit neuroprotective effects through various mechanisms, including cholinergic modulation and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the use of herbal drugs for AD management faces limitations, including standardization issues, variable bioavailability, and potential interactions with conventional medications. Additionally, the efficacy and safety of many herbal products remain to be established through rigorous clinical trials. This review also highlights promising natural products currently in clinical trials, such as Resveratrol and Homotaurine, and their potential impact on AD progression. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, has shown cognitive benefits, while Nicotine is being explored for its neuroprotective effects. In conclusion, a comprehensive understanding of the complex pathophysiology of AD and the exploration of herbal interventions offer a holistic approach to managing this devastating disease. Future research should address the limitations associated with herbal drugs and further evaluate the efficacy of promising natural products in clinical settings.

Trametes versicolor Laccase-Based Magnetic Inorganic-Protein Hybrid Nanobiocatalyst for Efficient Decolorization of Dyes in the Presence of Inhibitors.

In the present investigation, an ecofriendly magnetic inorganic-protein hybrid system-based enzyme immobilization was developed using partially purified laccase from Trametes versicolor (TvLac), Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and manganese (Mn), and was successfully applied for synthetic dye decolorization in the presence of enzyme inhibitors. After the partial purification of crude TvLac, the specific enzyme activity reached 212 U∙mg total protein-1. The synthesized Fe3O4/Mn3(PO4)2-laccase (Fe3O4/Mn-TvLac) and Mn3(PO4)2-laccase (Mn-TvLac) nanoflowers (NFs) exhibited encapsulation yields of 85.5% and 90.3%, respectively, with relative activities of 245% and 260%, respectively, compared with those of free TvLac. One-pot synthesized Fe3O4/Mn-TvLac exhibited significant improvements in catalytic properties and stability compared to those of the free enzyme. Fe3O4/Mn-TvLac retained a significantly higher residual activity of 96.8% over that of Mn-TvLac (47.1%) after 10 reuse cycles. The NFs showed potential for the efficient decolorization of synthetic dyes in the presence of enzyme inhibitors. For up to five reuse cycles, Fe3O4/Mn-TvLac retained a decolorization potential of 81.1% and 86.3% for Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 and xylene cyanol, respectively. The synthesized Fe3O4/Mn-TvLac showed a lower acute toxicity towards Vibrio fischeri than pure Fe3O4 nanoparticles did. This is the first report of the one-pot synthesis of biofriendly magnetic protein-inorganic hybrids using partially purified TvLac and Mn.

C-reactive protein lowers the serum level of IL-17, but not TNF-α, and decreases the incidence of collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

The biosynthesis of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the liver is increased in inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. Previously published data suggest a protective function of CRP in arthritis; however, the mechanism of action of CRP remains undefined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of human CRP on the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice which is an animal model of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Two CRP species were employed: wild-type CRP which binds to aggregated IgG at acidic pH and a CRP mutant which binds to aggregated IgG at physiological pH. Ten CRP injections were given on alternate days during the development of CIA. Both wild-type and mutant CRP reduced the incidence of CIA, that is, reduced the number of mice developing CIA; however, CRP did not affect the severity of the disease in arthritic mice. The serum levels of IL-17, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-2 and IL-1ß were measured: both wild-type and mutant CRP decreased the level of IL-17 and IL-6 but not of TNF-α, IL-10, IL-2 and IL-1ß. These data suggest that CRP recognizes and binds to immune complexes, although it was not clear whether CRP functioned in its native pentameric or in its structurally altered pentameric form in the CIA model. Consequently, ligand-complexed CRP, through an as-yet undefined mechanism, directly or indirectly, inhibits the production of IL-17 and eventually protects against the initiation of the development of arthritis. The data also suggest that IL-17, not TNF-α, is critical for the development of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis.

Evaluation of the Periodontal Inflammatory Effect on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate: A Clinical Study.

Context: The link between oral infections and systemic disease is a well-proven hypothesis in the current literature. This relationship is the result of interaction between periodontal microbe that triggers inflammatory processes leading to the secretion of cytokines and other mediators of inflammation resulting in the systemic effects of pathogenesis. Materials and Methods: In this study, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), probing pocket depth, plaque index, gingival index, and the parameters were assessed initially and 1 month after scaling and root planing (SRP). Statistical Analysis Used: The paired t-test and the Pearson correlation were needed to examine and compare measured data. Results: The data from the study reveal that all the clinical parameters like the plaque index, the gingival index, and the probing pocket depth were statistically significantly reduced after 1 month of SRP with respect to baseline. While ESR mean value was also reduced, that is, 3.27 ± 1.24 mm/hr which was also considered statistically significant. Conclusions: The findings from the study showed a positive correlation between periodontal inflammation and ESR.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Acute Coronary Syndrome and Thyroid Profile: Dissecting the Relationship to Improve Patient Care.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid-releasing hormones are pivotal in regulating cardiovascular (CVS) function and maintaining its hemodynamics and homeostasis. Even a minor alteration in thyroid function has an enormous implication on CVS morbidity and mortality. Moreover, hypothyroidism was found to be a potential menace for coronary artery disease (CAD). The objective of this study was to determine the role of thyroid-releasing hormones in patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODOLOGY: Among a cohort of 100 patients suffering with ACS, a complete history and clinical information followed by physical examination and electrocardiography were recorded. Blood samples were also collected to record the blood sugar levels i.e., fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), and thyroid profile, including free thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3). The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULT: The study identified alterations in the thyroid hormone levels in 27% of patients suffering from ACS. The prevalence of euthyroid sick syndrome was found to be 59.3%, while subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism were reported among 18.5% and 14.8% of patients respectively. There was no significant difference found between males and females. The study illustrated a greater occurrence of aberrant thyroid hormone profiles among those aged 40-60 years. The ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) group had a statistically significant higher prevalence of an aberrant thyroid hormone profile compared to the non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina (UA) groups (p=0.02). A total of nine patients died with ACS and all of those had statistically significant low fT3 and TSH values while higher rT3 values (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: An atypical thyroid status has been found to elevate the likelihood of developing CAD and experiencing CVS mortality. This condition can impact ventricular function and serum cholesterol levels as well as heart rate and rhythm. Therefore, understanding this relationship could potentially lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals with ACS which will further prevent major CVS complications.

Low-Temperature Synthesis of WSe2 by the Selenization Process under Ultrahigh Vacuum for BEOL Compatible Reconfigurable Neurons.

Low-temperature large-area growth of two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is critical for their integration with silicon chips. Especially, if the growth temperatures can be lowered below the back-end-of-line (BEOL) processing temperatures, the Si transistors can interface with 2D devices (in the back end) to enable high-density heterogeneous circuits. Such configurations are particularly useful for neuromorphic computing applications where a dense network of neurons interacts to compute the output. In this work, we present low-temperature synthesis (400 °C) of 2D tungsten diselenide (WSe2) via the selenization of the W film under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. This simple yet effective process yields large-area, homogeneous films of 2D TMDs, as confirmed by several characterization techniques, including reflection high-energy electron diffraction, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and different spectroscopy methods. Memristors fabricated using the grown WSe2 film are leveraged to realize a novel compact neuron circuit that can be reconfigured to enable homeostasis.

Doxorubicin induces phosphorylation of lamin A/C and loss of nuclear membrane integrity: A novel mechanism of cardiotoxicity.

Lamin A/C, essential inner nuclear membrane proteins, have been linked to progeria, a disease of accelerated aging, and many other diseases, which include cardiac disorder. Lamin A/C mutation and its phosphorylation are associated with altering nuclear shape and size. The role of lamin A/C in regulating normal cardiac function was reported earlier. In the present study, we hypothesized that Doxorubicin (Dox) may alter total lamin A/C expression and phosphorylation, thereby taking part in cardiac injury. An in vitro cellular injury model was generated with Dox (0.1-10.0 µM) treatment on cardiomyoblast cells (H9c2) to prove our hypothesis. Increased size and irregular (ameboid) nucleus shape were observed in H9c2 cells after Dox treatment. Similarly, we have observed a significant increase in cell death on increasing the Dox concentration. The expression of lamin A/C and its phosphorylation at serine 22 significantly decreased and increased, respectively in H9c2 cells and rat hearts after Dox exposure. Phosphorylation led to depolymerization of the lamin A/C in the inner nuclear membrane and was evidenced by their presence throughout the nucleoplasm as observed by immunocytochemistry techniques. Thinning and perforation on the walls of the nuclear membrane were observed in Dox-treated H9c2 cells. LMNA-overexpression in H9c2 protected the cells from Dox-induced cell death, reversing all changes described above. Further, improvement of lamin A/C levels was observed in Dox-treated H9c2 cells when treated with Purvalanol A, a CDK1 inhibitor and N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant. The study provides new insight regarding Dox-induced cardiac injury with the involvement of lamin A/C and alteration of inner nuclear membrane structure.

Performance of wood waste biochar and food waste compost in a pilot-scale sustainable drainage system for stormwater treatment.

Sustainable drainage system (SuDS) for stormwater reclamation has the potential to alleviate the water scarcity and environmental pollution issues. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that the capacity of SuDS to treat stormwater can be improved by integrating biochar and compost in the filter media, whereas their performance in scaled-up applications is less reported. This study examines the effectiveness of a pilot-scale SuDS, bioswale followed by bioretention, amended with wood waste biochar (1, 2, and 4 wt.%) and food waste compost (2 and 4 wt.%) to simultaneously remove multiple pollutants including nutrients, heavy metals, and trace organics from the simulated stormwater. Our results confirmed that SuDS modified with both biochar (2 wt.%) and compost (2 wt.%) displayed superior water quality improvement. The system exhibited high removal efficiency (> 70%) for total phosphorus and major metal species including Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn. Total suspended solids concentration was approaching the detection limit in the effluent, thereby confirming its capability to reduce turbidity and particle-associated pollutants from stormwater. Co-application of biochar and compost also moderately immobilized trace organic contaminants such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, diuron, and atrazine at field-relevant concentrations. Moreover, the soil amendments amplified the activities of enzymes including ß-D-cellobiosidase and urease, suggesting that the improved soil conditions and health of microbial communities could possibly increase phyto and bioremediation of contaminants accumulated in the filter media. Overall, our pilot-scale demonstration confirmed that the co-application of biochar and compost in SuDS can provide a variety of benefits for soil/plant health and water quality.

Nuclear Medicine Imaging Tools in Fever of Unknown Origin: Time for a Revisit and Appropriate Use Criteria.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a clinical conundrum for patients and clinicians alike, and imaging studies are often performed as part of the diagnostic workup of these patients. Recently, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging convened and approved a guideline on the use of nuclear medicine tools for FUO. The guidelines support the use of 2-18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in adults and children with FUO. 18F-FDG PET/CT allows detection and localization of foci of hypermetabolic lesions with high sensitivity because of the 18F-FDG uptake in glycolytically active cells that may represent inflammation, infection, or neoplasia. Clinicians should consider and insurers should cover 18F-FDG PET/CT when evaluating patients with FUO, particularly when other clinical clues and preliminary studies are unrevealing.