A Case Report of Acute Severe Necrotizing Pancreatitis following the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine against the Novel SARS-CoV-2.

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition, which is a leading gastrointestinal cause of hospitalization in the United States. Several conditions are associated with acute pancreatitis. More recently, there have been a few cases reported of acute pancreatitis following the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. To our knowledge, no cases of acute pancreatitis have been yet reported following the Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine (J& J vaccine). Herein we report a 34-year-old male with no significant past medical history admitted with acute necrotizing pancreatitis, the day following the receipt of the J&J vaccine. Based on the Naranjo and the modified Naranjo scale, the patient met the requirements for probable drug induced pancreatitis. This case report has the objective to raise awareness of a potentially severe side effect of the J&J vaccine. We hope to use this case to support screening all patients for previous history of acute pancreatitis before administration of the J& J vaccine.

Quadrangular Space Syndrome: a systematic review of surgical and medical therapeutic advances.

Background: The axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery are compressed in Quadrangular Space Syndrome (QSS), which can be treated with conservative approaches or surgical decompression in recalcitrant instances. There are no clear guidelines for determining which surgical method is optimal for treating QSS and other disorders that mirror QSS. Objective: The goal of this study is to grade and review past, current, and planned medicinal and surgical care modalities for QSS. Materials and Methods: The review protocol is registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022332766). To identify recent advances in the methods/techniques of medical and surgical management of QSS, PubMed and Medline databases were searched until March 2022 for publications, including case studies, case reports, and review articles, using medical subject headings terms like quadrilateral space syndrome, surgical management, and medical management. Throughout the study, all the authors scrupulously followed a well-developed registered review process and the risk of bias in systematic reviews guidance tool. Data on proposed medical and surgical management methods/techniques were compiled, and each was analyzed based on the underlying neuro-vascular systems. Results: There were 88 items found in the first search. Following applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 papers were chosen for synthesis in the review study after a thorough assessment. Three studies (conservative and advanced) focused on medical care of QSS, while 12 articles (prior, current, and newer) focused on surgical management of QSS. Only four of the 15 studies reviewed proposed different surgical approaches/techniques for surgical decompression in QSS. Conclusions: There were two regularly used surgical procedures discovered, one anterior/delto-pectoral and the other posterior/ scapular. The anterior route is more technically straightforward and can be employed for surgical QSS decompression.

Zirconia-based nanomaterials: recent developments in synthesis and applications.

In the last decade, the whole scientific community has witnessed great advances and progress in the various fields of nanoscience. Among the different nanomaterials, zirconia nanomaterials have found numerous applications as nanocatalysts, nanosensors, adsorbents, etc. Additionally, their exceptional biomedical applications in dentistry and drug delivery, and interesting biological properties, viz. anti-microbial, antioxidant, and anti-cancer activity, have further motivated the researchers to explore their physico-chemical properties using different synthetic pathways. With such an interest in zirconia-based nanomaterials, the present review focuses systematically on different synthesis approaches and their impact on the structure, size, shape, and morphology of these nanomaterials. Broadly, there are two approaches, viz., chemical synthesis which includes hydrothermal, solvothermal, sol-gel, microwave, solution combustion, and co-precipitation methods, and a greener approach which employs bacteria, fungus, and plant parts for the preparation of zirconia nanoparticles. In this review article, the aforementioned methods have been critically analyzed for obtaining specific phases and shapes. The review also incorporates a detailed survey of the applications of zirconia-based nanomaterials. Furthermore, the influence of specific phases, morphology, and the comparison with their counterpart composites for different applications have also been included. Finally, the concluding remarks, prospects and possible scope are given in the last section.

Deltoid Intramuscular Injections: A Systematic Review of Underlying Neurovascular Structures to the Muscle and Proposing a Relatively Safer Site.

The deltoid is the preferred site for intramuscular injection (IMI) because of its easy accessibility for drug and vaccine administration. Government immunization advisories, standard anatomy textbooks, and researchers have proposed various injection techniques and sites, but specific guidelines are lacking for the administration of IMIs in the increasingly used deltoid site. This study analyzes the procedures of administering IMIs in the deltoid related to the neurovascular network underlying the muscle and proposes a preferred site with the least chance of injury. The review protocol was submitted with PROSPERO (ID: 319251). PubMed, Google Scholar, and Websites of National Public Health Agencies were searched from 1950 up to 2022 for articles, advisories, and National Immunization Guidelines using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, including IMIs, deltoid muscle, safe injection sites, to identify recommendations for safer sites and techniques of administering deltoid IMIs. All the authors strictly adhered to a well-developed registered review protocol throughout the study and followed the risk of bias in systematic reviews (ROBIS) guidance tool. The proposed sites and landmark data were tabulated, and each site was analyzed based on the underlying neurovascular structures. Data were depicted by self-generated images. The initial search identified 174 articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 57 articles were shortlisted. Out of the 39 selected articles, 18 focused on the administration of deltoid IMIs, whereas seven focused on the variations in the underlying neurovascular structures in proximity to the deltoid muscle. The remaining 14 articles were the immunization guides issued by the National Public Health Agencies of the Government of India and abroad, whose data was used for comparison. Twelve deltoid IMI sites and techniques were identified. A site 1-3 fingerbreadths/5 cm below the mid-acromion point (7 studies); mid-deltoid site/densest part of the deltoid (1 study); a site at the middle third of the deltoid muscle (1 study); triangular injection site (1 study). Limitations included the unavailability of free access to complete text in many articles resulting in exclusion. The area around the shoulder joint and up to the lower level of the intertubercular sulcus is highly vascularized by the presence of many anomalous arterial patterns. To avoid injury, a safer site is proposed of 5 fingerbreadths/10 cm below the midpoint of the lateral border of the acromion. The authors received no specific funding for this study except for the journal publication charges.

Bi2WO6/C-Dots/TiO2: A Novel Z-Scheme Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Fluoroquinolone Levofloxacin from Aqueous Medium.

Photocatalytic materials and semiconductors of appropriate structural and morphological architectures as well as energy band gaps are materials needed for mitigating current environmental problems, as these materials have the ability to exploit the full spectrum of solar light in several applications. Thus, constructing a Z-scheme heterojunction is an ideal approach to overcoming the limitations of a single component or traditional heterogeneous catalysts for the competent removal of organic chemicals present in wastewater, to mention just one of the areas of application. A Z-scheme catalyst possesses many attributes, including enhanced light-harvesting capacity, strong redox ability and different oxidation and reduction positions. In the present work, a novel ternary Z-scheme photocatalyst, i.e., Bi2WO6/C-dots/TiO2, has been prepared by a facile chemical wet technique. The prepared solar light-driven Z-scheme composite was characterized by many analytical and spectroscopic practices, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), photoluminescence (PL) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the Bi2WO6/C-dots/TiO2 composite was evaluated by studying the degradation of fluoroquinolone drug, levofloxacin under solar light irradiation. Almost complete (99%) decomposition of the levofloxacin drug was observed in 90 min of sunlight irradiation. The effect of catalyst loading, initial substrate concentration and pH of the reaction was also optimized. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared catalyst was also compared with that of bare Bi2WO6, TiO2 and TiO2/C-dots under optimized conditions. Scavenger radical trap studies and terephthalic acid (TPA) fluorescence technique were done to understand the role of the photo-induced active radical ions that witnessed the decomposition of levofloxacin. Based on these studies, the plausible degradation trail of levofloxacin was proposed and was further supported by LC-MS analysis.

Efficient Conversion of Glucose into Fructose via Extraction-Assisted Isomerization Catalyzed by Endogenous Polyamine Spermine in the Aqueous Phase.

In the present study, natural polyamine spermine is demonstrated as a potential basic catalyst for glucose-to-fructose isomerization. For instance, spermine achieves a decent fructose yield (30% wt) and selectivity (74%) during the single-step aqueous phase isomerization under the modest operating conditions (100 °C for 15 min). In addition to the expected reaction byproduct monosugar mannose, spermine also assists in the synthesis of rare and important monosugar, that is, psicose up to 4% wt. Psicose is a zero calorie rare sugar, exhibits a low caloric value, and possesses anti-adipogenic property. A comparative study involving other polyamines concluded that the presence of 20 amines tends to exhibit the most significant impact in improving the target product yield by releasing a higher number of OH- ions, which are responsible for isomerization through the formation of an enediol anion. An attempt was made to further improve the fructose yield through the addition of neutral salts, but it promoted a meager achievement. In an alternate study, a selective extraction strategy was followed for the isolation of fructose from the reaction mixture. The employed aryl monoboronic acid remarkably improved the net fructose concentration, that is, fructose productivity up to 75% wt (cumulative) and 70% selectivity within three consecutive extractions and isomerization cycles, which is comparatively three times shorter than that reported in the literature. Notably, spermine itself provided the essential and necessary basic environment for selective fructose extraction and glucose isomerization, ruling out the use of any external reagents and thus establishing itself as a versatile material suitable for a typical isomerization reaction in an upscaled reactor.

Highly photoluminescent and pH sensitive nitrogen doped carbon dots (NCDs) as a fluorescent sensor for the efficient detection of Cr (VI) ions in aqueous media.

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) are contemporary class of fluorescent materials that has emerged recently and have gathered increasing attention due to its excellent properties as compared to traditional semiconductor quantum dots. CDs have lucrative benefits of less toxicity, biocompatibility, eco friendliness, tunable fluorescence, high chemical and photostability, effortless synthesis routes and uncomplicated surface modifications and functionalization. In the present work, nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) were prepared by a facile hydrothermal process using l-ascorbic acid and ethylene diamine as precursors. The as-prepared NCDs were hydrophilic in nature and could remain stable for several weeks. NCDs displayed bright blue fluorescence under UV light irradiation and also exhibited an extensive range of emission spectra in the visible region to infra-red region based upon the excitation wavelength. NCDs possessed quasi-spherical morphology and high density growth. NCDs were further utilized as nanoprobes for the pH sensing and proficient sensitive and selective detection of chromium (VI) ions present in aqueous phase. Under augmented modifications and conditions, the photoluminescence intensity of NCDs against various micromolar concentration of chromium (VI) ions presented a linear relationship, as per Stern-Volmer equation. The calibration curve was found to be linear in the range of 0-4 µM and from the slope of the linear curve, the limit of detection (LOD) was calculated to be 2.598 nM. The Stern-Volmer calibration curve was also plotted against different temperatures, verifying static quenching mechanism. Therefore, the as synthesized NCDs can be successfully demonstrated for the efficient pH sensing and the detection of Cr (VI) ions.

Fabrication of novel carbon quantum dots modified bismuth oxide (α-Bi2O3/C-dots): Material properties and catalytic applications.

The present work reports the facile and the template free sonochemical synthesis of a novel catalyst, α-Bi2O3/C-dots, for the degradation of indigo carmine (IC) dye, its simulated dyebath effluent and levofloxacin under visible light catalysis. The compositional, structural, optical and morphological analysis of α-Bi2O3/C-dots was studied using analytical, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the presence of a monoclinic phase of α-Bi2O3 in the nanocomposite and crystallite size of 28.75 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-DRS) studies showed good optical properties and a band gap of 2.49 eV. The synthesized photocatalyst showed superior visible-light driven photocatalytic activity for the degradation of indigo carmine dye (86% dye degradation in 120 min) compared to pure α-Bi2O3 (57%). α-Bi2O3/C-dots also exhibited 79% degradation of antibiotic drug levofloxacin within 120 min, under optimized conditions of pH, catalyst dose and initial dye concentration. Scavenger studies revealed that hydroxyl radicals and electrons played predominant roles in the photocatalytic degradation of IC dye. With respect to total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, 68.8% total organic carbon reduction of the IC dye (10 mg/L) was observed under the same experimental conditions. The catalytic efficiency of C-dots in the photocatalytic process is explained by proposing a degradation mechanism.

Recycling of Waste Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Bottles by Alkaline Hydrolysis and Recovery of Pure Nanospindle-Shaped Terephthalic Acid.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a versatile engineering plastic which exhibits exceptional mechanical and thermal properties. Huge amounts of PET are consumed in various industries such as food packaging industry, textile industry, in the manufacturing of audio, video tapes and X-ray films and so on. But due to its substantial fraction by volume in water bodies and its high persistence to the atmospheric and biological agents, it could be considered as a hazard substance. Thereby chemical recycling of PET serves as a solution to solid waste problem as it transforms PET into its monomers via hydrolysis. Chemical recycling of post consumed waste PET bottles via alkaline hydrolysis is the main aim of this paper. Operating parameters such as reaction time and temperature were optimized for the conversion of PET into nanospindle-shaped terephthalic acid (TPA). Depolymerization of PET was carried out via alkaline hydrolysis by varying reaction time and temperature and maximum yield of 92% was obtained at 200 °C with reaction time of 25 minutes. The formed TPA nanospindles were further characterized in detail which exhibited high crystallinity, purity and fascinating thermal and surface properties.

Radiographical study showing asymmetry in the surface area of carpal bones in malnourished children.

BACKGROUND: Protein energy malnutrition, a major health and nutritional problem in India, leads to retardation in bone maturity and eventually physical growth. Many studies have been done on ossification centers of hand bones for estimation of skeletal maturation and to diagnose malnutrition but very few studies have been done so far to see effect of protein energy malnutrition on surface area of carpal bones. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The surface areas of carpal bones on radiographs on both sides were calculated, analysed and compared in protein energy malnutrition (PEM) cases and healthy controls upto five years of age to see the variability among study groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in Department of Paediatrics, Radiodiagnosis and Anatomy of S.N. Medical College, Agra, India consisting of 68 PEM cases and 68 controls of either sex upto five years of age. Radiography of wrist done and surface areas of carpal bones were calculated by using millimeter Graph Transparency paper by Hit method and data were evaluated for significance by using t-test. RESULT: The surface areas of capitate, hamate and triquetral bones of both hands were reduced in PEM children of all grades as compared to healthy controls. The surface areas of these carpal bones were much reduced in grade 2 and grade 3 PEM cases as compared to healthy controls and grade 1 PEM cases. Asymmetry in surface areas of capitate and hamate bones were ascertained in healthy controls and grade 1 PEM cases but due to delay in appearance of ossification centers and reduced surface areas of these bones, asymmetry could not be ascertained in grade 2 and grade 3 malnutrition children. CONCLUSION: The surface areas of capitate, hamate and triquetral bones on both sides were reduced in grade 2 and grade 3 PEM cases as compared to controls. Asymmetry in surface area of carpal bones was ascertained in healthy controls and grade 1 PEM cases.

Anthropometerical association of the craniofacial dysmorphology with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Dysmorphology is more concentrated in the craniofacial region of Schizophrenic Patients. So, an early anthropometric assessment of the physical dimensions of the cranium and the face may indicate a potential clue of Schizophrenia. AIMS: To study the craniofacial dysmorphology in schizophrenic patients and in healthy controls of the Agra region and to find out whether its evaluation could be used as a tool in the early diagnosis of schizophrenia. SETTING AND DESIGN: This was a case-control, cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Schizophrenic Patients well diagnosed by consultant psychiatrists on the basis of the DSM IV criteria of the S.N. Medical College Agra and the Institute of Mental health, Agra and healthy controls of Agra were selected for the study. The total facial height (trichion to gnathion), the upper facial height (trichion to subnasale) and the lower facial height (subnasale to gnathion) were measured among the various groups of patients and the controls. The mean data were statistically correlated by using the t test for the independent variables. RESULTS: The total facial height (trichion to gnathion) was elongated in the Schizophrenic male patients as compared to the controls. When we compared the schizophrenic patients on the basis of the family history of schizophrenia, it was found that there was an elongation of the total facial height in the patients with a positive family history of schizophrenia as compared to the patients without a family history of schizophrenia. There was also a significant elongation of the upper facial height (trichion to subnasale ) in the schizophrenic male and female patients. CONCLUSIONS: There was total facial elongation and upper facial region elongation in the schizophrenia patients as compared to the controls.