Impact of Graphene Oxide on SERS Enhancement of Arylated Gold Nanospheres: Mechanistic Insight.

The performance of gold nanospheres as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) investigation has been compromised by their low adsorption efficiency, high colloidal dispersibility, and diminishing hot spots. However, gold nanosphere substrates modified using aryldiazonium gold(III) chemistry via durable gold-carbon bonds are promising for SERS enhancement due to their controlled organic layer density. In this study, arylated gold nanospheres AuNSs-COOH have shown SERS enhancement when incorporated into graphene oxide (GO) to form nanocomposites (NCs) labeled AuNSs-COOH/GO (AuNCs). Our investigation using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) surface analysis showed that the gold-aryl nanospheres reached their maximum SERS enhancement with an optimal coating. The evaluation included the Au 4f chemical environment and compact graphitic layers for the SERS substrate optimization. The fabricated AuNC substrates demonstrated superior efficiency and reproducibility. A broad linear range of 10-3-10-7 M 4-nitrophenol detection was obtained with exceptional repeatability, as evidenced by the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 9.32%. A detailed investigation of the energy profiles, particularly the valence band maximum (VBM) and band gap values of the substrate and analyte, depicted the electromagnetic (EM) and charge-transfer-induced enhancement and the role of GO inclusion in substrate efficiency in SERS enhancement mechanisms. The finite-difference time domain (FDTD) simulation results revealed that AuNCs incorporated with graphitic nanostructures exhibited the most substantial SERS effect through an EM field enhancement mechanism. This study demonstrated significant SERS enhancement using gold-aryl nanospheres when modified with GO, in contrast to the typical reliance on anisotropic nanostructures.

Sensing of volatile pollutants on reduced graphene oxide-polypyrrole composite: DFT investigation.

Air pollutants generated from volatile toxic chemicals pose significant public health concerns. Density functional theory (DFT) computations were used in this research to explore the efficiency and mechanism of harmful gas sensing over the reduced graphene oxide-polypyrrole (rGO-PPy) composite. Volatile molecule sensing was investigated for the NH3, H2CO, CH3OH, and C2H5OH gas molecules over three PPy orientations on the rGO substrate. Results showed that PPy orientation over rGO plays a crucial role in the sensing efficiency of the investigated gas molecules. The rGO-PPy composite, with PPy in a vertical orientation, demonstrated higher stability and enhanced sensing than other orientations. The results indicate that the strong hydrogen bonding of NH3 and CH3OH with both PPy and rGO significantly enhanced the sensing of these gas molecules on rGO by influencing the charge transfer with adsorption energy values of - 0.84 and - 0.92 eV, respectively. The lack of a direct hydrogen bonding with rGO and the weak hydrogen bonding with PPy caused a weak adsorption of H2CO and C2H5OH over rGO as indicated by the adsorption energy values of - 0.60 and - 0.78 eV, respectively. Selectivity analysis for the NH3 and C2H5OH gas molecules showed that NH3 can maintain hydrogen bonding with PPy in the presence of C2H5OH while C2H5OH cannot sustain this interaction. This study highlights the importance of the structural and electronic properties of the rGO-PPy composite in volatile pollutant sensing, providing insights for designing high-performance gas sensors.

Combined diosmin and bisoprolol attenuate cobalt chloride-induced cardiotoxicity and endothelial dysfunction through modulating miR-143-3P/MAPK/MCP-1, ERK5/CXCR4, Orai-1/STIM-1 signaling pathways.

Even while accelerated cardiomyocyte apoptosis is one of the primary causes of cardiac damage, the underlying mechanism is still mostly unknown. In addition to examining potential protective effects of bisoprolol and diosmin against CoCl2-induced cardiac injury, the goal of this study was to identify potential mechanisms regulating the hypoxic cardiac damage caused by cobalt chloride (CoCl2). For a period of 21 days except Cocl2 14 days from the first day of the experiment, rats were split into the following groups: Normal control group, rats received vehicle only (2 ml/kg/day, p.o.), (Cocl2, 150 mg/kg/day, p.o.), bisoprolol (25 mg/kg/day, p.o.); diosmin (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and bisoprolol + diosmin + Cocl2 groups. At the end of the experimental period, serum was taken for estimation of cardiac function, lipid profile, and pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, tissue samples were collected for evaluation of oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, α-SMA, PKC-α, MiR-143-3P, MAPK, ERK5, MCP-1, CXCR4, Orai-1, and STIM-1. Diosmin and bisoprolol, either alone or in combination, enhance heart function by reducing abnormalities in the electrocardiogram and the hypotension brought on by CoCl2. Additionally, they significantly ameliorate endothelial dysfunction by downregulating the cardiac expressions of α-SMA, PKC-α, MiR-143-3P, MAPK, ERK5, MCP-1, CXCR4, Orai-1, and STIM-1. Bisoprolol and diosmin produced modulatory activity against inflammatory state, redox balance, and atherogenic index concurrently. Together, diosmin and bisoprolol, either alone or in combination, significantly reduced all the cardiac alterations brought on by CoCl2. The capacity to obstruct hypoxia-induced α-SMA, PKC-α, MiR-143-3P/MAPK/MCP-1, MiR-143-3P/ERK5/CXCR4, Orai-1/STIM-1 signaling activation, as well as their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties, may be responsible for these cardio-protective results.

Identification of Benzothiazoles Bearing 1,3,4-Thiadiazole as Antiproliferative Hybrids Targeting VEGFR-2 and BRAF Kinase: Design, Synthesis, BIO Evaluation and In Silico Study.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, often resulting from uncontrolled growth in various organs. Protein kinase inhibitors represent an important class of targeted cancer therapies. Recently, the kinases BRAF and VEGFR-2 have shown synergistic effects on tumor progression. Seeking to develop dual BRAF/VEGFR-2 inhibitors, we synthesized 18 amino-benzothiazole derivatives with structural similarities to reported dual inhibitors. Four compounds-4a, 4f, 4l, and 4r-demonstrated remarkable cytotoxicity, with IC50 values ranging from 3.58 to 15.36 µM, against three cancer cell lines. Furthermore, these compounds showed IC50 values of 38.77-66.22 µM in the case of a normal cell line, which was significantly safer than the reference, sorafenib. Subsequent investigation revealed that compound 4f exhibited the capacity to inhibit the BRAF and VEGFR-2 enzymes, with IC50 values similar to sorafenib (0.071 and 0.194 µM, respectively). Moreover, compound 4f caused G2-M- and S-phase cycle arrest. Molecular modeling demonstrated binding patterns compatible with inhibition for both targets, where 4f exerted the critical interactions in the BRAF site and interacted in the VEGFR-2 site in a manner akin to sorafenib, demonstrating affinity similar to dabrafenib.

Adipokine (adiponectin-rs1501299) Gene Variant and Patient Characteristics in Relation to Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: Several genetic and metabolic variables, most notably the variation in the adipokine gene rs1501298, have been linked to metabolic-associated fatty liver disease etiopathogenesis (MAFLD). Liver biopsy, the gold standard for diagnosing MAFLD, is an invasive procedure; therefore, alternative diagnostic methods are required. Consequently, the integration of these metabolic variables with some of the patients' characteristics may facilitate the development of noninvasive diagnostic methods that aid in the early detection of MAFLD, identification of at-risk individuals and planning of management strategies. Methods: This study included 224 Egyptians (107 healthy individuals and 117 MAFLD patients). Age, sex, BMI, clinical and laboratory characteristics, and rs1501299 adipokine gene polymorphisms were examined. The rs1501299 variant, insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, blood pressure, lipid profile, hemoglobin A1C level, and hepatic fibrosis predictors were evaluated for MAFLD risk. The feasibility and effectiveness of developing non-invasive MAFLD diagnostic models will be investigated. Results: The +276G/T (rs1501299) polymorphism (GG vs GT/TT) was linked with MAFLD (OR: 0.43, CI: 0.26-0.69, P = 0.002). The GG variants had lower MAFLD rates than those of the GT and TT variants. In addition to altered lipid profiles, patients with MAFLD showed increased gamma-glutamyl transferase levels (GGT: 56 IU/L vs. 36 IU/L). Genetic diversity also affects the accuracy of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis prediction. Hepatic fibrosis and steatosis predictors had receiver operating characteristic (ROC) AUCs of 0.529%, 0.846%, and 0.700-0.825%, respectively. We examined a diagnostic model based on these variables and demonstrated its effectiveness. Conclusion: The Adipokine variant rs1501299 increased the risk of MAFLD. Identifying and genotyping this variation and other metabolic variables allow for a noninvasive diagnostic model for early MAFLD diagnosis and identification of those at risk. This study illuminates the prevention and management of MAFLD. Further research with more participants is needed to verify these models and to prove their MAFLD diagnostic efficacy.

Cardiac Muscle Injury and Echocardiographic Plus Electrocardiographic Findings in Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Myocardial injury has been described in coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). Few studies have reported cardiovascular imaging data with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and electrocardiography (ECG) findings in COVID-19 patients, and their correlation with mortality. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included COVID-19 patients from March 2020 through February 2021 who had TTE and ECG during hospital admission. Myocardial injury was defined by an elevated high-sensitivity troponin T level > 20 ng/L. Bivariate analysis was used to compare patients with myocardial injury and those without. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the variables associated with mortality. Results: A total of 438 patients were included. The mean age was 62.1 ± 14.9 years, and 58.9% were male. A total of 149 patients died, with a mortality rate of 34%. A total of 260 patients (59.4%) had myocardial injury. The average left ventricular ejection fraction was 59.8% ± 11.2%, with 30 patients (6.8%) having an ejection fraction of < 40%. Patients with myocardial injury had higher mortality than those without (P < 0.05, χ2 test). A multiple regression analysis model indicated that age, race and/or ethnicity, the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock, the need for vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, and hemodialysis were the variables significantly associated with mortality. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with myocardial injury had higher mortality than those without. Age, race and/or ethnicity, acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock, the need for vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, and hemodialysis were the clinical variables associated with mortality. The TEE and ECG variables studied were not significantly associated with mortality.

Contexte: Des atteintes myocardiques ont été décrites en présence d'une infection par le coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Quelques études ont rapporté des données d'imagerie cardiovasculaire obtenues par échocardiographie transthoracique (ETT) et électrocardiographie (ECG) chez des patients atteints de la COVID-19, et leur corrélation avec la mortalité. Méthodologie: Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte rétrospective comprenant des patients atteints de la COVID-19 entre mars 2020 et février 2021 qui ont été soumis à une ETT ou à une ECG pendant leur hospitalisation. L'atteinte myocardique était définie comme un taux élevé de troponine T de haute sensibilité > 20 ng/L. Une analyse à deux variables a été utilisée pour comparer les patients présentant une atteinte myocardique et ceux qui n'en présentaient pas. Une analyse de régression logistique à multiples variables a été menée pour définir les variables qui étaient associées à la mortalité. Résultats: L'étude comptait un total de 438 patients. L'âge moyen était de 62,1 ± 14,9 ans; 58,9 % étaient des hommes. Un total de 149 patients sont décédés, soit un taux de mortalité de 34 %. Un total de 260 patients (59,4 %) présentaient une atteinte myocardique. La fraction d'éjection ventriculaire gauche moyenne était de 59,8 % ± 11,2 %, alors que 30 patients (6,8 %) affichaient une fraction d'éjection inférieure à 40 %. Le taux de mortalité était plus élevé chez les patients qui présentaient une atteinte myocardique que chez ceux qui n'en présentaient pas (p < 0,05, test χ2). Selon un modèle d'analyse de régression multiple, l'âge, la race et/ou l'ethnicité, l'apparition du syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë, l'état de choc, le besoin de vasopresseurs, la ventilation artificielle et l'hémodialyse étaient les variables fortement liées à la mortalité. Conclusion: Parmi les patients atteints de la COVID-19, la mortalité était plus élevée chez ceux qui présentaient une atteinte myocardique que chez ceux qui n'en présentaient pas. L'âge, la race et/ou l'ethnicité, le syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë, l'état de choc, le besoin de vasopresseurs, la ventilation artificielle et l'hémodialyse étaient les variables cliniques liées à la mortalité. Les variables d'ETT et d'ECG étudiées n'avaient pas de lien important avec la mortalité.

Flexible Copper Films Modification via Spontaneous Reduction of Aryldiazonium Gold Salts: Unraveling Surface Properties and Energy Profile.

In this study, we report the modification of flexible copper films via the spontaneous reduction of aryldiazonium gold salts [X-4-C6H4N≡N]AuCl4 (X═COOH, NO2). The electroless modification involves dipping of flexible copper films in the aryldiazonium gold solutions for a few seconds, under ambient conditions, followed by a washing step with deionized water to obtain a mechanically robust gold-aryl coating. The chemical composition, morphology, electronic structure, and optical properties of the gold-aryl layer and the flexibility of the modified copper films are supported by the results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemistry, contact angle, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). XPS surface analysis showed metallic gold in addition to C-C, C-O/C-N, and C═O functional groups from the grafted aryls. Cu 2p showed metallic copper as a major component and a small amount of Cu(II) ions. Wettability studies showed that Au-COOH@Cu increased the contact angle of the bare copper films from 68.0 ± 0.7° to 82.0° ± 0.7°, while Au-NO2@Cu increased the contact angle to 134.0° ± 0.3°. UPS energy profile analysis of [HOOC-4-C6H4N≡N]AuCl4 (valence band maximum = 1.91 eV) exhibited greater reducibility than [O2N-4-C6H4N≡N]AuCl4 (valence band maximum = 2.91 eV). The lower ionization potential of [HOOC-4-C6H4N≡N]AuCl4 (IP = 4.33 eV) enhanced the reactivity upon copper film contact, potentially inducing efficient energy level alignment, compared with [O2N-4-C6H4N≡N]AuCl4 (IP = 5.62 eV). UPS results were further supported by electrochemistry investigation which revealed that [HOOC-4-C6H4N≡N]AuCl4 is easily reducible compared with [O2N-4-C6H4N≡N]AuCl4. The findings presented here hold significant implications for developing flexible copper films and pave the way for future advancements in electronic material modification for industrial applications.

The Association Between Perceived Discrimination, Age and Proportion of Lifetime in the United States Among Somali Immigrants: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Discrimination is detrimental to health. Little is known about perceived discrimination among Somali immigrants. We examined whether age or proportion of lifetime in the United States was associated with perceived discrimination among Somali immigrants. Guided by Intersectionality, we described a secondary analysis of Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) survey data from the Healthy Immigrant Community study. Younger participants ( ≤40 years) experienced more discrimination than older participants ( >40 years). Higher education, being male, and earning $20,000-$39,999 was associated with more perceived discrimination. These findings suggest that Somali immigrants who are younger, more formally educated, male, and/or earn $20,000-$39,000 report more discrimination than their counterparts. Possible explanations include exposure to discrimination outside the Somali community or more awareness about racism. Alternatively, the EDS may not capture the discrimination experienced by Somali women or older adults. Further research is needed to address the discrimination experienced by Somali immigrants. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05136339, November 29,2021.

Evaluation of the remineralizing effect of the chicken eggshell paste after removal of the fixed orthodontic appliance: An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Demineralization of the enamel surface, which appears as white spot lesions during and after removal of the fixed orthodontic appliance, is the most common disadvantage of the orthodontic treatment course. Using the remineralizing agents during and after orthodontic treatment helps to avoid those enamel defects. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to assess the remineralizing effect of the chicken eggshell powder on the demineralized enamel surfaces after debonding the orthodontic bracket system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study was performed on 80 prepared premolar crowns embedded into acrylic molds. The samples were prepared to receive routine steps of the bonding process for the bracket system. The paste of the chicken eggshell powder was added to the samples after the debonding process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) were used to evaluate the remineralization effect of the chicken eggshell powder. Also, the Vickers microhardness tester was used to assess the enamel surface microhardness. RESULTS: It was found that the mean value of the Ca/P ratio for the samples before bonding of the orthodontic bracket system was (4.17 ± 2.2). This value significantly decreased to (2 ± 1.3) after debonding of the orthodontic bracket system and then showed a significant increase to (4.79 ± 2.65) after remineralization. These results were assured by the values of the Vickers microhardness tester. CONCLUSION: The chicken eggshell powder has an excellent remineralization effect for the demineralized enamel surface after debonding the orthodontic enamel surface.

Recent Advances on Metal Oxide Based Sensors for Environmental Gas Pollutants Detection.

Optimizing materials and associated structures for detecting various environmental gas pollutant concentrations has been a major challenge in environmental sensing technology. Semiconducting metal oxides (SMOs) fabricated at the nanoscale are a class of sensor technology in which metallic species are functionalized with various dopants to modify their chemiresistivity and crystalline scaffolding properties. Studies focused on recent advances of gas sensors utilizing metal oxide nanostructures with a special emphasis on the structure-surface property relationships of some typical n-type and p-type SMOs for efficient gas detection are presented. Strategies to enhance the gas sensor performances are also discussed. These oxide material sensors have several advantages such as ease of handling, portability, and doped-based SMO sensing detection ability of environmental gas pollutants at low temperatures. SMO sensors have displayed excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and robustness. In addition, the hybrid SMO sensors showed exceptional selectivity to some CWAs when irradiated with visible light while also displaying high reversibility and humidity independence. Results showed that TiO2 surfaces can sense 50 ppm SO2 in the presence of UV light and under operating temperatures of 298-473 K. Hybrid SMO displayed excellent gas sensing response. For example, a CuO-ZnO nanoparticle network of a 4:1 vol.% CuO/ZnO ratio exhibited responses three times greater than pure CuO sensors and six times greater than pure ZnO sensors toward H2S. This review provides a critical discussion of modified gas pollutant sensing capabilities of metal oxide nanoparticles under ambient conditions, focusing on reported results during the past two decades on gas pollutants sensing.

Emergence of carbapenem resistant gram-negative pathogens with high rate of colistin resistance in Egypt: A cross sectional study to assess resistance trends during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current study investigated the temporal phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trends among multi-drug resistant and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovered from Egyptian clinical settings between 2020 and 2021. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial sensitivity of 111 clinical isolates against a panel of antibiotics were performed. Molecular screening for antibiotic resistance determinants along with integrons and associated gene cassettes was implemented. An alarming rate (98.2%) of these isolates were found to be phenotypically resistant to carbapenem. Although 23.9 % K. pneumoniae isolates were phenotypically resistant to colistin, no mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes were detected. Among carbapenem-resistant isolates, blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like were the most prevalent genetic determinants and were significantly overrepresented among K. pneumoniae. Furthermore, 84.78% of K. pneumoniae isolates co-produced these two carbapenemase genes. The plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes (qnrS and qnrB) were detected among the bacterial species and were significantly more prevalent among K. pneumoniae. Moreover, Class 1 integron was detected in 82% of the bacterial isolates. This study alarmingly reveals elevated resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems as well as colistin which impose a considerable burden in the health care settings in Egypt. Our future work will implement high throughput sequencing-based antimicrobial resistance surveillance analysis for characterization of novel AMR determinants. This information could be applied as a step forward to establish a robust antibiotic stewardship program in Egyptian clinical settings, thereby addressing the rising challenges of AMR.

Barriers to Mental Illness Treatment in Saudi Arabia: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Mental illness is a disorder that can cause impairment and disability, affecting mood, thinking, and behavior; therefore, early intervention will reduce morbidity. This study aims to evaluate all the personal, family, societal, and medical barriers that prevent mental health patients from seeking consultation and treatment. METHODS: In Saudi Arabia, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 463 individuals aged 18 and above. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a validated questionnaire, which consisted of two parts. The first part included sociodemographic data, while the second part contained subsections of society/family, personal, and medical barriers. RESULTS: The results showed that 379 (81.9%) indicated that society and family barriers impacted them, whereas 325 (70.3%) believed that personal barriers hindered seeking help. However, 294 (63.5%) opted for medical barriers as a hindrance. Regarding the highest barriers, 120 of the total respondents (25.9%) saw psychiatric illness as a source of shame and stigma, 166 respondents (35.9%) said that the psychiatric patient is seen as crazy, 159 of them (34.3%) believed it is tough for anyone to talk about their feelings and emotions and 183 respondent (39.5%) feared that psychiatric illness would decrease the chance of marriage to the appropriate person. Our findings also indicated a low trust in hospital treatment, hence a loss of confidence in using medications. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that societal stigma is the most common barrier preventing people from seeking mental health consultation. Many barriers differ significantly between males and females.

Clinical Evaluation of Single Versus Repeated Micro-Osteoperforations During Orthodontic Canine Retraction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: In the majority of orthodontic premolar extraction cases, the canine retraction phase is the most laborious procedure. This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the effect of single versus repeated micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) during orthodontic canine retraction. METHODS: In this split-mouth study, two equal groups of 18 patients who required maxillary first premolar extractions and fixed orthodontic therapy were randomly assigned (n=9). In Group I, MOPs were only performed once on one site before retraction, whereas in Group II, MOPs were performed on one site repeatedly once a month for four months. In both groups, the contralateral control sites received no MOPs. The canines were retracted using mini-screws and closed-coil nickel-titanium springs. Using the patients' 3D models, the primary outcome measure at four months was the amount of orthodontic canine distal movement. The amount of anchorage loss (AL), degree of molar rotation (MR) and canine rotation (CR), and degree of canine tipping (CT) were measured as the secondary outcomes. The comparison of mean changes in the primary and secondary outcomes between the groups was done using the independent sample t-test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The rate of canine retraction, degree of CT, and rotation were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05). Additionally, there were no statistically significant variations in the maxillary first MR and the degree of AL (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When maxillary canine retraction was performed with a single and repeated regimen of MOPs, comparable levels of distal CR and tipping were observed, along with an identical minimal degree of MR and AL.

One Health in Somalia: Present status, opportunities, and challenges.

One Health (OH) is an integrated approach aiming at improving the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognizes the interconnectedness of human health with the health of animals, plants, and the environment. Since Somali people's livelihoods are mainly based on livestock, agriculture, marine resources, and their shared environment, OH-oriented initiatives could significantly impact the country toward reducing complex problems affecting the health of humans, animals, and the environment. The term "One Health" was first introduced into the global scientific community in September 2004 and in 2013 in Somalia. After ten years, there is still a long road ahead for implementing the OH approach in the country. Herein, we present the status, opportunities, and challenges of OH in Somalia and recommend ways to promote and institutionalize it. The country has been involved in various OH initiatives solely driven by external funding, focusing on research, capacity development, and community interventions, apart from university-led initiatives such as Somali One Health Centre. In Somalia, OH initiatives face numerous challenges, ranging from limited infrastructure and resources to weak governance and institutional capacity. We urge the Somali government to address these challenges and prioritize OH as the main approach to tackling critical health issues. We suggest the Somali government institutionalize and implement OH actions at all administrative levels, including Federal, State, District, and community, through a mechanism to improve multisectoral coordination and collaboration to predict, prevent, detect, control, and respond to communicable and non-communicable diseases at the human-animal-ecosystem interface for improving health outcomes for all.

Interventions to Increase Cancer Screening Adherence Among Somali Immigrants in the US and Europe: A Systematic Review.

Cancer screening rates among immigrant and refugee populations in high income countries is significantly lower than native born populations. The objective of this study is to systematically review the effectiveness of interventions to improve screening adherence for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer among Somali immigrants. A literature search was conducted for the years 2000-2021 and eight studies met eligibility criteria. The following intervention components were found to increase adherence to cervical cancer screening: home HPV test, educational workshop for women and education for general practitioners. A patient navigator intervention was found to increase screening for breast cancer. Educational workshops motivated or increased knowledge regarding cancer screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. However, most of the studies had limitations due to methodology with potential for introduction of bias. Therefore, future studies comparing effectiveness of specific intervention components to reduce disparities in cancer screening among Somali immigrants and refugees are encouraged.

Applicability of Titanium-Based Catalysts in the Photocatalytic Degradation of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzofuran.

Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are persistent toxic compounds that are ubiquitous in the environment. Nanocomposites of titanium(IV) oxide-vanadium(III) oxide (Ti3V2O7) and titanium(IV) oxide-silicon dioxide (Ti2Si7O30) were prepared and spectroscopically analyzed as potential decontaminants for dioxin-like materials. The analysis confirmed a homogeneous morphology with nanoscale particle size. The Ti-Si sample was found to have a high surface area compared to the Ti-V composite. Vanadium(III) oxide (V2O5) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) were chosen as materials for the formation of heterogeneous compounds with titanium(IV) oxide (TiO2) because they possess a suitable band alignment with TiO2, thus forming effective photocatalysts. This study evaluated the photodegradation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-furan (TCDF) in the presence of Ti-Si and Ti-V oxide composites, which was tested using high- (254 nm) and midenergy (302 nm) UV irradiation sources. While Ti-Si showed success in the photodegradation of 2,3,7,8-TCDF dissolved in a (1:1) methanol-tetrahydrofuran (MeOH-THF) solution, the Ti-V composite proved to be a powerful material in adsorbing TCDF with a high capacity immediately upon mixing. Ti-Si oxide was found to decompose TCDF under the two irradiation sources with 98-99% degradation occurring after 70 min. The use of 254 nm as an irradiation source in the presence of Ti-Si was 4.3 times faster than the analogue reaction irradiated without a catalyst. Byproducts of the degradation were evaluated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), resulting in a lower chlorinated congener and less toxicity, as the main degradation product.

New design of high-power in-motion inductive charger for low power pulsation.

The magnetic coupler is the most vital component for charging EV wirelessly. Through it, the output power can be transported from the transmitter to the receiver by means of electromagnetic fields. Therefore, this manuscript presents a proposed design of a magnetic coupler in the form of Double-D (DD) on both sides, which is suitable for in-motion inductive charging. This charger is capable of transferring power of 200-kW through an airgap of 250 mm with an efficiency of 91.88% and an operating frequency of 85 kHz. Computational modeling is conducted to obtain the magnetic coupler and the compensation parameters of the proposed system. The appropriate dimensions of the coils, magnetic and metallic shielding are obtained by using the finite element model (FEM). The effect of misalignments on the self and mutual inductances of the two coils (Lp, Ls, M), the output power (Po), and the transmission efficiency (η) is studied in case of one and two coils at transmitter side. The output power in the distance between the two transmitter coils (d) is improved by controlling the operating frequency, adding magnetizable concrete (MC), or both together. These techniques have proven effectiveness in improving the output power by 45.15% for small d and 72.51% for large d. In addition, the efficiency improved by 15.95% for small d and 60.76% for large d. Moreover, these improvement cases were compared in terms of size, weight and cost for a 100-m driving track.

Cancer incidence in the Somali population of Olmsted County: A Rochester epidemiology project study.

BACKGROUND: Somali immigrants and refugees constitute one of the largest African ethnic groups immigrating to the United States over the past three decades with the majority resettling in the state of Minnesota. Previous studies have documented significant cancer screening disparities between the Somali population and the general population. However, little is known about cancer incidence among Somali groups living in the United States. METHODS: We determined the incidence of 18 types or sites of malignancy using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes and compared them between Somali and non-Somali populations in Olmsted County, Minnesota utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records-linkage infrastructure for the years 2000-2020. Poisson regression models were used to model the rates for each malignancy. RESULTS: There was a higher incidence and relative risk of liver malignancies among the Somali population versus non-Somali population, but lower relative risk and incidence of the following malignancies: breast, cervical, and melanoma. After direct age-sex adjustment to the United States 2000 Census population, liver was the most common cancer in Somali men, while breast cancer was the most common malignancy in women. CONCLUSION: Malignancies related to infectious agents such as viral hepatitis have a higher incidence in the Somali immigrant population of Olmsted County. There is a lower incidence of malignancies related to lifestyle factors in this Somali population. Findings of this study may help inform cancer prevention and screening strategies among Somali communities in the United States.

Development of new thiazolidine-2,4-dione hybrids as aldose reductase inhibitors endowed with antihyperglycaemic activity: design, synthesis, biological investigations, and in silico insights.

This research study describes the development of new small molecules based on 2,4-thiazolidinedione (2,4-TZD) and their aldose reductase (AR) inhibitory activities. The synthesis of 17 new derivatives of 2,4-TZDs hybrids was feasible by incorporating two known bioactive scaffolds, benzothiazole heterocycle, and nitro phenacyl moiety. The most active hybrid (8b) was found to inhibit AR in a non-competitive manner (0.16 µM), as confirmed by kinetic studies and molecular docking simulations. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments demonstrated that compound 8b had a significant hypoglycaemic effect in mice with hyperglycaemia induced by streptozotocin. Fifty milligrams per kilogram dose of 8b produced a marked decrease in blood glucose concentration, and a lower dose of 5 mg/kg demonstrated a noticeable antihyperglycaemic effect. These outcomes suggested that compound 8b may be used as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetic complications.

A new hollow solenoid receiver compatible with the global double-D transmitter for EV inductive charging.

Inductive power transfer (IPT) technology is a promising solution for charging the electric vehicles (EVs) by enabling an EV to charge its energy storage system (battery) without any connecting wires through magnetic coupling. This paper proposes a new receiver design named Hollow Solenoid receiver that is compatible with the standard double-D transmitter defined by the SAE J2954 standard. A deep design analysis for the proposed Hollow Solenoid receiver is presented to define the optimum design parameters for coil (inductances, number of turns, dimensions, wires, etc.) and ferrite core (dimensions, number, arrangement, etc.). Several WPT3 (11.1kVA) solenoid receiver (SR) designs were presented and analyzed based on efficiency, weight, size, volume, and cost. The performance of the proposed SR was compared with the global Double-D receiver (DDR) presented by the SAE J2954 standard under different lateral and rotational alignment and loading conditions considering coupling factor, transmission power and efficiency, and stray electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The entire IPT system including coils, compensation network, power converters, controls, and battery load was modeled and analyzed for both SR and DDR coils. The results reveal that the proposed SR is compatible with the global DD transmitter at different alignment and loading conditions and is able to transmit the desired power (11 kW) at an efficiency > 85%. Hollow SR design shows the highest efficiency and lowest size, weight, and cost compared to DDR and other designs.