CAR-T cell therapeutic avenue for fighting cardiac fibrosis: Roadblocks and perspectives.

Heart diseases remain the primary cause of human mortality in the world. Although conventional therapeutic opportunities fail to halt or recover cardiac fibrosis, the promising clinical results and therapeutic efficacy of engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy show several advancements. However, the current models of CAR-T cells need further improvement since the T cells are associated with the triggering of excessive inflammatory cytokines that directly affect cardiac functions. Thus, the current study highlights the critical function of heart immune cells in tissue fibrosis and repair. The study also confirms CAR-T cell as an emerging therapeutic for treating cardiac fibrosis, explores the current roadblocks to CAR-T cell therapy, and considers future outlooks for research development.

Current stress minimization for isolated dual active bridge DC-DC converter.

This paper presents a new phase-shift modulation for isolated dual active bridge (DAB) direct current-direct current (DC-DC) converter. The proposed technique aims to minimize the maximum current stress of the converter, which could directly increase the efficiency and reduce the device losses. This modulation technique controls the converter power through only two phase-shift angles or two degrees of freedom; one phase shift is used between the legs of its first bridge and the other one between the legs of the second bridge. Although the traditional single-phase shift (SPS) technique has only one degree of freedom, it suffers from many drawbacks in terms of high current stress and reverse circulating power flow, which decrease the converter efficiency. On the other hand, increasing the number of phase-shift angles can enhance the system performance but also increase the control complexity. Thus, a comparative analysis between the proposed modulation technique and the traditional SPS was conducted; the new method showed better performance in terms of current stress reduction, along with implementation simplicity.

Rotary Flexible Joint Control Using Adaptive Fuzzy Sliding Mode Scheme.

An adaptive fuzzy sliding control (AFSMC) approach is adopted in this paper to address the problem of angular position control and vibration suppression of rotary flexible joint systems. AFSMC consists of fuzzy-based singleton control action and switching control law. By adjusting fuzzy parameters with the self-learning ability to discard system nonlinearities and uncertainties, singleton control based on fuzzy approximation theory can estimate the perfect control law of feedback linearization. To enhance robustness, an additional switching control law is incorporated to reduce the approximation error between the derived singleton control action and the perfect control law of feedback linearization. AFSMC's closed-loop stability will be demonstrated via sliding surface and Lyapunov function analysis of error function. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the AFSMC in tracking performance as well as its ability to respond to model uncertainties and external perturbations, simulations are carried out using Simulink and Matlab in order to demonstrate how well it adapts to these situations. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the AFSMC performs satisfactorily in terms of tracking.

Impact of Systemic Diseases on Olfactory Function in COVID-19 Infected Patients.

Background: COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV) is now a major public health threat to the world. Olfactory dysfunctions (ODs) are considered potential indicating symptoms and early case identification triaging for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The most common reported comorbidities are diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate prevalence of different types of smell disorders in patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection and impact of involved systemic diseases. Methodology: A cross-sectional retrospective study has been done for patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection (mild-to-moderate). The data collected from patient's files and developed online electronic questionnaire (WhatsApp) based on the patients most common and recurrent reported data including: a) symptoms of olfactory dysfunction and associated covid19 symptoms fever and headache, cough, sore throat, pneumonia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, arthralgia and myalgia and taste dysfunction. b) Associated systemic diseases including: diabetes, hypertension, asthma, chronic renal disease, chorionic liver disease and hypothyroidism. Results: Of 308 patients confirmed with Covid-19 infection, (72.4%) developed OD distributed as follows; complete anosmia (57.8%), troposmia (8.4%), hyposmia (2.9%), partial anosmia (2.6%) and euosmia (0.6%). Significantly increased prevalence of diabetes, hypertension asthma in the group with olfactory dysfunction (p < 0.001), chronic liver disease (p = 0.005), and hypothyroidism (p = 0.03). Conclusion: The development of ODs after Covid-19 infection was associated with mild disease form and lower hospitalization. In addition, it showed significant relationship with preexisting systemic diseases. Anosmia is the common modality of ODs.

Hybrid Approach Named HUAPO Technique to Guide the Lander Based on the Landing Trajectory Generation for Unmanned Lunar Mission.

This manuscript proposes a hybrid method for landing trajectory generation of unmanned lunar mission. The proposed hybrid control scheme is the joint execution of the human urbanization algorithm (HUA) and political optimizer (PO) with radial basis functional neural network (RBFNN); hence it is named as HUA-PORFNN method. The HUA is a metaheuristic method, and it is used to solve several optimization issues and several nature-inspired methods to enhance the convergence speed with quality. On the other hand, multiple-phased political processes inspire the PO. The work aims to guide the lander with minimal fuel consumption from the initial to the final stage, thus minimizing the lunar soft landing issues based on the given cost of operation. Here, the HUAPO method is implemented to overcome thrust discontinuities, checkpoint constraints are suggested for connecting multi-landing phases, angular attitude rate is modeled to obtain radical change rid, and safeguards are enforced to deflect collision along with obstacles. Moreover, first, the issues have been resolved according to the proposed HUAPO method. Here, energy trajectories with 3 terminal processes are deemed. Additionally, the proposed HUAPO method is executed on MATLAB/Simulink site, and the performance of the proposed method is compared with other methods.

From Center-to-Multilayer Chirality: Asymmetric Synthesis of Multilayer Targets with Electron-Rich Bridges.

Asymmetric synthesis of new atropisomerically multilayered chiral targets has been achieved by taking advantage of the strategy of center-to-multilayer chirality and double Suzuki-Miyaura couplings. Diastereomers were readily separated via flash column chromatography and well characterized. Absolute configuration assignment was determined by X-ray structural analysis. Five enantiomerically pure isomers possessing multilayer chirality were assembled utilizing anchors involving electron-rich aromatic connections. An overall yield of 0.69% of the final target with hydroxyl attachment was achieved over 11 steps from commercially available starting materials.

Bilateral absence: A rare anomaly of the gemelli muscles.

The superior and inferior gemelli are deep muscles of the gluteal region, that facilitate the maintenance of a dynamic stability of the hip joint. Their absence could increase the chances of failure in the management of total hip anthroplasty and column acetabular ring fractures. We present a case of an adult female cadaver, with bilateral absence of the superior and inferior gemelli muscles.

Asymmetric synthesis of functionalized 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans using salicyl N-phosphonyl imines facilitated by group-assisted purification (GAP) chemistry.

In this work, we present a strategy for the preparation of functionalized 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives via the Cs2CO3-catalyzed domino annulation of enantiopure chiral salicyl N-phosphonyl imines with bromo malonates, which offers an avenue for the construction of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans. Nineteen examples were synthesized in impressive chemical yields and diastereoselectivity. The products were purified simply by washing the crude mixtures with hexanes following group-assisted purification chemistry/technology to bypass traditional separation methods which often result in a loss of product. The absolute configuration was unambiguously assigned by X-ray structural analysis.

Asymmetric [4 + 2] cycloaddition synthesis of 4H-chromene derivatives facilitated by group-assisted-purification (GAP) chemistry.

In this work, we present a strategy for the preparation of functionalized 4H-chromene derivatives via a Cs2CO3-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of enantiopure chiral salicyl N-phosphonyl imines with allenoates. Fifteen examples were achieved in excellent yields and diastereoselectivity. The products were purified simply by washing the crude mixture with hexanes following the Group-Assisted Purification (GAP) chemistry/technology to bypass traditional separation methods. The absolute configuration was unambiguously determined by X-ray structure analysis.

Batch kinetics of 134Cs and 152+154Eu radionuclides onto poly-condensed feldspar and perlite based sorbents.

Sorption of fission products onto polycondensed aluminosilicates (PC-AS(s)) is a relatively recent and gets out the mechanisms by which the formers are trapped. Here, PC feldspar (PC-FD), perlite (PC-PR) and their blend (PC-FDPR) were synthesized by the alkaline activation using Na-/K-silicates at Si-modulus of 1.35. XRD patterns revealed the semi-crystalline natures of sorbents. Na- and K-feldspars were detected in PC-FD while Na-based carbonate crystals were detected in others. Components of the poly(sialate-disiloxo) structure were detected in FT-IR spectra. Thermographs were deconvoluted and the amounts of the sticking and zeolitic water were estimated. Kinetic batches for sorption of 134Cs and 152+154Eu onto the elaborated yields were constructed. Ranking of sorbed amounts (qe) was varied from 134Cs (PC-FDPR>PC-FD>PC-PR) to 152+154Eu (PC-PR>PC-FD>PC-FDPR). Maximum qe was recorded at elevated temperature (323 K) to be 4.28 and 1.45 mg/g for 134Cs/PC-FDPR and 152+154Eu/PC-PR, respectively. Along all batches, chemi-sorption mechanism is common denominator. The effective diffusion coefficients (Di) were in the order of 10-14 m2/s. Both PC-FD and PC-FDPR recorded greater Di values of 134Cs than 152+154Eu. The low values of Ea (kJ/mol) reflected the weak adsorbats-adsorbents interactions. While, the high negative values of ∆S‡ suggested that the studied radionuclides were sorbed in associative reaction mechanism.

Recent Advances in the Application of Selectfluor as a "Fluorine-free" Functional Reagent in Organic Synthesis.

Selectfluor, [1-chloromethyl-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo-[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate)], is not only an important electrophilic fluorinating agent but also a facile and efficient "fluorine-free" functional reagent in other organic reactions. In this Minireview, we will present a brief history of Selectfluor as a transition metal oxidant, fluorine cation and radical initiator in "fluorine-free" functionalizations over the last five years.

Extraction of carrier-free 99Mo by ionic liquids from acid solutions: A model of seaborgium (Sg) experiment.

A new approach for extraction of 99Mo tracer as a lighter homolog of Seaborgium (Sg) by three different the ionic liquids are studied. Aliquat-336 [Aliq-336.Cl-] as anion exchange has been used for the preparation of three ionic liquid, namely: ([Aliq-336]+ [SCN]-), ([Aliq-336]+ [S]- ) and ([Aliq-336]+ [Fe(CN)6]-). Their potential extraction of carrier free 99Mo from HNO3 solutions has been evaluated. The obtained results demonstrated that successful extraction of carrier free 99Mo from HNO3 solutions is achieved. The ([Aliq-336]+ [Fe(CN)6]-) is found to give the highest extraction affinity for 99Mo than the others ionic liquids investigated. The preliminary results could be useful for the upcoming aqueous experiments of Seaborgium.

Ubiquitin binds the amyloid ß peptide and interferes with its clearance pathways.

Several lines of evidence point to a compromised proteostasis associated with a reduction of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) activity in patients affected by Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and suggest that the amyloid ß peptide (Aß) is an important player in the game. Inspired also by many reports, underlining the presence of ubiquitin (Ub) in the amyloid plaques of AD brains, here we set out to test whether Ub may bind the Aß peptide and have any effect on its clearance pathways. By using an integrated array of MALDI-TOF/UPLC-HRMS, fluorescence, NMR, SPR, Microscale Thermophoresis (MST) and molecular dynamics studies, we consistently demonstrated that Aß40 binds Ub with a 1 : 1 stoichiometry and K d in the high micromolar range. In particular, we show that the N-terminal domain of the Aß peptide (through residues D1, E3 and R5) interacts with the C-terminal tail of Ub (involving residues K63 and E64), inducing the central region of Aß (14HQKLVFFAEDVGSNK28) to adopt a mixed α-helix/ß-turn structure. ELISA assays, carried out in neuroblastoma cell lysates, suggest that Aß competitively binds Ub also in the presence of the entire pool of cytosolic Ub binding proteins. Ub-bound Aß has a lower tendency to aggregate into amyloid-like fibrils and is more slowly degraded by the Insulin Degrading Enzyme (IDE). Finally, we observe that the water soluble fragment Aß1-16 significantly inhibits Ub chain growth reactions. These results evidence how the non-covalent interaction between Aß peptides and Ub may have relevant effects on the regulation of the upstream events of the UPS and pave the way to future in vivo studies addressing the role played by Aß peptide in the malfunction of proteome maintenance occurring in AD.

Neurologic Outcomes in Aortic Arch Repair With Frozen Elephant Trunk Versus 2-Stage Hybrid Repair.

BACKGROUND: We compared outcomes of single-stage hybrid aortic arch replacement (frozen elephant trunk) versus 2-stage hybrid repairs with primary open arch procedures followed by thoracic endovascular stenting. METHODS: This study reports a single-center retrospective review (2003 to 2016) of 118 patients undergoing hybrid repair of the aortic arch including 48 single-stage repairs versus 70 two-stage repairs. RESULTS: Single-stage repair was performed in 48 patients, including 31 (64.6%) men and 17 (35.4%) women with a mean age of 64 ± 11 years and a 2-stage procedure was performed in 70 patients, including 42 (60%) men and 28 (40%) women with a mean age of 65.67 ± 13.3 years (p = 0.46). More emergent single-stage procedures were performed in 23 of 48 (47.9%) patients versus 2-stage procedures in 8 of 70 (11.43%) patients (p < 0.001). Between the single- and 2-stage groups, there was no difference in stroke (6.25% [3 of 48] versus 14.28% [10 of 70]; p = 0.23), spinal cord ischemia (4.16% [2 of 48] versus 5.7% [4 of 70]; p = 1.0), or 30-day mortality rate: 8 of 48 (16.7%) patients versus a combined 30-day mortality rate of the 2-stage procedure of 14.8% (4 of 70 [5.7%] at the first stage and 5 of 55 [9.1%] at the second stage; p = 0.56), respectively. After exclusion of the 30-day mortality, midterm survival was 86% at 1 to 2 years for single-stage patients versus 80% at 1 year and 46% at 2 years for the 2-stage patients (p = 0.0019). CONCLUSIONS: Both single-stage and 2-stage hybrid arch replacements are effective approaches for treating complex aortic arch diseases. Early deaths and neurological outcomes in the single-stage group are comparable to those in the combined 2-stage group. Furthermore, in this series, patients who had a single-stage hybrid procedure had a higher survival rate at 2 years.

Treatment of industrial wastewater containing Congo Red and Naphthol Green B using low-cost adsorbent.

The present work investigates the potential use of metal hydroxides sludge (MHS) generated from hot dipping galvanizing plant for adsorption of Congo Red and Naphthol Green B dyes from aqueous solutions. Characterization of MHS included infrared and X-ray fluorescence analysis. The effect of shaking time, initial dye concentration, temperature, adsorbent dosage and pH has been investigated. The results of adsorption experiments indicate that the maximum capacity of Congo Red and Naphthol Green B dyes at equilibrium (q(e)) and percentage of removal at pH 6 are 40 mg/g, 93 %, and 10 mg/g, 52 %, respectively. Some kinetic models were used to illustrate the adsorption process of Congo Red and Naphthol Green B dyes using MHS waste. Thermodynamic parameters such as (ΔG, ΔS, and ΔH) were also determined.

Primary malignant chest wall tumours.

Neoplasms of the chest wall are not uncommon. Majority of the tumours occurring in the chest wall are benign. The tumours may arise from the soft tissues,connective tissues or bone. Metastatic tumours can arise as a result of direct infiltration or haematogenous spread. The management of these tumours is challenging. Resection of the chest wall with or without the excision of ribs, require reconstruction not only for aesthetic reasons but also for providing the stability to the chest wall which is of prime importance in maintaining the respiratory functions. In this article, 46 cases of the primary malignant chest wall tumours seen over a period of 5 years are reviewed.

Characteristics of visitors to traditional healers in central Sudan.

Traditional healing is widespread in Sudan and traditional healers are well respected by the community. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of visitors attending traditional healers, the reasons for visits, the frequency of visits, satisfaction with visits and advantages and disadvantages of visits. The results showed that children under ten years did not take part in visits; most of the visitors were between 21 and 40 years (61%) and were women (62%). Visitors were less educated compared to the general population in the area. The main reasons given for attending traditional healers were treatment (60%) and blessing (26%). Visitors did not mention any disadvantages to visiting traditional healers.

Characteristics of visitors to traditional healers in central Sudan

Traditional healing is widespread in Sudan and traditional healers are well respected by the community. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of visitors attending traditional healers, the reasons for visits, the frequency of visits, satisfaction with visits and advantages and disadvantages of visits. The results showed that children under ten years did not take part in visits; most of the visitors were between 21 and 40 years [61%] and were women [62%]. Visitors were less educated compared to the general population in the area. The main reasons given for attending traditional healers were treatment [60%] and blessing [26%]. Visitors did not mention any disadvantages to visiting traditional healers

Blood supply of the Achilles tendon.

The Achilles tendon is one of the most common sites of injury and rupture as a result of overuse. Evidence suggests that the pathogenesis of rupture could involve the pattern of its blood supply. With use of angiographic and histological techniques, the blood supply of the Achilles tendon was investigated in 12 human cadaveric specimens. Angiography confirmed Mayer's 1916 finding that the blood supply to the tendon is from three areas: the musculotendinous and osseotendinous junctions and the paratenon, with the posterior tibial artery providing the major contribution. However, qualitative and quantitative histological analyses in this study showed that the Achilles tendon has a poor blood supply throughout its length, as determined by the small number of blood vessels per cross-sectional area, which do not in general vary significantly along its length. In light of these findings, it is suggested that poor vascularity may prevent adequate tissue repair following trauma, leading to further weakening of the tendon.