A High Performance All-Textile Wearable Antenna for Wristband Application.

A compact, conformal, all-textile wearable antenna is proposed in this paper for the 2.45 GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. The integrated design consists of a monopole radiator backed by a 2 × 1 Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) array, resulting in a small form factor suitable for wristband applications. An EBG unit cell is optimized to work in the desired operating band, the results of which are further explored to achieve bandwidth maximization via floating EBG ground. A monopole radiator is made to work in association with the EBG layer to produce the resonance in the ISM band with plausible radiation characteristics. The fabricated design is tested for free space performance analysis and subjected to human body loading. The proposed antenna design achieves bandwidth of 2.39 GHz to 2.54 GHz with a compact footprint of 35.4 × 82.4 mm2. The experimental investigations reveal that the reported design adequately retains its performance while operating in close proximity to human beings. The presented Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) analysis reveals 0.297 W/kg calculated at 0.5 W input power, which certifies that the proposed antenna is safe for use in wearable devices.

Etiological Profile and Antimicrobial Patterns in Blood Culture Specimens in a Tertiary Care Setting.

Introduction Universally, blood stream infections are linked with increasing morbidity and mortality. Timely diagnosis for identification of bacterial etiology, their susceptibility pattern and choice of empiric treatment plays a vital role in management. Objective To reveal the etiological profile and antibiotic sensitivity in blood culture specimens in a tertiary care setting. Methods This descriptive study was carried out in pathology laboratory of a tertiary care hospital from August 2016 to July 2019. All the 750 blood culture bottles were processed and isolates were recognized by morphological appearance on recommended media, gram stain, and different biochemical tests using Analytic Profile Index. Antibiotic sensitivity was implemented by modified disc diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) principles (2019). Results Out of 750 blood samples, 212 (28.26%) were culture positive. The percentage of gram-negative bacilli (n = 105) and gram-positive cocci (n = 104) was almost same (49.52%), while candida spp. was recovered from three (1.41%) isolates. The identified gram-negative bacteria were E. coli and Acinetobacter baumannii each (19.04%), Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa each (16.19%), Enterobacter cloaca (11.42%), Salmonella typhi (8.57%), Burkholderia cepacia (1.90%), and Raoultella terrigena (7.61%). Among gram-positive isolates, coagulase-negative staphylococci (79.80%), Staphylococcus aureus (6.73%), Enterococcus spp. (11.53%) and Streptococcus spp. (1.92%) were recovered. Colistin, imipenem, meropenem, and amikacin were most successful against gram-negative rods. The sensitivity to vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid was 100%, for gram positive organisms. Methicillin resistance was present in 84.4% Staphylococcal isolates. Conclusion Local data showing changing etiological pattern and antibiogram of isolated pathogens, along with adequate infection prevention and control measures can be useful to improve patient care, in terms of hospital stay, duration of medication and treatment cost.

Health status of geriatrics in Gujrat, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the overall health status of the elderly in an area Pakistan's Punjab province. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2016 in Tehsil Kharian of district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan district, and comprised people aged 60 years or more who were enrolled through multistage random sampling. To measure the health status, and adapted and modified version of Short Form-36 health survey was used. SPSS 23 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 395 subjects, 254(65%) were males, and the overall mean age was 69.18} 8.93 years. Of the total, 151(38%) subjects reported having no health issues. Among those who reported health issues, 63(16%) had joint problem as their primary health illness. Health status score suggested 286(72%) participants to have poor health, and in the 60-69 years age group, females were more likely to report poor health status compared to males (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the elderly subjects reported to have poor health status, and females reported more health issues compared to males..

Inhibition of Adipogenesis by Thiourea Derivatives.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the major health problems with inherent risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, CVDs, etc. Adipogenesis is a major contributor in the process of obesity. Inhibition of adipocytes differentiation is one of the key approaches to treat obesity. OBJECTIVE: To discover the new inhibitors of adipogenesis as the treatment for obesity. METHOD: We describe here, the synthesis, and anti-adipogenic activity of thiourea derivatives 1-14. These derivatives were synthesized by the reactions of phenyl and pentafluorophenyl isothiocyanate with different aromatic amines. Pure compounds 1-14 were evaluated for their in vitro antiadipogenesis activity employing 3T3-L1 cells lines. RESULTS: Compounds 1-3, 5-9, and 11-14 significantly inhibited the pre-adipocyte differentiation into adipocytes, which was measured by staining the cells, and through morphological examination. Compound 10 (1-(4"-Chlorophenyl)-3-(pentafluorophenyl)-thiourea) showed a potent inhibition of adipocyte differentiation with IC50 = 740.00 ± 2.36 nM, which was more potent than the standards, epigallocatechin gallate (IC50 = 16.73 ± 1.34 µM), and curcumin (IC50 = 18.62 ± 0.74 µM). All other compounds showed a moderate to weak anti-adipogenesis activity. Compounds 1- 14 were also evaluated for their cytotoxicity. Compounds 3, 10, and 14 showed some toxicity to the cancer cell lines, while compounds 2, 3, 10, 12, and 14 showed a moderate to weak cytotoxicity against the normal cell lines. CONCLUSION: All the compounds reported in this paper are known, except compound 11. They have been identified as new inhibitors of Adipogenesis. Adipogenesis is the process of adipocytes differentiation from pre-adipocytes. This extensively studied model of cell diff differentiation. Further synthetic modifications, and optimization of anti-adipogenic activity may lead to the development of anti-obesity agents.

Dietary Betaine Supplementation Increases Fgf21 Levels to Improve Glucose Homeostasis and Reduce Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in Mice.

Identifying markers of human insulin resistance may permit development of new approaches for treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes. To this end, we analyzed the fasting plasma metabolome in metabolically characterized human volunteers across a spectrum of insulin resistance. We demonstrate that plasma betaine levels are reduced in insulin-resistant humans and correlate closely with insulin sensitivity. Moreover, betaine administration to mice with diet-induced obesity prevents the development of impaired glucose homeostasis, reduces hepatic lipid accumulation, increases white adipose oxidative capacity, and enhances whole-body energy expenditure. In parallel with these beneficial metabolic effects, betaine supplementation robustly increased hepatic and circulating fibroblast growth factor (Fgf)21 levels. Betaine administration failed to improve glucose homeostasis and liver fat content in Fgf21(-/-) mice, demonstrating that Fgf21 is necessary for betaine's beneficial effects. Together, these data indicate that dietary betaine increases Fgf21 levels to improve metabolic health in mice and suggest that betaine supplementation merits further investigation as a supplement for treatment or prevention of type 2 diabetes in humans.

Synthesis and DPPH scavenging assay of reserpine analogues, computational studies and in silico docking studies in AChE and BChE responsible for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a fast growing neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system and anti-oxidants can be used to help suppress the oxidative stress caused by the free radicals that are responsible for AD. A series of selected synthetic indole derivatives were biologically evaluated to identify potent new antioxidants. Most of the evaluated compounds showed significant to modest antioxidant properties (IC50 value 399.07 140.0±50 µM). Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies were carried out on the compounds and their corresponding free radicals. Differences in the energy of the parent compounds and their corresponding free radicals provided a good justification for the trend found in their IC50 values. In silico, docking of compounds into the proteins acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), which are well known for contributing in AD disease, was also performed to predict anti-AD potential.

A doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma doença neurodegenerativado sistema nervoso central, em rápido crescimento, e antioxidantes ajudam a suprimir o estresse oxidativo causado por radicais livres, responsávies pela DA. Avaliou-se, biologicamente, série de derivados sintéticos de indol selecionados para identificar novos antioxidantes. A maioria dos compostos avaliados apresentou de significativa a boa propriedade antioxidante (valor de IC50 399,07140.0 ± 50 µM). Eftuaram-se estudos de Teoria do Funcional de Densidade (DFT) com os compostos e os seus correspondentes radicais livres. As diferenças de energia entre os compostos protótipos e os radicais livres correspondentes proporcionaram boa justificativa para a tendência encontrada nos seus valores de IC50. O ancoramento in silico dos compostos com a acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e com a butirilcolinesterase (BChE), que contribuem para a DA, foi, também, realizado para prever o seu potencial anti-DA.

Expression of Neuropeptide Y, Substance P, and their receptors in the right atrium of diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of neuropeptides and their receptors that play a role in cardiac homeostasis in the right atrium of nondiabetic and diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. BACKGROUND: The cardioactive neuropeptides and their receptors investigated in this study were Neuropeptide Y (NPY), and its receptors, NPY Receptor1 (NPY1R), NPY Receptor2 (NPY2R), NPY Receptor5 (NPY5R) and Substance P (SP) and its receptor, Neurokinin1R (NK1R). METHODS: The gene and protein expression of NPY, NPY1R, NPY2R, NPY5R, SP and NK1R from the atrial tissue of 10 nondiabetic and diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was assessed by Q-RTPCR, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and ELISA. RESULTS: Gene expression of NPY2R, NPY5R, preproTachykinin A (SP gene), and NK1R and their respective protein expression were significantly reduced whereas that of NPY and NPY1R were unchanged in the right atrium of diabetic patients compared to nondiabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the expression of neuropeptides and their receptors in the diabetic heart is significantly impaired, and may be the link between neuropathy and cardiac complications. Further studies are warranted to delineate pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with dysregulation of the cardiac neuropeptide system and the relationship to cardiac complications in diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy and heart failure: role of neuropeptides.

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN), in which patients present with damage of autonomic nerve fibres, is one of the most common complications of diabetes. CAN leads to abnormalities in heart rate and vascular dynamics, which are features of diabetic heart failure. Dysregulated neurohormonal activation, an outcome of diabetic neuropathy, has a significant pathophysiological role in diabetes-associated cardiovascular disease. Key players in neurohormonal activation include cardioprotective neuropeptides and their receptors, such as substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). These neuropeptides are released from the peripheral or autonomic nervous system and have vasoactive properties. They are further implicated in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, calcium homeostasis, ischaemia-induced angiogenesis, protein kinase C signalling and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Therefore, dysregulation of the expression of neuropeptides or activation of the neuropeptide signalling pathways can negatively affect cardiac homeostasis. Targeting neuropeptides and their signalling pathways might thus serve as new therapeutic interventions in the treatment of heart failure associated with diabetes. This review discusses how neuropeptide dysregulation in diabetes might affect cardiac functions that contribute to the development of heart failure.

Curcumin inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and angiogenesis and obesity in C57/BL mice.

Angiogenesis is necessary for the growth of adipose tissue. Dietary polyphenols may suppress growth of adipose tissue through their antiangiogenic activity and by modulating adipocyte metabolism. We investigated the effect of curcumin, the major polyphenol in turmeric spice, on angiogenesis, adipogenesis, differentiation, apoptosis, and gene expression involved in lipid and energy metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocyte in cell culture systems and on body weight gain and adiposity in mice fed a high-fat diet (22%) supplemented with 500 mg curcumin/kg diet for 12 wk. Curcumin (5-20 micromol/L) suppressed 3T3-L1 differentiation, caused apoptosis, and inhibited adipokine-induced angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Supplementing the high-fat diet of mice with curcumin did not affect food intake but reduced body weight gain, adiposity, and microvessel density in adipose tissue, which coincided with reduced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor VEGFR-2. Curcumin increased 5'AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, reduced glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase-1, and increased carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 expression, which led to increased oxidation and decreased fatty acid esterification. The in vivo effect of curcumin on the expression of these enzymes was also confirmed by real-time RT-PCR in subcutaneous adipose tissue. In addition, curcumin significantly lowered serum cholesterol and expression of PPARgamma and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha, 2 key transcription factors in adipogenesis and lipogenesis. The curcumin suppression of angiogenesis in adipose tissue together with its effect on lipid metabolism in adipocytes may contribute to lower body fat and body weight gain. Our findings suggest that dietary curcumin may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.

Two new antioxidant phenylpropanoids from Lindelofia stylosa.

Two new phenylpropanoids were isolated from Lindelofia stylosa (Kar. and Kir.) and characterized as 4-hydroxy-N-{4-[(E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enamido]butyl}benzamide (1) and 2-[3-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)phenyl]-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate (2). Four known compounds, i.e. two phenylpropanoids, p-coumaric acid (=(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid; 3) and ferulic acid (=(E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid; 4), and two naphthalene glycosides, 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyltorachrysone (5) and 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-6-demethoxytorachrysone (6), were also isolated for the first time from the plant. Compounds 1-6 were subjected to various antioxidant assays, including DPPH radical- and superoxide anion-scavenging, and Fe(2+)-chelation assays. Compound 2 was found to be most active in all assays with potency nearly similar to that of propyl gallate. Besides 2, compounds 1 and 5 were also found to be active in DPPH radical-scavenging standard assay.

Xanthine oxidase inhibiting flavonol glycoside from Amberboa ramosa.

A new flavonol glycoside (1) has been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Amberboa ramosa and assigned the structure 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxylflavone 5-O-beta-D-gluco-pyranoside (1). In addition, 6,4'-dihydroxy-3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone (2), 5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone (3) and (23R)-5alpha-cycloart-24-ene-3beta,21,23-triol (4) have also been reported for the first time from this species. The structures were deduced on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The compounds 1-3 displayed weak to moderate inhibition against the xanthine oxidase enzyme.

Alkaloids of Aconitum laeve and their anti-inflammatory antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibition activities.

A lycoctonine-type norditerpenoid alkaloid, swatinine (1), along with four known norditerpenoid alkaloids, delphatine (3), lappaconitine (4), puberanine (5), and N-acetylsepaconitine (6), and were isolated from the aerial parts of Aconitum laeve Royle. Compound 2 has been isolated for the first time from a natural source. The structure of compound 1 was deduced on the basis of spectral data. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibition studies on all six compounds have also been carried out.