Clinico-radiological factors associated with aphasia outcome in post stroke patients: A prospective follow up study from eastern part of India.

BACKGROUND: Aphasia is a language disorder acquired secondary to brain damage. This study aims to evaluate clinical and radiological profile of patients with post stroke aphasia and factors affecting its recovery. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patients with first left Middle or Anterior Cerebral Artery infarct or Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) with aphasia admitted within 14 days of stroke onset. Aphasia Quotient (AQ) was assessed at 2 weeks (AQ1) and 3 months (AQ2) using Western Aphasia Battery-Hindi version. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of brain with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) of bilateral Arcuate Fasciculus (AF) and Corticospinal Tract was done at admission, and stroke volume, Laterality Indices of Fractional Anisotropy (LI-FA), Mean Diffusivity (LI-MD), Radial Diffusivity (LI-RD), Axial Diffusivity (LI-AD) and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (LI-ADC) were obtained. RESULTS: 36 patients [8 ICH and 28 Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS)] were included. AQ1 and AQ2 were significantly higher in subcortical stroke than cortical. AQ2 and increase in AQ scores (including its subscores) were significantly higher in ICH than AIS. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission and volume of stroke had significant negative correlation with AQ1 and AQ2. Laterality Index of Fractional Anisotropy of Arcuate Fasciculus [LI-FA (AF)] had significant positive correlation with AQ2 and naming score at 3 months. Laterality Index of Mean Diffusivity of Arcuate Fasciculus [LI-MD (AF)] had significant negative correlation with AQ1, AQ2 and all subcomponents of AQ2. Significant positive correlation was seen between improvements in Modified Rankin Scale score and AQ. CONCLUSION: The study shows that DTI can be used to predict severity of aphasia at follow up and recovery in language and motor functions occur in parallel.

Persistent facial pain in post-stroke patients, a hospital-based cohort study; experience from North India.

Background: Post-stroke pain is common after a stroke and might be underreported. We describe Persistent Facial Pain (PFP) developed in post-stroke patients. Method: ology: This was a prospective hospital-based cohort study of stroke patients, and patients were followed up. Out of 415 stroke patients, 26 developed PFP. Result: Out of all PFP patients, six patients had an ischemic stroke, and 20 had a hemorrhagic stroke. 57.7% of patients had hypertension, while 34.6 patients had diabetes. The stroke location was left-sided in 12 patients and right-sided in 14 patients. 46.15% of patients responded to venlafaxine, 30.77% responded to amitriptyline, and 23.08% responded to pregabalin. Conclusion: Persistent facial pain is a pain syndrome that might be missed in patients post-stroke. It might be more common in hemorrhagic stroke patients than in ischemic stroke patients. It responds adequately to antidepressants. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose and appropriately manage these patients.

Physio-biochemical responses and crop performance analysis in chickpea upon botanical priming.

Chickpea is a highly nutritious protein-rich source and one of the major crops to alleviate global malnutrition, but poor seed quality affects its productivity. Seed quality is essential for better crop establishment and higher yields, particularly in the uncertain climate change. The present study investigated the impact of botanical priming versus hydropriming and bavistin seed treatment on chickpea seeds. A detailed physiological (germination percentage, root and shoot length, vigour index) and biochemical (amylase, protease, dehydrogenase, phytase, and lipid peroxidation) analysis was carried out in order to assess the effect of priming treatments. Turmeric-primed seeds showed better germination rate (94.5%), seedling length, enzyme activity, and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis revealed the expression of minor polypeptides of albumin and globulin in the primed seeds. Moreover, field experiments indicated increased crop growth, vigour, days to 50% flowering, yield and its attributing traits in turmeric-primed seeds. Botanical priming can increase chickpea yield by up to 16% over the control group. This low-cost and eco-friendly technique enhances seed and crop performance, making it a powerful tool for augmenting chickpea growth. Therefore, chickpea growers must adopt botanical priming techniques to enhance the quality of seed and crop performance. Moreover, this approach is environmentally sustainable and can help conserve natural resources in the long term. Therefore, this new approach must be widely adopted across the agricultural industry to ensure sustainable and profitable farming practices.

Safety, Efficacy and Clinical Utility of the 5.1mm EndoRotor Powered Debridement Catheter for Treatment of Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) is a recommended strategy for treatment of walled-off-necrosis (WON). DEN uses a variety of devices including the EndoRotor (Interscope, Inc.) debridement catheter. Recently, a 5.1 mm EndoRotor with increased chamber size and rate of tissue removal was introduced. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of this device. METHODS: A multi-center cohort study was conducted at eight institutions including patients who underwent DEN with the 5.1 mm EndoRotor. The primary outcome was the number of DEN sessions needed for WON resolution. Secondary outcomes included the average percent reduction in solid WON debris and decrease in WON area per session, total time spent performing EndoRotor therapy for WON resolution, and adverse events. RESULTS: 64 procedures in 41 patients were included. For patients in which the 5.1 mm EndoRotor catheter was the sole therapeutic modality, an average of 1.6 DEN sessions resulted in WON resolution with an average cumulative time of 85.5 minutes. Of the 21 procedures with data regarding percent of solid debris, the average reduction was 85% +/- 23% per session. Of the 19 procedures with data regarding WON area, the mean area significantly decreased from 97.6 +/- 72.0 cm2 to 27.1 +/- 35.5 cm2 (p<0.001) per session. Adverse events included two intra-procedural LAMS dislodgements managed endoscopically and three perforations none of which were related to EndoRotor. Bleeding was reported in seven cases, none required embolic or surgical therapy and two required blood transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first multi-center retrospective study to investigate the efficacy and safety of the 5.1 mm EndoRotor catheter for WON. Results from this study showed an average of 1.6 DEN sessions were needed to achieve WON resolution with an 85% single session reduction in solid debris and a 70% single session decrease in WON area with minimal adverse events.

The complete genome sequence of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 9224 isolated from sour milk.

We present the complete genome sequence of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 9224. The genome sequence provides a valuable resource for investigating the phylogenetic evolution of this lineage and conducting comparative genomics with other Lactobacillus strains and species.

Understanding the Landscape of Bronchoscopy in Lung Cancer: Insights From Lesion Location, Gender, and Diagnostic Efficacy.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer constitutes a critical global health concern. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer's (IARC) GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates, lung cancer is the leading cause of death in cancer patients. In areas where tuberculosis is prevalent, misdiagnosis and mistreatment frequently result from overlap, creating significant difficulties that delay diagnosis and treatment. Amid this complication, bronchoscopic techniques emerge as critical diagnostic tools, though their efficacy varies between studies. METHOD: Our retrospective study, conducted from July 2021 to December 2022 at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur, examined 156 participants with malignancies. Our focus encompassed diverse lesions within the bronchial landscape, revealing intriguing findings. RESULTS: Bronchoscopic examinations unravelled prevalent abnormalities: 52 (33.3%) manifested as intraluminal growth, 48 (31.6%) as mucosal irregularities, and a less frequent (16, 10.3%) as an intraluminal bulge. Transbronchial needle aspiration stood out with a 10/11 (91%) positivity rate, biopsy came in second at 38/46 (83%), and bronchoalveolar lavage showed a 44/152 (29%) positivity rate. It was interesting to see how the lesions were spread out among the different types of histology. For example, squamous cell carcinoma showed 17/37 (46%) intraluminal growth, while adenocarcinoma showed 22/60 (36.7%) intraluminal growth and 4/60 (6.7%) intraluminal bulge. Moreover, a significant absence of abnormalities was observed in various lesions, underlining the intricacies of characterising bronchial lesions. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that direct tissue sampling is better and that new bronchoscopic technologies are important for diagnosing lesions that were hard to get to in the past. However, limitations in patient selection biases and the single-centre focus caution against generalised interpretations. Our research illuminates the pivotal role of bronchoscopic methods in diagnosing lung lesions, emphasising the necessity for continued advancements to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy in lung cancer subtypes.

Using a targeted metabolomics approach to explore differences in ARDS associated with COVID-19 compared to ARDS caused by H1N1 influenza and bacterial pneumonia.

RATIONALE: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening critical care syndrome commonly associated with infections such as COVID-19, influenza, and bacterial pneumonia. Ongoing research aims to improve our understanding of ARDS, including its molecular mechanisms, individualized treatment options, and potential interventions to reduce inflammation and promote lung repair. OBJECTIVE: To map and compare metabolic phenotypes of different infectious causes of ARDS to better understand the metabolic pathways involved in the underlying pathogenesis. METHODS: We analyzed metabolic phenotypes of 3 ARDS cohorts caused by COVID-19, H1N1 influenza, and bacterial pneumonia compared to non-ARDS COVID-19-infected patients and ICU-ventilated controls. Targeted metabolomics was performed on plasma samples from a total of 150 patients using quantitative LC-MS/MS and DI-MS/MS analytical platforms. RESULTS: Distinct metabolic phenotypes were detected between different infectious causes of ARDS. There were metabolomics differences between ARDSs associated with COVID-19 and H1N1, which include metabolic pathways involving taurine and hypotaurine, pyruvate, TCA cycle metabolites, lysine, and glycerophospholipids. ARDSs associated with bacterial pneumonia and COVID-19 differed in the metabolism of D-glutamine and D-glutamate, arginine, proline, histidine, and pyruvate. The metabolic profile of COVID-19 ARDS (C19/A) patients admitted to the ICU differed from COVID-19 pneumonia (C19/P) patients who were not admitted to the ICU in metabolisms of phenylalanine, tryptophan, lysine, and tyrosine. Metabolomics analysis revealed significant differences between C19/A, H1N1/A, and PNA/A vs ICU-ventilated controls, reflecting potentially different disease mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Different metabolic phenotypes characterize ARDS associated with different viral and bacterial infections.

Polarization Dynamics of Solid-State Quantum Emitters.

Quantum emitters in solid-state crystals have recently attracted a great deal of attention due to their simple applicability in optical quantum technologies. The polarization of single photons generated by quantum emitters is one of the key parameters that plays a crucial role in various applications, such as quantum computation, which uses the indistinguishability of photons. However, the degree of single-photon polarization is typically quantified using the time-averaged photoluminescence intensity of single emitters, which provides limited information about the dipole properties in solids. In this work, we use single defects in hexagonal boron nitride and nanodiamond as efficient room-temperature single-photon sources to reveal the origin and temporal evolution of the dipole orientation in solid-state quantum emitters. The angles of the excitation and emission dipoles relative to the crystal axes were determined experimentally and then calculated using density functional theory, which resulted in characteristic angles for every specific defect that can be used as an efficient tool for defect identification and understanding their atomic structure. Moreover, the temporal polarization dynamics revealed a strongly modified linear polarization visibility that depends on the excited-state decay time of the individual excitation. This effect can potentially be traced back to the excitation of excess charges in the local crystal environment. Understanding such hidden time-dependent mechanisms can further improve the performance of polarization-sensitive experiments, particularly that for quantum communication with single-photon emitters.

The Dynamics of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at Interfaces in Porous Media: A Computational Roadmap from Nanoscale Molecular Dynamics Simulation to Macroscale Modeling.

Managing and remediating perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contaminated sites remains challenging. The major reasons are the complexity of geological media, partly unknown dynamics of the PFAS in different phases and at fluid-fluid and fluid-solid interfaces, and the presence of cocontaminants such as nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). Critical knowledge gaps exist in understanding the behavior and fate of PFAS in vadose and saturated zones and in other porous media such as concrete and asphalt. The complexity of PFAS-surface interactions warrants the use of advanced characterization and computational tools to understand and quantify nanoscale behavior of the molecules. This can then be upscaled to the microscale to develop a constitutive relationship, in particular to distinguish between surface and bulk diffusion. The dominance of surface diffusion compared to bulk diffusion results in the solutocapillary Marangoni effect, which has not been considered while investigating the fate of PFAS. Without a deep understanding of these phenomena, derivation of constitutive relationships is challenging. The current Darcy scale mass-transfer models use constitutive relationships derived from either experiments or field measurements, which makes their applicability potentially limited. Here we review current efforts and propose a roadmap for developing Darcy scale transport equations for PFAS. We find that this needs to be based on systematic upscaling of both experimental and computational studies from nano- to microscales. We highlight recent efforts to undertake molecular dynamics simulations on problems with similar levels of complexity and explore the feasibility of conducting nanoscale simulations on PFAS dynamics at the interface of fluid pairs.

What is the diagnostic accuracy of fluorescence-guided surgery for margin assessment in appendicular bone and soft tissue tumors? - A systematic review of clinical studies.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is a novel technique to successfully assess surgical margins intraoperatively. Investigation and adoption of this technique in orthopaedic oncology remains limited. METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines were followed for this manuscript. Our study was registered on PROSPERO (380520). Studies describing the use of FGS for resection of bone and soft tissue sarcomas (STS) on humans were included. Diagnostic performance metrics (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV], negative predictive value [NPV] and accuracy) and margin positivity rate were the outcomes assessed. RESULTS: Critical appraisal using the Joanna Brigs Institute checklists showed significant concerns for study quality. Sensitivity of FGS ranged from 22.2 % to 100 % in three of the four studies assessing his metrics; one study in appendicular tumors in the pediatric population reported 0 % sensitivity in the three cases included. Specificity ranged from 9.38 % to 100 %. PPV ranged from 14.6 % to 70 % while NPV was between 53.3 % and 100 %. The diagnostic accuracy ranged from 21.62 % to 92.31 %. Margin positivity rate ranged from 2 % to 50 %, with six of the seven studies reporting values between 20 % and 50 %. CONCLUSIONS: FSG is a feasible technique to assess tumor margins in bone and STS. Reported performance metrics and margin positivity rates vary widely between studies due to low study quality and high heterogeneity in dying protocols. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic study.

Enhanced microwave absorption properties of conducting polymer@graphene composite to counteract electromagnetic radiation pollution: green EMI shielding.

Conducting polymers have been thoroughly investigated and found to have extensive applications in the fields of microwave absorption and electromagnetic (EM) shielding owing to their distinctive characteristics and adaptability. In the present work, conducting polymer (PEDOT and polyaniline) and graphene composites were prepared via an in situ chemical polymerization technique. Further, these composite materials were characterized to determine their potential to address the issue of EM radiation pollution in the microwave frequency (12.4 GHz to 18 GHz). The PEDOT/graphene composites exhibited significant shielding effectiveness of up to 46.53 dB, achieving a green index (gs) of 1.17. Also, absorption was observed to be the dominant shielding mechanism in all the samples owing to significant dielectric losses (ε''/ε' ≈ 1.9-3.1) and microwave conductivity (σs = 19.9-73.6 S m-1) in the samples at 18 GHz. Both dielectric loss and conduction loss occurred because of the strong interactions involving polarization, charge propagation, and the creation of conductive routes through the incorporation of graphene in the polymer matrix. These properties/shielding results indicate the potential of the composites to be used as lightweight EM shielding materials. These materials are suitable shield materials for electronic devices to protect them from harmful electromagnetic radiation, making them vital in various applications.

Society of Critical Care Medicine Guidelines on Recognizing and Responding to Clinical Deterioration Outside the ICU: 2023.

RATIONALE: Clinical deterioration of patients hospitalized outside the ICU is a source of potentially reversible morbidity and mortality. To address this, some acute care hospitals have implemented systems aimed at detecting and responding to such patients. OBJECTIVES: To provide evidence-based recommendations for hospital clinicians and administrators to optimize recognition and response to clinical deterioration in non-ICU patients. PANEL DESIGN: The 25-member panel included representatives from medicine, nursing, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, patient/family partners, and clinician-methodologists with expertise in developing evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines. METHODS: We generated actionable questions using the Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcomes (PICO) format and performed a systematic review of the literature to identify and synthesize the best available evidence. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Approach to determine certainty in the evidence and to formulate recommendations and good practice statements (GPSs). RESULTS: The panel issued 10 statements on recognizing and responding to non-ICU patients with critical illness. Healthcare personnel and institutions should ensure that all vital sign acquisition is timely and accurate (GPS). We make no recommendation on the use of continuous vital sign monitoring among unselected patients. We suggest focused education for bedside clinicians in signs of clinical deterioration, and we also suggest that patient/family/care partners' concerns be included in decisions to obtain additional opinions and help (both conditional recommendations). We recommend hospital-wide deployment of a rapid response team or medical emergency team (RRT/MET) with explicit activation criteria (strong recommendation). We make no recommendation about RRT/MET professional composition or inclusion of palliative care members on the responding team but suggest that the skill set of responders should include eliciting patients' goals of care (conditional recommendation). Finally, quality improvement processes should be part of a rapid response system. CONCLUSIONS: The panel provided guidance to inform clinicians and administrators on effective processes to improve the care of patients at-risk for developing critical illness outside the ICU.

Executive Summary: Society of Critical Care Medicine Guidelines on Recognizing and Responding to Clinical Deterioration Outside the ICU.

RATIONALE: Clinical deterioration of patients hospitalized outside the ICU is a source of potentially reversible morbidity and mortality. To address this, some acute care facilities have implemented systems aimed at detecting and responding to such patients. OBJECTIVES: To provide evidence-based recommendations for hospital clinicians and administrators to optimize recognition and response to clinical deterioration in non-ICU patients. PANEL DESIGN: The 25-member panel included representatives from medicine, nursing, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, patient/family partners, and clinician-methodologists with expertise in developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. METHODS: We generated actionable questions using the Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcomes format and performed a systematic review of the literature to identify and synthesize the best available evidence. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to determine certainty in the evidence and to formulate recommendations and good practice statements (GPSs). RESULTS: The panel issued 10 statements on recognizing and responding to non-ICU patients with critical illness. Healthcare personnel and institutions should ensure that all vital sign acquisition is timely and accurate (GPS). We make no recommendation on the use of continuous vital sign monitoring among "unselected" patients due to the absence of data regarding the benefit and the potential harms of false positive alarms, the risk of alarm fatigue, and cost. We suggest focused education for bedside clinicians in signs of clinical deterioration, and we also suggest that patient/family/care partners' concerns be included in decisions to obtain additional opinions and help (both conditional recommendations). We recommend hospital-wide deployment of a rapid response team or medical emergency team (RRT/MET) with explicit activation criteria (strong recommendation). We make no recommendation about RRT/MET professional composition or inclusion of palliative care members on the responding team but suggest that the skill set of responders should include eliciting patients' goals of care (conditional recommendation). Finally, quality improvement processes should be part of a rapid response system (GPS). CONCLUSIONS: The panel provided guidance to inform clinicians and administrators on effective processes to improve the care of patients at-risk for developing critical illness outside the ICU.

Evaluation of Conflict of Interest in Consulting Fee Payments in Plastic Surgery and Related Specialties.

BACKGROUND: The Physician Payments Sunshine Act was enacted to increase transparency regarding physician and industry financial interests. Consulting fee payments constitute a large proportion of these financial relationships. The authors hypothesized that there are discrepancies among industry-derived consulting payments to medical and surgical specialties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of consulting fee payments to plastic surgery and related specialties. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the publicly available Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Payments Program database for 2018. Consulting fee payments to physicians practicing in dermatology, internal medicine, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, and plastic surgery were isolated and analyzed to identify discrepancies in consulting payments among these specialties and within plastic surgery. RESULTS: A total of $250,518,240 was paid in consulting fees to specialties analyzed, with the largest average payment made to orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Nearly half of physicians were paid at least $5000 for consulting fees in 2018. Most payments were not associated with contextual information. Among U.S. plastic surgeons, 4.2% held financial relationships with corporations and were likely to be paid more when consulting for small companies. CONCLUSIONS: Consulting payments make up a large proportion of payments included in the Open Payments Database. Although sex, state, company type, and sole proprietorship did not correlate with higher pay, plastic surgeons who consulted for small companies were paid more per payment than those working for large companies. Future studies are warranted to determine whether these industry financial relationships impact physician behavior.

Randomized trial of gastric and colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection defect closure comparing a novel through-the-scope suturing system with an over-the-scope suturing system (with video).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mucosal closure adds time but reduces adverse events associated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We aimed to assess the closure time (CT), technical success, and cost-effectiveness between a novel through-the-scope helix tack suture system (TTSS) and the over-the-scope suturing system (OTSS). METHODS: In this single-center, prospective, randomized trial, all patients undergoing ESD with anticipated closure were randomized 1:1 to TTSS (study group) or OTSS (control group). Primary outcomes were CT and overall CT (OCT; CT + setup time). Secondary outcomes were rates of technical success, adverse events, and cost-effectiveness. RESULTS: Forty patients were randomized to OTSS (n = 20) or TTSS (n = 20). OTSS and TTSS groups were similar with respect to age, gender, proportion of colorectal polyps, proximal colon polyps, and mean size of the resected specimen (40.9 mm vs 40.4 mm). The mean CT was 18.4 minutes for OTSS and 23.3 minutes for TTSS (P = .36). The mean OCT was 32 minutes for OTSS and 39.5 minutes for TTSS (P = .36). Closure with a primary device was successful in 17 cases (85%) with OTSS and 18 cases (90%) with TTSS (P = .63). No closure-related intraprocedural adverse events or delayed perforations were noted. Mean cost of closure was significantly lower in the TTSS group for lesions <35 mm (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: TTSS was not found to be superior to OTSS with respect to CT and technical and clinical success for closure of gastric and colorectal ESD defects. TTSS is more cost-effective for closure of lesions <35 mm. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04925271.).

A review on fluoride contamination in groundwater and human health implications and its remediation: A sustainable approaches.

Contamination of drinking water due to fluoride (F-) is a major concern worldwide. Although fluoride is an essential trace element required for humans, it has severe human health implications if levels exceed 1.5 mg. L-1 in groundwater. Several treatment technologies have been adopted to remove fluoride and reduce the exposure risk. The present article highlights the source, geochemistry, spatial distribution, and health implications of high fluoride in groundwater. Also, it discusses the underlying mechanisms and controlling factors of fluoride contamination. The problem of fluoride-contaminated water is more severe in India's arid and semiarid regions than in other Asian countries. Treatment technologies like adsorption, ion exchange, precipitation, electrolysis, electrocoagulation, nanofiltration, coagulation-precipitation, and bioremediation have been summarized along with case studies to look for suitable technology for fluoride exposure reduction. Although present technologies are efficient enough to remove fluoride, they have specific limitations regarding cost, labour intensity, and regeneration requirements.

Pentapeptide cRGDfK-Surface Engineered Nanostructured Lipid Carriers as an Efficient Tool for Targeted Delivery of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for Battling Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Antitumor research aims to efficiently target hepatocarcinoma cells (HCC) for drug delivery. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are promising for active tumour targeting. Cell-penetrating peptides are feasible ligands for targeted cancer treatment. Methods: In this study, we optimized gefitinib-loaded NLCs (GF-NLC) for HCC treatment. The NLCs contained cholesterol, oleic acid, Pluronic F-68, and Phospholipon 90G. The NLC surface was functionalized to enhance targeting with the cRGDfK-pentapeptide, which binds to the αvß3 integrin receptor overexpressed on hepatocarcinoma cells. Results: GF-NLC formulation was thoroughly characterized for various parameters using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis. In-vitro and in-vivo studies on the HepG2 cell line showed cRGDfK@GF-NLC's superiority over GF-NLC and free gefitinib. cRGDfK@GF-NLC exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity, growth inhibition, and cellular internalization. Biodistribution studies demonstrated enhanced tumour site accumulation without organ toxicity. The findings highlight cRGDfK@GF-NLC as a highly efficient carrier for targeted drug delivery, surpassing non-functionalized NLCs. These functionalized NLCs offer promising prospects for improving hepatocarcinoma therapy outcomes by specifically targeting HCC cells. Conclusion: Based on these findings, cRGDfK@GF-NLC holds immense potential as a highly efficient carrier for targeted drug delivery of anticancer agents, surpassing the capabilities of non-functionalized NLCs. This research opens up new avenues for effective treatment strategies in hepatocarcinoma.

Clip Dislodgement After Full-Thickness Endoscopic Resection Device Removal of Scarred Gastric Subepithelial Lesion Leading to Delayed Perforation.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection using a full-thickness resection device is a newer technique for endoscopic removal of submucosal lesions not amenable to endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection. There is a low rate of complications reported, although we report 2 cases of delayed perforation caused by dislodgement of a full-thickness resection device clip after removal of scarred gastric lesions. Both were managed endoscopically with good outcomes. However, special attention and consideration of alternative closure techniques should be considered with scarred gastric lesions and possible changes to the clip design could be considered.