Flexible ultra-sensitive and resistive NO2 gas sensor based on nanostructured Zn(x)Fe(1−x)2O4

Low concentration gas detection, rapid response time and low working temperature are anticipated for a varied range of toxic gas detection applications. Conversely, the existing gas sensors suffer mostly from a high working temperature along with a slow response at low concentrations of analytes. Here, we report an ultrasensitive flexible nanostructured Zn_(x)Fe_(1−x)2O₄ (x = 0.1, 0.5 and 0.9) based chemiresistive sensor for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) detection. We evince that the prepared flexible sensor Zn_(0.5)Fe_(0.5)2O₄ has detection potential as low as 5 ppm at a working temperature of 90 °C in a short phase. Further, the Zn_(0.5)Fe_(0.5)2O₄ sensor exhibits excellent selectivity, stability and repeatability. The optimized sensor sensing characteristics can be helpful in tremendous development of foldable mobile devices for environmental monitoring, protection and control.

Low concentration gas detection, rapid response time and low working temperature are anticipated for a varied range of toxic gas detection applications.     

Thromboxane receptor hyper-responsiveness in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension requires serine 324

Background and Purpose

Dysregulation of the thromboxane A₂ (TP) receptor, resulting in agonist hypersensitivity and hyper-responsiveness, contributes to exaggerated vasoconstriction in the hypoxic pulmonary artery in neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension. We previously reported that hypoxia inhibits TP receptor phosphorylation, causing desensitization. Hence, we examined the role of PKA-accessible serine residues in determining TP receptor affinity, using site-directed mutational analysis.

Experimental Approach

Vasoconstriction to a thromboxane mimetic and phosphorylation of TP receptor serine was examined in pulmonary arteries from neonatal swine with persistent pulmonary hypertension and controls. Effects of hypoxia were determined in porcine and human TP receptors. Human TPα serines at positions 324, 329 and 331 (C-terminal tail) were mutated to alanine and transiently expressed in HEK293T cells. Saturation binding and displacement kinetics of a TP antagonist and agonist were determined in porcine TP, wild-type human TPα and all TP mutants. Agonist-elicited calcium mobilization was determined for each TP mutant, in the presence of a PKA activator or inhibitor, and in hypoxic and normoxic conditions.

Key Results

The Ser324A mutant was insensitive to PKA activation and hypoxia, had a high affinity for agonist and increased agonist-induced calcium mobilization. Ser329A was no different from wild-type TP receptors. Ser331A was insensitive to hypoxia and PKA with a decreased agonist-mediated response.

Conclusions and Implications

In hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, loss of site-specific phosphorylation of the TP receptor causes agonist hyper-responsiveness. Ser324 is the primary residue phosphorylated by PKA, which regulates TP receptor-agonist interactions. Ser331 mutation confers loss of TP receptor-agonist interaction, regardless of PKA activity.     

Oxidative stress and neuromodulatory effects of deltamethrin and its combination with insect repellents in rats

Deltamethrin (DEL) and other synthetic repellents like N,N‐diethyl benzamide (DEB), N,N‐diethyl phenylacetamide (DEPA), and N,N‐diethyl meta toluamide (DEET) are widely used due their high efficacy against mosquitoes. We evaluated the safe dose on exposure to insecticide and insect repellent individually and in combination in Wistar rats. Rats were administrated with individual chemicals DEL, DEB, DEPA, and DEET and in combination of DEL along DEB, DEPA, and DEET. The reduced glutathione and its detoxifying enzymes were significantly increased in DEL treated rats. Serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline were increased in DEL alone and its combination groups. Histopathology revealed that DEL and along with other insect repellants can cause lung toxicities. This study suggests that DEL in combination with other insect repellents showed antagonistic effect against oxidative stress, and there was no significant toxicological effect in the combination groups. The insect repellents with DEL cause less toxic effect and is safe for use.     

From the Sidelines to the Frontline: How the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Embraced Smoking Cessation

Smoking is a major contributor to premature mortality among people with mental illness and substance abuse. Historically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) did not include smoking cessation in its mission.We describe the development of a unique partnership between SAMHSA and the University of California, San Francisco’s Smoking Cessation Leadership Center. Starting with an educational summit in Virginia in 2007, it progressed to a jointly sponsored “100 Pioneers for Smoking Cessation” campaign that provided grants and technical assistance to organizations promoting cessation. By 2013, the partnership established 7 “Leadership Academies,” state-level multidisciplinary collaboratives of organizations focused on cessation.This academic–public partnership increased tobacco quit attempts, improved collaboration across multiple agencies, and raised awareness about tobacco use in vulnerable populations.Smoking rates are much higher among those with mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, or both. In 2000, this population accounted for 44% of all cigarettes sold in the United States, despite constituting only 22% of the general population.1 A 2013 report revealed that this population, which represented 24.8% of adults in the United States, consumed nearly 40% of all cigarettes.2 This is in contrast to recent US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports of a record-low adult smoking prevalence of 18% in the overall population (45.3 million smokers).3Not only are behavioral health patients twice as likely to smoke as the general population, they also smoke more heavily because of a complex interplay of biological, social, and psychological factors.4,5 Recent data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health further corroborate the strong association among cigarette use, mental illness, and substance abuse across gender and age.6 Smoking contributes to premature death and disability in all populations, and those with mental illness and substance abuse disorders are at particular risk.7,8 Williams et al. argue that these populations should be designated a “tobacco use disparity group” to garner more national resources to address the long-standing disproportionate impact of smoking.5The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a Department of Health and Human Services agency, is the principal federal agency charged with safeguarding the health of people with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. However, despite the disproportionate prevalence of tobacco use in the population it serves, SAMHSA did not include smoking cessation as part of its mission; its tobacco control activities were limited to the 1992 Synar Amendment, which stated that states could not receive SAMHSA block grants unless they enforced laws prohibiting cigarette sales to minors. Recently, SAMHSA has leveraged activities to help smokers quit, aided by a partnership with the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center (SCLC) at the University of California, San Francisco.     

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma report of a case and review of literature.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is an aggressive distinct variant of squamous cell carcinoma that mandates recognition as a separate entity owing to the difference in its clinical behaviour. Histologically this tumor can mimic other neoplasms like adenoid cystic carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma and basal cell adenocarcinoma. BSCC occurs most commonly in older men and has a site predilection for the upper aero-digestive tract. We report a case of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma for its relative rarity, which was diagnosed in a 52 year old woman, with a brief review of literature.     

Effect of a Community Health Worker-Based Approach to Integrated Cardiovascular Risk Factor Control in India: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundEighty percent of premature mortality from cardiovascular disease occurs in low- and middle-income countries. Hypertension, diabetes, and smoking are the top risk factors causing this disease burden.ObjectivesThe study aimed to test the hypothesis that utilizing community health workers (CHWs) to manage hypertension, diabetes and smoking in an integrated manner would lead to improved control of these conditions.MethodsThis was a 2-year cluster (n = 12) randomized controlled trial of 3,556 adults (35 to 70 years of age) in a single town in India, who were screened at home for hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. Of these adults, 1,242 (35%) had at least 1 risk factor (hypertension = 650, diabetes = 317, smoking = 500) and were enrolled in the study. The intervention group had behavioral change communication through regular home visits from community health workers. The control group received usual care in the community. The primary outcomes were changes in systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and average number of cigarettes/bidis smoked daily among individuals with respective risk factors.ResultsThe mean ± SD change in systolic blood pressure at 2 years was ?12.2 ± 19.5 mm Hg in the intervention group as compared with ?6.4 ± 26.1 mm Hg in the control group, resulting in an adjusted difference of –8.9 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI]: –3.5 to –14.4 mm Hg; p = 0.001). The change in fasting blood glucose was ?43.0 ± 83.5 mg/dl in the intervention group and ?16.3 ± 77.2 mg/dl in the control group, leading to an adjusted difference of –21.3 mg/dl (95% CI: 18.4 to –61 mg/dl; p = 0.29). The change in mean number of cigarettes/bidis smoked was nonsignificant at +0.2 cigarettes/bidis (95% CI: 5.6 to –5.2 cigarettes/bidis; p = 0.93).ConclusionsA population-based strategy of integrated risk factor management through community health workers led to improved systolic blood pressure in hypertension, an inconclusive effect on fasting blood glucose in diabetes, and no demonstrable effect on smoking. (Study of a Community-Based Approach to Control Cardiovascular Risk Factors in India [SEHAT]; NCT02115711).     

Coexistence of central nucleus,cores, and rods: Diagnostic relevance

Background:Congenital myopathies (CMs) though considered distinct disorders, simultaneous occurrence of central nucleus, nemaline rods, and cores in the same biopsy are scarcely reported.Objective:A retrospective reassessment of cases diagnosed as CMs to look for multiple pathologies missed, if any, during the initial diagnosis.Results:The study revealed 15 cases (12%) of congenital myopathy with more than one morphological feature. Central nucleus with cores (n = 11), central nucleus, nemaline rods and cores (n = 3), and nemaline rods with cores (n = 1). 4/11 cases were diagnosed as centronuclear myopathy (CNM) in the first instance; in addition, cores were revealed on reassessment.Discussion:The prevalence of CMs of all neuromuscular disorders is approximately 6 in 100,000 live births, with regional variations. Three main defined CMs include centro nuclear myopathy (CNM), nemaline rod myopathy (NRM), and central core disease (CCD). However, they are more diverse with overlapping clinical and histopathological features, thus broadening the spectra within each category of congenital myopathy.Conclusion:Identification of cases with overlap of pathological features has diagnostic relevance.