Ternary Copper Tungsten Sulfide (Cu2WS4) Nanoparticles Obtained through a Solvothermal Approach: A Bi-Functional Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER)

In this work, Cu₂WS₄ nanoparticles have been synthesized via a solvothermal decomposition approach using a heterobimetallic single source precursor, WCu₂S₄(PPh₃)₃. The single source precursor, WCu₂S₄(PPh₃)₃, has been characterized using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, while Cu₂WS₄ nanoparticles have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) for which Rietveld refinement has been performed to authenticate the lattice structure of the decomposed product, Cu₂WS₄. Furthermore, FESEM and EDAX analyses have been performed to assess the morphology and composition of Cu₂WS₄. An electrochemical study in acidic as well as basic media suggested that Cu₂WS₄ nanoparticles possess efficient bifunctional activity towards electrochemical hydrogen as well as oxygen evolution reactions. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) performed in 0.5 N H₂SO₄ indicates an onset potential for the HER of 462 mV and a Tafel slope of 140 mV dec⁻¹. While LSV performed in 0.1 M KOH indicates an onset potential for the OER of 190 mV and a Tafel Slope of 117 mV dec⁻¹.     

Genotypic distribution of human papillomavirus and phylogenetic analysis of E6 and E7 gene of HR-HPV variants isolated from Pakistani population

High-risk-human papillomavirus (HR-HPV)-induced cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death among females worldwide. HPV16 is the most prevalent HR-HPV infection worldwide. This study found the genotypic distribution of HR-HPV in the local population and investigated the sequence variations among the E6 and E7 oncogenes of the local HPV16 genotype to the E6 and E7 oncogenes of the foreign HPV16 genotypes and constructed a phylogenetic relationship based on nucleotide sequence comparison among the variants identified in our study along with previously reported isolates that were obtained from different regions of the world. The samples were collected from patients with cervical cancer. Genomic DNA was extracted, and HR-HPV genotypes were determined using real-time PCR. The HPV16 E6 and E7 genes were amplified and sequenced. A HPV16 phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum likelihood method with MEGA 7. HPV16 was the most prevalent human papillomavirus (HPV) type identified in the present study. HPV16 isolates belonged to the A1 sublineage of the European branch. Twenty-one nucleotide sequences were included in this analysis. The first, second, and third codon positions are also included. The final dataset included 776 positions.     

Fabrication of a graphene-based sensor to detect the humidity and the temperature of a metal body with imprecise data analysis

Graphene is a 2D material with remarkable properties. The present study demonstrates the fabrication of a graphene-based sensor for measuring the temperature and humidity of a metal body. The graphene sensor was fabricated by depositing a thin film of graphene nanoparticles between silver electrodes (separated by ∼50 μm) on a glass substrate. The graphene thin film was characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy and UV-vis techniques. The capacitance and resistance for both the relative humidity (in the range of 0–100% RH) and temperature (in the range of 230–310 K) were measured using an LCR meter at 1 kHz in a controlled chamber. The graphene-based sensor expressed high sensitivity with fast response and recovery times for both humidity and temperature with long stability and low hysteresis curves. The sensor was also tested on a metal body, which expressed a good response time. Moreover, the measured data of capacitance and resistance was analyzed with classical and neutrosophic analysis as an application of modern material statistics. It was observed that neutrosophic analysis is more flexible for analyzing the capacitance and resistance of the fabricated sensor.

Graphene is a 2D material with remarkable properties.     

Mutational analysis of the CYP1B1 gene in Pakistani primary congenital glaucoma patients: Identification of four known and a novel causative variant at the 3′ splice acceptor site of intron 2

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) causes blindness in early age. It has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, hence is more prevalent in populations with frequent consanguineous marriages that occur in the Pakistani population. Mutations in the CYP1B1 gene are commonly associated with PCG. The aim of the present study was to identify genetic mutations in the CYP1B1 gene in PCG cases belonging to 38 Pakistani families. DNA was extracted using blood samples collected from all enrolled patients, their available unaffected family members and controls. Direct sequencing of the CYP1B1 gene revealed a novel 3' splice acceptor site causative variant segregating in an autosomal recessive manner in a large consanguineous family with four PCG‐affected individuals. The novel variant was not detected in 93 ethnically matched controls. Furthermore, four already reported mutations, including p.G61E, p.R355X, p.R368H, and p.R390H were also detected in patients belonging to nine different families. All identified causative variants were evaluated by computational programs, that is, SIFT, PolyPhen‐2, and MutationTaster. Pathogenicity of the novel splice site variant identified in this study was analyzed by Human Splicing Finder and MaxEntScan. Ten out of 38 families with PCG had the disease due to CYP1B1 mutations, suggesting CYP1B1 was contributing to PCG in these Pakistani patients. Identification of this novel 3' splice acceptor site variant in intron 2 is the first report for the CYP1B1 gene contributing to genetic heterogeneity of disease.     

Dextromethorphan Abuse in Texas, 2000–2009

ABSTRACT

This article aims at identifying a threshold number of drinks per day beyond which there is a high risk of developing alcoholic behavior that would enable physicians to more confidently support the use of alcohol for cardiovascular risk prevention. In a randomly selected, population-based sample of 2,042 adults 45 years or older, we graded alcohol drinking behavior using the Self-Administered Alcoholism Screening Test, quantified alcohol amount by questionnaire, and assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (coronary, peripheral, or cerebrovascular disease) by medical record review. Although optimal alcohol use (≤2 drinks/day) was associated with reduced odds of cardiovascular disease, 43% of alcoholics and 82% of problem drinkers reported alcohol use in the optimal range as well. The association of alcohol use in the optimal range with alcohol-related behavioral problems supports the reluctance in physicians from recommending alcohol use for cardiovascular benefit, not withstanding the underreporting of alcohol use by alcoholics.     

Myocarditis and pericarditis with tamponade associated with disseminated tuberculosis

Tuberculous involvement of the myocardium is relatively rare. Tuberculous pericarditis with tamponade and myocarditis in a young woman with no evidence of immunosuppression and disseminated tuberculosis is described. Three distinct forms of myocardial involvement are recognized: nodular tubercles (tuberculomas) of the myocardium; miliary tubercles of the myocardium; and an uncommon diffuse infiltrative type. The myocardium is involved by a hematogenous route, by lymphatic spread or contiguously from the pericardium. The diagnosis can be made by endomyocardial biopsy if clinical suspicion is strong and echocardiographic findings are suggestive. Antituberculosis drugs may be curative. With an increasing prevalence of tuberculosis, the possibility of potentially lethal myocardial tuberculosis is important to consider.     

Adenosine triphosphate/adenosine guided pulmonary vein isolation does not improve the outcomes of ablation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Successful pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the most reliable predictor of success after ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) unmasks the dormant conduction and can be used to improve the effectiveness of PVI. The impact of ATP guided PVI on clinical outcomes is discordant in various randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Objectives: To delineate the incremental benefit of ATP during PVI in patients with AF through a meta-analysis.

Methods and results: Database searches through January 2017 identified 5 RCTs (enrolling 2839 patients) comparing ATP guided PVI versus standard PVI (non-ATP). Four trials exclusively studied paroxysmal AF while one trial included both paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AF patients. Baseline characteristics, dose of adenosine and ablation strategies were clearly identified among all the trials. The risk ratio (RR) for AF episodes lasting >30 s after 3-month blanking period was calculated with random effects meta-analysis and showed no difference at a median follow up of 12 months [RR: 1.02, 95 % Confidence interval (CI): 0.85 to 1.25; p = 0.82]. Similarly, the number of repeat ablation was similar in both groups [RR: 1.02, 95 % CI: 0.63, 1.56; p = 0.98].

Conclusions: ATP guided PVI does not decrease the recurrence of AF or the need for repeat ablation at 12 months.     

The role of fondaparinux as an adjunct to thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction: a subgroup analysis of the OASIS-6 trial.

AIMS: No antithrombotic therapy has been shown to reduce mortality when used with thrombolytics in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In the OASIS-6 trial, fondaparinux significantly reduced mortality and reinfarction without increasing bleeding in 12 092 patients with acute ST elevation MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report the results of a subgroup analysis in the 5436 patients (45%) receiving thrombolytics. According to local practice, 4415 patients did not have an indication for unfractionated heparin (stratum 1) and 1021 did (stratum 2). Fondaparinux reduced the primary study outcome of death or MI at 30 days [Hazard ratio (HR) 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.92] with consistent reductions in both mortality (HR and CI) and reinfarction (HR and CI). There was a non-significantly lower rate of stroke (HR 0.77, CI 0.48-1.25). The risk of severe bleeding was significantly reduced (HR 0.62, CI 0.40-0.94), and thus the balance of benefit and risk (death, MI and severe haemorrhage) was clearly reduced by fondaparinux (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.90). Results were consistent in the two strata, by the different types of thrombolytics and across various time intervals from symptom onset to treatment. CONCLUSION: In STEMI patients treated with thrombolytic agents (predominantly streptokinase), fondaparinux significantly reduced the risk of death, re-MI and severe bleeds.     

Molecularly imprinted polymeric coatings for sensitive and selective gravimetric detection of artemether

Monitoring antimalarial drugs is necessary for clinical assays, human health, and routine quality control practices in pharmaceutical industries. Herein, we present the development of sensor coatings based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) combined with quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) for sensitive and selective gravimetric detection of an antimalarial drug: artemether. The MIP coatings are synthesized by using artemether as the template in a poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) matrix. Artemether-MIP and the non-imprinted polymer (NIP) control or reference layers are deposited on 10 MHz dual-electrode QCM by spin coating (187 ± 9 nm layer thickness after optimization). The coatings are characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy that reveal marked differences among the MIP and NIP. The MIP-QCM sensor exhibits high sensitivity (0.51 Hz ppm⁻¹) with sub-10 ppm detection and quantification limits. The MIP-QCM sensor also exhibits a 6-fold higher sensitivity compared to the NIP-QCM, and a dynamic working range of 30–100 ppm. The response time of MIP-QCM devices for a single cycle of analyte adsorption, signal saturation, and MIP regeneration is less than 2.5 min. The sensor also demonstrates selectivity factors of artemether-MIP of 2.2 and 4.1 compared to artemisinin and lumefantrine, respectively. Reversibility tests reveal less than 5% variation in sensor responses over three cycles of measurements at each tested concentration. The MIP-QCM showed lower detection limits than conventional HPLC-UV, and faster response time compared to HPLC-UV and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Chemical structures of the antimalarial drugs: artemisinin, artemether (a methyl ether derivative of artemisinin), and lumefantrine.     

Protective effect of Diosmin against benzo(a)pyrene‐induced lung injury in Swiss Albino Mice

Diosmin, a naturally occurring flavonoid commonly present in citrus fruit, is known to exhibit anti‐inflammatory, antimutagenic, antioxidant, and free radical scavenging as well as blood lipid lowering activities among others. Diosmin has also been used for the treatment of various diseases including diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. Our study explores the role of Diosmin in pulmonary toxicity (lung injury) induced by environmental contaminant benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]. Swiss Albino Mice (SAM) were administered with either Diosmin 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 14 days and then challenged with a single dose of B(a)P. On the 15th day, animals were sacrificed; lung tissues and blood were collected for molecular analysis. B(a)P administration in mice induced the thickening of lung epithelium, damaged alveolar architecture, and promoted inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissues. Also, B[a]P significantly increased the expression of NF‐kB, COX‐2, IL‐6, Bax, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved PARP proteins and decreased antioxidant enzyme levels. Diosmin‐100 and Diosmin‐200 significantly attenuated the damage to lung epithelium, alveolar architecture, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissues of mice. Diosmin significantly (P < .05) attenuated the levels of oxidative stress markers: lactate dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase. A decrease in expression of NF‐kB, COX‐2, IL‐6, Bax, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved PARP proteins in mice was challenged with B[a]P. Diosmin thus could be a promising therapeutic adjuvant against B[a]P‐induced oxidative stress and lung damage.