Prediction of primary vs secondary hypertension in children

Despite current guidelines, variability exists in the workup of hypertensive children due to physician preferences. The study evaluates primary vs secondary hypertension diagnosis from investigations routinely performed in hypertensive children. This retrospective study included children 5 to 19 years with primary and secondary hypertension. The proportions of abnormal laboratory and imaging tests were compared between primary and secondary hypertension groups. Risk factors for primary vs secondary hypertension were evaluated by logistic regression and likelihood function analysis. Patients with secondary hypertension were younger (5-12 years) and had a higher proportion of abnormal creatinine, renal ultrasound, and echocardiogram findings. There was no significant difference in abnormal results of thyroid function, urine catecholamines, plasma renin, and aldosterone. Abnormal renal ultrasound findings and age were predictors of secondary hypertension by regression and likelihood function analysis. Children aged 5 to 12 years with abnormal renal ultrasound findings and high diastolic blood pressures are at higher risk for secondary hypertension that requires detailed evaluation.     

Investigation of antioxidant and anti-nociceptive potential of isoxazolone,pyrazolone derivatives,and their molecular docking studies

A series of new isoxazolone ( 3a – d ) and pyrazolone ( 4a – d ) derivatives were synthesized and assessed for their antioxidant and analgesic activity. Among synthesized compounds, 3b and 4b having nitro (NO₂) group show high analgesic activity at a dose of 6 mg/kg. Analgesic activity was further proceeded to explore the contribution of opioidergic mechanisms in the mediation of analgesic effects. Animals were administered with naloxone, a nonselective opioid inverse agonist, at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg. The results obtained suggested that the analgesic effects of the synthesized compounds were not reversed by naloxone, specifying that the compounds 3b and 4b do not follow the opioidergic pathway in order to relieve pain in animal models. Further, the binding interactions of compounds 3b and 4b were analyzed by docking them against nonopioid receptors COX-1 (3N8X) and COX-2 (3LN1). The results demonstrate the analgesic potential of isoxazolone and pyrazolone derivatives, especially compounds 3b and 4b can be considered promising lead molecules for further investigation and development into potent analgesic drugs. In addition, the antioxidant potential of compounds was also found to be related to better analgesic activity, thus providing an insight into the role of oxidative stress in the mediation of analgesia.     

An advanced and efficient Co3O4/C nanocomposite for the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media

The design of efficient nonprecious catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) or the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a necessary, but very challenging task to uplift the water-based economy. In this study, we developed a facile approach to produce porous carbon from the dehydration of sucrose and use it for the preparation of nanocomposites with cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄). The nanocomposites were studied by the powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques, and they exhibited the cubic phase of cobalt oxide and porous structure of carbon. The nanocomposites showed significant OER activity in alkaline media, and the current densities of 10 and 20 mA cm⁻² could be obtained at 1.49 and 1.51 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), respectively. The impedance study confirms favorable OER activity on the surface of the prepared nanocomposites. The nanocomposite is cost-effective and can be capitalized in various energy storage technologies.

The design of efficient nonprecious catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) or the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a necessary, but very challenging task to uplift the water-based economy.     

Recent developments in the synthesis of regioregular thiophene-based conjugated polymers for electronic and optoelectronic applications using nickel and palladium-based catalytic systems

Thiophene-based conjugated polymers hold an irreplaceable position among the continuously growing plethora of conjugated polymers due to their exceptional optical and conductive properties, which has made them a centre of attention for the past few decades and many researchers have contributed tremendously by designing novel strategies to reach more efficient materials for electronic applications. This review aims to highlight the recent (2012–2019) findings in design and synthesis of novel thiophene-based conjugated polymers for optical and electronic devices using organometallic polycondensation strategies. Nickel- and palladium-based protocols are the main focus of this account. Among them nickel-catalyzed Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation, nickel-catalyzed deprotonative cross-coupling polycondensation, palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura and Migita–Kosugi–Stille couplings are the most popular strategies known so far for the synthesis of functionalized regioregular polythiophenes exhibiting fascinating properties such as electronic, optoelectronic, chemosensitivity, liquid crystallinity and high conductivity. This account also presents a brief overview of direct arylation polymerization (DArP) protocol that has shown a great potential to lessen the drawbacks of conventional polymerization techniques. DArP is a cost-effective and green method as it circumvents the need for the synthesis of arylene diboronic acid/diboronic ester and distannyl arylenes using toxic precursors. DArP also puts off the need to preactivate the C–H bonds, hence, presenting a facile route to synthesize polymers with controlled molecular weight, low polydispersity index, high regioregularity and tunable optoelectronic properties using palladium-based catalytic systems.

Thiophene-based conjugated polymers are important conjugated polymers due to their exceptional optical and conductive properties, over the past few decades many researchers have designed novel strategies to reach more efficient materials for electronic applications.     

Gallbladder volvulus: An unexpected “twist”

Gallbladder volvulus is a rare entity. It has been attributed to an elongated gallbladder mesentery, predisposing the gallbladder to twisting, obstructing the cystic duct and vessels, thus leading to ischemia and gangrene. Preoperative diagnosis can be elusive, but radiological features across multiple modalities have been described in the literature. We report a case of gallbladder volvulus in which the gallbladder appeared to be left-sided based on imaging, and present the radiological findings in keeping with a volvulus. Unlike cholecystitis, the treatment for volvulus is prompt detorsion and cholecystectomy; thus, accurate and timely diagnosis is paramount.     

Perinatal outcome of twin pregnancies according to chorionicity: an observational study from tertiary care hospital

Objective: To assess the perinatal outcome in twin pregnancies according to chorionicity.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of twin pregnancies from January 2001 to December 2012. Maternal and perinatal outcomes of monochorionic (MC) and dichorionic (DC) twins were compared by using chi-square and t-test. Perinatal complications were compared by adjusted odds ratio using logistic regression at 5% level of significance.

Results: Among 391 twin pregnancies, 116 (29.6%) were MC and 275 (72.95%) were DC. In MC twins, the rate of miscarriage was three fold higher than DC (12.6% versus 4.4%; p-value?p value?p value?=?0.042] more likely to be delivered preterm. Likewise, neonatal intensive care admission for MC was 2.23 times [CI (1.08–4.06), p-value?=?0.03], congenital anomalies were 4.75 times [CI (1.22–18.4), p value?=?0.024]. Fetal growth restriction was 1.86 times more common in the MC twin pair [CI (1.07–3.21), p-value?=?0.026].

Conclusions: MC twins were more at risk for adverse outcomes than DC twins. Determining chorionicity at early pregnancy will help the Obstetricians to plan the care of these patients. This will help not only in managing twin pregnancies but also help in counseling according to the local perinatal outcome.     

Gastrointestinal mucormycosis in immunocompromised hosts

Invasive mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection in immunocompromised hosts, but it carries a high mortality rate. Primary gastrointestinal disease is the least frequent form of presentation. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in the management; however, symptoms are typically non‐specific in gastrointestinal disease, leading to delayed therapy. To describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of gastrointestinal mucormycosis in immunocompromised hosts, we reviewed all cases of primary gastrointestinal mucormycosis in immunocompromised hosts reported in English literature as well as in our Institution from January 1st 1991 to December 31st 2013 for a total of 31 patients. About 52% of patients underwent solid organ transplant (SOT), while the rest had an underlying haematologic malignancy. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom, followed by gastrointestinal bleeding and fever. Gastric disease was more common in SOT, whereas those with haematologic malignancy presented with intestinal disease (P = 0.002). Although gastrointestinal mucormycosis remains an uncommon condition in immunocompromised hosts, it carries significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in cases with intestinal involvement. A high index of suspicion is of utmost importance to institute early and appropriate therapy and improve outcomes.     

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Infection Among Young and Unsuspecting Hmong Blood Donors in the Central California Valley

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may result in cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma and is one of the leading causes of mortality in Asian Americans including Hmong Americans. The Central California Valley is home to a huge Hmong population. To date, the true prevalence of HBV among Hmong is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to contribute to the limited data on HBV prevalence and its trends in Hmong population in the Central California Valley. Between fiscal years 2006 and 2010, a total of 219, 450 voluntary donors were identified at Central California Blood Center in Fresno. Of these, 821 (399 males and 422 females) were Hmong donors. A cross-sectional review of the HBV (hepatitis B surface antigen) positivity among all donors was carried out. Prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Ninety-two percent of Hmong donors were between age groups 16 and 35 years, and only 8% were ≥36 years. The overall prevalence in Hmong was noted at 3.41% (95%CI 2.3–4.9) compared to 0.06% (95%CI 0.05–0.07) in donors of all ethnicities. The calculated prevalence could be an underestimate of the true HBV prevalence in Hmong as the study enrolled only healthy blood donors with predominant younger age (≤35 years) population. These results underscore the persistent burden of HBV infection and potentially increased risk of premature death even in the second generation Hmong community of the Central California Valley. This study reemphasizes the unequivocal need to develop robust preventive and treatment strategies for HBV in Hmong community.