Allvar Gullstrand: The Only Ophthalmologist Who Won the Nobel Prize.

Allvar Gullstrand, the Swedish ophthalmologist and Nobel laureate, was a self-taught mathematician who applied mathematics and higher-order equations to understand the optic system. His inventions, the slit lamp, and the ophthalmoscope are used in clinical practice for the diagnosis of eye diseases. With his efforts, he explained the accommodation, the process of changing the shape of the lens to focus on near or distant objects. In 1911, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. In 1913, he was elected as the first president of the Swedish Ophthalmological Society. In 1927, he was awarded the Graefe Medal of the Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft.

Charles Kelman: The Father of Phacoemulsification.

Charles D. Kelman was a brilliant American ophthalmologist who revolutionized cataract surgery by introducing phacoemulsification to replace extracapsular cataract extraction. He used an ultrasonic probe to emulsify and aspirate the lens through a small incision (3-4 mm). Kelman's technique met initial resistance at first, but it gained global acceptance after proving its safety and effectiveness in the management of cataractous eyes, and it has been the preferred technique until now. Today, the entire surgery is performed in 5-7 minutes. This technique also helped to reduce hospitalization after the surgical removal of a cataract. Kelman is one of the greatest surgeons of the last century.

Interaction of major saffron constituent safranal with trypsin: An experimental and computational investigation.

Trypsin is a serine protease, an important digestive enzyme that digests the proteins in the small intestine. In the present study, we have investigated the interaction of safranal, a major saffron metabolite, with trypsin using spectroscopic and molecular docking analyses. Fluorescence emission spectra of trypsin were largely affected by the inner filter effect from safranal; that's why these were corrected using the standard procedure. The corrected fluorescence spectra have shown that the safranal quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of trypsin with a blue shift in the wavelength of emission maximum, which revealed that the microenvironment of the fluorophore became more hydrophobic. There was approximately 1: 1 fair binding between them, which increased with a rise in temperature. The interaction was favored, principally, by hydrophobic forces, and there was an efficient energy transfer from the fluorophore to the safranal. Synchronous fluorescence spectra suggested that the tryptophan residues were the major ones taking part in the fluorescence quenching of trypsin. Safranal also influenced the secondary structure of trypsin and caused partial unfolding. Molecular Docking and the Molecular Dynamics simulation of the free and complexed trypsin was also carried out. Safranal formed a stable, non-covalent complex within the S2'-S5' subsite. Moreover, two nearby tyrosine residues (Tyr39 and Tyr151) stabilized safranal through π-π interactions. Additionally, the presence of safranal led to changes in the protein flexibility and compactness, which could indicate changes in the surrounding of tryptophan residues, impacting their fluorescence. Furthermore, a loss in compactness is in line with the partial unfolding observed experimentally. Thus, both experimental and computational studies were in good agreement with each other.

Unveiling the corrosion inhibition efficacy and stability of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Anacardium occidentale leaf extract for mild steel in a simulated seawater solution.

Plant extracts used as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel usually degrade as the temperature increases above room temperature. In this study, we used Anacardium occidentale (cashew leaf) extract to synthesize silver nanoparticles for improving mild steel's inhibition stability under salinized conditions. Cashew leaves were used as a reducing agent to synthesise silver nanoparticles. The functional group of the silver nanoparticles was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarisation were used to study the corrosion behaviour under simulated seawater by varying the silver nanoparticle concentration between 0.1 and 0.3 g L-1. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to obtain information about the surface of the corroded sample. The green silver nanoparticles reduced the corrosion of mild steel up to 90.5% at 40 °C and 90% at 80 °C. At 80 °C, the AgNPs are biochemically and thermally stable, exhibiting a 90% inhibition efficiency. It was established that silver nanoparticles from cashew leaves can be used to improve the stability of mild steel in simulated seawater.

Infectious Mononucleosis Revealed by Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug: A First Clinical Report.

Infectious mononucleosis (IM), primarily caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is a common viral illness among adolescents and young adults. IM typically presents with symptoms such as fever, lymphadenopathy, and pharyngitis. We present a case of a 32-year-old woman who developed a maculopapular rash following ibuprofen administration, revealing an underlying undiagnosed IM. Laboratory investigations confirmed EBV infection. This represents the first documented case linking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to IM presentation. Awareness of this association is crucial for timely diagnosis and management, especially when evaluating patients with unexplained skin reactions to medications.

Effect of sleeve gastrectomy on the levels of oral volatile sulfur compounds and halitosis-related bacteria.

Background: The association between sleeve gastrectomy and halitosis remains relatively unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of sleeve gastrectomy on halitosis and the oral bacterial species associated with halitosis in patients with obesity. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study that examined patients before and after sleeve gastrectomy and followed the patients at three time intervals (1, 3, and 6 months) after sleeve gastrectomy. Clinical periodontal measurements (plaque index [PI], gingival index [GI], and probing depth [PD]) were obtained. In addition, plaque samples were collected for quantification of the periodontopathogenic bacteria: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Fusobacterium nucleatum using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In addition, breath samples were collected to analyze the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), namely hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), and dimethyl sulfide (CH3SCH3), via portable gas chromatography (Oral Chroma™). Results: Of the 43 patients initially included, 39 completed the study, with a mean age of 32.2 ± 10.4 years. For PI and GI repeated measurements one way analysis of variance showed a significant increase (p-value < 0.001 for both) one month after surgery, with mean values of 1.3 and 1.59, respectively, compared to the baseline. During the same period, the number of P. gingivalis increased, with a p-value = 0.04. Similarly, the levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) increased significantly in the first month after surgery (p-value = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that sleeve gastrectomy may lead to increased halitosis one month post-surgery, attributed to elevated and P. gingivalis counts, contributing to the development of gingivitis in obese patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. This emphasizes the importance of including oral health professionals in the multidisciplinary team for the management of patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Unveiling a Novel Solvatomorphism of Anti-inflammatory Flufenamic Acid: X-ray Structure, Quantum Chemical, and In Silico Studies.

This paper delves into the polymorphism of 2-[3-(trifluoromethyl)anilino]benzoic acid, commonly referred to as flufenamic acid (FA), a pharmaceutical agent employed in treating inflammatory conditions. The central focus of the study is on a newly unearthed solvatomorphic structure of FA in methanol (FAM), and a thorough comparison is conducted with the commercially available standard structure. Employing a comprehensive approach, including X-ray crystallography, Hirshfeld surface analysis, density functional theory (DFT), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the research aims to unravel the structural and functional implications of solvatomorphism. The X-ray crystal structure analysis brings to light notable differences between the standard FA and solvatomorphic FAM, showcasing variations in intermolecular interactions and crystal packing. Key features such as hydrogen bonding, π···π stacking, and C-H···π interactions are identified as influential factors shaping the stability and conformation of the compounds. Hirshfeld surface analysis further quantifies the nature and contribution of intermolecular interactions, providing a comprehensive perspective on molecular stability. Density functional theory offers valuable electronic structure insights, highlighting disparities in frontier molecular orbitals between FA and FAM. Molecular docking studies against prostaglandin D2 11-ketoreductase explore potential drug interactions, unveiling distinct binding modes and hydrogen bonding patterns that shed light on how the solvatomorphic structure may impact drug-target interactions. In-depth molecular dynamics simulations over 100 ns investigate the stability of the protein-ligand complex, with root mean square deviation and root mean square fluctuation analyses revealing minimal deviations and affirming the stability of FAM within the active site of the target protein.

Delirium Knowledge, Risk Factors, and Attitude Among the General Public in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Delirium is a common and serious neuropsychiatric disorder, of acute onset, present at any age, but more common in older adults, and very common in clinical practice. It combines mental and behavioral symptoms with a fluctuating course, with worsening of the condition in the afternoon and at night, with important repercussions on increased mortality, greater risk of cognitive impairment, and hospitalization costs. Delirium's impact extends to patients, families, and healthcare systems, emphasizing the need for public awareness and education in Saudi Arabia. Methodology It is a cross-sectional conducted in Saudi Arabia that aims to assess knowledge, risk factors, and attitudes regarding delirium among all Saudi and non-Saudi residents aged 18 and older. A 36 self-administered questionnaire, standardized Nordic, was used. Data were cleaned in Microsft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, USA) and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). This study was conducted in Saudi Arabia from May 2023 till March 2024. Results Our study involved 1,470 participants from Saudi Arabia, primarily females (79.1%), Saudi nationals (89.9%), and unmarried individuals (65.4%). Most participants were aged 18-24 (59.5%) and held bachelor's degrees (57.3%). Commonly recognized delirium risk factors included increasing age (63.3%), dementia (58.2%), and longer ICU stays (48.7%). The participants showed moderate knowledge of delirium symptoms and consequences. Attitudes varied, with many agreeing that delirium requires intervention (30.7%) but fewer considering it preventable (17.1%). Sociodemographic factors, including gender and age, significantly influenced knowledge and attitudes, while education levels did not. Conclusion Our study found that gender and age influenced knowledge and attitudes, highlighting the importance of targeted education. Future research should further investigate the effectiveness of such interventions in enhancing knowledge and awareness and promoting preventive actions.

Nephroprotective Effect of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Leaf Flavonoid Extracts via KIM-1 and TGF-1ß Signaling Pathways in Streptozotocin-Induced Rats.

Diabetes-induced kidney damage represents a substantial health hazard, emphasizing the imperative to explore potential therapeutic interventions. This study investigates the nephroprotective activity of flavonoid-rich extracts from Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The flavonoid-rich extracts of H. sabdariffa leaves was obtained using a standard procedure. The animals were induced with streptozotocin and thereafter treated with both low (LDHSFL) and high doses (HDHSFL) of flavonoid-rich extracts from H. sabdariffa leaves and metformin (MET), and other groups are diabetic control (DC) and normal control (NC). The study assesses diverse renal parameters, encompassing kidney redox stress biomarkers, serum electrolyte levels, kidney inflammatory biomarkers, serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, and uric acid, kidney phosphatase activities, renal histopathology, and relative gene expressions of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-1ß), comparing these measurements with normal and diabetic control groups (NC and DC). The findings indicate that the use of extracts from H. sabdariffa leaves markedly (p < 0.05) enhanced renal well-being by mitigating nephropathy, as demonstrated through the adjustment of various biochemical and gene expression biomarkers, indicating a pronounced antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effect, improved kidney morphology, and mitigation of renal dysfunction. These findings suggest that H. sabdariffa leaf flavonoid extracts exhibit nephroprotective properties, presenting a potential natural therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Facile fabrication of magnetite nanoparticles with new hydrophobic amides and their application in oil spill remediation.

In this study, inexpensive magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared and applied to oil spill remediation. To do so, two novel hydrophobic amides, HADN and HATN, were prepared and applied to Fe3O4 surface modification, producing HAN-Fe3O4 and HAT-Fe3O4, respectively. The efficiency of HAN-Fe3O4 and HAT-Fe3O4 for oil spill remediation (EOSR) was investigated using different HAN-Fe3O4 and HAT-Fe3O4 weights and at various contact times. The data indicated that the EOSR increased with increased HAN-Fe3O4 and HAT-Fe3O4 weights, as their EOSR reached 100% and 89%, respectively, using 100 mg. The results also revealed that the optimum time for HAN-Fe3O4 and HAT-Fe3O4 (50 mg) to achieve the highest EOSR is 8 min, as their EOSR reached 98% and 84%, respectively, at this time. In addition, HAN-Fe3O4 exhibited higher EOSR than HAT-Fe3O4, which could be linked to the presence of an aromatic ring in HADN that is used for surface modification of Fe3O4, making them more compatible with crude oil components.

Interaction of the lysozyme with anticoagulant drug warfarin: Spectroscopic and computational analyses.

Warfarin is a cardiovascular drug, used to treat or inhibit the coagulation of the blood. In this paper, we have studied the interaction of lysozyme with warfarin using several experimental (fluorescence, UV-visible and circular dichroism spectroscopies) and computational (molecular docking, molecular dynamics and DFT) approaches. Experimental studies have suggested that there was a strong interaction between lysozyme and warfarin. Inner filter effect played important role in fluorescence experimental data which show that the emission intensity of lysozyme decreased on the addition of warfarin, however, after inner filter effect correction the actual outcome turned out be the fluorescence enhancement. The extent of binding, increased with temperature rise. The interaction was primarily taken place via the dominance of hydrophobic forces. Small amount of warfarin didn't influence the secondary structure of lysozyme; however, the higher concentration of warfarin caused a decrease in the helicity of the protein and a consequent partial unfolding. Molecular docking studies were also performed which revealed that warfarin binds with lysozyme mainly with hydrophobic forces along with a significant contribution of hydrogen bonding. The flexibility of warfarin played important role in fitting the molecule into the binding pocket of lysozyme. Frontier molecular orbitals of warfarin, using DFT, in free as well as complexed form have also been calculated and discussed. Molecular dynamics simulations of unbound and warfarin bound lysozyme reveal a stable complex with slightly higher RMSD values in the presence of warfarin. Despite slightly increased RMSF values, the overall compactness and folding properties remain consistent, emphasizing strong binding towards lysozyme through the results obtained from intermolecular hydrogen bonding analysis. Essential dynamics analysis suggests warfarin induces slight structural changes without significantly altering the conformation, additionally supported by SASA patterns. Aside from the examination of global and essential motion, the MM/PBSA-based analysis of binding free energy elucidates the significant binding of warfarin to lysozyme, indicating a binding free energy of -13.3471 kcal/mol.

A rare case of mucormycosis in a diabetic patient: diagnostic challenges and clinical management of mucormycosis hand infection.

Mucormycosis hand infection in poorly controlled diabetic presented as rapidly progressive swelling, redness, pain, and necrosis unresponsive to antibiotics. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive surgery, antifungals, and diabetes management were critical, highlighting the need for early recognition and treatment of mucormycosis in diabetics.

Unveiling the multifaceted incorporation of Musa acuminata peduncle juice as a bio-corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in seawater-simulated solution.

This work assessed the ability of Musa acuminata peduncle juice extract to sustainably inhibit mild steel under salinized conditions. The effort sought to ascertain the new active material's inhibitory efficacy for inhibiting metal corrosion in seawater. M. acuminata peduncle juice was extracted from the M. acuminata peduncle. The functional group of the M. acuminata pedal juice was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The corrosion behavior was assessed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization by varying the M. acuminata peduncle juice at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 g L-1 for 300 K, 310 K, and 320 K, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy provided an image of the surface morphology of mild steel. Reduced corrosion current (icorr) was observed when M. acuminata pedal juice was present according to potentiodynamic polarization and studies. Moreover, adding M. acuminata peduncle juice increases resistance capacity transfer (Rct). The potentiodynamic polarization approach was used to obtain the optimum inhibitory efficiency (%IE) at 0.3 g L-1 doses with 88.0% efficiency at 300 K. The addition of M. acuminata peduncle juice results in a smoother, mild steel morphology than the surface without inhibitor additions. The molecules of active chemicals adhering to the steel surface were linked to increased corrosion inhibition. The study's findings demonstrated that M. acuminata peduncle juice is a promising biomaterial for mild steel corrosion inhibitors in a salty environment.

Unlocking the Power of Influenza Vaccines for Pediatric Population: A Narrative Review.

The flu, often known as influenza, is a dangerous public health hazard for the pediatric population. Immunization is essential for decreasing the burden of the disease and avoiding complications related to influenza. However, the immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety of different influenza vaccines in children warrant careful evaluation. The purpose of this narrative review is to give a summary of the existing literature on the immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety of several vaccinations against influenza viruses in children. The review incorporates evidence from a range of studies focusing on the outcomes of interest. Immunogenicity studies have shown that influenza vaccines induce a robust immune response in children, primarily through neutralizing antibodies' formation. However, variations in vaccine composition influence the duration and magnitude of immune responses. Safety is a crucial consideration in pediatric vaccination. In children, influenza vaccinations have generally shown a high safety profile, with mild and temporary side effects being the most common. Vaccinations against influenza have shown a modest level of efficacy in avoiding hospitalizations linked to influenza, laboratory-confirmed influenza infections, and serious consequences in children. Live attenuated vaccines have shown higher effectiveness against matched strains compared to inactivated vaccines. In conclusion, this narrative review highlights that receiving influenza vaccination in children aged six to 47 months is very important. While different vaccines exhibit varying immunogenicity, safety profiles, and effectiveness, they all contribute to reducing the burden of influenza among children. Future research should focus on optimizing vaccine strategies, improving vaccine coverage, and evaluating long-term protection.

Redefining Chalcone Synthesis: Aldol Adduct Elimination for the Rapid Access to Thienyl Chalcones.

This paper introduces a unique and novel method for synthesizing thienyl chalcones using iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) as a heterogeneous catalyst. It stands out as a rare example in the literature for the synthesis of these chalcones from 1,3-diketones and various aromatic aldehydes. The magnetic FeONPs employed as the catalyst bring several advantages, including their efficiency, affordability, and ecofriendly nature, making them an attractive choice for producing thiophene chalcones. One noteworthy aspect of this methodology is the utilization of mild reaction conditions, which greatly simplify the operational aspects of the reaction. Synthesized chalcones were confirmed through the application of various techniques, proton-NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. These analyses provide valuable insights into the chemical compositions and structural characteristics of the synthesized compounds. Significantly, this methodology is reported for the first time in the literature, indicating its novelty and contribution to the field of chalcone synthesis.

One-Pot Synthesis of Amphipathic Esters for Demulsification of Water-in-Crude Oil Emulsions.

The current work aims to synthesize new amphipathic compounds, TGHA and PGHA, and investigate their demulsification performance (DP) in water-in-crude oil emulsions. Their chemical structures, thermal stability, interfacial activity, and micelle formation were investigated by different techniques. The bottle test method was used to investigate the effect of demulsifier concentration, water content, temperature, and demulsification time (DT) on the DP of TGHA and PGHA compared to a commercial demulsifier (CD). The results indicated that these parameters have a noticeable impact on the DP of TGHA and PGHA. The results also showed that TGHA exhibited higher DP than PGHA at all investigated parameters, which could be explained by increasing its hydrophobicity due to lower oxyethylene units in its structure than PGHA. An increase in these units means increased hydrophilicity, which led to obstruction of PGHA molecule diffusion in crude oil as a continuous phase. Moreover, TGHA gave a comparable DP with CD, as it gave a higher DP and shorter DT than CD at a higher water content (50%), while the latter achieved the highest DP and the shortest DT at a low water content (10%).

Synthesis of Some Novel Thiophene Analogues as Potential Anticancer Agents.

The aim of this study involves the synthesis novel thiophene analogues that can be used as anticancer medications through a strategic multicomponent reaction connecting ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate (1), phenyl isothiocyanate, and a series of active methylene reagents, including ethyl acetoacetate (2), malononitrile, ethyl cyanoacetate, cyanoacetamide 6a-c, N-phenyl cyanoacetamide derivatives 13a-c, and acetoacetanilide derivatives 18. This reaction was facilitated by dry dimethylformamide with a catalytic quantity of K2CO3. The resultant thiophene derivatives were identified as 4, 8a-b, 9, 12a-d, 15a-c, and 20a-b. Further reaction of compound 4 with hydrazine hydrate yielded derivative 5, respectively. When compound 1 was refluxed with ethyl 3-mercapto-3-(phenylamino)-2-(p-substituted phenyldiazenyl)acrylate 10a-e in the presence of sodium ethoxide, it produced thiophene derivatives 12a-d. Comprehensive structural elucidation of these newly synthesized thiophene-analogues was accomplished via elemental and spectral analysis data. Furthermore, the study delves into the cytotoxicity of the newly synthesized thiophenes was evaluated using the HepG2, A2780, and A2780CP cell lines. The amino-thiophene derivative 15b exhibited an increased growth inhibition of A2780, and A2780CP with IC50 values 12±0.17, and 10±0.15 µM, respectively compared to Sorafenib with IC50 values 7.5±0.54 and 9.4±0.14. This research opens new avenues for developing thiophene-based anticancer agents.

Spinal Cord Termination and Lumbar Puncture Safety in Spinal Deformities.

Background Lumbar puncture, a common diagnostic and therapeutic procedure, is performed regardless of individual spinal alignment variations. However, the impact of kyphosis, scoliosis, and kyphoscoliosis on spinal cord termination level and lumbar puncture safety remains unclear. Objectives This study aimed to determine if the termination level of the spinal cord is different in individuals with spinal deformities and to assess the necessity of routine neuroimaging for safe lumbar puncture localization. Study design and settings This single-center retrospective study was conducted at a university hospital using patients' electronic medical records. The study was focused on patients diagnosed with kyphosis, scoliosis, or kyphoscoliosis using spinal magnetic resonance imaging from January 2010 to December 2022. Participants We evaluated 240 patients: 120 with diagnosed spinal deformities (kyphosis, scoliosis, or kyphoscoliosis) and 120 without deformities, categorized by sex (deformed: 92 females, 28 males; non-deformed: 72 females, 48 males). Patients with spinal trauma, bleeding, or tumors were excluded. Results No statistically significant correlation was found between spinal deformities and spinal cord termination, with L1 remaining the most common endpoint in all groups. Conclusion Routine neuroimaging prior to lumbar puncture in patients with spinal deformities was not associated with a safer procedure due to no observed impact on the termination level of the spinal cord.

Retraction: Isolated Superior Mesenteric Artery Dissection After Methamphetamine Use: A Rare Adverse Effect.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19551.].

Impact of phthalate metabolites on vitamin D levels and subclinical inflammation: national health and nutrition examination survey, 2013-2018.

This study explores the association between phthalates and total vitamin D levels and the link between phthalates exposure and subclinical inflammation using monocyte percentage to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR), utilizing three National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) survey cycles 2013-2018. This study is cross-sectional, utilizing one-time urine samples from randomly selected NHANES participants to assess phthalate metabolites. An inverse association between vitamin D and all Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites was found. The molar sum of DEHP metabolites was inversely associated with vitamin D (ß -2.329; 95% CI -3.937,-0.720). An inverse association was observed between monocarboxynonyl phthalate and vitamin D (ß -0.0278; 95% CI -0.0527,-0.00298). A similar relationship was found between monocarboxyoctyl phthalate and vitamin D (ß -0.0160; 95% CI -0.0242,-0.00775). There was no association between phthalate metabolites and MHR. Stratified analysis showed that the association between phthalate metabolites and MHR may vary according to vitamin D status.