Physicochemical properties of ammonium acetate / propionic acid as a novel deep eutectic solvent and its binary mixtures with water in (298.15-353.15) K range.

Emergence of deep eutectic solvents as potential replacements for volatile organic solvents has attracted interest of the scientific community in diverse fields of applications. Compared to ionic liquids, which exhibit similarity in many respects with this new class of green solvents, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) show low toxicity, and are easy to prepare from cheap and abundantly available starting materials. Knowledge of physicochemical properties of DESs is a prerequisite for their safe applications in technological fields and to understand the nature of interactions present in these systems. Although physicochemical properties of choline chloride based DESs are widely investigated, similar information on ammonium acetate based DESs is scant. In this work, a novel ammonium acetate/propionic acid deep eutectic solvent (AA/PA DES) is reported which is prepared by mixing ammonium acetate (AA) and propionic acid (PA) in the 1:3 mol ratio and characterized by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, TGA and DSC techniques. The density (ρ), sound velocity (u), viscosity (η) and conductivity (κ) of the pure DES and its binary mixtures with water are investigated over the entire composition range and temperatures (298.15-353.15) K. The excess properties, VmE, KSE, Δη, and ΔG*E are calculated and corelated using Redlich-Kister equation (RKE). Temperature dependence of conductivity and viscosity is satisfactorily described by the Vogel - Fulcher - Tamman (VFT) equation rather than Arrhenius equation. The pure DES shows a wide electrochemical potential window ranging from - 1000 mV to + 1000 mV, which coupled with its better solubilizing characteristics, could be exploited for electrochemical work.

Physicochemical Properties of Choline Chloride/Acetic Acid as a Deep Eutectic Solvent and Its Binary Solutions with DMSO at 298.15 to 353.15 K.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are considered to play an important role in green chemistry and other technological fields as an alternative to organic solvents. The present study reports measurements of density (ρ), speed of sound (u), dynamic viscosity (η), and electrical conductivity (κ) and investigates physicochemical properties of choline chloride/acetic acid (ChCl/AcA DES) and its binary mixtures with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) over the entire composition and temperature (298.15-353.15 K) range. The density data are well fitted by a second-degree polynomial equation in T. DES/DMSO mixtures exhibit negative excess molar volume and isentropic compressibility deviation with a minimum in respective curves at x1 ≈ 0.15 (x1 is the mole fraction of DES in the mixture), which became deeper with increasing temperature. The ChCl/AcA DES and DMSO curves for excess partial molar volume cross each other at x1 ≈ 0.15, showing that the packing effect is dominant over specific interactions. A similar behavior is observed for excess molar viscosity, showing the minima at x1 ≈ 0.62, and substantiates volumetric results. The temperature dependence of viscosity and conductivity is well described by the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) equation.

Lead-induced modification of growth and yield of Linum usitatissimum L. and its soil remediation potential.

This study was designed to evaluate the pre-reproductive and reproductive responses of Linum usitatissimum L. (flax, linseed plant) to different levels of Pb in the soil. Flax seeds were sown in garden soil-filled earthen pots and treated with three different levels of lead as lead chloride (150, 450, and 750 mg Pb kg-1 soil) except control, and each treatment was replicated three times. Growth and reproductive parameters and photosynthetic pigments were significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.05) for all treatments. Quantitatively, Chlorophyll b content decreased more than chlorophyll a and the amount of proline content in the leaves increased in lockstep with the increase of Pb levels in the soil. Pb was found in substantial amounts in the roots, shoots, and seeds. The pattern of Pb accumulation in different organs was root > shoot > seeds. Pb levels in seeds obtained from 750 mg Pb kg-1 soil-treated plants exceeded the permissible limits. Biological concentration factor (BCF), biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) and translocation factor (TF) values showed that roots of L. usitatissimum absorbed and accumulated a substantial quantity of Pb but translocated only a fraction of that to the shoots. Therefore, L. usitatissimum L. can be used in phytostabilization rather than phytoextraction of Pb.

This manuscript evaluates the potential of flaxseeds to cause biomagnification of lead (Pb) in the human body when grown under different concentrations of Pb and assessment of the risk posed to consumer health in a food chain. This study also provides insight to evaluate the uptake and extraction efficiency of Linum usitatissimum L. to remediate the Pb-polluted soil and use of Pb contaminated plant products (stem fibers and linseed oil) in an ecofriendly manner.

Forecasting the Trends of Covid-19 and Causal Impact of Vaccines Using Bayesian Structural time Series and ARIMA.

Several researchers have used standard time series models to analyze future patterns of COVID-19 and the Causal impact of vaccinations in various countries. Bayesian structural time series (BSTS) and ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average) models are used to forecast time series. The goal of this study is to look at a much more adaptable effective methodology for dissecting the major components of a time series that breaks down the main parts of a time series. Within the period of March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, we used these state space model to explore the forecast patterns of COVID-19 in five afflicted nations.In addition, we used intervention analysis under BSTS models to examine the casual effect of vaccines in these countries, and we reached higher levels of accuracy than ARIMA models. According to forecasts, the number of confirmed cases in the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and India will climb by 1.17%, 19.4%, 15.5%, 13.8% , and 8%, respectively, during the next 60 days. On the other side, death rates in the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and India are expected to rise by 2.7%, 3.5%, 15.8%, 9.4%, and 14.8%, respectively. In addition, By using effective and quick vaccination, the United States, United Kingdom, and UAE have been able to reduce the number of mortality. On the other hand, vaccination is currently unable to decrease the rate of cases and deaths in India. Overall, the Indian healthcare system is likely to be seriously over-burdened in the next month. Though the USA and UK have managed to cut down the rates of COVID-19 deaths,but in UK and UAE number of confirmed cases are high as compared to other nations,so serious efforts will be required to keep these controllable. On the other hand,To keep things under control, Bahrain and four other countries has to speed up vaccinations.

Synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles by use of arabinoglucan from Lallemantia royleana.

Highly stable gold and silver nanoparticles were synthesized by use of an arabinoglucan from Lallemantia royleana seeds without additional use of reducing or stabilizing agents. The mechanism involved the reduction potential of the hemicellulose as verified by cyclic voltammetry. The arabinoglucan used was substantially free from ferulic acid and phenolic content, suggesting the inherent reducing potential of arabinoglucan for gold and silver ions. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited surface plasmon resonance maxima at 515 nm (gold) and 397 nm (silver) corresponding to sizes of 10 nm and 8 nm, respectively. The zeta potential values were -24.1 mV (gold) and -22.3 mV (silver). The silver nanoparticles showed potential for application in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Gold nanoparticles were found to be non-toxic, whereas silver nanoparticles exhibited dose-dependent biological activities and found to be cytotoxic against brine shrimps and HeLa cell lines and the tumours caused by A. tumefaciens.

30-Day Morbidity and Mortality of Bariatric Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Multinational Cohort Study of 7704 Patients from 42 Countries.

BACKGROUND: There are data on the safety of cancer surgery and the efficacy of preventive strategies on the prevention of postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 in these patients. But there is little such data for any elective surgery. The main objectives of this study were to examine the safety of bariatric surgery (BS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to determine the efficacy of perioperative COVID-19 protective strategies on postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 rates. METHODS: We conducted an international cohort study to determine all-cause and COVID-19-specific 30-day morbidity and mortality of BS performed between 01/05/2020 and 31/10/2020. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-nine surgeons from 185 centres in 42 countries provided data on 7704 patients. Elective primary BS (n = 7084) was associated with a 30-day morbidity of 6.76% (n = 479) and a 30-day mortality of 0.14% (n = 10). Emergency BS, revisional BS, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, and untreated obstructive sleep apnoea were associated with increased complications on multivariable analysis. Forty-three patients developed symptomatic COVID-19 postoperatively, with a higher risk in non-whites. Preoperative self-isolation, preoperative testing for SARS-CoV-2, and surgery in institutions not concurrently treating COVID-19 patients did not reduce the incidence of postoperative COVID-19. Postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 was more likely if the surgery was performed during a COVID-19 peak in that country. CONCLUSIONS: BS can be performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic with appropriate perioperative protocols. There was no relationship between preoperative testing for COVID-19 and self-isolation with symptomatic postoperative COVID-19. The risk of postoperative COVID-19 risk was greater in non-whites or if BS was performed during a local peak.

Reliability analysis using an exponential power model with bathtub-shaped failure rate function: a Bayes study.

Models with bathtub-shaped hazard function have been widely accepted in the field of reliability and medicine and are particularly useful in reliability related decision making and cost analysis. In this paper, the exponential power model capable of assuming increasing as well as bathtub-shape, is studied. This article makes a Bayesian study of the same model and simultaneously shows how posterior simulations based on Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms can be straightforward and routine in R. The study is carried out for complete as well as censored data, under the assumption of weakly-informative priors for the parameters. In addition to this, inference interest focuses on the posterior distribution of non-linear functions of the parameters. Also, the model has been extended to include continuous explanatory variables and R-codes are well illustrated. Two real data sets are considered for illustrative purposes.

Detection of rare blood group, Bombay (Oh) phenotype patients and management by acute normovolemic hemodilution.

BACKGROUND: Due to lack of correct blood grouping practices, the rare Bombay Oh phenotype may be missed, subjecting patients to the risk of severe hemolytic transfusion reaction. In the absence of blood donor registry, transfusion management of patients needing immediate surgery is a challenge. This study presents detection of rare Bombay Oh phenotype patients and their management by acute peri-operative acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) in a hospital from central India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood grouping of patients and blood donors with a standard tube method was carried out and samples identified as rare Bombay phenotype were confirmed by saliva inhibition test. Surgical management of cases needing transfusion was done by ANH, as per the British Committee for Standards in Hematology guidelines. RESULTS: The incidence of Bombay phenotype was 0.002% or 1 in 51,924 in the study. Amongst three cases (patients) identified as Bombay phenotype, one was Bombay Oh, Rh negative. Two cases were missed in the first instance and one case actually did not require transfusion. In the absence of a blood donor registry for Bombay phenotype, the cases needing transfusion were successfully managed with ANH in the operation theatre. CONCLUSION: A simple test like blood grouping should be done with serious intention with incorporation of both forward and reverse grouping, so that no patient receives wrong blood leading to fatal hemolysis due to transfusion. ANH is a cost-effective transfusion option for suitable patients. Appropriate clinical decision making, use of strategies to decrease peri-operative blood losses and cost-effective country based planning could be more widely applied to improve clinical transfusion practice.

Genistein modulates the expression of NF-κB and MAPK (p-38 and ERK1/2), thereby attenuating d-Galactosamine induced fulminant hepatic failure in Wistar rats.

Genistein is an isoflavanoid abundantly found in soy. It has been found to play an important role in the prevention of various chronic diseases including cancer. In this study, we evaluated potential therapeutic properties of Genistein against d-Galactosamine (d-GalN) induced inflammation and hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of d-GalN (700mg/kgBW). Genistein (5mg/kgBW/day) was given as pre-treatment for 30days via intra-gastric route followed by d-GalN (700mg/kgBW) injection. The hepatoprotective and curative effects of Genistein were evident from a significant decrease in the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels as well as prevention of histological damage by pre-treatment of Genistein. Genistein pre-treatment significantly inhibited the increased protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), thereby reducing nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin-E2 (PGE) levels, respectively. In addition Genistein significantly suppressed the production of d-GalN-induced proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1ß. These inhibitory effects were associated with the suppression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB) activation, IKKα/ß and Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation by Genistein in d-GalN-treated animals. In conclusion, our results suggest that Genistein may serve as a potential supplement in the prevention of hepatic and inflammatory diseases. Furthermore Genistein is able to maintain the redox potential and strengthens the antioxidant defense system of a cell.

Bayesian analysis of generalized log-Burr family with R.

Log-Burr distribution is a generalization of logistic and extreme value distributions, which are important reliability models. In this paper, Bayesian approach is used to model reliability data for log-Burr model using analytic and simulation tools. Laplace approximation is implemented for approximating posterior densities of the parameters. Moreover, parallel simulation tools are also implemented using 'LaplacesDemon' package of R.

Clinical and histopathologic characteristics of skin malignancies in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to assess the pattern of skin malignancies in Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Data of histopathological confirmed cases of skin malignancies were collected from all the referral hospitals of Qassim region during a period from January 2000 to July 2009. RESULTS: Out of 94 cases majority (90.4%) were Saudis, and males (74.5%). The most common malignant skin lesion was BCC (58.5%) followed by SCC (18.1%) and MM (11.7%), respectively. Other malignancies seen were DFSP (4.3%), sebaceous carcinoma (2.1%) and skin secondaries from lung, lymphoma and stomach (4.3%). The most common site was face for BCC, trunk for SCC, and limbs for MM. The DFSP did not show any particular pattern. CONCLUSION: All major types of skin malignancies were seen with patterns similar to those reported from various other regions of Saudi Arabia and other countries except for Kaposi's sarcoma which was not encountered in our study.

Natural flavonoids interact with dinitrobenzene system in aprotic media: an electrochemical probing.

Three structurally related natural flavonoids (FlOH), quercetin (Q), rutin (R) and morin (M), were investigated by cyclic voltammetry to probe their interactions with hazardous 1,4-dinitrobenzene (1,4-DNB) using a glassy carbon electrode. Scavenging of 1,4-DNB by FlOH was inferred from a positive shift in reduction potential, decrease in anodic peak current, and irreversible electrochemical behavior of 1,4-DNB on increasing the flavonoid concentration. The homogeneous bi-molecular rate constant (k2) was determined using the Nicholson-Shain equation and found to be higher for the dianion. Morin posed a comparatively higher k2 value for its interaction with the 1,4-DNB electrochemical system owing to its more acidic nature and least intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The cyclic voltammetric (CV) results were further supported by HyperchemPM3 quantum mechanical semi-empirical calculations, which point towards E(r)C(i) interactions between flavonoids and 1,4-DNB. The present investigation is biologically significant in terms of natural flavonoidal scavenging activity toward toxins such as dinitroaromatics.

Antibacterial activity of leaves extracts of Trifolium alexandrinum Linn. against pathogenic bacteria causing tropical diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate antibacterial potential of Trifolium alexandrinum (T. alexandrinum) Linn. against seven gram positive and eleven gram negative hospital isolated human pathogenic bacterial strains responsible for many tropical diseases. METHODS: Non-polar and polar extracts of the leaves of T. alexandrinum i.e., hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH) and aqueous (AQ) extracts at five different concentrations (1, 2, 5, 10 and 15 mg/mL) were prepared to evaluate their antibacterial value. NCCL standards were strictly followed to perform antimicrobial disc susceptibility test using disc diffusion method. RESULTS: Polar extracts demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against tested pathogens. EtOAc and MeOH extracts showed maximum antibacterial activity with higher inhibition zone and were found effective against seventeen of the tested pathogens. While AQ plant extract inhibited the growth of sixteen of the test strains. EtOAc and MeOH plant extracts inhibited the growth of all seven gram positive and ten of the gram negative bacterial strains. CONCLUSIONS: The present study strongly confirms the effectiveness of crude leaves extracts against tested human pathogenic bacterial strains causing several tropical diseases. Since Egyptian clover is used as a fodder plant, it could be helpful in controlling various infectious diseases associated with cattle as well.

Antibacterial efficacy of the seed extracts of Melia azedarach against some hospital isolated human pathogenic bacterial strains.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antibacterial potential of the polar and non-polar extracts of the seeds of Melia azedarach (M. azedarach) L. (Meliaceae) against eighteen hospital isolated human pathogenic bacterial strains. METHODS: Petrol, benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts at five different concentrations (1, 2, 5, 10 and 15 mg/mL) were evaluated. Disk diffusion method was followed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy. RESULTS: All extracts of the seeds demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against tested pathogens. Among all extracts, ethyl acetate extract revealed the highest inhibition comparatively. The present study also favored the traditional uses reported earlier. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study strongly confirm that the seed extracts of M. azedarach could be effective antibiotics, both in controlling gram-positive and gram-negative human pathogenic infections.

A rare case of globosus amorphus in a goat.

We present a case of globosus amorphus delivered from a goat and subjected to radiography and histological examination. Radiography revealed a lack of development of any organ system; histological sections showed evidence of lymphoid aggregations, mononuclear infiltrations, blood capillaries, and dense fibroblasts.

Choledochal cysts in children and adults with contrasting profiles: 11-year experience at a tertiary care center in Kashmir.

BACKGROUND: Choledochal cyst is a surgical problem usually related to infancy and childhood. Despite advancements in management, a large number of cases still present during adulthood. The clinical course and outcome in children varies from that in adults. This study focuses on these variations in terms of presentation, management, histopathology, and outcome. METHODS: An in-depth retrospective analysis was carried out on 79 patients presenting with choledochal cysts between December 2007 and January 1997. The patients were segregated into two groups: group A comprising 32 children and group B with 47 adults. The presentation, clinical evaluation, radiologic, and biochemical findings; operative details; pathologic findings; and early and long-term complications in the two groups were studied on a comparative basis. RESULTS: The male/female ratios were 1:3 and 1.0:2.3 in groups A and B, respectively. A history of previous biliary surgery, pancreatitis, cholangitis, peroperative difficulties, and early and late postoperative complications were 5.1, 5.4, 6.4, 5.4, 2.0, and 3.3 times more common in group B than in group A. However, the classic triad of jaundice, abdominal pain, and a mass was 6.7 times more common in group A than in group B. The classic triad and cholangitis were the only parameters that were statistically significant. Rare presentations of spontaneous perforation of the cyst or cachexia manifested only in group A patients. The methods of detection and operative treatment were identical for both groups. Histologically, fibrosis of the cyst wall was a feature peculiar to group A, whereas signs of inflammation and hyperplasia were predominantly seen in group B. In the group B series, one patient had cholangiocarcinoma and another gallbladder carcinoma; one more patient developed malignancy during follow-up. Long-term complications were seen in 29.7% of patients in group B versus 9.3% in group A; the most rampant complication was a type IVa cyst, seen in 68.7% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Choledochal cysts present differently in adults and children; whereas children present with the classic triad, adults present with common biliary or infective complications. Although the methods of detection and surgical treatment are similar for the two groups, the type IVa cyst typically seen in the adult group creates a marked deviation with respect to long-term complications such as ascending cholangitis, anastomotic strictures, stone formation, and development of cholangiocarcinoma. These are areas of grave concern that can be addressed to a large extent by providing an access loop during the initial surgery especially for type IVa cysts. The glaring differences in terms of presentation, histologic picture, and outcome urges us to consider choledochal cysts in children as a separate entity.

Central pancreatectomy: a new technique for resection of selected pancreatic tumors.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic tumors located in the neck region usually require pancreaticoduodenectomy or splenopancreatectomy. For small benign tumors enucleation is not usually feasible due to their size and localization; then pancreatectomy is often needed. Central pancreatectomy consists of a limited resection of the midportion of the pancreas and can be offered in benign and low-grade malignant tumors of the neck of the pancreas. The study aimed to evaluate whether central pancreatectomy has a place in pancreatic surgery. METHODS: In this study, which covered a period of 14 months, we performed central pancreatectomy in four selected patients. Preoperative evaluation and operative frozen section biopsy in indicated cases allowed proper selection for the procedure. Operative details, complications and follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Four patients, two with serous cystadenoma, and one with an islet cell tumor, and one with a hydatid cyst, were identified for the procedure. The mean tumor size was 3 cm, the mean operative time was 217.5 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 382.5 ml. There was no morbidity or mortality in this series. No endocrine or exocrine deficiency was observed in any patient during a mean follow-up of 22.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: Central pancreatectomy is a procedure that offers excellent results in benign and low-grade malignant tumors. It preserves functional elements (endocrine and exocrine) of the pancreas and also eliminates the infective and hematological effects of splenectomy. Thus, central pancreatectomy should be included in the armamentarium of pancreatic surgery, and in order to obtain good results, proper indications and adequate experience are recommended.