Electronic Tuning of Gold Nanoparticle Active Sites for Reduction Catalysis.

Electronic tuning of active sites in heterogeneous catalysis with organic ligands remains challenging since the ligands are often bound to the most active sites on the catalysts' surfaces. In this work, gold nanoparticles, which are on average less than 2 nm in diameter, are synthesized with strongly binding thiol and phosphine ligands and have measurable quantities of accessible sites on their surfaces in both cases. Triphenylphosphine (TPP) is used as the phosphine ligand, while triphenylmethyl mercaptan (TPMT) serves as the thiol ligand. Phosphines are chosen because they are electron-donating ligands when bound to Au, and thiols are selected because they are electron-withdrawing on the Au surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show differences in the Au 4f binding energies between the TPP- and TPMT-bound Au nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements of bound CO indicate that the TPP-bound Au nanoparticles are more electron-rich than the TPMT-bound Au nanoparticles. The number of binding sites on the surface is quantified using 2-naphthalenethiol titration experiments. It is observed that the number of binding sites on the thiol and phosphine-bound Au nanoparticles is similar in both cases. The Au nanoparticles are used for three different reactions: resazurin reduction, CO oxidation, and benzyl alcohol oxidation. For both CO oxidation and benzyl alcohol oxidation, which are performed with the ligands attached, TPP- and TPMT-bound nanoparticles are both catalytically active. However, for resazurin reduction, the TPMT-bound Au nanoparticles are not active, while the TPP-bound Au nanoparticles are catalytically active. These results illustrate that the catalytic activity can be tuned using bound organic ligands with different electronic properties for reduction reactions using Au nanoparticle catalysts.

Semantic Web in Healthcare: A Systematic Literature Review of Application, Research Gap, and Future Research Avenues.

Today, healthcare has become one of the largest and most fast-paced industries due to the rapid development of digital healthcare technologies. The fundamental thing to enhance healthcare services is communicating and linking massive volumes of available healthcare data. However, the key challenge in reaching this ambitious goal is letting the information exchange across heterogeneous sources and methods as well as establishing efficient tools and techniques. Semantic Web (SW) technology can help to tackle these problems. They can enhance knowledge exchange, information management, data interoperability, and decision support in healthcare systems. They can also be utilized to create various e-healthcare systems that aid medical practitioners in making decisions and provide patients with crucial medical information and automated hospital services. This systematic literature review (SLR) on SW in healthcare systems aims to assess and critique previous findings while adhering to appropriate research procedures. We looked at 65 papers and came up with five themes: e-service, disease, information management, frontier technology, and regulatory conditions. In each thematic research area, we presented the contributions of previous literature. We emphasized the topic by responding to five specific research questions. We have finished the SLR study by identifying research gaps and establishing future research goals that will help to minimize the difficulty of adopting SW in healthcare systems and provide new approaches for SW-based medical systems' progress.

Synthesis of Highly Accessible and Reactive Sites in Gold Nanoparticles Using Bound Bis(Diphenylphosphine) Ligands.

While bound organic ligands provide steric protection against aggregation for metallic nanoparticles in solution, they can block a large fraction of the surface atoms which are needed for binding in catalysis and sensing applications. In this work, highly accessible Au nanoparticles ligated with bis(diphenylphosphine) molecules are synthesized and characterized in solution. Characterization is performed using high angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and fluorescence chemisorption experiments. These synthesized nanoparticles are accessible to a 2-napthalenethiol (2-NT) probe molecule in solution. The highest 2-NT accessibility is observed when using 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) ligand where 61 % of the total gold atoms are accessible. It is hypothesized that increasing the rigidity of the bis(diphenylphosphine) ligand increases the number of binding sites on the Au nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are catalytically active for resazurin reduction, and the resazurin reduction rate scales with the number of binding sites.

Respiratory health disorders among workers in some Egyptian welding enterprises.

Welding fumes contain a complex mixture of metallic oxides that pose a risk to welders' respiratory systems. This study aimed to evaluate respiratory health disorders among workers in some Egyptian welding enterprises and their relationship to the workplace environment. This research was performed from January 1st, 2019 to February 28th, 2021 in welding enterprises in Birket El-Sabaa, a randomly selected district of Menoufia governorate, Egypt. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 110 welders and 110 non-occupationally exposed subjects. Environmental studies were carried out for total welding fumes, respirable dust, and manganese air levels. Spirometric measures and manganese levels in whole blood were applied. Analysis of the personal air samples revealed that the mean values of welding fumes, respirable dust, and manganese air levels were higher than the international permissible levels. Welders had a higher significant prevalence of respiratory manifestations (rhinitis, cough, expectoration, wheezes, dyspnea, and chronic bronchitis) as well as decreased spirometric measures (FVC%, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC%, and FEF25-75%) than controls. The mean value of whole blood manganese level was statistically significantly higher among welders than that of the controls (3.35 ± 0.5 and 1.81 ± 0.79 ng/mL; respectively). A significant relationship was reported between longer work time and the prevalence of respiratory manifestations and decreased spirometric measurements. The use of masks/respirators was associated with a reduced prevalence of respiratory manifestations. Finally, welders that are exposed to welding fumes at concentrations higher than the permissible levels in welding establishments suffer from adverse respiratory problems, as shown by increased prevalence of respiratory manifestations and lower spirometric measurements. Regular use of high-quality personal protective equipment, especially masks, as well as periodic medical examinations for welders, is highly urged.

Prevalencia y valor pronóstico del síndrome del enfermo eutiroideo en niños críticos / Prevalence and prognostic value of non-thyroidal illness syndrome among critically ill children

Introducción: Se ha sugerido que las alteraciones en las hormonas tiroideas ocurridas en pacientes con enfermedad crítica, fenómeno conocido como síndrome del enfermo eutiroideo (SEE), pueden tener valor pronóstico. No obstante, los datos en población pediátrica son escasos. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia y el valor pronóstico del SEE en niños críticos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio prospectivo observacional en 70 niños críticos ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP). Se determinaron los niveles de triyodotironina libre (T3L), tiroxina libre (T4L) y tirotropina (TSH) en las primeras 24 horas de ingreso. La variable de resultado principal fue la mortalidad a los 30 días. Resultados: Se observó SEE en el 62,9% de los pacientes, aunque adoptó formas diversas. El patrón más frecuente fue un nivel bajo de T3L con niveles normales de T4L y TSH (25,7% de los pacientes). La combinación de valores bajos de T3L, T4L, y TSH ocurrió en el 7,1% de los pacientes. Hubo un hallazgo inusual de TSH elevada en 3 pacientes que podría estar asociado a la gravedad de la enfermedad. Los valores bajos de T4L se observaron con una frecuencia significativamente mayor en pacientes fallecidos en comparación con supervivientes (50% versus 19,2%, p = 0,028). El SEE predijo la mortalidad de manera independiente (OR = 3,91; IC 95% = 1,006-15,19; p = 0,0491). La combinación de niveles bajos de T3L, T4L, y TSH fue el mejor factor pronóstico independiente de mortalidad (OR = 16,9; IC 95% = 1,40-203,04; p = 0,026). Se observó una correlación negativa entre la TSH y la duración de la estancia en la UCIP (rs = -0,35; p = 0,011). El valor de T3L fue significativamente menor en pacientes tratados con perfusión de dopamina, comparados con pacientes que no la recibieron (2,1 ± 0,66 versus 2,76 ± 0,91 pg/ml, p = 0,011). Conclusión: El SEE es común en niños críticos y parece estar asociado a la mortalidad y la gravedad de la enfermedad

Introduction: Alterations in thyroid hormones during critical illness, known as non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), were suggested to have a prognostic value. However, pediatric data is limited. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and prognostic value of NTIS among critically ill children. Materials and methods: A prospective observational study conducted on 70 critically ill children admitted into pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured within 24 hours of PICU admission. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Results: NTIS occurred in 62.9% of patients but it took several forms. The most common pattern was low FT3 with normal FT4 and TSH (25.7% of patients). Combined decrease in FT3, FT4, and TSH levels occurred in 7.1% of patients. An unusual finding of elevated TSH was noted in three patients, which might be related to disease severity. Low FT4 was significantly more prevalent among non-survivors compared with survivors (50% versus 19.2%, P = .028). NTIS independently predicted mortality (OR = 3.91; 95% CI = 1.006-15.19; P = .0491). Concomitant decrease in FT3, FT4, and TSH was the best independent predictor of mortality (OR = 16.9; 95% CI = 1.40-203.04; P = .026). TSH was negatively correlated with length of PICU stay (rs = -0.35, P = .011). FT3 level was significantly lower among patients who received dopamine infusion compared with those who did not receive it (2.1 ± 0.66 versus 2.76 ± 0.91 pg/mL, P = .011). Conclusion: NTIS is common among critically ill children and appears to be associated with mortality and illness severity

[Prevalence and prognostic value of non-thyroidal illness syndrome among critically ill children]. / Prevalencia y valor pronóstico del síndrome del enfermo eutiroideo en niños críticos.

INTRODUCTION: Alterations in thyroid hormones during critical illness, known as non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), were suggested to have a prognostic value. However, pediatric data is limited. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and prognostic value of NTIS among critically ill children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study conducted on 70 critically ill children admitted into pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured within 24hours of PICU admission. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. RESULTS: NTIS occurred in 62.9% of patients but it took several forms. The most common pattern was low FT3 with normal FT4 and TSH (25.7% of patients). Combined decrease in FT3, FT4, and TSH levels occurred in 7.1% of patients. An unusual finding of elevated TSH was noted in three patients, which might be related to disease severity. Low FT4 was significantly more prevalent among non-survivors compared with survivors (50% versus 19.2%, P=.028). NTIS independently predicted mortality (OR=3.91; 95% CI=1.006-15.19; P=.0491). Concomitant decrease in FT3, FT4, and TSH was the best independent predictor of mortality (OR=16.9; 95% CI=1.40-203.04; P=.026). TSH was negatively correlated with length of PICU stay (rs=-0.35, P=.011). FT3 level was significantly lower among patients who received dopamine infusion compared with those who did not receive it (2.1±0.66 versus 2.76±0.91pg/mL, P=.011). CONCLUSION: NTIS is common among critically ill children and appears to be associated with mortality and illness severity.

An improved, rapid competitive ELISA using a novel conserved 3B epitope for the detection of serum antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease virus.

The highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) afflicts cloven-hoofed animals, resulting in significant costs because of loss of trade and recovery from disease. We developed a sensitive, specific, and rapid competitive ELISA (cELISA) to detect serum antibodies to FMDV. The cELISA utilized a monoclonal blocking antibody specific for a highly conserved FMDV nonstructural 3B epitope, a recombinant mutant FMDV 3ABC coating protein, and optimized format variables including serum incubation for 90 min at 20-25°C. Samples from 16 animals experimentally infected with one FMDV serotype (A, O, Asia, or SAT-1) demonstrated early detection capacity beginning 7 d post-inoculation. All samples from 55 vesicular stomatitis virus antibody-positive cattle and 44 samples from cloven-hoofed animals affected by non-FMD vesicular diseases were negative in the cELISA, demonstrating 100% analytical specificity. The diagnostic sensitivity was 100% against sera from 128 cattle infected with isolates of all FMDV serotypes, emphasizing serotype-agnostic results. Diagnostic specificities of U.S. cattle ( n = 1135) and swine ( n = 207) sera were 99.4% and 100%, respectively. High repeatability and reproducibility were demonstrated with 3.1% coefficient of variation in percent inhibition data and 100% agreement using 2 kit lots and 400 negative control serum samples, with no difference between bench and biosafety cabinet operation. Negative results from vaccinated, uninfected cattle, pig, and sheep sera confirmed the DIVA (differentiate infected from vaccinated animals) capability. This rapid (<3 h), select agent-free assay with high sensitivity and specificity, DIVA capability, and room temperature processing capability will serve as a useful tool in FMDV surveillance, emergency preparedness, response, and outbreak recovery programs.

Real-Time Reverse Transcription PCR Assay for Detection of Senecavirus A in Swine Vesicular Diagnostic Specimens.

Senecavirus A (SV-A), formerly, Seneca Valley virus (SVV), has been detected in swine with vesicular lesions and is thought to be associated with swine idiopathic vesicular disease (SIVD), a vesicular disease syndrome that lacks a defined causative agent. The clinical presentation of SIVD resembles that of other more contagious and economically devastating vesicular diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), swine vesicular disease (SVD), and vesicular stomatitis (VS), that typically require immediate rule out diagnostics to lift restrictions on animal quarantine, movement, and trade. This study presents the development of a sensitive, SYBR Green RT-qPCR assay suitable for detection of SV-A in diagnostic swine specimens. After testing 50 pigs with clinical signs consistent with vesicular disease, 44 (88%) were found to be positive for SV-A by RT-qPCR as compared to none from a negative cohort of 35 animals without vesicular disease, indicating that the assay is able to successfully detect the virus in an endemic population. SV-A RNA was also detectable at a low level in sera from a subset of pigs that presented with (18%) or without (6%) vesicular signs. In 2015, there has been an increase in the occurrence of SV-A in the US, and over 200 specimens submitted to our laboratory for vesicular investigation have tested positive for the virus using this method. SV-A RNA was detectable in all common types of vesicular specimens including swabs and tissue from hoof lesions, oral and snout epithelium, oral swabs, scabs, and internal organ tissues such as liver and lymph node. Genome sequencing analysis from recent virus isolates was performed to confirm target amplicon specificity and was aligned to previous isolates.

Effect of Compression Devices on Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis Among Adult Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is the leading cause of death in Americans up to 44 years old each year. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a significant condition occurring in trauma, and prophylaxis is essential to the appropriate management of trauma patients. The incidence of DVT varies in trauma patients, depending on patients' risk factors, modality of prophylaxis, and methods of detection. However, compression devices and arteriovenous (A-V) foot pumps prophylaxis are recommended in trauma patients, but the efficacy and optimal use of it is not well documented in the literature. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to review the literature on the effect of compression devices in preventing DVT among adult trauma patients. METHODS: We searched through PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for eligible studies published from 1990 until June 2014. Reviewers identified all randomized controlled trials that satisfied the study criteria, and the quality of included studies was assessed by Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials were included with a total of 1072 patients. Sequential compression devices significantly reduced the incidence of DVT in trauma patients. Also, foot pumps were more effective in reducing incidence of DVT compared with sequential compression devices. DISCUSSION: Sequential compression devices and foot pumps reduced the incidence of DVT in trauma patients. However, the evidence is limited to a small sample size and did not take into account other confounding variables that may affect the incidence of DVT in trauma patients. Future randomized controlled trials with larger probability samples to investigate the optimal use of mechanical prophylaxis in trauma patients are needed.

The Applicability of TaqMan-Based Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assays for Detecting and Enumerating Cryptosporidium spp. Oocysts in the Environment.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in clinical samples are increasingly being used to diagnose human cryptosporidiosis, but a parallel approach for detecting and identifying Cryptosporidium oocyst contamination in surface water sources has yet to be established for current drinking water quality monitoring practices. It has been proposed that Cryptosporidium qPCR-based assays could be used as viable alternatives to current microscopic-based detection methods to quantify levels of oocysts in drinking water sources; however, data on specificity, analytical sensitivity, and the ability to accurately quantify low levels of oocysts are limited. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of TaqMan-based qPCR assays, which were developed for either clinical or environmental investigations, for detecting Cryptosporidium oocyst contamination in water. Ten different qPCR assays, six previously published and four developed in this study were analyzed for specificity and analytical sensitivity. Specificity varied between all ten assays, and in one particular assay, which targeted the Cryptosporidium 18S rRNA gene, successfully detected all Cryptosporidium spp. tested, but also cross-amplified T. gondii, fungi, algae, and dinoflagellates. When evaluating the analytical sensitivity of these qPCR assays, results showed that eight of the assays could reliably detect ten flow-sorted oocysts in reagent water or environmental matrix. This study revealed that while a qPCR-based detection assay can be useful for detecting and differentiating different Cryptosporidium species in environmental samples, it cannot accurately measure low levels of oocysts that are typically found in drinking water sources.

Chemical synthesis and proinflammatory responses of monophosphoryl lipid A adjuvant candidates.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are structural components of the outer surface membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, trigger innate immune responses through activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Such responses may be exploited for the development of adjuvants and in particular monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) obtained by controlled hydrolysis of LPS of Salmonella minnesota, exhibits low toxicity yet possesses beneficial immuno-stimulatory properties. We have developed an efficient synthetic approach for the preparation of a major component of MPLA (1), which has as a key feature the use of allyloxycarbonates (Alloc) as permanent protecting groups for the C-3 and C-4 hydroxyls of the proximal glucosamine unit. The latter protecting groups greatly facilitated deprotection of the fully assembled compound. Furthermore, the amino functions were protected as N-2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbamates (Troc), which performed efficient neighboring group participation to give selectively 1,2-trans-glycosides and could easily be removed under mild conditions without affecting the permanent Alloc carbonates and anomeric dimethylthexylsilyl (TDS) ether. The synthetic methodology was also employed for the preparation of a monophosphoryl lipid A (2) derivative that has the anomeric center of the proximal sugar modified as a methyl glycoside. Compound 1 was not able to induce cytokine production in mouse macrophages whereas methyl glycoside 2 displayed activity, however it has a lower potency and efficacy than lipid A obtained by controlled hydrolysis S. minnesota. This indicates compound 2 is an attractive candidate for adjuvant development and that 1 is not the active substance of MPLA obtained by controlled hydrolysis of LPS.

Utility of misoprostol for labor induction in severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol in severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia patients with unripe cervix. METHODS: A prospective observational study was carried out in 135 severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia patients who required termination of pregnancy at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Khulna Medical College Hospital, Khulna, Bangladesh during January 2002 to October 2003. Fifty micrograms of misoprostol was used every 4 h in cases of unripe cervix (Bishop score < or = 6) in severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia patients. Maternal and perinatal outcome as well as any complications were recorded. RESULTS: In severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia patients vaginal delivery occurred in 79.3 and 80.5% of cases, and cesarean section was performed in 20.6 and 19.4% of cases, respectively. The maximum required responsive dose was 50-150 microg. Oxytocin augmentation was required in 29.3 and 35% of cases, respectively. Induction to delivery time was median 8 h, interquartile ranges 4.2-8.2 h in the severe pre-eclampsia group, and median 9 h, interquartile ranges 6.8-12.5 h in the eclampsia group, and average hospital stay was 3.4 +/- 1.8 and 3.7 +/- 1.7 days, respectively. The only maternal complications were hyperstimulation which occurred in 6.8 and 5.1% of cases, respectively. Neonatal death occurred in five (11.3%) and eight cases (12.1%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Intravaginal misoprostol is well tolerated and very effective for the induction of labor in severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia patients with unripe cervix.