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Introduction: Measurement of Maximal Static Respiratory Pressures (MSRP) is a non invasive tool to determine global respiratory muscle strength. The unique lifestyle factors in the Himalayan region, prompted the need for establishing normative values. Aim: To establish the typical maximum respiratory pressures in the Himalayan region and, secondarily, to develop a predictive equation based on the normative data collected. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. A total of 101 non smokers (78 males, 23 females) aged from 19-70 years were selected after initial screening by a questionnaire and spirometry from the attendants of patients attending Himalayan Hospital from July 2000 to May 2022. Sustained Nasal Inspiratory Pressure (SNIP), Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP), and Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) values were measured using Micro Respiratory Pressure Meter (RPM) following the American Thoracic Society Technical Statement (ATS) standard protocol. The prediction model for the Maximal Respiratory Pressure (MRP) was obtained using regression analysis. Height, age, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were included as variables in the calculations. The statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program for Windows (Version 22.0). Results: There was a statistically significant difference observed in MIP among males 91.77±29.41 cmH2O and females 65.26±19.55 cmH2O and in MEP among males 86.37±26.96 cmH2O and females 56.04±18.29 cmH2O. Both MIP and MEP averages were more in males than in females. In the present study, there was no significant relationship between height, weight, BMI, and respiratory pressure in females. There was no significant relationship between MIP and MEP plus height, age, weight, or BMI. Weight (r-value=0.24), age (r-value=0.27), and BMI (r-value=0.27) all had a significant association in men. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that there are gender-based disparities in MRP in the Himalayan population, with males exhibiting higher average values than females. Additionally, while there was no significant correlation between anthropometric factors and respiratory pressures in females, in males, weight, age, and BMI showed significant associations with these respiratory parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present manuscript portrays environmental benign, cost‐effective and energy efficient green route way to synthesize Mg−Zn ferrite nanoparticles [Mg0.05Zn0.05Fe2O4 NPs] using Ocimum Basilicum leaf extract [OBLE]. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that Ocimum Basilicum leaf extract mediated Mg−Zn ferrite nanoparticles [OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs] exhibit face centred cubic crystallinity with space group Fd3‾m ${{\rm F}{\rm d}\bar{3}{\rm m}}$ as confirmed by Rietveld refinement studies. Microstructural analysis illustrated uniform surface morphology with well interlinked grain with an average grain size of 35.6±0.12 nm. FTIR spectra showed existence of hydroxyl −OH group at 3403 cm−1 and C=C vibration at 2345 cm−1. Magnetic hysteresis loop (M−H loop) confirmed the superparamagnetic behaviour of OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs. Cytotoxic activity of OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs was carried out against breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231. Dose dependent cell viability of cancerous cells depicted cytotoxic potential of OBLE@Mg−Zn NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To realize multiferroic and magnetoelectric properties, bi-layered nanocomposite films consisting of CoFe2O4 (CFO)/Pb1-xSrxTiO3 (PST) phases (x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) have been deposited on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrate by using a metallo-organic decomposition process. Both the PST perovskite and the CFO spinel phases are confirmed from X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra of the composite films. The composite films exhibit room temperature multiferroic properties. The values of saturation magnetization (Ms), remanent magnetization (Mr), and coercive field (Hc) of the composite films are in the range of 108-119 kA/m, 42-51 kA/m, and 44.5-64.1 kA/m, respectively. In addition, the saturation polarization (Ps), remanent polarization (Pr), and electrical coercive field (Ec) are observed in the range of 11.3-14.4 μC/cm², 2.9-4.8 μC/cm², and 56-59.5 kV/cm, respectively. The dielectric response in the presence of applied magnetic field, Hdc∼238.6 kA/m shows a high magnetocapacitance value ∼385% at frequency 100 kHz for CFO/PST composite film with x=0.1. The maximum magnetoelectric voltage co-efficient value, αE∼380 kV/(m×T) has been achieved in the composite films with x=0.1. The influence of elastic/and or interfacial strain on multiferroic magnetoelectric properties is evident from the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new tools with outstanding performance for monitoring neurotransmitters is a challenging task in neuroscience. Electrochemical probes have attracted tremendous attention for the identification and quantification of neurotransmitters, owing to their demonstrated potential for quick response, real‐time measurements, elevated selectivity and sensitivity. In this Review, we have focused on the recent developments of carbon nanotube (CNT)‐based electrochemical sensors for dopamine detection. The use of CNTs is beneficial for this task, because of their high tensile strength, flexibility, good electrical conductivity, and low thermal expansion coefficient. Therefore, electrochemical sensing approaches with CNTs have opened the door for researchers working towards neurobiomedical applications. CNTs on the fishing job: The detection of the neurotransmitter dopamine by using conductive and tensile non‐metallic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is described. Three main types of materials have been developed in this regard, including metal or metal oxide nanoparticles supported on CNTs, polymer‐coated CNTs, and functionalized CNTs grown on glassy carbon electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The room temperature and magnetic field-dependent dielectric, impedance and magnetoelectric (ME) coupling effect of polycrystalline AFe2O4/(Pb0.80Sr0.20)TiO3 (A = Mn, Ni and Co) bi-layered composite films have been investigated. The structural and microstructural analyses using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveal the presence of homogenous growth of both tetragonal and spinel phases without any extra phase and diffusion in the AFO/PST20 bi-layered composite films. Our results show that all composite films exhibit ferroelectric as well as considerable magnetic, indicating magnetoelectric coupling effect. Our results show that the dielectric and impedance properties of AFO/PST20 bi-layered composite films can be manipulated by the magnetic field at room temperature, also indicating the existence of magnetoelectric coupling. The impedance (Z′ and Z″) Nyquist plots show distinct electrical responses with the magnetic field. The maximum magnetoelectric coefficient (α) is found to be αME∼ 239 and ∼ 195 mV/cm/Oe for the MFO/PST20 and CFO/PST20 bi-layered composite films, respectively. The above results show that the AFO/PST20 bi-layered composite films are room-temperature multiferroic material that can be potentially used in magnetoelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have demonstrated a successful technique for the preparation of metal nanoparticles supported on graphite derived from naturally abundant biomass waste. The physicochemical properties of the synthesised materials were investigated using microscopic and spectroscopic methods, and the materials were applied further for the electrochemical detection of the neurotransmitter epinephrine (EP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical in regulating the immune response. In vitro induced Treg (iTreg) cells have significant potential in clinical medicine. However, applying iTreg cells as therapeutics is complicated by the poor stability of human iTreg cells and their variable suppressive activity. Therefore, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of human iTreg cell specification. We identified hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1) as a transcription factor upregulated early during the differentiation of human iTreg cells. Although FOXP3 expression was unaffected, HIC1 deficiency led to a considerable loss of suppression by iTreg cells with a concomitant increase in the expression of effector T cell associated genes. SNPs linked to several immune-mediated disorders were enriched around HIC1 binding sites, and in vitro binding assays indicated that these SNPs may alter the binding of HIC1. Our results suggest that HIC1 is an important contributor to iTreg cell development and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CoFe2O4/(Pb0.6Sr0.4)TiO3bi-layered composite film exhibits ferromagnetic and ferroelectric responses (Ms∼ 162 emu/cm3,Hc∼ 1.8 kOe, 2Pr∼ 8.6 µC/cm2and 2Ec∼ 634 kV/cm) at room temperature. The temperature dependent dielectric anomaly near magnetic phase transition temperature suggests magnetoelectric coupling effect in the composite film. The maximumMDeffect can reach as high as ∼49% at 3 kOe applied DC magnetic field. The composite film exhibits magnetoelectric voltage co-efficientαME∼ 67 mVcm−1Oe−1. The photoluminescence emission bands of the composite film have a significant blue shift as compared to those reported for CFO and PST nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized piezomagnetic–piezoelectric composites thin films MnFe 2 O 4 /(Pb 1−x Sr x )TiO 3 , where x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3, using the metalorganic deposition (MOD) reaction method. The structural and microstructural analysis using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), AFM, and SEM reveals the presence of homogenous growth of both pervoskite and spinel phases in the composite films. Our results show that all the composites films exhibit good multiferroic as well as considerable magnetoelectric coupling. The impedance ( Z ′ and Z ″) and electrical modulus ( M ′ and M ″) Nyquist plots show distinct electrical responses with the magnetic field. Our analyses suggest that this electrical response arises due to the coexistence of the high resistive phase and the comparatively conductive phase in the MFO/PST composite films. The maximum magnetoelectric coefficient (α) is found to be 4.29 V Oe −1 cm −1 and 2.82 V Oe −1 cm −1 for compositions x=0.1 and 0.2. These values are substantially larger than those reported for bilayer composites thin films in literature and make them interesting for room temperature device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MnFe2O4/(Pb0.8Sr0.2)TiO3(MFO/PST20) heterostructured composite films with three different structures have been grown on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates by metal–organic decomposition processing via spin coating technique. The structural analysis revealed that the crystal axes of the MnFe2O4are aligned with those of the PST20 ferroelectric matrix with obvious interfaces and no diffusions exist in all the three composite films. These composite films exhibit simultaneously multiferroic and magnetoelectric responses at room temperature. The growth structure of MFO and PST20 layers has an effect on multiferroic and magnetoelectric coupling behaviours of the composite films. The bi- and four-layered MFO/PST20 composite films exhibit superior ferroelectric properties compared to the tri-layered film. The increasing MFO and PST20 layers in the composite films enhance ferromagnetic properties and are closely related to the strain release in MnFe2O4phase. The MFO/PST20 bi-layered composite film shows a high magnetoelectric voltage co-efficientαE~ 194 mVcm−1Oe−1at a dc magnetic fieldHdc~ 2.5 kOe. A significant decrease inαEvalue has been observed for tri- and four- layered composite films. A close correlation between phase selective residual stress and magnetoelectric properties has been emerged. The results are reasonably encouraging for employing MnFe2O4for growing multiferroic–magnetoelectric composite films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Implant survival is initially dependent on successful osseointegration following placement. Any alteration of this biological process may adversely affect treatment outcome. Hence; under the light of above obtained data, the present study was undertaken for assessing the prognosis of dental implants in diabetic patients. Materials & methods: 200 diabetic patients who underwent dental implant procedures for prosthetic rehabilitation of missing mandibular first molars comprised of study group; and 200 healthy controls which underwent dental implant procedures for prosthetic rehabilitation of missing mandibular first molars. All the implant procedures were carried out under the hands of skilled and experienced oral implantologists. Follow-up details of all the patients were recorded upto a time period of one year. All the results were recorded in Microsoft excel sheet and were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Success occurred in 192 cases in diabetic group, while it occurred in 196 cases in the control group. Non- significant results were obtained while comparing the prognosis of dental implants in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Conclusion: Success of dental implant in controlled diabetic patients with adequate treatment planning and precision is as equal as in normal subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background: Pelvic floor muscles support the womb, the bladder and the bowels. Many factors are weakens the pelvic floor muscles in females which can cause urinary incontinence. Kegal exercises are simple clench-and-release exercises that helps to make the muscles of pelvic floor more stronger. Material and method: A Quantitative experimental design was used to study the effectiveness of kegal exercise on women with urinary incontinence. Seventy women with urinary incontinence were selected from Doiwala. Samples were selected by using non probability, purposive sampling technique and randomly divided into two groups i.e. Experimental group (n=34) and Control group (n=35). Urogenital questionnaire and incontinence questionnaire were used for data collection. Intervention was given to the experimental group i.e. kegal exercise for 4 weeks (3 cycles, (1 cycle consist 5 time) 3 times a day). The post-test was conducted after 4 weeks. Results: After 4 weeks of kegal exercise, urogenital distress score was reduced from 1.7 ± 0.65 to 1.0 ± 0.42 and incontinence impact score from 1.6 ± 0.63 to 1.1 ± 0.40 in the experimental group (p<0.05). In the control group, no significant decline was observed at the level of < 0.05. Conclusions: Thus it concludes that kegal exercise was effective in reducing the urogenital distress and incontinence impact level among women. The present result suggested that kegal exercise help to rehabilitate the muscles of the pelvic floor and beneficial impact on urinary incontinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured in two different media, viz. the commonly used M199 containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and endothelial cell growth factor and a defined media EGM-2 containing 2% FBS along with growth supplements in known concentrations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different media on the growth potential and cell morphology in subsequent passages. We have established that a dual coating of gelatin and human fibronectin extracellular matrix provides optimal cell attachment. Growth rate for primary culture was almost double in defined media. For secondary culture a two fold higher proliferation rate was observed in defined EGM-2 media. Histological studies were done using phase contrast, confocal and scanning electron microscopy which showed that cells cultured in M199 started losing their morphological characteristic from 3rd passage and after 6th passage appeared to come in senescent stage, while in case of defined media there was no change observed in the cells up to 10th passage. A significant difference was found in the expression of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) which is an endothelial cell marker on cells cultured in different media. Additionally it was observed that exposure duration to trypsin–EDTA during cell detachment also plays an important role in maintaining cell morphological characteristics. These results show that significant morphological changes appear in higher order passages if cells are grown in routine medium for a long time and therefore may not be suitable for cell signaling experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Cover Feature shows the detection of neurotransmitter dopamine in the presence of interfering chemical species, such as ascorbic acid and serotonin, using carbon nanotube (CNT)‐based materials. The highly conducting nature of functionalized CNTs, with large tensile strength, makes them an ideal non‐metallic material for the development of biosensors. Other modifications such as depositing metal or metal‐oxide nanoparticles on the CNT surface and coating polymers onto them can significantly increase their properties towards the detection of dopamine. Cyclic voltammetry can detect dopamine through its redox behavior over a wide potential range by using modified CNT electrodes. More information can be found in the Review by N. Gupta and co‐workers on page 274 in Issue 2, 2019 (DOI: 10.1002/celc.201801319). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Copper and cobalt nanoparticles embedded in naturally derived graphite electrodes for the sensing of the neurotransmitter epinephrine’ by Kanchan Bala et al., New J. Chem., 2018, DOI: URL10.1039/c8nj00881g/URL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical in regulating the immune response. In vitro induced Treg (iTreg) cells have significant potential in clinical medicine. However, applying iTreg cells as therapeutics is complicated by the poor stability of human iTreg cells and their variable suppressive activity. Therefore, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of human iTreg cell specification. We identified hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1) as a transcription factor upregulated early during the differentiation of human iTreg cells. Although FOXP3 expression was unaffected, HIC1 deficiency led to a considerable loss of suppression by iTreg cells with a concomitant increase in the expression of effector T cell associated genes. SNPs linked to several immune-mediated disorders were enriched around HIC1 binding sites, and in vitro binding assays indicated that these SNPs may alter the binding of HIC1. Our results suggest that HIC1 is an important contributor to iTreg cell development and function., (Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The accelerated non-enzymatic modification of proteins by Maillard reaction during prolonged hyperglycemia is a key player in the diabetes associated pathology. In addition, hypoxia has been implicated in the recent past as a modulating factor. Therefore we have examined the interaction of glycation modified human serum albumin (AGE-HSA) and deferoxamine (DFO) mimicked hypoxia on the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), and the role of RAGE (receptor for AGE) signaling in up-regulation of HIF-1α. Expression of VEGF (a downstream target of HIF-1α) and sICAM-1 (inflammatory marker) was also detected. When HUVEC were subjected to hypoxia, highest expression of HIF-1α was observed. When treated with AGE-HSA at two concentrations, higher expression was found vis-a-vis control, with 0.2 mg ml(-1) than 2.0 mg ml(-1) which was mediated in part by RAGE as determined by RAGE silencing. However, when the cells were exposed to a combination treatment of hypoxia and AGE-HSA, a biphasic effect at the two different concentrations was observed as compared to the individual treatments. VEGF was synergistically up-regulated by hypoxia and AGE-HSA. On the other hand sICAM-1 was up-regulated by AGE-HSA but down-regulated by hypoxia. These results show that AGE-HSA functions as a non-hypoxic factor which modulates the expression of HIF-1α in a concentration dependent manner in the range studied. It can be concluded that glycated serum proteins may activate HIF-1α independently in diabetes. Further, when both glycated proteins and hypoxic conditions are present, they act in opposition in regulation of HIF-1α.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, in particular diabetes, via signaling through their receptor. Numerous studies have been carried out on protein-sugar interactions at very high concentrations of the latter. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effects of nonenzymatic glycation induced by reducing sugars on the secondary structure of human serum albumin (HSA) under different physiological conditions and to correlate that with expression of RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) on HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) in a controlled hemodynamic environment. Our results indicate that RAGE expression is shear stress modulated and that glycated HSA enhances the expression further. The secondary structure of AGE-HSA derived from glucose at 20 mM contains higher α-helical content and elicits maximum expression of the receptor. The effect of shear stress at 10 dynes cm(-2) is independent of AGE-HSA., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011)