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Ten mixed‐ligand phenyl mercury(II) complexes containing 1‐methyl‐1H‐tetrazole‐5‐thiol (HmtzS) (1) and phosphine or amine ligands. These complexes fall into two groups: [PhHg(mtzS){Ph2P(CH2)PPh2}]2 (2) and [PhHg(mtzS){Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2}] (3‐6), where n varies, and [PhHg(mtzS)(diamine)] (8‐10), with diamine choices being 2,2′‐bipyridyl (Bipy, 8), 1,10‐phenathroline (Phen, 9), or ethylenediamine (en, 10). These complexes were synthesized with moderate to high yields and characterized using various techniques. Characterization data revealed that the mtzS− ligand coordinates as a monodentate ligand through the thiolate sulfur atom in all complexes, adopting a tetrahedral geometry around the Hg(II) center. Furthermore, complexes [PhHg(mtzS)] (1) and its diamine derivatives (8‐10) were assessed for hydrogen storage at 77 K using the VTI method. Results demonstrated that the incorporation of diamines improves hydrogen storage capacity at low pressure. The precursor stored (1) 2.3 wt.% at 80 bar, while the other complexes showed storage capacities ranging from 2.9 to 3.86 wt.% at pressures of 45‐60 bar. Thermodynamic properties of the [PhHg(mtzS)(Bipy)] complex was calculated at three different temperatures. The results prove that the entropy was equal to 0.50543599 J/mol H2. K while the enthalpy equal to 0.0942638 KJ/(mol H2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of metal (II) complexes of N‐cyclohexyl amine dithiocarbamate ligand are synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared, 1H, 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The surface structural pattern of the prepared complexes were investigated by scanning electron microscope and X‐ray diffraction techniques. The prepared complexes possessed crystalline characteristic with size average ranging from 16 to 30 nm. Moreover, the biological activity of the synthesized complexes were tested against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Among the prepared complexes, copper (II) complex displayed the highest activity. In addition, molecular docking study was performed against bacterial tyrosinase enzyme which showed good binding interactions and is in agreement with the experimental findings. Furthermore, the in silico toxicity studies reveal that the complexes are mostly non‐irritant with mild toxicity. Different quantum parameters including electron affinity, ionization energy, dipole moment, hardness and vibrational frequencies were calculated for the ligand and its complexes using Gaussian 09 program and B3LYP/SDD level of theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) provides significant health benefits to children. However, mothers may find it difficult to continue EBF for 6 months. The present analysis aimed to examine the influence of the Suchana intervention—a large‐scale programme implemented with the aim of improving the health and nutritional status of mothers and children from poor households in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh—on EBF and stunting among children under 6 months. Baseline and endline data were obtained from the Suchana evaluation. EBF was defined as an infant (<6 months) only receiving breast milk in the previous 24 h. Childhood stunting was defined as a length‐for‐age z‐score of less than −2 among children of the same age. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations of the Suchana intervention with EBF and stunting. EBF prevalence improved from 64% at baseline to 85% at the endline in the intervention area, with the intervention group having 2.25 times higher odds of EBF compared to the control group. Stunting prevalence reduced from 28% at baseline to 24% at the endline in the intervention group, but after controlling for covariates, the association between stunting and the intervention was not significant. However, the interaction analysis showed significantly lower stunting prevalence among EBF children in both intervention and control areas. The Suchana intervention had a positive impact on the EBF practice of rural children in a vulnerable region of Bangladesh, and EBF was identified as a significant factor associated with stunting. The findings suggest that the continuation of the EBF intervention has the potential to have an impact on reducing stunting in the region, highlighting the importance of promoting EBF to improve child health and development. Key messages: Suchana intervention in rural Bangladesh promoted exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among mothers in the intervention group.EBF was found to be a significant factor associated with stunting in the study population.Better integration of determinants of stunting are needed to achieve a statistically significant reduction in stunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Taste and aroma profiles of Daokou red‐cooked chickens (DRCs) were analysed using different techniques and methods. Multivariate data analysis revealed that e‐nose and e‐tongue could successfully discriminate DRCs of various sources based on their taste and aroma profiles. Flavour nucleotide content and umami concentration of breasts were higher than those of thighs. Additionally, a fingerprint was established to analyse the distribution of different volatile compounds using gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry. A total number of 54 volatile components was identified in the DRCs, mostly aldehydes, esters, ketones, terpenes and alcohols. Odour activity value demonstrated that nine volatile components, including 1‐octen‐3‐ol, 2‐pentylfuran, eucalyptol, nonanal, estragole, anisaldehyde, anethole, eugenol and hexanal, could be considered as the characteristic flavour compounds of DRCs. Furthermore, partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) analysis showed that sweet tastes, anethole, 5′‐inosine monophosphate, eugenol, eucalyptol, umami tastes, sour tastes, bitter tastes, 2,3‐butanedione, hexanal, hypoxanthine, inosine and d‐limonene were significant factors that caused the differences among DRCs of different sources. Sensory analysis revealed variations in consumer preferences of DRCs from different suppliers. Obtained results will help in understanding of how taste and flavour compounds affect quality and preferences of DRCs, which will help manufacturers improve processing methods and promote consumption of DRCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child wasting is defined as a weight‐for‐height/length z‐score (WLZ/WHZ) < −2, and this indicator of nutritional status is used worldwide. However, a precise measurement is required for the assessment of a child's nutritional status, which may not always be possible due to expensive instruments, especially in poor resource settings. In some instances, mid‐upper arm circumference‐for‐age z‐score (MUACZ) is also being used for screening purposes, which is a simple and useful nutritional indicator. The objective of this paper is to identify the optimal cut‐off point for the MUACZ to identify wasted children, and also to determine if the same factors are associated with MUACZ and wasting. Data were derived from the Suchana evaluation data. The optimal cut‐off value was estimated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis using acute malnutrition as a gold standard with maximum sensitivity and specificity. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the associated factors with the MUACZ. Using the gold standard indicator of nonwasting (WLZ ≥ −2), a positive outcome, the optimal cut‐off point for the MUACZ was −1.27. The area under the ROC curve was 0.88, indicating that the model had a power of 88% to differentiate between the positive and negative classes. It implies that a child's MUACZ was correlated with WLZ, and a MUACZ below −1.27 appeared to accurately identify wasting among children aged 3–23 months. MUACZ < −1.27 might be another useful indicator of childhood wasting than a WLZ < −2. Key messages: We calculated the cut‐off point for a child's mid‐upper arm circumference‐for‐age z‐score (MUACZ) that MUACZ below −1.27 appears to accurately identify acute malnutrition among children aged 3–23 months with the highest sensitivity and specificity.Determinants of a child's MUACZ < −1.27 were estimated.Measurement of MUAC would be especially helpful when large numbers of children need to be screened quickly, particularly in humanitarian aid settings.MUACZ < −1.27 may represent a more useful indicator of childhood malnutrition than a weight‐for‐length z‐score < −2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New nanophenolic oxime complexes of the type [M(κ2‐Saly)2] {where HSaly = salicyl‐aldoxime; M = Co(1), Ni(2), Cu(3), Pd(4), Pt(5), Zn(6), Cd(7), and Hg(8)} were prepared and characterized by different spectroscopic methods. The surface morphology and the micrographs of the investigated complexes were checked by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results indicate the successful preparation of nanocomplexes with nanoparticles size. In addition, the antibacterial activity was studied against three different pathogenic bacteria, and the Pt(II) complex displayed the highest activity compared with free salicylaldoxime ligand and other complexes. Magnetic susceptibility and ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopic measurements were used to deduce the geometry of the complexes, which was then validated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The in vitro antitumor activity was investigated by MTT assays against HepG‐2 cell lines. The Zn(II) and Pt(II) complexes displayed good activity with IC50 values at 17.31 ± 0.95 and 11.78 ± 0.54 μM, respectively. In contrast, the [Cu(Saly)2] and [Ni(Saly)2] complexes showed the lowest activity against tested cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Iron in groundwater provides a good source of absorbable iron for humans and can contribute to optimal iron and haemoglobin (Hb) status among populations. We aimed to examine the relationship between the iron content of groundwater and anaemia status among 12‐ to 23‐month‐old children in a rural area of Bangladesh. Method: A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 80 randomly selected unions (the lowest administrative unit) in Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts of Bangladesh. A total of 800 children aged 12–23 months were selected via a systematic random sampling method. The child's age, sex, stunting status, consumption of iron‐rich or iron‐fortified food, maternal age and maternal body mass index (BMI) and the type of terrain were subjected to multiple logistic regression analysis to observe the independent relationships between groundwater iron content and anaemia in children. Results: In total, 50.4% of children were anaemic. The odds of children being anaemic were 1.51‐fold higher [OR: 1.51 (95% CI: 1.09, 2.09)] among households consuming water with an iron content <2 mg/L than in households consuming water with an iron content ≥2 mg/L. Childhood stunting, child's sex, child's age and the type of terrain were also significantly associated with anaemia among children. Conclusion: Groundwater with a high iron concentration was significantly associated with a decreased risk of childhood anaemia. This study provides evidence of the importance of groundwater iron to protect impoverished young children from anaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four palladium(II) and mercury(II) complexes of the type [MCl2(HPAO)] or [M(PAO)2](HPAO = syn‐2‐pyridine aldoxime) are prepared and characterized using FTIR, 1H NMR spectra, molar conductivity, and melting point. The results demonstrated that a chelating bidentate behavior of APO through the indo and exocyclic nitrogen atoms. The applicability of the prepared complexes in hydrogen storage at a temperature of 77 K and a pressure of 100 bar is studied. The results show that the complexes are capable of storing hydrogen as follows: 1.54, 2.3, 0.53, and 0.63 wt.% of H2 for [Hg(HAPO)Cl2] (1), [Pd(HAPO)Cl2] (2), [Hg(APO)2] (3), and [Pd(APO)2] (4), respectively. Thermodynamic calculations show that the storage type of hydrogen is the physico‐absorption type. The study shows that the central metal has an effect on the ability of the complex to store hydrogen, as the palladium complexes are more capable of storing hydrogen than their mercury counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate maternal healthcare practices are crucial to both maternal and infant nutrition outcomes. The Sylhet region of Bangladesh is vulnerable and performs poorly, as maternal and child health indicators are falling behind compared to other areas. Suchana, a large‐scale intervention programme aims to improve the health and nutritional status of mothers and children in this region. The objective of the present analysis is to assess the changes in indicators related to maternal healthcare practices among Suchana beneficiaries. We obtained data from the Suchana baseline and endline evaluation survey. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize data. The following maternal healthcare practices were considered: if a Suchana beneficiary mother received antenatal care (ANC) from skilled service providers, took day time resting during pregnancy, consumed additional diet during pregnancy, took at least 100 iron‐folic acid (IFA) tablets during pregnancy and took a vitamin A capsule after delivery. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of the Suchana intervention on maternal healthcare practices. The prevalence of the outcome variables at endline in the intervention area were as follows: 40% of mothers received at least four ANC from skilled service providers, 50% practiced daytime resting during pregnancy, 51% consumed additional diet during pregnancy, 41% took at least 100 iron‐folic acid tablets during pregnancy, 39% received postnatal care and 30% took a vitamin A capsule after delivery. The Suchana intervention significantly, positively improved indicators related to maternal healthcare practices; these findings support future larger‐scale programmes to improve maternal healthcare practices among vulnerable people in rural Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition among women is a long‐standing public health concern that has significant adverse consequences on the survival and healthy development of children. Maternal mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC) could potentially represent a simpler alternative to traditional nutritional indicators. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with low maternal MUAC (as an indicator of being underweight) and address the research question of whether maternal MUAC is significantly associated with children's nutritional status among poor and very poor households in rural Bangladesh. Data on 5,069 households were extracted from the Suchana programme baseline survey, which was carried out in 80 randomly selected unions (the lowest administrative unit of Bangladesh) in Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts between November 2016 and February 2017. The outcome variables were three child nutritional status indicators: wasting, stunting and underweight. Mothers were classified as underweight if their MUAC was less than 23 cm. Separate multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors potentially associated with maternal underweight status and explore whether maternal underweight status is significantly associated with children's nutritional status. The prevalence of maternal underweight status was 46.7%, and the prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight among children under two were 10.5%, 44.4% and 31.9%, respectively. After controlling for various socio‐economic and demographic characteristics, maternal MUAC was significantly associated with children's nutritional status in rural Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten transition metal dithiocarbamate (DTC)complexes of the type [M(κ2‐Et2DT)2] (1–5), and [M(κ2‐PyDT)2] (6–10) (where M = Co, Ni, Cu, Pd, and Pt; Et2DT = diethyl dithiocarbamate; PyDT = pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) were synthesized and characterized by different methods. The dithiocarbamate acted as bidentate chelating ligands to afford a tetrahedral complexes with Co(II) ion and square planner with other transition metal ions. The dithiocarbamate complexes showed good activity against the pathogen bacteria species. The results showed the Pt‐dithiocarbamate complexes are more active against all the tested bacteria than the Pd‐dithiocarbamate complex. The dithiocarbamate complexes displayed the maximum inhibition zone against E. coli bacteria, whereas the lowest activity of the dithiocarbamate against Salmonella typhimurium bacteria. The cytotoxicity of the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes was screened against the MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line and the complexes showed moderate activity compared with the cis‐platin. The results indicated that the MCF7 cells treated with 500 μg\ml of ligands and Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes after 24 hr exposure showed intercellular space and dead cells. Finally, molecular docking studies were carried out to examine the binding mode of the synthesized compounds against the proposed target; SARS COV2 RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, many numerical techniques were presented to solve the fractional anomalous sub‐diffusion equations, and the results were excellent. In this paper, we study a simple numerical technique to solve two important types of fractional anomalous sub‐diffusion equations that appear strongly in chemical reactions and spiny neuronal dendrites, which are the two‐dimensional fractional Cable equation and the two‐dimensional fractional reaction sub‐diffusion equation. The proposed technique is a simple one which is an extension of the weighted average finite difference technique. The stability analysis of the proposed method is studied by means of John von Neumann stability analysis technique. An accurate stability criterion which is valid for different discretization schemes of the fractional derivative and arbitrary weight factor is introduced. Four numerical examples are presented (two for the Cable equation and two for the reaction sub‐diffusion equation) to demonstrate the effectiveness and the accuracy of the presented method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the syntheses and spectral investigations of the new complexes [Pd(k1‐S‐ptt)2(k2‐dppmS2)] (1), [Pd(k1‐S‐ptt)2(k2‐dppp)] (2a), [Pd(k1‐N‐ptt)2(k2‐dppp)] (2b), [Pd(k1‐S‐ptt)2(k2‐dpppS2)] (3), [Pd(k1‐S‐ptt)2(k2‐dppb)] (4), [Pd(k1‐S‐ptt)2(k2‐dppf)] (5a) and [Pd(k1‐N‐ptt)2(k2‐dppf)] (5b), derived from 1‐phenyl‐5‐thiol‐1H‐tetrazole (Hptt) and diphosphine (dppmS2, dppp, dpppS2, dppb and dppf) as co‐ligand. The Hptt ligand acts as monodentate through the thiolato sulfur atom in complexes 1, 3 and 4. While in complexes 2 and 5, the Hptt ligand also acts as monodentate through the nitrogen of heterocyclic ring, or sulfur of thiol group after deprotonation, as two linkage isomers. Theoretical calculations on the all complexes were performed, isomers based on 2a, 2b and 5a, 5b reveal that each pair of isomers is isoenergetic. For the 2a and 2b complexes the energy difference was 19.92 kcal mol−1, while for the 5a and 5b complexes the difference was 11.78 kcal mol−1. These differences are relatively small and suggest that the linkage isomers may be in equilibrium in solution. The reasons for the adoption of these different coordination modes are not clear but steric factors are likely to be a major contributory factor. Further, in vitro anti‐bacterial activity and molecular docking analysis has been carried out to study the activity of the compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Pd(II), Pt(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) complexes were synthesized from the reaction of 4‐phenyl‐5‐selenocyanatothiazol‐2‐amine (PhSeCNH) with metal chlorides. The produced compounds were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The Material Studio program was used to propose the best fit atomic skeletons for the isolated solid compounds by applying density functional theory. Quantum chemical parameters were determined from such modeling. Also, the synthesized complexes were screened for their cytotoxicity in breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7) and human cervical (HeLa) cell lines. Furthermore, the bactericidal activity of the investigated compounds was also evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus as a Gram‐positive bacteria as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as Gram‐negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tetrahedral Hg(II) diethyl dithiocarbamate (Et2Dt) complex containing triphenylphosphine (PPh3) of the composition [HgCl(κ2‐Et2Dt)2(PPh3)] (1) is prepared. Furthermore, complex (1) is used as a synthone to prepare a novel series of complexes of the following composition [Hg(Et2Dt)L(PPh3)] {L = saccharinate (2), thiosaccharinate (3), benzisothiazolinate (4), benzothiozole‐2‐thiolate (5), and benzooxazole‐2‐thiolate (6) anions}. The resulted complexes (1)–(6) are characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, powder X‐ray diffraction, fourier transform Infrared, and NMR (1H and 31P) spectroscopic techniques. The Et2Dt ligand is coordinated as bidentate chelate through the sulfur atoms, whereas the L ligands are bonded as monodentate ligands to afford a tetrahedral geometry around the Hg(II) ion. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm for two of as‐prepared complexes (2) and (3) are measured first to get their Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area. Moreover, the mentioned two complexes are evaluated for their ability to store hydrogen gas at 77 K. However, the results of the hydrogen storage tests proved that the selected complexes are all capable of storing hydrogen, but in varying degrees, where complex (2) exhibited a storage capacity of 4.22 wt% under 88 bar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delafossite CuFeO2 photocathodes have recently attracted attention for water splitting due to their suitable band gap (∼1.5 eV) and high stability in aqueous media. The preparation of CuFeO2 usually requires long and energy‐intense treatments in an inert atmosphere for the full conversion of spinel CuFe2O4 to delafossite CuFeO2. Herein, we report the preparation and characterization of highly uniform and stable CuFeO2 thin films obtained via a combination of inexpensive ultrasonic spray pyrolysis followed by a short hybrid microwave treatment (∼4 min). The resulting films show good stability in alkaline media and produce a photocurrent of ∼650 μA/cm2 under 1.5 AM simulated sunlight and with oxygen bubbling. The effect of the rapid transformation from the spinel to the delafossite phase induced by hybrid microwave annealing was investigated with synchrotron‐based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity and chronic diet‐related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and celiac are increasing worldwide. The increasing prevalence of these diseases has led nutritionists and food scientists to pay more attention to the relationship between diet and different disease risks. Among different foods, rice has received increasing attention because it is a major component of billions of peoples' diets throughout the world. Rice is commonly consumed after polishing or whitening and the polished grain is known a high glycemic food because of its high starch content. In addition, the removal of the outer bran layer during rice milling results in a loss of nutrients, dietary fiber, and bioactive components. Therefore, many studies were performed to investigate the potential health benefits for the consumption of whole brown rice (BR) grain in comparison to the milled or white rice (WR). The objective of this work was to review the recent advances in research performed for purposes of evaluation of nutritional value and potential health benefits of the whole BR grain. Studies carried out for purposes of developing BR‐based food products are reviewed. BR safety and preservation treatments are also explored. In addition, economic and environmental benefits for the consumption of whole BR instead of the polished or WR are presented. Furthermore, challenges facing the commercialization of BR and future perspectives to promote its utilization as food are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red adzuki bean starch‐water suspensions (1:3, w/v) are subjected to repeated and continuous annealing treatments at 55 °C for 96 h. The changes in structural, physicochemical, and digestive properties of starch after both treatments are studied and compared. The results show that the repeated and continuous annealing increases the relative crystallinity of starch without influencing the morphological structure and crystalline patterns. Gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy increase; however starch solubility, swelling power, and viscosity decrease after both annealing treatments. FT‐IR analysis shows that annealing treatments result in a reorganization of starch molecules and improve the crystalline perfection. Furthermore, the applied annealing treatments decrease the enzymatic susceptibility of starch and increase the percentage of slowly digestible and resistant starch present. Generally, the repeated annealing results in modified starch with good functionalities compared with continuous annealing. Therefore, repeated annealing can be recommended for producing of modified starch for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Sitosterol (Sit) and stearic acid (SA) were combined at varying ratios (w/w) and added to sunflower oil (SFO) at the concentration of 20 g/100 g oil for preparing edible fat-like oleogel. The oleogel was characterized using an optical microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter, and texture analyzer. The oil-binding capacity, melting temperature, and firmness of the oleogel increased with the increase in the amount of SA in the gelator combination (Sit:SA, w/w). The microscopic analysis showed that the gel network formed based on the crystallization and self-organization of gelator molecules, and both gelators showed an independent crystalline behavior in the oleogel. In addition, the FTIR spectra showed that the gel network formed via physical entanglements and was stabilized by non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding. Furthermore, XRD diffraction patterns indicated high lateral packing of molecular layers in oleogel prepared with the Sit and SA combination compared with oleogel prepared with a single gelator. On the other hand, for studying the effect of varying concentrations of gelator combinations, the Sit3:SA2 (w/w) combination was added to SFO at concentrations of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 g/100 g oil. Specific characteristics such as the oil-binding capacity and firmness of the oleogel improved as the concentration of the gelator combination (Sit3:SA2) increased from 10 up to 30 g/100 g oil. Therefore, it can be concluded that the saturated fat alternative oleogel can be prepared from SFO with a specific Sit and SA combination ratio and concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the composition of soybean oil during deep-fat frying with wheat dough (WD) and chicken breast meat (CBM) were comparatively investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The amounts of saturated fatty acids (FAs) and short-chain FAs were increased. The amount of unsaturated FAs was decreased as the processing time increased. An increase in the amount of tetradecanoic acid and 9- cis-hexadecanoic acid was observed during the CBM frying only. The FTIR spectrum of frying oil was analyzed by extracting the entire information as the area ratios based on vibration absorptions of the specific functional groups. Changes in content of functional groups, namely cis C=C, trans C=C, C=O, C-O, O-H, and C-H, were studied by the FTIR-based method. Based on the changes in the content of FAs and functional groups, soybean oil fried with CBM degraded more quickly than that fried with WD. Moreover, good linear correlations between the change in contents of functional groups and the mass percentages of FAs were also observed. The FTIR-based method could be used in real time to monitor the quality of frying oil during the deep-fat frying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a research which investigates the performance of X-ray transparent crystallization plates for protein crystallization screening and analysis. Also included are the materials and methods used in the research as well as a discussion on the results of the study.

A PAXpress™ (Vital Signs Inc., Barnham, UK) airway device was placed in 50 adult ASA grade I and II patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia. The alignment of the PAXpress to the larynx was scored fibreoptically. The patients were then intubated blindly through the PAXpress and the adjusting manoeuvres required for successful intubation and complications of intubation observed. Insertion of the PAXpress was successful in all patients, and intubation was successful in 42 (84%) patients. Eleven patients were intubated in the neutral position, seven with a flexion manoeuvre and 24 with an extension manoeuvre. Intubation was successful in 17/20, 18/20, 6/8 and 1/2 of patients with a fibreoptic alignment score of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. When the fibreoptic alignment score was between 2 and 4 intubation was achieved predominantly with the extension manoeuvre (20/30, 66%) rather than the flexion manoeuvre (1/30, 3%) or the neutral position (5/30, 16%). Blood staining was observed in 20 patients. We conclude that blind tracheal intubation through PAXpress has a moderately good success rate and a high incidence of mucosal trauma. ‘Extension’ is the predominant adjusting manoeuvre required for blind tracheal intubation, especially when the alignment of the PAXpress to the larynx is poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A PAXpress™ (Vital Signs Inc., Barnham, UK) airway device was placed in 50 adult ASA grade I and II patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia. The alignment of the PAXpress to the larynx was scored fibreoptically. The patients were then intubated blindly through the PAXpress and the adjusting manoeuvres required for successful intubation and complications of intubation observed. Insertion of the PAXpress was successful in all patients, and intubation was successful in 42 (84%) patients. Eleven patients were intubated in the neutral position, seven with a flexion manoeuvre and 24 with an extension manoeuvre. Intubation was successful in 17/20, 18/20, 6/8 and 1/2 of patients with a fibreoptic alignment score of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. When the fibreoptic alignment score was between 2 and 4 intubation was achieved predominantly with the extension manoeuvre (20/30, 66%) rather than the flexion manoeuvre (1/30, 3%) or the neutral position (5/30, 16%). Blood staining was observed in 20 patients. We conclude that blind tracheal intubation through PAXpress has a moderately good success rate and a high incidence of mucosal trauma. ‘Extension’ is the predominant adjusting manoeuvre required for blind tracheal intubation, especially when the alignment of the PAXpress to the larynx is poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To verify the effect of circumcision on female sexuality and to define the need for clitorolabioplasty in these cases. Thirty uncircumcised controls, 30 minorly circumcised, 30 minorly circumcised mutilated, and 57 circumcised cases having clitoral cysts were selected on random bases at Kasr El Aini School of Medicine. Sexuality was assessed by a special questionnaire sheet prepared by the authors to fit the circumcised cases. Clitorolabioplasty and clitoral cyst excision were also done in cases of sexual defects. Sexuality was not affected in minorly circumcised cases. However, sexuality was markedly affected in the mutilated cases. The scores for sex desire and arousal and for orgasm were especially affected in such cases. These defects were not detected in cases having clitoral cysts until late, when cysts enlarged. The role of clitorolabioplasty in restoration of sexuality was confirmed. The loss of certain clitoral and labial bulk, necessary for orienting the woman towards her genitalia and initiating her interest in their function, was responsible for the occurrence of such defects; this was able to be restored by surgery. Counseling parents about these sexual defects and asserting the need for correcting the mutilation, which resulted from these circumcisions, are effective steps in banning such procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the distribution of immunocompetent cells in the ectocervix, and cytokine and immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in cervicovaginal secretions to determine whether they are altered in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Ectocervical biopsies from 10 HIV+ and 10 presumed HIV-ve women were studied by immunocytochemistry. Levels of Igs in cervicovaginal secretions were quantified by radial immunodiffusion (RID) and cytokine levels by ELISA. HIV+ women had significantly increased numbers of CD8+ lymphocytes resulting in reversal of the CD4:CD8 ratio. There was a significant increase in the proportion of activated CD8+ HLA-DR+ and CD4+ HLA-DR + lymphocytes, but not in CD8+ TIA-1+ cells. The epithelium of the cervix from HIV+ subjects showed a significant increase in both numbers of macrophages (CD68+) and proportions of activated macrophages (CD68+ HLA-DR+) compared to normal. The stroma contained increased proportions of inductive (D1+) and suppressive (D1+ D7+) macrophages but a decrease in effector phagocyte (D7+) proportions and Langerhans' cells. Significantly lower tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were observed in cervicovaginal secretions from HIV+ subjects. IgG levels were 4 times higher and IgM levels twice higher in cervicovaginal secretions from HIV+ women, compared to results from normal subjects. These results suggest a response within the CD8+ cells in HIV+ women, yet these cells may have a low cytolytic capacity. The raised proportions of HLA-DR+ and D1+ CD4+ macrophages could act as antigen-presenting cells (APC) for CD4+ CD45RO+ lymphocytes, and represent a local acquired response. However, the close juxtaposition of these cells offers the potential for them to act as a local reservoir of virus and promote its proliferation. The increase of IgG over sIgA in secretions of HIV+ subjects provides evidence suggesting a dysregulation of local humoral immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D bioprinting enables the fabrication of human organ models that can be used for various fields of biomedical research, including oncology and infection biology. An important challenge, however, remains the generation of vascularized, perfusable 3D models that closely simulate natural physiology. Here, a novel direct ink writing (DIW) approach is described that can produce vascularized organ models without using sacrificial materials during fabrication. The high resolution of the method allows the one‐step generation of various sophisticated hollow geometries. This sacrificial‐free DIW (SF‐DIW) approach is used to fabricate hepatic metastasis models of various cancer types and different formats for investigating the cytostatic activity of anti‐cancer drugs. To this end, the models are incorporated into a newly developed perfusion system with integrated micropumps and an agar casting step that improves the physiological features of the bioprinted tissues. It is shown that the hepatic environment of the tumor models is capable of activating a prodrug, which inhibits breast cancer growth. This versatile SF‐DIW approach is able to fabricate complicated perfusable constructs or microfluidic chips in a straightforward and cost‐efficient manner. It can also be easily adapted to other cell types for generating vascularized organ tissues or cancer models that may support the development of new therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch is isolated from kernel of acorn fruit (Quercus fabri) using different methods, including hot‐water soaking (HWS), alkaline washing (ALW), ultrasonic‐assisted ethanol soaking (UAES), and ultrasonic‐assisted hot‐water soaking (UAWS). Structural and physicochemical properties of starches isolated using these methods are investigated. The surface structure of acorn starch granules varies depending on the isolation method. However, a similar C‐type crystalline pattern is found for all the isolated starch samples. Acorn starches isolated using the ALW and UAES methods exhibit a greater degrees of crystallinity than those of starches isolated using the other methods. FT‐IR spectra analysis reveals that the chemical bonds in starch molecules are not affected during the isolation of acorn starch under different conditions. Moreover, starch isolated using the UAES method exhibits the greatest water solubility, swelling power, and light transmittance values, as well as the lowest tannin content. In addition, the lightest white color is found for starch isolated using the ALW method. Furthermore, the HWS and ALW methods result in acorn starch with greater enthalpy and gelatinization temperatures, whereas the UAES and UAWS isolation methods result in acorn starch with greater peak viscosity. The obtained results provide important knowledge about the differences in physicochemical properties of acorn starch isolated using different methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty adult patients undergoing minor peripheral surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either the laryngeal mask airway (laryngeal mask airway; size 4 for females and size 5 for males) or the PAXpress (adult size), inserted by a single operator with experience of > 50 insertions of each device. The laryngeal mask airway was correctly placed on the first attempt in 27 patients (90%) compared with 20 patients (67%) when using the PAXpress (p < 0.01). No patient required more than two attempts at insertion and there were no failures with the laryngeal mask airway, compared with four (13%) who needed three attempts and two failures (7%) with the PAXpress (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Mean (SD) total placement time was shorter with the laryngeal mask airway [24.6 (3.1) s] than with the PAXpress[35.4 (2.5) s; p < 0.01]. The most common complication was sore throat, which occurred less frequently with the laryngeal mask airway (8 patients; 26%) than with the PAXpress (15 patients; 53.5%; p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Sixty adult patients undergoing minor peripheral surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either the laryngeal mask airway (laryngeal mask airway; size 4 for females and size 5 for males) or the PAXpress TM (adult size), inserted by a single operator with experience of > 50 insertions of each device. The laryngeal mask airway was correctly placed on the first attempt in 27 patients (90%) compared with 20 patients (67%) when using the PA Xpress (p < 0.01). No patient required more than two attempts at insertion and there were no failures with the laryngeal mask airway, compared with four (13%) who needed three attempts and two failures (7%) with the PA Xpress (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Mean (SD) total placement time was shorter with the laryngeal mask airway [24.6 (3.1) s] than with the PA Xpress [35.4 (2.5) s; p < 0.01]. The most common complication was sore throat, which occurred less frequently with the laryngeal mask airway (8 patients; 26%) than with the PA Xpress (15 patients; 53.5%; p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented concerning treatment complication observed in a 52-year-old man following the administration of 1000 ml of 1.5% of glycine solution intravenously.

Presents a letter to the editor about the correct position of a double lumen tube.

Introduction: Despite the cervix having the largest concentration of lymphocytes and macrophages in the lower genital tract, there is limited knowledge of these cell types in CIN. This study was undertaken to compare T-cell and macrophage populations in women with and without low-grade CIN. Methods: Control group: 10 women with a normal recent cervical smear result, mean age 30 years. Study group: 10 women with low-grade CIN, mean age 33.2 years. Colposcopically directed cervical biopsies were taken from control women and from areas of CIN in the study group, and studied using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence staining. Results: T-cell numbers remained constant. In CIN, there were increased proportions of recruited (CD8+CD5+), activated (CD8+HLA-DR+) and cytolytic (CD8+TIA-1+) CD8 T-cells. There were more activated CD4+HLA-DR+ T-cells in CIN. Memory T-cell (CD8+CD45RO+ and CD4+CD45RO+) proportions were reduced. Total macrophage numbers (CD68+) remained constant, but activated macrophages (CD68+HLA-DR+) rose. Phagocytic (RFD7+) macrophage proportions decreased with a concomitant increase in suppresser macrophages (RFD1+RFD7+). Discussion: Despite cellular numbers remaining unchanged, there were significant changes in T-cell and macrophage populations in women with low-grade CIN. There is recruitment of activated and cytolytic CD8 T-cells. The swing to a predominantly suppressive macrophage phenotype may predispose to CIN. Carcinoma of the cervix occurs more frequently in women who are immunosuppressed. Our data suggests that local and systemic immune mechanisms may be relevant in the response to HPV-induced neoplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A PAXpress (Vital Signs Inc., Barnham, UK) airway device was placed in 50 adult ASA grade I and II patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia. The alignment of the PAXpress to the larynx was scored fibreoptically. The patients were then intubated blindly through the PAXpress and the adjusting manoeuvres required for successful intubation and complications of intubation observed. Insertion of the PAXpress was successful in all patients, and intubation was successful in 42 (84%) patients. Eleven patients were intubated in the neutral position, seven with a flexion manoeuvre and 24 with an extension manoeuvre. Intubation was successful in 17/20, 18/20, 6/8 and 1/2 of patients with a fibreoptic alignment score of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. When the fibreoptic alignment score was between 2 and 4 intubation was achieved predominantly with the extension manoeuvre (20/30, 66%) rather than the flexion manoeuvre (1/30, 3%) or the neutral position (5/30, 16%). Blood staining was observed in 20 patients. We conclude that blind tracheal intubation through PAXpress has a moderately good success rate and a high incidence of mucosal trauma. 'Extension' is the predominant adjusting manoeuvre required for blind tracheal intubation, especially when the alignment of the PAXpress to the larynx is poor.