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Wastewater contamination, particularly from dye effluents containing organic colorants originating from industrial sources, represents a significant environmental and public health hazard. This study is dedicated to removal of these abundant coloured effluents in wastewater, addressing the imperative need for effective remediation strategies to safeguard ecosystems and human well‐being. In this regard, bare and K‐doped perovskite manganites La0.5Nd0.2Ca0.3MnO3 (LCM) and La0.5Nd0.2Ca0.25K0.05MnO3 (LCKM) nanoparticles respectively were synthesized in order to study their catalytic behaviour for degradation of coloured effluents. The Rietveld analysis applied to the X‐ray diffraction data provides confirmation of orthorhombic symmetry. For exploring the catalytic properties, rhodamine‐B (RhB) dye was chosen as model dye pollutant. The achieved degradation efficiency is substantial, reaching 99 % within a brief period of 10–12 min. Following these results, we have also carried out the degradation of some other dyes such as methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO). It was observed that MO dye was more efficiently degraded in quick time as compared to all the other dyes due to its anionic nature. Furthermore, the comparative catalytic efficiencies of LCM and LCKM catalysts were explained on the basis of Mn3+/Mn4+ redox pairs and it was observed that LCKM had shown better degradation efficiency than LCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walnut shell has been used in various experimental studies for different dyes removal, but it is exciting to study the adsorption behaviour of bio‐waste (walnut shell) in combination with spinel zinc ferrite which resulted in the formation of a novel material having magnetic properties and help in easy separation after the wastewater treatment. Novel magnetic walnut shell zinc ferrite (WSZF) composite has been synthesized and used to remove Malachite Green and Methylene Blue from aqueous solution in single and binary dye systems. Different techniques have been used to characterize the composite such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X‐Ray Diffraction, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis and pHzpc. Adsorption of dyes were studied to see the effect of time, pH, adsorbent dose, dye concentration and temperature. The Lagergren pseudo second order model fitted well among various kinetic models employed. Langmuir adsorption isotherm best fitted with maximum adsorption capacities of 86.20 and 169.5 mg/g in single dye and 23.92 and 18 mg/g respectively in binary dye system for Malachite Green and Methylene Blue. Process was spontaneous and ΔH° were found positive, confirmed endothermic process of adsorption. The composite's regeneration capacity was studied for five cycles and at the end of five cycle the efficiency of the material was found to be around 80 % for both single as well as binary dye systems. It is concluded that the chosen WSZF will be the optimum solution for cationic dyes removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, or PH Group 1), a disease of aberrant pulmonary vascular remodeling, causing progressive right heart failure (RHF) due to elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Patient mortality risk stratification guides choice and intensity of pharmacological intervention and is assessed by haemodynamics (especially PVR) as well as noninvasive tools including WHO functional class (FC), 6‐min walk distance (6MWD), and NT‐proBNP levels. Quality of life (QOL) assessment is acknowledged as a central aspect of patient‐centered care, but our study sought to extend QOL's role as an additional noninvasive risk marker that could further refine risk stratification and hence therapeutic choices within a "treatment to target" paradigm (aiming to achieve low‐risk status). This study found that QOL assessment using the PAH‐SYMPACT© physical activity tool provided enhanced, independent mortality risk information, with one unit rise in this score associated with a 41% increase in likelihood risk (odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.98 (p < 0.05)) of falling within intermediate versus low‐group category. We therefore found further support for additional prognostic value being conferred by measurement of QOL as part of routine PAH evaluation, reinforcing its critical role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sealing wax is used for maintaining the integrity and authenticity of a document or physical evidence. Any tampering with the seal calls into question the overall integrity and authenticity of the tangible evidence or document. In these circumstances, determining the authenticity of the sealing material (physical and chemical) becomes imperative. In this study, ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy supported by chemometrics has been used to differentiate sealing wax samples belonging to 12 different brands available across India. All the samples were first melted, cooled, and then analyzed using ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy in the mid‐infrared region (4000–600 cm−1). The obtained spectra were first examined visually for the presence of different functional groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) and principal component analysis‐linear discriminant analysis (PCA‐LDA) were employed to analyze the sample clustering patterns and to categorize them into their respective groups, respectively. For classification, a PCA‐LDA training model was applied, and it demonstrated 95.83% accuracy. The validation test resulted in an accuracy of 83.33%. PCA‐LDA model offered 100% accurate prediction for samples on various substrates, including cloth, cardboard, and paper. A blind study was also performed using five unknown samples, which were accurately classified into their respective groups. PCA‐LDA model will be helpful in providing investigative leads by linking a questioned sealing wax sample with its respective group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lip balm may be encountered as physical evidence in cases involving sexual assaults, homicides, and kidnappings. Lip balm can be used as corroborative evidence by providing a potential link between the victim, accused, and the crime scene. For lip balms to be used as evidence, it is important to understand the diversity and their aging process under different conditions. Therefore, in this study, ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy in conjunction with chemometric tools such as principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) has been used for the objective identification and differentiation of 20 brands of lip balms. Moreover, lip balms on different substrates and wearing effects over time were also investigated. The results show that the PCA‐LDA training accuracy was 92.5%, whereas the validation accuracy comes out to be 83.33%. A blind study using pristine samples was also performed which resulted in 80% PCA‐LDA accuracy. PCA‐LDA prediction of samples on various substrates showed a higher chemometric prediction accuracy for nonporous substrates (glass, plastic, and steel), than for porous substrates (cotton cloth, cotton swab stick, dry tissue paper, and white paper) for samples kept in room temperature and under sunlight for 15 days. The substrate study showed that the samples from various substrates could effectively generate respective spectra which can help in brand‐level identification even after several days. The present method demonstrates a potential for lip balm samples to be used in forensic casework applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical tapes are recovered during criminal investigations as physical evidence in cases of rape, kidnapping, and explosion incidents. The analysis of such evidence can provide an evidentiary link between the suspect, the victim, object, or the crime scene. In the present study, 25 brands of electrical tapes have been analyzed using ATR‐FTIR (attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy. Samples (1 cm2) were analyzed in the mid IR (Infrared) region from 4000–600 cm−1, and the functional groups of various components have been profiled. Chemometric methods‐PCA (principal component analysis) and PCA‐LDA (linear discriminant analysis) have been employed to interpret the data and classify the samples into its respective classes. Preliminary assessment of sample clustering due to similar chemical composition was visualized using PCA. PCA‐LDA applied for classification purpose yielded classification accuracy (calibration) of 92.98% for the adhesive side and 88% for the backing side. The validation results showed classification accuracy of 89.47% for the adhesive side and 84% for the backing side. Blind validation study was carried out using 5 samples, and classification accuracy of 100% and 80% was obtained for the adhesive and the backing side, respectively. In the current study, a preliminary substrate study was carried out, and the results showed that the backing samples could be more accurately matched to their correct source of origin than the adhesive side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) approach was applied to genotype selected interspecific hybrid (F1) and backcross (BC2) families of Elaeis oleifera and Elaeis guineensis. Genome‐wide linkage disequilibrium (LD) was estimated at 150‐kb pairwise distance for r2 values of 0.17 and 0.42 for F1 and BC2, respectively. Single marker‐trait association analysis identified 47 markers associated with five fatty acid composition (FAC) traits (C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and iodine value [IV]) in F1, and 12 significant markers linked to oleic acid (C18:1) and vegetative traits (petiole width and mean leaf width) in BC. Within the QTL region associated with FAC traits, we identified key candidate genes influencing fatty acid synthesis. We implemented two machine learning algorithms, namely random forest and gradient boosting, to evaluate the ability of significant markers in predicting phenotype values. We also demonstrated the contribution of different marker combinations on trait values via prediction trees. This is the first attempt to evaluate the predictive ability of a combination of markers associated with traits identified from association mapping analysis in oil palm populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic investigation of cases involving spray paints requires comparison of paint such as those recovered from graffiti with the references sample seized from the suspect's possession site. This study describes the use of Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR‐FT‐IR) spectroscopy for nondestructive analysis of 20 red spray paints of different manufactures, which could be encountered at a crime scene, particularly in case of vandalism. Spray paints could be encountered on a number of different substrates, and therefore, the samples were placed on simulated substrates and were analyzed in order to check the effect of substrates on sample analysis. Results showed that all samples could be successfully differentiated using ATR‐FT‐IR spectroscopy assisted with principal component analysis. Analysis of spray paints on a paper and fabric substrate resulted in poor spectra and hampered the comparative examination between the spray paint deposited on fabric/paper surface and the control sample. In case of sample deposited on cemented wall, the substrate got scraped out along with the sample and caused interferences in the spectrum. On the other hand, for sample deposited on the floor, gloves, metal, plastic, leather shoes, tile, wood, and hair substrates, all the significant peaks were observed to be present and hence it was concluded that comparative studies can be done between neat spray paint and spray paint deposited on the aforesaid substrates. Additionally, blind validation test was conducted and it resulted in linking the blind samples with the source or origin with 100% accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digestion of starch‐based foods in the small intestine as well as factors affecting their digestibility have been previously investigated and reviewed in detail. Starch digestibility has been studied both in vivo and in vitro, with increasing interest in the use of in vitro models. Although previous in vivo studies have indicated the effect of mastication and gastric digestion on the digestibility of solid starch‐based foods, the physical breakdown of starch‐based foods prior to small intestinal digestion is often less considered. Moreover, gastric digestion has received little attention in the attempt to understand the digestion of solid starch‐based foods in the digestive tract. In this review, the physical breakdown of starch‐based foods in the mouth and stomach, the quantification of these breakdown processes, and their links to physiological outcomes, such as gastric emptying and glycemic response, are discussed. In addition, the physical breakdown aspects related to gastric digestion that need to be considered when developing in vitro–in vivo correlation in starch digestion studies are discussed. The discussion demonstrates that physical breakdown prior to small intestinal digestion, especially during gastric digestion, should not be neglected in understanding the digestion of solid starch‐based foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vermilion (sindoor) is considered sacred in the Hindu religion, and it is used routinely throughout the world by married Hindu women along the line of hair parting during marriage ceremonies, religious rituals, and festivals. Owing to its esthetic appeal, it is sometimes illegally used as a food additive; leading to potential health risks. Therefore, due to the aforementioned reasons, vermilion can likely be encountered as trace evidentiary material during crime investigations, particularly in cases of sexual and physical offenses against women. Analysis of such evidence can provide a link between the criminal, the victim, and the crime scene and thereby be utilized as associative evidence in the court of law. In the present study, ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy has been used for the examination of 37 different manufacturers of vermilion. Chemometric methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and PCA‐LDA were performed on the obtained spectra for objective interpretation of results. PCA delivered 99.06% discrimination of samples while PCA‐LDA employed for classification purpose delivered 95.25% calibration accuracy and 88% validation accuracy. Afterward, the validity of the chemometric methods employed was tested by blind testing of samples. A preliminary study on the effect of selected substrates (cotton cloth, tissue paper, glass, and plastic) on sample analysis indicates that while sample stain on substrates could be linked to its parent source even after a month, linking an aged samples (after 8 months) could be hindered due to evaporation of components present in vermilion. Overall, the current methodology utilized has a potential prospect in future forensic‐casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is currently very limited information on the nature and prevalence of post‐COVID‐19 symptoms after hospital discharge. Methods: A purposive sample of 100 survivors discharged from a large University hospital were assessed 4 to 8 weeks after discharge by a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation professionals using a specialist telephone screening tool designed to capture symptoms and impact on daily life. EQ‐5D‐5L telephone version was also completed. Results: Participants were between 29 and 71 days (mean 48 days) postdischarge from hospital. Thirty‐two participants required treatment in intensive care unit (ICU group) and 68 were managed in hospital wards without needing ICU care (ward group). New illness‐related fatigue was the most common reported symptom by 72% participants in ICU group and 60.3% in ward group. The next most common symptoms were breathlessness (65.6% in ICU group and 42.6% in ward group) and psychological distress (46.9% in ICU group and 23.5% in ward group). There was a clinically significant drop in EQ5D in 68.8% in ICU group and in 45.6% in ward group. Conclusions: This is the first study from the United Kingdom reporting on postdischarge symptoms. We recommend planning rehabilitation services to manage these symptoms appropriately and maximize the functional return of COVID‐19 survivors. Highlights: This is the first UK study reporting on longer term symptoms in individuals recovering from COVID‐19.New illness‐related fatigue, breathlessness and psychological distress were commonly reported at 7 weeks after discharge from hospital with a clinically significant drop in the quality of life of many individuals.Symptoms were present in both ward and ICU managed individuals, the prevalence being higher in those who required ICU care.Rehabilitation care for COVID‐19 survivors must therefore be need‐focused, delivered by specialist multidisciplinary team and planned for the longer term to meet the needs of these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Takeaways: Houston's Northeast Water Purification Plant expansion project is required to comply with subsidence district rules for conversion from groundwater to surface water supply. Innovative solutions for the expanded plant include two coagulation recipes to treat water from Lake Houston; treatment with chlorine dioxide, ozone, and biological filtration; and enhanced residuals treatment. A progressive design–build approach—used for the largest project of this kind presently underway in North America—maximized stakeholder involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: There is a considerable clinical demand to determine key mutations in genes involved with cancer which necessitates the deployment of highly specific and robust analytical methods. Multiplex liquid chromatography with selected reaction monitoring (LC/SRM) assays offer the ability to achieve quantitation down to levels expected to be present in clinical samples. Ion mobility mass spectrometry (IMS/MS) assays can provide increased peak capacity and hence separation in an extremely short time frame, and in addition provide physicochemical data regarding the collision cross‐section of an analyte which can be used in conjunction with the m/z value of an ion to increase detection specificity. Methods: For LC/SRM, unlabelled peptides and corresponding stable‐isotope‐labelled standards were spiked into digested human plasma and analysed using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer to enable the generation of analyte‐specific calibration lines. Synthetic unlabelled peptides were infused into a Synapt G2 mass spectrometer for travelling wave ion mobility separation and TWCCSN2 values were derived from comparison with previously generated TWCCSN2 calibration values. Results: Linear calibration lines (0.125 to 25 fmol/μL) were established for each of the KRAS peptides. UHPLC separated the peptides and hence enabled them to be split into different retention time functions/windows. This separation enabled detection of three or four transitions for each light and heavy peptide with at least 10 points per peak for accurate quantitation. All six KRAS G12 peptides were separated using IMS/MS, enabling precise TWCCSN2 values to be determined. Although some of the G12 peptides chromatographically co‐eluted, all the peptides were distinguished by m/z, retention time and/or drift time. Conclusions: This study advocates that LC/SRM and IMS/MS could both be used to identify single amino acid substitutions in KRAS as an alternative to commonly used methods such as circulating tumour DNA analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cosmetic foundation creams are encountered as evidentiary material in criminal investigations, particularly in cases related to sexual and physical assault against women. Analyzing foundation cream exhibit is a challenging task as the exhibit is recovered in trace quantity with similar hue. In the present study, ATR FTIR spectroscopy which is a rapid, nondestructive, sensitive, reliable, and safe alternative to other analytical techniques has been used to differentiate 31 cosmetic foundation creams belonging to 23 different brands supported by chemometric methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The discriminating power of visual analysis is found to be 98.0%, while PCA and LDA further increased the discriminating power to 99.3% and 100%, respectively. The blind test is conducted with three unknown samples (pretended to be unknown to the analyst), which were correctly linked with their respective source. Further, the effect of substrate such as tissue paper (dry and wet) and white cotton cloth during sample analysis are also examined to simulate the actual forensic casework conditions. The stains on substrates could be identified and linked to its parent product as well. The reported method provides significant results for the differentiation of cosmetic foundation creams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Oil palm breeding involves crossing dura and pisifera palms to produce tenera progeny with greatly improved oil yield. Oil yield is controlled by variant alleles of a type II MADS‐box gene, SHELL, that impact the presence and thickness of the endocarp, or shell, surrounding the fruit kernel.We identified six novel SHELL alleles in noncommercial African germplasm populations from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. These populations provide extensive diversity to harness genetic, mechanistic and phenotypic variation associated with oil yield in a globally critical crop. We investigated phenotypes in heteroallelic combinations, as well as SHELL heterodimerization and subcellular localization by yeast two‐hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and gene expression analyses.Four novel SHELL alleles were associated with fruit form phenotype. Candidate heterodimerization partners were identified, and interactions with EgSEP3 and subcellular localization were SHELL allele‐specific.Our findings reveal allele‐specific mechanisms by which variant SHELL alleles impact yield, as well as speculative insights into the potential role of SHELL in single‐gene oil yield heterosis. Future field trials for combinability and introgression may further optimize yield and improve sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the workplace, people who identify as sexual minorities experience elevated levels of incivility, discrimination, and a general lack of protection from unfair workplace practices. These difficulties can then lead to adverse physical, psychological, and social outcomes. Internalized homonegativity may contribute to these negative outcomes as well. Psychological flexibility has been associated with improved psychological and physical health. The current study is a cross‐sectional assessment of adults who identify as sexual minorities (n = 312) examining the relation among work stress, well‐being, psychological flexibility, and internalized homonegativity. It was hypothesized that greater work stress would be related to lower well‐being, lower psychological flexibility, and higher internalized homonegativity. Further, it was hypothesized that internalized homonegativity and psychological flexibility would mediate the relation between work stress and well‐being. Results indicated that psychological flexibility was a significant mediator between work stress and well‐being, but internalized homonegativity was not. This suggests that psychological flexibility could be a useful tool for sexual minorities to respond effectively in difficult workplace situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chyle leak is an uncommon form of ascites occurring due to the accumulation of lipid‐rich lymph into the peritoneal cavity. Traumatic injury to the lymphatic system due to pancreaticobiliary surgery can lead to this phenomenon. Method: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 159 patients of pancreticobiliary surgery from January 2012 to December 2016. Five patients (5/137, 3.6%) sustained a chylous leak following pancreaticoduodenectomy and one patient (1/22, 4.5%) sustained a chylous leak following Roux‐en‐Y hepaticojejunostomy for postcholecystectomy biliary stricture. Results: Average daily output was 441 mL (range: 150–800 mL/day), and total duration of output was 16.5 days (range: 4–35 days). Mean hospital stay increased to 19.1 days (range: 10–40 days). All the patients were successfully managed conservatively with a combination of customized enteral feeds, supplemental parenteral nutrition, and octreotide. One patient required additional percutaneous drainage. Conclusion: Chyle leak can be successfully treated with conservative management but at the cost of increased hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study shows a facile approach for the preparation of CeO2 nanoparticles decorated with porous nitrogen‐doped graphene (NG) nanosheets for effective photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). NG nanosheets were first synthesized using a hydrothermal method and then nitrogen‐doped graphene‐cerium oxide (NG‐CeO2) was prepared through mixing of cerium nitrate with different concentrations of NG under ultrasonication followed by hydrothermal treatment. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposites was analyzed against MB dye. Results showed that the nanocomposites of NG‐CeO2 have an average particle size of 20 nm. The as‐prepared NG‐CeO2 nanocomposites exhibited outstanding photocatalytic activity for dye degradation under visible light irradiation, which could be attributed to synergistic effects between the NG nanosheets and CeO2. The quantum of photodegradation increases with the increase of the NG content in the nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Curcumin, derived from turmeric, has been extensively investigated for its broad spectrum of biological activities. Previously reported HPLC‐UV methods have focussed on analysis of the parent compound. Here, a sensitive HPLC‐UV method was developed and partially validated, then used for the simultaneous determination of curcumin and its glucuronide and sulfate metabolites in plasma and lung tissue from mice. The assay was applied to an in vivo pharmacokinetic study comparing formulated curcumin (Meriva™) with standard curcumin. Plasma levels of glucuronide and sulfate metabolites were 5‐ and 2‐fold higher after Meriva™ administration compared with standard curcumin. In lung tissue, free curcumin was 4‐fold higher following Meriva™ administration vs standard curcumin. This assay represents a rapid, cheap method for simultaneous detection of curcumin and its major metabolites that has applicability in pre‐clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary giant cell tumor of the female breast is extremely rare. Major diagnostic difficulty is encountered not only by the surgeon but also by the radiologist and pathologist. Pathologically, it is similar to the bone and soft tissue counterparts. However, this is not always true. We describe a patient presenting clinically as cystosarcoma phyllodes and histopathological examination revealed a primary giant cell tumor which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Interestingly, an intimate relationship between the mononuclear component of the tumor cells with eosinophils and mast cells was observed electron microscopically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression of the tumor suppressor p53 can influence the bioactivation of, and DNA damage induced by, the environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene, indicating a role for p53 in its cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated biotransformation. The carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), which is formed during the cooking of food, is also metabolically activated by CYP enzymes, particularly CYP1A2. We investigated the potential role of p53 in PhIP metabolism in vivo by treating Trp53(+/+), Trp53(+/-) and Trp53(-/-) mice with a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg body weight PhIP. N-(Deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP-C8-dG) levels in DNA, measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, were significantly lower in liver, colon, forestomach and glandular stomach of Trp53(-/-) mice compared to Trp53(+/+) mice. Lower PhIP-DNA adduct levels in the livers of Trp53(-/-) mice correlated with lower Cyp1a2 enzyme activity (measured by methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase activity) in these animals. Interestingly, PhIP-DNA adduct levels were significantly higher in kidney and bladder of Trp53(-/-) mice compared to Trp53(+/+) mice, which was accompanied by higher sulfotransferase (Sult) 1a1 protein levels and increased Sult1a1 enzyme activity (measured by 2-naphthylsulfate formation from 2-naphthol) in kidneys of these animals. Our study demonstrates a role for p53 in the metabolism of PhIP in vivo, extending previous results on a novel role for p53 in xenobiotic metabolism. Our results also indicate that the impact of p53 on PhIP biotransformation is tissue-dependent and that in addition to Cyp1a enzymes, Sult1a1 can contribute to PhIP-DNA adduct formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aristolochic acid (AA) causes aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), first described in women in Belgium accidently prescribed Aristolochia fangchi in a slimming treatment, and also Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), through probable dietary contamination with Aristolochia clematitis seeds. Both nephropathies have a high risk of urothelial cancer, with AA being the causative agent. In tissues of AAN and BEN patients, a distinct DNA adduct, 7-(deoxyadenosin- N6-yl)-aristolactam I (dA-AAI), has been detected. DNA adducts can be removed through DNA repair, they can result in mutations through erroneous DNA replication or they can cause cell death. The dA-AAI adduct induces AT to TA transversions in the tumor-suppressor TP53 gene in experimental systems, matching TP53 mutations observed in urothelial tumors from AAN cancer cases. Using thin-layer chromatography 32P-postlabeling and mass spectrometric analysis we report the detection of dA-AAI in renal DNA from 11 Belgian AAN patients over 20 years after exposure to AA had ceased. Our results showed that dA-AAI is an established biomarker of AA exposure, and that this biomarker can be demonstrated to be persistent decades after a distinct AA exposure. Further, the persistence of dA-AAI adducts appears to be a critical determinant for the AA mutational fingerprint frequently found in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes recently identified by whole genome sequencing of AA-associated urothelial tumors. The potential for exposure to AA worldwide is high; the unprecedented long-term persistence of dA-AAI provides a useful long-term biomarker of exposure and attests to the role of AA in human urothelial malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Singh RP, Farney AC, Rogers J, Gautreaux M, Reeves-Daniel A, Hartmann E, Doares W, Iskandar S, Adams P, Stratta RJ. Hypertension in standard criteria deceased donors is associated with inferior outcomes following kidney transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E437-E446. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Hypertension may be a either a cause or an effect of kidney disease. Although hypertension is an important component of the expanded criteria donor definition, risks of transplanting deceased donor kidneys from hypertensive standard criteria donors (SCD) are less well understood. Methods: Retrospective single-center study in all adult patients who received a deceased donor kidney transplant from a SCD to evaluate the role of donor hypertension as a pre-transplant risk factor for death-censored graft loss (DCGL) and renal function. Results: From October 2001 through May 2008, 297 kidney transplants were performed from donation after brain death SCDs. A total of 47 (15.8%) grafts were lost, including 19 (6.4%) deaths with functioning grafts. Univariate analysis of death-censored cases (n = 278) identified history of donor hypertension, cold ischemia time (CIT) >30 h, and African American (AA) recipients as significant pre-transplant risk factors predictive for DCGL at five yr follow-up (mean 38 months, all p < 0.02). Cox regression analysis showed donor hypertension (relative risk 2.2, p = 0.04) to be a significant risk factor for DCGL, whereas CIT >30 h and AA recipient ethnicity showed only trends toward DCGL. Renal function as determined by serum creatinine levels was significantly higher in recipients of hypertensive compared with non-hypertensive SCD kidneys at all time points out to 48 months follow-up and the disparity in renal function increased over time. Conclusions: Transplanting SCD kidneys from hypertensive donors is associated with worse graft function and an increased risk of graft loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Singh RP, Farney AC, Rogers J, Zuckerman J, Reeves-Daniel A, Hartmann E, Iskandar S, Adams P, Stratta RJ. Kidney transplantation from donation after cardiac death donors: lack of impact of delayed graft function on post-transplant outcomes. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 255-264. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Delayed graft function (DGF) is more common in recipients of kidney transplants from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors compared to donation after brain death (DBD) donors. Single-center retrospective study to evaluate the impact of DGF on controlled (Maastricht category III) DCD donor kidney transplant outcomes. From 10/01 to 6/08, 578 adult deceased donor kidney transplants were performed including 70 (12%) from DCD and 508 (88%) from DBD donors. Mean follow-up was 36 months. DCD donor kidney transplants had significantly greater rates of DGF (57% DCD vs. 21% DBD, p < 0.0001)) and acute rejection (29% DCD vs. 16% DBD, p = 0.018) compared to DBD donor kidney transplants, but patient and graft survival rates were similar. DBD donor kidney transplants with DGF (n = 109) had significantly greater rates of death-censored graft loss (12.5% DCD vs. 31% DBD), primary non-function (0 DCD vs. 10% DBD) and higher 2 year mean serum creatinine levels (1.4 DCD vs. 2.7 mg/dL DBD) compared to DCD donor kidney transplants with DGF (n = 40, all p < 0.04). On univariate analysis, the presence of acute rejection and older donor age were the only significant risk factors for death-censored graft loss in DCD donor kidney transplants, whereas DGF was not a risk factor. Despite higher rates of DGF and acute rejection in DCD donor kidney transplants, subsequent outcomes in DCD donor kidney transplants with DGF are better than in DBD donor kidney transplants experiencing DGF, and similar to outcomes in DCD donor kidney transplants without DGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mechanism and extent of major bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy differ from those of open cholecystectomy. Methods: To identify differences in the demographic profile, timing of injury detection, management strategies and outcome, we undertook a retrospective review and analysis of our experience with 55 major bile duct injuries following both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomies over a period of 9 years. Results: Thirty-one major bile duct injuries resulted from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (56%) and 24 of them were sustained after open cholecystectomy (44%). The median time of presentation was 7 days after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 14 days following open cholecystectomy ( P < 0.001). Twenty-eight (51%) patients had injuries recognized intraoperatively in both groups, of whom 18 patients underwent an attempt at primary repair before referral. All patients required subsequent surgical intervention. There were no differences in the clinical presentations between the two groups. However, serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly higher following open cholecystectomy ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the level of injury between the two groups. All patients underwent surgical repair in the form of a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (including two revision hepaticojejunostomies in each group). Surgical outcome did not differ between the groups; however, better results were seen with Bismuth grades 1 and 2 strictures compared with Bismuth grades 3 and 4 strictures for both groups ( P < 0.002). Conclusion: Major bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy present earlier and with lower levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. There does not appear to be a significant difference between the Bismuth–Strasberg grading of the strictures and the type of surgery carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To define the current achievable outcomes from open partial nephrectomy (OPN) in the UK at a time when other treatments for small kidney tumours are increasingly being advocated. Current knowledge of the effectiveness of OPN is limited by the fact that published data are almost exclusively derived from a very few centres of established world renown. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 100 consecutive planned OPNs in 90 patients at two UK centres; 93 operations were for suspected cancer. The median (range) tumour size was 3.8 (1.2–9) cm. In all, 42 OPNs were imperative for patients with a single kidney (14), synchronous bilateral tumours (20), or renal impairment alone (eight). In 42 patients with a tumour of ≤ 4 cm and a normal contralateral kidney the decision to do OPN was considered elective. There were 10 additional operations in seven patients with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. In all, 21 OPNs were in the context of a single kidney. RESULTS In all, 95 OPNs were successfully completed; one operation was abandoned and there were four nephrectomies, including two for bleeding, one for a positive margin on frozen-section analysis, and one for multifocal tumours. The median warm/cold ischaemia time was 20/33 min. The intraoperative/early complication rate was 36%, including a major complication rate of 11% and re-operation rate for primary bleeding of 3%. Of 36 complications, 30 (83%) were in 23 patients with either an imperative indication or VHL. Complications were more common in the imperative/VHL group (59%) than in the elective/other group (12%). Renal function was preserved in 80 of 100 (80%) OPNs overall. Creatinine levels returned to baseline in 11 of 21 (50%) patients with renal impairment before OPN and in 12 of 20 (60%) with a single kidney, whilst five of 21 (24%) with a single kidney needed dialysis after OPN. The median (range) stay after surgery was 6 (3–50) nights. A malignant diagnosis was confirmed in 76 of 93 (82%) specimens on final histopathology. There were 11 of 100 (11%) positive margins, one managed by immediate conversion to nephrectomy and the remaining 10 managed expectantly. After a median (range) follow-up of 24 (1–69) months there were no deaths from kidney cancer, but three patients had local recurrences and two others had developed metastatic recurrence. CONCLUSION OPN is complex surgery, especially in the imperative setting, but very good results are achievable outside established centres of world renown. It provides good cancer control in the short term with low renal morbidity. These results may act as a reference point in the UK by which to compare results of new treatments for kidney cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gall bladder perforation is a serious complication of acute cholecystitis. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the presenting symptoms, diagnosis and management of patients with gall bladder perforations. A retrospective study was undertaken of 31 consecutive patients with gall bladder perforation in a single unit of a tertiary referral hospital, between January 1996 and December 2001. The incidence of gall bladder perforation was 5.9% of all cases of acute cholecystitis. Associated comorbidity was quite common (58%). Ultrasound and computed tomography scans of the abdomen are sensitive investigations. Ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage helps in tiding over the emergency. The morbidity (35%) and mortality (9.6%) is considerable. The patterns of presentations, diagnosis and management of gall bladder perforation are changing. But there is scope for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTPurpose: To evaluate the effect of trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCP) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes with medically uncontrolled secondary glaucoma persisting after intravitreal silicone oil removal. Methods: Clinical records of 21 eyes of 21 patients who underwent TSCP for medically uncontrolled glaucoma persisting after the removal of intravitreal silicone oil, injected during vitreoretinal surgery for proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), were reviewed retrospectively. Diode laser contact TSCP was applied at a power setting of 1.5–2.5 W, for a maximum duration of 2 s, and a total of 40 spots (10 spots each quadrant). All the patients were evaluated for visual acuity, IOP and number of medications used. Results: The patients were followed up for a mean ± SD period of 39.9 ± 4.27 weeks (range 36–48 weeks). The IOP was found to have decreased significantly from a pretreatment value of 34.5 ± 5.37 mmHg (range 24–44 mmHg) to 20.47 ± 4.49 mmHg at 6 months of follow up (range 12–30 mmHg, P < 0.01, Student’s paired t-test). The total number of glaucoma medications being used reduced from 3.38 ± 0.5 to 1.08 ± 0.80 postoperatively (P < 0.01, Wilcoxon’s rank sum test). There was no significant difference in the visual acuity before and after the procedure. Thirteen eyes required a second sitting of TSCP, and five of these required a third sitting. For a successful outcome (IOP < 24 mmHg), a mean of 1.56 sittings (range 1–3 sittings) per eye were needed. Conclusion: Patients with medically uncontrolled glaucoma persisting after intravitreal silicone oil removal can be treated with TSCP; however, the reduction of IOP is variable. The IOP usually falls after a mean of 2–3 sittings of TSCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and Aim: Biliary cholesterol supersaturation, gallbladder stasis and delayed intestinal transit are the key events in cholesterol gallstone formation. We studied the effect of cisapride, a prokinetic drug, on gallbladder emptying and bile composition in patients with gallstone disease undergoing cholecystectomy. Methods: Gallbladder emptying, cholesterol saturation index (CSI) and nucleation time were studied in 21 patients with gallstone disease. Eleven patients (cisapride group, age 41.9 ± 2.9 years) received tablet cisapride 10 mg t.i.d. for 2 weeks, while 10 patients (placebo group, age 42.1 ± 1.9 years) received placebo for the same duration. Gallbladder emptying was repeated in all patients after a 2-week treatment with cisapride or placebo. Gallbladder bile was obtained at the time of surgery for the measurement of CSI and nucleation time. Results: Residual volume of the gallbladder decreased (mean ± SE, 18.6 ± 2.5 mL vs 10.0 ± 1.1 mL, P = 0.007), and the ejection fraction increased (43.5 ± 5.3% vs 60.0 ± 3.2%, P = 0.007) in patients in the cisapride group, while no change was observed in placebo group patients. Nucleation time was higher in the cisapride group than in the placebo group (14.9 ± 1.3 days vs 8.0 ± 0.9 days, P = 0.003). Patients in the cisapride group had a significantly lower cholesterol concentration (molar percentage, 5.1 ± 0.3% vs 6.8 ± 0.8%, P = 0.049) and CSI (1.0 ± 0.1 vs 1.36 ± 0.11, P = 0.034) than patients in the placebo group. Conclusion: Cisapride improves gallbladder emptying and bile lithogenicity in patients with gallstone disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internal pancreatic fistulas are well recognized complications of chronic pancreatitis. Methods: Six patients with internal pancreatic fistulas were treated over a period of 5 years from 1995 to 1999. Four patients presented with ascites, one patient presented with ascites and bilateral pleural effusion and the sixth patient presented with left-sided pleural effu-sion. Five patients were chronic alcoholics and in one patient the cause of pancreatitis was not clear. Although the serum amylase was mildly elevated the levels of amylase in the aspirated fluid were consistently elevated (more than 800 Somogyi units/100 mL), along with the level of proteins (> 3 g/100 mL), and on this basis the diagnosis was made. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) demonstrated pancreatic ductal disruption in four cases. Initial treatment was conservative, consisting of nasogastric aspiration, nil per oral, antisecretory drugs, repeated paracentesis or thoracocenthesis and total parenteral nutrition (TPN). In two patients naso-pancreatic drains (NPD) were placed across the disrupted pancreatic duct. Results: In one patient conservative treatment with NPD was successful, and the remaining five patients required surgical intervention. There was no mortality. Two patients developed surgery-related complications that were successfully managed, but they required an extended hospital stay. Conclusion: Internal pancreatic fistulas should be treated initially non-operatively; if this is not effective, operative therapy should be considered without delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carotid body tumour is a rare neoplasm of the carotid body. Three cases of carotid body tumour presenting as a painless progressive mass in the neck region are reported here. A review of the relevant literature regarding carotid body turnouts is also presented. Methods: Angiographic features were diagnostic of carotid body tumour and complete surgical excision was done. Results: There was no mortality and minimum morbidity. There were no malignant tumours. All three patients belong to the high-altitude area of Himachal Pradesh. Conclusions: A high degree of clinical suspicion of upper posterior triangle neck masses and an accurate diagnostic work-up are needed for operative planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Anthracyclines are commonly used chemotherapeutic medications. Aim In the current analysis, we evaluated all-cause mortality and incidence, timing and response to medical therapy of anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Methods Left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) was serially assessed using gated heart pool scan/echocardiography in patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy from January 2009 to December 2014. Results A total of 1204 patients was administered anthracyclines during the study period. During a median follow up of 32 (interquartile range: 15-58) months, all-cause mortality was 38% ( n = 463), with the incidence of cardiotoxicity 10.2% ( n = 123). Only 15.4% ( n = 19) patients required heart failure hospitalisation, with 48% ( n = 59) of patients commenced on beta blockade therapy and/or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The majority of patients (73.2%, n = 90) experienced cardiotoxicity within 1 year of anthracycline initiation. The proportion of patients with complete, partial and no LVEF recovery were 16.3% ( n = 20), 29.3% ( n = 36) and 54.4% ( n = 67) respectively. Mortality was higher in the cardiotoxicity group (49% vs 37%, P < 0.01). History of coronary artery disease, leukaemia, idarubicin use and high cumulative anthracycline dose were predictors of cardiotoxicity. Conclusions Cardiotoxicity after anthracycline use predictably occurs within the first year of therapy and is dose-related, with variable degrees of recovery. While the need for hospitalisation for heart failure was uncommon, medical therapy appears underutilised, suggesting there may be a role for improved surveillance and early initiation of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diastereomerically pure MIDA-boronate (I) is used as stable precursor for the introduction of a trifluoromethylcyclopropyl group into a variety of aryl or heteroaryl substrates via Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A synthetic entry into peptide-type 17-membered macrocycles using a sequence of amide coupling reactions followed by a RCM reaction is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]