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Background and Aim: Endothelial dysfunction is a crucial precursor to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications, particularly prevalent in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to assess endothelial impairment in T2DM using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and to determine its correlation with body mass index (BMI), duration of diabetes, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and glycemic control. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 T2DM patients aged thirty to sixty participated. Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure brachial artery FMD, while blood samples were used to assess glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and CRP levels. Correlations were evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Result: The duration of diabetes r value is negative 0.866, p-value less than 0.001, CRP levels as “r value” is negative 0.724, “P-value” less than 0.001, and HbA1c levels “r value” is negative 0.722, “P-value” less than 0.001 were observed to have negative relationships with FMD. Additionally, there was a significant association r value was negative 0.342, “P-value” less than 0.001 between BMI and FMD. These results were corroborated by subgroup analyses, which highlighted the intricacy of “endothelial dysfunction” in T2DM and the significance of comprehensively addressing several risk variables. This study elucidates the intricate interplay of metabolic, inflammatory, and vascular factors contributing to “endothelial dysfunction” in T2DM patients. Elevated HbA1c and CRP levels, prolonged diabetes duration, and high BMI were linked to impaired endothelial function, underscoring the importance of holistic risk factor management. Conclusion: For patients with T2DM, maintaining endothelial function and reducing cardiovascular risk require comprehensive treatment plans that target inflammation, obesity, and glycaemic management. Timely intervention and vigilant monitoring of risk factors are crucial to prevent vascular complications in high-risk populations.

Abstract Although gold nanoparticles based photodynamic therapy (PDT) were reported to improve efficacy and specificity, the impact of surface charge in targeting cancer is still a challenge. Herein, we report gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) tuned with anionic and cationic surface charge conjugating triphenylphosphonium (TPP) targeting breast cancer cells with 5-aminoleuvinic acid (5-ALA) based PDT, in vitro. Optimized surface charge of AuNTs with and without TPP kill breast cancer cells. By combining, 5-ALA and PDT, the surface charge augmented AuNTs deliver improved cellular toxicity as revealed by MTT, fluorescent probes and flow cytometry. Further, the 5-ALA and PDT treatment in the presence of AuNTs impairs cell survival Pi3K/AKT signaling pathway causing mitochondrial dependent apoptosis. The cumulative findings demonstrate that, cationic AuNTs with TPP excel selective targeting of breast cancer cells in the presence of 5-ALA and PDT.

The current study analyzes the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the Cassia auriculate flower extract as the reducing and stabilizing agent. The Cassia auriculate- silver nanoparticles (Ca-AgNPs) obtained are characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The results of the spectral characterization have revealed that the surface Plasmon resonance band observed at 448 nm confirms the formation of AgNPs. TEM analysis of the Ca-AgNPs was a predominately spherical shape with a size assortment of 30 to 80 nm and an angular size of 50 nm. The well-analyzed Ca-AgNPs were used in various biological assays, including healthcare analysis of antimicrobial, antioxidant (DPPH), and cytotoxic investigations. Ca-AgNPs showed efficient free radical scavenging activity and showed excellent antimicrobial activity against to pathogenic strains. The occurrence of Ca-AgNPs lead to reduced Live/Dead ratio of bacteria (from 36.97 ± 1.35 to 9.43 ± 0.27) but improved the accumulation of bacterial clusters. The cytotoxicity of Ca-AgNPs was carried out by MTT assay against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and a moderate cytotoxic. The approach of flower extract-mediated synthesis is a cost-efficient, eco-friendly, and easy alternative to conventional methods of silver nanoparticle synthesis.

Abstract Background To test if the 5-item compassion measure (a tool previously validated in the outpatient setting to measure patient assessment of clinician compassion) is a valid and reliable tool to quantify a distinct construct (i.e. clinical compassion) among patients evaluated in the emergency department (ED). Methods Cross-sectional study conducted in three academic emergency departments in the U.S. between November 2018 and April 2019. We enrolled adult patients who were evaluated in the EDs of the participating institutions and administered the 5-item compassion measure after completion of care in the ED. Validity testing was performed using confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach’s alpha was used to test reliability. Convergent validity with patient assessment of overall satisfaction questions was tested using Spearman correlation coefficients and we tested if the 5-item compassion measure assessed a construct distinct from overall patient satisfaction using confirmatory factor analysis. Results We analyzed 866 patient responses. Confirmatory factor analysis found all five items loaded well on a single construct and our model was found to have good fit. Reliability was excellent (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.93) among the entire cohort. These results remained consistent on sub-analyses stratified by individual institutions. The 5-item compassion measure had moderate correlation with overall patient satisfaction (r = 0.66) and patient recommendation of the ED to friends and family (r = 0.57), but reflected a patient experience domain (i.e. compassionate care) distinctly different from patient satisfaction. Conclusions The 5-item compassion measure is a valid and reliable tool to measure patient assessment of clinical compassion in the ED.

Johnsy George, SN Sabapathi Food Engineering and Packaging Division, Defence Food Research Laboratory, Siddarthanagar, Mysore, Karnataka, India Abstract: Cellulose nanocrystals are unique nanomaterials derived from the most abundant and almost inexhaustible natural polymer, cellulose. These nanomaterials have received significant interest due to their mechanical, optical, chemical, and rheological properties. Cellulose nanocrystals primarily obtained from naturally occurring cellulose fibers are biodegradable and renewable in nature and hence they serve as a sustainable and environmentally friendly material for most applications. These nanocrystals are basically hydrophilic in nature; however, they can be surface functionalized to meet various challenging requirements, such as the development of high-performance nanocomposites, using hydrophobic polymer matrices. Considering the ever-increasing interdisciplinary research being carried out on cellulose nanocrystals, this review aims to collate the knowledge available about the sources, chemical structure, and physical and chemical isolation procedures, as well as describes the mechanical, optical, and rheological properties, of cellulose nanocrystals. Innovative applications in diverse fields such as biomedical engineering, material sciences, electronics, catalysis, etc, wherein these cellulose nanocrystals can be used, are highlighted. Keywords: sources of cellulose, mechanical properties, liquid crystalline nature, surface modification, nanocomposites