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With the rising popularity of Web services due to their potential to enable interoperability between applications implemented on different platforms, new issues far more complex and crucial than interoperability have appeared, related mainly to Web services composition. Indeed assuming that for each service request there exists a single Web service that perfectly satisfies it on its own is rather unrealistic, in many cases composing functionalities offered by different services may be needed to satisfy a client request. However, current processes of Web services composition tend to be static in the sense that such processes are normally generated off-line and manual as it requires human intervention to be managed. Therefore in order to give value added customized services to users, recognition is growing of the need for automation and dynamicity to be taking in consideration while designing systems supporting Web services integration. Since automated dynamic composition process allows to reduce the time spent in building composition schema, to eliminate human errors and to reduce the overall cost of the process. Thus our research contribution lies in the area of automated dynamic composition of Web services. We propose a conceptual approach to compose Web services by combining the Semantic Web technologies, Artificial Intelligent Planning methods, Multi-Agent architecture and Self-healing propriety of Autonomic Computing paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric nanocomposites have been outstanding functional materials and have garnered immense attention as sustainable materials to address multi-disciplinary problems. MXenes have emerged as a newer class of 2D materials that produce metallic conductivity upon interaction with hydrophilic species, and their delamination affords monolayer nanoplatelets of a thickness of about one nm and a side size in the micrometer range. Delaminated MXene has a high aspect ratio, making it an alluring nanofiller for multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. Herein, we have classified and discussed the structure, properties and application of major polysaccharide-based electroactive hydrogels (hyaluronic acid (HA), alginate sodium (SA), chitosan (CS) and cellulose) in biomedical applications, starting with the brief historical account of MXene's development followed by successive discussions on the synthesis methods, structures and properties of nanocomposites encompassing polysaccharides and MXenes, including their biomedical applications, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility aspects. Finally, the MXenes and their utility in the biomedical arena is deliberated with an eye on potential opportunities and challenges anticipated for them in the future, thus promoting their multifaceted applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les luxations périlunaires (LPL) du carpe sont des lésions extrêmement rares, qui peuvent passer inaperçue en raison d'un tableau clinique souvent trompeur, des radiographies en profil non strict ou d'interprétation difficile. Nous rapportons l'observation d'une luxation périlunaire stade III selon la classification de Witvoët et Allieu chez un patient de 32 ans, il s'agit d'une forme encore plus rare voire exceptionnelle et qui peut induire de sérieux problèmes en raison de la sévérité des dommages ligamentaires et du risque de nécrose du semilunaire plus important dans ce type de lésions. Le traitement est toujours chirurgical et doit être réalisé dans les plus brefs délais afin d'éviter les complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'hémangioendothéliome épithélioïde (HEE) est une tumeur vasculaire à malignité intermédiaire survenant essentiellement dans l'os, les tissus mous, le poumon et le foie. Souvent considéré comme une tumeur à malignité intermédiaire entre les hémangiomes bénins et les angiosarcomes agressifs, l'HEE comporte un potentiel de récidives locales, de métastases ganglionnaires et à distance et ne s'accompagne pas fréquemment de décès. Les auteurs rapportent l'observation d'un patient de 70 ans, Ayant présenté un hémangioendothéliomeépithélioïde des parties molles de la cuisse avec un recul de 1an sans récidive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

7-[5′-(3′-phenylisoxazolino)methyl]-8-hydroxyquinoline a new synthetic 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative, was found, for the first time, to inhibit the multiplication in vitro of Leishmania tropica, Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum at micromolar concentrations. For each test we calculated a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) and the IC50 values found after 48 h are: 0.4 μg/ml for L. tropica, 0.88 μg/ml for L. major and 0.62 μg/ml for L. infantum. As positive control, amphotericin B, a standard antileishmanial drug was used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polysaccharides have found extensive utilization as biomaterials in drug delivery systems owing to their remarkable biocompatibility, simple functionalization, and inherent biological properties. Within the array of polysaccharide-based biomaterials, there is a growing fascination for self-assembled polysaccharide nanogels (NG) due to their ease of preparation and enhanced appeal across diverse biomedical appliances. Nanogel (or nanohydrogel), networks of nanoscale dimensions, are created by physically or chemically linking polymers together and have garnered immense interest as potential carriers for delivering drugs due to their favorable attributes. These include biocompatibility, high stability, the ability to adjust particle size, the capacity to load drugs, and their inherent potential to modify their surface to actively target specific cells or tissues via the attachment of ligands that can recognize corresponding receptors. Nanogels can be engineered to respond to specific stimuli, such as pH, temperature, light, or redox conditions, allowing controlled release of the encapsulated drugs. This intelligent targeting capability helps prevent drug accumulation in unintended tissues and reduces the potential side effects. Herein, an overview of nanogels is offered, comprising their methods of preparation and the design of stimulus-responsive nanogels that enable controlled release of drugs in response to specific stimuli.

Maximizing the reusability of learning objects through machine learning techniques has significantly transformed the landscape of e-learning systems. This progress has fostered authentic resource sharing and expanded opportunities for learners to explore these materials with ease. Consequently, a pressing need arises for an efficient categorization system to organize these learning objects effectively. This study consists of two primary phases. Firstly, we extract metadata from learning objects using web exploration algorithms, specifically employing feature selection techniques to identify the most relevant features while eliminating redundant ones. This step drastically reduces the dataset's dimensionality, enabling the creation of practical and useful models. In the second phase, we employ machine learning algorithms to categorize learning objects based on their specific forms of similarity. These algorithms are adept at accurately classifying objects by measuring their similarity using Euclidean distance metrics. To evaluate the effectiveness of learning objects through machine learning techniques, a series of experimental studies were conducted using a real-world dataset. The results of this study demonstrate that the proposed machine learning approach surpasses traditional methods, yielding promising and efficient outcomes for enhancing learning object reusability., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Superabsorbent polymers derived from petroleum have been widely used as the primary component of high-water-absorption disposable sanitary products. However, environmental concerns as well as unstable market prices influence the quality of disposable hygiene products. The development of superabsorbent polymers from natural, non-petroleum-derived materials has become more predominant. In the present study, two borax-cross-linked carboxymethyl guar-based superabsorbents with bentonite (CMG-Bt) and fumed silica particle reinforcement (CMG-Bt-Si) were synthesized. The materials have been fully characterized by various techniques. The swelling behavior was studied through free swelling capacity (FSC) and centrifuge retention capacity (CRC). The swelling kinetics and urea absorption capacity were further analyzed. The effects of the cross-linking ratio, mineral clay, silica particles, and pH of the liquids on the swelling properties of the superabsorbents have been studied. The incorporation of silica particles demonstrated a positive effect on water uptake reaching 78.63 and 41.09 g/g of FSC and CRC, respectively, at an optimum pH of 6.8. The optimum swelling kinetics were attributed to CMG-Bt-Si of 5 wt % silica particle content, indicating a velocity parameter (ζ) of 41 s in saline solution. Finally, the highest swelling values were obtained at 10, 10, and 5 wt % for the cross-linking ratio, bentonite content, and silica particle content, respectively; in addition, the absorption of urea by the CMG-Bt-Si material was also confirmed., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Chronic wounds have been a global health threat over the past few decades, requiring urgent medical and research attention. The factors delaying the wound-healing process include obesity, stress, microbial infection, aging, edema, inadequate nutrition, poor oxygenation, diabetes, and implant complications. Biomaterials are being developed and fabricated to accelerate the healing of chronic wounds, including hydrogels, nanofibrous, composite, foam, spongy, bilayered, and trilayered scaffolds. Some recent advances in biomaterials development for healing both chronic and acute wounds are extensively compiled here. In addition, various properties of biomaterials for wound-healing applications and how they affect their performance are reviewed. Based on the recent literature, trilayered constructs appear to be a convincing candidate for the healing of chronic wounds and complete skin regeneration because they mimic the full thickness of skin: epidermis, dermis, and the hypodermis. This type of scaffold provides a dense superficial layer, a bioactive middle layer, and a porous lower layer to aid the wound-healing process. The hydrophilicity of scaffolds aids cell attachment, cell proliferation, and protein adhesion. Other scaffold characteristics such as porosity, biodegradability, mechanical properties, and gas permeability help with cell accommodation, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and the release of bioactive factors.

Water contamination is one of the most urgent concerns confronting the world today. Heavy metal poisoning of aquatic systems has piqued the interest of various researchers due to the high toxicity and carcinogenic consequences it has on living organisms. Due to their exceptional attributes such as strong reactivity, huge surface area, and outstanding mechanical properties, nanomaterials are being produced and employed in water treatment. In this review, recent advances in the use of nanomaterials in nanoadsorptive membrane systems for wastewater treatment and heavy metal removal are extensively discussed. These materials include carbon-based nanostructures, metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and layered double hydroxide-based compounds. Furthermore, the relevant properties of the nanostructures and the implications on their performance for water treatment and contamination removal are highlighted. The hydrophilicity, pore size, skin thickness, porosity, and surface roughness of these nanostructures can help the water permeability of the nanoadsorptive membrane. Other properties such as surface charge modification and mechanical strength can improve the metal adsorption effectiveness of nanoadsorptive membranes during wastewater treatment. Various nanocomposite membrane fabrication techniques are also reviewed. This study is important because it gives important information on the roles of nanomaterials and nanostructures in heavy metal removal and wastewater treatment.

Temperature-induced, rapid changes in the viscosity and reproducible 3-D structure formation makes thermos-sensitive hydrogels an ideal delivery system to act as a cell scaffold or a drug reservoir. Moreover, the hydrogels' minimum invasiveness, high biocompatibility, and facile elimination from the body have gathered a lot of attention from researchers. This review article attempts to present a complete picture of the exhaustive arena, including the synthesis, mechanism, and biomedical applications of thermosensitive hydrogels. A special section on intellectual property and marketed products tries to shed some light on the commercial potential of thermosensitive hydrogels.

Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is prescribed for HIV infection and, to a certain extent, limits the infection's spread. However, it cannot completely eradicate the latent virus in remote and cellular reservoir areas, and due to the complex nature of the infection, the total eradication of HIV is difficult to achieve. Furthermore, monotherapy and multiple therapies are not of much help. Hence, there is a dire need for novel drug delivery strategies that may improve efficacy, decrease side effects, reduce dosing frequency, and improve patient adherence to therapy. Such a novel strategy could help to target the reservoir sites and eradicate HIV from different biological sanctuaries. In the current review, we have described HIV pathogenesis, the mechanism of HIV replication, and different biological reservoir sites to better understand the underlying mechanisms of HIV spread. Further, the review deliberates on the challenges faced by the current conventional drug delivery systems and introduces some novel drug delivery strategies that have been explored to overcome conventional drug delivery limitations. In addition, the review also summarizes several nanotechnology-based approaches that are being explored to resolve the challenges of HIV treatment by the virtue of delivering a variety of anti-HIV agents, either as combination therapies or by actively targeting HIV reservoir sites.

Diabetes is a global health concern that has affected almost 415 million people globally. Bromocriptine is a dopamine D2 agonist, which is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, it is considered that a novel treatment therapy is required which can be used in the treatment of diabetes with or without other antidiabetic agents. Dopamine agonists are usually used in neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD), restless leg syndrome, and hyperprolactinemia. However, dopamine agonists including bromocriptine and cabergoline are also effective in reducing the glycemic level in T2DM patients. Bromocriptine was formerly used for the treatment of PD, hyperprolactinemia, and restless leg syndrome, but now it is used for improving glycemic levels as well as reducing free fatty acids and triglycerides. In addition, cabergoline has been found to be effective in glycemic control, but this drug is yet to be approved by the FDA due to its limitations and lack of study. Findings of the clinical trials of bromocriptine have suggested that it reduces almost 0.4-0.8% glycated hemoglobin and cardiovascular risk by 40% in insulin-resistant patients. Moreover, the safe use of bromocriptine in obese T2DM patients makes it a more attractive option as it causes weight loss. Indeed, bromocriptine is a novel therapy for T2DM patients, as its mechanism of action is unique in T2DM patients with minimal adverse effects. This review summarizes the potential of dopamine agonists in the treatment of T2DM., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Coxalgia causes osteocartilaginous destructions of the hip joint; these lesions are responsible for severe pain leading to functional discomfort and limitations in everyday life. Their surgical treatment is still not well established. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the interest of total hip arthroplasty associated with anti-tuberculous chemotherapy to improve patients' quality of life. We report a retrospective study of 10 cases of total hip replacement following coxalgia at the Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma of Rabat University Hospital from 2002 to 2011. The average age of our patients was 38 years. The discovery of coxalgia was made under different circumstances according to the patients. The surgical approach we used was exclusively posterolateral (Moore). All prostheses were cemented. Four patients required acetabulum reconstruction. Intraoperative biopsy was positive in a patient, negative in the remaining nine. All patients underwent anti-tuberculous treatment. No recurrence was noted after a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Results according to Merle d'Aubigné score were considered good. In case of advanced bone destruction with badly tolerated functional impact in mature subject, total hip arthroplasty always associated with effective anti-tuberculous chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for sequelae of coxalgia.