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Introduction: Consensus is limited regarding optimal transcranial approaches (TCAs) for the surgical resection of olfactory groove meningiomas (OGMs). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to examine operative and peri-operative outcomes of unilateral compared to bilateral TCAs for OGMs.Methods: Electronic databases were searched from inception until December 2019 for studies delineating TCAs for OGM patients. Patient demographics, pre-operative symptoms, surgical outcomes, and complications were evaluated and analyzed with a meta-analysis of proportions.Results: A total of 27 observational case series comparing 554 unilateral vs. 451 bilateral TCA patients were eligible for review. The weighted pooled incidence of gross total resection is 94.6% (95% CI, 90.7–97.5%; I2 = 59.0%; p = 0.001) for unilateral and 90.9% (95% CI, 85.6–95.4%; I2 = 58.1%; p = 0.003) for bilateral cohorts. Similarly, the incidence of OGM recurrence is 2.6% (95% CI, 0.4–6.0%; I2 = 53.1%; p = 0.012) and 4.7% (95% CI, 1.4–9.2%; I2 = 55.3%; p = 0.006), respectively. Differences in oncologic outcomes were not found to be statistically significant (p = 0.21 and 0.35, respectively). Statistically significant differences in complication rates in bilateral vs. unilateral TCA cohorts include meningitis (1.0 vs. 0.0%; p = 0.022) and mortality (3.2 vs. 0.2%; p = 0.007).Conclusions: While both cohorts have similar oncologic outcomes, bilateral TCA patients exhibit higher post-operative complication rates. This may be explained by underlying tumor characteristics necessitating more radical resection but may also indicate increased morbidity with bilateral approaches. However, evidence from more controlled, comparative studies is warranted to further support these findings.

Essential tremor (ET) is the most prevalent movement disorder in adults, and can often be medically refractory, requiring surgical intervention. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a less invasive procedure that uses ultrasonic waves to induce lesions in the ventralis intermedius nucleus (VIM) to treat refractory ET. As with all procedures for treating ET, optimal targeting during MRgFUS is essential for efficacy and durability. Various studies have reported cases of tremor recurrence following MRgFUS and long-term outcome data is limited to 3–4 years. We present a tractography-based investigation on a case of DBS rescue for medically refractory ET that was treated with MRgFUS that was interrupted due to the development of dysarthria during the procedure. After initial improvement, her hand tremor started to recur within 6 months after treatment, and bilateral DBS was performed targeting the VIM 24 months after MRgFUS. DBS induced long-term tremor control with monopolar stimulation. Diffusion MRI tractography was used to reconstruct the dentatorubrothalamic (DRTT) and corticothalmic (CTT) tracts being modulated by the procedures to understand the variability in efficacy between MRgFUS and DBS in treating ET in our patient. By comparing the MRgFUS lesion and DBS volume of activated tissue (VAT), we found that the MRgFUS lesion was located ventromedially to the VAT, and was less than 10% of the size of the VAT. While the lesion encompassed the same proportion of DRTT streamlines, it encompassed fewer CTT streamlines than the VAT. Our findings indicate the need for further investigation of targeting the CTT when using neuromodulatory procedures to treat refractory ET for more permanent tremor relief.

Cluster headache (CH) is among the most common and debilitating autonomic cephalalgias. We characterize clinical outcomes of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to the posterior hypothalamic region through a novel analysis of the electrophysiological topography and tractography-based structural connectivity. The left posterior hypothalamus was targeted ipsilateral to the refractory CH symptoms. Intraoperatively, field potentials were captured in 1 mm depth increments. Whole-brain probabilistic tractography was conducted to assess the structural connectivity of the estimated volume of activated tissue (VAT) associated with therapeutic response. Stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic region led to the resolution of CH symptoms, and this benefit has persisted for 1.5-years post-surgically. Active contacts were within the posterior hypothalamus and dorsoposterior border of the ventral anterior thalamus (VAp). Delta- (3 Hz) and alpha-band (8 Hz) powers increased and peaked with proximity to the posterior hypothalamus. In the posterior hypothalamus, the delta-band phase was coupled to beta-band amplitude, the latter of which has been shown to increase during CH attacks. Finally, we identified that the VAT encompassing these regions had a high proportion of streamlines of pain processing regions, including the insula, anterior cingulate gyrus, inferior parietal lobe, precentral gyrus, and the brainstem. Our unique case study of posterior hypothalamic region DBS supports durable efficacy and provides a platform using electrophysiological topography and structural connectivity, to improve mechanistic understanding of CH and this promising therapy.

One of the major challenges encountered by current face recognition techniques lies in the difficulties of handling varying poses, i.e., recognition of faces in arbitrary in-depth rotations. The face image differences caused by rotations are often larger than the inter-person differences used in distinguishing identities. Face recognition across pose, on the other hand, has great potentials in many applications dealing with uncooperative subjects, in which the full power of face recognition being a passive biometric technique can be implemented and utilized. Extensive efforts have been put into the research toward pose-invariant face recognition in recent years and many prominent approaches have been proposed. However, several issues in face recognition across pose still remain open, such as lack of understanding about subspaces of pose variant images, problem intractability in 3D face modelling, complex face surface reflection mechanism, etc. This paper provides a critical survey of researches on image-based face recognition across pose. The existing techniques are comprehensively reviewed and discussed. They are classified into different categories according to their methodologies in handling pose variations. Their strategies, advantages/disadvantages and performances are elaborated. By generalizing different tactics in handling pose variations and evaluating their performances, several promising.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) colonize the plant roots and promote plant growth and yield by different mechanisms. A study was conducted in a series of jar and pot trials where effect of four different PGPR isolates alone and in combination with kinetin on maize (Zea mays L.) was evaluated under controlled and natural conditions. Results of jar trial indicated that PGPR isolates had positive interaction with the kinetin and significantly increased shoot and root length. However, the synergistic effect of PGPR isolates and kinetin was significantly better. Data of pot trial further confirmed the results of jar trial where combined use of bacterial strains with kinetin increased plant height (53%), shoot fresh weight (48%), root length (50%), shoot dry weight (133%), root fresh weight (37%) and root dry weight (70%) as compared to the sole application of kinetin. While interaction of PGPR with kinetin also improved the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in plant tissues as compared to control. Study revealed that plant growth promoting capabilities of PGPR could be improved if they are supplemented with exogenous kinetin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt produces free radicals in the plants and these free radicals are scavenged by the antioxidative capacity of the plant. Change in antioxidant activity, phenolic contents, lipid peroxidation, glycine betaine and proline contents were investigated in fifteen genotypes of wheat differing in salt tolerance. The results revealed that the aqueous extracts of wheat (300 µg/ml) in control and under salt stress (i.e. electrical conductivity, 2 EC, 4 EC, 8 EC and 16 EC) demonstrated antioxidant activity in DPPH radical assay and their increased scavenging percentage showed that AUQAB-2000, PIRSABAK-05, BAKHAR-2002 can be considered as salt tolerant varieties. The change of phenolic content suggests that wheat uses antioxidant properties of phenolics as a mechanism of salt stress. Whereas, the lipid peroxidation, proline and glycine betaine data has indicated that AUQAB-2000, PUNJAB-85, PIRSABAK-05, BAKHAR-2002, FARKHARE-SARHAD and KAGHAN-94 can be considered as salt tolerant varieties. Salt tolerant varieties also showed higher amount of yield at different salinity levels. These results indicate that these cultivars of wheat alleviate the deleterious effect of salt stress by their antioxidant activity and increased production of proline and betaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) juice is widely consumed by the people of the tropics and subtropics. It has been used to cure jaundice and liver-related disorders in medicine. Its possi-ble mechanism of action was examined in terms of antioxidant activity and phenolic contents the antioxidant activity was assayed by using the scavenging of a stable 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical at 517 nm. In addition, the phenolic content, reducing sugar, non-reduc-ing sugar and Brix contents were measured to evaluate the biochemical variation. The juice from thirteen important genotypes of sugarcane was included in the study. Among these genotypes S-2003-cP-43-33, cP-77-400, SPF-213 and HSF-240 showed good antioxidant activities (ic50 values varied from 17.04±0.6 to 21.90±0.45 μ/mL). cluster analysis showed wide variation be-tween the genotypes based on biochemical assays. HSF-240 and cP-43-33 showed 50 gene-link-age distances in clustering pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The enthalpies of solution and solvation of ethylene oxide oligomers CH3O(CH2CH2O) n CH3 (n =1 to 4) in methanol and chloroform have been determined from calorimetric measurements at T =298.15K. The enthalpic coefficients of pairwise solute–solute interaction for methanol solutions have been calculated. The enthalpic characteristics of the oligomers in methanol, chloroform, water and tetrachloromethane have been compared. The hydrogen bonding of the oligomers with chloroform and water molecules is exhibited in the values of solvation enthalpy and coefficient of solute–solute interaction. This effect is not observed for methanol solvent. The thermochemical data evidence an existence of multi-centred hydrogen bonds in associates of polyethers with the solvent molecules. Enthalpies of hydrogen bonding of the oligomers with chloroform and water have been estimated. The additivity scheme has been developed to describe the enthalpies of solvation of ethylene oxide oligomers, unbranched monoethers and n-alkanes in chloroform, methanol, water, and tetrachloromethane. The correction parameters for contribution of repeated polar groups and correction term for methoxy-compounds have been introduced. The obtained group contributions permit to describe the enthalpies of solvation of unbranched monoethers and ethylene oxide oligomers in the solvents with standard deviation up to 0.6kJ·mol−1. The values of group contributions and corrections are strongly influenced by solvent properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The enthalpies of solution Δsol H m of straight-chain polyethers CH3O(CH2CH2O) n CH3 (n =1–4) have been measured in water and tetrachlormethane as inert reference solvent at temperature of 298.15K. The enthalpic coefficients of pairwise interaction and enthalpies of solvation were determined. The interaction between ether molecules in inert solvent are dominated by electrostatic forces resulting in the negative coefficients of interaction. In water the coefficients of interaction are positive. This is because the partial destruction of hydrophobic and hydrophilic shells becomes the predominant contribution to the coefficient. The enthalpy of solvation of one ethane oxide group in water is more negative than in tetrachlormethane by −7.4kJmol−1 that was related to the prevailing contribution of hydrogen bonding between ether and water molecules. The comparison of enthalpic characteristics was performed for the open-chain and cyclic ethers. The more exothermic effect of hydration of CH2CH2O group is observed for cyclic ethers. The distinction is connected with strengthening of hydrogen-bond bridges between adjacent ether oxygen atoms in cyclic molecule. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A total of four species of mushrooms are reported in this paper. These are Tylopilus shaukatii, Suillus bekhsus, S. shardasus and Strobilomyces reticulates. Their edibility, non-edibility, chemical composition as well as distribution, habitat and taxonomic position are clarified. They belong to families Boletaceae and Ganodermataceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. ssp. turkestanica) is a very important multipurpose plant in areas of northern Pakistan. The berry of sea buckthorn is rich in nutrients and medicinal compounds such as vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, oil, carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids and minerals. The chemical composition and nutritive value of sea buckthorn berries from eight populations from different areas of northern Pakistan were compared. The concentration of vitamin C in the berries was 250-333 mg/100 g; the seed oil was 7.69-13.7%, oil in dried pulp was 19.2-29.1% and the pytosterol content of the seed oil was 3.3-5.5%; there were 0.5-25 mg/L anthocyanins in the fruit juice. The potassium (2.8-7.2 g/kg), sodium (0.065-0.8 g/kg), calcium (0.7-1.25 g/ kg), magnesium (139-240 mg/kg), iron (40-225 mg/kg) and phosphorus (110-133 mg/kg) contents were high in dried berries. Sea buckthorn berries from Pakistan are a good source of phytonutrients and minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hilly areas of Pakistan are very rich in medicinal plants. Among these, Hippophae rhamnoides ssp turkestanica L., Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. and Crataegus oxyacantha L. are native plants of Northern Pakistan. Intra- and interspecific comparisons were made to investigate their morphological and biochemical composition using morpho-molecular techniques. The comparisons indicated large genetic and biochemical variation among the populations of each species and between the different species. The sodium dodecyl sulphate polycrylamide gel electrophoresis comparisons using total seed proteins of Hippophae rhamnoides, Elaeagnus umbellata and Crataegus oxyacantha indicated many common proteins and some variable proteins among the species. The biochemical comparison of Vitamin C, fatty oil and phytosterol content was also found to be variable among the species. Vitamin C and fatty oil contents were highest in Hippophae rhamnoides while phytosterol content was highest in Crataegus oxyacantha when compared with the other species tested in this study. Significant variation in morphological characters including plant height, number of branches per plant, number of thorns, plant canopy and berry weight was also observed in these three plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. turkestanica) a member of family Elaeagnaceae, is a very important multipurpose plant in the northern areas of Pakistan. It is an ideal plant for preventing soil erosion and land reclamation, can withstand extremes of temperature ranging from -43°C to 55°C and grows well under drought conditions and variable soil pH. The fruit is rich in nutrients and medicinal compounds such as vitamins, carotene, flavonoids, essential oil, carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids, and soluble sugars, The plants are also important as fuel wood, fencing, fodder, soil erosion control, to make soil fertile by nitrogen fixation in roots and for the purpose of shelterbelts. In order to compare various populations of Sea buckthorn for morphological and biochemical composition, ten populations from different areas of northern Pakistan were compared using plant and fruit characters, The purpose of the investigation was to identify the variable populations for different valuable characteristics to develop improved varieties for commercial cultivation and easy fruit harvesting. The comparison indicated a significant amount of variability on morphological and biochemical basis, The variability will be utilised to develop commercial varieties of the plant utilising the conventional techniques of selection and hybridisation for economic activities on degraded land of mountainous regions of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Cytokines and chemokines may be involved in the onset of oral ulcer in Behcet’s disease. The aim of our study is to assess the cytotoxic effects of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines on reconstructed oral mucosal cell line (TR146) when treated with different concentrations of neutrophil elastase (NE). Objective. For this purpose, a culture of the oral mucosal model (OMM) prepared from a cell line derived from an oral squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa (TR146) is treated with different concentrations of neutrophil elastase. The cultures were incubated for 4- and 24-hour intervals and designed as follows: culture + artificial saliva served as the negative control; culture + 0.01% SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) served as the positive control; and culture + NE (10, 50, 100, and 200 nM) served as the treated group. Materials and Methods. We used sandwich ELISA technique to isolate IL-1β (interleukin 1β), IL-8, and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor). Results. We found no significant level of IL-8 and TNF-α when treated with different concentrations of neutrophil elastase after 4- and 24-hour incubation. The IL-1β level was slightly higher when treated with 100 and 200 nM NE after 24 hours of incubation although a significantly high level was observed at 100 nM NE after 4 hours of incubation. Hence, we found an increase in the level of IL-1β when stimulating the reconstructed oral mucosal model (OMM) with different concentrations of NE. This is a preliminary in vitro study; however, further research is required to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of cytokines and chemokines released when treated with NE. Moreover, high concentrations of NE are recommended to stimulate the release of cytokines and chemokines against the OMM.

The stagnation point flow of thixotropic fluid towards a linear stretching surface is investigated. Mass transfer with first order chemical reaction is considered. The resulting partial differential equations are reduced into the ordinary differential equations. Dimensionless velocity and concentration fields have been computed. Graphical plots are presented to illustrate the details of flow and mass transfer characteristics and their dependence upon the physical parameters. Numerical values of surface mass transfer are first computed and then analyzed.

Synthesis of N-4-O-asetilferuloylmorpholine from ferulic acid via indirect conversion methods with acetylation, chlorination and amidation (in situ) reactions have been conducted. The acetylation was carried out using acetic anhydride reagent in pyridine solvent at room temperature for 6 hours. The chlorination was performed with thionyl chloride in benzene solvent by reflux at 75°C for 4 hours, proceeded by in situ amidation utilizing morpholine in the presence of triethylamine and pyridine using dichloromethane solvent at room temperature. The target molecule as white crystalline solids with m.p. of 91-92°C. Characterization of these compounds was committed by FTIR spectrophotometry.

Insulin plays an important role in maintaining the blood glucose level of the body. The β-cells of pancreas produce insulin in the form of precursor that is preproinsulin. The gene of preproinsulin provides an interesting system for addressing question related to molecular evolution. Recombinant DNA technology has made it possible to isolate and sequence the chromosomal genes coding for unique protein products. Although preproinsulin of various organism has been isolated and cloned, but there is no report from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) that is our major livestock. The genomic DNA of buffalo was isolated using Laura-Lee-Boodram method. The part of preproinsulin gene (596bp and 520bp) using BPPI-UPS and bpiful_F as forward and BC1-C as reverse primer was amplified. Cloning of amplified fragments of gene were performed in pCR 2.1 vector. Positive clones were screened on the basis of blue white selection. The band obtained on 596bp and 520bp after colony PCR confirmed the successful cloning of preproinsulin gene in pCR 2.1 vector.

Abstract Glycosized porphyrins are promising compounds for using in PDT, since they combine the ability to act as a photosensitizer, and their saccharide residues provide an increased tumorotropicity of this compound in the affected cells. In this work, the modified 5,10,15,20-tetrakis [4-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl) phenyl] porphine (HOGalPor) synthesis procedure providing an increased yield of the desired product is described. The affinity of natural biopolymers with reference to synthesized porphyrin has been studied. It was found that synthesized porphyrin is associated in aqueous media. There were proposed some mixed solvents and water-solvent concentration ratios were established to ensure the monomerization of porphyrin and the preservation of the native conformation of biopolymers (BSA and DNA). The affinity constants of BSA and DNA were determined with reference to the synthesized porphyrin, as well as localization of porphyrin in biopolymers was established. As part of the protein complex, porphyrin fluoresces very intensively, and this feature makes it possible to use BSA as a transport system for HOGalPor, and HOGalPor itself can act as a fluorescent marker. The interaction of HOGalPor with the intercalation complex of DNA-EtBr leads to the destruction of the latter, while porphyrin does not intercalate in DNA, but forms external complexes with a change in the zeta potential of the surface. Highlights • The modified 5,10,15,20-tetrakis [4-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl) phenyl] porphine synthesis procedure providing an increased yield of the desired product is described • The affinity of DNA and protein to was studied • The porphyrin localization was established • A possibility of using albumin as a transport system for glycosidic substituted porphyrin was detected [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the influence of the position of the N-methyl group in tetra-(N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin on the features of its interaction with oligonucleotides using experimental physicochemical methods. Spectral methods detecting changes in the photophysical properties of chromophore ligands made it possible to prove the mechanism of binding to poly[d(AT) 2 ] and poly[d(GC) 2 ]. The thermochemical method made it possible to evaluate the structural consequences of ligation of oligonucleotides, and in the case of tetra-(3-N-methyl-pyridyl)porphyrin, to clarify the mechanism of binding to oligonucleotides. The combination of spectral and thermochemical analysis is useful for elucidating the structure of ligand complexes with synthetic and natural DNA. [Display omitted] • Spectral and thermochemical analysis of complexes of cationic ligands with oligonucleotides was carried out. • Changing the position of the N-methyl group of porphyrin changes the nature of its interaction with oligos. • Poly[d(AT) 2 ] and poly[d(GC) 2 ] bind ligands in different ways. • The informativeness of the estimation of the specific heat capacities of solutions in the study of DNA with ligands is shown. • The non-fluorescent EtBr minor groove poly[d(AT) 2 ] complex is AT-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The small intestinal epithelium mediates vital functions of nutrient absorption and host defense. The spatial organization of the epithelial cells along the crypt-villus axis segregates them into regions of specialized function. However, the differences in transcriptional programming and the molecular machinery that governs the migration, adhesion, and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cell lineages in humans remain under-explored. To increase our understanding of these mechanisms, we have evaluated gene expression patterns of ileal epithelial cells isolated by laser capture microdissection from either the villus epithelial or crypt cell regions of healthy human small intestinal mucosa. Expression profiles in villus and crypt epithelium were determined by DNA microarray, quantitative real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry based methods. The expression levels of selected epithelial biomarkers were also compared between gastrointestinal tissues. Results Previously established biomarkers as well as a novel and distinct set of genes believed to be linked to epithelial cell motility, adhesion, and differentiation were found to be enriched in each of the two corresponding cell populations (GEO accession: GSE10629). Additionally, high baseline expression levels of innate antimicrobials, alpha defensin 5 (HD5) and regenerating islet-derived 3 alpha (Reg3A), were detected exclusively within the small bowel crypt, most notably in the ileum in comparison to other sites along the gastrointestinal tract. Conclusion The elucidation of differential gene expression patterns between crypt and villus epithelial cell lineages in human ileal tissue provides novel insights into the molecular machinery that mediates their functions and spatial organization. Moreover, our findings establish an important framework of knowledge for future investigations of human gastrointestinal diseases.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) films and poly(methyl methacrylate)/fullerene composite films were fabricated by casting from toluene solutions. The mass fraction of fullerene (C60) was varied from 0.05-3 wt. %. The effect of the fullerene (C60) content on the thermal degradation parameters of the composite films was evaluated by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. It was found that the incorporation of C60 improved the thermal stability of the polymers. The films eventually decomposed in three stages. Incorporation of fullerene caused a change in the distribution of mass loss over the stages of degradation in comparison with the pristine polymer. Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the phase transitions from the glassy state to the elastic one was studied for the examined polymeric materials. New data relating to the effect of C60 on the glass transition temperature of composites with low weight fractions of filler were obtained. Specifically, for films containing up to 0.1 wt. % of C60, a single glass transition temperature was found, whereas for composites with a higher concentration of filler, two glass transition temperatures were recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The particle-size distribution in silica powder prepared by the sol-gel method has been determined by dynamic light scattering analysis. The average diameter of the particles was found to be 250 nm. Using a low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption technique, it was found that the synthesised powder may be referred to as mesoporous materials. Polystyrene/silica composite films were fabricated by casting from o-xylene solutions. It was found, using thermogravimetry, that incorporation of silica leads to an increase in both the onset temperature of polymer degradation and in the temperature at which the maximum rate of weight loss occurs. Using differential scanning calorimetry, the phase transitions from the glassy state to the elastic one were studied for the polymeric materials. New data relating to the effect of silica on the glass-transition temperature, Tg, of composites with a low weight fraction of SiO2 were found. Specifically, we found a non-monotonic concentration dependence of the value of Tg. The present results advocate for employing silica as an effective filler for producing polymer composites with enhanced thermal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 16-year-old nulliparous woman who was followed during her first pregnancy. Particular focus is given to a persistent quadruple nuchal cord in the woman's fetus throughout the third semester, which showed gradual continued decelerating fetal growth. The presence of acute-onset polyhydramios, attributed to the presence of a triple nuchal cord, is noted. The link of decelerating fetal growth with persistent quadruple nuchal cord is discussed.

To establish the role of periodontal pathobionts as a risk factor for myocardial infarction, we examined the contribution of five periodontal pathobionts and their virulence genes' expressions to myocardial injury (Troponin-I) and coronary artery disease burden (SYNTAX-I scores) using hierarchical linear regression. Pathobiont loads in subgingival-plaques and intra-coronary-thrombi were compared. Troponin-I release increased with one 16S rRNA gene copy/ng DNA of Porphyromonas gingivalis (β = 6.8 × 10–6, 95% CI = 1.1 × 10–7–2.1 × 10–5), one-fold increased expressions of fimA (β = 14.3, 95% CI = 1.5–27.1), bioF-3 (β = 7.8, 95% CI = 1.1–12.3), prtH (β = 1107.8, 95% CI = 235.6–2451.3), prtP (β = 6772.8, 95% CI = 2418.7–11,126.9), ltxA (β = 1811.8, 95% CI = 217.1–3840.8), cdtB (β = 568.3, 95% CI = 113.4–1250.1), all p < 0.05. SYNTAX-I score increased with one 16S rRNA gene copy/ng DNA of Porphyromonas gingivalis (β = 3.8 × 10–9, 95% CI = 3.6 × 10–10-1.8 × 10–8), one-fold increased expressions of fimA (β = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1–2.1), bioF-3 (β = 1.1, 95% CI = 1–5.2), prtP (β = 3, 95% CI = 1.3–4.6), ltxA (β = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.2–2.5), all p < 0.05. Within-subject Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia from intra-coronary-thrombi and subgingival-plaques correlated (rho = 0.6, p < 0.05). Higher pathobiont load and/or upregulated virulence are risk factors for myocardial infarction. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04719026. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal stability of polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose nanocrystals (PVA/CNCs) composites prepared with solution casting technique was studied. The PVA/CNCs composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Due to the presence of CNCs nanoparticles, thermal degradation of the composites occurs at much higher temperatures compared to that of the neat PVA. Thermal stability of the PVA/CNCs composites is maximally enhanced with CNCs content of 8–12 wt%. Some thermal degradation products of the PVA/CNCs composites were identified by mass spectrometric analysis. TG measurements with synchronous recording of mass spectra revealed that the thermal degradation of both CNCs and PVA in the composites with CNCs content of 8–12 wt% occurs simultaneously at a much higher temperature than that of CNCs or the neat PVA. However, with increasing CNCs content more than 12 wt% the thermal stability of the composites decreases. In this case, the degradation of CNCs comes first followed by the degradation of PVA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Silica materials with different surface functionalities were synthesized by sol–gel method. The isothermal enthalpies of adsorption of human serum albumin () onto the silica surfaces from buffer solution (pH=7.4) were measured at 298.15K. The values of were found to be endothermic. Possible contributions to are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chitosan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide derived from chitin with a wide range of uses. Phthalocyanines are macroheterocyclic compounds that have a number of useful properties such as coloring and catalytic and antioxidant activity. Phthalocyanines are able to immobilize on chitosan, forming complexes with new useful properties. In this work, we evaluated the ability of phthalocyanines to increase the thermal stability of chitosan. Chitosan (CS) forms complexes with copper(II)-(CuPc) and cobalt(II)-(CoPc) tetrasulphophthalocyanines. The processes of destruction of chitosan (CS) and its complexes with sulphophthalocyanines CuPc and CoPc in oxidizing and inert atmospheres have been studied. It was established that, regardless of the atmosphere composition, the first chemical reactions taking place in the studied systems are elimination reactions. The latter ones in the case of chitosan and complex CS-CuPc lead to the formation of spatially crosslinked polymer structures, and it causes the release of CuPc from the polymer complex. It was found that in the case of CS-CoPc elimination reactions did not lead to the formation of crosslinked polymer structures but caused the destruction of the pyranose rings with a partial release of CoPc. Metallophthalocyanines showed antioxidant properties in the composition of complexes with chitosan, increasing the temperature of the beginning of glycosidic bond cleavage reaction by 30–35 °C in comparison with the similar characteristics for chitosan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factorial experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of two factors, molasses (M) and liquid whey (LW) on fermentation characteristics and nutritive value of date palm leaves (DPL). Fresh DPL was chopped into 1-2 cm and treated with treatment solutions prepared by addition of 5, 7.5 or 10% of M together with 3 levels of LW on basis of nitrogen content equivalent to 0, 1 or 1.5% of urea. Ground wheat straw was added to each sample at rate of 50 g. Materials were packed into double nylon sacs and ensiled for 60 days. Samples of DPL were appeared firmly connected and most of them acquired yellowish to light green color with emission of an apple-date vinegar smell. Results revealed that there was a significant (P˂0.01) decrease in dry matter and crude fiber contents with increasing M levels. In DPL silages prepared with 10% of M, these contents were 30.04 and 34.70% respectively. Crude protein content was significantly increased (P˂0.01) from 6.39 to 7.32 and 7.32% for 0, 1 and 1.5% levels of LW respectively. This was associated with a significant (P˂0.05) decrease in fat content. All samples of DPL silages were characterized with good quality as evidenced by fermentation characteristics. There was a significant (P˂0.01) decrease in pH accompanied with an increase (P˂0.01) in ammonia nitrogen concentration. Values ranged between 3.85 to 3.78 and 3.84 to 4.32% of total nitrogen for the 1st and 2nd parameters due to the addition of low and high levels of M respectively. Addition of LW at 1 and 1.5% levels decreased (P˂0.05) pH from 3.85 to 3.81 and 3.81, but concentrations of total volatile fatty acids were increased (P˂0.01) from 2.29 to 2.97 and 3.11% of DM. Results showed that increasing level of M to 7.5 and 10% increased (P˂0.01) DM loss from 12 to 17.78%, but it improved (P˂0.01) aerobic stability. Samples of DPL silages prepared with addition of 1.5% of LW resisted for longer (P˂0.01) period (55.58 hours) before signs of aerobic deterioration were appeared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In water–DMF at DMF content less than 2.6 mol dm−3, deuteroporphyrin IX dimethyl ester forms both H- and J-aggregates. The J-aggregates are detected as a single type of associated species after binding of the porphyrin with BSA on the surface of the protein IB subdomain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyamide 12 is a popular material for manufacturing 3D printing powders, but the existing technologies require harsh processing conditions. This study suggests a new route to obtain powders via the thermally-induced phase separation of polyamide 12 – benzyl alcohol mixtures, which proceeds at ambient pressure without using highly toxic substances. The approach is based on the experimental phase diagram of this system constructed for the first time using an original optical method. The analysis of this diagram allows us to choose the concentration–temperature range suitable for the formation of polymer suspension. It appears that the mean size and dispersity of powders are more sensitive to the rate of cooling than to the composition of the initial polymer–solvent mixture. The parameters of the obtained powder (melting/crystallization temperature, degree of crystallinity, bulk density, and particle size distribution) are close to those of several trademarks, thus making our approach promising for practical realization. [Display omitted] • A new route to produce PA12 powders for SLS 3D printing is suggested • It is based on the phase diagram PA12 – BnOH constructed for the first time • Powder can be obtained at milder conditions than in the published patents • Sample powders possess characteristics similar to commercial analogues • Particle size distribution is very sensitive to the rate of cooling during TIPS [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]