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Eugene Roscioli,1,2 Hubertus PA Jersmann,1,2 Susan Lester,2,3 Arash Badiei,1,2 Andrew Fon,1,2 Peter Zalewski,2,4 Sandra Hodge1,2 1Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, 2Department of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 3Department of Rheumatology, 4Cardiology Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA, Australia Abstract: There is now convincing evidence that the airway epithelium drives the pathogenesis of COPD. A major aspect of this is the disease-related reduction in barrier function that is potentiated by dysregulation of tight junction (TJ) protein complexes. However, a significant number of studies using in vitro smoke exposure models have not observed alterations in barrier permeability. We have previously shown that zinc (Zn) is an influential cytoprotective factor for the airway epithelium, and its depletion by cigarette smoke produces disease-related modifications consistent with inflammatory changes in COPD. We hypothesized that Zn deficiency is a significant co-stimulus with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) for potentiating the leaky barrier phenotype exhibited in COPD. We employed an ex vivo model of differentiated human airway epithelium exposed to Zn depletion and CSE to determine the contribution of Zn in maintaining normal epithelial permeability. Western blot analysis demonstrated a significant downregulation of the TJ proteins such as ZO-1 (–1.93-fold, P

Abstract Initially, SBA-Propyl-Isatin-Malononitrile (SBA-Pr-IS-MN) was prepared by the reaction of SBA-Pr-Cl with IS-MN, which was synthesized by the reaction of isatin and malononitrile. This organic and inorganic hybrid material can be functionalized by the sequential reaction with dimedone to obtain the target product SBA-Pr-Is-MN-DM, which was investigated as a chemosensor by fluorescence spectroscopy to detect trace amount of Ag+ among several other cations in aqueous media.

A hydrothermal approach has been employed for the synthesis of different morphologies of porous γ-AlOOH nanostructures. Mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized using F127 Block copolymer as a soft template. For the first time, sucrose molecules were used as cosurfactant to alter the pore diameter in the mesostructured particles. Depending on the concentration of cosurfactant molecules, nanoparticles with pore diameters in the range of 50 - 96 nm were produced in this study. Furthermore, the results indicated that the use of cosurfactant molecules did not have any significant effects on the pore volume, surface area and morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles. The textural features of pore diameter, pore volume and surface area in the optimized mesoporous hydroxyapatite sample were 58 nm, 0.581 cm3∙g-1 and 48 m2∙g-1 respectively. (SBA: Santa Barbara Amorphous; CTAB: Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide; HA: Hydroxyapatite; XRD: X-Ray Diffraction BET: Barrett-Emmett-Teller; BJH: Barrett-Joyner-Halenda; SEM : Scanning Electron Microscopy; FESEM: Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy)

Propylamine functionalized nanoporous silica (SBA-Pr-NH2) has been used as an efficient heterogeneous solid basic nanoreactor in the synthesis of 6'-amino-1'H-spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol]-2-one derivatives 5 through one-pot, four component condensation of isatin derivatives 1, activated methylene reagents 2, hydrazine hydrate 3 and β-keto esters 4 under solvent free conditions at room temperature

Abstract Background Thalassemia is one of the most common genetic disorders. Patients with beta-thalassemia major confront serious clinical and psychosocial challenges in their all lives, which require coping strategies. It appears that psychological interventions are necessary to improve their coping skills. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of applying emotional intelligence components on coping strategies in adolescents with beta- thalassemia major. Methods This randomized clinical trial study involved 60 teenagers with beta- thalassemia major who were divided equally into intervention and control groups. The experimental group participated in 9 sessions of an emotional intelligence program consisting of 90 min, held both virtually and in person, two sessions per week. We investigated problem-focused and emotion-focused (including positive emotion-focused and negative emotion-focused) coping strategies of both groups of adolescents using the Billings and Moos questionnaire before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Then, according to the research objectives, independent t-tests, Chi-square, Mann–Whitney, repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni test were used. Results In experimental group, the mean score of problem-focused (problem-solving, cognitive evaluation) and positive emotion-focused (social support) coping increased from (14.2 ± 2.6) and (5.0 ± 0.5) before the intervention to (29.6 ± 3.1) and (10.9 ± 1.3) one month after the intervention, respectively (P

Abstract One of the important problems in the environment is heavy metal pollution, and fluorescence is one of the best methods for their detection due to its sensitivity, selectivity, and relatively rapid and easy operation. In this study, 1,8-diaminonaphthalene functionalized super-stable mesoporous silica (DAN-LUS-1) was synthesized and used as a fluorescence probe to identify Hg2+ and Fe3+ in food samples. The TGA and FT-IR spectra illustrated that 1,8-diaminonaphthalene was grafted into LUS-1. XRD patterns verified that the LUS-1 and functionalized mesoporous silica have a hexagonal symmetrical array of nano-channels. SEM images showed that the rod-like morphology of LUS-1 was preserved in DAN-LUS-1. Also, surface area and pore diameter decreased from 824 m2 g⁻1 and 3.61 nm for the pure LUS-1 to 748 m2 g⁻1 and 3.43 nm for the DAN-LUS-1, as determined by N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms. This reduction demonstrated that 1,8-diaminonaphthalene immobilized into the pore of LUS-1. The DAN-LUS-1 fluorescence properties as a chemical sensor were studied with a 340/407 nm excitation/emission wavelength that was quenched by Hg2+ and Fe3+ ions. Hg2+ and Fe3+ were quantified using the fluorescence response in the working range 8.25–13.79 × 10–6 and 3.84–10.71 × 10–6 mol/L, with detection limits of 8.5 × 10–8 M and 1.3 × 10–7 M, respectively. Hg2+ and Fe3+ were measured in vetiver grass and spinach. Since the Fe3+ quenching can move in the opposite direction with sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) as a hiding compound for Fe3+, consequently, the circuit logic system was established with Fe3+, Hg2+, and SHMP as inputs and the fluorescent quench as the output.

This research aims to evaluate the emergence of key drivers of creative accounting in the future of financial reporting legitimacy. The qualitative section had 12 academics and 25 financial managers from Tehran Stock Exchange companies. This study uses matrix processes in the quantitative part. It aims to find scenarios about creative accounting. Then, it investigates the best matrix quarter on the legitimacy of future financial reporting by companies. The qualitative research findings are based on 12 expert interviews. A framework suitable for 3 overarching themes was used. It shows 6 organizing themes and 26 basic themes. The quantitative part identified 4 matrix quadrants. They were based on the axes of governance and internal control drives. The most important scenario is in the second quadrant of the Tyrannicide Matrix. It concerns the weakness of structural centralization in internal control. This scenario links to the key drivers of the rise of creative accounting. It affects the ethical legitimacy of financial reporting. This study shows that internal control is key to financial performance. It can improve adherence to stakeholders' rights by filtering out deviations in operations and financial reports. But, when managers influence internal auditors, their independence decreases. This harms the effectiveness of this key internal control process

Abstract A highly efficient fluorescent sensor (S-DAC) was easily created by functionalizing the SBA-15 surface with N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane followed by the covalent attachment of 7-diethylamino 3-acetyl coumarin (DAC). This chemosensor (S-DAC) demonstrates selective and sensitive recognition of Fe3+ and Hg2+ in water-based solutions, with detection limits of 0.28 × 10–9 M and 0.2 × 10–9 M for Hg2+ and Fe3+, respectively. The sensor’s fluorescence characteristics were examined in the presence of various metal ions, revealing a decrease in fluorescence intensity upon adding Fe3+ or Hg2+ ions at an emission wavelength of 400 nm. This sensor was also able to detect ferric and mercury ions in spinach and tuna fish. The quenching mechanism of S-DAC was investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy, which confirmed a static-type mechanism for fluorescence quenching. Moreovre, the decrease in fluorescence intensity caused by mercury and ferric ions can be reversed using trisodium citrate dihydrate and EDTA as masking agents, respectively. As a result, a circuit logic gate was designed using Hg2+, Fe3+, trisodium citrate dihydrate, and EDTA as inputs and the quenched fluorescence emission as the output. Graphic abstract

Abstract Background Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a debilitating condition as it commonly causes disabling breathlessness and impairs quality of life (QoL). Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) offers an effective alternative for the management of MPE. However, IPC-related infections remain a significant concern and there are currently no long-term strategies for their prevention. The Australasian Malignant PLeural Effusion (AMPLE)-4 trial is a multicentre randomised trial that evaluates the use of topical mupirocin prophylaxis (vs no mupirocin) to reduce catheter-related infections in patients with MPE treated with an IPC. Methods A pragmatic, multi-centre, open-labelled, randomised trial. Eligible patients with MPE and an IPC will be randomised 1:1 to either regular topical mupirocin prophylaxis or no mupirocin (standard care). For the interventional arm, topical mupirocin will be applied around the IPC exit-site after each drainage, at least twice weekly. Weekly follow-up via phone calls or in person will be conducted for up to 6 months. The primary outcome is the percentage of patients who develop an IPC-related (pleural, skin, or tract) infection between the time of catheter insertion and end of follow-up period. Secondary outcomes include analyses of infection (types and episodes), hospitalisation days, health economics, adverse events, and survival. Subject to interim analyses, the trial will recruit up to 418 participants. Discussion Results from this trial will determine the efficacy of mupirocin prophylaxis in patients who require IPC for MPE. It will provide data on infection rates, microbiology, and potentially infection pathways associated with IPC-related infections. Ethics and dissemination Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Health Care Group Human Research Ethics Committee has approved the study (RGS0000005920). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences. Trial registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12623000253606. Registered on 9 March 2023.