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This paper reports three new crystallographically characterized europium complexes with composition as follows: [Eu(fod)3(L1)] (1), [Eu(fod)3(L2)] (2) and [Eu(fod)3(L3)] (3) {L1 = benzimidazole (bzi), L2 = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (bath), L3 = 2-(2-pyridyl) benzimidazole (py-im) and fod = anion of 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedione (Hfod)}. The single crystal (SC) XRD analysis shows that complex 1 is seven-coordinated while complexes 2 and 3 are eight-coordinated with the geometrical structures of a mono-capped octahedron and a trigonal dodecahedron, respectively. The NMR spectra of the complexes validate the SC-XRD results in solution. The complexes are stable in solution as no dissociation of any ligand was observed in the NMR spectra of the complexes. The photophysical properties of the complexes in solution, solid state, and PMMA thin films were studied. The hypersensitive transition 5D0 → 7F2 dominates the emission spectra in all phases, showing the highly asymmetric environment around the Eu(III) ion. The bath ligand is found to be the best sensitizer of the Eu ion and hence complex 2 shows the strongest luminescence properties with the highest absolute quantum yield among the three complexes. The CIE coordinate analysis shows that pure red-luminescence is emitted by the Eu complexes in the solid state since the coordinates found in this phase are closer to the standard NTSC 1987 values. The optical band gaps were determined for the complexes and the observed values suggest that the complexes can have possible applications in the field of semiconductor materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the journal Neuropediatrics, explores the clinical and genetic spectrum of RAB3GAP1-related disorders, which are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and other physical abnormalities. The study presents detailed information on 23 patients with biallelic RAB3GAP1 variants from multiple research sites worldwide. The findings reveal a wide range of phenotypic features, including neurological symptoms, imaging abnormalities, and multi-systemic phenotypes. The research provides valuable insights into the genotype-phenotype spectrum of these disorders and may assist in genetic counseling for affected individuals and their families. [Extracted from the article]

Background. Innovative solutions are crucial as the demand for liver transplants continues to outpace available grafts. Dual graft liver transplantation offers a promising avenue to address graft volume challenges while minimizing donor risks. This report introduces a groundbreaking approach, combining a full organ domino donor graft with a living donor graft for a hybrid dual graft liver transplant. Brief Report. A 2-y-old child with Maple syrup urine disease and a 40-y-old adult with end-stage liver disease became the focus of this unique case. A hybrid dual graft liver transplant was executed, uniting the domino donor’s full organ graft with a living donor’s left lateral segment. Precise vascular and biliary reconstructions facilitated a successful transplant. Conclusions. The hybrid dual graft liver transplant, merging domino donor and living donor grafts, presents a viable strategy to combat graft shortages, particularly in regions predominantly reliant on living donor transplants. Despite challenges, this pioneering approach should be embraced by established liver transplant centers because it enables concurrent living donor liver transplantation while prioritizing donor safety and recipient outcomes.

Background: Outcomes after oesophagogastric cancer surgery remain poor. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) used for risk stratification before oesophagogastric cancer surgery is based on conflicting evidence. This study explores the relationship between CPET and postoperative outcomes, specifically for patients undergoing neoadjuvant treatment. Methods: Patients undergoing oesophagogastric cancer resection and CPET (pre- or post-neoadjuvant treatment, or both) were retrospectively enrolled into a multicentre pooled cohort study. Oxygen uptake at peak exercise (VO2 peak) was compared with 1-yr postoperative survival. Secondary analyses explored relationships between patient characteristics, tumour pathology characteristics, CPET variables (absolute, relative to weight, ideal body weight, and body surface area), and postoperative outcomes (morbidity, 1-yr and 3-yr survival) were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Results: Seven UK centres recruited 611 patients completing a 3-yr postoperative follow-up period. Oesophagectomy was undertaken in 475 patients (78%). Major complications occurred in 25%, with 18% 1-yr and 43% 3-yr mortality. No association between VO2 peak or other selected CPET variables and 1-yr survival was observed in the overall cohort. In the overall cohort, the anaerobic threshold relative to ideal body weight was associated with 3-yr survival (P=0.013). Tumour characteristics (ypT/ypN/tumour regression/lymphovascular invasion/resection margin; P

The aim of this study was to review the literature to explore the lipid-based drug delivery systems that have been investigated for improved treatment of lung cancers. Such lipid-based drug delivery systems include microemulsions, liposomes, transferosomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). In order to minimise the side effects of chemotherapeutic active pharmaceutical ingredients, surface modification with various ligands has been introduced so that the delivery system will attach only to specific receptors which are overexpressed in lung cancer cells. This review briefly explored cancers and their aetiologies and risk factors, especially lung cancer. It then discussed different modifications that have been performed on the drug delivery systems to successfully treat lung cancer. The use of different ligands has also been investigated in this review. The particle size of drug delivery systems after the attachment of the ligand remained small, varying from 75 to 189 nm, which was the most significant physicochemical property during development as it affected the delivery of particles to specific sites in the lungs. Overall, evidence suggests that surface modified lipid-based drug delivery systems have significant potential to revolutionise the treatment of lung cancer, leading to reduced side effects from chemotherapy.

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) impacts more than 200 million people worldwide. The understanding of the genetics of the disease and its clinical implications continue to evolve. This systematic review provides a comprehensive summary of all DNA variants that have been studied in association with the diagnosis and progression of PAD, with a meta-analysis of the ones replicated in the literature. Methods: A systematic review of all studies examining DNA variants associated with the diagnosis and progression of PAD was performed. Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were included. A meta-analysis of 13 variants derived from earlier smaller candidate gene studies of the diagnosis of PAD was performed. The literature on the progression of PAD was limited, and a meta-analysis was not feasible because of the heterogeneity in the criteria used to characterize it. Results: A total of 231 DNA variants in 112 papers were studied for the association with the diagnosis of PAD. There were significant variations in the definition of PAD and the selection of controls in the various studies. GWAS have established 19 variants associated with the diagnosis of PAD that were replicated in several large patient cohorts. Only variants in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (rs5498), IL-6 (rs1800795), and hepatic lipase (rs2070895) showed significant association with the diagnosis of PAD. However, these variants were not noted in the published GWAS. Conclusions: Genetic research in the diagnosis of PAD has significant heterogeneity, but recent GWAS have demonstrated variants consistently associated with the disease. More research focusing on the progression of PAD is needed to identify patients at risk of adverse events and develop strategies that would improve their outcomes.

Heart failure is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Here, the authors report results of a genome-wide association study meta-analysis, characterizing the role of common genetic variants in heart failure, finding overlap with common cardiovascular risk factors and imaging measures of cardiac structure/function.

Circulatory system diseases and nervous system disorders often co-occur in patients. Here the authors use eMERGE and UK BioBank data to identify genomic regions associated with both phenotypes, providing insight into the relationship between these conditions.

Gender representation in textbooks helps to develop the students' perceptions of gender construction. It gradually becomes ingrained in students, and they develop their perspectives on gender in society with the help of these textbooks. The represented yardsticks of masculinity and femininity directly impact the gender conception of both male and female students. The current study analyzed gender representation in the newly designed English textbooks taught in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP’s) government schools. Using a mixed-method approach, the study analyzed two textbooks, one from grade 7 and the other from grade 8. The linguistic (nouns, noun phrases, pronouns, verbs, verb phrases, adjectives, and adjective phrases associated with male and female constructions) and non-linguistic (invisibility and association of roles with males and females) data was collected, analyzed, and interpreted using textual analysis. The results confirmed the androcentric portrayal of gender in the recently designed English textbooks, which mostly associate females with emotional, friendly, indoor, and dependent activities. On the contrary, it tends to associate males with heroic, intellectual, strong, brave, dominating, decisive, outdoor, and independent qualities. Apart from addressing the issue of education and gender equality, this study has implications for the concerned research community, educational institutions, and the social science disciplines along with the humanities.

Drug delivery via aerosolization for localized and systemic effect is a non-invasive approach to achieving pulmonary targeting. The aim of this study was to prepare spray-dried proliposome (SDP) powder formulations to produce carrier particles for superior aerosolization performance, assessed via a next generation impactor (NGI) in combination with a dry powder inhaler. SDP powder formulations (F1-F10) were prepared using a spray dryer, employing five different types of lactose carriers (Lactose monohydrate (LMH), lactose microfine (LMF), lactose 003, lactose 220 and lactose 300) and two different dispersion media. The first dispersion medium was comprised of water and ethanol (50:50% v/v ratio), and the second dispersion medium comprised wholly of ethanol (100%). In the first dispersion medium, the lipid phase (consisting of Soya phosphatidylcholine (SPC as phospholipid) and Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP; model drug) were dissolved in ethanol and the lactose carrier in water, followed by spray drying. Whereas in second dispersion medium, the lipid phase and lactose carrier were dispersed in ethanol only, post spray drying. SDP powder formulations (F1-F5) possessed significantly smaller particles (2.89 ± 1.24-4.48 ± 1.20 μm), when compared to SDP F6-F10 formulations (10.63 ± 3.71-19.27 ± 4.98 μm), irrespective of lactose carrier type via SEM (scanning electron microscopy). Crystallinity of the F6-F10 and amorphicity of F1-F15 formulations were confirmed by XRD (X-ray diffraction). Differences in size and crystallinity were further reflected in production yield, where significantly higher production yield was obtained for F1-F5 (74.87 ± 4.28-87.32 ± 2.42%) then F6-F10 formulations (40.08 ± 5.714-54.98 ± 5.82%), irrespective of carrier type. Negligible differences were noted in terms of entrapment efficiency, when comparing F1-F5 SDP formulations (94.67 ± 8.41-96.35 ± 7.93) to F6-F10 formulations (78.16 ± 9.35-82.95 ± 9.62). Moreover, formulations F1-F5 demonstrated significantly higher fine particle fraction (FPF), fine particle dose (FPD) and respirable fraction (RF) (on average of 30.35%, 890.12 μg and 85.90%) when compared to counterpart SDP powder formulations (F6-F10). This study has demonstrated that when a combination of water and ethanol was employed as dispersion medium (formulations F1-F5), superior formulation properties for pulmonary drug delivery were observed, irrespective of carrier type employed.

This study assesses the effectiveness of anti-corruption policies of Pakistan by relating the corruption of government officials to the actual and perceived bureaucratic hurdles faced by formal businesses. It offers a unique perspective by focusing on cases in which the accused officers voluntarily disclosed the misuse of public money (or gains acquired through corruption) in order to avail the option of plea-bargaining. The empirical analysis estimates the effect of these policies on the responses of the managers of business firms in Enterprise Surveys. The number of accusations seems to reduce the incidence of bureaucratic corruption. While the amount that is being offered in bargaining has a negative effect overall, it switches sign overtime suggesting the possibility that it may increase corruption in the long run. The core results are robust across various measures of firm-level corruption. The instrumental variable estimates produce similar results.