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Background: India has the most significant number of children with thalassemia major worldwide, and about 10,000-15,000 children with the disease are born yearly. Scaling up e-health initiatives in rural areas using a cost-effective digital tool to provide healthcare access for all sections of people remains a challenge for government or semi-governmental institutions and agencies. Methods: We compared the performance of a recently developed formula SCS BTT and its web application SUSOKA with 42 discrimination formulae presently available in the literature. 6,388 samples were collected from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, in North-Western India. Performances of the formulae were evaluated by eight different measures: sensitivity, specificity, Youden's Index, AUC-ROC, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and false omission rate. Three multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, TOPSIS, COPRAS, and SECA, were implemented to rank formulae by ensuring a trade-off among the eight measures. Results: MCDM methods revealed that the Shine & Lal and SCS BTT were the best-performing formulae. Further, a modification of the SCS BTT formula was proposed, and validation was conducted with a data set containing 939 samples collected from Nil Ratan Sircar (NRS) Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, in Eastern India. Our two-step approach emphasized the necessity of a molecular diagnosis for a lower number of the population. SCS BTT along with the condition MCV ≤ 80 fl was recommended for a higher heterogeneous population set. It was found that SCS BTT can classify all BTT samples with 100% sensitivity when MCV ≤ 80 fl. Conclusions: We addressed the issue of how to integrate the higher-ranked formulae in mass screening to ensure higher performance through the MCDM approach. In real-life practice, it is sufficient for a screening algorithm to flag a particular sample as requiring or not requiring further specific confirmatory testing. Implementing discriminate functions in routine screening programs allows early identification; consequently, the cost will decrease, and the turnaround time in everyday workflows will also increase. Our proposed two-step procedure expedites such a process. It is concluded that for mass screening of BTT in a heterogeneous set of data, SCS BTT and its web application SUSOKA can provide 100% sensitivity when MCV ≤ 80 fl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A selective and convenient method for the detection of anti-cancer drug flutamide (FLT) is developed using Ag/N-doped reduced graphene oxide (Ag/N-rGO) as electrode modifier. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the prepared samples are characterized using various spectroscopic, microscopic, and voltammetric tools. Thus, developed electrochemical sensor shows a sharp reduction peak at 0.65 V vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode which increases significantly with increasing analyte (FLT) concentration. Combined effect of N and Ag has largely extended the electrochemical surface area and catalytic activity to FLT. Procedural conditions viz. concentration of the supporting electrolyte, accumulation time, and applied potential are optimized to achieve maximum sensor response. In 0.1 M PBS (pH 7.4), the proposed differential pulse volammetry method exhibits a wide linear range (5–166 ppm) of FLT concentration having a detection limit as low as 15.7 ppb. Selectivity of the sensor to FLT is analyzed using the common physiological interferents, dopamine, ascorbic acid, and uric acid. A good level of anti-interfering nature is obtained. Validation of the method using the developed sensor is also tested against the pharmaceutical formulations of different brands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt), also known as Pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII) or Gordon syndrome is a rare Mendelian disease classically characterized by hyperkalemia, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, and high systolic blood pressure. The most severe form of the disease is caused by autosomal dominant variants in CUL3 (Cullin 3), a critical subunit of the multimeric CUL3-RING ubiquitin ligase complex. The recent identification of a novel FHHt disease variant of CUL3 revealed intricacies within the underlying disease mechanism. When combined with studies on canonical CUL3 variant-induced FHHt, these findings further support CUL3's role in regulating renal electrolyte transport and maintaining systemic vascular tone. However, the pathophysiological effects of CUL3 variants are often accompanied by diverse systemic disturbances in addition to classical FHHt symptoms. Recent global proteomic analyses provide a rationale for these systemic disturbances, paving the way for future mechanistic studies to reveal how CUL3 variants dysregulate processes outside of the renovascular axis. CZ4fFcoVBmS6Hku-DY98Aw Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of genomic resources for Chelicerata in the past 10 years has revealed that the evolution of chelicerate genomes is more dynamic than previously thought, with multiple waves of ancient whole genome duplications affecting separate lineages. Such duplication events are fascinating from the perspective of evolutionary history because the burst of new gene copies associated with genome duplications facilitates the acquisition of new gene functions (neofunctionalization), which may in turn lead to morphological novelties and spur net diversification. While neofunctionalization has been invoked in several contexts with respect to the success and diversity of spiders, the overall impact of whole genome duplications on chelicerate evolution and development remains imperfectly understood. The purpose of this review is to examine critically the role of whole genome duplication on the diversification of the extant arachnid orders, as well as assess functional datasets for evidence of subfunctionalization or neofunctionalization in chelicerates. This examination focuses on functional data from two focal model taxa: the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum , which exhibits evidence for an ancient duplication, and the harvestman Phalangium opilio , which exhibits an unduplicated genome. I show that there is no evidence that taxa with genome duplications are more successful than taxa with unduplicated genomes. I contend that evidence for sub- or neofunctionalization of duplicated developmental patterning genes in spiders is indirect or fragmentary at present, despite the appeal of this postulate for explaining the success of groups like spiders. Available expression data suggest that the condition of duplicated Hox modules may have played a role in promoting body plan disparity in the posterior tagma of some orders, such as spiders and scorpions, but functional data substantiating this postulate are critically missing. Spatiotemporal dynamics of duplicated transcription factors in spiders may represent cases of developmental system drift, rather than neofunctionalization. Developmental system drift may represent an important, but overlooked, null hypothesis for studies of paralogs in chelicerate developmental biology. To distinguish between subfunctionalization, neofunctionalization, and developmental system drift, concomitant establishment of comparative functional datasets from taxa exhibiting the genome duplication, as well as those that lack the paralogy, is sorely needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile payment has evolved over time and its adoption and usage have proliferated in the new normal subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to (1) evaluate the performance and (2) map the body of knowledge in order to (3) chart the avenues to advance mobile payment research in the new normal. To achieve its aims, this study adopts and implements a bibliometric methodology on a corpus of 455 publications retrieved from the Web of Science to provide a retrospective and a prospective of mobile payment research. Using performance analysis, this study unpacks the productivity and impact of the contributors (i.e., journals, articles, authors, countries, and institutions) to mobile payment research. Using science mapping, this study reveals the foundational themes and topical trajectories in the extant literature dedicated to mobile payment research. The findings from the performance analysis and science mapping are subsequently used to inform the agenda for future research on mobile payment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a query-based community retrieval algorithm which works on an attributed graph. On issuing a query with a vertex and core value, our model first generates relevant candidate keyword sets based on the attributes of nodes. The rapid keyword extraction algorithm is used to generate relevant candidate keyword sets. For each relevant keyword set, it recommends possible research peers for the queried author. In order to facilitate efficient community search in the graph, we used the Core-Label Tree indexing which provides an efficient way to model a dynamic network. The recommended communities hold peer attributes which are maximally congruent with keyword sets of another peer. We also proposed three different models to structure the connectivity among the nodes and compared their results. We also evaluated the built models. Our results show that the proposed models are efficient to predict relevant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile payment has evolved over time and its adoption and usage have proliferated in the new normal subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to (1) evaluate the performance and (2) map the body of knowledge in order to (3) chart the avenues to advance mobile payment research in the new normal. To achieve its aims, this study adopts and implements a bibliometric methodology on a corpus of 455 publications retrieved from the Web of Science to provide a retrospective and a prospective of mobile payment research. Using performance analysis, this study unpacks the productivity and impact of the contributors (i.e., journals, articles, authors, countries, and institutions) to mobile payment research. Using science mapping, this study reveals the foundational themes and topical trajectories in the extant literature dedicated to mobile payment research. The findings from the performance analysis and science mapping are subsequently used to inform the agenda for future research on mobile payment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myeloid differentiation in blasts is distinguished by the presence of one or more needle‐shaped crystalline structures called Auer rods. Auer rods manifest either alone or as faggot cells (containing bundles of Auer rods) in various types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN). Their presence largely portends a better prognosis in AML (as markers of maturation/differentiation) and upstages cases of MDS and MDS/MPN. Observation of these rods in residual blasts in treated cases of AML indicates an absence of remission. This article traces their historical discovery and examines their pathogenetic intricacies, as well as our current understanding of their relevance in myeloid neoplasms. Studies evaluating their prognostic impact in AML and MDS are catalogued. We also discuss a variety of other hematological and non‐hematological neoplasms where structures potentially mistakable for Auer rods have been described. Even as the diagnostic approach to hematological malignancies has evolved from a morphology + cytochemistry + immunophenotyping‐dependent one in the last century to a predominantly molecular genetics‐based classification currently, and even as high‐throughput sequencing and structural variation detection techniques surpass morphology in detecting clinically‐relevant sub‐categories of similar‐appearing tumours, we review these curious microscopic structures that have withstood the test of time with respect to their diagnostic relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a leading cause of disability which at its worst leads to suicide. Its treatment relies on psychotherapy in combination with certain antidepressants (AD(s)) from various classes such as tricyclics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Among SNRIs, venlafaxine (VEN) is one such most commonly prescribed AD which is recently reported to be in the top 50 most prescribed drugs in the USA. Depression during pregnancy is a common condition, where prescribing an AD becomes necessary as untreated depression during pregnancy has its own complications for both mother and the child. This, probably, is why an incredible rise has been reported in prescribing ADs like VEN to pregnant women in the recent past, despite some studies, including the one from our own group, having reported the in-utero VEN-induced apoptotic neurodegeneration in the fetal neocortex and the consequent neurobehavioral anomalies in adulthood. However, there still exists a lack of insight into the effects of intrauterine exposures of VEN on other fetal brain regions like the hippocampus (HPC) and striatum (STR) and the consequent effects on their cognitive and emotional wellbeing in later life. Hence, this study has been conducted where pregnant Charles-Foster (CF) rats were oral gavaged with VEN (25, 40, and 50 mg/kg bw) from gestation day (GD) 05–19. On GD-19, half of the control and treated dams were euthanized to collect their fetuses. Fetal brains were dissected and processed for reactive oxygen species (ROS) estimation neurohistopathology and confocal microscopic studies. The remaining dams were allowed to deliver naturally, and litters were reared for up to 8 weeks then tested for their cognitive abilities by the Morris water maze test and for their emotionality by the Forced swimming test. Our results showed substantial neurocytoarchitectural deficits in both HPC and STR, along with enhanced ROS levels and apoptotic neurodegenerations. Furthermore, VEN-treated young rat offsprings displayed cognitive impairments and depressive behavior as the long-lasting impact of VEN in a dose-dependent manner. So it may be inferred that prenatal VEN-induced oxidative stress causes apoptotic neurodegeneration leading to neuronal loss in HPC and STR which consequently affects the development of the said brain areas resulting in impaired cognitive and emotional abilities of young adult offsprings. Therefore, extrapolating these findings in animal models, caution may be taken before prescribing VEN to pregnant women, especially during the sensitive phase of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Neural regeneration is a challenging venture as it is limited by various intrinsic physiological parameters such as the presence of biomolecules like Nogo-A, Ephrin-B3 and Neurocan, that inhibit Central nervous system (CNS) regeneration, and the absence of conducive factors such as ATF3, Sox2 and GAP-43, that promote the neuronal differentiation and regeneration. The design of an effective strategy for neuronal repair or regeneration is a daunting task as neural cells are responsive to a very narrow window of the conductive cellular microenvironment. It requires specific inductive signals and chemical cues from neighbouring cells that can trigger the process of regeneration or repair. It is this complexity that adds to the plight in the scenarios of patients confronted with trauma resulting in spinal cord injury (SCI) or traumatic brain injury (TBI). SCI or TBI may cause temporary or permanent locomotory disorders in patients, affecting the quality of their lives. The regenerative potential of neural cells in the CNS is comparatively lesser than that of peripheral nervous system (PNS). Also, the activation and migration of astrocytes to the injury site causes glial scar, thus hindering further repair process, especially in CNS injuries. Therefore, an effective strategy for stimulating neuritic branching and growth can be a solution to the problem. This review discusses the various facets of strategies that have been adopted to understand and improve the progress of neural tissue engineering for treating the conditions like SCI and TBI. This review also provides an insight regarding the influence of various nano-topographical cues on neuronal cell behavior, the importance of inherent piezoelectric properties in biological systems, various forms of physical stimulation methods that can drive the process of neuritic outgrowth, and finally concludes with the elucidations of advances in development of various biomaterials that have been found effective in achieving enhancement in neuronal physiological properties. It also shares some opinions as perspectives that may help in the further advancement of this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The use of perforated baffles increased the turbulence in the flow and improved air velocities, mass, and heat transfer rate. • The addition of paraffin wax for thermal energy storage allowed the dryer to operate for 3.5 h without sunlight. • The finned tube heat exchanger provided higher efficiency, improved heat transfer, and consistent temperature control compared to the flat plate type dryer. • The airflow velocity increased by 13.75 times and the heat loss was decreased by 11 times. The drying time for 50 Kg of apricots is decreased by 5.28 times at a uniform temperature of 325.8 K in comparison to the first dryer. This study compares two distributive mode active solar dryers: one featuring a flat plate collector with non-uniform drying and the other incorporating an evacuated tube collector (ETC), thermal energy storage (TES), centrifugal blower, perforated baffled trays (PBT), phase change material (PCM), and a drying chamber with enhanced insulation. While the flat plate solar dryer exhibits non uniform non continuous drying, continuous solar dryer exhibits continuous and uniform drying. The evaluation of dryer performance involved mathematical modelling and simulations using ANSYS Fluent software, encompassing the analysis of flow and temperature distribution within the drying chamber. The simulation study also captured the transient behaviour of the PCM during the melting and solidification processes. Results demonstrated that incorporating the perforated baffles significantly enhanced turbulence, improving air velocities, mass transfer, and heat transfer rates. Furthermore, introducing paraffin wax for TES enabled the dryer to operate autonomously for 3.5 h without direct sunlight. The finned tube heat exchanger allowed the continuous solar dryer to achieve higher efficiency, enhanced heat transfer, and consistent temperature control compared to the flat plate dryer. This was evident in the substantial increase in airflow velocity by 13.75 times and a notable reduction in heat loss by a factor of 11. Consequently, the drying time for 50 kg of apricots was significantly reduced by 5.28 times, maintaining a uniform temperature of 325.8 K unlike the flat plate dryer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether dysregulated iron metabolism is associated with COVID‐19‐associated mucormycosis (CAM) remains unknown. Herein, we compare the serum iron indices in COVID‐19 subjects with and without mucormycosis. Methods: We conducted a case–control study enrolling COVID‐19 participants with and without mucormycosis. We compared the baseline serum iron indices (iron, ferritin, total iron‐binding capacity [TIBC], unsaturated iron‐binding capacity and percentage transferrin saturation) between CAM cases and COVID‐19 controls. Additionally, we performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess whether any iron indices are associated with CAM. Results: We enrolled 28 CAM cases (mean age 53.6 years old; 78.6% men) and 26 controls (mean age 57.2 years old; 73.1% men). Rhino‐orbital (±cerebral) mucormycosis (85.7%) was the most clinical presentation. Diabetes mellitus was more frequent in the cases than controls (75% vs. 42.3%; p =.015). Hypoxaemia during COVID‐19 illness was more common in controls than cases. The mean serum iron values (33 vs. 45 μg/dl, p =.03) and TIBC (166.6 vs. 201.6 μg/dl, p =.003) were significantly lower in CAM cases than controls. On multivariate analysis, we found a lower TIBC (odds ratio [OR] 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95–0.99) and diabetes mellitus (OR 5.23; 95% CI, 1.21–22.68) to be independently associated with CAM after adjusting for serum iron, ferritin and glucocorticoid therapy. The case fatality rate of CAM was 73.9%. The iron indices were not significantly different between CAM survivors and non‐survivors. Conclusions: The CAM is associated with lower TIBC levels than COVID‐19 subjects without mucormycosis, suggesting dysregulated iron metabolism in its pathogenesis. Further studies are required to confirm our preliminary observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this review article is to discuss the different type of retainers used to stabilize the treatment outcome in different malocclusions. Strategic and through search of the literature from different databases was undertaken using free text and MESH terms. Result: Extensive study of the literature suggests that the duration and type of retention varies for different malocclusion and should be planned at the start of orthodontic treatment, as it plays important role in stabilizing the treatment outcome. Conclusion: Irrespective of the type of appliance used for retention, the patient should be informed and prepared for the long term or indefinite use of retainers and its role in maintaining the treatment results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background&Method: The present study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Index Medical College Hospital & Research Centre Indore with an aim to find out prevalence of high blood pressure/pre hypertension in medical students. We have selected the 250 individuals of age group 17 to 25 years from Index Medical College Indore. A randomized cross sectional non interventional study was performed, an informed consent had been taken from these subjects after explaining the study procedure and written consent was obtained from them. And then after taking detailed history, the physical examination including general as well as systemic examination particularly the Cardio-vascular system was done. Result:133 male students out of 175 shows normal blood pressure while as 42 students having blood pressure >120 mmHg. 56 out 75 female students shows normal blood pressure while as 19 students having blood pressure on higher side. Total 134 male medical students out of 175 shows normal BMI, while as 41students shows BMI on higher side i.e. =25. Total 56 female medical students out of 75 shows normal BMI, while as 19 students shows BMI on higher side i.e. =25. Total 148 male medical students out of 175 shows normal WHR (<1), while as 27 students shows WHR on higher side i.e. >1. Total 57 female medical students out of 75 shows normal WHR (<0.9), while as 18 students shows WHR on higher side i.e. >0.9. Chi squared equals 4.178 with 1 degree of freedom. The two-tailed P value equals 0.0410 The association between rows (groups) and columns (outcomes) is considered to be statistically significant. The above table shows that out of 175 male medical students, 102 students having blood pressure =120 mmHg and fat free mass index (FFMI) is in normal range (16.7 to 19.8). Chi squared equals 1.215 with 1 degree of freedom. The two-tailed P value equals 0.2703. The association between rows (groups) and columns (outcomes) is considered not to be statistically significant. The above table shows that out of 75 female medical students, 42 students having blood pressure =120 mmHg and fat free mass index (FFMI) is in normal range (16.7 to 19.8). The 8 students having blood pressure =120 mmHg but their fat free mass index (FFMI) is >19.8. Conclusion:Prevalence of High Systolic Blood Pressure among the males and female was not of much significant difference. The systolic blood pressure was found to be strongly associated with lean body mass index than to the fat mass index in male medical students. The systolic blood pressure was not to be found statistically significant with lean body mass index while it was significantly associated with fat mass index in female students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Finding an aneurysmal bone cyst in the skull is rare and for a neurosurgeon to come across such lesions in the sphenoid bone with orbital extension is even rarer. Case presentation: We report a case of a 16-year female who presented with a three-month history of headache, proptosis, and deterioration of vision. Pre-operative imaging studies which included NCCT head and MRI brain, suggested the lesion to be an aneurysmal bone cyst of the greater wing of the sphenoid, with extension into the orbit. Intraoperative findings did corroborate with the preoperative imaging findings and were again confirmed later from the histopathology report. Conclusion: Aneurysmal bone cysts of sphenoid bone with orbital extension, though rare, can be excised completely, without hampering the cosmesis. Being benign, patients can have a prolonged recurrence-free period if the lesion is completely excised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Segmentation is a key characteristic of Arthropoda that is linked to the evolutionary success of this lineage. It has previously been shown in both vertebrates and short germ insects that posterior segmentation requires canonical Wnt (cWnt) signaling, which maintains the expression of Caudal and the posterior growth zone; disruption of cWnt signaling incurs posterior truncations in these lineages due to the loss of the tail bud. However, comparable datasets for Wnt signaling are limited outside of holometabolous insects, due to incomparable phenotypic spectra and inefficacy of gene misexpression methods in certain model species. We applied RNA interference (RNAi) against the Wnt co-receptor arrow (arr), a key member of the cWnt signaling pathway in holometabolous insects and vertebrates, to examine posterior axis elongation of the cobweb spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum (short germ embryogenesis; one Wnt8 homolog), the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus (intermediate germ; one Wnt8 homolog), and the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus (short germ; two Wnt8 homologs). Knockdown of arr in insects resulted in posterior truncations affecting the gnathos through the abdomen in O. fasciatus , whereas posterior truncations only affected the T3 segment through the abdomen in G. bimaculatus. Spider embryos with disrupted arr expression exhibited defects along the entire axis, including segmentation defects throughout the germband. RNA-Seq-based differential gene expression analysis of severe Ptep-arr loss-of-function phenotypes at two developmental stages was used to confirm that knockdown of Ptep-arr results in systemic disruption of the Wnt pathway. Intriguingly, we found that knockdown of arr did not abrogate Wnt8 expression in any of the three species, with cad expression additionally retained in severe loss-of-function phenotypes in the cricket and the spider. Together with data from a holometabolous insect, our results suggest that cWnt signaling is not required for maintenance of Wnt8 expression across Arthropoda. These outcomes underscore the diagnostic power of differential gene expression analyses in characterizing catastrophic phenotypes in emerging model species. [Display omitted] • We performed RNAi against the Wnt co-receptor arrow in two insects and a spider. • Knockdown of arrow resulted in loss of posterior segmentation in the insects. • RNA-Seq analysis in the spider showed that arrow RNAi disrupts axis patterning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, an X‐linked recessive disorder, is the commonest erythrocytic enzymopathy worldwide. Reliable diagnosis and severity prediction in G6PD‐deficient/heterozygous females remain challenging. A recently developed flow cytometric test for G6PD deficiency has shown promise in precisely identifying deficient females. This paper presents our experiences with this test in a subtropical setting and presents a modification in flow cytometric data acquisition strategy. Methods: The methaemoglobin reduction + ferryl Hb generation‐based flow cytometric G6PD test was compared with the screening methaemoglobin reduction test (MRT) and confirmatory G6PD enzyme activity assay (EAA) in 20 G6PD‐deficient males, 22 G6PD‐heterozygous/deficient females and 20 controls. Stained cells were also assessed for bright/dim G6PD activity under a fluorescent microscope. Results: Flow cytometry separated and quantified %bright cells in heterozygous/deficient females, objectively classifying them into 6 normal (>85% bright cells), 14 intermediate (10‐85%) and two G6PD‐deficient (<10% bright cells). Concordance with MRT was 89% (55/62 cases) and with EAA was 77% (48/62 cases). Fluorometrically predicted violet laser excitation (405‐nm) with signal acquisition in the 425–475 nm region was a technical advancement noted for the first time in this paper. Conclusion: Flow cytometry/fluorescence microscopy represent technically straightforward methods for the detection and quantification of G6PD‐deficient erythrocytes. Based on our results, we recommend their application as a first‐line investigation to screen females who are prescribed an oxidant drug like primaquine or dapsone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a potentially serious skin injury that can lead to pressure ulcers (PUs). Many studies have indicated the need for evidence to find the most effective skin care protocol to reduce the incidence and severity of IAD in critically ill patients. Aim and objective: To develop a need-based interventional skin care protocol on IAD after identifying the risk of developing IAD in critically ill patients and by assessing the nurse's knowledge and practice on IAD. Materials and methods: Quantitative research approach with an exploratory research design was adopted in the study. A total of 40 staff nurses and 100 patients were included. To assess the knowledge of staff nurses regarding IAD, a knowledge questionnaire was administered and the IAD prevention practice among staff nurses was assessed with the help of an observation checklist. The risk of IAD among 100 critically ill patients was observed by the investigator, using a perineal risk assessment tool. The obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The protocol was developed by the researcher and it was validated by 5 experts. Results: The results revealed that most of patients (60%) had a high risk for development of IAD. Most of the nurses had poor knowledge (40%) and had poor practice in assessment, perineal area, and prevention of infection area. Hence considering all these aspects, a protocol was developed. Conclusion: The researchers developed a need-based skin care protocol to decrease the development of IAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neuroinflammatory illnesses, characterized by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain. Proinflammatory cytokines play a key role in initiating and perpetuating neuroinflammation, which can lead to the activation of glial cells and the deregulation of inflammatory pathways, ultimately leading to permanent brain damage. Currently, available drugs for PD mostly alleviate symptoms but do not target underlying inflammatory processes. There is a growing interest in exploring the potential of phytochemicals to mitigate neuroinflammation. Phytochemicals such as resveratrol, apigenin, catechin, anthocyanins, amentoflavone, quercetin, berberine, and genistein have been studied for their ability to scavenge free radicals and reduce proinflammatory cytokine levels in the brain. These plant-derived compounds offer a natural and potentially safe alternative to conventional drugs for managing neuroinflammation in PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. However, further research is necessary to elucidate their underlying mechanisms of action and clinical effectiveness. So, this review delves into the pathophysiology of PD and its intricate relationship with proinflammatory cytokines, and explores how their insidious contributions fuel the disease's initiation and progression via cytokine-dependent signaling pathways. Additionally, we tried to give an account of PD management using existing drugs along with their limitations. Furthermore, our aim is to provide a thorough overview of the diverse groups of phytochemicals, their plentiful sources, and the current understanding of their anti-neuroinflammatory properties. Through this exploration, we posit the innovative idea that consuming nutrient-rich phytochemicals could be an effective approach to preventing and treating PD. This schematic diagram illustrates the neuroprotective effects of phytochemicals extracted from natural sources. These phytochemicals reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines from activated microglial cells, astrocytes, and damaged neuronal cells, thereby preventing the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). [Display omitted] • Parkinson's disease is a prevalent neuroinflammatory illness that results in the loss of neurons in the brain. • Proinflammatory cytokines play a key role in initiating and perpetuating neuroinflammation, which can lead to permanent brain damage. • Current drugs for PD mostly alleviate symptoms but do not target underlying inflammatory processes. • Phytochemicals, such as resveratrol, apigenin, catechin, anthocyanins, amentoflavone, quercetin, berberine, and genistein, have been studied for their potential to reduce proinflammatory cytokine levels in the brain. • Phytochemicals offer a natural and potentially safe alternative to conventional drugs for managing neuroinflammation in PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The luminous efficiency and lifetime of plasma display panels (PDPs) are directly related to the performance of phosphors used in PDPs, thus higher efficiency, higher stability against high temperature processes, and a long lifetime along with good color chromaticity against vacuum-ultraviolet radiation are major concerns in selecting suitable phosphors for PDPs. In the same pursuit, well crystallized pure hexagonal phase YBO3:Tb3+ nanocrystals were prepared using co-precipitation method. The prepared YBO3:Tb3+ nanocrystals showed bright green luminescence, color chromaticity (0.21, 0.61), and could be assigned to 5D4→7Fj transitions (j = 2-6) due to electric dipole-dipole interaction of Tb3+ ions. The vacuum ultraviolet photoluminescence spectroscopy of the prepared YBO3:Tb3+ nanocrystals showed size dependent nonlinear luminescence enhancement with relatively shorter life time as compared to the commercial bulk YBO3:Tb3+ phosphor. The quenching concentration of Tb3+ doping for (5D4→7F5) transition was found significantly enhanced with the decrease in particle size suggesting it an ideal green phosphor for plasma display panels. The possible explanation for size-dependent emission efficiency and observed luminescence characteristics were proposed via charge transfer process and lowering of the structural symmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, Na 3 BiO 4 –Bi 2 O 3 films have been tested for hydrogen ion sensing. Na 3 BiO 4 –Bi 2 O 3 mixed oxide nanostructures were deposited on the Indium–Tin-Oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate using a low-cost electrodeposition technique at room temperature. The nanostructures have been characterized using FESEM and XPS to study their morphology and composition, respectively. Vertically aligned nanostructures (thickness~90 nm) with well-defined edges were seen in FESEM studies. XPS analysis indicates the presence of Na 3 BiO 4 and Bi 2 O 3. The crystallinity and the mixed phase of the film were further confirmed by X-ray diffraction study. These nanostructures were explored as a potential candidate for pH sensing using them as a sensing film for Extended-Gate Field-Effect Transistor (EGFET). A sensitivity of 49.63 mV/pH has been observed with good linearity. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time vertically aligned Na 3 BiO 4 –Bi 2 O 3 mixed oxide nanostructures are demonstrated as an EGFET-based (Hydrogen ion) pH sensor. • Na 3 BiO 4 –Bi 2 O 3 nanostructured film was deposited by electrodeposition technique. • EGFET developed for hydrogen ion (pH) sensing using Na 3 BiO 4 –Bi 2 O 3 as sensing film. • The pH sensitivity of the film has been found to be 49.63 mV/pH. • Higher sensitivity was attributed to the nanostructured film of Na 3 BiO 4 –Bi 2 O 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured zinc oxide sensing film was deposited on the Si/SiO2/Pt substrate by the RF magnetron sputtering process. The film was characterized by FESEM (field-emission scanning electron microscope) and XRD (X-ray diffraction) for their morphology and structural analysis. The FESEM results show that the film morphology is in nanophase with an average nanostructure size of ~ 50 nm. XRD results show that the film is polycrystalline. The AFM (atomic force microscopy) and Raman spectroscopy were done to analyze the surface roughness and the structural properties of the film, respectively. FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) was used to analyze the presence of ZnO. Further, the ZnO nanostructure film has been explored for pH sensing for pH (4–12). The sensitivity of the film was found to be 31.81 mV/pH. The drift characteristics of the film were also done to find out the stability of the film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental modes in pycnogonids are variable, even between congeneric species. Most of our previous knowledge of pycnogonid life history stages is based on morphological descriptions of the larval and those postlarval instars still retained on male ovigers, whereas the free-living instars are largely unknown. In this paper, a combination of morphological and molecular tools is used in order to link those postlarval instars retained on male ovigers to free-living specimens representing putatively later stages in the postembryonic development of a sea spider species. Male specimens of Nymphon australe carrying postembryonic instars were collected from localities off the South Shetland Islands, the Weddell Sea, the Drake Passage, the Bransfield Strait, and the Ross Sea. Three subsequent free-living instars were collected from Drake Passage. Nymphon australe hatch as a postlarval instar with two-articled palps and limb buds of the two first-walking legs. Postlarval instars 1 and 2 (both carried on the ovigers of males), postlarval instars 3 and 4, and a juvenile (all three free living) are all described and illustrated. A molecular phylogenetic based on the cox1 gene links all free-living stages to N. australe populations from the Antarctic Peninsula. The postlarval development of N. australe is discussed here and compared with those known from other pycnogonid species with similar development pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horseshoe crabs (Xiphosura) are traditionally regarded as sister group to the clade of terrestrial chelicerates (Arachnida). This hypothesis has been challenged by recent phylogenomic analyses, but the non-monophyly of Arachnida has consistently been disregarded as artifactual. We re-evaluated the placement of Xiphosura among chelicerates using the most complete phylogenetic data set to date, expanding outgroup sampling, and including data from whole genome sequencing projects. In spite of uncertainty in the placement of some arachnid clades, all analyses show Xiphosura consistently nested within Arachnida as the sister group to Ricinulei (hooded tick spiders). It is apparent that the radiation of arachnids is an old one and occurred over a brief period of time, resulting in several consecutive short internodes, and thus is a potential case for the confounding effects of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). We simulated coalescent gene trees to explore the effects of increasing levels of ILS on the placement of horseshoe crabs. In addition, common sources of systematic error were evaluated, as well as the effects of fast-evolving partitions and the dynamics of problematic long branch orders. Our results indicated that the placement of horseshoe crabs cannot be explained by missing data, compositional biases, saturation, or ILS. Interrogation of the phylogenetic signal showed that the majority of loci favor the derived placement of Xiphosura over a monophyletic Arachnida. Our analyses support the inference that horseshoe crabs represent a group of aquatic arachnids, comparable to aquatic mites, breaking a long-standing paradigm in chelicerate evolution and altering previous interpretations of the ancestral transition to the terrestrial habitat. Future studies testing chelicerate relationships should approach the task with a sampling strategy where the monophyly of Arachnida is not held as the premise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Experimental performance evaluation of manufactured ALIP in a sodium loop. • Finite element method (FEM) based modeling of ALIP. • Performance prediction of ALIP using equivalent circuit based method and FEM model of ALIP. • Comparison of predicted performance of ALIP against experimental data. • Analysis of the effect of temperature on performance of ALIP. This paper presents the constructional features and performance analysis of a low flow rate Annular Linear Induction Pump (ALIP) which is used for pumping liquid sodium. The performance of the pump is evaluated by means of both electrical equivalent circuit and 2-dimensional finite element method (FEM) based models. The predictions of the models are compared with experimental results. The details of the experimental set-up are also presented. Predictions are made with regard to differential pressure, input line current and input power. The effect of temperature on pump performance is also discussed. The prediction of differential pressure made by FEM model and prediction of input power by equivalent circuit based model agree fairly well with the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic relationships in Opiliones (Arachnida) at the suborder level have greatly stabilized in recent years, largely due to advances in molecular systematics. Nonetheless, identifying morphological characters in the context of well-resolved phylogenies is essential for testing new systematic hypotheses and establishing diagnostic markers. Here, we investigate with SEM a promising character system across Opiliones: the sensilla on the distalmost article of legs I and II. We identified four discrete characters and scored species of nearly all families of Laniatores (28 families, 44 species), three Dyspnoi, two Eupnoi and two Cyphophthalmi. Using a phylogenetic backbone compiled from recent and ongoing phylogenomic studies, we trace the evolution of these sensilla using ancestral state reconstruction. We discover a widespread occurrence of three sensilla (a pair of sensilla basiconica and one hooded sensillum) on the anterior legs of all families of Laniatores studied, and that comparable structures occur in the other suborders of Opiliones. Our analysis shows that this sensory field provides diagnostic information at different levels of phylogenetic relationships. We discuss the implications of the widespread occurrence of these sensilla in Opiliones, which have recently been hypothesized as hygro-/thermoreceptors and their putative homology with tarsal organs in Arachnida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the spectrum of genetic defects in Indian patients with unexplained erythrocytosis. Methods: Fifteen families (18 patients) with unexplained erythrocytosis were enrolled after excluding polycythemia vera and secondary erythrocytosis. Focused Sanger sequencing from genomic DNA was performed for EPOR (exon 8), VHL (exons 2‐3), EGLN1 (exons 2‐5), EPAS1 (exon 12), and all exons of HBB, HBA1, and HBA2 genes. Results: Eleven of the 18 patients (including two pairs of brothers) had Chuvash polycythemia, that is, homozygosity for VHL:c.598C > T (p.Arg200Trp). Three patients (two of whom were brothers) had HBB mutations associated with increased oxygen‐affinity hemoglobin—one had a heterozygous Hb McKees Rocks HBB:c.438T > A (p.Tyr146*), and two brothers showed heterozygous Hb Rainier HBB:c.437A > G (p.Tyr146Cys). No pathogenic variants were found in the remaining four cases. Conclusion: A gene‐by‐gene Sanger sequencing approach could determine a genetic basis for erythrocytosis in 11 of the 15 (73%) Indian families, with homozygous VHL:c.598C > T (p.Arg200Trp) being the commonest pathogenic variant. This first study from the Indian subcontinent provides a rationale for analyzing this variant in patients with suspected congenital erythrocytosis from this region. Rare first occurrences of Hb McKees Rocks and Hb Rainier in Indians are also being reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles obtained by coprecipitation method at three different pH conditions. Samples characterizations aimed at understanding their spectroscopic properties are carried out using a variety of experimental techniques. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic studies show significant increase in the particle size of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles ranging from 3–40 nm with increasing pH values. Absorption spectra show particle size dependent blueshift in the energy band, which may be ascribed to quantum confinement effect. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy reveals enhancement in the surface defects of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles with increasing pH values. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies at room temperature (300 K) and several liquid helium temperatures (including the lowest temperature 13 K for all samples) indicate the presence of singly ionized oxygen vacancy defects (VO+) and O2- superoxide ions in the ZnO nanoparticles. These results are well supported by FTIR and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The emissions from these nanoparticles are also found to be size dependent, whereas the ratio of UV emission to oxygen vacancy related green emission is found to increase with increasing pH values. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism of the observed defect mediated green emission is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eu3+ doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy including vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) PL spectroscopy. XRD confirmed that each and every phases of YAG were present, indicating very good quality of sample. The crystallite size, estimated by XRD, increased from 10 to 30 nm with annealing temperatures and significant changes in morphology with annealing temperature was also found in TEM study. The particles were in spherical shape initially but agglomeration of particles started at higher temperatures resulting in hierarchical nanostructures having dimension more than 50 nm. The annealed YAG:Eu3+ hierarchical nanostructures showed strong red luminescence under VUV excitation, corresponding to 5D0→7F2 transition. PL spectra also showed significant increase in luminescence intensity with the increase in annealing temperature. Time evolution studies were also performed continuously for 150 days to check the stability of prepared hierarchical nanostructures and were found to be extremely stable, making them one of the most feasible candidate for red phosphor and seize great potential in flat panel display application that underlies the importance of the current work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can play a pivotal role in harnessing non-utilized reciprocating motion and convert it into electrical energy that can later be stored in a battery or capacitor to power various Internet of Things-based smart electronic and wearable devices. Herein, we designed a cost-effective instrumental test bed focused on investigating the output performance of a horizontal contact separation mode triboelectric nanogenerator by varying the input parameters, such as applied force, motor speed, triboplate separation, and frequency of instrumental setup. The test bed mainly consists of three major parts: (i) application of force, (ii) tapping of TENG sample, and (iii) output parameters measurement. The output performance in terms of open circuit output voltage (VOC), short circuit current (ISC), and power density of polydimethylsiloxane-based TENG was monitored and optimized by varying the input parameters. A low-cost current measuring circuitry using an operational amplifier integrated circuit has been proposed with 92% accuracy. The maximum value of VOC and ISC was observed to be 254 V and 31.8 µA at a motor speed of 600 rpm, the distance between both the plates was 6 mm, the input applied force of 40 N, and the striking frequency of 3 Hz. The maximum power density of 2.1 W/m2 was obtained at an input impedance of 8 kΩ. The durability of the test bed as well as the TENG sample was also measured for 25 h. The degree of uncertainty was measured for VOC, ISC, and applied force and calculated to be 1.62%, 7.45%, and 6.27%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bimetal oxide decorated graphene oxide (Bi 2 O 3 /Fe 2 O 3 @GO) was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and used as an electrochemical sensor for sensing the toxic cadmium (Cd2+) ion. For comparative analysis graphene oxide (GO), Iron oxide nanoparticle decorated on GO sheets (Fe 2 O 3 @GO) and bismuth oxide nanoparticle decorated on GO sheets (Bi 2 O 3 @GO) were synthesized. Structurally and morphologically two different nanoparticles of Bi 2 O 3 and Fe 2 O 3 on GO sheets were confirmed from XRD, FESEM techniques respectively. Latter the inter planner spacing of the nanoparticles and GO sheets were calculated from the HRTEM techniques, which matched with the exact value obtained through XRD analysis. Functional groups like hydroxyl, epoxide, carbonyl, and carboxyl were investigated through FT-IR techniques. Detection of Cd2+ was performed through square wave voltammetry (SWV) technique with an optimized pH (5.0), deposition potential (−1.0 V) and deposition time (90 s). The Bi 2 O 3 /Fe 2 O 3 @GO modified electrode shows the better electro-catalytic property with more no. of active sites which facilitate the electron transfer between the electrode and species. The nanocomposite Bi 2 O 3 /Fe 2 O 3 @GO was found to be more sensitive than blank, GO, Fe 2 O 3 @GO and Bi 2 O 3 @GO modified electrodes. The Bi 2 O 3 /Fe 2 O 3 @GO modified electrode exhibits a linear range of 6.2 ng L−1 to 1160.2 ng L−1 and limit of detection of 1.85 ng L−1 towards the detection of Cd2+. A very high sensitivity of 2034.2 A cm−2g−1L was recorded for the Bi 2 O 3 /Fe 2 O 3 @GO electrode. The interference study explains the Bi 2 O 3 /Fe 2 O 3 @GO electrode is selective towards Cd2+ among various biomolecules and heavy metal ions. Real sample analysis study confirms the ability of the Bi 2 O 3 /Fe 2 O 3 @GO electrode for detecting Cd2+ present in water, fruits, soil, and biological samples. The Bi 2 O 3 /Fe 2 O 3 @GO electrode has good stability up to 40 days exhibiting without any current loss. • Bi 2 O 3 /Fe 2 O 3 @GO nanocomposite was synthesized for the first time. • Long linear range of 6.2 ng L−1 to 1160.2 ng L−1 was calculated. • Small LOD of 1.85 ng L−1 and sensitivity of 2034.2 A cm−2g−1L was recorded. • Electrode has stability up to 40 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintenance of the correct redox status of iron is functionally important for critical biological processes. Multicopper ferroxidases play an important role in oxidizing ferrous iron, released from the cells, into ferric iron, which is subsequently distributed by transferrin. Two well-characterized ferroxidases, ceruloplasmin (CP) and hephaestin (HEPH) facilitate this reaction in different tissues. Recently, a novel ferroxidase, Hephaestin like 1 (HEPHL1), also known as zyklopen, was identified. Here we report a child with compound heterozygous mutations in HEPHL1 (NM_001098672) who presented with abnormal hair (pili torti and trichorrhexis nodosa) and cognitive dysfunction. The maternal missense mutation affected mRNA splicing, leading to skipping of exon 5 and causing an in-frame deletion of 85 amino acids (c.809_1063del; p.Leu271_ala355del). The paternal mutation (c.3176T>C; p.Met1059Thr) changed a highly conserved methionine that is part of a typical type I copper binding site in HEPHL1. We demonstrated that HEPHL1 has ferroxidase activity and that the patient’s two mutations exhibited loss of this ferroxidase activity. Consistent with these findings, the patient’s fibroblasts accumulated intracellular iron and exhibited reduced activity of the copper-dependent enzyme, lysyl oxidase. These results suggest that the patient’s biallelic variants are loss-of-function mutations. Hence, we generated a Hephl1 knockout mouse model that was viable and had curly whiskers, consistent with the hair phenotype in our patient. These results enhance our understanding of the function of HEPHL1 and implicate altered ferroxidase activity in hair growth and hair disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Understanding the creep properties of gas shales at elevated temperatures is critical for accurately predicting reservoir performance and assessing the effect of viscous behavior on closure rate, production rate, and conductivity loss. In order to better understand creep properties at in-situ conditions, a quantitative relationship between temperature, mechanical properties, and complex chemo-physical mechanisms that cause thermal alteration needs to be obtained. In this study, the elastic, strength, and creep properties of organic-rich shales are investigated by a combination of nanoindentation, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and micromechanical modeling over a range of temperatures (23–350 °C). Within the allotted temperature range, the elastic and strength properties of the porous clay/kerogen phase remain unchanged. A similar behavior is noticed in the creep modulus from temperatures 23–200 °C where it remains relatively unchanged and shows an isotropic characteristic. However, the creep modulus of the clay phase increases at 300 °C in both parallel and perpendicular directions to the bedding plane. While the analysis of creep data at lower temperatures shed light on the dictating role of organic matter and porosity on creep properties of organic-rich shales (Slim et al., 2018), at high temperature (above 200 °C) creep properties are affected by removal of clay-bound water. The results show that this small water content assists in mechanical compaction and grain sliding responsible for time-dependent deformation. We argue that the removal of clay-bound water at temperatures above 200 °C increases the frictional coefficient between clay particles and between clay particles and organic matter. Highlights • The elastic, strength, and creep of organic-rich shales are investigated at micrometer scale over 23–350 °C. • Combination of nanoindentation, EDX, and micromechanical modeling are used. • The elastic and strength properties of the porous clay/kerogen phase remain unchanged. • Creep modulus of the clay phase increases at 300 °C in both parallel and perpendicular to bedding. • The removal of clay-bound water increases the friction between particles in clay/kerogen phase and affects creep properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Austropurcellia , a genus of dispersal-limited arachnids endemic to isolated patches of coastal rainforest in Queensland, Australia, has a remarkable biogeographic history. The genus is a member of the family Pettalidae, which has a classical temperate Gondwanan distribution; previous work has suggested that Austropurcellia is an ancient lineage, with an origin that predates Gondwanan rifting. Subsequently, this lineage has persisted through major climatic fluctuations, such as major aridification during the Miocene and contraction and fragmentation of forest habitats during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). In order to understand Austropurcellia ’s evolutionary and biogeographic history, we generated DNA sequences from both mitochondrial and nuclear loci and combined this information with previously published datasets for the globally-distributed suborder Cyphophthalmi (i.e., all mite harvestmen). We generated phylogenetic trees using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches to date divergences using a relaxed molecular clock. According to our estimates, the family Pettalidae diversified in the late Jurassic, in accordance with Gondwanan vicariance. Within Pettalidae, Austropurcellia split from its sister group in the early Cretaceous and began to diversify some 15 Ma later. Therefore, its presence in Australia predates continental rifting—making it one of very few hypothesized examples of Gondwanan vicariance that have withstood rigorous testing. We found a steady rate of diversification within the genus, with no evidence for a shift in rate associated with Miocene aridification. Ages of splits between species predate the Pleistocene, consistent with a “museum” model in which forest refugia acted to preserve existing lineages rather than drive speciation within the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The “Minnesota” reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) cord blood transplantation (CBT) regimen (standard RIC) of fludarabine (Flu) (200 mg/m 2 ), cyclophosphamide (Cy) (50 mg/kg), and 200- or 300-cGy total body irradiation (TBI) is the most published RIC CBT regimen. Though well tolerated, high relapse rates remain a concern with this regimen. Intensification of conditioning may reduce relapse without increasing transplant-related mortality (TRM). We performed a retrospective cohort comparison of outcomes in adult patients who underwent first double-unit CBT with standard RIC as compared with the intensified regimen of Flu 150 mg/m 2 , Cy 50 mg/kg, thiotepa 10 mg/kg, and 400-cGy TBI (intensified RIC). Of the 99 patients studied, 47 received intensified RIC. Acute myelogenous leukemia was the major indication for transplant. The median age at transplant was 67 years (range, 24 to 74 years) and 54 years (range, 25 to 67 years) in standard RIC and intensified RIC, respectively. Median hematopoietic stem cell transplantation comorbidity index was 3 (range, 0 to 5) and 1 (range, 0 to 6) in the standard RIC and intensified RIC groups, respectively. Median follow-up among survivors was 22 months (range, 3.7 to 79 months) following standard RIC and 15 months (range, 2.8 to 36 months) following intensified RIC. The cumulative incidence (CI) of relapse was significantly lower following intensified RIC compared with standard RIC ( P  = .0013); this finding maintained significance in multivariate analysis ( P  = .045). TRM was comparable between the 2 groups ( P  = .99). Overall survival (OS) was significantly improved following intensified RIC as compared with standard RIC ( P  = .03). Median OS was 17 months following standard RIC versus not reached followed intensified RIC. The CI of grade II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was significantly higher in the intensified RIC cohort than the standard RIC-cohort ( P  = .007), while CI of grade III to IV acute GVHD, any chronic GVHD, and moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD was comparable in each cohort ( P  = .20, P  = .21, and P  = .61, respectively). This retrospective analysis shows an improvement in OS and decreased relapse without increase in TRM in patients receiving intensified RIC as compared with standard RIC. Our data suggest that consideration of thiotepa-based intensified RIC may improve outcomes in fit, older patients undergoing double-unit CBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive and neoplastic plasma cells can display considerable morphological anaplasia as well as variable immunoreactivity for epithelial markers including epithelial membrane antigen, pan-cytokeratin (panCK) and high-molecular-weight cytokeratin, potentially creating diagnostic dilemmas. We describe the case of a 51-year-old male, previously treated for IgGλ plasma cell myeloma, whose bone marrow biopsy showed focal replacement by sheets of pleomorphic malignant cells and grade 3 myelofibrosis, raising the morphological possibility of a carcinomatous infiltration. First-line immunohistochemistry revealed strong panCK as well as CD138 positivity. However, subsequent MUM-1 and CD38 stains were also positive, clinching the diagnosis of relapsed plasma cell myeloma with anaplastic morphology and aberrant strong cytokeratin expression. The case warns of the perils of using limited immunohistochemical panels in poorly differentiated metastatic neoplasms and the importance of providing a complete clinical background to the reporting pathologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scorpion family Bothriuridae occupies a subset of landmasses formerly constituting East and West temperate Gondwana, but its relationship to other scorpion families is in question. Whereas morphological data have strongly supported a sister group relationship of Bothriuridae and the superfamily Scorpionoidea, a recent phylogenomic analysis recovered a basal placement of bothriurids within Iurida, albeit sampling only a single exemplar. Here we reexamined the phylogenetic placement of the family Bothriuridae, sampling six bothriurid exemplars representing both East and West Gondwana, using transcriptomic data. Our results demonstrate that the sister group relationship of Bothriuridae to the clade (“Chactoidea” + Scorpionoidea) is supported by the inclusion of additional bothriurid taxa, and that this placement is insensitive to matrix completeness or partitioning by evolutionary rate. We also estimated divergence times within the order Scorpiones using multiple fossil calibrations, to infer whether the family Bothriuridae is sufficiently old to be characterized as a true Gondwanan lineage. We show that scorpions underwent ancient diversification between the Devonian and early Carboniferous. The age interval of the bothriurids sampled (a derived group that excludes exemplars from South Africa) spans the timing of breakup of temperate Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The jointed appendages of arthropods have facilitated the spectacular diversity and success of this phylum. Key to the regulation of appendage outgrowth is the Krüppel-like factor (KLF)/specificity protein (Sp) family of zinc finger transcription factors. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, the Sp6-9 homolog is activated by Wnt-1/wingless (wg) and establishes ventral appendage (leg) fate. Subsequently, Sp6-9 maintains expression of the axial patterning gene Distal-less (Dll), which promotes limb outgrowth. Intriguingly, in spiders, Dll has been reported to have a derived role as a segmentation gap gene, but the evolutionary origin and regulation of this function are not understood because functional investigations of the appendage-patterning regulatory network are restricted to insects. We tested the evolutionary conservation of the ancestral appendage-patterning network of arthropods with a functional approach in the spider. RNAi-mediated knockdown of the spider Sp6-9 ortholog resulted in diminution or loss of Dll expression and truncation of appendages, as well as loss of the two body segments specified by the early Dll function. In reciprocal experiments, Dll is shown not to be required for Sp6-9 expression. Knockdown of arrow (Wnt-1 coreceptor) disrupted segmentation and appendage development but did not affect the early Sp6-9 expression domain. Ectopic appendages generated in the spider "abdomen" by knockdown of the Hox gene Antennapedia-1 (Antp-1) expressed Sp6-9 comparably to wild-type walking legs. Our results support (i) the evolutionary conservation of an appendage-patterning regulatory network that includes canonical Wnt signaling, Sp6-9, and Dll and (ii) the cooption of the Sp6-9/Dll regulatory cassette in arachnid head segmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a first scanning electron microscopy examination of the Paleotropical harvestman family Podoctidae (Opiliones: Laniatores), focusing on the distitarsus of the legs of Metibalonius sp. Distitarsi I and II are mostly equipped with olfactory sensilla chaetica with wall pores, while those of legs III and IV have gustatory sensilla chaetica with a tip pore, ventral trichomes with ovate tips (non-sensory) and a type of spatulate seta. Spatulate setae are present in adults of both sexes, with no apparent sexual dimorphism, but they are absent in the nymph. Seven of these setae are inserted on the frontal surface of the last tarsomere of legs III and IV, with the tips oriented ventrally. Each seta has an s-shaped socketed shaft, which terminates distally in a spatula-shaped structure. The distribution of spatulate setae, restricted to legs III and IV (walking legs), the position on the distitarsi, and the typical spatulate shape suggest an adhesive function for these structures. Morphology and position suggest that the socketed spatulate setae of Metibalonius sp. and the previously reported scopular spatulate setae of other harvestmen constitute two distinct types of adhesive structures, highlighting the diversity of adhesive structures in Laniatores. Future investigations about the natural history of this species and internal morphology of spatulate setae are necessary to test further functional hypotheses and to determine their behavioral role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The probable role of the sudden nuclear charge change and nuclear recoil in the shaking processes during the neutron- or heavy-ion-induced nuclear reactions and weakly interacting massive particle–nucleus scattering has been investigated in the present work. Using hydrogenic wavefunctions, general analytical expressions of survival, shakeup/shakedown, and shakeoff probability have been derived for various subshells of hydrogen-like atomic systems. These expressions are employed to calculate the shaking, shakeup/shakedown, and shakeoff probabilities in some important cases of interest in the nuclear astrophysics and the dark matter search experiments. The results underline that the shaking processes are one of the probable channels of electronic transitions during the weakly interacting massive particle–nucleus scattering, which can be used to probe the dark matter in the sub-GeV regime. Further, it is found that the shaking processes initiating due to nuclear charge change and nuclear recoil during the nuclear reactions may influence the electronic configuration of the participating atomic systems and thus may affect the nuclear reaction measurements at astrophysically relevant energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical study on the shaking process accompanying swift heavy ion-atom collisions is presented. Using the nonrelativistic hydrogenic wavefunctions, analytical expressions for the survival and shakeup/shakedown probability have been derived for the K - , L - and M - shell electrons of hydrogen-like atomic systems. The resulting expressions are used to calculate the shaking and shakeup/shakedown probability in the typical case of the recoiling nucleus of the multielectron ( 63 Cu + ) and hydrogen-like ( 63 Cu 28 + ) atomic systems, respectively. Interestingly, it is found that the requirement of the high colliding energy for the suddenness of the perturbation, can well fulfill the limiting condition of the necessary nuclear recoil for finite electron shaking during the ion-atom collisions. Further, the dependence of the shaking probability on atomic number has been depicted, and it has emerged that for a particular value of the recoil energy per nucleon, the shaking processes are more significant in the lower atomic number region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internal phylogeny of Chelicerata and the attendant evolutionary scenario of arachnid terrestrialization have a long and contentious history. Previous studies of developmental gene expression data have suggested that respiratory systems of spiders, crustaceans, and insects are all serially homologous structures derived from the epipods (outer appendage rami) of the arthropod ancestor, corresponding to an ancestral gill. A separate body of evidence has suggested that the respiratory systems of arachnids are modified, inverted telopods (inner rami, or legs). Here I review these dissonant homology statements and compare the developmental genetic basis for respiratory system development in insects and arachnids. I show that the respiratory primordia of arachnids are not positionally homologous to those of insects. I further demonstrate that candidate genes critical to tracheal fate specification in Drosophila melanogaster are expressed very differently in arachnid exemplars. Taken together, these data suggest that mechanisms of respiratory system development are not derived from homologous structures or mechanisms in insects and arachnids, and that different terrestrial arthropod lineages have solved the challenge of aerial respiration using different developmental mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dinuclear tin(IV) dicarboxylate complexes of the types [(n-Bu)2Sn(oda)(4-pic)]2·2H2O (1) and [(n-Bu)2Sn(pda)(H2O)]2 (2) [H2oda = oxydiacetic acid; H2pda = pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized and characterized via physicochemical and spectroscopic studies. The spectroscopic results indicated that Sn is seven-coordinate having pentagonal bipyramidal (pbp) geometry in both complexes. The X-ray study of complex 2 further specified pentagonal bipyramidal geometry with dinuclear structural arrangement due to the involvement of carboxylate bridges formed by pda2− moiety. The crystal structure is further stabilized by different weak interactions viz., C–C⋯H, C–C⋯O, C–H⋯O, C–C⋯O, and C–H⋯H. These interactions are further supported by Hirshfeld surface analysis along with 2-D fingerprint plots of complex 2. In vitro DNA-binding studies of both complexes were evaluated using spectroscopic techniques (absorbance and fluorescence) which ascertained optimum binding affinity of both complexes. However, cleavage activity of the complexes was assessed using supercoiled DNA (pBR322) via gel electrophoresis technique which demonstrated significant cleavage pattern of both complexes at different concentrations. Furthermore, chemotherapeutic potential of complexes 1 and 2 against MCF-7 and Hep carcinoma cell lines also suggested significant antiproliferative effect of complexes. These results revealed momentous exploration of drug–DNA interactions which may engender new insinuation for the advancement of metallo-pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]