Stability Constant and Potentiometric Sensitivity of Heavy Metal-Organic Fluorescent Compound Complexes: QSPR Models for Prediction and Design of Novel Coumarin-like Ligands

Industrial wastewater often consists of toxic chemicals and pollutants, which are extremely harmful to the environment. Heavy metals are toxic chemicals and considered one of the major hazards to the aquatic ecosystem. Analytical techniques, such as potentiometric methods, are some of the methods to detect heavy metals in wastewaters. In this work, the quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) was applied using a range of machine learning techniques to predict the stability constant (logβ_ML) and potentiometric sensitivity (PS_ML) of 200 ligands in complexes with the heavy metal ions Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺. In result, the logβML models developed for four ions showed good performance with square correlation coefficients (R²) ranging from 0.80 to 1.00 for the training and 0.72 to 0.85 for the test sets. Likewise, the PSML displayed acceptable performance with an R² of 0.87 to 1.00 for the training and 0.73 to 0.95 for the test sets. By screening a virtual database of coumarin-like structures, several new ligands bearing the coumarin moiety were identified. Three of them, namely NEW02, NEW03, and NEW07, showed very good sensitivity and stability in the metal complexes. Subsequent quantum-chemical calculations, as well as physicochemical/toxicological profiling were performed to investigate their metal-binding ability and developability of the designed sensors. Finally, synthesis schemes are proposed to obtain these three ligands with major efficiency from simple resources. The three coumarins designed clearly demonstrated capability to be suitable as good florescent chemosensors towards heavy metals. Overall, the computational methods applied in this study showed a very good performance as useful tools for designing novel fluorescent probes and assessing their sensing abilities.

Diagnostic Value in Screening Severe Depression of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory Scale, and Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale Among Patients with Recurrent Depression Disorder

Background

Depression is a widespread and incapacitating mental health disorder that impacts millions of people worldwide, playing a substantial role in the overall global health challenges. Depression has a big impact on a person's quality of life, cognitive and social functioning, risk of suicide, risk of heart disease and other illnesses, as well as death from all causes.

Objective

It may be challenging to choose the best tools to screen for severe depression in patients with recurrent depression disorder (PRD) considering the diversity of psychological scales in Vietnam. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value for detect severe depression of four psychological scales including Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Beck Depression Inventory Scale (BECK), and Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) by genders and age groups among PRD in Vietnam.

Methods

This study was conducted at National Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital, Vietnam, from 2020 to 2021. There were 109 PRD evaluated with HAM-D, HAM-A, BECK, and SAS by qualified psychiatrists. By analysing Area Under the Curve (AUC) of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, we determined sensitivity, specificity and cut points of four above scales.

Results

Among four scales, the BECK scale had the best diagnostic effect with the most optimal sensitivity and specificity (61.64% and 75%, respectively). We proposed the new cut-off of HAM-D, HAM-A, BECK, and SAS for detecting severe depression among PRD were 20, 34, 30, and 45, respectively. By genders, the cut points for the HAM-D, HAM-A, BECK, and SAS in males were 20, 27, 34, and 44, respectively, while those figure in females were 14, 34, 30, and 46, respectively. By age groups, adults had cut values for four above scales of 20, 34, 27, and 45, respectively, whereas those for the elderly were 16, 17, 35, and 44, respectively.

Conclusion

We highly recommended that BECK is the most optimal method to screen severe depression in PRD in Vietnam. It is essential to utilize varied cut values of HAM-D, HAM-A, BECK, and SAS for different genders and age groups.

A Novel Approach to the Treatment of Le Fort Fractures Using Internal Fixation to Achieve Mandibulomaxillary Fixation

Background:

We aimed to determine the minimum effective period of mandibulomaxillary fixation after the inadequate internal fixation of Le Fort I or Le Fort II fracture.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the stability of the skeleton after the treatment of Le Fort I or Le Fort II fractures by measuring bite forces and to determine the minimum time required for effective mandibulomaxillary fixation following treatment with internal fixation and mandibulomaxillary fixation.

Method:

A prospective study was performed to examine the treatment of Le Fort I or Le Fort II fracture in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A total of 31 patients were included, with up to 1 month of follow-up after discharge from the hospital. Midface bone stability and the mandibulomaxillary fixation time were evaluated using bite force criteria after 1, 2, and 4 weeks.

Results:

Midface bone stability values 1, 2, and 4 weeks after treatment were 87.1%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. After 1 week, 87.1% of patients achieved intermaxillary fixation, and 96.3% of these patients were treated with at least three rigid plates. The remaining 12.9% of patients achieved fixation after 2 weeks, and all of these patients were fixed only at zygomaticomaxillary sutures (p < 0.05). Bite forces increased significantly at 2 weeks compared with 1 week and at 4 weeks compared with 2 weeks (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

When treated using only rigid fixation, through the placement of plates and screws at zygomaticomaxillary buttresses, patients with Le Fort I and Le Fort II fractures can achieve mandibulomaxillary fixation after 2 weeks. For Le Fort I fractures, rigid fixation using plates and screws at zygomaticomaxillary buttresses and canine buttress at three positions can achieve mandibulomaxillary fixation after only 1 week (p = 0.0001).

Evaluation of Bite Force After Treatment of Le Fort Fractures by Internal Fixation and Mandibulomaxillary Fixation

Objectives:

Evaluation of bite force one, two, and four weeks after discharge following treatment of Le Fort I and/or Le Fort II fracture by rigid fixation and mandibulomaxillary fixation.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate bite force following treatment of Le Fort I and/or Le Fort II fractures by rigid fixation and mandibulomaxillary fixation at one, two, and four weeks after discharge. This provides valuable results to guide the development of a treatment protocol for Le Fort fractures.

Method:

This was a prospective study including 31 patients who underwent followup examination three times after being discharged from hospital. The examination evaluated bite force using a bite force meter in the right molar, left molar, and incisor regions.

Results:

One week after discharge, bite forces in the right molar, left molar, and incisor regions were 94.29 ± 58.80 N, 95.42 ± 57.34 N, and 39,94 ± 30,29 N, respectively. Two weeks after discharge, bite forces in the right molar, left molar, and incisor regions were 153.84 ± 89.14 N, 153.00 ± 78.55 N, and 65,9 ± 43.89 N, respectively. Four weeks after discharge, bite forces in the right molar, left molar, and incisor regions were 279.77 ± 95.46 N, 285.00 ± 90,47 N, and 123.42 ± 54.04 N, respectively.

Conclusions:

Bite forces in the right molar, left molar, and incisor regions were significantly increased one week, two weeks, and four weeks after discharge. Bite force may be a helpful parameter to confirm the stability of the midface bone after treatment of Le Fort fractures.

Distance magnetic nanoparticle detection using a magnetoelectric sensor for clinical interventions

Distance magnetic nanoparticle detections were investigated by using a magnetoelectric based magnetic sensor with a long type bilayer Metglas/PZT laminate composite. In homogeneous magnetic fields, the sensor exhibits a sensitivity of 307.4 mV/Oe, which is possible for a detection limit of 2.7 × 10^-7 emu. This sensor can detect an amount of 0.31 μg of the superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄-chitosan fluid at 2 mm height above the sensor surface. To detect a spot with magnetic nanoparticles at a distance of about 7.6 mm, it should contain at least 50 μg of iron oxide. This approach can develop the local detection of magnetic nanoparticles at a depth of centimeters in the body during clinical interventions.