A microfluidic route for synthesis of scandium oxide microspheres, their characterization and neutron activation

Radioactive scandium-46 microspheres have applications in mapping flow in a chemical reactor through a technique known as radioactive particle tracking (RPT). In the present study a novel microfluidic method has been developed for synthesis of controlled size scandium oxide microspheres. An inline/in-situ mixing of the scandium precursor and gelling agents was implemented which makes the microfluidic platform amenable for truly continuous operation. Microspheres of size varying from 937 to 666 μm were produced by varying O/A ratio from 10 to 30. Perfectly spherical and monodispersed (PDI <10 %) microspheres were obtained at O/A 15 and beyond. The morphology, elemental composition, and structure of the microspheres were analysed by SEM, EDS and XRD, respectively. Subsequently the microspheres were irradiated with thermal neutrons in a nuclear reactor to obtain radioactive Sc-46 oxide microspheres. The activity produced on each Sc-46 microspheres with different sizes was in the range 19.5-34.0 MBq.

Nature of Subdiffusion Crossover in Molecular and Polymeric Glassformers

A crossover from a non-Gaussian to Gaussian subdiffusion has been observed ubiquitously in various polymeric and molecular glassformers. We have developed a framework that generalizes the fractional Brownian motion model to incorporate non-Gaussian features by introducing a jump kernel. We illustrate that the non-Gaussian fractional Brownian motion model accurately characterizes the subdiffusion crossover. From the solutions of the non-Gaussian fractional Brownian motion model, we gain insights into the nature of van Hove self-correlation in non-Gaussian subdiffusive regime, which is found to exhibit exponential tails, providing first such experimental evidence in molecular glassformers. The validity of the model is supported by comparison with incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering data obtained from several molecular and polymeric glassformers.

Noncanonical Relationship between Heterogeneity and the Stokes-Einstein Breakdown in Deep Eutectic Solvents

The relationship between Stokes-Einstein breakdown (SEB) and dynamical heterogeneity (DH) is of paramount importance in the physical chemistry of complex fluids. In this work, we employ neutron scattering to probe the DH and SEB in a series of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) composed of acetamide and lithium salts. Quasielastic neutron scattering experiments reveal SEB in the jump diffusion of acetamide, represented by a fractional Stokes-Einstein relationship. Among these DESs, lithium perchlorate exhibits the most pronounced SEB while lithium bromide displays the weakest. Concurrently, elastic incoherent neutron scans identify that bromide DES is the most heterogeneous and perchlorate is the least. For the first time, our study unveils a counterintuitive incommensurate relationship between DH and SEB. Further, it reveals the intricate contrasting nature of the SEB-DH relationship when investigated in proximity to the glass-transition temperature and further away from it.

Evaluation of a paraffin-based moisturizer compared to a ceramide-based moisturizer in children with atopic dermatitis: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Moisturizers are first-line therapy for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Although there are multiple types of moisturizers available, head-to-head trials between different moisturizers are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if a paraffin-based moisturizer is as effective as ceramide-based moisturizer in children with AD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this double-blind, randomized comparative trial of pediatric patients with mild to moderate AD, subjects applied either a paraffin-based or ceramide-based moisturizer twice daily. Clinical disease activity using SCOring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), quality of life using Children/Infants Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI/IDLQI), and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at baseline and at follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients were recruited (27 ceramide group and 26 paraffin group) with a mean age of 8.2 years and mean disease duration of 60 months. The mean change in SCORAD at 3 months in the ceramide-based and paraffin-based moisturizer groups was 22.1 and 21.4, respectively (p = .37). The change in CDLQI/IDLQI, TEWL over forearm and back, amount and days of topical corticosteroid required, median time to remission and disease-free days at 3 months were similar in both groups. As the 95% confidence interval (CI) of mean change in SCORAD at 3 months in both groups (0.78, 95% CI: -7.21 to 7.52) was not within the predefined margin of equivalence (-4 to +4), the conclusion of equivalence could not be proven.

CONCLUSION

Both the paraffin-based and ceramide-based moisturizers were comparable in improving the disease activity in children with mild to moderate AD.

Evaluation of mixing performance and validation of CFD simulations in baffled anaerobic digesters using radiotracer technique

The anaerobic digesters find usage in treating the huge amount of waste such as trash, garbage, human waste and animal waste. The sustained performance of an anaerobic digester depends on the flow pattern and mixing behaviour in the digester. A cylindrical digester tank with vertical baffles can provide flow behaviour approaching that of a plug flow reactor. However, the presence of dead zones and recirculating regions cause non-ideal flow in the digester. In this work, the mixing behaviour in two scaled-down models of baffled digester tanks is characterized by measurement of residence time distribution (RTD) using a radioactive tracer. While the first design has three vertical baffles, the second design include horizontal static flaps on the baffles. The flow behaviour in the digester is also simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and RTD is obtained computationally. The comparison of RTD curves obtained from CFD simulations with those obtained from radiotracer experiments show good agreement between them. There appear to be only minor difference in the flow behaviour and the RTD curves in the two digester designs. Using the RTD curve data, two commonly used RTD models, tank-in-series and dispersion models, have been fitted and both models are able to predict the RTD in the digester qualitatively.

Sex-based comparisons of clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source with implantable loop recorders

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS) constitute a significant proportion of all ischemic strokes, but sex-based comparisons of clinical characteristics and outcomes of ESUS patients have not been well explored. As such, we aimed to examine how sex influences outcomes of ESUS patients.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study performed on consecutive ESUS patients with an implanted ILR between December 2013 to September 2021. We obtained information on the patients’ characteristics, treatments, and outcomes from the electronic medical records. Cox regression was used to investigate whether sex was independently associated with outcomes.

Results

There were 176 patients included in this study. The mean duration of follow-up was 1254 ± 724 days. Mean age was 60.8 ± 12.0 and 47 (26.7%) of patients were female. On univariable Cox regression analysis for subsequent atrial fibrillation (AF) on implantable loop recorder (ILR), patients with subsequent AF on ILR were more likely to be female (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.04–4.63, p = 0.040), older (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.12, p = 0.001), have a lower glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97– 0.99, p = 0.004), and have previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (HR 2.60, 95% CI 1.05–6.46, p = 0.039). On multivariable Cox regression, after adjustment for age, eGFR and previous PCI status, female sex remained independently associated with the development of subsequent AF on ILR. Female sex was not associated with other outcomes including mortality, subsequent acute myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischemic attack and heart failure.

Conclusions

In this cohort of ESUS patients with ILR implantation, female sex was independently associated with a higher risk of development of AF on ILR. However, female sex was not a predictor of mortality, subsequent acute myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischemic attack and heart failure.

Characteristics and outcomes of aortic stenosis patients with and without stroke

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Sia CH was supported by the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s Junior Academic Faculty Scheme

Background

Aortic stenosis (AS) is related to several atherosclerosis risk factors and is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke. Some reports suggest that aortic valve calcification may predispose to embolic stroke although this is not well-studied. The literature is also sparse regarding individual stroke subtypes and predictors of stroke in AS.

Purpose

We aimed to 1) Describe rates of ischaemic stroke in AS including specific stroke subtypes; 2) Compare clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with AS who subsequently developed ischaemic stroke versus those who did not, and 3) Identify independent variables associated with subsequent stroke in AS.

Methods

Patients with AS were recruited from an echocardiography database from September 2011 to December 2015 at a single tertiary centre. The primary study endpoint was acute ischaemic stroke. Clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters were compared between patients who suffered a stroke after AS diagnosis and those who did not. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with subsequent stroke.

Results

A total of 703 patients with AS were studied, with a median follow-up duration of 3.0 (IQR 0.5, 5.0) years. Twenty-two patients (3.1%) developed stroke following AS diagnosis (large vessel, 18.2%; cardioembolic, 50.0%; small vessel, 18.2%; other determined ischaemic stroke, 13.6%). These patients had a greater prevalence of previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) (50.0%) compared to patients who did not develop subsequent stroke (20.9%), p&lt;0.001. Patients with AS who developed subsequent stroke also more commonly had atrial fibrillation at the time of indexed echocardiography (40.0%) compared to their counterparts who did not develop stroke (13.5%), p=0.004 (Table 1). Other cardiovascular risk factors and traditional echocardiographic parameters of AS severity were similar between the 2 groups. Degenerative calcified aortic valve was not associated with the development of all types of ischaemic stroke or cardioembolic stroke. AS severity was also not associated with development of stroke. Multivariable Cox regression analysis found previous stroke or TIA (HR 8.00, 95% CI 2.70–23.58, p&lt;0.001) and atrial fibrillation at time of echocardiography (HR 8.81, 95% CI 1.34–10.80, p=0.012) to be independent predictors of subsequent stroke in AS. The key findings of our study are summarised in Figure 1.

Conclusions

Cardioembolic stroke is the most common stroke subtype in patients with AS. Previous history of stroke or TIA and atrial fibrillation at time of diagnostic echocardiography are independent predictors of subsequent stroke in AS. Calcified aortic valve was not found to be a risk factor for all types of ischaemic stroke or cardioembolic stroke.

Lateral diffusion of lipids in the DMPG membrane across the anomalous melting regime: effects of NaCl

The anionic dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) membrane in solvents with a low ionic strength is known to exhibit an unusually wide melting regime between the gel and fluid phase characterized by various anomalous macroscopic characteristics, such as low turbidity and high electrical conductivity and viscosity. A recent neutron spin echo study [Kelley, E. G. et al., Struct. Dyn., 7 (2020) 054704] revealed that during the extended melting phase transition the DMPG membrane becomes softer and exhibits faster collective bending fluctuation compared to the higher temperature fluid phase. In contrast, in the present work, using incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering through the anomalous phase transition regime we find that single-particle lateral and internal lipid motions in the DMPG membrane show regular temperature dependence, with no enhanced dynamics evident in the anomalous melting regime. Further, we find that incorporation of NaCl in DMPG suppresses the anomalous extended melting regime, concurrently enhancing the single-particle lipid dynamics, both the lateral diffusivity and (to a lesser extent) the internal lipid motion. This seems rather counterintuitive and in variance with the dynamic suppression effect exerted by a salt on a zwitterionic membrane. However, since incorporation of a salt in anionic DMPG leads to enhanced cooperativity, the disrupted cooperativity in the salt-free DMPG is associated with the baseline lipid dynamics that is suppressed to begin with, whereas addition of salt partially restores the cooperativity, thus enhancing lipid dynamics compared to the salt-free baseline DMPG membrane state. These results provide new insights into the ion-membrane interaction and divulge a correlation between microscopic dynamics and the structure of the lipid bilayer.

Modulation of Diffusion Mechanism and Its Correlation with Complexation in Aqueous Deep Eutectic Solvents

Aqueous mixtures of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have gained traction recently as an effective template to tailor their physicochemical properties. But detailed microscopic insights into the effects of water on the molecular relaxation phenomenon in DESs are not entirely understood. DESs are strong network-forming liquids due to the extensive hydrogen bonding and complex formation between their species, and therefore, water can behave as a controlled disruptor altering the microscopic structure and dynamics in DESs. In this study, the role of water in the diffusion mechanism of acetamide in the aqueous mixtures of DESs synthesized using acetamide and lithium perchlorate is investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS). The acetamide dynamics comprises localized diffusion within transient cages and a jump diffusion process across cages. The jump diffusion process is observed to be strongly enhanced by about a factor of 10 as the water content in the system is increased. Meanwhile, the geometry of the localized dynamics is unaltered by addition of water, but the localized diffusion becomes significantly faster and more heterogeneous with increasing water concentration. The accelerating effects of water on localized diffusion are also substantiated by QENS experiments. The water concentration in the DES is observed to control the solvation structure of lithium ions, with the ions becoming significantly hydrated at 20 wt % water. The formation of interwater and water-acetamide hydrogen bonds is observed. The increase in water concentration is found to increase the number of H-bonds; however, their lifetimes are found to decrease substantially. Similarly, the lifetimes of acetamide-lithium complexes are also found to be diminished by increasing water concentration. A power-law scaling relationship between lifetimes and diffusion constants is established, elucidating the extent of coupling between diffusive processes and hydrogen bonding and microscopic complexation. This study demonstrates the ability to use water as an agent to probe the role of structural relaxation and complex lifetimes of diffusive processes at different time and length scales.

Clinical characteristics, echocardiographic features and long-term outcomes of patients with ischaemic versus non-ischaemic left ventricular thrombus

Background

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) may develop in patients following myocardial infarction (MI), as well as in ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies, and may result in acute ischaemic stroke. Smaller studies comparing LVT associated with ischaemic and non-ischaemic aetiologies only reported 1-year outcomes or focused on specific subpopulations. We aimed to compare the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and longer-term outcomes in a large population of patients with ischaemic versus non-ischaemic LVT.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 552 consecutive patients with echocardiographically-identified LVT from March 2011 to January 2021 at a tertiary centre. Ischaemic LVT included LVT associated with MI and ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Non-ischaemic LVT included cases without evidence of ischaemia. Echocardiographic images were interpreted by trained cardiologists. We studied thrombus resolution as well as 5-year rates of ischaemic stroke and all-cause mortality.

Results

Of the 552 patients, mean age was 59.9 years and 84.4% were male. 492 patients had ischaemic LVT and 60 patients had non-ischaemic LVT. Ischaemic LVT was associated with older age (60.4 versus 55.3 years), male sex (86.8% versus 65.0%), smoking (49.2% versus 25.0%) and hyperlipidaemia (54.3% versus 28.3%). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in non-ischaemic LVT (28.9% versus 31.9%). LVEF ≤35% was associated with increased mortality in ischaemic LVT (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.32–3.38). Rates of thrombus resolution, stroke and all-cause mortality were similar in the 2 groups. Anticoagulation was associated with a lower risk of stroke in ischaemic LVT (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16–0.66) and lower mortality in both ischaemic (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26–0.72) and non-ischaemic LVT (HR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03–0.61).

Conclusion

Patients with ischaemic LVT were more often older, male, smokers and had cardiovascular co-morbidities compared to those with non-ischaemic LVT. Thrombus resolution, stroke and all-cause mortality rates were similar in both groups. Anticoagulation was associated with lower mortality but this needs to be investigated in future prospective studies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): CHS was supported by the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine's Junior Academic Faculty Scheme

Multiscale lipid membrane dynamics as revealed by neutron spectroscopy

The plasma membrane is one of the principal structural components of the cell and, therefore, one of the key components of the cellular life. Because the membrane's dynamics links the membrane's structure and function, the complexity and the broad range of the membrane's motions are essential for the enormously diverse functionality of the cell membrane. Even for the main membrane component, the lipid bilayer, considered alone, the range and complexity of the lipid motions are remarkable. Spanning the time scale from sub-picosecond to minutes and hours, the lipid motion in a bilayer is challenging to study even when a broad array of dynamic measurement techniques is employed. Neutron scattering plays a special role among such dynamic measurement techniques, particularly, because it involves the energy transfers commensurate with the typical intra- and inter- molecular dynamics and the momentum transfers commensurate with intra- and inter-molecular distances. Thus, using neutron scattering-based techniques, the spatial and temporal information on the lipid motion can be obtained and analysed simultaneously. Protium vs. deuterium sensitivity and non-destructive character of the neutron probe add to the remarkable prowess of neutron scattering for elucidating the lipid dynamics. Herein we present an overview of the neutron scattering-based studies of lipid dynamics in model membranes, with a discussion of the direct relevance and implications to the real-life cell membranes. The latter are much more complex systems than simple model membranes, consisting of heterogeneous non-stationary domains composed of lipids, proteins, and other small molecules, such as carbohydrates. Yet many fundamental aspects of the membrane behavior and membrane interactions with other molecules can be understood from neutron scattering measurements of the model membranes. For example, such studies can provide a great deal of information on the interactions of antimicrobial compounds with the lipid matrix of a pathogen membrane, or the interactions of drug molecules with the plasma membrane. Finally, we briefly discuss the recently emerging field of neutron scattering membrane studies with a reach far beyond the model membrane systems.

Double zero tillage and foliar phosphorus fertilization coupled with microbial inoculants enhance maize productivity and quality in a maize-wheat rotation

Maize is an important industrial crop where yield and quality enhancement both assume greater importance. Clean production technologies like conservation agriculture and integrated nutrient management hold the key to enhance productivity and quality besides improving soil health and environment. Hence, maize productivity and quality were assessed under a maize–wheat cropping system (MWCS) using four crop-establishment and tillage management practices [FBCT–FBCT (Flat bed–conventional tillage both in maize and wheat); RBCT–RBZT (Raised bed–CT in maize and raised bed–zero tillage in wheat); FBZT–FBZT (FBZT both in maize and wheat); PRBZT–PRBZT (Permanent raised bed–ZT both in maize and wheat], and five P-fertilization practices [P₁₀₀ (100% soil applied-P); P₅₀ + 2FSP (50% soil applied-P + 2 foliar-sprays of P through 2% DAP both in maize and wheat); P₅₀ + PSB + AM-fungi; P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP; and P₀ (100% NK with no-P)] in split-plot design replicated-thrice. Double zero-tilled PRBZT–PRBZT system significantly enhanced the maize grain, starch, protein and oil yield by 13.1–19% over conventional FBCT–FBCT. P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP, integrating soil applied-P, microbial-inoculants and foliar-P, had significantly higher grain, starch, protein and oil yield by 12.5–17.2% over P₁₀₀ besides saving 34.7% fertilizer-P both in maize and on cropping-system basis. P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP again had significantly higher starch, lysine and tryptophan content by 4.6–10.4% over P₁₀₀ due to sustained and synchronized P-bioavailability. Higher amylose content (24.1%) was observed in grains under P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP, a beneficial trait due to its lower glycemic-index highly required for diabetic patients, where current COVID-19 pandemic further necessitated the use of such dietary ingredients. Double zero-tilled PRBZT–PRBZT reported greater MUFA (oleic acid, 37.1%), MUFA: PUFA ratio and P/S index with 6.9% higher P/S index in corn-oil (an oil quality parameter highly required for heart-health) over RBCT-RBCT. MUFA, MUFA: PUFA ratio and P/S index were also higher under P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP; avowing the obvious role of foliar-P and microbial-inoculants in influencing maize fatty acid composition. Overall, double zero-tilled PRBZT–PRBZT with crop residue retention at 6 t/ha per year along with P₅₀ + PSB + AMF + 2FSP while saving 34.7% fertilizer-P in MWCS, may prove beneficial in enhancing maize productivity and quality so as to reinforce the food and nutritional security besides boosting food, corn-oil and starch industry in south-Asia and collateral arid agro-ecologies across the globe.

Stress hyperglycaemia is associated with poor functional outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke after intravenous thrombolysis

BACKGROUND

Transient hyperglycaemia in the context of illness with or without known diabetes has been termed as 'stress hyperglycaemia'. Stress hyperglycaemia can result in poor functional outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) who underwent mechanical thrombectomy. We investigated the association between stress hyperglycaemia and clinical outcomes in AIS patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).

METHODS

We examined 666 consecutive patients with AIS who underwent IVT from 2006 to 2018. All patients had a glycated haemoglobin level (HbA1c) and fasting venous blood glucose measured within 24 h of admission. Stress hyperglycaemia ratio (SHR) was defined as the ratio of the fasting glucose to the HbA1c. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify predictors of poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 3-6 at 3 months) after IVT.

RESULTS

Three-hundred and sixty-one patients (54.2%) had good functional outcomes. These patients tended to be younger (60.7 ± 12.7 vs. 70 ± 14.4 years, P < 0.001), male (70.7% vs. 51.5%, P < 0.001), had lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation (13.0% vs. 20.7%, P = 0.008) and lower SHR (0.88 ± 0.20 vs. 0.99 ± 26, P < 0.001). Patients with high SHR (≥0.97) were slightly older than those with low SHR (<0.97) and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus. On multivariate analysis, higher SHR was independently associated with poor functional outcomes (adjusted odds ratio 3.85, 95% confidence interval 1.59-9.09, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

SHR appears to be an important predictor of functional outcomes in patients with AIS undergoing IVT. This may have important implications on the role of glycaemic control in the acute management of ischaemic stroke.

Can the microscopic and macroscopic transport phenomena in deep eutectic solvents be reconciled?

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have become ubiquitous in a variety of industrial and pharmaceutical applications since their discovery. However, the fundamental understanding of their physicochemical properties and their emergence from the microscopic features is still being explored fervently. Particularly, the knowledge of transport mechanisms in DESs is essential to tune their properties, which shall aid in expanding the territory of their applications. This perspective presents the current state of understanding of the bulk/macroscopic transport properties and microscopic relaxation processes in DESs. The dependence of these properties on the components and composition of the DES is explored, highlighting the role of hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) interactions. Modulation of these interactions by water and other additives, and their subsequent effect on the transport mechanisms, is also discussed. Various models (e.g. hole theory, free volume theory, etc.) have been proposed to explain the macroscopic transport phenomena from a microscopic origin. But the formation of H-bond networks and clusters in the DES reveals the insufficiency of these models, and establishes an antecedent for dynamic heterogeneity. Even significantly above the glass transition, the microscopic relaxation processes in DESs are rife with temporal and spatial heterogeneity, which causes a substantial decoupling between the viscosity and microscopic diffusion processes. However, we propose that a thorough understanding of the structural relaxation associated to the H-bond dynamics in DESs will provide the necessary framework to interpret the emergence of bulk transport properties from their microscopic counterparts.

Water accelerates the hydrogen-bond dynamics and abates heterogeneity in deep eutectic solvent based on acetamide and lithium perchlorate

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have become a prevalent and promising medium in various industrial applications. The addition of water to DESs has attracted a lot of attention as a scheme to modulate their functionalities and improve their physicochemical properties. In this work, we study the effects of water on an acetamide based DES by probing its microscopic structure and dynamics using classical molecular dynamics simulation. It is observed that, at low water content, acetamide still remains the dominant solvate in the first solvation shell of lithium ions, however, beyond 10 wt. %, it is replaced by water. The increase in the water content in the solvent accelerates the H-bond dynamics by drastically decreasing the lifetimes of acetamide-lithium H-bond complexes. Additionally, water-lithium H-bond complexes are also found to form, with systematically longer lifetimes in comparison to acetamide-lithium complexes. Consequently, the diffusivity and ionic conductivity of all the species in the DES are found to increase substantially. Non-Gaussianity parameters for translational motions of acetamide and water in the DES show a conspicuous decrease with addition of water in the system. The signature of jump-like reorientation of acetamide is observed in the DES by quantifying the deviation from rotational Brownian motion. However, a notable decrease in the deviation is observed with an increase in the water content in the DES. This study demonstrates the intricate connection between H-bond dynamics and various microscopic dynamical parameters in the DES, by investigating the modulation of the former with addition of water.

A split-tattoo randomized Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser trial comparing the efficacy of a novel three-pass, one-session method with a conventional method in the treatment of blue/black tattoos in darker skin types

Tattoos with blue/black ink show good lightening of pigment after treatment with 1064 nm Q-switched (QS) neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. In this randomized trial, we compared the efficacy of a novel three pass, one session procedure (R15 method) with a conventional method for treating blue/black tattoos in darker skin types. Tattoos were treated with 1064 nm QS Nd:YAG Laser with a spot size of 4 mm, fluence of 5 J/cm² and frequency of 5 Hz. The tattoo pigment lightening was comparable with both methods. Thread-like tattoos had significantly better pigment lightening with fewer side effects than the broad band-like tattoos. We would like to recommend the R15 method of the QS Nd:YAG laser for thread-like tattoos, which can save patients' time, cut short the frequency of their hospital visits and, more importantly, decrease the cost involved in it.

Diffusion of confined fluids in microporous zeolites and clay materials

Fluids exhibit remarkable variation in their structural and dynamic properties when they are confined at the nanoscopic scale. Various factors, including geometric restriction, the size and shape of the guest molecules, the topology of the host, and guest-host interactions, are responsible for the alterations in these properties. Due to their porous structures, aluminosilicates provide a suitable host system for studying the diffusion of sorbates in confinement. Zeolites and clays are two classes of the aluminosilicate family, comprising very ordered porous or layered structures. Zeolitic materials are important due to their high catalytic activity and molecular sieving properties. Guest molecules adsorbed by zeolites display many interesting features including unidimensional diffusion, non-isotropic rotation, preferred orientation and levitation effects, depending on the guest and host characteristics. These are useful for the separation of hydrocarbons which commonly exist as mixtures in nature. Similarly, clay materials have found application in catalysis, desalination, enhanced oil recovery, and isolation barriers used in radioactive waste disposal. It has been shown that the bonding interactions, level of hydration, interlayer spacing, and number of charge-balancing cations are the important factors that determine the nature of diffusion of water molecules in clays. Here, we present a review of the current status of the diffusion mechanisms of various adsorbed species in different microporous zeolites and clays, as investigated using quasielastic neutron scattering and classical molecular dynamics simulation techniques. It is impossible to write an exhaustive review of the subject matter, as it has been explored over several decades and involves many research topics. However, an effort is made to cover the relevant issues specific to the dynamics of different molecules in microporous zeolites and clay materials and to highlight a variety of interesting features that are important for both practical applications and fundamental aspects.

Contrasting Behaviors of FA and MA Cations in APbBr3

It is known that the organic units in hybrid halide perovskites are free to rotate, but it is not clear if this freedom is of any relevance to the structure-property relationship of these compounds. We have employed quasi-elastic neutron scattering using two different spectrometers, thus providing a wide dynamic range to investigate the cation dynamics in methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr₃) and formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr₃) over a large temperature range covering all known crystallographic phases of these two compounds. Our results establish a plastic crystal-like phase forming above 30 K within the orthorhombic phase of MAPbBr₃ related to 3-fold rotations of MA units around the C-N axis with an activation energy, E_a, of ∼27 meV, which has no counterpart in the FA compound. MA exhibits an additional 4-fold orientational motion of the whole molecule via rotation of the C-N axis itself with an E_a of ∼68 meV common for the high-temperature tetragonal and cubic phases. In contrast, the FA compound exhibits only an isotropic orientational motion of the whole FA unit with E_a ≈ 106 meV within the orthorhombic phase and a substantially reduced common E_a of ∼62 meV for the high-temperature tetragonal and cubic phases. Our results suggest that the rotational dynamics of the organic units, crystallographic phases, and physical properties of these compounds are intimately connected.

Intravenous thrombolysis for large vessel or distal occlusions presenting with mild stroke severity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We investigated the effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel or distal occlusions and mild neurological deficits, defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores < 6 points.

METHODS

The primary efficacy outcome was 3-month functional independence (FI) [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0-2] that was compared between patients with and without IVT treatment. Other efficacy outcomes of interest included 3-month favorable functional outcome (mRS scores 0-1) and mRS score distribution at discharge and at 3 months. The safety outcomes comprised all-cause 3-month mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), asymptomatic ICH and severe systemic bleeding.

RESULTS

We evaluated 336 AIS patients with large vessel or distal occlusions and mild stroke severity (mean age 63 ± 15 years, 45% women). Patients treated with IVT (n = 162) had higher FI (85.6% vs. 74.8%, P = 0.027) with lower mRS scores at hospital discharge (P = 0.034) compared with the remaining patients. No differences were detected in any of the safety outcomes including symptomatic ICH, asymptomatic ICH, severe systemic bleeding and 3-month mortality. IVT was associated with higher likelihood of 3-month FI [odds ratio (OR), 2.19; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.09-4.42], 3-month favorable functional outcome (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.10-3.57), functional improvement at discharge [common OR (per 1-point decrease in mRS score), 2.94; 95% CI, 1.67-5.26)] and at 3 months (common OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.06-2.86) on multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders, including mechanical thrombectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous thrombolysis is independently associated with higher odds of improved discharge and 3-month functional outcomes in AIS patients with large vessel or distal occlusions and mild stroke severity. IVT appears not to increase the risk of systemic or symptomatic intracranial bleeding.

Membrane softening by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs investigated by neutron spin echo

In spite of their well-known side effects, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for their antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions. Interaction of NSAIDs with the plasma membrane plays a vital role in their therapeutic actions and defines many of their side effects. In the present study, we investigate the effects of three NSAIDs, aspirin, ibuprofen, and indomethacin, on the structure and dynamics of a model plasma membrane using a combination of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron spin echo (NSE) techniques. The SANS and NSE measurements were carried out on a 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) membrane, with and without NSAIDs, at two different temperatures, 11 °C and 37 °C, where the DMPC membrane is in the gel and fluid phase, respectively. SANS data analysis shows that incorporation of NSAIDs leads to bilayer thinning of the membrane in both the phases. The dynamic properties of the membrane are represented by the intermediate scattering functions for NSE data, which are successfully described by the Zilman and Granek model. NSE data analysis shows that in both gel and fluid phases, addition of NSAIDs results in a decrease in the bending rigidity and compressibility modulus of the membrane, which is more prominent when the membrane is in the gel phase. The magnitude of the effect of NSAIDs on the bending rigidity and compressibility modulus of the membrane in the gel phase follows an order of ibuprofen > aspirin > indomethacin, whereas in the fluid phase, it is in the order of aspirin > ibuprofen > indomethacin. We find that the interaction between NSAIDs and phospholipid membranes is strongly dependent on the chemical structure of the drugs and physical state of the membrane. Mechanical properties of the membrane can be quantified by the membrane's bending rigidity. Hence, the present study reveals that incorporation of NSAIDs modulates the mechanical properties of the membrane, which may affect several physiological processes, particularly those linked to the membrane curvature.

Quality of life assessment in temporomandibular joint ankylosis patients after interpositional arthroplasty: a prospective study

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis significantly impacts both physical and psychosocial patient wellbeing. A complete evaluation of treatment outcomes necessitates knowing the extent to which a patient's quality of life (QoL) is impacted. This study was performed to evaluate the impact of TMJ ankylosis on QoL in 25 TMJ ankylosis patients treated by interpositional arthroplasty. The patients completed OHIP-14 and UWQoL questionnaires once before and then at 3 months after the surgery. There was a significant improvement in mean cumulative scores for both questionnaires. With the exception of functional limitation, all OHIP domains showed significant improvement. Preoperatively, the worst scores were found in the psychological distress domain, followed by the social handicap, physical pain and physical disability domains. More than half of the subjects (56%) reported having suicidal thoughts. Amongst the individual UWQoL domains, appearance, chewing, anxiety (P <  0.01), recreation and mood (P <  0.05) showed improved scores. Appearance and chewing were the top ranked priority domains before and after surgery. No significant change was found in speech, taste, sleep, or breathing. Psychosocial factors were found to play a much bigger role than previously thought. The physical, psychological, and social factors were intricately related and dynamically interacted with each other. Surgical treatment produced a definitive QoL improvement in the patients.

In vitro assessment of gentamicin and azithromycin-based combination therapy against Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in India

PURPOSE

The public health burden of infections caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae is magnified due to high rates of resistance to traditional antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of an alternative dual therapy comprising gentamicin and azithromycin.

METHODOLOGY

The E-test method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of gentamicin and azithromycin individually prior to testing in combination using the cross or 90^o angle formation method. A total of 70 clinical isolates of N.gonorrhoeae displaying varying ceftriaxone MICs along with 2 reference strains (WHO K and P) and 1 ceftriaxone-resistant QA isolate were examined. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was calculated and the results were interpreted using the following criteria: synergy, FICI ≤0.5; indifference or additive, FICI >0.5 to ≤4.0; and antagonism, FICI >4.0.

RESULTS

A total of 54 (77.1 %) isolates displayed indifference, while 16 (22.9 %) demonstrated synergy. When azithromycin was tested alone, the MICs ranged from 0.016 to 2 µg ml^-1 . However, in combination with gentamicin, the mean MIC value of all isolates decreased from 0.275 µg ml^-1 to 0.090 µg ml^-1 (P=0.05).When gentamicin was tested alone, the MICs ranged from 0.25 to 8 µg ml^-1, with a mean MIC of 4.342 µg ml^-1, whereas in combination with azithromycin it decreased significantly to 2.042 µg ml^-1 (P=0.04).

CONCLUSION

No antagonism was observed in this combination, suggesting that it could be a future treatment option as we prepare for a post-cephalosporin era. However, comprehensive in vivo evaluations are warranted and recommendations should be made based on clinical trials.

The unique composition of Indian gut microbiome, gene catalogue, and associated fecal metabolome deciphered using multi-omics approaches

BACKGROUND

Metagenomic studies carried out in the past decade have led to an enhanced understanding of the gut microbiome in human health; however, the Indian gut microbiome has not been well explored. We analyzed the gut microbiome of 110 healthy individuals from two distinct locations (North-Central and Southern) in India using multi-omics approaches, including 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and metabolomic profiling of fecal and serum samples.

RESULTS

The gene catalogue established in this study emphasizes the uniqueness of the Indian gut microbiome in comparison to other populations. The gut microbiome of the cohort from North-Central India, which was primarily consuming a plant-based diet, was found to be associated with Prevotella and also showed an enrichment of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis pathways. In contrast, the gut microbiome of the cohort from Southern India, which was consuming an omnivorous diet, showed associations with Bacteroides, Ruminococcus, and Faecalibacterium and had an enrichment of short chain fatty acid biosynthesis pathway and BCAA transporters. This corroborated well with the metabolomics results, which showed higher concentration of BCAAs in the serum metabolome of the North-Central cohort and an association with Prevotella. In contrast, the concentration of BCAAs was found to be higher in the fecal metabolome of the Southern-India cohort and showed a positive correlation with the higher abundance of BCAA transporters.

CONCLUSIONS

The study reveals the unique composition of the Indian gut microbiome, establishes the Indian gut microbial gene catalogue, and compares it with the gut microbiome of other populations. The functional associations revealed using metagenomic and metabolomic approaches provide novel insights on the gut-microbe-metabolic axis, which will be useful for future epidemiological and translational researches.

Effects of NSAIDs on the Dynamics and Phase Behavior of DODAB Bilayers

Despite well-known side effects, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most prescribed drugs worldwide for their anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Here, we report the effects of two NSAIDs, aspirin and indomethacin, on the thermotropic phase behavior and the dynamics of a dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) lipid bilayer as studied using neutron scattering techniques. Elastic fixed window scans showed that the addition of aspirin and indomethacin affects the phase behavior of a DODAB bilayer in both heating and cooling cycles. Upon heating, there is a change in the coagel- to fluid-phase transition temperature from 327 K for pure DODAB bilayer to 321 and 323 K in the presence of aspirin and indomethacin, respectively. More strikingly, upon cooling, the addition of NSAIDs suppresses the formation of the intermediate gel phase observed in pure DODAB. The suppression of the gel phase on addition of the NSAIDs evidences the synchronous ordering of a lipid headgroup and chain. Analysis of quasi-elastic neutron scattering data showed that only localized internal motion exists in the coagel phase, whereas both internal and lateral motions exist in the fluid phase. The internal motion is described by a fractional uniaxial rotational diffusion model in the coagel phase and by a localized translation diffusion model in the fluid phase. In the coagel phase, the rotational diffusion coefficient of DODAB is found to be almost twice for the addition of the drugs, whereas the mobility fraction did not change for indomethacin but becomes twice for aspirin. In the fluid phase, the lateral motion, described well by a continuous diffusion model, is found to be slower by about ∼30% for indomethacin but almost no change for aspirin. For the internal motion, addition of aspirin leads to enhancement of the internal motion, whereas indomethacin did not show significant effect. This study shows that the effect of different NSAIDs on the dynamics of the lipid membrane is not the same; hence, one must consider these NSAIDs individually while studying their action mechanism on the cell membrane.

Modulation of Solvation and Molecular Recognition of a Lipid Bilayer under Dynamical Phase Transition

It is well accepted in contemporary biology that an ∼30 Å thick lipid bilayer film around living cells is a matter of life and death as the film typically delimits the environments that serve as a crucial margin. The dynamic organization of lipid molecules both across the lipid bilayer and in the lateral dimension are known to be crucial for cellular transport and molecular recognition by important biological macromolecules. Here, we study dilute (20 mM) Dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) vesicles at different temperatures in aqueous dispersion with well-defined phases namely liquid crystalline, gel and subgel. The spectroscopic studies on two fluorescent probes 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid ammonium salt (ANS) and Coumarin 500 (C500), former in the head group region of the lipid-water interface and later located deeper in the lipid bilayer follow dynamics (solvation and fluidity) of their local environments in the vesicles. Binding of an anti-tuberculosis drug rifampicin has also been studied employing Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique. The molecular insight concerning the effect of dynamical organization of the lipid molecules on the local dynamics of aqueous environments in different phases leading to molecular recognition becomes evident in our study.

Nutritional characterization of apple as a function of genotype

Twenty two apple cultivars grown in Himachal Pradesh, India were harvested at commercial maturity and analysed for different physical (fruit weight, fruit dimensions, firmness, color) and nutritional attributes (ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity, total carotenoid, sugars, organic acids, phenolic compounds and minerals). Cultivar 'Oregon Spur II' was found to have maximum fruit size and weight while the least was observed for cultivar 'Starkrimson'. Quantitative differences were found in the nutritional profile among the cultivars with respect to all the above attributes. The ascorbic acid content ranged between 19.38 mg 100 g^-1 ('Well Spur') and 32.08 mg 100 g^-1 ('Starkrimson') while the antioxidant activity varied between 2.64 μmol Trolox equivalent g^-1 ('Granny Smith') and 13.20 μmol Trolox equivalent g^-1 ('Silver Spur'). The highest total carotenoid was found in 'Red Chief' (147.06 mg kg^-1) while in 'Early Red-I' the total carotenoid was only 29.03 mg kg^-1. HPLC analysis for individual sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds was carried out. Fructose (average 50.79 g L^-1) was the most abundant sugar. Malic acid (average 6.03 mg L^-1) predominated among the individual organic acids. Potassium (average 795.14 mg 100 g^-1) and iron (average 2.04 µg g^-1) were the predominant macro and micro elements, respectively. Chlorogenic acid was the major constituent among phenolic compounds.

Expression of miR-34a in T-Cells Infected by Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) immortalizes T-cells and is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). HTLV-1 replication and transformation are governed by multiple interactions between viral regulatory proteins and host cell factors that remain to be fully elucidated. The present study investigated the impact of HTLV-1 infection on the expression of miR-34a, a microRNA whose expression is downregulated in many types of cancer. Results of RT-PCR assays showed that five out of six HTLV-1-positive cell lines expressed higher levels of miR-34a compared to normal PBMC or purified CD4+ T-cells. ATLL cell line ED, which did not express miR-34a, showed methylation of the miR-34a promoter. Newly infected PBMC and samples from 10 ATLL patients also showed a prominent increase in miR-34a expression compared to PBMC controls. The primary miR-34a transcript expressed in infected cell line C91PL contained binding motifs for NF-κB and p53. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB with Bay 11-7082 indicated that this pathway contributes to sustain miR-34a levels in infected cells. Treatment of infected cell lines with the p53 activator nutlin-3a resulted in a further increase in miR-34a levels, thus confirming it as a transcriptional target of p53. Nutlin-3a-treated cells showed downregulation of known miR-34a targets including the deacetylase SIRT1, which was accompanied by increased acetylation of p53, a substrate of SIRT1. Transfection of C91PL cells with a miR-34a mimic also led to downregulation of mRNA targets including SIRT1 as well as the pro-apoptotic factor BAX. Unlike nutlin-3a, the miR-34a mimic did not cause cell cycle arrest or reduce cell viability. On the other hand, sequestration of miR-34a with a sponge construct resulted in an increase in death of C91PL cells. These findings provide evidence for a functional role for miR-34a in fine-tuning the expression of target genes that influence the turnover of HTLV-1-infected cells.

Deciphering interactions of ionic liquids with biomembrane

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a special class of low-temperature (typically < 100 °C) molten salts, which have huge upsurge interest in the field of chemical synthesis, catalysis, electrochemistry, pharmacology, and biotechnology, mainly due to their highly tunable nature and exceptional properties. However, practical uses of ILs are restricted mainly due to their adverse actions on organisms. Understanding interactions of ILs with biomembrane is prerequisite to assimilate the actions of these ionic compounds on the organism. Here, we review different biophysical methods to characterize interactions between ILs and phospholipid membrane, a model biomembrane. All these studies indicate that ILs interact profoundly with the lipid bilayer and modulate the structure, microscopic dynamics, and phase behavior of the membrane, which could be the fundamental cause of the observed toxicity of ILs. Effects of ILs on the membrane are found to be strongly dependent on the lipophilicity of the IL and are found to increase with the alkyl chain length of IL. This can be correlated with the observed higher toxicity of IL with the longer alkyl chain length. These informations would be useful to tune the toxicity of IL which is required in designing environment-friendly nontoxic solvents of the so-called green chemistry for various practical applications.

Effects of ionic liquids on the nanoscopic dynamics and phase behaviour of a phosphatidylcholine membrane

Ionic liquids (ILs) are potential candidates for new antimicrobials due to their tunable antibacterial and antifungal properties that are required to keep pace with the growing challenge of bacterial resistance. To a great extent their antimicrobial actions are related to the interactions of ILs with cell membranes. Here, we report the effects of ILs on the nanoscopic dynamics and phase behaviour of a dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) membrane, a model cell membrane, as studied using neutron scattering techniques. Two prototypical imidazolium-based ILs 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIM[BF4]) and 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (DMIM[BF4]), which differ only in terms of the alkyl chain length of cations, have been used for the present study. Fixed Elastic Window Scan (FEWS) shows that the incorporation of ILs affects the phase behaviour of the phospholipid membrane significantly and the transition from a solid gel to a fluid phase shifts to lower temperature. This is found to be consistent with our differential scanning calorimetry measurements. DMIM[BF4], which has a longer alkyl chain cation, affects the phase behaviour more strongly in comparison to BMIM[BF4]. The pressure-area isotherms of the DMPC monolayer measured at the air-water interface show that in the presence of ILs, isotherms shift towards higher area-per lipid molecule. DMIM[BF4] is found to shift the isotherm to a greater extent compared to BMIM[BF4]. Quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) data show that both ILs act as a plasticizer, which enhances the fluidity of the membrane. DMIM[BF4] is found to be a stronger plasticizing agent in comparison to BMIM[BF4] that has a cation with a shorter alkyl chain. The incorporation of DMIM[BF4] enhances not only the long range lateral motion but also the localised internal motion of the lipids. On the other hand, BMIM[BF4] acts weakly in comparison to DMIM[BF4] and mainly alters the localised internal motion of the lipids. Any subtle change in the dynamical properties of the membrane can profoundly affect the stability of the cell. Hence, the dominant effect of the IL with the longer chain length on the dynamics of the phospholipid membrane might be correlated with its cytotoxic activity. QENS data analysis has provided a quantitative description of the effects of the two imidazolium-based ILs on the dynamical and phase behaviour of the model cell membrane, which is essential for a detailed understanding of their action mechanism.

Buffalo heifers selected for lower residual feed intake have lower feed intake, better dietary nitrogen utilisation and reduced enteric methane production

This study was conducted to evaluate the utilisation of the residual feed intake (RFI) as a feed efficiency selection tool and its relationship with methane emissions. Eighteen Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) heifers were fed ad libitum with total mixed ration (TMR) for 120 days. Based on linear regression models involving dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) and mid-test metabolic body size (MBW^0.75 ), heifers were assigned into low and high RFI groups. The RFI varied from -0.09 to +0.12 kg DM/day with average RFI of -0.05 and 0.05 kg DM/day in low and high RFI heifers respectively. Low RFI heifers ate 11.6% less DM each day, yet average daily gain (ADG) and feed utilisation were comparable among low and high RFI groups. Low RFI heifers required significantly (p < .05) less metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm) compared to high RFI heifers. Apparent nutrient digestibility showed non-significant difference (p > .05) among low and high RFI groups. Although the nitrogen balance was similar among heifers of low and high RFI groups, nitrogen metabolism was significantly higher (p > .05) in high RFI heifers. Comparison of data from heifers exhibiting the low (n = 9) and high (n = 9) RFI showed that the low RFI heifers have lower enteric methane production and methane losses than high RFI heifers. In conclusion, results of this study revealed that selection of more efficient buffalo heifers has multiple benefits, such as decreased feed intake and less emission of methane.

Association and expression of the antigen-processing gene PSMB8, coding for low-molecular-mass protease 7, with vitiligo in North India: case-control study

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a multifactorial, autoimmune, depigmenting disorder of the skin where aberrant presentation of autoantigens may have a role.

OBJECTIVES

To study the association of two antigen-processing genes, PSMB8 and PSMB9, with vitiligo.

METHODS

In total 1320 cases of vitiligo (1050 generalized and 270 localized) and 752 healthy controls were studied for the PSMB9 exon 3 G/A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), PSMB8 exon 2 C/A SNP and PSMB8 intron 6 G/T SNP at site 37 360 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Real-time PCR was used for transcriptional expression of PSMB8 and cytokines. Expression of ubiquitinated proteins and phosphorylated-p38 (P-p38) was studied by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Significant increases in PSMB8 exon 2 allele A (P < 2.07 × 10^-6 , odds ratio 1·93) and genotypes AA (P < 1.03 × 10^-6 , odds ratio 2·51) and AC (P < 1.29 × 10^-6 , odds ratio 1·63) were observed in patients with vitiligo. Interferon-γ stimulation induced lower expression of PSMB8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of cases compared with controls, suggesting impaired antigen processing, which was confirmed by accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in both lesional and nonlesional skin of patients with vitiligo. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines - interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and IL-8 - was higher in the lesional skin. P-p38 expression was variable but correlated with the amount of ubiquitinated proteins in the lesional and nonlesional skin, suggesting that the inflammatory cytokine responses in lesional skin could be a result of both P-p38-dependent and -independent pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The PSMB8 exon 2 SNP is significantly associated with vitiligo. Accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins in skin of cases of vitiligo suggests their aberrant processing, which may promote the development of the disease.

Nanoscopic dynamics of bicontinous microemulsions: effect of membrane associated protein

Bicontinous microemulsions (BμE) generally consist of nanodomains formed by surfactant in a mixture of water and oil at nearly equal proportions and are potential candidates for the solubilization and purification of membrane proteins. Here we present the first time report of nanoscopic dynamics of surfactant monolayers within BμEs formed by the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) measured on the nanosecond to picosecond time scale using quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS). BμEs investigated herein consisted of middle phases isolated from Winsor-III microemulsion systems that were formed by mixing aqueous and oil solutions under optimal conditions. QENS data indicates that surfactants undergo two distinct motions, namely (i) lateral motion along the surface of the oil nanodomains and (ii) localized internal motion. Lateral motion can be described using a continuous diffusion model, from which the lateral diffusion coefficient is obtained. Internal motion of surfactant is described using a model which assumes that a fraction of the surfactants' hydrogens undergoes localized translational diffusion that could be considered confined within a spherical volume. The effect of cytochrome c, an archetypal membrane-associated protein known to strongly partition near the surfactant head groups in BμEs (a trend supported by small-angle X-ray scattering [SAXS] analysis), on the dynamics of BμE has also been investigated. QENS results demonstrated that cytochrome c significantly hindered both the lateral and the internal motions of surfactant. The lateral motion was more strongly affected: a reduction of the lateral diffusion coefficient by 33% was measured. This change is mainly attributable to the strong association of cytochrome c with oppositely charged SDS. In contrast, analysis of SAXS data suggested that thermal fluctuations (for a longer length and slower time scale compared to QENS) were increased upon incorporation of cytochrome c. This study demonstrates the utility of QENS for evaluating dynamics of BμEs in nanoscopic region, and that proteins directly affect the microscopic dynamics, which is of relevance for evaluating release kinetics of encapsulated drugs from BμE delivery systems and the use of BμEs as biomembrane mimetic systems for investigating membrane protein-biomembrane interactions.

Effects of Hydrotropic Salt on the Nanoscopic Dynamics of DTAB Micelles

Effects of a hydrotropic salt, sodium salicylate (NaSal), on the dynamic behavior of cationic dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) micelles as studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) techniques are reported here. DLS study showed that the addition of NaSal leads to a decrease in the apparent diffusion coefficient of the whole micelle indicating micellar growth. QENS data analysis suggested that observed dynamics involves two distinct motions, lateral motion of the surfactant over the curved micellar surface and localized segmental motion of the surfactant. It is found that the addition of NaSal slows down the lateral motion of DTAB while the localized segmental motion of the DTAB chain is not affected much. An atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed to gain further insight into the underlying phenomena. MD simulation results are found to be consistent with the experimental observations. MD simulation revealed that location of the salicylate ions on the micellar surface and their strong electrostatic association with their oppositely charged surfactant headgroup are the major factors in slowing down the lateral motion of the DTAB molecule. In the present work, a quantitative description of the effects of NaSal on the nanoscopic dynamics of DTAB micelles and its correlation with the microstructure of the micelle is provided.

Does treadmill running performance, heart rate and breathing rate response during maximal graded exercise improve after volitional respiratory muscle training?

AIM

Maximal physical exertion in sports usually causes fatigue in the exercising muscles, but not in the respiratory muscles due to triggering of the Respiratory muscle metabo-reflex, a sympathetic vasoconstrictor response leading to preferential increment in blood flow to respiratory muscles.1 We planned to investigate whether a six week yogic pranayama based Volitional Respiratory Muscle Training (VRMT) can improve maximal Graded Exercise Treadmill Test (GXTT) performance in healthy adult recreational sportspersons.

METHODS

Consecutive, consenting healthy adult recreational sportspersons aged 20.56±2.49 years (n=30), volunteered to 'baseline recording' of resting heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), and Bruce ramp protocol maximal GXTT until volitional exhaustion providing total test time (TTT), derived VO2max, Metabolic Equivalent of Task (METs), HR and BP response during maximal GXTT and drop in recovery HR data. After six weeks of observation, they underwent 'pre-intervention recording' followed by supervised VRMT intervention for 6 weeks (30 minutes a day; 5 days a week) and then 'post-intervention recording'. Repeated measures ANOVA with pairwise t statistical comparison was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

After supervised VRMT, we observed significant decrease in their resting supine RR (p<0.001), resting supine HR (p=0.001), HR after 5 minutes of assuming standing posture (p=0.003); significant increase in TTT (p<0.001), derived VO2max (p<0.001), METs (p<0.001) and drop in recovery HR (p=0.038); altered HR response and BP response during exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

We hypothesize that these changes are probably due to VRMT induced learnt behaviour to control the breathing pattern that improves breathing economy, improvement in respiratory muscle aerobic capacity, attenuation of respiratory muscle metabo-reflex, increase in cardiac stroke volume and autonomic resetting towards parasympatho-dominance. Yogic Pranayama based VRMT can be used in sports conditioning programme of athletes to further improve their maximal exercise performance, and as part of rehabilitation training during return from injury.

Development of a clinical diagnostic matrix for characterizing inherited epidermolysis bullosa

BACKGROUND

Accurately diagnosing the subtype of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is critical for management and genetic counselling. Modern laboratory techniques are largely inaccessible in developing countries, where the diagnosis remains clinical and often inaccurate.

OBJECTIVES

To develop a simple clinical diagnostic tool to aid in the diagnosis and subtyping of EB.

METHODS

We developed a matrix indicating presence or absence of a set of distinctive clinical features (as rows) for the nine most prevalent EB subtypes (as columns). To test an individual patient, presence or absence of these features was compared with the findings expected in each of the nine subtypes to see which corresponded best. If two or more diagnoses scored equally, the diagnosis with the greatest number of specific features was selected. The matrix was tested using findings from 74 genetically characterized patients with EB aged > 6 months by an investigator blinded to molecular diagnosis. For concordance, matrix diagnoses were compared with molecular diagnoses.

RESULTS

Overall, concordance between the matrix and molecular diagnoses for the four major types of EB was 91·9%, with a kappa coefficient of 0·88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·81-0·95; P < 0·001]. The matrix achieved a 75·7% agreement in classifying EB into its nine subtypes, with a kappa coefficient of 0·73 (95% CI 0·69-0·77; P < 0·001).

CONCLUSIONS

The matrix appears to be simple, valid and useful in predicting the type and subtype of EB. An electronic version will facilitate further testing.

Flow investigation in an industrial-scale soaker using radiotracer technique

Flow dynamics of heavy petroleum residue in an industrial-scale soaker operating in a petroleum refinery was investigated. Residence time distributions (RTDs) of the residue were measured using radiotracer technique. Bromine-82 as dibromobiphenyl was used as radiotracer for tracing the petroleum residue. The measured RTDs were treated and mean residence times (MRTs) were determined. The measured RTD data was simulated using a combined model i.e. axial dispersion model in parallel with tanks-in-series with stagnant volume and exchange. The results of the model simulation fitted very well to the experimentally measured data and identified bypassing or existence two parallel flow paths within the soaker.

Regulatory T cell frequency, but not plasma IL-33 levels, represents potential immunological biomarker to predict clinical response to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy

Background

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a polyspecific pooled immunoglobulin G preparation and one of the commonly used therapeutics for autoimmune diseases including those of neurological origin. A recent report in murine model proposed that IVIG expands regulatory T (T_reg) cells via induction of interleukin 33 (IL-33). However, translational insight on these observations is lacking.

Methods

Ten newly diagnosed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patients were treated with IVIG at the rate of 0.4 g/kg for three to five consecutive days. Clinical evaluation for muscular weakness was performed by Medical Research Council (MRC) and modified Rankin scoring (MRS) system. Heparinized blood samples were collected before and 1, 2, and 4–5 weeks post-IVIG therapy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained for surface CD4 and intracellular Foxp3, IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and were analyzed by flow cytometry. IL-33 and prostaglandin E2 in the plasma were measured by ELISA.

Results

The fold changes in plasma IL-33 at week 1 showed no correlation with the MRC and MRS scores at weeks 1, 2, and ≥4 post-IVIG therapy. Clinical recovery following IVIG therapy appears to be associated with T_reg cell response. Contrary to murine study, there was no association between the fold changes in IL-33 at week 1 and T_reg cell frequency at weeks 1, 2, and ≥4 post-IVIG therapy. T_reg cell-mediated clinical response to IVIG therapy in GBS patients was associated with reciprocal regulation of effector T cells-expressing TNF-α.

Conclusion

T_reg cell expansion by IVIG in patients with autoimmune diseases lack correlation with IL-33. T_reg cell frequency, but not plasma IL-33 levels, represents potential immunological biomarker to predict clinical response to IVIG therapy.

Disruption of rcsB by a duplicated sequence in a curli-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 results in differential gene expression in relation to biofilm formation, stress responses and metabolism

Background

Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) strain 86–24, linked to a 1986 disease outbreak, displays curli- and biofilm-negative phenotypes that are correlated with the lack of Congo red (CR) binding and formation of white colonies (CR⁻) on a CR-containing medium. However, on a CR medium this strain produces red isolates (CR⁺) capable of producing curli fimbriae and biofilms.

Results

To identify genes controlling differential expression of curli fimbriae and biofilm formation, the RNA-Seq profile of a CR⁺ isolate was compared to the CR⁻ parental isolate. Of the 242 genes expressed differentially in the CR⁺ isolate, 201 genes encoded proteins of known functions while the remaining 41 encoded hypothetical proteins. Among the genes with known functions, 149 were down- and 52 were up-regulated. Some of the upregulated genes were linked to biofilm formation through biosynthesis of curli fimbriae and flagella. The genes encoding transcriptional regulators, such as CsgD, QseB, YkgK, YdeH, Bdm, CspD, BssR and FlhDC, which modulate biofilm formation, were significantly altered in their expression. Several genes of the envelope stress (cpxP), heat shock (rpoH, htpX, degP), oxidative stress (ahpC, katE), nutrient limitation stress (phoB-phoR and pst) response pathways, and amino acid metabolism were downregulated in the CR⁺ isolate. Many genes mediating acid resistance and colanic acid biosynthesis, which influence biofilm formation directly or indirectly, were also down-regulated. Comparative genomics of CR⁺ and CR⁻ isolates revealed the presence of a short duplicated sequence in the rcsB gene of the CR⁺ isolate. The alignment of the amino acid sequences of RcsB of the two isolates showed truncation of RcsB in the CR⁺ isolate at the insertion site of the duplicated sequence. Complementation of CR⁺ isolate with rcsB of the CR⁻ parent restored parental phenotypes to the CR⁺ isolate.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that RcsB is a global regulator affecting bacterial survival in growth-restrictive environments through upregulation of genes promoting biofilm formation while downregulating certain metabolic functions. Understanding whether rcsB inactivation enhances persistence and survival of O157 in carrier animals and the environment would be important in developing strategies for controlling this bacterial pathogen in these niches.