A comprehensive overview on nanofiber technology and their advancements in the field of pharmaceuticals

Nanotechnology is a growing technology that has been marked as the most vital scientific and commercial venture across the world with great benefits. Globally many researchers are involved in the development of newer types of nanomaterials through modifications of various fabrication techniques. Nanofibers have been an emerging trend in the field of nanomaterials due to its unique physicochemical characteristics. Properties such as high surface area and high porosity absorbance ratio with the interconnected fibrous networks makes nanofibers unique. The current review explores the present status and upcoming advancements in the field of nanofiber technology. The article is focused on the various preparation techniques and applications in medicine, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and pharmaceuticals. Despite the advancements, the limitations and future prospects in the area of nanofiber technology have been highlighted

Pengaruh Intensitas Membaca Berita Tentang Ganjar Pranowo di Surat Kabar Daerah dan Interaksi dengan Kelompok Rujukan terhadap Tingkat Kepercayaan Masyarakat Mengenai Kinerja Gubernur

Sejak 23 Agustus 2013, masyarakat Jawa Tengah resmi dipimpin oleh Ganjar Pranowo USAi beliau memenangi pemilihan gubernur. Namun, survei menunjukkan keraguan masyarakat terhadap kinerja gubernur setelah empat bulan masa kepemimpinannya berlangsung. Surat kabar daerah dipandang berkontribusi dalam menentukan tingkat kepercayaan masyarakat karena kerap mengekspos dinamika kepemimpinan Ganjar Pranowo. Tingkat kepercayaan masyarakat dapat pula terbentuk saat mereka berbincang tentang kinerja gubernur bersama keluarga dan teman.Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan tipe eskplanatori, yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh intensitas membaca berita tentang Ganjar Pranowo di surat kabar daerah dan interaksi dengan kelompok rujukan terhadap tingkat kepercayaan masyarakat mengenai kinerja gubernur. Teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Teori Efek Media Massa dan Teori Kelompok Rujukan. Jumlah populasi sebanyak 7311 orang merupakan penduduk berusia 17-60 tahun di Kelurahan Sumurboto, Semarang. Menggunakan teknik multistage random sampling, diambil sampel sebanyak 99 orang. Data primer dianalisis menggunakan uji validitas, uji reliabilitas, uji asumsi klasik, dan regresi linier sederhana dengan bantuan program SPSS.Perhitungan statistik menunjukkan persamaan regresi linier sederhana antara intensitas membaca berita tentang Ganjar Pranowo di surat kabar daerah terhadap tingkat kepercayaan masyarakat mengenai kinerja gubernur adalah Y= 39.517+0.419X1dengan nilai signifikansi 0.000 < 0.01. Sementara, persamaan regresi linier sederhana antara interaksi dengan kelompok rujukan terhadap tingkat kepercayaan masyarakat mengenai kinerja gubernur adalah Y=36.340+0.234X2 dengan nilai signifikansi 0.001 < 0.01. Berdasarkan kedua persamaan tersebut dapat diketahui bahwa terdapat pengaruh positif yang sangat signifikan secara parsial antar variabel-variabel X terhadap variabel Y, namun pengaruhnya sangat kecil.Surat kabar daerah hendaknya memegang teguh komitmen untuk melaksanakan praktik jurnalisme bertanggung jawab dengan menjaga obyektivitas berita. Humas Pemprov disarankan untuk aktif mempublikasikan informasi mengenai kinerja gubernur dalam merealisasikan program-program pro rakyat dan berbagai kebijakan yang dirumuskan. Hal ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pengetahuan dan meningkatkan kepercayaan masyarakat. Masyarakat seharusnya menjadi pembaca yang kritis

Differentiation and Transplantation of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cone Photoreceptors into a Mouse Model of End-Stage Retinal Degeneration

The loss of cone photoreceptors that mediate daylight vision represents a leading cause of blindness, for which cell replacement by transplantation offers a promising treatment strategy. Here, we characterize cone differentiation in retinas derived from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Similar to in vivo development, a temporal pattern of progenitor marker expression is followed by the differentiation of early thyroid hormone receptor β2-positive precursors and, subsequently, photoreceptors exhibiting cone-specific phototransduction-related proteins. We establish that stage-specific inhibition of the Notch pathway increases cone cell differentiation, while retinoic acid signaling regulates cone maturation, comparable with their actions in vivo. MESC-derived cones can be isolated in large numbers and transplanted into adult mouse eyes, showing capacity to survive and mature in the subretinal space of Aipl1−/− mice, a model of end-stage retinal degeneration. Together, this work identifies a robust, renewable cell source for cone replacement by purified cell suspension transplantation

Melatonin protects rats from radiotherapy-induced small intestine toxicity

Radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity is among the most prevalent dose-limiting toxicities following radiotherapy. Prevention of radiation enteropathy requires protection of the small intestine. However, despite the prevalence and burden of this pathology, there are currently no effective treatments for radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity, and this pathology remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the changes induced in the rat small intestine after external irradiation of the tongue, and to explore the potential radio-protective effects of melatonin gel. Male Wistar rats were subjected to irradiation of their tongues with an X-Ray YXLON Y.Tu 320-D03 irradiator, receiving a dose of 7.5 Gy/day for 5 days. For 21 days post-irradiation, rats were treated with 45 mg/day melatonin gel or vehicle, by local application into their mouths. Our results showed that mitochondrial oxidative stress, bioenergetic impairment, and subsequent NLRP3 inflammasome activation were involved in the development of radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity. Oral treatment with melatonin gel had a protective effect in the small intestine, which was associated with mitochondrial protection and, consequently, with a reduced inflammatory response, blunting the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling activation. Thus, rats treated with melatonin gel showed reduced intestinal apoptosis, relieving mucosal dysfunction and facilitating intestinal mucosa recovery. Our findings suggest that oral treatment with melatonin gel may be a potential preventive therapy for radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity in cancer patients.This study was partially supported by grant no. SAF2009-14037 from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (MINECO), GREIB.PT_2010_04 from the CEIBiotic Program of the University of Granada, Spain, and CTS-101 from the Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía, Spain

Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on short-term outcome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction during COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the international multicenter ISACS-STEMI registry

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is projected to become the third cause of mortality worldwide. COPD shares several pathophysiological mechanisms with cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis. However, no definite answers are available on the prognostic role of COPD in the setting of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), especially during COVID-19 pandemic, among patients undergoing primary angioplasty, that is therefore the aim of the current study. Methods: In the ISACS-STEMI COVID-19 registry we included retrospectively patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between March and June of 2019 and 2020 from 109 high-volume primary PCI centers in 4 continents. Results: A total of 15,686 patients were included in this analysis. Of them, 810 (5.2%) subjects had a COPD diagnosis. They were more often elderly and with a more pronounced cardiovascular risk profile. No preminent procedural dissimilarities were noticed except for a lower proportion of dual antiplatelet therapy at discharge among COPD patients (98.9% vs. 98.1%, P = 0.038). With regards to short-term fatal outcomes, both in-hospital and 30-days mortality occurred more frequently among COPD patients, similarly in pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 era. However, after adjustment for main baseline differences, COPD did not result as independent predictor for in-hospital death (adjusted OR [95% CI] = 0.913[0.658–1.266], P = 0.585) nor for 30-days mortality (adjusted OR [95% CI] = 0.850 [0.620–1.164], P = 0.310). No significant differences were detected in terms of SARS-CoV-2 positivity between the two groups. Conclusion: This is one of the largest studies investigating characteristics and outcome of COPD patients with STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty, especially during COVID pandemic. COPD was associated with significantly higher rates of in-hospital and 30-days mortality. However, this association disappeared after adjustment for baseline characteristics. Furthermore, COPD did not significantly affect SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Trial registration number: NCT 04412655 (2nd June 2020)

Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 admissions in a population with a high prevalence of HIV and tuberculosis: a multicentre cohort study

Background There is still a paucity of evidence on the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) and those co-infected with tuberculosis (TB), particularly in areas where these conditions are common. We describe the clinical features, laboratory findings and outcome of hospitalised PWH and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected COVID-19 patients as well as those co-infected with tuberculosis (TB). Methods We conducted a multicentre cohort study across three hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa. All adults requiring hospitalisation with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia from March to July 2020 were analysed. Results PWH comprised 270 (19%) of 1434 admissions. There were 47 patients with active tuberculosis (3.3%), of whom 29 (62%) were PWH. Three-hundred and seventy-three patients (26%) died. The mortality in PWH (n = 71, 26%) and HIV-uninfected patients (n = 296, 25%) was comparable. In patients with TB, PWH had a higher mortality than HIV-uninfected patients (n = 11, 38% vs n = 3, 20%; p = 0.001). In multivariable survival analysis a higher risk of death was associated with older age (Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) 1.03 95%CI 1.02–1.03, p < 0.001), male sex (AHR1.38 (95%CI 1.12–1.72, p = 0.003) and being “overweight or obese” (AHR 1.30 95%CI 1.03–1.61 p = 0.024). HIV (AHR 1.28 95%CI 0.95–1.72, p 0.11) and active TB (AHR 1.50 95%CI 0.84–2.67, p = 0.17) were not independently associated with increased risk of COVID-19 death. Risk factors for inpatient mortality in PWH included CD4 cell count < 200 cells/mm3, higher admission oxygen requirements, absolute white cell counts, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios, C-reactive protein, and creatinine levels. Conclusion In a population with high prevalence of HIV and TB, being overweight/obese was associated with increased risk of mortality in COVID-19 hospital admissions, emphasising the need for public health interventions in this patient population

Risk factors for Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) death in a population cohort study from the Western Cape province, South Africa

Risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death in sub-Saharan Africa and the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis on COVID-19 outcomes are unknown. We conducted a population cohort study using linked data from adults attending public-sector health facilities in the Western Cape, South Africa. We used Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, sex, location, and comorbidities, to examine the associations between HIV, tuberculosis, and COVID-19 death from 1 March to 9 June 2020 among (1) public-sector “active patients” (≥1 visit in the 3 years before March 2020); (2) laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 cases; and (3) hospitalized COVID-19 cases. We calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for COVID-19, comparing adults living with and without HIV using modeled population estimates.Among 3 460 932 patients (16% living with HIV), 22 308 were diagnosed with COVID-19, of whom 625 died. COVID19 death was associated with male sex, increasing age, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. HIV was associated with COVID-19 mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70–2.70), with similar risks across strata of viral loads and immunosuppression. Current and previous diagnoses of tuberculosis were associated with COVID-19 death (aHR, 2.70 [95% CI, 1.81–4.04] and 1.51 [95% CI, 1.18–1.93], respectively). The SMR for COVID-19 death associated with HIV was 2.39 (95% CI, 1.96–2.86); population attributable fraction 8.5% (95% CI, 6.1–11.1)

The Institution of Islamic Education in the Era of Harun Al-Rasyid

The rule of Harun Al-Rashid is known as the Islamic Golden Age. In this era, Islam experienced a vast development in economy, politics, social, and even education. The most prominent contribution Harun Al-Rashid made, which brought his name to become famous, was his deep interest and concern for Islamic knowledge and civilization to a degree that had never been accomplished before. In education, Harun Al-Rashid is known for the legendary library Bayt al-Hikmah, the biggest of its type in his era. Besides this phenomenal achievement, other institutions built and supported the educational field during Harun Al-Rashid's rule. These institutions were funded by the government; furthermore, the methods applied were quite interesting for the current modern life. Therefore, it can be concluded that Islamic education institution experienced a vast development during the ruling of Harun Al-Rashid compared to previous phases. The achievement was due to an experienced leader with a deep interest in religious matters. Keywords: Educational institution, Abbasiyah, Harun ar-Rasyi

Matrix elements of heavy-light mesons from a fine lattice

We present results for the first two moments of the distribution amplitudes of pseudoscalar mesons. Using two flavors of non-perturbatively improved clover fermions and non-perturbative renormalization of the matrix elements we perform both chiral and continuum extrapolations and compare with recent results from models and experiments