Controlling the Morphology of Aggregates of an Amphiphilic Synthetic Receptor through Host-Guest Interactions

A new amphiphilic receptor containing a macrocyclic anionic headgroup and a single alkyl chain was prepared through an efficient templated synthesis. The interdependence of the aggregation behavior and the host-guest chemistry was studied. In the absence of any guest the terminus of the alkyl chain of the receptor is included inside the hydrophobic cavity of the macrocycle (as evident from 1H NMR studies) leading to self-assembly into micrometer-long nanotubes (as evident from TEM studies). The alkyl chain can be displaced by an acridizinium bromide guest (as evident from 1H NMR and ITC), which leads to a dramatic change in aggregate size and morphology (as evident from DLS). Studies of the solubilization of Nile red suggest that the resulting aggregates are micelles with a cmc of around 35 µM. These results represent a new addition to the still small number of water-soluble amphiphilic receptors and one of the first examples in which specific host-guest chemistry controls the size and shape of nanoscale aggregates.

Diaqua­{2,6-bis­[N-(2-pyridinylmeth­yl)­carbamo­yl]­phenolato-κ2 O 1,O 2}zinc(II). Corrigendum

Corrigendum to Acta Cryst. (2008), E64, m884–m885

Predicting the Need for Continuation of N-acetylcysteine Treatment among Acute Paracetamol Overdose Patients with Psi Parameter

Objective: AcetaCalc was used to evaluate Psi’s accuracy in predicting cases that required prolonged NAC therapy, as well as Psi’s optimal cut-off. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with acute paracetamol overdose who were treated with NAC at Siriraj Hospital between 2007 and 2016. The Psi parameter was calculated using the Acetacalc after entering paracetamol concentrations, blood sampling times, and NAC onset times. Indications for NAC continuation is in accordance with the guidelines, which recommended that NAC treatment be continued if the follow-up aminotransferase reached 50 U/L or higher. Results: We enrolled 403 patients, the proportion of NAC prolongation was 50.4 %. Psi was shown to be a significant predictor of NAC prolongation (p < 0.001) with area under the receiver operational characteristics curve 0.766 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.719-0.813). The Psi cutoff with highest Youden index was 1.757 mM-hour. The sensitivities and specificities of the cutoff were 0.517 (95% CI 0.449-0.585) and 0.940 (95% CI 0.898-0.965), respectively. Conclusion: Psi parameter calculated through AcetaCalc is a useful tool for the prediction of cases where extension of NAC therapy beyond the standard regimen is indicated

Effects of Different Durations of 9-Square Dance Exercise Versus Treadmill Exercise on the Physical Fitness and Quality of Life of Healthy Volunteers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To evaluate the impact of 9-square dance exercise (9SDE) on physical fitness and quality of life compared to traditional treadmill exercise (TME). Materials and Methods: In total, 33 healthy volunteers (10 men, 23 women) were recruited and randomly assigned into three groups: 9 square dance exercise for 8 minutes (9SDE-8), 9 square dance exercise for 30 minutes (9SDE-30), or treadmill exercise (TME). Exercises were done three times a week for 12 weeks and physical fitness tests were performed for all the groups at weeks 0, 6, and 12. Participants were assessed using the European Quality of Life Measure 5 Domains and 5 Levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Results: Significant improvements in cardiorespiratory endurance, leg strength, and flexibility were demonstrated in the 9SDE-30 group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in physical fitness between the 9SDE-30 and TME groups. The 9SDE-8 group showed a significant improvement in utility in the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire (p<0.05), while the TME group showed a significant improvement in directly evaluated health status (p<0.05). 9SDE-30 and TME showed similar improvements in cardiorespiratory endurance and leg strength. Conclusion: Considering its low-resource requirement and overall utility, coupled with its effectiveness in promoting cardiovascular fitness and leg strength, 9SDE represents a viable exercise alternative for those with limited time and resources

The diagnosis and management of idiosyncratic drug‐induced liver injury

Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is an uncommon but important cause of liver disease that can arise after exposure to a multitude of drugs and herbal and dietary supplements. The severity of idiosyncratic DILI varies from mild serum aminotransferase elevations to the development of severe liver injury that can progress to acute liver failure resulting in death or liver transplantation within days of DILI onset. Chronic liver injury that persists for more than 6 months after DILI onset is also becoming increasingly recognized in up to 20% of DILI patients. Host demographic (age, gender, race), clinical and laboratory features at DILI onset have been associated with the severity and outcome of liver injury in DILI patients. In addition to cessation of the suspect drug, other medical interventions including the use of N‐acetylcysteine and corticosteroids in selected patients have shown some clinical benefit, but additional prospective studies are needed. A number of promising diagnostic, prognostic and mechanistic serum and genetic biomarkers may help improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of idiosyncratic DILI.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147192/1/liv13931.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147192/2/liv13931_am.pd