Cryptophane Derivatives as Gas Sensors and Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 Biosensors

ABSTRACT CRYPTOPHANE DERIVATIVES AS GAS SENSORS AND HYPERPOLARIZED XENON-129 BIOSENSORS Najat S. Khan Professor Ivan J. Dmochowski This thesis describes the progress in the development of cryptophanes for three different applications: encapsulation of noble gases, 129Xe NMR biosensing for cancer detection, and the construction of molecular devices. A new water-soluble organic host molecule, tris-(triazole ethylamine) cryptophane, was synthesized for noble gas detection. This host was found to bind xenon with the highest affinity to date (KA = 42,000 ± 2,000 M-1 at 293 K). The same host was employed in the development of a radiometric assay for measuring the association constant of radon binding to a discrete molecular species, KA = 49,000 ± 12,000 M-1 at 293 K. For cancer detection by hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI, a new folate-conjugated cryptophane biosensor was developed that targets folate receptors (FR) overexpressed in a majority of cancer cells. The biosensor was relatively non-toxic at low micromolar concentrations required for imaging and was shown to selectively target cancer cells overexpressing FR. Flow cytometry results indicated a 10-fold higher cellular internalization in KB cells (FR+) than in HT-1080 cells (FR-). Finally, a smaller cavity tribenzylamine hemicryptophane was synthesized where the molecular structure and motions of the cage closely resembled that of molecular gyroscopes. It also provided a vehicle for exploring the structure and properties of multiple p-phenylene rotators within one molecule. The compact size and molecular motions of this gyroscope-inspired tribenzylamine hemicryptophane make it an attractive starting point for controlling the direction and coupling of rotators within molecular systems

Exploring the Impact of Hostel Life of Students on Academic Performance: Sohar University – a case study

Purpose The objective of the study is to critically investigate the facilities and the communication services required in the hostel; to critically investigate the safety services prevailing in the hostel. Design/Methodology/approach For this study, 219 respondents were chosen on a simple random sampling basis among the students both girls and boys from Sohar University who were living in the hostel outside side the campus. Using a well-defined questionnaire, the data was collected data and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to derive at the conclusion. Findings The empirical study shows that the students are satisfied with the Room Facilities and the Safety Services provided in the hostel. However, they are not satisfied with the Communication Services. The study also reveals that there is an impact of Communication Services and Family Support on Study Convenience for the students living in a hostel. Practical Implications The hostel authorities/administration should pay more attention to the communication facilities provided in the hostel especially speedy internet connection could be made available through Wi-Fi so as to convene the students. Social Implications Hostel life is a principal component in the academic life of students who leave their home and live for the purpose of learning. The factors which create an impact of hostel life on academic performance need to be paid attention by the educational authorities so that the ultimate purpose of students joining the institutions viz. learning can be achieved. Originality/value No study has investigated before the impact of hostel life on academic performance, and this study will help the College / University Administration to plan and provide the necessary facilities for the students

ANTINOCICEPTIVE AND ANTI-PYRETIC ACTIVITY OF BENINCASA HISPIDA (THUNB.) COGN. IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

ABSTRACT The seeds of Benincasa hispida (Thunb) COGN. (Family: Cucurbitaceae) was extracted with ethanol and was used to study acute toxicity, antinociceptive and anti-pyretic effects. Brewer's yeast (15%) was used to induce pyrexia in rats. The extract was non lethal to the rats up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg b.w. At doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w, the extract significantly (P<0.05) increased the antinociceptive effective in a dose dependent manner in rats. Similarly, at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w the extract significantly (P<0.05) decreased yeastinduced pyrexia in rats. These results indicate that ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida possesses potent antinociceptive and antipyretic effects and thus pharmacologically justifying its folkloric use in the management of fever and pain conditions

Biomass Mediated Synthesis of ZnO and ZnO/GO for the Decolorization of Methylene Blue under Visible Light Source

: In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) as well as ZnO/GO (zinc oxide/graphene oxide) were successfully synthesized. The Carica papaya leaf extract was used to synthesize ZnO and oil palm empty fruit bunch biomass to obtain graphene, which was further used to obtain graphene oxide. The samples were characterized through a variety of analytical methods such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–Visible spectroscopy in order to understand their morphology, size, structural phase purity, functional groups and optical properties. Various peaks such as O-H, Zn-OH and Zn-O were found in the case of ZnO. Some additional peaks, such as C-C and C=C, were also been detected while analyzing the sample by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results of the XRD and SEM studies demonstrated that the synthesized material shows the crystalline nature of the substance in the case of ZnO, and the crystallinity decreases for ZnO/GO. The average crystallite size was found to 80.0 nm for ZnO and 74.0 nm for ZnO/GO. Further, a red shift was shown in the case of ZnO/GO, which was indicated by the UV–Vis absorption spectrum. In the TEM analysis, the particles were shown to be nanosized. For instance, the highest number of particles was found in the range of 100 to 120 nm in the case of ZnO, while 80–100 nm sized particles were found for ZnO/GO. Using synthesized ZnO and ZnO/GO, the decolorization of methylene blue was found to be 64% and 91%, respectively

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries