(E)-3-(3,4-Dimeth­oxy­phen­yl)-1-(2-hy­droxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one

In the title compound, C17H16O4, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the hy­droxy­phenyl and dimeth­oxy­phenyl rings is 5.9 (6)°. The mean plane of the prop-2-en-1-one group makes dihedral angles of 3.6 (0) and 2.6 (7)° with the hy­droxy­phenyl and dimeth­oxy­phenyl rings, respectively. An intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O contacts and π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6571 (8) Å]

Protective Effects of Walnut Extract Against Amyloid Beta Peptide-Induced Cell Death and Oxidative Stress in PC12 Cells

Amyloid beta-protein (Aβ) is the major component of senile plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid deposits in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Aβ is known to increase free radical production in neuronal cells, leading to oxidative stress and cell death. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on dietary antioxidants that are able to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby offering protection against oxidative stress. Walnuts are rich in components that have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The inhibition of in vitro fibrillization of synthetic Aβ, and solubilization of preformed fibrillar Aβ by walnut extract was previously reported. The present study was designed to investigate whether walnut extract can protect against Aβ-induced oxidative damage and cytotoxicity. The effect of walnut extract on Aβ-induced cellular damage, ROS generation and apoptosis in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells was studied. Walnut extract reduced Aβ-mediated cell death assessed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) reduction, and release of lactate dehydrogenase (membrane damage), DNA damage (apoptosis) and generation of ROS in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that walnut extract can counteract Aβ-induced oxidative stress and associated cell death

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Repositioning Academic Libraries as a Hub of technology enhanced learning space: Innovations and Challenges

As the third millennium dawns, technology has profoundly changed at such a rapid pace that what is trending once may not continue the next hour and one need to keep up to date on any changes that reflect on their respective profession or within the scope of their duties. Skills change as technology advances which is necessary for job pre- paredness, productivity, research and digital reformation. Library staff needs to be tech savvy in order to answer the broadened technology questions including computers, databases, and new media for rendering best user service. Rather than seeing technology as a threat, it must be adopted as a supporting system for information services, social networking, RSS, weblogs etc. The concept of libraries as physical space is rapidly changing to web based servers in the digital era. Library innovations evolved from the needs and motivations from the past, present and the digital future. The new generation is born into technology surrounded by an infinite number of digital devices keeping high expectations on technology driven library services. This study explores how to make the defining technology of this century more accessible, appealing, and inviting a variety of users and learners to meet the technological demands

Effect of ethanol, propanol and butanol on karanja biodiesel with vegetable oil fuelled in a single cylinder diesel engine

There is a significant need for alternative fuels as a result of increased fuel usage and resource depletion. Esters made from vegetable oils, waste cooking oil and bio alcohols are majorly used in IC engines as a substitute. Coconut oil (Co) and sunflower oil (Su), which have sufficient productivity in India, biodiesel synthesized from karanja oil. In this study, fossil diesel (D) was mixed with karanja biodiesel (B), neat coconut oil and sunflower oil along with ethanol (Et), propanol (Pr) and n-butanol (Bu) alcohols was used. Quinary fuel blends of DB, DBCoSuEt, DBCoSuPr and DBCoSuBu were prepared. The physio-chemical properties of blends were tested and performance and emission tests were carried out on a single cylinder four stroke diesel engine. The results indicate that DBCoSuPr fuel combination increases brake thermal efficiency by 9.2% and DBCoSuEt fuel decreases HC and CO emissions by 37.2% and 53.93% respectively

Effects of elephant's foot (Elephantopus scaber) extract on growth performance, immune response, and disease resistance of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

Medicinal plant has been applied as an alternative strategy for antibiotics and chemotherapeutics for controlling the outbreak of diseases in tilapia farming. In this study, five doses of Elephantopus scaber extract (ESE) were added to the basal diet at 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 g kg−1 feed of Nile tilapia fingerlings (13.92 ± 0.06 g initial weight) in triplicate. After 4- and 8- weeks post-feeding, fish were sampled to determine the effects of the ESE supplemented on fish's growth performance, humoral, and skin mucus immune response. After 8 weeks post-feeding, a challenge test against Streptococcus agalactiae was carried out using 10 fish from each tank. Fish fed ESE showed significantly increased serum lysozyme (SL), serum peroxidase (SP), alternative complement (ACH50), phagocytosis (PI), and respiratory burst (RB) compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The skin mucus lysozyme (SMLA) and skin peroxidase (SMPA) were stimulated in fish fed ESE diets. Dietary inclusion of ESE significantly (P < 0.05) promoted final body weight (FW), weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR); while a reduction in feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in fish fed 5 g kg−1 ESE, after 8 weeks post-feeding. The challenge study indicated that the relative percent survival (RSP) was 38.10%, 76.19%, 66.67%, and 47.62% in Diet 2, Diet 3, Diet 4, and Diet 5, respectively. Among the supplemented groups, dietary of 5 g kg−1 ESE showed significantly higher RPS and the highest resistance to S. agalactiae in comparison with other groups. In conclusion, supplementation of ESE (5 g kg−1) enhanced the humoral and mucosal immunity, promoted growth performance, and improved disease resistance of Nile tilapia against Streptococcus agalactiae