Misuse of Cardiac Lipid upon Exposure to Toxic Trace Elements—A Focused Review

Funding Information: Ricardo Lagoa acknowledges research support by the Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit-UCIBIO which is financed by national funds from FCT–Foundation for Science and Technology (UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.Heavy metals and metalloids like cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead are frequently found in the soil, water, food, and atmosphere; trace amounts can cause serious health issues to the human organism. These toxic trace elements (TTE) affect almost all the organs, mainly the heart, kidney, liver, lungs, and the nervous system, through increased free radical formation, DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and protein sulfhydryl depletion. This work aims to advance our understanding of the mechanisms behind lipid accumulation via increased free fatty acid levels in circulation due to TTEs. The increased lipid level in the myocardium worsens the heart function. This dysregulation of the lipid metabolism leads to damage in the structure of the myocardium, inclusive fibrosis in cardiac tissue, myocyte apoptosis, and decreased contractility due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, it is discussed herein how exposure to cadmium decreases the heart rate, contractile tension, the conductivity of the atrioventricular node, and coronary flow rate. Arsenic may induce atherosclerosis by increasing platelet aggregation and reducing fibrinolysis, as exposure interferes with apolipoprotein (Apo) levels, resulting in the rise of the Apo-B/Apo-A1 ratio and an elevated risk of acute cardiovascular events. Concerning mercury and lead, these toxicants can cause hypertension, myocardial infarction, and carotid atherosclerosis, in association with the generation of free radicals and oxidative stress. This review offers a complete overview of the critical factors and biomarkers of lipid and TTE-induced cardiotoxicity useful for developing future protective interventions.publishersversionpublishe

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Sequential Statistical Optimization of Media Components for the Production of Glucoamylase by Thermophilic Fungus Humicola grisea MTCC 352

Glucoamylase is an industrially important enzyme which converts soluble starch into glucose. The media components for the production of glucoamylase from thermophilic fungus Humicola grisea MTCC 352 have been optimized. Eight media components, namely, soluble starch, yeast extract, KH2PO4, K2HPO4, NaCl, CaCl2, MgSO4·7H2O, and Vogel’s trace elements solution, were first screened for their effect on the production of glucoamylase and only four components (soluble starch, yeast extract, K2HPO4, and MgSO4·7H2O) were identified as statistically significant using Plackett-Burman design. It was fitted into a first-order model (R2=0.9859). Steepest ascent method was performed to identify the location of optimum. Central composite design was employed to determine the optimum values (soluble starch: 28.41 g/L, yeast extract: 9.61 g/L, K2HPO4: 2.42 g/L, and MgSO4·7H2O: 1.91 g/L). The experimental activity of 12.27 U/mL obtained was close to the predicted activity of 12.15. High R2 value (0.9397), low PRESS value (9.47), and AARD values (2.07%) indicate the accuracy of the proposed model. The glucoamylase production was found to increase from 4.57 U/mL to 12.27 U/mL, a 2.68-fold enhancement, as compared to the unoptimized medium

Green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Calliandra haematocephala leaf extract, their antibacterial activity and hydrogen peroxide sensing capability

In recent times, plant-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles has garnered wide interest owing to its inherent features such as rapidity, simplicity, eco-friendliness and cheaper costs. For the first time, silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using Calliandra haematocephala leaf extract in the current investigation. The as-formed silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometer and the characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak was identified to be 414 nm. The morphology of the silver nanoparticles was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to detect the presence of elemental silver. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to ascertain the crystalline nature and purity of the silver nanoparticles which implied the presence of (111) and (220) lattice planes of the face centered cubic (fcc) structure of metallic silver. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to key out the specific functional groups responsible for the reduction of silver nitrate to form silver nanoparticles and the capping agents present in the leaf extract. The stability of the silver nanoparticles was analyzed by zeta potential measurements. A negative zeta potential value of −17.2 mV proved the stability of the silver nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli – pathogenic bacteria – and the capacity to detect hydrogen peroxide by the silver nanoparticles were demonstrated which would find applications in the development of new antibacterial drugs and new biosensors to detect the presence of hydrogen peroxide in various samples respectively

Comparison of paravertebral and interpleural block in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy

Background: Paravertebral and inter pleural blocks (IPB) reduce post-operative pain and decrease the effect of post-operative pain on lung functions after breast surgery. This study was designed to determine their effect on lung functions and post-operative pain in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 and 2 patients scheduled to undergo breast surgery were randomly allocated to receive IPB (Group IPB, n = 60) or paravertebral block (PVB) (Group PVB, n = 60) with 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine pre-operatively. A standard protocol was used to provide general anesthesia. Lung function tests, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain at rest and movement, analgesic consumption were recorded everyday post-operatively until discharge. Results: Lung functions decreased on 1 st post-operative day and returned to baseline value by 4 th post-operative day in both groups. VAS was similar in both groups. There was no significant difference in the consumption of opioids and diclofenac in both groups. Complete block was achieved in 48 patients (80%) in paravertebral group and 42 patients (70%) in inter pleural group. Conclusion: To conclude, lung functions are well-preserved in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia supplemented with paravertebral or IPB. IPB is as effective as PVB for post-operative pain relief. PVB has the added advantage of achieving a more complete block

Evaluation of MWCNT Particles-Reinforced Magnesium Composite for Mechanical and Catalytic Applications

Aluminum, magnesium, and copper materials must have increased mechanical strength with enhanced wear and corrosion resistance. Substantial research focused on reinforcing hard particles into low-strength materials using stir casting or powder metallurgy. This work is intended to develop the magnesium hybrid matrix with the dispersion of boron carbide (B4C) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Hybrid magnesium composites are prepared, although the powder metallurgy route considers different process parameters. Statistical analysis such as Taguchi L16 orthogonal array is involved in this work. It is used to find the magnesium hybrid samples’ minimum and maximum wear, corrosion, and microhardness levels. Powder metallurgy parameters are B4C (3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%), MWCNT (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%), ball milling (1, 2, 3, and 4 h), and sintering (3, 4, 5, and 6 h). The ball milling parameters are extremely influenced in the wear test analysis. Minimum wear losses are obtained as 0.008 g by influencing the 4 h ball milling process. Similarly, 3 h of sintering time offered a minimum corrosion rate of 0.00078 mm/yr. In microhardness analysis, the percentage of MWCNTs is highly implicated in narrow hardness resulting in the hardness value of 181. The hardness value is recorded using 0.2% MWCNTs in the magnesium alloy AZ80

Bioinspiration synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles using eggshells as a calcium source: Evaluation of Congo red dye adsorption potential

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAp NPs) were synthesized with Muntingia calabura leaf extract as solvent and eggshell waste as a calcium source. The synthesized nanoparticles were irregular rod-like, as visualized by FESEM, while EDX and XPS studies confirmed the formation of hydroxyapatite. The synthesized HAp NPs were polycrystalline and highly thermostable as per XRD and TGA studies respectively. FTIR confirmed the stable coating of plant phytochemicals onto the HAp NPs. Congo red adsorption using HAp NPs nanoadsorbent was optimized by central composite design, wherein 89.96% of 33.18 mg/L dye was adsorbed in 137 min at 180 RPM. The adsorption process was in line with pseudo-second-order model and the Freundlich isotherm indicated chemical adsorption. The adsorption process was feasible, exothermic, and spontaneous as indicated by the thermodynamic studies. The adsorption capacity of HAp NPs stood at a maximum of 217 mg/g, indicating its superiority among other adsorbents reported earlier. It is evident from the convincing results that the HAp NPs synthesized in the present investigation may have a major role in developing novel adsorbents for dye removal out of wastewater streams