Influence of capacity on the retention characteristics in Zwitter Ion Chromatography (ZIC) and ZICHydrophilic Interaction Chromatography (HILIC) onfour different sulfobetaine stationary phases

A number of covalently bonded zwitterionic stationary phases with inner quaternary amines and outer sulfonic acids in varying capacities was synthesized based on poly (styrene-DVB) particles by graft polymerization. The different spacer lengths and capacities are used as an investigative tool, for the retention behavior of the inorganic anions in ZIC and ZIC-HILIC modes. The separation mechanism is explored by varying eluent ionic strength, eluent pH and the volume fraction of organic modifier. Remarkably, the increasing capacity exhibits different characteristics of anions retention for all exchangers in two modes. Hence, this leads to increased, decreased or no significant change in the retention times of inorganic anions. Moreover, no change in the separation mechanism and selectivity of anions occurred when investigating the influence of eluent concentration, pH of eluent and acetonitrile content for various capacities of zwitterionic columns. It should be noted that high values of the capacity of the SB2-exchanger exhibit a different separation mechanism for inorganic anions in comparison to a previous study made for the ZIC-mode. Furthermore, a new correlation between spacer length and the capacity and their impact on the retention time of anions in ZIC and ZIC-HILIC modes were found. The results of variations of acetonitrile content, buffer concentration and mobile phase pH show that pharmaceuticals can be separated based on hydrophilic, hydrophobic and anion/cation-exchange interactions between the stationary phase and analyte. For a differentiation between the separation mechanism for the first time a set of cation and anion exchangers based on the same core material has been used as investigative tool. In addition, we have proven the suitability of ZIC-HILIC stationary phases for the determination of the chromatographic hydrophobicity parameter. The pharmaceutical deferoxamine mesylate (DFOM) is a chelating agent which forms complexes with multiple charged metal ions of biological importance (Fe3+, Al3+) and other metals. We could demonstrate that the sulfobetaine exchangers are able to separate the Fe(III)- DFOM and Al(III)-DFOM complexes by IC-ICP-AES. The results of the eluent ionic strength and pH variations show that metal-DFOM complexes were separated based on a cation exchange mechanism. Excess adsorption isotherms of water from acetonitrile were measured for ten zwitterionic stationary phases (eight sulfobetaine exchangers have been prepared and two commercially available stationary phases) using the minor disturbance method. The retention factors of the eight pharmaceutical compounds (Deferoxamine mesylate, Thiamine.HCl, Diclofenac sodium, Cyclopentolate.HCl, Dexamethasone sodium phosphate, Tetracaine.HCl, Pilocarpine .HCl and Chloramphenicol) can be correlated with the maximum excess of water adsorption

Diagnostic Accuracy of Sonographic Septations in Tuberculous and Malignant Pleural Effusions

Background: Discrimination between tuberculous (TB) and malignant pleural effusions is a real practical challenge because both exist as exudative lymphocytic type. Transthoracic ultrasonography not only identifies and quantifies pleural effusion but also displays sonographic septations, which are frequently seen in TB pleural effusions and can help in differentiation between tuberculosis and malignancy successfully, without any invasive procedure. We designed this study to determine the diagnostic usefulness of these septations for tuberculous and malignant pleural effusions. Material and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the OPD of Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore, Pakistan, a 1500 bedded tertiary care hospital, from November 2016 to February 2018. Total of 339 consecutive cases, aged 14-83 years with radiological evidence of pleural effusion were included in the study. After detailed history, thorough physical examination, radiological, haematological and biochemical findings were recorded. Pleural fluid macroscopic, cytological, microbiologic and biochemical analysis results were also recorded. Ultrasonography was done, septated and non-septated pleural effusions identified and findings were noted. SPSS-16 was used for statistical evaluation. Fisher Exact test was utilized for comparison between TB and malignant cases with P-value < 0.05 taken as significant. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), diagnostic accuracy and positive likelihood ratio were calculated. Results: Out of total 339 cases, 49 (14.45%) were malignant and 290 (85.55%) were non-malignant. In the malignant group, only 03 cases (6.12%) showed sonographic septations. In the non-malignant group, 259/290 (89.31%) cases showed tuberculous etiology and 187/259 (72.20%) of these cases displayed sonographic septations. By considering septations as predictor of TB, statistical analysis revealed a sensitivity of 79.23%, specificity of 92.85%, PPV of 98.42%, NPV of 44.31% and diagnostic accuracy of 81.29%, respectively. Conclusions: Sonographic septations can be a valuable predictor of tuberculosis, in a population with high prevalence of the disease. We found it to be a useful feature in differentiating between a malignant and tuberculous etiology, in exudative lymphocytic pleural effusions. It can be used with confidence in patients who are unfit for interventional procedures

Diagnostic value of HRCT-Thorax for pandemic COVID-19 pneumonia in Pakistan

Background: In the scenario of, inadequate testing, the low sensitivity of the COVID-19-PCR test, limited availability of testing kits, and low detection rate, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of high-resolution computed tomography of chest (HRCT) for diagnosing pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia. Objective: To determine the diagnostic efficacy of HRCT thorax in Covid-19 pandemic pneumonia. Materials and Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Pulmonology–OPD of Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore-Pakistan from 01-04-2020 to 15-07-2020.   121 patients with dry cough, fever, and dyspnea of sudden onset were included while patients with Bronchial Asthma, ILD, Tuberculosis, Bronchiectasis, COPD, and overt heart failure were excluded. Patients were investigated with chest x-ray, HRCT, COVID-PCR, and hematological tests. HRCT films were evaluated by a qualified and experienced radiologist. Findings were summarized, organized and statistical analysis was done by using SPSS-26 software to make an inference. Results: Five patients were diagnosed as non-covid. Out of 116-diagnosed covid-19 patients, 38(32.75%) showed sub-pleural consolidation, 19(16.37%) consolidation with air-bronchogram, 29(25.0%) crazy paving sign, one pleural effusion (0.86%) and 18 cases (15.51%) displayed reticulations. 11cases(9.48%) had isolated ground glass appearances, while all categories showed it to variable extent. 65 patients (56.03%) were PCR-positive while  51(43.96) patients with positive-HRCT findings for COVID-19 pneumonia had negative nasopharyngeal-PCR. HRCT-Thorax revealed sensitivity: 97.41 %, specificity: 80%, PPV: 99.12%, NPV: 57.14%, and diagnostic accuracy of 96.69% for COVID-19 pneumonia. Conclusion: HRCT-Thorax, having high sensitivity and adequate specificity, can provide foundations for evidence-based early diagnosis and quantification of coronavirus pneumonia.  It can be tremendously useful for decision making in   PCR-negative patients and anticipating respiratory improvement or decline by serial scans

In vitro evaluation of mutagenicity and genotoxicity of sitagliptin alone and in combination with artificial sweeteners

Purpose: To determine the in vitro genotoxicity and mutagenicity of sitagliptin alone and in combination with three commonly used artificial sweeteners (saccharin, aspartame and acesulfame-k).Methods: The in vitro genotoxicity and mutagenicity of Sitagliptin alone and in combination with three popular artificial sweeteners (saccharin, aspartame and acesulfame-k) were evaluated by Comet and Ames assays, respectively.Results: Sitagliptin demonstrated mutagenic potential only to TA 98 with S9 mix at a concentration of 3040 μg/plate. The mutagenicity of sitagliptin was enhanced when tested in combination with the artificial sweeteners. Furthermore, sitagliptin also caused pronounced DNA fragmentation at higher doses compared with negative control.Conclusion: At higher doses, sitagliptin showed both mutagenicity and genotoxicity. Thus, long-term use of artificial sweeteners with sitagliptin may lead to increase in both mutagenicity and genotoxicity.Keywords: Sitagliptin, Artificial sweeteners, Comet assay, DNA damage, Ames assay, Genotoxicity, Mutagenicit

Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells: a concise review of their secretome and prospective clinical applications

Accumulating evidence indicates that most primary Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) therapeutic potential is due to their paracrine activity, i.e., their ability to modulate their microenvironment by releasing bioactive molecules and factors collectively known as secretome. These bioactive molecules and factors can either be released directly into the surrounding microenvironment or can be embedded within the membrane-bound extracellular bioactive nano-sized (usually 30–150 nm) messenger particles or vesicles of endosomal origin with specific route of biogenesis, known as exosomes or carried by relatively larger particles (100 nm–1 μm) formed by outward blebbing of plasma membrane called microvesicles (MVs); exosomes and MVs are collectively known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). The bioactive molecules and factors found in secretome are of various types, including cytokines, chemokines, cytoskeletal proteins, integrins, growth factors, angiogenic mediators, hormones, metabolites, and regulatory nucleic acid molecules. As expected, the secretome performs different biological functions, such as immunomodulation, tissue replenishment, cellular homeostasis, besides possessing anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. This review highlights the current advances in research on the WJ-MSCs’ secretome and its prospective clinical applications

Experimental investigation on continuous reinforced SCC deep beams and Comparisons with Code provisions and models

YesThe test results on eight two-span deep beams made of self-compacting concrete (SCC) are presented and discussed in this paper. The main parameters investigated were the shear span-to-depth ratio, and the amount and configuration of steel reinforcement. All beams failed due to a major diagonal crack formed between the applied mid-span load and the intermediate support separating the beam into two blocks: the first one rotated around the end support leaving the other block resting on the other two supports. Both concrete compressive strength and web reinforcement had a major effect in controlling the shear capacity of the beams tested. For the shear span-to-depth ratio considered, the vertical web reinforcement had more influence on the shear capacity of the specimens than the horizontal web reinforcement. The shear provisions of the ACI 318M-11 are unconservative for most of the beams tested. Comparisons of test results with the strut-and-tie model (STM) suggested by ACI 318M-11, EC2 and CSA23.4-04 showed that the predictions are reasonable for continuous deep beams made with low and medium compressive strength. Although the equation suggested by ACI 318M-11 is very simple, its prediction is more accurate than the STM suggested by different design codes.This research investigation was funded by the Higher Education Ministry in The Libyan Government

Correlation of Immunoglobulin G With Severity Of Psoriasis

Objectives:  To find the correlation of immunoglobulin G with severity of psoriasis. Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore/Niazi Teaching Hospital Sargodha. Study duration was six months from January 2020 to June 2020. One hundred patients of psoriasis (confirmed by Dermatologist) were included in the study. Questionnaire based on age, gender, duration of illness, type and severity of problem etc and biochemical test including immunoglobulin G were filled by consented patients. The study comprised into patients and controls groups. Fifty age matched Subjects with no history of skin disease were taken as controls. For immunological assessment, IgG was measured by the technique of ELISA. Results: Mean age of developing of disease was in the range of 36 to 43 years. A few patients have family history with a problem of asthma. High severity of index (59 to 61) in both genders with duration of disease was 4 to 6 years. A direct correlation between level of IgG and disease severity was observed. Conclusion: Increased level of immunoglobulin G and its direct correlation with severity of psoriasis may suggest an activation of 2nd immune defense that try to reduce the severity of disease