Graphite/Gold Nanoparticles Electrode for Direct Protein Attachment: Characterization and Gas Sensing Application

In this work, graphite/gold nanoparticles (G/AuNPs) were synthesized through a facile chemical method, and its potential application for direct protein attachment for electrochemical detection of carbon monoxide (CO) was investigated. The preparation of G/AuNPs electrodes was optimized by synthesizing the nanoparticles in different concentration of HAuCl4.3H2O at various temperatures. The G/AuNPs electrode was subsequently modified by four types of mercaptopropionic acid, including 1-mercaptopropionic, 3-mercaptopropionic, 6-mercaptopropionic, and 11-mercaptopropionic acid, to achieve the best structure for protein attachment. Visible absorption and electrochemical studies showed that 3-mercaptopropionic acid possesses the best performance regarding the electrical conductivity between electrode and protein redox center. The cyclic voltammetry results revealed that the modified electrode has an appropriate performance for CO detection at very low concentrations while keeping a linear response. The limit of detection for the modified electrode was calculated to be about 0.2 ppb. Finally, the interactions of cytochrome C and carbon monoxides were simulated using molecular dynamics (MD), and the effect of protein conformation changes on the electrochemical signal was thoroughly examined. The simulation results suggested that the proposed electrochemical sensor has an acceptable performance for the detection of CO due to less fluctuation of amino acids near the protein chain in the presence of CO molecules

A Randomized Trial of Sitagliptin and Spironolactone With Combination Therapy in Hospitalized Adults With COVID-19

COVID-19 may cause respiratory distress syndrome and death. Treatment of COVID-19 to prevent complications remains a priority. Objective Our investigation sought to determine whether combination of spironolactone and sitagliptin could reduce mortality for inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods This single-blind, 4-arm, prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted at Shiraz and Bushehr University of Medical Sciences hospitals between December 2020 and April 2021. We randomized hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia into 4 groups: control, combination therapy, sitagliptin add-on, or spironolactone add-on. The primary outcome was the clinical improvement of the patients in the hospital as measured on an 8-point numerical scale. The secondary outcomes included intubation, ICU admission, end organ damages, CT findings, and paraclinical information. Results A total of 263 admitted patients were randomly assigned to control group (87 patients), combination group (60 patients), sitagliptin group (66 patients), and spironolactone group (50 patients). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, except for higher age in control group. The intervention groups, especially combination therapy, had better clinical outcomes (clinical score on fifth day of admission: 3.11 ± 2.45 for controls, 1.33 ± 0.50 for combination, 1.68 ± 1.02 for sitagliptin, and 1.64 ± 0.81 for spironolactone; P = 0.004). However, the mortality rate was lower in patients who received spironolactone (21.84% control, 13.33% combination, 13.64% sitagliptin, 10.00% spironolactone; P = 0.275). Our intervention reduced lung infiltration but not the area of involvement in lungs. Conclusion Sitagliptin and spironolactone can potentially improve clinical outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Review article: Use of ultrasound in the developing world

As portability and durability improve, bedside, clinician-performed ultrasound is seeing increasing use in rural, underdeveloped parts of the world. Physicians, nurses and medical officers have demonstrated the ability to perform and interpret a large variety of ultrasound exams, and a growing body of literature supports the use of point-of-care ultrasound in developing nations. We review, by region, the existing literature in support of ultrasound use in the developing world and training guidelines currently in use, and highlight indications for emergency ultrasound in the developing world. We suggest future directions for bedside ultrasound use and research to improve diagnostic capacity and patient care in the most remote areas of the globe

Novel Therapeutics in Treatment of Glaucoma

The definition of glaucoma has changed during past century. Traditionally glaucoma was recognized as increase in intraocular pressure but today glaucoma refers to a group of multifactorial disorders which lead to progressive loss of Retinal ganglion cells. This multidimensional nature of glaucoma made it an interesting area of research. Despite of successful management of intraocular pressure, still significant number of cases progress the course of disease and end up with irreversible RGCs loss. Thanks to recent advancement in understanding of pathophysiology of glaucoma, several agents have been introduced during past decades which act through alternative mechansims other than convential mechansims. Conventionally glaucoma treated as its primary risk factor, increased in intraocular pressure. Main goal in approaching patients with glaucoma is to decrease neural loss, which this goal achieved by decrease intraocular pressure, neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. This paper reviews current pharmacological novel approaches in treatment of glaucoma.egységes, osztatlanáltalános orvosango

Dietary and lifestyle factors of diabetes in Inuit of Canada

Introduction: Among Inuit, rates of diabetes are currently increasing. Objectives: To investigate the lifestyle factors associated with newly identified glucose intolerance (GI) among Inuit. Methods: A cross-sectional study of a subsample of 813 adults with a 2-hr oral glucose tolerance test who participated in the International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey (2007-2008). Those with pre-existing diabetes were excluded. Individual and dietary questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were also collected. Results: GI was associated with older age and a higher body mass index, %body fat, and waist circumference. Percent Energy protein and % Energy high-sugar drinks were positively associated with GI. Adjusting for those two aforementioned nutrients, %E traditional food was significantly protective (P<0.05). Fiber (g/d) was inversely and cholesterol (mg/d) was positively associated with risk for GI with a borderline significance (P< 0.10). Conclusion: These findings emphasize the need for dietary and lifestyle changes to prevent high rates of GI among Inuit.Introduction: Chez les Inuit, le taux de diabète courament à la hausse. Objectifs: Etudier les facteurs associés au style de vie, chez les Inuit nouvellement diagnostiqués avec l'intolérance au glucose (IG). Méthodes: Une étude transversale d'un sous-échantillon utilisant un test de glucose oral de tolerance de 2-h sur 813 adultes ayant participé à l “International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey” (2007-2008). Ceux qui ayant un diabète préexistant ont été exclus. Des questionnaires individuels et alimentaires et des mesures anthropométriques ont également été recueillis chez chacun des participants. Résultats: L'IG a été positivement associée à l'âge, l'indice de masse corporelle, le pourcentage de masse adipeuse, le tour de taille, le pourcentage d'énergie provenant des proteines et de l'énergie provenant des boissons sucrées. Après ajustement pour ces deux types d à liment, la nourriture traditionnelle offer une protection significative contre l' IG de (P <0.05). La consomation de fibres (g/j) est inversement associée et le cholestérol (mg /j) positivement associé au risque d' IG, avec une signification limitée (P <0.10). Conclusion: Ces résultats soulignent le besoin de changements nutritionels et de mode de vie pour prévenir les taux élevés d' IG chez les Inuit