INTERACTION OF COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES WITH BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN BY SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES

Objective: Since structural changes of adsorbed protein are necessary for cellular uptake of nanoparticles (NPs) it is of prime importance to know about structural changes of bovine serum albumin (BSA) when it interacts with CuO NPs–a potential new antitumor drug.Methods: CuO NPs prepared by sol-gel technique were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and tunneling electron microscope (TEM) techniques. The conformational changes induced by CuO NPs on BSA were studied by various spectroscopic techniques such as steady state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The changes in fluorescence emission parameters such as fluorescence intensity, fluorescence emission maximum and lifetimes of fluorescent residues in BSA were studied.Results: XRD analysis showed the average particle size as 32 nm. The TEM micrograph showed particles of different size varying from 10 to 45 nm. Fluorescence quenching was confirmed due to a decrease in fluorescence intensity of CuO NPs–BSA complex. The analysis of lifetime measurements indicated BSA contained two tryptophan (trp) residues that fluoresced in different environments. Static quenching mechanism was confirmed by time-resolved measurements when BSA interacted with CuO NPs.Conclusion: Minor structural changes of BSA protein were observed during the interaction studies

Resident Satisfaction in Continuing Care Retirement Communities

The senior living industry is big business and growing fast, thanks to increasing life expectancy. According to the U.S. Census, there were 53 million Americans aged over 65 in 2019. That figure is set to rise by 55% to 82 million—one in five of the population—by 2050. More and more seniors are already attracted to continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). But what impacts resident satisfaction in this increasingly competitive market? New research led by Dr. Suja Chaulagain and Dr. Abraham Pizam at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management finds that above all, it\u27s the social environment

An Integrated Behavioral Model for International Medical Tourism

From dental procedures to cardiac surgery, an international market is developing for medical tourism, thanks not least to globalisation and the high standard of medical treatment now available around the world. But what drives individuals to travel abroad for healthcare? In an important new study, Rosen College Assistant Professor Suja Chaulagain, Founding Dean Abraham Pizam, and Dean Youcheng Wang take a social psychological perspective of health-related behavior and the concepts that influence it

A CASE REPORT: DRUG INTERACTION BETWEEN LINEZOLID AND DOPAMINE

Linezolid is a weak, non-selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO). It can inhibit the breakdown of the tyramine by MAO in the gut and can also potentiate the effect of tyramine at nerve endings, thereby causing an increase in blood pressure. We encountered a neonate who developed acute hypertensive episode after simultaneous administration of dopamine and linezolid. A 25 w preterm neonate was admitted in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) with complaints of Patent Ductus Arteriosus and respiratory infection. Linezolid infusion 6.5 mg every 8 h over 30 min (7 am, 3pm, 11 pm) was added after confirmation of gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus epidermis) growth. Inj. Dopamine 20 mcg/kg/min was started for derangement in blood pressure 52/28 mm Hg (Mean blood pressure 43) at 5 pm. The baby developed acute hypertensive episode at 5.30 pm for which dopamine was withdrawn immediately. The half-life of Linezolid is 5.6 h in preterm baby, and that of Dopamine is 2 min. Since the probability of peak concentration for both the administered drugs was around the same time period, the baby developed acute hypertensive episode. So the combination of Linezolid with Dopamine should be avoided if possible or the dosage interval has to be extended to minimize the adverse reaction.Â

STUDY ON QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT IN DIABETIC RETINOPATHY AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Objective: The aim was to study the vision-related quality of life (QOL) for diabetic retinopathy (DR) among patients with Type 2 diabetes and to assess the direct medical cost of different treatment modalities. Methods: It was based on an individual-based analysis of QOL before and after the treatment for DR. The main objective of the study was to compare QOL between patients based on the different treatment modalities using vision function questionnaire (VFQ)-25, to evaluate the direct medical cost for DR patients undergoing different treatment modalities and to compare the cost and QOL of different treatment modalities in samples with non-proliferative DR (NPDR)/proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) macular edema. The population included were patients with Type 2 diabetes with NPDR, with clinically significant macular edema and PDR, patients diagnosed to have diabetes above 5-year duration, adult patients, ocular pain those who are on regular follow-up and those who are willing to be a part of study. A total of 256 patients were selected out, of which 141 patients were satisfied the study criteria and participated in the study. Data relevant to the voice-related QOL study were obtained and recorded using VFQ-25 questionnaire. Other data relevant to the study were obtained and recorded in a semistructured data collection form by interviewing the patient or their caregivers and by direct examination of patient's medical record. Expenditure was calculated in Indian Rupees. Results: After comparing the baseline QOL with QOL after treatment, it was found that the overall QOL of the study samples in accordance with the treatment undergone was found to be improved. The overall QOL had improved after the treatment for all samples and major improvement was seen on dependency, social functioning (SF), and mental health (MH). Conclusion: The overall QOL had improved after the treatment for all samples and major improvement were seen on dependency, SF, and MH. In conclusion, the study analyzed that intravitreal bevacizumab therapy is the cheapest one and with the comparatively same clinical outcome when compared with intravitreal ranibizumab therapy for macular edema cases in patients with NPDR and PDR

ASSESMENT OF CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF LOSARTAN AND AMLODIPINE IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENT WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY

Objective: Hypertension is an important worldwide public health challenge because of its high frequency and concomitant risks of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is defined as an increase in the mass of the LV, which can be secondary to an increase in wall thickness, an increase in cavity size, or both. Relevant study reported that LVH is one of the major and independent risk factors for coronary artery disease, heart failure, serious dysrhythmias, and sudden death. Thus, regression of LVH is a primary pharmacologic objective. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of losartan and amlodipine in regression of LVH and to monitor the adverse effects of these drugs on monotherapy. The study also focused to estimate the clinical effectiveness of specified drugs in lowering hypertension.Methods: The study conducted was retrospective, prospective, comparative study extended over 1 year on 28 patients based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: Both these drugs cause regression of LVH with a decrease in LV mass index value; it is seen that amlodipine is better in controlling elevated blood pressure (BP), especially diastolic BP. In statistical analysis, regression of LVH was found to be correlated with reduction of BP.Conclusion: Incidence of adverse effect was found to be prominent in amlodipine group. Thus, losartan was found to be better in regressing LVH than amlodipine.Â

Hotel customers’ behavioral intentions toward service robots: the role of utilitarian and hedonic values

This study aims to investigate the effects of hotel customers’ perceived utilitarian and hedonic values on their intention to use service robots. In addition, the influences of innovativeness, ease of use and compatibility on hotel customers’ perceived utilitarian and hedonic values were examined. Design/methodology/approach – The data of the current study was collected from 11 countries including the USA, UK, Turkey, Spain, Romania, Japan, Israel, India, Greece, Canada and Brazil. A structural equation modeling was used to test the study hypotheses. Findings – The results indicated that hotel customers’ intention to use service robots was positively influenced by their utilitarian and hedonic value perceptions. In addition, customers’ perceptions of robots’ ease of use and compatibility had a positive impact on their perceived utilitarian and hedonic values. Originality/value – The findings of the current study provide unique contributions in the context of hospitality robotics technology adoption literature. In addition, this study provides valuable insights and novel opportunities for hospitality decision-makers to capitalize on, as they strive to strategize the integration of robot-based services into their operations.2022-2

Fluorescence study on ligand induced conformational changes of glutamine synthetase from Bacillus brevis Bb G1 under sporulating conditions

Glutamine synthetase, an important enzyme of nitrogen metabolism, was purified under sporulating conditions (GSala). The effect of ligands on the tryptophan fluorescence of the purified enzyme GSala was investigated. With increasing concentrations of L-glutamine in GSala, a blue shift in emission maximum with an increase in fluorescence intensity and decrease in life times were observed compared to the emission maximum, fluorescence intensity and life times of GSala. With increasing concentrations of glycine in GSala, a shift in emission maximum, change in fluorescence intensity and change in lifetimes were observed compared to the emission maximum, fluorescence intensity and life times of GSala. These observations strongly support the possibility that GSala undergoes a conformational change on binding with ligands and each ligand produced different conformational changes in GSala. Also, different concentrations of each ligand produced different protein conformations in the enzyme GSala