Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with both hypoxia and systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Those trial participants with hypoxia (oxygen saturation <92% on air or requiring oxygen therapy) and evidence of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L) were eligible for random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to usual standard of care alone versus usual standard of care plus tocilizumab at a dose of 400 mg–800 mg (depending on weight) given intravenously. A second dose could be given 12–24 h later if the patient's condition had not improved. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between April 23, 2020, and Jan 24, 2021, 4116 adults of 21 550 patients enrolled into the RECOVERY trial were included in the assessment of tocilizumab, including 3385 (82%) patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Overall, 621 (31%) of the 2022 patients allocated tocilizumab and 729 (35%) of the 2094 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0·85; 95% CI 0·76–0·94; p=0·0028). Consistent results were seen in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including those receiving systemic corticosteroids. Patients allocated to tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from hospital within 28 days (57% vs 50%; rate ratio 1·22; 1·12–1·33; p<0·0001). Among those not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, patients allocated tocilizumab were less likely to reach the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilation or death (35% vs 42%; risk ratio 0·84; 95% CI 0·77–0·92; p<0·0001). Interpretation: In hospitalised COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and systemic inflammation, tocilizumab improved survival and other clinical outcomes. These benefits were seen regardless of the amount of respiratory support and were additional to the benefits of systemic corticosteroids. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Antihyperglycemic/ Hypoglycemic Effect of Celery Seeds (Ajwain / Ajmod) in Streptozotocin induced Diabetic Rats

Background:To investigate the effect of Apium graveolen L. (Celery seeds) on blood glucose and insulin concentrations in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.Methods: Forty Sprague Dawely rats weighing from 180 to 250 grams were randomly divided into four experimental groupsA,B,C &D, each containing ten (10) rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (60mg/kg) in groups B,C&D,while group A served as normal control. The experimental animals became diabetic within 48 to 72 hours after administration of STZ.,Group B rats were taken as diabetic control. Alcoholic extract of Celery seeds, the test drug was administered (400mg/kg) orally to experimental gruop,C,while group D received standard drug glibenclamide.induced diabetic rats for six weeks. Normal control groupA& diabetic control B received only normal saline solution orally. Blood samples were collected from experimental groups after 43 days,24 hours of the last dose. ANOVA and Tukey HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) test applied to all groups.Results: The results show Celery seeds extract treatment caused a statistically significant decrease in the elevated serum glucose levels and increase in the serum insulin concentrations in test group C as compared to group B .Conclusion: Findings of present study provide evidence for traditional use of apium. graveolen in the control of diabetes

Analysis and Classification of Bone Fractures Using Machine Learning Techniques

Human bones are the hard organs that protect vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and other internal organs. Fractures of the bones are a prevalent issue among humans. Bone fractures may develop from an accident or another circumstance when there is great pressure on the bones. It may be difficult and time-consuming to determine the site of a fracture in a patient who is suffering discomfort. The manual examination of fractures during radiological interpretation is a time-consuming and error-prone process. This may result in erroneous detection, poor fracture healing, and an extensive procedure. So, this research proposed an effective approach to rectifying bone fractures with the inclusion of the latest technologies. The solution is proposed by employing a Deep learning model. Moreover, a novel concept of classification is also incorporated. Firstly; the MURA dataset was collected from Stanford. Secondly; The proposed model used techniques like DCNN (Deep Convolution Neural Network) and use Alex Net model. Bones are classified into fractured or non-fractured through a classification approach. The proposed model was created using Google Colab. The proposed model was trained by repeating several experiments. The performance was evaluated based on accuracy. The suggested model results were compared with baseline algorithms as well. Consequently, the findings of this work will be useful for the medical industry

Synthesis and Structural Studies on MgO Nanoparticles Suitable for Tunnel Barrier Applications

Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles are synthesized by a simple coprecipitation method. XRD studies reveal that nanoparticles are predominantly (100) textured with an average crystallite size of 19 nm.The relative peak intensities for (100) and (110) textured grains i.e., I(100)/I(110) is found to be ~ 2. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures of our samples indicate that our synthesized nanoparticles are spherically shaped. Due to excellent electron tunneling features of (100) textured MgO nanoparticles, our synthesis method is suitable for cost effective and simple synthesis of pure MgO nanoparticles for applications involving electron tunneling

Synthesis and Structural Studies on MgO Nanoparticles Suitable for Tunnel Barrier Applications

Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles are synthesized by a simple coprecipitation method. XRD studies reveal that nanoparticles are predominantly (100) textured with an average crystallite size of 19 nm.The relative peak intensities for (100) and (110) textured grains i.e., I(100)/I(110) is found to be ~ 2. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures of our samples indicate that our synthesized nanoparticles are spherically shaped. Due to excellent electron tunneling features of (100) textured MgO nanoparticles, our synthesis method is suitable for cost effective and simple synthesis of pure MgO nanoparticles for applications involving electron tunneling

CCDC 954906: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: S. Shujah, S. Ali, Zia-ur-Rehman, M. N. Tahir and A. Meetsma|2013|Acta Crystallogr.,Sect.E:Struct.Rep.Online|69|o871|doi:10.1107/S1600536813012233,An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

CCDC 664573: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Zia-ur-Rehman, M.M.Barsan, I.Wharf, N.Muhammad, S.Ali, A.Meetsma, I.S.Butler|2008|Inorg.Chim.Acta|361|3322|doi:10.1016/j.ica.2008.05.006,An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

CCDC 664574: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Zia-ur-Rehman, M.M.Barsan, I.Wharf, N.Muhammad, S.Ali, A.Meetsma, I.S.Butler|2008|Inorg.Chim.Acta|361|3322|doi:10.1016/j.ica.2008.05.006,An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.