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Discovery of 2,4-thiazolidinedione-tethered coumarins as novel selective inhibitors for carbonic anhydrase IX and XII isoforms
Get PDFDifferent 2,4-thiazolidinedione-tethered coumarins 5a–b, 10a–n and 11a–d were synthesised and evaluated for their inhibitory action against the cancer-associated hCAs IX and XII, as well as the physiologically dominant hCAs I and II to explore their selectivity. Un-substituted phenyl-bearing coumarins 10a, 10 h, and 2-thienyl/furyl-bearing coumarins 11a–c exhibited the best hCA IX (KIs between 0.48 and 0.93 mM) and hCA XII (KIs between 0.44 and 1.1 mM) inhibitory actions. Interestingly, none of the coumarins had any inhibitory effect on the off-target hCA I and II isoforms. The sub-micromolar compounds from the biochemical assay, coumarins 10a, 10 h and 11a–c, were assessed in an in vitro antiproliferative assay, and then the most potent antiproliferative agent 11a was tested to explore its impact on the cell cycle phases and apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells to provide more insights into the anticancer activity of these compounds
The infant microbiome
No full textKate Nash and Debra Sloam consider preventive and restorative strategies required to support the infant microbiome, and the midwife's role in relation to thi
RAND appropriateness panel to determine the applicability of UK guidelines on the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other strategies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFBackground COVID-19 has become the most common cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) worldwide. Features of the pathophysiology and clinical presentation partially distinguish it from ‘classical’ ARDS. A Research and Development (RAND) analysis gauged the opinion of an expert panel about the management of ARDS with and without COVID-19 as the precipitating cause, using recent UK guidelines as a template.
Methods An 11-person panel comprising intensive care practitioners rated the appropriateness of ARDS management options at different times during hospital admission, in the presence or absence of, or varying severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection on a scale of 1–9 (where 1–3 is inappropriate, 4–6 is uncertain and 7–9 is appropriate). A summary of the anonymised results was discussed at an online meeting moderated by an expert in RAND methodology. The modified online survey comprising 76 questions, subdivided into investigations (16), non-invasive respiratory support (18), basic intensive care unit management of ARDS (20), management of refractory hypoxaemia (8), pharmacotherapy (7) and anticoagulation (7), was completed again.
Results Disagreement between experts was significant only when addressing the appropriateness of diagnostic bronchoscopy in patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Adherence to existing published guidelines for the management of ARDS for relevant evidence-based interventions was recommended. Responses of the experts to the final survey suggested that the supportive management of ARDS should be the same, regardless of a COVID-19 diagnosis. For patients with ARDS with COVID-19, the panel recommended routine treatment with corticosteroids and a lower threshold for full anticoagulation based on a high index of suspicion for venous thromboembolic disease.
Conclusion The expert panel found no reason to deviate from the evidence-based supportive strategies for managing ARDS outlined in recent guidelines
Sub-Saharan Africa and the Politics of Same-Sex Relationships: Human Rights vs. Criminal Law
No full textThe argument in support of the rights of sexual minorities in sub-Saharan Africa should be secondary to the argument for the decriminalization of consensual same-sex intimacy. So long as sexual minorities are classed as criminals and deviants, it might be difficult to champion sexual minority rights as a human right. This chapter adopts an approach that queries the criminalization of same-sex sexual conduct among consenting adults in private. The chapter discusses crime from the perspective of the criminal law theories of harm, morality, and paternalism. It is argued in the chapter that because states determine what rights are guaranteed within their jurisdiction, if states can rethink what conduct of behavior should be criminalized, then states might guarantee sexual minority rights as human rights. The chapter recommends repealing laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct among adults in the states in sub-Saharan Africa
Impact of root hairs on microscale soil physical properties in the field
Get PDFAims
Recent laboratory studies revealed that root hairs may alter soil physical behaviour, influencing soil porosity and water retention on the small scale. However, the results are not consistent, and it is not known if structural changes at the small-scale have impacts at larger scales. Therefore, we evaluated the potential effects of root hairs on soil hydro-mechanical properties in the field using rhizosphere-scale physical measurements.
Methods
Changes in soil water retention properties as well as mechanical and hydraulic characteristics were monitored in both silt loam and sandy loam soils. Measurements were taken from plant establishment to harvesting in field trials, comparing three barley genotypes representing distinct phenotypic categories in relation to root hair length. Soil hardness and elasticity were measured using a 3-mm-diameter spherical indenter, while water sorptivity and repellency were measured using a miniaturized infiltrometer with a 0.4-mm tip radius.
Results
Over the growing season, plants induced changes in the soil water retention properties, with the plant available water increasing by 21%. Both soil hardness (P = 0.031) and elasticity (P = 0.048) decreased significantly in the presence of root hairs in silt loam soil, by 50% and 36%, respectively. Root hairs also led to significantly smaller water repellency (P = 0.007) in sandy loam soil vegetated with the hairy genotype (-49%) compared to the hairless mutant.
Conclusions
Breeding of cash crops for improved soil conditions could be achieved by selecting root phenotypes that ameliorate soil physical properties and therefore contribute to increased soil health
Review of decontamination protocols for shared non-critical objects in 35 policies of UK NHS acute care organizations
Get PDFBackground
Decontamination of non-critical objects shared by patients is key in reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), but it is a complex process that needs precise guidance from UK National Health Service (NHS) acute care organizations (ACOs).
Aim
To review the indications given by NHS ACOs' policies regarding the decontamination of shared non-critical devices.
Methods
Detailed lists of decontamination protocols for shared non-critical objects were retrieved from cleaning, disinfection and decontamination policies of 35 NHS ACOs. Three parameters were considered for each object: decontamination method, decontamination frequency, and person responsible for decontamination.
Findings
In total, 1279 decontamination protocols regarding 283 different shared non-critical objects were retrieved. Of these, 689 (54%) did not indicate the person responsible for decontamination, and only 425 (33%) were complete, giving indications for all three parameters analysed. Only 2.5% (32/1279) of decontamination protocols were complete and identical in two policies. In policies where cleaning represented the major decontamination method, chemical disinfection was rarely mentioned and vice versa. General agreement among policies was found for four main decontamination methods (detergent and water, detergent wipes, disinfectant wipes, and use of disposable items), two decontamination frequencies (between events and daily) and two responsible person designations (nurses and domestic staff).
Conclusions
Decontamination protocol policies for shared non-critical objects had some similarities but did not concur on how each individual object should be decontaminated. The lack of clear indications regarding the person responsible for the decontamination process put at risk the ability of policies to serve as guidance
Associations between social support provided and walkability among older adults: health self-consciousness as a moderator
Get PDFBackground
The social support provided or given to others play a key role in healthy ageing. Empirical and anecdotal evidence suggests that walkable neighbourhoods can positively influence social support given. Higher health self-consciousness may strengthen the positive association between walkability and social support provided.
Aim
This study investigated whether the association between walkability and social support provided is moderated by health self-consciousness.
Methods
A cross-sectional design with sensitivity analysis and recommended procedures against common methods bias was employed. The study's population was community-dwelling older adults living in Accra, Ghana. Data from 923 participants were analysed using the hierarchical linear regression analysis.
Findings
The study found a positive association between walkability and social support provided after adjusting for the ultimate confounding variables. Health self-consciousness positively moderated the association between walkability and social support provided.
Conclusion
The study concludes that social support provided in older adults may be higher in more walkable neighbourhoods. Health self-consciousness can enhance the contribution of walkability to social support provided. Our results reinforce the importance of campaigns aimed at improving walkability of neighbourhoods
Transanal irrigation at a glance
Get PDFThis article provides a brief overview of transanal irrigation (TAI). It covers the rationale behind the procedure, the contraindications, possible complications and considerations for patient education and support
Spaceborne remote sensing for transport infrastructure monitoring: a case study of the Rochester Bridge, UK
Get PDFThis study presents a novel bridge monitoring approach for transport assets, based on the synergistic use of high- resolution (X-band) SAR imagery. A multi-temporal SAR Interferometry analysis is performed to detect potential issues related to the Rochester Bridge, located in Rochester, UK. A displacement map for the structure was produced using space-based SAR measurements acquired by the Italian constellation COSMO-SkyMed over the period 2017–2019, provided by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) in the framework of the Open-call for Science Project “Motib – ID742”. The outcomes of this study demonstrate that multi-temporal InSAR remote sensing techniques can be applied to complement information from non-destructive ground-based methods (e.g., ground-penetrating radars, laser scanners, accelerometers, etc.), paving the way for future integrated approaches in the smart monitoring of infrastructure assets
Gender and the market for modern art in the United States
Get PDFBetween the inter-war years and 1960s, there was a radical shift in the art market status of modern art in the United States. This was not simply a matter of time. This article argues that there was a re-gendering of the discourse of art patronage in America, with modern art being re-presented—as never before—to the potential collector as being if not masculine then ‘not feminine’. It is argued that the Museum of Modern Art, New York, explicitly set out to re-gender collecting discourse as part of its overall aim of enhancing the status of modern art in America