10 research outputs found
Lennox-gastaut syndrome in a pediatric patient with prader-willi syndrome: A case report and review
No full textPrader-Willi Syndrome is typically caused by paternal deletion of chromosome 15q11-q13. It involves multiple systems and is commonly associated with hypotonia, global developmental delay, and endocrine abnormalities. Seizures are less frequently reported in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. Here, we present a rare case of a 3-year-old boy presenting with early-onset tonic seizures, global developmental delay, and an EEG showing a Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome-like pattern. Notably, brain MRI results were normal. This case represents previously unreported co-occurrence of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in a pediatric patient with Prader-Willi Syndrome
A radiotherapy refractory brain lesion among breast cancer metastases diagnosed postoperatively as glioblastoma multiforme: A case report
No full textBackground: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The association between breast cancer and glioblastoma multiforme has not been investigated thoroughly. This case presents a case of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) which was found concurrently with breast cancer metastases. Case Summary: The patient is a 53 years old right-handed female with a history of breast cancer, metastatic to bone and liver, who had undergone stereotactic ablative radiotherapy to manage metastases to T10 vertebra, right acetabulum and left hip bone 2 years earlier. Six months prior to the current presentation, the patient was diagnosed with four apparent metastatic lesions to the brain (left cerebellum, right frontal, left parieto-occipital, and left temporal). The patient received Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT). A follow-up MRI 4 months later revealed that all three smaller lesions responded well to SRT except for a mild increase in the size of the larger left temporal lesion with surrounding edema. The patient underwent a craniotomy for resection of the temporal lesion. Pathology revealed that the lesion was glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) rather than being another brain metastatic tumor. Conclusion: Althoughmost brain tumors are metastases, primary brain tumors should be considered a possibility even in the presence of another source of metastases; especially if there is a lesion refractory to treatment. © 2019 The Author
Energy-Efficient HVAC Technologies and Strategies:A Comprehensive Overview
No full textThis review paper examines state-of-the-art energy-efficiency technologies and techniques in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) field. Specifically, the analysis focuses on the following advanced technologies: Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems, Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems, renewable energy integration (solar and geothermal), drying cooling, and state-of-the-art control technologies. This analysis focuses on the systematic study of the relevant peer-reviewed articles available in the Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases released between the years 2010 and 2024. The primary methodology included in the analysis was the use of experimental studies and high-fidelity simulations, which provided the evaluated criteria on which the research was premised. The advanced energy systems are more energy-efficient than the traditional air conditioning systems, and the research provides clear, demonstrable findings of this claim. For example, energy savings in cooling load use from VRF systems were around 70%. This rivew work also provided the geothermal heat pumps (GSHPs) of which the author focuses on a single performance parameter in this climate model: the GSHPs of which despite the high initial capital expenditure are the most energy efficient systems in extreme climates, which are the most energy. The review also provides evidence of wide scope limitations, including: A global absence of long-term comparative studies on the most mature systems (VRF and GSHP) in a variety of buildings, and a lack of comprehensive economic models, which effectively incorporate lifecycle analysis LCA and the local cost of electricity to facilitate meaningful investment. This review additionally provides an analysis of energy-efficient air conditioning technology, evaluates its performance, and suggests future research to fill the remaining empirical and knowledge-based economic voids
AI-Driven Models for Diagnosing and Predicting Outcomes in Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full text(1) Background: Lung cancer’s high mortality due to late diagnosis highlights a need for early detection strategies. Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, particularly for lung cancer, offers promise by analyzing medical data for early identification and personalized treatment. This systematic review evaluates AI’s performance in early lung cancer detection, analyzing its techniques, strengths, limitations, and comparative edge over traditional methods. (2) Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the PRISMA guidelines rigorously, outlining a comprehensive protocol and employing tailored search strategies across diverse databases. Two reviewers independently screened studies based on predefined criteria, ensuring the selection of high-quality data relevant to AI’s role in lung cancer detection. The extraction of key study details and performance metrics, followed by quality assessment, facilitated a robust analysis using R software (Version 4.3.0). The process, depicted via a PRISMA flow diagram, allowed for the meticulous evaluation and synthesis of the findings in this review. (3) Results: From 1024 records, 39 studies met the inclusion criteria, showcasing diverse AI model applications for lung cancer detection, emphasizing varying strengths among the studies. These findings underscore AI’s potential for early lung cancer diagnosis but highlight the need for standardization amidst study variations. The results demonstrate promising pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.87, signifying AI’s accuracy in identifying true positives and negatives, despite the observed heterogeneity attributed to diverse study parameters. (4) Conclusions: AI demonstrates promise in early lung cancer detection, showing high accuracy levels in this systematic review. However, study variations underline the need for standardized protocols to fully leverage AI’s potential in revolutionizing early diagnosis, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare professionals. As the field progresses, validated AI models from large-scale perspective studies will greatly benefit clinical practice and patient care in the future
Mining the nanotube-forming Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MR14M3 genome for determining anti-Candida auris and anti-Candida albicans potential by pathogenicity and comparative genomics analysis
No full textThere is a global health concern associated with the emergence of the multidrug-resistant (MDR) fungus Candida auris, which has significant mortality rates. Finding innovative and distinctive anti-Candida compounds is essential for treating infections caused by MDR C. auris. A bacterial strain with anti-Candida activity was isolated and identified using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. The whole genome was sequenced to identify biosynthesis-related gene clusters. The pathogenicity and cytotoxicity of the isolate were analyzed in Candida and HFF-1 cell lines, respectively. This study set out to show that whole-genome sequencing, cytotoxicity testing, and pathogenicity analysis combined with genome mining and comparative genomics can successfully identify biosynthesis-related gene clusters in native bacterial isolates that encode antifungal natural compounds active against Candida albicans and C. auris. The native isolate MR14M3 has the ability to inhibit C. auris (zone of inhibition 25 mm) and C. albicans (zone of inhibition 25 mm). The 16 S rRNA gene sequence of MR14M3 aligned with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens with similarity (100%). Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MR14M3 establishes bridges of intercellular nanotubes (L 258.56 ± 35.83 nm; W 25.32 ± 6.09 nm) connecting neighboring cells. Candida cell size was reduced significantly, and crushed phenotypes were observed upon treatment with the defused metabolites of B. amyloliquefaciens MR14M3. Furthermore, the pathogenicity of B. amyloliquefaciens MR14M3 on Candida cells was observed through cell membrane disruption and lysed yeast cells. The whole-genome alignment of the MR14M3 genome (3981,643 bp) using 100 genes confirmed its affiliation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Genome mining analysis revealed that MR14M3-coded secondary metabolites are involved in the biosynthesis of polyketides (PKs) and nonribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs), including 11 biosynthesis-related gene clusters with one hundred percent similarity. Highly conserved biosynthesis-related gene clusters with anti-C. albicans and anti-C. auris potentials and cytotoxic-free activity of B. amyloliquefaciens MR14M3 proposes the utilization of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MR14M3 as a biofactory for an anti-Candida auris and anti-C. albicans compound synthesizer
Revisiting hydrotalcite synthesis: Efficient combined mechanochemical/coprecipitation synthesis to design advanced tunable basic catalysts
No full textHydrotalcite materials (HTs) were synthesized by a facile and swift combined mechanochemistry/coprecipitation approach, and their catalytic activity was evaluated and compared with conventionally synthesized hydrotalcites (co-precipitation method) in the Knoevenagel condensation between furfural and ethyl cyanoacetate/malononitrile. Characterization and catalytic activity results clearly demonstrate that the proposed combined mechanochemical/coprecipitation approach provides an improvement in crystallinity, morphology, tunable basicity, and textural properties (higher surface area and enhanced surface properties) as compared to HTs obtained via conventional coprecipitation methods. In addition, mechanochemically synthesized HTs largely improve catalytic activities, including conversion and product selectivity to Knoevenagel condensation products under solventless conditions, short reaction times, or reaction at room temperature as compared to conventional counterparts (e.g., 30-40 vs > 99% product yields). © 2024 the author(s), published by De Gruyter.The Spanish beamline (BM25, SpLine) in the ESRF (Grenoble, France) through the proposal ref. 25-02-1011. F. Ivars-Barcelo gratefully acknowledges MCIN for the "Ramon y Cajal" fund with ref. RYC2020-029470-I. This publication was supported by the RUDN University Strategic Academic Leadership Program (R. Luque).Peer reviewe
Prevalence of infections and antimicrobial use in the acute-care hospital setting in the Middle East: Results from the first point-prevalence survey in the region
No full textObjectives: Community-acquired (CAIs) and healthcare-associated (HAIs) infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Data related to the epidemiology of these infections in the Middle East is scarce. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of infections and antimicrobial use in the acute hospital setting in this region. Methods: A multicentre Point-Prevalence Survey was conducted in seven Middle Eastern countries: Egypt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. Data were collected by the infection control and infectious diseases teams of the respective hospitals. Study surveys were completed in one day (03 April 2018). Results: The overall point prevalence of infection was 28.3%; HAI and CAI point prevalence was 11.2% and 16.8%, respectively. The majority of patients with an infection (98.2%) were receiving antimicrobial therapy. There were high levels of resistance to antimicrobials among Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and other Klebsiella sp. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the point prevalence of both HAI and CAI is high in a sample of Middle Eastern countries. These findings along with the increased use of antimicrobials represent a significant public health problem in the region; particularly in light of the growing regional antimicrobial resistance. © 2020 The Author
Silica nanoparticles and their interaction with cells : a multidisciplinary approach
No full textSilica nanoparticles are increasingly used as drug delivery systems and for biomedical imaging.
Therapeutic and diagnostic agents can be incorporated into the silica matrix to improve the stability
and solubility of hydrophobic drugs in biological systems. However, the safety of silica
nanoparticles as drug carriers remains controversial. To date, no validated and accepted nanospecific
tests exist to predict the potentially harmful impact of these materials on the human body.
The mechanism proposed for hemolysis of unmodified silica nanoparticles is based on the electrostatic
interaction between the silanol surface groups and the quaternary ammonium in the choline
head group of the phospholipids. However, a detailed understanding of this process is missing.
In this thesis, different silica nanoparticles where synthesized, characterized, and tested in two cell
lines regarding viability and oxidative stress. Hemolysis was assessed using red blood cells. Furthermore,
the hemolytic mechanism of a chosen silica nanoparticle type was investigated in depth
using a biophysical chemistry approach. We used the dye-leakage assay, isothermal titration
calorimetry, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, and flow cytometry to elucidate this mechanism.
Our results revealed that silica nanoparticles with a porous surface and negative surface charge
had the strongest impact on viability in a concentration dependent manner. This is in contrast to
non-porous silica nanoparticles. None of the studied particles caused oxidative stress in either cell
lines. Particles with a negative surface charge induced hemolysis. The mechanism responsible for
the hemolysis for silica nanoparticles had no electrostatic component. The nuclear magnetic resonance
data revealed no interaction with the choline group. However, nuclear magnetic resonance
data suggested the presence of faster tumbling species.
Our toxicological and mechanistic studies showed potential hazards of spherical amorphous silica
nanoparticles. Physico-chemical properties mediating toxicity in living cells were identified.
We propose that our standardized silica nanoparticles may serve as a readily available reference
material for nanotoxicological investigations. Mechanistic data did not support an electrostatic
interaction as postulated in the literature, but rather a strong adsorption process that may lead
to hemolysis. Furthermore, the presence of faster tumbling species suggested the formation of
smaller lipid bilayer structures upon silica nanoparticles exposure. Flow cytometry data revealed
that their size is about 100 nm. It remains to be proven if the bilayer wraps around the hemolytic
silica nanoparticles, if an exclusive formation of smaller species without wrapping is present, or
both of the aforementioned
Thermal properties comparison of hybrid CF/FF and BF/FF cyanate ester-based composites
No full text[EN] Insights within thermal expansion, conductivity, and decomposition dependencies with temperature on symmetrical and
unsymmetrical layered carbon (CF) or basalt (BF) fabrics in combination with flax fibers (FF) were approached. Driven by
commercial application and environmental concerns, the paper draws attention on a modified formula of cyanate ester with
a common epoxy resin under an optimized ratio of 70:30 (vol%) as well as on the hybrid reinforcements stacking
sequences. Synergetic effects were debated in terms of the CF and BF stacking sequences and corresponding volume
fraction followed by comparisons with values predicted by the deployment of hybrid mixtures rules (RoHM/iRoHM). CF
hybrid architectures revealed enhanced effective thermophysical properties over their BF counterparts and both over the
FF-reinforced polymer composite considered as a reference. Thermal conductivities spread between 0.116 and
0.299 W m-1 K-1 from room temperature up to 250 C on all hybrid specimens, giving rise to an insulator character.
Concerning the coefficient of thermal expansion, CF hybrid architectures disclosed values of 1.236 10-6 K-1 and
3.102 10-6 K-1 compared with BF affine exhibiting 4.794 10-6 K-1 and 6.245 10-6 K-1, respectively, with an increase
in their volume fraction.The corresponding author gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of German Academic Exchange Service-DAAD that enabled and supported the internship with Fraunhofer Research Institution for Polymeric Materials and Composites-PYCO, Germany. Many thanks go to Dr. Christian Dreyer and Dr. Maciej Gwiazda for the resin formula and access to the composite manufacturing technology.Motoc, DL.; Ferrándiz Bou, S.; Balart, R. (2018). Thermal properties comparison of hybrid CF/FF and BF/FF cyanate ester-based composites. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. 133(1):509-518. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7222-yS5095181331Assarar M, Zouari W, Sabhi H, Ayad R, Berthelot J-M. Evaluation of the damping of hybrid carbon–flax reinforced composites. Compos Struct. 2015;132:148–54.Duc F, Bourban PE, Plummer CJG, Månson JAE. Damping of thermoset and thermoplastic flax fibre composites. 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