•Through this report we wish to highlight the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak, that took place in China.•The importance of this deadly pathogen, originating from a viral family, having a history ...of pandemic is highlighted.•The symptoms of this disease with the treatment and preventive measures are outlined.•We have briefly mentioned the situation in the past and have compared it with the recent statistics.•The initiatives taken in order to prevent any further progression of this disease are also touched upon briefly.
The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) causing novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia (NCIP), has affected the lives of 71,429 people globally. Originating in China, the disease has a rapid progression to other countries. Research suggests remarkable genomic resemblance of 2019-nCoV with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which has a history of a pandemic in 2002. With evidence of nosocomial spread, a number of diligent measures are being employed to constrain its propagation. Hence, the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) has been established by the World Health Organization (WHO) with strategic objectives for public health to curtail its impact on global health and economy.
•Manganese-catalysts used for sustainable organic transformations.•Manganese catalysts became alluring to replace noble metals.•Unsaturated CO, CN, and CC bonds hydrogenation and CH funtionalisation ...due to polarized Mn-C bonds.•Manganese-catalysts used for hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) reactions.•The mechanistic studies confirmed that ligand steric and electronic effects of Mn-catalysts.
Manganese (Mn) is a perfect candidate as catalyst in the sustainable organic transformations. It is the second most abundant metal in earth's crust, inexpensive, and non-toxic in the nature. We expect it to replace precious metals in the novel metal catalysis. Mn-catalysts and its pincer-type complexes with bidentate and tridentate ligands have shown explosive growth since 2016. Manganese complexes, oxides, and halides have displayed excellent catalytic activity in the organic transformations. Manganese catalysts have been used in CC bond formation & CH functionalisation, late-stage fluorination, hydrosilylation, hydrogenation of unsaturated CO, and CC bonds, and cross-coupling reactions with unique reactivity and selectivity. Even then, Mn catalysis has not got the same attention as other earth-abundant metals such as Fe and Co. This review highlights the recent advances and emerging opportunities of Mn-catalyzed organic transformation based on their intrinsic mechanistic advances and potentials, covering literature up to 2024.
Manganese (Mn) is a perfect candidate as catalyst in the sustainable organic transformations. It is the second most abundant metal in earth's crust, inexpensive, and non-toxic in nature. We expect it to replace the precious metals in the novel metal catalysis of organic reactions. Display omitted
•Sonogashira-type coupling reactions under Cu-, ligand- and base-free reaction conditions.•Use of nanoparticles effects.•Steric effects results regioselectivity.•Use of hydrophobic effects ...(surfactants, polymers).•Recyclability of catalyst.•Sustainable organic transformations towards green protocols.
A large number of publications yearly witnessed myriad synthetic uses of the Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-coupling in organic transformations. Still, many challenges need to be addressed for example, readily available aryl chlorides gave moderate yields, deactivated aryl bromides required harsh reaction conditions, ortho-substituted aryl halides, bulky and nitrogen-containing aryl halides (substituted pyridines) and aliphatic alkynes afford poor yields in a longer reaction time. Pd-catalysts-recycling is necessary but impossible in homogenous catalysis and the catalytic activity gradually decreased because of the Pd-species leaching. Heterogeneous catalysis is successful but has tiresome catalyst separation. Phase-transfer catalysis is not much used because of the recycling of surfactant catalyst is difficult. Phosphine-based ligands are sensitive to air and moisture so limits its uses. Nitrogen-donor ligands have received much attention due to more stable nature but quite costly. Therefore, we need to develop the ligand-free Pd-catalysts might be practically a viable alternative. N-heterocylic carbenes (NHCs) catalysts are costly and have short shelf-life. The palladacycle catalysts gave high turnover numbers but not used in large-scale synthesis due to the insolubility. Use of dendrimers slowed the reaction rate due to formation of polymer or oligomer as byproduct which deposited on the catalyst surface. Ionic liquids and photocatalysts (microwave or UV-visible) are not used extensively due to accumulation of alkyne hydrogenation product on the catalyst surface. Bimetallic nanomaterials as catalyst are useful but underdeveloped. Metals-free Sonogashira reactions are economical and eco-friendly but less reported. It showed that ligands should be air and moisture stable at room temperature, stored for unlimited shelf-life, exhibit high turnover numbers and high rate of reaction. In this review, a recent advances and emerging opportunities for easy preparation of stable Pd-based catalysts, their intrinsic mechanistic and potentials for Sonogashira-type reactions under sustainable, open-air and Cu-, ligand-, solvent- and amine-free conditions were discussed, covering literature up to 2024. The review would be helpful in the research and development of new and modified Sonogashira-type reactions for the synthetic applications in the future.
The review highlights the origin, emerging trends in the mechanistic insights and recent advances towards green protocols of Sonogashira-type coupling reaction under Cu-, ligand- and base-free reaction conditions. Display omitted
A variety of different novel functionalized ferrocenyl chalcone and organic chalcone based sulfones and bis-sulfones were synthesized in excellent yield under mild reaction condition. The ...antimicrobial activities as bactericide and fungicide were evaluated for all the synthesized compounds and structure–activity relationships were established. Many compounds exhibited high and broad-range bactericidal activity. Among them, organic chalcone based on nitro-substituted 4c and chloro-substituted 6c, ferrocenyl chalcone based trimethoxy-substituted 20c and dimethyl-substituted 24c molecules displayed the best and broad-range bactericidal activity. Product 24c also exhibited the highest antifungal activity against most of the fungi tested. In fact some compounds are more potent and some are comparable with standard drugs.
Malaria is a parasitic disease spread by Plasmodium parasite. Microscopy, lateral flow devices such as the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), molecular methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), ...isothermal methods such as Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and other diagnostic methods are available for malaria. On the other hand, the accuracy of molecular diagnosis is dependent on genomic DNA isolation. A quick method for isolating and subjectively determining the presence of genomic DNA from blood, dried blood spot (DBS), and rapid diagnostic test (RDT), was identified.
We have developed a protocol for isolating DNA from blood, DBS, and RDTs using the HUDSON Buffer (TCEP and EDTA). Isolated genomic DNA was seen with SYBR Safe DNA stain (1X) under a UV transilluminator without running in 0.8 percent gel electrophoresis or using a spectrophotometer.
The technique for DNA isolation was accurate for the presence of malaria parasite genomic DNA from positive samples confirmed by microscopy with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 78.67% and RDT with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 66%. The requirements were minimal, and the process took 30 minutes for a hundred sample processing.
Finding a fast and reliable method of separating nucleic acids from many samples is crucial. This approach extracts intact genomic DNA in under ten minutes, making it ideal for large-scale investigations.
Introduction
Bedside test are important tool for evaluating aspiration during swallowing. FEES that is functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing is a gold standard method used in evaluation of ...dysphagia patients. Through this study we aim to assess the sensitivity and specificity of Bedside Clinical swallow evaluation in comparison with Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing.
Objective
To analyze which physiological examination amongst oro motor labial examination, lingual examination, gag reflex, coughs during or post swallow, change in voice quality and hyo-laryngeal excursion during swallow with semisolid and thin liquid consistency in the Bedside Clinical swallow evaluation is better indicator for presence or absence of aspiration.
Methodology
38 patients with different diagnostic entities were presented& included in the study for the assessment of swallowing difficulties as presence or absence of aspiration and possibility of weaning from nasogastric or Nasojejunal tube between March 2016 to October 2016. They were 32 (86%) males and 6 (14%) females. Aspiration correlates were assessed using bedside test (labial movement, lingual movement, gag reflex, strength of productive cough, hyo-laryngeal excursion, And post swallow changes in the quality of voice). FEES was then performed and sensitivity and specificity was compared.
Result
Bedside test showed 84.62% sensitivity and 100% specificity in comparison to FEES. Gag and voice quality were noted to have significant difference with value of 0.009 and 0.033 respectively.
Conclusion
Bedside tests can be considered as an important, easy, sensitive, and specific for the detection of aspiration. Combination of gag reflex and change of voice as parameters of aspiration compared with FEES showed high sensitivity and specificity.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) initiates infection by attachment of the surface-exposed spike glycoprotein to the host cell receptors. The spike glycoprotein (S) is a ...promising target for inducing immune responses and providing protection; thus the ongoing efforts for the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and therapeutic developments are mostly spiraling around S glycoprotein. The matured functional spike glycoprotein is presented on the virion surface as trimers, which contain two subunits, such as S1 (virus attachment) and S2 (virus fusion). The S1 subunit harbors the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the receptor-binding domain (RBD). The RBD is responsible for binding to host-cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The NTD and RBD of S1, and the S2 of S glycoprotein are the major structural moieties to design and develop spike-based vaccine candidates and therapeutics. Here, we have identified three novel epitopes (20-amino acid peptides) in the regions NTD, RBD, and S2 domains, respectively, by structural and immunoinformatic analysis. We have shown as a proof of principle in the murine model, the potential role of these novel epitopes in-inducing humoral and cellular immune responses. Further analysis has shown that RBD and S2 directed epitopes were able to efficiently inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 wild-type virus
suggesting their role as virus entry inhibitors. Structural analysis revealed that S2-epitope is a part of the heptad repeat 2 (HR2) domain which might have plausible inhibitory effects on virus fusion. Taken together, this study discovered novel epitopes that might have important implications in the development of potential SARS-CoV-2 spike-based vaccine and therapeutics.
Display omitted
•Designed and synthesis of 2-(2-mercaptophenyl)-1H-benzodeisoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione (L3).•Colorimetric and Ratiometric fluorometric Mercury (II) sensor.•Highly selective and ...sensitive.•Reversibility and logic gate applications.•High in theoretical estimation and experimental outcome.
A novel colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor, 2-(2-mercaptophenyl)-1H-benzodeisoquinoline-1,3-(2H)-dione (L3) is reported for Hg2+ ions. The selective binding of Hg2+ to L3 afforded new absorbance and fluorescence peaks at 438 nm and 480 nm, in addition to the existing bands of L3 at 332 nm and 376 nm. It also showed apparent colour change from colourless to yellowish green and weak fluorescent to bright yellowish green strong fluorescent due to selective binding of Hg2+ ion. The sensor forms a 1:1 stoichiometry with high binding constants (3.89 × 104 mol−1L) and limit of detection 1.74 × 10-8 M with high selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg2+ in the presence of other interfering metal ions. More importantly, it has good practicability in environmental water sample. The outcome of photo-physical experiment has also been in good accordance with the time-resolved fluorescence life decays and the density functional theory (DFT) estimations. Moreover, the L3-Hg2+ solution displayed high colorimetric and fluorimetric reversibility via the addition of KI. This reversibility in fluorescence showed potential applicability of chemosensor L3 as “on–off–on” naked eye sensor.
To compare the diagnostic accuracy of two systems in predicting mortality among patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The cross-sectional study was conducted from ...November 2017 to June 2018 in the Department of Chest Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, and comprised patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dyspnoea-eosinopenia-consolidation-acidaemia-atrial fibrillation system was compared with acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scoring system after mortality scores were calculated for each patient. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.
Of the 210 patients, 147(70%) were males and 63(30%) were females. Overall, 59(28.1%) patients died during hospital stay. The mean dyspnoea-eosinopenia-consolidation-acidaemia-atrial fibrillation score was 2.31±0.93 while the mean acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score was 15.8±7.2. A decision threshold of dyspnoea-eosinopenia-consolidation-acidaemia-atrial fibrillation score >2 had a sensitivity of 84.6% and specificity of 82.3% while acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score had sensitivity of 53.9% and specificity of 76.5%.
Both scoring systems were found to be good predictors of mortality, but dyspnoea-eosinopenia-consolidationacidaemia-atrial fibrillation score was a simpler and effective clinical tool.
Zinc is an essential micronutrient which regulates diverse physiological functions and has been shown to play a crucial role in viral infections. Zinc has a necessary role in the replication of many ...viruses, however, antiviral action of zinc has also been demonstrated in
infection models most likely through induction of host antiviral responses. Therefore, depending on the host machinery that the virus employs at different stages of infection, zinc may either facilitate, or inhibit virus infection. In this study, we show that zinc plays divergent roles in rotavirus and dengue virus infections in epithelial cells. Dengue virus infection did not perturb the epithelial barrier functions despite the release of virus from the basolateral surface whereas rotavirus infection led to disruption of epithelial junctions. In rotavirus infection, zinc supplementation post-infection did not block barrier disruption suggesting that zinc does not affect rotavirus life-cycle or protects epithelial barriers post-infection suggesting the involvement of cellular pathways in the beneficial effect of zinc supplementation in enteric infections. Zinc depletion by N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (TPEN) inhibited dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection but had no effect on rotavirus. Time-of-addition experiments suggested that zinc chelation affected both early and late stages of dengue virus infectious cycle and zinc chelation abrogated dengue virus RNA replication. We show that transient zinc chelation induces ER stress and antiviral response by activating NF-kappaB leading to induction of interferon signaling. These results suggest that modulation of zinc homeostasis during virus infection could be a component of host antiviral response and altering zinc homeostasis may act as a potent antiviral strategy against flaviviruses.
PDF
