Higher Activity Index Research Articles

Exploring the enhanced bioactivity and reactivity of novel Fe(III) and Co(II) complexes incorporating sulfadiazine tetradentate ligand: Structural, DFT, molecular docking, and biological applications

This current work presented the synthesis, characterization and bio-evaluation of new Fe(III) (FePSD), and Co(II) (CoPSD) complexes based on N-[4-amino-5-cyano-6-(methylthio)pyridin-2-yl]-3-oxobutanamide in pyridine afford N-(4-amino-5-cyano-6-(methylthio) pyridin-2-yl)-3-oxo-2-([4-(pyrimidin-2-ylsulfamoyl) phenyl]hydrazono) butanamide (PSD). Interestingly, the FePSD and CoPSD complexes exhibit notable stability and solubility in organic solvents, with molar conductivity values of 79.35 Ω−1 cm2 mol−1 for FePSD and 8.89 Ω−1 cm2 mol−1 for CoPSD, indicating a 1:1 electrolytic nature for FePSD and non-electrolytic behavior for CoPSD. FTIR analysis confirmed metal–ligand interactions, as shifts in key bands were observed, while UV–Vis spectra and magnetic moment measurements supported octahedral geometries for both complexes. DFT calculations provided insights into the electronic structure, revealing that CoPSD has higher reactivity and electrophilicity, while FePSD showed moderate reactivity. Thermal and mass spectral analyses further characterized their stoichiometry and stability. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungal strains. The FePSD and CoPSD complexes demonstrated significantly enhanced antimicrobial efficacy compared to the parent ligand, as evidenced by larger inhibition zones, higher activity indices, and lower minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC). CoPSD exhibited superior antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to FePSD, nearing the effectiveness of standard antibiotics and antifungal drugs. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory potential of these compounds was assessed using the egg albumin denaturation method. Both FePSD and CoPSD showed remarkable inhibition of protein denaturation, surpassing the parent ligand and even outperforming the standard drug Ibuprofen at higher concentrations. The enhancement in biological activity is attributed to the metal chelation effect, which improves cell membrane permeability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Molecular docking studies further elucidated the binding interactions of PSD, FePSD, and CoPSD with target proteins, revealing stronger hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding in the metal complexes, correlating with their superior biological activity. These findings highlight the potential of FePSD and CoPSD as promising antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents.

Scientometric Analysis of Non-Conventional Energy Research Literature

Research on non-conventional energy has experienced significant global growth, with countries such as India playing a prominent role. Scientometric analyses of research trends in this field provide insights into productivity, impact, and collaboration patterns, which are essential for guiding future work and informing policy-making. This study aims to evaluate the contributions of Indian and global researchers to non-conventional energy research from 2003 to 2022, focusing on research productivity, citation impact, growth trends, and international collaborations. The analysis examined 13,378 publications from India and 164,586 publications globally in the non-conventional energy sector over the 2003-2022 period. Scientometric indicators, such as the average citation per paper, annual growth rate (AGR), exponential growth rate, activity index, publication efficiency index (PEI), relative growth rate (RGR), and doubling time (Dt), were employed. Bradford’s law of scattering and Zipf’s law were also tested to assess their applicability in this domain. In 2004, India achieved the highest average citation per paper, with 117.58 citations, while globally, the highest average citation per paper was 67.56 in 2005. The highest annual growth rate (AGR) of 114.26% was recorded in 2006, which also marked the peak exponential growth rate of 2.14, with 45 publications. In 2022, the highest activity index was 141.56. The maximum publication efficiency index (PEI) value was 4.38 in 2004, with 31 publications. The study identified Kumar, A., as the most prolific author, contributing 281 papers (12.87%) and highlighted the United States of America as the top international collaborator with 488 records. Bradford’s law of scattering and Zipf’s law did not align with the publication distribution patterns in this research area. Additionally, the study examined the mean relative growth rate (RGR), doubling time (Dt) for publications and citations, and other key scientometric indicators. The findings demonstrate strong growth and high citation impact in non-conventional energy research, with India and the global research community making significant contributions. Collaborative networks, particularly with the United States of America, play a substantial role in advancing this field. These insights underscore the importance of continued research and collaboration in non-conventional energy to address global energy challenges.

Mechatronics Research Output: A Comparative Study of Global and G5 Contributions (2001-2020)

This research examines the output productivity of mechatronics through a quantitative and qualitative analysis from 2001 to 2020, covering a total of 20 years. Data were downloaded from the Web of Science (WOS). Globally, 3,359 papers with 46,043 citations were published, while in G5 countries, 599 papers with 5,942 citations were published in the field of mechatronics. Compared to other subjects in science and technology, the field of mechatronics has seen a considerably lower number of publications. Statistics show that approximately 1% of global publications are in mechatronics, compared to 30-35% in other fields. In 2007, a total of 5,010 highly cited papers were published, with an average of 35.79 citations per paper and an h-index of 36. The highest Activity Index (AI) of 381 was recorded for South Africa in 2008, and South Africa also had the highest Attractive Index (AAI) of 706 in 2012. The maximum Relative Quality Index (RQI) for South Africa was 2.00, while China's RQI was lower than the global average, at 0.87. In the coming years, it is expected that G5 countries and the global research area of mechatronics literature will see an increase in production.

#1393 Urinary soluble CD163 correlates with glomerular inflammation in proliferative lupus nephritis

Abstract Background and Aims Clinical distinction between histologic activity and chronicity in lupus nephritis remains challenging. We sought to evaluate the utility of urinary soluble protein CD613 (usCD163) as a potential biomarker to reflect histologic activity in lupus nephritis (LN). Method Forty-three patients with LN with concurrent determination of usCD163 at the moment of kidney biopsy were included in the study. A first morning void prior to the kidney biopsy was collected and usCD163 was measured by a commercial ELISA assay (EUROIMMUN, Lubeck, DE). Urine CD163 values were normalized to urine creatinine and expressed as ng per mmol of urine creatinine. Results The study cohort had a mean age at the moment of kidney biopsy of 35.3 ± 12.3 years, 81.4% being females. The mean eGFR and 24-h proteinuria were 77.1 ± 33.7 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 3.28 ± 3.23 g/day, respectively. In terms of histological findings, the majority of patients had proliferative LN (class III—34.9%, class IV—34.9%, class IV+V—9.3%), while the median activity and chronicity index were 7 (IQR: 3-11) and 3 (IQR: 1-5), respectively. The median usCD163 normalized to urine creatinine was 616.4 ng/mmol (IQR: 117.6-2363.7). usCD163 significantly correlated with 24-h proteinuria (r = 0.46, p = 0.002), albumin/creatinine ratio (r = 0.61, p < 0.001) and C3 level (r = −0.32, p = 0.03), but not with hematuria (r = 0.26, p = 0.09) or eGFR (r = −0.27, p = 0.07). Regarding the histological parameters, usCD163 significantly correlated with the activity index (AI) and the individual active lesions (with the exception of fibrinoid necrosis), but not with chronicity index or any chronic lesion (Fig. 1). In addition, the level of usCD163 was higher in patients with proliferative LN compared to those with class II or isolated class V LN (Fig. 2). When evaluating the capacity of different variables to discriminate patients with a high AI (≥9), usCD163 outperformed classical clinical or immunological variables, with an area under the curve of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.55-0.86; p = 0.01). At a cutoff of 313 ng/mmol (Youden Index = 0.42), usCD163 had a sensitivity of 88.2% and specificity of 46% to identify patients with a high AI. Patients with an elevated level of usCD163 (≥313 ng/mmol) had higher 24-h proteinuria (4.41 ± 3.4 vs. 1.36 ± 1.74 g/day, p < 0.001), higher AI [10 (IQR: 6-12) vs. 3.5 (IQR: 0-6), p < 0.001] and more frequently class IV LN (48.1% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.02), compared to those with low levels of usCD163. In addition, 4 patients underwent repeat kidney biopsy post-induction therapy. In these patients, serial monitoring showed a normalization of usCD163 levels that paralleled a decrease in both proteinuria and AI. Conclusion Urinary soluble CD163 is a promising non-invasive biomarker for glomerular inflammation and could be used to evaluate histologic activity in patients with LN.

Fabricating Pea Protein Micro-Gel-Stabilized Pickering Emulsion as Saturated Fat Replacement in Ice Cream.

Unsaturated fat replacement should be used to reduce the use of saturated fat and trans fatty acids in the diet. In this study, pea protein micro-gels (PPMs) with different structures were prepared by microparticulation at pH 4.0-7.0 and named as PPM (pH 4.0), PPM (pH 4.5), PPM (pH 5.0), PPM (pH 5.5), PPM (pH 6.0), PPM (pH 6.5), and PPM (pH 7.0). Pea protein was used as a control to evaluate the structure and interfacial properties of PPMs by particle size distribution, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), free sulfhydryl group content, and emulsifying property. PPM (pH 7.0) was suitable for application in O/W emulsion stabilization because of its proper particle size, more flexible structure, high emulsifying activity index (EAI) and emulsifying stability index (ESI). The Pickering emulsion stabilized by PPM (pH 7.0) had a uniform oil droplet distribution and similar rheological properties to cream, so it can be used as a saturated fat replacement in the manufacture of ice cream. Saturated fat was partially replaced at different levels of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%, which were respectively named as PR0, PR20, PR40, PR60, PR80, and PR100. The rheological properties, physicochemical indexes, and sensory properties of low-saturated fat ice cream show that PPM (pH 7.0)-stabilized emulsion can be used to substitute 60% cream to manufacture low-saturated fat ice cream that has high structural stability and similar melting properties, overrun, and sensory properties to PR0. The article shows that it is feasible to prepare low-saturated fat ice cream with PPM (pH 7.0)-stabilized Pickering emulsion, which can not only maintain the fatty acid profile of the corn oil used, but also possess a solid-like structure. Its application is of positive significance for the development of nutritious and healthy foods and the reduction of chronic disease incidence.

The Near-infrared Ca ii Triplet as a Stellar Activity Indicator: A Library and Comparative Study

We have established and released a new stellar index library of the Ca ii triplet, which serves as an indicator for characterizing the chromospheric activity of stars. The library is based on data from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) Low-Resolution Spectroscopic Survey (LRS) Data Release 9. To better reflect the chromospheric activity of stars, we have defined new indices R and R +. The library includes measurements of R and R + for each Ca ii infrared triplet (IRT) from 699,348 spectra of 562,863 F, G, and K-type solar-like stars with a signal-to-noise ratio higher than 100, as well as the stellar atmospheric parameters and basic information inherited from the LAMOST LRS catalog. We compared the differences between the three individual indices of the Ca ii triplet and also conducted a comparative analysis of Rλ8542+ to the Ca ii H and K S and RHK+ index databases. We observe the fraction of less active stars decreases with T eff and the fraction of more active stars first decreases with decreasing temperature and turns to increase with decreasing temperature at 5800 K. We also find that a significant fraction of stars that show a high activity index in both Ca ii H and K and IRT are binaries with low activity; some of them could be discriminated in the Ca ii H and K S index and Rλ8542+ space. This new stellar library serves as a valuable resource for studying chromospheric activity in stars and can be used to improve our comprehension of stellar magnetic activity and other astrophysical phenomena.

Antagonistic Activity of Cellulase-Producing Yeasts Isolated from Cocoa Fermentation Against Pathogenic Molds Collected from Damaged Cocoa Fruits

The presence of pathogenic molds in post-harvested cocoa beans poses a significant problem to most Indonesian farmers. Pathogenic molds secrete phytopathogenic toxins which cause rotting, seriously damaging the cocoa fruits. The common pathogenic molds found in damaged cocoa beans are Phytophthora palmivora and Phytophthora megakarya. These molds are so far controlled by using chemical pesticides, whose long-term use is potentially harmful to human health and the environment. Thus, a healthier and safer alternative is needed, especially using biological agents such as yeasts. Some yeasts produce cellulose-degrading enzymes that can possibly break down the fungal cell wall which is composed mostly of the polysaccharide’s chitin and glucan. In this study, yeasts were isolated during the cocoa fermentation process, followed by screening for cellulolytic activity using direct planting and paste method, and subsequent antagonistic testing by double culture technique. Out of 128 yeast isolates, 77 possessed cellulase activity, with 6 of them having the highest activity index. Antagonistic activity test of these 6 isolates (C1.0.4, C1.1.3, C2.3.10, C2.3.14, C3.5.11, and C3.3.1) against the pathogenic molds resulted in isolate C3.3.1 showing the highest inhibition percentage from the 2

Reaction Process of Solid Waste Composite-Based Cementitious Materials for Immobilizing and Characterizing Heavy Metals in Lead and Zinc Tailings: Based on XRD, SEM-EDS and Compressive Strength Characterization.

This study investigates the synergistic effect and mechanism of gelling materials with blast furnace slag (BFS), steel slag (SS) and desulphurization gypsum (DG) as the main components on the hardening of heavy metal ions by lead and zinc tailings. It is found that lead and zinc tailing (LZT) is mainly composed of dolomite and quartz and contain small amounts of calcium, aluminum, iron, magnesium and other elements as well as heavy metals such as lead and zinc. By the mechanical activation method, it is found that the lead and zinc tailings powder has the largest specific surface area and the highest activity index when the ball milling time is 2 h. At a hardening timepoint of 28 d, the calcite crystals in the samples are intertwined with the amorphous C-S-H gel (C-S-H gels are mainly composed of 3CaO∙SiO2 and 2CaO∙SiO2), which enhances the structural strength of the samples. The chemical reaction analysis confirmed that the formation of calcite is a major driver for the hydration reaction of the steel slag-desulphurization gypsum (SSSDG) system. Overall, the slag, steel slag and desulphurization gypsum solid waste-based gelling materials have synergistic effects in hardening heavy metals by limiting the leaching of metal ions, adsorbing metal ions and hardening heavy metals, and facilitating the hydration process through the formation of compound salt precipitates.

Evaluation of in-vitro antibacterial activity of extracts of Calpurina aurea, Vernonia amygdalina and Rumex nepalensis in Goba district, southeastern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The great majority of the rural populations in developing countries relies on traditional medicinal plants for treating different diseases. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of Calpurnia aurea, Vernonia amygdalina, and Rumex nepalensis collected from Goba District, Bale Zone, southeastern Ethiopia against five human bacterial test pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Plant specimens were extracted with 70% ethanol, 80% methanol, petroleum ether, and distilled water. The crude extracts were evaluated against test pathogens using agar well diffusion and micro dilution methods. The highest yield was achieved by aqueous extract of C. aurea leaf (16.6 mg/ml). The antibacterial activity of the plants’ extracts ranged from a zone of inhibition of 5.4 ± 0.4 mm to 23.0 ± 0.3 mm. Overall, the highest zone of inhibition (23 ± 0.3 mm) and the highest activity index (AI) comparable to 80% of inhibition by standard antibiotic ciprofloxacin (5 µg/disc) were revealed by the methanol extract of C. aurea leaves against S. aureus. The smallest minimum inhibitory concentration (0.78 mg/ml) was achieved by 80% methanol extracts of C. aurea roots and V. amygdalina leaves against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Our study revealed promising antibacterial activity of the evaluated plants.. Further studies are required to evaluate the active ingredients at the in-vitro and in-vivo levels.

New Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) mixed-ligand complexes: stractural, DFT, biological, and molecular docking studies

The primary objective of the current framework was to synthesize novel mononuclear 1:1:1 complexes involving FeLG, CoLG, NiLG, CuLG, and ZnLG, where the ligand (L) is identified as 4-[(4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)hydrazono]methylphenyl-4-methylbenzenesulfonate, and glycine (G) serves as the co-ligand. Comprehensive characterization of the investigated complexes was achieved through various analytical techniques, including FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, mass spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity assessments, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The determination of stoichiometry was performed employing the molar ratio technique, revealing the octahedral geometry inherent in the isolated metal complexes. Employing a density functional theory (DFT) approach, the molecular structures of the designated compounds were theoretically elevated, and quantum chemical descriptors were derived to provide a deeper insight into their electronic properties. Furthermore, the inhibitory potential of these compounds against fungal strains and pathogenic bacteria prevalent in the Arab environment was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, emphasizing their role in combating diseases affecting humans, animals, and plants. Notably, the metal complexes exhibited superior antibacterial activity, as evidenced by a higher activity index. Molecular docking investigations were conducted to ascertain the inhibitory effects of the compounds on the 1FJ4 protein, with ZnLG emerging as the compound with the highest binding affinity. These results suggest the promising candidacy of these compounds as antimicrobial agents, particularly in the context of combating bacterial and fungal infections.
 KEY WORDS: Complexes, Antimicrobial, DFT, Schiff base, Molecular docking
 Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(2), 397-416. 
 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i2.9

In Vitro Antiviral Activity of a New Indol-3-carboxylic Acid Derivative Against SARS-CoV-2.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought into sharp relief the threat posed by coronaviruses and laid the foundation for a fundamental analysis of this viral family, as well as a search for effective anti-COVID drugs. Work is underway to update existent vaccines against COVID-19, and screening for low-molecular-weight anti-COVID drug candidates for outpatient medicine continues. The opportunities and ways to accelerate the development of antiviral drugs against other pathogens are being discussed in the context of preparing for the next pandemic. In 2012-2015, Tsyshkova et al. synthesized a group of water-soluble low-molecular-weight compounds exhibiting an antiviral activity, whose chemical structure was similar to that of arbidol. Among those, there were a number of water-soluble compounds based on 5-methoxyindole-3-carboxylic acid aminoalkyl esters. Only one member of this rather extensive group of compounds, dihydrochloride of 6-bromo-5-methoxy-1-methyl-2-(1-piperidinomethyl)-3-(2-diethylaminoethoxy) carbonylindole, exhibited a reliable antiviral effect against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. At a concentration of 52.0 μM, this compound completely inhibited the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with an infectious activity of 106 TCID50/mL. The concentration curves of the analyzed compound indicate the specificity of its action. Interferon-inducing activity, as well as suppression of syncytium formation induced by the spike protein (S-glycoprotein) of SARS-CoV-2 by 89%, were also revealed. In view of its synthetic accessibility - high activity (IC50 = 1.06 μg/mL) and high selectivity index (SI = 78.6) - this compound appears to meets the requirements for the development of antiviral drugs for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.

High Glass Waste Incorporation towards Sustainable High-Performance Concrete

The use of waste as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete is already widespread, with glass waste being an increasingly used option. The utilization of glass waste as a partial substitute for cement in small proportions has shown satisfactory outcomes. Nevertheless, substituting cement in high proportions requires further investigation. Experimental research was carried out on the mechanical and durability properties of concrete with the replacement of cement by glass powder (GP), at a high volume equal to 50%. Binder content (cement plus GP) varied from 300 to 500 kg/m3. The results are promising regarding the use of the high volume of GP in high-performance concretes. The specimens with 500 kg/m3 of binder (50% of which was GP-G250) achieved almost 55 MPa at 28 days. The specimen with the lowest resistance was G150, with 32 MPa. This result may be related to the high pozzolanic activity index of the used GP. The specimens with GP showed satisfactory performance regarding chloride migration, with diffusion coefficients always below those of the reference specimens. The G250 concrete showed a reduction of 58%. Regarding open porosity, concretes with 50% GP had a lower porosity than the reference concretes. The smallest reduction (21%) occurred in the G150 concrete. The reduction in porosity provided by the fineness of the GP may be the main cause of this high performance. Concerning capillary absorption, the GP concretes have a reduction that varies between 47% for G150 and 67% for G250. This fact may be related to the existence of a larger quantity of larger-sized capillary pores in the reference concretes.

Changes in the lipid composition of <i>Peltigera canina</i> at an elevated temperature

Extremophile organisms can survive under extreme conditions through tolerance mechanisms. Such organisms include lichens, which are symbiotic associations of fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria. Among other factors, the high stress tolerance of lichens can be attributed to their ability to synthesize a wide range of metabolites, including chemically diverse lipid compounds. Despite their obvious relevance, the biochemical mechanisms of stress tolerance in lichens that are mediated by changes in the lipid profile remain understudied. Peltigerous lichens constitute a separate division of lichens characterized by high growth rates and metabolic activity indices. Taking into account the temperate climate in which these lichens grow, it can be assumed that they may be highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. These factors led to the choice of Peltigera canina, epigeic lichen, as the subject matter of this study. The present work examined stress-induced changes in the redox status of P. canina, as well as changes in its lipid composition at an elevated temperature (40 °С). The exposure of hydrated lichen thalli to an unfavorable temperature led to an increase in the level of hydrogen peroxide, phenoloxidase activity, and lipid peroxidation, which constitutes an important part of stress response in lichen. The stress-induced changes in the redox status of lichen thalli stimulated an increase in lipophilic antioxidant agents: a dramatic increase in the level of α-tocopherol and an increase in carotenoids, specifically β-carotene. Thus, the accumulation of lipophilic antioxidants constitutes an important part of the lipid-mediated stress response of P. canina to temperature elevation.

Effect of calcination on the physical, chemical, morphological, and cementitious properties of red mud

Red mud (RM), a by-product of aluminum production, poses environmental concerns with its disposal. This study explored calcining RM at 600 °C for 0–6 hours to utilize it as a cement substitute. Calcination up to 2 hours decreased particle size and increased surface area due to moisture loss, while further calcination reversed these effects. XRF analysis showed high Fe2O3, Al2O3, SiO2 contents. XRD revealed goethite transformed to hematite and gibbsite to alumina. SEM images displayed a loose then denser structure over time. 10% calcined RM incorporated into cement showed 2-hour calcined RM exhibited optimal properties, including high strength (46.27 MPa) and strength activity index (117.24%). SEM confirmed improved C-S-H gel formation with 2-hour calcined RM. In summary, calcining RM optimally at 600 °C for 2 hours allows its effective use as a sustainable cementitious material, providing environ- mental and technical benefits of RM utilization in cement composites.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Brassica nigra, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Schinus molle in Ethiopia against selected human bacterial pathogens

ABSTRACT Antimicrobial activity of solvent extracts of Brassica nigra, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Schinus molle were investigated against six bacterial pathogens. The highest zone of inhibition (ZOI) were noted for methanol extract of B. nigra against S. boydii. The highest activity index (AI) was noted in methanol extract of B. nigra against S. boydi (AI = 0.86) using ciprofloxacin as positive control but AI ≥ 1.0 in some extracts while using gentamicin as positive control. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged from 6.25 mg mL−1 to 100 mg mL−1. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was B. nigra > T. foenum-graecum > S. molle.

Characteristics of patients with systemic sclerosis who develop interstitial lung disease

Systemic sclerosis associated-interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) show a high mortality. The factors associated SSc-ILD have shown variability in different populations. There are few studies in Mexican mestizos. To analyze the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical factors associated with SSc-ILD. Cross-sectional study, where patients > 18 years of age with a diagnosis of SSc according to EULAR/ACR 2013 criteria and diagnosis of ILD by forced vital capacity (FVC) < 70% and > 5% of affected lung area on tomography were included. The strength of association of the factors for ILD was measured by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The significant variables were analyzed by multiple logistic regression with adjustment. Of the 80 patients with SSc, 38 (47.5%) had ILD. Risk factors such as smoking, higher activity index, lower FVC, anti-topoisomerase I antibodies, and protective factors such as a limited SSc, early capillaroscopic pattern, and anti-centromere antibodies (ACA) were associated with ILD. In the multivariate analysis, a higher activity index with OR 4.17, (95% CI 2.01-8.65) persisted as a risk factor, while ACA with OR 0.17, (95% CI 0.03-0.85) persisted as a protective factor associated with SSc-ILD. A higher index of activity and ACA persisted as factors associated with SSc-ILD.

Increased formation of neutrophil extracellular traps induced by autophagy and identification of autophagy-related biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abnormal death of neutrophils and the subsequent ineffective clearance of cell fragments result in production of autoantigens that can lead to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Excessive formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can trigger the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as type I interferons, leading to tissue damage and immune dysfunction in SLE patients. In this study, we found that a decrease in neutrophil counts in the peripheral blood was correlated with clinical parameters in SLE patients. Patients with low neutrophil counts had high renal activity index and chronicity index scores. NET formation and neutrophil autophagy in SLE patients were increased. The autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine was shown to restrict NET formation. Using comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, we found that the expression of the autophagy-related gene, hypoxia-inducible factor 1A (HIF1A), was enhanced in peripheral neutrophils and in the renal glomeruli in SLE patients. Targeting HIF1A could be a potential therapeutic approach for SLE.

Measuring the Impact of ICU Strain on Mortality, After-Hours Discharge, Discharge Delay, Interhospital Transfer, and Readmission in Australia With the Activity Index.

ICU resource strain leads to adverse patient outcomes. Simple, well-validated measures of ICU strain are lacking. Our objective was to assess whether the "Activity index," an indicator developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, was a valid measure of ICU strain. Retrospective national registry-based cohort study. One hundred seventy-five public and private hospitals in Australia (June 2020 through March 2022). Two hundred seventy-seven thousand seven hundred thirty-seven adult ICU patients. None. Data from the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database were matched to the Critical Health Resources Information System. The mean daily Activity index of each ICU (census total of "patients with 1:1 nursing" + "invasive ventilation" + "renal replacement" + "extracorporeal membrane oxygenation" + "active COVID-19," divided by total staffed ICU beds) during the patient's stay in the ICU was calculated. Patients were categorized as being in the ICU during very quiet (Activity index < 0.1), quiet (0.1 to < 0.6), intermediate (0.6 to < 1.1), busy (1.1 to < 1.6), or very busy time-periods (≥ 1.6). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included after-hours discharge from the ICU, readmission to the ICU, interhospital transfer to another ICU, and delay in discharge from the ICU. Median Activity index was 0.87 (interquartile range, 0.40-1.24). Nineteen thousand one hundred seventy-seven patients died (6.9%). In-hospital mortality ranged from 2.4% during very quiet to 10.9% during very busy time-periods. After adjusting for confounders, being in an ICU during time-periods with higher Activity indices, was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 99% CI, 1.38-1.60), after-hours discharge (OR, 1.27; 99% CI, 1.21-1.34), readmission (OR, 1.18; 99% CI, 1.09-1.28), interhospital transfer (OR, 1.92; 99% CI, 1.72-2.15), and less delay in ICU discharge (OR, 0.58; 99% CI, 0.55-0.62): findings consistent with ICU strain. The Activity index is a simple and valid measure that identifies ICUs in which increasing strain leads to progressively worse patient outcomes.

Xanthone synthetic derivatives with high anticandidal activity and positive mycostatic selectivity index values

With the current massive increases in drug-resistant microbial infection as well as the significant role of fungal infections in the death toll of COVID-19, discovering new antifungals is extremely important. Natural and synthetic xanthones are promising derivatives, although only few reports have demonstrated their antifungal mechanism of action in detail. Newly synthetized by us xanthone derivative 44 exhibited strong antifungal activity against reference and fluconazole resistant C. albicans strains. Our results indicate that the most active compounds 42 and 44 are not substrates for fungal ABC transporters (Cdr1p and Cdr2p) and Mdr1p, the main representative of the major facilitator superfamily efflux pumps, membrane proteins that are responsible for the development of resistance. Moreover, fungicidal mode of action reduces the probability of persistent or recurrent infections and resistance development. In this light, the demonstrated killing activity of the examined derivatives is their undoubted advantage. Novel synthesized compounds exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against human cell lines, although the selectivity index value for human pathogenic strains remained favourable. Our results also indicate that novel synthetized compounds 42 and 44 with antifungal activity target yeast topoisomerase II activity. In summary, further validation of xanthones applicability as antifungals is highly valuable.

Mental disorders in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: association with activity and the course of rheumatic disease

To clarify the relationship between the clinical and psychopathological features of mental disorders, clinical and laboratory manifestations of activity and the nature of the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study included 119 patients - 98 (82.4%) women, mean age 36.5±12.4 years (M±SD) - with a reliable diagnosis of SLE (EULAR/ACR 2019 criteria), 51 (29.5%) of them - with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome - APS (International criteria of 2006). Among patients with SLE a high frequency of anxiety-depressive spectrum disorders (ADSD) and cognitive impairment (CI) was revealed. There was an association of greater severity of depression with high SLE activity index, acute/subacute onset of the disease course according to the classification of V.A. Nasonova, relapsing-remitting and chronic active current disease activity patterns of SLE according to the classification of S. Barr - M. Petri. Anxiety disorders were associated with subacute onset and relapsing-remitting disease activity patterns of SLE and were not associated with SLE activity index. Bipolar disorder was detected more often in patients with chronic SLE. Acute psychosis/delirium was associated with acute onset of SLE. Organic CI was associated with APS, chronic onset and long quiescent disease activity patterns of SLE. The episindrome and schizotypal disorder in patients with SLE are more often caused by concomitant APS. Patients with high SLE activity index should be of particular concern to rheumatologists regarding the diagnosis of depressive disorders. Patients with concomitant APS need timely diagnosis and treatment of CI and episindrome in order to improve the prognosis of the disease and the overall quality of life.