Unraveling the Genetic Basis of Congenital Limb Anomalies in Eight Families.

Limb abnormalities are the second most frequent birth defects seen in infants, after congenital heart disease. Over the past 150 years, more than 50 classifications for limb malformations based on morphology and osseous anatomy have been presented. The goal of the current study is to investigate the genetic basis of congenital limb abnormalities in the Pakistani population.

The genetic cause of neurodevelopmental disorders in 30 consanguineous families.

Objective: This study aims to clinically and genetically assess 30 unrelated consanguineous Pakistani families from various ethnic backgrounds, all exhibiting features of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).

Methods: We conducted clinical, genetic, biochemical, and molecular analyses on 30 consanguineous families with NDDs enrolled from various regions of Pakistan. The likely molecular causes of primary microcephaly and NDDs were identified.

Comprehensive genome-wide identification of Snf2 gene family and their expression profile under salt stress in six Brassica species of U's triangle model.

We comprehensively identified and analyzed the Snf2 gene family. Some Snf2 genes were involved in responding to salt stress based on the RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis. Sucrose nonfermenting 2 (Snf2) proteins are core components of chromatin remodeling complexes that not only alter DNA accessibility using the energy of ATP hydrolysis, but also play a critical regulatory role in growth, development, and stress response in eukaryotes.

Genome-wide identification of the ICS family genes and its role in resistance to Plasmodiophora brassicae in Brassica napus L.

The isochorismate synthase (ICS) proteins are essential regulators of salicylic acid (SA) synthesis, which has been reported to regulate resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is a common disease that threatens the yield and quality of Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).

Root system architecture change in response to waterlogging stress in a 448 global collection of rapeseeds (Brassica napus L.).

A novel image-based screening method for precisely identifying genotypic variations in rapeseed RSA under waterlogging stress was developed. Five key root traits were confirmed as good indicators of waterlogging and might be employed in breeding, particularly when using the MFVW approach. Waterlogging is a vital environmental factor that has detrimental effects on the growth and development of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.

Metal-Free Selective Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes from Alkenes and Formaldehyde Catalyzed by Dimethylamine.

α,β-Unsaturated aldehydes are important building blocks for the synthesis of a wide range of chemicals, including polymers. The synthesis of these molecules from cheap feedstocks such as alkenes remains a scientific challenge, mainly due to the low reactivity of alkenes. Here we report a selective and metal-free access to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes from alkenes with formaldehyde.

Heat transfer analysis of generalized second-grade fluid with exponential heating and thermal heat flux.

The aim of present work is to apply the Caputo-Fabrizio fractional derivative in the constitutive equations of heat transfer. Natural convection flow of an unsteady second grade fluid over a vertical plate with exponential heating is discussed. The generalized Fourier law is substituted in temperature profile.

Cobalt-based MOF nanoribbons with abundant O/N species for cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to epoxides.

Chemical fixation of CO with epoxides is an effective option to achieve sustainable synthesis of cyclic organic carbonates. Although metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising catalysts for this reaction, their low stability in aqueous solutions makes this application infeasible. In an effort to overcome this limitation, cobalt-based metal-organic framework (Co(II)MOF) nanoribbons have been prepared by coordinating the Co(II) ions with a new ligand (CHNO) full of oxygen and nitrogen moieties.

A multifunctional α-FeO@PEDOT core-shell nanoplatform for gene and photothermal combination anticancer therapy.

Exploration of versatile nanoplatforms within one single nanostructure for multidisciplinary treatment modalities, especially achieving a synergistic therapeutic efficacy of combinational gene/photothermal cancer therapy is still a great challenge in biomedicine and nanotechnology. In this study, a unique photothermal nanocarrier has successfully been designed and developed for a combination of gene therapy (GT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) of cancer cells. Surface-engineered iron oxides (α-FeO) nanoparticles (NPs) with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymer coatings are synthesized using a one-pot oxidative polymerization method.

Diversity of fungal pathogens associated with loquat and development of novel virulence scales.

Loquat [Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.] is an important fruit crop in Pakistan; however, a constant decline in its production is noted due biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly disease infestation.

Photo-promoted in situ reduction and stabilization of Pd nanoparticles by H at photo-insensitive SmO nanorods.

Controlled synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles with well-defined size and good dispersion on supports has been a long-standing challenge in heterogeneous catalysis. Here we report a facile photo-assisted Hin situ reduction process to synthesize monodispersed Pd nanoparticles with 2-4 nm size on photo-insensitive SmO rare-earth metal oxide with nanorod morphology. Thanks to the contribution of UV irradiation, the photoelectrons generation in the SmO support accelerates the H reduction of Pd ions into Pd and stabilize the growth of very small Pd nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed on the support.

Polydopamine Coated PB-MnO Nanoparticles as an Oxygen Generator Nanosystem for Imaging-Guided Single-NIR-Laser Triggered Synergistic Photodynamic/Photothermal Therapy.

Exploring a combined phototherapeutic strategy to overcome the limitations of a single mode therapy and inducing high anticancer efficiency is highly promising for precision cancer nanomedicine. However, a single-wavelength laser activates dual photothermal/photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT) treatment is still a formidable challenge. Herein, we strategically design and fabricate a multifunctional theranostic nanosystem based on chlorin e6-functionalized polydopamine (PDA) coated prussian blue/manganese dioxide nanoparticles (PB-MnO@PDA-Ce6 NPs).

Plasmonic MoO nanoparticles incorporated in Prussian blue frameworks exhibit highly efficient dual photothermal/photodynamic therapy.

Development of near infrared (NIR) light-responsive nanomaterials for high performance multimodal phototherapy within a single nanoplatform is still challenging in technology and biomedicine. Herein, a new phototherapeutic nanoagent based on FDA-approved Prussian blue (PB) functionalized oxygen-deficient molybdenum oxide nanoparticles (MoO NPs) is strategically designed and synthesized by a facile one-pot size/morphology-controlled process. The as-prepared PB-MoO nanocomposites (NCs) with a uniform particle size of ∼90 nm and high water dispersibility exhibited strong optical absorption in the first biological window, which is induced by plasmon resonance in an oxygen-deficient MoO semiconductor.

A Hybrid VO Incorporated Hexacyanoferrate Nanostructured Hydrogel as a Multienzyme Mimetic Cascade Reactions.

Inspired by the cascade reactions occurring in micro-organelles of living systems, we have developed a hybrid hydrogel, a nanozyme that mimics three key enzymes including peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. The organic/inorganic nanostructured hydrogel constituting VO incorporated hexacyanoferrate Berlin green analogue complex (VOBG) is prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal process, and its composition, structure, and properties are thoroughly investigated. Polyvinylpyrrolidone, a low-cost and biocompatible polymer, was utilized as a scaffold to increase the surface area and dispersion of the highly active catalytic centers of the nanozyme.

Synovial sarcoma of cervicodorsal spine: A case report.

Synovial sarcoma is a soft-tissue sarcoma. Its involvement of the spine is extremely rare. We report a 40 year old male who presented with shoulder pain and progressive weakness in all four limbs for six months with a visible, slowly growing bulge in his upper back.

Intrinsic peroxidase-like activity and enhanced photo-Fenton reactivity of iron-substituted polyoxometallate nanostructures.

Heteropolyacids (HPAs) are a class of polyoxometallates (POMs) with oxygen-rich surfaces. Herein, we have developed an Fe-containing heteropolyacid by cation-exchange and employed KFePW12O40 nanostructures for Fenton, photo-Fenton and enzyme-mimetic reactions. The as-prepared KFePW12O40 catalyst exhibits efficient degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) via the photo-Fenton reaction.

Highly dispersed ultra-small Pd nanoparticles on gadolinium hydroxide nanorods for efficient hydrogenation reactions.

Heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation reactions are of great importance to the petrochemical industry and fine chemical synthesis. Herein, we present the first example of gadolinium hydroxide (Gd(OH)) nanorods as a support for loading ultra-small Pd nanoparticles for hydrogenation reactions. Gd(OH) possesses a large number of hydroxyl groups on the surface, which act as an ideal support for good dispersion of Pd nanoparticles.

One-Step Growth of Iron-Nickel Bimetallic Nanoparticles on FeNi Alloy Foils: Highly Efficient Advanced Electrodes for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Electrochemical water splitting is an important process to produce hydrogen and oxygen for energy storage and conversion devices. However, it is often restricted by the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to its sluggish kinetics. To overcome the problem, precious metal oxide-based electrocatalysts, such as RuO and IrO, are widely used.

Risk of In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Among Medicare Beneficiaries Undergoing Video Electroencephalographic Monitoring.

Purpose: Sudden cardiac death is the dominant reason of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Anecdotal reports have documented cardiac arrest during video electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring. We performed this study to determine the rate of cardiac arrest and need for cardiac resuscitation during video EEG monitoring.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Dural Thickness in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

Background And Purpose: We performed this study to evaluate the prevalence of and factors associated with dural thickening in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative participants with axial FLAIR sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were analyzed. Dural thickness was defined by a linear strip of hyperintense tissue signal along the dura mater observed in at least two different images without evidence of leptomeningeal involvement.