Medical doctor's perception of artificial intelligence during the COVID-19 era: A mixed methods study.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has led to the development of various opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. An abundant number of applications have surfaced responding to the pandemic, while some other applications were futile.

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the perception and opportunities of AI used during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the perception of medical data analysts about the inclusion of AI in medical education.

Alternative technique of C1-2-3 stabilization-sectioning of muscles attached to C2 spinous process and C2-3 fixation.

Aim: An alternative technique of C1-2-3 fixation is described that blocks the critical anteroposterior odontoid process movements and retains rotatory movement at the atlantoaxial joint. The technique involves sharp section of the muscles attached to the C2 spinous process and C2-3 transarticular interfacetal screw fixation.

Materials And Methods: We successfully used this technique of fixation in 14 cases wherein in similar case situation; we earlier advocated inclusion of C1 in the fixation construct.

C1-2 and C2-3 Instability in the Presence of Hypoplastic Posterior Elements of C2 Vertebra: Report of 2 Cases.

Background: We present 2 cases involving a previously unreported clinical situation in which basilar invagination, atlantoaxial instability, and C2-3 instability were associated with a bifid posterior arch of the axis bone.

Case Descriptions: Two young males presented with limb weakness, spasticity, and paresthesias. Both patients had altered voice quality, with reduced and thin volume, and difficulty sleeping supine.

Atlantoaxial Fixation for Odontoid Fracture: Analysis of 124 Surgically Treated Cases.

Objective: The authors analyze 124 cases with fracture of odontoid process. All patients were surgically treated by posterior atlantoaxial fixation.

Methods: There were 96 male and 28 female patients.

Only spinal fixation as treatment of prolapsed cervical intervertebral disc in patients presenting with myelopathy.

Aim: An alternative form of surgical treatment of prolapsed cervical intervertebral disc in patients presenting with symptoms related to myelopathy is discussed. The treatment involved fixation of the affected spinal segments and aimed at arthrodesis. No direct manipulation or handling of the disc was done.

Dyeing of Polyester and Nylon with Semi-synthetic Azo Dye by Chemical Modification of Natural Source Areca Nut.

Various azo compounds (Modified dyes) have been synthesised by chemical modification of areca nut extract (epicatechin), a plant-based Polyphenolic compound to get semi-synthetic dyes. Three different primary amines namely p- nitro aniline, p-anisidine and aniline, were diazotized to form their corresponding diazonium salts which were further coupled with an areca nut extract. Preliminary characterization of the areca nut extract and the resultant azo compounds (Modified dyes) was carried out in terms of melting point, solubility tests, thin layer chromatography, UV-Visible and FTIR spectroscopy.

Atractylenolide-I Protects Human SH-SY5Y Cells from 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium-Induced Apoptotic Cell Death.

Oxidative stress and apoptosis are the major mechanisms that induce dopaminergic cell death. Our study investigates the protective effects of atractylenolide-I (ATR-I) on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-induced cytotoxicity in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells, as well as its underlying mechanism. Our experimental data indicates that ATR-I significantly inhibits the loss of cell viability induced by MPP⁺ in SH-SY5Y cells.

Neuroprotective Role of Atractylenolide-I in an In Vitro and In Vivo Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related neurological disorder characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons within the midbrain. Neuroinflammation has been nominated as one of the key pathogenic features of PD. Recently, the inadequate pharmacotherapy and adverse effects of conventional drugs have spurred the development of unconventional medications in the treatment of PD.

Toxin-Induced Experimental Models of Learning and Memory Impairment.

Animal models for learning and memory have significantly contributed to novel strategies for drug development and hence are an imperative part in the assessment of therapeutics. Learning and memory involve different stages including acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval and each stage can be characterized using specific toxin. Recent studies have postulated the molecular basis of these processes and have also demonstrated many signaling molecules that are involved in several stages of memory.

Emerging preclinical pharmacological targets for Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia. It is the most prevalent form of Parkinsonism, categorized by cardinal features such as bradykinesia, rigidity, tremors, and postural instability. Due to the multicentric pathology of PD involving inflammation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, apoptosis, and protein aggregation, it has become difficult to pin-point a single therapeutic target and evaluate its potential application.

A novel synthetic compound MCAP suppresses LPS-induced murine microglial activation in vitro via inhibiting NF-kB and p38 MAPK pathways.

Aim: To investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of a novel synthetic compound, 7-methylchroman-2-carboxylic acid N-(2-trifluoromethyl) phenylamide (MCAP) against LPS-induced microglial activation in vitro.

Methods: Primary mouse microglia and BV2 microglia cells were exposed to LPS (50 or 100 ng/mL). The expression of iNOS and COX-2, proinflammatory cytokines, NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling molecules were analyzed by RT-PCR, Western blot and ELISA.

Synthesis of Pyrene-Fused Pyrazaacenes on Metal Surfaces: Toward One-Dimensional Conjugated Nanostructures.

We investigated the synthesis of one-dimensional nanostructures via Schiff base (imine) formation on three close-packed coinage metal (Au, Ag, and Cu) surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. We demonstrate the feasibility of forming pyrene-fused pyrazaacene-based oligomers on the Ag(111) surface by thermal annealing of tetraketone and tetraamine molecules, which were designed to afford cyclocondensation products. Direct visualization by scanning tunneling microscopy of reactants, intermediates, and products with submolecular resolution and the analysis of their statistical distribution in dependence of stoichiometry and annealing temperature together with the inspection of complementary X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy signatures provide unique insight in the reaction mechanism, its limitations, and the role of the supporting substrate.

Colloidal soft nanocarrier for transdermal delivery of dopamine agonist: ex vivo and in vivo evaluation.

Ropinirole, an antiparkinsoism dopamine agonist, is used to treat Restless Legs Syndrome. However, orally it undergoes degradation in gastrointestinal tract and extensive first pass metabolism, resulting in its poor and variable bioavailability of the commercially available oral tablets. In the present investigation, soft nanocarriers, viz.

α-Asarone attenuates microglia-mediated neuroinflammation by inhibiting NF kappa B activation and mitigates MPTP-induced behavioral deficits in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

The selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with microglial activation. Therefore, the importance of early therapeutic intervention to inhibit microglial activation would be an effective strategy to alleviate the progression of PD. α-Asarone, an active compound found in Araceae and Annonaceae plant species has been used to improve various disease conditions including central nervous system disorders.

Promising cannabinoid-based therapies for Parkinson's disease: motor symptoms to neuroprotection.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slow insidious neurological disorder characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Although several recent preclinical advances have proposed to treat PD, there is hardly any clinically proved new therapeutic for its cure. Increasing evidence suggests a prominent modulatory function of the cannabinoid signaling system in the basal ganglia.

Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of DPTP, a novel synthetic clovamide derivative in in vitro and in vivo model of neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation is one of the critical pathological mechanisms influencing various neurodegenerative disorders. Most of the neurodegenerative diseases involve over-activation of microglial cells contributing to the demise of neurons. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of novel synthetic clovamide derivative on the suppression of microglial activation in an in vitro and in vivo model of neuroinflammation.

EOP, a newly synthesized ethyl pyruvate derivative, attenuates the production of inflammatory mediators via p38, ERK and NF-κB pathways in lipopolysaccharide-activated BV-2 microglial cells.

Microglia-induced neuroinflammation is an important pathological mechanism influencing various neurodegenerative disorders. Excess activation of microglia produces a myriad of proinflammatory mediators that decimate neurons. Hence, therapeutic strategies aimed to suppress the activation of microglia might lead to advancements in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

11,11,12,12-Tetracyano-4,5-pyrenoquinodimethanes: air-stable push-pull o-quinodimethanes with S2 fluorescence.

The synthesis and properties of 11,11,12,12-tetracyano-4,5-pyrenoquinodimethanes (4,5-TCNPs), a new family of isolable and air-stable o-quinodimethanes, are reported. The ortho disposition of the dicyanomethane substituents strongly polarizes the pyrene framework to promote broad and intense intramolecular charge-transfer transitions. In addition, spectroscopic studies reveal that 4,5-TCNPs violate Kasha's rule and emit from the S2 level.

β-Asarone (cis-2,4,5-trimethoxy-1-allyl phenyl), attenuates pro-inflammatory mediators by inhibiting NF-κB signaling and the JNK pathway in LPS activated BV-2 microglia cells.

Acorus species contains diverse pharmacologically active phytochemicals including α-asarone, β-asarone, and eugenol. We determined if β-asarone isolated from Acorus gramineus (AG) Solander would be efficacious in protecting BV-2 microglia cells from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced stress signaling. BV-2 microglial cells were pretreated with an AG ethanol extract (1, 10, and 100 μg/mL) or β-asarone (10, 50, and 100 μM) prior to exposure to LPS (100 ng/mL).

A novel synthetic HTB derivative, BECT inhibits lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammatory response by suppressing the p38 MAPK/JNK and NF-κB activation pathways.

Activated microglia cells are well recognized as mediators of neuroinflammation, as they release nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines in various neuroinflammatory diseases. Thus, suppressing microglial activation may alleviate neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. In the present study, we synthesized and investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of a novel HTB (2-hydroxy-4-trifuoromethylbenzoic acid) derivative in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglial cells.

Low-LUMO pyrene-fused azaacenes.

A series of pyrene-fused azaacenes with four and six linearly fused rings that possess LUMO levels between -3.7 and -4.3 eV is reported.

Twisted pyrene-fused azaacenes.

An approach for introducing twists in pyrene-fused azaacenes is reported. Depending on the volume and the rigidity of the silyl groups, different-sized twist angles, which oscillate between 4° and 24°, are induced along the longitudinal conjugated backbone.

Natural product-derived pharmacological modulators of Nrf2/ARE pathway for chronic diseases.

Covering: 2000 to 2013. Oxidative stress is the central component of chronic diseases. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) pathway is vital in the up-regulation of cytoprotective genes and enzymes in response to oxidative stress and treatment with certain dietary phytochemicals.