Spectroscopic investigations, concentration dependent SERS, and molecular docking studies of a hydroxybenzylidene derivative.

Spectroscopic analysis, density functional theory (DFT) studies and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of ()-'-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-trifluoromethyl) benzohydrazide (CHTB) have been studied on different silver colloids in order to know the particular chemical species responsible for the spectra. Very significant shifts are observed for Raman and SERS wavenumbers. Observed changes in the υ-ring modes may be due to surface interaction of the π-electrons and the presence of this suggested that RingII is more tilted in both cases than RingI and the molecule assumes a tilted orientation for the concentration 10 M.

Conformational analysis and quantum descriptors of two new imidazole derivatives by experimental, DFT, AIM, molecular docking studies and adsorption activity on graphene.

1-[2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(4-methoxyphenylazo)benzaldeneamino)ethyl]-3-methyl-3H-imidazole (HMY) and 1-[2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-(4-methylphenylazo)benzaldene amino)ethyl]-3-methyl-3H-imidazole (HMM) were synthesized and characterized using spectral analysis. Conformational analysis has been achieved using potential energy scan for different rotable bonds for obtaining the lowest energy conformer. Conformer with minimum energy is obtained along the dihedral angle N30-C31-C34-N37.

Baseline Results: The Association Between Cardiovascular Risk and Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease Pathology (ASCEND) Study.

Background: The rate of AD for African Americans (AAs) is 64% higher than for non-Hispanic White Americans (Whites). It is hypothesized that poor peripheral vascular function, in combination with genetics, stress, and inflammation may directly contribute to the accumulation of AD pathologic biomarkers. These risk factors may disproportionately affect AAs.

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid sodium in hypertensive human subjects with a family history of Alzheimer's disease.

High salt (sodium) intake leads to the development of hypertension despite the fact that plasma sodium concentration ([Na]) is usually normal in hypertensive human patients. Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sodium contributes to elevated sympathetic activity and high blood pressure (BP) in rodent models of hypertension. However, whether there is an increased accumulation of sodium in the CSF of humans with chronic hypertension is not well defined.

Detailed quantum mechanical, molecular docking, QSAR prediction, photovoltaic light harvesting efficiency analysis of benzil and its halogenated analogues.

The structural, spectroscopic various physico-chemical and biological characteristics of the organic molecule benzil (BZL) and derivatives, 1,2-bis(4-methylphneyl)-1,2-ethanedione (DMB), 4,4'-difluorobenzil (DFB), 4,4'-dichlorobenzil (DCB) and 4,4'-dibromobenzil (DBB) have been studied by various computational methods. The experimental and scaled simulated Raman and IR spectra were compared and found close agreement. Assignments of important peaks are also presented.

Spectral characterization, thermochemical studies, periodic SAPT calculations and detailed quantum mechanical profiling various physico-chemical properties of 3,4-dichlorodiuron.

A set of experimental and computational techniques have been applied for the understanding of fundamental spectroscopic and reactive properties of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron) compound. Experimental techniques employed in this study encompassed spectroscopic characterization via IR and Raman approaches, while optical properties were studied by measurements of UV/Vis spectra. The thermogravimetric analysis was also studied in order to analyze the stability of diuron.

Cost savings associated with timely treatment of botulism with botulism antitoxin heptavalent product.

Background: Botulism is a rare, serious, and sometimes fatal paralytic illness caused by exposure to neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Patients with documented or suspected exposure to botulinum toxin serotypes A-G can be treated with BAT® [Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)-(Equine)] product, which was approved in 2013 in the United States (US). Patients with botulism have demonstrated greater clinical benefit with early BAT product treatment (≤2 days from symptom onset) versus late treatment (>2 days).

One-step synthesis of eco-friendly boiled rice starch blended polyvinyl alcohol bionanocomposite films decorated with in situ generated silver nanoparticles for food packaging purpose.

The study reports a one-step preparation of polyvinyl alcohol/boiled rice starch blend film fabricated with in situ generated silver nanoparticles (PVA/BRS/sAgNPs) formed in the presence of sunlight irradiation. The bionanocomposite appeared to have dark brown color with a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 439 nm. Further characterization has confirmed the presence of physical interactions among the components PVA, BRS and sAgNPs.

Conformational profile, vibrational assignments, NLO properties and molecular docking of biologically active herbicide1,1-dimethyl-3-phenylurea.

1,1-Dimethyl-3-phenylurea (known as fenuron) which is a phenyl urea-based widely used herbicide exhibits interesting structural and conformational properties and a notable biological activity. A detailed analysis on the vibrational, molecular and electronic characteristics of fenuron has been carried out. Potential energy scans (PESs) performed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory predicted two possible minima corresponding to the optimized anti and synforms resulting from the internal rotation about the N-C bond.

Interleukin 9 alterations linked to alzheimer disease in african americans.

Objective: Compared to older Caucasians, older African Americans have higher risks of developing Alzheimer disease (AD) and lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau biomarker levels. It is not known whether tau-related differences begin earlier in life or whether race modifies other AD-related biomarkers such as inflammatory proteins.

Methods: We performed multiplex cytokine analysis in a healthy middle-aged cohort with family history of AD (n = 68) and an older cohort (n = 125) with normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment, or AD dementia.

Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Confirmed Hospitalizations on Caregivers of US Preterm Infants.

This study assessed the impact of respiratory syncytial virus-confirmed hospitalizations (RSVH) on caregivers of high-risk preterm infants. Caregivers for infants born at 29 to 35 weeks' gestational age and hospitalized for confirmed RSV disease responded to measures of self-rated and perceived infant stress (1-7; 7 = very stressful), perceived infant health (0-100; 100 = best imaginable health), and productivity impairment. Data were collected at hospital discharge through 1 month post-discharge.

SENTINEL1: Two-Season Study of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalizations among U.S. Infants Born at 29 to 35 Weeks' Gestational Age Not Receiving Immunoprophylaxis.

Objective: The SENTINEL1 observational study characterized confirmed respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations (RSVH) among U.S. preterm infants born at 29 to 35 weeks' gestational age (wGA) not receiving respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunoprophylaxis (IP) during the 2014 to 2015 and 2015 to 2016 RSV seasons.

Connectivity profiles of the insular network for speech control in healthy individuals and patients with spasmodic dysphonia.

The importance of insula in speech control is acknowledged but poorly understood, partly due to a variety of clinical symptoms resulting from insults to this structure. To clarify its structural organization within the speech network in healthy subjects, we used probabilistic diffusion tractography to examine insular connectivity with three cortical regions responsible for sound processing [Brodmann area (BA) 22], motor preparation (BA 44) and motor execution (laryngeal/orofacial primary motor cortex, BA 4). To assess insular reorganization in a speech disorder, we examined its structural connectivity in patients with spasmodic dysphonia (SD), a neurological condition that selectively affects speech production.

SENTINEL1: An Observational Study of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalizations among U.S. Infants Born at 29 to 35 Weeks' Gestational Age Not Receiving Immunoprophylaxis.

 SENTINEL1 characterized U.S. preterm infants 29 to 35 weeks' gestational age (wGA) < 12 months old hospitalized for laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease and not receiving RSV immunoprophylaxis during the 2014 to 2015 RSV season.

Structural Organization of the Laryngeal Motor Cortical Network and Its Implication for Evolution of Speech Production.

Unlabelled: The laryngeal motor cortex (LMC) is essential for the production of learned vocal behaviors because bilateral damage to this area renders humans unable to speak but has no apparent effect on innate vocalizations such as human laughing and crying or monkey calls. Several hypotheses have been put forward attempting to explain the evolutionary changes from monkeys to humans that potentially led to enhanced LMC functionality for finer motor control of speech production. These views, however, remain limited to the position of the larynx area within the motor cortex, as well as its connections with the phonatory brainstem regions responsible for the direct control of laryngeal muscles.

Neural correlates of dystonic tremor: a multimodal study of voice tremor in spasmodic dysphonia.

Tremor, affecting a dystonic body part, is a frequent feature of adult-onset dystonia. However, our understanding of dystonic tremor pathophysiology remains ambiguous as its interplay with the main co-occurring disorder, dystonia, is largely unknown. We used a combination of functional MRI, voxel-based morphometry and diffusion-weighted imaging to investigate similar and distinct patterns of brain functional and structural alterations in patients with dystonic tremor of voice (DTv) and isolated spasmodic dysphonia (SD).

The Logistics and Coordination of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immunoprophylaxis Use Among US Pediatric Specialists.

This study was conducted to survey US pediatric specialists about administration of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunoprophylaxis, communication patterns among physicians and parents, and barriers to access. Separate surveys were sent to neonatologists, pediatricians, pediatric pulmonologists, and pediatric cardiologists. Most physicians (≥93.

Perceived Risk of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease and Immunoprophylaxis Use Among US Pediatric Specialists.

This study was conducted to assess the perception of US pediatric specialists of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease risk and determine their clinical practices regarding immunoprophylaxis for high-risk children. Separate surveys were sent to neonatologists, pediatricians, pediatric pulmonologists, and pediatric cardiologists. Data were collected using structured questions requiring quantitative responses.

Receipt of palivizumab before birth hospitalization discharge among preterm infants in the United States.

Objective: This study aims to determine predischarge palivizumab receipt prevalence among infants ≤ 36 weeks' gestational age.

Study Design: This retrospective cohort study used hospital discharge records from the Premier Perspective database (Premier Inc., Charlotte, NC) of infants ≤ 36 weeks' gestational age who were discharged home after birth hospitalization during the November-March respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) seasons from 2006 to 2011.

Serum palivizumab level is associated with decreased severity of respiratory syncytial virus disease in high-risk infants.

Monthly doses of palivizumab, an RSV-specific monoclonal antibody, reduce RSV-related hospitalizations (RSVH) in high-risk children; however, no specific palivizumab level has been correlated with disease severity in humans. A post hoc analysis of a previous randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the relationship between serum palivizumab level at the time of RSVH and disease severity. Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission was the primary severity marker.

A population-weighted, condition-adjusted estimate of palivizumab efficacy in preventing RSV-related hospitalizations among US high-risk children.

Preterm infants ≤ 35 weeks' gestational age (GA), and children ≤ 24 months of age with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (hsCHD) are at high risk for developing severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease. In 3 previous randomized, placebo-controlled trials, palivizumab efficacy varied significantly based on these underlying conditions, and trial enrollment was not proportional to condition prevalence. This analysis provides the first estimate of the population-weighted efficacy of palivizumab in high-risk children, adjusting for condition prevalence.

What's special about task in dystonia? A voxel-based morphometry and diffusion weighted imaging study.

Numerous brain imaging studies have demonstrated structural changes in the basal ganglia, thalamus, sensorimotor cortex, and cerebellum across different forms of primary dystonia. However, our understanding of brain abnormalities contributing to the clinically well-described phenomenon of task specificity in dystonia remained limited. We used high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with voxel-based morphometry and diffusion weighted imaging with tract-based spatial statistics of fractional anisotropy to examine gray and white matter organization in two task-specific dystonia forms, writer's cramp and laryngeal dystonia, and two non-task-specific dystonia forms, cervical dystonia and blepharospasm.

Respiratory syncytial virus surveillance in the United States, 2007-2012: results from a national surveillance system.

Background: Annual respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreaks throughout the US exhibit variable patterns in onset, peak month of activity and duration of season. RSVAlert, a US surveillance system, collects and characterizes RSV test data at national, regional, state and local levels.

Methods: RSV test data from 296 to 666 laboratories from 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico (as of 2010) were collected during the 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 RSV seasons.

Laboratory testing trends for respiratory syncytial virus, 2007-2011.

Background: Antigen detection tests have been the most common diagnostic assay used to detect and diagnose respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The utility and increased sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have been reported; however, their use in US hospital laboratories is not well characterized.

Objective: To describe changes in RSV test types used by US hospital-affiliated laboratories, focusing on PCR testing prevalence.