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Gliomatosis peritonei is an extremely rare condition usually associated with either immature teratoma or, less commonly, mature teratoma. We present a case of a young female with long-standing progressive abdominal distension, who was diagnosed with mature ovarian teratoma with gliomatosis peritonei and gross ascites. The final diagnosis in this case was determined through the correlation of imaging, operative, and histopathological findings. The presence of enhancing peritoneal nodules usually leads to a suspicion of peritoneal carcinomatosis or abdominal tuberculosis, especially in endemic regions; however, gliomatosis peritonei should always be considered in the differential diagnosis, particularly when associated with teratomas. Radiological findings combined with histopathological reports are valuable in reaching the final diagnosis in these cases.

Schwannomatosis is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the presence of multiple schwannomas along the peripheral nerves, distinctly excluding the vestibular nerves. It is recognized as the third principal form of neurofibromatosis, alongside neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2. In this report, we discuss the case of a 45-year-old woman who initially sought medical attention for low back pain and swelling in her left axilla. Her magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple enhancing intradural extramedullary lesions, along with a mass in the right upper thoracic region and another in the left axilla, raising suspicions of metastasis. However, a comprehensive analysis that aligned imaging results with histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of schwannomatosis. This case highlights the importance of differentiating between various conditions that can cause multiple intradural extramedullary masses, such as nerve sheath tumors, meningiomas, and metastasis. The presence of multiple schwannomas suggests a diagnosis of either neurofibromatosis type 2 or schwannomatosis, making the distinction between these two conditions critical for appropriate management.

Background: There are several variations in the complex anatomy of intrahepatic bile ducts. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatographyis a safer imaging modality that effectively shows these variations, aiding in surgical planning and preventing iatrogenic injuries. This study aims to evaluate these anatomical variations using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study was performed in the Radiology Department of Nobel Medical College for one year using a convenient sampling technique. A total of 165 cases meeting the inclusion criteriawere selected and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was performed to evaluate the anatomical variations. Results: The mean age of patients was 34.32±10.22 years out of which 51.5%were male and 48.5%were female. The branching pattern of right hepatic duct was typical in 66.7% of cases. The right posterior sectoral duct joining left hepatic duct was the most common variation seen in 15.2%. Right posterior sectoral duct joining the common bile duct was present in 6.7%. 6.1% of cases had unclassified variation whereas a trifurcation pattern was found in 5.5%. Left hepatic duct showed the typical branching pattern in 70.9% of cases. Segment II duct draining into the common trunk of segments III and IV was seen in 20%. Triconfluence among segments II, III, and IV was seen in 8.5% and 0.6% of cases had unclassified variation. Conclusion: This study revealed wide variation in branching patterns of intrahepatic biliary ducts. The typical branching pattern of right and left hepatic ducts were seen in majority of cases.

Meningiomas comprise a family of neoplasms derived from the meningothelial cells of the arachnoid mater. Peritumoural cerebral oedema can be prominent with certain histological subtypes, such as secretory, angiomatous/microcystic, lymphoplasmacyte-rich, and high-grade meningiomas. We report one such case presenting in our institute that showed well defined blood density hyperdense lesion of size 3.1x2.9x3.4 cm with marked perilesional edema in right parafalcinefronto-parietal lobe and was thought to be a hemorrhagic metastatic lesion or a primary glioma on CT as well as MRI scans. The histopathology however revealed it to be an angiomatous meningioma.

Background: Respiratory diseases pose a significant challenge in Nepali clinical settings due to elevated smoking rates and environmental risks. This study explores the structural changes in conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis, utilizing noninvasive multi-detector computed tomography to assess airway remodeling. Despite conflicting western literature on bronchoarterial ratios, this research emphasizes the importance of evaluating these ratios in the Nepalese context for predicting airway disease severity. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study conducted at Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital involved 129 participants aged over 20 undergoing chest computed tomography. It aimed to measure the bronchoarterial ratio and investigate its associations with age, gender, smoking history, and altitude of residence. Bronchoarterial ratios was calculated using averaged short-axis diameters of the right apical and right posterior basal segmental bronchi, excluding the left lung due to motion artifacts. Results: Analysis indicated a Mean Bronchoarterial Ratio of 0.823 (SD 0.151), with the apical and basal segment BARs at 0.832 (SD 0.148) and 0.814 (SD 0.153), respectively. Notably, individuals aged over 65 who were smokers exhibited a significant increase in BAR. Additionally, a higher altitude of residence demonstrated a significant correlation with the Bronchoarterial ratio in the apical lung segment. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the bronchoarterial ratio within the Nepalese population, considering age, gender, smoking history, and altitude of residence. The findings underscore the potential relevance of these ratios in conditions involving airway remodeling, contributing to the understanding of respiratory diseases in this specific demographic.

Central nervous system tuberculosis accounts for approximately 1% of all tuberculosis cases. Transverse myelitis is an extremely rare manifestation of central nervous system tuberculosis, involving 1 or more vertebral segments of the spinal cord. However, it may extend to involve 3 or more segments of the cord, which would then be designated as longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Tubercular transverse myelitis may occur in isolation or in association with adjacent meningitis. We present a case of 39-year-old male, who presented with fever, headache, and bilateral lower limb weakness and was eventually diagnosed with tubercular meningoencephalitis with transverse myelitis. The diagnosis was made based on imaging findings correlated with cerebrospinal fluid analysis and microbiological reports. The patient showed significant clinical and radiological improvement following the antitubercular therapy. This case highlights that tuberculosis should always be considered in our differential diagnosis for any pathology with extensive involvement of the meninges, brain and spinal cord, especially in regions with a high prevalence.

Female genital tract tuberculosis presents a diagnostic challenge because of its variable clinical presentation and radiological manifestation. Most patients are present with history of infertility, pain in the abdomen, vaginal discharge, and bleeding. These symptoms mimic those of gynecological cancer, such as endometrial carcinoma. Endometrial cancer typically manifests with vaginal bleeding in the post-menopausal age group; however, in less than 10% to 20% patients, it can occur in perimenopausal age groups, which makes it difficult to distinguish between malignancy and tuberculosis. We present a case report of a 40-year-old woman who complained of vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. Her imaging findings favored the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma but histopathology revealed tuberculosis.

Choriocarcinoma is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease that occurs as a complication of pregnancy-related events. The gestational trophoblastic disease includes both benign and malignant conditions including complete and partial mole, invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, and placental site trophoblastic disease. Choriocarcinoma generally presents with pervaginal bleeding, symptoms of anemia, and symptoms of its metastatic lesion. The common sites of metastasis are the lung, vagina, brain, and liver. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an uncommon site of metastasis occurring in

ABSTRACTThe valorisation of urban biowaste can contribute to a circular and sustainable resource management. However, biowaste valorisation is not inherently sustainable. This study employs the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to investigate the sustainability implications of biowaste valorisation. A narrative literature review provided an overview of the current scientific knowledge on interactions between biowaste valorisation and selected SDG targets. Then stakeholder interviews yielded insights into such interactions in a national context. Our findings show the potential for 19 synergies and 11 trade-offs between biowaste valorisation and 20 selected SDG targets that are addressed in detail. Although the synergies outnumber the trade-offs, different context-dependencies influence the nature and strength of the interactions. We highlight three types of context-dependencies relating to governance. This study informs the scientific community and decision-makers on planning for sustainable biowaste valorisation that addresses context-dependencies. The insights can guide countries and cities at early transition stages towards biowaste valorisation.

Acute appendicitis and adnexal torsion are leading causes of acute surgical abdomen in female patients. However, the simultaneous occurrence of these 2 conditions is extremely rare. Here, we present an extraordinary case of a woman radiologically diagnosed with ovarian dermoid torsion coexisting with acute appendicitis. The patient was managed operatively by surgeons from the respective fields in a single setting, thereby meeting the patient's standard of care. This case provides valuable insight into the possible coexistence of acute adnexal pathology with acute bowel pathology and vice versa, emphasizing that radiologists should avoid satisfaction of search after a single possible explanation of the condition.

Kawasaki disease is an acute, self-limiting, systemic vasculitis of small and medium-sized arteries. It predominantly occurs in children under 4 years of age, though rarely older children can also be affected. This disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children, with coronary aneurysms being a hallmark finding. The risk of coronary complications necessitates regular monitoring and possible preventative treatment with thromboprophylaxis. Here we discuss a rare case of a 10-year-old boy who exhibited typical symptoms of Kawasaki disease and was found to have multiple coronary artery aneurysms through diagnostic imaging.

We meta-analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of rapid diagnostic tests (dipsticks) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method to detect Shigella species.We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar from inception to 2023 for studies reporting on the performance of Shigella dipstick and LAMP tests compared with culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Our search identified 2618 studies, of which fourteen met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Ten studies covering 4056 tests (from twelve countries) were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity were 98% (95% CI: 94–100) and 97% (95% CI: 92–99), respectively. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of dipsticks were 95% and 98%, respectively. In contrast, LAMP showed higher pooled sensitivity (100%) and diagnostic odds ratio (431752), but similar specificity (97%).LAMP and dipstick tests exhibited promising performance, suggesting that they could be useful for assisting in the diagnosis of shigellosis.

In the face of growing global freshwater scarcity, the imperative to recycle and reuse water becomes increasingly apparent across industrial, agricultural, and domestic sectors. Eliminating a range of organic pollutants in wastewater, from pesticides to industrial byproducts, presents a formidable challenge. Among the potential solutions, membrane technologies emerge as promising contenders for treating diverse organic contaminants from industrial, agricultural, and household origins. This paper explores cutting-edge membrane-based approaches, including reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, gas separation membranes, and pervaporation. Each technology's efficacy in removing distinct organic pollutants while producing purified water is scrutinized. This review delves into membrane fouling, discussing its influencing factors and preventative strategies. It sheds light on the merits, limitations, and prospects of these various membrane techniques, contributing to the advancement of wastewater treatment. It advocates for future research in membrane technology with a focus on fouling control and the development of energy-efficient devices. Interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, engineers, policymakers, and industry players is vital for shaping water purification innovation. Ongoing research and collaboration position us to fulfill the promise of accessible, clean water for all. HIGHLIGHTS Effective wastewater treatment helps to recycle and reuse water.; Membrane technologies are promising for treating wide organic contaminants.; This paper explores various advanced membrane techniques.; This review examines membrane fouling, including influencing factors and prevention strategies.; It illuminates the evolving membrane techniques, aiding the progress of wastewater treatment.;

Objectives This analysis aims to better reflect the value of new antibiotic treatment strategies, thereby informing clinical antibiotic use, antimicrobial reimbursement and/or hospital formulary decision-making in China.Design We adapted a published and validated dynamic disease transmission and cost-effectiveness model to evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes of introducing a new antibiotic, ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ-AVI) for treating resistant infections in Zhejiang province, China. Outcomes were assessed over a 10-year infectious period and an annual discount rate of 5%. Costs were extracted from the hospital’s Health Information System (HIS) and obtained after data cleaning, aggregation and discounting.Setting The Chinese healthcare system perspective.Participants 10 905 patients in a Chinese tier-3 hospital from 2018 to 2021 with any of the three common infections (complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI), hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VAP) and infections with limited treatment options (LTO)) caused by three common resistant pathogens (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).Interventions (1) Current treatment strategy (piperacillin-tazobactam (pip/taz) and meropenem); (2) CAZ-AVI at the third line; (3) CAZ-AVI at the second line; (4) CAZ-AVI at the first line; (5) CAZ/AVI first line, two lines diversified (i.e., equal pip/taz and CAZ-AVI at the first line; meropenem at the last line) and (6) CAZ/AVI first line, all-lines diversified.Primary outcome measures Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) lost, hospitalisation costs and incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) were used to assess cost-effectiveness.Results Over 10 years, the introduction of CAZ-AVI to the current treatment strategy led to lower hospitalisation costs and more QALYs across all five treatment strategies, with between 68 284 and 78 571 QALYs gained whilst saving up to US$236.37 for each additional QALY gained. The INMB of introducing CAZ-AVI is estimated up to US$3 550 811 878.Conclusions Introducing CAZ-AVI had a positive impact on clinical and economic outcomes for treating antimicrobial resistance, and diversifying the antibiotics use early in the treatment might yield the best benefits.

Key Clinical Message Early recognition and prompt surgical intervention are crucial in managing giant arachnoid cysts causing obstructive hydrocephalus, as illustrated in this case of a 17‐year‐old male. Timely treatment can alleviate symptoms and prevent neurologic complications, ensuring favorable outcomes in affected patients.

Vascular malformations are rare congenital abnormalities of blood vessels that persist throughout life. Large vascular malformations affecting the facial region can be distressing and require meticulous management to achieve satisfactory outcomes and prevent recurrence. Here, we present a case of a 40-year-old man with a progressively growing tumor-like mass on the right side of his face, extending from the periorbital region to the chin. He was diagnosed with vascular malformations, which was further confirmed with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Eventually, he underwent surgical excision of the lesion with a split-thickness skin graft. The surgical management of this case was challenging due to the large size and complexity of the lesion, particularly because it was located in the facial region. This unique case report highlights the importance of diagnostic imaging techniques and effective surgical management in addressing large vascular malformations, especially those affecting the facial region while prioritizing desirable cosmetic outcomes.

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT), while uncommon, is a serious complication that can arise from pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, oncological conditions, and pelvic surgeries. Here we discuss a case of a 37-year-old woman who, during her postpartum period, experienced lower abdominal pain and fever. Utilizing imaging findings, she was ultimately diagnosed with right ovarian vein thrombosis. The puerperium represents a hypercoagulable state, heightening the risk of OVT, particularly following a cesarean section. Despite its rarity, OVT should invariably be considered in the differential diagnosis when evaluating patients who present with postpartum abdominal pain and/or fever.

Anti-M antibodies are usually of the immunoglobulin (Ig)-M type and have a cold thermal range, which is generally considered clinically insignificant. However, in some cases, there may also be an IgG component present exclusively. In addition to the discrepancy in blood grouping (attributable to the IgM component), the presence of an IgG component reacting at 37°C can interfere with pretransfusion testing, making it difficult to find fully compatible blood within a short time. In this report, we discuss three children: two boys aged five and 1½ years, respectively, and a female toddler aged 1 year who were all successfully treated using M-antigen negative packed red blood cells along with the standard treatment plan of the hospital. This was made possible by an established institutional blood donor registry comprising O-typed blood donors (n = 374), who were phenotyped for 21 erythrocyte antigens using commercially available monoclonal antisera (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Pvt Ltd., Mumbai, India).

Internet of Things (IoT) devices have changed how billions of people in the world connect and interact with each other. But, as more people use IoT devices, many questions arise about how these devices handle private data and whether they properly ask for permission when using it. Due to information privacy regulations such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which requires companies to seek permission from data subjects (DS) before using their data, it is crucial for IoT companies to obtain this permission correctly. However, this can be really challenging in the IoT world because people often find it difficult to interact with and manage multiple IoT devices under their control. Also, the rules about privacy are not always clear. As such, this paper proposes a new model to improve how consent is managed in the world of IoT. The model seeks to minimize “consent fatigue” (when people get tired of always being asked for permission) and give DS more control over how their data are shared. This includes having default permission settings, being able to compare similar devices, and, in the future, using AI to give personalized advice. The model allows users to easily review and change their IoT device permissions if previous conditions are not met. It also emphasizes the need for easily understandable privacy rules, clear communication with users, and robust tracking of consent for data usage. By using this model, companies that provide IoT services can do a better job of protecting user privacy and managing DS consent. In addition, companies can more easily comply with data protection laws and build stronger relationships with their customers.

Androgen receptor (AR) and its constitutively active splice variant, AR Variant 7 (AR-V7), regulate genes essential for the development and progression of prostate cancer. Degradation of AR and AR-V7 by the ubiquitination proteasomal pathway is important for the regulation of both their protein stability. Our published results demonstrate that the interaction of TM4SF3 with either AR or AR-V7 leads to mutual stabilization due to a reduction in their ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. These results led us to search for a common E3 ligase for AR, AR-V7, and TM4SF3. Depletion by siRNA of several E3 ligases identified MDM2 as the common E3 ligase. MDM2 inhibition by siRNA depletion or using a pharmacological inhibitor (MDM2i) of its E3 ligase activity led to elevated levels of endogenous AR, AR-V7, and TM4SF3 in prostate cancer cells. MDM2 knockdown in PC-3 cells, which do not express AR, also increased TM4SF3, demonstrating that MDM2 affects the TM4SF3 protein independent of AR. We further demonstrate that MDM2i treatment reduced the ubiquitination of AR and TM4SF3, suggesting that MDM2 can induce the ubiquitination of these proteins. Increased AR and AR-V7 protein levels induced by MDM2i treatment resulted in the expected increased expression of AR-regulated genes and enhanced proliferation and migration of both LNCaP and Enzalutamide-resistant CWR-22Rv1 prostate cancer cells. Thus, our study expands the known roles of MDM2 in prostate cancer to include its potential involvement in the important mutual stabilization that TM4SF3 exhibits when interacting with either AR or AR-V7.

Abstract Background People with long-term chronic conditions often struggle to access and navigate complex health and social services. Social prescription (SP) interventions, a patient-centred approach, help individuals identify their holistic needs and increase access to non-clinical resources, thus leading to improved health and well-being. This review explores existing SP interventions for people with long-term chronic conditions and identifies the opportunities and challenges of implementing them in primary healthcare settings. Methods This rapid review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines and searched relevant articles in three databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science) by using subject headings and keywords combined with Boolean operators. The search encompassed articles published between January 2010 and June 2023. Two authors independently conducted study screening and data abstraction using predefined criteria. A descriptive synthesis process using content analysis was performed to summarise the literature. Results Fifteen studies were included, with all but one conducted in the United Kingdom, and revealed that social prescribers help guide patients with long-term chronic conditions to various local initiatives related to health and social needs. Effective implementation of SP interventions relies on building strong relationships between social prescribers and patients, characterised by trust, empathy, and effective communication. A holistic approach to addressing the unmet needs of people with long-term chronic conditions, digital technology utilisation, competent social prescribers, collaborative healthcare partnerships, clinical leadership, and access to local resources are all vital components of successful SP intervention. However, the implementation of SP interventions faces numerous challenges, including accessibility and utilisation barriers, communication gaps, staffing issues, an unsupportive work environment, inadequate training, lack of awareness, time management struggles, coordination and collaboration difficulties, and resource constraints. Conclusion The present review emphasises the importance of addressing the holistic needs of people with long-term chronic conditions through collaboration and coordination, training of social prescribers, community connections, availability of local resources, and primary care leadership to ensure successful interventions, ultimately leading to improved patient health and well-being outcomes. This study calls for the need to develop or utilise appropriate tools that can capture people's holistic needs, as well as an implementation framework to guide future contextual SP interventions.

Managing solid waste is one of the emerging challenges in urban areas, and open dumping and burning is common practices mostly in developing countries like Nepal. Which affects the overall surroundings. The study has investigated the effects of open dumping and burning in nearby air, soil, and river water in dumping site of Biratnagar metropolitan city. For studying the effects on air, the three samples of air were taken, at center and 100m upstream and downstream to the direction of wind flow. Soil samples were taken at 10m from the dumping site center, at 25m from the first sample and at 60m from the second sample, and the water samples were taken at leachate and 100 m upstream and downstream to the leachate. Soil and water were subjected to the physiochemical test, heavy metals test and microbes test whereas PM 2.5, and PM 10 were tested for air quality. The results showed that the air from upstream has been seen carrying particulate matter from the dumping site to downstream. Similarly, it is found that the quality of water at leachate and downstream is degraded compared to upstream. The soil quality has been found to have degraded due to the harmful and toxic material of the dumping site. Thus, this study shows that open dumping and burning have affected the nearby air, water, and soil.

Managing solid waste is one of the emerging challenges in urban areas, and open dumping and burning is common practices mostly in developing countries like Nepal. Which affects the overall surroundings. The study has investigated the effects of open dumping and burning in nearby air, soil, and river water in dumping site of Biratnagar metropolitan city. For studying the effects on air, the three samples of air were taken, at center and 100m upstream and downstream to the direction of wind flow. Soil samples were taken at 10m from the dumping site center, at 25m from the first sample and at 60m from the second sample, and the water samples were taken at leachate and 100 m upstream and downstream to the leachate. Soil and water were subjected to the physiochemical test, heavy metals test and microbes test whereas PM 2.5, and PM 10 were tested for air quality. The results showed that the air from upstream has been seen carrying particulate matter from the dumping site to downstream. Similarly, it is found that the quality of water at leachate and downstream is degraded compared to upstream. The soil quality has been found to have degraded due to the harmful and toxic material of the dumping site. Thus, this study shows that open dumping and burning have affected the nearby air, water, and soil.

Cement production is a major consumer of energy and the largest source of industrial CO2 emissions. This study aims to perform an environmental life cycle assessment of clinker and cement production in Ethiopia, using ReCiPe impact assessment method. Inventory data (material, energy, and transportation) is collected from seven major Ethiopian cement industries. The midpoint analysis identified nine hotspot environmental concerns: global warming, ozone formation (human health and terrestrial ecosystem), particulate matter formation, terrestrial (acidification and ecotoxicity), freshwater eutrophication, human carcinogenic toxicity, and fossil resource scarcity. Human health emerged as the most significantly affected endpoint damage category by the midpoint impacts. Among the process stages included in clinker system boundary, clinker production phase (kiln emissions) is a significant contributor to the total score of the hotspot impacts, ranging from 60.7% to 91.8%. The clinker system is responsible for over 81.03% of the overall environmental burden of cement. The sensitivity analysis reveals that a 5% change in kiln energy consumption and transportation burden could lead to a reduction in hotspot impacts ranging from 1.8% to 5%. To foster reliability of this study, uncertainty analysis is also conducted. Overall, the findings indicate the need to enhance environmental sustainability in Ethiopian cement production.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. HEV associated pregnancy mortality has been reported as up to 30% in humans. Recent findings suggest HEV may elicit effects directly in the reproductive system with HEV protein found in the testis, viral RNA in semen, and viral replication occurring in placental cell types. Using a natural host model for HEV infection, pigs, we demonstrate infectious HEV within the mature spermatozoa and altered sperm viability from HEV infected pigs. HEV isolated from sperm remained infectious suggesting a potential transmission route via sexual partners. Our findings suggest that HEV should be explored as a possible sexually transmittable disease. Our findings propose that infection routes outside of oral and intravenous infection need to be considered for their potential to contribute to higher mortality in HEV infections when pregnancy is involved and in HEV disease in general.

Objectives: South Asia remains home to foodborne diseases caused by the Vibrio species. We aimed to compile and update information on the epidemiology of vibriosis in South Asia. Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for studies related to vibriosis in South Asia published up to May 2023. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled isolation rate of non–cholera-causing Vibrio species. Results: In total, 38 studies were included. Seven of these were case reports and 22 were included in the meta-analysis. The reported vibriosis cases were caused by non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. fluvialis, and V. vulnificus. The overall pooled isolation rate was 4.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0-5.0%) in patients with diarrhea. Heterogeneity was high (I2 = 98.0%). The isolation rate of non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. fluvialis were 9.0 (95% CI 7.0-10.0%), 1.0 (95% CI 1.0-2.0%), and 2.0 (95% CI: 1.0-3.0%), respectively. Regarding V. parahaemolyticus, O3:K6 was the most frequently isolated serotype. Cases peaked during summer. Several studies reported antibiotic-resistant strains and those harboring extended-spectrum beta-lactamases genes. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a high burden of infections caused by non–cholera-causing Vibrio species in South Asia.

Strawberry production has increased by more than double in the past two decades. Meanwhile, it is also susceptible to various diseases which have become a limiting factor in its yield increment. Indiscriminate use of chemicals in the management of diseases has brought several adverse effects to the environment and human health. Thus, this review aims to present the different diseases of strawberries including their epidemiology, disease cycle, and symptoms. Moreover, the focus has been given to Integrated Management. More than ten dozen of literature including journal articles, books, websites, and organizational reports were thoroughly reviewed to get the related information. Botrytis grey mold rot, anthracnose, strawberry leaf spot, powdery mildew, and red stele are the major fungal diseases whereas angular leaf spot is the serious bacterial disease of strawberries. It is severely infected by viruses such as strawberry mottle virus and crinkling and vein banding virus. In addition to this nematode causes ring spots, root-knot, and root lesions on strawberries. Integrated disease management approaches should be adopted for effective and sustainable management. It may include cultural methods, physical methods, use of bio-control agents, botanical fungicides, and at last chemicals if the disease is severe. [Fundam Appl Agric 2023; 8(4.000): 655-667]

The present work demonstrated the potential of different agro-waste mixtures to produce ethanol. The forest soil bacterium (Streptomyces sp.) was exploited for the saccharification of the agro-waste mixture formulated by extreme vertices mixture design and the hydrolysate produced by saccharification was used for fermentation. The best formulation contained 43.33% orange peel, 33.33 % pumpkin pulp + seeds, and 23.33% pomegranate peel which exhibited significantly high reducing sugar (22.36 ± 0.54 mg/g dry weight) among all other mixtures. The hydrolysate of this mixture when supplemented with 2% w/v fructose produced a maximum of 7.86 ± 0.08% v/v ethanol by the yeast isolated from the brewer’s spent grains. Thus, easily available waste could be a promising source for yeast isolation and feedstock for ethanol production. Further, this study aids to reduce the risk of health, and environmental pollution, and developing the economy.

We describe a case of 25 year old women who had full term pregnancy, presented with symptoms of headache, loss of vision and seizure episodes after 7th postpartum day. There were no findings of pre-eclampsia in antenatal stage. The diagnosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome was made after magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging findings include vasogenic edema of bilateral occipital lobe and parietal lobe. Hypertension and endothelial injury seems to be involved in pathophysiology of the syndrome. After appropriate management, the syndrome resolved. Early diagnosis and proper treatment plays a key role in management of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Androgen receptor (AR) plays a vital role in the development and progression of prostate cancer from the primary stage to the usually lethal stage known as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Constitutively active AR splice variants (AR-Vs) lacking the ligand-binding domain are partially responsible for the abnormal activation of AR and may be involved in resistance to AR-targeting drugs occurring in CRPC. There is increasing consensus on the potential of drugs targeting protein–protein interactions. Our lab has recently identified transmembrane 4 superfamily 3 (TM4SF3) as a critical interacting partner for AR and AR-V7 and mapped the minimal interaction regions. Thus, we hypothesized that these interaction domains can be used to design peptides that can disrupt the AR/TM4SF3 interaction and kill prostate cancer cells. Peptides TA1 and AT1 were designed based on the TM3SF3 or AR interaction domain, respectively. TA1 or AT1 was able to decrease AR/TM4SF3 protein interaction and protein stability. Peptide TA1 reduced the recruitment of AR and TM4SF3 to promoters of androgen-regulated genes and subsequent activation of these AR target genes. Peptides TA1 and AT1 were strongly cytotoxic to prostate cancer cells that express AR and/or AR-V7. Peptide TA1 inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis of both enzalutamide-sensitive and importantly enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells. TA1 also blocked the migration and malignant transformation of prostate cancer cells. Our data clearly demonstrate that using peptides to target the important interaction AR has with TM4SF3 provides a novel method to kill enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells that can potentially lead to new more effective therapy for CRPC.

This study assessed the hydropower potential of a mountain watershed within the Sunkoshi River basin in Sindhupalchok, Nepal, utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) hydrological model. Topographical, soil, land use, meteorological, and discharge data were employed to assess the study area for the appropriateness of hydropower generation. SWAT was utilized to delineate the Sunkoshi basin into 23 distinct subbasins and involved the creation of a detailed river network, incorporating various hydrological attributes including stream links, stream order, stream length, and slope gradient. After that, it was employed to simulate river discharges within these subbasins. The Sequential Uncertainty Fitting Version 2 (SUFI-2) algorithm, integrated within the SWAT Calibration and Uncertainty Program (SWAT-CUP), was employed to calibrate and validate the model. This step involved the adjustment of 25 selected parameters to enhance the model’s accuracy and reliability in representing the hydrological processes of the Sunkoshi basin. Model performance was assessed utilizing three well-established efficiency criteria: coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.79), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE = 0.73), and percent bias (PBIAS = 17.59). The study identified 36 sites across streams of order 3, 4, and 5 as having potential for hydropower generation. The hydropower potential at each identified site was evaluated using estimated stream flow and topographical head at various probability of exceedance (PoE) levels (40%, 45%, 50%, and 60%). The aggregate hydropower potential of the basin was quantified, yielding a potential of 371.30 MW at a 40% PoE. The findings suggest that an integrated approach combining SWAT-based hydrological modeling within a GIS can accurately assess a river basin’s hydropower potential and provide insights into further evaluation of the comprehensive environmental assessment of the fragile Himalayan watersheds.

Antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacteriaceae is an emerging global public health problem. Numerous studies have reported community-acquired AmpC beta-lactamase and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae in Nepal. However, there are limited data on community-acquired Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae. A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 294 Enterobacteriaceae isolates from a total of 2,345 different clinical specimens collected from patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Nepal. Bacteria were isolated using standard microbiological growth media and identified using biochemical tests. For antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique was used. AmpC, ESBL, and MBL productions were detected by using combined disc method. AmpC, ESBL, and MBL productions were detected in 19.4%, 29.6%, and 8.5% of total Enterobacteriaceae isolates respectively. Higher rates of beta-lactamases production were seen among the isolates from in-patients in comparison with those from out-patients. However, 11.6%, 25%, and 3.7% of the total isolates from out-patients were AmpC, ESBL, and MBL producers respectively. The co-production of the beta-lactamases was also detected, with two Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates producing all three beta-lactamases. One MBL producing Proteus vulgaris isolate that was pan-resistant with no remaining treatment options was also isolated. Prevalence of drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae in our study was very high. Detection of AmpC, ESBL, and MBL positive isolates from out-patients, who did not have recent history of hospital visit, indicated the community dissemination of the drug resistant bacteria. This is a matter of great concern and an immediate attention to formulate strategies to prevent further development and spread of antibiotic resistance is required.

Background: Ebola virus disease (Ebola) is highly pathogenic, transmissible, and often deadly, with debilitating consequences. Superspreading within a cluster is also possible. In this study, we aim to document Ebola basic reproduction number (R0): the average number of new cases associated with an Ebola case in a completely susceptible population. Methods: We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for studies published between 1976 and February 27, 2023. We also manually searched the reference lists of the reviewed studies to identify additional studies. We included studies that reported R0 during Ebola outbreaks in Africa. We excluded studies that reported only the effective reproduction number (Rt). Abstracting data from included studies was performed using a pilot-tested standard form. Two investigators reviewed the studies, extracted the data, and assessed quality. The pooled R0 was determined by a random-effects meta-analysis. R0 was stratified by country. We also estimated the theoretically required immunization coverage to reach herd-immunity using the formula of (1-1/R0) × 100 %. Results: The search yielded 2042 studies. We included 53 studies from six African countries in the systematic review providing 97 Ebola mean R0 estimates. 27 (with 46 data points) studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled mean Ebola R0 was 1.95 (95 % CI 1.74–2.15), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 99.99 %; τ2 = 0.38; and p

The upscaling of novel carbon dioxide removal, such as bioenergy carbon capture and storage (BECCS), to gigatonne scales is an urgent priority if global warming is to be limited to well below 2 °C. But political, economic, social, technological, environmental and regulatory uncertainty permeates BECCS projects and deters investors. To address this, we explore options to improve the robustness of BECCS deployment strategies in the face of multi-dimensional uncertainties. We apply Dynamic Adaptive Planning (DAP) through expert interviews and Robust Decision Making (RDM) through exploratory modelling, two decision making under deep uncertainty methods, to the case of Stockholm Exergi, an early mover aiming to deploy BECCS at a combined heat and power plant in the capital of Sweden. The main contributions of the research are to 1) illustrate how a quantification of robustness against uncertainty can support an investment decision to deploy BECCS 2) comprehensively cover uncertain vulnerabilities and opportunities of deploying BECCS, and 3) identify critical scenarios and adaptations to manage these uncertainties. The main conclusions are: investing in BECCS is relatively robust if assessing performance across many scenarios and if comparing the worst-cases of either investing, or not doing so. Not investing could miss out on up to € 3.8 billion in terms of net present value. The critical uncertainties of BECCS can be managed by strengthening biomass sustainability strategies and by gaining support for negative emission trading regulation on carbon markets, e.g., voluntary or Paris Agreement Article 6. Even in vulnerable scenarios of average electricity prices above 82 €/MWh, if trading regulation is implemented before 2030 and if negative emission prices exceed 151 €/CO2, investing in BECCS performs better than not doing so in 96% of cases. We suggest that facility-level parameters and cost-reductions are of little importance for BECCS investments and upscaling. It is regulatory certainty of operating revenues, e.g., through negative emission markets, that needs to be provided by policymakers.

This paper aims to guide structural engineers on how to apply the rapid nonlinear time history analysis (RNLTHA) procedure effectively to predict seismic demand, taking into account ductility and overstrength, and effects of dynamic phenomena including cyclic degradation of strength and stiffness in structures, in a direct and expedient manner. The shortcoming of the conventional force-based approach of design involving the use of a force reduction factor to account for nonlinear effects is well recognised. Nonlinear static (pushover) analysis and dynamic nonlinear time history analysis (NLTHA) are offered as alternative methods of analysis by major codes of practices to achieve better optimisation in the use of materials. NLTHA has advantages over pushover analysis in being more direct and capable of capturing cyclic response behaviour. Despite the merits of NLTHA, its adoption in the industry has been limited, mainly because of the complexity and the higher analysis cost involved. RNLTHA proposed in this article uses a macroscopic model of the building to fulfil the purpose of NLTHA, whilst saving computational time and achieving a good degree of accuracy, as verified by comparison with results generated from SeismoStruct.

This paper is aimed at serving the needs of structural engineering designers of an important structure (or a group of structures located on the same site) who is seeking guidance on how to obtain accelerograms and/or derive response spectra that accurately represent the site subsoil conditions as informed by the borelogs. The presented site-specific seismic action model may be used to replace the default seismic action model stipulated for the designated site class. Presented in this article is a procedure for generating soil surface motions in an earthquake, and their associated site-specific response spectra, taking into account details of the soil layers. Dynamic site response analyses are involved. The conditional mean spectrum methodology is employed for selecting and scaling accelerograms for obtaining input motion on bedrock. The selection depends on the natural period of both the site and the structure. Multiple borelogs taken from within the same site are analysed to identify the critical soil column models without having to conduct site response analysis on every borelog. The technique for simplifying the soil layers utilising the shear strain profile is introduced to further cut down on the time of analyses. The procedures described in this article have been written into a web-based program that is freely accessible to engineering practitioners.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge to public health as well as an extraordinary burden on health systems worldwide. COVID-19 vaccines were attributed as a key tool to control the pandemic, with healthcare workers (HCWs) as a priority group to receive the vaccine. Healthcare workers are considered one of the most trusted sources of information on vaccines and vaccination. This study was conducted to evaluate the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs in four different provinces of Indonesia. An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted online among HCWs between December 2020 and February 2021. Out of 2732 participants, 80.39% stated that they would accept the COVID-19 vaccine, while 19.61% were hesitant to receive the vaccine. Concerns about the safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines and potential side-effects after vaccination were the main reasons among the participants to refuse the vaccine. Male gender, single status, higher education level, and higher risk perception increased the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine. Other motivators of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance include a high level of trust in the government and increased confidence in vaccine safety and efficacy studies. Dissemination of information in a timely manner as well as training programs for HCWs are crucial to increasing confidence in the COVID-19 vaccination program.

Objectives: Graves' disease (GD) is the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis. There are many studies that have evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) in Graves’ disease. However, the strength of a bone also depends on its microarchitecture which can be assessed by various techniques. Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a new method for assessing bone microarchitecture that is non-invasive and easily performed. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study that involved 50 patients with active GD and 50 healthy controls. Both groups were subjected to an assessment of biochemical parameters followed by measurement of BMD and TBS on the same dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machine. Results: The mean age of patients with active GD (N = 50) was 31.9 ± 10.9 years while that of controls was 31.2 ± 4.9 years (P = 0.640). The female: male ratio was the same for both groups (F = 31, M = 19). The mean lumbar spine BMD, femoral neck BMD, total hip BMD, and distal radius BMD were significantly reduced in GD when compared to that in controls. The mean absolute lumbar spine TBS in GD was 1.263 ± 0.101 while that in controls was 1.368 ± 0.073 (P

Abstract The least action principle played a central role in the development of modern physics. A major drawback of the principle is that its applicability is limited to holonomic constraints. In the present work, we investigate the energy lost by particles as a result of the gravitational interaction in a homogeneous low-density medium subject to non-holonomic constraints. We perform the calculation for an arbitrary particle and outline the specific result for photons. The energy lost is calculated from first principles based on the principle of virtual work and the d’Alembert principle. Under the formalism mentioned above, the dissipative nature of the effect is established. Furthermore, we show that the results agree with an alternative derivation based on continuum mechanics and the Euler–Cauchy stress principle.

Laili Rahayuwati,1 Kuswandewi Mutyara,2 Ryan Rachmad Nugraha,3 Madan Khatiwada,4 Carine Dochez,4 Cissy Kartasasmita5 1Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, 45363, Indonesia; 2Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, 45363, Indonesia; 3USAID Health Financing Activity/ThinkWell, Jakarta, 10110, Indonesia; 4Network for Education and Support in Immunisation (NESI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium; 5Department of Pediatric, Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, 40161, IndonesiaCorrespondence: Laili Rahayuwati, Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, 45363, Indonesia, Tel +628122138385, Email laili.rahayuwati@unpad.ac.idBackground: The determinants of vaccine preferences and hesitancy varied by time and place.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the perspective of a COVID-19 vaccine among university-based groups.Methodology: This qualitative research involved lecturers and students, and a selection of online focused group discussion was conducted based on the following criteria, including representatives of the health and non-health faculties, with at least 8 attendees in lecturer groups, and 8 participants in student groups.Results: This study is described in 8 themes covering various issues about COVID-19 vaccine, such as views on COVID-19 vaccine, fake news, vaccine implementation by government.Conclusion: The assessment of vaccine perspective shows that although awaited by some people, it also creates contradictions. This is due to the massive amount of information available regarding the vaccine descriptions. The role of the government as the main policy maker is to provide the right information and to make the right decisions about vaccines and vaccination implementation.Keywords: acceptance, COVID-19, hesitancy, vaccine

Glucose isomerase (GI) is an enzyme with high potential applications. Characterization of GI producing bacteria with interesting properties from an industrial point of view is essential. Bacillus sp., Paenarthrobacter sp., Chryseobacterium sp., Hymenobacter sp., Mycobacterium sp., and Stenotrophomonas sp. were isolated from soil samples. Optimization of enzyme production yield was investigated in various fermentation conditions using response surface methodology. All isolates exhibited maximum GI activity at 40 °C, pH 6–8 after 4 days of incubation. A mixture of peptone/yeast extract or tryptone/peptone enhanced higher enzyme production. The same trend was observed in fermentation medium containing 1% xylose or 2%–2.5% wheat straw. This study advanced the knowledge of these bacterial isolates in promoting wheat straw as feedstock for the bio-based industry.

Field research was commenced in Rukum West on a standing crop of onion during the flowering stage to assess the effectiveness of foliar sprays of micronutrients on the yield of onion seeds (Allium cepa L.) cv. Red Creol. The experiment was carried out using two levels of Zinc (300 ppm and 375 ppm) and two levels of Boron (240 ppm and 360 ppm) in an RCBD design with treatments applied either separately or in combinations, comprising nine treatments and three replications. The treatments were administered before flowering, during flowering, and after flowering at the seed production stage at 15 days intervals. The application of Zinc and Boron increased total seed yield, seed yield per umbel, seed yield per plant, and germination percentage. The highest seed yield per plant, seed yield per umbel, and seed yield per plot were recorded from Treatment 8 (Zn 375ppm + B 360ppm) i.e. 52.8 gm per plant, 6.12 gm per umbel, and 966.67 kg ha-1 respectively. Similarly, Treatment 1 (Zn300ppm) and Treatment 8 (Zn 375ppm + B 360ppm) showed the highest germination percentage (70%), and Treatment 9 (control) showed the lowest (45%). The treatments did not affect the thousand seed weight.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia occurs due to enzymatic defects in the adrenocortical steroidogenesis. 11β hydroxylase deficiency is the second most common cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia which presents with hypertension and features of androgen excess. Hypertension has also been found to cause end-organ damage in children with 11β hydroxylase deficiency. We report a case of a 10-year-old male child with hypothyroidism under thyroid replacement therapy, presenting with features of severe hypertension and androgen excess, later on, diagnosed as congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11β hydroxylase deficiency.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified over two hundred thousand genotype-trait associations. Yet some challenges remain. First, complex traits are often associated with many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), most with small or moderate effect sizes, making them difficult to detect. Second, many complex traits share a common genetic basis due to 'pleiotropy' and and though few methods consider it, leveraging pleiotropy can improve statistical power to detect genotype-trait associations with weaker effect sizes. Third, currently available statistical methods are limited in explaining the functional mechanisms through which genetic variants are associated with specific or multiple traits. We propose multi-GPA-Tree to address these challenges. The multi-GPA-Tree approach can identify risk SNPs associated with single as well as multiple traits while also identifying the combinations of functional annotations that can explain the mechanisms through which risk-associated SNPs are linked with the traits. First, we implemented simulation studies to evaluate the proposed multi-GPA-Tree method and compared its performance with existing statistical approaches. The results indicate that multi-GPA-Tree outperforms existing statistical approaches in detecting risk-associated SNPs for multiple traits. Second, we applied multi-GPA-Tree to a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to a Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcertive colitis (UC) GWAS, and functional annotation data including GenoSkyline and GenoSkylinePlus. Our results demonstrate that multi-GPA-Tree can be a powerful tool that improves association mapping while facilitating understanding of the underlying genetic architecture of complex traits and potential mechanisms linking risk-associated SNPs with complex traits.

ABSTRACTHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been linked to the gut microbiota, with recent studies revealing the potential of gut-generated responses to influence several arms of the immune responses relevant to HCC formation. The pro- or anti-tumor effects of specific bacterial strains or gut microbiota-related metabolites, such as bile acids and short-chain fatty acids, have been highlighted in many human and animal studies. The critical role of the gut microbiota in HCC development has spurred interest in modulating the gut microbiota through dietary interventions, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation as a potential strategy to improve liver cancer outcomes. Encouragingly, preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that modulation of the gut microbiota can ameliorate liver function, reduce inflammation, and inhibit liver tumor growth, underscoring the potential of this approach to improve HCC outcomes. As research continues to unravel the complex and dynamic mechanisms underlying the gut-liver axis, the development of safe and effective interventions to target this pathway for liver cancer prevention and treatment appears to be on the horizon, heralding a significant advance in our ongoing efforts to combat this devastating disease.

Abstract We installed a purpose‐built network of co‐located Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations and meteorological instrumentation to investigate water storage in a high‐mountain watershed along the Idaho‐Montana border. Twelve GNSS stations are distributed across the Selway‐Lochsa watersheds at approximately 30–40 km spacing, filling a critical observational gap between localized point measurements and regional geodetic and satellite data sets. The unique coupling of geodetic and hydrologic observations in this network enables direct comparison between co‐located GNSS measurements of the elastic response of the solid Earth and local changes in measured water storage. This network is specifically designed to address questions of hydrologic storage and movement at the mountain watershed scale. Here, we describe technical details of the network and its deployment; introduce new hydrologic, meteorologic, and geodetic data sets recorded by the network; process and analyze the source data (e.g., time series of daily three‐dimensional GNSS site positions, removal of non‐hydrologic signals); and characterize basic empirical relationships between water storage, water movement, and GNSS‐inferred surface displacement. The network shows preliminary evidence for spatial differences in displacement resulting from a range of snow loads across elevations, but longer and more complete data records are needed to support these initial findings. We also provide examples of additional scientific applications of this network, including estimations of snow depth and snow water equivalent from GNSS multipath reflectometry. Finally, we consider the challenges, limitations, and opportunities of deploying GNSS and weather stations at high elevations with heavy snowpack and offer ideas for technical improvements.

T cell immunity plays a central role in clinical outcomes of Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and T cell-focused vaccination or cellular immunotherapy might provide enhanced protection for some immunocompromised patients. Pre-existing T cell memory recognizing SARS-CoV-2 antigens antedating COVID-19 infection or vaccination, may have developed as an imprint of prior infections with endemic non-SARS human coronaviruses (hCoVs) OC43, HKU1, 229E, NL63, pathogens of “common cold”. In turn, SARS-CoV-2-primed T cells may recognize emerging variants or other hCoV viruses and modulate the course of subsequent hCoV infections. Cross-immunity between hCoVs and SARS-CoV-2 has not been well characterized. Here, we systematically investigated T cell responses against the immunodominant SARS-CoV-2 spike, nucleocapsid and membrane proteins and corresponding antigens from α- and β-hCoVs among vaccinated, convalescent, and unexposed subjects. Broad T cell immunity against all tested SARS-CoV-2 antigens emerged in COVID-19 survivors. In convalescent and in vaccinated individuals, SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific T cells reliably recognized most SARS-CoV-2 variants, however cross-reactivity against the omicron variant was reduced by approximately 47%. Responses against spike, nucleocapsid and membrane antigens from endemic hCoVs were significantly more extensive in COVID-19 survivors than in unexposed subjects and displayed cross-reactivity between α- and β-hCoVs. In some, non-SARS hCoV-specific T cells demonstrated a prominent non-reciprocal cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2 antigens, whereas a distinct anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunological repertoire emerged post-COVID-19, with relatively limited cross-recognition of non-SARS hCoVs. Based on this cross-reactivity pattern, we established a strategy for in-vitro expansion of universal anti-hCoV T cells for adoptive immunotherapy. Overall, these results have implications for the future design of universal vaccines and cell-based immune therapies against SARS- and non-SARS-CoVs.

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting the pilosebaceous unit. The clinical manifestations of acne include the development of comedones, papules, and pustules. Although generally considered benign, acne can have psychological impacts and cause disfiguring scars. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of acne among patients visiting outpatient department of dermatology centres. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients visiting tertiary care skin centres from 15 June 2023 to 15 August 2023. The ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee. The severity of acne severity and scarring was determined. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 2036 patients, acne was found in 386 (18.96%) (17.26-20.66, 95% Confidence Interval). The majority of participants have acne scar grade 2 (65.20%). Conclusions: The prevalence of acne among patients was found to be higher than in other studies done in similar settings.

Microplastics have become a global environmental concern due to their ubiquitous presence and persistence in the environment and have been identified as a major pollutant in aquatic environments. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic (25–200 mg/L) on the growth, chlorophyll content, and toxicity of Scenedesmus sp. from aquatic and terrestrial habitats over a period of 24 days. Our results showed that microplastics with higher concentration (200 mg/L) have a significantly higher inhibitory effect. Also, higher concentration of extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) were found on microalgae exposed to the microplastic. Further, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images revealed that microalgae attached to microplastic surfaces and formed hetero-aggregation. Overall, our study provided valuable information for understanding the complex effects of microplastics on microalgae, particularly in comparing the differential effects on aquatic and terrestrial Scenedesmus sp.

This paper is aimed at serving the needs of structural engineering researchers who are seeking accelerograms that realistically represent the time histories of earthquake ground in support of their own investigations. Every record is identified with a specific earthquake scenario defined by the magnitude–distance combination and site conditions; the intensity of the presented records is consistent with ultimate limit state design requirements for important structures in an intraplate region. Presented in this article are accelerograms that were generated on the soil surface of two example class Ce sites and two example class De sites based on site response analyses of the respective soil column models utilizing bedrock excitations as derived from the conditional mean spectrum (CMS) methodology. The CMS that were developed on rock sites were based on matching with the code spectrum model stipulated by the Australian standard for seismic actions for class Be sites at reference periods of 0.2, 0.5, 1 and 2 s for return periods ranging from 500 to 2500 years. The reference to Australian regulatory documents does not preclude the adoption of the presented materials for engineering applications outside Australia. To reduce modeling uncertainties, the simulation of the soil surface ground motion is specific to the site of interest and is based on information provided by the borelogs. The site-specific simulation of the strong motion is separate to the CMS-based accelerogram selection–scaling for obtaining the bedrock accelerograms (utilizing strong motion data provided by the PEER). The decoupling of the two processes is a departure from the use of the code site response spectrum models and has the merit of reducing modeling uncertainties and achieving more realistic representation of the seismic actions.