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We report a case of a neonate, delivered by C-section, that rapidly developed respiratory compromise and hemodynamic instability prompting admission to critical care. Urgent cardiology assessment with echocardiography revealed severe systolic dysfunction from localized myocardial ischemia and pulmonary hypertension. Their management progressively escalated, eventually requiring inotropic support. Despite intensive treatment and meticulous nursing with demonstrable improvement of cardiac function, they deteriorated suddenly and died on Day 2 post-partum. This case emphasizes the challenge in early recognition of neonatal shock due to often nonspecific presentations, with hemodynamic compromise arising later. We recommend close vigilance for deterioration, awareness of indolent etiology including viral myocarditis, titration of appropriate inotropes and synergistic adjunctive vasodilators, and consideration of immune modulators such as corticosteroids that addresses biochemical deficiencies and support cardiac function. Ultimately, aggressive, targeted, and multi-focal treatment, especially in resource-limited environments, maximizes the chances of survival in challenging clinical situations such as progressive neonatal shock.

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has raised concerns due to its increased transmissibility and potential implications on clinical characteristics and outcomes in infected individuals. The aims of this report were to study the profile of SARS-CoV-2 infection with omicron variant, investigate the infection outcome, reinfection rates with associated factors, antibody levels, and explore the associations between biochemical markers and disease severity. This prospective cohort study was conducted in Duhok city in the Northern of Iraq. All volunteers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 RT–PCR and confirmed Omicron infection who were older than 18 years old and agreed to participate were recruited for this study. The study was carried out from January to April 2022. There were 234 cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 RT–PCR Omicron infection. The mean age was 48.12±17.3 years, 43.2% were vaccinated, and 40.2% were male. Among the recruited patients, 99.1% recovered and did not need hospitalization. In this study, (38.9%) had a history of previously confirmed COVID-19 infection. Reinfection was significantly higher in females than males (p=0.04; OR= 0.56). It was found that the IgG antibody levels were higher in patients who received Pfizer-BioNTech than in those who received other vaccines (p=0.001). The levels of IgG were also significantly higher in patients with mild infection (p=0.046), whereas the levels of D-dimer were significantly higher in patients with severe cases of the infection compared to those with mild or moderate cases (p=0.001). Additionally, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were observed to be higher in individuals with moderate cases of infection than in mild and severe cases (0.001). Individuals who contracted the Omicron strain generally had positive outcomes. Reinfection with the Omicron variant was relatively high. IgG levels were higher in patients with mild disease, implying that they were associated with decreased disease severity. We found significant associations between D-dimer levels and the severity of the disease. Additional research is required to investigate the long-term effects of Omicron infection.

Sanjad-Sakati syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder that presents solely in Arabian people. Our case was reported from the Fallujah Teaching Hospital for Women and Children in Fallujah, Iraq. This syndrome is associated with hypoparathyroidism, growth retardation, atypical facial appearance, and a variable degree of mental retardation. It is usually caused by genetic mutations of the tubulin-folding cofactor E (TBCE; 604934), which is located on the 1q42.3 chromosome. This case was confirmed by a genetic study which revealed a pathogenic variant in the homozygous state in the TBCE gene. Typically, the physical features of this case involve microcephaly, long and narrow face, beaked nose, deep-set eyes, large ears, thin lips, long philtrum, micrognathia, and small hands and feet. Although Sanjad-Sakati syndrome is an incurable disease, early diagnosis helps with appropriate palliative treatment of the patient, reducing other associated metabolic and electrolyte disturbances, and allows for a genetic study and counseling of the family, especially in our society due to the high rate of consanguinity.

Several studies have reported that different factors play an important role in the production of IgG after VOVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed at studying COVID-19 infection rates and severity in renal transplant recipients and vaccine responsiveness. comorbidity hemodialysis requirements, and immune suppression treatment regimens. In this cross-sectional study, IgG levels was measured in renal transplant recipients using automated benchtop immunoanalyzer Vidas at the Duhok Center for Kidney Disease and Transplantation. In this study group, only 30 individuals experienced the SARS-COVID-2 infection, with only three cases being severe. The most frequently reported symptoms of SARS-COVID-2 virus infection were fatigue (18/30) 60%, high temperature (17/30) 56%, headache (12/30) 40%, and poor endurance (11/30) 36.6%. The IgG titers were significantly different between the vaccinated 33.067 ± 2.5 versus unvaccinated individuals 23.916 ± 3.31with p value = 0.025. On the other hand, demographic characteristics of the cohort including: comorbidities, hemodialysis, different age groups, gender, infection/no-infection differences had no statistically significant impact on the IgG titers. Vaccination significantly increased the levels of protective IgG level in kidney transplant recipients. It is crucial to focus on increasing the acceptance of vaccination among kidney transplant recipients to prevent infections from other COVID-19 variants or pathogen outbreaks.

The current study aims to provide insights into the drying of agro products, with a specific focus on Capsicum annum L. (red pepper). Among open sun drying (OSD), polyethylene bag drying (PBD), and polycarbonate sheet drying (PCSD), PCSD was efficient requiring around 24 hours with a maximum yield of 350 g of dried product per 1000 g of supplied fresh peppers. The PCSD dried chili also showed greater retention of antioxidant markers (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) than OSD and PBD as evidenced by UV-VIS spectroscopy. Additionally, the PCSD dried chili demonstrated highest antioxidant potential via ABTS (2, 2′-Azinobis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid). Interestingly, the presence of various aromatic compounds and other chemical groups, indicated the occurrence of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in each drying method used. The study suggests that PCSD sheet drying is an efficient and cost-effective approach that can conserve the antioxidant potential of agro products such as red pepper.

Ni50Al50 alloy sample prepared by compacting the powdered alloys at 8 Ton Pressure and Sintered at 750°c for 45 Minutes. The magnetics structural properties and Phase analysis were investigated. Xray diffraction(XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Elements dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM) for change in magnetic properties were determined as methods for characterization of produced samples. The results of this alloy show that cubic fcc structure from reflections of (111), (200) and (220). The magnetic results showed that the Saturation Magnetizations (Ms) of the composite alloy substantially decrease. The microhardness values of the alloy was observed that increased with increasing Aluminum addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Esthetic enhancement plays an important role in orthodontic treatment. This study was conducted on females as most girls have their growth spurt at a younger age than boys do, so their demand to facial esthetics, especially those who have residual growth of mandible producing class III effect, requires full understanding to smile features helping in diagnosis and treatment planning for maximum patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 30 skeletal Class III and Class I female adults (18-30 years old) who were divided equally into two groups comprising 15 each. Two frontal digital photographs were taken for each subject, one at rest and the other in the posed smile position. Photographs were taken for each subject in the natural head position by a Canon EOS 1200 D camera set on a tripod at a distance of 1.5 m. The incisogingival height of the right maxillary central incisor was clinically measured using a vernier caliper to the nearest 0.1 mm. Photographs were uploaded on Photoshop software for standardization and then uploaded on the Digital Smile Design software (DSD) where the actual incisogingival height of the central incisor was used for automatic calibration. Esthetic components at rest and on smiling were measured for both groups; all linear variables were measured to the nearest 0.1 mm. RESULTS: Class III females tended to have wider smile widths, less gingival display, longer chin heights, shorter lower vertical dimensions, and a higher percentage of nonconsonant and flat smile arcs than Class I subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The components of the smile should be considered as a guide to help in planning and designing the mechanics during comprehensive orthodontic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. Litter size is one of the crucial factors in livestock production and is of high economic value, which is affected by ovulation rate, hormones, and growth factors. Growth factors play a multifaceted role in reproductive physiology. This review aims to investigate the association of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) with litter size in livestock. The transforming growth factor β (TGF- β) superfamily includes more than 34 members; GDF9 and BMP15 are among the most significant factors for regulating fertility and litter size in most livestock species. Ovarian follicles release BMP15 and GDF9 that are involved in the maturation of primary follicles into the basal form, proliferation of granulosa and theca cells, steroidogenesis, ovulation, and formation of the corpus luteum. Besides, these factors are highly expressed in oocytes and are necessary for female fertility and multiple ovulation in several livestock species. Animals with two inactive copies of these factors are sterile, while those with one inactive copy are fertile. Thus, the present review provides valuable information on the association of BMP15 and GDF9 with litter size in livestock that can be used as biological markers of multiple ovulation or for improving fertility in livestock.

This study aimed at investigating the impacts of aquatic extracts of two macrophytes Typha domingensis (Pers) and Lemna minor(Lamarc) on the Ecophysiology of the common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) reared in waste water. A total of eighty fish were divided into four groups, each group consists of ten fish. Four treatment were used with two replicates of they were made as follow; waste water, clean water (control), waste water- extract of T. domingensis and waste water- extract of L. minor. Healthy freshwater common carp weighing about 35.75 ± 0.60g were obtained from the aquaculture station of Marine Science Centre /University of Basrah. Physicochemical properties of waters used were recorded and controlled. The diet given to waste water–aquatic plant extract groups was mixed for one night. Blood smears were taken. White blood cells/1 mm3 were counted by using Neubaur Improved Haemocytometer and light compound microscope. The results indicated that the number of white blood cells of common carp for the control sample was more than that of waste water. While the numbers of white blood cells of the fish in separately treated waste water with T. domingensis and L. minor extracts were close to the number of the control sample. Blood smears of fish reared in clean water (control sample), waste water- T. domingensis extract and waste water- L. inor extract seemed quite normal, where as the smear of the blood of fish reared in waste water showed abnormalities in the blood such as disruption of cell walls and deformation of the shape of red blood cell.

This research characterized and explored the effect of cumin essential oil nanoemulsion (CEONE) on broiler growth performance, serum biochemistry, hematological parameters, and cecal microbial count. Day-old ( n = 96) broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to six treatments with five replicates of three broilers each. The dietary treatments consisted of negative control (only basal diet), positive control (basal diet + 200 µL of enrofloxacin), 25 µL (basal diet + 25 µL of CEONE), 50 µL (basal diet + 50 µL of CEONE), 75 µL (basal diet + 75 µL of CEONE), and 100 µL (basal diet + 100 µL of CEONE). The broiler's body weight gain (BWG) after 42 days of treatment exhibited increased weight in the CEONE group (976.47 ± 11.82-1116.22 ± 29.04). The gain in weight was further evidenced by the beneficial microbe load (10 7 log) compared to the pathogenic strain. All the biochemical parameters were observed in the normal range, except for a higher level of HDL and a lower LDL value. This safety has been validated by pKCSM toxicity analysis showing a safe and highly tolerable dose of cuminaldehyde. In conclusion, this research observed the potential of CEONE as a multifunctional agent. It is a valuable candidate for further application in combating bacterial infections and enhancing animal health and growth.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), primarily a respiratory virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, induces a hypercoagulable state. Previous studies comparing the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and those with influenza pneumonia revealed a higher risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with COVID-19 pneumonia. However, these studies have not adequately accounted for the severity and acuity of the presenting viral pneumonia., Methods: In this retrospective study, we rigorously adjusted for critical illness using a nationally representative dataset to investigate whether COVID-19 pneumonia is independently linked to a higher risk of PE and DVT., Results: After comprehensive multivariate adjustment, our findings demonstrated that patients with COVID-19 pneumonia maintained significantly higher odds of developing acute inpatient PE [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.48; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.16-2.86; P<0.01] and DVT (aOR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.41-1.96; P<0.01) during the early pandemic compared to patients with influenza pneumonia. Furthermore, we identified congenital heart disease and malnutrition as novel risk factors for acute PE in COVID-19 patients., Conclusions: Our study suggests that the higher prevalence of acute inpatient PE over DVT in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia may support a "thrombus in situ " mechanism of SARS-CoV-2-mediated pulmonary thrombosis. Consequently, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for PE, even in the absence of DVT, among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and should follow evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and management., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://jtd.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/jtd-23-1674/coif). The series “Thoracic Diseases and Big Data” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare., (2024 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)

Zinc malnutrition is major health problem in children and women of reproductive age (WRA) in developing countries. This study aimed to find nutritionally balanced food at an affordable cost. For this purpose, Pleurotus pulmonarius (Mushroom) is fortified with zinc oxide nano particles (ZnO-NPs) synthesized from Nigella sativa seed extract. ZnO-NPs were characterized using UV visible and FTIR Spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, XRD, PSA and Zeta potentials. ZnO-NPs were sprayed in different concentrations on substrate used for the cultivation of P. pulmonarius . Cultivated mushroom fruiting bodies were dried and powdered. Bio absorption of zinc was calculated using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Zinc absorption increased by enhancing the number of nano particles spraying on lingo-cellulosic substrate. The controlled bag had 2.27 ± 0.00 mg of zinc content per 2 g of mushroom powder. The minimum amount (3.46 ± 0.16 mg/2 g of mushroom) of zinc micronutrient was absorbed by the bag having 50 mg spray of ZnO-NPs per Kg of the wheat straw. Maximum amount of bio accumulation was done by bag having 5000 mg spray of ZnO-NPs (10.46 ± 0.08 mg/2 g of mushrooms powder). Zinc fortification had a significant ( p  < 0.05) effect on the uptake of zinc by fruiting bodies. ZnO-NPs at the concentration of 200 mg per kilogram of substrate gave optimized value of biological efficiency [B.E] (40.2 % ± 0.25), while B.E decreased with the increase in ZnO-NPs spray due to bio accumulation of zinc with increased concentration of ZnO-NPs spray., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Novel research has been conducted on Aloe vera , focusing on stems fiber (agricultural waste), for the extraction of cellulosic fiber, an area lacking prior scientific exploration. This fiber is being reported for the first time in the scientific community. Aloe barbadensis Miller variety was subjected to various cultivation methods, including the application of inorganic and organic fertilizers, along with the removal of lower leaves to promote stem growth. Stem fibers were extracted using the water retting method and subsequently analyzed. The moisture content was 55.35 % and 6.99 % ash content in the fibers. The bacteriostatic analysis of Aloe vera fibers was assessed against four bacterial strains, with both ethanol and water extracts showing varying degrees of inhibition zones. The UV-Visible spectrum exhibited a distinct λ max at 247 nm in ethanol, while FT-IR analysis provided characteristic peaks at 3759, 1590, 1750, 1663, 1250, 564, SEM images displayed the smooth surface morphology of the fibers, and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated a high degree of crystallinity (78.67 %), suggesting a well-structured and crystalline nature. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was conducted to determine the elemental composition of the fibers, revealing the presence of carbon, oxygen, calcium, and copper, with carbon being the predominant element in cellulose. These results showed promising properties suggesting potential applications in textile industry as an alternative sustainable natural cellulosic fiber., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Antimetabolites are the most effective chemotherapeutics for treating cancer. They have exerted their anticancer effects by interfering with DNA synthesis. Recently, interest in modified nucleoside analogues has grown due to their superior efficiency. Nucleoside analogue derivatives have emerged as crucial candidates for cancer treatment due to their ability to target the cells responsible for cancer within the body specifically. The ability of nucleoside analogues derivatives to target specific molecular pathways has reduced toxicity and increased efficiency compared to traditional chemotherapy drugs. Nucleoside analogues have interfered with physiological nucleosides and induced cytotoxicity in cancerous cells. In this investigation, derivatives of ribofuranose nucleoside analogues have been designed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed at the B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p) level. The designed molecules have been characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy using the CPCM model in DMSO solvent, and molecular structural parameters, such as HOMO/LUMO and MEPS, have been determined. Derivative d1m has exhibited a high energy gap and low absorption energy compared to the other derivatives. Molecular docking of the designed molecules (d1o-d2m) has been performed with the EGFR and VEGFR2 proteins. d2o has shown good binding energy with the EGFR protein, while d1o has shown good results with VEGFR2. Global chemical parameters and NBO analysis have been conducted to investigate the derivatives charge transfer properties and chemical reactivity. NBO analysis has provided information about the donor and acceptor parts within a molecule, while global chemical parameters have given insights into the reactivity, stability, and solubility of the molecules. It has been found that the derivatives are more chemically reactive, thermodynamically stable, and have better binding affinity than the parent molecule. Based on the analysis, the drug interaction with the cancer-causing protein makes it more effective for cancer treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The author also declares there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Amyloidosis is a multisystem disease characterized by the extracellular deposition of abnormal protein fibrils in various tissues and organs. It is a systemic disease mainly affecting the kidneys, liver, and spleen. In the GI tract, the duodenum is most commonly involved, followed by the stomach. We came across a relatively unusual case of jejunal amyloidosis, where the presentation was with weight loss, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits. Radiological findings were non-specific, such as thickening of small bowel loops and small nodular bowel wall lesions, etc. Endoscopic features were also not characteristic of any particular disease entity. Therefore, it was hard to narrow down the differential diagnosis based on endoscopy and clinic-radiological grounds. The diagnosis remained a mystery until the outcome of the final histopathology report. This case study will facilitate readers in considering this entity in the differential list if they encounter mimicking clinical and/or radiological features., Competing Interests: None declared., (© Crown copyright 2024.)

Genome editing is a technology to make specific changes in the DNA of a cell or an organism. It has significantly altered the landscape of life sciences, facilitating the establishment of exceedingly customized genetic modifications. Among various genome editing technologies, the CRISPR/Cas9 system, a specific endonuclease induces a double stranded DNA break and enabling modifications to the genome, has surfaced as a formidable and adaptable instrument. Its significance cannot be overstated, as it not only allows for the manipulation of genomes in model organisms but also holds great potential for revolutionary advances in medicine, particularly in treating genetic diseases. This review paper explores the remarkable journey of CRISPR/Cas9, its natural function, mechanisms, and transformative impact on genome editing and finally the use of artificial intelligence and other intelligent manufacturing tools used. The introduction provides the background on genome editing, emphasizing the emergence and significance of CRISPR/Cas9. Subsequent sections comprehensively elucidate its natural function, disease modeling, agriculture, and biotechnology, address therapeutic applications, and ongoing clinical trials while also discussing prospects and ethical implications. We summarized the key findings, indicating that CRISPR/Cas9 has empowered the creation of disease-specific animal models. This provides invaluable insights into pathogenic mechanisms and opens new avenues for drug discovery, reaffirming the transformative impact of CRISPR/Cas9 on genome editing. Finally we discussed the importance of continued research and collaboration for comprehensive utilization of the inherent capabilities of this molecular precision tool in shaping forthcoming advancements., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The purpose of this study was to synthesize ecofriendly nano-composite in which agricultural waste (seeds of Tamarindus indica) was used to synthesize tamarind seed polysaccharides (TSP) and its composite with copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) for the purpose of green and clean environment as well as reduction of green-house gases. Confirmation of extracted TSP, synthesized nanocomposite was carried out using FTIR, SEM, PXRD and EDX techniques. In FTIR analysis TSP gives a strong broad peak at 3331 cm -1 due to -OH group and in case of composite its intensity is reduced which might be due to the interactions between -OH and Cu +2 ions. SEM analysis gives that TSP have irregular and rough surface while Cu-NPs exhibited spherical morphology and composite showed clustering of spherical shape to rough surface. EDX analysis quantitatively represented copper having atomic ratio 0.57 % which confirms the synthesis of composite. Furthermore, synthesized composite demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity against gram-positive ( S.aureus ) and gram-negative bacteria ( E.coli ) even greater than standard medicine (ciprofloxacin). From this study it was revealed that agriculture waste can be utilized to make environment green as well as synthesized composite from agricultural waste seed also displayed excellent antimicrobial activities which directs that they can be utilized in medical field. This study aims to assess the antimicrobial properties of the nanocomposite, aiming to contribute to the development of effective antimicrobial agents. Through these objectives, the research seeks to bridge the gap between green technology and antimicrobial efficacy, offering a promising avenue for both environmental conservation and healthcare advancements., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Water reuse is an essential strategy for reducing water demand from conventional sources, alleviating water stress, and promoting sustainability, but understanding the effectiveness of associated treatment processes as barriers to the spread of antibiotic resistance is an important consideration to protecting human health. We comprehensively evaluated the reduction of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in two field-operational water reuse systems with distinct treatment trains, one producing water for indirect potable reuse (ozone/biologically-active carbon/granular activated carbon) and the other for non-potable reuse (denitrification-filtration/chlorination) using metagenomic sequencing and culture. Relative abundances of total ARGs/clinically-relevant ARGs and cultured ARB were reduced by several logs during primary and secondary stages of wastewater treatment, but to a lesser extent during the tertiary water reuse treatments. In particular, ozonation tended to enrich multi-drug ARGs. The effect of chlorination was facility-dependent, increasing the relative abundance of ARGs when following biologically-active carbon filters, but generally providing a benefit in reduced bacterial numbers and ecological and human health resistome risk scores. Relative abundances of total ARGs and resistome risk scores were lowest in aquifer samples, although resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were occasionally detected in the monitoring well 3-days downgradient from injection, but not 6-months downgradient. Resistant E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were occasionally detected in the nonpotable reuse distribution system, along with increased levels of multidrug, sulfonamide, phenicol, and aminoglycoside ARGs. This study illuminates specific vulnerabilities of water reuse systems to persistence, selection, and growth of ARGs and ARB and emphasizes the role of multiple treatment barriers, including aquifers and distribution systems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Amy Pruden reports financial support was provided by National Science Foundation. Amy Pruden reports financial support was provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Amy Pruden reports financial support was provided by US Bureau of Reclamation. Amy Pruden reports financial support was provided by Hampton Roads Sanitation District. Charles Bott is an an employee of Hampton Roads Sanitation District. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

In this study COVID-19 effects on different aspects of life that how this virus created a mess in every discipline of life starting from a small tuck shop of a street to a huge business with a chain between different countries; and some preventive measures are also suggested. Not only mental healthiness as well as physical health of people was also disturbed to a large extent. People being quarantined did not do any practice and had nothing to do, their boredom made them mentally and physically inactive. For minimization the effect of this pandemic on mental healthiness, interventions were practiced and psychological support systems were developed to help mentally effected people; on the other hand, to improve physical health the hospital workers worked day and night in return they got affected too either mentally or physically. Many of the youngsters started alcohol consumption during quarantine. Because of the closure of educational institutes, the students were sent back to their homes where there was no proper guidance for them and they lost their interests in studies; and in a sense educational impact of COVID-19 was also unbearable. Agricultural system was affected badly and the whole world passed through a huge economic loss. The flights and traffic were blocked throughout the world, and it is the only positive impact that COVID-19 led to the environment by improving water and air quality as there was a remarkable reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Geckos and their products have been used in Asian traditional medicine. Medicinal properties of desert-dwelling Gecko species, Crossobamon orientalis remain unexplored. In this study, natural bioactive macromolecules present in oil extracted from C. orientalis (COO) and their biological activities were evaluated. Chemical constitution of COO was explored by using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial activities of COO extracts were assessed using various assays, including DPPH free-radical-protocol, HET-CAM method, in ovo -antiviral technique, and disc-diffusion method. GC-MS study reported 40 different compounds in COO. n -hexane and methanol extracts of COO demonstrated highest DPPH radical inhibition, with values of 70 and 63.3%, respectively. Extracts of COO in solvents, namely 1-butanol, methanol, diethyl ether, and n -hexane significantly inhibited the proliferation of four pathogenic viruses. Maximum zone of inhibition was observed for Escherichia coli (13.65 ± 0.57 mm). These findings suggest that COO possesses potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties against viral and bacterial strains, thanks to its biologically active components having no side effects. Further studies are essential to isolate and identify individual bioactive compounds present in COO and to investigate their potential as therapeutic agents., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Water scarcity poses a global threat in climate change era, and regrettably, the textile processing industry is squandering a significant volume of water during bulk production. This research focused on a sustainable water-saving approach in the printing of cotton fabric by modifying the reactive printing recipe and methodology. Three modified recipes (X, Y, Z) and one controlled recipe (C) were tested using reactive dyes. The conventional reactive printing recipe (Control) includes sodium alginate, urea, mild oxidizing agent, and sodium bicarbonate. In contrast, the modified recipe trials incorporated an acrylic-based synthetic thickener in the replacement of sodium alginate (alone and in combination with sodium alginate). A total of four recipes (one controlled conventional and three modified recipes) were examined using three reactive dyes at two dose levels (2 % and 4 %). Various characterization techniques, including shade variation, color penetration into the fabric, sharpness of the edges, color tinting on the adjacent white fabric, perspiration fastness (both acidic and alkaline), washing fastness, rubbing fastness, and fabric hardness, affirmed that Y recipe yielded the best results in fabric testing, cost reduction, and water conservation. This research represents a pioneering contribution to the printing industry with novel recipes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The ultrasonically processed Eugenol (EU) and Carvacrol (CAR) nanoemulsions (NE) were successfully optimized via response surface methodology (RSM) to achieve broad spectrum antimicrobial efficacy. These NE were prepared using 2 % (w/w) purity gum ultra (i.e., succinylated starch), 10 % (v/v) oil phase, 80 % (800 W) sonication power, and 10 min of processing time as determined via RSM. The second order Polynomial method was suitable to RSM with a co-efficient of determination >0.90 and a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) ranging 0.12-0.19. NE had small droplet sizes (135.5-160 nm) and low volatility at high temperatures. The EU & CAR entrapment and heat stability (300 °C) confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Further, the volatility of EU & CAR NE was 18.18 ± 0.13 % and 12.29 ± 0.11 % respectively, being lower than that of bulk/unencapsulated EU & CAR (i.e., 23.48 ± 0.38 % and 19.11 ± 0.08 %) after 2 h at 90 °C. Interestingly, both EU & CAR NE showed sustained release behaviour till 48 h. Their digest could inhibit Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) via membrane disruption and access to cellular machinery as evident from SEM images. Furthermore, in-vivo bio-accessibility of EU & CAR in mice serum was up to 80 %. These cost-effective and short-processed EU/CAR NE have the potential as green preservatives for food industry., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mitigating climate change can be achieved by opting for sustainable, plant-based materials instead of relying on hazardous chemicals that come with various side effects. Various natural plant extracts find widespread application in synthesizing insect-repellent coatings, particularly in industries such as paint manufacturing. The increasing demand for these coatings has led us to find out the effects of different plant extracts for the efficient preparation of paints with more advanced impacts and low cost. For this purpose, zinc nanoparticles of Eucalyptus globulus L. and its extracts were used in this study due to their remarkable biocidal and antimicrobial activities. The extract was prepared by the process of oven-drying and heating followed by their filtration. Then, they were subjected to different phytochemical tests that were performed in which plant material did not contain flavonoids and glycol. The comparison of the size of nanoparticles was visible during the weighing which was found to be 4.451 mg. Advanced characterization techniques like FTIR, UV visible spectroscopy, and particle size analysis were adopted for the analysis of nanoparticles of plant extract. The FTIR analysis of the plant material was reported to lie in the range of 1000-1800 cm -1 . On the other hand, the results of UV visible spectroscopy of nanoparticles of plant extract showed absorption peaks around 300 nm. The produced material was integrated into paint formulations to impart insect-repellent and antibacterial characteristics. Painted panels exhibited notable antibacterial efficacy, presenting an inhibition zone of 0.7 cm for Escherichia coli and 0.3 cm for Staphylococcus aureus when utilizing biocide. Plant nanoparticles yielded inhibition zones of 1 and 1.2, while aqueous extract resulted in zones of 0.2 and 0.5, respectively. A thorough evaluation of the paint's color attributes, including ΔL, Δa, Δb, and ΔE, indicated noteworthy differences. The CMC ΔE values from the trials exceeded 1, indicating a substantial change in shade. The batches of paints containing E. globulus extracts and nanoparticles were found to be lighter in color specifically green and yellow colors. Their antimicrobial and insect repellant activity was tested using the mosquitos of Aedes aegypti with an age of 4-5 weeks, revealing that formulations with plant extracts exhibited a 61 % effective period, greater than the 7 % observed in non-biocidal formulations. The paint responded best towards these mosquitoes in terms of repellency and the ultimate target of this study was achieved., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In this research paper, a novel process was developed for reactive printing of cotton fabric, with the objective of producing a high-quality printed fabric that is sustainable, eco-friendly, and low-cost which will ultimately reduce the impact of climate change. The study incorporated substituted tamarind polysaccharide (STP) obtained from agricultural waste, trichloro-ethanoic acid (TCEA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) in the reactive printing paste. Tamarind starch was extracted from the seeds having 72 % yield, and substitution was performed to use it as a thickener in the printing paste. The conventional printing system was formulated with sodium alginate, urea, and sodium bicarbonate at dose levels of 2 %, 15 %, and 2.5 %, respectively, while the modified recipe was formulated with STP and TCEA at 5 % and 3 % dose levels, respectively along with varying doses of PEG-400 (0 %, 1 %, and 2 %) in novel prints. Various factors such as shade comparison, penetration, staining on the white ground, washing, rubbing, light and perspiration fastness, sharpness of edges, and fabric hardness were evaluated for all the recipes. The study demonstrated that the optimal outcomes were obtained with a 2 % PEG-400 dose level. This study represents a significant contribution to sustainable textile production, as tamarind agriculture waste was used as a raw material, which is an environmentally friendly alternative of sodium alginate that reduces the wastewater load. Additionally, PEG-400 was utilized as a nitrogen-free solubilizing moisture management substitution of urea for printing, while TCEA dissociated at high temperature to make alkaline pH during curing of the printed fabric to replace sodium bicarbonate. This research is a novel contribution to the printing industry, as these three constituents have not been previously used together other than this research group, in the history of reactive printing., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

To evaluate the bactericidal action of antimicrobial peptide CF-14, Eugenol (EU) and carvacrol (CAR) nanoparticles (NPs) less than 200 nm were surface-modified with CF14, gaining approximately 200 nm of EU-CF and CAR-CF NPs with swollen morphology. EU-CF and CAR-CF NPs were bactericidal to E. coli at dosage of 0.09% and 0.07% (v/v), respectively; while they were just bacteriostatic to Staphylococcus aureus at 0.10% and 0.08% (v/v). Spectral variations in bacterial carbohydrates (1185-900 cm -1 ), lipids (3000-2800 cm -1 ) and DNA (1500-1185 cm -1 ) were obvious as evident from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A higher percentage of membrane damaged (non-revivable) E. coli than S. aureus was found, which indicated electrostatic interactions between Gram-negative E. coli with cationic CF conjugated NPs leading to DNA disintegration. Interestingly, EU-CF and CAR-CF NPs inhibited E. coli growth in orange juice without impacting flavour compounds., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Past research on the relationship between unemployment rates and population health has produced mixed findings. The relationship can be influenced by the kinds of health outcomes observed, time frame, level of geographic aggregation, and other factors. Given these mixed findings, there is a need to add to our knowledge about how unemployment rates and population health are related. There is limited research that examines the association of unemployment rates with both physical and mental health, while simultaneously stratifying populations by income and education levels. Using survey-based self-reported data, this first population-based study examined the association between unemployment rates and physically and mentally unhealthy days in the southwestern United States, by county-level stratification of income (high and low) as well as education (high and low), from 2015 to 2019. After controlling for covariates, associations were modelled using negative binomial regression, with autocorrelative residuals, and were reported as rate ratios (RR). Overall, we found that a 1% rise in unemployment rates was significantly associated with an increase in physically unhealthy days [adjusted RR 1.007; 95% CI, 1.004-1.011, P < 0.001] and mentally unhealthy days [RR 1.006; 95% CI, 1.003-1.009, P  < 0.001]. Upon stratification, a significant risk was found among the high education and high income category [RR 1.035; 95% CI, 1.021-1.049, P  < 0.001], as well as for the high education and low income category [RR 1.026; 95% CI, 1.013-1.040, P  < 0.001]. A better understanding of how unemployment is associated with the health of communities with different education and income levels could help reduce the burden on society through tailored interventions and social policies not only in the United States, but also in other developed nations., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been linked to severe consequences among hospitalized patients diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), as evidenced by a limited number of studies. Our retrospective study employed the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to evaluate in-hospital mortality and various clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients with and without PH. This study included all patients ages 18 years and above who were hospitalized in the United States from January 1,2020 to December 31, 2020 with a COVID-19 diagnosis. The patients were then divided into 2 cohorts based on their PH status. After multivariate adjustment, we discovered that COVID-19 patients with PH experienced considerably higher in-hospital mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher costs of hospitalization when compared to COVID-19 patients without PH. Moreover, we observed an increased dependence on invasive and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation among COVID-19 patients with PH, indicating more severe respiratory failure. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 patients with PH had a heightened risk of acute pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction while hospitalized. Lastly, among COVID-19 patients with PH, Hispanic and Native American patients demonstrated a persistently higher risk of in-hospital mortality compared to other racial groups. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study of outcomes for COVID-19 patients with PH. The observed inpatient mortality appears to be driven by in-hospital complications, particularly pulmonary embolism. Given the substantial mortality and complications associated with COVID-19 and PH, we advocate for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and the implementation of aggressive nonpharmacological preventive measures., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Hospital readmissions are core indicators of the quality of health care provision., Objective: To understand factors associated with 30-day, all-cause hospital readmission rate for patients with COVID-19 in the United States during the early pandemic by utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database., Methods: This retrospective study characterized the 30-day, all-cause hospital readmission rate for patients with COVID-19 in the United States during the early pandemic by utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database., Results: The 30-day, all-cause hospital readmission rate in this population was 3.2%. We found the most common diagnoses at readmission to be sepsis, acute kidney injury, and pneumonia. Chronic alcoholic liver cirrhosis and congestive heart failure were prominent predictors of readmission among patients with COVID-19. Moreover, we found that younger patients and patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds were at higher risk of 30-day readmission. Acute complications during index hospitalization, including acute coronary syndrome, congestive heart failure, acute kidney injury, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy, also increased the risk of 30-day readmission for patients with COVID-19., Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, we advise clinicians to promptly recognize patients with COVID-19 who are at high risk of readmission, and to subsequently manage their underlying comorbidities, to institute timely discharge planning, and to allocate resources to underprivileged patients in order to decrease the risk of 30-day hospital readmissions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)