Search

ABSTRACT: Mozzarella cheese is widely used for pizza applications, and it is generally shredded either in conversion plants or in pizzerias. The shreddability of mozzarella cheese is influenced by a variety of factors, and it is critical to understand how different mozzarella cheese types and storage conditions (temperature and age) affect this property. Three batches each of 3 types of mozzarella cheese (low-moisture mozzarella [LMM], low-moisture part-skim mozzarella [LMPS], and reduced-fat mozzarella [RFM]) representing 3 different fat levels were procured directly from a commercial manufacturer and stored at 2 different temperatures (1.67 and 4.44°C) and evaluated for shreddability at 2- and 3-wk storage. Shreddability parameters such as stiction (peak force) and work of grating were significantly affected by fat content and storage time, whereas the weight of the shred obtained after each cycle was significantly affected by fat content and storage temperature. Along with shreddability, other tests, such as texture profile analysis (TPA), wire cutting, stretchability, and dynamic shear rheology (DSR) were performed to understand their relationship with shreddability. Textural parameters were significantly affected by fat content and storage time, whereas wire cutting parameters were significantly affected by fat content, storage time, and temperature. Stretchability and dynamic shear rheology parameters were significantly affected by fat content followed by storage time and temperature. Further shreddability parameters, such as stiction and work of shear had a positive significant correlation, whereas the weight of shreds had a negative significant correlation with unmelt (TPA) and melt parameters (stretchability and DSR). Overall, fat content had the greatest effect on shreddability followed by storage time and temperature. Considering the high correlation of shreddability with other textural parameters, textural parameters can be used to predict shreddability of mozzarella cheese.

Hypothesis: Proximal humerus fractures present a treatment challenge due to varied fracture configurations and a lack of consensus on optimal management. Locking plate designs offer promising solutions, yet technical guidelines for successful outcomes remain elusive. Complications are common, with fixation-related failures often attributed to varus collapse. Addressing this, we review a novel intraoperative technique of medialization of the humerus shaft to provide medial buttress support to the humerus head. Methods: This retrospective study included acute 3-part and 4-part proximal humerus fractures treated with open reduction and proximal humerus locking plate fixation from February 2013 to August 2021, which were restored by creating medial buttress by the described technique. Central Column Diaphyseal angle was measured on the 20° external rotation anteroposterior X-ray radiograph, by measuring the intersection angle of the axis of the proximal part of the humerus and the line perpendicular to the anatomical neck. The functional outcome was measured with the Constant score that assesses pain and shoulder function during daily activities, range of motion, and shoulder strength at each follow-up. Results: Seventy-six patients with acute 3- and 4-part proximal humerus fractures were treated using this technique and followed for an average of 16 months. Results showed successful union in 76% of cases within 12 weeks, with no nonunions or implant failures requiring revision surgery at a minimum of 24 months follow-up. Functional outcomes were favorable in 70% of patients. However, avascular necrosis of the humeral head occurred in 12% of cases. Conclusion: Despite limitations, this technique offers a biomechanically sound approach to enhance fixation stability, potentially improving the outcomes in proximal humerus fractures without the need for any additional fibular grafting procedures.

Abstract: The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily plays a crucial role in regulating biological processes of virtually every tissue and system in the body, including hemostasis and hematopoiesis. Elritercept (KER-050) is an investigational, modified activin receptor type IIA ligand trap designed to bind and inhibit activin A and other select TGF-β superfamily ligands, including activin B, growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8), and GDF-11. The objectives of this phase 1 randomized, placebo-controlled study of elritercept were to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic markers of activin inhibition and hematopoiesis in healthy postmenopausal women (N = 48). This study comprised 2 parts: single ascending doses ranging from 0.05 to 4.5 mg/kg; and multiple (up to 2 doses) ascending doses of 0.75 mg/kg administered subcutaneously (SC) every 4 weeks. Elritercept was generally well tolerated at all dose levels, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed. There were no severe or serious adverse events or clinically significant changes in safety laboratory measures. Serum concentrations increased in a dose-proportional manner after single SC doses, with peak concentrations achieved in 4.5 to 6 days and a mean elimination half-life of 12 days. These parameters were comparable after multiple doses. Elritercept elicited rapid, sustained, and dose-dependent increases in reticulocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets without eliciting detrimental changes in white blood cells such as neutrophils and lymphocytes. The time course and duration of changes in these cell populations supported a differentiated pharmacologic profile that is consistent with the stimulation of both early- and late-stage hematologic pathways. The trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au/ as #ACTRN12619000318189.

Formation pressure is an important indicator of field production potential. Currently, the common practice to estimate reservoir pressure is the hydrodynamic exploration test. This method requires shutting down the well, often for a long time. Such long shutdowns lead to less production from the reservoir and worsen the economics of the field. Here, we present the method for determining the pressure without shutting down the well by using statistical methods for such tasks. In this article, we describe the method of finding the formation pressure by using multidimensional multivariate analysis of the actual reservoir data from the Sukharev field. To build the model, several operational, geological, and reservoir properties at various stages of the field pressure were combined into a model to predict reservoir pressure. Results showed that with this simple statistical method, formation pressure varies in two distinctive stages. In the first stage, the formation pressure is influenced by the reservoir petrophysical parameters, whereas in the second stage, operational parameters were more prominent. Finally, three separate formations in the Sukharev field were examined to predict reservoir pressure, and the results were in very good agreement with the actual measured data. This confirmed that the method was practical and capable of predicting reservoir pressure at any time of the well's lifetime.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a ubiquitous molecule that is essential for the existence of life on Earth. However, the ever-increasing anthropogenic CO2 emissions in the environment have resulted in global warming-via-climate change. CO2 is an inexpensive substrate that can be utilized to produce fuels and value-added chemicals through numerous chemical and biological processes to boost the circular economy with a negative carbon cycle in the future. Conventional technologies practiced capturing CO2 suffer from several limitations, such as high capital costs, high energy input, complicated designs, CO2 leakage, and kinetic limitations in various steps. To offset these limitations and negative impacts, this study assessed the emerging CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies in value-added products that can boost the nation's economy and lower energy consumption while preserving global environmental quality. Various emerging CCS technologies, such as heterogeneous catalytic conversion, plasma technology, photocatalytic conversion, and other technologies (electrochemical or electrocatalysis, photoelectrochemical, thermo-catalysis, and biochemical and radiolysis), were discussed for efficient utilization and transformation of CO2. In addition, it also explored how the various transformation technologies affected the characteristics, economic value, and quality of value-added chemicals/fuels. This review also covered environmental and economic implications from scientific perspectives, and lastly, the future outlook and associated challenges were discussed.

In the present paper, we examined Erebidae specimens collected from different parts of India, and describe a new species in Arctiinae, Miltochrista terrarega sp. nov. and report five species new to the Indian fauna: Ericeia sobria Walker, [1858] in Erebinae; Euproctis cryptosticta Collenette, 1934, Artaxa kanshireia (Wileman, 1910), Nygmia ganesa Kishida, 2020 and N. hanuman Kishida, 2020 in Lymantriinae. Genitalia of B. calopasa from India is also provided. We studied, for the first time, the females of N. ganesa and N. hanuman, and the female genitalia of A. kanshireia and E. cryptosticta. The diagnoses of all the seven species along with their habitus and genitalia illustrations are provided along with the distributions.

Summary: Exercise improves cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) via mechanism that are not fully clear. Here, we first examined the effect of voluntary exercise training (VET) on energy metabolism and cognitive function in the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse (Tg) model of familial AD. Next, we profiled extracellular vesicles (EVs) and examined whether they may play a role in the protective effects of VET via intranasal administration of EVs, purified from the blood of sedentary (sEV) and/or acutely exercised (eEV) donor wild-type mice into APP/PS1Tg mice. We show that VET reduced resting energy expenditure (REE) and improved cognition in APP/PS1 Tg mice. Administration of eEV, but not sEV, also reduced REE, but had no effect on cognition. Taken together, these data show that exercise is effective intervention to improve symptoms of AD in APP/PS1Tg mice. In addition, eEVs mediate some of these effects, implicating EVs in the treatment of age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

This work presents an extensive computational investigation of the molecular structure and characteristics of molecule (E)-4-(4-(1-(2-(4-(4-nitrophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)hydrazineylidene)ethyl)phenyl)morpholine. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) with the B3LYP functional and 6–311++G(d,p) basis set, the molecular structure, Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs), Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) interactions, Noncovalent Interactions (NCI), and stability were investigated. An energy gap (ΔE) of 2.92 eV was found by the FMO analysis, indicating a moderate degree of stability and chemical reactivity. Important information about intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) was revealed by the NBO analysis. Significant interactions between the donor and acceptor, namely involving LP(3)N25 → σ*C24-C26, were confirmed by second-order perturbation energies, yielding a stabilization energy of 12.54 kcal/mol. Significant van der Waals contacts were shown by the NCI analysis, particularly between the thiazole and phenyl rings, indicating regions of steric hindrance. UV–Vis, IR, and NMR simulations were used to forecast spectroscopic characteristics. The functional groups in titled compound were identified using infrared spectroscopy (IR). Chemical shifts were precisely assigned using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis. Furthermore, the ADME analysis predicted favorable pharmacokinetic properties. With a zone of inhibition of 10.87 mm, the thiazole derivative demonstrated substantial antifungal effectiveness against Aspergillus flavus. The molecular docking analysis revealed titled compound had a significant interaction with cytochrome P450 EryK. Significant hydrogen and hydrophobic contacts were observed in this interaction, which led to a docking score of −5.28 and a binding free energy of −65.65 kcal/mol.

Terminalia catappa L. known as tropical almond, has a global distribution. Further, it is a popular choice for avenue planting in the tropics including India. In India, more than 20 species of the genus Terminalia are reported and grown for its multipurpose uses. However, T. catappa is an untapped as well as underutilized nut-yielding tree, despite having comparable nutritive value to Almonds but with lower yield. The propagation of the tree is typically done with seeds and there is lack of documented tree breeding and improvement initiative with regard to this species. In this review, we summarize the available information on the ecological and economic utility of this tree reported across the world. There are numerous studies on this species detailing its uses as an avenue tree, medicinally important plant, small timber tree, biosorbent and other uses. The tree is also reported as a good choice for agroforestry owing to its unique features including its salinity tolerance and canopy architecture. Overall, this review concludes with details on various prospects of this tree as well as alternative for agroforestry and trees outside forests.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is responsible for a highly contagious and often fatal neurological disease that affects various carnivores, including domestic dogs. In Nepal, recent reports of CDV exposure and illness in leopards (Panthera pardus) have raised concerns about the transmission of the virus among domestic dogs and wild carnivores. To investigate the genetic lineage and spread of CDV, our study utilized archived post-mortem samples from four leopards that exhibited clinical signs suggestive of canine distemper infection. These leopards were rescued in the Palpa, Dolakha, Kathmandu, and Parbat districts. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that the CDV strains circulating among the leopards belong to the Asia-5 lineage, which is also prevalent among dogs and wild carnivores in Nepal and neighboring India. The genetic relatedness between the leopard CDV sequences and those from both dogs and other carnivores within the Asia-5 lineage suggests that leopards in Nepal may have acquired the virus from multiple sources, potentially facilitated by their generalist dietary habits preying on dogs and even mesocarnivores. Furthermore, we inspected specific amino acid substitution in the hemagglutinin gene of leopard CDV, which also suggests possible transmission from both domestic dogs and non-canid hosts, although further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions. Given the vulnerable state of the leopard population in Nepal, already threatened by poaching and retaliatory killing, the emergence of CDV as a potential novel threat is deeply concerning. Comprehensive surveillance studies are essential to understand the dynamics of CDV spillover and to develop informed interventions. Urgent measures, including vaccination programs and effective control of the dog population, are needed to mitigate the impact of this disease and safeguard the future of Nepal's leopards and other wild carnivores.

Abnormal Toxicity Test (ATT) is performed as quality control test by manufacturers and National Control Laboratory (NCL) to ensure safety of biologicals. However, stakeholders are in general consensus that extraneous toxic contaminations are extremely unlikely where Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and consistent production have been established. This test requiring mice and guinea pigs is still a regulatory requirement for the batch release of biologicals in several countries although it has been deleted by some National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and Pharmacopoeias while some are still working on its elimination. Therefore, ten years historic data of ATT performed at National Institute of Biologicals (NIB), India on 4813 batches of biologicals including blood and related products, enzymes, hormones and vaccines by using 33637 animals was analyzed. As per Indian Pharmacopeia (IP), 4783 batches of these biologicals passed the test. The test had to be repeated in 30 batches, all of which were blood products and the repetition rate was 0.62 %. Further, after repeat testing, all these 30 batches also passed the test. This data will help the regulatory authorities of countries where ATT is still a requirement, take appropriate decision regarding its deletion. The elimination of ATT from specific monographs of these biologicals will help save many thousands of animals being used globally for this test.

The growing demand for sustainable energy has prompted a search for alternative fuels, with microalgae-based biodiesel emerging as a promising option. However, improving its energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts remain key challenges. This study presents a novel approach by integrating wastewater-derived algae cultivation with ammonium hydroxide emulsion to enhance biodiesel performance. Chlorella vulgaris microalgae were grown in a medium of diluted human urine, where nutrient removal efficiency was evaluated, and biooil was extracted via solvent extraction. The resulting biodiesel was analyzed for elemental, chemical, and physicochemical properties. A 30 % blend of Chlorella vulgaris algae biodiesel (CVAB) with normal diesel fuel (NDF) was prepared. To further boost energy efficiency and emissions performance, ammonium hydroxide emulsion was added at concentrations of 5 % and 10 %. Results confirmed that wastewater-sourced algae cultivation is a viable method for sustainable biodiesel production. While CVAB's combustion characteristics were similar to NDF's, it exhibited a 7 % decrease in brake thermal efficiency and a 5 % increase in nitrogen oxide emissions. The addition of ammonium hydroxide emulsion notably improved both energy efficiency and emission profiles. This study highlights a breakthrough in using ammonium hydroxide emulsion to enhance algae biodiesel, making it a more competitive alternative to fossil fuels. Economically, this approach offers a dual advantage: utilizing low-cost wastewater for biodiesel production while improving fuel performance and reducing emissions.

The current article deals with the SM of a NFs on a 3D moving surface containing bioconvection, microorganisms, and convective conditions over anisotropic slip. This work reports describes the characteristics of bioconvection aspects of nanofluid containing microorganisms with anisotropic slip condition. The study may be important from the application point of view in microfluidic devices, antibiotics, enhanced oil recovery and many other areas. Applying the similarity variables, the basic gov. Eqs are translated to ordinary ones, and such Eqs are calculate by R-K-F fourth order programming with shooting scheme by MATLAB software. The physical parameters on the moving surface are explained in detail via graphs. We found that the temperature increases with a higher revolution and larger numerical numbers (convection parameter), while the HTR declined for various values of the SFP. The HTR enhances with surface convection, and therefore, the convection condition is helpful in reducing the viscous drag on the moving SS.

The depletion of fossil fuels and the escalating environmental threats from emissions are driving the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in developed nations. Despite their promise, EVs face limitations such as high manufacturing costs, e-waste generation, and the risk of electricity shortages. Hydrogen-based fuels are a viable alternative, but unresolved challenges, including hydrogen storage and safety, hinder their widespread use. This study explores an innovative solution by investigating hydrogen-enriched biofuels in reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) engines. The proposed approach utilizes ammonium hydroxide as a hydrogen carrier, combined with waste leather fat oil (WLFO) and 100 ppm cobalt chromite nanoparticles. Three fuel blends, containing 30 %, 35 %, and 40 % ammonium hydroxide, were tested under various operating conditions to evaluate their combustion performance and emission characteristics. Additionally, an economic analysis was conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of the proposed fuel blends. The findings revealed that the 35 % ammonium hydroxide blend with 65 % WLFO achieved notable reductions in nitrogen oxides (9.2 %), hydrocarbons (27 %), and smoke (26 %) compared to diesel, while maintaining similar heat release rates, brake thermal efficiency, and brake-specific energy consumption. The economic analysis demonstrated that this blend could reduce fuel costs by approximately 25.6 %, offering a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional fuels. This study presents a novel approach by integrating hydrogen-enriched biofuels with RCCI technology, addressing key limitations of current hydrogen and biodiesel solutions while advancing the development of cleaner and more economical fuel alternatives.

Background: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is known to be a predictor of mortality. However, the impact of DD on the risk for myocardial infarction (MI) is not well defined. We sought to examine whether DD is an independent predictor of risk of MI in patients with a preserved ejection fraction. Methods: This was an observational study of consecutive patients who underwent an echocardiogram that showed normal systolic function and had ≥ 3 months of follow-up. DD was graded using the contemporaneous guidelines at the time of the echocardiogram. Subsequent MI was determined by an inpatient encounter with a primary diagnosis of MI. Results: 129,476 patients were included (mean age 56 years; 58 % women). DD was present in 17.6 % of patients (13.6 % Grade I, 3.6 % Grade II, 0.4 % Grade III). Patients with DD were more likely to be older and have cardiovascular comorbidities. Survival free from MI was significantly lower as DD severity increased. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling demonstrated that DD was an independent predictor of MI (hazard ratios [CI]: Grade I: 1.48 [1.33–1.66]; Grade II: 1.84 [1.57–2.16]; Grade III: 2.90 [1.98–4.25]). Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that the risk of MI is significantly increased in the presence of DD, with higher risk at higher grades of DD. The increased risk associated with grade III DD is comparable to that from a prior history of percutaneous coronary intervention. These findings suggest that the severity of DD may be a useful tool in stratifying patients for risk of MI.

Photonics, the field of study that focuses on the production, detection, and control of light, is transforming the advancement of offshore wind energy systems. This systematic analysis examines the various aspects of photonics in improving the effectiveness, dependability, and environmental friendliness of offshore wind farms. Optical fibers with large data-carrying capacity enable reliable transfer of both data and power between offshore installations and onshore facilities, ensuring effective communication and control. In addition, photonics-based underwater communication systems and sensors enhance the upkeep and functioning of subsea components. Photonics advancements also enhance the efficiency of energy conversion and storage solutions by integrating additional solar energy sources and improving battery systems. One of the main advantage is that despite the immense potential, the harsh marine environment poses significant challenges, such as corrosion and system degradation, which must be addressed through durable materials and protective strategies. The review also emphasizes the high initial costs and the complex integration processes required for photonics systems with existing offshore infrastructure. However, the long-term benefits in terms of improved energy efficiency, reduced operational downtime, and carbon footprint reduction make these technologies promising for future offshore wind farm deployments. The paper calls for further research in developing more robust photonic components and enhancing their cost-effectiveness, especially in large-scale real-world applications.

Summary: Tlx3, a master regulator of the fate specification of excitatory neurons, is primarily known to function in post-mitotic cells. Although we have previously identified TLX3 expression in the proliferating granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) of cerebellum, its primary role is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the dysfunction of Tlx3 from the GNPs significantly reduced its proliferation through regulating anti-proliferative genes. Consequently, the altered generation of GNPs resulted in cerebellar hypoplasia, patterning defects, granule neuron-Purkinje ratio imbalance, and aberrant synaptic connections in the cerebellum. This altered cerebellar homeostasis manifested into a typical autism-like behavior in mice with motor, and social function disabilities. We also show the presence of TLX3 variants with uncharacterized mutations in human cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Altogether, our study establishes Tlx3 as a critical gene involved in developing GNPs and that its deletion from the early developmental stage culminates in autism.

The proliferation of food waste has emerged as an escalating issue, with forecasts suggesting a persistent increase. Efficient waste management is essential in tackling environmental difficulties, providing a sustainable approach to alleviate these urgent problems. Fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) is notable among waste kinds for its abundant critical nutrients, dietary fibre, bioactive chemicals, and significant energy potential. Establishing an effective system for processing FVW can provide substantial advantages, especially in energy recovery and waste minimisation. The worldwide society is increasingly prioritising renewable energy sources to mitigate the environmental repercussions of fossil fuel consumption. Global initiatives are currently focused on utilising energy from FVW, along with the overarching objective of achieving international energy security. This article investigates the possibilities of power generation from many forms of food waste, analyses prevalent generating methods and their justifications, and addresses the legislation and regulations governing food waste management, as well as prospective pathways for sustainable energy solutions.

In this study, nanocomposite of nickel nanoparticles-embedded biochar (Ni@BC) was prepared by one-pot pyrolysis method. The role of Ni content to the physicochemical character relevant to adsorption, catalytic oxidation and photocatalytic oxidation activities of the nanocomposite was investigated. The instrumental analyses using X-ray difraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and gas sorption analysis were employed to analyze the features of nanocomposite, meanwhile the photocatalytic oxidation of methyl orange (MO) was chosen to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of the nanocomposite. The instrumental analysis results suggest that single phase of dispersed-nickel nanoparticles onto biochar structure was obtained by Ni content of 5, 10, and 30 % wt. With a mean particle's size of 50 nm. From XRD analysis, it was obtained that the higher Ni content in the nanocomposite leads to create higher crystallite size, where the Ni content of 5, 10, and 30 %wt. Gave the size of 18.7, 27.8, and 29.5 nm, respectively. The samples exhibited magnetism with saturation magnetization (Ms) ranging at 3.87 emu g−1- 9.87 emu, which the higher Ni content result in higher magnetism. Similarly, higher Ni content corresponded to a higher specific surface area. Highly photoactivity and stability of Ni@BC was expressed by complete (100 %) methyl orange removal for 30 min, and recyclability until 5th use without appreciable physicochemical properties of the nanocomposite.

In this study, the influence of phosphorus doping on the electrocatalytic activity of glycerol-based carbon-supported nickel towards glycerol electrooxidation is investigated. The P-doped and un-doped glycerol-based carbon are synthesized through dehydration using phosphoric acid and thermal treatment, respectively. The P-doped catalysts with different Ni loadings (names as P-carbon_Ni (200), P-carbon_Ni (400), and P-carbon_Ni (600)) and the un-doped catalyst; carbon_Ni (600) are analysed for their physicochemical properties, indicating that P-doping can enhance the electrocatalytic activities of the fabricated electrodes. The scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses reveal the higher porosity of P-carbon_Ni (600) relative to the un-doped carbon_Ni (600) and a uniform distribution of the doped elements. The cyclic voltammetric studies show that the un-doped carbon_Ni (600) possesses a smaller electrochemical surface area (98.49 cm2) and poorer surface coverage with –OH (6.35 × 10−5 mol/cm2) compared to P-carbon_Ni (600) whose electrochemical surface area and surface coverage with –OH are 115.49 cm2 and 7.62 × 10−5 mol/cm2, respectively. Undoubtedly, the electrocatalytic performance of P-carbon_Ni (600) for glycerol oxidation is significantly better than the un-doped carbon_Ni (600), as also revealed by chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance studies. P-carbon_Ni (600) is able to stabilize at higher current density as the electrooxidation of glycerol progresses and possesses a lower charge transfer resistance indicating that the incorporation of phosphorus into glycerol-based carbon enhances the conductivity of glycerol-based carbon-supported nickel. Furthermore, the HPLC analysis of the bulk electrolysis of glycerol after 15,000 seconds shows 100 % glycerol conversion.

A nanocomposite of hydroxyapatite-supported Ag3PO4 (Ag3PO4/HA) was prepared by in-situ co-precipitation followed by hydrothermal method by utilizing cockle (Anadara granosa) shell as biogenic calcium source. The obtained nanocomposite was characterized by different instrumental analyses. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses confirmed the formation of dispersed Ag3PO4 on HA structure with the particles size ranging at 10–40 nm. The material has band gap energy of 2.3 eV which support the activity as photocatalyst for rhodamine B degradation. The removal efficiency of 99.87% was expressed by the nanocomposite for 120 min of treatment, and reusability was demonstrated by insignificant change of the removal and kinetics constant for 5 cycles. The nanocomposite showed antibacterial activity against E. Coli, S. aureus, K. Pneumonia, and S. pyogenes.

Pesticides have increased crop yield but severely impacted ecosystems and non-target organisms. Flubendiamide, a new generation pesticide, targets insect larvae but also affects non-target organisms. This study examines the effects of lowest observed effect concentration of technical grade flubendiamide (0.5 µg/µL) flubendiamide on chick liver, focusing on cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme expression, oxidative stress, and liver damage. Chick embryos treated with flubendiamide showed significant alterations in CYP mRNA and protein levels, indicating increased toxicant accumulation. Elevated CYP3A4, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP2C19 levels were noted, suggesting enhanced biotransformation and detoxification processes. However, increased oxidative byproducts led to oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreased glutathione (GSH) levels and elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities. DCFDA staining confirmed increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels, indicating heightened reactive oxygen species (ROS). Liver function tests revealed significant increases in serum ALP, ALT, and AST levels, indicating acute liver damage. Histopathological analysis showed structural liver damage, including expanded sinusoidal spaces, impaired portal veins, and compromised hepatocyte architecture. These findings underscore flubendiamide's potential hepatotoxicity in non-target organisms, emphasizing the need for cautious pesticide use to minimize environmental impacts.

The agriculture industry is currently facing significant challenges in effectively monitoring the health of livestock. Traditional methods of health monitoring are often labor-intensive, inefficient, and insufficiently responsive to the needs of modern farming. As the number of IoT devices in agriculture proliferates, issues of scalability and computational load have become prominent, necessitating efficient and scalable solutions. This research introduces a cloud-based architecture aimed at enhancing livestock health monitoring. This system is designed to track critical health indicators such as movement patterns, body temperature, and heart rate, utilizing AWS for robust data handling and Python for data processing and real-time analytics. The proposed system incorporates Narrow Band IoT (Nb IoT) technology, which is optimized for low-bandwidth, long-range communication, making it suitable for rural and remote farming locations. The architecture's scalability allows for the effective management of varying numbers of IoT devices, which is essential for adapting to changing herd sizes and farm scales. Preliminary experiments conducted to assess the system's performance have demonstrated its durability and effectiveness, indicating a successful integration of AWS IoT Cloud services with the deployed IoT devices. Furthermore, the study explores the implementation of predictive analytics to facilitate proactive health management in livestock. By predicting potential health issues before they become apparent, the system can offer significant improvements in animal welfare and farm efficiency. The integration of cloud computing and IoT not only meets the growing technological needs of modern agriculture but also sets a new benchmark in the development of sustainable farming practices. The findings from this research could have broad implications for the future of livestock management, potentially leading to widespread adoption of technology-driven health monitoring systems in agriculture. This would help in optimizing the health management of livestock globally, thereby enhancing productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

The increasing concern over environmental pollution and energy security has intensified the search for alternative fuels. This study explores the impact of 1-pentanol blends on the combustion performance and emission characteristics of water-emulsified Gossypium hirsutum (cottonseed) oil biodiesel in a compression ignition engine. Cottonseed oil was converted into biodiesel via transesterification, and its elemental, chemical, and physicochemical properties were thoroughly analyzed. A key contribution of this work is the formulation of a fuel blend comprising 30 % cottonseed oil biodiesel (COB) by volume mixed with diesel fuel, further emulsified with 10 % water by volume. The water-emulsified biodiesel was then enhanced with a 10 % volume concentration of 1-pentanol. The energy and environmental performance of these test fuels were evaluated in a single-cylinder compression ignition engine under various operating conditions. The study's findings reveal that the alcohol-blended, water-emulsified biodiesel significantly improves combustion efficiency and reduces emissions compared to conventional diesel fuel. Notably, the addition of 10 % 1-pentanol to the water-emulsified biodiesel led to a 14.3 % reduction in hydrocarbon emissions and a 12.8 % reduction in carbon monoxide emissions. Furthermore, there was a 3.2 % improvement in brake thermal efficiency and a 1.4 % decrease in specific fuel consumption. This research demonstrates that blending alcohol with water-emulsified biodiesel not only enhances combustion efficiency but also offers a promising strategy for reducing the environmental impact of diesel engines and potentially lowering fossil fuel dependence by 50 %.

This study focuses on optimizing the concentrations of water and 1-pentanol in biodiesel-diesel blends derived from Gossypium hirsutum (cottonseed) oil to enhance engine performance and reduce environmental impact. Biodiesel from cottonseed oil (COB) was produced via transesterification, followed by an analysis of its elemental and chemical composition, and physicochemical properties. Using a Box-Behnken design matrix, the volume concentrations of COB (10–30 %), water (5–15 %), and 1-pentanol (5–20 %) in diesel fuel were varied to optimize engine performance and emission characteristics. ANOVA was employed to evaluate the influence of these parameters on key output responses. The results demonstrated that COB possesses favorable elemental and chemical properties, and the optimal concentrations of COB, water, and 1-pentanol were identified as 14.7 %, 9.9 %, and 11.2 %, respectively. ANOVA findings revealed that COB had the maximum influence on brake specific fuel consumption (93.4 %), nitrogen oxides (55.3 %), carbon monoxide (78.5 %), and carbon dioxide (97.1 %), while 1-pentanol significantly influenced brake thermal efficiency (38.9 %) and hydrocarbon emissions (70 %). Confirmation experiments validated these optimizations, showing substantial improvements in both performance and emissions. The study concludes that integrating water and 1-pentanol into COB blends can reduce fossil fuel consumption by approximately 35 %, while enhancing energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.

Upper limb movements are essential in everyday life; hand paralysis caused by post-stroke affects the regular lives of patients. To regain hand mobility and motor function, we must perform repetitive exercises. Nowadays, rehabilitation devices are essential to help post-stroke victims exercise and recover from paralysis more quickly. The proposed research developed a 3D-printed portable rehabilitative device for elbow and shoulder movements. This device assists patients with hand impairments in performing repetitive elbow flexion and internal/external rotation of the shoulder. Twenty post-stroke patients (each group of 10) were randomly assigned to the traditional training group or rehabilitation device training group. This study compared the outcomes of the two groups before and after eight weeks of training. Following the therapy, the patient's performance was evaluated using standard clinical tests such as the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Active Range of Motion (AROM) of the elbow and shoulder. The results of the RDT (Rehabilitation Device Training) group were greater than those of the TT (Traditional Training) group, and the p values (p ​

Aptamers are short single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules with high affinity and specificity for targets and are generated using the iterative systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) revolutionized aptamer selections by allowing a more comprehensive analysis of SELEX-enriched aptamers as compared to Sanger sequencing. The current challenge with aptamer NGS datasets is identifying a diverse cohort of candidate aptamers with the highest likelihood of successful experimental validation. Here we present AptamerRunner, an aptamer sequence and/or structure clustering algorithm that synergistically integrates computational analysis with visualization and expertise-directed decision making. The visual integration of networked aptamers with ranking data, such as fold enrichment or scoring algorithm results, represents a significant advancement over existing clustering tools by providing a natural context to depict groups of aptamers from which ranked or scored candidates can be chosen for experimental validation. The inherent flexibility, user-friendly design, and prospects for future enhancements with AptamerRunner have broad-reaching implications for aptamer researchers across a wide range of disciplines.

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are benign, slow-growing congenital tumors of ectodermal origin. They are rare embryonal benign cystic masses with an incidence rate of approximately 0.04%-0.6% of intracranial tumors. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are fundamental diagnostic tools providing valuable information for surgical management. We reported a 59-year-old male patient with right limb weakness twelve hours prior to admission, slurred speech, and paresis of the facial nerve. Based on history taking, physical examination, and radiology examinations, we concluded a diagnosis of non-communicated hydrocephalus due to a right cerebellar intra-axial tumor with a suspicion of low-grade glioma (Pylocitic Astrocytoma). CT and MRI in intracranial epidermoid cysts are fundamental diagnostic tools for diagnosing and obtaining helpful information for surgical planning. Intracranial epidermoid cysts appear as lobulated lesions filling and expanding CSF spaces and exerting a gradual mass effect, insinuating between structures and encasing adjacent nerves and vessels. In this case, we noted a hypodense lesion with irregular calcifications and well-defined on the right cerebellar region measuring 6.15 × 5.47 × 5.7 cm, surrounded by a hypodense image suggesting an intra-axial mass suspected of low-grade glioma with a differential diagnosis of brain abscess. The hypointense lesion on the T1WI sequence found in the MRI examination, with no significant contrast enhancement and restricted diffusion area on DWI, was one of the notable features described in the epidermoid cyst. Intracranial epidermoid cyst rarely occurs in the intracranial, resulting in many symptoms in this case, which should be diagnosed and treated promptly. Imaging aids in proper diagnosis and provides more valuable information for further treatment.

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) presents a significant challenge in diagnosis due to its varied clinical manifestations and the absence of specific biomarkers. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial, particularly given its association with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This review aims to explore the potential role of exosomes, small extracellular vesicles, in the pathogenesis of OLP and their utility as diagnostic biomarkers. Exosomes facilitate the exchange of information between cells and modulate immune responses by carrying various bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. In the context of OLP, exosomes derived from affected tissues or immune cells are thought to contribute to disease progression by mediating the transfer of pro-inflammatory molecules, including cytokines like interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha and chemokines such as CCL2, CCL5 and microRNAs such as miR-155, miR-146a, miR-21, and miR-34a, etc. Additionally, the distinct molecular contents of exosomes derived from OLP lesions may accurately represent the pathological changes occurring in these tissues. This suggests the potential of exosomes to be used as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing and tracking the progression of the disease. Understanding the immune microenvironment of OLP and the role of exosomes within this context is critical for advancing our knowledge of OLP pathogenesis and identifying new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. However, challenges remain in identifying and characterising exosomes and their clinical translation. Further research is warranted to address these challenges and fully exploit exosomes' diagnostic and therapeutic potential in OLP and other inflammatory oral diseases.

There is a constant search for safer, eco-friendly and effective insect control agent alternatives of natural origin due to concerns in human health, ecology and development of insect resistance to conventional chemical insecticides. Accordingly, a fumigant molecule, isosecotanapartholide (ISTP) from Artemisia vulgaris L., has been isolated and characterized following laboratory bioassays against stored grain insect pests. Physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses correlated with literature data to yield the structure of ISTP, a volatile organic compound. The isolated organic compound is highly toxic to adults of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) and Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) with LC50 values of 1.82, 2.19 and 1.83 μg/L respectively. ISTP also exhibits potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor activity in vivo and in vitro analysis. Additionally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis provide insight into the possible interaction between ISTP and AChE of S. oryzae, without any adverse effect on seed germination. In summary, ISTP from A. vulgaris source is a potential insecticide against stored grain insect pests and alternative to synthetic pesticides.

Temperature is one of the crucial environmental factors affecting the physiology and suitability of fish species for aquaculture, making it vital to predict how the present rate of climate change will impact these species. To assess the heat tolerance of silver pompano Trachinotus blochii, the Critical Thermal Maxima (CTmax) and Critical Thermal Minima (CTmin) were investigated at six different acclimation temperatures (Tacc), ranging from 18 to 36 °C. Generalized Additive Model (GAM) was performed on CTmax and CTmin and tested for data validation. The results revealed that the CTmax and CTmin for T. blochii were 41.1 ± 0.0478 °C and 12.0 ± 0.0748 °C, respectively. The Thermal Tolerance Polygon was calculated to be 357.02 oC2 for the specified temperatures. The study revealed that silver pompano acclimated to higher temperatures exhibited greater thermal tolerance. Additionally, it was found that their thermal tolerance could be increased through an acclimation regime, allowing them to adapt better to higher temperatures. The results enlighten the species potential towards securing global food security and sustainable development, as these resilient finfish can be integrated into climate-smart marine aquaculture systems to mitigate the effects of climate change by providing valuable information for future actionable strategies for species diversification.

The multipliers are essential components in real-time applications. Although approximation arithmetic affects the output accuracy in multipliers, it offers a realistic avenue for constructing power-, area--, and speed-efficient digital circuits. The approximation computing technique is commonly used in error-tolerant applications such as signal, image, and video processing. In this study, approximate multipliers (AMs) are designed using both conventional and approximate half adders (A-HAs) and full adders (A-FAs), which are strategically placed to add partial products at the most significant bit (MSB) positions, and OR gates are used to add partial products at the lower significant bit (LSB). In addition, this research article demonstrates unsigned and signed multipliers using the Ripple Carry Adder (RCA), Carry Save Adder (CSA), Conditional Sum Adder (COSA), Carry Select Adder (CSLA), and Clock Gating Technique. The proposed multipliers are implemented in Verilog HDL and simulated on the Xilinx VIVADO 2021.2 design tool, with the target platform being the Artix-7 AC701 FPGA. The results found that the power dissipation change is 13%, the delay change is 4.7%, and the area change is 15% for the 16-bit unsigned approximate multiplier. For the 16-bit signed approximate multiplier, the power change is 18.81%, the delay change is 3.57%, and the area change is 14.29% using inexact and exact adders and the clock gating technique with CSA as the final partial product summer. Clock-gating 16-bit multiplier RED decreases when compared to approximate adder usage alone in the multiplier. The proposed multipliers are useful in error-tolerant applications such as digital signal processing, image fusion, image blending, smoothing, and sharpening to produce high-quality images at high speed and with low power consumption.

The proliferation of microplastics (μP) in aquatic environments poses a significant threat to ecosystem health, with repercussions extending to aquatic organisms and potentially to human health. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a novel biosurfactant-microplastic (BSμP) hybrid in reducing in vivo green bio-toxicity of microplastics (μP) induced by oxidative stress and apoptosis in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Microplastics, ubiquitous in aquatic environments, were hybridised with Biosurfactant to evaluate their potential mitigating effects. A stable BSμP was formed with zeta potential of −10.3 ± 1.5 mV. Exposure of zebrafish embryos to μP resulted in increased oxidative stress markers, including elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and induced apoptosis, as evidenced by increased expression of apoptotic markers and morphological changes in embryonic zebrafish. However, the BSμP hybrid significantly ameliorated the observed toxic effects with reduced levels of oxidative stress markers and apoptotic activity. This effect was deduced as the intrinsic effects of hybridisation, which likely mitigated the bioavailability and toxicity of μP by reducing their molecular interaction with metabolic proteins like Sod1 and p53 through less accumulation and internalisation. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of BSμP as a promising approach for mitigating the ecological impacts of microplastic pollution.

RdRp is a critical component of an RNA virus life cycle. Among coronaviruses, NSP12, along with one copy of NSP7 and two copies of NSP8, forms the RdRp holoenzyme and exhibits polymerase activity. While coronavirus RNA replication is sufficiently understood, the interplay among these NSPs and its influence on RNA binding and nascent strand synthesis remains poorly understood. Here, we reconstituted a functional RdRp holoenzyme using recombinant SARS-CoV-2 NSP12, NSP7, and NSP8 in vitro. Molecular interactions among NSPs and their effect on the polymerase activity were investigated, wherein NSP12 alone exhibited notable activity, which was further enhanced by the presence of both NSP7 and NSP8. The presence of only one cofactor, either NSP7 or NSP8, completely inhibited NSP12 activity and led to RNA template detachment. Computational analyses of different NSP12 complexes suggested that binding of NSP7 or NSP8 alone to NSP12 constricts the RNA entry channel, which was higher in the presence of NSP8, making it inappropriate for RNA entry/binding. We conclude that NSP7 and NSP8 together synergize to enhance the NSP12 activity, but antagonize when alone. These findings have implications for novel drug development, and compounds inhibiting NSP7 or NSP8 interactions with NSP12 can be lethal to coronavirus replication.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising adsorbents for CO2 capture due to their highly tuneable chemical and structural properties. However, most MOFs exhibit a strong affinity for moisture, an ubiquitous component of CO2-containing mixtures such as flue gas and air, which can lead to a decline in CO2 capture performance due to competitive adsorption between water vapor and CO2. This can also increase the energy required for adsorbent regeneration and result in MOF framework decomposition due to the hydrolysis of weak metal-ligand bonds. Therefore, MOFs must possess low water vapor affinity and high CO2 affinity to be effective in practical CO2 capture applications. Hybridizing MOFs with other MOFs combines the distinct features of the individual MOF materials and results in unique properties that cannot be achieved by individual components. This study presents a versatile strategy for fabricating novel MOF@MOF core-shell structures with reduced water vapor affinity by in-situ growth of hydrophobic ZIF-8 shells on the surface of hydrophilic HKUST-1 crystals. The resulting core-shell hybrid adsorbent exhibited low moisture affinity, achieving up to a 70% reduction in water vapor adsorption capacity compared to pure HKUST-1. It also demonstrated an IAST CO2/N2 selectivity of 41.4 for a binary gas mixture containing 15 vol.% CO2 and 85 vol.% N2 at 1 bar and 298 K, which is 73% higher than that of HKUST-1 and 211% higher than that of ZIF-8, due to the presence of the ZIF-8 shell with low N2 adsorption capacity. The reduced water vapor affinity and excellent CO2 capture performance, with CO2 uptake of 2.9 mmol g-1 at 1 bar and 298 K, of the developed core-shell adsorbent, combined with its cyclability in vacuum swing adsorption (VSA)-based experiments without requiring thermal regeneration, make it promising for practical CO2 capture applications.

Single walled carbon nanotubes exhibit unique electronic properties that make them ideal for miniaturizing electronics and serving as excellent conductors in various nanotechnological applications. The aim of this numerical simulation of water-based single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) nanofluid flow over a vertical porous sheet is to study the flow and heat transfer characteristics of this nanofluid through a non-darcy permeable medium. Other flow controlling conditions, like viscous dissipation and a uniform magnetic field, are also included during this study. The current analysis is an innovative in terms of stagnation point flow for the described fluid system in the presence of Darcy-Forchheimer effect, Joule heating, and non-uniform heat generation/absorption impact. A mathematical framework is established using partial differential equations to depict the flow and temperature processes, using appropriate boundary conditions. We transformed the mathematical framework into dimensionless form using similarity parameters and subsequently solved it with Bvp4c MATLAB code. Numerical outcomes are presented via graphs and tables. When the velocity ratio parameter exceeds 1, the velocity profile decreases with increasing magnetic parameter due to the enhanced Lorentz force that opposes the fluid motion. Both fluid velocity and temperature profiles increase with rising mixed convection parameter and nanotube volume fraction due to enhanced buoyancy and convective effects.

Background: The Villalta Scale (VS) to diagnose postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) consists of 5 patient-reported leg symptoms and 6 clinician-rated leg signs. It is unknown how the scale performs across racial groups. Objectives: Our study explored if there were differences in VS scores, particularly clinician-rated signs components, according to self-reported race. Methods: Exploratory analysis of the ATTRACT trial, a randomized controlled trial conducted at 56 US sites that investigated pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis to prevent PTS after proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT). At the 6-month visit after randomization, we compared self-reported Black (n = 123) and White (n = 541) participants for mean total VS score, VS symptoms score, VS signs score, individual signs scores, and correlation coefficients between VS signs and VS symptoms scores and between VS signs and Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study Quality of Life (VEINES-QOL) scores (a self-reported venous disease-specific quality of life measure). Results: Mean total VS score (4.67 vs. 4.12, P = .54),VS signs score (1.66 vs. 2.00, P = .07), and VS symptoms score (2.83 vs. 2.04, P = .10) were similar between Black and White participants. The mean score for one individual VS sign, venous ectasia, was lower in Black vs. White participants (0.24 vs. 0.63, P< .01). There was similar, modest correlation in Black and White participants between VS signs and VS symptoms scores (rblack = 0.19; rwhite = 0.23) and between VS signs and VEINES-QOL scores (rblack = −0.32; rwhite = −0.30). Results were adjusted for ATTRACT trial treatment group, age, sex, body mass index, DVT extent, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and congestive heart failure. Conclusion: The findings suggest that some differences in VS scores exist according to self-reported race. It is unclear whether these reflect clinicians’ underrating of some VS signs and/or differences in PTS severity. Further work is needed to understand how the VS performs across racial groups.

Exposure to heavy metals, such as cadmium, nickel, mercury, arsenic, lead, and hexavalent chromium has been linked to dysregulated developmental processes, such as impaired stem cell differentiation. Heavy metals are well-known modifiers of the epigenome. Stem and progenitor cells are particularly vulnerable to exposure to potentially toxic metals since these cells rely on epigenetic reprogramming for their proper functioning. Therefore, exposure to metals can impair stem and progenitor cell proliferation, pluripotency, stemness, and differentiation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of current evidence on the epigenetic effects of heavy metals on stem cells, focusing particularly on DNA methylation and histone modifications. Moreover, we explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for these epigenetic changes. By providing an overview of heavy metal exposure-induced alterations to the epigenome, the underlying mechanisms, and the consequences of those alterations on stem cell function, this review provides a foundation for further research in this critical area of overlap between toxicology and developmental biology.

The study focuses on Palm fruit Fibers (PF) extracted from the palmyra palm tree (Borassus flabellifer) treated with 5 % alkali solution (NaOH). This treatment eliminates impurities from the fiber surface and enhances bonding with the epoxy matrix. Epoxy composites, reinforced with PF/nanofillers (h-BN, Al2O3 and MWCNT), are developed by using the box Behnken method (BBD) and dielectric constant is investigated under high-frequency and electrical field conditions. Dielectric constants (K) of the nanocomposites are determined using various capacitor terminal setups. The electrical properties of the Epoxy/PF nanocomposite, based on fiber content (Wt. %), fiber mesh size (μm) and nanofillers are evaluated using response surface methodology (RSM). Models, predicting nanocomposite dielectric constants, are established, fitting experimental values closely with R2 nearing 1 and residuals adhering to a normal probability plot. The optimized dielectric constant of 1.05 is achieved at 3 wt% palm fiber content, 150 μm fiber mesh size and 1 wt% nano h-BN.

In the pursuit of global net-zero emissions targets and cleaner combustion technologies, researchers are increasingly turning to innovative solutions. Ammonia, as a carbon-free fuel, holds promise for achieving low emissions and efficient combustion. This study explores the potential synergies of various ammonia shares (20 %, 40 %, and 60 %) combined with Citronella biofuel in a Low-Temperature Combustion (LTC) Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) engine. Comparative analysis between a 40 % ammonia blend Citronella biofuel (A40) and a Standard Diesel (SDL) in an RCCI engine demonstrates significant reductions in oxides of nitrogen (by 17 %), carbon dioxide (by 6.6 %), and smoke (by 9.8 %), along with a notable enhancement in Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) by 5.4 % for A40. The validation of results using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model shows robust coefficients of determination (97 %), high R values (0.9945–0.9995), and low Root Mean Square Error values (ranging from 0.0219 to 0.0483). These findings strongly support the efficacy of the A40 blend, positioning it as a promising and viable alternative fuel for achieving cleaner combustion in LTC-RCCI engines.

Study objective: To evaluate the impact of a medication optimization clinic (MOC) on GDMT and outcomes for patients with HFrEF versus usual care. Design: Retrospective evaluation of a multi-site MOC was conducted. Setting: Large health system with academic and community hospitals. Participants: Patients with HFrEF referred to MOC by their cardiologist versus usual care. Interventions: GDMT use managed by an advanced practice provider or clinical pharmacist through weekly telemedicine visits. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was HF hospitalization. Cardiovascular hospitalization and all-cause mortality were also assessed. Kaplan−Meier Curve, Cumulative Incidence Function, and competing risk analysis with regression models were conducted. Results: 1419 patients in MOC group were compared to 5116 control patients. GDMT use was significantly higher in MOC: quadruple therapy (49 % vs. 19 %; p

The rationale of this research was to explore the genetic divergence of 54 kantakari accessions (Solanum virginianum L. syn. S. surattense Burm. f.), to identify their significant traits, and unravel their genetic variations. Kantakari is a widely used medicinal plant in traditional medicine worldwide and is also known for its allopathic properties. The morphological descriptors and molecular markers (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) used to characterize these samples revealed significant within-accession heterogeneity, indicating the possibility of future selection. Twenty-three morphological and biochemical features were examined to assess taxonomic traits. Accessions were classified into six clusters based on Mahalanobis D2 statistics of 23 quantitative traits. Clusters V and VI had the largest intercluster distance (1183.81), whereas Cluster IV had the largest intracluster distance (D2 = 275.67) (Cluster V and VI). Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA marker amplification using 10 polymorphic primers revealed 79 alleles with an overall mean of 7.90 alleles per marker, with Polymorphism Information Content values varying from 0.11 to 0.37 (Mean = 0.30). Cluster assessment produced three distinct groups. In conclusion, the investigation underscores that substantial diversity was observed among the surveyed kantakari accessions. Using molecular markers in tandem with morphological characterization, presents a robust approach for elucidating the intricacies of species-specific genetic variation with greater accuracy and depth.

ABSTRACT: In the past, we demonstrated that oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) mimicking bacterial DNA, stimulate the innate immune system of neonatal broiler chickens and protect them against Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) septicemia. The first line of innate immune defense mechanism is formed by heterophils and plays a critical protective role against bacterial septicemia in avian species. Therefore, the objectives of this study were 1) to explore the kinetics of CpG-ODN mediated antibacterial mechanisms of heterophils following single or twice administration of CpG-ODN in neonatal broiler chickens and 2) to investigate the kinetics of the immunoprotective efficacy of single versus twice administration of CpG-ODN against S. Typhimurium septicemia. In this study, we successfully developed and optimized flow cytometry-based assays to measure phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and degranulation activity of heterophils. Birds that received CpG-ODN had significantly increased (p < 0.05) phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and degranulation activity of heterophils as early as 24 h following CpG-ODN administration. Twice administration of CpG-ODN significantly increased the phagocytosis activity of heterophils. In addition, our newly developed CD107a based flow cytometry assay demonstrated a significantly higher degranulation activity of heterophils following twice than single administration of CpG-ODN. However, the oxidative burst activity of heterophils was not significantly different between birds that received CpG-ODN only once or twice. Furthermore, delivery of CpG-ODN twice increased immunoprotection against S. Typhimurium septicemia compared to once but the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, we demonstrated enhanced bactericidal activity of heterophils after administration of CpG-ODN to neonatal broiler chickens. Further investigations will be required to identify other activated innate immune cells and the specific molecular pathways associated with the CpG-ODN mediated activation of heterophils.

Summary: Background: While many patients seem to recover from SARS-CoV-2 infections, many patients report experiencing SARS-CoV-2 symptoms for weeks or months after their acute COVID-19 ends, even developing new symptoms weeks after infection. These long-term effects are called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) or, more commonly, Long COVID. The overall prevalence of Long COVID is currently unknown, and tools are needed to help identify patients at risk for developing long COVID. Methods: A working group of the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-radical (RADx-rad) program, comprised of individuals from various NIH institutes and centers, in collaboration with REsearching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) developed and organized the Long COVID Computational Challenge (L3C), a community challenge aimed at incentivizing the broader scientific community to develop interpretable and accurate methods for identifying patients at risk of developing Long COVID. From August 2022 to December 2022, participants developed Long COVID risk prediction algorithms using the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) data enclave, a harmonized data repository from over 75 healthcare institutions from across the United States (U.S.). Findings: Over the course of the challenge, 74 teams designed and built 35 Long COVID prediction models using the N3C data enclave. The top 10 teams all scored above a 0.80 Area Under the Receiver Operator Curve (AUROC) with the highest scoring model achieving a mean AUROC of 0.895. Included in the top submission was a visualization dashboard that built timelines for each patient, updating the risk of a patient developing Long COVID in response to clinical events. Interpretation: As a result of L3C, federal reviewers identified multiple machine learning models that can be used to identify patients at risk for developing Long COVID. Many of the teams used approaches in their submissions which can be applied to future clinical prediction questions. Funding: Research reported in this RADx® Rad publication was supported by the National Institutes of Health. Timothy Bergquist, Johanna Loomba, and Emily Pfaff were supported by Axle Subcontract: NCATS-STSS-P00438.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major global health concern even with the developments in conventional therapies of cancer. This editorial aims to review the current genetic and molecular data of OSCC treatment with an emphasis on the Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/ligand PD-L1 pathway and novel biomarkers. Research shows that PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have the possibility to be used in OSCC treatment, and they mainly focus on improving immune functions. In this regard, salivary biomarkers provide early detection approaches with high sensitivity, especially chemerin and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9). Immune cell dynamics and personalized immunotherapy are important to be understood to achieve better therapeutic results. Some of them are tumor relapse, and the requirement of accurate prognostic indicators and diagnostic tests. Personalized medicine is one of the possibilities of using genetic knowledge in therapy. Some of the important areas for future research include improving the methods of early diagnosis, as well as identifying the possibilities of applying the concept of personalized medicine. Multicentre and cooperative work are essential for further improvement of the treatment of OSCC. Genetic and molecular studies provide a hope for better OSCC treatments and thus better patient outcomes worldwide.

Aquaculture pond is a dynamic ecosystem with continuously changing physical, chemical, and biological elements. Environmental issues often create significant hindrances to long-term development of aquaculture industries in developing countries. Lack of knowledge on scientific aquaculture farm management has resulted in excessive usage of antibiotics and other chemicals leading to significant impacts to the surrounding ecosystem. While focussing on sustainable aquaculture, pond bottom sediment quality is an important aspect in aquaculture; but it receives far less attention than water quality. Usually, deterioration of accumulated organic matter in bottom sediment increases oxygen demand and influences redox potential. This creates anoxic conditions in the sediments and at the sediment-water interface, and releases ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogenous compounds and other toxic gases, leading to massive losses in aquaculture production. This could therefore reduce production capacity and be less profitable to farmers, discouraging them from entering to aquaculture sectors, especially the younger generation. An eco-friendly, convenient and low-cost aquaculture waste management strategies need to be adopted to mitigate these issues and make the system productive and profitable. This review critically evaluates the importance, feasibility and bioremediation potential of Immobilized microbial consortia (IMC) in general and specifically addresses Bacillus MCCB 101 for detritus or organic matter degradation, nitrifying bacterial consortia (NBC) for nitrification and photosynthetic sulfur bacteria (PSB), Rhodospeudomonas julia MCCB 147, for hydrogen sulfide mitigation from aquaculture ponds towards converting to a long-term sustainable production system.

This study aims to develop scaffolds (CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs) with enhanced mechanical strength, thermal stability, and antioxidant properties to improve cell attachment and proliferation of the C2C12 cell line for cardiac health applications. Collagen and chitosan are popular biopolymers in tissue engineering for their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and support for cell growth. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are incorporated into scaffolds for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which enhance tissue regeneration. Sodium alginate and pectin, natural polysaccharides, further modify these scaffolds to improve structural and functional properties. Developing these composite scaffolds aims to optimize biomaterial performance in regenerative medicine. In the present study, various types of scaffolds (CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs scaffolds) were prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The XRD data revealed that all the scaffolds (CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs) displayed an amorphous structure. SEM analysis demonstrated that the CCS and CCS-SA-SeNPs scaffolds exhibit solid-walled metrics and a smooth surface. EDX confirmed the homogeneous Se distribution within the scaffolds. The tensile strength of CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs scaffolds was found to be 5.15 N, 4.77 N, 4.05 N, and 4.01 N, respectively. Thermal stability assessments showed that CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs and CCS-PET-SeNPs scaffolds displayed good thermal stability, with maximum decomposition occurring at 250 °C. Furthermore, the CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs scaffolds showed notable antioxidant activity of ∼ 57 %, compared to the CCS scaffold’s 42 %. Morphological studies of C2C12 cells on these scaffolds showed better proliferation on SeNPs-enhanced scaffolds. Nucleus morphology remained unchanged, indicating no adverse effects from SeNPs. The results indicate that the scaffolds (CCS, CCS-SeNPs, CCS-SA-SeNPs, and CCS-PET-SeNPs) demonstrate notable enhancements in mechanical strength, thermal stability, and antioxidant efficacy. These advancements are anticipated to promote enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation of the C2C12 cell line, thereby emphasizing their potential utility in cardiac health applications.

This review describes the history of vascular access for hemodialysis (HD) over the past 8 decades. Reliable, repeatable vascular access for outpatient HD began in the 1960s with the Quinton-Scribner shunt. This was followed by the autologous Brecia-Cimino radial-cephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which dominated HD vascular access for the next 20 years. Delayed referral and the requirement of 1.5-3 months for AVF maturation led to the development of and increasing dependence on synthetic arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) and tunneled central venous catheters, both of which have higher thrombosis and infection risks than AVFs. The use of AVGs and tunneled central venous catheters increased progressively to the point that, in 1997, the first evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for HD vascular access recommended that they only be used if a functioning AVF could not be established. Efforts to promote AVF use in the United States during the past 2 decades doubled their prevalence; however, recent practice guidelines acknowledge that not all patients receiving HD are ideally suited for an AVF. Nonetheless, improved referral for AVF placement before dialysis initiation and improved conversion of failing AVGs to AVFs may increase AVF use among patients in whom they are appropriate.

Global agricultural production is significantly hampered by insect pests, and the demand for natural pragmatic pesticides with environmental concern remains unfulfilled. Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) also known as Crofton weed, is an invasive perennial herbaceous plant that is known to possess multiple bioactive compounds. In our study, two isomers of ageraphorone metabolites i.e, 10 Hα-9-oxo-ageraphorone (10HA) and 10 Hβ-9-oxo-ageraphorone (10HB), were identified from Crofton weed, exhibiting potent antifeedant and larvicidal activities against Plutella xylostella. For antifeedant activity, the median effective concentration (EC50) values for 10HA and 10HB in the choice method were 2279 mg/L and 3233 mg/L, respectively, and for the no choice method, EC50 values were 1721 mg/L and 2394 mg/L, respectively. For larvicidal activity, lethal concentration (LC50) values for 10HA and 10HB were 2421 mg/L and 4109 mg/L at 48 h and 2101 mg/L and 3550 mg/L at 72 h. Furthermore, both in- vivo and in-vitro studies revealed that the isomers 10HA and 10HB exhibited potent detoxifying enzymes inhibition activity such as carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferases. Molecular docking and MD simulation analysis provide insight into the possible interaction between isomers of ageraphorone metabolites and Carboxylic Ester Hydrolase protein (Gene: pxCCE016b) of P. xylostella, which led to a finding that CarEH protein plays a significant role in the detoxification of the two compounds in P. xylostella. Finally, our findings show that the primary enzymes undergoing inhibition by isomers of ageraphorone metabolites, causing toxicity in insects, are Carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferase.