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Lignocellulosic biomass is contemplated to be an inexpensive and copious feedstock that can be used for numerous industrial applications. However, lignin forms the lignin sheath and provides a physical barrier to enzymatic hydrolysis. In addition, lignin physically blocks cellulase, preventing it from being combined with the substrate in a process known as non-productive binding. Therefore, the depletion of lignin is a crucial method for obtaining fermentable sugars from the lignocellulosic biomass. Different white-rot fungi secrete different sets of lignin-mineralizing enzymes and each fungus secretes one or more of the three enzymes essential for lignin degradation. Among efficient redox enzymes, versatile peroxidase is extensively studied for its ability to degrade aromatics without the need for a mediator or polyvalent catalytic site. However, the presence of versatile peroxidase in F. spp. has not been studied. This study was planned with the objective of screening and comparing the production of versatile peroxidase enzymes from F. spp. and a standard culture of Pleurotus ostreatus MTCC-142. These fungal strains were first screened on solid media containing tannic acid, malachite green, or bromocresol green. The potency index for the tannic acid, malachite green, and bromocresol green on the 16th day of incubation was reported to be 1.28, 1.07, 1.09, and 1.10, respectively. Versatile peroxidase production patterns were investigated under solid state fermentation conditions for a period of 25 days at different temperatures ranging from 10 to 35 °C. The highest versatile peroxidase activity (592 UL−1) in F. sp. was observed at 30 °C after the 7th day of incubation. The molecular confirmation showed the presence of the vp gene in F. sp. along with Pleurotus ostreatus MTCC-142. The results determined that F. sp. possesses a versatile peroxidase enzyme and is able to degrade lignin efficiently, and thus it could be utilized as an alternative to other ligninolytic enzyme-producing fungi.

The Rohingya crisis has been a significant issue for national and international news media, capturing their attention for an extended period and documenting various phases of the crisis. Previous research exploring the tones and portrayal of the Rohingyas in the news lacks comparative and temporal analysis of news sentiments. In this study, we aim to fill this gap by analyzing 8074 news stories on Rohingya issues published in 10 news media outlets from 10 countries between 2009 and 2023. Our computational sentiment analysis reveals that Rohingya-related news sentiments are predominantly negative and fluctuate over the years across different countries, showing little identifiable patterns. An ANOVA suggests significant variation in news sentiments among countries, with some countries exhibiting more similar sentiments than others, thus creating distinguishable groups. Some of our findings contradict previous scholarships, warranting further research and novel frameworks. Additionally, we encourage scrutiny of academic insights to address potential biases against news media’s journalistic integrity.

Background: We investigated the accuracy of predicting preload responsiveness by means of a passive leg raising test (PLR) using the perfusion index (PI) in critically ill patients showing signs of hypoperfusion in a resource-limited setting. Methods: We carried out a prospective observational single center study in patients admitted for sepsis or severe malaria with signs of hypoperfusion in Chattogram, Bangladesh. A PLR was performed at baseline, and at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h. Preload responsiveness assessed through PI was compared to preload responsiveness assessed through cardiac index (CI change ≥5%), as reference test. The primary endpoint was the accuracy of preload responsiveness prediction of PLR using PI at baseline; secondary endpoints were the accuracies at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. Results: The study included 34 patients admitted for sepsis with signs of hypoperfusion and 10 patients admitted for severe malaria. Of 168 PLR tests performed, 143 had reliable PI measurements (85%). The best identified PI change cutoff to discriminate responders from non–responders was 9.7%. The accuracy of PLR using PI in discriminating a preload responsive patient at baseline was good (area under the ROC 0.87 95% CI 0.75–0.99). The test showed high sensitivity and negative predictive value, with comparably lower specificity and positive predictive value. Compared to baseline, the AUROC of PLR using PI was lower at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h. Restricting the analysis to sepsis patients did not change the findings. Conclusions: In patients with sepsis or severe malaria and signs of hypoperfusion, changes in PI after a PLR test detected preload responsiveness. The diagnostic accuracy was better when PI changes were measured at baseline.

The irrational use of antimicrobials has led to the emergence of resistance, impacting not only pathogenic bacteria but also commensal bacteria. Resistance against colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, mediated by globally disseminated plasmid-borne mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes, has raised significant global concerns. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) and mobilised colistin resistance (mcr 1–5) genes from broiler meat. A total of 570 broiler samples (285 liver and 285 muscle) were collected from 7 supermarkets and 11 live bird markets (LBMs) in Chattogram metropolitan areas of Bangladesh. The isolation and identification of E. coli were carried out using standard bacteriological and molecular techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method, and colistin’s minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth microdilution (BMD) method. Colistin-resistant isolates were further tested for the presence of mcr (1–5) genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 570 samples, 311 (54.56%; 95% confidence interval: 50.46–58.60) were positive for E. coli. AST results showed the highest resistance to sulphamethoxazole–trimethoprim (89.39%), while the highest susceptibility was observed for cefalexin (62.70%). A total of 296 isolates (95.18%) were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR), with the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranging from 0.38 to 1. Additionally, 41 isolates (13.18%) exhibited resistance to five antimicrobial classes, with resistance patterns of CIP + SXT + AMP + DO + TE + CT. A total of 233 isolates (74.92%) were resistant to colistin (MIC > 2 mg/L). A strong correlation between colistin resistance and the presence of the mcr-1 gene was observed (r = 1). All phenotypic colistin-resistant E. coli isolates carried the mcr-1 gene, while no isolates were positive for mcr (2–5). The detection of mcr genes in E. coli strains from poultry sources poses a significant risk, as these resistance genes can be transferred to humans through the food chain. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and the mcr-1 gene in poultry products in Bangladesh presents a significant public health and food safety concern.

Background/Objectives: Biofilm-associated infections, particularly those involving Candida auris and Staphylococcus aureus, pose significant challenges in clinical settings due to their resilience and resistance to conventional treatments. This study aimed to synthesize novel triazole derivatives containing a piperazine ring via click chemistry and evaluate their efficacy in disrupting biofilms formed by these pathogens. Methods: Triazole derivatives were synthesized using click chemistry techniques. The antimicrobial activity of the compounds was tested against planktonic cells of C. auris and S. aureus in single and dual-species culture conditions. Biofilm disruption efficacy was assessed, alongside the evaluation of physicochemical properties, oral bioavailability potential, and toxicity profiles. Results: The compound T3 demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against planktonic cells of C. auris and S. aureus in both single and dual-species cultures. T3 exhibited significant efficacy in reducing microbial viability within biofilms formed by these pathogens. Physicochemical analyses revealed favorable solubility and permeability profiles, supporting its potential for oral bioavailability. Toxicity assessments showed a non-toxic profile, highlighting a promising safety margin for further development. Conclusions: This study underscores the anti-biofilm properties of novel triazole-piperazine derivatives, particularly T3, against single and dual-species biofilms of C. auris and S. aureus. These findings position T3 as a promising candidate for developing therapies targeting polymicrobial infections and provide a foundation for future research into alternative strategies for combating biofilm-associated infections.

In the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, traditional information technology (IT) infrastructures often struggle to meet the demands of modern risk management frameworks, which require enhanced security, scalability, and analytical capabilities. This paper proposes a novel artificial intelligence (AI)–driven IT infrastructure backed by blockchain technology, specifically designed to optimize risk management processes in diverse organizational environments. By leveraging artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and data-driven decision-making, combined with blockchain’s secure and immutable ledger for data integrity and transparency, the proposed infrastructure offers a robust solution to existing challenges in risk management. The infrastructure is adaptable and scalable to support a variety of risk management methodologies, providing a more secure, efficient, and intelligent system. The findings highlight significant improvements in the accuracy, speed, and reliability of risk management, underscoring the infrastructure’s capability to proactively address emerging cyber threats. To ensure the proposed model effectively addresses the most critical issues, the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique will be used to analyze and evaluate the interrelationships among the existing critical factors. This approach evaluates the interrelationships and impacts of these factors, verifying the model’s comprehensiveness in managing organizational risk. This study lays the foundation for future research aimed at refining AI-driven infrastructures and exploring their broader applications in enhancing organizational cybersecurity.

Despite the significant growth in Sonali chicken production across Bangladesh, inadequate disease surveillance and control measures along with indiscriminate antimicrobial use remain major challenges to the sector. In this study, we evaluated the disease burden and antimicrobial prescription patterns of Sonali chickens in Bangladesh using a web-based data recording system from 2020 to 2021 and analyzed 1690 cases. The diagnoses recorded in the system were presumptive, as they were based on clinico-epidemiological history, clinical signs, and gross necropsy findings noted by registered veterinarians. We conducted this study in Bogura, a district renowned for its high concentration of Sonali chicken farms. We estimated a higher prevalence of infection among grower chickens (69.0%) compared to starter chickens (31.0%). Small- to medium-sized flocks (63%) were more frequently infected than larger flocks (37.0%). Most disease cases occurred during the summer season (43.0%), followed by winter (27%), the rainy season (15%), and autumn (14%). Overall, climatic factors contributed to 51% of disease occurrence at temperatures below 25°C, 55% at high humidity (≥75%), and 57% during heavy rainfall (≥29 mm). The most prevalent disease was Newcastle disease (ND) (19.5%), followed by Marek’s disease (9.8%), coccidiosis (7.4%), necrotic enteritis (4.7%), infectious bursal disease (3.2%), and infectious laryngotracheitis (3.2%). The odds of ND were 1.4 (grower chickens vs. starter chickens), 11.4 (summer vs. winter), 4.1 (autumn vs. winter), 3.9 (rainy vs. winter), 3.5 (≥25 °C vs.

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4, is a member of the herpes virus family. EBV is a widespread virus and causes infectious mononucleosis, which manifests with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly. Additionally, EBV is associated with different lymphocyte-associated non-malignant, premalignant, and malignant diseases. So far, no effective treatment or therapeutic drug is known for EBV-induced infections and diseases. This study investigated natural compounds that inhibit EBV glycoprotein L (gL) and block EBV fusion in host cells. We utilised computational approaches, including molecular docking, in silico ADMET analysis, and molecular dynamics simulation. We docked 628 natural compounds against gL and identified the four best compounds based on binding scores and pharmacokinetic properties. These four compounds, with PubChem CIDs 4835509 (CHx-HHPD-Ac), 2870247 (Cyh-GlcNAc), 21206004 (Hep-HHPD-Ac), and 51066638 (Und-GlcNAc), showed several interactions with EBV gL. However, molecular dynamics simulations indicated that the protein–ligand complexes of CID: 4835509 (CHx-HHPD-Ac) and CID: 2870247 (Cyh-GlcNAc) are more stable than those of the other two compounds. Therefore, CIDs 4835509 and 2870247 (Cyh-GlcNAc) may be potent natural inhibitors of EBV infection. These findings can open a new way for effective drug design against EBV and its associated infections and diseases.

The transformative integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into educational settings, exemplified by ChatGPT, presents a myriad of ethical considerations that extend beyond conventional risk assessments. This study employs a pioneering framework encapsulating risk, reward, and resilience (RRR) dynamics to explore the ethical landscape of ChatGPT utilization in education. Drawing on an extensive literature review and a robust conceptual framework, the research identifies and categorizes ethical concerns associated with ChatGPT, offering decision-makers a structured approach to navigate this intricate terrain. Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the study prioritizes ethical themes based on global weights. The findings underscore the paramount importance of resilience elements such as solidifying ethical values, higher-level reasoning skills, and transforming educative systems. Privacy and confidentiality emerge as critical risk concerns, along with safety and security concerns. This work also highlights reward elements, including increasing productivity, personalized learning, and streamlining workflows. This study not only addresses immediate practical implications but also establishes a theoretical foundation for future AI ethics research in education.

This research utilised an open-sourced smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) tool to model and predict the change in wave-induced forces and motions of a free-floating bergy bits approaching a fixed structure in regular waves. Simulation parameters, including particle resolution, fluid viscosity, initial wave condition and boundary treatments, are varied, and their effect on the load imparted to the bergy bit and the structure are investigated. The predicted motions are compared with previously published physical measurements for corresponding scenarios. Both predictions and measurements showed that, in regular waves, the surge motion slowed as the bergy bit approached the structure, and the heave motion increased. For wave loading on bergy bits, the agreement with the experimental data for the root mean square (RMS) force was within 2%. The pressure and velocity fields of the wave–structure–bergy bit interactions are discussed in light of the SPH predictions. This work confirms that the SPH model can accurately capture viscosity–dominated interactions, hydrodynamic damping, and eccentric impact like phenomena and predict both the impact and hydrodynamic loads due to a bergy bit drifting in waves towards a fixed offshore structure.

Background: Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is an oxidant linked with several human pathologies. Apigenin, a natural flavonoid known for its health benefits, remains unexplored in relation to ONOO− effects. This study investigated the potential of apigenin to structurally protect fibrinogen, an essential blood clotting factor, from ONOO−-induced damage. Methods: Multi-approach analyses were carried out where fibrinogen was exposed to ONOO− generation while testing the efficacy of apigenin. The role of apigenin against ONOO−-induced modifications in fibrinogen was investigated using UV spectroscopy, tryptophan or tyrosine fluorescence, protein hydrophobicity, carbonylation, and electrophoretic analyses. Results: The findings demonstrate that apigenin significantly inhibits ONOO−-induced oxidative damage in fibrinogen. ONOO− caused reduced UV absorption, which was reversed by apigenin treatment. Moreover, ONOO− diminished tryptophan and tyrosine fluorescence, which was effectively restored by apigenin treatment. Apigenin also reduced the hydrophobicity of ONOO−-damaged fibrinogen. Moreover, apigenin exhibited protective effects against ONOO−-induced protein carbonylation. SDS-PAGE analyses revealed that ONOO−treatment eliminated bands corresponding to fibrinogen polypeptide chains Aα and γ, while apigenin preserved these changes. Conclusions: This study highlights, for the first time, the role of apigenin in structural protection of human fibrinogen against peroxynitrite-induced nitrosative damage. Our data indicate that apigenin offers structural protection to all three polypeptide chains (Aα, Bβ, and γ) of human fibrinogen. Specifically, apigenin prevents the dislocation or breakdown of the amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, lysine, arginine, proline, and threonine and also prevents the exposure of hydrophobic sites in fibrinogen induced by ONOO−.

We describe the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) production and subsequent characterization of eOD-GT8 60mer, a glycosylated self-assembling nanoparticle HIV-1 vaccine candidate and germline targeting priming immunogen. Production was carried out via transient expression in the human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cell line followed by a combination of purification techniques. A large-scale cGMP (200 L) production run yielded 354 mg of the purified eOD-GT8 60mer drug product material, which was formulated at 1 mg/mL in 10% sucrose in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.2. The clinical trial material was comprehensively characterized for purity, antigenicity, glycan composition, amino acid sequence, and aggregation and by several safety-related tests during cGMP lot release. A comparison of the purified products produced at the 1 L scale and 200 L cGMP scale demonstrated the consistency and robustness of the transient transfection upstream process and the downstream purification strategies. The cGMP clinical trial material was tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT03547245), is currently being stored at −80 °C, and is on a stability testing program as per regulatory guidelines. The methods described here illustrate the utility of transient transfection for cGMP production of complex products such as glycosylated self-assembling nanoparticles.

Enzyme-induced calcite precipitation (EICP) emerges as a highly effective and well-established technique within bio-cementation approaches, offering notable advantages over traditional methods. Conversely, lime, known for its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and efficacy, serves as a valuable material in enhancing the engineering properties of problematic soils. This study explores the application of EICP and lime treatments separately on two distinct soils (low-plastic and high-plastic soil) exhibiting different mineralogical and plasticity characteristics to assess their impact on strength and swell characteristics. Various combinations of treatments, including jack bean (JICP), soya bean (SICP), and bio-enhancer (BICP), were employed for EICP treatment. Bio-enhancer, rich in natural urea and urease enzyme, was particularly remarkable due to its compatibility with urea supplementation. Similarly, jack bean and soya bean exhibited high efficacy in natural urease enzyme content. The study has revealed that the unconfined compression strength (UCS) of red soil increased significantly by six times at the end of 21 days of the curing period with JICP treatment, while lime treatment was more effective for the black soil. Specifically, the UCS of black cotton soil increased by 11 and 17 times when treated with Enzyme-Induced Calcite Precipitation (EICP) and lime, respectively. Moreover, EICP with J2 solution (jack bean solution with 1M urea and 4 g/L non-fat milk powder) reduced swell pressure by 60% and 67.5% in low-plastic and high-plastic soil, respectively. Lime treatment, on the other hand, led to a swell pressure reduction of 47% and 70% in low-plastic and high-plastic soil, respectively. As a result, EICP proved efficient in mitigating swell pressure for red soil, whereas lime treatment performed exceptionally well for black soil, highlighting the soil-specific effectiveness of each method. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment revealed substantial carbon footprint emission savings with EICP treatment strategy. In brief, this paper contributes to understanding the phenomena and significance of these two treatment techniques on distinct mineralogical soils.

This paper focuses on the production systems that may produce a proportion of recyclable defective products. The developed model is called an Economic Recycle Quantity (ERQ) model with the assumption of a full recovery of defective items. The defective parts are collected during the production-off time and can be used during the next production cycle of the same category. The demand rate of the non-defective items is a two-level piecewise factor—one during the production-run time and another during the production-off time. The developed model aims to optimize the total inventory cost, the order quantity, and the amount of recyclable defective items that represent the ERQ. The mathematical formulations of the model are deduced theoretically. The model was solved analytically, and the optimal results are illustrated. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to investigate the effect of varying system parameters and validate the proposed model. Results of the sensitivity analysis show that the consideration of defective part recycling reduces the total inventory cost where the raw material is reduced. The cost reduction is about 1%; of course, the environmental impact is more appreciated. Furthermore, the managerial implications are described, and the future perspectives are discussed.

Duabanga grandiflora (DC.) Walp. is an ethnomedicinally significant plant used to treat various illnesses, but there is little scientific evidence to support its use. This study explored the pharmacological activities of methanol extract of D. grandiflora stem barks (MEDG) through in vivo approaches in Swiss albino mice and a computer-aided molecular approach. The forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), elevated plus maze (EPM), and hole board test (HBT) were used to determine anti-depressant and anxiolytic activity in experimental mice. In addition, anti-diarrheal studies were performed using castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced enter pooling, and the charcoal-induced gastrointestinal motility test. MEDG showed substantial depletions in the immobility times in both FST and TST after treatment with the MEDG extract, whereas moderate anxiolytic activity was manifested at a higher dose (400 mg/kg) compared with the control. Correspondingly, MEDG extract revealed a significant reduction in wet feces and decreased the small intestinal transit of charcoal meal in castor oil-induced diarrhea and charcoal-induced gastrointestinal motility test. In the computer-aided molecular approaches, vanillin displayed a promising binding score for both anxiolytic and anti-diarrheal activities, while duabanganal C showed a promising score for the anti-depressant activity. The present experimental findings along with a computer-aided model conclude that MEDG could be a possible Phyto therapeutic agent with potential anti-depressant, anxiolytic and anti-diarrheal activity.

Generators and condensers are the two vital equipment items that determine the output of vapor absorption refrigeration systems. Arid weather conditions produce a significant reduction in the performance of the vapor absorption refrigeration cycle due to low condenser heat dissipation despite high generator temperatures. Although numerous studies on condenser cooling methods in vapor compression systems have been reported in the literature, solar-operated vapor absorption systems have not been studied. Limitations in generator temperatures of solar-operated vapor absorption systems necessitate a focused study in this area. This study makes the selection of the best choice for condenser cooling from among four different condenser cooling methods which have an impact on the performance of the vapor absorption refrigeration system for effective cooling using solar energy. A solar vapor absorption refrigeration system working with low-grade heat using a compound parabolic collector is considered in this study. Analysis of a vapor absorption refrigeration system for cooling in arid weather conditions is carried out using different condenser cooling methods with Engineering Equation Solver. Initially, the model used in the study is compared with a similar study reported in the literature. Techniques considered are air, water, evaporative, and hybrid cooling techniques. The performance of the vapor absorption cooling system was analyzed using experimental values of a solar compound parabolic collector obtained from real-time measurements for simulating the model. Results show that water cooling can provide suitable condenser cooling and improve the coefficient of performance of the solar vapor absorption refrigeration system using the solar collector. The water-cooled condenser has 1.9%, 3.3%, and 2.1% higher COP when compared to air-cooled condensers for spring, summer, and autumn seasons respectively, whereas the water-cooled condenser cooling recorded 6%, 14%, and 8% higher COP relative to the evaporative cooling method. Cost comparison showed maximum cost for water-cooled condensers and minimum cost for hybrid-cooled condensers. The effect of each cooling method on the environment is discussed.

Awareness of the consequences of waste mismanagement has resulted in urban planners looking for effective disposal techniques with the added benefit of energy generation. The decision regarding an energy conversion technique to adopt on a community level is based on different technology assessment factors with maximum weightage on environmental effects. Gasification techniques in general and thermal gasification strategies in particular are appropriate methods when environmental impacts are to be minimized. Thermal gasification techniques have evolved with different configurations, syngas generation rates, and other advantages and disadvantages; hence, the selection of the right technique is essential, and establishing guidelines for decision-makers is necessary. The six different gasifiers considered in the present study were updraft gasifiers, downdraft gasifiers, cross-draft gasifiers, bubbling fluidized bed gasifiers, circulating fluidized bed gasifiers, and dual-bed fluidized bed gasifiers. The assessments performed in the present study are based on the attributes of the different techniques using the multi-criteria decision method. Multi-criteria decision analysis is an appropriate method proven to be an ideal procedure in these situations. Attribute values for gasifier performance, environmental effects, economic performance indices, and fuel requirements were determined from collected waste assessment data and published information. Analysis was performed for both recycling and non-recycling scenarios of waste utilization by applying different weight scenarios for the attributes. Results of the study indicate that downdraft gasifiers showed the best performance in terms of environmental effects under the recycling scenario, with 0.1% and 0.0125% by volume of carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and under the non-recycling scenario, with 0.125% and 0.02% by volume of carbon dioxide and methane emissions. Downdraft gasifiers had high overall rankings in performance when evaluated against different entropy weights for both scenarios. The results of the study can be applied to urban communities in different climatic regions as well as for different scales of operation.

Background: The ever-growing emergence of antibiotic resistance associated with tuberculosis (TB) has become a global challenge. In 2012, the USFDA gave expedited approval to bedaquiline (BDQ) as a new treatment for drug-resistant TB in adults when no other viable options are available. BDQ is a diarylquinoline derivative and exhibits targeted action on mycobacterium tuberculosis, but due to poor solubility, the desired therapeutic action is not achieved. Objective: To develop a QbD-based self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of bedaquiline using various oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants. Methods: The quality target product profile (QTPP) and critical quality attributes (CQAs) were identified with a patient-centric approach, which facilitated the selection of critical material attributes (CMAs) during pre-formulation studies and initial risk assessment. Caprylic acid as a lipid, propylene glycol as a surfactant, and Transcutol-P as a co-surfactant were selected as CMAs for the formulation of bedaquiline fumarate SNEDDS. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to determine the optimal ratio of oil and Smix. To optimize the formulation, a Box–Benkhen design (BBD) was used. The optimized formulation (BDQ-F-SNEDSS) was further evaluated for parameters such as droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), percentage transmittance, dilution studies, stability studies, and cell toxicity through the A549 cell. Results: Optimized BDQ-F-SNEDDS showed well-formed droplets of 98.88 ± 2.1 nm with a zeta potential of 21.16 mV. In vitro studies showed enhanced drug release with a high degree of stability at 25 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 5% and 40 ± 2 °C, 75 ± 5%. Furthermore, BDQ-F-SNEDDS showed promising cell viability in A549 cells, indicating BDQ-F-SNEDDS as a safer formulation for oral delivery. Conclusion: Finally, it was concluded that the utilization of a QbD approach in the development of BDQ-F-loaded SNEDDS offers a promising strategy to improve the biopharmaceutical properties of the drug, resulting in potential cost and time savings.

Neuronal models are an important tool in neuroscientific research. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a major risk factor of neuronal oxidative stress, initiates a cascade of neuronal cell death. Polygonum minus Huds, known as ‘kesum’, is widely used in traditional medicine. P. minus has been reported to exhibit a few medicinal and pharmacological properties. The current study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of P. minus ethanolic extract (PMEE) on H2O2-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. LC–MS/MS revealed the presence of 28 metabolites in PMEE. Our study showed that the PMEE provided neuroprotection against H2O2-induced oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/ARE, NF-κB/IκB and MAPK signaling pathways in PMEE pre-treated differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Meanwhile, the acetylcholine (ACH) level was increased in the oxidative stress-induced treatment group after 4 h of exposure with H2O2. Molecular docking results with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) depicted that quercitrin showed the highest docking score at −9.5 kcal/mol followed by aloe-emodin, afzelin, and citreorosein at −9.4, −9.3 and −9.0 kcal/mol, respectively, compared to the other PMEE’s identified compounds, which show lower docking scores. The results indicate that PMEE has neuroprotective effects on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells in vitro. In conclusion, PMEE may aid in reducing oxidative stress as a preventative therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.

Polylactic acid (PLA), the second most produced biopolymer, was selected for the fabrication of mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) via the incorporation of HKUST-1 metal–organic framework (MOF) particles into a PLA matrix with the aim of improving mechanical characteristics. A deep learning neural network (DLNN) model was developed on the TensorFlow 2 backend to predict the mechanical properties, stress, strain, elastic modulus, and toughness of the PLA/HKUST-1 MMMs with different input parameters, such as PLA wt%, HKUST-1 wt%, casting thickness, and immersion time. The model was trained and validated with 1214 interpolated datasets in stratified fivefold cross validation. Dropout and early stopping regularizations were applied to prevent model overfitting in the training phase. The model performed consistently for the unknown interpolated datasets and 26 original experimental datasets, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.93–0.97 and 0.78–0.88, respectively. The results suggest that the proposed method can build effective DLNNmodels using a small dataset to predict material properties.

Polo-like kinase-1 (PLK-1) is an essential mitotic serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) kinase that belongs to the Polo-like kinase (PLK) family and is overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) via promotion of cell division. Therefore, PLK-1 may act as a promising target for the therapeutic cure of various cancers. Although a variety of anti-cancer drugs, both synthetic and naturally occurring, such as volasertib, onvansertib, thymoquinone, and quercetin, are available either alone or in combination with other therapies, they have limited efficacy, especially in the advanced stages of cancer. To the best of our knowledge, no anticancer agent has been reported from marine algae or microorganisms to date. Thus, the aim of the present study is a high-throughput virtual screening of phlorotannins, obtained from edible brown algae, using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation analysis. Among these, Pentafuhalol-B (PtB) showed the lowest binding energy (best of triplicate runs) against the target protein PLK-1 as compared to the reference drug volasertib. Further, in MD simulation (best of triplicate runs), the PtB-PLK-1 complex displayed stability in an implicit water system through the formation of strong molecular interactions. Additionally, MMGBSA calculation (best of triplicate runs) was also performed to validate the PtB-PLK-1 complex binding affinities and stability. Moreover, the chemical reactivity of PtB towards the PLK-1 target was also optimised using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which exhibited a lower HOMO-LUMO energy gap. Overall, these studies suggest that PtB binds strongly within the pocket sites of PLK-1 through the formation of a stable complex, and also shows higher chemical reactivity than the reference drug volasertib. The present study demonstrated the inhibitory nature of PtB against the PLK-1 protein, establishing its potential usefulness as a small molecule inhibitor for the treatment of different types of cancer.

Blood based traumatic brain injury (TBI) biomarkers offer additional diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic utility. While adult studies are robust, the pediatric population is less well studied. We sought to determine whether plasma osteopontin (OPN) and S100B alone or in combination predict mortality, head Computed tomography (CT) findings, as well as 6-month functional outcomes after TBI in children. This is a prospective, observational study between March 2017 and June 2021 at a tertiary pediatric hospital. The sample included children with a diagnosed head injury of any severity admitted to the Emergency Department. Control patients sustained trauma-related injuries and no known head trauma. Serial blood samples were collected at admission, as well as at 24, 48, and 72 h. Patient demographics, acute clinical symptoms, head CT, and 6-month follow-up using the Glasgow outcome scale, extended for pediatrics (GOSE-Peds), were also obtained. The cohort included 460 children (ages 0 to 21 years) and reflected the race and sex distribution of the population served. Linear mixed effect models and logistic regressions were utilized to evaluate the trajectory of biomarkers over time and predictors of dichotomous outcomes. Both OPN and S100B correlated with injury severity based on GCS. S100B and OPN showed lower AUC values (0.59) in predicting positive head CT. S100B had the largest AUC (0.87) in predicting mortality, as well as 6-month outcomes (0.85). The combination of the two biomarkers did not add meaningfully to the model. Our findings continue to support the utility of OPN as a marker of injury severity in this population. Our findings also show the importance of S100B in predicting mortality and 6-month functional outcomes. Continued work is needed to examine the influence of age-dependent neurodevelopment on TBI biomarker profiles in children.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, medical imaging, and implant design have all advanced significantly in recent years, and these developments may change how modern craniomaxillofacial surgeons use patient data to create tailored treatments. Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is often seen as an attractive option over metal biomaterials in medical uses, but a solid PEEK implant often leads to poor osseointegration and clinical failure. Therefore, the objective of this study is to demonstrate the quantitative assessment of a custom porous PEEK implant for cranial reconstruction and to evaluate its fitting accuracy. The research proposes an efficient process for designing, fabricating, simulating, and inspecting a customized porous PEEK implant. In this study, a CT scan is utilized in conjunction with a mirrored reconstruction technique to produce a skull implant. In order to foster cell proliferation, the implant is modified into a porous structure. The implant’s strength and stability are examined using finite element analysis. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is utilized to fabricate the porous PEEK implants, and 3D scanning is used to test its fitting accuracy. The results of the biomechanical analysis indicate that the highest stress observed was approximately 61.92 MPa, which is comparatively low when compared with the yield strength and tensile strength of the material. The implant fitting analysis demonstrates that the implant’s variance from the normal skull is less than 0.4436 mm, which is rather low given the delicate anatomy of the area. The results of the study demonstrate the implant’s endurance while also increasing the patient’s cosmetic value.

Heterogeneity among interacting units plays an important role in numerous biological and man-made complex systems. While the impacts of heterogeneity on synchronization, in terms of structural mismatch of the layers in multiplex networks, has been studied thoroughly, its influence on intralayer synchronization, in terms of parameter mismatch among the layers, has not been adequately investigated. Here, we study the intralayer synchrony in multiplex networks, where the layers are different from one other, due to parameter mismatch in their local dynamics. In such a multiplex network, the intralayer coupling strength for the emergence of intralayer synchronization decreases upon the introduction of impurity among the layers, which is caused by a parameter mismatch in their local dynamics. Furthermore, the area of occurrence of intralayer synchronization also widens with increasing mismatch. We analytically derive a condition under which the intralayer synchronous solution exists, and we even sustain its stability. We also prove that, in spite of the mismatch among the layers, all the layers of the multiplex network synchronize simultaneously. Our results indicate that a multiplex network with mismatched layers can induce synchrony more easily than a multiplex network with identical layers.

Recent studies have highlighted the necessity to thoroughly evaluate medicinal plants due to their therapeutic potential. The current study delves into the phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and hepatoprotective effect of Andrographis paniculata. The investigation specifically targets its effectiveness in mitigating liver dysfunction induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Wistar albino rats, aiming to uncover its promising role as a natural remedy for liver-related ailments. A. paniculata leaf extract was screened for phytoconstituents and antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects in Wistar albino rats against CCl4-induced liver dysfunction. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds in all extracts. The phenolic concentration ranged from 10.23 to 19.52 mg gallic acid per gram of the sample, while the highest flavonoid concentration was found in the ethanol fraction (8.27 mg rutin equivalents per gram). The antioxidant activity varied from 10.23 to 62.23. GC-MS analysis identified several phytochemicals including octadecanoic acid, stigmasterol, phenanthrenecarboxylic acid, and others. Effects of the ethanol extract of A. paniculata were evaluated in four groups of animals. Biochemical estimations of serum glutamine oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamine pyruvate transaminase, and serum bilirubin were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the CCl4-treated group. Treatment with 300 mg/kg b.w. of the ethanol extract of A. paniculata significantly (p < 0.05) decreased these serum enzymes. Lipid peroxidation levels in carbon tetrachloride-treated animals showed a substantial (p < 0.05) rise when compared to untreated animals, while the lipid peroxidation levels were considerably (p < 0.05) reduced after treatment with ethanol extract at 300 mg/kg b.w. Liver biochemical catalase activities were significantly reduced in the carbon tetrachloride-treated animals. The results of this study conclusively demonstrate that A. paniculata extracts are a rich source of phytochemicals and possess significant antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and hepatoprotective properties.

Wireless passive neural recording systems integrate sensory electrophysiological interfaces with a backscattering-based telemetry system. Despite the circuit simplicity and miniaturization with this topology, the high electrode–tissue impedance creates a major barrier to achieving high signal sensitivity and low telemetry power. In this paper, buffered impedance is utilized to address this limitation. The resulting passive telemetry-based wireless neural recording is implemented with thin flexible packages. Thus, the paper reports neural recording implants and integrator systems with three improved features: (1) passive high impedance matching with a simple buffer circuit, (2) a bypass capacitor to route the high frequency and improve mixer performance, and (3) system packaging with an integrated, flexible, biocompatible patch to capture the neural signal. The patch consists of a U-slot dual-band patch antenna that receives the transmitted power from the interrogator and backscatters the modulated carrier power at a different frequency. When the incoming power was 5–10 dBm, the neurosensor could communicate with the interrogator at a maximum distance of 5 cm. A biosignal as low as 80 µV peak was detected at the receiver.

Developments in waste incineration technology in terms of efficient fuel preparation, combustion, and emissions reduction, as well as the growing needs of the community in terms of electricity, water, and air conditioning loads, are the prime motive for this study. This study presents a novel approach, in which three models of the fluidized bed combustion of municipal waste for simultaneous power generation, freshwater production, and district cooling are analyzed for their energy and exergy performance. The three simultaneously evaluated utility models are different configurations of a fluidized bed combustion system with Rankine cycle power generation, cooling with a vapor absorption refrigeration system, and fresh water production using multiple effect desalination. The output from the turbine, cooling system, and desalination system is determined using the Engineering Equations Solver for different boiler operating pressures. Energy and exergy analysis data for different pressures are used to identify the best configuration. Two variants of the absorption cooling system, namely, single effect and double effect, are considered. The variants of the multiple-effect desalination are the three-stage and five-stage methods. Input parameters used in this study are municipal solid waste generation and composition data collected for an urban community in an arid climate zone with high demand for electric power, cooling, and fresh water. Model 2, which contains two turbines with the reheating and cooling systems connected to a high-pressure turbine and water desalination connected to a low-pressure turbine, gave the best overall performance. Significant savings in terms of the replacement of conventional energy were observed from these waste conversion plants with greater benefits in arid weather conditions. The results obtained by different models under different operating criteria constitute a guideline for municipal planners for the selection of appropriate waste utilization technology, as well as the appropriate operations.

The scientific aim of this work is to encourage energy conservation. This article offers a fresh perspective on renewable energy in the air conditioning sector, the country’s economic growth, and environment-friendly techniques to overcome global warming challenges. In this research, a solar vapor absorption refrigeration (SVAR) system was combined with a conventional vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) system to analyze their combined performance, employing a compound parabolic collector (CPC). The goal was to assess the performance of a solar hybrid cooling system using this non-tracking solar collector. CPC was validated for heat output with 2.9% uncertainty by utilizing an engineering equation solver (EES). Other system components were also validated with EES and then extended to a larger-capacity solar hybrid cooling system. The results of this research indicate that CPC is effective in providing the required heat to SVAR throughout the year without any tracking, and the integration of SVAR in series with the VCR condenser produces 83% higher COP than the system that integrates VCR with the condenser of the SVAR system for Riyadh. The configuration results in high values of exergy COP and an efficiency of 88% and 84%, respectively, increases the cooling capacity of the VCR by 68%, and decreases the carbon emission by 166.4%.

The importance of network security has increased with the emergence of networked systems in contemporary computing, making it an essential aspect of protecting digital assets and safeguarding against cyber threats. The current security mechanisms, which rely on cryptographic keys, may be susceptible to a number of attacks, such as media access control (MAC) spoofing, which might provide unauthorized users access to network resources. This study introduces a new approach, namely a zero-trust security framework with quantum fingerprinting for devices accessing a network, that utilizes quantum technology to protect networks from security threats and intruders. The proposed architecture relies on quantum fingerprinting to authenticate devices trying to access the network, and it is built on the zero-trust security concept. The framework is intended to offer a thorough, multi-layered approach to network security that may change in response to evolving security risks and specifications. By protecting against MAC spoofing and other types of device impersonation, the adoption of quantum fingerprinting adds another degree of protection. The proposed framework may be used to construct a reliable and scalable network security solution in different network environments.

In underdeveloped nations where low-input agriculture is practiced, low phosphorus (LP) in the soil reduces the production of maize. In the present study, a total of 550 inbred maize lines were assessed for seedling traits under LP (2.5 × 10−6 mol L−1 of KH2PO4) and NP (2.5 × 10−4 mol L−1 of KH2PO4) hydroponic conditions. The purpose of this study was to quantify the amount of variation present in the measured traits, estimate the genetic involvement of these characteristics, examine the phenotypic correlation coefficients between traits, and to integrate this information to prepare a multi-trait selection index for LP tolerance in maize. A great deal of variability in the maize genotype panel was confirmed by descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Estimated broad-sense heritability (h2) ranged from 0.7 to 0.91, indicating intermediate to high heritability values for the measured traits. A substantial connection between MSL and other root traits suggested that the direct selection of MSL (maximum shoot length) could be beneficial for the enhancement of other traits. The principal component analysis (PCA) of the first two main component axes explained approximately 81.27% of the variation between lines for the eight maize seedling variables. TDM (total dry matter), SDW (shoot dry weight), RDW (root dry weight), SFW (shoot fresh weight), RFW (root fresh weight), MRL (maximum root length), and MSL measurements accounted for the majority of the first principal component (59.35%). The multi-trait indices were calculated based on PCA using all the measured traits, and 30 genotypes were selected. These selected lines might be considered as the potential source for the improvement of LP tolerance in maize.

We compared the clinical characteristics and outcome of vaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients with unvaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Center, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 1407 hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients were included from April 2021 to March 2022, of which 812 (57.71%) were males. Of the 1407, 378 (26.87%) patients were vaccinated while 1029 (73.13%) were unvaccinated. Of the vaccinated patients, 160 (42.32%) were partially vaccinated while 218 (57.68%) were fully vaccinated (vaccine breakthrough infection). Fewer unvaccinated COVID-19 patients survived compared to vaccinated patients (62.5% vs. 70%, RR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82–0.96, p-value = 0.004). Despite there being more vaccinated patients above 60 years of age (60.05% vs. 47.13%), their risk of mortality was lower by 43% (OR = 0.578; CI = 0.4201 to 0.7980, p = 0.0009). On survival analysis, vaccinated patients had better 30-day survival compared to unvaccinated patients (p = 0.028). Moreover, comparing waves 3–5, unvaccinated patients of wave 4, which was driven by the delta variant, had the worst survival (51.8%, p ≤ 0.001) while vaccinated patients of wave 3 (driven by the alpha variant) had the best survival (71.6%).

Transfusion transmitted infections have remained a major deterrent to public health, particularly among the patients with transfusion-dependent Beta thalassemia in developing countries. Although proper donor selection through adoption of WHO-advised infection panel has lowered the rate of infections, the multi-transfused patients are not free of risk. In this study, we screened 148 transfusion-dependent Beta thalassemia patients to determine the frequency of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) using the ELISA method. Among them, infected cases with HCV, HBV and HIV were 13.51%, 3.37% and 0%, respectively. Moreover, 2% of the patients were found to be co-infected with both HBV and HCV. The percentage of infections in the patients with frequent transfusion interval (≤30 days) was significantly higher (p < 0.0005) than that in the patients with less frequent transfusion intervals (>30 days). Immunochromatography (ICT)-based rapid test kits are usually used to screen and confirm these infections in the blood of the patients. However, ICT-based tests are not sensitive enough to detect the infections. So, a combination of both Nucleic Acid testing (NAT) and serological testing are suggested to significantly reduce the risk of viral infections during blood transfusion.

Knowledge of cotton fiber length uniformity is important for the cotton industry. The accurate and reliable measurement of fiber length uniformity would allow cotton breeders to release new cotton varieties with improved fiber length variation. This knowledge would also help spinning mills to optimize their machine setup, which would improve yarn processing performance. Currently, the high volume instrument (HVI) is most commonly used to characterize the cotton fiber length variation. The HVI length measurement is based on the fibrogram principle. The HVI length measurement characterizes 2 points, 1.8% as the upper half mean length (UHML) and 7.8% span length as the mean length (ML) from the fibrogram, and reports UHML and uniformity index (UI). The ratio of ML to the UHML is used to calculate the UI and is expressed as a percentage. UI measurement does not represent the shorter fibers as the above two span lengths only represent the longest fibers within a sample. We propose to calculate the uniformity of the cotton fiber length using the complete fibrogram as an alternative. First, the area of the measured fibrogram curve is calculated. Second, the area of a theoretical mono-length fibrogram with a length equal to the maximum length of the fibers for the same sample is calculated. Finally, we calculate a new length uniformity as the ratio of the measured fibrogram area to the mono-length fibrogram area expressed as a percentage. Based on the results obtained using a set of 991 commercial samples, the new length uniformity shows promise. We also applied this new length uniformity to a set of 60 commercial-like samples and developed partial least square regression (PLSR) prediction models to predict yarn quality. The results obtained demonstrate that the new length uniformity predicts yarn quality better than the current UI.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a chronic, contagious, and typically life-threatening enteric disease of ruminants caused by a bacterium of the genus Mycobacterium, but it can also affect non-ruminant animals. MAP transmission occurs through the fecal–oral pathway in neonates and young animals. After infection, animals generate IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10, resulting in a Th2 response. Early detection of the disease is necessary to avoid its spread. Many detection methods, viz., staining, culture, and molecular methods, are available, and numerous vaccines and anti-tuberculosis drugs are used to control the disease. However, the prolonged use of anti-tuberculosis drugs leads to the development of resistance. Whereas vaccines hamper the differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals in an endemic herd. This leads to the identification of plant-based bioactive compounds to treat the disease. Bioactive compounds of Ocimum sanctum and Solanum xanthocarpum have been evaluated for their anti-MAP activity. Based on the MIC50 values, Ursolic acid (12 µg/mL) and Solasodine (60 µg/mL) were found to be suitable for anti-MAP activity.

Background: the nephrotoxicity of methotrexate (MTX) is observed in high-dose therapy. Moreover, low-dose MTX therapy for rheumatic diseases is debatable and claimed to cause renal impairment. This study aimed at studying the effect of methotrexate in repeated low doses on rat kidneys and assessing the efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) for attenuating this effect. Methods: Forty-two male Wistar rats were used, 10 rats were donors of AD-MSCs and PRP, 8 rats served as control, and the remaining rats were subjected to induction of nephrotoxicity by MTX intraperitoneal injection once weekly for successive 8 weeks and then assigned into 3 groups of 8 animals each: Group II: received MTX only. Group III: received MTX + PRP. Group IV: received MTX + AD-MSCs. After one month, rats were anaesthetized, serum-sampled, and renal tissue removed for biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural evaluation. Results: there was significant tubular degeneration, glomerulosclerosis, fibrosis, decreased renal index, along with increased levels of urea and creatinine in the MTX group compared to the control group. Immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3 and iNOS in the renal tissue was significantly increased in group II compared to groups III and IV. Biochemical results revealed higher tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the MTX-injected group which decreased significantly in co-treatment with either AD-MSC or PRP + MTX. MSC promoted the activation of the Nrf2/PPARγ/HO-1 and NF-κB/Keap1/caspase-3 pathways, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced lipid peroxidation levels, and alleviated oxidative damage and apoptosis. PRP showed therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms similar to MSC. Furthermore, MSC and PRP treatment significantly reduced MTX-induced upregulation of the pro-inflammatory (NF-κB, interleukin-1ß, and TNF-α), oxidative stress (Nrf-2, hemoxygenase-1, glutathione, and malondialdehyde), and nitrosative stress (iNOS) markers in the kidney. Conclusion: repeated administration of low-dose MTX resulted in massive renal tissue toxicity and deterioration of renal function in rats which proved to be attenuated by PRP and AD-MSCs through their anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic properties.

Natural anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals may be useful in preventing rheumatoid arthritis from worsening. Resveratrol (RV) and chia seed oil, having antioxidant potential, can assist in avoiding oxidative stress-related disorders. This investigation developed and evaluated resveratrol-loaded chia seed oil-based nanoemulsion (NE) gel formulations through in vitro and in vivo studies. The physical stability and in vitro drug permeability of the chosen formulations (NE1 to NE10) were studied. The optimized RV-loaded nanoemulsion (NE2) had droplets with an average size of 37.48 nm that were homogeneous in shape and had a zeta potential of −18 mV. RV-NE2, with a permeability of 98.21 ± 4.32 µg/cm2/h, was gelled with 1% carbopol-940P. A 28-day anti-arthritic assessment (body weight, paw edema, and levels of pro-inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and COX-2) following topical administration of RV-NE2 gel showed significant reversal of arthritic symptoms in arthritic Wistar rats induced by Freund’s complete adjuvant injection. Therefore, RV-NE2 gel demonstrated the potential to achieve local therapeutic benefits in inflammatory arthritic conditions due to its increased topical bioavailability and balancing of pro-inflammatory mediators.

One of the most valuable approaches in spatial analysis for a better understanding of the hydrological response of a region or a watershed is certainly the analysis of the well-known land use land cover (LULC) dynamicity. The present case study delves deeper into the analysis of LULC dynamicity by using digital Landsat TM and Landsat OLI data to classify the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) into seven classes with over 90% classification accuracy for decadal level assessments of 30 years (for the years 1989, 1999, 2009, and 2019). The change index, the Dematel method for analyzing the cause-effect relationship among the LULC classes, the Jaccard Similarity Index for measuring the nature of similarity among the LULC classes, and the Adherence Index for measuring the consistency of the LULC classes after the transition was used in this study to analyze the LULC transformation. In more detail, the present study considers how urban land use is altering at the expense of other land uses. Besides the shifting pattern of mean centers of the LULC classes through time, also gives a very significant insight into the LULC dynamics over 30 years of span. The current study of LULC dynamicity and transformation patterns over the 30 years of the KMDA area is expected to assist land and urban planners, engineers, and administrators in sustainable decisions and policies to ensure inclusive urbanization that accommodates population growth while minimizing the impact on potential natural resources within the whole study area.

The effect of heat pipe thermosiphon in reducing the operating temperature of a photovoltaic panel has been analyzed theoretically and experimentally in this paper. Copper heat pipe thermosiphon with acetone as a working fluid was used. The theoretical study involved a heat balance analysis of the panel with cylindrical heat pipe with surface contact with the panel bottom. The experimental study involved recording temperature variations, with and without a heat pipe, which had very good agreement with the theoretical results of 2.61%. Additionally, the optimum quantity of acetone was 50 mL, with a maximum reduction in panel temperature of 10 °C.

The aim of the present study is to develop Doxorubicin–Erlotinib nanoparticles (Dox–Erlo NPs) and folate-armored Dox–Erlo-NP conjugates for targeting glioma cancer. Glioma is one of the most common progressive cancerous growths originating from brain glial cells. However, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is only semi-permeable and is highly selective as to which compounds are let through; designing compounds that overcome this constraint is therefore a major challenge in the development of pharmaceutical agents. We demonstrate that the NP conjugates studied in this paper may ameliorate the BBB penetration and enrich the drug concentration in the target bypassing the BBB. NPs were prepared using a biopolymer with a double-emulsion solvent evaporation technique and functionalized with folic acid for site-specific targeting. Dox–Erlo NPs and Dox–Erlo-NP conjugates were extensively characterized in vitro for various parameters. Dox–Erlo NPs and Dox–Erlo-NP conjugates incurred a z-average of 95.35 ± 10.25 nm and 110.12 ± 9.2 nm, respectively. The zeta potentials of the Dox–Erlo NPs and Dox–Erlo-NP conjugates were observed at −18.1 mV and −25.1 mV, respectively. A TEM image has shown that the NPs were well-dispersed, uniform, de-aggregated, and consistent. A hemolytic assay confirmed hemocompatibility with the developed formulation and that it can be safely administered. Dox–Erlo-NP conjugates significantly reduced the number of viable cells to 24.66 ± 2.08% and 32.33 ± 2.51% in U87 and C6 cells, respectively, and IC50 values of 3.064 µM and 3.350 µM in U87 and C6 cells were reported after 24 h, respectively. A biodistribution study revealed that a significant concentration of Dox and Erlo were estimated in the brain relative to drug suspension. Dox–Erlo-NP conjugates were also stable for three months. The findings suggest that the developed Dox–Erlo-NP conjugates may be a promising agent for administration in glioma therapy.

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) (CR) is a popular herb and is medically lauded for ameliorating myriad symptoms associated with menopause. However, its pharmaceutical limitations and non-availability of a patient-compliant drug delivery approach have precluded its prevalent use. Henceforth, the current research premise is aimed at developing an ethosomal gel incorporating triterpene enriched fraction (TEF) obtained from CR and evaluating its effectiveness through the transdermal application. TEF-loaded ethosomes were formulated using solvent injection, optimized and characterised. The optimized ethosomes were then dispersed into a polymeric gel base to form ethosomal gel which was further compared with the conventional gel by in-vitro and ex-vivo experiments. Here, the quality by design (QbD) approach was exploited for the optimization and development of ethosomal gel. The elements of QbD comprising initial risk assessment, design of experimentation (DoE), and model validation for the development of formulation have all been described in detail. The optimized ethosomes (F03) showed a nanometric size range, negative zeta potential and good entrapment. The in vitro release profile of gel revealed a burst release pattern following the Korsmeyer Peppas model having Fickian diffusion. The transdermal flux of ethosomal gel was observed to be more than that of conventional gel. Texture analysis and rheological characterization of the gel, revealed good strength showing shear thinning and pseudoplastic behaviour. The confocal microscope investigation revealed the deeper skin permeation of ethosomal gel than conventional gel. This result was further strengthened by DSC, IR and histological assessment of the animal skin (Wistar rat), treated with the optimized formulation. Conclusively, the implementation of QbD in the formulation resulted in a better understanding of the process and the product. It aids in the reduction of product variability and defects, hence improving product development efficiencies. Additionally, the ethosomal gel was found to be a more effective and successful carrier for TEF than the conventional gel through the transdermal route. Moreover, this demands an appropriate animal study, which is underway, for a stronger outcome.

Based on traditional therapeutic claims, NEERI KFT (a traditional Ayurvedic polyherbal preparation) has been innovatively developed in recent time on the decades of experience for treating kidney dysfunction. Due to the lack of scientific evidence, the present investigations are needed to support the rationale use of NEERI KFT. Considering the facts, the study investigated the nephroprotective effect of NEERI KFT against kidney dysfunction using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches. In this study, phytochemical and network pharmacology studies were performed for the developed formulation to evaluate the molecular mechanism of NEERI KFT in the amelioration of kidney disease. In vitro nephroprotective and antioxidant effect of NEERI KFT was determined on HEK 293 cells against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. In vivo nephroprotective effect of NEERI KFT was determined against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats, via assessing biochemical markers, antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, CASP-3, etc. The results showed that the compounds such as gallic acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid are the major constituents of NEERI KFT, while network pharmacology analysis indicated a strong interaction between polyphenols and several genes (CASPs, ILs, AGTR1, AKT, ACE2, SOD1, etc.) involved in the pathophysiology of kidney disease. In vivo studies showed a significant (p < 0.05) ameliorative effect on biochemical markers and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, etc.), and regulates inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, CASP-3) expression in kidney tissue. Hence, it can be concluded that NEERI KFT subsequently alleviates renal dysfunction mediated by cisplatin via attenuating oxidative and inflammatory stress, thus preserving the normalcy of kidney function.