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Abstract In this study, the structural, elastic, electronic, and thermoelectric properties of full Li2BeAl and Li2BeGa Heusler alloys were explored using density functional and the Boltzmann transport theories. The GGA and HSE approximations have been used for the exchange–correlation potential. Results indicated that these two compounds are more energetically stable in the inverse Heusler structure. Additionally, both Li2BeAl and Li2BeGa Heusler alloys were found to be mechanically stable due to the positive values of the elastic constants. Also, the high values of the Young's modulus indicate that these compounds are stiff and exhibit a semi-metallic nature. The band gaps were determined to be 0.13 eV and − 0.22 eV for Li2BeAl and Li2BeGa alloys, respectively, using the GGA approximation. By employing the HSE hybrid functional, however, the band gap for Li2BeAl increased to 0.26 eV, and for Li2BeGa, it decreased to − 0.16 eV. Regarding thermoelectric properties, Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, electronic and lattice thermal conductivities, power factor, and the figure of merit have been calculated for both Li2BeAl and Li2BeGa Heusler alloys at different temperatures. Seebeck coefficient in both alloys decreases with increasing the temperature and has the highest value at 300 K. Thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity increase with increasing the temperature, which confirms the intermetallic behavior of the Heusler alloys. The results obtained for both alloys show that n-type doping has better thermoelectric properties than p-type doping. The maximum value of the figure of merit (ZT) was obtained for n-type doping, which was 1.43 at 660 K for Li2BeAl and 0.39 at 1000 K for Li2BeGa alloy. The high values of ZT especially for electron-dopped Li2BeAl suggest the great potential of this material for use in thermoelectric devices. This study suggests that the proposed materials have potential applications in spintronic devices and thermoelectric materials due to their intermetallic character and effective thermoelectric coefficients.

Abstract Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are highly active N-glycosidases that depurinate both bacterial and eukaryotic rRNAs, halting protein synthesis during translation. Found in a diverse spectrum of plant species and tissues, RIPs possess antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and insecticidal properties linked to plant defense. In this study, we investigated the physiochemical properties of RIP peptides from the Cucurbitaceae family through bioinformatics approaches. Molecular weight, isoelectric point, aliphatic index, extinction coefficient, and secondary structures were analyzed, revealing their hydrophobic nature. The novelty of this work lies in the comprehensive examination of RIPs from the Cucurbitaceae family and their potential therapeutic applications. The study also elucidated the binding interactions of Cucurbitaceae RIPs with key biological targets, including Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Strong hydrogen bond interactions between RIPs and these targets suggest potential for innovative insilico drug design and therapeutic applications, particularly in cancer treatment. Comprehensive analysis of bond lengths using Ligpolt + software provides insights for optimizing molecular interactions, offering a valuable tool for drug design and structural biology studies.

Abstract Purpose Long axial field-of-view (LAFOV) PET/CT systems enable PET/CT scans with reduced injected activities because of improved sensitivity. With this study, we aimed to examine the foetal radiation dose from an 18F-FDG PET/CT scan on a LAFOV PET/CT system with reduced injected activity. Methods Two pregnant women were retrospectively included and received an 18F-FDG PET/CT scan on a LAFOV PET/CT system with an intravenous bolus injection of 0.30 MBq/kg. Foetal radiation exposure from the PET was estimated using dose conversion factors from three published papers. Radiation exposure from the CT scans was estimated using CT-Expo. Results Foetal radiation dose from the PET scan ranged between 0.11 and 0.44 mGy. Foetal radiation exposure from the CT scan ranged between

Sundas Ejaz Maqsood,1,2 Samer Hamada,1 Damian Lake,1 Artemis Matsou,1 Mohamed Elalfy1– 3 1Corneao- Plastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinsted, West Sussex, UK; 2Cornea Service, Ophthalmology, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Kent, UK; 3Cornea Department, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, EgyptCorrespondence: Mohamed Elalfy, Ophthalmology Department, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 9QQ, UK, Email Mohamed.elalfy@nhs.netPurpose: To report the outcomes of using a sutureless human amniotic membrane dehydrated matrix (HAMDM) in the management of a range of ocular surface conditions utilizing a digital ocular surface disease assessment tool.Methods: Two UK NHS Trusts — Queen Victoria Hospital Foundation Trust (East Grinstead and Maidstone) and Tunbridge Wells Trust (Kent) — prospectively treated patients with ocular surface disease with sutureless HAMDM. The patient cohort was assessed for resolution of epithelial defects, ocular surface inflammation, and best-corrected visual acuity pre- and posttreatment. Measurements of ocular surface inflammation and epithelial defect size were assessed using AOS digital imaging software, a validated tool for objective grading of bulbar conjunctival redness and measurement of corneal epithelial defects.Results: A total of 47 applications of sutureless HAMDM on 46 eyes of 46 patients (25 male, 21 female, age 9– 94 years) were assessed across various etiologies for an average of 24.0± 14.1 days. Patients with limbal stem-cell deficiency (n=17), persistent epithelial defects (n=16), neurotrophic corneal disease (n=7), filamentary keratitis (n=2), corneal erosion (n=1), corneal thinning (n=1), ocular surface inflammation (n=1), and traumatic corneal laceration (n=1) were included in the study. Across all patents, 63% of eyes showed complete healing of epithelial defects and 32.6% of eyes showed partial resolution. The average rate of healing (wound closure) was 0.36 mm2 per day across the overall patient cohort, and the rate of healing in cases with complete resolution of epithelial defects was 0.41 mm2 per day. Inflammation across all four quadrants of the ocular surface remained stable. Visual acuity across the patient cohort remained stable (61%) and improved in 26% of patients (0.06± 0.51 logMAR).Conclusion: Sutureless HAMDM application can be accomplished in just a few minutes and effectively treat a range of ocular surface disease in a clinical, nonsurgical setting. The AOS imaging software offered a quantitative methodology for measuring epithelial defect size and inflammation state.Keywords: dehydrated human amniotic membrane, sutureless, ocular surface inflammation, persistent epithelial defect, digital imaging

This study aims to establish a facile, user-friendly, accurate, and repeatable spectrophotometric detection method for Cr(III) ions in trace quantities. The method utilises reagent 1-nitroso-2-naphthol (NNPh) in a sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) 1.0 % micellar solution, replacing the old, time-consuming, and expensive solvent extraction method that employs hazardous solvents such as carbon tetrachloride and chloroform. SDS surfactant is used to solubilise indissoluble chelates, making the proposed technique easy, rapid, and environmentally friendly. The established method exhibits an improved linear calibration range, sensitivity, limit of detection, and selectivity compared to earlier spectrophotometric methods employing different complexing agents. The stoichiometric ratio between Cr and NNP was observed to be 1 : 3. The molar absorption coefficient (ε) was determined to be 2.05 ∙ 104 l mol−1 cm−1 at λmax 579 nm. The limits of detection for Cr(III) was measured as 3.49 ng l−1. A calibration linear curve was achieved in the concentration range of 0.5–5.0 μg ml−1. Results obtained showed good comparison with the results obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry. The developed method has been adapted for the analysis of Cr(III) in various alloys, pharmaceutical, environmental, and biological samples.

Abstract De-mining operations are of critical importance for humanitarian efforts and safety in conflict-affected regions. In this paper, we address the challenge of enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of mine detection systems. We present an innovative Deep Learning architecture tailored for pulse induction-based Metallic Mine Detectors (MMD), so called DL-MMD. Our methodology leverages deep neural networks to distinguish amongst nine distinct materials with an exceptional validation accuracy of 93.5%. This high level of precision enables us not only to differentiate between anti-personnel mines, without metal plates but also to detect minuscule 0.2-g vertical paper pins in both mineralized soil and non-mineralized environments. Moreover, through comparative analysis, we demonstrate a substantial 3% and 7% improvement (approx.) in accuracy performance compared to the traditional K-Nearest Neighbors and Support Vector Machine classifiers, respectively. The fusion of deep neural networks with the pulse induction-based MMD not only presents a cost-effective solution but also significantly expedites decision-making processes in de-mining operations, ultimately contributing to improved safety and effectiveness in these critical endeavors.

ABSTRACT: Milk-derived peptides have emerged as a popular mean to manage various lifestyle disorders such as diabetes. Fermentation is being explored as one of the faster and efficient way of producing peptides with antidiabetic potential. Therefore, in this study, an attempt was made to comparatively investigate the pancreatic α-amylase (PAA) inhibitory properties of peptides derived from milk of different farm animals through probiotic fermentation. Peptide's identification was carried out using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and inhibition mechanisms were characterized by molecular docking. Results obtained showed a PAA-IC50 value (the amount of protein equivalent needed to inhibit 50% of enzymes) between 2.39 and 36.1 µg protein equivalent for different fermented samples. Overall, Pediococcus pentosaceus MF000957-derived fermented milk from all animals indicated higher PAA inhibition than other probiotic derived fermented milk (PAA-IC50 values of 6.01, 3.53, 15.6, and 10.8 µg protein equivalent for bovine, camel, goat, and sheep fermented milk). Further, molecular docking analysis indicated that camel milk-derived peptide IMEQQQTEDEQQDK and goat milk-derived peptide DQHQKAMKPWTQPK were the most potent PAA inhibitory peptides. Overall, the study concluded that fermentation derived peptides may prove useful in for managing diabetes via inhibition of carbohydrate digesting enzyme PAA.

Abstract Tanacetum falconeri is a significant flowering plant that possesses cytotoxic, insecticidal, antibacterial, and phytotoxic properties. Its chemodiversity and bioactivities, however, have not been thoroughly investigated. In this work, several extracts from various parts of T. falconeri were assessed for their chemical profile, antioxidant activity, and potential for enzyme inhibition. The total phenolic contents of T. falconeri varied from 40.28 ± 0.47 mg GAE/g to 11.92 ± 0.22 mg GAE/g in various extracts, while flavonoid contents were found highest in TFFM (36.79 ± 0.36 mg QE/g extract) and lowest (11.08 ± 0.22 mg QE/g extract) in TFSC (chloroform extract of stem) in similar pattern as found in total phenolic contents. Highest DPPH inhibition was observed for TFFC (49.58 ± 0.11 mg TE/g extract) and TFSM (46.33 ± 0.10 mg TE/g extract), whereas, TFSM was also potentially active against (98.95 ± 0.57 mg TE/g) ABTS radical. In addition, TFSM was also most active in metal reducing assays: CUPRAC (151.76 ± 1.59 mg TE/g extract) and FRAP (101.30 ± 0.32 mg TE/g extract). In phosphomolybdenum assay, the highest activity was found for TFFE (1.71 ± 0.03 mg TE/g extract), TFSM (1.64 ± 0.035 mg TE/g extract), TFSH (1.60 ± 0.033 mg TE/g extract) and TFFH (1.58 ± 0.08 mg TE/g extract), while highest metal chelating activity was recorded for TFSH (25.93 ± 0.79 mg EDTAE/g extract), TFSE (22.90 ± 1.12 mg EDTAE/g extract) and TFSC (19.31 ± 0.50 mg EDTAE/g extract). In biological screening, all extracts had stronger inhibitory capacity against AChE while in case of BChE the chloroform extract of flower (TFFC) and stem (TFSC) showed the highest activities with inhibitory values of 2.57 ± 0.24 and 2.10 ± 0.18 respectively. Similarly, TFFC and TFSC had stronger inhibitory capacity (1.09 ± 0.015 and 1.08 ± 0.002 mmol ACAE/g extract) against α-Amylase and (0.50 ± 0.02 and 0.55 ± 0.02 mmol ACAE/g extract) α-Glucosidase. UHPLC-MS study of methanolic extract revealed the presence of 133 components including sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, and coumarins. The total phenolic contents were substantially linked with all antioxidant assays in multivariate analysis. These findings were validated by docking investigations, which revealed that the selected compounds exhibited high binding free energy with the enzymes tested. Finally, it was found that T. falconeri is a viable industrial crop with potential use in the production of functional goods and nutraceuticals.

Abstract Pea (Pisum sativum L.), a globally cultivated leguminous crop valued for its nutritional and economic significance, faces a critical challenge of soil salinity, which significantly hampers crop growth and production worldwide. A pot experiment was carried out in the Botanical Garden, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur to alleviate the negative impacts of sodium chloride (NaCl) on pea through foliar application of ascorbic acid (AsA). Two pea varieties Meteor (V1) and Sarsabz (V2) were tested against salinity, i.e. 0 mM NaCl (Control) and 100 mM NaCl. Three levels of ascorbic acid 0 (Control), 5 and 10 mM were applied through foliar spray. The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD) with three replicates. Salt stress resulted in the suppression of growth, photosynthetic activity, and yield attributes in pea plants. However, the application of AsA treatments effectively alleviated these inhibitory effects. Under stress conditions, the application of AsA treatment led to a substantial increase in chlorophyll a (41.1%), chl. b (56.1%), total chl. contents (44.6%) and carotenoids (58.4%). Under salt stress, there was an increase in Na+ accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the application of AsA increased the contents of proline (26.9%), endogenous AsA (23.1%), total soluble sugars (17.1%), total phenolics (29.7%), and enzymatic antioxidants i.e. SOD (22.3%), POD (34.1%) and CAT (39%) in both varieties under stress. Salinity reduced the yield attributes while foliarly applied AsA increased the pod length (38.7%), number of pods per plant (40%) and 100 seed weight (45.2%). To sum up, the application of AsA alleviated salt-induced damage in pea plants by enhancing photosynthetic pigments, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities, maintaining ion homeostasis, and reducing excessive ROS accumulation through the limitation of lipid peroxidation. Overall, V2 (Sarsabz) performed better as compared to the V1 (Meteor).

Spine and hip abnormalities frequently occur together in most of the orthopedic population; therefore, both of these abnormalities impact the outcomes of the modalities that are being used. Few studies have reported reduced dislocation and revision rates with the use of dual-mobility cups (DMCs) in high-risk lumbar spine fusion (LSF) patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aims to clarify the relationship between pre-existing lumbar spinal fusion and the outcomes of THA with dual-mobility constructs. We systematically reviewed the current literature through several online databases following PRISMA protocol and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We used the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) to evaluate the methodological quality of the included trials. Four studies examined the feasibility and effectiveness of dual-mobility cups in patients undergoing primary THA with prior LSF. Two studies were conducted in the United States, while the other two originated in Finland and France, respectively. The included studies enrolled 284 patients. Most of these patients had instrumented fusions. Seventy-eight percent of patients received one- or two-level fusions. The average age across the studies was 68.22 and the mean body mass index was 28. No cases of postoperative DMC implant dislocations were identified. The incidence of postoperative complications was 6% (10/173), including deep venous thrombosis, periprosthetic loosening, infection, and fracture, greater trochanteric fracture, and superficial wound infections. Most included studies had some methodological limitations, with an average MINORS score of 10.5 ± 5.8. The use of dual-mobility cups in these high-risk patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty may lead to reduced dislocation rates and postoperative complications. Further long-term follow-up studies are warranted to support these findings.

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) air leak (PEAL) syndrome is a rare complication that includes pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, air embolism, and subcutaneous emphysema. A 71-year-old female diagnosed with mild acute biliary pancreatitis, who underwent ERCP for stone retrieval developed neck, chest, and abdominal pain, as well as swelling of the neck, along with crepitus all along the neck and face. CT scan showed pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was diagnosed as a case of PEAL syndrome, and was managed conservatively. She ultimately underwent an uneventful cholecystectomy with peroperative stone retrieval. PEAL syndrome, albeit rare, can be a potentially life-threatening complication following ERCP, which requires continuous monitoring. It may be managed conservatively, endoscopically, or surgically.

Abstract Wheat is a staple food crop that provides a significant portion of the world's daily caloric intake, serving as a vital source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber for billions of people. Seed shape studies of wheat typically involve the use of digital image analysis software to quantify various seed shape parameters such as length, width, area, aspect ratio, roundness, and symmetry. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the water-absorbing capacity of seeds from 120 distinct wheat lines, leveraging digital image analysis techniques facilitated by SmartGrain software. Water absorption is a pivotal process in the early stages of seed germination, directly influencing plant growth and crop yield. SmartGrain, a powerful image analysis tool, was employed to extract precise quantitative data from digital images of wheat seeds, enabling the assessment of various seed traits in relation to their water-absorbing capacity. The analysis revealed significant transformations in seed characteristics as they absorbed water, including changes in size, weight, shape, and more. Through statistical analysis and correlation assessments, we identified robust relationships between these seed traits, both before and after water treatment. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) were employed to categorize genotypes with similar trait patterns, providing insights valuable for crop breeding and genetic research. Multiple linear regression analysis further elucidated the influence of specific seed traits, such as weight, width, and distance, on water-absorbing capacity. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of seed development, imbibition, and the crucial role of water absorption in wheat. These insights have practical implications in agriculture, offering opportunities to optimize breeding programs for improved water absorption in wheat genotypes. The integration of SmartGrain software with advanced statistical methods enhances the reliability and significance of our findings, paving the way for more efficient and resilient wheat crop production. Significant changes in wheat seed shape parameters were observed after imbibition, with notable increases in area, perimeter, length, width, and weight. The length-to-width ratio (LWR) and circularity displayed opposite trends, with higher values before imbibition and lower values after imbibition.

Abstract Background Accurate image-derived input function (IDIF) from highly sensitive large axial field of view (LAFOV) PET/CT scanners could avoid the need of invasive blood sampling for kinetic modelling. The aim is to validate the use of IDIF for two kinds of tracers, 3 different IDIF locations and 9 different reconstruction settings. Methods Eight [18F]FDG and 10 [18F]DPA-714 scans were acquired respectively during 70 and 60 min on the Vision Quadra PET/CT system. PET images were reconstructed using various reconstruction settings. IDIFs were taken from ascending aorta (AA), descending aorta (DA), and left ventricular cavity (LV). The calibration factor (CF) extracted from the comparison between the IDIFs and the manual blood samples as reference was used for IDIFs accuracy and precision assessment. To illustrate the effect of various calibrated-IDIFs on Patlak linearization for [18F]FDG and Logan linearization for [18F]DPA-714, the same target time-activity curves were applied for each calibrated-IDIF. Results For [18F]FDG, the accuracy and precision of the IDIFs were high (mean CF ≥ 0.82, SD ≤ 0.06). Compared to the striatum influx (K i ) extracted using calibrated AA IDIF with the updated European Association of Nuclear Medicine Research Ltd. standard reconstruction (EARL2), K i mean differences were

Usman Maqsood,1 Abdur Rehman,2 Saba Shafiq2 1Acute Medicine Department, Royal Stoke University Hospital, University Hospitals North Midlands, NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, UK; 2Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, PakistanCorrespondence: Abdur Rehman, Rawalpindi Medical University, Tipu Road, Chamanzar Colony, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan, Tel +923340509801, Email dr.malik.ar123@gmail.com

Soil texture analysis is crucial for crop selection, fertilizer recommendation, and production. Traditional soil testing in the lab using chemicals is highly time-consuming, expensive, and risky harmful chemicals; proper equipment and trained professionals are required to get the readings and to conduct the analysis. These issues can be resolved using image processing. In this study, we proposed a Blackbox prototype machine to take images in a controlled environment under the fixed intensity of light, distance, and standard dry conditions to analyze soil texture. This innovative machine, with its efficient and precise image processing capabilities, has the potential to revolutionize soil texture analysis. Also, we marked the center points of each type of soil texture as defined in the USDA texture triangle. Hundreds of soil samples were prepared for each type according to the center point's sand, silt, and clay ratio. The image processing-based model is trained for texture analysis. This research aims to reduce the soil texture analysis time and provide a system that can do extensive analyses automatically and with accuracy. The proposed Blackbox prototype machine has proven effective in providing a controlled environment for taking images. Also, the proposed model detects soil texture with a maximum accuracy of 99.5 %. A proposed model trained on the soil samples of different texture classes available in the USDA texture triangle accurately performed texture analysis. The results benefit the recommendation of appropriate crops and fertilizers based on a given soil sample in a very short time and cost-effectively.

Morus nigra fruit has therapeutic significance against several clinical manifestations due to polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. This research aimed to investigate the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ultrasound-assisted ethanolic (UAE) extract of M. nigra fruit against cholesterol-fed and cigarette smoke-exposed hypertensive rats. The in vitro antioxidant capacity of UAE extract of M. nigra fruit showed higher antioxidant potential against free radicals through DPPH and FRAP assays. The in vivo administration of UAE extract of M. nigra fruit significantly (p ≤ 0.05) alleviated serum total oxidant status while significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the qRT-PCR analysis revealed increased expression of Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway genes (NFR-1 and Keap-1) while reduced expression of JAK/STAT (JAK-2, STAT-1, STAT-3) signaling cascade and dual oxidases (Duox-1 and Duox-2) genes. Histopathological findings indicated the mild destruction of cardiac fibers and necrosis. Conclusively, UAE extract of M. nigra fruit exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties against cholesterol and cigarette smoke-associated oxidative damage and inflammation.

Microbiome perturbations can have long-term effects on health. The dynamics of the gut microbiome and virome in women living with HIV (WLHIV) and their newborn infants is poorly understood. Here, we performed metagenomic sequencing analyses on longitudinal stool samples including 23 mothers (13 WLHIV, 10 HIV-negative) and 12 infants that experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection with mild disease, as well as 40 mothers (18 WLHIV, 22 HIV-negative) and 60 infants that remained SARS-CoV-2 seronegative throughout the study follow-up. Regardless of HIV or SARS-CoV-2 status, maternal bacterial and viral profiles were distinct from infants. Using linear mixed effects models, we showed that the microbiome alpha diversity trajectory was not significantly different between SARS-CoV-2 seropositive and seronegative women. However, seropositive women’s positive trajectory while uninfected was abruptly reversed after SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = 0.015). Gut virome signatures of women were not associated with SARS-CoV-2. Alterations in infant microbiome and virome diversities were generally not impacted by SARS-CoV-2 but were rather driven by development. We did not find statistically significant interactions between HIV and SARS-CoV-2 on the gut microbiome and virome. Overall, our study provides insights into the complex interplay between maternal and infant bacterial microbiome, virome, and the influence of SARS-CoV-2 and HIV status.

The food packaging industry is seeking innovative ways to extend product shelf life and ensure food safety and quality through real-time monitoring. The bioactive properties and halochromic transitions of bioactive compounds make them suitable candidates for active and intelligent packaging, respectively. Starch is considered a potential matrix for developing food packaging materials. However, starch in its native form possesses poor mechanical stability and barrier properties. Thus, this review comprehends the conversion of native starch to a suitable matrix through plasticizing and composting. Furthermore, various film casting techniques are discussed and the suitability of such techniques for developing smart packaging is evaluated. Besides, the techno-functional changes in the starch matrix upon impregnating berry bioactive compounds are discussed in detail. In addition, the bioactive properties and epistemic values of the berry-impregnated starch-based films are elaborated. The feasibility of using berry-impregnated starch-based films in a micro-gravity environment is evaluated for space foods. The review concludes with a futuristic view of using these films for commercial applications.

Objective: To compare the effects of Ketamine-Midazolam and Propofol on the sedation related adverse events and quality of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in pediatric patients undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging under sedation. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anesthesia, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar to Aug 2021. Methodology: A total of 100 pediatric patients undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging under sedation were divided in to two groups, Group-A and Group-B of 50 patients each. Group-A received 1.5 mg/kg Ketamine and 0.1 mg/kg Midazolam and Group-B received 1.5mg/kg Propofol to achieve Ramsay sedation score ≥4. Bolus doses of O.50 to 1mg/kg Ketamine and 0.50- 1mg/kg Propofol were used to maintain Ramsay sedation score ≥4 during the Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Primary outcome was frequency of sedation related adverse events during Magnetic Resonance Imaging and in immediate post-sedation period. Secondary outcome was Quality of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Results: One (2%) patient in Ketamine-Midazolam-Group developed intraoperative hypotension versus 15(31.9) patients in Propofol -Group (p-value

This study investigates the effect of financial inclusion (FI), considering micro and macro indicators as well as micro- and macro-FI separately, on the stability of Asian banks and examines the moderating effect of bank competition (BC) on this relationship. Using data from 2011 to 2021, this study examines the relationship between FI, BC, and bank stability (BS). The hypotheses were tested using a “two-step system-GMM framework”. The findings were also authenticated using the panel OLS approach. The results indicate that FI (considering micro- and macro-indicators) and micro- and macroFI have significant positive effects on the stability of Asian banks. However, the impact of micro-FI is greater than that of macro-FI on the BS in Asia. Furthermore, the results manifest that BC has a significant positive impact on BS and positively moderates the relationship between micro-FI and BS, whereas it negatively moderates the relationship between macro-FI and BS. The findings of this study have practical implications for regulators, bankers, and policymakers involved in formulating strategies to enhance Asian banks’ stability.

With hyperlipidemia posing a significant cardiovascular risk, innovative strategies are essential to unlock new therapeutic possibilities. Probiotic fermentation of milk proteins offers a natural and effective means to produce peptides with hypolipidemic properties, providing a promising approach to lowering lipid levels and reducing cardiovascular risk. In this study, fermented cattle milk (FCTM), fermented camel milk (FCM), fermented goat milk (FGM), and fermented sheep milk (FSM) were produced using a total of five probiotic bacterial strains to investigate the release of bioactive peptides (BAPs) with hypolipidemic potential via in vitro inhibitory activity toward pancreatic lipase (PL) during a 14-day refrigerated storage study. The PL inhibitory activities of these fermented milk (FM) varied according to the types of probiotic strains and milk types used. Overall, the Pediococcus pentosaceus MF000957 (PP-957) strain showed the highest PL inhibitory activity spanning across all milk types, and therefore, PP-957-derived fermented samples were analyzed for BAP identification by LCMS-QTOF. The identified BAPs were further analyzed using in silico and bioinformatics approaches for bioactivity prediction, molecular docking, and drug pharmacokinetic studies. Overall, four peptides derived from FCTM, one from FCM, and two peptides common in FGM and FSM were predicted as active PL inhibitors based on their binding energy and number of binding sites on the PL enzyme. All peptides were non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and had appropriate drug-like properties. The outcomes of this study suggest that FM-derived peptides from animal milk are anticipated to be useful for combating hypercholesterolemia.