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Abstract Background Sleep helps in improving the functions of all systems of human body. Disturbance in sleep can cause immediate adverse effects on normal human physiologic functions. Main objective of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Dari version of the of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among general adult population of Afghanistan. Methods This methodological study has been conducted during July to November 2023. Reliability and validity of PSQI were evaluated using Cronbach’s Alpha and confirmatory factor analysis, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to assess the convergent validity of the components of PSQI, comparing results with those obtained from the DASS-21 subdomains. Results In this cross-sectional study, 965 Afghan adults were studied during five months of duration between July and November, 2023. Mean age of the study participants was 35.2 years. The prevalence of sleep disturbance was 44.6% (430/965). Among them, 59.3% (572/965) reported experiencing subjective sleep quality disturbances less than once a week, 36.2% (349/965) had sleep latency issues less than once a week, 17.6% (170/965) had sleep duration disruption once or twice a week, while 36.3% (350/965) had daytime dysfunction less than once a week. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the seven-component scale was 0.677, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Substantial and statistically significant positive correlations were present among the component of PSQI subjective sleep quality and sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, daytime dysfunction, DASS-Depression, DASS-Anxiety, and DASS-Stress. The overall PSQI exhibited favorable fit indices, supporting the proposed single-factor structure among adult Afghan population. Conclusion Prevalence of sleep disturbance was very high among adult population of Afghanistan. This study provided useful information that will help policy makers (such as ministry of public health as well as international donor agencies like WHO, USAID, and UNICEF) to design a better strategy to reduce the prevalence of sleep disturbance that affects health of the Afghan community at large.

Abstract Vitamin D deficiency is common in many societies and causes rickets and non-skeletal disorders in children. There are no published data on vitamin D deficiency in Afghanistan. We, therefore, investigated the prevalence and associated factors of vitamin D deficiency in Afghan school children in Kandahar City, Afghanistan. This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from September 2022 to April 2023 in 510 primary school students aged 6–15 years from six randomly selected schools. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression. Of the 510 enrolled children, 54.3% were boys and 91.8% were poor. The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 9.3 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency (

Abstract Background One of the most significant events in recent Afghan history is the rise of the Taliban and the war that followed, which had profound impacts on the lives of Afghans. The present study examined the mental health of Afghans living under the Taliban government. Methods Between June 5, 2023 and February 12, 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the Afghan population in three key regions of Afghanistan. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21) was utilized to assess depression, anxiety and stress of the Afghan population. Ethical permission for this study was granted by the Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies (ACES). Logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and depression, anxiety, and stress among 2,698 participants. Results The prevalence of depression was 72.05%, anxiety was 71.94%, and stress was 66.49%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that gender (being female), economic status (being poor), residency (living in rural areas), education level (being illiterate), being a cigarette smoker, and having experienced a bad event during the past month were significantly associated with depression, anxiety and stress. Conclusion The findings of the present study show very high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, most likely reflecting the profound impact of recent political, social, and economic changes. Notably, a significant majority of participants, particularly females and individuals above 35 years of age, reported severe to extremely severe mental health symptoms. The mental health crisis in Afghanistan is a complex and urgent issue that requires a comprehensive and compassionate response.

Abstract Background DIR (Dirigent) proteins play important roles in the biosynthesis of lignin and lignans and are involved in various processes such as plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, there is less information about VvDIR proteins in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L). Results In this study, we used bioinformatics methods to identify members of the DIR gene family in grapevine and identified 18 VvDIR genes in grapevine. These genes were classified into 5 subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis. In promoter analysis, various plant hormones, stress, and light-responsive cis-elements were detected. Expression profiling of all genes following Colletotrichum gloeosporioides infection and phytohormones (salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA)) application suggested significant upregulation of 17 and 6 VvDIR genes, respectively. Further, we overexpressed the VvDIR4 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana and grapes for functional analysis. Ectopic expression of VvDIR4 in A. thaliana and transient expression in grapes increased resistance against C. gloeosporioides and C. higginsianum, respectively. Phenotypic observations showed small disease lesions in transgenic plants. Further, the expression patterns of genes having presumed roles in SA and JA signaling pathways were also influenced. Lignin contents were measured before and after C. higginsianum infection; the transgenic A. thaliana lines showed higher lignin content than wild-type, and a significant increase was observed after C. higginsianum infection. Conclusions Based on the findings, we surmise that VvDIR4 is involved in hormonal and lignin synthesis pathways which regulate resistance against anthracnose. Our study provides novel insights into the function of VvDIR genes and new candidate genes for grapevine disease resistance breeding programs.

Abstract Background Undernutrition, which includes stunting, wasting, and underweight, is a global problem, especially among children of low- and middle-income countries. To our knowledge, this study is first of its type from Afghanistan. Its main objectives were to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight among urban primary school children in Kandahar city of Afghanistan. Methods This school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1205 primary school children aged 6–12 years during a period of six months (October 2022–March 2023). Anthropometric measurements and other data were collected from all the participants. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi square test (using crude odds ratio or COR), and multivariate logistic regression (using adjusted odds ratio or AOR). Results Among the 1205 enrolled government school students, 47.4%, 19.5%, and 25.6% had stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight, respectively. Statistically significant factors associated with stunting were age group 6–9 years (AOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.7), being girl (AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.8–3.0), poverty (AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.2), large family (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 2.4–3.9), illiterate mother (AOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.6), jobless head of the family (AOR 3.3, 95% CI 2.3–4.8), and skipping breakfasts (AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.3). Main factor associated with wasting/thinness were age group 6–9 years (AOR 30.5, 95% CI 11.8–78.7), skipping breakfasts (AOR 22.9, 95% CI 13.9–37.8), and history of sickness during the past two weeks (AOR 17.0, 95% CI 6.6–43.8). Also, main factors associated with underweight were age group 6–9 years (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–4.1), skipping breakfasts (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.8–3.6), and poor sanitation (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.2). Conclusions Stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight are highly prevalent among primary school children (both girls and boys) in Kandahar city. It is recommended that local government (Afghanistan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health) with the help of international organizations and donor agencies should implement comprehensive school-based feeding programs especially for girls. Health and nutrition education programs should be conducted with emphasis on nutrition of children aged 6–9 years as well as importance of healthy breakfast and good sanitation.

Abstract Background Covid 19 was declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its rapid spread and catastrophic effects on health. It affected around 119 M people with mortality rate of 0.27% worldwide, including South-Asians. This review aims to understand the risk perceptions, cultural religious beliefs and the coping mechanisms of South Asians during the Covid 19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The following search engines were used: Medline, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Included studies investigated perceptions and opinions of individuals on knowledge, risk and protective factors, native faith based practices, and attitudes towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Results The database search produced 282 articles to screen. The final narrative synthesis included five studies comprising of 13,476 participants from Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Ten studies, comprising 7,893 participants, were eligible and included for meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence with maximum heterogeneity for correct knowledge of symptoms, hand washing or use of sanitizers, face masking use of herbal or traditional remedies and physical distancing or avoidance of contact was reported through meta-analysis. Conclusion The review brings forth a useful comparison of individual and cultural differences in KAP, risk perceptions and coping strategies. This review highlights the need for and importance of tailored information dissemination, culturally sensitive risk communication, targeted educational interventions, community engagement and empowerment, policy, and infrastructure improvements, as well as continued research and data collection. By addressing these implications, efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 can be more effective and equitable across diverse populations. Prospero registration CRD42021246475.

Abstract Global crop production is severely affected by environmental factors such as drought, salinity, cold, flood etc. Among these stresses, drought is one of the major abiotic stresses reducing crop productivity. It is expected that drought conditions will further increase because of the increasing global temperature. In general, viruses are seen as a pathogen affecting the crop productivity. However, several researches are showing that viruses can induce drought tolerance in plants. This review explores the mechanisms underlying the interplay between viral infections and the drought response mechanisms in plants. We tried to address the molecular pathways and physiological changes induced by viruses that confer drought tolerance, including alterations in hormone signaling, antioxidant defenses, scavenging the reactive oxygen species, role of RNA silencing and miRNA pathway, change in the expression of several genes including heat shock proteins, cellulose synthase etc. Furthermore, we discuss various viruses implicated in providing drought tolerance and examine the range of plant species exhibiting this phenomenon. By applying current knowledge and identifying gaps in understanding, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of virus-induced drought tolerance in plants, paving the way for future research directions and practical applications in sustainable agriculture.

Abstract Background With only one 15 mg primaquine tablet registered by a stringent regulatory authority and marketed, more quality-assured primaquine is needed to meet the demands of malaria elimination. Methods A classic, two sequence, crossover study, with a 10-day wash out period, of 15 mg of IPCA-produced test primaquine tablets and 15 mg of Sanofi reference primaquine tablets was conducted. Healthy volunteers, aged 18–45 years, without glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, a baseline haemoglobin ≥ 11 g/dL, creatinine clearance ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 ms, and body mass index of 18.5–30 kg/m2 were randomized to either test or reference primaquine, administered on an empty stomach with 240 mL of water. Plasma primaquine and carboxyprimaquine concentrations were measured at baseline, then 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0, 2.333, 2.667, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, 12.0, 16.0, 24.0, 36.0, 48.0 and 72.0 h by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Primaquine pharmacokinetic profiles were evaluated by non-compartmental analysis and bioequivalence concluded if the 90% confidence intervals (CI) of geometric mean (GM) ratios of test vs. reference formulation for the peak concentrations (C max) and area under the drug concentration–time (AUC0–t) were within 80.00 to 125.00%. Results 47 of 50 volunteers, median age 33 years, completed both dosing rounds and were included in the bioequivalence analysis. For primaquine, GM C max values for test and reference formulations were 62.12 vs. 59.63 ng/mL, resulting in a GM ratio (90% CI) of 104.17% (96.92–111.96%); the corresponding GM AUC0–t values were 596.56 vs. 564.09 ngxh/mL, for a GM ratio of 105.76% (99.76–112.08%). Intra-subject coefficient of variation was 20.99% for C max and 16.83% for AUC0–t. Median clearances and volumes of distribution were similar between the test and reference products: 24.6 vs. 25.2 L/h, 189.4 vs. 191.0 L, whilst the median half-lives were the same, 5.2 h. Conclusion IPCA primaquine was bioequivalent to the Sanofi primaquine. This opens the door to prequalification, registration in malaria endemic countries, and programmatic use for malaria elimination. Trial registration The trial registration reference is ISRCTN 54640699

Let G be a simple connected graph of order n having Wiener index W(G). The distance, distance Laplacian and the distance signless Laplacian energies of G are respectively defined asDE(G)=∑i=1n|υiD|,DLE(G)=∑i=1n|υiL−Tr‾|andDSLE(G)=∑i=1n|υiQ−Tr‾|, where υiD,υiL and υiQ,1≤i≤n are respectively the distance, distance Laplacian and the distance signless Laplacian eigenvalues of G and Tr‾=2W(G)n is the average transmission degree. In this paper, we will study the relation between DE(G), DLE(G) and DSLE(G). We obtain some necessary conditions for the inequalities DLE(G)≥DSLE(G),DLE(G)≤DSLE(G),DLE(G)≥DE(G) and DSLE(G)≥DE(G) to hold. We will show for graphs with one positive distance eigenvalue the inequality DSLE(G)≥DE(G) always holds. Further, we will show for the complete bipartite graphs the inequality DLE(G)≥DSLE(G)≥DE(G) holds. We end this paper by computational results on graphs of order at most 6.

A unique class of cograph is examined, that is defined recursively as C=C(n1)=K‾n1, and C=C(n1,n2,…,ni)=C(n1,n2,…,ni−1)∪Kni‾, for 2≤i≤k. The Sombor spectrum of C is calculated, the Sombor spectral radius and establish the sharp bounds for the Sombor index, and the greatest and smallest Sombor characteristic values. We present results on the Sombor energy of cographs and identify the graphs that reach the inequalities. Also, we characterize cographs with simple Sombor characteristic values and cographs with unique characteristic values.

Abstract Background Depression is a complex mental health disorder marked by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and reduced interest in daily activities. The present study developed the Afghanistan National Depression Screening (ANDs) scale and examined its psychometric properties within the Afghan population. Methods The study enrolled 1245 Afghan individuals as participants. The items within the ANDs scale were developed through a thorough examination of pre-existing depression scales, expert assessments, and participant interviews. Multiple psychometric evaluations were administered to ensure the reliability and validity of the scale. Results After review and corrected item-total correlation testing, 15-items exhibiting acceptable corrected item-total correlation coefficients (ranging from 0.315 to 0.647) were retained and further validated through significant factor loadings (ranging from 0.358 to 0.725). Additionally, various properties assessed through classical test theory demonstrated satisfactory results on the 15-item scale. Specifically, measures of reliability such as internal consistency (α = 0.846) and Spearman-Brown coefficient (0.975) were deemed acceptable. Convergent validity was evidenced by strong correlations with established scales, including the DASS-21 (depression subscale, r = 0.854), GHQ-28 (depression subscale, r = 0.693), CES-D 20 (r = 0.922), and PHQ-9 (r = 0.758). Conclusion The 15-item ANDs scale is developed to assess depression in Afghan populations, showing promise in correlation with established measures like PHQ-9, DASS-21, CESD-20, and GHQ-28. Its potential for identifying depression symptoms warrants further investigation in epidemiological studies and clinical settings, though replication across diverse samples is necessary for generalizability.

The public transport system in Faisalabad is underdeveloped and inefficient to meet the travel demands of the people. It mainly consists of a multitude of Para-transit modes such as auto-rickshaws, Qingqi (motorcycle rickshaws), and wagons, etc. These modes do not meet the mobility needs of the low-income group or captive riders. This research tends to assess customers' satisfaction with the current public transport system and their preferences towards the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Faisalabad. A questionnaire was designed in this study to gather travelers' perceptions about public transport in Faisalabad. The questionnaire consisted of personal and travel information of the travelers, satisfaction with service quality attributes, important attributes in traveling, and behavioral intentions with the BRT service. This survey was conducted physically and a total of 225 samples were collected. Results showed that the customers' satisfaction level with existing public transport modes is quite low. Most of the respondents showed positive intent to use the BRT service as they perceived it as a safe, comfortable, convenient, and economical mode of transport. Results revealed that most travelers want to shift to an improved transportation system. Results of factor analysis and structural equation modeling revealed that low satisfaction with transit modes has a negative impact on customers' behavioral intentions. Most of the respondents said that cost, travel time, air conditioning, travel time reliability, comfort, and ability to make stops on the way are very important attributes of the BRT service. Most of the users believed that it will reduce air pollution, provide better accessibility, and would be safe for female travelers. Also, customers' perceived level of importance significantly and positively influences their intentions towards BRT service. This study recommends the provision of a BRT-like bus transport service in Faisalabad to meet the mobility needs of the masses.

Abstract Energy loss during the transportation of energy is the main concern of researchers and industrialists. The primary cause of heat exchange gadget inefficiency during transportation was applied to traditional fluids with weak heat transfer characteristics. Instead, thermal devices worked much better when the fluids were changed to nanofluids that had good thermal transfer properties. A diverse range of nanoparticles were implemented on account of their elevated thermal conductivity. This research addresses the significance of MHD Maxwell nanofluid for heat transfer flow. The flow model comprised continuity, momentum, energy transport, and concentration equations in the form of PDEs. The developed model was converted into ODEs by using workable similarities. Numerical simulations in the MATLAB environment were employed to find the outcomes of velocity, thermal transportation, and concentration profiles. The effects of many parameters, such as Hartman, Deborah, buoyancy, the intensity of an external heat source, chemical reactions, and many others, were also evaluated. The presence of nanoparticles enhances temperature conduction. Also, the findings are compared with previously published research. In addition, the Nusselt number and skin friction increase as the variables associated with the Hartman number and buoyancy parameter grow. The respective transfer rates of heat are 28.26 $$\%$$ % and 38.19 $$\%$$ % respectively. As a result, the rate of heat transmission increased by 14.23 $$\%$$ % . The velocity profiles enhanced while temperature profiles declined for higher values of the Maxwell fluid parameter. As the external heat source increases, the temperature profile rises. Conversely, buoyancy parameters increase as it descends. This type of problem is applicable in many fields such as heat exchangers, cooling of electronic devices, and automotive cooling systems.

Background: Anxiety is a common psychological disorder in school-aged children and adolescents. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and sleep disturbances and their relationship with academic achievement among female students in Herat, Afghanistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 737 female students (mean age 11.8 years old) was conducted across 10 randomly selected schools in Herat, Afghanistan, covering Grades 1 to 6. Students were randomly chosen within these schools. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale for Youth (DASS-Y) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessed anxiety and sleep disturbance, while academic achievement ratings were provided by schoolteachers. Results: Using the DASS-Y and the PSQI, 65.5% reported anxiety symptoms and 46.4% reported sleep disturbance. Low academic achievement correlated significantly with anxiety (r = 0.228) and sleep issues (r = 0.161). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified predictors for anxiety and sleep disturbance. Predictors for anxiety included being aged 13–16 years, having lower class grade, being of low economic status, and having unemployed parents. Predictors for sleep disturbance included being aged 13–16 years, having lower class grade, having an uneducated father, being of low economic status, and having unemployed parents. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of anxiety symptoms and sleep disturbances among female school students in Herat, Afghanistan. Significant correlations exist between students' academic achievement, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Addressing anxiety and sleep disturbances among Afghan female school students could be facilitated by revising current government policies concerning students' health. Educational campaigns focused on sleep hygiene and anxiety management for both students and their parents may also prove beneficial.

Plant growth elements, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are vital for their growth and development, particularly for understory vegetation and their excess limits the net productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. This study focuses on the understory vegetation responds and adaptation to key essential nutrients under changing climate scenarios in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests, still needs research attention. this, we set up an experiment taking four treatments in a 50-year-old Castanopsis sclerophylla secondary forest under (a) control (CK), (b) N, (c) P, and (d) combined N and P addition, applied to natural forest regeneration seedlings of C. sclerophylla attained similar growth parameters of diameter of 3 cm and 10 cm height. In addition, carbon, N, P, and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) were determined through the anthrone colorimetric approach in different parts of seedlings. Results show that the combined N + P application enhanced the N and P by 14.48 %−140.55 % in the seedlings in both dry and wet seasons, respectively. However, during wet season, the content of NSC in the plant leaves significantly exceeded under P addition. Remarkably, CK showed increased P in the growing season but lower during the dry season. Furthermore, the root starch content of seedlings showed a significant increase under the application of N and P compared to combined N + P, ranging between 45.60 % and 58.70 %. Overall, the plant growth is attributed to N and P intake. The nutrient addition and seasonal variations have a coupled effect on seedling growth as proved in the in the natural open forest experiment. The study outcomes emphasize that the alterations in NSC allocation in the roots and leaves of C. sclerophylla seedlings under N + P addition could enhance their adaptation to future global climate changes, drought conditions, and high N concentrations.

Abiotic stress, which includes salinity, drought, heat, and cold, as well as their many combinations, severely reduces crop productivity across the globe each year. Considering the intensified worldwide climatic changes, the effects of these conditions on plant productivity become increasingly more concerning. Sulfur is essential for several metabolic processes, including the organization and control of electron transport. Reductive assimilation and integration into cysteine and methionine, sulfate absorption, and reductive assimilation and integration are the key methods that oxidized and reduced forms of organically bound sulfur get to their different roles. Protective compounds with sulfur, such as glutathione, phytochelatins, S-rich proteins, and several secondary metabolites, are essential for plants to survive abiotic stress, such as dihydroasparagusic acid, hydrogen sulfide, etc. This thorough review covered the regulation of sulfur at the protein and gene transcription levels in response to abiotic stress.

Background: Heart Failure (HF) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) often coexist, and each condition independently increases the likelihood of developing the other. While there has been concern regarding the increasing burden of disease for both conditions individually over the last decade, a comprehensive examination of mortality trends and demographic and regional disparities needs to be thoroughly explored in the United States (US). Methods: This study analyzed death certificates from the CDC WONDER database, focusing on mortality caused by the co-occurrence of HF and DM in adults aged 75 and older from 1999 to 2020. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and annual percent changes (APCs) were computed and categorized by year, gender, race, census region, state, and metropolitan status. Results: A total of 663,016 deaths were reported in patients with coexisting HF and DM. Overall, AAMR increased from 154.1 to 186.1 per 100,000 population between 1999 and 2020, with a notable significant increase from 2018 to 2020 (APC: 11.30). Older men had consistently higher AAMRs than older women (185 vs. 135.4). Furthermore, we found that AAMRs were highest among non-Hispanic (NH) American Indian or Alaskan natives and lowest in NH Asian or Pacific Islanders (214.4 vs. 104.1). Similarly, AAMRs were highest in the Midwestern region and among those dwelling in non-metropolitan areas. Conclusions: Mortality from HF and DM has risen significantly in recent years, especially among older men, NH American Indian or Alaska Natives, and those in non-metropolitan areas. Urgent policies need to be developed to address these disparities and promote equitable healthcare access.

Mycorrhizae, exclusively associated with orchids, play a crucial role in plant growth, competitive interactions and pathogen protection. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization rate in Dactylorhiza hatagirea at three sites in Kashmir Himalaya: Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Additionally, it examines soil parameters such as temperature, precipitation, pH, organic carbon, phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. The root tips were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm. Samples were stored in sterilized polythene bags, refrigerated at 4±1 °C. Our results showed a significant variation in mycorrhizal colonization across three sites, with Pahalgam showing the highest at 78%, followed by Gulmarg at 73%, and Sonamarg at 57%. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed 69.5% of the variation in environmental and soil variables. Positive correlations were observed among pH, nitrogen, potassium, and organic carbon, whereas phosphorus was negatively correlated with potassium and nitrogen. Gulmarg and Pahalgam were similar in soil characteristics, while Sonamarg exhibited distinct differences. Phosphorus positively correlated with Sonamarg but negatively with Pahalgam and Gulmarg, while other soil parameters showed opposite trends. The study emphasizes the significance of AMF colonization in understanding and enhancing plant-microbe interactions in terrestrial ecosystems, highlighting its role in nutrient cycling and the assimilation of essential elements like phosphorus and nitrogen.

Forty-one derivatives of spirooxindoles, active against HCT-116 colon cancer cells, underwent pharmacophore-based 3D-QSAR analysis to understand their correlation with anti-cancer activity. The study identified a seven-point pharmacophore model (ADHHRRR1) and QSAR models, offering insights for lead optimization and novel analogue design, thus advancing anti-cancer drug discovery. This research underscores the value of molecular modeling in elucidating structure-activity relationships and enhancing drug development efforts.

Drought stress poses a significant obstacle to agricultural productivity, particularly in the case of oilseed crops such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Selenium (Se) is a fundamental micronutrient that has been recognized for its ability to enhance plant resilience in the face of various environmental stresses. The FH-770 sunflower variety was cultivated in pots subjected to three stress levels (100% FC, 75% FC, and 50% FC) and four Se application rates (0 ppm, 30 ppm, 60 ppm, and 90 ppm). This research aimed to investigate the effect of exogenously applied Se on morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of sunflower to improve the drought tolerance. Foliar Se application significantly lowered H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide; ROS) (20.89%) accumulation that markedly improved glycine betaine (GB) (74.46%) and total soluble protein (Pro) (68.63%), improved the accumulation of ascorbic acid (AA) (25.51%), total phenolics (TP) (39.34%), flavonoids (Flv) (73.16%), and anthocyanin (Ant) (83.73%), and improved the activity of antioxidant system superoxide dismutase (SOD) (157.63%), peroxidase (POD) (100.20%), and catalase (CAT) (49.87%), which ultimately improved sunflower growth by 36.65% during drought stress. Supplemental Se significantly increased shoot Se content (93.86%) and improved calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), and sodium (Na+) ions in roots by 36.16%, 42.68%, and 63.40%, respectively. Selenium supplements at lower concentrations (60 and 90 ppm) promoted the growth, development, and biochemical attributes of sunflowers in controlled and water-deficient circumstances. However, selenium treatment improved photosynthetic efficiency, plant growth, enzymatic activities, osmoregulation, biochemical characteristics, and nutrient balance. The mechanisms and molecular processes through which Se induces these modifications need further investigation to be properly identified.

In this paper, we study the effects of activation energy and solar radiation on expanding solar sheets, as well as non-Newtonian nanofluid dynamics, which are important in these applications and are driving efforts to find solutions to the world’s energy problems. We provide numerical solutions to physical flow problems by solving partial differential equations. We utilise the MATLAB-integrated bvp4c methodology after applying similarities to turn these PDEs model into ODEs. By investigating dimensionless momentum, concentration, and thermal profiles under different conditions, our research delves into the physical relevance of nanofluids. Important flow field components have also been numerically and tabulatively studied and displayed graphically. The rates at which heat is transferred is 29.06% and 37.99%, respectively. The rate of heat transport rose by 13.93% as a result. At greater values for the Maxwell fluid parameter, the velocity profiles improved while the temperature profiles decreased. This paper contributes significant new information to the ongoing discussion in this area, which is in line with earlier findings.

Digital technology plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable farming and ensuring food security, especially in developing countries. This study evaluates the impact of Internet technology usage on technical efficiency in crop productivity, using data from 600 wheat farmers in rural Pakistan. It addresses the imperative need to enhance agricultural practices within the context of sustainable food production. To achieve this, a matched sample of Internet users and non-users was formed through propensity score matching. The study employs the stochastic frontier method with sample selection adjustment, ensuring a robust evaluation of technical efficiency between these groups. The findings reveal a positive influence of Internet usage on efficiency, persisting even after mitigating self-selection bias from observed and unobserved factors. Internet users exhibit a technical efficiency score of 0.62, surpassing the 0.55 score of non-users. Quantile regression analysis exposes varying impacts of Internet usage on technical efficiency, with less efficient farmers experiencing substantial improvements. Widespread Internet adoption holds the potential to significantly enhance agricultural production for growers. The research underscores the role of promoting Internet utilization to stimulate growth and improve farming efficiency within the evolving digital economy. Policymakers are advised to promote the adoption of modern technology to enhance crop production and support economic growth.

Abstract The use of renewable energy sources is leading the charge to solve the world’s energy problems, and non-Newtonian nanofluid dynamics play a significant role in applications such as expanding solar sheets, which are examined in this paper, along with the impacts of activation energy and solar radiation. We solve physical flow issues using partial differential equations and models like Casson, Williamson, and Prandtl. To get numerical solutions, we first apply a transformation to make these equations ordinary differential equations, and then we use the MATLAB-integrated bvp4c methodology. Through the examination of dimensionless velocity, concentration, and temperature functions under varied parameters, our work explores the physical properties of nanofluids. In addition to numerical and tabular studies of the skin friction coefficient, Sherwood number, and local Nusselt number, important components of the flow field are graphically shown and analyzed. Consistent with previous research, this work adds important new information to the continuing conversation in this area. Through the examination of dimensionless velocity, concentration, and temperature functions under varied parameters, our work explores the physical properties of nanofluids. Comparing the Casson nanofluid to the Williamson and Prandtl nanofluids, it is found that the former has a lower velocity. Compared to Casson and Williamson nanofluid, Prandtl nanofluid advanced in heat flux more quickly. The transfer of heat rates are $$25.87\%$$ 25.87 % , $$33.61\%$$ 33.61 % and $$40.52\%$$ 40.52 % at $$Rd =0.5, Rd=1.0$$ R d = 0.5 , R d = 1.0 , and $$Rd=1.5$$ R d = 1.5 , respectively. The heat transfer rate is increased by $$6.91\%$$ 6.91 % as the value of Rd rises from 1.0 to 1.5. This study is further strengthened by a comparative analysis with previous research, which is complemented by an extensive table of comparisons for a full evaluation.

Background: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) in developing countries is an important dilemma and further research is needed to elucidate the infectious causes of FUO. Methods: A multi-center study for infectious causes of FUO in lower middle-income countries (LMIC) and low-income countries (LIC) was conducted between January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2023. In total, 15 participating centers from seven different countries provided the data, which were collected through the Infectious Diseases-International Research Initiative platform. Only adult patients with confirmed infection as the cause of FUO were included in the study. The severity parameters were quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) ≥2, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, vasopressor use, and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Results: A total of 160 patients with infectious FUO were included in the study. Overall, 148 (92.5%) patients had community-acquired infections and 12 (7.5%) had hospital-acquired infections. The most common infectious syndromes were tuberculosis (TB) (n=27, 16.9%), infective endocarditis (n=25, 15.6%), malaria (n=21, 13.1%), brucellosis (n=15, 9.4%), and typhoid fever (n=9, 5.6%). Plasmodium falciparum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Brucellae, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Rickettsiae were the leading infectious agents in this study. A total of 56 (35.0%) cases had invasive procedures for diagnosis. The mean qSOFA score was 0.76±0.94 {median (interquartile range [IQR]): 0 (0–1)}. ICU admission (n=26, 16.2%), vasopressor use (n=14, 8.8%), and IMV (n=10, 6.3%) were not rare. Overall, 38 (23.8%) patients had at least one of the severity parameters. The mortality rate was 15 (9.4%), and the mortality was attributable to the infection causing FUO in 12 (7.5%) patients. Conclusions: In LMIC and LIC, tuberculosis and cardiac infections were the most severe and the leading infections causing FUO.

The purpose of this study was to synthesize the literature that has been established on the interrelationship of “knowledge spillovers and entrepreneurial ecosystem” through a systematic literature review. The query strings generated 85 articles, of which 51 were selected for final review. The analysis was performed using MySLR software that uses the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) method, and the effectiveness was measured through the perplexity score and coherence value of the topics. The results reveal that although a plethora of literature is available on these two topics individually, the mutual relationship between these two concepts is understudied. A stronger research interest was observed after 2018 which indicates the infancy of the topic as a whole, which is yet to be explored and empirically tested, specifically in developing economies. Most of the research was focused on the role of universities, innovation, geographic dynamics and policies with respect to entrepreneurial ecosystems. Results reveal the disparity of knowledge spillovers with regard to other contributors; significantly lesser attention was paid to its role in relation to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Along with critical analysis and synthesis of literature, future directions have also been presented in the paper.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine both accruals and real earnings management in a large sample of private companies in the UK using data from 2002 to 2009 following the implementation of the UK Act of 2006. Design/methodology/approach – A panel data analysis using GMM has been adopted to examine the objectives of the study and answer the research questions. Findings – The results of this study showed that the imposition of the Companies Act of 2006, on its own, did lead to changes in earnings management behaviour, in both accruals-based earnings and real earnings management. Moreover, this study also found that firms that chose to provide IFRS financial statements tended to show less discretionary earnings management, however, it tended to have no impact on real earnings management. Practical implications – In accordance with the research findings, standard setters with some insight tend to determine how capital markets see the information provided under the legislation such as the UK Act of 2006 in developed countries and thereby ensure long-term sustainability in a modern and sophisticated financial world. This study provides an insight into the successful implementation of the UK act of 2006, and its influence on the aspect of financial reporting. Originality/value – The novel conclusion reached in the study is that there exists a strong and direct link between the smooth implementation of UK Act of 2006 and the practices of both accruals and real earnings management in real-world business and financial scenarios, particularly, in private companies.

This paper presents a study on residual stress measurement in wire-arc additively manufactured (WAAM) titanium samples using the non-destructive method of phased array ultrasonics. The contour method (CM) was used for the verification of the phased array ultrasonic results. This allowed for a comparison of measurement methods to understand the effects on the distribution of residual stress (RS) within Ti-6Al-4V samples and the effectiveness of measurement of residual stress using phased array ultrasonics. From the results of the experiments, the phased array ultrasonic data were found to be in good agreement with the CM results and displayed similar residual stress distributions in the samples. The results of the individual elements of the phased array were also compared and an improvement in accuracy was found. From per-element results, anomalies were found and could be mitigated with the ability to average the results by using phased array ultrasonics. Therefore, based on these results, there is a strong case for the benefits of using phased array ultrasonics as a method of residual stress measurement for WAAM Ti-6Al-4V components over other existing residual stress measurement techniques.

IntroductionThe CAREPATH Project aims to develop a patient-centered integrated care platform tailored to older adults with multimorbidity, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia. Our goal is to empower multidisciplinary care teams to craft personalized holistic care plans while adhering to evidence-based guidelines. This necessitates the creation of clear specifications for clinical decision support (CDS) services, consolidating guidance from multiple evidence-based clinical guidelines. Thus, a co-creation approach involving both clinical and technical experts is essential.MethodsThis paper outlines a robust methodology for generating implementable specifications for CDS services to automate clinical guidelines. We have established a co-creation framework to facilitate collaborative exploration of clinical guidelines between clinical experts and software engineers. We have proposed an open, repeatable, and traceable method for translating evidence-based guideline narratives into implementable specifications of CDS services. Our approach, based on international standards such as CDS-Hooks and HL7 FHIR, enhances interoperability and potential adoption of CDS services across diverse healthcare systems.ResultsThis methodology has been followed to create implementable specifications for 65 CDS services, automating CAREPATH consensus guideline consolidating guidance from 25 selected evidence-based guidelines. A total of 296 CDS rules have been formally defined, with input parameters defined as clinical concepts bound to FHIR resources and international code systems. Outputs include 346 well-defined CDS Cards, offering clear guidance for care plan activities and goal suggestions. These specifications have led to the implementation of 65 CDS services integrated into the CAREPATH Adaptive Integrated Care Platform.DiscussionOur methodology offers a systematic, replicable process for generating CDS specifications, ensuring consistency and reliability across implementation. By fostering collaboration between clinical expertise and technical proficiency, we enhance the quality and relevance of generated specifications. Clear traceability enables stakeholders to track the development process and ensure adherence to guideline recommendations.

Plant glycoside hydrolase family 9 genes (GH9s) are widely distributed in plants and involved in a variety of cellular and physiological processes. In the current study, nine GH9 genes were identified in the mulberry and were divided into two subfamilies based on the phylogenetic analysis. Conserved motifs and gene structure analysis suggested that the evolution of the two subfamilies is relatively conserved and the glycoside hydrolase domain almost occupy the entire coding region of the GH9s gene. Only segmental duplication has played a role in the expansion of gene family. Collinearity analysis showed that mulberry GH9s had the closest relationship with poplar GH9s. MaGH9B1, MaGH9B6, MaGH9B5, and MaGH9B3 were detected to have transcript accumulation in the stalk of easy-to drop mature fruit drop, suggesting that these could play a role in mulberry fruit drop. Multiple cis-acting elements related to plant hormones and abiotic stress responses were found in the mulberry GH9 promoter regions and showed different activities under exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) stresses. We found that the lignin content in the fruit stalk decreased with the formation of the abscission zone (AZ), which could indirectly reflect the formation process of the AZ. These results provide a theoretical basis for further research on the role of GH9s in mulberry abscission.

Phytotoxicity of trace elements (commonly misunderstood as ‘heavy metals’) includes impairment of functional groups of enzymes, photo-assembly, redox homeostasis, and nutrient status in higher plants. Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) can ameliorate trace element toxicity. We discuss SiNPs response against several essential (such as Cu, Ni, Mn, Mo, and Zn) and non-essential (including Cd, Pb, Hg, Al, Cr, Sb, Se, and As) trace elements. SiNPs hinder root uptake and transport of trace elements as the first line of defence. SiNPs charge plant antioxidant defence against trace elements-induced oxidative stress. The enrolment of SiNPs in gene expressions was also noticed on many occasions. These genes are associated with several anatomical and physiological phenomena, such as cell wall composition, photosynthesis, and metal uptake and transport. On this note, we dedicate the later sections of this review to support an enhanced understanding of SiNPs influence on the metabolomic, proteomic, and genomic profile of plants under trace elements toxicity.

Chronic wound infections, particularly multidrug-resistant microbe-caused infections, have imposed severe challenges in clinical administration. The therapeutic effectiveness of the current strategy using conventional antibiotics is extremely unsatisfactory. The development of novel treatment strategies to inhibit the infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria is highly desired. In this work, based on the combination of nanocompounds with the assistance of NIR laser, an antibacterial strategy was designed for MRSA-infected abscesses in diabetic mice. The nanocompounds named Ag@Chi-PB were prepared by using chitosan-coated Prussian blue (PB) as a nanocarrier for silver nanoparticles anchoring. Combined with near-infrared (NIR) laser, the nanocompounds were more efficient at killing Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Methicillin-resistant staphyllococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro. Notably, MRSA was significantly removed in vivo and promoted diabetic abscess healing by the combined therapy of this nanocompound and NIR laser, owing to the synergistic antibacterial effect of photothermal therapy and release of Ag+. Meanwhile, the nanocompound showed satisfactory biocompatibility and superior biosafety. Collectively, the combination therapy of this nanocompound with the assistance of NIR laser may represent a promising strategy for clinical anti-infection.

Background: The prevalence of cancers differs in different parts of the world and which makes studying every population important to know various risk factors associated with cancers common in various parts of the world. This study was undertaken to know the burden of cancer in rural Kashmir. Materials and Methods: Cases registered in the Department of Radiation Oncology, GMC, Anantnag, during 2019–2020 were enrolled for this study to check the prevalence and profile of cancer. Results: Stomach cancer was the most common cancer diagnosed in 233 patients in 2019–20 overall. In males, it was seconded by esophageal cancer, whereas in females, breast cancer was the second-most common cancer. Conclusion: Patterns of cancer distribution differ vastly across India; cancer patterns in Kashmir are more similar to the Caspian cancer belt with upper gastrointestinal tract cancer dominating both sexes.

In present paper the mathematical study of Slip conditions on electrically conducting nanofluid over a vertically stretching sheet is presented with effects of viscous dissipation, thermal radiation and Soret and Dufor. The state of flow has been explained mathematically with help of partial differential equations. Model equations are made convenient for calculation by suitable transformations. With the help of Kellerbox technique unknown functions are approximated in flow situation. The influence of medium porosity, magnetic field strength, thermal radiation, Soret and Dufour effects, Buoyancy forces, viscous dissipation wall slip parameter, and heat source are investigated in detail. Effects of emerging parameters on velocity, concentration, temperature and profiles are investigated. In relation to the parameters involved, we can observe the rates of momentum, heat, and mass transfer near the stretching surface. It can be concluded from the study that velocity slip parameter accelerates with fluid motion, temperature of nanoparticles is enhanced due to rise in Eckert number and Biot number, while the Soret effect enhances the nanoparticles concentration close to the stretching sheet. Also, under common assumptions, the analytical approximations for the solution of the current model that were produced by using the Keller box approach were shown to be in very excellent agreement with certain early publications.

Abstract Background Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) commonly affects aging men that can result in hematuria. For patients who are not suitable candidates for surgery, prostatic artery embolization (PAE) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of PAE specifically for treating hematuria in BPH patients who cannot undergo surgery. Methods The study included n = 110 participants. PAE was performed, and outcomes of interest, including resolution of hematuria, improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), prostate volume (PV), and quality of life (QoL), were assessed. Adverse events were also analyzed. Results The study demonstrated a 100% clinical success rate in resolving hematuria at 3 months, with no recurrence observed during the 6-month follow-up. Mean hemoglobin levels increased, indicating successful resolution of bleeding. PAE also led to a significant reduction in LUTS severity, as measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Improvement in the mean maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) indicated enhanced urinary flow. Additionally, MRI measurements showed a reduction in prostate volume following PAE. These improvements contributed to enhanced QoL for the patients. Conclusions Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) was found to be a safe and effective treatment option for hematuria in BPH patients not suitable for surgery. PAE demonstrated a high success rate in resolving hematuria and resulted in significant improvements in LUTS, prostate volume, and QoL outcomes. These findings have important implications for clinical decision-making and improving patient care for BPH patients with hematuria. Further research and long-term follow-up studies are necessary to validate these findings and assess the durability of PAE outcomes in this patient population.

The study examined the impact of perceived susceptibility of COVID-19 on travel intentions of Pakistani outbound tourists by applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). For the purpose of investigation, the data from 170 respondents were analysed to study the mediating effect of subjective norms, attitude towards behaviour and perceived behavioural control between perceived susceptibility of COVID and the travel intention of tourists for international vacation trip during the pandemic. It was found that the mediating effects of subjective norms and attitude towards behaviour were significant while the role of perceived behavioural control was insignificant. The analysis further reveals that the perceived susceptibility of COVID negatively influences the subjective norms and attitude while positively influences the behavioural control. On the other hand, all the proposed mediating factors in the model positively influence the travel intensions with varying strengths. Moreover, among the three endogenous variables influencing the intentions, subjective-norms came out to be the strongest predictor of travel intentions during pandemic. This outcome was significantly different from the commonly found results in existing literature hence highlighting the novelty of this study. Finally, study-implications for variety of stakeholders in hospitality industry were underscored, limitations were acknowledged and recommendations for future research endeavours were also discussed.

Abstract Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of sexually transmitted diseases and causes a wide range of pathologies including cervical carcinoma. Integration of the HR-HPV DNA into the host genome plays a crucial role in cervical carcinoma. An alteration of the pRb pathways by the E7 proteins is one of the mechanisms that’s account for the transforming capacity of high-risk papillomavirus. For the proper understanding of the underline mechanism of the progression of the disease, the present study investigate the correlation of concentration of host pRb protein, viral E7 oncoprotein and viral load in early and advanced stages of cervical carcinoma. It was found that the viral load in early stages (stage I and II) was less (log10 transformed mean value 2.6 and 3.0) compared to advanced stages (stage III and IV) (Log10 transformed value 5.0 and 5.8) having high expression of HPV E7 onco-protein and reduced level of pRb protein, signifying the role of viral load and expression level of E7 oncoprotein in the progression of cervical cancer.

Gastric cancer has become a serious worldwide health concern, emphasizing the crucial importance of early diagnosis measures to improve patient outcomes. While traditional histological image analysis is regarded as the clinical gold standard, it is labour intensive and manual. In recognition of this problem, there has been a rise in interest in the use of computer-aided diagnostic tools to help pathologists with their diagnostic efforts. In particular, deep learning (DL) has emerged as a promising solution in this sector. However, current DL models are still restricted in their ability to extract extensive visual characteristics for correct categorization. To address this limitation, this study proposes the use of ensemble models, which incorporate the capabilities of several deep-learning architectures and use aggregate knowledge of many models to improve classification performance, allowing for more accurate and efficient gastric cancer detection. To determine how well these proposed models performed, this study compared them with other works, all of which were based on the Gastric Histopathology Sub-Size Images Database, a publicly available dataset for gastric cancer. This research demonstrates that the ensemble models achieved a high detection accuracy across all sub-databases, with an average accuracy exceeding 99%. Specifically, ResNet50, VGGNet, and ResNet34 performed better than EfficientNet and VitNet. For the 80 × 80-pixel sub-database, ResNet34 exhibited an accuracy of approximately 93%, VGGNet achieved 94%, and the ensemble model excelled with 99%. In the 120 × 120-pixel sub-database, the ensemble model showed 99% accuracy, VGGNet 97%, and ResNet50 approximately 97%. For the 160 × 160-pixel sub-database, the ensemble model again achieved 99% accuracy, VGGNet 98%, ResNet50 98%, and EfficientNet 92%, highlighting the ensemble model’s superior performance across all resolutions. Overall, the ensemble model consistently provided an accuracy of 99% across the three sub-pixel categories. These findings show that ensemble models may successfully detect critical characteristics from smaller patches and achieve high performance. The findings will help pathologists diagnose gastric cancer using histopathological images, leading to earlier identification and higher patient survival rates.

The power graph P(Zn) of Zn for a finite cyclic group Zn is a simple undirected connected graph such that two distinct nodes x and y in Zn are adjacent in P(Zn) if and only if x≠y and xi=y or yi=x for some non-negative integer i. In this article, we find the Laplacian eigenvalues of P(Zn) and show that P(Zn) is Laplacian integral (integer algebraic connectivity) if and only if n is either the product of two distinct primes or a prime power. That answers a conjecture by Panda, Graphs and Combinatorics, (2019).

Autoimmunity refers to an organism’s immune response against its own healthy cells, tissues, or components, potentially leading to irreversible damage to vital organs. Central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms play crucial roles in preventing autoimmunity by eliminating self-reactive T and B cells. The disruption of immunological tolerance, characterized by the failure of these mechanisms, results in the aberrant activation of autoreactive lymphocytes that target self-tissues, culminating in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. Genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, and immunoregulatory disturbances synergistically contribute to the susceptibility and initiation of autoimmune pathologies. Within the realm of immune therapies for autoimmune diseases, cytokine therapies have emerged as a specialized strategy, targeting cytokine-mediated regulatory pathways to rectify immunological imbalances. Proinflammatory cytokines are key players in inducing and propagating autoimmune inflammation, highlighting the potential of cytokine therapies in managing autoimmune conditions. This review discusses the etiology of autoimmune diseases, current therapeutic approaches, and prospects for future drug design.

Prostate cancer remains a prevalent health concern, emphasizing the critical need for early diagnosis and precise treatment strategies to mitigate mortality rates. The accurate prediction of cancer grade is paramount for timely interventions. This paper introduces an approach to prostate cancer grading, framing it as a classification problem. Leveraging ResNet models on multi-scale patch-level digital pathology and the Diagset dataset, the proposed method demonstrates notable success, achieving an accuracy of 0.999 in identifying clinically significant prostate cancer. The study contributes to the evolving landscape of cancer diagnostics, offering a promising avenue for improved grading accuracy and, consequently, more effective treatment planning. By integrating innovative deep learning techniques with comprehensive datasets, our approach represents a step forward in the pursuit of personalized and targeted cancer care.

For a simple connected graph $ \Gamma $ with node set $ V(\Gamma) = \{w_{1}, w_{2}, \dots, w_{n}\} $ and degree sequence $ d_{i} $, the atom-bond connectivity ($ ABC $) matrix of $ \Gamma $ has an $ (ij) $-th entry $ \sqrt{\frac{d_{i}+d_{j}-2}{d_{i}d_{j}}} $ if $ w_{i} $ is adjacent to $ w_{j} $ and $ 0 $, otherwise. The multiset of all eigenvalues of $ ABC $ matrix is known as the $ ABC $ spectrum and their absolute sum is known as the $ ABC $ energy of $ \Gamma. $ Two graphs of same order are known as $ ABC $ equienergetic if they have the same $ ABC $ energy but share different $ ABC $ spectrum. We describe the $ ABC $ spectrum of some special graph operations and as an application, we construct the $ ABC $ equienergetic graphs. Further, we give linear regression analysis of $ ABC $ index/energy with the physical properties of anticancer drugs. We observe that they are better correlated with $ ABC $-energy.

Abstract Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers with a high mortality rate, underscoring the need to identify new therapeutic targets. Here we report that non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding (NONO) protein is overexpressed in breast cancer and validated the interaction of the WW domain of PIN1 with c-terminal threonine-proline (thr-pro) motifs of NONO. The interaction of NONO with PIN1 increases the stability of NONO by inhibiting its proteasomal degradation, and this identifies PIN1 as a positive regulator of NONO in promoting breast tumor development. Functionally, silencing of NONO inhibits the growth, survival, migration, invasion, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and stemness of breast cancer cells in vitro. A human metastatic breast cancer cell xenograft was established in transparent zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to study the metastatic inability of NONO-silenced breast cancer cells in vivo. Mechanistically, NONO depletion promotes the expression of the PDL1 cell-surface protein in breast cancer cells. The identification of novel interactions of NONO with c-Jun and β-catenin proteins and activation of the Akt/MAPK/β-catenin signaling suggests that NONO is a novel regulator of Akt/MAPK/β-catenin signaling pathways. Taken together, our results indicated an essential role of NONO in the tumorigenicity of breast cancer and could be a potential target for anti-cancerous drugs. Video Abstract

Background: Millions of people have been impacted by COVID-19 pandemic globally. COVID-19 pandemic has descended people to the realms of uncertainty and isolation which surprisingly are associated with mental distress. Depression, anxiety and stress are one of the prominent psychological factors that might have been significantly impacted by the ongoing pandemic. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted predominantly with the aim of assessing psychological impact by COVID-19 in health-care professionals (HCPs) as well as in general population. Materials and Methods: The present study was an observational study conducted in Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, a tertiary level teaching hospital in Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. A total of 250 participants comprising both HCPs and general population were included in the study. Depression, anxiety, stress-scale-21 questionnaire, a validated instrument, was used to assess the depression, anxiety, and stress levels among the participants. Informed consent was taken individually for volunteering in the study and participants were required to fill the questionnaire as per the directed instructions. Results: Out of 250 participants, 54.8%, 68%, and 34.4% were found to have depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The prevalence of severe and extremely severe depression corresponded to 9.9% and 6.8% of HCPs, respectively. Severe and extremely severe anxiety existed in 14.9% and 21.1% of HCPs, respectively, followed by 7.5% and 1.2% severe stress and extremely severe stress percentages. About 11.2% and 7.9% participants in community experienced severe and extremely severe depression, respectively. Although 19.1% and 21.3% values corresponded to severe and extremely severe anxiety in community, 5% participants were found to have severe stress, and 4 % had extremely severe stress. A significant positive correlation existed between the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. No statistically significant association was found between DAS scores and demographic variables except anxiety scores which showed a statistically significant association with HCPs especially nurses, students, and doctors. Conclusion: The findings from this study highlight high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress experienced during COVID-19 pandemic by all participants. Anxiety in comparison to depression and stress was found to be experienced by majority of participants. Anxiety levels were prominent in nurses, students, and doctors among HCPs.

Launaea fragilis (Asso) Pau (Family: Asteraceae) is a wild medicinal plant that has been used in the folklore as a potential treatment for numerous ailments such as skin diseases, diarrhea, infected wounds, inflammation, child fever and hepatic pain. This study explored the chemical constitution, in-vivo toxicity, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibition potential of ethanolic extract of L. fragilis (EELF). Additionally, in-silico docking studies of predominant compounds were performed against in-vitro tested enzymes. Similarly, in-silico ADMET properties of the compounds were performed to determine their pharmacokinetics, physicochemical properties, and toxicity profiles. The EELF was found rich in TFC (73.45 ± 0.25 mg QE/g) and TPC (109.02 ± 0.23 mg GAE/g). GC–MS profiling of EELF indicated the presence of a total of 47 compounds mainly fatty acids and essential oil. EELF showed no toxicity or growth retardation in chicks up to 300 mg/kg with no effect on the biochemistry and hematology of the chicks. EELF gave promising antioxidant activity through the CUPRAC method with an IC50 value of 13.14 ± 0.18 µg/ml. The highest inhibition activity against tyrosinase followed by acetylcholinesterase and α-Glucosidase was detected. Similarly, the antimicrobial study revealed the extract with good antibacterial and antiviral activity. A good docking score was observed in the in silico computational study of the predominant compounds. The findings revealed L. fragilis as a biocompatible, potent therapeutic alternative and suggest isolation and further in vivo pharmacological studies.

Globally, the occurrence of skin cancers has been increasing day by day due to unprotected skin and exposure to UV radiation. This research is focused toward the evaluation of the antioxidant potential of an OH-free flavanone derivative that was synthesized by using 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane–polyethylene glycol (DABCO-PEG) 400. Ionic liquid was prepared via the alkylation of DABCO using 1-pentyl bromide followed by mixing with PEG 400. The structure of the synthesized molecules was characterized through single-crystal XRD. The target flavanone, viz., 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)chroman-4-one, was subjected to free radical activity. In addition, in silico studies were carried out with proteins ribonucleotide reductase and tyrosinase and isobutyl containing flavanone, viz., 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)chroman-4-one. The flavanone 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)chroman-4-one showed significant inhibition at a concentration of 25 μg/ml compared to vitamin C, which was also supported by the molecular docking studies. The flavanones exhibit binding energies of −6.45 and −6.83 kcal/mol for ribonucleotide reductase and tyrosinase, respectively. The results were further validated by molecular dynamic simulations, which recommended that further investigation of this flavanone must be carried out before using it in potent drug discovery in the field of skin cancer.

The study of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) incompressible flow of a fluid having hybrid nanoparticles making the colloidal combination with base fluid is presented in this research. Comparative analysis is carried out for the nanofluids Al2O3/Kerosene and ZnO/Kerosene oil with the hybrid nanofluid Al2O3–ZnO/Kerosene oil. The subject flows are influenced with thermal radiation and viscous dissipation. A numerical technique Keller box is employed to examine the envision mathematical model. For computational procedure MATLAB software will be used. Tabulated and graphical outcomes of different effects are presented for the appraisal of velocity and temperature distributions. It is comprehend that the thermal radiation and viscous dissipation parameters possess up surging trends for the hybrid and nanofluid temperature profile but opposite trend has been observed for different volume fractions of nanoparticles.