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To address the harmful pollutants found in heavy metals and agricultural waste, researchers have worked on creating various materials that can capture these pollutants. They have experimented with altering the shape, size, structure, surface properties, and bioactive components of these materials. This study aims to improve the effectiveness of materials used for adsorption, focusing on the combination of cobalt spinal ferrite (CoFe2O4) and nanoporous carbon (NC) obtained from discarded palm kernel shells with the aim of Hg(ii) removal. The composite formed by the hydrothermal method was characterized thoroughly with morphological, structural, functional, pore sizes, thermal analysis, and magnetization analysis. Adsorption experiments were conducted under optimal conditions with a mass of 0.3 g, a concentration of 30 mg·L−1 of Hg(ii), and a pH of 3. The aim was to adsorb Hg(ii) ions from aqueous solutions. The analysis of kinetic studies using the Freundlich model revealed that it provided the most accurate fit for the adsorption isotherm. This model indicated a maximum Hg(ii) adsorption efficiency of 232.56 mg·g−1. Additionally, the thermodynamic measurements indicate that the adsorption is a spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic process. Likewise, we assessed how well the NC@CoFe2O4 nanocomposite could absorb Hg(ii) ions in actual condensate samples from the oil and gas industry. The results demonstrated a 93% recovery rate for Hg(ii) ions in wastewater. According to the findings, the NC@CoFe2O4 nanocomposite synthesized appears to be a strong contender for wastewater treatment and, at the same time, the prepared nanocomposite’s effectiveness, affordability, and non-toxic nature support the potential applications.

Objective: To determine the involvement and the modulatory effects of IL-33 during Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection. Methods: PbA infection in male ICR mice was utilized as a model of malaria. Systemically circulating IL-33 levels were determined in blood plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After 24 hours post-inoculation of PbA, recombinant IL-33 and ST2, and antibodies against IL-33 and IgG treatments were administered daily for 3 days. Tissue expression and localization of IL-33 were assessed in organs generally affected by malaria via immunohistochemistry. Moreover, histopathological examination was performed to assess the effects of the treatments. Results: The levels of systemic IL-33 were elevated at the critical phase of PbA infection. Likewise, immunohistochemical analysis revealed a significant upregulation of IL-33 expression at the critical phase in the brain, lungs, and spleen of PbA-infected mice as compared to healthy controls. Treatment with IL-33 protected against experimental cerebral malaria development and reduced pathological features in the brain and lungs of the PbA-infected mice. Conclusions: A potential critical role and involvement of IL-33 in PbA infection may hint at the resolution of immunopathological sequelae associated with malaria.

Mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties of banana fiber and sisal fiber-reinforced epoxy biocomposites were evaluated with and without cashew nut shell (CNS) filler, either separately, or as hybrid biocomposites. Bidirectional woven mats were used to make composites by compression molding. The CNS filler content was 5% to 10%. Adding CNS filler of up to 5% improved the mechanical and thermal properties. Further increases in filler content above the threshold value diminished their mechanical properties due to poor dispersion and increased porosity. The maximum tensile and flexural strength were found as 43 and 92 MPa. The highest impact strength was obtained with the hybrid biocomposites with 5% filler. This was attributed to the toughening effect of phenolic compounds in the CNS. In addition, the thermal stability of the biocomposites was influenced by filler content. The biocomposites exhibited varying water absorption capacities as the filler content increased with the water uptake. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the microsurface of the fractured samples and their interfacial bonding, fiber pull-out, and fracture. However, increasing filler content in the biocomposite reduced the filler pull-out and led to fiber breakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method for forming composite materials was investigated by incorporating activated carbon powder (ACP) as a reinforcing agent within a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix, utilizing the hand layup fabrication technique. The composite materials were synthesized by varying the weight percentages of the matrix and reinforcements, encompassing pure PLA as well as ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50. PLA is recognized for its biocompatibility and favorable thermomechanical properties, similar to conventional plastics. The incorporation of activated carbon powder, known for its remarkable aspect ratio, proved highly advantageous, yielding exceptional mechanical properties. Analysis revealed that the composite with a ratio of 90:10 wt% of carbon powder to PLA demonstrated significant improvements in tensile strength (26.8%), flexural strength (26.37%), impact strength (61.1%), compression strength (25%), and hardness (45.8%). Additionally, thermal analysis showed that the 90:10 wt% composite exhibited minimal weight loss and maximum heat flow sustainability at approximately 600 °C compared to other composite combinations. Morphological examination using field emission scanning electron microscopy unveiled a uniform distribution of activated carbon powder reinforcement within the matrix, actively contributing to the enhanced mechanical properties of the composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease. Information on comparative assessment of quality of life (QoL) among SCAs, particularly SCA 12, is scarce. We aimed to compare health-related QoL in SCA 1, 2 and 12. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among individuals with genetically-confirmed SCAs. Ataxia severity was assessed using Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS), independence in activities of daily living (ADL) using Katz index (Katz ADL) and depression using Beck's Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). QoL was assessed via Short Form Health Survey version 2.0 (SF-36). Results: We enrolled 89 individuals (SCA1 = 17, SCA2 = 43, SCA12 = 29; 56% males). Mean age at onset (41.0 ± 11.6 for SCA12 versus 24.9 + 7.0 for SCA1 and 28.8 ± 9.8 years for SCA2) was significantly higher among SCA12. SCA12 had lower BARS (mean score 4.1 ± 4.5 versus 10.6 ± 4.6 for SCA1 and 12.5 ± 4.5 for SCA2). SCA12 scored better on all SF-36 subdomains including Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. PCS score amongst SCA12 was 44.4 ± 9.0 versus 30.4 ± 9.1 for SCA1 and 33.3 ± 8.9 for SCA2. MCS score for SCA12 was 51.4 ± 11.4 versus 41.8 ± 11.5 for SCA1 and 41.8 ± 11.2 for SCA2. SCA12 had lower mean BDI scores (5.0 ± 6.0) versus SCA1 (9.5 ± 11.6) and SCA2 (10.9 ± 10.3). BARS and BDI emerged as significant predictors of most SF-36 subdomains. Conclusions: Our study suggests that despite older age and comparable disease duration, SCA12 patients experience better QoL, less severe depression and ataxia versus SCA1 and SCA2. Severity of ataxia and depression are significant predictors of QoL among the three SCA types.

Background: Lipid storage myopathies (LSM) constitute an important group of treatable myopathies. Genetic testing is essential for confirming the diagnosis and also helps in explaining phenotypic heterogeneity. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical features and genetic spectrum of LSM seen in a quaternary referral center in India. Methods: Eleven cases of suspected LSM underwent clinical, biochemical, histopathological and genetic evaluation. Tandem Mass Spectrometry and clinical exome sequencing with Sanger validation were performed. Results: All patients had exertion induced myalgia and either progressive or episodic limb girdle muscle weakness (LGMW). The age of onset ranged 10 to 31 years (mean- 21 ± 6.7y), age at presentation- 14 to 49 years (mean- 26.5 ± 9.5y). Mutations identified: ETFDH = 5, CPT2 = 3, FLAD1 = 1, ACADVL = 1, PNPLA2 = 1. Dropped head syndrome was seen in two patients with ETFDH mutations. Bulbar symptoms and Beevor's sign were noted in a patient with FLAD1 variant. Novel variants were identified in seven patients. Conclusions: This is the first report on the genetic spectrum of LSM from India. LSM should be considered in patients with exertion induced myalgias, LGMW, cranial nerve involvement or dropped head syndrome. Genetic testing is essential for identification of these treatable disorders.