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Abstract Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disorder that unequivocally results in the degeneration of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. This condition is caused by a mutation in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, which inevitably results in a deficiency of the SMN protein. In present study, we investigated the potential role of telomere attrition in SMA patients. Relative telomere length in peripheral blood lymphocytes was measured by Monochrome Multiplex Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (MMQPCR) in 98 subjects and we conclusively found that SMA cases exhibit telomere attrition compared to healthy controls (P = 4 × 10− 2). Moreover, significant attrition was also observed in severe form of SMA, i.e. SMA type 0 (P = 0.04) as well.Although, the exact mechanism through which telomere shortening contributes to the pathogenesis of SMA is not fully understood and is yet to be delineated. However, one possibility is that telomere shortening leads to genomic instability and DNA damage, which can contribute to motor neuron degeneration. Another possibility is that telomere shortening leads to cellular senescence, which can impair the ability of motor neurons to regenerate and repair themselves. Recent studies have suggested that telomere shortening may be a potential therapeutic target in SMA. Thus, understanding the role of SMN1 gene in disease pathogenesis & its effect on telomere length will aid in estimating the risk & prognosis of SMA in genetically less explored & highly inbred region of Kashmir, Northern India.

Introduction: Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease (AIIRD) are at an increased risk of developing infectious diseases. Vaccination is recommended for these patients by various societies as a preventive strategy. Despite this, the coverage of vaccination is exceedingly low, especially in developing countries. Aim: To estimate the coverage of pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations, as well as Vaccine Effectiveness (VE). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a duration of one year, from December 2021 to December 2022, in the Department of Internal Medicine and Allied Specialties at the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. All consenting AIIRD patients aged over 18 years were enrolled in the outpatient department of Internal Medicine and Allied Specialties at SKIMS, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. A history of seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations was obtained. The coverage of vaccination was determined, and patients were followed-up over a period of one year to assess VE. The Chi-square test was used for comparing categorical values, with a p-value of

The study aims to determine the influence of behavioural biases on financial risk propensity. It also attempts to examine the influence of financial risk propensity on investment decisions and the mediational role of financial risk propensity on the relationship between behavioural biases and investment decisions. A survey by questionnaire method is adopted to collect data from 203 respondents using the purposive sampling technique among the investors. The study has found that prospect, herding, and heuristics dimensions of behavioural bias have a significant impact on financial risk propensity, and in turn, financial risk propensity has a significant impact on investment decisions. The results of the study can help to develop more realistic investment valuation models in light of the revised risk-return expectations of investors who act contrary to the traditional concept of rational utility maximisers.

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) represents a pervasive global health concern, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Our findings reveal a notably high prevalence of ARI in Ladakh. Employing a cross-sectional design, the total number of households surveyed was 401, among them, the total population was 2107; males, 1153, and females, 954. The highest incidence rate of 160.26/1000 persons was observed in the age group below 14 years, followed by those above 59 years (47.76), while the age group of 14–59 exhibited the lowest incidence rate at 21.23. To explore the factors contributing to ARI in Ladakh, we employed binary logistic regression modeling. Our analysis highlights significant associations between ARI incidence and various socioeconomic and environmental determinants. Notably, primary occupation, family type, kitchen ventilation, domestic fuel consumption, crowding, and smoking behaviors within families were found to be statistically significant determinants of ARI among the sample population of Ladakh.

Over the last two decades, urban floods and their impacts have been on the rise worldwide, owing to both climatic changes and human activities. The present study examines different at-risk elements, such as residential, commercial, and critical facilities, to evaluate their multi-components of vulnerability to urban floods in Peshawar, Pakistan. Based on the impacts of urban floods, the weightage of each component of the vulnerability for the selected elements at risk is defined. This study presents and uses the modified Fisher's ideal quantity index to combine the different vulnerability components into a single value. Additionally, the Patnaik and Narayan vulnerability index is employed to generalize sector-wise vulnerabilities across the study area. The results show that the old physical infrastructure of commercial and manufacturing units in the Kohati Gate area is highly vulnerable to urban floods, while the residential units are the least susceptible due to their distanced location from the drainage system. In Hayatabad, encroachments along the torrent's sides, affecting housing and educational institutions, contributed to increased vulnerability to urban floods, despite their relatively lower physical vulnerability. The study provides a new platform for understanding the multi-components of vulnerability to urban floods and tackling the challenges posed by urban floods effectively.

Abstract Background Chromium (Cr) toxicity significantly threatens agricultural ecosystems worldwide, adversely affecting plant growth and development and reducing crop productivity. Trehalose, a non-reducing sugar has been identified as a mitigator of toxic effects induced by abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, and heavy metals. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of exogenously applied trehalose on maize plants exposed to Cr stress. Results Two maize varieties, FH-1046 and FH-1453, were subjected to two different Cr concentrations (0.3 mM, and 0.5 mM). The results revealed significant variations in growth and biochemical parameters for both maize varieties under Cr-induced stress conditions as compared to the control group. Foliar application of trehalose at a concentration of 30 mM was administered to both maize varieties, leading to a noteworthy reduction in the detrimental effects of Cr stress. Notably, the Cr (0.5 mM) stress more adversely affected the shoot length more than 0.3mM of Cr stress. Cr stress (0.5 mM) significantly reduced the shoot length by 12.4% in FH-1046 and 24.5% in FH-1453 while Trehalose increased shoot length by 30.19% and 4.75% in FH-1046 and FH-1453 respectively. Cr stress significantly constrained growth and biochemical processes, whereas trehalose notably improved plant growth by reducing Cr uptake and minimizing oxidative stress caused by Cr. This reduction in oxidative stress was evidenced by decreased production of proline, SOD, POD, MDA, H2O2, catalase, and APX. Trehalose also enhanced photosynthetic activities under Cr stress, as indicated by increased values of chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids. Furthermore, the ameliorative potential of trehalose was demonstrated by increased contents of proteins and carbohydrates and a decrease in Cr uptake. Conclusions The study demonstrates that trehalose application substantially improved growth and enhanced photosynthetic activities in both maize varieties. Trehalose (30 mM) significantly increased the plant biomass, reduced ROS production and enhanced resilience to Cr stress even at 0.5 mM.

Abstract Background Wild food plants (WFPs) play an important role in the traditional dietary habits of various indigenous communities worldwide, particularly in mountainous regions. To understand the dynamics of food preferences, cross-cultural studies on food plants should be conducted across diverse ethnic groups in a given area. In this context, the current study investigated the use of WFPs by seven different cultural groups in the Kashmir Himalayan Region. In this area, people gather wild plants and their parts for direct consumption, traditional foods, or sale in local markets. Despite this reliance, documentation of the food system, especially concerning WFPs, is notably lacking. Hence, our research aimed to document WFPs, along with associated traditional ecological knowledge, and identify major threats to their long-term sustainability in Division Muzaffarabad. Methods Through a comprehensive approach involving questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, and market surveys, we gathered data from 321 respondents. PCA was performed to analyze threats and plant use using “factoextra” in R software. Origin Pro was used to create a chord diagram, while R software was used to generate a Polar heat map. Additionally, a Venn diagram was created using Bioinformatics software. Results The study included 321 informants, of whom 75.38% were men and 24.61% were women. In total, 113 plant taxa from 74 genera and 41 botanical families were reported. Polygonaceae and Rosaceae accounted for the majority (17 species each), followed by Lamiaceae (7 species). Leaves were the most used part as food sources (41.04%), followed by fruits (33.33%). Most of the species are consumed as cooked (46.46%) and as raw snacks (37.80%). A total of 47 plant species were collected and cooked as wild vegetables, followed by 40 species used as fruits. This study is the first to describe the market potential and ecological distribution of WFPs in the study area. Cross-comparison showed that utilization of WFPs varies significantly across the region and communities, including their edible parts and mode of consumption. Jaccard index (JI) value ranged from 5.81 to 25. Furthermore, the current study describes 29 WFPs and 10 traditional food dishes that have rarely been documented in Pakistan's ethnobotanical literature. Climate change, invasive species, expansion of agriculture, and plant diseases are some of the most significant threats to WFPs in the study area. Conclusions The older age group has more knowledge about WFPs compared to the younger generation, who are not interested in learning about the utilization of WFPs. This lack of interest in information about WFPs among the younger generation can be attributed to their limited access to markets and availability of food plants in the study area. Traditional gathering of food plants has been reduced in younger generations during recent years; therefore, it is crucial to develop effective conservation strategies. These efforts not only safeguard indigenous flora, food knowledge, and cultural heritage, but they also contribute to food security and public health by utilizing local wild foods in the examined area.

In the present work, the Inconel 625 material is utilized for processing on a wire electrical discharge machine. The zinc-coated brass wire is used as a tool electrode. The Taguchi mixed orthogonal L27 experimental design is developed to perform the experiments. The parameter was induced on normal and cryogenic material such as pulse on time (Ton), pulse off time (Toff), discharge current (Ip), wire feed (Wf), and wire tension (WT). The characteristics responses i.e., material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (Ra), and overcut (OC) were analyzed. The genetic algorithm (GA) was applied for the evaluation and measuring of fact, which determined its performance, and predicted facts were considered for particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique multiple objective problems. After the comparison, the facts predicted were analyzed for the response, which revealed the surface integrity and accuracy on the machined surface. The solution implied that applied PSO gives highly significant results on optimal setting parameters of WEDM machining. The 0.419 μm surface roughness has been obtained by a cryogenic process as compared to normal (0.880 μm). The material removal rate for the cryogenic process was found to have decreased in PSO by 21.18 % and in GA by 2.78 % in comparison to the normal process. The obtained results give the utmost measure for the suitability of time reduction and cost-cutting in productivity rate.

This study investigated the effects of Selenium-enriched brown rice protein on oxidative stress in the mammalian erythrocytes. Selenium-enriched brown rice protein and native rice protein (control) were treated with mice erythrocytes at various cooking processes. The research explored the antioxidant activity of enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase CAT), and lipid peroxidase (LPO) as well as markers of oxidative damage such as malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, the investigation analyzed the expression of proteins, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a principal regulator of the antioxidant response, and Band3, a membrane protein crucial for erythrocyte function. The study also examined the influence of different types of cooking on the effectiveness of selenium-enriched brown rice protein and native rice protein (control). Cooking increased the protection against oxidative damage of red blood cells; high-pressure cooking demonstrated the highest efficacy, followed by microwave cooking and low-pressure cooking. In addition, the results indicated that this protection mechanism might be related to the regulation of antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expressions induced by Peroxiredoxins (PRP) protein, Band3, and Nrf2 genes, leading to decreased lipid peroxidation and oxidative product generation. This contributed to the preservation of RBC integrity and decreased the rate at which it was Hemolysis. Our findings suggest that the protective mechanism of PRP against oxidative damage in RBCs is associated with the regulation of PRP, Band3 protein, and Nrf2 gene expression. This regulation reduces lipid peroxidation, minimizes LPO and MDA production, and preserves cell integrity, ultimately decreasing the hemolysis rate under oxidative stress.

Most modern cities suffer from urban air pollution caused by human activity such as traffic and other sources. Various pollutants in the environment may pose a threat to the health of commuters. The objective of this study is to assess the indoor air quality (IAQ) in MRT purple line trains serving the north-western area of Bangkok in order to determine any potential impacts on human health. The monitored parameters include total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), formaldehyde (CH2O), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The indoor air pollutant concentrations in the MRT remained within the permissible thresholds. The results of the correlation analysis reveal that relative humidity (RH) and PM2.5 are positively correlated in both the wintertime and summertime measurement campaigns. In contrast, CO2 correlated with temperature in the wintertime and CO in the rainy season. Bacterial and fungal loads were estimated during various measurement campaigns in MRT. Fungi and bacterial loads were higher in the MRT trains during the wintertime and rainy season campaigns. The IAQ of MRT train in Bangkok is within the satisfactory and excellent category of air quality index (AQI). The inhaled doses of PM2.5, CO, and VOCs were also estimated to identify their health effects on commuters. The inhaled dose of PM2.5 was comparatively higher than other pollutants. In this study, a general perspective of the IAQ in the MRT system was provided. It is recommended to conduct more research studies on various MRT lines in Bangkok to further investigate the levels of bacteria, fungi, TVOCs, O3, and PM. Additionally, the ventilation mode in MRT needs to be investigated as it is the main factor affecting the IAQ.

ABSTRACTTuberculosis (TB), caused by the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), affects the lungs of infected individuals (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other sites (extrapulmonary TB). The only licensed vaccine Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) protects infants and young children but exhibits variable efficacy in protecting against adult pulmonary TB. Poor compliance and prolonged treatment regimens associated with the use of chemotherapy has contributed to the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Mtb. Thus, there is an urgent need for the design of more effective vaccines against TB. The development of safe and novel adjuvants for human use is critical. In this study, we demonstrate that saponin-based TQL1055 adjuvant when formulated with a TLR4 agonist (PHAD) and Mtb specific immunodominant antigens (ESAT-6 and Ag85B) and delivered intramuscularly in mice, the SA-TB vaccine induced potent lung immune responses. Additionally, the SA-TB vaccine conferred significant protection against Mtb infection, comparable with levels induced by BCG. These findings support the development of a SA-TB vaccine comprising TQL1055, as a novel, safe and effective TB vaccine for potential use in humans.

The development of environmental remedies using ecofriendly and green technologies is attracting increasing research attention. Herein, the green synthesis of molybdenum oxide (MoO3) nanoparticles (NPs) using extract of selected Asteraceous flora species is reported for the first time along with the investigation of the degradation ability for organic pollutants and pollen morphological characteristics of wetland species of the family Asteraceae. An X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation and crystalline structure of the MoO3 NPs. Fourier transform infrared spectra of Lactuca Serriola extract indicated the presence of capping agents, reducing agents, and phytochemicals. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the almost spherical shape of the MoO3 NPs. A qualitative and quantitative palynological investigation of 21 species belonging to 12 genera of the Asteraceae from different wetlands of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is also reported. The MoO3 NPs degraded 99% of crystal violet dye within 30 minutes with a degradation rate of 0.022 min−1. The cost-efficient and green synthesis method for MoO3 NPs with high catalytic activity provides a new platform for the development of photocatalysts.

Nanofluid flow over a rotating disk has several applications in engineering and industrial sectors, such as in cooling systems, heat exchangers, aerospace systems, and renewable energy systems. In the current analysis, the couple stress nanofluid flow over a rotating disk is reported. The nanofluid consists of ethylene glycol and titanium aluminum vanadium (Ti6Al4V) nanoparticles (NPs). The unique properties of Ti6Al4V-NPs, such as biocompatibility, high strength, high boiling point (1604–1660 °C), and high corrosion resistance, make them more suitable for automobile industries. For the heat and mass transfer, the Cattaneo–Christov concept is introduced. In addition, the fluid flow is subjected to magnetic field, Hall current, thermal radiation, and Joule heating. The modeled equations are restructured into the dimensionless system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by using the similarity approach. The system of ODEs is further numerically solved through a MATLAB package based on the finite difference method (BVP4c). The results are presented in figures. It has been observed that the energy and curves of the nanofluid decline with the influence of thermal and solutal time relaxation parameters, respectively.

As a low-income country, Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to various natural and human-induced disasters, which have significant consequences for both the environment and human life. A substantial share of the provincial budget is allocated to disaster response and recovery efforts. Prioritizing investment in disaster risk reduction (DRR) is essential to protect lives and assets. Although there is a complex relationship between investments made before and after disasters and their effectiveness in DRR, this dynamic remains insufficiently understood in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The current study was designed to analyze the developmental budgeting for DRR in the financial years 2000–2022 in KP province. The Sen’s Slope Estimator and modified Mann-Kendall tests were used to determine the significance trend, while the correlation coefficient test was used to find the correlation between investment in DRR and disaster-induced damages such as deaths, injuries and houses damaged. The study findings reveal that the occurrence of disasters influences post-disaster spending in the KP province, with a significant negative correlation between expenditure and disaster-related damages, implying that increased DRR investment has significantly reduced the consequences of disasters. To minimize vulnerability to future disasters, the province should integrate risk-sensitive planning across all sectoral departments at local, district, and provincial levels, guided by a risk-informed development approach. This proactive strategy would embed disaster resilience within developmental activities, ensuring that each sector aligns with principles of risk reduction and sustainable growth.

Despite the widely recognized positive nature of ethical leadership, recent studies have reported inconsistent findings in the link between ethical leadership and employees’ behavior. Drawing on the social cognitive theory, this study seeks to address this gap by investigating the paradoxical influence of ethical leadership on unethical pro-organizational behavior among employees. Additionally, the study aims to explore the mediating mechanism of employees’ psychological capital and the moderating effect of moral identity. Three time intervals data were collected from nursing professional from public and private hospitals in Pakistan. The data were evaluated employing PLS SEM. Interestingly, the findings contradict the hypothesis and demonstrate a positive link between ethical leadership and unethical pro-organizational behavior among employees. Moreover, the relationship is mediated by employees’ psychological capital. Furthermore, employees’ moral identity moderates this relationship. These findings furnish important insights into the paradoxical impact of ethical leadership within organizations and challenge its universal perception of positive leadership style having significant theoretical and practical implications.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder distinguished by impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors. Global estimates indicate that autism affects approximately 1.6% of children, with the condition progressively becoming more prevalent over time. Despite noteworthy progress in autism research, the condition remains untreatable. This serves as a driving force for scientists to explore new approaches to disease management. Autism is linked to elevated levels of oxidative stress and disturbances in the DNA repair mechanism, which may potentially play a role in its comorbidities development. The current investigation aimed to evaluate the beneficial effect of the naturally occurring flavonoid proanthocyanidins on the behavioral characteristics and repair efficacy of autistic BTBR mice. Moreover, the mechanisms responsible for these effects were clarified. The present findings indicate that repeated administration of proanthocyanidins effectively reduces altered behavior in BTBR animals without altering motor function. Proanthocyanidins decreased oxidative DNA strand breaks and accelerated the rate of DNA repair in autistic animals, as evaluated by the modified comet test. In addition, proanthocyanidins reduced the elevated oxidative stress and recovered the disrupted DNA repair mechanism in the autistic animals by decreasing the expressions of Gadd45a and Parp1 levels and enhancing the expressions of Ogg1, P53, and Xrcc1 genes. This indicates that proanthocyanidins have significant potential as a new therapeutic strategy for alleviating autistic features.

The present study deals with the unsteady Walter’s-B fluid with hybrid fractional derivative namely constant proportional Caputo type with singular kernel. In this paper, we find new analytical solutions of a well-known problem of the fluid dynamics known as Stokes’ first problem. Using dimensional variables governing equations convert into dimensionless form. To solve the model analytically, one uses the Laplace transform approach. Analytical and numerical evaluations of the inverse Laplace transform have been conducted. The influence of several embedded flow properties, including the magnetic parameter, Grashof number, dimensionless time, Prandtl number, Schmidt number, and fractional parameter is analyzed graphically. More specifically, compared to the classical model, the fractional model provides a wider range of integral curves and better represents the flow behavior. The temperature and velocity of the fluid decrease with increasing fractional parameters during short intervals of time, but exhibit the reverse pattern over longer durations. Skin friction, the Sherwood number, and the Nusselt number are numerical quantities linked to engineering that are statistically computed and provided in tabular form.

Abstract The present study was carried out to investigate the palynoflora of Murree formation using microscopic techniques to understand the climatic changes and vegetation’s evolution. In this palynological study, 31 samples were collected, analyzed, and then identified as palynomorphs using different previous published literature. The results of this study will be described in terms of the evolutionary history of plants and the depositional environment of the reported taxa in the study area. The botanical affinities and systematic description of the taxa were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The floral record identified Asteraceae as the dominant family and Pinus as a genus. Most of angiosperms i.e Fabaceae and Poaceae, have a poor fossil record but have an abundant palynological record in the study area. The highest polar diameter (75.75 μm), colpus length (34.5 μm) and colpus width (31 μm) were examined for the Convolvulus. Most of the taxa explained here had a wide geographical occurrence in Southeast Asia and show the abundance of angiosperms in the Miocene epoch. The palynological record of Holocene samples is important to know about the vegetation’s origin and environmental fluctuations in the study area.

This study explored the impact of three packaging materials (wooden boxes, corrugated fiber boxes, shrink-wrapped boxes) combined with two ethylene scrubbers (1-MCP, KMnO4) on the shelf life of Golden Delicious apples. While previous research has extensively studied the effects of packaging and ethylene inhibitors independently, the novelty of this work lies in its combined evaluation of these factors under ambient storage conditions over an extended period of 160 days. The study specifically addresses a research gap by directly comparing the efficacy of 1-MCP and KMnO4 within different packaging environments, offering insights into their combined influence on key quality parameters such as firmness, juice yield, rot incidence, physiological loss in weight (PLW), acidity, and total soluble solids (TSS). Findings revealed that 1-MCP-treated apples, particularly when shrink-wrapped, experienced minimal reductions in firmness and juice yield, with significantly lower rot incidence and physiological loss in weight (PLW) compared to KMnO4-treated and control apples. Additionally, while acidity and juice content naturally declined over time, and TSS initially increased before decreasing, 1-MCP-treated apples exhibited more stable quality attributes. The study also noted a slower decline in organoleptic quality with 1-MCP and shrink-wrap packaging. The research concludes that the combination of 1-MCP treatment and shrink-wrap packaging most effectively extends the shelf life of Golden Delicious apples, highlighting the importance of integrated approaches to post-harvest management. This study provides a novel framework for improving storage techniques, particularly for ambient conditions where shelf life extension is most challenging.

Soil amendment and foliar application of nanobiochar (NBC: a unique nanomaterial) may enhance soil fertility which ensures that nutrients are available to plants, and increase crop production because it is a suitable source of macro- and micronutrients. From this study, NBC induced modification in two wheat varieties (Akbar, Zincol) yield, growth, physio-biochemical and ionic profiles have been studied. The soil application of nanobiochar was applied in four concentrations [control (0 %), S1 (1 %), S3 (3 %), and S5 (5 %)] at the sowing stage while after 30 days of germination, the foliar application of same NBC concentrations with surfactant (0.1 % Tween-20) was applied in the pots. Each treatment has three replications and experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). Results indicated that growth attributes, physio-biochemical parameters and ion contents were significantly increased in both varieties than their respective controls with Akbar variety exhibiting better improvement in Akbar. However, the application of NBC increased the plant height, shoot–root dry biomass and shoot length at the S3F3 level (NBC in soil 5 % + NBC as foliar 3 %) while root length, plant and shoot fresh weight at the S5F5 level (NBC in soil 5 % + NBC as foliar 5 %) root fresh weight and plant dry weight S3F1 level (NBC in soil 3 % + NBC as foliar 1 %), leaf area at S3F3 level (NBC in soil 3 % + NBC as foliar 3 %), number of tillers at S1F5 level (NBC in soil 1 % + NBC as foliar 5 %). On the other hand, both methods of NBC applications significantly enhanced the photosynthetic pigments in both varieties but the Zincol variety showed the highest rate of pigments. Moreover, both applications of NBC significantly affect the primary metabolites (total soluble sugar, protein, and free amino acids), secondary metabolites (phenolic and flavonoid content), antioxidants (Catalase and peroxidase) and nitrogen metabolic enzyme (Nitrite and Nitrate) of both varieties with comparatively higher rate in the Akbar variety. In conclusion, these results showed that the combined applications of NBC as soil and foliar form could be used as a suitable source of fertilizer because of its beneficial effects and high nutritional content.

Global interest in developing a state-of-the-art circular economy has been driven by the desire to generate bioenergy and bioproducts from biowaste streams. Biodiesel, synthesized from used, non-edible oils has emerged as a sustainable and ecofriendly alternative fuel for diesel engines. This study investigates the feasibility of employing an innovative circular economy to convert waste Citrus paradisi L. seed oil into sustainable biodiesel using green lead oxide nanoparticles (PbONPs). The synthesized biodiesel is noted for its ecofriendly characteristics, being non-toxic, biodegradable, cost effective and comparable to traditional petroleum-based diesel. PbONPs were prepared using aqueous leaf extract of Nasturtium officinale L. Analytical characterization of PbONPs revealed an average particle size of 42 nm. PbONPs demonstrated recyclability with maximum catalytic activity maintained through four consecutive cycles of transesterification. An optimal yield of 93 % was achieved under specific reaction conditions: a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 7:1, a reaction time of 105 min, a temperature of 92.5 ˚C, and a catalyst load of 0.32 wt%. The predominant fatty acid methyl ester identified in the biodiesel was 5, 8-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester. The biodiesel produced from C. paradisi met the criteria for international standards with an impressively low sulfur content of 0.0001 %, underscoring its clean and benign nature.

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is one of the top infectious killers in the world. The only licensed vaccine against TB, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), provides variable protection against pulmonary TB, especially in adults. Hence, novel TB vaccine approaches are urgently needed. Both Th1 and Th17 responses are necessary for protection against TB, yet effective adjuvants and vaccine delivery systems for inducing robust Th1 and Th17 immunity are lacking. Herein we describe a synthetic Mincle agonist, UM-1098, and a silica nanoparticle delivery system that drives Th1/Th17 responses to Mtb antigens. Stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) with UM-1098 induced high levels of Th17 polarizing cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, IL-23 as well as IL-12p70, IL-4 and TNF-α in vitro. PBMCs from both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice responded with a similar cytokine pattern in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, intramuscular (I.M.) vaccination with UM-1098-adjuvanted TB antigen M72 resulted in significantly higher antigen-specific IFN-γ and IL-17A levels in C57BL/6 wt mice than Mincle KO mice. Vaccination of C57BL/6 wt mice with immunodominant Mtb antigens ESAT6/Ag85B or M72 resulted in predominantly Th1 and Th17 responses and induced antigen-specific serum antibodies. Notably, in a virulent Mtb challenge model, vaccination with UM-1098 adjuvanted ESAT6/Ag85B or M72 significantly reduced lung bacterial burden when compared with unvaccinated mice and protection occurred in the absence of pulmonary inflammation. These data demonstrate that the synthetic Mincle agonist UM-1098 induces strong Th1 and Th17 immunity after vaccination with Mtb antigens and provides protection against Mtb infection in mice.

The production of bioenergy and bioproducts from streams of biowaste has ignited interest in fostering a circular economy worldwide. This study investigates the potential of transforming Grewia asiatica L. waste seed oil into sustainable biodiesel using green-synthesized niobium oxide nanoparticle. Niobium oxide nanocatalyst was synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Fumaria indica L. Advanced characterization techniques were employed to confirm the pure and nano-scale nature of the synthesized niobium oxide nanocatalyst. The synthesized nanocatalyst exhibited an average particle size of 31 nm, resulting in efficient catalytic activity that persited through the fifth cycle of transesterification. An optimum biodiesel yield of 90% was achieved under reaction conditions of a methanol to oil molar ratio of 9:1, a reaction time of 180 min, a temperature of 60 °C and a catalyst load of 0.32 (wt. %). Results of Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of G. asiatica-derived biodiesel revealed 5, 8-Octadecadienoic acid methyl ester as the primary fatty acid methyl ester, with the highest concentration. The fuel properties of G. asiatica-derived biodiesel complied with international standards. The minimal sulphur content of 0.0001% highlights the clean, environmentally benign and cost-effective nature of biodiesel synthesized from G. asiatica waste seed oil. This study contributes to the renewable alternative effort toward transitioning from a linear economy to a circular bioeconomy.

In this paper, thin films of Copper Oxide (CuO) were deposited on glass substrates using the chemical spray pyrolysis method at different temperatures (300, 350 and 400)°C under a pressure of 2 bar. The deposition involved spraying the chemical solution at a rate of 10 sprays, periodic time 10s. The chemical spray pyrolysis system was assembled, prepared, and configured to produce the materials in the form of thin films for this study. The optical properties of these films were investigated by measuring the absorbance and reflectance spectra for wavelengths ranging from )190-1100( nm using a UV-VIS Double Beam Spectrometer. The results indicated that the absorbance varied with wavelength, exhibiting an inverse behavior to transmittance. It started with the highest value at a wavelength of 328 nm, and the absorption spectrum exhibited a systematic decay with increasing wavelength until reaching the lowest value at 910 nm. It was observed that the absorbance spectrum remained constant within the range of 910 to 700 nm. The highest absorbance value was recorded at a temperature of 300°C, while the lowest was at 400°C. This trend was also observed in the optical reflectance. The forbidden energy gap for allowed direct transitions was calculated, and the results showed values ranging from (2.68 to 2.59) eV, decreasing with increasing temperatures. Some optical constants of the prepared films were also calculated, indicating a decrease in the absorption coefficient, extinction coefficient, and refractive index with increasing temperatures on the glass substrates used for deposition.

The aim of this study was to study the effects of tepy2 diabetes (T2DM) and treatment cortisone on the foot bones. A total of 123 Iraqi men and women participated in the study (18 males and 105 females), with type 2 diabetes receiving cortisone therapy. Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) was used to evaluate osteoporosis, speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and calcaneus bone quality index (BQI). A dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to determine abdominal fat percentage. The results indicate that the correlation between T-score and heel bone mineral density (BMD) for cortisone, as well as Z-score and heel BMD, is a linear relationship that has statistical significance P-value

Abstract Background The rate of germination and other physiological characteristics of seeds that are germinating are impacted by deep sowing. Based on the results of earlier studies, conclusions were drawn that deep sowing altered the physio-biochemical and agronomic characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Results In this study, seeds of wheat were sown at 2 (control) and 6 cm depth and the impact of exogenously applied salicylic acid and tocopherol (Vitamin-E) on its physio-biochemical and agronomic features was assessed. As a result, seeds grown at 2 cm depth witnessed an increase in mean germination time, germination percentage, germination rate index, germination energy, and seed vigor index. In contrast, 6 cm deep sowing resulted in negatively affecting all the aforementioned agronomic characteristics. In addition, deep planting led to a rise in MDA, glutathione reductase, and antioxidants enzymes including APX, POD, and SOD concentration. Moreover, the concentration of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, proline, protein, sugar, hydrogen peroxide, and agronomic attributes was boosted significantly with exogenously applied salicylic acid and tocopherol under deep sowing stress. Conclusions The results of the study showed that the depth of seed sowing has an impact on agronomic and physio-biochemical characteristics and that the negative effects of deep sowing stress can be reduced by applying salicylic acid and tocopherol to the leaves.

This study investigates the enhancement of mechanical and tribological behavior in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composites reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) as a solid lubricant filler for advanced biomedical applications, particularly dental implants. PMMA/GO composites were prepared with varying weight percentages of GO (0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 wt. %) to assess their impact on material performance. A noteworthy improvement in both tensile strength and Young’s modulus was detected, reaching up to 141% and 10.6%, respectively, at optimized GO loadings of 1%. Microstructural analysis utilizing scanning electron microscopy for the worn surface revealed enhanced dispersion and interfacial adhesion between GO and the PMMA matrix, reinforcing mechanical coherence. Tribological properties also demonstrated enhancement, with PMMA composites containing 1 wt. % GO exhibiting optimal mechanical and tribological characteristics compared to lower weight fractions. Moreover, microscopic examination revealed a shift in the wear mechanism of the PMMA-GO composite, which was attributed to the lower friction coefficient obtained by GO integration.

Spatial cluster analyses of health events are useful for enabling targeted interventions. Spatial scan statistic is the stateof- the-art method for this kind of analysis and the Poisson Generalized Linear Model (GLM) approach to the spatial scan statistic can be used for count data for spatial cluster detection with covariate adjustment. However, its use for modelling is limited due to data over-dispersion. A Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) has recently been proposed for modelling this kind of over-dispersion by incorporating random effects to model area-specific intrinsic variation not explained by other covariates in the model. However, these random effects may exhibit a geographical correlation, which may lead to a potential spatial cluster being undetected. To handle the over-dispersion in the count data, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of a negative binomial- GLM in spatial scan statistic on real-world data of low birth weights in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, 2019. The results were compared with the Poisson-GLM and GLMM, showing that the negative binomial-GLM is an ideal choice for spatial scan statistic in the presence of over-dispersed data. With a covariate (maternal anaemia) adjustment, the negative binomial-GLMbased spatial scan statistic detected one significant cluster covering Dir lower district. Without the covariate adjustment, it detected two clusters, each covering one district. The district of Peshawar was seen as the most likely cluster and Battagram as the secondary cluster. However, none of the clusters were detected by GLMM spatial scan statistic, which might be due to the spatial correlation of the random effects in GLMM.

The species of the subfamily Polygonoideae is an essential component of temperate forests as well as the flora of the western Himalayan region. The aim of this research was to explore the taxonomic diversity, distribution patterns, and associated flora of Polygonoideae in relation to edaphic factors in various ecological zones in the Muzaffarabad division of the Kashmir Western Himalayan Region. We applied a random sampling approach for data collection from 10 different sites with a cumulative 780 quadrats to record the diversity of wild Polygonoideae species across the Muzaffarabad division between 2021 and 2022. This study revealed 279 plant species from 192 genera and 75 families associated with Polygonoideae, with the dominant families being Asteraceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae, and Rosaceae. Herbs were predominant in the investigated area, with a proportion of 72.40 %, followed by shrubs (9.68 %) and pteridophytes (8.24 %). The flora was dominated by therophytes (37.35 %), whereas nanophylls (37.28 %) were the most dominant leaf form. Persicaria, Rumex, and Polygonum genera were observed and collected from various ecological zones, while Bistorta, Fagopyrum, Oxyria, and Rheum were only collected from a single zone, representing a restricted niche. A total of 28 taxa from 8 genera were studied in the investigative subfamily Polygonoideae, with the majority being therophytes (57.14 %), followed by hemicryptophytes (28.57 %), and leaf form dominated by microphylls (50 %) and nanophylls (17.85 %). The average values for Shannon and Simpson's diversity for the reported plant communities were 0.96 and 3.53, respectively, whereas species richness averaged 2.43 and species evenness 0.92. The vegetation exhibited a relatively lower (

Background/Aim: Acute Diarrhoeal disease (ADD) has a significant impact on public health and is the most common cause of mortality and morbidity. The present study attempts to study the spatiotemporal distribution of incidences of ADD and also tries to identify the geographical risk factors by associating socioeconomic and environmental factors with the prevalence of ADD. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted micro-level analysis in 24 randomly chosen villages, representing 5 % of Ladakh's medical blocks, to gather household data on diarrhoeal diseases, encompassing demographic, socio-economic, and residential environmental factors. Our dataset combines primary and secondary data. We utilized binary logistic regression to evaluate associations between these factors and diarrhoeal disease prevalence. Results: Spatio-temporal analysis in Ladakh's medical blocks revealed significant variations in diarrhoeal disease incidence, with Leh district showing higher rates compared to Kargil. The under-14 age group exhibited the highest ADD incidence (163.46 per 1000 persons), followed by the over-59 age group (43.73) and the 14–59 age group (8.90), with an overall prevalence rate of 38.91 per 1000 population. Factors such as education levels, household income, sewage drainage facilities, residential environment, and drinking water sources showed statistically significant associations with diarrhoea prevalence among surveyed households of Ladakh. Conclusions: This research highlights the importance of addressing environmental and socio-economic determinants to mitigate the burden of diarrhoeal diseases in Ladakh. Effective interventions targeting improved sanitation, access to clean water, and socio-economic development are crucial for reducing diarrhoeal disease prevalence in the region.

Problem: Chromium (Cr) contamination in agricultural soils poses a significant threat to maize productivity and food security, necessitating the development of innovative strategies to enhance Cr tolerance and mitigate its toxic effects on plant growth and development. Objective: The aims of current study are the green synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) using Jasminum officinale L. plant extract and their application to alleviate chromium stress in maize plants. Methods: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and elemental mapping methods were used to characterize the synthesized CeO2 NPs. The cerium oxide NPs (0, 25, 75 and 100 mg/L) treatment levels applied through foliar and seed priming to check growth, physiological responses and metal uptake by maize plants and a fully random design was used to set up a factorial experiment. Results: The findings showed that foliar application of 100 mg/L CeO2 NPs resulted in an improvement in the plant height (43 %), shoot fresh plant (41 %) and root fresh weight (84 %), and total chlorophyll concentrations (67 %) in maize plants as compared to seed priming (as 25, 32, 40 and 43 % respectively). It also effectively enhanced antioxidant enzymes including super oxide dismutase (75 %) and peroxidase (79 %). In maize plants, by foliar application over the control, CeO2 NPs reduce electrolyte leakage (53 %), malondialdehyde contents (32 %), and chromium content in roots (70 %) under chromium stress. Conclusion: Therefore, these results suggested that increase in the concentration of CeO2 NPs more efficiently 100 mg/L has high ability against chromium stress and act as a promising solution to reduce metal concentration, enhance maize growth and promote sustainable agriculture. Significance: This study’s implications for future research on CeO2 NPs include elucidating their mechanisms in plant stress tolerance, exploring interactive effects with heavy metals, and expanding their use in plant stress management. Furthermore, this finding develops a novel strategy for improving maize cultivation in Cr-contaminated soils, contributing to sustainable agriculture and food security.

Background: Food crop consumption is one of the primary routes through which the environment is polluted with radionuclides, metals, and metalloids. In recent years, the negative impacts of metals, metalloids, and radionuclides on crop quality via the food-human system have jeopardized both human health and food security. Because some metals, metalloids, and radionuclides are persistent and non-biodegradable, they build up in the human body's essential organs, causing a variety of serious health issues, including cancer. It is therefore absolutely essential to evaluate the potential cancer risks of radionuclides as well as metals and metalloids in the food crops consumed in the study area to avoid negative health consequences. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the potential cancer risks of metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cr, and Pb) and Radionuclides (U-238, Th-232, and K-40) via consumption of food crops cultivated around the Riruwai mining area, northeastern Nigeria. Methodology: Thirty-three (33) food crops (15 vegetables and 18 cereal crops) were collected directly from the farmlands in the study area. The concentrations of radionuclides, metals, and metalloid in each food crop were assessed using a microwave-plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) and a high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer, respectively. The measured concentrations of radionuclides, metals, and metalloid were used to calculate their lifetime cancer risks (LTCRs). Results: The findings of the study revealed that the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, and Pb in all the investigated food crops were above the threshold limits, while lower activity concentrations in all the investigated food crops below the world average standard were observed in U-238, Th-232, and K-40. LTCRs of all the individual metal and metalloid as well as radionuclide in each food crop were determined to be below the global threshold limits, indicating no likelihood of cancer risk from consuming the food crops. However, it was discovered that the total cumulative LTCRs of all the metals and metalloid in all food crops combined were 2.51E-04, which was over twofold the acceptable limit of 1.00E-04 Conclusion: The individual metal, metalloid, and radionuclide LTCRs in each food crop were found to be below global threshold limits, indicating no cancer risk from consumption. However, the cumulative LTCRs of all the metals and metalloid in all food crops were found to exceed the acceptable level, which requires proper monitoring and government intervention. Cancer risk is influenced by factors beyond food consumption, such as alcohol consumption, heredity, and air pollution, so multidimensional studies are needed before making a final decision on cancer risks in the study area.

A retrospective study of poisoning cases admitted in ICU [Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care GMC Srinagar] from Jan 2006 to May 2014 was conducted to evaluate the socio demographic variables and type of poison consumed in these cases. Organophosphorous poisoning cases were predominant, amounting to 394 cases. Maximum cases (281) were in the age group of 18 to 35 years. Female predominance was seen in the study population. It was observed that unmarried people (294) had high incidence of poisoning as compared to married people (150). Most of the cases admitted in ICU were from south zone (204) which had a population of 2,328,950 as compared to central (129) and north (111) zones of Kashmir that had a population of 1,250,173 and 2,573,169 respectively.

Palatoglossal bands are one of the very rare congenital anomalies with very few documented cases worldwide. They can present with feeding difficulties or respiratory distress which requires immediate surgical intervention. The management of such patient is a challenge to any anaesthesiologist because of inability to perform conventional laryngoscopy, associated cardiac or digital anomalies and non-availability of pediatric flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope. We will discuss here the management of an infant who presented at one year of age with cough, recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, poor weight gain and feeding difficulties.

Small-scale Darrieus wind turbines have a wide scope in areas that are isolated from the power grid for such small-scale household applications. Applications of wind turbines on house roofs are one potential way to generate electricity from wind energy harvesting in low-wind urban locations. This work studies the aerodynamic behavior of a vertical axis wind turbine based on a MATLAB programming mathematical model. The NACA0021 airfoil profile blade was used in this present research investigation. The turbine was fabricated with dimensions such as chord length, c = 95 mm, blade height, h = 600 mm, and turbine diameter, D = 600 mm. The experimental results of the turbine for air velocity from 1 to 12 ms−1 were used in this paper and compared with analytical results. It has been observed that the fixed-pitch turbine does not start by itself at a low air velocity of 1 to 5 m/s due to a minimum and negative torque.

ObjectiveThe Outcomes – Short and Long term in ICU patient with COVID-19 “OUTSTRIP COVID-19” study was initiated to assess overall mortality, physical and psychiatric co-morbidities, reduction in lung function, and the ability to return to work post-ICU discharge with a follow-up period of 2 years in COVID-19 patients admitted to ICUs in Qatar. This paper focuses on the prevalence of cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and stress at baseline and 3 months after ICU discharge.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included 100 ICU survivors reviewed at baseline within 7 weeks of ICU discharge, with a 3-month follow-up. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and relevant medical history were collected at baseline. Cognitive outcomes were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B) tool, while psychological outcomes were evaluated using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21).ResultsAt baseline, 72% of ICU survivors exhibited mild cognitive impairment, which significantly improved to 56% at 3 months. However, severe cognitive impairment persisted in 20% of survivors at 3 months.For psychological outcomes, the mean depression score remained below 9 (5.64 ± 6.90) at both time points, with no significant change. At baseline, 25% of survivors had clinical depression, which reduced to 16% at 3 months.The mean anxiety score at baseline (9.35 ± 8.50) significantly decreased to 6.51 ± 7.74 (p = 0.002) at 3 months. Anxiety was not reported by 48% of survivors at baseline and this increased to 66% at 3 months. Severe to extremely severe anxiety decreased from 19% to 12% during the same period.The mean stress score at baseline (8.34 ± 8.07) did not significantly change at 3 months. At baseline, 18% experienced stress, which decreased to 12% at 3 months, with 5.3% facing severe to extremely severe stress.ConclusionCOVID-19 ICU survivors experience significant cognitive impairment, anxiety, and stress. While cognitive impairment and anxiety showed improvements at 3 months, depression and stress remained unchanged. These outcomes strongly emphasize the requirement for thorough post-ICU care and comprehensive mental health assistance for individuals recovering from COVID-19. Customized interventions and additional research endeavors are crucial to effectively manage the cognitive and psychological consequences faced by these patients. The exploration of telemonitoring and innovative approaches can offer avenues to enhance the overall quality of life for survivors. Further investigation should encompass extended timeframes to analyze prolonged effects and consider the broader socioeconomic impact.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known for their large surface area, which enhances their energy and antimicrobial activity. This study focused on producing silver nanoparticles using leaves from the Beta maritima (vulgaris) plant. Various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) to characterize the synthesized AgNPs. The biologically synthesized AgNPs were then evaluated for their antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) and antioxidant properties using different agents such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2 azobis, 3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), and phosphomolybdate. The results showed that the AgNPs exhibited strong antifungal activity, particularly against fluconazole-resistant strains of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, with a 61 % inhibition rate. Moreover, the AgNPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against various strains. At a concentration of 40 µg/mL, they exhibited 26 % inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, 22 % against Micrococcus luteus, 18 % against E. coli, and 24 % against Klebsiella pneumonia, outperforming clarithromycin antibiotics. SEM analysis revealed spherical AgNPs, sized using nano measurer 1.2, EDX showed the presence of silver having composition at 80.38 %, and XRD confirmed a face-centered cubic crystalline structure. In addition to their characterization, the AgNPs also displayed strong antioxidant activity. At the same concentration, they showed percentages of 80.78 % (DPPH), 85.38 % (H2O2), 81.78 % (ABTS), and 80.66 % (phosphomolybdate), surpassing the antioxidant activity of the plant leaf extract alone. The synthesis of AgNPs using the extract of the Beta maritima (vulgaris) plant offers several advantages compared to other methods, including ease of handling, cost-effectiveness, wide availability, and eco-friendliness.

Purpose – The current study is aimed at identifying the prominent influencers that affect the response behaviour of patients in a hospital environment. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on the data collected through the participant observation method while interviewing patients about the quality of healthcare services in nine community health centres of the Kashmir division. Thematic analysis was performed on the information collected from patients admitted to various hospital sections. Findings – The analysis of the qualitative data revealed that the presence of hospital staff near respondents, perceived risk of maltreatment, social desirability, the sensitivity of the topic, risk of information sharing and attitude towards surveys are the most frequently observed factors that modulate the patient's tendency to truthfully report critical facts about the problem understudy. Originality/value – These results can help researchers to exercise caution while communicating with respondents and collecting data related to serious issues in a natural setting.

Background: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in developed countries. The overall prognosis is excellent, as most cases are diagnosed at an early stage with low-grade histology, but once the recurrence occurs, the median survival decreases severely. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with recurrence in early-stage EC and explore their impact on overall survival (OS) after recurrence. Materials and Methods: Records from patients diagnosed with EC were retrospectively reviewed. 220 patients were identified as early-stage, low-risk EC who underwent primary surgical treatment between January 2010 and December 2022, and their baseline characteristics were analyzed. Cox regression analysis was used to identify various factors for tumor recurrence. Survival analysis was done using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: In a cohort of 220 patients, we observed tumor recurrence in 44 (20%) patients and 34 (15.45%) deaths over a median follow-up of 72 months (range, 12–144 months). Multivariate analysis confirmed two risk factors: myometrial invasion (MMI) of any depth and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) as independent predictors of recurrence. The prognosis was worse for patients with recurrence than for those without. The OS for the recurrent group was 38.6%, compared to 96.0% in the non-recurrent group. In our study, the median time to recurrence was 19 months (confidence interval 18–30) months. Conclusion: The presence of MMI and LVI are important predictors for recurrence in early-stage low-risk EC.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: We aimed to characterize the vanE cluster and its genetic support in the first Norwegian vanE-type isolates and assess genetic relatedness to other vanE isolates. Methods: Two vanE-type vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis (vanE-VREfs) isolates (E1 and E2) recovered from the same patient 30 months apart were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility, genome sequence, vancomycin resistance induction, vanE transferability, genome mutation rate, and phylogenetic relationship to E. faecalis closed genomes and two vanE-VREfs from North America. Results: The ST34 E1 and E2 strains expressed low-level vancomycin resistance and susceptibility to teicoplanin. Their vanE gene clusters were part of a non-transferable Tn6202. The histidine kinase part of vanSE was expressed although a premature stop codon (E1) and insertion of a transposase (E2) truncated their vanSE gene. The vancomycin resistance phenotype in E1 was inducible while constitutive in E2. E1 showed a 125-fold higher mutation rate than E2. Variant calling showed 60 variants but nearly identical chromosomal gene content and synteny between the isolates. Their genomes also showed high similarity to another ST34 vanE-VREfs from Canada. Conclusion: In-depth genomic analyses of the first two vanE-VREfs found in Europe identified a single chromosomal insertion site of two variants of vanE-conferring Tn6202. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and core genome multilocus sequence type (cgMLST) analyses show the genomes are different. This can be explained by the high mutation rate of E1 and acquisition of different mobile genetic elements; thus, we believe the two isolates from the same patient are genetically related. Genome similarities also suggest relatedness between the Canadian and Norwegian vanE-VREfs.

Cloud computing (CC) is a popular distributed computing technology that is virtualized, scalable, and provides resources and services on demand through subscription-based models. Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) deliver these services, primarily catering to a vast range of business and scientific applications. CC is used to evaluate large-scale scientific applications, often implemented as scientific workflows (SWs). This paper highlights the wide range of applications using CC, including image processing, data mining, and healthcare systems, all of which require efficient and accessible cloud services. These applications often have strict deadlines and consume significant energy, emphasizing the need for low-energy resource utilization. The paper proposes a Replication-based Resource Provisioning and Constrained-aware Task Scheduling (R2PCT) Framework for Cloud Workflows to address these challenges. The framework aims to manage resources efficiently in a multilevel environment and schedule tasks using replication-based fault-tolerant techniques while considering deadline and budget constraints. To evaluate its effectiveness, simulations were conducted on WorkflowSim for Montage and CyberShake workflows. The proposed R2PCT strategy performs better than the existing state-of-the-art strategy, reducing execution time by an average of 52%, minimizing execution cost by 34%, and decreasing energy consumption by 35% compared to the existing R-DEAR strategy for Montage SWs. For CyberShake workflows, the proposed R2PCT strategy performs better than existing methods, reducing execution time by an average of 59%, minimizing execution cost by 38%, and decreasing energy consumption by 60% compared to the existing R-DEAR strategy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to study the treatment outcome and survival of squamous cell carcinoma anal canal using concurrent chemoradiotherapy in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study performed in our hospital, in which all necessary clinical and epidemiological details of the 38 cases diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma anal canal from January 2015 to December 2021 were analyzed. Results: Most patients were male in gender, 22 (57.90%) and 16 (42.10%) were females, with a male: female ratio of (1.37:1). All patients received concurrent chemoradiation as the definitive treatment. The mean 5-year survivals were (48 months). Five years of overall survival was 68% and for clinical stage I, II, and III was 100%, 64%, and 37%, respectively. Conclusion: The standard of care for stage I to III anal squamous cell carcinoma is concurrent chemoradiotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C with excellent response rates.

Abstract Most microfluidic separation techniques rely largely on object size as a separation marker. The ability to separate micro-objects based on their shape is crucial in various biomedical and chemical assays. Here, we develop an on-demand, label-free acoustofluidic method to separate prolate ellipsoids from spherical microparticles based on traveling surface acoustic wave-induced acoustic radiation force and torque. The freely rotating non-spherical micro-objects were aligned under the progressive acoustic field by the counterrotating radiation torque, and the major axis of the prolate ellipsoids was parallel to the progressive wave propagation. The specific alignment of the ellipsoidal particles resulted in a reduction in the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the wave propagation. As a consequence, the acoustic backscattering decreased, resulting in a decreased magnitude of the radiation force. Through the variation in radiation force, which depended on the micro-object morphology enabled the acoustofluidic shape-based separation. We conducted numerical simulations for the wave scattering of spherical and prolate objects to elucidate the working mechanism underlying the proposed method. A series of experiments with polystyrene microspheres, prolate ellipsoids, and peanut-shaped microparticles were performed for validation. Through quantitative analysis of the separation efficiency, we confirmed the high purity and high recovery rate of the proposed acoustofluidic shape-based separation of micro-objects. As a bioparticle, we utilize Thalassiosira eccentrica to perform shape-based separation, as the species has a variety of potential applications in drug delivery, biosensing, nanofabrication, bioencapsulation and immunoisolation.

This study focuses on measuring the levels of naturally occurring radioactivity in the soil of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, as well as the associated health hazard. Thirty (30) soil samples were collected from various locations and analyzed for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radioactivity levels using a High Purity Germanium detector (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer with a photo-peak efficiency of approximately 52.3%. The average values obtained for these radionuclides are 35.6 ± 5.7 Bqkg−1, 47 ± 12.5 Bqkg−1, and 877 ± 153 Bqkg−1, respectively. The level of 232Th is slightly higher and 40K is 2.2 times higher than the internationally recommended limit of 30 Bqkg−1 and 400 Bqkg−1, respectively. Various parameters were calculated based on the results obtained, including Radium Equivalent (Raeq), External Hazard (Hex), Absorbed Dose Rate (D), Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGDE), Annual Effective Dose Rate, and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), which are 170.3 ± 24 Bqkg−1, 0.46 ± 0.06 Bqkg−1, 81.4 ± 2.04 nGy h−1, 582 ± 78.08 μSvy−1, 99.8 ± 13.5 μSv Gy−1, and 0.349 ± 0.04, respectively. These values are below the limits recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in 2002. This study highlights the potential radiation threats associated with natural radioactivity levels in the soil of Swabi and provides valuable information for public health and safety.

Biochar (BC) serves a vital function in sequestering carbon, improving nutrient cycles, and boosting overall soil quality. This research explored the enhancement of the chemical and physical properties of soil (alkaline) using nitrogen and biochar (from organic and inorganic sources) in a semi-arid climate during the autumn seasons of 2015–2016 and 2016–2017. The study involved applying biochar at various rates (0, 10, 20, and 30 t ha⁻1) and nitrogen at different levels (0, 90, 120, and 150 kg ha⁻1) using urea, poultry manure (PM), and farmyard manure (FYM) as nitrogen sources, which were applied to the field in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement. The application of biochar at the highest rate (30 t ha⁻1) resulted in a significant increase of over 120% in soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil moisture content (SMC). Additionally, it increased total soil nitrogen (STN) by 14.16% and mineral nitrogen (SMN) by 9.09%. In contrast, applying biochar at this rate reduced soil bulk density (SBD), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) by 28.52%, 3.38%, and 2.27%, respectively, compared to the control. Similarly, applying nitrogen at 150 kg ha⁻1 using FYM significantly improved SOC, SOM, SMC, and SBD. At the same rate, using PM as a nitrogen source enhanced STN and SMN while reducing soil pH and EC. In conclusion, this study shows that applying biochar at 30 t ha⁻1 combined with nitrogen at 150 kg ha⁻1, sourced from either PM or FYM, offers great potential for improving soil fertility and promoting carbon sequestration in alkaline soils of semi-arid regions. These findings highlight the value of integrating BC and organic N sources for enhancing agroecosystem sustainability. Thus, this study provides a promising pathway to enhance soil quality, improve crop productivity, and support sustainable agricultural practices in challenging environments.

The possible treatment of cancer with nanoparticles (NPs) would be carried out via inoculation into the veins; as a result, the NPs would come into contact with white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) prior to reaching the target cancerous cells. In the current study, the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity potential of silver NPs (AgNPs) against human blood lymphocytes and baby hamster kidney-21 (BHK-21) cells was tested using comet and 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, respectively. First, AgNPs were created using a Heliotropium eichwaldi L. (HE) extract. These AgNPs were then confirmed by ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, which yielded a sharp peak at 416 nm with a maximum absorbance of 1.92. Moreover, an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystalline nature and particle size (19.79 nm) of AgNPs, whereas scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed their irregular morphology and size of 30 nm. In turn, an EDX analysis indicated that AgNPs had an appreciable composition of Ag ions (30.68%). According to the comet assay, the HE-AgNPs, and standard H2O2 caused highly significant damage to DNA compared with HE extract. The comet assay was reported in terms of the total comet score (TCS). In the case of the MTT assay, a dose-dependent cytotoxicity was noted, in which doxorubicin, and AgNPs were more potent against BHK-21 cells compared with a plant extract. From these results, it is evident that the green-synthesized AgNPs interacted with blood lymphocytes and BHK-21 cells, caused damage to DNA via oxidative stress, and finally triggered cell death (apoptosis). However, further studies aimed at reducing their potential threats are recommended.

Palynology, a prominent field in plant systematics and biodiversity studies, plays a vital role in identifying and determining the plant species present in a specific region. The current study was performed to evaluate the micromorphological traits of pollen from flora of Lesser Himalaya. Pollen microstructural variations aid in the identification of species belonging to specific botanical families and various geographic habitats. Flowers of 24 selected species categorized into 16 families were collected, preserved and then acetolysis protocol followed. Pollen was examined under a light and scanning microscopy (LM and SEM) for palynomorph description. The palynomorphs characteristics such as size, shape, exine surface, and aperture orientation, were examined. Status of these plants show that herbs are being dominant (11 species), while shrubs (7 species), climbers (3 species), bulbous plants (2 species), small tree, sedge, weed (1 species each). Pollen shape determined in equatorial view were; spheroidal, sub-prolate, oblate-spheroidal, prolate, spherical and sub-oblate. The variations were seen among pollen types; tricolpate, tricolporate and polyporate in most of the species. Exine stratification was observed mostly scabrate while echinate, cristate-reticulate, granulate, punctate, rugulate-perforate, striate-rugulate, verrucate, cristate-foveolate was visualized in each different species. Palynomorph apertural patterns were observed sunken, furrowed, slightly bulged, scabrate, granulate, slit like, and perforate. The largest polar diameter was measured in Hymenocallis littoralis (138.6 µm) whereas smallest in Parthenium hysterophorus (14.70 µm). Equatorial distance was calculated maximum for Cascabela thevetia (110.1 µm) and minimum for Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (1.7 µm). P/E ratio was calculated largest in Hymenocallis littoralis (1.8) and lowest in Duranta erecta (0.89). The palynomorphs taxonomic characters investigated can be helpful in species level identification and provide a baseline to conduct more systematic research with respect to specific plant families and genera.

The Resource-Based View (RBV) philosophy examines the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental Performance (EP). This paper addresses the lack of scholarly attention to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in managing Environmental Performance (EP) in Indian industrial enterprises. A cross-sectional study using structured questionnaires was conducted on 500 participants from 10 prominent Delhi industrial organisations. This research found significant results among the variables using Partial Least Squares (PLS) software for the analysis of quantitative data collected from the respondents. The findings show that corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a significant impact on environmental performance (Beta, T value, P values (0.174, 3.638, 0.000 for CSR and EP) and that green innovation (GI), green capacity (GC), environmental strategy (ES), and green transformational leadership (GTL) mediates the relationship. This study helps industry leaders and stakeholders enhance Environmental Performance and decision-makers to establish internal plans for long-term profitability and informed industrial governance.

This study underscores the effectiveness of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) when compared to conventional regression analysis (CRA) in the investigation of complex human systems. Utilizing historical secondary cross-national data from Lipset & Man (1960) spanning 18 countries, where CRA may be impractical, the research emphasizes the superior performance of QCA, specifically utilizing both crisp set QCA and fuzzy set QCA. The dataset includes variables such as democracy survival and its precursors, such as gross national product per capita, urbanization, literacy rate, and industrial labor force. In contrast to conventional regression results indicating an insignificant relationship between democracy survival and its antecedents, crisp set QCA identifies two distinct combinations of antecedents associated with high levels of democracy survival, albeit with limited solution coverage. Meanwhile, fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) reveals five combinations of antecedents linked to robust democracy survival, providing adequate solution coverage and consistency. These findings suggest that fsQCA excels in capturing the intricacies of real-life scenarios in human complex systems, offering more robust empirical solutions compared to crisp set QCA and conventional regression. As a result, researchers may find value in integrating fsQCA into their new projects focused on human complex systems.