Search

Acinetobacter baumannii is a well-known opportunistic pathogen, responsible for various nosocomial infections. A. baumannii UOL-KIMZ-24 was previously isolated from a clinical specimen, collected from Lahore General Hospital, Lahore (LGH), Pakistan, dated 3rd March, 2022. During the initial screening for antimicrobial susceptibility, the UOL-KIMZ-24 was found a multiple drug resistant (MDR) strain. However, the detailed genomic insights for genes e.g. responsible for exhibiting antibiotic resistance via efflux pumps, have not yet been reported from A. baumannii strains, recovered from LGH. The current research to fills this gap by isolating, whole genome sequencing and subsequent post-sequencing analysis for addressing and identifying the efflux pumps associated genes, responsible for multiple drug resistant in A. baumannii. In a hybrid approach, short reads were processed through Illumina platform, while long reads were sequenced by MinION MK1B sequencing technique. The assembled and annotated genome of the UOL-KIMZ-24 revealed that it has 4048631 bp genome size with 179 contigs, 38.9 % GC content, 3628 protein coding sequences, 80 tRNA and 7 rRNA. The analysis of antibiotic-resistance genes (AMR) depicted 27 genes. where the genes encoding efflux pumps such as adeABC, adeRS, adeJK, and adeMN were the more prominent. In addition, sequence typing (ST) study showed that UOL-KIMZ-24 strain lies in ST2, six prophage sequences and 73 virulence factors were also identified in the studied UOL-KIMZ-24. Such an all-inclusive study uncovered the genetic flexibility of UOL-KIMZ-24 genome for acquiring MDR against in-practice antibiotics.

Calotropis procera is a medicinal, traditional, and therapeutic plant in Pakistan. In this research study, the biological activities, for instance, anticancer, antileishmanial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and brine shrimp lethality assay and GC-MS are studied. MTT assay, antileishmanial bioassay, microplate Alamar Blue assay, agar tube dilution method, oxidative burst assay using chemiluminescence technique, B-hatching techniques, and triple quadrupole acquisition method MS parameters were the methods used for anticancer, antileishmanial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, brine shrimp lethality assay, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Whole plant methanol extract of Calotropis procera (WMECP) inhibited 69.1% of the growth of HeLa cell line with an IC50 value of 3.1 ± 0.4 and whole plant n-hexane fraction of Calotropis procera (WHFCP) and whole plant and aqueous fraction of Calotropis procera (WAFCP) inhibited the growth by 70.2% and 65.2% with IC50 values of 5.0 ± 0.3 and 17.1 ± 1.0. Whole plant methanol extract of Calotropis procera (WMECP) inhibited 70.1% of the growth of the PC3 cell line with an IC50 value of 5.1 ± 0.3 and whole plant n-hexane fraction of Calotropis procera (WHFCP) and whole plant aqueous fraction of Calotropis procera (WAFCP) inhibited 61.6% and 59.7% with IC50 values of 3.7 ± 0.5 and 16.4 ± 1.0. None of the extract and fractions of Calotropis procera showed anticancer activities against the 3T3 cell line. None of the extract and fractions of Calotropis procera showed antileishmanial, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. Whole plant methanol extract of Calotropis procera (WMECP) exhibited lethality at the highest concentration while other fractions did not exhibit lethality. GC-MS studies revealed that the whole plant methanol extract of Calotropis procera (WMECP) consists of 11 compounds, whole plant n-hexane fraction of Calotropis procera (WHFCP) consists of 9 compounds, and whole plant aqueous fraction of Calotropis procera (WAFCP) consists of 7 compounds.

The superhydrophobic surface of silver metal on Cu-substrate (Cu@Ag-SHS) is successfully fabricated via a chemical etching process having fern leaves-like morphology of the nanoparticles of silver metal. The fabricated product is characterized by PXRD, EDX, SEM, and XPS techniques. Moreover, electrochemical impedance and water contact angle (WCA, using Gonimeter) measurements are carried out. Cu@Ag-SHS contained unique properties such as long-term stability, super buoyancy force (as a drop of water could bounce from the balloon surface, thus presenting superb non-sticking properties), anti-corrosion properties, self-cleaning, anti-abrasion, and durability. Furthermore, photocatalysis properties of Cu@Ag-SHS were tested by the photodegradation of 4-NP into 4-AP.On the other hand, the temple and the low-cost thermal annealing process are persuaded to make coating surfaces homogenous and remove impurities. Moreover, the annealing process executed the sliding angle nearly equal to 2° and the static water contact angle 159 ± 1°. Furthermore, Cu@Ag-SHS revealed fern leaves-likee morphology that is a unique property. Therefore, with the adoption of several characterizing techniques, this has been demonstrated that the developed surfaces of superhydrophobic products and their properties assure that they will be applicable in the fabric and metallic industries.

Since Carl Woese’s discovery of archaea as a third domain of life, numerous archaeal species have been discovered, yet archaeal diversity is poorly characterized. Culturing archaea is complicated, but several queries about archaeal cell biology, evolution, physiology, and diversity need to be solved by culturing and culture-dependent techniques. Increasing interest in demand for innovative culturing methods has led to various technological and methodological advances. The current review explains frequent hurdles hindering uncultured archaea isolation and discusses features for more archaeal cultivation. This review also discusses successful strategies and available media for archaeal culturing, which might be helpful for future culturing practices.

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is a cytokine involved in the induction and modulation of various immune responses. INF-γ has recently been associated with breast cancer and the stage of the disease. Also, it can be used as a cancer marker in determining disease activity. The ELISA test is a technique for identifying antigens in biological materials. The ELISA test is used for the detection of antibodies against target antigen through highly antibody-antigen interactions. In this study, the blood samples were taken from 88 Iraqis, 30 healthy controls, and 58 breast cancer patients (ranging from 35 to 52 years of age). During a visit to the AL Amal National Hospital for Cancer Treatment in Baghdad, Iraq, these patient samples were taken October 2020 - January 2021. Depending on the color changes to yellow, the results of this study were determined under wavelength of 450 nm to reveal the optical density (OD) via spectrophotometrically. The OD value is proportional to the amount of human IFN-γ in the sample of the healthy control and the cancer patients. The blood concentration of IFN-γ was substantially greater in women with breast cancer than in the control group (43.15 ± 4.68 pg/ml vs. 18.8 ± 3.89 pg/ml), respectively. Our results showed an elevation of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in most of the serum samples from women with breast cancer. The conclusions of this study are the main findings, INF-y protein was employed as a marker and assistance in diagnosing breast cancer based on the results of the calculation of protein concentration from the ELISA test.

EDSS1, a syndrome characterized by ectodermal dysplasia-syndactyly, is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner due to mutations in the NECTIN4/PVRL4 gene. Clinical manifestations of the syndrome include defective nail plate, sparse to absent scalp and body hair, spaced teeth with enamel hypoplasia, and bilateral cutaneous syndactyly in the fingers and toes. Here, we report a consanguineous family of Kashmiri origin presenting features of EDSS1. Using whole exome sequencing, we found a recurrent nonsense mutation (NM_030916: c.181C > T, p.(Gln61 ∗)) in the NECTIN4 gene. The variant segregated perfectly with the disorder within the family. The candidate variant was absent in 50 in-house exomes pertaining to other disorders from the same population. In addition to the previously reported clinical phenotype, an upper lip cleft was found in one of the affected members as a novel phenotype that is not reported by previous studies in EDSS1 patients. Therefore, the study presented here, which was conducted on the Kashmiri population, is the first to document a NECTIN4 mutation associated with the upper lip cleft as a novel phenotype. This finding broadens the molecular and phenotypic spectrum of EDSS1.

Worldwide, arsenic contamination has become a matter of extreme importance owing to its potential toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic impact on human health and the environment. The magnetite-loaded biochar has received increasing attention for the removal of arsenic (As) in contaminated water and soil. The present study reports a facile synthesis, characterization and adsorption characteristics of a novel magnetite impregnated nitrogen-doped hybrid biochar (N/Fe3O4@BC) for efficient arsenate, As(V) and arsenite, As(III) removal from aqueous environment. The as-synthesized material (N/Fe3O4@BC) characterization via XRD, BET, FTIR, SEM/EDS clearly revealed magnetite (Fe3O4) impregnation onto biochar matrix. Furthermore, the adsorbent (N/Fe3O4@BC) selectivity results showed that such a combination plays an important role in targeted molecule removal from aqueous environments and compensates for the reduced surface area. The maximum monolayer adsorption (Qmax) of developed adsorbent (N/Fe3O4@BC) (18.15 mg/g and 9.87 mg/g) was significantly higher than that of pristine biochar (BC) (9.89 & 8.12 mg/g) and magnetite nano-particles (MNPs) [7.38 & 8.56 mg/g] for both As(III) and As(V), respectively. Isotherm and kinetic data were well fitted by Langmuir (R2 = 0.993) and Pseudo first order model (R2 = 0.992) thereby indicating physico-chemical sorption as a rate-limiting step. The co-anions (PO43-) effect was more significant for both As(III) and As (V) removal owing to similar outer electronic structure. Mechanistic insights (pH and FTIR spectra) further demonstrated the remarkable contribution of surface groups (OH–, –NH2 and –COOH), electrostatic attraction (via H- bonds), surface complexation and ion exchange followed by external mass transfer diffusion and As(III) oxidation into As(V) by (N/Fe3O4@BC) reactive oxygen species. Moreover, successful desorption was achieved at varying rates up to 7th regeneration cycle thereby showing (N/Fe3O4@BC) potential practical application. Thus, this work provides a novel insight for the fabrication of novel magnetic biochar for As removal from contaminated water in natural, engineering and environmental settings.

Bacterial biofilms are formed by communities, which are encased in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Notably, bacteria in biofilms display a set of ‘emergent properties’ that vary considerably from free-living bacterial cells. Biofilms help bacteria to survive under multiple stressful conditions such as providing immunity against antibiotics. Apart from the provision of multi-layered defense for enabling poor antibiotic absorption and adaptive persistor cells, biofilms utilize their extracellular components, e.g., extracellular DNA (eDNA), chemical-like catalase, various genes and their regulators to combat antibiotics. The response of biofilms depends on the type of antibiotic that comes into contact with biofilms. For example, excessive production of eDNA exerts resistance against cell wall and DNA targeting antibiotics and the release of antagonist chemicals neutralizes cell membrane inhibitors, whereas the induction of protein and folic acid antibiotics inside cells is lowered by mutating genes and their regulators. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of biofilm-based resistance to various antibiotic classes in bacteria and genes responsible for biofilm development, and the key role of quorum sensing in developing biofilms and antibiotic resistance is also discussed. In this review, we also highlight new and modified techniques such as CRISPR/Cas, nanotechnology and bacteriophage therapy. These technologies might be useful to eliminate pathogens residing in biofilms by combating biofilm-induced antibiotic resistance and making this world free of antibiotic resistance.

The field of mathematics that studies the relationship between algebraic structures and graphs is known as algebraic graph theory. It incorporates concepts from graph theory, which examines the characteristics and topology of graphs, with those from abstract algebra, which deals with algebraic structures such as groups, rings, and fields. If the vertex set of a graph G^ is fully made up of the zero divisors of the modular ring Zn, the graph is said to be a zero-divisor graph. If the products of two vertices are equal to zero under (modn), they are regarded as neighbors. Entropy, a notion taken from information theory and used in graph theory, measures the degree of uncertainty or unpredictability associated with a graph or its constituent elements. Entropy measurements may be used to calculate the structural complexity and information complexity of graphs. The first, second and second modified Zagrebs, general and inverse general Randics, third and fifth symmetric divisions, harmonic and inverse sum indices, and forgotten topological indices are a few topological indices that are examined in this article for particular families of zero-divisor graphs. A numerical and graphical comparison of computed topological indices over a proposed structure has been studied. Furthermore, different kinds of entropies, such as the first, second, and third redefined Zagreb, are also investigated for a number of families of zero-divisor graphs.

Hybrid polymer compounds have become modern times, as their applications have increased, especially those reinforced with fibers and molecules due to their high performance, which allows them to be used in different applications. In this research, the dependence of the thermal conductivity and density of epoxy compounds on the volume fraction ratio of the reinforcements including carbon fibers, silicon carbide and alumina will be discussed. new hybrid epoxy compounds have been developed. The epoxy compounds reinforced with plain weave carbon fibers with different volume fractions of micro-particles of silicon carbide and alumina were prepared by hand lay-up. The physical properties including thermal conductivity and density of hybrid epoxy compounds were determined experimentally. The results showed an increase in the thermal conductivity by increasing the proportion of silicon carbide and alumina without affecting the density of the epoxy compound. This high improvement in thermal conductivity with low density in these hybrid epoxy composites have been driven them as possible nominations for electronic devices. The optimum content of hybrid epoxy composite for electronic applications is at SiC 10% and Al2O3 5% with 15 carbon fiber and 70 epoxy. Thus, a new polymer-based compound with improved thermal conductivity for electronic applications was produced.

Mary Oliver is an American poet who has been so much fascinated by the natural world since her childhood. Natural world occupies a very large space in her poetry, if not her entire poetic work. She was born in Ohio 1935, and she spent her childhood there surrounded by Nature. She graduated from high school and went to Vassar college and Ohio State University, yet she could not get a degree. She moved to New York where she met the sister of Edna St. Vincent Millay, the famous American poet and playwright. She got a closer look to Edna’s works by organizing her papers for almost seven years. As for career, she held the position at Bennington College by being the Catherine Osgood Foster Chair for Distinguished Teaching. Later on she settled in Provincetown, Massachusetts for almost forty years inspired by the natural scenes there which are conveyed in her collections.

Bacteria inhabiting non-polar glaciers are exposed to large variations in temperature, which significantly affects the fluidity of bacterial cell membranes. In order to maintain normal functions of the cell membranes, psychrophilic bacteria adapt by changing the composition of cell membrane fatty acids. However, information on the exact pattern of cell membrane adaptability in non-polar low-temperature habitats is scarce. In the present study, 42 bacterial strains were isolated from the Ghulmet, Ghulkin, and Hopar glaciers of the Hunza Valley in the Karakoram Mountain Range, Pakistan and their cell membrane fatty acid distributions studied, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) liberated by acid-catalyzed methanolysis. Furthermore, Gram-negative and Gram-positive groups were grown under different temperature settings (5, 15, 25, and 35°C) in order to determine the effect of temperature on cell membrane (CM) fatty acid distribution. The analyses identified the major groups of cell membrane fatty acids (FA) as straight-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (n-MUFAs) and branched fatty acids (br-FAs), accounting for more than 70% of the fatty acids analyzed. The distribution of br-FAs and n-FAs in bacterial cell membranes was significantly affected by temperature, with the level of br-FAs decreasing relative to n-FAs with increasing temperature. Notably, the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was only seen at lower temperatures. This study contributes to understanding, for the first time, the role of br-FAs in the maintenance of cell membrane fluidity of bacteria inhabiting non-polar habitats.

Cultureable bacterial diversity of previously unexplored Siachen glacier, Pakistan, was studied. Out of 50 isolates 33 (66%) were Gram negative and 17 (34%) Gram positive. About half of the isolates were pigment producers and were able to grow at 4-37°C. 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed Gram negative bacteria dominated by Proteobacteria (especially γ-proteobacteria and β-proteobacteria) and Flavobacteria. The genus Pseudomonas (51.51%, 17) was dominant among γ- proteobacteria. β-proteobacteria constituted 4 (12.12%) Alcaligenes and 4 (12.12%) Janthinobacterium strains. Among Gram positive bacteria, phylum Actinobacteria, Rhodococcus (23.52%, 4) and Arthrobacter (23.52%, 4) were the dominating genra. Other bacteria belonged to Phylum Firmicutes with representative genus Carnobacterium (11.76%, 2) and 4 isolates represented 4 genera Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Staphylococcus and Planomicrobium. Most of the Gram negative bacteria were moderate halophiles, while most of the Gram positives were extreme halophiles and were able to grow up to 6.12 M of NaCl. More than 2/3 of the isolates showed antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant S. aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus and ATCC strains. Gram positive bacteria (94.11%) were more resistant to heavy metals as compared to Gram negative (78.79%) and showed maximum tolerance against iron and least tolerance against mercury.

A hereditary condition called beta thalassemia is defined by a decreased or nonexistent synthesis of beta-globin chains, which are a part of hemoglobin. The protein in red blood cells called hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen to all of the body's tissues. Deficiencies in selenium and copper can cause a variety of health concerns, such as impaired immune system performance, heart difficulties, and anomalies in the nervous system. Objective: Assess the selenium and copper levels in patients with thalassemia to look for imbalances or deficits relative to normal limits. This can reveal information about the nutritional condition of those with thalassemia. Methods: In the research, 40 female and 40 male patients were compared to 20 female and male healthy controls who were matched for ages. Samples were collected between (July 1 - September)2023. the patients were questioned to gather information on sociodemographic factors. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) was used to determine level of selenium and copper Results: For (β-Th) female patients, selenium level was higher than that of the female control group; however, for (β-Th) male patients, selenium level was similar in the male control group. The mean serum copper level was lower in male beta thalassemia patients with β-Th than in the male control group.. The association between the individuals who were infected within and outside the city was also discovered, and the outcome comprised 63 patients from the city center and 19 patients with beta thalassemia from beyond the city. Compared to patients from the city center, patients from outside the city had higher average levels of copper and selenium. Conclusions: Serum Se and Cu might play a role in the patients with β-Th. Cu is related to many diseases, such as Wilson's disease, mineral deficiency related for (Se) to the body's muscles, and iron deficiency, so it can be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hereditary hemoglobinopathies that include beta thalassemia (β-thalassemia) are brought on by a mutation in the beta globin gene, which results in minimally functioning hemoglobin, damaged red blood cells, and anemia. The most prevalent genetic hemoglobinopathy in the world, thalassemia affects 4.4 out of every 10,000 live births. The bulk of patients in poor nations pass away before turning 20. Method: Data was retrieved via all patient registration records from the Al Zahraa Teaching Hospital's Thalassemia Center for two genders until December 31, 2022. Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of thalassemia patients, their incidence rate, rate of change and trend in Najaf Al-Ashraf, Iraq, it was the first study for this region. Result: Through data processing and processing for both genders, it was found that the prevalence of thalassemia increases with population expansion. the prevalence of thalassemia in Najaf was 75.9 per 100,000 persons in 2018, rising to 94.21 in 2022 while the incidence of thalassemia in 2018 was 1.08/100,000, while the highest incidence rate was 4.33 in 2021 and lowest incidence rate was 0.12 in 2022. Conclusion: Greater knowledge of the demographics of these diseases has the potential to assist in the more effective use of health care resources, establish seminars on educating the population about the disease and reducing its progression, as well as enhancing health care planning and delivery [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important complications related to surgery and anesthesia is cognitive disorders, it is necessary to think about such complications before the surgery and anesthesia and put the necessary preparations on the agenda. Lack of accuracy and lack of awareness of the factors that cause these problems can be the main cause of these problems. The purpose of this review article is to examine the causes and factors that cause cognitive problems around surgery so that by providing solutions, they can be prevented from spreading and appearing after surgery. In this study, various appropriate articles related to the topic were used, which were published between 1990 and 2022 in the field of causes of cognitive problems and prevention strategies. References for this review article are from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct were obtained. The authors used keywords including cognitive problems, psychological problems during anesthesia, after anesthesia, and surgery in these sites. In this study, the things that should be considered in anesthesia and surgery to prevent the occurrence of cognitive problems were investigated. These include: the use of neuroprotectants, psychoactive drugs, anticholinergic system, anesthesia depth, pediatrics and occurrence of problems, circadian and sleep disorders, patient privacy, blood sugar, patient's spiritual rituals, hemoglobin, electrolytes, blood pressure, capnography and oxygenation, patient position and posture, emboli, drug interactions, cardiac function, platelet activity, stress and pain, hypothermia and hyperthermia, delay in discharge, ileus and antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin (CU) is a polyphenolic compound extracted from turmeric, a well-known dietary spice. Since it has been shown that CU exerts beneficial effects on human health, interest has increased in its use but also in its analysis in different matrices. CU has an antioxidant character and is electroactive due to the presence of phenolic groups in its molecule. This paper reviews the data reported in the literature regarding the use of electrochemical techniques for the assessment of CU antioxidant activity and the investigation of the voltammetric behavior at different electrodes of free or loaded CU on various carriers. The performance characteristics and the analytical applications of the electrochemical methods developed for CU analysis are compared and critically discussed. Examples of voltammetric investigations of CU interaction with different metallic ions or of CU or CU complexes with DNA as well as the CU applications as electrode modifiers for the enhanced detection of various chemical species are also shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]