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This study deals with the green synthesis of Iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) using plant extracts of Polygonum plebeium (Knotweed) and Camellia sinensis (Green tea), focusing on their antibacterial potential, biocatalytic action as well as prospective applications as nanofertilizers. Plant materials underwent a thorough cleaning and were processed into aqueous extracts. The synthesis of FeNPs involved blending these extracts with ferric chloride solution, resulting in a versatile nanomaterial that was subjected to various characterization techniques, such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and DLS-Zeta unveiling critical nanoparticle attributes of the synthesized nanoparticles, including the size, crystallinity, morphology, stability, and elemental composition. The synthesized FeNPs exhibited substantial antibacterial activities, against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the biocatalytic properties of the synthesized FeNPs were investigated through dye degradation. These nanoparticles further, were demonstrated for their potential as nanofertilizers, enhancing the germination and growth of tomato and radish seeds. The merging of nanotechnology and plant-based synthesis represents a promising intersection with the capacity to revolutionize diverse fields.

Introduction: A hybrid convergent approach (endocardial and epicardial ablation) demonstrated superior effectiveness in a recent randomized study for long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF). Yet, there is a lack of real‐world, long‐term evidence as to which patients are best candidates for a hybrid convergent approach compared to standard endocardial cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (CB PVI). Methods and Results: This single‐center, retrospective analysis spanning from 2010 to 2015 compared two distinctly different atrial fibrillation (AF) cohorts; one treated with stand‐alone cryoablation and one treated with a hybrid convergent approach. Baseline characteristics described candidates for each approach. The following criteria were utilized to determine CB PVI candidacy: (1) paroxysmal AF (PAF) (stage 3A) with failed class I/III antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) or (2) persistent/LSPAF (stage 3B/3C/3D) with failed class I/III AAD unwilling to undergo hybrid procedure. Selection criteria for the hybrid procedure included: (1) PAF refractory to both class I/III AAD and prior CB PVI (stage 3D) or (2) persistent/LSPAF (stage 3B/3C/3D) with failed class I/III AAD agreeable to hybrid procedure. Prior sternotomy was excluded. Serial electrocardiograms and continuous monitoring evaluated primary efficacy outcome of time‐to‐first recurrence of atrial arrhythmia after a 90‐day blanking period. Secondary outcomes were procedure‐related complications and AAD use (at discharge, 12, and 36 months). Kaplan‐Meier methods evaluated arrhythmia recurrence. Of 276 patients, 197 (64.2 ± 10.6 years old; 66.5% male; 74.1% 3A‐PAF; 18.3% 3B/3D‐persistent AF; 1.0% 3C‐LSPAF; 6.6% undetermined) underwent CB PVI and 79 (61.4 ± 8.1 years old; 83.5% male; 41.8% 3D‐PAF; 45.5% 3B/3D‐persistent AF; 12.7% 3C/3D‐LSPAF) underwent hybrid procedure. Arrhythmia freedom through 36 months was 55.2% for CB PVI and 50.4% for hybrid (p =.32). Class I AAD utilization at discharge occurred in 38 (19.3%) patients in the CB PVI group and 5 (6.3%) patients in the hybrid group (p =.01). CB PVI class I AAD utilization at 12 months occurred in 14 (9.0) patients versus 0 patients for hybrid convergent (p =.004). Patients with one or more adverse event were as follows: two (1.0%) in the CB PVI group (both transient phrenic nerve palsy) and three (3.7%) in the hybrid group (two with significant bleeding and one with wound infection) (p =.14). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that patients with more complex forms of AF (3D‐PAF or 3B/3C/3D‐persistent/LSPAF) could be well managed with a convergent approach. In a real‐world evaluation, outcomes match safety and efficacy thresholds achieved for patients with earlier, less complex AF etiologies treated by CB PVI alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study published in eLife investigated the effects of body movement on neuronal activity in the primary visual cortex of marmosets, comparing the results to previous findings in mice. The study found that while running significantly increased neuronal activity in the primary visual cortex of mice, it did not have the same effect in marmosets. The researchers also explored possible mechanisms for these differences, including variations in neurotransmitter response and differences in the visual systems of rodents and primates. The study highlights the need for further research to understand how the brain integrates sensory inputs with movement. [Extracted from the article]

This study reports docking analysis and performance of catechin and its derivatives in activating the SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein for the treatment of COVID-19. Val-412, Asp-348, Pro-271, and Ser-442 are interactions involved in hydrogen bonding and Ile-316, Ala 262, Ile-347, Val-445, Phe-297, His 363 are interactions involved in hydrophobic bonding between the various ligands and SIRT1 protein. ILE-111, Val-173, Asp-112, Phe-38 are interactions involved in hydrogen bonding and Phe-38, Ala-27, Ile-111, His-129, Phe-38 are involved in hydrophobic bonding between the various ligands and SIRT3 protein. Catechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate show promising potential as SIRT1 activators as observed by their binding affinity ΔG=-10.9 kcal/mol and ΔG=-10.6 kcal/mol, which are lower than the binding affinity of the standard therapeutic moiety resveratrol (ΔG=-9.0 kcal/mol). All catechins show promising potential as SIRT3 activators, as revealed by their binding affinities, which are lower than the binding affinity of the standard therapeutic moiety resveratrol (ΔG=-8.4 kcal/mol). Amongst all the catechins, catechin gallate shows 61.53% binding site similarity with the native ligand in the case of SIRT1 protein. Amongst all the catechins, epicatechin and epigallocatechin show 100% binding site similarity with the native ligand for the SIRT3 protein. Therefore, we suggest that catechins can serve as SIRT1 and SIRT3 activators, which may prove to be a possible therapy for COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluated whether total cost of care (TCOC) and target price were aligned in Oncology Care Model (OCM) hematologic malignancy episodes and identified factors associated with episodes exceeding target price. Hematologic malignancy episodes from OCM performance period 1-4 reconciliation reports were identified from a large academic medical center. Of the 516 hematologic malignancies episodes included in the analysis, 283 (54.8%) exceeded the target price. Episode characteristics found to be statistically significantly associated with exceeding target price were Medicare Part B drug use and Part D drug use, novel therapy use, home health agency, and >730 days from last chemotherapy. The mean TCOC was $85 374 (± $26 342) for the episodes that exceeded target price while the mean target price was $56 106 (±$16 309). The results found a substantial misalignment between the TCOC and target price for hematologic malignancy episodes, adding to the existing evidence on the lack of adequate adjustment to the OCM target price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the current study was to create a fast soup powder from Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis). Tuna soup powder was prepared using three different traditional recipes and one recipe among them was selected based on taste panel's judgment. By combining dried tuna powder, wheat flour, milk powder, salt, black pepper, tomato, onion, garlic, ginger, coriander, fennel, carrot, sweetcorn and oil, formulations of tuna soup powder were created. This formulation were then subjected to proximate analysis. This formulation were then subjected to biochemical quality parameters analysis, microbiological quality analysis, sensory analysis were determined during 50 days of storage period and also workout economics of tuna soup powder. Tuna soup powder had 13.48% moisture, 38.43% protein, 0.0518% fat on dry basis, 12.65% ash during 50 days of storage at chilled condition. pH, water activity, TBA, TVB-N content of tuna soup powder increased during 50 days of storage and it remained at the level of acceptability. Tuna soup powder had a total plate count of 700 cfu/ml (0.7 X 10³ cfu/ml) at 0th day, at two months, there was a rise in the number of total plate count 1411 cfu/ml (1.411 × 10³ cfu/ml) in samples at 50th days of storage. Even though the trend was increasing until the storage period of 50 days, stayed within the limitations. Tuna soup powder samples were free of mould and yeast growths. Sensory analysis was observed from hedonic scale 9 to 8 in tuna soup powder during 50 days of storage. According to the results of research on shelf life evaluation, including moisture content, sensory assessment and microbiological investigation, tuna soup powder could be kept for two months without losing quality. The cost of production analysis' findings showed that the unit (11 grams) price and tuna soup powder were 12 rupees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease and remains a disease of public health concern. Despite its relative importance, paucity of information on schistosomiasis in urban settings such as Ndola remains. Here, we present findings on the prevalence and factors associated with Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infections among School-going children in the Kawama in Ndola district in Zambia, an urban area in the Copperbelt Province, Zambia. Methods: we employed a cross-sectional study design among 354 school going-children between 5 and 17 years of age between November 2020 and February 2021. A Multivariate forward step-wise logistic regression model was used to determine the associations of risk factors. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals are reported. Results: of the 354 school-going children included in the analysis, 13.3% had S. haematobium infection. Children who swam in the stream/dam were more likely to have S. haematobium infection as compared to those who did not (aOR 6.531, 95% CI: 2.90-14.69). Conclusion: S. haematobium infection is endemic among school-going children in an urban setup of the Kawama area of Ndola City, Zambia. There is a need for targeted interventions to mitigate infections among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]