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Background and Purpose: Emergence of fungi as a pathogenic threat presents a significant challenge to public health, notably in intensive care units (ICUs) and among immunocompromised patients. Various factors, including sepsis-induced barrier disruptions, immune system dysfunction, and extremes of age, contribute to increased susceptibility to fungal infections. Hospital practices, such as prolonged surgeries, broad-spectrum antibiotic use, and invasive procedures, further exacerbate the risk. Fungal bloodstream infections, particularly those caused by Candida albicans, rank among the most common hospital-acquired infections, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. The global rise in invasive candidiasis, particularly due to non-albicans Candida species, presents challenges in the diagnosis and treatment due to nonspecific symptoms and emerging antifungal resistance. Nanotechnology interventions particularly by utilizing green synthesized copper nanoparticles could possibly provide a novel solution to combat microbial colonization, biofilm formation, and drug resistance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of candidemia, identify the distribution of causative Candida species, and understand their susceptibility patterns to commonly used antifungal agents for effective management in ICU settings. Additionally, the study sought to explore the in vitro anti-Candida activity of green copper nanoparticles synthesized using Euphorbia milii des moul extract.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at Microbiology Laboratory of Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research from January to December 2022, focused on ICU patients suspected of bloodstream infections. Blood samples were collected aseptically and processed using BD BACTECTM culture vials. Identification of organisms was performed via the Vitek-2 system by confirming candidemia with positivity in both blood samples. After that antifungal susceptibility testing was also performed against Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommended antifungal drug using Vitek 2 system. G-CuNPs were synthesized using E. milii Des moul extract and possessed for physiochemical characterization. The anti-Candida activity of GCuNPs was evaluated through the MTT assay and time kill assay. After that generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and DNA degradation were evaluated to understand its mechanism.Results: This study identified a candidemia rate of 7.3% (58/789). Age and gender analysis revealed higher Candida colonization rates in individuals above 60 years old and females. Antifungal sensitivity profiling indicated notable resistance to fluconazole (27.59%) and voriconazole (25.86%). Synthesizing G-CuNPs using E. milii des moul extract represents a novel approach exhibiting significant fungicidal potency against clinically isolated C. albicans, supporting potential therapeutic applications.Conclusion: the findings concluded that synthesized G-CuNPs have tremendous potential to battle against medical device-borne infections by surface coating.

Abstract We investigated the impact of antiviral treatment on the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 resistance during persistent infections in immunocompromised patients (n = 15). All patients received remdesivir and some also received nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (n = 3) or therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (n = 4). Sequence analysis showed that nine patients carried viruses with mutations in the nsp12 (RNA dependent RNA polymerase), while four had viruses with nsp5 (3C protease) mutations. Infectious SARS-CoV-2 with a double mutation in nsp5 (T169I) and nsp12 (V792I) was recovered from respiratory secretions 77 days after initial COVID-19 diagnosis from a patient sequentially treated with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and remdesivir. In vitro characterization confirmed its decreased sensitivity to remdesivir and nirmatrelvir, which was overcome by combined antiviral treatment. Studies in golden Syrian hamsters demonstrated efficient transmission to contact animals. This study documents the isolation of SARS-CoV-2 carrying resistance mutations to both nirmatrelvir and remdesivir from a patient and demonstrates its transmissibility in vivo.

Abstract Background Understanding the genetic control of pod shatter resistance and its association with pod length is crucial for breeding improved pod shatter resistance and reducing pre-harvest yield losses due to extensive shattering in cultivars of Brassica species. In this study, we evaluated a doubled haploid (DH) mapping population derived from an F1 cross between two Brassica carinata parental lines Y-BcDH64 and W-BcDH76 (YWDH), originating from Ethiopia and determined genetic bases of variation in pod length and pod shatter resistance, measured as rupture energy. The YWDH population, its parental lines and 11 controls were grown across three years for genetic analysis. Results By using three quantitative trait loci (QTL) analytic approaches, we identified nine genomic regions on B02, B03, B04, B06, B07 and C01 chromosomes for rupture energy that were repeatedly detected across three growing environments. One of the QTL on chromosome B07, flanked with DArTseq markers 100,046,735 and 100,022,658, accounted for up to 27.6% of genetic variance in rupture energy. We observed no relationship between pod length and rupture energy, suggesting that pod length does not contribute to variation in pod shatter resistance. Comparative mapping identified six candidate genes; SHP1 on B6, FUL and MAN on chromosomes B07, IND and NST2 on B08, and MAN7 on C07 that mapped within 0.2 Mb from the QTL for rupture energy. Conclusion The results suggest that favourable alleles of stable QTL on B06, B07, B08 and C01 for pod shatter resistance can be incorporated into the shatter-prone B. carinata and its related species to improve final seed yield at harvest.

Abstract Background Presence of Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes is the most significant epidemiological factor for breast cancer (BC), where germline BRCA1 (gBRCA 1) mutation increases the risk for BC by 59–87% and gBRCA 2 mutation increases the risk by 38–80%. In this retrospective study, we have analyzed NGS-based genetic data for samples received at our laboratory for genetic testing over a three-year period to understand the prevalence and pattern if any of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Indian breast cancer patients. Results BRCA gene sequencing using NGS was performed in 395 consecutive cases of BC referred for testing to our lab between 2021 and 2023. Genetic analysis of mutations BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes resulted in 115 (29%) positive patients. Out of 115 patients, 79 reported BRCA1 mutations, whereas 36 had BRCA2 mutations. Exon 10 (57.3%) of BRCA1 and exon 11 (52%) of BRCA2 were the most mutated exons observed in this study. The c.1961delA (26.4%) variant, followed by the c.68_69delAG (22.7%) variant in BRCA1, and the c.6373delA (20.5%) variant in BRCA2, were the most common mutations found in our study. Our data shows positive correlation of younger age group (20–45 years) with BRCA positive status (Chi-square p value = 0.001). Conclusion BRCA mutation prevalence was 29.1% in our data which is higher than Western countries. Based on our findings BRCA screening looks imperative for women with BC especially younger women (

Introduction: Sigmoid volvulus among pediatric patients is a rare occurrence. Case: A 13-year-old pediatric female presented to hospital’s emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea, and inability to defecate for three days. No fever or vomiting was reported. She had a multiple episodes of constipation and was menstruating. Physical examination suggested bowel obstruction. Plain abdominal radiograph showed diffuse colon dilation with minimal small bowel and pelvic gas. Abdominal contrast CT revealed severe large bowel dilatation with redundancy from the cecum to the rectosigmoid area, along with a "whirl sign" as the diagnostic feature. Colon in-loop procedure revealed stenosis at the sigmoid-descending colonic junction due to volvulus with partial obstructive ileus. The diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus was confirmed and subsequently the patient underwent an endoscopic decompression procedure. Colitis was visualized during endoscopy. Symptoms completely resolved the following day and her parents requested discharge two days after the procedure. Discussion: Sigmoid volvulus is a potential differential diagnosis in children with symptoms of bowel obstruction. Physicians and radiologists should remain vigilant to avoid morbidity and mortality resulting from delayed and untreated cases. Conclusion: Thorough clinical, radiological, and histopathologic investigations play a crucial role in preventing treatment delays. It is important to be aware of uncommon causes of abdominal pain in the pediatric age group. Keywords: decompression, pediatric, radiology, rare case, sigmoid volvulus Latar Belakang: Volvulus sigmoid pada pasien anak merupakan kasus yang jarang. Presentasi Kasus: Remaja perempuan berusia 13 tahun datang ke Instalasi Gawat Darurat rumah sakit dengan keluhan nyeri perut, mual, dan tidak dapat buang air besar sejak tiga hari yang lalu. Keluhan demam dan muntah disangkal. Terdapat riwayat konstipasi berulang serta pasien saat ini sedang menstruasi. Pemeriksaan fisik mengarah adanya obstruksi saluran cerna. Foto polos abdomen menunjukkan adanya dilatasi kolon difus dengan gas minimal di usus kecil dan area pelvis. CT-scan abdomen dengan kontras menunjukkan dilatasi kolon signifikan disertai adanya redundansi dari sekum hingga area rektosigmoid dan tampak “whirl sign” sebagai fitur diagnostik yang sensitif. Hasil colon-in-loop menunjukkan adanya stenosis pada area pertemuan antara kolon sigmoid dan kolon desenden akibat volvulus dengan ileus obstruksi parsial. Diagnosis volvulus sigmoid ditegakkan dan pasien menjalani prosedur dekompresi endoskopi setelahnya. Kolitis tervisualisasi saat prosedur. Keluhan membaik seluruhnya pada keesokan hari dan orang tua pasien meminta pasien dipulangkan dua hari post-prosedur. Diskusi: Volvulus sigmoid merupakan diagnosis diferensial yang potensial pada anak dengan gejala obstruksi saluran cerna. Klinisi dan radiolog harus selalu waspada demi menghindari morbiditas dan mortalitas akibat kasus yang lambat maupun tidak tertangani. Kesimpulan: Pemeriksaan fisik, radiologis, serta histopatologis yang menyeluruh memainkan peranan penting dalam mencegah keterlambatan penanganan. Kasus ini menekankan pentingnya kewaspadaan terhadap suatu penyebab tidak umum kasus nyeri perut pada populasi anak.

Abstract Neuroimaging studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have provided unparalleled insights into the fundamental neural mechanisms underlying human cognitive processing, such as high-level linguistic processes during reading. Here, we build upon this prior work to capture sentence reading comprehension outside the MRI scanner using functional near infra-red spectroscopy (fNIRS) in a large sample of participants (n = 82). We observed increased task-related hemodynamic responses in prefrontal and temporal cortical regions during sentence-level reading relative to the control condition (a list of non-words), replicating prior fMRI work on cortical recruitment associated with high-level linguistic processing during reading comprehension. These results lay the groundwork towards developing adaptive systems to support novice readers and language learners by targeting the underlying cognitive processes. This work also contributes to bridging the gap between laboratory findings and more real-world applications in the realm of cognitive neuroscience.

Introduction: The Singapore Institute of Technology-University of Glasgow (SIT-UofG) Nursing Programme has traditionally taken a didactic teaching approach in the delivery of the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) module. A hybrid approach was introduced using Game-Based Learning (GBL) to encourage active learning through gameplay. Methods: A Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) was undertaken encompassing a cohort of 100 Nursing students taking the EBP module in their first year at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) in the 2021/22 academic year. The experimental group (n=27) worked through the online GBL intervention and the EBP module, while the control group (n=27) took the EBP module alone. The GBL included five Learning Quests and three case studies. Results: High levels of satisfaction were reported by both the experimental group (n=22) and the control group (n=15) on the traditional content and delivery of the EBP module. High levels of engagement were reported by the experimental group on the GBL intervention; a one-sample statistics analysis confirming a significant level of engagement (p

This study aimed to identify compounds in the fruits of the medicinal Eriobotrya japonica L, determine anti-apoptotic properties in human breast cancer cells and predict the mechanism via docking and bioinformatic analyses. HPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS metabolite profiling of E. japonica ethanolic extract allowed the identification of eight compounds. Subsequent network pharmacology and molecular docking simulations targeting key cancer-related proteins showed excellent predictive activity (Pa > 0.71) for seven of the compounds. Two of the compounds hyperoxide (C6) and afzelin (C8) showed strong affinities with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and beta-1 adrenergic receptor-β (ADRB1) with ΔG of −11.5 and −12.1, respectively. Radical scavenging data showed compound C8 (EC50 89.1 µg/mL, ABTS+•; 96.1 µg/mL, DPPH) was the most active in relation to other compounds and the extract (EC50 115.5 µg/mL, ABTS+•; 101.5 µg/mL, DPPH). The cytotoxicity (LD50) was 96.1–178.9 µg/mL) for cancerous MCF-7 cells compared to 1,105-2,066 µg/mL for normal MCF-10A cells.

The discovery of new molecules from natural sources for the treatment of tumors such as breast cancers is of importance for the development of functional foods and to the pharmaceutical industry. A natural resource with potential activity against breast cancer is forest onion, Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.) Urb., but the identity of its active constituents and their mechanisms of action remain unexplored. Therefore, this study focuses on metabolite profiling, in silico or pharmacoinformatic activity and mechanisms, as well as advanced validation on in vitro cell lines. Ten compounds identified in E. bulbosa bulb ethanolic extract (EBE) showed cancer receptor and radical inhibitory activity via network pharmacology and molecular docking simulation. The most promising compound was avenasterol binding PARP-1, HER2, iNOS receptors with values of −11.26, −8.34, and −9.17 μg/mL, respectively. EBE and avenasterol had a smaller EC50 value, or higher potency, than the control antioxidant Trolox in radical scavenging tests with ABTS and DPPH. In line with the in silico study, EBE and avenasterol showed antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer MCF-7 with LD50 217.8 μg/mL, with relatively low cytotoxicity to normal MCF-10A cells (LD50 > 1000 μg/mL). The antiproliferative mechanism of EBE on MCF-7 was associated with downregulation of TGF-β, HER2, PI3K, and AKT which are known tumor activators. Significant (p

Objective: GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin (MTB/RIF) is a conceptually helpful tool for establishing tuberculosis (TB) disease. Negative results from the GeneXpert test do not exclude the possibility of diagnosing non-tuberculous mycobacteria lung disease (NTMLD) as a chronic pulmonary disease. When a patient is diagnosed on a clinical basis, and there is no bacteriological evidence of TB, it is necessary to consider NTM as one of the causes of disease with TB-like symptoms. The prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease is rising globally, but its diagnosis is still delayed and often misdiagnosed as multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). This study highlights the implication of negative GeneXpert MTB/RIF results in suspected TB patients who conducted mycobacteria culture and detected the incidence of NTMLD. Methods: In this experimental study, the performance of GeneXpert MTB/RIF-negative results with those of mycobacteria cultures and lung abnormalities among suspected TB patients in a referral hospital in Indonesia were evaluated. From January to August 2022, 100 sputum samples from suspected chronic pulmonary TB patients with GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay-negative results were cultured in Lowenstein–Jensen medium, and the implication among negative GeneXpert result MTB/RIF assay. Results: 7% were confirmed to have MTB and 1% had NTM by culture assay. Moreover, 34% were diagnosed with clinical TB and treated with anti-TB drugs. Conclusion: For patients with negative assay results of GeneXpert MTB/RIF regarding clinically suspected chronic TB infection, further diagnostic tests to determine the causative agents of the lung abnormalities should be carried out.

Background: Return to play (RTP) in elite rugby is managed using a 6-stage graduated RTP protocol, which can result in clearance to play within 1 week of injury. We aimed to explore how symptom, cognitive, and balance presentation and evolution during concussion screens 2 h (head injury assessment (HIA) 2) and 48 h (HIA3) after injury were associated with time to RTP) to identify whether a more conservative graduated RTP may be appropriate. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 380 concussed rugby players from elite men's rugby over 3 consecutive seasons. Players were classified as shorter or longer returns, depending on whether RTP occurred within 7 days (allowing them to be considered to play the match 1 week after injury) or longer than 8 days, respectively. Symptom, cognitive, and balance performance during screens was assessed relative to baseline (normal or abnormal) and to the preceding screen (improving or worsening). Associations between sub-test abnormalities and RTP time were explored using odds ratios (OR, longer vs. shorter). Median day absence was compared between players with abnormal or worsening results and those whose results were normal or improving. Results: Abnormal symptom results during screens 2 h and 48 h after concussion were associated with longer return time (HIA2: OR = 2.21, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.39–3.50; HIA3: OR = 3.30, 95%CI: 1.89–5.75). Worsening symptom number or severity from the time of injury to 2 h and 48 h post-injury was associated with longer return (HIA2: OR = 2.49, 95%CI: 1.36–4.58; HIA3: OR = 3.34, 95%CI: 1.10–10.15. Median days absence was greater in players with abnormal symptom results at both HIA2 and HIA3. Cognitive and balance performance were not associated with longer return and did not affect median days absence. Conclusion: Symptom presentation and evolution within 48 h of concussion were associated with longer RTP times. This may guide a more conservative approach to RTP, while still adhering to individualized concussion management principles.

Introduction: Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) cause significant premature mortality. Prevention of major cardiovascular disease risk factors, like diabetes and hypertension, is a priority for public health. Aim: To estimate the risk assessment of NCD using the Community-Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC) scoring system developed by the Government of India among adults in rural areas. Materials and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 adults attending the hospital at the rural health training centre of Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, from March 2023 to August 2023 using consecutive sampling. Face-to-face interviews using a structured CBAC questionnaire and socio-demographic variables were used to gather data on age, tobacco consumption, alcohol intake, waist measurement, physical inactivity, and family history. Data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 and interpreted in frequencies, percentages, and the Chi-square test. A p-value

The gharial Gavialis gangeticus is a Critically Endangered crocodilian currently known from only 14 disjunct locations in Nepal and India. The protected stretch of the Babai River in Bardia National Park, Nepal, is home to one of the six subpopulations of gharials that have exhibited recent evidence of reproduction. However, there is limited information available on the gharial population in this region. We conducted surveys during the breeding, nesting and hatching seasons of gharials during 2020–2022 to study the gharial population in the Babai River in Bardia National Park. We located one breeding group of gharials in Soth Khola (2–3 individuals) and one in Dhanuse (5–6 individuals), and we observed pre-mating or mating behaviours in all 3 years. We identified potential nesting areas on sand banks of 19–175 m in length. During nesting seasons we found abundant signs of nesting only in Dhanuse, including entry and exit trails of female gharials to and from the water and trial nests. In 2020 and 2021 we did not find any signs of hatching, probably because of flooding. In 2022 we recorded two gharial nests, producing c. 60 hatchlings, in Dhanuse. Our findings indicate that the gharial population in the Babai River is probably nesting annually. We recommend various conservation actions for this gharial population.

RESUMO Aspidosperma australe e Aspidosperma cylindrocarpon são muito utilizadas na arborização do Campus Pampulha da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Contudo, a infestação por insetos galhadores compromete sensivelmente apenas o vigor de mudas recém-plantadas e de espécimes já adultos de A. australe. O estudo anatômico, histoquímico e a análise do perfil cromatográfico das folhas de A. australe e A. cylindrocarpon teve por objetivo avaliar caracteres morfológicos e químicos que possam constituir mecanismos de defesa, afetando a aceitabilidade e/ou a resistência dessas espécies a infestação pelo inseto galhador (Pseudophacopteron sp.). A análise estrutural permitiu caracterizá-las como espécies vegetais anatomicamente distintas, com diferenças relevantes observadas nos sistemas de revestimento e fundamental. As diferenças químicas relacionadas à produção de derivados fenólicos nas duas espécies sugerem estratégias de proteção contra a infestação pelo inseto galhador e por outros possíveis herbívoros em A. cylindrocarpon. Em A. australe, tanto as características anatômicas quanto as químicas denotam maior susceptibilidade ao ataque pelo Pseudophacopteron sp. e por todos os demais componentes da teia alimentar envolvidos nesta galha.

Objective The association between sleep quality and overall health has been extensively examined. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between sleep and the inflammatory potential of the diet. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to explore the association between the scores on the Energy-Adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII) and sleep quality in Lebanese university students.

IntroductionAscochyta blight (AB) caused by the necrotrophic fungus Ascochyta rabiei is one of the most significant diseases that limit the production of chickpea. Understanding the metabolic mechanisms underlying chickpea-A.rabiei interactions will provide important clues to develop novel approaches to manage this disease.MethodsWe performed metabolite profiling of the aerial tissue (leaf and stem) of two chickpea accessions comprising a moderately resistant breeding line (CICA1841) and a highly susceptible cultivar (Kyabra) in response to one of the highly aggressive Australian A. rabiei isolates TR9571 via non-targeted metabolomics analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.ResultsThe results revealed resistance and susceptibility-associated constitutive metabolites for example the moderately resistant breeding line had a higher mass abundance of ferulic acid while the levels of catechins, phthalic acid, and nicotinic acid were high in the susceptible cultivar. Further, the host-pathogen interaction resulted in the altered levels of various metabolites (induced and suppressed), especially in the susceptible cultivar revealing a possible reason for susceptibility against A.r abiei. Noticeably, the mass abundance of salicylic acid was induced in the aerial tissue of the susceptible cultivar after fungus colonization, while methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was suppressed, elucidating the key role of phytohormones in chickpea-A. rabiei interaction. Many differential metabolites in flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine, Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, arginine biosynthesis, valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism pathways were up- and down-regulated showing the involvement of these metabolic pathways in chickpea-A. rabiei interaction.DiscussionTaken together, this study highlights the chickpea − A. rabiei interaction at a metabolite level and shows how A. rabiei differentially alters the metabolite profile of moderately resistant and susceptible chickpea accessions and is probably exploiting the chickpea defense pathways in its favour.

IntroductionTraumatic brain injury (TBI) even in the mild form may result in long-lasting post-concussion symptoms. TBI is also a known risk to late-life neurodegeneration. Recent studies suggest that dysfunction in the glymphatic system, responsible for clearing protein waste from the brain, may play a pivotal role in the development of dementia following TBI. Given the diverse nature of TBI, longitudinal investigations are essential to comprehending the dynamic changes in the glymphatic system and its implications for recovery.MethodsIn this prospective study, we evaluated two promising glymphatic imaging markers, namely the enlarged perivascular space (ePVS) burden and Diffusion Tensor Imaging-based ALPS index, in 44 patients with mTBI at two early post-injury time points: approximately 14 days (14Day) and 6–12 months (6–12Mon) post-injury, while also examining their associations with post-concussion symptoms. Additionally, 37 controls, comprising both orthopedic patients and healthy individuals, were included for comparative analysis.ResultsOur key findings include: (1) White matter ePVS burden (WM-ePVS) and ALPS index exhibit significant correlations with age. (2) Elevated WM-ePVS burden in acute mTBI (14Day) is significantly linked to a higher number of post-concussion symptoms, particularly memory problems. (3) The increase in the ALPS index from acute (14Day) to the chronic (6–12Mon) phases in mTBI patients correlates with improvement in sleep measures. Furthermore, incorporating WM-ePVS burden and the ALPS index from acute phase enhances the prediction of chronic memory problems beyond socio-demographic and basic clinical information.ConclusionePVS burden and ALPS index offers distinct values in assessing glymphatic structure and activity. Early evaluation of glymphatic function could be crucial for understanding TBI recovery and developing targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes.

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of an ethanol extract of Ocimum basilicum L. (EEOb) aerial parts against Ehrlich’s experimental tumor (EET) in mice. Methods: Swiss mice were divided into two groups (control and treated; n = 6). On day 21, all mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 2 × 106 (0.05 mL) EET cells in the left paw for solid tumor development. This study lasted 28 days. Treatment began 24 hours after inoculation with EET. Measurements of dorsoplantar thickness were used to assess tumor growth. The paw pad was collected for histopathological analysis and stained using the argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions (AgNOR) technique and immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Bcl-2 and Bax. Results: The treatment of animals with EEOb at 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally was able to reduce the growth (Control = 3.7 ± 0.1 mm vs. EEOb = 5.7 ± 0.2 mm) and the number of AgNORs of solid Ehrlich tumor. The antitumor effect of EEOb was associated with the induction of apoptosis of tumoral cell, as suggested by the reduction of the content of Bcl-2 induced by extract. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that daily administration of EEOb is able to reduce the growth of EET by induce apoptosis of tumoral cells.

The collection and use of Sargassum spp. as feedstock for the production of valuable products such as biomethane by anaerobic digestion (AD) would mitigate the negative impact of the blooms and the costs related to waste management in the Dominican Republic. In this work, the effect of the particle size of pelagic Sargassum spp. biomass, as a result of mechanical pretreatments, on the biomethanation was determined. The granulometric analysis of the mechanically pre-treated biomass was carried out using a Mastersize2000. The Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) of the samples was determined using an Automatic Potential System Test II (AMPTS® II). The kinetic parameters of the reaction were scientifically evaluated by using First order kinetic Model and modified Gompertz Model. The granulometric analysis showed a monomodal distribution on crushed biomass (505 µm) and a bimodal distribution on the milling sample (107 µm). The bimodal biomass means the biomass is characterized by the presence of fine and large particles. We observed that BMP increased by 78.85% when particles were reduced from 50,000 µm to 505 µm and by 73.61% when particles were reduced from 50,000 µm to 107 µm. A low methane yield from the milling biomass (107 µm) compared to the crushed biomass (505 µm) could be related to the excessive reduction of particle size. The fine particles are subject to the formation of aggregates and consequently, the contact area between the algae cells and the microorganisms that operate the anaerobic digestion process decreases.

With the voluminous information being produced by the Internet of Things (IoT) smart gadgets, the consumers with their countless service requests are also growing rapidly. As there is a huge distance between the IoT devices and the Cloud datacenter, some latency is incurred in the communication between the IoT devices and the Cloud datacenter. This latency can be reduced by introducing a Fog layer in between the Cloud and the IoT layer and therefore, it is paramount to offload those tremendous data to leverage the overloaded storage and computation to the Cloud-based systems and Fog-assisted nodes. Moreover, these heavy computations consume significant energy from the distributed Fog servers as well as Cloud datacenters. Therefore, this work addresses the task migration problem in a Fog-Cloud system and load balancing to reduce the latency rate, energy utilized and service time while increasing the resource utilization for latency-sensitive systems. This paper uses a Fuzzy logic algorithm for determining the target layers for offloading considering the resource heterogeneity and the system requirements (i.e., network bandwidth, task size, resource utilization and latency sensitivity). A Binary Linear-Weight JAYA (BLWJAYA) task scheduling algorithm has been proposed to map the incoming IoT requests to computation-rich Fog nodes/virtual machines (VMs). Numerous experimental simulations have been carried out to appraise the efficacy of the suggested method and it is evident that the suggested method outperforms other baselines with an approximate improvement of 26.2%, 12%, 7%, 8.63% and 6% for Resource utilization, Service rate, Latency rate, Energy consumption and Load balancing rate. The presented approach is generic and scalable concerning addressing the unpredictability of data and the associated latency due to the task offloading criteria within the Fog layer.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health crisis that impedes the therapeutic effectiveness of available antimicrobial agents. Due to the high burden of infectious diseases and limited resources, especially trained healthcare professionals, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of AMR. Sometimes, as the first and last point of contact for patients seeking treatment for infections, community pharmacists can play a pivotal role in the stewardship required for AMR. This review aims to highlight the contributions made by community pharmacists in LMICs as AMR stewards. The review considers the challenges from the perspectives of limited resources, inadequate training, a lack of policies and regulations, and issues related to patient behavior. Community pharmacists in LMICs could optimize their advocacy contributions by focusing on One Health AMR stewardship. Transformational and actionable patient and population-centric antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is feasible with the synergy of policymakers and other healthcare providers in the implementation of AMS policies and programs that support community pharmacists in their efforts to promote rational antimicrobial use.

Organic egg production is expensive due to the handling conditions and the adequate feed for the hens, thus increasing production and selling costs. The objective of the study was to analyze some implications in organic egg production, as well as some of the factors that intervene in the viability of the market. Articles were collected from various databases, including Scielo, Taylor & Francis, Elsevier, and Google Scholar. The viability of the egg in the market may be feasible for some nuclei of society where the economic conditions of the producing farms and consumers allow it. The nutrients in organic eggs are more significant, and they may have characteristics that the consumer likes at a glance. Although organic egg production is known for its high nutritional value, it is only a feasible option in some countries due to the economic conditions of each market. Therefore, the production system is limited to specific regions around the world.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) became a global pandemic, with high mortality in severely ill patients. This study aimed to develop a novel scoring system to prognosticate disease severity in COVID-19 patients that is effective and widely available in tertiary medical resource settings. Material and Methods: Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were enrolled in this retrospective cohort, divided into severe and non-severe groups. We randomly assigned 70% of the subjects to establish a novel scoring system, while the remaining 30% was used for internal validation. The model was constructed by multivariate logistic regression using the first clinical, laboratory, and radiological finding of statistically analysis of group patients. receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and cross-tabulation were used to evaluate the performance of our score and compare it with other models. Results: A total of 599 patients were included. The Soetomo COVID-19 prognostic score predictors included age, fever, specific comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, lung tuberculosis), respiratory rate, heart rate, SF ratio, whole blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil lympocyte ratio (NLR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and a RALE score. The area under the ROC of the model indicated an excellent discriminatory ability (training datasets 0.715 [95% CI 0.664-0.767, p-value

Abstract Plant anatomists perceive the plant body as the dynamic result of complex developmental processes which may deviate during gall development. Gall development involves local responses forming a morphophysiological continuum with the host plant organ, which can be addressed by anatomical studies. We revisited the history of galls in Brazil, as well as their morphogenetical potentialities and integration with entomological, chemical, physiological, and ecological approaches. The Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae, and Asteraceae are the main hosts of the Brazilian gall morphotyes, which can be classified according to their three-dimensional shapess. Anatomical tools have been used to map cell and tissue fates in gall morphotypes, revealing the potential of plant tissue systems to overexpress or inhibit standard plant development. In-depth anatomical, cytological, histochemical, and immunocytochemical techniques have greatly expanded the knowledge of gall traits and plant cell responses. The new structures of galls hosted on leaves, stems, roots, and reproductive organs show consistent tissue specialization regarding the dermal and ground tissue systems, with the gall’s vascular system being connected to preexisting or newly formed bundles of the host plant. Due to the diverse stressors imposed on plant tissues, gall anatomy reveals adaptive responses that can be addressed from several perspectives, including citizen science initiatives.

Abstract Background During the early “containment” phase of the COVID-19 response in England (January-March 2020), contact tracing was managed by Public Health England (PHE). Adherence to self-isolation during this phase and how people were making those decisions has not previously been determined. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of decisions around adherence to self-isolation during the first phase of the COVID-19 response in England. Methods A mixed-methods cross sectional study was conducted, including an online survey and qualitative interviews. The overall pattern of adherence was described as never leaving home, leaving home for lower-contact reasons and leaving home for higher-contact reasons. Fisher’s exact test was used to test associations between adherence and potentially predictive binary factors. Factors showing evidence of association overall were then considered in relation to the three aspects of adherence individually. Qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Of 250 respondents who were advised to self-isolate, 63% reported not leaving home at all during their isolation period, 20% reported leaving only for lower-contact activities (dog walking or exercise) and 16% reported leaving for higher-contact, and therefore higher-risk, reasons. Factors associated with adherence to never going out included: the belief that following isolation advice would save lives, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, being advised to stay in their room, having help from outside and having regular contact by text message from PHE. Factors associated with non-adherence included being angry about the advice to isolate, being unable to get groceries delivered and concerns about losing touch with friends and family. Interviews highlighted that a sense of duty motivated people to adhere to isolation guidance and where people did leave their homes, these decisions were based on rational calculations of the risk of transmission – people would only leave their homes when they thought they were unlikely to come into contact with others. Conclusions Understanding adherence to isolation and associated reasoning during the early stages of the pandemic is essential to pandemic preparedness for future emerging infectious disease outbreaks. Individuals make complex decisions around adherence by calibrating transmission risks, therefore treating adherence as binary should be avoided.

Marine algae, encompassing both macroalgae and microalgae, have emerged as a promising and prolific source of bioactive compounds with potent anticancer properties. Despite their significant therapeutic potential, the clinical application of these peptides is hindered by challenges such as poor bioavailability and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. To overcome these limitations, innovative delivery systems, particularly nanocarriers, have been explored. Nanocarriers, including liposomes, nanoparticles, and micelles, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enhancing the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of marine algal peptides, ensuring controlled release and prolonged therapeutic effects. Marine algal peptides encapsulated in nanocarriers significantly enhance bioavailability, ensuring more efficient absorption and utilization in the body. Preclinical studies have shown promising results, indicating that nanocarrier-based delivery systems can significantly improve the pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic outcomes of marine algal peptides. This review delves into the diverse anticancer mechanisms of marine algal peptides, which include inducing apoptosis, disrupting cell cycle progression, and inhibiting angiogenesis. Further research focused on optimizing nanocarrier formulations, conducting comprehensive clinical trials, and continued exploration of marine algal peptides holds great promise for developing innovative, effective, and sustainable cancer therapies.

Abstract Background Labeling efficiency is a crucial parameter in fluorescence applications, especially when studying biomolecular interactions. Current approaches for estimating the yield of fluorescent labeling have critical drawbacks that usually lead them to be inaccurate or not quantitative. Results We present a method to quantify fluorescent-labeling efficiency that addresses the critical issues marring existing approaches. The method operates in the same conditions of the target experiments by exploiting a ratiometric evaluation with two fluorophores used in sequential reactions. We show the ability of the protocol to extract reliable quantification for different fluorescent probes, reagents concentrations, and reaction timing and to optimize labeling performance. As paradigm, we consider the labeling of the membrane-receptor TrkA through 4′-phosphopantetheinyl transferase Sfp in living cells, visualizing the results by TIRF microscopy. This investigation allows us to find conditions for demanding single and multi-color single-molecule studies requiring high degrees of labeling. Conclusions The developed method allows the quantitative determination and the optimization of staining efficiency in any labeling strategy based on stable reactions.

Abstract Low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors have been widely used following recent sensor-technology advancements; however, inherent limitations of low-cost monitors (LCMs), which operate based on light scattering without an air-conditioning function, still restrict their applicability. We propose a regional calibration of LCMs using a multivariate Tobit model with historical weather and air quality data to improve the accuracy of ambient air monitoring, which is highly dependent on meteorological conditions, local climate, and regional PM properties. Weather observations and PM2.5 (fine inhalable particles with diameters ≤ 2.5 μm) concentrations from two regions in Korea, Incheon and Jeju, and one in Singapore were used as training data to build a visibility-based calibration model. To validate the model, field measurements were conducted by an LCM in Jeju and Singapore, where R2 and the error after applying the model in Jeju improved (from 0.85 to 0.88) and reduced by 44% (from 8.4 to 4.7 μg m−3), respectively. The results demonstrated that regional calibration involving air temperature, relative humidity, and other local climate parameters can efficiently correct the bias of the sensor. Our findings suggest that the proposed post-processing using the Tobit model with regional weather and air quality data enhances the applicability of LCMs.

Through exploration, we want to contribute to scientific knowledge and collect data that will change our understanding of the universe, engaging individuals, organizations, and people along this extraordinary journey. At a time of crucial change for our survival on the planet, we feel compelled to contribute and engineer new and brilliant solutions to keep the earth’s inhabitants healthy and human civilization to thrive.

The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and strict quarantine increased the likelihood of mental symptoms and abnormal eating behaviours. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of emotional eating (EE) among nurses working in Lebanese hospitals and its association with mental health. A cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses aged between 18 and 50 years working in Lebanese hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak and the economic crisis. A total of 303 nurses consented to participate. The mean EE score was 28.56 (±8.11). The results of this study revealed that 53.8% of the nurses reported depression, 58.1% suffered from anxiety and 95.1% experienced either moderate or severe stress. The study concluded that females (β = 8.112, P = 0.004), non-smokers (β = –4.732, P = 0.01) and depressed nurses (β = 0.596, P = 0.046) had a higher tendency towards EE. Additionally, it was found that EE was associated with weight gain (β = 6.048, P = 0.03) and increased consumption of fried foods (β = 5.223, P = 0.001). Females experienced more stress (β = 2.244, P = 0.003) and anxiety (β = 1.526, P = 0.021) than their male counterparts. With regard to mental health, depression was associated with weight gain (β = 2.402, P = 0.003) and with lower consumption of healthy foods such as nuts (β = –1.706, P = 0.009) and dishes prepared with sofrito sauce (β = –1.378, P = 0.012). These results can help the health authorities to design preparedness plans to ensure proper mental and physical well-being of nurses during any unforeseen emergencies.

According to literary critics, contemporary Young Adult novels reflect the adolescents’ literary and psychological needs and focus on the de-naturalization of traditional identities and family patterns in order to deromanticize adolescence, as it can be a real identity crisis. Taking this into account, it is interesting to examine how male and female adolescents personalities’ are constructed in Young Adult fiction within dialogic negotiations with society and family, where death is experienced literally and metaphorically due to multiple forms of victimization. This paper focuses on Andri Antoniou’s polyphonic – and full of narrative complexities and dialogical resonances – fiction novels and examines how the Greek Cypriot Young Adult fiction author subverts the “adult’s desire for the child” and challenges the myth of innocence in young age with her realistic and often naturalistic writing, reminding critical theorists’ arguments that Young Adult fiction advocate psychoanalytical readings. Drawing on Young Adult fiction Literary Criticism, qualitative content analysis and the main principles of New Criticism, the way Antoniou represents male and female adolescents personalities to grow into maturity through death, depression, substance use and violence will be examined; additionally, the way the adolescent characters negotiate with themselves and others in order to balance their own power against their parents (or other authority figures in their lives) and their abusers will also be investigated.

In developing countries, infectious keratitis being the probable cause of preventable blindness, also have a varied epidemiological profile. This study was conducted to know the microbiological profile, risk factors, epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from patients with a corneal ulcers. A total of 193 patients who were clinically diagnosed with cases of infective keratitis in the Department of Ophthalmology were included in the study. The sample collected by an ophthalmologist was received in the Microbiology department. All the demographic details and relevant clinical data were noted. The bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility were done using automated methods while the fungal identification was done using the conventional method (Vitek2 Compact system, BioMerieux). Out of 193 patients, 69% were male and 31% % were females. The Majority of cases were from the age group 41- 50 years. Of 193 cases, 83 (43%) showed microbial etiology in culture. Of 83 culture positive cases, 55 (66.3%) were fungal and 28 (33.7%) were bacterial. The most common isolated fungus was Fusarium species detected in 24 (28.9%) cases followed by Aspergillus species in 14 (16.8%) cases. Gram positive bacteria were predominantly isolated from cases of infective keratitis. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolated bacteria in 12 (14.4%) out of 83 positive cases followed by Coagulase negative Staphylococcus. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common Gram negative bacteria isolated from the cases. Among the topical antimicrobials, both Gram positive bacteria as well as Gram negative bacteria showed maximum sensitivity to levofloxacin. Proper knowledge of the clinical presentation and etiological agents aided with microbiological examination is necessary in order to effectively treat corneal ulcers and prevent further complications that can lead to blindness.

Abstract Background Image optimization is a key step in clinical nuclear medicine, and phantoms play an essential role in this process. However, most phantoms do not accurately reflect the complexity of human anatomy, and this presents a particular challenge when imaging endocrine glands to detect small (often subcentimeter) tumors. To address this, we developed a novel phantom for optimization of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the human pituitary gland. Using radioactive 3D printing, phantoms were created which mimicked the distribution of 11C-methionine in normal pituitary tissue and in a small tumor embedded in the gland (i.e., with no inactive boundary, thereby reproducing the in vivo situation). In addition, an anatomical phantom, replicating key surrounding structures [based on computed tomography (CT) images from an actual patient], was created using material extrusion 3D printing with specialized filaments that approximated the attenuation properties of bone and soft tissue. Results The phantom enabled us to replicate pituitary glands harboring tumors of varying sizes (2, 4 and 6 mm diameters) and differing radioactive concentrations (2 ×, 5 × and 8 × the normal gland). The anatomical phantom successfully approximated the attenuation properties of surrounding bone and soft tissue. Two iterative reconstruction algorithms [ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM); Bayesian penalized likelihood (BPL)] with a range of reconstruction parameters (e.g., 3, 5, 7 and 9 OSEM iterations with 24 subsets; BPL regularization parameter (β) from 50 to 1000) were tested. Images were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by eight expert readers. Quantitatively, signal was the highest using BPL with β = 50; noise was the lowest using BPL with β = 1000; contrast was the highest using BPL with β = 100. The qualitative review found that accuracy and confidence were the highest when using BPL with β = 400. Conclusions The development of a bespoke phantom has allowed the identification of optimal parameters for molecular pituitary imaging: BPL reconstruction with TOF, PSF correction and a β value of 400; in addition, for small (

Media Web Course is the use of the internet for educational purposes, where students and teachers are completely separate and no face-to-face is required. The objectives of this study are: (1) To find out whether there are differences in mathematics learning outcomes based on the e-learning learning method using the web course model (2) To determine whether there are differences in mathematics learning outcomes based on the level of student independence and (3) To determine whether there is an interaction between the e-learning learning method using the web course model and the level of student independence. The method used is an experimental research method. The research design used is a factorial design. The data analysis technique used is two-way analysis of variance. The results of this study are: (1) there is an influence between the use of web-based learning media on student learning outcomes obtained from the analysis of hypothesis testing (2) there is an influence between student learning independence and student learning outcomes (3) there is no interaction between student learning independence and learning outcomes using web media.

The problem in this study is related to the parameter of the phrase unable to fulfill the Notary's obligations regulated in the Notary Office Law and the form of legal protection. So that the goal of this writing is to get legal protection for Notaries against the ambiguity of legal norms. This study uses normative legal research methods with several approaches, namely the statutory approach and the conceptual approach. The results of this study indicate that preventive legal protection can be provided through laws and regulations that explain the criteria/standards for underprivileged people, namely: livelihood, salary or wages, those who are only able to meet basic needs that are decent but unable to pay contributions for themselves and his family. The repressive legal protection that can be given to a Notary, in this case, is if the Notary is not sure about the financial condition of the apparel so that he cannot provide legal services in the notary field for free, then another form of providing legal services is in the form of a reduction in honorarium or notary fees. in making a deed, the amount of the notary's honorarium has been determined by the provisions of the law. How to cite item: Indrajaya, Rosy, “Notary's Obligation to Provide Legal Services Free of Charge.” Jurnal Cakrawala Hukum14 no. 1 (2023): 106-114. DOI: 10.26905/idjch.v14i1.8516.

Abstract Background Parapharyngeal Space tumors are rare tumors of the head and neck. They most commonly arise from the deep lobe of the parotid gland. Most of these tumors are in seen in adults and de novo origin from the minor salivary glands is extremely rare. The surgical approach needs to tailor made depending on the extent of the disease. Case presentation A female child presented with chief complaints of swelling below the left ear for 9 months. On examination, the swelling was firm and non-tender, measuring 6 × 4 cm. A smooth bulge was seen in the left oropharynx, pushing the uvula to the opposite side. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) showed features of Pleomorphic Adenoma. Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a 4 × 6.1 × 6.7 cm well-defined solid lesion in the left parapharyngeal space. It was isointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2. Surgical excision was done via semi trans-parotid cervical approach. The tumor was solid and seen separately from the parotid gland, suggestive of a de novo tumor diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma on histopathology. The patient made a good recovery and is disease free at 1 year of follow-up. Conclusion Semi-transparotid combined with the cervical approach is a feasible option for large parapharyngeal space tumors without the need for mandibulotomy.

Abstract Ferns have been poorly reported as hosts of gall inducers, and their multitrophic interactions and relationships are practically unknown to science. We focused on Niphidium crassifolium (Polypodiaceae) that hosts globoid leaf galls. The galls on N. crassifolium have only reported for the South and Southeast regions of Brazil, with a discussion regarding the identity of the gall inducer: is it a Cecidomyiidae-Diptera or to Coccidae-Hemiptera? These two insect groups have distinct characteristics and consequently their galls must have distinct anatomical and histochemical traits. Such traits may work out as functional tools to be used to confirm the taxa of the associated galling herbivore and to evaluate their geographic distribution. Our study aimed to expand the known distribution of N. crassifolium and its interactions based on an inventory of scientific articles and on herbarium data, and also to test the usefulness of anatomical and histochemical traits for proposing the identity of the gall inducer. The geographic distribution of N. crassifolium galls involves five South American countries, i.e., Bolivia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, and Brazil. The development of an outer tissue compartment with phenolic-rich cell layers and an inner nutritive tissue leads us to infer that the inducer belongs to the Cecidomyiidae family.

The biofilm lifestyle of bacterial pathogens is a hallmark of chronic lung infections such as in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Bacterial adaptation to the complex conditions in CF-affected lungs and repeated antibiotherapies lead to increasingly tolerant and hard-to-treat biofilms. In the context of growing antimicrobial resistance and restricted therapeutic options, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) shows great promise as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial modalities. Typically, aPDT consists in irradiating a non-toxic photosensitizer (PS) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which kill pathogens in the surrounding environment. In a previous study, we reported that some ruthenium (II) complexes ([Ru(II)]) can mediate potent photodynamic inactivation (PDI) against planktonic cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates. In the present work, [Ru(II)] were further assayed to evaluate their ability to photo-inactivate such bacteria under more complex experimental conditions better recapitulating the microenvironment in lung infected airways. Bacterial PDI was tentatively correlated with the properties of [Ru(II)] in biofilms, in mucus, and following diffusion across the latter. Altogether, the results obtained demonstrate the negative impacting role of mucus and biofilm components on [Ru(II)]-mediated PDT, following different possible mechanisms of action. Technical limitations were also identified that may be overcome, making this report a pilot for other similar studies. In conclusion, [Ru(II)] may be subjected to specific chemical engineering and/or drug formulation to adapt their properties to the harsh micro-environmental conditions of the infected respiratory tract.

Introduction: Children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) often show an increase in femoral anteversion angle (FAA). Computed tomography (CT) scan is the main modality for evaluating FAA in these patients, however, due to significant radiation exposure, it carries a high carcinogenic risk. FEMORA® software is expected to be able to accurately assess FAA even with conventional X-ray images that only require low radiation exposure. However, its validity has not been tested in various populations or CT devices. This study aimed to validate the FEMORA® software by comparing it to CT scans done on an Indonesian population. Material and methods: All spastic CP patients of the outpatient clinic at Dr. Soetomo Hospital between March and November 2022, were included. The FEMORA® Software evaluation was performed by three examiners. The calculation results were averaged and compared with those of the CT scan. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), reliability, and correlation were be assessed. Results: There were 36 patients included in this study. Most were female (n = 22; 61,1 %) and the average age was 7,28 years old. Interobserver preoperative analysis using ICC showed good outcomes (p = 0.918; 95 % CI, 0.858–0.955). FAA measurement results using FEMORA® and CT scans were 41,71 ± 12,90 and 32,68 ± 11,85, respectively. Correlation coefficient between the two values is 0.634 (p

[it] Questo contributo presenta una sintesi delle nuove ricerche effettuate a Tusculum tra il 2018 e il 2023. Gli scavi si svilupparono nell’area monumentale della città e nella zona meridionale del foro. Presentiamo una sistematizzazione della documentazione archeologica prodotta in quasi 30 anni di ricerche della EEHAR e nuove proposte interpretative su edifici parzialmente scavati nel corso delle prime campagne e adesso integralmente portati alla luce (basiliche). Per la prima volta nella storia degli studi sul foro tuscolano sono state realizzate una serie di piante con la periodizzazione dell’area. Esse favoriscono un racconto coerente dell’evoluzione diacronica della zona in esame. Attraverso l’integrazione dei nuovi dati di scavo, presentiamo una pianta archeologica del foro con le differenti fasi e una sintesi grafica che rende chiari i vari passaggi storici nell’area monumentale. I dati dei nuovi scavi aprono ulteriori riflessioni sulla tipologia degli edifici forensi di Tusculum. In primo luogo sulle cronologie delle due basiliche presenti nel foro in due diversi periodi della storia urbana e, successivamente, sull’interpretazione di un edificio parzialmente conosciuto e completato nelle campagne citate (Curia / Tempio). In una seconda parte dell’articolo, gli interventi edilizi si relazionano alla storia della città conosciuta dalle fonti storiche ed epigrafiche.

Most foods derived from plant origin are very nutritious but highly perishable products. Nowadays, the food industry is focusing on the development of efficient preservation strategies as viable alternatives to traditional packaging and chemical treatments. Hence, polysaccharide-based edible coatings have been proposed because of their properties of controlled release of food additives and the protection of sensitive compounds in coated foods. Thus, this technology has allowed for improving the quality parameters and extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables through positive effects on enzyme activities, physicochemical characteristics (e.g., color, pH, firmness, weight, soluble solids), microbial load, and nutritional and sensory properties of coated foods. Additionally, some bioactive compounds have been incorporated into polysaccharide-based edible coatings, showing remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Thus, polysaccharide-based edible coatings incorporated with bioactive compounds can be used not only as an efficient preservation strategy but also may play a vital role in human health when consumed with the food. The main objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of materials commonly used in the preparation of polysaccharide-based edible coatings, including the main bioactive compounds that can be incorporated into edible coatings, which have shown specific bioactivities.

Non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB) endeavouring as major pathogen in infectious disease, predominantly in urinary tract infection (UTI) and increased resistance in NFGNB are matter of concern. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of NFGNB, antibiotics resistance pattern, plasmid profiling, and antibacterial efficacy of Moringa oleifera against NFGNB. NFGNB were isolated from clinically suspected UTI patients. Identification of isolates and their antibiotics sensitivity pattern were analyzed according to conventional method, and Vitek 2 automated system. Moreover, NFGNB were evaluated for biofilm production and presence of plasmid. Furthermore, antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera was evaluated against NFGNB. P. aeruginosa (86.0%), and A. baumannii (10.0%) were the most frequent NFGNB followed by Providencia rettgeri 2.0%, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 1.0%, myroides species 1.0%. 68.6% P. aeruginosa and 60.0% A. baumannii were biofilm producers whereas imipenem and meropenem were the most effective antibiotics. Isolated NFGNB showed multiple bands of plasmid. Furthermore, Moringa oleifera leaves extract showed antibacterial activity against tested NFGNB. MDR-NFGNB presents challenges in treatment and Moringa oleifera leaf extract may be used as an alternative medicine. However, the therapeutic role of specific ingredients present in extract needs further investigation and purification.

Moringa leaves have bioactive compounds of flavonoids and tannins, which can be used as antimicrobials to substitute triclosan and glycerol compounds in commercial sanitizer gels. This study aims to determine the antimicrobial activity, physicochemical characteristics, and sensory properties of the moringa leaf extract of the bio-sanitizer gel. The research consisted of two stages: the extraction of Moringa leaves and the stages of making bio-sanitizer gel. The study used a factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors: the type of solvent and the ratio of sample to solvent. Data were analyzed using variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that all samples added to Moringa leaf extract had an antibacterial activity with inhibition zone values that did not differ between treatments within a range of 2.5-3.0 mm. All samples of Moringa leaf extract bio-sanitizer gel have the potential to inhibit E.coli and S.aureus bacteria. The treatment selected for this study was a bio-sanitizer gel of Moringa leaf extract with ethanol solvent and concentration of 1:6 with a pH value (3.90), viscosity (5.57), homogeneous, and having the preferred sensory value (aromatic = 6.47, color = 5.89, viscosity = 5.54, tackiness = 5.48, overall = 5.95).

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the infectious diseases and is a major cause of poor health, thus becoming one of the leading causes of death in the world. In 2021 the World Health Organization (WHO) said that, 9.9 million people experienced TB disease worldwide. It is also estimated that every year there are 13,110 cases of people who die from TB disease. The number of TB cases in Indonesia is estimated at 845,000 cases in 2020 with 393,323 TB cases notified. According to data from the Tasikmalaya City Health Office in 2020, there were 1.045 cases of TB sufferers in Tasikmalaya City. TB disease can be cured by taking treatment for 6 months. Adherence to treatment is one way to prevent failure in TB treatment. The daily medicine box is one solution to improve patient compliance with anti-TB treatment. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of daily medication use on adherence to anti-TB medication in TB patients at the Tamansari Public Health Center, Tasikmalaya City. This study uses a quantitative approach with the research method of Pre-Experimental Design, one group with pre-test & post-test. The sample was 16 respondents in this study, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test used in this research. Results: The results showed that the pretest-posttest had an effect of the daily medicine box on adherence to taking anti-TB drugs in TB patients with p-value 0.000

In recent years, Polypodium leucotomos has emerged with a great interest for having medicinal and therapeutic potential. It is producing very promising results due to the presence of antioxidant and photoprotective properties. Electronic libraries and databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant studies; 79 publications contributed to this review regarding Polypodium leucotomos botanical aspects, chemical composition, antioxidant and photoprotective activity. It is used in complementary and alternative therapies with various pharmaceutical dosage forms (systemic or topical). Thanks to the composition of phytochemical constituents present in the leaves and rhizomes which confer antioxidant and photoprotective activity that has clinical therapeutic potential to be used as systemic and topical sunscreen of natural origin for the prevention of different types of skin diseases caused by harmful ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B radiations. However, more studies are needed in the future to test the ability and enhance the capacity of sunscreen and sunblock in cosmetic formulations. To conclude, it is recommended to carry out scientific studies based on different analytical methods to evaluate the phytoconstituents potential and to develop stable pharmaceutical formulations according to the skin phototype.

Abstract Background The use of evidence-based (EB) and evidence-informed (EI) criteria in determining the effectiveness of health interventions has been widely adopted by national and international agencies in their attempt to address health gaps, particularly around Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiatives. Utilization of these rigorous standards has proven critical in making progress towards achieving EHE goals, yet many communities remain unreached and underserved despite widespread adoption of EB/EI standards in public health research and practice. Although a crucial tool for innovative healthcare delivery, emphasis on the use of EB/EI parameters has created bias within the cycle of knowledge creation that favors well-resourced institutions given their capacity to meet the rigorous evaluation standards required of EB/EI science. This bias can systematically exclude institutions more aligned with community needs, such as community-based organizations and other grass-roots initiatives, which may have long-standing interventions that more effectively engage marginalized groups but do not have the capacity to meet EB/EI standards. Main body This paper will explore the manifestation of systematic bias and research inequity in the process of identifying and assessing EB/EI HIV care interventions through the lens of a Health Resources and Services Administration funded initiative, coined the Center for Innovation and Engagement, which supports people living with HIV in the United States. An overview of the initiative is provided along with examples of how promising interventions with positive outcomes for members of marginalized communities are excluded in place of interventions that meet traditional standards of scientific rigor but are not novel or particularly innovative. Themes around academic imperialism and power hierarchies will be considered along with key barriers, lessons learned, and recommendations for promoting more equitable EB/EI research practice. Conclusions It is crucial for entities supporting public health interventions to prioritize equity and inclusion in all stages of funding, design, and implementation. This is particularly true for conditions, such as HIV, that disproportionally impact the most marginalized. This will require approaching EB/EI research with a critical lens towards power and a willingness to dismantle historical dynamics that perpetuate inequities as a way of encouraging truly innovative solutions to support those who need it most.

Abstract Background Mammosphere formation assay has become a versatile tool to quantify the activity of putative breast cancer stem cells in non-adherent in vitro cultures. However, optimizing the suspension culture system is crucial to establish mammosphere cultures from primary breast tumors. Methods This study aimed at determining the self-renewal and sphere-forming potential of breast cancer stem-like cells derived from human primary invasive ductal carcinoma and normal breast tissue samples, and MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using an optimal suspension culture system. Mammosphere-forming efficiency of the mammospheres generated from the tissue samples and cell line were compared. We evaluated the expression of CD44+/CD24−/low and CD49f+/EpCAM−/low phenotypes in the stem-like cells by flow cytometry. CK-18, CK-19, α-SMA, and EpCAM marker expression was assessed using immunohistochemical staining. Results Breast epithelial cells isolated from the three samples formed two-dimensional spheroids in suspension cultures. Interestingly, mammospheres formed from patient-derived primary breast tumors were enriched in breast cancer stem-like cells with the phenotype CD44+/CD24−/low and exhibited a relatively more number of large spheres when compared to the normal breast stem cells. MCF-7-derived SCs were more aggressive and resulted in the formation of a significantly higher number of spheroids. The expression of CK-18/CK-19 and α-SMA/EpCAM proteins was confirmed in breast cancer tissues. Conclusions Thus, the use of primary tumor specimens and breast cancer cell lines as suitable models for elucidating the breast cancer stem cell activity was validated using mammosphere culture system.

Abstract Background The national shielding programme was introduced by UK Government at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with individuals identified as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) offered advice and support to stay at home and avoid all non-essential contact. This study aimed to explore the impact and responses of “shielding” on the health and wellbeing of CEV individuals in Southwest England during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Methods A two-stage mixed methods study, including a structured survey (7 August—23 October 2020) and semi-structured telephone interviews (26 August—30 September 2020) with a sample of individuals who had been identified as CEV and advised to “shield” by Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Results The survey was completed by 203 people (57% female, 54% > 69 years, 94% White British, 64% retired) in Southwest England identified as CEV by BNSSG CCG. Thirteen survey respondents participated in follow-up interviews (53% female, 40% > 69 years, 100% White British, 61% retired). Receipt of ‘official’ communication from NHS England or General Practitioner (GP) was considered by participants as the legitimate start of shielding. 80% of survey responders felt they received all relevant advice needed to shield, yet interviewees criticised the timing of advice and often sought supplementary information. Shielding behaviours were nuanced, adapted to suit personal circumstances, and waned over time. Few interviewees received community support, although food boxes and informal social support were obtained by some. Worrying about COVID-19 was common for survey responders (90%). Since shielding had begun, physical and mental health reportedly worsened for 35% and 42% of survey responders respectively. 21% of survey responders scored ≥ 10 on the PHQ-9 questionnaire indicating possible depression and 15% scored ≥ 10 on the GAD-7 questionnaire indicating possible anxiety. Conclusions This research highlights the difficulties in providing generic messaging that is applicable and appropriate given the diversity of individuals identified as CEV and the importance of sharing tailored and timely advice to inform shielding decisions. Providing messages that reinforce self-determined action and assistance from support services could reduce the negative impact of shielding on mental health and feelings of social isolation.

Abstract During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, wearing face masks in public spaces became mandatory in most countries. The risk of self-contamination when handling face masks, which was one of the earliest concerns, can be mitigated by adding antiviral coatings to the masks. In the present study, we evaluated the antiviral effectiveness of sodium chloride deposited on a fabric suitable for the manufacturing of reusable cloth masks using techniques adapted to the home environment. We tested eight coating conditions, involving both spraying and dipping methods and three salt dilutions. Influenza A H3N2 virus particles were incubated directly on the salt-coated materials, collected, and added to human 3D airway epithelial cultures. Live virus replication in the epithelia was quantified over time in collected apical washes. Relative to the non-coated material, salt deposits at or above 4.3 mg/cm2 markedly reduced viral replication. However, even for larger quantities of salt, the effectiveness of the coating remained dependent on the crystal size and distribution, which in turn depended on the coating technique. These findings confirm the suitability of salt coating as antiviral protection on cloth masks, but also emphasize that particular attention should be paid to the coating protocol when developing consumer solutions.

Pod shatter is a trait of agricultural relevance that ensures plants dehisce seeds in their native environment and has been subjected to domestication and selection for non-shattering types in several broadacre crops. However, pod shattering causes a significant yield reduction in canola (Brassica napus L.) crops. An interspecific breeding line BC95042 derived from a B. rapa/B. napus cross showed improved pod shatter resistance (up to 12-fold than a shatter-prone B. napus variety). To uncover the genetic basis and improve pod shatter resistance in new varieties, we analysed F2 and F2:3 derived populations from the cross between BC95042 and an advanced breeding line, BC95041, and genotyped with 15,498 DArTseq markers. Through genome scan, interval and inclusive composite interval mapping analyses, we identified seven quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with pod rupture energy, a measure for pod shatter resistance or pod strength, and they locate on A02, A03, A05, A09 and C01 chromosomes. Both parental lines contributed alleles for pod shatter resistance. We identified five pairs of significant epistatic QTLs for additive x additive, additive dominance and dominance x dominance interactions between A01/C01, A03/A07, A07/C03, A03/C03, and C01/C02 chromosomes for rupture energy. QTL effects on A03/A07 and A01/C01 were in the repulsion phase. Comparative mapping identified several candidate genes (AG, ABI3, ARF3, BP1, CEL6, FIL, FUL, GA2OX2, IND, LATE, LEUNIG, MAGL15, RPL, QRT2, RGA, SPT and TCP10) underlying main QTL and epistatic QTL interactions for pod shatter resistance. Three QTLs detected on A02, A03, and A09 were near the FUL (FRUITFULL) homologues BnaA03g39820D and BnaA09g05500D. Focusing on the FUL, we investigated putative motifs, sequence variants and the evolutionary rate of its homologues in 373 resequenced B. napus accessions of interest. BnaA09g05500D is subjected to purifying selection as it had a low Ka/Ks ratio compared to other FUL homologues in B. napus. This study provides a valuable resource for genetic improvement for yield through an understanding of the genetic mechanism controlling pod shatter resistance in Brassica species.