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Abstract Purpose: To discuss four cases of post-operative XEN gel stent luminal obstruction in patients with primary open angle glaucoma. Case Report: Four eyes in three patients with primary open angle glaucoma who received XEN stent implantation were found to have luminal obstruction of their stents. Stent obstruction can mimic filtering bleb failures not responding to bleb needling and antimetabolite injections. These obstructions were suspected to result from fibrin clots, iris pigment granules, or breakdown products of intraocular inflammation or hemorrhage. Treatment options trialed in these patients included bleb needling, 5-fluorouracil injection, and YAG laser to the proximal end of the XEN. Ultimately, all four eyes required XEN explantation and alternative filtering surgery. Conclusion: XEN luminal obstruction is an important complication of stent placement that can ultimately lead to stent failure. Conservative measures such as laser or traditional bleb management may be considered before stent explantation or additional glaucoma surgery.

Abstract Histones are important chromatin-organizing proteins in eukaryotes and archaea. They form superhelical structures around which DNA is wrapped. Recent studies have shown that some archaea and bacteria contain alternative histones that exhibit different DNA binding properties, in addition to highly divergent sequences. However, the vast majority of these histones are identified in metagenomes and thus are difficult to study in vivo. The recent revolutionary breakthroughs in computational protein structure prediction by AlphaFold2 and RoseTTAfold allow for unprecedented insights into the potential function and structure of previously uncharacterized proteins. Here, we categorize the prokaryotic histone space into 17 distinct groups based on AlphaFold2 predictions. We identify a superfamily of histones, termed α3 histones, which are common in archaea and present in several bacteria. Importantly, we establish the existence of a large family of histones throughout archaea and in some bacteriophages that, instead of wrapping DNA, bridge DNA, thereby diverging from conventional nucleosomal histones.

The Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pulchowk Campus in Lalitpur, Nepal, faces serious solid waste mismanagement issues that threaten the environment and public health. In a comprehensive investigation from June 5 to 12 June 2022, IOE students sorted waste from 58 campus locations. They discovered that the average weights of plastic, paper, and organic waste were 5.84 kg, 8.85 kg, and 3.76 kg, respectively. The study identified current waste management risks and provided recycling strategies, emphasising the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Aspen Plus simulation indicated that 0.72 kg/day of segregated HDPE waste produced 0.65 kg/day of liquid fuel. The construction of a pyrolysis plant is estimated to cost NPR 27,11,528.794, with an annual operational expense of NPR 1,39,510. These findings highlight the necessity of proactive environmental management and offer suggestions for sustainable waste management in urban and educational settings.

Durian (Durio zibethinus) is highly consumed seasonal fruit that generates abundant waste in the form of peel. Durian peel can serve as an effective adsorbent because it is rich in cellulose–lignin. This waste has potential applications in the chemical industry, such as using durian peel to purify crude glycerol. This research studied durian peel as an adsorbent in the form of activated carbon in the purification of acidified crude glycerol. The purification process begins with the acidification process of crude glycerol using concentrated acid with a mole ratio of phosphoric acid:glycerol (n/n) of 0.5:1, 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, and 2.5:1. The adsorption process by carbonization and activated of durian peel using 0.1 N KOH as adsorbent with a mass percentage ratio of adsorbent:crude glycerol (%wt) of 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 %, and 25 %, and stirred using a magnetic stirrer at a speed of 250 rpm for 2 h. The adsorbent utilized has a carbon-rich content of as much as 80.6 % based on Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis. The highest glycerol purity obtained at 96.26 % is achieved at phosphoric acid:glycerol mole ratio of 1:1 and adsorbent:glycerol mass ratio of 25 %. This result also matches the analysis by gas chromatography. Thus, the others test of the purified glycerol, such as density of 1.267 g/cm3, water content of 1.6 %, ash content of 0.2 %, and matter organic non-glycerol of 1.94 %, are in accordance with the glycerol standard BS 2621:1979.

Summary: Despite extensive global research into genetic predisposition for severe COVID-19, knowledge on the role of rare host genetic variants and their relation to other risk factors remains limited. Here, 52 genes with prior etiological evidence were sequenced in 1,772 severe COVID-19 cases and 5,347 population-based controls from Spain/Italy. Rare deleterious TLR7 variants were present in 2.4% of young (

In Indonesia, the biodiesel industry generates approximately 48–60 tons of solid waste annually using heterogeneous catalysts. The heterogeneous catalyst's reusability is essential to addressing the issue, notably the first reaction. This research develops Amberlyst CM-4 catalyst recycling using continuous methanol washing to be used multiple times in biodiesel production with lauric acid as feedstock. The research involves the esterification, washing, and drying sections connected using self-designed vessels. The Amberlyst CM-4 catalyst was continuously reacted and reused to monitor the biodiesel conversion level. Based on the results, the Scanning Electron Microscope provides the condition of the visible pores on the surface of the fresh and used catalyst. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red results detect both C–H bonds as part of styrene, and CC was obtained from ethane of the fresh and used catalyst that is the nature of Amberlyst CM-4 catalyst. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller confirms the change in pore surface area for fresh and used catalysts. The results of the lauric acid and biodiesel components in the Gas Chromatography show major components of C12 and C14. The recycling results show that the esterification reaction can be used up to 24th times in experiments obtained at a temperature of 80 °C and a molar ratio of 8:1. However, by the 25th experiment, the conversion was already below 80 %. The determination of the success of biodiesel production in this study is the conversion obtained ≥ 80 %. This refers to the catalyst manufacturer used in the industrial world to reduce biodiesel production costs. Hence, continuous washing of Amberlyst CM-4 catalyst using methanol could be applied in the biodiesel industry.

Pulp quality significantly affects paper products, necessitating a balance between brightness, strength, and environmental sustainability. The bleaching process, which includes delignification and brightening stages, is crucial for achieving high pulp brightness. Current pulp bleaching research emphasizes optimizing processes and developing predictive models for better quality control, yet real-time pulp brightness monitoring remains a challenge. This research developed a MATLAB program to predict pulp brightness and consistency in real-time during bleaching, conducted entirely without incurring any financial costs. Empirical models for predicting pulp consistency at the extraction-oxidative-peroxide (EOP) and D1 stages were created using second-order polynomial equations, incorporating production rate and inlet pressure as variables. Brightness increment correlations were formulated based on temperature, chemical flow rate, residence time, pH, and inlet pressure, with specific models for the preceding chlorine dioxide (DA), EOP, and second chlorine dioxide (D1) stages. Data normalization ensured efficient processing by standardizing parameter scales. Results showed relationships between brightness increment and parameters for each sub-stage such as DA is linear for pH, quadratic for chlorine dioxide (ClO2) flow rate, cubic for temperature and residence time; EOP is linear for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) flow rate, quadratic for temperature, cubic for inlet pressure, residence time, and pH; D1 is linear for pH, quadratic for ClO2 flow rate and residence time, cubic for inlet pressure and temperature. The coefficient of determination (R2) for the DA, EOP, and D1 sub-stages are 0.85313, 0.86526, and 0.86322, respectively. Parameters with the highest contributions in each stage were identified, such as inlet pressure in the D1 substage yielding the highest brightness gain. This system offers an alternative approach for analyzing pulp quality issues and is adaptable to future mill operational needs.

Biochar produced from biomass based Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) pyrolysis presents an alternative energy source. Biomass through the pelletization process will produce bio-pellets with higher density, while microwave pyrolysis achieves better energy efficiency and cost effectiveness. This two-step process will produce a product with a longer combustion duration and higher thermochemical conversion efficiency. This study aims to utilize EFB waste through a two-step process (pelletization and microwave pyrolysis) to produce biochar as an alternative renewable energy approaching commercial standards. EFB bio-pellets with a mass of 80, 100, and 120 g were pyrolyzed in a microwave pyrolysis reactor with the power of 450, 600, and 850 W, and in time variations of 20, 30, and 40 min. The results showed that 850 W power and 80 g mass were the optimal conditions to produce biochar with the highest heating value (26.73 MJ/kg), moisture content (0.48 %) volatile matter content (12.56 %), ash content (22.33 %), and fixed carbon (64.62 %). The SEM-EDX analysis indicated that the biochar product showed an increase in carbon (C) content up to 67.4 %. It is expected that combination of the pelletization process and microwave assisted pyrolysis could become a new alternative for producing biochar that could be commercialized. This research was carried out to address the problem of accumulating EFB in palm oil mills and generating renewable energy from waste.

Wastewater from the biodiesel process contains oil and methanol, requiring treatment to reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD5). Chemical separation can generate additional waste, so innovative methods like gravity separators are essential. This research uses an inlet diverter and oil collector at the distillation column bottom to treat wastewater effectively. The results show COD and BOD5 values of 210 mg/L and 80 mg/L, respectively, with percentage of removal was ±70 % and ±60 %, respectively, with 96.2 % oil recovery. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis found 2.6 % methanol and minimal impurities. This method effectively separates water-methanol-oil mixtures, making it suitable for biodiesel plants.

The term dermatoglyphics was first used in 1926 by anatomist Cummins. Dermatoglyphic is a term that refers to “a skin carving.” The unique carve present on the skin surface of humans and other living beings is referred to as dermatoglyphics. This research was conducted to understand the variations in patterns and assess the usefulness of dermatoglyphics among individuals diagnosed with potentially malignant diseases and mouth cancer. Three hundred subjects were selected. The study consisted of three groups. Patients were divided into the following groups: Group I: oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) (100), Group II: ORAL LEUKOPLAKIA (100), and Group III: Healthy Individuals (100). Our research study indicates a difference in dermatoglyphic patterns between patients and healthy individuals. Specifically, there is a lower percentage of loop patterns and an increase in arch patterns in OSMF and leukoplakia patients. These findings suggest that dermatoglyphics may have relevance in understanding or identifying certain health conditions.

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) has high levels of contaminants, one of which is Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of around 40,000–60,000 mg.L−1. The very high COD levels in POME are harmful in terms of toxicology and aesthetics to the environment. POME treatment by anaerobic digestion can be carried out through the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket-Hollow Centered Packed Bed (UASB-HCPB) fermentor to produce biogas, while the liquid phase will end up as effluent. However, these effluent not met the quality threshold so further treatment is required. Aerobic process can be address this issue by utilizing microalgae. Chlorella vulgaris is a microalgae that is widely used in wastewater treatment because of its resistance to pollutants and degradation effectiveness. The purpose of this research is to treat the effluent from the UASB-HCPB fermentor by utilizing Chlorella vulgaris in a fed-batch system. The novelty of this research is the utilization of microalgae of Chlorella vulgaris in photobioreactor for treating the effluent from the UASB-HCPB fermentor so that it meets the predetermined quality standards and safe to be discharged into the environment. In this study, the culturing process of Chlorella vulgaris was carried out in photobioreactor with variations of lighting intensity (12:12) and (24:0), with and without aeration. The cultivation process was carried out in the same of the photobioreactor with variation of fed-batch system with effluent addtion of 450 mL.day−1, 900 mL.2 day−1, and 1350 mL.3 day−1 with variation of agitation rate of 10 rpm, 20 rpm, 30 rpm, 50 rpm, and 100 rpm. Based on the experimental results in culturing process, it was found that the aeration and lighting process (24:0) increased the growth of Chlorella vulgaris best with an absorbance of 0.759 with the relationship between optical density and biomass dry weight with a value of (g.mL−1) = 0.008 OD + 0.0017 with R2 = 0.981. The best substrate addition in cultivation process was obtained with the addition of 900 mL.2 day−1 with absorbance 0.758 and specific growth 0.164 day−1. The best COD decomposition efficiency 87.5 % was obtained with the addition of 900 mL.2 day−1. The best agitation of 30 rpm was obtained with absorbance of 0.850 and COD decomposition efficiency of 93.75 % for 12 days cultivation. Total cost estimate offered of 11.1 IDR/L was obtained. This indicates that these conditions are effective for POME effluent treatment applications involving Chlorella vulgaris. The utilization of Chlorella vulgaris optimistically can be applied as a new low cost solution in the integration of sustainable POME treatment in the palm oil industry.

Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger (STHE) is a commonly used type of heat exchanger in various industries due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance. Continuous washing and maintenance of STHE play an important role in influencing both the quality and quantity of production from biodiesel plants. In this particular investigation, the STHE serves as a cooling medium for biodiesel production, with cooling water circulating on the tube side and biodiesel flowing on the shell side. This study focuses on removing silica crust buildup caused by cooling water in the Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger. Furthermore, a Clean-in-Place machine and a 10 % citric acid solution with variable washing times of 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, and 12 h were used for the cleaning process. The results indicate a significant 250 % increase in the volumetric flow rate of the cooling tower along with an increase in the overall Heat Transfer Coefficient after 10 h of washing. Further analysis at the hours mark showed consistent results, suggesting a steady state. Beyond this point, no additional temperature decrease was observed, with temperature stabilizing at 32 °C. The results of the Scanning Electron Microscope analysis show that the crust formed in the STHE comes from silica found in cooling water.

IntroductionCancer combination treatments involving immunotherapies with targeted radiation therapy are at the forefront of treating cancers. However, dosing and scheduling of these therapies pose a challenge. Mathematical models provide a unique way of optimizing these therapies. MethodsUsing a preclinical model of multiple myeloma as an example, we demonstrate the capability of a mathematical model to combine these therapies to achieve maximum response, defined as delay in tumor growth. Data from mice studies with targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell monotherapies and combinations with different intervals between them was used to calibrate mathematical model parameters. The dependence of progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and the time to minimum tumor burden on dosing and scheduling was evaluated. Different dosing and scheduling schemes were evaluated to maximize the PFS and optimize timings of TRT and CAR-T cell therapies. ResultsTherapy intervals that were too close or too far apart are shown to be detrimental to the therapeutic efficacy, as TRT too close to CAR-T cell therapy results in radiation related CAR-T cell killing while the therapies being too far apart result in tumor regrowth, negatively impacting tumor control and survival. We show that splitting a dose of TRT or CAR-T cells when administered in combination is advantageous only if the first therapy delivered can produce a significant benefit as a monotherapy. DiscussionMathematical models are crucial tools for optimizing the delivery of cancer combination therapy regimens with application along the lines of achieving cure, maximizing survival or minimizing toxicity.

Objective To assess the creative potential of surgeons and surgeon trainees, as measured by divergent thinking. The secondary objectives were to identify factors associated with divergent thinking, assess confidence in creative problem-solving and the perceived effect of surgical training on creative potential, and explore the value of creativity in surgery.Design We used a mixed-methods design, conducting a survey of divergent thinking ability using a validated questionnaire followed by two semi-structured interviews with top-scoring participants.Participants & setting Surgeons and surgeon trainees in the Department of Surgery at McMaster University.Outcomes The primary outcome was divergent thinking, assessed with the Abbreviated Torrance Test for Adults. Participants also self-assessed their confidence in creative problem-solving and the effect of surgical training on their creative potential. We performed descriptive analyses and multivariable linear regression to identify factors associated with divergent thinking. We conducted a thematic analysis of the interview responses.Results 82 surgeons and surgeon trainees were surveyed; 43 were junior trainees and 28 were senior trainees. General surgery, orthopaedic surgery and plastic surgery represented 71.9% of the participants. The median participant age was 28 years (range 24–73), 51.2% of whom were female. Participants demonstrated levels of divergent thinking that were higher but not meaningfully different from the adult norm (62.39 (95% CI 61.25, 63.53), p

Background: COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-COV 2 virus was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March 2020. India has reported 44,689,512 cases and 530,779 deaths as of March 9, 2023. Different variants may lead to varying clinical presentations and outcomes, emphasizing the need for ongoing analysis of local COVID-19 patients. Aims and Objectives: To describe the clinic-demographic profile and treatment outcomes of COVID-19 patients in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai and to compare the patient characteristics during the first two waves of the pandemic in India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective record-based study analyzed patients with SARS-CoV-2 between May 2020 and July 2021, collecting data on demographics, travel history, symptoms, hospital stay, and outcome. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20.0. Chi-square test and Fisher exact tests were used to ascertain significant association between variables. Results: Out of 944 cases of COVID-19, 70% were aged 20–60 years with a male predominance in both waves. The mean age during the first wave was 45.04±17.32 and during the second wave was 45.86±15.49. Intensive care and ventilatory support needs increased in the second wave. Hospital stay was longer during the first wave. Death rates were 3% and 14% in the first and second waves, respectively. Conclusion: In our study, community transmission was observed as most COVID patients did not have travel history. Males, elderly and those with comorbidities were heavily impacted. The second wave had higher ICU and mortality rates.

Abstract Efficacious stem cell-based therapies for traumatic brain injury (TBI) depend on successful delivery, migration, and engraftment of stem cells to induce neuroprotection. L-myc expressing human neural stem cells (LMNSC008) demonstrate an inherent tropism to injury sites after intranasal (IN) administration. We hypothesize that IN delivered LMNSC008 cells migrate to primary and secondary injury sites and modulate biomarkers associated with neuroprotection and tissue regeneration. To test this hypothesis, immunocompetent adult female rats received either controlled cortical impact injury or sham surgery. LMNSC008 cells or a vehicle were administered IN on postoperative days 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17. The distribution and migration of eGFP-expressing LMNSC008 cells were quantified over 1 mm-thick optically cleared (CLARITY) coronal brain sections from TBI and SHAM controls. NSC migration was observed along white matter tracts projecting toward the hippocampus and regions of TBI. ELISA and Nanostring assays revealed a shift in tissue gene expression in LMNSC008 treated rats relative to controls. LMNSC008 treatment reduced expression of genes and pathways involved in inflammatory response, microglial function, and various cytokines and receptors. Our proof-of-concept studies, although preliminary, support the rationale of using intranasal delivery of LMNSC008 cells for functional studies in preclinical models of TBI and provide support for potential translatability in TBI patients.

The evaluation of transporter-mediated drug–drug interactions (DDIs) during drug development and post-approval contributes to benefit–risk assessment and helps formulate clinical management strategies. The use of endogenous biomarkers, which are substrates of clinically relevant uptake and efflux transporters, to assess the transporter inhibitory potential of a drug has received widespread attention. Endogenous biomarkers, such as coproporphyrin (CP) I and III, have increased mechanistic understanding of complex DDIs. Other endogenous biomarkers are under evaluation, including, but not limited to, sulfated bile acids and 4-pyridoxic acid (PDA). The role of endogenous biomarkers has expanded beyond facilitating assessment of transporter-mediated DDIs and they have also been used to understand alterations in transporter activity in the setting of organ dysfunction and various disease states. We envision that endogenous biomarker-informed approaches will not only help to formulate a prudent and informed DDI assessment strategy but also facilitate quantitative predictions of changes in drug exposures in specific populations.

Coconut shell waste has generated environmental problems in Indonesia. Due to fossil fuel shortage, coconut shell waste has been advantaged as an energy source to replace the fossil energy. A pyrolysis technique has been used to crack coconut shell waste into charcoal or solid biochar. An MLR (Multiple Linear Regression) analysis and Lagrange polynomial interpolation has been applied to the pyrolysis process related to pyrolysis temperature and time-affected charcoal characteristics. This type of analysis often used for process optimization. The charcoal characteristics are investigated in terms of their yield, water content, ash content, volatile matter, and calorific value. The experimental result shows that the highest calorific value (≈ 7750 cal/g) was obtained at 450oC and 3h with charcoal characteristics: 2.75% water content, 2.70% ash content, and 9.50% volatile matter that meets the SNI requirements. The MLR analysis has justified that the effect of pyrolysis temperature is more dominant than pyrolysis time on almost all charcoal characteristics. The Lagrange polynomial interpolation shows the highest calorific value (≈ 7784 cal/g) obtained at 500oC and 3h. The finding applying MLR analysis and Lagrange polynomial interpolation based on experimental results is a new breakthrough in this investigation.

IntroductionDespite aggressive standard-of-care therapy, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, glioblastoma recurrence is almost inevitable and uniformly lethal. Activation of glioma-intrinsic Wnt/β-catenin signaling is associated with a poor prognosis and the proliferation of glioma stem-like cells, leading to malignant transformation and tumor progression. Impressive results in a subset of cancers have been obtained using immunotherapies including anti-CTLA4, anti-PD-1, and anti-PD-L1 or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. However, the heterogeneity of tumors, low mutational burden, single antigen targeting, and associated antigen escape contribute to non-responsiveness and potential tumor recurrence despite these therapeutic efforts. In the current study, we determined the effects of the small molecule, highly specific Wnt/CBP (CREB Binding Protein)/β-catenin antagonist ICG-001, on glioma tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME)–including its effect on immune cell infiltration, blood vessel decompression, and metabolic changes.MethodsUsing multiple glioma patient-derived xenografts cell lines and murine tumors (GL261, K-Luc), we demonstrated in vitro cytostatic effects and a switch from proliferation to differentiation after treatment with ICG-001.ResultsIn these glioma cell lines, we further demonstrated that ICG-001 downregulated the CBP/β-catenin target gene Survivin/BIRC5–a hallmark of Wnt/CBP/β-catenin inhibition. We found that in a syngeneic mouse model of glioma (K-luc), ICG-001 treatment enhanced tumor infiltration by CD3+ and CD8+ cells with increased expression of the vascular endothelial marker CD31 (PECAM-1). We also observed differential gene expression and induced immune cell infiltration in tumors pretreated with ICG-001 and then treated with CAR T cells as compared with single treatment groups or when ICG-001 treatment was administered after CAR T cell therapy.DiscussionWe conclude that specific Wnt/CBP/β-catenin antagonism results in pleotropic changes in the glioma TME, including glioma stem cell differentiation, modulation of the stroma, and immune cell activation and recruitment, thereby suggesting a possible role for enhancing immunotherapy in glioma patients.

The widespread use of heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production has led to the generation of substantial waste. Therefore, it was needed to reduce the solid waste catalyst in the biodiesel industry by exploring the reuse of catalysts. This study focused on the reactivation of used catalysts through the esterification of lauric acid using Amberlyst CM-4 catalyst, with pre-treatments involving methanol washing and HCl reactivation. Gas chromatography was employed to analyze lauric acid and methyl ester while Scanning Electron Microscope provided insights into the pore conditions of the fresh catalyst and used catalyst and Brunauer Emmett Teller provided information into surface area and pore condition. In this study, it was examined how many times the Amberlyst catalyst could be used to catalyze lauric acid to become biodiesel. The limitation of this capability is catalyst conversion above 80 %. The results showed that optimal conditions for biodiesel production were reached at a reaction temperature of 60 °C, a reaction time of 120 minutes, and an agitation rate of 500 rpm, yielding 93.7 % conversion for the used catalyst and 98.5 % for the fresh counterpart. The Amberlyst catalyst can be used up to seven times, because the results still provide a conversion above 80 %. After this catalyst does not provide a conversion above 80 %, then this catalyst is washed with methanol and activated using HCl. The results obtained show that this catalyst can still be used four more times. Hence, the results of this research can be applied to reduce industrial waste and reduce the costs of making biodiesel from fatty acids.

Abstract Differences in social attention are well-documented in autistic individuals, representing one of the earliest signs of autism. Spontaneous blink rate has been used to index attentional engagement, with lower blink rates reflecting increased engagement. We evaluated novel methods using computer vision analysis (CVA) for automatically quantifying patterns of attentional engagement in young autistic children, based on facial orientation and blink rate, which were captured via mobile devices. Participants were 474 children (17–36 months old), 43 of whom were diagnosed with autism. Movies containing social or nonsocial content were presented via an iPad app, and simultaneously, the device’s camera recorded the children’s behavior while they watched the movies. CVA was used to extract the duration of time the child oriented towards the screen and their blink rate as indices of attentional engagement. Overall, autistic children spent less time facing the screen and had a higher mean blink rate compared to neurotypical children. Neurotypical children faced the screen more often and blinked at a lower rate during the social movies compared to the nonsocial movies. In contrast, autistic children faced the screen less often during social movies than during nonsocial movies and showed no differential blink rate to social versus nonsocial movies.

Abstract The gene regulatory code and grammar remain largely unknown, precluding our ability to link phenotype to genotype in regulatory sequences. Here, using a massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA) of 209,440 sequences, we examine all possible pair and triplet combinations, permutations and orientations of eighteen liver-associated transcription factor binding sites (TFBS). We find that TFBS orientation and order have a major effect on gene regulatory activity. Corroborating these results with genomic analyses, we find clear human promoter TFBS orientation biases and similar TFBS orientation and order transcriptional effects in an MPRA that tested 164,307 liver candidate regulatory elements. Additionally, by adding TFBS orientation to a model that predicts expression from sequence we improve performance by 7.7%. Collectively, our results show that TFBS orientation and order have a significant effect on gene regulatory activity and need to be considered when analyzing the functional effect of variants on the activity of these sequences.

An anionic surfactant, Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), was applied to remove Cd ions as contaminants on the sand surface. The remediation operation approach was used, such as batch, flushing column without foam, and with foam of SDS solution. Increasing the SDS concentration is possible to improve the removal ability of Cd ions from the sand surface. For batch, the operation performs the higher removal ability by increasing the shaking rotation per minute (rpm). Fluctuation of the percentage removal efficiency (% RE) was shown by using a flushing column without foam at each flow rate variation. The channeling effect during flushing in the column was proved to be the cause of fluctuation in the removal efficiency. Flushing with foam is possible to increase the removal efficiency from 10% by batch and flushing without foam to about 70% with foam. The increasing flow rate of surfactant SDS solution is possible to increase the removal efficiency and flow to the intra-particle area of sand and then decrease the channeling effect. Flushing in column approach with foam by anionic surfactant SDS shows the higher ability and more efficiency in the removal of Cd ions on the sand surface.

The brain-expressed receptor GPR10 is involved in energy homeostasis in mice. Here the authors identify rare loss of function variants in GPR10 in people with severe obesity and showed that one of these variants causes obesity when modelled in mice, suggesting that future studies could explore GPR10 as a potential target for weight-loss therapy.

In the purification process of used cooking oil, an adsorption technique utilizing corncob as the adsorbent can be applied. To optimize the purification, the shaking speed, adsorption time, and turbidity vary. Therefore, this study was conducted in batch operation to determine the effect of suitable adsorption and reactions on shaking speed with variations in mass, size, and the contact time of the adsorbent for 5 h. During the experiment, the used cooking oil was subjected to the adsorption process using 100 mL of adsorbent, with mass variations of 2 g, 3 g, and 4 g. The surface morphology of the adsorbent was characterized by modeling corncob and the oil components of chemical compounds contained in the used cooking oil were examined before and after purification. The parameters observed were measured using Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The results showed that the adsorbent with a size of 100 mesh, a shaking speed of 140 rpm, and a mass of 4 g exhibited a higher surface area and greater adsorption capacity. Furthermore, the adsorbent also influenced the turbidity value of the used cooking oil, and prolonged contact between the adsorbent and oil led to an increase in turbidity, particularly when using adsorbents of sizes 50 and 70 mesh.

The 16p11.2 duplication confers risk for autism and schizophrenia, but the disease mechanisms are unknown. Here, the authors use proteomics to show dysregulation of synaptic and epilepsy-associated protein networks in the cortex of model mice, and demonstrate that correcting Prrt2 gene dosage rescues circuit hypersynchrony and behavioural phenotypes.

Background: Doctors are at significant risk of developing psychological morbidity during the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic due to the shortage of resources and changing medical protocols. The fear, stigma, prejudice, and marginalization toward COVID-19 added with the physical discomfort of using personal protective equipment kits leads to mental exhaustion among doctors. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate and compare the prevalence and level of anxiety and depression along with its risk factors among doctors working in COVID Care centers during the COVID-19 pandemic’s First and Second wave. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study among 200 doctors working in the COVID care centers using mailed questionnaires was conducted. A convenient sampling method was used to include the study participants. Collected data were entered in an MS Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Results: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the observed prevalence of the symptoms of depression and anxiety respectively among doctors was 42% and 56% whereas it increased to 83% and 82%, respectively, during the second wave. Conclusion: The present study highlighted the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among doctors. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep the world, the global doctors’ community have to be sensitized to the prevalence of psychological disorders and a necessary appropriate psychological support strategy needs to be developed.

Introduction: Oral health literacy (OHL) represents far more than a healthy mouth, a pleasing smile, and freedom from pain and infection which contributes positively to self-esteem leading to a healthy oral health outcome. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the OHL level and its impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among the adult population visiting the outpatient department of a hospital in Ghaziabad district. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ghaziabad district. A total of 300 study subjects aged above 18 years visiting the outpatient department of the hospital were included in the study. OHL level was assessed with the help of a bilingually adapted Hindi OHL tool, and the OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scale. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 43.9 ± 14.36 years. Majority (150, 50%) of the study subjects had inadequate OHL level followed by marginal OHL level which was seen among 90 (30%) subjects and 60 (20%) subjects had adequate OHL level. OHL level was slightly higher among females as compared to male subjects although the results were not statistically significant. A highly statistically significant negative correlation was found among OHL scores and OHRQoL scores of any individual. Conclusion: This study concluded that raising OHL scores can have a significant impact on OHRQoL of any individual.

Background: Rabies is a vaccine preventable deadly disease. There is a lack of organized surveillance system on animal bite victims to ensure completion of full course of post-exposure prophylaxis. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate the dropout rate of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) post-exposure regimen among rural and urban communities of Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. To interpret the association between category of bite and vaccination outcome among rural and urban communities of Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: A retrospective hospital record based study (ARV REGISTER) was done in urban primary health center (PHC) Haridosspuram and rural PHC, Kelambakkam during January 2021. Collected data were entered into MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Total dropout rates of ARV regimen among rural and urban communities were compared by Chi-square test. Results: A total of 5262 animal bite victims were vaccinated during the past 2 years. The majority (37.4%) of victims belonged to 21–40 years of age. The total dropout rate observed among both rural and urban communities was 51.2% with the higher proportion (72.8%) of dropouts seen among victims of category I bite. Wound washing practice was observed among the victims. Higher dropout rate (61.3%) of ARV regimen was observed among urban communities compared to rural communities (50.2%). Significant association was found between the category of animal bite and the vaccination outcome in both rural and urban communities. Conclusion: The animal bite victims should be educated and counseled about the importance of complete vaccination. The health workers should ensure proper follow-up of the victims to complete the vaccination schedule and thus prevent drop outs.

Abstract Background Degradation rate is a fundamental aspect of mRNA metabolism, and the factors governing it remain poorly characterized. Understanding the genetic and biochemical determinants of mRNA half-life would enable more precise identification of variants that perturb gene expression through post-transcriptional gene regulatory mechanisms. Results We establish a compendium of 39 human and 27 mouse transcriptome-wide mRNA decay rate datasets. A meta-analysis of these data identified a prevalence of technical noise and measurement bias, induced partially by the underlying experimental strategy. Correcting for these biases allowed us to derive more precise, consensus measurements of half-life which exhibit enhanced consistency between species. We trained substantially improved statistical models based upon genetic and biochemical features to better predict half-life and characterize the factors molding it. Our state-of-the-art model, Saluki, is a hybrid convolutional and recurrent deep neural network which relies only upon an mRNA sequence annotated with coding frame and splice sites to predict half-life (r=0.77). The key novel principle learned by Saluki is that the spatial positioning of splice sites, codons, and RNA-binding motifs within an mRNA is strongly associated with mRNA half-life. Saluki predicts the impact of RNA sequences and genetic mutations therein on mRNA stability, in agreement with functional measurements derived from massively parallel reporter assays. Conclusions Our work produces a more robust ground truth for transcriptome-wide mRNA half-lives in mammalian cells. Using these revised measurements, we trained Saluki, a model that is over 50% more accurate in predicting half-life from sequence than existing models. Saluki succinctly captures many of the known determinants of mRNA half-life and can be rapidly deployed to predict the functional consequences of arbitrary mutations in the transcriptome.

The extent of interaction between carbon and catalyst profoundly shapes soot oxidation results. The catalyst configuration notably influences the frequency of contact points in solid–solid interactions. This investigation studies the impact of three distinct ZnCo _2 O _4 catalyst morphologies and their redox property on soot oxidation. The formation of the cubic phase of ZnCo _2 O _4 via three distinct methods was revealed during XRD analysis. SEM analysis unveiled varying morphologies, including rod-shaped, rose petal-shaped, and bead-like structures. Notably, ZnCo _2 O _4 exhibiting bead-like morphology demonstrated heightened levels of chemisorbed oxygen species which was observed during XPS analysis. The presence of Co ^2+ and Co ^3+ occupied at octahedral site ZnCo _2 O _4 acted as the active sites for soot oxidation. With continuous redox property (Co ^3+ → Co ^2+ ) leading to the generation of active oxygen species and with an added advantage of surface morphology, the M2 sample (with bead-like morphology) exhibited superior soot oxidation activity, which is evident by its T _50% value of 402 °C. This study underscores the essential role of catalyst morphology in influencing soot oxidation activity. Through a comprehensive array of structural, morphological, and catalytic analyses, this work sheds light on the correlation between catalyst architecture and enhanced soot oxidation performance.

In the development of cell-based cancer therapies, quantitative mathematical models of cellular interactions are instrumental in understanding treatment efficacy. Efforts to validate and interpret mathematical models of cancer cell growth and death hinge first on proposing a precise mathematical model, then analyzing experimental data in the context of the chosen model. In this work, we present the first application of the sparse identification of non-linear dynamics (SINDy) algorithm to a real biological system in order discover cell-cell interaction dynamics in in vitro experimental data, using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells and patient-derived glioblastoma cells. By combining the techniques of latent variable analysis and SINDy, we infer key aspects of the interaction dynamics of CAR T-cell populations and cancer. Importantly, we show how the model terms can be interpreted biologically in relation to different CAR T-cell functional responses, single or double CAR T-cell-cancer cell binding models, and density-dependent growth dynamics in either of the CAR T-cell or cancer cell populations. We show how this data-driven model-discovery based approach provides unique insight into CAR T-cell dynamics when compared to an established model-first approach. These results demonstrate the potential for SINDy to improve the implementation and efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy in the clinic through an improved understanding of CAR T-cell dynamics.

Chaperone-Usher Pathway (CUP) pili are major adhesins in Gram-negative bacteria, mediating bacterial adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces. While classical CUP pili have been extensively characterized, little is known about so-called archaic CUP pili, which are phylogenetically widespread and promote biofilm formation by several human pathogens. In this study, we present the electron cryomicroscopy structure of the archaic CupE pilus from the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We show that CupE1 subunits within the pilus are arranged in a zigzag architecture, containing an N-terminal donor β-strand extending from each subunit into the next, where it is anchored by hydrophobic interactions, with comparatively weaker interactions at the rest of the inter-subunit interface. Imaging CupE pili on the surface of P. aeruginosa cells using electron cryotomography shows that CupE pili adopt variable curvatures in response to their environment, which might facilitate their role in promoting cellular attachment. Finally, bioinformatic analysis shows the widespread abundance of cupE genes in isolates of P. aeruginosa and the co-occurrence of cupE with other cup clusters, suggesting interdependence of cup pili in regulating bacterial adherence within biofilms. Taken together, our study provides insights into the architecture of archaic CUP pili, providing a structural basis for understanding their role in promoting cellular adhesion and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa.

Context: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) has been consumed in India since times immemorial. It is the need of an hour to emphasise about awareness and harmful effects of SLT in relation to periodontium. Aim: The aim of the study was to access the prevalence of periodontitis and its association with SLT amongst the adult population of Greater Noida, India. Settings and Design: Hospital-based study and cross-sectional design. Methods and Material: This cross-sectional study included 512 SLT subjects between the ages of 18 and 79 years. The study was carried out from December 2019 to January 2022. A self-designed questionnaire was used for recording demographic details, forms of SLT, frequency, duration of use, and sites of retention of SLT products. The clinical periodontal parameters such as periodontal pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded in a given point of time. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of periodontitis among SLT was 81.6% with the highest occurrence of Stage III Periodontitis (35.4%). The use of SLT for ≥10 years [odds ratio (OR) = 3.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.86–6.27] showed threefold the risk for periodontitis compared to others who consumed SLT for 4–5 years. Gutkha consumers [OR = 2.56 (95% CI = 0.75–3.48)] were 2.56 times more prone to have periodontitis as compared to other forms of SLT. Conclusions: Periodontitis is positively associated with SLT use. Awareness, timely intervention, and periodic screening in the SLT users will help to prevent the progression of periodontitis.

Objective: To evaluate the role of dental parameters that may contribute to increasing apneic activity in patients with or without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Materials and Method: The study comprises a total of 120 patients (60 diagnosed with sleep apnea visiting a sleep center at Delhi and 60 controls). Patients were assessed based on body mass index, age, neck circumference, and gender (BANG), which were recorded for both the patients and controls. Oral and general examination was carried out using predetermined criteria for Angle's class of malocclusion, maxillary arch constriction, facial profile, Mallampati score for uvula, tongue size, depth of palatal vault, mouth breathing, and periodontitis. Results: Among 120 study subjects, 92 were males and 28 females, with a mean age of 49.08 + 13.13 years in the study group and 45.28 + 14.78 years in the control group. All the variables except Angle's class of malocclusion, periodontitis, mouth breathing, and hypertension showed significant differences in the study group. Multivariate analysis for patients with OSA revealed that obese patients were almost 1.5 times more possibly to report OSA symptoms than their non-obese counterparts. It was also found that patients with OSA were 4.12 times more likely to have neck circumference >40 cm, 2.25 times more likely to have maxillary arch constriction, 1.43 times deeper palatal vault, 8.7 times macroglossia, and 1.7 times class III & IV Mallampati score for uvula. Conclusion: The oral structural findings appear to be more closely related with OSA.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) offer a potential solution to treating brain tumors. This is because NSCs can circumvent the blood-brain barrier and migrate to areas of damage in the central nervous system, including tumors, stroke, and wound injuries. However, for successful clinical application of NSC treatment, a sufficient number of viable cells must reach the diseased or damaged area(s) in the brain, and evidence suggests that it may be affected by the paths the NSCs take through the brain, as well as the locations of tumors. To study the NSC migration in brain, we develop a mathematical model of therapeutic NSC migration towards brain tumor, that provides a low cost platform to investigate NSC treatment efficacy. Our model is an extension of the model developed in Rockne et al. (PLoS ONE 13, e0199967, 2018) that considers NSC migration in non-tumor bearing naive mouse brain. Here we modify the model in Rockne et al. in three ways: (i) we consider three-dimensional mouse brain geometry, (ii) we add chemotaxis to model the tumor-tropic nature of NSCs into tumor sites, and (iii) we model stochasticity of migration speed and chemosensitivity. The proposed model is used to study migration patterns of NSCs to sites of tumors for different injection strategies, in particular, intranasal and intracerebral delivery. We observe that intracerebral injection results in more NSCs arriving at the tumor site(s), but the relative fraction of NSCs depends on the location of injection relative to the target site(s). On the other hand, intranasal injection results in fewer NSCs at the tumor site, but yields a more even distribution of NSCs within and around the target tumor site(s).

Background: There is the presence of plenty of evidence supporting the unidimensionality of hygiene behaviors inferring oral hygiene and general hygiene is correlated. More than two-third of India's population still lives in rural areas; therefore, this study is also conducted in the rural areas only. Rural areas generally tend to have poor general hygiene behaviors because of sociodemographic and educational factors and that directly affect the oral hygiene behaviors. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of general hygiene behaviors on oral hygiene among adolescents of Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 800 adolescents among 510 households from all the four blocks of Ghaziabad district. A pretested questionnaire was used to assess the demographic variables, oral hygiene, and general hygiene behaviors. Oral hygiene was assessed using oral hygiene simplified index, and general hygiene behaviors were recorded using the four indices related to drinking water index (score 0–3), food index (score 0–3), personal hygiene index (score 0–3), and domestic household hygiene index (score 0–6) and one summary hygiene index (SHI; range 0–15). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. Results: More than 50% of the study participants had a low level of general hygiene. A significant association was observed between general hygiene (SHI) and oral hygiene of the individuals. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates significant association between general hygiene and oral hygiene behaviors among adolescents.

Background: Social media is frolicking as an utmost priority in today's livelihood, and it is such a milieu today to see people browsing and surfing social networking sites, reading blogs, or chatting by using laptops, mobile phones, or other sophisticated devices anywhere and at any time and enjoying with their favorite social apps – Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc., Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of social media usage and addiction among dental students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 360 students of a dental teaching institute in Uttar Pradesh, India. A questionnaire was prepared which had three sections - related to demographic details and usage and frequency of social media apps based on “Social Media Addiction Scale,” developed by Arslan A and Kırık. These were used as the data collection tool to measure social media addiction among dental students. Responses were recorded in 5-point Likert scale – strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 23. Results: Out of total 360 participants, 276 (76.70%) were female while 84 (23.30%) were male. 238 (66.11%) were undergraduates (UGs) followed by 122 (33.89%) postgraduates (PGs). A significantly higher number of UGs were engaged with their patients in personal conversation on social media platform, while a significantly higher number of PGs believed that social media had a positive effect on dentistry. Questions on social media addiction scale by Arslan A and Kırık revealed that out of total study participants, 48.7% of UGs agree on the belief that new media technologies change human life, whereas 39.4% of PGs agree on the same and the result was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Social media networking sites and apps have attracted students in its digital web and hold strong position with new horizons whether in comprehensive or educational, interacting, entertainment, or spending leisure time.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, a new interdisciplinary research movement has started, which aims at developing quantum math-like (or simply quantum-like) models to provide an explanation for a variety of socio-economic processes and human behaviour. By making use of mainly the probabilistic aspects of quantum theory, this research movement has led to many important results in the areas of decision-making and finance. In this article, we introduce a novel and more exhaustive approach, to analyze the socio-economic processes and activities, than the pure quantum math-like modelling approach, by taking into account the physical foundations of quantum theory. We also provide a plausibility argument for its exhaustiveness in terms of what we can expect from such an approach, when it is applied to, for example, a generic socio-economic decision process.

TAFRO syndrome is defined by the presence of thrombocytopenia (T), anasarca (A), fever (F), reticulin fibrosis/renal dysfunction (R), and organomegaly (O) and can be seen with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) or as an isolated process without iMCD. Although the diagnosis of iMCD in patients with TAFRO can be challenging to make, iMCD should remain high on the differential diagnosis. Similar to iMCD, the pathophysiology of TAFRO is not well understood but is thought to be related to hypercytokinemia, with interleukin (IL)-6 playing a pivotal role. Anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody therapy is an effective treatment modality for iMCD, but to date, there is no clear guidance on treatment of TAFRO in the absence of definitive diagnosis of iMCD, leading to suboptimal management and high morbidity. We report a case of TAFRO syndrome and demonstrate benefit with the empiric use of anti-IL-6 antibody therapy in the context of delayed diagnosis of iMCD.