A comprehensive scenario of heavy metals pollution in the rivers of Bangladesh during the last two decades.

For decades, rivers have been used for transporting pollutants loaded with heavy metals (HMs) causing severe pollution in downstream. The current study aimed to review the levels and sources of 10 HMs, viz. As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn in the surface water of the rivers in Bangladesh. The PRISMA criteria were used to conduct a systematic review of the available literature published between 2001 and 2020, and thus a total of 55 documents were finally selected for review. The mean concentration of each HM exceeding the threshold limits as per World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and Department of Environment (DoE), Bangladesh standards were higher in the last decade (2011-2020) than in the previous one (2001-2010). Most HM concentrations in water were found above the threshold limits in three divisions (Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Chattogram). The Buriganga River in Dhaka has been the top polluted river in Bangladesh. Among the 10 HMs, six metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, and Mn) exceeded the limit set by WHO, USEPA, and DoE in all three seasons, where mean values of most of the HMs were found to be the highest in the summer season. Statistical analyses identified possible sources of HMs such as natural weathering, electroplating, fertilizers and pesticides, mining and manufacturing, textiles, coal mining and burning, batteries, and paint industries. Strong legislations and regulations, awareness programs, continuous monitoring, and comprehensive research are urgently needed to control riverine HMs pollution in Bangladesh.

Characterization of predominant genotype (QX) of avian infectious bronchitis virus isolated from layer chickens in Bangladesh.

Avian infectious bronchitis (AIB) is a highly transmissible infection that affects the poultry industry globally. This study aims to isolate and characterize emerging strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) from field samples of layer chickens in Bangladesh. A total of 108 samples (trachea, lung, and kidney) were taken from dead and sick layer chickens from 18 farms in 4 areas detecting outbreaks in Bangladesh. The samples were processed and inoculated in embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs) and finally screened by the trypsin-induced hemagglutination (THA) test. Using various techniques such as hemagglutination inhibition (HI), agar gel immuno-diffusion (AGID), virus neutralization test (VNT), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and nucleotide sequencing, we were able to identify and confirm the isolated IBV viruses. The study also determined the hemagglutination (HA) pattern of isolated virus using avian and mammalian red blood cells. The pathogenicity of the isolated IBV was determined using embryonated chicken eggs and day-old chicks. The study found that 8 samples were positive for IBV using ECEs, and 4 were positive by the THA test. These isolates were confirmed using HI, AGID, and VN tests. S1 gene-based RT-PCR confirmed all four isolates as IBV, with the recent isolates belonging to the genotype-QX and being similar to IBV isolates from Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and India. The HA pattern of the recent isolates showed that the isolated IBV was virulent. The pathogenicity test also revealed that the four isolates were highly pathogenic. The study indicated that the prevalent genotype (QX) of the IBV strain is present in the layer chicken population of Bangladesh.

Multi-Tracking Sensor Architectures for Reconstructing Autonomous Vehicle Crashes: An Exploratory Study.

With the continuous development of new sensor features and tracking algorithms for object tracking, researchers have opportunities to experiment using different combinations. However, there is no standard or agreed method for selecting an appropriate architecture for autonomous vehicle (AV) crash reconstruction using multi-sensor-based sensor fusion. This study proposes a novel simulation method for tracking performance evaluation (SMTPE) to solve this problem. The SMTPE helps select the best tracking architecture for AV crash reconstruction. This study reveals that a radar-camera-based centralized tracking architecture of multi-sensor fusion performed the best among three different architectures tested with varying sensor setups, sampling rates, and vehicle crash scenarios. We provide a brief guideline for the best practices in selecting appropriate sensor fusion and tracking architecture arrangements, which can be helpful for future vehicle crash reconstruction and other AV improvement research.

Targeting prostate cancer via therapeutic targeting of PIM-1 kinase by Naringenin and Quercetin.

PIM-1 kinase belongs to the Ser/Thr kinases family, an attractive therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Here, we screened about 100 natural substances to find potential PIM-1 inhibitors. Two natural compounds, Naringenin and Quercetin, were finally selected based on their PIM-1 inhibitory potential and binding affinities. The docking score of Naringenin and Quercetin with PIM-1 is -8.4 and - 8.1 kcal/mol, respectively. Fluorescence binding studies revealed a strong affinity (Ka values, 3.1 × 104 M-1 and 4.6 × 107 M-1 for Naringenin and Quercetin, respectively) with excellent IC50 values for Naringenin and Quercetin (28.6 µM and 34.9 µM, respectively). Both compounds inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) in a dose-dependent manner, with the IC50 value of Naringenin at 17.5 µM and Quercetin at 8.88 µM. To obtain deeper insights into the PIM-1 inhibitory effect of Naringenin and Quercetin, we performed extensive molecular dynamics simulation studies, which provided insights into the binding mechanisms of PIM-1 inhibitors. Finally, Naringenin and Quercetin were suggested to serve as potent PIM-1 inhibitors, offering targeted treatments of prostate cancer. In addition, our findings may help to design novel Naringenin and Quercetin derivatives that could be effective in therapeutic targeting of prostate cancer.

Bifidobacterium bifidum Strain BB1 Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Increase in Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junction Permeability via Toll-Like Receptor-2/Toll-Like Receptor-6 Receptor Complex-Dependent Stimulation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ and Suppression of NF-κB p65.

Bifidobacterium bifidum strain BB1 causes a strain-specific enhancement in intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induces an increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability and promotes intestinal inflammation. The major purpose of this study was to delineate the protective effect of BB1 against the TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability and to unravel the intracellular mechanisms involved. Previously reported, TNF-α produces an increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability in Caco-2 monolayers and in mice. The addition of BB1 inhibited the TNF-α increase in Caco-2 intestinal TJ permeability and mouse intestinal permeability in a strain-specific manner. BB1 inhibited the TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability by interfering the with TNF-α-induced enterocyte NF-κB p50/p65 and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) gene activation. The BB1 protective effect against the TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal permeability was mediated by toll-like receptor-2/toll-like receptor-6 heterodimer complex activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) and PPAR-γ pathway inhibition of TNF-α-induced IKK-α activation, which, in turn, resulted in a step-wise inhibition of NF-κB p50/p65, MLCK gene, MLCK kinase activity, and MLCK-induced opening of the TJ barrier. In conclusion, these studies unravel novel intracellular mechanisms of BB1 protection against the TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability. Our data show that BB1 protects against the TNF-α-induced increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability via a PPAR-γ-dependent inhibition of NF-κB p50/p65 and MLCK gene activation.

Corrigendum to "Forecasting of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) production in Bangladesh using ARIMA model".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27111.].

New alternatives to the Lennard-Jones potential.

We present a new method for approximating two-body interatomic potentials from existing ab initio data based on representing the unknown function as an analytic continued fraction. In this study, our method was first inspired by a representation of the unknown potential as a Dirichlet polynomial, i.e., the partial sum of some terms of a Dirichlet series. Our method allows for a close and computationally efficient approximation of the ab initio data for the noble gases Xenon (Xe), Krypton (Kr), Argon (Ar), and Neon (Ne), which are proportional to r - 6 and to a very simple d e p t h = 1 truncated continued fraction with integer coefficients and depending on n - r only, where n is a natural number (with n = 13 for Xe, n = 16 for Kr, n = 17 for Ar, and n = 27 for Neon). For Helium (He), the data is well approximated with a function having only one variable n - r with n = 31 and a truncated continued fraction with d e p t h = 2 (i.e., the third convergent of the expansion). Also, for He, we have found an interesting d e p t h = 0 result, a Dirichlet polynomial of the form k 1 6 - r + k 2 48 - r + k 3 72 - r (with k 1 , k 2 , k 3 all integers), which provides a surprisingly good fit, not only in the attractive but also in the repulsive region. We also discuss lessons learned while facing the surprisingly challenging non-linear optimisation tasks in fitting these approximations and opportunities for parallelisation.

Pruning techniques affect flowering, fruiting, yield and fruit biochemical traits in guava under transitory sub-tropical conditions.

Production of quality fruits in the dry and low humid October-May period has been a challenge in the tropics and sub-tropics having wide weather fluctuations throughout the year. Henceforth, the research aimed at investigating the seasonal variations in vegetative developments as well as flowering, fruiting, yield, and fruit quality of guava emphasizing the off-seasonality by pruning 0 cm (control), 15 cm, 30 cm, and 45 cm from shoot-tip, once a year at spring (early March), monsoon (early June) and autumn (early September) under such atmospheric implications. Yearly and quarterly documentation at wet (June-August and September-November) and dry (December-February and March-May) seasons revealed that pruning in spring and autumn exhibited statistical parity for higher yearly yield of 31.71 kg and 31.58 kg plant-1, respectively. Moreover, spring pruning had maximum yield in the wet season (23.94 kg plant-1), while autumn pruning governed the dry season production (18.11 kg plant-1) having a notable wet period yield (13.47 kg plant-1). Considering the yearly and quarterly in March-May and December-February harvests, autumn pruning exhibited statistical supremacy for total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total sugar, vitamin C, and specific gravity. However, pruning time didn't influence the fruit physiochemical traits at the June-August and September-November quarters producing fruits of inferior quality compared to those of March-May and December-February harvests. On the other hand, pruning lengths of 30 cm and 45 cm demonstrated statistical consistency for auspicious vegetative, reproductive and fruit biochemical properties. Meanwhile, 30 cm pruning produced maximum number of flowers (224.71 plant-1) and fruits (155.89 plant-1), consequently the highest yield (38.38 kg plant-1). Treatment interactions too ascertained that off-season production of superior quality guava can be enhanced by 30 cm shoot-tip pruning in autumn without compromising the year-round harvests.

Effects of Commercial Probiotics on the Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota and Intestinal Histomorphology of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Reared in Biofloc Technology (BFT).

Though different types of commercial probiotics are supplemented in biofloc technology (BFT), very little information is available on their effects on the farmed fish. Therefore, this study focused on evaluating the effects of three most commonly used commercial probiotics on the growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, and intestinal microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in BFT. Tilapia fry, with an average weight of 3.02 ± 0.50 g, were stocked at a density of 60 fry/0.2 m3, and cultured for 90 days. Three commercial probiotics were administered, with three replications for each: a single-genus multi-species probiotic (Bacillus spp.) (T1), a multi-genus multi-species probiotic (Bacillus sp., Lactobacillus sp., Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrobacter sp.) (T2), and a multi-species probiotic (Bacillus spp.) combined with enzymes including amylase, protease, cellulase, and xylanase (T3). The results showed significant variations in growth and feed utilization, with T3 outperforming other treatments in terms of weight gain, liver weight, and intestine weight. Adding Bacillus spp. with enzymes (T3) to water significantly increased the histomorphological parameters (villi length, villi depth, crypt depth, muscle thickness, intestinal thickness) as well as microbes (total viable count and total lactic acid bacteria) of intestine of fish compared to T1 and T2, leading to improved digestion and absorption responses. It is concluded that the supplementation of commercial probiotics has potential benefits on farmed fish species in BFT.

Utilization of factory tea (Camellia sinensis) wastes in eco-friendly dyeing of jute packaging fabrics.

Eco-friendly dyeing of jute packaging fabrics was evaluated using aqueous extraction of factory tea (Camellia sinensis) wastes. Jute and factory tea wastes are available in Bangladesh and jute bags are used for packaging of various exportable agricultural commodities. The extract of factory tea waste (FTW) is dark coffee colored and it was characterized by attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and microbial analysis. Nontoxic, non-allergic and eco-friendly natural dyeing process of jute packaging fabrics using extract of FTW were developed and optimized. Metal mordants 10 % on the weight of fabric was used to get the fastness properties of dyed jute fabric. The methods of application of mordants were pre-mordanting, simultaneous or meta-mordanting and post-mordanting. The color fastness and tensile properties were measured for all jute packaging fabrics and it is found that the dyed jute packaging fabrics showed a slight decrease in tensile breaking force (N) than undyed jute packaging fabric. The highest color fastness obtained with the meta mordanting method with ferrous sulfate mordant in a shade of dark coffee. The results of the color fastness for light and washing showed an excellent value of grade 4-5.

Plasma Virome of HIV-infected Subjects on Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy Reveals Association of Differentially Abundant Viruses with Distinct T-cell Phenotypes and Inflammation.

Background: The plasma virome represents the overall composition of viral sequences present in it. Alteration in plasma virome has been reported in treatment naïve and immunocompromised (CD4 count < 200) people with HIV (PWH). However, the effect of ART on virome composition in PWH on ART with preserved CD4 counts is poorly understood. Objectives: We aimed to assess the alterations in plasma virome in PWH on ART in comparison to HIV-negative uninfected controls and to further investigate possible associations of plasma viruses with inflammation and immune dysfunction, namely, immunosenescence and immune exhaustion. Methods: Plasma viral DNA from PWH on ART and controls was used for sequencing on the Illumina Nextseq500 platform, followed by the identification of viral sequences using an automated pipeline, VIROMATCH. Multiplex cytokine assay was performed to measure the concentrations of various cytokines in plasma. Immunophenotyping was performed on PBMCs to identify T cell markers of immunosenescence and immune exhaustion. Results: In our observational, cross-sectional pilot study, chronically infected PWH on ART had significantly different viral species compositions compared to controls. The plasma virome of PWH showed a significantly high relative abundance of species Human gammaherpesvirus 4, also known as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Moreover, EBV emerged as a significant viral taxon differentially enriched in PWH on ART, which further correlated positively with the exhaustion phenotype of T cells and significantly increased TNF-α in PWH on ART. Additionally, a significantly increased proportion of senescent T cells and IL-8 cytokine was detected in PWH on ART. Conclusion: Altered plasma virome influenced the inflammatory response and T-cell phenotype in PWH on ART.

Cost-effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment of early gestational diabetes mellitus: economic evaluation of the TOBOGM study, an international multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: A recently undertaken multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) "Treatment Of BOoking Gestational diabetes Mellitus" (TOBOGM: 2017-2022) found that the diagnosis and treatment of pregnant women with early gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) improved pregnancy outcomes. Based on data from the trial, this study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment of early GDM (from <20 weeks') among women with risk factors for hyperglycemia in pregnancy compared with usual care (no treatment until 24-28 weeks') from a healthcare perspective. Methods: Participants' healthcare resource utilization data were collected from their self-reported questionnaires and hospital records, and valued using the unit costs obtained from standard Australian national sources. Costs were reported in US dollars ($) using the purchasing power parity (PPP) estimates to facilitate comparison of costs across countries. Intention-to-treat (ITT) principle was followed. Missing cost data were replaced using multiple imputations. Bootstrapping method was used to estimate the uncertainty around mean cost difference and cost-effectiveness results. Bootstrapped cost-effect pairs were used to plot the cost-effectiveness (CE) plane and cost-effectiveness acceptability curve (CEAC). Findings: Diagnosis and treatment of early GDM was more effective and tended to be less costly, i.e., dominant (cost-saving) [-5.6% composite adverse pregnancy outcome (95% CI: -10.1%, -1.2%), -$1373 (95% CI: -$3,749, $642)] compared with usual care. Our findings were confirmed by both the CE plane (88% of the bootstrapped cost-effect pairs fall in the south-west quadrant), and CEAC (the probability of the intervention being cost-effective ranged from 84% at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold value of $10,000-99% at a WTP threshold value of $100,000 per composite adverse pregnancy outcome prevented). Sub-group analyses demonstrated that diagnosis and treatment of early GDM among women in the higher glycemic range (fasting blood glucose 95-109 mg/dl [5.3-6.0 mmol/L], 1-h blood glucose ≥191 mg/dl [10.6 mmol/L] and/or 2-h blood glucose 162-199 mg/dl [9.0-11.0 mmol/L]) was more effective and less costly (dominant) [-7.8% composite adverse pregnancy outcome (95% CI: -14.6%, -0.9%), -$2795 (95% CI: -$6,638, -$533)]; the intervention was more effective and tended to be less costly [-8.9% composite adverse pregnancy outcome (95% CI: -15.1%, -2.6%), -$5548 (95% CI: -$16,740, $1547)] among women diagnosed before 14 weeks' gestation as well. Interpretation: Our findings highlight the potential health and economic benefits from the diagnosis and treatment of early GDM among women with risk factors for hyperglycemia in pregnancy and supports its implementation. Long-term follow-up studies are recommended as a key future area of research to assess the potential long-term health benefits and economic consequences of the intervention. Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council (grants 1104231 and 2009326), Region O¨rebro Research Committee (grants Dnr OLL-970566 and OLL-942177), Medical Scientific Fund of the Mayor of Vienna (project 15,205 and project 23,026), South Western Sydney Local Health District Academic Unit (grant 2016), and Western Sydney University Ainsworth Trust Grant (2019).

Clinical and laboratory profile of Expanded Dengue Syndrome: experience of 2019 outbreak from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: Bangladesh is afflicted with periodic dengue outbreak every few years and one of the worst upsurges was recorded in 2019 during which there was an increasing trend of dengue with unusual symptoms which were not so common before. This study aims to describe the experience of three tertiary care centres of Dhaka regarding the clinical and laboratory, hospital outcome and management profile of the Expanded Dengue Syndrome (EDS) cases admitted from the 2019 outbreak. METHODS: The current work was a cross-sectional observational study which took place from August 1 to December 31 2019 at three major tertiary care centres in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Out of total 2017 screened dengue cases, 49 met the inclusion criteria and 39 were enrolled after taking informed written consent. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and Graph pad prism 9.3.1. A probability value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of the 39 cases, majority were male (79.49%) with median (±IQR) age of 33(±9) years. Hypertension (4; 10.26%) was the most commonly associated co-morbidity. Among the systemic manifestations, most prevalent was hepatitis (38.49%) followed by encephalopathy (12.82%). Majority of the patients were suffering from primary infection (85%). Case fatality rate was 15.38%. Hepatitis and meningoencephalitis were the predominant cause of death. This study records the only known case report of Acute respiratory dress syndrome (ARDS) complicating dengue from Bangladesh. None of the patients from our cohort were managed by steroids. Only two (5.13%) out of 39 cases received antibiotics. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION: In the year 2019, an unusual rise in EDS cases with about 15.4% fatalities were observed in this study. Hepatitis was the most common presentation and cause of death. Here, we report the first ARDS case encountered in Bangladesh. Despite the multifaceted presentation of EDS, indiscriminate use of antibiotics and steroid was minimal. Early recognition of multifarious features of EDS is important for choosing the targeted treatment option which can avert many deaths. The results of this study underline the necessity for more in-depth research into the risk factors that are contributing to mortality in EDS cases.

In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Combination of Extracts from Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Alpinia galanga, and Withania somnifera used in Unani Medicine.

Objectives: Continuous and excessive secretion of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory chemicals and cytokines may further deteriorate inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs play an imperative role in inhibiting the evolution of inflammatory diseases. As per the Unani doctrine, a holistic treatment approach is used to treat illnesses. Therefore, drugs having different actions are used to achieve the synergic effect. Three drugs (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Alpinia galanga, and Withania somnifera), which are frequently used in Unani medicine for joint disorders were selected to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract derived from them. Methods: We used RAW 264.7 macrophage cells to see the expression of inflammatory markers IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. Cytotoxic activity was assessed with MTT assay and Nitric Oxide (NO) was evaluated using Griess reagent. Further, anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in Wistar Albino rats using carrageenan-induced paw oedema and immunohistochemistry assays for Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). All the data were analyzed using ANOVA and Dunnett t test for multiple comparisons. Results: This extract did not show any cytotoxic effect and the gene expression was significantly reduced for IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. Further, NO production was also significantly reduced in the test groups. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the test groups had less inflammation as compared to the control group. Conclusion: It may be inferred that the ethanolic extract of the three herbs has strong anti-inflammatory activity in the tested inflammatory models and the extract is safe as it did not show any cytotoxic effects in both in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Waste natural fibers for polymer toughening and biodegradability of epoxy-based polymer composite through toughness and thermal analysis.

Polymeric materials are being increasingly used to replace many metallic components due to their beneficial properties such as higher strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. However, the widespread use of polymers poses a risk to the environment as they are not biodegradable. The addition of the waste jute fiber and sawdust fiber as reinforcement to the epoxy resin improved its toughness and induced the biodegradability of the polymer. To examine the effect of the jute fiber and sawdust fiber on biodegradability, the composites were then kept in the drainage system for one year, and the impact energy and fracture morphology of the as-cast and weathered samples were examined using a drop ball impact test and a Charpy impact test. During the weathering period, weight gain was initially observed due to the water absorption by the porous fibers, but after three months, the composites started to lose weight due to the degradation of the fiber by swelling and microbial attacks. Microorganisms in the drainage system used the fiber as their energy source, which resulted in the deterioration of the fiber and the production of CO2. The production of CO2 was identified by the FTIR analysis of the weathered composite samples. TGA analysis of the as-cast and weathered samples reveals the reduction of the onset thermal degradation temperature of the weathered composites due to the degradation of the composites. The fiber disintegrated through microbial attack and the fiber swelling caused by the absorption of water by jute fiber and sawdust fiber is identified through SEM imaging. The SEM image also reveals the formation of biofilms and the growth of microorganisms at the fibers. A higher growth rate of the microorganisms was observed in the jute fiber composite than in the sawdust fiber composite, as sawdust contains a high level of lignin that protects it from degradation. The results of this study suggest that both sawdust fiber and jute fiber composites induce biodegradability in the epoxy matrix, but jute fiber was more prominent in this regard. The discovery paves the way for using natural fibers in biodegradable polymer composites, reducing polymeric pollution in the environment.

Prevalence of unqualified sources of antimalarial drug prescription for children under the age of five: A study in 19 low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Antimalarial drug resistance poses a severe danger to global health. In Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), there is a lack of reliable information on antimalarial prescriptions for recent malarial fever in children under five. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of unqualified sources of antimalarial drug prescription for children under the age of five in 19 low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of the Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) datasets (n = 106265) across 19 LMICs. The recent MIS datasets were used, and the study only included children under five who had taken an antimalarial drug for a recent malarial fever. The outcome variable was classified into two distinct categories: those who had taken antimalarial drugs for malarial fever from qualified sources and those who did not. FINDINGS: Among LMICs, we found that 87.1% of children under five received an antimalarial prescription from unqualified sources who had recently experienced malarial fever. In several LMICs (Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ghana), a substantial portion of recent antimalarial prescriptions for malaria was taken from unqualified sources (about 60%). Some LMICs (Guinea (31.8%), Mali (31.3%), Nigeria (20.4%), Kenya (2.6%), and Senegal (2.7%)) had low rates of antimalarial drug consumption even though children under five received a high percentage of antimalarial prescriptions from qualified sources for a recent malarial fever. Living in rural areas, having mothers with higher education, and having parents with more wealth were frequently taken antimalarial from qualified sources for recent malarial fever in children under five across the LMICs. INTERPRETATION: The study draws attention to the importance of national and local level preventative strategies across the LMICs to restrict antimalarial drug consumption. This is because antimalarial prescriptions from unqualified sources for recent malarial fever in children under five were shockingly high in most LMICs and had high rates of unqualified prescriptions in certain other LMICs.

Cell-free DNA from nail clippings as source of normal control for genomic studies in hematologic malignancies.

Comprehensive genomic sequencing is becoming a critical component in the assessment of hematologic malignancies, with broad implications for patient management. In this context, unequivocally discriminating somatic from germline events is challenging but greatly facilitated by matched analysis of tumor:normal pairs. In contrast to solid tumors, conventional sources of normal control (peripheral blood, buccal swabs, saliva) could be highly involved by the neoplastic process, rendering them unsuitable. In this work we describe our real-world experience using cell free DNA (cfDNA) isolated from nail clippings as an alternate source of normal control, through the dedicated review of 2,610 tumor:nail pairs comprehensively sequenced by MSK-IMPACT-heme. Overall, we find nail cfDNA is a robust source of germline control for paired genomic studies. In a subset of patients, nail DNA may have tumor DNA contamination, reflecting unique attributes of the hematologic disease and transplant history. Contamination is generally low level, but significantly more common among patients with myeloid neoplasms (20.5%; 304/1482) compared to lymphoid diseases (5.4%; 61/1128) and particularly enriched in myeloproliferative neoplasms with marked myelofibrosis. When identified in patients with lymphoid and plasma-cell neoplasms, mutations commonly reflected a myeloid profile and correlated with a concurrent/evolving clonal myeloid neoplasm. For nails collected after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation, donor DNA was identified in 22% (11/50). In this cohort, an association with recent history of graft-vs-host disease was identified. These findings should be considered as a potential limitation for the use of nail as normal control but could also provide important diagnostic information regarding the disease process.

Synergistic effect of Mg addition on the enhancement of the mechanical properties and evaluation of corrosion behaviors in 3.5 wt % NaCl of aluminum alloys.

Aluminum alloys are highly preferred for their superior properties, including high corrosion resistance and lightweight in the automotive industry. To better understand how magnesium addition affects aluminum's corrosion and strengthening properties, three different percentages of magnesium-added aluminum alloys, as well as pure aluminum, were melted at a temperature of 800 ± 10 °C in a furnace and cast using the sand molding process. Subsequently, weight loss was used to conduct corrosion testing along with mechanical tests such as tensile, flexural, hardness, and impact tests. In-depth research revealed that the addition of magnesium at 3 wt %, 5 wt %, and 7 wt % strengthened the aluminum alloy. The addition of magnesium resulted in the formation of Al3Mg2, which restricted the movement of dislocation, induced grain refinement, and increased the strength of the alloy. However, it was observed that the addition of magnesium caused a decrease in the alloy's toughness and ductility, resulting in decreased impact energy and % elongation by 29.19 % and 34.87 % respectively by the addition of 5 wt% Mg compared to pure aluminum. Nevertheless, the optical microstructure and SEM image revealed refined grains and the formation of Al3Mg2, providing valuable insight into magnesium's strengthening behavior in aluminum. The study found that adding 7 wt % Mg to the aluminum alloy did not significantly improve its strength and hardness compared to adding 5 wt % Mg. This was because the 7 wt % Mg addition caused the grain size to increase, making it less effective at resisting dislocation movements. The grain coarsening of the 7 wt % Mg added alloy was also revealed in the optical microscope and the SEM images. The EDS analysis confirmed the presence of Al and Mg within the globular-shaped intermetallic particles, indicating the formation of the Al3Mg2 intermetallic phases. However, the highly reactive nature of magnesium results in a higher corrosion rate in terms of weight loss and corrosion current density, which causes the formation of pits and metal dissolution, leading to significant metal loss beneath the original surface when immersed in 3.5 wt % NaCl medium for a period of fifteen and thirty days. Localized corrosion was indicated by the SEM images, which showed concave and convex structures formed by the corrosion products on the alloys. The breakdown of the Al2O3 protective layer, which is the cause of the pits and cracks in the corrosion products, may be brought on by internal stress or the dehydration of hydroxides, which is known as Mg-induced stress corrosion cracking. However, more pits and cracks are found in the SEM image for the 7 wt % Mg addition as it was corroded more compared to the other alloys. The map analysis of the corroded alloy confirmed the corrosion behaviors of the Mg-added alloy by the presence of oxygen all over the surface. Because of the alloy's Al3Mg2 intermetallic compound's refinement and lower corrosion rate, 5 wt % of Mg was found to be the optimal amount for the addition of aluminum to increase strength and hardness without compromising the alloy's toughness and ductility.

Uncovering the role of aquaporin and chromobox family members as potential biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via integrative multiomics and in silico approach.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is a diverse group of tumors arising from oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx squamous epithelium, posing significant morbidity. Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane proteins forming water channels, some associated with carcinomas. Chromobox (CBX) family is known to modulate physiological and oncological processes. In our study, we analyzed AQPs and CBXs having significant expression followed by their prognostic and mutational assessment. Next, we performed enrichment and tumor infiltration analysis followed by HPA validation. Lastly, we established a 3-node miRNA-TF-mRNA regulatory network and performed protein-protein docking of the highest-degree subnetwork motif between TF and mRNA. Significant upregulation of CBX3/2 and downregulation of AQP3/5/7 correlated with poor overall survival (OS) in HNSC patients. The most significant pathway, GO-BP, GO-MF, and GO-CC terms associated with AQP3 and CBX3 were passive transport by aquaporins, response to vitamin, glycerol channel activity, and condensed chromosome, centromeric region. AQP3 negatively correlated with [Formula: see text] T cells, positively with [Formula: see text] T cells and B cells, and negatively with tumor purity, whereas CBX3 positively correlated with [Formula: see text] T cells, negatively with [Formula: see text] T cells and B cells, and positively with tumor purity. Three-node miRNA-TF-mRNA regulatory network revealed a highest-degree subnetwork motif comprising one TF (SMAD3), one miRNA (miR-423-5p), and one mRNA (AQP3). Protein-protein interaction studies suggested a direct interaction between AQP3 and Smad3 proteins. We concluded that AQP3 and CBX3 hold potential as treatment strategies and individual prognostic biomarkers, while further protein-protein interaction studies of AQP3 could offer insights into its interactions with Smad3 proteins.

Two rare flavonoid glycosides from Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C. B. Rob.: experimental and computational approaches endorse antidiabetic potentiality.

BACKGROUND: Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C. B. Rob. belongs to the Litsea genus and is categorized under the family of Lauraceae. The study aimed to investigate the phytoconstituents and pharmacological properties of methanol extract of leaves of Litsea glutinosa, focusing on antidiabetic activity via in vivo and in silico techniques. METHODS: Extensive chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were applied to isolate and characterize the constituents from the L. glutinosa plant species. The antidiabetic activity was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mice, and the computational study of the isolated compounds was carried out by utilizing AutoDock Vina programs. In addition, the pharmacokinetic properties in terms of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) and toxicological profiles of the isolated compounds were examined via in silico techniques. RESULTS: In the present study, two flavonoid glycosides 4΄-O-methyl (2 ̋,4 ̋-di-E-p-coumaroyl) afzelin (1) and quercetin 3-O-(2 ̋,4 ̋-di-E-p-coumaroyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2) were isolated from the leaves of L. glutinosa and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and mass spectral data. Although compounds 1 and 2 have been reported twice from Machilis litseifolia and Lindera akoensis, and Machilis litseifolia and Mammea longifolia, respectively, this is the first report of this isolation from a Litsea species. Administering the methanolic extract of L. glutinosa at doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg/day to mice with diabetes induced by streptozotocin led to a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels (p < 0.05) starting from the 7th day of treatment. Besides, the computational study and PASS analysis endorsed the current in vivo findings that the both isolated compounds exerted higher binding affinities to human pancreatic α-amylase and aldose reductase than the conventional drugs. The in silico ADMET analysis revealed that the both isolated compounds have a favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profile suitable for human consumption. CONCLUSION: According to the current outcomes obtained from in vivo and in silico techniques, the leaf extract of L. glutinosa could be a natural remedy for treating diabetes, and the isolated phytoconstituents could be applied against various illnesses, mainly hyperglycemia. However, more investigations are required for extensive phytochemical isolation and pharmacological activities of these phytoconstituents against broader targets with exact mechanisms of action.