A leaky gut contributes to postural imbalance in male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

AIMS: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently exhibit an inability to maintain postural balance. However, the contribution of increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut to the postural imbalance in COPD is not known. METHODS: We measured plasma zonulin, a marker of leaky gut, with relevance to postural balance in male controls (n = 70) and patients with mild (n = 67), moderate (n = 66), and severe (n = 58) COPD. We employed a short physical performance battery to evaluate postural balance in supine, tandem, and semi-tandem positions. We also measured handgrip strength (HGS), gait speed, plasma c-reactive proteins (CRP), and 8-isoprostanes as potential mechanistic connections between postural imbalance and leaky gut. RESULTS: COPD patients demonstrated higher plasma zonulin, CRP, and 8-isoprostanes levels and lower balance, HGS, and gait speed than controls (all p < 0.05). These findings were more robust in patients with moderate and severe than mild COPD. In addition, plasma zonulin exhibited significant potential in diagnosing poor balance, low HGS, and gait speed in COPD patients (all p < 0.05). We also found significant correlations of plasma zonulin with CRP and 8-isoprostanes, providing heightened inflammation and oxidative stress as mechanistic connections between leaky gut and postural imbalance. CONCLUSION: Plasma zonulin may be helpful in evaluating postural imbalance in COPD patients. Repairing intestinal leaks can be a therapeutic target to improve postural control in COPD.

Fractional dynamics study: analytical solutions of modified Kordeweg-de Vries equation and coupled Burger's equations using Aboodh transform.

The study examines the using of Aboodh residual power series method and the Aboodh transform iteration method (ATIM) to analyze modified Korteweg-de Vries equation (mKdV) beside coupled Burger's equations in the framework of the Caputo operator. These sets of equations represent the non-linear wave description for various physical systems. Through APM and ATIM, the solution for the coupled Burger's equations and the mKdV equation get accurate dynamics information that will reveal the nature of their interactions. Using mathematically proven techniques and computational simulations, the developed methods' efficiency and reliability are illustrated in the complex behaviors of these nonlinear wave equations, so that we can gain deeper insights into their complex dynamics. The research is aimed at an increase of the knowledge about the fractional calculus utilization for nonlinear wave motion and it also provides analytical tools for an analysis of wave acting in different scientific and engineering areas.

Metachrony drives effective mucociliary transport via a calcium-dependent mechanism.

The mucociliary transport apparatus is critical for maintaining lung health via the coordinated movement of cilia to clear mucus and particulates. A metachronal wave propagates across the epithelium when cilia on adjacent multiciliated cells beat slightly out of phase along the proximal-distal axis of the airways in alignment with anatomically directed mucociliary clearance. We hypothesized that metachrony optimizes mucociliary transport (MCT) and that disruptions of calcium signaling would abolish metachrony and decrease MCT. We imaged bronchi from human explants and ferret tracheae using micro-Optical Coherence Tomography (µOCT) to evaluate airway surface liquid depth (ASL), periciliary liquid depth (PCL), cilia beat frequency (CBF), MCT, and metachrony in situ. We developed statistical models that included covariates of MCT. Ferret tracheae were treated with BAPTA-AM (chelator of intracellular Ca2+), lanthanum chloride (nonpermeable Ca2+channel competitive antagonist), and repaglinide (inhibitor of calaxin) to test calcium-dependence of metachrony. We demonstrated metachrony contributes to mucociliary transport of human and ferret airways. MCT was augmented in regions of metachrony compared to non-metachronous regions by 48.1%, P=0.0009 or 47.5%, P<0.0020 in humans and ferrets, respectively. PCL and metachrony were independent contributors to MCT rate in humans; ASL, CBF, and metachrony contribute to ferret MCT rates. Metachrony can be disrupted by interference with calcium signaling including intracellular, mechanosensitive channels, and calaxin. Our results support that the presence of metachrony augments MCT in a calcium-dependent mechanism.

Pulmonary Fibrosis Ferret Model Demonstrates Sustained Fibrosis, Restrictive Physiology, and Aberrant Repair.

Rationale: The role of MUC5B mucin expression in IPF pathogenesis is unknown. Bleomycin-exposed rodent models do not exhibit sustained fibrosis or airway remodeling. Unlike mice, ferrets have human-like distribution of MUC5B expressing cell types and natively express the risk-conferring variant that induces high MUC5B expression in humans. We hypothesized that ferrets would consequently exhibit aberrant repair to propagate fibrosis similar to human IPF. Methods: Bleomycin (5U/kg) or saline-control was micro-sprayed intratracheally then wild-type ferrets were evaluated through 22 wks. Clinical phenotype was assessed with lung function. Fibrosis was assessed with µCT imaging and comparative histology with Ashcroft scoring. Airway remodeling was assessed with histology and quantitative immunofluorescence. Results: Bleomycin ferrets exhibited sustained restrictive physiology including decreased inspiratory capacity, decreased compliance, and shifted Pressure-Volume loops through 22 wks. Volumetric µCT analysis revealed increased opacification of the lung bleomycin-ferrets. Histology showed extensive fibrotic injury that matured over time and MUC5B-positive cystic structures in the distal lung suggestive of honeycombing. Bleomycin ferrets had increased proportion of small airways that were double-positive for CCSP and alpha-tubulin compared to controls, indicating an aberrant 'proximalization' repair phenotype. Notably, this aberrant repair was associated with extent of fibrotic injury at the airway level. Conclusions: Bleomycin-exposed ferrets exhibit sustained fibrosis through 22 wks and have pathologic features of IPF not found in rodents. Ferrets exhibited proximalization of the distal airways and other pathologic features characteristic of human IPF. MUC5B expression through native cell types may play a key role in promoting airway remodeling and lung injury in IPF.

Defect-engineered dual Z-scheme core-shell MoS2/WO3-x/AgBiS2 for antibiotic and dyes degradation in photo and night catalysis: Mechanism and pathways.

Water pollution caused by antibiotics and synthetic dyes and imminent energy crises due to limited fossil fuel resources are issues of contemporary decades. Herein, we address them by enabling the multifunctionality in dual Z-scheme MoS2/WO3-x/AgBiS2 across photolysis, photo Fenton-like, and night catalysis. Defect, basal, and facet-engineered WO3-x is modified with MoS2 and AgBiS2, which extended its photoresponse from the UV-NIR region, inhibited carrier recombination, and reduced carrier transfer resistance. The electric field rearrangement leads to a flow of electrons from MoS2 and AgBiS2 to WO3-x and intensifies the electron population, which is crucial for night catalysis. When MoS2/WO3-x/AgBiS2 was employed against doxycycline hydrochloride (DOXH), it removed 95.65, 81.11, and 77.92 % of DOXH in 100 min during photo-Fenton (PFR), night-Fenton (NFR), and photocatalytic (PCR) reactions, respectively. It also effectively removed 91.91, 98.17, 99.01, and 98.99 % of rhodamine B (RhB), Congo red (CR), methylene blue (MB), and methylene orange (MO) in Fenton reactions, respectively. ESR analysis consolidates the ROS generation feature of MoS2/WO3-x/AgBiS2 using H2O2 with and without irradiation. This work provides a strategy to eliminate the deficiencies of WO3-x and is conducive to the evolution of applications seeking to combat environmental and energy crises.

The critical impacts of cytokine storms in respiratory disorders.

Cytokine storm (CS) refers to the spontaneous dysregulated and hyper-activated inflammatory reaction occurring in various clinical conditions, ranging from microbial infection to end-stage organ failure. Recently the novel coronavirus involved in COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) has been associated with the pathological phenomenon of CS in critically ill patients. Furthermore, critically ill patients suffering from CS are likely to have a grave prognosis and a higher case fatality rate. Pathologically CS is manifested as hyper-immune activation and is clinically manifested as multiple organ failure. An in-depth understanding of the etiology of CS will enable the discovery of not just disease risk factors of CS but also therapeutic approaches to modulate the immune response and improve outcomes in patients with respiratory diseases having CS in the pathogenic pathway. Owing to the grave consequences of CS in various diseases, this phenomenon has attracted the attention of researchers and clinicians throughout the globe. So in the present manuscript, we have attempted to discuss CS and its ramifications in COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, as well as prospective treatment approaches and biomarkers of the cytokine storm. Furthermore, we have attempted to provide in-depth insight into CS from both a prophylactic and therapeutic point of view. In addition, we have included recent findings of CS in respiratory diseases reported from different parts of the world, which are based on expert opinion, clinical case-control research, experimental research, and a case-controlled cohort approach.

Frequency of Complete Remission With R-CHOP Therapy in Patients With Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

Background Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) exhibits notable heterogeneity in clinical presentations and treatment responses, posing challenges in predicting outcomes and tailoring therapeutic strategies for affected patients. Despite advancements in molecular subtyping and prognostic assessment, uncertainties persist regarding the optimal management of DLBCL, highlighting the need for localized investigations to better understand treatment responses and outcomes within specific patient populations. Objective To assess the frequency of complete remission (CR) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients undergoing first-line rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) therapy within a specific adult population. Material and methods This descriptive study was conducted within the Department of Oncology Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan from August 8, 2022, to April 8, 2023. The study included newly diagnosed DLBCL patients aged 20-70 years, excluding those who had received prior treatment. There were 55 (57.9%) males and 40 (42.1%) females. Data on demographic characteristics, disease duration, and CR outcomes were collected using a predefined data collection form. Results The majority of patients (80, 84.2%) achieved CR following R-CHOP therapy. In terms of age distribution, 43 (45.3%) patients were aged ≤45 years, while the remaining belonged to the >45 years age group. The duration of the disease was ≤ 3 months in 60 (63.2%) cases, whereas it exceeded three months in 35 (36.8%) cases. With regards to BMI classification, nine (9.5%) patients had a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2, 49 (51.6%) fell within the range of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, and the remaining 37 (38.9%) patients had a BMI between 25-30 kg/m2. Conclusion Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains a heterogeneous disease entity with variable clinical outcomes. While R-CHOP therapy demonstrates promising efficacy in achieving CR, concerns regarding late adverse effects persist. Addressing these challenges requires continued research efforts to validate novel prognostic markers and develop alternative treatment approaches, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the global burden of DLBCL.

Hybrid class of robust type estimators for variance estimation using mean and variance of auxiliary variable.

This study is completed for the estimation of unknown population variance for the variable of mean and variance of interest. To accomplish this task, a new generalized class of robust kind of variance estimators proposed utilizing known descriptives of auxiliary variable, for example, Mid-range, Hodges-Lehmann Mean, Tri-mean, deciles mean, coefficient of skewness, interquartile range, first quartile, coefficient of kurtosis, semi-interquartile average, inter decile range and Mean, etc. These conventional measures of auxiliary variable improve the accuracy of the suggested class under simple random sampling without replacement (SRSWOR) scheme. The properties such as the bias, mean square errors (MSE), and least MSE of the suggested class are derived up to first order of approximation. The superiority conditions of the developed class of estimators over existing estimators are also made out theoretically. Finally, numerical representation is also completed for the motivations behind the article. The usual variance estimator is considered as a benchmark for comparing all considered estimators in numerical illustration. The results have been indicated that the suggested class is performing better than the usual variance estimator and all other thoughts about existing estimators.

Agaricus subgenus Pseudochitonia in Malakand, Pakistan: An updated phylogeny and description of three new species.

Agaricus is a genus with more than 500 species. Most of the new species reported since 2000 are tropical or subtropical. The study area, the Malakand region, located in the north of Pakistan, has a subtropical climate. In this study, nine species, including three new species, of Agaricus subgenus Pseudochitonia, are reported from this region. Description of the new species are based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses using three DNA regions: nuc ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS), fragments of the large subunit of nuc ribosomal DNA (28S), and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF1). One new species, Agaricus lanosus, with wooly squamules on its cap, forms a lineage within Agaricus sect. Bivelares and cannot be classified with certainty in one of the two subsections (Cupressorum and Hortenses) of this section. Agaricus rhizoideus with rhizoid-like structure at the base of the stipe forms a basal clade in Agaricus sect. Hondenses. Specimens of the third new species, Agaricus malakandensis, form a species-level clade within Agaricus sect. Catenulati and exhibits the morphological characteristics of this section. Due to their similar ITS sequences, two previously unnamed specimens from Thailand (A. sp. LD2012162 and CA799) are considered conspecific with A. malakandensis.

Plasma levels of Neurofilament light chain correlate with handgrip strength and sarcopenia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Age-associated muscle decline, termed sarcopenia, is a common systemic effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Circulating Neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels reflect neuronal degradation and may be relevant to sarcopenia phenotype. However, such an association in COPD patients remains elusive. METHODS: We investigated male, 60-76 years old controls (n = 50) and COPD patients (n = 139) for plasma NfL levels in relation to sarcopenia and physical capacity markers. We measured handgrip strength (HGS), body composition, and short physical performance battery (SPPB) to evaluate sarcopenia and physical capacity. RESULTS: COPD patients had higher plasma NfL and lower HGS and SPPB performance than controls. Plasma NfL levels demonstrated negative associations with HGS and gait speed in COPD patients (all p < 0.05). Further, NfL levels were negatively associated with total SPPB scores in controls and patients with advanced COPD (p < 0.05). Plasma NfL also demonstrated an acceptable accuracy in diagnosing sarcopenia in controls (AUC = 0.757, p < 0.05) and COPD (AUC = 0.806, p < 0.05) patients. CONCLUSION: Collectively, plasma NfL may be helpful in evaluating sarcopenia phenotype and physical capacity in geriatric patients with COPD.

Two new species of Hymenagaricus (Agaricales, Agaricaceae) from Oman, based on morphology and molecular phylogeny.

Hymenagaricus has small to medium-sized mushrooms and the cap surface with squamulose pellicles, consisting of hymeniform or pseudoparenchymatous cells and yellowish-brown basidiospores. The species of Hymenagaricus are very similar to those of Xanthagaricus and it is extremely difficult to differentiate the species of both genera in the field. However, phylogenetically, both the genera are clearly distinct. In this study, we describe two new species of Hymenagaricus, i.e. H.wadijarzeezicus and H.parvulus from the southern part of Oman. Species descriptions are based on a combination of morphological characteristics of basidiomata and phylogenetic analyses of three gene regions: internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS), the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal DNA (28S) and translation elongation factor one alpha (EF-1α). Full descriptions, micrographs and illustration of anatomical features, basidiomata photos and phylogenetic analyses results of the new taxa are provided. Morphological comparisons of new taxa with similar species and a key to species included in the phylogenetic analyses are also provided.

Biocontrol Potential of Trichoderma Ghanense and Trichoderma Citrinoviride toward Pythium aphanidermatum.

Pythium-induced damping-off of cucumber is a major constraint to cucumber production in different parts of the world. Although chemical fungicides are used for managing this disease, they have many drawbacks to the environment. The ability of the antagonistic fungi isolated from the rhizosphere and endosphere of Dactyloctenium robecchii and Moraea sisyrinchium in the control of soilborne pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum was inspected. Native Trichoderma isolates, Trichoderma ghanense and Trichoderma citrinoviride, were isolated from plant stem and soil samples collected from Al-Seeb, Oman. Using a dual culture technique, the antagonistic activity of the fungal isolates against P. aphanidermatum was examined in vitro. Among Trichoderma isolates, T. ghanense was more efficient in restraining the mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum, causing an inhibition percentage of 44.6%. Further, T. citrinoviride induced significantly lower cessation of P. aphanidermatum mycelial growth (31.3%). Microscopic and electrolyte leakage inspection of the pathogen mycelia depicted extreme morphological malformations in their mycelium, which can be attributed to the antifungal metabolites of antagonists. Greenhouse studies demonstrated the effectivity of T. ghanense in controlling Pythium damping-off of cucumber plants, where the number of surviving plants was over 90% when the biocontrol agents were used compared to 0 in the control plants. Furthermore, treatment of the plants with the antagonists promoted growth characteristics of plants compared to uninoculated plants. This included improvements in shoot and root lengths, leaf length and width, and dry weight. These findings suggest that T. ghanense and T. citrinoviride can be developed as alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides to manage soilborne pathogens of cucumber. This research is also the first to clarify the biocontrol ability of T. citrinoviride and T. ghanense against cucumber damping-off caused by P. aphanidermatum.

Comparison of clinical characteristics, hospital treatment and outcomes in all four waves of Covid-19 patients at RTEH Muzaffargarh, Pakistan.

Background and Objective: The coronavirus pandemic followed a succession of COVID-19 waves globally, and had a varying pattern of frequency of cases and disease spectrum as each wave came with its distinct viral characteristics. The objective of this study was to compare clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes of patients admitted with severe COVID -19 pneumonia in all four waves at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital (RTEH). Methods: A cross sectional retrospective study was conducted at the COVID unit of Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital (RTEH), Muzaffargarh, from April 2020 to December 2021. Retrospective data was taken from Electronic Medical Records of patients of Covid pneumonia and divided into four groups according to four waves of Covid pandemic. The main objective was to compare disease spectrum, treatments and outcomes of patients admitted with severe COVID-19 pneumonia in all four waves at RTEH. Demographic characteristics, inflammatory markers such as C reactive protein (CRP), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum ferratin and absolute lymphocyte counts, mortality, length of hospital and ICU stay and event of mechanical ventilation were compared between groups. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to check the normality. P-value <0.05 was considered significance. Results: Of a total of 903 patients with covid pneumonia, 521(57.7%) were males and 382 (42.3%) females. Their mean age was 55.56±15.06 years. The mean length of stay (LOS) at the hospital was higher in first wave and least in fourth wave, 9.06±6.46 days and 6.56±5.34 days, respectively, (p<0.010). In first wave, LOS was generally >10 days with 21 (22.6%) while 33(26.8%) patients were shifted to ICU in first and second waves, respectively. Whereas, 35(8.2%) patients shifted to ICU in fourth wave (p<0.010). The use of mechanical ventilation was most common in first and second wave, 14 (15.1%) and 18 (14.6%), respectively. Mortality rate was highest in the third wave, 102 (38.9%, p<0.010) compared to the rest of the waves. Conclusion: Comparison of COVID-19 pneumonia patients across pandemic waves has revealed dynamic trends in patient outcomes. The initial waves had higher ICU admissions and mortality rate, suggesting a need for improved early response and resource allocation. Continuous adaptability in healthcare strategies was paramount for enhancing patient care during the ever-changing pandemic landscape.

WO3-x nanorods/rGO/AgBiS2 Z-scheme heterojunction with comprehensive spectrum response and enhanced Fenton and photocatalytic activities.

Tetracycline (TC) antibiotics and dyes are the prevalent water contaminants, and their removal from the water through photocatalysis is a plausible approach. However, most semiconductors in their pristine form need to be improved to be exploited in photocatalysis owing to poor photoresponse, intense carrier recombination, and inertness without irradiation. Herein, we demonstrate the modification of defective WO3-x by rGO and AgBiS2 in the form of WO3-x/rGO/AgBiS2 (R2). It exploits the superior conductivity and synergism of rGO to inhibit carrier recombination; thereby, Z-scheme heterojunction with AgBiS2 provides high redox potential. Defects in WO3-x enable electron (e-) storage in R2, which decomposes H2O2 to generate ROS without irradiation. Owing to these essences and broad-spectrum response, it removed 93.72, 82.77, and 84.82% of TC during photo-Fenton (PFR), night-Fenton (NFR), and photocatalytic (PCR) reactions, respectively. Its removal rates reached 94.74, 81.54, and 87.50% against rhodamine B (RhB) during PFR, NFR, and PCR, respectively. It is superior to memory catalysis (MC) and conventional Fenton reactions (CFR) because it can perform without and with irradiation across a broader pH range. So, this work is conducive to designing WO3-x-based catalysts to combat environmental and energy crises.

ABA INSENSITIVE 2 promotes flowering by inhibiting OST1/ABI5-dependent FLOWERING LOCUS C transcription in Arabidopsis.

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is an important regulator of plant growth and development and plays a crucial role in both biotic and abiotic stress responses. ABA modulates flowering time, but the precise molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we report that ABA INSENSITIVE 2 (ABI2) is the only phosphatase from the ABA-signaling core that positively regulates the transition to flowering in Arabidopsis. Loss-of-function abi2-2 mutant shows significantly delayed flowering both under long day and short day conditions. Expression of floral repressor genes such as FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) and CYCLING DOF FACTOR 1 (CDF1) was significantly up-regulated in abi2-2 plants while expression of the flowering promoting genes FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) was down-regulated. Through genetic interactions we further found that ost1-3 and abi5-1 mutations are epistatic to abi2-2, as both of them individually rescued the late flowering phenotype of abi2-2. Interestingly, phosphorylation and protein stability of ABA INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) were enhanced in abi2-2 plants suggesting that ABI2 dephosphorylates ABI5, thereby reducing protein stability and the capacity to induce FLC expression. Our findings uncovered the unexpected role of ABI2 in promoting flowering by inhibiting ABI5-mediated FLC expression in Arabidopsis.

A dual-emitting Rhodamine B-encapsulated Zn-based MOF for the selective sensing of Chromium(VI).

A Rhodamine B-Zn-MOF composite (RhB-Zn-MOF) with dual emission intensity was synthesized through one pot synthesis by in-situ encapsulation of Rhodamine-B dye on a new Zn-MOF metal-organic framework [(Zn(OAc)2(4-BrIPh) (1,10-phenonthroline)(H2O)].H2O, (4-BrIPh = 4-Bromoisophthalic acid). The synthesized encapsulated material was characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, UV-Visible spectroscopy, TGA, single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results showed that the synthesized composite, RhB-Zn-MOF could be used as an efficient probe for the selective sensing of Cr(VI) in the presence of Cr(III) as well as other metal ions.

Plant-Disease-Suppressive and Growth-Promoting Activities of Endophytic and Rhizobacterial Isolates Associated with Citrullus colocynthis.

This study was conducted to investigate the antagonistic potential of endophytic and rhizospheric bacterial isolates obtained from Citrullus colocynthis in suppressing Fusarium solani and Pythium aphanidermatum and promoting the growth of cucumber. Molecular identification of bacterial strains associated with C. colocynthis confirmed that these strains belong to the Achromobacter, Pantoea, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Sphingobacterium, Bacillus, Sinorhizobium, Staphylococcus, Cupriavidus, and Exiguobacterium genera. A dual culture assay showed that nine of the bacterial strains exhibited antifungal activity, four of which were effective against both pathogens. Strains B27 (Pantoea dispersa) and B28 (Exiguobacterium indicum) caused the highest percentage of inhibition towards F. solani (48.5% and 48.1%, respectively). P. aphanidermatum growth was impeded by the B21 (Bacillus cereus, 44.7%) and B28 (Exiguobacterium indicum, 51.1%) strains. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the strains caused abnormality in phytopathogens' mycelia. All of the selected bacterial strains showed good IAA production (>500 ppm). A paper towel experiment demonstrated that these strains improved the seed germination, root/shoot growth, and vigor index of cucumber seedlings. Our findings suggest that the bacterial strains from C. colocynthis are suppressive to F. solani and P. aphanidermatum and can promote cucumber growth. This appears to be the first study to report the efficacy of these bacterial strains from C. colocynthis against F. solani and P. aphanidermatum.

Experimental and in silico evaluation of Carthamus tinctorius L. oil emulgel: a promising treatment for bacterial skin infections.

Purpose: The current study aimed to develop a topical herbal emulgel containing Carthamus tinctorius L. (CT) oil extract, which has been scientifically proven for its antibacterial and antioxidant activities for the ailment of bacterial skin infections. Method: The CT emulgel was formulated by response surface methodology (RSM) and was evaluated by various parameters like extrudability, spreadability, pH, viscosity, and antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Molecular docking was also performed using AutoDock. Results: Among all formulated CT emulgels, F9 and F8 were optimized. Optimized formulations had shown good spreadability and extrudability characteristics. Sample F8 had % inhibition of 42.131 ± 0.335, 56.720 ± 0.222, and 72.440 ± 0.335 at different concentrations. Sample F9 had % inhibition of 26.312 ± 0.280, 32.461 ± 0.328, and 42.762 ± 0.398 at concentrations of 250 µg/ml, 500 µg/ml, and 1,000 µg/ml, respectively, which shows that both samples F8 and F9 have significant antioxidant potential. Optimized CT emulgels F8 and F9 had significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli at p-value = 0.00, the Emulgel-F8 shows zone of inhibition of 24 mm for E-coli and 19 mm for S-aureus. Emulgel-F9 shows zone of inhibition of 22 mm for E-coli and 15 mm for S-aureus while pure CT- Oil extract shows zone of inhibition of 25 mm for E-coli and 20 mm for S-aureus and ciprofloxacin used as standard shows 36mm zone of inhibition against both E-coli and S-aureus. The comparative investigation through molecular docking binding affinities and interactions of ligands with various target proteins provides insights into the molecular processes behind ligand binding and may have significance for drug discovery and design for the current study. Conclusion: The current study suggests that C. tinctorius L.-based emulgel has good antioxidant and antibacterial activities against E. coli for the treatment of bacterial skin infections.

Numerical treatment of thermal nanofluid flow for energy enhancement over a porous stretching sheet impact of slip and buoyancy force.

The advancement of nanofluid innovation is a crucial area of research for physicists, mathematicians, manufacturers, and materials scientists. In engineering and industries, the fluid velocity caused by stretching sheets and nanofluids has a lot of applications such as refrigerators, chips, heat exchangers, hybrid mechanical motors, food development, and so on. The originality of the current study is the analysis of the thermal nanofluid in the existence of a porous matrix, and buoyancy force over the stretched sheet, so in limiting cases, the existing work is equated with the available effort, and excellent correspondence is originated. The governing equations in terms of PDEs are changed to the convection differential by utilizing the appropriate transformation and then solved by the ND-solved method along with bvph2. The thermal boundary layer thickness upsurges as the radiation and temperature factors are improved. It is observed that with the growing amount of volume fraction factor the velocity profile declines. When the velocity slip factors and permeability are enhanced the velocity profile augments. It is examined as the values of permeability factor, Biot number, and velocity slip factor are increased the inner temperature of the fluid improves. For the increasing values of θ_r, ϕ, and Nr, the temperature is increasing. In the future, the present model can be extended by using the hybrid nanofluid for the activation of thermal conductivity and heat enhancement analysis.

Evaluation of deep learning and convolutional neural network algorithms accuracy for detecting and predicting anatomical landmarks on 2D lateral cephalometric images: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Cephalometry is the study of skull measurements for clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and surgical planning. Machine learning (ML) algorithms have been used to accurately identify cephalometric landmarks and detect irregularities related to orthodontics and dentistry. ML-based cephalometric imaging reduces errors, improves accuracy, and saves time. Method: In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review to evaluate the accuracy of ML software for detecting and predicting anatomical landmarks on two-dimensional (2D) lateral cephalometric images. The meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for selecting and screening research articles. The eligibility criteria were established based on the diagnostic accuracy and prediction of ML combined with 2D lateral cephalometric imagery. The search was conducted among English articles in five databases, and data were managed using Review Manager software (v. 5.0). Quality assessment was performed using the diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS-2) tool. Result: Summary measurements included the mean departure from the 1-4-mm threshold or the percentage of landmarks identified within this threshold with a 95% confidence interval (CI). This meta-analysis included 21 of 577 articles initially collected on the accuracy of ML algorithms for detecting and predicting anatomical landmarks. The studies were conducted in various regions of the world, and 20 of the studies employed convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for detecting cephalometric landmarks. The pooled successful detection rates for the 1-mm, 2-mm, 2.5-mm, 3-mm, and 4-mm ranges were 65%, 81%, 86%, 91%, and 96%, respectively. Heterogeneity was determined using the random effect model. Conclusion: In conclusion, ML has shown promise for landmark detection in 2D cephalometric imagery, although the accuracy has varied among studies and clinicians. Consequently, more research is required to determine its effectiveness and reliability in clinical settings.