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Salvianolic acid A (SalA), a bioactive compound extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza, has garnered considerable interest for its potential in ameliorating the post-stroke neuroinflammation. This review delineates the possible molecular underpinnings of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective roles of SalA, offering a comprehensive analysis of its therapeutic efficacy in preclinical studies of ischemic stroke. We explore the intricate interplay between post-stroke neuroinflammation and the modulatory effects of SalA on pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory signaling pathways, the peripheral immune cell infiltration through blood-brain barrier disruption, and endothelial cell function. The pharmacokinetic profiles of SalA in the context of stroke, characterized by enhanced cerebral penetration post-ischemia, makes it particularly suitable as a therapeutic agent. Preliminary clinical findings have demonstrated that salvianolic acids (SA) has a positive impact on cerebral perfusion and neurological deficits in stroke patients, warranting further investigation. This review emphasizes SalA as a potential anti-inflammatory agent for the advancement of innovative therapeutic approaches in the treatment of ischemic stroke.
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Anti-Inflamatórios , Ácidos Cafeicos , Doenças Neuroinflamatórias , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Humanos , Animais , Ácidos Cafeicos/uso terapêutico , Ácidos Cafeicos/farmacologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/tratamento farmacológico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/metabolismo , Doenças Neuroinflamatórias/tratamento farmacológico , Doenças Neuroinflamatórias/etiologia , Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/uso terapêutico , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Lactatos/uso terapêutico , Lactatos/farmacologia , Barreira Hematoencefálica/metabolismo , Barreira Hematoencefálica/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
This study explores copyrolysis of soybean straw (SS) with hydrogen-rich tire waste (TW) to enhance pyrolytic product quality and reduce pollutant emissions. Addition of TW increased SS biomass conversion from 67.19 to 72.46% and decreased coke/residue formation from 32.81 to 27.54%. The activation energy dropped to 121.84 kJ/mol from 160.73 kJ/mol (as calculated by the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose method) and 122.78 kJ/mol from 159.76 kJ/mol (as calculated by the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall method). Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) showed lowered CO2, NO2, and SO2 emissions (5.58, 5.72, 3.38) compared to conventional SS pyrolysis (18.38, 11.55, 12.37). Yields of value-added chemicals (phenols, olefins, aromatics) increased (32.38, 22.17, 30.18%) versus conventional SS pyrolysis (23.56, 13.78, 20.36%). Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py/GC-MS) analysis reveals that the addition of TW leads to a decrease in the production of oxygenates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, reducing their yields to 8.96 and 7.67%, respectively, down from 19.37 and 14.37%. Simultaneously, it enhances the yields of olefins, aromatics, phenols, and aliphatic hydrocarbons to 23.38, 26.78, 26.17, and 25.78%, respectively, compared to 15.37%, 15.29, 18.36, and 17.25%, respectively, in the absence of TW. In summary, copyrolysis of TW with SS improves product quality and reduces pollutant emissions, marking a significant research contribution.
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RATIONALE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by joint inflammation and various extra-articular manifestations, including rheumatoid nodules (RNs). This case study aims to explore the effectiveness of alternative treatments for RNs, particularly highlighting the therapeutic potential of sulfasalazine. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 52-year-old male with established RA presented with worsening joint pain and firm nodules on his elbows, feet, and fingers. DIAGNOSES: The patient fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for RA and was diagnosed with methotrexate-induced RNs based on their temporal association with methotrexate initiation. INTERVENTIONS: Methotrexate was discontinued and a combination of leflunomide and sulfasalazine was initiated. Sulfasalazine led to improvement in both joint pain and nodule size. However, due to cost concerns, the patient discontinued sulfasalazine, resulting in a resurgence of both symptoms and nodule enlargement. Reintroduction of methotrexate resulted in significant improvement in joint inflammation, and notably, no new nodules developed at 6 months follow-up. OUTCOMES: Sulfasalazine demonstrated efficacy in managing RA nodules, suggesting a potential alternative therapy. LESSONS: The case highlights the complex etiology of nodules in RA and emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment approaches and close monitoring for optimal management.
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Antirreumáticos , Artrite Reumatoide , Nódulo Reumatoide , Sulfassalazina , Humanos , Sulfassalazina/uso terapêutico , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Masculino , Nódulo Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Antirreumáticos/uso terapêutico , Artrite Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Metotrexato/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
The repair and regeneration of maxillofacial bone defects are major clinical challenges. Titanium (Ti)-magnesium (Mg) composites are a new generation of revolutionary internal fixation materials encompassing the mechanical strength and bioactive advantages of Ti and Mg alloys, respectively. This study was aimed to construct a Ti-Mg composite internal plate/screw fixation system to fix and repair bone defects. Further, the effects of different internal fixation systems on bone repair were analyzed through radiological and histological analyses. Notably, Ti6Al4V with rolled Mg foil was used as the experimental group, and a bone defect model of transverse complete amputation of the ulna in rabbits similar to the clinical condition was established. The internal fixation system with the highest osteogenic efficiency was selected based on in vivo results, and the direct and indirect bone repair abilities of the selected materials were evaluated in vitro. Notably, the thin Mg foil-Ti6Al4V internal fixation system exhibited the best fixation effect in the bone defect model and promoted the formation of new bone and early healing of bone defect areas. In vitro, the thin Mg foil-Ti6Al4V composite enhanced the activity of MC3T3-E1 cells; promoted the proliferation, adhesion, extension, and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells; and regulated new bone formation. Further, it also promoted the polarization of RAW264.7 cells to M2 macrophages, induced the osteogenic immune microenvironment, and indirectly regulated the bone repair process. Therefore, a internal fixation system holds a promising potential for the internal fixation of maxillofacial bone defects. Our findings provide a theoretical and scientific basis for the design and clinical application of Ti-Mg internal fixation systems.
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BACKGROUND: Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) captures online attention received by a research article in addition to traditional bibliometrics. We present a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of high AAS articles and identify predictors of AAS in orthopedics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The top 30 articles with highest AAS were selected from orthopedic journals using the Dimensions App. Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression was used to address clustering in articles from the same journal, with journals as the leveling variable. RESULTS: A total of 750 articles from 25 journals were included. In the final multivariable model, the funding source (none, industry, government, foundation, university, or multiple), findings (positive, negative, neutral, or not applicable), and the journal's impact factor were significant at P<.05. CONCLUSION: Predictors of AAS are similar to predictors of traditional bibliometrics. Future studies need prospective dynamic data to further elucidate the AAS. [Orthopedics. 20XX;4X(X):XXX-XXX.].
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by defects in social communication and interaction along with restricted interests and/or repetitive behavior. Children with ASD often also experience gastrointestinal (GI) problems in fact incidence of GI problems in ASD is estimated up to 80 percent. Intestinal microbiota, which is a collection of trillions of microorganisms both beneficial and potentially harmful bacteria living inside the gut, has been considered one of the key elements of gut disorders. The goal of this review is to explore potential link between gut microbiota and ASD in children, based on the recently available data. This review discusses recent advances in this rapidly expanding area of neurodevelopmental disorders, which focuses on what is known about the changes in composition of gut bacteria in children with ASD, exploration of possible mechanisms via which gut microbiota might influence the brain and thus lead to appearance of ASD symptoms, as well as potential treatments that involve modulation of gut flora to improve symptoms in children with ASD, i.e., probiotics, postbiotics or changes in the diet. Of course, it's important to keep in mind inherent difficulties in proving of existence of causal relationships between gut bacteria and ASD. There are significant gaps in understanding of the mechanism of gut-brain axis and the mechanisms that underlie ASD. Standardized approaches for research in this area are needed. This review would provide an overview of this exciting emerging field of research.
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Transtorno do Espectro Autista , Eixo Encéfalo-Intestino , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Humanos , Transtorno do Espectro Autista/microbiologia , Transtorno do Espectro Autista/fisiopatologia , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/fisiologia , Criança , Eixo Encéfalo-Intestino/fisiologia , Probióticos , Encéfalo/microbiologiaRESUMO
Introduction The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in Pakistan is a rising concern affecting school-going children, marked by coexisting under- and over-nutrition within the same population. Key influences include shifts in dietary habits, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle changes due to rapid urbanization. With a focus on Multan, Pakistan, the study seeks to assess the proportion of underweight and overweight students while identifying the risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics associated with this incidence. The aim is to guide future health interventions addressing this multidimensional health challenge. Materials and methods This study, adopting a descriptive cross-sectional research design, collected data from female teenage students through interviews and anthropometric measurements. A total of 300 participants were randomly selected from a comprehensive school list representing diverse urban and rural settings. Participants' weight and height were measured to calculate their body mass index (BMI), categorizing them into underweight, normal weight, and overweight groups. The relevant risk factors were collected through an interview questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), with the results stratified according to socioeconomic, dietary, and psychosocial factors and compared across different weight categories. Results The study collected data from 300 students, revealing a correlation between socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and BMI. Parental occupation significantly affected nutritional status, with children of laborers primarily falling within normal and underweight categories. Dietary habits like frequency of fast food and milk or dairy consumption showed notable associations with nutritional status. Psychosocial factors such as peer or teacher comments about weight and outdoor sports participation also influenced the students' nutritional status. However, factors like family income, video game hours, and the presence of pets at home did not show significant associations with nutritional status. Conclusions The study illustrates a multi-faceted association between socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and BMI among schoolchildren in Multan, Pakistan, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions.
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Background Breastfeeding is recognized as a crucial determinant of child health and development, yet its multifaceted effects remain underexplored in many contexts. This cross-sectional study investigates the association between breastfeeding practices and various health and developmental outcomes in infants and young children, focusing on exclusive breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding, and formula feeding. Done at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Pakistan, the research aims to provide comprehensive insights into the nuanced impacts of breastfeeding on child well-being. Objectives This study aims to assess the association between breastfeeding duration and practices with the incidence of infectious diseases in infants and young children. It investigates the relationship between different breastfeeding practices: exclusive breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding, and formula feeding and cognitive development outcomes in early childhood. Additionally, the study evaluates the role of breastfeeding in the development of motor skills in infants and young children. Methodology A cohort of 390 participants, aged one month to three years, participated in the study. Data collection encompassed parental interviews, clinical assessments using standardized tools such as the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and reviews of medical records. Statistical analyses, including frequency analysis and chi-square tests, were conducted to elucidate the relationships between breastfeeding practices and health outcomes. Results Exclusive breastfeeding exhibited a significantly lower incidence of infectious diseases compared to partial breastfeeding and formula feeding. Specifically, among exclusively breastfed children, incidences of colds, pneumonia, and diarrhea were 32%, 39.7%, and 40%, respectively. These rates were notably higher in partially breastfed and formula-fed children. Cognitive development outcomes also varied significantly across feeding groups. Exclusively breastfed children demonstrated superior cognitive performance, with 34.2% rated above average, compared to only 6.5% in the formula-fed group. Additionally, the prevalence of developmental delays was lowest among exclusively breastfed children (14.1%), contrasting with 62.8% in the partial breastfeeding group and 77.0% in the formula-feeding group. Conclusions The study underscores the pivotal role of exclusive breastfeeding in promoting optimal child health and development. Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with significantly reduced incidences of infectious diseases, superior cognitive development outcomes, and a lower prevalence of developmental delays. These findings highlight the importance of supportive interventions and policies aimed at encouraging exclusive breastfeeding practices, ultimately enhancing child well-being and developmental trajectories.
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BACKGROUND: Ficus benghalensis has been used by local health care practitioners to treat pain, inflammation, rheumatism, and other health issues. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the crude extract and diverse fractions, along with the isolated compound of F. benghalensis were examined for their roles as muscle relaxants, analgesics, and sedatives. METHODS: The extract and isolated compound 1 were screened for muscle-relaxant, analgesic, and sedative actions. The acetic acid-mediated writhing model was utilized for analgesic assessment, the muscle relaxant potential was quantified through traction and inclined plan tests, and the open field test was applied for sedative effects. RESULTS: The extract/fractions (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and isolated compounds (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) were tested at various doses. A profound (p< 0.001) reduce in the acetic acid-mediated writhing model was observed against carpachromene (64.44%), followed by ethyl acetate (60.67%) and methanol (58.42%) fractions. A marked (p< 0.001) muscle relaxant activity was noticed against the isolated compound (71.09%), followed by ethyl acetate (66.98%) and methanol (67.10%) fractions. Regarding the sedative effect, a significant action was noted against the isolated compound (71.09%), followed by ethyl acetate (66.98%) and methanol (67.10%) fractions. Furthermore, the binding modes of the isolated compounds were explored using molecular docking. The molecular docking study revealed that the isolated compound possessed good binding affinity for COX2 and GABA. Our isolated compound may possess inhibitory activity against COX2 and GABA receptors. CONCLUSION: The extract and isolated compounds of Ficus benghalensis can be used as analgesics, muscle relaxants, and sedatives. However, detailed molecular and functional analyses are essential to ascertain their function as muscle relaxants, analgesics, and sedatives.
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Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices have emerged as a promising alternative for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with contraindications to chronic anticoagulation therapy. The most common life-threatening procedural complications described in the literature include pericardial effusion, air embolism, and stroke. We here present a case report of two patients who experienced identical but rare post-procedural complications of pulmonary venous bleed, presenting as hemoptysis.
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This work aimed to assess the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Oxalis corymbosa extracts. Biochemical analyses were conducted on various plant parts, utilizing enzymatic and non-enzymatic assays. Parameters such as total soluble protein, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents were also evaluated to elucidate the role of bioactive chemical compounds. The antimicrobial screening of extracts was performed against the bacterial and fungal strains Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, respectively. Results indicated that chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid content, anthocyanin content, catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were most abundant in the O. corymbosa leaves. Moreover, total ascorbate peroxidase content, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content were found to be higher in the roots compared to other parts. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis identified chlorogenic acid as the major component, followed by gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, and salicylic acid. Regarding antibacterial potential, each extract exhibited significant activity, with methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrating the maximum inhibition zone against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. These findings highlight the substantial antioxidant and antibacterial potential of different parts of O. corymbosa, suggesting their promising applications as ingredients in various nutraceutical products.
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The application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in the treatment of wastewater has achieved increasing attention, as it enhances the efficiency and sustainability of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This paper explores the application of ANN-based models in WWTPs, focusing on the latest published research work, by presenting the effectiveness of ANNs in predicting, estimating, and treatment of diverse types of wastewater. Furthermore, this review comprehensively examines the applicability of the ANNs in various processes and methods used for wastewater treatment, including membrane and membrane bioreactors, coagulation/flocculation, UV-disinfection processes, and biological treatment systems. Additionally, it provides a detailed analysis of pollutants viz organic and inorganic substances, nutrients, pharmaceuticals, drugs, pesticides, dyes, etc., from wastewater, utilizing both ANN and ANN-based models. Moreover, it assesses the techno-economic value of ANNs, provides cost estimation and energy analysis, and outlines promising future research directions of ANNs in wastewater treatment. AI-based techniques are used to predict parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) in WWTP influent. ANNs have been formed for the estimation of the removal efficiency of pollutants such as total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), BOD, and total suspended solids (TSS) in the effluent of WWTPs. The literature also discloses the use of AI techniques in WWT is an economical and energy-effective method. AI enhances the efficiency of the pumping system, leading to energy conservation with an impressive average savings of approximately 10%. The system can achieve a maximum energy savings state of 25%, accompanied by a notable reduction in costs of up to 30%.
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Redes Neurais de Computação , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos , Águas Residuárias , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Águas Residuárias/química , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos/métodos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Reatores Biológicos , Fósforo/análise , Análise da Demanda Biológica de Oxigênio , Nitrogênio/análise , Purificação da Água/métodosRESUMO
Farmers are using municipal wastewater either treated or untreated for irrigation because of limited fresh water resources. Wastewater extensively used for irrigation purposes is enriched with many nutrients. The reuse of wastewater is imposing a negative impact on human health and the ecosystem. It is a need of the day to identify and assess issues of the reuse of wastewater. In the current experiment, impact of organic/inorganic amendments was studied to mitigate the toxic effects of pollutants present in wastewater. Soil was brought from the site having consistent use of wastewater and different treatments were applied as per plan. The experiment has 28 treatments with 04 replications. Nine different amendments were used at 3 varying levels. Incubation time of 30 days was given after the addition of all treatments. The results of the study showed the application of FYM @ 5.0% w/w soil reduced soil pH (7.44), EC (2.16 dS m-1), SAR (8.14), lead (8.48 mg kg-1), cadmium (1.14 mg kg-1), nickel (10.55 mg kg-1) and arsenic (2.03 mg kg-1) when compared with control and other treatments. Usage of compost and horse waste followed FYM. On the basis of this study, it is recommended that wastewater can be used for irrigation purpose after treating with FYM preferably and compost in general.
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Poluentes do Solo , Solo , Águas Residuárias , Águas Residuárias/química , Águas Residuárias/toxicidade , Poluentes do Solo/análise , Poluentes do Solo/química , Poluentes do Solo/toxicidade , Solo/química , Irrigação Agrícola/métodos , Compostagem/métodos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Arsênio/análise , Arsênio/toxicidadeRESUMO
This study explores the novel immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharides from the rare Floccularia luteovirens, a fungus with significant potential yet unexplored bioactive components, traditionally used in Tibetan medicine. This study employs a wide array of analytical techniques, including HPGPC, HPLC, western blotting, ELISA, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, to comprehensively investigate FLP1's effects. The main structure of FLP1 was characterized by IF-TR and NMR spectrometry. The structural backbone of FLP1 was â3,6)-ß-D-Glcp-(1 â and â2,3)-α-D-Manp-(1â. After immunosuppressed mice treated with FLP1, the findings demonstrated that FLP1 stimulated the production of secretory sIgA and secretion of cytokines (IL-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) in the intestine of Cy-treated mice, resulting in the activation of the MAPK pathway. Additionally, FLP1 protected oxidative stress by triggering Nrf2/Keap1 pathways and antioxidation enzymes (SOD, MDA, T-AOC, CAT, and GSH-Px). It also enhanced the intestinal barrier function by regulating the villous height ratio and expression of tight-junction protein. Furthermore, FLP1 remarkably reversed the gut microbiota dysbiosis in immunosuppressed mice by increasing the abundance of Oscilliospiraceae, and Lachnospiraceae, and altered the fecal metabolites by increasing LysoPE (0:0/18:0); 0:0/16:0; 18:1(11Z)/0:0, LysoPG (16:0/0:0), LysoPG 18:1 (2n) PE (14:0/20:1), echinenone, 2-(2-Nitroimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl) acetamide, and suberic acid which is closely related to the immunity function. These results suggested that FLP1 may regulate the intestinal immune response by modulating the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in immunosuppressed mice thereby activating the immune system.
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Proteína 1 Associada a ECH Semelhante a Kelch , Fator 2 Relacionado a NF-E2 , Estresse Oxidativo , Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Citocinas/metabolismo , Polissacarídeos Fúngicos/farmacologia , Polissacarídeos Fúngicos/química , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Terapia de Imunossupressão , Mucosa Intestinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Mucosa Intestinal/metabolismo , Intestinos/efeitos dos fármacos , Intestinos/imunologia , Proteína 1 Associada a ECH Semelhante a Kelch/metabolismo , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/efeitos dos fármacos , Fator 2 Relacionado a NF-E2/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Understanding the prevalence of abnormal lung function and its associated factors among patients recovering from COVID-19 is crucial for enhancing post-COVID care strategies. This study primarily aimed to determine the prevalence and types of spirometry abnormalities among post-COVID-19 patients in Malaysia, with a secondary objective of identifying its associated factors. Conducted at the COVID-19 Research Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University Technology MARA, from March 2021 to December 2022, this study included patients at least three months post-discharge from hospitals following moderate-to-critical COVID-19. Of 408 patients studied, abnormal spirometry was found in 46.8%, with 28.4% exhibiting a restrictive pattern, 17.4% showing preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), and 1.0% displaying an obstructive pattern. Factors independently associated with abnormal spirometry included consolidation on chest X-ray (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.75-37.42, p = 0.008), underlying cardiovascular disease (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.19-10.47, p = 0.023), ground-glass opacity on chest X-ray (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.52-4.30, p < 0.001), and oxygen desaturation during the 6-min walk test (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.20-3.06, p = 0.007). This study highlights that patients recovering from moderate-to-critical COVID-19 often exhibit abnormal spirometry, notably a restrictive pattern and PRISm. Routine spirometry screening for high-risk patients is recommended.
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COVID-19 , Alta do Paciente , Espirometria , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/diagnóstico , COVID-19/fisiopatologia , Espirometria/métodos , Masculino , Feminino , Estudos Transversais , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Malásia/epidemiologia , Adulto , SARS-CoV-2/isolamento & purificação , Idoso , Pulmão/fisiopatologia , Pulmão/diagnóstico por imagem , PrevalênciaRESUMO
Vandammella animalimorsus is a Gram-negative and non-motile bacterium typically transmitted to humans through direct contact with the saliva of infected animals, primarily through biting, scratches, or licks on fractured skin. The absence of a confirmed post-exposure treatment of V. animalimorsus bacterium highlights the imperative for developing an effective vaccine. We intended to determine potential vaccine candidates and paradigm a chimeric vaccine against V. animalimorsus by accessible public data analysis of the strain by utilizing reverse vaccinology. By subtractive genomics, five outer membranes were prioritized as potential vaccine candidates out of 2590 proteins. Based on the instability index and transmembrane helices, a multidrug transporter protein with locus ID A0A2A2AHJ4 was designated as a potential candidate for vaccine construct. Sixteen immunodominant epitopes were retrieved by utilizing the Immune Epitope Database. The epitope encodes the strong binding affinity, nonallergenic properties, non-toxicity, high antigenicity scores, and high solubility revealing the more appropriate vaccine construct. By utilizing appropriate linkers and adjuvants alongside a suitable adjuvant molecule, the epitopes were integrated into a chimeric vaccine to enhance immunogenicity, successfully eliciting both adaptive and innate immune responses. Moreover, the promising physicochemical features, the binding confirmation of the vaccine to the major innate immune receptor TLR-4, and molecular dynamics simulations of the designed vaccine have revealed the promising potential of the selected candidate. The integration of computational methods and omics data has demonstrated significant advantages in discovering novel vaccine targets and mitigating vaccine failure rates during clinical trials in recent years.
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The global data center (DC) sector has expanded rapidly during the last decades, due to the rising demand for digital services. In the Nordic region, Sweden has emerged as a global hub, attracting leading technology companies like Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, and Google. Server halls of DCs are energy intensive buildings, which puts pressure on local water resources and contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to, firstly, quantify the environmental impact of DCs, based on energy usage, water consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Secondly, it develops a planning tool by employing a multi-criteria approach to optimally locate new DCs and to assess the site suitability of existing ones in Sweden. Data of various performance indicators (geographical data on renewable energy accessibility, free cooling conditions, excess heat receivers, and resilience to water shortages) of DCs was collected through different means, e.g., questionnaire surveys, permit applications, company websites, and other open online data repositories. ArcGIS Pro was employed for spatial analysis, and 68 DCs with a site suitability index (SSI) ≤ 45 % were identified as less ideally located. The principal findings are centered on Sweden, and thereby primarily benefit stakeholders engaged in decision-making for evaluating existing or strategic planning of new DCs by incorporating a comprehensive environmental perspective. Given the rapidly changing climate, strategically siting DCs will become crucial for minimizing the sector's environmental impact.
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Hepatitis B is one of the global health issues caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), producing 1.1 million deaths yearly. The acute and chronic phases of HBV are significant because worldwide, approximately 250 million people are infected by chronic hepatitis B. The chronic stage is a long-term, persistent infection that can cause liver damage and increase the risk of liver cancer. In the case of multiple phases of infection, a generalized saturated incidence rate model is more reasonable than a simply saturated incidence because it captures the complex dynamics of the different infection phases. In contrast, a simple saturated incidence rate model assumes a fixed shape for the incidence rate curve, which may not accurately reflect the dynamics of multiple infection phases. Considering HBV and its various phases, we constructed a model to present the dynamics and control strategies using the generalized saturated incidence. First, we proved that the model is well-posed. We then found the reproduction quantity and model equilibria to discuss the time dynamics of the model and investigate the conditions for stabilities. We also examined a control mechanism by introducing various controls to the model with the aim to increase the population of those recovered and minimize the infected people. We performed numerical experiments to check the biological significance and control implementation.
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Simulação por Computador , Vírus da Hepatite B , Hepatite B , Humanos , Incidência , Hepatite B/epidemiologia , Hepatite B Crônica/epidemiologia , Número Básico de Reprodução/estatística & dados numéricos , Neoplasias Hepáticas/epidemiologia , Modelos Biológicos , AlgoritmosRESUMO
Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a significant clinical challenge, with heightened risks and severe consequences for diabetic patients undergoing surgical procedures. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on effective prevention strategies for mitigating SSI risk in this vulnerable population. From inception to March 2024, we comprehensively searched multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL) to identify relevant studies evaluating SSI prevention strategies in diabetic surgical patients. Our search strategy followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, utilizing a combination of keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to diabetes, surgical site infections, prevention strategies, and surgical procedures. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses published in English. The search yielded three studies meeting the eligibility criteria, subject to data extraction and qualitative synthesis. Key findings highlighted the efficacy of interventions such as optimized perioperative glycemic control, timely prophylactic antibiotic administration, and meticulous preoperative skin antisepsis in reducing SSI rates among diabetic surgical patients. The potential for personalized prevention approaches based on individual patient factors, such as diabetes type and surgical complexity, was explored. This systematic review underscores the importance of a multifaceted, evidence-based approach to SSI prevention in diabetic surgical patients, integrating strategies like glycemic control, antibiotic prophylaxis, and preoperative skin antisepsis. Furthermore, our findings suggest the potential benefits of personalized care pathways tailored to individual patient characteristics. Implementing these interventions requires interdisciplinary collaboration, adaptation to diverse healthcare settings, and patient engagement through culturally sensitive education initiatives. This comprehensive analysis informs clinical practice, fosters patient safety, and contributes to the global efforts to enhance surgical outcomes for this high-risk population.
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Neisseria meningitidis, commonly known as the meningococcus, leads to substantial illness and death among children and young adults globally, revealing as either epidemic or sporadic meningitis and/or septicemia. In this study, we have designed a novel peptide-based chimeric vaccine candidate against the N. meningitidis strain 331,401 serogroup X. Through rigorous analysis of subtractive genomics, two essential cytoplasmic proteins, namely UPI000012E8E0(UDP-3-O-acyl-GlcNAc deacetylase) and UPI0000ECF4A9(UDP-N-acetylglucosamine acyltransferase) emerged as potential drug targets. Additionally, using reverse vaccinology, the outer membrane protein UPI0001F4D537 (Membrane fusion protein MtrC) identified by subcellular localization and recognized for its known indispensable role in bacterial survival was identified as a novel chimeric vaccine target. Following a careful comparison of MHC-I, MHC-II, T-cell, and B-cell epitopes, three epitopes derived from UPI0001F4D537 were linked with three types of linkers-GGGS, EAAAK, and the essential PADRE-for vaccine construction. This resulted in eight distinct vaccine models (V1-V8). Among them V1 model was selected as the final vaccine construct. It exhibits exceptional immunogenicity, safety, and enhanced antigenicity, with 97.7 % of its residues in the Ramachandran plot's most favored region. Subsequently, the vaccine structure was docked with the TLR4/MD2 complex and six different HLA allele receptors using the HADDOCK server. The docking resulted in the lowest HADDOCK score of 39.3 ± 9.0 for TLR/MD2. Immune stimulation showed a strong immune response, including antibodies creation and the activation of B-cells, T Cytotoxic cells, T Helper cells, Natural Killer cells, and interleukins. Furthermore, the vaccine construct was successfully expressed in the Escherichia coli system by reverse transcription, optimization, and ligation in the pET-28a (+) vector for the expression study. The current study proposes V1 construct has the potential to elicit both cellular and humoral responses, crucial for the developing an epitope-based vaccine against N. meningitidis strain 331,401 serogroup X.