Impact of halogen⋯halogen interaction on the mechanical motion of a 3D Pb(II) coordination polymer of elusive topology.

Herein, we report the synthesis of a Pb(II) based three-dimensional coordination polymer (3D CP), [Pb(DCTP)]n (1) [H2DCTP = 2,5-dichloroterephthalic acid] with an unprecedented topology, which exhibits a photomechanical effect wherein crystals show jumping upon UV irradiation. The Pb(II) CP forms a type II Cl⋯Cl interaction, which weakens further upon UV irradiation to resolve the anisotropic mechanical strain. The work presented here could be a beacon to the nascent field of photoactuating smart materials.

Photoresponsive metal-organic framework materials for advance applications.

The interaction between light and materials produces a range of phenomena within molecular systems, leading to advanced applications in the field of materials science. In this regard, metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have become superior candidates to others because of their easy tailor-made synthetic methods via incorporation of photoactive moieties into their structural assembly. Photoresponsive MOFs exhibit a massive variety of exciting properties, including photochromism, photomagnetism, photoluminescence, photon up or down conversion, photoconductivity, nonlinear optical properties, photosalient effects and photoinduced switching of conformations. These photoresponsive properties of MOFs regulate different potential applications, such as on-demand gas sorption and separation, optical sensing, fabrication of photoactuators and photosensing electronic devices, dye degradation, catalysis, cargo delivery, ink-free erasable printing, bio-imaging and drug delivery in biological systems. Therefore, judicious crystal engineering along with an understanding of their structure-property relationship will lead to the fabrication of desired photosensitive MOFs. Herein, we attempted to incorporate categorical descriptions based on advanced applications of photoresponsive MOFs considering a wide range of recent publications.

Novel drug delivery systems in colorectal cancer: Advances and future prospects.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an abnormal proliferation of cells within the colon and rectum, leading to the formation of polyps and disruption of mucosal functions. The disease development is influenced by a combination of factors, including inflammation, exposure to environmental mutagens, genetic alterations, and impairment in signaling pathways. Traditional treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are often used but have limitations, including poor solubility and permeability, treatment resistance, side effects, and post-surgery issues. Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) have emerged as a superior alternative, offering enhanced drug solubility, precision in targeting cancer cells, and regulated drug release. Thereby addressing the shortcomings of conventional therapies and showing promise for more effective CRC management. The present review sheds light on the pathogenesis, signaling pathways, biomarkers, conventional treatments, need for NDDS, and application of NDDS against CRC. Additionally, clinical trials, ongoing clinical trials, marketed formulations, and patents on CRC are also covered in the present review.

Strategic Framework for Strengthening Health Laboratory Services in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran.

Background & Objective: Providing equitable access to good quality, timely, and affordable laboratory testing has always been a top priority for the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoH-ME) and the Reference Health Laboratory (RHL). Considering the significant role of medical laboratories in disease surveillance, RHL developed a strategic plan to manage laboratory services during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the "Strategic Framework for strengthening health laboratory services, 2016-2020" proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). This article describes the steps taken to establish the strategic framework in Iran. Methods: Firstly, a National Laboratory Committee was formed in MoH-ME and a situation analysis was conducted to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in different components of our laboratory system. Gaps and resources needed to address those gaps were determined; then, RHL outlined operational processes and mechanisms for monitoring the activities. Results: The WHO strategic roadmap and its six strategic goals concerning leadership, quality, human resources, safety and security, laboratory networking, and rational use of laboratory testing, helped us to promote national laboratory services in accordance with health system requirements in the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The establishment of a national molecular laboratory network with more than 500 laboratories from different sectors may result in timely access to countrywide laboratory services and would be beneficial for future COVID-19 and/or other viral outbreaks. Continual evaluation of the COVID-19 laboratories' performance, production of PCR test kits by the local manufacturers, and development of a platform for virtual training would be other accomplishments that Iran achieved in coping with the recent pandemic.

Photomechanical properties in metal-organic crystals.

The emergence of materials that can effectively convert photon energy (light) into motion (mechanical work) and change their shapes on command is of great interest for their potential in the fabrication of devices (powered by light) that will revolutionize the technologies of optical actuators, smart medical devices, soft robotics, artificial muscles and flexible electronics. Recently, metal-organic crystals have emerged as desirable smart hybrid materials that can hop, split and jump. Thus, their incorporation into polymer host objects can control movement from molecules to millimetres, opening up a new world of light-switching smart materials. This feature article briefly summarizes the recent part of the fast-growing literature on photomechanical properties in metal-organic crystals, such as coordination compounds, coordination polymers (CPs), and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The article highlights the contributions of our group along with others in this area and aims to provide a consolidated idea of the engineering strategies and structure-property relationships of these hybrid materials for such rare phenomena with diverse potential applications.

Enhancing Cytoplasmic Expression of Exogenous mRNA through Dynamic Mechanical Stimulation.

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been pivotal in combating COVID-19, and numerous preclinical and clinical studies have highlighted their potential in nucleic acid-based therapies and vaccines. However, the effectiveness of endosomal escape for the nucleic acid cargos encapsulated in LNPs is still low, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and side effects. Hence, improving endosomal escape is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of nucleic acid delivery using LNPs. Here, a mechanical oscillation (frequency: 65 Hz) is utilized to prompt the LNP-mediated endosomal escape. The results reveal this mechanical oscillation can induce the combination and fusion between LNPs with opposite surface charges, enhance endosomal escape of mRNA by 14%, and increase the transfection efficiency of mRNA up to 1.67 times in the current study. Additionally, cell viability remains high at 99.3% after treatment with oscillation, which is comparable to that of untreated cells. Furthermore, there is no obvious damage to other membranous organelles. Thus, this work presents a user-friendly and safe approach to enhancing endosomal escape of mRNA and boosting gene expression. As a result, our work can be potentially utilized in both research and clinical fields to facilitate LNP-based delivery by enabling more effective release of LNP-encapsulated cargos from endosomes.

Application of solid waste materials in cold bitumen emulsion mixtures for cleaner pavement industry: a comprehensive review.

There is a global concern with continuous waste production, and efforts are underway to use these wastes in the construction sector. The negative effects of excessive waste production and the use of virgin materials and energy in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) construction are challenging and require attention. The right step towards developing resilient road infrastructure is using cold bitumen emulsion mixtures (CBEMs), a cold mix asphalt (CMA). A long-term fix to issues with waste generation and the creation of flexible pavements with HMA can be found by incorporating wastes into CMA. This work reviews the utilization of numerous wastes from different sectors (agricultural, industrial, construction and demolition, and municipal) that are well-known but underutilized and could be used as potential fillers in cold asphalt mixtures. Focus is given to the critical analysis of wastes' physiochemical characteristics and how these affected the effectiveness of mixtures against primary distresses like stability, stiffness, rutting, cracking, fatigue, and moisture susceptibility. Almost all waste materials incorporation reported enhancement in the mechanical performance of CBEM mixes concerning conventional CBEM mixes. The paper sums up the impact on various mechanical properties of CBEM mixes utilizing waste material filler, presents research gaps and a way forward to inspire researchers, and serves as a guideline for using waste materials as fillers in CBEM mixes. This will improve environmental quality and promote sustainability in the paving industry.

Whole-Exome Sequencing Detecting a Recurrent Pathogenic Mutation, HFE p.His63Asp (H63D) in COVID-19 Patients and Its Effect on Mortality.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, various coronaviruses have caused severe respiratory illnesses worldwide. For example the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections of COVID-19 outbreak in 2019 in Wuhan, China. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have significantly expanded our comprehension of how specific genetic variations are linked to diseases. Research has demonstrated the existence of genetic factors influencing susceptibility to coronaviruses. The objective of this study was to examine the association of certain loci with the COVID-19 in Saudi population. METHODS: In the present study we have examined the link between the COVID-19 disease and certain genetic variants in hospitalized COVID-19 patients (n = 16) in Tabuk and Bisha, Kingdom Saudi Arabia. We used the genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) and Comprehensive variant annotation was performed different databases and tools such as Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING), PanelApp and PolyPhen-2. RESULTS: The study showed that the genetic variants associated with genes such as Homeostatic Iron Regulator (HFE) (found in 7 patients, representing 44%), complement factor H (CFH) (6 patients, 38%), cadherin 23 (CDH23) (4 patients, 25%), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) (3 patients, 19%), Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGFB1) (3 patients, 19%), CREB-binding protein (CREBBP) (2 patients, 13%), E1A Binding Protein P300 (EP300) (2 patients, 13%), hemoglobin subunit beta (HBB) (2 patients, 13%), interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) (2 patients, 13%), and unc-119 lipid binding chaperone (UNC119) (2 patients, 13%) might be associated with susceptibility to coronavirus. We also identified mutations in the COVID-19 patient that are pathogenic or likely pathogenic. CONCLUSION: A recurrent pathogenic mutation, HFE p.His63Asp (H63D), was identified in 7 patients, suggesting its potential contribution to disease severity. Additionally, a likely pathogenic variant, HBB p.Glu7Val (E7V), was present in 2 patients, highlighting its potential role in disease susceptibility. Our results shed light on the key genetic mechanisms of COVID-19 pathogenesis and help to identify and stratify the individuals or populations that are at risk to corona virus infection. The identification of susceptible individuals or populations assist in prevention and/or in treatment programs.

The Role of Pro-Inflammatory Chemokines CCL-1, 2, 4, and 5 in the Etiopathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Subjects from the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia: Correlation with Different Degrees of Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is becoming a major global health concern, especially in developing nations. The high prevalence of obesity and related diabetes cases are attributed to rapid economic progress, physical inactivity, the consumption of high-calorie foods, and changing lifestyles. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the roles of pro-inflammatory chemokines CCL1, 2, 4, and 5 in T2DM with varying levels of obesity in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 170 confirmed T2DM subjects and a normal control group were enrolled. Demographic data, serum levels of CCL-1, 2, 4, and 5, and biochemical indices were assessed in the subjects and control groups by standard procedures. RESULTS: T2DM subjects were divided into four groups: A (normal body weight), B (overweight), C (obese), and D (highly obese). We observed that male and female control subjects had similar mean serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory chemokines CCL-1, 2, 4, and 5. T2DM subjects in all the four groups showed significantly higher levels of all the four chemokines compared to the controls, regardless of gender. In T2DM subjects with obesity and severe obesity, the rise was most significant. There was a progressive rise in the concentrations of CCL-1, 2, and 4 in T2DM subjects with increasing BMI. Serum CCL5 levels increased significantly in all T2DM subject groups. The increase in CCL5 was more predominant in normal-weight people, compared to overweight and obese T2DM subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Male and female control subjects had similar serum levels of pro-inflammatory chemokines CCL-1, 2, 4, and 5. The progressive rise in blood concentrations of three pro-inflammatory chemokines CCL-1, 2, and 4 in T2DM subjects with increasing BMI supports the idea that dyslipidemia and obesity contribute to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. Serum CCL5 levels increased significantly in all T2DM subject groups. The selective and more pronounced increase in CCL5 in the T2DM group with normal BMI, compared to subjects with varying degrees of obesity, was rather surprising. Further research is needed to determine if CCL5 underexpression in overweight and obese T2DM subjects is due to some unexplained counterbalancing processes.

Recent Advances in Biosensor Technology for Early-Stage Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Specific Biomarkers: An Overview.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is currently the most common malignancy of the liver. It typically occurs due to a series of oncogenic mutations that lead to aberrant cell replication. Most commonly, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs as a result of pre-occurring liver diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Given its aggressive nature and poor prognosis, the early screening and diagnosis of HCC are crucial. However, due to its plethora of underlying risk factors and pathophysiologies, patient presentation often varies in the early stages, with many patients presenting with few, if any, specific symptoms in the early stages. Conventionally, screening and diagnosis are performed through radiological examination, with diagnosis confirmed by biopsy. Imaging modalities tend to be limited by their requirement of large, expensive equipment; time-consuming operation; and a lack of accurate diagnosis, whereas a biopsy's invasive nature makes it unappealing for repetitive use. Recently, biosensors have gained attention for their potential to detect numerous conditions rapidly, cheaply, accurately, and without complex equipment and training. Through their sensing platforms, they aim to detect various biomarkers, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and even whole cells extracted by a liquid biopsy. Numerous biosensors have been developed that may detect HCC in its early stages. We discuss the recent updates in biosensing technology, highlighting its competitive potential compared to conventional methodology and its prospects as a tool for screening and diagnosis.

Road traffic noise pollution and prevalence of ischemic heart disease: modelling potential association and abatement strategies in noise-exposed areas.

In many developing countries with surging vehicular traffic and inadequate traffic management, excessive road traffic noise exposure poses substantial health concerns, linked to increased stress, insomnia and other metabolic disorders. This study aims to assess the linkage between sociodemographic factors, traffic noise levels in residential areas and health effects using a cross-sectional study analyzing respondents' perceptions and reports. Noise levels were measured at 57 locations in Srinagar, India, using noise level meter. Sound PLAN software was employed to generate noise contour maps, enabling the visualization of noise monitoring locations and facilitating the assessment of noise levels along routes in proximity to residential areas. Correlation analysis showed a strong linear relationship between field-measured and modelled noise (r2 = 0.88). Further, a questionnaire-based survey was carried out near the sampling points to evaluate the association of ischemic heart disease with traffic noise. Residents exposed to noise levels (Lden > 60 dB(A)) were found to have a 2.24 times higher odds ratio. Compared to females, males reported a 16% higher prevalence of the disease. Multi-faceted policy strategies involving noise mapping initiatives, source noise standards, traffic flow urban mobility optimization, smart city initiatives and stringent litigatory measures could significantly reduce its detrimental impact on public health. Finally, this study envisions a region-specific strong regulatory framework for integrating noise pollution mitigation strategies into the public health action plans of developing nations.

Comparison of single absorbable tacker vs. conventional method in fixating the mesh in bilateral inguinal hernia undergoing laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP): A randomized control trial study.

Background: The current study aims to investigate the superior mesh fixation method, single absorbable tacker versus conventional method, in patients undergoing bilateral inguinal hernia repair through the laparoscopic total abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach. Materials and Methods: The current randomized clinical trial has been conducted on 81 patients undergoing bilateral hernia repair through TAPP. The patients were randomly assigned into one of the mesh fixation groups including single absorbable tacker (Group S) (n = 41) and conventional method (Group C) (n = 40). All patients were assessed during the hospital stay and 1 month postoperatively to assess the surgery-associated complications and days for return to daily activity. Eura-Hs questionnaire was applied to assess the quality of life (QOL) after hernia surgery during 12-month follow-up. Results: The duration of bilateral inguinal hernia operation (P = 0.067), postoperative urinary catheterization (P = 0.813), and hospital stay duration (P = 0.779) did not differ between the groups; whereas Group C significantly required a longer time for returning to daily activity (P < 0.001). Only a patient in Group C represented hematoma (P = 0.494). Seroma incidence was not statistically different between the two groups (P = 0.712). Postoperative pain was statistically less in Group S (P < 0.001 for all the assessments). Postoperative QOL within a year after hernia repair revealed an insignificant difference between the groups in general (P > 0.05); however, a pain subscale was significantly less in Group S (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, a single absorbable tacker was generally superior to the conventional method considering its less pre- and postoperative complications. However, the two methods did not differ regarding 1-year follow-up QOL.

Paternal thrombophilia and recurrent implantation failure: an exploratory case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Many pieces of literature have reported that inherited and acquired thrombophilia might be a risk factor for recurrent implantation failure (RIF), however, most studies have only focused on RIF patients and not their male partners. We studied the possible association of paternal thrombophilia with RIF risk. METHODS: Forty-two male partners aged 20-45 suffered from RIF compared with 42 males from couples with at least one successful pregnancy. All participants were investigated for thrombophilia markers. RESULTS: The prevalence of coagulation Factor V activity was significantly higher in the case group (42.9%) than in the control group (16.7%) (p=0.008) (OR=3.75; 95% CI, 1.38, 10.12). The prevalence of protein C and protein S deficiencies in RIF patients were 4.8% and 2.4%, respectively, and 0% in the controls. The prevalence of antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency was significantly higher in the case group (19%) than in the control group (2.4%) (p=0.01). None of MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C were statistically significant between the two groups. Combined thrombophilia was 45.2% in the men of the RIF group when compared with the control, 14.2% (p=0.001) (OR = 4.95; 95% CI, 1.75-13.86). CONCLUSIONS: Paternal thrombophilia may be related to recurrent implantation failure, so evaluation of this factor in RIF patients could be used to identify relevant risk groups and may help in the proper management of these cases to enhance the chance of implantation.

Diamondoid Ni(II) Coordination Polymer as an Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions and Overall Water Splitting.

We have successfully synthesized a new Ni(II)-based coordination polymer (CP) [Ni2(cis-1,4-chdc)2(4,4'-bpy)3(H2O)2] (1); (cis-1,4- H2chdc=cis-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and 4,4'-bpy=4,4'-bipyridine) employing slow diffusion method in a single pot technique. The connectivity of Ni(II) ions and bridging cis-1,4-chdc ligand gives rise to a three-dimensional (3D) framework with 2-fold interpenetrated diamondoid topology. Interestingly, the synthesized CP acts as efficient catalyst for electrocatalytic water splitting. The water oxidation activity of compound 1 exhibits Tafel slope equivalent to 361.48 mV.dec-1 for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 353.53 mV.dec-1 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline medium while almost similar values of Tafel slope for HER and OER equivalent to 287.33 mV.dec-1 and 289.93 mV.dec-1 respectively in acidic medium. Thus, the compound 1 has excellent efficacy in catalyzing HER and OER in acidic as well as alkaline medium, which is ascribed to its distinctive 3D architecture.

Bioengineered Organoids Offer New Possibilities for Liver Cancer Studies: A Review of Key Milestones and Challenges.

Hepatic cancer is widely regarded as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite recent advances in treatment options, the prognosis of liver cancer remains poor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more representative in vitro models of liver cancer for pathophysiology and drug screening studies. Fortunately, an exciting new development for generating liver models in recent years has been the advent of organoid technology. Organoid models hold huge potential as an in vitro research tool because they can recapitulate the spatial architecture of primary liver cancers and maintain the molecular and functional variations of the native tissue counterparts during long-term culture in vitro. This review provides a comprehensive overview and discussion of the establishment and application of liver organoid models in vitro. Bioengineering strategies used to construct organoid models are also discussed. In addition, the clinical potential and other relevant applications of liver organoid models in different functional states are explored. In the end, this review discusses current limitations and future prospects to encourage further development.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Kir6.2 Variants Reveals Potential Association with Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a problem for the healthcare system worldwide. DM has very serious complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and cardiovascular disease. In addition to the very bad socioeconomic impacts, it influences patients and their families and communities. The global costs of DM and its complications are huge and expected to rise by the year 2030. DM is caused by genetic and environmental risk factors. Genetic testing will aid in early diagnosis and identification of susceptible individuals or populations using ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels present in different tissues such as the pancreas, myocardium, myocytes, and nervous tissues. The channels respond to different concentrations of blood sugar, stimulation by hormones, or ischemic conditions. In pancreatic cells, they regulate the secretion of insulin and glucagon. Mutations in the KCNJ11 gene that encodes the Kir6.2 protein (a major constituent of KATP channels) were reported to be associated with Type 2 DM, neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM), and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). Kir6.2 harbors binding sites for ATP and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-diphosphate (PIP2). The ATP inhibits the KATP channel, while the (PIP2) activates it. A Kir6.2 mutation at tyrosine330 (Y330) was demonstrated to reduce ATP inhibition and predisposes to NDM. In this study, we examined the effect of mutations on the Kir6.2 structure using bioinformatics tools and molecular dynamic simulations (SIFT, PolyPhen, SNAP2, PANTHER, PhD&SNP, SNP&Go, I-Mutant, MuPro, MutPred, ConSurf, HOPE, and GROMACS). Our results indicated that M199R, R201H, R206H, and Y330H mutations influence Kir6.2 structure and function and therefore may cause DM. We conclude that MD simulations are useful techniques to predict the effects of mutations on protein structure. In addition, the M199R, R201H, R206H, and Y330H variant in the Kir6.2 protein may be associated with DM. These results require further verification in protein-protein interactions, Kir6.2 function, and case-control studies.

Molecular Determination of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Interleukin-8, Interleukin-10, and C-X-C Chemokine Receptor-2 Genetic Variations and their Association with Disease Susceptibility and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Altered cytokine levels have been associated with poor outcomes among COVID-19 patients. TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-10 are key cytokines in COVID-19 pathogenesis, and CXCR-2 is a major chemokine receptor involved in inflammatory response. Polymorphisms in the genes of these proteins are proposed to influence disease outcomes. In this study, we aimed to find out the association of genetic polymorphisms in TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10 and CXCR-2 genes with susceptibility to and mortality of COVID-19. Methods: The present case-control study was conducted on 230 subjects, among whom 115 were clinically diagnosed and RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients and 115 healthy control subjects. The polymorphisms in TNFα -308 G>A (rs1800629), IL-8 -251T>A (rs4073), CXCR2 +785 C>T (rs2230054) genes were detected by ARMS -PCR assay whereas for IL-10 (-1082 G>A), rs1800896 G>A allele-specific PCR assay was used and their association with COVID-19 susceptibility and mortality was estimated by multivariate analysis. The results were analyzed for risk of infection and mortality through different inheritance models. Results: Frequencies of TNF-α rs1800629 GA, AA, IL-8 rs4073 TA, AA, IL-10 (-1082 G>A), rs1800896 GA and GG, and CXCR2 rs2230054 CT genotypes were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, COVID-19 patients had a higher frequency of the polymorphic A allele of TNF-α, the A allele of IL-8, the G allele of IL-10, and the T allele of CXCR2. The risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 was significantly associated with TNF-α rs1800629 GA, GA+AA genotypes and the A allele, IL-8 rs4073 TA, AA genotypes and A allele, IL-10 rs1800872 GA and CC genotypes and C allele, and CXCR2 rs2230054 CT and CT+CC genotypes. TNF-α-GA and AA genotypes and A allele, IL-8 TA and AA genotypes and A allele and CXCR-2 CC and CT genotypes have significant associations with mortality risk in COVID-19 patients, while GA and GG genotypes of the IL-10 are shown to confer significant protection against mortality from COVID-19. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide important insights into the COVID-19 disease and susceptibility risk. The polymorphisms in TNFα -308 G>A (rs1800629), IL-8 -251T>A (rs4073), IL-10 (-1082 G>A), rs1800896 and CXCR2 +785 C>T (rs2230054) are associated with the risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 and with mortality in COVID-19 patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm our findings.

Inflammation and oxidative stress in epileptic children: from molecular mechanisms to clinical application of ketogenic diet.

Childhood epilepsy affects up to 1 % of children. It has been shown that 30 % of patients are resistant to drug treatments, making further investigation of other potential treatment strategies necessary. One such approach is the ketogenic diet (KD) showing promising results and potential benefits beyond the use of current antiepileptic drugs. This study aims to investigate the effects of KD on inflammation and oxidative stress, as one of the main suggested mechanisms of neuroprotection, in children with epilepsy. This narrative review was conducted using the Medline and Google Scholar databases, and by searching epilepsy, drug-resistant epilepsy, child, children, ketogenic, ketogenic diet, diet, ketogenic, keto, ketone bodies (BHB), PUFA, gut microbiota, inflammation, inflammation mediators, neurogenic inflammation, neuroinflammation, inflammatory marker, adenosine modulation, mitochondrial function, MTOR pathway, Nrf2 pathway, mitochondrial dysfunction, PPARÉ£, oxidative stress, ROS/RNS, and stress oxidative as keywords. Compelling evidence underscores inflammation and oxidative stress as pivotal factors in epilepsy, even in cases with genetic origins. The ketogenic diet effectively addresses these factors by reducing ROS and RNS, enhancing antioxidant defenses, improving mitochondrial function, and regulating inflammatory genes. Additionally, KD curbs pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production by dampening NF-κB activation, inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome, increasing brain adenosine levels, mTOR pathway inhibition, upregulating PPARÉ£ expression, and promoting a healthy gut microbiota while emphasizing the consumption of healthy fats. KD could be considered a promising therapeutic intervention in patients with epilepsy particularly in drug-resistant epilepsy cases, due to its targeted approach addressing oxidative stress and inflammatory mechanisms.

Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) production and quality in response to anti-hail nets.

Anti-hail nets are the best way to mitigate the effects of hailstorms in the orchards. Apple trees covered with nets may exhibit a variety of vegetative and reproductive responses, inclusive of changes in tree vigour, cropping, sugar contents, and fruit colour. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of timing of installation and colour of anti-hail net on cropping and fruit quality in high-density apple orchard for two consecutive seasons (2021 and 2022). White and blue colour nets of size (9 m × 30 m) 80 GSM (square mesh with non-sliding threaded, leno weave, and < 30% shading factor) were installed at three different time intervals (15 days before estimated full bloom, at full bloom, and 15 days after full bloom) on apple cultivar 'Jeromine'. The installation at different time and colour of anti-hail nets significantly exhibit variability in cropping, fruit quality, and bio-chemical metrics. The significant highest cropping (fruit yield, productivity, and yield efficiency) and fruit biochemical parameters (total soluble solids) were recorded in T3C2 (15 days after full bloom + white colour anti-hail net) followed by T2C2 (installed at full bloom + white colour anti-hail net). Hence, white colour anti-hail nets installed 15 days after full bloom increased fruit production and improved quality in comparison to blue colour anti-hail net in apple under high-density plantations.

Unveiling microplastics pollution in a subtropical rural recreational lake: A novel insight.

While global attention has been primarily focused on the occurrence and persistence of microplastics (MP) in urban lakes, relatively little attention has been paid to the problem of MP pollution in rural recreational lakes. This pioneering study aims to shed light on MP size, composition, abundance, spatial distribution, and contributing factors in a rural recreational lake, 'Nikli Lake' in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh. Using density separation, MPs were extracted from 30 water and 30 sediment samples taken from ten different locations in the lake. Subsequent characterization was carried out using a combination of techniques, including a stereomicroscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results showed a significant prevalence of MPs in all samples, with an average amount of 109.667 ± 10.892 pieces/kg3 (dw) in the sediment and 98.167 ± 12.849 pieces/m3 in the water. Small MPs (<0.5 mm), fragments and transparent colored particles formed the majority, accounting for 80.2%, 64.5% and 55.3% in water and 78.9%, 66.4% and 64.3% in sediment, respectively. In line with global trends, polypropylene (PP) (53%) and polyethylene (PE) (43%) emerged as the predominant polymers within the MPs. MP contents in water and sediment showed positive correlations with outflow, while they correlated negatively with inflow and lake depth (p > 0.05). Local activities such as the discharge of domestic sewage, fishing waste and agricultural runoff significantly influence the distribution of polypropylene. Assessment of pollution factor, pollution risk index and pollution load index values at the sampling sites confirmed the presence of MPs, with values above 1. This study is a baseline database that provides a comprehensive understanding of MP pollution in the freshwater ecosystem of Bangladesh, particularly in a rural recreational lake. A crucial next step is to explore ecotoxicological mechanisms, legislative measures and future research challenges triggered by MP pollution.