MOFite: A High-Density Lithiophilic and Scalable Metal-Organic Framework Anode for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery.

Developing an anode material that has better performance efficiency than commercial graphite while keeping the features of economic scalability and environmental safety is highly desirable yet challenging. MOFs are a promising addition to the ongoing efforts, however, the relatively poor performance, chemical instability, and large-scale economic production of efficiency-proven pristine MOFs restrict their utility in real-life energy storage applications. Furthermore, hierarchical porosity for lucid mass diffusion, high-density lithiophilic sites are some of the structural parameters for improving the electrode performance. Herein, we have demonstrated the potential of economically scalable salicylaldehydate 3D-conjugated-MOF (Fe-Tp) as a high-performance anode in Li-ion batteries: the anode-specific capacity achieved up to 1447 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and 89% of cyclic stability after 500 cycles at 1.0 A g-1.for pristine MOF. More importantly, incorporating 10% Fe-Tp doping in commercial graphite (MOFite) significantly enhanced lithium storage, doubling capacitance after 400 cycles. It signifies the potential practical utility of Fe-Tp as a performance booster for commercial anode material.

Serological markers of transfusion transmissible infections and ABO blood groups in Najran, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) across diverse donor groups in the Najran province. Additionally, to establish a potential association between the development of TTI and the donors' blood group, as determined by the ABO/Rh blood grouping system. METHODS: Blood donation data of 4120 donors, spanning from January to December 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. The blood were screened for TTI markers, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc), anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), anti-human immunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2 (anti-HIV1&2), anti-human T-lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (anti-HTLV-1&2), and syphilis antigen. RESULTS: Positive TTI markers were detected in 10.9% of the donors. The most detected TTI marker was anti-HBc (8.9%), followed by HBsAg (0.7%). Other markers were individually detected in <1% of the donors. Anti-HBc-positive was significantly elevated among non-Saudi blood donors. There was an association between age groups and anti-HCV (p=0.002), anti-HTLV (p=0.004) and syphilis antigen (p=0.02) markers positivity. The AB positive blood group exhibited the most positivity for TTI markers, followed by O positive blood group. Similarly, association was found between ABO group and HBsAg (p=0.01), anti-HBc (p=0.001), and anti-HCV (p<0.001) markers positivity. CONCLUSION: Emphasis on implementing robust screening measures for donated blood is underscored by this study. There is the need for future study to extensively evaluate TTI status to enhance our understanding of the trend in TTI.

Association of liver fibrosis-4 index with adverse outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients.

AIMS: The fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) is a non-invasive tool to assess fibrosis risk in chronic liver disease. We aimed to explore the relationship between the FIB-4 index and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in HCM patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients diagnosed with HCM were included. Patients were divided into two groups using a defined cutoff value established through a ROC analysis for predicting MACE (FIB-4 ≥ 2.37 and FIB-4 < 2.37). The final analysis comprised 187 HCM patients (34.8% females, 66.49 ± 11.43 years of age), with 47 (25.1%) in the FIB-4 ≥ 2.37 group and 140 (74.9%) in the FIB-4 < 2.37 group. Among these, 147 (78.6%) individuals had complete follow-up data. Patients with FIB-4 ≥ 2.37 demonstrated a higher prevalence of co-morbidities such as atrial fibrillation (27.7% vs. 7.9%; P < 0.001), heart failure (55.3% vs. 24.3%; P < 0.001), elevated NT-proBNP levels (3.03 ± 4.74 vs. 0.66 ± 1.08; P < 0.001), and lower LVEF (58.51 ± 7.86 vs. 61.84 ± 5.04; P = 0.001). Over a median of 41 (IQR 16-63) months follow-up, MACE occurred in 49 (33.3%), with a significantly higher incidence in the FIB-4 ≥ 2.37 group (58.8% vs. 25.7%, P < 0.001). Cardiac death rates were also elevated in the FIB-4 ≥ 2.37 group (20.6% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed an independent association between FIB-4 ≥ 2.37 and a higher risk of MACE (adjusted HR: 1.919, 95% CI 1.015-3.630; P = 0.045) and cardiac death (adjusted HR: 9.518, 95% CI 1.718-52.732; P = 0.010). Furthermore, the FIB-4 index shows positive correlations with left atrium diameter (r = 0.229; P = 0.003), septal thickness (r = 0.231; P = 0.002), posterior wall thickness (r = 0.235; P = 0.001), and NT-proBNP (r = 0.271; P < 0.001). Conversely, a negative correlation was observed between the FIB-4 index and left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.185; P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Elevated FIB-4 index, indicative of liver fibrosis, is independently associated with an increased risk of long-term MACE in HCM patients. This emphasizes the potential influence of liver function abnormalities on HCM prognosis, underscoring the need for comprehensive risk assessment in clinical management.

Fatigue analysis of ambient-cured geopolymer concrete for high-traffic pavements.

The building sector is growing at a rapid rate, leading to an increased demand for construction materials. Concrete made with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) has long been the preferred choice due to its excellent bonding properties and versatility as demanded by construction process. However, the manufacturing of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) leads to negative impacts on the environment, with the cement sector responsible for around 5-8% of global CO2 emissions. In addition, the manufacture of OPC necessitates significant amounts of natural raw materials and energy. Contrastingly, using geopolymers promises to save substantial amounts of energy and reduce CO2 emissions. This potential has sparked growing interest in the application of geopolymers within transportation infrastructure. For pavements, the workability requirement is less, and hence, geopolymer concrete (GPC) is a viable option, but fatigue-resistance of GPC is not seen reported in literatures. This article evaluates the properties of geopolymer concrete with low-calcium fly ash partially replaced with ground granular blast furnace slag (GGBS) with 8 M NaOH alkaline solution and cured under ambient atmospheric conditions to evaluate its usage in pavements and develop an environmentally sustainable and durable GPC capable of withstanding heavy traffic. The study involves adjusting the pavement quality concrete (PQC) mix design; evaluating the mechanical characteristics, abrasion resistance, and shrinkage strain of the GPC; and analyzing its microstructure. Additionally, the study compares the fatigue life of GPC to that of PQC using various Weibull distribution approaches. The results showed that GPC4 (70% Fly ash and 30% GGBS) mix achieved best results at 28 days, with a compressive strength of 45.68 MPa, split tensile strength of 3.76 MPa, and flexural strength of 4.62 MPa. Also, shrinkage strains were nearly 31% lesser than PQC at 90 days. In addition, developing GPC needs 27% lesser embodied energy than PQC. Fatigue analysis prove that ambient cured fly ash-GGBS based geopolymer concrete with 8 M NaOH exhibits less stress development than PQC at medium loads, even though it is brittle. Thus, the study proves that it is suitable as a material for pavements to resist medium-loaded traffic-resisting pavements.

Risk of arboviral transmission and insecticide resistance status of Aedes mosquitoes during a yellow fever outbreak in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: In late 2021, Ghana was hit by a Yellow Fever outbreak that started in two districts in the Savannah region and spread to several other Districts in three regions. Yellow fever is endemic in Ghana. However, there is currently no structured vector control programme for Aedes the arboviral vector in Ghana. Knowledge of Aedes bionomics and insecticide susceptibility status is important to control the vectors. This study therefore sought to determine Aedes vector bionomics and their insecticide resistance status during a yellow fever outbreak. METHODS: The study was performed in two yellow fever outbreak sites (Wenchi, Larabanga) and two non-outbreak sites (Kpalsogu, Pagaza) in Ghana. Immature Aedes mosquitoes were sampled from water-holding containers in and around human habitations. The risk of disease transmission was determined in each site using stegomyia indices. Adult Aedes mosquitoes were sampled using Biogents Sentinel (BG) traps, Human Landing Catch (HLC), and Prokopack (PPK) aspirators. Phenotypic resistance to permethrin, deltamethrin and pirimiphos-methyl was determined with WHO susceptibility tests using Aedes mosquitoes collected as larvae and reared into adults. Knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations were detected using allele-specific multiplex PCR. RESULTS: Among the 2,664 immature Aedes sampled, more than 60% were found in car tyres. Larabanga, an outbreak site, was classified as a high-risk zone for the Yellow Fever outbreak (BI: 84%, CI: 26.4%). Out of 1,507 adult Aedes mosquitoes collected, Aedes aegypti was the predominant vector species (92%). A significantly high abundance of Aedes mosquitoes was observed during the dry season (61.2%) and outdoors (60.6%) (P < 0.001). Moderate to high resistance to deltamethrin was observed in all sites (33.75% to 70%). Moderate resistance to pirimiphos-methyl (65%) was observed in Kpalsogu. Aedes mosquitoes from Larabanga were susceptible (98%) to permethrin. The F1534C kdr, V1016I kdr and V410 kdr alleles were present in all the sites with frequencies between (0.05-0.92). The outbreak sites had significantly higher allele frequencies of F1534C and V1016I respectively compared to non-outbreak sites (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that Aedes mosquitoes in Ghana pose a significant risk to public health. Hence there is a need to continue monitoring these vectors to develop an effective control strategy.

Clinical Presentation and Risk Stratification of Pulmonary Embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) presents with a spectrum of symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic cases to life-threatening events. Common symptoms include sudden dyspnea, chest pain, limb swelling, syncope, and hemoptysis. Clinical presentation varies based on thrombus burden, demographics, and time to presentation. Diagnostic evaluation involves assessing symptoms, physical examination findings, and utilizing laboratory tests, including D-dimer. Risk stratification using tools like Wells score, Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index, and Hestia criteria aids in determining the severity of PE. PE is categorized based on hemodynamic status, temporal patterns, and anatomic locations of emboli to guide in making treatment decisions. Risk stratification plays a crucial role in directing management strategies, with elderly and comorbid individuals at higher risk. Early identification and appropriate risk stratification are essential for effective management of PE. As we delve into this review article, we aim to enhance the knowledge base surrounding PE, contributing to improved patient outcomes through informed decision-making in clinical practice.

Invasion and spread of the neotropical leafhopper Curtara insularis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Africa and North America and the role of high-altitude windborne migration in invasive insects.

Invasive insects threaten ecosystem stability, public health, and food security. Documenting newly invasive species and understanding how they reach into new territories, establish populations, and interact with other species remain vitally important. Here, we report on the invasion of the South American leafhopper, Curtara insularis into Africa, where it has established populations in Ghana, encroaching inland at least 350 km off the coast. Importantly, 80% of the specimens collected were intercepted between 160 and 190 m above ground. Further, the fraction of this species among all insects collected was also higher at altitude, demonstrating its propensity to engage in high-altitude windborne dispersal. Its aerial densities at altitude translate into millions of migrants/km over a year, representing massive propagule pressure. Given the predominant south-westerly winds, these sightings suggest an introduction of C. insularis into at least one of the Gulf of Guinea ports. To assess the contribution of windborne dispersal to its spread in a new territory, we examine records of C. insularis range-expansion in the USA. Reported first in 2004 from central Florida, it reached north Florida (Panhandle) by 2008-2011 and subsequently spread across the southeastern and south-central US. Its expansion fits a "diffusion-like" process with 200-300 km long "annual displacement steps"-a pattern consistent with autonomous dispersal rather than vehicular transport. Most "steps" are consistent with common wind trajectories from the nearest documented population, assuming 2-8 hours of wind-assisted flight at altitude. Curtara insularis has been intercepted at US ports and on trucks. Thus, it uses multiple dispersal modalities, yet its rapid overland spread is better explained by its massive propagule pressure linked with its high-altitude windborne dispersal. We propose that high-altitude windborne dispersal is common yet under-appreciated in invasive insect species.

Efficacy of pregabalin, amitriptyline, and gabapentin for neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain largely influences the well-being of patients. Anticonvulsant and antidepressant medications, such as Pregabalin, Gabapentin, and Amitriptyline, are routinely prescribed as initial treatments for neuropathic pain. The study sample has a total of 270 patients who meet the inclusion criteria and are further distributed into three equally sized groups (A, B, and C). Group A was administered with Gabapentine 300mg, Group B with Pregabalin 75 mg, and Amitriptyline 10 mg to Group C. The occurrence of any adverse drug response was documented using the ADR reporting form, while the pain of the patient's post-medication was recorded using a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS). The comparison of the NPRS scores of all three groups "by using ANOVA test" both at baseline and after 15 days reveal that the differences between the three groups are statistically insignificant (p > 0.089). However, after one month of continuous use, the difference becomes slightly significant (I.e., p = 0.003). Gabapentin, pregabalin, and amitriptyline demonstrate similar effectiveness in alleviating neuropathic (NeP) pain. The study concludes that gabapentin is superior to both pregabalin and amitriptyline with fewer adverse effects, leading to improved patient adherence for long-term use.

Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation outcomes in patients with pancreatitis of genetic etiology: A single-center experience with a large cohort of patients.

PURPOSE: Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is an effective treatment for patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) when other interventions are unsuccessful. CP has many etiologies including heredity. Metabolic and pain relief outcomes after TPIAT are presented among patients with a genetic CP etiology compared with those with a nongenetic etiology in a large cohort of patients who underwent this procedure at our center. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 237 patients undergoing TPIAT between 2006 and 2023. We analyzed the differences in patients with genetic (n = 56) vs nongenetic CP etiologies (n = 181) in terms of pre-TPIAT factors including patient characteristics and disease state, results from the isolation process, and outcomes such as long-term glycemic and pain control. RESULTS: Patients with genetic CP underwent TPIAT at a significantly younger age (32.3 vs 41.3 years nongenetic; P < .0001) and endured symptoms for a significantly longer period (10 vs 6 years; P < .01). A significantly lower mass of islets was isolated from patients with genetic CP (P < .01), which increased with body mass index in both groups. Despite lower yields, patients with genetic CP maintained metabolic function similar to patients with nongenetic CP, as indicated by insulin independence and C-peptide, blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1C levels after TPIAT. Post-transplant narcotic usage and pain scores significantly decreased compared with those before TPIAT, and more patients with genetic CP were pain free and narcotic free after TPIAT. CONCLUSION: Our data validate TPIAT as a beneficial procedure for patients enduring CP of genetic etiology. Pain that is inevitably recurrent after minor interventions owing to the nature of the disease and favorable TPIAT outcomes should be considered in the decision to perform early TPIAT in cases of genetic CP.

Simultaneous Occurrence of Transient Complete Heart Block With Acute Lateral Medullary Infarct.

Lateral Medullary Syndrome (LMS) poses clinical challenges, often resulting from ischemic events in the medulla oblongata. We present a unique case of LMS in a woman in her 60s with a complex medical history. Alongside neurological deficits, she experienced a transient high-grade atrioventricular block (HgAVB), a rare cardiac manifestation linked to LMS. Given the rarity of simultaneous transient HgAVB with acute lateral medullary infarct, only a handful of case reports documenting similar findings are available in the existing literature. More research and case reporting are needed to better our understanding of this area. The patient's condition, marked by a sudden onset of severe headache and left-sided weakness, revealed an acute infarct in the medulla territory. Notably, her HgAVB spontaneously resolved after 72 hours. This case emphasises the crucial need for extended cardiac surveillance in LMS patients due to their susceptibility to life-threatening arrhythmias. The intricate interplay between the brainstem and cardiovascular system highlights autonomic dysregulation as a potential mechanism for cardiac abnormalities. The report advocates for a holistic approach to managing LMS cases, stressing interdisciplinary collaboration for timely diagnosis and intervention, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of fatal arrhythmias.

A comprehensive review on versatile microalga Tetraselmis: Potentials applications in wastewater remediation and bulk chemical production.

Microalgae are considered sustainable resources for the production of biofuel, feed, and bioactive compounds. Among various microalgal genera, the Tetraselmis genus, containing predominantly marine microalgal species with wide tolerance to salinity and temperature, has a high potential for large-scale commercialization. Until now, Tetraselmis sp. are exploited at smaller levels for aquaculture hatcheries and bivalve production. However, its prolific growth rate leads to promising areal productivity and energy-dense biomass, so it is considered a viable source of third-generation biofuel. Also, microbial pathogens and contaminants are not generally associated with Tetraselmis sp. in outdoor conditions due to faster growth as well as dominance in the culture. Numerous studies revealed that the metabolite compositions of Tetraselmis could be altered favorably by changing the growth conditions, taking advantage of its acclimatization or adaptation ability in different conditions. Furthermore, the biorefinery approach produces multiple fractions that can be successfully upgraded into various value-added products along with biofuel. Overall, Tetraselmis sp. could be considered a potential strain for further algal biorefinery development under the circular bioeconomy framework. In this aspect, this review discusses the recent advancements in the cultivation and harvesting of Tetraselmis sp. for wider application in different sectors. Furthermore, this review highlights the key challenges associated with large-scale cultivation, biomass harvesting, and commercial applications for Tetraselmis sp.

Increased PHLPP1 expression through ERK-4E-BP1 signaling axis drives nicotine induced oxidative stress related damage of cardiomyocytes.

Nicotine, a key constituent of tobacco/electronic cigarettes causes cardiovascular injury and mortality. Nicotine is known to induce oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes leading to cell death. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase (PHLPP) is a member of metal-dependent protein phosphatase (PPM) family and is known to dephosphorylate several AGC family kinases and thereby regulate a diverse set of cellular functions including cell growth, survival, and death. Our lab has previously demonstrated that PHLPP1 removal reduced cardiomyocyte death and cardiac dysfunction following injury. Here, we present a novel finding that nicotine exposure significantly increased PHLPP1 protein expression in the adolescent rodent heart. Building upon our in vivo finding, we determined the mechanism of PHLPP1 expression in cardiomyocytes. Nicotine significantly increased PHLPP1 protein expression without altering PHLPP2 in cardiomyocytes. In cardiomyocytes, nicotine significantly increased NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), which coincided with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis which were dependent on PHLPP1 expression. PHLPP1 expression was both necessary and sufficient for nicotine induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Mechanistically, nicotine activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) and subsequent eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) to increase PHLPP1 protein expression. Inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide (CHX) and 4EGI-1 abolished nicotine induced PHLPP1 protein expression. Moreover, inhibition of ERK1/2 activity by U0126 significantly blocked nicotine induced PHLPP1 expression. Overall, this study reveals a novel mechanism by which nicotine regulates PHLPP1 expression through ERK-4E-BP1 signaling axis to drive cardiomyocyte injury.

Triglyceride-glucose index is associated with myocardial ischemia and poor prognosis in patients with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is increasingly recognized and associated with poor outcomes. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable alternative measure of insulin resistance significantly linked to cardiovascular disease and adverse prognosis. We investigated the association between the TyG index and myocardial ischemia and the prognosis in INOCA patients. METHODS: INOCA patients who underwent both coronary angiography and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were included consecutively. All participants were divided into three groups according to TyG tertiles (T1, T2, and T3). Abnormal MPI for myocardial ischemia in individual coronary territories was defined as summed stress score (SSS) ≥ 4 and summed difference score (SDS) ≥ 2. SSS refers to the sum of all defects in the stress images, and SDS is the difference of the sum of all defects between the rest images and stress images. All patients were followed up for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS: Among 332 INOCA patients, 113 (34.0%) had abnormal MPI. Patients with higher TyG index had a higher rate of abnormal MPI (25.5% vs. 32.4% vs. 44.1%; p = 0.012). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that a high TyG index was significantly correlated with abnormal MPI in INOCA patients (OR, 1.901; 95% CI, 1.045-3.458; P = 0.035). During the median 35 months of follow-up, 83 (25%) MACE were recorded, and a higher incidence of MACE was observed in the T3 group (T3 vs. T2 vs. T1: 36.9% vs. 21.6% vs. 16.4%, respectively; p = 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the T3 group was significantly associated with the risk of MACE compared to the T1 group (HR, 2.338; 95% CI 1.253-4.364, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study indicates for the first time that the TyG index is significantly associated with myocardial ischemia and poor prognosis among INOCA patients.

Design and fabrication of 3D-printed gastric floating tablets of captopril: effect of geometry and thermal crosslinking of polymer on floating behavior and drug release.

The present study aims to investigate the potential of the 3D printing technique to design gastroretentive floating tablets (GFTs) for modifying the drug release profile of an immediate-release tablet. A 3D-printed floating shell enclosing a captopril tablet was designed having varying number of drug-release windows. The impact of geometrical changes in the design of delivery system and thermal cross-linking of polymers were evaluated to observe the influence on floating ability and drug release. Water uptake, water insolubilization, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) were performed to assess the degree of thermal cross-linking of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) filament. The 3D-printed GFT9 was considered the optimized gastric floating tablet that exhibited >12 h of total floating time with zero floating lag time and successfully accomplished modified-drug release by exhibiting >80% of drug release in 8 h. The zero-order release model, with an r2 value of 0.9923, best fitted the drug release kinetic data of the GFT9, which followed a super case II drug transport mechanism with an n value of 0.95. The optimized gastric floating device (GFT9) also exhibited the highest MDT values (238.55), representing slow drug release from the system due to thermal crosslinking and the presence of a single drug-releasing window in the device.

Risk of Arboviral Transmission and Insecticide Resistance Status of Aedes Mosquitoes during a Yellow Fever Outbreak in Ghana.

Background: In late 2021, Ghana was hit by a Yellow Fever outbreak that started in two (2) districts in the Savannah region and spread to several other Districts in (3) regions (Oti, Bono and Upper West).Yellow fever is endemic in Ghana. However, there is currently no structured vector control programme for the yellow vector, Aedes mosquitoes in Ghana. Knowledge of Aedes bionomics and insecticide susceptibility status is important to control the vectors. This study therefore sought todetermine Aedes vector bionomics and their insecticide resistance status during a yellow fever outbreak. Methods: The study was performed in two yellow fever outbreak sites (Wenchi, Larabanga) and two non-outbreak sites (Kpalsogu, Pagaza) in Ghana. Immature Aedes mosquitoes were sampled from water-holding containers in and around human habitations. The risk of disease transmission was determined in each site using stegomyia indices. Adult Aedes mosquitoes were sampled using Biogents Sentinel (BG) traps, Human Landing Catch (HLC), and Prokopack (PPK) aspirators. Phenotypic resistance was determined with WHO susceptibility tests using Aedes mosquitoes collected as larvae and reared into adults. Knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations were detected using allele-specific multiplex PCR. Results: Of the 2,664 immature Aedes sampled, more than 60% were found in car tyres. Larabanga, an outbreak site, was classified as a high-risk zone for the Yellow Fever outbreak (BI: 84%, CI: 26.4%). Out of 1,507 adult Aedes mosquitoes collected, Aedes aegypti was the predominant vector species (92%). A significantly high abundance of Aedes mosquitoes was observed during the dry season (61.2%) and outdoors (60.6%) (P < 0.001). Moderate to high resistance to deltamethrin was observed in all sites (33.75% to 70%). Moderate resistance to pirimiphos-methyl (65%) was observed in Kpalsogu. Aedesmosquitoes from Larabanga were susceptible (98%) to permethrin. The F1534C kdr, V1016I kdr and V410 kdr alleles were present in all the sites with frequencies between (0.05-0.92). The outbreak sites had significantly higher allele frequencies of F1534C and V1016I respectively compared to non-outbreak sites (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study indicates that Aedes mosquitoes in Ghana pose a significant risk to public health, and there is a need for continuous surveillance to inform effective vector control strategies.

Mitochondrial and microbial diversity of the invasive mosquito vector species Culex tritaeniorhynchus across its extensive inter-continental geographic range.

Background: Culex (Cx.) tritaeniorhynchus is an invasive mosquito species with an extensive and expanding inter-continental distribution, currently reported across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and now Australia. It is an important vector of medical and veterinary pathogens which cause significant morbidity and mortality in human and animal populations. Across regions endemic for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Cx. tritaeniorhynchus is considered the major vector and has also been shown to contribute to the transmission of several other zoonotic arboviruses including Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and West Nile virus (WNV). Methods: In this study, we used laboratory vector competence experiments to determine if Cx. tritaeniorhynchus from a Southern European population were competent JEV vectors. We also obtained samples from multiple geographically dispersed Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations from countries within Europe, Africa, Eurasia and Asia to perform phylogenetic analysis to measure the level of mitochondrial divergence using the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 ( CO1) gene. We also undertook bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to determine microbial diversity and used multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) to determine any evidence for the presence of strains of the naturally occurring endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia. Results: Cx. tritaeniorhynchus from a Greek population were shown be be competent vectors of JEV with high levels of virus present in saliva. We found a signficant level of mitochondrial genetic diversity using the mosquito CO1 gene between geographically dispersed populations. Furthermore, we report diverse microbiomes identified by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing within and between geographical populations. Evidence for the detection of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia was confirmed using Wolbachia-specific PCR and MLST. Conclusions: This study enhances our understanding of the diversity of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and the associated microbiome across its inter-continental range and highlights the need for greater surveillance of this invasive vector species in Europe.

The mosquito species Culex (Cx.) tritaeniorhynchus is expanding its range and is now present in over 50 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and now Australasia. It can transmit human and animal pathogens, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. This species transmits Japanese encephalitis virus in endemic areas of Asia, and it has also been shown to contribute to the transmission of several other viruses that can infect humans, including Rift Valley fever virus and West Nile virus. In this study, we firstly undertook some lab experiments to show that Cx. tritaeniorhynchus from a Southern European population are competent vectors of Japanese encephalitis virus. We also obtained field mosquitoes from countries within Europe, Africa, Eurasia and Asia and used phylogenetic analysis to demonstrate a high level of mitochondrial divergence within and between populations. In addition, we analysed the bacteria present within mosquitoes and found a high level of microbial diversity. Finally, we present evidence for the presence of Wolbachia endosymbiotic bacteria in some populations of this mosquito species. This study highlights the need for greater surveillance of this invasive vector species ­ particularly in Europe.

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Moringa Peregrina and Their Toxicity on MCF-7 and Caco-2 Human Cancer Cells.

Introduction: The synthesis of nanoparticles using naturally occurring reagents such as vitamins, sugars, plant extracts, biodegradable polymers and microorganisms as reductants and capping agents could be considered attractive for nanotechnology. These syntheses have led to the fabrication of limited number of inorganic nanoparticles. Among the reagents mentioned above, plant-based materials seem to be the best candidates, and they are suitable for large-scale biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Methods: The aqueous extract of Moringa peregrina leaves was used to synthesize silver nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by various spectral studies including FT-IR, SEM, HR-TEM and XRD. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the silver nanoparticles was studied viz. DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging potential and reducing power with varied concentrations. The anticancer potential of the nanoparticles was also studied against MCF-7 and Caco-2 cancer cell lines. Results: The results showed that silver nanoparticles displayed strong antioxidant activity compared with gallic acid. Furthermore, the anticancer potential of the nanoparticles against MCF-7 and Caco-2 in comparison with the standard Doxorubicin revealed that the silver nanoparticles produced significant toxic effects against the studied cancer cell lines with the IC50 values of 41.59 (Caco-2) and 26.93 (MCF-7) µg/mL. Conclusion: In conclusion, the biosynthesized nanoparticles using M. peregrina leaf aqueous extract as a reducing agent showed good antioxidant and anticancer potential on human cancer cells and can be used in biological applications.

The role of car tyres in the ecology of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Ghana.

Aedes aegypti is an important vector of arboviral diseases including dengue and yellow fever. Despite the wide distribution of this mosquito species, there are limited data on the ecology of Ae. aegypti in Ghana. In this study, we report on the oviposition preference and the larval life tables of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in Accra, Ghana. The oviposition preference of the mosquitoes to three habitat types (car tyres, drums and bowls) was measured by setting up ovitraps. We recorded the presence and abundance of larvae every 3 days. Two-hour-old Ae. aegypti larvae were introduced and raised in three habitat types to undertake larval life tables. The number of surviving larvae at each developmental stage was recorded daily until they emerged as adults. Car tyres showed a higher abundance of Ae. aegypti larvae (52.3%) than drums (32.5%) and bowls (15.1%) (ANOVA, F(2,159) = 18.79, P < 0.001). The mean development time of Ae. aegypti larvae was significantly lower in car tyres (7 ± 1 days) compared to that of bowls (9 ± 0.0 days) and drums (12.6 ± 1.5 days) (P = 0.024). The differences in pupation rates and emergence rates were not significant across the habitat types; however, the highest pupation rate was observed in bowls (0.92 ± 0.17) and the emergence rate was highest in tyres (0.84 ± 0.10). The proportion of first-instar larvae that survived to emergence was significantly higher in car tyres (0.84 ± 0.10) compared to that of bowls (0.72 ± 0.20) and drums (0.62 ± 0.20) (P = 0.009). No mortalities were observed after 9 days in car tyres, 10 days in bowls and 15 days in drums. The results confirm that discarded car tyres were the preferred habitat choice for the oviposition of gravid female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and provide the best habitat conditions for larval development and survival. These findings are necessary for understanding the ecology of Ae. aegypti to develop appropriate strategies for their control in Ghana.

A carbonyl-decorated two-dimensional polymer as a charge-trapping layer for non-volatile memory storage devices with a high endurance and wide memory window.

The charge-trapping mechanism in conjugated polymers is a performance obstacle in many optoelectronic devices harnessed for non-volatile memory applications. Herein, a carbonyl-decorated organic 2D-polymer (TpDb)-based charge-trapping memory device has been developed with a wide memory window (3.2 V) with low programming and erasing voltages of +3/-2 and -3/+2. The TpDb was synthesized by a potentially scalable solid-state aldol condensation reaction. The inherent structural defects and the semi-conjugated nature of the enone network in TpDb offer effective charge-trapping through the localization of charges in specific functional groups (CO). The interlayer hydrogen bonding enhances the packing density of the 2D-polymer layers thereby improving the memory storage properties of the material. Furthermore, the TpDb exhibits excellent features for non-volatile memory applications including over 10 000 cycles of write/read endurance and a prolonged retention performance of 104 seconds at high temperatures (100 °C).

Unraveling the significance of PPP1R1A gene in pancreatic ß-cell function: A study in INS-1 cells and human pancreatic islets.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The protein phosphatase 1 regulatory inhibitor subunit 1A (PPP1R1A) has been linked with insulin secretion and diabetes mellitus. Yet, its full significance in pancreatic ß-cell function remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the role of the PPP1R1A gene in ß-cell biology using human pancreatic islets and rat INS-1 (832/13) cells. RESULTS: Disruption of Ppp1r1a in INS-1 cells was associated with reduced insulin secretion and impaired glucose uptake; however, cell viability, ROS, apoptosis or proliferation were intact. A significant downregulation of crucial ß-cell function genes such as Ins1, Ins2, Pcsk1, Cpe, Pdx1, Mafa, Isl1, Glut2, Snap25, Vamp2, Syt5, Cacna1a, Cacna1d and Cacnb3, was observed upon Ppp1r1a disruption. Furthermore, silencing Pdx1 in INS-1 cells altered PPP1R1A expression, indicating that PPP1R1A is a target gene for PDX1. Treatment with rosiglitazone increased Ppp1r1a expression, while metformin and insulin showed no effect. RNA-seq analysis of human islets revealed high PPP1R1A expression, with α-cells showing the highest levels compared to other endocrine cells. Muscle tissues exhibited greater PPP1R1A expression than pancreatic islets, liver, or adipose tissues. Co-expression analysis revealed significant correlations between PPP1R1A and genes associated with insulin biosynthesis, exocytosis machinery, and intracellular calcium transport. Overexpression of PPP1R1A in human islets augmented insulin secretion and upregulated protein expression of Insulin, MAFA, PDX1, and GLUT1, while silencing of PPP1R1A reduced Insulin, MAFA, and GLUT1 protein levels. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into the role of PPP1R1A in regulating ß-cell function and glucose homeostasis. PPP1R1A presents a promising opportunity for future therapeutic interventions.