A comprehensive review of influenza B virus, its biological and clinical aspects.

Influenza B virus (IBV) stands as a paradox, often overshadowed by its more notorious counterpart, influenza A virus (IAV). Yet, it remains a captivating and elusive subject of scientific inquiry. Influenza B is important because it causes seasonal flu outbreaks that can lead to severe respiratory illnesses, including bronchitis, pneumonia, and exacerbations of chronic conditions like asthma. Limitations in the influenza B virus's epidemiological, immunological, and etiological evolution must be addressed promptly. This comprehensive review covers evolutionary epidemiology and pathogenesis, host-virus interactions, viral isolation and propagation, advanced molecular detection assays, vaccine composition and no animal reservoir for influenza B virus. Complex viral etiology begins with intranasal transmission of influenza B virus with the release of a segmented RNA genome that attacks host cell machinery for transcription and translation within the nucleus and the release of viral progeny. Influenza B virus prevalence in domesticated and wild canines, sea mammals, and birds is frequent, yet there is no zoonosis. The periodic circulation of influenza B virus indicates a 1-3-year cycle for monophyletic strain replacement within the Victoria strain due to frequent antigenic drift in the HA near the receptor-binding site (RBS), while the antigenic stability of Yamagata viruses portrays a more conservative evolutionary pattern. Additionally, this article outlines contemporary antiviral strategies, including pharmacological interventions and vaccination efforts. This article serves as a resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in the mysterious nature of the influenza B virus. It provides valuable insights and knowledge essential for comprehending and effectively countering this viral foe, which continues to pose a significant public health threat.

The expanding host range of lumpy skin disease virus in wild and domestic animals.

Clinical lumpy skin disease (LSD) predominantly affects cattle and, to lesser extent domestic water buffalos. Whilst earlier work focussed on the disease in Africa, the recent emergence of LSD virus (LSDV) as a major cause of disease in Asia has led to a widening range of susceptible hosts for the virus. This article lists the wild and domestic ungulates in which LSDV infection has been confirmed and considers the significance of the disease for these species in Asia.

Comparative assessment of phytoremediation potential of four Ficus spp. under Semi-arid environmental conditions.

Heavy metals have been recognized as a prominent hazard in today's world, causing pollution in the air environment. Woody tree species can play a significant role in the extraction and remediation of metal pollutants from the air, therefore promoting the air quality index. This study investigated the potential of four species of the Ficus genus (F. benjamina, F. microcarpa, F. religiosa, and F. virens) to remediate varying levels of heavy metal contamination in industrial, residential, and highway areas of Faisalabad City, Pakistan. For this purpose, six heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, and manganese) were assessed in young leaves (YL) as well as old leaves (OL) of subjected tree species at selected study sites. Eight fully expanded leaves were selected from each tree species: two from each cardinal direction from the shoot of the current year (young leaves, YL), as well as from the shoot of the previous year (old leaves, OL). The results showed that the same genus has different capabilities to accumulate different heavy metals, and the overall trend was in the following order: F. virens > F. religiosa > F. benjamina > F. microcarpa at all study sites. The heavy metal contents in both YL and OL of selected tree species decreased in the order of Manganese (Mn)> Zinc (Zn)> Copper (Cu) > Chromium (Cr) > Lead (Pb) > Cadmium (Cd) at all study sites. The metal accumulation index (MAI) values ranged between 2.14-5.42 for F. benjamina, 2.09-3.89 for F. microcarpa, 3.61-7.01 for F. religiosa and 4.77-6.48 for F. virens across all study sites. Among the studied  tree species, it has been determined that F. virens and F. religiosa are well-suited for urban areas with significant heavy metal contamination and can be strategically planted in barrier areas to effectively combat atmospheric pollution.

Association of water stress and Fusarium solani exacerbated Dalbergia sissoo dieback disease.

Globally, there is a growing concern about tree mortality due to harsh climates and changes in pest and disease patterns. However, experimental studies on the interactions between biotic and abiotic stresses in plants are relatively scarce. In this study, we investigated the interaction between Fusarium solani and water-stressed Dalbergia sissoo saplings. We postulated that under drought conditions, sissoo plants would become more susceptible to dieback infestation. Five fungi, including Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia lunata, Cladophialophora carrionii, Alternaria alternaria, and Fusarium solani, were isolated from an old shisham tree showing advanced symptoms of dieback infestation. These fungi were identified based on their ITS sequence homology and spore characteristics. Dieback development was more pronounced in plants experiencing water stress, regardless of their predisposition or whether it occurred simultaneously. Lesions were more noticeable and longer in predisposed saplings (3.8cm), followed by simultaneous (2.4cm) and much smaller lesions in seedlings that were inoculated and well-watered (0.24cm). Progressive browning of the upper leaves, which lowers sapling height in predisposed, simultaneous, and well-watered inoculated saplings to 8.09 inches, 5.93 inches, and 17.42 inches, are typical dieback symptoms. Water stress causes the loss of chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids, which reduces stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and photosynthetic activity, leading to poor development and mortality. Similarly, predisposed, simultaneous, and well-watered inoculated seedlings expressed increased activity of CAT (22.57, 18.148, and 9.714 U/mg) and POD (3.0, 4.848, 1.246 U/mg), to reduce the damage caused by elevated levels of H2O2 expression. It is concluded that water stress is the main cause of dieback in shisham saplings that subsequently disposed of infected seedlings to secondary agents such as fungi and insects in the advanced stages of the dieback with prolonged drought stress. The lack of dieback in native populations is attributed to the absence of several ecological stresses, including water stress, extended droughts, waterlogging, and salinity. This study emphasizes the need for additional research into the effects of abiotic factors linked with fungal diseases on the long-term production and management of D. sissoo in Pakistan.

Fabrication of thermo-responsive microcapsule pesticide delivery system from maleic anhydride-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals-stabilized pickering emulsion template.

The overuse of pesticides has shown their malpractices. Novel and sustainable formulations have consequently attracted abundant attention but still appear to have drawbacks. Here, we use a maleic anhydride-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals-stabilized Pickering emulsions template to prepare thermo-responsive microcapsules for a pesticide delivery system via radical polymerization with N-isopropyl acrylamide. The microcapsules (MACNCs-g-NIPAM) are characterized by the microscope, SEM, FTIR, XRD, TG-DTG, and DSC techniques. Imidacloprid (IMI) is loaded on MACNCs-g-NIPAM to form smart release systems (IMI@MACNCs-g-NIPAM) with high encapsulation efficiency (~88.49%) and loading capability (~55.02%). The IMI@MACNCs-g-NIPAM present a significant thermo-responsiveness by comparing the release ratios at 35°C and 25°C (76.22% vs 50.78%). It also exhibits advantages in spreadability, retention and flush resistance on the leaf surface compared with the commercial IMI water-dispersible granules (CG). IMI@MACNCs-g-NIPAM also manifest a significant advantage over CG (11.12 mg/L vs 38.90 mg/L for LC50) regarding activity tests of targeted organisms. In addition, IMI@MACNCs-g-NIPAM has shown excellent biocompatibility and low toxicity. All the benefits mentioned above prove the excellent potential of IMI@MACNCs-g-NIPAM as a smart pesticide formulation.

Modulating alginate-polyurethane elastomer properties: Influence of NCO/OH ratio with aliphatic diisocyanate.

This research addresses the need for enhanced biomaterials by investigating the influence of the NCO/OH ratio on sodium alginate-based polyurethane elastomers(Al-PUEs), offering novel insights into their structural, thermal, mechanical and swelling behavior. Al-PUEs were prepared by blending the chain extenders with key ingredients in a specific molar ratio using aliphatic HMDI and HTPB monomers. The chemical linkages, crystalline behavior, homogeneity, and surface morphology of PUEs were evaluated by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX analysis. Thermo-mechanical studies were performed using TGA, DSC and tensile testing. Swelling behavior and absorption analysis were analyzed in DMSO and water. The analysis indicated that the hydrophilicity and swelling behavior of the prepared PUEs were affected by the addition of sodium alginate content. The results exhibit the tailor-made network structure of Al-PUEs, resulting in better thermal stability, elasticity of materials via stress-strain behavior and marvelous characteristic features than traditional high-tech yields. Furthermore, the resulting Al-PUEs are potential candidates for biomedical implants.

Knacks of marine predator heuristics for distributed energy source-based power systems harmonics estimation.

The power system incorporates renewable energy resources into the main utility grid, which possesses low or no inertia, and these systems generate harmonics due to the utilization of power electronic equipment. The precise and effective assessment of harmonic characteristics is necessary for maintaining power quality in distributed power systems. In this paper, the Marine Predator Algorithm (MPA) that mimics the hunting behavior of predators is exploited for harmonics estimation. The MPA utilizes the concepts of Levy and Brownian motions to replicate the movement of predators as they search for prey. The identification model for parameter estimation of harmonics is presented, and an objective function is developed that minimizes the difference between the real and predicted harmonic signals. The efficacy of the MPA is assessed for different levels of noise, population sizes, and iterations. Further, the comparison of the MPA is conducted with a recent metaheuristic of the Reptile Search Algorithm (RSA). The statistical analyses through sufficient autonomous executions established the accurate, stable, reliable and robust behavior of MPA for all variations. The substantial enhancement in estimation accuracy indicates that MPA holds great potential as a strategy for estimating harmonic parameters in distributed power systems.

Computational exploration and molecular dynamic simulation for the discovery of antiviral agents targeting Newcastle disease virus.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a highly infectious viral disease that impacts birds globally, especially domestic poultry. NDV is a type of avian paramyxovirus which poses a major threat to the poultry industry due to its ability to inflict significant economic damage. The membrane protein, Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) of NDV is an attractive therapeutic candidate. It contributes to pathogenicity through various functions, such as promoting fusion and preventing viral self-agglutination, which allows for viral spread. In this study, we used pharmacophore modeling to identify natural molecules that can inhibit the HN protein of NDV. Physicochemical characteristics and phylogenetic analysis were determined to elucidate structural information and phylogeny of target protein across different species as well as members of the virus family. For structural analysis, the missing residues of HN target protein were filled and the structure was evaluated by PROCHECK and VERIFY 3D. Moreover, shape and feature-based pharmacophore model was employed to screen natural compounds' library through numerous scoring schemes. Top 48 hits with 0.8860 pharmacophore fit score were subjected towards structure-based molecular docking. Top 9 compounds were observed witihin the range of -8.9 to -7.5 kcal/mol binding score. Five best-fitting compounds in complex with HN receptor were subjected to predict biological activity and further analysis. Top two hits were selected for MD simulations to validate binding modes and structural stability. Finally, upon scrutinization, A1 (ZINC05223166) emerges as potential HN inhibitor to treat NDV, necessitating further validation via clinical trials.

Spatial-structural analysis of macroeconomic factors' impact on carbon emissions in East Africa: a spatial econometric panel study.

Despite the abundance of research on reducing carbon emissions, there is a significant gap in understanding the influence of macroeconomic factors on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from a spatial-structural perspective. This study aims to contribute to the literature by investigating the impact of macroeconomic factors on carbon dioxide emissions in six East African countries between 1989 and 2020. Using spatial econometric panel models, the study analyzed spatial dependence among the variables. The empirical findings indicate that gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and electricity consumption have positive direct and indirect effects on carbon emissions, while fuel prices and exports have negative direct effects, but positive spillover effects on neighboring countries. Imports have a positive impact on local economies, but negative spillover effects. Additionally, the urban population has no significant impact on the environment. These findings provide important policy implications for optimizing spatial growth patterns and achieving a low-carbon economy in East African countries.

Substitution of a single non-coding nucleotide upstream of TMEM216 causes non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa and is associated with reduced TMEM216 expression.

Genome analysis of individuals affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP) identified two rare nucleotide substitutions at the same genomic location on chromosome 11 (g.61392563 [GRCh38]), 69 base pairs upstream of the start codon of the ciliopathy gene TMEM216 (c.-69G>A, c.-69G>T [GenBank: NM_001173991.3]), in individuals of South Asian and African ancestry, respectively. Genotypes included 71 homozygotes and 3 mixed heterozygotes in trans with a predicted loss-of-function allele. Haplotype analysis showed single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) common across families, suggesting ancestral alleles within the two distinct ethnic populations. Clinical phenotype analysis of 62 available individuals from 49 families indicated a similar clinical presentation with night blindness in the first decade and progressive peripheral field loss thereafter. No evident systemic ciliopathy features were noted. Functional characterization of these variants by luciferase reporter gene assay showed reduced promotor activity. Nanopore sequencing confirmed the lower transcription of the TMEM216 c.-69G>T allele in blood-derived RNA from a heterozygous carrier, and reduced expression was further recapitulated by qPCR, using both leukocytes-derived RNA of c.-69G>T homozygotes and total RNA from genome-edited hTERT-RPE1 cells carrying homozygous TMEM216 c.-69G>A. In conclusion, these variants explain a significant proportion of unsolved cases, specifically in individuals of African ancestry, suggesting that reduced TMEM216 expression might lead to abnormal ciliogenesis and photoreceptor degeneration.

Machine learning investigation of tuberculosis with medicine immunity impact.

Tuberculosis (T.B.) remains a prominent global cause of health challenges and death, exacerbated by drug-resistant strains such as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis XDR-TB. For an effective disease management strategy, it is crucial to understand the dynamics of T.B. infection and the impacts of treatment. In the present article, we employ AI-based machine learning techniques to investigate the immunity impact of medications. SEIPR epidemiological model is incorporated with MDR-TB for compartments susceptible to disease, exposed to risk, infected ones, preventive or resistant to initial treatment, and recovered or healed population. These masses' natural trends, effects, and interactions are formulated and described in the present study. Computations and stability analysis are conducted upon endemic and disease-free equilibria in the present model for their global scenario. Both numerical and AI-based nonlinear autoregressive exogenous NARX analyses are presented with incorporating immediate treatment and delay in treatment. This study shows that the active patients and MDR-TB, both strains, exist because of the absence of permanent immunity to T.B. Furthermore, patients who have recovered from tuberculosis may become susceptible again by losing their immunity and contributing to transmission again. This article aims to identify patterns and predictors of treatment success. The findings from this research can contribute to developing more effective tuberculosis interventions.

Embracing the sustainable horizons through bioenergy innovations: a path to a sustainable energy future.

The urgent need for mitigating climate change necessitates a transformative shift in energy production and consumption paradigms. Amidst this challenge, bioenergy emerges as a pivotal contributor to the global energy transition, offering a diverse array of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels derived from biomass. This mini review delves into the unique potential of bioenergy innovations, particularly renewable diesel, bio jet fuel, and ethanol, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transform various industries. The article highlights critical technological advancements, supportive policies, and cross-sector collaboration essential for a sustainable energy transition. Specific challenges such as ensuring a consistent biomass feedstock supply, decentralizing processing units, and navigating complex regulatory frameworks are examined. Innovative solutions like decentralized biomass processing and enhanced biomass logistics are discussed as pathways to overcome these barriers. The review provides specific recommendations for near-term policies and strategies to support decentralized facilities, showcasing bioenergy's role in achieving a sustainable future.

Effects of in ovo supplementation of selenium (Se) and zinc (zn) on hatchability and production performance of broiler chickens.

The current research was conducted to assess the effect of in ovo feeding (IOF) of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) on hatchability, production performance, liver, intestinal morphology, antioxidant levels and expression levels of immune-related genes in broiler chickens. A total of 400 fertilized eggs were equally divided into four groups: control (non-injected), sham (in ovo injection of 0.75% NaCl), Se (@ 1.5 µg/egg in ovo injection) and Zn (500 µg/egg in ovo injection) groups respectively. On the seventeenth day of incubation, treatment solutions were administered into amniotic fluid of fertilized eggs. The results revealed that Se and Zn supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced hatchability, post-hatch growth, organ development, and liver antioxidant capability. Histopathological examination revealed a typical hepatocyte morphology, well-arranged cells, and a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in apoptosis in both selenium and zinc groups. Additionally, selenium and zinc produced auspicious effects on intestinal epithelium and villi surface area. Interestingly, our results revealed that IOF of Se and Zn modulated the expression of immune-related genes in comparison to the control and sham groups. Conclusively, IOF of Se and Zn augmented health and productivity by enhancing the cellular immunity in the broiler chickens, thus IOF can be utilized as an effective strategy to promote health and immunity in broiler chickens.

Lactoferrin's role in modulating NF-κB pathway to alleviate diabetes-associated inflammation: A novel in-silico study.

Lactoferrin (LF), a multifunctional glycoprotein found in mammalian milk and various exocrine secretions, plays a pivotal role in modulating various responses. Lactoferrin plays a significant role in type-2 diabetes by improving hepatic insulin resistance and pancreatic dysfunction however, the exact mechanism for this improvement is not thoroughly elucidated. To this date, there are no evidence that attributes the direct interaction of lactoferrin with components of NF-κB pathway. Considering this precedent, the current study aimed to investigate the interaction of LF with key components of NF-κB pathway using molecular docking and simulation approaches. Results indicated that LF has shown highly stable interactions with IL-1ß, IL-6, IκBα and NF-κB, and relatively weaker interactions with IKK and TNF-α. All four trajectories, including root mean square of deviations (RMSD), root mean square of fluctuation (RMSF), hydrogen bond interactions, and radius of gyration (RoG), confirmed the stable interactions of LF with NF-κB pathway components. Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) analysis further supports their stable interactions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide convincing evidence that LF can interact with all six major components of the NF-κB pathway. This study provides pioneering in-silico evidence that lactoferrin (LF) can interact with all six major components of the NF-κB pathway, demonstrating highly stable interactions with IL-1ß, IL-6, IκBα, and NF-κB, and relatively weaker interactions with IKK and TNF-α. These findings suggest that LF and its peptides have significant potential for both preventive and therapeutic applications by targeting the NF-κB pathway to inhibit inflammation, thereby improving insulin sensitivity and aiding in the management of diabetes.

A handy way for forming N-doped TiO2/carbon from pectin and d,l-serine hydrazide hydrochloride.

N-doped TiO2/carbon composites (N-TiPC) have shown excellent photodegradation performances to the organic contaminants but are limited by the multistage preparation (i.e., preparation of porous carbon, preparation of N-doped TiO2, and loading of N-doped TiO2 on porous carbon). Here, we develop a handy way by combining the Pickering emulsion-gel template route and chelation reaction of polysaccharides. The N-TiPC is obtained by calcinating pectin/Dl-serine hydrazide hydrochloride (SHH)-Ti4+ chelate and is further described by modern characterization techniques. The results show that the N atom is successfully doped into the TiO2 lattice, and the bandgap value of N-TiPC is reduced to 2.3 eV. Moreover, the particle size of N-TiPC remains about 10 nm. The configurations of the composites are simulated using DFT calculation. The photocatalytic experiments show that N-TiPC has a high removal efficiency for methylene blue (MB) and oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC-HCL). The removal ratios of MB (20 mg/L, 50 mL) and OTC-HCL (30 mg/L, 50 mL) are 99.41 % and 78.29 %, respectively. The cyclic experiments show that the photocatalyst has good stability. Overall, this study provides a handy way to form N-TiPC with enhanced photodegradation performances. It can also be promoted to other macromolecules such as cellulose and its derivatives, sodium alginate, chitosan, lignin, etc.

Immunoinformatic-based drug design utilizing hesperetin to target CISD2 activation for liver aging in humans.

The CISD protein family, consisting of CISD1, CISD2, and CISD3, encodes proteins that feature CDGSH iron-sulfur domains crucial for cellular functions and share a common 2Fe-2S domain. CISD2, which is pivotal in cells, regulates intracellular calcium levels, maintains the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial function, and is associated with longevity and overall health, with exercise stimulating CISD2 production. However, CISD2 expression decreases with age, impacting age-related processes. According to in silico docking, HST is a CISD2 activator that affects metabolic dysfunction and age-related illnesses by affecting metabolic pathways. This study investigated the ability of CISD2 and HST to reduce age-related ailments, with a particular emphasis on liver aging. CISD2 deficiency has a major effect on the function of cells, as it undermines the integrity of the ER, mitochondria, and calcium homeostasis. It also increases susceptibility to oxidative stress and metabolic dysregulation, which is linked to Wolfram syndrome and exacerbates age-related illnesses and metabolic disorders. By shielding cells from stress, CISD2 extends the life of cells and maintains liver health as people age. Its protective effecfts on the liver during aging are further enhanced by its control of translation factors such as Nrf2 and IL-6. This work paves the way for future investigations and clinical applications by examining the structural and functional properties of CISD2 and the interaction between CISD2 and HST. This highlights the therapeutic potential of these findings in promoting healthy livers in humans and battling age-related illnesses.

Unlocking influenza B: exploring molecular biology and reverse genetics for epidemic control and vaccine innovation.

Influenza is a highly contagious acute viral illness that affects the respiratory system, posing a significant global public health concern. Influenza B virus (IBV) causes annual seasonal epidemics. The exploration of molecular biology and reverse genetics of IBV is pivotal for understanding its replication, pathogenesis, and evolution. Reverse genetics empowers us to purposefully alter the viral genome, engineer precise genetic modifications, and unveil the secrets of virulence and resistance mechanisms. It helps us in quickly analyzing new virus strains by viral genome manipulation and the development of innovative influenza vaccines. Reverse genetics has been employed to create mutant or reassortant influenza viruses for evaluating their virulence, pathogenicity, host range, and transmissibility. Without this technique, these tasks would be difficult or impossible, making it crucial for preparing for epidemics and protecting public health. Here, we bring together the latest information on how we can manipulate the genes of the influenza B virus using reverse genetics methods, most importantly helper virus-independent techniques.

In silico analysis of polyphenols modulate bovine PPARγ to increase milk fat synthesis in dairy cattle via the MAPK signalling pathways.

This study investigates the potential phytochemicals that modulate bovine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways to enhance milk fat production in dairy animals. Bovine PPARγ, a key member of nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, plays a vital role in regulating metabolic, cellular differentiation, apoptosis, and anti-inflammatory responses in livestock, while the MAPK pathway is contributory in cellular processes that impact milk fat synthesis. This approach involved an all-inclusive molecular docking analysis of 10,000 polyphenols to identify potential PPARγ ligands. From this extensive screening, top 10 compounds were selected that exhibited the highest binding affinities to bovine PPARγ. Particularly, Curcumin sulphate, Isoflavone and Quercetin emerged as the most promising candidates. These compounds demonstrated superior docking scores (-9.28 kcal/mol, -9.27 kcal/mol and -7.31 kcal/mol respectively) and lower RMSD values compared to the synthetic bovine PPARγ agonist, 2,4-Thiazolidinedione (-4.12 kcal/mol), indicating a strong potential for modulating the receptor. Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) further affirmed the stability of these polyphenols-bovine PPARγ complexes, suggesting their effective and sustained interactions. These polyphenols, known as fatty acid synthase inhibitors, are suggested to influence lipid metabolism pathways crucial to milk fat production, possibly through the downregulation of the MAPK pathway. The screened compounds showed favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, including non-toxicity, carcinogenicity, and high gastrointestinal absorption, positioning them as viable candidates for enhancing dairy cattle health and milk production. These findings may open new possibilities for the use of phytochemicals as feed additives in dairy animals, suggesting a novel approach to improve milk fat synthesis through the dual modulation of bovine PPARγ and MAPK pathways.