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Legal restrictions and consumer trends are contributing to the growing movement for fish welfare. Therefore, the aquaculture sector is a means of reducing animal stress and enhancing physiological state, which raises financial profits. Feed additives have therefore been suggested as possible dietary stress alleviation. In this trend, a 75-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of three organic acids (formic acid (FA), lactic acid (LA), and commercial organic acids mix (COM)) as dietary additives in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared under a stressful condition (unchanged water). Fish (weighing 3.95 ± 0.05 g) were randomly housed into eight groups (n = 210 fish/group; 70 fish/replicate; 3 replicates/group). The first (negative control) and second (positive control) groups were fed a basal diet without additives and with water exchange at 20% of the water volume every 2 days for the first group and without water exchange for the second. The other six groups (FA1, FA2, LA1, LA2, COM1, and COM2) were fed basal diets supplemented with OAs at two doses (1 and 2%) without water exchange during the trial. The results revealed that fish kept without water exchange (positive control) had the highest level of water-unionized ammonia and nitrite and a marked decline in growth performance (weight gain and specific growth rate). The unchanged water induced substantial decreases in the hematological profile (white and red blood cell count, hemoglobin value, and hematocrit %), protein profile indices (total protein, albumin, and globulin), and antioxidant-immune response (superoxide dismutase, catalase, lysozyme, and total immunoglobulin M). In addition, the biochemical indices (glucose, creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase) and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde) were substantially increased in the positive control group. In addition to that, marked and severe histopathological alteration in the gills, liver, and intestine including hyperplasia, hemorrhage, and degenerative and necrotic changes that were associated with desquamation and sloughing were obvious in the PC group. Dietary LA1 significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) the overall measured indices; meanwhile, the dietary FA and COM recorded the worst results. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the unchanged water negatively affected the growth and physiological functions of Nile tilapia. Dietary incorporation of organic acids did not protect the fish from these hazards except the LA (1%). The latter can reduce nitrogenous compounds, enhance immune response, and alleviate these alterations for the sustainable aquaculture industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the dynamic response of an infinite structure comprising two coaxial cylinders employing the one-relaxation-time generalized thermoelastic diffusion model. The inner cylinder, serving as a cavity, possessing a radius a, while the outer cylinder has radius b. The inner cylinder is insulated and experiencing a localized thermal load with thickness 2 h. The outer cylinder, with radius b, is also experiencing to a localized thermal load with width 2 h, and its surface exhibits no traction. Additionally, the structure experiences the influence of a solenoidal body force. The analysis of this problem employs a combination of Laplace transform, inverse Laplace transform, and exponential Fourier transform techniques. Numerical analysis of the resulting solutions reveals the variations in temperature, displacement, radial stress, concentration, and potential fields as a function of the radial coordinate. Results indicate a minimal impact of the time interval on the temperature distribution, while displacement and radial stress exhibit significant time-dependent behavior. These findings highlight the significance of incorporating thermoelastic diffusion theory in the analysis of real-world engineering problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing nanomaterials on the working electrode of sensors enables the fabrication of highly sensitive devices for the detection of various analytes. Herein, a facile synthesis method is used to formulate a grain-like cerium oxide (CeO2) nanostructure. The structural features and surface properties of the synthesized CeO2 nanostructure were studied, which showed that the CeO2 nanostructure exhibited grain-like morphology, good crystalline structure, and excellent vibrational properties. To evaluate the sensing properties of grain-like CeO2 nanostructure, nanomaterial slurry was prepared in butyldiglycol acetate binder. Then, the nanomaterial slurry was drop-casted onto the working electrode of the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) to fabricate the CeO2-modified SPCE sensor. The sensor's electrochemical properties were analysed, which showed excellent charge-transfer behavior compared to the bare SPCE. CV-based electrochemical sensing of uric acid (UA) on a CeO2-modified SPCE sensor exhibited excellent linear performance up to 1070 μM UA. Moreover, the sensor offers good sensitivity, low detection limit, reproducibility, selectivity, and long-term stability. The CeO2-modified SPCE sensor demonstrated a promising application for UA detection in real samples, addressing the need for timely UA concentration monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Renal dysfunction is a known predictor of long-term functional dependency after anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (ACLVO) stroke. However, the impact of renal dysfunction on early infarct growth rate (IGR) has not been previously demonstrated. The objective of this study was to define the association of creatinine-based renal biomarkers with fast or slow progressor phenotypes and related clinical outcomes in ACLVO stroke. Methods: This retrospective study examined patients with acute intracranial internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery-M1 occlusions admitted between 2014 and 2019. Patients were included if they received baseline CT perfusion (CTP) or MRI on presentation within 24 h of estimated stroke onset. Infarct growth rate (IGR) was determined by ischemic core volume on CTP or MRI divided by time from stroke onset to imaging. IGR was used to stratify fast progressor (IGR ≥10 mL/h) and slow progressor (IGR < 10 mL/h) status. Renal dysfunction was assessed based on serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on presenting laboratories. Logistic regression models, adjusted for significant covariates, identified independent associations between renal dysfunction biomarkers, progressor status, and clinical outcomes based on modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Results: Among 230 patients with ACLVO, 29% were fast progressors, with median serum creatinine levels higher than slow progressors (1.1 vs. 0.9 mg/dL, p < 0.05) and lower median eGFR (66.2 vs. 69.0 mL/min/1.73m2, p < 0.05). Elevated creatinine (≥1.2 mg/dL) was independently associated with fast progressor status (adjusted OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.18–4.77), worse 90-day mRS (adjusted OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.01–3.51) and mortality (adjusted OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.14–5.79). Reduced eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73m2) was independently associated with fast progressor status (adjusted OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.14–4.94), but not with 90-day mRS or mortality. Conclusion: Serum creatinine-based biomarkers of renal dysfunction were associated with fast progressor phenotype of ACLVO stroke, and worse clinical outcomes, which may help identify such patients earlier during emergency evaluation for expedited access to EVT. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm and test implementation of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is concerned with a thermoelastic response in a non-local micro-stretch completely covered in the endless non-viscous fluid under temperature dependent, the medium is investigated employing the theory of Green-Naghdi (G-N III) and the model of three-phase-lag (3PHL).Basic equations are derived based on these models. The normal mode technique is employed to achieve an analysis solution to the problem. The study used a magnesium crystal element to compare non-local measurements of thermo-micro-stretch elasticity in water using the (G-N III) theory and the (3PHL) model. The non-local effect has been discovered to have a considerable impact on all physical quantities. Furthermore, comparisons are made between three different frequency values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing the methodological quality of case reports and case series is challenging due to human judgment variability and time constraints. We evaluated the agreement in judgments between human reviewers and GPT-4 when applying a standard methodological quality assessment tool designed for case reports and series. Methods: We searched Scopus for systematic reviews published in 2023–2024 that cited the appraisal tool by Murad et al. A GPT-4 based agent was developed to assess the methodological quality using the 8 signaling questions of the tool. Observed agreement and agreement coefficient were estimated comparing published judgments of human reviewers to GPT-4 assessment. Results: We included 797 case reports and series. The observed agreement ranged between 41.91% and 80.93% across the eight questions (agreement coefficient ranged from 25.39 to 79.72%). The lowest agreement was noted in the first signaling question about selection of cases. The agreement was similar in articles published in journals with impact factor < 5 vs. ≥ 5, and when excluding systematic reviews that did not use 3 causality questions. Repeating the analysis using the same prompts demonstrated high agreement between the two GPT-4 attempts except for the first question about selection of cases. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a moderate agreement between GPT-4 and human reviewers in assessing the methodological quality of case series and reports using the Murad tool. The current performance of GPT-4 seems promising but unlikely to be sufficient for the rigor of a systematic review and pairing the model with a human reviewer is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are a diverse class of materials designed for selective molecular recognition. These polymers are synthesized with particular binding sites that are suited to a target molecule or a collection of structurally similar molecules through the use of a process called molecular imprinting. MIPs were synthesized in this work to specifically remove direct violet 51 from occupational leachates and aqueous solutions. Methacrylic acid functioned as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator, and alcohol as a porogenic solvent. To improve the dye removal effectiveness, a number of factors were optimized, including time, pH, analyte concentrations, and MIP/NIP dosages. The findings showed that MIPs had a much greater capacity for direct violet 51 adsorption than nonimprinted polymers (NIPs), with MIP adsorption capacity reaching 42.553 mg g−1 and NIP adsorption capacity reaching 7 mg g−1. The pseudo 2nd-order model described the adsorption kinetics, and the rate constant (K2) for MIPs was found to be 0.00251 mg g−1 min. Furthermore, a high rebinding efficiency of 94 % was observed when the selectivity of MIPs for direct violet 51 was assessed against structurally similar templates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food safety has recently become a widespread concern among consumers. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a rapidly developing novel spectroscopic analysis technique with high sensitivity, an ability to provide molecular fingerprint spectra, and resistance to photobleaching, offering broad application prospects in rapid trace detection. With the interdisciplinary development of nanomaterials and biotechnology, the detection performance of SERS biosensors has improved significantly. This review describes the advantages of nanomaterial-based SERS detection technology and SERS's latest applications in the detection of biological and chemical contaminants, the identification of foodborne pathogens, the authentication and quality control of food, and the safety assessment of food packaging materials. Finally, the challenges and prospects of constructing and applying nanomaterial-based SERS sensing platforms in the field of food safety detection are discussed with the aim of early detection and ultimate control of foodborne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of the low resistivity-low contrast (LRLC) reservoirs is among the main challenges in the oil industry. In this concern, the LRLC pay zones of the Upper Messinian Abu Madi clastic reservoirs in the onshore Nile Delta Gas fields became a main challenge for significant exploration. This type of reservoirs, including low resistivity-low contrast zones and thin-bedded intervals, are often overlooked using the conventional petrophysical evaluation techniques, especially in the wildcat exploratory wells or highly agitated shoreline depositional environments like the Nile Delta of Egypt. These hidden low contrast reservoirs are generally challenging due to the presence of many shale intercalations/laminations and/or due to increasing the shale volume represented in the form of dispersed distribution, and the dominance of conductive clay minerals. Therefore, in this study, the expected high resistivity values of the gas-bearing reservoir intervals of the Abu Madi Formation in the onshore Begonia gas Field, as a typical case study of the LRLC reservoirs, are masked due to the relatively high shale conductivity, particularly when the thickness of these intervals is less than the vertical resolution of the utilized conventional resistivity log. To verify the LRLC phenomena of the Begonia gas Field, the obtained data was compared to the South Abu El Naga gas Field as a normal case study with a relatively high resistivity gas-bearing pay zone. To overcome the impact of the conductive clay mineral content and identify these hidden low resistivity reservoir intervals, it is necessary to integrate the conventional logging data (gamma-ray, shallow and deep resistivity, density, and neutron) with the acoustic log data including shear and compressional sonic data. In this way, a useful relationship can be established enabling the detection of these hidden LRLC reservoir intervals. This integration is based on the principle that shear waves are not influenced by the fluids types, whereas the compressional sonic waves are influenced by the reservoir fluids. However, to effectively investigate these concealed LRLC reservoir intervals, which can boost production and increase the potential reserves, it is essential to have a low water cut value. The present study represents introduces an efficient workflow, which can be extended to other similar LRLC pay zones in the Nile Delta and northeast Africa. It is also extendible to the LRLC reservoirs in similar deltaic systems having conductive minerals-bearing reservoirs or thin beds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of agricultural waste in animal production has gained global interest. An eight-week trial was conducted to investigate the impacts of adding ethanolic guava leaf extract (GLE) as a feed supplement on the growth, feed utilization, immune response, nutrient digestibility, redox regulation, and blood health of growing rabbits. Ninety weaned growing rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups. The first group was fed a basal diet (GLE0), while the other two groups were fed the control diet fortified with 15 mg (GLE15) or 20 mg (GLE20) of GLE per kg of diet for 8 weeks. The HPLC analysis of GLE exhibited the presence of gallic acid, ferulic acid, catechin, and caffeic acid in significant amounts. The results indicated that final body weight, daily body weight, daily feed intake and nutrient digestibility were significantly higher in the GLE-treated groups compared to the un-treated group (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of GLE significantly reduced lipid contents including triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and VLDL (P < 0.05), with the most significant results observed when adding 20 mg/kg to the diet. AST and ALT levels as well as cortisol hormone in rabbits fed GLE were lower than those in the GLE0 group (P < 0.05). Immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA), antioxidant biomarkers (SOD and TAC) and T3 hormone were significantly improved by GLE supplementation (P < 0.001). Rabbits fed with GLE had lower levels of ROS and MDA compared to those in the GLE0 group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the hepatic and intestinal architectures were maintained in all rabbits fed diets with GLE. The results suggest that GLE supplementation (20 mg/kg diet) in fattening rabbit diets could efficiently improve growth, health status, blood physiology, antioxidant capacity and tissue histology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquafeed additive quality and quantity remain pivotal factors that constrain the sustainability and progress of aquaculture feed development. This study investigates the impact of incorporating the benthic diatom Amphora coffeaeformis into the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock, on the blood biochemistry, steroid hormone (SH) levels and seed production efficiency. Broodstock females displaying mature ovary indications were initially combined with males at a ratio of three females to one male. A total of 384 adult Nile tilapia (288 females and 96 males) were used, with 32 fish (24 females and eight males) assigned to each of 12 concrete tanks (8 m³; 2 m × 4 m × 1 m), with three replicate tanks for each dietary treatment, throughout a 14‐day spawning cycle until egg harvest. Fish were fed one of four different dietary treatments: AM0% (control diet), and AM2%, AM4% and AM6% enriched with the diatom A. coffeaeformis at levels of 20, 40 and 60 g/kg of diet respectively. At the trial's conclusion, total protein, albumin, triglyceride and creatinine), SHs (follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, free testosterone, total testosterone, progesterone and prolactin) and seeds production efficiency of Nile tilapia improved significantly (p < 0.05) in alignment with the increment of A. coffeaeformis supplementation. The findings propose that including A. coffeaeformis at levels ranging from 4% to 6% could be effectively employed as a feed additive during the Nile tilapia broodstock's spawning season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research aims to explore the possibility of incorporating atorvastatin calcium (ATC) in ultraflexible nanovesicles (UFNVs) to avoid the hepatic first metabolism and enhance its effectiveness as a potential alternative to oral treatment. ATC nanovesicles were developed utilizing the rotary evaporation‐sonication method and assessed in vitro concerning their vesicle diameter, zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (EE), as well as in vitro release studies. The chosen formulation of ATC‐UFNVs was integrated into a different gel base that was evaluated for content uniformity, pH, spreading ability, viscosity, and rheological behavior. The skin permeation of the prepared nanovesicles was assessed using an ex vivo permeation and confocal laser microscopy images (CLSM). In vitro evaluation of the ATC‐loaded UFNVs showed that the mean diameter of the nanovesicles ranging between 60.84 ± 0.53 nm and 91.68 ± 2.11 nm, the Zeta potential values ranged from of –15.8 ± 0.31 to –25.1 ± 0.81 mV, the EE% were between 84.33 ± 1.94 and 86.53 ± 2.02%, and the ATC release from the formulations was 75.25–90.89%. All release patterns were analyzed kinetically following Higuchi's diffusion approach. Carbapol 934 gel bases containing ATC‐UF exhibited non‐Newtonian pseudo‐plastic flow with thixotropy equal to 2.013 cm2. Ex vivo data showed that ATC‐UFNVs had better penetration compared to free AC. CLSM revealed that the UF‐nanovesicle exhibited stronger and deeper fluorescence signals up to 90 µm depth of permeation in skin versus the rhodamine B‐free solution (50 µm). The transdermal ability of the ATC‐UFNVs gel formulation has been conclusively demonstrated by our research. Practical Applications: The successful development of atorvastatin calcium‐loaded ultraflexible nanovesicles (ATC‐UFNVs) in this study offers promising applications for researchers and healthcare professionals. The ability of these nanovesicles to bypass hepatic first‐pass metabolism and enhance drug delivery to the skin presents a potential alternative to oral administration, which can be associated with gastrointestinal side effects and variable absorption. The findings of this research can be applied in the development of novel transdermal drug delivery systems for the treatment of various cardiovascular conditions. ATC‐UFNVs may be incorporated into topical formulations for the management of hypercholesterolemia, reducing the need for systemic medication. Additionally, the insights gained from this study could be utilized to explore the feasibility of using nanovesicles for the delivery of other lipophilic drugs, expanding their potential therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory markers were found to be elevated in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin, and D-dimer levels may predict morbidity and mortality in (COVID-19) patients. Radiology plays a key role in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of this disease. This study aimed to describe the radiological features of (COVID-19) infection, measure C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and ferritin levels and to correlate them with patient's outcome and to consider them as predictors of morbidity and mortality in (COVID-19) patients. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional analytic study had been done on 159 patients aged ≥ 18 years old, admitted at Assiut University Hospital RICU from November 2021 to November 2022, diagnosed as COVID-19 by positive RT-PCR. All patients were categorized on bases of HRCT chest disease reporting and data system (CO-RADS) scoring system into non-severe (CO-RADS 1,2,3) and severe (CO-RADS 4,5) groups. Inflammatory markers such as CRP, ferritin, and D-dimer were measured. Age, sex, comorbidities, need to mechanical ventilation MV, and mortality rate were reported. Correlation between HRCT(CO-RADS) score, inflammatory markers, and patient's outcome was assessed. Results: Higher CRP and serum ferritin levels, lower lymphocytic count, and higher frequency of need for mechanical ventilation were significantly greater in the severe group (P < 0.0001). Predictors of morbidity and mortality were CRP ≥ 133 mg/dl, DM, presence of chronic chest disease (P < 0.0001). A higher mortality rate was in patients of the severe group (65%) versus (9%) in the non-severe group (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: HRCT scan and measurement of CRP and ferritin plasma levels can be considered significant predictors for future prognosis and can early identify patients at risk of death and need for MV. Male gender, presence of DM, and chronic chest diseases are risk factors for severe illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dots (CDs) derived from mandarin peel biochar (MBC) at different pyrolysis temperatures (200, 400, 600, and 800 °C) have been synthesized and characterized. This high-value transformation of waste materials into fluorescent nanoprobes for environmental monitoring represents a step forward towards a circular economy. In this itinerary, CDs produced via one-pot hydrothermal synthesis were utilized for the detection of copper (II) ions. The study looked at the spectroscopic features of biochar-derived CDs. The selectivity of CDs obtained from biochar following carbonization at 400 °C (MBC400-CDs towards various heavy metal ions resulted in considerable fluorescence quenching with copper (II) ions, showcasing their potential as selective detectors. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis validated the MBC-CDs' consistent spherical shape, with a particle size of <3 nm. The Plackett–Burman Design (PBD) was used to study three elements that influence the F0/F ratio, with the best ratio obtained with a pH of 10, for 10 min, and an aqueous reaction medium. Cu (II) was detected over a dynamic range of 4.9–197.5 μM and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01 μM. Validation testing proved the accuracy and precision for evaluating tap and mountain waters with great selectivity and no interference from coexisting metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The genetic polymorphisms in the ovocalyxin-32 gene were studied in the present work with regard to egg quality traits in indigenous chicken populations. In the same investigation, based on exons 1 and 6, the frequencies of G/T and A/G SNPs regarding the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and their role in egg quality were determined. The T allele of the G/T SNP in exon 1 was associated with thinner shells and lower shell strength, while the A/G SNP in exon 1 resulted in eternal eggs with thicker shells in AG and AA genotypes. Regarding this, the A/G SNP in exon 6 was able to enhance shell and yolk quality in AG genotypes. These SNPs could be considered candidate genetic markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) focusing on egg quality improvement, which has additive and dominance genetic effects on phenotypic variation. This study sought to evaluate the genetic variations of the ovocalyxin-32 gene and its association with egg quality traits in indigenous chicken populations, focusing on exons 1 and 6. Genotype frequencies of SNPs (G/T and A/G) within these exons were assessed for their conformity to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) across several strains. While most strains exhibited close adherence to HWE expectations, some like light-brown and gray strains indicated substantial discrepancies, particularly for the TT genotype, which points towards the possible effects of genetic drift as well as selection pressures. This study also analyzed the influence of such SNPs on egg quality parameters. A thinner eggshell, reduced shell weight, and decreased breaking strength were associated with the G/T SNP in exon 1, suggesting a likely negative effect on egg quality in T allele carriers. Conversely, the AG genotype displayed better performance in shell thickness, weight and egg weight in the A/G SNP in exon 1, whilst yolk height was best improved by the AA genotype compared to breaking strength. For instance, in exon 6, the A/G SNP enhanced the shell and yolk quality among AG genotypes, while the CC genotype resulted in better eggshell characteristics with enlarged yolks because the C/T SNP was linked. Nonetheless, there were no significant deviations from the HWE despite these associations, which suggested that most breeds had a stable genetic background. Further, considering SNPs' additive and dominant effects in this research, it was indicated that additive effects account for phenotypic expressions given by the G/T SNP located at exon 1. In contrast, significant additive and dominant effects were observed under the A/G SNP situated at the exon. Generally, it therefore could be concluded from this study that specific SNPs within the ovocalyxin-32 gene may act as good markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) that can improve desired characteristics—such as those of egg quality—in indigenous chicken breeds. This study demonstrated that both additive and dominance effects must be taken into account when performing genetic analyses, thereby emphasizing the complexity of phenotypic variation caused by genetic mechanisms in native chicken races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of a productive oil/gas well blowout through seismological methods is relatively uncommon. In this paper, we conduct an in-depth seismic evaluation of one of the world’s most significant onshore oil well blowout incidents, which occurred in 2020 at the Baghjan oil field in Assam, northeast India. We show that the blowout and related on-site activities generated distinct signals that can be distinguished by their spectral characteristics, temporal variation in geometric spreading, and sharp attenuation of daytime noise in comparison to the nighttime. A micro-earthquake potentially triggered by the blowout was also detected. Furthermore, we show how seismic data can be used to reasonably estimate blowout gas exit velocity and flame height. Our results demonstrate that a detailed characterization and spatiotemporal variation of blowout activity can be successfully captured through seismic monitoring, opening new opportunities for hazard mitigation and cost-effective disaster management for such catastrophic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of a productive oil/gas well blowout through seismological methods is relatively uncommon. In this paper, we conduct an in-depth seismic evaluation of one of the world’s most significant onshore oil well blowout incidents, which occurred in 2020 at the Baghjan oil field in Assam, northeast India. We show that the blowout and related on-site activities generated distinct signals that can be distinguished by their spectral characteristics, temporal variation in geometric spreading, and sharp attenuation of daytime noise in comparison to the nighttime. A micro-earthquake potentially triggered by the blowout was also detected. Furthermore, we show how seismic data can be used to reasonably estimate blowout gas exit velocity and flame height. Our results demonstrate that a detailed characterization and spatiotemporal variation of blowout activity can be successfully captured through seismic monitoring, opening new opportunities for hazard mitigation and cost-effective disaster management for such catastrophic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, poses a growing threat to global wheat production, necessitating alternative strategies for effective disease management. This study investigated the potential of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to enhance resistance to leaf rust in two wheat cultivars: the susceptible Morocco and moderately resistant Sakha 94 cultivar. Our findings revealed that GABA significantly improved resistance in both cultivars to P. triticina, particularly in Morocco, by mitigating disease severity and reducing pustule density and size while extending both incubation and latent periods. This study assessed the effectiveness of two GABA application methods: plants received 1 mM GABA treatment, as a foliar spray, twenty-four hours prior to infection (pre-GABA), and plants received 1 mM GABA treatment both 24 h before and after infection (pre-/post-GABA), with the latter yielding significantly better results in reducing infection severity and improving plant resilience. Additionally, GABA application influenced stomatal behavior, promoting closure that may enhance resilience against leaf rust. GABA application on plants also modulated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This led to a stronger oxidative burst in both susceptible and moderately resistant cultivars. GABA increased O2●− levels in guard cells and surrounding stomata, enhancing stomatal closure and the hypersensitive response. GABA enhanced the accumulation of soluble phenols and increased the activity of key antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX), which are vital for managing oxidative stress. To the best of our knowledge, this investigation represents the first report into the impact of GABA on wheat leaf rust disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A photovoltaic (PV) inverter is a vital component of a photovoltaic (PV) solar system. Photovoltaic (PV) inverter failure can mean a solar system that is no longer functioning. When electronic devices such as photovoltaic (PV) inverter devices are subjected to vapor condensation, a risk could occur. Given the amount of moisture in the air, saturation occurs when the temperature drops to the dew point, and condensation may form on surfaces. Numerical simulation with "COMSOL Software" is important for obtaining knowledge relevant to preventing condensation by using two steps. At first, the assumption was that the device's water vapor concentration was homogeneous to evaluate the amount of liquid water accumulated on the internal walls of the photovoltaic (PV) inverter box. Second, by considering the effect of external wind velocity on moisture transport at the air interface to evaluate water vapor transport outdoors and reduce condensation. General factorial designs are utilized for analyzing the nature of the relationship between the vapor condensation response and the variables. Reducing vapor condensation inside the solar inverter by the effect of external wind speed on diffusion as a process of transporting moister air outside the inverter box is the main solution for this problem. During the movement and assessment of the flow of water vapor, the impact of vapor condensation is reduced. The saturation period was determined by using a Boolean saturation indicator. The saturation indicator was set to 1 when saturation was detected (relative humidity greater than or equal to 1) and 0 otherwise. Calculating the flow and dispersion of moist air as a function of wind speed helped solve the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial in the journal "Toxins" focuses on a special issue on mycotoxins in food and feed, covering various research articles and reviews. The accepted contributions explore topics such as the toxicity of mycotoxins in combination with synthetic contaminants, biocontrol agents for preharvest fungal control, natural products for mitigating toxicity in animals, and the detection of emerging mycotoxins in animal feed. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing mycotoxin exposure in food and feed for human and animal health. [Extracted from the article]

Significance: As an inflammatory and autoimmune skin condition, psoriasis affects 2–3% of people worldwide. Psoriasis requires prolonged treatments with immunosuppressive medications which have severe adverse effects. Esculetin (Esc) is a natural medication that has been utilised to treat psoriasis. Objective: The goal of this work is to improve Esc's solubility by developing novel Esc nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for treating psoriasis and increasing the residence time on the skin which infers better skin absorption Methods: The particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency (EE) of Esc NLCs were assessed. Incorporating NLCs into gum Arabic gel preparation enhances their industrial applicability, absorption and residence time on the skin. Esc NLC gels were evaluated by in vitro release and in vivo effectiveness on a rat model of UV-induced psoriasis. Results: Esc NLCs showed high EE reaching more than 95% and reasonable particle size ranging between (53.86 ± 0.38 to 236.3 ± 0.11 nm) and were spherical. The release study of Esc NLCs gel demonstrated a fast release of Esc denoting enhanced bioavailability. Compared to free Esc, Esc NLCs gel (F2) could considerably lower the level of CD34 and TNF-α in the skin. The results were validated through histopathological analysis. Conclusion: As Esc NLCs gel (F2) has strong anti-inflammatory properties, our results showed that it presented a significant potential for healing psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Lack of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) awareness both directly and indirectly causes a medical and financial burden worldwide. The objective of this study is to provide new insights, focusing on type 2 diabetics and their knowledge levels about OSA in King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to recognize obesity as a common risk factor contributing to OSA in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) participants. Methods: An analytical cross‐sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to December 2022 with a convenience sampling method of 386 participants (18 years old and above). The study was done face‐to‐face using an electronic questionnaire. The inclusion criterion was all T2DM patients at the waiting area of KKUH Diabetes Center in Riyadh, excluding participants with other metabolic disorders. Results: Overall knowledge levels were poor, with 70.2% of participants not knowledgeable about the disease and 81.3% of participants having no knowledge concerning the bidirectional relationship between T2DM and OSA. Statistical significance was found between the risk of developing OSA symptoms and body mass index ≥30 (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The majority have very little to no knowledge regarding OSA and its bidirectional relationship with T2DM, indicating the need to put more effort into improving participant's awareness in this regard. Moreover, obesity should be considered as a common risk factor, recommending patients to practice healthier habits to minimize the risks and decrease mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind energy systems are based on synchronous machines, which can support high-speed rotation cases due to possible high-speed values of incoming winds. The machines used are affiliated with permanent magnet machines, whereas speed detection can become difficult. This complication appears when high incoming wind speed values increase the motor temperature, which in turn can influence motor parameters, and especially the stator resistance. This can impact the proposed speed software estimator robustness. The proposed high-speed estimator algorithm is based on the Model Reference Adaptive System (MRAS) estimation method, which can be used for motor speed estimation. This concept includes the reactive power model, which ensures the robustness of the estimator when facing any possible stator resistance variation, even at very high speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) represents a major public health problem worldwide. Any tissue may be infected. Involvement of the musculoskeletal (MSK) system account for 1–3% of all tuberculous infections. MSK TB may manifest as tuberculous spondylitis, arthritis, osteomyelitis, and soft tissue infections. Although TB spondylitis may present with distinctive imaging features compared to pyogenic infections of the spine, the imaging semiology of extra-spinal TB infections is mostly nonspecific and may mimic other lesions. TB infections should therefore always be considered in the differential diagnosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this article is to review the imaging features of spinal and extra-spinal MSK TB. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered the modality of choice to make the diagnosis and to evaluate the extent of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium in food matrices is crucial for ensuring food safety. This study presents the development of an ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor using surface-modified bacterial cellulose (BC) integrated with polypyrrole (Ppy) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO), further functionalized with immobilized S. typhimurium-specific phage particles. The BC substrate, with its ultra-fibrous and porous structure, was modified through in situ oxidative polymerization of Ppy and RGO, resulting in a highly conductive and flexible biointerface. The immobilization of phages onto this composite was facilitated by electrostatic interactions between the polycationic Ppy and the negatively charged phage capsid heads, optimizing phage orientation and enhancing bacterial capture efficiency. Morphological and chemical characterization confirmed the successful fabrication and phage immobilization. The biosensor demonstrated a detection limit of 1 CFU/mL for S. typhimurium in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), with a linear detection range spanning 100 to 107 CFU/mL. In real samples, the sensor achieved detection limits of 5 CFU/mL in milk and 3 CFU/mL in chicken, with a linear detection range spanning 100 to 106 CFU/mL, maintaining high accuracy and reproducibility. The biosensor also effectively discriminated between live and dead bacterial cells, demonstrating its potential in real-world food safety applications. The biosensor performed excellently over a wide pH range (4–10) and remained stable for up to six weeks. Overall, the developed BC/Ppy/RGO–phage biosensor offers a promising tool for the rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of S. typhimurium, with robust performance across different food matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitioning from petrol or gas vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) poses significant challenges in reducing emissions, lowering operational costs, and improving energy storage. Wireless charging EVs offer promising solutions to wired charging limitations such as restricted travel range and lengthy charging times. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to address the challenges of wireless power transfer (WPT) for EVs by optimizing coupling frequency and coil design to enhance efficiency while minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and heat generation. A novel coil design and adaptive hardware are proposed to improve power transfer efficiency (PTE) by defining the optimal magnetic resonant coupling WPT and mitigating coil misalignment, which is considered a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of WPT for EVs. A new methodology for designing and arranging roadside lanes and facilities for dynamic wireless charging (DWC) of EVs is introduced. This includes the optimization of transmitter coils (TCs), receiving coils (RCs), compensation circuits, and high-frequency inverters/converters using the partial differential equation toolbox (pdetool). The integration of wireless charging systems with smart grid technology is explored to enhance energy distribution and reduce peak load issues. The paper proposes a DWC system with multiple segmented transmitters integrated with adaptive renewable photovoltaic (PV) units and a battery system using the utility main grid as a backup. The design process includes the determination of the required PV array capacity, station battery sizing, and inverters/converters to ensure maximum power point tracking (MPPT). To validate the proposed system, it was tested in two scenarios: charging a single EV at different speeds and simultaneously charging two EVs over a 1 km stretch with a 50 kW system, achieving a total range of 500 km. Experimental validation was performed through real-time simulation and hardware tests using an OPAL-RT platform, demonstrating a power transfer efficiency of 90.7%, thus confirming the scalability and feasibility of the system for future EV infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is an opportunistic encapsulated fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunosuppressed individuals. Since IL-6 is important for blood-brain barrier support and its deficiency has been shown to facilitate Cn brain invasion, we investigated the impact of IL-6 on systemic Cn infection in vivo, focusing on central nervous system (CNS) colonization and glial responses, specifically microglia and astrocytes. IL-6 knock-out (IL-6−/−) mice showed faster mortality than C57BL/6 (Wild-type) and IL-6−/− supplemented with recombinant IL-6 (rIL-6; 40 pg/g/day) mice. Despite showing early lung inflammation but no major histological differences in pulmonary cryptococcosis progression among the experimental groups, IL-6−/− mice had significantly higher blood and brain tissue fungal burden at 7-days post infection. Exposure of cryptococci to rIL-6 in vitro increased capsule growth. In addition, IL-6−/− brains were characterized by an increased dystrophic microglia number during Cn infection, which are associated with neurodegeneration and senescence. In contrast, the brains of IL-6-producing or -supplemented mice displayed high numbers of activated and phagocytic microglia, which are related to a stronger anti-cryptococcal response or tissue repair. Likewise, culture of rIL-6 with microglia-like cells promoted high fungal phagocytosis and killing, whereas IL-6 silencing in microglia decreased fungal phagocytosis. Lastly, astrogliosis was high and moderate in infected brains removed from Wild-type and IL-6−/− supplemented with rIL-6 animals, respectively, while minimal astrogliosis was observed in IL-6−/− tissue, highlighting the potential of astrocytes in containing and combating cryptococcal infection. Our findings suggest a critical role for IL-6 in Cn CNS dissemination, neurocryptococcosis development, and host defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compressive sensing (CS) has been widely used to sense the wideband spectrum with fewer measurements by taking advantage of radio spectrum underutilization. As new smart devices, such as IoT devices, smart home devices, and wearables, use batteries and have limited memory, more research is needed to reduce the overuse of cognitive radio (CR) resources through spectrum sensing. To reduce the number of compressive measurements required for spectrum recovery, researchers proposed approaches like weighted and sequential compressive sensing. In this paper, we estimate the primary user's (PU) behavior statistics and use the estimated information in a novel weighted sequential compressive spectrum sensing approach. Our proposed approach can reduce and adapt the number of measurements and the sensing time to the changing number of active channels in a dynamically changing wideband spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the serious environmental problems that attracted much attention from the broader public is the high toxicity of dioxins. Considerable efforts have been made to develop techniques and materials that could help in their efficient removal from the environment. Due to its high specific surface area, numerous active sites, and outstanding structural and electronic properties, antimonene is considered for a variety of potential applications in different fields such as energy storage, electrocatalysis, and biomedicine. The present study adds to this portfolio by suggesting antimonene as a promising candidate for dioxin capture. Using density functional theory calculations, we studied the adsorption of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on pristine as well as Ca-, Ti-, and Ni-doped antimonene. Three spatial configurations of the adsorption of TCDD on antimonene were analyzed. The results obtained from the calculation of adsorption energies, charge transfer, and densities of states provide evidence that antimonene outperforms other nanomaterials that have been previously suggested for dioxin capture applications. Therefore, we propose these substrates (i.e., pristine and doped antimonene) as potential capture agents for removing such toxic organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian insufficiency is one of the common reproductive disorders affecting women with limited therapeutic aids. Mesenchymal stem cells have been investigated in such disorders before yet, the exact mechanism of MSCs in ovarian regeneration regarding their epigenetic regulation remains elusive. The current study is to investigate the role of the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) lncRNA (Neat-1 and Hotair1) and miRNA (mir-21-5p, mir-144-5p, and mir-664-5p) in mitigating ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis as well as searching BM-MSCs in altering the expression of ovarian and hypothalamic IGF-1 – kisspeptin system in connection to HPG axis in a cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian failure rat model. Sixty mature female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 equal groups; control group, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) group, and POI + BM-MSCs. POI female rat model was established with cyclophosphamide. The result revealed that BM-MSCs and their conditioned media displayed a significant expression level of Neat-1, Hotair-1, mir-21-5p, mir-144-5p, and mir-664-5p. Moreover, BM-MSCs transplantation in POI rats improves; the ovarian and hypothalamic IGF-1 – kisspeptin, HPG axis, ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis, steroidogenesis, angiogenesis, energy balance, and oxidative stress. BM-MSCs expressed higher levels of antiapoptotic lncRNAs and microRNAs that mitigate ovarian insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Scene Graph is a modern structured representation of an image scene that explicitly describes the scene as a set of objects, attributes, and links between the objects (relationships). With the great advancements in the computer vision field, researchers dedicated their efforts towards more complex reasoning and a high level of understanding of visual scenes. Tasks like Visual Question Answering, image generation, and cross-modal retrieval are examples of Complex vision tasks that require a high level of visual scene understanding. Scene Graph is an effective data structure that highlights complex visual relationships presented in a scene. In this work, we provide a comparative analysis of Scene Graph Generation (SGG) backbone models. The contributed work aims to compare the Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) backbones and the vision transformer-based backbones using the RelTR model. The conducted analysis proved that both SwiftFormer L3 and MiT-B2 transformer backbones increased the model performance over the ResNet50 CNN backbone by 2.1 % and 2.5% Recall@50 respectively when experimented on the same Visual Genome 50 test split. The Visual Genome 50 is a tailored version of The Visual Genome dataset. It contains only the 50 most common relationships and the most frequent 150 object classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study aimed to investigate whether fermented rice bran can substitute soybean meal in the diet of the grey mullet. Four different substitution levels (0, 5, 10, and 15%) in the diet were investigated for soybean meal replacement with fermented rice bran (FRB). In the 0-10% replacement groups, weight, specific growth rate, feed efficiency ratio, body protein level, and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to the 15% replacement group. Additionally, there was no difference (P>0.05) in the grey mullet's growth rate in the 0 and 10% replacement treatments. Furthermore, replacing up to 15% of soybean meal with fermented rice bran (FRB) did not significantly affect the overall immunity of the grey mullet. Additionally, incorporating fermented rice bran (FRB) significantly increased the gut microbiota counts (P< 0.05). The greatest increase in the gut microbiota was observed when up to 5% of soybean meal was replaced with FRB. From an economic perspective, substituting up to 5% of soybean meal with FRB reduced the cost of formulating the diet by 0.64% and decreased the cost per kilogram of weight gain by 5 to 10%, or approximately 9.9 and 1.5%, respectively. Overall, the study suggests that replacing up to 10% of rice bran with FRB can enhance growth performance, feed consumption, body composition, intestinal microbiota counts, and financial viability in the grey mullet (Mugil cephalus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor environments pose a significant health risk due to exposure to particulate matter (PM), leading to various diseases and premature deaths, and raising public concerns about indoor air quality. Household kitchens are a major contributor to indoor air pollution, emitting particulate matter of varying sizes during cooking, which disperses throughout the house. Understanding the extent of PM exposure and identifying its sources is crucial. This study assesses PM presence in Kuwaiti household kitchens, measuring concentrations of different‐sized particles (PM 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10 μm) under various conditions. Measurements were taken for 24 h using a particle/mass monitor device, considering different ventilation scenarios, cooking oils, and methods. Spearman's rank correlation and indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios investigate the correlation between indoor and outdoor PM exposure. Principal component analysis (PCA) models identify specific sources contributing to PM exposure. A questionnaire survey in Kuwaiti households determines primary kitchen sources during cooking. Results show that kitchens with ventilation systems consistently reduce PM concentrations. PM emissions during cooking vary based on factors like cooking method, energy type, cooking oil, food, additives, temperature, and ventilation. The cooking stove is the primary emission source, but other household activities contribute. This study enhances our understanding of influential factors affecting cooking emissions and their concentrations, contributing valuable insights into mitigating indoor air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the occupational skin diseases, bird mite dermatitis (gamasoidosis) is an infrequent and under-reported condition. A report is presented of a group of workers employed in a habitat restoration centre who developed episodes of pruritus and skin rashes associated with bird mites. The mite bites resolved approximately two weeks after each episode, without specific medical intervention and despite ongoing work activities. A workplace health-risk assessment and microscopic analysis of 'swabs' of the work environment aided the identification of bird mite as the causative agent. The source of the bird mites was infested red-winged starlings nesting in the roof of the workplace facility. Incidents of gamasoidosis as described are considered occupational dermatoses since they were acquired in the workplace and the diagnosis was based on clinical--parasitological analysis. When diagnosing gamasoidosis, the clinical history and physical examination provide useful clues, but the clinical features of skin lesions of arthropod or other insect bites are very similar. Microscopic detection of the mite is confirmatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics are among the most widely used pharmaceutically active compounds. Possessing the capability to adversely impact the ecological system, existence of antibiotics in the environment is an escalating concern. With the purpose of removing two widely used antibiotics efficiently from aqueous solutions, the competency of two biochar (BC)-based sorbents derived from spent coffee (SC) grounds was investigated. Both pristine (SCBC) and nickel (II) oxide-impregnated (Ni-SCBC) biochars were utilized as sustainable and cost-effective sorbents to remove daunorubicin (DAYN) and tigecycline (TIGY) from single synthetic aqueous solutions and binary combinations. Batch adsorption experiments were controlled implementing Box–Behnken design. The removal efficiency of Ni-SCBC was superior compared to SCBC (TIGY: 67.06%, DAYN: 94.30%). Results of characterizations showed that impregnation with NiO changed the degree of crystallization with a remarkable increase in the surface area from 49.23 m2/g in SCBC to 86.06 m2/g in Ni-SCBC. Adsorption of DAYN and TIGY (single solutions) conformed well to Freundlich, and Langmuir isotherms, respectively. A maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 136.62 mg/g (DAYN) and 73.15 mg/g (TIGY) was reported in single solutions, compared to 23.50 mg/g (DAYN) and 58.42 mg/g (TIGY) in binary mixture. Adsorption kinetics onto Ni-SCBC fitted well with the pseudo-second-order (PSO) and Elovich models. Acquired results demonstrated that SCBC and Ni-SCBC are promising adsorbents for remedying antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Nematode larvae exsheathing is a crucial procedure employed in experimental studies such as nematode viability assays, evaluating nematodes' resistance to anthelmintics, and evaluating the efficacy of anthelmintic medications. The exsheathment procedure allows for quantifying the direct impact on larvae when the protective sheath is removed. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a commonly used artificial exsheathment medium. However, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on the viability of exsheathed larvae. A previous study utilized Strongyloides papillosus larvae, a nematode species without a protective sheath, to investigate the effects of NaOCl on parasite viability. The findings revealed that there are specific concentration (C) and exposure-time (T) thresholds (0.3% > C > 0.2%; 10 min > T > 5 min) beyond which viability decreases, and excessive exposure can cause significant damage. The current study aims to determine the optimal concentration of NaOCl that can induce exsheathment in ensheathed-type larvae without compromising their viability. Methods: Third-stage strongylid larvae of donkey origin were utilized for this study, with chemical concentrations of 3%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, or 0.05%. Larval motility served as the criterion for evaluating viability. Results: NaOCl can exsheath larvae at any of the five concentration levels evaluated, depending on the duration of exposure to the compound. A concentration of 0.2% is considered optimal, inducing exsheathment as early as 2 minutes. Extended exposure for up to 10 minutes did not impact larval viability. A 3% solution causes larval damage. Conclusions: Regarding the effect of NaOCl on nematode larvae, the results validate the earlier findings with Strongyloides papillosus and those by other authors employing nematodes such as Haemonchus contortus and Cooperia curticei, and the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of thermal therapy to tumors and the response of living cells to this therapy used to treat tumor is very important due to the complexity of heat transfer in biological tissues. In the past few years, there has been a growing interest among clinicians, mathematicians, and engineers regarding the use of computational and mathematical methods to simulate biological systems. Numerous medical proceedings also employ mathematical modeling and engineering techniques as a means to guarantee their safety and evaluate the associated risks effectively. This manuscript provides an analytical solution used for the first time to study the mechanism of biological thermal response during heat therapy on spheroidal skin tumor. The proposed method used a generalized thermoelasticity model with one relaxation time. The influence of relaxation times on the responses of diseased and healthy tissues is studied and interpreted graphically. Also, the impact of different laser irradiance on the thermal profile of the malignant tumor cells over a period of 2 minutes is interpreted graphically. To investigate the transfer of heat within biological tissues during the thermal therapy, the Laplace transform and inverse Laplace transform methods were applied. A comparison of the present generalized thermoelasticity model and different models based on Pennes bioheat transfer PBT shows that our proposed model yields more realistic and accurate predictions. The current model can be used to explain various therapeutic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of simulated gastric acid on the color and translucency of different indirect restorative materials. Materials and methods: A total of 36 disc-shaped samples were cut by using an isomet saw and divided into four equal groups (n = 9) according to the material type: Group Z: translucent zirconia (Ceramill® Zolid ht.+ preshade, Amann Girrbach, Koblach, Austria); Group E: lithium disilicate (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein); Group C: resin nanoceramic (Cerasmart, GC, Tokyo, Japan); Group P: polyether ether ketone (PEEK) (Bettin Zirconia Dentale Italy) veneered with indirect high impact polymer composite (HIPC) (breCAM HIPC, Bredent GmbH & Co. KG, Germany). The samples were immersed in simulated gastric acid (HCl, pH 1.2) for 96 hours at 37 °C in an incubator. The color change (ΔE00) and translucency (RTP00) were measured every 9.6 hours (one-year clinical simulation) of immersion in simulated gastric acid. Results: For color change (∆E00) and translucency (RTP00) among the tested materials, there was a highly statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) after every year of follow-up. The color change in both Z and G groups was the lowest after 1 year of acid immersion, followed by that in group H, and the highest change in color was recorded in group P. Conclusion: High translucent zirconia is recommended in patients who are concerned about esthetic, especially with acidic oral environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RfaH is a crucial protein involved in anti-termination of transcription, which is necessary for spreading virulence in certain types of bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. RfaH works by interacting directly with RNA polymerase and ribosomes, which activates the production of certain components needed for the bacteria's survival. Targeting RfaH offers a novel approach to hindering bacterial transcription and virulence. In this study, we performed computational screening of the IMPPAT 2.0 database consisting of 17,967 natural compounds, which were filtered based on Lipinski’s RO5 filter, selecting only those that had druglike properties. We performed virtual screening on the remaining 11,708 druglike phytochemicals and selected those having strong binding affinity and specificity, leading to the identification of top hits. These hits were further evaluated based on their pharmacokinetic features like PAINS filter, pharmacokinetic properties, pan assay interference, and interaction analysis. Finally, three phytochemicals, Withanone, Withametelin B, and Ixocarpanolide were identified as potential inhibitors for RfaH, having appreciable affinity of − 9.0, − 9.0 and − 8.8 kcal/mol specificity towards the binding pocket of RfaH. An all-atom molecular dynamic simulation was carried out for 500 ns to examine the structural flexibility and dynamic stability of RfaH and RfaH-ligand complexes, which revealed that complexes maintained stability throughout the given duration. All the selected compounds have shown drug-like properties as predicted from ADMET analysis and their physicochemical parameters. These compounds selectively bind to the crucial binding sites of RfaH and interact with important residues, preventing its binding with RNAP which can further be exploited as potential lead molecules against RfaH, providing a promising therapeutic avenue for combating antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel (Ni) is a common metal with a nephrotoxic effect, damaging the kidneys. This study investigated the mechanism by which gallic acid (GA) protects mice kidneys against renal damage induced by Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs). Forty male Swiss albino mice were randomly assigned into four groups, each consisting of ten mice (n = 10/group): Group I the control group, received no treatment; Group II, the GA group, was administrated GA at a dosage of 110 mg/kg/day body weight; Group III, the NiO-NPs group, received injection of NiO-NPs at a concentration of 20 mg/kg body weight for 10 consecutive days; Group IV, the GA + NiO-NPs group, underwent treatment with both GA and NiO-NPs. The results showed a significant increase in serum biochemical markers and a reduction in antioxidant activities. Moreover, levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B (p65), and protein carbonyl (PC) were significantly elevated in group III compared with group I. Furthermore, the western blot analysis revealed significant high NF-κB p65 expression, immunohistochemistry of the NF-κB and caspase-1 expression levels were significantly increased in group III compared to group I. Additionally, the histopathological inspection of the kidney in group III exhibited a substantial increase in extensive necrosis features compared with group I. In contrast, the concomitant coadministration of GA and NiO-NPs in group IV showed significant biochemical, antioxidant activities, immunohistochemical and histopathological improvements compared with group III. Gallic acid has a protective role against kidney dysfunction and renal damage in Ni-nanoparticle toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction between 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde and 3‐hydrazino‐5,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazine produced a novel hydrazone ligand (DTHMN), which reacted with Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ion in molar ratio 1:1, giving octahedral Cu(II)‐DTHMN and tetrahedral Zn(II)‐DTHMN nanosized complexes. The structural geometries have been elucidated on the basis of elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, electronic, and electron spin resonance spectra, and magnetic and molar conductance measurements as well as x‐ray diffraction and thermal analysis. TEM analysis showed that Zn(II)‐DTHMN complex has nano‐rode morphology shape. On the other hand, Cu(II)‐DTHMN has sphere shape within nanodomain. The DTHMN ligand exhibits ONN chelating sites through N‐triazine ring, azomethine nitrogen, and deprotonated OH group, forming the mononuclear metal complexes. The synthesized compounds showed a distinct solvatochromic behavior in different polar solvents. A bathochromic alteration is observed when moving from less to high polar solvents, indicating strong solute–solvent interactions accompanied by intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The ground and excited state dipole moments of these compounds were determined experimentally by solvatochromic shift method using Bilot–Kawski, Lippert–Mataga, Bakhshiev, and Kawski–Chamma–Viallet functions and a microscopic Reichardt's solvent polarity parameter (ETN). The dipole moment is increased significantly upon excitation referring to stabilizing the excited species includes n–π* transition by polarity of solvent. The experimental results are generally consistent with those values obtained by B3LYP/GENECP method at 6‐311G(d,p) basis set for C, H, N, and O atoms and SDD (Stuttgart/Dresden) basis set for the metal atoms. The compounds were tested for antimicrobial efficiency against Gram‐positive bacteria, Gram‐negative bacteria, and fungus strain. Finally, molecular docking was used to study the interactions between donors (the current compounds) and receptors FabH–CoA complex (PDB code: 1HNJ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploitation of deep-eutectic solvents (DESs) offered a potential substitute for water-based solutions when it came to leaching REEs from phosphogypsum (PG). The REEs leachate from PG obtained by DES which comprised choline chloride (ChCl) and diglycolic acid (DGA) or lactic acid (LA). The data offered a successful method for REEs leaching by DES ChCl:LA. The optimal leaching conditions included 150 min, 70°C, ChCl:LA 1:2 molar ratio of 800 rpm, a 15:1 L/S ratio, and 15% additional water. Cyanex 923 was used to assess REEs extraction from DES leachate. The best parameters were 900 rpm, 0.8 M Cyanex/toluene at 25°C, with 15 min extraction time and 1/1 A/O ratio. The REEs were stripped from the REEs/Cyanex after equilibrating for 20 minutes using 0.7 M citric acid, 1/2 A/O ratio, and 1000 rpm at 25°C. The RE ions precipitated from the obtained stripping solution by 30% oxalic acid and pH 1. The RE oxalate was precipitated and then burned at 700°C to gain RE oxide. The RE oxide powder was subjected to analysis to determine the REEs; it was possible to determine that the REEs were 80.98% in RE oxide concentrate, resulting in a purity of 94.76%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]