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Objective: Asthma poses a significant health burden in South Asia, with increasing incidence and mortality despite a global decline in age-standardized prevalence rates. This study aims to analyze asthma trends from 1990 to 2021, focusing on prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across South Asia. The study also assesses the impact of risk factors like high body mass index (BMI), smoking, and occupational exposures on asthma outcomes., Method: We extracted asthma data from the Global Burden of Disease database for South Asia (1990-2021). Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess temporal trends in asthma burden. Total Percentage change (TPC) in age-standardized rates of incidence, mortality, and DALYs were calculated. Data were stratified by gender, and the contribution of risk factors was evaluated., Results: Asthma-related mortality in South Asia decreased by 37%, from 27.78 per 100,000 (1990) to 17.54 per 100,000 (2021). The Maldives showed the most significant reduction in mortality (78.31%), while Bangladesh recorded a 47.44% reduction in prevalence and a 62.64% decrease in DALYs. High BMI, smoking, and environmental risks contributed significantly to DALYs, with environmental factors playing a major role in countries like Afghanistan (20.73%) and Bhutan (18.58%). Females, particularly those over 20, experienced higher asthma-related DALYs than males., Conclusion: Asthma burden in South Asia has reduced over the past three decades, yet the absolute number of cases continues to rise, driven by population growth and environmental risk factors. Targeted interventions addressing risk factors and healthcare disparities are essential for further reducing asthma burden.

Background: Cannabis is the third most widely used psychoactive substance globally, and its consumption has been increasing, particularly with the growing trend of legalization for medicinal and recreational use. Recent studies have raised concerns about the potential impact of cannabis on respiratory health, specifically the risk of asthma, a significant public health concern. This systematic review aimed to consolidate research on the association between cannabis use and the risk of asthma., Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, covering studies published up to September 30, 2024. We included peer-reviewed observational studies evaluating the link between cannabis consumption and the risk of asthma diagnosis. Data synthesis employed a random-effects meta-analysis to account for heterogeneity. R statistical software (version 4.4) was used for statistical analyses., Results: The search yielded 8 relevant studies after screening 1,887 records. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between cannabis consumption and the risk of asthma diagnosis was 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19-1.44, indicating greater odds of having asthma compared to non-users. Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I² = 46%), and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings., Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis identifies a significant association between cannabis use and greater odds of having asthma. These findings emphasize the importance of raising awareness about the potential respiratory risks associated with cannabis use. Future research should prioritize identifying moderating factors, such as the frequency and mode of cannabis consumption, to enhance understanding of this association and provide a stronger evidence base for potential public health interventions., Clinical Trial Number: Not applicable., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Consent to participate: Not applicable since this is a review and not involved any human. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Human ethics and consent to participate: Not applicable., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

In examining the enduring consequences of diabetes, recent research has focused on the anticipated outcomes of the condition. Specifically, cognitive impairment has been linked to diabetes mellitus dating back to the discovery of insulin. This study delves into the neuroprotective effects of TZP, i.e. tirzepatide a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that works by mimicking these two gut hormones, against cognitive impairment associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM-like zebrafish model of varying age groups was created through a 6-week administration of a high-fat diet (HFD). Parameters such as body weight, body mass index, and blood glucose levels were monitored, and behavioural assessments (T-maze, novel tank diving test, and inhibitory avoidance test) were conducted at the conclusion of the protocol to assess learning and memory. Additionally, lipid profile biochemical parameters (MDA, AChEs, and GSH), molecular markers (IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, Bcl-2, Bax, GSK-3β, and AMPK), and histopathological examinations were performed. Treatment with the novel GLP-1 and GIP dual agonist TZP (10 nM/kg, i.p.) significantly ameliorated cognitive impairment, as evidenced by behavioural parameters, and restored antioxidant like GSH (p < 0.05) and catalase (p < 0.05) and anti-inflammatory marker levels, i.e. IL-10 (p < 0.05) compared to the HFD group. TZP also mitigated abnormal glucose (73.2 ± 5.889) and lipid profiles (TG 0.159 ± 0.0075 and TC 0.100 ± 0.0020) in hyperglycaemic zebrafish. This study suggests that the positive effects of TZP on cognition and memory may stem from its neuroprotective capabilities, potentially attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, as well as its ability to enhance AMPK levels as GLP-1 agonist has the potential to increase the level of AMPK., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

As nanocrystalline materials exhibit complex disorders, assessment of the local disorder at the nanoscale induced by implanted lattice defects plays a crucial role in understanding the structure-function relationship in these materials. In this report, a comprehensive structural analysis was performed on upconverting nanocrystals (UCNCs) of NaYF 4 /Nd/Yb/Tm, containing varying concentrations of Li + to induce deliberate lattice defects. Subsequently, a comprehensive structural analysis of the UCNCs was performed using synchrotron radiation-based high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD), high-energy total angle scattering coupled with pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, neutron diffraction (ND) and EXAFS probing. The incorporation of Li + was studied up to a theoretical maximum of 60% with predominantly single-phase β-NaYF 4 ( P 6̄) NCs synthesized. These UCNCs exhibited varying particle morphologies with the average longest dimension ranging from 13 to 94 nm. Rietveld refinement of the ND data confirmed the incorporation of Li + in the octahedral voids with some Li + ions occupying lattice positions. The HRXRD results revealed no significant variation in the lattice parameters. However, the local disorder within the NCs, as determined from the PDF analysis, exhibited a distinct trend that correlated with changes in the upconversion luminescence (UCL) intensity. Since the Laporte parity selection rule governs UCL intensity through perturbations of local symmetry, this study established a definite relationship between lattice defects and crystal symmetry modifications induced by atomic-level disorder. The existence of such disorders was further corroborated by EXAFS, HRXRD and ND studies, which provided insights into the local lattice environment and disorder. In essence, this study elucidated a predictive model for understanding how local disorder propagates within a single-phase nanocrystal, particularly in relation to implanted lattice imperfections.

Background: Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that has seen a resurgence in recent years, with outbreaks reaching beyond its traditional endemic zones in Central and West Africa to parts of Europe and North America. The relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and mpox outcomes, particularly hospitalization rates, remains underexplored despite the known immunosuppressive effects of HIV. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between HIV infection and the likelihood of hospitalization in mpox cases., Methods: A literature search was conducted through PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library up until August 10, 2024. The eligibility criteria focused on observational studies that evaluated hospitalization rates among mpox cases, distinguishing between HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for evaluating study quality. The meta-analysis used a random-effects model to accommodate expected study heterogeneity using R software (V. 4.4)., Results: The search yielded 686 records, with 14 studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria after screenings and full-text assessments. The pooled analysis revealed a 56.6% increased risk of hospitalization among HIV-positive mpox cases compared to HIV-negative individuals (95% CI: 18.0-107.7%). Notable heterogeneity (I² = 76%) was observed, likely reflecting variations in study settings and methodologies. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings, and no significant publication bias was detected (Egger's test p-value = 0.733)., Conclusion: HIV infection is associated with a statistically significant increased risk of hospitalization in mpox cases. There is a critical need for integrated care and enhanced surveillance, especially in populations with high HIV prevalence. Our findings emphasize the importance of ongoing research to better understand HIV and mpox co-infection and to refine management strategies for this vulnerable group. Future studies should focus on long-term outcomes and the effectiveness of various management strategies across different healthcare settings., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Clinical trial number: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Consent to participate: Not applicable since this is a review and not involved any human. Ethical considerations: Not applicable., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Aging is associated with a marked increase in cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction (MI). Cellular senescence is also a crucial factor in the development of age-related MI. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) interaction with cellular senescence is a critical determinant of MI development and outcomes, most notably in the aged heart. After experiencing a heart attack, senescent cells exhibit a Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP) and are involved in tissue regeneration and chronic inflammation. MMPs are necessary for extracellular matrix proteolysis and have a biphasic effect, promoting early heart healing and detrimental change if overexpressed shortly. This review analyses the complex connection between senescence and MMPs in MI and how it influences elderly cardiac performance. Critical findings suggest that increasing cellular senescence in aged hearts elevates MMP activity and aggravates extended ventricular remodeling and dysfunction. Additionally, we explore potential therapeutics that address MMPs and senescence to enhance old MI patient myocardial performance and regeneration., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Hepatitis C, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), is a prevalent liver disease with severe outcomes, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Traditional diagnostic methods primarily detect antiviral antibodies (anti-HCV) or viral RNA, but these approaches have limitations. Anti-HCV antibodies may take 2-4 weeks to develop in acute cases and can be absent in some individuals, leading to undiagnosed early-stage infections. This poses significant challenges for public health, particularly in resource-limited settings where early detection is crucial. This article explores the development of biosensors engineered to directly detect HCV surface antigens, such as envelope proteins. These biosensors provide a promising solution for earlier and more accurate diagnosis by identifying viral components at the initial stages of infection. By focusing on direct detection of viral antigens, these innovations could enhance early diagnosis, facilitate timely intervention, and reduce virus transmission. We evaluate the advancements in biosensor technology over the past decade and their potential to improve HCV detection in clinical and field settings, ultimately supporting global efforts to eliminate HCV as a public health threat., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Nanoporous organic polymers (NPOPs) have emerged as versatile materials with robust thermal stability, large surface area (up to 2500 m 2 g -1 ), and customizable porosity, making them ideal candidates for advanced hydrogen (H 2 ) storage applications. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of various NPOPs, including covalent organic frameworks (COFs), hypercrosslinked polymers (HCLPs), conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), and porous aromatic frameworks (POAFs). Notably, these materials demonstrate superior H 2 storage capacities, achieving up to 10 wt% at cryogenic temperatures, which is essential for applying H 2 as a clean energy carrier. The review also highlights recent advancements, such as integrating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) into NPOPs, further enhancing storage capacities by up to 30%. Their multifaceted properties underpin various applications, from fuel storage and gas separation to water treatment and optical devices. This review explores the significance and versatility of NPOPs in H 2 storage due to their unique properties and enhanced storage capacities. Additionally, recent advancements in utilizing NPOPs for H 2 storage are highlighted with a detailed discussion of emerging trends and the synthesis of innovative NPOPs. The review concludes with a discussion of the advantages, applications, challenges, research, and future directions for research in this area.

Background: The rapid rise of non-communicable diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), poses a significant global public health challenge, with South Asia experiencing an increasingly severe burden. This study aimed to analyse historical trends of T2DM across South Asia from 1990 to 2021 and forecast incidence through 2031., Research Design and Methods: We carried out analysis based on the data from the 2021 Global burden of disease study. Joinpoint regression was used to identify significant changes in trends over time, and ARIMA models were applied to forecast incidence rates., Results: Between 1990 and 2021, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of age-standardized prevalence rates and incidence rates increased by 2.15 and 1.72 respectively. The age-standardized mortality rate rose more slowly, at 1.05 AAPC, with females experiencing a slightly higher AAPC than males. ARIMA forecasts suggest that by 2031, T2DM incidence rates will continue to rise significantly across all South Asian countries., Conclusions: This study highlights the need for public health policies focused on preventing obesity, promoting physical activity, and improving healthcare access. It also calls for addressing regional disparities in T2DM prevalence and mortality to better allocate resources and prioritize policies to combat the diabetes epidemic inSouth Asia.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent form of sustained cardiac arrhythmia, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increasingly recognized for its potential role in the pathogenesis of AF through mechanisms involving atrial remodeling, inflammation, and fibrosis. This systematic review aims to synthesize available evidence on the association between VEGF and AF, exploring the implications of VEGF as a biomarker and therapeutic target., Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until November 10 2024, selecting studies based on pre-defined criteria that involve adults with AF and measurements of VEGF levels. The selected studies included observational and experimental designs, excluding non-English and methodologically insufficient publications. Narrative synthesis was used for summarising the results., Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies show a general trend of elevated VEGF levels in AF patients compared to controls, with significant heterogeneity in findings across studies. VEGF subtypes such as VEGF-A and VEGF-D demonstrated stronger associations with AF risk compared to VEGF-C. These variations point to the complex role of VEGF in AF, influencing factors like angiogenesis, endothelial function, and inflammatory responses., Conclusion: VEGF is potentially a significant contributor to AF pathophysiology, with its levels reflecting disease activity. The variability observed across studies suggests a need for standardized measurement approaches and further investigation into VEGF subtypes. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to better understand the causal relationships and the potential of VEGF as a therapeutic target and biomarker in AF management., Clinical Trial Number: Not applicable., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent to participate: Not applicable since this is a review and not involved any human. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Ethical considerations: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) regulates sex hormone availability and is influenced by metabolic factors. Variations in SHBG levels during pregnancy may affect the development of hypertensive disorders such as gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE). This systematic review and meta-analysis explores the potential of SHBG as a biomarker for predicting GH and PE. A search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted to identify studies evaluating the association between SHBG levels and the risk of HDP, including GH and PE. Inclusion criteria encompassed observational studies reporting quantitative risk estimates (risk ratios, odds ratios, or hazard ratios) for SHBG levels. Results were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis in R software (V 4.4), with the I 2 statistic assessing heterogeneity. Eight studies were included in the systematic review from a total of 592 screened records. The association between SHBG levels and the risk of any HDP showed a pooled OR of 0.875 (95% CI: 0.772-0.993), for PE 0.890 (95% CI: 0.767-1.032), and for GH 0.729 (95% CI: 0.442-1.205), suggesting significant association between SHBG and HDP. Sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of the findings. This meta-analysis found potential significant association between higher SHBG levels and risk of HDP. Further high-quality research is required to better understand the role of SHBG in pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders. Future studies should consider larger sample sizes, more precise measurement techniques, and explore potential confounding factors to clarify the potential utility of SHBG as a biomarker for predicting GH and PE., (© 2025 The Author(s). The Journal of Clinical Hypertension published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) is a multipotent progenitor cell with known differentiation potential towards various cell lineage, making it an appealing candidate for regenerative medicine. One major contributing factor to age-related MSC dysfunction is cellular senescence, which is the hallmark of relatively irreversible growth arrest and changes in functional properties. GATA4, a zinc-finger transcription factor, emerges as a critical regulator in MSC biology. Originally identified as a key regulator of heart development and specification, GATA4 has since been connected to several aspects of cellular processes, including stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Accumulating evidence suggests that the involvement of GATA4-nuclear signalizing in the process of MSC senescence-related traits may contribute to age-induced alterations in MSC behavior. GATA4 emerged as the central player in MSC senescence, interacting with several signaling pathways. Studies have shown that GATA4 expression is reduced with age in MSCs, which is associated with increased expression levels of senescence markers and impaired regenerative potential. At the mechanistic level, GATA4 regulates the expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, and oxidative stress response, thereby influencing the senescence phenotype in MSCs. The findings underscore the critical function of GATA4 in MSC homeostasis and suggest a promising new target to restore stem cell function during aging and disease. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie GATA4 mediated modulation of MSC senescence would provide an opportunity to develop new therapies to revitalize old MSCs to increase their regenerative function for therapeutic purposes in regenerative medicine., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no competing interests., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major global health concern, affecting maternal and child health. Although genetic predispositions and individual medical histories are well-recognized risk factors, emerging research suggests a significant impact of external factors like neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics. This study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the association between neighborhood deprivation and GDM incidence. We searched multiple databases up to January 10, 2024, for studies linking neighborhood deprivation with GDM. Eligible studies were selected based on predefined criteria, with the Nested Knowledge software assisting in screening and data extraction. Quality assessment utilized the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and a random-effects model computed the pooled relative risk (RR) using R software, version 4.3. The review included six studies varying significantly in design, sample sizes, and deprivation assessment methods. The meta-analysis combined data from five studies totaling 15 827 participants from the least deprived and 18 147 from the most deprived neighborhoods, yielding an RR of 0.909 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.566, 1.461], P = .607), indicating a non-significant lower risk of GDM in more deprived groups. A substantial heterogeneity (I 2 = 70%) was observed, and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. This analysis suggests that living in a deprived neighborhood does not significantly alter GDM risk, underscoring the necessity for further research to refine public health strategies and interventions. The variability in neighborhood deprivation definitions and potential unaccounted confounding factors highlight the need for comprehensive studies, especially from low-income and middle-income countries, to elucidate the intricate links between socioeconomic factors and GDM., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The long non-coding RNA Growth Arrest-Specific 5 (GAS5) is pivotal in modulating key signaling pathways by functioning as a molecular sponge for microRNAs (miRNAs). GAS5 is notably recognized for its antitumor properties, primarily through its ability to sequester oncogenic miRNAs, thereby influencing critical pathways such as p53, Wnt/β-catenin, and PI3K/Akt, all of which are integral to cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. The disruption of GAS5-miRNA interactions has been implicated in various malignancies, reinforcing its potential as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target. This paper delves into the intricate signaling cascades affected by GAS5-miRNA interactions and thoroughly investigates the diagnosis and treatment prospects associated with GAS5. Moreover, it addresses both the challenges and opportunities for translational applicability of these findings in clinical environments. The study emphasizes GAS5's significance within the cancer molecular landscape and posits that precise modulation of GAS5-miRNA interactions could catalyze transformative developments in cancer diagnostics and therapeutic approaches. This comprehensive review not only highlights the critical role of non-coding RNAs in cancer biology but also aims to lay the groundwork for future investigations aimed at harnessing these insights for therapeutic interventions., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Informed consent: Not applicable., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to analyze trends in prostate cancer incidence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021 via data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study in South Asia. Additionally, the study projects future prostate cancer incidence rates up to 2031 to inform public health interventions in South Asia., Methods: Data covering South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan were obtained from the GBD 2021 portal. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) for prostate cancer metrics, including incidence (ASIR), prevalence (ASPR), mortality (ASMR), and DALYs (ASDR), were analyzed via joinpoint and ARIMA modeling techniques. Geographic variations in ASRs were mapped via QGIS software., Results: The prostate cancer ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR significantly increased from 1990 to 2021, particularly among individuals aged 60-65 years. The highest incidence and mortality rates were observed in Pakistan. The total percentage change in incidence in India was the highest at 61%. Projections indicate a continued rise in prostate cancer incidence, with South Asia's ASIR expected to reach 9.34 per 100 000 by 2031., Conclusions: The growing burden of prostate cancer in South Asia highlights the need for enhanced screening programs, public awareness, and healthcare infrastructure improvements. Without intervention, the increasing incidence and mortality rates could strain healthcare resources, emphasizing the urgency of region-specific public health strategies., (© 2024 The Author(s). International Journal of Urology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Japanese Urological Association.)

The prevalence of resistance in Gram-positive bacterial infections is rapidly rising, presenting a pressing global challenge for both healthcare systems and economies. The WHO categorizes these bacteria into critical, high, and medium priority groups based on the urgency for developing new antibiotics. While the first priority pathogen list was issued in 2017, the 2024 list remains largely unchanged. Despite six years having passed, the progress that has been made in developing novel treatment approaches remains insufficient, allowing antimicrobial resistance to persist and worsen on a global scale. Various strategies have been implemented to address this growing threat by targeting specific resistance mechanisms. This review evaluates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Gram-positive bacteria, highlighting its critical impact on global health due to the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens. It focuses on the unique cell wall structure of Gram-positive bacteria, which influences their identification and susceptibility to antibiotics. The review explores the mechanisms of AMR, including enzymatic inactivation, modification of drug targets, limiting drug uptake, and increased drug efflux. It also examines the resistance strategies employed by high-priority Gram-positive pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pneumoniae , and Enterococcus faecium , as identified in the WHO's 2024 priority list.

Numerous studies conducted over the last ten years have shown a strong correlation between the gut microbiota and the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the exact underlying mechanism is still unknown. An ongoing communication mechanism linking the gut and the brain is highlighted by the term "microbiota-gut-brain axis," which was originally coined the "gut-brain axis." Key metabolic, endocrine, neurological, and immunological mechanisms are involved in the microbiota‒gut‒brain axis and are essential for preserving brain homeostasis. Thus, the main emphasis of this review is how the gut microbiota contributes to the development of AD and how various natural products intervene in this disease. The first part of the review provides an outline of various pathways and relationships between the brain and gut microbiota, and the second part provides various mechanisms involved in the gut microbiota and AD. Finally, this review provides knowledge about natural products and their effectiveness in treating gut microbiota-induced AD. AD may be treated in the future by altering the gut microbiota with a customized diet, probiotics/prebiotics, plant products, and natural products. This entails altering the microbiological partners and products (such as amyloid protein) that these partners generate., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interests.Looking forward for a positive and rapid processing of the manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The global shift towards sustainable energy sources, necessitated by climate change concerns, has led to a critical review of biohydrogen production (BHP) processes and their potential as a solution to environmental challenges. This review evaluates the efficiency of various reactors used in BHP, focusing on operational parameters such as substrate type, pH, temperature, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and organic loading rate (OLR). The highest yield reported in batch, continuous, and membrane reactors was in the range of 29-40 L H 2 /L per day at an OLR of 22-120 g/L per day, HRT of 2-3 h and acidic range of 4-6, with the temperature maintained at 37 °C. The highest yield achieved was 208.3 L H 2 /L per day when sugar beet molasses was used as a substrate with Clostridium at an OLR of 850 g COD/L per day, pH of 4.4, and at 8 h HRT. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as artificial neural networks and support vector machines has emerged as a novel approach for optimizing reactor performance and predicting outcomes. These AI models help in identifying key operational parameters and their optimal ranges, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of BHP processes. The review also draws attention to the importance of life cycle and techno-economic analyses in assessing the environmental impact and economic viability of BHP, addressing potential challenges like high operating costs and energy demands during scale-up. Future research should focus on developing more efficient and cost-effective BHP systems, integrating advanced AI techniques for real-time optimization, and conducting comprehensive LCA and TEA to ensure sustainable and economically viable biohydrogen production. By addressing these areas, BHP can become a key component of the transition to sustainable energy sources, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the mitigation of environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel use., Competing Interests: The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies among men globally. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), primarily used for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management, have been investigated for their potential effects on cancer risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between GLP-1 RA use and risk reduction of prostate cancer., Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to July 30, 2024. Studies that met the inclusion criteria randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and observational studies assessing the incidence of prostate cancer in GLP-1 RA-treated patients were included. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model., Results: A total of five studies were included, analyzing data from diverse international contexts. The included studies showed a reduced risk of prostate cancer with both adjusted and unadjusted effect estimates with GLP-1 RAs. The meta-analysis revealed an RR of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.610 to 0.832), indicating a statistically significant 28% reduction in prostate cancer risk associated with GLP-1 RA use compared to placebo or other antidiabetic drugs. Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I 2  = 51%). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the results., Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant protective association between GLP-1 RA use and reduced prostate cancer risk in men, particularly those with T2DM. This supports the potential of GLP-1 RAs not only in diabetes management but also as a strategy to mitigate cancer risk. Further research is required to confirm these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms, considering different dosages, durations of therapy, and patient subgroups based on demographic and metabolic characteristics., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Introduction: Air pollution presents a major public health threat to India, affecting more than three quarters of the country's population. In the current project, GEOHealth Health Effects of Selected Environmental Exposomes Across the Life CourSe-India, we aim to study the effect of environmental exposomes-fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ) and extremes of temperature-on multiple health outcomes using a modified life course approach. The associated training grant aims to build capacity in India to address the unique environmental health problems., Methods and Analysis: The project aims to (A) Develop exposure assessments in seven cities, namely Delhi, Chennai, Sonipat, Vizag, Pune, Hyderabad and Bikaner, for: (1) A fine-scale spatiotemporal model for multiple pollutants (PM 2.5 , NO 2 , O 3, temperature); (2) Combined ground monitoring and modelling for major chemical species of ambient PM 2.5 at seven cities; and (3) Personal exposure assessment in a subsample from the six cities, except Pune, and (B) Conduct health association studies covering a range of chronic non-communicable diseases and their risk factors leveraging a unique approach using interdigitating cohorts. We have assembled existing pregnancy, child, adolescent, adult and older adult cohorts across India to explore health effects of exposomes using causal analyses. We propose to use Bayesian kernel machine regression to assess the effects of mixtures of all pollutants including species of PM 2.5 on health while accounting for potential non-linearities and interactions between exposures. This builds on earlier work that constructed a fine spatiotemporal model for PM 2.5 exposure to study health outcomes in two Indian cities., Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical clearance for conduct of the study was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control, and all the participating institutes and organisations. National-level permission was provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The research findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, print and social media, and communicating with the participating communities and stakeholders. Training of Indian scientists will build the capacity to undertake research on selected adverse environmental exposures on population health in India., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Over 50 million people worldwide are affected by epilepsy, a common neurological disorder that has a high rate of drug resistance and diverse comorbidities such as progressive cognitive and behavioural disorders, and increased mortality from direct or indirect effects of seizures and therapies. Despite extensive research with animal models and human studies, limited insights have been gained into the mechanisms underlying seizures and epileptogenesis, which has not translated into significant reductions in drug resistance, morbidities, or mortality. To better understand the molecular signaling networks associated with seizures in MTLE patients, we analyzed the proteome of brain samples from MTLE and control cases using an integrated approach that combines mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics, differential expression analysis, and co-expression network analysis. Our analyses of 20 human brain tissues from MTLE patients and 20 controls showed the organization of the brain proteome into a network of 9 biologically meaningful modules of co-expressed proteins. Of these, 6 modules are positively or negatively correlated to MTLE phenotypes with hub proteins that are altered in MTLE patients. Our study is the first to employ an integrated approach of proteomics and protein co-expression network analysis to study patients with MTLE. Our findings reveal a molecular blueprint of altered protein networks in MTLE brain and highlight dysregulated pathways and processes including altered cargo transport, neurotransmitter release from synaptic vesicles, synaptic plasticity, proteostasis, RNA homeostasis, ion transport and transmembrane transport, cytoskeleton disorganization, metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction, blood micro-particle function, extracellular matrix organization, immune response, neuroinflammation, and cell signaling. These insights into MTLE pathogenesis suggest potential new candidates for future diagnostic and therapeutic development., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Lung cancer remains an intractable malignancy worldwide, prompting novel therapeutic modalities. Pyroptosis, a lethal form of programmed cell death featured by inflammation, has been involved in cancer progression and treatment response. Simultaneously, non-coding RNA has been shown to have important roles in coordinating pattern formation and oncogenic pathways, including long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs), microRNA (miRNAs), circular RNA (circRNAs), and small interfering RNA (siRNAs). Recent studies have revealed that ncRNAs can promote or inhibit pyroptosis by interacting with key molecular players such as NLRP3, GSDMD, and various transcription factors. This dual role of ncRNAs offers a unique therapeutic potential to manipulate pyroptosis pathways, providing opportunities for innovative cancer treatments. In this review, we integrate current research findings to propose novel strategies for leveraging ncRNA-mediated pyroptosis as a therapeutic intervention in lung cancer. We explore the potential of ncRNAs as biomarkers for predicting patient response to treatment and as targets for overcoming resistance to conventional therapies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in various cellular processes, including a novel form of regulated cell death known as disulfidptosis, characterized by accumulating protein disulfide bonds and severe endoplasmic reticulum stress. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of lncRNAs in regulating disulfidptosis for cancer treatment, emphasizing their influence on key pathway components such as GPX4, SLC7A11, and PDIA family members. Recent studies have demonstrated that targeting specific lncRNAs can sensitize cancer cells to disulfidptosis, offering a promising approach to cancer therapy. The regulation of disulfidptosis by lncRNAs involves various signaling pathways, including oxidative stress, ER stress, and calcium signaling. This review also discusses the molecular mechanisms underlying lncRNA regulation of disulfidptosis, the challenges of developing lncRNA-based therapies, and the future potential of this rapidly advancing field in cancer research., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Precise and timely detection of a crop's nutrient requirement will play a crucial role in assuring optimum plant growth and crop yield. The present study introduces a reliable deep learning platform called "Deep Learning-Crop Platform" (DL-CRoP) for the identification of some commercially grown plants and their nutrient requirements using leaf, stem, and root images using a convolutional neural network (CNN). It extracts intrinsic feature patterns through hierarchical mapping and provides remarkable outcomes in identification tasks. The DL-CRoP platform is trained on the plant image dataset, namely, Jammu University-Botany Image Database (JU-BID), available at https://github.com/urfanbutt. The findings demonstrate implementation of DL-CRoP-cases A (uses shoot images) and B (uses leaf images) for species identification for Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Vigna radiata (Vigna), and Zea mays (maize), and cases C (uses leaf images) and D (uses root images) for diagnosis of nitrogen deficiency in maize. The platform achieved a higher rate of accuracy at 80-20, 70-30, and 60-40 splits for all the case studies, compared with established algorithms such as random forest, K-nearest neighbor, support vector machine, AdaBoost, and naïve Bayes. It provides a higher accuracy rate in classification parameters like recall, precision, and F1 score for cases A (90.45%), B (100%), and C (93.21), while a medium-level accuracy of 68.54% for case D. To further improve the accuracy of the platform in case study C, the CNN was modified including a multi-head attention (MHA) block. It resulted in the enhancement of the accuracy of classifying the nitrogen deficiency above 95%. The platform could play an important role in evaluating the health status of crop plants along with a role in precise identification of species. It may be used as a better module for precision crop cultivation under limited nutrient conditions., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Mohammad Urfan et al.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the published literature on the utilization of dry needling in the management of neck pain., Methods: We performed a bibliometric analysis of publications from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2022. Using the Scopus database, articles about the utilization of dry needling in neck pain were found. Scopus analyzer was used to obtain results such as "documents by year," "source," "country," and so on. VOS viewer Version 1.6.18 was used to analyze various units such as "co-authorship," "co-occurrences," and "citation analysis.", Results: The search yielded 125 articles. Most articles were published in the years 2022, followed by 2021. A network analysis of various parameters reveals that the topic has a high research potential., Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis offers an understanding of the literature on dry needling therapy for neck pain. The number of studies in this sector has increased over a decade. There is a gap in research from low- and middle-income countries on use of dry needling in the management of neck pain., (© 2024 by National University of Health Sciences.)

Parkinson's disease is one of the vital neurodegenerative ailments attributed to a rise in Alpha-synuclein proteins leading to the advancement of motor and cognitive deterioration. Interestingly, in PD lncRNAs, miRNAs and siRNAs are also key regulators of SNCA and alpha-synuclein aggregation. This review will focus on the roles of these three types of small RNAs in trebling the development of PD through regulating SNCA expression or alpha-synuclein protein mediating the RNA from acting. Parkinson's disease is defined by the build-up of alpha-synuclein protein resulting predominantly from the elevated expression level of the SNCA gene. Non-coding RNAs have gained broad appeal as fundamental modulators of gene expression and protein aggregation dynamics, with significant implications on the aetiology of PD. LncRNAs modulate SNCA transcription and edit epigenetic modifications, while miRNA target mRNA is involved in the stability and translation of count alpha-synuclein. Considering all these data, siRNAs can achieve the precise gene silencing effect that directly induces the downregulation of SNCA mRNA. This review also summarizes some recent reports about the interaction between these ncRNAs with the SNCA gene and alpha-synuclein protein, each through its independent in addition to synergistic mechanisms. This review highlights the possibility of therapeutic interventions to perturb SNCA expression to prevent alpha-synuclein aggregation via targeting ncRNAs that might be spun off novel drug development for PD., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Seed size is an important agronomic trait that indicates seed quality. In legumes, pods with equal and larger seeds remain the first preference of farmers and consumers. Genetic understanding related to seed size including seed allometric traits has been limited in the case of peas. To fill this void the findings presented here used the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify novel candidate gene(s) putatively linked with seed size in Pisum sativum L. The study was conducted on 240 Pea Single Plant Plus Collection (PSPPC) panels of pea germplasm. Allometric traits measured included seed&#95;length, seed&#95;width, seed&#95;thickness, seed&#95;volume, seed&#95;biomass, and seed&#95;biomass by volume (SB&#95;V). GWAS was performed using the Genome Association and Prediction Integrated Tool (GAPIT) on R-studio. The Bayesian information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK) model provided significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked with all the seed allometric traits. When analyzed the genomic regions of these SNPs provided a list of candidate genes that may be related to seed size. The present study thus provides a list of significant SNPs and relevant genes viz . Psat2g072000 for seed&#95;length , Psat4g104320 for seed&#95;width , Psat6g125800 and Psat6g125840 for seed&#95;thickness , Psat6g228320 for seed&#95;volume, Psat2g143920 for seed&#95;biomass, and Psat2g120400 for SB&#95;V which may prove useful in the improvement of pea seed size using breeding programs or CRISPR intervention. Understanding the genetic basis of seed size could lead to crop development with desirable seed characteristics, such as equal and larger-sized seeds with maximum yield and higher nutritional content., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-024-01499-6., (© Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society 2024. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Lung cancer is still a global health challenge in terms of high incidence, morbidity, and mortality. Recent scientific studies have determined that pyroptosis, a highly inflammatory form of programmed cell death, can be identified as a potential lung cancer therapeutic target. The NLRP3 inflammasome acts as a critical mediator in this process and, upon activation, activates multiprotein complex formation as well as caspase-1 activation. This process, triggered by a release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, results in pyroptotic cell death. Also, the relationship between the NLRP3 inflammasome and lung cancer was justified by its influence on tumour growth or metastasis. The molecular pathways produce progenitive mediators and remake the tissue. Finally, targeting NLRP3 inflammasome for pyroptosis induction and inhibition of its activation appears to be a promising lung cancer treatment approach. This technique makes cancer treatment more promising and personalized. This review explores the role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and its possibilities in lung cancer treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS) represents a rare group of central nervous system disorders that are unrelated to direct tumor invasion or metastasis but may be triggered by an immune system reaction to a neoplasm or malignant tumor. In many patients, PNS is diagnosed before identifying the primary cancer. In such instances, positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan can assess individuals with suspected PNS enabling the detection of hidden malignancies. We share an interesting image of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration in a case of invasive ductal carcinoma breast., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine.)

The neurovascular unit (NVU) includes multiple different cell types, including neurons, astrocytes, endothelial cells, and pericytes, which respond to insults on very different time or dose scales. We defined differential vulnerability among these cell types, using response to two different insults: oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and thrombin-mediated cytotoxicity. We found that neurons are most vulnerable, followed by endothelial cells and astrocytes. After temporary focal cerebral ischemia in male rats, we found significantly more injured neurons, compared with astrocytes in the ischemic area, consistent with differential vulnerability in vivo. We sought to illustrate different and shared mechanisms across all cell types during response to insult. We found that gene expression profiles in response to OGD differed among the cell types, with a paucity of gene responses shared by all types. All cell types activated genes relating to autophagy, apoptosis, and necroptosis, but the specific genes differed. Astrocytes and endothelial cells also activated pathways connected to DNA repair and antiapoptosis. Taken together, the data support the concept of differential vulnerability in the NVU and suggest that different elements of the unit will evolve from salvageable to irretrievable on different time scales while residing in the same brain region and receiving the same (ischemic) blood flow. Future work will focus on the mechanisms of these differences. These data suggest future stroke therapy development should target different elements of the NVU differently., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interests., (Copyright © 2024 Rajput et al.)

Metal and metalloid pollutants severely threatens environmental ecosystems and human health, necessitating effective remediation strategies. Nanoparticle (NPs)-based approaches have gained significant attention as promising solutions for efficient removing heavy metals from various environmental matrices. The present review is focused on green synthesized NPs-mediated remediation such as the implementation of iron, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal oxides, and bio-based NPs. The review also explores the mechanisms of NPs interactions with heavy metals, including adsorption, precipitation, and redox reactions. Critical factors influencing the remediation efficiency, such as NPs size, surface charge, and composition, are systematically examined. Furthermore, the environmental fate, transport, and potential risks associated with the application of NPs are critically evaluated. The review also highlights various sources of metal and metalloid pollutants and their impact on human health and translocation in plant tissues. Prospects and challenges in translating NPs-based remediation from laboratory research to real-world applications are proposed. The current work will be helpful to direct future research endeavors and promote the sustainable implementation of metal and metalloid elimination., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A complex sequence of occurrences, including host genetic vulnerability, Helicobacter pylori infection, and other environmental variables, culminate in gastric cancer (GC). The development of several genetic and epigenetic changes in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes causes dysregulation of several signaling pathways, which upsets the cell cycle and the equilibrium between cell division and apoptosis, leading to GC. Developments in computational biology and RNA-seq technology enable quick detection and characterization of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have multiple roles in the development of gastric cancer. These lncRNAs interact with molecules of protein, RNA, DNA, and/or combinations. This review article explores several gastric cancer-associated lncRNAs, such as ADAMTS9-AS2, UCA1, XBP-1, and LINC00152. These various lncRNAs could change GC cell apoptosis, migration, and invasion features in the tumor microenvironment. This review provides an overview of the most recent research on lncRNAs and GC cell apoptosis, migration, invasion, and drug resistance, focusing on studies conducted in cancer cells and healthy cells during differentiation., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Phosphorus (P) is a crucial macronutrient required for normal plant growth. Its effective uptake from the soil is a trait of agronomic importance. Natural variation in maize (339 accessions) root traits, namely root length and number of primary, seminal, and crown roots, root and shoot phosphate (Pi) contents, and root-to-shoot Pi translocation (root: shoot Pi) under normal (control, 40 ppm) and low phosphate (LP, 1 ppm) conditions, were used for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The Bayesian-information and Linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively Nested Keyway (BLINK) model of GWAS provided 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 12 relevant candidate genes putatively linked with root Pi, root: shoot Pi, and crown root number (CRN) under LP. The DNA-protein interaction analysis of Zm00001d002842, Zm00001d002837, Zm00001d002843 for root Pi, and Zm00001d044312, Zm00001d045550, Zm00001d025915, Zm00001d044313, Zm00001d051842 for root: shoot Pi, and Zm00001d031561, Zm00001d001803, and Zm00001d001804 for CRN showed the presence of potential binding sites of key transcription factors like MYB62, bZIP11, ARF4, ARF7, ARF10 and ARF16 known for induction/suppression of phosphate starvation response (PHR). The in-silico RNA-seq analysis revealed up or down-regulation of candidate genes along with key transcription factors of PHR, while Uniprot analysis provided genetic relatedness. Candidate genes that may play a role in P uptake and root-to-shoot Pi translocation under LP are proposed using common PHR signaling components like MYB62, ARF4, ARF7, ARF10, ARF16, and bZIP11 to induce changes in root growth in maize. Candidate genes may be used to improve low P tolerance in maize using the CRISPR strategy., (© 2024 The Author(s). Physiologia Plantarum published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.)

A slight variation in ecological milieu of plants, like drought, heavy metal toxicity, abrupt changes in temperature, flood, and salt stress disturbs the usual homeostasis or metabolism in plants. Among these stresses, salinity stress is particularly detrimental to the plants, leading to toxic effects and reduce crop productivity. In a saline environment, the accumulation of sodium and chloride ions up to toxic levels significantly correlates with intracellular osmotic pressure, and can result in morphological, physiological, and molecular alterations in plants. Increased soil salinity triggers salt stress signals that activate various cellular-subcellular mechanisms in plants to enable their survival in saline conditions. Plants can adapt saline conditions by maintaining ion homeostasis, activating osmotic stress pathways, modulating phytohormone signaling, regulating cytoskeleton dynamics, and maintaining cell wall integrity. To address ionic toxicity, researchers from diverse disciplines have explored novel approaches to support plant growth and enhance their resilience. One such approach is the application of nanoparticles as a foliar spray or seed priming agents positively improve the crop quality and yield by activating germination enzymes, maintaining reactive oxygen species homeostasis, promoting synthesis of compatible solutes, stimulating antioxidant defense mechanisms, and facilitating the formation of aquaporins in seeds and root cells for efficient water absorption under various abiotic stresses. Thus, the assessment mainly targets to provide an outline of the impact of salinity stress on plant metabolism and the resistance strategies employed by plants. Additionally, the review also summarized recent research efforts exploring the innovative applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles for reducing salt stress at biochemical, physiological, and molecular levels., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The unrestricted release of various toxic substances into the environment is a critical global issue, gaining increased attention in modern society. Many of these substances are pristine to various environmental compartments known as contaminants/emerging contaminants (ECs). Nanoparticles and emerging sorbents enhanced remediation is a compelling methodology exhibiting great potential in addressing EC-related issues and facilitating their elimination from the environment, particularly those compounds that demonstrate eco-toxicity and pose considerable challenges in terms of removal. It provides a novel technique enabling the secure and sustainable removal of various ECs, including persistent organic compounds, microplastics, phthalate, etc. This extensive review presents a critical perspective on the current advancements and potential outcomes of nano-enhanced remediation techniques such as photocatalysis, nano-sensing, nano-enhanced sorbents, bio/phyto-remediation, which are applied to clean-up the natural environment. In addition, when dealing with residual contaminants, special attention is paid to both health and environmental implications; therefore, an evaluation of the long-term sustainability of nano-enhanced remediation methods has been considered. The integrated mechanical approaches were thoroughly discussed and presented in graphical forms. Thus, the critical evaluation of the integrated use of most emerging remediation technologies will open a new dimension in environmental safety and clean-up program., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Phosphate (P) is a crucial macronutrient for normal plant growth and development. The P availability in soils is a limitation factor, and understanding genetic factors playing roles in plant adaptation for improving P uptake is of great biological importance. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have become indispensable tools in unraveling the genetic basis of complex traits in various plant species. In this study, a comprehensive GWAS was conducted on diverse tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) accessions grown under normal and low P conditions for two weeks. Plant traits such as shoot height, primary root length, plant biomass, shoot inorganic content (SiP), and root inorganic content (RiP) were measured. Among several models of GWAS tested, the Bayesian-information and linkage disequilibrium iteratively nested keyway (BLINK) models were used for the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Among all the traits analyzed, significantly associated SNPs were recorded for PB, i.e., 1 SNP (SSL4.0CH10&#95;49261145) under control P, SiP, i.e., 1 SNP (SSL4.0CH08&#95;58433186) under control P and 1 SNP (SSL4.0CH08&#95;51271168) under low P and RiP i.e., 2 SNPs (SSL4.0CH04&#95;37267952 and SSL4.0CH09&#95;4609062) under control P and 1 SNP (SSL4.0CH09&#95;3930922) under low P condition. The identified SNPs served as genetic markers pinpointing regions of the tomato genome linked to P-responsive traits. The novel candidate genes associated with the identified SNPs were further analyzed for their protein-protein interactions using STRING. The study provided novel candidate genes, viz. Solyc10g050370 for PB under control, Solyc08g062490 , and Solyc08g062500 for SiP and Solyc09g010450 , Solyc09g010460 , Solyc09g010690 , and Solyc09g010710 for RiP under low P condition. These findings offer a glimpse into the genetic diversity of tomato accessions' responses to P uptake, highlighting the potential for tailored breeding programs to develop P-efficient tomato varieties that could adapt to varying soil conditions, making them crucial for sustainable agriculture and addressing global challenges, such as soil depletion and food security.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a very rare malignancy with a poor prognosis. It is predominantly noted in the fourth to fifth decades of life and is more common in White females. ACC is most commonly detected as an incidental finding but may have other presentations, such as rapid-onset Cushing's syndrome or pulmonary embolism. In the current case, ACC was incidentally observed in a 24-year-old female during imaging, and the patient later developed a pulmonary embolism. Lab investigations were suggestive of hypercortisolism along with hyperandrogenism. Following preoperative treatment with beta-blockers, metyrapone, and therapeutic anticoagulation, she underwent left radical nephrectomy with left open adrenalectomy and inferior vena cava (IVC) resection and reconstruction. Surgery was uncomplicated, and she was discharged with plans for outpatient adjuvant chemotherapy. This case highlights the fact that a seemingly unprovoked pulmonary embolism may point to the possibility of an underlying occult malignancy and undetected ACC should be included in the differential diagnosis of such cases., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Barnaba Durairaj et al.)

Background Objectives: Malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) remains a major public threat in India. Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been the country's first-line drug for uncomplicated Pf malaria. In 2013-2014, Artesunate plus sulfadoxine (AS+SP) was replaced by Artemether Lumefantrine (AL) as the first- line antimalarial in North East (NE) states of the country which are endemic for Pf malaria. Regular monitoring of antimalarial drugs is of utmost importance to achieve the goal of elimination. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ACT for treating uncomplicated Pf malaria in the NE states of India., Methods: A prospective study of 28-day follow-up was conducted to monitor the efficacy and safety of AL from 2018-2019 in four districts, Udalgiri, Meghalaya, Lawngtlai, and Dhalai of NE, India. The clinical and parasitological response and the polymorphism analysis of the Pfdhps, P/dhfr, and Pfkelch 13 gene were evaluated., Results: A total of 234 patients were enrolled in the study out of 216 patients who completed the follow-up to 28 days. One-hundred percent adequate clinical and parasitological responses (ACPR) were observed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) correction. The genotype results suggest no recrudescence in the treatment-failure patients. The classical single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the Pfdhfr gene was S108N (94.9%), followed by C59R (91.5%), whereas, in the Pfdhps gene, the common SNP was A437G (79.6%), followed by S3436A. No associated or validated mutations were found in the propeller region of the PfKelch13 gene., Interpretation Conclusion: AL was efficacious and safe in uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in North East India. In contrast, mutations in the genes responsible for sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine resistance have been fixed in northeast India's population., (Copyright © 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Vector Borne Diseases.)

This comprehensive article explores the complex field of glioma treatment, with a focus on the important roles of non-coding RNAsRNAs (ncRNAs) and exosomes, as well as the potential synergies of immunotherapy. The investigation begins by examining the various functions of ncRNAs and their involvement in glioma pathogenesis, progression, and as potential diagnostic biomarkers. Special attention is given to exosomes as carriers of ncRNAs and their intricate dynamics within the tumor microenvironment. The exploration extends to immunotherapy methods, analyzing their mechanisms and clinical implications in the treatment of glioma. By synthesizing these components, the article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how ncRNAs, exosomes, and immunotherapy interact, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of glioma research and therapeutic strategies., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

We describe the responsive feedback (RF) approach experience of a nongovernmental organization, Girls Health Champions (now known as Adolescent Health Champions [AHC]), that undertakes peer education interventions in Mumbai, India, schools to improve gender equality and health outcomes for adolescents aged 13-19 years. AHC used the RF approach at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in light of uncertainties stemming from school closures and the negative impact of the lockdown on adolescents' physical and mental health. Using an RF approach, AHC was able to: (1) understand pandemic-specific challenges faced by adolescents; (2) overhaul its theory of change; (3) pilot new modes of intervention delivery; (4) design a curriculum for parents/guardians and a COVID-19 module; (5) design an AHC mobile app; (6) develop a new, more gender-inclusive name and visual identity; (7) change the overall structure, adolescent-friendly nature, and agility of the organization; (8) and help clarify future directions taken by the organization. Overall, use of the RF approach had significant positive impacts on AHC as an organization, such as changes in organizational culture, deeper stakeholder engagement, and innovation, and was instrumental in AHC's growth, development, and pandemic response. This article outlines the steps of the process, from initial informal stakeholder consultations to the eventual formalization of the RF approach into the everyday working of AHC through the creation of a youth advisory board. We discuss challenges, such as time and resource constraints encountered; strategies for dealing with such challenges; and general key findings and learnings from this experience that could be beneficial to other youth- and community-serving organizations., (© Sharma et al.)

Soil decontamination and restoration continue to be a key environmental concern around the globe. The degradation of soil resources due to the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) has a substantial influence on agricultural production, food security, and human well-being, and as a result, urgent action is required. PTEs pollution is not a threat to the agroecosystems but also a serious concern to human health; thereby, it needs to be addressed timely and effectively. Hence, the development of improved and cost-effective procedures to remove PTEs from polluted soils is imperative. With this context in mind, current review is designed to distinctly envisage the PTEs removal potential by the single and binary applications of biochar (BC) and nanomaterials (NMs).2 Recently, BC, a product of high-temperature biomass pyrolysis with high specific surface area, porosity, and distinctive physical and chemical properties has become one of the most used and economic adsorbent materials. Also, biochar's application has generated interest in a variety of fields and environments as a modern approach against the era of urbanization, industrialization, and climate change. Likewise, several NMs including metals and their oxides, carbon materials, zeolites, and bimetallic-based NMs have been documented as having the potential to remediate PTEs-polluted environments. However, both techniques have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, therefore combining them can be a more effective strategy to address the growing concern over the rapid accumulation and release of PTEs into the environment., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Doping-assisted lattice site engineering is widely practiced to obtain a tailor made response, which subsequently poses a need for an efficient probe of the local electronic structure of the system. This study presents a detailed analysis of the local electronic structure around the host cations (Zn 2+ and Sr 2+ ) and dopant (Dy 3+ ) through combined experimental and simulated X-ray absorption near edge structure. The real space full multiple scattering-based simulations of the Zn K-edge are done by substituting Dy at cationic sites in the second coordination shell around Zn, in various combinations along with and/or without oxygen vacancies in the system. The results revealed that Dy tends to substitute the less symmetric Sr 2+ site at low doping concentration, whereas it starts substituting the relatively more symmetric Zn 2+ lattice site with an increase in doping concentration, consequently affirming the origin of cold white emission upon charge transfer in the system (Manju, M. Jain, P. Vashishtha, G. Gupta, A. Sharma, S. O. Won, A. Vij and A. Thakur, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter , 2020, 33 , 035703). The effect of Zn site occupancy is seen as bifurcation of the single peaked Dy L 3 absorption edge, which is usually reported as the sole indication of the existence of a mixed valence state. Thus, the combined analyses decipher the effect of lattice site occupancy on the local electronic structure of host as well as dopant atoms.

Obesity and exposure to light at night are prevalent in modern society and associated with changes in physiology and behavior that can affect a female's ability to support offspring growth during pregnancy and lactation. A 2X3 factor study of ICR mice was conducted to determine the effect of diet [control (CON; 10% fat) or high fat (HF; 60% fat)] and exposure to regular 12 h light:dark cycles (LD) or continuous low (L5) or high (L100) lux of light on gestation length, birth litter size, milk composition and litter growth to lactation day 12. HF diet reduced birth litter size, but increased postnatal d 12 litter weight (P<0.05), whereas constant light tended to increase litter weight (P=0.07). Continuous light increased gestation length, altered dam feed intake, increased serum prolactin and increased final dam and mammary gland weight (P<0.05), while decreasing mammary ATP content and milk lactose (P<0.05). Correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship between final litter weight and mammary size, metabolic stores (e.g. maternal fat pad weight), kcal of feed intake, and gestation length (P<0.05). Although CON mice spent more time eating than HF dams, the calorically dense HF diet was related to greater rates of litter growth to peak lactation. Constant light circadian disrupting effects appear to be confounded by a potential long day photoperiod response exemplified by higher circulating levels of prolactin and increased body and mammary weight of females exposed to these conditions. Other model systems may be better to study the interacting effects of obesity and circadian disruption on reproductive competence., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2023. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Circadian rhythms of physiology, behavior, and metabolism have an endogenous 24 h period that synchronizes with environmental cycles of light/dark and food availability. Alterations in light cycles are stressful and disrupt such diurnal oscillations. Recently, we witnessed a sudden rise in studies describing the mechanisms behind the interaction between the key characteristics of mitochondrial functions, peripheral clocks, and stress responses. To our knowledge, there is no study in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) describing the dysregulated mitochondrial bioenergetics under abnormal lighting conditions, which is common in today's modern world. Thus, we aimed to investigate the existence of daily changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics (respiratory control rate, RCR), mitochondrial abundance (mtDNA/nDNA), plasma corticosterone, and to test whether disturbances in the lighting conditions might influence such rhythms. To confirm this, mice were sacrificed, mitochondria were isolated from the suprachiasmatic nuclei in the brain and blood was collected, every 3 h at various time points zeitgeber time/circadian time, (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 h) under 12:12 h light-dark (LD, 150 lux L: 0 lux D) cycle and chronic artificial dim lighting (LL, 5 lux: 5lux) conditions, of a 24 h period, respectively. Our results demonstrate the existence of robust daily rhythmicity in RCR, mtDNA/nDNA and plasma CORT under a normal LD cycle. However, these rhythms were significantly disrupted and clock genes expressions were dysregulated under chronic dim LL. Furthermore, mitochondrial abundance was significantly reduced during LL compared to their numbers under LD cycle. Our data demonstrate that the circadian clock regulates mitochondrial functions (RCR, number), essential for accomplishing daily energy demands and supply by the SCN neurons. Abnormal light exposure dysregulates mitochondrial functions in the SCN and may alter metabolism, resulting in obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Therefore, properly designing lighting conditions in workplaces is essential to mitigate the adverse consequences of light on humans.

Punctuated bursts of structural genomic variations (SVs) have been described in various organisms, but their etiology remains incompletely understood. Homologous recombination (HR) is a template-guided mechanism of repair of DNA double-strand breaks and stalled or collapsed replication forks. We recently identified a DNA break amplification and genome rearrangement pathway originating from the endonucleolytic processing of a multi-invasion (MI) DNA joint molecule formed during HR. Genome-wide approaches confirmed that multi-invasion-induced rearrangement (MIR) frequently leads to several repeat-mediated SVs and aneuploidies. Using molecular and genetic analysis and a novel, highly sensitive proximity ligation-based assay for chromosomal rearrangement quantification, we further delineate two MIR subpathways. MIR1 is a universal pathway occurring in any sequence context, which generates secondary breaks and frequently leads to additional SVs. MIR2 occurs only if recombining donors exhibit substantial homology and results in sequence insertion without additional breaks or SVs. The most detrimental MIR1 pathway occurs late on a subset of persisting DNA joint molecules in a PCNA/Pol δ -independent manner, unlike recombinational DNA synthesis. This work provides a refined mechanistic understanding of these HR-based SV formation pathways and shows that complex repeat-mediated SVs can occur without displacement DNA synthesis. Sequence signatures for inferring MIR1 from long-read data are proposed., (© 2023 Reitz et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.)

Aim: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have reported negative social experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this data is largely from medical personnel. We examined living conditions, social determinants, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic among all cadres of employees who had recovered from COVID-19 at a tertiary referral cancer hospital in India., Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study combining a questionnaire-based survey followed by semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, among hospital staff who recovered from COVID-19 between April and November 2020. We initially administered a 79-point survey to all participants; based on their responses, we used purposive sampling to identify 60 interview participants. The primary aim of the study was to examine the impact of socio-economic factors on experiences and potential stigma faced by staff during the COVID-19 pandemic., Results: We surveyed 376 participants including doctors (10 %), nurses (20 %), support staff (29 %), administrators (18 %) and scientists/technicians (22 %). Of these, 126 (34 %) participants reported negative social experiences. Stigmatisation was lower among doctors compared to other professions, decreased in the second half of the study period, and was more among those living in less affluent surroundings. Interviews revealed 3 types of negative social experiences: neighbourhood tensions around restrictions of mobility, social distancing, and harassment., Conclusions: The first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in India led to considerable negative social experiences among hospital employees, especially those lower in the socio-economic hierarchy, which was fuelled by restrictions imposed by the government and pressure on local neighbourhoods., Policy Summary: It is important to not just document and count stigma experiences during global pandemics, but also to examine sociologically the conditions under which and the processes through which stigma happens., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Statement The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Climate change-driven temperature increases worsen air quality in places where coal combustion powers electricity for air conditioning. Climate solutions that substitute clean and renewable energy in place of polluting coal and promote adaptation to warming through reflective cool roofs can reduce cooling energy demand in buildings, lower power sector carbon emissions, and improve air quality and health. We investigate the air quality and health co-benefits of climate solutions in Ahmedabad, India-a city where air pollution levels exceed national health-based standards-through an interdisciplinary modeling approach. Using a 2018 baseline, we quantify changes in fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) air pollution and all-cause mortality in 2030 from increasing renewable energy use (mitigation) and expanding Ahmedabad's cool roofs heat resilience program (adaptation). We apply local demographic and health data and compare a 2030 mitigation and adaptation (M&A) scenario to a 2030 business-as-usual (BAU) scenario (without climate change response actions), each relative to 2018 pollution levels. We estimate that the 2030 BAU scenario results in an increase of PM 2.5 air pollution of 4.13 µ g m -3 from 2018 compared to a 0.11 µ g m -3 decline from 2018 under the 2030 M&A scenario. Reduced PM 2.5 air pollution under 2030 M&A results in 1216-1414 fewer premature all-cause deaths annually compared to 2030 BAU. Achievement of National Clean Air Programme, National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or World Health Organization annual PM 2.5 Air Quality Guideline targets in 2030 results in up to 6510, 9047, or 17 369 fewer annual deaths, respectively, relative to 2030 BAU. This comprehensive modeling method is adaptable to estimate local air quality and health co-benefits in other settings by integrating climate, energy, cooling, land cover, air pollution, and health data. Our findings demonstrate that city-level climate change response policies can achieve substantial air quality and health co-benefits. Such work can inform public discourse on the near-term health benefits of mitigation and adaptation., (© 2023 Natural Resources Defense Council.)

A major environmental problem on a global scale is the contamination of water by dyes, particularly from industrial effluents. Consequently, wastewater treatment from various industrial wastes is crucial to restoring environmental quality. Dye is an important class of organic pollutants that are considered harmful to both people and aquatic habitats. The textile industry has become more interested in agricultural-based adsorbents, particularly in adsorption. The biosorption of Methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions by the wheat straw (T. aestivum) biomass was evaluated in this study. The biosorption process parameters were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) approach with a face-centred central composite design (FCCCD). Using a 10 mg/L concentration MB dye, 1.5 mg of biomass, an initial pH of 6, and a contact time of 60 min at 25 °C, the maximum MB dye removal percentages (96%) were obtained. Artificial neural network (ANN) modelling techniques are also employed to stimulate and validate the process, and their efficacy and ability to predict the reaction (removal efficiency) were assessed. The existence of functional groups, which are important binding sites involved in the process of MB biosorption, was demonstrated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra. Moreover, a scan electron microscope (SEM) revealed that fresh, shiny particles had been absorbed on the surface of the T. aestivum following the biosorption procedure. The bio-removal of MB from wastewater effluents has been demonstrated to be possible using T. aestivum biomass as a biosorbent. It is also a promising biosorbent that is economical, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and cost-effective., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Punctuated bursts of structural genomic variations (SVs) have been described in various organisms, but their etiology remains incompletely understood. Homologous recombination (HR) is a template-guided mechanism of repair of DNA double-strand breaks and stalled or collapsed replication forks. We recently identified a DNA break amplification and genome rearrangement pathway originating from the endonucleolytic processing of a multi-invasion (MI) DNA joint molecule formed during HR. Genome-wide sequencing approaches confirmed that multi-invasion-induced rearrangement (MIR) frequently leads to several repeat-mediated SVs and aneuploidies. Using molecular and genetic analysis, and a novel, highly sensitive proximity ligation-based assay for chromosomal rearrangement quantification, we further delineate two MIR sub-pathways. MIR1 is a universal pathway occurring in any sequence context, which generates secondary breaks and frequently leads to additional SVs. MIR2 occurs only if recombining donors exhibit substantial homology, and results in sequence insertion without additional break or SV. The most detrimental MIR1 pathway occurs late on a subset of persisting DNA joint molecules in a PCNA/Polδ-independent manner, unlike recombinational DNA synthesis. This work provides a refined mechanistic understanding of these HR-based SV formation pathways and shows that complex repeat-mediated SVs can occur without displacement DNA synthesis. Sequence signatures for inferring MIR1 from long-read data are proposed.