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Mercury (Hg2+) as environmental pollutant is a widespread concern due to its cytotoxic effect in humans and animals and needs to be monitored through cost effective methods based on naked-eye detection. Herein, in this study, we extracted and isolated the limonin (LMN) via a facile procedure and then employed it as capping agent for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (LMN-AgNPs) as a first report. LMN-AgNPs were characterized through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential Analyzer (ZPA) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. As-formed LMN-AgNPs were recognized as extremely selective and highly sensitive colorimetric sensor for Hg2+ with potential analytical application. The developed sensor showed an outstanding linear correlation with the concentration of Hg2+ in the range of 0.002 − 55 µM via a color change from deep yellow to transparent showing hypsochromic-hypochromic shift with the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) as low as 0.21 nM and 0.7 nM respectively. The sensor was further allied with smartphone for immediate and on-site quantification of Hg2+. The LOD and LOQ of 0.42 µM and 1.4 µM was true for smartphone based sensing in the range of 7.5–55 µM Hg2+. The detection of Hg2+ was not disrupted by the presence of other metals in either of mentioned cases. The practical applicability of the proposed Hg2+ sensor was tested using spectrophotometric and smartphone based approaches in human serum and urine as well as in tap water samples with acceptable ranges of recovery. As-developed sensor can work as a potential candidate for monitoring of Hg2+ pollution in diverse fields of studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, ranks among the top causes of global human mortality, as reported by the World Health Organization’s 2022 TB report. The prevalence of M. tuberculosis strains that are multiple and extensive-drug resistant represents a significant barrier to TB eradication. Fortunately, having many completely sequenced M. tuberculosis genomes available has made it possible to investigate the species pangenome, conduct a pan-phylogenetic investigation, and find potential new drug targets. The 442 complete genome dataset was used to estimate the pangenome of M. tuberculosis. This study involved phylogenomic classification and in-depth analyses. Sequential filters were applied to the conserved core genome containing 2754 proteins. These filters assessed non-human homology, virulence, essentiality, physiochemical properties, and pathway analysis. Through these intensive filtering approaches, promising broad-spectrum therapeutic targets were identified. These targets were docked with FDA-approved compounds readily available on the ZINC database. Selected highly ranked ligands with inhibitory potential include dihydroergotamine and abiraterone acetate. The effectiveness of the ligands has been supported by molecular dynamics simulation of the ligand–protein complexes, instilling optimism that the identified lead compounds may serve as a robust basis for the development of safe and efficient drugs for TB treatment, subject to further lead optimization and subsequent experimental validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear fracture is a significant failure mechanism in particular disaster such as fault slips and rockbursts in deep rock engineering, which frequently involve in-situ stress and disturbance loads from earthquakes or blasting. Studying the dynamic shear fracture behavior of rocks under confining pressure is crucial for disaster prevention. This study performed a series of dynamic mode II fracture tests under different confining pressures using granite short core in compression (SCC) specimens via a modified triaxial split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) system. It is discovered that (1) dynamic mode II fracture toughness increases as loading rate and confining pressure rise; (2) The Linear relationship between dynamic or static fracture toughness and confining pressure is independent of loading rate. An empirical equation was presented to quantify relationship between fracture toughness, confining pressure and loading rate. The final failure degree of SCC specimens aggravates as the loading rate increases or confining pressures reduce. The morphological features of fracture surfaces were quantitatively investigated using fractal and statistical theories. It was observed that roughness in dynamic fracture surfaces decreases with increased in confining pressures and loading rates. Statistical analyses on asperity height h and slope angle α indicate that the undulation of fracture surfaces decreases with confining pressure at a given loading rate, validating the fractal results. A new index, namely the number of dominant intervals (NDI), is proposed to quantify the degree of aspect orientation distribution concentration. Generally, there is a notable trend of reducing NDI with confining pressures and loading rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study describes the preparation of nano-formulation of propyl gallate (NPG vesicles) comprised of soya bean extracted soya-lecithin. The compound was evaluated for its in-vitro and in-vivo anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in addition with acute toxicity analysis in Wistar rats. Nano-carrier preparation acquired the film hydration method, while the evaluation for size distribution was carried out through dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify the interaction between active material with excipient. Whereas, morphological evaluation was carried out by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). UV-visible spectrophotometer was used to measure the efficacy for drug encapsulation. The synthesized nano-carriers of propyl gallate has particle size of 201 ± 2.5 nm, with spherical morphology. The PDI index of nano-formulation is; 0.192 ± 0.8 indicates uniform size distribution with zeta potential − 43.4 ± 1.7mV values representing their highly stable nature. The drug encapsulation efficiency of the NPG vesicles was found to be 52%. The nano-formulation reveals the in-vitro anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and showed non-toxicity on normal human fibroblast cell line as compared to the parent compound propyl gallate. NPG vesicles showed prominent anti-inflammatory potential against carrageenan induced paw edema and found to be non-toxic in Wistar rats in acute toxicity studies for seven days. In conclusion, nano formulation NPG vesicles showed effective anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects both in-vitro and in-vivo and has the efficacy to become a potential modulator for targeted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caesarean delivery (C-section) has been increasing worldwide; however, many women from developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are deprived of these lifesaving services. This study aimed to explore the impact of certain socioeconomic factors, including respondent's education, husband's education, place of residence, and wealth index, on C-section delivery for women in Sub-Saharan Africa. We used pooled data from 36 demographic and health surveys (DHS) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Married women aged 15–49 years who have at least one child in the last five years were considered in this survey. After inclusion and excluding criteria, 234,660 participants were eligible for final analysis. Binary logistic regression was executed to determine the effects of selected socioeconomic factors. The countries were assembled into four sub-regions (Southern Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa), and a meta-analysis was conducted. We performed random-effects model estimation for meta-analysis to assess the overall effects and consistency between covariates and utilization of C-section delivery as substantial heterogeneity was identified (I2 > 50%). Furthermore, the meta-regression was carried out to explain the additional amount of heterogeneity by country levels. We performed a sensitivity analysis to examine the effects of outliers in this study. Findings suggest that less than 15% of women in many Sub-Saharan African countries had C-section delivery. Maternal education (OR 4.12; CI 3.75, 4.51), wealth index (OR 2.05; CI 1.94, 2.17), paternal education (OR 1.71; CI 1.57, 1.86), and place of residence (OR 1.51; CI 1.44, 1.58) were significantly associated with the utilization of C-section delivery. These results were also consistent in sub-regional meta-analyses. The meta-regression suggests that the total percentage of births attended by skilled health staff (TPBASHS) has a significant inverse association with C-section utilization regarding educational attainment (respondent & husband), place of residence, and wealth index. The data structure was restricted to define the distinction between elective and emergency c-sections. It is essential to provide an appropriate lifesaving mechanism, such as C-section delivery opportunities, through proper facilities for rural, uneducated, impoverished Sub-Saharan African women to minimize both maternal and infant mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic echinococcosis is a socioeconomically important parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of the canid tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, afflicting millions of humans and animals worldwide. The development of a vaccine (called EG95) has been the most notable translational advance in the fight against this disease in animals. However, almost nothing is known about the genomic organisation/location of the family of genes encoding EG95 and related molecules, the extent of their conservation or their functions. The lack of a complete reference genome for E. granulosus genotype G1 has been a major obstacle to addressing these areas. Here, we assembled a chromosomal-scale genome for this genotype by scaffolding to a high quality genome for the congener E. multilocularis, localised Eg95 gene family members in this genome, and evaluated the conservation of the EG95 vaccine molecule. These results have marked implications for future explorations of aspects such as developmentally-regulated gene transcription/expression (using replicate samples) for all E. granulosus stages; structural and functional roles of non-coding genome regions; molecular 'cross-talk' between oncosphere and the immune system; and defining the precise function(s) of EG95. Applied aspects should include developing improved tools for the diagnosis and chemotherapy of cystic echinococcosis of humans. A high-quality genome for the parasitic tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus, provides further insight into the EG95 vaccine target for cystic echinococcosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]