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Al Kury LT, Zeb A, Abidin ZU, et al. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2019;13:2715–2727. In the published article, there was an error in Figure 4B on page 2723. The image for Ethanol+celecoxib+mela (Piriform-PIR) was used mistakenly leading to a duplication with the Control (Piriform-PIR) images. A new image for Ethanol+celecoxib+mela (Piriform-PIR) was found from the original data and used as a replacement. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the quality and scientific conclusions of the article. The correct Figure 4 is as follows. Figure 4 Effect of melatonin and celecoxib on neuronal cell death.Notes: (A) Regions of interest analyzed; (B) H&E staining showing the extent of surviving neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. Bar 50 μm, magnification 20×, n=5/group. Surviving neurons were marked by cytoplasmic swelling, scalloped neurons with intense cytoplasmic eosinophilia, and nuclear basophilia. These changes resulted from neuronal necrosis. Some cells had a shrunken appearance, along with pyknotic nuclei. Intensive neuropil vacuolation can be seen in the ethanol-only group. *Significant difference relative to control; #Significant difference relative to ethanol group; θSignificant difference relative to ethanol + melatonin. Data presented as means ± SEM. Data analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Bonferroni multiple comparison using GraphPad Prism 5 software. ***P

Komal Naeem,1,2,* Lina Tariq Al Kury,3 Faiza Nasar,1,* Abdullah Alattar,4 Reem Alshaman,4 Fawad Ali Shah,1 Arif-ullah Khan,1 Shupeng Li2 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, 747424, Pakistan; 2State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518000, People’s Republic of China; 3College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, 49153, United Arab Emirates; 4Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, 71421, Saudi Arabia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Fawad Ali ShahDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, 7th Avenue, Sector G-7/4, Islamabad, 747424, PakistanTel +92-51-2891835-38Fax +92-51-2891471Email fawad.shah@riphah.edu.pkShupeng LiState Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, 518000, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail lisp@pku.edu.cnPurpose: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating human health condition characterized by mood swings and is associated with a high probability of suicide attempts. Several studies have reported a role of neuroinflammation in MMD, yet the efficacy of natural drug substances on neuroinflammation-associated depression has not been well-investigated. The present study examined the neuroprotective effects of carvacrol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation, depression, and anxiety-like behavior.Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two experimental cohorts to determine the effects and the effective dose of carvacrol (whether 20 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg), and further demonstrate the mechanism of action of nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf2) in depression.Results: We found marked neuronal alterations in the cortex and hippocampus of LPS-intoxicated animals that were associated with higher inflammatory cytokine expression such as cyclooxygenase (COX2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK). These detrimental effects exacerbated oxidative stress, as documented by a compromised antioxidant system due to high lipid peroxidase (LPO). Carvacrol (20 mg/kg) significantly reverted these changes by positively modulating the antioxidant gene Nrf2, a master regulator of the downstream antioxidant pathway. To further investigate the role of Nrf2, an inhibitor of Nrf2 called all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was used, which further exacerbated LPS toxicity with a higher oxidative and inflammatory cytokine level. To further support our notion, we performed virtual docking of carvacrol with the Nrf2-Keap1 target and the resultant drug-protein interactions validated the in vivo findings.Conclusion: Collectively, our findings suggest that carvacrol (20 mg/kg) could activate the endogenous master antioxidant Nrf2, which further regulates the expression of downstream antioxidants, eventually ameliorating LPS-induced neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.Keywords: depression, neuroinflammation, Nrf2 pathway, lipopolysaccharide, carvacrol, neurodegeneration

Naeem K, Tariq Al Kury L, Nasar F, et al. J Inflamm Res. 2021;14:1313–1329. At the authors request, the Editor and Publisher of Journal of Inflammation Research wish to retract the published article. The authors became aware of suspected duplicated images in Figures 4 and 5 and requested for the article to be retracted. Specifically, Figure 4B, Bcl-2, Hippocampus, FLX+LPS appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 4C, Caspase-3, Hippocampus, CAR 20+LPS. Figure 5D, TNF-α, Cortex, LPS appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 5D, TNF-α, Cortex, CAR 20+ATRA+LPS. Figure 5D, TNF-α, Cortex, ATRA+LPS appears to have been duplicated with the same image for Figure 5E, p-NFκB, Cortex, ATRA+LPS (which has been flipped). The Editor agreed with the authors retraction request and the authors were notified of this. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Zulkifal Malik,1,2 Muzaffar Abbas,2 Lina Tariq Al Kury,3 Fawad Ali Shah,1 Mahboob Alam,2 Arif-ullah Khan,1 Humaira Nadeem,1 Saad Alghamdi,4 Muhammad Umar Khayam Sahibzada,5 Shupeng Li6 1Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan; 3College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 4Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Pharmacy, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan; 6State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Muzaffar AbbasFaculty of Pharmacy, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad Expressway, Kahuta Road, Zone-V, Islamabad, PakistanTel +92-51-111555666Fax +92-51-4486705Email Muzaffar.abbas@cust.edu.pkShupeng LiState Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail lisp@pku.edu.cnBackground: Peripheral inflammation leads to the development of persistent thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia associated with increased expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the spinal cord. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of thiazolidine derivatives, 1b ([2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazolidin-4-yl](morpholin-4-yl)methanone) and 1d (2-hydroxy-4-{[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carbonyl]amino}benzoic acid), on thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia and on IL-1β expression during carrageenan-induced inflammation in the spinal cord in mice. Inflammatory pain was induced by injecting 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw of the mice.Methods: The animals were administered thiazolidine derivatives, 1b and 1d (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg), intraperitoneally 30 minutes before carrageenan administration. The animals’ behavior was evaluated by measuring thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, and motor coordination. The IL-1β expression was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies were conducted to evaluate the toxicity profile of compounds.Results: Treatment with the thiazolidine derivative, 1b and 1d, attenuated carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia at doses of 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg. No motor coordination deficits were observed in animals. The compounds also reduced IL-1β expression in the spinal cord of mice. Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies revealed that both compounds were safe.Conclusion: The compounds exhibit promising activity against inflammatory pain due to their ability to produce anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic effects and to inhibit IL-1β expression in the spinal cord.Keywords: inflammatory pain, IL-1β, thiazolidine derivatives, mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia

Lina T Al Kury,1 Alam Zeb,2 Zain Ul Abidin,2 Nadeem Irshad,3 Imran Malik,2 Arooj Mohsin Alvi,2 Atif Ali Khan Khalil,4 Sareer Ahmad,4 Muhammad Faheem,2 Arif-Ullah Khan,2 Fawad Ali Shah,2 Shupeng Li51College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 2Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 3Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 4Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, Pakistan; 5State Key Laboratory of Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, People’s Republic of ChinaPurpose: Melatonin and celecoxib are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that exert protective effects in different experimental models. In this study, the neuroprotective effects of melatonin and celecoxib were demonstrated against ethanol-induced neuronal injury by in silico, morphological, and biochemical approaches.Methods: For the in silico study, 3-D structures were constructed and docking analysis performed. For in vivo studies, rats were treated with ethanol, melatonin, and celecoxib. Brain samples were collected for biochemical and morphological analysis.Results: Homology modeling was performed to build 3-D structures for IL1β), TNFα, TLR4, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Structural refinement was achieved via molecular dynamic simulation and processed for docking and postdocking analysis. Further in vivo experiments showed that ethanol induced marked neuronal injury characterized by downregulated glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, and upregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase. Additionally, ethanol increased the expression of TNFα and IL1β. Finally, neuronal apoptosis was demonstrated in ethanol-intoxicated animals using caspase 3 and activated JNK staining. On the other hand, melatonin and celecoxib treatment ameliorated the biochemical and immunohistochemical alterations induced by ethanol.Conclusion: These results demonstrated that ethanol induced neurodegeneration by activating inflammatory and apoptotic proteins in rat brain, while melatonin and celecoxib may protect rat brain by downregulating inflammatory and apoptotic markers.Keywords: simulation, docking, cortex, hippocampus, ethanol, neurodegeneration

Shakir Khan,1 Fahad Alam,2 Ameer Azam,2 Asad U Khan11Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, 2Center of Excellence in Material Science (Nanomaterials), Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, IndiaAbstract: This article explores the novel gold nanoparticle–enhanced photodynamic therapy of methylene blue against recalcitrant pathogenic Candida albicans biofilm. Physiochemical (X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible absorption, photon cross-correlation, FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy) and electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize gold nanoparticles as well as gold nanoparticle–methylene blue conjugate. A 38.2-J/cm2 energy density of 660-nm diode laser was applied for activation of gold nanoparticle–methylene blue conjugate and methylene blue against C. albicans biofilm and cells. Antibiofilm assays, confocal laser scanning, and electron microscopy were used to investigate the effects of the conjugate. Physical characteristics of the gold nanoparticles (21 ± 2.5 nm and 0.2 mg/mL) and methylene blue (20 µg/mL) conjugation were confirmed by physicochemical and electron microscopy techniques. Antibiofilm assays and microscopic studies showed significant reduction of biofilm and adverse effect against Candida cells in the presence of conjugate. Fluorescence spectroscopic study confirmed type I photo toxicity against biofilm. Gold nanoparticle conjugate–mediated photodynamic therapy may be used against nosocomially acquired refractory Candida albicans biofilm.Keywords: Candida biofilm, gold nanoparticle–methylene blue conjugate, photodynamic therapy

Asad U KhanMedical Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, IndiaThis is with reference to an article published recently in your journal regarding the antibiotic activity of chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles.1 This is an inspiring move towards control of infection caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria which has become a serious problem for clinicians and physicians worldwide.2 At the moment, carbapenems are being used as the drugs of choice to combat infections. However, the emergence of carbapenem resistance has changed current remedial approaches in the management of serious infections. One of the latest enzymes, NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1), first identified in a Swedish patient of Indian origin in 2008,3 has been key in the development of resistance to almost all antibiotics. Infection caused by NDM-1 producers is widespread on the Indian subcontinent,4 and is now emerging in the US and other countries throughout the world.5View original paper by Jena and colleagues.

Asad U KhanMedical Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, IndiaConcerning the recent article published in your journal on antibiofilm surface functionalization of catheters.1 This is an admirable approach to inhibit biofilm formation on the surfaces of various implants. Currently, a number of biomedical devices and implants are commonly used in hospitals and clinics. Over the past few decades, a number of knee and hip implants have been introduced to save lives and restore quality of life. Moreover, a significant increase in the use of stents, heart valves, vascular grafts, catheters, and other implantable devices are being introduced worldwide. However, regrettably, these surfaces are prone to microbial infections and hence device-related infections have become a major source of infection which may ultimately lead to a high mortality rate in the hospital setting.2View original paper by Lellouche and colleagues.

Executive control of movement enables inhibiting impulsive responses critical for successful navigation of the environment. Circuits mediating stop commands involve prefrontal and basal ganglia structures with fMRI evidence demonstrating increased activity during response inhibition in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) - often ascribed to maintaining task attentional demands. Using direct intraoperative cortical recordings in male and female human subjects, we investigated oscillatory dynamics along the rostral-caudal axis of dlPFC during a modified Go/No-go task, probing components of both proactive and reactive motor control. We assessed whether cognitive control is topographically organized along this axis and observed that low frequency power increased prominently in mid-rostral dlPFC when inhibiting and delaying responses. These findings provide evidence for a key role for mid-rostral dlPFC low frequency oscillations in sculpting motor control. Significance Statement This work offers insights into the neural mechanisms underlying executive control of movement. By employing intraoperative cortical recordings, our study uncovers the specific role of low frequency oscillations in the mid-rostral dlPFC during response inhibition. We demonstrate a topographical organization of low frequency power along the rostral-caudal axis of the dlPFC. This finding supports existing work suggesting the PFC hierarchy may be rooted in cognitive demand and extends it by showing this hierarchy can be represented by low frequency oscillations. Finally, understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of inhibitory control may enable more effective neuromodulation therapies in the future, such as those aimed at Parkinson Disease patients to address impulsivity., (Copyright © 2024 the authors.)

Tick infestation poses an important challenge to livestock in Pakistan. Farm management practices and environmental variables can influence tick infestation prevalence in animals. To this end, a cross-sectional survey of 96 farms in four different geographical districts (24 farms from each district) was conducted in Punjab, Pakistan, between October 2021 and January 2022. An epidemiological questionnaire was designed focusing on farm management practices and their impact on tick infestations at these farms. Data were collected via in-person interviews. Regional and farm-specific variables' associations were evaluated using Pearson's chi-square test and Fischer's exact test, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify significant risk factors. This study identified that using soft bedding materials, e.g., wheat straw, leaf litter or plain soil posed a significant risk of tick infestation. Additionally, the absence of quarantine measures, open sheds and inadequate drainage were found as contributing factors in univariable analysis. Higher tick prevalence in the hotter seasons highlighted the influence of Punjab's extreme weather on tick infestation. Despite regular veterinary visits and the use of acaricidal drugs, the prevalence of tick infestation at these farms suggested potential drug resistance in the ticks. The study recommended establishing quarantine practices, improving farms' drainage systems and bedding and using a combination of chemical and traditional remedies to tackle drug resistance in ticks. Education and awareness programs on tick-borne diseases and control measures are advocated to reduce the tick infestation burden on animals. Further research on longitudinal studies to better understand tick population dynamics and develop effective acaricides is encouraged. This called for collaborative control efforts among farmers, veterinarians and research institutions.

Introduction: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to determine the short-term outcomes of PD performed over 1 year at a newly established hepato-pancreatico-biliary unit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan., Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained hospital information system (HIS) was undertaken of all patients referred to the unit between May 2021 and August 2022. Data were collected from the medical records of patients in the HIS. Data were analyzed for primary location, age, complications, and operative parameters., Results: The primary sites of disease were ampulla ( n = 18, 52.9%), pancreas ( n = 11, 32.4%), and duodenum ( n = 5, 14.7%). The median duration of surgery was 7 h. 16 (47.1%) patients required blood transfusion either intraoperatively or in the perioperative period. Patients with pre-operative biliary drainage (PBD) were more likely to have multidrug-resistant positive bile cultures with a P -value of 0.2 ( n = 12 [35.3%] vs. n = 5 [14.7%]). Overall morbidity was 38.2%. The most common complications were wound infection ( n = 12, 35.3%), delayed gastric emptying ( n = 6, 17.6%), and type B pancreatic fistula ( n = 3, 8.8%). The complication rate was higher in patients with biliary stenting ( n = 11 [32.4%] vs. n = 2 [5.9%]; P = 0.06). The median length of hospital stay for patients without complications was less (6 vs. 12 days; P < 0.001). The complication rate was lower in total laparoscopic PD (TLPD) with P = 0.4 (TLPD: 2.9%, open: 23.5%, laparoscopic assisted: 11.8%). 90-day mortality was zero., Conclusion: Short-term outcomes for PD in our facility are comparable to high-volume centers. PBD can significantly increase operative time, hospital stay, and morbidity., (Copyright: © 2024 Neelma, et al.)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive treatment showing promise against cancer and microbial infections. PDT targets tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue, reducing side effects. It induces immunogenic cell death, potentially stimulating antitumor immune responses and reducing cancer recurrence. In microbial treatment, PDT effectively combats bacteria, fungi and viruses. Combining PDT with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy enhances its efficacy. However, challenges such as tumor hypoxia, limited tissue penetration and phototoxicity necessitate ongoing research efforts to optimize PDT protocols and overcome limitations. Overall, PDT is versatile and continually advancing with refined protocols to improve its clinical utility against cancer and microbial infections., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This research was carried out to predict daily streamflow for the Swat River Basin, Pakistan through four deep learning (DL) models: Feed Forward Artificial Neural Networks (FFANN), Seasonal Artificial Neural Networks (SANN), Time Lag Artificial Neural Networks (TLANN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) 585 and 245. Taylor Diagram, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting techniques were used to select the best combination of General Circulation Models (GCMs) for Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) computation. MME was computed via the Random Forest technique for Maximum Temperature (T max ), Minimum Temperature (T min ), and precipitation for the aforementioned three techniques. The best MME for T max , T min , and precipitation was rendered by Compromise Programming. The DL models were trained and tested using observed precipitation and temperature as independent variables and discharge as dependent variables. The results of deep learning models were evaluated using statistical performance indicators such as root mean square error (RMSE), mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and coefficient of determination (R 2 ). The TLANN demonstrated superior performance compared to the other models based on RMSE, MSE, MAE, and R 2 during training (65.25 m 3 /s, 4256.97 m 3 /s, 46.793 m 3 /s and 0.7978) and testing (72.06 m 3 /s, 5192.95 m 3 /s, 51.363 m 3 /s and 0.7443) respectively. Subsequently, TLANN was utilized to make predictions based on MME of SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios for future streamflow until the year 2100. These results can be used for planning, management, and policy-making regarding water resources projects in the study area., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

With the rapid development of micro/nano machining, there is an elevated demand for high-performance microdevices with high reliability and low cost. Due to their outstanding electrochemical, optical, electrical, and mechanical performance, carbon materials are extensively utilized in constructing microdevices for energy storage, sensing, and optoelectronics. Carbon micro/nano machining is fundamental in carbon-based intelligent microelectronics, multifunctional integrated microsystems, high-reliability portable/wearable consumer electronics, and portable medical diagnostic systems. Despite numerous reviews on carbon materials, a comprehensive overview is lacking that systematically encapsulates the development of high-performance microdevices based on carbon micro/nano structures, from structural design to manufacturing strategies and specific applications. This review focuses on the latest progress in carbon micro/nano machining toward miniaturized device, including structural engineering, large-scale fabrication, and performance optimization. Especially, the review targets an in-depth evaluation of carbon-based micro energy storage devices, microsensors, microactuators, miniaturized photoresponsive and electromagnetic interference shielding devices. Moreover, it highlights the challenges and opportunities in the large-scale manufacturing of carbon-based microdevices, aiming to spark further exciting research directions and application prospectives., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

The study aims at assessing the potential of graphene-based adsorbents to reduce environmental impacts of Iodinated Contrast Media Agents (ICMs). We analyze an extensive collection of ICMs. A modeling approach resting on molecular docking and Density Functional Theory simulations is employed to examine the adsorption process at the molecular level. The study also relies on a Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) modeling framework to correlate molecular properties with the adsorption energy (E ad ) of ICMs, thus enabling identification of the key mechanisms underpinning adsorption and of the key factors contributing to it. A collection of distinct QSAR-based models is developed upon relying on Multiple Linear Regression and a standard genetic algorithm method. Having at our disposal multiple models enables us to take into account the uncertainty associated with model formulation. Maximum Likelihood and formal model identification/discrimination criteria (such as Bayesian and/or information theoretic criteria) are then employed to complement the traditional QSAR modeling phase. This has the advantage of (a) providing a rigorous ranking of the alternative models included in the selected set and (b) quantifying the relative degree of likelihood of each of these models through a weight or posterior probability. The resulting workflow of analysis enables one to seamlessly embed DFT and QSAR studies within a theoretical framework of analysis that explicitly takes into account model and parameter uncertainty. Our results suggest that graphene-based surfaces constitute a promising adsorbent for ICMs removal, π-π stacking being the primary mechanism behind ICM adsorption. Furthermore, our findings offer valuable insights into the potential of graphene-based adsorbent materials for effectively removing ICMs from water systems. They contribute to ascertain the significance of various factors (such as, e.g., the distribution of atomic van der Waals volumes, overall molecular complexity, the presence and arrangement of Iodine atoms, and the presence of polar functional groups) on the adsorption process., 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 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Migraine, typically occurs on one side of the head, lasts for hours to days. Trigemino-vascular system (TVS) plays a vital role in pain generation, with neurogenic inflammation and oxidative stress playing key roles in its pathophysiology., Methods: This study aimed to investigate genistein's potential as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent in mitigating migraine pain. Genistein (20 and 50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally (IP) to nitroglycerin (NTG; 10 mg/kg)-induced migraine model in rats. Behavioral analysis, antioxidant assay, immunohistochemistry (IHC), histopathological examination, ELISA, and RT-PCR were conducted to evaluate the antimigraine potential of genistein., Key Findings: In-silico analysis showed genestien's ACE values of -4.8 to -9.2 Kcal/mol against selected protein targets. Genistein significantly reversed mechanical and thermal nociception, light phobicity, and head scratching; increased the intensities of GST, GSH, catalase; and down regulated lipid peroxidase (LPO) in cortex and trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). It also reduced Nrf2, NF-kB, and IL6 expression, analyzed through IHC, improved histopathological features, and increased COX-2 and decreased PPAR-γ expressions, while RT-PCR analysis revealed increased PPAR-γ expressions in genistein-treated rats., Conclusion: Genistein exhibited potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in migraine treatment, acting through multifactorial mechanisms by modulating the expression of numerous proteins in the region cortex and TNC., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

This study reports a novel CuSe-TiO 2 -GO composite, synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method at a controlled temperature, and investigates its electrochemical performance for supercapacitors (SCs) and photocatalytic behavior for degrading methylene blue (MB) dye. The compositional phase structure and chemical bond interaction were thoroughly investigated. The as-fabricated pristine, binary, and ternary composites underwent comprehensive characterization employing spectroscopic techniques and electrochemical analysis. Compared with pure and binary compounds (CuSe, TiO 2 , and binary CuSe-TiO 2 composites), the ternary CuSe-TiO 2 -GO composites demonstrated a high degradation efficiency while degrading MB in less than just 80 min (240 min, 100 min, and 140 min, respectively). The photocatalytic activity of the ternary CuSe-TiO 2 -GO composites is enhanced due to the highly positive conduction band of CuSe, leading to the quick excitation of electrons to the conduction band of CuSe. Subsequently, graphene oxide (GO) left holes on the photocatalyst surface for MB, as GO assisted the photoexcited electron-hole pairs, resulting in enhanced photocatalytic performance. The CuSe-TiO 2 -GO electrode for the supercapacitor indicates a 310.6 F/g and 135.2 F/g capacitance when the discharge current upsurges from 1 to 12 A/g. The good photocatalytic and energy storage performance is due to the smaller charge transfer resistance, which promotes efficient separation of electron-hole pairs.

Purpose: Although plastic scintillator detectors (PSDs) are considered ideal dosimeters for small field dosimetry in conventional linear accelerators (linacs), the impact of the magnetic field strength on the response of the PSD must be investigated., Methods: A linac Monte Carlo (MC) head model for a low-field MR-linac was validated for small field dosimetry and utilized to calculate field output factors (OFs). The MC-calculated OFs were compared with the treatment planning system (TPS)-calculated OFs and measured OFs using a Blue Physics (BP) Model 10 commercial PSD and a synthetic diamond detector. The field-specific correction factors, [Formula: see text] , were calculated for the PSD in the presence of a 0.35 T and magnetic field. The impact of the source focal spot size and initial electron energy on the MC-calculated OFs was investigated., Results: Good agreement to within 2 % was found between the MC-calculated OFs and BP PSD OFs except for the 0.415 × 0.415 cm 2 field size. The BP PSD [Formula: see text] correction factors were calculated to be within 1 % of unity. For field sizes ≥1.66 × 1.66 cm 2 , the MC-calculated OFs were relatively insensitive to the focal spot size and initial electron energy to within 2.5 %. However, for smaller field sizes, the MC-calculated OFs were found to differ up to 9.50 % and 7.00 % when the focal spot size and initial electron energy was varied, respectively., Conclusions: The BP PSD was deemed suitable for small field dosimetry in MR-linacs without requiring any [Formula: see text] correction factors., 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 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica e Sanitaria. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the second most prevalent cancer in Pakistan. Methods: Gene expression data from TCGA and GETx for normal genes to analyze Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs). Data was further investigated using the Enrichr tool to perform Gene Ontology (GO). Results: Our analysis identified most significantly differentially expressed genes and explored their established cellular functions as well as their potential involvement in tumor development. We found that the highly expressed Keratin family and S100A9 genes. The under-expressed genes KRT4 and KRT13 provide instructions for the production of keratin proteins. Conclusion: Our study suggests that factors such as poor oral hygiene and smokeless tobacco can result in oral stress and cellular damage and cause cancer.

Introduction: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy about 50% of PDAC are metastatic at presentation. In this study, we evaluated PDAC demographics, annual trend analysis, racial disparities, survival rate, and the role of different treatment modalities in localized and metastatic disease., Methods: A total of 144,824 cases of PDAC were obtained from the SEER database from 2000 to 2018., Results: The median age was 69 years, with a slightly higher incidence in males (52%) and 80% of all cases were white. Among cases with available data, 43% were grade III tumors and 57% were metastatic. The most common site of metastasis was the liver (15.7%). The annual incidence has increased steadily from 2000 to 2018. The overall observed (OS) 5-year survival rate was 4.4% (95% CI 4.3-4.6%), and 5 years cause-specific survival (CSS) was 5% (95% CI 5.1-5.4%). The 5-year survival with multimodal therapy (chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation) was 22% (95% CI 20.5-22.8%). 5-year CSS for the blacks was lower at 4.7% (95% CI 4.2-5.1%) compared to the whites at 5.3% (95% CI 5.1-5.4%). Multivariate analysis found male gender and black race associated with worse prognosis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis found multimodal therapy to have the best outcomes in all three stages., Conclusion: PDAC is an aggressive malignancy with male gender and black race are associated with a poor prognosis. Surgery with chemoradiation was associated with the best overall survival. With steadily increasing rates of PDAC, improved treatment modalities are paramount to improving survival in these patients., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Federación de Sociedades Españolas de Oncología (FESEO).)

Background: Seizures are a common sequela for patients suffering from gliomas. Molecular properties are known to influence the initiation of seizures that may influence tumor growth. Different levels of gene expression with seizures related to gliomas remain unclear. We analyzed RNA sequencing of gliomas to further probe these differences., Methods: Total RNA sequencing was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas-Lower-Grade Glioma project, comprised of 2021 World Health Organization classification low-grade gliomas, including IDH-mutant and IDH-wild type, to distinguish differential expression in patients who did and did not experience seizures. Utilizing QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathways Analysis, we identified canonical and functional pathways to characterize differential expression., Results: Of 289 patients with gliomas, 83 (28.7%) had available information regarding seizure occurrence prior to intervention and other pertinent variables of interest. Of these, 50 (60.2%) were allocated to the seizure group. When comparing the level of RNA expression from these tumors between the seizure and non-seizure groups, 52 genes that were significantly differentially regulated were identified. We found canonical pathways that were altered, most significantly RhoGDI and semaphorin neuronal repulsive signaling. Functional gene analysis revealed tumors that promoted seizures had significantly increased functional gene sets involving neuronal differentiation and synaptogenesis., Conclusions: In the setting of gliomas, differences in tumor gene expression exist between individuals with and without seizures, despite similarities in patient demographics and other tumor characteristics. There are significant differences in gene expression associated with neuron development and synaptogenesis, ultimately suggesting a mechanistic role of a tumor-neuron synapse in seizure initiation., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the European Association of Neuro-Oncology 2024.)

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an extremely transmissible viral disease caused by the PPR virus that impacts domestic small ruminants, namely sheep and goats. This study aimed to employ a methodical approach to evaluate the regional occurrence of PPR in small ruminants in Pakistan and the contributing factors that influence its prevalence. A thorough search was performed in various databases to identify published research articles between January 2004 and August 2023 on PPR in small ruminants in Pakistan. Articles were chosen based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 25 articles were selected from 1275 studies gathered from different databases. The overall pooled prevalence in Pakistan was calculated to be 51% (95% CI: 42-60), with heterogeneity I 2 = 100%, τ 2 = 0.0495, and p = 0. The data were summarized based on the division into five regions: Punjab, Baluchistan, KPK, Sindh, and GB and AJK. Among these, the pooled prevalence of PPR in Sindh was 61% (95% CI: 46-75), I 2 = 100%, τ 2 = 0.0485, and p = 0, while in KPK, it was 44% (95% CI: 26-63), I 2 = 99%, τ 2 = 0.0506, and p < 0.01. However, the prevalence of PPR in Baluchistan and Punjab was almost the same. Raising awareness, proper surveillance, and application of appropriate quarantine measures interprovincially and across borders must be maintained to contain the disease.

The present study explored the nutritional composition, phytochemicals analysis, and antioxidant capacity of two indigenous varieties of red and green water chestnut (WCN) fruit grown in Pakistan. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the proximate composition (moisture, ash, fiber, proteins, fat, and energy), physicochemical properties (pH, °Brix, and glycemic index), minerals, and vitamins. The methanolic extracts of WCN fruits were explored for phytochemicals (total phenolic and flavonoid content), and antioxidant potential was examined in vitro by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Quantitative determination of mineral (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc) and vitamin (vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin A, and β -Carotene) composition was also assessed. Based on the findings, the proximate compositions of WCN green and red varieties varied greatly as WCN green contained significantly higher protein (1.72%), fat (0.65%), dietary fiber (2.21%), moisture (70.23%), ash (1.16%), and energy content (112.8 Kcal) than WCN red. In WCN green, the macro-micromineral concentrations were significantly higher than WCN red. Among the minerals analyzed, potassium was the most abundant mineral found in both varieties. Levels of vitamin C, B 6 , A, and β -Carotene were significantly higher in WCN green. In this study, methanolic extract showed higher extraction efficiency than acetone, ethanol, and distilled water. WCN green had a significantly higher quantum of total phenolic (91.13 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid (36.6 mg QE/g) and presented significantly higher antioxidant activity than the WCN red. This study showed that, among both varieties, WCN green extract has therapeutic potential against free radical mediated health conditions and suggested the potential use of this fruit as a source of natural antioxidants in nutraceuticals.

Metal-oxide-based gas sensors are extensively utilized across various domains due to their cost-effectiveness, facile fabrication, and compatibility with microelectronic technologies. The copper (Cu)-based multifunctional polymer-enhanced sensor (CuMPES) represents a notably tailored design for non-invasive environmental monitoring, particularly for detecting diverse gases with a low concentration. In this investigation, the Cu-CuO/PEDOT nanocomposite was synthesized via a straightforward chemical oxidation and vapor-phase polymerization. Comprehensive characterizations employing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and micro Raman elucidated the composition, morphology, and crystal structure of this nanocomposite. Gas-sensing assessments of this CuMPES based on Cu-CuO/PEDOT revealed that the response current of the microneedle-type CuMPES surpassed that of the pure Cu microsensor by nearly threefold. The electrical conductivity and surface reactivity are enhanced by poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymerized on the CuO-coated surface, resulting in an enhanced sensor performance with an ultra-fast response/recovery of 0.3/0.5 s.