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Malaria-associated pathogenesis such as parasite invasion, egress, host cell remodelling and antigenic variation requires concerted action by many proteins, but the molecular regulation is poorly understood. Here we have characterized an essential Plasmodium-specific Apicomplexan AP2 transcription factor in Plasmodium falciparum (PfAP2-P; pathogenesis) during the blood-stage development with two peaks of expression. An inducible knockout of gene function showed that PfAP2-P is essential for trophozoite development, and critical for var gene regulation, merozoite development and parasite egress. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data collected at timepoints matching the two peaks of pfap2-p expression demonstrate PfAP2-P binding to promoters of genes controlling trophozoite development, host cell remodelling, antigenic variation and pathogenicity. Single-cell RNA sequencing and fluorescence-activated cell sorting revealed de-repression of most var genes in Δpfap2-p parasites. Δpfap2-p parasites also overexpress early gametocyte marker genes, indicating a regulatory role in sexual stage conversion. We conclude that PfAP2-P is an essential upstream transcriptional regulator at two distinct stages of the intra-erythrocytic development cycle.

Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) has shown better peri-operative outcomes with equivalent oncological outcomes in gastrointestinal and thoracic oncology. Open CRS (O-CRS) procedure accompanies inevitable and significant surgical morbidity in patients. The aim of the review article is to compare outcomes of M-CRS and HIPEC/EPIC with open procedure in peritoneal surface malignancies.

Abstract Inaccuracy in the All Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (AISMR) forecast has major repercussions for India's economy and people's daily lives. Improving the accuracy of AISMR forecasts remains a challenge. An attempt is made here to address this problem by taking advantage of recent advances in machine learning techniques. The data-driven models trained with historical AISMR data, the Niño3.4 index, and categorical Indian Ocean Dipole values outperform the traditional physical models, and the best-performing model predicts that the 2023 AISMR will be roughly 790 mm, which is typical of a normal monsoon year.

Polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers have made great strides in industrial appliance use owing to the fibers exceptional composite properties, low environmental impact, and long lifespan. Five natural fibers-banana, sugar cane, coir, wood, and rice husk—are employed as short fibers in this experiment. The electrical and thermal properties of hybrid filler polymer (HFP) composites are also examined in relation to the thermal conductivity nano hBN filler weight ratio. HFP composites are prepared using the Taguchi design to select nano filler ratios and fifteen tests. Experimental results demonstrate that HFP composites with the maximum h-BN content are the most electrically and thermally robust. HFP composite material has the highest thermal conductivity and electrical resistance of 1.01 W/m-K and 346.91 Giga-Ohms respectively, with 5 % nano hBN and 2 % RH (sample 6). Nano h-BN fillers positively increase the thermal conductivity and electrical resistance of the composite structures. An improvement in thermal conductivity and electrical resistance is evident for the sample 6 composite, which increased by 16.09 % and 154.05 %, respectively, compared to the S1 interlaced multiphase hybrid polymer composite. Sample 4, containing rice husk fiber, achieves the minimal dielectric constant of 0.94, whereas sample 12, containing banana fiber, achieves a dielectric constant of 0.98. ANOVA is used to determine how such variables affect output variables. Performance measures are determined using the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system model with a hybrid grey base. Using the adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system, the input-output relation is modeled. After comparing experimental and ANFIS-anticipated data, the latter accurately predicted HFP composite behaviour. The combination of h-BN and natural fiber composites holds significant potential for various electrical and thermal applications due to their exceptional overall properties.

This study explores the utilization of Delonix regia (DR) (Gulmohar flower) as a natural photosensitizer in the fabrication of self-powered photosensors via dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Various photoanodes, including ZnO, ZnO/TiO2, and ZnO/TiO2/Nb2O5, were investigated for their performance enhancement in DR-based photosensors. The photoanodes were fabricated using different deposition methods sensitized with DR photosensitizer and characterized through X-ray diffraction analysis, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV–visible, Fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The absorbance spectrum results indicate improved photosensitizer adsorption in visible light for the ZnO/TiO2/Nb2O5/DR photoanode compared to other configurations. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) cross-section image of ZnO/TiO2/Nb2O5 confirmed the formation of a multilayer photoanode. Chronoamperometry experiments were conducted to evaluate the photo sensing behavior, focusing on sensitivity, photoresponsivity, specific detectivity, and quantum efficiency within the solar spectrum range. Among the devices, ZnO/TiO2/Nb2O5 exhibited the highest photoresponsivity (1.2 × 10 −3 A/W) and photodetectivity (26.78 × 104 Jones), demonstrating promising advancements in DR-sensitized photosensors. This research highlights the exceptional performance of DR-sensitized photoanodes, particularly ZnO/TiO2/Nb2O5, in advancing the capabilities of photo-sensing devices. The investigated configuration exhibited a rapid response speed of 723 ms and a remarkable sensitivity of 89.87% in detecting photo signals. These findings emphasize the potential of DR photosensitizers to enhance photo-sensing activities, with significant implications for diverse applications in photodetection. By leveraging the unique properties of DR, particularly its incorporation into ZnO/TiO2/Nb2O5, this study underscores the promising prospects for developing efficient self-powered photosensors. The insights gleaned from this work pave the way for further exploration and optimization in organic photosensors.

Numerous surgical approaches have been described for the resection of anterior cranial fossa meningioma. The common problems associated with these approaches are excessive brain retraction, injury to neurovascular structures, transection of superior sagittal sinus (SSS), and a higher risk of new-onset anosmia. The authors describe a unilateral extended frontal approach with the aim to minimize brain handling without the need for SSS transection and possibly better olfaction preservation. Methods: Thirteen patients with anterior cranial fossa meningioma were operated on using the novel technique of unilateral extended frontal skull base approach. The clinical presentation, radiological studies, intraoperative findings, and outcome at follow-up were recorded. Results: Gross total tumor resection could be achieved in 12 out of 13 patients. At least one of the olfactory tracts could be anatomically preserved in all patients, and superior sagittal sinus was preserved in all patients. Functional olfaction preservation was achieved in 8 patients. No patient developed new-onset anosmia. Conclusions: The extended unilateral frontal approach is a viable and reliable alternative for extended bifrontal technique for the resection of large midline anterior cranial fossa meningiomas with avoidance of SSS ligation, decreased brain handling with better olfaction preservation while achieving comparable tumor resection and acceptable cosmetic outcomes.

In dairy-based imitation mozzarella cheese (IMC) formulations, intact casein is critical and imparts IMC with a firm and elastic, stringy, melted texture. Rennet casein (RCN) is the desired ingredient to provide intact casein in IMC and is preferred over milk protein concentrate (MPC) and micellar casein concentrate (MCC). Transglutaminase (TGase), a crosslinking enzyme, alters the physical properties of MPC or MCC and may change IMC functionality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of TGase-crosslinked MPC and MCC powders on the functionality of IMCs. The TGase treatment included TGase at 0.3 (L) and 3.0 (H) units/g of protein and a control (C) with no TGase addition. Each IMC formulation was balanced for constituents and was produced in a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA). The MCC or MPC powder with high TGase enzyme in IMC formulation did not form an emulsion. The IMC containing TGase-treated powders had a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher RVA-viscosity during manufacture and transition temperature (TT), and a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower Schreiber melt test area. The IMC made from MPC (with or without TGase) had lower TT values and Schreiber melt test area as compared with that made from MCC. The TGase-treated MPC and MCC, when used for IMC manufacture, were comparable to IMC manufactured with RCN in texture and some measured melted characteristics. In conclusion, TGase treatment alters the melt characteristics of MCC and MPC in IMC applications.

PURPOSEFebrile neutropenia (FN) is a serious complication in hematologic malignancies, and lung infiltrates (LIs) remain a significant concern. An accurate microbiological diagnosis is crucial but difficult to establish. To address this, we analyzed the utility of a standardized method for performing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) along with a two-step strategy for the analysis of BAL fluid.PATIENTS AND METHODSThis prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center from November 2018 to June 2020. Patients age 15 years and older with confirmed leukemia or lymphomas undergoing chemotherapy, with presence of FN, and LIs observed on imaging were enrolled.RESULTSAmong the 122 enrolled patients, successful BAL was performed in 83.6% of cases. The study used a two-step analysis of BAL fluid, resulting in a diagnostic yield of 74.5%. Furthermore, antimicrobial therapy was modified in 63.9% of patients on the basis of BAL reports, and this population demonstrated a higher response rate (63% v 45%; P = .063).CONCLUSIONOur study demonstrates that a two-step BAL fluid analysis is safe and clinically beneficial to establish an accurate microbiological diagnosis. Given the crucial impact of diagnostic delays on mortality in hematologic malignancy patients with FN, early BAL studies should be performed to enable prompt and specific diagnosis, allowing for appropriate treatment modifications.

Dairy proteins are potential and multipurpose ingredients used to prepare various food products. It exhibits many beneficial functionalities and bioactivities in the processing of food products. All the functionalities of different dairy proteins depend on their peculiar structural characteristics. So, the present study aimed to characterize high-protein powders with different matrices (milk protein concentrate (MPC), rennet casein (RCN), micellar casein concentrate (MCC), whey protein isolate (WPI), and native whey concentrate (NWC)) for their composition, handling, and reconstitution properties, and microstructure and compared them with whole milk powder (WMP) and skim milk powder (SMP). The bulk density of the high-protein powders was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than WMP and NFDM. Due to the low bulk density of the high-protein powders, the wettability of these powders in the water was very high. Microstructural analysis of powders by scanning electron microscopy reveals that the high-protein powder had tetrahedron-to-polyhedron-shaped particles depending on the protein level. The idea regarding the powder’s morphology might be helpful for further improvement in the production processes to modify the functional properties of high-protein milk powders.

Abstract Background The influenza virus enters the host via hemagglutinin protein binding to cell surface sialic acid. Receptor-mediated endocytosis is followed by viral nucleocapsid uncoating for replication aided by the transmembrane viral M2 proton ion channel. M2 ectodomain (M2e) is a potential universal candidate for monoclonal antibody therapy owing to its conserved nature across influenza virus subtypes and its importance in viral propagation. Methods The phage-displayed naive human antibody libraries were screened against the short stretch of the N-terminal 10-mer peptide (SLLTEVETPI) of the M2e. ELISA, BLI, and flow cytometry assays were used to examine scFv binding to M2e epitopes. The scFv crystal structures were determined to examine the nature of the interactions. The potencies of the scFvs against the influenza virus were demonstrated by real-time PCR and confocal microscopy imaging. Results The four unique scFv clones were obtained from the scFv phage-display antibody libraries and shown to exhibit binding with the 10-mer conserved part of the M2e and with full-length M2 protein expressed on the HEK293T cells. The crystal structure of scFv AU1 with M2e peptide showed the peptide as a dimer in the parallel beta-sheet conformation bound at the interface of two scFv CDRs. The scFv AU1 significantly restricted the release of H1N1 virus progeny from the infected A549 cells. Conclusion This structural and biochemical study showcased the binding of antibody scFv molecules with M2e peptide dimer, providing the structural insights for the function effect in terms of recognizing and restricting the release of new viral particles from an infected host cell.

Due to cyclic wetting and drying, the hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soil is impacted significantly. In order to assess the soil strength parameters, knowing the unsaturated behavior is important. Soil moisture content is an important parameter that can define the shear strength of the soil. Most of the highway slopes of Mississippi are built on highly expansive clay. During summer, the evaporation of moisture in the soil leads to shrinkage and the formation of desiccation cracks, while during rainfall, the soil swells due to the infiltration of water. In addition to this, the rainwater gets trapped in these cracks and creates perched conditions, leading to the increased moisture content and reduced shear strength of slope soil. The increased precipitation due to climate change is causing failure conditions on many highway slopes of Mississippi. Vetiver, a perennial grass, can be a transformative solution to reduce the highway slope failure challenges of highly plastic clay. The grass has deep and fibrous roots, which provide additional shear strength to the soil. The root can uptake a significant amount of water from the soil, keeping the moisture balance of the slope. The objective of the current study is to assess the changes in moisture contents of a highway slope in Mississippi after the Vetiver plantation. Monitoring equipment, such as rain gauges and moisture sensors, were installed to monitor the rainfall of the area and the moisture content of the soil. The data showed that the moisture content conditions were improved with the aging of the grass. The light detection and ranging (LiDAR) analysis was performed to validate the field data obtained from different sensors, and it was found that there was no significant slope movement after the Vetiver plantation. The study proves the performance of the Vetiver grass in improving the unsaturated soil behavior and stability of highway slopes built on highly expansive clay.

The present study was undertaken to determine the physiological status in pre-partum stage of transition Deoni cows. Animals were screened and selected on the basis of artificial insemination and pregnancy records maintained at the Instructional Livestock Farm Complex (ILFC) and Sub centre, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Udgir (M.S.). Total eighteen transition (3 weeks-prepartum) Deoni cows, of between eight to twelve years of age, were selected for the study and maintained on similar management practices. Biochemical variables including calcium, phosphorus, Ca:P ratio, magnesium, glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ration, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin were estimated in pre-partum transition Deoni cows and were compared with healthy non-pregnant control. The haematological indices like white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, red blood cells (RBC), were determined and compared with healthy non pregnant control. Result of study revealed that mineral status such as serum calcium and phosphorus was significantly (P

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with 1,4-Piperazinediethanesulfonic acid (PIPES) have been explored as a coupled catalyst for the condensation reaction of Dimedone (1), Benzaldehyde and (2) Indole (3) in stipulated period of time to give 2-((1H-indol-3-yl)(phenyl)methyl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione (4) under ultrasound irradiation technique at 60 °C temperature. Pharmacological importance of targeted products along with surface properties of ZnO NPs and Bronsted acidity of PIPES together became promising advantages for this protocol to establish.

Milk protein concentrate (MPC) is used as an ingredient in processed cheese product (PCP) formulations. However, its use can result in texture defects such as a soft body and restricted melting characteristics. The use of micellar casein concentrate (MCC), which has a higher level of casein and less serum protein, improves the texture of PCP. Further improvement in PCP products may be possible using transglutaminase (TGase), an enzyme that can crosslink proteins. This study aimed to determine the effect of TGase treatment of MPC and MCC retentates on the functionality of MPC and MCC when used in a PCP slice formulation. Three lots of MCC and MPC retentate were produced using microfiltration and ultrafiltration, respectively. Each replicate of retentate was divided into three equal portions and treated with transglutaminase enzyme at three different levels: 0.3 U/g of protein, 3.0 U/g of protein, and no TGase addition. The retentates were spray-dried, and powders were used in PCP slice formulation. Functional properties of PCP were analyzed using a penetration test, Dynamic stress rheology (DSR) for transition temperature (TT), and Schreiber melt test. As the TGase addition increased, there was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in TT and a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in the Schreiber melt area. The PCP made from MCC had higher TT and Schreiber melt area values than that made from MPC as an ingredient (TGase or no TGase). It was concluded that TGase treatment modifies the melt characteristics of MCC and MPC in PCP applications.

Background: The elderly population in India has been increasing rapidly. It has become crucial to the public health systems in India to meet the changing needs of this ever-growing population such as medical, psychological and social problems, mobility disorders, falls, incontinence, pressure ulcers, dementia, and delirium. Aim: This study aims to study the social isolation and depression and its predictors among the elderly population of the urban field practice area of a medical college. Objectives: (1) To estimate the prevalence of social isolation and depression among the elderly. (2) To study the predictors of social isolation and depression. (3) To find out the association between social isolation and depression. Settings and Design: The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 elderly population from the urban field practice area of medical college. Subjects and Methods: The Lubben Social Network Scale – having 6 items and Geriatric Depression Scale – having 15 items were used to assess social isolation and depression. Statistical Analysis: Data were entered into MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: This study showed the prevalence of social isolation was 62.8%, depression was 43.9% among elderly and having mild depression (18.9%), moderate depression (13.9%), and severe depression (11.1%). The predictors for social isolation and depression were living status and education status. Conclusions: The study revealed that the majority of the elderly were socially isolated and depressed. Screening of elderly for social isolation should be done. Living status and education status were found to be the predictors of social isolation and depression. In addition, being socially isolated can lead to depression.