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Giardia duodenalis is a major pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract, and infections impact both human health and the economy. The ongoing issues with drug resistance and the side effects of current anti-Giardia treatments highlight the urgent need for new therapeutic options. This study focused on investigating the in vitro efficacy of crude extracts of Stemona collinsiae from Thailand against G. duodenalis. S. collinsiae was initially extracted with hexane, followed sequentially by dichloromethane, ethanol, and water. The extracts were tested for growth inhibition against G. duodenalis. Dichloromethane and hexane extracts were highly active against the parasite after 48 h of exposure, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 60.77 μg/mL and 66.66 μg/mL, respectively. Both extracts reduced G. duodenalis trophozoite motility and adherence, altered trophozoite architecture, and induced apoptosis. Our findings demonstrate the anti-Giardia activity of S. collinsiae root extracts, especially those of dichloromethane and hexane. Our results will support the potential development of new and effective medications for the treatment of giardiasis.

Background: The role of pulsatile versus non-pulsatile flow during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is still in debate. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of pulsatile versus non-pulsatile flow on patients' recovery.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials comparing pulsatile and non-pulsatile flow in cardiac surgeries with CPB. Data were analyzed using the random-effects model. Then, sensitive analysis and meta-regression were conducted.

Findings: 32 studies including 2568 patients were considered in this meta-analysis. There is no difference in in-hospital mortality between the two groups (risk ratio [RR] = 0.74, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 0.35-1.56, p = 0.43). The ICU stay for the pulsatile group was still significantly shorter than that for the non-pulsatile group (mean difference [MD] = -0.19, 95%CI = -0.35∼-0.03, p = 0.02). Patients in the pulsatile group experienced a shorted stay in hospital (MD = -0.68, 95%CI = -0.97∼-0.39, p < 0.01) and a lower risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) compared with non-pulsatile group (RR = 0.46, 95%CI 0.35-0.60, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference of the postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) between the two groups no matter the roller pump or the intra-aortic balloon pump was used (RR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.87-1.11, p = 0.78).

Conclusions: The use of pulsatile flow during CPB in heart surgery has a protective effect on patient recovery. It can reduce the incidence of AKI, shorten the ICU and hospital stays, but its positive effect on postoperative mortality and POCD is not yet apparent.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is by far the most prevalent disease in the world and is now a major global public health problem because of the increase in diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Traditional biomarkers of kidney function lack sensitivity and specificity for early detection and monitoring of CKD progression, necessitating more sensitive biomarkers for early diagnostic intervention. Dyslipidemia is a hallmark of CKD. Advancements in mass spectrometry (MS)-based lipidomics platforms have facilitated comprehensive analysis of lipids in biological samples and have revealed changes in the lipidome that are associated with metabolic disorders, which can be used as new biomarkers for kidney diseases. It is also critical for the discovery of new therapeutic targets and drugs. In this article, we focus on lipids in CKD, lipidomics methodologies and their applications in CKD. Additionally, we introduce novel biomarkers identified through lipidomics approaches and natural products derived from lipidomics for the treatment of CKD. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to literature by demonstrating that natural products can improve CKD from a lipidomic perspective.

The demand for engineered composites particularly fiberglass reinforced polymers (FRP) is gaining momentum. The manufacturing of virgin input-resins for these composites involves the use of certain materials which poses serious environmental implication. This study has exclusively applied and investigated the Grey Forecasting model for management of FRP waste in developing countries to minimize the virgin inputs and likely environmental impacts. Various recyclate-based solutions are developed, experimented and analyzed. Technoeconomic analytics projected via Grey Forecasting depicted that indigenously developed solutions of reuse and recycling of FRP waste driven via mechanical recycling are sustainable. As such a trial project in Pakistan has initiated a viable benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.27 and a payback period of 26 months. Experiments using FRP recyclate-based inputs were successful in improving the filler, value, and strength of the product. As a result, consumer prices were reduced by 35 % and 21 % respectively. The recyclate material saved 15 % of the manufacturing cost as compared to the product manufactured by 100 % virgin inputs. Mechanical recycling proved as a safe and viable method that reduced the hazardous inputs by 25-28 % during manufacturing and minimizing the burden on landfills. Likewise, the mixing step focuses on eliminating the use of virgin materials and potentially harmful processes as this is where thermoset resins and glass-fibers are blended together to create the composite material. This comprehensive analysis provides a holistic perspective on policy interventions to achieve cost-effective recyclate management.

Essential oils application as natural preservatives is challenging owning to low solubility and stability to harsh conditions, while incorporation of essential oils into nanoemulsion systems can effectively improve these issues. Therefore, the nanoemulsion of ajwain (C. copticum) and cardamom essential oils were fabricated through self-emulsification technique and evaluated their size, ζ-potential, antioxidative and antibacterial activities. The effect of double nanomulsion on the textural and sensorial properties of Mortadella sausage was also examined under chilling temperature (4 °C). Our goal was to improve the chilling storage of Mortadella sausage by using ajwain and cardamom nanoemulsion as natural preservative. By increasing the ajwain essential oil in the nanoemulsion, the protein and moisture of sausage increased, while the fat content decreased (17 %). Furthermore, nanoemulsion of ajwain and cardamom essential oils showed particle size less than 100 nm and PDI<0.5 revealing the stability of nanoemulsions. Moreover, double nanoemulsions exhibited higher antibacterial activity against S. aureus and IC₅₀ DPPH value (107 ppm). The nanoemulsion had a greater effect on the textural properties of Mortadella, reduction in hardness (∼5300 g), and chewiness (∼2500 g mm). Ajwain/cardamom nanoemulsion also increased the sensory properties, particularly taste and acceptance of the Mortadella. Consequently, Ajwain/cardamom nanoemulsion not only improve the storage of mortadella sausage at chilling temperature due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, but also has a positive effect on the red color and textural properties created a special herbal aroma, taste and odor in the Mortadella samples, which ultimately contributed to the customer-friendly product. The appropriate dose of these nanoemulsion can develop meat products at lowest amount of nitrite in Mortadella sausage formulations, although, further research should be conducted on the mechanism of action AEO/CEO nanoemulsion concerning appearance and nitrite reduction in the meat products.

Background: The ketogenic diet is a dietary therapy with anti-seizure effects. The efficacy of the diet is variable, with initial animal studies suggesting the intestinal microbiome may have a modulating effect. Initial research on the role of the human microbiome in pediatric epilepsy management has been inconclusive.

Methods: In this single-center prospective cohort study, stool samples were collected from 4 patients with drug resistant epilepsy on the ketogenic diet and 9 with drug resistant epilepsy as controls. The samples were analyzed by 16S RNA sequencing.

Results: A trend towards increased alpha diversity was noted among patients on the ketogenic diet compared to the control group. Patients on the ketogenic diet also trended towards a higher relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Prevotellaceae species. A subset of the control group had a high relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, which may make them a candidate for a trial of the ketogenic diet as a therapeutic option.

Conclusion: These findings add to the growing field of research of how the ketogenic diet modulates the intestinal microbiome in pediatric epilepsy patients. Future emphasis on multi-centre trials, consistent stool collection practices and the establishment of standardized stool biobanking protocols are needed further to validate these novel findings in a pediatric population.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused millions of infections worldwide. Among the strategies for effective containment, frequent and massive testing was fundamental. Although sample pooling allows multiplying the installed analysis capacity, the definition of the number of samples to include in a pool is commonly guided more by economic parameters than analytical quality.

Methods: We developed a mathematical model to determine the pooling conditions that maximize reagent efficiency and analytical sensitivity. We evaluated 30 samples individually and in 2-sample to 12-sample pools. Using Passing Bablok regressions, we estimated the shift of Ct values in the RT-qPCR reaction for each pool size. With this Ct shift, we estimated sensitivity in the context of the distribution of 1,030 individually evaluated positive samples.

Findings: Our results showed that the most significant gain in efficiency occurred in the 4-sample pool, while at pools greater than 8-sample, there was no considerable reagent savings. Sensitivity significantly dropped to 87.18 %-92.52 % for a 4-sample pool and reached as low as 77.09 %-80.87 % in a 12-sample pooling.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that a 4-sample pooling maximizes reagent efficiency and analytical sensitivity. These considerations are essential to increase testing capacity and efficiently detect and contain contagious.

Isoxazole and oxadiazole derivatives inhibiting 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (3HKT) are potential larvicidal candidates. This study aims to identify more suited potential inhibitors of Anopheles gambiae 3HKT (Ag3HKT) through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. A total of 958 compounds were docked against Anopheles gambiae 3HKT (PDB ID: 2CH2) using Autodock vina and Autodock4. The top three identified hits were subjected to 300 ns molecular dynamics simulation using AMBER 18 and ADMET analysis using SWISSADME predictor and ADMETSAR. Replacement of alkyl attachment on C5 of isoxazole or oxadiazole derivative with a cycloalkyl group yielded compounds with lower binding energy than their straight chain counterparts. The top three compounds were brominated compounds, 2-[3-(4-bromophenyl)-1,2-oxazol-5-yl]cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid, 2-[3-(4-bromophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid, 3-[3-(4-bromo-2-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid, and they had binding energies of -8.58, -8.25, and -8.18 kcal/mol in virtual screening against 2CH2 protein target, respectively. These compounds were predicted to be less toxic than temephos, a standard larvicide and more biodegradable than previously reported inhibitors. The three compounds exhibited a greater stabilizing effect on 2CH2 protein target than 4-[3-(4-bromophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]butanoic acid, a previously reported inhibitor candidate with good larvicidal activity on Aedes aegypti. Further thermodynamic calculations revealed that the top three compounds possessed total binding energies (ΔG_bind) of -26.64 kcal/mol, -24.26 kcal/mol and -14.11 kcal/mol, respectively, as compared to -12.02 kcal/mol for 4-[3-(4-bromophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]butanoic acid. These compounds could be better larvicides than previously reported isoxazole or oxadiazole derivatives and safer than temephos.

This paper addresses the participation of independent aggregators (IAs) for demand response (DR) in European electricity markets. An IA is an aggregator trading the flexibility of consumers of which it is not the electricity supplier. Particularly, we focus on the controversial issue of a compensation payment from the IA to the supplier for energy sourcing. Concretely, we explore the potential welfare impacts of partial or full socialization of the compensation payment. For this, a static simulation framework is introduced utilizing historical day-ahead market bid and offer data from the Nordic region to rerun market clearing under different scenarios of compensation rules and with diverse assumptions regarding the DR aggregated by IAs. The overall welfare impacts comprise of changes in producer and consumer surplus, DR consumer welfare impact and the socialized part of the compensation. Based on a case study utilizing data for the full year of 2018, it is found that subsidizing the participation of IAs in the day-ahead market leads to negative overall welfare impacts due to over-incentivization of demand reduction. However, in nearly all investigated cases the socialization of the compensation payment leads to positive impacts on the consumer surplus, driven by reduced electricity wholesale prices. The optimal share of the socialization of the compensation that leads to the highest net consumer benefit depends on many factors, among which the assumptions around activation costs of DR are the most evident. Nevertheless, we argue that the socialization of the supplier compensation should be at least conditional upon the level of the hourly wholesale price (i.e., a "threshold price") and on DR cost estimates. Only in the case when high shares of untapped DR are relatively cheap, net welfare benefits will result.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are autoimmune disorders that can co-occur, complicating diagnosis and treatment. The molecular mechanisms underlying this comorbidity are not well understood.

Objective: This study aims to identify common differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) between MG and IIM to elucidate shared pathogenic pathways and potential therapeutic targets.

Methods: Transcriptomic data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed using the "limma" package in RStudio. Functional enrichment analyses were performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. A nomogram prediction model was developed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate its diagnostic potential.

Results: Four co-DEGs were identified between MG and IIM, associated with neurotransmitter transport and ion channel regulation. The nomogram model, incorporating three of these co-DEGs, showed high predictive accuracy for MG with IIM complications, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.94. Immune infiltration analysis revealed distinct patterns in MG and IIM, particularly involving gamma delta T cells and activated mast cells.

Conclusion: The study identifies key genetic intersections between MG and IIM, providing insights into their shared pathogenesis and highlighting potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Further experimental validation is required to confirm these findings.