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Introduction: Filamentous fungi are crucial for the production of commercial enzymes, organic acids, antibiotics, and many other organic compounds. Citric, acetic, and gluconic acids are among the organic acids that are produced from fungi and have many functions. They are mostly used as a chemical reagent, fungicide, herbicide, microbicide, pH adjuster, counterirritant, and solvent in a variety of industries, including food, agriculture, cleaning, and cosmetics.

Objectives: This study aimed to study the diversity of selected organic acids (citric, acetic, and gluconic acids) produced by filamentous fungi isolated from the agricultural soils of North Gondar, Ethiopia.

Methods: In this study, a total of 36 soil samples were randomly collected from agricultural fields at different locations in North Gondar, Ethiopia. The isolates were identified to the genus and species level based on morphological study and sequencing methods (ITS1-5·8S-ITS2 region). Their distribution was evaluated with respect to different agroecologies (climate conditions). The organic acid production capacity of the isolates was evaluated.

Results: Based on the results of morphological characteristics and ITS1-5·8S-ITS2 region gene sequencing, 12 filamentous fungi were obtained. All 12 filamentous fungal isolates had one common ancestor and belonged to Aspergillus terreus (KIA, KIC, KID, and KIG), Aspergillus nidulans (KIB), Aspergillus niger (KIF), Penicillium chrysogenum (KIH), Penicillium brevicompactum (KII), Talaromyces pinophilus (KIJ), Penicillium kongii (KIK), Penicillium paraherquei (KIL), and Talaromyces sp. (KIM). Among these, three of them, namely, KIA, KIH, and KIF, were found to be the best producers of acetic acid, citric acid, and gluconic acid, respectively.

Conclusion: Organic acid-producing filamentous fungi could be isolated from varied agroecologies.

Background: Human papillomavirus-induced plane warts represent benign cutaneous lesions that, despite frequent spontaneous resolution, demonstrate persistence and recurrence patterns associated with considerable cosmetic and psychological morbidity. Isotretinoin has emerged as a therapeutic consideration for recalcitrant plane warts. We evaluated isotretinoin effectiveness and safety in the management of plane warts through a systematic analysis of available clinical evidence.

Methods: We conducted this systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines, with prospective registration in PROSPERO (ID: CRD420251060689). Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases were extended through November 2024. Primary efficacy outcomes focused on isotretinoin-induced changes in wart lesion characteristics.

Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising six clinical trials, one cross-sectional study, six case reports, and two case series conducted across seven countries, encompassing 438 patients. Complete resolution rates demonstrated substantial variation, ranging from 38% to 87.5%. Among 10 studies documenting adverse events, cheilitis and dry skin emerged as the most common side effects.

Conclusion: Oral isotretinoin shows promise for recalcitrant plane warts, but current evidence is heterogeneous and largely of moderate-to-low quality. These findings are insufficient to support routine clinical use at this time; well-designed, adequately powered randomized controlled trials with standardized dosing and outcomes are needed.

One approach to mitigating plastic pollution is the development of biodegradable plastic materials, such as bioplastics. Bioplastics are packaging materials that can be naturally degraded by microorganisms. In this study, bioplastics were produced using natural polymer compounds, specifically carrageenan and starch. The combination of starch and carrageenan was investigated to develop bioplastic packaging (shopping bags) with improved properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating different types of starch (corn, sago, and cassava) into carrageenan-based bioplastics on their physicochemical and mechanical characteristics. The research involved the fabrication of bioplastics using a combination of carrageenan and various starches (corn, sago, and cassava), followed by characterization, including moisture content, thickness, tensile strength, elongation at break, functional group analysis using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and surface morphology analysis using scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Additionally, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and biodegradation tests were conducted following the ASTM G21 standard. The results indicated that starch variation did not significantly affect the mechanical properties, morphology, or biodegradation characteristics of the carrageenan-starch bioplastics.

Polysaccharides from plant gum, chitosan from animal origin, and other polysaccharides are biologically active, nontoxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible with a wider range of clinical and general applications. The properties of these biological-derived polysaccharides play a major role in their application. This review outlines the different techniques used in the extraction of polysaccharides from plant and animal sources. The importance of the purity of polysaccharides is crucial; thus, techniques such as deproteination and other chromatography techniques are elaborated. Evaluation of properties of polysaccharides using spectroscopy methods, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and microscopic methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy, is detailed. These biological polysaccharides have been used in various fields including tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and drug delivery. These applications are elaborately covered in detail in this review.

Ruta montana L. is a perennial medicinal herb traditionally used in Moroccan healing practices for infectious diseases, hyperglycemia, spasms, and fever. This work intends to evaluate the bioactive constituents of Ruta montana essential oil (RMEO) using the GC-MS technique and demonstrate its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties via in vitro and molecular docking studies. The primary constituents of RMEO are 2-undecanone (56.41%), limonene (10.28%), and 2-nonanone (8.92%). The α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 455 ± 0.11 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 401 ± 0.04 μg/mL) enzymes were significantly inhibited by RMEO. Additionally, ferric reducing power (EC₅₀ = 1188.61 ± 1.12 μg/mL) and the β-carotene bleaching assay (IC₅₀ = 206.21 ± 1.12 μg/mL) confirmed its strong antioxidant activity. The antimicrobial evaluation showed remarkable activity against Micrococcus luteus (IZ = 20.05 ± 0.98 mm), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (IZ = 18.11 ± 1.11 mm) and moderate anticandidal activity against Candida albicans (IZ = 13.05 ± 0.21 mm). Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) ranged from 2.25 to 72 mg/mL, confirming both bactericidal and fungicidal effects. Besides, in vitro findings were supported by molecular docking and ADME analysis. The present investigation highlights the potent antibacterial, anticandidal, antioxidant, and antidiabetic abilities of RMEO, supporting its potential as a natural and safe therapeutic agent.

Ethiopian woodlands offer a variety of cultural, social, and economic advantages. However, human disturbances, climate change, and changes in land use may have influences on the benefits and services that woodlands currently provide. Furthermore, the distribution of plant ecosystems can be influenced by ecological characteristics. This study aimed to identify the types of plant communities, the relationships between plant communities and environmental conditions, the diversity, composition, and structure of woody plant species, and the regeneration status of woody species in the Basso Subwatershed. To gather information on vegetation and environmental conditions, systematic random sampling was employed. Fifty-two 20 m × 20 m sample quadrats were set up to assess trees and shrubs, and five 5 × 5 m subplots were created to assess seedlings and saplings. Woody species diversity was evaluated using the Shannon-Weiner diversity index, species richness, and Shannon evenness. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to examine links between vegetation and the environmental factors. In this study, a total of 28 plant species that belong to 17 families and five different plant community types were identified. The richness and diversity of species differed depending on the type of community. The overall Shannon-Wiener diversity index (2.65), species richness (25), and the Shannon evenness value (0.84) of the woodland were recorded in the subwatershed. Findings show that slope, disturbance, and grazing intensity reflected significant effects on woody vegetation patterns in the Basso Subwatershed (p < 0.01). However, altitude, aspect, and human impacts did not show significant effects on woody vegetation patterns in the Basso Subwatershed (p > 0.01). The most dominant woody species in the subwatershed were Acalypha fruticosa, Terminalia brownii, Combretum molle, and Balanites aegyptiaca. In the future, rehabilitation and sustainable vegetation management techniques will take into consideration significant environmental factors, particularly for species with low rates of regeneration like Dichrostachys cinerea, Grewia bicolor, and Maytenus senegalensis.

Background: It is essential to identify the factors that influence a student's choice of dental career, interest in postgraduate specialties, and preferred careers upon graduation when planning the dental workforce agenda in the country.

Objectives: We examined the factors that influenced undergraduate (UG) students of Jouf University, Saudi Arabia, to choose dentistry as a profession. We also assessed students' preferences for dental specialties following graduation and immediate career plans upon graduation and whether they differed by demographics.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional survey study that was conducted from November 15, 2021, to January 15, 2022. A twelve-item questionnaire was hand-delivered to the third-, fourth-, and fifth-year UG students and interns of the College of Dentistry, Jouf University. The research questions focused on demographic information, reasons for choosing dentistry as a profession, preferences for postgraduate studies, and preferred career upon graduation. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were performed.

Results: A total of 144 students responded to the survey. The samples consisted of 84 (58.3%) male and 60 (41.7%) female students. The reasons for choosing dentistry as a career were mostly related to personal and vocational factors. Significant differences were noticed between male and female respondents for most of the reasons for choosing dentistry as a career (p ≤ 0.05). The female respondents mostly preferred restorative and esthetic dentistry as a specialty of choice, whereas the male participants preferred oral and maxillofacial surgery. The most preferred career among male and female respondents was "civilian dentist in the public sector." There was no significant difference among genders with respect to the most preferred specialty and immediate career plans upon graduation (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Personal and vocational factors influenced the career preferences, with esthetic dentistry as the most preferred specialty for the graduates to choose. These data might aid the policy makers of the university for student career guidance.

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in aquatic environments and pose significant threats to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. While MP pollution in water has received considerable attention, there is still limited understanding of its regional distribution, shapes, and associated risks. The Jamuna River, one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in Bangladesh, is increasingly contaminated by hazardous MPs, likely originating from industrial, domestic, hospital waste, and municipal sewage. This study aimed to investigate the abundance, distribution, characteristics, and ecological risks of MPs in the surface water of a highly urbanized large river in Southeast Asia. Water samples were collected from 30 sites along a 44 km stretch of the river during two periods: March to April (premonsoon) and July to August (monsoon). A total of 386 MPs were identified in the collected samples. The mean abundance of MPs in the surface water of the Jamuna River ranged from 0.01 to 0.15 MPs/L during the premonsoon season and from 0.01 to 0.13 MPs/L during the monsoon season. Approximately 79.78%-87.98% of the particles fell within the 100-1500 μm size range. The presence of polyethylene (31.60%-37.24%), polystyrene (PS) (6.71%-10.81%), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (5.64%-7.28%) contributed significantly to MP contamination, posing a high health hazard. Several risk assessment models were employed to evaluate the associated risks. The pollution load index (PLI) classified the contamination under risk Category I (minor pollution). Meanwhile, the polymer hazard index (PHI) values were 305.65 for the premonsoon season and 208.0 for the monsoon season, both indicating hazard Category IV ("danger" level). The potential ecological risk index (PERI) placed the Jamuna River surface water in the "extreme danger" risk category, with values of 2454.43 during the premonsoon and 1911.29 during the monsoon. The prevalence of high-hazard polymers such as PVC and PS suggests a potential risk of toxicological effects for aquatic organisms and humans through food web transfer. This baseline study provides valuable insights into the MP pollution of one of the country's major rivers. It may help improve our understanding of land-based MP inputs from inland water bodies severely impacted by anthropogenic activities.

The high demand for Pangasius fillets in Indonesia has resulted in substantial byproduct waste, contributing to environmental concerns. To overcome this problem, it is necessary to utilize waste to create economically viable products, such as Pangasius fish byproduct oil. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of crude Pangasius oil extracted from fillet processing byproducts (belly and trimming) using dry and wet rendering techniques and to assess its business potential with a value-added approach using the Hayami method. The oil extraction methods used include dry and wet rendering. The study examined two main treatment categories: extraction method (A), which included dry rendering (A1) and wet rendering (A2), and the types of Pangasius fillet industry byproducts (B), which comprised trimming (B1) and belly (B2). The best oil, extracted from the belly via dry rendering, showed favorable physicochemical properties: free fatty acids (0.88%), peroxide value (5.85 mEq/100 g), iodine value (65.55 g I₂/100 g), and saponification value (211.84 mg KOH/g). The oil was found to have considerable quantities of vitamins A (161.65 IU/g), D (192.40 IU/g), and K (3.20 IU/g), along with elevated levels of palmitic (40.70%), oleic (21.20%), and linoleic acid (10.60%). An economic assessment indicated that 1 kg of byproducts could produce 0.25 L of crude oil, which has a value-added of U.S.$ 1.62/L. These results emphasize the potential of Pangasius belly oil as a value-added product, offering promising functional and commercial opportunities in the food and nutraceutical sectors. by dry extraction has the potential to be developed into a future commercial food product.

Bipolaris leaf blight of wheat is a serious biological obstacle that can be seen at any growth stage. Fertilizer management and micronutrient application have crucial roles in plant disease management. In this study, boron, zinc, and silicon fertilizer were applied in soil and sprayed on the foliage of wheat plants at the seedling, tillering, and booting stage to investigate their effect on the incidence and severity of leaf blight disease caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana and also evaluated the defense responses against the pathogen. Nine treatment combinations were applied in a susceptible wheat cultivar Kanchan. Vegetative parameters like the number of plants/pots, number of leaves/pots, and plant height (cm) are significantly promoted by micronutrient application at all growth stages. All combinations of micronutrient treatments expressively influenced disease parameters at 45 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) and yield contributing characters at 100 DAS. Yield components were assessed at 100 DAS. The lowest incidence and severity of leaf blight were found in T ₇, where 50% of the total micronutrients were applied to the soil and 0.30 g Zn and 0.30 g Si were applied on the foliage of the wheat plants. Total phenol content (401.79 μg/g), MDA (68.90 nmol/g FW), and H₂O₂ (82.36 nmol/g FW) were gradually increased after micronutrient applied and recorded highest in T ₇ at 21 days after treatment (DAT). Antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT) (2.97 mM min^-1 g^-1 FW) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (15.36 mM min^-1 g^-1 FW) were also found highest in T ₇. It is revealed that B, Zn, and Si can increase tolerance related to certain biochemical attributes, vegetative growth, and yield contributing characters of wheat.