The World Health Organization recommends regular monitoring of the efficacy of nationally recommended antimalarial drugs. We present the results of studies on the efficacy of recommended ...antimalarials and molecular markers of artemisinin and partner resistance in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Single-arm prospective studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of artesunate-sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (ASSP) in Afghanistan and Pakistan, artemether-lumefantrine (AL) in all countries, or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) in Sudan for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum. The efficacy of chloroquine (CQ) and AL for the treatment of Plasmodium vivax was evaluated in Afghanistan and Somalia, respectively. Patients were treated and monitored for 28 (CQ, ASSP and AL) or 42 (DP) days. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-corrected cure rate and parasite positivity rate at Day 3 were estimated. Mutations in the P. falciparum kelch 13 (Pfk13) gene and amplifications of plasmepsin (Pfpm2) and multidrug resistance-1 (Pfmdr-1) genes were also studied.
A total of 1680 (249 for ASSP, 1079 for AL and 352 for DP) falciparum cases were successfully assessed. A PCR-adjusted ASSP cure rate of 100% was observed in Afghanistan and Pakistan. For AL, the cure rate was 100% in all but four sites in Sudan, where cure rates ranged from 92.1% to 98.8%. All but one patient were parasite-free at Day 3. For P. vivax, cure rates were 98.2% for CQ and 100% for AL. None of the samples from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen had a Pfk13 mutation known to be associated with artemisinin resistance. In Sudan, the validated Pfk13 R622I mutation accounted for 53.8% (14/26) of the detected non-synonymous Pfk13 mutations, most of which were repeatedly detected in Gadaref. A prevalence of 2.7% and 9.3% of Pfmdr1 amplification was observed in Pakistan and Yemen, respectively.
High efficacy of ASSP, AL and DP in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum infection and of CQ and AL in the treatment of P. vivax was observed in the respective countries. The repeated detection of a relatively high rate of Pfk13 R622I mutation in Sudan underscores the need for close monitoring of the efficacy of recommended ACTs, parasite clearance rates and Pfk13 mutations in Sudan and beyond. Registration numbers of the trials: ACTRN12622000944730 and ACTRN12622000873729 for Afghanistan, ACTRN12620000426987 and ACTRN12617001025325 for Pakistan, ACTRN12618001224213 for Somalia, ACTRN12617000276358, ACTRN12622000930785 and ACTRN12618001800213 for Sudan and ACTRN12617000283370 for Yemen.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The concentrations, spatial distributions, pollution level, and health risks of heavy metals in sediments of the Sharm Obhur, Northern Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were evaluated. Average concentrations were ...found to be: Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > As>Pb with the highest concentrations found near the head of the sharm, and decreasing towards the mouth. Environmental indices, together with the statistical analyses, showed that the sharm experiences a low to moderate degree of pollution. Sampling sites with heavy metal contamination are concentrated near the head and the southern coast of the sharm, where intensive human activities associated with a boat dock, construction, and recreation are common. The mean carcinogenic risk (CR) values of As, Cr and Ni are at permissible level suggesting unlikely adverse impacts of heavy metals on human health. Despite acceptable CR values; however, serious non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health threats from metals may yet be an issue particularly for sensitive populations such as children.
•Spatial distribution of heavy metals in Sharm Obhur sediments was determined.•Environmental indices were utilized to evaluate the quality of Sharm Obhur.•The headward sediments show moderate to considerable degree of pollution•Cr, Ni, and As in the sediments show possible adverse impact on human health.•Children face serious non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health threats than adult
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been shown to occur in a nonrandom pattern, with peaks in midmorning and on weekdays (especially Monday). The incidence of AMI has been shown to ...increase locally after natural disasters, but the effect of catastrophic events on AMI biorhythms is largely unknown. To assess the differences in the chronobiology of AMI in residents of New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina, the onset of AMI in patients at Tulane University Health Sciences Center in the 6 years before and the 3 years after Hurricane Katrina was retrospectively examined. Compared to the pre-Katrina group, the post-Katrina cohort demonstrated significant decreases in the onset of AMI during mornings (p = 0.002), Mondays (p <0.0001), and weekdays (p <0.0001) and significant increases in onset during weekends (p <0.0001) and nights (p <0.0001). These changes persisted during all 3 years after the storm. In conclusion, the normal pattern of AMI onset was altered after Hurricane Katrina, and expected morning, weekday, and Monday peaks were eliminated.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The morphology and gas sensing characteristics of Co3O4 nanoparticles prepared using the microwave irradiation were investigated. XRD and TEM are used to analyze the structural and the morphological ...properties of the prepared nanoparticles. XRD results confirmed the formation of pure phase of these nanoparticles. The gas sensor based on the synthesis Co3O4 nanoparticles reveals faster response and recovery time at low temperature detection toward methane gas. Specifically, for methane concentration of 1%, the response and the recovery times at 200°C are 100s and 50s, respectively. Furthermore, the sensing characteristics of Co3O4 nanoparticles were improved by increasing the operating temperatures and gas concentrations as well. The experimental results clearly demonstrate the potential use of Co3O4 nanoparticles as a sensing material in the fabrication of CH4 sensors.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
IL-33 is a proinflammatory cytokine thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A recent clinical trial using an anti-IL-33 antibody showed ...a reduction in exacerbation and improved lung function in ex-smokers but not current smokers with COPD.
This study aimed to understand the effects of smoking status on IL-33.
We investigated the association of smoking status with the level of gene expression of
in the airways in eight independent transcriptomic studies of lung airways. Additionally, we performed Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry for IL-33 in lung tissue to assess protein levels.
Across the bulk RNA-sequencing datasets,
gene expression and its signaling pathway were significantly lower in current versus former or never-smokers and increased upon smoking cessation (
< 0.05). Single-cell sequencing showed that
is predominantly expressed in resting basal epithelial cells and decreases during the differentiation process triggered by smoke exposure. We also found a higher transitioning of this cellular subpopulation into a more differentiated cell type during chronic smoking, potentially driving the reduction of
. Protein analysis demonstrated lower IL-33 levels in lung tissue from current versus former smokers with COPD and a lower proportion of IL-33-positive basal cells in current versus ex-smoking controls.
We provide strong evidence that cigarette smoke leads to an overall reduction in IL-33 expression in transcriptomic and protein level, and this may be due to the decrease in resting basal cells. Together, these findings may explain the clinical observation that a recent antibody-based anti-IL-33 treatment is more effective in former than current smokers with COPD.
Mill scale (MS), which refers to iron waste, was used to synthesize Mo–TiO2/GO/MS nanocomposite for the photodegradation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) via UV irradiation. By combining ...Mo–TiO2 as a semiconductor, graphene oxide as a supporter, and mill scale as magnetic material, we conceptually synthesized smart nanocomposite with visible light absorption and magnetic properties toward photocatalytic oxidation of POPs. Several analysis techniques such as TEM, XRD, XPS, and UV–vis were used to characterize the synthesized nanocomposite which exhibited a crystal size of 10 ± 2 nm, and optical absorption enhancement with calculated bandgap energy of 2.75eV. The photocatalytic degradation performance of 17 chlorinated pesticides was selected for testing through the synthesized nanocomposite. The photocatalytic performance using Mo–TiO2/GO/MS nanocomposite was more than 55%. The highest photocatalyst efficiency of 94.29% was achieved for the typical pesticide Endrine from water under UV illumination in less than 60 min. Additionally, polychlorinated biphenyls such as PCB 148 and PCB 15 have been effectively photocatalytic degraded with a removal efficiency of 83.42% and 67.82%, respectively. All degradation reactions of the tested persistent organic pollutants are pseudo-first-order. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was achieved by the Mo–TiO2/GO/MS catalyst relating to its good adsorption activity and efficient electron-hole charge separation.
•Mo–TiO2/GO/MS nanocomposite was synthesized by simple pathway.•Graphene oxide has an excellent adsorption capacity.•Mill Scale has the ability to recycle the photocatalysts.•The photodegradation efficiency of 17 types of pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls reached 94.29% and 83.42%, respectively.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The glass samples with Li
2
B
4
O
7
(100 −
x
) Tincalx (
x
= 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) composition were synthesized by melt-quenching technique (Tincal = Na
2
B
4
O
7
·10H
2
O). The elemental ...analysis of Tincal with different compositions is tested using energy-dispersive X-ray technique. Moreover, the surface morphology of fabricated glasses was investigated with scanning electron microscopy. Further, optical properties of fabricated Tincal glasses were evaluated along the wavelength ranged from 200 to 900 nm. Finally, nuclear radiation shielding properties of Tincal glasses were determined for gamma rays, neutrons and charged particles. It is observed from the optical absorption spectra that Tincal 20% and 40% indicated good optical transparency in the visible range of light (400–700 nm). The results showed that Tincal additive improves the gamma protecting capacity of glasses. It was also noticed that the addition of Tincal was also enhanced the neutron absorption of the glasses by increasing the cross section of the neutron and reducing the coherent scattering length.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The anti-wrinkle activity of defatted rosemary extract (DER) was assessed, and its effect was optimized by encapsulation in transferosomes (TFs). DER was standardized to a rosmarinic acid content of ...4.58 ± 0.023 mg% using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (Rp-HPLC), and its components were identified by HPLC-diode array detection-tandem mass spectrometry. In vitro free radical scavenging assays showed DER had high free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and superoxide radicals. DER also inhibited bleaching of
β
-carotene with high Fe(III) and Fe(II) chelating ability. In vivo anti-wrinkle activities of topically applied DER (20, 50, and 100 mg) and a TF formulation (TF4, 20 mg of DER) were evaluated in UVB-irradiated mice using a wrinkle scoring method, metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and histopathology. Among the nanovesicles, TF4 was the most deformable, and had an acceptable size and encapsulation efficiency and enhanced permeation of DER through rat skin compared with unencapsulated DER. DER (50 and 100 mg) and TF4 significantly inhibited MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and improved wrinkle scores. DER and TF4 moderately decreased epidermal thickness without pigmentation. DER is a potent natural antioxidant for combating skin aging. Moreover, encapsulation of DER in TFs will enhance its skin permeation and anti-wrinkle activity.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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