In this study, we adopted the solution combustion method to synthesize magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) using urea as the fuel. Various techniques including TGA, XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, UV-Vis DRS, and EDS ...were employed to characterize the synthesized MgFe2O4 nanoparticles. The XRD analysis revealed that single-phase MgFe2O4 was formed at a calcination temperature of at 500–600°C for 3 hours in the absence of an intermediate phase. TEM analysis also revealed the formation of monodisperse magnesium ferrite nanoparticles, averaged at 30 nm in size. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized MgFe2O4 nanoparticles against methylene blue dye under visible light was investigated, showing the efficiency of 89.73% after 240 minutes of light irradiation with the presence of H2O2.
Abstract
Current WHO-recommended diagnostic tools for tuberculosis infection (TBI) have well-known limitations and viable alternatives are urgently needed. We compared the diagnostic performance and ...accuracy of the novel QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB assay (QIAreach; index) to the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus assay (QFT-Plus; reference). The sample included 261 adults (≥ 18 years) recruited at community-based TB case finding events. Of these, 226 underwent Tuberculin Skin Tests and 200 returned for interpretation (TST; comparator). QIAreach processing and TST reading were completed at lower-level healthcare facilities. We conducted matched-pair comparisons for QIAreach and TST with QFT-Plus, calculated sensitivity, specificity and area under a receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), and analyzed concordant-/discordant-pair interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels. QIAreach sensitivity and specificity were 98.5% and 72.3%, respectively, for an AUC of 0.85. TST sensitivity (53.2%) at a 5 mm induration threshold was significantly below QIAreach, while specificity (82.4%) was statistically equivalent. The corrected mean IFN-γ level of 0.08 IU/ml and corresponding empirical threshold (0.05) of false-positive QIAreach results were significantly lower than the manufacturer-recommended QFT-Plus threshold (≥ 0.35 IU/ml). Despite QIAreach’s higher sensitivity at equivalent specificity to TST, the high number of false positive results and low specificity limit its utility and highlight the continued need to expand the diagnostic toolkit for TBI.
Catharanthus roseus
(Vinca) is a perennial herbaceous plant that is renowned for its abundance of vincristine (VCR) and vinblastine (VBL). These vinca alkaloids possess valuable anticancer properties ...and have been extensively used in chemotherapy treatment for various type of cancers. However, the current supply of these vinca alkaloids is reliant on plant material with low productivity and high costs. Endophytic fungi, a category of symbiotic mycota that are capable of synthesizing their host plant-specific bioactive compounds, have gained significant attention as a bioreactor for large-scale production of vinca alkaloids. In this study, a total of 34 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from stem and root tissues of
C. roseus
. The isolated endophytic fungi were taxonomically characterized as
Alternaria
sp.,
Talaromyces
sp., and
Cladosporium
sp. by morphological observation and sequence analysis of the ITS region of rDNA. Three endophytic fungal strains were identified to be capable of synthesizing VCR and VBL by UPLC/MRM-MS analysis. The fungal strain
Alternaria
DC1 was determined to be the most prolific producer, producing VCR and VBL at concentrations of 177.6 and 114.8 µg/L, respectively. The
Talaromyces
DC2 strain followed with VCR and VBL yields of 44.0 and 111.6 µg/L, respectively. While the fungal strain
Cladosporium
DC3 was identified as a producer of VCR (36.9 µg/L) and VBL (99.6 µg/L) for the first time. These endophytic fungi exhibit the potential to serve as viable sources for the production of vinca alkaloids on a larger scale.
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•P removal from simulated wastewater using lab-scale HSSF-CWs was examined.•Paspalum atratum was utilized as the emergent wetland plant for very first time.•WHC-based HSSF-CW planted ...with Paspalum atratum removed up to 89.9% of inflow P.•WHC sorption was the dominant P removal pathway in HSSF-CWs.•Utilizing WHC as a reactive filter media apparently extended lifespans of HSSF-CWs.
This work examined the phosphorus (P) removal from the synthetic pretreated swine wastewater using lab-scale horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF-CWs). White hard clam (Meretrix lyrata) shells (WHC) and Paspalum atratum were utilized as substrate and plant, respectively. The focus was placed on treatment performance, removal mechanisms and lifespan of the HSSF-CWs. Results indicated that WHC-based HSSF-CW with P. atratum exhibited a high P removal (89.9%). The mean P efluent concentration and P removal rate were 1.34 ± 0.95 mg/L and 0.32 ± 0.03 g/m2/d, respectively. The mass balance study showed that media sorption was the dominant P removal pathway (77.5%), followed by microbial assimilation (14.5%), plant uptake (5.4%), and other processes (2.6%). It was estimated the WHC-based bed could work effectively for approximately 2.84 years. This WHC-based HSSF-CWs technology will therefore pave the way for recycling Ca-rich waste materials as media in HSSF-CWs to enhance P-rich wastewater purification.
Nine isolates of Canine parvovirus (CPV) were obtained from Vietnamese dogs and cats. One canine isolate showed a unique antigenic property which indicates a novel antigenic variant of CPV-2b when ...examined with hemagglutination inhibition tests using our monoclonal antibodies, 21C3 and 19D7, which were recently developed. This isolate had an amino acid substitution of residue 426, Asp to Glu, and the same substitution has recently been found in CPV from Italian dogs. This study first showed that such substitution caused an antigenic difference demonstrable by monoclonal antibodies and that a similar evolution may have occurred in CPV in Vietnam.
Small molecule drug discovery has been propelled by the continual development of novel scientific methodologies to occasion therapeutic advances. Although established biophysical methods can be used ...to obtain information regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying drug action, these approaches are often inefficient, low throughput, and ineffective in the analysis of heterogeneous systems including dynamic oligomeric assemblies and proteins that have undergone extensive post-translational modification. Native mass spectrometry can be used to probe protein–small molecule interactions with unprecedented speed and sensitivity, providing unique insights into polydisperse biomolecular systems that are commonly encountered during the drug discovery process. In this review, we describe potential and proven applications of native MS in the study of interactions between small, drug-like molecules and proteins, including large multiprotein complexes and membrane proteins. Approaches to quantify the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of ligand binding are discussed, alongside a summary of gas-phase ion activation techniques that have been used to interrogate the structure of protein–small molecule complexes. We additionally highlight some of the key areas in modern drug design for which native mass spectrometry has elicited significant advances. Future developments and applications of native mass spectrometry in drug discovery workflows are identified, including potential pathways toward studying protein–small molecule interactions on a whole-proteome scale.
This paper analyzes the importance of credit self-rationing for borrowers with lower levels of education using a survey of Vietnamese SMEs from 2004 to 2014. We show that entrepreneurs not only ...refrain from using formal credit because of burdensome application procedures but also because they are inherently debt-averse. Both factors are more prevalent in entrepreneurs with lower educational levels. Consistently, borrowers with lower education have a lower propensity of using formal credit, are more likely to perceive financial constraints, and are more likely to report difficulties during the loan application process. However, we find no evidence of higher supply-side rationing by banks for entrepreneurs with lower educational levels. Our results imply that efforts targeted at alleviating actual financial constraints will have limited results if debt aversion and apprehension towards formal finance are not properly addressed. The best way to do this is to favor better education.
The formation of phytoliths as a result of the precipitation of Si in many Si-rich plant species is known to encapsulate organic matter. This work aims to examine the possible encapsulation of Cu in ...grass phytoliths in an orange growing area, where Cu-rich fungicides have been excessively applied. Batch experiments, in combination with SEM-EDS and microscopy, were conducted for the grass-derived phytoliths and phytoliths separated from soil, thus revealing their dissolution properties, morphotypes and contents, in relation to soil properties. By measuring the Cu release accompanying the dissolution of phytoliths by different extractants, especially an Na2CO3/HNO3 solution, it was revealed that Cu was encapsulated within the silica body of the phytolith. This sink of Cu in the grass can be cycled to serve as a new Cu source in soils. Phytolith contents in the soil were up to 17.7 g kg−1 and tended to accumulate in soil depths from 0 to 20 cm. A positive correlation was found for soil phytolith and phytCu contents and may be indicative of the role of phytoliths as an enhancer of Cu accumulation in soil. It would be worth developing suitable techniques for the determination of phytCu, because common extraction/digestion methods are not suited for evaluating this Cu pool.
•Excessive use of fungicides leads to accumulation of Cu in orange growing soils.•Cu assimilated from soil might be encapsulated within phytolith structure in grass.•Phytolith encapsulated Cu (phytCu) is a new sink and source of Cu in soils.•Release of phytCu is controlled by the destruction of phytolith.
JC virus (JCV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in immunocompromised patients. The prevalence and genotype patterns of JCV vary between different geographical regions. This study was ...done to investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of JCV in patients with hematological malignancies in Vietnam. A total of 48 urine samples were collected from patients with hematological malignancies. DNA was extracted and detection of JCV was by nested‐polymerase chain reaction. Sequence analysis was obtained and a phylogenetic tree was constructed for genotyping of JCV. Twenty‐seven (56.25%) urine samples tested positive for JCV. JCV genotype 7 was only observed in this study. Subtype analysis showed that JCV subtype 7A was the most commonly prevalent, followed by 7B1 and 7C1. Other subtypes were not detected in this population. There were no significant differences associated with age, gender, and biochemical parameters between patients with JCV and without JCV excretion in urine. The present study showed a high prevalence of JCV in the urine of patients with hematologic malignancies. The most common genotype found in this population was JCV subtype 7A.
Knowledge of connectivity in the nervous system is essential to understanding its function. Here we describe connectomes for both adult sexes of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, an important ...model organism for neuroscience research. We present quantitative connectivity matrices that encompass all connections from sensory input to end-organ output across the entire animal, information that is necessary to model behaviour. Serial electron microscopy reconstructions that are based on the analysis of both new and previously published electron micrographs update previous results and include data on the male head. The nervous system differs between sexes at multiple levels. Several sex-shared neurons that function in circuits for sexual behaviour are sexually dimorphic in structure and connectivity. Inputs from sex-specific circuitry to central circuitry reveal points at which sexual and non-sexual pathways converge. In sex-shared central pathways, a substantial number of connections differ in strength between the sexes. Quantitative connectomes that include all connections serve as the basis for understanding how complex, adaptive behavior is generated.
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