Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) (
Geminiviridae
) is an important pathogen that severely affects tomato production. An extensive survey was carried out during 2003–2010 to study the ...diversity of begomoviruses found in tomato, potato, and cucurbits that showed symptoms of leaf puckering, distortion, curling, vein clearing, and yellow mosaic in various fields in different regions of India. Ten begomovirus isolates were cloned from infected samples and identified as belonging to the species ToLCNDV. A total of 44 % of the samples showed association of betasatellites, with CLCuMuB and LuLDB being the most frequent. The ToLCNDV cloned component DNA A and DNA B were agroinoculated on
Nicotiana benthamiana
and tomato (
Solanum lycopersicum
) plants with or without betasatellites, CLCuMuB or LuLDB. The viral genome levels were then monitored by real-time polymerase chain reaction at different time points of disease development. Plants co-inoculated with betasatellites showed enhanced symptom severity in both
N
.
benthamiana
and tomato, as well as increases in helper viral DNA A and DNA B levels. The DNA B and betasatellites acted antagonistically to each other, so that the level of DNA B was 16-fold greater in the presence of betasatellites, while accumulation of betasatellites, CLCuMuB and LuLDB, were reduced by 60 % in the presence of DNA B. DNA B-mediated symptoms predominated in CLCuMuB-inoculated plants, whereas betasatellite-mediated leaf abnormalities were prominent in LuLDB-co-inoculated plants. Inoculation with the cloned components will be a good biotechnological tool in resistance breeding program.
Injections using hypodermic needles cause pain, discomfort, localised trauma and apprehension. Additionally, careful use and disposal of needles is required to avoid transmission of blood-borne ...pathogens. As an alternative, microneedles can facilitate drug delivery without significantly impacting on pain receptors or blood vessels that reside beneath the skin outer layers. In this study we aim to determine the pain and sensory response to the application of wet-etch silicon microneedles, when used in such a way as to reliably penetrate skin, and provide a preliminary indication of how skin responds to microneedle injury with time. Twelve subjects received single-blinded insertions of a 25-G hypodermic needle and two microneedle arrays (36 needles of 180 and 280 μm height). The optimal method for microneedle application was determined in a pilot study. Pain intensity was scored using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and sensory perception determined using an adapted McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form. Skin penetration was determined by external staining and measurement of trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Mean VAS scores, verbal descriptions and questionnaire responses showed that the 180 and 280 μm microneedles caused significantly less pain and discomforting sensation in participants than the hypodermic needle. Methylene blue staining and TEWL analysis confirmed that microchannels were formed in the skin following microneedle application. Evidence of microchannel repair and resealing was apparent at 8–24 h post-application. In summary, this study shows that pyramidal wet-etch microneedles can penetrate human skin with minimal pain and sensory discomfort, creating transient pathways for potential drug, vaccine and DNA delivery.
Abstract Intestinal parasitism is the main cause of disease all over the world and described as a significant community health problem. The current study intended to find out the occurrence and ...identification of hazard factors linked with IPIs among 4-12 years aged shool-age children residing in Lower Dir district, Pakistan during 2019 - 2020. A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted using a pre-arranged pre-tested survey. Anthropometric data and stool collection were done to obtain the findings. The direct wet mount preparation in saline/iodine/methods was used for stool examination. Data were investigated using the GraphPad Prism 5. A total of 400 children studied (mean age of 8.6±3.6 years) the total incidence rate for the intestinal parasitic disease was established to be 71.75%. Of the 400 children studied, the overall prevalence rate for intestinal parasitic infections was found to 71.75% Ascaris lumbricoides (33.1%), Trichuris trichiura (1.04%), E. vermicularis (1.39%), Hookworm (19.86%) were identified in children living in the study area. We concluded that there is a mass scale campaigns were required to generate alertness about health and sanitation in children and the need for the development of effective poverty control programs because deworming (killing of worm with drugs) alone is not adequate to control parasitic infections.
Resumo O parasitismo intestinal é a principal causa de doença em todo o mundo e descrito como um importante problema de saúde comunitária. O presente estudo buscou descobrir a ocorrência e identificação de fatores de risco relacionados a infecções parasitárias intestinais (IPIs) entre crianças em idade escolar de 4 a 12 anos residentes no distrito de Lower Dir, Paquistão durante 2019-2020. Um estudo transversal baseado em escola foi realizado usando uma pesquisa preestabelecida e pré-testada. Dados antropométricos e coleta de fezes foram feitos para obtenção dos achados. A preparação de montagem úmida direta em solução salina/iodo/métodos foi usada para exame de fezes. Os dados foram investigados usando o GraphPad Prism 5. Em um total de 400 crianças estudadas (idade média de 8,6±3,6 anos), a taxa de incidência total da parasitose intestinal foi estabelecida em 71,75%. Das 400 crianças estudadas, a taxa de prevalência global de infecções parasitárias intestinais foi de 71,75%. Ascaris lumbricoides (33,1%), Trichuris trichiura (1,04%), E. vermicularis (1,39%), Ancilostomíase (19,86%) foram identificados em crianças morando na área de estudo. Concluímos que há necessidade de campanhas em massa para gerar alerta sobre saúde e saneamento nas crianças, e a necessidade do desenvolvimento de programas efetivos de controle da pobreza, pois a desparasitação por si só não é adequada para controlar as infecções parasitárias.
Dermatophytoses representing a major global health problem and dermatophyte species with reduced susceptibility to antifungals are increasingly reported. Therefore, we investigated for the first time ...the antidermatophyte activity and phytochemical properties of the sequential extracts of the Egyptian privet Henna (
Lawsonia inermis
) leaves. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids (TF), and antioxidant activity of chloroform, diethyl ether, acetone, ethanol 80%, and aqueous extracts were evaluated. The antifungal activity of henna leaves extracts (HLE) toward 30 clinical dermatophytes isolates, including
Trichophyton mentagrophytes
,
Microsporum canis
, and
T. rubrum
, was determined. Morphological changes in hyphae were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Following the polarity of ethanol and acetone, they exhibited distinct efficiency for the solubility and extraction of polyphenolic polar antioxidants from henna leaves. Fraxetin, lawsone, and luteolin-3-O-glucoside were the major phenolic compounds of henna leaves, as assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. A high and significant positive correlation was found between TPC, TF, the antioxidants, and the antidermatophyte activities of HLE. Acetone and ethanol extracts exhibited the highest antifungal activity toward the tested dermatophyte species with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges 12.5–37.5 and 25–62.5 µg/mL, respectively. Structural changes including collapsing, distortion, inflating, crushing of hyphae with corrugation of walls, and depressions on hyphal surfaces were observed in SEM analysis for dermatophyte species treated with MICs of griseofulvin, acetone, and ethanol extracts. In conclusion, acetone and ethanolic extracts of henna leaves with their major constituent fraxetin exhibited effective antifungal activity toward dermatophyte species and may be developed as an alternative for dermatophytosis treatment. These findings impart a useful insight into the development of an effective and safe antifungal agent for the treatment of superficial fungal infections caused by dermatophytes.
Detection of adulteration in carbohydrate-rich foods like fruit juices is particularly difficult because of the variety of the commercial sweeteners available that match the concentration profiles of ...the major carbohydrates in the foods. In present study, a new sensitive and robust assay using Fourier Transform Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-NIRS) combined with partial least square (PLS) multivariate methods has been developed for detection and quantification of saccharin adulteration in different commercial fruit juice samples. For this investigation, six different commercially available fruit juice samples were intentionally adulterated with saccharin at the following percentage levels: 0%, 0.10%, 0.30%, 0.50%, 0.70%, 0.90%, 1.10%, 1.30%, 1.50%, 1.70% and 2.00% (weight/volume). Altogether, 198 samples were used including 18 pure juice samples (unadulterated) and 180 juice samples adulterated with saccharin. PLS multivariate methods including partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and partial least-squares regressions (PLSR) were applied to the obtained spectral data to build models. The PLS-DA model was employed to differentiate between pure fruit juice samples and those adulterated with saccharin. The R
2
value obtained for the PLS-DA model was 97.90% with an RMSE error of 0.67%. Similarly, a PLS regression model was also developed to quantify the amount of saccharin adulterant in juice samples. The R
2
value obtained for the PLSR model was 97.04% with RMSECV error of 0.88%. The employed model was then cross-validated by using a test set which included 30% of the total adulterated juice samples. The excellent performance of the model was proved by the low root mean squared error of prediction value of 0.92% and the high correlation factor of 0.97. This newly developed method is robust, nondestructive, highly sensitive and economical.
In the area of bone tissue engineering, the concept of using biomaterials based bone scaffolds in the regeneration of critical size bone defects is a key element to development of alternatives to ...allogenic and autogolous bone graft. Globally, countries all over the world is experiencing population aging besides other bone defects related case including trauma, pathology and congenital defects. Calcium phosphate (CaP) has received much interest for broad range of bone substitutes since its physicochemical properties can be conveniently tailored with close resemblance to human bone constituents. In this study the mechanical properties of Polyhydroxyalakanoate (PHA)/CaP composite were investigated. CaP was reinforced in PHA in the range from 5 wt% to 30 wt% and the tensile and impact properties of the composite were investigated. The addition of CaP showed fluctuation value in both tensile strength and impact strength starting with drop at approximately three times lower than neat PHA. The maximum tensile stress recorded at 15 wt% of CaP was 7.93 MPa along with elastic modulus of 102.416 MPa while the minimum tensile stress recorded at 30 wt% of CaP was 2.423 MPa with elastic modulus of 49.455 MPa. In parallel, the highest impact strength showed at 15 wt% of CaP was 5.761 kJ/m2 while the lowest mechanical strength recorded at 30 wt% of CaP content. Morphological analysis demonstrates the crack surface of each sample with CaP inclusion in supporting the development of brittleness in nature of biocomposite throughout the inclusion of CaP osteo-filler. Admittedly, the finding of this study will contribute to development of PHA based scaffolds for bone tissue with compromise mechanical properties along with their biological performance identical or similar to that of an ancient graft or transplant upon implantation.
Abstract
The measurement of physical parameters of porous rock, which constitute reservoirs, is an essential part of hydrocarbon exploration. Typically, the measurement of these physical parameters ...is carried out through core analysis in a laboratory, which requires considerable time and high costs. Another approach involves using digital rock models, where the physical parameters are calculated through image processing and numerical simulations. However, this method also requires a significant amount of time for estimating the physical parameters of each rock sample. Machine learning, specifically convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithms, has been developed as an alternative method for estimating the physical parameters of porous rock in a shorter time frame. The advancement of CNN, particularly through transfer learning using pre-trained models, has contributed to rapid prediction capabilities. However, not all pre-trained models are suitable for estimating the physical parameters of porous rock. In this study, transfer learning was applied to estimate parameters of sandstones such as porosity, specific surface area, average grain size, average coordination number, and average throat radius. Six types of pre-trained models were utilized: ResNet152, DenseNet201, Xception, InceptionV3, InceptionResNetV2, and MobileNetV2. The results of this study indicate that the DenseNet201 model achieved the best performance with an error rate of 2.11%. Overall, this study highlights the potential of transfer learning to ultimately lead to more efficient and effective computation.
In the present investigation, Zero valent iron (ZVI) was synthesized using ferrous sulfate and borohydrate in the presence of EDTA and characterized by x-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive ...x-ray (EDX) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. The prepared ZVI catalytic activity was evaluated by degrading Acid Red 1 (AR1) and Acid Green 25 (AG25) dyes. The process variables such as pH, initial dye concentration, ZVI dose, contact time, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and temperature were optimized for maximum dye degradation. AG25 removal was 98% at pH 4, ZVI dose 0.2 g l−1, initial dye concentration 50 mg l−1, 90 min reaction time and 8 mM H2O2 concentration, whereas pH 2, ZVI dose 0.1 g l−1, 50 mg l−1 initial dye concentration, 8 mM H2O2 and 90 min were found to be optimum for AR1 maximum degradation of 91.60%. Behnajady-Modirshahla-Ghanbery kinetic model and thermodynamic study revealed the spontaneity and endothermic nature of the process. Results revealed that ZVI has potential to degrade the dyes and could possibly be used for the degradation of dyes in wastewater.
Lead-free halide double perovskite (LFHDP) Cs2AgBiBr6 has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional lead-based perovskites (LBPs), offering notable advantages in terms of chemical stability ...and non-toxicity. However, the efficiency of Cs2AgBiBr6 solar cells faces challenges due to their wide bandgap (Eg). As a viable strategy to settle this problem, we consider optimization of the optical and photovoltaic properties of Cs2AgBiBr6 by Gallium (Ga) substitution. The synthesized Cs2Ag0.95Ga0.05BiBr6 is rigorously characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy, and solar simulator measurements. XRD analysis reveals shifts in peak positions, indicating changes in the crystal lattice due to Ga substitution. The optical analysis demonstrates a reduction in the Eg, leading to improvement of the light absorption within the visible spectrum. Importantly, the Cs2Ag0.95Ga0.05BiBr6 solar cell exhibits enhanced performance, as evidenced by higher values of open circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Jsc), and fill factor (FF), which are 0.94 V, 6.01 mA cm−2, and 0.80, respectively: this results in an increased power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 3.51% to 4.52%. This research not only helps to overcome film formation challenges, but also enables stable Cs2Ag0.95Ga0.05BiBr6 to be established as a high-performance material for photovoltaic applications. Overall, our development contributes to the advancement of environmentally friendly solar technologies.
Abstract Tapeworms of zoonotic importance have been described as a leading public health problem. Current research was aim to assess the prevalence of tapeworms among 5-12years school children ...residing in district Lower Dir, Pakistan from January 2019-December 2019. The wet mount preparation in saline/iodine/methods were used for stool examination. Data was analyzed using appropriate descriptive, static methods. Of the 400 children studied 71.7% were infected with one or more species of intestinal parasites. Single infection of cestode species was found in 69 individuals with 17.2% prevalence and multiple parasitic infections were identified in 19.7% (n=79/400) individuals. The multiple infection were comprised as 10% (n=40) double, 6.75% (n=27) triple and 3% (n=12) quadruple. A total of 9 species of helminths and one species of protozoan infection. Among the helminths Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent 33.1% (n=95), Taenia saginata 22.6% (n=65), hookworm 19.8% (n=57), Hymenolepis nana 18.8% (n=54), Enterobius vermicularis and Hymenolepis diminuta 1.39% (n=4each), Trichuris trichura 1.04% (n=3), Toxocara spp 0.69% (n=2) and Schistosoma japonicum 0.34% (n=1) were reported. One protozoan species was Cryptosporidium spp 0.69% (n=2) in current study. In case of A.lumbricoides, hookworm, E.vermicularis, T.trichura, T.saginata, H.nana and H.diminuta the male children of below 8 years of age were highly infected. Other infections are reported in the same prevalence with slight difference if any. We conclude that there is a need for mass scale campaigns to create awareness regarding health and hygiene in children and the need for development of effective poverty control programs because deworming alone is not adequate to control parasitic infections.
Resumo As tênias de importância zoonótica têm sido descritas como um dos principais problemas de saúde pública. A pesquisa atual teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de tênias entre crianças em idade escolar de 5 a 12 anos que residem no distrito de Lower Dir, Paquistão, de janeiro de 2019 a dezembro de 2019. Os métodos de preparação para montagem úmida em solução salina/iodo foram usados para exame de fezes. Os dados foram analisados usando métodos descritivos e estáticos apropriados. Das 400 crianças estudadas, 71,7% estavam infectadas com uma ou mais espécies de parasitas intestinais. Infecção única de espécies de cestóides foi encontrada em 69 indivíduos com prevalência de 17,2% e infecções parasitárias múltiplas foram identificadas em 19,7% (n = 79/400) indivíduos. As infecções múltiplas foram compostas por 10% (n = 40) dupla, 6,75% (n = 27) tripla e 3% (n = 12) quádrupla. Um total de 9 espécies de helmintos e uma espécie de infecção por protozoários. Entre os helmintos, Ascaris lumbricoides foi o mais prevalente 33,1% (n = 95), Taenia saginata 22,6% (n = 65), ancilóstomo 19,8% (n = 57), Hymenolepis nana 18,8% (n = 54), Enterobius vermicularis e Hymenolepis diminuta 1,39% (n = 4cada), Trichuris trichura 1,04% (n = 3), Toxocara spp 0,69% (n = 2) e Schistosoma japonicum 0,34% (n = 1). Uma espécie de protozoário foi Cryptosporidium spp 0,69% (n = 2) no estudo atual. No caso de A.lumbricoides, ancilostomíase, E.vermicularis, T.trichura, T.saginata, H.nana e H.diminuta, as crianças do sexo masculino com menos de 8 anos de idade estavam altamente infectadas. Outras infecções são relatadas na mesma prevalência, com ligeira diferença, se houver. Concluímos que há uma necessidade de campanhas em massa para criar consciência sobre saúde e higiene em crianças e a necessidade de desenvolvimento de programas eficazes de controle da pobreza, porque a desparasitação por si só não é adequada para controlar infecções parasitárias.
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