Non-genetic risk factors for keratoconus and its progression.

Keratoconus is a multifaceted corneal ectatic disorder characterized by a range of genetic and environmental risk factors. While genetic predisposition significantly influences global disease prevalence rates as well as severity and progression rates, emerging evidence highlights the critical interplay between environmental factors and genetic susceptibility. This article provides a comprehensive overview of environmental risk factors implicated in the onset and progression of keratoconus.

Base of Skull & Spinal Canal Narrowing in an Adolescent with Autosomal Recessive Hypophosphatemic Rickets Type 2.

Autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 2 (ARHR2) is an uncommon hereditary form of rickets characterised by chronic renal phosphate loss and impaired bone mineralisation. This results from compound heterozygous or homozygous pathogenic variants in ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1), a key producer of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) and an inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor23 (FGF23). ENPP1 deficiency impacts FGF23 and increases its activity.

Exploring the potential of malononitrile functionalized donor-acceptor systems for non-volatile memory device applications.

A novel series of D-bridge-A type organic small molecules has been designed, synthesized, and evaluated for non-volatile resistive switching write-once read-many (WORM) memory application. This study explores structure-property relationships by coupling electron-deficient malononitrile units with donors such as dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, and triphenylamine. Photophysical investigations revealed significant intramolecular charge transfer interaction, while electrochemical analyses demonstrated optimal band gaps ranging from 2.

Low-dose radiation research insights in experimental animals: A gateway to therapeutic implications.

In recent years, a significant research effort has been underway to explore the effects of low-dose radiation (LDR). Animal models play a key role in various fields of research, including biomedicine, pharmaceutical, environmental, and behavioral studies. The use of animal models has been an invaluable tool in radiation research for understanding radiation biology, assessing radiation risks, and developing strategies for radiation protection and medical management.

Correction: Repeatability and agreement of biometric measurements using spectral domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography and Scheimpflug tomography in keratoconus.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Odontogenic Actinomycotic Necrotizing Fasciitis of Cervicothoracic Region: A Case Report.

We report an uncommon odontogenic actinomycotic cervicothoracic Nectrotizing Fasciitis (NF), treated with tracheostomy, immediate surgical debridement and antibiotics. Red flags for early identification, LRINEC scoring for prognostication, surgical debridement with aerobic & anaerobic culture specific antibiotics to improve survival in this life-threatening cervicothoracic NF in a young diabetic is discussed.

Agreement of a Pyramidal Wavefront-Based Autorefraction with Dry, Cycloplegic, and Subjective Refraction in Myopic Refractive Surgery Candidates.

Purpose: To evaluate the repeatability of a pyramidal wavefront-based refraction (WFR) measurement and its agreement with dry autorefraction (DR), cycloplegic autorefraction (CR), and subjective refraction (SR) in myopic refractive surgery candidates.

Methods: One hundred eighty-nine eyes from 189 participants were evaluated. PERAMIS aberrometry (PERAMIS; SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions, Kleinostheim, Germany), DR, and CR, as well as SR, were completed for all candidates.

Antibiotic contaminants and their impact in Gingee River, Puducherry: insights from SPE-UPLC-MS/MS and zebrafish study.

The accumulation of antibiotic residues in ecosystems is intricately tied to the proliferation of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, with far-reaching consequences for the health and welfare of both humans and animal well-being. The analytical approach integrates solid phase extraction (SPE) with ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for quantification of multiclass antibiotic residues. Upon applying the aforementioned method to analyse water samples collected from the Gingee River, revealed the existence of five distinct antibiotics.

Comparative Physiological, Biochemical, and Leaf Proteome Responses of Contrasting Wheat Varieties to Drought Stress.

Drought stress severely affects crop productivity and threatens food security. As current trends of global warming are predicted to exacerbate droughts, developing drought-resilient crops becomes urgent. Here, we used the drought-tolerant (BW35695) and drought-sensitive (BW4074) wheat varieties to investigate the physiological, biochemical, and leaf proteome responses underpinning drought tolerance.

Variation within the non-coding genome influences genetic and epigenetic regulation of the human leukocyte antigen genes.

Variation within the non-coding genome may influence the regulation and expression of important genes involved in immune control such as the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. Class I and Class II HLA molecules are essential for peptide presentation which is required for T lymphocyte activation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms within non-coding regions of HLA Class I and Class II genes may influence the expression of these genes by affecting the binding of transcription factors and chromatin modeling molecules.

Unique Gene Expression Profiles within South Africa Are Associated with Varied Chemotherapeutic Responses in Conventional Osteosarcoma.

Background: We determined the predictive gene expression profiles associated with chemo-response in conventional osteosarcomas (COS) within South Africa.

Materials And Methods: In 28 patients, we performed an RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and quantitative analysis using the RT-PCR 2 method to determine the fold change in gene expression alongside GAPDH (housekeeping gene).

Results: We observed a significant downregulation in the mRNA expression profiles of ( = 0.

The Paradox of Palliative Care at the End of Life: Higher Rates of Aggressive Interventions in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer.

Palliative care has shown benefit in patients with cancer; however, little is known about the overall utilization of palliative care services in patients with pancreatic cancer and the impact of aggressive end-of-life interventions. This study aimed to explore the incidence of palliative care consultations (PCCs) in hospitalized patients with pancreatic cancer in the United States and the association between palliative care consultations and the use of aggressive interventions at the end of life. We conducted a retrospective study of patients hospitalized with pancreatic cancer.

Thermal lens technique's surrogacy unveiled: A novel tool for microplastic detection and quantification in water.

The escalating usage of paper cups and packaging materials with plastic coatings has evolved into a substantial environmental and health concern, evidenced by the report of microplastics in human blood. This research introduces an innovative laser-assisted thermal lens (TL) technique for the precise detection and measurement of microplastics, specifically those leaching from the inner plastic coatings of paper cups. Employing a multipronged approach encompassing scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible, and Raman spectroscopy, a comprehensive investigation is conducted into the leaching of microplastics into hot water from paper cups.

Quantitative determination of the antibacterial activity of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and tetracycline gel against (Aa), (Pg) and (Pi) - a microbiological study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of licorice gel and tetracycline gel against , and .

Methods: An indigenously prepared 50 μL licorice and tetracycline gel was subjected to antibacterial sensitivity test (thrice) against Aa, Pg, Pi by agar well diffusion method using Brain Heart Infusion media. Colonies of Aa, Pg, Pi was transferred into broth and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h and diameter of inhibition zone was measured.

Mitochondrial defects and metabolic vulnerabilities in Lynch syndrome-associated MSH2-deficient endometrial cancer.

Unlabelled: Lynch syndrome (LS) is defined by inherited mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes, including and carries 60% lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer (EC). Beyond hypermutability, specific mechanisms for LS-associated endometrial carcinogenesis are not well understood. Here, we assessed the effects of MSH2 loss on EC pathogenesis using a novel mouse model (PR-Cre , abbreviated Msh2KO), primary cell lines established from this model, human tissues, and human EC cell lines with isogenic MSH2 knockdown.

-Coumaric Acid Differential Alters the Ion-Omics Profile of Chia Shoots under Salt Stress.

-Coumaric acid (-CA) is a phenolic compound that plays a crucial role in mediating multiple signaling pathways. It serves as a defense strategy against plant wounding and is also presumed to play a role in plant development and lignin biosynthesis. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and ionomic effect of -CA on chia seedlings under salt stress.

Knowledge, Awareness, and Perception of Dental Stem Cell: A Questionnaire-based Cross-sectional Study.

The purest and unrestricted source of stem cells is the enamel of the teeth. Dental stem cells (DSCs), which are simple to get, quick to use, and reasonably priced, have the potential to be used in a variety of promising therapeutic applications. Due to their capacity for self-renewal, they are employed to treat significant flaws brought about by diseases, injuries, or surgical procedures.

Mechanistic insight into the anti-alternaria activity of bimetallic zinc oxide and silver/zinc oxide nanoparticles.

is an opportunistic phytopathogen that negatively impact the growth and production of a wide variety of host plants. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal potential of biogenic ZnO, and bimetallic silver and zinc oxide (Ag/ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized using seed extract of and characterized using different analytical tools. antifungal potentials of ZnO and Ag/ZnO nanoparticles were carried out using the food poison technique.

Spatiotemporal Expansion of Algal Blooms in Coastal China Seas.

The coastal seas of China are increasingly threatened by algal blooms, yet their comprehensive spatiotemporal mapping and understanding of underlying drivers remain challenging due to high turbidity and heterogeneous water conditions. We developed a singular value decomposition-based algorithm to map these blooms using two decades of MODIS-Aqua satellite data, spanning from 2003 to 2022. Our findings indicate significant algal activity along the Chinese coastline, impacting an average annual area of approximately 1.

Influence of Soil Phosphate on Rhizobacterial Performance in Affecting Wheat Yield.

As a primary nutrient in agricultural soils, phosphorus plays a crucial but growth-limiting role for plants due to its complex interactions with various soil elements. This often results in excessive phosphorus fertilizer application, posing concerns for the environment. Agri-research has therefore shifted focus to increase fertilizer-use efficiency and minimize environmental impact by leveraging plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.