Hemozoin induces malaria via activation of DNA damage, p38 MAPK and neurodegenerative pathways in a human iPSC-derived neuronal model of cerebral malaria.

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection results in severe complications including cerebral malaria (CM), in which approximately 30% of patients end up with neurological sequelae. Sparse in vitro cell culture-based experimental models which recapitulate the molecular basis of CM in humans has impeded progress in our understanding of its etiology. This study employed healthy human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived neuronal cultures stimulated with hemozoin (HMZ) - the malarial toxin as a model for CM.

T cells exhaustion, inflammatory and cellular activity markers in PBMCs predict treatment outcome in pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a well-known disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its pathogenesis is premised on evasion of the immune system and dampened immune cells activity.

Methods: Here, the transcription pattern of immune cells exhaustion, inflammatory, and cellular activity markers were examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PTB patients at various stages of treatment.

Determination of threshold values and heavy metal pollution assessment of soils in an industrial area in Ghana.

Industrial activities have the potential to pollute soils with a wide variety of heavy metals (HMs). In Ghana, however, assessment of HM pollution of soils in industrial areas remains limited. Accordingly, HM soil pollution in one of the industrial areas in Accra, Ghana was assessed.

Adsorptive removal of dissolved Iron from groundwater by brown coal - A low-cost adsorbent.

Iron (Fe) contamination in groundwater is a widespread issue, necessitating the implementation of efficient removal methods to ensure the provision of safe drinking water. To contribute to the development of effective and sustainable solutions for addressing Fe contamination problems, this study investigated the potential of natural brown coal (BC) as a cost-effective adsorbent for removing dissolved Fe from groundwater. The study also explored the regeneration and reusability potential, as well as the effects of operational parameters, including pH, temperature, adsorbate concentration, and competitive ions, on the adsorption process.