Seroconversion and safety of Covid-19 vaccines in pa-tients with chronic liver disease and liver transplant: A systematic review.

Background And Aims: As part of the COVID-19 control strategy, a growing number of vaccine portfolios evolved and got fast-tracked through regulatory agencies, with a limited examination of their efficacy and safety in vulnerable populations, such as patients with chronic conditions and immunocompromised states. Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), and cohorts post liver transplant (LT) in particular, were underrepresented in the determinant trials of vaccine development, hence the paucity of data on their efficacy and safety in published literature. This systematic review aims to examine the available evidence and ascertain the effectiveness and safety of Covid-19 vaccination in patients with CLD and those with LT.

Molecular Characterization of Mesoporous Silica (Un)loading by Gemcitabine and Ibuprofen - An Interplay of Salt-Bridges and Hydrogen Bonds.

The molecular mechanisms of mesoporous silica nanomaterial (MSN) loading by gemcitabine and ibuprofen molecules, respectively, are elucidated as functions of pore geometry. Based on a small series of MSN archetypes, we use molecular dynamics simulations to systematically explore molecule-by-molecule loading of the carrier material. Apart from predicting the maximum active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) loading capacity, more detailed statistical analysis of the incorporation energy reveals dedicated profiles stemming from the interplay of guest-MSN salt-bridges/hydrogen bonding in concave and convex domains of the silica surfaces - which outcompete interactions among the drug molecules.

Evaluation of Salt Stress-Induced Changes in Polyamine, Amino Acid, and Phytoalexin Profiles in Mature Fruits of Grapevine Cultivars Grown in Tunisian Oases.

Salinity stress has become an increasing threat to viticulture in the Tunisian oasis, and more generally, the characterization of salinity tolerance markers can be of great interest for sustainable grape production. This study investigated some metabolic adaptations in different tissues of the ripe berries of indigenous grapevine cultivars after exposure to salt stress to identify the key traits of salt stress tolerance under oasis conditions. We especially focused on the adaptive responses occurring at the level of amino acids, polyamines, and stilbene phytoalexins in the grape berry skin, pulp, and seeds of six grapevine cultivars differing in phenotypic and ampelographic characteristics.

Identification of potential drug molecules against fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) by multi-stage computational-biophysics correlate.

The fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is warranted as a promising therapeutic target in bladder cancer as it is described in 75% of papillary bladder tumors. Considering this, the present study was conducted to use different approaches of computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) to identify the best binding compounds against the active pocket of FGFR3. Compared to control pyrimidine derivative, the study identified three promising lead structures; BDC_24037121, BDC_21200852, and BDC_21206757 with binding energy value of -14.

Prominent Structural Dependence of Quantum Capacitance Unraveled by Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Mesosponge.

Porous carbons are important electrode materials for supercapacitors. One of the challenges associated with supercapacitors is improving their energy density without relying on pseudocapacitance, which is based on fast redox reactions that often shorten device lifetimes. A possible solution involves achieving high total capacitance (C), which comprises Helmholtz capacitance (C) and possibly quantum capacitance (C), in high-surface carbon materials comprising minimally stacked graphene walls.

Prediction models of incontinence and sexual function one year after radical prostatectomy based on data from 20 164 prostate cancer patients.

Background: Incontinence and sexual dysfunction are long-lasting side effects after surgical treatment (radical prostatectomy, RP) of prostate cancer (PC). For an informed treatment decision, physicians and patients should discuss expected impairments. Therefore, this paper firstly aims to develop and validate prognostic models that predict incontinence and sexual function of PC patients one year after RP and secondly to provide an online decision making tool.

Dual delivery systems combining nanocrystals and dissolving microneedles for improved local vaginal delivery of fluconazole.

Fluconazole (FLZ) has been widely used in the treatment of infection caused by Candida albicans, including the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). However, when delivered orally, FLZ faces numerous limitations due to its poor solubility and undergoes the symptoms of first-pass metabolism. In this study, we developed the combinatorial approach of nanocrystals (NCs) and dissolving microneedles (DMNs) for effective local vaginal delivery of FLZ.

Better Existing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Can Reduce the Risk of Cholera in an Endemic Setting: Results From a Prospective Cohort Study From Kolkata, India.

Background: Global cholera control efforts rely heavily on effective water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in cholera-endemic settings.

Methods: Using data from a large, randomized controlled trial of oral cholera vaccine conducted in Kolkata, India, we evaluated whether natural variations in WASH in an urban slum setting were predictive of cholera risk. From the control population (n = 55 086), baseline WASH data from a randomly selected "training subpopulation" (n = 27 634) were analyzed with recursive partitioning to develop a dichotomous ("better" vs "not better") composite household WASH variable from several WASH features collected at baseline, and this composite variable was then evaluated in a mutually exclusive "validation population" (n = 27 452).

Association of ABCG2 Polymorphisms on Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Susceptibility Risk.

Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the association of ATP-binding cassette super-family G member 2 (ABCG2) gene polymorphisms with individual susceptibility to Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) as well as clinicopathological variables in TNBC patients. Two common polymorphisms in Asian population, ABCG2 34 G>A and 421 C>A was selected in this study.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 75 TNBC patients and 83 controls.

Draft genome sequence of CRL 2244, a strain with strong killing effect on carbapenem-resistant .

We report here a draft genome assembly of CRL 2244, recovered from wastewater in Argentina. The genome has a size of 2,898,100 bp, with G + C content of 46.73%.

Health poverty among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Malaysia.

In the context of the escalating burden of diabetes in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is a pressing concern about the widening disparities in care and outcomes across socioeconomic groups. This paper estimates health poverty measures among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Malaysia. Using data from the National Diabetes Registry between 2009 and 2018, the study linked 932,855 people with T2DM aged 40-75 to death records.

Improving Erectile Dysfunction Management Among Asian Men With Diabetes Using the Knowledge Translation Intervention.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is frequently undermanaged due to communication barriers, particularly among Asian men. We looked at how ED discussion and treatment were affected by the patient's prompt sheet and the Knowledge Translation Tools in the Management of Erectile Dysfunction (LASTED).

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study in a primary care clinic in Kedah, Malaysia involving 120 Asian men with diabetes.

Phytoconstituents of ; antidiabetic effects and molecular docking studies on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase.

Phytochemical investigation on the bark of plant afforded ten compounds, including six polyketides namely kingianin A , kingianin B , kingianin E , kingianin F , kingianin K and kingianin L , three endiandric acids; kingianic acid A , tsangibeilin B and endiandric acid M , and one sesquiterpene; daibuoxide . All compounds were separated as racemic mixture by recycling high-performance liquid chromatography (RHPLC), except for daibuoxide. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic and comparative literature data analysis.

Memory and cognition enhancing effects of combination of Melissa officinalis and Panax ginseng.

Melissa officinalis and Panax ginseng extracts were investigated to determine combinatorial effects on cognitive behaviors' of albino-rats. The study was prospective-experimental; lasted from June-2022 to March-2023. Learning and memory measurements were done by animal-models.

Bee Products for Poultry and Rabbits: Current Challenges and Perspectives.

Poultry and rabbit production are important and rapidly growing agricultural subsectors, particularly in several developing countries. To ensure the sustainability of poultry and rabbit production, realistic poultry and rabbit farming practices must be improved. Apitherapy is a traditional alternative medicine that involves the prevention and treatment of some diseases with several bee products including propolis, royal jelly, pollen, and venom.

Design and optimization of a transparent and flexible MIMO antenna for compact IoT and 5G applications.

This work presents an optically transparent and flexible MIMO antenna that features two square patch elements placed in close proximity, aiming to meet the demands of compactness, flexibility, optical transparency, and visual appeal for IoT applications and future 5G wireless communication. The design includes a simple offset fed configuration to achieve the required isolation and impedance matching. It simplifies the process of creating closely spaced transparent MIMO antenna configurations.

A comparative study on the influence of equipment design on the efficiency of dynamic maceration of leaves.

Dynamic maceration facilitates diffusion in solid-liquid extraction through controlling temperature and providing agitation. However, equipment design for dynamic maceration in previous investigations resulted in inadequate homogeneity of temperature and solid dispersion. A laboratory scale extractor was designed to aid the heat and mass transfer process while preventing solvent vaporization when performing dynamic maceration in a controlled environment.

Biotransformation of metenolone acetate and epiandrosterone by fungi and evaluation of resulting metabolites for aromatase inhibition.

The present study describes the microbial transformation of anabolic drugs, metenolone acetate (1), and epiandrosterone (6). Three new metabolites, 6β,17β-dihydroxy-1-methyl-3-oxo-5α-androst-1-en (2), 5α,15α-dihydroxy-1-methyl-3-oxo-1-en-17-yl acetate (3), 15β-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-oxo-5α-androst-1,4-dien-17-yl acetate (4), and a known metabolite, 17β-hydroxy-1-methyl-4-androstadiene-3-one (5) were obtained by biotransformation of metenolone acetate (1) via Trametes hirsuta mushroom. Metabolites 7, and 8 were obtained from the incubation of epiandrosterone (6) with Cunninghamella blakesleeana.

Association Among Household Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Status and Typhoid Risk in Urban Slums: Prospective Cohort Study in Bangladesh.

Background: Typhoid fever, or enteric fever, is a highly fatal infectious disease that affects over 9 million people worldwide each year, resulting in more than 110,000 deaths. Reduction in the burden of typhoid in low-income countries is crucial for public health and requires the implementation of feasible water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, especially in densely populated urban slums.

Objective: In this study, conducted in Mirpur, Bangladesh, we aimed to assess the association between household WASH status and typhoid risk in a training subpopulation of a large prospective cohort (n=98,087), and to evaluate the performance of a machine learning algorithm in creating a composite WASH variable.