Spatial distribution of Q fever in sheep and goats of selective villages of Punjab Province, Pakistan.

This study aimed to assess the geographical distribution of Q fever in sheep and goats in different areas of Punjab, Pakistan. Three hundred blood samples of small ruminants including sheep and goats were collected from 60 villages of three districts (Okara, Kasur, and Pakpattan) of Punjab Province Pakistan and tested for the detection of anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies using a commercial Indirect ELISA kit. Data related to sampling location, host species, gender, age, and GPS coordinates were collected for spatial analysis.

Tick Infestation and Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens from Indian Long-Eared Hedgehogs () in Pakistan.

Hedgehogs can act as reservoirs for the transmission of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) to domestic livestock, wild animals, and humans. Understanding host-tick dynamics is essential to evaluate the impact of TBPs. This study was conducted in Pakistan and aimed to determine the prevalence and species of TBPs in the blood and ticks of Indian long-eared hedgehogs captured from various environments.

Catalytic degradation of various dyes using silver nanoparticles fabricated within chitosan based microgels.

Precipitation polymerization method was used to synthesize chitosan based poly[chitosan-N-isopropylmethacrylamide-acrylic acid] [P(CS-NI-AA)] microgel particles. Synthesized P(CS-NI-AA) microgel particles were utilized as micro-reactors for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) inside the structure of microgels through chemical reduction of Ag ions using NaBH as reducing agent. P(CS-NI-AA) and Ag-P(CS-NI-AA) systems were analyzed using various characterization techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate-Induced Massive Bowel Necrosis With Distant Extraintestinal Crystal Deposition: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS), a cation-exchange resin, has been a mainstay in long-term hyperkalemia management but is associated with significant gastrointestinal complications, particularly when used with sorbitol. The deposition of SPS crystals within the intestinal mucosa has been suggested to precipitate ischemia, necrosis, and ulcerations, ultimately leading to bowel perforation. This case report details a striking instance of massive bowel perforation subsequent to SPS administration, with accompanying findings of disseminated crystals in distant organs and tissues upon autopsy.

Psychological and physiological benefits of horticultural therapy for Chinese older adults.

Background: Gardening as a leisure activity has been shown to be potentially beneficial for older adults, this study aimed to assess the physiological and psychological impacts of a specific horticultural activity, watering indoor plants, compared with playing a computer game - the Klondike Solitaire Card Game.

Methods: This crossover study included 100 older adults recruited from a nursing care facility for older people in Shanghai, China. They were allocated to either engage in watering indoor plants (horticultural group) or playing a computer game (control group).

Applications and potential of machine learning augmented chest X-ray interpretation in cardiology.

The chest X-ray (CXR) has a wide range of clinical indications in the field of cardiology, from the assessment of acute pathology to disease surveillance and screening. Despite many technological advancements, CXR interpretation error rates have remained constant for decades. The application of machine learning has the potential to substantially improve clinical workflow efficiency, pathology detection accuracy, error rates and clinical decision making in cardiology.

Comparative Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Moderate-Risk Patients With Aortic Stenosis: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a prevalent condition among the elderly, characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve, which, if untreated, can lead to heart failure and decreased quality of life in terms of reduced activity and high mortality in one to two years. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has long been the standard treatment for AS. However, it poses significant risks, particularly in older patients with comorbidities.

Resilience to climate change by improving air circulation efficiency and pollutant dispersion in cities: A 3D-UFO approach to urban block design.

Urbanization presents significant challenges to air quality and climate resilience, necessitating pioneering urban design solutions to enhance air circulation and mitigate pollutants. This urgency intensifies in densely populated and rapidly evolving regions like Wuhan, China, where effective strategies are crucial for sustainable development. This study introduces an innovative 3D Urban Form Optimization (3D-UFO) methodology aimed at advancing urban block design configurations to improve urbanization quality.

Harmony in Nature: Exploring the Multisensory Impact of Classical Gardens on Individuals' Well-Being.

Chinese classical gardens, designated as a vital world cultural heritage, embody a lasting legacy transcending generation. Despite the cultural importance of these gardens, a notable research gap exists in deciphering the nuanced emotional and physiological responses triggered by individual elements within classical garden landscapes. Our research question aims to uncover the specific emotional and physiological impacts of key garden elements-plants, architecture, waterscape, and rockery-on visitors, with a particular focus on the Humble Administrator's Garden.

Radicular Pain Management Using Ultrasound-Guided Versus Fluoroscopy-Guided Epidural Steroid Injections: A Systematic Scoping Review of Comparative Studies.

Back pain is the leading cause of disability globally and results in a substantial medical and economic burden. Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) have been widely used as a treatment for back pain with radiculopathy of various etiologies. Ultrasound guidance (UG) for delivering ESIs can reduce costs and facilitate the procedure in resource-limited settings compared to the current standard technique of using fluoroscopic guidance (FG).

Evaluation of antifungal potentials of Albizia kalkora extract as a natural fungicide: In vitro and computational studies.

The antifungal bioactivity potential of the organic extract of silk tree (Albizia kalkora) was investigated in the current study. The crude extracts of A. kalkora and methanol, n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions were prepared.

An integrated in silico approach for the identification of novel potential drug target and chimeric vaccine against Neisseria meningitides strain 331401 serogroup X by subtractive genomics and reverse vaccinology.

Neisseria meningitidis, commonly known as the meningococcus, leads to substantial illness and death among children and young adults globally, revealing as either epidemic or sporadic meningitis and/or septicemia. In this study, we have designed a novel peptide-based chimeric vaccine candidate against the N. meningitidis strain 331,401 serogroup X.

Breast Cancer High-Penetrance Genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations Using Next-Generation Sequencing Among Iraqi Kurdish Women.

Background and genes are the main high-penetrance genes that are responsible for most cases of inherited breast cancer. The present study aimed to detect the frequencies of inherited breast cancer caused by and genes among Kurdish breast cancer patients, including all the exome of these two genes, using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Methodology Seventy women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and registered at Nanakali Hospital in Erbil, Iraq, were included.

How taking pictures of landscapes affects the mental stress of young adults.

In today's fast-paced society, escalating work and academic pressures have led to rising stress levels. While numerous studies have explored adolescent mental health, there has been a lack of focus on "educational stress" among Chinese students. This study sought to understand the psychological and physiological effects of educational stress in Chinese university students.

Sex Differences in the Neural and Behavioral Effects of Acute High-Dose Edible Cannabis Consumption in Rats.

The consumption of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)- or cannabis-containing edibles has increased in recent years; however, the behavioral and neural circuit effects of such consumption remain unknown, especially in the context of ingestion of higher doses resulting in cannabis intoxication. We examined the neural and behavioral effects of acute high-dose edible cannabis consumption (AHDECC). Sprague-Dawley rats (six males, seven females) were implanted with electrodes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), dorsal hippocampus (dHipp), cingulate cortex (Cg), and nucleus accumbens (NAc).

From Alzheimer's Disease to Anxiety, Epilepsy to Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive Dive Into Neuro-Psychiatric Disorders.

This comprehensive narrative review endeavors to dissect the intricate web of neuropsychiatric disorders that significantly impact cognition, emotion regulation, behavior, and mental health. With a keen focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD), anxiety disorders, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this article delves into their underlying mechanisms, clinical presentations, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic interventions. Highlighting the considerable disability and societal costs that these conditions impose, it reflects on the over six million individuals grappling with Alzheimer's, the 19 million American adults living with anxiety disorders, the three million with epilepsy, and the global reach of schizophrenia affecting approximately 20 million people.

Predictive modelling and identification of key risk factors for stroke using machine learning.

Strokes are a leading global cause of mortality, underscoring the need for early detection and prevention strategies. However, addressing hidden risk factors and achieving accurate prediction become particularly challenging in the presence of imbalanced and missing data. This study encompasses three imputation techniques to deal with missing data.

Radiolabeling and preclinical animal model evaluation of DTPA coupled Tc-labelled flutamide complex ([Tc]DTPA-FLUT) as a potential radiotracer for cancer imaging.

Background: Advances in molecular imaging strategies have had an effect on precise diagnosis and treatment. Research has been intensified to develop more effective and versatile radiopharmaceuticals to uplift diagnostic efficiency and, consequently, the treatment.

Purpose: To label the flutamide (FLUT) coupled with diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) with technetium-99 m (Tc) and to evaluate its binding efficiency with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cancer cells.

Does Point-of-Care Ultrasound Affect Fluid Resuscitation Volume in Patients with Septic Shock: A Retrospective Review.

Background: Fixed, large volume resuscitation with intravenous fluids (IVFs) in septic shock can cause inadvertent hypervolemia, increased medical interventions, and death when unguided by point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). The primary study objective was to evaluate whether total IVF volume differs for emergency department (ED) septic shock patients receiving POCUS versus no POCUS.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study from 7/1/2018 to 8/31/2021 of atraumatic adult ED patients with septic shock.

Yolk-shell smart polymer microgels and their hybrids: fundamentals and applications.

Yolk-shell microgels and their hybrids have attained great importance in modern-day research owing to their captivating features and potential uses. This manuscript provides the strategies for preparation, classification, properties and current applications of yolk-shell microgels and their hybrids. Some of the yolk-shell microgels and their hybrids are identified as smart polymer yolk-shell microgels and smart hybrid microgels, respectively, as they react to changes in particular environmental stimuli such as pH, temperature and ionic strength of the medium.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for studying the interaction of organometallic compound bis(1,3-dihexylimidazole-2-yl) silver(i) hexafluorophosphate (v) with the biofilm of .

biofilms are a major cause of gastrointestinal tract diseases, such as esophageal, stomach and intestinal diseases. Nowadays, these are the most commonly occurring diseases caused by consuming contaminated food. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in controlling multidrug-resistant and reducing its ability to form biofilms.