Indoor air quality and human health risk assessment in selected high-altitude villages of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

This research marks the inaugural endeavor in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to identify the primary sources of household energy and indoor air pollutants (IAPs) during the winter and additionally, to evaluate the health impacts associated with IAPs within specific high-altitude communities in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Using the convenience sampling method, 20 households were continuously monitored to assess IAPs based on standards time-weighted average. The study found that 90% of the population relied primarily on animal dung as their main energy source, with wood, agricultural residues, electricity, and gas as other sources.

The impact of indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICG-FA) on anastomotic leak rates and postoperative outcomes in colorectal anastomoses: a systematic review.

Background: Anastomotic leak (AL) is a major complication in colorectal surgery, significantly contributing to perioperative morbidity and mortality. Among strategies to prevent AL, Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography (ICG-FA) has emerged as a promising method for assessing bowel perfusion intraoperatively. This systematic review evaluates the impact of ICG-FA on AL rates and other postoperative outcomes following colorectal anastomoses.

Potential antihyperlipidemic effects of myrcenol and curzerene in high-fat fed rats.

The study evaluated the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of myrcenol and curzerene on a high fat diet induced hyperlipidemia rat model. Thirty male albino rats were fed on a high-fat diet for four months. The HFD-induced hyperperlipidemia rats were treated with rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg), curzerene (130 mg/kg) and myrcenol (100 mg/kg) for four weeks.

Superconductivity in ordered Li-Al-B compounds.

Using first principles calculations, we show that [Formula: see text] materials have strong electron-phonon coupling, with many having a superconducting critical temperature ([Formula: see text]) that exceeds that of the more familiar [Formula: see text] at ambient pressure. In particular, we find that [Formula: see text] is the most stable member of the family, with [Formula: see text] whilst the peak [Formula: see text] is with [Formula: see text] which has [Formula: see text]. Our results reveal that these materials are both thermodynamically and dynamically stable, with strong electron-phonon coupling, indicating significant potential for practical superconducting applications.

Disease complex associated with begomoviruses infecting squash and cucumber in Saudi Arabia.

During the field visits in growing season of 2022 in Dammam Region of Saudi Arabia, begomovirus-like symptoms including leaf curling, leaf cupping, leaf distortion, vein thickening and reduced leaf size were observed in squash and cucumber fields. Twenty-five samples were collected from each crop and PCR amplification was done using general diagnostic begomovirus primers (AC-1048/AV-494 and Begomo I/Begomo II). The obtained results showed desired sized amplified DNA fragments (550 bp and 1.

Knockdown Induces Obesity and AHO Features in Early Zebrafish Larvae.

(Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein, Alpha Stimulating) is a complex gene that encodes the alpha subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gα), critical for signaling through various G protein-coupled receptors. Inactivating genetic and epigenetic changes in , resulting in Gα deficiency, cause different variants of pseudohypoparathyroidism, which may manifest features of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO, a syndrome characterized by early-onset obesity and other developmental defects). Recent findings have linked Gα deficiency with isolated, severe, early-onset obesity, suggesting it as a potential, underrecognized cause of monogenic, non-syndromic obesity.

A water-responsive calix[4]resorcinarene system: self-assembly and fluorescence modulation.

This study explores how water content modulates the self-assembly and fluorescence behavior of two novel calix[4]resorcinarene macrocycles. These macrocycles transition from large, flattened structures in pure THF to large giant vesicles (500-5000 nm) coexisting with small micelles (3.4-3.

Parental experience with childhood COVID-19 vaccines and factors associated with parental hesitancy despite being vaccinated: findings of a cross-sectional analysis from Pakistan and implications for the future.

Objectives: This study examined parental experiences with COVID-19 vaccination and factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (CVH) among them to help guide future policy initiatives.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Lahore, the second largest metropolis in Pakistan.

Impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on physiology, nutrient uptake, and root system architecture of aeroponically grown citrus plants.

The widespread presence of plastic pollution has become a challenge for both aquatic and terrestrial plants. Notably, nanoplastics (NPs) have been found to enter the root tissues and translocate to different organs of plants; however, most previous studies were performed using crop or vegetable seedlings, and the extent NPs accumulation in fruit tree plants, particularly citrus, and their impacts remains unclear. This study was designed to fill this gap by determining the uptake and accumulation of green, fluorescent polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) of two different sizes (20 nm and 50 nm in diameter) in citrus rootstock ('US-942') in an aeroponic system and their impact on plant growth and physiological functions, nutrient uptake, and root system architectural and anatomical traits.

Quantum Channel Extreme Bandgap AlGaN HEMT.

An extreme bandgap AlGaN quantum channel HEMT with AlGaN top and back barriers, grown by MOCVD on a bulk AlN substrate, demonstrated a critical breakdown field of 11.37 MV/cm-higher than the 9.8 MV/cm expected for the channel's AlGaN material.

Influences of cerium oxide nanoparticles and salinity on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) growth, physiology, and root system architectural and anatomical traits.

Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have emerged as global pollutants due to their extensive use across various industries, raising particular concerns in agricultural settings. This study addresses the understudied interactions between ENPs, specifically cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂NPs), and sodium chloride (NaCl) in agricultural crops, within the context of widespread soil salinization. 'Pinto' common bean seedlings were cultivated in sand-filled pots under greenhouse conditions, following a completely randomized experimental design for one month.

Cage-Based 3D Tetrahexagonal Boron Nitride Crystal with Excellent Terahertz Light Absorption.

In recent findings, a new classification of 1D and 2D tetrahexagonal boron nitrides (-BN) consisting of square and hexagonal rings has been documented. These materials exhibit impressive properties such as the tunable band gap, strong optical absorption, suitable sign-tunable Poisson's ratio, and high ideal strength, making them promising for applications in nano- and opto-electronic industries. Stimulated by these studies, we have designed a cage-based three-dimensional tetrahexagonal boron nitride (3D -BN) structure, which demonstrates excellent thermal, dynamic, and mechanical stability, including exceptional cohesive and formation energies of 6.

Functional Evaluation of a Novel Homozygous ADCY3 Variant Causing Childhood Obesity.

Adenylate cyclase 3 () is a transmembrane protein predominantly expressed in the primary cilia of neurons. It plays a vital role in converting ATP to cAMP, a secondary messenger that regulates various downstream signaling pathways such as carbohydrates and lipids metabolism. Homozygous loss-of-function variants in the gene lead to severe early-onset obesity and insulin resistance whereas gain-of-function variants protect against obesity.

Smartphone-integrated inkjet-printed paper sensor and UV/Vis spectrophotometric method for on-site detection of As and L-cysteine in food samples using novel AMTPP-functionalized silver nanoparticles.

The increasing prevalence of arsenic (As) in water and its health impacts necessitate advanced detection methods. Similarly, monitoring L-Cysteine, a vital thiol-containing amino acid, is crucial for assessing physiological processes and disorders. This study presents a novel method for detecting As and L-Cysteine in food samples using 4-amino-3-(D-galactopentitol-1-yl)-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (AMTPP) functionalized silver nanoparticles (AMTPP-AgNPs) by UV/Vis spectrophotometric method and smartphone-assisted inkjet-printed paper-based sensors.

Bronchopulmonary sequestration presenting as haemoptysis with an aberrant blood supply from the pulmonary artery.

Bronchopulmonary sequestration is a rare condition characterised by the presence of nonfunctional, dysplastic lung tissue. This tissue receives blood supply from the systemic circulation. In this case report, we document an exceptional presentation of a woman in her 50s where bronchopulmonary sequestration in the right upper lung lobe led to haemoptysis.

Corneal nerve loss in adolescents with obesity and acanthosis nigricans.

Background/aim: Obesity and related metabolic abnormalities in adults are associated with peripheral neuropathy. Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is associated with insulin resistance, fatty liver, hyperlipidemia and glucose intolerance, all of which are risk factors for neuropathy. The aim of this study was to investigate if obese adolescents with AN have evidence of small nerve fiber damage.

From likes to luggage: The role of social media content in attracting tourists.

The tourism industry has become increasingly information-driven where tourists need reliable information to make their travel decisions. Social media content creators have emerged as prominent figures in disseminating authentic and credible information about tourist destinations worldwide. However, scant attention has been paid to explore the role of social media content in influencing tourist inflows and tourist engagement with tourism-related content on social media.

Surfactant-Assisted Wet Granulation-Based Matrix Tablets without Exceptional Additives: Prolonging Systemic Exposure of Model BCS Class II Ketoprofen.

The present study was aimed to ameliorate the issue of solubility and thereby, bioavailability of ketoprofen, a BCS Class II drug. The sustained release matrix tablets (MT) were prepared using surfactant-assisted wet granulation (SAWG) with 1-5% of different surfactants. The tablet characteristics were within the compendial limits.

Comparative Microstructural Evaluation of Wood in Three Dominant Species of Desert Ecosystem (Cholistan), Pakistan.

The present microstructural evaluation was carried out on the woods of three ethnobotanically important local fruit trees, namely, Lam., Z. (L.