Statistical optimization of pectinases from thermophilic Aspergillus fumigatus BT-4 employing response surface methodology through submerged fermentation using agricultural wastes.

Background: In this study, thermophilic pectinase-producing strains were isolated. Among all the isolates, strain No. 4 was identified as Aspergillus fumigatus BT-4 based on its morphology and 18 S rDNA analysis.

Site-specific prediction of O-GlcNAc modification in proteins using evolutionary scale model.

Protein glycosylation, a vital post-translational modification, is pivotal in various biological processes and disease pathogenesis. Computational approaches, including protein language models and machine learning algorithms, have emerged as valuable tools for predicting O-GlcNAc sites, reducing experimental costs, and enhancing efficiency. However, the literature has not reported the prediction of O-GlcNAc sites through the evolutionary scale model (ESM).

The Intraoperative Role of Artificial Intelligence Within General Surgery: A Systematic Review.

The role of artificial intelligence has been explored in many industries across the world. The medical field is no exception with studies regarding its use for development of algorithms in cancer screening and its diagnostic utility in clinical radiology. This study aims to review current literature on intraoperative use of artificial intelligence within general surgery to identify the latest developments, the major challenges and the trajectory of this field.

There are dementia patients in Gaza too.

This editorial highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing Israeli military assault in Gaza on dementia patients, whose fragile care systems have collapsed, leaving them vulnerable and without essential medical support. Through harrowing stories of displacement, medication shortages, and tragic deaths, the piece underscores the profound moral failure in protecting Gaza's most vulnerable, calling for urgent global action to address the humanitarian crisis and ensure dignity and healthcare for all affected individuals.

Mastering Quality: Uniting Risk Assessment With Quality by Design (QbD) Principles for Pharmaceutical Excellence.

The aim of this article is to present ideas and tools of risk assessment that can be implemented to overcome various pharmaceutical quality challenges. These elements cover the development, production, distribution, inspection, and reporting of review procedures for drug substances, drug products, and biological products at every stage of their lifecycle. In light of the constant requirement to ensure the drug's efficacy, safety, and quality, the pharmaceutical sector is always evolving.

Production, Characterization, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics Analysis of Amyloglucosidase from Fungal Consortium.

The current study aimed to produce an amyloglucosidase enzyme from the fungal consortium. The best amylolytic fungal consortia were identified as Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus niger through the 18S rDNA technique. Fermentation kinetics and various nutritional and cultural parameters were analyzed.

Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors-a Target of Cellular and Humoral Immunity-are Expanding Their Reach Toward Hematopoietic Stem Cell Modification and Immunotherapies.

All current market-approved gene therapy medical products for gene therapy of monogenic diseases rely on adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Advances in gene editing technologies and vector engineering have expanded the spectrum of target cells and, thus, diseases that can be addressed. Consequently, AAV vectors are now being explored to modify cells of the hematopoietic system, including hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), to develop novel strategies to treat monogenic diseases, but also to generate cell- and vaccine-based immunotherapies.

In silico approaches to study the human asparagine synthetase: An insight of the interaction between the enzyme active sites and its substrates.

Cancer is a leading concern and important cause of death worldwide. Cancer is a non-communicable illness defined as uncontrolled division of cells. It can develop into metastatic cancer when tumor cells migrate to other organs.

Prospective Roles of Extremophilic Fungi in Climate Change Mitigation Strategies.

Climate change and the resultant environmental deterioration signify one of the most challenging problems facing humankind in the 21st century. The origins of climate change are multifaceted and rooted in anthropogenic activities, resulting in increasing greenhouse gases in the environment and leading to global warming and weather drifts. Extremophilic fungi, characterized by their exceptional properties to survive extreme habitats, harbor great potential in mitigating climate change effects.

Calcified chondroid mesenchymal neoplasm: report of a case involving the temporomandibular joint region and review of the literature.

The calcified chondroid mesenchymal neoplasm (CCMN) represents a recently recognized tumor type with only 50 well-documented cases in the English-language literature. Herein we report an additional case of CCMN presenting as a large mass in the temporomandibular joint region of a 41-year-old female. A review of previously reported cases and the current case of CCMN shows the following features: 1) average age 52 years (range 14-87 years) and an approximately even sex distribution; 2) most frequently involved sites: distal extremities (including foot, hand, wrist, forearm) (n=41) and temporomandibular joint/temporal/parotid region (n=9); 3) multilobular soft tissue tumor with chondroid to cartilaginous matrix, often grungy or lace-like calcifications, and variable cytologic atypia; 4) frequently detected FN1 rearrangement (n=15), including FN1 fusion with FGFR2 (n=7) or other receptor tyrosine kinases; 5) 2 reported local recurrences (after incomplete excision); 6) no reports of malignant biologic behavior.

Development of depression in patients using androgen deprivation therapy: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an effective treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Multiple studies have highlighted serious consequences this therapy poses to mental health, particularly depression. We aimed to review the incidence and association between ADT in men with PCa and the risk of depression.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of different plants and investigation of their bioactive compounds in wound healing and rheumatism.

In the current study the assessment of the antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of and plants extracts was carried out. The antibacterial potential of these plants extracts was tested against and . The and leaves showed the larger zone of inhibition in aqueous and butanolic extract respectively against and leaves showed larger zone of inhibition in ethanolic extract against .

Time to Recurrence of Ameloblastoma and Associated Factors in a Multi-institutional Black Patient Cohort.

Ameloblastoma is a highly recurrent odontogenic neoplasm with variable global distribution. However, impact of race and ethnicity on ameloblastoma recurrence are still unclear. The primary aim of this study was to assess duration of time between primary and recurrent ameloblastomas in a predominantly Black multi-institutional patient cohort and secondarily to determine whether recurrent ameloblastomas are more readily discovered when clinically-symptomatic rather than by radiographic surveillance.

Correction: Mutational analysis in sodium-borate cotransporter SLC4A11 in consanguineous families from Punjab, Pakistan.

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

Current concepts in targeted therapies for benign tumors of the jaw - A review of the literature.

The aim of our study was to review current concepts in targeted therapies for benign tumors of the jaw. Benign odontogenic and maxillofacial bone tumors often require radical surgery, with consequent morbidity that impacts patients' postsurgical quality of life. Currently, targeted therapies and novel nonsurgical therapeutics are being explored for management of non-resectable tumors, with the aim of avoiding surgery or minimizing surgical scope.

Lasers and Nonsurgical Modalities.

Head and neck vascular pathology is routinely encountered by the maxillofacial surgeon. Although these anomalies have been traditionally managed by surgical means, adjunctive therapies have been popularized in recent years. The use of laser therapy has gained attention for its ability to better access and to provide more predictable outcomes in the highly intricate and vascular areas of the head and neck.

Is Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction Feasible in Jehovah's Witness Patients?

Background: Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) population are members of a religious group that refuses blood transfusion. This presents a dilemma for surgical teams when performing major surgical procedures on these patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of undergoing microvascular free flaps for maxillofacial reconstruction in JW patients and whether the type of underlying pathology impacts outcomes.

In Vitro Modeling as a Tool for Testing Therapeutics for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and IGHMBP2-Related Disorders.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of infant mortality. The most common form of SMA is caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, located on 5q (SMA). On the other hand, mutations in IGHMBP2 lead to a large disease spectrum with no clear genotype-phenotype correlation, which includes Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Muscular Distress type 1 (SMARD1), an extremely rare form of SMA, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2S (CMT2S).

Efficacy and safety of surfactant administration by MIST and INSURE techniques in Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To measure the efficacy and safety of surfactant administered by MIST and INSURE to neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from June 2021 to August 2022 at the NICU of the University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore. Neonates meeting inclusion criteria i.