Enzyme applications in baking: From dough development to shelf-life extension.

Enzymes play a vital role in baking, providing significant benefits from dough development to extending shelf life, which enhances product quality and consistency. Acting as biological catalysts, enzymes such as proteases and amylases break down proteins and starches, modifying dough rheology and improving fermentation. Lipases and oxidases further refine dough texture through emulsification and oxidation, while lipases also produce fatty acid derivatives during fermentation, contributing to the flavor and aroma of baked goods.

Pharmacological potentials of lycopene against aging and aging-related disorders: A review.

Aging and aging-related chronic disorders are one of the principal causes of death worldwide. The prevalence of these disorders is increasing gradually and globally. Considering this unwavering acceleration of the global burden, seeking alternatives to traditional medication to prevent the risk of aging disorders is needed.

Description of the first global outbreak of mpox: an analysis of global surveillance data.

Background: In May 2022, several countries with no history of sustained community transmission of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) notified WHO of new mpox cases. These cases were soon followed by a large-scale outbreak, which unfolded across the world, driven by local, in-country transmission within previously unaffected countries. On July 23, 2022, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The World Health Organization's public health intelligence activities during the COVID-19 pandemic response, December 2019 to December 2021.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) presented a unique opportunity for the World Health Organization (WHO) to utilise public health intelligence (PHI) for pandemic response. WHO systematically captured mainly unstructured information (e.g.

Effect of Pulse Electrodeposition Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ni-W/B Nanocomposite Coatings.

In this work, Ni−W/B nanocomposite coatings were successfully fabricated on low carbon steel by using pulse current (PC) electrodeposition. The effects of the frequency and duty cycle on the microstructure, wear resistance, and microhardness of the coatings were studied. The results obtained show that the distribution and content of boron particles (>4 wt.

Modelling the spread of serotype-2 vaccine derived-poliovirus outbreak in Pakistan and Afghanistan to inform outbreak control strategies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Since July 2019, Pakistan and Afghanistan have been facing an outbreak of serotype-2 circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) in addition to continued transmission of serotype-1 wild poliovirus (WPV1) and SARS-CoV-2 in 2020. Understanding the risks of cVDPV2 transmission due to pause of global vaccination efforts and the impact of potential vaccination response strategies in the current context of COVID-19 mitigation measures is critical.

Methods: We developed a stochastic, geographically structured mathematical model of cVDPV2 transmission which captures both mucosal and humoral immunity separately and allows for reversion of serotype-2 oral polio vaccine (OPV2) virus to cVDPV2 following vaccine administration.

Quantifying movement patterns and vaccination status of high risk mobile populations in Pakistan and Afghanistan to inform poliovirus risk and vaccination strategy.

Background: Stopping serotype 1 wild poliovirus transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan requires ensuring all children <5 years of age are repeatedly vaccinated, including the large proportion living in mobile groups. Vaccinating children living in high-risk mobile populations (HRMPs) remains a priority for the polio programme.

Methods: In 2017-2018, group-level censuses were conducted in 43 districts of Pakistan, gathering information for all HRMP children <5 years of age residing in settlements.

Testing the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Religiously-Tailored Text Messaging Intervention to Reduce Smoking Among Somali Muslim Men During Ramadan.

Introduction: The prevalence of smoking among Somali Muslim male immigrants residing in Minnesota is estimated at 44%, however smoking reduction is common during the month of Ramadan. This study evaluated the feasibility and impact of a religiously tailored text message intervention delivered during Ramadan to encourage smoking reduction among Somali Muslim men who smoke.

Methods: Fifty Somali men were recruited.

Comparative effects of ascobin and glutathione on copper homeostasis and oxidative stress metabolism in mitigation of copper toxicity in rice.

Copper (Cu) pollution of agricultural land is a major threat to crop production. Exogenous chemical treatment is an easily accessible and rapid approach to remediate metal toxicity, including Cu toxicity in plants. We compared the effects of ascobin (ASC; ascorbic acid:citric acid at 2:1) and glutathione (GSH) in mitigation of Cu toxicity in rice.

High proportion of asymptomatic and presymptomatic COVID-19 infections in air passengers to Brunei.

We report early findings from COVID-19 cases in Brunei suggesting a remarkably high proportion of asymptomatic (12%) and presymptomatic (30%) cases. This proportion was even higher in imported cases. These have implications for measures to prevent onward local transmission and should prompt reconsideration of current testing protocols and safe de-escalation of social distancing measures.

Needle-free injectors for mass administration of fractional dose inactivated poliovirus vaccine in Karachi, Pakistan: A survey of caregiver and vaccinator acceptability.

The first large-scale vaccination campaign using needle-free jet injectors to administer fractional doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (fIPV) was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, in February 2019. Data on acceptability of jet injectors were collected from 610 vaccinators and 4898 caregivers during the first four days of the campaign. Of those with prior needle and syringe experience, both vaccinators and caregivers expressed a strong preference for jet injectors (578/592 [97.

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Pakistan, January 2018-September 2019.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries that continue to confirm ongoing wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) transmission (1). During January 2018-September 2019 the number of WPV1 cases in Pakistan increased, compared with the number during the previous 4 years. This report updates previous reports on Pakistan's polio eradication activities, progress, and challenges (2,3).

Text Message Support for Smoking Cessation During Ramadan: A Focus Group Study With Somali Immigrant Muslim Men.

Introduction: Somali Muslim male immigrants in Minnesota have a high prevalence of smoking, estimated at 44%, compared with the average smoking rate for adults in the United States (14%). However, the literature has reported spontaneous reductions of smoking during Ramadan. This study sought to gather the views of Somali Muslim men on how faith impacts their smoking, and determine what messaging to incorporate into a tailored text messages intervention that draws on the Muslim faith beliefs and practices during Ramadan to promote smoking cessation.

Assessing the sensitivity of the polio environmental surveillance system.

Background: The polio environmental surveillance (ES) system has been an incredible tool for advancing polio eradication efforts because of its ability to highlight the spatial and temporal extent of poliovirus circulation. While ES often outperforms, or is more sensitive than AFP surveillance, the sensitivity of the ES system has not been well characterized. Fundamental uncertainty of ES site sensitivity makes it difficult to interpret results from ES, particularly negative results.

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Pakistan, January 2017-September 2018.

Among the three wild poliovirus (WPV) serotypes, only WPV type 1 (WPV1) has been reported in polio cases or detected from environmental surveillance globally since 2012. Pakistan remains one of only three countries worldwide (the others are Afghanistan and Nigeria) that has never had interrupted WPV1 transmission. This report documents Pakistan's activities and progress toward polio eradication during January 2017-September 2018 and updates previous reports (1,2).

Effect of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine Campaigns, Pakistan, 2014-2017.

Pakistan began using inactivated poliovirus vaccine alongside oral vaccine in mass campaigns to accelerate eradication of wild-type poliovirus in 2014. Using case-based and environmental surveillance data for January 2014-October 2017, we found that these campaigns reduced wild-type poliovirus detection more than campaigns that used only oral vaccine.

Fractional-Dose Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine Campaign - Sindh Province, Pakistan, 2016.

Following the declaration of eradication of wild poliovirus (WPV) type 2 in September 2015, trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (tOPV) was withdrawn globally to reduce the risk for type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV2) transmission; all countries implemented a synchronized switch to bivalent OPV (type 1 and 3) in April 2016 (1,2). Any isolation of VDPV2 after the switch is to be treated as a potential public health emergency and might indicate the need for supplementary immunization activities (3,4). On August 9, 2016, VDPV2 was isolated from a sewage sample taken from an environmental surveillance site in Hyderabad, Sindh province, Pakistan.