Household Air Pollution Exposures Over Pregnancy and Maternal Blood Pressure Trajectories through 8 Years Postpartum: Evidence from the Ghana Randomized Air Pollution and Health Study (GRAPHS).

Background: Household air pollution is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease burden in women in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about exposures during pregnancy or the effect of clean cooking interventions on postpartum blood pressure trajectories.

Methods: The Ghana Randomized Air Pollution and Health Study (GRAPHS) randomized 1414 non-smoking women in the first and second trimesters to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or improved biomass stoves - vs control (traditional three-stone open fire).

Donor hepatitis C status is not associated with an increased risk of acute rejection in kidney transplantation.

Introduction: In renal transplantation, donor hepatitis C virus (HCV) status is crucial to consider when selecting a recipient given the high likelihood of transmission. We analyzed the effect of donor HCV status on post-renal transplant rejection and virologic infectious outcomes using electronic health record data from multiple US health care organizations.

Methods: Using real world data from electronic health records of renal transplant recipients, a propensity score-matched case-control study of one-year renal transplant outcomes was conducted on cohorts of HCV-negative recipients who received an organ from an HCV-positive donor (HCV D+/R-) versus from an HCV-negative donor (HCV D-/R-).

Development of Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System of Rhein to Improve Biopharmaceutical Performance: Physiochemical Characterization, and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation.

Introduction: Rhein, a natural bioactive lipophilic compound with numerous pharmacological activities, faces limitations in clinical application due to poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. Thus, this study aimed to develop a rhein-loaded self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (RL-SNEDDS) to improve solubility and bioavailability.

Methods: The RL-SNEDDS was prepared by aqueous titration method with eucalyptus oil (oil phase), tween 80 (surfactant), and PEG 400 (co-surfactant) and optimization was performed by 3 factorial design.

Efficacy of Scapular Functional and Cervical Isometric Exercises in the Management of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Comparative Trial.

The global rise in work-related musculoskeletal ailments has led to issues like neck discomfort, scapular muscle dysfunction, reduced neck mobility, and functional limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of scapular functional exercises (SFE) and cervical isometric exercises (CIE) on pain, cervical range of motion (CROM), and functional limitations in individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP). A two-arm, parallel group pretest-post-test randomized comparative trial was conducted.

Defining Renal Recovery in Patients With Hepatorenal Syndrome-Acute Kidney Injury: Experience From North American Studies.

Introduction: The degree of improvement in serum creatinine (SCr) has previously been suggested as a sensitive indicator of treatment response in patients with hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI), while HRS reversal remains the primary endpoint in clinical trials.

Methods: A total of ≥ 30% SCr improvement was analyzed as an exploratory prespecified endpoint in the CONFIRM trial. In this post hoc analysis, intent-to-treat population data from three Phase 3 studies (OT-0401, REVERSE, and CONFIRM) conducted in North America in patients with HRS-AKI were pooled to assess the incidence of > 30% improvement in SCr and its association with clinical outcomes.

Understanding the correlation between source and chiral, physichochemical properties of chitin nanocrystals; insights from beetle (Cetonia aurata) skeletal segments.

Chitin properties are known to vary depending on animal taxa, organismal source, and specific skeletal segments; However, the influence of these source-dependent variations on the physicochemical characteristics of chitin nanocrystals, particularly their Bouligand architecture, remains largely unexplored. Herein, chitin nanocrystals were isolated from seven different skeletal segments of C. aurata and characterized.

Precision in Immune Management: Balancing Steroid Exposure, Rejection Risk, and Infectious Outcomes in Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background/objectives: With kidney transplant immunosuppression, physicians must balance preventing rejection with minimizing infection and malignancy risks. Steroids have been a mainstay of these immunosuppression regimens since the early days of kidney transplantation, yet their risks remain debated. Our study looks at the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing early steroid withdrawal (ESW) vs.

Lignocellulosic fiber reinforcement in PPRC composites: An analysis of structural and thermal enhancements.

This study investigates the fabrication process of biocomposites and their resultant mechanical and thermal properties, essential for evaluating the performance of finished products. Polypropylene random copolymer (PPRC) was employed as the matrix phase, while rice husk (RH), a biowaste filler, was incorporated in varying concentrations. The rice husk fiber was treated with alkali (RHT) to enhance its lignocellulosic content.

Optimization of waste biomass demineralization through response surface methodology and enhancement of thermochemical and fusion properties.

This study examines the impact of leaching with dilute hydrochloric acid solution on the reduction of ash content and the thermal degradation behavior of sugarcane bagasse. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to statistically design the experiments and investigate the effect of three independent variables: treatment time, solid-to-liquid ratio, and reagent concentration. The leaching conditions were further optimized and experimentally validated for maximum ash reduction for suitability of treated biomass as feedstock for thermochemical conversion technologies.

Correction: Evaluation of self-cleaning mechanisms for improving performance of roof-mounted solar PV panels: A comparative study.

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

Evaluation of self-cleaning mechanisms for improving performance of roof-mounted solar PV panels: A comparative study.

Solar panel installation is generally exposed to dust. Therefore, soiling on the surface of the solar panels significantly reduces the effectiveness of solar panels. Accumulation of dust also shortens their lifespan and reduces efficiency by about 15% to 20%.

Development of Hot Melt Extruded Co-Formulated Artesunate and Amodiaquine- Soluplus Solid Dispersion System in Fixed-Dose Form: Amorphous State Characterization and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation.

Introduction: This study aims to develop co-amorphous Solid Dispersion (SD) system containing antimalarials Artesunate (ARS) and Amodiaquine (AMQ) to improve its oral bioavailability employing the Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) technique. Soluplus was selected as a polymeric excipient, whereas Lutrol F127, Lutrol F68, TPGS, and PEG400 as surfactants were incorporated along with Soluplus to enhance extrudability, improve hydrophilicity, and improve the blend viscosity during HME. Soluplus with surfactant combination successfully stabilizes both drugs during extrusion by generating SD because of its lower glass transition temperature (Tg) and viscoelastic behavior.

Development of chitosan/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose-based polyelectrolyte complex of dexamethasone for treatment of anterior uveitis.

Anterior uveitis is one of the most prevalent forms of ocular inflammation caused by infections, trauma, and other idiopathic conditions if not treated properly, it can cause complete blindness. Therefore, this study aimed to formulate and evaluate dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) loaded polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of anterior uveitis. DSP-loaded PEC-NPs were formed through complex coacervation by mixing low molecular weight chitosan and the anionic polymer carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC).

Design, synthesis, molecular docking and anticancer activities of 1-(4-(benzamido)phenyl)-3-arylurea derivatives.

In both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, oestrogens play a critical role in the development of breast cancer. Aromatase is an enzyme that catalyses the final step in the biosynthesis of estrogen and has emerged as a promising target for therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to design and evaluate novel 1-(4-(benzamido)phenyl)-3-arylurea derivatives as potential aromatase inhibitors.

Karanjin-loaded soya lecithin-based ethosomal nanogel for the therapeutic intervention of psoriasis: formulation development, factorial design based-optimization,andassessment.

This study aimed to develop and optimize karanjin-loaded ethosomal nanogel formulation and evaluate its efficacy in alleviating symptoms of psoriasis in an animal model induced by imiquimod. These karanjin-loaded ethosomal nanogel, were formulated to enhance drug penetration into the skin and its epidermal retention. Karanjin was taken to formulate ethosomes due to its potential ani-psoriatic activity.

The learning curve of COVID-19 and organ donation: Potential missed opportunities in the COVID era.

Background: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, positive COVID-19 status often disqualified potential organ donors due to perceived risks, despite limited evidence. Subsequent studies have clarified that the COVID-19 status of donors, particularly when incidental and not the cause of death, does not adversely affect non-lung transplant outcomes. This study quantifies the potential loss of eligible organ donors and the corresponding impact on organ availability during the initial phase of the pandemic.

Investigation of flow behaviour in the nozzle of a Pelton wheel: Effects and analysis of influencing parameters.

The performance of a Pelton wheel is influenced by the jet created by the nozzle. Therefore, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation was proposed. In this study, the significant output parameters (outlet velocity, outlet pressure, and tangential force component) and input parameters (different pressure and spear locations) were examined.

Beyond prevention: Unveiling the benefits of triple vaccination on COVID-19 severity and resource utilization in solid organ transplant recipients.

Objective: Despite the widespread reduction in COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality attributed to vaccination in the general population, vaccine efficacy in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) remains under-characterized. This study aimed to investigate clinically relevant outcomes on double and triple-vaccinated versus unvaccinated SOTR with COVID-19.

Study Design And Setting: A retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study was performed utilizing data from the US Collaborative Network Database within TriNetX (n = 117,905,631).

Turning trash into treasure: Torrefaction of mixed waste for improved fuel properties. A case study of metropolitan city.

Solid waste management is one of the biggest challenges of the current era. The combustible fractions in the waste stream turn out to be a good energy source if converted into refuse-derived fuel. Researchers worldwide are successfully converting it into fuel.

Development and Optimization of Proniosomal Formulation of Irbesartan Using a Box-Behnken Design to Enhance Oral Bioavailability: Physicochemical Characterization and Assessment.

This research work aimed to develop and evaluate proniosomes for the oral delivery of the lipophilic drug Irbesartan (IRB) to improve its solubility and bioavailability. Proniosomes of Irbesartan were formulated using a lipid, surfactant, and carrier by a slurry method. Based on the prepared preliminary trial batches and their evaluation, the formulation was optimized by employing a Box-Behnken design (BBD) in which concentrations of span 60 (), cholesterol (), and mannitol () were used as three independent variables and the vesicular size (VS) (), % entrapment efficiency (% EE) (), and % cumulative drug release (% CDR) () were used as dependent variables.

Prenatal Household Air Pollution Exposure and Childhood Blood Pressure in Rural Ghana.

Background: The association between prenatal household air pollution (HAP) exposure and childhood blood pressure (BP) is unknown.

Objective: Within the Ghana Randomized Air Pollution and Health Study (GRAPHS) we examined time-varying associations between ) maternal prenatal and ) first-year-of-life HAP exposure with BP at 4 years of age and, separately, whether a stove intervention delivered prenatally and continued through the first year of life could improve BP at 4 years of age.

Methods: GRAPHS was a cluster-randomized cookstove intervention trial wherein pregnant women were randomized to one of two stove interventions: ) a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove or improved biomass stove, or ) control (open fire cooking).

A Comprehensive Review of Various Therapeutic Strategies for the Management of Skin Cancer.

Skin cancer (SC) poses a global threat to the healthcare system and is expected to increase significantly over the next two decades if not diagnosed at an early stage. Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment, as the disease becomes more challenging to cure as it progresses. However, identifying new drugs, achieving clinical success, and overcoming drug resistance remain significant challenges.

Thermal and hydraulic performance of ZnO/EG based nanofluids in mini tubes of different diameters: An experimental investigation.

The present experimental study investigates the thermal and hydraulic performance of Ethylene Glycol (EG)-based ZnO nanofluids (NFs) in circular minichannel test sections, each of 330 mm in length and 1.0-2.0 mm inner diameters.