Publications by authors named "Mukhtar A"

This study investigates the effects of lead stress on tomato plants and explores the potential role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to alleviate this stress. The experiment was conducted in pots, introducing varying lead levels (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg kg⁻¹) using lead nitrate. For rhizobacterial inoculation, pre-characterized LTPGP strains S5 Pseudomonas fluorescens A506 and S10 Pseudomonas fluorescens LMG 2189 were used.

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This article proposes a novel dual-loop control (DLC) method with a Tilt Integral Derivative (TID) Controller for output voltage regulation and inductor current regulation in a boost converter. The TID controller is designed with the aid of swarm inspired algorithms, particularly Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) and Salp Swarm Optimization (SSO). The TID Controller is a robust, and feedback type of controller and belongs to the family of fractional order controllers.

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Silica nanoparticles-embedded smart-gels are efficient drug carrier systems due to their structural flexibility, high porosity, and ease of formulation development. Herein, the extent of interaction of minoxidil (MXD), a potent vasodilator prodrug, with silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) and alginate (ALG) was investigated. The SiNPs were prepared by extracting silica from rice husk ash, and these SiNPs were further used to prepare MXD-loaded-SiNPs (MXD-SiNPs) by loading them with an appropriate amount of MXD.

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Exhaust gases from the smelting furnace have high temperature and mass flow rate, and there is huge potential to use them for energy-related purposes such as electricity generation, cooling and heating. Utilization of the gases for energy-related purposes would lead to fuel savings and emissions reduction. To use this potential, it is necessary to design proper systems and cycles and apply a heat recovery unit.

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  • This study conducted in Rabigh City, Saudi Arabia aimed to identify antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in common pathogenic bacteria within a healthcare facility over a six-month period.
  • Out of 1,933 patient samples, 11.1% showed bacterial growth, with a higher prevalence in patients over 50 years old; the majority were Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli and K. pneumoniae.
  • The findings reveal significant resistance among isolated bacteria, particularly with K. pneumoniae showing increased resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring of AMR in healthcare environments.
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  • RASopathies, like neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), lead to continuous activation of the Ras/MAPK pathway and often feature multiple Café au Lait Macules (CALMs).
  • The study aimed to identify genes related to melanocyte growth and movement by analyzing skin samples from both CALM and unaffected areas in NF1 patients, revealing the impact of specific genetic variations.
  • Findings indicated that the formation of CALMs is linked to genetic losses that enhance Ras/MAPK and Wnt signaling, coupled with decreased levels of a protective protein (PEDF), which promotes cell growth and movement in NF1-associated melanoma.
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This study investigates the impact of cooling methods on the electrical efficiency of photovoltaic panels (PVs). The efficiency of four cooling techniques is experimentally analyzed. The most effective approach is identified as water-spray cooling on the front surface of PVs, which increases efficiency by 3.

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Practical and energy-efficient carbon dioxide (CO) conversion to value-added and fuel-graded products and transitioning from fossil fuels are promising ways to cope with climate change and to enable the circular economy. The carbon circular economy aims to capture, utilize, and minimize CO emissions as much as possible. To cope with the thermodynamic stability and highly endothermic nature of CO conversion via conventional thermochemical process, the potential application of non-thermal plasma (NTP) with the catalyst, i.

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Strigolactones (SLs) constitute essential phytohormones that control pathogen defense, resilience to phosphate deficiency and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, SLs are released into the soil by roots, especially in conditions in which there is inadequate phosphate or nitrogen available. SLs have the aptitude to stimulate the root parasite plants and symbiotic cooperation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in rhizosphere.

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The uneven spatial and temporal distribution of light resources and water scarcity during the grain-filling stage pose significant challenges for sustainable crop production, particularly in the arid areas of the Loess Plateau in Northwest China. This study aims to investigate the combined effects of drought and shading stress on winter wheat growth and its physio-biochemical and antioxidative responses. Wheat plants were subjected to different drought levels- full irrigation (I100), 75% of full irrigation (I75), 50% of full irrigation (I50), and 25% of full irrigation (I25), and shading treatments - 12, 9, 6, 3 and 0 days (SD12, SD9, SD6, SD3, and CK, respectively) during the grain-filling stage.

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This study aimed to develop an eco-friendly active biogenic nanocomposite film through the complexation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), berry wax (BYW), and chitosan (CT) for maintiaing rabbit functional meat freshness. AgNPs were synthesized using Chinese medicinal paeoniaceae petal extract, and they were loaded at various concentrations (0.5 %, 0.

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  • Salinization poses a significant risk to soil quality and crop production, but applying organic amendments like sugarcane bagasse (SB) and its biochar (SBB) can help improve crop growth in saline conditions.
  • A study tested SB and SBB at different percentages and salinity levels, finding that 2% SBB most effectively enhanced various growth metrics of maize, including shoot/root length, grain yield, and nutrient content while reducing sodium levels in the plants.
  • Additionally, the application of 2% SBB significantly boosted soil enzymatic activity, with structural equation modeling showing that these amendments can explain substantial variability in maize yield across different salinity levels, indicating its potential for sustainable agriculture.
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Greenly synthesized nanoparticles have garnered attention due to their low environmental footprint, but impurities limit their applications. A novel semi-organic method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using bio-based chelating fuels ( subsp.) reduces the undesirable impurities.

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  • * A case study of a 24-year-old male highlighted the successful removal of a large 51 mm NDC using a minimally invasive transnasal endoscopic marsupialization technique, with no postoperative complications after 3 months.
  • * With about 1% of the population affected by NDC, the surgical removal under general anesthesia and regular follow-ups are recommended for proper management, though the exact cause of the cyst remains unknown.
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  • Land transportation leads to significant heavy metal contamination along roadsides, impacting human health through various exposure methods like inhalation and skin contact.
  • This study focused on measuring concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu) in roadside soil and leaves of two plant species, Calotropis procera and Nerium oleander, along two busy roads in Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Results showed higher metal concentrations in both soil and plant leaves near the roads compared to control sites, with variations observed across seasons, indicating that Calotropis procera is more effective for reducing metal contamination than Nerium oleander.
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High-acuity trauma necessitates experienced and rapid intervention to prevent patient harm. However, upskilling junior trainees through hands-on management of real trauma cases is rarely feasible without compromising patient safety. This quality education report sought to investigate whether a simulation course operated via mixed reality (MR) headset devices (Microsoft HoloLens) could enhance the clinical knowledge recall and preparedness to practice of junior trainees with no prior experience managing trauma.

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  • - A new, efficient one-pot method for creating 2-aroylbenzo[]thiophen-3-ols is developed using 2-mercaptobenzoic acid and various aryl bromomethyl ketones with triethylamine as a catalyst.
  • - The reaction likely involves a nucleophilic attack by the sulfhydryl group on the bromomethyl ketone, resulting in a cyclization that produces the target compound in high yield.
  • - This process also allows for the introduction of an alkyne at the 3-hydroxy position, leading to the formation of unique benzothiophene-triazole hybrids, expanding possibilities for new biological and pharmaceutical discoveries.
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  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are uncommon cancerous tumors in the GI tract, originating from a specific type of cell called interstitial cells of Cajal.
  • They represent a small fraction (1-3%) of all GI cancers, with just a tiny portion (3-5%) occurring in the duodenum.
  • The case discussed involves a young adult patient who came to the emergency department showing signs of gastrointestinal bleeding.
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Acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity is impaired by a variety of inhibitors including organophosphorus pesticides, leading to the accumulation of acetylcholine. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between cancer and the blood level of the (AChE). This is a multicenter hospital-based case-control study conducted in the Radiation and Isotopes Center Khartoum, and Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Biology and Oncology Gezira.

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Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare debilitating condition with a significant burden for patients and society. However, little is known about how it affects Saudi Arabia's population. The socioeconomic and medical characteristics of affected SMA patients and their caregivers are lacking.

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In this article we aime to investigate he anti-aging effect of oil. Transgenic flies engineered under UAS/GAL4 system were acquired from the Bloomington Drosophila stock center. For methodology, (LC50), 30 flies 2-3 days old were divided into four groups, and exposed to diets of 30, 60, 90, and 120 μL/10 g in 3 replicates at a density of 30 flies per vial.

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The Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is one of the most beneficial and identifiable predators of numerous soft-bodied and sucking insect pests of several crops. Biological parameters and olfactory response of C. sexmaculata were investigated under laboratory conditions by providing three different aphid species i.

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Background: Mutant BRAF targeted therapies remain a standard of care for the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma (MM); however, high initial response rates are tempered by the persistence of residual MM cells that eventually lead to disease recurrence and mortality. As MM recurrence during targeted therapy can present with the simultaneous occurrence of multiple tumour nodules at the original body sites, we hypothesized the presence of an intrinsically resistant MM cell subpopulation.

Objectives: To identify an MM cell subpopulation that is intrinsically resistant to targeted therapy and possibly responsible for MM recurrence.

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The WHO aims to detect 90% of global cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by 2030. Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionate burden of HBV and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we sought to assess the utility of a combined HBV and HCC screening program in Tanzania.

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