Differential modulation of SARS-CoV-2 infection by complement factor H and properdin.

Introduction: An unbalanced immune response and excessive inflammation are the major hallmarks of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, which can result in multiorgan failure and death. The dysregulation of the complement system has been shown in various studies as a crucial factor in the immunopathology of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Complement alternative pathway has been linked to the excessive inflammation in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in which decreased levels of factor H (FH) and elevated levels of properdin (FP) were observed.

Re-examination of the role of displacement and photon catalysis operation in continuous variable measurement device-independent quantum key distribution.

We investigate the benefits of using -photon catalyzed two-mode squeezed coherent (-PCTMSC) state in continuous variable measurement device-independent quantum key distribution (CV-MDI-QKD). To that end, we derive the Wigner characteristic function of the -PCTMSC state and show that the 0-PCTMSC state is a Gaussian state and is an inferior choice as compared to the zero photon catalyzed two-mode squeezed vacuum state for CV-MDI-QKD. We carry out the optimization of the secret key rate with respect to all state parameters, namely variance, transmissivity, and displacement.

Spousal Concordance in Overweight and Obesity among Indian Couples: A Nationwide Analysis of Socioeconomic and Dietary Determinants.

Objective: This study examines the level and determinants of spousal concordance in overweight/obesity among married couples in India.

Background: The rising prevalence of overweight/obesity is a growing public health concern globally. While spousal concordance in obesity is recognized in developed countries, less is known about this phenomenon in low- and middle-income countries.

Effect of fine needle aspiration cytology for diagnosing various spectrums of head and neck lesions.

The effect of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) in identifying lesions in the head and neck (H&N) area is of interest. The patients with head and neck lesions underwent both fine needle aspiration cytology and histological evaluation. Fine-needle aspiration cytology assessment identified lymph node lesions (47%) as the predominant kind, succeeded by thyroid lesions (24.

'Family Matters': A multilevel analysis of household-level clustering of overweight and obesity among adults in India.

Objectives: To examine the clustering of overweight and obesity among adults within Indian households.

Study Design: Nationally representative cross-sectional study.

Methods: Data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) were analyzed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults aged 15-54 years.

Clinical Equivalence of Clinifibre® and FiberWire® Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Suture for Graft Preparation in Unilateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Single-Blind Randomized Study.

Introduction Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is the gold standard for restoring rotational stability of the injured knee. The success of ACLR depends on surgical preparation and technique and is indicated by post-operative complications and functional outcomes. The study investigated the clinical equivalence of Clinifibre and FiberWire ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sutures for graft preparation during unilateral primary ACLR.

Screen time exposure and academic performance, anxiety, and behavioral problems among school children.

Background: The growth of the digital landscape has surely outpaced research on the effects of screen media on the health, learning, and development of children. The potential risk-to-benefit ratio of screen media exposure for education and entertainment purposes warrants further exploration. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationships between screen time and academic performance, anxiety, and outdoor playing among school children in India.

HybridGWOSPEA2ABC: a novel feature selection algorithm for gene expression data analysis and cancer classification.

Background And Objective: DNA micro-array technology has a remarkable impact on biological research, particularly in categorizing and diagnosing cancer and studying gene features and functions. With the availability of extensive collections of cancer-related data, there has been an increased focus on developing optimized Machine Learning (ML) techniques for cancer classification through gene pattern analysis and the identification of specific genes for cancer type categorization. The relevant gene selection for diagnosing and treating cancer poses a significant challenge, which requires efficient feature selection methods.

Sporophyte-directed gametogenesis in Arabidopsis.

Plants alternate between diploid sporophyte and haploid gametophyte generations. In mosses, which retain features of ancestral land plants, the gametophyte is dominant and has an independent existence. However, in flowering plants the gametophyte has undergone evolutionary reduction to just a few cells enclosed within the sporophyte.

A delta-tubulin/epsilon-tubulin/Ted protein complex is required for centriole architecture.

Centrioles have a unique, conserved architecture formed by three linked, 'triplet', microtubules arranged in ninefold symmetry. The mechanisms by which these triplet microtubules are formed remain unclear but likely involve the noncanonical tubulins delta-tubulin and epsilon-tubulin. Previously, we found that human cells lacking delta-tubulin or epsilon-tubulin form abnormal centrioles, characterized by an absence of triplet microtubules, lack of central core protein POC5, and a futile cycle of centriole formation and disintegration (Wang et al.

Development of a Biodegradable BODIPY-ε-Caprolactone System for Rapid Colorimetric Detection of Fluoride Ions in Environmental Samples.

Fluoride ions (F) are well-known for their beneficial effects on oral health and their involvement in acting osteoporosis. But it is crucial to understand that consuming too much fluoride can of several adverse health effects. Dental fluorosis, urolithiasis, and even cancer can result from excessive fluoride exposure.

Thermal conductivity of high latitude lunar regolith measured by Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) onboard Chandrayaan 3 lander.

The thermal conductivity of the lunar regolith is an essential parameter in studying the thermal behavior of the Moon and in planning future lunar exploration. The Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) aboard Vikram lander of the Indian Moon mission Chandrayaan 3 made the first in situ measurement of thermal conductivity of lunar regolith at southern high latitude using a thermal probe with ten temperature sensors at uneven intervals within 10 cm and a foil-type heater wound around the probe close to the nose tip. The ChaSTE thermal probe was inserted into the lunar regolith by a controlled motorized penetration in 29 hours.

Evaluating Ground State Energies of Chemical Systems with Low-Depth Quantum Circuits and High Accuracy.

Quantum computers have the potential to efficiently solve the electronic structure problem but are currently limited by noise and shallow circuits. We present an enhanced Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) ansatz based on the Qubit Coupled Cluster (QCC) approach that requires optimization of only parameters, where is the number of Pauli string generators, rather than the typical + 2 parameters, where is the number of qubits. We evaluate the ground state energies and molecular dissociation curves of strongly correlated molecules, namely O and Li, using active spaces of varying sizes in conjunction with our enhanced QCC ansatz, Unitary Coupled Cluster Single-Double (UCCSD) ansatz, and the classical Coupled Cluster Singles and Doubles (CCSD) method.

Erasmus Syndrome: Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis With Silicosis.

This report describes the case of a 30-year-old man with a history of prolonged occupational exposure to silica and coal dust leading to the development of Erasmus syndrome, a rare condition of silicosis associated with autoimmune disease, i.e., systemic sclerosis, in a short period.

Childhood Cancer Survivorship Care in Limited Resource Settings: A Narrative Review and Strategies to Promote Global Health Equity.

The WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, prompted by the marked inequity of survival across the globe, aims to increase survival rates in low- and middle-income countries to 60% by 2030. In tandem with this effort, implementing survivorship-focused care is crucial to mitigate late effects and prevent early mortality beyond the 5-year survival end point. The observed burden of secondary malignancies, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic health conditions in adult survivors of childhood cancer in high-income countries provides guidance to generate evidence in limited-resource settings.

Performance assessment of solar PV panels under varying environmental conditions: a laboratory and field-based approach for sustainable energy in mining operations.

This study provides a novel and comprehensive assessment of solar photovoltaic (PV) panel performance under varying environmental conditions, integrating laboratory experiments with real-world field studies to address challenges specific to mining operations. The research uniquely explores the combined effects of shading, temperature, humidity, dust deposition, and tilt angle, delivering actionable insights for optimizing PV systems in harsh conditions. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that a parallel configuration significantly minimizes power losses under partial shading, while a rise in temperature from 35 to 75 °C resulted in a notable 21.

Protein-functionalized and intrinsically radiolabeled [Re]ReO nanoparticles: advancing cancer therapy through concurrent radio-photothermal effects.

Purpose: Enhancing therapeutic effectiveness is crucial for translating anticancer nanomedicines from laboratory to clinical settings. In this study, we have developed radioactive rhenium oxide nanoparticles encapsulated in human serum albumin ([Re]ReO-HSA NPs) for concurrent radiotherapy (RT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), aiming to optimize treatment outcomes.

Methods: [Re]ReO-HSA NPs were synthesized by a controlled reduction of ReO in HSA medium and extensively characterized.

Sorghum rhizosphere bacteriome studies and generation of multistrain beneficial bacterial consortia.

The plant rhizosphere microbiome plays a crucial role in plant growth and health. Within this microbiome, bacteria dominate, exhibiting traits that benefit plants, such as facilitating nutrient acquisition, fixing nitrogen, controlling pathogens, and promoting root growth. This study focuses on designing synthetic bacterial consortia using key bacterial strains which have been mapped and then isolated from the sorghum rhizosphere microbiome.

Carbon Quantum Dots Based Nanocomposite for Selective Mercury Detection.

The emergence of 2D carbon-based materials has a profound impact on various research areas, such as biosciences, electronics, optics, environmental protection, and monitoring. Mercury, a highly toxic pollutant, can cause severe health complications such as neural toxicity, insomnia, cognitive dysfunction, muscle atrophy, peripheral vision impairment, and emotional instability. A suitable 2D nanostructural interface is required to effectively monitor mercury levels in the environment.

Determinants of Handwashing at Critical Times Among Mothers/Caregivers of Children Under-Five Years Old: Panel Data Evidence From Rural Afghanistan.

Background: Very few studies have used panel data regression models to estimate the determinants of handwashing with water and soap at critical times in a developing country.

Objective: To analyse the predictors of handwashing with water and soap at critical times among mother/caregivers of children under-5 years in rural Afghanistan.

Method: This study used data from 1208 mothers/caregivers of children under-5 years who were selected and interviewed at baseline and endline in 7 provinces using systematic probability proportional-to-size sampling method.

Electrospun Stannic Oxide Nanofiber Thin-Film Based Sensing Device for Monitoring Functional Behaviors of Adherent Mammalian Cells.

This study presents a biosensor utilizing electrospun SnO2 nanofiber films for real-time monitoring of C2C12 cells. The biosensor demonstrates sensitivity towards cellular behaviors, including adhesion, proliferation, and detachment. Alterations in semi-circle and dielectric properties are validated through Nyquist plot and an EEC model, highlighting the biosensor's potential for analyzing cellular dynamics.

Investigating role of positively selected genes and mutation sites of ERG11 in drug resistance of Candida albicans.

The steep increase in acquired drug resistance in Candida isolates has posed a great challenge in the clinical management of candidiasis globally. Information of genes and codon sites that are positively selected during evolution can provide insights into the mechanisms driving antifungal resistance in Candida. This study aimed to create a manually curated list of genes of Candida spp.

Stroke Rehabilitation in India: Addressing Gender Inequities.

Gender inequality has a significant and complex impact on stroke recovery and rehabilitation outcomes. Moreover, the influence of gender on post-stroke recovery is multifactorial, primarily biological, social, and behavioral issues. The recovery paths for men and women may have different outlines in relation to stroke occurrence, injury sites, and hormonal effects.

High-Frequency Hearing Loss Amongst Smart Mobile Phone Users: A Case-Control Study.

Background: In past 20 years, there is increase in mobile phone users from 12.4 million to about 5.6 billion i.