Antidermatophytic activity of Curcuma longa against Trichophyton spp.: compound identification and molecular docking to lanosterol 14α-demethylase.

The increasing incidence of dermatophytic infections and rising resistance to conventional antifungal agents necessitates the exploration of alternative therapies. This study investigates the antifungal potential of Curcuma longa rhizome extract against dermatophytes, particularly Trichophyton species, through a combination of in vitro and in silico techniques. The methanolic extract of Curcuma longa was evaluated for its antifungal efficacy using the disc diffusion method against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton indotineae, and Trichophyton interdigitale.

Hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and bone health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To review the association between hysterectomy, with and without oophorectomy, and fracture, osteoporosis, and bone mineral density (BMD) change.

Methods: We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis, searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, and CINAHL from inception to November 2024. Eligible studies included women aged ≥18 years and assessed the relationship between having a hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy and fracture, osteoporosis, or BMD.

A systematic review of the pivotal role of environmental toxicant exposure on infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: The objective of this review is to identify which environmental toxicants are linked to infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by synthesizing available evidence. It aims to summarize key findings, identify research gaps and provide policy recommendations based on the associations between specific toxicants and disease outcomes.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Magnetoactive Nanotopography on Hydrogels for Stimulated Cell Adhesion and Differentiation.

Advanced cell culture platforms that vary the biophysical microenvironment are useful tools for mechanobiology studies and for directing the differentiation of adherent cells to therapeutically relevant phenotypes. Herein, the fabrication of magnetoactive nanofiber mats for integration with hydrogels as a platform for dynamic stimulation at the cell-biomaterial interface is demonstrated. Electrospinning is used to form iron oxide-loaded gelatin-based nanofibers that are stabilized and cross-linked to the surface of gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels.

Depressive, anxiety symptoms and their co-occurrence among women seeking antenatal care in Bangladesh.

Anxiety and depression are significant concerns among antenatal women in Bangladesh. Despite the critical need for tailored mental health care in health facilities, studies on these symptoms in this demographic remain lacking. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the levels, distribution, and associated factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms and their co-occurrence among women seeking antenatal care at a public healthcare facility in Bangladesh.

Biomimetic Hydrogels from Mixed Gellan Gum and Tryptophan Zipper Self-Assembling Peptides.

Peptide self-assembly has been used to fabricate synthetic hydrogels that emulate many of the chemical and physical properties of natural hydrogels. However, these materials often lack stability for many applications and do not display the native bioactivity found in tissue. Here we demonstrate a hybrid hydrogel system in which self-assembling peptides are integrated with polysaccharides to enhance gelation and provide improved mechanics and bioactivity.

Prevalence of unintended pregnancy in the MENA region: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Unintended pregnancies pose significant public health challenges globally, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where cultural, religious and societal factors play the most substantial role. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the pooled prevalence and factors associated with unintended pregnancies in the MENA region.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to identify relevant studies in Medical Literature Analysis and Retriaval System (MEDLINE), Embase and Scopus published on unintended pregnancies until July 2024.

Stretch activated molecule immobilization in disulfide linked double network hydrogels.

Inspired by how forces facilitate molecule immobilization in biological tissues to provide localized functionalization, tough hydrogel networks with stretch activated mechanochemistry are developed by utilizing disulfide bonds as dynamic covalent crosslinks. Specifically, disulfide linked polyethylene glycol hydrogels are reinforced with a second ionically bonded sodium alginate network to simultaneously achieve stretchability and mechanochemical functionalization. To demonstrate and quantify the mechanochemical response, thiols produced by disulfide bond rupture are sensed during stretching using a reaction activated fluorophore dissolved in the hydrating solution.

Melatonin-mediated adaptation of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in acidic soil.

Soil acidity is a widespread and critical factor contributing to soil degradation. Melatonin (MT) as a protective biostimulant, plays a crucial role in plant growth under harsh environments. However, the role of MT in plant adaptation to acidic soil remains elusive.

Human-Centered Sensor Technologies for Soft Robotic Grippers: A Comprehensive Review.

The importance of bio-robotics has been increasing day by day. Researchers are trying to mimic nature in a more creative way so that the system can easily adapt to the complex nature and its environment. Hence, bio-robotic grippers play a role in the physical connection between the environment and the bio-robotics system.

Manufacturing and Properties of Jute Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites-A Comprehensive Review.

Jute fiber-reinforced composites have become a promising alternative to synthetic fiber composites because of their favorable environmental characteristics, cost efficiency, and good mechanical properties. The present review provides a comprehensive examination of the manufacturing processes and mechanical properties of polymer composites reinforced with jute fibers. This study investigates the influence of several fabrication methods, such as hand lay-up, compression molding, injection molding, pultrusion, etc.

A comprehensive in silico genome-wide identification and characterization of SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein (SBP) gene family in Musa acuminata.

One of the largest and most significant transcription factor gene families in plants is the SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein (SBP) gene family and they perform critical regulatory roles in floral enhancement, fruit development, and stress resistance. The SBP protein family (also known as SPL) has not yet been thoroughly studied in the staple fruit crop, banana. A perennial monocot plant, banana is essential for ensuring food and nutrition security.

Adaptive Deployable Structure Enabled by Actively Controlled Tensegrity for Space Debris Removal.

The Earth's orbital environment is increasingly congested with space debris, posing a substantial risk to space operations and safety. Current mitigation strategies are primarily tailored to either small debris, through protective devices, or large debris, via spacecraft deorbiting methods, leaving medium-sized debris (0.4-10 cm) as a significant unaddressed threat.

Design strategies and performance enhancements of PVDF-based flexible electrolytes for high-performance all-solid-state lithium metal batteries.

Lithium metal is considered one of the most promising anode materials for lithium batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mA h g) and low redox potential (-3.04 V). However, uncontrolled lithium dendrite growth and severe interfacial side reactions during cycling result in poor performance and safety risks, significantly limiting its practical applications.

Molecular Characterization and Potential Inhibitors Prediction of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase-2 in Carcinoma: An Insight from Molecular Docking, ADMET Profiling and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies.

Objectives: To predict and characterize the three-dimensional (3D) structure of protein arginine methyltransferase 2 (PRMT2) using homology modeling, besides, the identification of potent inhibitors for enhanced comprehension of the biological function of this protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) family protein in carcinogenesis.

Materials And Methods: An method was employed to predict and characterize the three-dimensional structure. The bulk of PRMTs in the PDB shares just a structurally conserved catalytic core domain.

Improving the bioactivity and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels through a supramolecular support network.

Most synthetic hydrogels are formed through radical polymerization to yield a homogenous covalent meshwork. In contrast, natural hydrogels form through mechanisms involving both covalent assembly and supramolecular interactions. In this communication, we expand the capabilities of covalent poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) networks through co-assembly of supramolecular peptide nanofibers.

Correction: Cigarette smoking and associated factors among men in five South Asian countries: A pooled analysis of nationally representative surveys.

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

Molecular dynamics studies reveal the structural impacts of LRRK2 R1441C and LRRK2 D1994A mutations in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a continuingly deteriorating neurological ailment affecting over 8.5 million patients globally as of 2019, and the numbers are expected to keep rising. To aid in identifying therapeutic targets, molecular dynamics simulations are convenient and cost-effective methods for enriching our knowledge of the molecular pathophysiology of diseases.

Screening of Novel Drug Targets and Drug Design for : A Subtractive Proteomics Approach.

causes whooping cough in humans that spreads directly from individual to individual mainly by aerosolized respiratory droplets. Nowadays, it gained the attention of scientific community because it has already been reemerged as one of the major public health threats despite widespread vaccination efforts. Moreover, the growing antibiotic resistance has made it difficult to combat this pathogen with currently available antibiotics.

H-NOX Influences Biofilm Formation, Central Metabolism, and Quorum Sensing in .

The transition from planktonic to biofilm growth in bacteria is often accompanied by greater resistance to antibiotics and other stressors, as well as distinct alterations in physical traits, genetic activity, and metabolic restructuring. In many species, the heme nitric oxide/oxygen binding proteins (H-NOX) play an important role in this process, although the signaling mechanisms and pathways in which they participate are quite diverse and largely unknown. In , deletion of the gene results in a severe biofilm-deficient phenotype.

Effect of wood varnish coating on the water absorption and mechanical properties of jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites.

Natural fiber-reinforced composites are becoming popular day by day because of their low cost and renewable nature. However, a major concern of these composites is water absorption. To minimize the water absorption in natural fiber-reinforced composites, wood varnish coating was used in this paper to investigate the effect of this coating on water absorption and mechanical properties of jute fiber-reinforced composites.

Recent evolution in thermochemical transformation of municipal solid wastes to alternate fuels.

The management of solid waste poses a worldwide obstacle in the pursuit of a sustainable society. This issue has intensified with the increase in waste production caused by rapid population expansion, industrialization, and urbanization. The continuously growing volume of municipal solid waste, particularly the substantial volume of organic waste, along with improper disposal practices, results in the release of greenhouse gases and other harmful airborne substances which simultaneously causes health risks and socioeconomic concerns.