Cutting edge

Most South Asian countries' economies have grown dramatically during the past few decades. However, in light of their environmental sustainability goals, the quality of such growth performances by South Asian nations is called into doubt by the concurrent degradation in environmental quality. Consequently, reducing the environmental challenges these nations encounter is prioritized on the agendas of the relevant authorities. This study aimed to analyze the effect of the top 11 most polluted countries' levels of financial inclusion, technological innovation, consumption of renewable energy, and adoption of climate technology on environmental deterioration from 2000 to 2022...

Bistable electrochromic (EC) materials and systems offer significant potential for building decarbonization through their optical modulation and energy efficiency. However, challenges such as limited design strategies and bottlenecks in cost, fabrication, and color have hindered the full commercialization of energy-saving EC windows and displays, with few materials achieving true bistability. Herein, a novel strategy for designing bistable electrochromic materials is proposed by leveraging supramolecular interactions...

Enzyme engineering, though pivotal across various biotechnological domains, is often plagued by its time-consuming and labor-intensive nature. This review aims to offer an overview of supportive in silico methodologies for this demanding endeavor. Starting from methods to predict protein structures, to classification of their activity and even the discovery of new enzymes we continue with describing tools used to increase thermostability and production yields of selected targets. Subsequently, we discuss computational methods to modulate both, the activity as well as selectivity of enzymes...

Osteoporosis, arthritis, and fractures are examples of orthopedic illnesses that not only significantly impair patients' quality of life but also complicate and raise the expense of therapy. It has been discovered in recent years that the pathophysiology of orthopedic disorders is significantly influenced by the microbiota. By employing machine learning and deep learning techniques to conduct a thorough analysis of the disease-causing microbiome, we can enhance our comprehension of the pathophysiology of many illnesses and expedite the creation of novel treatment approaches...

This paper proposes a new method for short-term electric load forecasting using a Ridgelet Neural Network (RNN) combined with a wavelet transform and optimized by a Self-Adapted (SA) Kho-Kho algorithm (SAKhoKho). The aim of this method is to improve the accuracy and reliability of electric load forecasting, which is essential for the planning and operation of competitive electrical networks. The proposed method uses the Wavelet Transform (WT) to decompose the load data into different frequency components and applies the RNN to each component separately...

Automatic and precise polyp segmentation in colonoscopy images is highly valuable for diagnosis at an early stage and surgery of colorectal cancer. Nevertheless, it still posed a major challenge due to variations in the size and intricate morphological characteristics of polyps coupled with the indistinct demarcation between polyps and mucosas. To alleviate these challenges, we proposed an improved dual-aggregation polyp segmentation network, dubbed Dua-PSNet, for automatic and accurate full-size polyp prediction by combining both the transformer branch and a fully convolutional network (FCN) branch in a parallel style...

The overarching goal of the third scientific oral health symposium was to introduce the concept of a learning health system to the dental community and to identify and discuss cutting-edge research and strategies using data for improving the quality of dental care and patient safety. Conference participants included clinically active dentists, dental researchers, quality improvement experts, informaticians, insurers, EHR vendors/developers, and members of dental professional organizations and dental service organizations...

Nails can be used as an alternative to hair for examining past drug use. However, daily hand-and-nail care can eliminate the internal drugs. Therefore, we developed an evaluation method to examine the effects of the external environment on drug stability in nails using micro-segmental analysis. First, reference nails containing drugs were prepared by collecting fingernails from participants who had consumed hay-fever medicines continuously for 4 months. Next, the entire free edge of a reference nail was cut into halves at the centerline; one side was stored as an untreated block, and the other was treated with various hand/nail care products...

The rapid developments in the field of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) in recent years have created unparalleled opportunities for the development of unique bioactive ZIFs for a range of biosensor applications. Integrating bioactive molecules such as DNA, aptamers, and antibodies into ZIFs to create bioactive ZIF composites has attracted great interest. Bioactive ZIF composites have been developed that combine the multiple functions of bioactive molecules with the superior chemical and physical properties of ZIFs...

The critical challenge of effectively removing Pb-EDTA complexes and Pb(II) ions from wastewater is pivotal for environmental remediation. This research introduces a cutting-edge bulk-MoS2 /H2 O2 system designed for the simultaneous decomplexation of Pb-EDTA complexes and extraction of free Pb(II) ions, streamlining the process by eliminating the need for subsequent treatment stages. The system exhibits outstanding efficiency, achieving 98.1% decomplexation of Pb-EDTA and 98.6% removal of Pb. Its effectiveness is primarily due to the generation of reactive oxygen species, notably •OH and O2 •- radicals, facilitated by bulk-MoS2 and H2 O2 ...

Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of various kidney diseases. Kidney perivascular cells (pericytes/fibroblasts) are responsible for producing proinflammatory molecules, promoting immune cell infiltration, and enhancing inflammation. Vascular adhesion protein-1, expressed in kidney perivascular cells, is an ectoenzyme that catalyzes the oxidative deamination of primary amines with the production of hydrogen peroxide in the extracellular space. Our study demonstrated that blocking this enzyme suppressed hydrogen peroxide production and neutrophil infiltration, thereby reducing renal ischemia-reperfusion injury...

In the contemporary era, heightened emphasis on health and safety has emerged as a paramount concern among individuals with food. The concepts of "natural" and "green" have progressively asserted dominance in the food consumption market. Consequently, through continuous exploration and development, an escalating array of natural bioactive ingredients is finding application in both nutrition delivery and the broader food industry. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a polyphenolic compound widely distributed in various plants in nature, has garnered significant attention...

The landscape of cancer therapy has witnessed a paradigm shift with the emergence of innovative delivery systems, and Guanidinium-based Peptide Dendrimers have emerged as a vanguard in this transformative journey. With their unique molecular architecture and intrinsic biocompatibility, these dendrimers offer a promising avenue for the targeted delivery of therapeutic cargo in cancer treatment. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate world of Guanidinium- based Peptide Dendrimers, unraveling their structural intricacies, mechanisms of action, and advancements that have propelled them from laboratory curiosities to potential clinical champions...

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disorder related to joint inflammation, bone erosion, and deformity. Numerous studies indicate that the causes and consequences of RA are still being debated, and therapeutic strategies are in the translation stage. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs continue to be often used to relieve pain. Still, due to their poor efficacy, failure to halt the spread of the disease, and undesirable adverse effects, they are no longer regarded as first-line treatments. The development of biologic DMRDs designed to reduce the inflammatory response led to substantial changes to the strategy for managing this disease...

Managing bacterial pathogens in the central nervous system is an immense issue for researchers all around the globe. The problem of these infections remains throughout the population, regardless of the discovery of several possible medicines. The major obstacle to drug delivery is the BBB, but only a few medicines that fulfill demanding requirements can penetrate it. Considering inadequate antibiotic alternatives and the increasing development of resistance, it is more important than ever to find new approaches to address this worldwide problem...

The present lifestyle, dietary patterns, psychological pressure, environmental factors, and the widespread exploitation of processed substances in food production and farming have collectively contributed to a substantial expediting in the development of various health problems. Globally, researchers have been seeking natural pharmaceutical substances with the potential to be employed in treating lifestyle-related diseases or delaying their onset. Fenugreek seeds have gained significant attention in various fields, including health, nutrition, and cutting-edge nanotechnology applications, due to their versatile qualities...

This comprehensive review delves into the pivotal role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer metastasis and therapeutic response, offering fresh insights into the intricate interplay between cancer cells and their surrounding milieu. The TME, a dynamic ecosystem comprising diverse cellular and acellular elements, not only fosters tumor progression but also profoundly affects the efficacy of conventional and emerging cancer therapies. Through nuanced exploration, this review illuminates the multifaceted nature of the TME, elucidating its capacity to engender drug resistance via mechanisms such as hypoxia, immune evasion, and the establishment of physical barriers to drug delivery...

AIM: The purpose of this study was to characterize publication patterns, academic influence, research trends, and the recent developments in uterus transplantation (UTx) across the globe. METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection database was searched for documents published from the time the database began to include relevant articles to December 15, 2023. With the use of VOSviewer, Citespace, BICOMB, and Incites, a cross-sectional bibliometric analysis was conducted to extract or calculate the evaluative indexes...

This issue highlights and details the programme and scientific presentations at the International Eosinophil Society's 12th biennial Symposium, which was held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in July 2023. The meeting included sessions on regulation of eosinophil development; cell death, stress, and autophagy in eosinophils; local immunity interactions of eosinophils with multiple cell types; eosinophils in host defense; eosinophils and mast cells in gastrointestinal disorders; reciprocal interactions between eosinophils and the microbiome in homeostasis and dysbiosis; and, eosinophils in tissue injury and repair, in tumor biology and cancer therapy...

Metal cutting has been extensively studied over the years for improving its efficacy, yet, parasitic mechanisms like chatter and tool wear continue to generate higher forces and energy consumption with poor surface integrity. To address these parasitic mechanisms, a single-point turning cutter design is proposed based on the physics-of-machining including chatter theory to achieve reduced power consumption during the cutting of various metallic alloys like Al-6061, Ti-6Al-4V and others used by critical sectors such as aerospace and automotive...