Browse publications by year: 2022

Fulltext Assessing Trustworthy AI in Times of COVID-19: Deep Learning for Predicting a Multiregional Score Conveying the Degree of Lung Compromise in COVID-19 Patients

Allahabadi H, Amann J, Balot I, Beretta A, Binkley C, Bozenhard J, et al.

IEEE Trans Technol Soc, 2022 Dec;3(4):272-289.
PMID: 36573115 DOI: 10.1109/TTS.2022.3195114

This article's main contributions are twofold: 1) to demonstrate how to apply the general European Union's High-Level Expert Group's (EU HLEG) guidelines for trustworthy AI in practice for the domain of healthcare and 2) to investigate the research question of what does "trustworthy AI" mean at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we present the results of a post-hoc self-assessment to evaluate the trustworthiness of an AI system for predicting a multiregional score conveying the degree of lung compromise in COVID-19 patients, developed and verified by an interdisciplinary team with members from academia, public hospitals, and industry in time of pandemic. The AI system aims to help radiologists to estimate and communicate the severity of damage in a patient's lung from Chest X-rays. It has been experimentally deployed in the radiology department of the ASST Spedali Civili clinic in Brescia, Italy, since December 2020 during pandemic time. The methodology we have applied for our post-hoc assessment, called Z-Inspection®, uses sociotechnical scenarios to identify ethical, technical, and domain-specific issues in the use of the AI system in the context of the pandemic.
Fulltext Future stem cell analysis: progress and challenges towards state-of-the art approaches in automated cells analysis

Mohamad Zamani NS, Wan Zaki WMD, Abd Hamid Z, Baseri Huddin A

PeerJ, 2022;10:e14513.
PMID: 36573241 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14513

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A microscopic image has been used in cell analysis for cell type identification and classification, cell counting and cell size measurement. Most previous research works are tedious, including detailed understanding and time-consuming. The scientists and researchers are seeking modern and automatic cell analysis approaches in line with the current in-demand technology.
OBJECTIVES: This article provides a brief overview of a general cell and specific stem cell analysis approaches from the history of cell discovery up to the state-of-the-art approaches.
METHODOLOGY: A content description of the literature study has been surveyed from specific manuscript databases using three review methods: manuscript identification, screening, and inclusion. This review methodology is based on Prism guidelines in searching for originality and novelty in studies concerning cell analysis.
RESULTS: By analysing generic cell and specific stem cell analysis approaches, current technology offers tremendous potential in assisting medical experts in performing cell analysis using a method that is less laborious, cost-effective, and reduces error rates.
CONCLUSION: This review uncovers potential research gaps concerning generic cell and specific stem cell analysis. Thus, it could be a reference for developing automated cells analysis approaches using current technology such as artificial intelligence and deep learning.

MeSH terms: Artificial Intelligence*
Fulltext Necrotizing Pneumonia Due To Rhodococcus Hoagii In A Patient With Advanced Retroviral Disease

Gan YL, Chang CY, Yusoff YK, Radhakrishnan AP

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad, 2022;34(4):877-879.
PMID: 36566419 DOI: 10.55519/JAMC-04-10234

Rhodococcus hoagii is a well-known zoonotic disease, especially in foals. Its occurrence in humans is uncommon and usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. We present a case of Rhodococcus hoagii infection resulting in necrotizing pneumonia in a patient with advanced retroviral disease who had defaulted treatment. Effective treatment of Rhodococcus hoagii infection requires a combination of antibiotics. We also highlighted the importance of effective communication between clinicians and microbiologists so that prompt treatment can be initiated to improve patient outcomes.

MeSH terms: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use; Horses; Humans; Rhodococcus equi*
Celebrating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect in Computational and Theoretical Chemistry

Cournia Z, Soares TA, Wahab HA, Amaro RE

J Chem Inf Model, 2022 Dec 26;62(24):6287-6291.
PMID: 36567670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01543
Fulltext Microbial diversity of milk ghee in southern Gansu and its effect on the formation of ghee flavor compounds

Liu Z, Li H, Gao D, Su J, Su Y, Ma Z, et al.

Open Life Sci, 2022;17(1):1629-1640.
PMID: 36567720 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0516

Ghee is a traditional Tibetan dairy product with high-fat content, low yield, plasticity, caseation, and rich nutrition. In this study, we analyzed the diversity of microbial communities in yak milk and ghee samples at high and low altitudes, especially the Lactobacillus genus, and further used metabolomic techniques to compare the differences in metabolites in yak ghee at different altitudes. The results showed that the increase in altitude had a significant and generally inhibitory effect on the microbial community diversity in milk ghee, and yak milk at high altitude was abundant in nutrients, which could antagonize the negative impact of increased altitude. Using non-targeted metabolomics, we infer the composition of flavor compounds in ghee: nine kinds of carboxylic acids, 11 kinds of esters, six kinds of ketones, two kinds of alcohols, and four kinds of alkene compounds, among which the key flavor compounds are dl-2-(acetylamino)-3-phenylephrine acid, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanone, sebacic acid, Lysope 18:1, and uracil 1-beta-d-arabinofuranoside. These flavor substances are found in Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus. With the participation of Lactobacillus, it is synthesized through biosynthesis of alkaloids derived from ornithine, lysine, and nicotine acid and glyoxylate and decarboxylate metabolism, among which Lactococcus plays a key role. In this study, a variety of lactic acid bacteria related to ghee fermentation were screened out, revealing the composition of volatile flavor compounds in Gannan yak milk ghee in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and providing a reference for further key volatile flavor compounds and the formation mechanism of flavor compounds.
Fulltext Cancer and Disease Diagnosis - Biosensor as Potential Diagnostic Tool for Biomarker Detection

Chaudhry GE, Akim AM, Safdar N, Yasmin A, Begum S, Sung YY, et al.

J Adv Pharm Technol Res, 2022;13(4):243-247.
PMID: 36568055 DOI: 10.4103/japtr.japtr_106_22

Analysis of cancer biomarkers has enormous promise for advancing our molecular understanding of illness and facilitating more precise and timely diagnosis and follow-up care. MicroRNA, exosomes, ctDNA, CTCs, and proteins are only some of the circulating biomarkers that can be detected by liquid biopsy instead of the more intrusive and time-consuming process of doing a tissue biopsy. As the cancer diagnosis bio-markers reveal ultra-low levels in the early stages of the disease, highly sensitive approaches are urgently required. Researchers have taken an interest in a optical biosensor for detecting cancer biomarkers as a potential tool for early disease diagnosis. These techniques have the potential to aid in the development of effective treatments, ultimately leading to a higher rate of patient survival. This review briefly discuss the i) understanding of cancer and biomarkers for early diagonosis purpose ii) Molecular methods and ii) biosensor-based diagnostics. The reseach primary focus on advancement in biosensor design using various concepts ie., Electrochemical, Chemiluminescence and Colorimetric, Surface plasmons (SP), Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), Fluorescence, Fiber-based sensors, Terahertz based biosensors, and Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). As a result of the local electric field amplification around plasmonic (usually gold and silver) nanostructures, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a rapid, selective, and sensitive alternative to conventional laboratory analytical methods, making significant strides in a number of biosensing applications but still under developing stage to be used as diagnostic tool in clinical research.
Fulltext Potential application of nanotechnology in the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of schistosomiasis

Qadeer A, Ullah H, Sohail M, Safi SZ, Rahim A, Saleh TA, et al.

Front Bioeng Biotechnol, 2022;10:1013354.
PMID: 36568300 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1013354

Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. Globally, it affects economically poor countries, typically due to a lack of proper sanitation systems, and poor hygiene conditions. Currently, no vaccine is available against schistosomiasis, and the preferred treatment is chemotherapy with the use of praziquantel. It is a common anti-schistosomal drug used against all known species of Schistosoma. To date, current treatment primarily the drug praziquantel has not been effective in treating Schistosoma species in their early stages. The drug of choice offers low bioavailability, water solubility, and fast metabolism. Globally drug resistance has been documented due to overuse of praziquantel, Parasite mutations, poor treatment compliance, co-infection with other strains of parasites, and overall parasitic load. The existing diagnostic methods have very little acceptability and are not readily applied for quick diagnosis. This review aims to summarize the use of nanotechnology in the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. It also explored safe and effective substitute approaches against parasitosis. At this stage, various nanomaterials are being used in drug delivery systems, diagnostic kits, and vaccine production. Nanotechnology is one of the modern and innovative methods to treat and diagnose several human diseases, particularly those caused by parasite infections. Herein we highlight the current advancement and application of nanotechnological approaches regarding the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of schistosomiasis.
Fulltext A rare case of Pseudomonas putida ventriculitis in intensive care unit: A case report

Mokhtar MN, Azaharuddin I, Abdullah FH, Izaham A, Abdul Rahman R

Front Med (Lausanne), 2022;9:1058121.
PMID: 36569164 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1058121

Pseudomonas putida is a rare pathogen leading to nosocomial and central nervous system infections. Despite having a low virulence and being a rare organism to cause bacteremia, it can evolve into a multidrug-resistant organism and lead to mortality and morbidity in the intensive care setting. A 64-year-old male gardener was presented with extensive acute subarachnoid hemorrhage with intraventricular extension causing hydrocephalus requiring embolization and coiling following a cerebral angiogram, which showed bilateral posterior circulation aneurysm and left anterior circulation aneurysm. External ventricular drain (EVD) was inserted given the worsening hydrocephalus. During his stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), he was becoming more septic and a full septic workup including a cerebral spinal fluid culture taken from the indwelling catheter of the EVD and was found to be positive for a ceftazidime-sensitive strain of P. putida. Following the treatment with intravenous ceftazidime for 1 week and a revision of the EVD on day 32 of admission, he continued to recover well and showed an improvement in his Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and septic parameters. Eventually, he was able to wean off mechanical ventilation. He was discharged from ICU care to the neurosurgical ward with supplemental oxygen on day 42 of admission. It is necessary to be aware of the possibility of nosocomial P. putida infection, especially in patients with indwelling catheters, and to consider the early initiation of appropriate antibiotic regimens once detected as well as strict precautions in hygiene during the management of these patients to avoid further development of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains.
Fulltext A Low-cost DIY Simulator for Flexor Tendon Repairs

Burhamah W, AlShawaf SM

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 2022 Dec;10(12):e4726.
PMID: 36569236 DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004726
Fulltext Construct validity of international literacy measures: implications for dyslexia across cultures

Pamei G, Cheah ZRE, McBride C

J Cult Cogn Sci, 2022 Dec 19.
PMID: 36569412 DOI: 10.1007/s41809-022-00115-x

Construct validity is essential to evaluate the generalizability of findings on literacy and dyslexia. Operational definitions of reading literacy determine the measurement method, yielding territory or country-wide literacy rates. This practice echoes the norm in diagnosis and prevalence estimates of dyslexia. International Large-Scale Assessments (ILSA) of literacy such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) compare countries' performances in relation to how well their students are reading. In this paper, we reexamine the validity claims and evidence using the examples of countries in Southeast Asia-Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, purported to have high proportions of poor readers. The challenge of characterizing reading performance and designing suitable measures for valid international comparisons is similar across phases of reading development and proficiency. The importance of the specificity of scripts and languages for reading abilities and impairments is highlighted. We suggest ways in which researchers can approach the assessment of reading proficiency from a cross-cultural and an interdisciplinary perspective. These can foster contextual caveats for generating and interpreting evidence.
Fulltext Biomechanical Analysis of Bone Graft Treated With Pasteurization or Cryotherapy Using Liquid Nitrogen: A Study Using Sheep Bone Model

Nik Abdul Adel NA, Khalid KA, Yee FCK

Cureus, 2022 Nov;14(11):e31780.
PMID: 36569672 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31780

Osteosarcoma is a common primary malignancy of the bone. Osteosarcoma prognosis improves tremendously when chemotherapy is given in adjunct to surgical intervention. Limb reconstruction with sterilized autologous bone graft stabilized by orthopaedics implants has become a choice of treatment, but the biomechanical property of the bone treated with such sterilization method is a point of concern as a graft with inferior biomechanical property might lead to graft failure. This study compares the biomechanical properties of the bones treated with cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen and pasteurization in the form of four-point bending compression tests. Six sheep tibia bones were used for each group of treatment with one control group where no treatment was given. In the four-point bending test, osteotomy was performed at the tibia; the proximal tibia was treated with liquid nitrogen and pasteurization respectively. The treated bone is then reconstructed with the corresponding distal bone with locking plate and screws (Jiangsu Trauhiu Medical Instrument Co. Ltd., Changzhou, China). The four-point bending test was performed with an Electropulse® E3000 universal testing machine (Instron®, High Wycombe, United Kingdom) and results in the form of maximum compressive load, stress, and strain were collected. Photographic analysis of the fracture location and pattern were documented and analysed. We found that both methods of sterilization did not alter the biomechanical properties of the treated bone to the extent of statistical significance in comparison with the control group. However, other factors such as histological changes post treatment, equipment availability, and long-term outcome must be considered.
Fulltext Intracranial Tuberculoma in a Pregnant Lady: A Hitherto Unknown Case and a Successful Outcome

Vempati R, Samuganathan P, Raghavan P, Rajpal S, Guralwar C, Padamati B, et al.

Cureus, 2022 Nov;14(11):e31772.
PMID: 36569713 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31772

Central nervous system tuberculosis (CNS-TB) is rarely suspected in pregnancy because its clinical presentation may masquerade other common conditions in pregnancy, such as eclampsia. In high tuberculosis endemic areas, CNS-TB should be suspected with a high degree of suspicion among unimmunized and immunocompromised individuals. We hereby report a case of a 32-year-old pregnant woman conceived by in vitro fertilization due to tubal blockage causing infertility, probably due to chronic infection, who presented with a history of multiple seizure episodes without a history of similar complaints outside this pregnancy. Obstetric examination revealed a gravid uterus larger than the corresponding gestational age, and an antenatal scan confirmed dichorionic diamniotic twins with the first twin in the breech and the second twin in the cephalic presentation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed multiple nodular lesions of varying sizes that were isointense on T1-weighted imaging and hypointense on T2-weighted imaging in multiple regions of the brain, which suggest tuberculomas. A preterm cesarean section was performed at 31 weeks gestational age due to preterm rupture of membranes. We report this case to enlighten the physicians in diagnosing seizures causing intracranial tuberculoma in pregnant women and utilizing the role of imaging in diagnosis.
Fulltext Infectious Sclerouveitis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Probable Case of Simultaneous Ocular Tuberculosis and Toxoplasmosis

Chong WK, Khoo Kah Kuen K, Mun-Wei L, Ismail AS, Yaakub A

Cureus, 2022 Nov;14(11):e31726.
PMID: 36569731 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31726

Simultaneous infections of tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis are uncommon in immunocompetent patients. We report a case of a 30-year-old male who presented with right eye redness and blurring of vision for one month. The visual acuities were hand movement and Snellen 20/30 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Panuveitis and scleritis were found in the right eye, together with dense vitritis and a large choroidal lesion that extended from the inferonasal to the superotemporal quadrants. B-scan ultrasonography of the right eye showed a choroidal detachment with scleral thickening and subtenon fluid. His IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibody was detected, and his QuantiFERON Gold testing was positive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbit revealed an enhancing intraocular mass at the lateral and inferior aspects of the right globe. The diagnosis of right eye sclerouveitis with presumed tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis co-infections was made. He was treated with a course of oral azithromycin and anti-tubercular therapy along with systemic prednisolone and a topical steroid. The treatment reduced the inflammation; however, the patient suffered from a sequela of chronic uveitis with prolonged hypotony. Medical treatment alone may be insufficient in treating severe infective sclerouveitis, hence surgical intervention might be warranted to provide favorable clinical outcomes.
Fulltext A Rare Case of Traumatic Cervical Spinal Epidural Hematoma in a Toddler: A Two-Year Follow-Up

Abdul Latiff ', Muhamad Ariffin MH

Cureus, 2022 Nov;14(11):e31767.
PMID: 36569737 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.31767

Traumatic cervical epidural hematoma is a rare disease in the pediatric population. It requires a high level of suspicion in children who presents with acute neurological deficit after trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required to confirm the diagnosis. Early surgical intervention is recommended to have the best neurological outcome. We report a case of a traumatic cervical epidural hematoma in a toddler with complete paraplegia, which partially recovered after decompressive surgery. We would like to emphasize the importance of high suspicion for this condition and the need for an urgent MRI to confirm the diagnosis.
Fulltext Modified matrix solid phase dispersion-HPLC method for determination of pesticide residue in vegetables and their impact on human health: A risk assessment

Mujahid M, Latif S, Ahmed M, Shehzadi W, Imran M, Ahmad M, et al.

Front Chem, 2022;10:1084350.
PMID: 36569961 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1084350

The use of pesticides is unavoidable in agricultural practices. This class of chemicals is highly toxic for the environment as well as for humans. The present work was carried out to assess the presence of some pesticides (diafenthiuron, lufenuron, azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, and chlorothalonil) residues in five of the very commonly used vegetables (eggplant, capsicum, apple gourd, cauliflower, and sponge gourd). Matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) technique was used to extract the pesticides and subsequently their quantification was performed through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) detector. The elution was accomplished at wavelength of 254 nm by injecting 20 µL of standards or samples into chromatographic system. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water (80:20 v/v), where the flow rate was adjusted at 1.0 ml/min. The linearity was good (R 2 ≥ 0.994) over a concentration range from 20 to 100 μg/ml for the investigated pesticides. The low detection limits showed a quite appreciable potential of the method to detect (1.12-1.61 μg/L) and quantify (3.73-5.36 μg/ml) the pesticides under study. The accuracy was demonstrated in terms of percent recovery which ranged between 88.5% and 116.9% for all the pesticides under investigation. These results justify the suitability of the technique for the intended purpose. The concentration of difenoconazole in apple gourd (20.97 mg/kg), cauliflower (10.28 mg/kg), and sponge gourd (40.32 mg/kg) whereas diafenthiuron in cauliflower (0.66 mg/kg) exceeded the maximum residue level (MRLs) as defined by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Target hazard quotient (THQ) values of difenoconazole and diafenthiuron (except for adults) were more than one which indicates the significant effect on human health on consumption of apple gourd, cauliflower, and sponge gourd.
Fulltext Desire to stay shorter time at the shopping mall: insight from protection motivation (PMT), behavioral inhibition system (BIS), reactance, and expectancy theories

Alam SS, Masukujjaman M, Al-Shaikh ME, Ali MH, Makhbul ZKM, Othman AS

Curr Psychol, 2022 Dec 17.
PMID: 36570056 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04117-4

After withdrawing the movement control order (MCO), new variant (Omicron) of COVID-19 returns as an outbreak again. Therefore, consumers are very much informed by various media to be more cautious in visiting shopping malls and spend less time in there. The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors influencing the desire to stay shorter at the shopping mall. This study was conducted in Malaysia, with the application of three psychological theories and one behavioural theory. This is quantitative research based on an online cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 296 respondents, by applying the online snowball sampling method through numerous media platforms i.e., Viber, WhatsApp, Messenger, and other apps in three severely affected cities in Malaysia i.e., Selangor state, Putrajaya, and Kuala Lumpur. SmartPLS was used to analyse the data. Using structural equation modelling, this study result shows risk, protection motivation, and fear have a significant effect on the desire to stay a shorter time at the shopping mall. Social norm moderates the association between fear and the desire to spend a shorter time at the shopping mall. These findings, highlight the need for a more empirical study to design more robust strategies, and a safer and risk-free shopping mall environment.
Fulltext Pediatric First-Degree Burn Management With Honey and 1% Silver Sulfadiazine (Ag-SD): Comparison and Contrast

Moniruzzaman M, Khan AR, Haq MA, Naznin RA, Haque M

Cureus, 2022 Dec;14(12):e32842.
PMID: 36570107 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32842

Background The cardinal area of managing fire wounds is guided by adequately evaluating the burn-induced lesion's profundity and size. Superficial second-degree burns are often treated through daily reinstating with fresh sterile bandaging with appropriate topical antimicrobials to allow rapid spontaneous epithelialization. Around the world, a wide variety of substances are used to treat these wounds, from honey to synthetic biological dressings. Objective This study intended to determine honey's therapeutic potential compared with 1% silver sulfadiazine (Ag-SD) in arsenal-caused contusion medicament fulfillment. Methods A total of 70 cases were evaluated in this research work after fulfilling the required selection criteria during the study period of January 2014 to December 2014 and January 2017 to December 2017. Purposive selection criteria were adopted in the study to select research patients. The patients in Group-1 (n = 35) relied on honey as medication, while patients in Group-2 (n = 35) relied on 1% Ag-SD. Results In Group-1, exudation (68.4%) and sloughing (82.9%) were substantially reduced by Days 3 and 5 of therapeutic intervention, respectively. However, in Group-2, a reduction of exudation (17.1%) and sloughing (22.9%) occurred after Days 3 and 5 of treatment, respectively. Completion of the epithelialization process was observed among Group-1 and Group-2 cases. It was detected after Days 7 and 10 of treatment at 36.3% and 77% (Group-1) and 27% and 67% (Group-2), respectively. Around 3 ml of 1% honey was required per body surface area per dressing in Group-1. On the other hand, in Group-2, 2 gm Ag-SD was needed per body surface area per dressing. Conclusion Patients treated with honey found better clinical outcomes in managing superficial partial-thickness burns.
Fulltext How Do Herbal Cigarettes Compare To Tobacco? A Comprehensive Review of Their Sensory Characters, Phytochemicals, and Functional Properties

Abdel Rahman RT, Kamal N, Mediani A, Farag MA

ACS Omega, 2022 Dec 20;7(50):45797-45809.
PMID: 36570239 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04708

Herbal cigarettes, known as tobacco-free or nicotine-free cigarettes, are those recognized as being-tobacco free, being composed of a mixture of various herbs claimed to lessen the smoking habit hazards. However, controversial data regarding its properties occur in the literature with no comprehensive overview or analysis of its effects. Like herbal smokeless tobacco, they are often used to substitute for tobacco products (primarily cigarettes) regarded as a "nonsmoking" aid. This review capitalizes on herbal cigarettes with regard to their quality characteristics, sensory attributes, chemical composition, and health properties to rationalize their choice as a nonsmoking aid. Furthermore, the impacts of heat and/or pyrolysis that occur during smoking on its chemical composition are presented for the first time. Some herbal smokes may produce notable metabolic problems that increase the risk of several chronic metabolic diseases. In general, burning substances from plants can have a variety of negative effects on the body attributed to toxic chemicals such as carbon monoxide, polyaromatics, nicotine, and N-nitrosamines. This review compiles and discusses the phytochemical compositions detected in various herbal cigarettes alongside sensory and quality attributes and health effects.
Fulltext Trial of Biopellet Prepared by Napier Grass

Ismail AS, Osman NB, Patrick DO

ACS Omega, 2022 Dec 20;7(50):46037-46050.
PMID: 36570314 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03434

Pelletization from nonwoody biomass has gained a lot of attention due to its potential to secure biomass feedstock supply and pricing. Studies have been conducted to produce biopellets from different parts of Napier grass plant. In this study, two different species of Napier grass were used. Two pressure points and five different times were varied accordingly. Proximate, ultimate, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were performed to assess chemical properties. Statistical analysis of the collected data validated and supported the discussion. The produced pellets of Napier grass exhibited good energy density comparable to those in the literature based on gross calorific values. The pellet density demonstrated a significant effect with time, pressure, and feedstock ratios. The pellet durability test showed comparable characteristics to another biomass pellet. Both Pakchong Napier grass (PNG) and wild Napier grass (WNG) biopellet densities obtained were higher than 0.650 g/cm3, and the durability was higher than 95%. This signifies that the pellet can withstand repeated transfer during handling without breakage.
Fulltext Sequence, Secondary Structure, and Phylogenetic Conservation of MicroRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana

Mazhar MW, Yusof NY, Shaheen T, Saif S, Raza A, Mazhar F

Bioinform Biol Insights, 2022;16:11779322221142116.
PMID: 36570328 DOI: 10.1177/11779322221142116

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that are produced in a cell endogenously. They are made up of 18 to 26 nucleotides in strength. Due to their evolutionary conserved nature, most of the miRNAs provide a logical basis for the prediction of novel miRNAs and their clusters in plants such as sunflowers related to the Asteraceae family. In addition, they participate in different biological processes of plants, including cell signaling and metabolism, development, growth, and tolerance to (biotic and abiotic) stresses. In this study profiling, conservation and characterization of novel miRNA possessing conserved nature in various plants and their targets annotation in sunflower (Asteraceae) were obtained by using various computational tools and software. As a result, we looked at 152 microRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana that had already been predicted. Drought tolerance stress is mediated by these 152 non-coding RNAs. Following that, we used local alignment to predict novel microRNAs that were specific to Helianthus annuus. We used BLAST to do a local alignment, and we chose sequences with an identity of 80% to 100%. MIR156a, MIR164a, MIR165a, MIR170, MIR172a, MIR172b, MIR319a, MIR393a, MIR394a, MIR399a, MIR156h, and MIR414 are the new anticipated miRNAs. We used MFold to predict the secondary structure of new microRNAs. We used conservation analysis and phylogenetic analysis against a variety of organisms, including Gossypium hirsutum, H. annuus, A. thaliana, Triticum aestivum, Saccharum officinarum, Zea mays, Brassica napus, Solanum tuberosum, Solanum lycopersicum, and Oryza sativa, to determine the evolutionary history of these novel non-coding RNAs. Clustal W was used to analyze the evolutionary history of discovered miRNAs.

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