Recent publications
This paper is devoted to the study of protein synthesis by selected basidiomycete fungi-producers Pleurotus ostreatus and Aspergillus oryzae using microbiological methods with the aim of increasing the amount of protein in feeds during the preparation of balanced, protein-rich compound feeds for fish farming. It was identified that Pleurotus ostreatus and Aspergillus oryzae mushrooms have been shown to increase the amount of protein by 32.18% in 7 days, while Aspergillus oryzae mushrooms have been shown to increase the amount of protein by 168% in 7 days. - by 29.66%. Considering that the fish's need for protein is 30-35%, the fish's need for protein can be met with feeds with an increased protein content of 32.18%. Macroscopic fungi predominantly exhibit protein and enzymatic activity from 5-7 days growth. Since feed products are mainly polysaccharides, the growth and development of microorganisms in them, as well as the production of products, takes a certain period of time
This research paper presents the results of studying the effect of hydrothermal processing on the technological properties of autumn "Vakhshskaya-116" rye grown in a dry climate. The research was carried out using the general and modern chemical and physico-chemical methods specified in the "Rules for organization and management of technological processes in mills". Hydrothermal treatment of "Vakhshskaya-116" rye grain grown in dry climate showed 14.5-15% moisture, 64.77-64.80% flour yield after 6-8 hours of soaking, and 177-179 units of amylolytic activity (fall number). The results of this experiment confirmed the results presented in Table 1, entitled Effect of hydrothermal treatment on the amylolytic activity of "Vakhshskaya-116" rye grain. During the preparation of autumn "Vakhshskaya-116" variety rye grown in dry climatic conditions for flour weighing, its moisture content is 14.5-15%; 6-8 hours of soaking time has been found to be the most effective.
Background
Naphthalene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that potentially produces methemoglobinaemia but rarely causes hemolysis, especially in children with underlying glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Although ingestion of a single moth ball by an older child may not be life threatening, it can be fatal if ingested by a toddler.
Case presentation
A 2-year-old Singhalese boy developed acute severe hemolysis and methemoglobinaemia following ingestion of a mothball. On admission, the patient was ill and pale. The child was tachycardic and tachypnoiec with oxygen saturation of 76% on air. Blood investigations showed significant anemia, elevated reticulocytes, and evidence of hemolysis in a blood picture, along with elevated lactate dehydrogenase and indirect bilirubin. Child also had ST depressions on electrocardiogram examination with negative troponin-I. He was given four packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions and was successfully discharged in 3 days time following optimal supportive treatment. A glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase assay confirmed the diagnosis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in this child: 0.9 U/gHb (4.0–13.0 U/gHb).
Conclusion
This case report highlights a rare life-threatening presentation of naphthalene ingestion in a child with previously undiagnosed glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Ingestion of even a single moth ball can be fatal in vulnerable children given the altered toxicokinetics of naphthalene in children.
Objectives
This study aimed to analyse the epidemiological patterns of paediatric snake bites in Sri Lanka over a 4-year period (2020–2024).
Methods
A multi-centre, retrospective observational study was conducted from June 2020 to June 2024 across nine governmental hospitals in seven provinces of Sri Lanka. Data were collected based on 757 children presenting with snake bites. The snake bites were analysed based on age, gender, and seasonal variations. Data on the type of snake involved, geographic variations and the temporal trends in snake bite occurrences were also analysed.
Results
The mean age of the 757 children recruited to the study was 10.3 years (SD—5.00, range—0.1–17 years). Males (57.7%) were significantly more affected than females (42.3%) (p < 0.05). Visual identification confirmed the snake species in 58.4% of cases. The hump-nosed viper (16.7%), Russell’s viper (14.7%), and common krait (12.9%) were the most common medically important snakes identified in the study. Seasonal peaks in snake bites occurred in May–July and November–December. An increasing trend in snake bite incidence was noted over the first three years, with a slight decline in the final year.
Conclusion
Paediatric snake bites in Sri Lanka show significant age, gender, and seasonal patterns. Targeted public health interventions are needed to mitigate the impact on children.
Context:
Scopolin and scopoletin belong to the class of coumarins and have experimentally proven natural antioxidants. Natural antioxidants are crucial in mitigating the impact of oxidants in the human body through radical scavenging. Even though scopolin and scopoletin are proven antioxidants by experimental results, their antioxidant mechanisms still remained unexplained. In this study, Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to study the radical scavenging mechanisms of both scopolin and scopoletin using kinetic and thermodynamics parameters. The global parameters indicated that both scopolin and scopoletin have antioxidant properties. The band gap energy ( Δ E HOMO - LUMO ) revealed that scopoletin (4.18 eV) has strong antioxidant activity compared to scopolin (4.31 eV). These studies found that hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) is the primary mechanism for CH3OO• radical scavenging at the C-H bond in scopolin (91.98 kcal.mol-1) and the O-H bond in scopoletin (77.05 kcal.mol-1) due to their lowest bond dissociation energies. The calculated activation energy ( E a ) for the radical scavenging reaction, reconfirmed scopoletin ( E a =11.19 kcal.mol-1) performed as a better antioxidant compared to scopolin ( E a =20.91 kcal.mol-1). In this study, the results of DFT calculations confirmed that scopoletin exhibits a higher antioxidant capacity, and HAT mechanism is the most effective radical scavenging mechanism.
Methods:
The antioxidant activity of scopolin and scopoletin was determined by DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. Global parameter calculations and frontier molecular orbital analysis were conducted to assess these compounds' capacity for scavenging radicals. Hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), sequential electron transfer proton transfer (SETPT), and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) mechanisms were the three main mechanisms that were taken into consideration. The potential energy surface (PES) verified the most appropriate processes shown by the enthalpy calculations.
The study of the interactions of polyelectrolytes with organic ions, in particular bolaform ions, that is, having a mirror conformational chemical structural symmetry with respect to the centre of the molecule and exhibiting physiological activity, is particularly intriguing due to its potential for simulating biological processes and its implications for the development of novel polymer therapeutic systems. These systems possess unique features that distinguish them from low-molecular-weight medicines. Of the large assortment of polymers used for these purposes, the most convenient “substrate” is considered to be synthetic polyelectrolytes that are easily adjustable during production, possessing active functional groups for binding organic ions and the property of good solubility in water. The objects of research were an antibacterial agent, aethonium, and a drug, imidocarb, widely used in veterinary practice, which, when dissolved in water, forms complex bolaform cations and an industrially developed polymer, polymethacrylic acid. In order to develop a prolonged dosage form for veterinary medicine, the binding of these substances to a selected synthetic polymer was studied using physical and chemical methods. IR spectroscopy has proven the “soft” immobilization of the studied organic ions on polymethacrylic acid. Factors influencing the immobilization process have been established: the ratio of reagents, the nature of the solvent and temperature, and the thermodynamic parameters of the studied process.
In this article, polymerization processes are carried out under various physicochemical conditions. The reaction medium can be a solution of the polymer in a monomer or solvent with a viscosity from 10⁻³ to 10² -10³ Pa, a suspension of solid polymer particles in a hydrocarbon diluent or water with a polymer concentration from 10 to 60%, aqueous dispersions, gas systems solid. Thermodynamic conditions and kinetic characteristics can also vary within wide limits: temperature from 70 to 300 °C, and contact time from tens of seconds to several hours. Polymerization processes typically involve significant heat release (60-100 kJ/mol). In a number of cases, directly or indirectly, temperature and hydrodynamic (shear) conditions affect the molecular weight distribution or dispersed composition of polymer particles and, thus, determine the physical and mechanical properties of the polymer. Naturally, the implementation of the necessary temperature, concentration, and hydrodynamic conditions depends on the design and type of reactor.
The ongoing transformation of maritime transportation towards autonomous and remotely controlled ships is fueled by technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Internet of Things, sensors, and robotics, coupled with the integration of 5G and other communication technologies. While the emphasis on port automation precedes that of autonomous ships, the prevailing trend in technology-driven industries has spurred ports to embrace innovations, leading to a growing inclination towards various forms of automation. Some terminals are purposefully designed and constructed as automated terminals, while existing terminals are also undergoing transformations to become semi-or fully automated. Despite the success of a few ports and terminals in implementing automation, such instances remain relatively scarce on a global scale. The knowledge derived from these endeavors is crucial for the overall enhancement of the port sector, providing insights to effectively address associated challenges. In light of this, the current study adopts an inductive research methodology, specifically grounded theory, to develop a case study centered around Busan Port to shed light on the unique challenges encountered while navigating this transformative landscape. As the largest container port in the Republic of Korea and a significant hub port in the East Asian region, the challenges associated with port automation in Busan primarily revolve around human resources and technology. Notably, most terminals in Busan are far from addressing futuristic challenges such as environmental sustainability and the facilitation of autonomous ships.
This article explains the synthesis of three Schiff base Cu(II) complexes derived from 3‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and ethylenediamine using three distinct copper anionic salts, and it explores the effects of those salts on the properties of the complexes. Elemental analysis, electronic spectra, FT‐IR, ESR, molar conductance, magnetic measurement, thermogravimetric analysis and PXRD were used to characterize the compounds. The anionic salt has been demonstrated to exhibit distinctive characteristics on Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria in terms of structure, DNA binding, cell viability, DNA breakage and activity. Furthermore, this ligand L1 and its derivatives indicated positive antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus niger and Trichophyton tonsurans. The study elucidates the manner in which distinct anion salts impacted the properties of complexes and their antifungal, anticancer and antibacterial outcomes.
This research explores the impact of budget deficits on inflation in Sri Lanka from 1990 to 2022, examining both long-term and short-term effects. The study uses statistical methods like unit root tests and econometric models, including the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and the Error Correction Model (ECM), to assess the reliability and stability of these relationships. Inflation is the dependent variable, with budget deficits as the primary independent variable, and money supply, interest rates, and unemployment rates as secondary variables. Findings indicate an inverse relationship between budget deficits and long-term inflation, while money supply and unemployment rates positively affect inflation. In the short term, previous year’s money supply, budget deficit, and unemployment rates are negatively correlated with inflation. However, the previous year’s budget deficit and the current year’s unemployment rate significantly increase short-run inflation. Interest rates do not significantly impact inflation in either the short or long term. This study, through historical data analysis and econometric techniques, aims to clarify these impacts, enhancing understanding of Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic dynamics and aiding policymakers in sustainable economic management.
Abiotic stress is one of the major perils in agriculture that reduces crop yield at an alarming rate. Hence, exploring an important plant stress-mitigating technique is critical. Seaweeds are extensively used as plant biostimulants and their biostimulatory properties are due to bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides, pigments, phenolic compounds, proteins, phytohormones, and numerous micro and macro nutrients. Foliar applications of seaweed extracts (SWEs) exhibit promising outcomes for plants' stress alleviation. Seaweed, namely Ascophyllum spp., Sargassum spp., Kappaphycus spp., and Ulva spp. are the best candidates evaluated to improve plant growth and development under various abiotic stress conditions. Foliar sprays of SWEs improve crop growth, boost final yield, and product quality. Furthermore, the mechanisms activated in response to stress when SWEs are used are largely unknown. However, existing phytostimulatory components could affect plant metabolism by activating numerous enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway, and their antioxidant properties could lessen the degenerative effects of reactive oxygen species that accumulate in plant tissues during a stressful environment. Noticeably, SWEs regulate the expression of phytohormone-responsive genes, which in turn control endogenous phytohormone levels, thereby improving plant growth and development. This review explores seaweed taxonomy, biostimulatory properties, and the impact of foliar applications of SWEs on crop production under abiotic stresses, including the way SWEs attenuate the deleterious effect, highlighting limitations, areas requiring further investigation, and potential developments.
This study aimed to explore the relationship between burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience among healthcare workers (HCWs), and to investigate the moderating role of resilience against the mental health correlates of burnout. For this purpose, using a cross-sectional design, 318 HCWs from various categories (nurses, midwives, doctors, etc.) recruited from hospital and community settings in two Districts of Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic were surveyed using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Brief Resilience Scale. CBI assessed three domains: personal burnout (PB), work-related burnout (WRB) and client-related burnout (CRB). The prevalence of PB, WRB and CRB were 26.4%, 12.9%, and 7.9%, respectively. The prevalence of low, normal, and high resilience was 25.6%, 66.2%, and 8.6%, respectively. All three burnout domains correlated positively with depression, anxiety, and stress. Resilience correlated inversely with all CBI and DASS-21 scores. In moderator analysis, higher levels of resilience dampened the effects of CRB on depression and anxiety, and WRB on anxiety, but resilience moderated the psychological consequences of PB in the opposite direction. Our findings indicate notable rates of burnout among Sri Lankan HCWs, and suggest a possible buffering role of resilience against the psychological consequences of burnout.
Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) known as Mathumegam is a significant health concern in the twenty-first century. Despite great advances in contemporary science, there is a lack of moderately safe and effective drugs for treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a poly herbal traditional decoction containing 10 herbs such as Senna auriculata (root & bark), Cissampelos pareira (root), Ficus racemosa (bark), Terminalia arjuna (bark), Acacia arabica (bark), Syzygium cumini (bark), Curcuma longa (rhizome), Terminalia chebula (fruit pulp), Phyllanthus emblica (dry fruit), and Terminalia bellirica (fruit pulp) in the management of T2DM.
Materials and Methods
It was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 100 T2DM patients who were not well managed by diet or exercise. For a period of 12 weeks, 50 patients in group A were administered 5g of the test medication mixed with 100ml (one tumbler) of hot water for 10 to 15 min, as well as standard Western therapy. Group B patients (n=50) received a placebo in addition to normal Western therapy. The main focus of the study was to achieve a 3-month decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels from the starting point, with additional objectives including lowering fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and observing changes in diabetic symptoms.
Results
At the end of the trial, mean fasting blood glucose levels decreased to 119.04 ± 11.52 and 176.90 ± 13.91 mg/dL in the test and control groups, respectively. Group A showed a more significant decrease in mean fasting blood glucose levels compared to group B. This indicates that the daily use of poly herbal traditional decoction along with standard allopathic medical therapy for 3 months led to notable reductions in FBG levels. Similarly, group A showed greater improvement in the measured signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, weariness, and burning sensation in the hands and feet compared to group B throughout the trial. At baseline, the mean HbA1c (%) in group A and group B was 7.47 ± 0.70 and 7.39 ± 0.66, respectively. After 12 weeks of investigation, the levels of glycated hemoglobin were lowered to 5.03 ± 0.53 and 6.79 ± 0.51 respectively. There were no adverse events reported during the trial period.
Conclusion
This study found that the experimental medication was beneficial in T2DM, radically lowering FBG and HbA1c levels in diabetic individuals after 12 weeks of treatment.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often resource-constrained and motivated by necessity or opportunity. They play an essential role in national economies due to their contributions to employment, human capital development, knowledge spillovers, and social mobility in maintaining diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems. Government support policies (GSP), both financial and nonfinancial, can directly impact SME performance or indirectly by developing an entrepreneurial orientation (EO). Few studies have investigated the important question of how GSP simultaneously may impact both the EO and the performance of an SME. Thus, this paper aims to identify the current understanding of how different forms of GSPs relate to and impact the EO and the performance of SMEs. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA methodology to synthesize this understanding, resulting in 65 relevant articles from the ABI/INFORM, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The relationships between the constructs were analyzed using thematic and semantic analyses, employing computer-assisted data analysis software (NVivo 12 and Leximancer 4.5). This resulted in the categorization of GSPs as direct and indirect support policies, with financial and nonfinancial-subcategories, and depicted their pathways of influence on SMEs’ EO and performance. The study found that GSPs have four different pathways by which they can impact performance. Both direct and indirect policies have moderating effects that can magnify the impact of EO on performance. The review established that the direct effect of GSP on EO varies by sector, SME growth-intention, and type of GSP. Based on the findings, we recommend policymakers develop support policies tailored to SMEs’ specific sector and its intentions to enhance performance.
The focus of this paper is to investigate the exact solutions of a diffusive susceptible-infectious-recovered (SIR) epidemic model, characterized by a nonlinear incidence. A four-dimensional Lie point symmetry algebra is obtained for this model. We utilize the Lie symmetries to deduce the optimal system of one-dimensional subalgebras. The reductions and group-invariant solutions are obtained with the aid of these subalgebras. We also derive new group-invariant solutions and reductions for the underlying model via subalgebras that are related to the optimal system by adjoint maps. We developed the diffusive susceptible-infectious-quarantined (SIQ) model with quarantine-adjusted incidence function to understand the transmission dynamics of COVID-19.
We use Lie point symmetries to obtain reductions and closed-form solutions for the reaction-diffusion SIR epidemic model. We determine that the Lie algebra for this model is three-dimensional. By invoking these Lie symmetries, we establish closed-form solutions for the reaction-diffusion SIR model. We employ the appropriate initial and boundary conditions to relate the derived closed-form solution to a real-world scenario. Furthermore, we utilize the closed-form solutions to generate a graphical representation of the densities of susceptible, infected, and removed individuals. We also perform a sensitivity analysis of the density of infected individuals to gain valuable insights into the transmission dynamics of the infectious disease.
At this work the physico-chemical Indicators of food color pigments derived from Ocimum basilicum vegetation is presented. This is known that in addition to color pigments, natural food coloring substances contain other biologically active components: vitamins, trace elements, organic acids. The raw material of the plant was extracted for 18 hours and the obtained solution was filtered, solid particles were separated in a centrifuge. The dry matter content of the purified natural dye-preserving solution,pH medium, specific density was determined. The solution was concentrated in a vacuum rotor evaporator for condensation, and its physical and chemical parameters were determined. The amount of fructose in the dye extract obtained in a 20% carbohydrate solution was 5.94 mg/l, the maximum value was 9.12% in the 40% extract, and the fructose content in the dye obtained in a 50% solution was 7.14%. - organized. It was found that the amount of vitamins in the concentrate is higher in 40% and 50% alcohol solution. The safety of the natural dye was analyzed. Heavy metals and their salts, dangerous substances for humanhealth were analyzed.
We use Lie point symmetries to obtain reductions and closed-form solutions for the diffusive SIR epidemic model with diffusion and nonlinear incidence. We determine that the Lie algebra for this model is three-dimensional. We invoke these to establish closed-form solutions of the diffusive SIR model. Furthermore, we utilized the closed-form solutions to generate a graphical representation of the infected curve, and carried out a sensitivity analysis to gain valuable insights into the transmission dynamics of the epidemic. Additionally, the most general Lie symmetry generator is used to find the reductions and numerical solutions.
We use Lie point symmetries to obtain reductions and closed-form solutions for the
diffusive SIR epidemic model with diffusion and nonlinear incidence. We determine
that the Lie algebra for this model is three-dimensional. We invoke these to establish
closed-form solutions of the diffusive SIR model. Furthermore, we utilized the closedform
solutions to generate a graphical representation of the infected curve, and
carried out a sensitivity analysis to gain valuable insights into the transmission
dynamics of the epidemic. Additionally, the most general Lie symmetry generator
is used to find the reductions and numerical solutions.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease presenting a variable clinical course ranging from mild to severe multiorgan dysfunction. While the exact etiology of SLE remains elusive, genetic and environmental factors are known to play crucial roles in its pathogenesis. Similarly, tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem autosomal dominant genetic condition that manifests as benign hamartomatous proliferation in various organs. We present the case of a 46-year-old woman diagnosed with SLE who exhibited clinical features of TSC two decades after the initial diagnosis of SLE. The definitive diagnosis of TSC was made based on major clinical criteria, including facial angiofibroma and bilateral renal angiomyolipomas. As the patient remained asymptomatic without neurological complications, specific treatment for TSC was not initiated. The coexistence of SLE and TSC is exceedingly rare and has been scarcely reported in medical literature.
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