Genomic insights and advanced machine learning: characterizing autism spectrum disorder biomarkers and genetic interactions

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by altered brain connectivity and function. In this study, we employed advanced bioinformatics and explainable AI to analyze gene expression associated with ASD, using data from five GEO datasets. Among 351 neurotypical controls and 358 individuals with autism, we identified 3,339 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) with an adjusted p-value (≤ 0.05). A subsequent meta-analysis pinpointed 342 DEGs (adjusted p-value ≤ 0.001), including 19 upregulated and 10 down-regulated genes across all datasets. Shared genes, pathogenic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), chromosomal positions, and their impact on biological pathways were examined. We identified potential biomarkers (HOXB3, NR2F2, MAPK8IP3, PIGT, SEMA4D, and SSH1) through text mining, meriting further investigation. Additionally, ‎we shed light on the roles of RPS4Y1 and KDM5D genes in neurogenesis and neurodevelopment. Our analysis detected 1,286 SNPs linked to ASD-related conditions, of which 14 high-risk SNPs were located on chromosomes 10 and X. We highlighted potential missense SNPs associated with FGFR inhibitors, suggesting that it may serve as a promising biomarker for responsiveness to targeted therapies. Our explainable AI model identified the MID2 gene as a potential ASD biomarker. This research unveils vital genes and potential biomarkers, providing a foundation for novel gene discovery in complex diseases.

Nitrogen- and Sulfur-Codoped Strong Green Fluorescent Carbon Dots for the Highly Specific Quantification of Quercetin in Food Samples

Carbon dots (CDs) doped with heteroatoms have garnered significant interest due to their chemically modifiable luminescence properties. Herein, nitrogen- and sulfur-codoped carbon dots (NS-CDs) were successfully prepared using p-phenylenediamine and thioacetamide via a facile process. The as-developed NS-CDs had high photostability against photobleaching, good water dispersibility, and excitation-independent spectral emission properties due to the abundant amino and sulfur functional groups on their surface. The wine-red-colored NS-CDs exhibited strong green emission with a large Stokes shift of up to 125 nm upon the excitation wavelength of 375 nm, with a high quantum yield (QY) of 28%. The novel NS-CDs revealed excellent sensitivity for quercetin (QT) detection via the fluorescence quenching effect, with a low detection limit of 17.3 nM within the linear range of 0-29.7 μM. The fluorescence was quenched only when QT was brought near the NS-CDs. This QT-induced quenching occurred through the strong inner filter effect (IFE) and the complex bound state formed between the ground-state QT and excited-state NS-CDs. The quenching-based detection strategies also demonstrated good specificity for QT over various interferents (phenols, biomolecules, amino acids, metal ions, and flavonoids). Moreover, this approach could be effectively applied to the quantitative detection of QT (with good sensing recovery) in real food samples such as red wine and onion samples. The present work, consequently, suggests that NS-CDs may open the door to the sensitive and specific detection of QT in food samples in a cost-effective and straightforward manner.

In silico network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking validation of Swasa Kudori tablet for screening druggable phytoconstituents of asthma

Traditional medicines are impactful in treating a cluster of respiratory-related illnesses. This paper demonstrates screening active, druggable phytoconstituents from a classical Siddha-based poly-herbal formulation called Swasa Kudori Tablet to treat asthma. The phytoconstituents of Swasa Kudori are identified as Calotropis gigantea, Piper nigrum, and (Co-drug) Abies webbiana. Active chemical compounds are extracted with the Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI) database. The gene targets of each compound are identified based on the pharmacological activity using the DIGEP-Pred database. Thirty-two genes showing Pa> 0.7 is screened, and the target markers are selected after performing gene overlap evaluation with the asthma genes reported in GeneCards and DisGeNET database. Ten markers are identified, such as ADIPOQ, CASP8, CAT, CCL2, CD86, FKBP5, HMOX1, NFE2L2, TIMP1, VDR, in common, listed as molecular targets. Pharmacokinetic assessment (ADME) revealed five natural drug compounds 2-5-7-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one, (+)-catechin-3'-methyl ether, futoenone, 5-hydroxy-4',7-dimethoxyflavanone, and pinocembrin showing better druggability. Further screening delineates the target (HMOX1) and drug (pinocembrin) for molecular docking evaluation. When docked with HO-1, Pinocembrin showed a binding affinity of -8.0 kcal/mol. MD simulation studies substantiate the docking studies as HO-1 in complex with pinocembrin remains stable in the simulated trajectory. The current findings exhibit the significance of traditional medicines as potential drug candidates against asthma.

A study on development of silicone rubber with conductive carbon, polyaniline, MWCNT composite for EMI shielding

The multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were grown by CVD method and using Ni impregnated zeolite as a substrate. The prepared MWCNT diameter varied from 10 to 60 nm and length in few microns. The silicone rubber (SR) was mixed well with conductive carbon, Polyaniline (PANI) and MWCNTs in two roll mill. The prepared silicone rubber materials were fabricated in the form of sheets with dimensions of 200 mm × 200 mm × 2 mm by using compression molding technique. The prepared sheets were subjected for EMI shielding efficiency measurements at low frequency (< 1.5 GHz) and high frequency range from 1 GHz to 18 GHz. At high frequency the shielding effectiveness of the Conducting Silicone Rubber and Conductive silicone rubber with MWCNT was found to be 24 dB and 48 dB. The volume resistivity measurements were also carried for all the prepared silicone rubber sheets, the results reveals that SR + MWCNT, CSR + MWCNT composites shows volume resistivity 4032 and 20.7 Ω.cm respectively. This confirms the conductivity of CSR + MWCNT is enough to exhibit good Shielding Effectiveness.

Optical Sensing of Toxic Cyanide Anions Using Noble Metal Nanomaterials

Water toxicity, one of the major concerns for ecosystems and the health of humanity, is usually attributed to inorganic anions-induced contamination. Particularly, cyanide ions are considered one of the most harmful elements required to be monitored in water. The need for cyanide sensing and monitoring has tempted the development of sensing technologies without highly sophisticated instruments or highly skilled operations for the objective of in-situ monitoring. Recent decades have witnessed the growth of noble metal nanomaterials-based sensors for detecting cyanide ions quantitatively as nanoscience and nanotechnologies advance to allow nanoscale-inherent physicochemical properties to be exploited for sensing performance. Particularly, noble metal nanostructure e-based optical sensors have permitted cyanide ions of nanomolar levels, or even lower, to be detectable. This capability lends itself to analytical application in the quantitative detection of harmful elements in environmental water samples. This review covers the noble metal nanomaterials-based sensors for cyanide ions detection developed in a variety of approaches, such as those based on colorimetry, fluorescence, Rayleigh scattering (RS), and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Additionally, major challenges associated with these nano-platforms are also addressed, while future perspectives are given with directions towards resolving these issues.

3D CoMoO4 nanoflake arrays decorated disposable pencil graphite electrode for selective and sensitive enzyme-less electrochemical glucose sensors

Three-dimensional (3D) cobalt molybdate (CoMoO₄) hierarchical nanoflake arrays on pencil graphite electrode (PGE) (CoMoO₄/PGE) are actualized via one-pot hydrothermal technique. The morphological features comprehend that the CoMoO₄ nanoflake arrays expose the 3D, open, porous, and interconnected network architectures on PGE. The formation and growth mechanisms of CoMoO₄ nanostructures on PGE are supported with different structural and morphological characterizations. The constructed CoMoO₄/PGE is operated as an electrocatalytic probe in enzyme-less electrochemical glucose sensor (ELEGS), confronting the impairments of cost- and time-obsessed conventional electrode polishing and catalyst amendment progressions and obliged the employment of a non-conducting binder. The wide-opened interior and exterior architectures of CoMoO₄ nanoflake arrays escalate the glucose utilization efficacy, whilst the intertwined nanoflakes and graphitic carbon layers, respectively, of CoMoO₄ and PGE articulate the continual electron mobility and catalytically active channels of CoMoO₄/PGE. It jointly escalates the ELEGS concerts of CoMoO₄/PGE including high sensitivity (1613 μA mM^-1 cm^-2), wide linear glucose range (0.0003-10 mM), and low detection limit (0.12 µM) at a working potential of 0.65 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) together with the good recovery in human serum. Thus, the fabricated CoMoO₄/PGE extends exclusive virtues of modest electrode production, virtuous affinity, swift response, and excellent sensitivity and selectivity, exposing innovative prospects to reconnoitring the economically viable ELEGSs with binder-free, affordable cost, and expansible 3D electrocatalytic probes.

An Efficient Multi-Objective Model for Data Replication in Cloud Computing Environment

The main aim of the proposed methodology is to design a multi-objective function for replica management system using oppositional gravitational search algorithm (OGSA), in which we analyze the various factors influencing replication decisions such as mean service time, mean file availability, energy consumption, load variance, and mean access latency. The OGSA algorithm is hybridization of oppositional-based learning (OBL) and gravitational search algorithm (GSA), which is change existing solution, and to adopt a new good solution based on objective function. Here, firstly we create a set of files and data node to generate a population by assigning the file to data node randomly and evaluate the fitness which is minimizing the objective function. Secondly, we regenerate the population to produce optimal or suboptimal population using OGSA. The experimental results show that the performance of the proposed methods is better than the other methods of data replication problem.

Antimycobacterial potentials of quercetin and rutin against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv

Quercetin and rutin, two flavonoids were examined for antimycobacterial activities against M. tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC 27294). The quercetin exhibited (99.30 ± 0.268%) in (LRP) assay at 200 µg/ml and 56.21 ± 0.97% inhibition in (BMD) at 50 µg/ml, whereas rutin exhibited (90.40 ± 0.68%) in LRP assay at 200 µg/ml and 56.10 ± 0.67% inhibition in BMD at 50 µg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found to be 6.25 µg ml^-1 and 25 µg ml^-1 respectively. The current investigation suggests that quercetin has better inhibitory activity than rutin.

Antimycobacterial potential of resorcinol type lipid isolated from Chaetomium cupreum, an endophytic fungus from Mussaenda luteola

<p class="Abstract">An endophytic fungus <em>Chaetomium cupreum</em> was isolated from the ornamental plant <em>Mussaenda luteola</em>. A known metabolite named resorcinol type of lipid (compound 1) was isolated using column chromatography and structurally elucidated by spectroscopic studies includes UV-Vis, FT-IR, NMR, MS analysis and comparing with the existing data. The compound 1 was evaluated for antimycobacterial potential by microtitre plate alamar blue assay against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC27294). It also estimated for DPPH free radical scavenging and antibacterial (agar well diffusion method) potentials. Compound 1 revealed to have significant inhibition of Mycobacterium with MIC of 6.3 µg/mL which is similar to the standard streptomycin drug. It also exhibited good DPPH free radical scavenging potential of 84.5 ± 0.4% and maximum inhibition of both <em>E. coli</em> (ATCC 25922) as well as S. aureus (ATCC 25923). Thus, endophytic fungus <em>C. cupreum</em> from <em>Mussaenda luteola</em> could be a potential source of novel lead antimicrobial agents for drug discovery.</p><p class="Abstract"><strong>Video Clip of Methodology</strong>:</p><p class="Abstract">9 min 43 sec:   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/jVjoCzsGMg8">Full Screen</a>   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVjoCzsGMg8">Alternate</a></p>

Clinico-microbiological Profile of Septic Diabetic Foot with Special Reference to Anaerobic Infection

Introduction Diabetic foot infections are a major cause of non-traumatic amputations. The role of anaerobes in the prognosis of these infections is particularly unclear. This study was conducted with the aim of correlating microbiological profiles with clinical outcomes in these diabetic foot ulcer patients. Methodology This prospective observational study was done in a tertiary care centre in South India. All patients admitted with diabetic foot ulcers for two years were included in the study. Tissue biopsies were collected from the ulcer for aerobic and anaerobic cultures. The patients were grouped as those with aerobic infection alone (anaerobe negative) and those with mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections (anaerobe positive). Anaerobic culture was performed using the Robertson cooked meat (RCM) medium. The ulcer of the foot was described with respect to site, size, duration, history of previous amputation(s), and history of number and class of antibiotic intake prior to hospitalization. Clinical course and Wagner's grades of the diabetic foot ulcers were compared for aerobic and anaerobic infections. Results A total of 104 patients were included in the study. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regards to duration of diabetes, random blood sugar (RBS) at the time of admission, compliance to drugs, and mode of blood sugar control and prior intake of antibiotics. Patients with anaerobic infections were found to have a higher incidence of fever in this study (38.1% vs. 14.5%; p = 0.0057), as compared to patients with aerobic infections. More than half of the patients in the anaerobic infection group presented with Wagner's grade IV and above, as compared to the aerobic infection group (59.5% vs. 32.2%; p = 0.0059), which was statistically significant. Patients with anaerobic infections also had high numbers of major and minor amputations when compared to patients with aerobic infections. Conclusion Septic diabetic foot patients with fever at the time of admission and a high Wagner's grade have a greater chance of harbouring anaerobic infections. Drugs for anaerobic coverage should be considered for wounds beyond Wagner's grade III. Anaerobic infections resulted in increased risk of morbidity in diabetic foot ulcer patients but did not have any influence on mortality.

Axial Torsion of Gangrenous Meckel's Diverticulum Causing Small Bowel Obstruction

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is a commonly encountered congenital anomaly of the small intestine. We report an extremely unusual case of an axially torted, gangrenous MD presenting as acute intestinal obstruction. A 26-year-old male patient presented to our emergency department with 3 days history of abdominal pain, distention and bilious vomiting. On laparotomy, there was minimal hemorrhagic fluid localized in right iliac fossa and small bowel loops were dilated. A MD was seen attached to the mesentery of nonadjacent small bowel by a peritoneal band. The diverticulum was axially torted and gangrenous. In addition, there was compression of ileum by the peritoneal band resulting in intestinal obstruction, which was relieved on dividing the band. Resection and anastomosis of the small bowel including the MD was performed. We hereby report a rare and unusual complication of a MD. Although treatment outcome is generally good, pre-operative diagnosis is often difficult.