A mini-review on anticancer-related properties of azithromycin and its potential activities in overcoming the challenges of glioblastoma

The resistance, plasticity and heterogeneity of cancer cells, including glioblastoma (GB) cells, have prompted the investigation of various agents for possible adjuncts and alternatives to existing therapies. This includes a macrolide antibiotic, azithromycin (AZI). It possesses intriguing anticancer properties in a range of cancer models in vitro, such as antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-autophagy and anti-angiogenic effects. In fact, AZI is renowned for its ability to eradicate cancer stem cells by inhibiting mitochondrial biogenesis and respiration. AZI-containing regimens in cancer patients for different purposes have shown favourable (i.e., attributed to its antibacterial activity) and unfavourable outcomes. Whilst its direct anticancer effects have yet to be clinically proven. To that end, this review provides a summary of AZI anticancer studies and delineates its potential activities in overcoming the challenges of GB.

e-Babylab: An open-source browser-based tool for unmoderated online developmental studies

The COVID-19 pandemic massively changed the context and feasibility of developmental research. This new reality, as well as considerations about sample diversity and naturalistic settings for developmental research, highlights the need for solutions for online studies. In this article, we present e-Babylab, an open-source browser-based tool for unmoderated online studies targeted for young children and babies. e-Babylab offers an intuitive graphical user interface for study creation and management of studies, users, participant data, and stimulus material, with no programming skills required. Various kinds of audiovisual media can be presented as stimuli, and possible measures include webcam recordings, audio recordings, key presses, mouse-click/touch coordinates, and reaction times. An additional feature of e-Babylab is the possibility to administer short adaptive versions of MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (Chai et al. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 63, 3488-3500, 2020). Information pages, consent forms, and participant forms are customizable. e-Babylab has been used with a variety of measures and paradigms in over 12 studies with children aged 12 months to 8 years (n = 1516). We briefly summarize some results of these studies to demonstrate that data quality, participant engagement, and overall results are comparable between laboratory and online settings. Finally, we discuss helpful tips for using e-Babylab and present plans for upgrades.

Evaluating the Performance of Proposed Switched Beam Antenna Systems in Dynamic V2V Communication Networks

This paper develops a novel approach for reliable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication in various environments. A switched beam antenna is deployed at the transmitting and receiving points, with a beam management system that concentrates the power in each beam using a low-computation algorithm and a potential mathematical model. The algorithm is designed to be flexible for various environments faced by vehicles. Additionally, an anti-failure system is proposed in case the intelligent transportation system (ITS) system fails to retrieve real-time Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) values related to traffic density. Performance metrics include the time to collision in seconds, the bit error rate (BER), the packet error rate (PER), the average throughput (Mbps), the beam selection probability, and computational complexity factors. The proposed system is compared with traditional systems. Extensive experiments, simulations, and comparisons show that the proposed approach is excellent and reliable for vehicular systems. The proposed study demonstrates an average throughput of 1.7 Mbps, surpassing conventional methods' typical throughput of 1.35 Mbps. Moreover, the bit error rate (BER) of the proposed study is reduced by a factor of 0.1. Additionally, the proposed framework achieves a beam power efficiency of touching to 100% at computational factor of 34. These metrics indicate that the proposed method is both efficient and sufficiently robust.

Effect of MBF-20 Interlayer on the Microstructure and Corrosion Behaviour of Inconel 625 Super Alloy after Diffusion Brazing

The joining zone includes three main parts, which comprise an isothermal solidification zone (ISZ), the athermal solidification zone (ASZ), and a diffusion affected zone (DAZ). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used here to observe the microstructure equipped with ultra-thin window energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) system. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of the DB process on the corrosion resistance of the Inconel 625 superalloy. In the bonding time period, some Mo- and Cr-rich boride precipitations and Ni-rich γ-solid solution phases with hardened alloy elements, such as Mo and Cr, formed in DAZ and ASZ, respectively, because of the inter-diffusion of melting point depressants (MPD). Moreover, during cooling cycles, Ni-Cr-B, Ni-Mo-B, Ni-Si-B, and Ni-Si phase compounds were formed in the ASZ area at 1110-850 °C. The DAZ area developed by borides compound with cubic, needle, and grain boundary morphologies. The corrosion tests indicated that the DB process led to a reduction in the passive region and increased the sensitivity to pitting corrosion.

Biocomputational Identification of sRNAs in Leptospira interrogans Serovar Lai

Regulatory small RNAs (sRNA) are RNA transcripts that are not translated into proteins but act as functional RNAs. Pathogenic Leptospira cause an epidemic spirochaetal zoonosis, Leptospirosis. It is speculated that Leptospiral sRNAs are involved in orchestrating their pathogenicity. In this study, biocomputational approach was adopted to identify Leptospiral sRNAs. In this study, two sRNA prediction programs, i.e., RNAz and nocoRNAc, were employed to screen the reference genome of Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai. Out of 126 predicted sRNAs, there are 96 cis-antisense sRNAs, 28 trans-encoded sRNAs and 2 sRNAs that partially overlap with protein-coding genes in a sense orientation. To determine whether these candidates are expressed in the pathogen, they were compared with the coverage files generated from our RNA-seq datasets. It was found out that 7 predicted sRNAs are expressed in mid-log phase, stationary phase, serum stress, temperature stress and iron stress while 2 sRNAs are expressed in mid-log phase, stationary phase, serum stress, and temperature stress. Besides, their expressions were also confirmed experimentally via RT-PCR. These experimentally validated candidates were also subjected to mRNA target prediction using TargetRNA2. Taken together, our study demonstrated that biocomputational strategy can serve as an alternative or as a complementary strategy to the laborious and expensive deep sequencing methods not only to uncover putative sRNAs but also to predict their targets in bacteria. In fact, this is the first study that integrates computational approach to predict putative sRNAs in L. interrogans serovar Lai.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-022-01050-9.

3D Printed gelatin film with Garcinia atroviridis extract

Active packaging, such as edible film with antibacterial properties, can help extend the shelf life of food. The research aimed to develop a 3D printed gelatin edible film by using glycerol and Garcinia atroviridis extract (GAE). Mechanical properties of gelatin gel, physical, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties of edible film with glycerol and GAE were determined. Water solubility, total colour difference, and elongation of break of gelatin edible film increased as glycerol concentration increased (0-25% w/w), whereas tensile strength and Young's modulus value decreased from 26.5 to 4.64 MPa and 3.04 to 0.13 MPa, respectively. On the other hand, increasing GAE from 1 to 4% (w/w) increases elongation at break from 40.83 to 98.27%, while decreasing edible film tensile strength and gelatin gel hardness value from 8.94 to 6.21 MPa and 1848.67 to 999.67 g, respectively. Using 20% (w/w) glycerol and 4% (w/w) GAE, the best 3D printed film with low tensile strength (6.21 MPa), high elongation at break (98.27%), and antibacterial activity against S. aureus with 7.23 mm zone of inhibition was developed. It seems to have a great potentiality as an active packaging material for 3D printed gelatin edible film.

Tracing sewage contamination based on sterols and stanols markers within the mainland aquatic ecosystem: a case study of Linggi catchment, Malaysia

Sewage contamination is a principal concern in water quality management as pathogens in sewage can cause diseases and lead to detrimental health effects in humans. This study examines the distribution of seven sterol compounds, namely coprostanol, epi-coprostanol, cholesterol, cholestanol, stigmasterol, campesterol, and β-sitosterol in filtered and particulate phases of sewage treatment plants (STPs), groundwater, and river water. For filtered samples, solid-phase extraction (SPE) was employed while for particulate samples were sonicated. Quantification was done by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Faecal stanols (coprostanol and epi-coprostanol) and β-sitosterol were dominant in most STP samples. Groundwater samples were influenced by natural/biogenic sterol, while river water samples were characterized by a mixture of sources. Factor loadings from principal component analysis (PCA) defined fresh input of biogenic sterol and vascular plants (positive varimax factor (VF)1), aged/treated sewage sources (negative VF1), fresh- and less-treated sewage and domestic sources (positive VF2), biological sewage effluents (negative VF2), and fresh-treated sewage sources (VF3) in the samples. Association of VF loadings and factor score values illustrated the correlation of STP effluents and the input of biogenic and plant sterol sources in river and groundwater samples of Linggi. This study focuses on sterol distribution and its potential sources; these findings will aid in sewage assessment in the aquatic environment.

An investigation of the stirring duration effect on synthesized graphene oxide for dye-sensitized solar cells

This study investigates the effects of stirring duration on the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) using an improved Hummers' method. Various samples are examined under different stirring durations (20, 40, 60, 72, and 80 h). The synthesized GO samples are evaluated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. The GO sample with 72 h stirring duration (GO72) has the highest d-spacing in the XRD results, highest atomic percentage of oxygen in EDX (49.57%), highest intensity of oxygen functional group in FTIR spectra, and highest intensity ratio in Raman analysis (ID/IG = 0.756). Results show that GO72 with continuous stirring has the highest degree of oxidation among other samples. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis shows that GO72-titanium dioxide (TiO2) exhibits smaller charge transfer resistance and higher electron lifetime compared with the TiO2-based photoanode. The GO72 sample incorporating TiO2 nanocomposites achieves 6.25% photoconversion efficiency, indicating an increase of more than twice than that of the mesoporous TiO2 sample. This condition is fully attributed to the efficient absorption rate of nanocomposites and the reduction of the recombination rate of TiO2 by GO in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Analysis of Graphene Antenna Properties for 5G Applications

The incoming 5G technology requires antennas with a greater capacity, wider wireless spectrum utilisation, high gain, and steer-ability. This is due to the cramped spectrum utilisation in the previous generation. As a matter of fact, conventional antennas are unable to serve the new frequency due to the limitations in fabrication and installation mainly for smaller sizes. The use of graphene material promises antennas with smaller sizes and thinner dimensions, yet capable of emitting higher frequencies. Hence, graphene antennas were studied at a frequency of 15 GHz in both single and array elements. The high-frequency antenna contributed to a large bandwidth and was excited by coplanar waveguide for easy fabrication on one surface via screen printing. The defected ground structure was applied in an array element to improve the radiation and increase the gain. The results showed that the printed, single element graphene antenna produced an impedance bandwidth, gain, and efficiency of 48.64%, 2.87 dBi, and 67.44%, respectively. Meanwhile, the array element produced slightly better efficiency (72.98%), approximately the same impedance bandwidth as the single element (48.98%), but higher gain (8.41 dBi). Moreover, it provided a beam width of 21.2° with scanning beam capability from 0° up to 39.05°. Thus, it was proved that graphene materials can be applied in 5G.

Investigation on the Effects of the Formation of a Silver "Flower-Like Structure" on Graphene

In this report, we experimentally investigate the formation of "flower-like silver structures" on graphene. Using an electrochemical deposition technique with deposition times of 2.5 and 5 min, agglomerations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were deposited on the graphene surfaces, causing the formation of "flower-like structures" on the graphene substrate. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) was observed in the interaction between the structures and the graphene substrate. The morphology of the samples was observed using a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Thereafter, the potential of the flower-like Ag microstructures on graphene for use in Raman spectroscopic applications was examined. The signal showed a highest intensity value after a deposition time of 5 min, as portrayed by the intense local electromagnetic fields. For a better understanding, the CST Microwave Studio software, based on the finite element method (FEM), was applied to simulate the absorption characteristics of the structures on the graphene substrate. The absorption peak was redshifted due to the increment of the nanoparticle size.

Optimization of Multiple and Multipurpose Reservoir System Operations by Using Matrix Structure (Case Study: Karun and Dez Reservoir Dams)

Optimal operation of water resources in multiple and multipurpose reservoirs is very complicated. This is because of the number of dams, each dam's location (Series and parallel), conflict in objectives and the stochastic nature of the inflow of water in the system. In this paper, performance optimization of the system of Karun and Dez reservoir dams have been studied and investigated with the purposes of hydroelectric energy generation and providing water demand in 6 dams. On the Karun River, 5 dams have been built in the series arrangements, and the Dez dam has been built parallel to those 5 dams. One of the main achievements in this research is the implementation of the structure of production of hydroelectric energy as a function of matrix in MATLAB software. The results show that the role of objective function structure for generating hydroelectric energy in weighting method algorithm is more important than water supply. Nonetheless by implementing ε- constraint method algorithm, we can both increase hydroelectric power generation and supply around 85% of agricultural and industrial demands.

Predicting the geographical distributions of the macaque hosts and mosquito vectors of Plasmodium knowlesi malaria in forested and non-forested areas

BACKGROUND

Plasmodium knowlesi is a zoonotic pathogen, transmitted among macaques and to humans by anopheline mosquitoes. Information on P. knowlesi malaria is lacking in most regions so the first step to understand the geographical distribution of disease risk is to define the distributions of the reservoir and vector species.

METHODS

We used macaque and mosquito species presence data, background data that captured sampling bias in the presence data, a boosted regression tree model and environmental datasets, including annual data for land classes, to predict the distributions of each vector and host species. We then compared the predicted distribution of each species with cover of each land class.

RESULTS

Fine-scale distribution maps were generated for three macaque host species (Macaca fascicularis, M. nemestrina and M. leonina) and two mosquito vector complexes (the Dirus Complex and the Leucosphyrus Complex). The Leucosphyrus Complex was predicted to occur in areas with disturbed, but not intact, forest cover (> 60% tree cover) whereas the Dirus Complex was predicted to occur in areas with 10-100% tree cover as well as vegetation mosaics and cropland. Of the macaque species, M. nemestrina was mainly predicted to occur in forested areas whereas M. fascicularis was predicted to occur in vegetation mosaics, cropland, wetland and urban areas in addition to forested areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The predicted M. fascicularis distribution encompassed a wide range of habitats where humans are found. This is of most significance in the northern part of its range where members of the Dirus Complex are the main P. knowlesi vectors because these mosquitoes were also predicted to occur in a wider range of habitats. Our results support the hypothesis that conversion of intact forest into disturbed forest (for example plantations or timber concessions), or the creation of vegetation mosaics, will increase the probability that members of the Leucosphyrus Complex occur at these locations, as well as bringing humans into these areas. An explicit analysis of disease risk itself using infection data is required to explore this further. The species distributions generated here can now be included in future analyses of P. knowlesi infection risk.