Synergistic Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Peptide-Coated Silver Nanoparticles for the Targeted Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Infections

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The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens poses a critical challenge to global health, necessitating innovative antimicrobial solutions. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of antimicrobial peptides (AMP)-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a novel approach to combating MDR infections. AMPs, known for their broad-spectrum activity and unique mechanisms, were isolated from Lacticaseibacillus casei and successfully precipitated using ammonium sulfate precipitation. The AMPs were conjugated with AgNPs to improve their stability, bioavailability, and antimicrobial efficacy.

AMP-coated AgNPs were synthesized and characterized using UV‒visible spectrophotometry, confirming the successful formation of nanoparticles. Antimicrobial and antifungal activities were assessed against a broad range of pathogens using the agar well diffusion method. The AMP-coated AgNPs exhibited enhanced activity compared to AMP alone, with significant inhibition zones observed for both bacterial and fungal strains. Synergy studies revealed that the combination of AMP-coated AgNPs with conventional antibiotics improved therapeutic efficacy, even at reduced dosages. Hemolysis assay evaluated the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles, indicating potential cytotoxicity of the silver nanoparticles at higher concentrations.

These findings underscore the promise of AMP-coated AgNPs as potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. However, the cytotoxic effects highlight the need for further research into optimizing biocompatibility. This study paves the way for developing advanced therapeutic strategies targeting MDR pathogens, offering an effective alternative to conventional antibiotics in critical healthcare applications.

Determination of Scatter Radiation Round Three Different Models of Mammography Unit

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Purpose: this study was carried out to determine the amount of scatter radiation around three different models of digital mammography units may contribute to shielding calculations.

Objectives: measuring and comparing for scattered radiation at four orientations (4 x 90o=360o) round three mammography models.

Materials and methods: RADOS (RDS-120 Universal Survey Meter) device was used to measure scatter radiation at four orientations round three types of mammography digital models NM-GA, Liyum, and Mammomat. These orientations are backward, forward, left lateral, and right lateral. All measurements are taken in Craniocaudal projection.

Results: backward orientation has highest and right lateral has lowest intensity of scatter radiations when three models of digital mammography were used. Mammomat model with backward orientation was at highest 6.5μSv of intensity and NM-GA model at lowest intensity of 1.1 μSv from right lateral orientation.

Conclusions: The obtained measurements of scatter radiation at four different orientations may be used in a shielding calculation when NM-GA, Liyum, and Mammomat of mammography models are used.

Study of Liver Development in Laboratory Mice Embryos mus musculus

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The current study aimed to follow up some embryonic developments in the Swiss white mice Mus musculus to identify the nature of these developments in order to increase scientific knowledge from this aspect as well as the importance of mice as a model for experimental studies.The liver is the largest internal organ that provides essential metabolic and endocrine functions, these include the production of bile, metabolism of nutritional compounds, detoxification, regulation of glucose levels through glycogen storage and control of blood balance by secreting clotting factors and serum proteins.Hepatocytes are the main cell type in the liver, accounting for about 70% of adult organ mass, hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells are derived from the embryonic endoderm while visceral cells, astrocytes, kupffer cells and vascular cells are of mesoderm origin.After the occurrence of internal fertilization, the fertilized egg begins to divide until the blastomeres divide into the trophectoderm, which forms the placenta in the future, and the mass of internal cells that later form the embryo.

Do Online Grammar Learning Strategies Make Any Difference in Grammar Proficiency? A Focus on EFL Distance Learning

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This study explores the use of online grammar learning strategies among Indonesian EFL students participating in Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Using quantitative methods, the research examines the correlation between students’ self-reported grammar learning strategies and their English grammar proficiency. Data were collected from students enrolled in online grammar courses at the University of Borneo Tarakan, utilizing both surveys and online grammar tests. The results reveal a complex relationship between learning strategies and grammar proficiency. Cognitive strategies demonstrate a positive correlation with proficiency, while other strategies, such as memory, compensation, metacognitive, affective, and social strategies, exhibit mixed or weak predictive capabilities. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of grammar learning, suggesting that no single strategy guarantees improved proficiency. The study stresses the importance of tailoring language learning approaches to individual learner traits and contextual factors in ODL environments. Limitations of the study include the specific sample population, reliance on self-reported data, and the correlational nature of the research, which calls for careful interpretation. Overall, the research provides valuable insights into optimizing grammar instruction in online settings, emphasizing the need for further investigation into effective grammar learning strategies in ODL contexts.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation in Tehsil Bah, Agra, India

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A higher agricultural yield depends on the quality of the water used. A significant source for irrigation is groundwater. 84 separate study locations had groundwater samples that were collected and analysed using the procedures outlined in the 2017 American Public Health Association, 23rd Edition (APHA). Tehsil Bah in the Agra district of Uttar Pradesh had its groundwater quality evaluated for irrigation purposes. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Permeability Index (PI), Magnesium Ratio (MR), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Kelley’s Index (KI), base exchange index, and meteoric genesis index were used to assess the suitability of groundwater quality for irrigation. 96.4 percent of groundwater samples were deemed inappropriate for irrigation according to the Wilcox diagram, with 3.6 percent of samples falling into the questionable to unsuitable category. All the samples fall into the C3-S1 and C3-S2 water classes, which denote water with a high salinity hazard and a moderate to medium sodium hazard, according to SAR and electrical conductivity values plotted in the US salinity diagram. The amount of dissolved substances in groundwater determined its suitability for irrigation. According to the classification, all of the reported values of Na percent fall into the good and medium category. RSC values range from -3.61 to 4.24, with 7.1 percent of samples falling into the bad and very bad category and not suitable for irrigation use, while the remaining 92.9 percent of samples fall into the excellent, good, and medium category.

Communication Skills of Generation Z Nursing Students in Establishing Nurse-Patient Relationships

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Now Gen Z is entering the nursing programs. It is known that communication is essential in the nursing profession, and it is the foundation of the relationship between the nurse and patient The study aimed to determine the communication skills of Gen Z nursing students in establishing nurse-patient relationships. The study used a descriptive, cross-sectional research design. The participants of the study were five hundred seventy (N = 570) Gen Z nursing students from HEIs in the province of Batangas, Philippines, and one hundred twenty-eight (N = 128) clinical instructors directly supervising them during their RLEs. A two-part researcher-structured questionnaire was the tool for data collection. The tool consisted of 10 critical indicators for determining the communication skills of nursing students, such as active listening, compassion, cultural awareness, nonverbal communication, patient education, personal connection, presentation skills, trust, verbal communication, and written communication skills, and four standards of nurse-patient relationships, indicated in the Nurses Association of New Brunswick (2020). Mean and independent t-test were used for data analysis. Results revealed that Gen Z excels at navigating digital technology, accepts individual differences, and has a sense of independence. Gen Z are respectful, transparent, diverse, and collaborative future healthcare practitioners. Gen Z nursing students asserted possessing very effective communication skills, whereas their clinical instructors rated them as only effective in establishing nurse-patient relationships. There were discernible variations in the assessments of communication skills and the effectiveness of establishing nurse-patient relationships between Gen Z nursing students and their clinical instructors. The study recommended that nursing programs should capitalize on Gen Z strengths by integrating technology-enhanced tools and platforms, optimize the achievement of learning outcomes by aligning clinical teaching strategies with the distinct learning styles of Gen Z nursing students, and incorporate training programs focused on improving advocacy skills, recognizing boundaries, and terminating nurse-patient relationships.

Cultural Challenges of Widows and Widowers’ Coping Strategies in South-South Geo Political Zone, Nigeria

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The study is on cultural challenges and widows and widowers’ coping strategies in South-South Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria. This research employed two research questions and two hypotheses to guide the study. The study employed survey research design. The study area were the six states of the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. A total of 441 widows and widowers in Federal Universities in South-South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria based on information from the registrar, ASUU form the sample of the study. Two different instruments were employed for data collection. The” Widows and Widowers Coping Strategies for Family and cultural Challenges” (WWCSFCC) questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion Guide for Widows and Widowers (FGDEWW). Cronbach Alpha Coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the instruments. Bar chart, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Independent t-test, simple were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Bar chart, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Independent t-test, were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study unveiled that there is no significance difference in the cultural challenges facing widows and widowers in South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria and there is difference in the coping strategies that could be employed by widows and widowers in South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Among others it was recommended that the families, friends and the society should be sensitized to clearly identify the challenges widows and widowers experience and, in the process, come up with alternative support systems that would help widowed persons adjust to widowhood.

Factors Influencing Patient Delay in Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Community Setting: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Delays in the treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) result in the failure to achieve the TB program’s goals. The delay in TB treatment can be measured by patient delay and healthcare service delay.This study aims to analyze the factors influencing the occurrence of patient delay in pulmonary tuberculosis. The type of this research is quantitative with a cross-sectional approach. The research population consists of all suspected Pulmonary TB patients, totaling 182 patients, with a sample of 158 respondents using the proportional random sampling technique. This research was conducted in the Working Area of Maja Public Health Center, Marga Punduh District, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, Indonesia, in September-October 2024. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted univariately (frequency distribution), bivariately (chi-square), and multivariately (logistic regression). The research results indicate that there are factors associated with the occurrence of patient delay in this study, namely age factor (p-value <0.001), gender (p-value = 0.017), employment status (p-value <0.001), economic status (p-value <0.001), education level (p-value = 0.003), knowledge level (p-value = 0.023), smoking history (p-value = 0.022), distance from residence (p-value = 0.040), and cadre support (p-value <0.001). The dominant factor influencing the occurrence of patient delay in tuberculosis treatment is the employment factor (p-value = 0.019; OR (95% CI) = 21.5 (1.67-279.24). Advice for healthcare workers includes providing education about TB, particularly the cough symptoms suspected to be TB, especially in the smoking community, and efforts to change patients’ perceptions about TB are essential to reduce the level of delay in seeking early healthcare.

Role of The Forest-Savanna Transition Zones in Mitigating Climate Change at Lamto Scientific Reserve, Côte d’Ivoire

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In the context of global climate change, forests play a crucial role as carbon sinks, contributing to regulating greenhouse gases and stabilising the climate. This study evaluates the role of forest-savanna transition zones in mitigating climate change at Lamto Scientific Reserve, Côte d’Ivoire, by assessing their carbon sequestration capacity and economic value. The study employed a combination of field surveys, remote sensing and statistical analysis to gather and analyse the data. The floristic inventory recorded 4,018 individuals, distributed among 142 species, 92 genus, and 37 families.  The stem density ranges from 510 stems/ha (shrub savanna) to 758 stems/ha (moist semi-deciduous forest), with a basal area varying from 5.65 m²/ha (open forest) to 11.79 m²/ha (gallery forest). The vegetation structure, characterised by a “bell-shaped” vertical stratification and an “inverted J” horizontal distribution, reflects active regeneration. In terms of biomass and carbon sequestration, the gallery forest dominates with 287.37 ± 201.68 t/ha of biomass, 143.69 ± 100.84 tC/ha of carbon, and an exceptional capacity to sequester 526.856 tCO₂/ha, accounting for 57.6% of the total carbon sequestered. Its economic value, supported by mechanisms such as REDD+ High, reaches 13,171 EUR/ha (8,639,880 FCFA). In contrast, the shrub savanna, with a biomass of 9.38 ± 8.41 t/ha and limited sequestration of 17.203 tCO₂/ha, offers a maximum value of 430 EUR/ha (282,111 FCFA). The results highlight the key role of the gallery forest as the primary carbon sink and the economic potential of Lamto’s ecosystems. They underscore sustainable management’s importance in maximising climate regulation, preserving biodiversity, and enhancing ecological resilience.

A Study on Dietary Services in Public Hospitals of Sri Lanka: Reducing Food Waste and Enhancing Patient Outcomes

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 Dietary services in public hospitals are integral to patient recovery and overall care. The existing dietary circular governing these services requires revision to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction while addressing cost concerns. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a mixed-method approach to identify gaps and inefficiencies in the current dietary practices, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and desk reviews. The findings indicated significant food waste in hospitals and considerable patient dissatisfaction with current dietary options. These challenges underscore serious gaps in aligning dietary practices with patient needs and resource allocation. This study emphasizes the importance of revising the dietary circular to establish more efficient and patient-centered dietary services. Proposed revisions focus on reducing food waste, improving the nutritional adequacy of meals, and addressing patient preferences, ultimately contributing to better clinical outcomes. The recommendations focus on developing a cost-effective strategy for hospital dietary services to achieve sustainable improvements that align with healthcare objectives. Updating and implementing these guidelines can greatly benefit the healthcare system by optimizing resource allocation and enhancing patient care in Sri Lankan public hospitals.