Computational Advancement towards the Identification of Natural Inhibitors for Dengue Virus: A Brief Review.

Viral infectious illnesses represent a severe hazard to human health due to their widespread incidence worldwide. Among these ailments, the dengue virus (DENV) infection stands out. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that DENV infection affects ~400 million people each year, with potentially fatal symptoms showing up in 1% of the cases. In several instances, academic and pharmaceutical researchers have conducted several pilot and clinical studies on a variety of topics, including viral epidemiology, structure and function analyses, infection source and route, therapeutic targets, vaccinations, and therapeutic drugs. Amongst Takeda, TAK-003, Sanofi, Dengvaxia®, and Butantan/NIH/Merck, Dengvaxia® (CYD-TDV) is the only licensed vaccination yet; however, the potential inhibitors are under development. The biology and evolution of DENVs are briefly discussed in this review, which also compiles the most recent studies on prospective antiviral targets and antiviral candidates. In conclusion, the triumphs and failures have influenced the development of anti-DENV medications, and the findings in this review article will stimulate more investigation.

Characterization of fluorescent dissolved organic matters in metalworking fluid by fluorescence excitation-emission matrix and high-performance liquid chromatography.

In recent years, precise environment supervision has gradually become vital in water pollution control, which requires the clear identification of dissolved organic matters (DOM) in wastewater. Metalworking fluid (MWF) is a type of wastewater with high toxicity. Over ten million m3 of MWF is discharged per year. However, its DOM characteristics have not yet been systematically investigated. Therefore, in this study, the fluorescent DOM (FDOM) of MWF was firstly characterized by excitation-emission matrix-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three fluorescent components (C1-C3) of the MWF from three metalworking plants (BO, TH, and YD) were identified. The peaks measured for C1 and C3 were attributed to tryptophan-like (Peak T) and humic/fulvic acid-like (Peak A + C) peaks, respectively, and the peaks at C2 were identified as humic-like (Peak A + M) or tryptophan-like (Peak T) peaks. There were differences in the C2 and C3 components of MWF from the three metalworking plants. The FDOM of MWF from the three metalworking plants exhibited similar polarity, but different apparent molecular weight distributions. In addition, the highest intensities of the three fluorescent peaks were sensitive to variations in the pH, humic acid (HA) concentrations, and metal ion levels (Cu2+, Fe3+, and Ni2+). The findings of this study not only indicate the FDOM characteristics of MWF, but also provide a promising method and valuable guidance for the practical monitoring of MWF in natural water bodies.

Deliberate self-harm in the emergency department: experience from Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal behavior is an understudied subject in Pakistan, a South-Asian developing country with a predominantly Muslim population. AIMS: This study examined the characteristics and management of patients presenting with Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH) to the Emergency Department (ED) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients (n = 98), over a period of 12 months was carried out. The demographic details of patients; method of DSH and, if drugs were used, their type, route, and quantity; reason for DSH; past psychiatric history; and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 23.5 years. The majority of patients were female; most had used drugs for DSH. After initial treatment in the ED, 34 patients were admitted to medical wards for further treatment, 12 were discharged from ED, while 52 patients left against medical advice. The main reasons for leaving against medical advice were financial constraints and fear of legal issues. Seven patients had at least one previous episode of DSH. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who left the ED without psychosocial assessment are at increased risk for repetition of DSH as well as suicide.