Development of a rapid screening method utilizing 2D LC for effect-directed analysis in the identification of environmental toxicants.

Effect-directed analysis (EDA) is a crucial tool in environmental toxicology, effectively integrating toxicity testing with chemical analysis. The conventional EDA approach, however, presents challenges such as significant solvent consumption, extended analysis time, labor intensity, and potential contamination risks. In response, we introduce an innovative alternative to the conventional EDA. This method utilizes the MTT bioassay and online two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D LC) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), significantly reducing the fractionation steps and leveraging the enhanced sensitivity of the bioassay and automated chemical analysis. In the chemical analysis phase, a switching valve interface is employed for comprehensive analysis. We tested the performance of both the conventional and our online 2D LC-based methods using a household product. Both methods identified the same number of toxicants in the sample. Our alternative EDA is 22.5 times faster than the conventional method, fully automated, and substantially reduces solvent consumption. This novel approach offers ease, cost-effectiveness, and represents a paradigm shift in EDA methodologies. By integrating a sensitive bioassay with online 2D LC, it not only enhances efficiency but also addresses the challenges associated with traditional methods, marking a significant advancement in environmental toxicology research.

Tyrosinase inhibitory activity of Sargassum fusiforme and characterisation of bioactive compounds.

INTRODUCTION: Sargassum fusiforme (Harvey) Setchell, also known as Tot (in Korean) and Hijiki (in Japanese), is widely consumed in Korea, Japan, and China due to its health promoting properties. However, the bioactive component behind the biological activity is still unknown. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to optimise the extraction conditions for achieving maximum tyrosinase inhibition activity by using two sophisticated statistical tools, that is, response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). Moreover, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was used to tentatively identify the components, which are then further studied for molecular docking study using 2Y9X protein. METHODOLOGY: RSM central composite design was used to conduct extraction using microwave equipment, which was then compared to ANN. Electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) was used to tentatively identify bioactive components, which were then docked to the 2Y9X protein using AutoDock Vina and MolDock software. RESULTS: Maximum tyrosinase inhibition activity of 79.530% was achieved under optimised conditions of time: 3.27 min, temperature: 128.885°C, ethanol concentration: 42.13%, and microwave intensity: 577.84 W. Furthermore, 48 bioactive compounds were tentatively identified in optimised Sargassum fusiforme (OSF) extract, and among them, seven phenolics, five flavonoids, five lignans, six terpenes, and five sulfolipids and phospholipids were putatively reported for the first time in Sargassum fusiforme. Among 48 bioactive components, trifuhalol-A, diphlorethohydroxycarmalol, glycyrrhizin, and arctigenin exhibited higher binding energies for 2Y9X. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these findings suggest that OSF extract can be used as an effective skin-whitening source on a commercial level and could be used in topical formulations by replacing conventional drugs.

Impact of Covid-19 outbreak on psychological health-The case of Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of COVID-19, a profoundly contagious disease has unnerved the world in a calamitous manner from diverse aspects. The present study ventures to expand the literature by exploring loneliness, social isolation, risk perception, financial distress, and psychological distress amidst the lockdown phase of the general population of Bangladesh. METHODS: Through an online survey among 474 respondents (between April 17th and April 23rd, 2020), data were collected from the Bangladeshi residents (21 years or above). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Warp-PLS. RESULTS: Findings suggest a strong positive correlation among the factors and social isolation, risk perception, financial distress are manifested as the predictors of psychological distress. Besides, females, aged people, and lower-income group are found to be more psychologically distressed. CONCLUSION: This study yields new insights into the psychological facets of a lower-middle-income earning country, Bangladesh.

Prevention of occupational injuries and accidents: A social capital perspective.

Prior research has consistently established the pragmatic nature of literature regarding occupational injuries and accidental happenings faced by nursing professionals. However, current realities require a subjective approach to identify preventative measures that could influence occupational health and safety in healthcare sectors. A qualitative design followed a descriptive approach to assess unbiased opinions towards occupational obstructions that lead to accidental happenings. This study used the social capital framework in particular as a support resource to eliminate its detrimental effects on nurse's capacity to serve their patients. The findings extended the fundamental understanding of social capital from social ties to workplace and personal ties as potential mechanisms of support. Healthcare organizations need to redefine their control policies to provide the ultimate support to their care agents. A social capital model offers nursing practitioners and nursing managers an approach for building evidence-based policies with implications for nurse's safety, education and training.

Mitigating effect of perceived organizational support on stress in the presence of workplace ostracism in the Pakistani nursing sector.

BACKGROUND: Nursing has a reputation for being a predominantly stressful profession. Prior studies focus on the overt antecedents of stress like bullying, harassment, and verbal aggression from patients as well as colleagues. Employee stress has been receiving attention for decades, yet there is a research gap on the role of workplace ostracism as an antecedent of stress for nurses. This study aimed to consider the effect of workplace ostracism on the perceived stress of nurses while considering the moderating role of perceived organizational support. METHODS: This study is quantitative. A time-lagged survey was conducted in private and public hospitals of Pakistan. Data were collected from 241 nurses. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and analysis of a moment structures (AMOS) software were employed for data analysis, such as bootstrapping analysis, Sobel test, and regression analysis. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that workplace ostracism is positively associated with stress, while perceived organizational support has a moderating relationship. Perceived organizational support mitigates the adverse effects of workplace ostracism on nurses. CONCLUSION: This study contributes significantly to nursing literature by identifying workplace ostracism as one of the significant antecedents of stress for nurses. Perceived organizational support shows that employees are cared for and appreciated by the organization, which lessens the strength of perceived stress due to workplace ostracism.

Role of lean manufacturing and environmental management practices in eliciting environmental and financial performance: the contingent effect of institutional pressures.

This study aims to examine the impact of firm lean manufacturing (LM) and environmental management (EM) practices on firm performance (i.e., environmental and financial performance). Drawing upon institutional theory, we also examine the moderating effect of institutional pressures in adopting EM practices and their subsequent effects on firm performance. The data were collected from 178 textile manufacturing firms operating in Pakistan. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings support the positive direct effect of LM practices on EM practices and the indirect effect on environmental performance which ultimately increases financial performance. Institutional pressures moderate the direct effect of EM practices on environmental performance. Firms are advised to implement LM accompanied by EM practices to ensure the protection of the natural environment as well as to enhance profit-making capability, in the long run. Further, firms can also enhance environmental performance capabilities through strict synchronization of EM practices with institutional pressures. This research fills the literature gap by investigating the effects of firm's EM practices on environmental and financial performance under the contingent effect of institutional pressures. The study also provides important implications for firms and practitioners.

Perception of household in regards to water pollution: an empirical evidence from Pakistan.

Water pollution is one of the main threats to public health in Pakistan. The watchdogs for drinking water quality are toothless, hence Pakistan's ranking in maintaining water quality standards is 80th out of 122 nations. Despite such alarming situation coupled with violation of various drinking water quality parameters set by WHO, the risk perception of people remains an unfolded area of research. This paper examines the risk perception of household regarding water pollution in Pakistan and its potential effect on human health. In this way, we present a more analytical interpretation of the subject by collecting data from a survey questionnaire from one of the largest urban cities of Pakistan. Conclusions are drawn which stress that education, income, and knowledge of water pollution have higher impact on risk perception. From this position, and with the development of implications for policy, we demonstrate the need of a systematic quantification of various uncertainties that can provide more realistic support for remediation-related decisions to policy makers.