BACKGROUND: Statistical evidence on breast cancer (BC) burden related to health and lifestyle risk factors are valuable for health policy-making. This study aimed to compare the trends in BC mortality and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to various health and life style risk factors among different world’s regions according to sociodemographic index (SDI). METHODS: We extracted the age-standardized and age-specific rate of mortality and DALYs of women BC during 1990–2017 using the comparative risk assessment framework of the 2017 global burden of disease (GBD) study. We performed hierarchical age-period-cohort analysis to estimate age- and time-related trends, and effect of interactions between different risk factors on BC risk. RESULTS: During 1990–2017, the age-standardized rate of mortality and DALYs of women BC was increasing in less developed and under developing regions. The risk factor alcohol use [RR 51.3(95%CI 17.6–149.7)] and smoking [5.9(2.0–17.3)] were significantly highly contributor to increased mortality risk in high SDI region. Whereas in the low-SDI region, the greater mortality risk was observed in alcohol use [6.9(2.4–17)] and high FPG [2.7(1.5–3.1)]-related deaths. The adjusting for individual age, period, and risk factor effects, the significant interaction effect between metabolic risk factors and older ages were observed in all SDI regions and globally as well. However, an increasing cohort effect of alcohol, high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and smoking-related death, and DALYs was observed during 1960 to 1985 cohorts among low-SDI regions. CONCLUSIONS: The age-standardized rates of mortality and DALYs due to BC has been increasing in low-SDI region. Alcohol consumption, high body mass index (BMI), high FPG, and smoking are potential BC risk factors particularly in older ages that leading to adverse disease outcomes. Therefore, rapid aging and prevalence of these prospective risk factors may strengthen the increasing mortality and DALYs of BC in low-SDI region. Hence, preventive measure along with strict action against concerned BC risk factors should be taken to reduce the disease burden specifically among lower-SDI regions.

The pandemic caused by coronavirus COVID-19 is having a worldwide impact that affects health and the economy and indirectly affects air pollution in cities. In Spain, the effect has evolved from being anecdotal in January 2020 to become the second country in Europe with the highest number of cases (614,000 cases by 17/09/2020), which has affected the health system and caused major mobility restrictions. In contrast, COVID-19 has affected air pollution and energy consumption in the country. This article analyzes the indirect effect produced by this pandemic on air pollution, referenced to various stages that occurred in Spain: first stage, without public awareness of COVID-19 impact (mid-January 2020); second is when Spanish Government alerted (late February 2020); and third, after the decree of alarm and mobility restriction of citizens by the government (March 2020) along with the various phases of the de-escalation. The indirect effect produced by this pandemic on air pollution in Spanish cities has been resulted in a decrement of 70% to 80% of average, taking into account dates after the decree of alarm and mobility restriction by the Spanish government (14/03/2020), compared to days prior to that date. Thus, the results of this analysis indicate a significant alteration in air pollutants; these alteration patterns have followed similar paths over different countries worldwide improving the air quality as discussed by Dutheil et al. (Environ Pollut (Barking, Essex: 1987) 263:114466, 2020).

Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) specifically involves the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region, which mainly begun with the overwhelmed oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Considering the antioxidant and other pharmacological properties, Eclipta alba needs to be exploited for its possible neuroprotective efficacy against PD and other neurological disorders. Therefore, the current study was conducted to exemplify the remedial effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of E. alba (EA-MEx) against MPP⁺-elicited in vitro and in vivo PD models. SH-SY5Y, a neuroblastoma cell culture and male Wistar rats were used to impersonate the hallmarks of PD. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of EA-MEx revealed the presence of quercetin, ellagic acid, catechin, kaempferol, and epicatechin at varying concentrations. EA-MEx was found to deliver considerable protection against MPP⁺-induced oxidative damages in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, in vivo study also supported the neuroprotective efficacy of EA-MEx, with significant mitigation of behavioral deficits induced by intrastriatal injection of MPP⁺. Furthermore, the disturbed levels of cellular antioxidant machinery have been significantly improved with the pre-treatment of EA-MEx. Mechanistically, the expression of α-synuclein, tyrosine hydroxylase, and mortalin were also found to be improved with the prior treatment of EA-MEx. Hence, the study suggests Eclipta alba as a suitable candidate for the development of better neuropathological therapeutics.

Recently the applications of engineered nanoparticles in the agricultural sector is increased as nano-pesticides, nano-fertilizers, nanocarrier for macro- or micronutrients, nano-sensors, etc. In this study, biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) have been synthesized through an environment-friendly route using Cassia occidentalis L. flower extract to act as nano-priming agent for promoting germination of Pusa basmati rice seeds. Different characterization methods, viz. X-ray diffraction, particle size analyser, zeta potential and scanning electron microscopy, were used to show efficacious synthesis of FeO NPs capped with phytochemicals. Rice seeds primed with FeO NPs at 20 and 40 mg/L efficiently enhanced germination and seedling vigour compared to ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄) priming and hydro-primed control. The seeds primed with 20 mg/L FeO NPs showed up to 50% stimulation in biophysical parameters such as root length and dry weight. Substantial stimulation of sugar and amylase content was also reported at the same concentration. The antioxidant enzyme activity was significantly increased as compared to FeSO₄ priming and control. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) study was also done for analysis of Fe, Zn, K, Ca, and Mn concentration in seeds. The seed priming technique signifies a comprehensible and innovative approach that could enhance α-amylase activity, iron acquisition, and ROS production, ensuing elevated soluble sugar levels for supporting seedling growth and enhancing seed germination rate, respectively. In this report, phytochemical-capped FeO NPs are presented as a capable nano-priming agent for stimulating the germination of naturally aged rice seeds.

A nitrifying bacterium Acinetobacter sp. AL-6 showed a high efficiency of 99.05% for Mn(II) removal within 144 h when the Mn(II) concentration was 200 mg L⁻¹; meanwhile, 64.23% of NH₄⁺-N was removed. With the Mn(II) concentration increased from 25 to 300 mg L⁻¹, bacterial growth and Mn(II) removal were stimulated. However, due to the electron acceptor competition between Mn(II) oxidation and nitrification reactions, the increase in NH₄⁺-N concentration would inhibit Mn(II) removal. By measuring Mn metabolic form and locating oxidative active factors, it was proved that extracellular oxidation effect played a dominant role in the removal process of Mn(II). The self-regulation of pH during strain metabolism further promoted the occurrence of biological Mn oxidation. Characterization results showed that the Mn oxidation products were tightly attached to the surface of the bacteria in the form of flakes. The product crystal composition (mainly MnO₂ and Mn₂O₃), Mn-O functional group, and element level fluctuations confirmed the biological oxidation information. The changes of -OH, N-H, and -CH₂ groups and the appearance of new functional groups (such as C-H and C-O) provided more possibilities for Mn ion adsorption and bonding.

Herein, we report the synthesis of between SnO₂ QDs /AgVO₃ nanoribbons/g-C₃N₄ nanosheets of ternary photocatalytic systems for the production of H₂ through light irradiation. The SnO₂/AgVO₃/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst was successfully produced by using the hydrothermal process. The structural characterizations of the samples revealed the successful formation of ternary heterostructures where SnO₂, AgVO₃ and g-C₃N₄ (quantum dots/nanoribbons/nanosheets) 0D/1D/2D structures make a good interface with each other. The fabricated heterostructures of AgVO₃/g-C₃N₄ and SnO₂/AgVO₃/g-C₃N₄ photocatalytic structures performed enriched photocatalytic performance for H₂ production over that of the pristine g-C₃N₄, AgVO₃ and SnO₂ photocatalysts. The AgVO₃/g-C₃N₄ and SnO₂ /AgVO₃/g-C₃N₄ of photocatalysts were found to produce H₂ of around 17,000 μmol g⁻¹ and 77,000 μmol g⁻¹, respectively, which is much 4.5 times greater than that of AgVO₃/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst. Moreover, the photodegradation behaviours of prepared catalysts were studied with the dye (rhodamine B, RhB) under light irradiation. The ternary composite SnO₂/AgVO₃/g-C₃N₄ performed photodegradation of RhB in 50 min. The higher photocatalytic activity for the ternary photocatalysts is predominantly due to the effective charge separation at the perfect interface formation amid SnO₂ and AgVO₃/g-C₃N₄.

Micropiles, on account of their versatility, can serve as both a new foundation and a long-term option for prevailing foundations without disturbing the subgrade underneath. They can improve highway facilities, historically significant structures, or distressed structures. The present laboratory model study is conducted on a square footing installed with micropiles all around it and subjected to vertical concentric loading. A parametric analysis based on the impact of five micropile parameters is also performed. The results obtained from this study reveal that the inclination of micropiles has little effect on ultimate vertical load but can profoundly impact the horizontal load. As the diameter of micropiles is progressively increased from 10 to 20 mm, the bearing capacity improves by around 27%. As the micropile spacing decreases from five times diameter (5d) to three times diameter (3d), the footing system’s bearing capacity increases nearly by 22.2%. The bearing capacity ratio shows a reduction beyond the value of L/b = 2. Installing micropiles nearer to the footing edge (ED/b = 0.3) provided approximately 76% improvement with respect to the unreinforced footing. The optimum value of the different parameters is equal to L/b = 2, d = 20 mm, ED/b = 0.3, and S/d = 3. There is a 98% improvement in bearing capacity at the optimum values for 30° inclined micropiles.

The suspended sediment load (SSL) prediction is one of the most important issues in water engineering. In this article, the adaptive neuro-fuzzy interface system (ANFIS) and support vector machine (SVM) were used to estimate the SLL of two main tributaries of the Telar River placed in the north of Iran. The main Telar River had two main tributaries, namely, the Telar and the Kasilian. A new evolutionary algorithm, namely, the black widow optimization algorithm (BWOA), was used to enhance the precision of the ANFIS and SVM models for predicting daily SSL. The lagged rainfall, temperature, discharge, and SSL were used as the inputs to the models. The present study used a new hybrid Gamma test to determine the best input scenario. In the next step, the best input combination was determined based on the gamma value. In this research, the abilities of the ANFIS-BWOA and SVM-BWOA were benchmarked with the ANFIS-bat algorithm (BA), SVM-BA, SVM-particle swarm optimization (PSO), and ANFIS-PSO. The mean absolute error (MAE) of ANFIS-BWOA was 0.40%, 2.2%, and 2.5% lower than those of ANFIS-BA, ANFIS-PSO, and ANFIS models in the training level for Telar River. It was concluded that the ANFIS-BWOA had the highest value of R² among other models in the Telar River. The MAE of the ANFIS-BWOA, SVM-BWOA, SVM-PSO, SVM-BA, and SVM models were 899.12 (Ton/day), 934.23 (Ton/day), 987.12 (Ton/day), 976.12, and 989.12 (Ton/day), respectively, in the testing level for the Kasilian River. An uncertainty analysis was used to investigate the effect of uncertainty of the inputs (first scenario) and the model parameters (the second scenario) on the accuracy of models. It was observed that the input uncertainty higher than the parameter uncertainty.

As representative varieties of the four phases of the super rice breeding project in China, Lianyoupei 9 (LYP9), Y Liangyou 1 (YLY1), Y Liangyou 2 (YLY2), and Y Liangyou 900 (YLY900) achieved higher yield under optimal cultivation techniques. However, the impact of these high-yield rice varieties on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under high-yield cultivation management practices remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted field experiments to investigate CH₄ and N₂O emissions from paddies containing four elite rice varieties, managed with field drying at the ineffective tillering stage and alternate wet/dry irrigation at the grain-filling stage. The plants were fertilised with nitrogen (N) at three different rates. The results showed that CH₄ emission was highest at the tillering stage. N₂O emission flux was dramatically increased by field drying at the ineffective tillering stage, and with the rate of N application. Rice variety was among the most important factors affecting CH₄ emission and global warming potential (GWP). N₂O emission was mainly related to N application rate rather than rice variety. YLY2 achieved higher yield than LYP9, YLY1, and YLY900, and lower GHG emission than YLY900. Our results indicate that rice variety should be considered as a key factor to reduce GHG emissions from rice paddies under high-yield cultivation practices. Based on its high yield and low GHG emission at the study site, YLY2 may be an optimal rice variety.

Emerging from Wuhan, China, SARS-CoV-2 is the new global threat that killed millions of people, and many are still suffering. This pandemic has not only affected people but also caused economic crisis throughout the world. Researchers have shown good progress in revealing the molecular insights of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and developing vaccines, but effective treatment against SARS-CoV-2-infected patients are yet to be found. Several vaccines are available and used in many countries, while many others are still in clinical or preclinical studies. However, this involves a long-term process, considering the safety procedures and requirements and their long-term protection capacity and in different age groups are still questionable. Therefore, at present, the drug repurposing of the existing therapeutics previously designed against other viral diseases seems to be the only practical approach to mitigate the current situation. The safety of most of these therapeutic agents has already been tested. Recent clinical reports revealed promising therapeutic efficiency of several drugs such as remdesivir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, azithromycin, lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine, baricitinib, and cepharanthine. Besides, plasma therapies were used to treat patients and prevent fatal outcomes. Thus, in this article, we have summarized the epidemiological and clinical data from several clinical trials conducted since the beginning of the pandemic, emphasizing the efficiency of the known agents against SARS-CoV-2 and their harmful side effects on the human body as well as their environmental implications. This review shows a clear overview of the current pharmaceutical perspective on COVID-19 treatment.