Concentrated solar power (CSP) has gained traction for generating electricity at high capacity and meeting base-load energy demands in the energy mix market in a cost-effective manner. The linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) is valued for its cost-effectiveness, reduced capital and operational expenses, and limited land impact compared to alternatives such as the parabolic trough collector (PTC). To this end, the aim of this study is to optimize the operational parameters, such as the solar multiple (SM), thermal energy storage (TES), and fossil fuel (FF) backup system, in LFR power plants using molten salt as a heat transfer fluid (HTF). A 50 MW LFR power plant in Duba, Saudi Arabia, serves as a case study, with a Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) above 2500 kWh/m². About 600 SM-TES configurations are analyzed with the aim of minimizing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The analysis shows that a solar-only plant can achieve a low LCOE of 11.92 ¢/kWh with a capacity factor (CF) up to 36%, generating around 131 GWh/y. By utilizing a TES system, the SM of 3.5 and a 15 h duration TES provides the optimum integration by increasing the annual energy generation (AEG) to 337 GWh, lowering the LCOE to 9.24 ¢/kWh, and boosting the CF to 86%. The techno-economic optimization reveals the superiority of the LFR with substantial TES over solar-only systems, exhibiting a 300% increase in annual energy output and a 20% reduction in LCOE. Additionally, employing the FF backup system at 64% of the turbine’s rated capacity boosts AEG by 17%, accompanied by a 5% LCOE reduction. However, this enhancement comes with a trade-off, involving burning a substantial amount of natural gas (503,429 MMBtu), leading to greenhouse gas emissions totaling 14,185 tonnes CO₂ eq. This comprehensive analysis is a first-of-a-kind study and provides insights into the optimal designs of LFR power plants and addresses thermal, economic, and environmental considerations of utilizing molten salt with a large TES system as well as employing natural gas backup. The outcomes of the research address a wide audience including academics, operators, and policy makers. Full article

(1) Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among otherwise healthy women represent a problem that requires additional understanding and approaches. Evidencing the link between dysbiosis and UTIs and the associated potential risk factors could lead to therapeutic approaches with increased efficiency under the conditions of reducing the risks associated with antibiotic treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dysbiosis and other potential risk factors in women with a history of urinary tract infections.; (2) Methods: Fecal dysbiosis tests were performed comparatively in two groups of women. The first group in-cluded women with recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) who had either two or more symp-tomatic episodes of UTI in the previous six months. The second group included women with spo-radic UTIs who did not have >1 UTI during a 12-month period and who did not have another UTI in the last 12 months; (3) Results: An association was shown between intestinal dysbiosis and recurrences of urinary tract infections. Increased body weight was associated with intestinal dysbiosis. Also, the lack of knowledge regarding the risk of using antibiotics and the benefits of probiotics was associated with both dysbiosis and recurrences of urinary tract infections.; (4) Conclusions: Dysbiosis can have an impact on the recurrence of urinary tract infections. The risk factors for rUTI and dysbiosis in the sphere of lifestyle are potentially controllable, broadening the perspective for new approaches and changing the paradigm in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Full article

Nanogenerators possess the capability to harvest faint energy from the environment. Among them, thermoelectric (TE), triboelectric, piezoelectric (PE), and moisture-enabled nanogenerators represent promising approaches to micro–nano energy collection. These nanogenerators have seen considerable progress in material optimization and structural design. Printing technology has facilitated the large-scale manufacturing of nanogenerators. Although inks can be compatible with most traditional functional materials, this inevitably leads to a decrease in the electrical performance of the materials, necessitating control over the rheological properties of the inks. Furthermore, printing technology offers increased structural design flexibility. This review provides a comprehensive framework for ink-based nanogenerators, encompassing ink material optimization and device structural design, including improvements in ink performance, control of rheological properties, and efficient energy harvesting structures. Additionally, it highlights ink-based nanogenerators that incorporate textile technology and hybrid energy technologies, reviewing their latest advancements in energy collection and self-powered sensing. The discussion also addresses the main challenges faced and future directions for development. Full article

The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth, fatty acid profile and concentration of malondialdehyde of muscle tissue of meagre Argyrosomus regius fed diets with different lipid content. The long-term experiment was conducted in three feeding groups: A (CP = 52.0; CL = 21.0), B (CP = 56.0; CL = 18.0), C (CP = 48.0; CL = 16.0) with two replicates in marine net cages on Bisage Island, Adriatic Sea over 20 months. At the beginning of the experiment, fish were of equal weight (6.83 ± 1.03 g) and length (8.57 ± 0.49 cm) and were fed to satiation during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the fish from each feeding group (n = 110) were measured and muscle tissue was collected (n = 60) and stored at −80 °C until analysis. The final weight and condition factor were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups. The highest ratio of crude fats and n-3/n-6-fatty acids was found in the muscle tissue of group A. Fish fed diet A also exhibited higher MDA levels compared to fish in the other feeding groups, indicating elevated levels of lipid peroxidation in muscle tissues. Experimental feeding group A showed better growth performance, a higher content of the beneficial fatty acids EPA and DHA and a more favorable n-3/n-6 ratio than feeding groups B and C. Continuously monitoring and adjusting feeding protocols in accordance with lipid content and fatty acid composition could maximize growth and health outcomes in meagre farming. Full article

The synthesis of biphenylmethoxydibenzo[b,f]oxepine or photoswitchable fluorinated dibenzo[b,f]oxepine derivatives with one or three azo bonds, potential microtubule inhibitors, is described. Our studies provide a concise method for constructing derivatives containing the dibenzo[b,f]oxepine skeleton. An analysis of products was run using experimental and theoretical methods. Next, we evaluated the E/Z isomerization of azo-dibenzo[b,f]oxepine derivatives, which could be photochemically controlled using visible-wavelength light. Full article

Cassia alata, a traditional herb with a global presence, is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, making it a go-to remedy for skin ailments. While it has demonstrated wound healing capabilities in both in vitro and in vivo studies, the precise mechanisms remain elusive. This review aims to highlight its key phytochemicals, their effects, and the mechanism of action. The compounds that have been reviewed and discussed include kaempferol, apigenin, quercetin, rhein, and rutin. These polyphenols play important roles in normal and impaired wound healing processes, encompassing hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and tissue remodeling. Full article

While recent studies have proven an unexpected liquid–vapor phase transition of adsorbed liquid films, a comprehensive description of the mechanisms of different types of phase change regimes over realistic representations of random rough surfaces is absent in the literature. The current comprehensive study investigates the effects of a gold random rough surface, liquid film thickness, and substrate temperature on the liquid–vapor phase change regime of an adsorbed sodium liquid film, considering the evaporator section of a wicked heat pipe (WHP) using a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. At first, to generate a realistic random rough surface, a new and promising method is proposed that is entirely based on MD simulations. Then, to simulate the evaporator section of a WHP, a unique configuration for eliminating the vapor domain is developed. The simulation results reveal that three distinct regimes, namely, normal evaporation, cluster boiling, and film boiling, could be identified, which are presented on two-dimensional diagrams with the substrate temperature and liquid film thickness as coordinates for the ideally smooth and random rough surfaces. The results also manifest that even though using the random rough surface could lead to different phase transition regimes, the type of regime depends mainly on the substrate temperature and liquid film thickness. Furthermore, this study displays two different modes for normal evaporation. Also, it is shown that the impacts of the liquid film thickness and substrate temperature on the mode of normal evaporation are much more significant than the surface roughness. Full article

During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical activity was significantly decreased in all age groups. The purpose of this study is to investigate children’s motor skills by administering an adapted physical activity program for the development of coordination skills. The sample consisted of 28 children aged 8 to 12 years, 20 neurotypical children and 8 with ASD-HF. Data collection employed various methods, including a personal information form, a leisure time exercise questionnaire, a semi-structured interview, and the Harre Dexterity Circuit for assessing physical activity improvements. The results of the two-way analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) Tukey HSD test showed the differences between the specific groups, ASD-P vs. ASD-O (p < 0.001), ASD-O vs. AB-O (p < 0.001), ASD-O vs. AB-P (p < 0.001), ASD-O vs. AB-P (p = 0.136), ASD-P vs. AB-P (p < 0.0010, and AB-P vs. AB-O (p = 0.003). As result, both groups showed strong interest in practicing physical activity, and no statistical difference was found in doing so at home or in attendance, showing that physical activity practice is a tool for parent–child bonding and mutual enjoyment, emphasizing that the mixed approach yielded positive results in all participants. Full article

The proposed general theory of scientific variability for technological evolution explains one of the drivers of technological change for economic progress in human society. Variability is the predisposition of the elements in systems to assume different values over time and space. In biology, the variability is basic to explaining differences and development in organisms. In economics of technical change, the effects of variability within research fields on evolutionary dynamics of related technologies are unknown. In a broad analogy with the principles of biology, suggested theoretical framework here can clarify a basic driver of technological evolution: the variability within research fields can explain the dynamics of scientific development and technological evolution. The study sees whether statistical evidence supports the hypothesis that the rate of growth of scientific and technological fields can be explained by the level of variability within scientific fields. The validation is based on emerging research fields in quantum technologies: quantum imaging, quantum meteorology, quantum sensing, and quantum optics. Statistical evidence seems in general to support the hypothesis stated that the rate of growth can be explained by the level of scientific variability within research fields, measured with the relative entropy (indicating the dispersion of scientific topics in a research field underlying a specific technology). Nonparametric correlation with Spearman’s rho shows a positive coefficient of 0.80 between entropy measures and rates of growth between scientific and technological fields. The linear model of the relation between rate of growth and scientific variability reveals a coefficient of regression equal to 1.63 (R² = 0.60). The findings here suggest a general law that variability within research fields positively drives scientific development and technological evolution. In particular, a higher variability within research fields can support a high rate of growth in scientific development and technological evolution. The proposed general theory of scientific variability is especially relevant in turbulent environments of technology-based competition to clarify a basic determinant of technological development to design strategies of technological forecasting and management of promising innovations. Full article

The ability of bone biomaterials to promote osteogenic differentiation is crucial for the repair and regeneration of osseous tissue. The development of a temporary bone substitute is of major importance in enhancing the growth and differentiation of human-derived stem cells into an osteogenic lineage. In this study, nanocomposite hydrogels composed of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), bioactive glass (BG), and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were developed to create a bone biomaterial that mimics the structural and electrically conductive nature of bone that can promote the differentiation of human-derived stem cells. GelMA-BG-MWCNT nanocomposite hydrogels supported mesenchymal stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, hereinafter named iMSCs. Cell adhesion was improved upon coating nanocomposite hydrogels with fibronectin and was further enhanced when seeding pre-differentiated iMSCs. Osteogenic differentiation and mature mineralization were promoted in GelMA-BG-MWCNT nanocomposite hydrogels and were most evidently observed in the 70-30-2 hydrogels, which could be due to the stiff topography characteristic from the addition of MWCNT. Overall, the results of this study showed that GelMA-BG-MWCNT nanocomposite hydrogels coated with fibronectin possessed a favorable environment in which pre-differentiated iMSCs could better attach, proliferate, and further mature into an osteogenic lineage, which was crucial for the repair and regeneration of bone. Full article

Mycelium-based green composites (MBCs) represent an eco-friendly material innovation with vast potential across diverse applications. This paper provides a thorough review of the factors influencing the production and properties of MBCs, with a particular focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and long-term sustainability goals. It delves into critical aspects such as fungal species selection, substrate type selection, substrate preparation, optimal conditions, dehydrating methods, post-processing techniques, mold design, sterilization processes, cost comparison, key recommendations, and other necessary factors. Regarding fungal species selection, the paper highlights the significance of considering factors like mycelium species, decay type, hyphal network systems, growth rate, and bonding properties in ensuring the safety and suitability of MBCs fabrication. Substrate type selection is discussed, emphasizing the importance of chemical characteristics such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin content, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and the C: N ratio in determining mycelium growth and MBC properties. Substrate preparation methods, optimal growth conditions, and post-processing techniques are thoroughly examined, along with their impacts on MBCs quality and performance. Moreover, the paper discusses the importance of designing molds and implementing effective sterilization processes to ensure clean environments for mycelium growth. It also evaluates the costs associated with MBCs production compared to traditional materials, highlighting potential cost savings and economic advantages. Additionally, the paper provides key recommendations and precautions for improving MBC properties, including addressing fungal strain degeneration, encouraging research collaboration, establishing biosecurity protocols, ensuring regulatory compliance, optimizing storage conditions, implementing waste management practices, conducting life cycle assessments, and suggesting parameters for desirable MBC properties. Overall, this review offers valuable insights into the complex interplay of factors influencing MBCs production and provides guidance for optimizing processes to achieve sustainable, high-quality composites for diverse applications. Full article

Here, a comprehensive investigation was conducted under various operational strategies aimed at enhancing biohydrogen production via dark fermentation, with a specific focus on the lactate metabolic pathway, using powdered cheese whey as a substrate. Initially, a batch configuration was tested to determine both the maximum hydrogen yield (100.2 ± 4.2 NmL H₂/g COD_fed) and the substrate (total carbohydrates) consumption efficiency (94.4 ± 0.8%). Subsequently, a transition to continuous operation was made by testing five different operational phases: control (I), incorporation of an inert support medium for biomass fixation (II), addition of carbon-coated, zero-valent iron nanoparticles (CC-nZVI NPs) at 100 mg/L (III), and supplementation of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles at concentrations of 100 mg/L (IV) and 300 mg/L (V). The results emphasized the critical role of the support medium in stabilizing the continuous system. On the other hand, a remarkable increase of 10% in hydrogen productivity was observed with the addition of Fe₂O₃ NPs (300 mg/L). The analysis of the organic acids’ composition unveiled a positive correlation between high butyrate concentrations and improved volumetric hydrogen production rates (25 L H₂/L-d). Moreover, the presence of iron-based NPs effectively regulated the lactate concentration, maintaining it at low levels. Further exploration of the bacterial community dynamics revealed a mutually beneficial interaction between lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and hydrogen-producing bacteria (HPB) throughout the experimental process, with Prevotella, Clostridium, and Lactobacillus emerging as the predominant genera. In conclusion, this study highlighted the promising potential of nanoparticle addition as a tool for boosting biohydrogen productivity via lactate-driven dark fermentation. Full article

Alternaria alternata, as a main decay fungus of goji berry, can produce mycotoxins such as alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and tenuazonic acid (TeA). Carvacrol (CVR) has exhibited a broad-spectrum antifungal activity in vitro. We assumed that CVR can also be applied to control Alternaria rot on goji berries and mycotoxins produced by the pathogens. To investigate whether CVR impacts the accumulation of mycotoxins and cell membrane damage of A. alternata, the antifungal activity of CVR on the fungal growth and mycotoxin production was evaluated in this study. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CVR against A. alternata was 0.12 µL/mL. Meanwhile, the destruction of plasma membrane integrity, cytoplasmic leakage, intracellular oxidative damage, and inhibitory effect in vivo were also observed in A. alternata treated with CVR. Moreover, CVR significantly reduced the accumulation of AOH, AME, and TeA. Transcriptomic profiling was performed by means of comparative RNA-Seq analysis to research the gene expression level of A. alternata, which attested to significant changes in nitrogen metabolism, carbon utilization, fatty acid oxidation, and antioxidant enzymes in CVR-treated A. alternata. This study suggests a new understanding of the molecular mechanism of response to CVR treatment in A. alternata, indicating that CVR is a novel antifungal agent with the potential to be applied to various fungi. Full article

The fatigue performance of hard asphalt is an important factor that affects the service life of asphalt pavement. In order to comprehensively explore the influence of chemical components on the fatigue performance of hard asphalt, and to eliminate the chemical instability between the microstructure of asphalt from different oil sources, seven kinds of hard asphalt were designed and prepared with saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes (SARA) extracted from the same hard asphalt. Rheological, time sweep and linear amplitude sweep (LAS) tests were carried out to evaluate the fatigue properties. The results show that the complex modulus of asphalt binds increased rapidly with an increase of asphaltene and resins and that the colloidal structure was strengthened, which would increase the fatigue factor. In the time sweep test, the strength of the colloidal structure significantly affected the fatigue life, and the fatigue life was different under different test stresses. In the viscoelastic continuum damage (VECD) model, the cumulative damage was related to the modulus, while with the increase of asphaltene and resins, the fatigue life showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The linear regression analysis showed that the fatigue life of hard asphalt had a good correlation with strain sensitivity. This study investigated the applicability of different fatigue evaluation methods and revealed the influence of four components on the fatigue properties of hard asphalt. The results provide significant insights in the improvement of the fatigue performance of both hard asphalt and corresponding mixtures. Full article

To address the issues of low model accuracy caused by complex ground environments and uneven target scales and high computational complexity in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aerial infrared image target detection, this study proposes a lightweight UAV aerial infrared small target detection algorithm called PHSI-RTDETR. Initially, an improved backbone feature extraction network is designed using the lightweight RPConv-Block module proposed in this paper, which effectively captures small target features, significantly reducing the model complexity and computational burden while improving accuracy. Subsequently, the HiLo attention mechanism is combined with an intra-scale feature interaction module to form an AIFI-HiLo module, which is integrated into a hybrid encoder to enhance the focus of the model on dense targets, reducing the rates of missed and false detections. Moreover, the slimneck-SSFF architecture is introduced as the cross-scale feature fusion architecture of the model, utilizing GSConv and VoVGSCSP modules to enhance adaptability to infrared targets of various scales, producing more semantic information while reducing network computations. Finally, the original GIoU loss is replaced with the Inner-GIoU loss, which uses a scaling factor to control auxiliary bounding boxes to speed up convergence and improve detection accuracy for small targets. The experimental results show that, compared to RT-DETR, PHSI-RTDETR reduces model parameters by 30.55% and floating-point operations by 17.10%. Moreover, detection precision and speed are increased by 3.81% and 13.39%, respectively, and mAP50, impressively, reaches 82.58%, demonstrating the great potential of this model for drone infrared small target detection. Full article

Porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) infection is widespread worldwide and has a high prevalence in swine herds, especially in countries with intensive swine production. PCMV is zoonotic and can impact xenotransplants. It is the third swine virus known to be zoonotic, following swine influenza virus (influenza A) and hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEVgt3 or HEV-3). Wild boars, serving as reservoirs for various pathogens, including PCMV, pose a risk to both the pig industry and public health. This study aimed to investigate PCMV infection in Serbian wild boars using real-time PCR and assess other viral infections. We also tested samples for the presence of other viral infections: Aujeszky disease virus (ADV), Porcine parvovirus (PPV) and Porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRSV). Samples from 50 wild boars across 3 districts were tested. Results showed 8% positivity for PCMV DNA, with females showing higher infection rates. Porcine parvovirus (PPV) was detected in 56% of samples, while Porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) was absent. ADV was found in 18% of samples, primarily in younger animals. This research contributes to understanding PCMV prevalence in Serbian wild boars and emphasizes the importance of monitoring viral infections in wild populations, considering the potential zoonotic and economic implications. Full article

Grape marc spirits, such as the Greek tsipouro/tsikoudia, reflect the cultural heritage of winemaking traditions worldwide. This study explored the application of Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for its potential as a fast classification methodology for spirit characterization. ATR-FTIR spectra from thirty-nine products revealed distinctive bands corresponding to various chemical constituents, such as alcohols, organic acids, water, carbohydrates, and phenols. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed on all acquired ATR-FTIR data and 78.50% of the total variance in the data was explained. Also, partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), used for the classification of products based on their major geographic origin, gave a correct classification of 89.5% for the north and 83.3% for the south of Greece. Classification of the type of distillations used was with 74.36% accuracy. Significant markers were identified through analysis, such as those associated with the O-H bending vibrations of phenols or alcohols, contributing to the discrimination of grape marc spirits from Crete when compared with the other four main geographical origin designations. By combining ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with chemometrics, this research gave insights into the origins and compositional variations of the spirits, providing an opportunity for a quality control assessment tool. Full article

The management of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) still relies on traditional nematicides that threaten the environment and human health. Novel solutions are urgently needed for PPN pest management that are effective while safeguarding non-target organisms. Volatile phytochemicals belong to a structurally diverse group of bioactive metabolites that are believed to hold safer environmental characteristics than synthetic pesticides. Nonetheless, not many studies have analysed the potential environmental benefits of shifting to these novel bionematicides. In the present study, 20 phytochemical volatiles with reported nematicidal activity were compared to traditional pesticides using specific parameters of environmental and human health safety available on applied online databases and predicted in silico through specialised software. Overall, the reviewed nematicidal phytochemicals were reportedly less toxic than synthetic nematicides. They were predicted to disperse to the air and soil environmental compartments and were reported to have a lower toxicity on aquatic organisms. On the contrary, the synthetic nematicides were reportedly toxic to aquatic organisms while showing a predicted high affinity to the water environmental compartment. As alternatives, β-keto or fatty acid derivatives, e.g., aliphatic alcohols or ketones, showed more adequate properties. This study highlights the importance of complementing studies on nematicidal activity with a risk assessment-based analysis to allow for a faster selection of nematicidal phytochemical volatiles and to leverage the development and implementation of bionematicides. Full article

Background: Lynch syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition that leads to an increased risk of many neoplasms. In the United Kingdom, NICE recommends that patients with colorectal and endometrial cancer should be tested for Lynch syndrome. There is conflicting evidence in the literature on the link between breast cancer and Lynch syndrome. Case presentation: A 54-year-old woman presented with a lump in her right breast with a background of locally advanced colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome due to a MLH1 gene mutation. A core biopsy showed a grade 3, invasive, triple-negative NST carcinoma. The tumour was triple-negative with patchy positivity for CK14 and CK5/6. Simultaneously, a cystic skin lesion in the contralateral breast was noted, which comprised lesional cells with a proliferation of clear cells and bland basaloid cells. The lesion had evidence of sebaceous differentiation with AR, podoplanin and p63 positivity. MSH1 and PMS2 deficiency was found in the breast and skin lesions. Conclusions: In Lynch syndrome, it is vital to be aware of the increased risk of various types of cancer. This case adds to the body of evidence of the spectrum of malignancies that can be encountered in patients with Lynch syndrome. Full article

The evaluation of in vitro biological activity of several previously reported quinolinequinones (AQQ1–5) against 60 human cancer cell lines (NCI-60) used by the National Cancer Institute’s Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP) contributed to our earlier research on possible anticancer and/or antibacterial agents. Of interest, NCI-60 screening revealed that two quinolinequinones (AQQ1 and AQQ2) significantly reduced the proliferation of several cancer genotypes. Following the administration of a single dose and five additional doses, all quinolinequinones demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of leukemia and other cancer cell lines. Hence, a series of subsequent in vitro biological assessments were performed to further understand the mechanistic impact of the compounds. In MTT assays, it was found that AQQ1 and AQQ2 exhibited higher efficacy against DU-145 cells (IC₅₀ 4.18 µM and 4.17 µM, respectively) compared to MDA-MB-231 (IC₅₀ 8.27 and 13.33 µM, respectively) and HCT-116 cells (IC₅₀ 5.83 and 9.18 µM, respectively). Additionally, AQQ1 demonstrated greater activity in this context. Further investigations revealed that AQQ1 inhibited DU-145 cell growth and migration dose-dependently. Remarkably, arrest of the DU-145 cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and ROS elevation were observed. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies revealed that AQQ1 has better PK parameters than AQQ2 with %F of 9.83 in rat. Considering the data obtained with human liver microsomal stability studies, AQQ1 should have a better PK profile in human subjects. In silico studies (molecular dynamics) with three kinases (CDK2, CDK4, and MAPK) leading to cell cycle arrest at G₀/G₁ identified MAPK as a probable target for AQQ1. Taken together, our results showed that AQQ1 could be a potential chemotherapeutic lead molecule for prostate cancer. Full article

Tuberculosis (TB) is the top infectious killer in the world despite efforts to eliminate it. Pharmaceutical care roles are pillars of pharmacy practice, and pharmacists are well equipped to serve a unique role in the pathway to provide education about TB. Previous systematic reviews emphasize pharmacists’ role in treating TB; however, pharmacists can and do play much broader roles in overall TB elimination efforts. Five researchers searched five electronic databases (PubMed, PsychInfo, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, and Embase). Search terms included pharmacy, pharmacist, tuberculosis, antitubercular agents, supply, distribution, and drug therapy. Inclusion criteria were studies published from 2010 through March 2023, in English or Spanish, addressed a specific TB-related role for pharmacists/pharmacies, and were peer-reviewed. Exclusion criteria included pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical trials on drug efficacy, and editorials. Two researchers conducted each level of review; for discordance, a third researcher reviewed, and a decision was reached by consensus. Roles were extracted and cross-referenced with traditional pharmaceutical care steps. Of the initial 682 hits, 133 were duplicates. After further review, we excluded 514 records, leaving 37 articles for full extraction. We found nine roles for pharmacists in TB prevention and classified them as implemented, not implemented, or recommended. These roles were: (1) TB symptom screening; (2) Referring to TB care systems; (3) TB testing; (4) Dispensing TB medication correctly and/or directly observed therapy; (5) Counseling; (6) Looking to reduce socioeconomic barriers; (7) Procurement of TB medications; (8) Quality assurance of TB medications; (9) Maintaining and using pharmacy data systems. Pharmacists are well situated to play a vital role in the global fight against TB. Findings suggested pharmacists in many settings have already expanded their roles related to TB elimination beyond traditional pharmaceutical care. Still others need to increase the understanding of TB procurement and treatment, their power to improve TB care, and their contributions to data systems that serve population health. Pharmacy curricula should increase TB-related training to better equip future pharmacists to contribute to TB elimination. Full article