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The efficient valorization of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) into high-value platform chemicals such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and furfural offers a sustainable alternative to fossil-based resources. In this study, we report the design and application of efficiently recyclable, silica-supported imidazolium-based acidic ionic liquid (IL) heterogeneous catalysts for the conversion of real, extracted cellulose and hemicellulose derived from wheat straw, rice husk and bagasse. The synthesized catalysts were extensively characterized using FTIR, XRD, TGA, BET and their Brønsted acidity was quantified. Catalytic activity was optimized by evaluating key reaction parameters, including catalyst loading, time, and temperature. Under mild operational conditions (80 °C for cellulose and 120 °C for hemicellulose), high yields of 5-HMF (91%) and furfural (86%) were achieved. The catalysts also demonstrated excellent recyclability over five consecutive reaction cycles without significant loss in activity. This study offers a scalable and environmentally benign approach for biomass valorization, highlighting the potential for industrial implementation.

Citrinin (CIT) is a mycotoxin produced by different species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Monascus. CIT can contaminate a wide range of foods and feeds at any time during the pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest stages. CIT can be usually found in beans, fruits, fruit and vegetable juices, herbs and spices, and dairy products, as well as red mold rice. CIT exerts nephrotoxic and genotoxic effects in both humans and animals, thereby raising concerns regarding the consumption of CIT-contaminated food and feed. Hence, to minimize the risk of CIT contamination in food and feed, understanding the incidence of CIT occurrence, its sources, and biosynthetic pathways could assist in the effective implementation of detection and mitigation measures. Therefore, this review aims to shed light on sources of CIT, its prevalence in food and feed, biosynthetic pathways, and genes involved, with a major focus on detection and management strategies to ensure the safety and security of food and feed.

A transportation problem (TP) is built on the framework of supply-demand and cost parameters which are uncertain in nature. Neutrosophic numbers are capable of handling incomplete information. This paper introduces a new solution approach to optimize TPs with neutrosophic parameters based on a new ranking function. This function utilizes the attitudinal character of a basic unit-interval monotonic function inspired from the domain of continuous ordered weighted average operators. Ranking rules are established followed by defining a neutrosophic transportation problem. A solution methodology followed by solved numerical illustrates the efficiency of the proposed method. Conclusion and future directions summarize the work.

Sustainability has recently grown to be a primary focus for transport planning and policies in both developing and developed nations. The paper focuses on the sustainability of a multiobjective linear fractional fixed charge transportation model that utilizes trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers to define all the variables and parameters. A novel approach, which has three stages, is presented based on the amalgamation of fuzzy AHP and goal programming techniques. The first stage streamlines the proposed model by employing arithmetic operations for trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, thus converting the fuzzy constraints into crisp ones. In stage two, the model undergoes further transformation into a linear optimization model by utilizing the goal programming approach and linearization technique. The third stage describes how the weights are derived using fuzzy AHP, which are then assigned to objectives. To support the proposed methodology, an application in the sugar mill industry has been illustrated by designing a sustainable transport infrastructure. The solution of the obtained model is computed using easily accessible software. A comparison is drawn between the proposed and existing techniques, and it is concluded that the proposed methodology gives the minimum transportation cost compared to the existing methods.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Patient disposition following TBI has been shown to interact with factors such as age, sex, and injury severity to impact clinical outcomes. Discharge home is associated with better functional outcomes and lower mortality, while discharge to rehabilitation or long-term care facilities is linked to greater injury severity, older age, and higher comorbidity burden. The aim of this study was to further correlate clinical outcomes with discharge dispositions in patients with severe TBI. Methods: This is a retrospective study (2020–2023) of dispositions in patients with severe TBI with AIS (head) ≥ 3. We investigated the relationship between patient disposition and a range of clinical variables, using both parametric (ANOVA) and non-parametric (Kruskal–Wallis, Wilcoxon, Van der Waerden, Savage, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, and Cramer–von Mises) statistical tests. Variables significant in univariate analysis were entered into a multinomial logistic regression model, with discharge home as the reference group. Results: In a cohort of 824 patients, 25.1% were female (n = 207) and 74.9% were male (n = 617). The mean age was 64.1 years for females and 48.9 years for males. Those admitted for severe TBI were included in our analysis. Most patients were discharged home (52.8%), followed by death (12.4%), inpatient rehab (5.1%), and home with services (5.6%). Significant associations were found between disposition and sex, with both males and females most likely to be discharged home (p = 0.0174), as well as between disposition and injury type (p = 0.0186). Disposition was significantly associated with most major clinical variables: hospital length of stay (HLOS), vent days, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and Injury Severity Score (ISS), with p-values < 0.0001 for ANOVA and non-parametric tests. Longer HLOS and ICULOS were associated with discharge to skilled nursing facilities (SNF) most frequently. Days on mechanical ventilation correlated most strongly with discharge to SNF. Lower GCS scores and higher AIS and ISS scores were linked to death or brain death. Prolonged EDLOS was predominantly associated with psychiatric admissions. Higher levels of ETOH were associated with discharge to police custody, followed by homelessness. Conclusions: Our study supports existing evidence that discharge disposition following severe TBI is influenced by several factors, such as injury severity, age, sex, and clinical variables, such as length of stay and ventilator days.

Objective: Potassium levels (KLs) influence clinical outcomes in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study investigates the relationship between KLs and clinical outcomes to improve prognosis and guide management. Method: A retrospective study was conducted at a level 1 trauma center in Queens, New York, from January 2020 to December 2023. Patients with an AIS score of 3 or higher were included. KLs were measured at the time of hospital admission, ICU admission, ICU discharge, hospital discharge, and death, if applicable. Clinical outcomes such as age, race, length of hospital stay (H LOS), ICU length of stay (ICU LOS), ventilation days (VDs), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and mortality were assessed. Results: KLs were categorized into five groups: extreme hypokalemia (<2.5 mEq/L), hypokalemia (2.6–3.5 mEq/L), normokalemia (3.5–5.2 mEq/L), hyperkalemia (5.2–7.0 mEq/L), and extreme hyperkalemia (>7.0 mEq/L). Significant correlations were observed between KLs at hospital admission and age (p = 0.0113), race (p = 0.003), and H LOS (p = 0.079). ICU KLs showed positive correlations with AIS head score (p = 0.038), ISS (p = 7.84 × 10−6), and GCS (p = 2.6 × 10−6). ICU KLs were also associated with LOS in the Emergency Department (ED) (p = 6.875 × 10−6) and ICU (p = 1.34 × 10−21), as well as VDs (p = 7.19 × 10−7). ICU discharge KLs correlated with ISS (p = 2.316 × 10−3), GCS (p = 2.201 × 10−3), ED LOS (p = 3.163 × 10−4), and VDs (p = 7.44 × 10−4). KLs at discharge were linked with mortality (p < 0.0001) and H LOS (p = 0.0091). Additionally, KLs at the time of death were correlated with ISS (p = 0.01965), GCS (p = 0.01219), ED LOS (p = 0.00594), ICU LOS (p = 0.049), VDs (p = 0.00005), and mortality (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Potassium imbalances, especially hypokalemia, significantly affect outcomes in severe TBI patients. Monitoring and managing KLs may improve prognosis.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignant primary brain tumor categorized as a Grade 4 astrocytic glioma by the World Health Organization (WHO). Some of the established risk factors of GBM include inherited genetic syndromes, body mass index, alcohol consumption, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and therapeutic ionizing radiation. Vascular anomalies, including local and peripheral thrombosis, are common features of GBM. Podoplanin (PDPN), a ligand of the C-type lectin receptor (CLEC-2), promotes platelet activation, aggregation, venous thromboembolism (VTE), lymphatic vessel formation, and tumor metastasis in GBM patients. It is regulated by Prox1 and is expressed in developing and adult mammalian brains. It was initially identified on lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) as the E11 antigen and on fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) of lymphoid organs and thymic epithelial cells as gp38. In recent research studies, its expression has been linked with prognosis in GBM. PDPN-expressing cancer cells are highly pernicious, with a mutant aptitude to form stem cells. Such cells, on colocalization to the surrounding tissues, transition from epithelial to mesenchymal cells, contributing to the malignant carcinogenesis of GBM. PDPN can be used as an independent prognostic factor in GBM, and this review provides strong preclinical and clinical evidence supporting these claims.

Background: Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a leading cause of mortality and long-term morbidity, particularly in high-acuity trauma settings. We aim to evaluate the clinical, physiologic, and socioeconomic factors associated with outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at a single urban Level 1 trauma center. Method: This is a single-center, retrospective study of patients presenting with severe TBI between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2023 at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, New York. Patients were identified using ICD trauma codes and an Abbreviated Injury Severity (AIS) Head score of ≥3. Demographic data, injury characteristics, vital signs, airway interventions, alcohol level, and insurance status were analyzed. Result: A total of 1130 patients met the inclusion criteria. The cohort was predominantly male (76.1%) with a mean age of 52.7 years. Blunt trauma accounted for 97.8% of cases, with a mortality rate of 13.8%, while penetrating trauma comprised 2.2%, with a markedly higher mortality rate of 48%. Patients who died as full code had lower mean systolic blood pressure (82.5 mmHg), oxygen saturation (63%), and shorter emergency department stays (~3.7 h). The mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 12.6, dropping to 6.0 in patients who died. Moreover, higher AIS Head and Injury Severity Score (ISS) values were correlated with worse outcomes. Severely intoxicated patients had higher TBI incidence, with no clear difference observed when compared to normal BAC levels. Self-pay patients exhibited the highest mortality (40%). All associations were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Severe TBI outcomes are significantly influenced by injury mechanisms, physiologic parameters, and socioeconomic status. These findings emphasize the need for targeted prognostic tools and improved trauma system preparedness for TBI patients at risk of poor outcomes.

The present research aimed to evaluate the effect of microwave-assisted conventional drying (hybrid drying) on the physico-chemical and functional characteristics of formulated instant banana-milk powders (IBSPs), and organoleptic attributes of banana-milk shakes during storage. The instant powders were prepared from ripe (IBSP1 (control) and IBSP2) and overripe (IBSP3) bananas using hot-air drying (control) and hybrid (microwave assisted hot-air) drying. The water holding capacity, water solubility index, and viscosity of fresh samples, IBSP1, IBSP2, and IBSP3 were 1.97, 1.53 and 0.60 g/g dry sample, 69.48, 75.21 and 76.62 g/mL and 82.29, 86.29 and 72.55 mPas, respectively. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in moisture content, water activity (aw), acidity, and non-enzymatic browning was observed in all the variants/samples during storage. Among various treatments, the shakes prepared by reconstitution (IBSP: water ratio, 1:4) of IBSP2 formulation rated highest organoleptically (significant, p < 0.05).

Objectives: Albumin levels (ALBs) influence clinical outcomes in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study investigates the relationship between ALBs and clinical outcomes to improve prognosis and guide management. Method: This is a single-center, retrospective study of patients with severe TBI from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023. ALBs were measured at the following times: Hospital admission (TA), ICU admission (RL1), ICU discharge (RL2), hospital discharge (HD), and patient death (PD) if applicable. Patient descriptors and clinical outcomes such as gender, age, race, hospital length of stay (HLOS), ICU length of stay (ICU LOS), ventilation days (VD), the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the Injury Severity Score (ISS), and mortality were assessed. Results: ALBs were grouped into the following categories: extreme hyperalbuminemia (≥5.5 g/dL), hyperalbuminemia (4.7–5.4 g/dL), normal albuminemia (3.5–4.7 g/dL), hypoalbuminemia (2.5–3.5 g/dL), and extreme hypoalbuminemia (<2.5 g/dL). Among 925 severe-TBI patients (76% male; mean age = 53 y), admission albumin was normal (3.5–4.7 g dL−1) in 65.0%, hypoalbuminemic (<3.5 g dL−1) in 25.2%, and hyperalbuminemic (>4.7 g dL−1) in 9.4%. By ICU discharge, albumin shifted upward: extreme hyperalbuminemia (≥5.5 g dL−1) 62.6%, hyperalbuminemia 15.8%, normoalbuminemia 20.4%, and hypoalbuminemia ≤ 1.3%. In-hospital mortality was 12.7% (117/925) and did not vary by either the admission or discharge albumin category (χ2 = 3.47, p = 0.32). The median hospital length of stay was 5 d (IQR ≈ 11 d). ICU stay was 1.3 d, and ventilator use was 0 d; none differed significantly across albumin strata (all Kruskal–Wallis p > 0.10). Conclusions: Although serum ALBs changed substantially during acute care with shifting from frequent hypoalbuminemia on admission to predominant hyperalbuminemia at ICU discharge, albumin concentration was not independently associated with mortality or resource utilization. In modern neuro-critical practice, where protein deficits are rapidly corrected, albumin serves mainly as a therapeutic target rather than a stand-alone prognostic marker in severe TBI.