Molecular Functions and Potential Utilization of Zinc Finger Proteins in Protozoan Parasites

Zinc finger proteins (ZFP) are metalloproteins whose zinc atom interacts with side chains of specific histidines and cysteines of the zinc finger motif, generating functional three dimensional structures. A good number of these proteins from different species are similar while others are divergent in structure and function. Existing literature on the structural features, functions of these proteins and their potential to be targeted for drug development or used as molecular tools in parasitic protozoa was explored. Evidence from reviewed articles revealed that, just like in other eukaryotes, these proteins function in various parasite cellular processes such as: transcription, RNA editing, mRNA processing & export and, mRNA turn-over among others. Some of them had the same structural features and function as their homologues in other eukaryotes including their hosts. However, there were others which had divergent structure and function. Some studies on drug development aiming at replacing the zinc atom reported positive results in some parasites such as Giardia lamblia, Trichomonas vaginalis and Leishmania donovani among others. However, though this is promising, the off- target challenge that can cause side effects, must be solved before wide application can be achieved. Successful engineering of these proteins and their use in genome editing was also reported in Plasmodium falciparum. Since zinc finger nucleases are a powerful research and medical tool, repurposing of the divergent ZFPs can be useful in the drug target and therapy discovery. For this to succeed, more knowledge on the specific functions of more parasite ZFPs and how their functions are regulated is needed

The Possibilities of Finding a Cure for HIV: A Literature Review

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major worldwide health concern, affecting millions of people globally, and when untreated progresses into acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). With the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV infection is defined as a manageable, but not curable, chronic health condition. ART inhibits viral replication and prevents HIV transmission but does not eliminate the virus due to viral latency in memory T cells, exacerbated by the rise in drug resistant mutations (DRMs), so lifelong treatment and monitoring is required. In this review, we discuss the justifications and research approaches towards finding a “cure” for HIV i.e. complete elimination or control of the virus without the need for further treatment. The two main barriers to developing a cure for HIV infection are the property of HIV viral latency and high mutation rate of the virus.  A few cases of HIV have been cured through bone marrow transplants to treat acute myeloid leukaemia, where the donors had rare mutations in the CCR5 gene, required for viral entry.  More viable approaches to a cure include the “Shock and Kill” method which aims to use reverse viral latency allowing these cells to be detected and destroyed with ART,  and the “Block and Lock” method aims to block viral transcription in HIV-infected latent cells, preventing a rebound viral replication after the cessation of ART.  The possibility of vaccination has been widely explored, but an effective HIV vaccine has yet to be developed after more than 40 years of the pandemic.  Currently, the “Block and Lock” approaches appear to be the most favourable, possibly in conjunction with other recently developed interventions such as passive immunisation with broadly neutralizing antibodies.  However, approaches taken to develop a cure for HIV cannot be detached from ethical concerns which need to be acknowledged and navigated

Detection of Tetrachlorobutadiene Isomers Using Density Functional Theory Methods: A Comparative Study of Hartree-Fock and Density Functional Theory Analysis

The study aims to build upon previous research by incorporating Density Functional Theory (DFT), specifically using the B3LYP functional, to improve the computational methodology for analyzing chlorobutadiene (TCBD) compounds. DFT is chosen for its ability to account for electron correlation effects beyond the mean-field approximation, a limitation found in earlier approaches such as the Hartree-Fock (HF) method. By incorporating electron correlation, DFT provides a more accurate description of molecular properties, making it highly suitable for analyzing complex molecular structures like those found in chlorobutadienes. The methodology adopted in the study comprises four key steps. First, the molecular structure of each isomer was created. Next, the geometry of the isomers was optimized using DFT methods to ensure the most stable configurations for further analysis. The third step involved computing the vibrational frequencies of the molecules using the B3LYP functional, with different basis sets applied depending on the isomer under study. Finally, the simulated infrared (IR) spectra generated through DFT were compared with existing data from the literature to validate the findings and assess the accuracy of the computational model. The study focuses on nine different Tetrachlorobutadiene (TCBD) isomers, each with unique configurations of hydrogen and chlorine atoms. These structures were visualized using Molden software, and the IR spectra for each isomer were obtained using DFT, specifically the B3LYP and B3LYP-D3BJ functionals. The analysis of the IR spectra revealed characteristic peaks corresponding to various functional groups within the TCBD molecules. Notable vibrational modes include C-Cl stretching, C=C stretching and bending, and C-H stretching and bending, which are essential in identifying the chemical composition of the isomers. A comparative analysis was conducted between DFT and the previously employed Hartree-Fock (HF) method

Antibacterial Properties of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Green Chillie as Reducing Agent

The study is on the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and to determine its antibacterial properties as zinc oxide has characteristic physical and chemical properties. The reducing agent green chillie is used to prepare zinc oxide nanoparticles by eco-friendly methods at room temperature.  Characterization studies indicated the ZnO nanoparticles were in the range of 67 to 92nm. SEM analysis indicated spherical and cylindrical shaped nanoparticles.  Reducing and stabilization characteristics were identified by the presence of functional groups through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. Color change established the synthesis of nanoparticles using the reducing agent of green chili extract. Antibacterial characteristics of the prepared nanoparticles were determined by measuring the zone of inhibition, and good results were obtained

Clarifying the Distinction Between Review Articles and Survey Research

Extensive Reviews continues to receive numerous submissions that fall outside its publication scope, particularly in the form of survey research, case studies, and other empirical formats submitted as review articles. As the managing editor, I have observed that many authors misunderstand the fundamental differences between a review article and a survey article. This editorial seeks to clarify the conceptual and methodological distinctions between review articles and survey research, and to restate the journal’s scope for acceptable submissions. I intend to help authors better understand what constitutes a review article and encourage contributions that align with the journal’s scope, namely, the publication of in-depth, critical, and literature-based scholarly reviews. Clear understanding of article types not only supports the integrity of the journal but also enhances the efficiency of the peer review process. I hope this clarification will improve submission quality and promote a better understanding of article types within academic publishing

Expanding the Disciplinary Scope of AJGR: Welcoming Mentored Student Research from All Academic Fields

The Advanced Journal of Graduate Research (AJGR) was established as a specific journal for publishing mentored research conducted by bachelor’s and master’s degree students, with a focus primarily on science and allied disciplines. As student research across academic domains continues to grow in quality and scope, AJGR is expanding its scope to include all disciplines. This editorial outlines the rationale behind the decision, the submission expectations, and the continued emphasis on research mentorship, ethical publishing, and process improvements. The journal invites submissions from all academic fields, provided the research was carried out under an officially assigned supervisor as part of a formal academic research course

Policy Implementation Lag in Workplace Mental Health: An Analysis of Awareness-Action Disparity

Mental health in the workplace has gained significant recognition, yet a substantial gap persists between acknowledging its importance and implementing comprehensive support systems across various industries. This manuscript aims to elucidate the factors contributing to this discrepancy and propose strategies for bridging the gap. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of professionals (n=50) across multiple sectors, including healthcare, finance, and technology, to assess workplace mental health prioritisation. Our findings reveal that while 90.9% of respondents consider workplace mental health prioritisation very important, only 39.4% report having mental health policies in their workplaces. Key barriers identified include stigma (39.4%), fear of job loss (33.3%), and privacy concerns (33.3%). Specific challenges were noted, with healthcare professionals reporting high stress levels despite good mental health knowledge. We propose a framework for transitioning from acknowledgement to action, emphasizing organizational culture change, leadership commitment, and tailored interventions. Recommendations include implementing regular mental health discussions, as 51.5% of respondents reported only occasional or rare workplace mental health promotion. This research contributes to the literature on workplace mental health and provides actionable strategies for organizations to enhance employee well-being and organizational success across diverse industries

Evaluation of Acrylic Resin Surface Wettability Impregnated with Antifungal Agent

Denture stomatitis and other fungal infections have increased the demand for developing modified denture base materials by incorporating active pharmaceuticals to minimize these problems. Fluconazole is one of the frequently used medications to treat fungal infections particularly those caused by Candida Albicans which have been incorporated with acrylic resin denture base material. Surface wettability play a significant role in the success of this mechanism. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of fluconazole incorporation with acrylic resin (polymethylmethacrylate) on surface hydrophilicity of the denture base material.  Two groups of specimens were prepared and tested in this study, control and fluconazole-loaded, with 8 specimens for each group. The experimental group specimens were loaded with 10% fluconazole of powder-polymer ratio during the mixing stage of specimens’ preparation. All specimens were submitted to water contact angle measurements. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in surface hydrophilicity of the acrylic resin between the groups. Fluconazole impregnation to acrylic resin did not affect the surface hydrophilicity of the denture base material

Knowledge and Awareness of Glaucoma and Their Associated Eye Care Practices in 3 Areas With Different Tiers in Khartoum State 2020-2021: A Cross-Sectional Study

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most prevalent type of glaucoma in Africa, in which the patient is usually asymptomatic early in the disease course; so early presentation is the only way to prevent blindness progression. This study is a community-based cross-sectional study in 3 different socioeconomic areas in Khartoum state among adults who were selected using systemic random sampling inside the area. Data were collected using an interviewing questionnaire after obtaining ethical approval from the Department of Community Medicine- University of Khartoum and a sample of 384 was collected. The overall level of awareness was 62%, which differed significantly with: tier-level, educational level, diagnosis of refractive error, use of medical eyeglasses, family history of blindness, and attendance history of eye care services. The main source of knowledge and awareness of Glaucoma was the local community (57%) followed by ophthalmologists (23%). Among the aware population, the second socioeconomic area residents possessed higher knowledge of glaucoma than those in the first area (P=0.032). Ophthalmologists as a source of knowledge are associated positively with higher knowledge. Attendance of eye care services is associated positively with a family history of blindness and a university degree. The awareness of glaucoma is low in low socioeconomic area compared to the middle and high socioeconomic areas. Middle socioeconomic area residents possessed higher knowledge than the highest socioeconomic area. The high awareness in the population was not translated into good knowledge in most of the population so health education is recommended

Synthesis and Characterization of Tellurium Microtubes

Tellurium (Te) is a potential material for multiple applications due to its distinct features, including its anisotropic crystal structure and narrow bandgap energy. In this work, we use the chemical vapor transport reaction (CVT) method to synthesize tellurium microtubes (Te MTs) with hexagonal and rectangular cross-sections. The structure and composition of the Te MTs were analyzed using characterization methods such as, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Furthermore, computational techniques such as density functional theory (DFT) computations were utilized to examine the electronic and the optical properties of bulk Te