Israel Ogwuche Ogra

The mean total nitrogen content in vermicomposts based on cow manure, a mixture of willow–poplar leaf litter, and mown grass amounted to 1.92, 1.64, and 2.15%, respectively. The increase in total nitrogen content during vermicomposting of cow manure and leaf litter was 39% and 50%, respectively. During vermicomposting of mown grass, the total nitrogen content decreased by 26%. The actual activity of Azotobacter bacteria was highest in vermicomposts based on mown grass (98%). For vermicomposts based on leaf litter, this indicator was 85%, while manure‑based vermicompost was 70%. Vermicomposts obtained from mown grass surpassed other variants in the content of ammonifiers (10 ¹⁰ CFU/g), nitrifiers (6×10 ⁶ cells/g), and inorganic nitrogen utilizers (1.4×10 ¹⁰ CFU/g). A very strong positive correlation (r = 0.9999) was established between the total nitrogen content and the content of ammonifiers in vermicomposts. The balance of total nitrogen content (percentage difference between nitrogen content in vermicomposts and initial mixtures) correlated negatively with the content of inorganic nitrogen utilizers in vermicomposts (r = –0.97).

The escalating threat of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin-based therapies necessitates accelerated drug development. Drug repurposing offers a promising pathway to bypass the extensive time and cost of de novo discovery. This study conducted a systematic analysis of the top 51 most cited original research articles in malaria drug repurposing identified from the Scopus database. Data on methodologies, drug candidates, targets, and outcomes were extracted and synthesized. The analysis reveals a field dominated by computational approaches, with molecular docking (AutoDock Vina) and virtual screening serving as primary filters for identifying candidates from FDA-approved libraries. These methods are increasingly integrated with advanced techniques like machine learning for synergy prediction and transcriptomics-guided discovery. The repurposing landscape has identified promising antimalarial activity in diverse drug classes, including anticancer agents (methotrexate, lapatinib), antivirals (lopinavir, ritonavir), and immunosuppressants (everolimus). Key validated targets include the proteasome, PfHT1 glucose transporter, and various parasite enzymes. Candidates such as alisporivir, bazedoxifene, and nitrofurantoin have demonstrated efficacy in in vitro and in vivo models, often showing synergistic potential when combined with standard antimalarials. The convergence of computational power and biological insight has generated a rich pipeline of repurposable candidates. A quantitative analysis revealed molecular docking as the most frequent (31.4% of studies) and successful strategy, though in vivo preclinical evaluation yielded the highest validation score. Future success hinges on rigorous experimental validation, lead optimization, and advancing the most promising agents into clinical trials to address the urgent need for novel antimalarial therapies.

Phytomonas species are parasites that affect economically important plants, thereby constituting significant economic loss and a threat to food security. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on Phytomonas literature to assess the current state, focal points, and trends of research, aimed at offering a comprehensive overview of Phytomonas research development and providing future research directions in the area. The study examined 234 documents indexed in the Scopus database covering the period from 1938 to 2023. The years 1995 and 2000 were found to have the highest research output on Phytomonas , with 13 publications each. This could be linked to scientific advancements in molecular techniques, the growing awareness of biodiversity, and increased interest in the ecological roles of these parasitic organisms around this period. Brazil emerged as the leading contributor to Phytomonas research, with the “Journal of Protozoology” emerging as the source with the highest publications and impact. “Dollet M” and “Camargo EP” stood out as the most prolific and impactful authors in Phytomonas research, respectively. Paucity of research on Phytomonas from Australia, Africa, and Asia was revealed by the study, necessitating further deliberate actions from these regions. Notably, subjects such as “ Phytomonas serpens ” and “phylogeny” garnered considerable attention, highlighting critical research areas within the field. Furthermore, “antiprotozoal activity” emerged as the latest trending topic in the field, reflecting a shift toward addressing the lack of specialized treatments and robust chemical control strategies. These results offer valuable insights into the trajectory of Phytomonas research and provide researchers with useful guidance for future exploration of this domain.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a receptor-negative profile and poor prognosis. It mostly affects young