A comprehensive review on environmental pollutants and osteoporosis: Insights into molecular pathways.

A significant problem that has an impact on community wellbeing is environmental pollution. Environmental pollution due to air, water, or soil pollutants might pose a severe risk to global health, necessitating intense scientific effort. Osteoporosis is a common chronic condition with substantial clinical implications on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life. It is closely linked to bone fractures. Worldwide, osteoporosis affects around 200 million people, and every year, there are almost 9 million fractures. There is evidence that certain environmental factors may increase the risk of osteoporosis in addition to traditional risk factors. It is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms at play because there is a connection between osteoporosis and exposure to environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, air pollutants, endocrine disruptors, metal ions and trace elements. Hence, in this scoping review, we explore potential explanations for the link between pollutants and bone deterioration through deep insights into molecular pathways. Understanding and recognizing these pollutants as modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis would possibly help to enhance environmental policy thereby aiding in the improvement of bone health and improving patient quality of life.

Comparative genomic diversity analysis of copy number variations (CNV) in indicine and taurine cattle thriving in Europe and Indian subcontinent.

Copy number variations (CNVs) include deletions, duplications, and insertions that are larger than 50 bp in size causing structural variation responsible for diversity, adaptation, and breed development. Indian cattle breeds are highly diverse from the taurine breeds. The pattern of CNVRs in 191 animals belonging to 39 cattle breeds (four Indicine and 35 Taurine) was studied based on Illumina 777K BovineHD chip data. The Indicine breeds revealed 2590 CNVs and 335 copy number variation regions (CNVRs) in autosomes. Out of the identified CNVs, 50 were found to be novel. Structure analysis revealed admixed nature of Siri. Neighbor joining tree from CNVR data showed that hot (Kankrej and Hallikar) and cold (Ladakhi and Siri) adapted cattle breeds clustered separately. CNVR of Indian and European breeds revealed that Balkan and Italian breeds of Podolian group are admixed with Indian cattle breeds corroborating indicine introgression (6.1-13.5%). CNVRs spanning the regions of olfactory receptors and immune system genes were identified. AMOVA revealed 9% variation among populations which is 2% greater than SNP based studies showing higher inclusion of variation by CNVR. Detailed analysis of CNVs/CNVRs in Indian cattle adapted to hot and cold climate, and their diversity among worldwide cattle is presented in this study.

Effectiveness of Essential Pre-term Care Module on Knowledge and Skill among Nurses.

This quasi-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of essential pre-tern care module on knowledge- and skill among 60 nurses (30 each in study and 30 in control group) was conducted at Christian Fellowship Hospital, Oddanchatram. The samples were selected based on need assessment. Lecture with video show on Assessment ofpre-term infants, Care of preterm infants, Nurse focussed intervention, Transportation of pre-term infants, Prevention and treatment of minor ailments in pre-term infants. Lecture-cum-demonstration on Swaddling, Oro-motor stimulation, Tube feeding, Kangaroo Mother Care and Hand washing were given. The post-test knowledge and skill was assessed with structured questionnaire and observational checklist. The findings showed that post-test mean score of knowledge and skill in study group.was statistically signifcant atp<0.001 level. This showed that the essential preterm care module was effective in promoting knowledge and skill regarding essential preterm care among nurses.

Real-time ultrasound-guided mid-thoracic epidural access using a novel paramedian cross (PX) view and drip infusion technique: a brief technical report.

BACKGROUND: Real-time ultrasound guidance (USG) has been applied for lower thoracic epidural access, but the more challenging mid-thoracic epidural (MTE) access remains underexplored. This report presents a technique of real-time US guidance with a novel paramedian cross view, termed "the PX view," for securing MTE catheters, along with an outcome analysis from a retrospective case series. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent USG-MTE catheter placement with the PX view and drip infusion technique from January to December 2022 were reviewed. All catheters were placed with patients in the prone position under mild to moderate procedural sedation. The process of acquiring the PX view, in-plane needling technique, and the use of drip infusion to identify loss of resistance were detailed. The incidence of successful PX view attainment, the number of attempts, redirections, failures, and any technique-related complications were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients underwent USG-MTE catheter attempts, (42 with median sternotomy, 3 fractured ribs, 3 upper abdominal laparotomies, 2 modified radical mastectomies, and 1 thoracotomy). A satisfactory PX view was obtained in all patients, and the epidural space was identified during the first needle entry in 49 cases, resulting in a 96% first-attempt success rate. Seven patients required needle redirections, while two patients needed a second needle entry. No technique-related complications were documented. CONCLUSION: The combination of the PX view and the drip infusion method proved effective for real-time ultrasound-guided MTE catheter placement.

Rhodamine B, an organic environmental pollutant induces reproductive toxicity in parental and teratogenicity in F1 generation in vivo.

This study investigated the reproductive toxicity of rhodamine B in zebrafish and its transgenerational effects on the F1 generation. In silico toxicity predictions revealed high toxicity of rhodamine B, mainly targeting pathways associated with the reproductive and endocrine systems. In vivo experiments on zebrafish demonstrated that rhodamine B exposure at a concentration of 1.5 mg/L led to significant impairments in fecundity parameters, particularly affecting females. Histopathological analysis revealed distinct changes in reproductive organs, further confirming the reproductive toxicity of rhodamine B, with females being more susceptible than males. Gene expression studies indicated significant suppression of genes crucial for ovulation in rhodamine B-treated female fish, highlighting hormonal imbalance as a potential mechanism of reproductive toxicity. Furthermore, bioaccumulation studies showed the presence of rhodamine B in both adult fish gonads and F1 generation samples, suggesting transgenerational transfer of the dye. Embryotoxicity studies on F1 generation larvae demonstrated reduced survival rates, lower hatching rates, and increased malformations in groups exposed to rhodamine B. Moreover, rhodamine B induced oxidative stress in F1 generation larvae, as evidenced by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and altered antioxidant enzyme activity. Neurotoxicity assessments revealed reduced acetylcholinesterase activity, indicating potential neurological impairments in F1 generation larvae. Additionally, locomotory defects and skeletal abnormalities were observed in F1 generation larvae exposed to rhodamine B. This study provides comprehensive evidence of the reproductive toxicity of rhodamine B in adult zebrafish and its transgenerational effects on the F1 generation.

Genome-wide association study revealed suggestive QTLs for production and reproduction traits in Indian Murrah buffalo.

The present study was aimed to identify the genome-wide SNPs associated with production and reproduction traits in 96 Indian Murrah buffalo genotyped based on ddRAD approach using Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) along with phenotypes of contemporary animals using mixed linear model for production and reproduction traits. A total of 27,735 SNPs identified using ddRAD approach in 96 Indian Murrah buffaloes were used for GWAS. A total of 28 SNPs were found to be associated with production and reproductive traits. Among these, 14 SNPs were present in the intronic region of AK5, BACH2, DIRC2, ECPAS, MPZL1, MYO16, QRFPR, RASGRF1, SLC9A4, TANC1, and TRIM67 genes and one SNP in long non-coding region of LOC102414911. Out of these 28 SNPs, 9 SNPs were found to have pleiotropic effect over milk production traits and were present in chromosome number BBU 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 19, and 20. SNPs in the intronic region of AK5, TRIM67 genes were found to be associated with milk production traits. Eleven and five SNPs in the intergenic region were associated with milk production and reproduction traits respectively. The above genomic information may be used for selection of Murrah animals for genetic improvement.

64 slice computed tomography-a novel diagnostic method for evaluation of patients after coronary artery bypass grafts.

OBJECTIVE: Multislice computed tomography (CT) is widely used in analysing the native coronary arteries. The usefulness of 64 slice CT in patients with coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) is analysed in the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients (59 [92%] males and 6 [8%] females with the mean age of 59 ± 9.1 years) underwent 64 slice CT and a total of 186 bypass grafts (62 arterial and 124 venous grafts) were analysed using 64 slice CT. Bypass grafts and native vessels with the diameter of >1.5 mm were evaluated for the presence of significant stenosis of >70%. In all patients invasive coronary angiogram was done. RESULTS: On the whole 43 venous grafts and 3 arterial grafts were found to be occluded. Majority of the grafts were occluded at the ostium. It was observed that the 64 slice CT was 90% sensitive and 96% specific for the evaluation of bypass grafts. It had 95% positive predictive value and 93% negative predictive value for predicting the luminal narrowing of grafts. For the assessment of arterial graft, it was 80% sensitive, 100% specific with a positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 93%. For the evaluation of venous grafts, the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value were 94%, 94%, 93%, and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the 64 slice CT is a highly reliable diagnostic tool with a very high negative predictive value for evaluating patients following CABG.

Genetic sequencing of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 isolates from South India, collected between 2011 and 2015 to detect mutations affecting virulence and resistance to oseltamivir.

Background: Influenza A viruses evolve continuously and the two surface antigens, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) have been the target proteins for research as they are vital components in determining the virulence, immune effectiveness, pathogenicity, transmission and resistance. Methods: Both HA and NA (partial genes) of 45 pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 isolates were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed with reference to representative global isolates retrieved from Influenza Virus Resource (IVR), GISAID EpiFluTM and GenBank and evolutionary analyses. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences were aligned using ClustalW/ Clustal Omega/MEGA version 6 with reference to vaccine strain (A/California/07/2009). Results: All the isolates clustered along with the clade 7 virus, irrespective of the year of isolation. The study isolates exhibited 98.5% and 98.8% nucleotide homology to the reference strain A/California/07/2009(H1N1) for HA and NA, respectively. Overall, there was limited genetic diversity observed over a period of 3 years (2012-2015). Two samples collected from expired patients had D239N (D222G or D225G) mutation in HA. This mutation which is associated with dual-binding specificity of the virus has been well-correlated with severe disease outcomes. All the study isolates possessed H274 residue and 7 strains had N295S, the next most common mutation found in oseltamivir-resistant variants. Conclusion: In this study, although H274Y mutation associated with oseltamivir resistance has not been noted, significant mutations have been noted in both HA and NA genes including D239N, N295S, V106I, Q136K, N248D, V267A. In both HA and NA gene analysis, multiple mutations were found more in 2015 strains when compared to 2012 strains. Hence such accumulation of mutations has to be monitored continuously to determine the efficacy of annual flu vaccines and anti-influenza drugs.