Exploring allelochemicals for cleaner and sustainable agriculture: A bibliometric review on research trends, challenges and future prospective.

Allelopathic research is not getting the intended consideration because of the complexities involved in their isolation, identification, understanding their modes of action, interactions with other environmental factors, impacts on non-target organisms and exploration of their utility in diverse fields. Additionally, their variability and trace availability have presented hurdles in establishing future research utilities and their field applications. Exploring the historical context of allelopathic research is essential for obtaining a more profound understanding of the progression in this research domain and to identify the research gaps and potential future prospectives. Therefore, the current bibliometric review aims to examine the research advancements, trends, hotspots, research gaps and to identify future prospectives in allelopathic research. A Scopus database search was carried out to collect the bibliometric data using the combination of multiple search strings in advance search option. The outcomes of this study revealed a total of 5427 published articles, with an average of 19.12 citations per article. Despite the increasing trend in research and publications on allelopathy/allelochemicals over the last decade, the majority of allelopathic research remains focused on investigating novel allelochemicals and their potential for weed management. Other crucial considerations like their phytotoxicity and ecotoxicity, selectivity for crop growth, interactions with herbicides and their derivatives, biochemical signalling, identification of germplasm in allelopathic plants, inducing allelopathic trait into enhanced cultivars, their ultimate fate in the open environment are sparsely investigated. It is anticipated that this review will draw greater attention to some overlooked domains within allelopathic research.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chemoradiation-induced lung damage: Mechanisms and potential treatment approaches.

Pulmonary injury is one of the key restricting factors for the therapy of malignancies with chemotherapy or following radiotherapy for chest cancers. The lung is a sensitive organ to some severely toxic antitumor drugs, consisting of bleomycin and alkylating agents. Furthermore, treatment with radiotherapy may drive acute and late adverse impacts on the lung. The major consequences of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the lung are pneumonitis and fibrosis. Pneumonitis may arise some months to a few years behind cancer therapy. However, fibrosis is a long-term effect that appears years after chemo/or radiotherapy. Several mechanisms such as oxidative stress and severe immune reactions are implicated in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is offered as a pivotal mechanism for lung fibrosis behind chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It seems that pulmonary fibrosis is the main consequence of EMT after chemo/radiotherapy. Several biological processes, consisting of the liberation of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrosis molecules, oxidative stress, upregulation of nuclear factor of κB and Akt, epigenetic changes, and some others, may participate in EMT and pulmonary fibrosis behind cancer therapy. In this review, we aim to discuss how chemotherapy or radiotherapy may promote EMT and lung fibrosis. Furthermore, we review potential targets and effective agents to suppress EMT and lung fibrosis after cancer therapy.

Study of confluence of hepatic veins application in liver transplantation.

Liver has exceptional regeneration capacity which makes live donor liver transplantation a good surgical option for patients waiting for donors. Hepatic veins play major role in transplantation surgeries. Variations of hepatic veins can have great impact on surgical approach and outcome of the surgery. In the present study, total number of hepatic veins, presence and absence of accessory veins and confluence with its varied patterns were studied. We found maximum cases with 2 and 3 major hepatic veins which indicate presence of confluence. Confluence between left and middle hepatic veins was highest with 38% of total 54% of cases with confluence. We also found confluence between middle and accessory hepatic vein which is not mentioned in any present classifications. In addition, we have measured confluence length and diameter which holds significance in hepatic resection and anastomosis. The mean confluence length was 0.88±0.39 cm while mean confluence diameter was 0.57±0.20 cm. We found accessory hepatic veins in 15% of cases. The knowledge of this surgical anatomy and associated variations is of paramount importance in liver transplantation, radiological interventional procedures of liver and hepatic tumor resection procedures.

Extraocular muscle Diffusion Weighted Imaging as a quantitative metric of posterior orbital involvement in thyroid associated orbitopathy.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical activity score (CAS) and European severity scale (ESS) are established clinical tools to assess thyroid eye disease (TED) but are limited in terms of subjectivity and their reliability in non-Caucasian individuals, and can underestimate significant disease in the posterior orbit. Preliminary data from pilot studies have shown that diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using extraocular muscle (EOM) apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements may provide complementary information in TED. This study expands on previous research to assess for correlations between clinical scores and EOM-ADCs in stratifying disease activity and severity in a large patient cohort from an ethnically diverse population. METHODS: A retrospective review of TED clinics between 2011 and 2021 identified 96 patients with a documented CAS and ESS and an orbital MRI that included DWI. From regions of interest manually placed on EOM bellies, the highest ADC was computed for each patient and analysed for correlations and associations with CAS and ESS using Spearman Rank correlation and Mann-Whitney U tests, and any potential discriminatory cut-offs using Receiver Operator Curve analyses. A p-value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: EOM-ADCs showed a positive association with CAS (p ≤ 0.001). EOM-ADCs were higher in sight-threatening compared to mild disease (p ≤ 0.01). A cut-off of 995 mm2/s achieved AUC = 0.7744, equating to 77% sensitivity and 67% specificity for discrimination between mild-moderate and sight-threatening disease. CONCLUSION: EOM-ADCs correlate with higher scores of disease severity and activity in TED. Besides providing quantitative data to support clinical tools, EOM-ADC cut-offs may identify patients at risk of developing sight-threatening diseases. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This study critically evaluates the limitations of conventional clinical assessment tools for TED and demonstrates the utility of DWI scans with ADC measurements in identifying active disease, offering valuable insights to advance clinical radiology practice. KEY POINTS: Conventional tools for TED assessment have subjective limitations. ADCs from non-echoplanar diffusion-weighted imaging correlate with clinical activity. Non-echoplanar diffusion-weighted imaging offers quantitative assessment to aid clinical practice reliability.

Combined effect of strain and intrinsic spin-orbit coupling on band gap engineering ofGNRs: a first-principles study.

y employing first-principles calculations, we theoretically investigate the impact of uniaxial strain and intrinsic spin-orbit coupling (SOC) on the electronic properties of zigzag and armchair edge hydrogen (H)-terminated graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). We find that band structure and density of states (DOS) of 4-zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) and 15-armchair graphene nanoribbon (AGNR) are highly sensitive to the combined effect of strain and intrinsic SOC. In the case of H-terminated 4-ZGNR, SOC with a strain > 10% increases the energy band by increasing spin- polarized states at the opposite edges. In contrast to 4-ZGNR, the oscillatory behavior of band gap of H-terminated 15-AGNR is preserved in the presence of strain and SOC. Moreover, for both types of GNRs (zigzag and armchair), the presence of strain and intrinsic SOC preserve spin symmetry.

Genome-wide comparative analyses highlight selection signatures underlying saline adaptation in Chilika buffalo.

Chilika, a native buffalo breed of the Eastern coast of India, is mainly distributed around the Chilika brackish water lake connected with the Bay of Bengal Sea. This breed possesses a unique ability to delve deep into the salty water of the lake and stay there to feed on local vegetation of saline nature. Adaptation to salinity is a genetic phenomenon; however, the genetic basis underlying salinity tolerance is still limited in animals, specifically in livestock. The present study explores the genetic evolution that unveils the Chilika buffalo's adaptation to the harsh saline habitat, including both water and food systems. For this study, whole genome resequencing data on 18 Chilika buffalo and for comparison 10 Murrah buffalo of normal habitat were generated. For identification of selection sweeps, intrapopulation and interpopulation statistics were used. A total of 709, 309, 468, and 354 genes were detected to possess selection sweeps in Chilika buffalo using the nucleotide diversity (θπ), Tajima's D, nucleotide diversity ratio (θπ-ratio), and FST methods, respectively. Further analysis revealed a total of 23 genes including EXOC6B, VPS8, LYPD1, VPS35, CAMKMT, NCKAP5, COMMD1, myosin light chain kinase 3 (MYLK3), and B3GNT2 were found to be common by all the methods. Furthermore, functional annotation study of identified genes provided pathways such as MAPK signaling, renin secretion, endocytosis, oxytocin signaling pathway, etc. Gene network analysis enlists that hub genes provide insights into their interactions with each other. In conclusion, this study has highlighted the genetic basis underlying the local adaptive function of Chilika buffalo under saline environment.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Indian Chilika buffaloes are being maintained on extensive grazing system and have a unique ability to convert local salty vegetation into valuable human food. However, adaptability to saline habitat of Chilika buffalo has not been explored to date. Here, we identified genes and biological pathways involved, such as MAPK signaling, renin secretion, endocytosis, and oxytocin signaling pathway, underlying adaptability of Chilika buffalo to saline environment. This investigation shed light on the mechanisms underlying the buffalo's resilience in its native surroundings.

A multi-centric, single-blinded, randomized, parallel-group study to evaluate the effectiveness of nasoalveolar moulding treatment in non-syndromic patients with complete unilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate (NAMUC study): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are among the most common congenital anomaly that affects up to 33,000 newborns in India every year. Nasoalveolar moulding (NAM) is a non-surgical treatment performed between 0 and 6 months of age to reduce the cleft and improve nasal aesthetics prior to lip surgery. The NAM treatment has been a controversial treatment option with 51% of the cleft teams in Europe, 37% of teams in the USA and 25 of cleft teams in India adopting this methodology. This treatment adds to the already existing high burden of care for these patients. Furthermore, the supporting evidence for this technique is limited with no high-quality long-term clinical trials available on the effectiveness of this treatment. METHOD: The NAMUC study is an investigator-initiated, multi-centre, single-blinded randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design. The study will compare the effectiveness of NAM treatment provided prior to lip surgery against the no-treatment control group in 274 patients with non-syndromic unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. The primary endpoint of the trial is the nasolabial aesthetics measured using the Asher McDade index at 5 years of age. The secondary outcomes include dentofacial development, speech, hearing, cost-effectiveness, quality of life, patient perception, feeding and intangible benefits. Randomization will be carried out via central online system and stratified based on cleft width, birth weight and clinical trial site. DISCUSSION: We expect the results from this study on the effectiveness of treatment with NAM appliance in the long term along with the cost-effectiveness evaluation can eliminate the dilemma and differences in clinical care across the globe. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov CTRI/2022/11/047426 (Clinical Trials Registry India). Registered on 18 November 2022. The first patient was recruited on 11 December 2022. CTR India does not pick up on Google search with just the trial number. The following steps have to be carried out to pick up. How to search: ( https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/advsearch.php -use the search boxes by entering the following details: Interventional trial > November 2022 > NAMUC).

Waste-Derived Carbon Nano-Onions for the Removal of Organic Dye from Wastewater and Phytotoxicity Studies.

Dyes are extensively employed in industries, namely, textiles, cosmetics, paper, pharmaceuticals, tanning, etc. The effluent released from these industries contains various kinds of harmful dyes that adversely impact living beings and the environment due to their recalcitrant and toxic nature. In this study, an effort has been made to eliminate the methylene blue (MB) from wastewater using carbon nano-onions (CNOs) produced from waste frying oil (WFO) using an economical and eco-friendly wick pyrolysis method. The impact of process variables, namely, pH, temperature, process time, MB dye concentration, and adsorbent, was examined for optimum dye removal. The dye removal efficiency (RE) of 99.78% was obtained in 20 min under optimum conditions. The pseudo-second-order model demonstrated a better kinetic fitting with the experimental data. The Langmuir model represented the maximum adsorption capacity (q max) of 43.11 ± 2.56 mg g-1. The regeneration studies demonstrated that the CNOs achieved ∼99.6% MB dye removal over three cycles. Brassica nigra seeds irrigated in treated wastewater showed better growth (3.29 cm) than untreated dye wastewater, which confirms the environmental sustainability of the overall process.

The impact of parental dental anxiety and oral health literacy on child oral health and dental-visit patterns: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the risk indicators of parental dental anxiety (PDA) and oral health literacy (OHL) can help oral healthcare professionals recognise challenges in this field. Armed with the appropriate information, they can effectively engage with parents to build trust and promote early and regular child dental visits. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the association between PDA and OHL with the sociobehavioural characteristics of families, self-reported child oral health (presence of ≥ 1 untreated decayed teeth) and the dental visit patterns amongst children living in Al Jouf Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 430 parents with children aged ≥ 14 years were invited using a systematic random sampling method. PDA was assessed using the Dental Anxiety Scale-Revised (DAS-R) scale, and parents' OHL was measured using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry-30 (REALD-30). The relationships amongst participant characteristics, PDA and OHL were evaluated through the Chi-square and ANOVA. Additionally, binary regression analysis was conducted to identify predictor variables associated with PDA and OHL. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Children with ≥ 1 untreated decayed tooth were 2.5 times more likely to have PDA (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37, 4.37). Children who visited the dentist in < 6 months had 93% lower likelihood to have PDA (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.07; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.18). Parents aged 20-25 years were 81% less likely to have OHL than those above 30 years (AOR = 0.19; P = 0.038). Similarly, parents with medium family income were 52% less likely to have OHL than the high-income group (AOR = 0.48; P = 0.013). Finally, parents of children who visited the dentist within < 6 months were 34 times more likely to have OHL than those whose children visited the dentist > 12 months ago (AOR = 34.94; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PDA and OHL were significantly affected by parental age, family income, the presence of ≥ 1 untreated decaying tooth and the child dental visit patterns. During a child's first dental visit, paediatric dentists should always assess the PDA, OHL and sociobehavioural characteristics of a family by using appropriate scales and semistructured interviews.

Competency assessment in pediatric dental practice: A study on recent dental graduates in integrated curriculum.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various independent variables, such as cumulative grade point average (CGPA), socio-economic backgrounds, anxiety levels, and the self-rated competency levels, across six domains outlined by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) of recently graduating dental students during pediatric patient care. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. It included 74 participants (37 final-year dental students and 37 dental interns). Multiple logistic regression was employed to analyze the association between various independent variables (including CGPA, grade point average [GPA] in didactic, practical, and clinical courses, socio-economic backgrounds, gender, and self-reported student anxiety) and self-rated ADEA competency in pediatric dental practice within general dentistry (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Final-year dental students were 28.5 times more likely to be competent in professionalism (C2) than interns (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 28.54, p = 0.001). In professionalism (C2), males were 91% less likely to be competent than females (AOR = 0.09, p = 0.001). A high GPA in didactic courses increased the likelihood of competence in health promotion (C4) by 3.4 times compared with an average GPA (AOR = 3.41, p = 0.071). Regarding the establishment and maintenance of oral health (C6B), final-year dental students were 4.4 times more likely to be competent than interns (AOR = 4.41, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: This study identified key factors affecting clinical competency during pediatric patient care among newly graduating dentists. It highlighted the influence of gender differences, academic performance (GPA), and anxiety levels among graduates as significant predictors.

Temperature-dependent yield stress and wall slip behaviour of thermoresponsive Pluronic F127 hydrogels.

This study explores the temperature-dependent dynamic yield stress of a triblock thermoresponsive polymer, Pluronic F127, with chemical structure (PEO)100(PPO)65(PEO)100, during the sol-gel transition. The yield stress can be defined as static, dynamic, or elastic, depending on the experimental protocol. We examine the dynamic yield stress estimation for this study, which usually entails utilizing non-Newtonian models like the Herschel-Bulkley (HB) or Bingham models to extrapolate the flow curve (shear rate against shear stress). Initially, we determine the yield stress using the HB model. However, apparent wall slip makes it difficult to calculate yield stress using conventional methods, which could lead to underestimates. To validate the existence of apparent wall slip in our trials, we carry out meticulous experiments in a range of rheometric geometries. To determine the true yield stress corrected for slip, we first use the traditional Mooney method, which requires labor-intensive steps and large sample sizes over various gaps in the parallel plate (PP) design. To overcome these drawbacks, we use a different strategy. We modify the Windhab model equation by adding slip boundary conditions to the HB equation, which allowed us to calculate the slip yield stress in addition to the true yield stress. In contrast to other typical thermoresponsive polymers like poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM), our findings demonstrate that PF127's yield stress obeys the Boltzmann equation and increases with temperature.

Bacterial community composition of Hungarian salt-affected soils under different land uses.

Salinization and sodification are serious and worldwide growing threats to healthy soil functions. Although plants developed a plethora of traits to cope with high salinity, soil bacteria are also essential players of the adaptation process. However, there is still lack of knowledge on how other biotic and abiotic factors, such as land use or different soil properties, affect the bacterial community structure of these soils. Therefore, besides soil chemical and physical investigations, bacterial communities of differently managed salt-affected soils were analysed through 16S rRNA gene Illumina amplicon sequencing and compared. Results have shown that land use and soil texture were the main drivers in shaping the bacterial community structure of the Hungarian salt-affected soils. It was observed that at undisturbed pasture and meadow sites, soil texture and the ratio of vegetation cover were the determinative factors shaping the bacterial community structures, mainly at the level of phylum Acidobacteriota. Sandy soil texture promoted the high abundance of members of the class Blastocatellia, while at the slightly disturbed meadow soil showing high clay content was dominated by members of the class Acidobacteriia. The OTUs belonging to the class Ktedonobacteria, which were reported mostly in geothermal sediments, reached a relatively high abundance in the meadow soil.

Enhanced biodegradation of 2, 4-dichlorophenol in packed bed biofilm reactor by impregnation of polyurethane foam with Fe3O4 nanoparticles: Bio-kinetics, process optimization, performance evaluation and toxicity assessment.

In this work, an effort has been made to enhance the efficacy of biological process for the effective degradation of 2, 4-dichlorophenol (2, 4-DCP) from wastewater. The polyurethane foam was modified with Fe3O4 nanoparticles and combined with polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, and bacterial consortium for biodegradation of 2, 4-DCP in a packed bed biofilm reactor. The maximum removal efficiency of 2, 4-DCP chemical oxygen demand, and total organic carbon were found to be 92.51 ± 0.83 %, 86.85 ± 1.32, and 91.78 ± 1.24 %, respectively, in 4 days and 100 mg L-1 of 2, 4-DCP concentration at an influent loading rate of 2 mg L-1h-1 and hydraulic retention time of 50 h. Packed bed biofilm reactor was effective for up to four cycles to remove 2, 4-DCP. Growth inhibition kinetics were evaluated using the Edward model, yielding maximum growth rate of 0.45 day-1, inhibition constant of 110.6 mg L-1, and saturation constant of 62.3 mg L-1.

Early Morbidities of Hypoxia-Ischemic Encephalopathy in Term Neonates With a Resistive Index as a Prognostic Indicator.

Background Acidosis, hypoxemia, and hypercarbia are symptoms of a syndrome known as perinatal asphyxia that occurs during the first and second stages of labor and shortly after delivery due to poor gas exchange. The Doppler technique is a non-invasive way to assess the risk of neurodevelopment damage in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) that may be done at the patient's bedside without disturbing them. The study aims to evaluate cranial ultrasound findings in HIE and investigate the role of resistive index (RI) values assessed by color Doppler transcranial ultrasonography in predicting early morbidities in neonates with HIE within 72 hours of life. Methodology Prospective observational research was carried out at the north Karnataka region's tertiary newborn critical care unit. The study included 54 infants with HIE in total. The male-to-female ratio was 1.7:1, with 34 (63%) male and 20 (37%) female newborns. Results About 32 instances had grade I HIE, 8 had grade II HIE, and 14 had grade III HIE. In 35 instances (64.81%), the RI was normal; in 19 cases (35.19%), it was abnormal. Increased periventricular density and cerebral parenchyma echo density were common Doppler ultrasonography findings. Roughly 93% of people survived, and 7% of people died from HIE. Seizures (12.96%) and acute renal damage (33.33%) were the most frequent consequences. Conclusion In instances of HIE, the RI was revealed to be a favorable predictive indicator for newborn prognosis. Counseling and educating parents about early morbidities, anticipated long-term consequences, and the need for follow-up will all benefit from it. Additionally, color Doppler is a practical and secure diagnostic method for determining a newborn's level of HIE.

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles regulate distinct heat stress response in zebu (Bos indicus) and crossbred (Bos indicus × Bos taurus) cattle.

Epigenetic variations result from long-term adaptation to environmental factors. The Bos indicus (zebu) adapted to tropical conditions, whereas Bos taurus adapted to temperate conditions; hence native zebu cattle and its crossbred (B indicus × B taurus) show differences in responses to heat stress. The present study evaluated genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of these two breeds of cattle that may explain distinct heat stress responses. Physiological responses to heat stress and estimated values of Iberia heat tolerance coefficient and Benezra's coefficient of adaptability revealed better relative thermotolerance of Hariana compared to the Vrindavani cattle. Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns were different for Hariana and Vrindavani cattle. The comparison between breeds indicated the presence of 4599 significant differentially methylated CpGs with 756 hypermethylated and 3845 hypomethylated in Hariana compared to the Vrindavani cattle. Further, we found 79 genes that showed both differential methylation and differential expression that are involved in cellular stress response functions. Differential methylations in the microRNA coding sequences also revealed their functions in heat stress responses. Taken together, epigenetic differences represent the potential regulation of long-term adaptation of Hariana (B indicus) cattle to the tropical environment and relative thermotolerance.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Bundle of Care Training of Nursing Officers Using Simulation and Its Impact on Their Knowledge and Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of simulation-based training (SBT) of a ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) bundle of care on the knowledge and practice of nursing officers working in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and its impact on the incidence of VAP. This study was a single-center, pre- and postsimulation-based educational interventional tool conducted in a six-bed PICU located in Western Rajasthan, India. Thirty nursing officers working in the PICU participated in the study. Baseline knowledge and practice regarding VAP bundle of care were assessed using a questionnaire and practice checklist. It was followed by 1:1 SBT of the VAP bundle of care following which all participants were immediately reassessed and then again at 3 months postintervention. The incidence of VAP (events/1,000 ventilation days) was subsequently compared both at 6 months pre- and postintervention. Thirty nursing officers participated in the study of which 63% were male. Baseline knowledge and practice increased significantly immediately after the VAP bundle of care training and then again at 3 months in comparison to preintervention testing (baseline 20.27 ± 4.51, immediate postintervention 26.0 ± 3.67, 3 months postintervention 23.97 ± 4.69). The incidence of VAP showed a declining trend from 46.1 to 36.5/1,000 ventilation days; however, this finding was not statistically significant ( p = 0.22). The simulation-based teaching program significantly enhanced nursing officers' knowledge and practice toward utilization of a preventive VAP bundle of care. There was decay in knowledge with time indicating that repetitive sessions are required at regular intervals to sustain this effect.

Blending Conventional Learning Approach with Contemporary Visualization Technologies: Prerequisite Toward Evidence-Based Surface Anatomy.

Proficiency in surface anatomy knowledge plays a pivotal role in fostering complication-free and efficacious clinical practice across a wide spectrum of healthcare specialties. This comprehensive understanding and adept utilization of surface anatomy principles serve as the linchpin for deciphering normal anatomical structures within medical imaging and the aptitude to articulate the topographical attributes, visual characteristics, and interrelations of palpable anatomical entities. Despite the advent of advanced direct visualization techniques, such as ultrasound guidance, which assist in interventional procedures, clinicians have not relinquished the indispensable requirement for pertinent surface anatomy knowledge to ensure the successful and secure execution of procedures. Regrettably, evidence-based surface anatomy remains an underemphasized facet in the pedagogy of anatomical sciences. The current narrative review underscores the various methodologies employed in imparting surface anatomy education to students. However, it is noteworthy that no singular, unequivocal best practice has emerged for the teaching and acquisition of surface anatomy knowledge. Therefore, as custodians of anatomical education, there is a pressing need to innovate and amalgamate contemporary pedagogical approaches with state-of-the-art technologies to furnish students with evidence-based surface anatomy insights, thereby enhancing comprehension, retention, and the lasting utility of this essential domain of medical knowledge.

Addressing the Global Threat of Multidrug-Resistant Infections: The Role of Ceftazidime-Avibactam Revisited.

Background and objective Bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) pose a significant global health threat amid rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) as a therapeutic option for these infections, addressing the urgent need for novel treatments. Materials and methods This study was conducted over one year in the Department of Microbiology, JSS Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, India, and employed a laboratory-based prospective design. From a total of 376 positive blood cultures, 147 multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms were identified, and 100 were randomly selected for final analysis. Susceptibility testing via disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination was performed to evaluate CZA efficacy. Results Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) was the predominant (78%) organism among the subsets, with varying susceptibility patterns observed across species. The overall CZA susceptibility was 45%, with significant discrepancies between disk diffusion and gold standard testing. Notably, there was limited efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) Conclusions This study underscores the pressing need for reliable testing methods and novel treatment strategies in combating MDR infections. Further research with larger sample sizes is imperative to validate our findings and guide clinicians effectively in addressing this critical health challenge.

Microbial community and functions involved in smokeless tobacco product: a metagenomic approach.

Smokeless tobacco products (STPs) are attributed to oral cancer and oral pathologies in their users. STP-associated cancer induction is driven by carcinogenic compounds including tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). The TSNAs synthesis could enhanced due to the metabolic activity (nitrate metabolism) of the microbial populations residing in STPs, but identifying microbial functions linked to the TSNAs synthesis remains unexplored. Here, we rendered the first report of shotgun metagenomic sequencing to comprehensively determine the genes of all microorganisms residing in the Indian STPs belonging to two commercial (Moist-snuff and Qiwam) and three loose (Mainpuri Kapoori, Dohra, and Gudakhu) STPs, specifically consumed in India. Further, the level of nicotine, TSNAs, mycotoxins, and toxic metals were determined to relate their presence with microbial activity. The microbial population majorly belongs to bacteria with three dominant phyla including Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes. Furthermore, the STP-linked microbiome displayed several functional genes associated with nitrogen metabolism and antibiotic resistance. The chemical analysis revealed that the Mainpuri Kapoori product contained a high concentration of ochratoxins-A whereas TSNAs and Zink (Zn) quantities were high in the Moist-snuff, Mainpuri Kapoori, and Gudakhu products. Hence, our observations will help in attributing the functional potential of STP-associated microbiome and in the implementation of cessation strategies against STPs. KEY POINTS: •Smokeless tobacco contains microbes that can assist TSNA synthesis. •Antibiotic resistance genes present in smokeless tobacco-associated bacteria. •Pathogens in STPs can cause infections in smokeless tobacco users.

Unveiling the Integral Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Comprehensive Evaluation and Diagnosis of Spinal Dysraphism.

Background Spinal dysraphism, characterized by incomplete closure of neural and bone spinal structures, manifests as congenital fusion abnormalities along the dorsal midline, involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue, meninges, vertebrae, and neural tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the preferred imaging modality for assessing spinal dysraphism across all age groups, provides direct visualization of the spinal cord without the need for contrast or ionizing radiation while also eliminating bone artifacts and allowing multiplanar imaging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the range of spinal dysraphism lesions and assess the significance of MRI in their evaluation. Methodology Thirty patients with suspected spinal dysraphism underwent evaluation at the Medical College Hospital and Study Centre in Vijayapur, India. This cross-sectional observational study included patients diagnosed or provisionally diagnosed with spinal dysraphism based on clinical and imaging profiles. Cases were identified through preliminary findings on radiographs. Results The study encompassed individuals aged one month to 20 years, with the largest proportion of patients (36.67%) falling within the 1-5-year age group. Spina bifida was the most prevalent spinal abnormality, accounting for 70% of cases. In 12 patients (40%), the most prevalent location of involvement was the lumbosacral spine. Conclusion MRI provides excellent tissue differentiation, particularly of lipomatous tissue, with reproducible and comprehensive section planes and relative operator independence. Moreover, MRI is beneficial for children with suspected spinal dysraphism as it can be performed without ionizing radiation, biological risks, or the need for intrathecal contrast media.