A comprehensive genetic map of cytokine responses in Lyme borreliosis.

The incidence of Lyme borreliosis has risen, accompanied by persistent symptoms. The innate immune system and related cytokines are crucial in the host response and symptom development. We characterized cytokine production capacity before and after antibiotic treatment in 1,060 Lyme borreliosis patients. We observed a negative correlation between antibody production and IL-10 responses, as well as increased IL-1Ra responses in patients with disseminated disease. Genome-wide mapping the cytokine production allowed us to identify 34 cytokine quantitative trait loci (cQTLs), with 31 novel ones. We pinpointed the causal variant at the TLR1-6-10 locus and validated the regulation of IL-1Ra responses at transcritpome level using an independent cohort. We found that cQTLs contribute to Lyme borreliosis susceptibility and are relevant to other immune-mediated diseases. Our findings improve the understanding of cytokine responses in Lyme borreliosis and provide a genetic map of immune function as an expanded resource.

N-Hydroxyalkanamide Based Organo/hydrogels as Novel Scaffolds for pH-Dependent Metronidazole and Theophylline Release.

The traditional delivery of metronidazole and theophylline presents challenges like bitter taste, variable absorption, and side effects. However, gel-based systems offer advantages including enhanced targeted drug delivery, minimized side effects, and improved patient compliance, effectively addressing these challenges. Consequently, a cost-effective synthesis of N-hydroxyalkanamide gelators with varying alkyl chain lengths was achieved in a single-step reaction procedure. These gelators formed self-assembled aggregates in DMSO/water solvent system, resulting in organo/hydrogels at a minimum gelation concentration of 1.5% w/v. Subsequently, metronidazole and theophylline were encapsulated within the gel core and released through gel-to-sol transition triggered by pH variation at 37 °C, while maintaining the structural-activity relationship. UV-vis spectroscopy was employed to observe the drug release behavior. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed cytotoxic effects against A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, indicating anti-proliferative activity against human lung cancer cells. Specifically, the gel containing theophylline (16HAD+Th) exhibited cytotoxicity on cancerous A549 cells with IC50 values of 19.23 ± 0.6 µg/mL, followed by the gel containing metronidazole (16HAD+Mz) with IC50 values of 23.75 ± 0.7 µg/mL. Moreover, the system demonstrated comparable antibacterial activity against both gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus).

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: future prospects in regenerative therapy and anti-aging.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) utilizes 100% oxygen at high atmospheric pressure for clinical applications. HBOT has proven to be an effective supplementary treatment for a variety of clinical and pathological disorders. HBOT's therapeutic results are based on the physiological effects of increased tissue oxygenation, or improved oxygen bioavailability. HBOT's current indications in illnesses like as wound healing, thermal or radiation burns, and tissue necrosis point to its function in facilitating the regeneration process. Various research has revealed that HBOT plays a function in vascularization, angiogenesis, and collagen production augmentation. Individual regeneration capacity is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Furthermore, the regenerating ability of different types of tissues varies, and this ability declines with age. HBOT affects physiological processes at the genetic level by altering gene expression, delaying cell senescence, and assisting in telomere length enhancement. The positive results in a variety of indications, ranging from tissue regeneration to better cognitive function, indicate that it has enormous potential in regenerative and anti-aging therapy.

The futuristic applications of transition metal dichalcogenides for cancer therapy.

The second-most common cause of death resulting from genetic mutations in DNA sequences is cancer. The difficulty in the field of anticancer research is the application of the traditional methods, which also affects normal cells. Mutations, genetic replication alterations, and chromosomal abnormalities have a direct impact on the effectiveness of anticancer drugs at different stages. Presently, therapeutic techniques utilize nanotechnology, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), and robotics. TMDCs are being increasingly employed in tumor therapy and biosensing applications due to their biocompatibility, adjustable bandgap, versatile functionality, exceptional photoelectric properties, and wide range of applications. This study reports the advancement of nanoplatforms based on TMDCs that are specifically engineered for responsive and intelligent cancer therapy. This article offers a thorough examination of the current challenges, future possibilities for theranostic applications using TMDCs, and recent progress in employing TMDCs for cancer therapy. Currently, there is significant interest in two-dimensional (2D) TMDCs nanomaterials as ultrathin unique physicochemical properties. These materials have attracted attention in various fields, including biomedicine. Due to their inherent ability to absorb near-infrared light and their exceptionally large surface area, significant efforts are being made to prepare multifunctional nanoplatforms based on 2D TMDCs.

DFT and TDDFT exploration on electronic transitions and bonding aspect of DPA and PTDC ligated transition metal complexes.

CONTEXT: In this study, we have investigated the structure, reactivity, bonding, and electronic transitions of DPA and PDTC along with their Ni-Zn complexes using DFT/TD-DFT methods. The energy gap between the frontier orbitals was computed to understand the reactivity pattern of the ligands and metal complexes. From the energies of FMO's, the global reactivity descriptors such as electron affinity, ionization potential, hardness (η), softness (S), chemical potential (µ), electronegativity (χ), and electrophilicity index (ω) have been calculated. The complexes show a strong NLO properties due to easily polarization as indicated by the narrow HOMO-LUMO gap. The polarizability and hyperpolarizabilities of the complexes indicate that they are good candidates for NLO materials. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps identified electrophilic and nucleophilic sites on the surfaces of the complexes. TDDFT and NBO analyses provided insights into electronic transitions, bonding, and stabilizing interactions within the studied complexes. DPA and PDTC exhibited larger HOMO-LUMO gaps and more negative electrostatic potentials compared to their metal complexes suggesting the higher reactivity. Ligands (DPA and PDTC) had absorption spectra in the range of 250 nm to 285 nm while their complexes spanned 250 nm to 870 nm. These bands offer valuable information on electronic transitions, charge transfer and optical behavior. This work enhances our understanding of the electronic structure and optical properties of these complexes. METHODS: Gaussian16 program was used for the optimization of all the compounds. B3LYP functional in combination with basis sets, such as LanL2DZ for Zn, Ni and Cu while 6-311G** for other atoms like C, H, O, N, and S was used. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis is carried out to find out how the filled orbital of one sub-system interacts with the empty orbital of another sub-system. The ORCA software is used for computing spectral features along with the zeroth order regular approximation method (ZORA) to observe its relativistic effects. TD-DFT study is carried out to calculate the excitation energy by using B3LYP functional.

Evaluation of parental anxiety following three methods of pre-anesthesia counseling: Video, brochure and verbal communication.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to provide comprehensive and efficient pre-anesthesia counseling (PAC) utilizing audiovisual aids and to examine their effect on parental anxiety. METHODS: For this prospective, controlled study, 174 parents were recruited and randomized into three groups of 58 (Group A: video, Group B: brochure, and Group C: verbal). During pre-anesthesia counseling, the parent was provided with a detailed explanation of preoperative preparation, fasting instructions, transport to the operating room, induction, the emergence of anesthesia, and nursing in the post-anesthesia care unit based on their assigned group. We evaluated parental anxiety using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before and after the pre-anesthesia counseling. RESULTS: The results of our study show a statistically significant difference in the final mean STAI scores among the three groups (Group A: 34.69 ± 5.31, Group B: 36.34 ± 8.59, and Group C: 43.59 ± 3.39; p < .001). When compared to the brochure and verbal groups, the parents in the video group have the greatest difference in mean baseline and final Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores (12.207 ± 5.291, p .001). CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that pre-anesthesia counseling by video or a brochure before the day of surgery is associated with a higher reduction in parental anxiety when compared to verbal communication.

COVID-19 Vaccination in a Patient With Gluten Enteropathy: A Case Report.

In India, the COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents aged 15-17 years has been started since January 2022. Gluten enteropathy, also known as celiac or nontropical sprue, can arise as an autoimmune disease of the small intestines. We report a 15-year-old female with a history of allergy to gluten-containing products who came for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination to adult vaccination OPD at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur. After taking a detailed history, she had an allergy to gluten-containing products for five years. She had no previous history of allergic reactions to injections or medicines. The first dose of Covaxin was given to this female under proper supervision, and she was followed up for any adverse events. We did not find any evidence of adverse events following the COVID-19 vaccination in people with gluten enteropathy. The patient was discharged after one hour of observation. To date, no cases of Covaxin vaccination have been reported among gluten enteropathy patients. We discuss the current evidence relating to Covaxin vaccinations, highlighting that administering the vaccine to gluten-sensitive individuals did not cause any adverse reactions. However, proper history taking and other standard procedures should be followed while administering Covaxin to any known allergies.

Numerical Investigation on Precipitation Hardening of Mg-Gd Alloys.

The second-phase particles in magnesium alloys could affect the mechanical properties of the material significantly. In this work, 3D finite element models with explicit incorporation of second-phase particles are established. The simulations are calibrated with the experimental results of the Mg-1Gd alloy. The influences of factors, such as the particle distribution, size, and orientation of cylindrical particles, on precipitation hardening are investigated in detail. Three interface conditions between particles and the matrix-perfect bonding and high- and low-strength bonding-are studied at the same time. The interface conditions are shown to exert a stronger influence on precipitation hardening compared to the factors of particle distribution and size. In contrast, the influence of the orientation of cylindrical particles at grain boundaries outweighs the effect of interface property. When second-phase particles are relatively large and all located at grain boundaries, the hardening effect can be improved, and the magnesium alloy shows relatively high flow stress. However, the high hardening effect from the second-phase particles could result in high local stress concentration and possible early failure or low ductility of Mg alloys.

Weekly assessment of volumetric and dosimetric changes during volumetric modulated arc therapy of locally advanced head and neck carcinoma: Implications for adaptive radiation therapy-A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Chemoradiation in head and neck carcinoma (HNC) shows significant anatomical resulting in erroneous dose deposition in the target or the organ at risk (OAR). Adaptive radiotherapy (ART) can overcome this. Timing of significant target and OAR changes with dosimetric impact; thus, most suitable time and frequency of ART is unclear. METHODS: This dosimetric study used prospective weekly non-contrast CT scans in 12 HNC patients (78 scans). OARs and TVs were manually contoured after registration with simulation scan. Dose overlay done on each scan without reoptimization. Dosimetric and volumetric variations assessed. RESULTS: Commonest site was oropharynx. Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) reduced from 47.5 ± 19.2 to 17.8 ± 10.7 cc. Nodal GTV reduced from 15.7 ± 18.8 to 4.7 ± 7.1 cc. Parotid showed mean volume loss of 35%. T stage moderately correlated with GTV regression. CONCLUSION: Maximum GTV changes occurred after 3 weeks. Best time to do single fixed interval ART would be by the end of 3 weeks.

Primary Oropharyngeal SMARCA4-Deficient Carcinoma: Expanding the Diagnostic Spectrum in Head and Neck Cancer.

With the advent of molecular immunohistochemistry and next generation sequencing, Switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex altered tumors have gained recognition recently. SWI/SNF related, matrix associated, actin dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily B member 1 (SMARCB1) and SMARCA4 are the primary SWI/SNF components altered in several recently described undifferentiated malignancies in head and neck region with predilection for paranasal sinuses in SMARCB1-deficient tumors and nasal cavity in SMARCA4-deficient tumors. However, to the best of our knowledge, SMARCA4-deficient tumors of the oropharynx have not been described. We present an unusual case of SMARCA4-deficient carcinoma of the oropharynx (palatine tonsil) which is the first case in the literature, expanding the topographic distribution of SMARCA4-deficient tumors in the head and neck region and emphasizing the importance of BRG1 as an essential immunohistochemical marker for the diagnosis of this distinct entity.

Groundwater quality assessment using water quality index and principal component analysis in the Achnera block, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, Northern India.

The qualitative and quantitative assessment of groundwater is one of the important aspects for determining the suitability of potable water. Therefore, the present study has been performed to evaluate the groundwater quality for Achhnera block in the city of Taj, Agra, India, where groundwater is an important water resource. The groundwater samples, 50 in number were collected and analyzed for major ions along with some important trace element. This study has further investigated for the applicability of groundwater quality index (GWQI), and the principal component analysis (PCA) to mark out the major geochemical solutes responsible for origin and release of geochemical solutes into the groundwater. The results confirm that, majority of the collected groundwater samples were alkaline in nature. The variation of concentration of anions in collected groundwater samples were varied in the sequence as, HCO3- > Cl- > SO42- > F- while in contrast the sequence of cations in the groundwater as Na > Ca > Mg > K. The Piper diagram demonstrated the major hydro chemical facies which were found in groundwater (sodium bicarbonate or calcium chloride type). The plot of Schoellar diagram reconfirmed that the major cations were Na+ and Ca2+ ions, while in contrast; major anions were bicarbonates and chloride. The results showed water quality index mostly ranged between 105 and 185, hence, the study area fell in the category of unsuitable for drinking purpose category. The PCA showed pH, Na+, Ca2+, HCO3- and fluoride with strong loading, which pointed out geogenic source of fluoride contamination. Therefore, it was inferred that the groundwater of the contaminated areas must be treated and made potable before consumption. The outcomes of the present study will be helpful for the regulatory boards and policymaker for defining the actual impact and remediation goal.

Extranodal follicular dendritic cell sarcoma presenting as colonic mass: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Folliclular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is an extremely rare neoplasm originating from folliclular dendritic cells, both nodally and extranodally. Its primary presentation as a large colonic mass is rare and can be misdiagnosed as epithelial tumor/soft tissue tumor both clinically and through histomorphology. Due to its rarity and limited consensus guidelines about its management, it presents as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for pathologists and oncologists. However, accurate diagnosis is imperative due to its distinct prognostic and therapeutic implications. Herein we report, two cases of extranodal FDCS of colon with the aim of contributing to the management of this uncommon entity.

Birth Asphyxia among Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Introduction: Birth asphyxia causes significant morbidity and mortality among neonates, especially in low-income and middle-income countries like Nepal. However, there is a paucity of data regarding its burden. This study aimed to find the prevalence of birth asphyxia among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among neonates at a tertiary care hospital between 15 January 2022 to 14 January 2023 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Neonates with gestational age ≥35 weeks were included and those with major congenital anomalies were excluded. A convenience sampling method was used. A point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 902 neonates, 120 (13.30%) (11.08-15.52, 95% Confidence Interval) had birth asphyxia. A total of 108 (90%) were outborn, and 84 (70%) were males. HIE stage-I, II and III were seen in 47 (39.17%), 64 (53.33%) and 9 (7.50%) of the asphyxiated neonates respectively. Poor suck 92 (76.67%), seizures 73 (60.83%) and lethargy 70 (58.33%) were common abnormal neurological findings. Death occurred in 15 (12.50%) neonates in the hospital. Conclusions: The prevalence of birth asphyxia was found to be similar to other studies done in similar settings. The high burden underscores an urgent need to implement better perinatal care and delivery room management practices. Keywords: hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; neonates; prevalence.

National and regional prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in India: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is frequently misdiagnosed during pregnancy. There is an abundance of evidence, but little is known regarding the regional prevalence estimates of GDM in India. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide valuable insights into the national and regional prevalence of GDM among pregnant women in India. METHODS: We conducted an initial article search on PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ShodhGanga searches to identify quantitative research papers (database inception till 15th June,2022). This review included prevalence studies that estimated the occurrence of GDM across different states in India. RESULTS: Two independent reviewers completed the screening of 2393 articles, resulting in the identification of 110 articles that met the inclusion criteria, which collectively provided 117 prevalence estimates. Using a pooled estimate calculation (with an Inverse square heterogeneity model), the pooled prevalence of GDM in pregnant women was estimated to be 13%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 9 to 16%.. In India, Diabetes in Pregnancy Study of India (DIPSI) was the most common diagnostic criteria used, followed by International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) and World Health Organization (WHO) 1999. It was observed that the rural population has slightly less prevalence of GDM at 10.0% [6.0-13.0%, I2=96%] when compared to the urban population where the prevalence of GDM was 12.0% [9.0-16.0%, I2 = 99%]. CONCLUSIONS: This review emphasizes the lack of consensus in screening and diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), leading to varied prevalence rates across Indian states. It thoroughly examines the controversies regarding GDM screening by analyzing population characteristics, geographic variations, diagnostic criteria agreement, screening timing, fasting vs. non-fasting approaches, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility, offering valuable recommendations for policy makers. By fostering the implementation of state-wise screening programs, it can contribute to improving maternal and neonatal outcomes and promoting healthier pregnancies across the country.

Unveiling a robust and high-temperature-stable two-dimensional ZnAl layered double hydroxide nanosheet based flexible triboelectric nanogenerator.

Triboelectric nanogenerators have the ability to harvest low- and mid-frequency vibrational energy from the environment; however, achieving stable performance of the nanogenerator device in high-temperature conditions remains challenging. In this work, a flexible and temperature-stable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/layered double hydroxides (LDH) nanocomposite-based triboelectric nanogenerator was developed to harvest unexploited vibrational energy for the first time. Crystalline ZnAl LDH nanosheets grown by a hydrothermal route are used to fabricate the high-performance flexible nanogenerator. The ZnAl LDH exhibits fire-retardancy and high-temperature stability (∼500 °C). A triboelectric nanogenerator based on the ZnAl LDH-PVA nanocomposite generated a very high output voltage of 60 V even under a low vertical pressure of 1 kgf. Surprisingly, the developed device shows ultra-stable output performance even up to a temperature of 200 °C. In addition, a ZnAl LDH-nanosheet-reinforced PVA nanocomposite film shows very high dielectric constant of about 5 × 105 at the low-frequency side. The tremendous increase in the output voltage and stable performance are discussed in terms of the high dielectric constant and synergistic effect of the LDH nanosheets and PVA. Furthermore, the device was also used to monitor human body movements such as finger and wrist bending to develop self-powered sensors.

150 Gbps THz Chipscale Topological Photonic Diplexer.

Photonic diplexers are being widely investigated for high data transfer rates in on-chip communication. However, dividing the available spectrum into nonoverlapping multicarrier frequency sub-bands has remained a challenge in designing frequency-selective time-invariant channels. Here, an on-chip topological diplexer is reported exhibiting terahertz frequency band filtering through Klein tunneling of topological edge modes. The silicon topological diplexer chip facilitates two high-speed channels with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) over a broad bandwidth of 12.5 GHz each. These channels operate at carrier frequencies of 305 and 321.6 GHz, achieving a combined diplexer capacity of 150 Gbit s-1. To ensure minimal interference between adjacent channels, a guard band is implemented. Topologically protected edge modes suppress the frequency selective fading of the broadband signals and hold promise for diverse integrated photonic applications spanning terahertz and telecommunication realms, including the design of lossless topological multiplexers, interconnects, antennas, and modulators for the sixth to X generation (6G to XG) wireless.

A Comprehensive Review of the Diverse Spectrum Activity of 1,2,3-Triazole-linked Isatin Hybrids.

Heterocyclic compounds containing 1,2,3-triazole and isatin as core structures have emerged as promising drug candidates due to their diverse biological activities such as anti-cancer, antifungal, antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-epileptic, antiviral, and more. The presence of 1,2,3-triazoles and isatin heterocycles in these hybrids, both individually known for their medicinal significance, has increasingly piqued the interest of drug discovery researchers, as they seek to delve deeper into their extensive pharmacological potential for enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, these hybrid compounds are synthetically accessible using readily available materials. Therefore, there is a pressing need to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge in this field, offering valuable insights to readers and paving the way for the discovery of novel 1,2,3-triazole-linked isatin hybrids with therapeutic potential.

Implementation of the deep learning method for signal detection in massive-MIMO-NOMA systems.

The deep learning method (DLM) is one way to fix issues in optical nonorthogonal multiple access (O-NOMA) systems that are caused by signals that overlap and interfere with each other. NOMA increases the optical framework's spectrum efficiency, allowing several users to share the same time-frequency resources. However, NOMA-DLM-based detection's complicated interference patterns and variable channel conditions are challenging for conventional detection methods to manage. By utilizing deep neural networks' advantages, these methods are able to overcome these challenges and improve detection performance. An overview of the main features and advantages of DLM detection in massive multiple input and output (M-MIMO) O-NOMA systems is given in this article. It describes the essential elements, such as the training procedure and the network design. In order to process the sent symbols or decode data streams, DLM networks are built to process the incoming signal, power allocation coefficients, and extra information. Gradient descent optimization is used to update the network parameters iteratively while training the network, and a diverse and representative dataset is created. Additionally, the challenges of detecting deep learning in O-NOMA systems are examined. It recognizes that in order to get the best results, significant computational resources, a large amount of training data, and careful model design are required. It looks at and compares the 16 × 16, 32 × 32, and 64 × 64 M-MIMO-NOMA models in terms of bit error rate (BER), complexity, and power spectral density (PSD). The suggested DLM algorithms have been demonstrated to perform better than traditional methods by achieving an excellent BER of 10-3 at 4.1 dB and PSD (-2500) performance with low complexity.

LSTMCNN: A hybrid machine learning model to unmask fake news.

The widespread dissemination of false information across various online platforms has emerged as a matter of paramount concern due to the potential harm it poses to individuals, communities, and entire nations. Substantial efforts are currently underway in the research community to combat this issue. A burgeoning area of study gaining significant traction is the development of fake news identification techniques. However, this field faces formidable challenges primarily stemming from limited resources, including access to comprehensive datasets, computational resources, and evaluation tools. To overcome these challenges, researchers are exploring various methodologies. One promising approach involves the use of feature abstraction and vectorization techniques. In this context, we highly recommend utilizing the Python sci-kit-learn module, which offers many invaluable tools such as the Count Vectorizer and Tiff Vectorizer. These tools enable the efficient handling of text data by converting it into numerical representations, thereby facilitating subsequent analysis. Once the text data is appropriately transformed, the next crucial step involves feature selection. To achieve optimal results, researchers often employ feature selection methods based on misperception matrices. These methods allow for the exploration and selection of the most suitable features, which are essential for achieving the highest accuracy in fake news identification.