IL-33 prevents age-related bone loss and memory impairment by suppression of Th17 response: evidence in a d-galactose-induced aging mouse model.

Cytokines are the primary mediators of age-related disorders. The IL-17/IL-10 axis plays a crucial role in bone destruction and neuro-inflammation. Additionally, a new Th2 cytokine-IL-33-has gained attention for its potential implications in aging-associated conditions. However, the involvement of IL-33 in aging-mediated bone loss and memory impairment remains unclear and needs further investigation. This study reveals the impact of IL-33 on various aspects of the immune system, bone health, and neural functions. To induce senescence, we used d-galactose for its convenience and fewer side effects. The experimental design involved treating 20-week-old C57BL/6J mice with d-galactose subcutaneously for 10 weeks to induce aging-like effects. Thereafter, IL-33 recombinant protein was administered intraperitoneally for 15 days to evaluate its impact on various immune, skeletal, and neural parameters. The results demonstrated that d-galactose-induced aging led to bone loss and compromised osteogenic parameters, accompanied by increased oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in specific brain regions. Behavioral activities were also affected. However, supplementation with IL-33 mitigated these effects, elevating osteogenic parameters and reducing senescence markers in osteoblast cells in an aging mouse model and exerted neuroprotective potential. Notably d-galactose-induced aging was characterized by high bone turnover, reflected by altered serum levels of CTX, PTH, beta-galactosidase, and P1NP. IL-33 treatment attenuated these effects, suggesting its role in regulating bone metabolism. Furthermore, d-galactose-induced aging was associated with increased differentiation of Th17 cells and upregulation of associated markers, such as STAT-3 and ROR-γt, while downregulating Foxp3, which antagonizes Th17 cell differentiation. IL-33 treatment countered these effects by suppressing Th17 cell differentiation and promoting IL-10-producing T-regulatory cells. Overall, these findings provide insights into the potential therapeutic implications of IL-33 in addressing aging-induced bone loss and memory impairment.

Harnessing nature's defenders: unveiling the potential of microbial consortia for plant defense induction against Alternaria blight in cumin.

Present study was aimed to develop an efficient microbial consortium for combating Alternaria blight disease in cumin. The research involved isolating biocontrol agents against Alternaria burnsii, characterizing their biocontrol and growth promotion traits, and assessing compatibility. A pot experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2022-2023 to evaluate the bioefficacy of four biocontrol agents (1F, 16B, 31B, and 223B) individually and in consortium, focusing on disease severity, plant growth promotion, and defense responses in cumin challenged with A. burnsii. Microbial isolates 1F, 16B, 31B, and 223B significantly inhibited A. burnsii growth in dual plate assays (~ 86%), displaying promising biocontrol and plant growth promotion activities. They were identified as Trichoderma afroharzianum 1F, Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus 16B, Pseudomonas lalkuanensis 31B, and Bacillus licheniformis 223B, respectively. The excellent compatibility was observed among all selected biocontrol agents. Cumin plants treated with consortia of 1F + 16B + 31B + 223B showed least percent disease index (32.47%) and highest percent disease control (64.87%). Consortia of biocontrol agents significantly enhanced production of secondary metabolites (total phenol, flavonoids, antioxidant, and tannin) and activation of antioxidant-defense enzymes (POX, PPOX, CAT, SOD, PAL, and TAL) compared to individual biocontrol treatment and infected control. Moreover, consortium treatments effectively reduced electrolyte leakage over the individual biocontrol agent and infected control treatment. The four-microbe consortium significantly enhanced chlorophyll (154%), carotenoid content (88%), plant height (78.77%), dry weight (72.81%), and seed yield (104%) compared to infected control. Based on these findings, this environmentally friendly four-microbe consortium may be recommended for managing Alternaria blight in cumin.

Management of Hypertension in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Indian Guideline 2024 by Association of Physicians of India and Indian College of Physicians.

In India and the Southeast Asian population, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are the leading lifestyle-related diseases, responsible for a majority burden of morbidity and mortality. Multiple population-spanning studies have revealed the staggering prevalence of both diseases in India, and the prevalence of both will only increase further due to factors such as an aging population, rapid urbanization, increased obesity, and sedentary lifestyles. More than 50 percent of hypertensive patients in India are also diagnosed with T2DM, and a detailed management protocol for the same is required, especially when a major portion of the disease is managed at the primary care level. The Association of Physicians of India (API) guidelines for the management of hypertension in patients with T2DM have been formulated based on consultation with leading physicians, cardiologists, diabetologists, and endocrinologists of India and Southeast Asia, keeping in mind the challenges faced by the patients in these countries and the appropriate management protocols that will be beneficial. While standard office-based blood pressure (BP) measurement forms the cornerstone of hypertension diagnosis and demands a uniform methodology to be followed, home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is recommended for long-term follow-up with validated devices. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) offers comprehensive insights crucial for cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification. The complications of diabetic hypertension can span from increased CV risk, heart failure (HF), and renal dysfunction, and nonpharmacological and pharmacological management should be aimed toward not only control of the BP values but also protecting the end organs. While nonpharmacological measures include a focus on nutrition and diet, they also focus on approaches to weight loss, including a novel section covering the benefits of yoga. The guideline also focuses on a novel section of factors influencing CV risk, especially in the Indian population. For the pharmacological management, the guidelines address each of the categories of antihypertensive drugs, emphasizing the significance of combination therapies in the management of diabetic hypertension. In line with leading global guidelines for the management of hypertension in T2DM, for diabetic patients who often struggle with BP management and carry a high CV risk, the recommended dual combination antihypertensive therapy is particularly crucial and should be considered as first-line management therapy. While angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) play a highly beneficial role in the management of diabetic hypertension, a combination of ACEi or ARB with dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (DHP-CCBs) is recommended to reduce the risk of complications and enhance patient adherence. To achieve the target of effective BP control and end-organ protection, it is beneficial and recommended to include newer CCBs (e.g., cilnidipine) in the management protocol in combination with ACEi/ARBs. Combination therapy including ARBs and DHP-CCBs should be preferred over ß-blockers and thiazides. Among the CCBs, cilnidipine, a novel molecule, is a more effective and safer option for diabetic hypertensive patients in India. ß-blockers should be used if there is a history of myocardial infarction (MI), HF, coronary artery disease (CAD), or stable angina along with the initial hypertensive regimen. The guideline also focuses on the novel reno- and cardioprotective molecules such as finerenone and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and their benefits in the management of diabetic hypertension.

Microwave-assisted acid extraction of high-methoxyl kinnow (Citrus reticulata) peels pectin: Process, techno-functionality, characterization and life cycle assessment.

The present study assessed the efficacy of kinnow peel pectin-acetic acid extraction using microwave heating at 110 °C, pH 2.2 for 10 min with a 1:2 ratio supernatant to ethanol for higher yield. The kinnow peel was freeze dried and grinded to fine powder for pectin extraction. The microwave extracted (ME) kinnow pectin showed 833 mg equivalent weight, 7.44 % methoxyl content, 66.67 % degree of esterification, 63.15 % galacturonic acid content and evinced higher purity than commercial citrus pectin. ME kinnow pectin exhibited shear thinning behaviour while higher apparent viscosity (Pa. s) at 20 % concentration. The ME kinnow pectin showed characteristic functional groups and a less crystalline structure as deduced from FT-IR, SEM and XRD respectively, and a higher thermal decomposition analysed from TGA. Further, life cycle assessment (LCA) predicted that the ethanol and acetic acid were major contributors toward climate change in this study. ME kinnow pectin has the potential to be used as a commercial pectin in various food applications.

Neighborhood environment and quality of life of older adults in eastern Nepal: findings from a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life (QoL) is a subjective measure reflecting individuals' evaluations based on their personal goals and values. While global research shows the role of neighborhood factors like ethnic diversity and socio-cultural dynamics on QoL, these are unexplored in the Nepali context. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between neighborhood environment and QoL among Nepali older adults in eastern Nepal. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 847 non-institutionalized older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) from two districts in eastern Nepal. QoL was evaluated using the 13-item brief Older People's Quality of Life questionnaire, where a mean score of < 3 indicated low/poor QoL. The neighborhood environment, conceptualized across three domains (demographic, socio-cultural, and built environment), included ethnic diversity, connections with family, friends, and neighbors, cultural ties, residential stability, and rurality. Their association with QoL was examined using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Around 20% of older adults reported poor QoL. Higher ethnic diversity (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04-0.36), moderate contact with family and relatives (aOR = 0.26, CI: 0.11-0.61), and high contact with neighbors (aOR = 0.09, CI: 0.03-0.21) were associated with lower odds of poor QoL. Conversely, high contact with friends (aOR = 2.29, CI: 1.30-4.04) and unstable residence (OR = 6.25, CI: 2.03-19.23) increased the odds of poor QoL. Additionally, among the covariates, chronic disease, tobacco use, unemployment, and lack of education were also significantly associated with poor QoL. CONCLUSION: Overall, the demographic environment, socio-cultural factors, and the built environment of the neighborhood influence QoL. Therefore, diversifying the neighborhood's ethnic composition, promoting social connections such as frequent contact with family, relatives, and neighbors, and ensuring residential stability can enhance the QoL of older adults.

Controlled Environment Ecosystem: A Cutting-Edge Technology in Speed Breeding.

The controlled environment ecosystem is a meticulously designed plant growing chamber utilized for cultivating biofortified crops and microgreens, addressing hidden hunger and malnutrition prevalent in the growing population. The integration of speed breeding within such controlled environments effectively eradicates morphological disruptions encountered in traditional breeding methods such as inbreeding depression, male sterility, self-incompatibility, embryo abortion, and other unsuccessful attempts. In contrast to the unpredictable climate conditions that often prolong breeding cycles to 10-15 years in traditional breeding and 4-5 years in transgenic breeding within open ecosystems, speed breeding techniques expedite the achievement of breeding objectives and F1-F6 generations within 2-3 years under controlled growing conditions. In comparison, traditional breeding may take 5-10 years for plant population line creation, 3-5 years for field trials, and 1-2 years for variety release. The effectiveness of speed breeding in trait improvement and population line development varies across different crops, requiring approximately 4 generations in rice and groundnut, 5 generations in soybean, pea, and oat, 6 generations in sorghum, Amaranthus sp., and subterranean clover, 6-7 generations in bread wheat, durum wheat, and chickpea, 7 generations in broad bean, 8 generations in lentil, and 10 generations in Arabidopsis thaliana annually within controlled environment ecosystems. Artificial intelligence leverages neural networks and algorithm models to screen phenotypic traits and assess their role in diverse crop species. Moreover, in controlled environment systems, mechanistic models combined with machine learning effectively regulate stable nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency, photosynthetic assimilation product, metabolic use efficiency, climatic factors, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and carbon footprints. However, any negligence, even minor, in maintaining optimal photoperiodism, temperature, humidity, and controlling pests or diseases can lead to the deterioration of crop trials and speed breeding techniques within the controlled environment system. Further comparative studies are imperative to comprehend and justify the efficacy of climate management techniques in controlled environment ecosystems compared to natural environments, with or without soil.

Formulations of synergistic microbial consortia for enhanced systemic resistance against Fusarium wilt in cumin.

The study aimed to understand the dynamic interplay between plants and their associated microbes to develop an efficient microbial consortium for managing Fusarium wilt of cumin. A total of 601 rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria and fungi were screened for antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cumini (Foc). Subsequently, ten bacteria and ten fungi were selected for characterizing their growth promotion traits and ability to withstand abiotic stress. Furthermore, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the bioefficacy of promising biocontrol isolates-1F, 16B, 31B, and 223B in mono and consortium mode, focusing on disease severity, plant growth, and defense responses in cumin challenged with Foc. Promising isolates were identified as Trichoderma atrobruneum 15F, Pseudomonas sp. 2B, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 9B, and Bacillus velezensis 32B. In planta, results revealed that cumin plants treated with consortia of 15F, 2B, 9B, and 32B showed highest percent disease control (76.35%) in pot experiment. Consortia of biocontrol agents significantly enhanced production of secondary metabolites and activation of antioxidant-defense enzymes compared to individual strain. Moreover, consortium treatments effectively reduced electrolyte leakage over the individual strain and positive control. The four-microbe consortium significantly enhanced chlorophyll (~ 2.74-fold), carotenoid content (~ 2.14-fold), plant height (~ 1.8-fold), dry weight (~ 1.96-fold), and seed yield (~ 19-fold) compared to positive control in pot experiment. Similarly, four microbe consortia showed highest percent disease control (72.2%) over the positive control in field trial. Moreover, plant growth, biomass, yield, and yield attributes of cumin were also significantly increased in field trial over the positive control as well as negative control.

Qualitative, Quantitative, In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Chemical Profiling of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne Using Advanced Analytical Techniques.

Leptadenia pyrotechnica Forssk. Decne (LP) is a medicinal herb from the Asclepiadaceae family with many advantageous properties. The goal of this research is to identify, quantify, and evaluate the antioxidant potential of LP to validate its remarkable therapeutic advantages. The hot soxhlet extraction method was employed to prepare different extracts of LP (stem and root). These extracts were evaluated physiochemically to check their impurity, purity, and quality; qualitatively to detect different phytochemicals; and quantitatively for phenol, saponin, tannin, flavonoid, and alkaloid contents. Then, the in vitro antioxidant potential was estimated by DPPH, NO, H2O2 scavenging assays, and MC and FRAP assays. The most prevalent phytochemicals of LP were then analysed by AAS, FT-IR, UV-visible, and GC-MS techniques. A higher extractive yield was shown by LPSE and LPRE (7.37 ± 0.11 and 5.70 ± 0.02). The LP stem showed better physicochemical and qualitative results than the root. The quantitative and in vitro antioxidant results indicated maximal phenols, tannins, and alkaloid contents in LPSE, which was further confirmed by UV-visible, FT-IR, and GC-MS results. The extraction methods (soxhlation or ultrasonication) were optimized by utilizing RSM to determine the impacts of multiple parameters. The study concluded that the plant has remarkable therapeutic advantages to promote additional clinical investigations and the mechanisms of its action.

Factors influencing the utilisation of National health insurance program in urban areas of Nepal: Insights from qualitative study.

Health insurance has been recognised as a crucial policy measure to enhance citizens' well-being by reducing the financial burden globally. Nepal has also adopted this scheme to support achieving universal health coverage. Various factors influence the overall performance of the program in Nepal. However, there is a lack of evidence on how different factors have influenced the insurance program in the Nepalese context. Therefore, this study aims to explore facilitators and barriers to the utilisation of national health insurance services among service users and other stakeholders. A qualitative study was conducted by interviewing both demand-side participants and supply-side participants in the Bhaktapur District of Nepal. Thematic network analysis was used to analyse data using RQDA software. The socio-ecological model guides the presentation of the identified factors. The study followed the COREQ guidelines to ensure standard reporting of the results. Factors that encourage the use of health insurance services involve individual, community, and policy-related factors. These factors encompass changes in seeking treatment, assistance during enrollment and renewal by enrollment assistant, proximity to the initial point of contact for care, and policy features like individual cards, contribution amount and cashless treatment system. Likewise, lack of physical infrastructure, poor staff management, long waiting times, poor medicine availability, and delays in budget reimbursement were perceived as organisational barriers. At the interpersonal level, obstacles encompass challenges related to staff behaviour, interpersonal relationships, and the information provided by service providers. Identified health services delivery barriers at different levels emphasised the critical need for improving the quality of healthcare and services delivery mechanisms. Overcoming these obstacles is essential for realising health insurance scheme objectives and progressing toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Effective image fusion strategies in scientific signal processing disciplines: Application to cancer and carcinoma treatment planning.

Multimodal medical image fusion is a perennially prominent research topic that can obtain informative medical images and aid radiologists in diagnosing and treating disease more effectively. However, the recent state-of-the-art methods extract and fuse features by subjectively defining constraints, which easily distort the exclusive information of source images. To overcome these problems and get a better fusion method, this study proposes a 2D data fusion method that uses salient structure extraction (SSE) and a swift algorithm via normalized convolution to fuse different types of medical images. First, salient structure extraction (SSE) is used to attenuate the effect of noise and irrelevant data in the source images by preserving the significant structures. The salient structure extraction is performed to ensure that the pixels with a higher gradient magnitude impact the choices of their neighbors and further provide a way to restore the sharply altered pixels to their neighbors. In addition, a Swift algorithm is used to overcome the excessive pixel values and modify the contrast of the source images. Furthermore, the method proposes an efficient method for performing edge-preserving filtering using normalized convolution. In the end,the fused image are obtained through linear combination of the processed image and the input images based on the properties of the filters. A quantitative function composed of structural loss and region mutual data loss is designed to produce restrictions for preserving data at feature level and the structural level. Extensive experiments on CT-MRI images demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibits superior performance when compared to some of the state-of-the-art methods in terms of providing detailed information, edge contour, and overall contrasts.

A Study to Assess the Impact of Education on the Knowledge and Attitude Toward Cervical Cancer and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccination Among Female Healthcare Students.

Background Cervical cancer ranks among the top five cancers in India, with human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 causing up to 70% of related lesions. HPV infection, acquired through various routes, poses risks for both men and women, especially in the age group of 16 to 25 years. Effective prevention is possible through HPV vaccination, with Cervarix and Gardasil approved for use in India. Despite its proven efficacy, HPV vaccine use remains minimal. This study aims to evaluate awareness, willingness, and barriers among female healthcare students while assessing the impact of a health education program on their knowledge and attitude. Methods The present study is an educational interventional study conducted on 489 female students in the healthcare sector in the age group of 19-25 years. Two questionnaires (pre-lecture and post-lecture) were used. After the pre-lecture questionnaire, a session on cervical cancer and vaccine education was delivered by the subject expert. Afterward, the post-lecture questionnaire was given and the impact of session was analyzed using various statistical tools. Result A total of 489 students across MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery), BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery), paramedical, and nursing courses participated in the study. Prior to the lecture, knowledge regarding cervical cancer and vaccines was generally low across subgroups, witnessing improvements ranging from 60% to 100% in various questionnaire sections post-education. Understanding of the importance of a Pap smear (Papanicolaou test) increased significantly from 21% to 79% after the educational session. The most preferred measure to boost coverage was the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the National Immunization Schedule, with lack of awareness identified as the most significant barrier. Conclusion An educational session not only enhances knowledge but also boosts willingness for cervical cancer vaccination. Inclusion of the vaccine in the National Immunization Schedule not only increases acceptability but also indirectly raises awareness.

Air pollution and its effects on lung health in never-smoker youth of Delhi NCR versus Pauri Garhwal: a comparative cross-sectional study.

Background: Ambient air pollution is a major factor that can affect lung growth and reduce lung capacity. This study aims at drawing parallel between respiratory discomfort and lung function between youth of Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) where air pollution level is poor and hazardous as compared to that of Pauri Garhwal (Uttarakhand) where air pollution level is low via a comparative cross-sectional study. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 354 never-smoker subjects (177 from NCR and 177 from Pauri) between the ages of 15 and 29 years. Pulmonary Function Test coupled with COPD Assessment Test (CAT)-based questionnaire for respiratory problems helped elicit information regarding lung health of subjects. Results: Mean forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow 25-75%, FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow rate were lower by 12.9%, 17%, 5%, 7.8%, and 7.3%, respectively, in NCR participants as compared to that of Pauri. Upon spirometry, restrictive pattern was present in 40 (22.6%), and obstructive pattern was present in 9 (5.1%) of NCR participants. Out of these, nine (5.1%) having obstructive pattern, five (55.6%) had 50% ≤ FEV1<80%, and four (44.4%) had 30% ≤ FEV1<50% of predicted value. Neither restrictive nor obstructive pattern was found evident in subjects from Pauri. The mean CAT score in subjects from NCR was 5.2 ± 4.9 and .46 ± 1.1 in subjects from Pauri. Conclusion: Subjects belonging to NCR performed poorly in spirometry and reported higher respiratory complaints in comparison to participants from Pauri Garhwal.

Biodecolorization and biodegradation of Reactive Green 12 textile industry dye and their post-degradation phytotoxicity-genotoxicity assessments.

The employment of versatile bacterial strains for the efficient degradation of carcinogenic textile dyes is a sustainable technology of bioremediation for a neat, clean, and evergreen globe. The present study has explored the eco-friendly degradation of complex Reactive Green 12 azo dye to its non-toxic metabolites for safe disposal in an open environment. The bacterial degradation was performed with the variable concentrations (50, 100, 200, 400, and 500 mg/L) of Reactive Green 12 dye. The degradation and toxicity of the dye were validated by high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier infrared spectroscopy analysis, and phytotoxicity and genotoxicity assay, respectively. The highest 97.8% decolorization was achieved within 12 h. Alternations in the peaks and retentions, thus, along with modifications in the functional groups and chemical bonds, confirmed the degradation of Reactive Green 12. The disappearance of a major peak at 1450 cm-1 corresponding to the -N=N- azo link validated the breaking of azo bonds and degradation of the parent dye. The 100% germination of Triticum aestivum seed and healthy growth of plants verified the lost toxicity of degraded dye. Moreover, the chromosomal aberration of Allium cepa root cell treatment also validated the removal of toxicity through bacterial degradation. Thereafter, for efficient degradation of textile dye, the bacterium is recommended for adaptation to the sustainable degradation of dye and wastewater for further application of degraded metabolites in crop irrigation for sustainable agriculture.

Effect of nutrition education intervention on nutrition knowledge, attitude, and diet quality among school-going adolescents: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition education is being used to encourage school adolescents to adopt healthy eating habits. To the best of our knowledge, very little study has been undertaken in Nepal to examine the effectiveness of nutrition education programs. This study aimed to assess the effect of nutrition education on nutritional knowledge, attitude, and diet quality among school-going adolescents in selected private schools in Nepal. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 226 students aged 12 - 19 years of two selected private schools in Banepa municipality of Nepal. Students (n = 113) from the first school were assigned to intervention and the same number of students from the second school were enrolled in the study as the control. Over 12 weeks, students in the intervention group received one hour of nutrition education in the form of mini-lectures and interactive discussions, whilst students in the control group received no education. The student's two-sample t-test was used to compare two groups and to assess the effectiveness of the nutrition education program. RESULTS: Between the intervention and control group, the magnitude of difference in knowledge score was 1.80 (95% CI: 1.11 - 2.49), emotional eating was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.42 - 1.54), uncontrolled eating was 3.60 (95% CI: 2.10 - 5.09), and cognitive restraint of eating was 2.26 (95% CI: 1.51 - 3.01). CONCLUSIONS: A tailored health education intervention was found to be effective in increase nutritional knowledge and attitude among school-going adolescents. Adopting nutrition education interventions as part of public health school intervention builds positive knowledge, attitudes, and healthy eating habits in school-going adolescents.

Adult Children's Migration and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older Nepali Adults.

Traditionally, adult children have served as primary caretakers and providers for older Nepali adults. However, out-migration of adult children for employment and other opportunities is increasing. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older Nepali adults in general and in the context of adult children's migration is poorly understood. This study aims to assess HRQOL of older Nepali adults and its relationship with adult children's migration. We used existing cross-sectional survey data on 260 older adults from Krishnapur municipality, which has witnessed a high rate of adult migration. HRQOL, quantified using the SF-12 scale, is expressed in terms of a physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health component. A higher PCS and MCS score, each ranging from 0 to 100, indicates better physical and mental health, respectively. The correlates of HRQOL were assessed in simple and multiple linear regression. Participants had suboptimal HRQOL [mean (± SD): PCS = 40.4 ± 9.2 and MCS = 45.2 ± 7.7]. After adjusting for covariates, adult children's migration was associated with lower MCS scores (ß: -2.33, 95%CI: -4.21, -0.44). Individuals with more than one child had higher MCS scores (ß: 2.14, 95%CI: 0.19, 4.09). Females (ß: -3.64, 95%CI: -7.21, -0.06) and those with a history of unemployment (ß: -6.36, 95%CI: -10.57, -2.15) had lower PCS scores than their respective counterparts. The presence of chronic conditions was associated with significantly lower PCS and MCS scores. Our findings suggest that adult children's migration may negatively affect HRQOL among older Nepali adults, specifically their psychological well-being. Further research investigating potential moderating factors that may serve as important buffers is needed.

A systematic review on multipotent carcinogenic agent, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), its major risk assessment, and precautions.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) as a possible carcinogen and mutagenic substances, placing it in category 2A of compounds that are probably harmful to humans. It is found in nature and tobacco smoke, along with its precursors, and is also synthesized endogenously in the human body. The oral or parenteral administration of a minimal quantity of NDEA results in severe liver and kidney organ damage. The NDEA required bioactivation by CYP450 enzyme to form DNA adduct in the alkylation mechanism. Thus, this bioactivation directs oxidative stress and injury to cells due to the higher formation of reactive oxygen species and alters antioxidant system in tissues, whereas free radical scavengers guard the membranes from NDEA-directed injury in many enzymes. This might be one of the reasons in the etiology of cancer that is not limited to a certain target organ but can affect various organs and organ systems. Although there are various possible approaches for the treatment of NDEA-induced cancer, their therapeutic outcomes are still very dismal. However, several precautions were considered to be taken during handling or working with NDEA, as it considered being the best way to lower down the occurrence of NDEA-directed cancers. The present review was designed to enlighten the general guidelines for working with NDEA, possible mechanism, to alter the antioxidant line to cause malignancy in different parts of animal body along with its protective agents. Thus, revelation to constant, unpredictable stress situations even in common life may remarkably augment the toxic potential through the rise in the oxidative stress and damage of DNA.

Prospecting the Potential of Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms for Mitigating Drought Stress in Crop Plants.

Drought is a global phenomenon affecting plant growth and productivity, the severity of which has impacts around the whole world. A number of approaches, such as agronomic, conventional breeding, and genetic engineering, are followed to increase drought resilience; however, they are often time consuming and non-sustainable. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms are used worldwide to mitigate drought stress in crop plants. These microorganisms exhibit multifarious traits, which not only help in improving plant and soil health, but also demonstrate capabilities in ameliorating drought stress. The present review highlights various adaptive strategies shown by these microbes in improving drought resilience, such as modulation of various growth hormones and osmoprotectant levels, modification of root morphology, exopolysaccharide production, and prevention of oxidative damage. Gene expression patterns providing an adaptive edge for further amelioration of drought stress have also been studied in detail. Furthermore, the practical applications of these microorganisms in soil are highlighted, emphasizing their potential to increase crop productivity without compromising long-term soil health. This review provides a comprehensive coverage of plant growth-promoting microorganisms-mediated drought mitigation strategies, insights into gene expression patterns, and practical applications, while also guiding future research directions.

Intracellular Iron Accumulation Induces Inflammatory and Oxidative Status of the Host After Japanese Encephalitis Viral Infection.

The factors mitigating the microglia/macrophage activation and inflammatory damage in Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus infected CNS are still being ascertained. We aim to characterize the changes in iron transporter and iron storage proteins along with inflammatory and oxidative stress-mediated signaling during the JE viral infection. Cortical tissue samples from mice with JE viral infection were processed for biochemical, histological, and molecular analysis. Iron storage protein, i.e., ferritin, was found significantly increased post-JE viral infection, and iron accumulation was noted in cortical tissue. Key proinflammatory associated markers, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and its regulator TLR4, were found to be increased, while SOCS1 (anti-inflammatory regulator) transcription decreased with increased levels of oxidative stress markers NOX2-mediated NF-ΚB/p65 and protein carbonyl. Furthermore, it is noted that hepcidin level increased and ferroportin level decreased, and iron transporter gene expression got imbalanced after JE viral infection. This observation was further confirmed by deferoxamine (DFO) treatment to JE viral infection mice model, where the decline in hepcidin transcription level and iron load in cortical tissue of JE viral infected animals was noted. However, no change was found in the ferroportin level compared to JE viral infected animals. Together, these findings suggest that iron overload and hepcidin-ferroportin regulation are involved in JE viral infection disease pathologies and associated with the inflammatory and oxidative status of the host during infection.

Assessing the efficacy of phyllospheric growth-promoting and antagonistic bacteria for management of black rot disease of cauliflower incited by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris.

The study aimed to assess the potential of phyllospheric bacterial strains isolated from cauliflower plants as biocontrol agents against black rot disease caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, through both in vitro and in vivo evaluations. A total of 46 bacterial strains were isolated from healthy and infected cauliflower leaves of both resistant and susceptible plants, and evaluated them for various traits, including plant growth-promoting activities and in vitro antagonistic activity against Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Further, a pot experiment was conducted with the susceptible cauliflower genotype (Pusa Sharad) and 10 selected phyllospheric bacterial isolates to assess their biocontrol efficacy against the disease. The results showed that 82.60% of phyllospheric bacterial isolates were positive for phosphate solubilization, 63.04% for ammonia production, 58.69% for HCN production, 36.95% for siderophore production, and 78.26% had the capacity to produce IAA. Out of the 46 isolates, 23 exhibited in vitro antagonistic activity against X. campestris pv. campestris and 10 isolates were selected for a pot experiment under glasshouse conditions based on their good plant growth-promoting activities and antagonistic assay. The results revealed that bacterial isolate CFLB-27 exhibited the highest biocontrol efficiency (65.41%), followed by CFLB-24 (58.30%), CFLB-31 (47.11%), and CFLB-26 (46.03%). These four isolates were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens CFLB-27, Bacillus velezensis CFLB-24, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CFLB-31, and Stenotrophomonas rhizophila CFLB-26. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of phyllospheric bacteria as an effective tool for disease management in sustainable agriculture.

Effectiveness of a dietician-led intervention in reducing glycated haemoglobin among people with type 2 diabetes in Nepal: a single centre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Nutrition education and counselling are considered a cornerstone for the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, there is limited research related to the management of T2D through dietary approach, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nepal. This study assessed the effectiveness of a dietician-led dietary intervention in reducing glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels among people with T2D. Methods: An open-label, two-armed, hospital-based, randomised controlled trial was conducted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Participants were randomly assigned to either dietician-led dietary intervention group (n = 78) or usual care control group (n = 78). People with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c >6.5% and aged 24-64 years were included in the study. The primary outcome was a change in HbA1c level over six months, and secondary outcomes included changes in biochemical and clinical parameters, Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) score, diabetic knowledge, dietary adherence, and macronutrient intake level. Data were analysed using an intention-to-treat approach. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04267367. Findings: Between August 15, 2021 and February 25, 2022, 156 people with type 2 diabetes were recruited for the study, of which 136 participants completed the trial. At six months of follow-up, compared to baseline values, the mean HbA1c (%) level decreased in the intervention group by 0.48 (95% CI: -0.80 to -0.16), while it increased in the control group by 0.22 (95% CI: -0.21 to 0.66). In an adjusted model, the reduction in HbA1c (%) levels for the intervention was 0.61 (95% CI: -1.04 to -0.17; p = 0.006). In addition, fasting blood glucose was decreased by 18.96 mg/dL (95% CI: -36.12 to -1.81; p = 0.031) after the intervention. The intervention resulted in the reduction of BMI, waist and hip circumference, PAID score, dietary adherence, and macronutrient intake in the intervention group compared to the control group. Interpretation: The dietician-led intervention improved glycaemic control, improved macronutrient intake, and clinical outcomes among people with type 2 diabetes. The dietician-led intervention may be considered for diabetes management in LMICs. Funding: The research was funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Nepal.