Open reduction and internal fixation of zygomatic arch fracture by transbuccal instrumentation - A prospective clinical trial.

Background and Purpose: The zygomatic arch is important to maintain facial projection as well as width. Hence, restitution of its form by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is indicated following its fracture, in certain clinical scenarios. The contemporary surgical approaches are cutaneous with associated complications. This observational clinical trial was designed to evaluate intraoral reduction and transbuccal fixation of zygomatic arch fractures. Materials and Method: Six patients requiring ORIF of the zygomatic arch were recruited for the study. The clinical parameters such as pain, swelling, mouth opening, facial nerve function, and scar were assessed in the pre-operative as well as post-operative period. Radiographic assessment of displacement and inter-fragmentary separation were studied on computed tomography (CT) images. Results: Mean pre-operative mouth opening was increased from 28.33 ± 6.80 to 36.83 ± 1.94 (P value 0.03). Mean pre-operative swelling was decreased from 34.63 ± 5.41 to 29.71 ± 2.73 (P value 0.02). The pain decreased by day 7 in all the patients (P value 0.01). No facial nerve injury (P value 1) or scar formation (P value 0.002) was encountered in our study. The inter-fragmentary separation as assessed by CT analysis revealed satisfactory outcome. Conclusion: Intraoral open reduction and transbuccal fixation is a simple, effective, and less invasive method to address zygomatic arch fractures with no complications.

Ayurvedic Management of Presbycusis (Project TOPMAC): Protocol for an Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Presbycusis is characterized by sensorineural hearing loss in both ears at high frequencies, which affects more than half of the older adults by the age of 75 years and is often accompanied by tinnitus and cognitive deterioration. Unfortunately, there are no treatments available to restore hearing loss. Treatment mainly focuses on improving the quality of life and communication with hearing aids. Traditional medicine like Ayurveda also explains ailments of a similar nature as Badhirya and advises using drugs with antiaging and neuroprotective activity for treatment. In Ayurveda, Badhirya and Karnanada (senile deafness with tinnitus) are due to vitiation of Vata Dosha. Treatments such as topical oil pooling (Karnapurana) are usually advised to counter Vata, improve hearing capacity, and reduce tinnitus. Kshirabala Taila, a medicated oil formulation prepared with Sida cordifolia Linnaeus, is one of the most preferred oils for topical oil pooling in such conditions, as it has a definitive indication for sensory dysfunctions. Drugs like Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) are also used, as they ameliorate neurodegeneration and help to improve cognitive dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: We propose an exploratory randomized controlled trial study for evaluating the efficacy of TOPMAC (Topical Oil Pooling with Kshirabala Taila and Supplementation of Ashwagandha Churna) in tinnitus suppression and hearing and cognitive function protection in patients aged 60-75 years with mild to moderate presbycusis. METHODS: A parallel, 2-group, exploratory randomized controlled trial will be conducted in an Indian Ayurvedic research center at its outpatient service. Participants (N=60) with mild to moderate presbycusis will be recruited by screening. Participants will be randomized (computer-generated 1:1) to receive either basic treatment and health education (BTHE) or BTHE+TOPMAC for 24 weeks. The primary objective is to compare the efficacy of TOPMAC with that of BTHE in the protection of hearing function. The secondary objective is to compare the efficacy of TOPMAC with that of BTHE in tinnitus suppression and cognitive function protection. RESULTS: This project was funded in January 2023. The institutional ethics committees at National Ayurveda Research Institute for Panchakarma (3/1/2020/NARIP/Tech/2036) and Institute for Communicative and Cognitive Neuro Sciences (IEC006) approved this study. The first patient was enrolled in September 2023; 22 participants were enrolled as of August 2024. The data analysis is yet to start, and the results are expected to be published by January 2025. CONCLUSIONS: If this exploratory trial is proven effective, it will steer the setting of a definitive randomized controlled trial to test whether the TOPMAC intervention can be incorporated as a cost-effective integrative approach for managing presbycusis. The Indian government has already launched a National Program for Prevention and Control of Deafness to benefit the deaf population. TOPMAC may later be considered for integration with the national program. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry India CTRI/2023/04/051485; https://tinyurl.com/2h2hry3n. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/55089.

Modified speed breeding approach reduced breeding cycle to less than half in vegetable soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.].

Vegetable soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is gaining popularity because of its high nutritive values and health benefits; however, its productivity is scarce. Recognizing the need to accelerate breeding progress, a modified approach of 'speed breeding' was used in 16 vegetable soybean genotypes to reduce the breeding periods. The genotypes were exposed to cycles of 10 h light (30 °C) and 14 h dark (25 °C) with CO2 (550 ppm) and without CO2 supplementation under the light intensity of 220 µmol m-2 s-1 at the canopy level and 70-80% relative humidity. To reduce the time further, physiologically matured pods were harvested once they changed their color from green to greenish yellow and dried in the oven for 7 days at 25 ± 2 °C with RH 10-20%. The genotypes showed variable responses towards days to flowering coupled with an increase in the number of pods, number of seeds and seed weight per plant, and 100 seed weight during a short breeding period under CO2 supplement. A couple of genotypes behaved indifferently under normal and elevated CO2 levels. The fresh oven-dried seeds displayed 73.33-100% germination, while that in the seeds stored at 4 °C for 10 months was 80-100%. Thus, the modified speed breeding technique could effectively reduce the breeding period without affecting the germination of the seeds. With this approach, we could save 6-34 days in a genotype dependent way which would at least give 4-4.5 generations of soybean per year instead of the usual 1-2 generations. Further, the reduction in maturity duration was more in longer duration genotypes than the shorter duration ones. This represents the country's initial report of rapid breeding in vegetable soybean and offers ample opportunity for rapid generation advancement in this crop. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-024-01503-z.

Cryogenic nano-imaging of second-order moiré superlattices.

Second-order superlattices form when moiré superlattices with similar periodicities interfere with each other, leading to larger superlattice periodicities. These crystalline structures are engineered using two-dimensional materials such as graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, and the specific alignment plays a crucial role in facilitating correlation-driven topological phases. Signatures of second-order superlattices have been identified in magnetotransport experiments; however, real-space visualization is still lacking. Here we reveal the second-order superlattice in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene closely aligned with hexagonal boron nitride through electronic transport measurements and cryogenic nanoscale photovoltage measurements and evidenced by long-range periodic photovoltage modulations. Our results show that even minuscule strain and twist-angle variations as small as 0.01° can lead to drastic changes in the second-order superlattice structure. Our real-space observations, therefore, serve as a 'magnifying glass' for strain and twist angle and can elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the breaking of spatial symmetries in twisted bilayer graphene.

Lid wiper epitheliopathy: Topical review of current identification strategies and future perspectives.

Lid Wiper Epitheliopathy (LWE) is a recognized ocular condition affecting visual quality and ocular comfort, characterized by the damage of the marginal conjunctiva of the upper eyelid. This review critically examines the current strategies for LWE identification and explores the multifactorial etiology of LWE and its association with various ocular surface diseases. A literature review conducted on PubMed identified 67 relevant studies, which were analyzed to enhance understanding of LWE's diagnostic criteria and its clinical implications, offering future perspectives on improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. The association between LWE and contact lens-related discomfort is examined, with studies reporting conflicting findings regarding its prevalence and severity among soft contact lens wearers. Moreover, LWE has been linked to tear film abnormalities, altered tear composition, and eyelid margin abnormalities in non-contact lens wearers, further complicating diagnosis and management. Current LWE grading systems, including subjective methods and semi-objective approaches, are reviewed, highlighting challenges such as subjectivity, complexity, and variability. Recent advances in LWE grading, including semi-automated methods and photographic scales, show promise but face implementation challenges in clinical settings. The review concludes by proposing areas for further research, including investigating factors contributing to LWE onset and development, developing more sensitive diagnostic tools, and exploring the impact of LWE on ocular surface health and visual function. Standardization, validation, and innovation in grading systems are emphasized to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve clinical outcomes for patients with LWE. Ongoing research in LWE grading is essential for addressing diagnostic challenges and optimizing assessment methodologies in clinical practice.

Estimation of the crop evapotranspiration for Udham Singh Nagar district using modified Priestley-Taylor model and Landsat imagery.

The main challenges for utilizing daily evapotranspiration (ET) estimation in the study area revolve around the need for accurate and reliable data inputs, as well as the interpretation of ET dynamics within the context of local agricultural practices and environmental conditions. Factors such as cloud cover, atmospheric aerosols, and variations in land cover pose challenges to the precise estimation of ET from remote sensing data. This research aimed to utilize Landsat 8 and 9 datasets from the 2022-23 period in the Udham Singh Nagar district to apply the modified Priestley-Taylor (MPT) model for estimating ET. An average ET was estimated 1.33, 1.57, 1.70, 2.99, and 3.20 mm day-1 with 0.29, 0.33, 0.41, 0.69, and 1.03 standard deviation for December, January, February, March, and April month, respectively. In the validation phase, a strong correlation was found between the evaporative fraction derived from MPT and that observed by lysimeter, with R2 = 0.71, mean biased error = 0.04 mm day-1, root mean squared error = 0.62 mm day-1 and agreement index of 0.914. These results collectively support the effectiveness of the MPT model in accurately estimating ET across Udham Singh Nagar district. In essence, this research not only confirms the MPT model's capability in ET estimation but also offers detailed insights into the spatial and temporal fluctuations of energy fluxes and daily ET rates.

Investigating In Silico and In Vitro Therapeutic Potential of Diosmetin as the Anti-Parkinson Agent.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate how diosmetin interacts with seven target receptors associated with oxidative stress (OS) and validate its antioxidant properties for the potential management of Parkinson's disease (PD). BACKGROUND: In PD, the degeneration of dopaminergic cells is strongly influenced by OS. This stressor is intricately connected to various mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and excitotoxicity induced by nitric oxide. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to establish a molecular connection between diosmetin and OS-associated target receptors was the goal, and it investigated how this interaction can lessen PD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven molecular targets - Adenosine A2A (AA2A), Peroxisome Proliferator- Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ), Protein Kinase AKT1, Nucleolar Receptor NURR1, Liver - X Receptor Beta (LXRß), Monoamine Oxidase - B (MAO-B) and Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) were obtained from RCSB. Molecular docking software was employed to determine molecular interactions, while antioxidant activity was assessed through in-vitro assays against various free radicals. RESULTS: Diosmetin exhibited interactions with all seven target receptors at their binding sites. Notably, it showed superior interaction with AA2A and NURR1 compared to native ligands, with binding energies of -7.55, and -6.34 kcal/mol, respectively. Additionally, significant interactions were observed with PPARγ, AKT1, LXRß, MAO-B, and TrkB with binding energies of -8.34, -5.42, -7.66, -8.82, -8.45 kcal/mol, respectively. Diosmetin also demonstrated antioxidant activity against various free radicals, particularly against hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and nitric oxide (NO) free radicals. CONCLUSION: Diosmetin possibly acts on several target receptors linked to the pathophysiology of PD, demonstrating promise as an OS inhibitor and scavenger.

Advancements in breast cancer therapy: The promise of copper nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide and poses significant treatment challenges. Traditional therapies often lead to adverse side effects and resistance, necessitating innovative approaches for effective management. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to explore the potential of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) in enhancing breast cancer therapy through targeted drug delivery, improved imaging, and their antiangiogenic properties. METHODS: The review synthesizes existing literature on the efficacy of CuNPs in breast cancer treatment, addressing common challenges in nanotechnology, such as nanoparticle toxicity, scalability, and regulatory hurdles. It proposes a novel hybrid method that combines CuNPs with existing therapeutic modalities to optimize treatment outcomes. RESULTS: CuNPs demonstrate the ability to selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy. Their unique physicochemical properties facilitate efficient biodistribution and enhanced imaging capabilities. Additionally, CuNPs exhibit antiangiogenic activity, which can inhibit tumor growth by preventing the formation of new blood vessels. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that CuNPs represent a promising avenue for advancing breast cancer treatment. By addressing the limitations of current therapies and proposing innovative solutions, this review contributes valuable insights into the future of nanotechnology in oncology.

Chemical modification of bacterial exopolysaccharides: Antioxidant properties and health potentials.

In recent years, there has been a burgeoning interest in the utilization of microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) because of the added advantage of their renewable, biocompatible, and biodegradable nature in addition to intended applications. The endowed properties of bacterial EPS make them valuable candidates for a wide array of industrial applications. Modification of native EPS is known to enhance various physico-chemical and functional properties. Various modifications such as physical, chemical, biological, and enzymatic modifications were practiced improving the bioactivity of EPS. This paper comprehensively aims to review the most recent chemical modification techniques employed to modify the physico-chemical and functional changes of bacterial EPS in comparison with the unmodified forms. Chemical modification entails strategic alterations to the structure and properties of EPS through various synthetic and semi-synthetic methodologies. Emphasis is given to the antioxidant potential and functional role of these EPS derivatives in human health. Antioxidant properties reveal a significant augmentation in activity compared to their native counterparts. Such enhancement holds a strong promise for potential benefits and therapeutic applications. Chemical derivatives of EPS with overwhelming functional benefits could surely encourage EPS application, particularly as potential hydrocolloids in industrial and biomedical contexts.

The Potential of Mitochondrial Therapeutics in the Treatment of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Aging.

Mitochondria are central to cellular energy production, and their dysfunction is a major contributor to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, pivotal factors in aging, and related diseases. With aging, mitochondrial efficiency declines, leading to an increase in ROS and persistent inflammatory responses. Therapeutic interventions targeting mitochondrial health show promise in mitigating these detrimental effects. Antioxidants such as MitoQ and MitoVitE, and supplements like coenzyme Q10 and NAD + precursors, have demonstrated potential in reducing oxidative stress. Additionally, gene therapy aimed at enhancing mitochondrial function, alongside lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise and caloric restriction can ameliorate age-related mitochondrial decline. Exercise not only boosts mitochondrial biogenesis but also improves mitophagy. Enhancing mitophagy is a key strategy to prevent the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, which is crucial for cellular homeostasis and longevity. Pharmacological agents like sulforaphane, SS-31, and resveratrol indirectly promote mitochondrial biogenesis and improve cellular resistance to oxidative damage. The exploration of mitochondrial therapeutics, including emerging techniques like mitochondrial transplantation, offers significant avenues for extending health span and combating age-related diseases. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming challenges in precisely targeting dysfunctional mitochondria and optimizing delivery mechanisms for therapeutic agents. Continued research is essential to refine these approaches and fully understand the interplay between mitochondrial dynamics and aging.

Utilization of publicly available data to summarize spatio-temporal patterns of fish health events of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) reported by marine finfish industries in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Atlantic salmon aquaculture companies in British Columbia (BC) must report fish health events to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) as part of their licensing conditions. Our study aimed to summarize these fish health events reported by Atlantic salmon sites in BC to identify spatial and spatio-temporal clusters. We conducted descriptive, retrospective global, and local cluster analyses using Moran's I and scan statistics. Between 2016 and 2022, 265 fish health events were reported. The annual incidence ranged from 5.60 (95% CI: 3.90-7.80) to 6.86 (95% CI: 4.70-9.60) health events per 100 active site-months. The most common events were yellow mouth (60.75%; 161/265) and salmonid rickettsial septicaemia (SRS) (15.47%; 41/265). The Moran's I index was positive and significant for yellow mouth, SRS, and overall fish health events at different distance bands. Most of the spatial and spatio-temporal clusters were identified in the west-central and southwestern parts of Vancouver Island. Our study hypothesizes that management practices, environmental conditions, and water quality parameters may have influenced the increased reporting of fish health events in these regions. Overall, the study highlights the potential of publicly available data for practical risk mapping in understanding the patterns of farmed Atlantic salmon diseases in BC.

Importance of Dyslipidemias in Very Premature Coronary Artery Disease in India: A Registry-based Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important cause of death in India. To identify risk factors in patients with premature CAD, we performed a registry-based study. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from October 2020 to June 2021 were recruited. The patients were classified into three groups-group I (very premature CAD < 40 years), group II (premature CAD 40-59 years), and group III (nonpremature CAD > 60 years). Major risk factors were determined, and intergroup comparison was performed. RESULTS: A total of 627 patients were enrolled (men 541, women 86). Group I had 79 (12.4%), group II had 420 (66.9%), and group III had 128 (20.4%) patients. The prevalence of risk factors in groups I, II, and III, respectively, were-CAD family history in 45.1, 41.1, and 26.6% (p = 0.005), current smoking/tobacco use in 29.1, 21.0, and 10.2% (p = 0.002), hypertension in 31.6, 43.6, and 59.4% (p < 0.001), and diabetes in 22.8, 34.3, and 46.1% (p < 0.001). High total cholesterol (>170 mg/dL) was present in 50.0, 38.0, and 29.9% (p = 0.005), nonhigh-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (>100 mg/dL) in 76.9, 64.4, and 54.5% (p = 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (>70 mg/dL) in 85.9, 76.8, and 76.4% (p = 0.167), triglycerides (>150 mg/dL) in 56.4, 45.3, and 33.1% (p = 0.001), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol (>30 mg/dL) in 24.4, 10.4, and 9.4% (p = 0.005). Age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for smoking/tobacco use in groups I and II compared to group III, respectively, were 3.17 (1.60-6.27) and 2.59 (1.51-4.46); high total cholesterol 2.39 (1.29-4.13) and 1.42 (0.92-2.17); high non-HDL cholesterol 2.70 (1.45-5.03) and 1.48 (0.99-2.20); and high triglycerides 2.57 (1.44-4.58) and 1.64 (1.08-2.49). CONCLUSION: Important coronary risk factors in very premature and premature CAD in India are a family history of CAD, any tobacco use, and dyslipidemias (raised total, LDL, non-HDL, and VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides).

A review on e-waste contamination, toxicity, and sustainable clean-up approaches for its management.

Ecosystems and human health are being negatively impacted by the growing problem of electrical waste, especially in developing countries. E-waste poses a significant risk to ecological systems because it can release a variety of hazardous substances into the environment, containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers and heavy metals, brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and dioxins. This review article provides a critical assessment of the toxicological consequences of e-waste on ecosystems and human health and data analyses from scientific journals and grey literature on metals, BFRs, PBDEs, PCDFs, and PAHs in several environmental compartments of commercial significance in informal electronic trash recycling. The currently available techniques and tools employed for treating e-waste are sustainable techniques such as bioremediation, chemical leaching, biological leaching, and pyrometallurgy have been also discussed along with the necessity of implementing strong legislation to address the issue of unregulated exports of electronic trash in recycling practices. Despite the ongoing hurdles, implementing environmentally sustainable recycling methods have the potential to address the detrimental impacts of e-waste and foster positive economic development.

Advancing the understanding of diabetic encephalopathy through unravelling pathogenesis and exploring future treatment perspectives.

Diabetic encephalopathy (DE), a significant micro-complication of diabetes, manifests as neurochemical, structural, behavioral, and cognitive alterations. This condition is especially dangerous for the elderly because aging raises the risk of neurodegenerative disorders and cognitive impairment, both of which can be made worse by diabetes. Despite its severity, diagnosis of this disease is challenging, and there is a paucity of information on its pathogenesis. The pivotal roles of various cellular pathways, activated or influenced by hyperglycemia, insulin sensitivity, amyloid accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, brain vasculopathy, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress, are widely recognized for contributing to the potential causes of diabetic encephalopathy. We also reviewed current pharmacological strategies for DE encompassing a comprehensive approach targeting metabolic dysregulations and neurological manifestations. Antioxidant-based therapies hold promise in mitigating oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage, while anti-diabetic drugs offer neuroprotective effects through diverse mechanisms, including modulation of insulin signaling pathways and neuroinflammation. Additionally, tissue engineering and nanomedicine-based approaches present innovative strategies for targeted drug delivery and regenerative therapies for DE. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in translating these therapeutic interventions into clinical practice, including long-term safety, scalability, and regulatory approval. Further research is warranted to optimize these approaches and address remaining gaps in the management of DE and associated neurodegenerative disorders.

Comprehensive transcriptome, physiological and biochemical analyses reveal that key role of transcription factor WRKY and plant hormone in responding cadmium stress.

Cadmium (Cd) is readily absorbed by tobacco and accumulates in the human body through smoke inhalation, posing threat to human health. While there have been many studies on the negative impact of cadmium in tobacco on human health, the specific adaptive mechanism of tobacco roots to cadmium stress is not well understood. In order to comprehensively investigate the effects of Cd stress on the root system of tobacco, the combination of transcriptomic, biochemical, and physiological methods was utilized. In this study, tobacco growth was significantly inhibited by 50 µM of Cd, which was mainly attributed to the destruction of root cellular structure. By comparing the transcriptome between CK and Cd treatment, there were 3232 up-regulated deferentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 3278 down-regulated DEGs. The obvious differential expression of genes related to the nitrogen metabolism, metal transporters and the transcription factors families. In order to mitigate the harmful effects of Cd, the root system enhances Cd accumulation in the cell wall, thereby reducing the Cd content in the cytoplasm. This result may be mediated by plant hormones and transcription factor (TF). Correlational statistical analysis revealed significant negative correlations between IAA and GA with cadmium accumulation, indicated by correlation coefficients of -0.91 and -0.93, respectively. Conversely, ABA exhibited a positive correlation with a coefficient of 0.96. In addition, it was anticipated that 3 WRKY TFs would lead to a reduction in Cd accumulation. Our research provides a theoretical basis for the systematic study of the specific physiological processes of plant roots under Cd stress.

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.

Pollutant removal efficiency of bare and planted rain gardens with diverse planting mixtures.

This study examines the influence of planting mixture variations on the quality of the percolated water of the rain garden with and without plants. Six planting mixtures in experimental rain gardens have been used. It has been noted that pollutant removal efficiency of RG can exhibit variations based on specific parameters. Notably, RG6, utilizing a planting mix of 75% topsoil and 25% compost, demonstrated the highest performance. These results draw attention to the critical role of the specific planting mixtures in influencing the performance of vital parameters related to pollutant removal. The observation shows that RG5 exhibits exceptional removal efficiency in pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and RG6 performs best in electrical conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Total Phosphorus (TP) removal. In particular, when analyzing pollutant removal on a surface with Madagascar periwinkle plants, RG6 emerges as the most effective, achieving an impressive efficiency of approximately 49%. For the bare surface, pollutant removal efficiency is 40%. The study outcome will be useful in deciding the composition of the planting mixture, which will keep the rain garden to improve quality and quantitatively hydrological performance, lowering urban flooding magnitude.

Quality seed production scenario of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) in India: A 24-year retrospective analysis.

Egyptian clover/Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is the most popular winter leguminous multi-cut fodder crop widely cultivated in the northwest and central parts of India. Quality seed significantly impacts farm productivity, farmers' profitability, and socioeconomic welfare. Foundation and certified seeds enable high-quality seed production, making breeder seed (BS) the most important link in the seed supply chain. In India, berseem BS indent had increased from 1998 - 99 to 2012-13; afterwards, it followed a constant but decreasing trend. Of the 27 notified cultivars, 24 came into the seed supply chain between 1998-1999 and 2021-2022, indicating high varietal availability to stakeholders. The study examines the potential causes of the national decline in BS indent and production and the differences in these figures over time. The highest BS indent was received for the variety JB-1 (276.1 q), followed by BL-10 (205.1 q), Mescavi (165.6 q) and Wardan (153.7 q) from 1998 - 99 to 2021-22. The varietal replacement rate (VRR) is high, 43.30 %, for the varieties that have reached the age of five or less in the recent three years (2019-20 to 2021-22). Additionally, it has been calculated that if the seed chain operates at 100 % efficiency, the BS generated (48.1q) in 2021-22 can cover an area of almost 0.12 million hectares in 2024-25. The study offers an in-depth overview of berseem BS indent and production, an analysis of the difficulties encountered in BS production, and future directions for expanding variety and producing excess BS in the nation.

Long-term outcome of permanent epicardial pacemaker implantation in neonates: Experience from an Indian center.

Introduction: Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in neonates is challenging with respect to indications, device selection, implantation technique, and long-term outcomes. Complex anatomy, the need for long-term pacing with high rates, and a problematic postoperative period are the major problems. Methods: We prospectively followed up 22 newborns who underwent PPI below 28 days of life at our institute. Results: The median age at implantation was 2 days (interquartile range 1-9 days), and 9% were born preterm. The average heart rate before implantation was 46.4 ± 7.2 bpm. Maternal lupus antibodies were positive in 8 (36.4%) neonates, whereas 11 (50.0%) had associated congenital heart disease. Nineteen neonates underwent single chamber (VVI) and three underwent dual chamber (DDD) pacemaker implantation. Over a median follow-up of 46 months (range 2-123 months), the average ventricular pacing percentage was 87.5 ± 24.9%, with a stable pacing threshold. Seven children underwent pulse generator replacement due to battery depletion at a median age of 47 months. Pacing-induced ventricular dysfunction was seen in five children at a median age of 23.6 months, and two underwent upgradation to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Overall mortality was 13.6%, all due to tissue hypoperfusion and lactic acidosis in the postimplantation period. Conclusions: PPI in neonates has a favorable outcome with excellent lead survival. Overall mortality is 13.6%, which is predominantly in the postimplantation period and related to myocardial dysfunction.