Prediction of internet addiction among high school students in a rural Southern Karnataka, India-A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, there is an explosion in the use of electronic devices, the internet, and gaming platforms. In many countries, it is a significant public health concern, prompting calls to identify adequate public policy. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of internet addiction (IA) among high school students and to assess the relationship between the internet addiction level of high school students and their demographic features with internet use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 high school children studying in eighth standard-tenth standard. Among 121 public and private high schools listed by the BEO (Block Education Officer) Office in Kolar Taluk four high schools were selected by lottery method from July 2021 to August 2021. The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) by Young was used to assess the intensity of internet usage. RESULTS: The mean IAT score of study participants was 29.6. The mean age of the study population was 14.4 ± 0.84 years. The odds of internet addiction among female students were 4.5 times higher than among male students. The majority (91.5%) of the students had used the internet for educational purpose and the other common reasons for internet usage is social media (43%), entertainment (43%), and gaming purpose (21%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IA among high school students is 14.6% with the moderate-risk population was 12.5% and the high-risk population was 2.1%. Students using the internet for both academic and non-academic purposes were more internet addicted. The real challenge is to have control over the usage of social sites-the amount of time being spent and the type of activities adolescents are doing online.

Artificial intelligence in age and sex determination using maxillofacial radiographs: A systematic review.

In the past few years, there has been an enormous increase in the application of artificial intelligence and its adoption in multiple fields, including healthcare. Forensic medicine and forensic odontology have tremendous scope for development using AI. In cases of severe burns, complete loss of tissue, complete or partial loss of bony structure, decayed bodies, mass disaster victim identification, etc., there is a need for prompt identification of the bony remains. The mandible, is the strongest bone of the facial region, is highly resistant to undue mechanical, chemical or physical impacts and has been widely used in many studies to determine age and sexual dimorphism. Radiographic estimation of the jaw bone for age and sex is more workable since it is simple and can be applied equally to both dead and living cases to aid in the identification process. Hence, this systematic review is focused on various AI tools for age and sex determination in maxillofacial radiographs. The data was obtained through searching for the articles across various search engines, published from January 2013 to March 2023. QUADAS 2 was used for qualitative synthesis, followed by a Cochrane diagnostic test accuracy review for the risk of bias analysis of the included studies. The results of the studies are highly optimistic. The accuracy and precision obtained are comparable to those of a human examiner. These models, when designed with the right kind of data, can be of tremendous use in medico legal scenarios and disaster victim identification.

Dairy Farmers' Awareness of Vector-Borne Zoonotic Diseases: A Pilot Study.

Background: A quantitative cross-sectional pilot study was conducted to determine dairy farmers' general awareness of vector-borne zoonotic diseases, i.e., dengue fever and chikungunya fever caused by alphavirus and mosquito-borne flavivirus, as well as the relationship between these and other demographic variables such as gender and education level. Materials and Methods: A total of 42 farmers from the Wayanad district of Kerala were surveyed using a well-structured KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practice) questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that farmers have inadequate knowledge and attitudes regarding chikungunya, as well as inadequate practices regarding dengue fever. Similarly, there is a significant correlation between gender and chikungunya fever awareness. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need to increase awareness of these diseases among dairy farmers and emphasizes the significance of conducting additional research on the area and population.

Visualization and Analysis of Vocal Fold Dynamics in Various Voice Disorders.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study aims to compare the glottal dynamics of vocal fold leukoplakia, laryngitis, and papilloma using various visualization techniques, including phonovibrograms (PVG) and glottovibrograms (GVG). It hypothesizes that these techniques can provide understanding of the vibratory dynamics of these voice disorders, which can aid in their objective diagnosis and deriving visual features for computer-assisted classifications. STUDY DESIGN: This work employs a comparative analysis of vocal fold disorders using visualization techniques. The study examines PVG, derivative of PVG (PVG-1), digital kymograms (DKG), and GVG to analyze the glottal dynamics of vocal fold leukoplakia, laryngitis, and papilloma. METHODS: The study utilizes high-speed video endoscopy to capture vocal fold behavior in different pathological conditions. PVG, GVG, and DKG techniques are applied to visualize and analyze the vibratory patterns of the vocal folds. PVG offers a comprehensive portrayal of vocal fold motion, while GVG presents the distance between vocal fold contours. The study also examines PVG-1 as a derivative of PVG. RESULTS: Distinct modifications in vocal fold vibrations across various stages (open, closed, closing, and opening) are documented using PVG, PVG-1, GVG, DKG, and PVG trajectory. Healthy vocal folds exhibit consistent periodic patterns, while disorders, such as leukoplakia, laryngitis, and papilloma, manifest unique features due to structural and functional variations. The methods employed identify both structural irregularities and functional deviations in vocal fold vibrations. CONCLUSIONS: Comparative analyses using PVG and other visualization techniques aid in understanding the glottal dynamics of voice disorders. While laryngoscopy and stroboscopy are valuable for real-time assessment, offline analysis techniques, such as PVG and GVG, are useful for tracking glottal dynamics during phonation and assessing treatment effectiveness over time. Studies like this will contribute to standardizing the PVG-based diagnostic criteria for its clinical utility, and development of classification tools for improved diagnosis and management of vocal fold pathologies.

Surgical pulmonary arterioplasty at bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis leads to favorable pulmonary hemodynamics at final stage palliation.

Objective: Pulmonary arterioplasty (PA plasty) at bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (BDCA) is associated with increased morbidity, but outcomes to final stage palliation are unknown. We sought to determine the influence of PA plasty on pulmonary artery growth and hemodyamics at Fontan. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data and outcomes for BDCA patients from 2006 to 2018. PA plasty was categorized by extent (type 1-4), as previously described. Outcomes included pulmonary artery reintervention and mortality before final palliation. Results: Five hundred eighty-eight patients underwent BDCA. One hundred seventy-nine patients (30.0%) underwent concomitant PA plasty. Five hundred seventy (97%) patients (169 [94%] PA plasty) survived to BDCA discharge. One hundred forty out of 570 survivors (25%) required PA/Glenn reintervention before final stage palliation (59 out of 169 [35%]) PA plasty; 81 out of 401 (20%) non-PA plasty; P < .001). Twelve-, 24-, and 36-month freedom from reintervention after BDCA was 80% (95% CI, 74-86%), 75% (95% CI, 69-82%), and 64% (95% CI, 57-73%) for PA plasty, and 95% (95% CI, 93-97%), 91% (95% CI, 88-94%), and 81% (95% CI, 76-85%) for non-PA plasty (P < .001). Prefinal stage mortality was 37 (6.3%) (14 out of 169 PA plasty; 23 out of 401 non-PA plasty; P = .4). Five hundred four (144 PA plasty and 360 non-PA plasty) patients reached final stage palliation (471 Fontan, 26 1.5-ventricle, and 7 2-ventricular repair). Pre-Fontan PA pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were 10 mm Hg (range, 9-12 mm Hg) and 1.6 mm Hg (range, 1.3-1.9 mm Hg) in PA plasty and 10 mm Hg (range, 8-12 mm Hg) and 1.5 mm Hg (range, 1.3-1.9 mm Hg) in non-PA plasty patients, respectively (P = .29, .6). Fontan hospital mortality, length of stay, and morbidity were similar. Conclusions: PA plasty at BDCA does not confer additional mortality risk leading to final palliation. Despite increased pulmonary artery reintervention, there was reliable pulmonary artery growth and favorable pulmonary hemodynamics at final stage palliation.

Elevating pyrrole derivative synthesis: a three-component revolution.

Pyrrole is an essential chemical with considerable relevance as a pharmaceutical framework for many biologically necessary medications. The growing demand for biologically active compounds calls for a simple one-pot method for generating novel pyrrole derivatives. Nots surprisingly, several multicomponent reactions (MCRs) aim to synthesize pyrrole derivatives. However, this review presents the three-component synthesis of pyrrole derivatives, highlighting the significance of multicomponent reaction in synthesizing eclectic multi-functionalised pyrrole covering the selected literature on the three-component synthesis of substituted pyrrole from 2016 to late 2023. Furthermore, this article classifies the reactions based on the starting material with functional groups involved in the pyrrole ring formation.

Unraveling the Ties: Type 2 Diabetes and Parkinson's Disease - A Nano-Based Targeted Drug Delivery Approach.

The link between Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) dates back to the early 1960s, and ongoing research is exploring this association. PD is linked to dysregulation of dopaminergic pathways, neuroinflammation, decreased PPAR-γ coactivator 1-α, increased phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes, and accelerated α-Syn amyloid fibril production caused by T2DM. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the T2DM-PD association and risk factors for PD in T2DM individuals. The study reviews existing literature using reputable sources like Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, revealing a significant association between T2DM and worsened PD symptoms. Genetic profiles of T2DM-PD individuals show similarities, and potential risk factors include insulin-resistance and dysbiosis of the gut-brain microbiome. Anti-diabetic drugs exhibit neuroprotective effects in PD, and nanoscale delivery systems like exosomes, micelles, and liposomes show promise in enhancing drug efficacy by crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). Brain targeting for PD uses exosomes, micelles, liposomes, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, nano-sized polymers, and niosomes to improve medication and gene therapy efficacy. Surface modification of nanocarriers with bioactive compounds (such as angiopep, lactoferrin, and OX26) enhances α-Syn conjugation and BBB permeability. Natural exosomes, though limited, hold potential for investigating DM-PD pathways in clinical research. The study delves into the underlying mechanisms of T2DM and PD and explores current therapeutic approaches in the field of nano-based targeted drug delivery. Emphasis is placed on resolved and ongoing issues in understanding and managing both conditions.

Multi-omics delineate growth factor network underlying exercise effects in an Alzheimer's mouse model.

Physical exercise represents a primary defense against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD). To impartially investigate the underlying mechanisms, we conducted single-nucleus transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility analyses (snRNA-seq and ATAC-seq) on the hippocampus of mice carrying AD-linked NL-G-F mutations in the amyloid precursor protein gene (APPNL-G-F) following prolonged voluntary wheel-running exercise. Our study reveals that exercise mitigates amyloid-induced changes in both transcriptomic expression and chromatin accessibility through cell type-specific transcriptional regulatory networks. These networks converge on the activation of growth factor signaling pathways, particularly the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin signaling, correlating with an increased proportion of immature dentate granule cells and oligodendrocytes. Notably, the beneficial effects of exercise on neurocognitive functions can be blocked by pharmacological inhibition of EGFR and the downstream phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K). Furthermore, exercise leads to elevated levels of heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF) in the blood, and intranasal administration of HB-EGF enhances memory function in sedentary APPNL-G-F mice. These findings offer a panoramic delineation of cell type-specific hippocampal transcriptional networks activated by exercise and suggest EGF-related growth factor signaling as a druggable contributor to exercise-induced memory enhancement, thereby suggesting therapeutic avenues for combatting AD-related cognitive decline.

Glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) - Selenocysteine metabolism preserves the follicular fluid's (FF) redox homeostasis via IGF-1- NMD cascade in follicular ovarian cysts (FOCs).

Follicular ovarian cysts (FOCs) are characterized by follicles in the ovaries that are >20 mm in diameter and persist for >10 days without the corpus luteum, leading to anovulation, dysregulation of folliculogenesis and subfertility in humans and livestock species. Despite their clinical significance, the precise impact of FOCs on oocyte reserve, maturation, and quality still needs to be explored. While FOCs are observed in both human and livestock populations, they are notably prevalent in livestock species. Consequently, livestock species serve as valuable models for investigating the molecular intricacies of FOCs. Thus, in this study, using goat FOCs, we performed integrated proteomic, metabolomic and functional analyses to demonstrate that oocyte maturation is hampered due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in FOCs follicular fluid (FF) via downregulation of glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), a critical antioxidant seleno enzyme required to negate oxidative stress. Notably, GPX1 reduction was positively correlated with the FF's decline of free selenium and selenocysteine metabolic enzymes, O-phosphoryl-tRNA (Sec) selenium transferase (SEPSECS) and selenocysteine lyase (SCLY) levels. Adding GPX1, selenocysteine, or selenium to the culture media rescued the oocyte maturation abnormalities caused by FOCs FF by down-regulating the ROS. Additionally, we demonstrate that substituting GPX1 regulator, Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) in the in vitro maturation media improved the oocyte maturation in the cystic FF by down-regulating the ROS activity via suppressing Non-sense-mediated decay (NMD) of GPX1. In contrast, inhibition of IGF-1R and the target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) hampered the oocyte maturation via NMD up-regulation. These findings imply that the GPX1 regulation via selenocysteine metabolism and the IGF-1-mediated NMD may be critical for the redox homeostasis of FF. We propose that GPX1 enhancers hold promise as therapeutics for enhancing the competence of FOCs oocytes. However, further in vivo studies are necessary to validate these findings observed in vitro.

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) leaf extract incorporated methylcellulose active films: A sustainable strategy for browning inhibition in apple slice packaging.

Methylcellulose, a prominent polysaccharide prevalent in the food sector, was considered to fabricate the active films with glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker and Noni (Morinda citrifolia) Leaf Extract (NLE) as an active agent. FTIR analysis confirms the intermolecular -OH bonding, and SEM micrograms demonstrate methylcellulose active films' homogeneous, dense morphologic appearance. Due to the crosslinking effect of glutaraldehyde and noni leaf extract, tensile strength (41.83 ± 0.134 MPa) and crystallinity (62.91 %) of methylcellulose films were improved. Methylcellulose active films suppress water and moisture uptake at various relative humidities. The inhibition capability against foodborne pathogens and the excellent antioxidant activity [DPPH (93.191 ± 1.384 %) and ABTS (90.523 ± 1.412 %)] of NLE incorporation suggested that food packed in methylcellulose active films were effective against pathogenic and oxidative attacks. During preservation, to ensure the apple slices' nutritional values, they are covered with physiochemically enhanced methylcellulose active films for up to 120 h. The minimum reduction in vitamin C, reducing sugar content, percentage weight loss, pH, and total phenolic content of apple slices preserved in MGN active films at room temperature suggests it is an affordable and efficient replacement to traditional single-use plastic packaging in the cut fruit industry.

Evaluation of Salivary Butylated Hydroxytoluene and Ascorbic Acid Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health concern associated with systemic as well as oral complications. The preventive antioxidants found in saliva naturally reduce the damaging effects of reactive oxygen molecules. Any disruption to the regular functioning of these antioxidants may lead to oxidative stress, which could boost an individual's vulnerability to oral diseases. Diabetes patients are vulnerable to various dental complications, such as oral mucosal disorders, dental caries, dry mouth, and periodontal disease. AIM: This study aimed to assess the salivary butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid (AA) levels in patients with controlled and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included samples from patients aged 45-65. Group I consisted of 20 controlled diabetic patients, and Group II consisted of 20 uncontrolled diabetic patients. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from both groups, and laboratory analysis was done. Salivary BHT and AA levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and spectrophotometric assay. RESULTS: Salivary butylated hydroxytoluene levels were found to be higher in the uncontrolled diabetic group than in the controlled diabetic group, and salivary AA levels were found to be higher in the controlled diabetic group than in the uncontrolled diabetic group. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) values of butylated hydroxytoluene among controlled and uncontrolled diabetic patients were 2.98 ± 0.12 and 2.99 ± 0.11 absorbance units, respectively. The mean ± SD value of AA in the controlled group was found to be 2.99 ± 0.15 absorbance units, and the mean ± SD value of AA in the uncontrolled group was 2.64 ± 0.96 absorbance units. However, it has been found that there is no statistically significant difference between salivary BHT and AA levels among controlled and uncontrolled diabetics, with p-values of 0.867 and 0.419, respectively. CONCLUSION: Values of salivary biochemical markers were distinctly different between controlled and uncontrolled diabetic groups. However, to establish a definite role of salivary BHT and AA levels as biomarkers in managing and monitoring type 2 diabetes, future studies are required, even though the trends exhibit possible alterations in biomarkers.

A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of live Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (ES1) and heat-treated Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (HT-ES1) in participants with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

To determine the efficacy of the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (ES1) and postbiotic heat-treated Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 (HT-ES1) in improving symptom severity in adults with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 200 participants split into three groups was carried out. Two capsules of either ES1, HT-ES1 or placebo were administered orally, once daily, for 84 days (12 weeks). The primary outcome was change in total IBS-Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) score from baseline, compared to placebo. Secondary outcome measures were stool consistency, quality of life, abdominal pain severity and anxiety scores. Safety parameters and adverse events were also monitored. The change in IBS-SSS scores from baseline compared to placebo, reached significance in the ES1 and HT-ES1 group, on Days 28, 56 and 84. The decrease in mean IBS-SSS score from baseline to Day 84 was: ES1 (-173.70 [±75.60]) vs placebo (-60.44 [±65.5]) (p < .0001) and HT-ES1 (-177.60 [±79.32]) vs placebo (-60.44 [±65.5]) (p < .0001). Secondary outcomes included changes in IBS-QoL, APS-NRS, stool consistency and STAI-S and STAI-T scores, with changes from baseline to Day 84 being significant in ES1 and HT-ES1 groups, compared to the placebo group. Both ES1 and HT-ES1 were effective in reducing IBS-D symptom severity, as evaluated by measures such as IBS-SSS, IBS-QoL, APS-NRS, stool consistency, and STAI, in comparison to the placebo. These results are both statistically significant and clinically meaningful, representing, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first positive results observed for either a probiotic or postbiotic from the same strain, in this particular population.

What is already known on this topicIBS is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating and abnormalities in stool frequency or form. The gut microbiota of people living with IBS differs markedly to the microbiota of healthy individuals. Gut microbiota may play a key role in IBS aetiology and IBS symptoms may be alleviated by modulating the gut microbiota. Several proposed ways to modulate gut health include normalizing the gut microbiota, preventing the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, modulating visceral afferent pathways, and enhancing intestinal barrier function. However, significant heterogeneity between studies, study quality and population, study design and concerns about sample size have limited national and supranational bodies from recommending probiotics for IBS. Further well-powered, randomized, repeatable and controlled trials are warranted.What this study addsThe results of this study substantially contribute to the IBS research field, firstly by providing clinically meaningful and statistically significant results from a rigorous, well designed randomized, placebo-controlled trial and secondly, by exploring the use of postbiotics in IBS, an area of research still in its infancy. Probiotic (ES1) and postbiotic (HT-ES1) supplementation significantly reduced IBS symptom severity scores compared to placebo. This study met primary and secondary outcomes and strongly suggest that ES1 and HT-ES1 could be beneficial in the management of IBS.How this study might affect research, practice, or policyThis study adds to the current evidence base, supporting the use of probiotic/postbiotics for IBS. This research could be used to inform health professionals about using probiotics in IBS and help improve the quality of life and wellbeing for people living with the condition.

Strategies for primary HPV test-based cervical cancer screening programme in resource-limited settings in India: Results from a quasi-experimental pragmatic implementation trial.

BACKGROUND: In order for low and middle income countries (LMIC) to transition to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test based cervical cancer screening, a greater understanding of how to implement these evidence based interventions (EBI) among vulnerable populations is needed. This paper documents outcomes of an implementation research on HPV screening among women from tribal, rural, urban slum settings in India. METHODS: A mixed-method, pragmatic, quasi-experimental trial design was used. HPV screening on self-collected cervical samples was offered to women aged 30-60 years. Implementation strategies were 1) Assessment of contextual factors using both qualitative and quantitative methods like key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGDs), pre-post population sample surveys, capacity assessment of participating departments 2) enhancing provider capacity through training workshops, access to HPV testing facility, colposcopy, thermal ablation/cryotherapy at the primary health care centers 3) community engagement, counselling for self-sampling and triage process by frontline health care workers (HCWs). Outcomes were assessed using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework. RESULTS: Screening rate in 8 months' of study was 31.0%, 26.7%, 32.9%, prevalence of oncogenic HPV was 12.1%, 3.1%, 5.5%, compliance to triage was 53.6%, 45.5%, 84.6% in tribal, urban slum, rural sites respectively. Pre-cancer among triage compliant HPV positive women was 13.6% in tribal, 4% in rural and 0% among urban slum women. Unique challenges faced in the tribal setting led to programme adaptations like increasing honoraria of community health workers for late-evening work and recalling HPV positive women for colposcopy by nurses, thermal ablation by gynaecologist at the outreach camp site. CONCLUSIONS: Self-collection of samples combined with HCW led community engagement activities, flexible triage processes and strengthening of health system showed an acceptable screening rate and better compliance to triage, highlighting the importance of identifying the barriers and developing strategies suitable for the setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2021/09/036130.

Evaluating Health Expenditure Trends and Disease Burden in India: A Cost per DALY Approach.

Background: Efficient allocation of healthcare resources requires a comprehensive evaluation of healthcare spending and its impact on disease burden. This study aims to estimate the costs-per disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in India. Data from 2010 to 2019 on DALYs and health expenditure per capita (HEp) for individual states in India were utilised. Design and Methods: We followed the CHEERS statement 2022 to present our study's methodology and outcomes. Pearson's product-moment correlations were used to analyse associations between DALYs and HEp. A panel regression analysis was conducted using a log regression model to estimate changes in DALYs due to health expenditure changes. All costs are reported in Indian rupee (₹) along with its 95% CI, with a conversion factor of 1 US$ = ₹82.4 applied. Results: The costs-per-DALY were estimated for each state and India. DALY was negatively correlated with HEp. The estimated mean cost-per-DALY for India was ₹82,112 (₹55,810 to ₹1,08,413) [$997 ($667 to $1316)]. The mean cost per-DALY varied across states, with value of ₹27,058 (₹22,250 to ₹31,866) [$328 ($270 to $387)] for states in the first quartile based on Human Development Index (HDI) and ₹2,69,175 (₹1,05,946 to ₹4,32,404) [$3267 ($1286 to $5248)] for those in fourth HDI quartile. States such as Gujarat (0.16), Karnataka (0.17) and Maharashtra (0.22) have lower, and Arunachal Pradesh has the highest cost-per-DALY to Gross state domestic product per-capita ratio (2.41), followed by Nagaland (1.45). Conclusion: Higher healthcare investment has a lower disease burden; however, reduction in DALY varies across states. Study findings provide evidence to aid the setting up of differential willingness-to-pay thresholds across Indian states for efficient and equitable healthcare resource allocation.

A Day Saved is a Life Saved: Direct Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing from Positively Flagged Blood Culture Bottles and their Concordance with the Routine Method.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major health problem worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality with every hour delay in initiation of therapy. A conventional method of blood culture and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) takes around 48-72 hours. Empirical antibiotics need to be administered until the sensitivity report is made available. It has been estimated that 20-50% of the empirical antibiotics are inappropriate, resulting in prolonged hospital stays, adverse effects, and emergence of drug resistance. Additionally, this also puts an extra financial burden on both the patients and healthcare settings. Performing direct Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing (dAST) is an important tool to reduce turn-around time (TAT) by at least 18-24 hours, thus reducing morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients. METHODS: Direct AST (dAST) was performed from the positively flagged blood culture bottles received between December, 2021 to May, 2022 from Intensive Care Units (ICUs) on MuellerHinton Agar (MHA) using four drops of withdrawn blood. dAST was performed for six drugs: Ceftriaxone-30 µg (CTR), Piperacillin/Tazobactam-100/10 µg (PIT), Meropenem-10 µg (MRP), Ciprofloxacin-5 µg (CIP), Aztreonam-30 µg (AT), and Colistin (CL). The zone of inhibition was interpreted as per CLSI M100 ed32, 2022 guidelines. A parallel conventional method was also performed to examine for categorical agreement and disagreement. Identification was carried out using MALDI-TOF MS from the colonies that appeared on the dAST plate on the subsequent day. RESULTS: A total of 162 positively flagged blood culture bottles were included in the study. The majority of the Gram-negative organisms were from Enterobacterales (n=109), followed by Acinetobacter spp. (n=28) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=25). Out of the 972 isolate-antimicrobial combinations, overall Categorical Agreement (CA) was seen in 936 (96.3%), whereas disagreement was observed in 36 with minor error (mE) in 21 (2.2%), major error (ME) in 7 (0.7%), and very major error (VME) in 8 (0.8%) when compared to the routine method. Categorical agreement (CA) of > 99% was seen in ceftriaxone (CTR) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). In comparison, the lowest CA was observed with meropenem (MRP) at 92%. Colistin dAST was performed using the E-strip method, and the result obtained was highly convincing, with an overall disagreement of only 1.2%. CONCLUSION: Rapid dAST from positively flagged blood culture bottles proved to significantly reduce the TAT from the time of sample collection to the first availability of antimicrobial susceptibility report with excellent categorical agreement of > 95% using the conventional disc diffusion method. Results obtained were within the acceptance criteria set by U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines of > 90% categorical agreement for a new method. We were able to obtain excellent concordance for colistin using the E-strip method. Performing dAST not only saves a "day", but its proper implementation would save a "life".

Comparative Analysis of Stereotactic Radiation Therapy and Conventional Radiation Therapy in Cancer Pain Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIMS: Approximately 55% of patients diagnosed with primary or metastatic cancer endure pain directly attributable to the disease. Consequently, it becomes imperative to address pain management through a comparative analysis of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and conventional radiation therapy (CRT), especially in light of the less efficacious improvement achieved solely through pharmacological interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic exploration was undertaken on PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Elsevier's ScienceDirect databases to identify studies that compare Stereotactic Radiotherapy to Conventional radiation therapy for pain management in individuals with metastatic bone cancer. The analyses were executed utilizing the random-effects model. RESULTS: A cohort of 1152 participants with metastatic bone cancer was analyzed, demonstrating significantly higher complete pain relief in the Stereotactic Radiotherapy group during both early and late follow-up (RR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.17, 2.23, p-value: 0.004; I2: 0%). Stereotactic Radiotherapy also showed a non-significant increase in the incidence of partial pain relief (RR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.85, 1.34, p-value: 0.56; I2: 18%). Furthermore, Stereotactic Radiotherapy was associated with a significantly reduced risk of stationary pain throughout follow-up (RR: 0.61; 95%CI: 0.48, 0.76, p-value: <0.0001; I2: 0. The incidence of progressive pain was non-significantly reduced with Stereotactic Radiotherapy during both early and late follow-up (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.50, 1.17, p-value: 0.22; I2: 0%). Secondary outcomes exhibited a non-significant trend favoring Stereotactic Radiotherapy for dysphagia, esophagitis, pain, and radiodermatitis, while a non-significant increase was observed for nausea, fatigue, and vertebral compression fracture. CONCLUSION: In summary, stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) has improved in achieving complete pain relief while exhibiting a decreased probability of delivering stationary pain compared to conventional radiation therapy (CRT). Nevertheless, it is crucial in future research to address a noteworthy limitation, specifically, the risk of vertebral compression fracture.

Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Glycemic Control in Diabetic Wistar Rats: The Therapeutic Potential of Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis Diets.

  Background Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by oxidative stress and impaired glycemic control. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis diets in diabetic Wistar rats and assesses their impact on oxidative stress markers and blood glucose levels. Methods  In this experiment, eight groups of six male Wistar rats (n = 12.5%), aged 8 to 12 weeks, were carefully set up to see how different treatments for diabetes and oxidative stress affected the two conditions. The random selection process was implemented to minimize any potential bias and ensure that the results of the study would be representative of the general population of Wistar rats. The groups were as follows: a nondiabetic control group (NDC) served as the baseline, while diabetes was induced in the alloxan monohydrate group (150 mg/kg). Another group was given the standard drug metformin (M, 100 mg/kg), and two control groups that did not have diabetes were given extracts of Theobroma cacao (TC, 340 mg/kg) and Camellia sinensis (CS, 200 mg/kg). Three groups of diabetic rats were given a mix of these treatments. Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis extracts were given at set doses (TC, 340 mg/kg; CS, 200 mg/kg), along with 150 mg/kg of a drug that causes diabetes. Over a 21-day period, oxidative stress parameters such as glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GSHrd) levels, and blood glucose were carefully measured to check for signs of oxidative stress and diabetes progression Results Considerable differences in GSH levels were noted across the groups, with the highest GSH concentration found in the group treated with the inducing drug, while the lowest GSH levels were observed in the diabetic group that was administered both Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis (p < 0.001). MDA levels also varied, with the diabetic group treated with Theobroma cacao having the highest MDA concentration (3.54 ± 0.29 µmol/L) and the nondiabetic control group treated with Camellia sinensis exhibiting the lowest MDA levels (1.66 ± 0.08 µmol/L; p < 0.001). SOD activity was highest in the standard drug group and lowest in the diabetic group treated with Theobroma cacao. GSH activity was notably higher in the diabetic groups that received dietary interventions (p < 0.001). Blood glucose levels showed diverse responses, with the standard drug group experiencing a substantial reduction, while the inducing drug group exhibited a consistent increase. Conclusion The study highlights the significant impact of dietary interventions with Theobroma cacao and Camellia sinensis on oxidative stress markers and blood glucose regulation in diabetic Wistar rats. These findings suggest a potential role for these dietary components in mitigating oxidative stress and improving glycemic control in diabetes, although further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid Synthesis Is Associated with Worse Survival and Is Differentially Regulated by MYCN and Tumor Suppressor microRNAs in Neuroblastoma.

MYCN amplification (MNA) and disruption of tumor suppressor microRNA (TSmiR) function are key drivers of poor outcomes in neuroblastoma (NB). While MYCN and TSmiRs regulate glucose metabolism, their role in de novo fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and unsaturated FAS (UFAS) remains poorly understood. Here, we show that FAS and UFAS (U/FAS) genes FASN, ELOVL6, SCD, FADS2, and FADS1 are upregulated in high-risk (HR) NB and that their expression is associated with lower overall survival. RNA-Seq analysis of human NB cell lines revealed parallel U/FAS gene expression patterns. Consistent with this, we found that NB-related TSmiRs were predicted to target these genes extensively. We further observed that both MYC and MYCN upregulated U/FAS pathway genes while suppressing TSmiR host gene expression, suggesting a possible U/FAS regulatory network between MYCN and TSmiRs in NB. NB cells are high in de novo synthesized omega 9 (ω9) unsaturated fatty acids and low in both ω6 and ω3, suggesting a means for NB to limit cell-autonomous immune stimulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-driven apoptosis from ω6 and ω3 unsaturated fatty acid derivatives, respectively. We propose a model in which MYCN and TSmiRs regulate U/FAS and play an important role in NB pathology, with implications for other MYC family-driven cancers.

Chromene-chromene Schiff base as a fluorescent chemosensor for Th4+ and its application in bioimaging of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The manuscript presents the synthesis of a new di-chromene Schiff base (COM-CH) by combining 7-(diethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbohydrazide and 4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde, and its characterization using various analytical techniques. The probe COM-CH functional group contains a hard donor atom that selectively complexes with Th4+ ions. This report investigated COM-CH's sensing ability towards Th4+ chromogenic and fluorogenic methods in ACN: H2O (8:2, v/v) with Th4+ ions. The COM-CH-Th4+ complex was excited at 430 nm, resulting in a bright emission band at 475 nm with a 45 nm Stokes shift. The COM-CH probe demonstrated the highest performance at pH 4.0 to 8.0, with a sensitivity of 18.7 nM. The complex formation of COM-CH with Th4+ was investigated using NMR, FTIR spectrometry, and density functional theory calculations. The COM-CH and Th4+ are bound with 2:1 stoichiometry and an association constant of 1.92 × 108 M-2. The probe's performance enabled the analysis of monazite sand and water samples for Th4+ content. The probe successfully detected Th4+ content in Caenorhabditis elegans, marking the first Th4+ detection in animal models.