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Little is known about quality of life, sleep, and mental health in children with moyamoya arteriopathy (MMA). A better understanding of patient-reported outcomes may lead to improved treatment. Patients with MMA <26 years old and their caretakers completed validated, age-appropriate questionnaires including the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) Inventory and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measuring health-related quality of life, sleep, anxiety, depression, and overall health. All 21 caretaker-proxies and eight of 21 patients with MMA completed questionnaires. Median age of participants with MMA was 7.8 years. The MMA cohort included 10 children with moyamoya disease and 11 with moyamoya syndrome, and 11 participants (52.4%) had a prior clinical stroke. Nine siblings unaffected by moyamoya and 20 participants with perinatal stroke were enrolled as comparator groups. Participants with MMA had greater impairment in school/work quality of life compared with normative values on caretaker and child-reported PedsQL surveys (85.5 vs 62.3 [ P < 0.001] and 78.6 vs 51.2 [ P = 0.017], respectively). Participants with MMA did not have significantly different physical impairment compared with normative values and siblings on caretaker and child-reported surveys. Caretaker-proxy PROMIS scores revealed high rates of moderate-severe anxiety (57.1% vs 25%, P < 0.001), sleep impairment (47.6% vs 25%, P = 0.017), and fair-poor global health (76.2% vs 25%, P < 0.001) in participants with MMA compared with the general population. Patients with MMA have high rates of school/work impairment, anxiety, sleep impairment, and fair-poor global health. Screening for patient-reported outcomes, even in the absence of stroke or physical impairment, may improve treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IoT device security has become a major concern as a result of the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the growing adoption of cloud computing for central monitoring and management. In order to provide centrally managed services each IoT device have to connect to their respective High-Performance Computing (HPC) clouds. The ever increasing deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices linked to HPC clouds use various medium such as wired and wireless. The security challenges increases further when these devices communicate over satellite links. This Satellite-Based IoT-HPC Cloud architecture poses new security concerns which exacerbates this problem. An intrusion detection technology integrated in the central cloud is suggested as a potential remedy to monitor and detect aberrant activity within the network in order to allay these worries. However, the enormous amounts of data generated by IoT devices and their constrained computing power dose not allow to implement IDS techniques at source and renders towards typical central Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) ineffectiveness. Moreover, to protect these systems, powerful intrusion detection techniques are required due to the inherent vulnerabilities of IoT devices and the possible hazards during data transmission.During the course of literature survey it is revealed that the research work has been done to detect few types of attacks by using the old school model of IDS. The computational expensiveness in terms of processing time is also an important parameter to be considered. This work introduces a novel Embedded Hybrid Deep Learning-based intrusion detection technique (EHID) based on embedded hybrid deep learning that is created specifically for IoT devices linked to HPC clouds via satellite connectivity. Two Deep Learning (DL) algorithms are integrated in the proposed method to improve detection abilities with decent accuracy while considering the processing time and number of trainable parameters to detect 14 types of threats. It segregates among the normal and attack traffic. We also modify the conventional IDS approach and propose architectural change to harness the processing power of central server of cloud. This hybrid approach effectively detects threats by harnessing the computing power available at HPC cloud along with leveraging the power of AI. Additionally, the proposed system enables real-time monitoring and detection of intrusions while providing monitoring and management services through HPC using IoT-generated data. Experiments on Edge-IIoTset Cyber Security Dataset of IoT & IIoT indicate improved detection accuracy, reduced false positives, and efficient computational performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Clinical Significance: Fever in the returning traveler is a medical emergency warranting prompt exclusion of potentially life-threatening infections such as malaria. Case Presentation: We describe a case of a febrile returned traveler to South Africa whose prompt initial diagnostic work-up was notable for a false-positive malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and who nevertheless responded quickly to oral atovaquone-proguanil, despite an ultimate diagnosis of African tick bite fever. Subsequent RDT and malaria thick- and thin-film blood examination failed to corroborate a diagnosis of malaria and all other microbiological testing other than rickettsial serology remained non-contributory. Conclusions: The case presented highlights important points regarding diagnostic test performance characteristics and premature diagnostic closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CT hyper-perfusion had low sensitivity but high specificity for clinical or electrographic seizures/lateralized rhythmic & periodic patterns. • Abnormal CTP demonstrated high sensitivity for clinical seizures and electrographic seizures/lateralized rhythmic and periodic patterns. • Although in small numbers, no patients with generalized rhythmic delta activity or generalized periodic discharges had CTP hyper-perfusion. CT hyper-perfusion has been reported in non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE), while its occurrence and relevance after single seizures or with rhythmic and periodic patterns (RPPs) that lie along the ictal-interictal continuum (IIC), remain unclear. The goal of the study is to assess the role of CT perfusion (CTP) in diagnosing patients with clinical seizures, subclinical seizures, or RPPs that lie along the IIC, to help in the clinical assessment of these entities. We retrospectively reviewed inpatients who underwent a CTP and an EEG within 6 h of each other. CTP and EEGs were blindly reviewed independent of electronic medical records. Out of 103 patients, 15 patients (15 %) demonstrated hyper-perfusion, 40 patients (39 %) had hypo-perfusion, while 48 patients (47 %) had normal CTP. Patients with focal CTP hyperperfusion were more likely to have clinical seizures, electrographic seizures, and/or lateralized rhythmic periodic patterns (RPPs) compared to those without CTP hyperperfusion. Focal CTP hyper-perfusion had 34 % sensitivity and 96 % specificity for identifying patients with clinical seizures, and a 40 % sensitivity and 92 % specificity for identifying patients with electrographic seizures or lateralized RPP. Although the numbers were small, none of the patients with generalized periodic discharges or generalized rhythmic delta activity had CTP hyper-perfusion. Focal CTP hyper-perfusion has low sensitivity but high specificity for identifying patients with seizures and lateralized RPPs, and may be considered in the clinical assessment of patients where the clinical information are unclear or insufficient. The presence of CTP hyper-perfusion should alert the physician to the possibility of an ictal related etiology accounting for the patient's symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this study aims to investigate the manner in which Human Resource Practices (HRP), leadership, and intellectual capital contribute to organisational agility within the healthcare sector, and to assess how this agility influences overall organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach: This research was undertaken within healthcare organisations situated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study sample comprised of 275 participants, and the distribution of the sample across various classifications closely mirrored that of the larger population. To assess the formulated hypotheses, the research utilized Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) software. Findings: Results confirmed the proposed framework and uncovered the significance of HRP, leadership and intellectual capital on organisational agility and organisational performance in a dynamic environment like hospitals. Originality/value: This study demonstrates originality by investigating hospital responsiveness within a highly dynamic context necessitating agility from both managerial and non-technical perspectives. Additionally, it explores the impact of HRP, leadership, and intellectual capital on organisational agility, along with its repercussions for overall organisational performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enteric viruses like canine coronavirus (CCoV), canine parvovirus (CPV), and canine rotavirus (CRV) cause high morbidity and mortality in dogs, especially in young canines and hence pose great economic losses to dog breeders worldwide. This creates immense psychological distress and trauma for dog owners. CCoV is mistakenly diagnosed as CPV in many cases by clinicians though CCoV causes less severe disease than CPV. Sometimes both CCoV and CPV co-exist in a patient causing severe clinical disease and even death in dogs. In such cases, clinicians are uncertain about the prognosis. CRV is detected in several countries but no research has been carried out on it in Pakistan yet. The objective of this research was to observe if CCoV, CPV and CRV co-exist in diarrheic dogs. A total of 384 stool samples of dogs, that were reported at different clinics in Lahore, with the complaint of diarrhea, were collected and rendered for rapid detection of the viruses using immuno-chromatographic test kits followed by PCR-confirmation of the positive samples. The individual prevalence of CCoV, CPV and CRV turned out to be 21.6, 26.3 and 0% respectively. The prevalence of CCoV and CPV co-infection was 3.4%. Male German shepherd dogs under the age of 1 year are highly prone to get viral diarrhea in July and August. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pericardial mesothelioma (PM) is rare with only 200 cases recorded, and a post-mortem prevalence of <0.0022%. It is the third most common cardiac/pericardial tumour, behind angiosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. PM incidence increases with age, typically incidentally diagnosed between 50 and 70 years, with a 3:1 male predominance. Occasional PM can cause chest pain, dyspnoea, cough and even dysphagia. PMs are often misdiagnosed with only 25% of cases being antemortem diagnoses. Unlike pleural mesothelioma, the link between asbestos exposure and malignancy is less convincing, with only 20% of cases having known exposure. 6 There are three histological types: epithelioid, fibrous (spindle cell), and biphasic (mixed). The average life-expectancy post diagnosis is 3–10 months. Due to the heterogeneity of the presentation and rarity there is no standardized management algorithm, and the diagnostic imaging or laboratory investigations are scarcely described. We are presenting one of the cases diagnosed in our unit here in the Gold Coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus mutans, the primary cause of dental caries, relies on its ability to create and sustain a biofilm (dental plaque) for survival and pathogenicity in the oral cavity. This study was focused on the antimicrobial biofilm formation control and biofilm dispersal potential of Coumaric acid (CA) against Streptococcus mutans on the dentin surface. The biofilm was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) viability assay, microtiter plate assay, production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), florescence microscopy (surface coverage and biomass μm2) and three-dimensional (3D) surface plots. It was observed that CA at 0.01 mg/mL reduced bacterial growth by 5.51%, whereases at 1 mg/mL, a significant (p < 0.05) reduction (98.37%) was observed. However, at 1 mg/mL of CA, a 95.48% biofilm formation reduction was achieved, while a 73.45% biofilm dispersal (after 24 h. treatment) was achieved against the preformed biofilm. The MTT assay showed that at 1 mg/mL of CA, the viability of bacteria in the biofilm was markedly (p < 0.05) reduced to 73.44%. Moreover, polysaccharide (EPS) was reduced to 24.80 μg/mL and protein (EPS) to 41.47 μg/mL. ImageJ software (version 1.54 g) was used to process florescence images, and it was observed that the biofilm mass was reduced to 213 (μm2); the surface coverage was reduced to 0.079%. Furthermore, the 3D surface plots showed that the untreated biofilm was highly dense, with more fibril-like projections. Additionally, molecular docking predicted a possible interaction pattern of CA (ligand) with the receptor Competence Stimulating Peptide (UA159sp, PDB ID: 2I2J). Our findings suggest that CA has antibacterial and biofilm control efficacy against S. mutans associated with dental plaque under tested conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of the family Leucospidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) is provided for the leucospid fauna of the Arabian Peninsula. Two genera containing four species are identified based on morphometrics and colour patterns. One species, Leucospis ayezae Usman, Anwar & Ahmad, sp. nov., is described. Leucospis elegans Klug had been previously recorded from Arabia Felix (= Yemen) and is recorded here for the first time from Saudi Arabia. The status of Leucospis aff. namibica from Yemen has been clarified, and this species is placed here in the genus Micrapion Kriechbaumer as M. clavaforme Steffan. An updated key and a map showing the distribution of the family Leucospidae in the Arabian Peninsula is provided. The occurrence and color morphs of all leucospid species that have been recorded so far from the region are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPs) experience exposure to diverse environments throughout their intended design life. Investigating the aging process of FRPs immersed in water is crucial for enhancing the material's durability. In this study, glass fiber, bamboo fiber, nanoclay and epoxy composites are produced using the hand lay-up process. Tensile and flexural tests are performed in adherence to ASTM standards. The water uptake percentage of soaked specimens is computed, and a comparison is drawn between the results of dry and water-immersed composite specimens. Water-soaking condition negatively affects all the composites. Water-soaked specimens exhibit lesser tensile and flexural strengths than dry specimens by 7.4–14.8% and 7–13.6%, respectively. The addition of nanoclay further improves the tensile and flexural strengths of epoxy and all composites by 6–11%. Water uptake (%) and water-soaking effects on the strength of composites decline when nanoclay is added. The addition of nanoclay declines the percentage of reduction of tensile strength from 8.6–14.8% to 7.4–12%. Similarly, the percentage of flexural strength reduction declines from 8–13.6% to 7–11%. The dry and water-soaked specimens' fracture surfaces (Scanning Electron Microscope [SEM] images) show significant variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: Extra cranial carotid atherosclerosis particularly at the bifurcation and the beginning of the internal carotid artery is a known cause of stroke and transient ischemic attacks. Carotid angiography is invasive and expansive, neck vessel doppler provides adequate information. Methods: Carotid bifurcation of 100 patients with recent stroke or TIA and bilateral plaques were evaluated by B mode real-time ultrasonography. Results: Patients with stroke had total occlusion, narrower minimum residual lumen and thicker plaques on the ipsilateral side, while patients with TIA had more echo lucent plaques and significant longitudinal plaque motion. Conclusion: These data demonstrate a significant relationship between carotid artery ultrasound plaque characteristics and type of ischemic cerebrovascular events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over half of human genomic DNA is composed of repetitive sequences generated throughout evolution by prolific mobile genetic parasites called transposable elements (TEs). Long disregarded as “junk” or “selfish” DNA, TEs are increasingly recognized as formative elements in genome evolution, wired intimately into the structure and function of the human genome. Advances in sequencing technologies and computational methods have ushered in an era of unprecedented insight into how TE activity impacts human biology in health and disease. Here we discuss the current views on how TEs have shaped the regulatory landscape of the human genome, how TE activity is implicated in human cancers, and how recent findings motivate novel strategies to leverage TE activity for improved cancer therapy. Given the crucial role of methodological advances in TE biology, we pair our conceptual discussions with an in-depth review of the inherent technical challenges in studying repeats, specifically related to structural variation, expression analyses, and chromatin regulation. Lastly, we provide a catalog of existing and emerging assays and bioinformatic software that altogether are enabling the most sophisticated and comprehensive investigations yet into the regulation and function of interspersed repeats in cancer genomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Partition of India in 1947 was an epochal event; even after seven long decades, it looms large like an intractable question mark over the horizon of politics and history in the subcontinent. There is voluminous scholarship on the matter--much of it, however, resembles a cantenkerous debate rather than reasoned dialogue. Opposing sides across India and Pakistan, and also within, seem to have rigid positions on the issue, nurtured by ideological or nationalist compulsions, leaving very little room for academic manoeuvre. This review article seeks to unravel the main knots of the debate on partition, as it has and continues to unfold, in rival historiographical traditions of Pakistan represented chiefly by Ayesha Jalal and Ishtiyaq Ahmed. The Gordian Knot, as it were, of this entire discourse is Jinnah. There is a wide chasm of disagreement that separates these two schools of thought--namely, revisionist and orthodox--in their estimation of both Jinnah's actions and intentions. The moot question being whether Jinnah really wanted partition or did he unwittingly, in a dangerous game of brinksmanship crafted to gain maximum advantage for Muslims within India, unleash forces that he could no longer control. From this vantage point, and this is the view that Jalal favours, partition was an unintended calamity. Ahmed, on the other hand, brings a wealth of historical evidence to debunk the revisionist claim and argues that Jinnah wanted an independent Pakistan all along. This article attempts to evaluate these two major interventions, by authors cited above who have arguably shaped the contours of scholarly opinion about the role of Jinnah, the main protagonist of the partition saga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Multiple antibiotic resistances in the bacteria that cause infections in humans have been directly caused by the ongoing use of antibiotics in clinical practise. In undeveloped and impoverished nations, the overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics may increase the risk of resistant bacteria emerging and proliferating throughout the population. Consequently, the antibiotics' effectiveness is declining. Therefore, there is now more interest in the therapeutic use of natural materials due to the need for innovative alternative antibacterial techniques. Aim and Objective: To study the antimicrobial activity of honey against clinical isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with special reference to Mec A gene, from various clinical samples at a tertiary care centre, Uttar Pradesh, India. Material and Methods: This was a prospective study carried out in the Department of Pharmacology and the Microbiology Department for a period of 1 year i.e, August 2022 to August 2023 at a Tertiary care centre, Uttar pradesh. The antibacterial activity of Dabur pasteurised honey was evaluated against the bacterial strains of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Their antibacterial sensitivity pattern was tested using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility testing technique according to the CLSI guidelines 2022 along with other commonly used antimicrobials. Results: A total of 200 clinical isolates were isolated, out of which 72 isolates were of S.aureus in which a total of 24 MRSA isolates were were identified by CX, OX, and E-test. The DNA was extracted using the DNA extraction Qiagen Kit and the Mec A gene was detected by the PCR. In the present study there were 24 isolates of MRSA out of which 15(62.5%) isolates were sensitive to honey and 48 isolates of (MSSA) Methicillin sensitive S. aureus out of which 42(87.5%) isolates were sensitive to honey. It was observed that all the Methicillin resistance isolates were resistant to Cefoxitin and Oxacillin whereas sensitive to linezolid, Teicoplanin and Vancomycin. In the present study the results of antibacterial activity of honey towards the two microorganisms tested were performed. MRSA as well as MSSA were sensitive to undiluted honey samples tested with an average zone of inhibition of 30.03± 0.1 and 41.06±0.2 respectively. Both MRSA and MSSA isolates were sensitive to honey. But MRSA were resistant to all antimicrobials tested except linezolid where as MSSA were sensitive to all except penicillin. Conclusion: Honey is undoubtedly a viable candidate for further research and testing as an antibacterial in the future. With more research on its mode of action at the molecular level, honey could find extensive application as an antibacterial agent in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a response to concerns raised about a previous article on B chromosomes and their evolutionary dynamics. The authors acknowledge the valid concerns and provide corrections and clarifications. They address issues with the availability of sequenced data and inaccuracies in supplementary figures and tables. The authors also discuss errors and corrections in a study on B chromosomes in different species, including mistakes in referencing, figure citation, and data analysis. They emphasize the need for standardized protocols and bioinformatic tools to improve the study of B chromosomes and acknowledge the challenges and gaps in understanding their genomic content. [Extracted from the article]

Ginseng is usually consumed as a daily food supplement to improve health and has been shown to benefit skeletal muscle, improve glucose metabolism, and ameliorate muscle-wasting conditions, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and the effects of aging and cancers. Ginseng has also been reported to help maintain bone strength and liver (digestion, metabolism, detoxification, and protein synthesis) and kidney functions. In addition, ginseng is often used to treat age-associated neurodegenerative disorders, and ginseng and ginseng-derived natural products are popular natural remedies for diseases such as diabetes, obesity, oxidative stress, and inflammation, as well as fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. Ginseng is a well-known herbal medication, known to alleviate the actions of several cytokines. The article concludes with future directions and significant application of ginseng compounds for researchers in understanding the promising role of ginseng in the treatment of several diseases. Overall, this study was undertaken to highlight the broad-spectrum therapeutic applications of ginseng compounds for health management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the mechanical and morphological characterization of bamboo-glass fiber-nanoclay epoxy hybrid composites is carried out. Materials are prepared using a hand lay-up process with different wt.% of bamboo fiber, glass fiber, nanoclay, and epoxy. As per ASTM standards, fabricated composite laminates are cut and tested for tensile and flexural properties. The bamboo fiber epoxy composites (BFEC) display the tensile and flexural strength of 137 and 170 MPa, respectively. Hybrid composites, viz. bamboo-glass fibers epoxy composites (BGFEC), display improved tensile (180–240 MPa) and flexural (225 to 320 MPa) strengths compared to BFECs. Glass fiber epoxy composites (GFEC) display maximum tensile (265 MPa) and flexural (360 MPa) strengths among all the composites. Furthermore, the addition of nanoclay improves the tensile (by 6 to 8%) and flexural (by 8 to 10%) strengths of epoxy, BFEC, BGFEC, and GFECs. SEM analysis is conducted for fractured tensile specimens to understand the reasons for specimen failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy storage materials, particularly chalcogenides, are fascinating electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs) because of their high capacitance, remarkable electrical conductivity, and multiple oxidation states contributed by numerous metal cations. Herein, a novel nanocomposite based on zinc sulfide and copper diselenide, denoted as (ZnS–CuSe 2), was prepared via a sonochemical-assisted method. The structural analysis revealed the cubic structure for pure ZnS, orthorhombic for CuSe 2, and co-existing cubic and orthorhombic phases for ZnS–CuSe 2 nanocomposites with high purity and crystallinity. The ZnS–CuSe 2 nanocomposite offered exceptional electrochemical performance with redox peaks from the CV analysis, and coupled with plateaus in the charge/discharge profile, confirming the faradaic energy storage properties with functional reversibility. Similarly, a high conductive feature of the ZnS–CuSe 2 composite was revealed by impedance study, with a minor charge transfer resistance than their bulk materials. A hybrid asymmetric supercapacitor (HASCs) composed of ZnS–CuSe 2 //AC was constructed, which manifested an enlarged voltage window up to 1.7 V with capacitance of 95 F g−1 and a maximum specific energy of 38 Wh kg−1. Also, high power delivery was attained at 3927 Wkg-1 when specific energy goes down to 12 Wh kg− at 5 A g−1. Interestingly, only 81.8% retention was left beneath when cycled to 8000 cycles, specifying decent stability of the ZnS–CuSe 2 //AC HASCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper investigates the traditional Malay silver craft that has existed for two centuries, reflecting the community's culture and heritage. The Srivijaya Kingdom and British colonial rule historically influenced this Malay culture's silver craft, encapsulating beliefs, dreams, and resilience. Originating in Kelantan, Malaysia, the Malay silver craft industry flourished, but recent studies reveal its decline and potential extinction. This paper's primary objective is to comprehensively identify and propose strategies for integrating sustainable practices of silver craft, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on sustainable industrialization and cultural heritage preservation. The research seeks to preserve and revitalize the craft industry for community benefit, emphasizing its socio-economic impact, potential for job creation, income generation, tourism, and intangible heritage preservation. The paper conducts a literature review, visual research, and focus group discussions employing anthropology, art history, and community development. This research emphasizes the importance of sustaining cultural heritage, fostering community resilience, and empowerment. Influenced by their cultural beliefs, environment, looking at nature, and the natural world, the fine silver craft undergoes artistic expression, subsequently fostering social cohesion and interaction. Following the quadruple helix concept, the Malay silver craft industry revival engaged through collaboration among local artisans, government agencies, community organizations, and academicians. By utilizing thematic analysis based on focus group discussion, this research thoroughly analyses the sustainability of the Malay silver craft domain, interpreting key thematic codes that underpin its ecological and socio-cultural significance within the framework of local craft in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beta-thalassemia is the most common inherited single-gene disorder in the world, caused by more than 200 known mutations in the HBB gene. In India, the average prevalence of β-thalassemia carriers is 3-4%. Several ethnic groups have a much higher prevalence, about 8% in the tribal groups, according to the 2011 census. The study's main goal is to identify common β-thalassemia mutations and the frequencies of different haplotypes in various communities in North Maharashtra. Nashik district had the highest prevalence of β-thalassemia (34%), followed by Ahmednagar (29%), Jalgaon (16%), Dhule (14%), and Nandurbar (7.0%). Prevalence of β-thalassemia was highest in the schedule caste community (SC) (48%), followed by (17%) in Muslims, (14%) in other backward classes (OBC), (13%) in Schedule Tribe (ST), and (8.0%) in the general population The six most common β-thalassemia mutations detected in this study are IVS 1 > 5 (G→C), Cd 15(G→A), Cd 41/41 (-TCTT), Cd 8/9(+G), IVS 1 > 1(G→T) and Cap + 1(A > G). Among these mutations, IVS 1 > 5 (G > C) was the most common type of mutation found in β-thalassemia patients in the North Maharashtra population. Type-I haplotype was the most prevalent among all communities. Nashik and Ahmednagar districts were highly affected by β-thalassemia. Among different ethnic groups, the SC and Muslim communities were the worst affected with a higher proportion of β-thalassemia and increased frequency of mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of thermal properties such as conductivity and specific heat of biomaterials is very important as most biological processes, in which biological tissues, cells, and molecules are involved are dependent on body temperature. The main source of body heat is the chemical metabolism of food. Various mechanisms are being adopted by different types of animals to maintain body temperature, such as reducing blood flow through the capillaries nearest the skin surface, body hair can be fluffed up to increase insulation, heat production by shivering, etc. The hard and soft tissues, such as the flesh and bone of animals, play a very important role in keeping the required body temperature. The thermal conductivity and specific heat of the femur, rib, and scapula of two different environment animal ox, the wetland and camel desert dry land are investigated in normal and decalcified conditions. Modified Lee’s apparatus has been used to determine the thermal conductivity, while Renault’s apparatus which is based on the principle of the method of mixtures has been employed for determining the specific heat of samples that were pelletized. A difference in conductivities and specific heat of various bones in both animals was observed due to varied calcium phosphate. The decalcified bone samples of ox and camel show higher thermal conductivity compared to normal bones, while a decrease in specific heat was observed in decalcified bones. The specific heat is affected by the variations in the molecular structure due to changes in temperature. The paper suggests that these techniques are simple, elegant, and inexpensive besides being accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a molecular dynamics simulation of an inelastic gas system using an event-driven algorithm. The model incorporates a coefficient of restitution of less than one to govern molecular collisions and employs a thermostat mechanism introducing Gaussian white noise to maintain system temperature. We investigate the behavior of a Uniformly Heated Hard Sphere Granular Gas, focusing on the relationship between the coefficient of restitution and the self-diffusion coefficient, as well as the temporal evolution of Mean Square Displacement. Initially, the system's kinetic energy decreases but eventually reaches a non-equilibrium steady state. Our findings reveal that higher restitution coefficients result in slightly larger particle displacements, likely due to enhanced energy retention post-collision. Counterintuitively, we observe that the diffusion coefficient decreases as the restitution coefficient increases. This research contributes to our understanding of granular gas dynamics and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study explores the potential of combined phytoremediation using Andrographolide and Ajwain. • Selected combinations mitigated signs of infection. • Offers an innovative and sustainable solution to address antimicrobial resistance in chicken. The emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella gallinarum , poses a significant challenge to poultry health and food safety. In response, alternative strategies are urgently needed to mitigate bacterial infections without exacerbating antibiotic resistance. Phytoremediation, a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, harnesses the natural detoxification capabilities of plants to remediate contaminants. This study explores the potential of combined phytoremediation using Andrographolide, derived from Andrographis paniculata , and Ajwain derived from Trachyspermum ammi as promising alternatives to antibiotics for treating Salmonella gallinarum infection in poultry. Andrographolide, known for its potent antimicrobial properties, exhibits inhibitory effects while Ajwain, rich in bioactive compounds, possesses antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. By leveraging their combined phytoremediation potential, Andrographolide and Ajwain offer a multifaceted approach to combat Salmonella gallinarum within the poultry environment. The study employed a rigorous experimental design, including in vitro assessments of antimicrobial susceptibility, cytotoxicity, and optimal concentration determination. Following this, in vivo experiments were conducted using a chicken model infected with Salmonella gallinarum. Results demonstrated that the selected combinations effectively reduced mortality rates, alleviated clinical symptoms, and mitigated gross pathological signs associated with Salmonella infection. Gene expression studies indicated a downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, underscoring potential implications of a combined phytoremediation strategy as an innovative and sustainable solution to address Salmonella gallinarum infections in poultry production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SCARB1 belongs to class B of Scavenger receptors (SRs) that are known to be involved in binding and endocytosis of various pathogens. SRs have emerging role in regulating innate immunity and host–pathogen interactions by acting in co-ordination with Toll-like receptors.Query Little is known about the function of SCARB1 in milk-derived mammary epithelial cells (MECs). This study reports the role of SCARB1 in infection and its potential association in TLR4 signaling on bacterial challenge in Goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs). The novelty in the establishment of MEC culture lies in the method that aims to enhance the viability of the cells with intact characteristics upto a higher passage number. We represent MEC culture to be used as a potential infection model for deeper understanding of animal physiology especially around the mammary gland. On E.coli challenge the expression of SCARB1 was significant in induced GMECs at 6 h. Endoribonuclease-esiRNA based silencing of SCARB1 affects the expression of TLR4 and its pathways i.e. MyD88 and TRIF pathways on infection. Knockdown also affected the endocytosis of E.coli in GMECs demonstrating that E.coli uses SCARB1 function to gain entry in cells. Furthermore, we predict 3 unique protein structures of uncharacterized SCARB1 (Capra hircus) protein. Overall, we highlight SCARB1 as a main participant in host defence and its function in antibacterial advances to check mammary gland infections. 77BMn9mgrsGEVLyNf1hg2w Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a significant determinant of ovarian reserve. It is still not clear about the rate at which AMH declines with t age and varies across populations. Aim: The present study examined the AMH levels specific to the North and South Indian populations and attempted to establish an age-dependent reference parametrically. Settings and Design: This was a prospective study in a tertiary centre. Materials and Methods: Serum samples were collected apparently from 650 infertile women (327 from North and 323 from South Indians). AMH was measured using an electrochemiluminescent technique. Statistical Analysis Used: Comparison of the AMH data between North and South regions was done by independent t-test. For each age, seven empirical percentiles (3th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th) were applied. AMH nomograms for the 3th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th, 90th and 95th percentiles were produced using the lambda-mu-sigma method. Results: AMH levels remarkably decreased with increasing age in the North Indian population, but in the South Indian population, they did not decline beyond 1.5 ng/mL. Further, in the North Indian population, AMH levels were significantly higher in the age group of 22-30 years (4.4 ng/mL) than in the South Indian population (2.04 ng/mL). Conclusion: The present study suggests a major geographical difference in mean AMH levels according to their age and ethnic background, regardless of their subjacent pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate warming has caused accelerated glacier recession in the Eastern Himalayas. This phenomenon has consequently resulted in the development of new glacial lakes and expansion of the existing ones. The outbursts of these lakes has the potential to cause flashfloods with negative impacts for the downstream community. This study used Remote Sensing data products to develop a glacial lake database of Dibang River Basin for the year 2020. The multi-temporal Landsat series data was used to examine the surficial changes in glacial lakes larger than 0.1 km². The key parameters derived from previous glacial lake studies were used to identify the Potentially Dangerous Glacial Lakes (PDGLs) and conduct their hazard assessment. Finally, the Indian Monsoon Data Assimilation and Analysis (IMDAA) data was used to analyze the Temperature and Precipitation trends from 1980 to 2020 to understand timpact of climate change on lake behaviour. Our findings reveal that the study region has 403 glacial lakes with a total area of 55.73 km² in 2020. The area of selected glacial lakes has increased from 29.96 km² in 1985 to 32.56 km² in 2020 at a rate of 0.07 km² per year. Twelve (12) lakes were identified as PDGLs in the study region. After applying the weighted index method, 4 lakes among them were categorized as high, 5 as medium and 3 as low hazard glacial lakes. The Mann Kendal test of Tmin, Tmax and Tmean revealed an increasing trend with a Z statics value of >0, whereas mean precipitation on the contrary showed a significant decreasing trend with a Z statics value of <0. The changes in climatic variables (i.e., temperature and precipitation) indicate that the warmer conditions prevail in the region, causing glacier shrinking and retreat, formation of new lakes and expansion of existing ones. Hence, we propose the continuous monitoring and assessment of high hazard glacial lakes for the prevention and mitigation of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the study region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Himalayan Mountain region, a large number of glacial lakes have developed in the recent past due to glacier recession under the influence of climate change. In this study, we used high resolution satellite data such as Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) LISS-IV (5.8 m) and Google earth images supplemented with field survey to generate an updated glacial lake inventory of Upper Jhelum Basin (UJB) of Kashmir Himalaya. The Sentinel-2A (10 m), Landsat-OLI (30 m) and MSS (60 m), and Cartosat-DEM (30 m) were additional data sources used for glacial lake mapping and change detection analysis. A total of 393 glacial lakes covering an area of 21.55 ± 3.8km² were identified, mapped and inventoried. The lake inventory includes 102 proglacial lakes, 13 supraglacial lakes and 278 unconnected glacial lakes. Using the weighted index-based method, 21 glacial lakes were found as Potentially Dangerous Glacial Lakes (PDGLs). Out of these, 7 lakes were classified as High, 9 as Medium and 5 as Low hazard glacial lakes as per the hazard assessment. Change detection analysis of PDGLs from 1980 to 2020 revealed an increase in area from 5.92 km² to 8.46 km² thereby, indicating a growth of 2.51 ±0.9 km² (30%) at a rate of 0.063 km²/year. The formation and growth of glacial lakes in this area is attributed to continuous glacier recession under the warming trend of temperature and declining nature of precipitation. In this study, the findings showed that Tavg and Tmin are rising significantly at a rate of 0.004°C/year and 0.013°C/year respectively. This study provides an important database for future GLOF studies in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the animal, plant, and microbial kingdoms, proteases are among the most significant types of proteolytic enzymes. Several industrial operations, including food processing, leather processing, silk processing, detergent manufacturing, and therapeutic uses, have utilised these enzymes, which have huge commercial potential. Microbial enzymes, such as protease, their high quality and extensive substrate specificity make them an important source of commercial enzymes. A number of industrial processes have recently seen the widespread use of proteases and other bacterial and fungal enzymes. While fungi are better suited for commercial application because of their increased tolerance to adverse weather and the fact that they naturally produce proteins and enzymes, bacteria are not. They can express enzymes in psychrophilic, mesophilic, and thermophilic environments.In the last few decades, psychrophilic and thermophilic enzymes have been found with commercial viability around the world. Several fungal strains have been identified and researched in depth in order to find the optimum source of protease production. This author has shown that protease from fungi can be a commercially viable product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earias vittella Fabricius is a potential cotton and okra pest in South Asia. The realized heritability, risk assessment, and inheritance mode of Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (Btk) resistance were determined in the Dipel-selected (DIPEL-SEL) E. vittella. The DIPEL-SEL strain had a 127.56-fold rise in Dipel resistance after nine generations compared to the laboratory reference strain (LAB-PK). The overlapping of 95% fiducial limits in the median lethal concentrations (LC50s) of the F1 (DIPEL-SEL♂ × LAB-PK♀) and F1ǂ (DIPEL-SEL♀ × LAB-PK♂) suggested a lack of sex linkage and an autosomal Dipel resistance. The dominance (DLC) values for the F1 (0.86) and F1ǂ (0.94) indicated incompletely dominant resistance to Dipel. Backcrossing of the F1♀ × Lab-PK♂ revealed a polygenic response of resistance to Dipel. The realized heritability estimation (h2) of resistance to Dipel was 0.19. With 20% to 90% selection mortality, the generations required for a tenfold increase in LC50 of Dipel were 4.7–22.8, 3.1–14.9, and 2.3–11.1 at h2 of 0.19, 0.29, and 0.39, respectively, and a constant slope of 1.56. At slope values of 2.56 and 3.56 with a constant h2 = 0.19, 7.7–37.4 and 10.6–52.0 generations were needed to increase the tenfold LC50 of Dipel in the DIPEL-SEL E. vittella. It is concluded that the DIPEL-SEL E. vittella has an autosomal, incompletely dominant, and polygenic nature of resistance. The h2 of 0.19 suggested that a high proportion of phenotypic variation for the Dipel resistance in E. vittella was heritable genetic variation. The present results will support the creation of an effective and suitable resistance management plan for better control of E. vittella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the feto-maternal outcome in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to non-infected pregnant women and plan management strategies. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of case records in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for 1 year was conducted. A total of 6468 case files fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Patients who tested positive for SARS CoV-2 and fulfilled inclusion criteria were labeled as cases, whereas patients who tested negative were labeled as controls. Outcome measures including lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) rate, maternal and neonatal intensive care admission and feto-maternal mortality were compared between the two groups. Results: Our hospital was not an exclusive COVID-19 designated center, and 117 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Fever (67.52%), cough (56.41%), and altered smell (45.29%) were the frequently reported symptoms. Pneumonia affected 16.23% of the cases. LSCS rate was significantly higher in the COVID-19-infected patients (72.41%; OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.46– 3.34; p< 0.001). The rate of maternal ICU admission in COVID-19-infected pregnant women was 11.96% as compared to 0.8% in the non-infected women (OR 16.76; 95% CI 8.72– 30.77; p< 0.001). We observed a significantly higher maternal mortality in COVID-19-infected women (2.56%) [OR 41.61; 95% CI 7.65– 203.5; p< 0.001]. Viral RNA was detected in cord blood and nasopharyngeal swab of one neonate. The neonatal death ratio was high in infected mothers (2.6%) [OR 8.6; 95% CI 1.99– 27.23; p< 0.001]. Conclusion: Significant maternal morbidity, mortality, and neonatal mortality were observed in COVID-19-positive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanocrystalline solid solution of Ceria co-doped with Samarium, Strontium, and Calcium with composition Ce0.8Sm0.2−x−ySryCaxO2−δ (x = y = 0–0.5) samples pellets were synthesized via solid-state reaction method and sintered at 1300 °C intended to be an electrolyte of IT-SOFC. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the crystalline nature with an fcc fluorite structure. Williamson-hall plots were used to find the microstrain and particle size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed for surface morphology with microstructure and found to be nearly spherical particles with porosity, the Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy analysis (EDAX) with color mapping confirmed the stoichiometry. The sample pellets were analyzed using impedance spectroscopy by impedance spectra, where an AC voltage is applied in the range of frequency 1 Hz–10 MHz to record the impedance in the temperature ranging from 300 to 800 °C in the air as a medium. Electrical parameters such as the dielectric constant, ε'r, and AC conductivity, σac have been found. The samples show a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, where the grain boundary conductivity is increased with increasing temperatures showing a peak in the conductivity curve which is also evident from the Nyquist plot for impedance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) in plasmonic metal nanoparticles causes a strong absorption of visible light and leads to the generation of hot electrons on the surface and the creation of localized electromagnetic fields near the surface. This characteristic enhances the catalytic performance of a plasmonic metal Ag–NiO nanocomposite (NiO-SNP) when exposed to low-flux visible light irradiation. The NiO-SNP was synthesized using a simple and cost-effective ultrasonication method. Its structural, morphological, and optical properties were analyzed, confirming the formation of nanocomposites. The proximity of stearic acid-coated Ag nanoparticles (SNP) acts as visible light-harvesting antennas, promoting NiO's activity for effectively reducing paracetamol (PM) drugs. The improved catalytic property is attributed to an electron relay effect, while the strong electromagnetic fields generated by irradiated Ag nanoparticles facilitate the concentration of PM molecules at active sites, leading to accelerated reaction rates. NiO-SNP2 demonstrates remarkable PM degradation: 97 % in tap water and 82.6 % in deionized water within 10 min, demonstrating its catalytic effectiveness. The plasmonic SNP mechanism in NiO-SNP1 nanocomposites enhances photocatalytic efficiency by up to 90 %, owing to efficient charge separation and transfer, resulting in a notable 1.5-fold increase in PM degradation. The degradation kinetics follow a pseudo-first-order model, with rate constants (k) ranging from approximately 0.059 to 0.6104 min⁻1, underscoring the crucial role of Ag nanoparticles in enhancing photocatalytic activity and degradation efficiency. Catalysis and visible light photocatalysis are significantly improved with increasing concentrations of NiO and SNP, respectively. This research could inspire a new approach to transforming traditional metal catalysis into plasmonic-metal catalysis. • LSPR in Plasmonic Nanoparticles showed light absorption generates hot electrons and fields. • Ag–NiO nanocomposites synthesized via affordable ultrasonication method enhance catalytic performance. • Stearic acid-coated Ag nanoparticles (SNP) in close proximity act as light-harvesting antennas, accelerating NiO activity. • Plasmonic SNP mechanism enhances efficiency by 90 %, leading to 1.5x PM degradation increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Democratic decision-making is often a foundational requirement for the promotion of a democratic culture in educational institutions. • Teachers' unions are important forums that are often helpful in promoting a democratic culture and bottom-up approach in the process of education. • Emerging democracies like the one in Pakistan need to develop democratic culture and bottom-up approaches in educational institutions in order to strengthen democracy, social justice, and inclusivity. • The current study is significance because it analyses the role teachers' unions plays in the democratization of decision-making in education using the social justice and inclusivity framework. • The study is also significance because it also highlights the challenges faced by teachers' unions in initiative related democratization of decision-making in education, and the ways in which teachers' unions face and counter these challenges. Top-down decision-making process has revealed several challenges in educational reforms in North-West part of Pakistan. Political bosses and bureaucrats have often placed an authoritarian decision-making process where school reforms are implemented without much consultation with school teachers' unions. Given the continued need of school teachers' unions being one of the main stakeholders, it is necessary to examine the perspectives and experiences of the leadership of school teachers' unions' who work hard to make niche on the basis of social justice approach in the top bottom decision making process and to identify ways to implement democratic decision making process. The purpose of the current exploratory qualitative study was to investigate school teachers' unions' leadership experiences in the top bottom decision making process, and their overall perspectives on the school-based reforms. This paper explores the perspectives and experiences of five most influential school teachers' unions' leaders regarding the nature of the decision-making process. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and was analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that leaders faced several challenges in making their voices count in the current decision-making mechanism. Findings revealed the top-bottom decision-making mechanism is based on vested interests, disregarding the ground realities. School teachers' unions challenge the top bottom approach and support initiatives for evidence-based knowledge, arranging conferences and debates, using print and electronic media to convey their views. They are also use strikes and demonstrations as their last option. The study implies that there is a need for a democratic decision-making mechanism where the input from the school teachers' unions is given due consideration in school based reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centromeric satellite DNA (cen-satDNA) consists of highly divergent repeat monomers, each approximately 171 base pairs in length. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity in the centromeric region of two primate species: long-tailed (Macaca fascicularis) and rhesus (Macaca mulatta) macaques. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and bioinformatic analysis showed the chromosome-specific organization and dynamic nature of cen-satDNAsequences, and their substantial diversity, with distinct subfamilies across macaque populations, suggesting increased turnovers. Comparative genomics identified high level polymorphisms spanning a 120 bp deletion region and a remarkable interspecific variability in cen-satDNA size and structure. Population structure analysis detected admixture patterns within populations, indicating their high divergence and rapid evolution. However, differences in cen-satDNA profiles appear to not be involved in hybrid incompatibility between the two species. Our study provides a genomic landscape of centromeric repeats in wild macaques and opens new avenues for exploring their impact on the adaptive evolution and speciation of primates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The living fishes span a unique and interesting set of animals because of their vast diversity, morphology, ecology, genetics and genomics, and higher importance to biology, economy and culture. During the past decade, the remarkable increase in fish genome sequencing has revolutionized comparative and evolutionary genomics, with the outcome of stimulating insights into vertebrate genome biology. Fish genomics has been transformed rapidly, with the availability of high-quality chromosome level genome assemblies and large collections of sequencing datasets, which are roadmaps for striking discoveries. Landmark achievements are being made; such as the accomplishment of fully assembled lungfish genome which is biggest genome ever sequenced. Here, we highlight current developments in vertebrate's comparative genomics and discuss how fish genomes could be considered as vital resources for genomic studies. We present a recent overview of genomics data, address different approaches applicable to comparative genomics analyses, and illustrate these comparisons to better understand the complex mechanisms under the vertebrate genomes. We also summarize the applications in chromosomes research and cytogenomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are ailments affecting the jaws and allied structures, resulting in many pathologies (TMJ hypermobility, internal disc derangement, bone changes, degenerative disorders, and ankylosis). Pain, clicking or crepitus, restricted range of motion, deranged jaw function, and deflected or deviated mouth opening and closing are the commonly observed manifestations in TMDs. Internal derangement refers to an aberrant relation of the articular disc to the condyle and fossa, respectively. Conventional therapies highlight the role of non-invasive conservative treatment strategies, namely joint unloading, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physiotherapy. Current literature has emphasized the use of corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as treatment strategies in TMDs. This study aimed to evaluate whether intra-articular injection of PRP after normal saline lavage in TMJ minimizes the symptoms of TMDs, as compared to injection of normal saline. Thirty patients with TMD according to research diagnostic criteria (RDC) were selected. One group received arthrocentesis with normal saline, and the other group received arthrocentesis with PRP injection. The patients were assessed for pain, maximum inter-incisal mouth opening, bite force, and TMJ sounds. TMDs treated by PRP injection had slightly better results. More studies are required to substantiate the outcome. Injections of PRP were more effective in reducing the symptoms than arthrocentesis with normal saline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The primary characteristics of cancer cachexia are weakness, weight loss, atrophy, fat reduction, and systemic inflammation. Cachexia is strongly associated with cancers involving the lungs, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, and liver, which account for half of all cancer deaths. TGF-β, MSTN, activin, IGF-1/PI3K/AKT, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways are known to underlie muscle atrophy and cachexia. Anamorelin (appetite stimulation), megestrol acetate, eicosapentaenoic acid, phytocannabinoids, targeting MSTN/activin, and molecules targeting proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, are being tested as treatment options for cancer cachexia. Cancer cachexia is a condition marked by functional, metabolic, and immunological dysfunctions associated with skeletal muscle (SM) atrophy, adipose tissue loss, fat reduction, systemic inflammation, and anorexia. Generally, the condition is caused by a variety of mediators produced by cancer cells and cells in tumor microenvironments. Myostatin and activin signaling, IGF-1/PI3K/AKT signaling, and JAK-STAT signaling are known to play roles in cachexia, and thus, these pathways are considered potential therapeutic targets. This review discusses the current state of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying cachexia and the available therapeutic options and was undertaken to increase understanding of the various factors/pathways/mediators involved and to identify potential treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The same procedure is repeated on the other side, and once the securing device is knotted on these air knots, long threads are wound around the catheter from both sides so as to reach the multi-lumen catheter hub with fixation holes [Figure 2]. To the Editor, Central vein catheters (CVCs) through major neck vein are always needed in major surgeries for various reasons, and securing them properly after placement for a short term is equally important. [Extracted from the article]

Transposable elements (TEs) comprise a substantial portion of eukaryotic genomes. They have the unique ability to integrate into new locations and serve as the main source of genomic novelties by mediating chromosomal rearrangements and regulating portions of functional genes. Recent studies have revealed that TEs are abundant in sex chromosomes. In this review, we propose evolutionary relationships between specific TEs, such as Ty3/Gypsy, and sex chromosomes in different lineages based on the hypothesis that these elements contributed to sex chromosome differentiation processes. We highlight how TEs can drive the dynamics of sex-determining regions via suppression recombination under a selective force to affect the organization and structural evolution of sex chromosomes. The abundance of TEs in the sex-determining regions originates from TE-poor genomic regions, suggesting a link between TE accumulation and the emergence of the sex-determining regions. TEs are generally considered to be a hallmark of chromosome degeneration. Finally, we outline recent approaches to identify TEs and study their sex-related roles and effects in the differentiation and evolution of sex chromosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted on canine puppies (n=600) with diarrhoea during October 2019-20 in district Lahore, Pakistan to know the molecular prevalence of E. coli O157:H7, its associated risk factors and the impact of bacterial diarrhea on various blood parameters and serum electrolytes. PCR-based positive (n=21) and negative (n=21) cases were sampled for their blood, and serum for the haemato-serum electrolyte analysis. The results showed that the overall prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was 3.5% (P<0.05) in canine diarrheic pups. The highest prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was found within the UVAS pet center (10 %, 10/100). Season, food, drinking water plus animal breed, sex, co-habitation with other animals and contact with animals' feces, were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the E. coli O157:H7 prevalence. Mean value of Hb (P<0.01), RBCs (P<0.05), lymphocytes (P<0.01) and platelets (P<0.05) were reduced significantly, while neutrophils, PCV and TLC were increased significantly(P<0.01) in the infected group as compared to the control healthy group. A significant decrease was found in sodium mEq/l (P<0.01) and potassium mEq/l (P<0.05), while a significant (P<0.01) increase was found in chloride mEq/l and bicarbonate mmol/l in the infected group as compared to control healthy group. In conclusion, the E. coli O157:H7 was present in the canine puppies of district Lahore Pakistan and had a high effect on blood parameters and serum electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum state tomography is a process for estimating an unknown quantum state; which is innately probabilistic. The exponential growth of unknown parameters to be estimated is a fundamental difficulty in realizing quantum state tomography for higher dimensions. Iterative optimization algorithms like self-guided quantum tomography have been effective in robust and accurate ascertaining a quantum state even with exponential growth in Hilbert space. We propose a faster convergent simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation algorithm which is more practical in a resource-deprived situation for determining the underlying quantum states by incorporating the Barzilai–Borwein two-point step size gradient method with minimal loss of accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past century, macaque bioresources have provided remarkable scientific and biomedical discoveries related to the understanding of human physiology, neuroanatomy, reproduction, development, cognition, and pathology. Considerable progress has been made, and an urgent need has arisen to develop infrastructure and viable settings to meet the current global demand in research models during the so‐called new normal after COVID‐19 era. This review highlights the critical need for macaque bioresources and proposes the establishment of a designated primate research center to integrate research in primate laboratories for the rescue and rehabilitation of wild macaques. Key areas where macaque models have been and continue to be essential for advancing fundamental knowledge in biomedical and biological research are outlined. Detailed genetic studies on macaque bioresources of Thai origin can further facilitate the rapid pace of vaccine discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) stress significantly affects fundamental metabolic and physiological processes in plants that results in reduction of plant growth and development. In the present study, common bean variety; Shalimar French Bean-1 (SFB-1) was used as an experimental material. Four different MGRL media i.e. normal MGRL medium (Control), media without Fe (0-Fe), media without Zn (0-Zn) and media with excess Zn (300-Zn) were used for growing seeds of SFB-1 under in vitro condition for three weeks under optimum conditions. Three week old shoot and root tissues were harvested from the plants grown in these four different in vitro conditions and were, subjected to Fe and Zn estimation. Further, extraction of total RNA for differential gene expression of ten candidate genes selected based on our in silico investigation and their classification, phylogeny and expression pattern was unraveled. Expression analysis of three candidate genes (OPT3, NRAMP2 and NRAMP3) in roots revealed possible cross talk among Fe/Zn stress that was further confirmed by observing less accumulation of Fe in roots under both these conditions. However, we observed, higher accumulation of Fe in shoots under 0-Fe condition compared to control that suggests precise sensing for priority based compartmentalization and partitioning leading to higher accumulation of Fe in shoots. Furthermore, the expression analysis of IRT1, FRO1 and Ferritin 1 genes under Fe/Zn stress suggested their role in uptake/transport and signaling of Fe and Zn, whereas the expression of ZIP2, NRAMP1, HA2 and GLP1 genes were highly responsive to Zn in Phaseolus vulgaris. The identified genes highly responsive to Fe and Zn stress condition can be potential candidates for overcoming mineral stress in dicot crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports design and testing of silicon carbide) devices-based three-phase asymmetric H-bridge converter capable of switching at 50 kHz and intended to drive high-speed switched reluctance machine. Electromagnetic designs of a 7.5-kW, 30 000-r/min and a 20-kW, 50 000-r/min Switched reluctance machine are presented. The 30 000-r/min machine is fabricated and characterized. A machine model is obtained from the measured characteristics. Based on the machine model, as well as drive operating variables and device data-sheet parameters, two methods are proposed for evaluating the losses in the power devices. The first method relies on machine model to obtain machine current and converter duty ratio, and thereby estimate the device losses. A second simplified method provides closed-form expressions for device losses. The proposed analytical expressions relate the machine characteristics such as inductance and saturation current with converter losses. The estimated loss is further used to predict device junction temperature. The power converter and device ratings are chosen so that the converter is suitable for both machines. The capacitor selection and sizing are discussed. Further, the power converter architecture and other subsystems of the converter are described. Test results are presented for the asymmetric H-bridge converter at 800 V dc bus voltage, 50 A of load current, and 50 kHz of switching frequency. Thermal image is presented for validation of estimated heat-sink temperature. The predicted heat-sink temperature is found to agree well with the measured temperature. The power converter is used to operate the 30 000-r/min machine at various speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) are a measure of temporary sterilization. Misplacement of IUCD is fairly common and most of these women remain asymptomatic. We report a clustered case series of misplaced, mal-positioned, and transmigrated IUCDs with serious complications and their management by minimally invasive surgery in a newly established medical school in North India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amentoflavone (AF) is a biflavonoid compound found in many plants. In this study, we first demonstrate that AF has a potent antiviral effect against the influenza virus via the inhibition of viral attachment and virucidal effects. The anti-influenza-viral effect of AF was evaluated using green fluorescent protein-tagged Influenza A virus (IAV) with fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry analysis. AF decreased the GFP expression by viral infection, dose-dependently. Fifty micromoles of AF suppressed the GFP expression by virus infection of up to 70% of untreated infected control cells. Consistently, immunofluorescence results showed the inhibitory effect of AF on viral protein expression. Time-of-addition and hemagglutination assays revealed that AF inhibits viral binding to cells by interfering with the hemagglutinin (HA) of IAV. Furthermore, AF has a virucidal effect and blocks cytopathic effects caused by the Influenza B virus and H3N2 IAV. Additionally, AF represses the neuraminidase (NA) activity of IAV. In silico analysis confirmed the potential interaction of AF with both HA and NA. Our findings indicate that AF has antiviral effects by modulating HA and NA during the attachment and release stages of influenza viral infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effect of hospital nutrition program on growth of very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) babies. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Recep Tayyep Erdogan Hospital, Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. Period: February 2024 to July 2024. Methods: Inclusion criteria were preterm newborns weighing below 1500 grams, admitted in NICU and who received total parenteral nutrition (TPN). VLBW was labeled as birth weight between 1000-1499 grams, while ELBW as birth weight <1000 grams. Hospital nutrition program included TPN plus orogastric feed or nasogastric feeding plus micronutrients. Effect of hospital nutrition program was described as effective if the baby at the time of discharge added 17-20 g/kg/day according to ESPHGAN recommendation. Results: In a total of 131 newborns, 69 (52.7%) were boys. The mean gestational age, and birth weight were 29.68±1.87 weeks, and 1024.50±144.23 grams, respectively. The mean net daily weight gain at the time of discharge was 12.77±3.63 grams. The effective hospital nutrition program was noted in 23 (17.6%) babies. Effectiveness of hospital nutrition program was significantly associated with higher birth weight (1094.78±114.41 vs. 1009.54±145.93 grams, p=0.010), very low birth weight versus extremely low birth weight (87.0% vs. 13.0%, p<0.001), head circumference ≥30 cm (87.0% vs. 53.7%, p=0.003), and gestational age > 28 weeks (87.0% vs. 57.4%, p=0.008). Conclusion: The hospital nutrition program had limited effectiveness, with only 17.6% of VLBW and ELBW infants achieving the recommended weight gain by discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]