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An efficient catalytic system employing TMS•OTf for the regioselective thiolation of electron‐rich arenes with sulfonyl hydrazides has been developed. The reaction occurs in a solvent mixture of dichloroethane and trifluoroethanol under mild conditions, with the addition of water. This method furnishes a range of para‐thio‐substituted arenes and 3‐sulfenyl‐indoles in good to excellent yields, marking a significant advancement in organic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) is crucial for regulating and understanding the pathophysiology of hypertension. However, there has been little focus on the breakdown of the active peptide, angiotensin II (AngII). Given that animals lacking aminopeptidase A (APA) exhibit hypertension, it may be concluded that APA is a crucial enzyme in regulating blood pressure by breaking down AngII. It has been also seen that the elevated blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is caused by the activation of the RAS and a concurrent reduction in renal angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) activity. The activity of APA is elevated at the beginning of pre‐eclampsia and decreases below the levels seen during a normal pregnancy as pre‐eclampsia progresses (particularly, in severe cases). The activity of Serum APA is also heightened after hormone replacement treatment (HRT), perhaps as a response to increasing levels of AngII. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the connection between the activation of the RAS, the levels of AngII in the bloodstream, and the presence of APA in hypertension conditions. Summary: Aminopeptidase A (APA) plays a critical role in the regulation of blood pressure by modulating the renin‐angiotensin system. Inhibiting APA offers a novel therapeutic approach to reducing hypertension, particularly, in cases resistant to conventional treatments. This systematic review highlights the growing evidence supporting APA as a promising target for effective hypertension management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cricula trifenestrata Helfer (commonly known as Amphutukoni muga/Cricula silkworm), a wild sericigenous insect produces golden yellow silk similar to Antheraea assamensis (muga silkworm), with significant potential as a natural fiber and biomaterial. Cricula is considered as a pest as it competes for food with muga, which produces the prized golden silk. This study focuses on decoding the mitochondrial genome of C. trifenestrata using next-generation sequencing technology and includes comparative analysis with Bombycoids and other lepidopteran insects. We found that the Cricula mitogenome spans 15 425 bp and exhibits typical gene content and arrangement consistent with other Saturniids and lepidopterans. All protein-coding genes were found to undergo purifying selection, with the highest and lowest conservation observed in the cox1 and atp8 gene, respectively, indicating their potential role in future evolutionary events. We identified two types of mismatches: 23 "G–U" and 6 "U–U" pairs, similar to those found in Actias selene among the Saturniids. Additionally, our study uncovered the presence of two 33 bp repeat units and a "TTAGA" motif in the control region, in contrast to the typical "ATAGA" motif, suggesting functional similarity with evolving sequences. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis supports the close relationship of Cricula with other species within the Saturniidae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the few synthetic resins from petroleum-based sources that are biodegradable and can reduce the environmental pollution is polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). PVA film is non-toxic, transparent, and biocompatible in line with green ecologically friendly requirements. It is completely biodegradable and possesses good mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and gas barrier. PVA's hydroxyl groups, however, decrease its mechanical and thermal properties and make it water-soluble, which limits its use. However, it is possible to control the water solubility or absorption by partially cross-linking the polymer chains. This work aims to enhance the mechanical properties while making an insoluble film through cross-linking with oxalic acid (OA). In the present investigation, PVA film was cross-linked with OA (with variable weight percentage (wt%) of OA) to limit its ability to absorb moisture. Tensile testing was utilized to evaluate the mechanical properties of the films, revealing their ultimate tensile strength, % elongation, and Young's modulus. With increase in wt% of OA, % elongation of PVA-based films decreases, whereas maximum tensile strength was observed at 10 wt% of OA configuration. In comparison to neat PVA, the differential thermo-gravimetric analysis peak migrated towards the higher temperature side with an increase in the OA concentration. The peak value of tan δ curve also increased and shifted towards higher temperature side as the OA concentration increased. This concludes that prepared films have high damping coefficient and can absorb impact load. Finally, the films' creep-recovery behaviour was also examined in detail. To represent the potential application of these films as packaging materials, anti-microbial tests were also conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high specific surface area of graphene is an important factor to enable a large molecular adsorption on the surface, thus enabling direct sensing on a versatile surface. A large area graphene sensor (1 cm2) is fabricated using a transfer method for the detection of ammonia (NH3) gas under ambient conditions. The ambient atmosphere contains 21% oxygen (O2), and thus it is crucial to understand its impact on the sensing of ammonia gas. The sensing response is analyzed under both the inert nitrogen (N2) gas and condensed dry air (CDA) containing 78.08% N2, 20.95% of O2, and 0.93% of argon gas. Upon interaction with the graphene, both NH3 and O2 resulted in opposite electrical responses. Thus, this finding reveals a polarity dependent interaction of gases with the graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo-rechargeable supercapacitors serve as a bridge between batteries and solar cells for developing efficient energy storage devices. Unlike previous studies where there was either (a) a heterostructure of zinc oxide (ZnO) with other electroactive materials or (b) a coating of ZnO powder on the current collector, here, ZnO nanorods grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) were used as photoelectrodes. Our devices tested with (i) an ionic liquid electrolyte and (ii) a gel electrolyte exhibited a capacitance rise of ∼3006% (>10× the previous record) and ∼500% (2× the previous record) compared to that under dark conditions, which is attributed to the electrode synthesis technique adopted in this study. A higher ionic diffusivity in the ionic liquid electrolyte leads to a higher capacitance rise. Notably, a novel necking behavior (a possibly higher incremental capacitance at higher voltages) was observed during galvanostatic charge/discharge tests under UV illumination for both electrolytes, which is attributed to the high electrode porosity. Contrary to conventional wisdom, higher capacitance was recorded at higher current densities during galvanostatic charge/discharge tests under UV illumination for ionic liquid-based supercapacitor cells. A first-ever physics-based continuum scale model for photo-rechargeable supercapacitors is proposed to explain the above intriguing experimental observations, paving a path for the design of fast-charging high-capacitance supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a long‐term marker of alcohol consumption used frequently in clinical scenarios such as liver transplant evaluation. Recent cases have demonstrated that packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion creates the potential for artificial elevation or decrease of observed PEth concentrations in recipients. Very little is known about the prevalence or stability of PEth in pRBCs. Methods: Apheresis and whole‐blood (WB) donations were tested for PEth using liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry with limit of quantitation 10 ng/mL. Units were stored under routine blood bank conditions to evaluate the stability of PEth and the impact of irradiation. Results: Over 40% of apheresis and WB donors had PEth ≥10 ng/mL (maximum observed 587 ng/mL). As WB units were processed into component pRBCs, PEth concentrations increased and were higher than donor WB levels (EDTA sample) prior to collection (maximum observed 711 ng/mL). Storage for up to 5 weeks post donation resulted in mean 17.3% decrease in PEth‐positive units; in contrast to a prior report, we observed no PEth formation in units with negative (<10 ng/mL) baseline concentrations. Irradiation of pRBCs did not substantially affect PEth concentrations in either PEth‐positive or PEth‐negative units. Discussion: PEth concentrations in healthy blood donors may potentially confound alcohol use or abstinence assessment in pRBC recipients. Transfusion medicine services and clinical practices such as transplantation and behavioral medicine should recognize this phenomenon and collaborate on testing protocols to appropriately interpret PEth in pRBC recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current investigation, enhancement in the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and decrement in the moisture absorption capabilities of polyvinyl alcohol was observed by cross‐linking it with different weight percentages (wt. %) of fumaric acid and reinforcing them along with sulfuric acid‐modified graphite particles. The effects of altering the cross‐linking duration and fumaric acid wt. % were investigated in the resulting composite using the Taguchi L16 experimental design method. As in this contemporary era of rapid industrial expansion and fierce competition, the primary goals of manufacturers revolve around the production of high‐quality goods at optimal costs within a specified timeframe. Therefore, to save both cost and time, the authors have utilized a technique known as "gray‐fuzzy optimization" to balance competing goals between mechanical (toughness, elongation and strength) and physical (water intake capacity) attributes. The present approach aimed to reduce the experimentation expenses and increase the effectiveness of composite manufacturing by considerably reducing the intricacy of practical multi‐response optimization issues. Response graphs and analysis of variance tests were also utilized to calculate the percentage contribution of the input variables and provide model significance. Highlights: Polyvinyl alcohol is cross‐linked with different weight percentages (wt. %) of fumaric acid, and reinforced them with sulfuric acid‐modified graphite particles.Enhancement in mechanical properties, thermal stability, and decrease in moisture absorption capabilities were perceived for the fabricated composite.Effects of altering the cross‐linking duration and fumaric acid wt. % were investigated in the resulting composite using the Taguchi L16 experimental design.Gray‐fuzzy optimization technique was utilized to balance competing goals between water intake and mechanical attributes like toughness, elongation and strength.Response graphs and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were also utilized to evaluate the percentage contribution of input variables and provide model significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many environmental features are cyclic, with predictable changes across the day, seasons and latitudes. Additionally, anthropogenic, artificial-light-induced changes in photoperiod or shiftwork-driven novel light/dark cycles also occur. Endogenous timekeepers or circadian clocks help organisms cope with such changes. The remarkable plasticity of clocks is evident in the waveforms of behavioural and molecular rhythms they govern. Despite detailed mechanistic insights into the functioning of the circadian clock, practical means to manipulate activity waveform are lacking. Previous studies using a nocturnal rodent model showed that novel light regimes caused locomotor activity to bifurcate such that mice showed two bouts of activity restricted to the dimly lit phases. Here, we explore the generalizability of these findings and leverage the genetic toolkit of Drosophila melanogaster to obtain mechanistic insights into this unique phenomenon. We find that dim scotopic illumination of specific durations induces circadian photoreceptor CRYPTOCHROME-dependent activity bifurcation in male flies. We show circadian reorganization of the pacemaker circuit, wherein the 'evening' neurons regulate the timing of both bouts of activity under novel light regimes. Our findings indicate that such environmental regimes can be exploited to design light cycles, which can ease the circadian waveform into synchronizing with challenging conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fused pyranochromenone derivatives have extensive applications in medicinal chemistry. Herein, we report the first HFIP/TsOH catalyzed, one-pot domino reaction by cleavage of the C(sp2)–OMe bond. Control experiments reveal that 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene is rapidly protonated in the presence of HFIP to yield a dearomatized cationic diene intermediate. The gram-scale reaction and late-stage functionalization of natural products justified the practicality of this protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore the association of carotid intima medial thickness (CIMT) with TSH and other biochemical parameters among young adults with thyroid dysfunction. Material methods: Our study included 50 young subjects, 13-39 years, attending endocrinology clinic of our centre for thyroid dysfunction with no associated co-morbidities. BMI, thyroid and biochemical profile was assessed for all. All subjects underwent measurement of right and left CIMT using sonography (linear transducer 7mHz frequency). Statistical methods were then used to analyse the data. Results: CIMT values in our 50 subjects [hypothyroid: n=37 and hyperthyroid: n=13; age: 27.6±7.1 years ] fell in the normal range (Rt=0.53± 0.10 mm; Lt=0.52±0.11 mm). Hypothyroids had a significantly higher HbA1C (p value; 0.038) and Serum cholesterol (p value; 0.028) levels as compared to hyperthyroid subjects. When the values for the entire group were studied, CIMT values did not correlate either with TSH or BMI [24.66±4.14 kg/m. sq.]; though it positively correlated with age and HbA1c (particularly right CIMT, correlation coefficient, 0.50). Hyperthyroid subjects had a significant positive correlation of TSH with Rt CIMT(0.750) and S.creatinine (0.780) and a negative correlation with cholesterol (-0.700). On the other hand, in hypothyroids, TSH levels did not significantly correlate with any parameters other than age (-0.38). Conclusion: Higher HbA1c (even in non diabetic range) are associated with higher CIMT among young patients of thyroid dysfunction, making it a useful tool for monitoring cardiovascular risk in conjunction with CIMT, especially in those with hypothyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a widely used polymer that is biocompatible, nontoxic, and water‐soluble due to the presence of hydroxyl groups in its domain. This study aims to investigate the effects of fumaric acid (FA) cross‐linking and thermal cross‐linking (TC) on the PVA's mechanical and thermal properties. When the FA is mixed with PVA, it was found in the chemical reaction that the OH groups of PVA are condensing with the carboxylic acid units of FA to yield new ester linkages and water as a by‐product, which further results in the reduction of the water absorption capacity. Quantitatively, the addition of 8 (wt. /wt. %) FA resulted in a minimum of 65% water absorption rate, as compared with 117% for pure PVA. The mechanical and thermal properties of PVA also enhanced with the addition of 2% to 8% FA by weight. For the TC case, the % increase in ultimate tensile strength was 30.9% and 42.5% with and without TC, respectively. As the wt. % of FA increased from 2 to 10%, the % elongation value decreased for both with and without TC films relative to pure PVA. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed the change in degradation temperature of FA‐PVA blended film in comparison with pure PVA. Dynamic mechanical analysis was utilized to analyze the viscoelastic nature and temperature variation at the glass transition temperature. The current fabricated film is a potential candidate for the food packaging films application; moreover, the results reported in this investigation will accelerate the industrial applications of biodegradable PVA. Highlights: Increasing the weight percentage of fumaric acid leads to an enhancement in mechanical and thermal properties of the film.Esterification is the usual reaction between fumaric acid and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), in which ester linkages are formed when the carboxyl groups (‐COOH) of fumaric acid and the hydroxyl groups (‐OH) of PVA combine.Water absorption characteristics of the film reduces as the wt. % of fumaric acid increases.Thermal cross‐linking of the film leads to further improvements in mechanical and thermal properties.The overall effect of increasing the wt. % of fumaric acid is negative on the glass transition temperature of the film.The developed film is a potential candidate for the food packaging films application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the hydrophilicity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), various methods are employed. Acid cross-linking is one technique, but it decreases the polymer's strength. To address this, different reinforcements are utilized to enhance the polymer's strength while mitigating the side effects of acid cross-linking. The present research intends to improve the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of PVA by cross-linking it with fumaric acid and reinforcing it with modified graphite particles. The particles were prepared through oxidative acidic treatment and added in different weight proportions (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt.%) to the PVA matrix. Water absorption (WA) tests were conducted to affirm the formation of cross-linked bonds, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy was employed to confirm the oxidation of the graphite particles with acid. The composites were examined using scanning electron microscopy, which revealed a robust interfacial adhesion between the modified graphite and cross-linked PVA, resulting in better mechanical characteristics. The highest ultimate tensile strength was observed when using 1.5 wt.% of modified graphite particle reinforcement, resulting in a 31% increase in comparison to pure cross-linked PVA. Moreover, the thermal stability increased from 358°C (PVA alone) to 375°C (composite with 2 wt.% treated graphite particles). Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed an increase in glass transition temperature from 68.2°C to 72.9°C, and activation energy from 604.84 to 1028.21 kJ mol−1 (neat PVA to composite with 1.5 wt.% modified particles). The damping coefficient of the cross-linked composite was 0.257, making it suitable for acoustic damping applications like speakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eating disorders are strongly associated with body image concerns. Eating disorders tend to significantly impact the current and future health and quality of life of affected persons, their caregivers, and society. As body image is based on a social construct of ideal body image, it is essential to evaluate it in its cultural context. Methods: The current study explored the relationship among body image perception, perceived stress, eating disorder behaviour and quality of life among female medical students (n = 777). Measurements included Body Shape Questionnaire, Body Image Quality of Life Inventory, Eating Attitudes Test-26 and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Multivariate analysis was conducted. Results: There was a significant correlation between eating disorder behaviour and perceived body shape, body image, quality of life and self-esteem among our study participants. We also found eating disorder status was significantly associated with BMI, perceived body shape, quality of life and self-esteem. Conclusions: This is of clinical implication to female medical students and healthcare professionals to engage early in primary and secondary prevention of eating pathologies. Increasing awareness of these facts among female students can help identify at-risk students and help them seek timely medical help. Plain English Summary: Eating disorders significantly impact the current and future health and quality of life of affected persons, their caregivers, and society. Young people are persistently flooded with social media conceptualizations of what beauty should look like. The current study explored the relationship between how we perceive our body, perceived stress, maladaptive eating behaviours and quality of life among female medical students (n=777). Measurements included those measuring perceived body shape and body image, quality of life, eating attitudes, and self-esteem. We found that a preoccupation with weight and food, crash diets, fasting, binge eating, and purging behaviours was related to how we perceived our body shape, our quality of life and self-esteem among the study participants. This is important for female medical students and healthcare professionals because it enables them to identify students at risk of eating disorders and assist them in obtaining timely medical help, thus promoting early prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malate (2‐hydroxysuccinic acid) and tartrate (2,3‐dihydroxysuccinic acid) are chiral substrates; the former existing in two enantiomeric forms (R and S) while the latter exists as three stereoisomers (R,R; S,S; and R,S). Dehydration by stereospecific hydrogen abstraction and antielimination of the hydroxyl group yield the achiral products fumarate and oxaloacetate, respectively. Class‐I fumarate hydratase (FH) and L‐tartrate dehydratase (L‐TTD) are two highly conserved enzymes belonging to the iron–sulfur cluster hydrolyase family of enzymes that catalyze reactions on specific stereoisomers of malate and tartrate. FH from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii accepts only (S)‐malate and (S,S)‐tartrate as substrates while the structurally similar L‐TTD from Escherichia coli accepts only (R)‐malate and (R,R)‐tartrate as substrates. Phylogenetic analysis reveals a common evolutionary origin of L‐TTDs and two‐subunit archaeal FHs suggesting a divergence during evolution that may have led to the switch in substrate stereospecificity preference. Due to the high conservation of their sequences, a molecular basis for switch in stereospecificity is not evident from analysis of crystal structures of FH and predicted structure of L‐TTD. The switch in enantiomer preference may be rationalized by invoking conformational plasticity of the amino acids interacting with the substrate, together with substrate reorientation and conformer selection about the C2C3 bond of the dicarboxylic acid substrates. Although classical models of enzyme–substrate binding are insufficient to explain such a phenomenon, the enantiomer superposition model suggests that a minor reorientation in the active site residues could lead to the switch in substrate stereospecificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Making the analysis of urban and spatial development more acceptable by all levels of analysis and governance requires a multi-level – or in other words vertical – approach to indicators measuring development paths. The 2030 Agenda of the United Nations with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals offers a promising chance to establish, maintain, and further develop a monitoring system that is supported by all levels involved, as well as all stakeholder groups and individuals across all levels. First experiences gathered in a nation (Germany) and bilateral and supranational context (Germany, Europe, and India) deliver recommendations for research and practice, and might thus show a possible way to attain successfully this goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) is certainly one of the major risk factors associated with oral cancer. Disruption of oral microbiota-host homeostasis contributes to the progression of oral cancer. Here, we profiled SLT users' oral bacterial composition and inferred their functions by sequencing 16S rDNA V3-V4 region and PICRUSt2, respectively. Oral bacteriome of SLT users (with or without oral premalignant lesions), SLT with alcohol co-users, and non-SLT consumers were compared. Oral bacteriome is shaped primarily by SLT use and the incidence of oral premalignant lesions (OPL). A significantly increased bacterial α-diversity was monitored in SLT users with OPL compared to in SLT users without OPL and non-users, whereas β-diversity was significantly explained by OPL status. Overrepresented genera were Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Veillonella, Haemophilus, Capnocytophaga, and Leptotrichia in SLT users having OPL. LEfSe analysis identified 16 genera as a biomarker that were differentially abundant in SLT users having OPL. The functional prediction of genes significantly increased for several metabolic pathways, more importantly, were nitrogen metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, energy metabolism, and biosynthesis/biodegradation of secondary metabolites in SLT users having OPL. Furthermore, HPV-16 and EBV, but not HPV-18, were considerably connected with the SLT users having OPL. Overall, this study provides evidence that SLT utilization and OPL development are associated with oral bacteriome dysbiosis indicating the enrichment of bacterial species known for their contribution to oral carcinogenesis. Therefore, delineating the cancer-inducing bacterial population in SLT users will facilitate the future development of microbiome-targeted therapies. Key points: • SLT consumption significantly elevates oral bacterial diversity. • Prevalent significant genera are Prevotella, Veillonella, and Haemophilus in SLT users with OPL. • SLT promotes the occurrence of the cancer-inducing bacterial population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disorder characterized by hamartoma formation in various organ systems leading to highly variable clinical presentation. These patients pose a challenge to anesthesiologists due to multisystem involvement. Case presentation: Herein, we report the successful anesthetic management of a 25-year-old parturient with tuberous sclerosis who underwent an emergency cesarean section in view of cephalopelvic disproportion. She had a seizure disorder, bilateral renal angiomyolipomas, angiofibroma over the cheeks, periungual fibroma on the right toe, and nodular lesions near the base of the tongue and oropharynx. We opted for regional anesthesia to avoid airway instrumentation, drug interaction, and renal insult. Conclusions: Anesthetic management of tuberous sclerosis depends upon the extent and severity of the involvement of various organs. Careful assessment, thorough evaluation, and preoperative planning are crucial for dealing with the difficulties and complications encountered during the management of these cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rare association exists between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple myeloma (MM). SLE is associated with a variety of symptoms. A combination of MM and SLE is uncommon in the young population. An unusual case of SLE associated with MM is described here. We present the case of a 39-year-old woman who was a known case of SLE and presented with severe chest and abdominal pain. We summarize the clinical characteristics of MM in SLE. The possible mechanisms that could be at the root of this association are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family accommodation (FA) is defined as a family members' involvement by doing certain behavior in response to the daily rituals of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). FA is associated with more severe symptoms of OCD. Similarly, poor insight is associated with high severity of OCD symptoms. FA and insight are also related to each other, as more accommodative behavior of family members is associated with poor insight. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study assessed 103 adult OCD patients with an illness duration of at least one year. Participants were assessed using Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) symptom checklist, Y-BOCS to assess severity, and Family Accommodation Scale-SR (Hindi) to evaluate FA. Insight was assessed with the 11th item of Y-BOCS. Results: FA was common in the families of our participants. The mean±SD Y-BOCS score was 28.72±5.09, and the mean FAS-SR score was 44.1±12.03. A significant positive correlation existed between the FA and YBOCS scores, that is, with the increase in FA, YBOCS scores also significantly increased. A considerable number reported poor insight, and had high scores on YBOCS and their caregiver had high FA scores. Conclusion: FA is indicative of high symptom severity of OCD and higher FA is associated with poor insight, so FA needs further research for its interplay with OCD symptomatology and role in the maintenance of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three‐component, solvent‐dependent, Brønsted‐acid‐catalyzed reaction of benzaldehydes, silyl enolates and arene nucleophiles has been developed for the synthesis of potential drug candidate 3‐aryl‐1‐indanones. This reaction features the formation of three C−C bonds, high regioselectivity in a one‐pot strategy, broad substrate generality, facile scalability (1.04g), high functional group tolerance and viable substrates. The β‐O‐silyl ethers generated in‐situ from the Mukaiyama aldol reaction were subjected to acid‐catalyzed benzylic arylation with strong as well as weak nucleophiles, and the resultant β,β‐diaryl esters can undergo a third C−C bond formation with excellent regioselectivity through intramolecular cyclization to afford the indanone products in the same pot. Detailed mechanistic insight leads to a feasible reaction pathway. This transformation opens up a practical and adaptable approach to producing a variety of synthetically valuable transformations and enable the synthesis of medicinally valuable (R)‐tolterodine and (+)‐indatraline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optically-chargeable supercapacitors effectively convert photon energy into electrochemical energy and store them for further utilization. In this work, we developed a metal oxide-based optically responsive symmetrical supercapacitor using a novel stacked vanadium pentoxide/zinc oxide (V2O5/ZnO) semiconducting heterostructure on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass. The selected metal oxides' distinct bandgaps and work functions form a unique heterostructure that facilitates the separation and flow of photogenerated charge carriers. The stacking induces a maximum increment of ∼178% in specific capacitance under ultraviolet (UV) light illumination measured from the device's galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD). The effect of UV light on the device was also verified by analyzing the open circuit potential, where the device showed excellent electrochemical performance and stability for more than 5000 cycles. These findings pave a progressive way toward developing self-chargeable energy storage devices and promise breakthrough advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Evaluation of intraoperative squash smear and frozen section (FS) in central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms is consistently practiced for rapid assessment and has several advantages to its credence. It is an invaluable tool to ensure adequacy of tissue obtained to establish the diagnosis. Moreover, it aids in guiding the surgeon for critical decisions regarding the extent of resection. Although molecular markers have been integrated with morphology in the revised 2016 World Health Organization classification of brain tumors, precise morphological assessment still remains the foundation for the diagnosis and rapid intraoperative assessment of morphological details is equally critical and rewarding. Objective This study aims to audit the diagnostic disparity between intraoperative diagnoses based on a combination of squash cytology and FS in cases of CNS lesions with gold standard, final diagnosis based on examination of formalin fixed paraffin embedded hematoxylin, and eosin-stained tissue sections. Materials and Methods All intraoperative squash cytology and FS reported for CNS lesions from January 2017 to December 2020 were reviewed. The cases were categorized into three groups—group 1: when diagnosis of intraoperative diagnosis based on a combination of squash cytology and FS was same as the final histopathological diagnosis (concordant), group 2: partially concordant, and group 3: discordant cases. Statistical Analysis Descriptive statistics was used to classify the data and diagnostic accuracy was calculated. Results Complete concordance was present in 69.96% (191/273) cases, 20.1% (55/273) cases showed partial concordance, and 9.89% (27/273) cases were discordant with histopathological diagnosis. Out of the 27 discordant cases, misclassification of tumor type was the most common category (11 cases, 40%), followed by grading mismatch (7 cases, 25.9%), and misdiagnosis of tumor versus nontumor conditions (9 cases, 33.3%). Conclusion Our study shows that combination of intraoperative squash cytology and FS shows a high percentage of accuracy in arriving at intraoperative diagnosis in cases of intracranial lesions. Regular audits of discordant cases should be conducted by surgeons and pathologists as part of a quality assurance measure to sensitize themselves with the potential pitfalls, minimizing misinterpretation and helping in providing a more conclusive opinion to the operating surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uziflies (Family: Tachinidae) are dipteran endoparasites of sericigenous insects which cause major economic loss in the silk industry globally. Here, we are presenting the first full mitogenome of Blepharipa sp. (Acc: KY644698, 15,080 bp, A + T = 78.41%), a dipteran parasitoid of Muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis) found in the Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya. This study has confirmed that Blepharipa sp. mitogenome gene content and arrangement is similar to other Tachinidae and Sarcophagidae flies of Oestroidea superfamily, typical of ancestral Diptera. Although, Calliphoridae and Oestridae flies have undergone tRNA translocation and insertion, forming unique intergenic spacers (IGS) and overlapping regions (OL) and a few of them (IGS, OL) have been conserved across Oestroidea flies. The Tachinidae mitogenomes exhibit more AT content and AT biased codons in their protein-coding genes (PCGs) than the Oestroidea counterpart. About 92.07% of all (3722) codons in PCGs of this new species have A/T in their 3rd codon position. The high proportion of AT and repeats in the control region (CR) affects sequence coverage, resulting in a short CR (Blepharipa sp.: 168 bp) and a smaller tachinid mitogenome. Our research unveils those genes with a high AT content had a reduced effective number of codons, leading to high codon usage bias. The neutrality test shows that natural selection has a stronger influence on codon usage bias than directed mutational pressure. This study also reveals that longer PCGs (e.g., nad5, cox1) have a higher codon usage bias than shorter PCGs (e.g., atp8, nad4l). The divergence rates increase nonlinearly as AT content at the 3rd codon position increases and higher rate of synonymous divergence than nonsynonymous divergence causes strong purifying selection. The phylogenetic analysis explains that Blepharipa sp. is well suited in the family of insectivorous tachinid maggots. It's possible that biased codon usage in the Tachinidae family reduces the effective number of codons, and purifying selection retains the core functions in their mitogenome, which could help with efficient metabolism in their endo-parasitic life style and survival strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aims The prolonged use of topical steroids introduces notable dermatological risks, including the onset of permanent stretch marks, bruising, discoloration and vascular abnormalities. This study presents an innovative strategy by formulating GL-1, a steroid-free treatment amalgamating seaweed bioactives, sesame oil and naturally occurring salts and minerals. The objective of this study was to address the limitations of conventional topical steroids and introduce pioneering solutions to dermatological care. Methods To assess the safety and efficacy of GL-1 (product 1), a comprehensive battery of in vitro tests was employed. The skin corrosion test (OECD 431) established the noncorrosive nature of GL-1, validating its safety on reconstructed human epidermis. The skin irritation test (OECD 439) demonstrated the nonirritating attributes of GL-1, aligning with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling guidelines. Additionally, the bovine corneal opacity and permeability test (OECD 437) affirmed the noninducing nature of GL-1 in relation to eye irritation or serious eye damage. Results Preliminary outcomes from dermal clinical trials indicate promising Results for GL-1. In vitro experiments on HaCaT and human dermal fibroblasts, adult (HDFa) cell lines highlighted the noncytotoxicity of GL-1, contrasting with the 'Cortopin', which exhibited cytotoxicity. GL-1 exhibited a proliferative effect in HDFa cells, signifying its potential for regenerative applications. Furthermore, both GL-1 and 'Cortopin' displayed antioxidant activity in HaCaT cells, underscoring the additional merits of our formulation. Conclusions Our steroid-free formulation, GL-1, demonstrates exceptional safety and efficacy through a meticulous series of in vitro assessments and initial clinical trials. These findings position GL-1 as a promising candidate for diverse dermal applications, offering a secure alternative to traditional topical steroids. The potential impact of GL-1 transcends its therapeutic efficacy, emphasizing its robust safety profile validated through multiple in vitro evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a study on users' attention detection with reference to a relaxed inattentive state using an over-the-clothes radio-frequency (RF) sensor. This sensor couples strongly to the internal heart, lung, and diaphragm motion based on the RF near-field coherent sensing principle, without requiring a tension chest belt or skin-contact electrocardiogram. We use cardiac and respiratory features to distinguish attention-engaging vigilance tasks from a relaxed, inattentive baseline state. We demonstrate high-quality vitals from the RF sensor compared to the reference electrocardiogram and respiratory tension belts, as well as similar performance for attention detection, while improving user comfort. Furthermore, we observed a higher vigilance-attention detection accuracy using respiratory features rather than heartbeat features. A high influence of the user's baseline emotional and arousal levels on the learning model was noted; thus, individual models with personalized prediction were designed for the 20 participants, leading to an average accuracy of 83.2% over unseen test data with a high sensitivity and specificity of 85.0% and 79.8%, respectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) alters the oral microbiome of smokeless tobacco users. Dysbiosis of oral bacteriome has been determined; however, the mycobiome of SLT users has not been characterized. The oral mycobiome was assayed by amplification and sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region from oral swab samples of non-SLT users, SLT users (with or without oral lesions), and SLT with alcohol users. We observed that the richness and diversity of oral mycobiome were significantly decreased in SLT with oral lesions users than in non-users. The β-diversity analysis showed significant dissimilarity of oral mycobiome between non-users and SLT with oral lesions users. Linear discriminant analysis effect size and random forest analysis of oral mycobiome affirm that the genus Pichia was typical for SLT with oral lesions users. Prevalence of the fungal genus Pichia correlates positively with Starmerella, Mortierella, Fusarium, Calonectria, and Madurella, but is negatively correlated with Pyrenochaeta, Botryosporium, and Alternaria. Further, the determination of oral mycobiome functionality showed a high abundance of pathotroph-saprotroph-symbiotroph and animal pathogen-endophyte-epiphyte-undefined saprotroph at trophic and guild levels, respectively, indicating possibly major changes in normal growth repression of types of fungi. The oral mycobiome in SLT users was identified and comprehensively analyzed for the first time. SLT intake is associated with oral mycobiome dysbiosis and such alterations of the oral mycobiome may contribute to oral carcinogenesis in SLT users. This study will provide a basis for further large-scale investigations on the potential role of the mycobiome in SLT-induced oral cancer. Key points: • SLT induces dysbiosis of the oral microbiome that can contribute to oral cancer. • Oral mycobiome diversity is noticeably reduced in SLT users having oral lesions. • Occurrence of Pichia can be used as a biomarker for SLT users having oral lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Globally, the prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. Obese patients often suffer from chronic dyspeptic symptoms. The aim of the study was to know the gross and histologic upper gastrointestinal mucosal changes and the prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) infection in overweight and obese dyspeptic patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was done on 100 patients with dyspepsia and a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m2. The study was done between August 2019 and September 2021 at a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra, India. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and Fischer exact tests were applied to study the association between categorical variables. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant with a confidence level of 95%. Results: There were 59 males and 41 females. The mean age of the study subjects was 41.95 ± 12.32 years and the age range was 19–67 years. The maximum number of patients (36%) were in the age group of 50–59 years. Hypertension (45%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (30%) were the common comorbidities present. Heartburn and regurgitation were the most common symptoms, present in 37% and 35% of the subjects, respectively. Inflammatory lesions oesophagitis (28%) and gastritis (43%) were the common findings in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE). The stomach was the most common site with lesions. On histopathological examination, erosive gastritis (33%) and oesophagitis (28%) were confirmed. A total of 86% of obese subjects had at least one grossly abnormal finding. The prevalence of H. Pylori was 32%. Obese subjects had significantly more abnormal findings on UGIE compared to overweight subjects (P < 0.05). Obese patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus had significantly abnormal findings on UGIE compared to non-diabetic obese patients (P < 0.05). Obese patients with higher body mass index (BMI) and the presence of H. Pylori infection were more likely to have abnormal UGIE findings. Conclusions: Inflammatory and erosive lesions of the stomach and oesophagus are more common in obese dyspeptic patients. UGIE should be the investigation of choice and should be performed in overweight and obese patients with dyspepsia to predict and prevent Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and their related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the functional and anatomical outcomes for autologous retinal autograft with Finesse™ Flex Loop for failed macular holes.Methods: This is a retrospective study analyzing medical records of consecutive patients with refractory macular hole (at least 1 prior surgery) and eyes with retinal detachment with coexisting macular holes (MH). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the macula was performed before and after surgery. The primary study outcome evaluated were the functional and anatomic macular hole closure, and secondary outcomes were improvement in visual acuity and restoration of the outer retinal bands, external limiting membrane, and ellipsoid zone in eyes with acquisition of autologous retinal transplant using Finesse Loop.Results: The study included eight eyes of eight patients; retinal autograft was performed in six (75.0%) and autologous retinal transplantation (ART) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) was performed in two (25.0%) eyes. The average MH basal diameter in the study was 1310.88 ± 138.63 μm. The successful hole closure rate was observed to be 75% (6 eyes) and 100% retinal reattachment was observed in ART with RRD. Statistically significant (P = 0.001) improvement was noted for preop and postop visual acuity gain for ART acquisition and postop macular hole closure. The restoration of the external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) was observed in 37.5% (3 eyes) of patients.Conclusion: Finesse™ Flex Loop can be used to harvest retinal tissue and it provides good anatomical and functional outcomes for failed macular hole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic periodontitis is an infectious disease which is multifactorial in etiology. The red complex bacteria have an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the synthetic trypsin substrate, N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-napthylamide (BANA). Tetracycline as a bacteriostatic agent is used in the treatment of periodontitis. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically and microbiologically the efficacy of tetracycline fibers in conjunction with scaling and root planning in chronic periodontitis patients. Methodology: A Split mouth clinical and microbiological randomized control study was done to compare the clinical effects of subgingivally delivered antimicrobial bioabsorbable controlled release 2 mg tetracycline fibers as an adjunct to scaling and root planning on one side and comparing the other side treated only with scaling and root planning only. Result: Showed both scaling and root planning and the use of tetracycline an adjunct with scaling and root planning are equally effective. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Scaling and root planing (SRP) with or without use of adjunct local drug delivery agent like tetracycline is effective in treating chronic periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess changes in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence among children and adolescents in Delhi, India from January 2021 to October 2021. Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional analysis of participants aged 5 to 17 years from 2 SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys conducted in Delhi, India during January 2021 and September to October 2021. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were detected by using the VITROS assay (90% sensitivity, 100% specificity). Results: The seroprevalence among 5- to 17-year-old school-age children and adolescents increased from 52.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.3%-54.3%) in January 2021 to 81.8% (95% CI, 80.9%-82.6%) in September to October 2021. The assay-adjusted seroprevalence was 90.8% (95% CI, 89.8%-91.7%). Seropositivity positively correlated with participants' age (p<0.001), but not sex (p=0.388). A signal to cut-off ratio =4.00, correlating with the presence of neutralization antibodies, was observed in 4,814 (57.9%) participants. Conclusion: The high percentage of seroconversion among children and adolescents indicates the presence of natural infection-induced immunity from past exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the lack of hybrid immunity and the concomitant likelihood of lower levels of neutralization antibodies than in adults due to the absence of vaccination warrants careful monitoring and surveillance of infection risk and disease severity from newer and emergent variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uziflies (Family: Tachinidae) are dipteran endoparasites of sericigenous insects which cause major economic loss in the silk industry globally. Here, we are presenting the first full mitogenome of Blepharipa sp. (Acc: KY644698, 15,080 bp, A + T = 78.41%), a dipteran parasitoid of Muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis) found in the Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya. This study has confirmed that Blepharipa sp. mitogenome gene content and arrangement is similar to other Tachinidae and Sarcophagidae flies of Oestroidea superfamily, typical of ancestral Diptera. Although, Calliphoridae and Oestridae flies have undergone tRNA translocation and insertion, forming unique intergenic spacers (IGS) and overlapping regions (OL) and a few of them (IGS, OL) have been conserved across Oestroidea flies. The Tachinidae mitogenomes exhibit more AT content and AT biased codons in their protein-coding genes (PCGs) than the Oestroidea counterpart. About 92.07% of all (3722) codons in PCGs of this new species have A/T in their 3rd codon position. The high proportion of AT and repeats in the control region (CR) affects sequence coverage, resulting in a short CR (Blepharipa sp.: 168 bp) and a smaller tachinid mitogenome. Our research unveils those genes with a high AT content had a reduced effective number of codons, leading to high codon usage bias. The neutrality test shows that natural selection has a stronger influence on codon usage bias than directed mutational pressure. This study also reveals that longer PCGs (e.g., nad5, cox1) have a higher codon usage bias than shorter PCGs (e.g., atp8, nad4l). The divergence rates increase nonlinearly as AT content at the 3rd codon position increases and higher rate of synonymous divergence than nonsynonymous divergence causes strong purifying selection. The phylogenetic analysis explains that Blepharipa sp. is well suited in the family of insectivorous tachinid maggots. It's possible that biased codon usage in the Tachinidae family reduces the effective number of codons, and purifying selection retains the core functions in their mitogenome, which could help with efficient metabolism in their endo-parasitic life style and survival strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION India is experiencing the dual epidemics of tuberculosis (TB) and tobacco use. Efforts at the integration of smoking cessation services with standard TB care are thwarted by the paucity of tobacco cessation services. The objective of the study was to assess the feasibility of integrating the freely available mCessation service (MCS) with India's National TB Elimination Program using a brief behavioral intervention package (BBPMC-TB), and to assess its effectiveness in enabling tobacco cessation among patients with pulmonary TB (PTB). METHODS This was a quasi-experimental study conducted from December 2020 to February 2021 among patients with TB on anti-tubercular therapy that were current tobacco users living in Delhi, India. All consenting patients were administered the BBPMC-TB telephonically by a trained field investigator. RESULTS We enrolled a total of 132 male patients with PTB who were current tobacco users having a median 10 years (IQR: 3.25-12) of completed education. After the application of the BBPMC-TB, a total of 96 (72.7%) participants enrolled in the MCS. On bivariate analysis, participants of a higher educational level were more likely to enroll for the MCS (p=0.003). On followup 30 days after baseline assessment, quit defined as absence of any tobacco use in the previous 7 days, was reported by 24 (21.24%) of 113 smokers. CONCLUSIONS The BBPMC-TB was highly effective in promoting enrolment of patients with TB with MCS, although post-intervention quit rates after application of intervention were comparable irrespective of the participant's MCS enrolment status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes a mild and robust double hydroarylation strategy for the synthesis of symmetrical /unsymmetrical diaryl‐ and triarylmethanes in excellent yields using Lambert salt (0.2–1.0 mol%). Despite the anticipated challenges associated with controlling selective product formation, unsymmetrical diaryl‐ and triarylmethanes products are obtained unprecedentedly. A highly efficient gram scale reaction has also been reported (TON for symmetrical product=475 and for unsymmetrical product=390). The synthetic utility of the methodology is demonstrated by the preparation of several unexplored diaryl‐ and triarylmethane‐based biologically relevant molecules, such as arundine, vibrindole A, turbomycin B, and certain anti‐inflammatory agents. A total synthesis of an anti‐breast‐cancer agent is also demonstrated. Control experiments, Hammett analysis, HRMS and GC‐MS studies reveal the reaction intermediates and reaction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Three rounds of a repeated cross-sectional serosurvey to estimate the change in seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were conducted from August to October 2020 in the state of Delhi, India, in the general population ≥5 y of age. Methods The selection of participants was through a multistage sampling design from all 11 districts and 280 wards of the city-state, with multistage allocation proportional to population size. The blood samples were screened using immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results We observed a total of 4267 (N=150 46), 4311 (N=17 409) and 3829 (N=15 015) positive tests indicative of the presence of IgG antibody to SARS-CoV-2 during the August, September and October 2020 serosurvey rounds, respectively. The adjusted seroprevalence declined from 28.39% (95% confidence interval [CI] 27.65 to 29.14) in August to 24.08% (95% CI 23.43 to 24.74) in September and 24.71% (95% CI 24.01 to 25.42) in October. On adjusted analysis, participants with lower per capita income, living in slums or overcrowded households and those with diabetes comorbidity had significantly higher statistical odds of having antibody positivity (p<0.01). Conclusions Nearly one in four residents in Delhi, India ≥5 y of age had the SARS-CoV-2 infection during August–October 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Dyspnea, also known as the patient's feeling of difficult or labored breathing, is one of the most common symptoms for respiratory disorders. Dyspnea is usually self-reported by patients using, for example, the Borg scale from 0 – 10, which is however subjective and problematic for those who refuse to cooperate or cannot communicate. The objective of this paper was to develop a learning-based model that can evaluate the correlation between the self-report Borg score and the respiratory metrics for dyspnea induced by exertion and increased airway resistance. Methods: A non-invasive wearable radio-frequency sensor by near-field coherent sensing was employed to retrieve continuous respiratory data with user comfort and convenience. Self-report dyspnea scores and respiratory features were collected on 32 healthy participants going through various physical and breathing exercises. A machine learning model based on the decision tree and random forest then produced an objective dyspnea score. Results: For unseen data as well as unseen participants, the objective dyspnea score can be in reasonable agreement with the self-report score, and the importance factor of each respiratory metrics can be assessed. Conclusion: An objective dyspnea score can potentially complement or substitute the self-report for physiologically induced dyspnea. Significance: The method can potentially formulate a baseline for clinical dyspnea assessment and help caregivers track dyspnea continuously, especially for patients who cannot report themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION India is experiencing the dual epidemics of tuberculosis (TB) and tobacco use. Efforts at the integration of smoking cessation services with standard TB care are thwarted by the paucity of tobacco cessation services. The objective of the study was to assess the feasibility of integrating the freely available mCessation service (MCS) with India's National TB Elimination Program using a brief behavioral intervention package (BBPMC-TB), and to assess its effectiveness in enabling tobacco cessation among patients with pulmonary TB (PTB). METHODS This was a quasi-experimental study conducted from December 2020 to February 2021 among patients with TB on anti-tubercular therapy that were current tobacco users living in Delhi, India. All consenting patients were administered the BBPMC-TB telephonically by a trained field investigator. RESULTS We enrolled a total of 132 male patients with PTB who were current tobacco users having a median 10 years (IQR: 3.25--12) of completed education. After the application of the BBPMC-TB, a total of 96 (72.7%) participants enrolled in the MCS. On bivariate analysis, participants of a higher educational level were more likely to enroll for the MCS (p=0.003). On followup 30 days after baseline assessment, quit defined as absence of any tobacco use in the previous 7 days, was reported by 24 (21.24%) of 113 smokers. CONCLUSIONS The BBPMC-TB was highly effective in promoting enrolment of patients with TB with MCS, although post-intervention quit rates after application of intervention were comparable irrespective of the participant's MCS enrolment status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study explores the effects of high population density (PD), climatic and environmental factors on transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in selected metropolitan cities of India. Materials and Methods: A data extraction sheet has been prepared to summarize the data of confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases and number of deaths in ten metropolitan cities, which was taken from Government of India website. The data on environmental factors of each selected metropolitan city were compiled from the official website and climatic conditions from Meteorological Department Government of India. Results: In India, maximum positive COVID-19 cases (>32%) has been found in tropical wet and dry climate zone. While the incidence of COVID-19 cases has been found less in the arid zone of India. Poor correlation has been found between level of Vitamin D, total COVID-19 cases, and mortalities in the studied metropolitan cities. No significant correlation was found between the health care index and COVID-19 cases and mortality. Conclusions: Correspondence and principal component analysis statistics showed high PD, poverty, climatic and environmental factors influenced the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in metropolitan cities of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anaemia, due to iron deficiency, is very common in India. In many cases, the underlying cause of iron deficiency remains unknown even after detailed laboratory investigations. It is often due to malabsorption of iron from the gut and occult blood loss from the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Bidirectional GI endoscopy can help in finding these causes. Aim: To study the upper and lower GI endoscopic lesions in patients with unexplained Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study, conducted on 75 patients with unexplained IDA in Dr.D Y Patil Medical College and Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India, between June 2019 to June 2020. Patients above the age of 18 years and with Haemoglobin (Hb) of less than 13g% (males) and less than 12g% (females) underwent upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy with biopsies, after ethics committee approval and informed consent. Complete haemogram with blood indices, iron studies and faecal Occult Blood Test (OBT) were conducted for all the patients. The patients were divided into Group A, those with upper/lower GI endoscopy lesions thought to be responsible for IDA and Group B, those without GI endoscopic lesions. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21.0 and statistical tests (Chisquare test, Student's t-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis, with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and p-value <0.05 was taken as significant) were used when required. Results: There were 44 females and 31 males in the study, with the age range of 20 to 81 years. The mean age of patients in Group A (n=44) was 58.57±11.68 years and Group B (n=31) was 49.68±14.45 years. On multivariate analysis, advance age, history of weight loss and faecal occult blood were statistically significantly associated with the presence of GI endoscopic lesions responsible for IDA (p-value<0.05). Maximum lesions responsible for IDA were found in stomach (48%), erosive and inflammatory lesions causing IDA were more common in upper GI tract. Peptic ulcers were found in 12% cases. The GI malignancies were found in 14.66% subjects. Colorectal cancers (8%) were more common than upper GI cancers (6.66%). Conclusion: In patients with IDA, erosive oesophagitis and haemorrhagic gastritis were commonly found followed by peptic ulcers and malignant GI lesions on bidirectional endoscopy. GI endoscopy is a very important tool to diagnose the cause of IDA. All patients with advanced age, history of weight loss and a positive faecal OBT should undergo bidirectional GI endoscopy routinely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coughing is a common symptom for many respiratory disorders, and can spread droplets of various sizes containing bacterial and viral pathogens. Mild coughs are usually overlooked in the early stage, not only because they are barely noticeable by the person and the people around, but also because the present recording method is not comfortable, private, or reliable for long-term monitoring. In this paper, a wearable radio-frequency (RF) sensor is presented to recognize the mild cough signal directly from the local trachea vibration characteristics, and can isolate interferences from nearby people. The sensor operates at the ultra-high-frequency band, and can couple the RF energy to the upper respiratory track by the near field of the sensing antenna. The retrieved tissue vibration caused by the cough airflow burst can then be analyzed by a convolutional neural network trained on the frequency-time spectra. The sensing antenna design is analyzed for performance improvement. During the human study of 5 participants over 100 minutes of prescribed routines, the overall recognition ratio is above 90% and the false positive ratio during other routines is below 2.09%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]