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In this study, we examine the assessment of surface roughness on turned surfaces of Ti 6Al 4V using a computer vision system. We utilize the Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DTCWT) to break down the images of the turned surface into sub-images oriented in directions. Three different methods of feature generation have been compared, i.e., the use of Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) and DTCWT-based extraction of second-order statistical features, DTCWT Image fusion, and the use of GLCM for feature extraction, and DTCWT image fusion using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based GLCM features. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was utilized to identify and select features. The model was developed using a Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN). Accordingly, six models were designed based on the three feature generation methods, considering all features and features selected using PCA. The RBFNN model, which incorporates DTCWT Image fusion and utilizes PSO with PCA features, achieved a training data prediction accuracy of 100% and a test data prediction accuracy of 99.13%., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests he authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The present paper reports the fabrication of novel types of hybrid fibrous photocatalysts by combining block copolymer (BCP) templating, sol-gel processing, and coaxial electrospinning techniques. Coaxial electrospinning produces core-shell nanofibers (NFs), which are converted into hollow porous TiO 2 NFs using an oxidative calcination step. Hybrid BCP micelles comprising a single plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) in their core and thereof derived silica-coated core-shell particles are utilized as precursors to generate yolk-shell type particulate inclusions in photocatalytically active NFs. The catalytic and photocatalytic activity of calcined NFs comprising different types of yolk-shell particles is systematically investigated and compared. Interestingly, calcined NFs comprising silica-coated yolk-shells demonstrate enhanced catalytic and photocatalytic performance despite the presence of silica shell separating plasmonic NP from the TiO 2 matrix. Electromagnetic simulations indicate that this enhancement is caused by a localized surface plasmon resonance and a confinement effect in silica-coated yolk-shells embedded in porous TiO 2 NFs. Utilization of the coaxially electrospun TiO 2 NFs in combination with yolk-shells comprising plasmonic NPs reveals to be a potent method for the photocatalytic decomposition of numerous pollutants. It is worth noting that this study stands as the first occurrence of combining yolk-shells (Au@void@SiO 2 ) with porous electrospun NFs (TiO 2 ) for photocatalytic purposes and gaining an understanding of plasmon and confinement effects for photocatalytic performance. This approach represents a promising route for fabricating highly active and up-scalable fibrous photocatalytic systems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to formulate the hesperetin nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) containing oro-mucosal gel for its activity assessment on the KB cell line. NLCs were prepared with glyceryl monostearate, oleic acid, and lecithin using a modified constant-temperature emulsification technique. The particle size analysis, in vitro drug release studies, etc., of prepared NLCs were evaluated. The formulated gels were analyzed with respect to spreadability, extrudability, swelling index, texture analysis, etc. The particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and drug entrapment of nanocarriers were recorded to be 221.733 ± 61.536 nm, 0.381 ± 0.091, - 51.433 ± 4.143 mV, and 89.29%, respectively. The optimized NLCs in 24 h released 87.14 ± 6.62% of the drug. The round shape of NLCs was noticed with scanning electron microscopy. The pH, spreadability, extrudability, swelling index, content uniformity, and drug release studies of hesperetin NLCs-containing gel (HNG) were found to be 6.81 ± 0.04, 2.49 ± 0.04 cm.mg/s, 539.04 ± 32.88 g/cm 2 , 4.27 ± 0.47, 107.98 ± 1.93%, and 90.17 ± 6.67% (in 48 h), respectively. The developed formulations showed promising in vitro anticancer and antioxidant activities. HNP results authorize that the formulation may be beneficial for the treatment of oral cancer., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ethical Approval This study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, under approval number EC/3411.

Background: The aim of our study is to establish whether the bone graft harvested and stored in the surgical wound by our novel technique is safe, reproducible and preserves the viability of the graft. In doing so, it promises successful bony fusion in spine and orthopaedic surgeries., Methods: A prospective clinical case series was conducted for autogenous bone graft storage in complex spine surgeries requiring staged procedures, in resource constrained settings. The bone graft harvested was morselized, wrapped in moist sterile gauze and stored in the paraspinal gutter within the operative site. Thereafter, the surgical wound was easily closed without tension. During the second stage surgery, the stored bone was retrieved and mixed with more autologous/allogenic bone (if necessary) and appropriately laid at fusion sites. Bacterial samples were sent before implantation., Results: 16 complex spinal deformity patients who underwent surgery in a resource constrained hospital over a period of 5 years were included. Duration between both stages was within 2 weeks. All patients showed successful fusion, with mean follow-up of 2.6 years. There were no cases of deep or systemic infection in our series. Surgeons found harvesting, storing and retrieval of graft to be straightforward., Conclusion: The operative site provides an ideal, safe and reproducible location for bone graft storage for staged surgeries conducted in resource constrained situations. The osteogenic potential of the autogenous bone graft is retained. This technique can be extrapolated to other orthopaedic surgeries conducted under resource limited environments like in surgical camps or combat medical facilities., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Bladder cancer (BCa) diagnosis relies on distinguishing muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) from non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) forms. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) is a standard procedure for initial staging and treatment. The Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) enhances diagnostic accuracy for muscle invasiveness through advanced imaging techniques, potentially reducing reliance on repeat TURBT and improving patient management., Objective: We aimed to evaluate the role of VI-RADS in predicting muscle invasiveness in BCa and its potential to predict adverse pathology in high-risk NMIBC to avoid unnecessary repeat TURBT procedures., Methods: In this prospective study, we included 62 patients over the age of 18 years who underwent TURBT. In a secondary phase, patients selected for restaging TURBT (re-TURBT) were included, but those with T2 tumors or low-risk NMIBC were excluded. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were scored by a radiologist using the VI-RADS 5 method, while a pathologist analyzed TURBT and re-TURBT samples for accurate staging. Statistical analysis evaluated the role of VI-RADS in BCa staging., Results: The VI-RADS score was the only predictive factor for muscle invasion in multivariate analysis. Setting the VI-RADS score at >3 resulted in the highest sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy, with values of 67.0%, 89.0%, and 78%, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve score for VI-RADS for muscle invasion was 85% for stage Ta, 61% for stage T1, and 88% for stage T2, which shows the utility of VI-RADS in the predictiveness of MIBC/NMIBC., Conclusion: VI-RADS is effective in stratifying BCa patients by predicting muscle invasiveness and identifying NMIBC cases that may not need repeat TURBT., (© 2024. Society of Surgical Oncology.)

The study examines how adding bacterial cellulose also referred to as Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) to ice cream affects the textural, tribological, and sensory attributes, particularly texture and mouthfeel perception. Analytical assessments were performed on three types: SCOBY-added ice cream and two reference samples (control and guar gum-added ice creams). Evaluations included physicochemical properties, textural and tribological characteristics, and dynamic sensory mouthfeel using the temporal dominance of sensation (TDS) methodology. SCOBY ice cream showed higher probiotics content, lower pH, and higher acidity than reference samples. The addition of SCOBY increased hardness and altered the textural properties. TDS analysis highlighted distinct temporal dominance patterns, with guar gum ice cream presenting a pronounced mouth/residual coating pre-swallowing, while SCOBY and control ice cream exhibited a thin/fluid perception. The frictional factor at 37 °C was positively correlated with the melting rate, graininess, and thin/fluid perception while negatively correlated with firmness, smoothness and mouthfeel liking. Additionally, the mouthfeel liking was higher with firm, smooth and mouth/residual coating sensations and lower with grainy and thin/fluid perception. In summary, incorporating SCOBY in ice cream formulations can provide health benefits and meet consumer preferences for natural ingredients, while ensuring careful optimization of mouthfeel., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We are pleased to declare that there is no conflict of interest between the authors. This submission has not been submitted for consideration elsewhere., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study examined the effect of succinylation on protein oxidation-aggregation and the formation of off-flavors in heated egg yolks (EYs). The sensory evaluation, content of volatile compounds, stability of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, and oxidation of lipid and protein at six levels of succinylated EY (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, and 10%, w / w ) were determined. The results showed that the succinylated thermal EY's concentration of volatiles and off-flavors was reduced. Oil exudation and lipid and protein oxidation decreased with the improved succinylation degree. Succinylation also reduced the LDL particle size and changed the secondary structure (decreased the β-sheets and increased the α-helices) of protein in LDL particles. Meanwhile, succinylation could effectively change the thermal oxidation-aggregation of LDL protein by introducing succinyl groups with negative charges, thus increasing the stability of LDL particles in succinylated EY during heating. These results further revealed the relationship between the oxidation-aggregation of LDL and the formation of off-flavors in heated EY. These results also help improve the flavor quality of heat-treated EY and expands the application scope of egg products.

Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks are a fundamental resource for modeling cellular and molecular function, and a large and sophisticated toolbox has been developed to leverage their structure and topological organization to predict the functional roles of under-studied genes, proteins, and pathways. However, the overwhelming majority of experimentally-determined interactions from which such networks are constructed come from a small number of well-studied model organisms. Indeed, most species lack even a single experimentally-determined interaction in these databases, much less a network to enable the analysis of cellular function, and methods for computational PPI prediction are too noisy to apply directly. We introduce PHILHARMONIC, a novel computational approach that couples deep learning de novo network inference with robust unsupervised spectral clustering algorithms to uncover functional relationships and high-level organization in non-model organisms. Our clustering approach allows us to de-noise the predicted network, producing highly informative functional modules. We also develop a novel algorithm called ReCIPE, which aims to reconnect disconnected clusters, increasing functional enrichment and biological interpretability. We perform remote homology-based functional annotation by leveraging hmmscan and GODomainMiner to assign initial functions to proteins at large evolutionary distances. Our clusters enable us to newly assign functions to uncharacterized proteins through "function by association." We demonstrate the ability of PHILHARMONIC to recover clusters with significant functional coherence in the reef-building coral P. damicornis , its algal symbiont C. goreaui , and the well-annotated fruit fly D. melanogaster . We perform a deeper analysis of the P. damicornis network, where we show that PHILHARMONIC clusters correlate strongly with gene co-expression and investigate several clusters that participate in temperature regulation in the coral, including the first putative functional annotation of several previously uncharacterized proteins. Easy to run end-to-end and requiring only a sequenced proteome, PHILHARMONIC is an engine for biological hypothesis generation and discovery in non-model organisms. PHILHARMONIC is available at https://github.com/samsledje/philharmonic.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for immune modulation in various diseases that are associated with dysregulated immune responses like Graft-versus-Host-Disease (GVHD). MSCs are pleiotropic and the fate of MSCs following administration is a major determinant of their therapeutic efficacy., Methods: Human MSCs were derived from bone marrow (BM) and Wharton's Jelly (WJ) and preconditioned through exposure to hypoxia and induction of apoptosis, either sequentially or simultaneously. The immune programming potential of preconditioned MSCs was evaluated by assessing their effects on T cell proliferation, induction of Tregs, programming of effector T-cell towards Th2 phenotype, macrophage polarization in the direct co-culture of MSCs and aGVHD patients-derived PBMNCs. Additionally, efferocytosis of MSCs and relative change in the expression of immunomodulatory soluble factors were examined., Results: Our study demonstrated that hypoxia preconditioned apoptotic MSCs (BM-MSCs, WJ-MSCs) bear more immune programming ability in a cellular model of acute Graft-versus-Host-Disease (aGVHD). Our findings revealed that WJ-MSCs HYP+APO were superior to BM-MSCs HYP+APO for immune regulation. These induced the differentiation of CD4 + T-cell into Tregs, enhanced Th2 effector responses, and simultaneously mitigated Th1- and Th17 responses. Additionally, this approach led to the polarization of M1 macrophages toward an M2 phenotype., Conclusion: Our study highlights the potential of WJ-MSCs conditioned with hypoxia and apoptosis concurrently, as a promising therapeutic strategy for aGVHD. It underscores the importance of considering MSC apoptosis in optimizing MSCs-based cellular therapy protocols for enhanced therapeutic efficacy in aGvHD., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

High- T C ferro-/ferrimagnetic quadruple perovskites constitute an important class of oxides that has garnered a lot of research attention in recent times, but their synthesis is commonly achieved under high-pressure conditions. Thus, the development of high- T C quadruple perovskites that can be synthesized under ambient pressure can be a key to the above problem. Herein, we report ambient pressure synthesis of a series of new A-site ordered quadruple perovskites, LnCu 3 Mn 1+ x Ti 3- x O 12 (Ln = La, Nd; x = 0, 0.3), by coupled aliovalent-cation manipulation in CaCu 3 Ti 4 O 12 . The effect of smaller lanthanide Nd incorporation in place of La has been investigated. Furthermore, 30% mixed valency of Mn per Mn 3+ has been introduced in place of Ti 4+ following similar strategies adopted to achieve giant magnetoresistive manganites La 0.7 A 0.3 MnO 3 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) from LaMnO 3 . Mn is present in the 3+ state for x = 0 and in a mixed valent state (3+ and 4+) for x = 0.3, whereas Cu exists in the 2+ state in all the compounds. While LaCu 3 MnTi 3 O 12 and LaCu 3 Mn 1.3 Ti 2.7 O 12 show the onset of ferrimagnetic order at ∼60 and 110 K, respectively, the corresponding Nd analogs, NdCu 3 MnTi 3 O 12 and NdCu 3 Mn 1.3 Ti 2.7 O 12 , exhibit enhanced T C 's of ∼80 and 140 K, respectively. This work reveals an effective strategy of mixed-valent Mn incorporation in the B-sublattice and smaller rare-earth cation incorporation to achieve higher ferrimagnetic ordering temperatures in quadruple perovskites.

Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. S. D. reports grants or contracts from the National Institutes of Health (payments to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, which support the author's salary). C. M. K. reports a role as chair of the patient-centered outcomes research institute Clinical Trial Advisory Panel. C. E. F. reports grants or contracts from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a role as unpaid ad hoc committee member for the Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (United Network for Organ Sharing). A. P. L. is a consulting and/or site investigator for Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. All other authors report no potential conflicts. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed.

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy, characterized by nerve damage, often presents with symptoms like pain, tingling, and muscle weakness. However, in its subclinical form, these symptoms may be subtle or absent, making early detection challenging. This is particularly concerning in patients with autoimmune connective tissue disorders (ACTDs), where the immune system attacks the body's tissues, potentially leading to nerve damage. Early identification and management are crucial to prevent the progression from subclinical to clinical neuropathy, which can significantly impair quality of life., Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study involved 100 patients with ACTDs of three or more years' duration, conducted at Saveetha Medical College over 15 months. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed on bilateral ulnar, radial, sural, peroneal, and tibial nerves., Results: Peripheral neuropathy was present in 18 (18%) of the study participants. Carpal tunnel syndrome was the most prevalent type, affecting 10 (55.56%) of those with neuropathy. Significant differences were found in the left peroneal motor nerve (p = 0.003) and right tibial nerve (p = 0.03) conduction times. Additionally, significant associations were observed between rheumatoid factor positivity (p = 0.011), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody status (p = 0.032), and the presence of peripheral neuropathy., Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of early detection and intervention for peripheral neuropathy in patients with ACTDs. The study's findings align with existing literature, suggesting that a substantial proportion of patients with ACTDs are at risk for peripheral neuropathy, particularly in older patients and those with specific autoimmune markers. Regular NCS assessments are recommended to identify at-risk individuals, potentially mitigating the progression of neuropathy and improving patient outcomes. Future research should include larger, more diverse populations and longitudinal studies to further validate these findings., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Saveetha Medical College and Hospital issued approval SMC/IEC/2020/12/045. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Senthilnathan et al.)

Background and Aims: To evaluate the flow at the cannulation site in the radial artery, the resistive indices (RIs) before cannula insertion and 6 h after decannulation were measured (primary outcome). The secondary outcomes were measurement of the artery size by anteroposterior (AP) diameter at the insertion site, RI and AP diameter at a point 4 cm proximal and in the ipsilateral ulnar artery before insertion and 6 h after cannula removal., Methods: In 96 patients requiring an arterial line during surgery, peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured to derive RI using a linear ultrasound transducer. The RI was measured at R1 (insertion point), R2, 4 cm proximal to R1, and U1 on the ipsilateral ulnar artery. The AP diameter of the arteries at baseline R1 0 , R2 0 and U1 0 was measured and repeated 6 h after removal of the cannula, R1 6 , R2 6 and U1 6 ., Results: RI or AP diameter in R1 or R2 did not differ pre- and post-cannulation. Mean R1 0 1.143 [standard deviation (SD: 0.239)] versus R1 6 1.181 (SD: 0.260) m/sec [mean difference (MD): -0.0372 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.098, 0.023), P = 0.230]. Mean AP diameter at baseline versus 6 h decannulation 0.177 (SD: 0.042) versus 0.172 (SD: 0.045) cm [MD: 0.005 (95% CI: 0.003, 0.013), P = 0.222] was also similar. The mean PSV in U1 0 versus U1 6 was higher: 0.480 (SD: 0.178) versus 0.528 (SD: 0.316) m/sec [MD: 0.120 (95% CI: -0.185, -0.054), P = 0.002] and AP diameter was also higher than baseline ( P = 0.001)., Conclusion: The flow in the radial artery did not change following cannulation. The PSV and AP diameter in the ulnar artery increased after decannulation, suggesting a compensatory increase in flow., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Indian Journal of Anaesthesia.)

Statement of Problem: The comparative accuracy of different color-matching methods for maxillofacial prostheses is lacking., Purpose: This clinical study aimed to compare prosthesis color matching using the conventional trial and error method with that using the maxillofacial spectrophotometer method., Material and Methods: Fifty-four Indian participants were enrolled based on skin color and divided into Light, Medium, and Dark groups (n=18). Silicone specimens of different thicknesses were fabricated using both the conventional trial and error and maxillofacial spectrophotometer coloration methods for all participants. The color match of the specimens with natural skin was assessed subjectively and objectively using expert consensus and fiber optic spectroscopy with the CIELab color difference formula, respectively. Statistical analyses included the Shapiro-Wilk and independent sample t tests (α=.05)., Results: The mean ΔL* (white-black axis) value for the Skin-Conventional color match difference was significantly lower and positive compared with the Skin-Spectrophotometer match (P=.090) for the sample. The mean Δb* (yellow-blue axis) value for the Skin-Conventional color difference was significantly positive compared with the Skin-Spectrophotometer match (P=.020). The mean ΔE* (color difference) for the Skin-Conventional color match was significantly lower than the Skin-Spectrophotometer value (P=.034). Expert opinion as assessed with a visual analog scale found color matching using the conventional method (7.12) to be significantly better than with the spectrophotometer (6.30). A qualitative analysis of expert opinion revealed that conventional color matching should have been less red (34.3%) and that spectrophotometer matching should have been less yellow (30.1%)., Conclusions: Across different thicknesses of silicone and Indian skin shades, color matching was significantly better for the conventional versus the maxillofacial spectrophotometer method, both objectively and subjectively. The spectrophotometer match was significantly yellower and lighter than natural skin., (Copyright © 2024 Editorial Council for The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The global demographic and epidemiological transition have led to a rapidly increasing burden of cancer, particularly among older adults. There are scant data on the prevalence and demographic pattern of cancer in older Indian persons. This was a multicentric observational study conducted between January 2019 and December 2020. Data were retrieved from existing electronic databases to gather information on two key variables: the total number of patients registered with oncologists and the number of patients aged 60 years and above. The primary objective was to determine the percentage of older adults among patients with cancer served by these hospitals. Secondary objectives included understanding the prevalence of different types of cancer in the older population, and the sex- and geographic distribution of cancer in older Indian patients. We included 272,488 patients with cancer from 17 institutes across India. Among them, 97,962 individuals (36 %) were aged 60 years and above. The proportion of older adults varied between 20.6 % and 53.6 % across the participating institutes. The median age of the older patients with cancer was 67 (interquartile range, 63-72) years. Of the 54,281 patients for whom the details regarding sex were available, 32,243 (59.4 %) were male. Of the 56,903 older patients, head and neck malignancies were the most prevalent, accounting for 11,158 cases (19.6 %), followed by breast cancer (6260 cases, 11 %), genitourinary cancers (6242 cases, 10.9 %), lung cancers (6082 cases, 10.7 %), hepatopancreaticobiliary (6074, 10.7 %), and hematological malignancies (5226 cases, 9.2 %). Over one-third of Indian patients with cancer are aged 60 years and above, with a male predominance. Head and neck, breast, and genitourinary cancers are the most prevalent in this age group. Characterizing the burden of cancer in older adults is crucial to enable tailored interventions and additional research to improve the care and support for this vulnerable population., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest from any authors associated with this publication. No funding was required for this project., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Malignant neoplasms of bone and articular cartilage, although rare, are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, posing a serious health burden. Understanding the trends in mortality related to these cancers is crucial for developing targeted interventions and improving patient outcomes. This study aims to analyze long-term mortality trends, identify demographic and geographic disparities, and uncover potential factors driving changes in mortality rates., Methods: This retrospective study analyzed mortality rates among individuals aged 65 and older from 1999 to 2020 using CDC WONDER death certificate data, abstracting demographics, geographic factors, and urban/rural status., Results: From 1999 to 2020, 18,205 adults aged 65 and older died from malignant neoplasms of bone and cartilage. The age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) started at 20 per 100,000 in 1999 and steadily declined until 2012 (APC: -1.12). However, from 2012 onwards, there was a notable reversal, with the AAMR rising sharply to 23.8 by 2020 (APC: 4.73). Men had higher mortality rates than women, with NH Black individuals showing the highest rates among races. Southern states and nonmetropolitan areas had elevated AAMRs, suggesting targeted interventions for better outcomes and lower death rates., Conclusion: The findings highlight significant inequities, with Southern states and nonmetropolitan areas showing elevated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs). These geographic disparities underscore the urgent need for targeted public health interventions in these regions to improve cancer outcomes and reduce mortality. Addressing these gaps is essential for achieving more equitable health outcomes, particularly in high-risk populations., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this articles., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Intracellular infections by Gram-negative bacteria are a significant global health threat. The nuclear receptor Nur77 (also called TR3, NGFI-B, or NR4A1) was recently shown to sense cytosolic bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, the potential role for Nur77 in controlling intracellular bacterial infection has not been examined. Here we show that Nur77 protects against intracellular infection in the bladder by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the leading cause of urinary tract infections (UTI). Nur77 deficiency in mice promotes the formation of UPEC intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) in the cells lining the bladder lumen, leading to persistent infection in bladder tissue. Conversely, treatment with a small-molecule Nur77 agonist, cytosporone B, inhibits invasion and enhances the expulsion of UPEC from human urothelial cells in vitro, and significantly reduces UPEC IBC formation and bladder infection in mice. Our findings reveal a new role for Nur77 in control of bacterial infection and suggest that pharmacologic agonism of Nur77 function may represent a promising antibiotic-sparing therapeutic approach for UTI., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Hydatid disease is uncommon in Humans. It rarely affects the bones and joints (0.5-4%). Frequent sites of bony involvement are vertebrae, pelvic bones, upper end of long bones e.g. humerus, femur and tibia., Material and Methods: We report a case of 41-year old female with primary Hydatid cyst of the entire right femur. Patient complaint of severe pain and was non ambulatory since the last 2 months., Results: Here, single staged Total Right Femur Replacement was done under General Anaesthesia. Patient was discharged after 6 days of hospital stay in a stable condition where physical rehabilitation was initiated after day one of the surgery, progressing to aided walking, standing and active lower limb exercises., Conclusion: Involvement of the entire femur was a challenging case. There is no consensus/gold standard treatment of severe cases. Given the involvement of the entire Right Femur along with spillage in the neighbouring muscles, patient underwent Total Femur Replacement with Hip and Knee Replacement., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors disclose no conflict of interest in the study., (© Indian Orthopaedics Association 2024. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Background Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive and fails to produce sufficient thyroid hormones. It can affect multiple organs including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and reproductive system, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, elevated cholesterol, fluid retention, fatty liver, and menstrual irregularities. Given the higher prevalence of fatty liver disease in patients with hypothyroidism, it is important to evaluate the need for routine screening for fatty liver in these patients. Materials and methods This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India, from October 2022 to June 2024. The study included 60 patients aged over 12 years who were known or recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, pregnant women, or those with chronic liver disease were excluded. Data collected included physical examination findings and laboratory test results. Fatty liver was diagnosed using magnetic resonance elastography. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS statistics for Windows, version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York). The statistical significance of parametric data was evaluated using the Chi-square test. A p-value less than 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95% were considered statistically significant. Result The study population had an average age of about 45 years, with most participants aged between 40 and 49 years. The majority of the participants were female, making up over 83% of the group, while males constituted about 17%. The most commonly reported symptom was weight gain, followed by constipation and fatigue. For individuals with fatty liver, the average thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was notably higher compared to those without fatty liver. Additionally, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were higher in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compared to those without. Both TSH and LDL levels showed a statistically significant association with the occurrence of NAFLD. Conclusion Hypothyroidism was more prevalent in females and in the age group 40-49 years. There was a statistical significance between TSH and the occurrence of NAFLD. In this study, statistical significance was also found between LDL and the occurrence of NAFLD., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Sub-committee, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital, and Research Centre issued approval IESC/PGS/2022/14. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Mahashabde et al.)

Background: Excessive internet use is a growing concern globally, and internet addiction negatively impacts academic performance. Limited research has been conducted on this topic among undergraduate medical students in Bangladesh., Purpose: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction and its impact on academic performance among medical students in Bangladesh, with a focus on the role of yoga in reducing Internet addiction as a proposed intervention., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among third-year medical students in four colleges in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select participants, and data were collected using pretested questionnaires and a checklist for office records through face-to-face interviews. SPSS version 25 was used for data processing and analysis., Results: Out of 312 students, 84% were addicted to the internet, and only 16% were normal. In total, 64.4% had good results in the first professional examination, while 35.6% had poor results. In total, 85.9% had good attendance, while 14.1% had poor attendance. The association between internet addiction level and first professional examination results and class attendance was highly significant., Conclusion: This study highlights the high prevalence and negative impacts of internet addiction among medical students in Bangladesh. The study suggests that promoting awareness about healthy technology use, establishing a better balance between internet usage and academic study, and encouraging the practice of yoga can help alleviate this problem. Further research and interventions are needed to tackle this emerging public health issue. Encouraging students to use the internet for academic purposes and providing education and resources can help promote healthy technology use. Healthcare professionals should also be aware of the risks and encourage seeking help if needed., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

StayGold is an exceptionally bright and stable fluorescent protein that is highly resistant to photobleaching. Despite favorable fluorescence properties, use of StayGold as a fluorescent tag is limited because it forms a natural dimer. Here we report the 1.6 Å structure of StayGold and generate a derivative, mStayGold, that retains the brightness and photostability of the original protein while being fully monomeric., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The risk of iatrogenic facial nerve injury increases in presence of Fallopian canal dehiscence during mastoid surgeries. This study aimed to find out the incidence, site, and size of Fallopian canal dehiscences and their pre-operative & intra-operative predictors. Prospective cross-sectional observational study. 46 patients of chronic otitis media (COM) undergoing canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy at a tertiary care centre in Uttarakhand, India. Fallopian canal dehiscence was encountered in 50% cases (23/46) and its most frequent site was the tympanic segment in 73.9% cases while the least frequent site was mastoid segment in 2.2% cases. Most of the dehiscences were more than 4 mm in size at 69.6%. Fallopian canal dehiscence was found in 100% of cases with preoperative facial palsy, 66.7% cases with aural polyps, 75% of cases with hearing loss > 90 dBHL, and in 100% of the cases with eroded dural plate and sinus plate on X Ray mastoid. Intraoperatively, Fallopian canal dehiscence was found in 70% of cases with LSCC fistula, and 66.7% cases of sigmoid plate erosion. Fallopian canal dehiscence is seen in 50% of cases undergoing CWD mastoidectomies, with most common site being the tympanic segment. Surgeons should be vigilant in cases of revision mastoidectomy, preoperative facial palsy, aural polyps, hearing loss > 90 dBHL, and cases with sinus plate and/or dural plate erosions on X Ray mastoid. The surgeon should be cautious to prevent facial nerve injury if they encounter a LSCC fistula, and sigmoid plate erosion intraoperatively., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestNot applicable., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2024. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Increasing wastewater pollution owing to the briskly rising human population, rapid industrialization, and fast urbanization has necessitated highly efficient wastewater treatment technologies. Although several methods of wastewater treatments are in practice, expensiveness, use of noxious chemicals, generation of unsafe by-products, and longer time consumption restrain their use to a great extent. Over the last few decades, nanotechnological wastewater treatment approaches have received widespread recognition globally. Microbially fabricated nanoparticles reduce the utilization of reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents, and exhibit higher adsorptive and catalytic efficiency than chemically synthesized nanomaterials. The present review comprehensively summarizes the applications of microbial nanotechnology in the removal of a wide range of noxious wastewater pollutants. Moreover, prospects and challenges associated with the integration of nanotechnology with other biological treatment technologies including algal-membrane bioreactor, aerobic digestion, microbial fuel cells, and microbial nanofiber webs have also been briefly discussed.

Introduction: Current molecular research has shown the several oncogenic pathways that give rise to the peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise defined (PTCL, NOS) subtypes, which alter prognosis and might have predictive value. This study was conducted to assess the immunohistochemistry (IHC) algorithm by Amador et al for the subtyping of PTCL, NOS and determine its applicability in relation to the clinicopathological profile., Methods: This study included 43 patients with PTCL, NOS diagnosis. Following the use of IHC for the transcription factors GATA3, TBX21, CCR4, and CXCR3, two pathologists subtyped the samples. Comprehensive clinicopathological correlation was carried out., Results: Applying the algorithm of Amador et al., cases were classified into GATA3 (20), TBX21 (15), and unclassified (8) subtypes. No significant association with clinical parameters of subtypes or CD4/ CD8 positivity was observed. Although a higher proportion of cases in the TBX21 subgroup showed a polymorphic population compared with the GATA3 subgroup, which had a monomorphic population, no significant p-value (0.111) was observed. Two Lennert lymphomas were classified into the GATA3 subgroup. Multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in overall survival (p-value = 0.105) and progression-free survival (p-value = 0.0509) between IHC-defined subtypes; trends indicate that overall survival and progression-free survival are worse in the GATA3 subgroup., Conclusion: Although the algorithm is reproducible, a proportion of cases remains unclassifiable and may require additional investigation and gene expression profiling. The GATA3 subgroup was found to have a monomorphic population with a poor overall prognosis and thus requires a larger sample size for validation., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) during the perinatal period is a significant global health concern, ranking as the fourth-leading contributor to the global burden of disease and the second-leading cause of disability in individuals aged 15-44. This study investigates the association between perinatal MDD, poor nutrition, low prenatal care adherence, substance use and increased suicide risk., Methodology: A comprehensive review of existing research studies examined the prevalence and consequences of perinatal MDD. Studies focusing on symptoms, risk factors, and associated outcomes in mothers and infants were analyzed to provide a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted impact of MDD during the perinatal period., Conclusion: Approximately 10-15% of women experience postpartum depression, with over 60% reporting symptoms within the first 6 weeks postpartum. Postpartum MDD increases the likelihood of preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age newborns and developmental delay. These findings underscore the critical need for comprehensive screening, identification and intervention approaches to mitigate the short and long term consequences of perinatal MDD.

This Letter presents the most precise measurement to date of the matter-antimatter imbalance at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. Using the Statistical Hadronization framework, it is possible to obtain the value of the electric charge and baryon chemical potentials, μ_{Q}=-0.18±0.90  MeV and μ_{B}=0.71±0.45  MeV, with unprecedented precision. A centrality-differential study of the antiparticle-to-particle yield ratios of charged pions, protons, Ω baryons, and light (hyper)nuclei is performed. These results indicate that the system created in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC is on average baryon-free and electrically neutral at midrapidity.

Rhizopus oryzae is one of the major causative agents of mucormycosis. The disease has a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate, and resistance towards current antifungal drugs poses additional concern. The disease treatment is complicated with antifungals; therefore, surgical approach is preferred in many cases. A comprehensive understanding of the pathogenicity-associated virulence factors of R. oryzae is essential to develop new antifungals against this fungus. Virulence factors in R. oryzae include cell wall proteins, spore germination proteins and enzymes that evade host immunity. The spore coat protein (CotH3) and high-affinity iron permease (FTR1) have been identified as promising therapeutic targets in R. oryzae. In-silico screening is a preferred approach to identify hit molecules for further in-vitro studies. In the present study, twelve bioactive molecules were docked within the active site of CotH3 and FTR1. Further, molecular dynamics simulation analysis of best-docked protein-ligand structures revealed the dynamics information of their stability in the biological system. Eugenol and isoeugenol exhibited significant binding scores with both the protein targets of R. oryzae and followed the Lipinski rule of drug-likeness. To corroborate the in-silico results, in-vitro studies were conducted using bioactive compounds eugenol, isoeugenol, and myristicin against R. oryzae isolated from the soil sample. Eugenol, isoeugenol exhibited antifungal activity at 156 µg/mL whereas myristicin at 312 µg/mL. Hence, the study suggested that eugenol and isoeugenol could be explored further as potential antifungal molecules against R. oryzae., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

The emergence of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents poses a serious threat to the effectiveness of treating bacterial illnesses. A major factor contributing to antimicrobial resistance is biofilm formation, driven by quorum sensing (QS). QS suppression inhibits the QS signaling pathway, obstructing cell-to-cell communication. This study focuses on N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)alkyl/arylamide derivatives, which were designed, synthesized, and characterized for their QS inhibitory effects. Among the synthesized compounds (3a-j), compounds 3b, 3d, and 3h exhibited the highest QS inhibitory activity, with inhibition zones of 17.66 ± 6.17, 14.00 ± 6.24, and 17.33 ± 0.66 mm, respectively. Further, molecular docking studies revealed binding affinities between - 8.4 and - 6.3 kcal/mol, indicating strong interactions with the target proteins. Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations confirmed the stability of the protein-ligand complexes for compounds 3b and 3 h. Additionally, in-silico methods were employed to predict the physicochemical properties of these molecules. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)alkyl/arylamide derivatives as QS inhibitors, offering a new perspective for developing alternative antimicrobial therapies., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The emergent role of nucleic acid-based biomarkers-microRNAs(miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs), and messenger RNAs(mRNAs), is becoming increasingly prominent in disease diagnostics and risk assessment. qRT-PCR is the primary analytical method for quantitative measurement of biomarkers. Yet, the relative infancy of non-coding RNAs recognition as biomarkers poses a challenge due to the absence of a consensus on a universally accepted normalizer gene, an absolute requirement for accurate quantification. Current tools normalizer selection are fraught with statistical limitations and suboptimal graphical user interface for data visualisation. These deficiencies underscore the necessity for a balanced tool tailored to handle qRT-PCR datasets. Addressing the identified challenges, we have developed 'gQuant' tool crafted to address these limitations. We employed voting classifiers that combine predictions from multiple statistical methods. Tool's efficacy was validated through different available and in house data derived from urinary exosomal miRNAs datasets. Comparative analysis with existing tools revealed that their integrated methodologies could skew the ranking of normalizer genes, whereas 'gQuant' consistently yielded rankings characterised by lower standard-deviation, reduced covariance, and enhanced kernel density estimation values. Given 'gQuant's' promising performance, normalizer gene identification will be greatly improved, improving precision of gene expression quantification in a variety of research scenarios. The gQuant tool developed for this study is available for public use and can be accessed at [ https://github.com/ABHAYHBB/gQuant-Tool ].", (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Faba beans ( Vicia faba L.), integral to the legume family, are a significant component of the global pulse market because of their nutritional richness and positive health implications. While existing reviews have extensively covered the nutritional composition and anti-nutritional factors of faba beans, and their utilization in food product development, the insights into the optimization of processing methods and upcycling the wastewater during faba bean processing remain insufficient. Therefore, this review focuses on consolidating information about their bioactive compounds, elucidating associated health benefits and unveiling the possible application of processing water derived from faba beans. Key issues discussed include the impact of bioactive compounds in faba beans on cardiovascular health and carcinogenic condition, the challenges in processing that affect bioactive content, and the potential nutritional and functional applications of processing water in food production.

Background The body undergoes numerous metabolic changes during severe illness or physiological stress to protect itself by lowering metabolism and reducing overall demands. This evolutionary adaptation dates back to early human development, long before the advent of ICU facilities and advanced treatments. One such protective mechanism is Sick Euthyroid Syndrome (SES), also known as Non-thyroidal Illness Syndrome (NTIS). SES commonly occurs in critically ill patients and is frequently observed in conditions such as heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and severe sepsis. This syndrome is characterized by abnormal thyroid function tests in patients with acute or chronic systemic illnesses who do not have intrinsic thyroid disease. Typically, these patients exhibit low serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), normal or low levels of thyroxine (T4), and normal or low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. SES is believed to be an adaptive response to illness, aimed at reducing the body's metabolic rate and conserving energy during severe physiological stress. This original article delves into SES's prevalence and clinical impact in these settings. Materials and methods The study aims to determine the prevalence of SES in patients with long-standing heart failure, elucidate the relationship between thyroid function and heart failure severity, and assess its impact on various hematological and clinical parameters. This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, India, a 2011-bed hospital, over one and a half years. This study included 70 patients with chronic heart failure, aged 18 years and above, defined by a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less and a Boston criteria score of 8 or more. Patients were excluded if they had a history of thyroid dysfunction, clinical sepsis, or were taking thyroid-affecting drugs.  Results The study provides important insights into the prevalence and impact of SES in long-standing heart failure patients. It found that a significant 44.29% of these patients exhibited low T3 levels, highlighting the substantial occurrence of SES in this population. Additionally, the study revealed a negative correlation between N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, Boston score, and total T3, suggesting that as indicators of heart failure severity worsen, total T3 levels may decrease further. Another key finding is the high prevalence of anemia among heart failure patients, with a notable gender disparity: 92.11% of male patients were affected compared to 50% of female patients.  Conclusion The study concluded that SES is significantly prevalent among long-standing heart failure patients, further indicating that thyroid suppression increases with the severity of heart failure. Recognizing SES can guide tailored treatments, prompting intensive monitoring and optimized heart failure management. Additionally, the study found a high prevalence of anemia, particularly among male patients, highlighting the need for gender-specific considerations in managing heart failure. These findings underscore the importance of routine thyroid function assessments and regular monitoring of anemia in heart failure patients. Future research should focus on improving clinical outcomes through comprehensive management of both thyroid function and anemia in these patients., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Sub-committee, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, India issued approval I.E.S.C/274/2022. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Mahashabde et al.)

We report a measurement of exclusive J/ψ and ψ(2s) photoproduction in Au+Au ultraperipheral collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV using the STAR detector. For the first time, (i) the ψ(2s) photoproduction in midrapidity at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider has been experimentally measured; (ii) nuclear suppression factors are measured for both the coherent and incoherent J/ψ production. At average photon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 25.0 GeV, the coherent and incoherent J/ψ cross sections of Au nuclei are found to be 71±10% and 36±7%, respectively, of that of free protons. The stronger suppression observed in the incoherent production provides a new experimental handle to study the initial-state parton density in heavy nuclei. Data are compared with theoretical models quantitatively.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

The duration and quality of sleep are believed to significantly influence the onset of metabolic syndrome (MetS), but existing data lack consistency. The meta-analysis aims to evaluate the prevalence of the MetS in association with sleep duration. We conducted a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate databases was performed to identify cohort and cross-sectional studies published in English between 2013 and 2023. We included studies that examined the association between sleep duration/quality and MetS, and two independent reviewers assessed study quality and bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The systematic review included 11 studies with a total of 343,669 participants, including 4 cohort studies and 7 cross-sectional studies. Sample sizes varied widely, ranging from 293 to 162,121 individuals. The studies had different follow-up periods, participant ages ranging from 10 to 80 years, and predominantly male populations. The prevalence of MetS was higher in average sleepers [52%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 40%-64%] compared with short sleepers (13%, 95% CI: 8%-18%) and long sleepers (15%, 95% CI: 9%-24%). Globally, North American countries exhibit the highest prevalence of MetS across short- (25.3%, 95% CI: 4.2%-72.4%) and long-sleeper (22.4%, 95% CI: 2.8%-74.1%) categories, whereas Asian countries experience the highest prevalence among the average sleeper category (58.7%, 95% CI: 44.1%-71.9%). Our meta-analysis indicates an elevated prevalence of MetS in average sleepers. Future research endeavors address delve into the underlying mechanisms and incorporate objective measures to understand the multifaceted connection between sleep patterns and MetS, guiding more effective preventive and management strategies.

A unique approach is imperative for the development of drugs aimed at inhibiting various stages of infection, rather than solely focusing on bacterial viability. Among the array of unconventional targets explored for formulating novel antimicrobial medications, blocking the quorum-sensing (QS) system emerges as a highly effective and promising strategy against a variety of pathogenic microbes. In this investigation, we have successfully assessed nine α-aminoamides for their anti-QS activity using Agrobacterium tumefaciensNT1 as a biosensor strain. Among these compounds, three (2, 3and, 4) have been identified as potential anti-QS candidates. Molecular docking studies have further reinforced these findings, indicating that these compounds exhibit favorable pharmacokinetic profiles. Additionally, we have assessed the ligand's stability within the protein's binding pocket using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and MMGBSA analysis. Further, combination of antiquorum sensing properties with antibiotics viaself-assembly represents a promising approach to enhance antibacterial efficacy, overcome resistance, and mitigate the virulence of bacterial pathogens. The release study also reflects a slow and gradual release of the metronidazole at both pH 6.5 and pH 7.4, avoiding the peaks and troughs associated with more immediate release formulations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Manoj K. Gupta has patent A Multicomponent Process for Peptoid Synthesis with Anti-Quorum Sensing Properties licensed to Vinod Kumar, Manoj K. Gupta, Central University of Haryana. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The ALICE Collaboration reports the measurement of semi-inclusive distributions of charged-particle jets recoiling from a high transverse momentum (high p_{T}) hadron trigger in proton-proton and central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. A data-driven statistical method is used to mitigate the large uncorrelated background in central Pb-Pb collisions. Recoil jet distributions are reported for jet resolution parameter R=0.2, 0.4, and 0.5 in the range 7

The taxonomic position and genomic characteristics of a nitrogen fixing and polymer degrading marine bacterium, strain SAOS 164 isolated from a mangrove sediment sample was investigated. Sequence analysis based on 16S rRNA gene identified it as a member of family Halieaceae with closest similarity to Haliea salexigens DSM 19537 T (96.3 %), H. alexandrii LZ-16-2 T (96.2 %) and Parahaliea maris HSLHS9 T (96.0 %) but was distantly related to the genera Haliea, Parahaliea and Halioglobus in phylogenetic trees. In order to ascertain the exact taxonomic position, phylogeny based on RpoBC proteins, whole genome, core and orthologous genes, and comparative analysis of metabolic potential retrieved the strain in an independent lineage clustering along with the genera Halioglobus, Pseudohalioglobus and Seongchinamella. Further, various genome based delimitation parameters represented by mol % GC content, percentage of conserved proteins (POCP), and amino acid identity (AAI) along with chemotaxonomic markers (i.e. fatty acids and polar lipids) supported the inferences of genome based phylogeny and indicated that the strain SAOS 164 belongs to a novel genus. The genome was mapped to 4.8 Mb in size with 65.1 % DNA mol% G + C content. In-silico genomic investigation and phenotyping revealed diverse metabolite genes/pathways related to polymer hydrolysis, nitrogen fixation, light induced growth, carbohydrate, sulfur, phosphorus and amino acid metabolism, virulence factors, defense mechanism, and stress-responsive elements facilitating survival in the mangrove habitat. Based on polyphasic taxonomic approach including genome analyses, a novel genus Mangrovimicrobium sediminis gen. nov. sp. nov. (=SAOS 164 T  = MTCC 12907 T  = KCTC 52755 T  = JCM 32136 T ) is proposed. Additionally, the reclassification of Halioglobus pacificus (=DSM 27932 T  = KCTC 23430 T  = S1-72 T ) to Pseudhalioglobus pacificus comb. nov. is also proposed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

South Asia is home to almost a quarter of the world's total population and is home to significant ethnolinguistic diversity. Previous studies of linguistic and genetic affiliations of Indian populations suggest that the formation of these distinct groups was a protracted and complex phenomenon involving multiple waves of migration, cultural assimilation, and genetic admixture. The evolutionary processes of migration, mixing and merging of populations thus impact the culture and linguistic diversity of different groups, some of which may retain their linguistic affinities despite genetic admixture with other groups, or vice versa. Our study examines the relationship of genetic and linguistic affinities between Austroasiatic and Indo-European speakers in adjacent geographical regions of Eastern India. We analyzed 224 mitogenomes and 0.65 million SNP genotypes from 40 unrelated individuals belonging to the Bathudi, Bhumij, Ho, and Mahali ethnic groups from the Eastern Indian state of Odisha. These four groups are speakers of Austroasiatic languages who have adopted elements from Indo-European languages spoken in neighbouring regions. Our results suggest that these groups have the greatest maternal genetic affinity with other Austroasiatic-speaking groups in India. Allele frequency-based analyses, genome-wide SNPs, haplotype-based methods and IBD sharing further support the genetic similarity of these East Indian groups to Austroasiatic speakers of South Asia rather than regional populations speaking Indo-European and Dravidian languages. Our study shows that these populations experienced linguistic mixing, likely due to industrialization and modernization that brought them into close cultural contact with neighbouring Indo-European-speaking groups. However, linguistic change in these groups is not reflected in genetic mixing in these populations, as they appear to maintain strict genetic boundaries while simultaneously experiencing cultural mixing., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

This report details the case of a female patient who was admitted with severe dengue, which was further complicated by bilateral pneumonia and multiple organ involvement. The patient also developed quadriparesis, a neurological complication, and had a recent history of vaccination with the COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine. A nerve conduction study later determined the condition to be acute motor axonal neuropathy, a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). While neurological complications, such as GBS, are rare in dengue cases, they can significantly affect patient outcomes. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has proven to be an effective disease-modifying therapy for GBS. IVIG therapy is recognized for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, making it beneficial in certain autoimmune conditions, including those involving the nervous system. However, its use in severe infections or sepsis remains controversial. In this case, IVIG therapy was administered alongside broad-spectrum antibiotics. The patient's favorable response to IVIG therapy and subsequent clinical improvement highlight the importance of early recognition and targeted intervention for neurological complications in dengue cases., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Mahashabde et al.)

Quadruple perovskites with high magnetic transition temperatures are an interesting class of compounds but are synthesized typically under high pressure. Ambient pressure synthesis of new multinary quadruple perovskites having a high global instability index (GII) and transition temperature can be interesting for future exploration of high- T C oxides. A new A- and B-site ordered multinary quadruple perovskite, LaCu 3 Fe 2 RuSbO 12 , is synthesized by conventional solid-state reactions at ambient pressure. Rietveld structure refinement revealed that the compound crystallizes in the Pn 3̄ space group with a lattice parameter of 7.4556(4) Å. The compound showed complete 1 : 3 ordering of La and Cu at the A-site and 1 : 1 rock-salt ordering of Fe with Ru/Sb at the B-site. The compound is also probed with scanning and transmission electron microscopy and XPS to investigate the chemical composition, microstructure, lattice and oxidation states of the elements. Magnetic studies revealed antiferromagnetic (AFM) correlations with magnetic ordering transitions at ∼170 and 40 K. Furthermore, the M-H hysteretic behavior at 100 and 5 K indicated ferrimagnetism due to short-range AFM interactions among Fe 3+ (3d 5 ) and Ru 4+ (4d 4 ) spins involving Cu 2+ (↑)-Fe 3+ (↓)-Ru 4+ (↑) triads. The specific heat data reaffirmed the magnetic signatures while electrical transport showed semiconducting behavior with variable range hopping. The details of synthesis and structural and compositional studies along with the magnetic and electrical transport properties of LaCu 3 Fe 2 RuSbO 12 are reported in this paper.

Quantitative monitoring of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia in venous blood is standard in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTr) but is limited by the need for phlebotomy facilities and personnel. The aim of the study was to evaluate the Tasso+ capillary blood (CB) self-collection device for quantitation of plasma CMV DNAemia. Thirty adult SOTr with suspected CMV DNAemia were enrolled to have a supervised Tasso+ CB sample collection within 24 h of a venous sample. CMV DNA was quantitated in paired samples by using the Abbott M2000 Real-Time qPCR instrument. The participants were provided with a study-specific survey that measured patient acceptability of the Tasso+ device compared with venipuncture. A Tasso + CB sample was successfully collected in 28/30 (93%) patients, and 44 paired samples were analyzed. Concordance for detection of CMV DNAemia above the limit of detection (LOD) was 91% (42/44), and the Tasso + CB sample was estimated to be 95% sensitive at a viral load (VL) of 308 IU/mL. Among samples with a quantifiable DNAemia result with both methods ( N = 31), there was excellent correlation between methods (Spearman R 2 = 0.99). The difference in CMV VL between venous and Tasso+ CB samples was not dependent on time ( P > 0.1). Of 12 who completed the survey, 11 (92%) expressed a preference for Tasso+ CB collection over venipuncture. Collection of CB with the Tasso+ device is feasible, patient-acceptable, and yields generally comparable CMV DNAemia load to standard venous samples, but with lower sensitivity. Future studies to optimize and evaluate this methodology for patient self-collected samples are warranted., Importance: We evaluate an FDA-cleared blood self-collection device (Tasso+) and demonstrate that it is patient-acceptable and yields a liquid blood sample with quantitative CMV DNAemia results comparable to those of standard venipuncture samples. This opens up possibilities for self-blood collection to monitor for CMV and potentially other viruses in transplant and other at-risk populations., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: The induced activity is produced in the target, monitor chamber, flattening filter (FF), collimating jaws, etc., when a high-energy photon beam is utilized for radiation therapy. This may result in add-on exposure to radiation professionals., Objective: This study aims to measure the radiation level (RL) at the treatment plane due to induced activity in the linear accelerator head., Materials and Methods: In this study, RLs were measured close to the isocenter (I), LINAC head (H), and 0.5 m lateral to the isocenter (L) inside the radiation bunker. The RLs were measured for field sizes (FS) 5 cm × 5 cm, 10 cm × 10 cm, 20 cm × 20 cm, 30 cm × 30 cm, and 40 cm × 40 cm, using 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 1000 monitor units (MUs) at above said locations inside the bunker using 10 mega-voltage (MV), 10 MV FF free, and 15 MV radiation beam., Results: RL increases with an increase in FS and MUs at all mentioned locations inside the bunker, except for 40 cm × 40 cm FS. The present study shows that RL increases with an increase in radiation beam energy, and there was significant RL inside the bunker at the mentioned location, even after the 1 min of high-energy radiation exposure., Conclusion: Therefore, treatment with a high-energy beam should be scheduled in the later evening of the working day and the jaw should be closed to a minimum before entering the bunker and a sufficient time gap should be followed to minimize the additional exposure due to induced activation in high-energy treatment., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Medical Physics.)

Bladder cancer (BCa) stands as prevalent malignancy of the urinary system globally, especially among men. The clinical classification of BCa into non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is crucial for prognosis and treatment decisions. However, challenges persist in current diagnostic methods like Urine cytopathology that shows poor sensitivity therefore compromising on accurately diagnosing and monitoring BCa. In recent years, research has emphasized the importance of identifying urine and blood-based specific biomarkers for BCa that can enable early and precise diagnosis, effective tumor classification, and monitoring. The convenient proximity of urine with the urinary bladder epithelium makes urine a good source of noninvasive biomarkers, in particular urinary EVs because of the packaged existence of tumor-associated molecules. Therefore, the review assesses the potential of urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) as noninvasive biomarkers for BCa. We have elaborately reviewed and discussed the research that delves into the role of urinary EVs in the context of BCa diagnosis and classification. Extensive research has been dedicated to investigating differential microRNA (miRNA) expressions, with the goal of establishing distinct, noninvasive biomarkers for BCa. The identification of such biomarkers has the potential to revolutionize early detection, risk stratification, therapeutic interventions, and ultimately, the long-term prognosis of BCa patients. Despite notable advancements, inconsistencies persist in the biomarkers identified, methodologies employed, and study populations. This review meticulously compiles reported miRNA biomarkers, critically assessing the variability and discrepancies observed in existing research. By synthesizing these findings, the article aims to direct future studies toward a more cohesive and dependable approach in BCa biomarker identification, fostering progress in patient care and management., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Bortezomib, a commonly used anti-myeloma drug, is metabolized by liver microsomal enzymes which may be polymorphic and responsible for lack of response in 30% patients. Hence, the association of CYP2C19 polymorphism with treatment response was explored in this study., Methods: Treatment naive multiple myeloma (MM) patients, eligible for bortezomib-based induction treatment, were recruited as per the inclusion - exclusion criteria. The genotyping of CYP2C19 was done using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism for *2, *3 and *17 alleles. The incidence and severity of peripheral neuropathy were noted at follow-up visits and graded as per CTCAE criteria ver 5.0., Results: Total 220 patients were recruited from August 2016 till May 2021; with a mean age of 55.6 (9.5) years and 65.9% males. Bortezomib+cyclophosphamide+dexamethasone (41.8%) and bortezomib+lenalidomide+dexamethasone (38.2%) were the most prescribed regimens. The CYP2C19 was polymorphic in 38.6%, 2.3% and 23.7% patients for *2, *3 and *17 allele respectively. There were 195 treatment responders and 25 non-responders, and CYP2C19*2 allele was different between responders and non-responders (p = 0.02). All extensive metabolisers (n = 54) were noted to be treatment responders. Peripheral neuropathy was reported by 23.2% patients. The frequency of peripheral neuropathy was somewhat lower in patients having either *2/*2 or *3/*3 allele pattern for CYP2C19 (p = 0.44)., Conclusions: Polymorphism in CYP2C19 enzyme is likely to have an impact on bortezomib treatment response and peripheral neuropathy. The study suggests the role of pharmacogenetics in personalised treatment of MM., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Survival outcomes for multiple myeloma have improved dramatically since the introduction of novel therapeutic agents. While these drugs are highly effective in improving survival outcomes and quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma, they come at a significant cost. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of bortezomib-based triplet or quadruplet drug regimens in isolation and followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in the Indian context., Methods: A Markov model was developed to assess the health and economic outcomes of novel drug regimens with and without AHSCT for the treatment of NDMM in India. We estimated the lifetime quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and costs in each scenario. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were computed and compared against the current willingness-to-pay threshold of a one-time per capita gross domestic product of ₹146,890 (US$1,927.70) for India. Parameter uncertainty was assessed through Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analysis., Results: Among seven treatment sequences, the VCd (bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone) alone arm has the lowest cost and health benefits as compared to four treatment sequences, namely VTd (bortezomib, thalidomide, dexamethasone) alone, VRd (bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone) alone, VRd plus AHSCT and DVRd (Daratumumab, bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone) plus AHSCT. It was found that VTd plus AHSCT and VCd plus AHSCT arms were extendedly dominated (ED) by combination of two alternative treatments. Among the five non-dominated strategies, VRd has a lowest incremental cost of ₹ 2,20,093 (US$2,888) per QALY gained compared to VTd alone followed by VRd plus AHSCT [₹3,14,530 (US$4,128) per QALY gained] in comparison to VRd alone. None of the novel treatment sequences were found to be cost-effective at the current WTP threshold of ₹1,46,890 (US$1,927.7)., Conclusion: At the current WTP threshold of one-time per capita GDP (₹ 146,890) of India, VRd alone and VRd plus AHSCT has 38.1% and 6.9% probability to be cost-effective, respectively. Reduction in current reimbursement rates of novel drugs, namely VRd, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide plus dexamethasone under national insurance program and societal cost of transplant by 50%, would make VRd plus AHSCT and VTd plus AHSCT cost-effective at an incremental cost of ₹40,671 (US$34) and ₹97,639 (US$1,281) per QALY gained, respectively., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The chemical compositions, intermolecular interactions, and functional properties of guar germ proteins (GGP) were investigated at different extraction pH (7 to 11). The protein efficiency ratio, essential amino acid index (46.53), predicted biological value (39.02), nutritional index (42.67), and protein purity (91.69 %) were found to be highest at pH 9. The in-vitro protein digestibility of GGP sample was highest at pH 11. From SDS-PAGE, the band intensity (<10 kDa) became thinner with an increase in extraction pH from 7 to 9 and then thicker. Meanwhile, smallest particle size and weaker ionic and hydrogen bonds were found at pH 11. The β-sheet content was more dominating in GGP samples. Moreover, higher denaturation temperatures of GGP samples indicated that protein molecules had a compact tertiary structure. Furthermore, the GGP extracted at pH 7 showed better functional properties. The principal component analysis suggested that pH 9 was more suitable for isolating GGP., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)