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Objective To identify literature on health literacy levels and examine its association with tuberculosis treatment adherence and treatment outcomes. Methods Two authors independently searched Pubmed[R], Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, LILACS, Global Health Medicus and ScienceDirect for articles reporting on health literacy levels and tuberculosis that were published between January 2000 and September 2023. We defined limited health literacy as a person's inability to understand, process, and make decisions from information obtained concerning their own health. Methodological quality and the risk of bias was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tools. We used a random effects model to assess the pooled proportion of limited health literacy, the association between health literacy and treatment adherence, and the relationship between health literacy and tuberculosis-related knowledge. Findings Among 5813 records reviewed, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed that 51.2% (95% confidence interval, CI: 48.0-54.3) of tuberculosis patients exhibit limited health literacy. Based on four studies, patients with lower health literacy levels were less likely to adhere to tuberculosis treatment regimens (pooled odds ratio: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.37-2.78). Three studies showed a significant relationship between low health literacy and inadequate knowledge about tuberculosis (pooled correlation coefficient: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.32-0.94). Conclusion Health literacy is associated with tuberculosis treatment adherence and care quality. Lower health literacy might hamper patients' ability to follow treatment protocols. Improving health literacy is crucial for enhancing treatment outcomes and is a key strategy in the fight against tuberculosis. Objectif Identifier la litterature consacree aux niveaux d'education a la sante et etudier ses liens avec l'adhesion au traitement de la tuberculose ainsi qu'avec l'issue de ce traitement. Methodes Deux auteurs ont explore Pubmed[R], Embase, CINAHL, PsyclNFO, Scopus, LILACS, Global Health Medicus et ScienceDirect, independamment l'un de l'autre, a la recherche d'articles portant sur les niveaux d'education a la sante et la tuberculose, publies entre janvier 2000 et septembre 2023. Nous avons defini qu'un faible niveau d'education a la sante signifiait qu'une personne etait incapable de comprendre, d'assimiler et de prendre des decisions sur la base des informations qui lui etaient communiquees concernant sa sante. Nous avons utilise les outils devaluation critique du JBI pour determiner la qualite methodologique et le risque de biais. Enfin, nous avons applique un modele a effets aleatoires pour calculer la proportion groupee correspondant a un faible niveau d'education a la sante, le rapport entre l'education a la sante et l'adhesion au traitement, et celui entre l'education a la sante et les connaissances liees a la tuberculose. Resultats Sur 5813 documents examines, 22 correspondaient aux criteres d'inclusion. La meta-analyse a revele que 51,2% (intervalle de confiance de 95%, IC: 48,0-54,3) des patients tuberculeux affichaient un faible niveau d'education a la sante. D'apres quatre etudes, les patients avec un niveau d'education a la sante moins eleve avaient moins tendance a suivre les traitements contre la tuberculose (odds ratio groupe: 1,95; IC de 95%: 1,37-2,78). Trois etudes ont montre un lien significatif entre un faible niveau d'education a la sante et des connaissances insuffisantes sur la tuberculose (coefficient de correlation groupe: 0,79; IC de 95%: 0,32-0,94). Conclusion L'education a la sante a un impact sur l'adhesion au traitement contre la tuberculose et la qualite des soins. Un niveau d'education moindre peut entraver la capacite des patients a suivre les protocoles therapeutiques. Promouvoir l'education a la sante est essentiel pour ameliorer les resultats du traitement et constitue un element cle de la strategie de lutte contre la tuberculose. Objetivo Identificar la bibliografia sobre los niveles de alfabetizacion sanitaria y examinar su asociacion con el cumplimiento terapeutico de la tuberculosis y los resultados del tratamiento. Metodos Dos autores buscaron de manera independiente en Pubmed[R], Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, LILACS, Global Health Medicus y ScienceDirect articulos que informaran sobre los niveles de alfabetizacion sanitaria y de tuberculosis publicados entre enero de 2000 y septiembre de 2023. Se definio la alfabetizacion sanitaria limitada como la incapacidad de una persona para comprender, procesar y tomar decisiones a partir de la informacion obtenida en relacion con su propia salud. La calidad metodologica y el riesgo de sesgo se evaluaron mediante las herramientas de evaluacion critica de JBI. Se utilizo un modelo de efectos aleatorios para evaluar el porcentaje agrupado de alfabetizacion sanitaria limitada, la asociacion entre la alfabetizacion sanitaria y el cumplimiento del tratamiento y la relacion entre la alfabetizacion sanitaria y los conocimientos relacionados con la tuberculosis. Resultados De los 5813 registros revisados, 22 estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusion. El metanalisis revelo que el 51,2% (intervalo de confianza del 95%, IC: 48,0-54,3) de los pacientes con tuberculosis presentan conocimientos sanitarios limitados. Segun cuatro estudios, los pacientes con niveles mas bajos de conocimientos sanitarios tenian menos probabilidades de cumplir los regimenes de tratamiento de la tuberculosis (razon de posibilidades acumulada: 1,95; IC del 95%: 1,37-2,78). Tres estudios mostraron una relacion significativa entre los bajos conocimientos sanitarios y los conocimientos insuficientes sobre la tuberculosis (coeficiente de correlacion agrupado: 0,79; IC del 95%: 0,32-0,94). Conclusion La alfabetizacion sanitaria esta asociada al cumplimiento del tratamiento de la tuberculosis y a la calidad de la atencion. Una alfabetizacion sanitaria baja podria dificultar la capacidad de los pacientes para seguir los protocolos de tratamiento. Mejorar la alfabetizacion sanitaria es crucial para mejorar los resultados del tratamiento y constituye una estrategia clave en la lucha contra la tuberculosis. [phrase omitted], Introduction Health literacy is the ability to apply various skills--like reading, counting and problem-solving--to obtain, understand and use health-related information. Such knowledge and skills support informed decision-making, facilitate greater health-care [...]

To develop a green nanomaterial for specialty applications, spherical nanocellulose (SNC) was functionalized to a semicarbazone-Schiff base via a polymer analogous reaction. Firstly, SNC was synthesized from cellulose extracted from huge forest biomass, pine needles (PNs). The glucopyranose ring of SNC was oxidatively cleaved at C2-C3 to form SNC-dialdehyde (SNC-DA) by periodate oxidation. Both the aldehydic groups generated were reacted with semicarbazide to form a semicarbazone-Schiff base, referred to as functional spherical nanocellulose (FSNC). All the materials synthesized were characterized by FTIR, FESEM, EDS, TEM, and XRD studies. The FSNC was evaluated as an adsorbent for [Hg.sup.2+] ions. The adsorption adhered to pseudo-second order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption isotherm having a maximum adsorption capacity/Lungmuir adsorption capacity of 172.412 mg/g at 60 min. The selectivity of FSNC for [Hg.sup.2+] ions was confirmed from its appreciable removal (82%) from solution in tap water and 70% with other metal ions. FSNC exhibited bifunctional nature as it possesses antimicrobial activity against bacteria, that is, Gram (+) (Bacillus aereus) and Gram (--) (Escherichia coll and Salmonella typhi), and a fungus Byssochlamys fiilva. FSNC showed good recyclability up to eight sorption-desorption cycles. Thus, we have valorized biomass into an eco-friendly and low-cost bifunctional material as an adsorbent for [Hg.sup.2+] ions cum antimicrobial agent. Highlights * Spherical nanocellulose (SNC) prepared via acidic hydrolysis from pine needles * SNC functionalized to semicarbazone-based bifunctional Schiff base * The Schiff base is a rapid and efficient [Hg.sup.2+] ions adsorbent * The Schiff base has good antimicrobial activities against Gram (-) bacteria * Biowaste-based adsorbent has the potential to sustain the bio-circular economy KEYWORDS antimicrobial, pine needles, Schiff base, semicarbazone, spherical nanocellulose, 1 | INTRODUCTION The sustainability development goals have a deep link with the failing water quality and low availability of drinkable water across the world. (1) Among different pollutants, dyes [...]

Treatment of tuberculosis (TB) infection (TBI) to prevent active TB disease is a key component of the National Strategic Plan to end TB in India, without which the strategies to end TB would be futile. There is a need to rapidly scale up access to effective shorter regimens for tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) to a wider set of risk groups. This applies for identifying high-risk groups for TPT expansion. Thus, our aim with this review is to determine the TBI prevalence in different risk groups in India. We searched databases like Embase, Medline, Scopus, and CINAHL for studies published between 2012 and 2023 to estimate TBI in different risk groups in India. The PRISMA guidelines were followed when reviewing the publications, and a predetermined search strategy was used to find relevant sources across various databases. Using MetaXL (MS excel) software, we pooled data based on a random-effects model, along with heterogeneity testing using Cochrane's Q and I2 statistic. A total of 68 studies were included from 10,521 records. TBI pooled prevalence was estimated using the IGRA data, while in the absence of IGRA data, TST data were utilized. The key findings revealed a total of 36% pooled TBI prevalence for all risk factors, 59% among smokers, 53% among diabetics and alcoholics, 48% among malnourished, 47% among contacts of TB patients, 44% among HIV, 36% among pregnant women, 35% among COVID-19 patients, 31% among healthcare workers, 18% among sarcoidosis patients, and 15% among rheumatoid arthritis patients in India. Our review depicted a high TBI burden among groups such as diabetes mellitus, smokers, malnourished, and alcoholics. WHO has yet to recommend for systematic screening and treatment for TBI among these groups for want of evidence which this study provides, highlighting the need to reprioritize the risk groups for tailored TPT strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This prospective, randomized, double-blind trial was done to compare intranasal dexmedetomidine and intranasal midazolam as premedication for sedation and ease of child-parent separation in pediatric patients of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) undergoing corrective cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods : Forty children with TOF, between 1 and 10 years, undergoing corrective cardiac surgery were included in the study and, after randomization, were given intranasal midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) or intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg), 30 min before shifting to the operation room (OR). Patients were assessed for sedation and child-parent separation, along with hemodynamic parameters, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) 30 min after drug administration, at the time of shifting inside the OR, and at the time of induction of anesthesia. Results: Both groups had comparable child-parent scores, hemodynamic parameters, SpO2, and respiratory rate. However, the dexmedetomidine group had significantly better sedation levels than the midazolam group patients at the time of shifting inside the OR (dexmedetomidine group: 3.55 ± 0.82 vs. midazolam group: 2.80 ± 0.83; P = 0.007) and at the time of induction of anesthesia (dexmedetomidine group: 3.40 ± 0.75 vs. midazolam group: 2.70 ± 0.86; P = 0.009). Conclusion: Intranasal dexmedetomidine provides better sedation than midazolam, with similar child-parent separation scores and hemodynamic parameters, respiratory rate, and SpO2. No adverse events were observed in both groups. A study on a larger population will help in further establishing the safety and superiority of dexmedetomidine and will further its regular use as an intranasal premedication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we report the chemical modification of the dried and fallen pine needles (PNs) via a simple protocol using KMnO4 oxidation. The oxidized PNs (OPNs) were evaluated as adsorbents using some cationic and anionic dyes. The successful synthesis of OPNs adsorbent was characterized by various techniques to ascertain its structural attributes. The adsorbent showed selectivity for the cationic dyes with 96.11% removal (Pr) for malachite green (MG) and 89.68% Pr for methylene blue (MB) in 120 min. Kinetic models namely, pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and Elovich were applied to have insight into adsorption. Additionally, three adsorption isotherms, i.e., Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin were also applied. The dye adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model with R² > 0.99912 for MG and R² > 0.9998 for MB. The adsorbent followed the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of 223.2 mg/g and 156.9mg/g for MG and MB, respectively. Furthermore, the OPNs showed remarkable regeneration and recyclability up to nine adsorption-desorption cycles with appreciable adsorption for both the dyes. The use of OPNs as an adsorbent for the removal of dyes from wastewater, therefore, provides an ecologically benign, low-cost, and sustainable solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis with bedaquiline-pretomanid-linezolid regimen has demonstrated good treatment efficacy. Given linezolid's toxicity profile, prudence suggests reconsidering its dose and duration. We determined the effectiveness and safety of structured dose reduction of linezolid with bedaquiline and pretomanid in adults with pre-extensively drug-resistant (pre-XDR) or treatment-intolerant/nonresponsive multidrug-resistant (MDRTI/NR) pulmonary tuberculosis., Method: Adults with pre-XDR or MDRTI/NR pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled in a multicenter, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial in India. Patients were randomized to 26 weeks of bedaquiline, pretomanid, and daily linezolid, at 600 mg for 26 weeks (arm 1); 600 mg for 9 weeks followed by 300 mg for 17 weeks (arm 2); or 600 mg for 13 weeks followed by 300 mg for 13 weeks (arm 3). Study end points included sustained cure, bacteriological failure, toxicity, and death., Results: Of 403 patients enrolled, 255 (63%) were <30 years old, 273 (68%) had prior tuberculosis episodes, and 238 (59%) were malnourished. At the end of treatment, after excluding those with negative baseline cultures, cure was seen in 120 (93%), 117 (94%), and 115 (93%) in arms 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Myelosuppression seen in 85 patients each in arms 1 and 2 and 77 patients in arm 3, not significantly different. Peripheral neuropathy was noticed in 66 patients (30, 17, and 19 in arms 1, 2, and 3) at 10-26 weeks (P = .02). The linezolid dose was reduced because of toxicity in 13, 2, and 4 patients in arms 1, 2, and 3, respectively., Conclusions: In adults with pre-XDR or MDRTI/NR pulmonary tuberculosis, structured linezolid dose reduction to 300 mg/d is as effective as the standard 600-mg dose but with fewer cases of peripheral neuropathy when given with bedaquiline and pretomanid., Clinical Trials Registration: Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2021/03/032189)., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. Umesh Alavadi was an employee of the United States Agency for Internation Development (USAID) during the initial period of study conduct and J. J. is an employee of The UNION. All other authors report no potential conflicts of interest. 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., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

In the present study, we report the chemical modification of the dried and fallen pine needles (PNs) via a simple protocol using KMnO 4 oxidation. The oxidized PNs (OPNs) were evaluated as adsorbents using some cationic and anionic dyes. The successful synthesis of OPNs adsorbent was characterized by various techniques to ascertain its structural attributes. The adsorbent showed selectivity for the cationic dyes with 96.11% removal ( P r ) for malachite green (MG) and 89.68% P r for methylene blue (MB) in 120 min. Kinetic models namely, pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and Elovich were applied to have insight into adsorption. Additionally, three adsorption isotherms, i.e., Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin were also applied. The dye adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model with R 2 > 0.99912 for MG and R 2 > 0.9998 for MB. The adsorbent followed the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity ( q m ) of 223.2 mg/g and 156.9 mg/g for MG and MB, respectively. Furthermore, the OPNs showed remarkable regeneration and recyclability up to nine adsorption-desorption cycles with appreciable adsorption for both the dyes. The use of OPNs as an adsorbent for the removal of dyes from wastewater, therefore, provides an ecologically benign, low-cost, and sustainable solution.