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Although the importance of exposing adolescent boys to gender transformative programs has been recognized, such programs are limited in India. Studies that assessed the relative effect of intervening in early compared with late adolescence are even more limited. This article examines the differential effect of exposing boys to a gender transformative program in early and late adolescence on their gender role attitudes and practices. We used data from a cluster randomized trial of a gender transformative life-skills education cum sports-coaching program for younger boys (aged 13–14 years) and older boys (aged 15–19 years) (N = 962) and used generalized estimating equation model to examine the differential effect. The intervention had a greater effect in helping younger than older boys to espouse gender-egalitarian attitudes (β =.669; p <.001 vs. β =.344; p <.001) and attitudes rejecting men's controlling behaviors (β =.973; p <.003 vs. β =.453; p <.088), men's perpetration of wife beating (β =.423; p <.002 vs. β =.282; p <.035), and violence on unmarried girls (β =.332; p <.038 vs. β =.306; p <.045). Younger boys had higher odds of reporting that their peers would respect them for acting in gender-equitable ways (odds ratio [OR] = 2.15; p <.003) compared with older boys (OR = 1.78; p <.014). However, younger boys had lower odds of intervening to stop incidents of violence that they had witnessed, compared with older boys (OR = 2.17; p <.03 vs. OR = 2.56; p <.002). These differences remained significant even when difference in regular exposure to the intervention was adjusted. Gender transformative programs are likely to be more effective in changing traditional attitudes and practices among boys if they target them during early adolescence compared with late adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The traditionally Ayurvedic formulation Khadirarishta was tested for its antibacterial efficacy followed by its antibacterial mechanism of action. • Three bacterial strains viz; E. coli , S. aureus and S. enterica were found to be sensitive against Khadirarishta than other tested bacterial strains. • Time killing curve analysis revealed the Khadirarishta significant bactericidal abilities against sensitive bacterial strains. • Antibacterial mechanism of action of Khadirarishta revealed its action on bacterial cytoplasmic membrane leading to leakage of important components from sensitive bacterial cells. • HPLC analysis affirmed the presence of four major marker compounds viz; gallic acid, catechin, ellagic acid, and eugenol in Khadirarishta. To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Khadirarishta (An Ayurvedic traditional formulation) against some of the bacterial strains as well as to investigate the probable mechanism of action against sensitive bacterial strains by using standard procedures. The antibacterial activity of Khadirarishta against some of the bacterial strains was evaluated by using bacterial susceptibility assay and the broth Microdilution method by using microplate reader and p-iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) reagent assay. The mechanism of action of Khadirarishta was observed by its effects on the bacterial membrane followed by quantification of effluxes components. Resistance analysis and Combination effect of Khadirarishta was also performed to explore its antibacterial dimensions. HPLC analysis of Khadirarishta was carried out for identifying the different marker compounds. Khadirarishta revealed a significant (p < 0.05) antibacterial spectrum against E. coli , S. aureus , and S. enterica bacterial strains. The mechanism of action of Khadirarishta seems to be linked with the disruption of bacterial membrane permeability which leads to the smooth entry of active compounds, efflux of nucleotide material and K+ ions. The four major marker compounds viz., gallic acid, catechin, ellagic acid, and eugenol were identified by HPLC analysis. This study shows that Khadirarishta has antibacterial potency and has a vigorous effect on the bacterial cell wall and membrane permeability. This could be due to the presence of identified marker compounds in this herb-decoction based Ayurvedic traditional formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Fibrous dysplasia is a condition characterised by excessive proliferation of bone-forming mesenchymal cells. Although a variety of causative factors are described, the exact aetiology is yet to be fully known. The maxilla is the most commonly affected facial bone, with facial asymmetry being the usual complaint. Surgery is the treatment of choice with two available options, namely, conservative bone shaving and radical excision and reconstruction. We describe the case of a 25-year-old male who presented with a giant monofocal fibrous dysplasia of the left maxilla with facial asymmetry, including obstruction of the left orbit, nasal and left half of the oral cavities and was treated with conservative surgery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Global evidence suggests that maternal education is a crucial determinant of a child's health. The health system moderates the maternal education and child health relationship. However, there is sparse evidence on which direction health system moderates this relationship, especially in developing nations because of limited data availability. In order to address this gap in the evidence, we study this question in the Indian context, where the health system is still in a transitioning phase. We use two nationally representative surveys, the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (2015–16) and the fourth round of the District Level Health Survey data (2012–13), to estimate the effects of maternal education and the health care system on child death and child anaemia. We map district-level data on health infrastructure and human resources information with individual-level information on health outcome, insurance, and antenatal care coverage along with other socio-economic characteristics. In accordance with global evidence, we find that maternal education remains an important determinant of child health outcomes in India too. However, the association between maternal education and child health outcomes weakens in the presence of a poor health care system. Health system improvement first benefits the already privileged in the Indian context. Yet, it should not hinder the policy focus either on the improvement of women's education or the medical care system. • Association between maternal education and child health is low in many districts. • Poor health care system weakens the effect of maternal education on child health. • Improvement in the health care system first benefits the educated women. • The unequal benefits leading to social costs should be tackled innovatively. • Public policy should continue improving the health system and maternal education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are self-renewing multipotent cells that play a vital role in the development of cancer drug resistance conditions. Various therapies like conventional, targeted, and radiotherapies have been broadly used in targeting and killing these CSCs. Among these, targeted therapy selectively targets CSCs and leads to overcoming disease recurrence conditions in cancer patients. Immunotoxins (ITs) are protein-based therapeutics with selective targeting capabilities. These chimeric molecules are composed of two functional moieties, i.e., a targeting moiety for cell surface binding and a toxin moiety that induces the programmed cell death upon internalization. Several ITs have been constructed recently, and their preclinical and clinical efficacies have been evaluated. In this review, we comprehensively discussed the recent preclinical and clinical advances as well as significant challenges in ITs targeting CSCs, which might reduce the burden of drug resistance conditions in cancer patients from bench to bedside. [Display omitted] • Immunotoxins (ITs) have been broadly used in targeted therapy of cancer. • These chimeric protein molecules also manage cancer drug resistance condition. • It induces the programmed cell death in cancer stem cells residing in tumors. • ITs have been utilized at both preclinical and clinical levels to overcome relapsed condition in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Post burn pruritus is a well recognised symptom in almost all burn patients. Yet, there is insufficient awareness about the etiopathogenesis and a lack of a systematic approach in the assessment and treatment of this distressing symptom. The current standard therapies include antihistamines, which are effective as sole therapy in only 20% patients, and emollients. There is a lacunae of clear consensus on the care of patients not responding to antihistamines. We review the literature on the etiology and pathogenesis of post burn pruritus, which has both central and peripheral pathways. The published studies on the currently available therapeutic options to treat itch in burns are discussed. On the basis of current evidence in literature, gabapentin used in the treatment of neuropathic pain, has demonstrated great promise, and is suggested as the next option for this subset of patients, not relieved with antihistamines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel, sensitive, selective and stability indicating LC–UV method was developed for the determination of potential impurities of eslicarbazepine acetate. High performance liquid chromatographic investigation of eslicarbazepine acetate laboratory sample revealed the presence of several impurities. Three impurities were characterized rapidly and four impurities were found to be unknown. The unknown impurities were identified by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization, ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-IT/MS/MS). Structural confirmation of these impurities was unambiguously carried out by synthesis followed by characterization using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR) and mass spectrometry (MS). Based on the spectroscopic, spectrometric and elemental analysis data unknown impurities were characterized as 5-acetyl-5,11-dihydro-10H-dibenzo [b,f]azepin-10-one, N-acetyl-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide, 5-acetyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepin-10-yl acetate and 5-acetyl-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepin-10-yl acetate. The newly developed LC–UV method was validated according to ICH guidelines considering eleven potential impurities and four new impurities to demonstrate specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy and stability indicating nature of the method. The newly developed method was found to be highly efficient, selective, sensitive and stability indicating. A plausible pathway for the formation of four new impurities is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]