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Summary: The mass production of polyhydrocarbons (PHCs) is achieved through electrochemical polymerization and its synthetic pathway is investigated using a combination of electrochemical techniques, NMR, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Here, we present a protocol for the electrochemical polymerization of PHCs from chlorinated methanes and an analysis of its polymerization reaction pathway. We describe steps for large-scale synthesis and characterization of PHCs and studying electrochemical polymerization reactions using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques along with NMR and FTIR spectroscopy using isotope-labeled reactants.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Seo et al.,1 Lee et al.,2 and Seo et al.3 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Male breast cancers (MBCs) are relatively uncommon malignancy with less than 1% incidence. MBC presents at a later age with a more advanced presentation as compared to the female breast cancer. Due to the paucity of the number of cases and trials regarding the MBC, female breast cancer treatment protocols are applied. Mastectomy and hormonal therapy remains the mainstay of treatment. Moreover, the data about prognosis of MBC remains limited.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that has become the leading cause of hospital acquired infections in the US. Repurposing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs for antimicrobial therapy involves lower risks and costs compared to de novo development of novel antimicrobial agents. In this study, we examined the antimicrobial properties of two commercially available anthelmintic drugs. The FDA approved drug niclosamide and the veterinary drug oxyclozanide displayed strong in vivo and in vitro activity against methicillin resistant S. aureus (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 0.125 and 0.5 μg/ml respectively; minimum effective concentration: ≤ 0.78 μg/ml for both drugs). The two drugs were also effective against another Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus faecium (MIC 0.25 and 2 μg/ml respectively), but not against the Gram-negative species Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter aerogenes. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of niclosamide and oxyclozanide were determined against methicillin, vancomycin, linezolid or daptomycin resistant S. aureus clinical isolates, with MICs at 0.0625-0.5 and 0.125-2 μg/ml for niclosamide and oxyclozanide respectively. A time-kill study demonstrated that niclosamide is bacteriostatic, whereas oxyclozanide is bactericidal. Interestingly, oxyclozanide permeabilized the bacterial membrane but neither of the anthelmintic drugs exhibited demonstrable toxicity to sheep erythrocytes. Oxyclozanide was non-toxic to HepG2 human liver carcinoma cells within the range of its in vitro MICs but niclosamide displayed toxicity even at low concentrations. These data show that the salicylanilide anthelmintic drugs niclosamide and oxyclozanide are suitable candidates for mechanism of action studies and further clinical evaluation for treatment of staphylococcal infections.

Persisters are a subpopulation of normal bacterial cells that show tolerance to conventional antibiotics. Persister cells are responsible for recalcitrant chronic infections and new antibiotics effective against persisters would be a major development in the treatment of these infections. Using the reporter dye SYTOX Green that only stains cells with permeabilized membranes, we developed a fluorescence-based screening assay in a 384-well format for identifying compounds that can kill methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) persisters. The assay proved robust and suitable for high throughput screening (Z`-factor: >0.7). In screening a library of hits from a previous screen, which identified compounds that had the ability to block killing of the nematode Caenorhabditis by MRSA, we discovered that the low molecular weight compound NH125, a bacterial histidine kinase inhibitor, kills MRSA persisters by causing cell membrane permeabilization, and that 5 μg/mL of the compound can kill all cells to the limit of detection in a 108 CFU/mL culture of MRSA persisters within 3h. Furthermore, NH125 disrupts 50% of established MRSA biofilms at 20 μg/mL and completely eradicates biofilms at 160 μg/mL. Our results suggest that the SYTOX Green screening assay is suitable for large-scale projects to identify small molecules effective against MRSA persisters and should be easily adaptable to a broad range of pathogens that form persisters. Since NH125 has strong bactericidal properties against MRSA persisters and high selectivity to bacteria, we believe NH125 is a good anti-MRSA candidate drug that should be further evaluated.

The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum is a common insect pest and has been established as a model beetle to study insect development and immunity. This study demonstrates that defensin 1 from T. castaneum displays in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity against drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of defensin 1 against 11 reference and clinical staphylococcal isolates was between 16-64 μg/ml. The putative mode of action of the defensin peptide is disruption of the bacterial cell membrane. The antibacterial activity of defensin 1 was attenuated by salt concentrations of 1.56 mM and 25 mM for NaCl and CaCl2 respectively. Treatment of defensin 1 with the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) at concentrations 1.56 to 3.13 mM abolished the antimicrobial activity of the peptide. In the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics that also target the bacterial cell envelope such as telavancin and daptomycin, the MIC of the peptide was as low as 1 μg/ml. Moreover, when tested against an S. aureus strain that was defective in D-alanylation of the cell wall, the MIC of the peptide was 0.5 μg/ml. Defensin 1 exhibited no toxicity against human erythrocytes even at 400 μg/ml. The in vivo activity of the peptide was validated in a Caenorhabditis elegans-MRSA liquid infection assay. These results suggest that defensin 1 behaves similarly to other cationic AMPs in its mode of action against S. aureus and that the activity of the peptide can be enhanced in combination with other antibiotics with similar modes of action or with compounds that have the ability to decrease D-alanylation of the bacterial cell wall.

Staphylococcus aureus, the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections in the United States, is also pathogenic to the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The C. elegans-S. aureus infection model was previously carried out on solid agar plates where the bacteriovorous C. elegans feeds on a lawn of S. aureus. However, agar-based assays are not amenable to large scale screens for antibacterial compounds. We have developed a high throughput liquid screening assay that uses robotic instrumentation to dispense a precise amount of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and worms in 384-well assay plates, followed by automated microscopy and image analysis. In validation of the liquid assay, an MRSA cell wall defective mutant, MW2ΔtarO, which is attenuated for killing in the agar-based assay, was found to be less virulent in the liquid assay. This robust assay with a Z'-factor consistently greater than 0.5 was utilized to screen the Biomol 4 compound library consisting of 640 small molecules with well characterized bioactivities. As proof of principle, 27 of the 30 clinically used antibiotics present in the library conferred increased C. elegans survival and were identified as hits in the screen. Surprisingly, the antihelminthic drug closantel was also identified as a hit in the screen. In further studies, we confirmed the anti-staphylococcal activity of closantel against vancomycin-resistant S. aureus isolates and other Gram-positive bacteria. The liquid C. elegans-S. aureus assay described here allows screening for anti-staphylococcal compounds that are not toxic to the host.

We formulated a network-based model to understand how risk behavior change in conjunction with failure of prophylactic interventions can lead to unintended outcomes where "less (intervention) is more (effective)." Our model captures the distinction between one- and two-sided risk behavior change. In one-sided situations (e.g. influenza/H1N1) it is sufficient for either individual in an interaction to exhibit risk behavior change whereas in two-sided situations (e.g. AIDS/HIV) it is necessary for both individuals in the interaction to exhibit risk behavior change, for a potential transmission of the disease. A central discovery is that this phenomenon occurs at differing levels of intervention coverage depending upon the "sidedness" of the interaction. We find that for one-sided interactions, sufficiently high vaccination coverage is necessary for mitigating the effects of risk behavior; for two-sided interactions, it is essential to combine prophylactic treatments with programs aimed at reducing risky behavior. Furthermore, again dependent on the "sidedness," targeting highly connected nodes can be strictly worse than uniformly random interventions at the same level of coverage.

Infliximab (IFX) is a recombinant DNA-derived chimeric IgG monoclonal antibody protein that inhibits tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). IFX, like other agents derived from foreign proteins, can cause infusion reactions both during and after the infusion. The incidence of infusion reactions ranges between 0% and 15% in pediatric patients. The potential underlying mechanisms for these reactions may include anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions, cytokine release syndrome, serum sickness-like reactions, and the development of antibodies against IFX. Several precautions can help reduce the risk of a new infusion reaction, such as a gradual increase in the infusion rate, scheduled infusions, and administering premedication or immunomodulators alongside IFX. Acute mild to moderate reactions often resolve spontaneously after a temporary cessation of the infusion or reduction in the infusion rate. Strategies like graded dose challenges and premedication can be utilized to prevent recurrence. In cases of severe reactions, desensitization or switching to an alternative biologic may be considered. This article aims to review the most recent guidelines for managing IFX-related infusion reactions in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), relying on the best available evidence.

Entamoeba histolytica is considered the primary species causing the parasitic gastrointestinal infection amebiasis. A cluster of amebiasis infections was identified in 2018 among men who have sex with men in New York City and was likely caused by Entamoeba dispar , traditionally considered to be nonpathogenic., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. All authors: No reported conflicts., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Competing Interests: None declared.

Cancer cells metastatic to the leptomeninges encounter a metabolically-challenging extreme microenvironment. To understand adaptations to this space, we subjected leptomeningeal-metastatic (LeptoM) mouse breast and lung cancers isolated from either the leptomeninges or orthotopic primary sites to ATAC-and RNA-sequencing. When inhabiting the leptomeninges, the LeptoM cells demonstrated transcription downstream of retinoid-X-receptors (RXRs). We found evidence of local retinoic acid (RA) generation in both human leptomeningeal metastasis and mouse models in the form of elevated spinal fluid retinol and expression of RA-generating dehydrogenases within the leptomeningeal microenvironment. Stimulating LeptoM cells with RA induced expression of transcripts encoding de novo fatty acid synthesis pathway enzymes in vitro . In vivo , while deletion of Stra6 did not alter cancer cell leptomeningeal growth, knockout of Rxra/b/g interrupted cancer cell lipid biosynthesis and arrested cancer growth. These observations illustrate a mechanism whereby metastatic cancer cells awake locally-generated developmental cues for metabolically reprograming, suggesting novel therapeutic approaches.

Recently, the California Department of Public Health issued an advisory related to the substantial rise in Coccidioidomycosis in California, which has been attributed in part to climate change and rapid housing development. Most cases are self-limiting, but some may spread to the meninges, resulting in coccidioidal meningitis (CM). Many providers mistakenly presume that CM is limited to patients who are immunocompromised. In this case series and literature review, we present 12 cases of CM in immunocompetent individuals seen at a single tertiary academic center between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023. All 12 cases developed complications, with 10 requiring ventriculoperitoneal shunting, 6 having spinal cord involvement (5 with cervical spine involvement), 4 having strokes, and 3 dying from complications related to CM. It is important to recognize CM as it may be life-threatening if not promptly diagnosed., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. The authors: No reported conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Introduction: With the rising prevalence of neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) among the aging population, particularly in conditions like mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which often precedes dementia, there remains a significant gap in effective pharmacological interventions. This has generated interest in exploring alternative therapies to manage symptoms and enhance cognitive function in the aging population. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Medhasagar Rasa® on cognitive functions, daily functioning, and quality of life in participants with aging-associated mild neurocognitive disorder using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scale, Ayurvedic Manasabhava Scale, and Brief Cognitive Rating Scale (BCRS)., Methods: This open-label, interventional study at Karnatak Lingayat Education (KLE) Ayurveda Hospital, Belagavi, Karnataka, involved 32 screened participants, with 30 completing the study. Participants aged 50-70 years with MoCA scores of 18-25 received Medhasagar Rasa (2 tablets at bedtime, provided by M/s. Shree Dhootapapeshwar Limited, Mumbai, India) for 60 days. Assessments occurred at baseline and every 15 days until day 60., Results: Thirty participants were recruited for the study after screening, all of whom completed the study. The median total MoCA score at baseline (visit one) was 20, which significantly improved to 25 by visit five (day 60±3) (p<0.001), indicating enhanced cognitive performance. The BCRS scores also showed significant improvement, with the median score decreasing from 12 to 7.5 (p<0.001) over 60 days. Anxiety symptoms were significantly reduced, with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) scores dropping from 14 to 7 (p<0.001), while the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores indicated improved sleep quality, reducing from 9.5 to 7 (p<0.001). The Ayurvedic Manasabhava Scale also demonstrated a significant reduction in intensity (14 to 6; p<0.001) and frequency (13.5 to 6; p<0.001). Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores showed stable illness severity, sustained global improvement, and consistent therapeutic efficacy. No adverse events were reported, and vital parameters remained normal throughout the study. Compliance with the medication was over 80%, and no significant changes were observed in laboratory values., Conclusion: Medhasagar Rasa effectively enhanced cognitive functions and alleviated anxiety and sleep disturbances in aging-related mild neurocognitive disorder, offering a promising therapeutic option., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee for Research on Human Subjects at Karnatak Lingayat Education Academy of Higher Education and Research’s (KAHER’s) Shri. B. M. K. Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Belagavi, Karnataka, issued approval KLE/BMK/MRC/956/22. The study was initiated following Ethics Committee approval and Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI) registration on 08.12.2022 (CTRI Registration No.: CTRI/2022/12/047965). 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: This study was funded by Shree Dhootapapeshwar Limited, Mumbai, Maharastra, India. Financial relationships: Dr. Mukesh B. Chawda, Dr. Sangam Narvekar, and Dr. Megha Nalawade declare(s) employment from Shree Dhootapapeshwar Limited and Solumiks Herbaceuticals Limited. Dr. Mukesh B. Chawda is a current employee of Solumiks Herbaceuticals Limited, and Dr. Sangam Narvekar, and Dr. Megha Nalawade are current employees of Shree Dhootapapeshwar Limited. 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, Shetty et al.)

From the fluff generated during 2005, after the preliminary experiments (2005-2007), a promising clone G2005047 has been identified. It showed moderate resistance to red rot (3.6 on a 9-scale scoring system), less susceptibility to shoot borer (13.25%) and internode borers (25.35%), and resistance to woolly aphid (0%). In the Advanced Yield Trials (2008-2011), it showed advantages over check for cane yield (CY) (11.79%), commercial cane sugar percent (CCSP) (0.35%), and sugar yield (SY) (20.33%). To ascertain its large-scale cultivation suitability, it has experimented under adaptive research trials (2012-2014) at farmers' fields. It exhibited 18.04%, 1.27%, and 19.55% supremacy over the check Co 86032 for CY, CCSP, and SY respectively. The stability of G2005047 under salinity was ascertained through a multi-environment-based experiment (2015-2017). AMMI (Additive Main-effects and Multiplicative Interactions) and GGE (Genotype × Genotype-Environment interaction) biplots were utilized. ANOVA revealed that the genotypic variation exerted the most significant effect followed by genotype × environment interaction and environment. G2005047 had the highest mean values for yield and quality traits with minimal ASV (AMMI stability value) (2.38:CY; 0.57: CCSP; & 0.58:SY) indicating its good-yielding ability and stability. AMMI I, AMMI II, and GGE biplots confirmed the stability of G2005047. In the jaggery quality assessment trials (2018 and 2019), it yielded 37.1% increased jaggery over the check. Also, the clone G2005047, exhibited moderate resistance to red rot disease, less susceptibility to shoot borer (13.25%) and internode borer (25.35%), and resistance against sugarcane woolly aphid (SWA). Due to supremacy for yield, quality, better performance under salinized situations, and tolerance to disease and pests, the clone G2005047 was released as a variety CoG 7 in 2022., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative musculoskeletal condition, affecting approximately 277 million people worldwide, with significant impacts on mobility, especially in women and obese patients, and an increasing incidence among Indians aged 30 to 50 years. The primary objective was to evaluate the knee muscle-strengthening effect of Myostaal® liniment (Solumiks Herbaceuticals Limited, Mumbai, India) as an add-on to physiotherapy for 90 days compared to physiotherapy alone in participants with knee OA. Secondary objectives included assessing changes in the total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, WOMAC Subscale scores, Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) distance, Single Leg Stance Test (SLST) duration, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, and the number of adverse events from baseline to Day 90 between the two groups., Methods: Seventy participants were randomly allocated to Group A (Myostaal® liniment plus physiotherapy) or Group B (physiotherapy alone) for 90 days, with Myostaal® liniment applied twice daily in Group A. Data were recorded in Case Report Forms (CRFs) and analyzed using parametric tests for within-group comparisons (one-way ANOVA or Friedman test) and non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney test) for between-group comparisons, with significance set at p<0.05., Results: The knee muscle strength (index knee) in Group A (test medication group) was significantly greater compared to Group B (standard treatment group) at Visit 3 (p<0.05; Day 60±3) and Visit 4 (p<0.001; Day 90±3). For the non-index (other) knee, a statistically significant increase in knee muscle strength was observed (p<0.001 at Day 90±3) solely in Group A. A notable reduction in total WOMAC score was seen in Group A from Visit 2 (p<0.01; Day 30±3) onward, compared to Visit 1 (Day 0). The scores at Visit 3 (p<0.001; Day 60±3) and Visit 4 (p<0.001; Day 90±3) were significantly lower than those at Visit 2 (Day 30±3)., Conclusion: The local application of Myostaal® liniment through massage as an adjunct to a physiotherapy regimen, improved knee muscle strength in participants with knee OA, leading to an enhancement in joint functionality. Additionally, Myostaal® liniment provided superior pain relief as an add-on therapy., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Khemdas Ayurved Hospital, Parul Institute of Ayurved and Research and Parul Institute of Ayurved issued approval (PIAR/IEC/691/2020, Date: September 11 , 2020 and PU/PIA/IECHR/2020/234, Date: August 5, 2020). Following ethics approval, the study received approval from the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) on November 10, 2020 (CTRI Registration No: CTRI/2020/11/029031). 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: The study was funded by Solumiks Herbaceuticals Limited, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Financial relationships: Dr. Mukesh B. Chawda declare(s) employment from Solumiks Herbaceuticals Limited. Dr. Megha Nalawade declare(s) employment from Shree Dhootapapeshwar Limited. 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, Deshpande et al.)

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are recognized as a class of advanced materials with outstanding mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Among these, nickel-based HEAs stand out for their impressive strength, ductility, and oxidation resistance. This review delves into the latest advancements in nickel-containing HEAs, covering their fundamental principles, alloy design strategies, and additive manufacturing techniques. We start by introducing HEAs and their unique properties, emphasizing the crucial role of nickel. This review examines the complex relationships between alloy composition, valence electron concentration (VEC), and the resulting crystal structures. This provides insights into design principles for achieving desired microstructures and mechanical properties. Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques like selective laser melting (SLM), electron beam melting (EBM), and laser metal deposition (LMD) are highlighted as powerful methods for fabricating intricate HEA components. The review addresses the challenges of AM processes, such as porosity, fusion defects, and anisotropic mechanical properties, and discusses strategies to mitigate these issues through process optimization and improved powder quality. The mechanical behavior of AM-processed nickel-based HEAs is thoroughly analyzed, focusing on compressive strength, hardness, and ductility. This review underscores the importance of microstructural features, including grain size, phase composition, and deformation mechanisms, in determining the mechanical performance of these alloys. Additionally, the influence of post-processing techniques, such as heat treatment and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on enhancing mechanical properties is explored. This review also examines the oxidation behavior of nickel-containing HEAs, particularly the formation of protective oxide scales and their dependence on aluminum content. The interplay between composition, VEC, and oxidation resistance is discussed, offering valuable insights for designing corrosion resistant HEAs. Finally, this review outlines the potential applications of nickel-based HEAs in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy, and identifies future research directions to address challenges and fully realize the potential of these advanced materials.

Background: Poor oral health and oral dysbiosis were found to be associated with cancers, especially of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. But the cause-and-effect relationship and the effect of the risk are not yet known due to scarcity of literature. Understanding such risk relationship can contribute to an integrated multi-disciplinary approach for GI cancer prevention., Aim: The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the role of oral dysbiosis on increasing the risk of digestive system cancers., Objective: To evaluate the effect of poor oral health on increasing the risk of gastrointestinal cancers., Methods: We conducted a systematic search following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in databases PubMed, Elsevier, Wiley's online library and Web of Science from inception to February 2023 to include recent cohort studies that assessed the association between poor oral health and the risk of cancer. We assessed bias using the New Castle Ottawa scale. We used inferential statistics to describe the effect of oral dysbiosis on gastrointestinal cancers. We performed a sub-group analysis to assess the effect of oral conditions on individual cancers., Results: We included 10 longitudinal studies in the meta-analysis. The overall effect size of poor oral health and GI cancer risk was hazard's ratio (HR) =1.30 (95% CI: [1.14, 1.46]) (p<0.001) (I 2 = 68.78). Sub-group analysis indicated that poor oral health increases the risk of esophageal cancer HR=1.61 (95% CI: [1.37, 1.85]), stomach cancer HR=1.33 (95% CI: [1.08, 1.58]), pancreatic cancer HR=1.90 (95% CI; [1.29, 2.50]) and colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma HR=1.16 (95% CI: [1.08, 1.23])., Conclusion: The meta-analysis indicated that poor oral health was significantly associated with increasing the risk of GI cancers., (© 2024. Indian Society of Gastroenterology.)

Background Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, arising from the interstitial cells of Cajal. These tumors bridge the nervous system and muscular layers of the gastrointestinal tract, playing a crucial role in the digestive process. The incidence of GISTs demonstrates notable variations across different racial and ethnic groups, underscoring the need for in-depth analysis to understand the interplay of genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors behind these disparities. Linear regression analysis is a pivotal statistical tool in such epidemiological studies, offering insights into the temporal dynamics of disease incidence and the impact of public health interventions. Methodology This investigation employed a detailed dataset from 2009 to 2020, documenting GIST incidences across Asian, African American, Hispanic, and White populations. A meticulous preprocessing routine prepared the dataset for analysis, which involved data cleaning, normalization of racial terminologies, and aggregation by year and race. Linear regression models and Pearson correlation coefficients were applied to analyze trends and correlations in GIST incidences across the different racial groups, emphasizing an understanding of temporal patterns and racial disparities in disease incidence. Results The study analyzed GIST cases among four racial groups, revealing a male predominance (53.19%) and an even distribution of cases across racial categories: Whites (27.66%), Hispanics (25.53%), African Americans (24.47%), and Asians (22.34%). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (32.98%), followed by heart failure (28.72%). The linear regression analysis for Asians showed a decreasing trend in GIST incidences with a slope of -0.576, an R-squared value of 0.717, and a non-significant p-value of 0.153. A significant increasing trend was observed for Whites, with a slope of 0.581, an R-squared value of 0.971, and a p-value of 0.002. African Americans exhibited a moderate positive slope of 0.277 with an R-squared value of 0.470 and a p-value of 0.201, indicating a non-significant increase. Hispanics showed negligible change over time with a slope of -0.095, an R-squared value of 0.009, and a p-value of 0.879, suggesting no significant trend. Conclusions This study examines GIST incidences across racial groups, revealing significant disparities. Whites show an increasing trend (p = 0.002), while Asians display a decreasing trend (p = 0.153), with stable rates in African Americans and Hispanics. Such disparities suggest a complex interplay of genetics, environment, and socioeconomic factors, highlighting the need for targeted research and interventions that address these differences and the systemic inequalities influencing GIST outcomes., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. 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, Rammohan et al.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: India has the largest cohort of community health workers with one million Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). ASHAs play vital role in providing health education and promoting accessible health care services in the community. Despite their potential to improve the health status of people, they remain largely underutilized because of their limited knowledge and skills. Considering this gap, Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) ® India, in collaboration with the National Health System Resource Centre (NHSRC), implemented a 15-h (over 6 months) refresher training for ASHAs using a telementoring interface. The present study intends to assess the impact of the training program for improving the knowledge and skills of ASHA workers., Methods: We conducted a pre-post quasi-experimental study using a convergent parallel mixed-method approach. The quantitative survey (n = 490) assessed learning competence, performance, and satisfaction of the ASHAs. In addition to the above, in-depth interviews with ASHAs (n = 12) and key informant interviews with other stakeholders (n = 9) examined the experience and practical applications of the training. Inferences from the quantitative and qualitative approaches were integrated during the reporting stage and presented using an adapted Moore's Expanded Outcomes Framework., Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in learning (p = 0.038) and competence (p = 0.01) after attending the training. Participants were satisfied with the opportunity provided by the teleECHO™ sessions to upgrade their knowledge. However, internet connectivity, duration and number of participants in the sessions were identified as areas that needed improvement for future training programs. An improvement in confidence to communicate more effectively with the community was reported. Positive changes in the attitudes of ASHAs towards patient and community members were also reported after attending the training. The peer-to-peer learning through case-based discussion approach helped ensure that the training was relevant to the needs and work of the ASHAs., Conclusions: The ECHO Model ™ was found effective in improving and updating the knowledge and skills of ASHAs across different geographies in India. Efforts directed towards knowledge upgradation of ASHAs are crucial for strengthening the health system at the community level. The findings of this study can be used to guide future training programs. Trial registration The study has been registered at the Clinical Trials Registry, India (CTRI/2021/10/037189) dated 08/10/2021., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant public health challenge globally, with its pathogenesis involving the transformation of benign adenomas into malignant carcinomas. Despite advancements in screening and early detection significantly improving outcomes, the rise of digital platforms like YouTube for disseminating health information presents new challenges. Concerns over the accuracy and reliability of content underline the necessity for rigorous evaluation of these digital health education tools. Methods Our study was conducted at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York. We meticulously analyzed YouTube videos on "colon cancer screening awareness," employing strict selection criteria to ensure both relevance and quality, focusing on English-language content with pertinent audio. Videos were evaluated for their quantitative and qualitative attributes-views, subscriber counts, likes/dislikes, comments, and content type, classifying them as scholarly or personal. We assessed video credibility through scientific accuracy using the DISCERN instrument, Global Quality Score (GQS), and Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), ensuring consistency in quality and reliability evaluation among seven researchers via the intraclass correlation coefficient. These tools - DISCERN for assessing reliability and quality, GQS for evaluating overall quality, and PEMAT for understandability and actionability - facilitated a comprehensive evaluation framework. Our analysis, leveraging descriptive and inferential statistics, scrutinized differences in content quality between academic and private institutions, employing t-tests to identify statistically significant disparities. The study utilized Microsoft Excel (version 16.73, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States) and IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 29.0 (released 2022; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). for robust data processing and analysis, confirming the educational value and trustworthiness of the examined YouTube content. Results Our study of 156 YouTube videos on educational content, split between academic (68 videos) and private sources (88 videos), revealed significant quality differences. Using the DISCERN, PEMAT, and GQS metrics, academic videos consistently outperformed private ones, with significant margins: DISCERN (54.61 vs. 34.76), PEMAT (3.02 vs. 2.11), and GQS (3.90 vs. 2.02), supported by low p-values indicating a statistically significant superiority. These findings suggest that the source of content-academic versus private-plays a crucial role in determining the quality and reliability of educational materials on platforms like YouTube, highlighting the academic sector's commitment to higher educational standards. Conclusion The study emphasizes the critical role of credible sources in enhancing the quality of health education content on YouTube, particularly concerning CRC screening. The superiority of academic institutions in providing high-quality content suggests a need for viewers to critically assess the source of information. It also calls for enhanced regulatory oversight and measures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of health information online., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Rammohan et al.)

Background The disinfection of dental impression materials is a cornerstone of infection control in dental practice. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two disinfectants, sodium hypochlorite and iodophor, on alginate and silicone impression materials, which are prone to microbial contamination. Methods The study was structured into two main groups based on the impression material: Group I (alginate) and Group II (addition silicone), each further subdivided into two subgroups for disinfection with sodium hypochlorite and iodophor. For each subgroup, initial microbial swabs were taken before any treatment, followed by a second swab after rinsing and a final swab after disinfection. The mean colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, standard deviations, and standard errors of the mean were calculated for each stage of treatment. Results Prior to disinfection, Group I had a mean CFU count of 2,529.40, while Group II had a lower mean CFU of 1,417.40. After rinsing, there was a significant decrease in CFUs in both groups, with Group I at 1,337.10 and Group II at 415.10. Post-disinfection, Group I showed a mean CFU count of 73.00 for sodium hypochlorite and 0.00 for iodophor. Similarly, Group II achieved a CFU reduction of 99.00 with sodium hypochlorite and 0.00 with iodophor, demonstrating a marked reduction in microbial presence. Conclusion Iodophor was exceptionally effective in disinfecting both alginate and silicone impression materials, eliminating all detectable CFUs. Sodium hypochlorite also significantly reduced microbial counts but was not as effective as iodophor. Rinsing prior to disinfection was instrumental in reducing the microbial load, underscoring its importance in the disinfection protocol., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Sivamani Chidambaram et al.)

Background:  The development of computerized aids for dental education offers potential benefits in teaching complex procedures, such as the design of removable partial dentures (RPDs). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a novel computerized tool in enhancing the ability of both dental students and practicing dentists to design RPDs, as well as to evaluate its utility as an interactive educational instrument., Methods:  A cohort comprising a total of 75 individuals (25 practicing dentists and 50 undergraduate dental students) was enlisted. Participants were introduced to an online interactive application tailored for the design of RPDs. They were tasked with resolving clinical scenarios that necessitated the formulation of an RPD. Throughout the exercise, users were provided with hints addressing errors made during the process, fostering self-directed learning for improved RPD design. Post-interaction, the perceptions of both dentists and students regarding the tool were gauged through a comprehensive questionnaire., Results:  The deployment of the online interactive application demonstrated significant promise in the effective design of RPDs, facilitated by self-directed learning. It also appeared to enhance the proficiency of practicing dentists in formulating partial dentures., Conclusion:  The computerized aid evaluated in this study provided an effective platform for both dental education and practice. It not only supported self-directed learning in the design of RPDs but also improved the efficiency of professional dentists in their clinical design work., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Sivamani Chidambaram et al.)

Background: Lewy body dementia (LBD) phenotype is associated with the presence and degree of Lewy body, Alzheimer's pathologies, and substantia nigra neuron loss. Nigral neuron loss is associated with parkinsonism in LBD, and females with LBD are less likely than males to have parkinsonism. As sex differences were reported for clinical correlates of Lewy body and Alzheimer's pathologies, we aimed to investigate whether there are also sex differences for correlates of nigral neuron loss., Methods: Data were obtained from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center for females (n = 159) and males (n = 263) with brainstem, limbic, and neocortical Lewy body pathology. Sex differences for the nigral neuron loss' association with Lewy body pathology staging and core clinical LBD features (cognitive fluctuations, visual hallucinations, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, parkinsonism) during follow-up were analyzed with generalized linear models adjusting for age and Alzheimer's pathology staging. Whether any of the core clinical features at the time of dementia onset can predict underlying nigral neuron loss for females and males were also analyzed with generalized linear models., Results: Compared to males, females died older and had higher levels of Braak tau staging, but had similar levels of Lewy body pathology staging and nigral neuron loss. Females were less likely than males to have a clinical Lewy body disease diagnosis during follow-up. More advanced Lewy body pathology staging was associated with more nigral neuron loss, more so for males than females. More nigral neuron loss was associated with parkinsonism and clinical LBD diagnosis during follow-up, more so for males than females. Across the subgroup with dementia (40 females, 58 males), core LBD features at first visit with dementia were not associated with nigral neuron loss., Conclusions: Nigral neuron loss' association with Lewy body pathology staging and core LBD features can differ by sex. Compared to males, females with Lewy body pathology have a higher risk of underdiagnosis. There is a need to elucidate the mechanisms underlying sex differences for pathology and clinicopathological correlations to advance diagnostic and therapeutic efforts in LBD., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) integration in healthcare, specifically in gastroenterology, has opened new avenues for enhanced patient care and medical decision-making. This study aims to assess the reliability and accuracy of two prominent AI tools, ChatGPT 4.0 and Google Bard, in answering gastroenterology-related queries, thereby evaluating their potential utility in medical settings. Methods The study employed a structured approach where typical gastroenterology questions were input into ChatGPT 4.0 and Google Bard. Independent reviewers evaluated responses using a Likert scale and cross-referenced them with guidelines from authoritative gastroenterology bodies. Statistical analysis, including the Mann-Whitney U test, was conducted to assess the significance of differences in ratings. Results ChatGPT 4.0 demonstrated higher reliability and accuracy in its responses than Google Bard, as indicated by higher mean ratings and statistically significant p-values in hypothesis testing. However, limitations in the data structure, such as the inability to conduct detailed correlation analysis, were noted. Conclusion The study concludes that ChatGPT 4.0 outperforms Google Bard in providing reliable and accurate responses to gastroenterology-related queries. This finding underscores the potential of AI tools like ChatGPT in enhancing healthcare delivery. However, the study also highlights the need for a broader and more diverse assessment of AI capabilities in healthcare to leverage their potential in clinical practice fully., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Rammohan et al.)

Aim: To investigate the molecular effects of a novel combination [sertraline and plumbagin (comb) with ormeloxifene (Orm)] for anticancer activity in triple negative breast cancer cell line "MDA-MB-231"., Methods: The cytotoxic effect of the drugs was analyzed by the MTT assay and nuclear morphological changes by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. Induction of apoptosis by annexin V-FITC staining, active caspase-3 detection and cell cycle analysis were studied in vitro on "MDA-MB-231" cells. The qRT-PCR was done to explore the upregulation and down regulation of targeted genes for angiogenesis, metastasis, tumor suppression and protein folding on the triple negative breast cancer cells. The preliminary anti-angiogenic effect of the drugs was assessed by chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay., Results: Orm showed inhibitory effects in "MDA-MB-231" cells in a dose and time dependent manner whereas; the drugs in combination gave better cytotoxic effects in the screening MTT assay. Orm + comb was more effective than Orm alone in eliciting apoptosis as well as inhibited the single cell to grow into a colony. CAM assay using Orm and Orm + comb suggested the anti-angiogenic potential which was further confirmed by the downregulation of VEGF in "MDA-MB-231" cells by qRT-PCR studies. The combination was found to effectively upregulate the expression of P53 and P21 and downregulate the gene expression of zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 ( ZEB1 ) and heat shock protein 70 ( HSP70 ) in "MDA-MB-231" cancer cells., Conclusions: Collectively this study reveals the efficacy of Orm + comb as more significant than the clinically used tamoxifen (Tam). The study elucidates the promising novelty of the combination as a potential chemotherapeutic intervention for mitigating the aggressiveness of triple negative breast cancer and it addresses the intrinsic resistance caused by single drug treatments., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Singing bowl sound meditation is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries in Tibetan and Buddhist cultures as a form of healing and relaxation. The practice involves the use of singing bowls, which produce a soothing sound believed to have a powerful effect on the body's energy system, helping to balance the chakras and promote healing. Over the years, several studies have been conducted to explore the effects of singing bowl sound meditation on mood, tension, and well-being. The reasons behind the positive effects of singing bowl sound healings are not fully understood. Possible explanations include alterations in brain waves, binaural beats, and the vibrations of singing bowls interacting with the energy field surrounding the human body, known as the biofield. Studies have shown that singing bowl sound meditation can produce physiological and psychological responses, reducing negative affect and increasing positive affect, as well as improving blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Singing bowl sound meditation may be an effective low-cost and low-technology intervention for reducing feelings of tension, anxiety, and depression while promoting spiritual well-being. However, further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of singing bowl sound meditation on physiological and psychological well-being, as well as its potential clinical applications., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Plants experience constant exposed to diverse abiotic stresses throughout their growth and development stages. Given the burgeoning world population, abiotic stresses pose significant challenges to food and nutritional security. These stresses are complex and influenced by both genetic networks and environmental factors, often resulting in significant crop losses, which can reach as high as fifty percent. To mitigate the effects of abiotic stresses on crops, various strategies rooted in crop improvement and genomics are being explored. In particular, the utilization of biostimulants, including bio-based compounds derived from plants and beneficial microbes, has garnered considerable attention. Biostimulants offer the potential to reduce reliance on artificial chemical agents while enhancing nutritional efficiency and promoting plant growth under abiotic stress condition. Commonly used biostimulants, which are friendly to ecology and human health, encompass inorganic substances (e.g., zinc oxide and silicon) and natural substances (e.g., seaweed extracts, humic substances, chitosan, exudates, and microbes). Notably, prioritizing environmentally friendly biostimulants is crucial to prevent issues such as soil degradation, air and water pollution. In recent years, several studies have explored the biological role of biostimulants in plant production, focusing particularly on their mechanisms of effectiveness in horticulture. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive review of the existing scientific literature to analyze the current status and future research directions concerning the use of various biostimulants, such as plant-based zinc oxide, silicon, selenium and aminobutyric acid, seaweed extracts, humic acids, and chitosan for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants. Furthermore, we correlated the molecular modifications induced by these biostimulants with different physiological pathways and assessed their impact on plant performance in response to abiotic stresses, which can provide valuable insights., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Asif, Ali, Qadir, Karthikeyan, Singh, Khangura, Di Gioia and Ahmed.)

The mass production of polyhydrocarbons (PHCs) is achieved through electrochemical polymerization and its synthetic pathway is investigated using a combination of electrochemical techniques, NMR, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Here, we present a protocol for the electrochemical polymerization of PHCs from chlorinated methanes and an analysis of its polymerization reaction pathway. We describe steps for large-scale synthesis and characterization of PHCs and studying electrochemical polymerization reactions using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques along with NMR and FTIR spectroscopy using isotope-labeled reactants. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Seo et al., 1 Lee et al., 2 and Seo et al. 3 ., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: With the growth in use of mobile messages for behaviour change, the need to incorporate personal needs and cultural characteristics of target users has been promoted. The study aimed to describe the findings of content validation of mobile messages designed to promote smokeless tobacco cessation in primary care., Methods: This study used a concurrent mixed-method approach with 13 patients who were tobacco users at urban primary care clinics. The clarity and appeal of 32 messages were rated on a Likert scale from 1 to 10. A mean clarity and appeal score per message was generated. A 5-item discussion guide was used for in-depth interviews and data was analysed using framework analysis., Results: Participants found the content of the messages useful, and preferred shorter and audio formatted messages. The clarity scores for the messages ranged from 7.9 to 9.4 with an average score of 8.7 (SD 0.5). The appeal scores ranged from 7.3 to 9.2, with an average score of 8.5 (SD 0.6)., Conclusions: Twenty-six from a total of 32 messages were found appropriate and finalised for use. This methodology can be used when developing contextually relevant mobile message interventions in other low resource settings.

Objectives: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a vascular tumor of intermediate malignant potential, which presents as infiltrative lesions involving multiple organs. We reviewed our institutional experience with the cytologic diagnosis of this neoplasm including the performance of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE)., Material and Methods: From our institutional database, we identified 29 cytology specimens, obtained between 2012 and 2020, from 21 patients with biopsy confirmation of EHE. ROSE and final diagnosis were compared. All cytology slides were reviewed, and selected cytologic features were recorded., Results: The cohort included 29 specimens comprising 17 (59%) from liver, 6 (21%) from lung, 2 (7%) from lymph node, and 4 (14%) from other sites. At ROSE, 8/27 (30%) were reported inadequate, yet on review, all cases contained scattered cells typical of EHE in the touch imprint air-dried slides including two cases reported with a final diagnosis of non-diagnostic. All cases contained epithelioid and plasmacytoid cells with ovoid nuclei, fine chromatin, delicate (or biphasic) cytoplasm, and scattered cells with delicate, elongated cytoplasmic tails. The majority 26/29 (90%) of cases had multi-nucleated and multi-lobated nuclei. Intracytoplasmic lumens/blister cells were in 17/29 (59%), and a subset had erythrocytes therein (4/29, 14%). Metachromatic fibromyxoid or fibrotic stroma fragments were commonly seen (23/29, 79%). Mitoses and necrosis were absent in all cases. Of 11 tested cases, WWTR1::CAMTA1 and YAP1::TFE3 fusions were detected in nine and two cases, respectively., Conclusion: EHE has distinctive cytologic features which are often under-recognized during ROSE., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest or financial disclosures., (© 2023 Cytopathology Foundation Inc, Published by Scientific Scholar.)