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SARS-CoV-2 causes profound changes in the sense of smell, including total smell loss. Although these alterations are often transient, many patients with COVID-19 exhibit olfactory dysfunction that lasts months to years. Although animal and human autopsy studies have suggested mechanisms driving acute anosmia, it remains unclear how SARS-CoV-2 causes persistent smell loss in a subset of patients. To address this question, we analyzed olfactory epithelial samples collected from 24 biopsies, including from nine patients with objectively quantified long-term smell loss after COVID-19. This biopsy-based approach revealed a diffuse infiltrate of T cells expressing interferon-γ and a shift in myeloid cell population composition, including enrichment of CD207+ dendritic cells and depletion of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. Despite the absence of detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA or protein, gene expression in the barrier supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium, termed sustentacular cells, appeared to reflect a response to ongoing inflammatory signaling, which was accompanied by a reduction in the number of olfactory sensory neurons relative to olfactory epithelial sustentacular cells. These findings indicate that T cell-mediated inflammation persists in the olfactory epithelium long after SARS-CoV-2 has been eliminated from the tissue, suggesting a mechanism for long-term post-COVID-19 smell loss.

Padding is an essential component in a multilayer compression bandaging system, used inside the compression bandage through which substantial amount of pressure is exerted on the limb of patient for treatment of venous leg ulcers. As a result, the liquid transmission behavior of padding is also critical in managing body fluids or sweat exuded from the affected limb, reducing the excessive moisture build-up around the wound and thereby ensuring comfort to and hence a better compliance from the patients. This study investigates the in-plane fluid transport characteristics of needle-punched nonwoven padding bandages. It first reviewed the existing studies related to the problems, and discussed their limits and possible improvements in dealing with complex fluid transport issues in textile porous media. The measurement of fluid transport under different pressure levels was then done using a newly designed apparatus capable of simultaneously tracing the liquid in-plane spreading along different directions, and obtaining several transport characteristics of a testing sample, e.g. the liquid flow anisotropy, the rate of movement, the area of wet surface with time, etc. Also the effects of several important factors, such as the levels of pressure applied, the specimen bulk density, and needling density of the padding products, have been experimentally investigated. In addition, based on an extended Lucas-Washburn theory, we calculated the liquid flow distance, both instantaneous speed and a more useful time-averaged speed v(av) at any given direction, and also defined a flow anisotropy index I(A) as a convenient parameter to represent the material flow anisotropy. The applications of v(av) and I(A) to actual samples have demonstrated the usefulness of these parameters in characterizing the flow nature and behavior of the materials.

BACKGROUND. Presbyosmia, or aging-related olfactory loss, occurs in a majority of humans over age 65 years, yet remains poorly understood, with no specific treatment options. The olfactory epithelium (OE) is the peripheral organ for olfaction and is subject to acquired damage, suggesting a likely site of pathology in aging. Adult stem cells reconstitute the neuroepithelium in response to cell loss under normal conditions. In aged OE, patches of respiratory-like metaplasia have been observed histologically, consistent with a failure in normal neuroepithelial homeostasis. METHODS. Accordingly, we have focused on identifying cellular and molecular changes in presbyosmic OE. The study combined psychophysical testing with olfactory mucosa biopsy analysis, single-cell RNA-Sequencing (scRNA-Seq), and culture studies. RESULTS. We identified evidence for inflammation-associated changes in the OE stem cells of presbyosmic patients. The presbyosmic basal stem cells exhibited increased expression of genes involved in response to cytokines or stress or the regulation of proliferation and differentiation. Using a culture model, we found that cytokine exposure drove increased TP63, a transcription factor acting to prevent OE stem cell differentiation. CONCLUSIONS. Our data suggest aging-related inflammatory changes in OE stem cells may contribute to presbyosmia via the disruption of normal epithelial homeostasis. OE stem cells may represent a therapeutic target for restoration of olfaction. FUNDING. NIH grants DC018371, NS121067, DC016224; Office of Physician-Scientist Development, Burroughs-Wellcome Fund Research Fellowship for Medical Students Award, Duke University School of Medicine., Introduction The olfactory system detects volatile odors, providing chemosensory input via the first cranial nerve. Olfaction contributes to daily social interactions and quality of life, is important in the detection [...]

Introduction: Among all face masks, N95 masks have been recommended for medical professionals involved mainly in patients with severe respiratory illnesses. Studies showing a decrease in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpD3) and an increase in heart rate after N95 mask usage have already created panic/concern among medical professionals. On the contrary, a few studies have shown no such negative impact of N95 mask usage, thereby urging scientific communities to investigate/explore these contrasting results. Aim: To study the effect of wearing an N95 mask continuously for three hours on SpD3 and heart rate specifically in Indian medical professionals. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted for a period of 2 months from June 15, 2022, to August 15, 2022, at Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India, with a total of 105 healthy Indian medical professionals aged 18-40 years (55 males, 50 females) (12 study participants dropped from the study midway). In each participant, SpD3 and heart rate were recorded first without a mask (M0) and then with a mask (M3) after three hours of routine work in the hospital. Using Mystat statistical software (version 12.0), results were expressed as mean±Standard Deviation (SD), and Student's paired t-test was used to compare the pairs of means. Results: Among the 105 eligible participants, 93 successfully completed the study, whereas 12 participants were excluded (dropout rate=11.42%). The study included 55 males (52.38%) and 50 females (47.61%) with an age range of 18-40 years and a mean age of 30.2±6.4 years. The SpD3 levels statistically showed a highly significant decrease after three hours of wearing an N95 mask (96.5±0.83% in M0 vs. 93.98±0.6% in M3). Similarly, the heart rate statistically showed a highly significant increase after three hours of using an N95 mask (73.45±3.6 in M0 vs. 89.6±6.1 beats/min in M3). Conclusion: The authors highlighted lower SpD3 levels and an increase in heart rate after three hours of N95 mask usage specifically in Indian medical professionals and thereby appeal to develop/upgrade the N95 mask by lowering its humidity, thermal stress, and breathing resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endometrial cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women worldwide with Age Standardised Incidence Rate (ASIR) of 8.4 per lac. In Indian subcontinent, the incidence is lesser and the ASIR is 2.1/100,000 women. However, its incidence is on the steady rise in developing part of the world including India. Surgery is the primary treatment and adjuvant radiotherapy is given in patients with high-risk of recurrence and significant change has happened in the management in the last 20 years. From India limited literature is available for management practices for endometrial cancer. Aim: To assess the referral patterns, demography, staging, surgical practices, adjuvant treatment and follow-up policies for endometrial cancer in a tertiary care hospital in northern India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was done for patients having endometrial cancer treated between January 2000-December 2015 in a tertiary care hospital in northern India in January 2022. A total of 93 patients having endometrial cancer were referred for radiotherapy. For these patients, their referral patterns, demography, staging, surgical practices, adjuvant treatment and follow-up policies were analysed, retrospectively. Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS) were computed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median age at presentation was 55 years. Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding was the commonest symptom 78 (83.87%). Ultrasonography 23 (24.73%) was the preferred first imaging modality. Type 1 endometroid carcinoma was 75 (80.64%) and total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy was done in 82 (88.17%). Adjuvant External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) with Brachytherapy (BT) was given in 61 (65.59%), EBRT alone in 7(7.52%) and BT alone given in 11 (11.83%). Median EBRT dose was 50.4 Gy. Vaginal cylinder applicator was used in 69 (95.83%) out of 72 patients receiving BT. A 6.0 Gy/# to a total of 2 fractions were given in 57 (79.16%). Median treated length of vagina was 3 cm (range 2-8 cm). Five year DFS and OS was 25% and 25% and 64% and 62% respectively in worst and best case scenario. Ten (10.75%) patients, all having high-risk had multiple visceral and local recurrence. Conclusion: In patients with endometrial cancer, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy is commonest surgical practice with adjuvant radiotherapygiven in patients with high risk of recurrence. In a developing country like India, assuring uniformity of treatment protocols is a challenging task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botrytis cinerea is the causative agent of gray mold disease, and infects more than 1400 plant species, including important crop plants. In tomato, B. cinerea causes severe damage in greenhouses and post-harvest storage and transport. Plant viruses of the Tobamovirus genus cause significant damage to various crop species. In recent years, the tobamovirus tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has significantly affected the global tomato industry. Most studies of plant-microbe interactions focus on the interaction between the plant host and a single pathogen, however, in agricultural or natural environments, plants are routinely exposed to multiple pathogens. Here, we examined how preceding tobamovirus infection affects the response of tomato to subsequent infection by B. cinerea. We found that infection with the tobamoviruses tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) or ToBRFV resulted in increased susceptibility to B. cinerea. Analysis of the immune response of tobamovirus-infected plants revealed hyperaccumulation of endogenous salicylic acid (SA), upregulation of SA-responsive transcripts, and activation of SA-mediated immunity. Deficiency in SA biosynthesis decreased tobamovirus-mediated susceptibility to B. cinerea, while exogenous application of SA enhanced B. cinerea symptoms. These results suggest that tobamovirus-mediated accumulation of SA increases the plants' susceptibility to B. cinerea, and provide evidence for a new risk caused by tobamovirus infection in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to the WHO, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death and is a global issue and measures to halt this is the need of the hour. Aims and Objectives: This study aims at identifying awareness as well as knowledge, attitude, perception, and practice regarding AMR and antibiotic use among medical undergraduate students, so to get insight and take appropriate actions to enhance their knowledge that will help in reducing AMR as they are the future prescribers. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 483 undergraduate medical students enrolled in government medical college, Haldwani. A pretested, semi structured questionnaire was designed to collect data from participants through Google forms regarding sociodemographic profile, and behavior of the participants regarding antibiotic use which comprises: Attitude, perceptions, and practice. Results: Majority of study participants have heard about AMR before (97%) of which most of them got information about antibiotic resistance by web/internet (35%). Majority of study participants were aware (>90%) of phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, 98.9% of them were correctly able to identify Amoxicillin and Penicillin as antibiotics, most of them had correct knowledge about role of antibiotics. Majority (83.6%) of participants take antibiotic only after the prescription of doctor, 78.9% of them reported use of antibiotics in the last year. Conclusion: A fair good amount of awareness, knowledge, attitude, perception, and practice regarding AMR and its use was found among study participants. Still, there is scope of improvement in it that can be addressed through giving more emphasis on this in undergraduate teaching curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The foundation of any nation is children. Malnutrition in children is global issue that may have both short- and long-term irreversible negative health consequences and thus associated with morbidity and mortality. Aims and Objectives: The study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of under-nutrition among under-five children in rural area of Haldwani. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted on Four hundred children residing in the rural field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Haldwani. Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was 7.75%, 9.25%, and 4%, respectively among under five children. The risk factors found significantly associated with undernutrition and sociodemographic profile were family size, parent's education, mother's occupation, and the socioeconomic class. The maternal factors found significantly associated with undernutrition were intake of iron folic acid tablets during antenatal care and postnatal care period, duration of pregnancy, site of delivery. Prelacteal, colostrum given, exclusive breastfeeding, and age of introducing complementary feeding and occurrence of recurrent diarrhea, recurrent acute respiratory infection, and worm infestation were child characteristics and medical illness found significantly associated with undernutrition. Conclusion: In this study, 17.5% of children were found undernourished. Factors determining undernourishment were parents literacy, social class, type and size of family, iron folic acid taken during pregnancy, feeding practices, immunization status, history of recurrent diarrhea, and other infections in the past 1 year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytohormones are involved in the regulation of plant responses to biotic stress. How a limited number of hormones differentially regulate defence responses and influence the outcome of plant–biotic interactions is not fully understood. In recent years, cytokinin (CK) was shown to induce plant resistance against several pathogens. In the present study, we investigated the effect of CK in inducing tomato resistance against the hemibiotrophic pathogenic bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv) and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). We demonstrate that CK enhances tomato resistance to Xcv and Pst through a process that relies on salicylic acid and ethylene signalling. CK did not directly affect the growth or biofilm formation ability of these pathogens in vitro. Overall, our work provides insight into the underlying mechanisms of CK‐induced immune responses against bacterial pathogens in tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]