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Sugi Panneerselvam, Nina Diklich, Jonathan Tijerina, Michelle M Falcone, Kara M Cavuoto Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USACorrespondence: Kara M Cavuoto, Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL, 33136, USA, Tel +1-305-326-6324, Fax +1-305-547-3675, Email kcavuoto@med.miami.eduPurpose: To explore public interest in myopia progression and management and to correlate these trends to available treatments.Methods: Keywords were chosen for interest in myopia overall and those signifying interest in myopia treatments. Treatment options were separated into four main categories: atropine, glasses, contact lenses, and orthokeratology. Search terms were queried across ten years of Google Trends data and the relative search volume was analyzed to quantify the change in search volume over time.Results: A positive linear trend over time was present for all myopia interest keywords except “nearsighted” (p = 0.074) and “near work myopia” (p = 0.086). Interest in the four myopia treatment categories included in this study also displayed a significant positive trend over time. There is also a statistically significant positive correlation between all four treatment options and four of the seven categories of population interest, “myopia control”, “myopia”, “myopia progression”, and “screen time myopia”.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the utility of GT to correlate public interest in myopia treatments over time. All treatment terms had statistically significant linear search volume growth over a ten-year period. The positive correlation between interest in myopia as a health problem and available treatments supports existing evidence that GT can track rising public health concerns and corresponding treatment-seeking behaviors.Keywords: myopia, Google Trends, nearsighted, orthokeratology, atropine

Randhir Chavan,1,* Swati Panneerselvam,1,* Parul Adhana,1 Nirodhini Narendran,1 Yit Yang1,2 1Eye Infirmary, New Cross Hospital, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK; 2Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK *These authors contributed equally to this paper Background: The aim of this study was to describe bilateral visual outcomes and the effect of incomplete follow-up after 3 years of ranibizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Secondarily, the demands on service provision over a 3-year period were described. Methods: Data on visual acuity, hospital visits, and injections were collected over 36 months on consecutive patients commencing treatment over a 9-month period. Visual outcome was determined for 1) all patients, using last observation carried forward for missed visits due to early discontinuation and 2) only those patients completing full 36-month follow-up. Results: Over 3 years, 120 patients cumulatively attended hospital for 1,823 noninjection visits and 1,365 injection visits. A visual acuity loss of

This study suggests an asymmetric multilevel inverter based on DSTATCOM that employs SVPWM techniques to produce higher output levels. There are two steps in the suggested inverter. One full bridge and two half bridges make up the inverter's main stage. A full bridge converter had four switches and a single DC source, while half bridges have separate DC sources with a voltage ratio of 1:3:3. Every cell has a fixed neutral point and is connected in a cascaded fashion. The inverter's performance is not improved by setting the DC source values equally. A folded cascaded H-bridge circuit running at a line frequency makes up the second circuit. Control plan PWM's space vector modulation was used to verify the suggested topology. Each control scheme's specific methodology as well as switching pulses are covered in great detail. In MATLAB/Simulink, the suggested system has been simulated with an output voltage of 350 V and an output current of roughly 3.5 A.

Sesuvium portulacastrum, a coastal medicinal plant with traditional uses has shown promising biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, the mechanisms of action active ingredients of this plant have not been studied. Aim of the current study is to investigate the anticancer activity of Sesuvium portulacastrum using in vitro and in silico analysis. The in vitro assays included NO radical scavenging activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content determination. The data were analysed by one-way-ANOVA and p

Scrub typhus is one of the important vector borne illness which is largely underdiagnosed, particularly in children. It causes mild febrile illness to severe complications. More than 20 genotypic clusters are documented from various geographical regions based on sequence variations of 56kDa type specific antigen gene of Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus. Adequate knowledge about epidemiology and genetic diversity in endemic regions is an important tool for clinical management, development of diagnostic kit and vaccines. Limited studies are available based on genotypic characterization of Orientia tsutsugamushi in children. The present study determined the prevalence and genotypic characterization of Orientia tsutsugamushi in febrile pediatric patients admitted in tertiary care hospital of Chennai, South India. Both serum and blood samples were collected from 239 scrub typhus suspected febrile pediatric patient’s aged between 6 months to 12 years. IgM ELISA and 56kDa nested PCR were performed on all the patient samples. Nested PCR positive samples were sequenced and analyzed for genotypic differences. Among 239 samples, 103 were positive for IgM ELISA and 35 were positive for nPCR analysis. Out of the 108 scrub typhus positive cases, 45.31% (58/128) were male and 45.05% (50/111) were female. Eschar was positive in 56.48% of patients. Pneumonia (4/108), hypotensive shock (3/108), and myocarditis (1/108) were the most common clinical complications associated with scrub typhus positive children. Karp (56.6%) was the most common genotypic cluster found in our study, followed by TA716 (33.33%), TA763 (2/30), and Gilliam (1/30).

Assessing the pulse of an important legume crop, red gram (Cajanus cajan L.) of Tamil Nadu under changing climate and framing adaptation strategies were formulated using the DSSAT model. The assessment was done for the popular variety of red gram, viz., CO(RG)7 with August 1st as sowing date, under constant CO2 (380ppm) and CO2 enrichment. The adaptation strategies such as altering the sowing date and 25 per cent increment in nitrogenous fertilizer were carried out with CO2 enrichment conditions. The yield was found to be adversely affected by the warming scenario of the climate system without CO2 fertilization. With the incorporation of enriched CO2 data, the average yield increases until the end of the century, but with temporal and spatial variations. Among the different agro climatic zones of Tamil Nadu, highest yield was recorded in Western Zone and lowest in Southern Zone. There was no response to application of Nitrogenous fertilizer. July 15 sowing was identified to be the best sowing for the base as well as future period for CO(RG)7.

Regardless of socioeconomic or demographic background, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which affects more than half a billion people worldwide, has been steadily increasing over time. The health, emotional, sociological, and economic well-being of people would suffer if this number is not successfully handled. The liver is one of the key organs accountable for sustaining metabolic balance. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species inhibit the recruitment and activation of IRS-1, IRS-2, and PI3K-Akt downstream signaling cascade. These signaling mechanisms reduce hepatic glucose absorption and glycogenesis while increasing hepatic glucose output and glycogenolysis. In our work, an analysis of the molecular mechanism of Carica papaya in mitigating hepatic insulin resistance in vivo and in silico was carried out. The gluconeogenic enzymes, glycolytic enzymes, hepatic glycogen tissue concentration, oxidative stress markers, enzymatic antioxidants, protein expression of IRS-2, PI3K, SREBP-1C, and GLUT-2 were evaluated in the liver tissues of high-fat-diet streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats using q-RT-PCR as well as immunohistochemistry and histopathology. Upon treatment, C. papaya restored the protein and gene expression in the liver. In the docking analysis, quercetin, kaempferol, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid present in the extract were found to have high binding affinities against IRS-2, PI3K, SREBP-1c, and GLUT-2, which may have contributed much to the antidiabetic property of C. papaya. Thus, C. papaya was capable of restoring the altered levels in the hepatic tissues of T2DM rats, reversing hepatic insulin resistance.

Genetic diversity of south Indian meat type breeds was investigated by means of 15 ovine microsatellite markers. All used microsatellites amplified well and exhibited polymorphisms. A wide range of genetic variability was observed as allele varied from 4 to 10 in Madras Red; 4 to 10 in Mecheri; 4 to 12 in Pattanam; and 3 to 12 in Nellore sheep breeds. The mean number of alleles observed in Madras Red, Mecheri, Pattanam and Nellore breeds were 6.5, 6.7, 7.0 and 7.2 respectively. Average observed and expected heterozygosities over the different breeds were 0.23 to 0.87 and 0.347 to 0.827 respectively. The most diverse sheep breed was Nellore breed and the least diverse breed was Madras Red, which had the lowest total number of alleles (na=98) and lowest average observed (Ho=0.576) and expected (Ho=0.594) heterozygosities. The multi-locus mean between-population variability (FST) values indicated that about 5.60% of the total genetic variation was explained by population differences, whereas, the remaining 94.40% is due to differences among individuals within breeds. The values of FIT in the sub population for the most of markers were positive which showed the deficiency of heterozygotes. The DA genetic distance and FST distances between pairs of breeds revealed that the lowest distance was between Madras Red and Mecheri and the highest between Mecheri and Nellore breeds. Analysis of individual genotypes provided valuable information for understanding intra and inter-population genetic differences and helps in planning genetic improvement and conservation strategies for further improvement and sustainable utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on body weight and body measurements (body length, height at withers, chest girth and paunch girth) of adult Kilakarsal sheep have been collected from 124 adult animals managed at the farmers filed in Tirunelveli districts of Tami Nadu, India to estimate the body weight from body measurements. The data were subjected to standard statistical analysis using SPSS software and linear regression analysis was applied by keeping the body weight as the dependant variables and different body measurements as independent variables. The overall means (±SE) for body weight, body length and height at withers, chest girth and paunch girth of Kilakarsal sheep pooled over sexes were 23.39 ± 0.33 kg, 56.92 ± 0.31 cm, 69.74 ± 0.33 cm, 71.92 ± 0.44 cm and 69.44 ± 0.49 cm, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between body weight with body length, height at withers, chest girth and paunch girth were 0.525, 0.531, 0.831 and 0.761, respectively. The R² values for the regression equation, considering individual independent variables viz. body length, height at withers, chest girth and paunch girth were 0.276, 0.282, 0.691 and 0.579, respectively. The highest R² value was obtained from chest girth variable followed by paunch girth. The R² values increased with the addition of independent variables in the equation and the maximum R² value was obtained as 0.783 from all the variables. The study revealed that the chest girth is the best predictor for the estimation of body weight and this alone contributed 69.1 per cent variation in the body weight of adult Kilakarsal sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimTo describe the frequency of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in second eyes of patients undergoing ranibizumab therapy in their first eye and to evaluate the patterns of optical coherence tomography (OCT) abnormalities in fellow eyes before nAMD.MethodPatients who developed choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the second eye while on treatment for the first eye were identified. OCT scans of the second eyes, performed before the onset of CNV, were retrospectively examined and graded. Frequency of second eye involvement was estimated and patterns of progression of OCT abnormalities were described and classified.ResultsIn all, 65 out of 749 consecutive patients required ranibizumab in their second eye for treatment-naïve nAMD over a 2-year period. The mean interval from commencement of ranibizumab in first eye to conversion in second eye was 12 months (2-35.5 months). There were three patterns of CNV development: group A (12%, n=8) had no OCT abnormalities in the second eye just before developing CNV; group B (38%, n=25) had no abnormalities at baseline but developed OCT changes more than one visit before conversion and group C (50%, n=32) had OCT changes from baseline, which did not progress until just before conversion.ConclusionPatients with retinal pigment epithelial elevation without sub-retinal fluid on OCT in their fellow eyes have a high risk of progression to require therapy within a 2-year period. An anticipatory approach may be warranted, but a small group with completely normal OCT appearances can still develop lesions between visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examined rearing environment and husbandry practices of Coimbatore sheep in the field. The study showed that the examined sheep were reared by farmers under traditional method of rearing with less scientific management practices. The researchers recommend that farmers be given periodical training on improved scientific breeding and management practices.

Abstract Protein kinases of the MARK family phosphorylate tau protein in its repeat domain and thereby regulate its affinity for microtubules and affect the aggregation of tau into Alzheimer paired helical filaments. We are searching for low molecular weight compounds to interfere with the activity of MARK and its pathways. Here we summarize structural features of MARK and cellular pathways of regulation.

Protein kinases of the MARK family phosphorylate tau protein in its repeat domain and thereby regulate its affinity for microtubules and affect the aggregation of tau into Alzheimer paired helical filaments. We are searching for low molecular weight compounds to interfere with the activity of MARK and its pathways. Here we summarize structural features of MARK and cellular pathways of regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire is a dangerous disaster that causes human, ecological, and financial ramifications. Forest fires have increased significantly in recent years due to natural and artificial climatic factors. Therefore, accurate and early prediction of fires is essential. While significant advancements have been made in traditional and Deep Learning (DL) methods for fire detection, challenges remain in accurately pinpointing and recognizing fire regions, especially in diverse and large environments, to prevent damage effectively. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a novel Federated Learning (FL)-based method called Indoor-Outdoor FireNet (IOFireNet) for detecting and localizing fire regions. The proposed method incorporates a Bilateral Filter (BF) to effectively preprocess fire images to reduce noise artifacts and enhance detection clarity. It employs Super Pixel-based Adaptive Clustering (SPAC) to precisely segment fire and non-fire regions. A global IOFireNet model is developed to aggregate parameters from local models, improving detection accuracy across varied environments, while MobileNet is used for efficient data processing, enabling predictions on fire spread, severity, and affected areas to support early warnings. The proposed FL-based IOFireNet attains an accuracy rate of 98.65% for fire detection and 97.14% of mean IoU for segmentation. The proposed SPAC model reaches a mean IoU of 4.06%, which is 2.45% better than the graph cut algorithm and CRF model. The proposed model achieves an accuracy of 0.23%, 4.20%, 3.29%, and 10.02%, better than VGG-19, ResNet-50, Inception, and Dense Net, respectively., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Influenza virus is a well-known pathogen that can cause epidemics and pandemics. Several surveillance methods are being followed to monitor the transmission patterns and spread of influenza in the community. Wastewater-based Epidemiology (WBE) can serve as an additional tool to detect the presence of influenza viruses. The current study primarily focuses on surveillance of Influenza A and Influenza B in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) samples. A total of 100 wastewater samples were collected in July (n = 50) and August (n = 50) 2023 from four different WWTPs in Manipal and Udupi, district of Karnataka, India. The WWTP samples were processed and tested by Real-Time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). The data generated was analysed in comparison with the clinical Influenza cases. Of the 100 samples, 18 (18%) tested positive for Influenza A virus and 2 (2%) tested positive for Influenza B virus, with a viral load ranging 1.4 x 10 2 -2.2 x 10 3  gc/L for influenza A virus and 5.2 x 10 3 -7.7 x 10 3 gc/L for influenza B virus. On correlating the WWTP positivity with clinical case, it was found that influenza clinical cases and virus positivity in wastewater increased simultaneously, emphasizing WBE as a concurrent method for monitoring influenza virus activity., (© 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Microbiology Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background and Aims: Postoperative sore throat (POST) can be as high as 42% in supraglottic devices. LMA® Protector™ is a novel second-generation laryngeal mask airway (LMA) with Cuff Pilot™ technology that allows continuous cuff pressure monitoring. Elevated cuff pressure is a risk factor for POST in supraglottic devices, so we conducted this study to determine whether continuous cuff pressure monitoring can alleviate POST., Methods: This randomised double-blinded clinical trial compared the incidence of sore throat between LMA® Protector™ and LMA® ProSeal™ and was conducted in 118 patients scheduled for elective short surgical procedures. They were randomised to either LMA® Protector™ (Group PT) or LMA® ProSeal™ (Group P). The airway was secured with either of the two devices. The primary outcome was the incidence of sore throat at 1, 6, and 24 hours postoperatively and compared using the Chi-square test along with other parameters like first attempt success rate and blood staining of the device. The time taken for insertion and oropharyngeal seal pressure were compared using an independent t -test., Results: The incidence of POST was low with Group PT (12%) compared to Group P (28.8%) ( P = 0.005). The mean oropharyngeal seal pressure was significantly higher in Group PT than in Group P [33.72 (3.07) versus 27.72 (3.88) cm of H 2 O], P < 0.005. The first attempt success rate was 81.2% and 100% in LMA® Protector™ versus LMA® ProSeal™., Conclusion: LMA® Protector™ had a reduced incidence of POST compared to LMA ProSeal. However, a longer insertion time and difficult placement may be a concern., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Indian Journal of Anaesthesia.)

Background: Allium cepa, or onion, boosts numerous health benefits, including anti-diabetic effects. Its rich array of antioxidants and sulfur compounds not only aids heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure but also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. Onion's antibacterial and antiviral properties help combat infections, while its compounds like quercetin show promise in cancer prevention. Additionally, Allium cepa supports respiratory health by relieving coughs and colds and aids digestion with its prebiotic properties. Incorporating onions into a balanced diet can enhance overall well-being, including managing blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes., Aim and Objective: This study aims to determine if the ethanolic extract from the dried peel of Allium cepa holds potential as an anti-diabetic agent, with a focus on its ability to manage diabetes and reduce blood sugar levels., Methodology: To prepare the ethanolic extract from dried onion peel, the peel was finely ground and soaked in ethanol. The mixture was then agitated and filtered to separate the liquid extract. Finally, the filtrate was concentrated using methods such as rotary evaporation or vacuum distillation to obtain a concentrated extract for further analysis like alpha-amylase inhibition assay and alpha-glucosidase inhibition assay., Results: The ethanolic extracts derived from dried onion peel demonstrate inhibition of alpha-glucosidase, leading to reduced blood glucose levels. Additionally, this inhibition prompts an increase in insulin production., Conclusion: The study underscores that the efficacy of the ethanolic extract of dried onion peel increases with concentration. It highlights the presence of beneficial compounds like total phenolics, flavonoids, quercetin, and its derivatives in onion peel, known for their therapeutic roles in cardiovascular health, weight management, diabetes control, cancer prevention, and antimicrobial activity. These findings affirm the hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic properties of Allium cepa's ethanolic leaf extract., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Esakki et al.)