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This research investigates the migration of Bisphenol A (BPA) from packaging containers into take-out vegetable soups and premixed tomato soups through three replicate studies. The samples underwent extraction using solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges, followed by separation on a C18 column. BPA concentrations in the soups were assessed at 15, 30, and 45-minute intervals, consistently revealing undetectable levels (

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely utilized chemical found in numerous everyday products, including plastic containers, food packaging, and thermal paper. Research has linked BPA exposure to a range of health concerns, encompassing developmental and reproductive issues, cancer, and obesity. Given India's status as one of the world's largest producers and consumers of plastic goods, understanding the potential risks associated with BPA exposure and its health impacts on the Indian population is of paramount importance. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of BPA sources, environmental levels, migration, and health impacts in India in comparison to other countries. By examining data from various nations, we aim to discern overarching trends and patterns in BPA exposure and its associated health effects. This analysis serves as a foundation for the development of policies and regulations designed to safeguard public health. While the Indian government has taken some regulatory steps, such as banning the production, import, and sale of BPA-containing polycarbonate baby bottles, there is a notable absence of specific regulations or bans on BPA in other food-contact materials (FCMs). Studies conducted in India have detected BPA in various food items, underscoring the potential risk of BPA exposure through food consumption. This emphasizes the urgent need for effective monitoring and control of BPA migration in FCMs within India. In conclusion, this comparative review underscores the imperative for ongoing research and rigorous monitoring of BPA exposure and its health impacts in India, as well as in other nations. Safeguarding the health of the general public necessitates a comprehensive understanding of BPA's prevalence, sources, and consequences. By implementing and refining regulations, such as extending bans on BPA in additional FCMs, policymakers can work towards mitigating the risks associated with BPA exposure and ensuring the safety of populations worldwide.

Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) is a method of manipulating the vestibular system through non-invasive electrical current. Depending on how GVS is applied, it produces specific sensations related to vestibular mediated central pathways. The method has been tested for decades for both medical and non-medical applications and has demonstrated promise in treating a variety of disorders including peripheral vestibular conditions, central vestibular pathology due to neurodegenerative diseases, and post-stroke motor rehabilitation. As GVS continues to grow in popularity and applications, the field lacks clarity on appropriate stimulation parameters, despite their importance for safe and efficacious neuromodulation. This study aims to review the parameters used in various treatment applications while also providing a concise overview of the mechanisms underlying GVS thereby offering essential context and justification for the chosen parameters. We performed a literature search on the PubMed and Embase databases for clinical trials including the term "galvanic vestibular stimulation." After removing duplicates, secondary analyses, and studies that did not use GVS for therapeutic purposes, we were left with 53 independent studies. We extracted the stimulation parameters used in each study and report them here. The results of this review suggest that while some stimulation parameters are relatively standardized for specific treatment indications, others lack universally accepted guidelines as the field of GVS continues to evolve. Based on our findings, we recommend that future GVS research include at least one sham condition, the use of individualized current intensity, and the comparison of multiple GVS parameters within the same trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue is a common and often debilitating feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) that lacks reliably effective treatment options for most patients. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a safe and well-tolerated type of noninvasive brain stimulation, is a low-cost and home-based approach with the potential to reduce fatigue in MS. We conducted a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial to compare active vs. low-dose (sham) tDCS paired with computer-based cognitive training, delivered as a home-based intervention, to reduce MS-related fatigue. Participants with MS-related fatigue, but without depression, were stratified by neurologic disability using the Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and randomized to complete 30 daily sessions over six weeks of either active or sham tDCS paired with online cognitive training (BrainHQ). The primary outcome was the change in PROMIS Fatigue score from baseline to the end of the intervention. A total of 117 participants were randomized, with 92% completing all treatment sessions. Both groups showed significant reductions in fatigue, with no significant difference between them. This suggests that tDCS does not provide any additional benefit over cognitive training alone in reducing fatigue, but confirms the feasibility and tolerance of this home-based intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that preferentially colonizes and persists in skin tissue, yet the host immune factors that regulate the skin colonization of C. auris in vivo are unknown. In this study, we employed unbiased single-cell transcriptomics of murine skin infected with C. auris to understand the cell type-specific immune response to C. auris. C. auris skin infection results in the accumulation of immune cells such as neutrophils, inflammatory monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, and NK cells at the site of infection. We identified fibroblasts as a major non-immune cell accumulated in the C. auris infected skin tissue. The comprehensive single-cell profiling revealed the transcriptomic signatures in cytokines, chemokines, host receptors (TLRs, C-type lectin receptors, NOD receptors), antimicrobial peptides, and immune signaling pathways in individual immune and non-immune cells during C. auris skin infection. Our analysis revealed that C. auris infection upregulates the expression of the IL-1RN gene (encoding IL-1R antagonist protein) in different cell types. We found IL-1Ra produced by macrophages during C. auris skin infection decreases the killing activity of neutrophils. Furthermore, C. auris uses a unique cell wall mannan outer layer to evade IL-1R-signaling mediated host defense. Collectively, our single-cell RNA seq profiling identified the transcriptomic signatures in immune and non-immune cells during C. auris skin infection. Our results demonstrate the IL-1Ra and IL-1R-mediated immune evasion mechanisms employed by C. auris to persist in the skin. These results enhance our understanding of host defense and immune evasion mechanisms during C. auris skin infection and identify potential targets for novel antifungal therapeutics. Author summary: C. auris, an emerging fungal pathogen, preferentially colonizes human skin and causes outbreaks of systemic infections. However, the factors that regulate the pathogenesis of C. auris are still unclear. Using unbiased scRNA-seq profiling of murine skin infected with C. auris, we identified the host immune factors that are potentially involved in the regulation of C. auris in skin. Furthermore, our in vivo scRNA-seq reveals that C. auris infection upregulates IL-1Ra in the myeloid cells and limits the neutrophil antifungal activity. In addition, our results suggest that C. auris mannan layer can evade IL-1R signaling mediated skin defense. Collectively, our findings identified the immune and non-immune cells involved in the regulation of C. auris in the skin that could open the door to gain insights into the pathogenesis of this emerging fungal pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many individuals with progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) are challenged by reduced manual dexterity and limited rehabilitation options. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during motor training can improve rehabilitation outcomes. We developed a protocol for remotely supervising tDCS to deliver sessions of stimulation paired with training at home. Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of at-home tDCS paired with manual dexterity training for individuals with PMS. Methods: Sixty-five right-hand dominant participants with PMS and hand impairment were randomized to receive either active or sham M1-SO tDCS paired with manual dexterity training over 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes were measured by the changes in Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) and Dellon-Modified-Moberg-Pick-Up Test (DMMPUT). Results: The intervention had high rates of adherence and completion (98% of participants completed at least 18 of 20 sessions). The active tDCS group demonstrated significant improvement for the left hand compared with baseline in 9-HPT (−5.85 ± 6.19 vs −4.23 ± 4.34, p = 0.049) and DMMPUT (−10.62 ± 8.46 vs −8.97 ± 6.18, p = 0.049). The active tDCS group reported improvements in multiple sclerosis (MS)-related quality of life (mean increase: 5.93 ± 13.04 vs −0.05 ± −8.27; p = 0.04). Conclusion: At-home tDCS paired with manual dexterity training is effective for individuals with PMS, with M1-SO tDCS enhancing training outcomes and offering a promising intervention for improving and preserving hand dexterity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) is a new, emerging neurostimulation technology that utilizes two or more electric fields at specific frequencies to modulate the oscillations of neurons at a desired spatial location in the brain. The physics of tTIS offers the advantage of modulating deep brain structures in a non-invasive fashion and with minimal stimulation of the overlying cortex outside of a selected target. As such, tTIS can be effectively employed in the context of therapeutics for the psychiatric disease of disrupted brain connectivity, such as major depressive disorder (MDD). The subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC), a key brain center that regulates human emotions and influences negative emotional states, is a plausible target for tTIS in MDD based on reports of its successful neuromodulation with invasive deep brain stimulation. Methods: This pilot, single-site, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled interventional clinical trial will be conducted at St. Michael’s Hospital – Unity Health Toronto in Toronto, ON, Canada. The primary objective is to demonstrate target engagement of the sgACC with 130 Hz tTIS using resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. The secondary objective is to estimate the therapeutic potential of tTIS for MDD by evaluating the change in clinical characteristics of participants and electrophysiological outcomes and providing feasibility and tolerability estimates for a large-scale efficacy trial. Thirty participants (18–65 years) with unipolar, non-psychotic MDD will be recruited and randomized to receive 10 sessions of 130 Hz tTIS or sham stimulation (n = 15 per arm). The trial includes a pre- vs. post-treatment 3T MRI scan of the brain, clinical evaluation, and electroencephalography (EEG) acquisition at rest and during the auditory mismatch negativity (MMN) paradigm. Discussion: This study is one of the first-ever clinical trials among patients with psychiatric disorders examining the therapeutic potential of repetitive tTIS and its neurobiological mechanisms. Data obtained from this trial will be used to optimize the tTIS approach and design a large-scale efficacy trial. Research in this area has the potential to provide a novel treatment option for individuals with MDD and circuitry-related disorders and may contribute to the process of obtaining regulatory approval for therapeutic applications of tTIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) is a non-invasive electrical stimulation technique that is typically used to probe the vestibular system. When using direct current or very low frequency sine, GVS causes postural sway or perception of illusory (virtual) motions. GVS is commonly delivered using two electrodes placed at the mastoids, however, placements involving additional electrodes / locations have been employed. Our objective was to systematically evaluate all known GVS electrode placements, compare induced current flow, and how it relates to the archetypal sway and virtual motions. The ultimate goal is to help users in having a better understanding of the effects of different placements. Methods: We simulated seven GVS electrode placements with same total injected current using an ultra-high resolution model. Induced electric field (EF) patterns at the cortical and the level of vestibular organs (left and right) were determined. A range of current flow metrics including potential factors such as inter-electrode separation, percentage of current entering the cranial cavity, and symmetricity were calculated. Finally, we relate current flow to reported GVS motions. Results: As expected, current flow patterns are electrode placement specific. Placements with two electrodes generally result in higher EF magnitude. Placements with four electrodes result in lower percentage of current entering the cranial cavity. Symmetric placements do not result in similar EF values in the left and the right organs respectively- highlighting inherent anatomical asymmetry of the human head. Asymmetric placements were found to induce as much as ~3-fold higher EF in one organ over the other. The percentage of current entering the cranial cavity varies between ~15% and ~40% depending on the placement. Conclusions: We expect our study to advance understanding of GVS and provide insight on probable mechanism of action of a certain electrode placement choice. The dataset generated across several metrics will support hypothesis testing relating empirical outcomes to current flow patterns. Further, the differences in current flow will guide stimulation strategy (what placement and how much scalp current to use) and facilitate a quantitatively informed rational / optimal decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique with simultaneous (during stimulation) and cumulative effects (after repeated sessions) on blood flow and neuronal metabolism. These effects remain mostly unclear especially in multiple sclerosis (MS). This work aims to elucidate brain metabolic and hemodynamic underpinnings of tDCS and its potential therapeutic impact in MS patients using quantitative tDCS-MRI. Methods: MS participants (n = 20; age = 45.4 ± 12.3 years, 7 males) underwent 3 T MRI scans before and after 20 daily sessions of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) tDCS (2.0 mA, left anodal) paired with adaptive cognitive training (aCT). During both visits, imaging measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral venous blood oxygenation (Yv) and calculated cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) were obtained at pre-tDCS, during-tDCS and post-tDCS. Results: At baseline, significant increase from pre- to during-tDCS was observed in CMRO2 (7.6%; p = 0.002), CBF (11.0%; p < 0.0001) and Yv (1.9%; p = 0.006). At follow up, we observed an increase in pre-tDCS CMRO2 (140.59 ± 13.83 μmol/100 g/min) compared to baseline pre-tDCS levels (128.30 ± 14.00 μmol/100 g/min; p = 0.006). Sustained elevations in CMRO2 and CBF into post-tDCS were also observed (tDCS lingering effects). Cumulative tDCS effects were observed in the form of sustained elevations in CMRO2 and CBF in pre-tDCS follow up, reaching the magnitudes measured at baseline during-tDCS. Discussion: TDCS induces an acute surge in metabolic activity persisting immediately after the stimulation is removed. Moreover, treatment composed of repeated tDCS-aCT paired sessions contributes to establishing long-lasting increases in neuronal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are increasingly used for major depressive disorder (MDD). Most tDCS and rTMS studies target the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, either with or without neuronavigation. We examined the effect of rTMS and tDCS, and the added value of neuronavigation in the treatment of MDD. Methods: A search on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for rTMS or tDCS randomized controlled trials of MDD up to 1 February 2023, yielded 89 studies. We then performed meta-analyses comparing tDCS efficacy to non-neuronavigated rTMS, tDCS to neuronavigated rTMS, and neuronavigated rTMS to non-neuronavigated rTMS. We assessed the significance of the effect in subgroups and in the whole meta-analysis with a z-test and subgroup differences with a chi-square test. Results: We found small-to-medium effects of both tDCS and rTMS on MDD, with a slightly greater effect from rTMS. No significant difference was found between neuronavigation and non-neuronavigation. Conclusion: Although both tDCS and rTMS are effective in treating MDD, many patients do not respond. Additionally, current neuronavigation methods are not significantly improving MDD treatment. It is therefore imperative to seek personalized methods for these interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English language training centres (ETCs) have become increasingly ubiquitous in urban India over the last two decades. Such centres promise individuals not just fluency in the language but also professional 'success' in the urban job market, particularly in the retail and service sectors. ETCs seek to reconceptualise the English language as a workplace 'skill' and primarily target individuals who did not have access to an education in English. However, the refashioning of English as a skill intersects with the power of English as socio-cultural capital, just as the work of such centres intersects with the aspirations of its learners and the expectations of employers. Teaching English as a 'skill' is therefore embedded both in the wider discourse of urban skill-training that aims to produce a desirable labour force, and in the dynamics of language power, cultural capital, class mobility and ideas of desirable personhood. The present ethnographic case study of an ETC in Delhi analyses this convergence and examines whether the reconceptualisation of English as skill democratises access to the language or, conversely, engenders newer registers of inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We propose and assess galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) as a novel means to provide information dissociated from self-orientation. Background: In modern user interfaces, visual and auditory modalities dominate information transfer so much that these "processing channels" become overloaded with information. Fortunately, the brain is capable of processing separate sensory sources in parallel enabling alternative display modalities to inform operators more effectively and without increasing cognitive strain. To date, the vestibular system, normally responsible for sensing self-orientation and helping with balance, has not been considered as a display modality. Method: Bilateral GVS was provided at 0.6 mA for 1-second intervals with moderately high-frequency sinusoidal waveforms, designed to not elicit sensations of self-motion. We assessed subjects' ability to differentiate between two cues of different frequencies. Results: We found subjects were able to reliably distinguish between cues with an average just-noticeable difference threshold of only ±12 Hz (range across subjects: 5.4–19.6 Hz) relative to a pedestal cue of 50 Hz. Further, we found the GVS sensory modality to be robust to various environments: walking, standing, sitting, passive motion, and loud background noise. Finally, the application of the GVS cues did not have significant destabilizing effects when standing or walking. Conclusion: These results show that GVS may be an effective alternative display modality, using varying frequency to encode information. It is robust to various operational environments and non-destabilizing. Application: A fully functional display can convey information to operators of vehicles and other machinery as well as high-performance operators like astronauts and soldiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two-implant retained mandibular overdenture utilizing nonsplinted implants is a proven treatment modality for completely edentulous patients. However, a lacuna still exists regarding the suitability of mini dental implants for this purpose. The purpose of the study was to evaluate implant stability and crestal bone loss in single-piece mini dental implants loaded with immediate or conventional loading protocols to retain a mandibular overdenture. Twenty-four completely edentulous patients were rehabilitated using conventional maxillary complete denture and a mandibular two-implant retained overdenture utilizing nonsplinted single piece mini implants. The implants were loaded with immediate or conventional loading protocols. Implant stability (with Periotest TM) and crestal bone loss (with radiovisiograph and radiographic grid) were evaluated at the time of loading and at one, two, and six months after loading. Statistical analysis was done with the Independent Samples "t" test and One-Way ANOVA. Mean Periotest Values observed were significantly more negative in implants loaded with the conventional loading protocol. Crestal bone loss was significantly lesser in the immediate loading protocol but was still higher than the requisite 1.5 mm postulated by established criteria. Two single-piece nonsplinted mini implants may be sufficient to retain a mandibular overdenture utilizing the immediate loading protocol. Further studies with a longer duration of observation and larger sample size are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to benefit patients with brain lesions or traumatic brain injury (TBI). These patients usually have skull defects with different sizes and electrical conductivities. There is very little data in the literature that show how to optimally stimulate these patients with the presence of skull defects. Methods: Here we leveraged high-resolution (1 mm) realistic head models to explore the best montages targeting right beneath the skull defects with different sizes and conductivities. Specifically, open-source software ROAST was used to solve for the lead field on the publicly available MIDA model. Four different skull defects/plates were modeled with the center above the right primary motor cortex: a larger defect (10 cm diameter) modeled as either titanium or acrylic plate, and a smaller defect (2.5 cm diameter) modeled as either acute state filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or chronic state with scar tissue. Optimized stimulation with maximal intensity was run using ROAST targeting the right primary motor cortex. Results: We show that optimized high-definition montages can achieve an average of 0.3 V/m higher stimulation intensities at the target compared to un-optimized montages (M1-SO or 4×1). Large skull defects with titanium or acrylic plates significantly reduce the stimulation intensity by about 80%, while small defects with acute (CSF) or chronic (scar) tissues significantly increase the stimulation intensity by about 200%. Furthermore, one can use M1-SO to achieve almost the same stimulation strength as the optimized montage if the skull has a large defect with titanium plate, and there is no significant difference in stimulation intensity between 4×1 montage and the optimized montage for small skull defects with scar tissue. Discussion: Based on this work, future modeling studies leveraging individual anatomy of skull defects may help guide tDCS practice on patients with skull defects and skull plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has potential clinical application for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At-home sessions are necessary to allow delivery of repeated sessions, and remove burden on patients for daily visits, and reduce costs of clinic delivery. Our objective was to validate a protocol for remote supervised administration for home delivery of taVNS using specially designed equipment and platform. Methods: An open-label design was followed involving administration by caretakers to 12 patients with ASD (ages:7-16). Daily 1-h sessions over 2 weeks were administered under remote supervision. The primary outcome was feasibility, which was assessed by completion rate, stimulation tolerability, and confirmation of programmed stimulation delivery. The secondary measures were initial efficacy assessed by Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (CASI-R), Parent Rated Anxiety Scale for Youth with ASD (PRAS-ASD), and Clinician Global Impression (CGI) scales. Sleep measures were also tracked using Cleveland Adolescent Sleep Questionnaire (CASQ). Results: Across 132 sessions, we obtained an 88.5% completion rate. A total of 22 expected adverse events were reported with headache being the most common followed by transient pain, itchiness, and stinging at the electrode site. One subject dropped out of the study unrelated to the stimulation or the study. Average scores of anxiety (CASI-R, PRAS-ASD, and CGI) and sleepiness (CASQ) were all improved at the 2 week time point. While not powered to determine efficacy, benefits were suggested in this open label pilot. Conclusion: Remotely supervised, proxy-administered, at-home delivery of taVNS is feasible in patients with ASD. Initial efficacy supports pursuing larger scale trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]