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Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic non infectious recurrent papulosquamous inflammatory disorder characterised by vascular alterations such as angiogenesis, dilatation, increased endothelial venule generation, epidermal keratinocyte hyperproliferation, and aberrant differentiation, and lymphocytic invasion of T-cells. The aetiopathogenesis of disease is influenced by both hereditary and environmental factors. Pathogenesis is significantly influenced by immune dysregulation, which affects both innate and acquired immunity. A relatively recent medication for the management of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis is apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. Compared to other immune-suppressing drugs used in psoriasis apremilast causes no reactivation of tuberculosis or opportunistic infections, does not need dose adjustment in elderly or patients with hepatic impairment, and is not contraindicated in diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, or congestive cardiac failure. Due to its advantage of the absence of the need for laboratory monitoring, the patients on long-term methotrexate can also be switched to apremilast. Aim: To evaluate the histopathological changes in the skin of all plaque psoriatic patients treated with oral drug apremilast. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based prospective study was done in the Department of Pathology at the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS), Jaipur, India for a period of one year from February 2020 to January 2021 comparing the efficacy of Apremilast clinically by evaluating plaque psoriasis patients’ by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. Patients of all age groups with a clinical diagnosis of psoriasis were subjected to a punch biopsy from an active lesion by a dermatologist. For histopathological examination, biopsy was taken from the lesion before starting treatment with apremilast and after four weeks of apremilast therapy. The subsequent changes in the form of histopathological score and PASI score were analysed and compared with the previous score to study the effect of oral drug apremilast. Results: Total of 100 patients enrolled in the study with the mean age 39.14 years including 59% males and 41% females. Main site of lesion was back, hand and leg. The PASI score at the first visit was 11.28 and at the second visit were 7.27 with the improvement 35.54% which was statistically significant from first visit (p-value

Sarcomas comprise a vast and heterogenous group of rare tumors. Because of their diversity, it is challenging to study sarcomas as a whole with regard to their biological and molecular characteristics. This diverse set of tumors may also possess differences related to their tumor-associated vasculature, which in turn may impact the ability to deliver systemic therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy). Consequently, response to systemic treatment may also be variable as these depend on the ability of the therapy to reach the tumor target via the tumor-associated vasculature. There is a paucity of data regarding sarcoma-related tumor vessels, likely in part to the rarity and heterogeneity of this cancer as well as the previously limited ability to image tumor-associated vessels in real time. Our group has previously utilized confocal fluorescent imaging technology to observe and characterize tumor-associated vessels in real time during surgical resection of tumors, including cutaneous melanoma and carcinomatosis implants derived from gastrointestinal, gynecological, or primary peritoneal (e.g., mesothelioma) tumors. Our prior studies have demonstrated the feasibility of real-time, human intravital microscopy in the study of these tumor types, leading to early but important new data regarding tumor vessel characteristics and their potential implications on drug delivery and efficacy. In this brief report, we present our latest descriptive findings in a cohort of patients with sarcoma who underwent surgical resection and real-time, intravital microscopy of their tumors. Overall, intravital imaging was feasible during the surgical resection of large sarcomas.Clinical trial registrationsClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03517852; ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03823144.

Abstract Background This study identifies correlates of the lockdown’s psychological distress in frail older community-dwellers (Catalonia, Spain). Methods Participants from a community frailty intervention program, with a comprehensive geriatric assessment within the 12-months pre-lockdown and COVID-19 free during the first pandemic wave (March–May 2020), underwent a phone assessment past the lockdown to assess COVID-19-related emotional distress (DME) as well as other sociodemograhic, clinical and psychosocial factors. Results Of the 94 frail older adults (age = 82,34 ± 6,12 years; 68,1% women; 38,3% living alone), 84,9% were at risk of experiencing moderate-to-high psychological distress, according to the backward stepwise logistic regression model obtained (χ2 = 47,007, p

La pandèmia de la COVID-19 ha sacsejat tots els àmbits de la societat, i la llengua –especialment el lèxic–, en tant que fidel reflex del món en què vivim, ens mostra clarament aquesta profunda petjada. Es tracta, a més, de la primera gran pandèmia de l’era virtual, la qual cosa explica la profunda influència que aquesta situació d’emergència sanitària ha tingut en la creativitat lèxica, atès que, gràcies a les xarxes socials, per primer cop els esdeveniments s’han narrat en temps real. En aquest treball ens proposem estudiar i caracteritzar la creativitat lèxica del català associada a la COVID-19, a partir de l’anàlisi de neologismes lèxics relacionats amb aquesta situació d’emergència i generats durant aquest període pandèmic. Per assolir aquest objectiu hem constituït dos corpus de neologismes –un de terminològic i un altre de la llengua general– i els hem analitzat lingüísticament, contrastant-los, la qual cosa ens ha permès fer un dibuix força precís de la innovació lèxica en llengua catalana durant aquesta pandèmia.

To enhance the efficiency of painless targeted nanotherapies, integrating optical imaging capabilities into nanoplatforms is gaining momentum. Our study presents a cost-effective synthesis of MoS2 nanoflower (MNF) and Indocyanine green (ICG) composites (MNF-ICG) using a physical method based on van der Waals interactions. MNF, prepared via the hydrothermal method, underwent characterization through UV-vis, FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy, while FESEM and XRD techniques were employed to analyse morphology and structural phase. Through electrostatic interaction, ICG was absorbed onto the MNF surface. The resulting MNF-ICG demonstrated exceptionally high optical absorbance across a broad NIR spectra, facilitating longer-wavelength photothermic imaging with increased penetration depth. In comparison to MNF alone, the composite significantly enhanced the photothermal imaging sensitivity of nanoplatforms, exhibiting notable bathochromic and hyperchromic shifts in fluorescence intensity. This innovative approach holds promise for advancing nanotherapeutics with improved optical imaging capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the challenges and solutions in the production of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with a particular focus on heat exchanger fouling. Topics include the rise of renewable fuel production driven by government regulations and economic incentives, the impact of feedstock variations on production processes, and the operational challenges posed by heat exchanger fouling.

The article unravels the prevalence and underlying reasons for undergoing hysterectomy among women (45 years and above) across India. LASI Wave-1 data set (2017–2018) (with retrospective methodology) is used for examining the hysterectomy prevalence by sociodemographic characteristics of these women. Heavy menstrual bleeding/pain (32.1%), fibroids/cysts (24.2%) and uterine prolapse (16.3%) are the most cited reasons for surgeries. Overall, 11.5% is the countrywide hysterectomy prevalence rate while the southern (18.2%) and western (12.7%) Indian regions reported the highest prevalence. A significant proportion of these may be attributed to unnecessary rampant surgeries prescribed by doctors in certain parts of India, summoning strict regulation by the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is a highly versatile crop holding significant importance in global food, feed and nutritional security. Grain yield is a complex trait and difficult to improve without targeting the improvement of grain yield attributing traits, which are relatively less complex in nature. Hence, considering the erosion in genetic diversity, there is an urgent need to use wild relatives for genetic diversification and unravel the genomic regions for grain yield attributing traits in maize. Thus, the current study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) linked with grain yield and yield attributing traits. Two BC2F2 populations developed from the cross of LM13 with Zea parviglumis (population 1) and LM14 with Zea parviglumis (population 2) were genotyped and phenotyped in field conditions in the kharif season. BC2F2:3 lines in both populations were phenotyped again for grain yield and attributing traits in the spring season. In total, three QTLs each for ear height (EH), two QTLs for flag leaf length (FLL) and one QTL each for ear diameter (ED), plant height, flag leaf length (FLL), flag leaf width and 100 kernel-weight were identified in population 1. In population 2, two QTLs for kernel row per ear (KRPE) and one QTL for FLL were detected in. QTLs for EH, FLL and KPRE showed consistency across seasons. Among the identified QTLs, six QTLs were found to be co-localized near identified genomic regions in previous studies, validating their potential in contributing to trait expression. The identified QTLs can be utilized for marker assisted selection, transferring favorable alleles from wild relatives in modern maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Robot-assisted arthroplasty is likely to grow exponentially in the years to come. While most surgeons recognize their superiority in refining alignment and improving component positioning accuracy, the universal adaptability of robots remains slow due to certain technological and behavioural gaps. Endoprosthesis robots currently suffer from increased reaction time, lack of natural adaptation to the surgeon's abilities, and unavailability and inapplicability in different surgical contexts. As humans and machines have to move forward into the next phase of their relationship, robots enabled with artificial intelligence (AI) may become more advanced and an alternative to overcome existing challenges like cost, training, and improve performance based on feedback provided by surgeons. Augmented intelligence is perhaps a more apt word than artificial, as it reflects more human-machine fusion and several areas are already proactively adopting the terminology. Arthroplasty robots can benefit from AI by using computer vision models, applying sensors, and integrating feedback and loop execution. All of this would help achieve a technical superiority to the surgeon alone. This brief perspective on how humans and machines are likely to benefit from the integration of AI outlines the technical side of this enablement.

IntroductionThe +AGIL Barcelona programme is a multicomponent care intervention for frail older adults (FOAs) living in the community. To improve the programme, it is essential to investigate the experience of all participants. Our objective was to explore the perspective of FOA and professionals about the barriers, facilitators, and improvement elements of the development of the +AGIL Barcelona programme. Qualitative descriptive approach. Were included FOA and professionals who participated in the +AGIL Barcelona programme.MethodsThree focus groups and four interviews were conducted. These were analyzed following the qualitative method of content analysis. The criteria of scientific rigor of credibility, dependence, and transferability were ensured throughout the study.ResultsThree themes and seven sub-themes were developed: facilitators (positive experience and perceived benefits), barriers (self-perceived health status, digital divide, and continuity of the programme at home), and improvements elements (programme continuity and adaptation of technology). All the participants felt satisfied, highlighting aspects such as interpersonal relationships and social contact, face-to-face sessions guided by a physiotherapist, and the functional improvement achieved. Some of the difficulties were the self-perception of frailty, the need for technological support, and continuing the exercise programme at home.ConclusionThe FOA who participated in the +AGIL Barcelona programme perceived direct benefits for their health and physical condition due to the development of self-confidence by being able to perform physical exercise despite their baseline condition, and the professionals experienced an improvement in the quality of care due to work in a multidisciplinary team.

BackgroundThe “AGIL Barcelona (AGILBcn)” community-based integrated care program is a multicomponent healthy aging intervention for frail older adults. In this context, the present study aimed to identify implementation strategies to optimize the accessibility, acceptability, and adaptability of mobile health (mhealth) interventions to enhance physical activity in frail older adults, and to prioritize action points according to their importance and feasibility, through a co-design process.Material and methodsA mixed methods approach was used. In the qualitative phase, a method adapted from the World Café was applied in 6 virtual groups to identify strategies to facilitate the virtual physical activity program. In the quantitative phase, prioritization and feasibility of the strategies was analyzed through surveys. Strategies were ranked based on priority vs. feasibility, revealing if strategies should either be: implemented first; if possible; taken into account for future consideration; or directly disregarded. The convenience sample included older adults (n = 7), community professionals (n = 9) and health professionals (n = 13). Qualitative data were analyzed by summative content analysis and quantitative data by nonparametric descriptive analyses.ResultsA total of 27 strategies were identified and grouped into four categories: general strategies for reducing barriers; specific strategies for facilitating the use of a digital application; specific strategies for facilitating participation in virtual exercise groups; and specific strategies for facilitating external support. According to the ranking of strategies, the first ones to be implemented included: digital literacy, digital capability assessment, family technology support, weekly telephone follow-up by professionals, personalizing exercises, and virtual exercises in small groups.ConclusionThe active participation of all stakeholders enabled us to identify potential strategies for implementing person-oriented technology in physical activity programs and for engaging older adults.

Translating theoretical concepts of animal welfare into quantitative assessment protocols is an ongoing challenge. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are frequently used as physiological measure in welfare assessment. The interpretation of levels of GCs and especially their relation to welfare, however, is not as straightforward, questioning the informative power of GCs. The aim of this systematic mapping review was therefore to provide an overview of the relevant literature to identify global patterns in studies using GCs as proxy for the assessment of welfare of vertebrate species. Following a systematic protocol and a-priory inclusion criteria, 509 studies with 517 experiments were selected for data extraction. The outcome of the experiments was categorized based on whether the intervention significantly affected levels of GCs, and whether these effects were accompanied by changes in behavior, morphology and physiology. Additional information, such as animal species, type of intervention, experimental set up and sample type used for GC determination was extracted, as well. Given the broad scope and large variation in included experiments, meta-analyses were not performed, but outcomes are presented to encourage further, in-depth analyses of the data set. The interventions did not consistently lead to changes in GCs with respect to the original authors hypothesis. Changes in GCs were not consistently paralleled by changes in additional assessment parameter on behavior, morphology and physiology. The minority of experiment quantified GCs in less invasive sample matrices compared to blood. Interventions showed a large variability, and species such as fish were underrepresented, especially in the assessment of behavior. The inconclusive effects on GCs and additional assessment parameter urges for further validation of techniques and welfare proxies. Several conceptual and technical challenges need to be met to create standardized and robust welfare assessment protocols and to determine the role of GCs herein.