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We describe a methodology of post‐polymerization functionalization to enable subsequent bulk depolymerization to monomer by utilizing mechanochemical macro‐radical generation. By harnessing ultrasonic chain‐scission in the presence of N‐hydroxyphthalimide methacrylate (PhthMA), we successfully chain‐end functionalize polymers to promote subsequent depolymerization in bulk, achieving up to 82 % depolymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(α‐methylstyrene) (PAMS) within 30 min. This method of depolymerization yields a high‐purity monomer that can be repolymerized. Moreover, as compared to the most common methods of depolymerization, this work is most efficient with ultra‐high molecular weight (UHMW) polymers, establishing a method with the potential to address highly persistent, non‐degradable all‐carbon backbone plastic materials. Lastly, we demonstrate the expansion of this depolymerization method to commercial cell cast PMMA, achieving high degrees of depolymerization from post‐consumer waste. This work is the first demonstration of applying PhthMA‐promoted depolymerization strategies in homopolymer PMMA and PAMS prepared by conventional polymerization methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study's aim is to explore how self-efficacy, perceived social support and academic performance are related to one another when it comes to working students. The study used purposive sampling which included 61 female and 41 male working students in National University Fairview with ages 18-30 years old. The study utilized correlational research design. It was found that 68.60% were part-time employees with an average grade of 3.02. Test of normality was used to assess the normality of the distribution, using Kolmogorov-Smirnov. The results of the study show that self-efficacy has a significant relationship with academic performance and with perceived social support of the selected NU Fairview working students. However, there is no significant relationship between academic performance and perceived social support. By being ready for such situations, they can really be prepared to face them when they arise. When a working student is aware of his or her limitations in terms of academic performance, they may manage and handle situations appropriately. The levels and correlations between working students' academic achievement, perceived social support, and self-efficacy have been determined by the researchers using a correlational design. The presence of a linear relationship between quantitative variables was ascertained using Pearson's correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intergenerational connection (IC) has been posited to mitigate the effects of social isolation and loneliness in older people. Using the film Manawaroa: Still Going Strong, we explored nursing and health sciences’ students’ views about IC, considering themes of loneliness and social connectedness among older people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Thirteen students participated in four online focus groups and data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes included: 1) benefits of IC, 2) barriers to IC, and 3) ways to promote IC and 4) broader discourses affecting IC, which describes underlying discourses around who is considered “old” and who is responsible for IC. Participants concurred IC was beneficial for both older and younger generations. We identified the need for IC education for healthcare professionals to challenge societal prejudices they have absorbed and indicated the importance of promoting IC to also increase social cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on analyzing the physico-chemical characteristics of soils in Phansidewa Village, Darjeeling, India, with a specific emphasis on seasonal variations, statistical distributions, and correlations of soil parameters. It discusses the critical role of pH, organic carbon, macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients such as iron, manganese, copper, and zinc in determining soil health and nutrient availability.

Aims: The study aimed to assess the antimicrobial effectiveness of green tea and neem extract compared to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) against various root canal microorganisms. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with pulpal necrosis were selected, providing 60 samples before and after irrigation. Groups were assigned as follows: Group A: 3% NaOCl (control), Group B: green tea, and Group C: neem extract. Samples were collected before and after irrigation in two phases. Samples were collected maintaining a strict sterile condition and stored in buffer solution at −80°C for bacterial-load measurement through real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Statistical analysis included within-group comparisons using Wilcoxon's test and the paired t-test and inter-group comparisons using the Kruskal–Wallis test with post hoc Dunn's test and one-way analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey's honestly significant difference test (P ≤ 0.05). Results: While no irrigant achieved complete bacterial eradication, all solutions exhibited significant antimicrobial activity postirrigation. NaOCl yielded the most effective results, with green tea nearly comparable, and neem extract demonstrating the lowest efficacy. Conclusions: Herbal irrigants, particularly green tea, can serve as effective alternatives to chemical solutions. However, neem extract proved less effective than both green tea and NaOCl, indicating its inferiority in root canal disinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary cardiac tumors are rare, and myxomas make up most of these tumors accounting for 30-50% of all primary heart tumours [1]. These commonly affect individuals between 3rd to 6th decades and have a female preponderance [2]. Despite a preference for the left atrium, any of the cardiac chambers can be involved. Myxomas have varied clinical presentations with the unusual feature being its potential to embolise and cause organ infarction [3]. The aim of this study is to analyse the clinical profile and histopathology findings of cardiac myxomas. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study done in the Department of Pathology, A. J. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Mangalore for a duration of 8 years from January 2016 to December 2023. All the cases cardiac myxomas received in the histopathology laboratory were included in the study. Clinical history, radiology findings and histopathology of all the cases were reviewed and analysed. Results: A total number of 14 cardiac myxomas were encountered in the study. Females were more commonly affected (69.23%). The mean age of patients was 47.7 years. Most commonly patients presented with symptoms of cerebral infarction. Left atrium was the most common site followed by right atrium and interatrial septum. Myxomatous matrix and hemorrhage were the morphological features found in most cases. Conclusion: Cardiac myxomas though benign can cause life threatening embolic events. Hence, high index of suspicion and timely diagnosis is of utmost importance because it offers a scope for definitive treatment, i.e. surgical excision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated levels of Inter-alpha-trypsin-inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) have grabbed attention in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis, though its precise mechanisms remain unexplored. To elucidate these mechanisms, a comprehensive strategy employing network pharmacology and molecular docking was utilized. RA targets were sourced from the DisGeNET Database while interacting targets of ITIH4 were retrieved from the STRING and Literature databases. Venny 2.1 was used to identify overlapping genes, followed by Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) through Cytoscape 3.10.2 software, and molecular docking was performed in the ClusPro server. The study identified 18 interacting proteins of ITIH4 associated with RA, demonstrating their major involvement in the chemokine signaling pathway by enrichment analysis. Molecular docking of ITIH4 with the 18 proteins revealed that C-X-C chemokine-receptor type 4 (CXCR4), a major protein associated with chemokine signaling, has the highest binding affinity with ITIH4 with energy −1705.7 kcal/mol forming 3 Hydrogen bonds in the active site pocket of ITIH4 with His441, Arg288, Asp443 amino acids. The effect of ITIH4 on CXCR4 was analyzed via knockdown studies in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS), demonstrating the significant downregulation of CXCR4 protein expression validated by Western blot in RA-FLS. In conclusion, it was speculated that CXCR4 might serve as a potential receptor for ITIH4 to activate the chemokine signaling, exacerbating RA pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant microRNAs (miRNA) are regularly consumed orally along with diet, gaining attention for their RNA-based drug potential because of their ability to regulate mammalian gene expression specifically at the post-transcriptional level. Medicinally valued plants are well known for their anti-inflammatory property; however, the contribution of their miRNA in managing inflammation has been less studied. We investigated miRNA from four medicinally valued regularly consumed spices, and validated one of the most potential miRNA 'Clo-miR-14' for its thermal stability, and absorption in the plasma samples of RA patient's by RT-PCR. In vitro and in vivo studies were performed to investigate the effect of Clo-miR-14 in ameliorating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) like symptoms. Our results suggest that 'Clo-miR-14,' an exogenous miRNA present in Curcuma longa, absorbed through regular diet, has robust thermal stability at 100°C in humans. It significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1β, IL-6) and RA-like symptoms, suggesting that plant-based miRNA could be a promising candidate as an RNA-based drug for RA pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reports synthesis, characterization and theoretical insights on novel hydroxymethyl‐bishomocubanone derivatives. Twelve new bishomocubanes (BHCs) were synthesized and fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X‐ray analysis. The densities of the title compounds were in the range of 1.30–1.59 g/cm3. Density‐functional theory (DFT) based calculations at B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory were performed on ten selected BHC based cage compounds. Propulsive and ballistic properties of newly synthesized hydroxymethyl‐bishomocubanone derivatives in solid and liquid propulsion systems were calculated, and the results suggested that these compounds are superior to conventional fuel RP1 and binder HTPB. The detonation parameters revealed that these compounds are not explosive in nature and safe to use as solid propellants. Furthermore, kinetic and thermal stabilities of the title compounds were determined by HOMO‐LUMO energy gap, ESP maps, impact sensitivity (h50) and bond dissociation energies (BDEs) followed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Three compounds, a dinitroazide (Isp,vac=310.98 s), a dinitrate (Isp,vac=309.51 s), and a dinitronitrate (Isp,vac=309.20s) were found to be excellent candidates for volume limited applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India notified the National Anti-Doping Act (the Act) on 12 August 2022. Through this legislation, India appears to reiterate its commitment to compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADA Code). However, the reality of doping in Indian sports is far from ideal. India ranks second globally in terms of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). The question then is, what flaws existed in the pre-Act anti-doping policies? Further, how far has the developing country narrative of India impacted these policies? Finally, to what extent does the Act address the existing gaps in India's anti-doping policy? The article addresses these questions to evaluate the necessity of the Act. The article reviews the existing literature on India's anti-doping policy. The review includes government status reports, the National Anti-Doping Agency's (NADA's) decisions and WADA's ADRVs report. These documents establish that the pre-Act anti-doping policy of India had failed to stem the incidents of doping within Indian sports. The Act is a flawed piece of legislation. Consequently, India's anti-doping policy is unlikely to be impacted, though further quantitative research in the future is needed to evaluate the Act. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten parents were mated in partial diallel fashion to develop twenty five crosses and were evaluated along with parents in Randomised block design. All the characters studied had non-additive and additive gene action as indicated by the significant differences of analysis of variances due to specific combining ability and general combining ability. The parents VS41, VS43 and VS47 were having significant general combining ability. The crosses VS-44 x VS-47, VS-9 x VS-43 and VS-43 x VS-47 exhibited the high SCA effect for pod yield per plant. Positive sca effects combined with negative gca effects of the respective parents were noticed for days to 50 per cent flowering in many hybrids suggesting the preponderance of dominance gene action.

Abstract The present study evaluated the effects of exogenous hemin on cadmium toxicity in terms of metal accretion and stress resilience in Vigna radiata L. (Wilczek). One-week-old seedlings were treated with CdCl2 (50 μM) alone and in combination with hemin (0.5 mM) in half-strength Hoagland medium for 96 h. The optimum concentrations of Cd and hemin were determined on the basis of haem oxygenase-1 activity. The results demonstrated that under Cd stress, plants accumulated a considerable amount of metal in their tissues, and the accumulation was higher in roots than in leaves, which significantly reduced the plant biomass and chlorophyll content by increasing the oxidative stress (MDA and H2O2 content). However, hemin supplementation under Cd,-stress improved plant growth by enhancing the harvestable biomass and photosynthetic pigments, increasing antioxidant activities (SOD, APX, POD, HO-1 and proline), lowering oxidative damage and increasing Cd tolerance in plants. Furthermore, the application of hemin enhances the removal efficiency of Cd in V. radiata by increasing the uptake of Cd via roots and its translocation from roots to foliar tissues. Thus, the study suggests that hemin has the potential to improve the stress tolerance and phytoremediation ability of heavy metal-tolerant plants so that they can be used instead of hyperaccumulators for remediation of Cd-contaminated environments.

Bariatric surgery is a sustainable weight loss approach, including vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). Obesity exacerbates tumor growth, while diet-induced weight loss impairs progression. It remains unknown how bariatric surgery-induced weight loss impacts cancer progression or alters response to therapy. Using a pre-clinical model of obesity followed by VSG or diet-induced weight loss, breast cancer progression and immune checkpoint blockade therapy were investigated. Weight loss by VSG or weight-matched dietary intervention before tumor engraftment protected against obesity-exacerbated tumor progression. However, VSG was not as effective as diet in reducing tumor burden despite achieving similar weight and adiposity loss. Leptin did not associate with changes in tumor burden; however, circulating IL-6 was elevated in VSG mice. Uniquely, VSG tumors displayed elevated inflammation and immune checkpoint ligand PD-L1+ myeloid and non-immune cells. VSG tumors also had reduced T lymphocytes and markers of cytolysis, suggesting an ineffective anti-tumor microenvironment which prompted investigation of immune checkpoint blockade. While obese mice were resistant to immune checkpoint blockade, anti-PD-L1 potently impaired tumor progression after VSG through improved anti-tumor immunity. Thus, in formerly obese mice, surgical weight loss followed by immunotherapy reduced breast cancer burden. Finally, we compared transcriptomic changes in adipose tissue after bariatric surgery from patients and mouse models. A conserved bariatric surgery-associated weight loss signature (BSAS) was identified which significantly associated with decreased tumor volume. Findings demonstrate conserved impacts of obesity and bariatric surgery-induced weight loss pathways associated with breast cancer progression.

BackgroundResponding to the fast transmission rates and increasing fatality rates, countries across the world expedited the development and deployment of the vaccine for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Evaluation of individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) would provide pertinent information regarding future demand and financing preferences, which shall help to devise the effective payment strategy for COVID-19 vaccination.MethodsA nationwide, cross-sectional, and self-administered online survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted to identify the sociodemographic determinants of willingness and extent to pay for COVID-19 vaccine in India. A non-probability convenience sampling followed by snowball sampling was employed to recruit participants (n = 3,341). The likelihood of sociodemographic determinants to predict willingness and extent to pay was modeled using the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis.ResultsOut of 3,341 participants, 68% (n = 2,271) were willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccine. Results showed significantly higher odds for willingness to pay among participants who were single [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.394, p < 0.01] and having a family size of 4 members (aOR = 1.346, p < 0.01). The adjusted odds ratio sizably increased from 1.396 for participants whose monthly income was between INR 10,000 and 20,000/month to 2.240 for participants whose monthly income was above INR 50,000/month. Further, out of 2,271 of those participants who were willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccine, majority (n = 1,246, 54.9%) of participants were willingness to pay below 50% of COVID-19 vaccine cost. This study found that those who are single (aOR = 0.688, p < 0.01), having an income between INR 20,000 and 50,000/month (aOR = 0.686, p < 0.05), and those who belonged to socially disadvantaged category (aOR = 0.450, p < 0.01) were estimated to have significantly lower odds of willingness to pay more than 50% of COVID-19 vaccine cost.ConclusionThis study observed that majority of those participants who willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccine were willingness to pay only up to 50% of COVID-19 vaccine and income was observed as a precursor predictor of the willingness and extent to pay for COVID-19 vaccine. The understanding on the willingness and extent to pay for COVID-19 vaccine and its sociodemographic determinants will be helpful for making the strategic decisions related to the financing of COVID vaccine in India.

Due to African dust, the Caribbean area is known to have one of the highest incidences of asthma on the planet. Consequently, it is crucial to dissociate the impact of local sources from large scale sources in this region. The aim of this study was to estimate the PM10 detection threshold for dusty events using a statistical approach and a dynamic approach. To carry out this analysis, PM10 time series from Martinique (MAR), Guadeloupe (GPE) and Puerto-Rico (PR) were used between 2006 and 2016. The statistical analysis highlighted that the distance from the African coast is a key feature for PM10 concentrations distribution with the highest at MAR (26.52 μg/m3) and the lowest at PR (24.42 μg/m3). The probability density function analysis showed that MAR-GPE-PR distributions converge towards a same point between the first and the second maximum probability value at 28 μg/m3. The dynamical analysis with the Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN) and the Improved CEEMDAN (ICEEMDAN) validated the 28 μg/m3 found with the statistical analysis. The analysis of HYSPLIT back trajectories confirmed this threshold. Thus, our results indicated that 28 μg/m3 is the PM10 detection threshold for African dust in the Caribbean basin. It will therefore be a good indicator allowing the competent authorities to take the appropriate decisions to protect vulnerable populations during dusty events.

BackgroundDespite the success of adult vaccination against COVID-19, providing vaccines to children remains a challenge for policymakers globally. As parents are primary decision-makers for their children, we aimed to assess parents' perceptions and intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccination in India.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based study was designed, parents or caregivers (N = 770) were recruited through snowball sampling using Google form. Cross-tabulation was performed by parents' intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 virus with sociodemographic characteristics and their risk perception toward COVID-19, trust in the healthcare system, and their history of vaccine hesitancy behavior. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to compute the predictors of child vaccination intention among Indian parents.ResultsSeven hundred and seventy parents across the country have completed the survey. Of the 770 participants, 258 (33.5%) have shown intent to vaccinate their children. The stated likelihood of child vaccination was greater among parents who had a bachelor's degree or higher education (aOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.15–3.51); as well as among parents who intended to vaccinate themselves (aOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.30–4.67). Parental concerns centered around vaccine safety and side effects.ConclusionIndian parents reported high knowledge of the COVID-19 virus and were aware of the development of a vaccine. However, about one-third of parents intended to vaccinate their children, and about half of them were not sure whether to vaccinate their children or not against the COVID-19 virus. The study highlighted the need for health promotion strategies that promote vaccine uptake among parents.

OBJECTIVES:. Critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 have variable mortality. Risk scores could improve care and be used for prognostic enrichment in trials. We aimed to compare machine learning algorithms and develop a simple tool for predicting 28-day mortality in ICU patients with coronavirus disease 2019. DESIGN:. This was an observational study of adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019. The primary outcome was 28-day inhospital mortality. Machine learning models and a simple tool were derived using variables from the first 48 hours of ICU admission and validated externally in independent sites and temporally with more recent admissions. Models were compared with a modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, National Early Warning Score, and CURB-65 using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration. SETTING:. Sixty-eight U.S. ICUs. PATIENTS:. Adults with coronavirus disease 2019 admitted to 68 ICUs in the United States between March 4, 2020, and June 29, 2020. INTERVENTIONS:. None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:. The study included 5,075 patients, 1,846 (36.4%) of whom died by day 28. eXtreme Gradient Boosting had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in external validation (0.81) and was well-calibrated, while k-nearest neighbors were the lowest performing machine learning algorithm (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.69). Findings were similar with temporal validation. The simple tool, which was created using the most important features from the eXtreme Gradient Boosting model, had a significantly higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in external validation (0.78) than the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (0.69), National Early Warning Score (0.60), and CURB-65 (0.65; p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Age, number of ICU beds, creatinine, lactate, arterial pH, and Pao2/Fio2 ratio were the most important predictors in the eXtreme Gradient Boosting model. CONCLUSIONS:. eXtreme Gradient Boosting had the highest discrimination overall, and our simple tool had higher discrimination than a modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, National Early Warning Score, and CURB-65 on external validation. These models could be used to improve triage decisions and clinical trial enrichment.