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Background Infections with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) may pose a threat to hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Pre-transplant surveillance culture of stool and throat swabs may guide antibiotic therapy in these groups of patients. We have conducted this study to determine the profile of organisms isolated from stool and throat swab cultures, their susceptibility pattern, and the presence of MDRO to detect post-transplant bloodstream infections in this tertiary care teaching hospital in Kolkata. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of one year between 1st January to 31st December 2023. Pre-transplant surveillance culture of stool and throat swabs were performed on seventy patients from the Department of Hematology and processed in the Department of Microbiology using standard laboratory guidelines and their antibiotic susceptibility was done as per CLSI 2023 guidelines. The organisms were phenotypically screened for drug resistance and molecular confirmation was done for carbapenemases producers. Bloodstream infections in these recipients were detected by blood culture. Results There were 70 transplant recipients in whom stool surveillance culture yielded maximum incidence of Escherichia coli of which 32.8% were MDRO. Throat surveillance culture yielded Escherichia coli with 51.8% MDRO. blaNDM was the most common carbapenemases gene detected. Post-transplant the incidence of bloodstream infections detected by blood culture was seen in 32 recipients with Acinetobacter baumannii being the predominant Gram-negative isolate. Conclusion Colonization with MDRO in HSCT recipients before transplant is a potential threat. Performing stool and throat surveillance cultures before transplantation can inform empirical antibiotic strategies and tailored individualized antibiotic treatment.

IntroductionPhotovoltaic systems offer immense potential as a future energy source, yet maximizing their efficiency presents challenges, notably in achieving optimal voltage due to their nonlinear behavior. Operating current and voltage fluctuations, driven by temperature and radiation changes, significantly impact power output. Traditional Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) methods struggle to adapt accurately to these dynamic environmental conditions. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) and optimization techniques show promise, their implementation complexity and longer attainment times for Maximum Power Point (MPP) hinder widespread adoption.MethodThis paper proposes a hybrid MPPT technique that integrates the Pelican Optimization algorithm (POA) with the Perturb and Observe algorithm (P&O) for a grid-connected photovoltaic system (PV). The proposed technique consists of two loops: PO as the reference point setting loop (inner loop) and POA as a fine-tuning (outer)loop. The combination of inner and outer loops minimizes oscillations by adjusting the perturbation direction and enhancing the convergence speed of the MPPT.Results and DiscussionTo validate the efficacy of the proposed MPPT technique for different environmental conditions, a comprehensive comparison is conducted between the proposed hybrid pelican and perturb and observe (HPPO) technique and other MPPT algorithms. The proposed technique has optimized PV and grid outputs with an MPPT efficiency of 99%, best tracking speed, and total harmonic distortion (THD) for all conditions below 5% agree with IEEE 519 standards.

The healthcare industry can greatly benefit from natural colorants as bioactive component integrated textiles. These textiles are perfect for use in healthcare because they are biocompatible, have antimicrobial characteristics and are sustainable. It is an exciting new development that might replace harmful synthetic dyes with safer and more practical options for healthcare textiles. The use of bio-colorants in textiles makes them both biocompatible and antimicrobial. By facilitating quicker healing and warding off infections, these textiles further add to improved healthcare outcomes. It also helps fund research into smart clothes that can track vital signs to better care for patients. Incorporating bio-colorants into textiles is the focus of this review paper which will also examine different sources of bio-colorants and fabrication methods. In addition, the review work will discuss obstacles and future possibilities for bio-colorant technology advancement in the healthcare and textile sectors. Developing smart textiles that monitor health parameters, improving wound dressings with biocompatible and healing properties and creating antimicrobial fabrics for surgical garments and hospital linens are all potential uses for bio-colorant integrated textiles. Patients can wear these textiles to protect themselves from harmful ultraviolet rays and these materials could also find use in environmentally friendly medical supplies.

PURPOSEThe demographic transition toward aging heralds an increase in the number of geriatric patients with cancer in India. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a sine qua non for treatment planning and shared decision making in these patients. We aimed to study the prevalence of malnutrition and the associated risk factors in geriatric patients with solid organ cancer.METHODSIn this observational study, treatment-naïve geriatric patients with cancer underwent CGA. We performed a Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) to diagnose malnutrition. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square, Spearman correlation, and multivariable regression analysis to assess the factors associated with malnutrition.RESULTSOne hundred forty-two patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 67 (range, 60-88) years, with a male preponderance of 73.2% (n = 104) and a stage IV disease of 75.4% (n = 107). Most patients, 91.6% (n = 130), had abnormal MNA scores. Nearly one third of the patients, 35.2% (n = 50), were underweight (BMI

Abstract Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as a transformative technology in oncology, revolutionizing cancer diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies. By providing comprehensive insights into the genetic landscape of tumors, NGS enables the identification of critical somatic and germline mutations, copy number variations (CNVs), and gene fusions. Over the past decade, advancements in NGS platforms have led to greater accuracy, speed, and cost‐effectiveness, making it an integral part of cancer research and clinical diagnostics. Despite its widespread adoption, significant challenges remain, including the need for improved methods to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) and accurately profile tumor heterogeneity. This review explores the evolution of NGS technologies and their pivotal role in cancer biology, from early diagnostics to therapeutic guidance. It delves into the application of NGS in identifying CNVs and gene fusions, monitoring MRD, and the increasing relevance of targeted NGS and spatial genomics. Furthermore, the integration of spatial transcriptomics is highlighted as a frontier in understanding the tumor microenvironment. By addressing these critical aspects, this review provides a comprehensive overview of how NGS is shaping the future of cancer research and treatment, offering a complete overview of potential NGS applications in scientific and clinical oncology.

Background: Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is widely used in pediatric dentistry due to its fluoride-releasing properties and strong adhesion to tooth structure. However, enhancing its antimicrobial efficacy remains a challenge. Incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been proposed as a solution to increase the antimicrobial properties of GIC without compromising its mechanical strength. Materials and Methods: This study investigated the effects of integrating varying concentrations of AgNPs into GIC on its antimicrobial efficacy against common oral pathogens and its mechanical properties. Three concentrations of AgNPs (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by weight) were evaluated. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar diffusion test against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Mechanical properties, including compressive strength and wear resistance, were measured using standardized tests. Thirty pediatric patients were randomly assigned to receive dental treatments using one of the three modified GIC formulations. Results: The GIC modified with 1% AgNPs demonstrated optimal antimicrobial activity, showing a significant inhibition zone increase of 25% against S. mutans and 20% against L. acidophilus compared to the control. The compressive strength of the GIC was maintained, with the 1% AgNP formulation achieving a compressive strength of 220 MPa, comparable to the control (215 MPa). Wear resistance slightly decreased as the concentration of AgNPs increased. Conclusion: The addition of 1% AgNPs to GIC significantly enhances its antimicrobial properties without adversely affecting its mechanical strength. This formulation holds potential for improving the effectiveness of pediatric dental restorations by reducing the risk of secondary caries.

Objetivo: Presentar lineamientos basados en evidencia para el tratamiento de pulpas no vitales debidas a caries profundas o traumatismos en dientes primarios. Métodos: el Grupo de Trabajo de la Academia Americana de Odontología Pediátrica AAPD realizó una revisión sistemática/meta-análisis de estudios acerca de terapia para pulpa no vital en dientes primarios, producto de caries o trauma, usando el enfoque GRADE para determinar el nivel de certeza de la evidencia para recomendaciones clínicas. Resultados: La determinación de GRADE fue de elevada a muy baja. Al comparar dientes con o sin resorción radicular, el éxito de la pulpectomía fue mayor (p

With a focus on optical impressions, this literature review examines the development, present state, and potential future effects of scanning technology in dentistry. From confocal laser scanning to accordion fringeinterferometry (AFI), we explore the imaging principles of various dental scanners, such as iTero Element, TRIOS 3, Lava C.O.S., True Definition, and CEREC Omnicam. The manual and electronic literatures of previous ten years in the databanks of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were conducted. The search terms were “intraoral scanner” AND “diagnosis*” OR “Dental Scanners.” The types of studies included were restricted to the original studies and human trials. Analyses of subgroups and meta-regression were used to calculate the heterogeneity. Twenty-eight papers were considered in the review and the results cover primary conclusions, oral diseases identified by intraoral scanning (IOS), and oral diagnostic tools. This review enhances our understanding of IOS scanning in dentistry by exploring its diagnostic effectiveness across various oral disorders. The review explores scanning technology in dentistry, highlighting its revolutionary effects and future applications. It is a valuable resource for professionals and academics in this field amid its digital transformation.

Introduction: This systematic review was done to present the role of robots in dentistry. Materials and Methods: The search was conducted using the terms “dental robotics,” “robotic-assisted dentistry,” “robotic surgery in dentistry,” “robotics in dental procedures,” and “automated dental systems.” Results: Out of the 607 publications analyzed, only six were chosen and included in the calculations based on their publication year. Conclusion: Precision and accuracy in robotics are discussed and used in many fields, yet they have limitations. In impoverished nations, robots replacing people is science fiction, always seeking improvement. Therefore, robotic dentistry is a fiction that could become real soon.

Fishmeal has long been a major ingredient in the aqua feed industry. However, as the aquaculture sector continues to grow rapidly, its heavy reliance on fishmeal is constrained by resource limitations and sustainability goals. Consequently, research has increasingly focused on alternative protein sources for feed preparation. This shift has gained momentum and success through the identification of suitable alternatives that do not compromise the growth of fish and shellfish. While alternative proteins can replace fishmeal to varying degrees, their effects are species-specific and dose-dependent. Unfortunately, many alternatives lack proper micronutrient composition and may contain toxic elements that could harm animal welfare. Plant-based proteins may change the gut flora and induce modest intestinal inflammation, but they may also moderately boost immune responses. Antioxidant capability and disease resistance can be enhanced by microbial and animal-based protein sources. The limited research reported on aquatic animals remains fragmented and requires systematic evaluation to focus on the immune and gut impairments caused by such substitutions. This review examines the impact of fishmeal replacement with alternative protein sources on the immunological function and gut health of aquatic animals in aquaculture. It synthesizes research on plant-based, animal-based, and microbial protein substitutes, evaluating their effects on the host microbiome, immune capacity, disease resistance, and intestinal histo-morphology. Finally, it stresses the need for species-specific and ingredient-specific evaluations to optimize aqua feeds and identifies knowledge gaps in long-term effects and underlying mechanisms.

Introduction Acute and chronic pancreatitis (CP) are inflammatory conditions of the pancreas that cause local and systemic complications. The epidemiology of these conditions are not well-known in India.Methods and analysis We describe the protocol and procedures of a multicentre study for delineating the epidemiology of pancreatitis in India. We plan to cover 110 000 people across 10 geographically distributed sites in 10 states of India to estimate the burden and risk factors of CP. Trained investigators will make house visits and screen for abdominal pain requiring hospitalisation or pre-diagnosed CP. The screened positive participants will be reviewed by a gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis of CP based on radiological imaging. For each case, four controls will be selected and data on risk factors for CP (tobacco, alcohol, family history, metabolic causes) and blood for genetic markers will be collected. Information on the cost of treatment and quality of life will be collected from patients with CP. For estimating incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP), hospital-based sentinel surveillance will be conducted in 10 districts across these 10 states. All hospitals in the district will be contacted to provide a line list of admissions due to acute abdomen including AP for 2 years. The spread of acute abdomen cases will be used to define the catchment area and estimate the denominator population. The line-listed cases with AP living in the catchment area will form the numerator to calculate the incidence. The study will provide critical information for planning pancreatitis-related services in the country.Ethics and dissemination The institutional ethics committee (IECs) at all the participating sites have given their approval for the study. All the participants whose data will be collected will be included after written informed consent. The results may be presented at national or international conferences and will be reported in peer-reviewed publications.

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber is highly favored for fiber-based ballistic composites due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and flexibility. However, its poor adhesion to matrices largely limits its application in polymer composites. Also, the weight of ballistic armor produced from these fibers is still very high and there is a need to improve their performance to enable the use of lighter-weight armor. In this work, it was observed that applying plasma pre-treatment and waterborne polyurethane (PU)/inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide (IF-WS 2 ) nanoparticle coating could significantly increase the toughness, energy to break, and maximum load of UHMWPE yarns. The corresponding properties of the plasma pre-treated and coated fibers increased up to 31.6%, 50.9%, and 33.3%, respectively. In addition, high wash durability of the coating was obtained with up to 92% weight retention after washing. Optimum properties were observed with the coating components of 15% PU (PUA type), 6% IF-WS 2 , and water medium (SA3 nanocomposite). Moreover, plasma pre-treatment induced oxygen-containing functional groups on the fibers, which significantly improved the mechanical, viscoelastic, and wash durability properties of the final UHMWPE/PUA/IF-WS 2 composites.

Introduction The evolving landscape of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) necessitates refining colonoscopic surveillance guidelines. This study outlines methodology adopted by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) Guideline Development Group (GDG) for updating IBD colorectal surveillance guidelines.Methods and analysis The ‘Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation’ (GRADE) approach, as outlined in the GRADE handbook, was employed. Thematic questions were formulated using either the ‘patient, intervention, comparison and outcome’ format or the ‘current state of knowledge, area of interest, potential impact and suggestions from experts in the field’ format. The evidence review process included systematic reviews assessed using appropriate appraisal tools. An extensive list of potential outcomes was compiled from literature and expert consultations and then ranked by GDG members. The top outcomes were identified for evidence synthesis in three key areas: utility of surveillance in IBD, quality of bowel preparation and use of advanced imaging techniques in colonoscopy for IBD. Risk thresholding exercises determined specific risk levels for different surveillance strategies and intervals. This approach enabled the GDG to establish precise thresholds for interventions based on relative and absolute risk assessments, directly informing the stratification of surveillance recommendations. Significance of effect sizes (small, moderate, large) will guide the final GRADE assessment of the evidence.Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval is not applicable. By integrating clinical expertise, patient experiences and innovative methodologies like risk thresholding, we aim to deliver actionable recommendations for IBD colorectal surveillance. This protocol, complementing the main guidelines, offers GDGs, clinical trialists and practitioners a framework to inform future research and enhance patient care and outcomes.

BackgroundThere is an urgent need to innovate methods of health education, which can often be resource- and time-intensive. Microinterventions have shown promise as a platform for rapid, tailored resource dissemination yet have been underexplored as a method of standardized health or dietary education; social media chatbots display unique potential as a modality for accessible, efficient, and affordable educational microinterventions. ObjectiveThis study aims to provide public health professionals with practical recommendations on the use of social media chatbots for health education by (1) documenting the development of a novel social media chatbot intervention aimed at improving dietary attitudes and self-efficacy among South Asian American young adults and (2) describing the applied experiences of implementing the chatbot, along with user experience and engagement data. MethodsIn 2023, the “Roti” chatbot was developed on Facebook and Instagram to administer a 4-lesson tailored dietary health curriculum, informed by formative research and the Theory of Planned Behavior, to 18- to 29-year-old South Asian American participants (recruited through social media from across the United States). Each lesson (10-15 minutes) consisted of 40-50 prescripted interactive texts with the chatbot (including multiple-choice and open-response questions). A preintervention survey determined which lesson(s) were suggested to participants based on their unique needs, followed by a postintervention survey informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior to assess changes in attitudes, self-efficacy, and user experiences (User Experience Questionnaire). This study uses a cross-sectional design to examine postintervention user experiences, engagement, challenges encountered, and solutions developed during the chatbot implementation. ResultsData from 168 participants of the intervention (n=92, 54.8% Facebook; n=76, 45.2% Instagram) were analyzed (mean age 24.5, SD 3.1 years; n=129, 76.8% female). Participants completed an average of 2.6 lessons (13.9 minutes per lesson) and answered an average of 75% of questions asked by the chatbot. Most reported a positive chatbot experience (User Experience Questionnaire: 1.34; 81/116, 69.8% positive), with pragmatic quality (ease of use) being higher than hedonic quality (how interesting it felt; 88/116, 75.9% vs 64/116, 55.2% positive evaluation); younger participants reported greater hedonic quality (P=.04). On a scale out of 10 (highest agreement), participants reported that the chatbot was relevant (8.53), that they learned something new (8.24), and that the chatbot was helpful (8.28). Qualitative data revealed an appreciation for the cheerful, interactive messaging of the chatbot and outlined areas of improvement for the length, timing, and scope of text content. Quick replies, checkpoints, online forums, and self-administered troubleshooting were some solutions developed to meet the challenges experienced. ConclusionsThe implementation of a standardized, tailored health education curriculum through an interactive social media chatbot displayed strong feasibility. Lessons learned from challenges encountered and user input provide a tangible roadmap for future exploration of such chatbots for accessible, engaging health interventions.

The prediction accuracy of estimated breeding values using traditional best linear unbiased prediction (PBLUP) and single-step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP) methods was investigated in two breeding populations of Litopenaeus vannamei, using simulated data with varying levels of marker density. Additionally, the impact of the number of generations with phenotypic and genotypic data on the prediction accuracy was also investigated.The simulated breeding populations consisted of 25 families with 40 animals each, or 50 families with 20 animals each. Each population consisted of 20 non-overlapping generations, with 1000 animals per generation. Only the last ten generations were genotyped, and phenotypes and pedigrees were available for all the animals. Phenotypes from the 20th generation were masked in data analysis to mimic the selection of young animals without phenotypes. A trait with a heritability of 0.1 was simulated, and 100 % of the genetic variance was explained by 1000 QTLs evenly distributed across chromosomes and randomly located across the genome. Genomic information consisted of 44 chromosomes that mimicked the genome structure of L. vannamei, with 6, 11, 22, 45, and 90 K markers evenly distributed across the 44 chromosomes.Results indicated that expanding family sizes with fewer family numbers improved the prediction accuracy in both PBLUP and ssGBLUP. In all scenarios, ssGBLUP outperformed PBLUP in terms of the prediction accuracy. The greater the number of generations of data in which genotypes and phenotypes were included in the ssGBLUP approach, the better the prediction accuracy. However, genotyping for more than six generations did not substantially improve prediction accuracy. Additionally, maximum accuracy was achieved with 45 K SNPs in both scenarios, with no substantial improvement in accuracy by increasing the marker density to 90 K. Overall, more accurate predictions were obtained with ssGBLUP with more genotyped animals per family and could be a suitable method for genomic selection for traits with low heritability in L. vannamei.

Extremists are increasingly using social media to recruit and radicalize other users and increase their money. Terrorists can use popular social networks accounts and perform their activities in a hidden way. So, it is crucial to create a fruitful mechanism for controlling the spread of misinformation. Otherwise, a large number of people can mislead by this terrorist activity by joining them. Here, we propose malicious news spreading model incorporating hidden attackers of a social network. A threshold is defined for deciding the extinction of malicious news from a social network. Here, we show the importance of network alertness and activity of cybersecurity agencies in the modified model. Moreover, we obtained the optimal values of the control parameters for emergencies.

Catheter-based intervention procedures contain complex maneuvers, and they are often performed using fluoroscopic guidance assisted by 2D and 3D echocardiography viewed on a flat screen that inherently limits depth perception. Emerging mixed reality (MR) technologies, combined with advanced rendering techniques, offer potential enhancement in depth perception and navigational support. The study aims to evaluate a MR-based guidance system for the atrial septal puncture (ASP) procedure utilizing a phantom anatomical model. A novel MR-based guidance system using a modified Monte Carlo-based rendering approach for 3D echocardiographic visualization was introduced and evaluated against standard clinical 3D echocardiographic display on a flat screen. The objective was to guide the ASP procedure by facilitating catheter placement and puncture across four specific atrial septum quadrants. To assess the system’s feasibility and performance, a user study involving four experienced interventional cardiologists was conducted using a phantom model. Results show that participants accurately punctured the designated quadrant in 14 out of 16 punctures using MR and 15 out of 16 punctures using the flat screen of the ultrasound machine. The geometric mean puncture time for MR was 31 s and 26 s for flat screen guidance. User experience ratings indicated MR-based guidance to be easier to navigate and locate tents of the atrial septum. The study demonstrates the feasibility of MR-guided atrial septal puncture. User experience data, particularly with respect to navigation, imply potential benefits for more complex procedures and educational purposes. The observed performance difference suggests an associated learning curve for optimal MR utilization.