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Background and Aims: Starvation of long duration during third trimester of pregnancy is undesirable as it is associated with accelerated fasting leading to hypoglycemia, raised plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels, and increased plasma/urinary ketones. Carbohydrate (CHO)-rich drinks given preoperatively may ameliorate these deleterious effects. The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) guidelines for perioperative care recommend that oral CHO fluid supplementation 2 h before cesarean delivery may be offered to nondiabetic pregnant women. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of preoperative oral CHO loading for the prevention of perioperative ketoacidosis in elective cesarean deliveries. Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) II/III parturients undergoing elective cesarean section under subarachnoid block (SAB) were divided into two groups of 60 each after they gave written informed consent. Group A parturients received 400 ml of filtered water 2 h before surgery. Group B parturients received 400 ml of nonparticulate CHO drink 2 h before surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of ketonuria studied by the dipstick method. Secondary outcomes included hunger and thirst scores, anxiety score, dominant hand grip strength, and the quality of recovery score. Results: The urine ketone levels were positive (+1) in 8.3% parturients in group A and 1.7% parturients in the CHO group (P value- 0.094). The hunger and thirst scores as well as the modified Beck’s anxiety scores were significantly lower in the CHO group (P value- 0.002). Dominant hand grip strength was preserved in both the groups (P value- 0.827). The quality of recovery score was significantly improved in the CHO group (P value- 0.002). No serious adverse effects were noted in either group. Conclusion: Oral CHO drink is safe when administered 2 h before uncomplicated elective cesarean deliveries. It may have a positive influence on a wide range of perioperative markers of clinical outcome.

Abstract Background Badminton, a dynamic sport, demands players to display exceptional physical attributes such as agility, core stability, and reaction time. Backward walking training on a treadmill has garnered attention for its potential to enhance physical attributes and optimize performance in athletes while minimizing the risk of injuries. Objective By investigating the efficacy of this novel approach, we aim to provide valuable insights to optimize training regimens and contribute to the advancement of sports science in badminton. Methodology Sixty-four participants were randomized into a control group (n = 32) and an experimental group (n = 32). The control group received routine exercise training, while the experimental group received routine exercise training along with additional backward walking training on the treadmill. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were taken for core stability using the Plank test, balance using the Star Excursion Balance test, reaction time using the 6-point footwork test, and agility using the Illinois Agility test. Results The results showed that the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in core stability (p

This research paper explores the evolution of fashion from its utilitarian origins over 170,000 years ago to its contemporary role as a symbol of cultural expression and individual identity. Tracing the historical trajectory through ancient civilizations, the Renaissance era, and significant societal shifts post-World War II, the study highlights the dynamic interplay between culture, external forces, and fashion. It also delves into the commodification of beauty in the contemporary era, examining the persuasive techniques used by beauty brands in advertisements, such as leveraging emotional states to connect deeply with consumers. The global impact of beauty standards and the perpetuation of white-centric ideals are scrutinized, emphasizing influential figures like Marcus Garvey, who challenged these norms. The study sheds light on the beauty industry's promotion of skin-lightening and hair-straightening products, particularly in Asian markets, and offers philosophical reflections on these beauty standards. Engaging with the works of Hume, Kant, Santayana, and Schiller, the paper dissects the subjective and objective dimensions of beauty, including Hume's emphasis on pleasure and pain, Kant's categorization of beauty, Santayana's concept of objectified pleasure, and Schiller's influence on German Idealism. It culminates with an exploration of Jean Baudrillard's "Death of the Real," examining the implications of a society immersed in creating identities detached from objective reality. This paper weaves together the historical evolution of fashion, beauty brand strategies, and philosophical reflections on beauty, offering a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between aesthetics, identity, and societal perceptions.

Abstract Background Johne’s disease is a chronic wasting disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Johne’s disease is highly contagious and MAP infection in dairy cattle can eventually lead to death. With no available treatment for Johne’s disease, genetic selection and improvements in management practices could help reduce its prevalence. In a previous study, the gene coding interleukin-10 receptor subunit alpha (IL10Rα) was associated with Johne’s disease in dairy cattle. Our objective was to determine how IL10Rα affects the pathogenesis of MAP by examining the effect of a live MAP challenge on a mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T) that had IL10Rα knocked out using CRISPR/cas9. The wild type and the IL10Rα knockout MAC-T cell lines were exposed to live MAP bacteria for 72 h. Thereafter, mRNA was extracted from infected and uninfected cells. Differentially expressed genes were compared between the wild type and the IL10Rα knockout cell lines. Gene ontology was performed based on the differentially expressed genes to determine which biological pathways were involved. Results Immune system processes pathways were targeted to determine the effect of IL10Rα on the response to MAP infection. There was a difference in immune response between the wild type and IL10Rα knockout MAC-T cell lines, and less difference in immune response between infected and not infected IL10Rα knockout MAC-T cells, indicating IL10Rα plays an important role in the progression of MAP infection. Additionally, these comparisons allowed us to identify other genes involved in inflammation-mediated chemokine and cytokine signalling, interleukin signalling and toll-like receptor pathways. Conclusions Identifying differentially expressed genes in wild type and ILR10α knockout MAC-T cells infected with live MAP bacteria provided further evidence that IL10Rα contributes to mounting an immune response to MAP infection and allowed us to identify additional potential candidate genes involved in this process. We found there was a complex immune response during MAP infection that is controlled by many genes.

Introduction: Primary Dysmenorrhoea (PD) is a common disorder in both young and adult females which is characterised by cramps that start immediately before or at the beginning of menstruation in the lower abdomen and are spasmodic and painful in nature, without any pelvic pathology. PD has a serious detrimental effect on quality of life and productivity in terms of health. Need of the Study: To the best of author’s knowledge, there is no specific scale meant to extensively assess the overall physical, social, psychological and nutritional status of females with PD and evaluate the quality of life, therefore, a comprehensive tool is required to resolve these issues and capture a comprehensive overview of the typical distress encountered during menstruation. Aim: To develop the items and domains, estimate its content and concurrent validity as well as assess intra-rater and test-retest reliability of the scale, which comprehensively assesses physical, social, psychological and nutritional status of females with PD and determine their quality of life. Materials and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study, that will be conducted at General Outpatient Department (OPD), Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar Deemed to be University, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India from April 2023 to March 2024. It consists of three phases. First phase comprises of the scale development procedure which includes generation of domains and items. Second phase is to validate the scale. This phase includes content validation through Delphi method as well as evaluation of criterion (concurrent) validity. Third phase consists of assessing intra-rater and test-retest reliability of the scale.

Summary: The activation of the zygotic genome constitutes an essential process during early embryogenesis that determines the overall progression of embryonic development. Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is tightly regulated, involving a delicate interplay of activators and repressors, to precisely control the timing and spatial pattern of gene expression. While regulators of ZGA vary across species, they accomplish comparable outcomes. Recent studies have shed light on the unanticipated roles of ZGA components both during and after ZGA. Moreover, different ZGA regulators seem to have acquired unique functional modalities to manifest their regulatory potential. In this review, we explore these observations to assess whether these are simply anecdotal or contribute to a broader regulatory framework that employs a versatile means to arrive at the conserved outcome.

Abstract Pain in the lower back is a major concern in today’s era due to prolonged sitting in two-wheeler riders, mainly due to hamstring tightness. It also creates physical disability and impairment in activities of daily living. The study aimed to compare the efficacy of muscle energy technique (MET) and self-myofascial release (SMFR) using the foam roller on hamstring flexibility, dynamic balance, and physical disability amongst two-wheeler riders with chronic low back pain (LBP). Participants were randomized into two intervention groups, MET and SMFR using the envelope method, with each group having 20 participants. Hamstring flexibility and range of motion for knee extension and the lower back were assessed using the active knee extension test (AKE-L and AKE-R) and sit and reach test (SRT), while the dynamic balance was assessed by the star excursion balance test (SEBT) and physical disability by Roland‐Morris Disability Questionnaire, (RMDQ). Measurements were taken at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention. This study demonstrated that both SMFR using a foam roller and MET are effective in enhancing hamstring muscle flexibility, (SRT—F(1, 38) = 299.5, p

ABSTRACTBeing present in substantial numbers, astrocytes play an indispensable role in maintaining homeostasis in the brain. However, their positive or negative involvement in pathological conditions in the brain has not been explored much. In recent years, an emerging thought of targeting astrocytes for the resolution of neurodegenerative diseases has gained momentum. In this study, we have attempted to explore the likelihood of targeting astrocytes by using a natural compound, gentiacaulein (GENT), for clearance of amyloid-β (Aβ) through autophagy and amelioration of neuroinflammation associated with Aβ. We found that GENT treatment of astrocytes hampered the transport of glucose across the cell membrane, which resulted in a reduction in ATP production. With increased treatment time, AMP: ATP ratio was increased significantly, which caused the induction of PRKAA1-mediated autophagy. We further show that increased autophagy considerably enhanced the clearance of amyloid-β by astrocytes. GENT reduced the Aβ mediated inflammation by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and decreased the release of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. The role of PRKAA1 in GENT-induced autophagy and anti-inflammatory activity was confirmed when its knockdown reversed these effects. Our data suggest that targeting astrocytes can be a good strategy to prevent/treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Background: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) encompasses a range of dysplastic changes from mild dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. This research aims to elucidate the cytomorphological spectrum of OSSN in the elderly age group and correlate these findings with clinical and pathological features. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on elderly patients (>60 years) diagnosed with OSSN over a 5 year period. Cytological and histopathological findings were analyzed and correlated with clinical data. Results: The cytomorphological spectrum of OSSN in the elderly age group exhibited a broad range of cellular changes, from mild dysplasia to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The predominant cytological features included increased nuclear–cytoplasmic ratio, pleomorphism, and abnormal mitotic figures. Clinically, OSSN presented most commonly as a unilateral conjunctival mass with a history of chronic irritation. Histopathologically, there was a significant correlation between the degree of dysplasia and the depth of invasion (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This research highlights the diverse cytomorphological spectrum of OSSN in the elderly age groups and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive clinicopathological correlation for accurate diagnosis and management. The predominant cytological features observed, including increased nuclear–cytoplasmic ratio, pleomorphism, and abnormal mitotic figures, reflect the underlying dysplastic alterations and provide valuable insights into the diagnosis and the classification of OSSN. Further studies are warranted to explore the potential role of impression cytology in the diagnosis and management of OSSN and to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment modalities in the elderly age group.

IntroductionAlzheimer pathology (AD) is characterized by the deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) and chronic neuroinflammation, with the NLRP3 inflammasome playing a significant role. This study demonstrated that the OCD drug fluvoxamine maleate (FXN) can potently ameliorate AD pathology in 5XFAD mice by promoting autophagy-mediated clearance of Aβ and inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. MethodsWe used mice primary astrocytes to establish the mechanism of action of FXN against NLRP3 inflammasome by using various techniques like ELISA, Western blotting, confocal microscopy, Immunofluorescence, etc. The anti-AD activity of FXN was validated in transgenic 5XFAD mice following two months of treatment. This was followed by behavior analysis, examination of inflammatory and autophagy proteins and immunohistochemistry analysis for Aβ load in the hippocampi.ResultsOur data showed that FXN, at a low concentration of 78 nM, induces autophagy to inhibit NF-κB and the NLRP3 inflammasome, apart from directly inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome in primary astrocytes. FXN activated the PRKAA2 pathway through CAMKK2 signaling, leading to autophagy induction. It inhibited the ATP-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation by promoting the autophagic degradation of NF-κB, resulting in the downregulation of pro-IL-1β and NLRP3. The anti-NLRP3 inflammasome effect of FXN was reversed when autophagy was inhibited by either genetic knockdown of the PRKAA2 pathway or pharmacological inhibition with bafilomycin A1. Furthermore, FXN treatment led to improved AD pathology in 5XFAD mice, resulting in significant improvements in various behavioral parameters such as working memory and neuromuscular coordination, making their behavior more similar to that of wild-type animals. FXN improved behavior in 5XFAD mice by clearing the Aβ deposits from the hippocampi and significantly reducing multiple inflammatory proteins, including NF-κB, GFAP, IBA1, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, which are associated with NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome in the brain. Moreover, these changes were accompanied by increased expression of autophagic proteins.DiscussionOur data suggest that FXN ameliorates AD pathology, by simultaneously targeting two key pathological features: Aβ deposits and neuroinflammation. As an already approved drug, FXN holds potential as a candidate for human studies against AD.

Background & Purpose Falls and balance issues are significant concerns for the elderly. Treadmill training is increasingly recognized as a potential intervention to improve balance and reduce fall risk in this population. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of treadmill training on balance in the elderly. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, PEDro, Cochrane Library, and ERIC from January 1, 1980, to May 31, 2023. The search focused on treadmill training’s impact on balance in older adults. From 74 identified studies, outcome measures were categorized into groups like “Balance Improvement,” “Gait Improvement,” “Mobility Enhancement,” “Muscle Strength Improvement,” “Cognitive Function and Quality of Life,” and others. Articles were excluded for reasons like irrelevance to treadmill training, language barriers, or duplication, resulting in 16 final studies. Results Treadmill training shows diverse positive effects on the elderly. Perturbation-based training reduces falls, and treadmill walking enhances balance and quality of life, particularly in institutionalized older individuals. Benefits were noted for Parkinson’s patients’ gait, cognitive changes in neurophysiology, fitness and mobility improvements through underwater treadmill sessions, and refined gait in hemiparetic patients. Conclusion Treadmill training interventions are promising for improving balance and mobility in the elderly, including those with Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, and age-related balance issues. While these interventions show potential, further research is needed to determine optimal protocols, durations, and combinations with other interventions. This could lead to a more comprehensive approach for addressing balance and mobility challenges in the elderly, promoting healthy aging and reducing fall risks.

Background: Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) have emerged as a promising treatment option for young permanent teeth with pulp necrosis, offering the potential for tissue repair and preservation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 30 patients aged 8 to 16 years with pulp necrosis in young permanent teeth. The patients underwent REPs, including disinfection, triple antibiotic paste application, and a coronal barrier. Clinical and radiographic data were collected at baseline and follow-up appointments at 6, 12, and 24 months. Radiographs were analyzed for root lengthening, apical closure, and resolution of periapical lesions. Results: The mean increase in root length after 24 months was 3.42 mm (SD ± 1.12 mm), and 90% of cases demonstrated complete apical closure. The overall success rate, defined as the absence of clinical symptoms and radiographic evidence of pathology, was 80%. Conclusion: REPs show promising outcomes in young permanent teeth with pulp necrosis, promoting root development, and apical closure.

Abstract This study aimed to compare the effects of knee strengthening exercises to those of polyvagal theory–based exercises combined with knee strengthening exercises on selected outcomes in women with grade II knee osteoarthritis (OA). A randomized controlled trial was conducted, in which 60 female participants diagnosed with grade II knee OA, with a mean age of 57.27 ± 7.81 years and knee pain rated between 4 and 7 on the visual analog scale (VAS), were assigned to either the knee strengthening exercise group (Group 1, n = 30) or the polyvagal theory–based exercise plus knee strengthening exercise group (Group 2, n = 30). Pre- and posttreatment assessment of outcome variables, including WOMAC scores (joint pain, joint stiffness, functional limitations, and the overall index), WHOQOL scores (overall quality of life, general health, physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains), and heart rate variability (HRV, time and frequency domains), were analyzed. Group 2 demonstrated significantly greater reductions in joint pain, stiffness, and functional limitations than Group 1 after the intervention. Group 2 presented with significantly improved WOMAC scores, indicating better overall outcomes. Group 2 showed significant improvements in the psychological and social domains regarding quality of life. There were no significant differences in the physical domain or the environmental domain. Group 2 showed a significant increase in high-frequency power (HF) and a significant decrease in the LF/HF ratio, suggesting improved autonomic regulation. A combination of polyvagal exercise and knee strengthening training resulted in superior outcomes compared to knee strengthening exercises alone in women with grade II knee OA. These findings support the potential effectiveness of incorporating polyvagal exercises as an adjunctive intervention for osteoarthritis management.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the relation between swelling and tenderness of individual finger joints and grip force in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods In an inception cohort of patients with early RA (symptom duration

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of the Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire (NPQ) by translating it from English to Hindi and evaluating its content validity (CV) and internal consistency to assess its feasibility for assessing neck pain. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 60 patients who had been experiencing non-inflammatory neck pain for at least 4 months. The psychometric properties, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability of the back-translated version were assessed and compared with the original English version. A panel of six experts validated the instrument for CV. Results: The factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure, which accounted for 76.7% of variance in the translated Hindi version of the NPQ. Internal consistency was indicated by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.936, and test–retest reliability was assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.935 (95% confidence interval: 0.906–0.958). Significant correlations were found between the individual items of the translated Hindi and original English NPQs. Conclusion: The English-to-Hindi-translated NPQ demonstrated a good factor structure and exhibited similar psychometric properties to the original English version. Therefore, it can be recommended for use in neck pain research in India.

Abstract Background Medical complications during pregnancy, including anaemia, gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy place women are at higher risk of long-term complications. Scalable and low-cost strategies to integrate non-communicable disease screening into pregnancy care are needed. We aim to determine the effectiveness and implementation components of a community-based, digitally enabled approach, “SMARThealth Pregnancy,” to improve health during pregnancy and the first year after birth. Methods A pragmatic, parallel-group, cluster randomised, type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial of a community-based, complex intervention in rural India to decrease anaemia (primary outcome, defined as haemoglobin 1 medical officer and > 2 community health workers; and (2) capability to administer intravenous iron sucrose. Thirty PHCs in Telangana and Haryana will be randomised 1:1 using a matched-pair design accounting for cluster size and distance from the regional centre. The intervention comprises (i) an education programme for community health workers and PHC doctors; (ii) the SMARThealth Pregnancy app for health workers to support community-based screening, referral and follow-up of high-risk cases; (iii) a dashboard for PHC doctors to monitor high-risk women in the community; (iv) supply chain monitoring for consumables and medications and (v) stakeholder engagement to co-develop implementation and sustainability pathways. The comparator is usual care with additional health worker education. Secondary outcomes include implementation outcomes assessed by the RE-AIM framework (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance), clinical endpoints (anaemia, diabetes, hypertension), clinical service delivery indicators (quality of care score), mental health and lactation practice (PHQ9, GAD7, EuroQoL-5D, WHO IYCF questionnaire). Discussion Engaging women with screening after a high-risk pregnancy is a challenge and has been highlighted as a missed opportunity for the prevention of non-communicable diseases. The SMARThealth Pregnancy trial is powered for the primary outcome and will address gaps in the evidence around how pregnancy can be used as an opportunity to improve women’s lifelong health. If successful, this approach could improve the health of women living in resource-limited settings around the world. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05752955. Date of registration 3 March 2023.

Objective: To determine the impact of the accelerated rehabilitation protocol on knee pain in amateur athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Design: Two-arm, parallel-group randomized comparative design. Patients: 100 amateur male athletes (mean age22.01±1.79) with ACLR were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n=50/group). Methods: An accelerated rehabilitation protocol and a conventional one were used for the experimental group. In contrast, only the conventional rehabilitation protocol was used for the control group in five weekly sessions for twenty-two weeks. The primary outcome measure, knee pain, was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Extensive test batteries for hop tests, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and knee effusion were measured, aiming to add more objective criteria to determine functional performance. Results: Both groups (n=50/group) were well-matched (p=0.816), with insignificant differences in their demographic characteristics (p>0.05). MANOVA test showed no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.781) at baseline. A two-way MANOVA of within and between groups' variations indicated overall significant treatment, time, and treatment × time interaction effects (p

Objectives To investigate the relation between patient characteristics at rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis and subsequent initiation of treatment with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) or targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs).Design A retrospective cohort study.Setting and participants Consecutive patients (N=330) with early RA (symptom duration

BackgroundLow back pain stands as a prevalent contributor to pain-related disability on a global scale. In addressing chronic low back pain (CLBP), there is a growing emphasis on incorporating psychological strategies into the management process. Among these, pain education interventions strive to reshape pain beliefs and mitigate the perceived threat of pain. This randomized controlled trial sought to assess the effects of pain education on various aspects, including pain levels, disability, quality of life, self-efficacy, and prognostic characteristics in individuals grappling with CLBP.MethodsThe clinical trial, retrospectively registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2021/08/035963), employed a two-arm parallel randomized design. Ninety-two participants with CLBP were randomly assigned to either the standard physiotherapy care with a pain education program or the control group. Both groups underwent a 6-week intervention. Assessment of pain intensity (using NPRS), disability (using RMDQ), self-efficacy (using the general self-efficacy scale), and well-being (using WHO 5I) occurred both before and after the 6-week study intervention.FindingsPost-intervention score comparisons between the groups revealed that the pain education intervention led to a significant reduction in disability compared to the usual standard care at 6 weeks (mean difference 8.2, p < 0.001, effect size Cohen d = 0.75), a decrease in pain intensity (mean difference 3.5, p < 0.001, effect size Cohen d = 0.82), and an improvement in the well-being index (mean difference 13.7, p < 0.001, effect size Cohen d = 0.58).ConclusionThe findings suggest that integrating a pain education program enhances the therapeutic benefits of standard physiotherapy care for individuals dealing with chronic LBP. In conclusion, the clinical benefits of pain education become apparent when delivered in conjunction with standard care physiotherapy during the management of chronic low back pain.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of using Vitamin C and curcumin sheets applied subgingivally in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP). Patients age between 35 and 60 would be included, a total of 45 sites divided into three groups which are distributed as follows: Group I – (SRP) alone, Group II (SRP) with Vitamin C sheet, and Group III (SRP) with curcumin sheet Results: The mean gingival index (GI) scores for Group I were 2.60, 0.51, 0.93, 0.26, and 1.00, respectively, at baseline, 15 days, and 30 days. At baseline, the mean GI score in Group II decreased from 2.53 ± 0.52 to 0.67 ± 0.49 at 45 days. In line with this, Group III saw a decrease in the mean GI score from 3.00 ± 0.00 at baseline to 0.20 ± 0.41 at 45 days. At different points, each group showed a statistically significant difference. In Group III, the mean plaque index score dropped from 3.00 ± 0.00 at baseline to 0.27 ± 0.46 at 30 days. Only Group III showed a statistically significant difference at various periods. Probing pocket depth intergroup comparisons for all groups were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: According to the study's findings, SRP in combination with Vitamin C and curcumin sheets improved periodontal markers and had a positive impact on individuals with chronic periodontitis.

Background: COVID-19 lockdown's impact on physical and mental health includes increased prevalence of alexithymia (difficulty recognizing emotions) among university students. Alexithymia is strongly correlated with eating disorders and disrupted eating behaviors. Understanding these associations is crucial for assessing the well-being of students during lockdown. Aims: The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of alexithymia and eating disorders in relation to sleep disturbance during this lockdown phase amongst university students. Settings and Design: This study employed an online cross-sectional design to collect data from participants. The study included adolescents of either gender, aged between 20 and 27 years, who were enrolled in the faculty of Allied Health Sciences at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies. Methods and Material: The study comprised 419 university students during the COVID-19 lockdown. Alexithymia was assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, eating disorders with the Eating Aptitude Test-26, and sleep patterns with a modified Pittsburgh Sleep Scale. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics, including Mean±SD for continuous variables and frequency/percentages for categorical data, were calculated. Statistical analysis involved Student t-test and chi-square. Reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha. Results: This study involved 77.8% (n=326) female students as compared to 22.2%(n=93) male students. The prevalence of alexithymia was found to be considerably higher(30.5%) in the present study, with female students more affected than males. An eating disorder was found to be only 16.7%, and the majority of students (65.4%) had BMI in the range of normal weight. Further, the students reported the absence of sleep apnea with 41% of students having a sleep duration of 6-7 hours and 32% more than 7 hours. Only 19% of students reported poor sleep quality. Trouble sleeping during the initial 30 minutes prior to lying down, waking up in the middle of the night, and waking up to use the bathroom were the main factors causing sleep disturbances. Conclusions: This study reported a high alexithymia prevalence since there were under house arrest and going through psychological stress during lockdown phase of COVID-19 pandemic. Eating disorders was not prevalent because the students ate healthy balanced diets at home rather than junk food. Sleep patterns were also significantly improved and did not show any relation to the increased prevalence of alexithymia.

Sentiment analysis has significantly progressed in English, whereas Hindi research is still nascent. Despite being the third most spoken language worldwide, Hindi remains an RRL. Movie reviews are a treasure trove of opinionated content fueled by people’s passionate engagement with film industry. The proliferation of great use of Hindi in writing reviews has catalyzed our endeavor to devise an approach for bipolar sentiment classification of movie reviews. We compiled and manually annotated a Hindi Language Movie Review (HLMR) dataset comprising 10K reviews for experiments, and challenges associated with Hindi have also been identified. In addition to HLMR, two publicly available IIT-P movie and product review datasets are used. Following dataset preprocessing, we explored TF-ISF with word-level N-gram features for text representation. Studies suggest that performance of machine learning approaches can be enhanced by hyperparameter tuning and ensemble learning. Several baseline classifiers were initially applied, and their parameters were hyper-tuned using Grid search. Subsequently, ensemble-based classifiers were applied individually. Lastly, we propose a simplistic yet powerful stacked ensemble-based architecture (SEBA), which effectively classifies Hindi reviews by leveraging the strengths of both approaches. Comprehensive experiments were conducted on all deployed datasets. Empirical results demonstrate that SEBA outperformed individual baselines and exhibited superior performance with unigrams and TF-ISF as features across deployed datasets. SEBA achieved an accuracy, precision, and recall of 0.808% and an F1-score of 0.807% on the HLMR dataset. These findings strongly advocate for the effectiveness of proposed solution and indicate its suitability for online deployment in binary review classification tasks.

Abstract Background Office employees are at a greater risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) due to their prolonged computer use. In the context of COVID-19, an unanticipated shift to working from home is likely to increase MSD due to a lack of an ergonomic workspace and longer workdays. Aim To explore the prevalence of MSD with work-related risk factors among the computer users working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study design Cross-sectional survey. Methods Computer users working from home for more than 6 hours per day during the COVID-19 lockdown were assessed for possible work-related MSD using web-based survey—Google forms for Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results One hundred twenty one responses from 53 (43.8%) females (25.47 ± 5.72 years) and 68 (56.2%) males (28.65 ± 4.68 years) were included. The female participants were more prone to musculoskeletal pain as compared to males. The neck pain (60.3%), lower back pain (59.5%), and shoulder pain (49.6%) were the most reported body regions affected by work-related MSD. The elbow (18.2%), wrist/hand (35.5%), upper back (42.1%), hips (24.8%), knee (23.1%), and ankle/feet (14%) were the least affected regions. The risk factors associated with MSP includes lack of workplace at home during lockdown, stress after being in one posture, stress in eyes, and mental stress due to work. Conclusions During the lockdown phase, the transition of computer workers from working office environment to home increased the prevalence of MSD more commonly in females than males. There is a need to investigate early detection, prevention, and management options to enhance health outcomes.

Badminton is one of the world's most popular racquet sports, demanding motor skills such as agility and vertical jump mainly for striking a shuttlecock. This study compared the effects of four weeks of plyometric training and electromyostimulation of knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor muscles on agility, 30-m sprint, lower limb explosive power and jumping ability amongst badminton players. State-level badminton players (n ​= ​90) were randomly allocated into three groups: plyometric (PG), electromyostimulation (EG) and control group (CG), each with 30 players. Randomized-to-Groups Pretest-Posttest Design with two experimental (plyometric and electromyostimulation) groups and a control group was used. The plyometric training was carried out two times/week while the EMS training was four times/week for four weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention. All three groups continued their general badminton training throughout the study. Players were assessed for agility, a 30-m sprint, a standing broad jump and a vertical jump height before and after four weeks. A significant improvement (p ​= ​0.01) in 30-m sprint time was observed (3.83%) in PG as compared to controls. Jumping ability was significantly improved in both the PG and EG in comparison to the controls (4.45%, p ​= ​0.003 for PG and 3.95%, p ​= ​0.048 for EG). No significant improvement was found in agility and lower limb explosive power in either of the PG or EG groups in comparison to the controls. Plyometric training showed significant improvement in sprint time and jumping ability, whereas electromyostimulation training showed significant improvement only in jumping ability.

Efficient and broadband visible-light photodetectors will bring great advantages in applications such as biosensing and quantum information. Here the authors develop a photodetector with high quantum efficiency across broad wavelength range suitable for monolithic integration in photonics circuits.

Zea mays is an essential staple food crop across the globe. Maize contains macro and micronutrients but is limited in essential mineral micronutrients such as Fe and Zn. Worldwide, serious health concerns have risen due to the deficiencies of essential nutrients in human diets, which rigorously jeopardizes economic development. In the present study, the systematic in silico approach has been used to predict Fe and Zn binding proteins from the whole proteome of maize. A total of 356 and 546 putative proteins have been predicted, which contain sequence and structural motifs for Fe and Zn ions, respectively. Furthermore, the functional annotation of these predicted proteins, based on their domains, subcellular localization, gene ontology, and literature support, showed their roles in distinct cellular and biological processes, such as metabolism, gene expression and regulation, transport, stress response, protein folding, and proteolysis. The versatile roles of these shortlisted putative Fe and Zn binding proteins of maize could be used to manipulate many facets of maize physiology. Moreover, in the future, the predicted Fe and Zn binding proteins may act as relevant, novel, and economical markers for various crop improvement programs.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low-intensity blood flow restriction (BFR) training and high-intensity resistance training (HI-RT) on the leaping performance of long-jumpers. Materials and methods: Long jump players were divided into two groups; one group (group A) receiving HI-RT (n = 8) and the other group (group B) receiving combined low-intensity BFR training plus HI-RT (n = 8). Muscle power and knee muscle strength was assessed at baseline, 3 weeks and 6 weeks of intervention. Results: 1-RM was found to be significantly different between Group A and Group B at 3 and 6 weeks. Further, IKDQR, IKDHR and IKDQL was significantly improved in group B as compared to group A both at 3 and 6 weeks. There was significant time effect, group effect and time-group interaction in the strength of quadriceps and hamstring of both left and right leg measured through isokinetic device. Post-hoc analysis for 1-RM in group B showed a significant improvement at baseline and 6 weeks and the broad jump was significant at baseline and 3 weeks and at baseline and 6 weeks. Conclusion: The combined effects of low-intensity BFR training and HI-RT is effective in improving the muscle strength and power of lower limbs in long jumpers.

Objectives: This research was done to evaluate how the root canal taper affects the Endodontically Treated Teeth (ETT) prepared with the TruNatomy and Protaper Next file systems in terms of fracture resistance. Materials and Method: Forty recently extracted mandibular premolar teeth were used in this research, which was classified into four groups at random. Groups 1a and 1b used TruNatomy 4% and 6%, respectively, while groups 2a and 2b used the Protaper Next 4% and 6% file systems, respectively. The root canals were cleaned, shaped, and sealed using cold lateral compaction. The root canals were then fixed in standardized autopolymerizing acrylic resin blocks and tested for vertical root fracture using a universal testing machine. Newtons were used to measure the forces needed to cause fractures. Data were statistically analyzed. Results: In comparison with other groups, group 1a (TruNatomy 4%) displayed greater fracture resistance (423.322.43 Newtons), and group 2b (Protaper Next 6%) displayed the least fracture resistance (264.512.76 Newtons). Conclusion: Protaper Next file system had lower fracture resistance than TruNatomy file system. With the use of greater taper instruments, a notable decrease in the fracture resistance of ETT was observed.

The comparison of low-rank-based learning models for multi-label categorization of attacks for intrusion detection datasets is presented in this work. In particular, we investigate the performance of three low-rank-based machine learning (LR-SVM) and deep learning models (LR-CNN), (LR-CNN-MLP) for classifying intrusion detection data: Low Rank Representation (LRR) and Non-negative Low Rank Representation (NLR). We also look into how these models’ performance is affected by hyperparameter tweaking by using Guassian Bayes Optimization. The tests has been run on merging two intrusion detection datasets that are available to the public such as BoT-IoT and UNSW- NB15 and assess the models’ performance in terms of key evaluation criteria, including precision, recall, F1 score, and accuracy. Nevertheless, all three models perform noticeably better after hyperparameter modification. The selection of low-rank-based learning models and the significance of the hyperparameter tuning log for multi-label classification of intrusion detection data have been discussed in this work. A hybrid security dataset is used with low rank factorization in addition to SVM, CNN and CNN-MLP. The desired multilabel results have been obtained by considering binary and multi-class attack classification as well. Low rank CNN-MLP achieved suitable results in multilabel classification of attacks. Also, a Gaussian-based Bayesian optimization algorithm is used with CNN-MLP for hyperparametric tuning and the desired results have been achieved using c and γ for SVM and α and β for CNN and CNN-MLP on a hybrid dataset. The results show the label UDP is shared among analysis, DoS and shellcode. The accuracy of classifying UDP among three classes is 98.54%.

Scrub typhus is a neglected disease and one of the most serious health problems in the Asia-Pacific region. The disease is caused by an obligate intracellular bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted by chigger bites or larval mite bites. Scrub typhus is a threat to billions of people worldwide causing different health complications and acute encephalitis in infants and growing children. The disease causes multiple organ failure and mortality rates may reach up to 70% due to a lack of appropriate healthcare. Currently available genome and proteome databases, and bioinformatics methods are valuable tools to develop novel therapeutics to curb the pathogen. This review discusses the state-of-the-art of information about Orientia tsutsugamushi-mediated scrub typhus and delineates the role of omics technologies to develop drugs against the pathogen. The role of proteome-wide in silico approaches for the identification of therapeutic targets is also highlighted.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the cornerstone for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Our study aimed to compare the impact of early versus delayed access to ART over clinical and immunological outcomes in HIV-positive adults. Methods: The prospective, randomized, open-label study was conducted for nine months, and comprised HIV-positive adults who presented to the ART center. Patients who presented early in their course of disease with baseline cluster of differentiation (CD) 4 count ≥350/mm3 were recruited in the early arm and in the late arm, if

Breast cancer is one of the most frequent forms of cancer. Although different treatment modalities are available, none has proved to be a game-changer. In this context, nanomedicine is one of the hot research areas, with different nano-formulations being explored as a therapeutic strategy against breast cancer. Herein, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have shown prospects with their anti-tumor properties and are currently being explored aggressively; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of AgNP action remain to be unearthed. As part of this study, human breast cancer cells- MCF7 were exposed to AgNPs (∼9 nm), and the effect of the same was explored on mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dynamicity. We observed that the AgNPs co-localize with mitochondria and cause mitochondrial membrane depolarization, ROS generation, and destabilized mitochondrial homeostasis. Also, the NPs were found to enhance ER stress. We further found that increased ER stress is linked to the disruption of mitochondrial dynamics. Overall, our study shows that the AgNPs can effectively cause apoptosis of MCF-7 cells by regulating the mitochondrial-ER dynamicity. The results provide an insight into the mechanisms via which AgNPs act and can be used in developing a potential chemotherapeutic agent.

Objectives: To determine the occurrence of arrhythmia and its associated risk factors in the first week after acute myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: A total of 100 patients with acute MI were recruited, who were followed up for one week to determine the occurrence of arrhythmia and its association with electrolyte disturbances, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and demographic factors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify significant risk factors of arrhythmia. Results: Among 100 cases, arrhythmia was seen in 27 patients. Sinus tachycardia was the commonest, followed by ventricular premature beats and sinus bradycardia. Ejection fraction, serum calcium and magnesium were significantly different between non-arrhythmia and arrhythmia patients (P40% had a significantly lower risk of arrhythmia with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.22 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.64). Conclusions: Arrhythmia is common in the first week after myocardial infarction. The type of arrhythmia and the type of block may depend on the heart muscles involved during myocardial infarction. Ejection fraction is a risk factor that may affect the occurrence of arrhythmia.

The present study deals with an account of the primary productivity and trophic status of Rewalsar, Kuntbhyog, and Prashar lakes of Western Himalayas. Seasonal variations in gross primary productivity (GPP) (g C m–2 day–1), net primary productivity (NPP, respiration (R), and the NPP/R ratio have been studied and compared with hydrobiological factors. Among various factors, temperature, light, nutrients, and chlorophyll a were accountable for high productivity. Nygaard’s trophic state indices were calculated. GPP showed a positive relationship with water temperature, penetration of light, nitrate, and with phosphate. The extensive range of the compound index observed in Rewalsar (12.00–20.00) and Kuntbhyog lakes (12.50–18.00) confirmed their eutrophic nature. Based on the trophic classification of waters and on the basis of productivity, Nygaard’s trophic state indices, and richness of nutrients, Rewalsar and Kuntbhyog lakes could be categorized as eutrophic, whereas Prashar Lake, as oligo-eutrophic. Based on the presence, absence, frequency of appearance, and abundance of different organisms recorded during the present investigation, bioindicators of trophic status have been determined.

Activation of the zygotic genome is a critical transition during development, though the link to tissue-specific gene regulation remains unclear. Here the authors demonstrate distinct functions for Satb2 before and after zygotic genome activation, highlighting the temporal coordination of these roles.

Direct verbal suggestibility refers to the capacity for an individual to experience perceptual, motor, affective and cognitive changes in response to verbal suggestions. Suggestibility is characterized by pronounced, yet reliable, inter-individual differences. Previous research and theoretical considerations suggest that greater impulsivity and compulsivity is associated to higher suggestibility, but the characteristics and mediating factors of this association are poorly understood. Using established psychometric measures in an online sample, we found positive correlations between the domain comprising impulsivity, compulsivity and behavioural activation, and the domain of suggestibility, dissociation and absorption. We also observed that dissociation and absorption mediated the link between suggestibility and impulsivity, and between suggestibility and behavioural activation, respectively. These results confirm the positive link between suggestibility and the impulsivity/compulsivity domain and shed new light on the characterisation of traits associated with suggestibility.

Background and Objectives: Analyzing the cardiac autonomic function in COVID-19 patients can provide insights into the impact of the virus on the heart’s regulatory mechanisms and its recovery. The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating the heart’s functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on heart rate variability (HRV) during a 6-min walk test (6MWT). Materials and Methods: The study included 74 participants, consisting of 37 individuals who had recovered from mild to moderate COVID-19 and 37 healthy controls. The study assessed heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure both before and after a 6-min walk test (6MWT). Results: The study found significant differences in a few time domains (SDNN and pNN50) and all frequency domain measures, whereas there were no significant differences in demographic characteristics or blood pressure between COVID-19-recovered individuals and healthy controls at rest. There were significant 6MWT effects on average HR, time-domain (SDNN and pNN50) measures of HRV, and all frequency domain measures of HRV. A significant group × 6MWT interaction was found for SDNN, pNN50, total power, Ln total power, LF, HF, Ln LF, Ln HF, and LF nu. Conclusions: Cardiac Autonomic analysis through HRV is essential to ensure the continued health and well-being of COVID-19 survivors and to minimize the potential long-term impacts of the disease on their cardiovascular system. This suggests that HRV analysis during the recovery phase following exercise could serve as a valuable tool for evaluating the physiological effects of COVID-19 and monitoring the recovery process.

Background: Nonspecific lower back pain (NSLBP) is described as pain that is not caused by an identifiable, well-known disease, such as infection, tumor, osteoporosis, fracture, structural deformity, inflammatory condition, radicular syndrome, or cauda equina syndrome. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of EMG-guided trunk stabilization exercises on functional disability associated with LBP. Materials and Methods: A single-blinded pre- and post-test experimental comparative design was used for this study. Fifty individuals with chronic NSLBP were screened for inclusion criteria. Of these, forty were randomly grouped into the EMG group receiving trunk-stability exercises with electromyography biofeedback and non-EMG group receiving trunk-stabilization exercises without EMG biofeedback. Participants performed five trunk-stability exercises 3 days a week for 4 weeks. The intensity of pain, range of motion, functional disability, and balance were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results: Both techniques indicated a significant effect on chronic NSLBP; however, trunk-stability exercises combined with EMG biofeedback produced better results in alleviating the intensity of pain, increasing the range of motion, and improving functional disabilities and static balance. Conclusion: The present study confirms that trunk-stability exercises with EMG biofeedback can be practiced safely, contributes to a greater boost in neuromuscular efficiency in the lumbar flexors and extensors, and is effective in modifying functional disability for patients with NSLBP.

Abstract In ubiquitin-mediated post-translational modifications, RING finger families are emerged as important E3 ligases in regulating biological processes. Amylose and amylopectin are two major constituents of starch in wheat seed endosperm. Studies have been found the beneficial effects of high amylose or resistant starch on health. The ubiquitin-mediated post-translational regulation of key enzymes for amylose/amylopectin biosynthesis (GBSSI and SBEII) is still unknown. In this study, the genome-wide analysis identified 1272 RING domains in 1255 proteins in wheat, which is not reported earlier. The identified RING domains classified into four groups—RING-H2, RING-HC, RING-v, RING-G, based on the amino acid residues (Cys, His) at metal ligand positions and the number of residues between them with the predominance of RING-H2 type. A total of 1238 RING protein genes were found to be distributed across all 21 wheat chromosomes. Among them, 1080 RING protein genes were identified to show whole genome/segmental duplication within the hexaploid wheat genome. In silico expression analysis using transcriptome data revealed 698 RING protein genes, having a possible role in seed development. Based on differential gene expression and correlation analysis of 36 RING protein genes in diverse (high and low) amylose mutants and parent, 10 potential RING protein genes found to be involved in high amylose biosynthesis and significantly associated with two starch biosynthesis genes; GBSSI and SBEIIa. Characterization of mutant lines using next-generation sequencing method identified unique mutations in 698 RING protein genes. This study signifies the putative role of RING-type E3 ligases in amylose biosynthesis and this information will be helpful for further functional validation and its role in other biological processes in wheat.