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Background/Aim: The most common bacterial diseases in women around the world are urinary tract infections. Aim of this study, was to evaluate the prevalence and current antibiotic resistance rate of uropathogens isolated from the female patients of a tertiary care hospital in Amritsar, Punjab, India. Methods: Samples were collected from patients showing urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms and analysed using microscopy, dipstick test and urine culturing followed by identification and characterisation of to identify the uropathogens. Antibiotic susceptibility test and MIC were performed. Results: The results revealed that E coli (35.5 %) was the most prominent uropathogen followed by Klebsiella spp (21 %), Enterobacter spp (17 %), Acinetobacter (11 %), Enterococcus spp (6 %), Pseudomonas spp (4.5 %), coagulase negative Staphylococci (4 %), coagulase-positive Staphylococci (0.5 %) and Corynebacterium aurimucosum (0.5 %). The antibiotic susceptibility profile study reported eight isolates with multi-drug resistance properties. However, gentamicin, imipenem and meropenem were found to be the most effective antibiotics against the isolated uropathogens. All the extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-positive isolates possess the quinolone-resistant gene qnrB, while qnrA was absent. Conclusion: The current study revealed that for appropriate treatment, it is crucial to be aware of the epidemiological data regarding the disease and to begin any empirical antibiotic treatment.

The present research investigated the chemical characterization and insecticidal activity of n-Hexane extracts of Epaltes divaricata (NH-EDx) along with their chief derivatives n-Hexadecanoic acid (n-HDa) and n-Octadecanoic acid (n-ODa) against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti and lepidopteran pest Spodoptera litura. Chemical screening of NH-EDx through GC–MS analysis delivered nine major derivatives, and the maximum peak area percentage was observed in n-Hexadecanoic acid (14.63%) followed by n-Octadecadienoic acid (6.73%). The larvicidal activity of NH-EDx (1000 ppm), n-HDa (5 ppm), and n-ODa (5 ppm) against the A. aegypti and S. litura larvae showed significant mortality rate in a dose-dependent way across all the instars. The larvicidal activity was profound in the A. aegypti as compared to the S. litura across all the larval instars. The sublethal dosages of NH-EDx (500 ppm), n-HDa (2.5 ppm), and n-ODa (2.5 ppm) also showed alterations in the larval/pupal durations and adult longevity in both the insect pests. The enzyme activity revealed that the α- and β-carboxylesterase levels were decreased significantly in both the insect pests, whereas the levels of GST and CYP450 uplifted in a dose-dependent manner of NH-EDx, n-HDa, and n-ODa. Correspondingly, midgut tissues such as the epithelial layer (EL), gut lumen (GL), peritrophic matrix (Pm), and brush border membrane (BBM) were significantly altered in their morphology across both A. aegypti and S. litura against the NH-EDx and their bioactive metabolites. NH-EDx and their bioactive metabolites n-HDa and n-ODa showed significant larvicidal, growth retardant, enzyme inhibition, and midgut toxicity effects against two crucial agriculturally and medically challenging insect pest of ecological importance.

Abstract Financial technologies are the fundamental basis and driving force for financial inclusion initiatives, hence facilitating the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. This research is extensive and meticulous, focusing on the papers in the Scopus database related to fintech and financial inclusion. The data unequivocally demonstrate that China, India, and the United States are at the forefront of fintech and financial inclusion initiatives. Furthermore, the data reveals a significant increase in the number of articles pertaining to fintech and financial inclusion. The primary contributions in this field are Ozili PK, Banna H, and Zhang Y. Principal ties include Pan-Atlantic University, the University of Professional Studies, and Renmin University of China. This study indicates that successful fintech innovation enhances financial inclusion by bridging the divide between urban and rural communities, eventually contributing to sustainability. Likewise, effective financial innovation fosters increased growth in green investments, green initiatives, and green finance, transitioning economies from a linear to a circular model. The forthcoming research has the potential to enlighten and influence regulators, politicians, and future scholars.

Background: Bipolar depression (BDep) presents a significant clinical challenge with limited treatment options. The second-generation antipsychotics are increasingly utilized as primary or adjunct treatments. The use of cariprazine as monotherapy was approved by the US- Food and Drug Administration for acute BDep in 2019. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of cariprazine as monotherapy for acute BDep compared to placebo. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing cariprazine as monotherapy for acute BDep. The inclusion criteria encompassed English language studies comparing cariprazine as monotherapy to placebo, with outcomes measured within 6–12 weeks. The primary outcome measures included response and remission rates. The secondary outcomes included standardized mean differences (SMDs) in Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score changes from baseline to endpoint, dropout rates, and dropout rates due to adverse effects. The binary and continuous outcomes were analyzed using the Mantel–Haenszel and inverse variance methods, respectively, with RevMan 5.4 software. This study was done as the part of a network meta-analysis registered with PROSPERO (CRD42017077575). Results: Only four studies were eligible for the meta-analysis, encompassing 1747 patients. Cariprazine demonstrated significantly higher response rates (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–1.79) and remission rates (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.20–1.93) compared to placebo. SMDs showed that cariprazine was more efficacious (MADRS: SMD −0.24, 95% CI: −0.34 to −0.14, and HAM-D: SMD −0.21, 95% CI: −0.31 to −0.11). There was no significant difference in overall dropout rates and dropout rates due to adverse effects between cariprazine and the placebo arm. Hence, tolerability was comparable to placebo. Heterogeneity was not significant (I2 = 0). Conclusion: Cariprazine monotherapy was found to be efficacious in acute BDep, with a significant number of patients attaining remission. It is comparable to a placebo in terms of tolerability profile. Future studies are required to understand its efficacy and safety as a prophylactic for preventing mood episodes in BDep.

Magnesium is involved in many essential functions in the body, with a deficiency leading to possible cardiological, metabolic, neurological and rheumatological diseases, among others. The results of studies on the relationships between the occurrence of these diseases and magnesium deficiency helped identify the groups of patients who could benefit from this element. Considering the high frequency of patients using community pharmacy services, pharmacists present a group of medical professionals that can readily diagnose a potential magnesium deficiency in a relatively easy manner and can recommend supplementation in the diet or magnesium deficiency treatment with medicinal products when there are symptoms. For this reason, the objective of this article is to suggest procedures that can be used to identify patients particularly susceptible to magnesium deficiency. The second objective is to create Figures for the management of patients suffering from disorders that, in accordance with current knowledge, are associated with magnesium deficiency. In this context, guidelines were developed to help identify magnesium deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, migraines, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety states or hypertension. Appropriate supplementation with magnesium and magnesium deficiency treatment in the indicated target groups can largely minimize the symptoms of the diseases and increase patient wellbeing.

The present investigation aimed to determine the fungal toxicity of Isaria tenuipes (My-It) against the dengue mosquito vector Aedes aegypti L. and its non-target impact against the aquatic predator Toxorhynchitessplendens. Lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) of My-It were observed in 2.27 and 2.93 log ppm dosages, respectively. The sub-lethal dosage (My-It-1 × 104 conidia/mL) displayed a significant oviposition deterrence index and also blocked the fecundity rate of dengue mosquitos in a dose-dependent manner. The level of major detoxifying enzymes, such as carboxylesterase (α-and β-) and SOD, significantly declined in both third and fourth instar larvae at the maximum dosage of My-It 1 × 105 conidia/mL. However, the level of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) declined steadily when the sub-lethal dosage was increased and attained maximum reduction in the enzyme level at the dosage of My-It (1 × 105 conidia/mL). Correspondingly, the gut-histology and photomicrography results made evident that My-It (1 × 105 conidia/mL) heavily damaged the internal gut cells and external physiology of the dengue larvae compared to the control. Moreover, the non-target toxicity against the beneficial predator revealed that My-It at the maximum dosage (1 × 1020 conidia/mL) was found to be less toxic with Tx.splendens. Thus, the present toxicological research on Isaria tenuipes showed that it is target-specific and a potential agent for managing medically threatening arthropods.