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Bhumi Chaturvedi,1 Sourav Debnath,1 Hemant Bareth,1 Preeti Raj,2 Pratima Singh,3 Mahaveer Singh,4 Deepak Nathiya,1,5,6 Balvir Singh Tomar5– 7 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; 2School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK; 3Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; 4Department of Endocrinology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; 5Department of Clinical Studies, Fourth Hospital of Yulin (Xingyuan), Yulin, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Clinical Sciences, Shenmu Hospital, Shenmu, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China; 7Institute of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, IndiaCorrespondence: Mahaveer Singh, Department of Endocrinology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Nims University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Email drms.mamcmed@gmail.comIntroduction: The ongoing repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic include potentially deleterious impacts on bone health.Aim: This research aimed to ascertain the effects of COVID-19 on the bone health of obese and non-obese Indian individuals.Methods: We executed a case-control study enrolling individuals who recovered from COVID-19. Participants were stratified into obese and non-obese groups based on their BMI. Comprehensive assessments encompassed anthropometric evaluations, laboratory tests, and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).Results: From April to July 2022, we enrolled obese (n = 27, mean BMI = 30.54 ± 4.51 kg/m 2) and non-obese (n = 23, mean BMI = 21.97 ± 2.20 kg/m 2) individuals. The cohort’s average age was 36.08 ± 15.81 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.6:1. There was a difference in BMD, especially at the total hip, between the two groups. BMD at the spine (L1-L4), the neck of the femur, and ultra-distal radius were consistent across both groups. Weight exhibited a significant positive correlation with BMD at L1-L4 (r = 0.40, p = 0.003) and the left femur total (r = 0.27, p = 0.001). Haemoglobin levels were lower in the obese group compared to their non-obese counterparts (12.3 ± 2.0 vs 13.6 ± 1.9, p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis underscored weight as a crucial predictor for BMD at the spine (L1-L4, p = 0.003) and total hip (p = 0.001).Conclusion: Even with advanced age, obese post-COVID-19 individuals demonstrate a higher bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip than non-obese subjects.Keywords: COVID-19, obesity, bone mineral density, osteopenia, fracture risk

Balvir S Tomar,1 Mahaveer Singh,2 Deepak Nathiya,3 Abhishek Sharma,4 Eshan Sharma,4 Hemant Bareth,3 Supriya Suman,3 Darshan Purshotambhai Ruparelia,4 Jaykumar Bharatbhai Patel,4 Vikrant Kantilal Gajera4 On Behalf of the NIMS COVID 19 Investigator Group1Institute of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Transplant, Nims University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India; 2Department of Endocrinology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Nims University Rajasthan, Jaipur, 303121, India; 3Department of Pharmacy Practice, Institute of Pharmacy, Nims University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India; 4Department of General Medicine, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Nims University Rajasthan, Jaipur, IndiaCorrespondence: Mahaveer SinghDepartment of Endocrinology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital, Nims University Rajasthan, Jaipur, 303121, IndiaTel +91 8949836075Email drms.mamcmed@gmail.comDeepak NathiyaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Institute of Pharmacy, Nims University Rajasthan, Jaipur, 303121, IndiaTel +91 9929600137Email dnathiya@nimsuniversity.orgPurpose: To assess the prevalence of post-COVID symptoms in patients with recovered COVID-19 (nasopharyngeal RT PCR negative) who were discharged from an acute COVID care facility at a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India.Methods: This study was an observational study with retrospective data collection, conducted in the COVID follow-up clinic, a combined clinic of medicine and endocrinology. Patients discharged from the acute COVID care facility were recruited after 14 days of discharge if they fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. The retrospective data was collected from the hospital records/EMR and analysed by the SPSSv23.Results: Fifty patients, who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were included in the study. The Mean age of patients was 53.4± 13.8 years (range 28– 77). Seventy six percent were male, and 38% had type 2 diabetes. Fever (94%), cough (78%) and breathlessness (68%), were the most common symptoms at presentation to acute care facility. Oxygen saturation at presentation had a negative correlation with D-Dimer, age, and C reactive protein. When patients were evaluated clinically, after 14 days (range 15 to 50 days) of the discharge, 82% of patients had at least one persistent symptom. Fatigue (74%) was the most common symptoms in follow-up followed by breathlessness (44%), and muscle weakness (36%). Two patients had persistent fever, even after negative RT PCR status.Conclusion: Patients discharged from the acute COVID care facility had a high prevalence of post-COVID symptoms even after 14 days.Keywords: COVID-19, diabetes, SARS-CoV-2, oxygen saturation, post-COVID

Abstract The sustainable development of natural polysaccharide‐based hybrid composites is highly important for the effective replacement of metal nanoparticles in diverse applications. Here, polypyrrole nanotubes (PPyNTs) were embedded on the surface of aminated gum acacia (AGA) to produce ecofriendly nanocomposites for biomedical applications. The morphology of a PPyNT‐enhanced AGA (PPyNT@AGA) hybrid nanocomposite was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy and their affirmed interactions were characterised by X‐ray diffraction, Raman, Fourier transform‐infrared and UV‐visible spectroscopy. Interestingly, the prepared PPyNT@AGA nanocomposite exhibited 90% biofilm inhibition against gram‐negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, gram‐positive Streptococcus pneumoniae and fungal strain Candida albicans with promising antimicrobial performance. This study establishes the good inhibition of a PPyNT@AGA hybrid composite against various microorganisms. The stability of the nanocomposite coupled with antimicrobial activity enables an effective strategy for diagnosing and controlling pathogens.

Background: Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus and transmitted through Aedes mosquitoes, is a growing public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Traditionally associated with febrile and hemorrhagic symptoms, recent research suggests a potential link between dengue and cognitive impairments. This systematic review assessed existing research to understand the association between dengue virus infection and cognitive impairments, including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, memory loss, and confusion., Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to January 18, 2024. Studies examining the prevalence and association of cognitive impairments in dengue patients were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using Nested Knowledge software and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale., Results: Of the 1,129 articles identified, five were included in the review, covering a total of 200,873 participants from Taiwan, Brazil, and France. Evidence from population-based cohort studies indicated short-term cognitive impairments, including confusion and memory loss, in some dengue patients. Additionally, long-term risks of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, were observed, particularly among older adults. Although the findings suggest there might be an association between dengue infection and cognitive decline, the mechanisms underlying this link remain unclear., Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that dengue virus infection may affect cognitive function in both acute and long-term contexts. However, the current evidence is not strong enough to establish a conclusive link. Further research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal studies is essential to confirm the impact of dengue virus on cognitive health., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of CINP.)

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a promising frontier in healthcare. This review explores the current landscape and future prospects of AI technologies in ASD diagnostics and interventions. AI enables early detection and personalized assessment of ASD through the analysis of diverse data sources such as behavioural patterns, neuroimaging, genetics, and electronic health records. Machine learning algorithms exhibit high accuracy in distinguishing ASD from neurotypical development and other developmental disorders, facilitating timely interventions. Furthermore, AI-driven therapeutic interventions, including augmentative communication systems, virtual reality-based training, and robot-assisted therapies, show potential in improving social interactions and communication skills in individuals with ASD. Despite challenges such as data privacy and interpretability, the future of AI in ASD holds promise for refining diagnostic accuracy, deploying telehealth platforms, and tailoring treatment plans. By harnessing AI, clinicians can enhance ASD care delivery, empower patients, and advance our understanding of this complex condition., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None Declared, (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a range of conditions that start with the accumulation of fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis) and can progress to more severe stages like steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis without drinking alcohol. Environmental and genetic variables both contribute to MAFLD's development, with various biological processes and mediators involved at every phase. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNA molecules that are not translated into protein and are over 200 nucleotides long. They can impact genes that encode protein by controlling transcriptional and post-transcriptional procedures. Dysregulation of lncRNA has been connected to several liver diseases, including MAFLD. Recent research has linked lncRNAs to MAFLD pathology in both patients and animal models. However, the roles of most lncRNAs in MAFLD pathology are still not well recognized. This review provides a comprehensive catalog of recently reported lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of MAFLD and summarizes the current knowledge of lncRNAs usage as therapeutic strategies in MAFLD, the most common liver disease. Collectively, lncRNA's targeting could potentially offer a therapeutic approach by modulating MAFLD., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The recent global resurgence of Mpox (formerly monkeypox), primarily transmitted via close contact and respiratory droplets, highlights a significant shift in its epidemiology, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). This resurgence underscores the need for robust public health responses and improved surveillance. This comprehensive review of current literature focuses on recent outbreaks, virology, and available treatments. Epidemiological data were gathered from various international health reports and analysed to understand transmission dynamics and outbreak patterns. Mpox, characterised by symptoms like fever and rash, has shown variable clinical presentations, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Recent outbreaks have prompted the development of new diagnostic methods and treatments, including antivirals like Tecovirimat and vaccines such as MVA-BN. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of these vaccines in preventing infection, which is crucial for outbreak containment. The global response to the Mpox resurgence requires integrated strategies combining vaccination, antiviral treatments, and public health policies tailored to high-risk populations. Future efforts should focus on vaccine distribution equity and enhancing diagnostic capabilities to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of Mpox., Competing Interests: All Authors Declare No Conflict of Interest., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Psychedelic drug therapy has gained prominence for its potential in treating various mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety. Psychedelic treatment differs from conventional psychiatric approaches in mode of action, legal status, and treatment approach. This work delves into the therapeutic potential, mechanisms, and regulatory approvals of key psychedelic substances like psilocybin, 3,4-Methyl enedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA), mescaline, ketamine, and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). It also provides an overview of legal aspects, and regulations surrounding psychedelics in the US & Europe, emphasizing their Schedule I classification due to potential misuse. The United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) closely monitors psychedelics, employing expedited pathways for evaluation. Further, recent guidance from the FDA on considerations for clinical Investigations supports the safe development of psychedelics for human welfare. European Medicines Agency (EMA) regulators focus on atypical psychedelics, addressing challenges in safety and efficacy. Marketed products, such as Spravato nasal spray, face limited distribution due to safety concerns. The call for careful regulation and legislation is essential for harnessing psychedelics' potential for therapeutic benefits and human welfare., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cancer ranks among the most life-threatening diseases worldwide and is continuously affecting all age groups. Consequently, many research studies are being carried out to develop new cancer treatments, but many of them experience resistance and cause severe toxicity to the patients. Therefore, there is a continuous need to design novel anticancer agents that are target-based, have a higher potency, and have minimal toxicity. The imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (IP) pharmacophore has been found to be a prominent moiety in the field of medicinal chemistry due to its vast biological properties. Also, it holds immense potential for combating cancer with minimal side effects, depending on the substitution patterns of the core structure. IPs exhibit significant capability in regulating various cellular pathways, offering possibilities for targeted anticancer effects. The present review summarizes the anticancer profile of numerous IP derivatives synthesized and developed by various researchers from 2016 till now, as inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR), protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (Akt/mTOR), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and tubulin polymerization. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the anticancer activity afforded by the discussed IP compounds, emphasizing the structure-activity-relationships (SARs). The aim is also to underscore the potential therapeutic future of the IP moiety as a potent partial structure for upcoming cancer drug development and to aid researchers in the field of rational drug design., (© 2024 Deutsche Pharmazeutische Gesellschaft.)

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the airways, posing a substantial health threat to a large number of people worldwide. Bronchodilators effectively alleviate symptoms of airway obstruction by inducing relaxation of the smooth muscles in the airways, thereby reducing breathlessness and enhancing overall quality of life. The drug targeting to lungs poses significant challenges; however, this issue can be resolved by employing nano- and micro-particles drug delivery systems. This review provides brief insights about underlying mechanisms of asthma, including the role of several inflammatory mediators that contribute to the development and progression of this disease. This article provides an overview of the physicochemical features, pharmacokinetics, and mechanism of action of particular groups of bronchodilators, including sympathomimetics, PDE-4 inhibitors (phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors), methylxanthines, and anticholinergics. This study presents a detailed summary of the most recent developments in incorporation of bronchodilators in nano- and micro-particle-based delivery systems which include solid lipid nanoparticles, bilosomes, novasomes, liposomes, polymeric nano- and micro-particles. Specifically, it focuses on breakthroughs in the categories of sympathomimetics, methylxanthines, PDE-4 inhibitors, and anticholinergics. These medications have the ability to specifically target alveolar macrophages, leading to a higher concentration of pharmaceuticals in the lung tissues., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no conflict of interest., (© King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2024. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

The development of cancer immunology heavily relies on the interaction between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and molecular chaperones. By participating in gene regulation, lncRNAs interact with molecular chaperones, which play a critical role in protein folding and stress responses, to influence oncogenic pathways. This interaction has an impact on both the immune cells within the tumor microenvironment and the tumor cells themselves. Understanding these mechanisms provides valuable insights into innovative approaches for diagnosis and treatment. Targeting the lncRNA-chaperone axis has the potential to strengthen anti-tumor immunity and enhance cancer treatment outcomes. Further research is necessary to uncover specific associations, identify biomarkers, and develop personalized therapies aimed at disrupting this axis, which could potentially revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Grave's disease affects numerous patients globally, but its impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in relation to geographical disparities remains under-explored. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the influence of urban versus rural residence on HR-QoL among patients diagnosed with Graves' Disease in Rajasthan, India. One hundred seven Graves' disease patients from rural and urban endocrine centers were analyzed. The rural group included 52 patients (24 males, 28 females), averaging 38.9 ± 10.9 years of age, while the urban group had 55 (13 males, 42 females) with an average age of 39.1 ± 14.2 years. We found differences between rural and urban patients in terms of gender ratio, BMI, smoking habits, and obesity. Multivariable linear regression was used in both groups to determine the association between the baseline characteristics of Graves' patients from both areas and HR-QOL. Health-related quality of life, assessed via the SF-36 questionnaire, indicated higher general health and role emotional scores among urban patients. Our study found that the duration of Graves' disease in rural centers negatively impacted physical health scores. In urban patients, age and BMI influenced physical health, while gender and disease duration affected mental health scores in rural patients. Age impacted mental health in urban patients. Rural patients had a poorer quality of life compared to urban patients. Differences in gender distribution, BMI, smoking habits, and obesity rates revealed disparities in Graves' disease between rural and urban patients in India, highlighting the need for better healthcare infrastructure and awareness in rural areas., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Mishra, Singh, Rajotiya, Debnath, Kumar, Singh, Snehpreet, Raj, Singh, Bareth, Nathiya and Singh Tomar.)

The present study investigated the relationship between MSH3 and MSH6 genes in lung cancer patients. Genotyping of lung cancer patients and healthy controls was performed. Odds ratio values were calculated and survival analysis performed. Patients with mutant genotype (TT) for MSH6 polymorphism have 1.5-fold risk for the development of lung cancer (p = 0.03). For non-smokers, the mutant-type genotype had a threefold increased risk of lung cancer (p = 0.01). Patients administered with docetaxel and carbo/cisplatin and carrying GT genotype for MSH6 polymorphism, patients reported a decrease in median survival time (4.9 vs 9.13 months). MSH3 and MSH6 polymorphisms are involved in modulating the risk towards lung cancer. MSH6 polymorphism is associated with high mortality rate for patients undergoing cisplatin and docetaxel chemotherapy., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis (TB) trends, patient demographics, disease types and hospitalisation duration within the Respiratory Medicine Department over three distinct phases: pre-COVID-19, COVID-19 and post-COVID-19., Design: Retrospective analysis using electronic medical records of patients with TB admitted between June 2018 and June 2023 was done to explore the impact of COVID-19 on patients with TB. The study employed a meticulous segmentation into pre-COVID-19, COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 eras., Setting: National Institute of Medical Science Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India., Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: Primary outcome includes patients admitted to the Respiratory Medicine Department of the hospital and secondary outcome involves the duration of hospital stay., Results: The study encompassed 1845 subjects across the three eras, revealing a reduction in TB incidence during the post-COVID-19 era compared with the pre-COVID-19 period (p<0.01). Substantial demographic shifts were observed, with 5.2% decline in TB incidence among males in the post-COVID-19 era (n=529) compared with the pre-COVID-19 era (n=606). Despite the decrease, overall TB incidence remained significantly higher in males (n=1460) than females (n=385), with consistently elevated rates in rural (65.8%) as compared with the urban areas (34.2%). Extended hospital stays were noted in the post-COVID-19 era compared with the pre-COVID-19 era (p<0.01)., Conclusion: The study underscores the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the TB landscape and hospitalisation dynamics. Notably, patient burden of TB declined during the COVID-19 era, with a decline in the post-COVID-19 era compared with the pre-COVID-19 era. Prolonged hospitalisation in the post-COVID-19 period indicates the need for adaptive healthcare strategies and the formulation of public health policies in a post-pandemic context. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the evolving TB scenario, emphasising the necessity for tailored healthcare approaches in the aftermath of a global health crisis., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Breast cancer, a global health concern predominantly affecting women, recorded 2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths in 2020. Alarmingly, projections suggest that by 2040, there could be over 3 million new cases and 1 million deaths. To assess breast cancer prevalence in 24 rural villages within a 60 km radius of NIMS Hospital, Tala Mod, Jaipur, Rajasthan, North India 303,121. A study involving 2023 participants conducted initial screenings, and positive cases underwent further tests, including ultrasound, mammography, and biopsy. SPSSv28 analysed collected data. Among 2023 subjects, 3 screened positive for breast lumps. Subsequent clinical examination and biopsy identified 1 normal case and 2 with breast cancer, resulting in a prevalence proportion of 0.0009 or 98 per 100,000. This study helps fill gap in breast cancer prevalence data for rural Rajasthan. The results highlight a concerning prevalence of breast cancer in the rural area near NIMS hospital, emphasizing the urgent need for increased awareness, early detection, and better healthcare access. Challenges like limited resources, awareness programs, and delayed diagnosis contribute to this high incidence. To address this, comprehensive approach is necessary, including improved screening programs and healthcare facilities in rural areas. Prioritizing rural healthcare and evidence-based strategies can reduce the burden of breast cancer and improve health outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The evolving challenge of persistent symptoms post-Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), particularly debilitating cardio-pulmonary manifestations, necessitates further exploration. Our study aimed to assess the cardio-pulmonary complications in patients a year after hospital discharge from severe COVID-19, contrasting these with findings from a non-COVID group., Methods: The OneCoV2 study, a prospective, case-control study, was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern India. We enrolled 43 subjects, with a mean age of 25.57 ± 7.94 years (COVID group) and 27.30 ± 8.17 years (non-COVID group). Comprehensive tests included pulmonary function tests, cardiac function tests, 6-min walk tests, and laboratory investigations., Results: Significant differences were found in the pulmonary function [forced vital capacity (FVC) (p = 0.037), forced expiratory flow (FEF) 25-75 % (p = 0.013)], and cardiac function [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.032), heart rate (HR) (p = 0.047)], along with the six-minute walk test results between the two groups. In the COVID group, Pearson's correlation showed a negative correlation between FVC and C-reactive protein (CRP) [r = -0.488, p = 0.007] and a positive correlation between the six-minute walk test [r = 0.431, p = 0.003] and HR [r = 0.503, p = 0.013]., Conclusions: Our data suggest that pulmonary abnormalities are prevalent in COVID patients even after 1-year of hospital discharge. Cardiac biomarkers also show an inclination towards the COVID group. While we found significant correlations involving some parameters like FVC, CRP, HR, and results from the six-minute walk test, we did not find any significant correlations with the other tested parameters in our study., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Data on the correlation between glycemic variability and depression in nondiabetic patients remain limited. Considering the link between increased glycemic variability and cardiovascular risks, this relationship could be significant in depressed patients., Methods: In this single-center pilot study, we utilized Flash Glucose Monitoring (Abbott Libre Pro) to study glycemic variability. The CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies- Depression) scale was employed to measure depression levels. Based on CES-D scores, patients were classified into two groups: those with scores ≥ 33 and those with scores < 33. We analyzed various glycemic variability indices, including HBGI, CONGA, ADDR, MAGE, MAG, LI, and J-Index, employing the EasyGV version 9.0 software. SPSS (version 28) facilitated the data analysis., Results: We screened patients with depression visiting the department of psychiatry, FGM was inserted in eligible patients of both the groups which yielded a data of 196 patient-days (98 patient-days for CES-D ≥ 33 and 98 patient-days for CES-D < 33). The glycemic variability indices CONGA (mg/dl), (76.48 ± 11.9 vs. 65.08 ± 7.12) ( p = 0.048), MAGE (mg/dl) (262.50 ± 25.65 vs. 227.54 ± 17.72) ( p = 0.012), MODD (mg/dl) (18.59 ± 2.77 vs. 13.14 ± 2.39) ( p = 0.002), MAG(mg/dl) (92.07 ± 6.24vs. 63.86 ± 9.38) ( p = <0.001) were found to be significantly higher in the CES-D ≥ 33 group., Conclusion: Patients with more severe depressive symptoms, as suggested by CES-D ≥ 33, had higher glycemic variability., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Mishra, Singh, Rajotiya, Singh, Raj, Bareth, Singh, Jagawat, Nathiya and Tomar.)

The association between frailty and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Asian patients with liver cirrhosis and sarcopenia remains largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving individuals aged 32 to 69 years, all diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. The chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) was used to assess HR-QoL, the CLDQ score was used as an outcome to measure the factors related to HR-QoL, and the liver frailty index (LFI) was used to assess the frailty status. The association between the frailty status and the CLDQ summary scales was investigated using the correlation coefficient and multiple regression analyses. A total of 138 patients in the frail ( n = 62) and non-frail ( n = 76) groups with (alcohol: 97; viral: 24; autoimmune: 17; and cryptogenic: 12) were included in the study. Age, CTP score, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) sodium were significantly higher in the frail group. In the CLDQ domains, there was a significant difference between the frail and non-frail groups ( p value = 0.001). In health-related quality-of-life summary measures, there was a strong negative correlation between frailty and the scores for activities, emotional function, and fatigue ( p value = 0.001). When comparing frail to non-frail patients, these characteristics demonstrated significantly increased odds as indicated by their adjusted odds ratios: OR 3.339 ( p value = 0.013), OR 3.998 ( p value = 0.006), and OR 4.626 ( p value = 0.002), respectively.

Aim and Scope: Glycemic variability (GV) denotes the fluctuations in the glucose values around the baseline. High glycemic variability is associated with a higher risk of diabetes-associated complications. In this study, we sought to determine the impact of therapeutic interventions based on flash glucose monitoring on rapid, short-term glycemic variability. We also studied the prevalent albuminuria in diabetic kidney disease and its effect on glycemic variability., Methods: In a 14-day, single-center, prospective intervention study, we measured the GV indices at baseline (days 1-4) and ten days after ambulatory glucose profile-based intervention using flash glucose monitoring (Abbott Libre Pro, Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, California, USA) in patients with type 2 diabetes. An EasyGV calculator was used to estimate the flash glucose monitoring (FGM)-derived measures of GV. The primary outcome was to assess the impact of FGMS-based therapeutic interventions on glycemic variability markers: SD, mean amplitude of glycemic excursion [MAGE], continuous overall net glycemic action [CONGA], absolute means of daily differences [MODD],  M  value, and coefficient of variance [%CV], AUC below 70 mg/dl, low blood glucose index, AUC above 180 mg/dl [AUC >180], high blood glucose index [HBGI], and J index. Time-related matrices (time in range (%), time above range (%), and time below range (%) were also calculated from the ambulatory glucose profile. Renal function parameters (serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, urine albumin excretion) were calculated. The GV with regard to albumin excretion rate was compared., Results: Fifty-eight T2DM patients (63.8%, males) with a mean age of 51.5 ± 11.9 years were studied. When compared with baseline (days 1-4), on day 14, there was a significant improvement in mean sensor glucose (mg/dl) median (IQR) [155 (116-247) vs 131 (103-163) (p ≤0.001)], JINDEX [15,878 (7,706-28,298) vs 8,812 (5,545-14,130) (p ≤0.001)], HBGI [361 (304-492) vs 334 (280-379) (p ≤0.001)], MAGE (mg/dl) [112 (8-146) vs 82 (59-109) (p ≤0.001)], M-value [2,477 (1,883-3,848) vs 2,156 (1,667-2,656) (p ≤ 0.001)], MAG (mg/dl) [111 (88-132) vs 88 (69-102) (p ≤ 0.001)]. Patients with albuminuria at baseline had high mean sensor glucose (mg/dl) median (IQR) [190 (131-200) vs 131 (112-156) (p = 0.001)], CONGA (mg/dl) median (IQR) [155 (101-165) vs 108 (83-120) (p = 0.001)], JINDEX, HBGI, MAGE (mg/dl), and M-value are, median (IQR) [20,715 (10,970-26,217 vs 91,118 (6,504-15,445)) (p ≤ 0.01)], [415 (338-423) vs 328 (292-354) (p = 0.001)], [125 (102-196) vs 103 (74-143) (p ≤ 0.01)], [3,014 (2,233-3,080) vs 2,132 (1,788-2,402) (p ≤0.01)], respectively., Conclusion: In type 2 diabetes, flash glucose monitoring-guided therapeutic interventions can reduce glycemic variability in a brief span (10 days) of time. Also, albuminuria in type 2 diabetes is associated with high glycemic variability. Reduced diabetes complications may ultimately result from this reduced glycemic variability., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Nathiya, Singh, Suman, Bareth, Pal, Jain and Tomar.)

ZnGa 2 O 4 nanocomposites have been widely used for photocatalytic degradation of industrial dyes. In this work, ZnGa 2 O 4 was synthesized from zinc sulphate heptahydrate ZnSO 4 . 10H 2 O and Gallium (III) oxide (Ga 2 O 3 ) by hydrothermal method. As prepared, ZnGa 2 O 4 nanocomposites was used as a photocatalyst degradation of three organic dyes rhodamine-B, methylene blue, and methyl orange, under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. The ZnGa 2 O 4 nanocomposites structure, morphology, size and optical properties were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and photoluminescence spectra (PL). Moreover, the results explained the rate-controlling mechanisms of the dye degradation process followed by second-order kinetics. After 100 min of adsorption kinetic models, the decomposition of rhodamine-B (7.2 Ct mg/L, 5.2 Ct mg/L, and 4.1 Ct mg/L), methylene blue (42.8 qt mg/g, 44.8 qt mg/g, and 45.9 qt mg/g), and methyl orange (42.8 qe mg/g, 44.8 qe mg/g, and 45.9 qe mg/g) respectively. This investigation study offers a promising method to design more efficient ZnGa 2 O 4 nanocomposites based photocatalytic degradation of industrial organic dyes., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This retrospective study aims to investigate the impact of tocilizumab on inflammatory markers in patients with severe COVID-19. The effect on oxygenation was also assessed., Methods: This study is a single-centre, retrospective cohort study conducted at NIMS hospital. Data of the eligible patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who received injection tocilizumab (max 800 mg) were charted and analysed. Oxygenation and inflammatory markers were compared before and after (day 3 and day 7) tocilizumab injection. Effect of dysglycemia on the efficacy of tocilizumab was assessed. Outcomes were analysed in the form of discharge without oxygen, discharge with oxygen, and death. Data were analysed by SPSS v22., Results: The mean age of the subjects was 57.8 ± 12.2 years, and 78.57% were male. Forty-four percent of the patient had type 2 diabetes. Tocilizumab treatment was associated with reduction in the oxygen requirement [median:10 L/min (IQR6- 14)] v/s 4 L/min (IQR 3-7, p-0.005]. Peripheral oxygen saturation also improved after tocilizumab [92 % (IQR 90-96)] v/s [95 % (IQR 94-96), p-0.01)], respectively. Serum CRP level decreased significantly when evaluated after three days (44±5 v/s 20 ±3 mg/dl, p=< 0.001). Out of the 42, 12 (29%) patients died due to severe COVID-19 or its complications. When compared with the patients who survived, patients who died had a higher level of D-dimer (1.2 ± 0.51 v/s 3.1 ±1.2 ng/dl, p-value- 0.04), and LDH: (845 ±55 v/s 1364 ±198 U/L, p - 0.01). At day seven of the tocilizumab injection, diabetic patients (n-13) had higher IL-6 serum level than nondiabetic patients (n-16) [(median- 311(IQR-1245.5) v/s (209 (IQR-546.2), p-value- 0.048]., Conclusion: In this retrospective pre-post analysis, tocilizumab injection was associated with reduced inflammation and improved oxygenation in severe COVID-19. Despite high IL-6 levels, diabetes had no impact on the efficacy of the tocilizumab., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) supplementations on the parameters associated with improved prognosis in sarcopenic patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and evaluate its impact on cirrhotic-related events. Methods: A 24-week, single-center, randomized, open-label, controlled, two cohort parallel-group intervention study was carried out by comparing the efficacy of BCAAs against lactoalbumin (L-ALB) on 106 sarcopenic patients with LC. The BCAA (intervention) group was treated with 7.2 g BCAA per dose, whereas the L-ALB group was treated with 6.3 g of L-ALB. The primary outcome was to assess the effect of BCAA on the parameters of sarcopenia, such as muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. The secondary outcomes were to study the combined survival and maintenance of liver function changes in laboratory and prognostic markers over the duration of 6 months. Results: The treatment with BCAA leads to the significant improvement in sarcopenic parameters, such as muscle strength, muscle function, and muscle mass. The total cirrhotic-related complications and cumulative event-free survival occurred fewer in the BCAA group than in the L-ALB group. In addition, prognostic markers improved significantly in the study. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that long-term BCAAs supplementation improved sarcopenia and prognostic markers in patients with advanced LC., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Singh Tejavath, Mathur, Nathiya, Singh, Raj, Suman, Mundada, Atif, Rai and Tomar.)

Background: Specific treatment for COVID-19 is still an unmet need. Outcomes of clinical trials on repurposed drugs have not been yielding success. Therefore, it is necessary to include complementary approaches of medicine against COVID-19., Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the impact of traditional Indian Ayurvedic treatment regime on asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 infection., Study Design: It is a placebo controlled randomized double-blind pilot clinical trial., Methods: The study was registered with Clinical Trial Registry-India (vide Registration No. CTRI/2020/05/025273) and conducted at the Department of Medicine in National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jaipur, India. 1 g of Giloy Ghanvati (Tinospora cordifolia) and 2 g of Swasari Ras (traditional herbo-mineral formulation) and 0.5 g each of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Tulsi Ghanvati (Ocimum sanctum) were given orally to the patients in treatment group twice per day for 7 days. Medicines were given in the form of tablets and each tablet weighed 500 mg. While, Swasari Ras was administered in powdered form, 30 min before breakfasts and dinners, rest were scheduled for 30 min post-meals. Patients in the treatment group also received 4 drops of Anu taila (traditional nasal drop) in each nostril every day 1 h before breakfast. Patients in the placebo group received identical-looking tablets and drops, post randomization and double blinded assortments. RT-qPCR test was used for the detection of viral load in the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples of study participants during the study. Chemiluminescent immunometric assay was used to quantify serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on day 1 and day 7 of the study., Results: By day 3, 71.1 % and 50.0 % patients recovered in the treatment and placebo groups, respectively. Treatment group witnessed 100 % recovery by day 7, while it was 60.0 % in the placebo group. Average fold changes in serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α in treatment group were respectively, 12.4, 2.5 and 20 times lesser than those in the placebo group at day 7. There was 40 % absolute reduction in the risk of delayed recovery from infection in the treatment group., Conclusions: Ayurvedic treatment can expedite virological clearance, help in faster recovery and concomitantly reduce the risk of viral dissemination. Reduced inflammation markers suggested less severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the treatment group. Moreover, there was no adverse effect observed to be associated with this treatment., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Background: - Health care workers are under a substantial level of psychological impact due to the risk of exposure, workload and moral dilemmas as the nation is on upsurge of COVID-19 cases. Since there are limited research available on this issue from India, we have decided to conduct an online survey to evaluate mental health outcome and professional quality of life among healthcare worker during COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: - From 25th May to 10th June 2020, a web-based (FRONT-LINE COVID) survey was conducted. Impact of event revised (IES-R), Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC) and Professional Quality of life (ProQOL) and Feeling related questions were administered among Healthcare workers from different departments of hospital., Results: - Among the respondents,218 (52.1%) belongs from the low-risk unit and 200 (47.9%) from the 'high-risk unit' including a higher proportion of nurses 191 (45.7%), female 282(67.5%), aged 31-40 years (48.3%), and married 220 (52.6%). Overall female nurses (P=>0.001), doctors (P=0.02) those were working in an emergency unit (P= <0.001) were at greater risk of psychological distress. Middle-aged (31- 40 years) had a higher level of resilience (p=0.02) contrast to this; working in COVID-19 unit was associated with a lower scale of resilience (p=0.009). Resilience and QoL were an important predictor for psychological distress., Conclusion: - Results implicate interventions for stress management and social support among medical staff working in the pandemic., (© 2020 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

The pH dependent size control of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and its biosensing potential with Tin Oxide and Tin Sulfide Quantum Dots (SnO 2 /SnS 2 QDs) is reported. The role of disulfide bond cleavage in BSA at acidic and circumneutral pH conditions (3 and 7.2) with sodium borohydride as reducing agent, makes changes in its stability, prone to aggregation and microcapsule formation respectively. Here, the structural reduction in BSA (r-BSA2) at pH 7.2 probed more -OH groups eventually creating adhesive surfaces for SnO 2 /SnS 2 QDs due to electrostatic and hydrophobic forces, thus avoids the aggregation of SnO 2 /SnS 2 QDs in composite formation. The accumulation of more active sites in SnO 2 /SnS 2 QDs decorated r-BSA2 (SnO 2 /SnS 2 @r-BSA2) nanobiocomposite favored suitable orientation for Melatonin (Mel) detection. The designed SnO 2 /SnS 2 @r-BSA2 nanobiocomposite over the screen printing electrode exhibited electrochemical detection capabilities for the selective and sensitive recognition of Mel in the linear range of 0.2-1000 μM with a lower detection limit of 16 nM. Additionally, the fabricated biosensor was successfully validated for the determination of Mel in real samples., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)