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Background: Limited research has explored the impact of skill laboratory (lab) training on skill retention. Aims: This study aimed to assess and compare the effectiveness of skill retention between the modified Peyton’s four-step (MPFS) skill lab training approach and the conventional approach (CA) for intravenous (I.V.) access. This research employed a randomized controlled study design conducted within the Skill Development Unit of a Private Medical College and Hospital. Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight first-year medical students were randomly allocated into two groups. These groups received the MPFS or CA approach in small-sized skill lab training sessions focusing on I.V. access. The teacher-to-student ratio was maintained at 1:8, and the duration of each skill session was meticulously documented. Student performance was video recorded right after the teaching session and again at 3 months. The evaluation of skill effectiveness on both occasions was conducted by an impartial faculty member using a binary checklist. Additionally, feedback from both students and faculty members was collected. Group characteristics were analyzed using the chi-square test, and the outcomes of the groups were compared with the Student t test. A P < 0.05 was deemed to be of statistical significance. Results: The MPFS group consistently achieved significantly higher scores and had more proficient students during both assessment times (12 and 13) compared to the CA group, which had lower scores at both time points (3 and 4). Notably, there was no decline in skill proficiency within either group at the 3-month mark. The CA group expressed their appreciation for the chance to demonstrate independent performance, while the MPFS group placed value on receiving feedback and undergoing repeated observations. It is worth noting that both training approaches were manageable for faculty; however, the MPFS approach necessitated more time compared to the CA approach. Conclusion: The MPFS approach outperformed the CA method in acquiring I.V. access skills immediately after training and at the 3-month follow-up.

Abstract A complex of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and fluorescein (FL) dye nanoparticles of size between 50 and 100 nm has been prepared and its sensing performance for detection of As(III) in drinking water has been reported. When As(III) binds to the rGO–FL nanoparticles the relative quenching of fluorescence was increased with increase in As(III) concentration thus provide two linear calibration ranges (0–4.0 mmol L−1 and 4.0–10 mmol L−1). The fluorescence quenching mechanism was investigated by using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The detection limit of this sensor has been determined as equal to 0.96 µg L−1 which is about 10 times lower than the WHO stipulated standard for As(III) in drinking water (10 µg L−1). The analytical performance and potential application of the nanosensor was compared to commercial field kits used in arsenic monitoring. The sensor proposed in this study is fast, sensitive and accurate for detection of As(III) in drinking water and environmental samples.

Abstract It is a great challenge to convert thermochemically stable CO2 into value-added products such as CH4, CH3OH, CO via utilizing solar energy. It is also a difficult task to develop an efficient catalyst for the reduction of CO2. We have designed and synthesized noble metal-free photocatalytic nanostructure Ni2P/CdS and Pt/TiO2 for conversion of CO2 to methanol in the presence of sacrificial donor triethylamine (TEA) and hydrogen peroxide. The synthesised catalysts physicochemical properties were studied by using several spectroscopic techniques like; XRD, UV-DRS, XPS, TEM, SEM and PL. Quantification of methanol by GC–MS showed encouraging results of 1424.8 and 2843 μmol g−1 of catalyst for Pt/TiO2 and 5 wt% Ni2P/CdS composites, respectively. Thus, Ni2P/CdS is a promising catalyst with higher productivity and significant selectivity than in-vogue catalysts.

Flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds play a key role in wound healing cycle modulation. Propolis, a natural bee product, has been widely reported as an enriched source of polyphenols and flavonoids as important chemical constituents and for its wound healing potential. The goal of this study was to develop and characterize a propolis-based polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel composition with wound healing potential. To understand the impacts of critical material attributes and process parameters, formulation development was carried out using a design of experiment approach. A preliminary phytochemical analysis of Indian propolis extract showed the presence of flavonoids (23.61 ± 0.0452 mg equivalent of quercetin/g) and polyphenols (34.82 ± 0.0785 mg equivalent of gallic acid/g), both of which aid in wound healing and skin tissue regeneration. The pH, viscosity, and in vitro release of the hydrogel formulation were also studied. The burn wound healing model results revealed significant (p < 0.0001) wound contraction by propolis hydrogel (93.58 + 0.15%) with rapid re-epithelialization relative to 5% w/w povidone iodine ointment USP (Cipladine®) (95.39 + 0.16%). The excision wound healing model confirms significant (p < 0.0001) wound contraction by propolis hydrogel (91.45 + 0.29%) with accelerated re-epithelialization comparable to 5% w/w povidone iodine ointment USP (Cipladine®) (94.38 + 0.21%). The developed formulation offers promise for wound healing, which may be investigated further for clinical research.

Naturally occurring flavonoids have been shown to possess anticancer activity. We have previously shown that certain synthetic flavonoids also exert significant antiproliferative potential in MOLT-4, MCF-7, and HepG2 cell lines. To this end, we evaluated eight synthetic flavones for their CDK2 binding by molecular docking. Most flavones showed interaction with Leu 83. Based on docking and antiproliferative activity, we chose 3’-nitroflavone and 3’, 5’-dimethoxyflavone for the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and CDK2 inhibition studies. MD simulation studies confirmed interactions with CDK2 (as observed in docking). Furthermore, the inhibitory activities of CDK2/cyclin A2 enzyme for 3’-nitroflavone and 3’, 5’-dimethoxyflavone were found to be 6.17 and 7.19 μM, respectively. 3’-nitroflavone and 3’, 5’-dimethoxyflavone displayed moderate activity in colony formation assay, wound-scratch assay, and Leighton tube studies. Based on these data, the synthesized flavones might have clinical potential as potential inhibitors of CDK2.

Background: Yoga and naturopathy (Y&N) is a system of medicine primarily focusing on restoration of health and well-being. Objective of this study is to understand the knowledge, attitude, and perception about Y&N among the inpatients of a government Y&N institution in south India. Methods: Focus group discussion was conducted in eight adult patients aged between 30 and 60 years who took Y&N treatments for a period of 10 days or more. Purposive sampling method was adopted. Oral informed consent was obtained. Results: Knowledge about the Y&N system of medicine was primarily through referral or "word of mouth." Perceived benefits were both physical and psychological. Uniqueness of the hospital as mentioned by participants includes individual attention, tailor-made treatment protocols, and one-to-one care to the needy patients. Conclusion: An integrated approach is very much essential that might bring about better treatment outcomes in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of the study was to study the effectiveness of a recommended screening strategy for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients with systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (SIRDs) treated with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). Methods: The study included patients being considered for bDMARD treatment. Screening strategy included screening with “4S symptom complex (current cough, fever, weight loss, and night sweats) for TB,” augmented Mantoux test using ten tuberculin unit (TU) strength simultaneously with QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFTG) test. Those with a Mantoux test reading of ≥10 mm induration at 48–72 h and/or with a positive QFTG test, were given TB prophylaxis before initiating bDMARDs. They were followed and monitored for any features of tuberculosis flare. Results: A total of 730 patients (265 rheumatoid arthritis, 400 axial spondyloarthritis [axSpA], 34 psoriatic arthritis, and 31 others) were considered for bDMARDs. Two hundred and sixty-seven (36.6%) were positive for LTBI. They were treated either with isoniazid monotherapy for 6 months or with rifampicin + isoniazid for 4 months. bDMARDs were started 1 month after initiating chemoprophylaxis. Five (0.68%) patients developed active TB disease in the follow-up. In a total of 2930 “control” patients with the same diseases but never having taken bDMARDs, 18 (0.61%) developed active TB disease. The proportion of patients developing active TBI during the same period of follow-up did not differ between those who were and those who were not treated with bDMARDs. None of the study participants had “4S” symptoms. Conclusion: The strategy of clinical screening for active TBI with “4S complex,” standard chest radiograph, and an augmented Mantoux testing (10 TU purified protein derivative, [PPD]) simultaneously with QFTG test for the screening of LTBI, was successful in identifying active TBI in patients treated with bDMARDs.

Mineral carbonation in aqueous solutions presents a pragmatic avenue for tackling the challenges associated with carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, particularly in limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 °C for climate change mitigation. The urgency to engineer the removal of atmospheric CO2 has driven the exploration of innovative methods for direct conversion into valuable products, with a specific emphasis on calcite as a promising approach for carbon dioxide sequestration. This investigation focuses on the biomimetic strategy of emulating the catalytic activity of carbonic anhydrase by synthesizing a zinc-based metal-organic framework. The MOF, synthesized with Zinc as the central metal coordinated by 1,2,3-benzene tricarboxylic acid, displays noteworthy structural adaptability, diversity, and an extensive surface area. The characterisation of synthesised materials through UV DRS, XRD, XPS, FTIR, SEM, and Raman analyses corroborates its structural features. A comparative study with a Nickel-based MOF (Ni-BTC-MOF) underscores the advantages of zinc over nickel in CO2 mineralisation experiments. Remarkably, Zn-BTC-MOF demonstrates superior catalytic activity, reusability, solvent compatibility, and thermal stability compared to Ni-BTC-MOF. The Zn-BTC-MOF catalyst achieves a mineralisation yield of 25 mg, comparable with the reported results for natural carbonic anhydrase (34.92 mg) and imidazole-carbonic anhydrase (21.55 mg). The Zn-BTC-MOF catalyst displays exceptional reusability, maintaining CO2 mineralisation activity across over a broad pH and temperature range. These findings underscore the potential of Zn-BTC-MOF as an effective biomimetic catalyst for carbon dioxide mineralisation, holding promising applications in carbon capture and utilization technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]