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Abstract Gauri Kapoor Background The survival of children with cancer has improved owing to advances in chemotherapy and better supportive care, and nutritional support is an important component of the latter especially in low- and middle-income countries like India. Materials and Methods A prospective observational study of 137 newly diagnosed children with cancer aged less than 18 years was planned. Nutritional assessment was done using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), anthropometry, and serum albumin. Patients were followed for 3 months for assessment of treatment-related morbidity. Results Lean body mass (LBM; DXA), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and body mass index detected undernutrition in 44, 45, and 14% patients, respectively. Combination of arm anthropometry (MUAC and triceps skinfold thickness) with serum albumin categorized patients as adequately nourished (32%), moderately depleted (18%), and severely depleted (49%). Patients with hematological malignancy had a higher prevalence of undernutrition but there was no difference in morbidities between the undernourished and adequately nourished children by any parameter. Hypoalbuminemia observed in 25% patients was associated with significant chemotherapy delays (p, 0.01) and interval admissions (p, 0.03). Using LBM as a criterion, linear regression analysis revealed MUAC (R 2 = 0.681) as the best predictor of undernutrition with lowest standard error. Conclusion Our study reports undernutrition among two-fifths of newly diagnosed patients of childhood cancer associated with high prevalence of sarcopenia and adiposity. These findings are of utmost clinical relevance in planning interventional strategies.

Role of crop diversification on productivity has been studied widely but its impact on soil carbon dynamics is least studied. The present study was designed to compare the effects of crop diversification in terms of rice‐based mixed crops viz. wheat (RW), chickpea (RC), and flaxseed (RF) and mono‐crops viz. pigeonpea (PP) and mustard (MU) on major soil quality including physical, chemical and biological parameters, total crop biomass, and carbon input (CI) in a tropical rainfed dryland agroecosystem. Trend of total crop biomass observed was: pigeonpea > rice > wheat > mustard > flaxseed > chickpea. Across all the crop sequences, CI into the soil through crop residues including stubbles and root biomass varied considerably and followed the trend: PP > RW > RF > RC > MU. Levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), humic acid, fulvic acid, water holding capacity (WHC), macro‐aggregate fraction, microbial biomass carbon and phosphorus, enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase, and β‐glucosidase were higher whereas bulk density, meso‐, and micro‐aggregate fractions were lower in the mixed crops than mono‐crops. SOC was positively correlated to all the attributes except bulk density, meso‐, and micro‐aggregate fractions. Lower values of the various soil quality attributes in PP despite the highest CI into the soil as compared to all the mixed crops might be due to the soil carbon priming effect. This study indicated that the quantity of CI through mixed crops had less impact in sustaining soil fertility and productivity of agroecosystems and suggests that the quality of CI play vital role. Mixed cropping sequence especially rice‐wheat was found to be the better option for the dry tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegenerative diseases represent a pressing global health challenge, and the identification of novel mechanisms underlying their pathogenesis is of utmost importance. Ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a pivotal player in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. This review delves into the discovery of ferroptosis, the critical players involved, and their intricate role in the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration, with an emphasis on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. We critically appraise unsolved mechanistic links involved in the initiation and propagation of ferroptosis, such as a signaling cascade resulting in the de-repression of lipoxygenase translation and the role played by mitochondrial voltage-dependent anionic channels in iron homeostasis. Particular attention is given to the dual role of heme oxygenase in ferroptosis, which may be linked to the non-specific activity of P450 reductase in the endoplasmic reticulum. Despite the limited knowledge of ferroptosis initiation and progression in neurodegeneration, Nrf2/Bach1 target genes have emerged as crucial defenders in anti-ferroptotic pathways. The activation of Nrf2 and the inhibition of Bach1 can counteract ferroptosis and present a promising avenue for future therapeutic interventions targeting ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fiber composites offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic polymer composites, addressing the environmental concerns associated with traditional materials. This study aims to investigate the effect of flame‐retardant additives (magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2 [A] and aluminum hydroxide Al(OH)3 [B]) on hemp fiber‐based epoxy composites with a different fire retardant (FR) loading, that is, 0%, 8%, 12%, and 24%. An evaluation of flame‐retardant effectiveness on composites was carried out using thermogravimetric analysis, limited oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 horizontal burning, morphological analysis scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and char residue analysis. The results show that introducing the flame retardants in the hemp–epoxy composites improved the thermal stability and flame retardancy of hemp–epoxy composites When composites were incorporated with flame retardants, the Horizontal burning rate was decreased, and LOI was increased. The lowest Horizontal burning rate of prepared composites was recorded as 11.6 mm/min, and the highest LOI was 25.3%. SEM shows uniform distribution of FR particles in the prepared composite. It is concluded that adding flame‐retardant additives efficiently improves the flame retardancy properties of the prepared composites. Highlights: The mechanical and flammability behavior of developed composites were investigated after adding magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide to composites.An enhancement in flame retardancy and a slight reduction in mechanical properties are observed in composites.The purpose of this study is to expand the area where flame‐retardant ramie fabrics may be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]