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The efficient mitigation of acoustic disturbances is essential for various applications. The primary purpose of this work is to investigate how structural parameters of a hybrid acoustic structure, integrating 3D-printed perforated panels and open-pore polyurethane foam, influence its sound absorption properties. Various configurations of this acoustic structure were examined, maintaining a consistent total thickness of 25 mm but varying individual layer thicknesses. Panel thicknesses ranged from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, with corresponding foam layers adjusted to maintain the overall thickness. Perforation diameters ranged from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, and the number of holes varied systematically between 50 and 250. The focus was on lower frequencies up to 2000 Hz. The 1/3rd octave frequency bands were used to quantify the Sound Absorption Coefficient, with the Noise Reduction Coefficient used for a holistic understanding of acoustic properties. The acoustic performance exhibited frequency-dependent behaviour, generally peaking in the mid-frequency range. Notably, the Noise Reduction Coefficient ranged between 0.1510 and 0.4786 across different configurations. Peak absorption was observed between 630 Hz and 1250 Hz for most configurations, with particular structures achieving coefficients as high as 0.99. The number of perforations, hole diameter, and panel thickness played crucial roles in influencing the sound absorption properties, allowing for tailored acoustic solutions. Combining polyurethane foam and 3D-printed perforated panels provides a promising approach for efficient sound absorption for a specified frequency range. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of the influence of structural parameters on sound absorption capabilities, laying the groundwork for optimized, application-specific acoustic solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective sound absorption is crucial in environments like schools and hospitals. This study evaluates open-pore polyurethane foam and perforated onyx panels, which attenuate noise via distinct mechanisms: porous materials convert sound energy to heat through viscous and thermal losses, while perforated panels use resonant behaviour for energy dissipation. The impact of hole geometries and panel orientations on the sound absorption coefficient and noise reduction coefficient was investigated using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 for finite element analysis and ISO 10534-2 compliant impedance tube experiments. Six perforated panel configurations were 3D-printed with varying hole diameters and backed by a 24 mm polyurethane foam layer. Both 'forward' and 'reverse' configurations were assessed. A tapered hole from 4 mm to 2 mm showed the highest sound absorption across the 100–4000 Hz range, with a noise reduction coefficient of 0.444, excelling in both orientations. Reverse designs generally performed less, underscoring the importance of hole geometry and orientation. Experimental results aligned with FEA simulations, validating the computational model. This study elucidates sound absorption mechanisms of porous and perforated materials, providing a validated framework for material selection in noise-sensitive settings and highlighting 3D-printing's potential in noise control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oral soft lesions represent a diverse array of pathological conditions that necessitate precise and effective treatment. Laser-assisted excision has gained prominence due to its purported benefits in terms of reduced procedural time, decreased bleeding, and improved aesthetic outcomes. However, conventional excision remains a common practice. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients with clinically diagnosed oral soft lesions were enrolled in this prospective study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the laser-assisted excision group and the conventional excision group. Demographics, lesion characteristics, and medical histories were recorded for each patient. Procedural parameters such as operative time and intraoperative bleeding were meticulously documented. Results: The laser-assisted excision group exhibited a statistically significant reduction in procedural duration compared to the conventional excision group (P < 0.05), with mean operative times of 15.2 and 20.8 min, respectively. Intraoperative bleeding was significantly reduced in the laser-assisted group (P < 0.01), with an average blood loss of 15.7 ml, while the conventional excision group reported an average blood loss of 28.6 ml. Postoperative complications analysis demonstrated that the laser-assisted group had a lower incidence of wound infections (P < 0.05) compared to the conventional excision group (5% vs. 15%). Additionally, the laser-assisted group exhibited significantly reduced scarring (P < 0.01) as reported by both patients and clinicians. Patient satisfaction scores were consistently higher in the laser-assisted excision group, with 85% of patients reporting contentment with the procedure, in contrast to 65% in the conventional excision group. Conclusion: In light of the results obtained from this study, laser-assisted excision emerges as a favorable approach for the management of oral soft lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thread lifting is a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure that lifts and realigns sagging tissue. Definisse double‐needle threads are the latest fourth generation absorbable, monofilament, suspension barbed threads of synthetic origin with convergent bidirectional barbs. Definisse thread produces dual action; mechanical action gives a lifting effect and over a period, it promotes histological revitalizing action. Objectives: To evaluate the real‐world efficacy and safety of Definisse double‐needle threads for lower facial lifting for jaw line reshaping in Indian patients. Methods: This is an observational, retrospective study involving patients who underwent treatment for lower‐face reshaping using Definisse double‐needle 12 cm threads. Results: Fifty patients with a mean age of 47.44 years were included in the study with an average follow‐up of 5.14 months. All the patients have undergone Jawline Reshaping (JR) procedure, while 70% of patients also underwent Malar Reshaping (MR) technique simultaneously. Mean of Physician and Subject Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (PGAIS and SGAIS) showed improvement immediately after the procedure (mean scores 2.82 and 2.7, respectively) and showed further improvement at the follow‐up (3.72 and 3.58, respectively). Moreover, most of the patients immediately after the procedure rated the improvement in PGAIS and SGAIS as "much improved" compared to pre‐procedure appearance (78% and 66%, respectively), while, at follow‐up, 76% and 66% of the patients, respectively, rated "improved very much" compared to pre‐procedure appearance. Conclusion: Current study has demonstrated the effectiveness of the latest Definisse threads in Indian patients in performing tissue repositioning to provide a noticeable lifting effect. Procedure was also well tolerated and none of the patients developed serious complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To look into pertinent factors and patients who had been admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the week and on the weekends. Method: Retrospective population-based study from 2021 to 2022 among patients with the first AMI total of 1500, the weekday group of 987, and the weekend group of 513, with no statistically significant differences in the other variables such as emergency, hospital level, hospital ownership, and urban-rural gap. In addition, this study analyzed these samples by identifying outcome differences between those admitted on weekdays and weekends after they received tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) treatment, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), or a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). No significant difference in average hospitalization fees or average length of stay was observed between weekdays and weekends. A significant difference in admission was observed between the weekday and weekend samples (P<.001). In conclusion, expanding the use of EMS for patients with suspected MI in the current era of acute reperfusion may present a significant opportunity for public health advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety factor of a pressure vessel is related to both the tensile stress and yield strength for material allowance. ASME code section VIII has fully covered these two on the construction code for pressure vessel. This code section addressed mandatory and non-mandatory appendixes requirement, specific prohibition, vessel materials, design, fabrication, examination, inspection, testing, certification, and pressure relief. Mechanical design of a horizontal pressure vessel based on this standard had been done incorporating PV ELITE software. Analyses were carried out on head, shell, nozzle and saddle. The input parameters are type of material, pressure, temperature, diameter, and corrosion allowance. Analysis performed the calculations of internal and external pressure, weight of the element, allowable stresses, vessel longitudinal stress check, nozzle check and saddle check. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Amid the health risk posed by coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, all the educational institutions in India have adopted online teaching as a method of imparting education. Thus, the current study was executed to evaluate the perception and preparedness of dental students toward online learning in dental education. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 286 dental undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students employing a pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire focused on technological access, computer and online skills, and motivational skills to use e-learning for educational purpose. The response scale for each domain was classified into low readiness level (mean value = 1-<3), acceptable/moderate readiness level (mean value = 3-<4), and high readiness level (mean value = 4-5). Results: The results showed a high level of computer (4.02 ± 0.73) and online skills (4.05 ± 0.70) and acceptable levels of technology access (3.62 ± 0.73) and motivational level (3.61 ± 0.82). There was a significant difference in computer (P = 0.017) and online skills (P = 0.044) among UG and PG students, with PG students reporting better soft skills. Majority of the students reported participating in online workshops (68.2%) and examinations (76.6%). Around 55.2% of the students reported a positive impact and 8% reported a very positive impact of online methods on their learning. Conclusion: Students showed a high level of readiness toward e-learning methods along with some difficulties faced during e-learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scarring is a common and undesirable outcome of acne vulgaris. There are limited effective topical formulations for acne scar treatment. The investigational product, acne scar serum (HEXILAK® Acne Scar Serum) is latest topical formulation developed for treatment of acne scar with unique ingredients, Kollaren and Exo‐T. Objective: Evaluate safety and efficacy of latest acne scar serum on the reduction of acne scars in Indian population. Materials and Methods: Subjects, diagnosed clinically with acne scars with or without hyperpigmentation, of either gender in the age group of 15 to 45 years were enrolled in the study. The investigational acne scar serum was applied twice daily for 3 months with monthly follow for outcome evaluation. Results: Out of 72 subjects enrolled, 67 completed the study. Most of the subjects, 79.1% showed improvement in acne scar at Day 90. Significant reduction of mean total post‐acne hyperpigmentation index (PAHI) was seen at all follow up visits compared with baseline. Significant improvement in mean acne scar depth, mean acne scar volume, and mean L value using 3D imaging were observed at all visits compared with baseline. All side effects reported were mild and overall, it was well tolerated by all subjects. Conclusion: We found that there was a significant reduction in acne scar and post‐acne pigmentation with new acne scar serum as a monotherapy, this needs further confirmation in larger randomized controlled studies. Therefore, topical acne scar serum with unique ingredients Kollaren and Exo‐T can be a safe, effective, and new option in the armamentarium of acne scar management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphocytoma cutis is a subtype of pseudolymphoma due to benign B cell lymphocyte infiltrate that occurs as a response to known or unknown antigenic stimuli. Borrelia burgdorferi infection rarely causes either T cell or B cell pseudolymphoma that occurs primarily in Ixodes ricinus tick endemic areas and most commonly in children. Hereby, we report a 46 years old female who presented with multiple red raised lesions over the face and the neck and was diagnosed as a case of Borrelial B cell lymphocytoma in an adult which is a rare entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: In emergency and non-fasting patients posted for laparotomy under general anaesthesia, rapid sequence induction (RSI) is preferred, and it is routinely done by using succinylcholine or rocuronium. Using higher doses of atracurium [i.e. 3-4 times the 95% effective dose (ED95)] can provide acceptable intubating conditions in a short time. The primary objective of our study was to compare two different higher doses of atracurium to achieve good intubating conditions for RSI without using a priming dose. The secondary objective was to compare the duration of muscle relaxation using neuromuscular monitoring and haemodynamic responses during and after intubation. Methods: Sixty patients were enroled and randomly assigned into two groups:-, group A1 (atracurium: 0.75 mg/kg) and group A2 (atracurium: 1 mg/kg). After premedication, anaesthesia was induced with propofol 2-2.5 mg/kg and atracurium injections, followed by intubation within a minute by trained anaesthesiologists. Meanwhile, intubating conditions, neuromuscular monitoring using train-of-four (TOF) measurements and post-tetanic-count and haemodynamics were recorded. Data were analysed statistically by using the Chi-square test and Student's t-test. Results: Excellent intubation conditions (without coughing or bucking) were attained in 56.7% of cases in group A2 and in 13.3% in group A1 (P < 0.001). Duration of muscle relaxation, measured by time until TOF is two, was more prolonged in group A2 (79.2 ± 9.2 min) than in group A1 (60.13 ± 8.7 min, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Acceptable intubating conditions can be achieved in a minute with the use of a high dose of atracurium (1 mg/kg) during RSI. Hence, atracurium can be used as an alternative drug for RSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are many different types of malocclusions that may result from the sagittal, vertical, or transverse deviations in normal craniofacial development. When it comes to orthodontic problems, malocclusions in the sagittal plane may have a considerable impact on a person's self-esteem as well as their ability to speak and eat properly. Sagittal anomalies in the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue systems may now be accurately diagnosed using a universally accepted standard lateral cephalogram (SLCE). Methods and Materials: The principal investigator manually traced the cephalograms, identified skeletal landmarks, and measured the following data. The ANB angle (normal range: 0° to 4°) is the angle framed by the point A, Nasion, and B. Estimated oppositely from point A and B on the functional occlusal plane, with Wits evaluation: AO-to-BO direct distance. AB plane angle: the angle formed by the AB and the Npog plane (normal range = -9° to 0°). Beta angle: the angle framed by the A-CB and AB lines, with a typical range of 27° to 35°. W angle: this is the angle created by the opposite line from M to the S-G line and the M-G line, with a typical range of 51 to 55 degrees. The angle of convexity: the angle between N-point A and A-Pog.(Normal range: -8.5 to 10 degree) Results: We utilised Pearson correlation to see how well the different skeletal studies correlated with one another. Wits and the ANB angle of convexity exhibited an excellent relationship with each other, with r = 0.831 and Downs angle of convexity (both r = 0.823 and P = 0.01) being statistically significant. This study used Kappa statistics to assess the degree of agreement between several cephalometric diagnostic criteria. The agreement between the ANB and final groups was strong (k = 0.802, P = 0.01). Conclusion: There was a strong link between all of the cephalometric measures. The cephalometric landmark and valid indication was determined to be the most dependable in evaluating malocclusion and development pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pediatric skin disorders are different from the adult type in their presentations, types, treatment and prognosis. Their presentation varies from place to place. Aim: To study the different clinical pattern and seasonal variation of dermatoses in children attending a multispecialty hospital in Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 640 children who attended the OPD of multispecialty hospital over a period of one year. All children up to 10 years of age with cutaneous presentations were included in the study. Results: Study showed that there was a male preponderance among the study participants. According to the age group, school-aged children (6-10 years) constituted the highest percentage (53%) followed by toddlers or pre-school children (41%). The most common skin conditions were infections (47%) followed by eczematous group (31%) of disorders. Among the infections, the most common infections were fungal - 35.64% (107) followed by parasitic infection (31%), viral infections (20%) and then bacterial infections (12.5%). Out of total eczematous dermatoses, Atopic dermatosis was maximum in number (61; 30%). This was followed by pityriasis Alba (47; 23.15%), and acute eczemas (32; 15.76%). Third most common dermatosis was Appendageal disorder (33; 5.15%). It included 15 cases of miliaria i.e. approximately 45.45%. Seventeen (2.65%) children reported for treatment of different kind of nevi. Pigmentary disorders were seen in 16 cases (2.5%). Three nutritional disorders were also seen. Season wise, most of the cases were seen in monsoons (June to October). Conclusions: Dermatoses is very common in children in the western region of Uttar Pradesh. The largest group was formed by infections followed by eczemas. Few cases increased in number depending upon the weather like fungal and bacterial infections, acne, miliaria in summers and xerosis, scabies in winters. This variation strongly suggests that weather has a very important role. Thus various measures including health education programs to be initiated to control and prevent the sudden spread of the diseases. Thus, Primary care providers and family physicians being the first responders should always keep in mind the seasonal variations while dealing with dermatosis in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension characterized by low circulating renin activity accounts for roughly 25%-30% of primary hypertension in humans and can be modeled experimentally via deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treatment. In this model, phenotypes develop in progressive phases, although the timelines and relative contributions of various mechanisms to phenotype development can be distinct between laboratories. To explore interactions among environmental influences such as diet formulation and dietary sodium (Na) content on phenotype development in the DOCA-salt paradigm, we examined an array of cardiometabolic endpoints in young adult male C57BL/6J mice during sham or DOCA-salt treatments when mice were maintained on several common, commercially available laboratory rodent "chow" diets including PicoLab 5L0D (0.39% Na), Envigo 7913 (0.31% Na), Envigo 2920x (0.15% Na), or a customized version of Envigo 2920x (0.4% Na). Energy balance (weight gain, food intake, digestive efficiency, and energy efficiency), fluid and electrolyte homeostasis (fluid intake, Na intake, fecal Na content, hydration, and fluid compartmentalization), renal functions (urine production rate, glomerular filtration rate, urine Na excretion, renal expression of renin, vasopressin receptors, aquaporin-2 and relationships among markers of vasopressin release, aquaporin-2 shedding, and urine osmolality), and blood pressure, all exhibited changes that were subject to interactions between diet and DOCA-salt. Interestingly, some of these phenotypes, including blood pressure and hydration, were dependent on nonsodium dietary components, as Na-matched diets resulted in distinct phenotype development. These findings provide a broad and robust illustration of an environment × treatment interaction that impacts the use and interpretation of a common rodent model of low-renin hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a common clinical condition with a significant impact on the quality of life of its sufferies. Skin prick test (SPT) is a reliable method to detect the allergens and thereby contributing to diagnose of this Type I hypersensitivity. Aims: The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze the incidence of positive SPT to various allergens in patients with CIU. Subjects and Methods: The data of patients of CIU who had undergone SPT in the dermatology department of a tertiary hospital during the period from July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 were reviewed. Evaluation of their history was done with respect to the possible causes and investigations excluding those with a documented history of anaphylaxis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and dermographism. The results of SPT performed with a battery of 40 allergens (22 aeroallergens and 18 food allergens) obtained from Allergo SPT (Merck specialty Pvt. Ltd., Allergopharma, Darmstadt, Germany), were retrieved and analyzed. Statistical Analysis Used: The data of the 38 patients with CIU who had undergone SPT was entered in Microsoft Excel (MS Office 2016) and then analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: Overall SPT positivity of these 38 patients was 73.68% and that to food allergens (10.53%), aeroallergens (26.31%), and both aero and food allergens (36.84%). Conclusions: Our study unlike earlier reports in literature ruled out those with clinical as well as laboratory evidence of a topic, disorders which secondarily cause urticaria, thus emphasizing SPT to be an important add-on diagnostic tool even in those cases of CIU which have no obvious exacerbating factors. A significant number of CIU patients of our study showed sensitivity to house dust mite, molds, pollen, food items, and animal epithelia on SPT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the basic concepts and steps involved within the design and analysis of a swing bridge. There are different types of movable bridges used worldwide in field of bridge construction, while Swing Bridge can be a better alternative from the point of view of safety as well as economy. As we all know now day's waterway transportation is quite famous and very useful to shorten the distances. Generally when we talk about water way transportation we assume about a ship crossing the river or a bridge over it for vehicular traffic, but assume if both can be achieve at a same time and same location. Main purpose of this study is to provide information about the swing bridge and promote its use in construction of bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutralization of Beta and Delta variant with sera of COVID-19 recovered cases and vaccinees of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine BBV152/Covaxin. Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine BBV152/COVAXIN effectively neutralizes recently emerged B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2. Keywords: Sputnik vaccine; antibody response; SARS-CoV-2; emerging variants; neutralization EN Sputnik vaccine antibody response SARS-CoV-2 emerging variants neutralization 1 4 4 06/08/22 20220401 NES 220401 SARS CoV-2 pandemic challenged the world with emerging multiple variants having high transmissibility and increased infectivity. [Extracted from the article]

It is an automated agricultural mobile robot designed and developed to monitor and control various parameters such as temperature, humidity, light intensity and soil moisture. The microcontroller used for this work is AT89s51 which belongs to the family of 8051 microcontrollers. Humidity sensor, temperature sensor, light sensor, and soil moisture sensor are four sensors used in this work to measure various parameters that contribute to monitoring the environment. In the designed prototype, soil moisture content was measured for three different types of soils which are Loam soil, Clay soil and Sandy soil (these three soils are widely used for agricultural purposes, which is the reason why they were used in this work), a LCD-display was used to observe the recorded values of these soils. This particular designed prototype will help reduce the manual efforts of the farmers and give the optimal values of the parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myiasis is a disease caused by the larvae of Diptera flies infesting living tissue. The most common type of myiasis is cutaneous involvement. Imported infections are becoming more common as a result of international travel to tropical regions. After a 3 month stay in Congo, a 29-year-old developed furuncular myiasis on returning to India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the present COVID‐19 vaccination drive across the world, adverse skin reactions post COVID‐19 vaccine is expected. Majority of these reactions seen were transient or local injection site reactions. However, as the larger population is being vaccinated, certain uncommon dermatological presentations including leukocytoclastic vasculitis, pityriasis rosea, and exacerbation of pre‐existing autoimmune diseases are now being reported. Among all the COVID‐19 vaccines, most of these reactions are seen with messenger ribonucleic acid‐based Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) and Moderna (mRNA‐1273) vaccine. We report two cases of leukocytoclastic vasculitis following ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 corona virus vaccine (recombinant) that bring out potential new dermatological manifestations of recombinant corona virus vaccine being administered across the European, South American, and Asian countries. It is important for all health care workers and patients to be aware of the corona virus vaccine associated adverse cutaneous reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 broadened the use of pulse oximeters for rapid blood-oxygen readings, but it also highlighted the fact that skin pigmentation alters measurements. Two groups of researchers analyse this issue, and its effects on people with dark skin.Two views on the pigmentation dependence of pulse oximetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gradual opening of healthcare system since second week of May 2020 following lockdown imposed due to corona virus pandemic saw spurts of cases of unexplained central facial dermatoses in subset of previously healthy people. The aim of the study was to find out the cause and establish the definitive diagnosis of unusual occurrence of facial dermatoses on previously healthy people so that an appropriate management can be offered to the patients. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional, observational study carried during May 15 to July 15, 2020 at a tertiary dermatology center. All cases presented with erythema on face and papular or pustular lesions on central facial area of not more than 2 months of duration were included in the study. Results: Total 81 patients visited skin OPD with facial dermatoses of various types during this period, out of which 21 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. This was 0.72% (21/2900) of total skin OPD of the 2 months. All the patients had been using face masks during this period of symptoms due to the ongoing coronavirus situation. Dermatological examination revealed only erythema on the central area of face (n = 10), erythema and few papules (n = 3), erythmatous papules and pustules (n = 5), and erythematous papules, pustules, and telengiectasia (n = 3). All the skin biopsies showed predominantly epithelioid cells, noncaseating granuloma with a variable degree of infiltrate. Conclusion: There has been a definite change in the lifestyle due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. People are compulsorily using face masks to avoid the spread of Covid-19 infection. This change in behavior has brought out a surge of rosacea like lesions on the covered area of face. Partly, it can be explained by change in innate immunity due to excessive sweating and change in microenvironment of skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Melasma is a common acquired pigmentary skin disorder. Currently, there are various treatment options available but none is effective universally. Objective: Assess the role of Yuskin®, a growth factor concentrate (GFC) therapy, a modified platelet rich plasma (PRP) technique for the treatment of melasma. Materials and Methods: Subjects of Fitzpatrick skin type IV–V, of either gender, more than equal to 18 years of age, with a clinical diagnosis of melasma were enrolled in the study. Total three sessions of GFC monotherapy were given with one-month interval (day 0, day 30, and day 60) and follow up of subjects was done at day 90 for the final clinical assessment. Results: Out of 40 subjects enrolled, 30 subjects completed three GFC sessions and 26, completed day 90 follow-up. Statistically significant decrease in the mean mMASI scores was observed at all visits compared to baseline (P < 0.005 for each visit). Totally, 66.7% of severe melasma subjects showed improvement to mild to moderate category. Significant improvement in mean mMASI score was seen in subjects who had mild to moderate melasma at baseline (P < 0.05). Overall, aesthetic improvement was reported in 88.5% of subjects. Side effects reported were mild such as injection site pain, erythema, oedema and bruising, and resolved spontaneously within a few hours to few days of onset. Conclusion: Significant improvement in melasma was observed with GFC monotherapy, which needs further confirmation in larger randomized controlled studies. Overall, it was well tolerated. Thus, GFC therapy can be a safe, effective, and new option in the armamentarium of melasma management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monte Carlo (MC) modeling is a valuable tool to gain fundamental understanding of light‐tissue interactions, provide guidance and assessment to optical instrument designs, and help analyze experimental data. It has been a major challenge to efficiently extend MC towards modeling of bulk‐tissue Raman spectroscopy (RS) due to the wide spectral range, relatively sharp spectral features, and presence of background autofluorescence. Here, we report a computationally efficient MC approach for RS by adapting the massively‐parallel Monte Carlo eXtreme (MCX) simulator. Simulation efficiency is achieved through "isoweight," a novel approach that combines the statistical generation of Raman scattered and Fluorescence emission with a lookup‐table‐based technique well‐suited for parallelization. The MC model uses a graphics processor to produce dense Raman and fluorescence spectra over a range of 800 − 2000 cm−1 with an approximately 100× increase in speed over prior RS Monte Carlo methods. The simulated RS signals are compared against experimentally collected spectra from gelatin phantoms, showing a strong correlation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nanofiller improve the properties of the pristine polymer resins to the great extent. In present findings, the preparation of nanocomposites (epoxy/PNCC/LDHs) was done by the 'Slurry-compounding method'. Precipitated nano-calcium carbonate (PNCC) were mixed with Layer double hydroxides (LDHs) in varying ratio and added to epoxy resin with constant stirring at room temperature. The degree of distribution of the nanofiller and the kind of polymeric nanocomposites formed was observed by Wide-angle X-ray Diffraction, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites were characterised by Thermogravimetric analysis and Universal Testing Machine, respectively. However, harmonisation and coactive influence of PNCC with LDHs showed a better effect on the mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy resin and offers superior mechanical and thermal properties as compared to pristine epoxy resin and two-component (Epoxy/PNCC) nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-invasive early diabetes prediction has been gaining much premarkable over the last decade. Heart rate variability (HRV) is the only non-invasive technique that can predict the future occurrence of the disease. Early prediction of diabetes can help doctors start an early intervention. To this end, the authors have developed a computational machine learning model to predict type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk using heart rate variability features and have evaluated its robustness against the HRV of 50 patients data. The electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of the control population (n=40) and T2DM population (n=120) have been recorded in the supine position for 5 minutes, and HRV signals have been obtained. The time domain, frequency domain, and non-linear features have been extracted from the HRV signal. A decision support system has been developed based on a machine learning algorithm. Finally, the decision support system has been validated using the HRV features of 50 patients (Control n=10 and T2DM n=40). HRV features are selected for the prediction of T2DM. The decision support system has been designed using three machine learning models: Gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), Extreme Gradient boosting (XGBoost), Categorical boosting (CatBoost), and their performance have been evaluated based on the Accuracy (ACC), Sensitivity (SEN), Specificity (SPC), Positive predicted value (PPV), Negative predicted value (NPV), False-positive rate (FPR), False-negative rate (FNR), F1 score, and Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) metrics. The CatBoost model offers the best performance outcomes, and its results have been validated on 50 patients. Thus the CatBoost model can be use as a decision support system in hospitals to predict the risk of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a dermatological condition called mudi-chood disease, also known as hair-heat disease, which primarily affects women in southern India. The condition is characterized by hyperpigmented papules and plaques on the nape, upper back, ear pinna, and forearm. The article describes the dermoscopic findings of two cases of mudi-chood disease, including a "cut kiwi fruit" appearance and a pattern resembling "black crust fungus." The patients were treated with topical tretinoin cream, resulting in complete resolution of the lesions. The article emphasizes the need for further research to evaluate these distinctive dermoscopic patterns. [Extracted from the article]

The GMT ratio of B.1 to Delta was 4.2, indicating a significant reduction in neutralization titers for Delta as compared with B.1 (Figure 1B). Keywords: first wave; second wave; neutralizing antibody; SARS CoV-2; variants of concerns; Delta variant; India EN first wave second wave neutralizing antibody SARS CoV-2 variants of concerns Delta variant India 1 3 3 06/08/22 20220401 NES 220401 The emergence of multiple variants of concerns like Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and other variants, such as Epsilon (B.1.427/B.1.1429), Zeta (P.2), Eta (B.1.525), Theta (P3), Iota (B.1.526) and Kappa (B.1.617.1) has contributed to the worldwide development of multiple waves of the formidable COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Mid-September 2020 was associated with a maximal spike in the daily cases in India, with its lowest case load in January 2021 during the first wave with the G Clade (with D614G mutation-B.1) being causal. [Extracted from the article]

Out of 1000 patients, 290 had PMLE, 650 had melasma, 10 had phytophotodermatitis, 5 had Reil's melanosis, and 3 had DLE (Figure 2). We intend to do a brief reporting of a special observation in northeastern part of India. When compared with other parts of India, people in the northeastern part of the country are exposed to more UV A and UV B radiations at a much earlier time of the day. [Extracted from the article]

The causes for defects in the maxilla can be congenital, acquired, developmental, traumatic or surgical involving the oral cavity and contiguous anatomic structures. Absence or loss of some or all of the soft palate and / or hard palate results in insufficient structure or altered function/aesthetic, disruption of articulation and airflow during speech production and also nasal reflux during deglutition. Patients after surgical resection have altered hard/soft tissue anatomy due to scaring, tissue contracture, lack of adequate bony support and tissue edema. Such patients have problem of regurgitation of water and food through nose and difficulty in speech. Rehabilitation of such patients requires the fabrication of obturator prosthesis and also sometimes repeated prosthesis adjustments to conform to the soft tissue changes. In such a situation an obturator is designed in such a fashion to take the maximum advantage of remaining hard and soft tissue/anatomical favourable sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surgical excision of tumours involving the maxilla and adjacent tissues usually results in an anatomic and functional loss that should be restored as quickly and completely as possible. The vital physiologic functions of speech, mastication, and deglutition can and should be restored with prosthesis immediately following surgery. Prosthetic planning and rehabilitation, therefore, should be an integral part of the patient's treatment plan. Resection of the maxilla results in a continuity of at least the oral, nasal, and maxillary sinus cavities which can be the valuable future site for obtaining prosthesis retention, if they are managed judiciously at the time of surgery. Thus the prosthodontist role become utmost important to guide the surgeon so that he can take the every possible precaution which can benefit the patient and enhance the prosthesis prognosis. A 20 year old male patient with Squamous cell carcinoma of the right hard palate and alveolus was treated with surgery and maxillary obturator prosthesis post surgically, so that he can eat and drink orally rather than feeding by nasogastric tube post surgically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pannexin‐1 (Panx1) is a large pore membrane channel with unique conduction properties ranging from non‐selective ion permeability to the extracellular release of signalling molecules. The release of ATP by Panx1 has been particularly well‐characterized with implications in purine signalling across a variety of biological contexts. Panx1 activity is also important in inflammasome formation and the secretion of pro‐inflammatory molecules such as interleukin‐1β. Within the central nervous system (CNS), Panx1 is expressed on both neurons and glia, and is thought to mediate crosstalk between these cells. A growing body of literature now supports the pathological activity of Panx1 in contributing to disease processes including seizure, stroke, migraine headache and chronic pain. Emerging evidence also reveals a physiological function of Panx1 in regulating neural stem cell survival, neuronal maturation and synaptic plasticity, with possible relevance to normal cognitive functioning. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence regarding the roles of Panx1 in the CNS, with emphasis on how putative signalling properties and activation mechanisms of this channel contribute to various physiological and pathophysiological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onchocerca volvulus is a spirurid nematode that mainly affects the rural poor of Sub-Saharan Africa, Yemen, and parts of Central and South America. River blindness caused by Onchocerca volvulus is considered to be the second most common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. We report a rare case of cutaneous Onchocerciasis from a non endemic area of North-East India. We could extract live adult worms from the subcutaneous lesions and also micro filariae from the skin nips. Onchocerca was confirmed based on its morphology. The patient has been subjected to therapy with ivermectin and doxycycline and is currently on regular follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study investigates, the synergistic effect of Precipitated Nano Calcium Carbonate with Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) on thermal and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin. A polyester-LDH-PNCC nanocomposite was prepared using "slurry-compounding" method. Meanwhile, PNCC was prepared by in-situ deposition (matrix-mediated growth and controlled) technique, crystal dimension of PNCC was estimated by using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Surface morphology and mechanical properties were studied by using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Universal Tensile Machine (UTM) respectively. Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) study revealed the formation of polyester nanocomposites. The nanocomposites showed better thermal and mechanical properties than that of the unmodified polyester resin, thus, synergism of LDH-PNCC influenced thermal and mechanical properties of polyester nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensin II (ANG II) Agtr1a receptor (AT1A) is expressed in cells of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus that express the leptin receptor (Lepr) and agouti-related peptide (Agrp). Agtr1a expression in these cells is required to stimulate resting energy expenditure in response to leptin and high-fat diets (HFDs), but the mechanism activating AT1A signaling by leptin remains unclear. To probe the role of local paracrine/autocrine ANG II generation and signaling in this mechanism, we bred mice harboring a conditional allele for angiotensinogen (Agt, encoding AGT) with mice expressing Crerecombinase via the Lepr or Agrp promoters to cause cell-specific deletions of Agt (AgtLepr-KO and AgtAgrp-KO mice, respectively). AgtLepr-KO mice were phenotypically normal, arguing against a paracrine/autocrine AGT signaling mechanism for metabolic control. In contrast, AgtAgrp-KO mice exhibited reduced preweaning survival, and surviving adults exhibited altered renal structure and steroid flux, paralleling previous reports of animals with whole body Agt deficiency or Agt disruption in albumin (Alb)-expressing cells (thought to cause liver-specific disruption). Surprisingly, adult AgtAgrp-KO mice exhibited normal circulating AGT protein and hepatic Agt mRNA expression but reduced Agt mRNA expression in adrenal glands. Reanalysis of RNA-sequencing data sets describing transcriptomes of normal adrenal glands suggests that Agrp and Alb are both expressed in this tissue, and fluorescent reporter gene expression confirms Cre activity in adrenal gland of both Agrp-Cre and Alb-Cre mice. These findings lead to the iconoclastic conclusion that extrahepatic (i.e., adrenal) expression of Agt is critically required for normal renal development and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approaches for noninvasive bone quality assessment are of great clinical need, particularly in individuals that require close monitoring of disease progression. X‐ray measurements are standard approaches to assess bone quality; however, they have several disadvantages. Here, a nonionizing approach for noninvasive assessment of the second metacarpal bone based on near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was investigated. Transcutaneous bone signal detection was experimentally confirmed with cadaveric hand data, and Monte Carlo modeling further indicated that 50% of the measured signals arise from bone. Spectral data were collected via a NIR fiber optic from the bone of individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease marked by frequent bone fractures and fragility. Multiple significant correlations were found between spectral parameters related to water, protein and fat, and standard bone quality parameters obtained by X‐ray measurements. The results from this preliminary study highlight the potential application of NIR spectroscopy for the noninvasive assessment of bone quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives: In contemporary dentistry, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has garnered acclaim for its exceptional biocompatibility and sealing properties. This abstract aims to delve into recent advancements in MTA, exploring novel formulations and applications, with the objective of shedding light on their implications for enhanced clinical outcomes in diverse dental procedures. Methodology Including Study Design: A comprehensive literature search spanning 2001-2023 across PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, and Scopus databases yielded a corpus of 50 pertinent articles. Utilizing a systematic approach, five key studies were randomly selected. The methodology involved a meticulous screening process, including the removal of duplicates and the application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, to distill relevant information. Results: The synthesized literature reveals recent strides in MTA, encompassing improved handling characteristics, novel formulations with enhanced properties, and expanded applications in vital pulp therapy, endodontics, and surgical procedures. These developments contribute to the dynamic evolution of MTA, equipping clinicians with valuable tools for achieving more predictable and successful outcomes. Conclusion: This abstract underscores the ongoing evolution of MTA in contemporary dentistry. Recent advancements in formulations and applications offer practitioners opportunities to refine their clinical approaches and outcomes. As the field embraces these innovations, this exploration advocates for a forward-thinking perspective, emphasizing the importance of staying abreast of MTA's evolving role in modern dental practice for optimal patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity of heterogeneous mobile platforms is growing at a rate faster than our ability to manage them optimally at runtime. For example, state-of-the-art systems-on-chip (SoCs) enable controlling the type (Big/Little), number, and frequency of active cores. Managing these platforms becomes challenging with the increase in the type, number, and supported frequency levels of the cores. However, existing solutions used in mobile platforms still rely on simple heuristics based on the utilization of cores. This paper presents a novel and practical imitation learning (IL) framework for dynamically controlling the type (Big/Little), number, and the frequencies of active cores in heterogeneous mobile processors. We present efficient approaches for constructing an Oracle policy to optimize different objective functions, such as energy and performance per Watt (PPW). The Oracle policies enable us to design low-overhead power management policies that achieve near-optimal performance matching the Oracle. Experiments on a commercial platform with 19 benchmarks show on an average 101% PPW improvement compared to the default interactive governor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lack of menstrual knowledge, poor access to sanitary products and a non-facilitating school environment can make it difficult for girls to attend school. In India, interventions have been developed to reduce the burden of menstruation for school girls by government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). We sought to identify challenges related to menstruation, and facilitators of menstrual management in schools in three states in India.Methods: Surveys were conducted among menstruating school girls in class 8-10 (above 12 years of age) of 43 government schools selected through stratified random sampling in three Indian states (Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu) in 2015. For comparison, ten model schools supported by NGOs or UNICEF with a focussed menstrual hygiene education program were selected purposely in the same states to represent the better-case scenario. We examined awareness about menarche, items used for menstruation, and facilitators on girls' experience of menstruation in regular schools and compared with model schools. Factors associated with school absence during menstruation were explored using multivariate analysis.Findings: More girls (mean age 14.1 years) were informed about menstruation before menarche in model schools (56%, n = 492) than in regular schools (36%, n = 2072, P < 0.001). Girls reported menstruation affected school attendance (6% vs 11% in model vs regular schools respectively, P = 0.003) and concentration (40% vs 45%, P = 0.1) and was associated with pain (31% vs 38%, P = 0.004) and fear of stain or smell (11% vs 16%, P = 0.002). About 45% of girls reported using disposable pads in both model and regular schools, but only 55% and 29% of pad-users reported good disposal facilities, respectively (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, reported absenteeism during menstruation was significantly lower in Tamil Nadu (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.24, 0.14-0.40) and Maharashtra (APR 0.56, CI = 0.40-0.77) compared to Chhattisgarh, and halved in model compared to regular schools (APR 0.50, CI = 0.34-0.73). Pain medication in school (APR 0.71, CI = 0.51-0.97) and use of disposable pads (APR 0.57, CI = 0.42-0.77) were associated with lower absenteeism and inadequate sanitary facilities with higher absenteeism during menstruation.Conclusions: Menstrual hygiene education, accessible sanitary products, pain relief, and adequate sanitary facilities at school would improve the schooling-experience of adolescent girls in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common form of leishmaniasis with a worldwide incidence of approximately 0.7-1.2 million cases per year, and 90% of these cases are in Asia, the Middle East, South America, and North Africa.[1] CL prevalence normally increases with age up to around 15 years, after which time prevalence levels off, likely due to immunity acquisition.[2] Pentavalent antimony medications are still the most effective treatment for leishmaniasis, however, because of the severe side effects and the need for parenteral administration, other therapies such as oral medicines for CL have been sought.[3] Given the extended duration of the illness and the disfiguring impact of unhealed skin lesions, a well-tolerated oral medication would be beneficial. No drug discontinuation or any case drop out was noted as the drug was well tolerated and there was noticeable improvement in clinical response. Fluconazole for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major. [Extracted from the article]