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Abstract Background Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) is a direct benefit transfer scheme of the Government of India introduced in 2018 to support the additional nutritional requirements of persons with TB (PwTB). Our recent nationwide evaluation of implementation and utilization of NPY using programmatic data of PwTB from nine randomly selected Indian states, reported a 70% coverage and high median delay in benefit credit. We undertook a qualitative study between January and July 2023, to understand the detailed implementation process of NPY and explore the enablers and barriers to effective implementation and utilization of the NPY scheme. Methods We followed a grounded theory approach to inductively develop theoretical explanations for social phenomena through data generated from multiple sources. We conducted 36 in-depth interviews of national, district and field-level staff of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and NPY beneficiaries from 30 districts across nine states of India, selected using theoretical sampling. An analytical framework developed through inductive coding of a set of six interviews, guided the coding of the subsequent interviews. Categories and themes emerged through constant comparison and the data collection continued until theoretical saturation. Results Stakeholders perceived NPY as a beneficial initiative. Strong political commitment from the state administration, mainstreaming of NTEP work with the district public healthcare delivery system, availability of good geographic and internet connectivity and state-specific grievance redressal mechanisms and innovations were identified as enablers of implementation. However, the complex, multi-level benefit approval process, difficulties in accessing banking services, perceived inadequacy of benefits and overworked human resources in the NTEP were identified as barriers to implementation and utilization. Conclusion The optimal utilization of NPY is enabled by strong political commitment and challenged by its lengthy implementation process and delayed disbursal of benefits. We recommend greater operational simplicity in NPY implementation, integrating NTEP activities with the public health system to reduce the burden on the program staff, and revising the benefit amount more equitably.

Background: Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease, and the causative periodontal pathogens have been detected in patient samples like plaque, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, crevicular blood, gingival tissues, etc. Laser disinfection is an advanced treatment that has been shown to alter the bacterial flora and have greater efficacy in reducing the progression of the disease. Aim: This study is aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of a diode laser (970 ± 15 nm) on the microbial load in GCF, crevicular blood, and saliva samples of patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 subjects were recruited for the study. Each patient's mouth was divided equally into two halves, which were allotted randomly into two groups. In group I (test group), diode laser disinfection was performed, and in group II (control group), saline irrigation was performed. The GCF, saliva, and crevicular blood samples were collected before and immediately after disinfection for microbial analysis. Results: Clinical observations showed a reduction in microbial load in both groups, which were statistically significant in the test group. GCF and saliva samples showed greater reduction when compared with crevicular blood samples in both groups. Conclusion: This study concludes that the application of diode laser (970 ± 15 nm) has immediate reducing effects on the microbial load in GCF, crevicular blood, and saliva samples in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Propolis is a resinous beehive product that has a wide range of biological activities, namely antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Propolis is collected by the bees from plant resin and exudates to protect hives and maintain hive homeostasis. The aim of the present systematic scoping review is to explore the potential and suitability of propolis as an adjunctive treatment in breast cancers, based on the latest available experimental evidence (2012-2021). After applying the exclusion criteria, a total of 83 research publications were identified and retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed. Several relevant key themes identified from the included studies were cytotoxicity, synergistic/combination treatment, improvement in bioavailability, human clinical trials, and others. A majority of the studies identified were still in the in vitro and in vivo stages. Nonetheless, we managed to identify 4 human clinical trials that demonstrated the successful use of propolis in alleviating side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy while increasing the quality of life of breast cancer patients, with minimal adverse effects. In conclusion, propolis, as an adjunctive treatment, may have therapeutic benefits in alleviating symptoms related to breast cancers. However, further clinical trials, preferably with higher number of participants/subjects/patients, are urgently needed.

Propolis is a resinous and complex phytocompounds collected by the bees to serve various critical physical and physiological functions in a beehive. Propolis has been used by humans for centuries to alleviate many ailments including chronic, nutrition-related, and metabolic syndrome-related diseases. The majority of propolis research has been carried out in the propolis harvested from the hives of Apis mellifera. However, a growing body of evidence shows that the propolis from the stingless bees (>600 species) possesses similar biological activities and therapeutic benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and antimicrobial activity. The aim of this article is to review the experimental evidence of the biological activities of propolis from stingless bees, relevant to the development of high-value functional food and nutraceutical ingredients derived from meliponiculture in 4 continents; Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas.

In recent years, research has demonstrated the efficacy propolis as a potential raw material for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. There is limited report detailing the mechanisms of action of propolis and its bioactive compounds in relation to their anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the aim of the present review is to examine the latest experimental evidence (2017–2022) regarding the anti-inflammatory properties of propolis. A systematic scoping review methodology was implemented. After applying the exclusion criteria, a total of 166 research publications were identified and retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed. Several key themes related to the anti-inflammatory properties of propolis were subsequently identified, namely in relation to cancers, oral health, metabolic syndrome, organ toxicity and inflammation, immune system, wound healing, and pathogenic infections. Based on the latest experimental evidence, propolis is demonstrated to possess various mechanisms of action in modulating inflammation towards the regulatory balance and anti-inflammatory environment. In general, we summarize that propolis acts as an anti-inflammatory substance by inhibiting and downregulating TLR4, MyD88, IRAK4, TRIF, NLRP inflammasomes, NF-κB, and their associated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Propolis also reduces the migration of immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, possibly by downregulating the chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10.

Background: YKL-40 is a novel potential inflammatory marker in relation to both acute and chronic inflammation. It is secreted by activated neutrophils and macrophages in acute or chronic inflammation. It strongly binds to chitin and heparin. There remains paucity in information regarding the quantification of YKL-40 levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients with periodontal disease. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and estimate the YKL-40 levels in serum and GCF samples collected from patients with or without periodontitis and type 2 diabetes among the South Indian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients were included who were divided into four groups based on inclusion and exclusion criteria as follows: Group A comprised ten healthy individuals, Group B comprised ten patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis without type 2 diabetes, Group C comprised ten patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis with type 2 diabetes, and Group D comprised ten patients diagnosed with only type 2 diabetes. Gingival Index (GI), pocket depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline. Serum and GCF samples were collected at baseline which were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis for estimation of YKL-40 levels. Results: All the clinical parameters (GI, PD, and CAL) and the concentration of YKL-40 level in serum and GCF samples were statistically significant among the groups. The amount of YKL-40 in GCF and serum was found to be highly correlated with PD of patients in all the groups. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the sample size, the present study indicates that the measurement of YKL-40 in Serum and GCF samples shows potential as a quantitative indicator of periodontal disease extent.

Background: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) affects all age groups in a population and is perceived as pain to any stimuli. From time immemorial, researchers have sought herbal or natural solutions to treat hypersensitivity. Propolis is one such natural, nontoxic resinous substance produced by honey bees, which is useful in various applications in dentistry and effective in treating dentinal hypersensitivity. Aim: The aim of this in vitro study is to assess the effect of propolis varnish on occlusion of dentinal tubules thus aiding in the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed treatment using scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. Materials and Methods: Twenty naturally extracted teeth were collected and stored until in vitro assessment. Discs obtained from each tooth were divided into two groups of 20 each – I (test) and II (control), with each tooth acting as its own control. Propolis varnish was applied only to the acid-etched surface of the exposed dentin of discs in the test group, whereas all the discs were subjected to SEM imaging. Results: Statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in open tubules (P < 0.001) from 160 ± 6.97 before treatment to 61.20 ± 9.10 after propolis varnish application in the test group. Conclusion: This study showed the promise of propolis varnish as a natural treatment modality for DH.

Propolis is a complex phytocompound made from resinous and balsamic material harvested by bees from flowers, branches, pollen, and tree exudates. Humans have used propolis therapeutically for centuries. The aim of this article is to provide comprehensive review of the antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties of propolis. The mechanisms of action of propolis are discussed. There are two distinct impacts with regards to antimicrobial and anti-parasitic properties of propolis, on the pathogens and on the host. With regards to the pathogens, propolis acts by disrupting the ability of the pathogens to invade the host cells by forming a physical barrier and inhibiting enzymes and proteins needed for invasion into the host cells. Propolis also inhibits the replication process of the pathogens. Moreover, propolis inhibits the metabolic processes of the pathogens by disrupting cellular organelles and components responsible for energy production. With regard to the host, propolis functions as an immunomodulator. It upregulates the innate immunity and modulates the inflammatory signaling pathways. Propolis also helps maintain the host’s cellular antioxidant status. More importantly, a small number of human clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and the safety of propolis as an adjuvant therapy for pathogenic infections.

Propolis is a resinous product collected by bees from plants to protect and maintain the homeostasis of their hives. Propolis has been used therapeutically by humans for centuries. This review article attempts to analyze the potential use of propolis in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated chronic diseases. MetS and its chronic diseases were shown to be involved in at least seven out of the top 10 causes of death in 2019. Patients with MetS are also at a heightened risk of severe morbidity and mortality in the present COVID-19 pandemic. Propolis with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties is potentially useful in ameliorating the symptoms of MetS and its associated chronic diseases. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review on propolis and its therapeutic benefit in MetS and its chronic diseases, with an emphasis on in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as human clinical trials. Moreover, the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of action of propolis are also discussed. Propolis inhibits the development and manifestation of MetS and its chronic diseases by inhibiting of the expression and interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptors (RAGEs), inhibiting pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, and promoting the cellular antioxidant systems.

Filariasis is an endemic problem in India. Involvement of breast by filariasis is uncommon, but known to occur in endemic areas. However, microfilaria co-existing with neoplastic lesions is very rare. Here we report an unusual finding of microfilaria co-existing with fibroadenoma in a 20-year-old female patient.

Historically, extracellular mucin secretion is by default a feature of ductal carcinoma. Lobular carcinoma is known to be associated with only intracytoplasmic mucin production and signet ring cells. As ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma have different therapeutic and prognostic implications, it is important to classify them into respective groups. Here, we present a case of invasive lobular carcinoma with abundant extracellular and intracellular mucin in a 38-year-old female patient. Invasive lobular carcinoma with extracellular mucin is an extremely rare and new variant. Only 3 cases are reported in the literature so far.