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Background: There are various bones around the nasal cavity that pneumatize to form the paranasal sinuses; namely, maxilla, ethmoid bone, frontal bone, and sphenoid bone. The CT scan of nose and paranasal sinus is the gold standard investigation for the patients of chronic rhino-sinusitis (CRS). Objective: This study was conducted with aim to determine the prevalence anatomical variation of Nose and Paranasal Sinuses on CT-scan and their relation with symptoms. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among 200 patients over a period of one year (2022-2023). Patients with various symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis were subjected to non-contrast enhanced Computed Tomography of nose and paranasal sinuses. Results: In our study 56% patients had septal deviation with most common C shaped deviation followed by S shaped deviation. 99.5% patients have agger nasi cells. The attachment of uncinate process was to the lamina papyracea in 83.0%, followed by the base of skull in 13.0%. The least common types were free uncinate process in 1.5%. The prevalence of concha bullosa was found 16.5%. However, paradoxical turbinate was present in 2.0% subjects. The incidence of Haller cells was found to be 5.0% and Onodi cells were found in 4.5%. The type of frontal cell was Agger Nasi followed by a Supra-bullar. In Sphenoid sinus, commonest type was pre-sellar type of pneumatisation. Conclusion: Our study concluded these various anatomical variations and its prevalence. The relation of variations with disease symptomatology is inconclusive.

Abstract The globalization of food distribution has made it necessary to ensure the delivery of fresh food to the consumers. Protein‐rich foods produce a significant amount of tyramine when spoiled. Therefore, it was envisaged to develop localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)—sensor for monitoring tyramine content in beef, mackerel, and cheese. For this purpose, the sensors were developed by coating the LSPR chip with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) followed by conjugation of tyramine‐specific peptide (TYR1). The TYR1 was synthesized and screened by phage display and binding efficiency was evaluated by DockThor. The optimized LSPR sensor showed highest binding efficiency at TYR1 concentration of 20 µg/mL with reaction time of 40 min. The sensor also showed an excellent detection range for beef, mackerel, and cheese were 0.01–10 ppb, 0.01–10 ppm, and 0.01–10 ppb, respectively, in comparison to standard. These findings indicated that this sensor can be used as a promising tool for on‐site monitoring of food quality.

Abstract The current study explores the effects of microwave treatment at varying wattage and durations on the phytoconstituents, antioxidant status, anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), and metabolite profiles of de-oiled rice bran. The total phenolics and flavonoids showed both increases and decreases depending on specific microwave parameters, while flavonol content consistently increased across all treated groups compared to the control. The DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, FRAP, CUPRAC, metal chelating activity, and ascorbic acid content were enhanced in most of the microwaved samples; however, longer microwave exposure at higher wattage led to their reduction. A treatment-specific decrease in ANFs, including condensed tannins, oxalates, and phytates, was observed. HRMS-based untargeted metabolomics identified a diverse range of primary and secondary metabolites, which clustered in a group-specific manner, indicating notable group-wise metabolite variations. Analysis of discriminating metabolites revealed no significant differences in the overall levels of phenolics, flavonoids, vitamins and cofactors, sugars, amino acids, terpenoids, fatty acids, and their derivatives among the treated groups compared to the control; however, several individual metabolites within these metabolite classes differed significantly. These findings suggest that optimized microwaving of de-oiled rice bran can enhance phytochemicals and antioxidants while improving the metabolite profile.

Ganglionic cysts are benign soft-tissue lesions with unclear etiology and pathogenesis commonly occurring on the wrists and hands. Although their diagnosis and management in these characteristic locations are easy, rare occurrences in atypical locations are difficult to diagnose. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are helpful in diagnosing and differentiating a ganglionic cyst from other soft-tissue lesions. Here, we report a case of 60-year-old male patient with intramuscular ganglionic cyst, measuring 68×41×48 mm, arising in the extensor digitorum muscle of the left leg, which was diagnosed using MRI and treated using excision and biopsy.

Context: The femoral neck fracture has been a great challenge to orthopedic surgeons for a long time. Established surgical options for displaced femoral neck fracture mainly include internal fixation, hemiarthroplasty, and total hip arthroplasty (THA). The optimal treatment choice for elderly patients is still frequently debated. The answer to whether THA is better than bipolar hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures is still uncertain. In elderly patients, hemiarthroplasty is currently the most commonly chosen treatment option for displaced femoral neck fractures, but several recent studies suggest that it may not be the best treatment choice. Many patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of a displaced femoral neck fracture experience discomfort and compromised functional outcomes due to degeneration of the articulating acetabular cartilage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 60 patients were selected randomly. The fracture pattern included in study was a fracture neck of the femur. Selection was based on preformed inclusion and exclusion criteria. The functional outcomes and clinical results of the patients were evaluated and graded using the Harris Hip Score. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS software version 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: In our study, there were 30 (50%) patients who were treated with THA and the remaining 30 (50%) were treated with bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Out of 60 patients, 20 had Garden type III fracture, whereas 40 had Garden type IV fractures. In THA group, the average time of surgery was 94.80 min and with bipolar hemiarthroplasty, the average time of surgery was 72.20 min. Mean intraoperative blood loss in THA group was 518 ml and in the bipolar hemiarthroplasty group, it was 339 ml. In addition, THA group patients had better Harris Hip Scores when compared with the bipolar hemiarthroplasty group. The complication rates were significantly lower in the THA group. Conclusions: The present study showed that THA compared to bipolar hemiarthroplasty gives a better functional outcome as evaluated by Harris Hip Score at the end of 6 months but at the cost of marginally higher blood loss and longer duration of surgery. Furthermore, there is a reduced risk of complication and reoperation rate in THA group. Hence, the findings suggest that THA might be a better choice than bipolar hemiarthroplasty for treating femoral neck fractures in elderly patients preferring a more active lifestyle.

Context: Fractures in the distal humerus are complex and challenging injuries for orthopedic surgeons that can be effectively treated with open reduction and internal fixation. In literature, various surgical techniques and configuration of fixation have been described each with its own sets of advantages and disadvantages. AIMS: The study analyses clinical outcomes in patients with intra-articular distal humerus fractures (AO type 13 C3 excluded) treated using a different method of fixation, i.e., lateral column plate with medial column screw (LCPMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed and the author’s personal experiences were reported. Thirty patients were treated using intercondylar screw with lateral column plating and percutaneous medial column screw fixation. Detailed analysis was done for functional outcomes (average arc of motion, union rate, and complications). Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS software version 22.0 (IBM, USA) was used for statistical analysis. Results: In our study, at the end of 6 months, overall good to excellent results were achieved in 28 patients out of 30 after analysis on the basis of MEP score. Majority of patients regained full arc of motion and achieved fracture union without any major complications and were able to perform almost all activities of daily living (which required good elbow joint movements and functions). Conclusions: We concluded that our novel method of fixation of intra-articular distal humerus fractures (using lateral column plate and medial column screw–LCPMS) provides adequate stability and anatomical reconstruction with early union rate observed at the end of 6 months. Excellent and early improvement in functional outcomes was observed in almost all the patients and majority experienced very mild nature of pain in early postsurgery period which can be attributed to less operating time, less extensive dissection, and initiation of early physiotherapy protocol.

Rationale: Transmitted to humans via the Aedes mosquito, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is associated with multi-system complications, sometimes collectively referred to as “atypical features.” However, a disorder of the nervous system appears to be the most common severe complication of CHIKV infection. Patient’s Concern: A seventy-five-year-old patient from India presented to the hospital with fever, chills, rigors, and multiple joint pains for which he was worked up. Diagnosis: CHIKV encephalitis. Interventions: The patient was treated initially on supportive therapy with antipyretics, intravenous fluids; however, during his hospital stay, the patient had altered sensorium during which he was managed in the intensive care unit; required mechanical ventilation. Outcomes: The patient sccumbed to his illness. Lessons: Treating clinicians should keep CHIKV disease in the differential diagnosis in cases of febrile exanthems associated with disabling arthritis, especially in a CHIKV-endemic country like India.

Abstract Ficus auriculata (Timla) is an underutilized wild fruit compared to the more commonly consumed fruit of the same genus, Ficus carica (Anjeer). This review focuses on the industrial and pharmaceutical benefits of F. auriculata while highlighting its potential as a valuable alternative to F. carica. Based on the vast literature found in Scopus database, both fruits have significant nutritional and medicinal value; however, due to the rarity and lack of widespread knowledge, F. auriculata still remains underutilized, unlike F. carica, which is well known and more popular in the human diet. In terms of nutrition, F. auriculata is superior in various aspects like protein (3–5.32%), magnesium (68.0 mg/100 g), potassium (329.0 mg/100 g), and iron (5.0 mg/100 g). As a result, it plays a pivotal role for addressing nutrient deficiencies. Besides, it has rich history of many noteworthy applications in traditional remedies which are also recognized in modern pharmaceutical research. This could be attributed to the presence of phytocompounds. Ficus auriculata needs to be promoted, not only as a nutritional addition to the plate but also as an economically viable fruit. Based on its considerable potential, it is possible that F. auriculata can also be used as an alternative to F. carica; however, further research and promotion of the benefits of F. auriculata could help to increase its utilization and provide additional health and economic benefits to communities. Moreover, omics technologies based comprehensive study of fruits can assist in the identification of bioactive metabolites, nutritional content, and possible health benefits. It offers insights into the genetic composition, gene expression patterns, protein activities, and metabolic pathways of fruits thereby revealing the mechanisms driving flavor, color, and disease resistance.

Recombinant technology-based vaccines have emerged as a highly effective way to prevent a wide range of illnesses. The technology improved vaccine manufacturing, rendering it more efficient and economical. These vaccines have multiple advantages compared to conventional vaccines. The pandemic has heightened awareness of the advantages of these vaccine technologies; trust and acceptance of these vaccines are steadily growing globally. This work offers an overview of the prospects and advantages associated with recombinant vaccines. Additionally, it discusses some of the challenges likely to arise in the future. Their ability to target diverse pathogen classes underscores their contributions to preventing previously untreatable diseases (especially vector-borne and emerging diseases) and hurdles faced throughout the vaccine development process, especially in enhancing the effectiveness of these vaccines. Moreover, their compatibility with emerging vaccination platforms of the future like virus-like particles and CRISPR/Cas9 for the production of next-generation vaccines may offer many prospects. This review also reviewed the hurdles faced throughout the vaccine development process, especially in enhancing the effectiveness of these vaccines against vector-borne diseases, emerging diseases, and untreatable diseases with high mortality rates like AIDS as well as cancer.

Abstract This randomised, crossover, sham-controlled study explored the neural basis of source-monitoring, a crucial cognitive process implicated in schizophrenia. Left superior temporal gyrus (STG) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were the key focus areas. Thirty participants without neurological or psychological disorders underwent offline sham and active tDCS sessions with specific electrode montage targeting the left STG and DLPFC. Source-monitoring tasks, reality monitoring (Hear-Imagine), internal source-monitoring (Say-Imagine), and external source monitoring (Virtual–Real) were administered. Paired t-test and estimation statistics was performed with Graphpad version 10.1.0. The Benjamini–Hochberg procedure was employed to control the false discovery rate in multiple hypothesis testing. A significant improvement in internal source monitoring tasks (p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.97) was observed, but reality monitoring tasks demonstrated moderate improvement (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = 0.44). The study provides insights into the neural mechanisms of source monitoring in healthy individuals and proposes tDCS as a therapeutic intervention, laying the foundation for future studies to refine tDCS protocols and develop individualized approaches to address source monitoring deficits in schizophrenia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a predictive model to evaluate pretreatment patient-specific quality assurance (QA) based on treatment planning parameters for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for liver carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively selected 180 cases of liver SBRT treated using the volumetric modulated arc therapy technique. Numerous parameters defining the plan complexity were calculated from the DICOM-RP (Radiotherapy Plan) file using an in-house program developed in MATLAB. Patient-specific QA was performed with global gamma evaluation criteria of 2%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm in a relative mode using the Octavius two-dimensional detector array. Various statistical tests and multivariate predictive models were evaluated. Results: The leaf speed (MILS) and planning target volume size showed the highest correlation with the gamma criteria of 2%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm (P < 0.05). Degree of modulation (DoM), MCSSPORT, leaf speed (MILS), and gantry speed (MIGS) were predictors of global gamma pass rate (GPR) for 2%/2 mm (G22), whereas DoM, MCSSPORT, leaf speed (MILS) and robust decision making were predictors of the global GPR criterion of 3%/3 mm (G33). The variance inflation factor values of all predictors were

This study used 15 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models to analyze the mean and extreme projection precipitation during the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) season, i.e., June to September (JJAS). A continuous rise in precipitation and its associated unpredictability were predicted by global climate models using the CMIP6. The extreme values are estimated on the basis of generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution. Four socioeconomic paths are used as SSP126, SSP245, SSP370 and SSP585 to understand the impact of low-emission to high-emission scenarios. In all the scenarios, it is seen that all the models predict a significant rise in JJAS mean and extreme precipitation. Moreover, a strong correlation is obtained between the historical (1995–2014) and near-emission future simulation (2021–2040), mid-emission future simulation (2041–2060), high-emission future simulations (2081–2100) of air temperature and precipitation. In extreme emission scenarios, ensemble mean of CMIP6 models shows an increasing amplitude in surface air temperature and precipitation over India in the near future (2021–2040), mid future (2041–2060) and the end of the century (2081–2100). The CMIP6 simulations mainly support the results of all models, but they also demonstrate improved robustness across models. HIGHLIGHTS Projection of mean and extreme precipitation over India using CMIP6 models during JJAS season.; A generalized extreme values distribution is utilized to estimate the climate extreme.; Four socioeconomic paths are used as SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585 to understand the impact of low-emission to high-emission scenarios over precipitation.; A strong association is observed between surface air temperature and precipitation over India.; Extreme precipitation may rise up to 80% over India in the SSP585 scenario.;

Introduction:Rakta and Shveta Karavira, a Upavisha (semi-poisonous), botanically identified as Nerium indicum Mill., is being used in different ayurvedic therapeutics, after proper shodhana (purification) with some specific media. Media such as Godugdha (cow’s milk) and Gomutra (cow’s urine) have been mentioned in Ayurvedic literature for shodhana of Karavira root bark.Methods:Shodhana of Karavira root barks was carried out using Godugdha (cow’s milk), Gomutra (cow’s urine), and water media. Standard procedures were followed for performing the physicochemical and phytochemical analysis. To rule out the impact of the shodhana, a high-performance thin-layer chromatography study involved the extraction of total cardiac glycosides (TCGs) fractions.Results:Gross alterations in the drug’s appearance, smell, and touch were noticed. Various physicochemical parameters underwent changes. All raw and Shodhita samples contained metabolites such as carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, and flavonoids. All raw, shodhita, and media had a common value of 0.03 Rf. On spectral comparison, peaks of raw samples coincide with peaks of their respective media samples but none of the shodhita samples.Conclusion:The effect of shodhana on the bark of the Karavira root is confirmed by changes in physicochemical parameters compared to their raw samples. The presence of similar phenotypic molecules, their adsorption behavior, and their spectral characteristics are suggested by samples having a common value of 0.03 Rf. A spectral comparison suggests that TCGs were transferred from the raw samples to the respective media samples.

ABSTRACT: Tributyltin (TBT), an organotin-endocrine-disrupting substance, is recognized as one of the most important toxic environmental pollutants. The present study was carried out to investigate the developmental toxicity of TBT on zebrafish embryos. Eggs of zebrafish were exposed to 2.5, 5, and 10 µg of TBT per liter of E3 medium for 72 hours to evaluate various parameters of developmental toxicity. The TBT exposure resulted in a dose-dependent negative effect on the hatching rate and increased larval mortality. Different abnormalities in larvae, following exposure to various concentrations of TBT, have also been observed. The tail and spinal deformities, along with dwarfism, were important abnormalities observed in TBT-exposed zebrafish embryos. It has been concluded that tributyltin produced deleterious effects on embryos and larvae during developmental stages, along with multiple deformities that ultimately affected the survival and growth of fish

This paper presents an inquiry of scholarly literature published in the last decade pertaining to the development of robot grippers for compressed fabric parts, which are both rigid and porous. The study is narrow and targeted. Previous literature reviews investigating technologies suitable for materials with similar properties were analysed, and the need for recent works addressing stiff and simultaneously permeable materials was identified. This work aspires to fill that gap with a systematic approach, for which the PRISMA reporting methodology is adopted. It entails scouting for publications with defined keywords, filtering based on predetermined constraints, and thoroughly examining the articles obtained from scientific databases. The study reveals that vacuum grippers are quite prevalent despite the inherent porosity of fibrous materials. The use of the Bernoulli and Coanda effects, and unconventional technologies like electro-adhesion are also gaining popularity. Intrusive instruments like needles are utilised regardless of their tendency to do surface damage. Moreover, hybrid grasping contraptions can be devised to overcome the limitations of their individual constituents. The operational efficiency of grippers can be further boosted with predictive modelling and sensors to execute a closed-loop system. Overall, the study conveys the latest advancements in multiple mechanisms available at designers' disposal, which can be implemented and optimised for the specific type of material, and its main technical contribution is in a specific gap in the literature by focusing on gripper technologies for handling rigid and porous fabric parts, which are commonly used in the automotive industry for acoustic applications.

Wearable sensor devices for continuous patient monitoring produce a large volume of data, necessitating scalable infrastructures for efficient data processing, management and security, especially concerning Patient Health Information (PHI). Adherence to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a legislation that mandates developers and healthcare providers to uphold a set of standards for safeguarding patients’ health information and privacy, further complicates the development of remote patient monitoring within healthcare ecosystems. This paper presents an Internet of Things (IoT) architecture designed for the healthcare sector, utilizing commercial cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to develop HIPAA-compliant health monitoring systems. By leveraging cloud functionalities such as scalability, security, and load balancing, the architecture simplifies the creation of infrastructures adhering to HIPAA standards. The study includes a cost analysis of Azure and AWS infrastructures and evaluates data processing speeds and database query latencies, offering insights into their performance for healthcare applications.

In the restructured power system, where uncertainties are common, managing congestion becomes a crucial aspect of power system operation and control. Congestion management aims to alleviate the power system transmission line congestion while meeting the system constraints at minimal cost. This research introduces a generation rescheduling method for congestion management in the electricity market, leveraging an innovative nutcracker optimizer algorithm. The nutcracker optimizer algorithm, inspired by nutcrackers’ food accumulation mechanisms, is a recently developed nature-inspired algorithm. The efficacy of this proposed approach is assessed across modified IEEE 30-bus, and IEEE 118-bus test systems, considering the system parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed congestion management with the nutcracker optimizer algorithm is analyzed by comparing its results with those generated by other recent optimization techniques. Results demonstrated that the nutcracker optimizer algorithm surpasses other comparative methods, requiring fewer fitness function evaluations, avoiding local optima, and displaying encouraging convergence traits. Implementing this approach can assist the system operators in swiftly addressing contingencies, ensuring secure and reliable power system operation within a deregulated environment.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is a highly valuable aromatic and therapeutic herb, well known for its essential oil content. The present study was carried out during 2021–2023 at Centre for Aromatic Plants, Selaqui, Dehradun, Uttarakhand to analyse the diversity of various lemongrass accessions collected from Uttarakhand for their morphological traits, oil yield, and oil composition traits. These various lemongrass accessions were further evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications under different fertility levels for their agro- morphological performance. Yield components such as herb yield and essential oil yield, including oil composition, were also determined. Statistical analysis and genetic parameters indicated significant variations among lemongrass accessions for the majority of morphological and yield traits. Accessions AC-16 and AC-37 performed superiorly for traits such as plant height, leaf length, and width, whereas accessions AC-51 and AC-37 showed higher herb and oil yields under an increased dose of fertilizer. The accessions showed wide variability with respect to oil composition; from our study, we identified each of the three citral-rich (AC-16, AC-37, and AC-51) and geraniol-rich (AC-20, AC- 71, and AC-65) accessions. The better-performing accessions for morphological, yield and oil composition related traits may also be used in breeding programmes as potential genetic stock.

Diabetes mellitus poses a significant risk for cardiovascular complications, including the formation of blood clots, which can lead to severe consequences such as heart attacks and strokes. In this study, we employ mathematical modeling and computational analysis to investigate the mechanisms underlying the increased risk of clot formation in diabetic patients. Our approach integrates physiological data, hemodynamic principles, and mathematical equations to simulate blood flow dynamics and clot formation processes within the vasculature of diabetic individuals. By incorporating key factors such as altered blood viscosity, resistance to flow, endothelial dysfunction, and platelet aggregation, we obtained insights into the complex interplay between diabetes related factors and clotting propensity. Changes in blood composition, such as increased levels of fibrinogen and other clotting factors, can make blood thicker and more prone to clotting and the reason for increased resistance to flow and viscosity. As blood clots enlarge in blood vessels, they obstruct blood flow, increasing resistance. This makes blood movement harder. Clot size also affects nearby blood viscosity. Accumulating cells and clotting factors thicken blood, worsening circulation. Larger clots heighten flow resistance and viscosity, potentially causing issues like tissue damage. Thus, larger clots worsen blood flow and cardiovascular health. Through computational simulations, we explored various scenarios to assess the impact of different parameters on clot formation risk, thereby offering valuable insights for the development of preventive strategies and targeted interventions for diabetic patients.

Objectives: Monitoring of Leishmania transmission is considered a strategic priority for sustaining elimination of visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem in the Indian subcontinent. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether serological surveys can distinguish between communities with and without Leishmania transmission, and to assess which serological marker performs best. Methods: Seven villages were selected from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh state, India, and categorized as either currently endemic (CE), previously endemic (PE) or nonendemic (NE). Blood samples were analyzed with the rK39 RDT, direct agglutination test (DAT), and rK39 ELISA. Results: Contrary to the rK39 RDT and DAT, the rK39 ELISA showed a significant difference between all three categories of endemicity, with a seroprevalence of 5.21% in CE villages, 1.55% in PE villages, and 0.13% in NE villages. Even when only looking at the seroprevalence among children aged

The objective of this research endeavor was to enhance the quality and storability of Dioscorea bulbifera through the investigation of the effects of pre-treatment (soaking) and different dehydration temperatures (50, 60, and 70°C) on its mass transfer, color kinetics, texture, microstructure, and rehydration properties. Ten drying and four-color kinetics models were employed to describe drying behavior and color changes. The drying process demonstrated a falling rate, with reduced drying time (from 960 to 540 min) as the convective temperature increased from 50 to 70°C. Moisture diffusivity increased with increasing hot air temperatures (4.15 ×10–10 – 1.03 ×10–9 m2/s), and the activation energy was determined as 41.82 kJ/mol. Slices dried at 70 °C exhibited higher color change than those dried at 50°C. The modified color model fitted the best color parameters, followed by the fraction model. Slices dried at 60°C showed lower hardness (34.73 N) and higher porosity (27.03 %) as compared with 50°C (49.33 N and 19.82 %) and 70°C (40.16 N and 21.90 %) temperature. Microstructure, moisture diffusion, and texture were closely linked to temperature and moisture content. Boiling and potassium metabisulfite significantly affected drying rate and texture of yam slices . MATLAB analysis provided detailed pore information for each hot air-dried sample, correlating with texture characteristics. This research offers substantial industrial significance by providing methods to enhance dried yam products' quality, shelf-life enhancement, and further exploration of starch extraction and recovery of valuable bioactive compounds.

Context: Dengue disease severity and progression are determined by the host immune response, with both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are key mediators. Aims: To study pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines across dengue severity and as a biomarker for predicting severe dengue infection. Settings and Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 125 dengue-positive subjects across the 5-60 years age group of either gender in 2022. Methods and Materials: Haematological parameters and blood samples were drawn to measure cytokines IL6, IL-10 and TNF alpha using the ELISA technique. Statistical Analysis: One-way ANOVA and the Kruskal − Wallis test were used to compare the dependent variables across categories of the dengue spectrum. Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to calculate the predictability of the cytokines as a predictor of severe dengue. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 34.4% of cases had severe dengue infection with 53.2% of severe cases reported in >40 years of age. Only IL-6 levels significantly increased (P < 0.01) across the spectrum of dengue infection across age groups >20 years with a consistent and significant fall in platelet levels (P < 0.01). The accuracy of IL-6 to predict severe dengue was 74.4% and platelet count was 16.2%. Conclusions: Only IL-6 cytokine levels were significantly increased across the spectrum of dengue infection observed in age >20 years and can significantly predict the probability of severe dengue by 74% (sensitivity 81.4%). A significant decrease in platelet values is consistent with the severity but is not a good predictor for severe dengue infection.

Waste management is a global issue of the utmost importance since rising waste water poses major dangers to both environmental sustainability and public health. The concept of decentralized waste management is thoroughly introduced in this essay, and its current status in various parts of the world is also examined in detail. In order to shed light on potential advancements and trends in waste management practices, it examines the numerous strategies and actions employed in various locales to manage garbage locally. In addition, this paper analyzes and examines persistent gaps and disparities in decentralized waste management across numerous countries and areas. It highlights the disparities between infrastructure, technological adoption, statutory frameworks, and socioeconomic elements that make waste management operations.

A major obstacle to sustainable city growth in the context of growing urbanization is efficient wastewater treatment. This study analyzes the current wastewater concerns, with a focus on Saharanpur, a class-II city facing unique challenges because of its limited infrastructure. It emphasizes the repercussions on the environment and human health as well as the lack of suitable healthcare and infrastructure. Incorporating design considerations, treatment methodologies, and resource recovery strategies, the research suggests a customized wastewater treatment framework for Class-II cities. In order to overcome both financial and cultural barriers, the decentralized sewage treatment plants (STPs) employ a staged approach that involves stakeholder engagement. The results provide innovative ideas and useful insights to manage sewage difficulties, underscoring the city's pressing need for increased environmental resilience and wastewater sustainability. Predicted sewage generation data over time horizons in key zones (Praduman Nagar, Nazirpura & Badshapur) emphasize the need for timely interventions and offer Class-II cities a comprehensive plan to enhance their wastewater management in the face of urban growth.

In recent years, the field of biomedical video source identification has witnessed a significant evolution driven by advances in both fuzzy-based systems and machine learning models. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of the current state of the art in this domain, highlighting the transition from traditional fuzzy-based approaches to the emerging dominance of machine learning techniques. Biomedical videos have become integral in various aspects of healthcare, from medical imaging and diagnostics to surgical procedures and patient monitoring. The accurate identification of the sources of these videos is of paramount importance for quality control, accountability, and ensuring the integrity of medical data. In this context, source identification plays a critical role in establishing the authenticity and origin of biomedical videos. This survey delves into the evolution of source identification methods, covering the foundational principles of fuzzy-based systems and their applications in the biomedical context. It explores how linguistic variables and expert knowledge were employed to model video sources, and discusses the strengths and limitations of these early approaches. By surveying existing methodologies and databases, this paper contributes to a broader understanding of the field’s progress and challenges.

Pumpkin belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae, which comprises several species that has economical as well as agronomical importance. All parts of pumpkin are edible and laden with beneficial neutraceutical compounds. Pumpkin seeds are valuable source protein which can help in eradicating protein malnutrition and lipids (rich in PUFAs) contains essential as well as non essential fatty acids which prevents from various ailments like cancer and other cardiovascular diseases. Since, seeds of pumpkin are abundant in macro (magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and calcium) and micro minerals (iron, copper, manganese, zinc and selenium), they can be used as an incredible dietary supplement which in turn helps in curbing various deficiency disorders. This review enlightens the characteristics of pumpkin seeds, process of valorization of pumpkin seeds and the effect of processing on their nutritional composition which have been studied currently with the aim to use this wonder seeds for human wellbeing. Pumpkin seeds possess many bioactive compounds like polyphenols, flavonoids, phytosterols and squalene which makes it a lucrative raw material for pharmacological and food industries. Pumpkin seeds work as anti-depressant and helps majorly in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BHP). Daily consumption of pumpkin seeds can reduce the chances of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Pumpkin seeds are rich in tocopherols and can be used for oil extraction for edible purposes and utilized in other food formulations for future use.

Abstract Background To assess the feasibility of partial penectomy under local anesthesia and penile nerve blocks. Methods A total of 45 patients underwent partial penectomy under local anesthesia over the last 15 years at our institute. These patients were included in group A. We took 45 age-matched controls for comparison in group B. All patients underwent partial penectomy with the standard technique. The control group underwent partial penectomy under general or spinal anesthesia, and the intervention group underwent partial penectomy under local anesthesia. Patients’ tolerance to anesthesia and surgery was compared, and postoperative pain and other complications were assessed. Results Mean age was 53.5 years in group A (case) and 52.8 years in group B (controls). Out of 45 patients in group A, 9 were ASA I, 16 were ASA II, 8 were ASA III, and 12 were ASA IV patients. Out of control patients, 35 underwent surgery under spinal and 10 underwent surgery under general anesthesia. All patients tolerated the anesthesia and surgery well. The duration of anesthesia and surgery was shorter in group A (p

BackgroundCommunity-acquired acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is a sudden structural damage and loss of kidney function in otherwise healthy individuals outside of hospital settings having high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Long-term sequelae of AKI involve an associated risk of progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Serum creatinine (SCr), the currently used clinical parameter for diagnosing AKI, varies greatly with age, gender, diet, and muscle mass. In the present study, we investigated the difference in urinary proteomic profile of subjects that recovered (R) and incompletely recovered (IR) from CA-AKI, 4 months after hospital discharge.MethodsStudy subjects were recruited from ongoing study of CA-AKI cohort. Patients with either sex or age > 18 years with no underline CKD were enrolled at the time of hospital discharge. Incomplete recovery from CA-AKI was defined as eGFR 2.0, abundance ratio adj. p-value

Background: 1,25(OH)2D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin, involved in regulating Ca2+ homeostasis in the body. Its storage in adipose tissue depends on the fat content of the body. Obesity is the result of abnormal lipid deposition due to the prolonged positive energy balance and increases the risk of several cancer types. Furthermore, it has been associated with vitamin D deficiency and defined as a low 25(OH)2D3 blood level. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 plays vital roles in Ca2+-Pi and glucose metabolism in the adipocytes of obese individuals and regulates the expressions of adipogenesis-associated genes in mature adipocytes. Scope and approach: The present contribution focused on the VDR mediated mechanisms interconnecting the obese condition and cancer proliferation due to 1,25(OH)2D3-deficiency in humans. This contribution also summarizes the identification and development of molecular targets for VDR-targeted drug discovery. Key findings and conclusions: Several studies have revealed that cancer development in a background of 1,25(OH)2D3 deficient obesity involves the VDR gene. Moreover, 1,25(OH)2D3 is also known to influence several cellular processes, including differentiation, proliferation, and adhesion. The multifaceted physiology of obesity has improved our understanding of the cancer therapeutic targets. However, currently available anti-cancer drugs are notorious for their side effects, which have raised safety issues. Thus, there is interest in developing 1,25(OH)2D3-based therapies without any side effects.

Introduction: Prematurity is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, especially in low-income and middle-income countries like Nepal. However, there is a paucity of data regarding its burden. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and outcomes of preterm neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among preterm neonates at a tertiary care hospital between 15 July 2022 to 14 July 2023 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: F-NMC/557/078-079). Neonates with gestational age less than 37 weeks were included in the study. Total sampling method was used. Results: Among 980 neonates admitted to intensive care unit, preterm neonates were 112 (11.43%). A total of 69 (61.61%) neonates were outborn, and 65 (58.04%) were male. The median gestational age and birth weight were 32 weeks (Interquartile range: 30- 34 weeks) and 1500 gm (Interquartile range: 1300-1800 gm), respectively. There were 60 (53.57%) neonates with sepsis, 51 (45.54%) with neonatal jaundice and 38 (33.93%) with respiratory distress. Death occurred in 12 (10.71%) preterm neonates in the hospital. Conclusions: The prevalence of preterm neonates was found to be similar to other studies done in similar settings.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most severe monogenic hemoglobinopathy caused by a single genetic mutation that leads to repeated polymerization and depolymerization of hemoglobin resulting in intravascular hemolysis, cell adhesion, vascular occlusion, and ischemia–reperfusion injury. Hemolysis causes oxidative damage indirectly by generating reactive oxygen species through various pathophysiological mechanisms, which include hemoglobin autoxidation, endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling, reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, and elevated levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine. Red blood cells have a built-in anti-oxidant system that includes enzymes like sodium dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, along with free radical scavenging molecules, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione, which help them to fight oxidative damage. However, these anti-oxidants may not be sufficient to prevent the effects of oxidative stress in SCD patients. Therefore, in line with a recent FDA request that the focus to be placed on the development of innovative therapies for SCD that address the root cause of the disease, there is a need for therapies that target oxidative stress and restore redox balance in SCD patients. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the role of oxidative stress in SCD and the potential benefits of anti-oxidant therapies. It also discusses the challenges and limitations of these therapies and suggests future directions for research and development.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of diet supplementation of enzymes during hot weather conditions on milk production and nutrient utilization in Murrah buffaloes. Twenty four Murrah buffaloes were distributed randomly into four equal groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4) with six buffaloes in each, on the basis of their body weight, lactation length and test day milk yield. Feeding trial was planned into four treatment groups, viz. T1 (Basal diet without enzyme supplementation), T2 (Basal diet with supplementation of Xylanase @800000 IU), T3 (Basal diet with supplementation of Cellulase @240000 IU) and T4 (Basal diet with supplementation of Xylanase @800000 IU and Cellulase@240000 IU). The results revealed that the average milk yield (5.93 L/day) was higher in T4 as compared to other treatment groups, i.e. 5.47, 5.59 and 5.88 L/day in T1, T2 and T3 group, respectively. Statistically the difference in milk yield was significantly higher in cellulase supplemented groups. The milk fat (%) was significantly higher in enzyme supplemented over control group. The results were shown an increment in all other major milk constituents in enzyme supplemented group in comparison to control group, while statistically the difference was found non-significant. The average DM intake (kg/d, kg/100 kg body wt. and g/kg W0.75) remained static in all treatment groups while the CP intake (g/d, g/100 kg BW and g/kg W0.75) was significantly higher in cellulase supplemented buffaloes. The TDN intake (kg/d, kg/100kg BW and g/kg W0.75) was significantly higher in enzyme supplemented groups. Similarly the digestibility coefficient of CF, NDF and ADF were higher in buffaloes of T3 and T4 over control (T1) group. So, it is concluded from the present study that the milk production and milk composition improves in the combine use of xylanase and cellulase enzyme supplemented groups of buffaloes due to enhanced protein and energy intake and fibre digestibility.

ObjectiveHomologous recombination (HR) comprises series of interrelated pathways that repair double-stranded DNA breaks and inter-strand crosslinks. It provides support for DNA replication to recover stalled or broken replication forks. Compared with homologous recombination proficiency (HRP), cancers with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) are more likely to undergo cell death when treated with DNA-damaging agents, such as platinum agents, and have better disease control.MethodsPatients diagnosed with stage III/IV ovarian cancer, early stages with recurrence, who received adjuvant chemotherapy after debulking surgery, and who also had known HR status were eligible.ResultsForty-four patients were included, with 21 in the HRD group (including 8 with germline mutations) and 23 in the HRP group. The HRD group was composed predominantly of serous carcinoma (95.2%), while mucinous (n=3) and clear cell (n=1) cases were all found in the HRP group. Stage III/IV disease was 66.7% and 91.3% in HRD and HRP groups, respectively (p=0.064). Patients who were optimally debulked to no residual disease was 90.0% and 72.7% (p=0.243), respectively. Late line use of PARP inhibitors was 33.3% and 17.4% (p=0.303). Median PFS was 22.5 months (95% CI, 18.5 - 66.6) and 21.5 months (95% CI, 18.3-39.5) (p=0.49) in HRD and HRP respectively. Median platinum free interval (PFI) was 15.8 months (95% CI 12.4-60.4) and 15.9 months (95% CI 8.3-34.1) (p=0.24), respectively. Median OS was 88.2 months (95% CI 71.2-NA) and 49.7 months (95% CI 35.1-NA) (p=0.21). The PFS of the patients with germline BRCA mutations (n=5) was 54.3 months (95% CI 23.1-NA) and 21.5 months (95% CI 18.3-39.5) in the HRP group (p=0.095); the PFI difference was 47.7 months (95% CI 17.6-NA) in the BRCA mutation group, and 15.9 months (95% CI 12.4-60.4) in HRP, showing statistical significance (p=0.039); while the median OS was NA and 49.7 months (95% CI 35.1-NA) respectively (p=0.051). When adding two additional patients with somatic BRCA mutations to the germline BRCA mutation carriers, the median OS is NA (95% CI 73, NA) versus 49.7 months (95% CI 35.1, NA) for HRP (p=0.045).ConclusionsHRD status was not associated with longer PFS or PFI in advanced ovarian cancer who received first line adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. Its role as a prognostic marker for overall survival is suggested, particularly in the subgroup with germline and somatic BRCA mutations.

Objectives: Estradiol has become a hot topic in the past few years due to its role in COVID-19. The research on it is started with higher prevalence of COVID-19 in males than in females. As Estradiol is synthesized in greater quantity in females than in males, it was suggested that it provides a protective effect against COVID-19. In recent years, various in silico and in vitro studies revealed the efficacy of estradiol in COVID-19. So, considering the importance of estradiol, this manuscript is focused on designing and exploration of novel estradiol derivatives as potential inhibitors of Mpro and ACE2 for COVID-19. Methods: We designed novel small molecule estradiol derivatives and carried out molecular docking to identify the binding affinity with the COVID proteins, Mpro and ACE2. The behaviour and stability of the complex was checked through molecular dynamics simulations in 300 ns. Furthermore, binding energy was also calculated using the MMGBSA approach. ADMET revealed the druglikeness of the designed molecules. Results: Based on the binding energy obtained after molecular docking, the MD simulation against each protein Mpro and ACE2 was carried out for topmost compounds. Results indicated that the inhibitor inside the active site of the protein is stable as evident from RMSD and RMSF. The binding free energy i.e., MM-GBSA indicated that the compounds LIG323 (-30.85 kcal/mol) and LIG217 (-49.17 kcal/mol) are potential drug candidate against Mpro and ACE2, respectively. Evaluation of ADMET also justifies the druglikeness of the compounds. Conclusion: The outcome reveals that this study provides enough evidences for the consideration of LIG323 and LIG217 as potential inhibitors of Mpro and ACE2, respectively for treatment of COVID-19.

Material Extrusion (MEX) 3D printing is revolutionizing manufacturing by transforming digital designs into tangible innovations by its layer-by-layer approach. However, an important issue impeding the adoption of this technology is the limited size of the prints due to the machine's small bed. An appropriate polymer joining technique can be used as a post-fabrication step to circumvent this issue. This paper explores the findings related to the joining of MEX-3D printed parts fabricated from generally preferred thermoplastics, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and Polylactic acid (PLA) by the Spin Friction Welding (SFW) technique. The critical parameters involved in the process are identified and optimized using statistical tools including Design of Experiments (DOE), Taguchi, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results revealed that the type of material combination as well as the number of perimeter shells had the highest effect on the joint strength and cylindricity of the welds, resulting in the joint efficiency going up to 93.16 %. The practicability of the research was further approved by implementing the results to weld the sections of a service saddle point of a pipeline, wherein the weld displayed good strength and integrity. With the suggested method, it is expected that in the future, joining and welding procedures will gain more acceptance with SFW in particular showing great promise for joining cylindrical and rotary MEX-3D printed parts.

Amla pulp was treated with ultrasonication technique under the different set of designed conditions in order to optimize the ultrasonic conditions. A two factor four level Taguchi design was adopted to study the effect of ultrasonic intensity (180 – 717 W/cm2) and treatment time (4 – 16 min) on the ascorbic acid, naringin, total phenolic content, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, browning index, polymethylesterase and polyphenol oxidase activity of amla pulp. The optimal conditions were determined as ultrasonic intensity, 359 W/cm2 and treatment time, 12 min on the basis of S/N ratio analysis. Optimized ultrasonicated pulp was compared with the thermally treated pulp (90 °C/ 5 s) to observe the effect on quality parameters. Enzymatic activity reduced to a lower level at optimal ultrasonic processing conditions. Total phenolic content increased after ultrasonication treatment. LCMS of the optimized sample depicted the presence of compounds like ascorbic acid, corilagin, gallic acid, kaempferol, chebulagic acid and many more. Thermal treatment showed lower retention of bioactives and there were notable losses in ascorbic acid and total phenolic content. Browning index was also higher than control and ultrasonicated pulp sample. Microstructure of ultrasonicated sample showed damage to cells but thermal treated sample exhibited major cell damage.

Nanocrystalline BiFeO3 materials with multiferroic properties were successfully prepared using the solution-combustion method, and the impact of Ni-substitution in bismuth ferrite was investigated in the present research. Structural phase identification was done through XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. The average crystallite size was determined to be 44.87 nm for the pristine sample and 32.52 nm for the Ni-substituted ferrite. An enhancement in lattice strain, leading to crystal defects, was observed with Ni substitution in bismuth ferrite. Elemental analysis by EDX revealed the presence of Ni, Fe, Bi, and O in the substituted ferrites. FESEM studies indicated a significant decrease in the size of agglomerated and porous grains from 137 nm to 102 nm with the substitution of Ni in pristine bismuth ferrite. A considerable increase in the band gap from 2.21 eV to 2.39 eV was observed with Ni-substitution in the prepared ferrite phase, possibly due to the decrease in crystallite size. The very low coercivity (1.509 Oe) of pristine bismuth ferrite indicates its superparamagnetic behaviour. An improvement in saturation magnetization (almost two times) and a slight increase in coercivity (2.042 Oe) were found with Ni-substitution at Fe3+ sites in bismuth ferrite compared to the pristine ferrite. At 10 KHz, Ni-substitution enhanced the dielectric constant and decreased the dielectric loss of the prepared bismuth ferrite materials. Ferroelectric investigation of the prepared ferrites indicated an improvement in the P-E loop of Ni-substituted bismuth ferrite with a reduced loop area, indicating low electrical leakage.

The electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an arduous step in water splitting due to its slow reaction rate and large overpotential. Herein, we synthesized glycerate-anion-intercalated nickel–iron glycerates (NiFeGs) using a one-step solvothermal reaction. We designed various NiFeGs by tuning the molar ratio between Ni and Fe to obtain Ni4Fe1G, Ni3Fe1G, Ni3Fe2G, and Ni1Fe1G, which we tested for their OER performance. We initially analyzed the catalytic performance of powder samples immobilized on glassy carbon electrodes using a binder. Ni3Fe2G outperformed the other NiFeG compositions, including NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH). It exhibited an overpotential of 320 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm–2 in an electrolytic solution of pH 14. We then synthesized carbon paper (CP)-modified Ni3Fe2G as a self-supported electrode (Ni3Fe2G/CP), and it exhibited a high current density (100 mA cm−2) at a low overpotential of 300 mV. The redox peak analysis for the NiFeGs revealed that the initial step of the OER is the formation of γ-NiOOH, which was further confirmed by a post-Raman analysis. We extensively analyzed the catalyst’s stability and lifetime, the nature of the active sites, and the role of the Fe content to enhance the OER performance. This work may provide the motivation to study metal-alkoxide-based efficient OER electrocatalysts that can be used for alkaline water electrolyzer applications.

Abstract Background Darjeeling tea is a globally renowned beverage, which faces numerous obstacles in sexual reproduction, such as self-incompatibility, poor seed germination, and viability, as well as issues with vegetative propagation. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a valuable method for rapid clonal propagation of Darjeeling tea. However, the metabolic regulatory mechanisms underlying SE in Darjeeling tea remain largely unknown. To address this, we conducted an integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis of embryogenic callus (EC), globular embryo (GE), and heart-shaped embryo (HE). Results The integrated analyses showed that various genes and metabolites involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway, auxin biosynthesis pathway, gibberellin, brassinosteroid and amino acids biosynthesis pathways were differentially enriched in EC, GE, and HE. Our results revealed that despite highly up-regulated auxin biosynthesis genes YUC1, TAR1 and AAO1 in EC, endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was significantly lower in EC than GE and HE. However, bioactive Gibberellin A4 displayed higher accumulation in EC. We also found higher BABY BOOM (BBM) and Leafy cotyledon1 (LEC1) gene expression in GE along with high accumulation of castasterone, a brassinosteroid. Total flavonoids and phenolics levels were elevated in GE and HE compared to EC, especially the phenolic compound chlorogenic acid was highly accumulated in GE. Conclusions Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis revealed enriched metabolic pathways, including auxin biosynthesis and signal transduction, brassinosteroid, gibberellin, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, amino acids metabolism, and transcription factors (TFs) during SE in Darjeeling tea. Notably, EC displayed lower endogenous IAA levels, conducive to maintaining differentiation, while higher IAA concentration in GE and HE was crucial for preserving embryo identity. Additionally, a negative correlation between bioactive gibberellin A4 (GA4) and IAA was observed, impacting callus growth in EC. The high accumulation of chlorogenic acid, a phenolic compound, might contribute to the low success rate in GE and HE formation in Darjeeling tea. TFs such as BBM1, LEC1, FUS3, LEA, WOX3, and WOX11 appeared to regulate gene expression, influencing SE in Darjeeling tea.

Abstract The lasting threat of viral pandemics necessitates the development of tailorable first-response antivirals with specific but adaptive architectures for treatment of novel viral infections. Here, such an antiviral platform has been developed based on a mixture of hetero-peptides self-assembled into functionalized β-sheets capable of specific multivalent binding to viral protein complexes. One domain of each hetero-peptide is designed to specifically bind to certain viral proteins, while another domain self-assembles into fibrils with epitope binding characteristics determined by the types of peptides and their molar fractions. The self-assembled fibrils maintain enhanced binding to viral protein complexes and retain high resilience to viral mutations. This method is experimentally and computationally tested using short peptides that specifically bind to Spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2. This platform is efficacious, inexpensive, and stable with excellent tolerability.

We report growth and characterization of n-Si/p-SnOx heterojunction using RF sputtering for deposition of p-type SnOx under controlled growth oxygen pressure over n-type silicon (Si) wafer. The heterojunction properties of Si/SnOx were varied by controlling the growth oxygen pressure of SnOx. Several characterization techniques, including PL (photoluminescence), AFM (atomic force microscopy), FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy), XRD, I-V characteristics and Hall measurement, were conducted to analyze the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the n-Si/p-SnOx heterojunction. The knee voltage (Vknee), or cut-in voltage, was calculated by analyzing the gradient of the dark current-voltage (J-V) curves when the bias was applied in the forward direction. The Vknee values for type-I, type-II, and type-III n-Si/p-SnOx heterojunctions were determined to be 0.62 V, 0.84 V, and 1.0 V, respectively. The ideality factors (n1 and n2) were determined to be 1.52, 2.22, 3.52, and 8.41, 9.31, 10.34, respectively, for various heterojunction types. The reverse saturation current densities, J01 and J02 ranging from approximately 10−7 to 10−6 A/cm2, and 10−5 to 10−4 A/cm2, respectively. The objective of this experimental work is to investigate especially, the prospect of silicon /metal-oxide (Si/SnOx) based heterojunction to be used as optical sensors with tunable optoelectronic properties of SnOx.

Background: Ear pain, known as otalgia, has diverse origins, spanning from benign to severe conditions. Accurate diagnosis and treatment require an understanding of its etiology. Otalgia can be categorized as primary (ear-related) or referred (originating elsewhere). Referred otalgia poses unique challenges, as pain is perceived in the ear despite non-ear origins. Aim: The aim of present study is to investigate the potential causes of referred otalgia involving cranial and cervical nerves, and to explore the interplay between ear and distant body structures. Materials & Methods: A prospective study from March 2023 to June 2023 in an ENT OPD of Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida involved 360 patients. Evaluations encompassed dental, nasal, and head & neck assessments. Data included age, gender, side affected, and underlying cause statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version. Results: Out of 360 patients, 16.1% had referred otalgia. Most were female (67.2%), and right-sided involvement was predominant (47%). Toothache (31.6%) and pharyngitis (29.1%) were the most common leading causes. Other causes included Gastroesophageal reflux disease, sinusitis, temporomandibular joint disease, cervical spine arthritis, and Bell's palsy. Two cases (0.5%) were associated with supraglottic and base of tongue malignancies. Conclusion: This study provides insights into referred otalgia's diverse origins, stressing the importance of comprehensive clinical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment. Collaboration among medical specialists is vital. Further research and clinical cooperation are needed to enhance our understanding of this complex condition.

Context: Melanin pigmentation of the gingiva exists in all ethnicities and genders. Demand for repigmentation is mainly for esthetic reasons. Gingival depigmentation is a mucogingival surgical procedure where depigmentation is done by various techniques. However, the selection of a method depends on the clinical experiences and individual preferences. Aim: The aim of the study is to compare the pain score using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the recurrence rate of gingival pigmentation, using the three different techniques, i.e., scalpel, laser, and electrosurgery. Settings and Design: This randomized control trial was conducted on 30 systemically healthy patients divided into two groups. Materials and Methods: A split-mouth design was adopted and pigmentation was removed using scalpel and laser in Group I and scalpel and electrocautery in Group II. Dummett Oral Pigmentation Index scale and VAS were used to appraise the potency of hyperpigmentation and pain of the patient, respectively. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent t-test was used for the comparisons. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The pain intensity was up high in patients treated with scalpel compared to laser and electrocautery, which was statistically highly significant. Conclusion: The findings suggest that laser depigmentation still serves to be the best modality considering the bloodless field and reduced postoperative pain.

The Industrial Revolution has shifted toward Industry 5.0, reinventing the Industry 4.0 operational process by introducing human elements into critical decision processes. Industry 5.0 would present massive customization via transformative technologies, such as cyber-physical systems (CPSs), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics. In Industry 5.0, the AI models must be transparent, valid, and interpretable. AI models employ machine learning and deep learning mechanisms to make the industrial process autonomous, reduce downtime, and improve operational and maintenance costs. However, the models require explainability in the learning process. Thus, explainable AI (EXAI) adds interpretability and improves the diagnosis of critical industrial processes, which augments the machine-to-human explanations and vice versa. Recent surveys of EXAI in industrial applications are mostly oriented toward EXAI models, the underlying assumptions. Still, fewer studies are conducted toward a holistic integration of EXAI with human-centric processes that drives the Industry 5.0 applicative verticals. Thus, to address the gap, we propose a first-of-its-kind survey that systematically untangles EXAI integration and its potential in Industry 5.0 applications. First, we present the background of EXAI in Industry 5.0 and CPSs and a reference EXAI-based Industry 5.0 architecture with insights into large language models. Then, based on the research questions, a solution taxonomy of EXAI in Industry 5.0 is presented, which is ably supported by applicative use cases (cloud, digital twins, smart grids, augmented reality, and unmanned aerial vehicles). Finally, a case study of EXAI in manufacturing cost assessment is discussed, followed by open issues and future directions. The survey is designed to extend novel prototypes and designs to realize EXAI-based real-time Industry 5.0 applications.

Background & objectives: This study reports observation on circulating serotypes and genotypes of Dengue Virus in North India. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from suspected cases of dengue referred to the virus diagnostic laboratory during 2014 to 2022. All samples were tested for anti-dengue virus IgM antibodies and NS1Ag by ELISA. NS1Ag positive samples were processed for serotyping and genotyping. Results: Total 41,476 dengue suspected cases were referred to the laboratory of which 12,292 (29.6%) tested positive. Anti-Dengue Virus IgM antibodies, NS1Ag, both IgM and NS1Ag, were positive in 7007 (57.4%); 3200 (26.0%) and 2085 (16.0%) cases respectively. Total 762 strains were serotyped during 9-year period. DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4 serotypes were found in 79 (10.37%), 506 (66.40%), 151 (19.82%) and 26 (3.41%) cases respectively. DENV-1, DENV-2 and DENV-3 were in circulation throughout. Total 105 strains were genotyped. Genotype IV of DENV-1 serotype was circulating till 2014 which was later replaced by genotype V. A distinct seasonality with increase in number of cases in post-monsoon period was seen. Interpretation & conclusion: DENV-1, DENV-2 and DENV-3 were found to be in circulation in North India. Predominant serotype/genotype changed at times, but not at regular intervals.

Epidural hematoma (EDH) is found in 1–4% of traumatic brain injury cases. Acute triple extradural hematoma is a rare presentation of head trauma injury. In sporadic cases, they represent 0.5–1% of all extradural hematomas. Here is a case report of a 36-year-old female patient who presented to us with a head injury due to fall from a bike due to collision with a stray animal. The patient had a Glasgow Coma Scale of 9 (E2V2M5) with bilateral sluggishly reacting pupil to light. Computed tomography showed asymmetric bilateral posterior fossa EDHs along with an extradural hematoma in the right frontal region with multiple small contusions with mass effect. The surgical evacuation was performed first of the posterior fossa in the prone position and then right frontal hematoma evacuation in the supine position in the same sitting. The patient recovered well and was discharged on the 10th post-operative day with no neurological deficit. Early drainage of hematomas has been demonstrated to be an effective technique that soon decreases the intracranial pressure and promotes an efficient resolution to the neurological damage.

Intraosseous ganglion is a benign cystic bony lesion containing viscous and mucinous gelatinous material, which is usually seen in middle-aged individuals. It is similar to soft-tissue ganglion cysts present in other parts of the body. We, hereby, report a rare case of idiopathic intraosseous ganglion of the tibia in a young adult who presented with chronic pain in his lower leg. The patient was subjected to X-ray and MRI investigations and managed by excisional curettage of the lesion and histopathological examination. On histopathology, the diagnosis of intraosseous ganglion was confirmed. On 2-year follow-up, the patient was doing well without any complication and recurrence. This report describes the diagnosis and successful management of intraosseous ganglion at a very rare site in a young individual. More in-depth studies are required to understand the predisposing factors, underlying pathology, early diagnosis, and management of this lesion.

Background: Neck swelling is one of the commonest presentations in otorhinolaryngological practice. Study aimed to analyze the demographics and symptomatology of cervical masses, the degree of accuracy of clinical examination as well as the correlation between the clinical diagnosis and pathological results in patients presenting with neck masses. Material & Method: The present prospective observational study is conducted among the patients attending the out-patient and in-patients setting of ENT department with complaints of neck mass/ masses either primarily or in conjunction with other complaints, for more than 3 weeks duration. The patients with complaints of neck mass of acute inflammatory origin of less than 3 weeks and patients with inflammatory causes of lymphadenopathy including those secondary to upper aero-digestive tract infection and those of tubercular origin on initial assessment were excluded. Following a thorough clinical examination appropriate radiological investigations were advised, followed by cytological evaluation. FNAC was performed, either guided or unguided as per the discretion of the pathologist. Further Histopathogical evaluation was conducted in tissue specimens, wherever required, after either surgical excision of the entire mass or a biopsy. Histopathology involves the examination of sampled whole tissues under the microscope. Results: Age distribution placed majority of females in the young adult (16-40 yrs) category and males in the late adult (> 40 yrs) group. The majority of neck masses were thyroid swellings (42%) followed by lymph nodal masses (29%) and salivary gland lesions (14%). Of all the neck masses in females 87% were benign whereas amongst males 62% were malignant. The accuracy of clinical pre-diagnosis was seen to be 93.4%. The sensitivity for thyroid lesions for suspicion of malignancy however, was seen to be only 33% as papillary carcinoma thyroid essayed no symptoms or signs of malignancy. FNAC as an investigation for pre-diagnosis, the accuracy on the whole was seen to be 84.7% with a sensitivity of 82.5% which is comparable to other Indian studies. For thyroid lesions however the sensitivity was very low, 33.3%. This may be due to the inconsistent use of guidance systems and inexperience of our junior aspirators which act as confounding factors. Conclusion: Accuracy of FNAC in comparison to the definitive diagnosis was 84.7%. Inconsistent use of guidance systems, inexperience of junior aspirators and aspiration from representative node/ part of the lesion may act as confounding factors resulting in the discordance between clinical pre-diagnosis and FNAC accuracy with respect to the definitive diagnosis

Abstract Breast cancer is a highly aggressive type of cancer and has several subtypes, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which accounts for 25% of morbidity related to breast cancer. miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate 60% of human genes. Dysregulated expression of miRNA in liquid biopsy of TNBC patients has the potential as a minimally invasive diagnostic biomarker. The Association of miRNA with TNBC was evaluated using in-silico analysis. Highly enriched miRNAs were selected for functional analysis to evaluate the role of miRNA in the progression of TNBC. The qRT-PCR-based expression analysis of miRNA was performed in 190 serum samples (139 TNBC and 51 healthy). Revealed the elevated expression of miRNA-155 and miRNA-21 in TNBC compared to control samples (P