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This article discusses the interplay between the gut-brain axis and stroke, a multifaceted neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network linking the central nervous system (CNS) to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including the enteric nervous system (ENS), vagus nerve, and gut microbiota. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota, alterations in the ENS and vagus nerve, and gut motility changes have been linked to increased inflammation and oxidative stress, which are contributing factors in the development and progression of stroke. Research on animals has shown that modifying the gut microbiota can impact the results of a stroke. Germ-free mice displayed improved neurological function and decreased infarct volumes, indicating a positive effect. Furthermore, studies in stroke patients have shown alterations in the gut microbiota composition, indicating that targeting dysbiosis could be a potential therapeutic strategy for stroke. The review suggests that targeting the gut-brain axis may represent a potential therapeutic approach to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with stroke., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Murthy et al.)

Influenza A virus (IAV), particularly the H3N2 variant, is known to cause respiratory manifestations, but it can also lead to neurological complications ranging from mild symptoms like headache and dizziness to severe conditions such as encephalitis and acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE). In this article, the correlation between the H3N2 variant of the IAV and neurological manifestations is discussed. Additionally, prompt recognition and treatment of influenza-associated neurological manifestations are highlighted to prevent infection-related long-term complications. This review briefly discusses various neurological complications linked to IAV infections, such as encephalitis, febrile convulsions, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and the potential mechanisms involved in the development of neurological complications., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Reddy et al.)

A selective, sensitive and robust chiral analytical method was developed for the quantification of Brivaracetam (BRV) and its three isomers. Systematic chiral chromatographic elution process was executed in different modes on chiral columns of polysaccharide based to attain the finest condition. The analytical method was developed by utilizing immobilized polysaccharide chiral column (CHIRALPAK IG-U) with reversed phase under isocratic condition containing acetonitrile and 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate in the proportion of 40:60 (v/v). The mobile phase flow rate and column temperature were monitored at 0.3 mLmin-1 and 25°C with a resolution of more than 2.0. The eluted components from the column were processed at 212 nm UV detection. The limit of detection and limit of quantification values of BRV, 2R, 4S-Isomer, 2R, 4R-Isomer and 2S, 4S-Isomers were found to be 0.0066/0.02, 0.0035/0.0107, 0.0036/0.0109 and 0.005/0.0152 µgml-1 respectively. Precision, linearity, accuracy and robustness were conducted according to ICH guidelines and the findings were within the acceptable limits. The proposed analytical method was found to be precise, accurate and specific for the quantification of enantiomer and its diastereomers for drug product and drug substance of BRV., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-Cov-2) is a novel coronavirus that is believed to be mainly transmitted via droplet and contact transmission. While research is focusing on epidemiology, transmission, vaccine development, and therapeutics for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is a possibility of disease relapse. There are reports of patients who tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 after clinical recovery and initial clearance of the virus. Objective This systematic review aims to identify the trends of COVID-19 relapse, the effects of co-morbidities on it, and associated mortality rates. Methods We conducted a systematic search during March and April 2020 for research articles on the relapse of COVID-19 using two primary databases, PubMed and Embase. Results A total of 13 eligible studies were screened of which 11 (case reports) were eligible for data extraction. The earliest to report relapse was after two days of discharge and the latest was 22 days after discharge. The mean number of days to relapse was 12 days and the median number was seven days. There was incomplete information about comorbidities. No mortalities were reported at the time of the study., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2020, Elsayed et al.)

Caffeine is the most used central nervous system stimulant drug to date. Many studies have shown the association of caffeine with bone remodeling, urinary calcium excretion, kidney stones, acid peptic disease, and the development of cancer. However, there has been very little research exploring the association between caffeine use and parathyroid gland disorders. We shed light on the possible connection between caffeine and parathyroid adenomas, as suggested in the literature., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2020, Reddy et al.)

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), belonging to a group of RNA-enveloped viruses and believed to be transmitted by aerosol route, is a worldwide pandemic. Many studies have described typical clinical manifestations such as fever, cough, fatigue, diarrhea, and nasal congestion. However, to our knowledge, there are minimal studies on the neurological manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Our review aims to identify the various neurological manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, which could be an added advantage in the early diagnosis and prevention of further complications of the nervous system., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2020, Gupta et al.)

Introduction: Growth monitoring of children in India is usually done by Anganwadi workers using weight-for-age growth charts. We wanted to assess the magnitude of various types of undernutrition among under-5 children using multiple growth charts and risk factors of undernutrition. We also wanted to assess if prevalence of undernutrition improves following sensitization of various stakeholders., Methodology: This is a single-arm prospective study conducted at a selected urban primary health center area in Puducherry. All the eligible 366 under-5 children and their mothers were included. Data were collected using pretested structured questionnaire. Assessment of nutritional status was done using three types of growth charts. Three home visits were made, at an interval of around 6 months, for monitoring the nutrition status of children., Results: The prevalence of undernutrition at baseline was 15.8% (95% CI 12-19.6). The prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting were 9.6%, 7.6%, and 7.3%, respectively. Weight-for-age growth chart could identify only 67% with stunting and 50% of children with wasting. The decrease in prevalence of wasting, underweight, and stunting were 63.6%, 44.8%, and 31.5%, respectively, over 1-year follow-up. Nutrition status could improve by prevention of low birth weight, ensuring gaps between births and promotion of breastfeeding and hand hygiene., Conclusion: It is important to use multiple growth charts for assessing nutritional status of children, instead of relying only on weight-for-age growth chart. Overreliance on use of weight-for-age growth chart will fail to identify more children with wasting. Under-5 undernutrition status can be decreased following intensive growth monitoring and planning appropriate actions involving various stakeholders., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Genomic DNA (gDNA) obtained from whole blood samples is a critical element for genomic research and clinical diagnosis. PCR efficiencies of the targeted genes like HLA-A, -B, -C, DPB1 and DRB1 using such isolated gDNAs were variable in spite of having similar amounts of gDNA taken for PCR. We addressed such PCR variabilities by normalizing the gDNA's using an internal control of human coagulation factor XIII that was found to be variable with all samples and did not correlate with the observed A 260 nm readings. The PCR and Q-PCR methodologies for the human coagulation factor XIII have been optimized, and the advantages of normalizing gDNA preparations based on F13 copy numbers have been discussed. This method will serve as a suitable choice to be used in laboratories and research centres, particularly when dealing with a large number of samples for the next-generation sequencing purposes, and in forensic labs with limited sample availability.

Background: Household pesticides (biocides) are widely used for the purpose of controlling vector-borne diseases. Exposure to biocides causes various health hazards in human beings. Prevalence of biocide use, storage methods, and personal protection measures while handling biocides are not known among rural households in South India., Material and Methods: A communitybased cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 households in rural Puducherry (union territory). Information on household biocide use, frequency of use, storage and personal safety practices were captured using pretested questionnaire. Continuous variables like age are summarized by mean and standard deviation. Categorical variables like gender, education, a type of a house, biocide usage and related handling practices are summarized as proportions., Results: Majority (85%) of the households reported presence of at least 1 biocide. Mosquito liquidizer was the most commonly used biocide (45%) followed by mosquito coil (31%), ant powder (30%) and ant chalk (20%). Protection measures against the majority of used biocides were used only in few households and no personal protection measures were used while handling mosquito coil, mat, ant chalk and rat powder., Conclusions: The prevalence of household biocide use is high in the study setting. Storage, handling and post handling practices were not sufficient to protect health. Med Pr 2016;67(5):599-604., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)