Physico-chemical characteristics of fresh faecal matter from a residential apartment: a short-term study conducted at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

The study presents findings from physico-chemical and elemental analyses of fresh faecal matter from a residential apartment in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Samples were taken every 8-10 days over 4 months to account for variability and establish baseline data. The study also examines the influence of dietary patterns and toilet cleaners on faecal sludge properties.

Risk of mortality between warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants: population-based cohort studies.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been reported to be associated with a higher risk of mortality compared with an older alternative, warfarin using primary care data in the United Kingdom (UK). However, other studies observed contradictory findings. We therefore aimed to investigate the association between mortality and warfarin, compared with DOACs.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for patients with electrical storm or refractory ventricular arrhythmias: Management and outcomes.

Patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) are at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias due to derangements in myocardial perfusion, hemodynamics, and heightened catecholamine states. Existing data on the management and outcomes of patients with electrical storm or refractory ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) treated with VA-ECMO are primarily derived from retrospective observational studies. Typical survival rates are in the range of 40-50%, with 15-20% of patients undergoing VT ablation and 30-40% of patients requiring advanced heart failure therapies (cardiac transplant or durable left ventricular assist device).

Ultrathin BIC Metasurfaces Based on Ultra-Low-Loss SbSe Phase-Change Material.

Ultrathin and low-loss phase-change materials (PCMs) are highly valued for their fast and effective phase transitions and applications in reconfigurable photonic chips, metasurfaces, optical modulators, sensors, photonic memories, and neuromorphic computing. However, conventional PCMs mostly suffer from high intrinsic losses in the near-infrared (NIR) region, limiting their potential for high quality factor (-factor) resonant metasurfaces. Here we present the design and fabrication of tunable bound states in the continuum (BIC) metasurfaces using the ultra-low-loss PCM SbSe.

Non-communicable diseases related multimorbidity, catastrophic health expenditure, and associated factors in Ernakulam district.

Background: Multimorbidity, the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual, has emerged as a significant public health challenge with profound economic implications, exerting substantial strain on healthcare systems and economies worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) related multimorbidity, catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), and associated factors among adults aged ≥40 years in Ernakulam district.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 individuals aged ≥40 years using population probability sampling.

Energy-Efficient Integrated Electro-Optic Memristors.

Neuromorphic photonic processors are redefining the boundaries of classical computing by enabling high-speed multidimensional information processing within the memory. Memristors, the backbone of neuromorphic processors, retain their state after programming without static power consumption. Among them, electro-optic memristors are of great interest, as they enable dual electrical-optical functionality that bridges the efficiency of electronics and the bandwidth of photonics.

The role of psychotropics on the associations between extreme temperature and heat-related outcomes among people with mental health conditions: population-based study.

Background: The association between heatwave and heat-related outcomes in people with mental health conditions with and without psychotropics was unclear.

Methods: We identified people with severe mental illness (SMI) and depression, respectively, using Japanese claim data of Ibaraki prefecture during 1/1/2014-31/12/2021. We conducted self-controlled case series to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of heat-related illness, myocardial infarction and delirium, respectively, during 5-day pre-heatwave, heatwave, and 5-day post-heatwave periods all other periods (baseline) within an individual, stratified by periods prescribed psychotropics and periods not prescribed psychotropics, respectively.

Spatio-spectral control of coherent nanophotonics.

Fast modulation of optical signals that carry multidimensional information in the form of wavelength, phase or polarization has fueled an explosion of interest in integrated photonics. This interest however masks a significant challenge which is that independent modulation of multi-wavelength carrier signals in a single waveguide is not trivial. Such challenge is attributed to the longitudinal direction of guided-mode propagation, limiting the spatial separation and modulation of electric-field.

The nitrone compound OKN-007 delays motor neuron loss and disease progression in the G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Our study investigated the therapeutic potential of OKN-007 in the SOD1 G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The impact of OKN-007, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, was tested at two doses (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) at onset and late-stage disease. Results demonstrated a significant delay in disease progression at both doses, with treated mice showing a slower advance to early disease stages compared to untreated controls.

Probabilistic photonic computing with chaotic light.

Biological neural networks effortlessly tackle complex computational problems and excel at predicting outcomes from noisy, incomplete data. Artificial neural networks (ANNs), inspired by these biological counterparts, have emerged as powerful tools for deciphering intricate data patterns and making predictions. However, conventional ANNs can be viewed as "point estimates" that do not capture the uncertainty of prediction, which is an inherently probabilistic process.

Reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia.

One of the most critical factors impacting healthspan in the elderly is the loss of muscle mass and function, clinically referred to as sarcopenia. Muscle atrophy and weakness lead to loss of mobility, increased risk of injury, metabolic changes and loss of independence. Thus, defining the underlying mechanisms of sarcopenia is imperative to enable the development of effective interventions to preserve muscle function and quality in the elderly and improve healthspan.

Emergent Self-Adaptation in an Integrated Photonic Neural Network for Backpropagation-Free Learning.

Plastic self-adaptation, nonlinear recurrent dynamics and multi-scale memory are desired features in hardware implementations of neural networks, because they enable them to learn, adapt, and process information similarly to the way biological brains do. In this work, these properties occurring in arrays of photonic neurons are experimentally demonstrated. Importantly, this is realized autonomously in an emergent fashion, without the need for an external controller setting weights and without explicit feedback of a global reward signal.

Traumatic Ulcerative Granuloma With Stromal Eosinophilia (TUGSE): A Case Report.

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE) is a rare, benign lesion often misdiagnosed due to its clinical and histological similarities with malignant conditions. It typically presents as a persistent, non-healing ulcer in the oral cavity. This case report describes a 64-year-old female patient who presented with a solitary ulcer caused by chronic trauma from a supra-erupted tooth.

Yield of Coronary Assessment in Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia.

Background: Coronary assessment is frequently conducted in patients with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT); however, its yield and subsequent treatment implications remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients presenting with SMVT, factors influencing clinician referral for coronary assessment, and clinical outcomes based on revascularisation or medical management of CAD.

Method: Consecutive patients presenting with acute SMVT requiring inpatient admission between 2017 and 2022 were identified.

Sebaceous Hyperplasia of the Face: A Case Report.

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a benign condition characterized by an overgrowth of sebaceous glands, often presenting as small, soft, yellowish papules on areas rich in sebaceous glands, such as the face. While the condition is harmless, it can mimic other dermatological conditions, such as basal cell carcinoma. This case report describes a 71-year-old female with sebaceous hyperplasia presenting as wart-like lesions and whiteheads on the forehead and cheek regions.

Cohort studies on 71 outcomes among people with atopic eczema in UK primary care data.

Atopic eczema may be related to multiple subsequent adverse health outcomes. Here, we provide evidence to judge and compare associations between eczema and a comprehensive set of outcomes. We conducted 71 cohort studies (age, sex, general practice-matched) using Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum primary care records (1997-2023), comparing up to 3.

A Ray of Hope in Darkness: A Case Report on the Rehabilitation of a Patient With Sudden Visual Impairment Due to Traumatic Optic Neuropathy.

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) refers to optic nerve damage resulting from trauma to the eye or head. Loss of visual functions is the hallmark of all optic neuropathies. Due to the sudden loss of vision, even after treatment, patients feel physically and psychologically disturbed.

A review on recent progress in polymer composites for effective electromagnetic interference shielding properties - structures, process, and sustainability approaches.

The rapid proliferation and extensive use of electronic devices have resulted in a meteoric increase in electromagnetic interference (EMI), which causes electronic devices to malfunction. The quest for the best shielding material to overcome EMI is boundless. This pursuit has taken different directions, right from materials to structures to process, up to the concept of sustainable materials.

Heart-Shaped Infarct on MRI and Its Implications in Bilateral Medullary Syndrome.

Bilateral medullary syndrome (BMS) is an extremely rare and devastating neurological disorder resulting from ischemia or infarction of the medulla oblongata. This case report presents two unique instances of BMS, both leading to fatal outcomes. Case 1 describes a 70-year-old male with a history of systemic hypertension who presented with limb weakness, slurred speech, and dysphagia.

OSSN in South India: Clinical presentation, treatment outcomes, and histopathologic correlations.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the clinical presentation, treatment outcomes, and histopathology features of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in a South Indian population and correlate the area of lesions to the histopathological grade/severity of carcinoma in situ (CIN) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) invasive and noninvasive tumors.

Methods: The study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The study reviewed electronic medical records (EMRs) of 99 eyes of 99 South Indian patients who underwent en bloc excision and biopsy for tumors in the corneal and conjunctival epithelium with suspicion of OSSN over 1 year from January 2019 to December 2019.