Benzoylmesaconine alters the native structure and activity of hen egg white lysozyme: revealing possible mechanism of aconitum-induced toxicity.

Purpose: This study examines the interaction between benzoylmesaconine (BMA) and hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) under various physiological conditions, aiming to determine how BMA affects the HEWL's structure and function.

Methods: Several analytical techniques were used, including tryptophan assay, light scattering, thioflavin T (ThT)-binding assay, dynamic light scattering, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS)-binding assay, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, enzyme activity assay, and molecular docking.

Results: The tryptophan assay displayed a concentration-dependent decrease in tryptophan fluorescence, showing an interaction between BMA and HEWL.

Validation of a family planning self-efficacy measure with married women in Bihar, India: Findings from the Bihar Integrated Family Planning Survey.

Objectives: Adapting and testing a novel measure of family planning self-efficacy (FPSE) and examining its association with fertility intention and contraceptive use in India.

Study Design: Data were analyzed from 13,901 non-sterilized, currently married women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in the Bihar Integrated Family Planning Survey (BIFS) 2021. We adapted an FP Self Efficacy measure comprising women's agency to overcome barriers to accessing, discussing and using contraception, regardless of family pressure and social judgment.

Burnout, motivation and job satisfaction among community health workers recruited for a depression training in Madhya Pradesh, India: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Burnout, low motivation, and poor job satisfaction among community health workers (CHWs) have negative impacts on health workers and on patients. This study aimed to characterize levels of burnout, motivation, and job satisfaction in CHWs in Madhya Pradesh, India and to determine the relation between these levels and participant characteristics. This study can inform efforts to promote wellbeing and address stress in this population.

Self-Assembly of a Perfluorinated Amphiphilic Cyanine Dye into Branched Tubular J-Aggregates.

The self-assembly process is governed by the individual constituents of molecules through precise non-covalent interactions. Amphiphilic cyanines are intriguing in supramolecular chemistry due to the large polarizability of their delocalized π-electron systems, their tuneable optical properties and their ability to form well-defined self-assembled structures in different media. Here we present the synthesis of a novel tetrahydroxy amphiphilic carbocyanine dye with perfluoro alkylated chains -(CH)-(CF)-CF as hydrophobic segments and aminoproanediol as hydrophilic segment.

Impact of single chamber and dual chamber permanent pacemaker implantation on left ventricular function: An observational study.

Background: Permanent pacemaker implantation has the potential to impact left ventricular (LV) function and hence quality of life (QoL) in the long term.

Aim: To assess the effect of single- and dual-chamber pacing on LV function and QoL.

Methods: This study included 56 patients who underwent permanent pacing: Dual pacing, dual sensing, dual responsive and rate responsive (DDDR) for the initial 3 months and ventricular pacing, ventricular sensing, inhibited response and rate responsive (VVIR) for the next 3 months, and DDDR mode for the last 3 months.

Assessment of feeding hydroponic fodder on growth and reproduction performance in Black Bengal goat.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydroponic fodder on the growth and reproductive performance of Black Bengal goats in East Champaran, Bihar, during the years 2020-21 and 2021-22. A total of 24 goats were randomly assigned to four groups: Control (C) with extensive grazing, gram straw, concentrate feed, and green fodder; Treatment 1 (T1) receiving C + 300 g/day of wheat hydroponic fodder; Treatment 2 (T2) with 300 g/day of maize hydroponic fodder alone; and Treatment 3 (T3) receiving C + a combination of 150 g/day of wheat and 150 g/day of maize hydroponic fodder. Each group comprised 6 animals.

G-CSF resistance of ELANE mutant neutropenia depends on SERF1 containing truncated neutrophil elastase aggregates.

Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is frequently associated with dominant point mutations in ELANE, the gene encoding neutrophil elastase (NE). Chronic administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a first-line treatment of ELANE-mutant (ELANEmut) SCN. However, some ELANEmut patients including patients with ELANE start codon mutations do not respond to G-CSF.

Fluid-specific detection of environmental pollutant moxifloxacin hydrochloride utilizing a rare-earth niobate decorated functionalized carbon nanofiber sensor platform.

The development of precise and efficient detection methods is essential for the real-time monitoring of antibiotics, especially in environmental and biological matrices. This study aims to address this challenge by introducing a novel electrochemical sensor for the targeted detection of moxifloxacin hydrochloride (MFN), a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone. The sensor is based on a holmium niobate (HNO) and functionalized carbon nanofiber (f-CNF) nanocomposite, synthesized via a hydrothermal approach and subsequently characterized for its structural and electrochemical properties.

Microstructured large-area photoconductive terahertz emitters driven at high average power.

Emitters based on photoconductive materials excited by ultrafast lasers are well-established and popular devices for THz generation. However, so far, these emitters - both photoconductive antennas and large area emitters - were mostly explored using driving lasers with moderate average powers (either fiber lasers with up to hundreds of milliwatts or Ti:Sapphire systems up to few watts). In this paper, we explore the use of high-power, MHz repetition rate Ytterbium (Yb) based oscillator for THz emission using a microstructured large-area photoconductive emitter, consist of semi-insulating GaAs with a 10 × 10 mm active area.

Particulate matter exposure and its consequences on hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function in experimental models.

Exposure to air pollution is thought to cause millions of deaths globally each year. According to the Who 2018, approximately 7 million deaths annually are caused predominantly by noncommunicable diseases due to air pollution. Exposure to air particulate matter 2.

Assessing the Utility of the DAPT Score and PRECISE-DAPT Score in Determining the Appropriateness of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction/Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Utilizing the two available prediction models, i.e., the dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) score and predicting bleeding complication in patients undergoing stent implantation and subsequent dual antiplatelet therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score, we aimed to determine the appropriateness of the DAPT in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Chitosan-Based Nanoformulations: Preclinical Investigations, Theranostic Advancements, and Clinical Trial Prospects for Targeting Diverse Pathologies.

Chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, has attracted significant interest in the development of nanoformulations for targeted drug delivery and therapeutic applications. The versatility of chitosan lies in its modifiable functional groups, which can be tailored to diverse applications. Nanoparticles derived from chitosan and its derivatives typically exhibit a positive surface charge and mucoadhesive properties, enabling them to adhere to negatively charged biological membranes and gradually release therapeutic agents.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in the management of heart failure: Veni, Vidi, and Vici.

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers (including angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitors), beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor blockers remain the mainstay of pharmacotherapy for HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, despite the use of guideline-directed medical therapy, the mortality from HFrEF remains high.

Insights into the seasonal variation, distribution, composition and dynamics of microplastics in the Ganga River ecosystem of Varanasi City, Uttar Pradesh, India.

The current study explores the seasonal dynamics of microplastic (MP) pollution in the Ganga River of Varanasi City, Uttar Pradesh, India, focusing on water and sediment samples collected during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. The analysis shows significant variations in MP occurrence, shape dynamics, color distribution, and size composition across diverse sampling sites. During the pre-monsoon season, MP concentrations ranged from 17 to 36 particles/L in water samples and 160 to 312 particles/kg in sediment, indicating a moderate to high level of contamination.

Protective Effects of Chlorogenic Acid Against Amyloid-Beta-Induced Oxidative Stress and Ion Transport Dysfunction in SH-SY5Y Cells.

Caloric restriction mimetics mimic the beneficial effects of dietary restriction approaches, such as caloric restriction approaches, without limiting the dietary intake. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) acts as a caloric restriction mimetic; however, its neuroprotective mechanisms remain ambiguous. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the neuroprotective effects of CGA on SH-SY5Y cells treated with amyloid-beta (Aβ)1-42.

The nexus between maternal antenatal care attendance, newborn postnatal care and neonatal mortality in India: a matched case-control study.

Introduction: Our study examines the relationship between newborn postnatal care and neonatal mortality stratified by maternal antenatal care attendance under a matched case-control framework.

Methods: Data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey was used. A total of 172,079 recent births to eligible women (15-49 years) in five years preceding the survey were included in the study.

Spermidine protects cellular redox status and ionic homeostasis in D-galactose induced senescence and natural aging rat models.

Impaired redox homeostasis is an important hallmark of aging. Among various anti-aging interventions, caloric restriction mimetics (CRMs) are the most effective in promoting health and longevity. The potential role of spermidine (SPD) as a CRM in modulating oxidative stress and redox homeostasis during aging remains unclear.

A character-strengths based coaching intervention to improve wellbeing of rural community health workers in Madhya Pradesh, India: Protocol for a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is scarce knowledge on the use of structured positive psychology interventions for reducing work-stress and improving wellbeing of rural community health workers in India, particularly the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) who are village-level (resident women, incentivised) lay health workers. This trial will test the effectiveness of a 'character-strengths' based coaching intervention compared to routine supervision on wellbeing ('authentic happiness') of ASHAs.

Methods: This protocol is for a single-blind, parallel group randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of a five-day residential workshop focusing on the use of character-strengths and subsequent 8- to 10-week remote telephonic coaching (weekly) to individually support ASHAs to improve their wellbeing, against routine health system support.

Face mask littering in coastal environment of Coromandel beaches, a comparison between street and beach littering - perspective and perceptions.

The usage of face mask has been encouraged globally to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their improper disposal has begun to impact the environment. In the present study, face mask littering was assessed in sixteen stations across the beaches in Coromandel coast of South India for a period of four weeks.

Clinical Insights on Caloric Restriction Mimetics for Mitigating Brain Aging and Related Neurodegeneration.

Aging, an inevitable physiological process leading to a progressive decline in bodily functions, has been an abundantly researched domain with studies attempting to slow it down and reduce its debilitating effects. Investigations into the cellular and molecular pathways associated with aging have allowed the formulation of therapeutic strategies. Of these, caloric restriction (CR) has been implicated for its role in promoting healthy aging by modulating key molecular targets like Insulin/IGF-1, mTOR, and sirtuins.

Occurrence and visual characterization of microplastics from Mahakam River at Tenggarong City, Indonesia.

Indonesia generates approximately 7.8 million tons of plastic waste annually, which 4.9 million tons is mismanaged.