3D nanocomposites of β-TCP-HBO-Cu with improved mechanical and biological performances for bone regeneration applications.

Recently, 3-D porous architecture of the composites play a key role in cell proliferation, bone regeneration, and anticancer activities. The osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties of β-TCP allow for the complete repair of numerous bone defects. Herein, β-TCP was synthesized by wet chemical precipitation route, and their 3-D porous composites with HBO and Cu nanoparticles were prepared by the solid-state reaction method with improved mechanical and biological performances.

Pharmaceutical Humanities and Narrative Pharmacy: An Emerging New Concept in Pharmacy.

The complexity of our life experiences and the rapid progress in science and technology clearly necessitate reflections from the humanities. The ever-growing intersection between science and society fosters the emergence of novel interdisciplinary fields of research. During the past decade, Medical Humanities arose to meet the need to unravel hidden information beyond technology-driven and fact-based medicine.

Aberrant DNA methylation of EDNRB, MGMT and TIMP3 gene promoters in saliva of head and neck carcinoma patients as a diagnostic tool.

Background: Differential DNA methylation in the promoter region of tumour suppressor genes leads to gene function silencing.

Materials And Methods: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the salivary promoter methylation of EDNRB, MGMT and TIMP3 genes in H&NC patients (n = 100), premalignant lesions patients (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 50). Blood and saliva samples were collected from all three groups and 20 concomitant tumour tissues were collected from the H&NC patients.

Differences in US Adult Dietary Patterns by Cardiovascular Health and Socioeconomic Vulnerability.

Background: Naturally occurring dietary patterns, a major contributor to health, are not well described among those with cardiovascular disease (CVD) - particularly in light of socioeconomic vulnerability. We sought to identify major dietary patterns in the US and their distribution by CVD, social risk factors, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 32,498 noninstitutionalized adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2020).

Evaluation of the long-term effects of COVID-19 on pulmonary functions in recovered patients.

Background: It is documented that COVID-19 survivors have prolonged morbidity and functional impairment for many years. Data regarding post-COVID-19 lung functions is lacking from the Indian population. We aim to evaluate the lung functions in such patients after 3-6 months of hospital discharge.

Mechanistic Insights into the Divergent Membrane Activities of a Viroporin from Chikungunya Virus and Its Transframe Variant.

Alphaviruses, a genus of vector-borne viruses in the family, encode a small ion-channel-forming protein, 6K, and its transframe variant (TF) during infections. Although 6K/TF have vital roles in glycoprotein transport, virus assembly, and budding, there is no mechanistic explanation for these functions. We investigated the distinct biochemical functionalities of 6K and TF from the mosquito-borne alphavirus, Chikungunya Virus.

Mutation Spectrum Analysis of BRCA1/2 Genes for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer in the Indian Population.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and spectrum of genetic mutations linked to inherited breast and ovary cancer (HBOC) in the Indian population, and to evaluate the correlation of BRCA mutation types, frequency, and incidence with age, gender, and personal and family history.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 500 Indian HBOC patients, meeting NCCN criteria who underwent BRCA1/2 testing from 2017 to 2023 were shortlisted for this study. The anonymized data was retrieved from medical records.

Inflammatory Markers and Measures of Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 1 Diabetes.

Background: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and inflammation predict more severe outcomes in type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the link between CAN and inflammation in T1D remains unclear. We examined associations between CAN measures and inflammatory biomarkers in individuals with T1D.

Dysregulation of mRNA expression by hsa-miR-186 overexpression in arsenic-induced skin carcinogenesis.

Dysregulated miRNA expression contributes to development of arsenic-induced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). hsa-miR-186 (miR-186) is overexpressed in arsenical cSCC tissues as well as in preclinical cell line model of arsenical cSCC. Simultaneous miR-186 overexpression and chronic inorganic trivalent arsenite (iAs; 100 nM) exposure transformed human HaCaT cell line preferentially over miR-186 overexpression or iAs exposure alone.

The role of soil surface in a sustainable semiarid ecosystem.

Patterns in a semiarid ecosystem are important because they directly and indirectly affect ecological processes, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience. Understanding the causes and effects of these patterns is critical for long-term land surface management and conservation efforts in semiarid regions, which are especially sensitive to climate change and human-caused disturbances. In addition, developing mathematical models is challenging because of the involvement of several interacting components within an ecosystem.

Branch retinal artery occlusion in a young patient with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser type 2 syndrome.

Retinal vascular occlusions are rare in young people, and any occlusion warrants an extensive clinical evaluation to establish the etiology. Cardiac malformations are a source of embolism. We present a case of atrial septal defect (ASD) in a patient with type II Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, leading to unilateral branch retinal arterial occlusion (BRAO) in a young woman.

Evaluation of the health impacts and deregulation of signaling pathways in humans induced by microplastics.

This review assesses the diverse health risk factors associated with microplastic (MP) exposure and their impact on cellular signaling pathways. MPs induce chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, apoptosis, and immune dysregulation. They activate signaling pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2, exacerbating inflammatory responses, oxidative damage, and hormonal imbalances.

Computational Investigation of Meso-Substituted, Heavy Atom-Free BODIPY Derivatives as Photosensitizers: Insights From TDDFT and Dynamics Studies.

This study investigates the structural and electronic properties of BODIPY (BDP) derivatives featuring meso-substituted donors arranged orthogonally, leveraging Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT). These deriva-tives, selected based on experimental evidence of their quantum yield towards singlet oxygen generation, exhibit intricate excited-state dynamics, transitioning from fluorescence to intersystem crossing (ISC), thereby presenting a promising avenue for applications in photodynamic therapy. Emphasizing heavy-atom-free organic triplet photosensitizers, with BDP dyes highlighted for their exceptional adaptability in photophysical characteristics, our analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the fundamental design principles governing such photosensitizers.

Utility of shear wave elastography in evaluation of children with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Shear wave elastography (SWE) is proven for liver fibrosis. However, there are challenges in assessing the kidney owing to its surrounding structures, retroperitoneal location, and visceral fat. Kidney biopsy is the gold standard for estimating fibrosis, but is associated with inherent risks of bleeding and sedation.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase1 (PARP1) and PARP inhibitors: New frontiers in cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer affects more than half a million women and treatment options for advanced disease and recurrence is limited. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase1 (PARP1) is a critical nuclear protein regulating several components and functions of cellular machinery, including cancer. PARP1 expression and activity plays a crucial dynamics in the tumor microenvironment.

Making "scents" of nutrients: Investigating the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and vitamin intake.

Decreased overall dietary consumption of micronutrients may be linked to an increased risk of olfactory dysfunction (OD) including subjective report of OD, subjective report of phantosmia, and objective OD. Interactions were identified between these micronutrients, suggesting that outcomes may vary depending on the mixture of micronutrients taken.

Molecular characterization, phylogenetic and variation analyses of SARS-CoV-2 strains in India.

Unlabelled: In the wake of the havoc caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to use the available genomic sequence data to gain insight into the mutational and genomic diversity of SARS-CoV-2. Here we have performed comparative phylogenetic, mutational and genetic diversity analysis on 1962 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from seven worst hit Indian states during the third Covid-19 wave, to determine the SARS-CoV-2 strains and mutations in circulation during the third wave and the transmission pattern and disease epidemiology across the states and gain valuable insight into the viral evolution. 6083 Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were discovered in the analysis with 93 SNPs common to all states.

Unveiling the Aggressiveness of Cholesteatoma: Associating MERI with miRNA-21 & IL-6 Expression.

Background: Cholesteatoma, a destructive middle ear condition, poses challenges due to its variable clinical presentation and propensity for recurrence. Understanding its molecular underpinnings could enhance prognostication and guide therapeutic interventions. This study investigates the association between cholesteatoma aggressiveness, as assessed by the Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI), and the expression of miRNA-21 and IL-6 genes.

Dependability and Prognostic Value of Biomarkers in COVID-19 Associated Rhino-Orbito- Cerebral Mucormycosis- A Long Term Ambispective Study.

Unlabelled: COVID-19 pandemic, which has exhibited a wide clinical spectrum and an unexpected surge in mucormycosis cases, understanding various biomarkers' roles becomes pivotal. As mucormycosis leads to clinical morbidity and mortality through angioinvasion and thromboembolism, unveiling the correlation between these markers and disease progression can shed light on the reasons behind mucormycosis's emergence as an epidemic, especially following the second wave of COVID-19. This long term ambispective observational study, conducted from May 2020 to July 2023, aimed to assess specific biomarkers as predictors of severity in COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM).