From Spores to Suffering: Understanding the Role of Anthrax in Bioterrorism.

Introduction: Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, stands as a formidable threat with both natural and bioterrorism-related implications. Its ability to afflict a wide range of hosts, including humans and animals, coupled with its potential use as a bioweapon, underscores the critical importance of understanding and advancing our capabilities to combat this infectious disease. In this context, exploring futuristic approaches becomes imperative, as they hold the promise of not only addressing current challenges but also ushering in a new era in anthrax management.

CT-augmented digital tomosynthesis image reconstruction in image-guided bronchoscopy interventions.

Background: Transbronchial needle biopsy is crucial for diagnosing lung cancer, yet its efficacy depends on accurately localizing the target lesion and biopsy needle. Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) is considered a promising imaging modality for guiding bronchoscopy procedures due to its low radiation dose and small footprint relative to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). However, the image quality of DTS is still not sufficient for an accurate guidance, mainly due to its limited-angle acquisition.

Insights on the comparative affinity of ribonucleic acids with plant-based beta carboline alkaloid, harmine: Spectroscopic, calorimetric and computational evaluation.

Small molecules as ligands target multifunctional ribonucleic acids (RNA) for therapeutic engagement. This study explores how the anticancer DNA intercalator harmine interacts various motifs of RNAs, including the single-stranded A-form poly (rA), the clover leaf tRNA, and the double-stranded A-form poly (rC)-poly (rG). Harmine showed the affinity to the polynucleotides in the order, poly (rA) > tRNA > poly (rC)·poly (rG).

Adaptive LDA Classifier Enhances Real-Time Control of an EEG Brain-Computer Interface for Decoding Imagined Syllables.

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) aim to establish a pathway between the brain and an external device without the involvement of the motor system, relying exclusively on neural signals. Such systems have the potential to provide a means of communication for patients who have lost the ability to speak due to a neurological disorder. Traditional methodologies for decoding imagined speech directly from brain signals often deploy static classifiers, that is, decoders that are computed once at the beginning of the experiment and remain unchanged throughout the BCI use.

Deformable 3D/3D CT-to-digital-tomosynthesis image registration in image-guided bronchoscopy interventions.

Traditional navigational bronchoscopy procedures rely on preprocedural computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative chest radiography and cone-beam CT (CBCT) to biopsy peripheral lung lesions. This navigational approach is challenging due to the projective nature of radiography, and the high radiation dose, long imaging time, and large footprints of CBCT. Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) is considered an attractive alternative combining the advantages of radiography and CBCT.

A mini review on human serum albumin - natural alkaloids interaction and its role as drug carrier.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is one of the main protein components of the circulatory system. It's well characterized physiological role is to carry numerous ligands to their target site. Overall pharmacokinetic profile of a drug is deliberately influenced by its affinity towards plasma proteins, especially with albumins.

Exploring spatiotemporal dynamics of flower visitor association pattern on two Avicennia mangroves: a network approach.

Plant-flower visitor interaction is one of the most important relationships regarding the co-existence of the floral and faunal communities. The implication of network approaches is an efficient way to understand the impact of community structure on ecosystem functionality. To understand the association pattern of flower visitors, we performed this study on Avicennia officinalis and Avicennia marina mangroves from the islands of Indian Sundarban over three consecutive years.

Evaluation of therapeutic role of harmaline: cytotoxicity targeting nucleic acids.

Use of small molecules as valuable drugs against diseases is still an indefinable purpose due to the lack of in-detail knowledge regarding proper bio-target identification, specificity aspects, mode-mechanism of binding and proper study. Harmaline, an important beta-carboline alkaloid, shows effective anti-proliferative action against different types of human cancers and is also found to be a nucleic acid targeting natural molecule. This review sought to address the different signal pathways of apoptosis by harmaline in different cancer cell lines and simultaneously to characterize the structure activity aspects of the alkaloid with different motifs of nucleic acid to show its preference, biological efficacy and genotoxicity.

High Tidal Volume, High Positive End Expiratory Pressure and Apneic Breath Hold Strategies (Lung Navigation Ventilation Protocol) With Cone Beam Computed Tomography Bronchoscopic Biopsy of Peripheral Lung Lesions: Results in 100 Patients.

Background: A dedicated anesthesia protocol for bronchoscopic lung biopsy-lung navigation ventilation protocol (LNVP)-specifically designed to mitigate atelectasis and reduce unnecessary respiratory motion, has been recently described. LNVP demonstrated significantly reduced dependent ground glass, sublobar/lobar atelectasis, and atelectasis obscuring target lesions compared with conventional ventilation.

Methods: In this retrospective, single-center study, we examine the impact of LNVP on 100 consecutive patients during peripheral lung lesion biopsy.

A Cone Beam CT Bronchoscopy Study of the Ultrathin Cryoprobe for Biopsy of Peripheral Lung Lesions.

Background: Compared with the standard cryoprobe, the novel ultrathin 1.1 mm cryoprobe (UTCP) has improved ergonomics, shape memory, and flexibility. The performance of UTCP has demonstrated promising results in several small trials.

Angle of concavity in planning target volume can be adopted as selection criteria for intensity-modulated radiation therapy or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy technique in brain tumors.

Introduction: With innovation of medical imaging, radiotherapy attempts to conform the high dose region to the planning target volume (PTV). The present work aimed to assess the angle of concavity in PTV can be adopted as selection criteria for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) technique in Brain tumors.

Materials And Methods: Thirty previously irradiated patients with brain tumors were replanned with both 3DCRT and IMRT technique.

"Tool-in-lesion" Accuracy of Galaxy System-A Robotic Electromagnetic Navigation BroncHoscopy With Integrated Tool-in-lesion-Tomosynthesis Technology: The MATCH Study.

Background: The Galaxy System (Noah Medical) is a novel robotic endoluminal platform using electromagnetic navigation combined with integrated tomosynthesis technology and augmented fluoroscopy. It provides intraprocedural imaging to correct computerized tomography (CT) to body divergence and novel confirmation of tool-in-lesion (TIL). The primary aim of this study was to assess the TIL accuracy of the robotic bronchoscope with integrated digital tomosynthesis and augmented fluoroscopy.

A Mini Review on Molecules Inducing Caspase-Independent Cell Death: A New Route to Cancer Therapy.

Most anticancer treatments trigger tumor cell death through apoptosis, where initiation of proteolytic action of caspase protein is a basic need. But under certain circumstances, apoptosis is prevented by the apoptosis inhibitor proteins, survivin and Hsp70. Several drugs focusing on classical programmed death of the cell have been reported to have low anti-tumorogenic potency due to mutations in proteins involved in the caspase-dependent programmed cell death with intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.

Urinary metabolic modulation in human participants residing in Siachen: a 1H NMR metabolomics approach.

The main physiological challenge in high altitude environment is hypoxia which affects the aerobic metabolism reducing the energy supply. These changes may further progress toward extreme environment-related diseases. These are further reflected in changes in small molecular weight metabolites and metabolic pathways.

RGS7-ATF3-Tip60 Complex Promotes Hepatic Steatosis and Fibrosis by Directly Inducing TNFα.

The pathophysiological mechanism(s) underlying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have yet to be fully delineated and only a single drug, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ agonist saroglitazar, has been approved. Here, we sought to investigate the role of Regulator of G Protein Signaling 7 (RGS7) in hyperlipidemia-dependent hepatic dysfunction. RGS7 is elevated in the livers of NAFLD patients, particularly those with severe hepatic damage, pronounced insulin resistance, and high inflammation.

NAVIGATE 24-Month Results: Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy for Pulmonary Lesions at 37 Centers in Europe and the United States.

Introduction: Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is a minimally invasive, image-guided approach to access lung lesions for biopsy or localization for treatment. However, no studies have reported prospective 24-month follow-up from a large, multinational, generalizable cohort. This study evaluated ENB safety, diagnostic yield, and usage patterns in an unrestricted, real-world observational design.

Island Based Assemblage Pattern and Foraging Profile of Insect Flower Visitors on Aegialitis rotundifolia -a Near Threatened Mangrove Plant from Indian Sundarban.

Understanding the association pattern and foraging behaviour of flower visitors is crucial to determine their role in the interaction with plants. To analyse the insect flower visitor association as well as their foraging profile on Aegialitis rotundifolia Roxb.-a near threatened mangrove plant, present study has been conducted among four islands of Indian Sundarban for three consecutive years.

Anesthesia considerations to reduce motion and atelectasis during advanced guided bronchoscopy.

Partnership between anesthesia providers and proceduralists is essential to ensure patient safety and optimize outcomes. A renewed importance of this axiom has emerged in advanced bronchoscopy and interventional pulmonology. While anesthesia-induced atelectasis is common, it is not typically clinically significant.

Lung Navigation Ventilation Protocol to Optimize Biopsy of Peripheral Lung Lesions.

Background: Computed tomography-to-body divergence caused by respiratory motion, atelectasis, diaphragmatic motion and other factors is an obstacle to peripheral lung biopsies. We examined a conventional ventilation strategy versus a lung navigation ventilation protocol (LNVP) optimized for intraprocedural 3-dimensional image acquisition and bronchoscopic biopsy of peripheral lung nodules.

Methods: A retrospective, single center study was conducted in consecutive subjects with peripheral lung lesions measuring <30 mm.

Structure-activity insights of harmine targeting DNA, ROS inducing cytotoxicity with PARP mediated apoptosis against cervical cancer, anti-biofilm formation and therapeutic study.

Harmine exhibits pH dependent structural equilibrium and possesses numerous biological and pharmacological activities. Mode and mechanism of DNA binding and its cytotoxicity were studied by multiple spectroscopic, calorimetric, molecular docking and apoptotic as well as biochemical and histological studies. It exists as cationic (structure I) and decationic form (structure II) in the pH range 3.

Cone beam CT imaging for bronchoscopy: a technical review.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a well-established imaging modality with numerous proven applications across multiple clinical disciplines. More recently, CBCT has emerged as an important imaging tool for bronchoscopists, primarily used during transbronchial biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLS). For this application CBCT has proved useful in navigating devices to a target lesion, in confirming device tool-in-lesion, as well as during tissue acquisition.

Augmented Fluoroscopy: A New and Novel Navigation Platform for Peripheral Bronchoscopy.

Background: The diagnosis of lung nodules continues to be a challenge. Confirmed diagnosis allows appropriate treatment for cancers and allows avoidance of more invasive procedures for proven noncancers. Currently, available lung biopsy technologies each have their own limitations, which affect the ability to successfully navigate to a suspicious nodule and to collect a diagnostic sample.

Erratum to "Sport as a vehicle of change for livelihoods, social participation and marital health for the youth: Findings from a prospective cohort in Bihar, India" [EClinicalMedicine 20 (2020) 100302].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.