Therapeutic doses of efzofitimod demonstrate efficacy in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Background: In a phase 1b/2a clinical trial of efzofitimod in patients with corticosteroid-requiring pulmonary sarcoidosis, treatment resulted in dose-dependent improvement in key end-points. We undertook a analysis pooling dose arms that achieved therapeutic concentrations of efzofitimod (Therapeutic group) those that did not (Subtherapeutic group).

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells incubated with tuberculin-coated beads were exposed to varying concentrations of efzofitimod in an assay to determine concentrations that inhibited granuloma formation.

Therapeutic Potential of Suaeda japonica Makino Leaf Extract Against Obesity in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and HFD-Induced C57BL/6 J Mice.

The worldwide obesity prevalence is increasing, affecting around 4 million individuals annually. This research critically evaluated the anti-obesity efficacy of the Korean mudflat halophyte herb Suaeda japonica (Suaeda japonica Makino). In the obese mice model, the administration of 200 mg/kg b.

Radiation doses received by humans in their dwellings - A baseline report on radionuclides exposure from construction materials used in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Gamma-ray spectrometry was employed to assess the activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides (U, Th, and K) in various construction materials, including those used for building, roofing, furnishing, flooring, and plastering. The measured activity concentrations of the radionuclides ranged as follows: U (25 to 477 Bq kg), Th (below detection limit to 239 Bq kg), and K (285 to 1915 Bq kg). Based on these values, the materials were categorized in descending order of radioactivity threat as: Furnishing > Roofing > Building > Flooring > Plastering.

Neonatal Encephalopathy due to Glutaminase Deficiency in a Neonate.

Identifying neurometabolic disorders that lead to neonatal encephalopathy is difficult, and access to exome sequencing is a significant advantage in developing countries. We present a case of neonatal encephalopathy characterized by refractory seizures and significant apnea resulting from glutaminase deficiency, along with elevated levels of glutamine and glycine in the cerebrospinal fluid. Although the condition was fatal, it was possible to offer genetic counseling and recommendations for future pregnancies following exome sequencing.

Treatment optimisation for blood pressure with single-pill combinations in India (TOPSPIN) - Protocol design and baseline characteristics.

Background: The burden of over 300 million individuals living with hypertension in India is increasing steadily. Most current guidelines recommend initial combination therapy for effective blood pressure (BP) control. However, there is no randomised evidence to inform which combinations to use in the South Asian population, who account for over one-quarter of the world's population.

Heavy metal contamination in soils of industrial estates of Tamil Nadu, India and source identification by magnetic susceptibility.

An increase in erratic industrial activity has been a major contributing factor to the significant contamination in environmental matrices. This study aimed to ascertain the level of heavy metal contamination in soils in major industrial estates of Tamil Nadu as well as the threats to human health and the environment that concomitant with it. This led to the use of the total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy technique to analyse 31 soil samples.

On the engineering of higher-order Van Hove singularities in two dimensions.

The properties of correlated electron materials are often intricately linked to Van Hove singularities (VHS) in the vicinity of the Fermi energy. The class of these VHS is of great importance, with higher-order ones-with power-law divergence in the density of states-leaving frequently distinct signatures in physical properties. We use a new theoretical method to detect and analyse higher-order VHS (HOVHS) in two-dimensional materials and apply it to the electronic structure of the surface layer of SrRuO.

Prebiotics: Comprehensive analysis of sources, structural characteristics and mechanistic roles in disease regulation.

Prebiotics are nondigestible components that comprise short-chain carbohydrates, primarily oligosaccharides, which are converted into beneficial compounds by probiotics. Various plant substances with prebiotic properties provide substantial health benefits and are used to prevent different diseases and for medical and clinical applications. Consuming prebiotics gives impeccable benefits since it aids in gut microbial balance.

Differential electrophoretic mobility of synthetic DNA motifs and duplex DNA in various counter ions.

In this work, we analyzed the electrophoretic behavior of a double crossover (DX) DNA motif in various counter ions. The influence of the type and concentration of counter ions on electrophoretic behavior is different for the DX motif compared to a duplex of the same molecular weight. Higher concentrations of divalent ions Mg and Ca in the gel and running buffer reduce the electrophoretic migration of the DX motif.

Switchback RNA.

Intricately designed DNA and RNA motifs guide the assembly of robust and functional nucleic acid nanostructures. In this work, we present a globally left-handed RNA motif with two parallel strands called switchback RNA and report its assembly, biophysical, and biochemical characterization. Switchback RNA can be assembled in buffers without Mg, with improved thermal stability in buffers containing Mg, Na, or K.

BWC0977, a broad-spectrum antibacterial clinical candidate to treat multidrug resistant infections.

The global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates the development of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs effective against multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. BWC0977, a Novel Bacterial Topoisomerase Inhibitor (NBTI) selectively inhibits bacterial DNA replication via inhibition of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. BWC0977 exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.

Author Response: Emphasizing Patient-centered Outcomes and Improved Exclusion Criteria in Randomized Control Trials for Clinical Nutrition in ICU.

Govil D, Chandrasekaran A, Pachisia AV, Harne R, Patel SJ, Pal D. Author Response: Emphasizing Patient-centered Outcomes and Improved Exclusion Criteria in Randomized Control Trials for Clinical Nutrition in ICU. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(8):806-807.

Localization and recognition of human action in 3D using transformers.

Understanding a person's behavior from their 3D motion sequence is a fundamental problem in computer vision with many applications. An important component of this problem is 3D action localization, which involves recognizing what actions a person is performing, and when the actions occur in the sequence. To promote the progress of the 3D action localization community, we introduce a new, challenging, and more complex benchmark dataset, BABEL-TAL (BT), for 3D action localization.

Magnetically Integrated Tumor-Vascular Interface System to Mimic Pro-angiogenic Endothelial Dysregulations for On-Chip Drug Testing.

The tumor-vascular interface is a critical component of the tumor microenvironment that regulates all of the dynamic interactions between a growing tumor and the endothelial lining of the surrounding vasculature. In this paper, we report the design and development of a custom-engineered tumor-vascular interface system for investigating the early stage tumor-mediated pro-angiogenic dysfunctional behavior of the endothelium. Using representative endothelial cells and triple negative breast cancer cell lines, we established a biomimetic interface between a three-dimensional tumor tissue across a mature, functional endothelial barrier using a magnetically hybrid-integrated tumor-vascular interface system, wherein vasculature-like features containing a monolayer of endothelial cell culture on porous microfluidic channel surfaces were magnetically attached to tumor spheroids generated on a composite polymer-hydrogel microwell plate and embedded in a collagen matrix.

Comparison between Effect of Indirect Calorimetry vs Weight-based Equation (25 kcal/kg/day)-guided Nutrition on Quadriceps Muscle Thickness as Assessed by Bedside Ultrasonography in Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aim And Background: Sarcopenia is a substantial contributor to intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness and is associated with significant short- and long-term outcomes. It can, however, be mitigated by providing appropriate nutrition. Indirect calorimetry (IC) is believed to be the gold standard in determining caloric targets in the dynamic environment of critical illness.

The unusual structural properties and potential biological relevance of switchback DNA.

Synthetic DNA motifs form the basis of nucleic acid nanotechnology. The biochemical and biophysical properties of these motifs determine their applications. Here, we present a detailed characterization of switchback DNA, a globally left-handed structure composed of two parallel DNA strands.

A Comparative Analysis of Follicular Diameter Assessment Versus Doppler Ultrasound in Predicting Ovulation Timing for the Infertility Treatment: Insights From a Prospective Study.

Background Infertility remains a significant challenge affecting millions of couples worldwide, with ovulation abnormalities being a common underlying cause. Pharmacological methods, such as clomiphene citrate, are often used to stimulate ovulation. However, the optimal timing for sexual intercourse during ovulation induction remains contentious.

Tuning the stability of DNA tetrahedra with base-stacking interactions.

DNA nanotechnology relies on programmable anchoring of regions of single-stranded DNA through base pair hybridization to create nanoscale objects such as polyhedra, tubes, sheets, and other desired shapes. Recent work from our lab measured the energetics of base-stacking interactions and suggested that terminal stacking interactions between two adjacent strands could be an additional design parameter for DNA nanotechnology. Here, we explore that idea by creating DNA tetrahedra held together with sticky ends that contain identical base pairing interactions but different terminal stacking interactions.

Live performance, nutrient digestibility, immune response and fecal microbial load modulation in Japanese quails fed a -based probiotic alone or combination with xylanase.

Animal industry seeks cost-effective solutions to enhance performance and health of domestic animals. This study investigated the effects of supplementing spp. probiotics and xylanase on 2000 one-day-old Japanese quails, randomly assigned to four treatment groups (10 replicates).

Effect of Yoga-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Endothelial Function, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Markers in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of yoga-based cardiac rehabilitation (Yoga-CaRe) on the endothelial system, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: A sub-study was conducted in two clinical sites of the Yoga-CaRe trial (a multicenter randomized controlled trial). Participants with acute MI were randomized and allocated to either the Yoga-CaRe program (13 sessions with encouragement to home practice) or enhanced standard care (three educational sessions).

Liquid-like condensates that bind actin drive filament polymerization and bundling.

Liquid-like protein condensates perform diverse physiological functions. Previous work showed that VASP, a processive actin polymerase, forms condensates that polymerize and bundle actin. To minimize their curvature, filaments accumulated at the inner condensate surface, ultimately deforming the condensate into a rod-like shape, filled with a bundle of parallel filaments.

Cataract surgery outcomes in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To report the outcomes of cataract surgery in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The medical records of all pediatric patients (<18 years of age) with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus who had undergone surgery for cataract between January 2000 and December 2019 at a tertiary care center were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: A total of 27 eyes of 15 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included.