Silicon-mediated modulation of maize growth, metabolic responses, and antioxidant mechanisms under saline conditions.

Purpose: This study explored how exogenous silicon (Si) affects growth and salt resistance in maize.

Methods: The maize was cultivated in sand-filled pots, incorporating varied silicon and salt stress (NaCl) treatments. Silicon was applied at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mM, and salt stress was induced using 0, 60 and120 mM concentrations.

The feasibility of utilizing the open dynamic interaction network (ODIN) app to assess rEMA data across 30 days among those recovering from alcohol use disorders.

Preliminary data from a prospective micro-longitudinal study (30 days) that examined the co-evolution of return to use risk among people diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in residential substance treatment is presented. Data assessed the feasibility of using the open dynamic interaction network (ODIN) responsive ecological momentary assessment (rEMA). rEMA collected daily estimates on affect, urges, sober-support engagement, and use.

Sharp coefficient bounds for a class of symmetric starlike functions involving the balloon shape domain.

Recent research has extensively explored classes of starlike and convex functions across various domains. This study introduces a novel class of symmetric starlike functions with respect to symmetric points and associated with the balloon shape domain. We establish the explicit representation of all functions in this class.

EFFICACY OF TRANSEPITHELIAL ACCELERATED COLLAGEN CROSS LINKING IN STOPPING THE PROGRESSION OF KERATOCONUS.

Background: Keratoconus is a progressive ectatic disease of the cornea leading to central corneal thinning, protrusion and permanent visual impairment in untreated cases. It is affecting young children with strong association to vernal keratoconjunctivitis a common disease of Asian countries. Corneal collagen cross linkage (CXL) is standard procedure to stop progression of keratoconus.

Analyzing and predicting short-term substance use behaviors of persons who use drugs in the great plains of the U.S.

Background: Substance use induces large economic and societal costs in the U.S. Understanding the change in substance use behaviors of persons who use drugs (PWUDs) over time, therefore, is important in order to inform healthcare providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders toward more efficient allocation of limited resources to at-risk PWUDs.

A cost-effective load side management solution based on power line carrier communication i-PLCC.

Conventional power systems are almost at the verge of their existence and are quickly being replaced by modern, especially smarter alternatives. Rapid and wide deployment of Load side management, which is a smarter and modern way to ensure efficient and economical use of power, is a classic example. However, there are several challenges which need to be addressed before it can be realized as a commercially viable solution.

Introduction of dengue virus serotype 3 in the Afar Region, Ethiopia.

The genetic analysis of the Dengue virus circulating in Ethiopia's Afar region, in 2023, identified three distinct introductions with spatiotemporal clustering linked to genomes from Asia and Italy. These findings are crucial for enhancing prevention and control strategies, reinforcing the necessity to provide sustainable tools for genomic epidemiology in Africa.

Reach, uptake, and psychological outcomes of two publicly funded internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy programs in Ontario, Canada: an observational study.

Background: Access to traditional mental health services in Canada remains limited, prompting exploration into digital alternatives. The Government of Ontario initiated access to two internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) programs, LifeWorks AbilitiCBT and MindBeacon TAiCBT, for adults with mental health issues.

Methods: An uncontrolled observational study utilizing secondary retrospective program data was conducted to evaluate the reach, uptake, and psychological symptom changes among participants engaging with either iCBT program.

Comparative Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Moderate-Risk Patients With Aortic Stenosis: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a prevalent condition among the elderly, characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve, which, if untreated, can lead to heart failure and decreased quality of life in terms of reduced activity and high mortality in one to two years. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has long been the standard treatment for AS. However, it poses significant risks, particularly in older patients with comorbidities.

Effectiveness, barriers, and facilitators of interventions delivered by traditional healers for the treatment of common mental disorders: A systematic review.

We investigated the effectiveness of interventions provided by traditional healers for common mental disorders (CMDs) together with associated barriers and facilitators. Electronic databases including MEDLINE, APA Psych Info, Allied and Complementary Medicine, Embase, CINAHL, Social Science Citation Index, and Scopus were searched from inception until October 2021. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing interventions by traditional healers for CMDs and qualitative and mixed-methods studies examining traditional healers and their attendees' views about the treatment of CMDs by traditional healers were included.

Reimagining critical care: Trends and shifts in 21 century medicine.

Critical care medicine has undergone significant evaluation in the 21 century, primarily driven by advancements in technology, changes in healthcare delivery, and a deeper understanding of disease processes. Advancements in technology have revolutionized patient monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment in the critical care setting. From minimally invasive procedures to advances imaging techniques, clinicians now have access to a wide array of tools to assess and manage critically ill patients more effectively.

An examination of the relationship between risk perceptions, cultural-religious beliefs and coping during COVID-19 pandemic control in South Asian countries: a systematic review.

Background: Covid 19 was declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its rapid spread and catastrophic effects on health. It affected around 119 M people with mortality rate of 0.27% worldwide, including South-Asians.

Fanconi Anaemia associated with café au lait spots: A rare case report.

Fanconi Anaemia is an autosomal recessive disorder, which is characterised by progressive pancytopenia, café au lait spots (>50%), bruising, petechie, recurrent infections, short height (50%), and thumb and radial bone anomalies (40%). Herein, is presented a case of a lean emaciated female child, who presented with the chief complaints of fever, loose stools and decreased appetite for one month reported at Sindh Government General Hospital, Karachi, on February, 1, 2023. She had cutaneous findings of hyperpigmentation and café au lait spots and a tri-phalangeal thumb.

Assessing rare earth elements in Indian coal ash using Westcott formalism in NAA and leaching studies.

This study employs Westcott formalism coupled with the internal monostandard approach in -NAA to assess Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in Indian coal ash samples. This method mitigates neutron flux perturbations during irradiation and enables detector efficiency calibration for quantitative analysis. Deviations in thermal capture cross-sections for non-1/ nuclides in REEs were addressed using the Westcott ( )-factor obtained from the ENDF/B-VIII.

Exogenous application of selenium on sunflower ( L.) to enhance drought stress tolerance by morpho-physiological and biochemical adaptations.

Drought stress poses a significant obstacle to agricultural productivity, particularly in the case of oilseed crops such as sunflower ( L.). Selenium (Se) is a fundamental micronutrient that has been recognized for its ability to enhance plant resilience in the face of various environmental stresses.

Management of Ischemic Stroke in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Existing Status and Prospective Opportunities.

Background and objective Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the third largest province of Pakistan by population and has a high incidence of ischemic stroke. We evaluated all patients who presented to the largest tertiary care facility in the province to learn about the current trends in the management of ischemic stroke and explore future opportunities in this regard.  Materials and methods This prospective observational research was carried out at the Lady Reading Hospital-Medical Teaching Institute (LRH-MTI), Peshawar, in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

An Observational Study of a Digital Substance Use and Recovery Program.

Objective: Digital substance use treatment programs present an opportunity to provide nonresidential care for people with problematic substance use. In June 2021, the provincial government in Ontario provided free access to Breaking Free Online (BFO), a digital behavioral change program for people with substance use disorders.

Methods: An observational study was conducted with retrospective data to characterize clients' use and engagement patterns in BFO and examine changes in self-reported outcomes.

Synthesis and Characterization of Naproxen Intercalated Zinc Oxide Stacked Nanosheets for Enhanced Hepatoprotective Potential.

Liver diseases pose a significant global health burden, with limited therapeutic options for chronic cases. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates for hepatoprotection due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. However, their potential remains hampered by insufficient drug loading and controlled release.

Performance enhancement of short-term wind speed forecasting model using Realtime data.

The ever-increasing demand for electricity has presented a grave threat to traditional energy sources, which are finite, rapidly depleting, and have a detrimental environmental impact. These shortcomings of conventional energy resources have caused the globe to switch from traditional to renewable energy sources. Wind power significantly contributes to carbon-free energy because it is widely accessible, inexpensive, and produces no harmful emissions.

An evaluation of computational methods for aggregate data meta-analyses of diagnostic test accuracy studies.

Background: A Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) is recommended to meta-analyze diagnostic test accuracy studies (DTAs) based on aggregate or individual participant data. Since a GLMM does not have a closed-form likelihood function or parameter solutions, computational methods are conventionally used to approximate the likelihoods and obtain parameter estimates. The most commonly used computational methods are the Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares (IRLS), the Laplace approximation (LA), and the Adaptive Gauss-Hermite quadrature (AGHQ).

Revision Lumbar Spine Surgeries: An Early Career Neurosurgery Experience.

Background: The aims and ambitions of a surgeon in the early years of his professional career are to make a good reputation by providing excellent patient outcomes and avoiding complex and difficult surgeries. Revision lumbar spine surgeries (RLSSs) pose a significant challenge in terms of surgical management, as the moribund anatomy increases the risk of complications, adding to an unlikely outcome.

Objective: We conducted this study to determine the clinical indications and outcomes of RLSSs performed by an early career neurosurgeon.