Effect of pantoprazole as an adjunct to standard medical therapy in patients with uncomplicated amoebic liver abscess: A randomised pilot study.

Amoebic liver abscess (ALA), a common tropical infection, is caused by (EH). For decades, the first-line treatment for ALA has been metronidazole which has several drawbacks. The thioredoxin reductase enzyme in EH is essential for its anti-oxidative defence and survival during tissue invasion.

Unveiling the Impact of Bi Heterovalent Doping on the Negative Capacitance and Ionic Conductivity of Perovskite Single Crystals: Implication in Neuromorphic Computing.

The introduction of heterovalent metal ion doping in the lead (Pb) halide perovskites presents a novel opportunity to manipulate the electronic and ionic properties by introducing dopant charges and increasing the carrier concentration in single crystals. While previous studies have reported on the use of bismuth (Bi) doping in methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr) to adjust the optical properties, the comprehensive impact of Bi doping on the structural and electronic properties of MAPbBr single crystals remains unexplored. This research, therefore, delves into the anomalous behavior of the structural, optical, and electrical properties of pristine and doped MAPbBr single crystals through a combination of experimental and computational studies.

Gastrointestinal pathology in patients presenting with iron deficiency anaemia: A single-centre cross-sectional study.

Background: About a third of the world's population is estimated to suffer from anaemia, and iron deficiency is expected to account for about half of all anaemia cases. This study was designed to get an estimate of the proportion of patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) who have a significant gastrointestinal (GI) pathology, in particular a GI malignancy, and to identify any risk factors or predictors for the same.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital in Eastern India.

Assessment of the Child-Pugh Score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score, Fibrosis-4 Index, and AST to Platelet Ratio Index as Non-endoscopic Predictors of the Presence of Esophageal Varices and Variceal Bleeding in Chronic Liver Disease Patients.

Background Esophageal varices (EVs) develop as a complication of chronic liver disease and, when left unaddressed, can lead to variceal hemorrhage manifesting as severe hematemesis and occasionally, melena. Due to its frequent negative associations, early diagnosis and the implementation of non-selective beta blocker primary prophylaxis are imperative. Although upper gastrointestinal endoscopy has historically been used to image and identify EVs, patients frequently find this intrusive treatment to be uncomfortable and burdensome.

Capacity building and enhancing knowledge of the healthcare providers on inappropriate practices and dispensing of antimicrobials.

This paper reports on the training programme, aimed for healthcare providers on the concepts of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and build their understanding and knowledge on the causes and factors contributing to the AMR hence reducing the burden on the healthcare systems. A team of experts developed the curriculum and teaching material. A 2-day training workshop was conducted which included the pre- and post-knowledge assessment of the participants on AMR.

Non-RBD peptides of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein exhibit immunodominance as they elicit both innate and adaptive immune responses.

Severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in 2019 as a new virus and caused worldwide outbreaks, quickly turning into a pandemic disease called coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). All the existing methodologies were used for developing vaccines for this virus. But sporadic infections of this virus and the emergence of new strains to date suggest the incomplete protection offered by the developed vaccines and the need for new research.

Effect of health education on knowledge, perception, and intended contraceptive use for family planning among university students in Pakistan.

Approximately one billion women require family planning services worldwide, 842 million women are currently using modern contraceptives, and 80 million are using traditional contraceptive methods for family planning (FP). Health literacy (HL) can significantly make women aware of contraceptives for family planning. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of health education in determining perceptions and intended contraceptive use among university students in Pakistan.

Enhancing disturbance rejection in boost converter for CPL: A controller design approach with partial pole placement and approximate model matching.

In DC microgrids, the cascade operation of the DC-DC converters leads to a constant power load fed by the boost converter, resulting in unstable behavior in addition to the non-minimum phase dynamics. An enhanced load disturbance rejection control scheme based on partial pole placement and an approximate model matching technique is proposed. This approach is inspired by the well-known direct synthesis method to achieve optimal load disturbance rejection performance.

Temporal profile of amino acids and protein fractions in the developing kernel of maize germplasm.

Maize, the most important source of animal and poultry feed, is deficient in essential amino acid methionine. Therefore, methionine is added to the poultry feed to meet its nutritional requirements. Keeping in view, an urgent requirement exists to develop high-methionine maize.

Chronic hepatitis B: Prevent, diagnose, and treat before the point of no return.

Hepatitis B remains a significant global health challenge, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality. Approximately 254 million people worldwide live with Chronic hepatitis B (CHB), with the majority of cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and the Western Pacific regions. Alarmingly, only about 13.

Air pollution and under-5 child mortality: linking satellite and IPUMS-DHS data across 41 countries in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Despite progress, under-five mortality remains high, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where around 13,400 children die daily. Environmental pollutants, including PM2.5 from outdoor air and household air pollution, significantly contribute to these preventable deaths.

Exploitation of heterosis and combining ability potential for improvement in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a vital vegetable crop known for its nutritional and economic significance, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Studying heterosis and combining ability in okra is crucial for enhancing its yield, quality, and resistance to pests and diseases.

Utilizing the CFIR framework for mapping the facilitators and barriers of implementing teachers led school mental health programs - a scoping review.

Background: Ample evidence has been generated regarding the effectiveness of school-based mental health interventions as part of the continuum of care for children and capacity building of teachers to deal with the emotional and behavioral challenges of students. The increasing trend of utilization of teachers as the natural support system of children and the huge financial impact of public health interventions highlights the need to review all available evidence regarding multilevel factors that facilitate or pose a challenge to the provision of School Mental Health Programs (SMHP) using teachers as providers. The current review aims to map extracted evidence under the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains to support future implementation research on school-based mental health services.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Indian Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

There is a significant association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most CVDs begin with atherosclerosis in the arteries, which can be reliably measured as the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) by ultrasound. Given that ethnic and regional differences have an impact on NAFLD, we aimed to evaluate the association of NAFLD patients from India with subclinical atherosclerosis, measured as CIMT.

Hematological Parameters in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis and its Presentation among Favorable and Unfavorable Treatment Outcomes.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) management continues to be a challenge globally; weakened immunity plays a significant role in the reactivation of TB. There is limited information on hematological parameters in patients with pulmonary TB and its association with outcome.

Objectives: We present hematological parameters of newly diagnosed sputum-positive pulmonary TB patients enrolled in a randomized, clinical trial that assessed the efficacy and safety of 3 and 4 regimens using moxifloxacin.

Synthesis, kinetics, mechanisms, and bioactivity evaluations of a novel Zn(ii) complex.

Zn(ii)-based anticancer drugs can be suitable alternatives to conventional Pt(ii)-based drugs because of the unique chemical properties of Zn(ii) and low toxicity. In this study, a new hexadentate and heteroleptic Zn(ii) complex ([Zn(bpy)(OAc)], 1) was prepared with a conventional ,-donor ligand (2,2'-bipyridine) and a leaving group (OAc) and characterized ESI-MS, UV-Vis, and FT-IR spectroscopy. Kinetic and mechanistic investigations of 1 were performed using two biologically relevant ligands (dl-penicillamine and l-cysteine) to understand its selectivity and reactivity.

Incidence and risk factors of antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury (ATDILI) is a significant problem of tuberculosis treatment. This systematic review and meta‑analysis aimed at evaluating the incidence and risk factors of ATDILI in adult patients with tuberculosis in India.

Methods: Five electronic databases were searched comprehensively for studies on Indian adult patients with tuberculosis investigating the incidence and/or risk factors of ATDILI.

Microbial contributions to sustainable paddy straw utilization for economic gain and environmental conservation.

Paddy straw is a versatile and valuable resource with multifaceted benefits for nutrient cycling, soil health, and climate mitigation. Its role as a rich nutrient source and organic matter significantly enhances soil vitality while improving soil structure and moisture retention. The impact of paddy straw extends beyond traditional agricultural benefits, encompassing the promotion of microbial activity, erosion control, and carbon sequestration, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.

Multi-objective optimization for minimize cutting force and power consumption in corn stalk chopping processes.

This study was on optimization of the cutting processes for corn stalks, which serve as significant sources of biomass and forage. The reduction of cutting force is crucial for enhancing energy efficiency. Cutting velocity rises, which can lead to significant power usage with minimal shear forces.

A review on e-waste contamination, toxicity, and sustainable clean-up approaches for its management.

Ecosystems and human health are being negatively impacted by the growing problem of electrical waste, especially in developing countries. E-waste poses a significant risk to ecological systems because it can release a variety of hazardous substances into the environment, containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers and heavy metals, brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and dioxins. This review article provides a critical assessment of the toxicological consequences of e-waste on ecosystems and human health and data analyses from scientific journals and grey literature on metals, BFRs, PBDEs, PCDFs, and PAHs in several environmental compartments of commercial significance in informal electronic trash recycling.

Experience of Gamma Knife radiosurgery for treatment of brain metastases in pregnancy with literature review.

Brain metastases during pregnancy poses complex conundrum in management. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) offers valuable option to clinicians in this scenario. We reviewed and described the safety and effectiveness of Gamma Knife (GK) SRS in treating a solitary cerebellar metastasis in a patient with recurrent breast cancer at 28 weeks of gestation.

Bedside assessment of sarcopenia in hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis: Magnitude and clinical implications.

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with many adverse outcomes in patients with cirrhosis. The tools currently in use for assessing sarcopenia have numerous flaws. We evaluated the utility of portable ultrasonography and a dynamometer for the bedside assessment of sarcopenia and its implications in hospitalized cirrhosis patients.

In vitro larvicidal efficacy of Lantana camara essential oil and its nanoemulsion and enzyme inhibition kinetics against Anopheles culicifacies.

Mosquitoes are important vectors for the transmission of several infectious diseases that lead to huge morbidity and mortality. The exhaustive use of synthetic insecticides has led to widespread resistance and environmental pollution. Using essential oils and nano-emulsions as novel insecticides is a promising alternative approach for controlling vector borne diseases.

Renal resistive index measurements by ultrasound in patients with liver cirrhosis: Magnitude and associations with renal dysfunction.

Background: The hemodynamic alterations seen in liver cirrhosis lead to renal vasoconstriction, ultimately causing acute kidney injury (AKI). The renal resistive index (RRI) is the most common Doppler ultrasound variable for measuring intrarenal vascular resistance.

Aim: To evaluate the association of the RRI with AKI in patients with liver cirrhosis and to identify risk factors for high RRI.