The Utility and Impact of Telemedicine in Childhood Cancer Care: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: While teleconsultation has proven feasible for adult cancer patients, its utility in childhood cancer care in India is unknown. This study assesses caregiver satisfaction, feasibility, and the economic impact of teleconsultation for children with cancer.

Procedure: This mixed methods study was conducted in the pediatric cancer outpatient service at a tertiary care cancer center in India.

Molecular-targeted Therapy for Precision Medicine in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Advancement in Cancer Targeting Strategies.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer represent significant health challenges, affecting the digestive system with often subtle symptoms that can delay diagnosis. GI cancers account for a higher global mortality rate than any other cancer, largely due to the limited availability of highly effective treatment options." Due to next-generation sequencing and new preclinical model tools, that we have learned more regarding its pathophysiology and molecular changes.

Impact and Significance of Viral Vectors for siRNA Delivery in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a major challenge in developing effective treatments due to its complex pathophysiology, including the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology offers promise for targeted gene silencing, but effective delivery to the central nervous system remains a significant obstacle. Viral vectors have emerged as potent delivery vehicles for transporting siRNA to neural tissues.

Targeted delivery of DAPT using dual antibody functionalized solid lipid nanoparticles for enhanced anti-tumour activity against triple negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype known for its aggressive nature, high rates of recurrence, and treatment resistance, largely attributed to the presence of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Traditional therapies often struggle to eliminate BCSCs, which contributes to tumor recurrence. One promising strategy for addressing this challenge is targeting the Notch signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in the self-renewal and maintenance of BCSCs.

Development of bioengineered 3D patient derived breast cancer organoid model focusing dynamic fibroblast-stem cell reciprocity.

Three-dimensional (3D) models, such as tumor spheroids and organoids, are increasingly developed by integrating tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and personalized therapy strategies. These advanced 3Dmodels are not merely endpoint-driven but also offer the flexibility to be customized or modulated according to specific disease parameters. Unlike traditional 2D monolayer cultures, which inadequately capture the complexities of solid tumors, 3D co-culture systems provide a more accurate representation of the tumor microenvironment.

Assessment of patient satisfaction levels with teleconsultation services at a tertiary care cancer center in a developing country: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Telemedicine use in healthcare is rising. However, infrastructural barriers may impede implementation in lower- and middle-income country settings. Patient perspectives regarding teleconsultation need to be explored.

Rebamipide nanocrystal with improved physicomechanical properties and its assessment through bio-mimicking 3D intestinal permeability model.

This study investigated the formulation and characterization of rebamipide nanocrystals (REB-NCs) to enhance the solubility and permeability of rebamipide, an anti-ulcer medication known for its low aqueous solubility and permeability, classified as BCS class IV. Employing high-pressure homogenization and wet milling techniques, we successfully achieved nanonization of rebamipide, resulting in stable nanosuspensions that were subsequently freeze-dried to produce REB-NCs with an average particle size of 223 nm. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed the crystalline nature of the nanocrystals and their compatibility with the selected excipients.

Decellularized extracellular matrix-based bioengineered 3D breast cancer scaffolds for personalized therapy and drug screening.

Breast cancer (BC) is the second deadliest cancer after lung cancer. Similar to all cancers, it is also driven by a 3D microenvironment. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential component of the 3D tumor micro-environment, wherein it functions as a scaffold for cells and provides metabolic support.

Evaluation of the Expression of Programmed Death-Ligand 1 and Its Role in Differentiating Low-Grade and High-Grade Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a common malignancy, predominantly affecting males. Many tumor cells use the interaction between programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed death receptor (PD-1) to inactivate T-cells in the microenvironment and evade host immune response. Our study aims to evaluate the expression of PD-L1 in UC and correlate its expression with histomorphological parameters.

Role of informal sector to combat unemployment in developing economy: A modeling study.

In developing countries, informal sector is the primary job provider for a significant portion of the workforce. This study aims to analyze how jobs in the informal sector affect the unemployment dynamics of developing nations. To achieve this goal, we formulate a nonlinear mathematical model by categorizing the considered workforce into three distinct classes: unemployed, employed, and self-employed, and include a separate dynamic variable to represent vacancies within the informal sector.

Enhancing Gene Therapy through Ultradeformable Vesicles for Efficient siRNA Delivery.

Gene therapy is a revolutionary approach aimed at treating various diseases by manipulating the expression of specific genes. The composition and formulation of ultra-deformable vesicles play a crucial role in determining their properties and performance as siRNA delivery vectors. In the development of ultra-deformable vesicles for siRNA delivery, careful lipid selection and optimization are crucial for achieving desirable vesicle characteristics and efficient siRNA encapsulation and delivery.

Sex Bias in Treatment Abandonment of Childhood Cancer in India.

Objectives: To explore the magnitude of sex bias and determinants of treatment abandonment (TA) in childhood cancer in India.

Methods: Individual data of children (0-19 y) registered between January 1, 2017 and July 31, 2022, was compiled. TA was defined as defaulting curative intent treatment ≥4 wk.

A Retrospective Observational Study on the Comparison of Different Diagnostic Modalities of Post-COVID Mucormycosis.

Background Mucormycosis, attributed to a group of molds known as mucormycosis, is a rare yet life-threatening fungal infection often colloquially referred to as black fungus. While its incidence notably surged during the second wave of COVID-19 infections in India, it's essential to recognize that mucormycosis was a significant concern even before the advent of the pandemic. Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of this infection in the pre-COVID era provides a crucial context for evaluating its impact and dynamics during the pandemic.

Polysorbate 80 surface modified SLNs of formoterol suppress SNCA gene and mitochondrial oxidative stress in mice model of Parkinson's disease.

The present study hypothesises that the selective brain β2 receptor activation through β2-adrenoreceptor agonist (β2ARA), Formoterol (FMT), suppresses SNCA gene expression, a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) in brain. Further, it is also hypothesized that brain targeted delivery of Formoterol via polysorbate-80 surface modified solid lipid nanoparticles of Formoterol (FMT-SLNs-PS80) can improve its stability, therapeutic efficacy and avoid/reduce peripheral off-target side effects. FMT-SLNs-PS80 was prepared by solvent injection method, the formulation was optimized by using Box-Behnken design and characterized by measuring drug content, entrapment efficacy, particle size, zeta potentials and poly dispersibility.

Antibody-conjugated nanoparticles for target-specific drug delivery of chemotherapeutics.

Nanotechnology provides effective methods for precisely delivering chemotherapeutics to cancer cells, thereby improving efficacy and reducing off-target side effects. The targeted delivery of nanoscale chemotherapeutics is accomplished by two different approaches, namely the exploitation of leaky tumor vasculature (EPR effect) and the surface modification of nanoparticles (NPs) with various tumor-homing peptides, aptamers, oligonucleotides, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Because of higher binding affinity and specificity, mAbs have received a lot of attention for the detection of selective cancer biomarkers and also for the treatment of various types of cancer.

Monitoring early-season agricultural drought using temporal Sentinel-1 SAR-based combined drought index.

Early-season agricultural drought is frequent over South Asian region due to delayed or deficient monsoon rainfall. These drought events often cause delay in sowing and can even result in crop failure. The present study focuses on monitoring early-season agricultural drought in a semi-arid region of India over 5-year period (2016-2020).

Precursors and elicitor induced enhancement of cell biomass and phenolic compounds in cell suspensions of Indian basil- (CIM-Saumya).

Unlabelled: CIM-Saumya is an improved, methyl chavicol rich variety of (Family-Lamiaceae), developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. This plant possesses analgesic, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, cardiac stimulant, Central Nervous System depressant, hepatoprotective and immunomodulator activities due to the presence of various phytoconstituents. Among them rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid are the three major phenolic compounds responsible for its therapeutic utility.

Immunopathological studies on Escherichia coli infected broiler chickens fed on Aloe vera leaf extract.

Escherichia coli infection is the major bacterial disease affecting the poultry industry and the continuous use of antibiotics in poultry farming has resulted in antibiotic resistance. So this study was planned to evaluate the use of an ecologically safe alternative to fight against infections. The leaf gel of the Aloe vera plant was selected based on its antibacterial activity assessed in in-vitro tests.

The evaluation of the performance of rice husk and rice straw as potential matrix to obtain the best lipase immobilized system: creating wealth from wastes.

India generates 126.6 and 42 million tons of Rice straw (RS) and Rice husk (RH) annually, respectively. These agro-processing wastes feedstock are dumped in landfills or burnt, releasing toxic gases and particulate matter into the environment.

COVID-19 infection, and reinfection, and vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection among health care workers in the setting of omicron variant transmission in New Delhi, India.

Background: Surge of SARS CoV-2 infections ascribed to omicron variant began in December 2021 in New Delhi. We determined the infection and reinfection density in a cohort of health care workers (HCWs) along with vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic infection within omicron transmission period (considered from December 01, 2021 to February 25, 2022.

Methods: This is an observational study from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Neuroprotective approaches to halt Parkinson's disease progression.

One of the most significant threats in Parkinson's disease (PD) is neurodegeneration. Neurodegeneration at both nigral as well as non-nigral regions of the brain is considered responsible for disease progression in PD. The key factors that initiate neurodegeneration are oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial complex-1 inhibition, and abnormal α-synuclein (SNCA) protein aggregations.

Interesting Breast Tumours: A Tripod of Cases.

Knowledge regarding the lesser common breast tumours, including malignant papillary neoplasms and glycogen-rich clear cell carcinoma, is limited. Overall, cases of papillary carcinoma of the breast fare better than invasive breast carcinoma, from the data available in literature. Glycogen-rich clear cell carcinoma is characterized by the presence of clear cells, having mostly a poorer prognosis.

Diversifying the rehabilitation of calvarial defects: Rejuvenating precision: A case series.

Cranial vault defects are either congenital or acquired in origin. Cranioplasty is most commonly done in patients after trauma, decompressive craniectomies, tumor resections, infections or because of congenital malformations. The purpose of a Cranioplast is to protect the underlying brain tissues, reduce pain, and to improve the calvarial contour, symmetry, and esthetics.

Influence of pH, β-Cyclodextrin, and Metal Ions on the Solubility and Stability of the Medicinally Competent Isoxazole Derivative of Curcumin: A Photophysical Study.

The β-diketo-modified isoxazole derivative of curcumin (IOC) is well renowned for its anticancer, antioxidant, antimalarial, antiproliferative, and many other biological activities. With the aim of obtaining fundamental knowledge on the photophysics of IOC, the present work was directed toward delineating those at different pH environments and studying the degradation profiles of IOC at five different pH values. Because one of the primary drawbacks of curcumin is its rapid degradation at physiological conditions, the studies showed that the problem could be resolved, as the IOC molecule was extremely stable even in a highly alkaline medium.