Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool - Tamil (OKAT-T) in postmenopausal women: A validity and reliability study.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a silent disease that is more prevalent among postmenopausal women (PMW) due to hormonal transition. Various toolkits, including the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT), were available for the knowledge assessment. The Osteoporosis-related knowledge is crucial for preventing osteoporosis, but there is no validated, reliable questionnaire in Tamil to measure this knowledge.

Studying the Role of HOX Genes in Thrombocyte Development.

In our laboratory, we study thrombopoiesis and hemostasis using zebrafish as a model organism to unravel the mechanisms of differentiation and development of thrombocytes. We have shown in our earlier work that thrombocytes are functional equivalents of platelets and have transcriptional machinery similar to megakaryocytes. We recently found evidence that hox genes play a role in their development.

Generation and characterization of zebrafish f9l mutant confirmed that f9l is f10 like gene.

Aim: This study aimed to create an f9l mutant zebrafish using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) and characterize its coagulation properties to investigate its functional similarity to human FX and explore the potential synergy between f9l and f10.

Methods: Three gRNAs targeting exon 8 encoded by the catalytic domain of the f9l gene were injected into 300 single-cell zebrafish embryos using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. DNA from the resulting adults was extracted from tail tips, and PCR was used to detect indels.

[Mental health of primary care nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study].

In a weakened healthcare system, the mental health of healthcare workers has become a priority issue. The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess the mental health of primary care nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic, using a postal survey. Four validated self-report questionnaires were used.

Identification of Nfel1a and Nfel3 as novel regulators for zebrafish thrombopoiesis.

In mammalian hematopoiesis, megakaryocytes mature and become polyploid in the bone marrow before releasing platelets into circulation. In contrast, fish produce thrombocytes in kidney marrow, where young thrombocytes undergo maturation in circulation, akin to platelets. Despite morphological differences, our single-cell sequencing revealed significant gene expression similarities between fish thrombocytes and mammalian megakaryocytes, including Nfe2, which is crucial in platelet production.

Impact of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) versus Other Antihypertensive Medication on Blood Pressure in Patients on Dialysis: A Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Hypertension is an important factor driving mortality among dialysis patients. Angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB) has been effective similarly to angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACEs) but with a low incidence of side effects.

Methodology: The meta-analysis included all published studies that investigated the effect of ARB on the hypertension in adult dialysis patients (≥18 years).

Recent trends and future perspectives of photoresponsive-based mercury (II) sensors and their biomaterial applications.

Recent advancements in the field of photoresponsive-based mercury (II) sensors have witnessed a surge in research focused on enhancing detection capabilities. Leveraging innovations in materials science, particularly with quantum dots, nanomaterials, and organic semiconductors, these sensors exhibit improved selectivity and sensitivity. Beyond traditional applications, such as environmental monitoring, the integration of photoresponsive principles with emerging technologies like the internet of things (IoT) and wearable promises real-time and remote mercury (II) ion detection.

The GETAID: 40 years of a family story in IBD.

The Groupe d'Etude sur les Affections Inflammatoires Digestives (GETAID) was founded in Paris in 1983 by Professor R Modigliani and colleagues. From the beginning, the aim of this international (France, Belgium and Switzerland), multicentre, French-speaking group was to address clinical questions raised by patients or physicians in their daily practice or the inflammatory bowel diseases community, by focusing on clinical research on treatments through randomised controlled trials, prospective cohorts and cross-sectional studies, quantifying the severity of various facets of the disease when necessary for these studies. This approach very innovative has contributed to the advancement of knowledge in inflammatory bowel diseases by publishing more than 120 original articles in peer-reviewed journals throughout the GETAID 40-year history, most of them in top publications in gastroenterology and hepatology journals.

An observational survey of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 Violation in Puducherry, South India.

Background: One of the commonly abused drug substances in both rural and urban communities of the developing countries is tobacco. The slow poison is still present even though anti-tobacco laws has been implemented to eliminate this threat.

Objective: To measure the violation of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 under sections 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 & 10 in Puducherry.

Isolation, characterization and antimicrobial properties of hepatopancreas lectin of the freshwater crab Oziotelphusanaga.

Lectins are versatile proteins that specifically recognize and interact with sugar moieties expressed on the cell surface. The potential of lectin in drug targeting and delivery has instigated interest to identify natural lectins. Crabs have been identified as a rich source of lectin because the innate immune system is activated on encounter of pathogens and helps in the production of lectin.

Genetic sex determination in three closely related hydrothermal vent gastropods, including one species with intersex individuals.

Molluscs have undergone many transitions between separate sexes and hermaphroditism, which is of interest in studying the evolution of sex determination and differentiation. Here, we combined multi-locus genotypes obtained from restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing with anatomical observations of the gonads of three deep-sea hydrothermal vent gastropods of the genus Alviniconcha living in the southwest Pacific. We found that all three species (Alviniconcha boucheti, Alviniconcha strummeri, and Alviniconcha kojimai) share the same male-heterogametic XY sex-determination system but that the gonads of XX A.

Red Ribbon Club inculcation of positive deviance approach to promote blood donation among undergraduate medical college students.

Background: Blood is an essential part of human life and blood donation has become a necessity that every society must take into consideration. Health care professionals have a major responsibility in raising community awareness on blood donation.

Objective: This study aims to find out the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students on blood donation and to determine the effectiveness of positive deviance (PD) approach.

Recent developments in sunscreens based on chromophore compounds and nanoparticles.

Sunscreen formulations have undergone significant advancements in recent years, with a focus on improving UV radiation protection, photostability, and environmental sustainability. Chromophore compounds and nanoparticles have emerged as key components in these developments. This review highlights the latest research and innovations in chromophore compounds and nanoparticle-based sunscreens.

Hepatitis B prevalence and associated factors in adults presenting for infection screening in northern Thailand.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis B is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In view of the World Health Organization 2030 targets, effective screening of chronic infection is crucial. We have assessed the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B surface antigen in adults presenting for screening.

Assessment of Knowledge Gap on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) among Tobacco Vendors in Puducherry: A Mixed-Method Study.

Background: Tobacco usage has been identified as a leading preventable cause of mortality and is responsible for six million fatalities per year globally. India had enacted COTPA in 2003. Tobacco vendors are one of the key stakeholders for Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) implementation.

Comparative Analysis of Cluster of Differentiation 57 and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Expression in Different Grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Immunohistochemical Study.

Background:  The immune defense against tumor cells is mainly mediated by the natural killer (NK) cells. Cluster of differentiation 57 (CD57) is a 110-kd glycoprotein, typically expressed by the NK cells, attacks the cancer cells and inhibits tumor development. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a 36-kd auxiliary protein for DNA polymerase delta that correlates with cell proliferation and DNA synthesis.

Discovery of seven hox genes in zebrafish thrombopoiesis.

Thrombopoiesis is the production of platelets from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow of mammals. In fish, thrombopoiesis involves the formation of thrombocytes without megakaryocyte-like precursors but derived from erythrocyte thrombocyte bi-functional precursor cells. One unique feature of thrombocyte differentiation involves the maturation of young thrombocytes in circulation.

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of hemolymph lectin (NagLec) isolated from the freshwater crab, Oziotelphusanaga.

Lectins are non-immune glycoproteins or proteins having a unique capacity to interact with carbohydrate ligands found on the surface of their host cells. In the present investigation, the lectin was purified from the hemolymph of freshwater crab, Oziotelphusa naga and its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity was analysed. The preliminary characterization of the hemagglutinin was carried out to identify the erythrocyte and sugar specificity, optimum pH and temperature and cation dependency.

Should we Target Complete Endoscopic Healing in Patients with Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis?

Background: Achieving endoscopic healing is a recommended target in ulcerative colitis [UC]. However, little is known about desirable goals in patients with acute severe UC [ASUC]. Taking advantage of the long-term follow-up of clinical trial patients with steroid-refractory ASUC, the present analysis aimed to quantify the observed association between the Mayo endoscopic sub-score [MES], 0 or 1, at clinical trial end and patients' long-term disease outcome.

Cytomegalovirus DNAemia Requiring (Val)Ganciclovir Treatment for More Than 8 Weeks Is a Key Factor in the Development of Antiviral Drug Resistance.

Background: Prolonged (val)ganciclovir [(V)GCV] exposure for ≥6 weeks is a known predisposing factor for cytomegalovirus (CMV) drug resistance. However, the selection of this threshold was based on limited data. In this study, we sought to reappraise the risk factors for the development of (V)GCV resistance through a specific focus on kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Development of a New Index to Assess Small Bowel Inflammation Severity in Crohn's Disease Using Magnetic Resonance Enterography.

Background: The severity of small bowel (SB) inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD) patients is a key component of the therapeutic choice. We aimed to develop a SB-CD Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE) index of Inflammation Severity (CDMRIS).

Methods: Each gastroenterologist/radiologist pair in 13 centers selected MREs from 6 patients with SB-CD stratified on their perceived MRE inflammation severity.